Chapter 70 : The Beauty, Chouhui (3)

Chapter 70: The Beauty, Chouhui (3)

"You have given me the answer I sought, Young Master. You’ve passed the Fourth Gate."

Yong Hwarin responded with a calm smile.

In truth, Chouhui had abruptly changed the question for the Fourth Gate after watching Yong Hwarin pass the Third Gate.

She had assumed that Yong Hwarin, still so young, only passed the Third Gate because the previous passers had leaked the test question.

She thought that if someone just prepared thoroughly for that specific question, they could easily pass. That was Chouhui’s reasoning.

So, for the Fourth Gate, she dismissed the usual military strategy questions and presented one that no one had ever been asked before. But even that was answered correctly, and she couldn’t hide her inner surprise.

‘Is he a genius? How can someone that young possess such insight?’

Because it was the first time posing this question, she gave a subtle clue by placing the military book on the table.

But she believed no one would deduce the Battle of Changping from just that. Yet Yong Hwarin found the answer she wanted with pinpoint accuracy.

How could she not see him as a rare prodigy?

Surprised as she was, Chouhui did not let herself be shaken.

The final Fifth Gate was a trial no one could pass unless they were a core descendant of a first-class sect.

‘Judging by the energy he radiates, even the Twin Soul Mind Enchantment Technique might not work.’

No one had ever avoided that technique while under the influence of Dream Soul Elixir, which completely immobilized internal energy, especially when used in combination with her handmaid Ihwa.

Without inner strength, even the Abbot of Shaolin’s Forgetting Cosmos chamber couldn’t withstand the spell.

Yet when she looked into Yong Hwarin’s eyes, there was no sign that he’d lost his internal energy at all.

‘Could it be that the secret of the Fifth Gate leaked, and he took the antidote in advance?’

Otherwise, a young man of his age couldn’t possibly endure both the Dream Soul Elixir and the Soul Drawing Incense.

‘If he passes the Fifth Gate too, it’ll be troublesome. I’ll need a different test—something stronger than the Twin Soul Mind Enchantment Technique.’

Chouhui decided to use what she was most confident in for the final trial.

"Uncle Fan, lift the curtain."

"My lady?"

It was the first time she had ordered the curtain lifted before the challenger had even passed the test, so Fan Yegok was visibly flustered.

"It is a courtesy to someone who has passed the Fourth Gate."

Frowning, Fan Yegok complied and drew the curtain aside.

Chouhui rose from her seat and walked toward where Yong Hwarin stood.

Yong Hwarin also rose, watching her approach.

Thinking back, it was laughable how he had once challenged the Five Gates in his previous life just for a chance to meet Chouhui. Back then, he had thrown himself into it as though it were his life’s greatest goal.

Yes, back then, that was how he felt.

But as time passed, Yong Hwarin came to understand why he had become obsessed with the beautiful Chouhui, whose face he had never even seen.

‘I had hoped to find in Chouhui what I couldn’t get from my wife. It was revenge against my wife and a gift of compensation to myself. That was how it was back then. But in my forties, I finally understood—those who can’t find satisfaction in reality always chase after something without substance.’

Perhaps it was because he had already poured all his expectations and passion into Chouhui in his past life?

Though she stood before him now, her face hidden behind a silk veil, Yong Hwarin felt nothing.

He merely reflected on his past and realized how foolishly he had lived his life.

He came to feel that those who cannot love end up spending their whole lives seeking someone to love them.

But those who know how to love are different. They spend their lives not looking for someone who will love them, but someone they can love.

Only now had he come to understand that.

When even his wife, whom he had never loved, turned her back on him, Yong Hwarin realized that love wasn’t something that came to you—it was something you had to seek out. He writhed in the futility of a wasted life.

"It is an honor to meet you face to face like this."

His calm tone flowed gently from his lips.

Though his words carried sincerity, there wasn’t a hint of excitement, which made Chouhui feel slightly displeased.

Having grown accustomed to countless flattering words and flowery language aimed her way, such a plain response left her disappointed.

"May I know your full name?"

It was the first time Chouhui had ever asked a challenger their name at the Fifth Gate. Handmaid Ihwa and Fan Yegok exchanged glances of astonishment.

Even those who seemed more distinguished than Yong Hwarin, sons of high officials or noble families—even when Namgung Soomyung had challenged—Chouhui had never once asked for a name.

‘What does this mean?’

Ihwa recalled that this was the first time her mistress had ever asked a man for his name.

But upon hearing Yong Hwarin’s response, Ihwa let out an incredulous laugh.

"I go by Yong Mo."

"My goodness."

At the same moment Ihwa stifled a laugh, Fan Yegok glared at Yong Hwarin. Most Golden Badge challengers tried to reveal their names to Chouhui no matter what.

They all wanted to etch their name into her memory.

But even when challengers slipped their names into conversation, Chouhui never cared to remember them. As a result, she never retained any of their names.

‘The one who used the big sword. The tall man with the impressive beard.’

She always described them like that.

But this young brat, even when asked directly by her, merely replied, “Yong Mo.” It made Fan Yegok boil with anger.

It felt as though she had been insulted.

Chouhui, however, suddenly burst into laughter—clear and bright.

"Hohoho, Young Master Yong, you’re quite the amusing one."

"Not at all. I may be a little amusing, but certainly not very."

"Hohohoho!"

Chouhui laughed heartily, twisting her waist with joy. It had been a while since she laughed so freely.

"Very well, Young Master Yong. Since you're unwilling to share your name, I shall not ask further."

"My thanks."

As Yong Hwarin gave a slight bow, Chouhui stared at him quietly.

Even while looking at her, his eyes showed not the slightest tremble. It stirred something strange within her.

But that emotion was quickly washed away by his next words.

"What is the Fifth Gate?"

To his question, Chouhui pulled a chair over to the large table in the center and sat down.

"Please, sit here in front of me."

Yong Hwarin sat facing her, deep in thought.

‘She’s planning to use the Mind Enchantment Technique? That would be ideal. I can withstand it with the Demonic Master’s inner power.’

He hoped that this time, unlike the unpredictable test of the Fourth Gate, the challenge would be one he already knew.

"The trial of the Fifth Gate… is to duel with me."

"Hmm!"

A hum escaped from Yong Hwarin’s mouth at her words.

"My lady! What are you saying!"

Fan Yegok cried out in alarm, turning sharply toward Chouhui.

Seeing the setup, Yong Hwarin thought that this must also be a test being used for the first time today.

“Ihwa, go prepare writing tools for Young Master Yong and me.”

Handmaid Ihwa widened her eyes like lanterns and asked again.

“Are you really planning to do that, my lady?”

“Yes. No more questions—just bring them.”

At her mistress’s command, Ihwa retrieved two sets of writing tools from the corner of the room.

They were neatly prepared, as if she'd anticipated they would be used someday.

‘Is she planning to compose a poem?’

That thought crossed Yong Hwarin’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it, knowing the Fifth Gate wouldn’t be so simple, and tension gripped him.

‘Just like with the Fourth Gate, this test is entirely different from what I knew. I’m not sure how to interpret this.’

He had gained power to protect his clan and those he loved, but as the future deviated more and more, anxiety began to creep into Yong Hwarin’s heart.

He shook off his wandering thoughts as he watched Chouhui spread out the paper.

He focused on her lips, awaiting her words.

“The Fifth Gate’s test is this: while writing the poem I recite with your left hand, you must defend yourself against my attacks with your right. The first to complete the poem wins. Failure to write the poem is disqualification, and failing to block my attacks and therefore being unable to write is also disqualification. What do you say? Will you accept?”

Yong Hwarin was momentarily flustered by the content of the trial, and it showed clearly on his face.

“Even if you choose not to accept, I shall still drink with you tonight. Of course, with my veil on—as a courtesy to one who passed the Fourth Gate.”

In other words, if he thought winning was impossible, he could refuse the challenge. He would still earn a small reward by drinking with Chouhui all night, so it wouldn’t be a total loss.

But Yong Hwarin had no interest in Chouhui herself—so he accepted the challenge.

“I will accept. But I heard that whoever passes the Fifth Gate is granted a wish. Is that true?”

Chouhui could not smile at his serious question.

“Yes, it is true. I will grant any request. No matter what it is.”

Yong Hwarin’s eyes glinted at those words, and he emphasized again.

“No matter what it is?”

There was no way Chouhui didn’t understand the gravity of that statement.

Even if someone asked to spend a night of intimacy with her, she would have to accept it.

“Very well. Then I accept. What is the poem?”

“I’ll say this again. If you don’t know the poem and can’t write it, that is a failure. Are you still willing?”

“Please proceed.”

At Yong Hwarin’s calm tone, Ihwa secretly smirked.

‘You may be sharp when it comes to military strategy, but you're a martial artist through and through—you must be terrible with poetry. My mistress knows not only the greatest poems of our era but countless others. There's no way you’ll recognize the poem she recites.’

Moreover, even if he did know it, writing it with the left hand while fending off attacks with the right was no easy feat.

This required both hands to act independently—Chouhui had mastered the art of divided mind control, which made this possible for her.

Ihwa’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Yong Hwarin held his head high in confidence now, but she knew it wouldn’t last long.

Then Chouhui opened her mouth.

“The topic is ‘Untitled.’”

It was an unexpected title.

Yong Hwarin thought to himself.

‘As I thought, she’s no ordinary woman. She’s perfected the art of catching people off guard.’

Then she gave him a look that seemed to ask: “Will you even know it?”

“‘Untitled,’ is it? May I have a moment to think?”

“Of course.”

Upon hearing the title ‘Untitled’, Yong Hwarin realized something.

But he wasn’t using the time to recall a poem—he needed it to awaken the Demonic Master’s spirit.

When he first heard the Fifth Gate’s challenge, he had been troubled. But then he remembered the Demonic Master and believed he could overcome it.

‘You’ll fall by your own trickery, Chouhui.’

He began circulating his inner power according to the blood pathways taught to him by Man Saengtongja.

Mysteriously, unless he circulated energy along those specific meridians, he could not awaken the Demonic Master, no matter how hard he tried.

It seemed those were specialized meridians that stimulated the upper dantian and awakened the soul.