Suspicion Without Proof
Extremely suspicious, but in the end, it was just circumstantial evidence with no hard proof. That was Namgung Hyeok's conclusion.
He'd half-expected as much from the start. For now, he'd have to settle for narrowing down the suspects.
That man named Bang Geukcheon wasn't as sloppy as he appeared. He'd smoothly glossed over any statements that could harm him—claiming he simply didn't remember, leaving it vague enough to change his story later if needed.
To Namgung Hyeok, people like this were the trickiest. Liars armed to the teeth with falsehoods could be dismantled through the smallest logical cracks, but those who wielded well-timed silence were impossible to read.
And pressing a martial artist like him with sheer intimidation wasn't easy either. He must have achieved considerable mastery.
"We'll end it here for today."
Namgung Hyeok stood first. The interrogation room was a small chamber in the annex of the Eunrin Sega estate.
With Bang Geukcheon's questioning done, it was time to confer with Wi Sahu.
The remaining task was to cross-reference Jongchil's statement with Bang Geukcheon's and hunt for inconsistencies.
"Young Master Hyeok. It's Cheong-a. May I come in?"
The voice of Cheong-a—a servant of the Eunrin Sega and familiar to Namgung Hyeok—came from beyond the door. He told her to enter. Perfect timing; the interrogation had just wrapped up.
"The Vice Leader requests the Chief Steward for a moment. It seems like important business. She asked me to tell you she'd meet you next time."
Namgung Hyeok frowned at Cheong-a's words. Being summoned at such a critical juncture was a major setback.
"It's probably something urgent related to the next escort caravan."
"If the Vice Leader calls, there's no helping it. From their perspective, escort agency duties outweigh even the lecher case. I'll come back tomorrow, then."
"Ah, she said she'll likely be busy with work tomorrow too. Only in four days will she have time."
Namgung Hyeok scowled. Losing four precious days while racing against time on the lecher investigation. He wanted to storm over and demand answers right then.
But even as the second son of the great Namgung family, he couldn't rudely press the de facto head of the Baekhap Escort Agency.
Wi Sahu was the Chief Steward there, and her top priority was managing the agency. Knowing that full well, Namgung Hyeok nodded in acceptance.
"Fine. Four days, then."
With that, he left the room.
*-*-*
I'd barely managed to escape.
Wi Sahu's heart felt like it would burst. That terrifying force trying to dominate her had been crushing her heart since earlier.
She was like a bird trapped in a cage. But whenever her resolve weakened, she thought of the Vice Leader.
Recalling the man who had taken in a lowborn girl like her, educated her, and elevated her to Chief Steward gave her the strength to resist the overwhelming domination wrapping her body.
Wi Sahu hid in a small storage shed of the Eunrin Sega estate. She felt like a petty thief who'd snuck into the clan grounds.
Until now, she'd been the one managing and protecting the estate, but her current state was worlds apart from a proper clan warrior.
"Hah...! Hah...! Hah...! Down there... it's so hot...!"
Sticky love juices leaked bit by bit from Wi Sahu's pussy. They trickled down, mixing with the dried dark red virgin blood clinging to her folds.
Every quick step made the slickness between her thighs feel utterly disgusting.
But contrary to the displeasure, the more stimulation her pussy felt, the more juices it produced.
It still felt like Jongchil was piercing her. The first experience had been so shocking that her body hadn't recovered yet.
Wi Sahu chanted self-hypnosis to herself that she was fine as she moved. She was completely naked now. She'd torn off her top and stripped her pants herself—of course, under that man's artifact's control.
Hah...! In this state, I can't even ask the clan members for help! Damn it...! First, clothes... .
Clothes were the priority. She rummaged through the rundown shed, but there wasn't even a rag to cover herself, let alone proper attire.
This was a storage for gardening tools and old furniture. She knew that, but desperation made her search anyway. No luck.
"Ugh...! No choice. I have to get to my room fast. Hah...."
The Eunrin Sega estate was vast. Even looking at all of An Hui Province, few clans were larger. In Jamsan County, it was the only one rivaling the Namgung clan.
The shed she was in was quite far from the main quarters where the retainers lived.
Clunk! The shed door opened.
Wi Sahu held her breath and crouched low. Light footsteps approached. Probably a young estate servant tending the gardens.
She retreated deeper into the shed. An old wardrobe stood before her. She slipped inside.
She really was like a cornered rat. To suffer such humiliation in her own clan. Wi Sahu couldn't hold back her tears.
"I swear I left it here. Hey, seen the garden shears?"
"You shoved them way in the back last time. I told you to keep frequently used stuff where you can see it."
"In the back, huh?"
Footsteps drew closer. Wi Sahu swallowed hard. She couldn't see out from inside the wardrobe, but the sound alone told her the servant was heading her way.
She held her breath as much as possible. Even breathing could be dangerous now.
Zing! At that moment, Wi Sahu's labia quivered violently. She couldn't hold back a moan.
"Nhngh!"
"Huh? What'd you say?"
She clamped both hands over her mouth. The servant searching for shears turned to the other.
"Didn't he say something?"
"Say what? Hurry up and find the shears. We'll get chewed out by old man Hak again."
"Weird. Must've misheard."
He tilted his head, rummaging through the junk. Then his eyes caught strange marks on the floor. He knelt to inspect them.
Someone had spilled water. "Who spilled water here? Hey, did you use this place today?"
"What bullshit. Still no shears?"
"No, look at this. Looks like someone spilled water recently."
The other servant approached at his words, kneeling to check. Sure enough, irregular water-like stains dotted the floor, just as his buddy said.
And it didn't seem like plain water. He sniffed it. "What's that musty smell? Mop water?"
"Nah, different. Kinda fishy... but weirdly addictive, right? Feels familiar...."
The two suddenly launched into a debate about the floor stains. Wi Sahu, eavesdropping from the wardrobe, sweated profusely while muffling herself.
Strangely, the trembling in her labia intensified. It felt like she was getting aroused by these two men.
She bit her lip, suppressing the pleasure from her pussy. But her excited body wouldn't calm.
At this rate... I'll look like a total pervert! I was a virgin until this morning...! It's all that bastard's artifact's fault!
Wi Sahu closed her eyes, praying for time to pass. The two outside showed no sign of leaving.
"Ah! That's it! Same smell as from the brothel! Exactly like Hyang-sook's pussy! No way—is this pussy juice?"
"Pussy juice? This is cunt water!? Make sense, man! Who'd fuck in here?"
"Why not? A secluded shed like this is perfect for sneaking a quickie away from clan eyes. Don't know who the bold fucker was."
"No way... Cheong-a banging someone here?"
Their talk devolved into vulgar banter. Wi Sahu tried ignoring it, but her ears keenly caught every word. The men's dirty talk made her pussy throb even more desperately.
"Damn, that'd hurt. Cheong-a's every servant's dream girl. No way she'd... do it here, right? Not our Cheong-a."
Cheong-a was the estate servants' top idol. Even after the lecher incident, her popularity hadn't dipped—in fact, male servants hounded her daily, vying to comfort the "wounded" girl and snag boyfriend status.
"Hah... I'd give anything for one shot with Cheong-a. Dream come true."
"Idiot. A real man needs heroic spirit. Small dreams like that won't cut it. I'm aiming for the Chief Steward later."
"!?"
Wi Sahu nearly screamed. A cupful of pussy juice gushed from her. She gnawed her nails to stifle the moan.
"Chief Steward, huh... Among us servants, who'd admit to not jerking off thinking of her?"
"Haha! Even old man Hak probably drains one to her. Nah, he's Vice Leader material."
"Vice Leader's top-tier too. That face, that body—hard to believe she's married. I'd pick her over Chief Steward. Doesn't suit that wastrel Seo Gil-hu."
"Seriously, just once, I'd love to slurp the Chief Steward's pussy clean. Hell, even that'd be too much—sniffing it would be enough."
"I'd settle for a cup of Vice Leader's piss... Pure fantasy for us, huh?"
Their vulgarity escalated. Wi Sahu felt her body heating up. The wardrobe felt like a steam bath now, sweat pouring from her entire body. She couldn't tell if it was panic or the lust radiating from her.
"Hey, wait. These stains... they connect! Look over there."
"Huh? For real!? Droplets leading... right to the wardrobe."
Wi Sahu's heart nearly stopped. She squeezed her eyes shut. If these servants found her here, what excuse could she make? Her mind went blank.
"Over there, maybe...?"
"No way...?"
The two exchanged excited glances and crept toward the wardrobe...
"You lazy bastards! Where the hell you lounging!? Get out here now!?"
An old man's roar echoed from outside. "Eek! It's old man Hak! Grab the shears quick!"
"C-Coming!"
Under the bellow of "Intransigent Old Monster" Hak, the two snatched their stuff and fled the shed.
Wi Sahu collapsed in exhaustion. Urine trickled from her urethra.