Yeon Soha was a pure woman, but not a foolish one.
She was convinced that Bu Eunseol’s rejection of her was only possible because he had some ulterior motive.
Her pride is hurt.
Bu Eunseol could sense it. She had come to him because her pride was wounded by his rejection. That was why she revealed her face. As the future Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace, her pride was likely far greater than that of an ordinary woman.
Sometimes, honesty can be poison. Bu Eunseol had initially intended to speak frankly. But in this situation, doing so would only trample on Yeon Soha’s pride.
“The Divine Maiden Palace Master doesn’t seem to approve of me,” he said slowly, after gathering his thoughts. “To be honest, I don’t have the courage to challenge the stubborn will of the renowned Palace Master.”
“Is it because of my mother’s opposition?” Yeon Soha asked.
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Yeon Soha bit her lip, unable to comprehend. “Then why don’t you return the Divine Origin Pearl, knowing it’s a betrothal gift?”
“I’ll answer that,” a voice interrupted.
Two figures approached the pavilion from a distance—Yeon Jami and Namgung Sea.
“Palace Master.”
“Mother.”
Bu Eunseol and Yeon Soha bowed as Yeon Jami spoke. “I am the head of the Divine Maiden Palace before I am your mother. My public declarations must be upheld.”
“I don’t understand what you mean,” Yeon Soha said.
“I’ve changed the betrothal gift for your match,” Yeon Jami explained calmly. “I declared that only those who pass the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation are worthy to be your match. And I told you to give the Divine Origin Pearl to the one you chose as a betrothal gift.”
With a faint smile, she continued, “But isn’t the Divine Origin Pearl more suited for women than men? So, I’ve decided to change the gift for you.”
It was a somewhat absurd explanation. But it was the only way to keep her promise while rendering the Divine Origin Pearl Yeon Soha gave to Bu Eunseol meaningless.
“I see,” Yeon Soha said, seeming to understand.
Yeon Jami smiled warmly. “Do you understand your mother’s reasoning?”
“Of course. If the Palace Master broke her public promise, it would shame all the disciples of the Divine Maiden Palace.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“But I like Young Master Seol,” Yeon Soha said abruptly.
Yeon Jami’s face stiffened. It seemed Yeon Soha’s feelings for Bu Eunseol weren’t just a matter of pride—she genuinely cared for him.
“Why?” Yeon Jami asked.
“I don’t know. I just… like him.”
Namgung Sea, who had been silent, smiled brightly and nodded. “The Young Palace Master has excellent taste.”
“Flower-Dissolving Hall Master!” Yeon Jami glared at Namgung Sea, her voice laced with anger. To ensure there was no change of heart, she sought confirmation from Bu Eunseol once more. “Are you planning to break the promise you made to me?”
“Absolutely not,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing with a deliberately fearful expression. “Who would dare defy the solemn command of the Divine Maiden Palace Master?”
“Good. That’s how it should be.”
As Yeon Jami relaxed, Bu Eunseol immediately bowed again. “I will leave the Divine Maiden Palace at once.”
“Mother, isn’t this too much?” Yeon Soha protested urgently.
Yeon Jami smiled. “You heard him. I didn’t force him—he chose to give up.”
“But that’s only because he can’t defy you…”
“Soha,” Yeon Jami said sternly. “You’re still naive about the ways of the world. He seems impressive only because he was the first to pass the Heavenly Twenty-Four Formation.”
“No, Young Master Seol is…”
“Yes, he risked his life to pass the trial. At your age, that might seem admirable, but that’s all it is.”
Despite Yeon Jami’s explanation, Yeon Soha’s expression showed she wasn’t convinced.
Seeing this, Namgung Sea, with a sympathetic look, approached Bu Eunseol. “Young Master Seol.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“Before you leave, show your true face.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression hardened at the unexpected request. “My true face? What’s there to show?”
“I’m the one who brought you into the Divine Maiden Palace. Surely you can grant me this small request.” With a serious expression, Namgung Sea continued, “It’s not a difficult task. Show it, then leave.”
“Wait, he’s hiding his true face?” Yeon Jami’s eyes sharpened.
The Divine Maiden Palace was a place outsiders couldn’t easily enter. Hiding one’s true appearance was a grave offense.
“Is that true?” she demanded.
Bu Eunseol hesitated briefly. But with Namgung Sea speaking so deliberately, he doubted he could convince the Palace Master otherwise.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“It’s inconvenient.”
“Inconvenient?” Yeon Jami’s gaze grew colder. “Explain yourself clearly. This isn’t something that can be overlooked in this palace.”
Bu Eunseol’s eyes changed. He was a man of great courage, fearless by nature. No matter that this was the Divine Maiden Palace or that the Palace Master was a formidable master, he wasn’t one to shrink from threats.
“Is it a crime to disguise myself for my own convenience?” he asked.
“Of course,” Yeon Jami replied. “For an outsider to hide their true face in this palace suggests ulterior motives.”
Sensing the tension rising, Namgung Sea stepped in front of Bu Eunseol. “Young Master Seol, if you show your true face, I’ll ensure there are no repercussions.” With a sincere expression, she added, “You don’t need to reveal your origins. We won’t meet again, after all.”
“If that’s the case, is there even a need to see my true face? As you said, we won’t cross paths again.”
“Fine, I’ll be honest,” Namgung Sea said, glancing at Yeon Soha, who looked forlorn, and sighing. “I’ve always hoped you and the Young Palace Master would form a proper bond. Because you seemed like a perfect match for her.”
“…”
“You’ve seen the Young Palace Master’s face, haven’t you? Aside from the palace’s own people, you’re the only one in the martial world to have seen her beauty so clearly.” Namgung Sea earnestly addressed the unmoving Bu Eunseol. “Showing your face in return doesn’t seem unfair, does it?”
At this point, Bu Eunseol was at a loss for words. With a sigh, he nodded. “Very well.” Drawing a deep breath and channeling his inner strength, he said, “But after revealing my true face, I’ll leave with my companions immediately.”
“Agreed. I won’t stop you,” Namgung Sea replied.
With that, Bu Eunseol unhesitatingly released his Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Technique.
Swish.
As his facial muscles and bones shifted, his tied-up hair scattered in all directions. Under the bright Munlight, Bu Eunseol’s true appearance was revealed.
“…!” For a moment, time seemed to stop around the pavilion.
His skin, reflecting the Munlight, shimmered with translucent radiance. His eyes were so sorrowful and beautiful they could bring tears. Bu Eunseol’s appearance matched the ideal every woman might dream of at least once.
“Is that enough?” he asked, breaking the silence.
Yeon Soha, Namgung Sea, and even Yeon Jami snapped out of their trance, blinking.
This man is no mere mercenary! The three instinctively knew. Bu Eunseol wasn’t a simple drifter—he must have an extraordinary background. Otherwise, he would never have altered his appearance.
Crack.
In an instant, Bu Eunseol shifted his face back and clasped his hands. “Farewell.”
As he turned to leave, Yeon Jami hurriedly called out, “Wait!”
“Is there more to say?”
With an awkward smile, Yeon Jami said, “I mean… if you’re not in a rush, you’re welcome to stay in the palace a bit longer.”
Understanding her intentions, Bu Eunseol replied firmly, “I appreciate the Palace Master’s kindness, but I’ll leave immediately.”
As he turned decisively, Yeon Jami was left speechless.
Then Yeon Soha spoke up. “Young Master Seol, I won’t change the betrothal gift.”
“What does that mean?”
As Bu Eunseol gave her a puzzled look, Yeon Soha smiled, her eyes crescent-like. “Come back to the Divine Maiden Palace after your work is done.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “The Flower-Dissolving Hall Master just said we won’t meet again.”
“That was her promise, not mine.”
It was absurd. Utterly absurd.
Bu Eunseol shot a resentful glance at Namgung Sea, who avoided his gaze with a faint smile, as if she had anticipated this.
“We won’t meet again,” he said coldly.
Despite his icy response, Yeon Soha smiled brightly. “Nonsense. We’ll definitely see each other again.”
“That won’t happen.”
As Bu Eunseol turned away, Yeon Soha watched his retreating figure. Her eyes brimmed with confidence, as if she could see the future.
***
Red Sky Veil, inside the office of the Crystal Hall Master.
Dam Yuyeon, who had been writing a letter while seated, stared at the wooden box Bu Eunseol presented.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Click.
Upon opening the box, a single bead, glowing with an enchanting red hue, shimmered mysteriously. It was the Divine Origin Pearl, a treasure of the Divine Maiden Palace.
“How did you…?” Dam Yuyeon trailed off, unable to continue.
Bu Eunseol spoke calmly. “How? You gave me a task, and I completed it.”
“But to obtain this pearl…” she stammered.
“You’re right,” Bu Eunseol cut in. “It can only be obtained by becoming the Divine Maiden Palace’s son-in-law.”
“So you really became their son-in-law?”
“You knew,” Bu Eunseol said, his eyes glinting like blades as he stared at her. “You deliberately withheld information.” As she fell silent, he continued coldly, “Is the Red Sky Veil a place that traps mercenaries by hiding information?”
Despite his sharp rebuke, Dam Yuyeon replied shamelessly, “Withholding information is common in the mercenary market.”
She casually placed the box aside and handed him a token. “It’s common.”
“Go to the Crystal Hall counter. Your reward will be paid immediately.”
“Fine. I’ll head down,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding and turning to leave. “And I’ll spread the word,” he added, “to the Crystal Hall and every intelligence network in the martial world—that the Red Sky Veil deliberately withheld information while assigning top-tier tasks to high-ranking mercenaries.”
“What did you say?”
“Make the same excuse then,” Bu Eunseol said, turning his head slightly with a smirk. “That withholding information is common.”
“Wait, wait!” Dam Yuyeon hurriedly stood up. “Let’s talk for a moment.”
In the mercenary market, information and trust were paramount. No mercenary would take tasks from an untrustworthy market. If Bu Eunseol spread such rumors, the Red Sky Veil’s reputation would plummet.
“Is there more to say?” he asked, smiling leisurely.
Dam Yuyeon felt a chill. This man will do what he says.
Rethinking her approach, she softened her tone. “I’m sorry. I only learned about it after giving you the task.”
“…”
“I’m truly sorry. I admit the information I provided was lacking. As an apology, I’ll double your reward.”
“If I were a swindler here to extort money, I’d be delighted by that offer.”
“Then what do you want?”
“You know very well.”
Dam Yuyeon bit her lip. “Are you really planning to fight the Lord of Skyward Manor?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” she demanded, standing abruptly and shouting, losing her composure. “Why do you want to fight him? You have no grudge against him!”
“Because he’s strong.”
“You’re insane!”
“The insane one is you,” Bu Eunseol said, looking at her as if she were a curious toy. “The one managing tasks for the Red Sky Veil, arbitrarily hiding information and putting mercenaries in peril.”
Dam Yuyeon had no retort. Biting her lip, she bowed again. “I’m sorry. Please.”
“What?”
“Don’t fight the Lord of Skyward Manor.”
“Don’t tell me it’s because he’s frail,” Bu Eunseol said with a cold smile. “I know he’s not weak.”
“You’re right. He’s not frail,” Dam Yuyeon said, clenching her fists and shouting, “The Lord of Skyward Manor—Brother Cheon—is actually…”
“So it’s as I thought,” a low voice echoed from outside the office.
With a click, the door opened, and a tall man, nearly touching the ceiling, walked in slowly. A long, slender sword hung at his waist, matching his height. His complexion was deathly pale, and he let out a faint cough.
It was Jeong Cheon.
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