SYM 130 END

Eun-hyeon felt as though he had emerged from a long tunnel when he regained consciousness.

He couldn’t recall the last time he had felt such refreshment. His body, which had been sluggish and heavy, was now light, and his headache had vanished.

…Am I dead?

It had been a long time since he had felt such refreshment, even in his original body.

Namgung Eun-hyeon’s physical condition had been so terrible that his previous state felt relatively good, but he hadn’t had a normal day since the car accident.

He could predict rainy days before the weather forecast, and painkillers were a constant companion.

The healthiest body Eun-hyeon had ever experienced was Seo Eun-hyeon’s. But now, it felt like he was back in his Seo Eun-hyeon days.

Eun-hyeon got up and examined his body. His limbs were light, and his stomach felt comfortable.

“How can I be in such good condition?”

Jeong-hyeon’s attack. The fire that consumed the Prince’s residence.

The events leading up to his collapse flashed through his mind.

He had been certain that he was going to die in the end, his body in such terrible condition, but how could he have recovered so completely?

Eun-hyeon had sensed his end at the Third Prince’s residence. He didn’t know much about medicine, but he knew that his condition couldn’t be improved by simply taking an Elixir.

…What kind of magic did Cheong-un perform to make his body like this?

Eun-hyeon felt a sense of unease.

He recalled the warmth of the hands on his back, the hot energy, and the gentle voice that occasionally whispered to him.

“Did Cheong-un help me with Qi Circulation?”

But Eun-hyeon quickly shook his head.

To improve this much just by receiving Inner energy?

Inner energy wasn’t that capable.

As Eun-hyeon sat on the bed, sorting out his thoughts, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared. It was Yoon Ju-myeong.

“You’re awake? I’ll go and fetch Cheong-un right away. Cheong-un has been by your side the whole time but has just stepped out to the next room for a moment…”

“Wait, just a moment!”

Yoon Ju-myeong’s awkward use of the title ‘Cheong-un’ was probably out of consideration for Eun-hyeon, who still felt uncomfortable with the Demonic Sect’s affairs.

Eun-hyeon grabbed Yoon Ju-myeong, who was trying to escape.

“There’s something I’m curious about…”

“That, that is…”

Eun-hyeon grabbed Yoon Ju-myeong, who was trying to escape with a troubled expression.

He had a feeling that even if he asked Cheong-un about this, he wouldn’t get a straight answer.

And soon, he heard an astonishing story from Yoon Ju-myeong.

…Innate True Qi?

As soon as he heard that Cheong-un had shared his Innate True Qi with him, Eun-hyeon rushed to Cheong-un.

“Cheong-un! Cheong-un!”

Eun-hyeon ran out without even putting on his shoes properly. He threw open the door to the next room, just as Yoon Ju-myeong had said, and saw Cheong-un looking at documents.

“Is Amhon’s story true?”

“You’re awake, Master.”

Cheong-un smiled as he saw Eun-hyeon rushing towards him, breathless.

Seeing Eun-hyeon with such a healthy complexion filled him with a sense of satisfaction from the bottom of his heart.

“Why would you use Innate True Qi! Isn’t that something that eats away at your life! It’s not true, is it? Yoon Ju-myeong, that man must have misunderstood something?”

“Did Yoon Ju-myeong tell you?”

Cheong-un’s cold gaze turned to Yoon Ju-myeong, who froze like a frog facing a viper.

“He only answered when I asked him. More importantly, why…! Why would you do something so dangerous! I, I…”

“Didn’t you expect me to do this?”

Eun-hyeon bit his lip at Cheong-un’s calm tone.

“So you thought I would cling to life, gnawing away at your lifespan?”

Cheong-un smiled even as he saw Eun-hyeon’s anger. A healthy Eun-hyeon, freely expressing his anger and rage, was more beautiful than he had imagined.

“Master, I would do the same thing again, even if I went back.”

Eun-hyeon had found out sooner than he had expected, thanks to the talkative Yoon Ju-myeong, but Cheong-un had no intention of hiding it from him anyway.

“How is your body now? The energy inside you is mine, so it might feel a little strange. But you’ll get used to it soon enough.”

“My body is better than ever. But wait a moment. Then Cheong-un, how is your body?”

“I’m fine.”

He couldn’t tell just by looking, but he examined Cheong-un closely, wondering if there was anything different about him. Perhaps it was because he already knew the answer, but Cheong-un’s complexion seemed pale.

“How could you be fine after using Innate True Qi? Tell me honestly how you’re feeling.”

Cheong-un smiled at Eun-hyeon’s shouting. He loved that Eun-hyeon was worried about him.

“Master. Did you think I would just sit idly by and watch you die? I would grab the Grim Reaper by the collar to keep you by my side. It’s too late to regret choosing a madman.”

Eun-hyeon stared at Cheong-un, speechless.

He couldn’t help but notice the obsession and regret hidden within those calm words.

“Why would you do this much for me?”

“Master, I don’t need a long life without you. What I don’t need just happens to be what you need, so don’t feel burdened. The past twenty years without you have been enough.”

“…Cheong-un.”

Eun-hyeon couldn’t say anything more at Cheong-un’s sincere words.

“I’m a little tired today. But I’ll recover soon, so don’t worry.”

Cheong-un looked at Eun-hyeon with a poignant gaze.

In that moment, Eun-hyeon realized that he would never be able to escape from Cheong-un.

Eun-hyeon let out a soft sigh.

Accepting the situation, he felt a mix of pity and anticipation for Cheong-un. His heart was complicated.

“Alright. There’s nothing we can do about what’s already happened by talking about it now. Let’s talk about this later. More importantly, how is your body? Are you dizzy or nauseous?”

“Now that you mention it, I do feel a little unwell. If I lie down, will you take care of me, Master?”

Cheong-un glanced at Eun-hyeon as he spoke, and Eun-hyeon approached and took Cheong-un’s hand.

“Of course! Who else would do it if I didn’t? Lie down now.”

“I’m sorry. I still have work to do, so please rest first, Master…”

“What work! There’s nothing more important than your health. Lie down now.”

Eun-hyeon took Cheong-un’s hand and led him to the bed.

“Wait, Cheong-un. Your hand feels too warm. Do you have a fever?”

Eun-hyeon placed his hand on Cheong-un’s forehead.

“I don’t know. I’ve had a headache since earlier, so maybe it’s because I have a fever.”

“You’ve always been healthy since you were young, but when you get sick, you get really sick. So you need to rest well in advance before you get sick.”

As Eun-hyeon tried to lay Cheong-un down on the bed, Cheong-un gently pulled Eun-hyeon’s wrist and pulled him into his arms.

“Wait a moment…”

“Why don’t you lie down with me, Master? You haven’t been awake for long either.”

“No, I’m fine now. My body is healthier than I’ve ever felt before…”

“I’m so glad.”

Eun-hyeon trembled at the low voice whispering in his ear as he was embraced.

“Master, don’t ever think about abandoning me and going anywhere alone again. I will never let you go.”

“Cheong-un… I wasn’t trying to abandon you. I was just.”

“I know. But if only you are by my side, I don’t care if the world is destroyed. If Jeong-hyeon hadn’t touched you, I wouldn’t have stopped him from becoming Emperor.”

“…Cheong-un.”

“You were the only one for me from the beginning.”

Cheong-un gently kissed Eun-hyeon’s forehead. Eun-hyeon flinched but didn’t avoid it.

“Tell me honestly. How much Innate True Qi did you use? I know my own body.”

After a moment of silence, Cheong-un stroked Eun-hyeon’s hair.

“Now you must spend all your remaining time with me, Master. Wouldn’t it be nice to be lovers facing the end together?”

Facing the end together… So his remaining lifespan must be similar to his own.

Eun-hyeon let out a soft sigh.

“Cheong-un. I’ll practice Martial Arts diligently from now on too. If I practice Martial Arts, I’ll undergo a transformation and my lifespan will increase.”

“That’s good. I’ll oversee your Martial Arts this time, Master. Until we undergo a transformation together.”

Kiss–

A light kiss sounded on Eun-hyeon’s forehead.

Eun-hyeon chuckled and put his arms around Cheong-un’s neck. This time, Eun-hyeon placed his lips on Cheong-un’s lips.

“Alright. You can be my Master this time.”

“If you wish.”

Eun-hyeon, captivated by the complete fulfillment he was experiencing for the first time, slowly closed his eyes. His heart felt ticklish.

The bright sunlight and cool breeze coming in from outside the window embraced the two of them.

-The End-