NOVEL NEXT Chapter 210
Chapter 210: The Master of the Inner Room
Tap.
The door shut. Yujinhwi had closed it with her mystical powers.
Transformed back into a woman, having undone her male disguise, Yujinhwi sat down in the remaining chair, extending her internal energy to wrap the entire room in a sound barrier.
“It’s been a while. Sahyeong, or should I say Saje?”
“You can call me Sahyeong. It feels… more familiar and I kind of like it.”
Yujinhwi smiled.
Saje.
It was a term used for an older female sect member, but Yujinhwi preferred the title of Sahyeong.
Lee Cheol-soo.
Her beloved disciple always addressed her as Sahyeong.
“I understand. Sahyeong.”
Seoharin said with her usual expressionless face. Yujinhwi didn’t mind, knowing Seoharin was always like this.
Although not as close as disciples, her Same and Sabe also held a precious place in her heart.
The Gongdong Sect members were the very world she needed to protect.
“Did you also call Seomun Saje?”
“Yes, she’s now part of our sect.”
Seoharin replied.
At her words, Seomun Cheong-ha flinched but chose not to argue.
“Hmph. I won’t outright deny it. After all, I’m still Lee Cheol-soo’s pirate!”
Never having been dismissed, she was a member of the Gongdong Sect.
Seomun Cheong-ha’s argument had many holes, but Seoharin didn’t care since she knew Seomun couldn’t escape the Gongdong Sect.
“If Sabe says so, then fine.”
Yujinhwi agreed.
She wasn’t a full member of the Gongdong Sect, but like Dang Yeong-ryeong, she was at least considered a guest. Not as important as the family, but still someone worth caring about.
“Cut to the chase. Sahyeong. Your declaration of gender out loud means…”
Seoharin’s blue eyes focused on Yujinhwi.
Lee Cheol-soo.
Her fate, her everything. Seoharin was infatuated with him. He saved her father without expecting anything in return. He was the only person she could trust completely in this world. Thus, Lee Cheol-soo was her everything.
But despite her feelings, her position felt precarious. Although she was tied by an unbreakable bond as Sahme, that was all.
This Sahyeong clearly cared for her, but because they were sect siblings, it was a different kind of care.
She was not seen as a woman.
That was the problem.
‘Do I need to grow up more?’
Seoharin looked down at her chest. It had already developed sufficiently. But her body still hadn’t matured. Sahyeong liked the Geumhu senior. No doubt she admired a mature woman like Geumhu.
To Sahyeong, she probably looked like a child. That shouldn’t be the case.
Seoharin’s gaze landed on Yujinhwi. She addressed her Sahyeong.
“…Are you preparing to become this Sahyeong’s official concubine?”
Yujinhwi had no other reason for declaring her gender.
Seoharin believed this.
Seoharin herself was different from Yujinhwi.
She was a year older. Yujinhwi had spent far longer with her Sahyeong. She was older than Sahyeong and possessed beauty that rivaled even the Most Beautiful in the World, Jeoksawol.
Moreover, she had admired Sahyeong long before.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Yujinhwi had gathered all the women who cared for Lee Cheol-soo and declared her gender.
This was practically a declaration of war.
“Th-That…”
Yujinhwi stammered. Seoharin’s usual blank expression seemed a bit frightening today. Official Concubine.
She had never even dared to dream of such a position. To be the favored partner of a man, she had to be able to bear children. A woman who couldn’t continue the bloodline had no right to be a wife.
So she could not even dream of being an official concubine or even a wife.
Thus, she would have been content with a humble relationship where Lee Cheol-soo embraced her when he felt like it.
But an official concubine?
‘…I should refuse…’
Such a position was out of the question. She had no qualification.
That’s what she should have said. But the instant she recognized the unknown desire behind Seoharin’s cold eyes, Yujinhwi couldn’t say anything.
No, it wasn’t just because of Seoharin.
She too, in fact…
‘I also, actually want to be the official concubine of my disciple.’
She wanted to be the wife of her disciple.
She wished to have a child with him. To raise a beautiful daughter that looked like both of them. To truly become family with her disciple. To be called “Mom.”
The suppressed desires filled Yujinhwi’s heart.
Seoharin’s empty gaze captured Yujinhwi’s longing.
Seoharin read Yujinhwi’s desires. She also understood her hesitations.
‘Sahyeong, who carries the great responsibility of reconstructing the Gongdong Sect, must have thought to cast aside personal feelings, but the feelings for this Sahyeong are clearly so strong that she’s hesitating.’
Seoharin interpreted Yujinhwi’s desires based on her accumulated knowledge.
Yujinhwi had disguised herself as a man for the sake of the Gongdong Sect restoration. She had been raised all along to be the next leader of the Gongdong Sect.
For the greater cause, she had to set aside personal affections and feelings as a woman.
That was why she hesitated.
‘I need to support Sahyeong here.’
Seoharin’s empty gaze glimmered with a sense of purpose.
She understood. In the current situation, it was unlikely for her to become the official concubine. But as a secondary wife, that was achievable.
Moreover, determining the secondary wife was entirely within the authority of the official concubine, who managed the family hierarchy.
Thus, in order for her to become secondary, she needed to promote someone close to her as the official concubine.
‘Geumhu or Jeoksawol are out of the question.’
From that standpoint, Geumhu and Jeoksawol were disqualified.
Jeoksawol was a recently joined member, and Geumhu was still an outsider.
Neither of them should ever become the official concubine.
And the only person who could stand against those two was the Sahyeong in front of her, Yujinhwi.
If she became the leader of the Gongdong Sect and the Most Beautiful in the World, Jeoksawol and Geumhu would have to take a step back before her.
Moreover, Yujinhwi and she were sect siblings. It would also be beneficial for Yujinhwi if Seoharin became the secondary wife.
Yujinhwi, meeting Seoharin’s gaze, shuddered slightly.
‘Why did the Same bring this up? Is she… planning to become my disciple’s official concubine…?’
Yujinhwi’s demeanor grew heavier.
The Same liked her disciple.
That much she already knew. But thinking that she aimed for the position of official concubine made her heart feel weighted. Dark emotions blossomed within her. It was jealousy.
The Same could bear children unlike her. Being younger than her disciple, and a fellow Gongdong Sect member, the Same had an advantage.
It would be better if the Same became the official concubine rather than Geumhu or Jeoksawol. But why did her heart feel so tight?
‘I shouldn’t harbor such ugly feelings towards the Same…!’
Yujinhwi desperately suppressed the rising feelings of jealousy and said.
“Haha, Same… What do you mean by that? M-me? An official concubine? Not yet… The disciple… isn’t in that position yet…”
Yujinhwi was blushing, her voice anxious as she rambled.
At that moment.
Grab.
Seoharin seized Yujinhwi’s hand.
She penetrated the anxiety Yujinhwi was feeling. Yujinhwi was worried that Seoharin might also participate in the competition for becoming the official concubine.
Well, she had been living in a male disguise for so long. It was possible she felt insecure about her own charm.
To carry out her plan, she needed to reassure Yujinhwi first.
“Yusayeong. I do not intend to become your official concubine. That’s beyond my station. Instead, I plan to make you the official concubine.”
Seoharin said. Yujinhwi’s eyes widened at her words.
She spoke with a trembling voice.
“Me? Really, someone like me…”
Could she truly aspire to such a position?
Yujinhwi had been content to accept a role as a concubine. But hearing such words from her Same…
Desires began to rise within her.
“Yusayeong has been with this Sahyeong longer than anyone else in our sect, and you share a bond closer than that with Geumhu or Jeoksawol. There’s no guarantee you won’t become the official concubine before them. No, you must.”
Seoharin’s words shook Yujinhwi’s conviction. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Is it really okay?”
Really.
Was it acceptable for someone like her to be the official concubine? At Yujinhwi’s question, Seoharin nodded.
“Yes, Sahyeong. Have confidence.”
“Same, why did you say such a thing?”
“…I like this Sahyeong too. But I know my place. I cannot become the official concubine. But if not the first, I want to become the second. So…”
Seoharin slightly faltered in her speech. In her view was Yujinhwi.
Great Sahyeong Yujinhwi.
Leader student Yujinhwi.
While not as precious as Lee Cheol-soo, Yujinhwi was also an important person to Seoharin.
“I’d prefer if Sahyeong got the first, and I became the second.”
Seoharin said.
“I see.”
Yujinhwi responded awkwardly. She could feel Seoharin’s fiery emotions. Despite appearing indifferent, the Same’s feelings would blaze when related to her disciple.
“Yes. I will surely bear Sahyeong’s child.”
Seoharin’s words made Yujinhwi flinch.
A child.
That was the one thing Yujinhwi could never have; her greatest flaw.
Right.
If anyone were to bear the disciple’s child, it should honestly be the Same. After all, she was a fellow member.
Yujinhwi forced a smile.
“Okay. Please do that.”
Just then, as their conversation wrapped up.
“Wait a minute! Wh-wh-what are you talking about!?”
Seomun Cheong-ha interrupted with a red face. No wonder Yujinhwi had been called; Seoharin was talking about the distant future after Lee Cheol-soo matured.
And she was serious about it.
“Seomun Saje, how about becoming the third wife? The three of us could fill the position of the three wives, enjoying a hundred years of harmony together. What do you think, Sahyeong?”
“I’m fine with whatever.”
Yujinhwi truly didn’t care.
Seomun Cheong-ha was a guest of the Gongdong Sect. It was better to have someone she knew in the position of third wife.
“W-who’s making decisions about my future without my consent?!”
Bang.
Seomun Cheong-ha slammed the table and began rambling with a reddened face.
Watching Seomun Cheong-ha, Seoharin spoke coldly.
“Don’t you long for this Sahyeong as well?”
“Th-that’s…”
No, she did not long for her.
Wanting to deny it was impossible. Seomun Cheong-ha’s words faltered.
Seoharin, watching this, smiled awkwardly.
The coercion was complete.
Now, all that remained was to elevate Yujinhwi as the official concubine.
*
In the separate wing of the Gongdong Sect Guest Hall.
After Lee Cheol-soo left.
So Geom-hu sat side by side with her master, Geumhu, after sending Lee Cheol-soo off.
An awkward silence settled between the two girls, bound by their disciple-master relationship. So Geom-hu found herself wishing to be embraced by her beloved master. Yet, upon facing her revered teacher, she could say nothing.
Her master. In the spotlight of someone she admired. Usually refreshing and exciting, it felt like a bed of thorns at that moment.
Just then.
As she fiddled with an innocent teacup, Geumhu’s voice reached So Geom-hu’s ears.
“Did you have a nice chat with Eungong about your feelings?”
Feelings.
At the word, So Geom-hu froze, stopping at her seat.