Contemplating the cause, Sharti recalled her exertion the previous night. But the man running with her in the forest would be in the same situation.
The aroma of the savory soup brought him even more to mind.
‘…It’s delicious.’
The soup she hesitantly tasted was really good, distinctly different from the ones she made.
‘Does it taste like this with meat in it?’
She finished the bowl before she knew it, realizing too late that she had eaten in a rush.
Just then, she heard someone coming down the stairs.
‘Ah! I’ve been away from my post too long.’
Wondering if someone was looking for her again, Sharti straightened her clothes.
“Still haven’t found him?”
“They formed a search party, but if they haven’t found him yet, he must be hiding somewhere.”
“That bastard knows! As soon as we catch him, straight to jail!”
The harsh atmosphere prevented Sharti from leaving her hiding spot.
Unaware of Sharti sitting in the corner, the soldiers continued their conversation.
“What does Tristan say?”
“He heard reports of footprints leading down the mountain and thinks it’s possible they went down.”
“Really? Then they might have returned before us?”
“Damn! Then he’ll definitely try to hide what he’s done!”
The heated reactions continued.
“We need to head back quickly. The ones who’ve regained consciousness are all eager to leave.”
“Then let’s pack up quickly. We need to catch that bastard as soon as we return.”
“Shush, don’t raise your voice and spill beans. Let’s go back to our posts.”
The soldiers left with a lingering unease.
“…”
Once the surroundings quieted down, Sharti let out the breath she had been holding.
‘Looks like the soldiers will leave the village soon.’
The injured were eager to leave, even if they had to be carried out on stretchers.
Their decisions weren’t rational, given their drug-induced stupor. Despite the potency of the medication, the rough mountain terrain would be a burden on their bodies.
‘A few injured might stay, but it shouldn’t be a problem to move around in the woods.’
She couldn’t keep the man hidden in the log cabin forever.
Some fresh air would help alleviate his claustrophobia and depression caused by amnesia.
‘Since the attacker who assaulted the soldiers seems to have gone down the mountain, it should be safe.’
Thinking of sharing the positive news, Sharti’s face brightened with anticipation.
“Teacher!”
“……!”
Reacting reflexively, Sharti turned around to see Tein just entering the inn. She ran to him and hugged him tightly.
Tein beamed.
“Teacher is busy! I have to help! I’ve gathered a lot of herbs!”
Sharti, surprised, bent down to Tein’s eye level.
Tein made a hand shield around his mouth and whispered.
“Grandma protected me! I am safe!”
Immediately, Sharti scanned the surroundings. Bireta was nowhere to be seen.
“Grandma said not to meet the soldiers. I came alone!”
Sharti nodded at Tein’s explanation.
Like Sharti, Bireta also had to avoid the eyes of the Empire as much as possible.
Tein’s face filled with joy as he read the note saying Sharti had been looking for him.
“I learn a lot! I will help Teacher diligently!”
Tein’s enthusiasm was remarkable that day.
Sharti was simply happy with the boy’s steadfastness and held his small hand.
“Oh, Sharti. Did you bring Tein?”
Patricia and Tristan approached at that moment.
Sharti nodded emphatically. Tein chewed his lip nervously, understandably intimidated by the presence of adults, especially a soldier.
“I am 7-year-old Tein! I will help Teacher!”
Contrary to Sharti’s expectation, Tein introduced himself bravely.
His slightly flushed face looked passionate.
‘What happened?’
Shocked for a moment by Tein’s proactive change, Sharti simply felt proud and pleased.
“Tein. Sharti, don’t disturb and behave well, okay?”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
Patricia, not expecting much, just patted Tein’s head.
In contrast, Tristan paid close attention to Tein, who was firmly holding Sharti’s hand.
“This must be the child you mentioned.”
To Tristan, in his early thirties, Tein seemed very young.
Yet, Tristan conveyed more pleasure than skepticism.
“I heard from the teacher. He’s a future great doctor.”
“Yes! I will become a doctor! I read lots of books!”
“Alright. We’re counting on you.”
“Yes!”
Tein grinned, showing his teeth.
Before moving on, Tein took out a crumpled white cloth from his pocket. Neatly folding it into a triangle, he covered his nose and mouth and tied it behind his head.
“We need to wash our hands first!”
“Starting with disinfection, he really is a splendid future sprout,” Tristan acknowledged quickly.
Relieved by Tein’s help, Sharti returned to her place.
Initially, the soldiers were puzzled by the young child, but they maintained their distance as Tein seriously and earnestly engaged in the treatment.
‘That’s Tein for you.’
Just catching Sharti’s eye was enough for Tein to bring the right herbs. He also competently answered the soldiers’ questions about the herbs and their injuries.
He was impressively reliable.
As Sharti wiped his sweat and showed him the note, Tein smiled brightly.
“I’m fine!”
Tein glanced around sneakily.
“The soldiers are praising me. It feels good!”
Whispering his joy, Sharti laughed along.
The child was both pitiable and adorable for trying to appear mature despite wanting to celebrate the praise.
“Teacher.”
Suddenly, Tein showed his little finger with his bright, inquisitive eyes.
“If it gets dangerous, we must run away. You promised.”
“……?”
Confused by Tein’s unexpected reminder, Sharti chuckled softly.
‘He must have been worried because I was treating the soldiers.’
Sharti interlocked her little finger with Tein’s, nodding her head.
Then Tein grinned.
“You’re a good and great patient. I will make sure you recover!”
Listening to Tein’s cryptic words, Sharti simply followed his proactive attitude without suspicion.
The challenging treatment ended as the sky was dyed with the sunset.
By then, the busy Tein had already fallen asleep.
“You worked hard today.”
As Sharti was about to pick up the dozing Tein, Tristan approached with a box in hand.
Sharti bit her lip as she looked inside the box.
Inside the not-so-large box, there was a piece of meat the size of a forearm.
‘It’s huge!’
Sharti reflexively cheered inwardly upon seeing the meat and then belatedly glanced at Tristan.
“You can take it.”
Everyone around, including Tristan, was already smiling warmly, having noticed the movement of her robe. Patricia, in particular, even winked at Sharti.
Sharti shook her head in embarrassment.
She worried that her talk of the fee might have seemed like rushing them.
“It’s not for the treatment fee.”
“Yes! This is a token of our appreciation, Teacher.”
“Please accept it comfortably.”
Sharti was perplexed.
‘Not for the treatment fee? A token of appreciation? What does that mean?’
It didn’t make sense to her that they would give her expensive meat, not as payment, but as a gesture of appreciation. Then she subtly rubbed her stomach.
‘Could it be…?’
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
