Camellia 88

Even in the North Sea, where boys were cast out the moment they were born, there were rare exceptions, boys who managed to survive.

If a child showed promise in martial arts or had some other distinguishing trait, he might be allowed to live as a woman through the North Sea’s secret techniques. Biyu’s great-great-grandmother had also become a woman this way, eventually giving birth.

Of course, altering one’s natural essence came with high risks. The success rate was low, and the potential for abuse high. So the entire matter had always been kept strictly hidden from outsiders.

After proposing something so outrageous, Biyu smiled faintly, her expression laced with implication. It seemed to say, Isn’t that what you secretly want too? Tang Yujae let out a soft laugh.

“I’m sorry, Biyu…”

His voice, always so gentle when speaking to women, sounded especially kind now.

“He’s already my wife, and the Gyo-mo of our sect.”

He called Seolyeong “Gyo-mo” without the slightest pause or hesitation. Biyu reached for a celadon teacup. The cold tea had been steeped personally by Yujae, for the Ice Palace guests who preferred chilled drinks.

‘…Was that a warning not to speak carelessly about his wife? Strange. I hadn’t heard anything about the Sect Leader and his bride being so close.’

Quickly setting aside her doubts, Biyu spoke.

“So even if he isn’t in a woman’s body… you still recognize him as your official spouse.”

True to her Northern upbringing, where women were precious as gold and men were treated like rocks, she couldn’t begin to understand Sahyeol Amje’s decision.

“But, Sect Leader. Don’t you want children?”

The blunt question made Yujae shrug awkwardly, then respond with a lighthearted tone.

“Did you forget? I already have a tall, grown son.”

He meant Yang Seogyeong, the boy he had left alone only to find him fully grown one day, though it had actually been Yeoso who’d raised him with great difficulty.

“Ah, that illegitimate one…”

Biyu knew who Seogyeong was. She muttered indifferently and took a sip of tea. Yujae spoke again, looking right at her.

“It dounds like the rumors haven’t reached the North Sea yet.”

Suddenly, waves of power began to ripple through the room. Biyu’s white hair fluttered faintly in the Qi. It was unmistakable a warning. A warning to refrain from further misconduct.

“I’m more devoted than I look.”

“….”

“So do me a favor, Biyu, and be careful what you say about my wife in front of me.”

At that, Biyu’s face stiffened. An invisible force tugged at her ankles, dragging her spirit toward the floor. She managed to speak through the pressure.

“…Yes, Sect Leader. That was thoughtless of me.”

But the pride of the North Sea didn’t crumble from just a single wave of pressure.

“Still, we must recover the Heavenly Heart Ice Pill. If the Palace Mistress learns the sacred relic was taken by an outsider… it won’t stop with my death. Our friendly ties may break down completely.”

The pride of the Ice Palace’s ruler was well known throughout the ages. Sahyeol Amje nodded in agreement. If she found out the Princess had lost the pill on a diplomatic mission, she would surely explode, and the Cheonma Singyo Sect would not be spared her wrath.

“I’ll think of a solution. As your friend.”

At those warm words, Biyu’s eyes trembled. Sahyeol Amje, wearing his golden crown, consoled her as always.

“We’re close enough for that, aren’t we?”

The man who had once given her a reason to live, who taught her what it meant to want something, was sitting before her now. From deep within, an old memory flickered back into focus.

It was the day the Sect Leader had agreed to cross swords with her personally. She had planned to take her own life before returning to the North, but somehow, he had known.

“Desire something for yourself, Princess Biyu. If you need a skill to pursue, I’ll teach you my sword.”

Biyu, calming the fierce edge in her energy, softened her tone.

“…I apologize for letting my concern for the North override my judgment. On top of Rang’s offense, I too have spoken out of line. Would you forgive me with your generous heart?”

Sahyeol Amje didn’t answer, he simply refilled her cup with cold tea.

It was exactly like the rumors said: to women, he was a celestial being. To men, a demon. He had never once intended to scold either Rang or Biyu.

***

Yeohwa Hall was warm. Seolyeong used his own yang energy to keep the room heated while subtly watching the mood of the Murong clan head.

The man sat blankly on the bed, gazing out the window. It took a long while before he finally spoke in a cracked voice.

“…You’ve disgraced the righteous sects.”

Seolyeong had expected scolding. But the old man looked like a toothless tiger, and somehow that made things even more awkward. ‘Was he that unwell?’

As Seolyeong tensed, clenching and unclenching his fists, the Murong clan head murmured toward the window, staring at the blood fiend’s reflection.

“You’ve become a loyal dog of the demonic sect. You even knelt in front of the Samasa like a cheap whore.”

I did it to save your life, you ungrateful bastard… The words burned in Seolyeong’s throat, but he didn’t let them out. If he showed how hurt he was, the old man would only grow more bitter. So he calmly offered instead,

“…Please get some rest, my lord. The sooner you regain your strength, the sooner you can return to Murong.”

He wasn’t being sentimental. It wasn’t about pretending to be the clan head’s foster son.

It was just the decency he had learned as a so-called righteous man. The belief that he owed respect to an old martial artist who had lost both arms.

But the old man was still the same.

“Even breathing the same air as you disgusts me.”

“…Elder.”

“Don’t forget, it’s already a miracle that I haven’t cast your sister out. Keep that in mind. Always.”

“…Of course. Even in the grave, I’ll remember your mercy.”

It was obvious the longer he stayed, the more curses he’d hear. So Seolyeong quickly excused himself.

“One last thing… please don’t get any ideas. Just focus on your family’s future. If something happens to you, leeches will crawl out of the walls to challenge Awi-nim for the clan head seat.”

As soon as he left Yeohwa Hall, he exhaled.

“Haa…”

After that, he simply wandered through the snow, going wherever his feet led him. When his hairpin trembled with concern, Seolyeong rolled his shoulders and forced a smile.

“What do you think, mutt? Even if this place is full of demonic cultivators, the scenery’s not bad, right? This snowfield feels just like the Northern Sea. I wonder if the Ice Palace looks like this too.”

Then, out of nowhere, an apology slipped out of his mouth.

“…Anyway, I’m really sorry, mutt.”

Seonwol-do trembled sharply in protest, but Seolyeong went on.

“You must’ve been waiting for me all this time. But because of my uselessness, you ended up in the Samasa’s hands.”

Zzzing, zzzzing—!

Seonwol-do shook with all its might. Seolyeong was meant to whistle without a care, not drag his feet like this.

Every time he looked like this, the sword wished more than anything that it could speak, to comfort him like a person could. But all the Flowing Water Transformation could offer now was a soft, warm glow.

As it trailed behind him like sunlight, Seolyeong smiled faintly and pulled out the hairpin.

“Haha, mutt, you little…Huh?”

Just as things finally felt light-hearted again, sword and master looked up at the same time.

The wind that had been scattering snow suddenly stopped. A bright ray of sunlight fell over Seolyeong.

Warm light traced his entire body, as if to heal the wounds he carried from Yeohwa Hall.

He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, the red of his irises gleamed sharply.

“…Why do you look so down? That’s not like you.”

The voice he always resented, the one that never failed to cut him down, suddenly whispered by his ear.

Startled, Seolyeong flinched and stepped back. But Sahyeol Amje effortlessly wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. Tilting his head, he asked with mock innocence:

“Are you still angry at me?”