Camellia 167

The strongest man of his time had survived. After the divine light faded, Yeonhu Mountain returned to its usual stillness. The only difference was the camellias swaying in the breeze along the path, each blooming in its own aloof posture.

As if trapped in a dream, the people of Yurigung wandered through the sea of flowers. Only by afternoon did they return to themselves. None of them would know that Sahyeol Amje had escaped the serpent’s nest and finally found freedom.

Tang Yujae still looked dazed at times, like a fool pulled up by the collar from the bottom of a pit. But he gradually got used to the chance he had been given. At the break of dawn, he would open his eyes and start the day by looking at the wife lying next to him.

“…Sleep some more.”

Seolyeong’s sleepy eyelids lifted slowly as he murmured. Even in a body that needed no rest, this impudent bride was easily lured into drowsy dreams. Tang Yujae liked how his wife’s body gradually warmed under the covers, so he closed his eyes again without complaint.

Then Seolyeong would wrap himself around Sahyeol Amje’s waist and giggle lazily.

On mornings like that, the two would sleep in until the sun rose high, then stroll side by side through the forest path. As they walked, Seolyeong, pulling Yujae along, muttered with a sulky look.

“When are these damn camellias finally going to fall?”

His gaze, heavy with melancholy, scanned the flowers that had borne witness to the day Heavenly Gate opened. Flowers thick with the imugi’s aura. Thinking back on the smug face of that divine beast swinging his sword like it was throwing scraps, Seolyeong felt his stomach turn.

That imugi was far too unruly, completely ignorant of mercy, and good at mocking others. Maybe he should learn to act his age before becoming a god.

“Haa…”

Trailing behind his constantly sighing bride, Tang Yujae obediently reversed the camellias back to their pre-blooming state. The flowers withered instantly, curling back into seeds. Seolyeong stared at them, then murmured.

“Impressive. Every single day.”

The divine technique of controlling life through nature’s vital energy still worked. An absolute martial art that could bloom and wither life at will. Seolyeong couldn’t help but admire such skill, but the thought of the yeouiju embedded in Yujae’s danjeon made him feel uncomfortable.

“…This wife fears that amazing five-element affinity of yours might endanger you again.”

He said it plainly and looked up. Tang Yujae was watching his wife’s drooping brows. That gloomy look didn’t suit Seolyeong.

But ever since the Heavenly Gate closed, Seolyeong would sometimes look up at the sky with unbearable sorrow. Tang Yujae, who had heard how the imugi ascended the light’s staircase without a shell, suddenly laced his fingers with his bride’s and asked,

“What would you think if your husband visited the heavens?”

“…What?”

Seolyeong’s eyes narrowed. His expression shifted from somber to fierce in an instant. In a sharp voice, he snapped at his husband.

“Visit where? Forget the heavens. Don’t you dare climb to any high places. What if that damn imugi brat kidnaps you again? I’d die of worry.”

“You miss Seonwol-do, don’t you?”

Seolyeong, who had been ranting at, shut his mouth. Tang Yujae continued calmly.

“If I push my Qi to its limit, I might receive an invitation to the celestial realm. Then I could retrieve your sword too.”

It wasn’t wrong. Tang Yujae, possessing a yeouiju, was close to divinity. His martial arts could overpower most masters.

But Seolyeong grumbled.

“You barely survived, and now you want to say things that’ll just hurt me again? What if our mutt hears this from the heavens? Wouldn’t it make that sacrifice feel pointless?”

“You’re right. You and your sword barely kept me alive. So it’s only right to devote myself to you.”

“You son of a—seriously!”

Seolyeong grabbed Sahyeol Amje by the collar. Their faces drew close.

“Stop with the nonsense. Please, just live your life as yourself.”

That was all Seolyeong ever wanted. Birds chirped on pine branches. The afternoon sun fell gently on his fine hair.

“If your hands are that itchy, why not help me smash that damn imugi statue instead?”

The one built above the palace gate. His eyes sparkled like he meant to go destroy it right away. Tang Yujae smiled wryly.

“Every idea you have is completely outrageous.”

Before Seolyeong could retort, Yujae said,

“And I think I love that about you.”

“…”

“I’m always grateful to you. So… will you marry me?”

It was too sudden. Seolyeong’s hands went slack. Tang Yujae clasped them and slid a ring onto one pale finger. Seolyeong, always the one proposing, now stood on the receiving end. His eyes stung.

“Let’s hold a ceremony before we visit the Murong clan.”

There was something Tang Yujae hadn’t told him. He too had watched the girl who climbed the light’s stairs in his place, through the imugi’s eyes. It wasn’t the imugi who reached for her, but him.

“From today on, I won’t bloom any flower except you.”

Some truths are better left buried. Some lies must remain unspoken for both their sakes. But just like old seasons always find their way back, someday, they would share those stories.

“I want to live as a human. With you.”

Seolyeong’s breath trembled. His heart pounded. It felt like the ground cracked beneath him. He knew it was foolish, but he swayed. He leaned into the hand holding him and found his balance again.

“…I don’t think I can hold it in.”

He gripped the ringed hand tight and smiled wide.

“I’m going to smash that statue right now. If I don’t, I might snap you in half instead.”

It was an empty threat, but Sahyeol Amje smiled like he surrendered entirely.

Seolyeong let go of his husband’s hand and soared through the air. One breath opened his upper danjeon. Two, and his fist was raised. A grin pulled at his lips.

Then he struck.

The blow landed without mercy. A single brutal attack shattered the statue. Massive chunks crashed down with thunderous impact. Yurigung trembled with each one.

The startled Lord of Jipilgak came rushing, but it was too late. On the ruins of the imugi statue stood the radiant bride. Cho Unrim looked up, stunned.

From atop the gate, Seolyeong shouted.

“Cheonma Divine Sect, hear me!”

His strong voice rang through Yurigung. The maid cleaning vases, the lazy Sa Yeoho, Si Pungjae practicing spirit techniques, and the sect members exchanging pointless duels all looked up in shock.

Feeling every gaze turn to him, Seolyeong bellowed again.

“This Gyo-mo swears on past and future lives!”

His poise was light, his gesture practiced.

“Regrettably, our sect no longer belongs to the domain of gods. Worship whatever damned demon you like, I won’t stop you. But never forget you are human. Always make human decisions. Always hold human beliefs. If not, I will personally make sure you want to live as a human! Hahahaha!”

As his booming laughter echoed, the Lord of Jipilgak looked ready to faint. But the mountains and sky, wrapped in camellias, sent a herd of soft clouds to laugh with them.

Tang Yujae, watching his bride’s antics from afar, gently opened and closed the hand that had held Hayeon’s.

A faint blue light peeked through the clouds, as if looking back toward Yurigung.