Chapter 81
In the end, it was Yerin who faced defeat.
“…I understand.”
“I’m excited!”
Youngju jumped up from her seat.
‘On another note, how did I end up saving Jo Youngju?’
Yerin stared at the cheerful Youngju with a puzzled expression.
‘Isn’t this a flag that Doyul should set, not me?’
I have no idea where the original story is heading.
Sigh.
Yerin let out a deep sigh emanating from her chest.
* * *
About a month later.
Yerin and her group arrived at Hangju, where the Mysterious Martial Arts is located.
“Wow, we finally made it to Hangju!”
Excited Youngju stuck close to Yerin.
“What would you like to do in Hangju, unnie? I want to take a bath in hot water!”
“Hot water sounds good.”
Yerin chuckled along with Youngju.
At the same time, something struck her anew.
‘I thought she just wanted to tag along with us and say anything, but…’
Before joining Yerin and Doyul’s group, Youngju had vowed not to be a burden during the journey.
And she kept that promise.
Despite the challenging journey, Youngju adapted quickly to camping, and there were no complaints.
‘At this point, traveling together seems fine.’
However, unlike Yerin, Doyul didn’t particularly like Youngju.
“Oh, can I call you unnie?”
On the first night Youngju joined their group, she suggested this as soon as they exchanged ages.
*Cough, cough!*
Doyul almost sprayed out the tea he was drinking.
*Squirm, squirm!*
Manyeon avoided the scene, expressing disgust.
On the other hand, Youngju seemed genuinely eager to call Yerin unnie.
“Is it okay?”
Youngju looked up at Yerin with her characteristic moist eyes.
“Since I’m a year younger, it would be nice if we could have a sisterly relationship…”
“Hmm.”
Yerin pondered for a moment.
It might be somewhat unexpected, but there was no need for a negative relationship with the original female lead.
“Okay.”
Yerin agreed for now.
“Really? Exciting! Let go of the formalities, unnie!”
“But still, letting go of formalities is a bit…”
“Oh, come on. We’re like sisters now. What if unnie uses honorifics?”
And so, unexpectedly, Yerin began speaking casually to Youngju.
That was the beginning.
The time when Youngju started following Yerin like a shadow.
“Unnie, you seem so cool.”
“Huh? Out of the blue?”
“That’s true, how can you be so skilled and meticulous…”
Youngju clenched her fists as she spoke.
“Besides, people follow you so well!”
Then she would brighten up with a smile.
“I also want to become someone like unnie!”
…Wait, isn’t she supposed to like Doyul?
Youngju’s endearing gestures weren’t unwelcome, but Yerin felt a bit perplexed.
And even after that.
“Unnie, do you want to come pick up firewood with me?”
“Unnie, can you teach me how to build a bonfire?”
“Unnie, unnie…!”
Like a puppy following its owner, Youngju always stuck close to Yerin.
Even now, as they approached Hangju.
Youngju had her arm linked with Yerin’s.
“Unnie, there’s a place in Hangju that serves really delicious beef noodle soup. Let’s go eat together!”
“Oh, is there such a place?”
“Yes! You must go there. It’s a hidden gem only our family knows about.”
“If Youngju recommends it that much, it must be really good.”
“Yes! Oh, and besides the beef noodle soup, they also sell dumplings at that inn. It’s another delicacy. If you eat them together, it’s really…!”
Youngju poured out her words rapidly.
“Will it fit into our schedule?”
Yerin was somewhat doubtful, but she nodded for now.
“Sure. If it fits into our schedule, we can go.”
“Really? Exciting!”
Youngju blushed both cheeks, smiling warmly.
“Oh, right, there’s a tea house in Hangju.”
“A tea house?”
“Yes! It’s a place where you can enjoy tea and snacks while chatting. It recently opened.”
Youngju shrugged her shoulders.
“The noble ladies and young ladies of Hangju frequent the place so much that the doors are worn out. They say it’s old-fashioned if you don’t go there.”
Then she subtly lowered her voice.
“Unnie, don’t you know about that?”
“About what?”
“In the tea house, even scholars from prestigious families often visit!”
Although she whispered so that Doyul wouldn’t hear, as a martial artist, Doyul couldn’t have missed that murmur.
Doyul’s face stiffened.
‘Oh no.’
Yerin realized the situation.
Meanwhile, Youngju, oblivious to everything, remained happily cheerful.
“Of course, unnie is already married, but I’m still single, right?”
“Well, it’s just that…”
“So, that’s why I always wanted to go there at least once! But now, I can go with unnie. How fortunate!”
“Oh, um…”
Hey, can’t you feel Doyul’s stern gaze?
I’m in a bit of an uncomfortable situation…
While Yerin was awkwardly trying to smile, she thought, ‘But.’
Yerin discreetly glanced at Youngju.
“Somehow, Youngju seems completely unaware of Doyul. Why is she acting like that?”
Even now, it appeared to be the case. Youngju, indifferent to whether Doyul heard or not, casually engaged in conversations with other men.
“But Youngju is the female lead in this world. Shouldn’t she naturally show interest in Doyul, the male lead?”
Her nonchalant attitude left Yerin even more puzzled.
“Oh, and by the way, we should also visit the Jo Yangpyo Country Branch in Hangju.”
Having mentioned it, Youngju, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, looked at Yerin.
“Don’t worry, I’ll snatch a tremendous reward for you!”
“Well, there’s no need to go to such lengths.”
Wait, Jo Yangpyo Country is your father’s, right? Are you really okay with that?
Yerin suppressed the question that rose up to the tip of her tongue.
But then…
“Youngju Sojo.”
Doyul, unable to endure any longer, spoke up.
Despite trying to maintain a poker face, Yerin, observing him, thought, ‘He looks really uncomfortable.’
Doyul spoke in a somewhat irritated tone, “Beef noodle soup is fine, and the tea house is fine, but first, we need to go to Mysterious Martial Arts.”
“Oh… right, you all need to go to Mysterious Martial Arts, don’t you?”
Youngju nodded with a somewhat downcast expression.
‘But she’s still the female lead! How can you treat her so indifferently?’ Yerin, feeling uncomfortable, interjected into the conversation.
“How about this? After enjoying the beef noodle soup that Youngju mentioned, we can then head to Mysterious Martial Arts.”
In Yerin’s mind, this plan would fulfill their original goal of going to Mysterious Martial Arts while also letting everyone enjoy delicious food, and Youngju could still be accommodated.
“Youngju Sojo sounds wonderful.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t the madams address you as ‘Youngju’?”
Doyul bluntly stated, causing him to realize his mistake.
“No, that’s not it.”
“How about ‘Gungju-nim’?”
“That’s a good idea. Everyone must be tired, so it’s better to start with that.”
After saying that, Doyul turned away with a somewhat gloomy expression.
‘Why is he acting like that?’
Yerin watched Doyul’s retreating figure with a bewildered expression.
Afterward, Youngju also left to converse with the escorts.
*Squirm!*
“What’s that?”
As Yerin looked down, she heard a chuckle, and Manyeon, with widened eyes, was giggling underfoot.
– Understand, contractee.
“Huh?”
– It seems you’re siding with that kid Youngju more than me.
“What? Really?”
– Yeah. And that Gungju fellow still calls her ‘Gungju-nim.’
This can’t be…
Yerin found herself at a loss for words.
* * *
Hangju, as a sacred city of the Central Plains, boasted a scale that was noteworthy even in the central regions. People’s attire was clean, and their expressions were bright. The shops were thriving, and the buildings were well-maintained without any signs of damage or collapse. It truly fit the description of a ‘metropolis.’
Yerin’s group strolled through the neatly organized streets.
“Indeed, it’s nice to have Mysterious Martial Arts here.”
Yerin explored the surroundings with a face full of curiosity.
“No sign of Black Ice Sect members, and the security is excellent.”
But still…
Is it really that much better than the Northern Frost Palace?
As Yerin quietly celebrated her thoughts…
“Unnie, over here!”
Youngju stood in front of a small inn, waving her hand vigorously.
It looked somewhat humble.
So, seemingly unrelated to the pure and delicate Youngju, more like a place that…
“He probably just survives on dew…”
As Yerin was secretly pleased with her thoughts, Youngju rushed towards her and took Yerin’s hand.
“Hurry up. This place is supposed to be a hidden gem!”
“Oh, really?”
“Unnie, don’t you trust me?”
Youngju widened her eyes.
“Well, I do trust you…”
Caught up in Youngju’s enthusiasm, Yerin found herself entering the inn in a moment of impulsiveness. It was a very small inn, and once Yerin, Doyul, the attendants, and even Youngju stepped inside, the place became quite crowded.
“Welcome!”
The innkeeper, who had been dozing in a corner, jolted awake and stood up in surprise. The interior of the shop was now almost filled to capacity.
“Please have a seat!”
Yerin glanced at Youngju with some skepticism. “Is the food really that delicious?”
“I’m telling the truth!”
Youngju responded earnestly. “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
Yerin took a seat, feigning acceptance. Without hesitation, Youngju sat down on Yerin’s left.
Then, to Yerin’s surprise, Doyul deliberately occupied the seat on Yerin’s right.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is Sid. I hope you liked it<3
Next post will be released on February, 15.
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