Chapter 42
It wasn't just Namgung Hui-myeong. The boisterous banquet hall suddenly fell silent, as if doused with cold water.
After sitting down with Namgung Hui-myeong's help, Yeo-il heard other voices for the first time.
"Wow, Soyo, you look amazing! Haha. I thought an angel had appeared."
"Oh, that's too much, Choo-myeong."
"Too much? Don't you think so, Brother? She's more beautiful than Chohong from Giyeon House."
As soon as Chohong was mentioned, the already quiet room seemed to grow even colder.
In any case, Yeo-il looked over at Namgung Jeok-myeong, three seats away, and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for always thinking of me, Jeok-myeong. The clothes, the jewelry... it's all too much."
Already a little tipsy, Namgung Jeok-myeong replied cheerfully.
"No problem! If I'd known they'd look so good on you, I would have given them to you ages ago. I knew that color would be perfect. Yep, I've got an eye for this stuff."
"Yes, I didn't know you had such good taste."
"…What's that supposed to mean?"
Just then, Danli Mook-ran cleared her throat loudly.
"Ahem."
She was seated in the place of honor next to Namgung Pae, with four maids attending to her.
"Now that everyone is seated, bring out the food."
As maids brought in the food and drinks, the conversations started up again.
"It's been four years since the last martial arts tournament. You must be proud, Pae, to have two, no, three rising stars in the Namgung family."
"Children are always something to be proud of. I hear the Go family has a talented child, too. Everyone's talking about it."
"Haha, my child couldn't hold a candle to the young master of Namgung. How's it going, Jeok-myeong? Are the preparations for this year's tournament going smoothly?"
An elder from outside the family asked the question, and Namgung Jeok-myeong, clearly drunk, burst out laughing.
"I was just about to apologize to my uncle here. Looks like I'm going to disgrace the Namgung family name this year! Haha."
People chuckled nervously. With Jeok-myeong, you couldn't be sure if he was joking.
"…Don't talk like that, Jeok-myeong. The young master of the family just needs to stay healthy and produce an heir, that's all."
And as if waiting for this moment, Danli Mook-ran interjected.
"It's time to start thinking about marriage. You can't just keep swinging a sword around. Now that we're talking about it, how about we start making arrangements? I can help you get things settled, so you can relax..."
"Sword King Namgung Je."
"…"
"With my father, Namgung Je, the head of the Namgung family, alive and well, how can we discuss marriage with people outside the family?"
"Jeok-myeong."
"Don't be upset, Aunt. I'm always grateful for your love and support. You've always taken care of us brothers, especially since we grew up without a mother."
A brief silence fell.
"Then what do you think, Choo-myeong?"
Suddenly the center of attention, Namgung Choo-myeong waved his hands nervously.
"How can I get married before my older brother?"
"At this rate, the family bloodline will be cut off."
At those sharp words, the elders started chiming in.
"Ahem. Think about it, Choo-myeong. When Namgung Je gets better, he'll feel terrible if neither of you are married."
"The younger brother needs to marry, just in case. How long are you going to put it off? The elders are all telling you, and you're not even listening. What kind of Namgung family gathering is this?"
Namgung Hui-myeong, sitting next to Yeo-il, was probably fuming.
He probably wanted to shout, 'What do you mean, 'just in case'? Are you saying Jeok-myeong might die? Or is that what you're hoping for?!' But he held it in.
Namgung Jeok-myeong didn't react to the subtle criticism.
It was likely a ploy to find out who was on Namgung Choo-myeong's side. Since it was the first Namgung gathering in two years, they wanted to make it count.
And they don't even realize their family is about to be destroyed.
That's how it always is. Those with something to protect are weak.
They're so careful, checking every stepping stone, but one slip, and they're swept out to sea.
"Shameful rumors have been going around for years! Since the eldest son won't listen to the elders, shouldn't the second son do his duty?"
"You're right. You can't just blindly believe and wait forever."
As things got more heated, Namgung Choo-myeong raised his hands to calm everyone down.
"Haha... After being scolded like this at such a nice gathering, I need some good wine. Didn't we get some good Shaoxing wine in? Uncle, say a few words to lighten the mood."
At Choo-myeong's words, Yeo-il smiled quietly.
Is it starting?
Yeo-il quietly imagined the shape of the wine bottle that would be placed in front of her. A few drops of red oil must already be mixed in it.
Just like the past Yeo-il had done.
Extremely poisonous red oil, Hongyu (紅油).
It is a poison used by assassins of the Slaughterhouse for suicide.
It only takes three drops to melt the internal organs and cause death, so no further explanation is needed as to how heinous the poison is. Only its vivid red color limits its usability.
That's why, as soon as she heard the word "Shaoxing wine," Yeo-il couldn't help but be certain.
'Namgung Choo-myeong prepared this poisoned wine.'
Shaoxing wine is a yellowish-brown rice wine with a slight reddish tint. It was perfect for hiding red oil, a poison of similar color.
As a maid poured Shaoxing wine into Yeo-il's glass, Namgung Hui-myeong whispered from her right.
"Hey, Soyo. Don't overdo it. Just have a glass or two if you can. If you get carried away by the atmosphere and drink too much, you'll make a fool of yourself."
"Thanks for looking out for me."
"It's not just that. You don't know how ruthless our aunt can be... Ah, never mind."
"What were you going to say? Did she sneak a woman into a drunk Jeok-myeong's room or something?"
"…"
"I hit the nail on the head, didn't I?"
It's a common tactic.
"How can you talk about such underhanded tricks so casually? Huh?"
Namgung Hui-myeong clicked his tongue and warned again.
"Anyway, they keep trying to set you up with some guy, so be careful. I'll take you to your room, so don't wander around alone if you can help it. Got it?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Now, raise your glasses."
Everyone raised their glasses for the first toast.
Following tradition, Yeo-il raised the poisoned wine to her chin.
Namgung Jeok-myeong stood up to give the toast as the young master of the family, but his words were so predictable they went in one ear and out the other.
"So... I wish peace to everyone here, and to everyone connected to us."
Just as everyone was about to drink.
"Brother Hui-myeong."
Yeo-il called out, and Namgung Hui-myeong, who was about to take a sip, paused and looked at her.
"…Did you call me?"
"Yes. Can I check your glass for a second?"
"My glass? Suddenly?"
"Let me smell it. It'll just take a moment."
Confused, Namgung Hui-myeong glanced around, then discreetly held his glass near her nose and wafted the air towards her.
Yeo-il smelled it and frowned slightly.
"It smells a little different... I guess it's because I've never had wine before?"
"What, you've never had wine? Just have the one glass, then. Some people can't handle it, so tell me right away if you feel sick."
"That's very kind of you."
The moment she smiled and brought the glass to her lips.
Namgung Hui-myeong, who had been silent for a while, seemed to notice something and shouted urgently.
"…Wait. Stop, Soyo. Spit it out right now!”
