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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Umun Hye's Pursuit
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Even at Umun Hye's call, Dan Hyeong-u kept walking forward, staring straight ahead as if he hadn't heard a word.
Umun Hye smiled faintly at the sight and opened her mouth once more.
"Hey, mister porter."
Judging by their ages, "mister" didn't quite suit him, but the way it rolled off Umun Hye's tongue made it sound utterly perfect to those watching.
Dan Hyeong-u knew he was the only porter around, so he turned his head slightly to glance at Umun Hye. Their eyes met for a moment.
Umun Hye was a little startled by his gaze. Then her mood soured. His eyes were utterly indifferent, like those of someone devoid of any emotion. It was a first for her.
Even the assassins she'd encountered before, their emotions long dead, hadn't been like this. It was pure apathy, a look she'd never seen in her life.
"You called me. Say something."
An indifferent voice escaped his lips. Umun Hye stared at his mouth in surprise once again. This wasn't an act—it confirmed he truly had no interest.
Seeing she wasn't responding, Dan Hyeong-u turned his head forward again. His expression remained blank. Umun Hye bit her lip slightly. This was only the second time in her life she'd felt this indignant—and it burned far worse than the first.
"Hey. I'm not done talking."
She was so frustrated and flustered that she didn't even notice he'd spoken casually to her. In contrast, the three men around her glared at Dan Hyeong-u with eyes full of shock and anger. Of course, they didn't act on it.
"Hey!"
Her voice grew a bit louder. Dan Hyeong-u turned his head again. This time, emotion flickered across his face—something far more humiliating to Umun Hye than blankness. His features stayed expressionless, but his eyes brimmed with annoyance.
Shocked by the sight, she swallowed it down with superhuman restraint. Then, in a slightly trembling voice, she continued.
"I'm Umun Hye. And you are?"
"Dan Hyeong-u."
Dan Hyeong-u turned forward again. Umun Hye bit her lip harder. Part of her wanted to smash his head in one go. But she held back. Doing so would mean admitting defeat.
'I'll make him grovel at my feet somehow.'
After that, Umun Hye kept at it. She struck up conversation after conversation with Dan Hyeong-u, desperately trying to get him to even glance her way.
Her approach was cautious, but the rest of the caravan watched Dan Hyeong-u with envious eyes. A few shot him jealous glares.
Yet no one dared step up and approach the carriage where Umun Hye rode. To them, her otherworldly beauty was an impenetrable wall.
Chapter 8. Sichuan Tang Clan and Black Network
The group gathered in the clearing Hyeong Pyo had found. The day's grueling march was over; it was time to rest for tomorrow.
Finding a campsite was always Hyeong Pyo's job. On these long escort missions, rest was paramount, and the right spot made all the difference.
Only the most experienced among them—Hyeong Pyo—could handle it.
At his familiar commands, the porters sprang into action. They moved the carriages to the most defensible position per his orders and swiftly set up camp. In no time, everything was in place, and the group could finally relax.
Under the watch of her three guards, Umun Hye observed the preparations closely. Her eyes lit up. She'd spotted Dan Hyeong-u standing motionless.
"That porter over there."
At her words, one of the escorts turned to look at Dan Hyeong-u. After watching her all day, he'd realized she was deeply interested in him.
"He's an odd porter."
"Right? Isn't he unusual?"
"He's still just a porter, no matter how you slice it."
Umun Hye's cheeks puffed out slightly at the escort's follow-up. He smiled at the sight. It made him want to grant her any wish.
"The other porters seem wary of him. To me, that one looks far stronger—enough to pass for a decent escort from any bureau."
Her puffed cheeks deflated at his words.
"Exactly! That's what I've been saying. Something's fishy here."
The escort's smile deepened.
"I'll go take a closer look."
Umun Hye strode boldly toward Dan Hyeong-u. Her three snake-like guards sighed and followed.
While Umun Hye chatted with the escort, Dan Hyeong-u stood beside Hyeong Pyo and Jo Seol-yeon. Jo Seol-yeon glanced her way before cautiously asking him.
"She's truly beautiful, isn't she?"
"Eh."
Jo Seol-yeon looked at him in mild surprise. But she soon chuckled. She figured he was just being polite.
"I wish I were that beautiful."
Hyeong Pyo, standing nearby, chimed in.
"Miss, you're plenty beautiful already. Give it a little time, and you'll outshine that lady."
"Hee-hee. Thanks, Escort Hyeong."
Jo Seol-yeon gave the customary reply to his customary flattery. But Hyeong Pyo meant it. Her beauty hadn't fully bloomed yet. Once it did, no one could match it.
Jo Seol-yeon placed her hands on her hips and turned to Dan Hyeong-u with a bright voice.
"Well? Am I pretty? Brother?"
"Eh."
Jo Seol-yeon, who'd been pulling her cutest face, gaped at him in disbelief. Then she pouted and turned away.
Hyeong Pyo grinned beside them. Her cheerfulness kept the mood from souring—a relief. Deep down, he admired her resilience.
"So you're saying I'm ugly?"
She barely managed the words through her pout. Dan Hyeong-u replied without hesitation.
"Eh. Not the kind of face that tempts men."
Her face flushed crimson at his bluntness. She'd been exaggerating playfully, but this hit hard.
Dan Hyeong-u glanced at Umun Hye.
"That one's lacking too."
"D-Don't you have impossibly high standards?"
Jo Seol-yeon stared in bewilderment, then looked at Umun Hye. Even as a woman, she couldn't look away.
Suddenly, she wondered if he was teasing her. She looked up to retort—and his mouth opened.
"I don't like pretty women."
"Huh?"
Stunned by the abrupt statement, Jo Seol-yeon forgot what to say and just stared. Dan Hyeong-u continued with his blank face.
"A pretty woman's temptation brings death."
His words scrambled her thoughts. What kind of life had forged that mindset? His expression made it clear he wasn't joking.
Come to think of it, he wasn't the type for banter or teasing.
Whether she believed him or not, it was the truth. And indeed, Dan Hyeong-u had lost countless comrades to women with such beautiful faces. A beauty's allure always came hand-in-hand with death.
Jo Seol-yeon pondered who could possibly be prettier than the stunning Umun Hye. Right then, Umun Hye started walking toward them.
"Gasp!"
Jo Seol-yeon panicked slightly. What if she'd overheard?
Umun Hye marched straight up to Dan Hyeong-u and stared provocatively into his eyes. He met her gaze steadily, unflinching.
A glint sparked in Umun Hye's eyes. He had far more captivating eyes than expected—deep, serene, without a trace of turbulence.
A smile curved her lips. The air around her seemed to brighten. Everyone nearby felt it.
"You're more to my liking than I thought."
Umun Hye plopped down beside him.
"You sit too."
Dan Hyeong-u glanced at her briefly. But as expected, he didn't sit. There was no reason to inconvenience himself for her.
Umun Hye stared blankly at the unmoving man. This was truly a first. How could nothing go her way like this?
The Gold Envoy and Silver Envoy stepped in front of Dan Hyeong-u, glaring.
"It's not that hard. Why not sit for a bit?"
Hyeong Pyo and Jo Seol-yeon flinched at the Gold Envoy's intimidating tone. They looked anxiously at Dan Hyeong-u. They'd never seen him hold back before. Something was bound to happen now. They prayed silently for peace.
In truth, Dan Hyeong-u had been incredibly patient so far. If he'd acted freely as he always had, that spot would be swimming in blood by now. But he sought peace.
"Too much hassle."
He said it casually. The Gold Envoy's eyebrow twitched. His hand drifted to his sword unconsciously—but he neither drew nor struck.
"Hoo."
The Gold Envoy stepped back, done with him. The Silver Envoy kept glaring, though. Everything about him grated: attitude, eyes, speech.
"Enough, both of you."
At Umun Hye's command, even the Silver Envoy relented. She looked up at Dan Hyeong-u smugly.
"Hey, mister. How about sitting by me now? Legs hurting?"
Dan Hyeong-u glanced down. But that was it. He still wouldn't sit.
Umun Hye bit her lip again. Finally, she stood.
"You're unbelievably stubborn. Fine, spare me a moment then. I have questions."
Jo Seol-yeon and Hyeong Pyo tensed sharply. What was Umun Hye plotting? What did she want with him? They feared an incident.
They knew the Umun family's power well. Though rated on par with Jo Family Manor, their wealth was a massive weapon. Money often outweighed all else.
Umun Hye was unmistakably Umun family. Messing with her could spell disaster. No matter how strong Dan Hyeong-u was, he couldn't fight the whole clan.
Ignoring their worries, Umun Hye walked off confidently. After a few steps, she turned.
"Mister. You staying put?"
Dan Hyeong-u looked at her, then followed. Jo Seol-yeon and Hyeong Pyo's hearts sank. The watching porters and Tang warriors' faces twisted oddly.
Umun Hye beamed as he moved. She quickened her pace, vanishing into the woods beyond the clearing. Dan Hyeong-u followed into the dim forest, with the lead escort trailing cautiously.
The Gold and Silver Envoys stood blocking the path, glaring to ward off followers.
Umun Hye darted nimbly deep into the woods, using lightfoot skill. No ordinary person could keep up. Naturally, Dan Hyeong-u followed effortlessly.
After a while, she stopped. She realized she no longer sensed his presence.
"What?"
She whirled around in shock.
"Kyaa!"
She screamed and stumbled back. Something loomed before her—no warning, no presence. That terrified her most.
Calming her pounding heart, she saw it was Dan Hyeong-u.
"H-How...!"
As Umun Hye gaped in astonishment, the lead escort rushed over.
"What happened, miss?!"
He slid between them, glaring fiercely at Dan Hyeong-u. A massive aura poured from him.
Dan Hyeong-u regarded him impassively.
'What the hell is this guy?'
The escort was stunned inwardly but kept a cold face.
"Miss, what happened?"
Umun Hye snapped out of it.
"N-Nothing. Just startled me. I told you not to follow—why'd you come?"
"My apologies."
He simply apologized and stepped behind her quietly. Umun Hye sighed softly at him.
"Sigh, what can you do? That's just how escorts are."
Her eyes returned to Dan Hyeong-u. She stared in utter incomprehension. Even standing there, she felt no presence from him. How had she missed it until now?
"You... who are you really?"
It was the first question that popped into her mind.
Dan Hyeong-u didn't bother answering. Even if he did, all he could say was his name. He just looked at her steadily.