Chapter 73 Fists have long cured many ailments.
Fits of madness, arrogance, bullying the weak while fearing the strong—even counterfeit insanity.
Among them, a punch to the nose—one that neatly realigns the nasal bone—has the advantage of sending a ringing shock through the skull, disorienting the opponent while briefly blocking their vision and inducing intense panic.
When delivered by the body of a woman who had appeared powerless all along, the effect was even more certain.
"Where do you think you're running, Jin Myo?"
"Aaagh!"
Perhaps Jin Myo had overindulged in her Cheonmyeon Magwi persona, but her shriek rivaled that of a spoiled four-year-old.
"Aaaagh!"
"I asked where you think you're running."
Yeo Il swiftly retreated, evaded, and relentlessly caught up each time Jin Myo attempted to flee, diligently "treating" her ailment.
Having been beaten repeatedly without mounting proper resistance, Jin Myo seemed to have suffered considerable shock to the head. Before long, she could barely walk, staggering before collapsing.
Still, she possessed stubborn grit and did not lose consciousness easily.
"You… who are you? Who are you that I… that I, Cheonmyeon Magwi…."
"To forget me already. How disappointing."
"Then who the hell are you…."
Standing before his swaying head, Yeo Il looked down.
They say the contours of one's life carve themselves into the face.
Jin Myo bore a fierce visage that revealed the path he had walked. Yet more than that intimidating air, one distinctive feature drew attention.
Blue eyes.
A child of a Westerner—Jin Myo.
It had been the name he was called for a few days when Cheonmyeon Magwi once brought back a gaunt child long ago.
"…Come to think of it."
Should you meet a Westerner, grant them one request. Heaven helps those who help themselves, was it?
Even the chance to fulfill one of those tiresome dying wishes had fallen into her lap.
"Which one was the Westerner? Your father or your mother?"
Though dazed, his eyes turned vicious at once.
Ah. The blue eyes were Jin Myo's sore point.
It had not been intentional—Yeo Il had simply forgotten.
Either way, he carried Western blood, so that sufficed.
"Do you perhaps have a request for me?"
If he had said "Die," Yeo Il might have felt slightly disappointed. Fortunately, Jin Myo did not utter such a simple wish.
"Mad girl. I asked who you are…."
To be called "girl" by Jin Myo at this age—how novel.
"Is your request that I reveal my identity?"
"…Suppose so."
After a brief moment of consideration, Yeo Il answered plainly.
"I am Wolgeom Ilsal."
Jin Myo blinked slowly and exhaled.
"You're insane…."
"I'm not insane. I'm Wolgeom Ilsal."
"Of all things, now I see a lunatic claiming to be Ilsal…."
"Why don't you believe me? Because my face is intact?"
"Have you already forgotten what I said—that Wolgeom Ilsal is attacking the Murim Alliance?"
"Such a fake—"
Who are you trying to deceive with a fake Ilsal, you fool—
Yeo Il's lips closed mid-motion.
Something was strange.
Jin Myo's expression was strange.
There was not the slightest doubt in the words he had spoken—only a faint sneer.
And he considers me his lifelong enemy.
Yeo Il altered her approach.
"Wolgeom Ilsal died. The traitor's end."
Jin Myo's expression cooled as he shook his head, struggling to steady himself.
Yeo Il revealed the hidden truth calmly.
"But she came back to life. That's me."
"…I see now. You're feeble-minded. That's why Daoist Bang Woo shielded you."
"How could an assassin who disappointed Cheon Mu-ryeong have survived? By hiding well. That's me."
"…You crazy bitch. Fine, I admit it. You clearly know something—about Salmak. Which makes it stranger. Who exactly are you?"
"I told you. Wolgeom Ilsal."
"If you intend to imitate her, show more sincerity… If your aim is to confuse us…."
Giggling like a madman, Jin Myo barely lifted a finger and pointed at Yeo Il's face.
"Your eyes! Start by changing those eyes!"
Yeo Il unconsciously frowned.
"With eyes like that, you dare mimic Ilsal? Absurd."
"…What kind of eyes must one have to be Wolgeom Ilsal?"
A sneer still lingered at Jin Myo's lips as his fading gaze wandered.
"Cheonmyeon Magwi said…."
"..."
"Wolgeom Ilsal is… a steamed… potato…."
"..."
"A soulless… steamed potato… and a madwoman…."
With the last word escaping like a final breath, Jin Myo's head drooped and he lost consciousness.
What had he muttered?
A soulless steamed potato and a madwoman?
He's lost his mind.
She must have struck him too hard.
Just then—
"Ha."
From somewhere within the forest, a bright, firework-like scoff burst forth, followed by hearty laughter.
"Hahaha. Hahahaha!"
Yeo Il stared coldly toward the source.
Jin Cheong-ak.
"Haha, hahahat!"
"Come out."
Soon, a familiar tall figure emerged slowly, leaning against a tree.
He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes, steadied his ragged breath from laughing too hard, and approached. Then he nudged the unconscious Jin Myo at Yeo Il's feet with his toe.
"Ha! Ahem. Hm. This being the real Cheonmyeon Magwi… impossible."
"Send him to Seol Serin. He'll be useful in digging into Yonghwang Yuse."
Ignoring Jin Cheong-ak's thoroughly annoyed expression, Yeo Il added,
"And don't forget. He knows my identity. Do not let him leave alive."
"…He knows your identity?"
Suspicion flickered in his eyes as he scanned Yeo Il, as if questioning whether she truly believed that.
"I told him myself. You were watching the whole time, weren't you?"
Jin Cheong-ak must have followed from the moment he finished his own task, careful not to alert Bang Woo.
"Since I watched the whole time, I question it. Doesn't that cross your mind, Lady Namgung?"
A false melancholy surfaced on his face as he shook his head.
"Yes. I watched it all. Even the moment our young lady created a tender atmosphere alone with some man. I was so jealous my insides twisted… Ah, damn, my stomach again…."
"What happened at the Murim Alliance?"
"Well, I did click my tongue when I saw them panic over you like newborn kittens and fall for it like fools before leaving their posts… but it was entertaining to watch in its own way…."
"The Murim Alliance."
Jin Cheong-ak snorted, his mood dampening.
"Who knows? I tailed you the entire time. How would I know the details? If what he said is true, there's chaos by now."
He called after Yeo Il as she began walking.
"Heading to the Murim Alliance?"
"Yes."
She had to meet Wolgeom Ilsal.
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