Chapter 53: Just for you, especially.

It’s an obvious truth, but the night is dark.

In the Central Plains, it’s even darker. Sounds absurd, but it’s true.

In the modern world I once lived in, streetlights lit up the night, letting you roam freely. But ancient China? Not so much.

Even with the moon out, without keen eyes, you can’t see a step ahead in this pitch-black night.

“Is… is anyone around?”

In that darkness, Baek Tae-rin’s trembling voice rang out.

Even while shaking, her voice was still melodious.

“No, I told you, there’s no one.”

How many times is she going to ask?

Sneaking out behind Baek Yeon’s back was hard enough, and her nervousness was making me feel uneasy too.

I sniffed and urged her on.

“Just hurry up and jump. We’ll get caught by a patrol at this rate.”

“Ugh…”

After a brief whimper, Baek Tae-rin finally made up her mind.

Thud!

With a light push off the ground, she effortlessly leaped over the wall.

The Baek Clan estate’s walls were towering, befitting the clan’s prestige, but to a Peak Realm martial artist, they were no more than a staircase.

‘Why hesitate so long over something so easy…?’

Even after checking our surroundings before leaving, she kept glancing around as we moved.

To reassure her, I teased lightly.

“You’re wearing a veil—no one’s going to recognize you. Why so worried?”

“You recognized me…”

…Well, true.

But I had something to say about that.

To be precise, it wasn’t just her face that gave her away back then.

“It was… I just got a feeling the moment I saw you.”

More instinct than sight, I’d say.

I just knew it was Baek Tae-rin right away.

Maybe it’s because my constitution makes me sensitive to qi…

Anyway.

“See? What if someone else recognizes me?”

Her voice shrank even more at my response.

I looked at her curiously.

…Now that I think about it, it’s kind of ridiculous.

“You’re this scared now, but back then you were wandering around alone?”

Not just wandering—she was flamboyantly performing sword dances at the Celestial Dragon Pavilion.

Seeing her so nervous now, I couldn’t help but find it absurd.

“…I was scared back then too.”

She replied sulkily to my comment.

“When I thought you recognized me, I didn’t show it, but I was terrified.”

“…Really?”

“For real.”

That’s surprising…

I glanced at her, quietly shocked.

Back then, I was too flustered to notice her state.

She seemed so composed despite being caught in women’s clothing, so I thought she was just odd… but there was that backstory.

…Well.

“Still.”

I grinned at her.

“Since you’re telling me this, I guess you’re more comfortable with me now?”

“…”

Her silence was brief.

“…Because you said I could be Baek Tae-rin when I’m with you.”

She mumbled, even more hesitant than before.

“But… is it weird to say that?”

“Not weird, exactly.”

Why’s she overthinking it?

I shrugged.

“It’s better than acting all formal. You’re much nicer to look at now.”

“…Yeah.”

She nodded slightly.

With the veil, I couldn’t see her face clearly, but…

“Thank you, really.”

Her bright voice made it obvious she was smiling radiantly underneath.

‘Looks like she’s finally relaxed.’

If she kept looking around like before, it’d only draw more suspicion. Good thing she calmed down.

“Then, Young Master…”

“No.”

But—

It seemed she’d relaxed a bit too much.

“We’re outside. Not Young Master—what should you call me?”

“…”

Her timid demeanor was gone, replaced by a teasing tone.

She’s asking me to call her unnie, isn’t she?

I gave her a reluctant look, but she met my gaze unflinchingly.

“…Do I have to call you that?”

“But you called me Tae-rin unnie just fine earlier.”

“…”

That was just in the heat of the moment…

Now that she’s formally asking, my lips wouldn’t move.

The word “unnie” still felt so awkward to me.

As I hesitated, she slightly lifted her veil.

“Call me unnie, okay?”

Her face sparkled with a beauty almost too dazzling to meet head-on.

‘Ugh…’

I instinctively stepped back.

…Using her face like that is cheating.

There’s a human instinct at play.

Even babies, barely aware, feel more drawn to attractive people than plain ones, don’t they?

Baek Tae-rin was like that.

…Honestly, she was stunning.

Her beauty made her cross-dressing life seem like a waste.

With that face, making that expression, staring right at me…

How could I not waver?

‘Still, calling her unnie is a bit…’

“Please, Ran-ah. Okay?”

“…Fine, unnie.”

…Damn it.

—

We snuck out, but in the Central Plains, where entertainment is scarce, “going out” just meant wandering the night market.

At best, we’d stroll around, looking at shops.

“Oh, that place used to be a different store… guess the owner changed.”

The good thing was, Baek Tae-rin was enjoying even that.

She didn’t need me to suggest anything—she was excitedly looking around on her own.

‘Well… for her, it’s probably like coming home after years.’

That made her reaction understandable.

“Tae-rin! How long’s it been?”

“Hehe, it’s been a while, sir.”

At the Celestial Dragon Pavilion, Baek Tae-rin chatted with the owner who rushed out to greet her.

I watched them from a distance.

‘She’s really excited.’

She was so animated, talking endlessly with the owner.

Her behavior was far livelier than at the Baek Clan.

This… must be her true self.

‘Guess I did good bringing her out.’

We couldn’t stay long, but seeing her enjoy this moment made me feel good too.

‘Hope this lifts her spirits, even a little.’

She seemed so fragile earlier.

As I thought that, she finished her conversation and came back to me.

“…Now that I think about it, unnie, you performed a sword dance at the Celestial Dragon Pavilion back then, right?”

Seeing her glance back reluctantly, a thought struck me.

“I heard there was a woman who danced so well there.”

They said it was like a celestial maiden descended, that people were so mesmerized they could barely remember it…

The praise for that dance was so overwhelming, I’d always wanted to see it myself someday.

“To think that was you, Tae-rin unnie.”

I was really shocked back then…

Now it’s a fond memory, just casual talk about the past.

But—

“Hmm…”

Baek Tae-rin let out a long hum.

Then, she cautiously suggested,

“Want to see it?”

“…Huh?”

Is she offering to perform?

“Hmm…”

It was a tempting offer, but I hesitated.

I was curious about how well she danced.

But if we stayed for a sword dance, it’d get too late…

As I thought that—

“…I want to show you.”

She lifted her veil just enough for me to see and flashed a bright smile.

“I’ll perform, just for you… specially.”

It was a pure, radiant smile.

Gulp.

…And an utterly enchanting face.

Maybe that’s why.

“…Then, I won’t say no.”

I nodded without realizing it.

It’ll… probably be fine. Sure.

—

Late at night, as even those who stayed up prepared for sleep—

“…Hmm.”

One person in Baekryu Hall was still awake.

Letting out a long hum, Baek Yeon, the hall’s mistress, gazed out the window.

Seoran thought she’d snuck out unnoticed, but Baek Yeon wasn’t so oblivious as to miss the absence of her warmth.

Especially when it came to Seoran, she was extra sensitive.

And so—

“She’s taking too long.”

Baek Yeon was very displeased with the situation.

Even if she’d let her go, there were limits.

She’d let her go because she was certain Seoran was hers… but to act so boldly?

“…Maybe I need to tighten the leash again.”

In the quiet room, Baek Yeon murmured softly.

Her chilling whisper somehow sounded ominous.