Chapter 266: Blood Oath

After arriving at the River Center Escort Agency, I couldn’t see the Mount Hua Sect’s successors.

The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect had no days to stay at the River Center Escort Agency because of their escort missions.

Only the Five Swords of Mount Hua, the Four Vajras, and the Three Tyrant Sabers remained at the River Center Escort Agency.

With just them present, the bureau had no worries even if someone tried to raid it, so all other escort warriors were sent on missions.

Geum Yujin also secluded himself and stayed only in his room.

According to Jeong Suji, he had been intensifying his meditation and training.

I also couldn’t see Jeong Minji.

It seemed likely that her mother, Jo Gyeongmae, had issued a confinement order.

I didn’t dare step near the guest room where the people of Jeong Family Manor stayed, simply because I had no reason to provoke Jo Gyeongmae.

I knew the life lesson that says: only by enduring at the right moment can one gain what they desire.

Even though Jeong Minji was so close by, not being able to see her all day subtly made me anxious and restless.

Realizing this, I finally understood that Jeong Minji had taken deep root in my heart.

‘We’ve gone through so many life-and-death hardships together, so it’d be stranger if I didn’t feel attached. I should go visit her tomorrow morning. It’s odd that there’s been no word from her all day.’

Though it was a time when everyone had already gone to sleep, my mind was unsettled, so I sat cross-legged and began Circulation of Qi to calm myself.

There was nothing better than Circulation of Qi for stabilizing the mind.

Just as I sat down and began to regulate my breath, I sensed the quiet approach of footsteps in the hallway.

‘Min Mae.’

I was surprised at myself for realizing it was Jeong Minji just by the presence I felt.

“Gaga, may I come in?”

I unraveled my cross-legged posture and stood up.

“Min Mae, come in.”

Jeong Minji opened the door and entered.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask why she had come so late at night.

Between a man and a woman, there was only one reason for a nighttime visit.

But since I knew Jeong Minji wasn’t the kind of woman to be so forward, I welcomed her calmly.

“You’re still awake?”

“Yes. I know this isn’t proper, but I came because I had something to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’d be grateful if you could accept the small opinion of a woman.”

I took Jeong Minji’s hand and said,

“I already hold you in my heart, Min Mae, so don’t feel burdened.”

“In that case, from now on, please don’t use honorifics with me. Every time you speak to me with formality, I feel like I’m being pushed far away.”

I felt I could understand Jeong Minji’s heart.

She wanted to confirm my feelings for her in any way she could.

“Alright. I’ll speak to you comfortably from now on, Min Mae.”

As soon as I dropped the formal speech, she blushed and lowered her head, clearly embarrassed.

That innocent and pure expression stirred a man’s heart.

“Is there anything else you want? Tell me. I’ll do anything for you.”

Those words embarrassed Jeong Minji, but strangely also caused a tender ache in her heart.

‘Haa, in the past, hearing such words would make my hands and feet curl up like a squid being grilled over fire, but now they strangely sound sweet. This must be why they say a woman in love can’t be trusted.’

Jeong Minji, caught in a strange emotion, spoke.

“Gaga, I have already given you all of my heart. And now, I wish to offer even my last purest love.”

Having spoken with great difficulty, Jeong Minji couldn’t raise her head.

It was a confession that she wanted to offer even her chastity to Yong Hwarin—words not easily spoken by any woman.

Though Yong Hwarin had the body of a youth in his prime, brimming with energy, his mind was that of a middle-aged man who had long surpassed the Age of Understanding.

Because of that, he knew how to suppress his instincts.

His body longed to embrace Jeong Minji, but his mind kept that urge in check.

The rational mind, which insisted on protecting the person he loved, overwhelmed the primal impulse.

As one ages, the desire shifts from possession to sharing beauty.

In youth, upon seeing a beautiful woman, one might want to make her their own, wish she were theirs, or dream of spending the night with her—such desires came easily.

But as one matures, one comes to realize that flowers are most beautiful not when plucked but when they bloom in place, and birds are not meant to be caged but are most beautiful flying free in the sky. Thus, the desire to possess transforms into a stronger wish to protect.

That was exactly how Yong Hwarin felt now.

“I, too, want to make you completely mine, Min Mae. But I hesitate, fearing that doing so might hurt you.”

“Gaga, you embraced Bukri Sojeo. Why then do you reject me?”

At last, Jeong Minji revealed her true feelings.

Since Yong Hwarin had already taken Bukri Sehee as a woman, she, too, wanted to become Yong Hwarin’s woman—an expression of feminine jealousy.

Only by doing so, Jeong Minji felt she could feel at ease, even when apart from Yong Hwarin.

Yong Hwarin wasn’t oblivious to such feelings. With a soft smile, he looked at Jeong Minji and pulled out a small dagger.

As he drew the dagger, Jeong Minji appeared somewhat startled.

“Min Mae, then let’s do this. Let’s each cut our forearm, drink each other’s blood, and swear an oath.”

“Ah, you mean a Blood Oath?”

“Yes.”

The Blood Oath was a ritual recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals, where Lord Zhuang of the Lu State and a woman named Meng Ren cut their arms and drank each other’s blood before swearing an oath, after which she became his wife.

Jeong Minji, knowing that Yong Hwarin was going this far to protect her, no longer insisted on anything.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

Yong Hwarin brought over a bowl and raised the dagger.

He truly intended to cut his forearm and let the blood flow.

It might’ve looked like a ridiculous act, but he knew well that small gestures like this could give great emotional comfort to a woman.

Though Jeong Minji was a martial expert, at heart she was no different from any other woman.

Just as he was about to cut his forearm with the dagger—

They were both startled by the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor.

They immediately knew who the footsteps belonged to.

Jeong Minji, startled, looked at him.

-Why is Mother here at this hour?

-Does she know you’re here?

-No way. I came here without anyone knowing.

-Then maybe she has some business with me.

-What should I do?

While speaking through telepathy, Jeong Minji’s face grew increasingly restless.

-No choice. I’ll go sit on the bed. Min Mae, hide under the covers.

-But she’ll know I’m here.

Jo Gyeongmae was a martial expert capable of detecting such presence easily.

-Don’t worry. I’ll unfold a Qi Veil and completely block your presence.

At this hour, if a grown daughter was found in a young man’s room, it would undoubtedly be misunderstood.

With no other option, Jeong Minji slipped under the blanket.

Yong Hwarin lay down and pretended to be asleep.

Jeong Minji curled up and pressed herself tightly against his groin area, trying to suppress every trace of her presence.

“Yong Gongja, are you asleep?”

“No, please come in.”

Jo Gyeongmae opened the door and stepped into the room.

“My apologies. I’m not wearing any clothes, so I ask for your understanding in not rising.”

“That’s quite alright. I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly in the middle of the night.”

Jo Gyeongmae sat on a chair across from him and continued.

“I felt that if I didn’t say this now, I never would, so I’ve come despite the impropriety.”

“I don’t mind. Please speak.”

“Can you part with my daughter?”

The moment she opened her mouth, the question came out so directly that Yong Hwarin was caught off guard.

He hadn’t expected such straightforwardness.

“I’m sorry. I cannot. Min Mae and I are already deeply in love. In fact, it’s something I desire—I ask for your understanding, Elder.”

“So you’re saying you won’t give up?”

Jo Gyeongmae asked in a firm tone.

“Yes. Even if it costs me my life, I cannot give up on Min Mae.”

As I said those words, Jeong Minji, who was under my groin, twitched.

She had been moved by what I said.

“Hoo.”

Jo Gyeongmae let out a long sigh after realizing there wasn’t a trace of falsehood in my eyes.

“We will soon head to Shaolin Temple. We’ll follow the Five Swords of Mount Hua and the Four Vajras.”

“When you say ‘we’…?”

“All of my daughters are going.”

It seemed Jeong Minji hadn’t been told yet.

That must have been why she came to me so late at night, willing to offer her purest love.

“There is one reason I’m taking my daughter. I want the two of you to be apart for a while and reflect. If even after that, your affection doesn’t fade, then I won’t oppose it either.”

Jo Gyeongmae believed that if the two of us were separated, our feelings would eventually wane.

She also assumed that when Jeong Minji saw men at the Shaolin Temple who were superior to me, her feelings would weaken.

Still, if our love remained firm, Jo Gyeongmae intended to reconsider.

“I understand your intentions, Elder. I will comply.”

I sensed that Jo Gyeongmae was giving me a chance, so I responded with respect.

“I’ll see you again at Shaolin Temple.”

“Will you be leaving in the morning?”

“Yes.”

Jo Gyeongmae stood and turned around.

“My apologies for disturbing your sleep.”

“Take care as you go.”

As Jo Gyeongmae left the room, I let out a deep sigh of relief.

Because Jeong Minji had been squirming the whole time beneath my groin, I had barely been able to suppress my swelling emotions.

Once Jo Gyeongmae’s presence completely disappeared, I pulled back the blanket.

Jeong Minji was crying.

She was overwhelmed with sorrow that her mother was trying to separate her from me.

“Don’t cry, Min Mae.”

Jeong Minji clung to my chest and sobbed for a while before sitting up.

“I should go now.”

As Jeong Minji turned away in loneliness, I felt like I had done something terrible to her.

Telling a woman who came to give me everything to just go back—it felt like inflicting a deep wound.

I grabbed Jeong Minji’s wrist as she turned to leave.

“Don’t go, Min Mae.”

Jeong Minji turned back.

I pulled her tightly into my arms and fell onto the bed.

Then I slowly undressed her so she wouldn’t be startled.

“Gaga, you’re too skillful. Have you embraced many women behind my back?”

Even though it was her first time with a man, Jeong Minji found it strange how deft my hands were.

“Haha, do you think I’d know women at my age?”

But in truth, I was flustered.

With each layer of clothing I removed, I felt my desire building more and more.

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