Chapter 170
“So that’s how it was. I don’t remember it. Seonhye, huh… Looks like the poison melted your brain and you started seeing things.”
It was a piece of reckless provocation meant to strike a nerve, yet Bang‑u did not waver.
“I couldn’t say anything.”
He tightened his grip on the sword, then loosened it again, repeating the motion as he continued.
“In front of Senior Sister Seonhye, who was worried about you, I simply couldn’t bring myself to speak. How could I dare, before a senior sister who was dying, to say that Senior Sister Yeon‑u was Wolgeom‑Ilsal, who had infiltrated us to steal the Jahashin Technique?”
A self‑mocking sneer briefly crossed Bang‑u’s lips.
“If you were going to commit such vile deeds, you should have just disappeared for good… Instead, you suddenly show up again, even leaving me indebted to you with my life, of all places, in the Murim Alliance.”
She was about to retort, to deny it all as nonsense, but she closed her mouth. For an instant, Bang‑u’s glare was filled with an unyielding certainty.
Sure enough—
“The way you hold a sword, the way you shake it. If I hadn’t known even those habits, perhaps the rot in my heart wouldn’t have gone this far. Why is it that I know you so thoroughly…!”
Identified by her habit of gripping a sword.
Though she kept an impassive face, Yeoil felt a quiet sense of relief. Had she pretended ignorance only to be caught red‑handed later, wouldn’t that have been far more pathetic?
“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t help you. I was only chasing the traces of Cheonmuryong.”
Bang‑u’s eyes grew even colder.
“Spare me. Do you think I wouldn’t have known you’d respond like that?”
“……”
“If there were only one debt, maybe I wouldn’t feel so wronged. Damn it! Of all things, why. Why did it have to be you…!”
Bang‑u’s neck flushed red as his anger twisted his features. Just as Bang‑u had seen through her habits, Yeoil instantly understood what that reaction meant.
‘Embarrassment… or humiliation.’
It was an unexpected outpouring of emotion, but considering its source, it wasn’t so strange.
[“…I’ll be back soon.”]
[“Yes.”]
[“I’ll save you somehow, so please wait just a little longer, Miss Namgung.”]
By her guess, he was recalling that moment.
“Even Cheonmyeon‑Magwi is no different. I only dealt with you because you were an eyesore, hanging around—”
“That’s enough! Do not speak of that day. The more you talk, the more miserable I become.”
Why did it feel like she was the one being scolded?
Around then, from behind the pillars of the corridor leading into the inner hall, she caught sight of Gi‑eul, concealing his presence as he watched them.
His eyes spoke to Yeoil.
Do whatever you like, but if you ruin things, I won’t forgive it.
As if that weren’t enough, perhaps uneasy, he even sent a voice transmission.
[I know you’re weak when it comes to that Taoist, but don’t provoke him any further. Deal with this wisely. If you want to see the end of it, do it after everything’s settled.]
I’m weak to Bang‑u?
It was nonsense she couldn’t agree with.
“So what is it you want to do, Bang‑u? If you want revenge here and now, go ahead. I’ll accept it. I deserve it.”
“And what do you think you’re doing? Why provoke me? What if I reveal your identity to the Demonic Heavenly Cult right now?”
“You won’t. You know my killing intent toward Cheonmuryong is genuine.”
“……”
In truth, it was half a gamble. Yeoil knew all too well that someone consumed by revenge could sink lower than rock bottom.
She gripped her sword again and cast her gaze at him, signaling him to come at her without wasting any more time.
As Bang‑u set his stance once more, his expression hardened. Meanwhile, Yeoil fell into thought.
‘Eyes… ears…’
Which would be better to give up?
Perhaps a hand rather than both. If one of her limbs were severed, even a highly agitated Bang‑u might calm down somewhat.
Even if it wouldn’t resolve his fundamental thirst for revenge, they could at least maintain cooperation for the next few days. Besides, with Jin Cheong‑ak’s help, she could still falsify and check the Death Register. Two birds with one stone.
As she was picturing in her mind exactly how her hand would be severed—
“…Enough.”
Bang‑u suddenly relaxed his stance.
Yeoil frowned and stared at him. Bang‑u, receiving that gaze, looked even more distorted, as if he found the decision he’d just made deeply repulsive to himself.
“I don’t even understand myself yet. I can’t come to a proper answer, and in a state like this… no matter how I act, I’ll only regret it.”
After sheathing his sword, Bang‑u opened and closed his mouth several times, his eyes holding an emotion difficult to name. Finally, he spoke.
“…Do not lay a hand on the child. If you do, I will stake my life to stop you.”
Yeoil was about to reply with “I won’t” or “I’ll do as I please,” but she met Gi‑eul’s wide‑eyed glare and swallowed her words.
Bang‑u glared at the silent Yeoil with fierce eyes, then slowly lowered his raised brows, his face settling into a complicated expression.
After that, he disappeared.
‘So he’s thrown away anonymity.’
Given the force of his warning, he would likely keep watch nearby. As if things weren’t troublesome enough, he had become an even more troublesome thorn in her side.
Yeoil looked down at her left hand, which, contrary to her plans, had become ambiguously useless.
‘If it’s come to this… what now?’
Should she ask Gi‑eul or Jin Cheong‑ak?
After roughly sorting out her thoughts, Yeoil was about to leave the Wi family estate to meet Jin Cheong‑ak.
But she didn’t need to go to the Jin family herself.
Before she could even choose the timing to leave, Jin Cheong‑ak came to her instead.
As always, Jin Cheong‑ak was unhurried.
“I’ve heard the story, Master. You need my hand.”
Before sunset.
Without permission, he pushed open the door to her bedchamber and stepped inside. Draped in a wind‑cloak woven from lustrous, high‑quality fabric, he looked even more like a noble gentleman of lofty status than usual.
No—more than his attire, it was his expression. That confident face, unburdened by any hesitation. The relaxed bearing of someone who couldn’t imagine, even for a moment, that his hand might be severed.
The head of the Jin family…
‘Figures. The “Jin” in head of the family really stands for that mouth of his.’
She’d told him to stay quietly at home, yet he’d already gone and tattled.
Needless to say, Yeoil had no intention of cutting off Jin Cheong‑ak’s hand. A foot would be no different.
The reason she accepted Choi Iryang’s proposal was simple.
That way was easier. And faster.
That is to say—if she offered up her own hand.
The goal was close now. If sacrificing a single hand would let her press her sword right up under Cheonmuryong’s throat, Yeoil was fully prepared to do so.
Perhaps that was why—
“Which one will it be?”
When Jin Cheong‑ak strolled up and casually held out one of his hands before her, even Yeoil was left momentarily speechless.
Surely not—
“If possible, the left hand. Losing one foot would make movement difficult, and though I’m ambidextrous, my right hand is more convenient in many ways. So if only one is to be cut off, the left would be better.”
After saying that, Jin Cheong‑ak gestured with his chin toward the sword at Yeoil’s waist and gently closed his eyes.
“…Mm. Very well.”
“……”
“Go on. Cut it off. Right now. Don’t hesitate.”
