Chapter 58: The Reluctant Fashion Showdown

Clothes Shopping

As the business hours of the musical stadium came to an end, the fountain outside lit up with vibrant, colorful lights.

Staring at her reflection in the water, Joo Ahyoung meticulously checked herself over.

Was her fringe neatly arranged?

Was her outfit wrinkle-free?

Her dedication to looking impeccable rivaled someone preparing for a date.

This effort didn’t go unnoticed, as a man soon approached her.

“I don’t usually say this to strangers, but—”

“I’m seeing someone.”

“Oh.”

Deflated, the man drooped his shoulders and vanished into the night.

‘If only I could get this much attention from Unni instead of random guys.’

Pouting her lips, Joo Ahyoung sighed.

Her older sister-like figure, Hae Eung Eung, was always distant rarely reaching out unless Ahyoung initiated contact first.

This one-sided affection sometimes filled her with unease, leaving her frustrated and longing for acknowledgment.

Spotting the fountain’s playful sprays, she clenched her fingers into a tight fist, as if ready to flick her middle finger in retaliation against her sour mood.

“Hmm?”

Before she could act, a hand gently tugged her arm back.

Whoosh!

The fountain suddenly surged, sending a more powerful jet of water directly where she’d been standing.

“Unni?”

[Careful, or your clothes will get soaked.]

The calm voice behind her was none other than Hae Eung Eung.

“You have no idea how much that startled me just now! My heart’s still racing!”

It had been a while since she’d seen Hae Eung Eung. She was as composed, graceful, and effortlessly stunning as ever.

Despite the effusive compliment, Hae Eung Eung turned her head with an indifferent air, as if dismissing such flattery.

“I’m being serious…” Ahyoung muttered with a pout.

Her momentary sulk was short-lived. Without hesitation, she looped her arm through Hae Eung Eung’s and clung tightly.

“I came prepared today! You’re not going home until I’ve dressed you up in a full set! No excuses!”

[Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.]

“We’ll see about that! You’d better behave if you want to go home early. Got it?”

Though rare, Hae Eung Eung found herself somewhat amused by Ahyoung’s enthusiastic determination.

“Ta-da! So? What do you think of this shop’s vibe?”

The store was filled with sleek, lightweight clothing that emphasized body lines and curves.

As Ahyoung’s imagination ran wild, picturing how perfectly her Unni could pull off each outfit on display,

she was met with an utterly unexpected response.

[Too thin. I don’t like it.]

“What? No way! Can’t you reconsider?

You’ve got such an amazing figure, Unni! Everything here would look incredible on you like you stepped straight off a runway!”

Despite the enthusiasm, Hae Eung Eung remained steadfast in her preferences,

even if Ahyoung’s carefully chosen store wasn’t entirely dismissed out of hand.

The ability to evaluate the beauty of clothing had been ingrained in Hae Eung Eung, whether she wanted it or not,

through her experiences in the courtesan training of the Hao Sect and the concubine education of the imperial palace.

‘Especially when it comes to understanding which clothes pose problems for me.’

Thin fabrics were the worst.

Transparent or revealing clothes? Even more dangerous.

She hadn’t needed to concern herself with such matters for a while,

but being in a clothing store brought back the memory of a restriction she could never forget.

[Restriction]
[Permanent Tattoo (Lower Abdomen)] – A permanent uterine tattoo is etched on your lower abdomen.

When internal energy is activated, it glows violet a secret you wish no one to discover.

‘Though, it wasn’t exactly a secret in the Murim world.’

The Hao Sect’s leader, who was determined to raise her as the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world,

had been shocked upon first seeing her bare body, checking for any signs of stretch marks or physical imperfections.

A disciple of the Haenam Sect shouldn’t have a tattoo, yet there it was boldly etched on her lower abdomen.

Even the stern Hao Sect leader couldn’t help but show a rare moment of pity.

– “How did you end up with such a tattoo? You don’t remember?

Then, does that mean you also have no recollection of anything before joining the Haenam Sect?”

Having been taken in by the Haenam Sect shortly after falling into the martial arts world,

Hae Eung Eung had no memories of her life prior to that point.

Of course, sharing the truth about her past in the modern world wasn’t an option she didn’t want to be branded as insane.

This led the Hao Sect leader to fill in the blanks of her story with her own imagination,

interpreting her struggles as signs of a tumultuous and tragic life.

Declaring her as a candidate for her personal apprentice,

the leader worked to shield Hae Eung Eung from the harassment and unfair treatment she faced within the sect.

‘At the time, I dismissed her actions as insincere, but looking back now, I see things differently.’

Though she could never forgive the Hao Sect leader for pressuring the Haenam Sect financially to forcefully bring her into the sect,

there were moments of genuine care.

The leader had stood behind her, protected her, and even worked to save her from the debilitating effects of the Nine Yin Meridian disorder.

‘It’s amazing how time can change the way you see even the darkest days.’

In the modern world, Hae Eung Eung had lost her family.

In the martial arts world, she had parted ways with her adoptive family, the Haenam Sect, consumed by vengeance and resentment.

Now, after returning to reality with her youth restored and a more mature perspective, Hae Eung Eung found herself reflecting.

Though her physical age had remained consistent, her mental and emotional maturity had evolved through three different phases of her life:

As a man.
As a martial artist.
And now, as a returnee.

Three lives, each forcing her to grow into an adult anew.

And yet, she suddenly found herself wondering.

‘Perhaps this is the first time I’ve truly become an adult.’

As such mature thoughts swirled in her mind, Hae Eung Eung stepped out of the fitting room only to be met with:

“Wow! Didn’t I tell you? There’s no way this wouldn’t look good on you! You look so beautiful, unni. Now, let’s try some pastel tones next. Here, try this one!”

Joo Ahyoung’s enthusiastic compliments were accompanied by ten more outfits, pre-coordinated and lined up on the automated rail system.

[Wasn’t it seven sets just now?]

“I couldn’t help it! I kept finding more clothes I wanted you to try. I even paid the extra fee for two more sets, so hurry up and put them on, unni. Please?”

If there were any sales clerks around to cast judgmental glances, Hae Eung Eung might have used that as an excuse to refuse.

But in this store, even that option was unavailable.

With just a few button presses, the automated rail system delivered the trial outfits straight to the fitting room ,

a marvel of 2050 technology that even the unrivaled warrior of the Banryo Valley, Hae Eung Eung, couldn’t escape.

‘At least she’s considerate enough to recommend long and thick clothing that suits my situation.’

That gratitude, however, quickly turned into a battle against fatigue as the queue of outfits seemed never-ending.

She had faced yokai without feeling this drained. Yet now, as her body tired, her mind wandered to memories of the past.

“From today, I am assigned to assist Hae Eung Eung-nim with her life as a concubine. ”

“I am Chohui, your palace maid.”
“How can you claim that martial robes alone are sufficient? ”

“I won’t expect you to behave like a proper concubine, but those ragged scraps of clothing are absolutely unacceptable.”
“I’m glad you’re fond of the pink cheongsam, but you can wear that as casual attire. ”

“For palace duties, you must select from the traditional red, blue, black, white, or yellow gowns suitable for court etiquette.”

There had been so many restrictions on what she couldn’t wear and so many protocols to follow.

Even choosing a single outfit required careful consideration of fabric, origin, etiquette, and tradition, all under the watchful eyes of the meticulous maid, Chohui.

Recalling Chohui’s strictness gave Hae Eung Eung the patience to endure Joo Ahyoung’s endless shopping spree.

“Unni, I’m sorry. Am I the only one having too much fun?”

[Not at all, I’m enjoying this too.]

“Phew, that’s a relief! I was about to suggest stopping here and grabbing some late-night snacks if you were tired.

In that case, I’ll add just three more sets!”

What was this? A shopping spree or a fitness boot camp?

Hae Eung Eung trudged back toward the fitting room, her steps heavy as if carrying the weight of the world.

When the shopping began, Joo Ahyoung had been feeling a little annoyed.

“Not this one either?”
[Sorry.]

For reasons unknown, Hae Eung Eung kept rejecting outfit after outfit without even trying them on.

After ten minutes of browsing without any progress, Joo Ahyoung’s frustration began to show.

“Unni, can you tell me exactly what’s wrong with these clothes?”
[Anything thin or short is a no.]
“Then how about this sweater? Feel the fabric.”
[It’s too sheer. I can’t wear it.]
“So, you’re saying it has to be thick and completely cover your entire body?”

When Hae Eung Eung nodded, Joo Ahyoung sighed in disappointment and hung the rejected outfits back on their hangers.