Ak Mujin scrutinized Seo Moon-gwang’s face beyond the veil.
In contrast to Jin Geum-ryeon, his bright hair, thick but gently drooping eyebrows, and the fleshiness under his eyes that became more prominent when he smiled, were pleasing even to Ak Mujin, a fellow man.
Seo Moon-gwang was talking about Mae-yeong with Jin Geum-ryeon for a while, then suddenly looked at Ak Mujin.
“Oh, I was so glad to see him that I was only talking with him. I’m sorry, young master.”
“It’s nothing. Please, talk comfortably.”
Ak Mujin waved his hand and said.
“May I ask about your inner strength, young master? Your movements earlier suggested that you are skilled in Martial Arts as well…”
Seo Moon-gwang looked at Ak Mujin with a smile. His gaze was so affectionate that Ak Mujin felt like he was melting.
“Ah, I am…”
However, when it was his turn to speak, he couldn’t think of anything plausible to say. He should have created a fake past beforehand.
He quickly racked his brain.
“I am actually the only son of a merchant family in Qinghai. I have been practicing Martial Arts since I was young because I was physically weak.”
Fortunately, Ak Mujin was skilled at lying due to his time in the Demonic Cult. He spoke fluently as if it were the truth, and Jin Geum-ryeon turned his head to look at him.
“Oh my, you were a young master.”
Seo Moon-gwang said with a smile.
“Yes. I am currently traveling around for recuperation. I suddenly developed an illness that twisted my Qi and blood, making it impossible to use my inner energy.”
He continued, pretending to be a truly innocent and sickly young master.
Jin Geum-ryeon, hearing Ak Mujin’s words, spoke through Telepathic Transmission as if he was dumbfounded.
‘You’re creating a very impressive story.’
‘Didn’t you make up my name as you pleased?’
“If your purpose is recuperation, Illusion Valley isn’t a bad choice.”
At that moment, Seo Moon-gwang said.
“Illusion Valley not only grows poisonous herbs but also many medicinal herbs. If you recuperate in my Illusion Valley, brewing and drinking some medicinal herbs, your Qi and blood will naturally return to their proper places. What do you think?”
This is it!
Ak Mujin was so happy that Seo Moon-gwang had uttered the line he had been eagerly waiting for that he felt like he could break into a tap dance.
But Jin Geum-ryeon tried to stop him.
“We have a place to…”
Before Geum-ryeon could finish his sentence, Ak Mujin suddenly staggered and pretended to collapse. He remembered that he had been sleeping outdoors for the past three days.
Since fatigue had accumulated, wouldn’t it be good for Jin Geum-ryeon as well to rest a bit in Illusion Valley?
“Oh, are you alright?”
Seo Moon-gwang leaned forward reflexively at the sight, but Jin Geum-ryeon’s hand was faster. Jin Geum-ryeon grabbed Ak Mujin’s shoulder and slightly lifted the cloth attached to the veil to check his face.
“Are you alright, Brother Bang?”
Jin Geum-ryeon said, looking at Ak Mujin’s face.
Seo Moon-gwang hesitated and stepped back.
‘Wouldn’t it be nice to rest for a bit?’
Ak Mujin said through Telepathic Transmission.
Even to Jin Geum-ryeon, Ak Mujin’s condition didn’t look good, indeed exhausted. Eventually, Jin Geum-ryeon sighed lightly and nodded.
‘You really need to rest. Even though you’re wearing a veil, your face is a mess.’
‘…….’
Jin Geum-ryeon lowered the cloth to cover Ak Mujin’s face well, then looked at Seo Moon-gwang while supporting him.
“If it’s alright with you, sir, would it be okay to impose on you for a bit? Brother Bang is having a hard time since we’ve been staying outside all along.”
“Of course. I’d be delighted.”
Seo Moon-gwang smiled brightly, as if there was nothing difficult about Jin Geum-ryeon’s polite request.
With that conversation, Jin Geum-ryeon became less talkative, and the boat became quiet for a while. He always kept talking when he was with Ak Mujin, but for some reason, he didn’t open his mouth much unless Seo Moon-gwang asked a question.
Strange. Suddenly, his story bag is closed.
Ak Mujin frowned and relaxed, observing his expression. Did he feel bad about what I said earlier?
Who cares!
“We’ve arrived.”
In the meantime, the boat finally arrived on the other side of the river, and the Boatman docked the boat well at the pier so that people could get off easily.
“It takes only half a day to get to Illusion Valley from here with Light Body Skill. Let’s escort Young master Bang quickly. I’ll carry him on my back.”
Seo Moon-gwang said as he got off the boat, and Jin Geum-ryeon stepped forward.
“…I’ll carry him on my back.”
“…Young master Jin.”
“Isn’t that more comfortable, Brother Bang?”
Jin Geum-ryeon smiled brightly and faced Ak Mujin. He was smiling, but Ak Mujin thought he looked quite angry.
Regardless, Ak Mujin was just happy at the thought of being carried on Jin Geum-ryeon’s back.
“Yes, that would be better.”
“Come on, get on my back, Ayong.”
Jin Geum-ryeon knelt in front of Ak Mujin and even called him by a pet name. Ak Mujin ignored the goosebumps and leaned his body against Jin Geum-ryeon’s broad back.
His back was surprisingly warm.
Ak Mujin was just happy to go comfortably, but as soon as he was on Jin Geum-ryeon’s back, he felt drowsy and heavy.
“Let’s go, Sir Seo.”
Seo Moon-gwang and Jin Geum-ryeon now began to climb the mountain, using their Light Body Skills.
*
The road to Illusion Valley was not easy to travel because it was overgrown with bushes.
It was fortunate that they were accompanied by Seo Moon-gwang, the master of the valley; if Jin Geum-ryeon had tried to climb this mountain alone, he might have easily gotten lost and been poisoned by cutting his skin on poisonous plants. Fortunately, following Seo Moon-gwang’s guidance, they were soon able to reach the valley.
The valley was indeed beautiful.
Amidst a small waterfall, there was a large building at the top where the waterfall began, and there were also large and small buildings below it.
Jin Geum-ryeon admired Illusion Valley, thinking that it was not as scenic as Mae-yeong’s plum blossom forest, but it was still a beautiful sight. Surely Ak Mujin would have been happy if he had seen this sight.
But unfortunately, he had been sound asleep since Jin Geum-ryeon started walking from the pier. Jin Geum-ryeon wanted to throw Ak Mujin away because he was annoyed, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so, so he just wore a sulky face.
When they arrived near the waterfall, a woman in red robes appeared and bowed before them.
“Welcome, Valley Master. Did you have a good trip to Qinghai?”
“Ah, yes. Hwaseo. Greet them. These are my guests.”
Seo Moon-gwang introduced Jin Geum-ryeon and Ak Mujin, who was on his back.
Hwaseo bowed politely, and Jin Geum-ryeon also smiled and paid his respects.
“Young master Jin and Young master Bang are my guests, so I will escort them to where I stay. Let’s go up a little further. Hwaseo, go ahead and prepare a room for them in Hwansugak.”
When Seo Moon-gwang ordered Hwaseo, she nodded and immediately turned back in the direction she had come from and began to climb the stairs. It seemed that Hwansugak, where Seo Moon-gwang resided, was right above the waterfall.
“If it’s alright with Young master Jin and Young master Bang, you can stay for a few days. Illusion Valley has many buildings to spare.”
Now, Seo Moon-gwang and Jin Geum-ryeon slowly climbed the stairs that Hwaseo had climbed first, chatting amiably.
“Haha, it’s alright. We can’t impose for too long. I’m worried that we’re already causing trouble for you, Valley Master.”
Jin Geum-ryeon still carried Ak Mujin on his back, politely refusing and smiling.
“No, I’m just grateful that you didn’t refuse my invitation.”
Jin Geum-ryeon suddenly stopped walking and looked up at Seo Moon-gwang, who was two steps ahead. He was taller, but Seo Moon-gwang was above Geum-ryeon’s gaze because of the stairs.
“…Perhaps, Sir Seo, do you have feelings for Young master Bang?”
At that question, Seo Moon-gwang turned to look at Jin Geum-ryeon. Ak Mujin, wearing a veil, was asleep on Geum-ryeon’s back.
“…Ah, are you being wary?”
Jin Geum-ryeon looked over his shoulder once. Ak Mujin’s face was barely visible through the white veil. He opened his mouth again.
“You’d better withdraw that feeling.”
“…Young master Bang doesn’t seem to have any feelings for you.”
Jin Geum-ryeon stared at Seo Moon-gwang silently. Seo Moon-gwang also looked into his eyes in the same way.
They began to climb the stairs again without a word.
*
Ak Mujin woke up to the sound of crickets.
He was quite surprised to open his eyes in an unfamiliar place and got up. The bed and golden bedding were very luxurious, and the room, which seemed to be a bedroom, seemed to have all sorts of precious objects brought in.
Only then did Ak Mujin realize that this was Illusion Valley. He remembered being carried on Jin Geum-ryeon’s back, but he must have fallen asleep on his back because he couldn’t overcome his fatigue.
Oh, I’m going to get scolded again later.
He looked around once, tidied his clothes, and left the room. The hallway was brightly lit by lamps, and he could hear familiar voices chattering from beyond, as if Seo Moon-gwang and Jin Geum-ryeon were in that room.
At that moment, someone approached with a lamp.
“Young master Bang?”
“Ah, yes.”
How long is my name going to be Bang Cheol-yong?
Ak Mujin reluctantly pretended to know her and looked at the woman. The woman bowed her head in front of him with a businesslike attitude and said.
“I came to escort Young master Bang, but you’re already awake. Valley Master Seo and Young master Jin are in that room. I will guide you.”
Ak Mujin nodded blankly and began to walk down the hallway, guided by her. Although he had just woken up, his head was spinning as he thought about how to coax Seo Moon-gwang.