Chapter 73
“Xiao Jiao.”
After Seol Yo-hong left, Woon-young, who had been sitting frozen in her chair for a long time, quietly called out to Xiao Jiao.
“Yes, Miss.”
“I… tell me. Do you think I was too harsh on Yo-hong?”
Woon-young had scolded Seol Yo-hong and coldly brushed off his pleading for forgiveness.
But Woon-young needed clarity. She needed to separate the past wrongs that only she remembered from the wrongs Seol Ja-cheong’s family had committed up to now.
She was asking whether it was justifiable for ten-year-old Woon-young to be angry at what they had done to her.
“No, Miss. You did well.”
Xiao Jiao said calmly, taking Woon-young’s hand.
“He doesn’t even know.”
“Yes…”
“He doesn’t even really know what he did wrong.”
There was a trace of sorrow in Woon-young’s voice.
Seol Yo-hong had never properly confessed what sins he and his family had committed.
“They insulted Madam and treated you with contempt. They tormented a frail young lady with vile words and urged you to distance yourself from the steward, the master, and the young master.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what they did.”
Woon-young nodded at Xiao Jiao’s calm words. Even Xiao Jiao, who had only observed, knew things Seol Yo-hong did not.
They had simply committed crimes.
And they had brought Seol Won-pyeong to death, sold off the Seol family estate, and ultimately dragged everyone toward death.
Woon-young had vowed never to let it happen again, yet she felt her resolve waver.
If she were a sword ghost, she would never have hesitated. But Seol Woon-young, the precious daughter of the Seol family, hesitated.
Was the sin they had committed truly unforgivable?
—Ah, Father… it was Father who sent him.
Seol Yo-hong eventually confessed that it was Seol Ja-cheong who had sent him to Yeon-hongwon.
“Live as if you are dead. Tch.”
The sword ghost Seol Woon-young murmured bleakly.
“Xiao Jiao. Call the youngest cook from the kitchen.”
“You mean the one named Jang Jae-hyeong?”
“Yes. That one.”
“Understood, Miss.”
Xiao Jiao did not ask further, bowed, and left.
Jang Jae-hyeong was an envoy sent by Yeohye-shin. He was dispatched to handle delayed matters and came highly recommended as an excellent spy.
As Woon-young’s health improved, the nanny, focusing more on managing Yeon-hongwon’s household, welcomed Jang Jae-hyeong.
—The household has grown so large, I was worried, but a good person has come.
—His hands are so skillful; Master Wang praises him a lot.
—My goodness, Miss, please try this. It’s a snack made by Master Jang and it’s delicious.
Indeed, Yeohye-shin could be trusted. The skill of the person she sent won over the nanny’s heart immediately.
Only Woon-young and Xiao Jiao knew he was a spy from Hao-mun.
“Miss.”
“Come in.”
Jang Jae-hyeong entered along with Xiao Jiao.
“I am Jang Jae-hyeong from Hao-mun, here to see you, Miss.”
He greeted politely. Introducing himself as a Hao-mun envoy implied he knew the reason he had been called.
“Yes. You know why I called you, right?”
“Yes, please proceed.”
“Seol Ja-cheong and Mo Jong-baek, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Woon-young tightly closed her eyes. Whatever was going to happen, would happen.
“Explain in detail.”
“Recently, Seol Ja-cheong has been frequently drunk and causing trouble. Mostly at Seolwon Guesthouse, where he encountered Mo Jong-baek.”
“Did Mo Jong-baek approach him?”
“Yes. Mo Jong-baek had been keeping a low profile for a while. As a guest, he must have realized he was not welcomed.”
“I see… I should have paid more attention.”
“No, Miss. He is a spy. Whether you paid attention or not, his actions would have been the same.”
“You mean even you would have acted the same way?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Alright, continue.”
“It seems he found an informant inside the Seol family, but the retainers of the Seol household are very tight-lipped.”
“You felt the same?”
“…Yes, I did.”
“Good. And?”
“Recently, his range of activity has expanded to the nearby village. Seolwon Guesthouse doesn’t see many visitors.”
“True. There’s no better place to gather information.”
Woon-young nodded. She had once picked up many things while moving through guesthouses herself. Some were accurate, some mere rumors, but words exchanged were always real.
“He observed Seol Ja-cheong causing trouble there. For a few days, he just watched, then led the drunken Seol Ja-cheong upstairs to a room.”
“Really? What happened then?”
“Mo Jong-baek approached the drunk Seol Ja-cheong. Seol Ja-cheong appeared not to know him. It could be fabricated, but he was heavily intoxicated beyond his usual limit and seemed to be meeting him for the first time.”
“I see… that’s reassuring.”
If they were truly strangers, one suspicion could be cleared: that Mo Jong-baek might be a spy for Seol Ja-cheong. Now it was almost certain he was a spy for Cheongung.
“Since then, he has been coming and going to Seol Ja-cheong’s quarters.”
“Noticeably?”
“On the contrary, it appears more natural that way.”
Jang Jae-hyeong continued calmly. Though only a few words were exchanged, Woon-young could tell he was an experienced spy.
Of course, a person sent by Yeohye-shin would not be ordinary.
“Indeed. It would be easy to disguise a clueless guest meeting the head of the family’s nephew.”
“Yes. And recently, Seol Ja-cheong, Ji Chu-jeong of Seolwon Bureau, and the three of them went on a short trip together.”
“Exactly the right combination for planning something. Do we know what they planned?”
“No, not yet. But we assume Seol Yo-hong visited you today to gauge the situation.”
“Gauge?”
Jang Jae-hyeong spoke assuming he was in the same position. Woon-young could only nod in response.
“Yes. Mo Jong-baek is a spy. Spies always look for openings and seemed to be testing how much you would permit.”
“I see… that’s what it means?”
“Highly likely.”
“Then, what do you think is the right approach?”
An ordinary spy wouldn’t ask such a question, but Woon-young wanted to test Jang Jae-hyeong. Would he give a proper answer?
“Set a trap.”
“A trap?”
“Yes. Call Seol Yo-hong and tell him you want to forgive him.”
“…And then?”
“Observe their reaction. If they sense your heart has softened, Mo Jong-baek will approach again.”
“Why?”
“Spies must never leave the infiltration area. Your martial arts instructor isn’t set yet, so he’ll think there’s a chance.”
“I see….”
“He might stay using Seol Do-pung or Seol Yo-hong as an excuse, but it would still be external. His real goal is to enter the inner court.”
“Sigh…”
Woon-young exhaled deeply. It was not her preferred method, but it was the best option at the moment.
“I apologize.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. How much can Hao-mun handle?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I wanted to eliminate Mo Jong-baek…”
Suddenly, Woon-young radiated a killing intent. Jang Jae-hyeong flinched but didn’t back down, enduring her aura.
“You want… to do that? If you wish, I can handle it cleanly.”
“No, not that. I won’t do that. He must stay by my side… by my side, I mean.”
Woon-young muttered and gathered her energy. Jang Jae-hyeong exhaled, straightened his face, and spoke.
“Then…”
“Then?”
“Coax him.”
“What?”
Woon-young jumped to her feet and shouted, unable to understand.
“Say it again.”
“I’m sorry, but we haven’t determined exactly where Mo Jong-baek’s spy was sent from. That is currently being investigated by the family.”
But Woon-young was certain he was a spy for Cheongung. She frowned.
“A spy knows that the moment their identity is exposed, they will die. And Mo Jong-baek already knows he is a spy.”
He may not know that, Jang Jae-hyeong added, continuing without showing any emotion.
“Those who sent him will take his death for granted. Even if he dies, they won’t care much. That’s the way spies operate.”
“The way… of spies.”
Would Cheongung be the same?
Woon-young had kept Mo Jong-baek alive to see how he was connected.
Now that it was confirmed he wasn’t Seol Ja-cheong’s spy, killing him would be fine.
If Cheongung learned that a spy was gone… what would happen?
Move immediately? No, that’s impossible. Cheongung was likely moving very quietly right now. Maybe later, but not now.
Killing him would be acceptable.
The Seol family had already drawn Cheongung’s attention, regardless of Mo Jong-baek.
Woon-young’s hands trembled.
“If he is absolutely necessary, coax him at the risk of death. That is how a spy survives. It may be the only chance to catch him.”
“The only chance….”
Woon-young stared into Jang Jae-hyeong’s eyes and muttered, her gaze sinking low.
“You too… are like that?”
The meaning of her question was unclear, but Jang Jae-hyeong’s answer was quick.
“No. I will die.”
