Chapter 149. Friend

Even though Namgung Jin had come to see her as she expected, So-hwa did not show any sign of joy. She only reached out and closed the window.

Namgung Jin followed that calm movement with his eyes and asked.

"Did you perhaps know I would come?"

"Yes. There are stairs by the wall that connect to the roof, so I thought you would use them."

Click.

So-hwa opened the wooden box and joined together the two separated stone pillars. Then the noise coming from outside disappeared.

"Like at Namgung's residence, the Tang Clan's residence also has mechanical formations brought from the Tang Clan Pagoda. There are things like this that block sound, and also ones that ring an alarm if someone intrudes."

"I know. That is why I took care not to disturb them."

"Forgive me, but I intend to accuse you of sneaking in. So I am going to trigger the intrusion alarm."

Tang So-hwa added in an apologetic voice,

"Perhaps my Father or the Grand Elder... may come. They are in a medicinal bath, so it will take some time, though."

Namgung Jin let out a hollow laugh as if he understood the situation.

"Did you deliberately send away the clan members during the day so I could sneak in?"

"Yes."

Namgung Jin asked in a helpless voice,

"Have you joined hands with the Blood Sect?"

So-hwa shook her head.

"No. And I never will."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"Because the only one I can trust to help me is you, Young Lord."

"Hm, did it not occur to you to explain the reason to me and ask my intent in the normal way?"

"If I went to Namgung to explain, it might reach someone's ears. And if I called you to my quarters, young warrior Namgung Hyun's mood would be offended, and then he would not help me."

One of Namgung Jin's eyebrows lifted.

"You need Hyun's help as well?"

"Yes."

"What kind of help?"

At Namgung Jin's question, So-hwa hesitated. But if she were to leave with him, it was a secret she had to reveal.

So-hwa slowly opened her lips.

"Young warrior Namgung Hyun has agreed to create a passage to the North Sea."

"The North Sea?"

Hearing a place he had never once thought of, Namgung Jin asked again in surprise.

"I must go to the North Sea, but the passage will not be far. Please come with me."

"The passage to the North Sea not being far—this is the first time I've heard such a joke."

Namgung Jin spoke as if in jest, but soon waited in silence for an explanation.

So-hwa realized that, regardless of Namgung Jin's disbelief in the North Sea, he was curious about Namgung Hyun's secret.

So, even though Namgung Jin had not asked, she spoke first about Namgung Hyun.

"Young warrior Namgung Hyun is skilled in formations. He can create formations that connect distant places, and the Blood Sect coveted that ability. But he chose to help me instead of the Blood Sect."

This, too, was hard to believe, but Namgung Jin did not contradict her.

He had never thought Hyun could create a passage to the North Sea, but that the boy had ties to the Blood Sect was a suspicion he had long harbored.

So-hwa lifted the silk envelope she had left by the window onto the table.

"Before leaving for the North Sea, something must be prepared. Once you leave the residence, please deliver this to the Platinum Pavilion. They can obtain it easily, so if you say I gave it to Min Doyu of the Platinum Pavilion, that will be fine."

"Who is Min Doyu?"

"It is the real name of the one who manages the Platinum Pavilion."

Namgung Jin fell silent for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.

"I am not trying to boast, but I have lived hearing that I am quick to understand. Yet I do not understand a single thing you are saying right now."

Though it was something that could cause embarrassment, the Young Lord remained calm and did not miss the core of her words while listening.

He demanded an explanation starting from the most important matter.

"First, tell me why you are trying to go to the North Sea."

It meant he would not go unless convinced.

Since it was a reaction she could understand, So-hwa answered obediently.

"A rebellion has broken out in the Blood Sect. I intend to turn it into a civil war."

"Did the rebellion happen in the North Sea?"

"Strictly speaking, those who started the rebellion in the Central Plains crossed over to the North Sea and settled there."

As Namgung Jin listened closely, So-hwa willingly gave him information about the Blood Sect.

"There is a bloodline of the North Sea Ice Palace within the Blood Sect. It is said that one among them has mastered the martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace. Now, that person is gathering their blood relatives to reclaim the North Sea Ice Palace."

"How do you know this, Young Lady?"

She could have said more, but at this moment, it was meaningless.

Namgung Jin had also been brainwashed by the Alliance Leader at Spring Pavilion, so he no longer remembered the Blood Demon.

Without mentioning the Blood Demon, there was no way to make him understand the outside situation.

"I will explain the details when the time comes."

Instead of saying more about the North Sea Ice Palace, she emphasized her request.

"I hope you will go to the North Sea with me, but even if you do not wish to, I will understand. Only, I ask that you deliver this letter to the Platinum Pavilion. You are the only one I can trust to entrust this matter to."

Tang So-hwa finished speaking and opened the window.

She picked up the small stone pillar set by the window and threw it onto the eaves.

Tuk.

There was a sound of something striking, but no sound of the formation falling apart followed.

But suddenly, presence was felt. From how fast it was approaching, it seemed someone was running over.

Only then did Namgung Jin understand Tang So-hwa's action.

"You triggered the formation?"

"Yes."

Even before he agreed to her request, Tang So-hwa had prepared to frame him.

Namgung Jin let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

What should he do with this shameless woman?

"Why do you believe I will help you, Young Lady? What if I advise the ones rushing here that you are trying to flee to the North Sea and that they should lock you in your room?"

"Three years ago, Young Lord, you said that friendship means showing trust first, and in fact, you showed me trust without reason."

She spoke in a calm voice as if sincere.

"I, too, am showing trust first in your way. If you betray me and report me, then it cannot be helped."

As she said that, Tang So-hwa's gaze shifted toward the door. Her eyes, carrying the light of the red lantern, shone faintly.

"But if you do not help me, perhaps the one who can give you information about the Blood Sect will also disappear."

"... Are you threatening that you will no longer have dealings with me?"

"It is not a threat. If I do not flee the headquarters quickly, I will be taken back by the Blood Sect. Then I will no longer be able to tell you what I know."

Even while assuming such a dangerous situation, Tang So-hwa spoke in a composed voice.

"You will not be able to uncover the truth you seek either—who killed the great Namgung Cheong-hae, or what he tried to say at the end."

Tang So-hwa turned her gaze back to the front.

"This is not a threat either. It is the last advice I give because you, too, do not have much time left."

She spoke frightening words in a quiet voice.

"I cannot explain in detail, but beware of the Dabeishan Mountains. This year, you will meet your end there."

Namgung Jin gazed at her silently.

She spoke of unconditional trust, then immediately threatened him.

Does she not know what trust is?

He put aside his listening-only stance and opened his mouth.

"Let us make this clear."

Namgung Jin sighed and tucked the silk envelope into his robe.

"I am not helping you out of fear of dying if I remain in the Central Plains."

"Yes."

"And you must restore my damaged honor."

"Can it not be replaced with the price of a life?"

Though she had denied it, she took it as if he had agreed out of fear of dying.

That bluntness, showing her thoughts without hiding them, left him at a loss for words.

What was worse was that he was slowly growing used to this absurd attitude.

By now, the presence had already drawn very near.

Namgung Jin shook his head.

"No. It was not the threat but the trust that moved my heart, so a life's price has no value."

Creak.

He rose from his chair and, with his back to the door, shielded Tang So-hwa. Leaning down, Namgung Jin whispered softly.

"And the headquarters is more conservative than you think. Simply sneaking into a residence is not enough to expel a member. Especially, it is difficult to harshly punish a Young Lord of another clan."

Suddenly, Namgung Jin pressed his forehead to hers.

It was as if he had read her thoughts.

"Sneaking in is only a rule set to prevent disgraceful acts. If you want the headquarters to hastily decide on expulsion, then rather let it be that a disgraceful act has happened. Since, as you said, the matter is urgent."

Bang!

The sound of a door being blown apart rang out, and the Young Lord's body was forced back.

So-hwa's eyes fell on the table.

Cracks had spread across the table Namgung Jin had leaned on.

Tang Ji-ha withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened and asked in a cold voice.

"What is the meaning of this, Young Lord?"

Tang Ji-ha was greatly angered, but perhaps because he had trust in Namgung Jin as usual, he tried to restrain himself.

"I cannot believe it. How could it be you of all people who would do such a thing?"

Even if he tried to deny it as a misunderstanding, the situation was not fit for that, so the Young Lord straightened and raised his head in salute.

"I apologize."

He smiled and cast his eyes at the woman behind him.

"It seems I am still inexperienced and have lost my reason."

Tang Hae-han quickly turned his head to check Tang So-hwa's expression. As always, the young lady's face was expressionless. Just as he was about to gauge the situation, tremendous momentum charged in.

"You madman!"

The Black Sky Demon, who had burst into the room, grabbed Namgung Jin by the collar. He seemed to have rushed out of the bath and had hastily draped a robe over his wet body.

Unlike Tang Hae-han, who had retained a shred of reason and refrained from laying hands on the Young Lord of another clan, the Black Sky Demon acted as if reason did not exist and shook the Young Lord up on tiptoe.

"How dare you be here! Who are you trying to harass!"

"S-steady yourself, Grand Elder!"

Tang Hae-han, who had rushed in behind, grabbed Tang Min's waist.

"Let go of me!"

When Tang Min roared, the pale Tang Hae-han whispered,

"Grand Elder, your robe has come untied! P-please don't move! Stay still!"

On closer look, Tang Hae-han was tying a knot behind him under the guise of restraining him.

He must have come along worried the Grand Elder might be naked after the medicinal bath.

"What's the big deal if a man sees another man!"

"Isn't So-hwa here too?"

"She can't see anything! Ah, get out of my way!"

"Aaaaah, Clan Head! I touched something weird. Please, someone, stop the Grand Elder!"

"... Grand Elder, please step out."

Tang Ji-ha ordered, grinding his teeth.

But it would have been better if he hadn't.

Tang Min, who at least respected the Clan Head's word in his own way, held back his anger and stepped a pace back. Then Namgung Jin's gaze followed the loosened robe of Black Sky Demon downward, then quickly shot back up.

He acted as if he had seen nothing, but he had already seen everything.

Even the Tang Clan's chaotic atmosphere.

Tang So-hwa covered her burning face with both hands.

'Of all people, to be seen like this by the Namgung Clan — I wish I were dead.'

Having returned alive only to witness this terrible sight, So-hwa could not lift her head, ashamed that the Tang Clan—lacking any honor to uphold—had the right to tarnish the reputation of the Namgung Clan's Young Lord.