Chapter 23
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Ga Jin's True Identity
"Why on earth does your face look so wrecked?"
Lee Seon’s complexion truly was a sight to behold.
Dark shadows hung under his eyes like he'd been up all night wrestling demons.
"I didn't sleep a wink last night."
Ga Jin smirked.
"Can't even heal yourself, huh, Doctor?"
Lee Seon stared straight at her.
"Afraid it's a terminal case."
Cough.
She shook her head at his fake hack.
Yoo Yeong-mok's eyes widened in shock.
"Terminal? You're serious?"
Suddenly, it struck Lee Seon just how decent a guy Yoo Yeong-mok was.
Taking people at their word without a shred of doubt meant he always treated others with genuine sincerity.
That had to be why everyone followed him so loyally.
"Just kidding."
If only it were a real ailment—he could've treated it without a second thought.
But needless worries were weighing him down instead.
Lee Seon’s gaze drifted to the box strapped to Ga Jin's back.
There was the result of his indecision, right before his eyes.
The tiny hole he'd drilled was sealed so perfectly, not a trace showed on the surface.
Yet the sword inside still haunted his thoughts.
Ga Jin acted like she wasn't thrilled about carrying the cargo herself,
but seeing her now, it almost seemed like she felt the weight of transporting something so precious.
Or maybe that was just his imagination.
"Guard Ga."
She didn't even turn at his call.
"Don't call me that."
"Then what should I call you?"
She shot him a glare with narrowed, axe-like eyes.
"Just don't call me at all."
Of course, that was wishful thinking.
"Can't do that."
I've got too many questions for you.
She squinted one eye in irritation.
"I don't wanna talk to you."
But whether they talked wasn't up to her.
Lee Seon sent her a sound transmission.
'Will this change your mind?'
"!"
Ga Jin’s eyes widened in panic as they locked onto him.
The young doctor she'd dismissed was suddenly using inner energy transmission—she couldn't hide her fluster.
'You're a martial artist?'
'I'm the one asking questions here.'
In that instant, a sharp pain stabbed her wrist.
Something thin and tough, like ox hair, had pierced deep into her skin—barely noticeable, but deadly precise.
Ga Jin’s face twisted in fury.
Her hand flew to her waist.
But Lee Seon snatched her wrist in a flash.
His other hand struck her acupoint.
In the blink of an eye, her movement point was sealed.
A clean, efficient takedown.
'What the hell are you?'
Now certain he was a martial artist, her eyes blazed with killing intent.
She wanted to tear him apart right then.
But the iron grip on her right hand held her back.
'My turn to ask.'
She struggled desperately to pull free, but his hold was like steel.
The moment she tried channeling her qi to shake him off—
Eh?
Something was wrong with her body.
Saliva!
No—a needle!
Ga Jin’s eyes scanned her wrist.
A needle was embedded deep, right at the acupoint.
She couldn't muster any strength in her hand, no matter how hard she tried.
'Better stay still.'
Lee Seon’s eyes issued a stern warning.
She glanced around.
Even though she'd been subdued, no one batted an eye.
No help was coming.
And this guy was skilled enough to take her down.
Even if everyone rushed him, they'd all fall.
'Stay put, and I'll unseal it. I don't want trouble either.'
She nodded, and he released the point.
Rubbing her neck, Ga Jin glared daggers at him.
"So all that nice-guy act was fake?"
"Think what you want."
Her eyes told him she wouldn't listen anyway.
Ga Jin swallowed dryly.
"What do you want?"
"An honest talk."
"Talk?"
She let out a disbelieving scoff.
A guy who needles and seals points wants to talk?
"Can't figure you out. What if I run?"
Of course, he'd planned for that.
"That's why I've got this."
He pulled a round pill from his pocket.
"What's that?"
Ga Jin backed away.
But his grip on her arm didn't budge.
"Want me to feed it to you?"
He didn't care if she refused.
She glared with venom.
As he pushed it toward her mouth, she reluctantly opened up.
The instant the pill hit her tongue, he pinched her nose shut with one hand.
"Mmgh?!"
"Swallow."
She couldn't breathe.
Ga Jin gulped it down.
The slimy slide down her throat was nauseating.
She gaped to spit it out, but he stopped her.
"No need. It's down already."
She scowled at the lingering foreign sensation.
She'd figured it was poison to break her will.
"Happy now?"
"Too early. We haven't even started."
Lee Seon replied curtly.
"What more do you want? I did what you said."
"I know it's your turn for night watch tonight."
"Yeah. So?"
Ga Jin sighed.
He was stronger, and she'd swallowed some mystery pill—what good would fighting do?
Lee Seon placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered,
"Wait for me. I'll come find you."
The cargo was piled in the center, with Ga Jin and one other guard on night watch.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Lee Seon emerged with a grin.
"Hey, it's our doctor!"
The guard beamed.
Since healing his foot pain, Lee Seon’s standing in the bureau had skyrocketed.
Pain anywhere? He'd whip up a fix on the spot, always spot-on.
Plus, his easygoing charm made him approachable—no one disliked him.
Of course, Ga Jin, who knew his true colors, just found it revolting.
"Aren't you tired?"
The guard waved it off.
"This is the job. Go get some shut-eye."
But Lee Seon plopped down nearby.
"You look like the one who needs sleep, Uncle Yang."
The man startled.
"Me?"
Lee Seon furrowed his brow gravely.
"Yeah. You'll collapse tomorrow at this rate."
The guard's face mirrored the concern.
"Any solutions?"
"Go rest. I'll take your shift."
"Nah, can't do that. I'm already in your debt."
He refused halfheartedly.
Lee Seon’s gaze shifted—to Ga Jin.
The message was clear.
Ga Jin took a breath.
"Get some rest. The doctor and I have it covered."
With her urging him too, he couldn't say no.
"Alright, thanks."
Once he left, they were alone in the clearing.
Clink.
Lee Seon set down two cups and filled them.
"Drink."
Ga Jin didn't even glance at hers.
"What's this supposed to be?"
Lee Seon calmly downed his.
"Can't have an honest talk without liquor."
"Ha!"
Ga Jin thrust out her wrist.
"You do this, and now you want to talk?"
As a swordswoman, losing wrist function was fatal.
She couldn't perform even half her usual skill.
And the culprit was acting so brazen—it boiled her blood.
"You wanna live like that forever?"
Ga Jin flinched.
She'd tried extracting the needle herself,
but it wouldn't budge easily, and yanking it wrong could cripple her wrist for good.
"You gonna fix it or not?"
"Depends on you."
Ga Jin grabbed her cup.
And slammed it back in one gulp.
Lee Seon watched as she wiped her mouth, as if to say now what?
"Looks like you're up for a chat."
He refilled his and raised it.
"Which sect are you from?"
"...What're you talking about?"
Lee Seon chuckled.
"Don't wanna say? Fine, I'll guess. Your qi feels Taoist. In Shaanxi, that's Zhongnan or Huashan. Zhongnan's known for heavy swords—but your build and stance don't fit."
Her face paled at that.
"Why's a Huashan sword expert out here?"
She couldn't hide her shock at the bombshell.
"How did you...?"
Even escorts who'd traveled with her for a year hadn't guessed.
She'd held back her skills to keep her identity hidden.
Yet he'd pierced it all in days.
But his questions were just warming up.
"And that box you're hauling—what's the sword inside?"
She was too stunned to be surprised anymore.
"Who the hell are you really?"
All her efforts to hide, unraveled so easily.
She threw up her hands in defeat.
"Told you—I'm asking the questions."
"I don't know. Just orders to deliver it safely to Shaanxi."
Who'd buy that?
Lee Seon drank halfheartedly.
"If you're gonna lie, at least make it convincing."
Ga Jin chewed her lip in frustration, then grabbed another cup.
"Drinking on duty?"
A voice rang out from nowhere.
Echoing everywhere, its source impossible to pinpoint.
Suddenly, an old man appeared in the clearing.
"Eh?"
Ga Jin’s eyes bulged at the sight.
"Shh."
He closed in instantly and tapped her wrist meridian.
She crumpled limply; he caught her and laid her down.
Turning, the elder offered a cup to the staring Lee Seon.
"You seem to like talking. How about picking up where we left off... with me?"