Under the cherry tree

Chapter 15: Prince's jewels (10)

Hi guys! I'm not dead yet!

It's been a long time since the last chapter, and now I finally managed to squeeze a few moments to write the final part of the Prince's jewels. We will be looking forward to the next episodes featuring the journey to Mount Hua and the finality of all the Henan business.

Enjoy!
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It's been nearly two weeks since we turned in the Viper and his cronies, and I'm starting to believe that Cheongmyeong might have stepped on Lou's tail or something. It wouldn't be surprising if he actually did, considering his rough way of handling things. And his nonexistent tact. And probably his lack of basic social skills too, who knows.

Although it's been a short time, I feel as if an entire month has passed since then, and that is because of the damned tension between these two. Every time they get dragged along in a common conversation with the rest of us, both of them manage to skillfully slip out of it as soon as it would involve them speaking to one another, as if sharing their thoughts on the matter might generate some sort of conflict. Not to mention they sometimes avoid even looking at each other when possible, especially that mad bastard.

Yunjong and Yoo Iseol think it's nothing too weird, saying it's most likely just Cheongmyeong's way of sulking because he couldn't pull this whole thing off without the girl's help. This individual is quite prideful, so it's plausible for him to think someone might have bested him at the task and therefore he's extremely pissed off and resorted to the silent treatment. But if that were the case, wouldn't this idiot just try to beat her up to prove his worth?

We tried prying answers from him about the matter, but he just grumbled angrily and walked away each time, claiming that nothing has actually happened and we shouldn't worry about it. But that definitely made us do just that... So, we did the only reasonable thing one would do in this situation: ask Lou.

It's right past lunchtime and we all finished our meal and, as usual, Cheongmyeong got up hastily and went out in town to do whatever just so he doesn't have to stay within a hundred meters radius from Lou. We waited for him to be out of earshot before I tugged gently on her sleeve and proposed we take a walk and think about what travel supplies we might need before we finally head out of Henan.

It took less than six minutes for this cunning young lady to figure out our plans, and right then she sighed heavily. Jo Gul started sweating besides me, nervous that she'll turn us down and choose not to answer.

"Guys, it's really nothing that deep." Lou started stretching her arms over her head before continuing, "We had a fight and now he's embarrassed that I could keep up with his speed and parried his attacks. Have you seen the cut on his face? I did that." She went ahead and after a few paces, the confused girl turned around, not understanding why we all stopped dead in our tracks as soon as she launched that projectile down on us. I swore the time froze for a second when she said the last three words. I was about to protest, but Jo Gul and Yunjong beat me to it. "You did what?!"

Needless to say, that afternoon was a frenzy because of the news. None of us would have expected someone might actually stand up to this monster, much less manage to hurt him. And from Lou's side of the story, it seems they fought on uneven grounds as well: a sword against daggers. Now ain't that damn impressive? She looks so feeble compared to him!

I kept my eyes on her while packing my baggage in the living room, when a hand started patting my back. I turned around and faced Jo Gul, who started whispering cautiously as not to be overheard by someone other than me. He signaled me to lean closer, and I did, not thinking much about it. His eyes bore some sort of combination of excitement and something akin to smugness. "Brother Baek! Follow me outside for a minute. I have something to tell you!"

Admittedly, I wasn't expecting such a request, but obliged either way after excusing myself and leaving Yoo Iseol and Lou to pack us some food for the journey by themselves, assuring them we wouldn't take long.

We found ourselves sitting at a table at a restaurant not too far from Lou's home and I arched an eyebrow at my companion, urging him to spill whatever he had to say to me. Jo Gul quickly caught on my message and suddenly clasped my hands from where he stood across, hardly containing a giggle. "Brother Baek, I think spring has finally arrived!"

Looking around our surroundings for good measure, I once again reminded myself it's nearly autumn. Confusedly, I turned back to him. "There's still several months before springtime. Brother, is something bothering you?"

Jo Gul fervently turned his head left and right with such vigor one might think it would pop off from his neck. He clasped my hands tighter, tugging me further towards him. "Of course it's not actually spring, you dummy! I mean it's 'spring', spring. Do you get it now?" His eyes glinted expectantly, pleading me to say yes.

The explanation he gave me just led to disorient me further, so I unfortunately had to say no. At that, Jo Gul quickly caught up with the problem and decided to cast aside the metaphors.

"I mean Cheongmyeong! Haven't you noticed? Don't act clueless, brother, I know you've been suspecting it too! Our junior brother might have taken a liking to our Lou!" A goofy grin graced his features whilst mine turned a ghastly pale. "Have you gone nuts?!"

He laughed merrily. "If I were crazy I would think you are just kidding me right now! Haven't you seen his face flush every single time he meets her eyes? The guy's head over heels for her, but he's too stuck up to admit it! I'm deadass sure he's not embarrassed because of a stupid fight, but because he's actually fallen in love with Lou! Ain't that sweet?"

Staring at my idiot of a friend dumbfounded in my seat, I try to regain my composure from the shock of his forfeiting his life to the devil by merely implying such an aberration. What the actual fuck?!

Without hesitation, I went around the table and grabbed Jo Gul by his shoulders only to start shacking his body in hope that he might come to his senses. "Stop spewing such nonsense! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! What if that demon hears you?!?" After a couple of seconds, I let him breathe a little only for him to start laughing like a madman. There's no reasoning with him.

"Don't let fear blind you, Baek Cheon! He's been following her like a puppy for a while know. Don't you remember how they went out together on multiple occasions doing god-knows-what?"

"They were working on the mission! To retrieve the artifact! This has nothing to do with romance!"

"I dare to negate your statement! Don't you remember how he abandoned his post at the brothel and went back to make sure she's safe? Or when he decided to follow her home in secret when it turned dark, claiming he's making sure she's not duping us? That was a lame excuse so he could watch over her! They even went out together and brought home sweets, candies I'm telling you! Cheongmyeong absolutely hates sugary snacks that are not infused with alcohol, damn it!"

Each word he yelled had landed physical blows on my body while startling the people going about the rest of their day as realization came crushing down on me. Is this abnormality actually true?!? No fucking way in hell! "Yeah, but that doesn't prove shit! He was probably just coaxing her into doing the work for him, that sounds more like the devilish Cheongmyeong I know!"

Almost offended himself, Jo Gul grabbed the collar of my robe and forced me to look straight in his eyes as he stated the next few words steadily and clearly, "I saw him going into her room at night!"

Is there any chance my hearing's got rusty? "Are... are you sure?"

"I swear on my honor as a disciple of the Mount Hua sect! He went in and closed the door behind him. I couldn't hear anything much because I thought that getting any closer might alert the bastard! He has inhuman hearing and you know it. I bet he thought we were all asleep, but I woke up when I sensed him walk across the living room like a thief!" He let go of my clothes and took a step back, embarrassment in his voice as he continued the story, "He came out after a few hours into the night. Then he fell asleep instantly, as if he fought a thousand men and was extremely exhausted! Something happened in that room for sure, and Cheongmyeong doesn't want us to find out!"

I shook my head, feeling dizzy as a whirl of emotions flooded my chest. Surely Lou wouldn't... "I understand what led you to think about this whole love theory, but don't you think that might just not be case? Lou doesn't seem like she likes him that much..." Or does she?

"Don't be a fool, brother. She looked quite content to have him around even before that. She acted nonchalant today so we don't poke our nose around their business." He paused. "Besides, you have to admit the demon has a pretty face."

Dumbfounded by Jo Gul's confident answer, I punched his shoulder with all the strength I could muster. Even if I still doubted Lou's reasons for liking our junior brother, I can't deny all of the evidence Jo Gul brought forth. Now all we can do is stay quiet about it and not interfere with the flow. The bastard is unpredictable and might not react too peacefully if he finds out we've been snooping about his love life... "Whatever. We should return... it's getting late and we shouldn't keep the girls waiting. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Jo Gul nodded silently as he fell into step beside me and we acted as if the conversation never happened.