Chapter 84 "I overheard it while taking a walk on a day when the breeze was cool. I do not remember it clearly."
"A walk, you say. Then it seems every servant and guard in the Namgung Clan must be punished. Words I never spoke aloud are wandering about without the master's knowledge."
There was not a trace of laughter in the declaration, and the already quiet table turned as cold as ice.
When faced with a response no different from reprimand, lowering oneself was proper conduct.
"My heart aches. So many will be punished because of me alone…"
Yet Yeo Il had already resolved not to waste further time within the Namgung Clan. After sitting with a downcast expression, she raised her head again as if nothing were amiss.
"Then when do you depart?"
"..."
"I will pack lightly so as not to be a burden."
Namgung Pae let out a scoff.
"If you follow, the schedule will be delayed."
"I will strive not to delay it."
"The terrain is high, and the road rough. At times we must walk without a carriage. How could you possibly keep up?"
At the chain of questions, she became certain. Namgung Pae was not seeking to shake Namgung Soyo from his journey at any cost.
He was merely probing—could she persuade him?
His stance was clearly negative, yet the fact that he did not reject her outright and instead listed reasons one by one why she could not come made it evident.
"I understand that I do not appear reliable. But Uncle Pae, I intend to follow you regardless. Would it not be better for you if I accompanied you rather than trailing behind unseen?"
"A child without eyes, prying into my path."
"How would I dare pry into yours? I already know the destination. You are going to Hangryong."
For the first time, Namgung Pae fell silent. She had struck the mark.
So Nanny Jang's words were true.
At the mention of Hangryong, whispers spread around the table.
The many rumors and strange tales surrounding Hangryong were shocking enough to common ears that once the topic arose, it did not easily die down.
Namgung Jeok-myeong spoke as well, his tone surprised.
"Uncle. Are you truly going to meet the Gate Master of Hangryong?"
The sound of tea being poured rang softly.
"It remains doubtful whether that high-minded man will grant me an audience. And let me say this again."
"..."
"I have never learned martial arts and possess no capacity to protect you, Namgung Soyo. I have no desire to bring along one who relies only on stubbornness and will."
His tone suggested that even if she stirred the table with filial devotion, it would not sway him in the slightest.
Yet Namgung Pae was clearly enjoying the exchange with her.
For a fleeting moment, she considered resorting to tears and fainting—an old method, but perhaps effective.
Then—
"If you are so concerned for Soyo, as her elder brother I cannot simply stand by. Ha ha. Please do not worry. I will accompany Soyo, Uncle."
Namgung Jeok-myeong's large hand patted Yeo Il's shoulder with confidence. She bit lightly into the inside of her cheek.
He will follow as my guardian?
An unexpected addition.
…But it is not unfavorable.
Namgung Jeok-myeong was an ally. Moreover, no matter how suspicious her conduct, he firmly believed she was frail and naive, nodding even when she displayed cunning.
"If you and I leave, who will guard the Namgung Clan?"
"Hui-myeong remains."
"He is still young."
"He once was. But as you know, Uncle, Hui-myeong has matured greatly of late. If there is medicine that may aid Father's condition and we do not accompany you, we will surely be accused of filial failure. Please allow Soyo and me to go with you."
When Namgung Jeok-myeong requested it with proper courtesy, the frozen air at the table softened.
"Haha… It seems my elder brother truly raised his children well. Do not be so rigid, Pae. Why not take them both?"
"Is not their devotion to their father admirable? If Jeok-myeong is present, there is nothing to worry about. Let them go."
Those who had not uttered a word for Yeo Il's sake now became steadfast supporters at a single remark from Namgung Jeok-myeong.
And Namgung Pae—
"If you all say so, it cannot be helped."
He withdrew at an appropriate point, as though it truly could not be helped.
He was no less a serpent than Namgung Jeok-myeong.
Several days later, on the eve of their departure for Hangryong, news arrived that Nanny Jang of the Go Family had finally passed away.
Yeo Il went to find Go Sangbaek shortly after hearing that he had left Danli Mukran's residence.
"My lady, Young Master Go is over there. It seems he has noticed you and is walking this way. We need only wait here a moment."
The neat fragrance that clung to Go Sangbaek drifted on the wind.
Yeo Il plucked the leaf that brushed her shoulder along with the scent. Tracing the shape of the character with her fingertips, she found it easy to recognize this time.
After kill came life.
So they intended to kill but have changed their mind and will spare me?
No sooner had she removed the leaf than Go Sangbaek's voice reached her.
"Namgung Soyo."
"So you are returning now."
"Yes. I did not expect to depart in such a manner… It is regrettable in many ways. This is fortunate timing. There was one item I had yet to give you."
The rustling of paper was heard.
"It is a letter containing my heart in brief. Please read it only when you are alone."
Yeo Il accepted it obediently, though Chang-a, who was supporting her, trembled in surprise.
"I hope there will be a day we meet again."
But there would be no such day.
Yes, there would be no reunion. That fact meant there was nothing left to hesitate over.
"Young Master Go."
"Yes?"
"Are you aware that someone always follows behind you?"
The response came a fraction too slow.
"...I do not know what you mean."
He knows.
That changes matters.
A sudden gust of wind swept through.
Yellowing leaves rained down from above.
She felt Go Sangbaek's breathing quicken with tension. Yeo Il's pale fingers fluttered and gently caught a drifting leaf.
"My eyes do not see, so I cannot confirm the character. Would you read it for me?"
"A character… you say?"
Go Sangbaek took the leaf with a puzzled expression, then answered in a voice tinged with astonishment.
"There truly is a character… It says bu (簿)."
Killing Register (殺生簿).
From among the leaves falling like mist, Yeo Il caught a second one.
"And this?"
"Tae (泰)."
"And this?"
"San (山)."
"And this?"
"Ji (地)."
"And this?"
"Ok (獄)."
"And this?"
"Hyeol (穴)."
When she passed no more leaves, Go Sangbaek looked again at the characters gathered in his hand and asked gravely,
"Tae-san Ji-ok-hyeol? What does this mean, Namgung Soyo?"
Yeo Il smiled faintly.
"It is not Tae-san Ji-ok-hyeol."
It was Taesan. And Jiokhyeol.
Her smile deepened.
I know who it is.
In this vast world, there was only one who knew both Taesan and Jiokhyeol.
Taesan was Yeo Il's true name.
And Jiokhyeol was the hell pit of Salmak where one hundred boys and girls, including Yeo Il, gathered and died in turn—known only to one who knew that truth…
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