“Are you seriously saying you’re heading to the Gi-mun from here?”
Currently, there are two places that can claim ownership of Im Ha-yeon.
The Gi-mun, where Im Ha-yeon originally belonged, and the Do-mun, which currently possesses her miracle.
Since Do-mun reclaimed Gi-mun’s textile and brothel, which were taken over by the Sa-pa, according to their logic, Im Ha-yeon’s miracle has now shifted to Do-mun.
Of course, there was a problem.
There were suspicions that Do-mun instigated the Sa-pa to attack the Gi-mun.
Moreover, Im Ha-yeon was the only survivor during the raid on the brothel. Do-mun searched desperately for Im Ha-yeon, while the Gi-mun appeared ready to give her up in response to Do-mun’s calls.
But suddenly, the Gi-mun shows up asking for Im Ha-yeon?
“I’m not causing this ruckus until dawn just to hand over Ha-yeon.”
Time has passed and the dawn is breaking. I spoke to the suddenly appearing woman from Gi-mun with a stern face.
“Is this situation the conclusion?”
“……”
I followed the woman’s gaze, indicating to look around at the martial artists surrounding us.
The Do-mun’s martial artists were showing hostility towards us but were hesitant to act due to their fewer numbers, while Gi-mun’s martial artists appeared to be watching the situation but seemed ready to draw their swords at any moment.
In the forest of swords with at least a hundred blades, not a single ally was there to raise a sword for us.
“Ha-yeon. It’s been a long time since I taught you the pipa a few years ago. You were such a clever child.”
The woman greeted the Im Ha-yeon behind me with a friendly face.
“Yes. I remember.”
Do they know each other?
“It’s unfortunate that we’re meeting again under these circumstances, but if you’re as clever as I remember, you’ll understand what you need to do right now.”
“What the hell are you trying to meddle in, courtesan! Do you know how hard we’ve worked to catch that girl?”
Perhaps feeling the risk of losing the fruits of their efforts overnight, a martial artist from Do-mun yelled at the woman.
“Was that hard work also aimed at threatening a guest of the Tang Family?”
The woman looked at the martial artist with a expression that suggested he’d acted foolishly.
“Ha! Whatever, they’re just barbarians. As long as they don’t die, the uptight regulars from far away are not going to move all the way to Wuhan. We’ll take care of it, so get lost already!”
“You’re obnoxious and foolish as well.”
“Damn it! You decided to give up on Im Ha-yeon, so why the hell do you suddenly show up? …Ugh!”
As Do-mun’s martial artists were about to draw their swords, the bulkier martial artists from Gi-mun silently directed their glares at the Do-mun members.
The Gi-mun woman nodded with satisfaction at that sight and turned to look at Im Ha-yeon again.
“Ha-yeon. If you follow me now, I’ll do my best to clear your grievances.”
“……Can Master Kang return safely?”
I felt Im Ha-yeon’s gaze from behind me.
“Ha-yeon!”
What are you saying?
“Yeah. I promise to keep your benefactor safe.”
“Lady Ha-yeon, hold my hand tightly.”
Don’t give up. Where are you trying to go? I clutched her hand tightly so she could feel my emotions.
“You.”
A voice that sounded resigned reached me.
“Don’t be ridiculous, stay back!”
The sky was slowly fading its deep blue hue. If we just wait a little longer, the sun would rise. After the harsh night, the warm sunlight would brush over the land.
Just a bit longer. We just need to hold on a little more.
“Ha-yeon. If you don’t come with me now, your benefactor will be in danger.”
“Don’t listen to her. There’s a place nearby where the surveillance is loose.”
Can I break through? I definitely can’t. I can’t let Im Ha-yeon escape; I’d have to become bait.
“……”
“Lady Ha-yeon?”
Im Ha-yeon turned her face back, showing an expression full of deep contemplation, finally making an important decision.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Guh!”
Before my body could react, her hand touched the sleep acupoint. A blood-stabbing technique that causes unconsciousness.
No!
My vision faded to black. My body lost its strength.
I felt my collapsing body being caught by something soft.
“……Thank you. It was fun. I was happy. And…”
In my fading consciousness, the last thing I remembered was her sorrowful voice in my ear and the tears from her eyes touching my cheek.
————
My mind is floating.
Exhaustion from drained stamina, hunger, and various wounds had me struggling to stay awake in the sweet embrace of sleep.
Sleep is so sweet. I feel like I could sleep for half a day more.
“Hyung! The Club Leader is smiling!”
“Leave him be; he must be dreaming something nice.”
“Ugh.”
I don’t know why, but suddenly I feel like I must wake up.
“I think he’s coming to!”
“Sleep thief! He’s a skilled doctor!”
“See? I read Donguibogeum a few times! This level of blood-stabbing can be undone!”
With the noisy chatter, I barely managed to open my heavy eyelids.
“Where is this?”
“This is the office of the Unki Inn. This morning, the courtesan and martial artists brought you unconscious and told us to protect you for sure, so we came too.”
Beside the bed were the Sam-gu brothers, a physician, and other members of the hyangwoo association, bustling around.
However, the one who should have been the most worried about me was not there.
“Where is Lady Ha-yeon?”
“Didn’t you find her yesterday, brother-in-law?”
Choi Il-gu replied to me with a bewildered expression.
So it really wasn’t a dream.
I closed my eyes tightly in anguish and bit my lips.
In the end, I couldn’t protect Im Ha-yeon. All my efforts spanning months to protect her turned to dust in an instant.
An overwhelming sense of defeat dragged my body down.
With weary exhaustion and senses of failure, the temptation to close my eyes and leave this reality for dreamland washed over me.
“This isn’t the time for that.”
I struggled to shake off the temptation and tried to get up.
“Stay seated.”
“Who?”
Turning my head at the unfamiliar voice, I saw someone with hair not dark like the others, staring at me.
“I’m here at the behest of Si-mun Hyang-ju.”
—————
“Could you let them know that I’m visiting Si-mun Hyang-ju?”
I couldn’t waste a single second. I quickly put on my coat and spoke to the person who came from Si-mun.
“If you go now, you can see them. But the answer you’ll receive will be the same.”
The Si-mun person spoke to me coldly.
“What kind of answer?”
Has the situation already been conveyed?
I hope it’s a positive response, but their expression and tone make me anxious.
“Give up on Im Ha-yeon.”
That was, indeed, not a good answer.
“Then why on earth did I go through so much trouble in Wuhan?”
Why be so disappointing?
“If you give up on Im Ha-yeon, the Hyang-ju said they would help you.”
“……Keep going.”
I sat down and glanced at the spot where a woman should normally be serving tea, which felt oddly empty.
“If Master Kang stops interfering, Si-mun will mediate between Gi-mun and Do-mun. That will include the Brothel Raid incident and the fleeing courtesan issue of Im Ha-yeon.”
“Well then, isn’t that fine?”
If they mean to handle things so I won’t stir up trouble, I have no intention of stepping in.
“However, Im Ha-yeon will return as a courtesan. The miracle will also belong to Do-mun, not Gi-mun.”
“What kind of mediation is that?”
That’s not the resolution I was looking for! I glared at the Si-mun representative with my brows furrowed.
“It’s a compromise. Gi-mun completely gives up on Im Ha-yeon’s miracle, in exchange, Do-mun treats Im Ha-yeon as a courtesan, not as a fleeing courtesan.”
“That’s not the solution I want.”
“But that’s a resolution Ha-yeon would accept.”
“……”
How much did Im Ha-yeon anticipate her return?
For some reason, I felt moisture slipping down my dry cheeks.
“Si-mun hasn’t found evidence about the Do-mun’s Brothel Raid. If we dig any deeper, we’ll stir up a hornet’s nest nobody wants to touch, affecting Si-mun, Do-mun, and Gi-mun all.”
While they might clash and fight, ultimately they are all members of the Ha-o Clan. I don’t want the worst-case scenario to happen. That’s something Si-mun Hyang-ju often used to say.
Don’t get too heated; let’s stitch things up and move on, right?
Surely there’s a way for Si-mun, Gi-mun, and Do-mun to all be satisfied. But you know…
“So you’re saying I should be satisfied that Lady Ha-yeon returns to being a courtesan? Whatever schemes Do-mun may have later regarding her miracle, it has nothing to do with me.”
I absolutely can’t accept that. Do you have any idea of the fate that awaits Ha-yeon?
“She’s been a courtesan all along. Why does it matter if a courtesan returns to being a courtesan? I know it’s a troubling matter. But Master Kang should really give up….”
“What’s there to contemplate? Let’s go. I need to meet Si-mun Hyang-ju.”
I need help to rescue Im Ha-yeon, and I need it right now.
The Tang Family is far away, the Seocheon Post Office is barely a handful, and seeking help from Man Geum-jeon who’s trying to connect me with Je-gal Hyang is nonsensical.
Right now, there’s only one place I can seek help.
“Pardon? Master Kang?”
Ignoring the Si-mun representative’s bewildered expression, I stood up and opened the office door.
“I have no intention of giving her up.”
———————————————————
“I knew you’d come.”
At the hurriedly arranged tavern of Si-mun Hyang-ju, she welcomed me with a light smile.
“Please help me.”
Not in a submissive manner but standing tall. I asserted my rights while asking for mercy.
I lowered my body and looked up at Si-mun Hyang-ju.
“Clearing the reputation of a fleeing courtesan and retrieving the miracle from Do-mun are two different issues. Those lunatics will never agree to it.”
“If it were an easy problem, I wouldn’t have come to this place from the beginning.”
“To help you, we must clash with Do-mun directly. Why should Si-mun have to support you, even at the risk of sacrifices?”
Si-mun Hyang-ju gazed at me as if I were something insignificant that she could crush at any time.
Yeah. I’m merely a promising prospect of Si-mun.
Who would step in just for a new hire?
“You won’t regret it.”
If I’m not careful, a dispute could erupt within the sect, spilling blood. I need to prove that I have that much value.
I looked at Si-mun Hyang-ju confidently.
“You won’t regret it?”
“Get what’s outside in here!”
As I spoke, the door opened, and a large chest was brought to my feet.
“What’s this?”
“This contains information about which officials are taking bribes from a well-known public servant for their integrity. This contains information about the new mistress at the Jeongseong Post Office being involved with the household’s son, and this contains evidence that the Hajeong Merchant Association has double ledgers…”
The chest was packed with potentially valuable information.
“What on earth?”
“This is information I’ve gathered by sending my subordinates to collect. If Hyang-ju desires, I can provide as much information as you want.”
“Ha. I don’t remember ever teaching you this kind of thing.”
Si-mun Hyang-ju gazed at me in disbelief.
“Usually, such underhanded work is learned by merely observing.”
I shrugged nonchalantly, as if the information sitting on the table was just the tip of the iceberg.
Si-mun Hyang-ju’s initial test had puzzled me for a while.
“Create your own faction in Si-mun.” That was all she’d said, but was that enough?
Ha-o Clan relies on information.
Having me build my own faction meant she envisioned me gathering an undeniable power of information for myself.
I was sure this information would come in handy. Having reached my conclusion, I’d gathered up all the valuable information.
“Ha-ha-ha! Where did this kid come from….”
Si-mun Hyang-ju smiled broadly, her wrinkles brightening like they couldn’t deepen any further.
“Please help me.”
“Alright! It’s only right to invest in someone worth investing in. I’ll help! Right now, ownership claims of Im Ha-yeon are happening in two places, so we’ll start the direction of retrieving the miracle from Gi-mun…”
“There are three places, not two.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m bringing her not to Gi-mun but next to me.”
“That’s even harder. But why go that far?”
“Because I need to give her an answer.”
I promised myself that I would hold her hand over the magnificent view of Wuhan at night and give her that answer.
“What?”
The last thing Im Ha-yeon said to me as I lost consciousness.
“Thank you. It was fun. I was happy. And…”
The promise of responding to that made me feel my heart tightening.
The words that she’d poured forth in embarrassment, never intending for anyone to hear.
“I love you.”
“I will respond to your confession in my own way.”
