Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Yeo Il did not answer at once. She steadied her breathing and tried to discern Namgung Jeok-myeong’s intent.
The Sal-saeng-bu hidden within the Namgung Clan had always been kept in utmost secrecy. Even within the clan, only the Clan Head and the Young Clan Head knew its whereabouts.
I do not know why it must be hidden to such an extent.
Of course, as Namgung Jeok-myeong had wished, the entanglement between Namgung Pae and Yeonghwang Yuse had come faintly to light. Yet even setting that aside, he was revealing matters far too readily.
“Do you believe I harbor some ulterior motive?”
“Frankly, yes.”
“There is none. I merely judged that before erasing everything completely, I could grant at least your request. In truth, I have gained not a little thanks to you, Soyo.”
Yeo Il could not help but ask,
“Erasing? You do not mean the Sal-saeng-bu?”
“At the very least, the copy will soon disappear. Likely as soon as we return to the clan. If it is true that Uncle discovered the location of the Sal-saeng-bu… then we can only hope the one he found is not the original.”
Erase—did that mean he would retrieve it from some hidden drawer and burn it?
Whatever the reason, it was favorable for Yeo Il. Copy or original, she did not care if it burned.
Having finished speaking, Namgung Jeok-myeong rose slowly and approached the door, perhaps intending to find another room to pass the dawn.
With his hand resting on the latch, he spoke casually.
“The Young Master.”
After a brief pause, he continued,
“Are you of one purpose with him?”
Purpose?
Was there any such thing?
Yeo Il wandered the Jianghu, and Jin Cheong-ak simply followed behind her with a leash around his neck.
Yet if there was purpose, it lay in fulfilling the old man’s dying wish.
Still, more important than affirmation or denial was the intention behind the question.
He has grown soft.
Where had that rigid vigilance gone? Only a gentle Namgung Jeok-myeong remained.
Once the shell cracked, the flesh within was softer than expected.
She did not know what in her had stirred his attachment, but she could only click her tongue. It likely meant he had few others to trust.
He had yet to learn that trusting no one was better than being betrayed.
“Rather than sharing a purpose, it is more accurate to say that I drag him about.”
“For how long?”
“I am not sure. Quite a while.”
“And you intend to continue together?”
“If possible.”
“I see.”
With that short acknowledgment, Namgung Jeok-myeong finally left the room.
Pointless questions.
Knowing would change nothing.
After watching Seol Yeong groan in discomfort for a while longer, Yeo Il closed her eyes briefly.
Just before dawn.
She left the room and made her way toward the Hangryong Gate Master.
Though she stepped into areas forbidden to guests, no woman who passed her attempted to stop her.
It had always been so.
Hangryong opened all its gates to Wolgeom Il-sal.
Yeo Il possessed the right and freedom to tread anywhere her feet led within Hangryong.
The Gate Master, who had wished for her to remain as often and as long as possible, had even prepared nearly ten rooms solely for her use. They remained untouched.
Not long before reaching the Gate Master’s quarters—
A corridor opened wide against a sheer cliff.
In unison, the women standing in a line opened the doors of countless birdcages hanging like bells.
Flutter—
Dozens, hundreds of birds rose into the pale sky. The sight was magnificent.
Yeo Il watched their retreating silhouettes and noticed small slips of paper tied to each bird’s leg.
What message required so many carrier pigeons sent at once?
“Carrier pigeons announcing the return of Salmak.”
The woman who released the last bird whispered so only Yeo Il could hear, then departed.
So today was the day.
It would grow noisy for a while.
Yeo Il continued.
At last she reached the Gate Master’s quarters, secluded behind layers of doors.
The guards who recognized her opened the doors one by one.
“Welcome.”
A blindingly white chamber appeared.
A short-haired woman of impressive height stood at its center. On the wide bed behind her lay the Gate Master.
The woman—the Deputy Gate Master of Hangryong—spoke without expression.
“The Gate Master waited for Miss Namgung and only fell asleep some time ago. She has endured four sleepless nights of high fever and hallucinations. Even so, she overexerted herself to exchange even a single word with you and ultimately succumbed to delirium. I forced her to take medicine. She resembled a mindless fiend and required rest. But if Miss Namgung wishes, I shall wake her.”
It was not accusation in tone, yet its content was reproach enough.
“Let her sleep.”
The Deputy Gate Master was known to be vindictive and temperamental. It was simpler to comply.
“Thank you. As expected of Miss Namgung Soyo, ever steadfast for the Gate Master, whether before or behind her back.”
She looked as though she ground her teeth rather than thanked her.
She knows my identity as well.
Otherwise her manner would not remain unchanged despite the shift in status. The Gate Master’s behavior must have made it obvious.
“If you have questions, speak them. I shall deliver them to the Gate Master upon waking. Even if you have none, I ask that you find something to say. Of course, if you leave without purpose, I shall merely grow somewhat weary.”
The Deputy Gate Master asked,
“What do you wish to know?”
Many things.
Why had Namgung Pae come to Hangryong?
Was Cho Iryang of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult truly seeking to repeat the Orthodox-Demonic War?
Kill Cheon Muryeong.
If she requested that, the Gate Master would likely offer even her liver and gall, even if Hangryong did not accept assassination commissions.
But no favor in this world was without price.
The Gate Master was no exception.
Now that Cheon Muryeong no longer shielded her, the Gate Master would use information as a leash.
Even so, if there was bait that must be cast—
“Spread the rumor that the current Namgung Soyo is an imposter who stole the identity, and that the real Namgung Soyo was killed by Wolgeom Il-sal of Salmak.”
The Deputy Gate Master bowed respectfully.
“Yes. It shall be carried out at once. We will send word within days.”
By the time dawn fully broke over the ridge, it was time to return to the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Jeok-myeong returned to the room at an opportune moment, and almost immediately Namgung Pae summoned them.
“Take Soyo and return to Anhui first, Jeok-myeong. I will conclude my remaining affairs and depart afterward.”
Namgung Pae seemed intent on sending them ahead.
Suspicious, yet probing would yield nothing.
“…Yes. I understand. We shall meet at the clan, Uncle.”
After formal farewells, Yeo Il and Namgung Jeok-myeong left Hangryong. Seol Yeong, still groaning, was carried on Namgung Jeok-myeong’s back.
As they passed the Bodhidharma statue and entered the forest, Namgung Pae remained watching from the gate.
Namgung Jeok-myeong glanced back several times. Only when Hangryong disappeared from sight did he lift Yeo Il into his arms and descend without hesitation.
That autumn day was the last.
Namgung Pae never returned to the Namgung Clan.