Eat or Be Eaten
“Ughhh!”
The thug right before colliding with Yi So-ok. If that speeding man's body slammed into her, it was clear she'd suffer more than a light injury.
Nangong Hwaran and Hyol Su Pappa widened their eyes in shock. Of course, one of them was acting. No, both were.
—What do we do?
Hyol Su Pappa's swift telepathic transmission.
—Just enough.
—Yes, ma'am.
“Ma, ma'am!”
Hyol Su Pappa released just a fraction of the internal energy she'd been suppressing. That alone was enough to wrap around Yi So-ok's body without issue. Of course, she'd deliberately calibrated it to the razor's edge.
Thud!
The chair toppled over.
Thump!
Hyol Su Pappa, embracing Yi So-ok, rolled across the floor together.
Crash! Clatter!
Finally, the thug's body tumbled along with the table.
Shatter!
The teacup fell and broke into pieces.
All this happened in the blink of an eye. Startled onlookers murmured and stared.
“A-are you alright?”
Nangong Hwaran, feigning shock after freezing in place, hurriedly pretended to worry. Natural acting.
Bang So-un chuckled inwardly.
Soon, the Jangsaeng Pavilion attendants rushed over in a panic.
“A-are you okay, sir?”
“Oh dear, we'll clean this up right away.”
The tumbling thug, hurting the most himself, fidgeted anxiously.
“N-no, this isn't my, my fault...”
That was when Yi So-ok raised her hand as if all was well and spoke.
“I'm fine. It's nothing, so no need for the fuss. No one's hurt.”
She then rose with Nangong Hwaran's support.
“I won't hold you accountable, so just go.”
“Eh? R-really?”
“Yes.”
The thug bolted out like it was manna from heaven.
“Are you really okay, Mother?”
Nangong Hwaran asked with a concerned expression.
“I said I am.”
“That's a relief, but...”
“Still, the mood for tea is ruined. Let's settle the bill and move elsewhere.”
“Yes, Mother.”
A short while later, Nangong Hwaran's group left the pavilion.
Only then did Bang So-un leisurely sip his tea and ask.
“By the way, did you confirm the schedule, sis?”
“Of course.”
—Confirmed as a Peak mid-level expert. Nothing higher.
Yeon Su-rin's telepathic transmission.
Bang So-un's smile deepened. That level was plenty to start something. He'd just confirmed no other escorts with that test.
“Then let's head out.”
“How about it, young master? Good enough to proceed with the big event today?”
Jang Il said, his excitement bubbling over.
“The key is the location. We need to confirm where they're going first.”
Bang So-un remained calm. There was no rush anyway.
“Haha, I know that.”
“What? You know?”
“Before Nangong Hwaran left the telepathic range, I quickly asked via transmission where they were headed.”
“Heh, you've grown a lot.”
“Huh? My growth finished ages ago.”
“Not that kind of growth.”
“Hahaha, good news either way, right?”
“...Anyway, where did she say?”
“Ah, a place we know very well. Anwonjeong.”
Anwonjeong. The Nangong family's private hot spring on their estate. The place where he'd turned Nangong Hwaran and Hwa Mulin into hypnosis slaves. The two female guards there were bonuses.
“Oh ho, there?”
A sinister smile crept across Bang So-un's lips. A secluded spot with few people. Perfect for starting trouble. He even knew a hidden dog hole entrance. In emergencies, he could use the two guards as puppets.
“Good. Let's move.”
Bang So-un made his decision.
'Young women or old, naked ones always panic and can't move properly.'
Sneak in through the dog hole and ambush the bathing prey. He could subdue the naked targets easily.
'The entrance is far. Sounds won't carry well. As long as we don't miss, no problem.'
Bang So-un's calculations were solid.
“Oh, music to my ears, young master.”
Jang Il's face lit up.
Bang So-un chuckled and pulled out the black book. Calling Muyeong Bido and Gal Sahyeon.
“Go.”
The black book fluttered into motion.
—Ma'am, why suddenly Anwonjeong...?
Hyol Su Pappa cautiously transmitted. It wasn't in the original plan. And the master she served hated unplanned actions.
—Didn't you feel it?
—Huh?
—Heh, you're getting old too.
Yi So-ok let a sly smile slip beneath her veil. She'd seen it clearly earlier. When Hyol Su Pappa released some energy and leaped, a faint flicker of triumph crossed that young punk's face in the distance.
Such an emotion never arises without reason. Brazen. He was plotting something.
That's why she'd lured him. Deliberately to a remote spot.
'Whoever you are, go ahead and try your worst.'
Her sharp eyes gleamed as Yi So-ok spoke.
“Let's go slowly. It's tiring since it's been so long.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The oblivious Nangong Hwaran slowed her pace.
“...”
“Mother?”
“...”
“Are you very tired?”
“No, let's go now.”
Yi So-ok rose from the rock she'd been sitting on.
'This can't be right?'
She'd deliberately dawdled, taking breaks along the way. Slow enough for a seven-year-old to catch up.
Yet no suspicious movements at all.
If her guess was right, those shadowy figures should've shown their hand by now. That's how it should've played out...
Only beastly presences stirred idly.
'Did I misjudge?'
It was absurd.
—Ma'am, is something wrong...?
Hyol Su Pappa transmitted, sensing the mood.
—No idea. We'll just head to Anwonjeong for now.
—Understood, ma'am.
Yi So-ok gave up waiting longer. Otherwise, they'd finish bathing before dark.
'If I wasn't wrong, they'll show eventually.'
With that, Yi So-ok's group headed to Anwonjeong.
No need to say it twice—Bang So-un was cautious by nature. That's why he never rushed.
He'd gauged Hyol Su Pappa as Peak mid-level back at Jangsaeng Pavilion.
“Young master, aren't you being too laid-back...?”
Unable to stand it, Jang Il spoke up.
“Don't underestimate a Peak expert's senses. Rashly approaching in a remote place like this could get us spotted immediately.”
Bang So-un said coolly.
It was entirely different from crowded areas. Even faint presences stood out here.
“No, I know that. I do, but... we're dawdling too much. They might finish bathing and come down before we even arrive.”
Jang Il could barely contain his itchiness.
Bang So-un finally chuckled.
“Fine, fine. I was planning to move in about an incense stick's time anyway. Just hold out that long.”
“Phew, glad to hear it, young master.”
Jang Il's face relaxed.
“You rascal.”
Bang So-un chuckled again. An incense stick's time passed.
“Alright, let's move.”
Finally, Bang So-un's group set off. Toward Anwonjeong.
“La, Lady Great Madam?”
Anwonjeong's guard warriors were all shocked. Yi So-ok, who rarely appeared, had shown up unannounced.
The warriors stood at tense attention like new recruits.
Yi So-ok waved them off.
“Don't mind us. Just dropping by with my daughter after ages. We'll bathe quietly and go.”
“If-if there's anything you need...”
“Nothing like that. Stick to your duties.”
“U-understood.”
“Good. Carry on.”
Yi So-ok's group entered Anwonjeong. Only then did the guards relax.
“Whew, thought my heart would stop.”
“Yeah.”
“Anyway, let's be extra vigilant today.”
“Right, never know when she'll leave. No slacking off.”
Unlike usual, the guards resolved to proper duty.
“Do you come here often, Hwaran?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“The water here is good, isn't it?”
“Indeed, Mother.”
A warm mother-daughter chat. But Yi So-ok's mind was elsewhere.
'No way I misjudged.'
She absolutely trusted her senses. Never wrong once.
Yi So-ok narrowed her eyes.
'Wait, perhaps.'
Her gaze sharpened.
'They were waiting for us to enter?'
Anwonjeong. Nangong estate, but far from the main house. Meaning Nangong reinforcements couldn't arrive instantly. A quick check would've revealed the lax guards here.
No sane person would stir trouble in Anhui, but for madmen, this was the spot.
'Yes, that makes sense.'
Yi So-ok solidified her guess.
“Mother, the changing...”
“Ah, no need. I'll do a foot bath first. You should too.”
“Foot bath?”
“Yes, that's the proper way to bathe.”
“Ah... I see.”
Yi So-ok approached the hot spring and dipped her feet. Nangong Hwaran followed reluctantly. Hyol Su Pappa stood guard nearby.
“Hwaran.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“I have something to say.”
“Anything.”
“Keep everything that happens here today to yourself.”
“Pardon?”
Nangong Hwaran blinked, utterly confused.
“Don't tell a soul.”
“I don't understand...”
“Heh, of course.”
Yi So-ok smiled slyly—a first for Nangong Hwaran.
“Mother, what...”
“Rats have come.”
At that moment.
The hot spring water rippled.