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Chapter 29
Despite the rather threatening scene before her, Geum Seolha’s expression was bright. It was because she had achieved her goal.
“There sure are a lot of you. How many people is this?”
Geum Seolha carefully examined the daggers hanging at the waists of the black-clad figures who had surrounded her to make escape difficult.
“Where did you get that dagger?”
At the black-clad man’s question as he stepped forward, Geum Seolha twisted her lips into a smirk. Ha Dowoon’s concerns had been exactly right. The fact that they knew about the dagger she had handed over to the Gangseo Branch Leader a few days ago meant—
The Gangseo Branch Leader must have done his job properly.
Satisfaction flickered across Geum Seolha’s face as things unfolded exactly as expected.
“As expected of those bastards from the unorthodox faction. You could’ve just asked politely, but instead you surround people like you’re hunting prey.”
Even at her mocking words, the black-clad figures showed no trace of emotion.
“If you don’t wish to die, it’d be wise to answer our questions obediently.”
“My answer will probably depend on what kind of emblem is carved on your sword hilt.”
Only then did a crack appear in the black-clad man’s expressionless face.
“Well, since I don’t particularly want to die, I’ll answer. It’ll probably be exactly the same thing the Gangseo Branch Leader told you.”
“Capture her.”
The moment the apparent leader gave the order, several men charged toward Geum Seolha.
Ha Dowoon stepped forward. He pushed her behind him with a hand on her shoulder and simultaneously drew his sword.
A flash of light streaked across Geum Seolha’s vision.
An instant later, thunderous explosions tore through her ears.
KWA-GWA-GWANG! BOOM! BOOM!
Reflexively covering her ears with her hands, Geum Seolha watched as thick clouds of dust billowed up before her.
She blinked blankly.
Lightning.
The afterimage of the sword wrapped in bright yellow sword energy resembled a bolt of lightning. Staring at that lingering image, Geum Seolha spoke a beat later.
“Dowoon, are you alright?”
Though the dense dust obscured the surroundings, the back standing before her remained steadfast, as though it would permit no harm to reach her.
“Yes, Miss.”
As the dust settled, Geum Seolha’s eyes widened.
Three or four of the black-clad men were clutching their shoulders or legs, evidently injured.
Those should be that man’s closest subordinates, and he held them off by himself?
Her gaze shifted to Ha Dowoon’s back.
Unlike them, his clothing was immaculate.
Dowoon is a far greater master than I thought.
Now she understood why that man called Jeokrang from the Hao Sect had said that serving as a bodyguard would only make his sword rust.
There was a vast difference between vaguely estimating someone’s realm and experiencing their abilities firsthand.
“Your vital points were spared this time. The next time may be different.”
At the emotionless voice, the black-clad men’s expressions changed.
The prickling pressure in the air made Geum Seolha frown.
“You’re no ordinary man.”
“Are you underestimating the Geumrin Merchant Guild too much?”
Geum Seolha smiled crookedly and stood with her weight shifted onto one leg.
“Miss.”
“No matter how coldly I’m treated, I’m still of Geumrin blood. Did you think someone insignificant would be assigned to guard me?”
She swept her gaze over the black-clad figures.
“If you can’t kill me, then put those swords away.”
Clicking her tongue at the sword tips still pointed at them, she continued.
“A sword you cannot swing is not one you should draw.”
A sharp blue glint flashed in Geum Seolha’s eyes.
“If you’d rather fail to find the person you’re looking for because of your pride and end up starting a war with Geumrin, I won’t stop you.”
Concealing her clenched fist, she casually issued the threat.
“Seems you have too much time on your hands.”
“…”
“Is this pointless contest of pride really your objective?”
Geum Seolha sneered at them.
If Dowoon’s strength hadn’t backed me up, I’d have had no choice but to grovel.
If things became unmanageable, Dowoon would’ve grabbed me and fled long ago.
Which meant that even if the situation completely fell apart, her life was guaranteed.
I can’t waste this opportunity.
She needed to seize control of the situation.
“Ha Dowoon.”
“It doesn’t seem they intended to kill anyone. They likely meant to subdue us even at the cost of some injuries.”
Geum Seolha nodded and looked at their hands.
The emblem faintly visible beneath the hands gripping their swords looked familiar.
“I wasn’t completely certain before, but it seems I came to the right place.”
If these had been enemies pursuing him, they would’ve shown no mercy.
Typical unorthodox faction bastards.
After all, they would’ve assumed he was as good as dead, and once they received his belongings, they would’ve stopped their pursuit.
“You have an antidote, don’t you?”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t? Then your esteemed lord will die just like this.”
Killing intent rose among the black-clad figures.
The muscles in Ha Dowoon’s jaw bulged.
“How dare you speak like that in front of—”
“Leave it. It’s understandable that they’re losing their minds right now.”
Even judging roughly by the timeline Baek Buin had told her, an ordinary person would’ve long since died from the poison.
“Instead of releasing killing intent, shouldn’t you be handing over anything that might help with the poison, even if it’s only half useful?”
“We cannot hand over anything until we meet him directly.”
The moment the man finished speaking, Geum Seolha threw an item from her sleeve.
Tap.
The black-clad man caught it and froze.
It was a neat, newly made sachet.
Yet the stitching and lotus pattern were incredibly familiar.
As he recognized the item, Geum Seolha smiled with satisfaction.
“Looks pretty familiar, doesn’t it?”
“Captain, isn’t that the item our lord occasionally takes out to look at?”
“No, it’s different. That one is old and worn. This one is new.”
Seeing the turmoil on the man’s face, Geum Seolha’s smile widened.
At least this one knew.
“Could it be that the owner of this sachet is with our lord?”
“That’s right.”
“Is she… safe?”
“For now.”
No one interrupted the question whose subject had been left unspoken.
“As for the future, who knows? We don’t have a physician skilled with that kind of poison.”
“…”
“And the owner of the sachet is in a difficult position because of your lord, so she can’t move freely either.”
From Hong Buin to Moyong Auntie, many people stood to benefit if Baek Buin lost her position as the true power holder, and they were watching her closely.
“That’s why I came instead of sending a messenger pigeon that didn’t know the destination.”
“A blood relative of Geumrin came all this way… for something like this?”
“My circumstances are more desperate than they appear.”
Geum Seolha shrugged casually.
“You should be grateful I’m involved. Even if Geumrin isn’t the greatest merchant guild in the world, it’s still among the top three.”
“…”
“You’d be wise to forget any foolish ideas about climbing over walls. That household isn’t nearly so easy to infiltrate.”
If it had been possible, she and Ha Dowoon would’ve used that method themselves long ago.
“How can we trust you?”
Geum Seolha clicked her tongue.
They had judged the situation quickly enough, but they were still reluctant to lower their guard.
She glanced at her own hand.
Is it because I’m too young?
Starting early was advantageous for overturning the original story, but being too young was certainly inconvenient.
Tilting her head briefly, Geum Seolha searched through the original plot in her memory.
There had to be something useful.
“Ah.”
A realization escaped her lips.
Right. That would work.
Confidence brightened her youthful face.
“This way is more fun, isn’t it?”
At the cheerful words, every black-clad figure froze.
It was their lord’s favorite saying.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You really don’t let anything pass easily. That’s his catchphrase, isn’t it? If I’m acquainted with the owner of the sachet, do you think I’ve never met your lord lying sick in bed?”
She had seen him, though she’d never actually heard him say those words.
Of course, they didn’t know that.
Geum Seolha remained perfectly composed.
Yet it seemed to be sufficient proof.
The atmosphere surrounding her changed, and as swords were sheathed, the captain approached.
“Stop there and speak from where you stand.”
Ha Dowoon’s vigilance brought the man’s steps to a halt.
The black-clad man reached into his robes, withdrew a small box, and tossed it over.
Ha Dowoon intercepted it before Geum Seolha could.
Only after opening it and confirming it wasn’t dangerous did he hand it to her.
A fragrant herbal scent wafted from the small, round medicinal pill inside.
Geum Seolha spoke.
“I heard there isn’t a complete antidote.”
“It helps suppress and neutralize the poison. With our lord’s internal energy, it should be enough.”
“So you’re saying you’re not certain.”
A faint anxiety surfaced, and Geum Seolha let out a troubled sigh.
I confidently reassured Baek Buin. This really will work, right?
Of course, in the original story, that man survived even without this medicine.
Though he was left with terrible scars.
At any rate, he wouldn’t die, so it was worth trying.
“I’ll deliver it.”
She tucked the item into her robes.
However, the black-clad figures remained standing where they were.
“Just in case, if you try climbing over Geumrin’s walls, your lord will truly be in danger, so don’t get any foolish ideas.”
“…Wouldn’t it be fine as long as we aren’t caught?”
Geum Seolha let out a dry laugh.
Well, no.
That definitely wasn’t going to happen.
