OGHOU C36

Chapter 36

Just as Jeha had said, the narrow forest path was filled with strange plants unlike anything Cheongyeon had ever seen. There were black leaves patterned with white droplets and crimson flowers shaped like a lion’s head. Keeping his hands concealed within his sleeves to avoid brushing against any poisonous plants, Cheongyeon looked around in fascination, his attention pulled in every direction.

Ahead, Jeha unsheathed his sword and began slicing through the plants that appeared toxic, clearing the way. He must be doing it to make the path safer. Moved by the boy’s careful thoughtfulness, Cheongyeon smiled warmly.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere, Innkeeper?”

“No. What about you? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I brought you all this way. Naturally, I must see to your safety.”

“I’m really fine. Still, is it because of the poisonous plants? Even though the elevation is high, the air feels oddly warm and heavy.”

“Are you hot?”

Jeha glanced around briefly, then spotted a large broad leaf. With a deft stroke of his sword, he cut it loose.

“This isn’t poisonous—you can use it as a fan.”

Accepting the leaf, Cheongyeon began fanning himself. The broad, sturdy surface made it perfect for the task. Jeha watched him for a moment, amusement flickering in his eyes as the older man waved the improvised fan, before resuming his pace.

“Ah, that must be the rock over there.”

Following his pointing finger, Cheongyeon saw an enormous rock formation that truly resembled a dragon soaring skyward. Its long, twisting body wound upward until it ended in a horned head, its jaws wide open as though roaring at the sky.

‘Wait a minute.’

A sudden flash of memory made Cheongyeon freeze. That rock—there had been something about it in the original story. What was it again?

‘A secret manual!’

Yes, that was it. The manual! Inside the dragon’s gaping mouth, a secret martial art manual had been carved onto the stone itself. It had always felt absurd that no one had discovered something so obvious before, but the original novel had hardly ever been concerned with realism.

It was here that Somyeong’s sharp eyes had spotted the faint engraving and asked Jeha to climb up and memorize it. Thanks to that, the boy had rapidly advanced his martial skills.

“Is something wrong, Innkeeper?”

Since Somyeong wasn’t here, Cheongyeon would have to play his part instead. He looked up at Jeha and asked.

“Don’t you think there’s something written up there? Inside the mouth?”

Jeha narrowed his eyes and looked upward. Even if he lacked his Master’s perception, his eyesight was excellent—he should be able to make out the faint markings.

“Yes… I think there’s something.”

“It might be important. How about you climb up and check?”

Jeha’s gaze swept up and down the rock, measuring the height, before he nodded.

“I’ll go.”

He rolled his wrists and ankles, loosening his joints, then launched himself upward in one smooth movement. His hands found the jutting edges of rock, and with swift, sure motions, he climbed. Watching the light figure scaling a cliff at least five stories tall, Cheongyeon’s jaw dropped.

In hardly any time at all, Jeha reached the dragon’s head, settling himself comfortably atop it. He even waved down with a grin.

‘They should host rock-climbing tournaments in this world,’ Cheongyeon thought wryly.

If they did, his boy would win them all—he scaled stones as well as he rode horses.

Cheongyeon waved back proudly.

“Innkeeper! There really is something written here! It looks like a martial art manual!”

Leaning forward to peer into the dragon’s mouth, Jeha called out, excitement brimming in his voice. Then, face tightening in focus, he began to read silently.

‘I’m glad I came along today. It was worth the trip.’

If not, they would have walked right past, missing a major opportunity in Jeha’s growth.

“I’ve memorized it all! I’ll come down now!”

It didn’t take long—bright and quick-minded as ever, Jeha memorized the engravings in no time. He drew a small knife from his clothing, scraped the writing away to erase the manual, then began descending the rock with a beaming expression.

“I never imagined something like this would be hidden here! I’ll tell Master the moment we return!”

“Good, good. Come down carefully.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Innkeeper. How are you so perceptive and wise?”

“Stop flattering me—it’s embarrassing.”

He had almost forgotten it himself.

“I’m really glad I came here with you!”

“Enough already, I—wait.”

Cheongyeon suddenly froze. Something about this scene felt familiar—a bad omen prickled up his spine. Why had that manual been placed there in the first place…?

The next moment, everything happened in a blur.

While descending, Jeha’s hand suddenly slipped. He plummeted, falling from a height of nearly ten jang (around ten meters). Without thinking, Cheongyeon rushed forward, arms open on instinct.

But catching a boy taller and heavier than himself was impossible. The two crashed to the ground amid a heavy thud and a plume of dust.

“Argh…”

Pain rippled through Cheongyeon’s entire body. Groaning, he moved his fingers and toes gingerly—no broken bones, it seemed.

‘This godforsaken BL…’

Now he remembered—the reason that manual had been in that spot was for a BL setup.

It wasn’t for martial enlightenment at all! In the original scene, as Jeha had slipped, his Master had caught him flawlessly in a princess carry, their eyes meeting as the boy blushed in his arms.

The manual had merely been an excuse.

“Innkeeper! Are you all right?!”

“Ugh… I’m fine. Just… get off me.”

Realizing he was still sprawled atop Cheongyeon, Jeha scrambled backward in a panic.

“I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—are you hurt anywhere?”

He fussed anxiously, checking for injuries, only relaxing when he saw nothing serious.

“I’m so sorry… if only I had been more careful…”

Cheongyeon shook his head weakly, looking at the teary-eyed boy. This was his fault—he had forgotten that particular scene. Even back then he’d skimmed over the “love” parts, reading them with half-closed eyes. No wonder he hadn’t remembered.

And besides, even if Jeha had fallen from that height, he probably wouldn’t have gotten hurt. If anything, Cheongyeon’s attempt to catch him had thrown off his balance.

“Thank goodness.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just glad neither of us was seriously hurt. Help me up.”

“Yes!”

With Jeha’s aid, he managed to stand, wincing at the bruises that would surely bloom later.

“It would be best if you rested here, Innkeeper. The cave isn’t far—I can fetch the herb alone.”

“No. We’re going together.”

“But…”

“It’ll be cooler in the cave. It’s too hot out here. Let’s hurry.”

And indeed, it wasn’t just warm—it was oppressively hot. The heat felt as though it were seeping up from inside his body. Maybe the cave’s shade would help.

“Forgive me, Innkeeper. You’re limping on that right leg. Once we’re back, I’ll administer some acupuncture—Master taught me.”

“You learned that too? How diligent of you.”

Cheongyeon reached out and tapped Jeha’s cheek affectionately, just as he used to when the boy was little.

“Eh?”

Startled, Jeha caught his hand. His eyes widened.

“Innkeeper, your hand… it’s burning.”

“My hand?”

“It’s so hot…”

He pressed it to his own cheek, frowning.

“You’re flushed too. Are you all right?”

“My face?”

Cheongyeon touched his forehead with his free hand. There was definite heat. So that was why he’d felt so stifled.

“Perhaps you were injured after all…”

“No, that can’t be it… strange.”

“You should rest here a while, at least. Let’s move to the shade.”

He guided Cheongyeon to a patch free of poisonous plants and helped him sit.

“Maybe you weren’t fully recovered, and I made things worse by bringing you so far.”

“I was perfectly fine earlier… why now?”

Cheongyeon wiped the sweat streaming down his neck. His skin burned hot, his throat unbearably dry, his pulse racing out of control.

“Let’s go back. The herb isn’t worth your health—it’ll still be here later—”

“No, I’m fine. Just… bring me some water. My throat…”

“Yes, wait here. I’ll find a spring.”

As Jeha dashed off, Cheongyeon tore off his outer robe, which clung damply to his skin. Even without it, the fire inside wouldn’t die down. Heat coiled through him like flame licking from within.

“Haah…”

Gasping, he pressed trembling fingers into the dry earth.

Before long, Jeha returned, breathless.

“Innkeeper, we need to go! There’s a spring nearby, but the water’s tainted by poison plants—it’s not safe to drink! To get clean water, we’d have to go back to the forest entrance—”

“Oh, bloody hell.”

“Pardon?”

Cheongyeon nearly smacked himself in the forehead as realization struck. He remembered this part too late. He had skimmed this scene once before in exasperation.

“Are you all right?!”

“Don’t come near me!”

“What?”

“Stay back!”

He stumbled backward into the thick undergrowth, desperate to put distance between them.

“Did I do something wrong? Innkeeper!”

“It’s not that… please, just… don’t come closer.”

Sweat drenched his face; his pulse thundered. Stuffing his tunic into his mouth to stifle any sound, he thought grimly:

No matter what happens, Jeha mustn’t see me like this.