Camellia 127

For Seolyeong, the martial arts tournament held in Hapbi had been both a chance to showcase his ability and an opportunity to briefly live among the martial world as one of its own.

With his dazzling performance, he had already advanced to the semifinals, and one might have thought it a pity for him to forfeit now. Yet he showed no hesitation in his actions.

“So this is the Gyeokroe-do I’ve only heard of in rumors?”

Had it not all begun to prevent Sahyeol Amje from stealing the sword? Now that the target had been secured through an honorable method, every lingering discomfort vanished like snow under sunlight.

Gazing at the blade, whose edge was uneven and jagged as though teeth had broken away, Seolyeong murmured,

“Hmm… perhaps it’s because it was struck by lightning, but it does appear quite threatening.”

The inn was empty, dimly lit by a few oil lamps. Drinking such a precious tea said to be reserved for nobles and high officials, at such an hour was a first for Seolyeong. It left him faintly giddy.

And with none other than Sahyeol Amje for company, it was only natural that his heart, now turned toward affection, continued to lift. He unconsciously laughed.

“Sipping Manhuachachu (ten thousand flowers tea) like some high-born official… I can’t help but wonder. Could there be a camellia flower inside this blend that resembles me?”

Though it was tea rather than wine, the blood fiend babbled on like a drunken man. Tang Yujae looked at him in silence.

He still could not understand how his spouse had deliberately released his disguise, stepped forward before Namgung Shin, and declared himself as the Gyo-mo of the Cheonma Divine Sect. It had been a thoughtless, impulsive act.

“Ahyeong-ah.”

So Tang Yujae asked directly.

“What weight does your heart carry?”

There was no need to waste any more time now that Gyeokroe-do was in hand. His mind was already adrift in imagined visions of summoning the Golden Dragon Waterfall, unfolding the True Boundary Art, and wielding the Fire Dragon Sword to tear through time’s net. In a quiet tone, he offered prudent counsel.

“If it is light, then you may keep it. Over time, even such a heart will lose its shine. But if it is heavy, too heavy for you to bear…”

“What are you saying?”

“Then leave Yurigung at the end of this month.”

The unexpected command left Seolyeong staring, dumbfounded. He had only just begun to think of Yeonhu Mountain as home, to feel a sense of belonging. That had been but a few hours ago.

“Is this because I interrupted your time with the Pale Orchid Sword?”

He offered what little reason he could imagine. Sahyeol Amje returned his words with an unreadable gaze. Gone was the warmth of those dark eyes, only the chill of the Samasa remained.

Seolyeong pressed further.

“Did the imugi emerge again and try to drive a wedge between us? If not, then why tell me to leave…”

“The dead cannot protect the living.”

Tang Yujae responded not with emotion, but with logic, hoping to reason with his spouse. The foolish bride had inflated that flimsy affection to dangerous heights in far too short a time. As Seolyeong’s expression twisted, Tang Yujae sighed and murmured heavily.

“You can imagine for yourself how a widow would be treated in Yeonhu.”

“So this tea was not offered without intent, then.”

The Manhuachacu, named for being brewed from tens of thousands of flower petals, though surely an exaggeration, slid down Seolyeong’s throat. Perhaps it was his unsettled heart, but what had earlier tasted sweet and rich now carried a faint bitterness.

“But if you thought a single cup of tea could bend me to your will, you are sorely mistaken. My heart is mine to manage. Do not interfere.”

He spoke clearly and with purpose, yet he could not conceal the wound that had opened. Sahyeol Amje’s words had struck too deeply for him to remain calm.

Leave? Leave your side?

It was only now that I truly wished to stay with you.

Without another word, Seolyeong set the sword down and stood. To be honest, all he wanted in that moment was to return to Yeonhu Mountain. He missed the perpetual snow and frozen magnolias. He longed to walk through the white courtyard and leave his footprints upon the snow.

But the Sect Leader spoke in a flat voice.

“Sit.”

Qi laced his words, pressing upon Seolyeong. He tried to step away, but his knees would not lift. It felt as though a great boulder pinned his ankles to the earth.

“I do not recall giving permission for you to stand.”

The words struck like blades. In the end, Seolyeong grasped the teacup once more.

Splash! The fragrant Manhuachachu scattered across Tang Yujae’s face.

He closed his eyes as the hot liquid soaked his skin, then calmly wiped his cheek with the back of his hand. His face, flushed from the heat of the tea, glowed red.

“Does it hurt?”

Seolyeong spat the words through clenched teeth.

“It is I who am in pain. You have sliced through my chest with words far sharper and hotter than that tea.”

Then he walked out of the inn, legs so heavy they felt as though the ground itself were collapsing beneath his feet. He could not bring himself to use gyeonggong, and was barely grateful that his footing still held steady.

He had not gone far when Tang Yujae caught up and seized his wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going alone.”

“Let go!”

Seolyeong, as expected, shook him off roughly. In truth, he had already anticipated that the man would follow him.

Even beneath that cold, unfeeling mask, he could tell. The Sect Leader loved him.

“Let go, I said!”

That cruel tenderness had begun to drain him dry.

Each time Seolyeong twisted his arm free, the Sect Leader seized him again by the wrist.

“You damned bastard, you told me to leave! You said it yourself, told me to get out of your life! So what now? You don’t want me to go after all? Do you me to stay until I drop dead in front of you?”

The words burst from Seolyeong in a choked voice. Only then did Tang Yujae finally release his grip.

“Heartless bastard…”

Seolyeong trembled so much his lips quivered. His vision blurred, overwhelmed by the tears welling up in his eyes.

“If this was how it would end, you shouldn’t have shown me kindness. You’re the one who said you’d make sure I wouldn’t fall for you. You’re the one who broke that promise. It’s not only my fault that I ended up loving you…”

His voice cracked at the end, and the tears came pouring out. He had only just started to feel as though he’d found a home, only to have his heart trampled beneath the Sect Leader’s heel.

How was he any different from Si Pungjae? That child, too, had carried love that was never returned, and in the end, had been cast aside.

As Seolyeong wept, Tang Yujae silently watched, then let out a long breath. To soothe his foolish bride, he slowly reached out.

“You’re quite beautiful when you cry.”

The heartless man cupped Seolyeong’s cheeks in both hands and tilted his head slightly.

“But tonight, I don’t particularly feel like seeing it.”

Their lips met. Seolyeong’s eyes widened in shock, and a thick trail of tears slipped down his cheek.

Those lips that had spoken only cold words now breathed warmth into him. The sweet chill of Yin energy spread deep into his lungs, leaving his breath shaky and uneven.

Without realizing it, Seolyeong clung to the man’s forearm. Tang Yujae smiled faintly and drew Seolyeong’s arm up, guiding it behind his own neck.

Their lips briefly parted, and Seolyeong muttered,

“Bastard…”

He cursed himself for being dragged along so helplessly by Tang Yujae’s cruel games.

But the Sect Leader simply stroked his cheek again and kissed him once more. As if determined to drink down every sweet drop of him, Seolyeong panted and clung closer.

Their lower bodies pressed together. A throb rose between his legs, and Seolyeong could not keep still. When he accidentally stepped on Tang Yujae’s foot, the man let out a quiet breath and drew back slightly.

A cold hand slipped beneath his waistband.

“Shall I suck it?”

Just the low whisper was enough to send Seolyeong spiraling into overwhelming arousal. His limbs were slick with cold sweat.

“S-suck what… ngh…!”

The hand wrapped slowly around his aroused flesh, still rigid from their kiss. Tang Yujae nipped lightly at his ear, drawing out sensation. If time was to be wasted, better to use it on their bodies, so he thought. But Seolyeong’s eyes flared with indignation.

Clearly, he had taken offense. He shoved the man’s chest hard and shouted with the fury of a mad bride.

“Touching people’s privates the moment things stop going your way? I see what kind of man you are now! Tell me, Sect Leader, are you sure prostitution wasn’t your true calling? If you don’t get that cursed hand off me right now, I’ll..I’ll do that one thing you absolutely hate! That thing…!

“What thing.”

“I’ll suck your back hole! There’s a tree right there, just perfect for it! If you’d be so kind as to lean over and grab the trunk, I’ll suck you off from behind so cleanly it’ll leave you speechless!”