Chapter 74
The situation was escalating far too rapidly in just a single day.
Following Tak Joong-hak’s orders, Cheon-young ran at his fastest speed and knocked on the door of Yeong-eun Pavilion.
The problem was that the person who should have been there was missing.
“You’re telling me that the First Young Lady is not here?”
It was hard to believe, so much so that Cheon-young found himself asking again, which was unlike him.
“Yes, sir. The First Young Lady left for her family’s home early this morning.”
Even So-ok could sense his urgency. She shrank back slightly, feeling pressured, when Cheon-young asked again.
“Excuse me, but aren’t you her bodyguard?”
He glanced at Seo Ryeon, who was standing behind So-ok. A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
The master had left, so why was her bodyguard still here?
“Oh, she left before I arrived. She told me she would return soon, so I’m waiting. In case we miss each other along the way.”
Since the man was from Hyunma Manor, Seo Ryeon answered as politely as she could.
“Is that so?”
Cheon-young hesitated for a moment before making a request.
“If the First Young Lady returns, could you bring her to Tak Manor?”
“To Tak Manor?”
“Yes. Her grandmother is currently there.”
Her grandmother… at Tak Manor?
It was difficult to believe at first.
However, since the Tak Clan was involved, Seo Ryeon nodded in agreement.
She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she had a bad feeling about it.
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands and take my leave.”
As soon as Cheon-young departed, So-ok anxiously turned to Seo Ryeon.
“Seo Ryeon, what do you think is happening?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
Though she reassured So-ok, Seo Ryeon felt an ominous sense of foreboding.
‘I should have hurried in the morning.’
Even though it wasn’t her fault, Seo Ryeon regretted not acting sooner.
More than anything, the look in that Tak Clan warrior’s eyes disturbed her.
“Whew…”
Time passed slowly, and their unease grew. So-ok began pacing back and forth.
Thoughts tangled and unraveled in Seo Ryeon’s mind.
“So-ok, I’m going to the shop.”
“Really?”
With Seol-ha taking longer than expected, So-ok secretly wished for that too.
“I’ll bring her back.”
Just as Seo Ryeon reassured So-ok with a pat on the shoulder…
“Who exactly are you planning to bring back?”
A familiar voice came from the entrance.
Jeok I-geon appeared and strode toward them.
“We greet the Second Young Master.”
Both Seo Ryeon and So-ok quickly bowed in respect.
“…I don’t see Seol-ha.”
His words carried more weight than they seemed.
Though they served Seol-ha, they had also spent a considerable amount of time around Jeok I-geon.
By now, they could read his emotions just from his tone.
And right now, he was in a foul mood.
“The First Young Lady left for her family’s home early this morning.”
“For what reason?”
As far as Jeok I-geon knew, Seol-ha had no reason to suddenly visit home.
Moreover, she had a training session scheduled with him every day at Majungcheon during the zi hour (midnight) and wu hour (noon).
Yesterday, she had taken a break due to an invitation from the Tak Clan, but their training had not concluded.
“She seemed disturbed since last night.”
Feeling overwhelmed by Jeok I-geon’s intimidating presence, So-ok confessed honestly.
“Since last night…?”
His gaze shifted to Seo Ryeon.
He said nothing more, but Seo Ryeon was not foolish—she understood what he was demanding.
“…That is…”
She hesitated.
Seol-ha had made her promise not to speak of the portrait.
But now, in this situation, Seo Ryeon was conflicted.
If she spoke, she would betray Seol-ha.
If she stayed silent, and something truly happened to Seol-ha, she would regret it forever.
“Tell me the truth. Exactly as it happened.”
His voice was short and direct.
A bad omen.
Convincing herself that speaking was in Seol-ha’s best interest, Seo Ryeon finally revealed the truth.
“Well… yesterday…”
“You found a portrait in one of Tak Manor’s abandoned halls? A portrait of Seol-ha?”
“Not Seol-ha—but someone who looked exactly like her. The painting appeared to be quite old.”
“…I see.”
His response did not sound like he was seeking an answer.
Seo Ryeon simply bowed her head.
Even if it was unavoidable, she had still broken her promise to Seol-ha.
“So, was that why the Tak Clan warrior visited earlier?”
So-ok, standing beside her, tilted her head and whispered. It was the first time she had heard about the portrait.
“Well… I don’t know about that either…”
“Did you just say someone from the Tak Clan was here?”
“Yes, Young Master. They requested the First Young Lady to come to Tak Manor once she returns. It seems her grandmother is there.”
“Seol-ha’s grandmother is at Tak Manor?”
Jeok I-geon’s expression changed.
Something was definitely wrong.
He did not know the full details, but everyone involved was not to be taken lightly.
“I’m going to find Seol-ha. Seo Ryeon, come with me.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
As soon as they left Yeong-eun Pavilion, Jeok I-geon headed straight for the Ghostly Soul Pavilion.
From what Seo Ryeon knew, this place did not allow just anyone to enter.
However, Jeok I-geon was clearly an exception.
At his arrival, the guards of Ghostly Soul Pavilion greeted him with disciplined bows and led them directly to the Pavilion Master’s chamber.
Knock, knock.
“Young Master?”
Amidst sorting through documents, Gong Pae-cheon looked up in surprise.
“What brings you here?”
“I have a request.”
“Please, speak.”
“Seol-ha has disappeared.”
“…What? You mean the First Young Lady?”
To Gong Pae-cheon, this was completely out of nowhere.
At the same time, one name immediately crossed his mind—Shin Geum.
That woman treasured Seol-ha dearly, so it was natural to be concerned.
“Yesterday, Seol-ha visited Tak Manor and found a portrait of a woman who looked exactly like her. Do you know anything about it?”
“……!”
“The Tak Clan even came all the way to Yeong-eun Pavilion asking about her.”
As Jeok I-geon spoke, he carefully observed how Gong Pae-cheon’s expression changed.
‘He can’t even hide it in front of me.’
It was clear that he knew something.
But even if he asked, Gong Pae-cheon wouldn’t answer.
In that case…
“Find her.”
It wasn’t a request.
It was an order.
“…Understood.”
Yet, Gong Pae-cheon responded without hesitation.
If he had known nothing, it would have been different.
But now that Ghostly Soul Pavilion was involved, there was no way they wouldn’t find out.
‘Shin Seol-ha…’
Suppressing his growing anxiety, Jeok I-geon waited for Ghostly Soul Pavilion’s response.
Meanwhile, Cheon-young had already mobilized every shadow of Hyunwol Hall to track down Seol-ha.
And it didn’t take long.
“The First Young Lady is currently at Cheonhyeol Yeo Manor.”
“Yeo Manor?”
“Is that true?”
“What would Seol-ha be doing there?”
To Tak Joong-hak and Shin Geum, it was an utter shock.
Their enemies’ intent was clear.
“She was seen visiting the noodle shop early this morning. A neighbor saw her leaving with a man in front of the shop, and his description matches that of Hyeok Ri-cheon, the commander of the Blood Wolves.”
“…So Yeo Gong made his move first.”
A rare curse escaped from Tak Joong-hak’s lips.
“This is unacceptable! How dare they touch my granddaughter? I will slit Yeo Gong’s throat today!”
Fearing what those bastards might do to Seol-ha, Shin Geum grew impatient.
Since they were already being mistaken for spies, there was no telling what those people would do to Seol-ha.
“Our identities have already been exposed, so there’s nothing to hide anymore. We’ll go get Seol-ha back, openly and directly.”
“Wait a moment.”
Tak Joong-hak had already made up his mind.
He had lost his precious daughter years ago.
He wouldn’t lose the last treasure she had left behind.
“Cheon-young.”
“Yes, Master.”
“We’re taking Nokak with us.”
Nokak was the leader of Hundred Souls Hyeonma Corps, the elite combat unit of Hyunma Tak Manor.
Bringing them meant war with Yeo Manor was on the table.
“I will make the preparations.”
This was exactly what Cheon-young wanted.
A short while later, the warriors of Tak Manor set out in full force, marching towards Cheonhyeol Yeo Manor with absolute determination.
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