HSA 36

Jin Geum-ryeon, even as the enemy called out his name, calmly and quickly picked up the long robe that had fallen to the floor and covered Ak Mujin’s half-exposed body. Then, he lightly hoisted him up and strode away, nonchalantly striking Seo Moon-gwang on the back of the head with the hilt of his sword, knocking him unconscious.

“Ugh!”

Seo Moon-gwang, already struggling to breathe due to the lacquer poisoning, collapsed on the spot. But already, the sound of several footsteps began to echo busily in the hallway.

“Master Gokju! Jin Geum-ryeon has returned! We are doing our best to chase after him, but… I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”

The voice, somewhat anxious and apologetic, was none other than Hwaseo.

To escape the residence, Jin Geum-ryeon quietly opened the window with Ak Mujin slung over his shoulder.

Hwaseo, who had been obediently waiting behind the door for Seo Moon-gwang’s reply, felt a vague sense of unease and called out to Seo Moon-gwang once more.

“Master Gokju?”

Jin Geum-ryeon lightly leaped out of the building.

At the same time, the door to the residence burst open, and several disciples of Illusion Valley, led by Hwaseo, poured into the inner chamber.

The moment Hwaseo stepped inside, she discovered Seo Moon-gwang collapsed in front of the door and was greatly alarmed.

“Master Gokju? Master Gokju!”

She looked around the room, which had become a mess from the earlier struggle, and then noticed the open window, her complexion turning red and blue. It was obvious that Jin Geum-ryeon had been in this room.

Hwaseo immediately shouted.

“Catch Jin Geum-ryeon! It doesn’t matter if you kill him! But you must bring back Lady Ahn!”

“Yes!”

Hwaseo’s thunderous voice, infused with Inner Force, was loud enough to be heard by Jin Geum-ryeon, who was already running beyond the walls.

Jin Geum-ryeon, as if amused by something, let out a small laugh and used his Light Body Skill to flee. The disciples of Illusion Valley who spotted him in the courtyard all chased after him at once. Ak Mujin, hanging precariously on Jin Geum-ryeon’s shoulder, could see the figures chasing after them fiercely from dozens of yards away. Seeing this, goosebumps rose on his back, which was already soaked with cold sweat.

No matter how much of a protagonist Jin Geum-ryeon was, there was no way he could overcome a group of Illusion Valley disciples who wielded all sorts of Hidden Weapons and poisons. Moreover, the area around Illusion Valley was full of poisonous plants, so even if he managed to shake off the pursuers, his chances of survival would not be great due to his inability to find his way. Why had Jin Geum-ryeon returned?

“…I… …go…”

Ak Mujin mumbled, but Jin Geum-ryeon had him slung over his shoulder, with his face facing backward, so he couldn’t hear what he was saying properly.

“What did you say?”

Jin Geum-ryeon asked loudly.

“…Leave… Leave… Go…”

Ak Mujin mumbled again. He had hoped that someone would come to save him, but now that the situation had become so urgent, he didn’t want to see someone else sacrifice themselves.

Jin Geum-ryeon seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, but soon he only laughed and didn’t put him down.

Certainly, Jin Geum-ryeon had no reason to risk his life to save Ak Mujin. It wasn’t easy to carry a child, and to carry an adult man of considerable weight while engaging in a chase would require a lot of stamina for Jin Geum-ryeon.

Or, was his behavior a testament to his strong desire for revenge, to the point of doing this much? To kill Ak Mujin with his own hands?

“And here I was when you called me.”

Jin Geum-ryeon said casually. Ak Mujin could only blink his fading eyes.

Jin Geum-ryeon’s movements as he used his Agility Technique while carrying him were as light and graceful as a butterfly.

The disciples of Illusion Valley, who seemed to be approaching any moment, were gradually moving further away, and by the time even the Hidden Weapons they threw could no longer reach them, they were walking along a path overgrown with bushes.

*

Ak Mujin simply couldn’t believe it.

How could he remember and retrace the path after only following it once, and that too, guided by Seo Moon-gwang? Even if he was the protagonist, weren’t his abilities too outstanding?

Although his mind was not entirely sound, even after witnessing the entire process from the side, and as the very person who had created Jin Geum-ryeon, he was dumbfounded.

But now, Ak Mujin couldn’t afford to worry about such things.

“Hah… Haa…”

The shallow panting sound was surprisingly not coming from Jin Geum-ryeon, who had been evading the pursuers and climbing the mountain all along.

Ak Mujin occasionally let out ragged breaths between his slightly parted lips, trying his best to gather his flickering senses. His heart was pounding relentlessly, and he was still intoxicated by the Body fragrance that Seo Moon-gwang had released.

It was strange. After the situation had been resolved, Ak Mujin had clearly devoured the Elixir that Jin Geum-ryeon had given him. That had been a quarter of an hour ago. If so, the effects should be starting to appear, but he was not improving at all.

Ak Mujin gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t help but think that the problem was that he had tried to use his Inner Force while his Blood Flow was rapidly circulating due to being soaked in the Body fragrance of a Yang Person, when he was having difficulty properly controlling his Inner Force. When he thought back to his days as the Vice-Leader of the Demonic Cult, he found it ridiculous how weak he had become, as if such a past had never existed.

Since feeding Ak Mujin the medicine, Jin Geum-ryeon had chosen to carry him on his back. Ak Mujin certainly felt that this position was more stable, but he was gradually becoming uncomfortable with Jin Geum-ryeon’s back pressed so closely against his chest.

Surely, Jin Geum-ryeon, whose five senses were far more developed than those of ordinary people due to long periods of training, could fully feel Ak Mujin’s heart pounding wildly.

If so, Jin Geum-ryeon would surely be aware of his body temperature, the moans escaping from his lips, and even the evidence of lust bulging between his legs.

Since even he, who was usually talkative, was unusually quiet, Ak Mujin was so ashamed that he wanted to plunge his face into a bowl of water and die. But what more could he do in a situation where he was so uncomfortable that he was helplessly carried on someone else’s back?

“…Put me down.”

To make matters worse, he couldn’t bear it any longer and muttered, as a faint floral scent began to tickle Ak Mujin’s nose.

He thought that he was constantly feeling a thirst for ‘something’ that was inappropriate for the situation because he was in such close physical contact with Jin Geum-ryeon, another Yang Person, even though he was far away from Seo Moon-gwang.

But Jin Geum-ryeon only continued to walk without answering. Ak Mujin felt inexplicably suffocated and kept wriggling his body to at least change his position. Eventually, Jin Geum-ryeon, whose patience had run out, said briefly to the head resting on his shoulder.

“Just stay still.”

“……”

Ak Mujin couldn’t find anything to say and relaxed his body. Jin Geum-ryeon, feeling that the burden he was carrying had finally become still, silently moved his steps.

How much time had passed?

Even after walking for a long time, no village appeared. Not only Ak Mujin but even Jin Geum-ryeon felt increasingly anxious as time passed.

As the sun began to set, they were fortunate enough to find a small, dilapidated building. Jin Geum-ryeon cautiously approached and peered inside through the window, and it appeared to be an abandoned house that had been deserted a long time ago.

“…It’s better than outside, I suppose.”

“……”

Jin Geum-ryeon stepped into the building.

Inside, there was a dusty table, a simple bed, and a few broken planks lying around. It was fortunate that at least the doors and windows were still attached.

After looking around the building, Jin Geum-ryeon briefly placed Ak Mujin on the table.

Ak Mujin was no different from a pauper who had been forced to flee in a sudden situation without being able to salvage anything, but Jin Geum-ryeon had been in the process of being formally seen off when he first came out, so he had packed his luggage.

He unpacked his luggage, spread a cloth on the simple bed, and roughly made a place for one person to lie down. Then, he returned to Ak Mujin and lifted him up again. Sweat was beading on his forehead.

Ak Mujin stared at it with hazy eyes and thought. Had Jin Geum-ryeon shown any signs of sweating or being tired while coming down the mountain?

“I’ll go look for something to eat.”

Jin Geum-ryeon said as he laid Ak Mujin down on the newly laid cloth, but his attitude felt somewhat unfamiliar. Before long, Ak Mujin realized that Jin Geum-ryeon had not made eye contact with him even once since they had faced each other like this.

Jin Geum-ryeon stood up abruptly as if he wanted to quickly get away and turned his body towards the door and walked.

No, he tried to walk.

Jin Geum-ryeon’s wrist, which had turned his body but had not taken a single step, was being held by Ak Mujin.

Ak Mujin was surprised at himself for acting without realizing it. But he couldn’t help but be even more surprised by the body temperature of Jin Geum-ryeon that was transmitted through his fingertips. His skin was as hot as fire.

Jin Geum-ryeon closed his eyes tightly as if he was suppressing something.

And the next moment, Ak Mujin could see the handsome face approaching him directly.