Something smelled fishy, but Yeoil played dumb and asked, "What's Changpaesaryong (Four Dragons of the Crushing Spear)?"
"What do you mean, 'what'?" Namgung Huimyeong, thrown by her question, answered, looking rather deflated.
"Changpaesaryong is what they call Namgung Jeokmyeong of the Namgung Clan, Bang Woo of the Hwasan Sect, Churyong of Kunlun, and Wi Seoryeon of Binghwahyeolcheon (Ice Flower Blood Heaven). You're telling me you've never heard of them?"
"I have heard of Bang Woo of the Hwasan Sect."
"Tsk. If you only know one, it should be my big bro's name, not that meathead from Hwasan!"
He was bouncing off the walls. Namgung Huimyeong, who'd been yelling his head off, finally slowed down and squinted at her.
"Well, I guess you're not completely ignorant. …But why are you calling me 'Lord Huimyeong'?"
"Because you're Lord Huimyeong, duh. Should I call you 'Lord Jeokmyeong' instead?"
"You're my little sister, so you should call me 'big bro,' right? You're not weirded out because we have different moms, are you?"
She just sipped her tea, saying nothing, and Namgung Huimyeong dropped the whole 'how you address me' thing and turned away. And, for whatever reason, something pissed him off, and he vanished just like that.
Seolyeong shook his head at him, popping in and out like that.
"That loudmouth kid, he didn't say a peep about the rumor. Guess he's only got eyes for his sword."
He seemed kind of antsy. He'd calmed the restlessness in his sword, but not the restlessness in himself.
Maybe it has something to do with the Young Lord, she thought.
The actual guest showed up later that evening.
"Miss Namgung Soyo, the Young Lord wants to see you. If you're free, I'm supposed to escort you to Giyeon Pavilion personally. Is that okay?"
Namgung Jeokmyeong.
Whether he was reacting to the gossip going around among the maids, or if it was just a coincidence, she couldn't be sure yet.
But the fact that he was seeing her after ten days, and not three or four days ago, was definitely suspicious.
Before Yeoil could answer, Seolyeong started to get up, but the guard who'd brought Namgung Jeokmyeong's message quickly stopped him.
"Sorry, but the orders are to bring only Miss Soyo. No servants or guards allowed. I'll keep her safe; don't worry."
Being called outside the clan and being separated from Seolyeong and Chang-a? This was definitely unusual.
"I'm coming. Just wait outside."
"Yes."
After Namgung Jeokmyeong's guard left, Seolyeong, also sensing something unusual, stuck close to her side and whispered.
"Are they going to try to kill you? If there's even a chance, I'm packing your sword and other things."
"You always act like I'm some kind of gangster from the Demonic Cult. I don't think that will happen, but stay with Chang-a, just in case."
Yeoil nodded to Seolyeong and left the Namgung Clan residence.
She'd expected something different, but Giyeon Pavilion, the place Namgung Jeokmyeong had been frequenting lately, was way out of the way and rather plain-looking.
Red lanterns, like flowers in the deserted street, gave the place a creepy vibe. The laughter and music coming from inside sounded dreamy and unreal.
The guard led Yeoil to the furthest room on the top floor of Giyeon Pavilion.
The abrupt sound of a pipa and a sad voice weaving through it like vines. Namgung Jeokmyeong, sitting in the moonlight, pouring himself a drink, turned to Yeoil and smiled.
