Chapter 164. A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
In response to Eun Wol's question, Seol Chasu didn’t answer immediately.
What kind of person is Yeon Jeokha?
When he returns to the Justice Alliance, many people will ask similar questions.
First, he is one of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain and the Grand Inspector of Nokrim.
But that alone doesn’t explain who he truly is.
Although he belongs to an evil faction, he is not a villain.
He is also not a hero.
He is, as he once said himself, someone who does what he wants.
After thinking for a moment, Seol Chasu gave a brief answer.
"He is a good person."
Regardless of whether he is from the Justice Alliance or an evil faction, from Seol Chasu's perspective, he is a good person.
Although he says he dislikes children, the elderly, and women, Seol Chasu has never seen him mistreat them. In fact, he actively protects them.
So, even if he is from Nokrim, Seol Chasu can only describe him as a good person.
Eun Wol smiled and nodded.
"I knew he would be like that. When you look into his eyes, he seems like a very kind person."
‘That’s not entirely true…’
Seol Chasu didn’t agree with that.
Normally, Yeon Jeokha’s sleepy eyes didn’t seem kind at all. Perhaps they conveyed laziness or indifference, but not kindness.
His eyes only sparkled when he confronted a villain from an evil faction or a Demon Warrior. In those moments, his glittering eyes made him seem like a rascal.
In short, kindness is not a word that describes Yeon Jeokha well.
But since her illusion wasn’t harmful, Seol Chasu didn’t contradict her.
Clop, clop.
When they entered the village, the carriage was almost moving at a snail’s pace.
The road was narrow, and it was Lee Sa's first time traversing it, so he had reduced the speed to a minimum.
Lee Sa guided the carriage according to Eun Wol’s directions.
After turning through several dark alleys, a rather large inn appeared on the side of the road.
The sign reflected the moonlight, and one could read "Yuhyang Inn."
Eun Wol got off the carriage and spoke through the window.
"You can come at your leisure. It seems the door is closed, so I’ll go ahead and find the owner."
With that, Eun Wol ran towards the inn like a child.
As Eun Wol knocked on the inn’s door, Yeon Jeokha's group got off the carriage and looked around.
The village was quite large, probably due to its proximity to Dongho Lake.
After a few knocks, lights came on inside the inn.
Finally, Yeon Jeokha's group headed calmly towards the inn's entrance.
A man who appeared to be in his fifties, Seo Munhak, welcomed them kindly.
"Welcome. I’ve been told you haven’t had dinner yet. Please, this way. Have dinner first."
Yeon Jeokha's group followed Seo Munhak to the dining area.
Despite the late hour, Seo Munhak didn’t show any annoyance.
With a smile, as if welcoming his own family, he took the group’s orders.
When Seo Munhak left, Eun Wol smiled proudly.
"Didn’t I do well bringing you here? He is a good person."
Then, Yoo Geunsik, unconsciously rubbing his stomach, asked.
"And is the food good?"
"You’ll love it. People who know Dongho Lake always come here to eat."
Shortly after, Eun Wol sat with Seol Chasu's group.
Yeon Jeokha's group was already full due to Shim Tong and Namgung Cheon.
When they finished dinner, Eun Wol quickly stood up and approached Seo Munhak, who was waiting at the counter.
"Uncle Seo."
"Ah, yes, Wol. Do you need anything else?"
"I’d like you to prepare the best and cleanest room for me."
At her meaningful words, Seo Munhak’s eyes lit up.
Eun Wol was an artist.
Most of her clients were men.
Although many men desired her, she had never spent the night with any of them.
The fact that she was asking for a room to be prepared surprised Seo Munhak.
"Alright. Who’s the lucky one?"
"The young man by the window, drinking tea."
Seo Munhak glanced towards the window.
There was a young man who appeared to be in his twenties, gazing out the window while drinking tea.
Although they were all martial artists, he seemed rather ordinary.
With a smile, Seo Munhak thought to himself.
‘Perhaps a man like that isn’t a bad choice.’
A man who stands out too much can also be problematic.
Considering Eun Wol’s situation, a quiet and simple man might be perfect.
Whether for living together or just one night, it would avoid future complications.
"Very well, I’ll prepare the best room. I’ll let you know in a moment so you can bring him."
"Thank you."
Eun Wol returned to the table as if nothing had happened.
Even after dinner, Yeon Jeokha's group didn’t get up.
Yeon Jeokha had something to say to them.
Only when Seo Munhak finished clearing the table did Yeon Jeokha begin to speak.
"Thank you for all your efforts so far. Only the Grand Stronghold of Daebyeol remains. After discussing with Sister Yeon, we’ve decided that I will go alone."
Immediately, Shim Tong raised his voice.
"Young Master, what are you saying? Go alone? No matter what, I’ll go with you to the end."
Yeon Jeokha responded calmly.
"If you go, you’ll die. You should spend your money before you die."
"D-die… uhm…"
Shim Tong couldn’t argue.
Knowing the skills of the Demon Warriors, he knew he couldn’t face them.
Namgung Cheon, the Blue Cloud Swordsman, looked at Namgung Yeon and Yeon Jeokha with a sigh.
If they had already discussed it, there was no turning back. It was for the best.
‘Ah, I regret not being stronger.’
In his current state, he would only be a burden.
He knew there was no point in saying "I’ll go with you" just for the sake of saying it.
Seol Chasu’s group also looked at Yeon Jeokha with perplexed faces.
They didn’t show the same displeasure as Shim Tong.
They knew they were no match for the Demon Warriors. They understood they couldn’t accompany Yeon Jeokha on such a dangerous mission.
Yeon Jeokha looked at everyone calmly.
"So, we’ll go together to the village of Seohwa. From there, Seol Chasu’s group can return to Zhengzhou. Shim Tong and Lee Sa Ahjussi will wait in Seohwa."
"Uhm, alright. But don’t let those guys provoke you and risk too much."
Shim Tong was worried about sending Yeon Jeokha alone.
The Demon Warriors were experts in dirty tactics. He only hoped Yeon Jeokha wouldn’t fall for their tricks.
"The only one who’s been provoked is you, Shim Tong. Who’s telling whom not to get provoked?"
Dismissing Shim Tong’s concerns, Yeon Jeokha turned to Namgung Cheon.
"I’d like to say goodbye to you and Sister Yeon in Seohwa. It’s time for you to return to your place. You’ve been away from the Namgung Family for too long."
"That’s true, but…"
Namgung Cheon looked at Yeon Jeokha with sadness.
He wanted to see him return safely, so why was he sending him away?
"Brother, I didn’t mention it before, but I’ve already escaped once using the Great Swordmaster Uicheon’s Sword Control Technique. If I set my mind to it, not even ten Demon Warriors can catch me."
"......"
Finally, Namgung Cheon nodded.
He didn’t know much, but he trusted Yeon Jeokha would be safe.
When the conversation ended, everyone began to stand up.
Eun Wol, now beautifully dressed, approached the group with Seo Munhak.
Seo Munhak guided the group to the second floor.
As she followed the group, Eun Wol gently took hold of Yeon Jeokha’s sleeve.
"I’ll guide you to your room."
"Isn’t it this way?"
Yeon Jeokha pointed to the group ahead.
Eun Wol smiled and replied.
"I’ve prepared a special room for you. This way, please."
She led Yeon Jeokha in the opposite direction of the group.
Yeon Jeokha followed her without much thought.
Namgung Yeon looked back by chance.
She saw Yeon Jeokha and Eun Wol heading in another direction.
She felt something strange when Eun Wol had dressed up so beautifully.
Who dresses up so much at night if not a bride or an artist?
‘It can’t be…’
For a moment, she felt her blood run cold, but she couldn’t do anything.
What right did she have to interfere in other people's affairs?
At that moment, Namgung Cheon muttered.
"Ah, youth, divine treasure..."
It seemed he also understood Eun Wol’s intentions.
Shim Tong and Seol Chasu’s group also looked back.
Shim Tong laughed.
"Heh heh heh. Are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Not at all."
Namgung Cheon quickly walked forward.
Jin Seolha, looking at the two with complicated eyes, said quietly.
"Miss Namgung, isn’t what she’s doing wrong?"
"Why?"
"I mean, that girl is taking Young Master Yeon."
Namgung Yeon responded with a bitter smile.
"She is not a prostitute. In matters of men and women, third parties have no right to interfere."
"Really?"
Jin Seolha nodded with some difficulty.
On second thought, Namgung Yeon was right. That was their business.
Seo Munhak guided everyone to their rooms.
When everyone was in their rooms, he slowly went down to the first floor.
Sitting on her bed, Jin Seolha commented.
"That girl is brave. I didn’t expect her to approach Young Master Yeon like that."
"Everyone lives their life in their own way."
Namgung Yeon was looking at the dark street from the window.
As the saying goes, "the water that falls and the flower that floats," it was natural for young people to be attracted to each other.
It was no one’s fault.
Perhaps if Yeon Jeokha’s parents were there, they could say something.
But no one else had the right to judge his actions.
Even so, Jin Seolha seemed dissatisfied.
"Ugh! How much can you know about someone in just one day…?"
"One day may be enough, and ten years may not. Such are human relationships."
Namgung Yeon looked at the dark street.
For Eun Wol, one day.
For her, ten years.
Eun Wol had recognized her destiny and touched the "Mountain Stream."
It wasn’t just any melody but a piece played with the heart.
Her status as an artist may have made her bolder. To not lose the only chance of her life. She would live the rest of her life remembering that night with Yeon Jeokha.
Jin Seolha’s voice was heard with a hint of envy.
"Truly, you are not a common person. I feel upset and angry. But I guess you’re right and I’m wrong."
‘Am I right?’
Namgung Yeon clenched her teeth.
‘A woman who lives in the present’ and ‘a woman who looks to the future,’ who will win?
Surely the woman who lives in the present will win.
She won’t let the only opportunity in her life pass her by.
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