episode_0039

“Cough… Cough….”

The last Mu Yeong officer and leader.

A large hole was pierced in Mu Yeong’s abdomen.

The blade penetrated all the way to his back.

An incurable wound.

But Mu Yeong did not immediately collapse.

The last…

Until the very end…

With superhuman mental strength, his hand raised the sword.

At that moment.

Swish!

Another blade struck Mu Yeong’s neck.

Thud!

Mu Yeong’s body, now without a neck, fell backwards.

That was the final moment of Mu Yeongdae, who had been lurking in the shadows.

***

“Ah… Ahahaha.”

Eun Hwa Young, laughing as if she had lost her mind, with her limbs bound.

She didn’t seem crazy.

Anger, hatred, sadness, disappointment… A mix of countless emotions made her seem like a person unsure of what expression to wear.

“Why are you laughing?” Bang So Woon asked.

“Does it feel good? To overpower a top woman with your strength until she faints?”

“Yeah, it feels good.”

It wasn’t just a feeling of satisfaction.

It was a miraculous achievement worth recording the date and celebrating with a feast every year.

“So, what do you want? Should I spread my legs here? If you want to eat, come and get it.”

As expected of a former gisaeng, her words were not ordinary despite her appearance.

But because of that, Bang So Woon felt a different kind of sexual attraction than usual.

Being picky is not good.

That was Bang So Woon’s usual belief.

It’s not just the taste of plucking the flowers in the greenhouse who know nothing about men.

Even a married woman with a child.

Or a wild, untamable woman like her.

Each has its own taste.

Although he hadn’t dared to try it, the taste of a half-fermented high school girl would undoubtedly be exceptional.

Among them, Eun Hwa Young…

Because of her appearance and aura, she reminded him of a wild mountain fox that no one could tame.

How thrilling would it be to tame such a wild mountain fox and make her kneel at your feet.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.

“Ah… It’s okay, it’s okay. I don’t have any rush. Let’s take it step by step.”

Bang So Woon chuckled.

Even with his relaxed laughter, Eun Hwa Young remained unfazed.

“It might be your last chance. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“Why, do you think I’m going to kill you?”

“Well, thank you, but I don’t think I’ll do that.”

“But what do you mean by ‘last’?”

“Because tonight might be the last chance.”

“Huh?”

“Can you make amends by tomorrow?”

“Oh, is that what you mean?”

Finally understanding, Bang So Woon nodded.

What had happened this time was no small matter.

Mu Yeongdae had been completely wiped out.

Even the Jeolhwa Dae had lost two members.

But that was not a problem.

It was already confirmed that Mu Yeongdae was a secret organization that secretly raised orphaned children without any connection to Eun Hwa Young.

And there was no problem on the side of Jeolhwa Dae either.

Both died in a sudden clash due to a severe dispute.

That would be the official announcement.

In the world of martial arts where sword fights happen every day, there was nothing strange about it.

The only problem was Eun Hwa Young.

Eun Hwa Young was the Luju of the Jeokhwaru.

And she held an important position even in the Haomun.

If she disappeared without a trace for even a few days, she would definitely be suspected.

No, not even a few days.

Even just a day.

“I have a habit of exchanging messages with the main hall almost every day. Do you get the gist?”

Eun Hwa Young subtly threw a threat.

In the end, if she disappeared for just one day, it would raise suspicions in Haomun.

It was not a lie.

There was no sense of pretense to avoid the situation.

“Oh, that’s not good news. I guess I need to hurry.”

Bang So Woon twisted his lips into a smile.

He didn’t think he could hypnotize her with a few days of concentrated effort.

Eun Hwa Young was not a member of the Golden Dragon Army, nor was she a high-ranking member of another organization.

So I had already thought of a different way from the beginning.

“First, feed him that.”

“Haha, I’ve been waiting for those words.”

Despite being covered in wounds, Jangil walked bravely.

In his hand, there was a bowl of porridge.

The attendants next to Eunhwayoung forcibly opened her mouth wide.

Eunhwayoung’s face frowned.

Her lively gaze was directed at Jangil.

That guy.

If his interference hadn’t been there, she could have torn Jangju apart.

The thought made her anger boil.

“Come on, let’s start with the mountain ginseng first.”

Squirt!

Expensive mountain ginseng was poured into Eunhwayoung’s mouth.

She wanted to vomit, but in that situation, Eunhwayoung could only glare at Jangil.

“Now, let’s wait for the medicine to take effect.”

Thud!

The attendants forcibly closed Eunhwayoung’s mouth tightly.

Trying to prevent her from spitting it out.

About an hour passed like that.

Jangil snapped Eunhwayoung’s neck.

“Now, let’s start the discipline for the unruly fox girl.”

***

“Is it possible?”

Bang Sowoon asked.

In front of him, Eunhwayoung lay limp with her eyelids closed.

Seemingly under a light hypnosis.

“As long as we can get into the memory erasure and post-hypnotic phase, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

The most important step for resolving the situation.

As the depth of hypnosis is crucial, it won’t be easy.

And with the added pressure of a one-day time limit.

But Jangil seemed confident.

With his experience as a hypnosis instructor with many test subjects, he believed his skills had become more proficient and improved.

“Alright, please. It’s an important step.”

“Haha, don’t worry.”

“Oh, and about the teaching method.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I just remembered something that’s quite intriguing.”

Bang Sowoon seemed to have a thought when he looked at Eunhwayoung.

“Haha, understood. Since she will be your possession, it’s best to go with your preferences, right? I’m glad I can try various methods.”

Jangil smiled.

“Alright, then…”

And so, Eunhwayoung’s first hypnosis instruction began.

***

…Hmm.

Eunhwayoung opened her eyes.

It seems she had dozed off for a moment.

Sometimes when fatigue accumulates, this happens.

Should she reduce her workload?

No… she should be fine for now.

Looking outside, the sun was still high in the sky.

It was the quietest time in Jeokhwaru.

A time when the maidens who had worked all night were sleeping.

Eunhwayoung adjusted her position and checked the letter she would send to the main altar today.

– Golden Dragon General.

After months of investigation, no abnormalities were found.

There is no further significance, so the investigation will be discontinued.

“No issues… it seems.”

Eunhwayoung finished checking.

She thought it was suspicious and went to the trouble of promoting her friend Lee Yeon to a viscount, but in the end, there was no problem.

Her intuition was wrong.

It couldn’t be helped.

Even humans sometimes go astray.

Still, she felt sorry for Lee Yeon, who had suffered for nothing.

“Come to think of it, I’m meeting Yeon today.”

Eunhwayoung got up not too late.

To meet Lee Yeon.

***

The outskirts of Hangju were quiet and serene, unlike the bustling and vibrant downtown.

A perfect place to cool off and catch your breath.

Especially, there was a small private garden owned by Lee Yeon’s family.

It was a good location and a perfect place for private conversations, so it was mainly used as a meeting place with Lee Yeon.

The garden came into view.

Located in the middle of a quiet bamboo forest.

Eunhwayoung slowly walked towards it.

She hadn’t told anyone she was coming here.

There was no need to.

Tap, tap.

She quietly knocked on the garden’s door.

After a moment, the door opened and someone came out.

“Who… oh?”

“Who are you… oh?”

The middle-aged woman in the room widened her eyes.

Eun Hwayoung’s eyes also widened.

It was because she was someone unexpected.

The middle-aged woman’s name was Wang Yeonjeong.

She was Lee Yeon’s mother.

Looking at her, she had a kind face that closely resembled Yeon’s.

However, while Yeon had a kind demeanor but an ordinary face, her mother leaned more towards the beautiful side.

That’s why she looked quite young for her age.

“Hello, mother.”

Eun Hwayoung greeted her.

It wasn’t their first meeting.

They had met a few times while accompanying Yeon to school.

“Oh, it’s Soldier Eun. Are you here to see Yeon?”

Wang Yeonjeong smiled warmly.

“Yes, we had plans to meet today…”

“I see. Come in, she’s inside.”

Eun Hwayoung followed Wang Yeonjeong inside.

It was a small but well-maintained garden.

Yeon was in the room.

She was wrapping a clean cloth around her left ankle wound.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Yeon tried to come down.

Eun Hwayoung quickly stopped her.

“No, don’t come down.”

She said it was a wound from a battle.

It wasn’t a fatal wound, but it was definitely not a minor one.

A wound that required long-term care.

“It’s not a mortal wound.”

Yeon said casually.

“Who knows, it might become chronic if not taken care of.”

“Be careful then.”

“Come inside and have a comfortable conversation. I’ll prepare tea soon.”

Wang Yeonjeong said kindly.

“Thank you, mother.”

Eun Hwayoung took off her shoes and stepped onto the porch.

Then she supported Yeon and entered the room together.

It was the room Yeon used in the mansion.

Only necessary furniture was placed, making it simple, yet it was very much like Yeon.

“You said you’d take a special leave until the wound heals, right?”

“Yes, my body is more of a burden than help anyway.”

“Well…yes.”

“Anyway, my mother often comes to help me since my body is like this.”

“Oh, I see.”

Finally, Eun Hwayoung understood why Yeon’s mother was here.

It seemed she visited often to help her daughter who had difficulty walking.

However…

“Why not go back to your hometown?”

“I don’t want to show my father how badly I’m hurt. It upsets him a lot.”

“I see.”

As an orphan herself, she might not fully understand.

But she could easily guess the feelings of parents looking at their severely injured child.

Naturally, she could understand Yeon’s feelings as well.

“Then…”

When Eun Hwayoung was about to say the next words…

Thud!

A heavy knock on the mansion’s door was heard.

Eun Hwayoung looked puzzled.

“Is there someone else coming?”

“No…there shouldn’t be.”

Yeon also looked puzzled.

Creak.

Soon, the door opened.

It seemed like Yeon’s mother went out.

And then…

Voices conversing for a moment were heard.

And then…

Creak.

The door closed again.

New footsteps were heard outside.

Eun Hwayoung instinctively became wary.

If her mother let the guest in, there shouldn’t be any problem.

But she felt an unknown sense of unease.

Yeon also seemed to have the same thoughts as she tensed up.

And then…

“Hey, the Golden Dragon Lord is here.”

Wang Yeonjeong’s voice was heard.

Eun Hwayoung and Yeon looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

The Golden Dragon Lord?

Why is he suddenly here?

“I’ll go out for now.”

Yeon stood up.

Considering her current status, she had no choice but to leave.

However, Eun Hwayoung was in a quite ambiguous position.

“Don’t worry about me, you stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

Understanding her cousin’s feelings, Yeon smiled and said.

So Yeon went out and Eun Hwayoung was left alone in the room.

“A person becoming a lord would take such good care of an injured guard?”

She thought about correcting the information about the new lord with a smirk.

“Ah…!”

Suddenly, a woman’s scream burst out from outside.

Eunhwa-yeong froze in shock, her eyes wide open.