After parting ways with Seung-han, Kang-oh returned to Hee-do Won without delay. As their young master arrived, the waiting servants greeted him. One servant stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Please let me carry it."
Kang-oh simply pulled the vase closer to himself in response, indicating that he would carry it himself. Understanding his intent, the servant politely stepped back. Kang-oh had never been fond of being waited on by others. Fortunately, the people his master had placed in Hee-do Won were perceptive.
Looking up at the night sky, he noticed the moon slowly tilting toward dawn.
As Kang-oh walked with the vase in hand, he naturally headed toward Woo's quarters but hesitated. What if Woo is already sleeping and he'll accidentally wake him up just because he's eager to give him flowers?
With a sigh, Kang-oh soon continued heading towards Woo's quarters. The sudden appearance of the young master heading to the garden puzzled a servant, but he followed with a lantern in hand. At that moment, Kang-oh stopped abruptly, turned around, and said, "Go back."
"But... it's late, and the surroundings are dark."
"As a martial artist, I don't need a lantern."
Kang-oh dismissed the hesitant servant and continued on his way. He used his skill, careful not to make a sound with his footsteps. Having already reached the level of a master, his feet did not bend even as they pressed against the blades of grass. No matter how refined the skill taught by the Black Sky Lord was, his movements were truly ghost-like.
The place he cautiously approached was the window of Woo's quarters. This was the reason he had sent the servant away. He thought that if the servants were too noisy or if the outside suddenly brightened, Woo might wake up.
Gently opening the window, Kang-oh placed the vase filled with the blue peony in a spot where Woo would likely see it upon waking. He lowered the vase so delicately that not even a clink could be heard.
A quick glance at Woo's bed revealed it still empty. The young man lay on the floor, a blanket spread beneath him, breathing softly in his sleep. Unable to say anything to someone who was sleeping, Kang-oh swallowed the words that rose within him. He moved to close the window, fearing the cold wind would seep in too much.
"…I told you not to come at night," Woo mumbled, still half-asleep, his eyes remaining closed. Yet, a faint smile lingered at the corners of his mouth. Even disturbed from his deep slumber, he showed no signs of displeasure, which felt incredibly endearing.
It was as if he were comforting a younger child, just like that.
"The wind is chilly. Close the door and come here..." Woo murmured.
Surprisingly, Woo did not stutter at all. Kang-oh stood by the window, unable to enter or retreat. He watched as Woo rubbed his eyes. Fearing that Woo might wake up, Kang-oh's heart sank, and he felt like a thief as he climbed through the window.
Once he carefully closed the window to keep the wind out, he saw Woo curled up tightly under the blanket. As he approached, a soft smile appeared on Woo's lips.
"Mm, uh..." Woo mumbled, his words indistinct. He seemed to be murmuring something, and Kang-oh hesitated. Was he being told to rest here? Unsure, he moved slightly but couldn't bring himself to lie down, so he settled for sitting at the edge. The unexpected touch made Kang-oh stiffen, as if he were a child caught misbehaving in front of their Master.
Woo whispered to him, "Just for tonight... you need to learn how to sleep alone."
Murmuring in his sleep like this was a habit of Woo's.
When Kang-oh was first brought to White Virtue Clan as a child, he couldn't sleep alone. During their journey to White Virtue Clan, they had stayed at an inn and shared a room, and it seemed that habit stuck with him. Ever since, Kang-oh had developed the habit of seeking Woo whenever it was time to sleep, unable to drift off without his presence.
Though Woo-Hyo was known for being strict and formidable as a grand master, he was gentle with that nameless boy. He felt a sense of concern for the child who could hardly eat or learn, who followed him like a fledgling bird.
It was only a brief season, but it left a warm memory etched in Woo's mind. The sensation of a slight breeze that would come through the door when it opened, the presence of a child hesitating at the threshold, too shy to enter. And when he finally relented and called him in, the warmth of his small body burrowing close as if he had been waiting all along for permission to come in.
Woo had not realized until he met the young Kang-oh that he was starved for affection.
Thus, "just for tonight" had turned into ten days, then over a month, and soon it would reach a hundred days.
Tonight, for some reason, the boy's hands felt larger. It seemed that he had finally entered a growth spurt, and Woo thought it was a relief as he drifted back into a deep sleep.
It was a good dream. At least, that was how Woo perceived it.
"..."
Kang-oh, caught in Woo's grasp, couldn't dare to move. Every time he tried to gently lower his hand, Woo would stir slightly. It was no surprise, as Woo had always been sensitive by nature. Even when sleeping on silk bedding, he would wake at the slightest disturbance. However, having lost much of his martial prowess, he was unable to sense Kang-oh's presence when he opened the window, which was why he hadn't fully awakened. It was only due to the remnants of his instinctive sensitivity that he would twitch when they were pressed so closely together.
With his hand held, Kang-oh found himself slightly hunched over, facing the new wall. Although he couldn't do anything, surprisingly, he wasn't bored. The way the shadows played across Woo's face, filling it and then slowly retreating, was more entertaining than he had expected.
Fortunately, it seemed that Woo was also finding the equal rest that night offered. Seeing someone who always appeared weary during the day wearing a peaceful expression brought Kang-oh joy, and he gazed at that face endlessly.
Having stayed awake through the night, Kang-oh slowly extricated himself before the servants began to do their morning routines. After tucking the corner of the blanket around Woo's twitching hand, he quietly walked out.
The soft glow of dawn filled the air as the morning swiftly arrived. Kang-oh took one last look at Woo's sleeping face. His gaze kept returning to the hand that tightly clutched the blanket he had given him, causing a flutter in his chest.
Despite not having slept a wink, Kang-oh's steps back to his room felt strangely light.
"Ah."
Feeling the sunlight tickling his cheek, Woo stirred awake. He felt as if he had slept more deeply than usual. Vaguely, he thought he might have dreamt of the young Kang-oh.
As Woo got up and began to fold the blanket, he absentmindedly lifted his head. His gaze caught something unusual, landing on the vase by the window.
"Blue peony?"
As if discovering a word he had never seen before in a beloved book, Woo murmured softly. It was certainly a color of peony said to only bloom in Ilwon Pavilion.
The blue peony, imbued with the gentle light of the approaching morning, displayed a truly divine beauty. Each petal was so lush and lovely that even Woo, who had seen all manner of beautiful things, couldn't help but admire it.
The blue peony was originally a symbol of the Mo Yong family, said to bloom only in the ancestral estate in Liaoning. After the Mo Yong family was annihilated by the Blood Cult, the blue peony had vanished. The Black Sky Lord had searched far and wide for its seeds for his first disciple, and now it was said that this special flower was exclusively found in Black Sky Clan.
But why was it here? He was certain he hadn't seen it before going to bed. It was unlikely that Yeon-jin had come by in the meantime. Woo was usually a light sleeper, and even now, with his core depleted, he could still sense the movements of someone without martial training.
'Could it be Kang-oh?'
Woo felt somewhat perplexed, having previously declined Kang-oh's offer to take him to see the flowers. He had never treated him well, having pushed him away since their first meeting, yet Kang-oh had continued to approach him, drawing closer and closer. He had no idea how to create some distance between them. It felt wrong to keep receiving kindness that he couldn't return.
Yet at the same time, a warm sensation spread in a corner of his heart. It was a gentle warmth, reminiscent of the tender feelings from the dream he had last night.
Kang-oh had shaken Woo's world far too easily.
His principles, his emotions.
It had been this way for a very long time.
'What's so special about a single peony?'
Even ten years ago, Kang-oh would often bring flowers that he found beautiful to Woo.
Though the memories of those days were sealed away by Ye Jin-rang's sorcery, it seemed Kang-oh's kindness couldn't be locked away entirely. Still, it bothered him that his affection was directed toward someone who was merely a servant.
The magical seal placed by Jin-rang would not be broken, yet Woo couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within him.
The beautiful blue peony, seemingly unaware of Woo's worries, displayed its elegant form atop the vase. As he gently stroked the soft petals, Woo swallowed down his concerns.
While he was lost in thought, Yeon-jin appeared with breakfast.
"You're awake. I brought you something to eat."
"Would it be alright to eat a little later?" Woo replied as he gathered his outer garments.
"That's fine, but the food will get cold," Yeon-jin said, tilting her head in confusion.
"I was thinking of…going for a walk"
Yeon-jin did not stop him, as if to say it was fine. With an unspoken permission, Woo slowly stepped out of the room.
It was the first time Woo had left his quarters without being called by someone. And what's more, he hadn't expected that the reason would be Kang-oh.
He had a general idea of what Kang-oh was doing and where he was at any given time.
After all, Hee-do Won was a space that revolved entirely around Kang-oh.
Just observing the servants as they moved about made it easy to guess Kang-oh's daily routine.
It wasn't difficult to guess Kang-oh's schedule just by observing the movements of the servants. At this time, Kang-oh usually took a short walk before heading to the training grounds. Woo had planned his timing to match that.
Stepping into the courtyard first, Woo tensed up as Kang-oh, walking toward him, noticed him and began to approach.
He wanted to express his gratitude, but was it really okay to do so?
"Are you out for a walk?" Kang-oh was the first to speak.
"…Yes," Woo replied.
The two walked in silence. Kang-oh quickly closed the gap between them and adjusted his pace to match Woo's. Woo, who had come to express his thanks, struggled to find the right words and kept his mouth shut. Kang-oh, on the other hand, was wondering if Woo had come out because of the peony flowers, which had just bloomed, his heart racing at the thought.
The morning dew clung to the light green new shoots, causing the leaves to sway gently. The flowers, perhaps feeling the chill, had slightly closed their buds. However, their fragrance was more vibrant than usual, capturing the attention of anyone passing by. The morning birdsong was as clear as the air itself, tickling the ears.
As Woo brushed aside the hair that had fallen in the breeze, he noticed Kang-oh's gaze upon him.
Kang-oh glanced over but quickly turned his head away, pretending to be focused on the surroundings. He acted as if he were quietly enjoying the walk, but there was a hint of curiosity about whether Woo liked the peony. Yet, he refrained from asking outright, merely observing Woo's face.
Woo quickly suppressed the smile that was about to escape. He was used to seeing Kang-oh look so observant. Even as a child, he would pick a wildflower he found beautiful and then wonder about Woo's thoughts on it. He never asked directly but would quietly watch Woo throughout the day, his thoughts evident on his face. Although he had thought that the boy had grown somewhat gruff over the years, it seemed his essence remained unchanged.
When the dark head of hair, hunched over in hesitation, seemed about to burn with embarrassment, Woo couldn't help but tell him that the flowers were indeed beautiful. It was a lovely sight to see a bright smile blooming on the face of the boy who seemed to carry all the world's worries. That smile was even more radiant and beautiful than the flowers Kang-oh had once picked for him.
Like golden grains of sand, warmed by the midday sun, the days slipped through his fingers.
Woo decided to break the silence. "The peony... it was you, wasn't it, My Lord?"
It was a question he posed even though he was already certain of the answer. Kang-oh paused for a moment before responding.
"…Yes. I brought it. Did you not like it?"
"Oh, no. I just wanted to thank you for bringing it. I thought if you hadn't gone to the training grounds yet, I would come to greet you," Woo stammered.
"Is that so... I'm glad to hear that," Kang-oh murmured, fiddling with the corners of his mouth. Just as Woo was feeling disappointed that he couldn't see Kang-oh's expression clearly behind his hand, Kang-oh's gaze softened, and as his hand dropped, a smile brighter than the peony bloomed on his lips.
Just like long ago, Kang-oh knew how to smile more beautifully than any flower he could bring.
"Ah..."
The genuine joy on Kang-oh's face made Woo's voice tremble. The man who had always been stiff and reserved now smiled, and it was so captivating that it could melt anyone just by watching.
Though the memories stayed in the past, it became clear how far away the present had drifted from them. Kang-oh was no longer a boy. He had grown into a man.
"Would it be alright if I brought flowers to the window from time to time?"
"You don't have to go out of your way. I just wanted to express my gratitude for what you've given me. So, um..." Woo shook his head and mumbled, struggling to find the right words, sounding like someone unsure of how to express themselves.
As Woo began to express his gratitude, he shrank back like a turtle retreating into its shell, and Kang-oh felt a sense of discomfort. No matter how complex human emotions could be, Woo seemed to change in an instant. It was different from Jin-rang whose moods fluctuated like a boiling pot. Woo seemed to be hiding something, and it was as if bits and pieces of it accidentally slipped out.
The servant, who had gone unnoticed by anyone, was unexpectedly filled with secrets.
"If you were truly grateful for what you received, don't you think it's time to stop sleeping on the floor?"
Woo paused, realizing that if Kang-oh had come to bring him flowers, he must have seen him sleeping on the floor.
He clutched the hem of his clothes tightly and murmured, "It's too much for me."
"You keep rejecting silk bedding, new clothes, and even a larger room," Kang-oh said, his tone tinged with an almost teasing sadness.
"And yet you say thank you for just a single flower."
Woo flinched.
How could he feel greed for things he had already experienced? There was nothing in the wealth and honor of the Central Plains that Woo had not enjoyed. For a time, he had been at the peak of the righteous martial world. Not only that, but his mother was from the imperial family, and his father was the lord of White Virtue Clan. His uncle, the current emperor, cherished him and often summoned him to the imperial palace.
He had used inkstones carved from jade, buttons made of ivory, and silk to wipe away sweat. He never ate the same food twice after it had touched his lips. To cater to Woo's picky palate, chefs had personally brought swallow's nests from the south, and he had artisans dedicated solely to crafting the incense pouches he used.
Thus, after knowing the truth, indulging in luxuries for himself felt like a sin. It felt as though he had stolen someone else's place without even realizing it. For such a sinner, silk bedding felt like just another punishment.
Instead, he found comfort in the simple blanket that Kang-oh had brought and cherished the blue peony he had picked for him even more.
"Ah, no matter how precious the gift, it's because I'm so... so ignorant that I can't enjoy it properly."
Kang-oh spoke again with a knowing tone. "It seems like you don't even try to get used to it. People naturally seek comfort, but you completely turn your back on that desire. If you were truly ignorant, you would have surrendered to the luxury suddenly available to you."
Woo's cold sweat began to form as he realized Kang-oh's insight.
""Excessive luxury will surely lead to misfortune," Woo stammered.
Woo scrambled to find an excuse, but Kang-oh's eyes narrowed further. He felt a wave of tension wash over him as he watched Kang-oh's expression. Kang-oh waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough. I can't win against you."
"…That's not it!" Woo exclaimed and quickly waved his hands. He hadn't expected Kang-oh to take it that way.
He had been pretending to be a docile servant, but now he wondered if his stubbornness was the reason Kang-oh couldn't seem to lose interest in him.
"Let me make one thing clear. None of what I've given you is excessive. I've matched it to a suitable level, and I will ensure you can enjoy it for a lifetime," Kang-oh stated firmly.
"T-There's no reason for you to do that, My Lord…" Woo began to protest, but Kang-oh cut him off.
"You know that I rarely show interest in others."
"Yes…" Woo replied, feeling the weight of the truth in that statement.
It wasn't just rare; it could be said that he had never shown interest at all.
"I find myself concerned about you." Kang-oh spoke clearly, careful that Woo wouldn't misunderstand.
Woo couldn't bring himself to look away from Kang-oh's steady gaze, yet he also couldn't fully meet it, so he lowered his head slightly.
"If you were an ordinary warrior, I would have made you join Honamdan. But given your special status and situation, I've kept you by my side. I haven't decided on the method yet, but I will take responsibility until the end, so there's no need to fear what you are enjoying now."
If these words had come from a complete stranger, or if Woo were simply a servant hated by Black Sky Lord, they might have sounded more reassuring.
"I…" Woo began, his voice thick with emotion. But Kang-oh interrupted him.
"You were going to refuse again, weren't you?"
"…"
Kang-oh's guess was correct. Woo intended to tell him that there was no need for that.
"Then I won't listen to it now. Take the time to understand just how heavy the words 'Black Sky's Third Disciple will take responsibility' truly are, and then answer me."
"…I understand."
Woo's slow response to consider the matter brought a smile back to Kang-oh's face. It was a smile that harmonized beautifully with the flowers blooming all around Hido-won.
In the past, Woo would have reached out to stroke that cheek. But now, he had to consciously suppress the impulse to move his hand, aware of the tension it would create.
Forcing a connection that had naturally frayed would bring no good.