Chapter 67 After the hour of the Rabbit had passed.
"Ah…"
A single drop of moisture fell onto Seol Seorin's jade-like cheek. Seol-yeong looked at his older sister with utter exasperation.
"Honestly… of all the nonsense…"
"Ah! I cannot believe it!"
Seol Seorin's eyes shone like stars. Smiling in pure delight, she lifted a finger and wiped away her tears.
"To think Lady Yeo—Miss Soyo has grown into such a graceful and refined young lady! Is there perhaps a vacancy for a maid? Surely one little maid is not enough—may I serve the young lady instead?"
"You're the mistress of Chwihyang Pavilion, and you're talking about becoming a maid? You must return the morning after tomorrow—ugh."
Seol-yeong cried out and rolled across the floor after being struck on the calf.
Yeo Il watched him briefly before turning to Seol Seorin, who was elegantly pouring tea.
"Seol Seorin."
"Yes?"
"Now that this is enough, tell me what happened on your way here."
Clack.
Seol Seorin set a teacup before Yeo Il and answered as though it were trivial.
"Is there any need for further explanation? It must be as you expect. Some strange man attacked my carriage, killed all my guards, then knocked me unconscious without saying much. He did not even confirm my identity. He must have already been certain I was Seol Seorin."
"Did he look like a beggar?"
"Yes. …Ah! Do you happen to know what became of my carriage?"
Yeo Il nodded.
"Destroyed. The interior was empty."
"How unfortunate. I had brought a bundle of silver to return to the young lady… only for it to be wasted on a dog."
She must have intended to return the commission fee regarding Namgung Chu-myeong, since she had not received accurate information.
"What shall we do… Since it is all lost, Miss Soyo will have no choice but to visit Chwihyang Pavilion personally, won't she?"
With narrowed eyes and a fox-like smile, Seol Seorin placed a second cup before Chang-a.
"Do you have any idea who attacked you?"
At the question, Seol Seorin tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hm. Dressed like a beggar, fierce in impression… Judging by his tone, build, and the shape of his sword, it seemed to be Iron-Faced Mad Dog. Once I return to Chwihyang Pavilion, I shall investigate who commissioned him."
"Yonghwang Yuse."
Seol Seorin's eyes widened as she stared at Yeo Il.
"You knew that as well."
"There is no way the Beggars' Sect Leader did not warn you."
"…As expected, you are aware."
Seol Seorin sighed, her complexion dimming.
"Then do you also know that they have joined hands with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
"What? The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Noona, is that true? Are they trying to start another Orthodox–Demonic War—ugh."
Seol Seorin pressed her heel firmly onto Seol-yeong's thigh before continuing.
"You knew this as well? The Sect Leader has been troubled by them lately. It will surely bring unprecedented chaos to Jianghu, so even deciding when to announce it is difficult."
An announcement. A decision befitting the Beggars' Sect Leader.
"…Ah! As for Miss Soyo, we remain as tight-lipped as always. The Sect Leader shows not the slightest interest in you, so do not worry."
"Good."
Seol Seorin rested her chin in her hands, gazing at Yeo Il with sparkling eyes as though seeking praise.
Yeo Il lightly tapped her cheek and spoke quietly.
"The silver is unnecessary. Instead, look into one more matter for me."
"Mmm! Of course it concerns Yonghwang Yuse? I would like to provide as much information as possible, but even the Sect Leader knows little about them…"
"Namgung Pae."
Seol Seorin's gaze sharpened.
"…Is he connected to the recent incident within the Namgung Clan?"
Yeo Il glanced at Jin Cheong-ak, sprawled asleep on her bed, and remained silent.
Seol Seorin nodded.
"I understand. The message will be—"
"I will come personally."
The seriousness on Seol Seorin's face dissolved, replaced once again by a bright smile.
She truly was someone who smiled easily.
Yeo Il had planned to introduce Seol Seorin to the Namgung brothers as Jin Cheong-ak's guest.
However, Seol Seorin declined and left the inn at leisure.
"On land where the Murim Alliance stands, do you think I lack somewhere to lean on? I will report the situation above and visit again. Thank you truly for today, Miss Soyo. This favor shall be inflated, inflated, and inflated again—repaid tenfold."
Inflated until she would tear out even a pillar of her pavilion if necessary to compensate Yeo Il.
As expected, they understood one another without words.
By midday, she persuaded Namgung Hui-myeong to allow her to observe the martial match in which he would participate.
"…Very well. But why do you look especially radiant today? Can you not appear at least a little disheveled?"
He ruffled her hair with apparent satisfaction.
"Mm, that's better."
Unaware of what had transpired before dawn, he could not refuse his younger sister's request, though concern flickered across his face.
Upon arriving at the martial arena,
the one who greeted Namgung Hui-myeong as though he had been waiting was none other than Bang Woo.
"It seems my match came far too early. I expected as much, but does it not end too easily?"
Bang Woo's presence was steady.
Though his match had apparently concluded, there was no lingering heat about him. It must have been overwhelming.
"Hui-myeong, for a first appearance, you are remarkably composed. It almost seems you trained your courage while I was away."
"Well, not particularly…"
A faint chuckle followed.
"Perhaps you endured some arduous time. You might even have faced an opponent who turned your world upside down."
"You truly read people well."
"Like someone I know. Your elder brother?"
"I meant my younger sibling."
Among all under heaven, Namgung Soyo was Namgung Hui-myeong's only younger sibling.
Bang Woo fell silent.
Hui-myeong spoke lightly again.
"This works out well. Since the topic has arisen, I will entrust Soyo to you. It is nearly my turn, and I ought to warm up."
"…Entrust what to me?"
"She is ill and her voice rarely carries, so do not nitpick her as before. She walks surprisingly well on her own, but occasionally missteps, so always hold her hand. Lastly, do not introduce my sister to just anyone. That is all."
Unexpected.
Does he simply wish to warm up freely in my absence?
As a fellow martial artist, she understood well enough and stood quietly.
The fact he entrusted her without hesitation indicated considerable trust in Bang Woo.
The footsteps that had retreated suddenly returned at speed.
"Hey, Soyo. If you are in danger, shout. Your throat… it is better torn once more than losing your life."
Nod.
The footsteps retreated—then returned again.
"Bang Woo-hyeong may look reliable, but men are all the same. Give me your leg. If something happens, kick here with all your strength. Understood?"
Nod.
The footsteps retreated again.
"If you are hungry, borrow money from Bang Woo-hyeong and buy whatever you wish."
Nod.
Retreated—
"Anyone who wrongs you, make sure to ask their name and remember—"
Persistent.
As expected of Namgung Jeok-myeong's brother.
Clap!
A single clap snapped him back to his senses. Namgung Hui-myeong awkwardly finished and departed.
Bang Woo spoke stiffly.
"…Hui-myeong seems to cherish Miss greatly."
Nod.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence settled heavily between them.
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