Chapter 39 Yonghwang Yuse, inheritors of Salmak's will.
It was information she had already heard from Seol Seo-rin, so it did not particularly surprise her.
"Then why did you occasionally send guests to my room at dusk, Brother?"
Though she could not see, she sensed Namgung Jeok-myeong's faint embarrassment.
"...I was curious how long you would continue sparing the assassins. Your actions differed from my predictions in many ways, and it left me confused."
That explained why he had become certain she was blind. The assassins he sent never once properly saw her face before losing consciousness.
"If I had continued behaving quietly, you would still be sending guests to my room, wouldn't you?"
Namgung Jeok-myeong let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"It could not be helped. I do not wish to regret a mistaken judgment, Soyo. I simply want to protect as many family members and retainers as I can."
"Is family truly that important? Important enough to personally destroy the achievements and reputation you built?"
"Is it not? What could be more important than those with whom one has shared bonds?"
"..."
"Changpaesa Ryong or Cheonggeom Ilseom… what grand names are those, really? Because I cast them aside without hesitation, I was able to distinguish who cooperated with the impostor and who did not. I can shoulder even greater infamy than that."
"Then all that remains is to strip Namgung Chu-myeong of his human mask."
Contrary to her expectation of immediate agreement, Namgung Jeok-myeong did not answer at once.
She could not understand.
"Do you intend to delay further even with such definitive proof?"
"...The only Yonghwang Yuse infiltrator in the clan is not just the impostor."
"You said you identified his collaborator."
"I did. But I lack the link that binds the two. Even if we tear off the impostor's human mask and expose him completely, only the impostor will disappear. His collaborator will close his mouth, claim no involvement, and continue influencing the Namgung Clan as before. He wears no human mask, so we have no other way to expel him."
Judging by his caution, this collaborator wielded considerable influence within the clan.
Jin Cheong-ak, who had been listening quietly, finally interjected with a frustrated expression.
"So who is this collaborator? Namgung Pae?"
"I cannot say yet. Wait a little longer."
"So it is Namgung Pae. Even the Clan Head's own younger brother joining hands with assassins—ha. What a thoroughly fractured household."
Namgung Jeok-myeong shot him a sharp look, but nothing more. Swallowing a sigh, he turned to Yeo Il, his face visibly weary.
"I understand your frustration. But after the Martial Alliance Tournament, I intend to deal with them in earnest. Please wait a little longer. I ask this of you, Soyo."
He looked at her steadily when she did not answer. He opened his mouth to add something, glanced once at Jin Cheong-ak, then closed it again.
"...Her leg is not well. See her safely back to her room."
With that, he departed.
Watching him go, Jin Cheong-ak removed his arm from her shoulder and smirked.
"A mouse worrying about a cat."
Wait until after the Martial Alliance Tournament?
Too late.
Namgung Chu-myeong was already moving.
If the Namgung brothers left for the tournament, the Namgung Clan might face tragedy in their absence. That was not the future she desired.
"What weighs so heavily on your mind, Miss Namgung?"
With a light motion, Jin Cheong-ak lifted her into his arms and met her gaze.
"Have you taken a liking to Namgung Jeok-myeong? He is quite the man—righteous, principled, one who pursues virtue… Even if swept away and losing balance, he rises again and walks his path. All things you do not possess, are they not?"
Yeo Il disliked how he spoke as though he understood her.
What she found more distasteful was that, at least about her, he was not entirely wrong.
"As you say, he is a useful man."
Her calm acknowledgment made his brows twitch.
"...Is he?"
"He has value and is easy to handle. Unlike certain others."
"Haha."
Shaking his head, Jin Cheong-ak spoke in an exaggerated, almost poetic tone.
"That certain other is neither righteous nor principled, acts as he pleases, and has no value to be used. When will our Miss Namgung cast him aside without regret?"
Ordinarily she would have ignored such nonsense.
"Someday soon."
There were days when even trivial matters stirred the heart. Blinking slowly, she murmured,
"When all lingering attachments are gone."
Attachment.
Yes. She sought the Killing Register to sever that attachment.
Once she fulfilled the old man's final wish, and could confirm whether that name written in the Killing Register was alive or dead—if she could do that, then she would no longer…
A heavy silence fell, uncharacteristic.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Jin Cheong-ak laughed brightly and leaned his face close to hers—close enough that their noses nearly touched. In truth, they did.
"Is that so? Then cast off that attachment quickly, Yeo Il. I would very much like to be free of you as soon as poss—ugh."
His words cut off as she seized his jaw, nearly digging her nails into it, forcing him to stagger as he walked.
After tormenting the sharp line of his chin for a moment, she recalled her conversation with Namgung Jeok-myeong.
His caution may once have aided careful planning, but now it is nothing more than complacent ease.
Namgung Chu-myeong's human mask was already wearing thin.
If I were the impostor?
Before withdrawing for a long period to repair the mask, she would eliminate Namgung Jeok-myeong.
That would secure a place to return to.
I would prefer to wait quietly, as he wishes.
But that would be inefficient.
Yeo Il had no intention of wasting further time.
Above all, if the enemy carried on Salmak's legacy…
Then she, too, need only act in Salmak's way.
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