Chapter 61: I Will Live as Your Servant
"...That's how it happened. I didn't actually sleep with that maid."
I had to spend quite a while explaining that whole "insatiable lust" business to Tae Sa-rok and Ok Geum-ran.
Tae Sa-rok nodded with a strangely relieved look on his face. But Ok Geum-ran still seemed suspicious.
-Is that really how it went? For real?
-I told you it was.
-You had no other choice?
-What other options did I have?
-Fine. I'll believe you.
I finally managed to wriggle out of it. Honestly, excuses like that were embarrassing as hell. That's why I'd tried to get ahead of the rumors—nip them in the bud, so to speak.
As a body double with some experience under my belt, I'd figured word might spread eventually. But I hadn't expected the news to reach Wayong Hall faster than I did.
'How the hell does something from just last night already make it all the way here?'
[Rumors travel a thousand li on wings unspoken.]
'Damn, you really hit the jackpot.'
[Still, your intel network is more capable than I thought. I had my doubts when Doggo Jae popped up out of nowhere at the blood storage, but...]
I grilled Tae Sa-rok about that too. He'd sworn the place would be empty at that hour, so why the hell had Doggo Jae shown up? We'd nearly gotten ourselves into deep shit, so I wanted to clear it up once and for all.
His explanations went like this.
"First off, at the time Young Master Yong Baek-heon was heading to the Doggo Clan manor, Unit Leader Doggo Jae was definitely elsewhere."
"But then his side got word of a fight breaking out, so he rushed back to the manor."
"He showed up at the blood storage last night to grab medicine for treating his injured subordinates. The Black Snake Unit Leader's quite skilled with drugs and poisons, after all."
The intel itself checked out. Doggo Jae had just appeared due to an unexpected situation—one tied to me, no less. If Jang Mu-gil hadn't shown up, I never would've run into him in the blood storage.
[Hmmm. If so, we wouldn't have seen that Mak Ryang kid's acting skills either. The world's twists and turns are endlessly amusing. Kekekeke!]
'Amusing my ass.'
Anyway, it had all worked out for the best. Hell, even Yong Baek-heon's reputation had gone up.
Most martial artists didn't earn a nickname until after their early twenties. But "Phantom Ghost Demon" already? Sure, it was more of a scumbag epithet earned through his playboy antics, but still.
[Why the long face? I rather like it. Conjuring illusions from nothing! Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? Suits you perfectly.]
'No. It doesn't suit me at all.'
Anyway, time to get down to business.
My body felt heavy as lead from pushing through the spirit command backlash during the covert op, but my mood was through the roof.
"Ok Warrior, has Gyeon Warrior come down yet?"
"She just woke up, so she'll be down soon."
"Perfect. Then in the meantime, let's settle up with Tae Sa Senior."
I plunked the Seven Demon Venerable Statue down on the table with a thud.
A golden statue exhaling wisps of cold mist. Tae Sa-rok's eyes gleamed at the sight of the commissioned item.
"You brought it back perfectly. Thank you, Young Master. Now, as promised, the manual..."
"Hold on, Senior."
"Pardon?"
I cut him off and flicked the statue with my fingertip. A clear ring echoed off Wayong Hall's ceiling and walls, the resonant chime proving it was forged from solid millennia-cold iron.
"Hate to say it, but the deal feels off. If I'd known the Seven Demon Venerable Statue was such a big deal, I'd have asked for better terms."
"Young Master? It's a bit late to say that now..."
"Tae Sa Senior, I'm the one in a bind here. We're not just crossing paths once or twice, right? Let's set some ground rules now. Be honest, no holding back. We're in the same boat either way."
"Ahem."
I'd phrased it as nicely as possible. In plain terms: no double-crossing between us schemers—cough up something extra.
But Tae Sa-rok narrowed his eyes, buying time, looking for an opening.
So I turned straight to Ok Geum-ran and spoke up.
"What do you think, Ok Warrior? I say we keep things straight between us."
"...".
Ok Geum-ran stared silently at Tae Sa-rok. Her gaze was calm, but he flinched visibly. Not wanting to look bad in front of his old flame, he finally nodded.
"Understood. So what else do you want? If it's within my power, I'll provide it."
"Appreciate it."
I grinned and laid out what I'd planned ahead.
"Then could you write me a Ghost General Talisman?"
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"You heard me. The Taesa Clan's prized Ghost General Talisman."
"...".
The Ghost General Talisman was a very special charm. Not for repelling ghosts, but summoning them. A high-level sorcery that momentarily materialized wandering spirits from the nine heavens, turning them into the sorcerer's weapons.
"Young Master, the Ghost General Talisman is..."
"Too much? Or maybe you haven't learned it."
"...No, I've learned it. I can use it. Just need to prepare the materials."
But Tae Sa-rok hesitated even as he said it. I knew why.
He had no idea what I'd use it for, so he was wary.
[From Tae Sa-rok's perspective, it's a valid concern. The Ghost General Talisman uses grudge spirits—a dangerous art, handled with utmost caution even in the Taesa Clan.]
What if I used it for something crazy? But I had a simple counter.
Same strategy as always: Ok Geum-ran.
"I'll leave the talisman you make with Ok Warrior. She'll hold it for emergencies only. Sound good?"
"Ah, in that case..."
Their eyes met again. Tae Sa-rok nodded without much deliberation.
"Yes, understood. I'll gather the materials soon and make one for you. Here's the manual first."
"Thanks."
I smiled faintly. Honestly, it was a bit ridiculous. Ok Geum-ran was basically my right hand—if I asked for the talisman, she'd hand it over anytime. But to Tae Sa-rok, it meant something more.
'Someone he trusts more than me.'
[You've got an ace up your sleeve now. About time—the statue's worth demands it.]
Bongmareung cackled. Seating Tae Sa-rok here in Wayong Hall felt like a damn good call.
That's when Gyeon So-hee appeared. Her face was unusually pale as she walked toward us.
"You were looking for me? It's almost time to prepare breakfast..."
Her voice was weak, no doubt from the torment of the Boiling Blood Gu-worm.
I shot Ok Geum-ran a look, then sat Gyeon So-hee down in front of me.
"There's something we need to do first today."
"What is it?"
"Something very important."
Ok Geum-ran brought over a large bronze bowl. I uncorked the flask labeled Doggo Jae and poured its contents in with a glug-glug-glug.
Fishy-smelling blood. As the dark red liquid filled the bowl, Gyeon So-hee's eyes widened in panic.
I spoke quietly.
"It'll hurt like hell. But you have to drink every last drop."
"Pardon?"
"This is the antidote to draw out the Boiling Blood Gu-worm."
"...!"
* * *
An antidote to draw out the Boiling Blood Gu-worm?
Gyeon So-hee couldn't believe her ears.
"Wh-when did you know?"
"You mean when I learned about the gu-worm? Ok Warrior, remind me—when was that?"
"As far as I recall..."
"No! I mean you knew I was a spy! How long have you known?"
"From the start."
"Pardon?"
"I've known from the beginning that you have the Deep Fine Sense constitution."
She gaped blankly at his words. Yong Baek-heon's casual tone made her wonder if she was still dreaming.
"Then why didn't you cast me out?"
"Hmmm, that's complicated. Too annoying to explain, so short version."
"...?"
"You were useful to me. Probably will be in the future too."
Her heart pounded. Her voice trembled.
"I was useful to you? Even knowing I was a spy?"
"I just said it was complicated. I knew everything, but you were useful. That's it."
A sharp pang in her chest. A strange feeling.
She'd come to Wayong Hall as a spy on a mission, but daily life had been so peaceful. Preparing meals, laundry, tending the hall, occasional sparring—that was it.
'I thought I'd have to serve him at night, but that never happened.'
He roamed outside at night, hiding secrets, but nothing like the rumors. Ok Geum-ran was admirably beautiful and kind. Tae Sa-rok always smiled warmly, though his depths were unclear. With the servants he'd brought, her workload had lightened too.
'Everyone here is good people.'
It was more peace than she deserved. Wayong Hall felt so welcoming that spying there almost felt sinful.
And now, a new chance.
"Drink this, purge the gu-worm, and you'll have choices. Stay in Wayong Hall, or run off somewhere. Do what you want."
"...".
Like with Mak Ryang, Jang Ho-sam planned to give her options. He'd already used her Deep Fine Sense in reverse to feed the Doggo Clan false intel. If she left, he'd respect that.
"Young Master, I..."
Gyeon So-hee started to speak but clamped her mouth shut. She extended her trembling hands and took the bowl. Holding back the fishy stench, she began gulping down the blood.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
The moment the bowl emptied.
"Keurgh!"
Agonizing pain sent her crumpling to the floor. Shaking like a branch in winter wind, she forced her mouth open.
"I... I will... be your..."
"Looks like the gu-worm's starting to move," Tae Sa-rok said.
Jang Ho-sam activated his Ghostly Spirit Wall Eye to track it. A small mass laced with demonic energy thrashed wildly in the girl's chest. Slowly, it crawled up her throat.
"Good, it's coming up."
"Aaaagh!"
"Hang in there. Once the bug reaches your mouth, bite down with your molars and crush it. Done."
"Kuh... ugh..."
Gyeon So-hee clawed at Wayong Hall's floorboards through the torment. Bloodshot eyes burst vessels; scraping nails splintered. As the unbearable agony threatened to roll her eyes back.
Her right hand plunged into her throat. In one yank, she pulled it out.
"...!"
Kiriririririk!
A spider-like demonic beast screeching sharply. The Boiling Blood Gu-worm.
The girl gripped the tormentor tightly, shoulders shuddering. Soaked in cold sweat, blood dripping from her chin. But a refreshing laugh burst from her lips.
"Hahaha! Hahahaha...!"
After laughing long, Gyeon So-hee's eyes shifted smoothly. The spark in them, gazing at Jang Ho-sam, was subtly different—brimming with newfound vitality.
"Young Master Yong Baek-heon, of course I'll stay by your side."
With that, she tossed the gu-worm into the empty bowl. Still alive, it scraped the walls trying to escape, but the bowl was too tall.
The girl's voice continued.
"And if possible, I want revenge on the Doggo Clan. Help me shove this bug down Doggo Clan Head's throat. I will live as your servant for life."
"Hmm..."
No need for that much, but her goal appealed, so Jang Ho-sam nodded readily.
"Alright. I'll help as much as I can."