Ch#25
If a smile were to grace that handsome face, what kind of picture would it paint?
Meeting Jeok I-geon’s eyes so unexpectedly sparked a strange fantasy in my mind.
At the same time, an inexplicable wave of embarrassment washed over me.
I knew it well enough, but looking at his beautiful face for more than three seconds was definitely hazardous to my heart.
“Y-You should eat!”
I hurriedly cast my eyes downward and pulled out the rice balls I had prepared.
Knowing beforehand that we would be sleeping outdoors, I had woken up at the crack of dawn to make them myself.
“They won’t compare to what you eat back at the Cult. I don’t have much of a talent for cooking.”
I wasn’t entirely terrible at it, but I lowered expectations just in case the worst happened.
Barely listening to me, Jeok I-geon took a large bite of a rice ball.
“It tastes perfectly fine.”
And then, out of nowhere, he praised it.
To prove his words, he devoured the entire rice ball in a single breath.
“It is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten.”
That couldn’t possibly be true.
At Jeok I-geon’s groundless praise, my ears turned bright red.
Even without a mirror, I could feel my face burning.
“Ch-Cheon Gang-nim! You should eat too, Cheon Gang-nim!”
When flustered, running away is the best policy.
I ran over to Cheon Gang, who was just returning with a bundle of firewood, and handed him a rice ball.
“Thank you.”
Fortunately, Cheon Gang did not confuse me with embarrassing remarks like Jeok I-geon.
Seeing as he didn’t even say it was good, Jeok I-geon’s compliments were definitely a lie.
I couldn’t understand it at all.
Both the compliment and him giving up his bedding were completely out of character for Jeok I-geon.
I knew I had become somewhat useful to him, but I kept getting the feeling that wasn’t the only reason.
Could there be something else I was missing?
Lying on the bedding Jeok I-geon had yielded to me, my thoughts spun in endless circles.
Despite how fiercely I had protested, the bedding was embarrassingly comfortable.
When I first packed it, I never imagined I would be the one using it.
It was a night that left me feeling strange in many ways.
On one hand, it was surprising how smoothly this journey with Jeok I-geon was going.
Though I slept in the room next to his whenever we stayed at an inn, he didn’t order me around to do minor errands as I had expected.
It was as if he had brought everything he needed himself; there was absolutely nothing for me to do.
Which made me wonder why on earth he had brought me along in the first place.
I would rather he act terrifying; I had no use for his kindness.
I was the one who knew Jeok I-geon’s cruel nature better than anyone else.
I must never forget that.
Especially that otherworldly appearance of his—I had to stay sharp and keep my guard up.
No matter how much of a sucker I was for a handsome face, some lines could not be crossed.
I repeated those words like a mantra, over and over, until I slowly drifted off to sleep.
It was eight days later when we finally arrived in Seongdo, Sacheon.
It had taken exactly fifteen days to travel from the Main Cult to Sacheon.
Arriving earlier than expected, I was silently swept up in emotion.
This was the result of running like madmen, stopping only to sleep.
Thanks to that, my Mahu’s Flying Heaven Art had already reached the third stage.
The Mahu’s martial arts were so incredible that, even at a mere third stage, my lightness technique could almost rival Jeok I-geon’s.
To think that I now possessed the ability to run side-by-side with a man who would later be hailed by the Murim as the Martial Emperor.
Even after witnessing it with my own eyes, it was hard to believe.
“Let us head to our lodging first.”
As if he already had a place in mind, Cheon Gang took the lead the moment we entered Seongdo.
Having stayed only within the Main Cult since my transmigration, this was my first time in a city, and every corner of the streets was a source of wonder.
Because of this, I occasionally fell behind, distracted, but Jeok I-geon always noticed with uncanny precision and fell back to find me. Fortunately, I didn’t get lost.
“We are here.”
Passing through crowds of people and rows of shops, we finally arrived at our destination.
Hwawol.
It was a magnificent, grand inn, its name written in sweeping, majestic calligraphy that instantly caught the eyes of passersby.
To think I would actually visit this place.
Though I didn’t show it on the outside, my heart thudded with a mix of nervousness and excitement as we stepped inside.
And with good reason—the Hwawol Inn was a secret liaison post operated by the Demonic Cult.
It was a luxury establishment with branches spread across the Murim like a chain, serving as a hub where vast amounts of information were traded.
Of course, this was all common knowledge to me only because I was a reader of the novel.
It’s incredible!
I had expected as much from its grand exterior, but the interior was far more luxurious.
It was on an entirely different level from the inns we had stayed at along the way.
“Greetings. Welcome to Hwawol.”
The one who greeted us was a woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties.
She possessed a beauty so striking that ten out of ten people on the street would have turned back to look at her.
“Dining is available on the second and third floors, while the guest rooms are on the fourth and fifth. Which would you like to use first?”
“We will eat first.”
“I shall guide you. Please, follow me.”
She smiled brightly and led us toward the stairs with elegant movements.
Is this woman a Cultist, too?
Or just an employee?
Only a select few knew that the actual owner of the Hwawol Inn was the Demonic Cult.
Naturally, most of the employees would not be affiliated with the Cult.
Even so, as we climbed the stairs, I found myself trying to guess the identity of every worker I laid eyes on.
Since the son of the Heavenly Demon himself had graced the establishment, security might be tighter than usual.
Surely the Suradan or the Yeomwangdan aren’t stationed here, right?
The Suradan and the Yeomwangdan were the strongest martial squads within the Demonic Cult.
Unless a war broke out with the Murim Alliance, it would be rare to see them.
Knowing that, I still couldn’t help but feel a thrill at being inside the Hwawol Inn, a place I had only ever read about in the novel, and my imagination began to run wild.
“I will have tea brought out first. Please take your time looking over the menu and let us know when you are ready.”
At the woman’s signal, a waiting employee stepped forward and poured the tea.
The refreshing aroma of the tea, designed to whet the appetite, instantly stimulated my senses.
As for the food, Cheon Gang ordered a few dishes on his own, just as he had done throughout our journey to Sacheon.
“Since we have traveled all the way to Sacheon, you should have a drink as well.”
“That sounds good.”
“What would you prefer?”
Since leaving the Cult, he hadn’t touched a single drop of alcohol, so I had vaguely assumed today would be no different. Apparently, I was wrong.
‘Ah, I want a cold glass of beer too.’
The drink I used to have after work always tasted heavenly.
Since coming to this world, my physical age had decreased, and with no opportunities to encounter alcohol, I had been forced into a state of involuntary sobriety.
I wonder if I can have a sip too.
Just two weeks ago, when I first shared a table with Jeok I-geon, I was so petrified I didn’t even know if the food was going into my mouth or my nose. I had certainly grown bold.
I found myself utterly ridiculous for salivating over the thought of a drink.
“Would you like to choose?”
“…Me?”
Jeok I-geon suddenly handed the choice over to me.
“I do not mind either way.”
Oh, please. How can you lie with such a straight face?
I know perfectly well that you love Geumjoncheong.
As the gold in its name suggested, Geumjoncheong was an incredibly expensive liquor.
Jeok I-geon enjoyed a variety of alcohols, but he drank Geumjoncheong most frequently.
However, as a mere maid, I couldn’t possibly order such a pricey drink.
“Then, let us go with Jugyeopcheong.”
In the end, I chose the most standard option, and a bottle and cups were immediately set upon the table.
Fitting for a high-class inn, there seemed to be a dedicated server, as everything was prepared swiftly upon ordering.
“You have worked hard to get here. Eat and drink to your heart’s content today.”
“Thank you.”
To be poured a drink by Jeok I-geon’s own hand.
It felt somewhat surreal, but perhaps because I had grown accustomed to him over the past few days, I accepted the cup calmly without trembling.
“I am fine.”
On the other hand, Cheon Gang pushed his cup aside and declined.
“I have a few things to look into.”
“Very well.”
Jeok I-geon did not offer a second time. Even in the original novel, Cheon Gang rarely drank.
No matter how exceptional Jeok I-geon’s martial arts were, Cheon Gang was his escort.
I had always thought his sense of duty as an escort was quite admirable.
Seeing it in person made him look even more impressive.
Indeed, a man dedicated to his work was always attractive.
Smiling with quiet satisfaction to myself, I downed the Jugyeopcheong in one gulp.
Ack! This is incredibly strong!
In novels, everyone drank this stuff so easily, claiming it was delicious.
I bit my lip hard, barely holding back the cough that threatened to burst out.
I didn’t want to look pathetic after having ordered it myself.
I smoothly brought the teacup to my lips, pretending as if nothing were wrong.
Seeing this, Jeok I-geon must have assumed I was a strong drinker, because he poured me another cup.
Naturally, having no room to refuse, I drank it down once more, even forcing a blissful smile.
Though the high proof felt like it was burning my throat, it was the best I could do in this situation.
The problem was that this kept repeating.
Because Jeok I-geon kept refilling my cup, I had no choice but to keep drinking without pause.
And that was how, ridiculously enough, I blacked out before the food we ordered even arrived.
