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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Chapter 111
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The southern bank of the Yangtze River, a deep valley in Mt. Huang.
A man, holding a fan made of crane feathers and with his hands clasped behind his back, hummed a tune as he ascended the mountain.
His steps seemed leisurely, yet his lightfoot technique was so astounding that the surrounding scenery blurred with each stride.
The man's steps halted at one spot.
"Hmm..."
Where he stopped was originally a pit where demonic beasts would kill humans and toss their bodies.
However, there were no human corpses in the pit, only the bodies of demonic beasts.
It was a clear sign that someone had killed the demonic beasts in this forest and retrieved their bodies.
"Hmm-hmm, hmm..."
From there, the man slowly resumed his steps.
His pace was like a leisurely stroll, but his eyes busily scanned the surroundings.
And when his steps finally stopped at a peak.
"Someone... has been here."
His lips, hidden by the fan, curved into an intriguing smile.
His slender eyes also curved like bows, sweeping over the dismantled peak with a sharp gaze.
The clouds vanished, and in their place, a vibrant display of rainbow-colored light filled the area.
His dark eyes shimmered with brilliant light.
* * *
The Namgung party returned safely from Surochae.
Gwiyoungchae escorted the Namgung ship until they reached Hefei, and the Gwiyoungchae Leader returned after agreeing to visit Namgung Sega once every three months to meet Soyak and provide updates.
Upon arriving at the Namgung family estate, Cheongun immediately entered Cheono-dong for cultivation.
Healing the internal injuries sustained at Surochae and fully comprehending his new realm would likely take a considerable amount of time.
Though the hurried departure left little time for farewells, he kissed Seolhwa's forehead for the first time.
'I'll be back.'
Seolhwa couldn't take her hand from her forehead until Cheongun was out of sight and the doors of Cheono-dong closed.
Soyak was placed with the young warriors of the Outer Hall.
There, she was to train her body, learn martial arts, and be protected.
"You don't need to push yourself too hard. Your body is weak."
"No! I'm going to get strong! I'll get strong and protect Dad with my own hands later!"
She had been placed in the Warrior Corps to socialize with children her age, but Soyak's resolve was unexpectedly firm.
Learning martial arts, which she couldn't before due to her weak body, seemed to greatly appeal to her.
Yugang began proper treatment.
After briefly regaining consciousness in the forest on the first day, he hadn't easily woken up since.
When Seolhwa asked if it was due to acupoint striking, the Head of the Medical Hall burst into laughter and said:
"He just lost too much blood. But he's still young, isn't he? Don't worry too much. He'll recover and be up in no time."
Seolhwa wanted to tell him that she had actually struck his Hunhyeol point, but she ultimately kept silent.
Instead, she decided to give Yugang a room in her own quarters and stay by his side for an hour three times a day.
* * *
"Hoo..."
Cheonghae rubbed his tired eyes as he sat down at his desk.
With Namgung Mucheon away, assisting the Chief Steward with family affairs made his schedule even more grueling than usual.
Yeon Soran followed Cheonghae into his quarters, took his outer robe to put it away, and then brewed tea.
"It's a relief. The children returned safely."
"I heard we formed an alliance with Surochae because of this incident. Cheongsan said it was Seolhwa's doing."
*Jororeuk*, Soran's hand paused as she poured the tea. She then nodded with a faint smile.
"That child? She's truly remarkable. I felt it from the beginning, but she's clearly no ordinary person."
"Indeed."
Soran carefully placed the teacup in front of Cheonghae.
"Were there any other incidents?"
"I heard Hwangryongdaeju betrayed the family."
At that moment, the smile vanished from Soran's face.
That was precisely why she had sought out Cheonghae late at night.
Because the one who had accompanied the First Young Master and Third Young Master as an escort for their outing to Chao Lake, also to keep an eye on them, was nowhere to be found.
Had something happened?
If he hadn't been seen for so long, he would have surely sought her out the moment he arrived.
He was someone who would tell her immediately what had happened, without her even needing to ask Cheonghae.
But what?
"Hwangryong...daeju?"
Cheonghae's gaze briefly fixed on her stiff hand. As he casually picked up his teacup, Soran's hand twitched and trembled.
"That's right."
Cheonghae took a sip of tea.
The subtle fragrance of Dragon Well tea filled his mouth, accompanied by a hint of bitterness.
He continued speaking, his gaze fixed on the tea swirling in his cup.
"Hwangryongdaeju was an infiltrator from Hwaoru. The same Hwaoru that held Seolhwa captive."
As he tilted the teacup, Yeon Soran's reflection blurred in the tea.
"He apparently tried to kill the children."
She was seen covering her mouth.
He knew what her expression was, even without her looking up.
"I told Jeokryongdaeju about it."
"...Jeokryong...daeju?"
Jeokryongdaeju had been imprisoned in the Namgung dungeon and interrogated continuously since the Cheonmuje.
"Jeokryongdaeju didn't often associate with Hwangryongdaeju. I told him, thinking he might know something."
"W-what did he say...?"
"He asked for a meeting of the Cheonho Hall to be convened."
Yeon Soran's heart *thumped*, as if it had plummeted.
Jeokryongdaeju had endured well until now. He hadn't revealed anything, keeping his promise despite Namgung Mugang's harsh interrogations.
But what? Now he's asking for a meeting of the Cheonho Hall to be convened?
"He said he had something to reveal about Hwangryongdaeju in front of everyone. He claimed it was related to me. I have no idea what he means."
"..."
Cheonghae drained the tea to the last drop.
He felt the hot tea flow down his throat all the way to his chest.
"I... see."
Soran's voice trembled faintly.
Cheonghae looked at the empty teacup and spoke with a bitter smile.
"Thank you for the tea."
"...I'll take my leave now."
Yeon Soran fled the room as if escaping.
She seemed to be trying her best to maintain her composure, but her steps were more hurried than ever.
Even then, Cheonghae couldn't take his eyes off the empty teacup.
* * *
Night had fallen, cloaked in darkness.
A deep night where even the moonlight was hidden by clouds, making it impossible to discern anything a mere inch ahead.
Someone muffled their footsteps and moved through the darkness.
At the entrance of the dungeon, the unfamiliar figure stopped and looked around.
A moment later, taking advantage of the warriors guarding the dungeon leaving their posts for a shift change, the figure secretly entered the dungeon.
Jeokryongdaeju was confined in the room at the very end of the dungeon.
Passing through the dark dungeon corridor, lit only by flickering small flames, the midnight intruder approached the end of the corridor, examining each prisoner.
Sensing someone's presence, Jeokryongdaeju lifted his tired eyes.
"...Lady Yeon...?!"
His eyes widened as he faced the person who had come to see him.
"L-Lady Yeon!"
Jeokryongdaeju scrambled on his knees towards the bars.
"H-how are my family? Are they well? Are they truly safe and sound?"
"Jeokryongdaeju. What were you planning to say at the Cheonho Hall tomorrow?"
"...Pardon?"
His face was filled with confusion.
Cheonho Hall? Say something?
"What do you mean..."
"What did you hear from Hwangryongdaeju?"
"What, what are you talking about?"
"I know you heard that Hwangryongdaeju betrayed Namgung and asked for a meeting of the Cheonho Hall to be convened. Are you trying to pretend you don't know?"
However, at Yeon Soran's words, Jeokryongdaeju's face grew even more aghast.
"H-Hwangryongdaeju betrayed Namgung...? I-is that true...?"
"You...!"
Yeon Soran gripped the bars tightly, as if frustrated.
At that moment, she realized.
'Oh no.'
It was a trap.
She sensed a presence beside her. The approaching footsteps were not those of just one person.
Yeon Soran felt the back of her neck stiffen.
She forced her uncooperative head to turn and looked at those who now stood so close.
The first person she saw was her husband, Namgung Cheonghae.
And standing behind him were the Family Head, Namgung Mucheon, the Chief Steward, and Heungryongdaeju.
"To think..."
Cheonghae's lips curved into a bitter smile.
"It wasn't just this, was it, my lady?"
"...My lord."
"To fall for such a shallow trick... you must have been quite desperate, my lady."
"..."
Yeon Soran's eyes rapidly scanned the assembled figures.
She was caught.
But she still didn't know what she had been caught for. She didn't know how much they had heard yet. Perhaps, if she could just get through this situation...
Yeon Soran took a short breath and straightened her posture. She wore her usual relaxed smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I came here to check on Jeokryongdaeju. You know, my lord, that I have always looked after and cared for the people of Namgung, haven't you...?"
But Cheonghae's expression remained icy.
Although they were merely observing, the aura of the three people behind him could not be ignored.
"It was wrong to enter the dungeon without permission, I admit. However, Jeokryongdaeju's family is tearfully waiting for news of their father, and my heart was heavy..."
"Do you think I'm playing games right now?"
Soran, who had been feigning fragility by embracing herself, froze completely.
It was a voice so cold it sent shivers down her entire body, a voice she had never once heard in their fifteen years of marriage.
