Camellia 24

A deadly silence loomed over the Yurigung’s Akbindang Hall. Blood splatter stained the painted birds and flowers on the ceiling. One bird, its teal wings half-stained a dark red, looked like prey struck down mid-flight.

Yuwon’s face bore an anxious expression as she looked at the bloodied and barely conscious Si Pungjae. Half of her heart ached like a physician treating a patient at death’s door, and the other half as a woman desperate to save someone she cherished.

But this was Akbindang, hall of the Cheonma Divine Sect, surrounded by elite warriors sworn in loyalty to the Cheonsin.

Normally scattered across separate mountain strongholds, today all Eight Pavillons Lords, who formed the sect’s Council of Elders, had gathered in Yurigung. Even their subordinates of lower rank were in attendance.

These lords despised those who acted without orders. They were the sort who would call it holy sacrifice if their god killed his own child. Even Si Pungwoon, Pungjae’s own brother, merely observed his sibling’s collapse with indifference. Yuwon could only clench her fists tightly.

No one here expected human compassion from their deity.

The Sect Leader, who had risen to the throne by upholding the brutal law of the strong, needed only one thing, absolute power. That alone was his burden and duty.

From the throne, Cheonsin spoke.

“Pungjae has failed to meet my expectations lately.”

His voice was calm, emotionless. Without a hint of mercy, the sect leader had driven a loyal subordinate to near death. With a click of his tongue, he added,

“Tsk.”

“…Cheonsin-nim…”

Si Pungjae mumbled as he forced his feeble legs to stand. His left ankle was twisted grotesquely, bones visibly shattered, yet he didn’t let out a single groan.

His “crime” was that he’d let the bride from Yonyeong spot the Sect Leader first. A petty excuse, really. Cheonsin never took Yangcheonju on a fixed schedule. It was impossible to predict when or where he’d revert to a child’s form. Expecting Pungjae to instantly locate him under such circumstances was an unreasonable demand.

Besides, Cheonsin had always been the type to return to Gwanju Hall on his own, even if Pungjae didn’t come get him.

But still, Pungjae showed no resentment at his punishment. From the moment Cheonsin saved him from being buried alive, Pungjae’s life had belonged to him.

Yuwon knew Cheonsin was punishing Pungjae to pressure her. And she didn’t expect that.

Cheonsin had always been merciful to his own. Despite countless clashes, he had never shown his fury so openly, not until now. And not like this, crushing Pungjae as a substitute for her.

He had summoned nearly the entire sect into Akbindang to humiliate Pungjae in front of all.

“Do not disappoint me again.”

With those final words, Cheonsin left his seat.

The elders chanted in unison, “Follow the Heaven and prosper, defy it and perish! Our sovereign, the one who ascends to rule the heavens! A thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!” Then, each of them disappeared to their respective posts.

Once they were gone, Pungjae finally collapsed, crumpling to the floor.

Only then could Yuwon rush over.

“Sir!”

Tang Yujae quietly watched the scene unfold.

Si Pungjae forced a faint smile, pretending to be fine. Even as Yuwon wiped the blood from him with silk cloth, his attention remained fixed solely on Cheonsin.

Yuwon felt her heart sink. This foolish man was pouring unreturned affection into someone who saw him as nothing more than a tool.

She dropped the silk cloth and looked up.

The throne was built atop twenty-eight stone steps. To look up at Cheonsin, one had to tilt their chin until their neck strained.

Yuwon thought, This is the distance between you and me, Yujae. You are my god, and I am just one of your subjects.

She spoke with a solemn voice.

“…Please grant permission for me to treat him.”

A request made by swallowing her pride. Pungjae wouldn’t accept treatment without Cheonsin’s consent.

Elbow resting on the armrest, Cheonsin slowly leaned his cheek into his hand.

Yuwon remembered when she and Yujae had been like close siblings. When she craved pumpkin candy, he’d sneak out to the market for her. He’d always buy a bunch of forget-me-nots from across the river and hand them to her too.

Amidst that aching nostalgia, she whispered,

“My lord… I beg you, show mercy. Is he not also one of your people?”

Her voice trembled pathetically. Just then, a whirlwind swept through Akbindang.

Cheonsin closed the distance in an instant, raising the corners of his lips as he appeared before her.

Yuwon stood, drawn up by an invisible force. As she rose, an icy hand gripped her chin.

“Listen closely, sister.”

“…Urgh…”

It was a bone-deep cold. Even the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace would have yielded to it. It crushed her breath like a vice.

Having chosen godhood over humanity, the Sect Leader granted her a moment of silence to endure the chill.

Her lips twitched. Cheonsin brushed her lower lip with his thumb, it had already turned purple.

Warm breath escaped between her parted lips, but Cheonsin felt no heat. Human warmth could no longer thaw him.

“Don’t drag my bride into your jealousy. I’ve tolerated your usual nonsense plenty, but once that person gets involved, I can’t just laugh it off.”

The madman from Yonyeong was both the most dangerous and the most infuriating martial artist Cheonsin had ever encountered. Just watching him squawk like a duck was enough to stir murderous urges. Naturally, he often wondered how blood wine brewed from him might taste.

Cheonsin looked down at Pungjae.

“From now on, this child will take your punishments. If you don’t want him hurt, be careful with your words and actions.”

“You arrogant bastard…!”

Yuwon had been trying to endure it quietly, but that pushed her past her limit. She slapped his hand away and let out a hollow laugh.

Just how much of a headache had that bride caused him that he resorted to making threats now?

She snapped,

“If that’s how you want to play it, I won’t look after you anymore. You’ve heard the reports, your supply of Yangcheonju is running out. I’m the only one who knows how to make it, Yujae. What will you do if your devoted physician abandons you and vanishes? Still throwing out cheap threats?”

Yuwon forced herself to keep a calm expression to mask her fear of defying her god.

Cheonsin looked her up and down, then smirked faintly.

“You think I won’t let it go? Because you’re my sister?”

Yuwon realized he wasn’t taking her seriously, she raised her voice. But before things could go further, a bloodied hand reached between them.

Si Pungjae extended a trembling hand and grasped Yuwon’s ankle, gazing up at her with pleading eyes.

“…Physician…”

His breathing was ragged. Yuwon quickly knelt and examined him.

Now wasn’t the time to waste on pointless arguments.

Caressing his cheek, Yuwon bit her lip. Gasping, Si Pungjae spoke,

“…The Supreme One… needs you…”

Cough, cough!

He spat out clotted blood and forced a smile.

Cheonsin shrugged.

“You seem to forget, no one wants you to leave more than I do.”

But who was the one that never let her go? Who was it that had shackled her?

Yuwon pressed her stinging eyes with the back of her hand. Si Pungjae whispered,

“Please don’t cry… my lady…”

If only he could say it cruelly instead. Yuwon carefully supported the man who couldn’t even open his eyes, his blood crusted over.

Sometimes, she envied the younger brother who received all that love. But sometimes, she pitied him, so empty, even in the midst of absolute devotion.

She walked slowly, chiding him for refusing to lean on her.

“Please rely on me. Holding onto your pride while you’re hanging between life and death… it’s so unnecessary.”

And sometimes, she wished that Si Pungjae’s love would come true.

Because she knew only that could finally set her free.