Chapter 20: The Fetus-Bound Fiancée (2)
Yong Hwarin thought to himself.
‘Seeing you now, I understand why the spirit medium married Cheong Geonmin instead of you.’
Jeok Gwang’s words and actions lacked seriousness, and he even gave off a sinister vibe. Yong Hwarin couldn’t help but wonder if the martial art Jeok Gwang practiced was slightly twisted in nature.
Once Jeok Gwang, who had been rambling uselessly, left, Yong Hwarin prepared to resume his meditation—only to frown.
He sensed someone standing outside.
“Young Master, Lady Jaegal Yohye has come to visit.”
Since arriving at the Jaegal Clan estate, the girl had not shown herself, and Yong Hwarin couldn't guess why she would come so late at night.
“Let her in.”
As soon as he said that, Jaegal Yohye opened the door and entered.
“I hope I’m not interrupting your rest.”
Contrary to his thoughts, Yong Hwarin smiled and replied.
“What brings you here at such a late hour?”
Having lived as a merchant, he had often been forced to smile even when he didn’t want to. That habit had become second nature, and even now, he instinctively smiled.
It was a reflex engraved into him over fifty years. Not something that could be unlearned even after returning to the past.
Seeing him greet her with a smile, Jaegal Yohye was momentarily startled. Despite their first encounter being far from pleasant, she had found herself drawn to him, especially since he had saved her life.
That was why she had been paying more attention to her words and behavior, unlike how she acted when they first met.
“I heard you're leaving tomorrow morning. Why not stay a few more days?”
Upon closer inspection, Jaegal Yohye was a very peculiar girl.
She acted boldly, without reservation, but at times like this, she could be as graceful and demure as a noble lady.
“If I stay too long, it’ll interfere with the spirit medium’s training. And I also have business to attend to at the main house, so I can't stay longer.”
“But… are you really going to marry Sister Cheongyeong?”
Jaegal Yohye had a knack for throwing out sensitive questions so abruptly. It was a rude question, but Yong Hwarin didn’t get angry and simply smiled.
“As I’ve said before, I’d like her to marry the one she truly wants.”
“Even if that person isn’t you, Young Master?”
“Of course. As long as she finds happiness, it doesn’t have to be me.”
“Haa…”
Jaegal Yohye let out a soft gasp and stared at him.
“I can’t tell if you’re just a fool or if you really love my sister.”
Yong Hwarin chuckled quietly.
‘This little one, does she even know what love is?’
He himself didn’t particularly desire to marry Jaegal Cheongyeong. They had spent time together as children, but after growing up, they’d barely seen each other, making their relationship feel awkward and distant.
Affection and love bloomed through frequent interaction and closeness. Now, she was merely someone he shared childhood memories with—he didn’t harbor romantic feelings for her.
He also believed Jaegal Cheongyeong probably felt the same way.
Hearing his words, a hint of brightness came to Jaegal Yohye’s face.
‘What’s this little thing thinking now?’
Yong Hwarin thought she was merely concerned because it involved her cousin’s marriage. After she left, he sat cross-legged.
Just as he was about to start circulating his energy, he gave up and stood up.
Another visitor stood outside his door.
“Hwarin Orabeoni.”
A familiar voice called from outside.
“Yeongmae, come in.”
Jaegal Cheongyeong entered and sat in a chair.
“Hyeah told me you saved some companions from danger. Since when have you been training in martial arts? Hyeah said you defeated an assassin leader who even the clan’s warriors couldn’t handle.”
“Ah, it was just luck.”
As expected, Jaegal Cheongyeong was more interested in martial arts than in his recent experiences.
“You can’t defeat an assassin who killed our clan’s warriors just by luck.”
Looking at her serious expression, Yong Hwarin smiled faintly.
Though she was his betrothed, he had hoped for a different kind of reunion. He felt deflated.
‘Is all I get to talk about with Yeongmae after such a long time martial arts?’
It felt more certain than ever that Jaegal Cheongyeong was never destined to be his woman.
“Actually, after recovering my health, I started training in our family’s martial arts. And maybe because I’m not lacking in talent, I’ve made decent progress.”
“Really?”
Jaegal Cheongyeong looked like she wanted to test his skills right away.
If he had defeated assassins who killed the clan’s warriors, that meant he had undergone intense training in a short time. She was itching to see it for herself.
But she couldn’t very well challenge her betrothed to a sparring match after such a long separation, which made her frustrated.
“By the way, you asked me to drop by. Was there something you wanted to say?”
As her frustration mounted, Jaegal Cheongyeong changed the subject.
“Yes, I do have something to say.”
Looking at her curious eyes, Yong Hwarin thought how truly beautiful she was. It made sense that she was famous as a beauty in Hubei.
But having experienced a past life and having known her since they were children, she felt more like a younger sister than a woman to him.
“I just want you to be free, Yeongmae.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think it’s best for you to live the life you truly want. I don’t want your life to be bound by the promise our parents made before we were even born.”
“Have you… met another woman?”
Yong Hwarin shook his head.
“Then why?”
After a moment of thought, Yong Hwarin spoke again.
“Training and regaining my health made me realize something. I believe you can become a martial artist who reaches even higher heights. But to do that, you need to first remove the obstacles in your heart. I don’t want to be one of those obstacles. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Hearing the unexpected words, Jaegal Cheongyeong blinked her large eyes.
“Hwarin Orabeoni… does that mean you never liked me?”
“That’s not it.”
It was clear that, perhaps because she trained in martial arts, Jaegal Cheongyeong’s thoughts and speech were quite direct.
“I just want you to live a freer life. I believe marriage should happen when both people truly desire it—only then can they be happy.”
Had Yong Hwarin not experienced his previous life, he wouldn’t have been able to think or speak this way. But because he had once lived through marriage, he could now say these things.
He knew all too well how miserable a loveless marriage could make a person.
He didn’t want to live that kind of life again.
It wasn’t something he could wish upon himself or Jaegal Cheongyeong.
“That’s unexpected.”
“Hmm? What is?”
“I didn’t think you’d be able to speak your mind so confidently. You've changed a lot, Orabeoni.”
Yong Hwarin smiled.
“Yes, I’ve changed a lot. And I’ll continue to change. Because that’s what makes me freer. So Yeongmae, you should also live the life you want.”
“Do your parents know about this?”
“No. But our parents’ wishes aren’t what’s important—it’s what you and I want. Don’t worry. I’m not someone who lets my parents dictate my life.”
Seeing the sincerity in his words, Jaegal Cheongyeong tightly held his hand.
“I understand, Orabeoni. And thank you… for saying it first.”
Having spoken so openly and without reservation, Yong Hwarin could now hold her hand with ease.
“No matter what, Orabeoni will always be my Orabeoni, right?”
“Of course. You’ll always be my Yeongmae. Wherever you are, no matter who you’re with.”
Jaegal Cheongyeong finally smiled freely in front of Yong Hwarin.
And he was deeply relieved—he hadn’t seen that smile since they were children.
He was glad. Not only could he correct his own life by returning to the past, but he could also set others’ lives on the right path.
Had their families pushed the marriage, Jaegal Cheongyeong wouldn’t have refused.
She didn’t love Yong Hwarin, but she didn’t dislike him either. So marriage wouldn’t have been difficult. But the thought of it still made her uncomfortable.
That was because she wanted to become a great female martial artist remembered in the history of the martial world, rather than someone’s wife.
She loved martial arts more than she loved men.
That was why she had been thinking of saying something similar to Yong Hwarin someday.
But now that he had said it first, she felt free of her chains.
‘Thank you, Orabeoni.’
Now, Jaegal Cheongyeong could finally look at Yong Hwarin as she once had when she was young—with admiration, as an older brother.
After she left, Yong Hwarin let out a long sigh of relief. Though it had been a short moment, it had drained him emotionally.
“I’m glad Yeongmae didn’t misunderstand.”
Having received visits from three people, Yong Hwarin felt mentally exhausted and wanted to go to bed early.
But since returning to the past, he couldn’t bear to waste any time sleeping.
If he was to gain the strength to protect his loved ones in a short amount of time, even tireless effort wouldn’t be enough.
So he pulled out the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and read it over and over. Then he focused all his energy on circulating his qi and building inner strength.
This was the best Yong Hwarin could do for now.
***
Like the Heavenly Central Sect, the Jaegal Clan estate shared borders with Yongjung Mountain, so the air was fresh.
Even someone who wasn’t a martial artist would naturally want to circulate their qi just by breathing in the morning air.
Yong Hwarin spent a full two hours meditating and stepped outside to train.
To his surprise, even though it was early, not just the clan’s main training ground but various corners of the estate were filled with people practicing martial arts.
‘Heh, I didn’t expect the Jaegal Clan to be so dedicated to martial training. No wonder they're said to become a true martial family within ten years with this level of refinement.’
Yong Hwarin loosened his body with Dragon Strike Fist and headed toward the well to wash up.
That was when Jeok Gwang approached, his face dripping with sweat as if he had just finished sparring.
“Young Master Yong, you're up early.”
“Yes.”
Yong Hwarin gave a half-hearted response and walked toward the well, when Jeok Gwang suddenly shouted.
“Before you leave, please grant me the honor of witnessing the martial arts of the Heavenly Central Sect!”
Startled, Yong Hwarin looked up to find Jeok Gwang standing respectfully, having already made the formal martial salute.
As soon as Jeok Gwang spoke, martial artists who had been training nearby began subtly gathering around.
‘Heh, I already set this up so you wouldn’t be able to refuse.’
Jeok Gwang had spread the word to gather everyone here if he challenged Yong Hwarin to a duel. That way, he figured, Yong Hwarin wouldn’t be able to decline.
Before long, Jaegal Cheongyeong, Jaegal Byeok, and even Jaegal Yohye arrived.
Jaegal Cheongyeong had rushed over the moment she heard Yong Hwarin was going to spar. She was the most curious about his martial prowess.
“You’re going to spar with Jeok Gwang?”
Jaegal Yohye practically shouted the question to Jaegal Byeok as she ran over.
Yong Hwarin couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahaha! I didn’t expect to attract so much attention.”
Normally, no one would care who sparred, since the Jaegal Clan focused their training around practice duels.
But if the person involved was Yong Hwarin, it was a different story.