Eternal Fate (3)
“We need to hurry to Lady Hong Geum-so. She’s in danger.”
Lady Hong Geum-so was in danger?
“Could you explain in more detail?”
Seohyang Sojeo shook her head gravely at my question.
“I don’t know the specifics. I just saw Seo-u Warrior holding her and sobbing bitterly. And the branch leader was grieving beside him. Anyway, we need to get there as fast as possible.”
That explained why she’d asked how many si it would take. But that alone didn’t tell me what kind of danger Lady Hong Geum-so was in.
“Is there any other clue? Even something small?”
Seohyang Sojeo paused, rummaging through her memories, then spoke as if recalling something.
“Come to think of it, there was blood all over... and her ankle... her ankle was purple.”
Ah...
“Was the location inside a building? Or outside?”
“Outside.”
I could picture the situation now.
Lady Hong Geum-so had twisted her ankle while doing something.
Normally, she could’ve gotten up somehow on her own, but she was in the late stages of pregnancy right now.
Her body was heavy, so she couldn’t stand alone.
It was the twelfth lunar month—deep winter.
Unable to move for long outside, she’d freeze to death.
And with all that blood, wild beasts would be starving this time of year too.
No time to waste.
I shot to my feet.
“Palgap!”
Palgap responded swiftly, quick on the uptake.
“Yes! I’ll tell the Chairman that you had urgent business and headed to the main branch first, young master.”
“Thanks.”
I turned to Seo-u Warrior.
“Seo-u Warrior, let’s go.”
“I’m counting on you.”
“You don’t need to say that. Lady Hong is precious to me too. I won’t let her go like this.”
But something still felt off.
The mention of blood all over her stuck with me. And the sun was setting now.
Night was the beasts’ time.
Then a good idea hit me.
“Geum-ryeong.”
“Ku-ii!”
“Find Lady Hong Geum-so. And if she’s in danger, protect her.”
“Ku-ii!”
Geum-ryeong launched into the air and vanished like a dot in an instant.
Seo-u Warrior and I exchanged a glance, then bolted at full speed with our lightness skills.
***
As her due date approached, Lady Hong Geum-so stayed home instead of going to the merchant group.
The women working for Eunhae Merchant Group were given several months off as a courtesy when their time neared.
But being cooped up at home felt stifling, so she decided to take a walk.
Of course, she should’ve brought someone to help, but not wanting to trouble anyone, she slipped out alone.
The fresh air outside after so long felt invigorating.
“Hong-gwa, you like this too, right?”
It was the pet name she’d given the baby after dreaming of picking red fruit as a prenatal dream.
“Your father should arrive tomorrow or the day after. Aren’t you curious what he’s like? You’ll love him too—he’s a really cool guy.”
She’d had to send word of the pregnancy by letter. His reply brimmed with joy.
Their child—hers and Seo-u’s.
She’d thought he’d never recover from his injuries and they’d never have one, but his miraculous survival had brought this precious life.
Stroking her belly and chatting with the baby, she’d wandered farther than intended before she knew it.
“Oh! The sun’s already setting! Better head back.”
She quickened her pace.
But maybe she rushed too much?
Her foot slipped, she twisted her ankle, and to make matters worse, she tumbled down the hillside by the path.
“Ugh...”
She tried to get up, but her injured ankle wouldn’t support her weight.
And being so far along made moving difficult anyway.
Suddenly, she felt a kick from her belly.
She stroked it calmly.
“No, Hong-gwa. It’s not your fault. Mommy just slipped.”
In this situation, she needed help from someone.
But it was a remote spot—no one passed by.
The sky darkened, and the sun set.
It was a dire mess all around.
She scolded herself for coming out alone.
But she couldn’t dwell on it.
She had to keep her wits about her somehow.
Thankfully, the baby was still alive—and she had to keep it that way.
How long had she lain there on the ground?
“Grrr...”
A low beastly growl reached her. Lady Hong Geum-so bit her lip at the sound.
Yellow eyes approaching her in the dark.
Everything was pitch black, but those eyes gleamed clearly.
No doubt about it—a wolf.
If this keeps up, I’m wolf chow for sure!
She fumbled around desperately and gripped a fist-sized rock.
Her only weapon against the wolf. Their standoff continued like that.
“Ku-iit!”
Suddenly, a strange sound rang out, and the wolf hesitated.
“Ku-iiit!”
“Kiiing...”
At the echoing cry, the wolf tucked its tail and fled in fear.
Confirming it gone, she let go of the rock she’d clutched so tightly.
That sound just now... I’ve heard it somewhere before?
Clop clop clop.
Something approached her. A pig-like creature the size of a fist.
It was too dark to see an inch ahead, but oddly, the pig-like animal was clear.
Because it emitted a faint golden glow from its whole body.
“You must be that spirit beast I’ve only heard about. Did you chase off the wolf?”
The cute creature nodded at her question.
“Thank you.”
In response, it began scratching letters into the ground.
[Geum-ryeong]
[Sent by Eun Seo-ho]
The letters were visible thanks to the faint glow from the creature.
Her eyes widened at them.
A beast writing letters was shocking enough, but it was sent by Eun Seo-ho.
Thinking back on his exploits, though, it didn’t seem that surprising.
And she recalled hearing “ku-ii” sounds around him sometimes.
“Whew.”
She let out a sigh, her body shivering.
“Ku-ii?”
“It’s cold.”
“Ku-ii!”
The pig spirit beast named Geum-ryeong oinked and headed off somewhere.
About half a gak later, it returned.
But... not alone.
It had led a group of animals—deer and rabbits, herbivores.
They approached her, surrounding her in a circle and sitting down.
Their body heat warmed her; the shivering stopped.
And Geum-ryeong handed her something it carried in its mouth.
“This? For me to eat?”
“Ku-ii!”
“Thank you.”
She ate the fruit, easing her hunger and thirst.
How many si passed like that?
Dawn broke with a pale light.
“Ku-ii?”
Geum-ryeong tilted its head, looking at her.
It almost looked like it was smiling.
Then it vanished somewhere.
“Geum-so!”
The voice of the man she’d longed for rang out, and she saw him running toward her.
“Ah...”
“My lady!”
Tension released, and she lost consciousness.
***
“My lady! My lady!”
Seo-u Warrior held Lady Hong Geum-so and called to her desperately.
Arriving at the Hubei main branch, I’d summoned Geum-ryeong, who guided us right to her.
“Ku-ii! Ku!”
“She was cold, so you threatened other animals to make them do that?”
“Ku-ii!”
“Good job.”
“Ku-ii! Ku! Ku-ku-eek!”
“You chased off the wolf and picked fruit in case she was hungry?”
“Ku-ii!”
“Thank you so much.”
I stroked Geum-ryeong.
Without it, who knows what might’ve happened—I was truly grateful.
I placed a hand on Seo-u Warrior’s shoulder.
“No need to worry. She’s just exhausted. Let’s get her inside quickly.”
“Ah, yes.”
Seo-u Warrior cradled her, and we headed to his home.
The house was in chaos.
Because Lady Hong Geum-so hadn’t returned, no doubt.
People rushed about with anxious faces, probably searching for her.
They hadn’t found her because the spot was remote—and she’d rolled off the path.
“Ma’am!”
The servants and maids spotted her in Seo-u Warrior’s arms and rushed over in shock.
“Where did you find her?”
“We searched everywhere...”
“N-not now—get her inside quick...”
Seo-u Warrior laid her on a warm bed.
He gripped her wrist, biting his lip.
“I’ll fetch the physician.”
Leaving his house, I stroked Geum-ryeong in my sleeve.
“Thanks. You saved someone precious to me.”
“Ku-ii.”
“This is just basic?”
“Ku-ii. Ku-ii!”
“So gratitude means money?”
Classic Geum-ryeong.
I headed straight to the Hubei main branch, grabbed a physician, and returned—specially picking one versed in pregnancy.
While the physician examined her, Seo-u Warrior and I waited outside.
“Thank you so much.”
He bowed deeply, and I shook my head gently.
“Don’t say that. I was scared too.”
Seo-u Warrior spoke gravely.
“But... what kind of person is Adjutant Gwak? She’s no ordinary aide.”
“You’re right.”
“Does she see the future?”
I nodded.
“Actually, back when I secretly pulled her aside before, I wondered why. Now I get it.”
Seohyang Sojeo’s ability had been a secret then. Still, Seo-u Warrior and the guards had followed my lead without question.
“It’s useful, but dangerous in a way.”
He nodded at my words.
“Just as you say, my lord. We owe Adjutant Gwak big time. Without her... I can’t even imagine.”
“Same here.”
I sighed.
“She’s very sharp. Having lost her original status to that ability, she’s cautious about it. She could’ve kept quiet this time too. But she didn’t.”
“That shows her kind heart.”
“I think so too. Anyway, since we owe her, please ensure this doesn’t put her in danger.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Seo-u Warrior nodded.
“We owe someone else too. Thinking back, without Geum-ryeong, it would’ve been disastrous. I overheard a bit earlier. Truly grateful.”
“Ku-ii!”
I could only chuckle dryly.
Really, doing this now?
“What’s it saying?”
“Gratitude means money.”
Seo-u Warrior smirked.
“Funny joke.”
“Serious.”
“Pardon?”
His baffled look.
I patted my sleeve to call Geum-ryeong.
“Geum-ryeong, come out.”
“Ku-ii!”
It emerged from my sleeve onto the ground. I pulled a silver nyang from my pouch.
“Here, good work today.”
I offered it, and Geum-ryeong snatched and swallowed it.
“...”
Seo-u Warrior looked stunned. No wonder—I’d never shown others it eating money.
“It... eats money?”
“Only money.”
“Ah... being a spirit beast, I suppose.”
“It’s a money-guzzling one. But it earns its keep.”
Seo-u Warrior regained composure and drew a silver nyang from his pouch.
He offered it to Geum-ryeong.
“Thanks for today.”
Geum-ryeong didn’t eat right away but looked at me.
Asking permission for someone else’s money.
Right—it only takes others’ money with the owner’s okay.
I nodded, and it gobbled it up.
Then made a pleased sound.
“Ku-ii ku-ii.”
Of course it was happy.
Two silver nyang.
This merited gold taels, really—not silver.
We’d averted disaster thanks to it.
But pulling gold now would pressure him to match.
That’s why silver.
His gold taels for Geum-ryeong should go to the unborn child instead.
I could give two later.
Creeak.
The door opened; a maid assisting the physician peeked out.
“You can come in.”
We hurried inside.
“How’s the lady?”
The physician replied to my question.
“No major issues. Just some bruises from the fall down the hill.”
“And the baby?”
He nodded.
“The child in the womb is fine too.”
“Phew, what a relief.”
Only then could I fully relax.
“However...”
Hm? However what?