Chapter 215
215
“Wol… you said?”
“Is Sowol alive? Where did you see her? I’ve been searching for over twenty years without a trace, and I thought she was dead…!”
Desperation flashed across Hwahong’s face as he asked urgently.
Hwahong, who never lost his smile no matter what was said, had his composure crumble, and my breathing quickened along with it.
Ah, Yeon-ryang’s real name that he couldn’t remember…
We couldn’t speak and exchanged shaky glances. I moved my lips and barely managed to nod.
“She’s alive. Yes, she’s alive.”
She’s definitely alive. Baekya is the proof.
At my answer, Hwahong, looking as if he was about to cry, began to ask about Yeon-ryang.
I hid the fact that Yeon-ryang was a Demonic Cultist and recounted the story so far.
Hwahong listened to the long story until the end and covered his face with trembling hands.
“There was a reason why she wasn’t caught in the intelligence network…”
His voice cracked messily as he chuckled self-deprecatingly and composed himself.
A moment later, Hwahong, who took a deep breath and raised his head, had returned to his usual calm face as if he had never been shaken.
His red lips slowly parted.
“I am sorry, Young Miss. How could I refuse the request of Ryeon’s child… but this is not possible.”
At the clear refusal, my jaw clenched involuntarily. I tried not to show my emotions and asked.
“I would like to ask the reason for your refusal.”
“You are trying to jump into a fire pit, how can I tell you the way? Young Miss, do not interfere in the affairs of the Demonic Sect.”
It felt as if all the blood in my body was drying up at the calm answer.
Even though I deliberately didn’t mention the Demonic Sect, Hwahong saw through everything.
As my face turned white, Hwahong said calmly.
“This Hwahong, although bound to a brothel, is not ignorant of the news of the Jianghu. Since you have told me so clearly, I must live up to the name of the Lowborn Sect.”
“Then, you must also know that my brother didn’t become a Demonic Cultist willingly. Yeon-ryang wanted to leave the sect. He wanted a normal life…!”
“But the Demonic Sect will not let him go.”
Hwahong, who changed his gaze, continued in a cold voice.
“That child is not just an ordinary cultist. He only remained an ordinary cultist because he didn’t want to, but all nine districts of the Demonic Sect covet the Killing sword. He will not be able to leave the Demonic Sect even in death.”
“How do you know that? Do you know the situation inside the Demonic Sect? Please tell me, Pavilion Lord. I…!”
“It is late at night, Young Miss. It would be best if you went back now.”
Hwahong, who cut me off, gracefully rose and issued an order to leave.
As I bit my lip and looked up at him, Hwahong, who swallowed a sigh, soothed me in a soft voice.
“Don’t worry too much, Young Miss. Wol will be fine.”
“The Third Bishop took him away himself. Surely…!”
“So he will be fine. He is a man who prioritizes doctrine over his own safety.”
My mouth went dry at the confident tone.
How much does Hwahong know?
Is he involved in the affairs of the Demonic Sect?
How much of his words should I believe, and what should I do to get the information I want?
Hwahong, who was quietly watching me anxiously, said kindly.
“Please forgive me for not being able to tell you everything, Young Miss. But there is only one thing I can say. Wol will be fine.”
“But…”
“No. If it becomes known that you are looking for Wol, the Demonic Sect will try to use you. You must not become their bait.”
Ah… That’s why Yeon-ryang bothered to send someone…
Only after hearing his warning did I realize Yeon-ryang’s true feelings, and I dropped my head.
Because of my foolish brother who only worried about me until the end, something hot surged from within.
As my mouth twisted, Hwahong whispered consolingly.
“Even if you say I’m heartless, I have no excuse… but there is only one thing I can say. Wol will be fine.”
“…I understand what you’re saying, Pavilion Lord. I’ll be on my way.”
I answered with difficulty and got up. Hwahong, who watched me adjust my Bamboo hat, asked.
“Young Miss. Will you visit often?”
I couldn’t readily answer the question with an unknown intention.
As I quietly looked at him, Hwahong added, curving his eyes beautifully.
“Women need secrets. You have a beauty that is not easily forgotten, so you will need a clever way to change your appearance from time to time. This Hwahong can help you.”
“Does that mean…”
“Shh.”
Hwahong, who brought his index finger to his lips, smiled brightly.
\ \ *
After that day, I crossed the wall of Moon Scent Pavilion every night.
Grandfather seemed to have noticed my night outings, but he didn’t stop me.
He just told me to go to bed early in passing.
Hwahong was an excellent teacher.
As someone who belonged to an intelligence group, he had an excellent ability to explain only the essentials.
Thanks to that, it was not difficult to learn Bone Contortion Art and disguise techniques.
“You learn quickly. You change your appearance perfectly.”
“It’s all thanks to the Pavilion Lord’s excellent teaching. But, Pavilion Lord…”
“It would be best if you got up now, Young Miss. You must go back before dawn.”
But Hwahong only taught me how to change my appearance and didn’t even give me a chance to ask anything.
However, he did not deny the fact that the Lowborn Sect was acting as a transport for the Demonic Sect.
“A wretch like me doesn’t have many things to choose from. It’s just a way to survive.”
Regret flashed in his eyes as he swallowed a bitter smile.
It seemed that the Lowborn Sect was not voluntarily cooperating with the Demonic Sect.
If Hwahong was also restricted, then I understood why he kept his mouth shut.
Yeon-ryang didn’t tell me about the Demonic Sect either.
But I wanted to get even a small clue.
As I didn’t give up and visited Moon Scent Pavilion every day, Hwahong, who realized my intention, also showed difficulty.
“Young Miss. If you come here so often, it will not be good for your reputation. You must also think about the eyes of those around you.”
“I’m just here for disguise techniques…”
“Both disguise techniques and Bone Contortion Art are perfect. Young Miss.”
It was a sign that he would no longer accept visits under the pretext of disguise techniques.
As I bit my lip, regret flashed across Hwahong’s face as he looked at me.
He met my gaze and softened his voice as if soothing a child.
“I have also been searching for Wol for over twenty years. How can I not know that heart? But it is not a flow that you can change alone.”
Bitter water rose from within at the words that seemed to urge me to give up.
The moment I opened my mouth to try to persuade Hwahong again, I realized the true meaning hidden in his words.
“If it’s not a flow that I can change alone…”
“To change a large current, a new flow is needed. A force that gathers the White Path could create that flow.”
My eyes widened at the soft answer.
He was hinting that I should use the Murim Alliance.
My heart was pounding with excitement.
Aren’t there already people who would light up their eyes and run at even the smallest trace of the Demonic Sect?
Devil Subjugation Unit.
If I belonged there, I would be able to access information about the Demonic Sect.
Even if I openly chased Yeon-ryang’s whereabouts, I wouldn’t be suspected, and even if the Demonic Sect targeted me, I could hide under the shadow of the Alliance and be protected.
And I had a Letter of Recommendation handwritten by the Murim Alliance Leader.
I couldn’t stay still because my body was burning. I couldn’t bear the impatience and jumped up from my seat.
“Excuse me. Pavilion Lord. I’ll be on my way now.”
“Yes. Be careful on your way.”
Hwahong, who answered kindly, saw me off.
When I returned to the Tang Clan, it was just past the hour of Chook.
It was easier than eating porridge to avoid the signs of the guard warriors and cross the fortress wall.
The moment I raised my head to cross the wall of the detached palace across the inner castle, I paused as I met someone’s eyes.
Dang Juhee was sitting on the wall with her arms crossed.
“Little one. Aren’t you going out too often at night?”
Unlike the playful voice, Dang Juhee’s expression was not good.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You don’t even look like you’re thinking of sleeping.”
Dang Juhee, who answered and came closer, took off my Bamboo hat and quickly scanned my body.
As I shrugged my shoulders because I felt strangely uncomfortable with the gaze fixed around my neck, Dang Juhee muttered softly.
“Nothing happened.”
“Yes?”
“Be careful not to get caught. If Jong Hyun-jo finds out, he’ll die.”
What is she talking about again?
I frowned at the advice that was clearly a strange delusion.
“Sister. Don’t say strange things and go to sleep.”
Despite my sulky reaction, Dang Juhee didn’t care and stretched out both of my cheeks.
“Yes. Little one, you should go to sleep soon too. Don’t go to morning training with dark circles under your eyes.”
He, who unusually nagged, turned around as if seeing my face was the only thing he needed.
As I watched Dang Juhee’s disappearing back, I awkwardly scratched my cheek and entered my residence.
I was careful, but it was obvious enough for Dang Juhee to say something, so I thought I should stay quiet for a while like Hwahong said.
I should look for the Letter of Recommendation.
I hurriedly erased the traces of my outing and turned on the lamp. Songji, who woke up from sleep at the rustling sound, came to me in a daze and asked.
“Young Miss, what are you looking for?”
“I have something to find. Sorry for waking you up. Go back to sleep, Songji.”
“Yes. Sleep early…”
I sent out Songji, who was rubbing her sleepy eyes, and rummaged through my luggage.
I’m sure I put it somewhere here…
Ah, here it is.
The moment I hurriedly opened the pouch and checked the contents, a sigh burst out involuntarily.
