CHAPTER 64: GOLDEN ORCHID TAVERN

Dan Yuseong’s POV

Thankfully, my fear that Guangdong was some uninhabitable wasteland quickly faded.

"What kind of life have you lived to jump to such a conclusion?" the Sword Empress asked, her tone teasing.

"I didn’t want to think that way either..."

With incidents piling up wherever I went, it was hard not to panic when she warned that security here was even worse.

"Even if it’s not as safe as you’d hope, you don’t need to worry."

"Why not?"

"With me here, who would dare touch you?" She smirked, flashing the sleeve of her cloak adorned with a white plum blossom.

That was undeniably cool.

"Though the righteous and unorthodox factions clash, that only happens when ranks are close. Unless they’re exceptionally skilled or backed by great power, no one would challenge me after seeing this."

"Is that how you’ve always been?"

I’d pegged her as more reserved, but apparently not.

"I just avoid pointless fights. The aftermath is too troublesome."

True, one swing of her sword could end most disputes, but it’d likely draw unwanted attention.

"Have you been to Guangdong before?"

"In my reckless youth, I roamed the martial world, driven by justice. Of course I’ve been here. It was... memorable."

She looked in her twenties, yet her words carried the weight of an old master.

Swish—

"...I wasn’t thinking anything."

"Is that so? I felt a strange vibe just now."

Her gaze snapped to me before I could finish the thought. Was it a master’s intuition, a woman’s intuition, or both? Either way, it sent a chill down my spine.

"So, any place in Guangdong that left an impression?"

"A memorable place..." She paused, thoughtful, then said, "A tavern comes to mind."

"...Huh?"

"It’s likely the largest tavern in the Central Plains. I didn’t seek it out, but a friend back then swore they’d never seen a finer one anywhere."

"Ohh..."

That was intriguing—very intriguing. The best tavern in the Central Plains?

Drool—

My mouth watered at the thought.

"...I can’t see your face, but I know you’re hooked," she said, amused.

Nod, nod—

"You’ve been through a lot. This wouldn’t be a bad treat."

"Can we go?"

"If you want to, there’s no reason not to. I’ll cover the cost, so don’t worry about money."

"Wow, I love you."

Freeze—

The Sword Empress froze, but I didn’t notice, too caught up in my excitement.

"W-what did you just..."

"What’s the tavern called? If it’s that famous, it should be easy to find."

"..."

"Sword Empress?"

"Oh, it’s nothing. The tavern? It’s the Golden Orchid Tavern, I believe."

After asking a passerby, we learned it was about two days’ travel—not too far, but not close either. Eager to get there, I pushed forward, but night fell halfway, forcing us to stop at a nearby inn.

"Do you have any rooms?"

"I’m sorry... We’ve had many long-term guests, so there’s only one room left."

"?!"

The Sword Empress looked flustered. After yesterday’s... incident, sharing a room again so soon must have felt awkward.

"It’s fine. We’ll take the room."

"W-what, you?!"

"We have things to discuss anyway. It’s okay."

After yesterday, we needed to clear the air. It was an accident, but the aftermath required sorting out. We’d been traveling together, but such a sensitive topic couldn’t be broached in public, so I’d been waiting for a private moment like this.

Creak—

"Now it’s just us. I’ve been meaning to say something."

"I-is that so?"

"Yeah. Don’t you have something to say, Sword Empress?"

Even if it was for treatment, we’d been intimate without mutual feelings. I figured she’d have more to say than I did. I was just a wandering fortune-teller who’d slipped away from my master, while she was the Sword Empress, a pinnacle of the righteous faction. And women often take such matters more seriously than men.

I had no choice but to go along, but I don’t know how she feels.

"Something to say... Of course I do."

"Then... Want to go first? Or should I?"

"..."

"If it’s hard for you, I’ll start."

My heart pounded. I never imagined I’d have to say something like this.

Squeeze—

Closing my eyes, I spoke.

"Let’s pretend it never happened."

+

Sword Empress’s POV

Truthfully, I’d half-expected this. His memory loss wasn’t an opportunity for me. To him, I was just a "kind woman," not someone to bind his life to.

"..."

"We both have our own circumstances, right? I’m truly grateful you sacrificed yourself to heal me, but... since we don’t have feelings for each other, dwelling on our first experience would only hurt us both."

I despised that tone—the stiff, formal way he spoke sometimes. I hated it even more when he used it to say that.

No feelings...

Deep down, I’d been hoping. Hoping he might feel something for me too, even though it was impossible.

"..."

Why had I let myself hope, only to feel this crushing disappointment? I hadn’t even protected him properly all this time. Did I really think one shared moment would win his heart?

Hah...

No regrets. This was expected.

"...I understand."

"So... Huh?"

"I said I understand."

Don’t forget. Even if he doesn’t remember, I’m a sinner—a sinner who wronged him gravely. Never forget the belief you’ve held: those who sin must pay and repay their debt to the wronged.

Clench—

Enduring this searing pain was part of my karma.

"A-are you really okay with this?"

"...There’s nothing wrong with what you said, is there? If we don’t have feelings, clinging to each other would only cause pain."

"Uh... That’s true, but..."

Smile—

Forcing a smile through the agony, I said, "I’m fine. Knowing you’re alive fulfills my purpose."

"...Thank you."

Despite the self-loathing gnawing at me, I found solace in this moment since revealing my identity to him and not being met with hatred. As a sinner who had wronged him gravely, that alone felt like absolution.

Author’s Note: Okay guys, please make sure to leave a comment, like, anything as your support goes a long way for me guys!