Chapter 62: Ghost Shadow Thief (3)
"…Then, do you also think of that person when you look at Seol Lihyang?"
The unexpected question caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless.
If she was asking whether seeing Seol Lihyang made me think of the Tang Sowol from my past life—of course, the answer was no.
However, just as Tang Sowol reminded me of her past self, it was also true that seeing Seol Lihyang made me recall the Seol Lihyang from before my regression.
Both of them were figures deeply engraved in my life—memories so profound that even I couldn't control their presence in my mind.
That was likely why Tang Sowol had asked.
She believed that my affection for her stemmed from someone in my past, an unknown presence shaping my current emotions.
She wasn't entirely wrong.
I did hold the present Tang Sowol in special regard.
But the Tang Sowol of my previous life—who knew me, understood me, shared countless memories, and formed a promise with me that was never fulfilled—was just as precious.
Strictly speaking, the unconditional goodwill I had shown the Tang Sowol of this life, and the love that had gradually bloomed from it, were undoubtedly influenced by the Tang Sowol from before my regression.
And in that sense, Seol Lihyang was no different.
Though I considered the Seol Lihyang of my past and the Seol Lihyang of today as separate individuals, I still remembered.
I remembered how she used to act all prickly, only to tremble alone as a side effect of her Pure Yin Physique.
I remembered how she would flare up in anger over trivial pranks, then leap with joy over the smallest gifts.
I remembered how she blushed when she received pears of the same name as hers, how she whispered coy words in bed, how she sought reassurance with desperate gestures.
I remembered the final breath she exhaled in my arms.
The warmth of her blood as it flowed out.
The complaints and curses she muttered as she died.
The last words she never got to say.
The faint scent of pear that lingered at the tip of my nose.
I remembered all of it.
It was a realization that struck too suddenly, a loss that hit before I had the chance to process it.
And in the end, the void left behind had been filled with a rage so fierce that it burned even myself.
Like soot that had sunk in too deep, the memories clung to me, unable to be erased.
Just as Tang Sowol was unforgettable, so too was Seol Lihyang—an existence I could never completely disregard, no matter how hard I tried.
And inevitably, that lingering presence influenced how I saw the Seol Lihyang of today.
After much contemplation, carefully choosing my words, I finally spoke.
"I…"
If Tang Sowol was asking whether my feelings for the current Seol Lihyang stemmed from my past memories—
If she meant that the love that had been suddenly cut short was now growing again—
"…I do think of her at times when I see Seol Lihyang."
"…Ah."
Tang Sowol's voice came out weak, trailing off in disappointment.
I quickly added,
"But that doesn't mean anything will happen that you need to worry about."
"I already told you, didn't I? I have neither jealousy nor suspicion."
"But you must have felt uneasy. That's why I'm saying this again, just to be sure."
She was still resting her head on my thigh.
I gently ran my fingers through her black-green hair as I continued.
"You are my fiancée. I can't even imagine anyone else."
"…You really are trying to seduce me, aren't you? If so, I'd say you've succeeded spectacularly."
She smirked, seemingly unable to resist bringing up what had happened in Guangdong.
"I wasn't that worried. But… it's still nice to hear. Could you say a little more?"
"More?"
"Yes, more. That way, even if something happens, I won't feel uncertain or shaken."
"…?"
I wasn't entirely sure what she was getting at, but since she asked, I decided to be a little more honest than usual.
"I've always thought your eyes are beautiful, Tang Sowol."
"…W-What?"
"It's probably because of your Poison Spirit Physique, but the way a faint green hue shimmers over your black irises makes them look like gemstones."
"…Oh. Um. That's… I wasn't expecting this kind of response. I just wanted to hear you say that I'm the only one for you…"
"I'll add that too. Next, your hair—it's such a rare color, my eyes are naturally drawn to it. And the way you keep it well-maintained, letting it flow down like silk, is beautiful.
"And when you tie it up for convenience, revealing the pale nape of your neck… It always catches my eye. And every time, it stirs something inside me."
"Agh, 'adding' it, you say… Just how long is this going to go on?"
"Patience. This is only the beginning. Next, there's your lips, your scent, your fingers… The way you've become more comfortable with casual touches, how you keep brushing against me, and how—every single time—your chest ends up pressing against me…"
"…Wait a moment. Cheon Hwi-da, you usually act so indifferent, but are you actually really into this kind of thing?"
"Of course. I've just been holding back because of many reasons—whether it's Tang Jincheon's watchful eye, my martial arts training, or the fact that we're only engaged and I was worried you might not like it if things moved too fast."
"Y-You've been holding back?"
"Mm. That's why you're feeling uncertain, isn't it?"
"…I-It's not like I'm that uneasy…"
Her voice wavered slightly as she hesitantly muttered.
I gently pressed my thumb against her lips.
She ended up biting down on it, startled, unable to speak properly.
Leaning in slightly, I whispered.
"Enough talking. Just listen, Tang Sowol. This is what you wanted, isn't it?"
Her eyes wavered like a candle flickering in the wind.
Seeing that, I smirked and continued.
"Let's see… Next was lips, wasn't it?"
The evening was still young. There was plenty of time.
***
"Hoo…"
As I stepped out of the guest room, the night breeze cooled my flushed face, its refreshing touch easing the lingering heat.
Perhaps the wind had blown the clouds away—at the same time, the moon emerged, faintly illuminating the darkened world.
"…It's later than I expected."
What had been evening just moments ago had turned into deep night.
Meanwhile, Tang Sowol, after enduring a relentless barrage of 'things I like about you', had succumbed to exhaustion and fallen asleep—still cocooned like a silkworm in my bed.
Well, no wonder. She hadn't just blushed—she had shrieked non-stop in embarrassment.
And let's not forget the sparring match earlier in the day.
I would've liked to just lie beside her and fall asleep, but… before that, I needed some fresh air.
After all, she wasn't the only one feeling overheated.
I exhaled deeply, looking around.
"…It's dark."
I could still make out my surroundings, but just barely.
It was likely because tonight's moon was only a crescent.
Not that it mattered—I wasn't planning on going far.
If needed, I could always expand my qi sense to navigate.
I only intended to take a brief walk around the small clearing in front of the guest rooms.
After that, I'd have to pry Tang Sowol out of the blankets and send her back to her own room.
Scratching my head, I put together this simple plan and started walking without much thought.
I hadn't expected Tang Sowol to be thinking about something like that.
And honestly, I hadn't given it much thought myself.
But since I had brought Seol Lihyang into the Tang Clan instead of leaving her behind, it was a matter worth addressing at some point.
Lost in thought, I paced around for who knows how long.
And then—
In the dimly lit distance, I spotted a wiry, scarecrow-like figure.
"…What brings you out so late at night?"
"Hoho, it's been a while."
"Ghost Shadow Thief, Elder?"
"Indeed. It's me. So stop looking at me as if I were some ghost."
"But I had my qi sense spread out…"
"Heh. Your skills are impressive, but you're still far from being able to sense me."
"No, that's not what I meant. I was wondering why you were sneaking around in the dark, concealing your presence at this hour."
"…What?"
"Don't tell me you stole something from Wudang again…"
"You brat! Just what kind of person do you take me for?!"
"Well, according to your own words, a thief. One who, despite going all the way to Southern Barbarian Beast Palace and Northern Sea Ice Palace to steal treasures, ended up losing everything."
The Heart-Guard Armor he had snatched from Southern Barbarian Beast Palace had been shattered in a single clash against the Heavenly Demon, and the Northern Sea Ice Palace's martial arts manual had ended up in my hands.
In short, for all his trouble, Ghost Shadow Thief had gained nothing in his later years—only hardship.
"So, I figured you might be trying to swipe something from Wudang to make up for it."
"…I won't say the thought never crossed my mind. But I already took the scabbard of the Flowing Cloud Sword Immortal. There's nothing more valuable here that I could steal."
"Ah, so it's just that the risk outweighs the reward."
"Are you going to keep making me out to be a shameless old thief?"
"My apologies. I'm just easily startled, so when I see shadows suddenly appearing at night, I have a habit of checking whether it's a person or a ghost."
"…And if it were a ghost?"
"I'd cut it down."
"…What?"
"If something lurks in the darkness, forsaking its humanity, it's bound to be dangerous. So I'd cut it down."
Ghost Shadow Thief was silent for a moment before cautiously speaking.
"…My title does have 'Ghost' in it, but that refers to my shadow-like stealth. I don't actually consider myself a ghost."
"I know that much."
"…Do you now."
An awkward silence stretched between us.
Finally, Ghost Shadow Thief, unable to endure it, stomped his foot and approached.
Under the faint moonlight, he truly did resemble a shadowy specter—though not in the way his nickname suggested.
As the black silhouette drew closer, his features became more distinct.
Only when we were near enough to recognize each other's faces did he clear his throat.
"Ahem. It's a fine night, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. So, why exactly are you out here at this hour?"
"…You're not letting that go, huh."
He gaped at me but then chuckled and nodded.
"Well, I ran into an old friend I thought I'd never meet again. And then I saw the crescent moon—the kind of night that, in my younger days, I would've called perfect for thieving.
"So, my mind got a bit tangled, and I decided to take a walk."
"I see… But isn't a new moon—with no moonlight at all—a better night for stealing?"
"Surprisingly, no. When the moon is completely gone, people become more cautious. It actually makes things riskier."
"…Huh."
I had only thrown that question out absentmindedly, but his answer was unexpectedly insightful.
Now that I thought about it, even I had instinctively considered expanding my qi sense because of the darkness.
On an even darker night, I would've spread it even further.
Striking the right balance between making an opponent wary and lulling them into complacency… That was always crucial.
As I nodded in understanding, Ghost Shadow Thief added,
"And also… I was waiting for you."
"…For me?"
"Yes. There's something I wanted to discuss with you—alone.
"About your martial arts."
"If it's about the killing intent in my swordsmanship, the Third Elder of Wudang already confirmed that it's not the Thousand Kill Style."
At my response, Ghost Shadow Thief shook his head.
"No, not your sword. I meant your footwork."
"…My footwork?"
I flinched.
I hadn't expected him to bring up my movement technique.
His gaze sharpened, piercing through the darkness as he continued.
"That footwork of yours… It's changed a lot, but it still carries the traces of the Seo Clan's techniques, doesn't it?"
The person who had taught me my current footwork…
Was the Ironblood Hall Master.
And her name was Seo Mun-Hwarin.
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Happy New Year!