Chapter 15 After the paper door was flung open roughly, a heavy silence settled over the room.
Sensing the other party's persistent stare, Yeo Il's faint smile in the darkness slowly sharpened.
"You've come?"
The other party did not answer.
"There seems to be quite a commotion outside. What happened? This girl was too frightened to sleep."
As befitted the one called Ilgyeok among the Changpae Saryong, the ragged breathing that had briefly scattered soon steadied.
"Was it nothing after all, Lord Jeok-myeong?"
The one who came to confirm the dead target.
The one who had sent assassins after Yeo Il for several days.
Namgung Jeok-myeong.
"You recognize who I am, even though I did not say a single word."
His voice was so cold it could not be compared to the one she had heard at Giyeon Pavilion.
"I never forget someone's breathing once I have heard it. Even if I have no eyes…"
"..."
"I can tell exactly who is doing what."
His breathing remained even, but in the lowered air she sensed his emotions tangled tightly.
The atmosphere was tense enough that anything could have happened—
Until a third voice cut in.
"Brother Jeok-myeong? When did you arrive?"
Namgung Hui-myeong rushed in, sword in hand, and stopped at the doorway.
Namgung Jeok-myeong's tone softened noticeably.
"I came because I was worried about the youngest. Hui-myeong—did you also come because you were worried about Soyo?"
"Well, not worried exactly…"
Namgung Hui-myeong coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem. Didn't you say a martial artist must protect the weak? I only meant to follow those words."
Silence followed again.
What expression was Namgung Jeok-myeong wearing now?
Before the thought lingered, a light voice spoke.
"Well done, Namgung Hui-myeong."
When she subtly opened her eyes, she saw a large hand ruffle the third son's hair.
The brotherhood of the Namgung brothers, famous for its closeness.
It was a scene that showed how that bond must appear to others.
"Soyo."
Yeo Il answered with her eyes closed.
"Yes."
"I heard you were unwell all day, so I was worried. Are you all right now?"
"I am fine, so you need not wor—cough, cough! Cough!"
With the last cough, Yeo Il trembled and collapsed forward onto the table.
"W-what? Are you okay?"
Startled, Namgung Hui-myeong moved as if to approach, then hesitated and turned away.
"Hey! Maid! Bring some coin tea!"
After he left to call Chang-a—
Left alone again, Namgung Jeok-myeong let out a low laugh.
"If you insist so much, I cannot refuse… Fine, Namgung Soyo. I will send you to Hubei Province."
Yeo Il slowly raised her head, covering her mouth.
"You mean it?"
"But."
"..."
"You must promise me one thing."
"A promise…?"
"I will tell you tomorrow. With the clan in uproar, I cannot pretend not to know."
Leaving that for tomorrow, Namgung Jeok-myeong departed.
"A promise."
What scheme is this?
About an hour later, Seol-yeong returned.
"Namgung Chu-myeong took the assassin away. They are forming a formal investigation team. They say it may be connected to those who attacked you, so security around this area will be strengthened."
Yeo Il told him what had happened with Namgung Jeok-myeong.
As Seol-yeong listened, his expression darkened.
"Is it really fine to draw suspicion this openly?"
"The suspicion was drawn long ago. More precisely, from the moment Namgung Jeok-myeong killed the real Namgung Soyo at Cheonju Mountain."
"Well, that too, but… I am worried. This household is such a mess that you cannot predict what will happen next."
Yeo Il only smiled.
It was not wrong.
Namgung Soyo, the illegitimate daughter of the Namgung Clan, would depart for Hubei Province to search for traces of her birth mother.
Upon hearing this, Chang-a bounced from early morning.
"M-my goodness… This is wonderful, Young Lady! Yesterday's hoarse crying was worth it!"
"Lower your voice. Your throat will heal faster if you rest it."
"Ah. Yes!"
Chang-a covered her mouth and grinned.
Yeo Il's body was not like that of ordinary people, so several hours of crying did not affect her. But Chang-a was an ordinary girl; she had to be careful.
"It is good that we can leave this stifling place… but we must strengthen our guard even more. Has Namgung Jeok-myeong stated his promise yet?"
"No. He may tell us just before we leave tomorrow."
"In any case, he is a snake."
Seol-yeong muttered.
For Yeo Il, leaving the clan and moving freely was advantageous in many ways.
Especially because along the route from Anhui Province to Hubei Province lay a hidden method that would allow her to gather the information she sought more quickly.
"Hey, Soyo. I heard you are going to Hubei Province?"
As always, plans never went smoothly.
"Yes, Lord Hui-myeong. You already heard?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? I cannot send a frail thing like you alone, so I decided to go as well. You should be grateful."
Namgung Hui-myeong abruptly declared he would accompany her.
Behind her, Seol-yeong muttered softly, "This is ridiculous."
Namgung Hui-myeong's face looked both imposing and expectant.
Yeo Il lowered her head with a bright expression.
"Thank you, Lord Hui-myeong. Thanks to you, I can travel with peace of mind. How can I repay this kindness?"
"Kindness? Just call me Older Brother. How many times must I say it?"
Behind her, Seol-yeong whispered, "He does not realize how lucky he is you are not calling him brat."
Namgung Hui-myeong stared at her as if wanting to say more, then left.
"Of all things, even the third is coming. This will be twice—no, three times—more troublesome."
Yeo Il did not answer, but she agreed.
On the morning of departure for Hubei Province—
Chang-a was nowhere to be seen until nearly the time to leave.
She ran in holding a small slip of paper.
"Um, Young Lady. Do you know someone named Ak?"
Ak.
It could be a name or a sobriquet.
Yeo Il did not answer. Chang-a took out a small rolled paper tied with rough cord.
"There was a commotion at the clan entrance. An escort guard kept shouting that he had to deliver something to Lady Namgung Soyo. I asked what it was, and he handed me this."
The paper was tied neatly.
When untied, the large character 岳 (Ak) was written on it.
Inside, only one short line appeared.
Cheonju Mountain trip.
"Is it really meant for you?"
"…Yes."
Yeo Il answered calmly.
"It seems my escort has arrived in this area."
"An escort?"
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