“Is that kid really the daughter of the Shadowless Thief?”
“I’ve never heard that the Shadowless Thief had a daughter before!”
The faces of both masters were clearly flustered.
If both masters, who managed all information in Hubei Province, were unaware of such a fact, it would be hard to believe.
It was easy to understand why this situation had come to be.
The Shadowless Thief must have been desperate.
The child of a criminal often suffers greatly just from their parent’s identity being revealed. If the Shadowless Thief had a child, he would definitely have tried to hide them.
“I will guarantee it.”
I approached the masters with a confident expression.
“You?”
“I brought this just in case.”
I pulled out undeniable proof from my belongings that Im Ha-yeon was the child of the Shadowless Thief.
“Is this the Black Token of the Shadowless Thief?”
“I coincidentally had a chance to form a bond with my sworn brother.”
If it was the Black Token that had disappeared ten years ago, they couldn’t refuse to believe it.
“The Shadowless Thief is alive… I see. Now I understand why you have been so desperately trying to protect that child from the start. Child, who else knew about this?”
Master Gi-mun glanced over Im Ha-yeon, trying to determine if she really was the Shadowless Thief’s child.
“Only Director Kwak and a few people from the Gongbang knew.”
Im Ha-yeon seemed shocked by the mention of her father, unable to maintain her composure.
“Director Kwak? That guy claims to be friends with the Shadowless Thief, yet he didn’t tell me this information?”
Isn’t the truth that friends often take precedence over superiors? Master Si-mun was dumbfounded.
“Right. The Gongbang of Wusan was home to her trusted subordinates ten years ago.”
“I guess the former Master Gi-mun and the former Master Do-mun must have known.”
Master Si-mun nodded, barely keeping his mouth shut under Master Gi-mun’s gaze.
“So he was trying to protect his daughter. I understand now why the Shadowless Thief suddenly went off the grid.”
Nodding along with Master Gi-mun’s words, Master Si-mun also agreed.
“The deceased Master Do-mun’s disciple is now serving as Master Do-mun. He must have known about Im Ha-yeon’s identity.”
“…”
That was quite a rapid assessment of the situation.
As expected from the masters of the Hawoong Clan. They managed to clarify everything in an instant with just one piece of information.
Im Ha-yeon was speechless at the series of shocking revelations.
“It seems the incident with Ha-yeon was not to eliminate witnesses, but to secure her.”
If Master Do-mun already knew Im Ha-yeon’s identity and happened to find out where the Shadowless Thief lived, then handling the situation would have been easy.
Waiting until they have a majority of support, and then moving to Wusan.
The one piece that would establish Master Do-mun as the power of the Hawoong Clan was Im Ha-yeon.
“I’ve nearly secured the majority, so the plan was to raid Wusan and replace the director with Master Do-mun while simultaneously securing the child.”
“With that, I need to rethink my strategy. I need to speak with Master Si-mun for a moment, so please step outside.”
I nodded at Master Si-mun’s words and turned my body.
—————-
“Master Si-mun, can I ask you something?”
What could be the matter? Just as I was about to step out, Im Ha-yeon approached Master Si-mun and seemed to ask something.
“By the way, how did you find out about this?”
“……”
Why does she look so shocked?
“Ha-yeon, what is it?”
I asked Im Ha-yeon, dragging my foot out the door.
“……The symptoms when my mother passed and the symptoms when Master Si-mun’s wife was poisoned are the same.”
“……”
It seems that the masters in this room were not the only ones who suffered during the rebellion ten years ago.
With a face that looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, Im Ha-yeon plopped down in a chair.
“When that man disappeared, my mother fell ill and eventually passed away. Even when she finally did die, that man never showed his face.”
A chain of misfortunes. How does it feel to realize late that they were caused by someone else’s evil?
I couldn’t dare to imagine.
“I wonder if he couldn’t show himself.”
The only way to ease her gloomy mood was to calmly clear up a long-held misunderstanding.
“That man… that man was trying to protect me?”
“Perhaps he thought if he went off the grid, he wouldn’t be harmed.”
“My mother died.”
The frustration of a girl who lost her mother at the age of nine was apparent.
“However, you are alive.”
I sat beside her and wiped away the tears that were almost ready to spill with my sleeve.
“……. I don’t understand what’s happening.”
She had lived her life resenting her father, the Shadowless Thief.
If the truth was that he went off the grid to protect the family, what if the reason he never showed up was for her safety?
What if the reason he continued to stay in Hubei was out of worry for her?
“For now, let’s wait until the two of them finish their conversation.”
Nothing can instantly heal the pain of a decade.
I’m not going anywhere. I’m here by your side. I’ll simply hold the trembling hand of the woman with my heart.
————
“Kang Yoon-ho can come in now.”
Has the discussion finally concluded? I patted Im Ha-yeon’s shoulder, which had finally calmed down, and quietly entered the room at Master Gi-mun’s voice.
Has Master Si-mun left?
“There are three methods.”
Let’s cut to the chase. We have no time, this is good.
With a determined expression, I looked at Master Gi-mun.
“Do I have a choice?”
“That’s right. Since I decided to help you, I want to hear your thoughts.”
“Please go on.”
“The first is war. Gi-mun and Si-mun will confront Do-mun. Even if we don’t find evidence regarding the Wusan raid, we plan to find an excuse to attack.”
“A civil war, then.”
“Right. It’s not a decision to take lightly. Since Do-mun has gained half the branches’ support, even if Si-mun and Gi-mun join forces, there will be monumental bloodshed.”
A civil war among the Hawoong Clan.
I stared blankly at Master Gi-mun. Even if Si-mun and Gi-mun were willing to sacrifice Im Ha-yeon, this was not what I wanted.
Master Gi-mun, I know you’re trying to keep your emotions in check, but it’s evident that your dislike is showing if you keep fiddling with that empty pipe.
“What is the second option?”
Let’s move on.
“The second is to send that child far away. It’s the most peaceful method.”
“Ha-yeon?”
“To live a normal life in a place not reachable by Do-mun in Hubei. However, since your relationship with that child has already surfaced, you cannot meet or contact her until all matters are resolved.”
“Are you saying I won’t be able to see Ha-yeon ever again as long as Do-mun exists?”
“It’s possible that parting ways can bring happiness.”
Master Gi-mun said this casually while slowly stuffing tobacco into his pipe.
It certainly is a straightforward solution. But come on.
“If I were content with parting, I wouldn’t have come this far.”
I said firmly to Master Gi-mun, and he slowly lit the tobacco and spoke again.
“Hmm. If you dislike that, then there is a third option. One where you don’t have to part with that child and avoid bloodshed.”
Now that’s what I wanted to hear.
“Well then, let’s go with that…”
“Before that, I have something to ask you.”
“Please go ahead.”
What could they want to ask?
Memories of time with my mother? How did I settle matters with the Tang Family Head? Or how far I’ve gone with Im Ha-yeon?
I could probably improvise answers to most of that.
“Lady Tang, what kind of relationship do you have with that child?”
Oh.
—————–
“She’s my fiancée.”
The words escaped my mouth without a moment’s hesitation.
“You already have a fiancée and you’re bringing in that child?”
There was a hint of displeasure in Master Gi-mun’s voice. Will you be taking that pipe and breaking it on my head?
Fortunately, it seems he was just waiting for my answer.
What should I say? Why get upset over that?
I’ve got a fiancée and a childhood friend I’ve promised a future with. There’s even a prospective marriage partner. Saying that would surely get me busted!
In truth, there was no need for me to fuss over an explanation or feel flustered.
I have a special weapon against Master Gi-mun.
“I am not the Tang Family Head.”
I took a step closer to Master Gi-mun with a confident expression.
“Not the Tang Family Head?”
Hearing my words, Master Gi-mun squinted one eye as I continued.
“I am not the kind of bastard who would irresponsibly abandon the woman I have given my heart to.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“I will take responsibility.”
Even while performing in front of Master Gi-mun, those words were not an act.
I would take responsibility for the heroines who had given me their hearts. I would rescue them from their accursed fate.
The vow etched in my heart could never be erased.
As I pressed my hand to my chest, letting my resolve sink into my heart once more.
“Your father said the same.”
Master Gi-mun spoke mildly, as if finding it amusing.
“I’m not the Tang Family. I’m Kang. Don’t compare me to someone who abandoned love because of the weight of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
This time it was my turn to be angry.
The anger of having my character, whom I grew for a month in the game only for it to be patched into trash, came pouring out.
“You’re saying I’m different from my father?”
“If you had investigated me, you should know how I’ve lived.”
“I heard you are the most successful person among the Joseon in Wuhan.”
“All of it was achieved by my own efforts, not my family’s power.”
I spread my arms as if to embrace riches.
“Go on.”
Raising my hands. Just like someone who bears a heavy load.
“The Tang Family Head had to give up the things they held due to the heavy burden of their family. But I am making solid ground beneath my feet for the women I love.”
I pointed to the ground with both palms.
The one crushed by weight and the one standing proud.
I was showing with my whole body the distinct difference between me and the Tang Family Head.
“……”
Looks like I’ve left him speechless.
Good. Now let’s inject some sadness. I pulled my fists to my chest, making a face that longed for my beloved mother, whom I could never meet again.
“Master Gi-mun, I would never dream of making another woman suffer the same pain as my mother. I am here to take responsibility as a man. I stand here to keep Ha-yeon and Lady Tang by my side.”
“If that child hears those words, she’d be delighted.”
Unexpected counterattack?
“Hahaha, of course, I might get my hair pulled for that, but I wouldn’t forsake any woman I’ve decided to take responsibility for, no matter what.”
At the end of laughter, I wore a serious expression. This was meant to convey that there are women I cannot back down from.
What do you think? Are you satisfied?
Master Gi-mun didn’t respond immediately.
He looked at me with a gaze mixed with reminiscence, as if recalling something lost.
“……Come closer.”
“Yes.”
I slowly approached Master Gi-mun.
“Though your face resembles your father, your eyes surely resemble your mother.”
I must say, I think you’re mistaken. Denying it seems a loss, so I’ll just agree, even if you’ve never seen her.
“If you see your mother in my eyes, I’ll gladly stay right here.”
I knelt, looking into the eyes of Master Gi-mun. He scoffed, as if finding it funny.
Maybe it was too much for that soulful gaze.
“……Don’t you dare approach Kiryuu again.”
“What?”
“Being so brazen, I’m sure you’ll make every courtesan cry.”
“Haha.”
A satisfied smile lingered on Master Gi-mun’s face.
“Alright. Even if I’m brazen, at least I won’t lose to a bastard. Now I will tell you the third method.”
—————-
“That method might just allow us to save her.”
I truly didn’t expect such a solution to exist.
Yes. With this approach, we could save Im Ha-yeon.
“Ha-yeon.”
The moment I heard the method, I hurriedly approached Im Ha-yeon, who was waiting by the door.
“You’re here?”
“Ha-yeon, don’t misunderstand, please listen carefully.”
As I held onto Im Ha-yeon’s shoulders, she looked bewildered and stared at me.
“W-Why so suddenly?”
Without a word, I held her gaze.
Did she finally realize I wasn’t about to say what she expected? Im Ha-yeon composed her expression and awaited my answer.
What I’m about to say may surprise you, but please don’t be shocked.
It might be a misunderstanding, but let’s not misconstrue what I’m about to say.
“Ha-yeon.”
“Yes?”
“From today, let’s become the just bandit, the Shadowless Thief.”
