IJWEP 10

Chapter 10

“Cheon… Rang…?”

Even as I spoke his name, I couldn’t believe it.

How on earth was he here?

My condition wasn’t great, so I hadn’t gone far, but still—this was quite a distance from Yunnan. Unless he had deliberately chased after me, there was no way Cheonrang would be standing before my eyes right now.

Just as he was about to speak, his aura heavy and oppressive—

“Don’t tell me… you ran all the way here?”

Baekseon spoke first, struggling to rise. But even then, he couldn’t keep his balance, and without being able to reach out to Cheonrang, he collapsed back down.

“You must’ve been exhausted…”

He thought Cheonrang had left because he hated him. If he had known Cheonrang would follow, he might have delayed his departure a little.

Seeing Baekseon’s regretful expression, Cheonrang parted his lips.

Why did you go ahead?

Now that you knew my whereabouts, did you intend to hand me over to the Murim Alliance?

All the excuses Baekseon had prepared to fluster him evaporated like mist.

“…I clearly said we should travel together. Why did you leave first?”

Cheonrang strode forward and grabbed Baekseon’s shoulder, his face straining as if holding back a flood of emotions. Baekseon lowered his gaze and answered.

“I’m sorry, Cheonrang. The truth is… I didn’t think you’d come back.”

“What?”

“You left so angry…”

He still didn’t know whether it was because Cheonrang had been treated like a child or because Baekseon had unknowingly acted like his master.

But one thing was certain: that brief exchange had wounded Cheonrang.

“…Have you calmed down a little now?”

Baekseon carefully held onto his arm as he asked.

It almost sounded like a plea—like the last time—not to run away again. Though impossible, Cheonrang found himself swallowing dryly.

“…I was never angry.”

“Really? Then why did you suddenly storm off?”

At his question, Cheonrang moved his lips. In truth, it was guilt—guilt that this frail body might contain his Master—that had driven him to confirm something.

But he couldn’t say that aloud.

“…I went to pay my respects.”

“Respects?”

“I hadn’t yet told Master that I’d be gone for a long time.”

Baekseon let out a small exclamation at the effortless lie.

“I also set up a ward so no unwanted guests would come while I was away.”

“You mean…”

“I don’t plan to return to Aenoe Mountain for the time being.”

His eyes, filled with firm resolve, met Baekseon’s.

That gaze was like someone who had set a clear goal. Baekseon smiled faintly and nodded.

I think I know what that goal is…

To save Manyugang.

It would end in failure, but even so, it was better than Cheonrang shutting himself away in a cave. At least this way he could meet not only Song Jeoklim but also many others destined to cross his path.

“If I may…”

“…?”

“Even if the Tang elders don’t understand the wards, please don’t go straight back to Aenoe Mountain.”

“…Why not?”

“Because there are many others in the world who could help you besides the elders of the Tang Clan.”

His words gently coaxed Cheonrang—not to hurry back to that cave, for the sake of those connections waiting for him.

“So what you’re saying is… you don’t want me to stay alone in the cave?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you shouldn’t have stopped those intruders that day. They came to steal Master’s body.”

At that, Baekseon lowered his gaze.

“…But if I hadn’t stopped them, I thought you would be sad.”

“Sad?”

“Like you said, they were searching for Manyu—no, the Blood Rain Sword Demon’s body. That means they came to take away something precious from you.”

Even if he wished Cheonrang wouldn’t be isolated, he also wanted to spare him grief. At that heartfelt answer, Cheonrang nearly laughed but held it back.

Doesn’t he realize that speaking like this is exactly like Master?

After all, Manyugang had never been good at lying.

Not only that—though he acted dignified, he was hopelessly clumsy. Sometimes, he seemed more like someone Cheonrang had to look after, rather than a revered master.

“…Ah, my mistake. Rang, it looks like we’ll have to run now.”

Feigning that everything was fine, only to slip up and flee.

“Hm. I’ve never sewn clothes before, so…”

Trying to mend Cheonrang’s torn clothes, only to rip them even worse.

“Is that kind of man really your type?”

And yet, at times, he understood Cheonrang’s tastes perfectly. Clumsy, but kind and gentle—that was his master.

I wonder if he still thinks of himself as stern and frightening.

Recalling the past, Cheonrang smiled faintly, then composed himself and met Baekseon’s eyes.

“Fine. I’ll do as you say for now. But on one condition.”

Baekseon’s face brightened at the positive reply, waiting for what would follow.

“Stay by my side, Tang Baekseon.”

“…What?”

The words sounded so easily misunderstood that Baekseon blinked blankly.

Surely he only meant as traveling companions… so why did it sound like something more?

“You need me too, don’t you?”

Cheonrang reached out and placed his hand over Baekseon’s lower abdomen. At once, warm energy surged, driving out the chill within.

“You’re right, I need you. But… I have nothing to offer you in return.”

His voice softened unconsciously as the spreading warmth eased his frozen body.

“Nonsense. Just your existence alone is a great help to me.”

Baekseon gasped quietly as he realized what those words meant.

Tang Baekseon was the first son of the Tang Clan, one of the Five Great Families. His very status alone guaranteed Cheonrang’s legitimacy.

Not many know Cheonrang’s face…

With proper clothes and his wild hair tamed, everyone would surely take him for some well-born young master.

That way, Rang would suffer less…

After a moment’s hesitation, Baekseon nodded. His goal in this life, after all, was to erase the tragic future awaiting Cheonrang.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

He didn’t mind traveling with Cheonrang. He, too, needed time to sort through his lingering attachments.

“But Cheonrang, if one day you wish to leave with someone else, please tell me.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. If you meet someone you want to travel with, you don’t have to hesitate—just go with them.”

That someone would probably be Song Jeoklim.

Baekseon smiled faintly as he said it. Yet for some reason, a small ache tugged at his chest.

“That won’t happen. I plan to stay with you and only you.”

“….”

“You, on the other hand, better not abandon me for someone else… like my Master did.”

At that added remark, Baekseon’s shoulders trembled violently.

It hadn’t been abandonment.

As he opened his mouth, ready to blurt out a denial, Cheonrang seized him and helped him up.

“In return, I’ll eliminate anyone who tries to harm you.”

With that, he drew the massive blade strapped to his back and turned around. The bandits, who had lingered in fear of his killing aura, gasped when they met his eyes.

“You dared to threaten my companion… you’d better be ready to pay the price.”

His growling voice was like that of a beast, and the bandits dropped to their knees in terror. Soon, screams echoed through the deserted thickets.