Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Innate Wicked Woman
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Returning to the inn, So Gun-ak paid two months' worth of lodging in advance before holing up in his room once more to circulate his qi and adjust his breathing.
Whenever hunger struck during his meditation, he would eat, then retreat back into his room to continue cultivating, passing the time that way.
In that reclusive manner, a full month slipped by.
"Huuuuh."
As he exhaled a long breath and opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashed in So Gun-ak's gaze before vanishing just as quickly.
Having trained only in internal energy cultivation techniques for a month, he felt as if his body's balance had been thrown off.
He should have been practicing sword forms, spear techniques, or mounted combat while moving his body, but he had no weapons, nor a suitable quiet place for training.
Even though he was accustomed to a regimented life in the cult—with the nickname "Jade Room Recluse" for his tendency to shut himself away—this month confined to an inn room had him itching with restlessness.
In the Central Plains, inns often had courtyards attached to private annexes, but the one where So Gun-ak was staying had no such space for personal use.
Nor could he venture into the streets or practice martial arts in plain view of others.
"Looks like I need to find a suitable spot for some moderate training."
So Gun-ak headed to a nearby blacksmith, bought a single spear, and left the city.
As someone raised in the Black Dragon Corps, the spear was the weapon most familiar to him.
That was why he had decided to train with it.
6. Innate Wicked Woman
"Ahhh."
Baron Willis, who had always worn a smile, had spent the last fortnight sighing incessantly.
When the knights he had sent to capture Jamie returned with broken arms or legs, the baron was dumbfounded.
Moreover, Knight Captain Mild's words, as he was carried back on a stretcher with a grave chest wound, were utterly exasperating.
"He is not Jamie. Knight Jamie sacrificed himself due to the lord's misguided order. Please reappraise the replica sword he brought back."
The other knights shared their captain's view.
But how could he now claim Ryle's Sword was genuine? The knights would surely all renounce their oaths of loyalty.
They had been dissatisfied from the start with the order given to Jamie.
How absurd was it to command him to retrieve a treasure stolen by a dragon?
Even refusing such an order wouldn't tarnish a knight's honor, yet Jamie had carried it out regardless—that made him remarkable.
It was the lord who had been reckless in issuing an impossible command and failing to properly value his subordinates.
Yet to win Sophia's hand, Jamie had eagerly set out, fulfilled the order through his death, and had Ryle's Sword delivered by his brother.
The knights believed the sword was a fake due to someone's scheme. They had come to trust So Gun-ak's words implicitly.
They also honored Jamie's spirit of sacrifice. To anyone, it was clear he had died loyally serving House Willis.
"He swore he would never interfere with Lady Sophia's marriage, so you needn't worry."
At Mild's parting words, Baron Willis's anger boiled over. After getting thrashed by one man despite sending his entire order, how dare he say such a thing?
Wasn't the point to capture him before he caused trouble? With no choice, the baron secretly assigned men to monitor So Gun-ak.
But lo and behold, So Gun-ak left Karem City the very next day, seemingly harboring no ulterior motives.
Only then did the baron relax, but Sophia stubbornly insisted he was Jamie himself.
When Sophia proved unyielding, the baron—ever paranoid—dispatched men to track So Gun-ak's whereabouts once more.
Three days after So Gun-ak had departed Karem City, the order went out, making it a challenge, but fortunately, his distinctive attire made tailing him straightforward.
And recently, the pursuer reported that he was staying in Todun City, just a week's journey away, and had prepaid two months' lodging.
'By two months from now, Sophia will already have left with Young Lord Komora for the Diel earldom.'
Doubt crept back into Baron Willis's mind.
Jamie might spare Sophia, the woman he loved, but could seek revenge after her departure.
Perhaps he even hoped for House Willis's downfall. If Jamie stormed in with bloodshot eyes, not even all the knights combined could stop him.
From then on, the baron lay awake nights, consumed by worry. Brooding alone only amplified his anxieties.
"Sigh."
Just a fortnight until Young Lord Komora arrived—like sitting atop a wyvern's head, the unease was unbearable.
Sophia must have shared his thoughts, as she came to the baron's chambers.
"I need to go see him myself."
The baron startled and tried to dissuade her.
"No. How do you know he won't harm you?"
"If he meant harm, he'd have come to the castle long ago. Even Knight Captain Mild and the others couldn't stop him, right?"
"Ahem."
She was spot on. Among his knights, there was no one left he could truly trust.
"I still can't believe it. That he's not Jamie..."
Sophia's mind was a whirlwind. From Mild's account, he was undoubtedly not Jamie.
If he were, it meant Jamie had hidden his true strength all along. If his twin, then Jamie had concealed his brother's existence from her.
Either way, the betrayal stung—he hadn't confided in her.
Her own betrayal of Jamie, driving him to death, didn't even register.
She needed to see for herself to settle it. If he was Jamie, he'd be an obstacle to her future.
"I'll persuade him."
"But... perhaps it's best not to provoke him further, dear."
The baron relayed Mild's earnest warning, but Sophia thought differently.
"I'll just exchange a few words and leave. I won't provoke him, so don't worry."
"Mm."
After much deliberation, Baron Willis nodded. With a fortnight until Komora's arrival, if she hurried, she could return to the castle a day or two before him.
"I'll provide a carriage. Go with Knight Baldron."
The other knights had recovered fully using expensive potions.
But Captain Mild's internal injuries kept him bedridden.
Excluding him, Baldron was the strongest remaining knight, so he had no choice but to send him.
Baldron drove the carriage himself, with Sophia accompanied only by a single maidservant.
Slipping out of the castle under cover of night, the quartet carriage arrived in Todun City after five full days.
A soldier from the baron's castle, already in Todun monitoring So Gun-ak's movements, approached with a report.
"The man hadn't budged from the inn a single step—until he left the city today."
"What?"
"But he left his horse behind, so he hasn't departed for good."
"Hmm, understood."
When Baldron relayed this to the carriage, Sophia decided to enter the inn and wait.
True to its reputation as Todun's least prosperous inn, it was midday yet sparsely populated.
Baldron paid off the few patrons and handed the innkeeper a fat sum to close for the day.
"I'm renting the entire inn for today—don't interfere."
With the owner, staff, and diners gone, only Baldron, Sophia, and her maid remained.
Business was already poor, so the innkeeper had little complaint and gladly handed over the keys for the money.
Only after sunset did So Gun-ak return to the inn.
He had scoured Todun Mountain all day before finding a suitable training spot. He planned to practice there until his weapon was ready tomorrow.
Seeking the innkeeper upon entry, So Gun-ak's expression hardened at the sight of Sophia and Baldron occupying the central table.
"I told you not to bother me."
"Well..."
As Baldron hesitated, Sophia rose from her chair, shoved him aside, and approached So Gun-ak closely.
She said to him,
"I have something to discuss."
"Mm."
So Gun-ak's eyes narrowed.
He hadn't expected Sophia—Jamie's woman—to show up here.
Seeing her in person, her beauty was indeed striking.
But she held no interest for him.
"Fine. I'll make time."
So Gun-ak plopped down across from her. Sophia glanced at Baldron.
"Knight Baldron, please step out for a moment."
"L-Lady."
"If danger arises, can you protect me?"
"Lady, that's..."
Baldron glanced at So Gun-ak, unable to continue. If that man decided to act, how could he stop him?
"Please leave. I need to speak with him alone."
"Yes, Lady."
The baron would punish him if he learned of this, but her point was valid, so he had no choice but to exit.
Alone now, So Gun-ak looked intrigued. What could she possibly have to say after following him here?
"Bold one, aren't you?"
"You fell for this very boldness."
So Gun-ak's memories of Jamie only went up to age twenty—up to the point of glimpsing Sophia while passing through Baron Willis's domain and falling in love.
Nothing after that about their romance surfaced.
Evidently, the memories he could absorb from Jamie ended at twenty.
"You don't believe me. I am not Jamie."
"Well, we'll see about that."
Sophia showed no inclination to waver in her conviction. Staring at her, So Gun-ak asked,
"So, why did you seek me out?"
His tone was utterly calm. Jamie never could have responded so coolly.
Sophia stared piercingly at So Gun-ak without a word.
His gaze held not a flicker of emotion—indifferent, utterly so.
As if to prove he felt nothing because he didn't know her.
Only then did Sophia realize.
'This man is not Jamie.'
She knew Jamie better than anyone. From the moment he was captivated by her, he had bared his soul completely.
No matter the hardships or changes, his core self could never appear this composed before her.
She knew that all too well.
After staring long at So Gun-ak, Sophia's eyes trembled faintly, and her red lips parted.
"You... are not Jamie."
"You're making me repeat myself."
Sophia nodded readily. The man before her was not Jamie. Clearly someone else.
Now she could feel it for certain.
"Why linger here so long?"
"Persistent."
So Gun-ak answered straightforwardly. Clamming up would only invite more hassle.
Besides, there was no reason to hide it.
"I commissioned a sword from the blacksmith. Waiting for it."
The plain truth startled Sophia.
'What does he intend with a sword?'
It was instinctive fear.
"And after that?"
Her voice sharpened slightly.
"I'll leave."
The answer deflated her. People were funny that way—often asking questions with preconceived answers in mind, then accusing deceit if it didn't match. Refusing to admit their assumptions were mere delusions, not foresight.
So Gun-ak had told the truth, yet Sophia couldn't believe it. Him leaving so readily made no sense.
"Really?"
"You're getting on my nerves."
That was his honest sentiment. He wanted to sever both Sophia's and Baron Willis's heads right then. Killing nobles would make him a fugitive, but he could live in hiding like the Blood Knight Ant. Still, a fugitive's life wasn't ideal, so he held back.
"Fine. One last thing: it's best not to mess with me."
With that, Sophia stood. Confirming he wasn't Jamie was enough.
As long as he didn't interfere with her marriage, they'd have no further dealings.
"Heh heh heh."
So Gun-ak laughed, smirking bitterly with one corner of his mouth twisted.
"You're a real bitch, you know that?"
"W-What did you say?"
Sophia was so outraged she was speechless. It was the crudest insult she'd ever heard.
"You don't even ask about Jamie."
"H-He... he's buried in my heart!"
Sophia snapped back indignantly, but So Gun-ak's sneer deepened.
"A bitch like you doesn't even inquire about Jamie's fate?"
Sophia's brows quivered.
Sensing unease, she retorted,
"Is he alive?"
"Hahaha!"
So Gun-ak burst into genuine laughter. Wasn't it ridiculous?
"What a wretched bitch. Worried he might still be alive?"
Sophia flinched. It was true. She was startled at the thought of Jamie living—because he'd hinder her path forward.
"Poor Jamie, leaping into a dragon's maw for trash like you."
"..."
Despite the insult, Sophia had no defense.
"Get lost. I don't care who you whore around with. Just stop bothering me. This is the last time my blade stays sheathed because you were Jamie's woman."
"Eeek!"
The sheer humiliation made Sophia's fists tremble violently.
Glare as she might with blazing eyes, she shrank under So Gun-ak's pressure.
'He really will kill me.'
Fear overwhelmed her.
Greater than outrage at the abuse. Meeting his eyes alone sapped her leg strength.
The conviction that he might truly kill her dominated her body.
So Gun-ak radiated unfiltered killing intent.
Drip, drip.
When had Sophia ever faced such malice? Terror blanked her mind, and she wet herself.
"I'll be gone in a month at most. If you value your life, don't seek me until then."
So Gun-ak rose and headed upstairs.
If she tested his patience again, he wouldn't hold back. Any debt to Jamie was repaid by fulfilling his mission in his stead.
Now he understood.
Even without taking his body, Jamie's end would have been tragic. Had he returned alive only to witness his beloved's vile depravity, it would have been a fate worse than death—a living hell.
Left alone, Sophia collapsed to the floor.
"Eeek."
As fear ebbed with time, unbearable rage surged at the humiliation.
Blood trickled from her bitten lip.
"How dare you!"
Her venomous gaze fixed on the stairs where So Gun-ak had vanished.
"A wretch like you..."
Tears streamed from Sophia's bloodshot eyes.