Chapter 175

While Cheon Joo-eun and Sun Woo-jin were deep in conversation, Dang Yeo-eun just stood there, dazed and motionless.

She had heard quite a bit about Hae Cheong-yeon before.

Sun Woo-jin often mentioned her when talking about the seven squad members.

He held her in very high regard.

He always said she was far wiser than himself, and that she was a stunning beauty—comparable even to Dang Yeo-eun—who simply hid her looks behind her loose hair.

But… the part about her being similar to me was probably just something he said to spare my feelings.

Dang Yeo-eun had learned from Sun Woo-jin about what had happened during the Jeonghyeopbang incident.

And through those stories, she became certain that Hae Cheong-yeon must be far more beautiful than herself.

After all, she could never imagine herself stopping two groups from fighting just with her looks, or gathering hundreds of ronin by her mere presence.

That realization left her feeling strange.

Knowing that someone more beautiful and exceptional was already by Sun Woo-jin’s side.

Still, she had felt a bit relieved when he confidently said Hae Cheong-yeon was just a good friend.

But it seemed that was only Sun Woo-jin’s own delusion.

And the fact that Hae Cheong-yeon—the daughter of the Sword Saint, wise and beautiful beyond compare—had actually been in love with him seemed to have completely unhinged Sun Woo-jin.

He, who was usually so perceptive of everything around him, hadn’t even noticed that she was watching him from behind.

Dang Yeo-eun thought that was understandable.

Even before knowing this, Sun Woo-jin had been willing to risk his life to infiltrate Hyeolgyeo to save her.

And now, to find out she had feelings for him…

She could almost understand how that must feel.

Lost in those thoughts, Dang Yeo-eun unconsciously shrank her body and lowered her head.

Suddenly, she wanted to slip away quietly before he noticed her presence.

Yes.

She wanted to run away.

From this unbearable situation.

From a reality she wished to ignore.

But she bit her lip hard.

No, she couldn’t.

She had heard from Seol Poong that Sun Woo-jin was planning to head straight to Hyeolgyeo, risking his life.

If she ran away now, she’d never see him again before he was sent to certain death.

This might be the last time she saw him.

No matter how painful it was, she couldn’t just let him go like this.

Just as she was lost in these thoughts, unable to run away, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Then, as if suddenly coming to his senses, Sun Woo-jin sensed her presence and turned to look at her.

“Dang Sojeo?”

At his call, Dang Yeo-eun snapped back to attention and met his gaze.

But at the same time, a deep emptiness and sadness washed over her.

Because he hadn’t called her ‘Yeo-eun’—her name—but ‘Dang Sojeo,’ a formal title.

That single word made the distance between them feel insurmountable.

It was as if all the days they had shared had vanished as if they never existed.

Still, Dang Yeo-eun forced herself to hide those feelings and smiled.

“Oh, I was just waiting. It seemed like you were talking, and I heard you’re heading to Hyeolgyeo…”

Sun Woo-jin gestured for her to wait a moment, then greeted Cheon Joo-eun first.

“Anyway, thank you for letting me know, Cheon Sojeo.”

“No problem.”

Cheon Joo-eun glanced briefly at Dang Yeo-eun before walking away.

Once she was out of sight, Sun Woo-jin approached Dang Yeo-eun and opened his mouth.

But she spoke first, hurriedly.

She didn’t want to hear ‘Dang Sojeo’ from him again.

“You’re going to Hyeolgyeo, right?!”

Sun Woo-jin, who was about to say something, simply nodded and answered.

“Yes. I’m planning to leave soon.”

“Are you going to save Hae Sojeo?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Her heart fluttered at his unwavering answer.

It felt like a bell striking hard against her chest.

She wanted to turn away before the tears spilled.

No, she just wanted to run away.

But Dang Yeo-eun held back with all her might.

No matter where his heart was, she couldn’t send him off alone to certain death.

Even if it tore her heart to shreds.

Because the most important thing to her was his safety.

With a voice barely above a whisper, she managed to say,

“Please… take me with you. I want to help.”

Yes.

She wanted to be of help to him.

If this was truly the last time, she wanted to be by his side in that moment.

That was the only wish Dang Yeo-eun could hold onto now.

But Sun Woo-jin shook his head firmly.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Everyone going there needs to be skilled in Shinbeop and stealth. We’re not going to die—we’re going to save our comrades and come back.”

His refusal was immediate and resolute.

Of course, she understood.

With her limited Shinbeop and clumsy stealth, she’d only be a hindrance.

But even though her mind accepted it, her heart struggled.

It ached with disappointment and sorrow.

“I see…”

Dang Yeo-eun barely managed to say that before turning away.

She couldn’t stand to stay in front of him any longer.

She couldn’t hold back the tears.

But just as she was about to flee, her thoughts suddenly turned to the three veteran warriors who had come with her.

Even if she wasn’t much help, they could be.

So she stopped.

She couldn’t face him again, but nothing was more important than being useful to him.

She had to turn back and say something.

That they could help.

Please accept their help.

Just as she was gathering all her strength to hold back tears and turn back, Sun Woo-jin spoke first.

“Yeo-eun!”

At that moment, Dang Yeo-eun gasped and froze.

Her pupils dilated as wide as they could.

She couldn’t believe it.

Just hearing him call her by her name made the world suddenly feel different.

She was so… happy.

---

“She… was in love with me?”

Hae Cheong-yeon Sojeo had been in love with me?

I never imagined it, and even now, I could hardly believe it.

But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Just as Cheon Joo-eun Sojeo said.

She, who usually showed little interest in others, knew everything I did.

She told me to confess to Na Sojeo, yet she herself was never well.

And when I went to Najang, she suddenly switched squads without warning.

Looking at all these facts, they all pointed to one thing.

The reason she was struggling was because of me.

I had been completely unaware of that, trying to solve her problems.

“Hah!”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.

“Sun Woo-jin, you’re really hopeless. You don’t understand women at all. How do you expect to get married—or even date—like this?”

I felt pathetic, deeply sorry for her, and yet, strangely pleased.

Honestly, I was glad.

To have someone as stunning and talented as Hae Cheong-yeon Sojeo love me—what could be more grateful than that?

It made me feel like I was someone truly remarkable.

My self-esteem soared to the sky.

But that was all.

Nothing changed.

“I’m still going to risk my life to save her, so I guess that’s how I’ll ease the debt in my heart.”

Now I could say for sure.

She and I were not meant to be.

When Hae Cheong-yeon Sojeo first loved me, I was focused only on Na Sojeo.

When I had to give up on Na Sojeo, Hae Cheong-yeon Sojeo wasn’t by my side.

And in the meantime, someone else quietly slipped into my heart.

Dang Yeo-eun.

I didn’t realize it then, but now I could say with certainty.

I love Dang Yeo-eun.

If someone asked me why it was Dang Sojeo and not Hae Sojeo, I’d probably say this:

“Because Hae Sojeo is just too exceptional.”

She was complete on her own.

Maybe because she was so outstanding, she always seemed like the center of the world, with everyone else orbiting around her.

Even I, whom she loved, felt that way.

So I couldn’t even imagine her loving me.

“On the other hand, Dang Sojeo…”

When I’m with her, it feels like I’m the center.

Not that she’d fall apart without me, but that I’ve become more important than herself.

She always put me before herself.

That pure, clear sincerity shone on me like sunlight the whole time we were together.

And standing in that sunlight, I unknowingly fell in love with her.

So naturally, like a flower blooming quietly in the sun without anyone noticing.

That was the truth I realized while I was away at the Sunwoo estate, separated from her.

Now I could say with confidence.

I love Dang Sojeo, Yeo-eun.

Yes.

Even now, I missed her terribly.

Just then, Mukrang suddenly spoke to me.

“I’m not sure if I should tell you this, but the one you’ve been longing to see is standing right behind you. She’s been there for a while now.”

“…What?!”

Startled by those words, I quickly turned around.

There stood Lady Dang, her face unusually dark and serious, staring straight at me.

My heart sank.

She had been listening in from behind, and I hadn’t even noticed.

I must have been completely out of it for a moment.

Flustered, I was about to call out, “Ye-eun!” but then I suddenly remembered that Lady Cheon was still beside me.

So, I forced myself to change how I addressed her.

“Lady Dang!”

She looked startled but then gave me an awkward smile.

“Oh, I was just waiting because it seemed like you were in the middle of a conversation. I thought you were heading to Hyeolgyo…”

Her expression was far from good.

Honestly, it was understandable.

I had left her waiting at the Dang estate while I went back to the front lines alone.

It made sense that she’d be disappointed in me.

And since Lady Cheon must have overheard everything just now, I suddenly felt a pang of fear about how Lady Dang might be feeling.

I swallowed hard.

Deciding to let Lady Cheon go first, I turned my attention back to Lady Dang.

“Anyway, thank you for letting me know, Lady Cheon.”

“No problem.”

Lady Cheon gave us a meaningful look but I was too preoccupied to care.

There were so many things I wanted to ask Lady Dang.

Had anything happened at the Dang estate while I was away? Had the marriage arrangements with that guy progressed without me?

But before I could ask, she hurriedly spoke.

“You’re really going to Hyeolgyo, aren’t you?”

There was a certain distance in her tone.

I understood why.

After all, that was the most urgent matter right now.

So I answered her question first.

“Yes. I’m planning to leave soon.”

When she said she wanted to come with me, I had no choice but to refuse.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Everyone going there needs to be skilled in the new arts and stealth. We’re not going there to die—we’re going to save our comrades and come back.”

It was unavoidable.

Though she was undoubtedly talented, this mission required more than just skill—it demanded mastery of the new arts and stealth techniques.

But it seemed I’d made a foolish mistake again.

When I told her she couldn’t come, she turned away completely.

It felt like she was about to leave for good.

Panicked, I called out to her.

“Ye-eun!”

Thankfully, she stopped.

She looked furious, but at least she was willing to listen.

She really was such a kind person.

I hurriedly began to explain to her, still facing her back.

“I… I’m sorry for making you come alone. You might think it’s just an excuse, but I really was on my way to the Dang estate. Then suddenly, we were ambushed by the Amhyeolhyang, and I heard that Master Geomseong was facing off against the Dark Sword, so I had no choice but to head to the front lines…”

At that moment, she spun around, eyes wide with shock.

“What?! What did you say?!”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her face had gone pale.

Even then, she was still beautiful.

I forced myself to stay calm.

Seeing her tear-filled eyes made me realize just how much I’d hurt her.

I had no idea what to say to ease her pain.

‘Still, I have to say something.’

So I answered her question.

“Y-yeah, it’s true. I really didn’t mean to avoid going to the Dang estate…”

But then I realized I still didn’t truly understand her.

She stepped closer, desperation shining in her eyes.

“The Amhyeolhyang attacked?! Why? Are you hurt anywhere? Are you really okay?!”

As she anxiously scanned me for injuries, the only thing I could read in her gaze was one emotion:

Worry for me.

Nothing else.

She was just worried about me, as always, as if her own feelings didn’t matter at all.

Something welled up in my chest.

I wanted to hold her tight right then, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Instead, I smiled gently and answered her.

“I’m fine, Ye-eun. Nothing happened… well, not exactly, but everything’s been resolved. As you can see, I’m safe.”

She let out a relieved sigh, and I could almost see the sincerity in her expression.

It made me smile again.

Now, I felt a little more confident.

So I finally said what I’d been wanting to say since we were at the Sunwoo estate.

“Actually… um, this is something I wanted to tell you in person at the Dang estate, but I couldn’t. Well, I’m telling you now, so it’s still in person, I guess…”

I thought I could say it confidently, but I was rambling.

I even wished Bisa-young was here to smack the back of my head.

Lady Dang just stared at me blankly, clearly not understanding what I was trying to say.

I tried to gather my thoughts.

“So, what I mean is… yes, I’ve gotten permission.”

Her eyes went wide.

“Permission? What kind of permission?”

“Well, it’s permission… about our engagement.”

I glanced at her face.

She finally understood, her eyes growing even wider.

Her cheeks flushed bright red.

Panicking, I hurried to explain.

“Of course, that was just a way to stop you from marrying that guy. I know that kind of marriage would be violent and disregard your feelings. But…”

I couldn’t finish.

Tears streamed down her face.

And yet, she was smiling brightly.

So happy.

So dazzling, like sunlight.

Even I, who didn’t understand women well, could tell it was a smile of pure happiness.

That gave me the courage to say what I truly wanted to say.

“When you’re discharged, and I’m discharged, I want to go to my father and the head of the Dang family with you and say it directly. That I want to marry you. Do you think that would be okay?”

She smiled happily, tears still flowing, and slowly nodded.

“Yes. I’d like that. And… thank you, Jin.”

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

Patience wasn’t something I was made for—certainly not the kind needed to master the Moonlit Sword Dance.

Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight embrace.

Her slender body fitting perfectly in my arms was unbearably precious.

Holding her close, I looked into her face.

Her starlit eyes sparkled at me.

At that moment, I decided not to think about anything else.

I slowly lowered my head and pressed my lips to hers.

Her small, soft, pink lips met mine gently.

Everything was perfect.

Her eyes fluttering closed, the moist touch of her lips—nothing was lacking.

It was a flawlessly happy day.