Chapter 38: With all my heart.
The heavy atmosphere pressing down on the air lasted only a moment.
“…Hoo.”
Soon, Im Jiyang let out a sigh and ceased releasing her qi.
Baek Wooncheon, now able to breathe properly again, discreetly touched his neck.
Though the Chaos Divine Mother’s aura had suppressed him, it wasn’t enough to make a peak Hwakyung master like him lose composure.
“Wooncheon. I’ve known since you were young that your ambition was great. You stained your hands with the blood of countless siblings to claim that seat.”
Im Jiyang’s voice, while still youthful, carried the weight of an elder who had lived through decades.
“But don’t let that ambition blind you. Have you forgotten your duty as a martial artist? If conditions are to be set, it should be by that child, not you.”
“…My apologies, Divine Mother.”
At her reprimand, Baek Wooncheon bowed respectfully.
Her anger seemed to dissipate with his sincere apology, and she flashed a childlike, innocent smile.
“Good! Don’t take it too seriously. I’m getting old, so my emotions get the better of me sometimes.”
“No, Divine Mother.”
Baek Wooncheon shook his head, though he hadn’t entirely let go of the incident.
It wasn’t deep resentment, just a slight urge to mess with her a bit.
‘…That’ll do.’
A fitting idea struck him.
Maintaining a calm facade, he spoke slowly.
“Then I’ll summon the child so you can explain the details.”
“Yes, please do!”
Unaware of his thoughts, Im Jiyang nodded with a cheerful laugh.
“H-Hello!”
The child arrived, visibly nervous.
But Im Jiyang, seeing her apprehension, smiled even more warmly.
Both Baek Wooncheon and Im Jiyang had fully suppressed their qi.
Yet Seoran’s fear stemmed from sensing the aura they concealed—a feat only possible with a body highly attuned to qi.
‘To stumble upon a Yin-Yang Body by chance… What incredible luck at my age.’
Im Jiyang was certain.
This child could reach the pinnacle of the Chaos Origin Technique.
The Chaos Origin was the primal energy.
The sole force existing before heaven, earth, or anything else came to be.
Neither yin nor yang, yet both; the beginning and end of all things.
A force of chaos, of balance, immensely powerful and dangerously difficult to wield.
Thus, only those born with rare, exceptional physiques could master the Chaos Origin Sect’s techniques, making it a single-successor lineage.
In that sense, Seoran’s Yin-Yang Body was invaluable, perfectly suited for the Chaos Origin Technique.
“Child, the Chaos Origin Sect, to which I belong, is a faction that protects the balance of the Central Plains.”
Im Jiyang began introducing the sect.
She didn’t embellish to entice the child.
There was no need—the Chaos Origin Sect was already an idolized faction among martial artists.
Possessing peerless techniques that could make one the greatest in the martial world, and as a protector of the Central Plains, it commanded immense respect.
Joining the Chaos Origin Sect meant gaining both power and prestige.
“So, child, become my disciple.”
With the two greatest values a martial artist could pursue offered so freely, who could refuse?
Im Jiyang declared confidently.
“Travel the Central Plains with me, and you’ll see the truth of my words. I’ll show you a world far beyond the Baek Clan.”
“Uh… I see?”
But—
The child’s reaction was lukewarm.
“Um, Divine Mother, may I ask one thing?”
“Yes, go ahead. What’s on your mind?”
Caught off guard but hiding it, Im Jiyang nodded.
“You mentioned traveling the Central Plains…?”
“Yes, what you lack now is experience. With your blessed physique, roaming the Central Plains and gaining experience will—”
“Oh.”
Seoran cut her off with a short murmur.
A look of apology crossed her face.
…Huh?
Apology?
Im Jiyang realized something was off.
Seoran bowed deeply.
“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline.”
“…?”
“…Pfft.”
Baek Wooncheon’s stifled laughter from behind didn’t even register.
Im Jiyang just blinked in disbelief.
Even after Seoran left the Clan Leader’s Hall, she remained stunned.
How much time passed?
“Declined…?”
Her bewildered murmur echoed through the hall.
—
“…That kid rejected the Divine Mother’s offer?”
“What is she thinking…?”
…Ugh, damn it.
I sighed inwardly at the whispers around me.
Lately, everyone who saw me was gossiping like this.
The reason was simple.
The rumor that I rejected the Chaos Divine Mother’s offer to become her disciple had spread like wildfire through the Baek Clan.
‘Who the hell started this rumor…?’
Some versions were so exaggerated they claimed I coldly dismissed a pleading Divine Mother.
All I did was say, “I’m sorry,” and leave! I haven’t even seen her since.
It’s unfair, but what can I do? Rumors are uncontrollable.
‘Gotta get inside quick.’
Ignoring the stares, I hurried toward Baekryu Hall.
Of course, I felt a bit bitter about missing such an opportunity.
I didn’t know much at first, but after looking into it, I learned the Chaos Divine Mother and her sect held immense prestige in the Central Plains.
Plus, the Clan Leader, Baek Wooncheon, was present during her offer and didn’t stop her, meaning I could’ve become her disciple despite learning the Baek Clan’s martial arts.
Her explanation was tempting at first.
But—
‘Traveling the Central Plains…?’
Her follow-up killed my interest.
I’d sworn to stay by Baek Yeon’s side forever.
Learning martial arts was one thing, but wandering the Central Plains would mean breaking my promise to her.
I started learning martial arts to stand proudly by her side in the first place…
‘Leaving her to get stronger would be meaningless.’
That’s why wandering the Baek Clan estate lately felt so burdensome.
But… there was a silver lining.
Namely, Baek Yeon was over the moon.
“Young Lady, I’m here.”
“Oh, you’re back?”
As I entered, she greeted me with a radiant smile.
Look at that—she didn’t see me for nearly a shichen (two hours), and she’s still smiling so casually.
I hadn’t revealed why I rejected the Divine Mother’s offer, but…
Everyone in the Baek Clan seemed to know the reason implicitly.
That Baek Yeon was why I turned it down.
‘…In the end, Dowan was right.’
When he said I’d reject the offer because of Baek Yeon, I thought he was spouting nonsense.
But it turned out to be true.
It makes me sound like some Baek Yeon-obsessed lunatic…
‘I just wanted to keep my promise.’
Really, truly.
…Anyway.
Her good mood meant less groveling for me as her attendant.
Thanks to that, I’d been having relatively peaceful days lately.
And…
“The Young Master is waiting. Let’s go.”
“Hehe, yeah, let’s go.”
Today was Baek Yeon’s 17th birthday!
Without me, she’d likely be bedridden from her Nine Yin Blocked Meridians by now, but… she was healthy enough to move freely on her own.
“Come here, Seoran.”
As we walked, she naturally grabbed my hand, humming with a joyful expression.
‘She’s healthy and in a great mood—makes me feel good too.’
Her happiness warmed my heart, and I spoke softly.
“So, when are you going to tell me?”
Because of recent events, I hadn’t prepared a birthday gift.
But that wasn’t the only reason.
This was the fifth birthday we’d spent together, and I’d already given her everything I could think of.
So, I told her—
For this birthday, I’d grant any one wish she had.
“Hm… You’ll really do anything?”
She smiled brightly.
But sensing the mischief behind it, I quickly added—
“…Except that. We’re still too young.”
“Other clans have kids at my age.”
“…Even so.”
I’m not mentally ready for that yet…
And I’d need to set aside my conscience for a bit… Anyway, not yet.
“Stingy.”
She pouted at my firm refusal.
“…No matter how much you sulk, it’s still a no.”
“Tch.”
But sulking wouldn’t change my mind.
As we kept walking, she rolled her eyes, as if trying to think of something.
Then—
“…Maybe it’s time to move on to that.”
With a cryptic murmur, a glint sparked in her eyes.
…Why do I feel uneasy?
Suddenly—
“Seoran.”
She stopped abruptly.
Since she was holding my hand, I had to stop too.
Anxious, I asked—
“…What’s wrong?”
“For my birthday gift…”
Leaning toward my right ear, she whispered softly—
“Tell me you love me.”
…Love?
But that wasn’t all.
With a sly smile, she added one condition—
“And it has to be sincere.”