Whispers at a Cost
I straightened the crumpled hem of my robe and smoothed down my disheveled hair before striding out of the hall with measured steps—neither hurried nor slow. The moment I stepped beyond the threshold of the Hundred Halls Pavilion, the person shadowing me grabbed my arm.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?"
I feigned ignorance, pulling off an innocent act. After sending my telepathic message to the twins, I'd unluckily locked eyes with Seok Ga-yak of all people. And right after, the twins had thrown their tantrum, so of course he'd noticed something was up.
But how could he prove it?
I lifted my chin defiantly. Seok Ga-yak, who had been squinting at me appraisingly, spoke up.
"Mind if I check your pulse?"
"Sure."
After a brief feel of my wrist, Seok Ga-yak's face twisted in confusion.
"...You definitely have no internal energy. But that display just now... How did you pull it off?"
Of course. What I'd used wasn't internal energy at all.
How nice it would have been if my dantian had recovered in the meantime and I'd rebuilt my qi reserves—but no such luck.
My ability to send telepathy stemmed from the desperate struggles of my past life, when I'd clawed my way through every martial arts text I could find in a bid to learn the arts. In my frenzy, I'd even reached for forbidden tomes.
And in one of those, I'd discovered it: a secret technique to wield innate vital energy in place of internal energy.
Innate vital energy was the primal force one was born with—the essence of life itself. Far more potent than cultivated internal energy, it came naturally to those who reached great heights in the martial arts.
Yet no one used it. The reason was simple. Innate vital energy was life force. Deplete it entirely, and you died.
And that's exactly what I'd tapped into for that telepathic message.
"You...!"
Seok Ga-yak's eyes widened as he stared at me. That familiar itch crept in below my nose. I gingerly wiped at my philtrum and sighed.
...A nosebleed from one telepathic message? Really?
I'd used only the tiniest amount—just a drop, small enough to recover naturally—and yet my body couldn't handle it.
Rummaging in my sleeve, I suddenly remembered Seok Ga-yak using my handkerchief earlier. With no other choice, I was about to dab it with my sleeve when a hand from across reached out, pressing firmly above my nose before gently wiping below with his own sleeve.
I tried to push his hand away, insisting I'd do it myself, but he gripped tight and wouldn't let go.
"This is a side effect of your telepathy, isn't it?"
"What are you talking about...?"
No, seriously—whose kid was this perceptive?
I played dumb, but it didn't seem to land. Seok Ga-yak lowered his hand from my now-dry nose bridge and said,
"Looks like I'll have to ask Granduncle Seok for some qi-restoring medicine too."
In Baek Ri-paehyeok's study within the Hundred Halls Pavilion, he settled into his paulownia wood chair and said,
"Set that down here. You, sit."
The trailing servant placed the peony pot on the desk and withdrew. Baek Ri-paehyeok scowled at the next servant, who entered bearing a teapot and cups.
"Do I look like I'm in the mood for hot tea right now? Get me cold water!"
The servant who'd placed the peony deftly procured iced water and retreated. Baek Ri-paehyeok gulped it down in furious swallows.
Across from him, Baek Ri-gang asked,
"Are you alright, Father?"
"If I were alright! Didn't I tell you beforehand? Manage your guests yourself!"
Namgung Wan had personally agreed to attend the banquet, crossing a line Baek Ri-gang couldn't block. Baek Ri-paehyeok knew that much, but he couldn't hold back his rage.
"My apologies for troubling you."
Seeing his son apologize calmly without excuses, Baek Ri-paehyeok let out a deep breath. He picked up the teacup Baek Ri-gang had filled and said,
"...Hoo. For now, let's wait and see what the Namgung clan decides."
Baek Ri-gang pondered briefly before asking,
"Then... you're really sending So U-ak away?"
"Are you worrying about U-ak right now?"
"He's still young."
Baek Ri-paehyeok slammed the teacup onto the table. Hot tea he'd never even sipped spilled onto the back of his hand, but he ignored it.
"He's still my blood, so consider this mercy! How dare a child of the So clan insult a Baek child!"
His youth made it worse. Already like this—what chaos would he wreak once grown, backed by the Baek clan's power? It was obvious.
The brothers—even twins born the same day—supporting each other with deep brotherhood? Fine, he understood that.
"I've given those boys everything without favoritism: food, clothes, training, even the Baek clan's precious elixirs. Is this how they repay that grace?"
But having clung together since birth, they saw only each other as the world—scorning everyone else. Even the Baek clan itself!
This time it was just a peony, but who knew what disaster came next? If they committed a greater offense, it'd be too late.
At the very least, they needed to be separated for now.
That's when Baek Ri-paehyeok's eyes landed on the peony pot the servant had placed on the table.
"This was brought by Seok Ga-yak, Granduncle Seok's nephew?"
"Yes."
"No odd character, I hope?"
"Pardon?"
"Ahem. Isn't he Ri-yeon's first real friend? A child's friends have more influence than you think. Is his character upright? What of his family... No, never mind."
"...?"
Baek Ri-gang's gaze was one of utter bafflement.
It'd be easiest—and least frustrating—to investigate personally.
"So, what did you come to me for?"
After a brief silence, Baek Ri-gang spoke.
"...I was thinking of taking Ri-yeon to the Namgung clan for a short visit."
Baek Ri-myeong's wife, Shim So-cheong, was known as the Little Madam or Madam Shim. Gentle and mild-mannered, she was perhaps too soft-hearted to properly helm a martial household.
She dabbed endlessly at her tear-streaked cheeks with her sleeve.
"Myeong-ah, what have you done? Sniff. Look at your poor swollen face."
"Mother, I'm fine. Grandfather was furious—it's a miracle it ended like this."
Baek Ri-myeong's calm words only spurred more tears from Madam Shim, which streamed down her face.
Soon, lantern light flickered beyond the door, and Baek Ri-myeong entered holding one.
"Myeong-ah, how's the hand?"
"It's fine."
As her husband entered, Madam Shim rose, covering her face with her sleeve. Baek Ri-myeong started to stand as well, but she stopped him.
"Stay lying down. I—I need to go to Grandmother for some medicine."
"...Very well."
Once his mother had left, Baek Ri-myeong turned to his father.
"You took a while. Did Grandfather scold you too?"
"Who are you worrying about right now? Tend to yourself first. Anyway, I was delayed by other matters."
"What now?"
"Uncle Ri-gang's taking his daughter to the Namgung clan."
Baek Ri-myeong straightened his robes and sat.
"Little Uncle's going to the Namgung clan with Baek Ri-yeon?"
"Yes."
"With that body of hers? She can even make the trip?"
"Father approved it, and they'll depart as soon as preparations are ready in a few days."
"Why there all of a sudden?"
"I didn't hear details, but probably to separate her from So U-ak and Ri-pyo for a bit. Enough questions—let me check your wounds."
Baek Ri-myeong extended his hand, but his expression darkened. He had no idea how to face Namgung Wan now—yet Baek Ri-yeon was off to the Namgung clan with their young master. Regret, envy, then anger surged through him.
"I need to see Ri-yeon before they leave for Namgung."
Baek Ri-myeong reflexively scowled.
"Why that girl?"
"To ask her to put in a good word with the Namgung young master."
"As if she'd do that. Nonsense."
"You won't know till you try."
Baek Ri-myeong snorted, but his son replied coolly.
"...You really want to meet her?"
"Yes. Why not? She's my sister."
"Sister?"
Stunned by the implication in his son's words, Baek Ri-myeong stared.
Baek Ri-myeong continued nonchalantly.
"Today proved it—she's far better than Pyo or U-ak."
Baek Ri-myeong glanced around instinctively, then chided,
"Myeong-ah! What are you saying? I know you're disappointed today, but don't entertain such folly."
Biting his lip at his father's words, Baek Ri-myeong sat up straight.
"Father, I've been meaning to tell you. Do you know what happened when it was just me, Pyo, U-ak, and Ri-yeon left? U-ak suddenly grabbed Ri-yeon's collar and lunged!"
"What?"
Stunned by this unheard tale, Baek Ri-myeong gasped.
Recalling the moment, Baek Ri-myeong clenched his teeth hard. So U-ak had grabbed Baek Ri-yeon's collar first, followed by Baek Ri-pyo piling on. Thank heavens Seok Ga-yak had been there. Alone, he couldn't have stopped the twins.
If Baek Ri-yeon had taken even one hit...
The mere thought made his vision swim.