Chapter 102
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Seems Like You're Mistaken...
"A promise?"
Gong So-yu echoed the question, her face full of doubt.
"I said I'd let you meet."
A curt reply.
But that alone was enough to make Gong So-yu's mouth drop open wide as a clam shell.
"R-Really?"
Gong So-yu's voice trembled slightly as she asked again.
"You're both recovered enough now. Her too."
At Ha Mu-baek's response, Gong So-yu broke into a radiant smile.
"What's this about?"
Gong Son Hwa-kyeong asked, her expression puzzled.
"Master promised the child. That once both Hye-ah and Yu-ah were healthy, he'd arrange a meeting."
Gong Son Hwa-kyeong let out a small gasp at Ha Mu-baek's explanation.
She had been there when the promise was made.
She had simply forgotten.
Gong So-yu, however, had cherished it deep in her heart.
"She's been taking her medicine well, getting her treatments, and her health has improved a lot. Still cooped up in the annex like that, it must feel stifling, but she's endured patiently. Time to get some fresh air."
Gong So-yu's smile deepened at Ha Mu-baek's words. But soon it faded, replaced by worry.
"What about the escorts, though..."
They were the Myriad Alliance Leader's personal guard. But Gong So-yu was the Leader's precious daughter.
As long as she was with the Leader, the guards paid close attention to her safety too.
It was almost comical, after leaving her to fend for herself all that time.
With Gong Mu-hyeok there, it felt like they were monitoring her every move.
Even when Gong Mu-hyeok tried to stop them, they just repeated that protecting the Leader and his heirs was their duty.
"If you're moving with me, no need to worry much."
Gong So-yu had no choice but to nod at Ha Mu-baek's calm assurance.
The guards hadn't even noticed how Ha Mu-baek came and went from the annex like it was his own home.
"However, the Leader will need to stay here. If he moves, they'll follow."
Gong Mu-hyeok smiled and nodded at Ha Mu-baek's words.
"I don't mind. With my health improved, I've been working on some hidden weapons designs lately... It's more comfortable staying put."
Indeed, since recovering somewhat, Gong Mu-hyeok had spent much of his time poring over complex blueprints.
"You two..."
Ha Mu-baek's gaze turned to Gong Son Mu-oe and Gong Son Hwa-kyeong.
The guards didn't pay much attention to those two anyway.
So it didn't matter what they did.
"We'll rest here too. Have a safe trip."
"Understood."
Ha Mu-baek gave a short reply to Gong Son Mu-oe.
"Then let's prepare simply and head out the back of the pavilion. I'll check on the Leader in the meantime."
With that sudden decision for an outing, Gong So-yu and Gong Son Hwa-kyeong sprang into action.
The annex buzzed with hurried movement, but none of the guards noticed.
Thanks to the barrier Ha Mu-baek had set up.
The dense forest in the Myriad Alliance's rear garden.
Though it was daytime, darkness like late evening shrouded the area.
The ancient trees blocked the sky completely.
Gong Do-hyeok wandered the garden alone.
More precisely, he was hurrying deep into it.
"There you are."
He stopped upon spotting a figure.
"You came quickly."
The man wore night clothes and a mask.
"To shorten your time in the Myriad Alliance by even an hour, I had to."
Gong Do-hyeok glared at the man with clear displeasure.
"For someone who says that, you sure keep a tight watch on the Leader."
His voice carried a hint of a smirk, as if the mouth beneath the mask was curved in amusement.
Gong Do-hyeok scowled.
Whether because he couldn't deny it, or because he just hated the man.
His feelings were mixed.
"The Leader is recovering."
The masked man's calm statement followed.
Gong Do-hyeok's face twisted at the nonchalant attitude.
"So? What of it?"
"Oh dear. Not something you'd say after tightening surveillance on the young lady upon hearing of the Leader and her recovery."
Gong Do-hyeok ground his teeth at the retort.
He wanted to argue, but it rang too true.
The seed of desire the man had planted in his heart had already sprouted and grown tall.
Now, only becoming Leader himself could satisfy it—a towering tree.
"Hmph. So confident, yet your work is a mess."
The masked man nodded slightly at Gong Do-hyeok's jab.
"A fair criticism. We truly didn't anticipate it..."
He sounded regretful.
"Muchang. There's definitely something there. Something even we couldn't detect... So we've been paying closer attention to Muchang lately."
"Hmph. Fine words."
"That's why. What will you do?"
"About what?"
Gong Do-hyeok countered the question with another.
"The Leader and the young lady. It was supposed to naturally fall to you, Young Master... But now it's gone awry."
Gong Do-hyeok's eyes flashed.
"What's your angle?"
He growled the question, and the masked man quickly raised both hands placatingly.
"No ulterior motive. We're just asking your intent for smooth handling ahead. If you don't think you'll become Leader, we pull out. It'd be a waste of our investment, but manageable."
"Pull out... You're saying you're backing off because you're not confident. What you stirred up in me has nothing to do with you bastards."
His voice was sharp as a blade.
"Hmm. Well, if you see it that way, nothing I can say. You're right, too."
The masked man conceded readily.
"Ha. What? You dare spout that nonsense to my face?!"
Gong Do-hyeok finally exploded in rage.
A terrifying aura surged from his body.
He channeled all his internal energy.
The masked man watched coldly. His own demeanor shifted in an instant.
"Young Master? Seems like you're mistaken..."
As the words ended, a horrifying aura erupted from the masked man.
It devoured Gong Do-hyeok's in seconds and bore down on him.
"I'm not deferring because I'm weak. You're just barely useful, so I've been nice. Best appreciate it while it lasts."
His voice dripped with killing intent.
That cold, cruel tone made Gong Do-hyeok feel frozen solid.
His aura crumbled instantly.
As it did, the masked man reverted to his casual self as if nothing happened.
"Y-You... who the hell..."
His voice trembled faintly.
"Not important. Young Master, think about what you want next. I'll return in three days."
With that, the masked man vanished.
In the dim rear garden forest, only Gong Do-hyeok remained, staring blankly.
"Wow!"
Gong So-yu, veiled and childlike, exclaimed repeatedly while looking around the street.
Slipping out of the inn's annex had been ridiculously easy.
Ha Mu-baek carried her lightly as he walked, and no one noticed.
The outing to Muchang was filled with wonders for Gong So-yu.
Ha Mu-baek simply watched impassively from the side.
Or so he thought, but his lips curved ever so slightly upward—a sign anyone could see he was pleased.
He didn't rush her, even when she dawdled, stopping to gawk at street sights.
He had plenty of time, no appointments set.
So he let her do as she pleased.
He knew how stifled and desperate her life had been.
Ha Mu-baek had seen this before.
His little sister had been the same, stepping off Blue Orchid Island onto land for the first time at Lake Dongjeong.
How long had they walked?
The street scenery began to change gradually.
Gong So-yu sensed it too, her demeanor growing subdued.
"Where is this place?"
She asked softly, cautiously.
"Where there's light, there's shadow. This is about where Muchang's shadows begin."
The perceptive Gong So-yu grasped the meaning immediately.
She walked demurely beside Ha Mu-baek, following his lead.
The shadows deepened.
Finally, Ha Mu-baek stopped before a shabby hut in what seemed the darkest part.
"Here?"
He nodded lightly and knocked.
"Come in. Baek-ah."
Master's voice from inside.
Gong So-yu recognized it instantly, her face lighting up with joy.
Opening the door, they found Wi Ji-gun sitting at a worn table, smiling.
A girl sat beside him.
"Ah... so pretty..."
That was the first thing out of Gong So-yu's mouth upon seeing her.
She startled at her own words, face flushing crimson.
"You're pretty too, sis! Hehe."
Dan Mok Un-hye's sweet voice dispelled her embarrassment.
"Grandpa told me. There's a sis who was even sicker than me, and she'd come visit."
Bright face, bright voice.
She was the kind of child who lifted everyone's spirits.
"Ah, yes. I'm Gong So-yu."
"Dan Mok Un-hye."
At Wi Ji-gun's gesture, Gong So-yu removed her veil and sat at the table.
Then Yeo Hwa appeared with a tray.
"I'm this child's mother. I heard you're an honored guest and benefactor. It's humble, but please partake without displeasure."
Tea and simple refreshments.
Gong So-yu jumped up in shock, waving her hands frantically.
"N-No, this is too precious, too much for me. Thank you so much."
Yeo Hwa smiled at her reaction.
The two girls, both suffering from meridian blockage, bonded quickly.
Shared empathy, no doubt.
Wi Ji-gun watched warmly.
"Lan would have loved to be here too."
"We have time."
Ha Mu-baek replied calmly to Wi Ji-gun. A pleased smile graced his lips too.
"Tahat!"
"Heut!"
Loud kiais echoed as sword flashes gleamed.
The two young men swung with full force.
Clang! Clang clang! Clang!
The clash of steel rang out deafeningly.
The five disciples of Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven watched in awe.
"Impressive."
Nak Woo-jin murmured.
"Feels like watching the Summer Combat Festival finals early."
Baek Ri-pyeong said, looking queasy.
The more you knew, the more you saw—just how extraordinary Namgung Ji-hu and Joo Woo-myeong's skills were.
"Why are these guys sparring here, though?"
Dang Jin-san said incredulously.
This was Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven's training ground.
"Instructor's not here."
Dan Mok Un-roe stated matter-of-factly.
"Sigh. Guys who'd end with one or two chestnuts are dancing with swords here..."
Dang Jin-san grumbled discontentedly.
"You wouldn't even last one chestnut."
Yeon Ha-min muttered quietly.
Dang Jin-san's face crumpled miserably.
Meanwhile, the spar neared its end.
Dan Mok Un-roe gripped his sword and shot to his feet.
"Let me have a go too!"
Dang Jin-san stared at his back in dismay.
Ignoring it, Dan Mok Un-roe strode to the center.
Suddenly, he halted.
"Huh?"
He tilted his head, looking to one side.
"What's up?"
At Dang Jin-san's question, Dan Mok Un-roe turned back to Joo Woo-myeong and Namgung Ji-hu.
"No, just... something feels off..."