𝑨 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 (𝑨𝒍𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔)

gold rush

The sun cast a golden hue over Songrim, its warm rays filtering through the intricate wooden lattice windows of the library. Jang Uk and Mudeok stand behind a shelf, watching over Seo Yul and discussing their next steps. Uk's gate of energy had been opened, but now he needed to learn how to control the torrent of energy within him. The key to this, they both knew, lay in mastering the Seo family’s breathing techniques.

"We need to get close enough to Seo Yul to learn his breathing techniques," Uk said, his voice a mix of determination and frustration. "But how?"

“Go ask him. You said you were close.” Mudeok said, gesturing for Uk to approach Yul who was reading a book nearby.

Uk frowned, his eyes scanning the room to ensure they were alone. "Yul is a careful guy. If I ask, he will catch on and tell Heo Yeom."

Mudeok nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "Just ten breaths. No, seven will be enough. I will be able to know by putting a hand in his core of energy."

Uk shook his head, his expression doubtful. "He will break your hand before his first breath. Besides, if Hyorin saw you do that, she would curse you. It is either you waking up on the top of the mountain or hallucinating until you go crazy."

Mudeok felt scared by Uk’s words, not expecting the girl she met in Danhyanggok years ago to hold such abilities. “You’re right. I do not think I can do to him what I did to you.”

Uk felt flabbergasted by Mudeok’s words. “And what is that supposed to mean? You feel uneasy touching him unlike how you felt with me?”

“Are you seriously asking that now? We need to figure out how to get his breathing techniques.”

“How about asking Hyorin? Yul surely wouldn’t break her hand if she tried to put her hand in his core of energy.” Uk suggested.

“Asking Hyorin about Yul's breathing techniques?" Mudeok's voice was skeptical. "Isn't that a bit too risky? She’ll probably tell him everything, and then we’ll be in even more trouble."

Before Mudeok could respond, Danggu interrupted them, a frown on his face. "What are you two whispering about?"

Uk glanced at Mudeok before answering, "We were just discussing Yul. Mudeok seems to have taken an interest in him."

Danggu's eyebrows shot up. "An interest? Mudeok, Yul already has a wife. And besides, he's never shown any interest in women, despite the fact that they line up for him. The day he married was practically a national heartbreak day for Daeho."

Mudeok’s face flushed slightly, but she didn’t deny Uk’s statement. Instead, she shrugged noncommittally. "I know, Danggu. It's just... he’s intriguing."

Danggu sighed, shaking his head. "Just steer clear of him, Mudeok. For your own sake.”

Mudeok forced a smile, playing along with Uk’s lie. "I understand, Danggu. I’ll be careful."

Danggu nodded, satisfied for the moment, and moved to another part of the library. Uk and Mudeok exchanged a relieved glance, but the weight of their task remained heavy.

Later that afternoon, Hyorin arrived at Songrim carrying a basket filled with lunch for Yul. As she made her way through the library, she spotted Uk and Mudeok watching her. Uk nudge Mudeok, and they observed silently as Hyorin approached Yul, who was engrossed in a book.

"Yul," Hyorin called softly, a gentle smile on her face. "I brought you lunch."

Yul looked up, his expression softening as he saw her. "Thank you, Hyorin. You didn’t have to."

Hyorin set the basket down and began unpacking the food. "I wanted to. You’ve been distracted lately, and I thought you might need a break."

As Yul and Hyorin shared a quiet moment, Uk and Mudeok watched from a distance, noting the subtle but unmistakable care Yul still held for his wife. Despite the tension between them, there was a bond that neither of them could deny.