The Seed of Suggestion Takes Root
“……Huh?”
“……Ah?”
Namgung Hwaran and Hwa Mulin blinked in startled surprise, their minds foggy somewhere. They couldn't quite grasp what was happening right now.
At that moment—
Clap clap clap clap clap!
“Incredible!”
“Brilliant!”
“Awesome, Bear!”
The rowdy audience erupted in applause and cheers. Only then did Namgung Hwaran and Hwa Mulin realize their situation.
They had been called up to the stage. The atmosphere had made it hard to refuse. Besides, it was a golden chance to uncover the secret behind the bear's trick, so they'd resolved to figure it out no matter what.
But—
'We... we fell for it.'
'...Unbelievable.'
Hwa Mulin and Namgung Hwaran's faces flushed red. They'd been so confident, yet they'd dozed off instead... It was utterly mortifying.
But this was cold, hard reality. As much as they hated to admit it, they had no choice.
“Heh heh, thank you sincerely again for your cooperation, ladies. Please return to your seats carefully and slowly.”
Sin Choyoung expressed her thanks once more, extending a hand to help them up.
Still embarrassed, Namgung Hwaran and Hwa Mulin gave slight bows and hurried back to their seats. The audience showered them with generous applause until they sat down.
“W-what happened, miss?”
Hwa Mulin whispered urgently in a small voice.
“I-I don't know either.”
But even Namgung Hwaran couldn't answer. And so, the performance continued amid their deep bewilderment.
“Heh.”
Behind the stage, Bang So-un let out a meaningful chuckle. The first capture was perfect, at least.
The she-wolf caught in the trap wouldn't escape now. But it still wasn't enough.
With so many eyes watching, he'd implanted just one crucial suggestion—quickly enough not to arouse suspicion. That was Bang So-un's terrifying cold-blooded precision.
If it had been Jang Il alone, he'd have gotten greedy over the ripe prey and stuffed in all sorts of suggestions, inevitably drawing suspicion. That would be suicidal.
The target was the Namgung family—one of the Five Great Families, leading the pack. They had the power to turn Bang So-un, Jang Il, or even the entire Golden Dragon Battlefield into a bloodbath in a single day if they set their minds to it.
Cautiousness was key. Cautiousness upon cautiousness.
Not a single hair's breadth of doubt could be left behind. Bang So-un knew this all too well and acted accordingly with utmost thoroughness.
That was why—
'I deliberately held back on the seal.'
Bang So-un smirked coldly. The Sin Family Acrobatics Troupe—something that could become the first tail of suspicion—had to be naturally swept away.
Not through some messy murder plot. That would only invite more suspicion.
Just let the performance end normally, and have them leave Anhui naturally for the next show. That was it. Done.
'Heh, I've gotten used to waiting anyway.'
Bang So-un planned to bide his time leisurely. For the true pleasure to come next.
The day had grown dim before they knew it. The performance was over, and Namgung Hwaran and Hwa Mulin were heading back to the family manor.
“Ugh, just thinking about it pisses me off.”
Hwa Mulin still smarted from losing to the bear.
“Let it go. It's in the past now.”
Namgung Hwaran seemed to have mostly calmed her own embarrassment.
“But a martial artist's pride...”
“We lost fair and square—no drugs or sneaky tricks. Accept it.”
“W-well, true, but...”
Hwa Mulin bowed her head in reluctant agreement. It was the right call. If there had been any foul play, they wouldn't have returned so meekly.
“More than that, I'm curious about the secret behind that trick.”
“Ah. Then why not wait and ask them?”
“Can't do that.”
“Pardon?”
“That secret's their livelihood. And it's a brand-new act they debuted today.”
“Ah...”
Hwa Mulin's face lit up in admiration at Namgung Hwaran's thoughtfulness. As expected of the blood of the family head and great madam—such magnanimity. If not for her gender, she'd make a fine heir. Ah, but with the superior second young master around, it wouldn't matter. Hwa Mulin didn't even bother thinking about that idiot eldest young master.
“As expected of you, miss.”
“What.”
“I'll serve by your side forever.”
“That's awfully kind of you to say.”
Namgung Hwaran smiled. Hwa Mulin smiled too. The lady and her guard returned to the manor in warm harmony, like true sisters.
“W-what the...”
Meanwhile, that idiot eldest young master Namgung Ji paced restlessly in his room.
He'd heard his sister had returned. But that was it. Nothing more.
He had no idea what had happened or if the plan had gone smoothly. He was smart enough to know it shouldn't show on the surface, but the anxiety was unbearable.
'Damn it, this won't do.'
Namgung Ji stood up. He wouldn't sleep otherwise.
Cheon-sang Ru. Maybe he'd learn something there. They'd said to wait there if contact was needed.
Luckily, heading out to enjoy women and drink was everyday routine for him—no one would suspect a thing.
Namgung Ji hurriedly dressed and slipped out of the manor.
He was chugging booze in such a drunken haze he couldn't tell liquor from water when the door opened.
“Oh!”
Namgung Ji's eyes widened. The man he'd been desperately waiting for had arrived.
“B-Bang bro!”
“Lower your voice. It's hurting my ears.”
“R-right.”
Namgung Ji clamped his mouth shut. Bang So-un clicked his tongue as he sat, but inwardly he smiled.
Completely hooked. That meant Namgung Ji could never escape this swamp of desire.
Unable to escape the swamp, betrayal was unthinkable. He'd only become the perfect accomplice.
Perfect. Just as planned.
“S-so, how'd it go? D-did it work?”
Namgung Ji asked urgently in a hushed voice, his face desperate. Bang So-un chuckled softly.
“Of course it did.”
“Ooooh?”
Namgung Ji's face lit up with joy beyond words.
“T-then, now...?”
“No, no. Don't rush it. Everything must proceed step by step, in order.”
Bang So-un raised a hand to calm him.
“S-sorry. I must've looked unseemly there, Bang bro.”
Namgung Ji reined in his excitement a bit.
“It's fine. I understand, Namgung bro.”
Bang So-un continued. “The plan now moves to the next phase. The info you gave was a huge help.”
“Oh? What info?”
“That Namgung Hwaran visits Anwonjeong once a week without fail for a bath.”
Anwonjeong. A hot spring in Anhui. But despite its pure, pristine waters, it wasn't well-known.
For good reason. It lay on the Namgung family's private land. Outsiders dared not approach.
And Namgung Hwaran had the habit of bathing there once a week without fail.
“Anwonjeong? Why there...?”
Namgung Ji tilted his head, puzzled. Bang So-un grinned.
“That's where we'll do the next step.”
“W-what?!”
Namgung Ji jumped in shock. For good reason.
“T-that's the women's forbidden zone! What the hell do you...!”
Indeed. Anwonjeong was permitted only to the women of the Namgung family—a rule from the founding family head.
Violate it, and...
“D-do you know what happens if a man gets caught sneaking in?”
“What?”
“They gouge out your eyes! Your eyes!”
No exaggeration. Men who couldn't resist the temptation of naked women had snuck in before, only to get caught and have their eyes mercilessly ripped out. Blinded for life over one mistake. It was infamous history—no one in the Namgung family was unaware.
Of course, for an eldest son like Namgung Ji, it might not go that far. But total disownment was certain. Effectively struck from the family register.
That was for Namgung Ji. For an outsider like Bang So-un? No mercy—eyes gone instantly.
“Is that so? I didn't know.”
Bang So-un feigned a serious expression, as if hearing it for the first time. But he showed no fear.
Namgung Ji was baffled at his composure.
“So I can't approve this plan. We have to change it—”
“The eye-gouging was ages ago, right?”
“Well, yes, but...”
Namgung Ji eyed him curiously.
“Figures. Front guards are decently tight, but the rear is practically unguarded.”
“G-guards?”
“What do you take me for? I scouted the place thoroughly before picking it.”
Bang So-un had been lucky, in a way. He'd sent Yeon Su-rin, a woman, to stealthily recon Anwonjeong.
If he'd gone himself, he might've been caught and blinded. But he'd chosen the highest-martial Yeon Su-rin on purpose. No detection.
“W-wait! You did something that dangerous...!”
“Dangerous or not, I got in and out clean. No issue.”
“But still...”
“Anyway, I learned something crucial. There's a small hole in the back where you can dive in underwater.”
“A h-hole?”
Namgung Ji's eyes bulged. He hadn't known. Why would he? It was women's territory—he'd never even considered approaching.
The stunned Namgung Ji suddenly blurted urgently.
“Hold on! You're seriously thinking of going into Anwonjeong? That's insane! Even if there's a real entry hole, you think you won't get caught? Have you forgotten Hwaran's and her guard's skill levels? You'd get nabbed for sure!”
A strong objection from Namgung Ji—logical, for once.
Peak expert Namgung Hwaran. Hwa Mulin on the cusp of Peak. Sneaking past those two super peak women would require near-Super Peak arts. A single splash, and it'd be over.
But—
Bang So-un's face brimmed with inexplicable leisure.
“Don't worry. I guarantee it. Namgung Hwaran and her guard won't be able to do a thing.”
“H-how can you say that so surely...?”
“Because I made it that way.”
Recalling the suggestion he'd ordered Jang Il to implant, Bang So-un flashed a sinister smile.