Briefly Shining Through the Clouds (2)
It was a somewhat provocative question.
But No. Seven was not agitated at all. If she had been angry, she would probably have spat this out first.
Is silently doing only the tasks you order me to do what makes me like myself?
No. Seven was truly curious. Curious about how No. One thought of her. At the same time, she was surprised at herself. Surprised at the fact that she was showing such thoughts and such an attitude.
Yes, No. One’s words are right. I am not like myself right now.
Fortunately, No. One did not dig persistently.
“Never mind. You may go.”
“Yes.”
No. Seven left the room.
No. One, who had been watching her, turned his body backward. The picture pasted on the window entered his eyes. He had wanted her to say one thing.
“I thought that picture was put on the wall because it felt suffocating.”
In the previous secret room, this picture had been pasted on a wall without a window. It must have looked as if it had been put there so things would not feel suffocating.
But now, the picture was covering the window.
It was a situation where someone could say something about it.
So naturally, he had wanted to talk about this picture, and about his father, who had drowned.
But he thought that had all been a vain expectation. No, at the thought that it had not been an expectation but a delusion, No. One laughed self-mockingly.
This was not something he should say to her. It was something he should say to himself.
‘Damn it…… I really am not like myself.’
Meanwhile, No. Seven, who had left No. One’s room and was walking down the corridor, stopped.
Suddenly, a suffocating feeling rushed in, and she grew dizzy. Like being drunk, the corridor twisted this way and that and spun round and round. The walls on both sides seemed as though they would push in at any moment and cover her.
At that moment, within that distorted space, Lin Yan-Qing’s door came into view.
Thinking that she had to protect her, she clenched her molars. She exhaled in short, repeated breaths several times.
When she briefly closed her eyes and opened them again, the corridor had returned to its original state.
“Huu.”
Though she acted as if nothing were wrong outwardly, it seemed that recently, she had been feeling burden and pressure over her own changes and over what she had to do from now on.
What if this matter had been her own crisis? What if Seo Hak-Sa were trying to kill her?
She thought that, rather, she would not have felt such severe pressure.
If it does not work, I will simply die.
Because that thought existed deep inside her heart.
It was a feeling slightly different from let things happen as they will. It was closer to having no resistance toward death itself.
But now it was different.
Because, from somewhere deeper inside than the feeling that dying would be fine, she had found the desire to protect someone.
‘There must be a way.’
She moved her feet powerfully again and left the corridor. She wanted a drink, but she firmly endured it. There was something she had to do right away.
After leaving the manor, No. Seven pulled her bamboo hat low and sought out the Wuhan branch of the Heavenly Net Society. As befitted the renowned reputation of the Heavenly Net Society, the price of information was expensive.
“It is five thousand seven hundred nyang.”
The moment she heard the price, No. Seven turned around and left the Heavenly Net Society branch without another word.
The information she had wanted to obtain was about Seo Hak-Sa.
What kind of person he was, what kind of Martial Arts he used. What he liked, what he disliked, when he ate, how many times a day he relieved himself…… She needed anything and everything.
But the information fee was too expensive. One might think that information about someone on the level of Seo Hak-Sa was not that expensive, but at the very least, she did not currently have the large sum of five thousand seven hundred nyang.
Even if she combined all the money she had saved until now, it would not reach one thousand nyang. Even that was managed by the organization. If money was needed, one had to apply for it, confirm where it would be used, and then receive only the necessary amount.
There was a rumor that a large sum would be given when one left the organization and retired. Not a promise, but a rumor. No. Seven thought it was an illusion created by vain hope.
Could she even leave this organization alive?
‘In any case, where can I get information on him?’
According to Lin Yan-Qing, his Martial Arts were truly strange and close to sorcery. She needed certain information about him. Only then could she find a weakness, and find an opportunity to kill him.
‘Perhaps?’
No. One might be able to easily find out information about Seo Hak-Sa.
But she could not tell him this fact, and even if she told him, there was no way he would tell her. She knew that he cared for her, but this matter was a betrayal of the organization.
‘I see. I am betraying the organization right now.’
Until now, her desire to help Lin Yan-Qing had come first, so she had not thought deeply about that point.
To think that, like this, for this reason, she would come to betray the organization. If the betrayal were discovered, she would die in a truly miserable and painful way.
She raised her head slightly.
Far away, sunlight briefly shone through the clouds. The sun was hanging slightly at the edge of the clouds, and it looked as though it would soon disappear behind them at any moment.
After standing for a while beneath the precariously shining sunlight, she moved her feet again.
‘I have to get money somehow.’
At the report that No. Seven had left the manor, I also left the residence.
In the past, I had followed her and Lin Yan-Qing and discovered the location of the manor where they were staying.
Because I had made a plan to approach Lin Yan-Qing, I had sent a subordinate of the Three-Eyed Pavilion to watch the manor. Of course, I told him to report only major movements from a distance.
When I heard the information that No. Seven had stopped by the Heavenly Net Society and tried to buy information, I immediately sought out Ban Xu-Qing, the leader of the Heavenly Net Society. Through her subordinate, Ban Xu-Qing told me what information No. Seven had tried to buy.
If the information broker No. Seven had visited had not been the Heavenly Net Society, I would not have been able to find out the contents of the information she wanted to know. Even if I had found out, it would have taken considerable time.
“The information she tried to obtain was about Seo Hak-Sa.”
“Who is Seo Hak-Sa?”
“Seo Hak-Sa is an expert in Great Rites and is extremely famous in that field. He is known as someone who can skillfully carry out the many Great Rites performed by the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Faction.”
I could guess that Lin Yan-Qing’s arrival here in Wuhan was connected to some kind of Great Rite.
But why was No. Seven trying to obtain information about Seo Hak-Sa? They should be on the same side.
Ban Xu-Qing held out an envelope.
“Here is the information on Seo Hak-Sa.”
It was precisely the information No. Seven had been unable to buy.
“However, we do not know Seo Hak-Sa’s whereabouts. Shall our society look into it?”
“No. This is enough. Do not get involved any further.”
“Yes.”
If a Great Rite expert famous to this degree had been mobilized, then they must be trying to proceed with an extremely important Great Rite. For this matter, it would be safer in many ways for me to move personally and handle it.
And Lin Yan-Qing would know where Seo Hak-Sa was. It would be faster for me to find out through No. Seven.
“Thank you. I will not forget this matter.”
“Please only say the word at any time.”
It was not simply because she had given me information. If it became known that a customer’s information had leaked, it would be fatal damage to the reputation of the Heavenly Net Society. She had taken that risk and given me the information.
Before leaving that place, I told Ban Xu-Qing one piece of news.
“Strategist Gal is safe in a secure place. These days, he is absorbed in studying formations.”
“He is someone who, once he becomes absorbed in something, falls deeply into it. It seems a remarkable formation master will appear soon.”
“Haha, I think so too.”
“Thank you for telling me the news.”
Looking at her brightly radiant smile, I thought that perhaps this news was more precious to her than money.
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Lin Yan-Qing had come to the old building in the filthy alley she had visited before.
“I will trust only you this time.”
Seo Hak-Sa looked at Lin Yan-Qing with an endlessly serious and earnest gaze as he spoke.
“Though I am lacking, I will do my best.”
If Lin Yan-Qing had not known what kind of person he was, she would have been deceived by that sincere attitude.
“There are many things I have learned. Since meeting like this is also fate, through this Great Rite, I will pass them all on to you.”
“Thank you.”
Lin Yan-Qing got goosebumps. He must have deceived people like this and received their help, then after the Great Rite was over, killed them without anyone knowing. If only he smelled like a villain from the beginning, he would be a little less detestable.
“When will the Great Rite be carried out?”
“The first Great Rite will begin soon.”
“Who is the target?”
“You will learn that on the day. Now, read this first.”
Seo Hak-Sa held out a booklet.
“The places marked in red are the parts you must handle.”
“Yes.”
Lin Yan-Qing sat to one side and read the book. Though the core parts were missing, most of the content needed for this Great Rite was written there. As expected from the rumors, she could feel his remarkable skill.
‘If he had cultivated younger generations with this excellent skill, he would have received much respect.’
But what he had chosen was gold. The value of being the only one able to do it would allow him to raise his price to the highest level.
“It is truly remarkable.”
At Lin Yan-Qing’s admiration, Seo Hak-Sa smiled broadly and said,
“Learn and study it as much as you like.”
The next place No. Seven visited was the wandering warriors’ market.
“There is only one kind of job that can earn three thousand nyang in a short time.”
“What is it?”
The man raised the edge of his hand and drew it across his own neck. He did not say it, but she could tell what it was.
Assassination.
Beneath her bamboo hat, No. Seven’s expression hardened slightly. Had she ever killed someone when it was not a mission? And killing someone because of money?
“Is the target a villain?”
At that, the man gave a faint laugh.
“If you are looking for villains, try going to the Grand Martial Alliance. You will be able to get a list of hundreds.”
But finding and killing a villain with a bounty on their head took far too much time. Moreover, while she was assigned the mission of protecting Lin Yan-Qing, it was impossible. Even this one outing today had continued to weigh on her mind.
“Is there anything I can do immediately?”
The man firmly shook his head.
“Even if there were a job, what would we trust to entrust it to you? There are set stages and procedures in our line of work too.”
That was true. They would not entrust something as serious as assassination to just anyone. They would probably assign it only after one built trust by carrying out work step by step and forming a reliable relationship.
“I will come next time.”
As No. Seven turned around, the man spoke from behind her.
“I expected you would leave like this. But do you know why I explained it to you in detail?”
“Why?”
“Somehow, I think you would be good at our work. Let us definitely meet again next time.”
No. Seven left that place without answering.
After leaving the wandering warriors’ market, No. Seven sat in a tavern and drank alone.
For the first time, she truly felt how difficult it was to obtain money.
She had no interest in money. Having no interest in money meant having no interest in reality, and that also meant she had not thought about the future.
She had simply lived while obeying the organization’s orders. She had no choice but to live that way. The organization was never lenient. In case she might betray them, they watched and managed her in twofold and threefold layers.
She emptied her cup again. Since she had wanted to drink since earlier, the alcohol went down as easily as water.
At that moment, when she saw the person entering the tavern, she was startled.
“You are?”
The person she discovered was none other than me.
“We meet again.”
I greeted her gladly and approached her table.
“I happened to want a drink while passing by, and we meet like this. If it is all right with you, may I drink with you?”
After hesitating for a moment, No. Seven nodded.
“Please do.”
She might think that coincidences were overlapping, but of course, this meeting was not a coincidence.
It had not been long since she arrived, but she was already on her second bottle. Moreover, she had not touched the side dishes at all.
She clearly seemed to have a worry. It was probably related to Seo Hak-Sa.
“Your fiancée was very beautiful.”
“Even I am sometimes surprised when I see her.”
At my joke, she gave a faint laugh.
Because the first exchange unfolded smoothly, the conversation naturally continued.
I spoke with her about various things. Of course, she spoke and answered briefly, but at least the atmosphere was not awkward.
When the wine we had been drinking ran out, she said,
“Shall we go there and drink?”
“Good.”
She and I bought wine and went to the field from before.
When the cool wind hit us, I thought that coming here had been the right choice.
We drank there. She had drunk more than usual.
“I went to the wandering warriors’ market earlier.”
“Why did you go there?”
“To make a living.”
She spoke as if joking and smiled softly. The emotion contained in that smile was sorrowful.
She emptied the final cup of wine and rose from her seat.
“Then I will see you again next time.”
“Wait.”
I rose from my seat after her.
After looking at her for a moment, I suddenly said,
“Baek Ryeon.”
When I suddenly called her name, her eyes widened. A tense silence flowed, and she gulped.
With an endlessly serious expression, I said,
“I will hire you.”
She looked at me without a word.
What was she thinking right now? I knew her to some extent. The problem was her feelings toward Byeok Ri-Dan. How would she take this proposal?
At last, she broke the silence.
“If you are going to employ someone, you must match the conditions. What are the conditions?”
I spoke to her seriously. They were words that would completely change the relationship between her and me from now on.
“Your new life.”
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