Camellia 71

Of course it had to be that Peng clan.

Unlike the white-haired warriors who wore long swords at their hips, the two behind her carried massive sabers strapped to their backs, more than enough to confirm it. That towering height, far past what would be considered tall for an adult man, and that unusually large frame, those were trademarks of the Habuk Peng clan.

Peng Seonyu, who had been staring straight at Seolyeong, finally spoke.

“…You’re thinking of the right Peng clan, Gyo-mo-nim.”

Her gaze was icy cold.

Seolyeong suddenly found himself resenting his husband, who had disappeared and left him here. He’d always been strangely helpless when it came to hostility from women. Maybe it was because he treated all women like his little sister, no matter who they were.

Ahem. Just as he cleared his throat, trying to say something, Peng Rang stepped forward and asked,

“Do you love him?”

“Arang!”

Seonyu quickly grabbed her sister’s shoulder.

Seolyeong blinked, not knowing what to make of the question. He looked quite unsure.

“…Pardon?”

Peng Rang shook off Seonyu’s hand and shot straight from the hip.

“I’ve loved him for a very long time.”

A mere warrior, speaking like this to the Sect Mother of Cheonma Singyo, this could’ve blown up into a full diplomatic incident if Seolyeong decided to press it.

But he only answered with a carefree smile.

“Ah, I see. Haha… To be loved by someone as graceful as you, I’m sure the Sect Leader must feel deeply honored. As a fellow man, I can only be jealous.”

Truthfully, he didn’t care enough about the position of Sect Mother to be offended by Peng Rang’s provocation. Even that out-of-the-blue confession didn’t faze him. All that flashed through his head was ‘You’ve got terrible taste in men…’

If she were his sister, he’d have followed her around day and night until she gave up. What’s the point of falling for someone like that, when there are decent men out there, men mature in character, like her brother?

Peng Rang let out a quiet scoff at Seolyeong’s unconcerned attitude, as if mocking him.

Seonyu, no longer able to stand it, clenched her teeth and whispered,

“That’s enough, Arang. If this recklessness sparks diplomatic problems, Lady Biyu will be put in a difficult position…”

“Come now, why don’t we all have a drink instead?”

Seolyeong cut in, beaming as he rubbed his palms together like a merchant. If the Peng sisters were that close to the Sect Leader, that just meant he had two fine sources of information standing right in front of him.

“The wine served today was specially selected by the Sect Leader himself for the Hanhoe delegation. This isn’t just some common brew you’ll find anywhere in the world. Now, which one of you warriors would like to try it first? For reference…”

Grinning like a peddler, he watched the Peng sisters’ expressions. Still stiff, still hostile. But there was no reason to be afraid. It was only a matter of time before those faces softened.

“This Sect Mother happens to be a heavy drinker who knocks back liquor like it’s water, so I recommend you tread carefully if you challenge me.”

“…”

“Behind this innocent camellia-like face is terrifying drinking power.”

A chill silence fell over the room. The reaction wasn’t great, but Seolyeong brimmed with confidence. With some booze, music, and a little awkwardness between strangers, befriending these women would be a breeze.

*

In the forest, where only bare conifers remained, Bing Biyu walked beside Cheonsin and struck up a light conversation.

“Your martial arts improve by the day, Sect Leader. At this rate, you might ascend and enter the immortal realm.”

Cheonsin responded with a faint smile.

“My vessel’s still too small to become a true immortal.”

“And yet, you show humility as well. Who could dare speak against a vessel like that?”

Biyu’s white hair fluttered in the air. As Cheonsin made to calm the wind, she shook her head.

“To those from the Ice Palace, a windless sky is more unbearable than a harsh one.”

At her firm tone, Cheonsin let the wind return to its original strength.

The martial technique he used could control the weather itself.

Biyu couldn’t help but look at him with a mixture of awe and concern. She’d sensed it, cracks were beginning to form in the body of a man holding such immense power.

Cheonsin suddenly asked,

“Did you find any man worth taking?”

That was when Biyu remembered the reason she’d been sent to Sipman Daesan. To select a worthy seed-slave who could help her twin sister, Bing Bihyo, produce a strong heir.

But somewhere along the way, she’d forgotten her duty.

Maybe it was the ten days she’d spent at Yurigung with the Peng sisters years ago… or maybe it was meeting Sahyeol Amje again. Since then, something had been stirring inside her.

It was thanks to him that she’d found meaning in her life again, after living in the shadow of her more capable twin.

In that sparring match long ago, she had seen a blade dance so beautiful it felt divine. At the moment it came crashing down toward her, she’d felt something reawaken in her soul.

‘Be greedy for your life, Lady Biyu. If you need a technique to polish, I’ll teach you this sword style.’

Her heart had pounded like it was newly born. Her whole body, shocked into life.

There were always stronger people in the world. No reason to despair over small achievements in the North Sea. She was just a frog in a well. That was what Sahyeol Amje had made her realize, and ever since, she had admired him.

“…Seems like you’ve already chosen a man to send to the Ice Palace.”

She finally replied after her short reverie. Cheonsin gave a mock sigh.

“Ah, so I’ve been found out.”

“There was one guy practically gilded head to toe. It would’ve been weirder not to notice.”

“You Ice Palace folks like your slaves handsome, don’t you? This one’s not just good-looking, he’s strong too. I’d recommend him.”

They walked together at a relaxed pace.

What began as a short conversation about the slave-to-be, Hwang Seoik, branched out into a discussion of the upcoming succession ceremony. It dragged on long enough that they spent quite some time on that stroll.

When she asked if Cheonsin could attend the ceremony three years from now, Tang Yujae brushed it off with vague words. By then, there was a good chance he wouldn’t even be alive.

“You Ice Palace people always send someone to us. Isn’t it time the Cheonma Singyo Sect sent an envoy instead?”

“Have you forgotten the lords crawling through the snow on their hands and knees?”

“…That was…”

Just as they returned to the trailhead after circling the pine path, Biyu reluctantly admitted,

“The Palace Mistress is grateful for the gesture you made back then.”

When the Eight Pavilions Lords had visited the North Sea during the early days of diplomacy, it had deeply pleased the Ice Palace Mistress.

“I too feel the same way about this friendship. I’m grateful every day. But… don’t you think it’s about time we head back to the banquet hall? What do you think, Lady Biyu?”

Cheonsin figured the Peng sisters had probably cooled down by now and asked casually. Biyu smoothed back her wind-tossed hair and followed him.

She’d already figured out that Sahyeol Amje had run out here to escape the Peng warriors’ fury. He was always that way. Merciless to men, endlessly soft to women.

Back inside the banquet hall.

“Oh, sister! Why’d you fall for that bastard?!”

“He’s not a bastard!”

“A man who pretends to be kind just to fool an innocent woman is a bastard!”

Seeing Seolyeong sitting across from Peng Rang, drunk and gossiping, Tang Yujae was left speechless.

The Eight Pavilions Lords were glaring as if they’d murder him on the spot.

“So his favorite trick is seducing people by offering to teach them martial arts?”

Well, fair enough. Anyone could tell who they were talking about.

“Don’t say that. He personally reached out to me when even my clan threw me away. If not for him, I’d never have held a sword, and I would’ve been sold off to a male yin-body.”

“He still took you in just to suppress his yin, same as anyone else.”

“It’s different. He gave me a new path in life.”

“What’re we gonna do with you, sister… You fell for him completely, didn’t you. Damn it. Of all the men in the world…”

As Bing Biyu watched from beside him, she hesitantly addressed Tang Yujae.

“Sect Leader…”

“…Don’t mind it. He’s always been a little unhinged.”