He wanted to feign ignorance and brazen it out.To say it was nonsense.But he could not open his mouth for fear that a clumsy lie would only give her certainty.“I would like to trust you, Young Hero, but...”At the words that sounded like a sigh, Namgung Hyun felt as if his heart dropped.“I do not know how I should trust you, Young Hero.”He was not used to facing another’s disappointment. Because there had been no one who expected anything of him, there had been no occasion to face disappointment either.But the disappointment of the woman sitting before him was different.Black eyes that had erased all emotion stabbed his heart like a well-honed blade.It was not his first time experiencing cold treatment, yet it felt as if the blood were draining from him.“I thought that you and I were of one mind.”“I...”When Namgung Hyun opened his mouth, Tang Sohwa stopped speaking.As if waiting for his answer.Yet though she gave him a chance, Namgung Hyun could not answer.His mind went stark white. The woman he liked was angry, and since the reason was plainly his fault, he had no idea how to break through this impasse.Watching Namgung Hyun’s lips work soundlessly, Tang Sohwa let out a sigh.“If you did not use me, Young Hero, then prove it.”Namgung Hyun asked in a rush,“How should I prove it?”He was prepared to do anything, but when he heard what she asked, he felt hollow.“Give me what you meant to give the Blood Demon.”“...You are certain I am a member of the Blood Cult, Young Lady.”“Do you know what I heard at Geumeunsan?”When she spoke the name Geumeunsan, Namgung Hyun could say nothing. Geumeunsan was the fortress where the Blood Demon stayed.“I heard that you, Young Hero, agreed to make a passage linking the Central Plains and the Outland.”Namgung Hyun’s expression changed. She knew the contents of his deal with the Blood Demon.Now he truly had nothing to say.If he lied to someone who knew the facts, he would lose trust; if he acknowledged it, he became a Blood Cultist.Unable to give any answer, Namgung Hyun felt his insides char black.As the silence lengthened, Tang Sohwa drew back the upper body she had been leaning to the desk.She seemed to think there was no need to continue the conversation.Though she had moved only about a handspan away, the distance felt vast. Unknowingly, Namgung Hyun asked,“If I procure what you spoke of, does that not make your suspicion correct, Young Lady?”“I do not trust you even now, Young Hero.”In a small voice, Tang Sohwa added,“I only want to try trusting you again.”Namgung Hyun closed his eyes as if in thought. But his heart had already chosen.“How can that... become trust?”Instead of delivering the woman who had discovered his identity to the Blood Cult, he would change his heart.It was a foolish decision he had not yet even perceived himself. It was a reflexive act, like catching a falling teacup.Thus, even less did he realize that this was Tang Sohwa’s test.When a subtle warmth began to stir in Tang Sohwa’s cold face, he felt only relief and could think of nothing else.“The Blood Demon will appear again. Before that one takes me, I intend to leave the Central Plains for a time.”Tang Sohwa’s upper body leaned forward again. So focused was he on that response that, even though Tang Sohwa was making an unreasonable request, he felt only relief. He did not even realize the flow of his own thoughts.He merely waited for her next words with eyes that said, say anything.Watching the face of the young martial artist, Tang Sohwa spoke carefully.“If you, Young Hero, help me go to the Northern Sea to avoid the Blood Demon, then I will be able to trust you again.”Biting his lip, Namgung Hyun answered with difficulty.“...I cannot make that now.”The ends of Tang Sohwa’s brows sank. Just as disappointment spread in her eyes, Namgung Hyun quickly added,“Ah, I am not refusing! To draw a path, I need Han Cheol, and I do not have Han Cheol right now.”“Han Cheol?”Perhaps finding the words abrupt, Tang Sohwa knit her eyes.“I am only a tool to the Blood Demon. It is true that I moved at his command, but my heart is sincere. So please do not suspect that I intended to deceive you. I... sincerely...”“If I procure Han Cheol, can you make the passage?”Though Namgung Hyun had begun to confess his heart, Tang Sohwa cut him off without emotion.It would be a lie to say he was not hurt. Even so, Namgung Hyun tried to understand her. Had she not just returned after being kidnapped by the Blood Demon? He should be grateful that she did not deem him one with the Blood Cult.'Right. Young Lady Tang’s words are correct...'If he wanted her to believe his heart, he had to prove it first.Soon, setting aside the emotional posture, Namgung Hyun spoke in a calm voice.“Yes, I can.”“How long will it take?”“Even if I obtain Han Cheol, ironworks capable of handling Han Cheol are not common. It depends on when the ironworks can spare the time.”“If we assume I have obtained Han Cheol and also secured an ironworks that can handle Han Cheol?”It sounded as if she were saying, answer properly, not with useless words, but Namgung Hyun decided he was being oversensitive and answered in good faith.“If Han Cheol is prepared, then only the time to melt and dry it is needed. Half a day is more than enough.”In truth, Namgung Hyun had no doubt the Blood Demon would send him the Red Blood Hall and Blue Blood Hall, so that he could obtain Han Cheol.Through the Blue Blood Hall, which slipped easily among people, he had lined up an ironworks that could handle Han Cheol, and he had even prepared the mold in advance in Anhui. The ironworks he had secured was in Hubei. However, he could not use that place. If Tang Sohwa went to that ironworks, word would reach the Blood Demon’s ear.Because the situation was complicated, even though Namgung Hyun had decided to tell her everything, he could not readily mention the ironworks.But Tang Sohwa’s expression grew oddly brighter.Both obtaining Han Cheol and finding an ironworks to handle Han Cheol were difficult tasks—her reaction did not fit.“What size should the Han Cheol be?”“A child’s fist is sufficient.”Tang Sohwa gave a small nod.A faint something like a smile brushed her lips.His gaze was captured by it.Namgung Hyun wanted to see that smile deepen a little more.Like a man bewitched by something, he opened his mouth.“...If you wish, I can send you to the Northern Sea without Han Cheol. But the passage will not hold, so you will not be able to return. You would have to walk back to the Central ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Plains yourself, or I would have to go with you and draw the formation again.”At those words, Tang Sohwa lowered her gaze as if pondering, then after quite a while answered,“No. I will first try to procure Han Cheol.”Namgung Hyun felt that he truly wished to make proof. It was because, though the request was on her side, he felt the sense of being the one at a loss.But when she raised her eyes, Tang Sohwa suddenly narrowed her brow. He did not know what his expression looked like, but it seemed odd. She parted her lips as if to say something, then closed them as they were.As if to avoid his gaze, Tang Sohwa turned her eyes to the side.“Why is it, Young Lady?”“It has been quite a while since you went to the pavilion, yet why have you still not received treatment?”A question was answered with a question.Only then did Namgung Hyun look down at his disastrous appearance.“Ah.”Smiling bitterly, he said,“The Clan Head summoned me, so I had no time to go to the Medical Division. As soon as I came out, I heard Young Lady Tang’s message and came straight here.”Tang Sohwa’s gaze returned to him.“Did the Clan Head see you, Young Hero, and still not tell you to get treated first?”Embarrassed, Namgung Hyun could not answer and only curved his eyes.Hearing her say that, he suddenly felt ashamed.'I should at least have changed clothes before coming. It’s not as if I’m in any state to boast.'His wish to stay with her even a little longer was erased by shame.Awkward, Namgung Hyun rose from his seat.“Then I will go for now. As you say, I should get treatment first. Everyone must be worried.”He tried to salvage a little face, but it was a meaningless remark. Tang Sohwa did not respond either.But just as he went to open the door, Tang Sohwa called to him.“Young Hero.”It was not that endlessly cold voice.A tone laced with a sigh held him.“If it is all right with you, receive treatment here before you go.”Namgung Hyun turned back.At some point, Tang Sohwa had risen and was coming toward him.“For external injuries, the Tang Clan is better than the Namgung.”“I know.”“In truth, I was only pretending to be humble; the medical arts of the Namgung and the Tang are on levels not easy to compare.”Tang Sohwa added words one could not tell were a joke or serious.It was not the same kindness as before, but at least she was not turning away from him. That alone brought a great sense of ease.It felt as if feet that had been floating in the air had settled on the ground.“Then I will impose on you.”Tang Sohwa did not answer.She merely brushed past him as if to say, follow me.Watching Tang Sohwa walk ahead, Namgung Hyun felt a strange feeling.It was different from what he had felt toward the Namgung, who gave him trust then pushed him away, or toward the Blood Demon, who showed interest then betrayed him.It was satisfying enough that a thread that had nearly snapped had not snapped.Even though there was nothing more he could obtain from Tang Sohwa.He was not the sort of person to ever take a loss, so he could not understand why he felt this foolish feeling.For a moment, Tang Sohwa turned her head to the side. It seemed she was checking whether he was following well.Without knowing it, Namgung Hyun held his breath.The gaze that had briefly touched returned to a distance.Watching the hair that moved like ebony before his eyes, he curled the itching hand into a fist.Perhaps the fact that this thread had not snapped would become a very great misfortune for him—but the fact that he could not be the one to let go first was only more frightening.

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