Chapter 38
“…She’s dead?”
Socheng’s face stiffened. The enemy chief continued speaking.
“As you said, at first we thought the courtesan had escaped and were searching the area. But while combing the hills, we discovered a body presumed to be that courtesan.”
“…”
“Based on accounts from the Kiru side and the items found with her, it seems certain that it’s her. However, the body was so badly mutilated…”
The enemy chief trailed off, and Namgungjeong quickly interjected.
“How bad? Are there any sword marks or other evidence on the body?”
“…It was slaughtered to the point where you can’t identify traces. The pieces of the body were scattered around the hills, seemingly left intentionally for wild animals to feed on.”
“And the state of decomposition?”
“Probably been at least a day. According to the Kiru side, the courtesan hadn’t been seen for several days, so they suspect she’s been dead for some time.”
“Then the chances of the Byeokdomun’s involvement are slim. They wouldn’t have had time to act yet…”
“I think the same. So this matter…”
Socheng quietly listened to Namgungjeong and the enemy chief talking. After a deep sigh, he finally spoke.
“…Ah, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?”
“They say the dream-entrancing potion that the second prince administered contained Manghoncho. It’s a small amount, but if taken continuously, it causes one to lose their reason and forget who they are.”
“Manghoncho…”
“That’s why they tried so hard to find that courtesan. She must have been influenced by people with ill intentions. But now that things have reached this point…”
Namgungjeong responded.
“It’s possible the heretical sect is behind this.”
The word “heretical sect” made both Socheng and the enemy chief freeze.
A tense silence filled the study for a while. Lost in thought, Namgungjeong finally spoke slowly.
“Brother, you should make a decision quickly.”
“A decision?”
“Yes. I have a bad feeling. I’ve been tracking the heretical sect for a long time and observing various situations. There’s a common pattern among the clans recently targeted by them.”
“…”
“If anyone threatens to expose them, they immediately slaughter the informants’ corpses—almost as if making an example. It’s unusually bold behavior, even for a sect that used to act covertly.”
“If what you say is true…”
Namgungjeong answered.
“It’s dangerous. They no longer care about means or methods.”
“…”
“You must move your residence as soon as possible.”
Socheng squeezed his eyes shut.
He hadn’t entirely ruled out going to the Namgung family, but he hadn’t expected things to escalate so suddenly. They hadn’t stayed here long, and now they had to move again…
After a brief pause, Socheng opened his eyes and said firmly:
“…Very well. I’ll prepare to leave at once.”
“Brother.”
Namgungjeong’s expression brightened.
“Wise decision. I’ll instruct our family to ensure you are well taken care of during your stay.”
Socheng gave a bitter smile.
“Just treating me as a guest is enough. Will you be accompanying me?”
“That…”
Suddenly, Namgungjeong’s expression darkened.
“I don’t think so. My father has assigned me a task I must complete first.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, brother. I should be escorting you personally, but I’m ashamed. I’ll send a few elite members from our family instead. They are all capable, and will ensure your safe journey.”
“Understood.”
“I will also finish my task as quickly as possible and join you. If not, I’ll wait along your route…”
“Brother.”
Socheng reached out and held Namgungjeong’s hand. With his usual gentle smile, he reassured him.
“Just your concern is enough. Focus on your duties. I will manage mine as well.”
“Brother…”
Namgungjeong nodded after gazing at his sworn elder.
They continued discussing the plans ahead. As night passed and dawn broke, Namgungjeong, with a worried look, said to Socheng:
“…Brother, take care of yourself.”
“You too, brother. We’ll meet next time at that place.”
“At the Namgung estate.”
After the Wangjugun incident was resolved, Namgungjeong soon announced he would be leaving.
I was secretly surprised. I didn’t expect him to stay long here, but I hadn’t imagined him leaving this quickly.
At the front gate of the small estate, Namgungjeong spoke with the master of the estate. Their firm handshake and warm embrace suggested it was hard to part.
After finishing with the master, Namgungjeong turned to me and the young lady.
With a playful smile, he said:
“You caused another scene, didn’t you?”
I tilted my head, then realized “another scene” meant the Wangjugun incident, and smiled.
“Of course, thanks to Dae-hyeop.”
Surprisingly, Namgungjeong wanted to know the details.
Excited to explain my deeds, I gestured wildly as I recounted everything.
“The excited second prince charged at me, and at that moment, Dae-hyeop’s guidance—!”
“Wait.”
Namgungjeong paused, then said seriously:
“Explain that part in detail.”
I was puzzled but ended up describing my actions thoroughly.
He didn’t react much when I mentioned knocking him down behind the knee. But when I said I used a tree as a stepping stone to kick him in the forehead, he burst into laughter.
“Ha! You modified the techniques on your own even in real combat?”
“Hehe.”
“That’s not praise! Do you know how lucky you were? Even a second-rate fighter, or a slightly experienced third-rate one, wouldn’t have been fooled by that trick. You could have been counterattacked. What a gap in skill!”
“Really…?”
“Yes. And do you know how formidable the skills of Wang Dae-hyeop are? If he had been fully trained, you wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“Ugh…”
Seeing me sulk, Namgungjeong chuckled and ruffled my hair roughly.
“Still, well done. Not many could show that kind of ingenuity. Even children from prestigious families panic in real combat.”
I grinned at his praise.
He then looked at the young lady with a gentle expression:
“Ari, are you alright now? The recent incident, is everything fine?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Good. You’ve changed. You used to avoid showing yourself, but now you even see people off. It makes this uncle proud, hmm?”
“…”
“Ahem. But how long are you going to keep wearing that scarf? Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“…”
“…You still speak so little.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not a problem, but…”
Namgungjeong scratched his neck sheepishly, then smiled warmly:
“You look better. Much better than before.”
“…”
“That’s because of finding your companions, right?”
I felt embarrassed, knowing he meant me.
The young lady briefly replied:
“…Yes.”
Namgungjeong clapped his hands cheerfully.
“Good! Now I can leave without worry.”
“It’s a pity. We just met, and now you’re leaving so soon…”
Namgungjeong replied calmly:
“Meeting and parting are natural. Those who leave will return. As long as we live, we’ll meet again.”
“Me… what?”
“We’ll see each other again.”
He smiled faintly.
“Well… maybe sooner than you think.”
I just tilted my head.
After exchanging farewells with a few others, he mounted his horse, reins in hand. Before leaving, he turned and said:
“Cherish your bonds.”
Before I could respond, he rode away.
We watched his figure fade into the distance.
Indeed, he was like the wind.
We returned to our daily life.
I tended to the young lady, who read books or strolled in the garden.
The estate became a bit busier.
For some reason, the master had greatly increased the guards. They said the elite Namgung family warriors sent by Namgungjeong were among them, and often, I saw people dressed in blue around the estate.
‘What’s happening?’
But as a servant, it wasn’t my concern, so I ignored it.
Life continued as usual.
Wake up, go to the main hall, serve the young lady, return at dusk, and care for my mother.
The only difference was—
“Mother, I’m home!”
“Dana, welcome back.”
“…”
I stopped at the door.
My mother, who always greeted me with a warm smile, was gone. She simply lay in bed, asleep as if dead.
I stopped smiling, closed the door, and sat beside her bed, holding her hand:
“I’m home, Mother. Have you been well?”
For some time now, my mother had fallen into a long sleep.
