Chapter 4. Kidnapping (3)
I returned to the cave, carrying a large jar on my back. The jar, which I had bought to store water, was now filled with various supplies I had picked up in the village.
As I entered, my eyes met Tang Sowol's. She was lying comfortably on the floor as if it were her own home.
"You're back?"
"If anyone saw you, they'd think you're the owner of this place."
"This is the most comfortable position I could manage. By the way, hurry up and give me that."
"Oh, you mean this?"
I pulled out a well-wrapped bundle of dumplings from the jar. Still warm, they were generously stuffed with meat—I figured they would satisfy her.
But instead of looking pleased, Tang Sowol frowned deeply at the sight of the steaming dumplings.
"I don't want dumplings. I want that."
"If you don't say what that is, how am I supposed to know? Be specific."
"Ugh!"
Tang Sowol's face turned bright red as she glared at me, her expression as fierce as if she were facing a lifelong enemy.
I was about to ask why she was overreacting when I finally understood as she muttered her next words.
"…The chamber pot, please."
"Oh."
I had forgotten.
I quickly took it out, but there was still a problem—Tang Sowol was bound hand and foot, making her as helpless as a caterpillar. Even with a chamber pot, she wouldn't be able to take care of her business in this state.
Perhaps realizing the same thing, Tang Sowol's eyes trembled as she stared at the chamber pot. The trembling soon spread throughout her entire body, and she began to shiver like a newborn lamb. She carefully glanced up at me.
"Young swordsman, um… You're not going to say that you'll help me undress, like when you took my pouch earlier, right?"
"Of course not. The important thing is that you don't leave the cave, not that you're tied up all the time. I'll untie you for now."
"Th-Thank you!"
Tang Sowol's face lit up instantly. Her reaction was so simple that it made me chuckle as I drew my sword.
After cutting the ropes binding her, she awkwardly rubbed her freed wrists. She then picked up the chamber pot but paused suddenly.
"Are you going to stay here while I…?"
"Of course."
"I see…"
With a determined look, Tang Sowol bit her lip and reached for her waistband. Her sash fell to the floor with a soft thud.
But she didn't stop there. Her hands moved next to the waistband of her inner clothing.
Right. She had to lower her pants to use the chamber pot.
Realizing this obvious fact belatedly, I quickly turned around and walked out of the cave.
"I'll wait outside. Call me when you're done."
"Huh? Oh! Yes, I will!"
Leaving Tang Sowol's voice behind, I leaned against the wall near the cave entrance.
Kidnapping her was one thing, but living together was turning out to be far more complicated than I had expected.
I briefly considered creating some basic rules for our cohabitation when I heard Tang Sowol's voice calling from inside the cave.
"Young swordsman, may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"What should I do with the chamber pot after I've used it?"
"I'll take care of it."
When I went back inside, Tang Sowol was sitting with her head lowered, her face bright red. After tying her hands and feet with the remaining rope, I picked up the chamber pot.
It was still warm.
***
I emptied the chamber pot by the river, cleaned it thoroughly, and returned to the cave.
As soon as I entered, I saw Tang Sowol crawling toward the dumplings.
We exchanged glances in silence. Without a change in expression, Tang Sowol spoke in a calm voice.
"Perfect timing. It's hard to eat with my hands tied. Could you untie me again?"
"No. This situation is different from before."
"I don't see how it's that different."
"I can feed you myself, so there's no need to untie you."
"…What?"
Tang Sowol tilted her head, confused, but soon nodded as if she had come to terms with it.
"I didn't think of that. Fine, I'll leave it to you."
Instead of crawling any further, she lay back on the floor and opened her mouth wide.
"You've gotten cheekier in just a short while, haven't you?"
"Well, after everything we've been through, wouldn't it be strange to feel embarrassed about something like this?"
"You're not wrong. But eating while lying down isn't ideal—you'll get indigestion."
I helped her sit up and lean against the wall.
"You're quite attentive, aren't you?"
"And you're surprisingly tough. I thought you'd be looking more miserable."
"I'm holding it in. I can't stand the thought of you enjoying my despair."
"I don't have that kind of taste. Now, open your mouth."
"…Ahh."
Tang Sowol obediently opened her mouth, resembling a baby bird begging for food. I smiled slightly at the sight and tore a dumpling into a manageable piece before feeding it to her.
While she chewed, I took a bite of my own dumpling.
We continued this back-and-forth until the dumplings were gone. After swallowing the last bite, Tang Sowol licked the crumbs off her lips and spoke.
"Now that we've finished eating, how about a little conversation?"
"Conversation? About what?"
Tang Sowol leaned in slightly, looking directly into my eyes.
"You seem to know quite a lot about me, don't you?"
"To some extent, yes."
The Tang Sowol of my past life and the Tang Sowol before me had experienced different events. They weren't entirely the same person.
For example, her hair was different. After the fall of the Tang Clan in my past life, her hair had turned completely white. She had also grown her bangs long to cover the scar on her face.
But now, her hair was black, her bangs neatly trimmed, and, most notably, she didn't carry the same heavy, melancholic aura.
Her tone, gestures, and appearance all had subtle differences.
"That longing gaze of yours is making me uncomfortable."
"Don't mind it. It's nothing."
"'Don't mind it,' you say… That's ridiculous."
Though she grumbled in disbelief, she sighed deeply when I didn't respond further.
"Fine. Anyway, it's clear you know me well. But I know nothing about you."
"That's understandable."
"Yes, so let's take this opportunity to get to know each other."
For a moment, my breath caught.
In my past life, countless martial artists, both orthodox and unorthodox, had gathered in Hebei to escape the Heavenly Demon. Naturally, there had been many conflicts, and my relationship with Tang Sowol had been no exception.
At first, we ignored each other, pretending the other didn't exist. But when I found myself in danger while fighting the Demonic Sect's elite, Tang Sowol was the first to come to my aid.
That was the day I realized that some people help others without expecting anything in return. Of course, back then, I couldn't accept it and kept asking her why she had helped me.
When I questioned her, asking if she knew what kind of person I was, Tang Sowol had simply smiled faintly and said:
"Because we're comrades fighting together. Isn't that enough? And if that answer doesn't satisfy you… Well, we can just get to know each other from now on."
That moment had marked the beginning of our friendship.
And now, this younger Tang Sowol, who hadn't yet experienced those events, was saying the same thing.
Even though she was different, she was still Tang Sowol.
It made me feel strangely ticklish inside. As if sensing her advantage, Tang Sowol smirked.
"Ah! You smiled just now, didn't you? Can I take that as your agreement?"
I touched my lips and realized she was right—I had been smiling without even noticing.
At this point, refusing would feel awkward, so I nodded.
"Do as you like."
"That's what I intended to do anyway. First…"
Tang Sowol nodded toward the remaining dumplings.
"Let's have one more."
"Good timing. I was thinking one wasn't enough either."
"And tell me your name."
"My name?"
"Yes. I don't even know your name yet."
Come to think of it, I hadn't told her. I fed her a piece of dumpling and answered.
"Cheon Hwi-da."
"Cheon Hwi-da, huh? That's a name I've never heard before. Do you have a title or nickname?"
"I don't have one."
In my past life, I was first called Blood Wolf, and after reaching the peak, I was known as Sword Demon. But now, I had no nickname.
That was only natural—I hadn't been back long, and most of my time had been spent training to regain my former skills.
Tang Sowol looked slightly disappointed as she shook her head.
"Cheon Hwi-da… Our first meeting was rather strange and unfair, and I went through a lot because of you. But I've decided you don't have any ill intentions."
"Thanks for that. I know I acted crazy, but I had my reasons."
"Well, since we've agreed to be honest with each other, don't you think it's time to be a little more open?"
Tang Sowol gave me a playful look, showing off her bound wrists.
"Let me ask again. Do you really believe my life will be in danger soon?"
"Yes."
"And you still can't tell me exactly why, can you?"
"Sorry, but no."
"If I insist on leaving the cave and resuming my journey?"
"I'll bring you back by any means necessary."
"You're quite persistent. But you do understand that I can't just go back without any reason, right?"
"Of course."
If she left only to return shortly after, it would look like she had fled in fear. That would be a serious blow to the Tang Clan's reputation.
Tang Sowol closed her eyes, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, she opened them, her gaze sharp but calm.
"Fine. I'll trust you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Though I don't believe your claim about imminent danger, I'll trust that you acted with good intentions."
"That's good enough."
Relieved, I stood up.
"Wait here for a moment. I have something for you."
"Huh? Where are you going? Cheon Hwi-da? I can't eat without you!"
Ignoring Tang Sowol's protests, I headed toward the deeper part of the cave.
I hadn't chosen this cave randomly—there was a reason I had brought her here.
After searching for a small crack that was hard to spot unless you knew it was there, I plucked a single violet flower growing inside.
Carefully cradling the delicate flower in both hands, I returned to Tang Sowol and handed it to her.
"Take this."
"…What is it?"
"It's a gift."
Tang Sowol blinked in confusion, glancing between me and the flower. Of course, she would recognize it—this was a rare herb she had discovered in my past life.
However, her response wasn't quite what I had expected. Bowing slightly, she said:
"Sorry, but receiving a flower as a gift feels a bit awkward."
"It's not what you think."
"Especially when I'm tied up like this. I think you should save such gestures for your fiancée."
"It's not like that."
"Yes, of course. This is just an ordinary gift with no special meaning, right?"
Though she said this, Tang Sowol squirmed away from me as if genuinely alarmed.
I couldn't help but feel a bit wronged.