Yeo Il said nothing.
Even with her eyes closed, she could feel Namgung Jeokmyeong’s persistent gaze sweeping over her face. He was watching carefully for her reaction.
Briefly, Yeo Il retraced her steps since arriving at the Namgung Clan.
Had she done anything to warrant suspicion about her identity?
Undoubtedly, more than a few things.
“Still, there’s no reason for the name ‘Salmak’ to come up.”
Why had Namgung Jeokmyeong brought up that particular name of all things? Could it be related to the rumored Salmak Kill List said to be kept within the Namgung Clan?
Maintaining her silence, Yeo Il slowly rose to her feet. She walked with composure to the paper sliding door. Just as she stood before it, a shadow fell across it.
There was a presence behind the thin paper, clearly a guard. The atmosphere suggested that opening the door might prompt immediate restraint.
“Are you afraid?”
His voice carried a faint smile.
“Or are you simply shy? Haha. What is there to hesitate about before your own brother? But, Soyou, even if you leave this room now, I won’t stop you. If I’ve embarrassed you, I apolo—”
Yeo Il removed her clothing.
Swish—
Her light undershirt slipped to the floor, revealing her form. Without hesitation, her fingers untied the ribbon at her skirt to lower her jacket.
In the breathless silence that followed, Yeo Il finally exposed her bare shoulders and back to Namgung Jeokmyeong and spoke.
“If you still harbor doubt, feel free to come closer and see for yourself.”
Moments later, she heard a chair sliding, his presence drew nearer.
“If even at this distance you remain uncertain, then you may touch.”
No breath, no reply.
Namgung Jeokmyeong’s gaze settled on her shoulder and back. Yeo Il couldn’t see, so she couldn’t read his expression or thoughts.
“…No. Never mind. I haven’t fallen so far as to lay hands on my own sister.”
After a moment of silence, he muttered to himself, “There’s nothing.”
His footsteps moved away again.
“Cho Hong, assist Soyou.”
The door slid open gently, and a breeze of night air brushed into the room.
“Excuse me, young lady.”
With a soft and respectful voice, Cho Hong bowed and approached to help adjust Yeo Il’s skirt.
Though rumors said Namgung Jeokmyeong treated Cho Hong like a favored concubine, Cho Hong’s demeanor and posture were humble and courteous.
Her hands were fragrant and graceful.
“I’ve lived as a blind woman for over ten years. I can dress myself.”
Before Cho Hong’s hand could touch her shoulder, Yeo Il smoothly adjusted her clothes on her own.
After a short silence, Namgung Jeokmyeong spoke again in an indifferent tone.
“Receiving assistance isn’t such a hardship.”
“Were it not for a passing stranger’s intervention, this body would’ve arrived as a cold corpse.”
Dressed neatly again, Yeo Il gave him a calm bow.
“I simply fear the touch of unfamiliar hands. I hope you’ll understand, Lord Namgung Jeokmyeong.”
“That was my own lack of consideration. I’ll be more mindful.”
“Please don’t forget your promise to me.”
“Of course, of course. No need to remind me. I’ll be sure to tell Father of your request.”
With a carefree laugh, Namgung Jeokmyeong called to her again.
“Come now, come sit, Soyou. Did you eat dinner? Is the food to your liking? The dishes here are quite good. Why not stay and eat with your older brother before heading back?”
Yeo Il offered a gentle smile but quietly shook her head.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not feeling well. If you would permit, Lord Namgung Jeokmyeong, I’d like to return.”
“Haha! No need for permission in such things. If you wish to go home, you may. Pity, but it can’t be helped if you’re unwell.”
The soft sound of wine pouring filled the air.
“There are people waiting for you down below. Go before it gets too late.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes… Don’t worry about a thing. Your older brother is watching over you from here.”
As she exited Giyeonru with the guard’s help, it had begun to rain softly outside.
Yeo Il lifted her head toward the shade that hovered over her.
“Seol Yeong?”
“Yes, it’s me. How could I possibly trust those shameless men? I came with Chang-a, so please don’t scold us.”
“I’m here too, Miss Soyou! I’ll make sure you get home safely!”
Holding Yeo Il’s hand tightly, Chang-ah boldly led her down the rainy path. The umbrella must’ve been large, her sleeves didn’t even get wet.
Over the soft roar of the rain, Yeo Il asked, “Is Namgung Jeokmyeong still watching me?”
Glancing back at Giyeonru, Seol Yeong answered softly, “Yes.”
“Do you see a woman beside him?”
“I do. A rare beauty. Is that the famed Cho Hong of Giyeonru?”
Yeo Il let out a faint smile and replied as she walked slowly.
“Yes. She’s no ordinary woman, so be cautious if you ever encounter her.”
“Not ordinary? What, you think she’s an assassin?”
“Something like that.”
“Huh? You’re serious?”
Yeo Il recalled the fleeting touch of Cho Hong’s fingertips earlier.
Her movements were elegant like flowing water but her touch wasn’t. Especially when she tried to brush Yeo Il’s back.
“She checked with the back of her hand, not her fingers.”
It was something trained female assassins who practiced bedchamber seduction arts often did, to hide the roughness of a martial artist’s hands.
“They say he’s a libertine drunk on wine and women. Doesn’t seem to be the whole truth. Who is Namgung Jeokmyeong, really?”
“Not sure. But he suspects my identity.”
That shocked not Seol Yeong, but Chang-a the most.
“Wh-what? Already? Is that… dangerous?”
“No need to worry yet, Chang-a. He has no evidence. He can’t expel me based on suspicion alone.”
“Hearing that does ease my mind a little…”
Despite her reassurances, Yeo Il had significantly revised her estimation of Namgung Jeokmyeong.
He’d claimed the Namgung clan patriarch once suffered a grievous wound from a Salmak assassin, one that still afflicted him to this day.
Although Yeo Il was formerly of Salmak, she had no way of verifying that story. She certainly didn’t know every name on the kill list.
“If that’s true… the person most likely behind Namgung Soyou’s assassination must be the eldest son.”
Otherwise, how could he be so bold as to suspect Namgung Soyou’s identity?
A clan lord wounded by Salmak assassins.
And Namgung Jeokmyeong, who subtly suspects Yeo Il is one of them.
Perhaps… the rumor of the Salmak Kill List being in the Namgung clan wasn’t just hearsay.
