Chapter 138
Tea?
Yerin tilted her head in confusion.
“If you drink that tea, you can work for a long time without getting tired. It doesn’t accumulate fatigue.”
Youngju pouted her lips.
“These days, Jeongja-su just sit in that tea house whenever they have free time. That’s not even the worst of it.”
Youngju’s voice rose unconsciously with excitement.
“They even carry that tea with them everywhere they go, drinking it whenever they feel like it!”
“…That much?”
“Yes. They say they can’t feel energized without it.”
Youngju made a face of disgust.
“No wonder it’s unsettling—our Jeongja-su are told not to drink that tea. It looks like they’re hooked on it…”
Quickly clicking her tongue, Youngju continued.
“But that tea house, it’s always packed. Even common folk visit it often.”
“What’s the name of the tea house?”
“Hongyeon Tea House. Everyone’s been talking about it in Hangzhou recently. Seems like that’s the only tea house there is.”
Grumbling about the complaints, Youngju suddenly glanced at Yerin.
Yerin was strangely quiet.
“Big Sister?”
Youngju waved her hand in front of Yerin’s face.
Startled, Yerin quickly turned to face Youngju.
“Ah, um?”
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Yerin shook her head hastily.
‘Tea?’
There was something unsettling, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint where exactly the feeling was coming from.
‘It feels like I’m missing something important…’
While Yerin was covering her lips, Youngju returned to her previous story.
“Honestly, from the Bureau’s perspective, it’s fine. The productivity of Jeongja-su has been increasing, which is a good thing. But…”
“What about the health of those Jeongja-su drinking that tea? Has anything gone wrong?”
“Visually, they seem fine for now.”
Youngju’s lips pursed into a pout.
“That’s a relief. If that tea actually harms their bodies, I don’t know what we’d do.”
“Right. A tea that eliminates fatigue… I’d like to try it at least once.”
“Ugh, why would you even want to try that? I could serve you some tea instead!”
Youngju suddenly brightened up.
“Big Sister, when are you coming to visit the Jo Yang Bureau?”
“Uh, what?”
“Lately, we got an incredibly rare white tea at the Bureau! I begged Father for a case, so we’ve got plenty!”
Youngju chattered excitedly, filling the air with her constant talking. In the midst of it all, Yerin almost forgot her subtle discomfort.
—
Time passed, and the sun began to set through the window.
Soon, the rice cake dishes were empty.
“Oh my, it’s already this late.”
Youngju suddenly jumped to her feet.
“I’m going now.”
“Why not stay and eat the evening meal?”
“No thanks. If I stay any longer, Father will give me another lecture.”
Youngju jokingly but truthfully shook her head.
“He already scolds me for not staying home enough.”
“Your Father scolds you?”
“Yes, it’s that bad. You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve experienced it firsthand.”
Youngju gave an exaggerated shudder before stepping toward the door.
However, what stopped her was—
Creeeaaak.
The pitiful sound of Myonyeonbingjung’s voice.
The empty dish lay before Myonyeonbingjung, who sat forlornly staring at it.
– …There’s really nothing more?
Whine, whimper.
Myonyeonbingjung made pitiful sounds, tapping his paw on the empty dish.
With longing eyes, he looked up at Youngju.
“I’ll bring more next time, Somi.”
Youngju gently stroked Myonyeonbingjung’s head with an apologetic expression.
Then, as if just remembering, she asked.
“By the way, Big Sister, can dogs eat rice cakes?”
“Hmm… honestly, it doesn’t matter much. So far, nothing bad has happened.”
Even though they were spirits and could eat anything without consequence, it wasn’t something Yerin could openly say. She simply gave a vague smile.
“I’ll see you off to the entrance of the League.”
“Really? I’m so happy!”
Youngju hugged Yerin’s arm tightly.
At the same time, Doyul courteously bowed to Youngju.
“Please take care, Youngju Sojeo.”
“Uh… yes. See you again, Lord Commander.”
What was up with him today? He’s never been so formal?
Youngju gave a puzzled look, returning the bow.
Doyul turned back to Yerin.
“Then, I’ll wash up before the evening meal.”
“Oh, alright.”
Yerin responded with a faint smile.
After a slight bow, Doyul quietly exited the room.
His back appeared oddly weak.
Youngju, still slightly dazed, looked up at Yerin with a curious expression.
“Big Sister, why is Lord Commander acting like that?”
“…I don’t know.”
Yerin narrowed her brows slightly.
—
That night.
Throughout her preparations for bed, Doyul felt as though he were sitting on a bed of thorns.
Yerin was persistently watching him with narrowed eyes.
“…Madam?”
Unable to endure the intense gaze, Doyul finally turned to face Yerin.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Do you know something, Doyul?”
Yerin opened her mouth as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Throughout the conversation with Youngju, Doyul didn’t say a single word.”
“Oh, was that so?”
Doyul’s face showed a hint of confusion.
“Yes. You kept replying with brief affirmations, but it seemed like your mind was elsewhere the whole time.”
With a determined expression, Yerin posed the question directly.
“What were you thinking so deeply about?”
“……”
In that instant, Doyul’s carefully composed smile seemed to waver slightly.
“There’s something troubling you, isn’t there?”
“…That’s…”
“Can’t you tell me about it?”
Yerin asked again, more insistently.
However, Doyul hesitated and didn’t respond immediately.
‘You’re already overworking yourself, Madam.’
Even considering everything Yerin had been through recently—losing both her father and brother, and managing the crumbling Shaotang Sect.
He didn’t want to burden her further with his personal troubles.
“I….”
Doyul remained silent for a long moment, only moving his lips hesitantly before finally speaking with a sigh.
“I can’t always rely on you.”
“No, why would you say that?”
Yerin frowned at his words.
“It’s not one-sided reliance. I rely on Doyul too.”
Her firm reply caused Doyul to falter.
“Even with this situation with the Shaotang Sect, Doyul… if it weren’t for you…”
Her voice trailed off for a moment before she firmly continued.
“I wouldn’t have been able to end Sogaju’s life with my own hands.”
It was sincere.
Even though she said everything was fine aloud, it didn’t mean she truly felt that way.
No matter how much she hated her brother, who was now dead, wielding a sword against him wasn’t an easy task.
‘And Doyul…’
He was the one person who truly understood her feelings.
‘This is something you should finish, Madam.’
‘The fact that Sogaju is dealt with by someone else besides you would be a disgrace to the Shaotang Sect.’
It was as though he could see straight into her heart.
If Doyul hadn’t been there to support her, Yerin wouldn’t have been able to take Sogaju’s life.
“So, if you’re having a hard time, I want you to tell me.”
“…Madam.”
“Of course, I might not be able to provide solutions, but…”
Yerin gave a gentle smile.
“I want to understand, empathize, and share your burdens.”
“……”
“Because you’d do the same for me.”
Doyul seemed stunned, staring at her as if struck.
Yerin finished firmly.
“We’re a married couple, aren’t we?”
“…That’s true.”
Doyul eventually nodded slowly.
It was truly a miraculous moment.
After constantly being consumed by chaotic thoughts like stirring muddy water, everything seemed so clear after hearing Yerin’s words.
“In fact, every time I see the League Lord… I keep thinking about my father.”
“Your father, the former Bing gongju, are you referring to?”
“Yes.”
Doyul lowered his gaze, his expression heavy.
The former North Sea Bing gongju, who died protecting the North Sea, and the League Lord who, as the center of the righteous faction, became entangled in a mysterious poison.
“In truth, maybe comparing the League Lord to my father is a bit overly sensitive.”
“Doyul.”
“I know. I know that the League Lord’s addiction still hasn’t been fully uncovered.”
Doyul’s voice became subdued with a faint intensity.
The overwhelming sorrow of having lost his father, the anger toward the Blood Cult that took away precious people, and the fear and vigilance of the potential harm the Blood Cult could cause to the righteous faction and civilians—all these emotions were muddled together, boiling within him.
“I may be speculating, but…”
Doyul clenched his fist tightly.
“I can’t help but suspect.”
“Suspect…?”
“That this addiction of the League Lord is deeply connected to the Blood Cult.”
