Chapter 15: Yielding Without Yielding

Seol Cheon-yu was accompanied by a single man who appeared to be his subordinate.

The man stood silently behind Seol Cheon-yu, carrying an unknown bundle on his back.

Hyeonwol was curious about what was in that bundle, but soon had to avert his eyes due to his sworn younger brother’s gaze, which was staring intently at him.

Unlike last time, Seol Cheon-yu was wearing a black martial arts robe beautifully embroidered with silver thread.

The young man’s white skin, contrasting with that color, was tinted by the sunlight and appeared even more translucent.

Though he was someone who would look extraordinary in anything he wore anyway, combined with the sword at his waist, his picture-perfect dignified appearance as a martial artist once again drew admiration.

Ever since Hyeonwol had come into view, Seol Cheon-yu had been gazing only at him, and then, just like three days ago, he politely bowed and spoke in a low, resonant voice.

“Sworn brother, have you been well in the meantime?”

“Well, well….

The location of Wolsigak’s main headquarters is confidential information.

You found your way here remarkably well, Aseol, even though I didn’t tell you.”

“The information department of the place where this younger brother belongs is not particularly incompetent, you see.

If Wolsigak’s intelligence capabilities are as reputed in the world, sworn brother would also be well aware.”

Seol Cheon-yu spoke with a sly face and a light laugh.

Not only did he seem to have no intention of hiding his sect’s identity, but his tone was also one of confidence that Hyeonwol already knew.

Considering the status of the Demonic Cult, this was a fitting attitude, and it also meant he had a good grasp of Wolsigak’s intelligence capabilities.

From the reactions Hyeonwol had shown upon encountering the Blood Cultist, Seol Cheon-yu would have realized that Wolsigak had more than ordinary interest and information about the Blood Cult and would have been watching closely.

But before that, the moment Seol Cheon-yu revealed he was tracking the Blood Cult, he had essentially let Hyeonwol know he was a member of the Demonic Cult.

If Wolsigak had information on the Blood Cult, they couldn’t possibly be unaware of the sworn enemy relationship between the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult.

However, without any particular agitation or hesitation, Hyeonwol still treated Seol Cheon-yu as his sworn younger brother.

This meant that unlike other orthodox sects, Wolsigak had no intention of opposing the Demonic Cult, so despite the tension, the two still displayed a peaceful demeanor.

Only, Seol Cheon-yu implicitly suggested he belonged to the Demonic Cult, but didn’t seem to intend to reveal that he himself was the cult leader.

At that, Hyeonwol, with an expression of giving up, merely waved his hand.

‘If the protagonist doesn’t want to reveal it yet, I should follow along.

…I really can’t tell if this guy genuinely wants to deceive me or not.’

Without needing to say more, the two accepted each other’s silence.

Because they knew that between orthodox sects and the Demonic Cult there was still an unbridgeable and invisible gap, and the very fact that they could face each other with goodwill like this was rare in martial world history.

And what made this possible was the deep past connection remaining between them.

Of course, Hyeonwol had many other circumstances as well.

“Yes, yes.

I can’t keep a guest who has graced us with a visit from such a precious place standing outside like this, so let’s go inside and talk.”

“Ah, sworn brother.

Before that….”

As Hyeonwol looked at him quizzically, Seol Cheon-yu took a folding fan from his bosom.

The white fan in his delicate, beautiful hand suited its owner quite well.

However, the bluish-gray tassel attached to the end was familiar to Hyeonwol.

The identity of the fan, which had momentarily seemed unfamiliar, became clear.

As Seol Cheon-yu handed over the fan, Hyeonwol let out an “Ah” sound and received it.

“This younger brother kept it for a while but forgot to return it.”

“…I was distracted back then.

Thank you.”

It was the fan he had thrown to the ground three days ago when he realized the Blood Cult child—Lin—was from the same homeland and hastily interrogated her.

Hyeonwol was half happy to have recovered something he’d been looking for anyway, and half dazed that Seol Cheon-yu had taken the trouble to keep it for him, barely managing to suppress the strange expression trying to form.

A distant memory from the past associated with this fan and the bluish-gray tassel suddenly flickered through his mind.

Letting the faint sentiment pass, Hyeonwol tucked the received fan into his bosom and guided Seol Cheon-yu and his companion inside Wolsigak.

Walking side by side through the outer courtyard, their conversation continued as usual, though seeming as if it might break off.

“It’s something I’ve used for quite a long time, so it holds accumulated memories.

I’m truly happy to have it back.

I’ll repay this kindness separately.”

“Speaking of kindness between sworn brothers?

There’s no need to concern yourself.”

Hyeonwol raised an eyebrow slightly.

Seol Cheon-yu’s words sounded like ordinary polite speech at first glance, but given the situation, it was hard to accept them purely.

They were just before a major transaction that could become a significant event in the martial world.

The more important the transaction, the more natural it was to bring up even the smallest favors depending on the trading partner.

Of course, the probability of that cult leader nitpicking over such trivial matters was extremely low, but firmly declining a sincere offer of repayment was enough to raise suspicion.

Nevertheless, Seol Cheon-yu seemed to simply want to say there was no ulterior motive in his actions.

When Hyeonwol stared at him with a strange expression, he maintained a calm face and instead slightly averted his gaze.

“If you’re asking whether I truly came as a envoy from my sect, I’ll tell you there’s no need to worry.

Transactions of the sect and personal favors are separate matters.”

Of course, that was perfectly reasonable, but doesn’t it become different when the person saying it is the head of that sect?

Moreover, in an organization like the Demonic Cult with one-person dictatorship, the sect naturally follows the leader’s will, so Hyeonwol couldn’t help but suspect that Seol Cheon-yu wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about investigating the Blood Cult.

For the Demonic Cult, having the information on the Blood Cult they had been tracking obsessively handed over entirely to Wolsigak—essentially taken away—he had expected at least some threats assuming armed conflict.

But its head spouting such blatantly deceptive words…

Soon, Hyeonwol shook his head with a resigned smile.

Anyway, it wasn’t a bad situation for Wolsigak, and he didn’t want to unnecessarily upset Seol Cheon-yu by pointing it out.

As he quickened his pace without particular answer, Seol Cheon-yu, walking alongside, looked at Hyeonwol’s profile again and smiled brightly.

“Somehow, ever since we met, sworn brother only keeps yielding to me.”

At those words, Hyeonwol became even more incredulous and had no choice but to stop walking and stare blankly at Seol Cheon-yu.

Of course, inwardly he was desperately suppressing a great deal of guilt.

“Who exactly is yielding to whom?

If it weren’t the opposite.”

Hyeonwol made an expression as if seeing someone truly absurd.

But Seol Cheon-yu, as if proving that his weapons included not only his sword but also his face, merely stared intently at his sworn brother with clear, crystal-like eyes.

The grown protagonist’s face was truly problematic.

Reflexively letting out a small cough, Hyeonwol naturally turned his head and resumed walking, continuing.

“…Including what we’ll discuss today, I have only countless requests to make of you in the future.

How could I hold my back straight?”

This time, Seol Cheon-yu silently answered nothing.

He seemed to have more to say but ultimately didn’t open his mouth again.

It had been a very long time since Hyeonwol couldn’t anticipate the psychology of the person facing him—though it had been that way since three days ago—so he had no choice but to hide his displeased feelings and walk silently.

After that, Seol Cheon-yu obediently followed Hyeonwol, taking in the scenery throughout Wolsigak.

Watching his consistently calm demeanor, Hyeonwol’s tension, which had been rising to the point of not feeling the crisp autumn air, gradually began to ease.

***

The place handling guest reception at Wolsigak was a two-story building located in the outer courtyard.

Entering the building, Hyeonwol climbed the stairs to the upper reception room while sensing the presences of Seol Cheon-yu and Kang Ryun following behind.

The stairs were quite wide, but there was no handrail, so going up and down required subtle caution.

Of course, nothing was as ridiculous as a martial artist misstepping, but rarely, days of bad luck came that couldn’t be resisted with human effort.

Unfortunately, it seemed today was that bad day for Hyeonwol.

The cause was his unhealed ankle.

Having walked around outside all day after lightly twisting it three days ago, and with his body, usually buried in desk work in his room, having delayed self-healing for some reason and complaining of strain, the sprain still hadn’t subsided.

For the same reason, Hyeonwol was half a step removed from the category of martial artist, so there might have been ample excuse.

Anyway, the fact was that Hyeonwol’s stepping foot was slightly off, and for a moment, he staggered not a little.

Before Kang Ryun below could even be surprised, fortunately, Seol Cheon-yu right behind him quickly supported Hyeonwol.

It was a natural and steady touch, as if he had anticipated it.

But whether it was truly fortunate was another matter.

At least Hyeonwol’s shame was not fortunate!

“Sworn brother.

Your leg has seemed uncomfortable for a while now.

Are you alright?”

In addition to the sudden situation, Hyeonwol had to stiffen his body even more at the sensation of the low voice’s resonance from above his head transmitting through his entire body.

“No, well… Th, thank you.

I almost had a big accident.”

He was unintentionally in a state of leaning his entire body against Seol Cheon-yu.

With embarrassment over the immediate situation consuming his mind, Hyeonwol ended up expressing gratitude before answering the question of whether he was alright.

Though it was unavoidable, what kind of disgrace was this?

At the moment, the self-loathing directed at himself was greater than his unease toward Seol Cheon-yu!

Hyeonwol tried to gather himself and stand up.

But at that moment, he ended up collapsing back into Seol Cheon-yu’s embrace.

It was because an astonishingly gentle hand had restrained him.

‘Huh?’

What is this?

Before Hyeonwol could make an absurd face, Seol Cheon-yu, who had pulled him in, quickly preempted him.

“You seem to be in quite bad condition.

I’ll escort you to the upper floor.

Please forgive the rudeness.”

This time, he couldn’t stop the heat rising to his face.

Seol Cheon-yu supported Hyeonwol’s upper body, put his arm under his knees, and lightly lifted him!

At the sight of his lord like that, Kang Ryun was shocked before he could even express concern.

Leaving him behind, Seol Cheon-yu quickly and briskly ascended the remaining stairs.

“No, wait.

Aseol!

There’s no need for this…!”

“Is the position uncomfortable, sworn brother?

At least, compared to a guard who can’t even recognize his lord’s condition, this younger brother’s embrace seems more comfortable.”

“…….”

Setting aside the absurd comfort of Seol Cheon-yu’s arms securely holding Hyeonwol, it was a truly natural roundabout insult.

At the fluster of being its target, Kang Ryun made an even more sour face and shot a reproachful gaze at his lord, but anyway, having become someone who had to be carried, Hyeonwol could only stammer, forgetting what to say.

Did the protagonist need to be so eloquent even in situations like this?

Since Hyeonwol originally didn’t show signs of pain, it was normal not to know, and Seol Cheon-yu noticing the subtle uncomfortable movements was remarkable.

Even in his daze, Hyeonwol tried to think to defend Kang Ryun, but soon tightly closed his eyes.

Even if he explained it wasn’t a serious injury now, the fact that he nearly fell down the stairs wouldn’t disappear, so it would obviously be unconvincing.

Thus arriving on the second floor, they had to enter the reception room while receiving the shock of Yoon Je-eun and the various office members who had been waiting.

Hyeonwol absolutely couldn’t tell from where this situation had gone wrong.

The only certain thing was that he felt like he could regress again right now from dying of shame….