Book 9 Chapter 18

Misunderstandings Ride the Moonlight

- Noon Tea Fragrance

Hair like ebony, a slender neckline!

A delicate yet elegant figure!

A woman whose coolness felt like dew glistening in the morning sun sat before her eyes.

The beautiful woman was now wearing a slightly embarrassed expression. She didn't know how to react to the response that appeared before her.

"Haa… Hoo… Haa."

It was a dazed gaze filled with envy towards the woman, who was like a piece of jade. However, because it was a gaze from someone of the same gender, there was no heat. It was a gaze filled with admiration.

"Why are you sighing like that? It doesn't look good in front of a guest!"

Na Yerim, unable to bear it any longer, gave Lee Jinseol, who was lost in thought, a piece of advice.

"She's really pretty, isn't she?"

Lee Jinseol exclaimed in admiration. Na Yerim was also undeniably incredibly beautiful, but Eun Seollan possessed a different charm. It was like the difference between cold moonlight and a warm spring breeze.

"I see."

Na Yerim nodded. She was a woman who genuinely possessed inner beauty as well as outer beauty. Even she, who had a frozen heart, found her likable. Na Yerim had never harbored petty emotions like jealousy towards others' beauty.

"She's truly a woman of great dignity. Wow! I'm so envious."

It seemed Lee Jinseol was utterly smitten with Eun Seollan. Eun Seollan also didn't find Lee Jinseol bothersome at all. Not many women would dislike compliments on their beauty. Moreover, if the compliments came from a cute and charming girl, even more so. It was because she could tell it was sincere in an instant. Eun Seollan blushed slightly and said,

"Thank you! But I feel so shy receiving compliments on my beauty in front of you, young lady."

"No, big sister!"

Lee Jinseol shook her head vigorously. It meant that wasn't the case and she should reconsider.

"Your beauty, big sister, is truly so stunning that it's unbelievable it belongs to this world! But you and Eun unnie have different vibes! I really like Eun unnie's vibe. I mean it sincerely."

Lee Jinseol said with a serious expression. How could one not believe this charming young lady when she spoke with such seriousness?

"Ho ho ho, thank you! I'm even happier now."

Lee Jinseol was a young lady with whom conversations became more enjoyable as the acquaintance deepened. The two gazed at each other for a long time and burst into giggles.

"Do you have someone you like, young lady?"

It was a sudden, surprise question from Eun Seollan. Caught off guard by Eun Seollan's ambush, Lee Jinseol was speechless.

"Yes? A… someone I like. No… that… such a person… I…"

Lee Jinseol's face turned beet red for a moment, and she couldn't connect her words coherently. That much understanding was enough.

Eun Seollan smiled slightly. She was truly a charming young lady the more she looked at her. It was a pleasant feeling, as if she had gained a younger sister.

"Oh my! You do!"

Eun Seollan deliberately let out a loud, delighted cry.

"……"

Lee Jinseol closed her mouth like a clam, whether out of awkwardness, shyness, or embarrassment. That made Eun Seollan's smile even wider.

"Who is it?"

Not asking such a question would be a punishable offense. It was a sin that insulted knowledge and wisdom. Eun Seollan couldn't possibly commit such a crime.

"Hy… Young Master Hyo! The one who uses the character for filial son, right?"

"Nee? Wh… What did you say?"

A cry of shock escaped Eun Seollan's lips. Her eyes were like a pigeon shot with a slingshot, and her gaping mouth couldn't hide her bewilderment. The question from Lee Jinseol had shocked her that much. It was enough to shake even her, who possessed near-perfect self-control.

Na Yerim, who had been listening,'s eyes sparkled with interest. This intense reaction from Eun Seollan was also new to her.

'Shock, perplexity, doubt, confusion, and then liking, joy, ecstasy…'

Various emotions were mixed and appearing on the surface of her consciousness. She seemed extremely confused. It was the typical psychological state of people who were caught completely off guard.

"Could… Could it really be that Young Master Hyo-ryong?"

The shock seemed so great that she even stammered.

"…Yes!"

Lee Jinseol's face turned even deeper red than the maple leaves that turned crimson in the late autumn.

"……"

Eun Seollan remained silent for a moment, searching for words. No suitable words came to mind.

"Is there a problem?"

Sensing something was wrong as Eun Seollan's face, usually always smiling, was stiff, Lee Jinseol asked again.

"Absolutely not! Young lady! Please, not that man. Can't you reconsider?"

Eun Seollan said in a pleading tone. She wanted to prevent foreseen misfortune.

Lee Jinseol was so taken aback by the unexpected reaction.

"Huh? Wh… What are you saying?"

It was like a bolt from the blue, a thunderclap that made the sky fall, for Lee Jinseol.

"You will never be happy with that man."

Eun Seollan said with certainty.

"Why? Is he not a trustworthy person?"

Lee Jinseol asked.

"No!"

"Is he ill-natured?"

"No! He's too gentle, that's the problem."

"Does he chase after women?"

"No! He's almost a hermit."

"Is he irresponsible?"

"No! His sense of responsibility is so strong it's troublesome."

"Is he trapped by an unbearable male chauvinism?"

"No! It's not like that."

Eun Seollan vehemently denied it. The problem lay elsewhere entirely. None of Lee Jinseol's questions hit the mark. And even if they did, she couldn't answer them.

"Then what's the problem? You seem to know too much about Young Master Hyo."

Lee Jinseol couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Could… Could it be!"

Lee Jinseol's eyes widened. Astonishment flickered in her pupils.

'Oops! Did I talk too much?'

It would be terrible if she caught on.

As tears welled up in Lee Jinseol's eyes, Eun Seollan couldn't help but panic.

'Why… Why is she doing this?'

It was an unforeseen event. Eun Seollan couldn't think of an appropriate response.

"Could… Could it be that he has someone else in his heart? And that person is, perhaps…?"

Lee Jinseol's tearful gaze, her eyes flickering, turned towards Eun Seollan. The meaning of that gaze was clear. Did she mean, perhaps, that woman was you?

Such a misunderstanding required an urgent escape to ensure safety. Eun Seollan immediately shook her head.

"No. It's not like that. However, there is an insurmountable barrier between him and you, young lady. As long as you are in this world, you cannot overcome that high wall, that deep emotional chasm carved over many years. That is the law of this world, the martial world."

She wouldn't have given such advice if she didn't have goodwill towards Lee Jinseol. There was no need for her to do so. However, Eun Seollan found the cute and charming young lady before her very likable. So, she gave her sincere advice. Risking danger… But it didn't seem to have much effect. Rather, Lee Jinseol seemed relieved. That made Eun Seollan even more puzzled.

"I know that too."

Lee Jinseol replied resolutely. This time, it was Eun Seollan's turn to be surprised.

"Really?"

That was something unimaginable by common sense. If she knew that fact, it would be impossible for Hyo Ryong to exist there. Who would willingly accept the presence of a spy? Yet, the young lady before her was speaking as if she knew all of that.

"Of course. However, I won't give up just because of that."

"Speak after thinking."

Na Yerim, who had been listening quietly, gave a stern warning. She had remained silent due to the delicate situation, but it was clearly not a good feeling.

"Big sister!"

Lee Jinseol called out loudly to Na Yerim. Her tone contained a hint of resentment. However, there was no change in Na Yerim's cold demeanor.

"You know it's not an easy task, don't you? Don't speak so carelessly. Don't utter words you can't take responsibility for."

"I can do it."

Lee Jinseol shouted.

'This child is raising her voice at me…'

Lee Jinseol had never raised her voice in front of Na Yerim before.

'What on earth is this thing called love?'

Na Yerim still couldn't grasp what it was.

Suddenly, the face of a man named Bi Ryu Yeon appeared before her eyes as she worried about Lee Jinseol's problem. Moreover, that image shamelessly smiled faintly.

'Huh? Why is this man's face appearing at this moment?'

Na Yerim tried hard to forget Bi Ryu Yeon's face. Thinking about him any longer would be of no help in her life. It would only add to the confusion in people's minds.

Right now, dealing with Lee Jinseol's issue was the priority.

"I think it would be best to stop. It's not something that can be achieved with just stubbornness and passion."

Na Yerim wanted to dissuade Lee Jinseol by any means.

"No."

Lee Jinseol was obstinate.

Eun Seollan's face changed with each passing moment as she listened to their conversation. Her face and mind were filled with question marks.

'Could it be that Young Lady Na also knows this young master's true identity? Could she be foolish…?'

It was impossible.

Eun Seollan wanted to conclude that. Not one, but two or more was too many.

'What in the world is going on?'

Since arriving here, everything had been full of mysteries. Eun Seollan couldn't help but question this unexpectedly dreamlike situation. Her head began to throb.

"No matter how much you try to stop me, I won't give up! No matter what happens from now on! What do you think, Seollan unnie?"

"……"

The weight of the question was too great to answer immediately. Eun Seollan had to give it serious consideration.

"Unnie…"

Lee Jinseol trailed off her words with anxiety.

"……"

However, Eun Seollan couldn't immediately relax her stern expression and respond to the call.

Her face, which had been frozen like a stone statue, began to change. Movement began to appear. It started from the center of her ruby pomegranate-like lips and gradually spread outwards in an elegant curve.

It was like spring sprouts emerging from the winter earth. Finally, Eun Seollan bloomed with a bright smile.

"Ho ho ho! No! Young lady! You truly have a good eye for people. Congratulations. I sincerely congratulate you. Cheer up, I'll support you! Sincerely!"

"Really?"

The excessive congratulations, compliments, and support were bewildering even to the recipient.

"Of course! Of course! That person would never do anything as outrageous as making a woman cry. He's that pure. Try your best. I'll sincerely support you!"

"Yes, unnie!"

By now, Lee Jinseol's face was beaming with a smile brighter than the sun. Na Yerim quietly shook her head at Lee Jinseol's appearance.

'Did I give her too much encouragement?'

Eun Seollan recalled her previous actions, which had been driven by emotion. The outcome was not yet known. It was inevitable that she would question whether it was right to have bolstered her decision.

Whether Lee Jinseol and Hyo Ryong could overcome the greatest obstacle standing between them was a matter for the parties involved, which no one could answer. The outcome was now known only to heaven.

'That happened just yesterday afternoon…'

The very next evening, she witnessed such an embrace firsthand in a secluded, secret location.

'What do I do? What do I do? Uwaaaang! What do I do…'

Just as Lee Jinseol was anxiously writhing and stamping her feet! At that very moment! A spider was peacefully building its web on the tree where she was hiding, and it was living peacefully, catching butterflies flying with their beautiful wings. However, this spider became interested in the giant object lurking beneath its home. The spider bravely attempted to descend towards the intruder who had invaded its territory.

"Kyaaak!"

A sound that could be heard even by ordinary people. To the ears of a master, it sounded louder than thunder.

"Who's there!"

Hyo Ryong turned around with a face covered in tears. Although he looked somewhat ridiculous, he didn't seem to have completely relaxed his tension.

Lee Jinseol couldn't flee in a hurry. She was rooted to the spot.

Lee Jinseol revealed herself under the soft moonlight in the darkness. The moon, as if being mischievous, revealed her face to the world. Perhaps due to the pale moonlight, her face looked even more pale. She seemed to have suffered a severe mental blow.

"Th-this young lady!"

Hyo Ryong's eyes widened. His hiccups suggested he had inhaled air into his lungs. The bewilderment on Hyo Ryong's face was evident. His mouth flapped open and closed like a carp out of water, a typical posture of someone at a loss.

"Gasp! Th-this young lady! It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"

Startled, Hyo Ryong quickly removed his hands from Eun Seollan's body with a shocked expression and raised his hands in a 'mansei' gesture, but it was already too late. Hyo Ryong frantically waved his hands to try and mitigate the awkward situation, but tears were already welling up in Lee Jinseol's eyes. The tears seemed ready to turn into decisive drops.

"Hoo… Hoo… Huk!"

Unable to contain her surging emotions, she turned and ran away.

"Young Lady Leeeeeeee!"

Her slender back receded into the distance. Hyo Ryong called out her name with all his might, but pathetically, his legs gave out, and he couldn't chase her. To be precise, his legs went weak because he had nothing to say if he caught her and held her back.

*Plop!*

Hyo Ryong sank to the ground right there. His disappointment was immense.

"Um……"

Approaching Hyo Ryong, who was sitting there looking forlorn and disheveled, sighing deeply, Eun Seollan began to speak. Very cautiously…

Hyo Ryong turned his head and looked at her with a dejected expression. Eun Seollan couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Her intuition was beyond ordinary, and she immediately sensed the subtle emotions between the two.

"Did I cause a misunderstanding?"

Her slightly smiling face held the meaning, "Aren't you in a difficult situation?" She couldn't hide her embarrassment. This was because she had played a very crucial role in orchestrating this scene of misunderstanding.

"……"

Hyo Ryong no longer had the energy to reply. His mind was numb, and no solution came to mind.

"I guess so, right?"

She gently poked his back with her fingertips.

"……"

Still sealed lips! A frozen tongue! Even that was a sufficient answer.

"…It seems so. Hooo…"

She let out a deep sigh. Then, hesitating, unable to find a place to look, she gazed blankly at the moon.

It was an unusual sight for such a forlorn man, but the moonlight was indeed beautiful.