"The Leader of the The Hidden Blades was taken away? What do you mean by that?"
Mo Yong Yu-woon slammed the table. His reaction made the First Disciple's subordinate shrink back.
"This morning, the inspection team stormed in at dawn and took the Head away. We suspect an intense investigation is underway."
The sudden news that Yeo Bul-hoe had been taken away turned Mo Yong Yu-woon's insides upside down. He knew they were testing the waters with him, but Yeo Bul-hoe was one of his most influential supporters. For someone like that to be suddenly arrested... it was impossible for Yu-woon to remain calm.
"The inspection team? There's no way Master would've deployed the inspection team."
The Black Sky Clan's inspection team was shrouded in rumor, with its very existence uncertain. That was because Ye Jin-rang had never once made use of it. It was more like a scary story a bogeyman used to scare misbehaving children, where the inspection team supposedly showed up whenever something shady happened in Black Sky Clan.
Because of that, Mo Yong Yu-woon had no idea where Yeo Bul-hoe had been taken, what the charges were, or how to even rescue him. If he could use this opportunity to make Yeo Bul-hoe owe him a favor, it could become useful later… but once again, Mo Yong Yu-woon was held back by his weak foundation.
He simply didn't have enough people or resources to mobilize when it mattered.
It was nearly impossible to establish an independent force within the Black Sky Clan while the Grandmaster was still alive. Moreover, Yu-woon had no parents to support him.
"After being dragged away so publicly and noisily, the chances of him returning unscathed are slim."
Yu-woon rose from his seat. He didn't have the time to sit around. Before it got any later, he had to either bring Yeo Bul-hoe out or at least figure out what situation he was in. So he needed to act immediately.
But Mo Yong Yu-woon's steps, as he left his quarters, came to a halt not long after. It was because of a man sitting in the rear garden. Uncharacteristically, he seemed to be enjoying tea, with a full tea set arranged.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Thinking this wasn't something he should ignore, Yu-woon strode over and asked. Kang-oh, who had been sipping tea, finally opened his mouth.
"Sit."
Yu-woon sat down, thinking it was strange that Kang-oh was drinking tea, not alcohol. But if he had come all the way here and waited for him, he could roughly guess the reason he had shown up.
Kang-oh tilted the teapot. As if he had known exactly when Yu-woon would arrive, hot steam rose from the water he poured.
"Was it you who reported the Leader of The Hidden Blades to the inspection team?"
At the blunt question, Kang-oh, who was pouring tea into Yu-woon's cup, opened his mouth.
"Yes. I was the one who did it."
"That's unexpected. Have you finally decided to keep your Senior Disciple company?"
"Keep you company?"
Kang-oh slid the teacup toward Yu-woon and replied with a cold smile.
"I came here to threaten you."
"Threaten me?"
A scoffing laugh escaped from the First Disciple's lips. Narrowing his eyes as if amused, he asked,
"Let's hear it, then. I'm curious. How could you hand over the Leader of The Hidden Blades to the inspection team?"
"You must've heard about the bribery ledger of the Third Internal Officer. The First Internal Officer reported his corruption, but surely even you know that I was the one who first handed over the evidence."
"…"
Yu-woon neither denied nor affirmed it, but his silence was answer enough.
"The name of Yeo Bul-hoe was on that ledger."
"Just for that, they arrested the Head of the The Hidden Blades?"
"Because he was the one who gave the bribe, not the one who received it. That alone was reason enough for an investigation."
Il-woon clung to the matter with surprising tenacity. Especially after the murder at Honamgak, he became even more desperate. Naturally, Kang-oh joined him, and the two poured their efforts into the investigation.
"This is just the beginning."
"The beginning, huh…"
Yu-woon muttered, as if rolling the word around in his mouth, as though it might carry some hidden meaning.
"Seop Gil-ji, Ya Rak-hoon, Im Gong-jin…"
Kang-oh's lips moved softly.
He had remained calm when Yeo Bul-hoe's name was mentioned, but as soon as Seop Gil-ji, Ya Rak-hoon, and then Im Gong-jin were listed one after another, Yu-woon's gaze sharpened.
"We found their names in the Third Internal Officer's ledger. Their four names were grouped together, like beans in a single pod. It was easy to recognize. The Third Internal Officer must've had a reason for organizing it that way."
"…"
"I know you've been involved in smuggling with the Western Regions. Since Ya Rak-hoon is connected to the bandits, he must've crossed the desert. Seop Gil-ji and Yeo Bulhoe probably provided financial support, and Im Gong-jin… is he your contact?"
"You've seen through it well."
"You must've used the name of the Third Internal Officer to sell goods smuggled from the Western Regions. You must have bribed him as well."
"I didn't know the Southern Lake Group was this capable. Everyone probably thought you were just taking in mangy mutts, bathing them, brushing their fur, and feeding them expensive meat…Looks like you got a good deal for a cheap price."
"What a shame. If I had known earlier, I would've taken them in myself. If you're willing to hand them over to me, I'll pay a high price."
Yu-woon made the offer even though he knew Kang-oh wouldn't accept.
It was solely to provoke him. But Kang-oh remained expressionless at Yu-woon's tone, which treated the Southern Lake Group members like objects.
Because he knew that rather than shielding the Southern Lake Group, this was a more direct way to strike at his senior.
"Why not offer The Hidden Blades' Leader as a sacrifice to the inspection team's blade?"
At Kang-oh's suggestion, which completely ignored Yu-woon's words, the expression vanished from the First Disciple's face.
"Since another person's name hasn't been brought up yet, we might be able to end it with just this one."
He directly struck at the pride.
"…Ha."
Mo Yong Yu-woon, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly burst into laughter. His teeth looked unusually sharp.
Soon after, Yu-woon's expression turned serious as he clicked his tongue.
"You're vicious. Truly vicious. To think you've been hiding such a sharp dagger. How shocking. It almost makes the back of my head tingle. For the youngest disciple, who was always so obedient, to harbor this much resentment… It must be because of my lack of virtue."
Words like "obedient" and "lack of virtue" in the First Disciple's speech were thick with sarcasm. His gaze was locked onto the teacup Kang-oh had poured.
The fact that Kang-oh had bothered to pour tea was laughable. They weren't close enough to enjoy tea together. Let alone Yu-woon drinking it without even knowing what was inside?
"Please don't speak as though you ever had goodwill towards me."
His tone was cold, as if cutting with a blade. Even Kang-oh's eyes, which had maintained a minimum of politeness despite being indifferent, now turned sharp.
"Is that so? Then do you know why I've never liked you?"
"Isn't it because Master favors me?"
Kang-oh replied. Yu-woon shook his head, his face subtly contorted.
"No. What I hate is that attitude of yours."
"…"
He was used to being rejected by the First Disciple. But this was the first time the person who always pushed Kang-oh away vaguely and subtly had so openly laid bare his true feelings.
"I covet the seat Master sits in so much it's unbearable, yet to you, it's as meaningless as a pebble on the street. That's what's horrible. I have to cling desperately just to have a chance at reaching it. But you...you could obtain it whenever you wanted. And because you're not interested in it, that attitude of giving in as if doing a good deed, that's what's disgusting."
Mo Yong Yu-woon spoke as if chewing and spitting the words out.
"I hate how you act like leaving the Black Sky Clan and wandering the martial world was some great unavoidable sacrifice. If you really meant to live quietly, you should've just buried yourself in the countryside and read books. Why did you even pick up a sword? Why did you become Master's disciple in the first place?"
His shoulders were trembling. Perhaps because, with that towering pride, admitting the anger and jealousy he felt wasn't easy.
"I am not someone you follow just because I'm the First Disciple. It's not because you don't know how to fight that you step back nor did you leave often because you had no ambition. Didn't you always find everyone but Master laughable? You may not have looked down on me openly, but I'm sure my rejection, my resentment, meant nothing to you."
Kang-oh was inwardly surprised. The First Disciple had a relatively good understanding of him. Perhaps it was because he had been observing him not as a fellow disciple, but as an enemy.
"And now, you're going against me over a mere servant. How ironic this is…"
The corners of the First Disciple's finely shaped lips curled into a sneer.
"You're neither the virtuous scholar people say you are, nor a Taoist free from desire. You're just a beast wearing human skin."
Kang-oh brought the teacup to his lips and took another sip before opening his mouth.
"Having no memory, no father and mother, if I were born with a beast's blood, it wouldn't be all that strange."
Despite being subjected to such a truly depraved insult, the youngest disciple merely shrugged as if it didn't affect him at all, causing Yu-woon's brow to twitch.
"But whether I'm human or something else entirely… the Leader of the The Hidden Blades will never see the sky again. Alive."
His tone was indifferent, as if insulting him couldn't change anything.
"Since you've given me useful information, I'll say a word in return."
Yu-woon spoke, his face twisted with rage.
"What you treasure and pamper in the House of Joy, one day you will lose it."
Because I'll make it mine.
"..."
His words were close to a curse. Kang-oh slightly furrowed his brows, because he could feel the layers of resentment embedded in those words.
However, it was somewhat strange that he referred to Woo as a "precious object." It was not the kind of word choice expected from the First Disciple, who believed all servants were beneath him. In the end, it was undoubtedly a remark meant to provoke him, just like the baseless rumors spread about Woo.
So Kang-oh responded calmly.
"Well now. A First Disciple who won't even dare to drink a cup of tea I serve doesn't seem all that frightening to me."
Yu-woon's gaze naturally shifted to the teacup in front of him. The pale green tea, now slightly cooled, remained untouched.
That...! The First Disciple, about to retort, bit his lip. Any excuse he would come up with would just sound ridiculous. Because in truth, he would never put anything Kang-oh offered into his mouth.
It was an instinctive reaction.
"Just as I've never refused the First Disciple's invitations until now, I don't intend to start doing so in the future. I'll visit the Mansion of Unity to see the flowers, and I'll certainly show up at the gatherings where we share drinks as fellow disciples. If you pour me a drink, I'll drink it. And if you suggest a spar, I won't back down."
With each and every word that followed, with each phrase, Yu-woon's face twisted wretchedly.
He was pointing out the inevitable difference in their magnanimity. Even without bluntly saying he was petty, even without indirectly mocking him, just that calm narration alone made Yu-woon feel endlessly insignificant.
All because he hadn't emptied a single cup of tea.
"I look forward to working with you in the future."
Kang-oh neatly cupped his fist in a respectful gesture and stood up. Yu-woon, without even saying a word to dismiss him, glared at the teacup with terrifying eyes.
***
The downfall of Yeo Bul-hoe had become a widely discussed topic throughout the Black Sky Clan. It was only natural that it reached Woo's ears.
Woo, who had been independently investigating the name Kang-oh had recited to him, couldn't rid himself of the thought that this was the result of Kang-oh's intervention. He had only meant to look into it quietly, but somehow, it had ended up provoking Kang-oh instead.
'What a mess.'
Just as he was about to rise from his seat, he pressed his temple as a surge of headache struck him. His health hadn't been great lately. Not only was the headache increasing, it seemed even this body, barely kept alive by Ye Jin-rang's desperate efforts, was nearing its limit.
In a situation where he now had tasks to do, these symptoms were unwelcome. Since he was used to enduring pain anyway, Woo suppressed it. Maybe it was just accumulated fatigue, or maybe it was the growing number of things he had to worry about. His body, no longer responsive to its master's will as it once had been, was becoming more of a burden with each passing day.
His mouth felt dry and rough, and he had just pushed aside his morning meal. Because of his condition, Woo couldn't even care about the visitors who had come because of him.
He was just in the middle of organizing the rumors about Yeo Bul-hoe's downfall that he'd gathered from Yeon-jin.
Click. The door slid open. Standing there was Kang-oh, his expression complicated.
"M-My Lord?"
When Woo raised his head and asked in a dazed voice, Kang-oh, who had been about to say something, startled and called out to him with a startled expression.
"Woo!"
Kang-oh, who rushed towards Woo in one stride, without hesitation, brought his sleeve to Woo's face. Woo lowered his gaze at the pressure he felt in his nose. He saw a red stain spreading on Kang-oh's sleeve.
It was a nosebleed.
"Ah."
Woo murmured, thinking, 'No wonder I felt dizzy.' Kang-oh's mood turned cold in response to that indifferent reaction, and Woo could feel it on his skin.
"I'm…fine."
Woo murmured, to which Kang-oh replied,
"Just don't say anything."
Kang-oh already knew that Woo didn't take care of himself anyway. Woo never bothered to look after his own health. He just went along with whatever care others gave him.
"I heard you skipped breakfast, so I came to check. If I hadn't checked, I wouldn't have even known your condition."
Kang-oh clicked his tongue. And sure enough, despite applying adequate pressure, the nosebleed showed no sign of stopping. Supporting Woo and helping him sit, Kang-oh asked,
"Just what did you do to get a nosebleed? Did you take the medicine I had the physician prepare for you on time?"
Woo hesitated for a moment before nodding. He had indeed taken the bitter medicine that Yeon-jin had prepared for him after meals, without leaving any behind.
"But then, why is your condition like this?"
The problem was that Woo had Solitary Poison in his body.
Already frail compared to the average person, and a poisonous creature parasitizing his body, it was inevitable that he would become more and more feeble by the day.
He couldn't possibly reveal this to Kang-oh. So there was only one thing Woo could say.
"I-I've always been like this. I tire easily… and when I get exhausted, I-I often get nosebleeds. I'll stop the bleeding myself, so p-please, My Lord…"
He had said that to push Kang-oh away, but the hand gripping him only tightened further.
"It finally stopped."
Kang-oh only let go of Woo after the blood had completely stopped.
By then, his sleeve was already stained with blood. The fabric looked delicate at a glance, and Woo thought the bloodstains wouldn't be easy to remove.
To Woo, that stain reminded him of himself. A stain that ruins a fine garment made of expensive fabric, making it unwearable again.
"Oh, I'm sorry for ruining your clothes."
Woo opened his mouth slightly.
At those words, Kang-oh belatedly looked down at his sleeve. It was the robe that his master had once gifted him.
The fabric was soft and tough, so he often wore it. But now, it was stained.
But to his surprise, he didn't mind at all.
"Clothes are consumables. But people aren't. Instead of worrying about fabric that can just be washed, take care about your health."
Kang-oh waved his hand as if it was nothing, but seeing the dark expression on Woo's face, he added,
"I'll send someone to the Medical Hall to get a prescription. Make sure to take all of your medicine. Try not to skip meals either…"
Kang-oh trailed off, his voice laced with concern. Woo wanted to say that he was sorry for making him worry, but it was as if something was stuck in his throat. He couldn't utter a single one.
He simply lowered his head and remained silent.
Meanwhile, Kang-oh looked down at the quiet Woo, trying to settle his own complicated feelings.
A lot had happened over the past few days. First was taking care of Yeo Bul-hoe. Second was using that to threaten the First Disciple.
Kang-oh knew very well that what he had done was reckless.
Like the midsummer sun eventually sets, so too will Jin-rang one day face the sunset. When that happens, the next Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan will be Mo Yong Yu-woon.
If they clash this openly, when the First Disciple's era arrives, Kang-oh's position will become unstable. This is because the attitude toward a rival you're in open conflict with inevitably differs from when you at least pretended to be on good terms as fellow disciples. If Yu-woon and Kang-oh had continued to act like fellow disciples, it would have been difficult for Yu-woon to openly reject him. But now that they're showing open hostility, things are different.
This gives Mo Yong Yu-woon a justification in the distant future.
Even so, Kang-oh pulled Yeo Bul-hoe down from his seat, brewed a pot of tea, and waited for the First Disciple.
No one knows how many thoughts raced through his mind in that brief moment.
It was as if the carefully built tower of over ten years was collapsing. If he were to leave behind the life where he acted out the harmony his master had wished for, even if it was fake, and lived as the gruff but unambitious youngest disciple, then from now on, Kang-oh had no choice but to fight head-on against Mo Yong Yu-woon to protect what was his.
Choosing with his own hands the confrontation he had long tried to avoid, Kang-oh didn't feel particularly dismal or distressed.
Watching the First Disciple's face twist, he felt slightly relieved. This was what his long-suppressed true nature had wanted to do all along.
Kang-oh wasn't lying flat on the ground because he liked being trampled on, nor did he circle around to avoid the fight out of fear. Though he didn't choose it, he tried to maintain the resulting relationship. Still, even Kang-oh couldn't help but feel displeased that his efforts were treated like a petty concession.
That day, Kang-oh's face was stiff as he stood up, leaving the First Disciple behind.
"What you treasure and pamper in the House of Joy, one day you will lose it."
Mo Yong Yu-woon's words, cursing him to lose something he'd never even had, still echoed in his ears. If the First Disciple were to find out that, despite Kang-oh turning away so proudly, he hadn't even gained a sliver of the heart of the one he so dearly placed in the House of Joy, he would mock him mercilessly.
"Im Gong-jin has officially left the Black Sky Clan as of today."
Kang-oh opened his mouth, trying to hide the emotions weighing him down. Woo's eyes widened slightly at those words.
"As you advised, I assigned eyes and ears to watch him. If anything happens, I'll know about it. If you want, I'll tell you what I find out."
"Th-that's too much..."
Woo shook his head at Kang-oh's offer to reveal everything about Im Gong-jin, as if he had seen through the emotions he had worked so hard to hide.
"You've always seen things I couldn't. It's probably the same this time too. You're helping me out. You used to stomp your feet like you didn't want to owe anyone anything, so isn't this the perfect chance to make up for all the food, clothes, and lodging you've had until now?"
Kang-oh's suggestion, tossed out with a slightly light tone, shut his mouth.
There seemed to be a bit of resentment in it, but more than that, it was a gesture meant to put Woo at ease.
"Th-thank you…"
"And now, only Seop Gil-ji and Ya Rak-hoon remain in the Black Sky Clan."
"I-I've heard that the Leader of the Hidden Blades has fallen from power."
"Yeo Bul-hoe was caught smuggling with the Western Region. It's a serious matter that could make even the government start poking into the Black Sky Clan's affairs, so he'll never see the sun again while alive."
In other words, he's already been dealt with.
Seol Seop-woon, the current emperor of the Seol Empire and the maternal uncle of Dan Woo-Hyo in private, had prohibited trade with the Western Region. Only official trades was allowed, and luxury goods from the Western Region were sold at high prices. That's why smuggling became rampant.
If Yeo Bul-hoe had been caught smuggling and tracked by the Emperor's intelligence agency, the Eastern Bureau, then he would've been dragged into things all the way to the Black Sky Clan, and would've suffered in many ways.
It was thanks to some clever maneuvering that the Leader of The Hidden Blades had been able to secretly bring in luxury goods from the Western Regions. Through Ya Rak-hoon's connections, he had used bandits and staged it as if a regular merchant caravan had been robbed. Using the wealth obtained this way, he bought expensive goods like spices and fabrics from the Western Regions.
These goods, brought in by Yeo Bul-hoe, were one of the ways to reduce the financial burden on Mo Yong Yu-woon, whose foundation was still weak. The luxury goods from the Western Regions that weren't sold through the Third Internal Officer were often used as bribes. Handled this way, influence could be secured without any trace of money being exchanged, making it difficult even for the Eastern Bureau to track.
"That's…right."
Woo muttered.
Smuggling… He hadn't even considered that they might be trading with the Western Regions. Since Gansu and Xinjiang weren't under the influence of the White Virtue Clan, Woo was fairly ignorant of what went on in those regions.
Then… was Yeo Bul-hoe, Seop Gil-ji, Ya Rak-hoon, and Im Gong-jin all working together for money? Was Yeo Bul-hoe cozying up to the future power-holder by offering part of his wealth to Mo Yong Yu-woon?
"It's fine to dig deeper into this matter. But take care of yourself while you're at it."
Kang-oh said, turning around as if to leave.
Woo asked him,
"Ah, you were the one who reported the Leader of The Hidden Blades smuggling… weren't you, My Lord?"
"…Who knows."
"I already have a rough guess."
Kang-oh, who had turned back, cast a sidelong glance at Woo. His face was filled with concern. Just as he had worried over the pale-faced Woo, Woo too must have been concerned about Kang-oh, who had stabbed the First Disciple in the back.
"Even if it wasn't me, it must've been some resentful guy who hates the one hiding behind the Black Sky Clan's name and feasting off it. So don't make that face."
Woo raised his hand to cover his mouth. It looked like a reflexive action to hide his expression.
"I've already seen everything. What are you trying to hide?"
Kang-oh gave a faint smile and added,
"…"
"Sometimes, I get this strange feeling… that just as I watch your back, you're watching mine too…"
For Woo, it was a remark that made him flinch in surprise. Kang-oh, as if he had noticed what Woo was thinking, spoke in a reassuring tone.
"It's probably just my imagination, though."
As if he was hoping Woo would deny it, Kang-oh's gaze quietly swept over him. But Woo's lips, now tightly shut as if sealed with wax, gave no words of denial.
However, it wasn't an affirmation either.
Kang-oh took comfort in that fact as he stepped out of Woo's residence.
There wasn't much time. He had to send a message to the Medical Pavilion and order them to prepare Woo's meal in time for when the medicine was ready.
Even while calling an attendant and giving various orders, Kang-oh still did not recall anything about his sleeve. Just like that, the garment stained with Woo's blood was completely pushed aside and forgotten.
***
"Didn't I say you'd get caught?"
Yeon-jin smiled as she stepped inside, carrying food in her hands. At first, Woo tensed, thinking a line of troublemakers might follow behind her, but he was slightly surprised to see she was alone. On the tray she held were a clear broth, meatballs made from kneaded meat, and blanched mung bean sprouts and bok choy simmered in soy sauce. That was all. Since the soup alone might be bland, it looked like she had also included some stir-fried vegetables.
It was a simple yet thoughtful meal.
"He said to tell you that while he'd love to send over a full royal banquet, that might be a bit too much, so he hopes you'll be satisfied with this for today."
"Th-the Third Disciple?"
"Yes. It seems he heard that you weren't feeling well and had no appetite, so after some thought, he ordered the kitchen to prepare a clear soup and side dishes to go with it."
Yeon-jin set the tray down in front of Woo. Just as she said, it wasn't excessive and looked just right.
"Can you manage this much?"
"Y-yes. This much… I think I can…"
Strangely, his throat tightened.
Woo lifted his spoon and took a sip of the soup first.
His mouth had felt rough, and he hadn't been able to taste anything all morning, but this was different. Even though the taste was mild, the warmth that slid down his throat was comforting. Woo thought his cold stomach was warming up as he moved his spoon again.
He didn't know how much the meat had been pounded, but the meatballs were incredibly soft and pleasantly chewy. It went down as smoothly as rice porridge, but the addition of meat made it much more filling. The stir-fried vegetables, cooked in oil, were also light and perfectly seasoned.
Woo's picky tongue hadn't been this satisfied since leaving the White Virtue Clan.
The soup was gone in an instant, to the point that Woo's spoon clattered against the bottom of the bowl.
At first, Yeon-jin had watched with a pleased expression, but now she was looking at Woo in sheer surprise.
"May I come in?"
A presence stirred at the door, followed by Kang-oh's voice.
Yeon-jin quickly gathered the emptied bowl from Woo and stepped aside toward the wall.
"P-please, come in."
Kang-oh stepped inside, holding some medicine. As soon as the door opened, Yeon-jin quickly backed out of the room. In the end, only the two of them remained.
"Looks like you've finished your meal well."
It looked like he saw the bowl that had been cleanly emptied when Yeon-jin left.
Not knowing where to direct his gaze from the awkwardness, Woo nodded at Kang-oh's words.
"Th-Thank you for preparing this."
"This is medicine that helps nourish the body. It was brought over the moment it was decocted at the medical hall, so it'll be a little hot."
"Careful," Kang-oh said as he handed the bowl filled with medicine to Woo. Sure enough, the heat radiating from it could be felt through his fingertips. Woo stiffened slightly as he had a terrifying idea that Kang-oh might have personally brought the medicine to prevent it from cooling.
"If you don't like the bitterness, I'll order someone to bring you a snack."
Maybe bothered by the way Woo just stared at the dark surface of the medicine without drinking it, Kang-oh added gently.
"It's not that, r-really."
He wasn't a child who would refuse to take medicine just because it was bitter.
To prove it, Woo raised the bowl to his lips and gulped it down. Just as Kang-oh had warned, the moment the liquid touched his tongue, an intensely bitter taste spread. So strong it numbed his tongue. But Woo finished the medicine without even a frown and put the bowl down.
"You'll have to take it tomorrow, and the day after too."
"…"
Woo flinched for the first time at those words. Kang-oh's eyes narrowed slightly as he added,
"Be prepared for about seven days."
"That's a bit…"
Unable to hold it in, Woo opened his mouth to protest, but Kang-oh replied, still smiling with his eyes.
"If you don't like it, then just hurry up and get better."
"That's not something that happens just because I w-want it to."
"Then at least make sure to eat your meals regularly and go to bed on time."
Woo flinched at Kang-oh's words. It seemed he found out that Woo was eating little and having trouble sleeping.
"…Understood."
When he nodded obediently, he heard Kang-oh mutter, "What a good boy."
In the past, he used to dote on the young Kang-oh and say such things, but now the reversal in roles felt truly strange. Life truly was unpredictable.
"I've had the bath prepared, so go wash up comfortably."
At Kang-oh's suggestion, Woo's eyes trembled slightly. When things go this far, even someone like Woo, who had once enjoyed all kinds of luxuries, was bound to feel it was excessive. Right now, Kang-oh was determined to treat Woo kindly.
He wasn't just forcing extravagant meals on him; he had ordered modest, considerate food based on Woo's condition, personally fetched medicine from the Medical Hall, and now even had hot water drawn in the bath at House of Joy, which no one else was allowed to use.
Woo could feel Kang-oh's emotions tilting endlessly in his direction. But even with all that, Woo's heart grew heavier because he couldn't respond to even a sliver of those feelings.
"…Thank you for your concern."
Without revealing such inner feelings, Woo bowed his head in greeting. Kang-oh, seemingly relieved that he hadn't been rejected, fidgeted with the corners of his loosened lips.
"Let's go now."
As if trying to make it final, Kang-oh stood up and reached out a hand to Woo. Woo hesitated briefly, then took the hand and stood up. He had come to realize that rather than looking pitiful trying to get up alone and ending up staggering, needing Kang-oh's help anyway, it was much better to accept this kind of assistance and stand properly on his own feet.
Woo was led to the building with the bathhouse, the one he had been to exactly once. Perhaps they'd been told to heat the water during the meal, because when he entered the bathhouse where he had once seen Kang-oh, he felt warmth. Woo quietly stepped inside. Before taking off his clothes, he glanced at Kang-oh, who had led him here, and Kang-oh, taking a step back, spoke.
"I won't keep the servant on standby. Rest well and come out when you're finished."
"Yes."
Only after the door closed did Woo undress and slowly dip his feet into the bath. It was a bit hot, but considering that it would cool down soon, the temperature was just right.
As he boldly stepped in and sat down, hot steam rushed against his face. It was a sensation that chased away his lingering fatigue.
The bathwater gave off a pleasant scent. Woo took a deep breath and submerged himself. It was the kind of luxury he had only enjoyed back when he was still the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster.
Back when he was bedridden and couldn't move at all, it was Jin-rang who wiped down his body roughly with a wet towel. And after he started working as a servant, he had to wash in the icy water of mountain streams, whether summer or winter.
It was only after Kang-oh brought him into the House of Joy that the attendants started bringing warm water to his room.
It was essentially the first bath in nearly ten years that he took for pure enjoyment.
When he slowly raised his hand, the water splashed and trickled down. He liked this moment even more than all the finest delicacies and silk garments.
'How amusing. Truly amusing.'
The longer he stayed alive, the more he realized just how greedy and pathetic of a man he really was.
Perhaps some time had passed, there was a rattling sound from the door. Instinctively, Woo sank back into the water.
"Excuse me."
The one who entered with a clatter was an attendant. Woo, who could no longer sense presence like he used to, was startled.
"I'll leave your clothes here."
The tone of voice and behavior made it clear that suddenly opening the door and entering was intentional. The attendant who approached with big strides dropped Woo's clothes carelessly and left.
Woo had been so absorbed in Kang-oh's thoughtfulness that he had briefly forgotten the watchful eyes around. Even Jin-rang had felt uneasy about him at first, hadn't he?
Thinking that enjoying the bath for too long might look unpleasant, Woo slowly stood up. He could feel his body, relaxed from the warmth of the water, grow heavy with reluctance. But Woo made up his mind and firmly stood up. As he pulled on his pants and picked up his top, something fell with a soft plop.
It was a slightly wrinkled slip of paper, affected by the damp air of the bathhouse.
Woo unfolded it.
The handwriting, now familiar after the past few days, came into view.
Upon reading the message, Woo's expression turned blank. It was a threat.
There was no need to burn it to smell the ashes. From the handwriting and the message itself, it was obvious who had sent it.
The paper crumpled in Woo's hand. Sending a letter so openly, and now contacting him in this way, this person was nothing if not persistent. Woo had a strong feeling that when things went wrong, they would go very wrong.
"How should I deal with this."
Worry spread across Woo's face in distress.
"May I come in?"
A voice came from outside. This time, it really was Kang-oh.
"Are you... alright?"
There was no reply, even for a brief moment. So perhaps worried, Kang-oh knocked on the door even more roughly.
Woo hastily shoved the paper into his mouth. It wasn't thick, so it wasn't hard to chew and swallow, but the embarrassment made it go down slowly.
Just as Kang-oh entered, Woo's throat bobbed.
"I-I'm fine."
Woo mumbled as he pulled the shirt he hadn't managed to wear yet over his chest. Unable to meet Kang-oh's gaze, his averted eyes made it look as though he'd been caught while changing and was flustered.
Though unintentional, the effect wasn't small. Kang-oh immediately stepped back.
"I-I thought maybe you had fainted in the bathhouse…"
Even his speech stuttered as Kang-oh turned his head to the side. But this only made things worse in a way he didn't realize. Woo could clearly see Kang-oh's ears, flushed bright red.
"I-I'll wait outside!"
Though he hadn't used any movement technique, his movement was absurdly quick. Woo stood dazed, staring at the spot Kang-oh had vanished from, before slowly putting on his clothes.
A moment later, Kang-oh, who had practically fled the scene, immediately apologized as soon as Woo finally came out, now properly dressed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were in the middle of changing clothes."
Kang-oh still couldn't meet Woo's gaze directly. Truthfully, he was in a state of confusion.
When he went to look for Woo and didn't get a response right away, he suddenly grew anxious, wondering if this fragile person might have collapsed in the bathhouse. Kang-oh had only suggested the bathhouse out of concern, hoping it would help Woo relax and ease his fatigue. But driven by his belated anxiety, he opened the door and entered without further thought. If he'd known he would come face-to-face with Woo half-naked, he never would have done such a thing.
Though Woo had hugged his clothes to his chest to cover himself, his rounded shoulders, extending from his neckline, were still visible. Aside from being overly thin, his frame was upright, with lines that stretched clean and smooth. Because he always slouched and wore loose clothing, it had been hard to tell what his figure looked like until now. Kang-oh even caught himself wondering what his still-concealed chest might look like, and startled himself with that thought.
His thoughts were running wild on their own. Kang-oh hurriedly lifted his head to look at Woo's face instead. But that was a mistake. Woo, eyes slightly widened in surprise, was looking straight at him. Kang-oh froze in place.
Woo's face, flushed from the heat of the bathhouse, carried a softer atmosphere than usual. Even though his face was wrinkled from burn scars, Kang-oh had never once thought it ugly. All he could think about was how painful that wound must have been when it happened, and whether it still hurt now.
It was strange. Even when looking at Ye Jin-rang's face, praised by all, or the famously handsome Mo Yong Yu-woon, he'd never felt moved, or thought, 'I want to keep looking…'
Every time he faced Woo, Kang-oh's heart would collapse, and he was busy trying to rebuild it into a new form. With how the form kept changing, Kang-oh couldn't tell what it was or what name it should have.
But if simply gazing endlessly at someone was enough, then even the dullest man was bound to eventually recognize that feeling.
And so, he ended up running away. It was because he felt a sudden impulse. To pull the one staring at him with a confused expression, their wet hair still not dried, into his arms and hold him tight.
When Kang-oh fell silent, Woo spoke up, not wanting to see him dwell too much over a mistake.
"Y-You were just worried, right? It's fine."
But once he said it, a strange sense of embarrassment crept in. Was it because of Kang-oh's intense gaze fixed on him?
At Woo's words, Kang-oh gave a bitter smile.
"You shouldn't let it go so easily."
'You never know where or when a greedy man might be lurking.'
Kang-oh swallowed the words he couldn't bring himself to say and changed the subject.
"I'm just worried you didn't get to properly enjoy your bath because of me."
"I was just about to step outside. It was starting to feel a bit chilly."
"If the water's cooled, you can just refill it…"
"They say that doing too much can sometimes be worse than doing too little."
"Is that so? I've learned something again."
Kang-oh murmured as he recalled the table that was always lavishly set. No matter how many precious and luxurious foods were offered, Woo often couldn't eat much and would leave food behind.
But today was different. The meal, which had been carefully ordered and sent out from the kitchen, was completely finished by Woo. Kang-oh was quite surprised when he saw the empty dishes that Yeon-jin was carrying out on the tray.
Showering someone with good things wasn't always the answer. He himself had learned that well through Jin-rang.
Yet now that he was in a position similar to his master's, he found himself wanting to give everything to Woo. Perhaps it was because everything he had learned had come from his master.
"That's enough for today. Go back to your room and get plenty of rest."
As he walked side-by-side with Woo, Kang-oh was lost in thought, wondering how he could keep Mo Yong Yu-woon away from him.
If the First Disciple had started to show interest, it might be better to send Woo out of the Black Sky Clan as originally planned.
After all, Mo Yong Yu-woon was exactly the kind of person who could casually discard the life of a mere servant if it meant provoking him.
Woo, noticing the look on Kang-oh's face lost in thought, instinctively knew that if he asked a question now, it would just be brushed off, and so he spoke up.
"Hey, where is Yeon-jin?"
At that effeminate tone, Kang-oh answered without delay.
"If you're referring to your servant, she probably went to rest after bringing your meal. She said she felt dizzy. It seems her condition suddenly got worse."
"...I see."
He wondered why a different maid had come instead of Yeon-jin, who usually tended to him personally.
Once Yeon-jin returned, he intended to find out through her which servant had gone to the bathhouse.
If Mo Yong Yu-woon had planted any strings in House of Joy, they needed to be uncovered completely.
Now that he had even pulled out the card named Kong Yool, he couldn't just sit back and watch. Besides, House of Joy was Kang-oh's residence. If the First Disciple Mo Yong Yu-woon had planted someone here, it couldn't be overlooked. Even a single servant, if used at the right moment, could become a great poison.
Woo hoped that Kang-oh wouldn't have to experience anything terrible, like being betrayed by one of his own people.
Even if he had to leave when the time came, he was glad there was still something he could do to help Kang-oh.
Woo looked up at Kang-oh's side profile, a faint smile lingering on his lips.