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Chapter Text

When Tang Bo finally arrived at the scene, the overbearing smell of sweet plum blossoms was the first to greet him before he noticed anything else- the floral notes tickling his nose, well distinct amidst the bitter smell of the poisons that would typically emanate and overwhelm the residence. 

The second thing to greet him: the beautiful petals of Mount Hua flowing through the air, graceful and full of vitality- still so elegant and beautiful in movement even after hundreds of years. Pink clashing against the blue clear skies is something Tang Bo didn’t think he would have missed so much, but his heart aching in sentiment that is well uncharacteristic of him nowadays proves that he is still no better than the man he was a hundred years ago.

And then the third, a spectacle that had Tang Bo’s breath hitching and his eyes widening, then his mind falling into complete bewilderment: the sight of a Mount Hua disciple standing in the midst of the Tang’s dueling stage…

…But particularly a Mount Hua disciple with a familiar stance, a familiar posture, and a familiar ponytail tied by a ribbon colored the unmistakable green of the Tang- all a sight that was all too similar to an image of the past.

“…”

Tang Bo’s eyes linger upon the back of the disciple, then blinking away the brief flicker of memory of another swordsman from long ago as he proceeds to silently step closer. Curiosity burns at his being, wondering how such a thing came to be- to see Mount Hua, which he learned only recently had supposedly become long indisposed, have its flowers flowing once again and through the Tang Residence.

(And also, as he moves closer, he is filled with the desire to get a better angle of the disciple, his interest well piqued by the uncanny appearance- no… he mustn’t get his hopes up. What a ridiculous thought this is…)

(But his hyung was always the type for surprises- ugh quit this! )

The Tang members were originally too in awe of the duel to realize their Great Elder trying to get closer to the scene, but eventually, they felt his formidable presence from behind, and they instinctively paved a parting path for him to walk through with no qualms.

Gazes turned from the duel to observe the Dark Saint instead, apprehension gracing the air as many became nervous of his appearance- afraid of what their Great Elder was making of the scene.

Tang Bo does not care for trivial stares, however, instead, he remains focused on trying to make sense of what is happening before him.

‘Is that the idiotic Tang Woe fighting this Mount Hua disciple..? An Elder against someone so young? Ayah! What have these insolent senile old men been doing during my absence!?’

Tang Bo’s face darkened the more he realized how foolish these Elders were, unwittingly causing a Tang member who had been wearily gazing at their Great Elder to squeak and shuffle away. 

‘Pah! And that Woe can’t even do a decent execution of Full Sky Flower Rain! Tsk- these Elders are quite something…’

Tang Bo continued to watch keenly, the frustration of the Elder’s incompetence causing him to become silently enraged the more the duel continued. Quickly, those around him shifted a formidable distance away out of fear due to the stiff air radiating from his figure, an awkward bubble forming around the Great Elder.

Once again, not that Tang Bo cared, because in the end he was still all too absorbed with the curious Mount Hua disciple, his initial frustration toward the incompetent Tang Woe suddenly shifting into shock as he watched the swordsman’s movements changing to carry out an intriguing technique he did not recognize- which Tang Bo did not think was possible because he could have sworn he had seen every form of Mount Hua through that particular Saint from long ago.

His eyes of green reflected a tantalizing vivid pink as thousands of petals exploded from the swordsman’s blade and graced the sky- so formidable in number it nearly blocked the sun and the rest of the sky. The flowers danced through the air, their gentle movements a contradiction to the harsh cuts that rain down upon Tang Woe’s figure.

Had Mount Hua somehow managed a new technique despite their ruination?

“May I ask… the name of this sword?”

“A Sky Full of Plum Blossoms.”

No…

Tang Bo stiffened at the name of the technique the disciple had relayed when Tang Woe had asked. This wasn’t a new technique- well technically it was- but it wasn’t solely Mount Hua’s sword.

‘Did this disciple… did this disciple combine my technique with the sword of Mount Hua..?’

After realizing this, Tang Bo is certainly set on needing to meet this disciple now, curiosity coursing through his being as to just who this person was, how he learned such swordsmanship, and why he had done such a thing in the first place- to suddenly form a new sword that had Tang inspiration.

Tang Bo is not fazed when he watches Tang Woe's body finally fall with a thud, and if anything finds a sense of enjoyment in seeing the impudent Elder fall. He then observes the swordsman search the crowd and assumes he meets the gaze of the Lord, Tang Gunak, when his head stops at a particular spot.

The disciple doesn’t look toward Tang Bo’s direction, but he is at least no longer turned with his entire back to him, and now Tang Bo is able to finally get at least a side view of the face of the swordsman.

And when he catches a glimpse of that face… he finds his feet are moving all on its own.

“How is that?” Tang Bo hears the disciple ask Tang Gunak as the Elder pushes through the crowd to get closer to the two, many members yelping and whispers of alarm following his every step.

Tang Gunak takes a breath.

“This time, the spar ends with the victory of Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon-”

Suddenly, Tang Gunak finds himself pausing his words as he stiffens at the sight of his Great Elder approaching him- a nervousness immediately settling under his skin.

"..."

The Dark Saint was not supposed to be here- at least, that’s what Tang Gunak had expected!

The atmosphere was tense as every Tang member stared at Tang Bo walking up slowly, apprehensive by his rare appearance. They alongside Tang Gunak also had assumed he would have stayed in seclusion for at least a few more days, and so seeing him here makes it all the more perturbing.

The air was thick with a great unease- all because of one man simply making an appearance.

And honestly, you couldn’t blame anyone in Kangho for acting so nervously around the Dark Saint.

Their Great Elder was an intimidating man: one of the strongest cultivators alive, the creator of many of the Tang Clan’s legendary techniques, a survivor of the war with the Demonic Cult, and overall a frightening figure with an equally terrifying prowess, attitude, and presence.

It is not only the clan members who find themselves avoiding him to the best of their abilities- but almost every cultivators' blood would run cold after simply seeing the man- near falling to their knees from the sheer intensity of his gaze, and afraid of becoming subjected to his deadly dagger if they had ever managed to agitate him enough.

And their Elder is not often seen roaming the estate like this, making the events in which he is spotted all the more daunting.

Tang Gunak struggles to remain upright beneath those scrutinizing sharp eyes, brow furrowed in distress as to having his Great Elder find out about such a fiasco. Once again, he was not expecting him to return at this time, and yet here he was, watching Tang Woe defeated against the Divine Dragon- possibly the worst timing this was…

All Tang Gunak could do was pray that the Divine Dragon to show some semblance of respect- please!

“This Lord greets the Great Elder…” Tang Gunak immediately bows, a light sweat gracing the back of his neck. 

‘Cheong Myeong, just keep that mouth of yours shut- I beg of you,’ he cries loudly in his head, hoping that the Divine Dragon is able to read the tense atmosphere following the Great Elder’s appearance and is smart enough to understand the gravity of the situation.

But unfortunately for Tang Gunak, Cheong Myeong has never been the type to know how to be silent.

“Eh? Great Elder? I thought this idiot here was the Great Elder. Is it even possible to become even older than this one over here..?”

Immediately, Tang Gunak chokes on air as he then quickly lifts his head to direct a glare at Cheong Myeong, who is still on the stage behind Tang Bo and looking all too disrespectful.

‘You had one job, Cheong Myeong, goddamnit!’

Tang Gunak couldn’t even revel in this victory, because he knows in a few moments this audacious disciple will have his head detached from his neck.

“Ah- Great Elder, he didn’t mean that,” Tang Gunak immediately tried to say, entirely too distressed. “The Divine Dragon must have some lingering poison affecting his mind…”

“Nah, my mind is pretty intact. And it’s working well enough to wonder who the hell this guy is over here,” Cheong Myeong says flippantly with a frown.

‘it was nice knowing you… Cheong Myeong…’

Upon hearing such a brazen attitude, Tang Bo’s patience immediately wears thin, and everyone around him definitely feels it- grimacing at the intensity of the air around him turning sharp, leading to a few lowering their heads due to the oppressive aura.

‘Ah, I truly had high hopes for this disciple… But it seems he is too blinded by arrogance. This incompetent Elder you had just defeated is certainly a feat; however, none are nowhere near being my equal.’

…But something about this attitude has Tang Bo feeling a sense of terrible nostalgia- so familiar that it tugs at his heart and causes a throbbing in his chest. He has always been practical before emotional, however, so he easily dismisses this feeling and finally turns around to face this Divine Dragon.

‘So what if he’s just a little similar to hyung..? It’s… it’s not him anyways.’

“Now, I believe the person between the two of us who truly deserves to be asking such a question should be me, considering this is the Tang residence you are-”

“…”

Scratch that, maybe he wasn’t as pragmatic of a person as he had thought. 

Tang Bo had already gotten a mere glimpse at this disciple’s appearance- intrigued out of mere curiosity because perhaps it was just a trick of light, or his mind simply straying back to memories after seeing that familiar Mount Hua emblem that had made him think for a moment how eerily similar in appearance this disciple was to his Sword Saint; however after finally meeting those carmine eyes- carmine eyes that are unmistakably his dosa hyung-nim's (which he knows they indubitably are because he had lost himself in those rosy hues too many times to count long ago)- it all just left him puzzled.

And what makes it all the more bewildering is the way the disciple’s breath hitched and eyes widened upon meeting Tang Bo’s gaze as well. Not an expression out of fear, nor in awe, but in recognition despite this having been their first meeting.

As if the atmosphere surrounding the stage wasn’t already tense enough, it has somehow impossibly become all too suffocating at this rate. Nobody dared to move as they watched the Great Elder and Mount Hua disciple stare at each other in silence.

Tang Gunak wished to intervene, to prevent his Elder from killing Cheong Myeong on the spot, but the sharp aura that had been exuding from Tang Bo seconds ago immediately dissipated the moment he saw the other’s face- which had him changing his presumptions as to the other’s next move.

“…”

It was so quiet in the hall you could hear a pin drop.

Tang Bo stood frozen as he was… confused, and it seems the sentiment was shared as conflict also swirled in that gaze of the swordsman.

Did his hyung have a descendant? No, that wasn’t possible. After all, he knows that the bastard didn’t have a lover in such a way because he was said lover damnit! Then perhaps it was just coincidence for a Mount Hua disciple to have such an appearance, attitude, and swordsmanship… 

Perhaps that expression of recognition on the other’s face was a misread on his part... Perhaps the furrow in the other’s brow, the biting of his lip so hard it could near draw blood, and the tightening of his grip around the handle of his sword (all of which were habits so terribly the same as his hyung’s when he was conflicted ) simply meant nothing at all.

The boy’s gaze then dropped to the floor, his head hanging low making it hard to discern his current expression. Tang Bo notes how he was shaking, and he couldn’t blame him because he had felt light tremors in his hand as well. After a few moments, Tang Bo decides that he should probably say something, because if he doesn’t then they, alongside everyone else in the hall, would be at a frozen standstill until the end of time.

Taking a brief inhale of a hesitant breath, Tang Bo finally spoke.

“You… Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon… What is your name?”

His words, albeit shaky, cut through the thick air with such simple words- his voice quiet yet commanding that left a shiver amidst those close.

The disciple still does not raise his head, but a mumble could barely be heard that Tang Bo could not quite make out.

“…at…”

The Dark Saint frowns. 

“Raise your head if you’re going to answer,” he said as he decidedly stepped forward toward the base of the steps of the stage. “I can’t make out your words if you simply mumble.”

The snipped sentence had the disciple finally raising his head back up, and when he did, Tang Bo couldn’t help but blink in bewilderment the moment he saw the other’s face.

Tang Bo’s brows scrunch as he sees an all too furious expression painted across the other’s face- not quite the reaction he was expecting. It seemed as if visible huffs of smoke was being shot out of the swordsman’s nostrils as a fire was lit in his eyes.

“I said… why aren’t you fucking dead ya damn brat!?” 

“…eh?”

Immediately, the disciple stomps down the steps of the stage- well, not entirely, just a couple steps down so he was on eye level with Tang Bo because he was rather shorter than the other- and grabbed him by the inner robes, seething in utter anger as he glares at the other with an intensity of a thousand suns.

Everyone in the hall has their jaws dropping in shock at Cheong Myeong’s outlandishness.

‘Does this Divine Dragon have a death wish!? He is just asking for a dagger right in the forehead! No- that would be too merciful! Perhaps a long and tortuous death for the sheer disrespect shown towards the infamous Dark Saint!’

Even Tang Gunak cannot save Cheong Myeong at this rate, the entire situation long ago out of his hands, and whatever his Great Elder does he will be unable to stop.

And so all Tang Gunak can do now is pray… but even he knows prayers are futile against the Dark Saint’s ill temper.

‘ I will at least ensure the Tang’s and Mount Hua’s friendship will continue to prosper beyond your death… my very short-lived friend.’

The other Mount Hua disciples, on the other hand, acted upon instinct and were quick to jump in to try and save their foolish youngest. They are not well familiar with this Great Elder, however, they are still well aware this is a man they should not be acting so candidly towards- and yet their Cheong Myeong is truly testing his luck here! The sheer intensity of the Dark Saint’s presence gives them all goosebumps, who knows how powerful this man was when he would actually put in an effort!

“Cheong Myeong what the fuck? Why are you disrespecting the Tangs’ Great Elder like this, you crazy bastard!?” 

Baek Cheon was the first to reach his outrageous sajil, trying to drag him backward by the back of his robes, but finds that the other does not budge. It does not take too long for the others to reach Baek Cheon and Cheong Myeong, all reaching out to grab different parts of the back of Cheong Myeong’s robes alongside their senior in an attempt to loosen his hold on the Dark Saint.

“Does he wish to die? Does he want us to die? Does he want all of Mount Hua to die!?”

“We’re doomed… We’re so doomed.”

“Great Elder Tang, we are very sorry for his behavior! Please spare him!”

But unfortunately for the disciples, they quickly find themselves flying backward from one swift movement of Cheong Myeong’s arm pushing them all away.

“Quit it you brats! This is between me and this real fucker of a leech goddamnit!” Cheong Myeong gritted out, his fist full of Tang Bo’s robes remaining undeterred.

Tang Gunak remains frozen not knowing what to do as he witnesses this absolute disaster. But what was perplexing to him was how his Great Elder did nothing but stare blankly at Cheong Myeong even amidst his crude barkings- his expression he is unable to understand.

By now the Lord had been expecting the Great Elder to have shot a dagger right in between Cheong Myeong’s eyes by now… and yet he had remained silent as he did nothing but stare at the other as if in a trance.

But then Cheong Myeong finally turns back to Tang Bo after having yelled over his shoulder at the disciples he had just thrown through the air, and Tang Gunak finds himself holding his breath as he watches the Saint finally shift…

…Then the lord promptly choked on his own spit for the umpteenth time out of sheer shock by the following unpredictable move Tang Bo makes. 

And he is certainly not the only one surprised by the Elder’s next move, a series of gasps resounding through the crowd upon witnessing the spectacle.

The crowd had watched as their Dark Saint’s original blank expression turned into a pursing of his lips with a strange glint in his eye… then witnessing as he next let out a strange noise through his throat- was that a snort out of amusement!?

And then what came next had some members of the crowd passing out from the utter shock such a movement induced.

Their Great Elder, the Dark Saint, well feared and equally revered in all of Kangho, a name that sends frightening shivers to anyone who hears him mentioned, a man who seemed to only know threatening glares and petrifying scowls…

…began to laugh.

He began to laugh, and laugh, and laugh- brightly, so freely, so musically. First starting off airy and hesitant, as if it seemed as if he was relearning to laugh after forgetting how to long ago, and not long after picking up in enthusiasm as he then heartily embraced the other- so overjoyed he accidentally steps back, which has Cheong Myeong’s feet leaving the steps, and causing him to dangle in the air with only Tang Bo’s arms holding him up as he continued to tightly hug the other.

‘It’s truly unmistakable at this point- this really is my dosa hyung-nim!’

The original anger that was on Cheong Myeong’s face immediately subsided as he then turned flustered, only being able to let out a mortified squawk from the sudden shamelessness of the other.

Leave it to Tang Bo to be the only one in the world able to respond to his threats and insults with a laugh and open affection instead.

“H-hey! You leech! Why are you acting like a crazy man in front of all these people? Has your brain gone completely senile from age!?”

Cheong Myeong’s protests merely fell on deaf ears as Tang Bo simply responded by pulling him in tighter, still laughing all the while, not caring for the countless eyes that watched the spectacle with mixed feelings.

“Is this really our Great Elder..? I thought he was unable to express anything but impatience and murderous intent!?”

“I don’t know what’s scarier: seeing the Great Elder smile and laugh, or being subjected to his cold stare.”

“Ayah! Who knew our Great Elder had quite the handsome smile..?”

“Just who is this Divine Dragon and how is he not dead, but instead being welcomed by our Elder so passionately!?”

“Hehe… Dark Saint should smile more…”

An eruption of curious whispers traverses throughout from those who have managed to break out of their original stupor. But it’s not everyone who is concerned with their Dark Saint and the Divine Dragon at the moment.

“Father..?”

Tang Zhan, Tang Pae, and Tang Soso, can’t help but stare at their father in worry, noticing how he was foaming at the mouth with a terribly pale face- too overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation

‘How on earth does Cheong Myeong know our Great Elder to such an extent!?’

…Said Cheong Myeong is still hoisted up in the air by his troublesome beloved, and can feel his patience waning thin as this brat still has not let go of him yet. And so with a scowl, Cheong Myeong manages to snake an arm free from the other’s clutches and uses it to hit the top of his head hard, causing Tang Bo to yelp and finally let go of the other- to which the former easily falls on his feet when he meets the ground with a huff.

“Tch- have you seriously still not learned a semblance of dignity after all these years?” Cheong Myeong immediately scolded as he glared at Tang Bo who cradled the back of his head where he had just been hit. “Are you not well over a hundred by now? And yet you still act like a child…”

“But hyung…” Tang Bo whined (their Great Elder is whining!?) “ It has not been very long since I’ve woken up…”

“But you still acted the same back when you were seventy, brat?”

How much confusion the crowd of witnesses could take seeing their Dark Saint showcase a multitude of new expressions is becoming nigh overwhelming. The situation just looks so preposterous seeing their Great Elder in such a state.

‘Is our Dark Saint pouting!?’

‘He is being… scolded by someone perhaps an eighth of his age…”

“…hyung?”

Tang Zhan couldn’t help but repeat the strange addressment Tang Bo had used toward Cheong Myeong. Why is he addressing the swordsman as such as he is clearly well over five times his age?

Cheong Myeong's ears perked up at Tang Zhan’s confusion which had him realizing how peculiar it was for Tang Bo to call him hyung now. He got closer to Tang Bo to whisper in his ear- having to tiptoe in order to reach the Elder’s head.

“…We will give our respective explanations later, but I will say for now: don’t address me in such a way,” Cheong Myeong says before falling back onto the balls of his feet and then crossing his arms.

Tang Bo merely rubs his chin at this, intrigued by these newly presented prospects.

“Ah… Yes, such a habit would be strange now I suppose…” Tang Bo frowned. He then leaned forward toward Cheong Myeong to talk in a lower tone, so close to the other’s ear the disciple could feel the hairs on his neck rise from the breaths that fell onto his skin. “Does this mean you should be the one calling me hyung now, Cheong Myeong-ah?” he teased.

Cheong Myeong immediately turned to the side and scoffed. “Pah! I’d rather ingest a hundred of your shitty poison pills than ever call you in such a way.”

“Tsk- no respect for your elders,” Tang Bo tuts with a shake of his head.

“I would have been older than you,” Cheong Myeong notes.

“Key words: would have. It looks to me that you’re not now, Myeong-ah.”

“Honestly, perhaps it’s better this way that I’m not older than you still. I would have truly kicked the bucket from old age then.”

“I’m not that old…”

“…”

Cheong Myeong gives him a blank stare.

“Alright, maybe a little,” Tang Bo admits as he coughs into his fist. “But I still feel and look thirty.”

“Eh? Is a head full of gray something a thirty-year-old would have?” Cheong Myeong snorted, which just caused Tang Bo to blink at the other unenthusiastically, slightly offended.

“…could that otherworldly force that had brought you back at least have added a sense of respect in your being as well..?” he mumbles to himself dejectedly.

Immediately following Tang Bo's response, Cheong Myeong's expression darkens as he smiles sharply at the other, which causes a shiver to travel down Tang Bo’s back- an indicator that he had heard the other’s comment.

“Hm?”

“…”

“What’s this..?” Cheong Myeong says lowly as his hand finds itself wrapped around the hilt of his blade. “Do I hear this audacious Dark Saint is well overdue being six feet under?”

Instinctively, Tang Bo finds himself stepping backward and feeling rather meek before that threatening gaze- a sense of fear gracing him for the first time in decades.

“Can you at least try and be a better Taoist this time around!?” he tries, only for him to find that his cries are still futile as Cheong Myeong only steps closer with murderous intent.

“Can you at least try and fix that foul attitude of yours this time around?” Cheong Myeong mocks with an ugly face.

“Dear Taoist, let’s use our words, shall we?”

“...”

And so, in merely half a day, the Tang Clan’s impression of gender norms had shifted, their second oldest Elder had been defeated by a young Mount Hua disciple, and the Elder system had been disbanded- all tremendous shifts in their political system that had been laid as foundation for the Tang Family for centuries.

…And yet the thing that had the Tang Residence the most in a frenzy was seeing their formidable and intimidating Dark Saint revealing a side to himself that was so lively… currently being demonstrated by his wailing figure as he ran from Mount Hua’s fuming Divine Dragon.

‘...Was our Dark Saint actually like this all along..?’

And for the Mount Hua disciples' impressions...

'...Nobody told us the Dark Saint was actually a nutjob.'

Chapter Text

Tang Soso remembers growing up hearing hushed whispers and weary gossip surrounding the Dark Saint.

“The Dark Saint is said to be showing signs of waking up soon.”

“Eh? Seriously? That one has been asleep for a near century I hear…”

“The Dark Saint is real? I thought he was just a myth!”

“Tch- the Dark Saint is not someone to speak of like some trivial tale. Have you not heard about the countless who have fallen before his dagger?”

The Tang Residence was never shy of talking about any topic that intrigued them, and so eleven year old Tang Soso found herself listening in on several comments and varying thoughts from many within the residence. And with each whisper she overhears, the more she cannot help but feel uneasy.

All she has heard so far was how frightening this man was… how could she feel at ease when someone like that roamed around the residence so freely?

“Oppa… is the Dark Saint a good man..?”

Tang Pae pursed his lips as he looked over at his worried little sister, those round eyes of hers having agitation swirling in her gaze that had his heart squeeze lightly at the sight. He has only ever read written recollections of the Dark Saint’s feats… and well, they are rather a little too frightening to relay for a young girl like Tang Soso.

Impressive were the Dark Saint’s achievements and contributions, objectively, but his dagger and poisonous techniques did not particularly lead to pleasant outcomes for the many who had fought against him…

“I hope so,” is all Tang Pae says.

Tang Pae then lightly grabs one of his sister’s hands. “Come, let’s not worry about such gossip… Father wanted to see you, Soso-ya, remember?”

Tang Soso nodded as she then allowed herself to be guided to the main hall where their father was awaiting her, brother and sister walking side by side.

Soso squeezes Tang Pae’s hand, not quite assured by her brother’s rather vague answer.

There was a man idling by a pond, one Tang Soso did not recognize.

It was late at night, but the full moon provided an ample glow that bore down on the surroundings around her, including the man standing with his back turned to her as he gazed out at the pond before him. Long and light gray hair reflects the pale moonlight, and his Tang robes alongside were illuminated- the dark green of the Tang Family becoming lighter in color, and the artistically intricate white stitchings of floral embellishments in his billowing sleeves seemingly emanating a heavenly glow. A distinguishable rose colored hair stick can be found amidst those soft colored strands, distinct and rather out of place.

Tang Soso was not supposed to be here.

She was lost.

Lost and terribly upset…

‘Stupid Tang traditions! Stupid arranged marriages! Must Father uphold such stupid politics over his own daughter? Must be those Elders giving him a hard time again…’

Tang Gunak had called to meet her earlier, Tang Pae leading her by hand to the hall as if he was already aware of what would have been told, and attempted to comfort her by at least being by her side.

“...this is a decision that cannot be overridden, Tang Soso,” her father had said sternly; however, there was a sliver of sympathy that could be seen through the subtle furrow of his brow. 

In the end, Tang Soso was his dear daughter, and he did not quite enjoy making her upset, but the ruling of the Elders have always been above all else.

Regrettably, he currently looks at Tang Soso as the Lord of the Tang, not as her father.

“But Father-”

“Lord!”

Before Tang Soso could protest once again, a Tang member had come rushing through the main hall’s doors, his heavy breathing and panic-stricken face indicating that this was a matter of utmost urgency. 

The three watched curiously as the member took a moment to catch his breath before speaking again.

“Lord! The Dark Saint is awake!”

"..."

Immediately, Tang Gunak rises from his seat alongside Tang Pae, both of their expressions turning solemn at such news. 

“Where is he currently?” Tang Gunak asks, his tone direct and sharp, demanding immediate detail. However, what the other relays next does not have him feeling quite pleased.

“We… we do not know ,” cries the man, bowing his head deeply in apology. “That is the problem, my Lord!”

An uneasy air settles itself amidst the hall. It was already distressing enough to hear that the infamous Dark Saint has finally woken up after a hundred years- not knowing his current whereabouts makes the situation all the more dire.

“Pae, come, we must address this matter immediately.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Seeing how her father and brother were now busy with a different matter, Tang Soso impulsively decided to slip away from the hall while they were distracted, running off to goodness knows where in frustration after learning her unwelcoming fate that seemed decidedly sealed.

“Excuse me!”

Despite not knowing this man, Tang Soso finds herself stepping closer anyways, assured by the robes of the Tang he bore that indicates he may be someone who could be of help. She is also somewhat unafraid to approach him as no one within the Tang clan would dare harm the current Tang Lord’s daughter… right?

The man before her does not bother to turn even when she calls for him the first time, and so daringly she decidedly steps closer, and then lightly tugs on the man’s sleeve to grab his attention when she is near enough. Finally, this action has the man turning to look down and over to meet Tang Soso’s gaze, and immediately the girl squeaks when she is greeted by such a cold expression.

Green and darkened eyes narrowed in scrutiny to find out who had walked up to him, the intimidating expression of his having Tang Soso feeling a shiver down her spine as she was then struck with a formidable fear. The man’s gaze was so sharp, Tang Soso thought she would have been cut down on the spot if it were possible, and the way the moonlight hit his face casted a dark shadow over the majority of his features- painting him as looking even more so menacing.

'Oh goodness... This man..!'

Tang Soso, so overwhelmed by the threatening air alongside that fearsomely bitter look the man had directed at her…

…then began to cry.

“…eh?”

The man quickly turned from adorning that daunting expression, to one with slightly widened eyes and bewildered parted lips. He panics before Tang Soso’s crying, and kneels down to immediately try and comfort the poor girl as he tries to shush her outburst.

“Ah- wait wait shhh… stop crying little lady… I didn’t- ugh… making a child cry was not quite the first thing I wanted to do upon waking up…”

Tang Soso's tears remained undeterred and everflowing even as Tang Bo attempted to try and calm her down.

“...perhaps I should have stayed in that room…” he couldn’t help but mumble in light distress.

He could only stare helplessly as big droplets flowed down the girl’s cheeks, and her loud cries echoed through the forest which pierced Tang Bo’s poor ears.

Amidst the noise, Tang Bo’s mind frantically tries to think of ways to soothe this poor girl in front of him, and desperately he finds his hands moving toward her face to enact an action he remembers that usually had a particularly sour man from long ago smiling somewhat…

And so, Tang Soso finds a hand grasping a side of her face and then pinching her cheek, and then another hand following to do the same. Her tears pause momentarily as she is now left confused, feeling her cheeks being pulled against her will and moved upwards, as if the man is trying to create a makeshift smile on her face.

This… this was not quite the action she had expected from such a person. Tang Soso had assumed that for someone like him, it would seem more befitting that he threw a dagger to her face in order to shut her up instead.

“Ayah… see you look much prettier smiling little lady, so stop your crying will you?”

The contrasting softer tone that she hears has Soso blinking away stray tears to refocus her gaze onto what she previously that was a scary individual, now finding that he is not quite as intimidating anymore…

…but more so rather pathetic looking as he looks at her with a strained and shaky smile, scrunched brows, and a light sweat falling down his forehead.

Tang Soso couldn’t help but let out a snort, and then huffily laugh at the ridiculous look the man has now- meek before the little girl before him. It’s clear the other truly has no idea how to deal with children, and she finds his attempt poor yet endearing in a way, causing her to ease at his good intentions.

Tang Bo’s expression softens seeing that the girl has finally ceased her crying, a more genuine smile gracing his face as he looks at the younger rather fondly.

He always had a soft spot for children. They never looked at Tang Bo with contempt, still unaware of the sins he had committed and bore.

Tang Bo took the liberty to finally take his hands off Tang Soso’s cheeks and gingerly move his fingers to wipe away a stray tear here and there before fully retracting them. After a few moments, Tang Soso eventually managed to even out her breathing, and her eyes are no longer blinded by the drops that watered her gaze.

Seeing how she has somewhat recollected herself, Tang Bo huffs and lays a comforting hand atop her hair. “Okay now?” he asks Tang Soso with the softest tone he could muster, not wanting to perturb the other any more.

Tang Soso nods with a sniff, a little more at ease now after finding the man kinder than she had initially thought.

“This one is named Tang Bo,” he then introduces, assuming the other is now coherent enough to be able to listen. “And may I ask for your name, little lady?”

Soso gives one last wipe at her face with her sleeve before relaying her own introduction. “I am Tang Soso, daughter of Tang Gunak.”

“Hm, alright Tang Soso,” Tang Bo says, shifting from kneeling to now sitting down on the ground in a criss-cross position. Despite sitting down, he still manages to be relative eye level with the girl. “May this Tang Bo ask why Soso-ya is out so late and in a place so far away?”

“...”

Immediately, tears began to well up once again in Tang Soso’s eyes, and Tang Bo panics as he places both his hands atop her shoulders, his brows furrowed in distress. “Stop! I’m sorry! Don’t start crying again!” he exclaims distraught- near begging for the girl to calm down. 

He truly does not want to deal with this girl’s crying once more…

Seeing the other’s great concern, Soso pauses and tries to will those tears away for his sake.

“Sorry…” she says with a sniff, and Tang Bo is relieved to see that she did not fall into an outburst of tears. “I… I had just run away because Father told me something I did not particularly like…”

Tang Bo hums, rubbing his chin at such information. “If you don’t mind, what is it that he told you?” he then asked curiously. “Of course, you don’t have to say if it will cause you to cry again…”

Tang Soso shakes her head. “I won’t cry again…”

“Good.”

That’s what Tang Bo likes to hear.

Tang Soso clasps her hands together as she casted her eyes downwards, clearly upset. “I am bound to an arranged marriage,” she breathes out shakily. “And I do not want that…”

“Ah.”

Tang Bo does suppose this is about the age in which girls of the Tang should be considering such things. It’s quite unfortunate, how girls within the clan are simply used as political tools and bearing children… And for a passionate character like Soso, Tang Bo can assume she is not the type wanting to be bound to things so restricting.

“What would you like to do instead when you are older, Soso?”

“...I want… I want to learn martial arts and medicine…”

Tang Bo couldn’t help but smile at that. 

In a way, they were similar- neither wanting to be confined to the overbearing paths and expectations the Tang Family has bestowed upon their persons.

With a huff, Tang Bo pushes himself off from the ground so he is back standing.

“Well, I certainly cannot help you with this arranged marriage situation for now… ”

Tang Soso’s expression immediately falls at Tang Bo’s words, but she is adamant on not letting tears form once again as she had just promised moments ago that she would not.

“...But, I would be happy to teach you martial arts and medicine, how about it?”

Quickly, Soso’s face turns from crestfallen to beaming upon hearing such a suggestion.

“Really? You will?” Her eyes shine in excitement as she looks up at Tang Bo.

“Yes, if you wish,” he huffs in amusement.

But then, Soso hesitates. “...But… how good are you in such fields? Are you able to teach me..?”

Tang Soso is only met with a hearty laugh from the man, one that rang so freely through the air delightedly. 

Seeing so many delighted faces from the other made Soso forget how scary he was in the beginning. Honestly, she most likely had caught him off guard at first, thus resulting in such a glare- which is understandable really.

“Oh Soso-ya… you’ll look back at this conversation soon enough and realize how funny your question is,” Tang Bo laughs out, and Soso is only left confused at such an answer. “Just know, you’ll be glad to have someone like me as a teacher…”

“But first and foremost…”

Tang Bo outstretches an offering hand to the young girl. “We must get you back before anything else, no? I’ll help you to the main hall, I’m sure your family is waiting and well worried about you.”

With a nod and a small smile, Tang Soso gingerly places her hand atop the other’s offering one, and Tang Bo immediately wraps his fingers around her own and promptly begins to walk slowly, lightly tugging her along.

Blackened fingertips and roughly calloused surface intertwine with Soso’s small and dainty soft hand. Such a hand reminds Soso of her father’s and brother’s, and it puts her all the more at ease.

“…And I’m sure they’re waiting for me there too,” Tang Bo mumbles under his breath as they begin to walk, just quiet enough to not have Soso hear, a comment merely said for himself.

Together, hand in hand, the two walk through the forestry of the Tang Residence, weaving through greenery and unpaved grounds. Tang Soso can hear Tang Bo lightly humming to an unnamed tune, and when she gazes up to glance at him she can see an expression of ease as he only looks forward while guiding her.

“Um… so…”

“Grandfather.”

“Eh?”

Tang Soso blinks confused at his interjection.

“Just call me grandfather, Soso-ya,” Tang Bo airly chuckled as they continued down winding trees.

“Ah? Should I be calling you something like that even though we just met?” she asks curiously.

“Ayah… trust me Soso-ya, it’s best everyone in the residence refers to me as such given my age- I’d prefer it that way. But I know most will most likely stick me with the title of Great Elder soon enough…”

“But for you, I definitely want you to call me something along the lines of grandfather, okay?”

Tang Bo shoots her a soft smile, and Soso finds that she wouldn’t mind calling him such an endearing term.

“Hm, alright then, grandfather!”

Eventually, Tang Soso and Tang Bo find themselves stepping back onto set pathways, and not long do they find themselves finally walking across the residence’s main courtyard and nearing the main hall.

Tang Soso throughout the rest of the journey was prompted by Tang Bo to relay more about her family- and so she spoke about her father, a caring but pragmatic man; her brother Tang Pae, who was rather uptight but still doting of her in his curious ways; and how she is soon to have a younger brother on the way- which she is excited for.

Tang Bo listened to every word with great interest, finding the young girl’s enthusiasm infectious and endearing to hear.

And then, they finally reach the main doors of the Tang’s hall, and Soso lets out a sigh, relieved that she managed to return unscathed. She was terribly lucky to have run into Tang Bo out there, not wanting to entertain such a prospect in which she had not.

“You’re quite the kind girl, Soso-ya,” Tang Bo comments as he finally lets go of the other’s hand, knowing that Soso no longer needs to be guided as they are now in territory she is well familiar with.

“You are too, grandfather!” she beams.

Tang Bo couldn’t help but snort at Tang Soso calling him such a thing.

‘Ha- children truly are too funny…’

Kneeling down once again so they are eye level, and Tang Bo shoots her another smile as he places a hand on her shoulder. “Now, I’m sure we both have our respective business to tend to, so I suppose this is where-”

“Soso-ya!”

Tang Bo and Tang Soso both quickly turn to the side after hearing the shout, greeted by the sight of a group of Tang members. Leading the group was Tang Gunak and Tang Pae right next to him, looking relieved to have found their dear Soso.

“Father! Oppa!”

Tang Soso hesitates for a moment as she turns back to Tang Bo, but the latter simply chuckles and gives her a nod as he then moves to stand up- understanding her intentions and giving her a wordless permission to let her leave his side. At this, Tang Soso shot him one last grateful smile before running up to her brother and father, embracing Tang Pae who had knelt down with outstretched hands for her to fall into.

“Ayah- never run off like that again Soso-ya! You made us all worried!”

“I’m sorry… I was just a bit upset…”

“No excuse Soso-ya!” Tang Pae says sternly. “You should have stayed put and we would have talked more when we had returned…”

Tang Soso pouts at her brother’s scolding, but she understands his intentions.

“...I will admit I did act out of line…” Soso said meekly as she hung her head in shame. “But it’s okay, that nice man over there helped guide me back!”

Soso points behind her, and Tang Pae follows the direction of her finger. 

“...nice man?”

The rest of the group also moved their gazes from Tang Soso and looked up to see she was pointing at Tang Bo, and immediately they were met with a chilling sensation when they saw that sharp look of his. He was no longer smiling like he was moments ago with Tang Soso, but his expression was now replaced with one of impassiveness instead. But despite trying to keep a neutral face, his eyes still couldn’t help but narrow with a cold gaze.

A shared apprehension courses through the group as they stare at the man who leisurely stood there before them. Despite how casual his stance was, the hands that are well hidden within his sleeves the group can tell is an indication of a subtle offensive stance out of precaution- a sign that insinuates the man before them will not hesitate to cut them down if so desired. 

The pale lighting and darkened expression made him seem like an eerie spirit, a being who should have rested long ago and yet has decided to roam beyond the worldly intentions for his soul…

Immediately, all are quick to kneel and drop their heads out of respect, with only Tang Soso remaining standing as she is only left confused by their sudden actions. She observes the nervousness that graces her father and brother’s face alongside the rigid postures of the Elders- all that is uncharacteristic of them. And then, her gaze moves to fall back onto Tang Bo, who does not look at the group as warmly as he did with her moments ago.

And for Soso, everything only made sense only after her father finally spoke up in greeting to Tang Bo, those words of his having her falling into a shock, then having a strange feeling coursing through her person with such chilling words- so hefty and sharp as it brings her to a harrowing realization as to who this man truly was.

Now it makes sense as to why she had not recognized the man before, why he says to Soso that he will soon be bestowed the title Great Elder, why it would not be all too ill fitting for her to refer to him as grandfather alongside everyone else within the residence if they so desired…

Because the man who had guided her all along was-

“We all greet the honorable and great ancestor…”

“The esteemed Dark Saint.”

“Cheong Myeong-ah.”

“What?”

“Cheong Myeong-ah~”

“…”

“Myeong-ah!”

“What do you want leech?”

Cheong Myeong shoots Tang Bo a murderous glare, and the latter does nothing but keep his playful grin as he looks at the other amusedly.

“Nothing… Just testing out your name since I cannot refer to you as dosa hyung-nim anymore.”

“Eugh… still such a nuisance.”

The curious duo walk over a small pathway that crosses and divides a decorated pond. Ripples flow through created by freely swimming Koi fish, and lily pads swish undulating due to such movements.

The sky finds itself turning a darker shade of blue and into light orange as late afternoon passes into a beginning evening, the sun starting to set in the horizon.

Neither could recall the last time they had such a pleasure of strolling alongside the other so peacefully, their last months spent together back then having been wracked with constant war and strain, preventing them from being able to even take a second to ease into a moment of relaxation.

…And neither could have imagined being able to meet again and do such a thing once more…

A man who survived, and a man who died and has revived; but in the end both are alive and well.

…but are either truly well? Are either really deserving of being alive?

Had either truly felt as if they were living- and not like ghosts cursed to roam the earth, with eyes and mind still stuck in the past, yet their physical beings set in the present…?

Cruel, how out of everyone else in the world, the heavens have chosen to bestow a benevolent fate for perhaps the two who felt the most undeserving…

The pair eventually slow their strides as they approach the midpoint of the pathway, and stop once they reach it. Side by side they stood as they quietly observed the quaint pond and its habitants. Neither say a word as they favor gazing at translucent waters- watching its lulls so close to the bottoms of their feet they would be able to easily fall in if they weren’t careful.

Tang Bo purses his lips, and he could imagine the other is biting his own.

…What does one even say in such a situation? 

‘Haha yep! Sike! I actually have been alive all along and left you alone until your dying breaths- with you under the impression that your lover is well dead and gone all the while..!’

Or:

‘Yup! I was reincarnated after dying. How did such a thing come to be? Hell- I don’t know, this wasn’t by choice!’

…Unfortunately for Tang Bo, the former ultimately sounds way worse than the other…

But at some point they must address the situation at hand, and Tang Bo finds that perhaps he should speak first- to explain and question, to take the liberty to start such a heavy topic as one step toward repentance.

“Myeong-ah… I-“

“You are a cruel person, I hope this foolish Tang Bo knows that.”

“…”

Tang Bo pauses at such harsh words that he did not quite take full offense of, for he is more so confused than he is understanding of what prompted the other to say such a thing. He turns his head to look over at Cheong Myeong, and he sees that the other remains staring at the pond below with a face of impassiveness.

But despite his attempt at steeling his expression, Tang Bo does not fail to observe the light quiver of lip and the furrow of his brow on the swordsman.

Tang Bo looks away- not only for the sake of the other’s dignity, but also afraid of witnessing a sight he believes would not be quite pleasant. 

“…May I ask why Myeong-ah thinks of this Tang Bo in such a way?” he asks hesitantly.

“…”

The Koi swim away in a hurry- leaving a dissonance of clashing waters- and the lily pads swish in varying directions from harsh splatters through the water, all ultimately created by Cheong Myeong, who had stomped up and harshly grabbed the other by his robes in frustration once again- his heavy steps causing the ground to shake.

“Are you kidding me? Are you seriously so heartless?”

He doesn’t quite yell, but the bitterness is still well evident.

“Dosa- er… Myeong-ah … Please spare me I truly do not know!”

At such a pathetic response, Cheong Myeong turns away and lets go of the other’s robes with a push and a scoff. 

“Tch- the audacity you always had,” he grumbled.

Cheong Myeong is no longer looking at Tang Bo, nor at the pond. He simply stares off to the side, his face indiscernible from Tang Bo’s view. His hands are clasped behind his back, clenched and well near drawing blood.

Tang Bo stays quiet, allowing for a moment of silence to pass between them. He knows Cheong Myeong needs the time to formulate his thoughts before he speaks when agitated, and so he let him.

“You… you thought you were going to die during the war…”

So quiet, so shaky- his simple words- and yet it pierced Tang Bo’s being so fiercely.

“…”

“And you became too careless because of such a foolish belief.”

“And… I wondered… if you believed from the beginning you would have won the war- we would have won the war- and not just me … perhaps things would have been different. Perhaps you wouldn’t have gone so easily…”

Tang Bo bites the inside of his cheek in dismay, before then speaking up. “How do you… What makes you think I was having such thoughts..?”

“Because you died with such a peaceful expression- an expression no man who was set on surviving that war would have died with!”

Cheong Myeong finally breaks, letting words leave his mouth loudly in frustration- all that built up anguish, anger and grief he has felt since returning finally coming out, and Tang Bo could only stand silently during the midst of it.

He is back to facing Tang Bo, and the latter felt as if he was dying all over again seeing such a pained expression on the swordsman’s face.

(Perhaps he should have died… then he would not have been subjected to such a brutal sight.)

“You dared to leave your will with me despite promising me beforehand you would have survived to be the one to carry it out instead. You dared to leave not only your family, but me as well until the end of the war…”

“…and you dared to smile at me with such a serene expression… as if you had been planning to entrust me with your last words since the beginning.”

“…”

Tang Bo felt as if his insides were clawing at itself with overbearing guilt knowing that everything Cheong Myeong had said was true.

He truly believed he would not have left that war alive… and yet here he was breathing and receiving the consequences for his selfishness.

Cheong Myeong looked crestfallen, his eyes shaky and saddened, and it seems he only got more upset the longer Tang Bo stayed quiet- the longer Tang Bo did not deny anything he had said was untrue.

“…I’m sorry.”

A harsh fist hits the side of his face.

Tang Bo remained undeterred despite the sudden force. And he only remained so because it was a rather pathetic hit from someone like Cheong Myeong- which indicates that the other was not putting his full force into it.

“…You’ve thrown better, Myeong-ah.”

“You- “

Cheong Myeong goes to give his other cheek a matching bruise, but he is easily stopped as Tang Bo grabs his wrist mid swing and tightens his grip on Cheong Myeong.

He is solemn as he looks at Cheong Myeong with a serious expression.

It was his time to speak now.

“I believed I would not have been left alive with the heavy sins that I had carried… The world would not have let someone like me be allowed to continue living while many of my family- whom were truly good people- perished in my stead.”

“That is no excuse,” Cheong Myeong spat out. “There were worse people than you who were running amok.”

Tang Bo shook his head. “But those people did not have a taste of remorse. The moment I felt regrets, it felt as if the world knew the greatest punishment for me would have been dying with many of my wills unfinished.”

“Bastards like the cultists would not have minded death. But I did, because I still had so much to do.”

His grip he still had on Cheong Myeong continued to tighten out of agitation with every admission he spoke, and yet Cheong Myeong does not turn away nor comment on the sharp pain that was beginning to make way on his wrist- gaze steadfast as he stared at Tang Bo with every word he relayed.

“…And yet this bastard managed to survive… If you are alive now, how do you plan to atone if you’ve escaped death?”

“By doing the same thing you are doing,” Tang Bo said easily, as if the answer was so obvious. “I am fixing my past mistakes, and creating a better future for my clan- something my foolish past self chose to dismiss so easily.”

“...Is it that easy for you? With the way you say it it sounds like it is.”

“Would it be a repentance if it were easy?”

“…”

Cheong Myeong turned away at that.

“I suppose not.”

Cheong Myeong shares the same fate as him, and so of course he understood this would not be an easy process- to make up for their past mistakes and relieve their regrets, to finally act like the ancestors they should have acted as before to have paved a better future for the next generations.

Cheong Myeong is burdened with having to rebuild his once glorious sect, and Tang Bo is burdened with having to reform his own family- all things both could have well prevented and changed in their past life, things that could have had led to better outcomes…

Seeing that the other has calmed down somewhat now, Tang Bo finally loosens his grip around his wrist and lowers both their hands. But he doesn’t let go of his hold on Cheong Myeong, moving his own hand from holding his wrist to now holding his hand gently.

“But it would be easier for you now that I’m here though, right?” Tang Bo says with a small smile.

Cheong Myeong rolls his eyes. “Pah! And what are you going to do, brat?”

Tang Bo lets out a small huff of laughter. His eyes shine as he does.

“Be by your side, with no intention of leaving this time.”

“…”

It’s not enough. Not enough to be able to bring back Mount Hua to its former glory. Not enough to rid all the evils in the world. Not enough to rid the corruption and unite Kangho under one peaceful harmony.

…But it’s enough for Cheong Myeong for now. To have Tang Bo by his side once again when he had thought he had lost him long ago. To be able to shoulder a portion of each other’s burdens and finally be able to share his troubles with someone who would actually understand.

Cheong Myeong doesn’t know why- why such words that promised that someone dear to him will not leave him once again had him feeling his heart ease a formidable amount. It felt as if he had been waiting his entire life to hear such words, and finally when they were spoken, he felt a sense of peace he has never felt before since returning. 

“…”

“…”

Droplets were falling, and it was not water from the pond.

“Ah ah… Myeong-ah, Myeong-ah.”

Quickly, Tang Bo reached out with open palms and encapsulated the other’s face, his thumbs moving to rub away the small tears that had suddenly appeared and ran down the other’s cheeks.

“Ugh… you’re… you’re crazy…”

“Yah! Why am I the crazy one? You’re the one who suddenly started crying!” Tang Bo huffed as he continued to rub at Cheong Myeong’s face. “Why are you even crying? I didn’t even hit you or anything!”

“Tch- your words were just so awful tears started falling,” Cheong Myeong halfheartedly bit out- attempting to hide his embarrassment with sharp words.

It was clear the swordsman was trying so hard to reel in his expression, to prevent such pitiful tears from flowing down his face- and yet they just don’t seem to stop for some reason… And his voice shaking as he tried to insult the other simply loses any intimidating effect he tried to muster.

Tang Bo only snorts at his words and moves forward a little closer to the other’s face. “But you still like this Tang Bo no matter what he says do you not?” he decides to tease.

Immediately, the man is met with a sharp kick to the shin- a hit that Cheong Myeong was truly not holding back this time. And unfortunately for the Dark Saint, the sudden pain in his shin had him detaching himself from the other and moving backwards from such a force- ultimately causing him to fall off the pathway and-

Splash!

“…”

“…”

Tang Bo finds himself pathetically drenched as he lays amidst the pond’s waters he had fallen into, an undelighted scowl making way to his face as he picks off a stray lilypad from atop his robes. The pond was not very deep, and so he simply sits within the body of blue as his hands are planted behind him to keep him upright.

“Ugh… we should probably add railings…” he grumbled in frustration, not amused at all at this outcome.

The Dark Saint covered from head to toe in water and looking like a wet dog… Thank goodness no one was nearby to see such a pitiful sight…

Well, except for the other who had just pushed him in of course…

But Tang Bo finds he cannot dwell on his frustration for long as he suddenly hears a delightful sound ring through the air- a chiming of musical tones that has his breath hitching the moment it has hit his ears.

A sound that had his heart squeezing and his body warming, a sound that was so dear to him and embodied all he had once lost and forever cherished, and a sound he thought would have been inevitably lost in his memory- a day he had been dreading and afraid of facing.

He looks up, and his eyes widen at the wonderful sight of his beloved no longer disheartened with tears, but bellowing out in free laughter as he looks at the ridiculous state Tang Bo was in. 

The sounds and sights of Cheong Myeong overwhelmed his senses.

Oh how he had missed this man…

His lips part to let out an enthused laugh of his own despite his predicament, and immediately he stretches out a hand to grab at the other’s ankle. “Why you brat- come here!”

Cheong Myeong’s laughter pauses as he suddenly feels the tug on his person, and with a yelp he is suddenly thrown into the pond as well.

“Yah! Bo-ya you bastard!”

Cheong Myeong looks up and sees that he is settled atop of Tang Bo, the latter only greeting him with continued amused laughter as the swordsman now shares the same fate as him.

“This Tang Bo is truly an annoying leech…”

“You call me all these things, and yet you never denied what I said earlier before you kicked me?”

“Deny what?”

“That you liked me?”

“…It’s like you’re wanting for another hit.”

Instead of backing away from such a threat, Tang Bo only continued to smile and move a little closer to Cheong Myeong. A hand is once again laid against the other’s cheek, and those carmine eyes lose its sharpness as they instead widen slightly- causing a beautiful shine amidst those rosy hues.

“No… but I have been wanting something else…”

“…”

Yes- he’ll never leave Cheong Myeong’s side this time, and never dare to entertain such an idea like in the past- Tang Bo swears . A promise he hopes is well conveyed through the soft and endearing press of his lips against the other’s, all his love and devotion to his beloved poured into one simple gesture.

Somewhere in the distance, yet not too far from where the Dark Saint and Divine Dragon were together, an awkward assortment of people could be found in various somewhat inconspicuous hiding spots nearby, all attempting to get a listen as to what the strange pair were talking about.

“Move over Yun Jong sahyung! I want to see what’s going on!”

“Shut up Jo Geol! You’re going to reveal our hiding places!”

“Yah! Wait move over! Zhan your big head is blocking my sight!”

“...Noona… please quiet down… they might hear you… also my head isn’t that big, is it..?”

The Mount Hua Disciples alongside Tang Gunak and his children find themselves all scattered in the nearby forest that is settled behind where Cheong Myeong and Tang Bo were standing. Some hidden behind the trees, some were in the trees, and some were amidst the bushes.

It was a comical sight, for sure, and it was truly a wonder how the pair had not managed to notice the nosy crowd that had gathered to watch them. Perhaps they were too caught up in each other’s presence to notice.

“Should we be attempting to eavesdrop onto something like this sasuk..?” Yun Jong asked wearily over to Baek Cheon, his morals creeping up on him for some reason.

“You cannot deny that you are not curious as to how the Dark Saint has such a relationship with our Cheong Myeong, do you not, Yun Jong?”

Baek Cheon’s words were directed to his sajil, and yet it resounded within all who were present. Everybody was so terribly curious to know more about perhaps the most enigmatic individuals in Kangho.

Quietly, all stared intensely and undaring to tear their eyes away from the sight, afraid to blink as if they would miss an important moment that could occur. Unfortunately, they were all too far to be able to catch anything of what they were saying, and so all they could do is observe their movements.

They witness Cheong Myeong suddenly grabbing the other by his robes in such a violent manner, and Tang Gunak could not help but flinch at the former’s boldness. “...Yah… how is that boy able to do all of that without losing a limb..?”

And then…

“Holy shit he just punched Dark Saint in the face,” Jo Geol gasped.

“The Divine Dragon did what!?”

“...Cheong Myeong is truly so bold- I don’t know whether it’s impressive his courage, or all too foolish.”

Tang Pae couldn’t help but snort at the comments and reactions. It was if they were watching a dramatic play they were all so intrigued in.

Cheong Myeong and Tang Bo speak for a while after that, and correspondingly everyone stays silent. But it doesn’t take long for an uproar to soon occur because…

“Wait wait… oh my god what the hell?” Jo Geol’s eyes widen in disbelief, mouth parting in shock. “Is…“

“Is Cheong Myeong crying!?”

“Hah? Did that bastard make our Cheong Myeong-ah cry!?”

Instantly, the disciples move to grab their swords and are ready to jump out of the forest to kill this bastard on the spot, but hands quickly grab at their persons and drag them all back into the forest in a frenzy.

“Disciples of Mount Hua,” Tang Zhan frowns. “Show some decorum and do not interrupt them…”

“But that’s our damn junior that bastard dared to make cry!” Jo Geol couldn’t help but exclaim to Tang Zhan. “Our Cheong Myeong has never shed a single tear once during our years of knowing him. What he said must have been especially cruel!”

Jo Geol was about to tear Tang Zhan’s grip on his shoulder- and the other disciples were going to turn away from their respective members who were holding onto them as well- but Tang Soso decided to speak up which had them all pause their movements.

“…grandfather wouldn’t have meant to make him cry...”

Everyone turned to look at Soso, who looked resolute as she spoke.

These disciples have only heard the troublesome gossip that surrounded her Great Elder, and fall under the same belief that majority of the Tang believe- that the Dark Saint is a cruel and merciless man.

But only a few actually knew how gentle the Dark Saint could be. Only the children have seen such a side that is so rare of the man- Tang Bo having a certain tendency to only act amiable towards the younger generation. And Soso was one of the scarce number who have experienced his warm kindness- on that day by the pond when she was younger, and the years that followed when he taught her all he knew.

“He is… he is a very kind man to those he thinks are deserving of it.” She moves her gaze back to the pair by the pond. “And based on what grandfather is doing now… I don’t think he wanted to make Cheong Myeong so sad.”

Everyone turns back to Cheong Myeong and Tang Bo, and the disciples immediately eased the tension they had originally felt when they watched how gently the Saint held their junior, the regret evident on the former’s face as he seemed to apologize.

At the sight, the disciples wordlessly go back to their original hiding positions, too perplexed but also so terribly absorbed by the scene. They knew the Dark Saint and Cheong Myeong shared a friendly relationship, but they didn’t know to this extent…

A strange new feeling unfurled amidst the disciples, but still a sense of overprotectiveness for their Cheong Myeong remained.

“Oh hahaha! Oh my god Dark Saint fell into the pond! Haha!”

Jo Geol and Yun Jong immediately chuckle at such a sight. The formidable figure they once terribly feared having lost that intimidating image he once had as he frowns in the waters.

“...And he pulled Cheong Myeong in with him… these two are rather shameless…” Baek Cheon sighed as he cradled his head. 

But in the end, there was a shared chuckle and huffs of amusement at the sight of the two now adorning lighthearted expressions as they looked at each other adoringly. Both the disciples and the Tang find it rare to see such carefreeness upon their respective members, and so they can’t help but soften at the scene.

And then, Tang Zhan notices a certain movement from his Great Elder toward the Divine Dragon, pointing back at the pair to redirect everyone’s attention.

“Oh, what are they-“

“…”

“…”

“…”

“...” 

“Oppa unblock my eyes! What are they doing!?”

“…do not unblock Soso-ya’s eyes, Pae.”

“Father! Not you too!”

“…”

While Tang Soso was fighting with her father and brothers, the Mount Hua disciples were still in a shared state of shock, their eyes practically bulging out of their head and their jaws basically dropped and onto the floor. Baek Cheon had even passed out from the sheer intensity of feeling, but unfortunately for him his fellow disciples were still too frozen to help their poor senior.

‘Cheong Myeong has a partner!? And his partner is… the Tang Family’s Dark Saint!?’

No wonder the Dark Saint allows Cheong Myeong to act so boldly towards him… They are lovers- that’s why!

Truly too much shock from so many revelations about their mysterious junior the past few days for any of the Mount Hua disciples to handle…

“Yun Jong, Jo Geol.”

Finally snapping out of their trance, Jo Geol and Yun Jong curiously turn to face Yu Iseol who had called for them. They are bewildered to find a fire alit in her eyes, rather uncharacteristic of her person. 

“This Dark Saint… we need to learn more about this man and Cheong Myeong.”

Chapter Text

“Cheong Myeong… can we… talk?”

Baek Cheon stood over his sajil with a face in a mixture of light apprehension and concern- his fellow disciples standing nearby with similar expressions. They looked down at Cheong Myeong, who was currently lounging upon one of the many couches within the Tang Residence, relaxed as he stretched himself across the cushions.

“Eh? Sure? What do you need?”

“…”

Baek Cheon’s eyes divert from Cheong Myeong as he moves his gaze over to the side. “Actually… can we talk without uh- him here too..?”

“Hm?”

Cheong Myeong looks over to where Baek Cheon was glancing at, and with a raised brow his eyes land on what he presumed was the ‘him’ his sasuk was talking about.

Tang Bo simply greeted them both with an innocent smile.

Yes, Cheong Myeong was stretched across the couch, but he had his head cushioned upon Tang Bo’s lap with the rest of his limbs splayed across the furniture. And the other had been sitting at the end of said couch with his simple pipe in hand, acting as a makeshift pillow for the swordsman.

A shameless display, really, but neither could care. They were alone originally before the disciples had come barging in. The others had no right to complain even if they wanted to.

Cheong Myeong detached himself from Tang Bo when he promptly sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the couch. He then looked over at the other who still didn’t move, only huffing out a puff of smoke as if he hadn’t been indirectly addressed at all.

“Yah, you heard them Bo-ya,” Cheong Myeong said. “They want to talk to their junior in private. I’ll meet you at that one pavilion we like when I’m done.”

Tang Bo simply hummed as he then moved to do what the other requested. “Hm. I’ll be waiting for you then, Myeong-ah.”

And with a brief pat atop the other’s hair as a parting gesture, the Saint walks out of the room and leaves Cheong Myeong alone with the Mount Hua disciples.

The disciples had watched wearily as Tang Bo went, and when the door closed behind the man, they all returned their attention back to their junior, the tension they originally felt when the Elder was present in the room easing.

“You know… just because Dark Saint looks thirty doesn’t mean he is thirty,” Jo Geol comments, trying to start things casually. “You are aware, right Cheong Myeong?”

Honestly, if you were to simply ignore the gray hair sprouting from his head, one would certainly mistake the Dark Saint for a lot younger than he actually is. Such a fact can’t help but cause the disciples to be uneasy, however, because that just demonstrates the unfathomable level of cultivation that allowed the Dark Saint to obtain such a feat.

Cheong Myeong raised an eyebrow at such a statement. “Uh, yeah? That brat is well nearing a second century in age- I am well aware.” He crosses his arms and tilts his head curiously. “Why are you all acting as if I wouldn’t know?”

“…”

Well, that clarifies one thing at least: that Cheong Myeong knows that man is much older than the other by… a lot. But it doesn’t assure them in the slightest to see how unconcerned he seemed about that fact.

“Did the Dark Saint poison you by chance?” Yun Jong piped up next.

He’s only met with a scoff. “Did you all not see how poison doesn’t affect me?”

Poisoned and under the influence? Maybe a rather redundant thought seeing how their junior had managed through all of Elder Tang Woe’s poison in that prior duel.

Baek Cheon, truly wanting to get to the bottom of this, leans down and takes his sajil by the shoulders, his expression so solemn it has Cheong Myeong’s brows slightly furrowing in concern.

“Is he ever… weird or creepy towards you? Is he forcing you into this relationship?”

His words are resolute, and he spoke in all seriousness as if the situation was so utterly dire. And it was dire for the Mount Hua disciples, them needing to figure out the relations between their junior and this enigmatic man.

In contrast, Cheong Myeong thinks these disciples are being all too absurd, shooting Baek Cheon a look as if he had lost his mind.

“…No.”

“And he didn’t use any poison to mess with your brain…”

“No- I already said no.”

“Is he paying you?”

“What are these questions?”

Seeing how Cheong Myeong is adamant that the Dark Saint isn’t manipulating him by any means, Baek Cheon took a breath to ask him the last questions they had.

“Do you truly love this Dark Saint, Myeong-ah? Do you sincerely hold him dear to your heart?”

“…”

‘Jeez… these sound like they’re asking for my marriage vows. They might as well ask me if I would take Bo-ya to be my husband even through sickness and in health or whatever they say.’

Cheong Myeong hesitated for a moment before answering, and that brief pause had the disciples immediately suspicious at the delay in his answer- interpreting such an action as being doubtful.

But just a split second after, it seemed as if his gaze became more resolute, a look to his eyes they had never witnessed before. A light blush had unwillingly dusted his cheeks at such a question, and it seemed his irises simply shone brighter as if endowed a newfound energy.

“Yes.”

A single word with a tone so assured and determined- a genuineness that could not be wavered nor broken.

Baek Cheon, hearing and witnessing the other’s tenacity, quickly retracted his hands from his sajil’s shoulders- as if he had been horribly burned.

Such a sincere face… does not quite match their junior.

And with that, the facts were settled, and it was just what they had feared. Cheong Myeong was undoubtedly in love with this man, not having been manipulated in any way, and cherished him in ways beyond their comprehension.

There was an uneasy feeling unfurling in Baek Cheon’s stomach, and he’s sure the others shared a similar sentiment.

“…No poison?” He tried one last time, defeatedly.

“No!”

Yun Jong could only look hopelessly at his sajae in despair, his pained expression reflecting a multitude of emotion ranging from pity, to dread. “Your… your taste in partners is quite awful Cheong Myeong-ah…”

“Hey!”

Baek Cheon also is left in a state of dismay, his head hanging in forlorn. “Our Myeong-ah… fallen for such a bastard of a man… I have failed as a sasuk...”

“Ayah- what has gotten into you all!?”

“But… Cheong Myeong is a bastard too is he not?” Jo Geol interjects as he rubbed his chin in thought. “Wouldn’t that mean they are made for each other..?”

“Is this bold sahyung asking for a hit on the head?”

In the end, all the disciples are left to wallow in their anguish, having to come to terms that Cheong Myeong is in love with the Dark Saint, even if it’s rather off putting to think about…

Cheong Myeong only frowns as he watches the pathetic display, still bewildered by their strange and sudden inquiries. “Well, if you all are done interrogating me like I am some criminal… I’m going to take my leave.”

And with that, Cheong Myeong stands up from the couch and starts to walk to the exit. But before he could slide open the door, Yu Iseol had walked forward and looked at him expectantly, which had him pausing as such a look meant that the other probably had one last thing to say to him.

“How did you two meet?”

A simple question, perhaps the most sane one the disciples had asked of him.

“…”

And yet it was the question Cheong Myeong finds he is the most reluctant to answer.

Cheong Myeong looked at her blankly for a moment, and then turned back to the door and finally slid it open.

But then before he stepped out, he glanced back.

“We met… a long time ago.”

And that’s all Cheong Myeong said before he walked off and closed the door behind him.

“A long time ago?”

“…”

‘Does this mean the Dark Saint had met Cheong Myeong when he was a child, while the former was still well over a century old!?’

In the end, such an answer had only spurred the disciples into a further sense of worry, their perceptions of the Dark Saint turning terribly warped with each new discovery…

“I am left in a rather… troubling situation… due to me hiding the fact I was once Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

That’s the first thing Cheong Myeong says when he walks up to the familiar pavilion Tang Bo had been sitting at, the latter already graciously pouring him a drink. And when Cheong Myeong finally sits down across from the other, he can spot the curious raised brow on his face.

“Actually, it’s not too troubling for me, but I would say it’s quite worrisome for you more so. However, it is still ultimately related to me.”

Tang Bo is only left further intrigued now that Cheong Myeong reveals that this is something that should be concerning for him. “Hm? What did they talk to you about? What makes you say that?”

Cheong Myeong takes a sip of his drink.

“They think you’re a creepy old man who preys on susceptible little children,” he says casually, watching the alcohol swirl about in his glass as he lightly swishes the cup.

“…”

Tang Bo blinked, taking a moment to process the other’s words. Due to how easily the other said it- as if he were simply relaying the weather- it took a moment to process how absurd what Cheong Myeong had just said.

And when those words finally sank in, he is then left in utter disbelief.

“What!?”

Immediately, Tang Bo slams his hands against the table in distraught which causes the surface to shake. He is near hysterical hearing such a crude thing being said about him.

“Myeong-ah, you must tell them you’re Sword Saint!” He cried, all too in distress at such information. “I am fine with being called many things, but a man who is attracted to children!? No! I’d rather die for real this time than have such a belief circulating!”

Cheong Myeong only meets his outburst with a shrug. “Should I seriously reveal my identity just for the sake of protecting your already troubling reputation?”

“My reputation is something that strikes fear into people, not having them think I’m some utterly depraved scoundrel!”

At this point, Tang Bo had his hands frustratingly lost in his hair as it seems he is on the verge of tearing all his strands out in anguish. Cheong Myeong simply sighs at his theatrics.

“One would think you would have thicker skin considering all those years you had been ostracized,” Cheong Myeong frowned. “Revealing my identity may cause problems more dire than further defamation of your character.”

At this, Tang Bo could only defeatedly move the hands in his hair to bury his face in them instead as he groaned, wallowing in the utter horror he feels with the way people are viewing him becoming too deranged for comfort.

Cheong Myeong quietly observed the spectacle as he continued to drink unbothered. But it is not a moment longer until Tang Bo recollects himself with a sigh, and brings his hands back down, returning to looking at the other.

But the look Tang Bo gives him now leaves Cheong Myeong in wonder.

“But would it really?” he asks rather quietly at first, shifting to a more solemn change in tone and feel.

“Huh?” Cheong Myeong shoots him a rather perplexed look at the sudden inquiry alongside that sudden shift in tone. “Would what really?”

“Cause serious consequences?” Tang Bo replied with a slight tilt of his head. “If you’re simply telling those closest to you, would it truly cause any dire complications?”

The Elder finally settles down, his original despair now replaced with a curiosity. His eyes narrow into an inquisitive manner, entertaining possibility. “So what if they knew? What would change exactly?”

Cheong Myeong rubs his chin as he begins to think about the other’s questions.

‘…What would change?’

In all honesty, Cheong Myeong has not really taken the time to consider what would happen if he revealed to the disciples he was Sword Saint- finding there hasn’t been a time that calls for such a reveal to be necessary.

“I mean, I feel as if it could cause things to become a little strange,” he pondered aloud.

It would be certainly weird for the disciples to find out that their great ancestor had reincarnated into a young boy, he supposed.

Cheong Myeong looks down at the cup in his hand, his reflection able to be seen in the contents. “Perhaps I am hesitant as I do not wish for them to view me any differently?”

The uncertainty was clear, Cheong Myeong’s words and thoughts unsure. Tang Bo can only frown at that- both him and the swordsman aware such an answer wasn’t sufficient enough for the both of them.

“But would they really view you any differently if in the end, you still remained their junior Cheong Myeong, and no longer will you ever be Plum Blossom Sword Saint again?” Tang Bo continued to prod, the words in contrast to Cheong Myeong’s hesitant own slipping easily from his lips. “Sword Saint will remain in the past, and never will they actually meet him, for you are no longer him, and he is gone- so what is the point for them to dwell on previous identity?”

Cheong Myeong bites his lip, contemplating. Tang Bo’s pointed gaze doesn’t leave the swordsman’s face for even a second, as if searching for something within that expression. Noticing the conflict that graces the other’s face, Tang Bo decides to soften his tone to not overwhelm the other as he carefully chooses his next words.

“Myeong-ah, I hope you are aware I’m not pressuring you to tell them for my sake anymore, but more so for your’s,” he decidedly says, a clarification that he is not pressing the other for his own benefit.

“…For my sake?”

Tang Bo nods. “Hiding such a thing must take at least a somewhat formidable weight on your being. Telling them would relieve it, and will also have them understand you a bit more.”

“You already bear enough as is Cheong Myeong-ah, let them share a part of it with you.”

“Because in the end, you all share one common goal, and that is acting for Mount Hua, and embodying all that is Mount Hua. So make it easier for all of you to achieve such a goal by telling them, hm?”

“…”

Honestly, everything Tang Bo is reasoning makes sense, and hearing it aloud really helped Cheong Myeong solidify his thoughts and finally address something he pushed aside since the beginning.

None of the words said were wrong, and Cheong Myeong can see himself becoming convinced that revealing such a secret wouldn’t be too awful of an idea.

Really, the most such a reveal would create is a slight inconvenience, most likely shifting the comfortable dynamic he already had with them- and it may take some time for them to adjust to such a fact. But in the end, he truly was still Cheong Myeong, and the disciples would know that, and they can do nothing about it- for such a past identity is well behind him now.

And yes- finally telling them would also relieve him of the weight of keeping such a secret, leaving him one less burden from the mountain he carried.

Ultimately, the pros outweigh the cons…

…And yet, something still tugs at him- something telling him that he shouldn’t- but he isn’t quite sure what. All reason and logic tells him it’ll be okay, and it shouldn’t be this hard to accept such facts as he always viewed himself as someone rather pragmatic, someone who has favored choices that were the most likely.

But there is another force that has him remaining doubtful, tugging and restraining him.

Why does he still hesitate? What makes him pause and look the other direction? The most realistic outcome here is that the truth would not cause any problems and-

“Pity.”

Tang Bo paused and tilted his head at the curious response, and he only became more puzzled when he saw Cheong Myeong’s strange expression. The swordsman’s brow furrows as he takes a moment to blink in bewilderment, looking as if he didn’t intend to voice such a thing aloud- like he had subconsciously conjured the answer and his body unwillingly let it through without a second thought.

‘Ha- so that’s what that feeling was…’

No wonder he is hesitant despite the facts well settled and determined it will lead to the best result. For all sense and reason will ultimately become futile when something like this comes into play- something that renders anything else meaningless and overpowers the mind.

It was fear.

Cheong Myeong, deep down, was afraid- and nothing else makes sense when such an emotion reels his mind.

He takes a breath, and it felt as if the moment he had said that word, his mind was formulating all the thoughts he seemed to have been repressing this entire time, all of it being revealed in that moment. It seems that Cheong Myeong had always known that this wasn’t a matter of convenience, but a matter that regarded his personal fears- all of which he had suppressed and tried to ignore since returning.

But with Tang Bo having managed to pry it out… it all came tumbling down like an avalanche.

He meets the other’s gaze, agitated, but still decidedly takes a breath in an attempt to calm himself.

At this rate, he supposed there was no point in trying to hide it from Tang Bo- and himself too.

And so carefully, and slowly, Cheong Myeong chooses to cross a territory he was never familiar with, even in his past life, taking a moment to try and piece together these foreign feelings alongside words he never thought would ever be voiced aloud by him.

“They would look at me with pity if they knew” he says quietly- voice so small it was barely above a whisper.

For them to look at him with saddened gazes knowing how he had failed to maintain Kangho’s once most prosperous sect- the one he had loved so dearly that he ultimately let fall due to his carelessness…

But did he really love it so dearly? If he had truly loved Mount Hua as much as he thinks, he would have contributed more- right?

“Or perhaps hatred. They would have the right to feel such a thing.”

Hatred for someone who boasted so much about being ‘the strongest’ to only turn out so weak in the end. That it was all due to his younger self’s negligence did those poor disciples grow up with scraps and ruin when they could have been building a formidable reputation through proper training from the beginning.

These reactions- Cheong Myeong believed he would not be able to handle it. For them to look at him so pitifully. To look at him in a mixture of hurt and disdain for being the reason for ruin of their beloved sect.

And it hurts him more knowing he deserves such a fate.

His eyes did not meet Tang Bo’s. And he keeps it that way because he does not want to see the other’s reaction to his sudden outburst. And yet he kept talking- Cheong Myeong continuing to spill out all that has haunted him, and he hoped Tang Bo did not think he was pathetic during any of it.

“I now realize… I’ve been hesitant because I am afraid to have them know of my failure as their ancestor…”

“How this foolish ancestor caused all of Mount Hua’s fall, for the Cultists only went after Mount Hua after I had beheaded Cheon Ma- me taking all the glory and being known as the one ending the war whereas my sajils suffered for it.”

“How their ancestor refused to do anything prior to the war that could have prevented such a terrible outcome for the future generations because of my arrogance.”

“How I-”

“-Cheong Myeong.”

Cheong Myeong flinched at the stern addressment, and looked up. Tang Bo’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he was met with a look of worry from the other.

Without another word from either of them, Cheong Myeong watched as Tang Bo carefully shifted over to Cheong Myeong’s side, and then from his sleeves pulls out a bottle of disinfectant and bandages.

‘Huh?’

Tang Bo then very slowly, as if he wanted Cheong Myeong to not be startled with any sudden movements, reached for his hands and-

Oh.

His hands were bleeding.

That’s why the other had brought out medicinal supplies.

He had clenched his fists so hard his fingers managed to cut into his hand.

Gently, Tang Bo pried his fingers off the palms they had dug so terribly deep in, the tips of his nails stained with a crimson alongside the rest of his hands. And from there Tang Bo poured disinfectant and began to wipe away the blood.

The familiar sting of the medicine grounded Cheong Myeong, bringing him back from the overwhelming whirlwind that had suddenly tore through his thoughts.

Tang Bo worked diligently as he cleaned him up, his eyes not taking off those hands, even when he began to speak again.

“Myeong-ah, would those disciples of yours truly do such a thing?”

Tang Bo spoke softly, quietly- a contrast to Cheong Myeong’s roaring thoughts and feeling.

“The fall of Mount Hua was not entirely your fault… The damn other sects and clans did not raise a single finger to help one of their own during their direst needs.”

Yes- Tang Bo was right. Where were Mount Hua’s alliances during that time? Where was Shaolin, Wudang- the others a part of the Great Sects?

“You are but a single man, and Mount Hua was a single sect. You both alone could not have fended off all of those bastards even if you all were ‘a little stronger’ or ‘trained a little harder’.”

“None of you are to blame…”

“...For you were all but victims of Kangho’s selfishness.”

“…”

Blood no longer flowed from his wounds, but the cuts remained bright red and fresh. Tang Bo grabbed the bandages to wrap around his palms and fingers. Neither speak for a moment, but hearing the other’s lack of response, Tang Bo decides he would take the liberty to continue voicing his thoughts.

“You know, those disciples… I am not well familiar with them, but I know they would never look at you in such a way if they found out.”

“They would only take such information as you having loved your sect so dearly you sacrificed your all for it.”

Tang Bo then briefly pauses his movements to look up at Cheong Myeong, his eyes steeled and adamant, as if the next words he is about to relay he wanted to resound within Cheong Myeong and engrave into his being.

“They wouldn’t blame you,” he said earnestly, laced with a great tenacity in an attempt to have the other believe his words.

“You, yourself, are the only one searching for a reason to blame you.”

“…”

And with that, Tang Bo finally finishes up the impromptu treatment, satisfied with his neatly carried out work. And when finished he simply let his hands hold Cheong Myeong’s own as he looked at him with a small and reassuring smile.

Cheong Myeong had his lips pursed tightly, remaining quiet as he had merely watched the other silently the entire time he patched him up.

But each word he had clung onto and listened, and each one had resounded greatly with him.

“…Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you Myeong-ah?”

The swordsman nods, the easy gesture the only response he finds he can give at the moment. And Tang Bo doesn’t mind- he understands he said a lot, and it’ll take time to mull over the multitude of words he had just relayed.

But it’s okay, Cheong Myeong doesn’t need to make a decision immediately anyways- nor is he required to do so. Either choice Cheong Myeong decides upon Tang Bo will be alongside him.

And in addition, no matter the outcome, Tang Bo will still be by his side, in all his usual manner with gleaming curious eyes that adore him, and his lips parted with always something to say.

Gingerly, the Elder brought one of Cheong Myeong’s hands toward his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against his bandaged palm.

Despite not even hitting bare skin, Cheong Myeong found that the touch burned.

“Just… consider telling them,” Tang Bo then says as he brings the hand he had just kissed to press alongside his cheek, leaning into the warmth of the swordsman’s palm as he holds it against his face. “But do not be pressured because of me.”

An amused glint in his eye could be found as he watches the way Cheong Myeong’s face then blooms in a light shade of red at such intimacy.

“…But just note that it would be ideal for them to know I do not have a thing for significantly younger individuals…” Tang Bo then couldn’t help but grumble into his palm, his original worries returning to taunt him.

Cheong Myeong snorted at the other’s words as he rolled his eyes. His thumb moves to carry out a light rub across the plane of the other’s face.

Moments like these, as he gazes upon his lover, makes Cheong Myeong realize how much he adored Tang Bo’s way of loving. A way of loving that many wouldn’t think someone like the Dark Saint would have- nor be capable of having.

And yet here Tang Bo showcases a sense of gentleness and care that reminded Cheong Myeong of his sahyungs from the past, a deep sense of adoration that was akin to the four disciples that he had connected with within this present, and then the unique sense of love from Tang Bo himself- which has remained unwavering and constant, past and present.

Tang Bo was an embodiment of love and all its definitions, synonyms, and derivatives- all the things that brought Cheong Myeong a kind warmth under his skin, and alit a great fire within his being.

It truly was a wonder how such a man like Tang Bo is filled with so much of something he was denied near all his life- knowing how to love so passionately despite ostracization and outcast.

…And sometimes, Cheong Myeong feels like he lacks such a prospect despite having been fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by such unconditional love all his life. Feeling as if he is being unfair…

But- staring at the content and bliss on the other’s face, perhaps he isn’t doing half bad.

Perhaps Tang Bo already knows, and always will be able to know. And that’s why Cheong Myeong loves him so much. He understood the swordsman despite his lack of words, many who have never been able to reach such a level of connection with, as Cheong Myeong always been rather detached from others.

The swordsman breathes out a content sigh, finding that he is no longer overwhelmed by the wrack of emotion that had agitated him earlier.

Truly, it was thanks to Tang Bo he was able to become grounded once again, and so Cheong Myeong finds he is so terribly grateful to have someone like Tang Bo as his partner.

Grateful he is even able to have his partner by his side once again.

For a moment, the two simply basked in each other’s presence, taking the time to truly absorb the fact they are together and well, both breathing alongside hearts beating.

The sky was clear today, the trees swayed musically, and Cheong Myeong and Tang Bo were alive and loved each other. Simple facts that were unwavering in truth, and will never waver- even beyond death, and beyond a singular lifetime, apparently.

“You know, I don't have to reveal my identity to them,” Cheong Myeong suddenly said, and Tang Bo blinked, thinking that the other had finally made up his mind and this was his final decision.

And Tang Bo was fine with that.

But then, the swordsman’s lips curled in a way that had Tang Bo perplexed, but then leaving him worried..

Worrying for himself, for Tang Bo recognized that it was a look from Cheong Myeong that suggested mischief.

“I could just let them believe that you are a weird old man, and I am a poor naive young boy who has fallen for your dark and manipulative ways…”

“…”

The hand around the swordsman’s seems to tighten as he is perturbed at such a prospect. “Myeong-ah, please do not treat your lover like this…”

Cheong Myeong turns away, pretending as if he hadn’t heard the other.

“Myeong-ah!” Tang Bo calls out in exasperation as he then brings his free hand to the other’s unoccupied cheek to try and use both his hands to move his head back to look at him. Unfortunately, the other is very adamant on not meeting the other’s gaze like the nuisance he is. “You did not have the will to respond to anything I said previously, but suddenly you have such an energy when it comes to teasing me?”

“Very strong breeze today…” is all Cheong Myeong says, ignoring the other. “Hard to hear anything with this wind…”

Tang Bo sighs, and defeatedly decides to speak words that he knows will have Cheong Myeong stopping acting like such a brat.

“…I’ll steal from the Lord’s alcohol stash if you stop ignoring this Tang Bo.”

And just as expected, Cheong Myeong immediately perked up and looked at the other with shining eyes at the idea of tasting Tang Family wine after so long of having not had it.

“Suddenly the breeze stopped right before you said that,” he grinned.

“Bastard…”

Cheong Myeong softly laughs at Tang Bo’s easy relentence- his heart having grown lighter after such a cathartic conversation. And then Tang Bo couldn’t help but follow, discarding his pout to meet Cheong Myeong’s laugh with a chuckle of his own.

Later, Cheong Myeong will seriously consider and mull over Tang Bo’s words, and soon will have to come to a decision that may or may not cause great change in his life once again.

But for now, he stays in that small pavilion, together with Tang Bo as they sat in each other’s embrace- savoring the warm feeling of being able to hear the other’s joy once again…

And really, it almost felt as if they had never parted from each other in the first place.

‘The Dark Saint was granted such a title for his unparalleled martial prowess with the dagger, alongside forming many of the legendary arts that allowed the Tang Family’s preferred weapon to instill fear amidst many in Kangho.

Currently, as this book is written, he lays comatose deep within the Tang’s Residence, recovering from serious injury resulting from war. He remains in stable condition; however, when he will wake remains unknown.’

Baek Cheon blinks hard and rapidly after finishing the excerpt, attempting to rid the tiredness that is causing his eyelids to droop in fatigue.

“All of these books and yet they all repeat the same thing…” He frustratingly closes the current book he had in hand and puts it back in its rightful spot on a shelf. “What’s the point of creating so many recollections of the same topic if they’re just going to say the same five details about this man?”

His fellow disciples seem to be having the same troubles as him as groans ring out in response to his comment.

“Tch- I think it’s already known that this guy is somewhat of a genius I guess,” Jo Geol eyerolled. “But is there anything else about him they can talk about other than his stupid daggers?”

“Apparently not…” Yun Jong grumbled as he put away the eighth paper document that mentioned the Dark Saint and his very limited historical accounts.

The Mount Hua disciples are currently scattered in the Tang Residence’s library, attempting to uncover some kind of new information on the Dark Saint.

If they’re going to have someone court their junior, they should at least know a little bit about his character. But they are already quite disapproving of him in all honesty… and these books are certainly no help in easing their judgment.

So what if he was a genius? Could he use that genius brain of his to realize that their Cheong Myeong could be the age of a great grandson to him?

In forlorn, the disciples continued to murmur amongst themselves their shared frustration as they continued to sort through the many books of the Tang. But after some passing time, their trancelike research was soon interrupted by someone coming in due to hearing the racket they were all making.

“Ayah! So you were all the ones causing such a ruckus in here. Show some decorum, you are all guests!”

Waltzing in with a scold comes Tang Soso, not amused by the sight of the messy library.

The disciples look tiredly up at the Lord’s daughter, grimacing in light embarrassment at her reprimand.

“…Sorry… we’ll be quieter…”

“You all better be,” Tang Soso huffs.

A little curious as to what exactly the disciples could have been researching about, Tang Soso takes the liberty to step further into the room and glance over the piles of books that are laid by the closest table. When she is close enough to see the cover of one, she is then left intrigued when she recognizes it.

“Eh? A book about grandfather?” She turns to the nearest disciple, which happens to be Yu Iseol. “What are you all doing researching him?”

Yu Iseol simply tilts her head. “We are curious.”

“Why don’t you just ask him personally any inquiries you have about him?”

“…”

All the disciples turn their heads away from Tang Soso, pretending as if they had not heard her, to which the girl frowns at.

“I suppose grandfather can seem a bit… unapproachable” she says.

They all looked at her with raised brows, their faces basically screaming: ‘you think?’

Tang Soso could only chuckle sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, I guess if you don’t want to talk to him…”

She moves to sit down at an unoccupied chair, and looks over at the disciples with a shine in her eyes. “You can ask me! I’ve known him since he woke up. And he’s told me a lot,” she says proudly.

The disciples look at Tang Soso as if she was their savior, the life in their eyes rekindling knowing that they will be able to find out something that is beyond the superficial details about the Dark Saint these dusty books could only provide.

The group scooted their chairs closer to Tang Soso, surrounding her as if she was a mother about to tell her children a fairytale

Jo Geol was the first to shoot an eager question, leaning forward enthusiastically. “Is his dagger technique really that good? Or is it all a bunch of the Tang Family acting all high and mighty?”

Yun Jong facepalms hearing such a childish question. “Of course he asks this. You could only dream about going against that guy Geol,” he scoffs. “And even in that dream you would still lose…”

“Yes, listen to your sahyung!” Soso says with a strong nod. “Grandfather truly isn’t someone to take lightly. He wasn’t called the Dark Saint for just any reason…”

Jo Geol’s shoulders droop at such an answer. “Fine- I just needed to make sure,” Jo Geol sighs. “Just in case.”

Tang Soso snorts.

But in all honesty, she has never witnessed Tang Bo in a serious battle. Well, she has seen him in duels and spars, but during those she had never seen him go beyond throwing more than a singular dagger for an opponent. Nobody who had dared challenged him ever managed to survive past one simple and swift throw of his blade…

And so Tang Soso could only imagine how terrifying he must be when he met someone who was somewhat formidable as an opponent- could only imagine what he was like during the war.

She shivered at the thought, hoping that she would never be subjected to the other side of his dagger.

“How did he get injured?”

Yu Iseol was the next to ask a question, and Soso snapped out of her thoughts as she couldn’t help but turn suddenly solemn at such a question.

“He told me that there was a cultist bastard that had managed to sneak up on him,” Soso quickly relayed. She then raised a hand towards her chest, somewhat near the area above her heart. “It was nearly his heart that was hit, but luckily it had just missed him by a mere breadth.”

“It took many of our best physicians to keep him stable at first, but I believe his formidable amount of internal qi played a big role in keeping himself alive during all these years as well.”

Yu Iseol, satisfied by the answer, nods her head in understanding.

And then, for Baek Cheon:

“Did he… did he mention anyone he was close with before?”

A more personal question. Something that was prying at all of the disciples’ minds but didn’t wish to ask immediately at first.

“…Perhaps a past lover?” Baek Cheon then adds on.

Tang Soso blinks at such a question, and finally it clicks as to why the disciples are suddenly so insistent on learning more about her Great Elder. “So that’s why you’re all asking about him,” she snickered. “It’s because he’s too personal with Cheong Myeong, isn’t it?”

Their lack of response is all Soso needed to know, her all too amused by their overprotectiveness over their junior despite how often they are shown bickering and disagreeing with him.

“He certainly did mention someone quite a lot, but he would often call him hyung.” Tang Soso scratches her head as she tries to remember. “Ayah- the title that guy went by was also a mouthful.”

She takes a moment to think long and hard, trying to rack her brain for anything. The disciples eyed her expectantly, and then became intrigued to see her suddenly light up with a snap of her fingers- an indication that she had managed to remember something.

“Actually- there should be a book that mentioned that guy.”

Everyone watched eagerly as Tang Soso stood up and weaved through the piles of books and documents that littered the floor. She then reaches a particular corner amongst the shelves, and pulls out a book with a faded front- its title no longer visible.

It’s clear she was well familiar with the book, quickly flipping towards a specific page, and then began to read aloud once she found what she was looking for.

“…The Dark Saint is commended for his numerous contributions to the Tang Family as aforementioned; and yet it is said that he had been ostracized from the Family despite this…”

Yes, the disciples are well aware of this, having read this same description simply reworded perhaps countless times by now. But the following segment of the book Tang Soso next relays has their ears perking up in great interest this time, for she says new details that they have not come across yet.

“There are not many accounts of those the Dark Saint was close with- indicative of the inability to derive information about this individual beyond mere observational accounts from outsiders- however, there was but one person in Kangho who was said to be allowed to be in the Dark Saint’s friendly gaze…”

“…Mount Hua’s 13th generation disciple, the equally renowned Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

The disciples sit up at the mention of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, a sense of shock running through all of them.

“Eh!? He was friends with our ancestor!?”

“And not just any ancestor… our Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”

It was a shame that Mount Hua had lost majority of their recorded history during the war, and so the disciples did not know anything about their great ancestor beyond having ended the war and being one of the strongest swordsmen to grace the earth.

And so they scramble to form an unwavering attentiveness, trying to obtain any scraps of information about their ancestor they could find.

Tang Soso continued reading.

“There have been many witnesses attesting to having often seen the two Saints strolling together through markets, taverns, and along Mount Hua’s and the Tang Residence’s grounds. According to witnesses from the Tang, they are said to have been surprised to see the Dark Saint acting so amicable towards another, and if anything lively when near the Plum Blossom Sword Saint. For those within Mount Hua, some have said that they are shocked to see the Sword Saint so tolerant of someone so spirited.”

“The pair were so close, they ultimately were bestowed the title ‘The Twin Sovereigns’- a title that demonstrated their friendship and acknowledgment of their equalling grand strength.”

Tang Soso then began to skip through certain pages of the book, and the disciples were left all the more intrigued- wanting to hear more information on not only Tang Bo, but their ancestor as well.

Tang Soso then let out a small ‘aha!’ when she found the certain snippet she wanted to share.

“Things to also take note: other accounts in particular that are especially intriguing is that some have speculated that they go beyond simply acquaintances…”

Now such an anecdote definitely had the disciples’ jaws dropping in sheer shock at such an idea- that this Dark Saint could have been lovers with their great ancestor.

“Beyond… simply acquaintances…”

Baek Cheon groans as he is now seen on the floor and on his hands and knees, head hung low in utter despair.

What’s with this sticky Tang ancestor and his infatuation with the disciples of Mount Hua, huh?

“The author does note it is based on speculation,” Yu Iseol tries to supply helpfully for her despairing sahyung. But a part of her says this more so to try and convince herself as well that this could not be true…

Unfortunately for the both of them, Tang Soso tsked at her comment, her head shaking adamantly to disagree. “No no… they were definitely lovers.”

“And how would you know?” Yun Jong asks with raised brows.

Tang Soso ruffles a hand through her hair. “Ayah… you should see how grandfather is when he used to tell me about Sword Saint- terribly infatuated he was… Truly saddening to know he lost someone so dear to him…”

“I don’t think he had ever mentioned someone so fondly from his earlier days,” she ended wistfully.

Well, the disciples couldn’t help but sympathize with the Dark Saint somewhat. It must be hard to lose a lover that history said were seemingly inseparable.

But things are different. The Dark Saint has someone new that he seems to hold terribly close to his heart now.

…Is of course what the group can’t help but hope to assume. A wishful thinking they pray is true.

“He’s not in love with him anymore… right?” Jo Geol pipes up, vocalizing everyone else’s worry. “Because he’s now in love with Cheong Myeong.”

“…”

The disciples are not pleased to see Tang Soso purse her lips as her eyes divert away from them.

“I… I don’t know…” she admits weakly.

Yu Iseol’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”

“Well…”

Before Tang Soso could elaborate, it was as if the universe was well aware of what this meddling group was conspiring about, and decided to have Tang Bo untimely walk in at that moment.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear- or so they say.

“Now, what is all this commotion in the library?”

The Elder is met with the sight of papers and books sprawled across the library’s tables and floors, alongside frazzled Mount Hua disciples with Tang Soso sharing the sentiment within the mix. Immediately he frowns and brings his hands to his hips, and the group grimace at his expression that seemed he was ready to give a scolding.

“Ah, er- we apologize for the noise, Dark Saint,” says Baek Cheon in his diplomatic fashion as he begins to rise.

To Baek Cheon’s relief, the Elder merely sighed and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Yah… it’s fine. Just clean up after yourselves, yes?”

Resounding affirmation echo throughout the occupants, and Tang Bo gives an agreeable hum at their responses.

And so it looked like Tang Bo’s impromptu appearance was going to be brief, a simple curiosity as to what could have been happening in the library quickly satiated. But then the disciples watched as Tang Soso quickly got up before the man could leave.

“Ah, grandfather!” She calls out. “I… we actually have a question, if we may ask?”

Tang Soso briefly glances back at the disciples after she says this, a look to her eye as if saying ‘watch carefully’. And so the disciples did, careful to blink in case they missed whatever Soso wanted to show them.

“Hm? Why, I wouldn’t mind answering Soso-ya,” Tang Bo replied as he then turned away from the exit and went back to facing the group, wondering as to what they could have in store for him.

“We are uh… curious… about this particular individual you once knew in the past,” Tang Soso began to say. “It was… Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

The Elder blinked in surprise at the sudden inquiry about that man in particular. “Sword Saint? Have I not told you about him, Soso-ya?”

“Ah, but we’re quite curious, since he was our ancestor and all…” Yun Jong mentions.

Tang Bo rubs his chin. “That makes sense I suppose.”

Tang Bo moved to fully walk into the room and settle himself amidst the group, all of them keen to learn more and staring at him intently.

“Well, luckily for you guys, I was quite close with him,” Tang Bo began as his gaze surveyed the disciples.

Honestly, he hadn’t gotten the time to truly interact nor even fully look at these Mount Hua disciples Cheong Myeong had grown close with. But he finds this may be a good opportunity to see these new people his love has met and grown quite fond of.

“And all I can say is that this ancestor of yours… is quite the pain of the ass!”

“...eh?”

The disciples look over at Soso in confusion, and Soso looks back at them just as puzzled.

‘Watch how your grandfather talks about Sword Saint..? Yeah we’re definitely watching- and it sounds like he hates the guy?’

“That… that’s not what you have told me, grandfather..?” Tang Soso points out shakily.

“Eh?” Tang Bo frowns at Soso’s comment as he rubs the back of his head. “Well, I’ve had a change of heart recently…”

At such an answer, the disciples and Tang Soso fell under the impression that the thing that had caused this ‘change of heart’ was his new relationship with the Divine Dragon- a sense of hope rekindling that the other has moved on to someone anew.

But in reality…

‘Change of heart due to him making me his errand boy and stealing wine for him… eugh.’

Wanting to learn more, Jo Geol became the first amongst the disciples to gallantly ask the Saint a question. “Could you explain then why you call our ancestor an asshole?”

He isn’t offended that the Elder had called their renowned ancestor such a thing, but instead left more so puzzled and wanting an elaboration.

Tang Bo scowls, unintentionally causing the room to become colder and for everyone else in it to shiver. Based on such reaction, they ant first assumed the Sword Saint had managed to offend him greatly in such a way, but instead they are met with an exasperated rant- as if nagging.

“He is always beating somebody up,” Tang Bo complains with a deepening frown. “Or drinking, or just having a serious attitude!”

“Always leeching money off of me for food and alcohol… Might as well consider him a robber in broad daylight! Hell- you could just call him a robber in general- day and night would he steal, steal, and steal! And he would always preach about being a Taoist despite his gluttony for violence and a good meat dish.”

Tang Bo crossed his arms with a huff. “Sorry that I had to be the one to tell you, but your Plum Blossom Sword Saint, while great in swordsmanship and cultivation, is really awful in personality.”

“…”

Such a lengthy string of complaints the group was certainly not expecting, but hearing such a rant gives the disciples a feel of deja vu… Finding such qualities happening to fit another particular Mount Hua disciple they know rather well.

Wait…

‘Could it be… that’s why the Dark Saint is attracted to Cheong Myeong? Because he was so akin to the Sword Saint he was once lovers with?’

Before the disciples could really further such a troublesome thought, Tang Bo continued speaking, and they all paused to listen in case they would miss anything important.

And when their attention draws back to the Elder, they find that annoyed and frustrated expression had been eased into something… softer. They cannot help but freeze seeing such a sight, complicated feelings arising within them.

“But despite that… hyung is a good man.”

They note the shift in his tone, one that was gentler compared to just a few moments ago.

“He is… harsh in word and action, but when you get to know him, you would find how his thoughts contradict them.”

There was a light smile on the Elder’s face now, as if amused as he began to reminisce about the other.

“Sometimes you could spot that slight furrow in his brow, or clenching of his fist that indicated he cared despite trying so hard to look aloof- pah! He is not that cool by the way. Especially when he’s drunk.”

He pauses, then Tang Bo coughs into his fist, finding that he is accidentally going back to complaining about the other. He quickly shifts back to the original intent of his words this time.

“He is passionate about those he loves- especially Mount Hua- and gives his all to them, dedicating his very last breath to the sect he grew up in.”

And then, the disciples were struck when they saw how the Elder’s eyes shined impossibly brighter, and that smile of his becoming all the more warm.

“...And I fell in love with his way of loving,” he relays so profoundly.

“His loyalty, his passion, his spirit. He has so much love in his heart, and seeing it encouraged me to break away from my previous ways of isolation just to get a taste of it- to try and have him share a piece of it with someone like me who never knew it.”

“And when he finally did, I reveled in it. His love taught me things I didn’t know I was capable of feeling and doing. And in the end, I found myself becoming someone who wished to give my all to another despite never caring to think about anyone else before- believing originally I was bound to a fate of being a heartless outcast…”

“...”

‘Ah, so this is what Soso meant…’

‘That look of love… it’s too apparent- blinding, even.’

The disciples did not like this- an uncomfortable feeling unraveling in their chests as they stared at that Elder who had nothing but infatuation gracing his face as he spoke of their ancestor lovingly.

Suddenly the air felt stifling, becoming harder to breathe in.

“Are you… are you still in love with the Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”

They watched as the Elder merely scoffed, as if such a question was so ridiculous. And honestly, to the others it did seem redundant at this point, because after seeing how fond the other spoke of the Sword Saint… the answer was already clear without needing to be said.

“Yes.”

A singular word, so assured- the decades of continued devotion for his only love empowering it.

And all the disciples couldn’t help but grimace at such fondness in his tone, the sincerity in his face, and the shine in his eyes as Tang Bo answered the simple question.

Such a scene only gave them all a twisted feeling in their guts, the confirmation that the Dark Saint was still in love with another despite being with Cheong Myeong currently making them feel terribly ill.

This was all too unfair to Cheong Myeong, and Tang Bo did not seem to feel even the slightest hint of remorse for such immoral action.

It took the disciples all their willpower not to try and strike down the Dark Saint for his audacity.

“Well, I think I said enough for today,” Tang Bo quickly said as he began to rise from his seat, oblivious to the murderous glares and darkened expressions the disciples now directed at him. He spoke too kindly of the other for too long, and finds that he shouldn’t do such a thing when the man he speaks so generously about was in reality, a real bastard.

“Let me know if you need anything else, kids!”

And so the Dark Saint exited through the doors of the library- leaving behind four silently enraged Mount Hua disciples, and a woeful Tang Soso.

“Gah! I’m going to seriously kill that bastard!”

“Geol… you couldn’t even land a hit if you tried…”

“What a cruel man… Is he simply using Cheong Myeong? That seems to be the case.”

The disciples throw curses and begin to formulate some kind of plan to be able to separate this vile man from their junior.

But while they were occupied with that, Tang Soso was left confused about something else…

“Did you all notice something?” she asks, interrupting the disciples’ scheming.

“Notice what?”

“The way the Dark Saint speaks of Plum Blossom Sword Saint… as if he were still alive.”

“…”

As the disciples reflected back on the conversation, they did realize that Tang Soso was right- the Dark Saint’s strange mannerism of referring to their ancestor as if he were in the present.

There were no ‘was’, but there were ‘is” spoken instead.

“Maybe old age is getting to him and he is mistaking Cheong Myeong as Plum Blossom Sword Saint…” Jo Geol frowns as he rubs the back of his head.

“That sounds crazy,” Tang Soso eyerolls. “He’s old but not incoherent.”

“Well- maybe there is something wrong with his brain for him to trick our sajae like this” Jo Geol says rather snippy.

Such a tone had Soso pursing her lips, her eyes moving downcast as she is reminded how strange her grandfather was for this. She had believed he had a better sense of morals than this- somewhat. But this? Essentially cheating on his current lover? She cannot help but feel terribly disheartened, believing he would not be that kind of man!

But this small detail… it lingers on her mind for some reason.

Because during all the times Tang Bo had previously talked about Sword Saint with her before, he always included a past tense- and also had a more melancholic tone amidst his words, even if he were recalling a happy memory. His eyes would also always look so wistful- mournful for the love he has now lost no matter what he had reminisced.

But for some reason, this time he speaks of Sword Saint with a lightened tone, as if the other was not too nearby and was awaiting to fall back into step with him at any moment. Speaking of and recalling memories of Sword Saint as if there were many more opportunities that are to come to make new ones.

As if her Great Elder had never lost Plum Blossom Sword Saint, and the latter was alive and well.

It would be rather uncharacteristic of her grandfather to be so sentimental to the point of pretending as a coping mechanism… And she has seen him accept the fact the other was gone long ago.

Tang Soso shakes her head, trying to wave away such thoughts.

…Perhaps she’s thinking too deep into this.

She wistfully gazes down at the book she had read to the disciples moments ago. She could recall that particular biography about her grandfather her favorite- revealing a side of her Great Elder in a differing light compared to other historical interpretations.

But with a sigh, she placed it back into its original spot.

Turns out there are more sides to her grandfather that she has yet to unveil that she never thought she would view with contempt.

“Eugh… the Dark Saint is a total creep.”

“Ayah… Grandfather is a cheater…”

“Should we… do something?”

Tang Soso and the Mount Hua disciples have reconvened at a small pavilion within the residence- wallowing in a shared confusion and anguish that continues to conflict their minds upon learning more about the different sides of that sinister Dark Saint.

It’s only been a day since their insightful conversation with the Elder, and they still cannot help but feel mournful for their poor and clueless junior.

“But what should we do?” Yu Iseol frowns.

“Perhaps we should try and tell Cheong Myeong,” Yun Jong sighs.

“But…”

The disciples couldn’t help but feel hesitant on such an idea.

They had never seen their junior so happy- looking so free, so infatuated, so no longer lonely. It would break their hearts to tell Cheong Myeong how he is being betrayed, being used.

…But on the other hand, they did not like to abide by the side despite being well aware their junior is directing all his adoration to an undeserving man.

“We can… figure this out later,” is all Baek Cheon says- still rather overcome with despair at this awful situation, any logic currently replaced with nothing but gloom.

The group all hung their heads dejectedly, but then moments later they are all looking back up when a certain voice calls out to them.

“Soso-ya~!”

The disciples groan and Tang Soso grimaces.

They all turn to find that wretched man alongside their dear junior, the two in step with each other as they walk up to the pavilion. But what’s intriguing was what the Dark Saint had in his arms- numerous papers and accompanying scrolls piled in his grasp.

“Hello grandfather.” Tang Soso detaches from her unfurling contempt to courteously greet her Elder. “What brings you here?”

They watch as Tang Bo walks up to the table in the pavilion and dumps all he had onto the surface in front of Soso. “I’ve gathered some of my personal recollections regarding me and the Plum Blossom Sword Saint,” he grins. “Since you were so interested in it prior.”

“Eh? These guys want to know about you and Plum Blossom Sword Saint?” Cheong Myeong asked with a raised brow. “Do they know that man was a complete fool?”

Tang Bo crossed his arms as he shot the other a smile. “Well- I think he was quite wonderful!”

Cheong Myeong eyerolled at his comment. “Well I think he was nothing but an arrogant and useless man of an ancestor.”

“Don’t talk about him like that,” Tang Bo pouts lightly. “We both know he was more than just a brute.”

“…brute?”

Cheong Myeong’s tone takes a sharp turn. “Now… I didn’t call him a brute…”

Tang Bo shifts nervously as he realizes his mistake- the slip of tongue he didn’t really mean to happen. “Why are you suddenly raising your fist for the sake of defending his honor? Were you not calling him a pompous alcoholic moments ago Myeong-ah?”

“…Nor did I call him a pompous alcoholic. Do you want to join him, you audacious Elder?”

“But I can’t join- ow!”

The disciples nod approvingly at their junior hitting the Elder, an action they unanimously agree is well deserved and long overdue.

‘Hit him ten- no- a hundred times harder next time Cheong Myeong-ah!’

They all watch as the two then fall into bickering, and Soso sighs at the sight and decides to interject, snapping the both out of their quarrel.

“Thank you grandfather,” she grits out. She outstretched her arms to bring the papers and scrolls closer to her. “How truly generous of you. This will certainly aid in furthering our research.”

Tang Bo straightens his posture with a cough, ignoring the bump that has now formed atop his head. “My pleasure, Soso-ya,” he huffs out proudly.

Soso couldn’t help but then glance over at Cheong Myeong, who does nothing but return to a relaxed stance with his hands casually clasped against his back as he stood next to Tang Bo.

‘Does Cheong Myeong know about how grandfather is still in love with another!? Based on how easygoing he looks… he probably has no idea!’

But she does note the clear animosity that boy has towards his ancestor… Gah! It’ll be even worse if he found out her grandfather was in love with not only another still, but that ‘another’ was someone Cheong Myeong clearly disdained!

And it was clear the disciples around her also had the same train of thought, their once grievous expressions now forming into murderous ones once again as they only find out more information that utterly offends them.

Thankfully, before any of them could accidentally let their built of frustration slip which would cause them to do an impulsive action, Tang Bo and Cheong Myeong both turn away to begin leaving.

“You will… certainly learn a lot from these,” is all Tang Bo says- rather ominously- before fully walking away with Cheong Myeong next to him.

“Oh… I think we’ve learned enough about you…” Jo Geol mutters under his breath.

And so together, the group watched the disappearing backs of the two ‘lovers’ with forlorn, regret, and anger sweeping over their figures and only growing the longer they watched Cheong Myeong and Tang Bo smile at each other.

How sickening.

Tang Soso, with a sigh, now directs her attention to the stack of papers given to her. Despite not wanting to really research any further about this scandalous relationship- for she feels as if if she does, it’ll collapse the kind relationship she had with her Elder completely- she cannot help but let curiosity get the best of her.

Just wanting a simple peek to see what the papers even were, Tang Soso reached for the pile once again and plucked out a random slip.

She hums as she mindlessly grazes over the words, not wanting to really read any of it, but based on the format she is able to tell what they were meant to be.

“These seem to be a series of letters,” she tells the group, already putting the paper in her hand down- no intent on fully studying its contents.

“Well, they certainly wrote to each other a lot,” Yun Jong notes as he gazes over the rather copious amounts of papers that scattered the table.

“I mean, makes sense given they were lovers.”

Everyone just groaned at Baek Cheon’s comment, still distraught over the current dilemma concerning this somewhat tricky situation. Describing them as lovers just feels like a crime.

At some point, Soso will read these given documents, but at the moment she believes she would not be able to stomach reading her Great Elder love- and still be in love- with Sword Saint despite everything… Despite the Divine Dragon…

But that plan changes when Yu Iseol looks over at her curiously. “What are the scrolls?” she asks, pointing at one of the two that were given.

Tang Soso shrugs wordlessly, and then gingerly picks one up just to satiate Yu Iseol’s wonder.

She really doesn’t want to delve deeper into these documents at the time being, but since Yu Iseol asked- she might as well. And so she unravels the scroll with a sigh, planning to spare it nothing but a mere glance just to get a quick understanding of what it-

“…”

Tang Soso blinks once, and then twice, and then multiple times as her eyes fall onto what was in the scroll. She rapidly opens and closes her eyes for a good few seconds to make sure she is not imagining what she was seeing…

Seeing her strange reaction and sudden silence, the disciples move to gather around the girl to look at what has caused her to fall into such stunned silence- only for them all to share similar expressions when their gazes fall onto the contents.

There was a beat of silence, the disciples and Soso all too frozen to make a move, and in the end it was Baek Cheon who broke the stillness with words shaky and meek.

“This… Isn’t this…?”

They all stared at the paper- which was graced with intricate brushstrokes of ink to form two figures- the lines seamlessly and delicately placed to carve out the features of the subjects. And then light spreads of watercolor accompanied the piece, drawing out the details of these two people through blooms of muted pigment.

The subjects were depicted sitting side by side, an air of elegance as they posed next to each other. Their expressions were somewhat neutral, save for the light quirk of lip one of them had, and the other seemingly frowning slightly.

Two people- one the group was already well familiar with, although colors no longer as accurate as he now currently adorns a hue of age to his hair, whereas the portrait depicts a more youthful brown.

And the other within the piece…

A man they have never seen before.

“…”

And yet, despite this being the first time seeing him, they immediately knew who it was. With a similarity so profound, they could not mistake him for another. From the curvature of his nose and brows, to his unique sharp and narrow distinct eyes of pink…

A man, despite being older and more mature in features than the one who shared the uncanny similar appearance, still looks too near identical to him to be a mere coincidence.

‘No… perhaps… perhaps he is simply a descendant?’

Tang Soso’s hand shook as she then finally decided to read the letters that had accompanied that scroll, searching for an answer that she already knew deep down, but needed confirmation.

And so she read one, and then another, and then another and another-

“…”

In one of the letters, a name of a particular Mount Hua disciple gracing the bottom of the page. A name that everyone there has yelled, cursed, spoken, and uttered countless times before.

And at that point, it was undeniable, the coincidences being too convenient, sudden strings of logic formulating and making sense, why certain things are done and occur…

The crashing of papers against surface was the only thing that could be heard when Tang Soso unceremoniously dropped them out of becoming too overwhelmed by the sheer amount of emotion she felt at that very moment. And she could only imagine how the disciples felt that second, most likely feeling an utter internal whirlwind as they are left with this new discovery that changes the entire trajectory of their beliefs, impressions- their very lives.

Discovery of a single seeming truth that had become unraveled and then explained so much, and made too much sense for it to not.

One singular truth that caused all of them there to have their own worlds shifting beneath their feet, completely turning upside down and over.

Chapter Text

Cheong Myeong walked away from the disciples with Tang Bo by his side, the latter following wherever the swordsman walked. Cheong Myeong didn’t have a particular destination, his legs moving on their own- walking mindlessly to try and ease his nerves after giving away those documents.

Both him and Tang Bo are well aware of the contents that were within those papers, and what would ensue when the disciples looked through them. And with the help of Tang Bo, Cheong Myeong had decided not long ago to finally reveal to the disciples one of the overbearing secrets that weighed his being.

And ultimately, with the reveal of this one, more secrets will inevitably have to come to light. But Cheong Myeong knows the disciples will be hesitant to pry for more as of now, for such a fact about Cheong Myeong is already so formidable enough to handle at once.

The two Saints strode through the trees of the neighboring forest, and ultimately they run into a breakthrough of the dense forestry that led to an open sky and a flowing river. The waters nimbly sweep across layering rocks, its lulls mellow and soft.

Cheong Myeong lightly steps toward the edge of the body of water, just close enough to be able to find his reflection staring back at him. Despite undulating flows, the sight of carmine eyes remain undeterred and clear.

Sometimes, he finds he still cannot get used to the face he wears now, but in a way he can see how it was as if the world was intending for him to at least bear some semblance to his previous appearance- him beginning to grow into a copy of his visage as Sword Saint, but softer at the edges and curves.

Despite everything, Cheong Myeong was still Cheong Myeong- and he hopes the disciples will come to realize that.

“…”

Moments later, he is able to find another face amidst the waters. Another face he is still relatively foreign to, but ultimately is still one he has known for decades.

A face he could and will only fall in love with over and over again. Having fallen for it a lifetime ago, and only falling for it again in this new one as well.

(A face he never wishes to see smiling at him with bloodied teeth and darkening eyes ever again…)

“How do you feel, Myeong-ah?” Tang Bo asks as he also gazes over the flows of the water next to him.

“Fine,” Cheong Myeong merely shrugs, his gaze still steeled and adamant on following the moving river.

“Eh? Just fine?” Tang Bo frowns as he turns his head towards the other. “Nothing groundbreaking nor earth shattering? Perhaps feeling an immense catharsis that brings a light feeling to your bones?”

Cheong Myeong shook his head. “It was inevitable. It was bound to happen, so I had anticipated this would one day occur.”

“Yah… finally you sound like a Taoist…” Tang Bo murmurs to himself.

Honestly, it was more so the reactions of the disciples which made Cheong Myeong more ill at ease- a worrisome anticipation and an ominous feeling weighing heavy on his mind. No matter how much Tang Bo and himself try to provide reassurances, he still can’t help but have a sense of doubt.

It’s one thing to finally let out a secret, but it’s another thing to experience the reactions of said secret.

Cheong Myeong had never been conscious of how other people would view him before… and yet here he is now afraid of what a bunch of young disciples may think of him.

“Would it have been better if I told them directly myself?” Cheong Myeong wondered aloud, a hand resting on his chin as he fell into thought.

“Would you have felt better if you did?”

“No- I’m wondering if it would have been better for the disciples,” Cheong Myeong clarifies.

“Oh.”

Cheong Myeong can see out of his peripheral vision the way Tang Bo looks at him through the river’s waters.

Tang Bo had paused briefly to think, pursing his lips as he contemplated well. “I mean, they’ll come to you in the end. And ultimately you will come to address it with them personally.”

He clasps his hands behind his back, as he shifts his weight between his feet. “Perhaps it is better you did it this way. They can react and discuss freely now- without their decisions being influenced by becoming self conscious of you being nearby to observe them.”

Cheong Myeong finally moved his gaze from his reflection in the waters in favor of looking at Tang Bo, only to find that the other had long forwent staring at him in the water to look at the real physical him- and so Cheong Myeong immediately meets those green eyes.

“But seriously… I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Tang Bo finished with a smile.

Cheong Myeong considers the other’s statement for a moment, and ultimately lets out a huff as he reflects upon these new people he now holds so dearly in this new life of his.

Those four disciples in particular- they have the potential to become the geniuses that will unite and lead Kangho under a better sky- a pure, peaceful, and prosperous era.

Their martial arts need to be further improved, but the head on their shoulders are already rather formidable- sharp and calculative that will truly allow them to become forces to be reckoned with once their skills catch up.

…Cheong Myeong needs to have more faith in the future generation.

“Yeah… Those chicks aren’t headless,” Cheong Myeong supposed. “I’m sure they’ll take such news with a sense of level headedness and sensibility,” he tries to reason.

But despite saying such things, Cheong Myeong still cannot help but still feel unsure.

Habitually he looks up at the sky- searching.

It was a mellow blue sky today, sparse in clouds.

‘These disciples- they’re not half bad, yeah? Do you think they’ll be okay, jangmun sahyung?’

He feels a kind breeze flow past him, gently swaying his hair, and tickling his face as if in a soft caress.

At that, Cheong Myeong brings his gaze back down, and turns back to Tang Bo who still smiles at him, to which he responds by giving a lopsided one of his own.

‘Yeah… more faith…’

‘I’ll have more faith in them, then…’

“FUCK— WHAT THE FUCK!? HOW THE HELL IS HE OUR ANCESTOR?”

“Cheong Myeong… is Plum Blossom Sword Saint… Cheong Myeong… is Plum Blossom Sword Saint? Cheong Myeong… is Plum Blossom Sword Saint-”

“Did his spirit possess somebody? Or is it reincarnation? Is reincarnation really true? Gah— this doesn’t make sense!?”

“…”

“Kuwahhh!? Tang Soso! Sasuk- help sasuk! His soul is trying to leave his body!”

The disciples and Tang Soso were thrown into an immediate frenzy the moment their initial shock had subsided, and them being stunned was an understatement.

“Uh… uh!?”

Tang Soso freaks out as she looks over at the passed out disciple on the floor, and then panics, punching him right in the gut, which has him waking up in an instant.

“Gukkk—!”

Baek Cheon abruptly sits up with a wheeze, then follows the gasp of breath with incessant coughing. After such a rude awakening, Yu Iseol is dutifully by his side and patting his back as comfort. After taking a moment to recollect himself briefly, Baek Cheon hazily looks over at Yu Iseol as he brushes a weak hand through his hair.

“Samae…” he chokes out as he shoots her a shaky smile. “I had this strange dream that Cheong Myeong was our ancestor… Isn’t that funny?”

His brows furrowed when Yu Iseol did nothing but give him a frown instead of, ideally, laughing at such a ridiculous notion.

Why isn’t she laughing..? Cheong Myeong being the great Plum Blossom Sword Saint is so absurd.

Right? Right?

But Baek Cheon feels his worldview crack when Yu Iseol responds with words he does not quite enjoy hearing.

“Sahyung, that was not a dream,” she relays to his utmost dismay.

“…”

“Sahyung, please do not pass out again.”

For the sake of his juniors, he does not, but still Baek Cheon is left all too terribly dumbfounded.

‘Ayah! What kind of twisted plot twist is this, hah? Did it have to be that bastard who is our ancestor!?’

Baek Cheon clears his throat, and moves up from the ground to sit back at the table with the rest of his juniors.

The group gather round and attempt to resettle themselves, but their shared tense expressions create a stiff air that makes it hard to relax.

“…”

How they should address the situation at hand… it’s quite difficult to think about.

But surprisingly, it was Yu Iseol who broke the silence first.

“Are we sure that sajil is Sword Saint?” she asks- her question a good start to trying to figure out and detangle such a complicated matter.

And then, it was Yun Jong who responded next with a hesitant nod, alongside a thoughtful rub of his chin. “It… there are too many details that align that ultimately provide sufficient evidence proving he is…” Yun Jong says rather shakily, as if still in disbelief but cannot deny the facts.

He moved to grab the letters that are still lying on the table in front of them- attempting to formulate and showcase his lines of reasoning.

“This handwriting… it’s unmistakably Cheong Myeong’s in these,” he first points out as he turns the papers to the others.

Yun Jong then takes a moment to read a couple more of the letters that had ‘Cheong Myeong’ signed at the bottom, and then looks back up at the group agitated when he finishes resurveying the contents.

“And… these… the mannerisms, the quirks- just the overall character of Sword Saint displayed through these letters… they’re all too akin to Cheong Myeong.”

Each word Yun Jong relays feels heavy in weight- each individual who was listening intently finding themselves growing stiffer with each confirmation and line of logic he strings together.

“Tch- I still find it hard to believe,” Jo Geol can’t help scoffing as he took a letter from Yun Jong’s hands.

He still remains weary, continuing to find it hard to grasp such a prospect that his bastard of a sajae is a renowned ancestor of Mount Hua. But then, the group watches as they witness Jo Geol’s expression fall as his eyes move across the paper. But, he seems to look more exasperated than shaken as he delved further…

Jo Geol decidedly reads the letter he has in hand to the others, his tone tired and in disbelief.

‘To my Tang Bo,

Next time you decide to barge into Mount Hua, at least bring a crate of Sichuan’s finest wine alongside your unwelcome audaciousness.

Dare to not and I’ll ensure you do not have legs that have bones intact enough to climb up this damn mountain again until the next coming season.

With utmost displeasure,
Cheong Myeong’

And at the bottom of the letter is a small drawing of the swordsman with a raised fist and a clear expression of anger- three strokes atop his head drawing popping veins.

“…”

In all honesty, if they weren’t aware it was the Plum Blossom Sword Saint having written this letter, they would all have assumed it truly was Cheong Myeong who wrote it.

But technically speaking, if Sword Saint was Cheong Myeong, it was their junior who wrote it.

Jo Geol puts the letter in his hand down with a nervous chuckle. “Um… so what if they are rather similar in speech… these are still rather flimsy basis…”

He reaches for another, and reads that one aloud as well.

‘To my Tang Bo-ya,

Yah! Kids these days seriously have no backbone- instead their spine is replaced with boundless audacity! They expect me to lend them a helping hand when I hit them on the head and they fall to the floor, and are then surprised when I just hit them on the head again instead!

Do they expect their enemy on the battlefield to help their opponent up with an outstretched hand, and then pat them on the back and go: ‘try and hit me again, you can do it this time, I believe in you, friend!’

Gah! This is definitely due to jangmun sahyung being too soft on them! You have to repeatedly hit molting metal hard to forge a sharp and strong sword, do you not?

Cheong Myeong’

“…”

Each letter they read they cannot help but be left further speechless.

“Er… maybe… uh…”

As he stuttered, the paper beneath Jo Geol’s thumb wrinkles from pressure as his hand shakes in disbelief.

Everyone just looks over at Jo Geol with deadpan expressions on their faces.

He can attempt to try and deny all he wants, but this is a type of sadism only that monster could think of.

Baek Cheon sighs as he wipes a hand across his face. “And… it would explain his ability to conjure every technique of Mount Hua despite all believing they had been lost long ago- and to further note being able to execute them so powerfully and effortlessly.”

Yes… for a while Mount Hua simply buried their curiosity as to how Cheong Myeong was capable of embodying Mount Hua despite being the youngest of them all. It would make sense for him to remember them all if he was Sword Saint.

“Also would explain why he’s always saying ‘back in his day’ despite being a young brat…” Jo Geol murmured.

“Or when he refers to us as kids despite all of us being older…” Yu Iseol notes.

Logical words and reasoning are being thrown out, yet there are still inklings of doubt.

…Except for a particular person in the group- who, instead of being afraid to accept this discovery, seems rather giddy to welcome it relative to the others.

“But this would explain why grandfather and Cheong Myeong are so close,” Tang Soso says beaming, her hands clapping together in delight. “If he is Plum Blossom Sword Saint, then of course grandfather would welcome him so easily and eagerly! That’s the beloved he has devoted himself to even after all those years apart!”

“…”

The disciples can’t help but blink at her blankly, wondering where her priorities lie…

But for her to be able to act so flippantly makes sense, for Tang Soso isn’t well acquainted with Cheong Myeong, and she is not a part of Mount Hua- so the profoundness of such a discovery does not shake her as heavily like it does to the disciples.

However, her comments do add further evidence, just resulting from a different shed of light to the situation.

“I knew grandfather wouldn’t be that kind of person! We just were left out of certain details!” she continued to exclaim. “And I think grandfather and Cheong Myeong gave us these on purpose to clear up further misunderstanding about the nature of their relationship!”

While Tang Soso is unfamiliar with Cheong Myeong, the disciples in turn are unfamiliar with her Dark Saint. So far, they have only been weary of him, and were quick to judge and condemn him. But with such information being dug up, their initial prejudice against him can’t help but falter.

They cannot deny that the Dark Saint cares immensely for their junior. They’ve witnessed the way he stares at him with such unadulterated love, the way he is kind and gentle despite how prickly Cheong Myeong may be, and just the utter adoration he holds for him seemed boundless.

The Dark Saint’s gaze towards Cheong Myeong indicated a dedication with his whole heart. In no way is anyone capable of such a capacity of love to be able to show an immense infatuation for more than one person.

And so if Cheong Myeong were Sword Saint, then it would clear up the strange aspects of their relationship.

‘We met… a long time ago…’

Now such a comment their junior relayed makes sense. It technically was long ago when they met. A hundred years to be exact.

And also what Soso had pointed out before when they had conversed with the Dark Saint the other day…

‘The way the Dark Saint speaks of Plum Blossom Sword Saint… as if he were still alive.’

What they had thought was strange in mannerism, was actually correct. Because the Sword Saint is alive, and is able to be referred to in such a tense.

With new details being reflected upon, and realizations clicking together, it’s becoming harder to deny who their junior truly was.

“So… is this it? We somewhat accept the fact that our Cheong Myeong is our Plum Blossom Sword Saint?” Baek Cheon asks as he overlooks the group.

“Well, there are still certain specificities that need to be clarified for me to truly solidify my opinion,” Yun Jong says- to which the others around him nod in agreement. “But I feel like the best course of action is to seek out Cheong Myeong ourselves, yes? Have him confirm it himself?”

Ah yes… they have to actually find and address this with their junior now. It’ll be for the best that they find him so they can discuss such a situation together, before any misunderstandings can occur, or more presumptions are created.

And from there, Cheong Myeong can tell them upfront whether their assumptions are correct, or if it’s an entirely different thing. They shouldn’t waste time further speculating what could be wrong, when they can ask the person in question themselves.

“Alright, that settles that for now then,” Baek Cheon announced as he stood up. “Let’s go find our Cheong Myeong-ah,” he then says with a gallant smile.

However, Baek Cheon’s expression was quick to falter when Yu Iseol suddenly grabbed his sleeve, confliction gracing her features that demonstrated a remaining uncertainty.

“Sahyung,” she spoke with a furrow of her brow. “There is something that bothers me.

Baek Cheon looks down at her, bewildered. “What’s wrong Yu Iseol-ah?”

“Cheong Myeong… he said some things in particular before he gave those documents.”

At her words, the group took a moment to try and remember what Cheong Myeong had said prior.

‘Do they know that man was a complete fool?’

‘Well I think he was nothing but an arrogant and useless man of an ancestor…’

“...”

And upon reflection, they realize what had Yu Iseol still worried.

Before, they dismissed such comments, too absorbed with the dismay they felt at that moment regarding Tang Bo and their initial presumptions of his relationship with their junior.

But now they realize that when their junior had spoken so lowly of their ancestor, it is really Cheong Myeong speaking so deprecatingly about himself.

A sinking feeling makes its way back within the disciples.

“Do you think… he feels guilty because Mount Hua fell?” Jo Geol wondered as he scratched the back of his neck.

Yun Jong pursed his lips. “It seems he does,” he said wearily. “Because why else would he be calling Sword Saint a ‘useless ancestor’...”

“Perhaps that’s why he has been hesitant to tell us? Do you think he is… afraid we will begin to view him with contempt as well?”

“Why would we?”

“I think he is under the impression that he is the reason for Mount Hua becoming near ruin, and then assumes we should rightfully hold a hatred towards him for being the ‘cause,’” Yu Iseol relays. “That’s why he works so hard. Because he wants to make up for what he believes are his mistakes and failures.”

“...”

There’s always been something intriguing about Yu Iseol when it comes to situations regarding her sajil. It always felt like she was much more in tune with Cheong Myeong than the other disciples- always first to understand and notice certain troubles, and the first to always be able to sympathize and provide comfort in just the right ways.

And in the end, she was right. They cannot get ahead of themselves and need to realize that it must have been hard for Cheong Myeong to relay such a thing- him rather bearing the burden of keeping it a secret than to tell them originally.

They cannot approach him brazenly. This moment of vulnerability is something rare, and Cheong Myeong allowed for them to see it, and willingly shared a part of it with them. Vulnerability always brings about a state of fragility, and depending on how they address Cheong Myeong, it may strengthen or tear the bond they have with their junior.

There was a brief pause as the group mulled over this new circumstance they must consider. And then after a moment, it was their sasuk that spoke up with a passionate reassurance, Baek Cheon’s mind having been made up.

“Well, regardless of what Cheong Myeong may assume and how he views himself,” Baek Cheon began. “What we certainly know is that we would not turn our backs on Cheong Myeong because of this- no matter what.”

Leave it to Baek Cheon to be able to raise morale through encouraging words.

A determined gaze falls upon everyone’s expressions hearing this declaration, a newfound energy as a mutual sentiment flows through them- a common goal they wish to achieve, a shared commitment they have for their fellow disciple.

Cheong Myeong may be crude, he may have sent them through hell and back countless times, and he may be an utter bastard…

…But Cheong Myeong is still someone they hold dear. Someone they will fight alongside and for- their junior they have grown and learned from.

In the end, whether he be Plum Blossom Sword Saint, or their Divine Dragon- Cheong Myeong is Cheong Myeong.

And Cheong Myeong is someone they will always stay by his side for.

“When we approach him, we need to clarify that this does not change anything, and that he is not to blame for any of Mount Hua’s original toil,” Yu Iseol says.

“And then perhaps later down the line, we can ask him further questions,” Jo Geol nods.

And with that, the disciples and Soso finally stood up from the table, finished with their debriefing- their heads steadfast and choices firm as they went to find Cheong Myeong with a new perspective and approach.

“Seriously..? Neither of them are here either?”

“Gah! We’ve searched practically everyone in this residence. Don’t tell me they left for Chengdu!”

Unfortunately, the disciples and Soso find that, of course, Cheong Myeong would never make things easy for them- and has made it difficult for them to find him.

Frustratingly, they have basically turned the residence upside down- gone to every hall, and room, and even asked numerous servants if they have even had a glimpse of either Cheong Myeong or Tang Bo.

“Tch- how is he so casually going to drop such details about himself, and then disappear to let us wallow with such information?” Jo Geol grumbled.

Talk about anticlimactic. All of that time taken to conjure up the courage to finally seek out their sajae… but now their original fervor can’t help but dwindle the longer they cannot find Cheong Myeong.

They find themselves standing in the midst of the residence’s main courtyard, wondering where they should check next. They hope Cheong Myeong didn’t stray too far… It would be quite tiresome to travel to a nearby town if that brat had gone for a drink…

Fortunately, however, Tang Soso’s lights up in realization as she presses a firm fist against an open palm.

“Ah wait! There is one particular spot not too far that they might be in,” she relays, rekindling a newfound hope within the disciples.

She began to walk eagerly ahead of the disciples, and briefly she turned over her shoulder to shout at them. “It’s in the neighboring forest! Come on!”

“…”

The disciples hesitated for a moment to fall into step with the girl, who was already far ahead- except for Yu Iseol, the female disciple already caught up with Tang Soso as she had moved without question the moment Soso had.

“Well… we don’t know anywhere else they could possibly be,” Baek Cheon shrugged. “We might as well try.”

And ultimately, Tang Soso was right.

They found them in the forest, just as she predicted.

But for the disciples, they couldn’t help but have their eyes widened when they arrived at the area at the peculiar sight that greeted them.

“Is that…?”

“Ah… how strange.”

Familiar pink petals grace their vision, and they couldn’t help but blink in bewilderment to see a lone plum blossom tree within the Tang’s residence. Its distinct pink looked out of place amidst the rich greenery, and overall is disparate within the residence in general.

…It was clear who had most likely planted it there. 

“There you kids are,” Tang Bo huffed out in greeting. The way he looked at them with a tick of his brow made it seem as if he had been waiting for them for a while.

He sat at the basis of the tree with his back against the trunk. And when the group lowered their gazes, they found the person they were looking for this entire time with his head nestled atop his lap, asleep.

Tang Bo’s darkened fingers rested atop equally dark strands of hair, gentle in touch as he coursed his hand through the swordsman’s hair. It seems they had been relaxing there for quite some time at least.

“Yah! Why are you all the way out here grandfather? So far from the residence!” Immediately exclaims Soso. But she quickly quiets when her Elder simply looks at her with a soft smile, and a finger pressed against his lips as his eyes darted quickly from her over to the sleeping Cheong Myeong.

“I wanted to go back in earlier, but you see I’m in a bit of a predicament,” Tang Bo says with a light chuckle. “But since you all seem to want to speak to him…”

Tang Bo brushes a light hand over the other’s forehead, brushing away his bangs, and speaks a little louder in tone. “Myeong-ah, your chicks are finally here.”

The disciples then watched as their junior did nothing but furrowed his brow without opening his eyes, and then simply shifted away from them as he buried his face into Tang Bo’s stomach, wrapping his arms around his waist as he did.

“Ughn… tell them to shoo, I’m sleeping,” he grumbled.

‘Gah! This bastard!’

Tang Bo frowns. “Myeong-ah, they’re here to talk to you.”

“Can’t they see I’m busy,” Cheong Myeong scoffs, his words muffled as he spoke against the Elder’s robes.

“…”

“Myeong-ah, you can’t just avoid them, you know?”

“…Who said I was avoiding them.”

Tang Bo sighs exasperatedly at the other’s antics, and then uses the hand in the swordsman's hair to lightly tug at it in displeasure.

“Gah!” Cheong Myeong yelps. Such an action finally has him sitting up from the other’s lap, begrudgingly. “Fine, fine- bastard…”

Cheong Myeong turns back to look at Tang Bo with narrowed eyes in offense, and is only met with that familiar grin to which he eyerolls at in annoyance. With a huff, Cheong Myeong moves to stand up, dusting his robes off with his hands.

Tang Bo decides to get up as well, moving to stand next to the swordsman. They both observe the group before them, who in turn eye at them with scrutinizing gazes.

Cheong Myeong crossed his arms, finally addressing the disciples. “What? What do you kids want?”

“…”

Cheong Myeong acts so flippantly when he finally acknowledges them, and yet…

‘He is… harsh in word and action, but when you get to know him, you would find his thoughts contradict them…’

‘Sometimes, you could spot that slight furrow in his brow, or clenching of his fist that indicated he cared despite trying so hard to look aloof.’

They notice the way his brows did just that- subtle yet the wrinkle is present- and how despite them being unable to see the way his fists may be clenched as he crossed his arms, they still find his shoulders are tense.

It was clear Cheong Myeong cared what the disciples thought of him. And was worried as to how they view him now. He tries to hide it, but Tang Bo was right- he wasn’t as subtle as he truly thought, and what they had initially believed.

The disciples look at each other and exchange knowing glances, and silently nod as it seems they’ve come to an understanding as to what their next move will be.

From there, the disciples and Tang Soso all move to quickly fall to the ground and kneel before the two Saints before them in respect, their heads bowed in reverence- finally giving them both a long overdue welcome.

“We greet the renowned and revered Twin Sovereigns…”

“Our great ancestors: the Dark Saint, and the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

“Eh?”

Cheong Myeong couldn’t help but squawk with a flinch at the sudden movements, shifting a little uncomfortably at the many who bowed before him- feeling all too out of place after getting so used to leaving such a title behind in the past.

In his past life, he would have reveled in such esteem, but now he can’t help but just feel awkward.

“…”

This was what he was afraid of- that the disciples would start to treat him differently, to be wary of him solely because he was their ancestor.

He turns over to Tang Bo in dismay, but all the other does is smile at him in amusement- to which Cheong Myeong is left confused about. But instead of a verbal explanation for his expression, all Tang Bo does is wordlessly use a finger to point back at the disciples, and Cheong Myeong’s gaze wanders back to them.

…And from there, Cheong Myeong spots the way they suddenly have smiles breaking through their expressions- as if they could not take such a thing seriously- and the way their eyes still looked at him adoringly like he was still their dearest junior…

And perhaps Cheong Myeong had made some wrong assumptions about them…

Cheong Myeong rubs the back of his neck, eyes averting as he cannot help but feel flustered. “Yah… get up ya brats… You’re embarrassing yourselves. I don’t even go by that title anymore.”

With an amused huff, Baek Cheon was the first to get up, and he steps forward with a lopsided smile as he looks down at his sajil. His gaze is warm, unchanging from how he had always looked at Cheong Myeong even before finding out such a revelation.

“Don’t worry, that was a one time thing Myeong-ah,” he assured. “But we still had to greet and acknowledge our ancestor at least once out of respect, no?”

His gaze does not break away from Cheong Myeong’s, and if anything, steels itself as he continues to speak. Cheong Myeong stays quiet in favor of listening to whatever he has to say.

“The disciples and I… we’ve all concluded that despite your past identity, you’re still our junior no matter what, okay? You’re no longer Sword Saint, but our Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon now.”

Baek Cheon then places a reassuring hand atop one of Cheong Myeong’s shoulders. “But also… ultimately you are also still Cheong Myeong,” he says softly, yet so strong in declaration.

“And Cheong Myeong will always be Cheong Myeong, ancestor or not.”

“…”

Cheong Myeong takes a moment to digest his sasuk’s words, and cannot help but feel a warmth coursing through him as he mulls over them. Whether that warmth is out of being flustered, relieved, or content, he isn’t quite sure.

As he took a moment to pause, Cheong Myeong suddenly feels a hand grasp one of his own gently, a light squeeze following not too long after being held, and Cheong Myeong turns to find it was Tang Bo who looks at him in assurance.

Cheong Myeong then glances back at Baek Cheon, and then looks at the others who are not too far behind him now- everyone there looking at Cheong Myeong with kind gazes of acceptance.

“I…”

He bites his lip, hesitant. He’s overwhelmed with a multitude of emotion, but ultimately, he finds that a sense of gratefulness is what he feels the most profound now.

Grateful to have such annoying chicks that are willing to stick by his side no matter what.

Grateful to have his beloved by his side once again, and helping him further and grow beyond the regrets he felt in the past.

Grateful to even be able to live once again, and be fortunate enough to have such kind people in this life as well.

Cheong Myeong takes a shaky breath, and finally lets a smile grace his lips.

“Thank you.”

‘Thank you for welcoming me with unconditional care and dedication.’

‘Thank you for staying by my side no matter the circumstance.’

‘Thank you for giving me this second chance.’

But of course, Cheong Myeong would never say such sappy words aloud. Instead, he follows his spoken thanks with a playful smirk, and a huff of amusement.

“You know… just because you all found out I’m your ancestor, don’t think I’ll make training any easier just because you’re all aware that you are my descendants.”

And at that, the disciples can’t help but grin brightly at that all too familiar snarky attitude.

“And don’t think just because you were once the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, we’ll be viewing you anything beyond our Mad Dog,” Jo Geol stepped up- following his words with a chuckle and a harsh musing of Cheong Myeong’s hair, to which the latter squawks at but doesn’t quite mind.

“Yeah, I don’t think I can view you as anything except as my bratty sajae,” Yun Jong says lightheartedly.

“Yes. Sajil is still sajil,” Yu Iseol then follows.

A kind sentiment encapsulates Cheong Myeong’s being as he looks over at the people who adore him- to which he holds an adoration just as strong as theirs as well.

And then, amidst the disciples that surround him, Cheong Myeong looks past them for a moment to spot Tang Bo not too far- the Elder having backed away not wanting to intervene with such an intimate scene.

Tang Bo smiles- as he always does with Cheong Myeong- and the swordsman feels as if the final pieces were clicking into place that allowed him to fully feel content.

A newfound sense of internal peace after what felt like years of turmoil tugging at him.

‘Yah… Jangmun sahyung… I think… I finally look forward to a future with others by my side…’

A path he never cared to pave before in his previous life, he now decides to create in this new one. A path in which he strides and builds with others alongside him this time, instead of him being the sole traveler down the road.

And with this revelation, Cheong Myeong can’t help but laugh brightly at that moment alongside those he held so terribly dear to his heart. One without restraint nor underlying worry.

He finally feels that catharsis Tang Bo had mentioned earlier, and Cheong Myeong will admit he does feel a little lighter as he is welcomed by such gentle open arms.

“How about, if you do not wish to directly tell them, we give them a clue?”

“A clue?”

Cheong Myeong watched as Tang Bo sorts through the shelves of his room, seemingly searching for something in particular. The former simply settles on the floor by a low table, lazily watching the other move about with a sense of vigor.

After a few moments, Tang Bo lets out a triumphant hum as his hands grab ahold of a particular box. Cheong Myeong raises a curious brow when the other turns to him with an excited smile as he approaches the table, object in hand.

“Is this box your idea of a ‘clue’ you speak of?” Cheong Myeong frowns when Tang Bo sets it down in front of him.

The Elder scoffs. “No, it’s what’s inside the box Myeong-ah.”

And so promptly, he opens it, and Cheong Myeong peers in to see stacks of papers, aged and yellowed at the edges, but still well intact and able to be picked up easily.

Cheong Myeong reaches in and plucks one out curiously, and he blinks surprised to see his own handwriting, formulating words he remembers writing- all from a lifetime ago.

He looks up to Tang Bo, who does nothing but beam at him enthusiastically.

“You really kept all of these?” Cheong Myeong asks, unable to help feeling a little taken aback.

He is left bewildered as he sifts through each paper. There are letters he had remembered writing and sending, and in kind letters he had remembered receiving and reading. It felt surreal in a way. It has been a while since he has ever thought about these letters they used to send to each other back and forth in the past.

Tang Bo simply nods. “Why would I not? I saved every letter you wrote.”

He then shifts a little closer to Cheong Myeong to try and also get a curious glimpse at the letters. “And also, I kept the letters you dropped off before. Remember that?”

Oh right. At some point during the war, Cheong Myeong dropped off all the letters he had received from Tang Bo he had kept throughout those years. Just to have them all in one place.

Cheong Myeong does nothing but hum noncommittally, instead absorbed with reading the contents of the letter in his hand.

‘To Mount Hua’s 13th Generational Disciple, Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Cheong Myeong,

You have been avoiding my attempts to speak to you in person, so I hope that this will reach and find you well.

I cannot express enough how utterly fascinating you are, even despite how you had tarnished my reputation somewhat. However, I overlook such offense because you have intrigued me, swordsman.

The elegance of your swing, step, and movements; the calculative action of your blade; the effortlessness of your perfect executions- it was all too mesmerizing, unfathomable is the immaculateness of your prowess and skill.

The beauty of your carmine eyes, the shine of your midnight cured hair, the perfect sculpting of your harmonic features-

Shall we please meet for a drink? I swear upon the Tang family’s name that it will sincerely be worth your time!

I feel as if there is a possibility in which we could become well acquainted, Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Saint.

Please take such a request into great consideration.

Best regards,

Tang Family’s Dark Saint, Tang Bo’

Tang Bo pipes up enthusiastically as he also finished reading the letter at the same time Cheong Myeong did. “I remember writing this one! This was about a week after having first met you.”

Upon reading, fond memories flow through Cheong Myeong’s mind- the beginnings of his unconventional relationship with Tang Bo that somehow ultimately blossomed into something more intimate.

“Ah yes,” Cheong Myeong nods as he sets the paper down. “The start of your incessant leech-like efforts.”

“In which you ultimately fell for,” Tang Bo grinned.

Cheong Myeong eyerolled as he tried to find the responding letter, and his eyes eventually skimmed over certain words he couldn't help but snort at.

He clears his throat as he begins to read his own letter aloud, a smile creeping up his lips.

‘To the Tang Family’s Dark Saint, Tang Bo,

Shut the fuck up and don’t write again for the sake of your shitty feeble life.

Mount Hua’s 13th Generational Disciple, Cheong Myeong’

Tang Bo winces at such a conceit and insulting response, glancing over at Cheong Myeong who just began to bark out in laughter.

“Yah… so cold…” Tang Bo lamented.

“What did you expect?” Cheong Myeong continued laughing. “You were real damn annoying- and you still are! Did you expect me to accept such a plea so easily?”

“...Maybe you could have been a bit more cordial?”

“Pah! You did not deserve an inkling of courtesy when you were the first to completely disregard civility by clinging onto me!”

Tang Bo simply pouts as Cheong Myeong returns his attention back to the piles of letters, continuing to reminisce the moments he remembers writing these. They wrote a lot despite seeing each other rather frequently in person once they did actually become acquainted.

And then, Cheong Myeong’s fingers brushed against a particular page that seemed crisper in condition relative to the others, and his eyes widened when he recognized it.

“Ah… this…” his eyes rapidly scan the paper. He had written this one, but it was different from the others for certain reasons. It was multiple pages long, a wall of his handwriting gracing the paper. “I forgot I wrote this.”

“Which one?” Tang Bo asked curiously. And before Cheong Myeong could protest, Tang Bo had already snatched the lengthy letter from his hand.

Cheong Myeong bites his lip as Tang Bo scans the paper, and then watches as the Elder’s shoulders have dropped with each passing sentence he reads.

It seems that Tang Bo never had the chance to read that letter- indicated by the concentrated gaze that shows this is the first time he has ever read it.

“…”

Cheong Myeong averts his gaze to the floor. That letter he wrote in particular was perhaps the most thorough one he had ever written.

And it was the last letter he wrote to Tang Bo in his last life.

And the thing is about this particular letter, Cheong Myeong had hidden it in the aforementioned pile of his past letters he entrusted to Tang Bo instead of having it delivered to him directly. And so it wouldn’t be too strange for this being the first time Tang Bo reads it.

Suddenly feeling a little conscious, Cheong Myeong frowns as he tries to get the other to stop reading it.

“…Bo-ya-“

But then, Cheong Myeong is cut off, and instead lets out a noise of surprise when Tang Bo has managed to quickly get closer to the other and close the gap between them. The papers to the letter fly in the air as Tang Bo had tossed them aside carelessly after having finished reading them.

The swordsman tightly shut his eyes to brace for the unexpected crashing of Tang Bo’s lips against his own. But despite its suddenness, Cheong Myeong can’t help but melt into it.

He feels a hand curve against his cheek, which did not allow Cheong Myeong to part until Tang Bo decides to- and it seems the Elder plans to revel in the taste of the other until the need for breath truly becomes necessary. Tang Bo was well eager in kissing the other so fervently, accidentally tipping them both over which had Cheong Myeong’s back pressed against the floor, entrapped by the leech that remained above him and still kissing him senseless.

The kiss remained unbroken for a while- and it took Cheong Myeong’s breath away- but he found it was not unwelcome. And upon parting, the swordsman was left flushed and breathing heavily as he tried to regain air.

“I… never saw that letter before…” Tang Bo said simply as he looked down at the other. Cheong Myeong watched as he licked his lips to rid the saliva that glistened his mouth.

Cheong Myeong lets out a huff as he meets the other’s gaze. “And was that… your response to said letter?”

Cheong Myeong is met with a shaking of the other’s head. “No… one kiss isn’t enough to showcase how dear your words in that letter are to me,” Tang Bo says as he then gingerly leaned down to press a soft kiss against the crook of the other’s neck.

He trails a series of kisses alongside and up the swordsman’s neck, to which the other couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh as one of his hands moved to bury itself in the Elder’s hair as he did.

…Cheong Myeong truly didn’t expect such an energetic response from that letter.

Amidst the soft kisses Tang Bo pressed against his skin, Cheong Myeong hears the other murmur airy words that he couldn’t help but shiver at when warm breaths met his neck.

“I also love you, so dearly, so much, my Myeong-ah,” Tang Bo says so softly.

“I too, devote my whole heart and being to you, and only you.” His lips have now reached the other’s cheek, and he presses it gently and briefly.

And finally, Tang Bo reached the other’s mouth once again, and Cheong Myeong held his breath in anticipation as he felt those lips of Tang Bo’s brush his own, but paused and hovered above it.

“And I would love to get married in the spring,” Tang Bo whispered. “I think that would be delightful.”

Cheong Myeong couldn’t help but snort, and allowed for this sticky Elder to capture his lips once again. It was short this time, and upon departure Cheong Myeong looked up to meet the other’s glittering gaze- the swordsman’s expression softening.

“Yah… I wrote that letter so long ago Tang Bo-ya,” Cheong Myeong puffed out. “At the time of writing it… I was seriously out of my mind in all honesty.”

“Aw… do you not mean them then?” Tang Bo pouts.

“I didn’t say that, did I now?”

Tang Bo laughs as he presses another brief kiss onto the other’s lips, and then relaxes on top of the other as he rests against the crook of his neck- his arms having wrapped around the other tightly as he relishes in the swordsman’s warmth.

Cheong Myeong just sighs fondly as his arms reach out to also encircle and rest around the other, a hand finding its way back to the other’s hair and flowing itself through light colored strands. He feels the other smiling contently against his neck.

“Brat, we have to finish sorting through these letters so we can give them to the disciples,” he eventually speaks up. “Was this not your idea in the first place? Don’t easily abandon it now.”

Cheong Myeong yelps when all he gets as a response is a soft bite to his neck, to which he tugs the other’s hair lightly at.

“Yah! Bastard get off! We have stuff to do!”

An audible groan of displeasure can be heard to Cheong Myeong’s utmost annoyance. A sound that indicates that the Elder has long tossed the intention of focusing on responsibility in favor of other things.

“Why the rush Myeong-ah? We have plenty of time…” the other murmured as he licked at the bite marks he had just indented into soft skin.

“Damnit Bo-ya! All these years and you still haven’t changed!”

But despite such exasperated words, Cheong Myeong relaxes at the touch. And when Tang Bo lifts his head to look up at him, Cheong Myeong is smiling at him lopsidedly with a warm gaze.

A hundred years, and this bastard still is that same leech he fell in love with, and will continuously love for a hundred more and then some.

‘To my dearest Tang Bo-ya,

I write this letter with no intention of directly sending it off to you. I put this mixed within the pile of letters I entrust to you now, with the expectation you will find it after surviving. After us surviving.

It may seem sudden, me handing these to you. But it’s for a reason you’ll come to understand after finishing reading this.

…

I begin this letter by saying how I cannot help but hold a sense of contempt towards you, my Tang Bo-ya.

As of late, it feels as if your foolish sentiment has been rubbing off on me, and so I write this deriving from my brief moment of vulnerability. And it truly causes a man to act and think uncharacteristically.

And so, read carefully, and approach it with a sense of utmost solemnity, yes? I do not want any chiding, nagging, or jests or I’m breaking your skull.

…

If I were to die, my Tang Bo-ya, I know it would be due to me being unable to fathom continuing loss because of my negligence. It would be due to me wanting to prevent any more of those I held so dearly from falling. It would be me atoning for the overwhelming sin I bear through the only way possible, which may be with my life.

And so I swear to end the war and cut off Cheon Ma’s head, and I will do so even if it costs my very last breath.

It would be most ideal that I fall accomplishing my goal before you or anyone else I love are taken by war. And so in case such an occasion occurs, I relay these words to you:

I will love, and continue to love you, my Tang Bo-ya- until the end of my mortality, and remain unwavering even upon the start of the eternity beyond death.

I will continue to be in love with your beauty, your curiosity, your tenacity- every stretch and plane of your beautiful being.

You’ve taught me your way of loving, and so in turn I show you the fruit of your labor by devoting it all to you, Bo-ya.

…

Do not make fun of me for such words seemingly falling flat. I already know they seem somewhat toneless, but trust me, what I write here I feel tenfold. I find it rather difficult to be able to express my love to you through written words- I had to force myself to learn how to write and formulate words that would encapsulate my adoration for you. And this letter is a result of the labor of my efforts.

So don’t take for granted how humble this Cheong Myeong is right now.

…

But ultimately, I will be able to spend more time showcasing my devotion to you- this letter being a precaution. Something that indulgently makes me feel a bit more at ease as of writing.

Because you and I will return from war alive together.

And when we do, we can do whatever you wish, Bo-ya, whatever so desired- be it your interest in sightseeing or travel, I will follow you to the ends of the earth. Or if you wish to stay within the residence, I will move in and live there with you. Or if you simply want to share a drink, I will raise a glass and toast your own.

I will wholly commit my all to you, as I hope you continue to do so the way already you do for me.

But amidst all of whatever your own desires may be, this Cheong Myeong asks for at least one of his own requests to be fulfilled:

Let us get married in the spring, Tang Bo-ya.

Under the blessing of a season that brings about a new turn and change; beneath blooming and young plum blossoms that rejuvenate and bring about new life; before a warmer and gentler breeze under a new peace in Kangho.

May I vow my entirety to you, and the new life in which we will share with the many more changing seasons to come, with you by my side.

…

These are the words I entrust with you, and I expect you will find after the war.

Wherever or whenever that may be.

Faithfully and devotedly yours,
Cheong Myeong‘