Chapter 57 If guilt were added atop the matter, so much the better.
"The antidote… I prepared it myself… I was taught, but my skill is lacking…"
At her words, Dang Maeryeong asked urgently,
"You say you were taught the method of preparing the antidote? When—and by whom?!"
"Clan Leader! Is this the time for that?"
Only after the Murim Alliance Leader's stern rebuke did Dang Maeryeong regain her composure.
"…My apologies, Miss Namgung. This was not my intent. My emotions overtook me, and I spoke out of turn."
It was fortunate that a single bout of hemoptysis had shifted the atmosphere.
But this has grown troublesome.
Among Salmak, only a very few knew the formula for Hongyu's antidote.
She had no intention of teaching Dang Maeryeong the complete method, of course. Yet if even a plausible effect were reproduced, Salmak—no, Yeonghwang Yuse—would surely begin tracing the lineage of that knowledge.
"Jeok-myeong… Brother… the fact that I know the formula… must absolutely remain secret… cough!"
Pale-faced, she pleaded—and coughed up blood once more.
"Soyo!"
"Miss! Miss Namgung!"
If she fainted at the proper moment, they would grasp the implication without further explanation.
"…She has fainted. Keep her warm first—gather garments and cover her."
It was a convenient method in many ways.
Yet fainting after hemoptysis had been used rather frequently of late. If she continued, suspicion might arise. A new approach would be needed.
Dang Maeryeong, who had been silent for some time, spoke heavily.
"Alliance Leader. Miss Namgung speaks true. If word spreads that she knows Hongyu's antidote… they will surely hunt her down."
"She was already under constant threat of assassination. Now, thanks to someone, she is burdened twice over."
Jin Cheong-ak tossed out the remark lightly.
Moyong Sang-hwi responded calmly.
"There is no need for concern in that regard. None present here are light of tongue."
"Then let us swear it here—that Namgung Soyo's secret shall be carried to the grave."
The request, edged with faint hostility, felt all the more earnest.
He grows ever more brazen. His acting improves by the day.
At this rate, she thought, he might one day deceive even her. Yeo Il recalled again the first time she had crossed blades with him.
A silence passed as each gauged the others' reactions.
"Of course. It is only proper."
Beginning with the Alliance Leader's assent, the others voiced agreement one by one.
"I am of the same mind."
"It is no great difficulty. At my age, I have few left to gossip with."
"…I shall guard the secret with my life."
"Hoo."
The sigh of relief came not from Jin Cheong-ak but from Namgung Jeok-myeong.
Before them all, he performed a respectful salute.
"As the Young Clan Head of the Namgung Clan and as a junior, I extend my sincere gratitude to Clan Leader Dang and to all my seniors."
Moyong Sang-hwi asked the Alliance Leader,
"Shall I bring paper and brush?"
"There is no need. Better that no trace remain concerning this matter."
"A reasonable point. Then should anyone break this oath—"
"I shall personally exact judgment."
None contested the declaration. Such was the trust placed in Gwon Jaseong.
I must keep my distance.
With so many following him unquestioningly, the Alliance Leader must possess keen discernment and flawless judgment.
For Yeo Il, whose own hands were far from clean, he was perhaps the most troublesome figure she had encountered of late.
"So… what was the true reason for summoning our Miss Namgung? Surely not Hongyu alone?"
Jin Cheong-ak pressed without pause. Truly a ruthless creature worthy of the Demonic Cult's reputation. Admirable.
"Miss Namgung has been relentlessly threatened by that assassination sect you observe… yes, let us be precise—Yeonghwang Yuse."
"How do you know of them—"
"And even so."
He gave Moyong Sang-hwi no chance to question.
"Since our Miss Namgung has risked her life to reveal her secret, if there exists another source of danger that could threaten her, it ought to be shared."
"..."
"Especially that 'fact not wholly deniable, though imperfect,' as the Steward phrased it."
"…It is surprising that you know of Yeonghwang Yuse. Before becoming Miss Namgung's guard, what exactly were you?"
A faint wariness colored the Alliance Leader's tone.
Jin Cheong-ak deflected smoothly.
"My past is known only to Miss Namgung. If you are curious, ask her."
He even indulged in a touch of swagger.
"Ahem. It is impressive, but somewhat embarrassing to recount personally."
Irritating though it was, it was undeniably true. She could not rebuke him.
Knock, knock.
Someone rapped urgently at the door.
"The physician has arrived. Shall we admit him—"
"No. Wait."
The Alliance Leader raised a hand to halt Dang Maeryeong. Then he asked Namgung Jeok-myeong,
"Young Clan Head. Is Jin Cheong-ak trustworthy?"
"Alliance Leader."
"Miss Namgung and that man are directly involved in this affair, Sect Leader Bulye. They deserve to know at least this much."
Namgung Jeok-myeong pondered briefly, then answered with conviction.
"Yes. He is trustworthy. His strength has been proven by slaying one of the Eight Ghosts. For Soyo's safety, please allow the matter to be disclosed."
Nodding slowly, the Alliance Leader closed his eyes briefly, as though arranging his thoughts. Then—
"…The unsettling movements beneath the surface are not limited to Yeonghwang Yuse. The Heavenly Demon Cult is involved as well."
"..."
"Yeonghwang Yuse traces its roots to Salmak, the assassination sect once under Cheon Mu-ryeong. Considering their nature, it is unlikely they have been absorbed into the Heavenly Demon Cult. It would be more plausible that the two have joined hands."
The unexpected name nearly made Yeo Il's eyes snap open as she sought Jin Cheong-ak's expression.
Was the Heavenly Demon Cult extending its hand into the martial world once more?
Impossible.
She had expected Jin Cheong-ak to laugh heartily, shattering the tension.
The Heavenly Demon Cult? Hahaha! Excellent. Of all the nonsense I have heard these days, that is the most absurd.
Such a reaction would have suited him.
Instead, he asked quietly,
"Your basis?"
Not a trace of laughter touched his voice.
"Forgive me, but that cannot be disclosed. The information is credible. You would do well to take it into account in guarding Miss Namgung."
"..."
"We must admit the physician now. I only hope Miss Namgung suffers no grave harm…"
Held in Jin Cheong-ak's arms, Yeo Il returned to the inn, accompanied by a silent Namgung Jeok-myeong—and a pale-faced, alarmed Namgung Hui-myeong.
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