Chapter 43 Clang—
The wine cup struck the floor as if bouncing and rolled away.
The warmth gripping Yeo Il's wrist turned cold. Almost simultaneously, all eyes turned toward them, and Namgung Hui-myeong's breathing stopped.
"Cough."
There was no time even to cover her mouth—that would be the proper description. With a light cough, red blood scattered and splashed in all directions.
The area fell silent as if time itself had stopped.
For a moment.
"What in the—"
"Damn it, Soyo!"
At Namgung Hui-myeong's rough movement, her wine table overturned into chaos. Supporting Yeo Il's limp body, he shouted urgently.
"Physician! Call the physician at once, Elder Brother! Namgung Soyo, open your mouth. You must purge your stomach immediately—"
Thick blood surged up again, soaking Yeo Il's chin and clothing.
The faces of the onlookers turned pale. Amid the orderly movement of the guard warriors, none of the guests at the Namgung Assembly dared to leave their seats.
Namgung Jeok-myeong rushed over in a single stride. Breathing harshly, he examined Yeo Il's face, then lightly slapped her cheek as she lay collapsed as if dead.
"Namgung Soyo."
When there was no response, he shook her shoulders.
"Wake up, Namgung Soyo!"
Namgung Chu-myeong, who hurried after him, quickly restrained him.
"Elder Brother! Calm yourself. What if her condition worsens? What of the physician? Has he been called?"
Startled back to his senses, Namgung Jeok-myeong laid Yeo Il down and secured her airway.
"He was summoned in advance for such a contingency. My guard has gone, so he will arrive soon—"
Abruptly, Namgung Jeok-myeong stopped speaking and turned his head to stare at Namgung Chu-myeong.
Their gazes tangled in midair.
As if realizing something, Namgung Jeok-myeong's eyes turned cold. Without taking his eyes off Namgung Chu-myeong, he beckoned to a guard warrior.
"Yes, Sogaju (Clan Heir)."
"Go to Cho-hong of Giyeonru at once and bring the physician. As quickly as possible!"
Cho-hong of Giyeonru and the physician.
People wore puzzled expressions. Namgung Jeok-myeong's urgent command linked two entirely unrelated figures. Yet his guard departed swiftly without question.
"Jeok-myeong!"
Only then, perhaps regaining her composure, Danri Muk-ran—who had withdrawn and was under guard protection—spoke up.
"W-what is all this? That child suddenly vomits blood and collapses… Could it be that she was born frail and—"
Namgung Hui-myeong shouted through lips pressed so tightly that beads of blood formed between his teeth.
"Would this child vomit blood and collapse merely because she is frail, Aunt! She has fallen victim to someone's scheme. I do not know who devised what trick, but—"
At the savage atmosphere, those who had followed Danri Muk-ran hid behind her back.
"G-Great Madam."
"Could all the food have been poisoned? Are we to vomit blood like Namgung Young Lady as well—"
The wrinkles around Danri Muk-ran's eyes trembled. Pushing through the crowd, she advanced and pressed Namgung Jeok-myeong.
"This will not do, Jeok-myeong. Call more physicians at once! Time is of the essence! Not only the guests, but the children I brought must be examined immediately! If even a blemish occurs, how shall I face their parents—"
At that moment.
"Shh."
It was a whispering restraint.
Though barely audible unless one strained to hear, people's gazes naturally turned in one direction.
Toward Jin Cheong-ak, standing rigidly at the center.
"Quiet, old woman. It's too noisy to distinguish the poisoned wine."
With an irritated expression, Jin Cheong-ak picked up the nearest wine bottle and inhaled its scent.
Already flustered, bloodshot veins rose in Danri Muk-ran's eyes.
"What an insolent guard! Jeok-myeong, how could the Namgung Clan allow such a street ruffian—"
"Calm yourself, Great Madam."
Go Sangbaek approached and whispered something into Danri Muk-ran's ear. Her face twisted as her lips moved.
"...You say he is that capable? Hah! Even so, is he not merely a base martial man without basic courtesy?"
Danri Muk-ran's raised condemnation scattered into the air without gaining support from anyone.
"He is a martial artist who has experienced much. He may notice something."
Clink.
At Go Sangbaek's defense, tense eyes followed Jin Cheong-ak's every movement.
As he passed before each wine table, smelling the red Shaoxing wine in the bottles and setting them down without a word, belated sighs of relief broke out.
His flowing, natural steps halted before the final two wine tables.
Namgung Hui-myeong's and Yeo Il's.
After inhaling the scent of the two bottles, he let out a short sigh.
"These two. Yes, certain. The scent is different. But if only our Namgung Young Lady collapsed…"
Staring at the cup still filled with reddish-yellow wine, Jin Cheong-ak gave a faint smile.
"Ah! How fortunate… Heaven has aided you, Third Young Master. You have not yet put the wine to your lips?"
"That can't be!"
Namgung Chu-myeong abruptly objected, then halted and closed his mouth. Turning to Namgung Jeok-myeong with an unreadable expression, he added as if explaining himself,
"We cannot yet fully trust this, Elder Brother. To distinguish poison merely by scent? Once the physician arrives—"
Namgung Hui-myeong's lips had gone dry. Beyond self-reproach, his face was drenched in anguish as he stroked Yeo Il's cheek in his arms.
"…I. Soyo."
"..."
"Soyo, if only I hadn't told you it was fine…"
His murmur, heavy with regret, was buried without a trace beneath the voices of the crowd.
"Poisoned wine? Poisoned wine? Are you saying someone is attempting to harm the Namgung Clan?"
"Brother Pae, this is no ordinary matter. Before that shameless culprit escapes, the clan gates must be shut at once!"
In the midst of the ruined banquet,
Namgung Jeok-myeong swiftly passed by Namgung Hui-myeong, who sat frozen in shock.
Reaching Jin Cheong-ak's side, he snatched the wine bottle with a rough motion.
"Oh my."
As cups and refreshments fell, rolled, and shattered on the floor, Namgung Jeok-myeong smelled the two suspect bottles and then the others in turn. His expression hardened rapidly.
"…You have crossed the line."
His sword was drawn like lightning.
In the blink of an eye, Namgung Jeok-myeong leapt and flew before Namgung Chu-myeong. Startled by the threateningly swung blade, Namgung Chu-myeong fell backward onto the floor.
"E-Elder Brother!"
At the look that seemed to ask how he could do this to him, Namgung Jeok-myeong's eyes shone even colder.
"You dare lay a hand even on Hui-myeong? Did you think I would remain a fool and simply watch as before?"
"What are you saying all of a sudden? Come to your senses. I am your younger brother, Namgung Chu-myeong! I have lived my life for Namgung and supported you. How could I harm Hui-myeong!"
At the impassioned cry, the elders from outside the clan, who had watched in alarm, drew their swords and stepped forward.
One by one, the martial artists standing protectively before Namgung Chu-myeong rebuked Namgung Jeok-myeong with stern expressions.
"Jeok-myeong, step back."
"Get hold of yourself, Namgung Jeok-myeong! It was not enough to behave like a scoundrel and disgrace the clan—now you would harm your own brother?"
"If you would harm Young Master Chu-myeong, you must treat us as enemies."
"…Enemies?"
With a sardonic smile, Namgung Jeok-myeong lifted the tip of his sword and pointed straight ahead.
"Open your eyes wide and see who the true enemy is."
As everyone's gaze followed the elegant blade and settled upon Namgung Chu-myeong's face—
A long sword strike sliced across his forehead and chin, and cracks spread across his pale face like fissures in porcelain.
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