46.A Lighthearted Twist After the Duel

Despite his loss, Cheong Un-jin rose from his seat with a grin. His face was slightly flushed, but instead of anger or resentment, his eyes sparkled with amusement. After a brief pause, he let out a hearty laugh.

"Haha! Today, drinks are on me! Lee Do-hyun of the Black Cloud Pavilion, I shall call you my brother from now on!"

Without hesitation, Cheong Un-jin signaled the attendants to bring drinks, his voice ringing through the hall. The once tense atmosphere instantly relaxed, replaced by a lively energy.

Do-hyun watched the scene unfold, quietly contemplating. He had heard of Cheong Un-jin's reputation as a notorious gambler, but today, he had witnessed something unexpected.

Despite his cutthroat style of gambling, Cheong Un-jin was not the type to be consumed by pride. Even in defeat, he showed neither anger nor bitterness—only an easy-going, magnanimous spirit.

"So the so-called 'villains' of the martial world aren't as one-dimensional as people claim," Do-hyun mused. He had assumed that those from the unorthodox faction were all selfish and ruthless, but the man before him was different.

Instead of sulking over his loss, Cheong Un-jin laughed it off and treated everyone to drinks, showing generosity that few would expect from someone of his background.

"Ha! I always thought those from the unorthodox faction were all rough and unpredictable," Do-hyun murmured to himself. "But it turns out they can be just as refined as anyone else."

Cheong Un-jin was already raising his cup, his laughter contagious. "Haha! This brother of mine—what an unexpected talent! I never thought I'd lose, but I must admit, you truly outplayed me. No matter! In gambling, one loses some and wins some. What matters is enjoying the game!"

Do-hyun remained silent, watching him closely. The more he observed Cheong Un-jin, the more he realized—this man wasn't just a gambler or a troublemaker. He was someone who lived freely, enjoying every moment, without clinging to rigid ideologies.

Perhaps, the divide between the orthodox and unorthodox factions was merely a matter of perspective.

"Justice and villainy…" Do-hyun murmured, sipping his drink. "Maybe those labels are just convenient excuses people use to define the world in simple terms."

He glanced at Cheong Un-jin, who was still laughing boisterously, treating strangers as if they were old friends.

At that moment, Do-hyun understood something. The true nature of a person wasn't determined by the faction they belonged to. It was determined by how they lived, how they treated others, and what they valued.

He had won the match, but tonight, he had also learned something far more valuable.

As the drinks flowed and laughter filled the hall, Do-hyun couldn't help but smile. This encounter had been more than just a game—it was a glimpse into the ever-changing world of Kangho.

*******

The Black Witch's First Attempt

On the road leading to Black Cloud Hall (Heukungwan), Baek Wol-Hee lay sprawled among the long-stretching trees. She appeared to have collapsed naturally, but it was an intentional act. Fortunately, someone happened to be passing by at that moment, and that person was Lee Do-Hyun.

Lee Do-Hyun was walking along the quiet forest path, carrying a sword on one shoulder and a book on swordsmanship in his other hand. Each step he took echoed softly in the stillness. Then, he spotted a fallen woman lying in his path. His footsteps halted.

"What happened?" Do-Hyun approached her and asked.

She slowly opened her eyes and extended a trembling hand, her voice frail and weak.

"Please... help me... I feel unwell." Baek Wol-Hee spoke in a delicate voice, luring him in. Her gaze was soft like mist, and her lips trembled faintly.

Do-Hyun briefly examined her outstretched hand before nodding. His eyes held a trace of suspicion, but he nonetheless reached out to support her, carefully helping her to her feet.

"It looks like you were injured in a dangerous place. Are you alright?" Do-Hyun asked as he steadied her.

Baek-Hee subtly leaned against him, but Do-Hyun remained composed. His posture was straight, and his grip on her was careful and calculated—like handling a blade rather than assisting a woman.

Baek-Hee noticed something strange. He wasn't reacting to her as a woman. Not because he was avoiding her femininity, but because that was simply who he was. That realization was unexpected.

"Thank you so much," she murmured in a feeble voice, trying to gauge his response. But his demeanor remained calm and indifferent.

Do-Hyun's lack of reaction perplexed her. His behavior wasn't forced or feigned—it was natural. He was a man who simply did not regard women the way others did. He was different.

The gates of Black Cloud Hall creaked open, and Baek-Hee cautiously stepped inside. The interior was orderly and disciplined. She could sense that the serene atmosphere here was an extension of Do-Hyun's own nature.

As she glanced around the garden and training grounds, assessing her position, she noticed two women observing her from a distance—Han So-Yeon and Mi-Ryeong.

Han So-Yeon studied Baek-Hee with an open and friendly gaze, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this woman was dangerous. She admired Baek-Hee's beauty, yet behind that elegance, she sensed something powerful and unsettling.

Mi-Ryeong, on the other hand, was visibly cautious. Her sharp intuition told her that Baek Wol-Hee wasn't simply a lost traveler. She had an aura that suggested she was someone who deceived others with ease.

"Hello," So-Yeon greeted warmly. "I heard you were injured. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just stumbled while walking," Baek-Hee replied smoothly. Her voice lacked weakness—it carried a calculated charm instead.

Mi-Ryeong narrowed her eyes slightly. "May I ask why you've come to Black Cloud Hall?" Her tone was subtly defensive.

"I just needed a place to rest. I don't intend to impose," Baek-Hee responded, her smile disarmingly natural as she carefully gauged their reactions.

So-Yeon hesitated briefly, observing Baek-Hee's face. She had never been one to judge a person at first glance, but something about Baek-Hee's seemingly perfect mannerisms felt unsettling.

"Then please, take your time to recover. If you need anything, let us know." So-Yeon kept her tone neutral.

Baek-Hee nodded with a pleasant smile. Though polite, there was an undercurrent of something unreadable in her expression.

That night, Baek-Hee sat alone in her guest room at Black Cloud Hall, unable to shake the thoughts of Do-Hyun from her mind.

"What kind of man is he, really?"

She found herself thinking about him repeatedly. His cold demeanor and lack of reaction to her charms had shocked her.

"He doesn't see me as a woman?"

Most men would have, even if they tried not to. But Do-Hyun's attitude was different. He wasn't pretending—he truly didn't care. That realization unsettled her