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Chapter 3
The Youngest Son of the Nakyang Jin Family
Baek Jinhwa watched a group of people through the window. The sight of them hurriedly leaving caught her attention.
One of them was so famous in Nakyang that practically everyone knew his face.
He was none other than the youngest son of the Nakyang Jin family.
Beside him was a servant who had been with him since childhood.
The two seemed to be talking, though the servant kept speaking while the young man frowned, clearly uninterested in listening.
“Jin Cheonwoo…”
He was in front of the owner of the Hwaseon Inn, not asking for food but information. He even paid a massive sum of two silver ingots for it.
It was as if he knew she belonged to the Hao Sect.
The situation was unbelievable.
Of course, knowing about the Hao Sect wasn’t unusual, but for the inn to speak as if it knew it was a Hao Sect base and be so confident about everything—that was different.
“What could it be?”
Baek Jinhwa checked the portrait sketch Jin Cheonwoo had drawn while eating. Indeed, as the young master of the Nakyang Jin family, he had received the finest education from an early age. His skill in painting and calligraphy was impressive.
It was far superior to the simple sketches displayed on the street.
“Hong Mae.”
“Yes!”
Baek Jinhwa spoke quietly, and the door opened as a woman entered.
She stood still, as if waiting for instructions. Baek Jinhwa handed her the portrait sketch.
“Find out about this. As quickly as possible. And also who she is. I’m very curious why this young master of the Nakyang Jin family would pay such a huge sum to find her.”
“Yes, understood.”
As the woman disappeared, Baek Jinhwa took a deep breath and thought of Jin Cheonwoo.
He was certainly called a prodigy, though he had been staying in seclusion recently due to poor health…
It seemed he truly had been a prodigy.
His aura was ordinary, but his eyes were not.
She could feel his overwhelming presence pressing down on her.
For now… maybe it’s worth investigating further.
Her eyes glimmered with interest.
“Really? Why would you do that? How much did you spend?”
On the way home.
Jang Chuhyung’s incessant chatter beside her was deafening.
It was so loud that even covering her ears, she could still hear it, making her want to clamp her mouth shut.
Of course, she understood his feelings.
Even though she had spent a huge sum for a meal, it was two silver ingots—a sum that ordinary people couldn’t save in years.
It might seem excessive just to get a piece of information, but considering that the woman in question was the one she most needed right now, it wasn’t a waste.
Still, the incessant chirping of Jang Chuhyung’s voice was too much.
She frowned.
“Be quiet for once.”
“If you have that much money to spend, why not give it to me instead?”
The constant chirping was really irritating.
With a sigh, she pulled a silver coin from her purse and tossed it.
“Huh?”
“Take it.”
“R-Really? Are you actually giving this to me?”
“It’s a token of my gratitude.”
“…Finally, you acknowledge me? But what are you grateful for?”
It was because he had stayed by her side, protecting her, even until now.
One silver coin could never repay such a debt.
If he wanted money, she could give him more than a lifetime’s worth. If he needed anything else, she could find it by any means.
It was a debt she could never fully repay.
But for now, even indulging in such thoughts was a luxury.
They would inevitably come.
The first priority was to stop them.
“Let’s go home for now.”
“Yes, yes!”
Thanks to a single silver coin, Jang Chuhyung was surprisingly compliant.
Seeing his broad grin, it seemed he was quite pleased.
They returned home, entering the Nakyang Jin family residence and heading toward an annex.
Upon opening the door to the room, a strong scent of incense hit her.
The maids had cleaned the room and lit incense, but without opening the windows, the scent lingered heavily.
She frowned at the sight of a meal set out, cold and unattended for some time, as if left ready for her at any moment.
Jang Chuhyung grimaced at the sight.
Then, an even angrier voice echoed:
“Who dares to burn incense like this? And why is the food cold?! How dare you serve cold food to the young master?!”
Boom—!
Hong Guhyun’s deep voice thundered.
It seemed he had followed her in or noticed the state of the room, exploding in anger.
The servants and maids working inside and outside froze in panic.
As the head servant of the Nakyang Jin family, Hong Guhyun was in charge of all the household staff. When he scolded them, it meant someone had definitely done wrong.
Flushing red with anger, Hong Guhyun entered, opened the windows, and shouted at the maids hanging laundry outside:
“Why haven’t you brought the food yet?!”
“…We’re sorry, sir!”
“Sorry to me?!”
“We’re sorry, young master. It’s our fault.”
The maids, tearful and hurried, quickly obeyed. Not a single one dared to make an excuse, showing just how respected Hong Guhyun was among the servants.
Baek Jinhwa smiled lightly and waved her hand.
“It’s fine. I ate outside, so you can clear it away. And don’t burn incense like this again.”
“Ah… yes, young master! We’ll be careful next time.”
Seeing the maids scurry, Hong Guhyun’s eyes turned sharply toward Jang Chuhyung.
Flinch!
Under his piercing gaze, Jang Chuhyung shrank. Despite his appearance, he was easily intimidated.
“What are you doing? You shouldn’t just follow the young master around, you should work! Weren’t you supposed to teach them?”
“Well, the young master said to go out… and you…”
“Quiet! Who do you think you’re talking back to? You lazy, useless fool!”
“Ah, you’re really harsh…”
“Get to work! Stop slacking off!”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
Jang Chuhyung, looking intimidated, bowed quickly and hurried off. Besides assisting her, he managed the overall affairs of the annex and was extremely busy.
Baek Jinhwa chuckled softly and sat down.
“Cough! No need to get so angry.”
“How can I not? Those who assist the young master must do their job properly. By the way, is your cough still bothering you? Should I fetch a physician?”
“No, it’s just a lingering cough. No fever.”
“Hmm… if it worsens, I’ll bring a doctor immediately. With everyone gone, isn’t it my duty to look after you?”
“Ha, thank you. But I want to rest a bit.”
“Understood. Call if you need anything. That boy, Chuhyung, isn’t very reliable…”
When Baek Jinhwa nodded, Hong Guhyun bowed and left. Once she confirmed he was gone, she lay back on the bed.
Cough, cough!
Her cough worsened suddenly, pulling at her stomach and straining her throat, leaving her nearly gagging.
After a while, it gradually subsided. She sat up again, feeling slightly more comfortable.
Chirp—
Morning had arrived.
Sunlight filtered through the window as she rose, feeling lighter than the previous day.
Her mind was clear, and her body, once languid, felt somewhat agile.
Her morning energy cultivation seemed to have partially neutralized the poison.
Of course, she wasn’t cured.
Her small internal energy could only do so much.
It was the best she could do.
The question was how long she could hold out.
Smiling bitterly, she looked toward Donggyeong, noticing her color had returned slightly. She no longer looked like a patient.
She tested her body—slightly stiff, but manageable. A little exertion seemed possible.
“Good.”
Satisfied, she turned to look outside.
Countless maids and servants moved busily across the yard and halls. Though the scene appeared normal, someone was likely observing her, just as yesterday.
“I can’t stay like this forever.”
She couldn’t continue playing under their control.
If anyone noticed her improved health and color, they would realize the poison wasn’t working. Then, they would likely act more aggressively next time. She couldn’t afford that.
She sat, swallowing her breath, and resolved to act.
She needed to eliminate them all in one sweep.
No one could be left; only then could she breathe.
Organizing her thoughts, she stood.
Strength was necessary to sweep them away.
Her current strength wasn’t sufficient, so she would use other means to compensate.
Unlike the past, she still had reserves to draw upon.
She stepped outside.
Countless people greeted her, and she smiled back.
But she knew for certain that among them, someone would draw a blade against her.
She regained focus and walked further, eventually stopping at a large pavilion.
This was the office of Chief Manager Yoo Hyun.
Without prior notice, she opened the door and entered.
Yoo Hyun, busy with paperwork, looked up.
“Ah? Young master? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
With her father absent, Yoo Hyun managed the household. Known as her father’s right-hand man, he skillfully ran things in his absence.
She didn’t doubt his abilities.
Smiling slightly, she sat.
“Cough, cough… It’s good to see you too, Chief Manager. I believe it’s been over ten years.”
“Haha! Ten years? I saw you just four days ago. You have quite a sense of humor. But why have you come? It’s not money, I assume?”
“Even if I needed money, I wouldn’t borrow from you. More importantly… when will my parents return?”
“Hmm… I think it will be at least another month. Possibly longer, due to bandits in the area.”
She nodded.
Indeed, the timing matched her recollection. The bandits had delayed things, and she had received no help.
Even her father couldn’t easily overcome their deliberate interference.
“Did you come just to ask that?”
“Cough. Do I look so idle?”
“Haha! No, of course not. So, what is the matter?”
She studied Yoo Hyun quietly. After a pause, she spoke firmly:
“Provide me with escorts. Only those I choose. And do it discreetly.”
“Ho, escorts? What for…?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Yoo Hyun’s eyes showed curiosity. Asking for escorts without explanation naturally raised questions.
She smiled slightly and looked him straight in the eye.
There was no room for refusal.
She wouldn’t tolerate wasting time on needless questions.
Time was precious.
“No more questions. This is not a request—it’s an order from your young master.”
“Hmm…”
Yoo Hyun’s expression subtly changed as he regarded her.
