45.A Secret Meeting

Mi-ryeong always felt an odd sense of unease whenever she left Black Cloud Pavilion. No matter how much she tried to ignore it, a peculiar tension would settle over her the moment she stepped into the night. That night was no exception.

She moved quietly through the streets, the ambient sounds of the village fading behind her. But something felt off—like someone was watching her.

Her instincts told her to remain calm, to act naturally, but she couldn't shake the feeling. As she walked, her thoughts drifted elsewhere. To him.

He was always waiting in the shadows, like a specter. This man was no ordinary person. His presence gave her a strange mix of security and apprehension.

After several steps, she arrived at their usual meeting spot—a dimly lit alleyway beside an old, long-abandoned building. He was already there, as always, waiting for her in silence.

"Have you been waiting long?" Mi-ryeong asked in a low voice as she caught sight of his silhouette.

He studied her for a moment before answering. His face, ever unreadable, revealed nothing. His presence alone was suffocating, yet strangely comforting.

"This is where I need to be," he replied, his tone firm yet devoid of emotion. "As long as you are in danger, my presence is necessary."

Mi-ryeong exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening slightly. She understood his reasoning, but something about the way he spoke unsettled her.

"I will end this myself," she said cautiously. "I appreciate your protection, but in the end, the decision must be mine to make."

He nodded, acknowledging her resolve. A cold wind swept through the alley, but his presence remained unshaken.

"If you leave this place, you will never return," he stated. "Do you truly believe that is the right choice?"

Mi-ryeong hesitated for a brief moment before lifting her gaze to meet his. "I must continue my training. Tomorrow is important."

The words held more meaning than she let on. She wasn't simply leaving—she was choosing her own path, despite the presence of this man who had always stood as both her guardian and shadow.

He remained silent, his unreadable expression giving away nothing. But in his stillness, there was an unspoken tension, a lingering sentiment that even Mi-ryeong could not fully comprehend.

"Very well," he finally said, his voice colder than the night air. "But remember, I cannot guarantee your safety once you step away from my reach."

Mi-ryeong let out a small, bitter chuckle. "You always say that before disappearing." She turned away. "This time... it will be different."

He did not reply. Instead, he vanished into the darkness, leaving only silence in his wake.

Mi-ryeong stood motionless for a long moment, staring into the void he had left behind. His presence had always been both a comfort and a constraint.

As she turned back toward Black Cloud Pavilion, she wondered: Was she truly leaving him behind? Or had he already become an inseparable part of her path?

The answer, she knew, would come in time.

*******

The Gambling Match and the Arrival of Lee Do-hyun

The grand hall of Pungwolru was alive with the sounds of gambling. The rhythmic clatter of mahjong tiles, the rolling of dice, and the clinking of wine cups blended into the lively atmosphere. In the center of it all, Cheong Un-jin sat with a relaxed smile, effortlessly dominating the mahjong table.

One by one, those who lost to him left the table, swallowing their frustration and anger. Yet, none dared to voice their complaints. Every time Cheong Un-jin won, he would flash a cold smile, making it clear that no one should expect him to lose.

Then, amidst the noise, the hall grew momentarily silent as Lee Do-hyun entered. His presence was enough to make heads turn, and even Cheong Un-jin paused, looking up to meet his gaze.

"Lee Do-hyun of the Black Cloud Pavilion, you've finally arrived," Cheong Un-jin said with a confident tone. "I've heard your name in swordsmanship circles, but here in this mahjong parlor, the blade is meaningless—only mahjong matters."

Do-hyun met his gaze with an unwavering expression. "Is there a reason I should be interested in gambling?"

Cheong Un-jin smirked, elegantly twirling a mahjong tile between his fingers. "I heard you enjoy games of strategy. If that's true, wouldn't it be more entertaining to test our wits here rather than crossing blades?"

Do-hyun remained silent, carefully gauging his opponent. He had never been particularly drawn to gambling, but he did enjoy mind games and psychological battles. His keen intellect, sharpened through countless battles, would not falter even in a gambling den.

"It's true that I enjoy strategy games," Do-hyun said in a calm tone.

"But for me, it's not about the game itself—it's about determining the outcome."

Cheong Un-jin chuckled and tossed a tile onto the table. "Outcome, you say? Then why don't we raise the stakes? If we won't settle this with martial arts, let's make this game the true battlefield."

He spun a tile between his fingers once more, eyes gleaming with amusement. "If I excel in mahjong, it means I understand psychology better than anyone else. And in this match, victory will belong to the one who can read the other best."

Do-hyun narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the challenge hidden within his words. "I see. If you think your ability to win in a game like this is enough to prove your superiority, then I'll play along. But don't assume the result will be in your favor."

The game began, and the air around them grew tense. Do-hyun maintained a composed expression as he carefully selected his tiles, while Cheong Un-jin, ever the strategist, worked to psychologically pressure him.

Each discarded tile, each subtle movement, was a weapon in this silent duel. Cheong Un-jin observed Do-hyun's every reaction, trying to detect even the slightest hesitation. He knew that if he allowed Do-hyun to gain momentum, he might find himself at a disadvantage.

But Do-hyun was no ordinary opponent. His mind remained sharp, his gaze steady. He skillfully avoided the psychological traps laid by Cheong Un-jin, turning them against him instead.

As the game progressed, the balance shifted, and in the final moments, Do-hyun secured victory.

For a brief moment, Cheong Un-jin's expression faltered. Then, he let out a small chuckle and leaned back.

"Impressive," he admitted. "You're more skilled than I expected. This match turned out to be far more entertaining than I anticipated."

Do-hyun calmly placed his final tile down. "The match may be over, but don't assume our battle ends here. There will be another game, in a different arena."

Cheong Un-jin met his gaze and gave a slow nod. He no longer took Do-hyun lightly. Though this was merely a game, the tension between them hinted that this was only the beginning of a larger conflict.