Chapter 254: The Letter Sent By Master
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 254: The Letter Sent By Master
The ferocity in her gaze made the fluster in my voice impossible to hide.
“Um… why is she… Why is Lady Mi here?”
I directed my question toward Moyong Hi-ah instead of addressing Lady Mi directly. Hi-ah looked just as startled by my sudden appearance as I felt, her expression a mirror of my own confusion.
“Y-Young Master… w-why are you…?”
“Ahem. I just… had some business to discuss.”
In truth, I had no business here at all. I’d come simply to see her, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to admit that under Lady Mi’s piercing stare.
Lady Mi herself showed no reaction, continuing to sip her tea as placidly as if she’d been expecting me from the moment I reached her gates. She must have been notified telepathically.
Well, it couldn’t have been Lady Mi.
Telepathic communication was a skill only reserved for martial artists who had broken through their limits.
Since Lady Mi possessed no such ability, that meant…
I let my gaze drift to the wall behind her.
So, it’s him.
I could sense a presence—faint and elusive, entirely different from the martial artist I’d encountered at the entrance. This one was subtler, more insidious, a specialist who moved in the shadows.
“It seems you’ve noticed Eebee as well,” Lady Mi remarked, following my gaze. “You really have changed a great deal…”
“Lady Mi.”
“Sigh… I don’t know what has you so concerned, but I came to Moyong Hi-ah solely on business.”
“Business?”
“Indeed. I could hardly ignore her plans to establish a commercial enterprise in Shanxi.”
It was a plausible reason, yet something felt off.
The business has been operational for months. Why visit only now?
The White Flower Merchant Association would certainly have been aware of the Moyong Clan’s activities in Shanxi from the beginning, making Lady Mi’s belated interest… curious.
Is she hiding something?
While the White Flower Merchant Association wasn’t widely known to the public, it wielded significant influence in the mercantile world. The Moyong Clan was a powerhouse in its own right, so it wasn’t unusual for Lady Mi to take an interest. Furthermore, Moyong Hi-ah seemed to hold the advantage in any potential dealings, so Lady Mi’s proactive approach made sense.
Still, at the end of the day, Moyong Hi-ah is a guest here.
She must have felt uncomfortable with the situation.
Just as I was about to voice something to Lady Mi, however—
“Young Master.”
“Huh?”
“Please don’t worry, nothing is amiss. Also, Lady Mi and I were in the middle of a discussion. Would it be alright if I visited you later?”
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes pleaded with me to leave. She was clearly indicating that I was interrupting something important, and I couldn’t very well insist on staying.
…I see. It really was an important conversation after all.
Technically, I was the one who had barged in uninvited, not Lady Mi.
“…My apologies for the interruption.”
“It’s quite alright. I understand,” Lady Mi replied, not even deigning to look my way.
I took my leave, casting one last glance at Moyong Hi-ah.
A simple business discussion, huh?
The atmosphere certainly hadn’t felt that way. Something felt off. Hi-ah was acting strangely—unusually tense in Lady Mi’s presence.
If this were purely business, Moyong Hi-ah wouldn’t be this tense.
If anything, Lady Mi should be the one seeking the Moyong Clan’s cooperation, which would put Hi-ah in the more favorable position.
Ugh, I don’t get it.
Whatever was happening, I would have to ask Moyong Hi-ah about it later, once their conversation was over.
* * *
After Gu Yangcheon left, Moyong Hi-ah felt her nerves tighten once more. Being alone with Lady Mi was profoundly unsettling.
…How unexpected.
Never in her wildest dreams had she anticipated a visit from the Lady of the Gu Clan, nor could she fathom the woman’s motives.
What in the world is going on?
From the confidential background ch—ahem, from her thorough research, she knew that Mi Hyoran was the family head’s legal wife, while Gu Yangcheon was the child of a concubine. It was relatively well-known that their relationship was strained. So then, why was she here?
When Moyong Hi-ah first heard that Lady Mi wished to visit her as a guest, she couldn’t help but be suspicious. There was no obvious reason for the visit.
Typically, a visit from a clan’s Lady implied discussions of marriage prospects for their children. Moyong Hi-ah was acutely aware of her own worth. In terms of beauty, age, or background, she was virtually unmatched. Furthermore, as she was still unbetrothed, it made sense that the Lady of the Gu Clan might consider matching her with a son.
After all, Tang Soyeol, who hailed from a similar background, was inundated with such proposals.
However…
Lady Mi doesn’t have a son.
As far as Moyong Hi-ah knew, Lady Mi had only two daughters: one was the renowned Sword Phoenix, and the other a girl who was just beginning to show her talents. Gu Yangcheon and his younger sister, both born of another woman, were not Lady Mi’s biological children.
So then, why was she here?
Why is she looking at me with that gaze?
Lady Mi’s gaze was serious, piercing—a look Moyong Hi-ah had encountered before. It was the same gaze the clan lord had fixed on her when she was nearly engaged to the Namgung heir.
A gaze of appraisal, as if assessing my suitability for their child.
Few dared to look at a direct descendant of the Moyong Clan in such a manner. Perhaps someone like the current lord of the Namgung Clan, the Azure Heavenly Sword, might be bold enough. But Lady Mi? And yet, her gaze was undeniably penetrating.
Should Moyong Hi-ah feel offended? Strangely, she couldn’t bring herself to be. The intensity of Lady Mi’s gaze and her sheer, overpowering presence was suffocating, even more so than that of the Namgung Clan Lord.
“I apologize. My child seems to have offended you,” Lady Mi said, breaking the silence.
Moyong Hi-ah forced a light smile. “Please, there’s no need for apology. He was merely concerned for my well-being, so it was no bother at all.”
“Concerned, you say…? Oh~ So you and that child are close enough to worry for one another~?”
Moyong Hi-ah had misspoken, and Lady Mi pounced on the slip without hesitation, deftly twisting her words. Hi-ah felt as though she were surrounded by invisible blades, yet her composed mask didn’t falter.
“My apologies, that was not my intended meaning. I meant to say that he was concerned for me as a guest under the Gu Clan’s protection.”
“I see.”
Lady Mi offered only a vague response before returning to her tea, saying nothing more.
Moyong Hi-ah maintained her serene smile, though unease churned within her.
What were we even discussing?
She had been so discomfited that she’d forgotten the thread of their conversation entirely.
Ah…
She recalled now. They had been discussing the Moyong Clan’s business ventures in Shanxi, her current stay with the Gu Clan, her food preferences, her hobbies, her tolerance for frustration, her patience…
…Huh? Wait a moment…
She hadn’t realized it at the time, but in hindsight, the conversation had been… odd.
Moyong Hi-ah sat quietly, observing Lady Mi. The woman’s demeanor hadn’t changed, yet her expression seemed subtly different.
Could it be that their relationship isn’t bad?
It wasn’t unusual for there to be tension between a legal wife and the child of a concubine. Given Gu Yangcheon’s past reputation as Shanxi’s infamous troublemaker, it was conceivable that Lady Mi would resent him, especially when compared to her own esteemed daughter, the Sword Phoenix.
But…
Something felt off.
An intuition, one that had never failed her, whispered that there was more to this situation than met the eye. Ever since her first encounter with Lady Mi, she had sensed an imperative to leave a favorable impression, which was why she had sent Gu Yangcheon away despite his unexpected visit. It felt necessary.
Well, it was disappointing, still…
She trusted her instincts.
As Moyong Hi-ah observed her, Lady Mi turned from the window and addressed her directly.
“Hmm~ He did come specifically to see you, and it will be mealtime soon. I shouldn’t impose on you any longer, should I~?”
Her sudden announcement of departure caught Moyong Hi-ah off guard, but she refrained from questioning it.
“Oh… then perhaps we could share a meal togeth—”
“I couldn’t possibly impose to that extent, Young Lady. Besides, I have plans with my husband later,” Lady Mi declined politely, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Thank you for entertaining me today. I look forward to our next meeting.”
“The honor was entirely mine… It was a privilege to converse with you, Lady Mi.”
Lady Mi smiled enigmatically and departed with effortless grace, Moyong Hi-ah seeing her off with a respectful bow. The moment the Lady was out of sight, Hi-ah released a deep exhale, the tension finally draining from her body.
This meeting had been far more taxing than she had anticipated.
She longed to simply sit and rest, exhausted both physically and mentally, yet…
“My clothes! My makeup!”
Remembering her promise to visit Gu Yangcheon later, she had no time to relax. She could rest when she was by his side.
As Moyong Hi-ah’s servants hurried in with fresh attire, Lady Mi was already making her way out of the Moyong residence.
Walking with perfect, elegant posture, she spoke to the empty air.
“Hmm, not bad.”
-For you to react so positively, Leader, you must think highly of her, a voice seemed to emanate from nowhere.
“I do.”
Lady Mi, known for her cold and often brutal demeanor toward outsiders, rarely offered praise. Her words carried significant weight.
“She knows how to read her opponent’s expressions and is skilled at concealing her own.”
The girl from the Moyong Clan… the Snow Phoenix, was it? She had spent over a year with Gu Yangcheon on the front lines. From what Lady Mi had heard, the girl’s initial reason for traveling with him was a personal matter.
But.
There had to be another reason she stayed by his side for so long. It couldn’t possibly be just that.
When Lady Mi had asked Gu Huibi about the Snow Phoenix, her daughter had responded with a rare frown. Gu Huibi had described Moyong Hi-ah as the quintessential fox. She even admitted to preferring the Namgung girl simply because of her straightforward nature.
Still, according to her, neither of them is suitable.
Yet, Lady Mi believed a touch of cunning was necessary for a woman to survive in this cutthroat world.
That boy needs to grow up.
The Snow Phoenix had exceeded her expectations. Lady Mi might be considered eccentric with standards that differed from the norm, but even by more conventional measures, the Snow Phoenix was impressive.
Her confidence is substantial, and she is adept at reading people.
The ability to praise an opponent without diminishing oneself was a rare quality. Throughout their conversation, Moyong Hi-ah had retained her dignity, fully embodying her noble lineage.
However…
She struggled to hide her emotions.
Lady Mi had seen it immediately in Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes the moment Gu Yangcheon entered the room. The girl from the Namgung Clan yesterday, and now the girl from the Moyong Clan…
It seems he has quite the luck with women.
Not only was he similar in appearance to his father, but his charm seemed to be a match as well.
-So, then, Leader… Mujin’s voice inquired as they neared the estate’s entrance. …Are you considering changing the Young Master’s fian—
“Don’t talk nonsense. What authority do I have to do such a thing?”
-…Then, may I ask why?
The reason for her visits to the two girls—Mujin was curious about his Leader’s intentions.
Mi Hyoran paused for a moment and looked toward the entrance. And there, standing waiting, was Gu Yangcheon.
“…A reason, huh?”
With her gaze fixed on him, Mi Hyoran whispered softly, just loud enough for her words to barely reach him.
“I… I just wanted to see.”
She was simply curious. Curious whether his fiancée, or the other girl, could truly love him. Mi Hyoran had learned through life experience the profound importance of a genuine relationship, over one formed for purely rational purposes.
-Hmm, Sis! There’s a leaf in your hair!
Mi Hyoran had paid for this knowledge with her life.
“Did you wait for me?” she asked aloud, approaching him.
“Huh? Ah, yes…”
Mi Hyoran’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at his hesitant response. A part of her felt proud that he had grown to care for others, yet another part ached with guilt for not being there to support him during his formative years.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t harm the Moyong child.”
“I never worried about that.”
“Hmm?”
“I know… I know that Lady Mi isn’t the type of person who would do such a thing.”
A subtle shift crossed Mi Hyoran’s face, surprise evident in her features.
“…I never expected to hear you say that…”
Mi Hyoran lifted her hand and reached out toward Gu Yangcheon. He stiffened for an instant upon seeing her gesture, but thankfully, he didn’t pull away.
Did he understand? Did he have any idea how much courage it took for her to reach out to him like this? She gently extended her arm and plucked a leaf that had been caught in his hair.
“…You had a leaf in your hair.”
“…Thank you.”
She hid her trembling emotions, maintaining a calm exterior. She wondered if he resented her touch, but she wasn’t brave enough to ask.
Clutching the leaf, Mi Hyoran walked past Gu Yangcheon without another word. She felt she couldn’t stay a moment longer. Her destination was the residence where her second daughter was waiting.
“…”
As soon as he was alone, Gu Yangcheon’s expression darkened. It wasn’t because of the interaction that had just transpired. Rather, it was because of the letter in his pocket—the letter given to him by the First Elder, Gu Ryoon.
He had only managed to maintain his composure because of Mi Hyoran’s presence. He wasn’t standing at the entrance because he was waiting for someone; he was frozen there after reading the letter’s contents.
Rustle.
He pulled the letter from his pocket and unfolded it once more. He desperately hoped he had misread it the first time, but unfortunately, the world was not that kind. The words inscribed inside were exactly as he remembered.
Written in a rough, almost crude handwriting, was a single sentence. It was so brief it was barely a sentence at all.
-I’ll be visiting soon to take a look at you.
That was truly all it said. Nothing more.
He had initially been baffled, but the moment his eyes fell upon the sender’s name at the bottom, he couldn’t stifle a gasp.
-Your Master.
“…Fuck.”
He didn’t have a master, so he’d assumed it was some kind of sick joke. But the real problem was that it was Gu Ryoon who had given him this letter, and it was all thanks to that damned recommendation letter the Elder had prepared. Thanks to that, and the rumors that spread precisely because no one believed a word he said, a certain title had become stuck to him…
The Disciple of the Dishonored Venerable.
It was a ridiculous rumor, and Gu Yangcheon had desperately hoped that the so-called Dishonored Venerable wouldn’t bother to acknowledge it. But…
“Hah… haha… fuck my life.”
It seemed inevitable now.
One of the Three Heavenly Venerables, a figure currently acting as a Young Prodigy within the Bi Clan—the Dragon Warrior himself.
He’s coming for me.