Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Espionage Division - Mission, Intelligence (2)
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Gwon Pyo-wol's instruction to Mok Ri-won wasn't anything grandiose.
It was actually such a simple action that even the straightforward Mok Ri-won could pull it off.
-Click your tongue coldly, imagining that filth has gotten on your most precious possession. All the while, keep your gaze fixed on the opponent.
It was simply the act of clicking one's tongue. Mok Ri-won felt puzzled.
That made sense, since he couldn't wrap his head around how just clicking one's tongue once could make him look like a wastrel.
Gwon Pyo-wol offered no further explanation to the baffled Mok Ri-won.
-Just give it a try.
That was all he said.
And so, on this day when the moment arrived.
Despite his doubts, Mok Ri-won trusted Gwon Pyo-wol and gave it a shot.
Keeping his eyes on Namgung Jincheon, he imagined water spilling all over *Tales of the Jianghu Heroes* and clicked his tongue.
And just like that, a change occurred.
“Tsk….”
To give some fresh context, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Mok Ri-won had the most beautiful face a human could possess—a true heartthrob.
The moment he changed his expression, that stunning face twisted into something with a peculiar aura.
Wrinkle formed between his brows, lending a fierce edge to his innocent features. His lowered eyelids and raised outer corners added a chill to his scowl.
And what of those downturned lips? Rebellious. Arrogant. Elegant.
“…My word.”
Dang Hwa-seo murmured without thinking.
She startled herself, flushed red, and clapped a hand over her mouth.
Thump. Thump. Even then, her heart pounded away busily.
It was an unavoidable reaction.
The defiant, prickly Mok Ri-won had struck such a blow to the unguarded Dang Hwa-seo.
Seeing a completely new side to the man who always smiled so brightly was just that alluring.
‘I-I never knew I was into this!’
It awakened a preference even Dang Hwa-seo herself hadn't realized she had.
Unable to look at Mok Ri-won any longer, Dang Hwa-seo dropped her gaze.
Yeom So-so let out an “Oh” as well.
Was it just that face—what he did with it always worked wonders? Even Yeom So-so, seasoned through every trial life could throw, felt her girlish sentiments stirring at this rebellious side of Mok Ri-won.
She didn't make a fuss about it, of course, but a gasp of admiration slipped out anyway.
‘For a disciple of that Mok Clan bastard, he's way too handsome.’
Such thoughts crossed her mind.
“…Hah.”
Namgung Jincheon let out a hollow laugh.
The emotion on his face was hard to pin down.
If he had to put it into words, it was like this:
The look of a neighborhood kid he'd never dreamed could harm him slapping him across the cheek.
Namgung Jincheon had never imagined Mok Ri-won capable of contempt.
The sudden blast of disdain left him gaping wordlessly.
The unexpected attack had stunned him senseless.
But it didn't last long.
Namgung Jincheon's mind swiftly pieced together the sequence of events and grasped the situation.
Mok Ri-won clicked his tongue. Grimaced. While looking right at him.
This was provocation. An insult.
So there was only one thing to do.
Shing.
His sword slid free.
“A duel. Silent Dragon.”
Namgung Jincheon's eyes bulged wide. Bloodshot veins marred the whites.
That was when Yeom So-so stepped in. She flew at him with invisible speed and smacked the top of his head.
Crack! A crisp sound rang out.
“Talk of duels, my ass.”
Thud.
Namgung Jincheon's knees buckled.
Rubbing his scalp, he glared at Yeom So-so.
But would a woman like her be cowed by that?
“Oh ho, got some fire in those eyes, huh?”
As Yeom So-so raised her fist, Namgung Jincheon's gaze slyly dropped.
‘…Once I get stronger.’
Today, too, Namgung Jincheon vowed for the future.
Mok Ri-won, who had stood still until then, twitched and trembled before finally relaxing his expression as if he couldn't hold it any longer. With eager anticipation lighting his face, he turned to Dang Hwa-seo.
“Little sis! How was it?!”
He balled his fists, eyes sparkling as he asked.
But Dang Hwa-seo wasn't in any state to answer.
Her heart was still racing from Mok Ri-won's earlier look, her vision spinning.
“Th-that was….”
“Eh?”
“Splendid.”
Yeom So-so grinned and said it for her.
Mok Ri-won blinked at the words, then beamed brightly.
“Does that mean I passed?!”
“Yeah, you passed.”
“Yesss!”
Mok Ri-won threw his arms up in victory.
Yeom So-so chuckled wryly at the sight, thinking to herself.
‘Might as well cram this fool into the carriage too.’
Passed, his foot.
If clicking your tongue made you an intelligence agent, every inn errand boy would qualify.
Yeom So-so decided to just give up.
No point. Mok Ri-won was carriage-bound with Namgung Jincheon.
*
Two weeks had passed since Mok Ri-won and the others set out.
This was Guanzhong in Shaanxi.
They had arrived at the vast plain, inseparable from the Central Plains' history since ancient times—a true heartland.
The squad members facing Guanzhong Plain wore bright expressions.
Who wouldn't? Guanzhong Plain had served as the capital for dynasties that ruled the Central Plains from antiquity, a strategic hub teeming with history and legends. Drawn by that legacy, countless tourists flocked here.
“Hey, Mok bro, you know? Playing in the Yellow River's waters has a special thrill to it.”
“I'd rather tour Mount Hua! It's one of the Five Great Mountains of the Central Plains, the pinnacle among peaks!”
“Both of you, quiet.”
At Dang Hwa-seo's words, Jegal San and Mok Ri-won clamped their mouths shut.
Dang Hwa-seo sighed deeply and spoke.
“We're about to enter the pass. Soon we'll blend into the crowds, so stick to your roles.”
It was a line she'd repeated endlessly over the past two weeks.
She couldn't hide her rising worry.
‘Can they pull this off?’
Even crammed in the carriage, they'd have to show their faces at the pass.
She had no confidence those two would act their disguised parts.
Naturally, Dang Hwa-seo's expression darkened.
Mok Ri-won flinched at the sight, then steeled himself with resolve.
“D-don't worry! I won't let you down, little—”
“Little?”
“S-sis!”
Mok Ri-won's face flushed faintly.
That was right.
In this disguise, Mok Ri-won, Dang Hwa-seo, and Namgung Jincheon played siblings.
Dang Hwa-seo the eldest, Namgung Jincheon the second, Mok Ri-won the youngest.
Given the roles, Mok Ri-won had to call her “sis,” but it didn't come easy.
Even though Dang Hwa-seo was older, “little sis” felt most natural to him.
“I'll keep it in mind and for sure…!”
Mok Ri-won psyched himself up, muttering “sis, sis” under his breath.
Dang Hwa-seo found herself listening in despite herself.
It was acting, sure.
But hearing “sis” from Mok Ri-won's lips carried a special ring.
In other words, Dang Hwa-seo was shamelessly indulging her private feelings under the pretext of the mission.
“Ahem. Be careful. Er, stay sharp.”
“Got it! Sis!”
Jegal San, seated at the driver's perch, eyed the exchange with narrowed gaze.
Quick on the uptake, he grasped the gist.
‘Handle your own business first.’
What sister blushes looking at her little brother?
Sure, some might, but was that anywhere near proper?
Jegal San had plenty to say... but held his tongue.
He knew speaking up would only bring painful backlash.
“Jegal... er, bro Gang. The pass is coming up.”
At Il-un's words, Jegal San looked ahead.
Just as he said—the pass loomed, lined with a long queue of people.
“We're here!”
At Jegal San's call, the lax atmosphere tightened.
The mission's start: passing the gate.