Chapter 50
“Miss, the response has been amazing. Everyone’s raving about how delicious it is.”
“Is that so? I’m glad they’re enjoying it.”
“Of course—they would. It’s that good.”
Unyeong nodded and turned to ask Hyang-ah a question.
“Hyang-ah, where are the workers staying right now?”
“We cleared out the servants’ quarters in the outer court and let them use that space. The outer court’s servants are currently staying in the inner court.”
“I see. So you didn’t let them into the inner court.”
“Yes. After all, they’re outsiders.”
“Right, I understand.”
No matter how important the construction was, outsiders were not allowed into the inner court. In moments like these, the Seol clan’s insularity was a blessing.
Unyeong quietly called over Sogyo, who had been waiting silently. In a low voice, she said,
“Sogyo. See that person over there?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Unyeong gestured with her eyes directly toward Yeo Haeshin. Catching on, Sogyo scanned the crowd until she located the woman.
“Once the work is done, bring her to Yeonhongwon.”
“Is she dangerous?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t think so…”
The Yeo Haeshin Unyeong remembered had become the head of Hao Sect not through strength, but through intelligence. She had been the one to preserve the sect from being absorbed into Cheongung.
However, as she was currently just a teenager, it was hard to gauge her martial ability. Moreover, the martial arts of Hao Sect were especially adept at hiding one’s true skill level.
“…If she resists, you may use force.”
“Understood, Miss.”
Given what Unyeong knew of Yeo Haeshin’s personality, she was likely to follow without trouble.
“But if possible, bring her quietly and without injury.”
“I’ll see to it.”
The Yeo Haeshin she knew was the type to throw herself at anything that sparked her interest—just like she had once clung to the Sword Demon. If she’d snuck into the Seol estate out of curiosity, she’d likely follow along without fuss.
“Well then. Let’s go meet our martial arts teacher, shall we?”
After watching the workers resume their duties with satisfied expressions, Unyeong left the training ground.
“Should we head to the reception hall?”
“Yes, Miss. He should have already arrived by now.”
Unyeong nodded at Sogyo’s response and picked up her pace. She couldn’t afford to keep Deung Noya waiting.
‘He came even faster than I expected. That man… always in such a rush. Not that I mind.’
The thought of seeing Deung Noya again made Unyeong feel as though she were floating.
The last time he had visited, she hadn’t been able to properly see his face—the room had been dark, and he had worn a mask.
“Miss, you’ve arrived.”
At the reception hall, Chief Steward Wi was already waiting.
“Thank you for your hard work, Chief Steward.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Finding a martial instructor for you is an important duty.”
“I appreciate you taking my request to heart.”
“I’m only doing what is expected of me. Please, go on in.”
“Shall I?”
Unyeong entered the reception hall.
Thump-thump. Her heart began to race.
“Master Mo, it’s Chief Steward Wi. I’ve brought the young lady.”
Wait—Master Mo? Had Deung Noya used an alias?
Just as Unyeong tilted her head in confusion, the door opened.
“The guest has already made himself comfortable. Please, come in.”
Inside the guest room stood an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
Unyeong froze on the spot.
‘This… This can’t be. Why is he here?’
Her hands clenched into fists. Her heart turned cold, and it felt like her blood had run dry.
A man who should never have set foot inside the Seol estate had come as an applicant to be her martial arts instructor.
“Miss, Master Mo is waiting.”
Chief Steward Wi called out to the unmoving Unyeong. She nodded slightly and started to move, but the man spoke first.
“Heh heh. Those raised solely within their clan tend to be shy with strangers.”
“It seems the young lady is a bit nervous.”
“I’m fine, no need to worry. Heh heh.”
The man laughed in an overly friendly way, trying to lighten the mood. Unyeong almost scoffed out loud.
‘What a disgusting man.’
Forcing a calm expression, she bowed and greeted him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Unyeong of the Seol clan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mo Jongbaek. My sect is Taeseonmun, located in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.”
He gave a proper martial greeting with both hands clasped.
“Let’s all sit and talk. Bring the tea.”
“Yes, Chief Steward.”
Sogyo responded and stepped out.
Perceptive as always, she had realized this man was not the teacher Unyeong had been expecting.
Sitting down, Unyeong took a small breath and composed herself.
‘Ha… Meeting two spies in one day. This is almost amusing.’
The man calling himself Mo Jongbaek was undoubtedly a spy. He was none other than Lee Suhak, her former literature teacher.
‘Sure, a former teacher might become a martial instructor… but even the name is different.’
Moreover, the sect he claimed to come from—Taeseonmun in Shanxi—was nearly a month’s ride away on horseback. It was an unverifiable location.
Unyeong clenched her fists beneath the table and asked,
“Taiyuan is quite far. How did you learn we were seeking an instructor here at the Seol estate?”
“Ah, I have ties to the Seolwon Escort Agency. I was passing through Wuhuan when I heard the news.”
Still smiling, he answered smoothly.
‘Seolwon Escort Agency. Seol Jacheong. I’ve been too lax in keeping tabs on my uncle’s household. Of course they wouldn’t give up so easily.’
It had been Seol Jacheong who brought in Lee Suhak as her tutor in the past. Unyeong needed to uncover the link between them.
“I see.”
When Unyeong responded, Chief Steward Wi added,
“Master Mo is the martial brother of Escort Chief Ji Chujeong of Seolwon.”
It seemed the mention of Seolwon had made him uneasy.
“Is that so? Well, I never thought you would recommend someone unreliable, Chief Steward.”
Unyeong smiled warmly and nodded, committing Ji Chujeong’s name to memory.
Whatever Chief Steward Wi believed, Unyeong was certain—this man was a spy. And if not, then he was a traitor.
Just seeing his face brought back memories of the cruel things he used to say.
—“Illness is a sign of a weak mind. Focus. Memorize from here to here.”
—“Acting spoiled is not proper behavior. It’s a sign of a sick mind.”
—“Don’t use your illness as a shield. Being sick isn’t a badge of honor.”
—“If you keep saying you’re sick, people will come to hate you.”
He had repeatedly told her she was mentally ill.
‘I’d completely forgotten about him until now. Ha. Well, it was a long time ago.’
Unlike Seol Yohong or Seol Dopung, who were openly malicious, his words had quietly driven a wedge between Unyeong and her family.
‘So. How should I deal with this man?’
She couldn’t allow a spy to become her teacher. But she couldn’t just let him go either.
For Deung Noya’s sake, the position needed to remain open.
‘I have to expose him properly…’
She needed to find out whether Seol Jacheong had sent him just to harass her—or if he had ties to somewhere even more dangerous.
‘If he’s connected to Cheongung…’
The thought made her heart go ice cold.
“Tea is ready.”
“Thank you.”
Sogyo returned with the tea. Just seeing her face helped Unyeong settle her thoughts.
“Please, have some.”
She took a sip of the tea Sogyo had carefully poured and then began to speak slowly.
“Truthfully… I asked for a teacher because I wanted to hear stories of the outside world.”
“Heh heh. The young lady must be curious about the world.”
“Yes. I’ve rarely been outside the manor due to my health. I’m not even ready to begin training yet.”
“If you’d like, I can teach you the basics…”
Unyeong cut him off, speaking firmly.
“No. What I want are stories—stories of the world. I’d like to meet other instructors too before making a decision.”
“Heh heh. Is that your wish, young lady?”
“Would it be possible for you to stay at the Seol estate for a while as a guest? I hope it won’t be an imposition.”
“Not at all. It would give me a chance to reconnect with my martial brother.”
He readily agreed. Unyeong turned to Chief Steward Wi.
“Chief Steward, please make arrangements for Master Mo to stay as a guest. Perhaps in one of the annexes.”
“As you wish, Miss.”
Chief Steward Wi bowed.
“I’ll take my leave for today. I look forward to seeing you again, Master Mo.”
“Likewise, young lady.”
Unyeong stood.
She had succeeded in keeping the spy contained.
Now, how should she dispose of him in a way that would make the whole world take notice?
