Chapter 52
“How dare you sneak into the young lady’s room! I’ll cut your head off this instant!”
Namgung Jin’s fury was so intense that he had drawn his sword.
Namgung Jin glared, his voice shaking with anger.
“You’ve gone too far, Namgung. I didn’t sneak in — I had no choice!”
“What nonsense is that supposed to mean—”
Only then did Namgung Jin notice her — Baek Sojeo, who had once again turned into the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
“S–Sojeo! Why are you in that form again?”
“…It happened while I was treating him last night.”
“…”
Namgung Jin knew about Jegal Haesu’s illness, so he couldn’t scold him too harshly. He was aware that Jegal Haesu viewed his own frailty with painful seriousness, and thus, Jin couldn’t blame him for failing to stop Baek Sojeo.
Though Jegal Haesu often acted without thinking, Namgung Jin knew that he would never have forced her to heal him.
‘It must have been Baek Sojeo who insisted on treating him out of pity.’
That much was obvious.
Still, the more he saw her, the more he found her heart to be truly kind.
Namgung Jin felt drawn to the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, almost as if something were pulling him closer.
There was ink and brush on the table — it seemed they had been communicating through written messages earlier.
When Namgung Jin unconsciously reached out his hand, the ginseng extended a tiny root in return.
Their fingertips and the tip of the root brushed softly.
“Baek Sojeo…”
It almost felt like they were holding hands.
Namgung Jin gently clasped the little root with both hands, treating it as delicately as he could.
And as he did, he could almost see an expression form on the ginseng’s faceless upper body — a faint look of sorrow.
“Sojeo, why haven’t you turned back into a person?”
It was a question meant for Soso, but Jegal Haesu answered in her stead.
“She doesn’t know either. She says it isn’t because her energy is weak.”
Namgung Jin didn’t even glance at Jegal Haesu when he replied, “That’s a problem. In that case, we’ll have to delay today’s plans.”
Today, he had intended to go to Mount Wudang with Myung.
Their purpose was twofold — to gather information about the Demonic Sect and to investigate Myung’s true identity.
They even had an introduction letter from Namgung Seonyul, so he expected everything to proceed smoothly.
But now, Baek Sojeo had turned into a Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng again.
Soso felt guilty toward her companions.
“Don’t even think about apologizing, Sam-ah. I can’t speak for Namgung, but I don’t mind.”
“Sojeo, neither do I.”
The two men both ignored each other completely, speaking only to her.
“I have other business in Hubei anyway. I’ll take care of that while waiting for you to recover your human form.”
Namgung Jin finally turned to Jegal Haesu.
“What business?”
“I’m going to find a hidden treasure, and then I’ll visit Wolya Yosun.”
A hidden treasure.
That meant another spiritual herb — one mentioned in his uncle Jegal Taek’s old records.
This time, Jegal Haesu was planning to locate the Nine-Leaf Violet Branch Herb (Guyeop Jajicho) — a plant with nine leaves per branch that could greatly enhance one’s inner power when consumed.
His uncle had hidden it in a cave at Yongzhong Mountain.
‘It’s a bit uncomfortable heading near Yangyang where the Jegal Clan resides… but I’ve no choice.’
He had avoided that area before — even though it was closer — precisely because he didn’t want to risk running into anyone from his clan.
But now he had to retrieve it.
Not to increase his power — but to pay Wolya Yosun for her medical treatment.
“…A treasure? Wolya Yosun?”
“Hah! Even a proper, straight-laced man like you is interested in treasure?”
“Enough. I’m coming with you. Baek Sojeo as well.”
Namgung Jin was certain this “treasure” was connected to the Secret Garden his father had mentioned.
He recalled what Namgung Seonyul had told him:
“Jegal Haesu feels like he’s hiding something.”
His father had instructed him to accompany Jegal Haesu when he visited the Jegal estate and to secretly investigate the Secret Gardens there.
There might be hidden treasure within them — and perhaps the Demonic Cult would reappear there as well.
Namgung Jin clenched his fist tightly.
He could never forgive the Demonic Sect — not after they had deceived his uncle and invaded the Namgung estate, leaving such heavy losses in their wake.
Especially that viper, Soma-gi — the Venomous Viper Sovereign.
If they met again, Jin swore he would crush the man’s windpipe with his own hands.
No matter what.
For that reason alone, he couldn’t let Jegal Haesu go alone.
“Eh? Brother, you don’t need to come. Stay here and guard Baek Sojeo. I can handle this on my own.”
“That so-called treasure sounds suspicious enough, and you won’t even be able to find Wolya Yosun. Her disguises are flawless — even masters can’t see through them.”
“Exactly! Of course I can’t see through them! My martial arts are weak, remember?”
“…?”
Namgung Jin stared at him like he’d lost his mind.
How could someone sound so proud of being weak?
“If you lack teeth, you use your gums,” Jegal Haesu said, dead serious.
“Do you even have gums worth using?”
“Brother, aren’t you underestimating me a bit too much?”
“…”
Namgung Jin narrowed his eyes, suspicious.
He had no idea what sort of scheme Jegal Haesu was planning this time.
Whatever it was, it couldn’t be anything normal.
“I don’t know what tricks you’re hiding, but I can’t just let you go alone.”
“Wait—Brother, are you worried about me?”
“…”
Namgung Jin’s fists clenched even tighter.
Worried? Not even close!
But Jegal Haesu, completely misreading his murderous aura, cupped his face in his hands with a deeply moved expression.
“You’re worried I’ll get hurt or fall into danger, and you want to protect me with your mighty martial arts?”
“…”
Namgung Jin’s fists started trembling violently.
“Brother… I’m truly sorry I don’t share your preferences.”
That did it.
“Jegal Haesu! I’ll kill you today!”
“Ah, what an honor to die at my brother’s hand!”
“You—!”
Namgung Jin’s roar shook the room — a thunderous shout infused with inner energy.
Jegal Haesu, caught off guard, was blasted backward.
Soso, who had been between them, was also knocked off balance by the shockwave and rolled under the table.
‘Please, Young Masters, stop fighting!’
If only she could speak, she would have shouted it aloud.
But alas, as a plant, she could only fume silently.
Meanwhile, the two men continued their ridiculous bickering, completely oblivious to her plight.
Crawling out from under the table, Soso froze.
Someone was standing there.
It was Myung.
At some point, the blind boy had silently entered the room.
He tilted his head, staring directly at her.
No — not staring, right?
He was blind. He shouldn’t have been able to see her at all.
Yet his head was turned perfectly toward her, as though locking eyes.
Even with his eyelids closed, it felt like their gazes met exactly.
Startled, Soso froze where she was.
Even knowing that he couldn’t possibly see her, her entire body stiffened.
Then, Myung smiled faintly.
A chill ran down her spine.
