Continuing, or rather, the Poison King and Dang Yu-jin did not say much. Seo-yoon and Dang Yu-hwa were the same. After staring at him for a moment, the Poison King issued a command, and Seo-yoon and Dang Yu-jin stepped out without hesitation. Once outside, Dang Yu-hwa tapped Seo-yoon on the back.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Excuse me?"
"This is a good opportunity for you too. Your sister has plenty of experience. And compared to me..."
"True. Why did I refuse? What was so special about this girl that I wanted to stick around? Do you think if I cancel now, the Poison King would accept it?"
"...Ugh."
For some reason, Dang Yu-hwa's expression was bright. She stood on her tiptoes and ruffled the hair of the dejected Seo-yoon.
"Let's go eat."
"Okay..."
Dang Yu-hwa and Seo-yoon left the Jeonghyeob Alliance. They were parting ways, but what did it matter? The Poison King, watching them happily leave through the window, couldn't help but smile.
"Interesting fellow."
At first, he thought he was just an ordinary opportunist. But he realized that his thoughts were deeper than expected, and he didn't hesitate to act. A strong heart. It was important not only for martial arts but for many other reasons.
"To win against a top-tier master despite being a third-rate... And now he's growing quickly in this regard."
"Heh. Do you like him?"
"For now... he's certainly unique. I like unique things."
The Poison King took a sip of tea and looked at Dang Yu-jin. She merely wore a serene smile.
"What do you think?"
"I like people who know their place. If my grandfather says something, I'll teach him as much as I can. But I don't think Seo-yoon will end up with Sa Yun-young."
Dang Yu-jin felt similarly about Seo-yoon. Whether it was his average physique or his rapid improvement in just one day, those things didn't matter much to her. What she appreciated was his mindset—he didn't show interest in unnecessary matters and maintained a certain distance from others. Sa Yun-young, who had been a former servant, couldn't understand that distance and crossed boundaries freely. From Dang Yu-jin's perspective, there was no servant quite like Seo-yoon.
"If nurtured well, he could be a great asset to our clan."
"Right... then."
After taking another sip of tea, the Poison King calmly murmured while looking outside.
"The future will be decided according to their choices."
---
After filling up on the usual noodles and dumplings at Yangmun Inn, Dang Yu-hwa went off to take care of her business. Left alone in the hut, Seo-yoon held his face in his hands.
"Sigh..."
"It feels like the ground is going to swallow me."
When had he arrived? Mu-young chuckled while shaking a bottle of alcohol.
"What about Dozon?"
"He went to Mt. Sungsan for something."
"Didn't he tell you to train?"
"He did."
"And you're not going to?"
"Why would I?"
He really was an insufferable guy. After Mu-young opened the bottle and took a swig before offering it to Seo-yoon, he shook his head.
He had refused the Poison King's order. Dang Yu-hwa had left. All he had left to do was train.
After getting up from the porch and adopting the Ma Bo stance to practice Samyangsu's techniques, Mu-young was impressed.
"What's with your enthusiasm?"
"Try living like me for a day. If you can't live today properly, there won't be a tomorrow."
"But you're not living in Haatong anymore."
"There's no tomorrow for those who forget the past."
Even if they were both top-tier martial artists, there were differences. Chulhaengrang was a top-tier martial art, but Samyangsu was also top-tier in its own right. However, in terms of difficulty, Samyangsu was far more challenging. Just one technique was not easy at all.
Unlike during Chulhaengrang training, Mu-young couldn't offer advice this time.
"Hmm..."
It was different from when they were vice-secretary; considerable effort had to be put into mastering this technique's nuances. Until he could unfold it instinctively, all that remained was training.
Watching Seo-yoon practice silently, Mu-young gulped down more alcohol before quietly leaving his hut.
How long had he been training? By the time Seo-yoon had soaked his clothes with sweat from practicing without rest, Dang Yu-jin appeared.
"Were you training again?"
"You came."
"Yeah. I had something I wanted to ask you."
"Yes?"
"Why did you refuse grandfather's order?"
With her arms crossed behind her back and an unusually relaxed tone, Dang Yu-jin asked leisurely as Seo-yoon picked up a towel from the porch to wipe off his sweat with a sigh.
"Well... why did I do that?"
"Heh heh heh. Have you fallen for Yu-hwa's charm?"
"I wonder... could that be it? Honestly, I've never really felt anything like romantic affection before."
Dang Yu-jin seemed surprised by Seo-yoon's answer after playfully asking him that question earlier; she paused for a moment before breaking into her usual mischievous smile.
"Oh really?"
"Just because I'm from Haatong doesn't mean I'm easy prey."
"Heh heh. So you're not easy prey then?"
Although she teased him with that question, Seo-yoon didn't respond. Whether someone looked pretty or handsome made it easy for Haatong's courtesans or noblewomen to take their first steps into romance while still being able to earn money from it.
But Seo-yoon was far removed from such situations—he wasn't particularly attractive or handsome.
"They just didn't have discerning eyes."
As Seo-yoon clicked his tongue at Dang Yu-jin's steady gaze upon him while complaining softly, she burst into laughter.
"Honestly speaking, I do like you; that's about it though. I can't teach you at the level that Yu-hwa did either—and I have no intention of doing so."
Even Dozon acknowledged how well Dang Yu-jin taught Seo-yoon—she put quite a bit of effort into it too. However, Dang Yu-jin didn't intend to go that far.
"What are you trying to say?"
"If you're going to follow me around as my servant, you'll need to behave well as one. It seems like Yu-hwa managed well enough; I'll ask you to do the same."
"Oh come on! I'm not doing that!"
"I'm giving you an opportunity!"
"I'm fine! I'm not going far!"
Seo-yoon sprawled out on the porch in exasperation at receiving such treatment from someone like Dang Yu-jin of the clan.
But she didn't seem particularly offended and walked outside instead. When she reached near Yangmun Inn after leaving his hut, she stopped in her tracks.
Dang Yu-hwa was waiting in an area with few people around.
"Oh? What are you doing here?"
"I was waiting for my sister."
"Oh really?"
"Sister! I have a proposal!"
"You're saying you're going to go with Hapbi?"
Dang Yu-hwa bit her lip in surprise as she looked at her sister with her characteristic soft smile.
"Do as you wish; just know this—"
"I know," she interrupted confidently.
The current situation of their clan wasn't very good—the countermeasures against Vice-Secretary had been released. There were no guarantees that countermeasures against other martial arts hadn't been researched yet either; thus martial arts inspections were necessary.
For martial artists, supplementing and perfecting their skills took precedence over everything else—just participating could earn great merit for their family.
If so, then it wouldn't be impossible for Dang Yu-hwa to rise to the position she coveted as clan leader either if Dang Yu-jin went along with Hapbi and didn't participate in research efforts.
Dang Yu-hwa clenched her fist tightly; knowing how much she desired that position made Dang Yu-jin simply smile back at her.
"There's still time left; think about it some more. For me personally—it doesn't matter much—but it might not be what you want either."
"...Sigh."
"Hang in there!"
As Dang Yu-jin walked lightly toward Jeonghyeob Alliance, Dang Yu-hwa covered her face with her hands in distress.
"What should I do..."
"Oh? Is that Dong So-ja?"
"...What? Is that Mu-young?"
Mu-young appeared from Yangmun Inn holding a bottle of alcohol; there was already a hint of alcohol on him—had he already taken a drink?
"What's up?"
"It's nothing much."
"Then that's fine! Your face looks like it's about to cry any moment now! So what? Want to grab some drinks?"
"No thanks! But can you even be here? Didn't Dozon tell you to train?"
"I've always kept three-tenths of my skills hidden just for times like this."
That's impressive! To hide your skills while practicing daily with Dozon!
Dang Yu-hwa clicked her tongue while Mu-young shrugged nonchalantly.
"You should live your life doing what you want! Why live so tightly wound up? From what I've seen, both you and Seo-yoon lack leisure."
"Lack leisure... huh."
"This life is only lived once! You should enjoy it while you can! Ugh!!"
Mu-young cradled his head as he collapsed onto the ground; behind him stood Dozon who had somehow appeared without anyone noticing him.
With an unsettlingly sweet smile on his lips and lifting his rock-like fist threateningly while shivering slightly...
"You've been hiding three-tenths of your skills?!"
"Oh haha! Master? That's not true!"
"Oh really... then show me those three-tenths here! Let's see where this ends today!"
"Ack! Ack! That hurts! Master! My bones!"
"I'll break those bones!"
Seeing Dozon and Mu-young interact brought a smile to her face; they looked more like enemies than teacher and student!
As she watched them begin what looked like punishment disguised as training again while biting her lip in frustration...
'They really lack leisure...'
That much was clear—Seo-yoon too—both were running madly without any sense of leisure whatsoever!
"Elder Dozon! I'm going now!"
"Hmm... right then; today I'll keep this guy busy so don't expect dinner from me—eat among yourselves."
"Aaahhh! This crazy guy! You really plan on killing me?!"
"Let's see those hidden three-tenths of yours!"
As Dozon grabbed Mu-young by the leg and tossed him aside before stepping over him casually while speaking leisurely...
With those words echoing behind him as he walked away...
The path toward Jeonghyeob Alliance felt more familiar than before now—it felt natural!
When his steps finally halted after moving forward effortlessly...
He saw Seo-yoon drenched in sweat practicing Chulhaengrang again!
Seeing that made everything clear: someone who works hard—someone who tries their best no matter what—they're always running full speed ahead just like himself!
There's no way one could dislike such people!
As for relationships between men and women—that remained uncertain...
But one thing was certain: he definitely liked him!
Regardless of conditions...
The unyielding attitude—the burning passion focused solely on living today...
That made Dang Yu-hwa's heart flutter!
And she realized why she hesitated even when faced with what could be considered an unparalleled opportunity for herself...
"...Sigh."
Letting out a small sigh as she entered her hut once again...
"You've arrived."
"Yeah... is Chulhaengrang going well?"
"It's coming along...? In just a few days' time I think I'll reach an understanding of rationality."
The droplets of sweat never betray one's efforts—regardless if someone claims they lack talent or aptitude... Seo-yoon would undoubtedly become skilled!
This flame fueled by passion wouldn't extinguish easily either!
Without realizing it herself—Dang Yu-hwa smiled at Seo-yoon as she entered inside...
"They say neither Dozon nor Mu-young will come today; we can have dinner together just us two instead! We have rice right? I'll cook dinner so keep practicing until then—I'll help with Samyangsu later!"
"...Hmm."
"Are you listening? Did we buy rice? I'm cooking now!"
"Oh yes."
Seo-yoon nodded nervously in response—not because he was surprised by Dozon or Mu-young not coming but because…
[Mission: The Season Where Love Blossoms has been successfully completed.]
[You have received Sweet Jugo Power as your mission reward.]
[A new mission has occurred.]
[New Mission: Even In Moments Of Crisis]
[Defeat three or more enemies of equal rank.]
[Mission Reward: 300 Gold Diamonds]
'Why?'
Earlier when Dang Yu-hwa smiled at him—that's when he completed his mission!
He'd seen countless smiles from her until now but never once had any mission succeeded!
So why exactly did this specific mission succeed right now?
Shouldn't it mean that she harbored feelings for him?
Before long—Seo-yoon found himself looking down at an elegant box placed in front of him…
"...But what is Jugo Power?"
When he opened the box inside were ten black objects—it didn't look like candy at all!
After tapping one lightly… Seo-yoon trudged over to sit down on the porch again…
"What are you doing? Taking a break?"
"Uh… yes."
"And what's that?"
"They say it's sweet..."
At Seo-yoon's response—Dang Yu-hwa sat beside him—the faint fragrance tickled his nose…
"Let me see."
"Go ahead; take them all."
She took the box entirely—examining one black Jugo Power closely before popping it into her mouth…
And then she gasped in surprise!
"What is this? It's incredibly sweet!"
"Really?"
"Yeah! Want to try some?"
As soon as one piece disappeared down her throat—Dang Yu-hwa lifted another piece asking if he'd like some too…
In that instant…
With Jugo Power still in her mouth—Dang Yu-hwa pulled on Seo-yoon's collar bringing their lips together…
The sweetness flooding their mouths could've been due solely from Jugo Power—or perhaps due more so because of Dang Yu-hwa's saliva closing off any distance between them…
As their lips slowly parted—she smiled brightly asking—
"How is it? Sweet?"
On his lips remained traces left behind by black Jugo Power… Seeing this made Seo-yoon mumble hesitantly—
"...I'm not sure..."
"Sigh… Are you an idiot?"
With Jugo Power still lingering within her mouth—Dang Yu-hwa spoke gently—
"Alright then—I'll teach you until you understand—I'm practically your master after all."
"Thank you."
Both Dang Yu-hwa and Seo-yoon shared glances without knowing who initiated first…