Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Hundred Eyes Hall Master
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"Brother Seohyuk."
Neung So-hwa let out a sigh of relief.
"Looks like we made it just in time."
"So-hwa! So-hwa! You're alive!"
"Yes. I'm glad you're safe for now too, Brother Seohyuk."
"So-hwa!"
Im Seohyuk looked ready to embrace her right then and there.
His legs had given out, so he scrambled toward her on all fours, only to be blocked by Jeok Muryong.
"Who's this guy?"
"Im Seohyuk, young master of the Hundred Eyes Hall, one of True Heaven Palace's subordinate organizations."
"And what's that?"
"Simply put, it's a department that tracks local specialties all the way to complex stuff like regional market prices and supply volumes for goods. Later on, it took over collecting personnel data and analyzing bounty flows too."
"Basically functioning as an intelligence unit as well."
"Exactly, Great Hero Jeok."
"In short, a useful talent?"
"And he's So-hwa's childhood friend and fiancé!"
Neung So-hwa gave a wry smile at Im Seohyuk's shout.
"We've known each other since we were kids, but we were never engaged."
"Liar! I clearly remember you saying it when you were around six."
"That was just kid talk when we didn't know any better. I don't even remember it."
"But..."
"In short, he's a bit of a weirdo."
Jeok Muryong nodded.
"Yeah, there are a lot of those among capable folks. Especially the brainy types."
"So-hwa! Who the hell is this guy spouting such nonsense?"
"This is Great Hero Jeok Muryong. So..."
"The benefactor who saved So-hwa's life."
Jeok Muryong stated it flatly.
"And the one who just spared your sorry hide."
"Uh, um...!"
"Anyway."
Jeok Muryong's gaze shifted to Heukran.
"You know this one too?"
"No. No idea."
Neung So-hwa answered quickly.
"Probably an assassin sent by one of the three major factions..."
"Three major factions?"
"The three largest organizations under True Heaven Palace. They were the first to bare their fangs after Grandfather passed."
"Hmm."
"She's from the Yellow River Association. They fear my abilities and want me gone!"
"Is this nonsense true?"
Heukran furrowed her brows at Jeok Muryong's question.
"The Yellow River Association's leadership said I'd be a nuisance if left alive."
"What's her ability?"
"Exceptional memory, apparently. Knows all sorts of trivia."
"I see."
Jeok Muryong nodded.
"So, what'll it be?"
"What'll it be?"
"Yeah. Die here, or crawl under this lord's wing?"
"......"
Heukran stared at Jeok Muryong in disbelief.
In her mind, those who called themselves "this lord" fell into four categories.
Fools or the arrogant.
Or both.
'And the last one.'
Those with qualifications no one could dispute.
It was hard to believe this sudden intruder was the fourth type.
'But he did snap my silver chain like it was nothing.'
It wasn't some priceless treasure, but it was carefully coated and refined silver.
Not something even a skilled expert could easily sever with a sword...
'He did it barehanded, just like that?'
"Hey."
Heukran flinched at Jeok Muryong's sudden voice.
"Stop scheming."
"...?"
"No matter how much you rack that brain, you won't figure me out. And I'm not idle enough to wait."
"......"
"Decide quick. Be grateful I'm even offering you a chance at life."
"W-Wait! You're saying you'll spare this venomous woman?"
"Yeah."
Im Seohyuk narrowed his eyes at Jeok Muryong's reply.
"Because she's a beauty?"
"You think I'm you?"
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"You two were screwing around, right? And now you're at each other's throats. What a sight."
"H-How did you...?"
"Were you eavesdropping on us?"
Im Seohyuk and Heukran panicked.
Jeok Muryong clicked his tongue.
"Always thinking in your own narrow terms. You think I'd hide and listen to your babble?"
"Then how...?"
"I just heard it! Anyway, no answer by the count of three, and I'll blow your head off. Got it?"
"G-Great Hero Jeok?"
Jin Choyoung asked cautiously.
"Why go out of your way to spare her?"
"She's capable."
"Pardon?"
"Truth is, I was gonna chop her arm off earlier 'cause she was annoying."
"Pardon?!"
"But she dodged. Sure, I was half-assing it carrying you two under my arms."
"......"
"Even so, dodging my ambush means she's got real skill. Unlike you, Choyoung."
"Eek."
"Figured she'd be useful if I took her in. Plus, So-hwa could use another handmaid."
"I see."
All eyes naturally turned to her.
Heukran scowled at the sudden attention.
"Jeok Muryong, was it? The epitome of arrogance. You think I'll switch loyalties so easily?"
"People do."
"Pardon?"
"People betray and change masters more easily than you'd think."
"Not this girl!"
Whir!
Six silver streaks flew toward Jeok Muryong.
He nodded as Heukran launched no fewer than six silver needles.
"Yeah. Gotta learn fear the hard way."
A moment later.
Her limbs twisted at angles reminiscent of the swastika, Heukran wept and begged, snot and tears streaming.
"Sob sob! Spare me, please. From now on, I'll serve Great Hero Jeok Muryong with all my heart. Please..."
"Fine, you're spared."
Jeok Muryong replied casually and dusted off his palms.
"Betray me, and next time I'll twist every finger and toe the same way."
"Yes..."
Jeok Muryong reset her joints and healed her.
Parts of her bones hadn't just broken—they were pulverized—yet they mended like a miracle. Heukran nearly fainted.
The very idea of turning her back on him vanished from her mind.
Meanwhile, Im Seohyuk sidled up to Neung So-hwa with a sly grin.
"So-hwa, I was really worried."
"Were you?"
"Yeah. And about that woman—nothing there. So..."
"Doesn't matter to me."
Im Seohyuk flinched.
"Huh? It doesn't?"
"No."
Not anger or disgust—just genuine indifference.
While Im Seohyuk hemmed and hawed, Neung So-hwa had already moved on.
"More importantly, do you know why I sought you out first?"
"Huh? 'Cause you were worried about me?"
"I was, but more to grasp True Heaven Palace's power structure."
"Uh, yeah. Makes sense. I do have a killer grasp on that stuff. So, what do you wanna know?"
"Hold on. Great Hero Jeok, come hear this too?"
"Nah. I can hear fine from here."
Jeok Muryong replied from a short distance away.
He sat on the Yellow Crane Tower's railing, leisurely taking in the eastern lake view.
Right beside him lay the wrecked table.
Food and drink Im Seohyuk had been enjoying were scattered on the floor; Jin Choyoung and Heukran were picking out the least damaged bits.
"What the hell are they doing?"
"Hm, probably setting up a temporary table for Great Hero Jeok. It's a mess, but some food's still good."
True, the errand boys who'd brought the table and snacks had already left.
Setting a new one would take time, so this made sense...
'No, that's not it!'
Im Seohyuk shook his head vigorously and said gravely,
"Who the hell is this Jeok Muryong? Even I, who knows Huguk Province's top hundred experts by name, never heard of him."
"Wouldn't expect you to."
"Which sect sent him? Great Seal Sect? Wudang? Or maybe the Nangong family?"
"All wrong. And that's not the point right now."
"Not the point? We can't just trust some shady—"
"Hundred Eyes Hall Master Im Seohyuk."
Neung So-hwa said sternly.
Im Seohyuk flinched at her cold expression.
"Forgot who you're talking to?"
"...No."
"Hundred Eyes Hall Master!"
"No. I mean—sorry."
"I am Neung So-hwa, Young Palace Lord of True Heaven Palace. Betrayed and on the run or not, I'm not foolish enough to rely on just anyone."
"Yes..."
"Great Hero Jeok is, along with Choyoung, one of the two I trust most. Doubting him is doubting me. Remember that."
"Understood."
Im Seohyuk bowed his head low, flustered.
Neung So-hwa softened a bit.
"Sorry for snapping. But you seemed to underestimate how serious this is, so I had to remind you."
"Damn booze's fault. No, booze is innocent. It's all me. So..."
Grab.
Im Seohyuk's feet left the floor.
"Wh-What?"
"Great Hero Jeok?"
"Blame the booze."
Jeok Muryong shrugged, gripping Im Seohyuk's collar with one hand. His own feet dangled too.
"Talk after he's sober."
Whoosh!
Im Seohyuk's world flipped upside down.
The scenery blurred past in an instant, then cold water slammed his head.
Splash!
Glug glug!
'Aaaah!'
Foam at the mouth, limbs flailing, mind screaming—that was Im Seohyuk.
He thought he'd drown, but somehow his head cleared.
Splat!
Hauled out by brute force, he was back in place.
No hallucination—his body was soaked like a drowned rat.
"Huff huff, haa...!"
"You okay, Brother Seohyuk?"
Neung So-hwa asked worriedly.
Tears welled in Im Seohyuk's eyes unbidden.
"Sniff, ugh, yeah. Seems fine."
"Speak freely."
"No way. You're our hope, Young Palace Lord. The one I swore loyalty to."
Im Seohyuk prostrated, sobbing.
"So glad you're safe..."
Neung So-hwa looked awkward peering down, then turned to Jeok Muryong.
"See?"
Jeok Muryong munched jerky with a blank face.
"One splash and look how tame he is."
"Great Hero Jeok..."
"Now grill him. What happened at True Heaven Palace while you were gone."
"Got it."
Neung So-hwa turned to Im Seohyuk.
"You heard, Brother Seohyuk? Tell us how things went while we were away."
"Yes, ma'am."