[And finally, as for Namgung Jeokmyeong… despite being the heir, he has the worst reputation. He’s the best-looking and strongest of the three brothers, but people say he’s a complete wastrel, obsessed with women and drink. If he becomes the next patriarch, the clan will surely decline. He has no sense for money and no interest in learning—they say he’s kind of stupid…]
A faint smell of alcohol lingered at the tip of Yeo Il’s nose. It came from Namgung Jeokmyeong, meaning that while there might not be signs of lust, he was definitely committed to drinking.
“Come now, let me see your left arm. We need to clean the wound before the physician arrives.”
When the makeshift bandage was removed, a sharp gash was revealed. Jeokmyeong clicked his tongue and dabbed the area with a wet cloth, a bit too roughly. The second brother pushed him aside with an annoyed frown.
“Brother, that’s not how you clean a wound. Let me do it.”
“Ah. As expected, our second brother is the reliable one. Yes, yes, of course.”
Namgung Chumyeong’s touch was far gentler.
A short silence passed.
“But Soyou,” Jeokmyeong said, “how did you manage to survive and return?”
Yeo Il listened closely, trying to discern the tone. Was he asking how she survived… or why she survived? Without seeing his face, it was hard to tell.
“If all the guards sent to protect you were killed, it couldn’t have been ordinary assassins.”
She answered calmly.
“By chance, a wandering warrior happened to be passing by and saved us.”
“A warrior?”
“Though I cannot see, I could feel the moment he arrived—how the assassins scattered like autumn leaves and fled.”
“You were lucky. Did you ask the hero his name?”
“He said he was just doing what anyone would, then buried the bodies of my maids and guards and vanished without a word.”
“Not an ordinary man, then. You’ve only just returned and already faced such a crisis… Those who died protecting you will be honored with proper rites.”
Yeo Il nodded quietly.
Suddenly, the third brother, Namgung Huimyeong, who had been glaring at her with suspicion, spoke loudly.
“So who was behind the attack? Sending assassins, this is no different from a declaration of war on our clan! We must stamp it out at the root! Do you have any suspicions, brother?”
“Well… as you know, Huimyeong, very few even know of Soyou’s existence. It’s possible someone close to us is behind it.”
“At least her injuries aren’t too serious… Oh, is Physician Jang here? I must go, please take care of Soyou.”
Perhaps thanks to Seol Yeong’s dramatic announcement about the assassination, the physician had arrived quickly. He now sat in front of Yeo Il.
“Yes, don’t worry, young master.”
“Go? Where are you going, brother?”
Huimyeong sounded alarmed, but Jeokmyeong only smiled cheerfully.
“I’ve got a prior engagement. I’ll be back by morning.”
Namgung Chumyeong suddenly stood up, nearly knocking over his chair.
“You’re going to Giyeonru again, aren’t you? You can’t! Today is Soyou’s first day back—”
“Ha! I’m a man, and I keep my promises. Don’t paint me as heartless. I delayed the appointment by a day because I thought Soyou would arrive yesterday. Physician Jang will treat her just fine.”
“This is a matter of assassins, brother! You should be looking into it personally!”
Jeokmyeong looked visibly annoyed. He sighed loudly and patted Chumyeong’s shoulder.
“Chumyeong, what can we figure out right here, right now? Now that Soyou’s back, she’ll be safer. Rushing around for one day won’t bring the assassins back. If you’re so worried, you go chase them. I won’t stop you.”
With that, Namgung Jeokmyeong left the room.
So the rumors were true after all.
But something felt… off.
Namgung Jeokmyeong was acting far too freely for the next clan head. If his disgrace had truly become widespread, wouldn’t the current patriarch have stepped in?
Chumyeong shook his head and slumped back into his chair.
“When will he ever grow up…”“Didn’t I tell you? He’s completely bewitched by that woman, Cho Hong from Giyeonru. He’ll probably give her his liver and kidneys next.”
After a while of gossiping about Giyeonru, Huimyeong left to “rest and cultivate his energy.”
When the physician finished, Chumyeong, now alone with Yeo Il, sighed and gently patted her shoulder.
“Sorry about all this, Soyou. The sun’s setting, rest well for today.”
“Thank you for your concern, Lord Chumyeong.”
As he stood, he turned back to her.
“We’re siblings, you know. You can call me brother.”
“Thank you… But, may I ask… Where is Father?”
Chumyeong paused.
“Let’s talk about that tomorrow. Come now, take my hand—I’ll show you to your room.”
So it really is true… Something has happened to the patriarch.
That would explain why the heir greeted her instead. And why no one was stopping Jeokmyeong’s behavior.
If the patriarch’s absent, then no one’s left to restrain him…
But what exactly had happened to Namgung’s clan patriarch?
