The Wheel Turns (1)
“Here, take this.”
Gi U-hui’s eyes deepened as she accepted the documents and nameplate from Jegal Munho.
“This is…?”
“The building, the signboard, and most of the medicinal herbs from northern Central Plains are all prepared. There are a total of 250 healers proficient in various fields—more than enough to establish a solid foundation, I believe.”
“……”
“The medical hall under the Martial Alliance will be called Uiseon Pavilion. You, Divine Maiden, shall henceforth be known as its Pavilion Master.”
A look of bewilderment clouded Gi U-hui’s face.
“I am grateful for your kind regard, but truthfully, I lack the experience to manage so many healers.”
Jegal Munho shook his head.
“Everyone gathered here has no doubts about your capabilities, Divine Maiden.”
“Military Strategist.”
“A sword may strike beautifully, but if it cannot face the enemy, it is useless. One may memorize the words of sages, but if they cannot embody them in life, they too are worthless.”
“……”
“Your medical skills are renowned, known even to children. And that renown stems from the long years you’ve devoted to caring for patients.”
Jegal Munho smiled.
“I believe you possess more than enough ability to lead these healers.”
It was extraordinary praise, yet Gi U-hui’s expression remained troubled.
Gazing steadily at her face, Jegal Munho asked in a calm voice,
“Is your hesitation due to your gentle and pure nature, Divine Maiden? Or do you truly believe your skills insufficient?”
“I…”
“Or perhaps…”
Jegal Munho’s eyes deepened.
“…it’s because of your past with the Three Mad Cults, particularly the Sinhwa Church?”
In that instant, Gi U-hui’s face paled.
Jegal Munho smiled.
“Yeon Commander was right after all.”
“……You knew.”
“Of course. I am the Military Strategist of the Martial Alliance. With personnel authority comes the duty to thoroughly investigate backgrounds. Yeon Commander knows this well. Had you not revealed the identity of that Jam Yeong-il-ho, he might have been in grave danger.”
Gi U-hui, staring at him with trembling eyes, soon let out a sigh.
The man already knew everything.
Yet he still intended to appoint her as Pavilion Master.
She could tell he harbored no ill intent toward her.
Jegal Munho’s eyes gleamed.
Indeed.
A lesser person would be quaking in terror.
Yet Gi U-hui quickly composed herself—not out of resignation, but because she had pierced through his lack of malice.
Kind and pure by nature. But her spirit is not frail. Wise, too.
Jegal Munho had heard of Gi U-hui’s circumstances from Yeon Hojeong.
No one but her could fully grasp the extent of her past suffering.
Yet even from the tales alone, it was clear she had endured a life steeped in torment.
Gi U-hui asked,
“And still, you would appoint me as master of Uiseon Pavilion?”
“Yes.”
“……”
“Hear me without misunderstanding. Separate from your skills, I do not yet trust you as a person. I push for your appointment precisely because I trust Yeon Commander that much.”
Bi-san’s Yeon Hojeong.
Gi U-hui thought to herself,
What a fearsome yet captivating man.
Yeon Hojeong was younger than her.
For someone so young to earn this level of trust from the Martial Alliance’s top power broker was no small feat.
Though unfamiliar with organizational politics, her exposure to the Sinhwa Church’s structure had taught her how rare it was for a young talent to command such faith.
It’s not just his abilities.
Ability was the foundation; one had to inspire trust in people.
And building that trust required innate charm and bonds transcending age.
“Besides, with you in a high position, it’ll be far easier for us to keep watch, won’t it?”
“……I see.”
Jegal Munho smiled.
“I don’t fully trust you yet, but I believe the heart behind your years of selfless healing is genuine. If you truly sever ties with the Sinhwa Church and dedicate yourself to the Central Plains, my suspicions may one day melt away like snow under spring sun.”
Gi U-hui gave a wry smile.
“That won’t happen.”
“Hm?”
“Even allies must be doubted to the end. Isn’t that the basic virtue of every strategist under heaven?”
Jegal Munho burst into hearty laughter.
“You’ve got me there.”
With resolve in her voice, Gi U-hui spoke firmly.
“Since you know my past, allow me to speak plainly.”
“Go ahead.”
“I do not act for the Central Plains. I strive only to aid those persecuted without cause.”
“Hm.”
“If the Sinhwa Church strays from righteousness, I will oppose it. If the Martial Alliance does, I will shed this title and roam the world to condemn it.”
Jegal Munho nodded.
“That is enough. Nay, I wish you to hold to that. For it embodies the foremost values of our White Path martial world: righteousness and chivalry.”
He rose from his seat.
“Uiseon Pavilion opens formally in five days. We’ll meet then.”
With that, Jegal Munho left the room.
Alone, Gi U-hui glanced out the window.
“The weather is warming.”
The wind was still sharp and cold.
But the sky was clear and pure.
Gi U-hui closed her eyes.
The crisp, cool breeze cleared her momentarily confused mind.
* * *
Moyong Yeonhwa quickly regained her composure.
She had heard from her father, after all.
That Mo Yong Woo had returned to his side.
It was surely sincere.
She trusted her father’s judgment.
Thus, it was only right to set aside old grudges and forge new bonds.
Moyong Yeonhwa smiled.
“It’s been a while.”
“So it has.”
“Forget my earlier reaction. I heard you’re with Father now. Then I must let bygones be bygones too.”
Mo Yong Woo’s lip curled.
A smile verging on sneer, ill-suited to him, stirring an ominous chill in the beholder.
“An amusing thing to say. Forgiveness is mine to grant, forgetting mine to do.”
Moyong Yeonhwa kept her smile, though her eyes grew chillier.
“Well, what’s the point of dredging up who was wrong now? The important thing is we’re allies moving forward together, don’t you think?”
It was galling.
They were hardly a normal aunt-nephew pair, but her tone felt excessively rigid.
Of course, Moyong Yeonhwa considered herself quite patient.
She hadn’t even seen her father yet; no need to escalate.
Mo Yong Woo nodded.
“Not wrong. For the greater cause, petty past conflicts should be forgotten.”
“A fine attitude.”
“Shall we begin with official business, then?”
Moyong Yeonhwa shook her head.
“I wish to speak with you, Uncle, but I must see Father first.”
“Speaking with me comes before seeing Elder Brother.”
“What do you mean?”
Mo Yong Woo’s lip curled higher.
“Think of it as a light inspection.”
The smile vanished from Moyong Yeonhwa’s face.
“Inspection?”
“Naturally.”
“……How intriguing. Why must I be inspected by you?”
“It’s only proper. As Father’s closest aide, shouldn’t I confirm you pose no issues?”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes narrowed.
“Have you forgotten I’m the daughter of the man you call ‘Elder Brother’?”
Mo Yong Woo shook his head.
“Enough childishness. Stubbornness without proof is unbecoming.”
Blood ties alone prove nothing, he claimed.
Beyond displeasure, Moyong Yeonhwa was stunned by his words.
The Mo Yong Woo she knew would never speak so.
A clear sneer rose on her chilled face.
“You’ve changed much. Blood is heaven’s bond—do you truly think I’d betray Father?”
“Possibility always remains.”
“Perhaps in your world.”
“In Father’s world too. He shattered brotherhood to claim the house.”
“……!!”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s face hardened.
“Do you mean that sincerely?”
“Sincerity aside, it’s fact. And our house rose that way—another undeniable truth.”
“……I wonder how Father will take such words from you.”
Mo Yong Woo smiled faintly.
“He’ll call it impudent.”
“Only that?”
“Curious? Report me yourself. Though you won’t pass the inner gates without my leave.”
Moyong Yeonhwa’s cheeks trembled.
“Enough of this.”
“No, we’re just starting.”
“You already know where I come from and why.”
“What differs from your prattling about blood ties and trust?”
“……!”
“Fear not. If you’re truly aboveboard, this conversation never happened.”
Now Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes blazed with outright fury.
“Then how will you inspect this niece of yours?”
“Like this.”
Puk!
Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes flew wide.
Thud!
She dropped to her knees on the spot.
From her throat to her hips, sensation vanished in an instant.
An exquisitely precise pressure point strike, paralyzing only that area.
H-How!
Fearsome speed.
Moyong Yeonhwa had advanced too, but Mo Yong Woo had far surpassed her.
Now behind her, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Whoooong.
“Hm.”
Mo Yong Woo withdrew his hand at once.
“Background confirmed. Same qi as before.”
“……!”
“But you brought someone you shouldn’t have.”
“W-What?!”
Mo Yong Woo eyed the attendant.
The man flinched.
He too had been startled by Mo Yong Woo’s movement.
Tilting his head at the attendant, Mo Yong Woo said,
“You cannot enter the inner residence. Return.”
“P-Pardon?!”
“I said return.”
The attendant instinctively looked to Moyong Yeonhwa.
Furious, she cried,
“What is this outrage! Release my pressure points at once…!”
“An Ink Dragon might overlook it—knowing the situation but not feeling it. But you shouldn’t have.”
“……?!”
“The upcoming election has the Alliance on edge. Bringing such a one could cause trouble. If you’d thought ahead, you’d have stopped him yourself.”
“Release me now!”
Mo Yong Woo ignored her, addressing the attendant.
“You seem from ‘that side.’”
“……”
“Qi strong enough for me to detect speaks for itself. Go back.”
The attendant replied stiffly,
“I cannot.”
“Is that so?”
Mo Yong Woo nodded.
“Pity.”
Pow!
Horror flashed in Moyong Yeonhwa’s eyes.
The attendant had bitten his tongue and collapsed.
Mo Yong Woo dusted his hands.
“Inspection complete. I’ll handle him. Go see Father.”