CHAPTER 67: SWORD FLOWER OR SWORD DEMON (3)

Han Soyeon’s POV

"Yuseong...!"

It had only been a day, but the familiar surge of joy hit me as I prepared to greet him—then I froze. Beside Yuseong stood someone else. A girl.

"...Why?"

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Why was there another girl with my Yuseong? A friend? An acquaintance? No, impossible. Yuseong wouldn’t speak so warmly with anyone but me. That girl must have seen his sweetness and forced her way into a conversation. Yuseong, too kind to dismiss her, was likely just humoring her, enduring it despite his discomfort.

Right, Yuseong?

Just wait. Your big sister will deal with this pest. Close your eyes, and if you hear strange noises, ignore them. Soon, it’ll be like nothing happened. Of course, Yuseong will face consequences for chatting so carelessly with another girl when he’s mine. But he wouldn’t do that intentionally, would he? It’s all her fault. Just count the ceiling patterns for a bit, Yuseong. I’ll handle the rest.

"See you later!"

As I raised my sword, I saw Yuseong and the pest exchange goodbyes. His innocent expression contrasted sharply with hers—hers was vile, dripping with blatant ulterior motives, obvious even from this distance. She had her sights on him.

No way.

I won’t let her have Yuseong.

He’s mine.

If he fell into someone else’s grasp, I’d rather—

"Ha."

I stopped myself from thinking about something dark. Better not go there. Yuseong would never end up with another.

"Phew..."

Circulating my inner energy to calm myself, I approached. Using my movement technique, I closed the distance swiftly, unnoticed by Yuseong.

"Yuseong...?"

My voice emerged colder, lower than intended, startling even me. He flinched, starting to turn.

Grab—

I seized his shoulders, stopping him, and pulled him into my arms. My forearms wrapped around his neck, and he stumbled, leaning against me for balance.

"N-nuna?" he stammered.

"Who was that girl just now...?"

He’d better not give me a vague excuse like "I don’t know her" or "she’s just an acquaintance."

"She’s... someone I just met today," he said.

"Oh..."

Someone he just met?

"Really...?"

"Y-yeah... I only met her today."

"Wow..."

His straightforward answer left me speechless.

"So, Yuseong... are you always that nice to others?"

"H-huh?"

"You’re so kind that you’d smile and say goodbye so warmly to a girl you just met...?"

My emotions spiraled beyond control. The rational voice questioning if this was okay had vanished. I’d been fooling myself. A boy this adorable—other girls wouldn’t leave him alone. If I didn’t claim him, someone else would. I was only holding back because it was me. Another girl would’ve crossed the line—laws be damned—long ago. Maybe I didn’t need to hold back either...

Gulp—

A nearby swallow broke the silence.

Then—

"N-nuna, you’re the one I like most in the whole world."

"..."

"W-wow... Nuna’s the best... The prettiest and kindest nuna in the world..."

"Pfft."

His adorable words pierced through, coaxing a laugh from me.

"Haha, are you saying that to cheer me up?"

"I-I just thought you seemed upset..."

"Alright. I overreacted when you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry, Yuseong."

I loosened my grip, running my fingers through his soft hair, the strands calming the storm within me.

"...Yuseong."

"Yeah...?"

"Do you think of me as—"

I stopped myself. No point asking a young, innocent boy something he wouldn’t understand.

"Forget it. I’m sorry about today. Is there anything you want?"

"Something I want...?"

"Yeah. Should I teach you a new martial art? I’m a bit worried about your readiness, but I know plenty of techniques. Just tell me."

Gulp—

Another swallow. Was he that eager for a new technique?

"He hasn’t even mastered the Plum Blossom Fist yet..."

My plan was to solidify his foundation first. If he insisted, I’d teach him, but learning too much at once could hinder both arts. Normally, you master one before branching out—unless you’ve reached a certain skill level. I hoped he wouldn’t ask for something too advanced.

"...I want a snack."

"Huh?"

"Like... candy or sweet treats from the outside world. Since coming up the mountain, I haven’t had any..."

His mouth was practically watering.

"...Well, fair enough."

At his age, kids crave snacks, and as a disciple confined to the sect, he had no way to get them. I understood.

"Aww, you’re so cute."

"Huh...?"

"Alright, I’ll get you some next time."

How could such an adorable creature exist? I couldn’t fathom what the heavens used to craft him.

+

Later, I excitedly recounted the day’s events with Yuseong to my master. She listened quietly, nodding with a gentle smile, then spoke.

"Good. If you get the chance, bring him to meet me sometime."

"..."

Why would she want that? The question nearly slipped out, but I held it back, avoiding disrespect.

"...Wait."

Why was she suddenly interested in Yuseong? Could she... want him too?

"He’s the only disciple my one and only student is teaching. Don’t you think I’d want to see what kind of boy he is?"

"Oh..."

"What were you thinking, you silly kid?"

I laughed awkwardly and continued the conversation. Then, unexpectedly, she shared news.

"By the way, I’ll need to go into secluded training for a few days. I’ve had some recent insights to refine."

...Huh?

"You mean..."

"You’ll be on your own for a while. But I trust you won’t slack off on your training, Soyeon."

Thump, thump—

My heart raced inexplicably, but I kept my composure.

"Understood! Don’t worry about me, Master. I hope you achieve your goals!"

"...You’re unusually formal today."

"How could I not be thrilled when my master has gained new insights?"

"...Have fun, but don’t overdo it. Got it?"

"Yes, ma’am!"

When my master left for her training, leaving me alone for days, I caught my reflection in the window. My expression was unreadable.

+

Dan Yuseong’s POV

Since childhood, people have called me cute. I used to wonder why my parents abandoned me if I was so adorable, but I held little resentment. They must’ve had reasons. Still, my looks helped me survive. I didn’t know my own appearance, but adults’ reactions made it clear I was charming. A bit of charm or running errands earned me pocket money or food.

"Thank you!"

"Take care, Yuseong... You’ll come back tomorrow, right?"

"Uh... I have somewhere to go tomorrow, so..."

"Wait! I’ll double your pocket money!"

"Oh! Then I’ll come back tomorrow!"

The errands were simple—playing cute, keeping company, or giving massages when someone felt unwell. For some reason, the older girls—the "nunas"—were especially generous, often asking me to return.

"Maybe they see me as a little brother?"

With a hefty sum tucked away, I grinned, heading back to Grandpa’s house. I could buy meat today. At the market, I grabbed ready-to-eat food and rice to restock. The stalls run by young women always gave me extras.

"Grandpa!"

Cough... cough...

Opening the door with bags in hand, I found Grandpa in bed, his dry, raspy coughs echoing.

"You’ve been coughing a lot lately. Have you eaten?"

The food I’d left earlier sat untouched, cold as stone.

"You need to eat, even if you don’t feel like it. It’ll help you recover. I even bought meat today..."

"Yuseong..."

His weak voice stopped me as I set the food down. It was the same as always, but something about it sent a chill through me.

"...Grandpa?"

"I’m... sorry... This useless old man... couldn’t take care of you... cough! cough!"