“Yukiko seems to want a unique martial arts style like Tang Jung’s!”
Yukiko expressed her determination, which she had arrived at after diving into The Rise of the Tang Family for the past few days, to Cheon So-hee.
“An assassin must not leave a trace.”
“5-ho has no romance! The ninjas of Dong Young have their own secret techniques like multiple cloning technique and wind shurikens!”
Yukiko formed a stance as if she were a ninja from Dong Young, demonstrating moves she had never seen before in her life.
“What the heck is that?”
“Such a thing exists! What do you think, Jeok Na-chal?”
Seeing Cheon So-hee’s indifferent reaction to her impressive move, Yukiko called for Dan Seo-wol as if requesting backup.
“What did you say?”
Dan Seo-wol was lost in thought and couldn’t follow the conversation.
“Jeok Na-chal, what’s wrong? You’ve looked gloomy for several days!”
“What’s the matter?”
Cheon So-hee also asked with a worried expression.
“It’s nothing. The sun has already set.”
Dan Seo-wol shook her head at the curious two and signaled that it was time to disperse.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Today was another delightful story of The Rise of the Tang Family! I look forward to tomorrow!”
Dan Seo-wol quietly watched her students bow to her as they left, then let out a silent sigh.
“……What in the world should I do about this?”
To think that her student’s companion was living with another woman.
It had hardly been long since she sent a letter professing love. How did it come to this?
As Dan Seo-wol demanded a detailed update on Kang Yoon-ho’s situation, another piece of news arrived.
[Im Ha-yeon. Unknown origin. Pink hair. Blue eyes. Appearance: Special class.]
Jeok Na-chal’s gaze was fixated on the last two words.
“Special class appearance?”
Assassin’s reports include detailed descriptions of their target’s appearance. Normally, evaluations range from average to low. But special class?
Jeok Na-chal couldn’t hide his astonishment.
“To have an appearance comparable to my disciple…”
A special class appearance is awarded only for truly outstanding looks.
While Seol-ja is beautiful, based on the assassin’s evaluations, she would merely be considered upper class. It takes an extraordinarily stunning beauty, like the number one beauty of Joseon, to receive special treatment.
Dan Seo-wol started to piece together the situation.
A woman with a special class appearance living with her disciple’s companion. If that’s true, then no matter how steadfast her disciple might be, feelings could easily waver.
“If I hear news of this, I won’t stay quiet.”
For now, she might have to keep the news from Yichang. Kang Yoon-ho’s heart shouldn’t change. Dan Seo-wol was anxious that her disciple, who had finally found his path, would lose his way again.
“Jeok Na-chal, a letter has arrived from your disciple at Yichang, and there’s also a message from the Yichang branch leader to you.”
While Dan Seo-wol was pacing nervously in her room, one of the assassins knocked on the door.
“A letter?”
Sending letters while living with another woman?
“Could it be a breakup letter?”
Dan Seo-wol looked at Kang Yoon-ho’s letter with wide eyes. If her guess was right, this could be a huge issue. If her disciple reads this letter, irreparable circumstances might ensue.
If that’s the case, this letter should never reach her disciple. She looked at Kang Yoon-ho’s letter with a wary expression and then read a small note sent by the Yichang branch leader.
[Kang Yoon-ho asked that you not worry too much and recommended that you just pass along the letter.]
“What is this…?”
———-
“Oppa is living with another woman?”
The shocking news hit Cheon So-hee’s mind like a bang.
To think her brother is living with another woman! Cheon So-hee’s eyes went wide with disbelief, and she couldn’t shut her mouth.
“Yukiko’s shock level: 5! What is that supposed to mean? That man! Is he, perhaps, a lecher?”
“That woman. Who is she?”
Cheon So-hee’s trust in Kang Yoon-ho remained unshaken.
He is the same brother who just sent her a letter declaring his love. There’s no way it’s his fault. Oppa would never be that kind of person.
‘It’s probably a situation similar to Tang Jung in The Rise of the Tang Family.’
It must be that the woman he’s living with is at fault. Cheon So-hee learned well from The Rise of the Tang Family.
Even if a man looks at a woman, temptation exists.
Even if Tang Jung only has eyes for the number one beauty of Sichuan, Gu Suk-jung, there are always those like Du Eung-hyang, who subtly tries to worm their way in. It must be that woman’s fault.
A woman like Du Eung-hyang. Who the heck are you? Something dark and sticky rose in Cheon So-hee’s chest.
“Eeeek! Hiss! The molt technique! This—this is a premonition!”
“Stop making a fuss and read this.”
Dan Seo-wol, as if it’s no big deal, pulled out a letter from her bosom.
“What’s this?”
“This is a letter from your brother.”
It all began with Kang Yoon-ho’s small suspicion.
He thought the assassins might report his recent situation to So-hee. What if she learned about his cohabitation with Im Ha-yeon?
When Kang Yoon-ho sent the letter to Cheon So-hee, it was before his move to Wuhan, back when he was still in Yichang. At that time, he hadn’t realized Im Ha-yeon’s feelings, so he didn’t think it would be misunderstood.
Kang Yoon-ho decided to send a letter immediately to clear things up.
“Give it here.”
Cheon So-hee snatched the letter sharply. The letter filled with Kang Yoon-ho’s explanation.
[To my beloved So-hee.]
The usual “I love you” was written. Even while living with another woman, he sent such a letter.
There must indeed be some circumstances behind this. A ray of light pierced through the cold, frozen heart of the Heavenly Killing Star.
Of course, the opening line was also part of Kang Yoon-ho’s scheme.
[So-hee, there’s something curious I need to write to you. Do you remember Uncle Wang from the fabric shop? Recently, I met Uncle Wang’s daughter.]
“Uncle Wang?”
When Cheon So-hee heard the unexpected name, she tilted her head.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes. He’s my brother’s benefactor.”
He was the one who helped Oppa countless times when he was working at the fabric shop. Cheon So-hee also remembered the man from the fabric shop.
If Kang Yoon-ho saw this scene, he would have smiled warmly. It wasn’t just a secret he was keeping to himself; he was establishing a bond that would dispel any doubts.
He had used this technique since first meeting the Heavenly Killing Star.
[I heard she’s an apprentice courtesan who ran away from the performance center. She said she’s cut ties with Uncle Wang but was quite curt about it. I was worried about what to do, especially since she’s the daughter of my benefactor. Then So-hee, your face came to my mind.]
“My face…?”
A stranger. No, why would he think of her face while living with Uncle Wang’s daughter? Cheon So-hee continued to immerse herself in Kang Yoon-ho’s letter.
[She’s full of mistrust from the world, yet she has a longing look for help, much like a wounded cat. It reminded me of when I first met you. Was it because you were the same age as me? I kept seeing your image in my mind. So, I couldn’t turn a blind eye.]
“Because you thought of me?”
The reason he helped the woman wasn’t because she was pretty or had a nice figure. Not to mention, it wasn’t because his feelings for Cheon So-hee had cooled down. He helped because she reminded him of Cheon So-hee.
Cheon So-hee began to understand Kang Yoon-ho slightly, but she also felt a bit displeased.
The reason he helped was because she reminded him of Cheon So-hee. That sounds like he did it instead of her, doesn’t it?
Kang Yoon-ho didn’t miss the thought she might have. Therefore, he quickly countered.
[You have no idea how much you remind me of her when I see her. The more I see, the more I think of you, So-hee. You’re far more mature.]
The letter continued with words filled with affection, mentioning cheon So-hee as being better than Im Ha-yeon.
“Ha! 5-ho is smiling!”
Cheon So-hee hurriedly patted her cheeks.
[Business is booming, and I’ve secured a separate house in Yichang. There happen to be many empty rooms, so I gave one to Uncle Wang’s daughter, who had nowhere to go.]
Kang Yoon-ho didn’t forget to use the term “So-hee” lovingly instead of just referring to Im Ha-yeon as the daughter of Uncle Wang.
“Why do you live together?”
Cheon So-hee understood the situation, but still couldn’t accept the fact that they lived together. Kang Yoon-ho anticipated this and continued writing.
[I plan to buy a big house to live with you later, so is it so wrong to give a room to my benefactor’s daughter?]
The issue is covered with another issue.
While giving Im Ha-yeon a mere room might seem trivial, living together with Cheon So-hee is an entirely different matter. The same words could carry completely different meanings.
“Living with oppa…”
The effect was effective. Cheon So-hee, without even realizing it, envisioned a future living under the same roof with Kang Yoon-ho.
[Even small connections lead to these mysterious entanglements; what about the fate of you and me?]
“Oppa and my fate.”
Cheon So-hee mumbled with her flushed face.
[My book is gaining more fame day by day. I’m sending this letter from where our home will one day be, wishing for the day I live with you. Be healthy.]
The letter concluded with affectionate words, but Cheon So-hee’s thoughts didn’t come to an end.
Right. In this vast Central Plains, it’s finally just oppa and I meeting again. To save me, oppa is doing his best to live right now, even at this moment.
It’s a destiny that cannot be compared to the mere daughter of a fabric shop.
“She was Uncle Wang’s daughter.”
Cheon So-hee finally seemed to feel a bit reassured and mumbled.
Thinking about it, it seems fine. Isn’t she the benefactor’s daughter? Not to mention, she’s the man who handled all the women I fainted without grumbling.
She didn’t even pay a penny. So, allowing him to give one room to his benefactor’s daughter should be permissible. Because just as Kang Yoon-ho said,
‘Oppa’s fate is me.’
Cheon So-hee nodded in satisfaction.
“Did you read it all?”
At her teacher’s question, Cheon So-hee carefully tucked the letter away and stood up.
“I’m going to train.”
Oppa is living earnestly for her, even at this moment. After finishing the seclusion training, she couldn’t just sit idly.
Cheon So-hee headed straight for the training hall.
“What on earth happened? I thought you’d be furious!”
Yukiko looked at the door that Cheon So-hee had opened, her expression shocked.
“Is this what they call the Heavenly Killing Star’s brother-in-law…?”
Dan Seo-wol too was speechless. Though she had said there was no need to be concerned, she never expected that girl wouldn’t throw a tantrum.
“To still be okay after learning he’s living with a woman! The writer Ho Pil must write letters well!”
“It seems that someone raised her better than I did.”
Truly, it was unbelievable.
————-
“Welcome, our Jeok Na-chal! Did you receive the letter?”
The head of the assassin unit, Dan Se-aek, asked his sister, who had come to his office.
“Thanks to the letter, I was able to clear up my disciple’s small misunderstanding.”
“Just say the word anytime. The head of the Yichang branch is a member of the Tea and Book Club, so he was taking care of everything even before I spoke.”
Thanks to that, he’s well-stocked with new editions. Dan Se-aek laughed cheerfully at his sister’s astonished reaction.
“Why did you suddenly call me?”
“Because of a new mission.”
Jeok Na-chal’s expression soured at the words from the head of the unit.
Jeok Na-chal doesn’t take on the missions of the assassin unit. Yet, for it to be called a mission indicates that there’s one for someone else.
“Master, my disciple should be consolidating his accomplishments. You said you’d wait.”
“Don’t start frowning from the beginning. If you want to ensnare a little brother, you need to think about settling down, not bring out the temperament of your Jeok Na-chal days.”
“I’m leaving.”
Jeok Na-chal turned to exit as if she had no intention of continuing the conversation.
“I was trying to tell you about some interesting requests.”
“Interesting requests?”
The head of the unit called her for the sake of interesting requests. Jeok Na-chal stopped, intrigued, and turned back.
“One is a protection request, requesting guard duty to protect them from assassination threats.”
The head of the unit picked up a document with an interesting expression.
“A guard duty request for the assassin unit? Did they get the wrong place?”
“The sum was so enticing that it reached a point where they would come to headquarters.”
“Indeed, it sounds rather unique.”
Assassin unit contracts are expensive. Hiring an assassin for long-term protection would require a significant amount of money. Who on earth is making such a request?
“Another one is an assassination request that has some complications, but the sum is considerable. This one is also interesting.”
“It’s just a regular request, isn’t it?”
It’s a mundane request; there’s nothing interesting about it.
The head, smiling at Jeok Na-chal’s question, lifted the documents in both hands and playfully crossed them.
“These two requests point to one individual.”
Jeok Na-chal instantly grasped what the head was implying.
“An assassination target and a protection target?”
“Right. That’s why it’s interesting. They’re both high-paying jobs.”
For there to be a high-paying request from the assassin unit. The fact that the target is both a protection and assassination target was enough to raise Jeok Na-chal’s interest, making him question further.
“…Who is it?”
“It’s Murong Sang-a of the Murong Family.”
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