Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Wolha Village, Demonic Cult.
Beyond the circular lake at its center, a sprawling district of commerce and residences had formed. Even at dusk, it rivaled Beijing in its crowds and glittering splendor.
A magnificent bridge arched like a rainbow across the middle of the lake. Above it, lanterns of every hue glowed at ten-pace intervals, banishing any trace of darkness.
One might wonder if such a well-appointed place even existed in Cheonsan.
This boom had begun only a few years prior.
Sparked by a rumor that appeared from nowhere.
‘At the center of Wolha Village lies Moonlight Lake, cradling the moon’s glow. On the night of a full moon, go there and you shall meet your destined partner.’
A ridiculous tale. A childish legend unworthy of repeating.
But the hot-blooded young talents of the Demonic Cult began flocking to Wolha Village one by one.
And when Chiseonru was erected on the broad central islet where Moonlight Lake’s bridges converged, the golden age reached its peak.
Inn, pleasure house, gambling den. A multi-purpose tower built to serve every desire.
Pretty lanterns beckoned with outstretched hands, and from the inn’s windows, the moon-kissed waters of Moonlight Lake stretched in full view.
At this level, even a loveless fate could be born.
Moreover, the tower’s master wasn’t some crotchety old fool, but a courtesan of peerless beauty named Chwi Hong-ran.
And so, hopefuls gathered day and night for even a glimpse of the proprietress who occasionally appeared at the tower’s summit.
Chiseonru had struck the young generation’s desires dead center, becoming an indispensable landmark for the Demonic Cult’s finest young men and women.
Of course, to Third Young Lady Sa Hae-ryeong, who had just arrived, all of it was beneath contempt.
“What’s this, you fat cow? Out of my way!”
Her head snapped around. A drunkard clutching a courtesan stumbled past her.
He had just used up a lifetime’s worth of luck.
If this hadn’t been Chiseonru, and if she hadn’t been wearing a skin disguise, today would have been his last.
‘Meanwhile, Jang I-seo, your luck has run dry today. Because you’re about to absorb all of this foul mood.’
Creeak! She stepped into Chiseonru with soundless strides.
Though it was still early evening, the first floor was already packed. A massive ginkgo tree bloomed through the open ceiling all the way up to the third floor, with seating arranged around the circular perimeter of each level.
‘Wasting away in this pointless place. Pathetic.’
The rowdy youths her age looked utterly foolish. People who might or might not break through to the next realm even with one more swing of the blade at this very hour.
A waiter approached, but she silently raised a hand to stop him. Then she ascended to the second floor with an imposing presence.
Quieter than below. She’d heard the reports. Jang I-seo primarily stayed here.
“Hm?”
Fortunately, she found him before long. Sa Hae-ryeong raised and lowered her brow, then circled around to sit at a window seat far behind him.
A man drinking alone, no food in sight.
Young-looking for twenty-eight, but with features so unremarkable she’d have walked right past him on the street.
Counter-Espionage Division Third Squad Leader Jang I-seo.
Him.
‘Waiting for someone?’
Just guzzling drink after drink by himself. If this was how he intended to behave, he should have hurried to find the Quake Mountain Grandmother instead. How could anyone be this carefree? Her eyes narrowed in disdain.
“My lady, what can I get you?”
A waiter approached. She answered by pulling a full nyang of precious silver from her robes and setting it on the table without so much as a glance at him. The waiter’s eyes went wide.
Situations like this meant only one thing. Answer well, and he’d earn months of wages for free.
“Ask away.”
“How long has that man been sitting like that?”
She hadn’t specified anyone, but the waiter read the situation instantly.
“Hehe, let’s see. About ten days now.”
“Ten days.”
“Yes, sir. He’s staying in the annex we operate, so I know him quite well.”
“Chiseonru has an annex? First I’ve heard of that.”
“It’s reserved for only the most distinguished guests our cult has to offer, on the upper floors. That gentleman must be someone extraordinary. If he’s caught your eye, my lady, shall I go put in a word?”
What?
“You truly have a death wish!”
Sa Hae-ryeong jumped to her feet, barking the words. Through her gaze, a torrent of killing intent bore down.
Was this not the right move? Greed had gotten ahead of him. The waiter retreated in a panic, apologizing frantically.
But this wasn’t anger that would subside so easily. Sa Hae-ryeong’s face burned crimson as she huffed.
To dare pair her with some lout like that. And to call that pathetic, worthless Seventh Grade Ghost a distinguished guest. Chiseonru’s reputation had just been exposed as a sham.
‘The more I think about it, the more furious I become. I can’t simply let this pass. I will see the proprietress.’
Just as Sa Hae-ryeong was about to storm off.
“My lady…?”
A friendly voice from beside her. Dark clouds gathered across her brow. Nothing was going right.
“Hah.”
She turned her head with a sigh, and there he was, looking her way.
‘Jang I-seo.’
She’d caused too much commotion. But what was done was done. Shlk. Arranging her features into maximum composure, she crossed to the seat across from Jang I-seo.
“May I sit?”
“You’re the woman from Jegal Bookshop.”
“You remember.”
“I don’t forget a face once I’ve seen it. Especially an unusual one. Don’t tell me. Did you come because you fell for me?”
“That mouth of yours will earn you a beating.”
Scrape. Sa Hae-ryeong pulled out the chair and sat down, her face deeply creased. Jang I-seo beamed.
“From your tone, I’m guessing you didn’t come because you fell for me. What brings you here?”
“What brings me? Are you speaking casually to me right now?”
“Why? Something strange about that?”
Hah. Sa Hae-ryeong wrinkled her nose and quietly picked up the chopsticks resting unused on the table. Until now they’d been mere utensils for eating, but in her grip they were weapons capable of piercing that insolent tongue.
Which meant.
“You’d best watch your words.”
“I won’t.”
“You… truly don’t understand what I’m saying.”
“When a man and woman meet in Wolha Village, speaking informally is an unwritten rule. Especially for a woman who sits down uninvited at a strange man’s table. Shouldn’t she endure at least that much?”
“Why should I endure any such thing?”
“Why wouldn’t you? Unless you’re the Third Young Lady wearing a skin disguise.”
The probing question made her falter for an instant. But her lips curved upward almost immediately. He’d seen through it rather well. There was nothing to hide anyway. She was about to confirm it when.
“Of course it’s absurd. The peerless Third Young Lady, so exalted and refined, coming to Wolha Village looking for a mate. And wearing a skin disguise out of shame, no less. Where in the world would you find such a ridiculous sight? Wouldn’t you agree?”
Hahaha, that’s right! The waiter and scattered patrons who’d been eavesdropping burst out laughing and chimed in.
“Excuse me?”
Sa Hae-ryeong was so dumbfounded she lost her voice. Was he doing this on purpose? Disbelief and suspicion swirled together.
But it was too soon to be amazed.
Jang I-seo tossed back a mouthful of drink, smirked, and said.
“So. What am I supposed to do now?”
What are you supposed to do?
“Why are you asking me?”
“Why, she asks.”
Jang I-seo slowly raised his piercing gaze. Then, almost whispering.
“You’re the Quake Mountain Grandmother. My adjutant examiner.”
Thump! Even beneath the skin disguise, her eyes widened like lanterns.
Since when… how… No, what kind of bastard even exists?
But he did. Such a man existed.
And that was Jang I-seo.
*
Before long, the clouds concealing the moon drifted aside, and the full moon reflected in Moonlight Lake.
Sa Hae-ryeong shook her head, making no effort to hide her astonishment.
“How did you know?”
“I was waiting.”
“For the Quake Mountain Grandmother?”
Jang I-seo nodded and emptied his cup in one toss.
More precisely, not for the Quake Mountain Grandmother, but for her. Sa Hae-ryeong, the Third Young Lady.
Of course, she had no way of knowing that. But his answer was enough to shake her composure.
“No need to rush. I’ll tell you everything.”
Oh no. Sa Hae-ryeong winced inwardly. Maintaining equilibrium was fundamental in a battle of wits. She’d grown impatient for just a moment, and he’d read it. A truly foolish mistake.
‘They called him a mad dog. He’s certainly no simpleton.’
When perception changed, attitude followed. She raised her assessment of him one notch. Jang I-seo signaled the waiter for fresh drink and a new cup.
“Here you are.”
Glug, glug. He poured the new drink into the new cup and slid it before her with a smile.
“What I did in the Counter-Espionage Division was simple. Investigate, uncover, interrogate. That sort of thing. But the Quake Mountain Grandmother…”
Jang I-seo shook his head. A phantom without substance. A trap, he was saying.
Sa Hae-ryeong studied Jang I-seo for a long moment, then emptied the cup before her.
A seemingly trivial act, but its meaning was immense. Because the Third Young Lady didn’t accept drinks from just anyone. This was her signal that the test had begun.
And the first test, he passed.
He had moved with unexpected prudence, waiting calmly. Precisely because she hadn’t anticipated it, it pleased her more.
“Even so, you should have come to find me.”
The second test.
At her words, Jang I-seo nodded without argument. Whatever the Quake Mountain Grandmother’s true identity, she was the examiner and he was a lowly candidate. As a subordinate, he should have shown proper respect and sought her out first.
Jang I-seo rose respectfully, clasped his hands in salute, and spoke.
“You’re right. I apologize for my insolence.”
This bastard. Sa Hae-ryeong’s gaze softened slightly. Stubborn, but quick to concede when wrong. That spoke to genuine discernment and backbone.
“Follow me.”
At her command, Jang I-seo smirked again and poured more drink. She accepted and drained the second cup.
Another pass.
Both their expressions and tones grew more serious.
“Why the Seventh Young Master’s adjutant? Do you understand what that entails?”
“It’s hard for a man of low birth to climb. So when an opportunity presents itself, whatever it may be, you seize it.”
“Honest, but calculating.”
“But never half-hearted. Pulling my weight is my creed.”
“Third Grade Ghost is an upper-rank position. An entirely different world from your current status as a mere squad leader. What can you do there?”
“Hmm… within a year, this much should be sufficient.”
Jang I-seo held up three fingers.
“What does that mean?”
“Three fingers out of seven. It means I’ll rank within them.”
Hah. Haha. Sa Hae-ryeong let out a hollow laugh. This went beyond arrogance into sheer delusion. He was saying he was confident he could break one of her brothers.