By Zephyria 
Even a martial artist who has reached a high level of skill would temporarily lose the ability to use Inner Force with this small amount of powder. A martial artist unable to use Inner Force was no different from a regular person who exercised diligently. So, if that happened, Ak Mujin’s situation would be much more advantageous.
As a martial arts writer, he couldn’t think of any other way to escape. Wasn’t that right? If he couldn’t temporarily neutralize the strongest character in the world, who had been trained to the extreme, how could he escape his grasp?
However, for some reason, he felt uneasy about using poison on Jin Geum-ryeon, even after receiving the drug. ‘Poison.’ It sounded like a rather cowardly word.
From the start, this Meridian crippling poison was usually used by villains. Overwhelmed by self-disgust, Ak Mujin sighed and looked around. Jin Geum-ryeon was standing quietly about a step behind him. When their eyes met, Jin Geum-ryeon stared at Ak Mujin.
“Are you tired?”
“…No. Anyway, I think I’ve been here too long. Let’s go.”
As he said that, Ak Mujin pondered where to start looking for Mae-yeong. Once he left Jin Geum-ryeon’s side, he planned to temporarily rely on the Sound chamber under Chun-wol’s management. He didn’t really want to keep going in and out of the House of courtesans, but he could trust Ak Mujin if it was a place managed by Chun-wol.
First, he had to escape from Jin Geum-ryeon, and then gather information from there. Just as he was about to turn around, Jin Geum-ryeon slowly stepped forward and said.
“It’s getting late. It would be best to stay at the Plum Blossom Forest tonight.”
After hearing those words, he noticed that the sky was already turning red. It would be quick to go down using Light Body Skill, but finding an inn at this late hour would be a hassle, so it didn’t seem like a bad idea to do as Jin Geum-ryeon said. Above all, it would be nice to enjoy this beautiful scenery a little longer, and who knew? Mae-yeong might be at the Plum Blossom Forest for a while.
Come to think of it, this was his first time at Son of Heaven Mountain since he left Jin Geum-ryeon at the Plum Blossom Forest. Ak Mujin unconsciously smiled faintly as he was reminded of the young Jin Geum-ryeon crying and telling him not to go.
“Alright, that sounds good.”
Just as Ak Mujin readily nodded in agreement, someone quickly approached them. It was Cheong-aeng. She had disappeared for a while, saying she had a place to stop by before climbing Son of Heaven Mountain, and when she rejoined them, she was holding a gorgeously painted box in her hand.
“Lord. Is this the item you were looking for?”
“Yes, it is. My master will be pleased.”
Jin Geum-ryeon took it and opened the lid to check the contents. Ak Mujin’s heart began to pound, thinking that Mae-yeong might be at the Plum Blossom Forest because of Jin Geum-ryeon’s words.
“…Is your master at the Plum Blossom Forest?”
But the answer he received was somewhat anticlimactic.
“No. He’s probably wandering around the Central Plains by now. But since he loves alcohol so much, if we leave it at the Plum Blossom Forest while we’re there, he’ll be happy when he finds it later.”
From the start, Ak Mujin knew that Mae-yeong was adrift, so he shouldn’t have been disappointed, but he felt strangely empty. Still, being able to see Mae-yeong’s house was something. He followed Jin Geum-ryeon towards the Plum Blossom Forest.
*
The plum blossom forest, spanning over ten miles, was the same as it was 18 years ago. The red winter plum blossoms filled the entire forest, creating a colorful scene. Ak Mujin walked slowly, then suddenly took off his Human Skin Mask and touched a branch at eye level. The luscious flower buds were swollen as if they would burst into bloom at any moment. Jin Geum-ryeon simply bit his lip at his actions, without saying a word.
Finally, after passing through the plum blossom forest and arriving at a small pavilion, Ak Mujin was able to face the gate where he had left Jin Geum-ryeon again. At that time, he never even imagined that the day would come when he would cross this gate, so he felt a new sense of emotion.
Lost in a strange sentiment, Ak Mujin followed Jin Geum-ryeon’s guidance and entered the residence through the gate. As they entered the courtyard, a large Red Plum tree stood there. He had never seen such a magnificent tree even in the plum blossom forest.
When Ak Mujin admired it quietly, Jin Geum-ryeon shook his head and headed straight for the main building.
“It’s just a flowering tree.”
Ak Mujin knew very well why Jin Geum-ryeon was disparaging this tree so much. He had written the scene where, every year when the plum blossoms fell, Mae-yeong would make him catch the falling petals with his bare hands. It would be easy for the grown-up Jin Geum-ryeon, but it was obvious how much the young Jin Geum-ryeon had suffered. He smiled faintly and followed Jin Geum-ryeon with Cheong-aeng.
“Why such a reaction? Do you have some bad memories?”
“…It’s nothing like that.”
Jin Geum-ryeon shook his head again, but his ears turned red, as if he was recalling his childhood. There was no need to be embarrassed, though. Ak Mujin thought he was cute and stepped into the main building.
It was a small room, but it had everything it needed. To the right of the entrance was a low desk, and to the left was a bed, with a spacious wardrobe next to it. A plum tree was planted outside the round window, and Ak Mujin thought it was no wonder he was sick of plum blossoms, having lived surrounded by them for over a dozen years.
“Please rest here for a moment. I’ll go tidy up my master’s room.”
Jin Geum-ryeon, who had guided Ak Mujin near the bed, was about to leave the room without delay. Then, Ak Mujin waved his hand and said.
“There’s no need for that. I’ll just use it as it is.”
“Ah, that’s…!”
Seeing Ak Mujin about to take a step, Jin Geum-ryeon hurriedly grabbed his arm to stop him. When Ak Mujin reflexively turned to him, Jin Geum-ryeon hesitated and said.
“My master is a little… a little disorganized. Since I haven’t been here for a while, my master’s room is probably…”
“Ah.”
If he made him say any more, he would probably be making Jin Geum-ryeon criticize his own master. Ak Mujin nodded several times as if he understood. Come to think of it, he had given Mae-yeong the setting of having no practical skills when he was writing, and he belatedly realized that.
“Alright. I understand.”
“I’ll tidy up quickly and bring you there, so please wait a little longer. Cheong-aeng. Wait here for a moment and then use this room.”
Cheong-aeng obediently nodded and began to look around the room carefully.
Once again, Ak Mujin thought that Jin Geum-ryeon might have actually taken care of Mae-yeong, considering that Jin Geum-ryeon cleaned Mae-yeong’s room, fed him, and dressed him. Coming to Mae-yeong’s residence, he began to understand why there were so many Jin Geum-ryeon X Mae-yeong fanfics.
They had 15 years that no one could touch, didn’t they? Mae-yeong had even watched Jin Geum-ryeon grow up.
Indeed, there was a reason why the mainstream was the mainstream!
He felt somewhat relieved, thinking that he had gotten a little closer to the main character, and spent time chatting with Cheong-aeng.
However, the thought of the Meridian crippling poison in his pocket kept lingering, constantly distracting him.
*
Ak Mujin was able to have a satisfying meal for the first time in a long time. It was partly thanks to Jin Geum-ryeon’s excellent cooking skills, but more than anything, he was satisfied and happy just to be able to eat Jin Geum-ryeon’s food. He even had the chance to secretly steal glances at him cooking. He remembered including a scene of Jin Geum-ryeon cooking in the original work, so it was an even more welcome sight to see it in person like this.
“I never thought I would receive such treatment from Lord. Thank you, Lord.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just feeding you along with Lord Ahn.”
Jin Geum-ryeon replied rather ungraciously, but Cheong-aeng seemed grateful just that he had cooked for her himself. As she finished clearing the dishes and was about to get up, Ak Mujin also got up and naturally tried to help her. However, Jin Geum-ryeon wouldn’t let him, so he was pushed out of the kitchen.
“Go get some fresh air.”
In the end, he could only wander around the courtyard in front of the plum tree. He took a few steps, then leaned against the tree and slipped his hand into his pocket.
He felt the stiff, folded paper.
Ak Mujin, having just been treated to a warm dinner by Jin Geum-ryeon, felt even more unable to use this ‘poison’ on him. A person has to have some decency. How could he repay kindness with enmity, after being treated to a meal and a place to sleep? He sighed deeply and pressed his forehead against his arm on the tree, rubbing it.
But… what if this was for the greater good? If Ak Mujin could return Jin Geum-ryeon to his original route, wouldn’t Ak Mujin and the entire Central Plains be at peace?
He repeatedly touched the surface of the paper with his thumb. As if representing Ak Mujin’s heart, a gust of wind blew, shaking the tree.
Red petals fell in droves.