Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 53
>Chapter Title: Submission (4)
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“From now on, treat Mok Kyung-un with the same respect you give me.”
‘!?’
Everyone stared at her in shock at the unexpected command from Wi So-yeon’s lips.
They had all assumed she would never forgive Mok Kyung-un for damaging the faction’s reputation this time.
No one could fathom what this was about.
As everyone fell silent, Woo Horang—one of the Five Tigers, the representative among her trusted aides—cautiously spoke up.
“Miss. You’re saying we should treat Mok Kyung-un with the same respect as you...”
“That’s exactly what I mean. Treat Mok Kyung-un as your superior.”
“But Miss, even if his fault is grave, if we just let this slide...”
“Are you objecting?”
Woo Horang couldn’t hide his bewilderment at her sharp tone.
Until just before this incident, Wi So-yeon had always listened openly to her subordinates’ opinions.
Even if not exactly that, as the top disciple of Son Yun—the Myeongdo King, one of the Five Kings and the leader of her closest aides—she had always respected his views no matter the situation.
But now, her attitude had changed.
‘Has she lost faith in me?’
Was she acting this way out of anger over this incident?
The thought that the woman he adored had grown cold toward him filled Woo Horang’s chest with bitterness.
But if he were the type to give up over this, he wouldn’t have fallen for her in the first place.
Woo Horang dropped to one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said,
“How dare I object to your command, Miss? I only ask that you allow me to inquire as to the reason for this decision.”
“......”
Wi So-yeon stared intently at Woo Horang before glancing over her other trusted aides.
Their faces showed the same curiosity.
Judging that they wouldn’t question even a unilateral decision without some explanation, she said,
“I’ve joined hands with Mok Kyung-un.”
“Pardon? Joined hands... You mean Mok Kyung-un has come under your command?”
Woo Horang asked in astonishment.
Mok Kyung-un had accepted his challenge and openly insulted her lack of qualifications as successor.
He had thought they could never work together.
But the surprise didn’t end there.
“Not under my command.”
‘!?’
Everyone’s expressions hardened at Wi So-yeon’s follow-up words.
Not under her command—what did that mean?
As they puzzled over it,
“I’ve joined hands with Mok Kyung-un as equals. Therefore, treat him accordingly...”
“Miss!”
Before she could finish, Yeop Wi-seon—disciple of Son Yun—jumped to his feet, unable to hold back any longer.
He then blurted out,
“This is too much, no matter what! Miss, how can you with a guy like that...”
-Thwack!
“Urk!”
Struck by a flying inkstone, Yeop Wi-seon clutched his chest in agony.
Wi So-yeon said coldly to him,
“I clearly said no objections, yet you keep defying me.”
“Th-that’s not...”
“Get out.”
“Pardon?”
Yeop Wi-seon couldn’t hide his confusion at her words.
“Miss... What do you...”
“A subordinate who swore loyalty ignores his lord’s commands at every turn and acts on his own whim. I have no further need for such a person.”
“......”
Her words turned Yeop Wi-seon’s face pale.
He had never seen Wi So-yeon take such a hard line before.
The shock was brief. Yeop Wi-seon bit his lip hard.
Then, with a wronged expression, he spoke up.
“How... How could you treat me like this, Miss? All this time, for your sake...”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Miss...”
-Bam!
“Ugh.”
As he tried to say more, someone slammed his head into the floor.
It was none other than his senior brother, Woo Horang.
“S-Senior Brother?”
“Be quiet.”
Woo Horang scolded him softly before bowing his head alongside him and saying,
“Please forgive him, Miss. I will discipline this foolish junior strictly.”
“......”
When Wi So-yeon remained silent, Woo Horang gripped Yeop Wi-seon’s head tightly and berated him.
“Apologize to the Miss at once!”
“Please forgive me.”
Watching them, Wi So-yeon let out a faint sigh and said,
“This is the last time. If it happens again, Yeop Wi-seon, you will no longer be one of my people.”
“......I will keep that in mind.”
Yeop Wi-seon’s expression soured as he prostrated himself in response.
He had knelt to her firmness, but this incident felt like utter humiliation to him.
Yeop Wi-seon harbored feelings for her no less than Woo Horang and wanted her for himself.
The thought that the woman he desired had humiliated him in front of everyone enraged him to madness.
-Grind!
‘Me and Senior Brother... Without Master’s help, this woman has no chance at all. How dare she act like this.’
He had thought time would allow him to control her as he wished.
Now, even that seemed unlikely.
His affection had twisted into resentment.
At that moment, Ki Ok-ryeon—the eldest daughter of Yangam Valley Lord Ki Hae—spoke cautiously to her.
“But Miss. Obeying your command isn’t difficult, but to truly establish the hierarchy as you said, shouldn’t Mok Kyung-un, as the next successor, swear loyalty to you?”
‘Right. No matter what, how could that guy be on equal footing with the Miss?’
‘Ki Ok-ryeon is correct.’
Everyone nodded in agreement at her sharp observation, turning to Wi So-yeon.
She turned her head slightly aside and replied in a quieter voice,
“......I’ll handle that myself.”
‘!?’
No one could comprehend her response.
Why was Wi So-yeon granting such treatment to that arrogant man who hadn’t even sworn loyalty?
Unlike the others, however, Ki Ok-ryeon’s expression grew peculiar as she watched Wi So-yeon.
Having been close to her since childhood, she could read Wi So-yeon’s emotions better than anyone.
‘......Was that embarrassment just now?’
It might not show to the men, but Ki Ok-ryeon noticed.
Wi So-yeon had just been embarrassed.
It wasn’t obvious, but that was the face she made in such moments.
Ki Ok-ryeon’s eyes widened slightly.
‘No way?’
She stared at Wi So-yeon.
Trying to assert discipline strictly to everyone, yet with subtly upturned lips and a face that looked even more radiant and beautiful than usual.
Ki Ok-ryeon’s mouth fell slightly open.
‘Ha......’
She was certain.
That reaction from Wi So-yeon.
It was the look only someone in love could have.
And it seemed more than mere affection.
As the saying goes, a meek cat climbs the stove first.
‘Acting like she had no interest in men at all, and now this......’
It was truly astonishing.
As a friend, not a subordinate, she wanted to pry into the details.
What on earth had happened while they were unconscious?
Her expression soon changed.
‘Ah!’
On second thought, wasn’t this actually good news in a way?
Ki Ok-ryeon’s gaze shifted to Woo Horang.
She harbored feelings for him.
Only Wi So-yeon knew this.
She had confided in her out of suspicion that Woo Horang held forbidden emotions toward his lord, Wi So-yeon.
Thus, she had openly revealed her own feelings.
She believed that even as her lord, Wi So-yeon wouldn’t covet the affection of the man she loved.
‘......Looks like it worked out.’
Ki Ok-ryeon’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Woo Horang.
* * *
In the rear garden of the manor’s guest hall.
There, Yeop Wi-seon—unable to contain his fury—spoke to his senior brother Woo Horang with a flushed face.
“Senior Brother, does this make any sense? Mok Kyung-un wasn’t enough, and now she wants to join hands with that Jang Neung-ak punk of all people? What the...”
“Quiet down.”
Woo Horang softly scolded him as his voice rose.
Woo Horang’s own expression wasn’t bright either.
He was already troubled by his lord Wi So-yeon’s first public declaration, and now this—allying with Jang Neung-ak’s faction, their fiercest rivals—complicated matters further.
‘Why is she doing this?’
He couldn’t understand.
Though her faction lagged behind, the outcome was uncertain.
The reason was unclear, and he didn’t like it, but allying with Mok Kyung-un effectively secured the support of Amjong and the Poison King’s Baekga faction.
That put them ahead of Jang Neung-ak’s group.
‘With this, support is nearly at 30 percent.’
If they could sway the still-neutral Blood River Valley or gain the power of the last of the Five Kings, they could even challenge the eldest young master’s side, backed by the elders.
So why?
Was there any need to ally with Jang Neung-ak?
Jang Neung-ak was not one for compromise.
He’d want them under his command, not as equals.
Wi So-yeon surely knew that, yet it made no sense.
As his mind swirled in confusion, an unexpected remark slipped from Yeop Wi-seon’s mouth.
“Senior Brother... I think we chose wrong.”
“......What?”
“Isn’t this wrong?”
“What’s wrong? And wrong choice—what are you trying to say?”
“With the Miss’s talent for governance and her appreciation for talent, I thought we had a real shot if we supported her. But now, it’s like someone’s blinded her—her vision has darkened.”
Woo Horang sighed at Yeop Wi-seon’s words.
This guy was clearly still hung up on what happened earlier.
It was understandable from his perspective, but judging their sworn lord over one incident was wrong.
Woo Horang scolded him softly.
“Don’t speak recklessly. It’s not right to blame the lord just because her command doesn’t make sense to us. And that undermines our own choice.”
“Aren’t you angry, Senior Brother?”
“Angry?”
“I’m one of the Miss’s closest aides. Yet she uses hierarchy as an excuse to force unacceptable decisions her way, even coldly treating you and me, whom she’s supported for so long.”
“Enough. No more...”
“What if she decides to join Jang Neung-ak’s faction? Would you follow without question?”
“That’s...”
“And if she tells you to leave for opposing it, would you accept?”
“......”
“Drawing lines every time we raise concerns, making it impossible even for subordinates to offer advice—isn’t that the path of a tyrant? I can’t tolerate this.”
“You!”
“I think we need to report this to Master and reconsider whether to continue our support.”
“You’ve gone too far!”
This time, Woo Horang raised his voice.
Yeop Wi-seon quickly performed a fist salute and cut in.
“Let’s end this here. More importantly, Master told me to bring you, but I forgot because of that Mok Kyung-un bastard.”
“What? Why mention it now?”
“Like you, I was knocked out by him. When would I have had the chance?”
Woo Horang clicked his tongue at Yeop Wi-seon’s excuse.
He grew inwardly worried.
Though things felt awkward with Wi So-yeon after today, he feared causing more trouble and widening the rift.
Thus, he warned Yeop Wi-seon.
“I’m saying this just in case—don’t act rashly with Master.”
“......”
“You really...”
As he tried to scold him further, someone called out to them.
“You two haven’t left yet?”
It was Ki Ok-ryeon, daughter of Yangam Valley Lord Ki Hae.
Yeop Wi-seon shut his mouth at her arrival.
No one among the aides was unaware she was Wi So-yeon’s de facto right hand.
Fearing she had overheard or might glimpse their true feelings, Yeop Wi-seon moved to leave.
“We were just going. Let’s go, Senior Brother.”
“Got it.”
“Brother Woo, wait a moment.”
Woo Horang halted, though he had planned to leave with Yeop Wi-seon.
As Yeop Wi-seon signaled to hurry, Ki Ok-ryeon smiled gently and said,
“It’ll just be a moment, so go on ahead slowly.”
“Hoo.”
Yeop Wi-seon shook his head and exited the rear garden first.
Woo Horang then asked,
“What is it?”
“I just wanted to tell you not to take today’s events too hard.”
“Take it hard?”
Woo Horang echoed her words in confusion.
Ki Ok-ryeon widened her eyes, tilted her head, and said,
“You’re really unaffected?”
“......What do you mean?”
“The Miss seems to have set her sights on Mok Kyung-un as her partner. Didn’t you notice, Brother Woo?”
“What?”
Woo Horang’s eyes changed at her words.
Far sharper than moments ago, one might say.
Seeing his reaction, Ki Ok-ryeon’s lips twitched slightly before she hid it.
Feigning innocence, she covered her mouth with both hands and said,
“Oh dear... So you didn’t know.”
“What exactly... That...”
Woo Horang’s voice trembled.
It carried disappointment laced with a subtle fury.
Pretending flustered, Ki Ok-ryeon said,
“I thought you and everyone else knew. Looks like I spoke out of turn.”
Even as she said it, her eyes stayed fixed on him.
She couldn’t let this chance slip.
To make him realize his feelings for Wi So-yeon were futile, opening a crack for her to slip into his heart.
Miss this, and she’d never make this man hers.
* * *
-Clink clink!
A cold-faced girl appeared, draped in thin iron chains like clothing.
Her bizarre appearance—bobbed hair with half turned white—tensed even Go Chan, possessing Jang Neung-ak, and Wi Maeng-cheon, possessing Ho Jong-hyeok.
And for good reason.
‘Blue Spirit?’
They instinctively knew this girl’s soul had reached the Blue Spirit rank.
To them, with lower soul grades, it went beyond wariness to a strange fear.
Go Chan cautiously asked Mok Kyung-un,
“Master. What is this girl...”
-Girl? Who’re you calling a girl?
The girl suddenly glared at Go Chan and raised her voice.
Despite the simple gesture, the chilling, immense spiritual power made Go Chan flinch and step back involuntarily.
-I am a man, this lord.
“A man?”
Where did she look like a man?
She was clearly a girl.
Yet,
“Enough of that.”
At Mok Kyung-un’s warning,
-Master!
The girl clung to him, rubbing her face against his like a cat.
Mok Kyung-un pushed her away with an expressionless face.
Pouting in disappointment, she said,
-I waited so long.
Ignoring the half-white-haired girl’s complaint, Mok Kyung-un pointed at the fallen men on the ground and said,
“Gyuso-ha.”
-Yes.
The girl was Gyuso-ha, the soul born from solitude on the Blood River Valley cliffs.
Mok Kyung-un continued,
“Possess one of these usable bodies. That one there seems fine.”
The man Mok Kyung-un pointed to was a muscular figure with his face smashed into the floor.
He was Go Yeon-ho, one of the Five Tigers—the Heaven and Earth Society’s top later-generation disciple.
Gyuso-ha examined Go Yeon-ho closely before frowning and saying,
-Master. Couldn’t it be one of those two instead?
The two Gyuso-ha indicated were Ha Chae-rin and Seo Hye-in—leader of the Oak Society’s Saak Superficial Leisure Unit—kneeling with blinking, bewildered eyes.
At Gyuso-ha’s words, Cheongryeong—watching from the wooden puppet—clicked her tongue at Mok Kyung-un.
-See? Mortal. Told you she’s a girl.
End of Chapter 53 Submission (4)