Chapter 6 - The Crying Ghost (2)
The Crying Ghost (2)
Translator : Elizabeth
Silence flowed.
Hyeon-bi's guard was pointing his sword at Mumyeong.
Mumyeong spoke.
"For a martial artist to draw a real sword means a life-or-death battle. So I'll give you three seconds. Put that sword away right now."
Such insolence!
The guard's face flushed red.
How dare he utter such rude words in front of Her Highness Lady Hyeon-bi and remain so calm?
Where on earth did such a bastard come from? He was a ruffian to the level where it was hard to believe he was Master Baekrok's disciple.
"One."
It was the moment he gripped his sword hilt.
Whoosh—! The air instantly twisted.
'What is this?!'
The guard's heart beat like crazy.
He intuitively knew.
The moment that man draws that sword, I die. I will definitely die.
'What am I thinking right now...'
Jong-cheon had sworn to live his whole life as Hyeon-bi's guard.
His lord was being openly insulted right in front of his eyes, so how could he retreat?
A warrior who has sworn loyalty does not turn his back on his lord.
That was the warrior's way.
"Two."
However, as the man's blade was revealed more and more.
Sweat formed on Jong-cheon's forehead.
His heart beat as if it would burst, his legs trembled, and his vision blurred.
It wasn't just Jong-cheon.
Everyone present felt it.
Killing intent (Sal-gi).
Endless killing intent was pouring out from Mumyeong.
Hyeon-bi clenched her fists tight.
"S—Stop—"
"Three."
Mumyeong moved.
Very slowly, he approached within striking distance of Jong-cheon.
Jong-cheon couldn't react at all. It was because the strength had left his hand gripping the sword hilt.
Bam!
Then, Mumyeong's kick struck. A kick imbued with internal energy. It was a leg technique (Gak-beop).
Jong-cheon's body went flying. His body flew like a sheet of paper, rolled a couple of times, and crashed into the wall.
"Kuhuk—!"
The wooden wall couldn't withstand the impact and collapsed.
Jong-cheon coughed up blood and dropped his head.
Tap— Tap—
Mumyeong dusted off his palms.
"Geez, really. Why do you draw your sword out of nowhere? If you're a warrior, you should know the weight of the sword you hold."
Despite that casual attitude, no one could open their mouth.
Is that really an investigator? No, is he even human?
The Crown Princess's guard was a position one could not receive with ordinary skills.
Being her guard meant a position equivalent to the Senior 5th Rank. At this point, it was the same status as the Imperial Guard directly under the Emperor.
Jong-cheon was special even among them. Perhaps no one under the heavens would have predicted that Jong-cheon would fall so helplessly.
"You see, I'm not very good at talking in circles."
Mumyeong pushed the half-drawn sword back into its sheath.
"I didn't exactly intend to insult Her Highness, and I just asked as part of the investigation. Did you understand?"
Ordinarily, it would be right to rebuke his attitude. Not just that. It was behavior that wouldn't be strange even if he were executed immediately.
However, Hyeon-bi couldn't easily continue speaking.
She had maintained a dignified air until now, but in the end, she was a girl of lowly birth.
Hyeon-bi, whose lips were completely dry, just nodded her head without being able to give any answer.
The only one who managed to regain her senses was the Head Maid.
"...Investigator, do you truly not know the weight of what you have just done? How can you be so calm after committing such an act in front of Her Highness?"
The Head Maid glanced at the collapsed wall and the fallen Jong-cheon, and swallowed a groan.
"This is Her Highness's residence. To defeat her guard is no different from trampling on the dignity of the Imperial Family, yet are you truly not afraid?"
"He was the one who drew his sword first."
Mumyeong gestured at Jong-cheon with his chin.
"So, let's pretend it never happened. I didn't kill him, you know. At most, a few bones are broken."
To ordinary people, the mindset of a martial artist sounded like nothing short of a complete thug bastard.
However, sometimes this kind of non-logic works.
When no one can oppose the man.
When their five senses scream that they shouldn't provoke him right now.
When everyone realizes that touching that small Mumyeong means they are fucked.
"...Everyone, withdraw."
Hyeon-bi realized this.
She spoke, trembling slightly.
"Mumyeong, there is something I must discuss with him."
"But, Your Highness."
"Seon-hwa."
Hyeon-bi looked into the Head Maid's eyes and spoke.
"Withdraw."
"...I shall obey your command."
And so, the Head Maid led all the maids away, taking the fallen Jong-cheon with them. Among them, Hyang-rang crawled out while stammering, "U-uh-uh-uh..."
"Alright, Investigator Mumyeong. What is it you wish to ask?"
Hyeon-bi slumped down to sit.
"Or, have you also come to put a knife to my throat?"
Her eyes were resigned. Like someone accustomed to this kind of situation.
Hyeon-bi.
No, the eighteen-year-old girl Jin Hyeon-ryeong spoke.
"Child. You are born with spiritual energy."
The girl Jin Hyeon-ryeong was a wanderer. She was a wanderer and an orphan.
Therefore, she had no place to set foot anywhere in the world. Being a girl born to a life of utter solitude, she lived without knowing the warmth of a person.
Before such a girl, a savior descended.
"Won't you come with me?"
Between the line of warriors, a woman reached out her hand to the girl.
For Jin Hyeon-ryeong, it was a shock that shook heaven and earth.
Until now, her life had been lonely.
A small frame and pretty appearance. Furthermore, because of her lowly status, there were one or two times she had almost been sold to a brothel.
Fortunately, even if she had to tear the skin of her legs, she ran away, but she was an orchid that wouldn't be strange if it were trampled anytime in this vast world.
So she covered her face. She wrapped her face tightly with bandages and wandered pretending to be sick.
As a result, there was no proper place to get a meal. she barely lived on grass. If it was fortunate that she hadn't eaten poisonous herbs because she had good eyes, it was fortunate.
By the time five years had passed like that, no one remained by Jin Hyeon-ryeong's side.
A terrible smell, a skinny frame, and a young girl with a disease.
Even Jin Hyeon-ryeong herself found herself disgusting, so who would approach her?
Jin Hyeon-ryeong buried her head.
"...I have a disease."
"Poor thing. If you follow me, I will strive to cure you."
"I smell too."
"I see. Then let's go quickly and wash your body."
"My body is ugly to look at."
"If you gain weight, you will bloom beautifully, so what is there to worry about?"
"I have nothing."
"From now on, you will have everything."
Jin Hyeon-ryeong slowly lifted her head.
Cheeks soaked in sunlight, lips drawn in an arc.
The woman reaching out her hand was excessively beautiful.
"Let's go. Such a life does not suit you. So, let us go to the place that befits you."
Jin Hyeon-ryeong reached out her hand as if possessed.
The moment she held that hand, everything changed.
First, her smelly body.
Dozens of court ladies washed the dirty girl's body and groomed her hair.
Next was the meal.
A procession of rare dishes that made the table legs bend unfolded before the girl's eyes.
Also, rare medicinal herbs she hadn't even seen in the mountains were put in the girl's mouth, and countless people followed the lonely girl.
"You've gained quite a bit of weight."
"It is all thanks to Your Highness's grace, as vast as the sea."
Jin Hyeon-ryeong pressed her forehead to the floor.
As her body became neat and she gained weight, she literally became a girl befitting the saying "a flower among orchids."
"Child, the time has come."
The woman said.
"You will soon ascend to a position every woman covets."
Jin Hyeon-ryeong tilted her head, unable to fully understand the meaning.
Originally, Jin Hyeon-ryeong was quick to grasp people's inner thoughts with her innate eyes, but now a thin curtain blocked the two, so she couldn't gauge the intention at all.
"Your grace is immeasurable."
Soon, Jin Hyeon-ryeong answered.
In truth, there was no need to even hesitate.
Because the one who pulled her out of hell was none other than that woman beyond the curtain.
After that, a resplendent crown was placed on the girl's head.
The girl stood on a platform looked up to by countless people.
"Lady Hyeon-bi has been selected!"
"The Master of the Hyeonmu Palace has returned!"
At that time, the girl was only fifteen years old.
The girl sat on the throne that seemed ready to devour her body and looked out at the Hyeonmu Palace.
Now, Jin Hyeon-ryeong, no longer a 15-year-old girl but the Hyeon-bi protecting the North, held power that she dared not fathom.
However, the girl's nature did not change.
"Hyeon-bi, there is something you must do for me."
The girl did not forget the grace she received.
She had no intention of forgetting everything the woman had bestowed upon her for even a single moment.
"Give me your command."
The girl carried out everything as the woman commanded.
Occasionally, there were commands she couldn't understand, but the girl performed everything without complaint.
"You did well."
Once she completed the order, a warm voice could be heard.
Whenever that happened, emotion and regret flashed in Hyeon-bi's eyes.
That warm smile she saw back then. If only she could see the smile of the woman beyond that curtain one more time. If that day came. It would be truly wonderful.
Hyeon-bi waited anxiously for that moment.
And, one year passed.
"Your Highness, I apologize for asking, but did you command me to put poison in...?"
"Can you not do it?"
"Th—that is...!"
For the first time, the woman commanded murder.
She ordered poison to be put in the tea of the Jungseoryeong (Vice Chancellor) Jeok-sa, who would soon visit the Hyeonmu Palace.
Hyeon-bi received the powder of crushed poisonous herbs with trembling hands.
"You can do well this time too, right?"
Hyeon-bi nodded.
And, she failed.
Slap!
She saw the face of the woman she wanted so much to see again.
"Hyeon-bi, how could you do this?"
"Th—that is...!"
"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anymore. Ah, if it was going to be like this, it would have been better to bring another child!"
The woman's eyes were turbulent.
With anger. With hatred. With resentment.
"No matter how lowly your origin, you should not forget the grace of being taken in!"
The woman held out the poisonous herb again.
"I will trust you. Because the only child I trust is you, Hyeon-bi."
Hyeon-bi nodded again.
And, she failed again.
Slap!
Again.
Slap!
Again.
Slap!
Again and again.
Hyeon-bi couldn't even control her own body because she had been hit in the face so much.
The woman put a knife to the girl's throat.
"Yo—Your Highness, please just one more chan—"
"—Enough. You are no longer my child. Hyeon-bi, disappear from my sight right now. So live in the Hyeonmu Palace as if you are dead, live just like a corpse. That is my last mercy."
Since that day, Hyeon-bi lived as if she were dead, just as the woman said.
Without putting any words in her mouth, she lived simply because she was alive.
In the meantime, there were numerous assassination attempts.
Suddenly, masked men would try to cut her down, or poison powder was always found in her teacup.
Hyeon-bi knew. That this was the doing of the woman who had taken her in.
That was why she tried to die. To repay the grace. After all, this position was more than she deserved anyway.
However, for some reason, she survived.
Even now, up to this moment.
"Your Highness, I just want to go home."
Mumyeong dropped the sword at his waist far away next to his knee.
"So, I will ask you one more time. Do you wish to return to your days as a beggar, Lady Hyeon-bi?"