The Weight of Wungye
“What do you think, Lady Bing?”
The sudden question caught her off guard, though she kept her expression neutral. She regretted removing her veil. They couldn’t possibly have traced anything back to me yet.
She had done nothing worth investigating. Seol-hwa had merely compiled and delivered information gathered within the pleasure house. Bing Ok-yeon herself had not sought out any intelligence. The people standing before her were living proof of what happened when one trusted others too easily. Why would she risk repeating that mistake?
“Hmm~ Perhaps someone admires you, Young Master?”
“Admires me?”
“Hehe, it’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve secretly looked into people I admire more than once. I imagine the culprit feels the same.”
“Could that culprit be you, Lady?”
“Pardon…?”
“You just said you admire me, didn’t you?” Jin Cheong-myeong asked with a smile. The others, seeing her stunned expression, broke into grins as well. It was a joke. He had only asked to tease her.
“Kuh-kuh, there’s nothing you won’t say, Brother Jin. How could someone as beautiful as Lady Bing possibly target you?”
“Your wife is glaring at you right now!”
“To win Lady Bing, one would need to rank among the top ten experts in the land!”
“It’s only a matter of time, you fools!”
Those who had been watching their words moments ago now openly mocked Jin Cheong-myeong. The wine had loosened their tongues. Jin Cheong-myeong himself had grown generous with drink. Everyone laughed and chattered—everyone except Yu Seol-hwa, whose face remained sullen.
“Ha…”
So-yeon caught her eye. The girl was nodding off, full from the meal. It seemed the perfect excuse.
“Oh my… I’ve been terribly inconsiderate.”
With those words, she approached So-yeon.
“I believe it is time I took my leave.”
She had not come here by choice, yet the evening had yielded results. She had secured promises of future meetings with several people and lowered their guard toward a stranger. Future encounters would be easier.
“It would be a shame to part so soon.”
Yet Jin Cheong-myeong, whom she had assumed was too drunk to notice, stopped her. Just as she was about to depart with quiet satisfaction, her departure was blocked.
“As you can see, So-yeon is exhausted. I myself am feeling rather weary.”
“But I was the one who invited you, Lady.”
“I am grateful for that.”
“Are you truly grateful?”
“My gratitude runs deep. I intend to host an event at the Eunpa Merchant Group in the future. I would be honored if you would attend.”
“No, no. That won’t do.”
Jin Cheong-myeong continued to press. She glanced at Yu Seol-hwa, hoping for intervention, but the woman’s eyes were half-closed. Perhaps Jin Cheong-myeong had noticed and was taking advantage of it.
“Show me your sincerity.”
He used the informal “you” and extended his cup as he spoke. Several people nearby looked uncomfortable. Though the Bing family had fallen, Bing Ok-yeon remained the chief manager of one of Henan’s greatest merchant groups. Even without that title, this was an outrageous demand—something one might ask of a courtesan. Eyes flicked between Jin Cheong-myeong and Bing Ok-yeon. The situation had reached a point where anger would have been justified. Combined with his earlier joking accusation that she had been investigating him, the insult was even more severe.
There was no greater discourtesy.
At that moment, Bing Ok-yeon found herself smiling instead.
It had been an unstable day. She wanted to abandon every plan and every restraint. The suppressed venom stirred within her dantian. Is there any reason to hesitate?
Once the poison began to coil around her heart, it spread uncontrollably. Killing him would eliminate future trouble. It might even improve my mood.
She reached for the solitary poison she had kept hidden inside.
“This humble brother will accept it.”
A hand suddenly shot out from beside Jin Cheong-myeong.
“What are you doing?”
“I will pour my admiration for you into this cup.”
It was Yi Cheon-woo. He had been tending to So-yeon throughout the gathering, yet now he sat beside Jin Cheong-myeong, filling the empty cup to the brim.
“Please drink.”
“You admire me? How laughable.”
Jin Cheong-myeong snorted, yet he brought the cup to his lips. His irritating gaze was hidden.
“…”
The tension broke. Bing Ok-yeon gathered So-yeon and prepared to leave. If she stayed any longer, she feared she would truly kill everyone present.
“Bing—”
“I will escort her.”
When Jin Cheong-myeong tried to reach out again, Yi Cheon-woo stood up abruptly. Jeers erupted around them, drowning out Jin Cheong-myeong’s voice.
“You brat, trying to steal your elder brother’s chance!”
“So that’s why you’ve only been bothering Lady Jegal! You’re aiming from below!”
“W-what are you saying?”
She no longer had the strength to play along. She wanted nothing more than to reach a place with no one else and release this oppressive gloom.
“Then…”
When she tried to wake So-yeon, Yi Cheon-woo gently stopped her. He lifted the girl into his arms.
“…”
“Is something wrong?”
“Are you aware that So-yeon is sixteen this year?”
“Eh…? Is that true? I…”
Yi Cheon-woo stammered in embarrassment. He had clearly mistaken her for a much younger girl. Too exhausted to argue, Bing Ok-yeon simply warned him not to handle her carelessly and headed for the stairs. Jin Cheong-myeong’s voice was lost beneath the noise.
Reaching the first floor, the former Wungye County patrolmen who had been waiting in the corner sprang to their feet. Yi Cheon-woo gave them a look, and they immediately sat back down. They were thoroughly his people.
“Jegal Do-yeong?”
A voice spoke beside her. Yeom Seo-rin was staring at her in disbelief. Bing Ok-yeon had forgotten the woman was even there.
“Ah…”
“You certainly spun quite the tale.”
She must have heard Bing Ok-yeon’s real name from upstairs.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would still be unaware.”
After seizing control of the Eunpa Merchant Group, this identity had vanished from Luoyang. Yeom Seo-rin’s skills had intrigued her at the time.
“If you’re short on funds, come to the Eunpa Merchant Group. We’re looking for people.”
“…”
She extended the offer belatedly. The work would be far easier and far more lucrative than her current role as an errand girl. Yeom Seo-rin surely knew that. Perhaps she would consider it.
“I might just tell the Young Master everything. No, maybe I should let him suffer a little longer…”
Yet the resentment remained. From her perspective, she had been deceived for half a year. Time would handle it.
“Huu…”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Once they stepped into the street, a sigh escaped her. She had not realized how exhausting conversation could be. She missed her family terribly.
“I wasn’t able to greet you properly earlier. It’s been a while, Lady Bing.”
“…Yes. It has, Young Master Yi.”
“I’m glad you appear unharmed.”
“There’s no guarantee I’ll remain so.”
“Huhu, is that so? That’s fortunate, then.”
As she spoke with Yi Cheon-woo, she sensed hesitation in him. He seemed quite close to So-yeon, so perhaps it concerned her.
“Did you follow me because you had something to say?”
“Ah, forgive me, but yes.”
“Why not speak inside?”
“Because it is a personal matter.”
“Everyone else was sharing private stories without hesitation.”
“Haha…”
That was only because she held the position of chief manager of a major merchant group. Without it, the evening would have been far more humiliating. Still, she bore no grudge—she had brought it upon herself. If she had found it distasteful, she would have approached differently.
Now that we’re outside, my head is clearer. I nearly caused a disaster earlier.
The memory of her killing intent made her temples throb. She had kept the poison under control. Why was this body’s mind so unstable? Had the transformation altered her in ways beyond the physical? Sudden melancholy followed by abrupt murderous intent—neither felt like her.
“Please speak.”
“Well, it’s nothing major, but…”
Yi Cheon-woo hesitated, clearly reluctant. She wondered if the matter was serious. Since he had called it personal, it likely had nothing to do with So-yeon. There was no need for tension.
“I’m willing to answer you as sincerely as possible, Young Master. Ask anything.”
“If you say so… then, forgive me, but why did you visit Wungye County, Lady?”
The question was unexpected. She had not imagined he would ask about something from several months ago. Her reply came late.
“…”
“Was it a difficult question?”
“Not at all.”
Answering would cause no harm. She could fabricate any story she wished. Yet the mere mention of Wungye County brought a wave of loneliness crashing over her. Perhaps it was the lingering effect of today’s unstable emotions.
“It was an incredibly precious place.”
“Ah…”
That was why the emotional answer slipped out. That was why she had spoken closer to the truth.
“I still remember it vividly. The plaque hanging over the gate. The children running through the courtyard. The way they smiled and welcomed me…”
Her parents, too.
Her voice grew wet. She wanted to wail. Suddenly, she longed to run to Wungye County and see it with her own eyes. In the past half-year, she had never once set foot there—not merely because she was busy, but because she had sworn to return only with her enemies’ heads. And because she knew that if she returned now, this body would not endure it.
Bing Ok-yeon could not continue. Her throat had closed.
Yi Cheon-woo, who had asked the question, stood flustered, unsure what to do.
“You must have been very close to the people there…”
“…”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought up painful memories.”
Only then did she realize her vision had blurred. And only then did she understand where this melancholy came from. She also knew how to wash away this pain.
But she could not. This helplessness. This restlessness. The emotion gnawing at her heart made her tears well thicker. It was shameful. To cry in front of the boy she had once taught… Even though she had become a woman in body and mind for the sake of revenge, this was still far too humiliating.
“It’s… fine.”
She swallowed the tears. She had no right to cry yet. Not until she returned to the Baek family estate. Only then could she weep for days on end.
“I must apologize.”
Yi Cheon-woo continued to offer apologies. When she lifted her head in confusion, she found herself on the verge of collapsing to her knees. Yi Cheon-woo was holding her hand.
“I’m the one who should apologize.”
After pulling away, she tried to take So-yeon back. Though their builds differed, carrying the girl would not have been difficult. Yet Yi Cheon-woo refused to return her and shook his head.
“You’ve come quite far. You should go inside.”
“I will accompany you to your lodgings.”
“It’s fine. It’s right ahead.”
“This is for my disciple’s sake, Lady.”
“…”
When he invoked So-yeon, she could no longer refuse. She accepted his consideration with a smile.
***
“You’re back.”
“Captain!”
The former Wungye County patrolmen approached Yi Cheon-woo.
“Did you obtain what you wanted?”
“Huh…?”
Yi Cheon-woo seemed dazed. Seo Myo-rin reacted sharply.
“Wait, you said you had something to find out!”
“Ah… I did.”
Yi Cheon-woo opened and closed his hand, as though savoring a sensation he feared would fade.
“What’s with that hand gesture?!”
“No, yes. I found out. She is not a martial artist.”
“Eh…? That’s what you were trying to learn?”
“Yes… I had a personal question. One that only made sense if she were a martial artist. But she isn’t.”
“How did you find out? Did you attack her?”
“No. Her hand was very…”
Yi Cheon-woo continued staring at his hand, his expression blank.
“…soft.”
Seo Myo-rin ground her teeth.
“Idiots.”
Listening to the exchange, Yeom Seo-rin sneered.
“That monster doesn’t know martial arts?”