Chapter 219 – The Structure of the World

The starlight that shone brilliantly in Jin Sochan’s hand.

Hong Yeonhwa would never forget that dazzling light for the rest of her life. No, everyone who was there would feel the same way.

The black sword that seemed to have pulled shooting stars from the night sky did not contain grand thoughts, the truth of the universe, or a vast ego.

There was only pure hope that existed.

To protect the one they love, to defeat external threats that threaten their happiness, so I will not fall, this sword will not break.

The sword itself was crude, but the imagery that flowed from it was as clear as if you could hold it in your hand.

Someone felt reverence for Jin Sochan, who stood up again and again.

Someone saw reason in the uprightness of the imagery.

Someone trembled in fear of becoming an enemy of Jin Sochan.

And what Hong Yeonhwa remembered was the sight of Jin Sochan standing in front of her, blocking her like he was protecting her.

When she lost all her inner strength and became the most pitiful person, she never thought she would be protected because she had always lived protecting someone else. The sight before her was no different from back then. Jin Sochan was always the same.

When she gained enlightenment through chest compression, it was so absurd, but the imagery had grown so much that it could be expressed through the sword.

In the end, like the others in that place, Hong Yeonhwa could only stare at Jin Sochan as if she were possessed by something.

… It’s the same now.

As one of the main characters in the Great War, Hong Yeonhwa was busy cleaning up behind the scenes, but whenever she had time, she looked at Jin Sochan, who had collapsed.

Of course, it wasn’t because she was worried.

In the best facility in Guangdong Province, treated by the best member of the Muryeongmaeng with the highest quality medicinal herbs personally bestowed by the emperor.

It was only because he was unable to get up due to mental and physical exhaustion.

“Still, I hope he wakes up soon.”

Hong Yeonhwa smiled faintly and brought her head closer to the sleeping Jin Sochan.

***

When I opened my eyes, I saw Hong Yeonhwa’s face with her lips pouting.

“… Huh?!”

I was startled when our eyes met, wondering what she was going to do to me while I was sleeping.

How cute.

It was good to see my teacher again, whom I thought I would never see again, but visually, Hong Yeonhwa with duck lips seemed better.

At least she wouldn’t scream because I’m a ghost.

As I became aware of the feeling of my forehead, which was still vivid from the last bow, a word popped out of my mouth without me realizing it.

“I had a dream just now where I met my teacher, and in fact, my teacher was Gyeomsun Yeodongbin.”

It was just a pure expression of affection, wanting to share what had just happened.

But Hong Yeonhwa’s reaction was beyond my expectations.

“What…? Euiwon! Euiweon!! Come quickly! The prince’s head seems to be messed up!!”

“Oh, no! I’m not crazy! You don’t have to call anyone!”

I didn’t know she would call a doctor without hesitation…!

…

After proving my well-being to the doctor who rushed in, we were finally alone again.

“So?”

Leaning against the head of the bed, I wrapped my arms around Hong Yeonhwa’s slim waist. As I pulled her closer, her small frame was weakly dragged towards me.

Squish.

Her soft breasts pressed against my chest, and her startled face came closer.

For a moment, I stared at her plump cheeks, then pulled her to the side.

“Kkeeeeng!”

Her cheeks stretched like glutinous rice cakes, and her limbs flailed. But for some reason, it seemed overly exaggerated, making me feel sorry for her.

“Who said someone’s head is messed up?”

“It’s an unavoidable situation! If someone suddenly brings up that they’re Gyeomsun’s disciple, anyone would react the same way as you, my lady!”

“Even so, it’s not like that… Were our trust in each other this lacking? It’s so sad…”

“That’s not it!”

Hong Yeonhwa hurriedly denied it. She gestured and explained to me while holding my gaze.

“I heard from Mang that you unleashed your innate energy.”

“Ah.”

“Although the broken vessel was repaired during the bone restructuring process, the innate energy that leaked out during that time wasn’t replenished.”

That’s true. Most of the Sun and Moon Divine Art’s energy had flown away, and the remaining Sun had been used as a makeshift solution for the innate energy.

…What should I do at night?

I should ask a man to get me some good medicine later. Even if it’s the Muryeongmaeng or the royal family, they should be able to provide that much.

As I nodded my head inwardly, Hong Yeonhwa stroked my head and spoke.

“Anyway, it’s a relief that there’s no problem. Now, we have to let the other kids know that you’ve woken up. Can you let go of me for a moment?”

With pink eyes sparkling, Hong Yeonhwa asked me to let her go.

I can’t just let her go like that.

While still holding onto her waist, I leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“I’ll finish what we were doing earlier, then I’ll let you go.”

“Huh? What… Oh.”

For a moment, Hong Yeonhwa tilted her head, but soon she stumbled forward, extending her neck.

Snap.

A light kiss that felt like a small bird pecking at my lips.

As promised, I let go of her waist, but Hong Yeonhwa didn’t move away. Instead, she dug deeper into my embrace.

Her small lips began to nibble on my face, going back and forth for quite some time.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

After tasting every nook and cranny of my face, Hong Yeonhwa finally gave me a satisfied smile.

“Phew… Now, let’s call the other kids!”

With a bouncy step, Hong Yeonhwa quickly left, and it didn’t take long for her to return with the other women.

***

As soon as they confirmed my well-being, the women climbed onto the bed and clung to my arms and legs.

Hong Yeonhwa on my right arm, Peng Soso on my left, and Sama Mang and Sama Yeoryeong on each leg.

Thanks to them, I was surrounded by a pleasant scent and softness, but I couldn’t concentrate properly because they were all clamoring for my attention.

Hong Yeonhwa was the first to speak, biting my shoulder with her teeth.

“My lord. You were lucky to survive the bone restructuring process, but you must never touch the congenital energy again. Do you know how scared Mang was when she heard that sound from you?”

“I didn’t do it because I wanted to. At that time, there was no other way…”

“Mm… It’s still my fault for being late… I should have controlled it better… No, then you wouldn’t have been able to break through the wall. But still… Mm…”

“That’s not your fault, Yeonhwa.”

Hong Yeonhwa murmured with a gloomy expression. I didn’t know why she suddenly became like this, but I was sure it wasn’t her fault.

I had already anticipated that the Bloodthirsty Black Horse would come after us, so I had made some preparations.

I didn’t expect to break through the Dangga Province and the Jegal Province so quickly, though.

In the end, it wasn’t that Hong Yeonhwa was late, but rather that we were too complacent. In fact, Hong Yeonhwa had arrived much earlier than planned.

Just as I was about to pull my arm out of Peng Soso’s grip to stroke her head.

Snap.

Peng Soso held onto my arm tightly, almost as if she was holding onto a joint.

There was nothing that could be called an injury, but maybe I hadn’t fully recovered from fatigue yet. It hurt a little.

“Hong Unni didn’t do anything wrong, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean Jin Ga had no other choice. Jin Ga should have waited for Hong Unni to catch up.”

“But what about during the wait? Soso, you heard what that Bloodthirsty Black Horse was planning to do to us.”

“But still. I’m sure Hong Unni wouldn’t have abandoned us, so we just had to hold on until she came to save us! But if Jin Ga dies… there’s no going back.”

“I value your lives more than my own.”

“Are you just going to let it go when I say such a cool thing all of a sudden?!” Peng Soso made a half-hearted expression, unable to laugh or get angry, as if she liked something from the conversation a while ago.

Seeing her like that, Sama Mang chuckled and gently pressed her face against my thigh.

“Sanggong. Now, we cannot imagine a life without you. If you lose your life, I will also voluntarily follow, so please don’t forget that.”

“Sama Mang, are you joking?”

“Oh? I’m serious.”

Love is too heavy.

However, since my determination to burst the congenital energy was somewhat similar, it is not impossible to understand.

While I was sweating coldly inside, Sama Yeoryeong began to tap my leg with her lightly clenched hand.

“What are you doing?”

“This foolish lord. A clumsy husband. You really don’t know how precious your life is, but… you really can’t die….”

Whenever Sama Yeoryeong, who was always full of energy, showed such a weak side, I also became weak to Sama Yeoryeong.

Sometimes, I even use it against her… but this time, she seemed really depressed.

I let out a deep sigh at her stubborn attitude that seemed like she wouldn’t let go until I answered.

In the end, everything they said was about worrying about me. I couldn’t refuse without thinking.

“Okay. Even if there are enemies as dangerous as when Sama Yeon disappears into thin air and I can use pseudo-qi, I won’t use the congenital energy.”

Finally satisfied, the strength that was squeezing my legs weakened a bit.

Taking advantage of this, I pulled out both arms and lightly pulled Hong Yeonhwa and Peng Soso by the shoulders.

“Now that we’ve confirmed that my body is okay and I’ve promised not to do anything dangerous, let’s talk about what happened during this time. I also have something to say to you guys.”