Chapter 41 "..."
Was it because of the sheer weight carried by the name Cheon Mu-ryeong? The fake's shoulders trembled faintly.
Eighteen years ago, after the Demonic Cult's leader and the Murim Alliance's Alliance Leader—who contended for the title of the world's strongest—perished together, the title of the World's Strongest, which had remained vacant for a long time, was seized by Cheon Mu-ryeong through overwhelming martial power and presence.
No one contested that his era had arrived. And because of that, it was an even more despairing time.
To speak Cheon Mu-ryeong's name aloud was, in truth, little different from leaving more than half to fate.
Yet Yeo Il uttered the most plausible name—while at the same time hoping her choice was a misstep.
Judging by the reaction, that doesn't seem to be the case.
[Have I not always said until my mouth wore out? That this elder brother cherishes you greatly.]
Cheon Mu-ryeong, the First Evil.
That man had returned.
Unpleasant.
Her mood plunged into a bottomless abyss in an instant. Yeo Il made a gesture as if she would peel off the very surface of the human mask at any moment, issuing a threat.
"Is the chatter over? I'll count the final five. Five. Three. One."
Had the fake sensed the sudden shift in her atmosphere? He hurriedly raised his hand.
"Tomorrow!"
"..."
"Tomorrow… at the Namgung Banquet, Namgung Soyo will be dealt with and the blame pinned on the Sogaju (Clan Heir). After that, under the pretext of protecting Namgung Hui-myeong, the Sogaju (Clan Heir) will be expelled from the clan."
"Is that all?"
"..."
Press.
"Th-there is! Though we have not uncovered the true identity of the fake Namgung Soyo, it may actually be for the best. Immediately after the Killing Register is found within the now-empty clan, the Namgung Clan will suffer extermination."
Now it was certain.
The fake killed Namgung Chu-myeong and infiltrated the Namgung Clan for the sake of the Killing Register.
And extermination… Well, it's not as if he can repair that human skin any longer. He can't afford to drag out time either.
The Namgung Banquet was, in essence, a feast. To carry out an assassination at such an event generally meant poisoning the food.
"Are you planning to use Hongyu?"
Hongyu was the extreme poison Salmak's assassins used for suicide. It was also the poison smeared on the tip of the dagger Yeo Il had taken from the fake's sleeve and thrown away. It was called Hongyu because it gleamed like oil in a red hue.
At the mention of Hongyu, the fake seemed to have no choice but to acknowledge her. He answered in a noticeably more compliant tone than before.
"I've already set things in motion through someone trustworthy."
For the word "trustworthy" to come out of an assassin's mouth. That essentially meant another Yonghwang Yuse infiltrated the clan.
Did Namgung Jeok-myeong know this fact?
"...This is your last chance. I expect results."
After striking the fake's acupoint and confirming he lost consciousness, Yeo Il left Dongcheong.
The day of the Namgung Banquet.
No sooner had she opened her eyes than luxurious floral-patterned boxes were carried into her room and stacked inside.
After checking the items inside the boxes, Changa—and especially Changa—spoke to Yeo Il with a startled expression.
"I've never seen such beautiful skirt and jeogori before. The baeja as well! Even without sunlight, they sparkle. It must be extremely expensive fabric."
The young maid carefully stroked a light-yellow yugun. Then she showed the shoes and accessories from another box and exclaimed in admiration.
"Look! These danghye are incredibly soft! Have you seen this jade hairpin? Not just the color—don't you think this peach blossom ornament is adorable?"
"Who sent them?"
Seol-yeong, who meticulously checked whether there was poison or concealed weapons inside the boxes, answered.
"The Sogaju (Clan Heir) sent them. They are items prepared for attending the Namgung Banquet. He says they are a gift, so you may use them comfortably."
Counting the various delicate accessories and scented pouches, there were well over ten in total.
Laid out like this, even to Yeo Il—whose aesthetic sense was markedly lacking—Namgung Jeok-myeong's taste appeared obvious.
Girlish. Fresh. Cute.
A taste far removed from Yeo Il.
"You'll wear them, right? You will today, right? I guarantee everyone will lose their senses over Miss's beauty."
Perhaps because she usually dressed so plainly, Changa's expectations seemed ready to pierce the sky.
So Yeo Il simply complied. It would certainly be more amusing to attend in her usual attire and glimpse Namgung Jeok-myeong's disappointment, but it was not worth crushing the young girl's wish to claim that small satisfaction.
Having dressed Yeo Il with utmost care and devotion, Changa looked up at her with an overwhelmed expression.
"You're… you're so beautiful! Is this what a celestial maiden descending in the summer heat while scattering cool flower petals would look like? The Sogaju (Clan Heir) will surely be proud that the clothes have met their true owner!"
"Yes. Bright and splendid like a forsythia—perfect for staining with blood."
"...Pardon?"
Yeo Il passed the frightened Changa and picked up a scented pouch that carried a fresh quince fragrance.
To even gift her a yellow quince fragrance to touch the tip of her nose. For some reason, it irritated her.
"So in the end, you've chosen to kill."
In Seol-yeong's voice as she spoke, there was a sense of resolve and weight, as though she had been waiting for this very day.
"Whom?"
"Anyone. What shall I do?"
"Practice the stance I pointed out yesterday at least three hundred times."
"...That's all?"
"And wake Jin Cheong-ak. We'll be leaving soon."
A thoroughly disappointed Seol-yeong shook Jin Cheong-ak, who was nodding off by the window.
Rising with a long yawn, Jin Cheong-ak widened his eyes and kept his mouth tightly shut upon seeing Yeo Il dressed unlike usual.
After quite some time, he finally parted his lips.
"Beautiful enough to make one's eyes spin, but not my type."
"Right. Your type is naked to begin with."
"...Naked?"
Changa shot Jin Cheong-ak a contemptuous glare.
Perhaps he could endure Seol-yeong's glare but not Changa's, for Jin Cheong-ak—who would normally have let out a sigh—added defensively,
"Honestly. What do you take me for? If I had to choose, I prefer a woman like winter rather than summer, and rather than someone who suits lively light yellow or jade green…"
"I'm not curious about the details. Changa, let's go."
"Yes!"
With Jin Cheong-ak as escort and Changa supporting her, Yeo Il left the room.
The Namgung Clan was unusually crowded. Before more attention gathered, Yeo Il tugged Jin Cheong-ak's hand and handed him a prepared vial, whispering by his ear.
"When everyone's attention is on me, secretly mix this into Namgung Hui-myeong's food. And the left side is…"
Fortunately, after conveying everything important, she encountered Namgung Hui-myeong, who had been waiting for her.
"Maid. I'll attend to Soyo myself, so you may return. …But Soyo, why are you dressed so flamboyantly? You could have just worn what you usually do."
"Good afternoon, Namgung Young Lady. You are dazzlingly beautiful today."
And it seemed that man was beside Namgung Hui-myeong as well. The man Danri Muk-ran hoped would be connected with Namgung Soyo—Go Sangbaek.
When Yeo Il extended her hand to be guided, Namgung Hui-myeong abruptly grabbed it. A faintly awkward atmosphere spread around them.
"...You needn't be so wary, Namgung Young Master. You saw that the Great Madam entrusted Namgung Young Lady to me, did you not? I have not the slightest intention of making her uncomfortable in a place with so many people."
"Hmph. It's not that I distrust you. This brat reached his hand toward me, so I caught it. Since her seat is beside mine anyway, I'll take her."
"Namgung Young Master."
Despite Go Sangbaek's sigh, Namgung Hui-myeong held Yeo Il's hand and strode confidently into the banquet hall.
After some distance had formed, Namgung Hui-myeong whispered by her ear.
"You should be careful of that fellow from now on. I'll tell the maid—if you suddenly detour your path, assume it's all because of Go Sangbaek."
It was blatant hostility.
"Does Young Master Go harbor impure intentions toward me?"
"Hey, Soyo. It's awkward to say this, but… there's not a man alive who wouldn't harbor impure thoughts looking at your face. Except for me and elder brother, of course! I thought you had at least that much sense. Why bother polishing yourself up like this?"
"These are clothes Elder Brother Jeok-myeong prepared for me. How could I refuse?"
"What? Elder Brother? Giving useless things like accessories and clothes. He should be procuring rare medicinal herbs instead. I must say something to him today."
Namgung Hui-myeong's grumbling, which had continued for quite some time, ceased the moment they stepped into the banquet hall.
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