Camellia 123

As the Sect Leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect, maybe feigning strength was essential. Even saying the same thing, he had to make it sound more sinister than others to maintain the dignity of a leader of a demonic sect.

Trying to consider his husband’s position, Seolyeong quietly offered advice through sound transmission.

–You’ve shown enough of that temper to live up to the title of Sahyeol Amje. How about showing a bit of warmth and wrapping that child up now?”

But Tang Yujae didn’t listen. He was the one who had pulled the boy Si Pungjae out of Mount Hwang and raised him as a martial artist, –with significant help from a gu insect– so there were things he alone could understand. Like how Si Pungjae wouldn’t stop chasing after him unless a clear line was drawn here and now.

When Tang Yujae raised an eyebrow, urging him to speak, the slow-witted follower finally opened his mouth.

“I will leave Jungwon.”

His voice was firm. With a gaze more stubborn than ever, he made his vow.

“If you help me recover my lost memories, I will leave Jungwon and never return.”

Then he bowed low, as if to show his resolve. Head pressed to the ground, he didn’t lift it again. Tang Yujae looked down at him with a quiet hum.

Opening his senses, he confirmed that Yuwon was still wandering through the woods, she hasn’t found a suitable stream yet. With about a quarter of an hour left before her return, Tang Yujae decided to finish this at a relaxed pace.

“Make sure you remember that vow.”

Si Pungjae’s god never spared anyone who broke a promise. He always found them, punished them in countless ways, and only granted them death when their minds had completely worn down.

Tang Yujae walked up to Si Pungjae and knelt on one knee. He gripped his body and sat him upright with a swift motion. His voice was calm.

“I permit the shaping.”

Si Pungjae’s entire body froze instantly. Blood vessels stood out in his wide eyes. Forgotten memories crashed in all at once. The torrent overwhelmed his thoughts, and his eyes became blurry.

A formless power he couldn’t resist pressed down on him. Si Pungjae exhaled blankly.

“Ah…”

Tang Yujae had shielded the boy from the cold night wind. Now, he slowly stood up. As soon as his hand left Si Pungjae’s cheek, his head drooped. He stared at the ground, then clenched a handful of dirt as if trying to hold back what was rising inside.

“What… what is this…”

The memories Tang Yujae had taken weren’t just the ones from after he joined the Cheonma Divine Sect. They included the time he was dragged into a brothel and forced to serve, the time he was abandoned and buried alive in Mount Hwang, the time he clawed his way out and barely survived.

Si Pungjae hunched over and cried. He remembered everything. The jealousy and resentment he’d felt watching his younger sibling run. He had stayed behind out of fear of retaliation, but still blamed the innocent child. He had scolded him for being reckless, saying he’d only get beaten worse if caught.

But in truth, he had wanted to run too. He just didn’t have the courage to risk death, so he gave up before trying.

‘You’re a coward, brother. I can’t believe we were born on the same day.’

His younger brother had left with that cruel farewell. Si Pungjae thought he’d be caught and dragged back within minutes, but no news ever came. It was like he had vanished into thin air.

Part of him had felt relief that his brother escaped safely. The other part resented him for not giving one more push. Just once, he could’ve said let’s go together. Just once, he could’ve kicked him, treated him like a fool, forced him to run.

It was a pathetic past.

Si Pungjae hated his weakness, and honestly, that hadn’t changed. He still hadn’t gained the strength he wanted. He was still surviving under someone else’s protection.

“Transcendent Supreme One of the Sky.”

The flood of emotion struck him, leaving damage. Si Pungjae lifted his tear-streaked face and looked at the Supreme One standing with the moon at his back. In the silent forest, in the heart of winter, that man made flowers bloom. In the moment Tang Yujae reached for him without hesitation, Si Pungjae felt salvation. He never wanted to forget that.

“Please kill the unworthy.”

If that righteous man hadn’t come to Yeonhu and shattered his sky, maybe things could have gone differently. The man who had promised to be his even sky had disappeared without a trace.

“Please banish this follower to a far-off place where I’ll never be able to return to Jungwon…”

Now that his memories had returned, Si Pungjae had to keep his vow. He had to leave Tang Yujae’s side and live far from Jungwon.

But…

“When I joined the Cheonma Divine Sect, I made a vow. That I would follow and protect the Supreme One for the rest of my life. That I would give my pitiful life for him. To keep both that vow and this new one, there’s only one way. To live and die at your side…”

It was love that made your skin crawl. Tang Yujae responded, clearly annoyed.

“You said it yourself. That your sky doesn’t look level anymore.”

He slowly drew his sword and aimed it at Si Pungjae’s hair.

“So there’s no need to keep a vow made under a dead sky. That sky collapsed a long time ago.”

With a clean slice, the jet-black hair was cut away. It happened in a blink.

Even Seolyeong, who had been watching in silence, opened his mouth in shock. No, how could he be this rude? He nearly hurled Seonwol-do just to get Tang Yujae away from Si Pungjae.

“Have you heard the saying that a person’s hair holds memories that won’t be forgotten?”

Tang Yujae murmured as he buried the long hair in the dirt.

“That hair went everywhere with you. It saw the world at your side. No wonder the memories stick. If there are things you want to forget but can’t, bury them here and leave like the wind. Someone who lived just fine without facing his tragic past isn’t going to get stuck on me.”

“Master, I…”

“If you really can’t forget, then just pick someone who looks like me and start something.”

Tang Yujae understood Si Pungjae’s love. He just never acknowledged it, because even reacting to it felt like a hassle.

Only after Tang Yujae forced him to give up could Si Pungjae face what had grown inside him. The feelings had sprouted so long ago that even the roots had rotted black. The love had started to rot and stink and burn.

His long hair vanished into the dirt. So did his love.

Tang Yujae sheathed his sword and extended his hand. He poured energy into the ground beneath a tree. On the cold earth, where nothing had bloomed, a blue wildflower rose up.

“Give that flower to my sister. It’s a gift of thanks. You’re only alive because of her.”

Seolyeong looked at his husband with disapproval. Watching him crush a man’s love with such dedication was too much.

He had tried not to interfere, thinking he had no reason, but after hearing all this, he couldn’t stay silent.

He cleared his throat and sent a transmission.

–Did you really have to go that far? What’s the harm in refusing a little more kindly?”

He had set the stage to scold Tang Yujae, but of course it was pointless.

“If I do that, he’ll love me just as much as you do.”

–… …

“When you draw a line, draw it properly, Ahyeong. That way, the other person can give up faster.”

Seolyeong had nothing to say at his confident answer. His sharp gaze relaxed. As his lips moved, Tang Yujae added one last line.

“Remember this. Cheap, easy feelings are always the most exhausting.”