Jade Flower handed me a water bowl that was sitting nearby.
I must have lost consciousness as soon as I returned to my quarters yesterday, so this must be a bowl prepared in advance.
“Did you prepare this beforehand? And where did this bed come from?”
Turning my head, I saw Gayoung Jin sound asleep on a different bed.
There was only one bed in Taewon Jin Clan’s annex, so is this one I’m using new?
“It was my bed. I moved it while you were asleep. You, Chulbin, may use it.”
Her gaze carried a tinge of curiosity, to which she responded as if to ease my doubts.
Though expected, her reply only increased my confusion.
“Where will you sleep then…?”
“I’m fine. If you’re not pleased, say so, and I’ll replace it with something better.”
“No… it’s not necessary.”
I didn’t understand why Jade Flower was acting this way, but for now, it seemed best to go along with her.
Given her repentance last night, she wouldn’t do anything harmful to me.
Since I still didn’t fully understand the situation.
I washed my face with the water from the bowl she handed me.
When I did, I felt tightness in my throat, perhaps because of my early awakening.
It was because last night I had unleashed a powerful roar, imbued with my inner energy.
As I reached out my foot to get up from the bed due to the burning thirst,
“It seems your throat is dry. Wait a moment. I’ll bring you water.”
“Hmm? Jade Flower, what did you mean just now…?”
Before I could finish my question, Jade Flower rushed and came back with a glass of water.
Looking uneasily at the glass she was offering me,
“Chulbin, don’t feel burdened. I’m merely atoning.”
Jade Flower held the glass closer, urging me to drink.
Since I was indeed thirsty, I reluctantly took it and drank.
Gulping, gulping…
Throughout, Jade Flower restlessly watched my every move.
…Is this person really the Iron Jade Flower that I know?
“Here, give it back when you’ve finished. Tell me if you’re still thirsty. I’ll fetch more.”
“Whom you must atone to is the world, not me. What great sin did you commit to me that requires this?”
“This is not only atonement but also gratitude. Repaying the grace you’ve given me.”
“And so, you are implying to serve me as a retainer, are you, Chief of Kunlun Sect?”
“If necessary, I can become your formal retainer. And stop referring to me as the Chief of Kunlun Sect. As of last night, I am no longer a Taoist. I’m an unworthy woman.”
“Did you mean the ‘changing clothes’ remark yesterday?”
“Yes, if it makes you uncomfortable, I shall stop at once! Still… please, accept my service! I have a rightful duty to serve you. With your great tolerance, please let me.”
Boom!
Jade Flower suddenly knelt down.
The shock and noise filled the room.
This situation was the same as what I faced yesterday while talking with Soeun Yu.
Should I refuse her again?
“I don’t need your service.”
“Whatever tasks, chores, menial jobs, or miscellaneous errands you give me, I will handle them all.”
“There’s no work you can do that I can’t.”
“If that’s the logic, why do Emperors have retainers? When they could do it all themselves. Emperors delegate even trivial tasks to their subordinates.”
“I’m not a high-ranking person. Certainly not an emperor.”
“To me, you are an emperor. The only emperor. The one person I must serve and respect.”
“…”
Is it right to reject such sincere pleading?
Though my mind said no, I couldn’t confidently agree.
Because the world is not judged solely by reason.
“What did I do for you to deserve this?”
“Did I not open your blinded eyes? That alone is more than enough grace.”
“The Chief of Kunlun Sect is offering herself as my retainer.”
It might not look good, but…
“…Don’t go overboard.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will allow it. Just do so moderately. You’re no retainer.”
“Thank you! Truly, thank you! That someone like me can repay your grace, you, Chulbin, really are a great person!”
“I, not Chulbin, stop calling me that.”
“Ah..Then…Beul Rak? Anyway, Beul Rak, thank you! I will serve and atone to you for my entire life!”
“Ho…I don’t know if this is right.”
Considering that I’m not the one who should bear shame, and yet she’s grateful for the approval to serve.
Is the Jade Flower I know, that proud and aloof person, really the same person, or is someone else pretending to be her in disguise?
Thud.
“What are you doing? Get up.”
Kneeling already, Jade Flower now tries to bow deeply with her head to the floor.
I tried to intercept, but she already knelt to me.
“Beul Rak.”
“Tch, this…”
The atmosphere was so solemn, making me realize this moment was crucial for Jade Flower.
“In the name of Jade Flower, I swear.”
“What’s going on this early morning?”
“I vow never to forget you who saved me.”
“…”
“I vow to dedicate my life serving you as you have done. Fully dedicate myself to you.”
“…”
“I’ll serve you even after death, until my soul vanishes. I am…”
Due to Jade Flower’s serious demeanor,
I couldn’t utter a word.
Although I could speak if I wanted, it seemed wrong to spoil her solemnity.
She appeared to be conducting a significant ritual.
“I’ll live my new life as a subordinate to Emperor you.”
Only today did I realize such a solemn, grand, and weighty mood could arise in this small palm-sized room.
“What will you do about Kunlun Sect?”
“I’m planning to step down.”
“Isn’t it regretful to abandon your lifelong cultivation? As a Taoist?”
“I have never practiced the Tao. I was only foolishly focused on avenging my parents. I am no Taoist.”
“Would your father and mother approve of you doing this?”
“I’ve more than avenged them, stacking up karma beyond necessary.”
Saying that, Jade Flower rose and moved to Gayoung Jin lying on the other bed.
Gayoung Jin was still unconscious.
“What are you going to do?”
“Just offering gratitude.”
Bowing to Gayoung Jin, Jade Flower pulled her towards her chest and embraced her.
And murmured sincerely,
“I’ve heard you were the only one who embraced Swordsage.”
For some reason, the atmosphere was similar to earlier, so once again I refrained from interrupting.
Even if Gayoung Jin couldn’t hear.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t have met Swordsage again, nor reflected on my past. Even if I had, it would have taken decades.”
She laid Gayoung Jin back on the bed after finishing.
The dark locks spread over the bed.
Turning back to me after expressing her gratitude, Jade Flower said,
“The proposal to uphold justice… let’s discuss it again when you have the qualification.”
Now that I think of it, before the Seven Flowers Tournament began, Jade Flower indeed proposed something similar to Gayoung Jin.
Gayoung Jin had refused, saying so, but who knows how she’d respond next time.
Jade Flower has changed, so perhaps she might accept too.
It leaves me hopeful.
“Swordsage, let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“It’s the final day of the Seven Flowers Tournament, isn’t it?”
“Ah.”
When did the time come?
The Seven Flowers Tournament, which already felt so long, is now nearing its end.
*
With four out of five senses sealed, only her nose twitched as Gayoung Jin sensed a peculiar smell.
Already troubled by the mix of “uncle’s” scent and blood, this was unwelcome.
“Ugh…! Who’s entered…?”
The scent lingered and did not dissipate.
Though human noses adapt to environments well, this didn’t apply when only a single sense remained open.
“Strange, why does it feel so fresh?”
Thoughts of it being akin to a woman’s scent flitted through Gayoung Jin’s mind.
Nonsense, of course.
Who would bring a woman’s fragrance to this place at this hour?
Though the scent tickling her nose seemed feminine rather than masculine, it couldn’t be, shouldn’t be.
Mustn’t be.
“Uncle wouldn’t. What do I even mean by ‘uncle’? What kind of relationship do we really have?”
Trying to defend herself against these creeping fears, only ended up making her restless.
Thinking about it, she and Beul Rak weren’t in any particular relationship ‘yet’.
Though even calling it ‘yet’ was uncertain, and that alone was unsettling.
“Eek…! Uncle, I haven’t conquered you yet! What kind of treacherous woman dares to break into an empty house? No, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. How can I definitively determine by smell alone if it’s a man or a woman…”
Trembling amidst these internal worries, the unfamiliar scent drew closer.
Strange breath grazed her nose.
Cold yet youthful in its own way.
“It, it’s!!”
Up close, she was sure.
This was undoubtedly the scent of a ‘woman’.
“AAAAAAHHH!!”
A silent scream erupted from Gayoung Jin and echoed endlessly.
