Chapter 6.4: No Wind, No Waves

At the sound of someone approaching, Woo shifted in bed. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep as if he had fainted, and now morning had already arrived.

When Yeon-jin appeared after opening the door and saw Woo still lying in bed, she looked quite surprised. It was understandable, as Woo had always been awake no matter how early she came.

"Oh my. You must have been really exhausted."

Woo blinked slowly at his words. Seeing how drowsy he seemed, Yeon-jin cautiously asked, "Did I wake you up? Should I go out again?"

"No, no. It's fine."

Woo shook his head. He buried his face in his hands and rubbed it repeatedly, trying to shake off the lingering daze.

He felt as if he hadn't fully escaped his dream—or rather, his nightmare.

'I wish you had been a little kinder to me.'

All day, Kang-oh's last words echoed in his mind. It was too much to hope that Kang-oh wouldn't resent him after all the pushing away he had done.

He knew this—he knew it all too well—but his heart still dropped. It felt as if nothing would ever go back to the way it was.

Woo had received a clear promise that Kang-oh would let Woo leave Hee-do Won, yet he felt no joy. Fleeing as if running away from Kang-oh, Woo returned to his room and stared blankly at the withered peony.

A flower in full bloom boasts vibrant colors and a fresh fragrance, but after that, it only continues to wither. Such was Woo's life.

Just as that peony had wilted, so would he.

"Shall I prepare your meal?"

"I... I don't have an appetite..."

Woo mumbled, subtly avoiding Yeon-jin's gaze. She studied him closely, wondering if he was unwell and planning to skip breakfast.

"Oh..."

Suddenly, Yeon-jin frowned as if realizing something.

"The Third Disciple won't be coming today."

Her voice held a faint trace of sympathy. She guessed that Woo might be feeling down because Kang-oh, who had been joining him for breakfast lately, hadn't shown up.

"I-I wasn't waiting for him."

Woo waved his hands dismissively. After hearing words of resentment from him, he hadn't expected Kang-oh to come for breakfast.

"I mean it. There's quite a commotion right now because of the Southern Lake Group."

Yeon-jin didn't seem to believe Woo's assurance that he was fine, so she hurriedly added more. When the Southern Lake Group was suddenly mentioned, Woo hesitated.

"S-Southern Lake Group?"

"Yes. There was a murder, and the body was found in the Southern Lake Group's well."

Woo's eyes widened slightly. "W-What happened?"

"I'm not sure. There isn't much information... But the rumors are getting worse."

"Rumors...?"

"Well... The murdered martial artist supposedly said something disrespectful about the Third Disciple. The Second Disciple punished him, but he was found dead just a day later."

Yeon-jin glanced at Woo, gauging his reaction, before speaking again.

Carefully excluding the part of the rumor that might relate to Woo, Yeon-jin felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead, realizing how awkwardly she had phrased it. The prolonged silence from Woo only added to her tension.

"Ah... S-So, that's what happened."

Woo finally broke the silence, blinking slowly. Relieved that Woo didn't press further about the rumors, Yeon-jin continued.

"The man's father showed up at Honamgak and caused a commotion. He isn't even someone with a high-ranking position in the Black Sky Clan—he's just a merchant. He came after receiving an anonymous letter, claiming that a member of the Southern Lake Group had attacked the victim who insulted his lord out of anger. I also heard he confronted the Third Disciple, demanding to find out who it was immediately."

"T-The murder happened just yesterday?"

The fact that such rumors had spread so widely in just a day made Woo frown. Something felt off.

For one, the Black Sky Clan's hierarchy was as strict as the White Virtue Clan's. Insulting a superior was grounds for immediate punishment, and even if it led to death, no one could protest. Especially if the offender's parent was an outsider to the Black Sky Clan.

How could something that happened within a martial arts organization have leaked to the outside? And it wasn't just any incident—it was a murder.

Such matters should remain undisclosed until a thorough investigation was completed and the murderer punished. It was a matter of maintaining face, avoiding unnecessary rumors.

Just like what was happening now.

"Could you look into it more closely? About those rumors, I mean."

"More closely?" Yeon-jin scrunched her nose.

Seeing her expression, Woo cautiously continued.

"How much of it is true doesn't matter. Just start with the information you have, and let me know whatever rumors, no matter how trivial, comes your way."

"…"

Noticing Yeon-jin's hesitant expression, Woo quickly added, "If it's too much of a burden, you can forget about it."

Though his heart was burning like it was placed over a raging fire, he couldn't force her if she refused. Woo, who was anxiously waiting, understood that he was making a request that might be difficult for her to fulfill.

"No, it's fine."

Yeon-jin shook her head resolutely.

"If it's just rumors floating around Black Sky Clan, I can gather them quickly. I can take any old clothes, head to the laundry place, and listen around."

Even if they didn't know each other's names, everyone would be familiar with which wing they belonged to, so as someone working at House of Joy (Hee-do Won), Yeon-jin would easily get approached by people. Gathering rumors within Black Sky Clan would be easy.

With a confident pat on her chest, she left the room. After that, all that was left was waiting.

Woo grew anxious.

Before Yeon-jin left for the laundry, she had apparently given a heads-up, as a servant, whom Woo had seen a few times, came in with breakfast. Woo barely touched the food before setting his chopsticks down.

Waiting idly was not in his nature.

Woo began organizing the facts he had learned during his time in Black Sky Clan.

First: Ye Kang-oh is the most favored disciple of the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan. This is a well-known fact, and no one doubts Jin-rang's affection for him, thanks to the existence of places like Hee-do Won.

Second: Ye Kang-oh is under the watchful eye of the First Disciple, Mo Yong-yu-woon.

Third, Ye Kang-oh deliberately avoids accumulating power to prevent confrontation with the First Disciple, and spends most of time outside of Black Sky Clan.

Fourth: The members of the Southern Lake Group under Ye Kang-oh's command are all from humble families. While they possess exceptional skills, they have not risen to high ranks within Black Sky Clan.

These were the surface-level facts that the servant knew. While it was impossible to connect these facts to the murder case for now, there might be meaningful correlations to uncover when Yeonjin returned.

"I'm back."

Yeonjin returned with several rumors, but her complexion was far from good.

"What... What happened?"

"Actually, there's something I intentionally didn't mention… I don't think I can keep hiding it anymore if I'm going to relay the rumors I've just heard…"

Woo, unable to guess what Yeon-jin was hiding, looked puzzled.

"P-Please, tell me."

"First… I hope you don't get hurt. This is a rumor related to you as well."

"Ah…"

Woo, who had known nothing, turned pale the moment he heard that the rumor was about him.

"Are… Are there rumors regarding me and the Third Disciple?"

It was surprising that he hadn't suspected it up until now. Having lived as a servant for so long, he had become numb to that kind of attention.

Woo was originally the Grandmaster of the White Virtue Clan, Dan Woo-Hyo.

The saying goes, 'A tree with many branches never has a moment of calm,' and leading such a massive organization inevitably brought with it the weight of all kinds of rumors. Whenever Woo coughed, rumors would spread on one end that the Grandmaster had contracted tuberculosis, while on the other side, there were whispers that the person who made a certain remark would soon be dismissed due to their unlikable nature. Every word and every action was distorted. Living under constant surveillance, with every movement being scrutinized, wore heavily on Woo, though he was no ordinary human.

Seol Bu-yong had once said that using such rumors was also a trait of a person in power. Rumors, at times, could be more useful than a blade. Knowing where people's attention was directed proved to be a valuable tool in governing them.

"It's fine, really."

Woo responded calmly. In reality, he was hardly affected by the rumors surrounding him.

However, Woo's insight made him aware of one fact—his presence as a mere servant in House of Joy (Hee-do Won) would do little to help Kang-oh. It was this fact that weighed on him, more than anything else.

With a resolute expression, Woo listened as Yeon-jin, with a somewhat resigned look, began to relay the rumors she had heard from the laundry area.

Some rumors made her face twist in disgust, as if even speaking them was filthy. Nevertheless, Yeon-jin did not hold anything back, recounting every rumor she had heard to Woo.

"Phew. That's it. I've never talked this much in my life."

She said, massaging her neck as though exhausted from all the talking.

"Th-Thank you."

Woo expressed his gratitude, but soon fell into deep thought, his words becoming scarce. So focused was he that Yeon-jin quietly closed the door and left without him noticing.

After organizing Yeon-jin's words in his mind, Woo sat down at the desk. The writing materials he had thought he wouldn't need were neatly arranged. Since there was a servant who managed them daily, no dust had gathered.

Although Yeon-jin's rumors were detailed, they were all mixed together, a jumble of various types.

Discussing the types of rumors themselves was absurd, but Woo had learned from Seol Bu-yong how to judge and categorize them. No matter how lowly or vulgar the rumor, the intention of the person spreading it always lingers. Some rumors even started with clear intentions from the beginning.

Woo wrote down each rumor Yeon-jin had mentioned, not missing a single word despite the slight tremble in his hand from not having written in a while. His writing style was still clear and fluid.

Even though he had only heard it once, Woo didn't miss a single word Yeon-jin had relayed.

After writing down each rumor, Woo classified them based on their nature.

This way, he was able to narrow the rumors down to three main categories.

The first category was content aimed at tarnishing Kang-oh's reputation.

The majority of the content was about how he only gets aroused to servants and, after tiring of serving his master, feels satisfaction from wielding power over those of lower status than himself. Some even said that the entire Southern Lake Group could be the Third Disciple's lovers.

These contents were all being mentioned in a way that suggested the Third Disciple had sufficient motive to have killed the deceased. However, the focus was more on sensationally describing the cause rather than the result.

This was the part with the most references to Woo. Some called him an unparalleled monster, while others claimed he was a woman hiding her true gender. Yet, as he wrote down and categorized these contents, Woo didn't even raise an eyebrow.

Sexual scandals had always been a common method of tarnishing someone's reputation, regardless of the era. Woo was no stranger to it.

The second category was content that doubted the qualifications of the Southern Lake Group.

There were reasonable questions raised about how a martial artist could fail to notice a murder happening in their backyard, and rumors spread that all the members of Southern Lake Group were murderers, who would kill civilians on a whim and bury them in the well. It was said that it didn't make sense for Black Sky Clan to take such people in.

In some contexts, this point had a similar nature to the first. If there were someone pulling the strings behind the scenes, they likely wanted to cripple the Third Disciple's influence. Although the Honamdan's origins might be humble, their martial prowess was well-known. Still, there was a tendency to downplay their abilities, suggesting that their skills were being questioned due to their inaction.

The third point was about stirring up conflict between the Third and Second Disciples.

The Second Disciple had split the warrior's tongue, and it turned out that the warrior was sent by the Third Disciple to insult the Second Disciple. As the senior disciple, the Second Disciple ignored the Third Disciple's actions and silenced the warrior to keep things from being exposed. Some even speculated that the Second Disciple had cut off the dead man's tongue and brutally killed him to draw attention and spread rumors about the Third Disciple's involvement.

This was the rumor with the highest likelihood of having a hidden agenda. The intent to stir conflict between the Second and Third Young Masters was overtly apparent. It was generally known among the more perceptive individuals that the First Disciple kept an eye on the Third Disciple. However, the Second Disciple had good relationships with both the First and Third Disciples.

It seemed as if the Second Disciple was indifferent, whether there was conflict between the First and Third Disciples or not. Their basis for this was an anonymous informant. Who, after all, would have the eyes and ears of Black Sky and be able to report the murder that happened at Honamgak to victim's father?

At first glance, it seemed convincing, but Woo found the outcome somewhat surprising. He had expected that the third category would be rumors from people who would argue about whether the one claiming to be mourning for the death of his child was a true father or just another swindler.

This wasn't a mere guess but a kind of trend in rumors. People tend to sympathize with the powerful rather than the weak. It was more likely that they would feel angered by the idea of someone accusing the Third Disciple of something rather than feeling pity for the dead man and his father. However, the rumors brought by Yeonjin didn't show this pattern at all.

Humans, in general, are cautious when speaking about those in power. This is especially true for martial artists, who would not hesitate to take someone's life, so any mention of them is often handled with extra care. The more loyal a group is to their leader, like in the case of Black Sky Clan, the more they reject outsiders and defend those within.

However, the father of the deceased man, a person from the Eon family and the leader of a merchant group, is rarely mentioned in these rumors.

"..."

Woo felt that these three different categories of rumors were all attacking Kang-oh. The consistency was excessive.

Typically, the first person to spread a rumor is one, but once it's out, many tongues get involved, and embellishments and distortions are inevitable. Most people who speak these things do so for the sake of their own amusement. They don't feel guilty for expanding and reproducing the rumor.

Thus, rumors tend to grow like a snowball. Despite this characteristic, the fact that the rumors are consistently aimed at attacking Kang-oh clearly indicates they have been orchestrated by someone with a clear intent behind it.

Just like adding fuel to a fire when it seems to die down, one would reveal more provocative and entertaining information to keep it burning.

So, who within Black Sky Clan would want to degrade Kang-oh, tarnish his reputation, and sow discord between him and the Second Disciple?

'First Disciple Mo Yong yu-woon.'

The answer was so blatant that it would be strange not to notice. Even Woo, who only had a surface-level understanding of Black Sky Clan's internal power structure, realized it immediately.

Woo threw all the papers he had written into the furnace. He rummaged through the ashes for a while, worried that some of the paper might not have burned completely, lost in thought.

If it was Mo Yong-yu-woon, he would know too. The Blood Cult had attacked several prominent clans of the Righteous path, including the Mo Yong clan. Jin-rang, who had repelled the Blood Cult's attack on the Mo Yong clan, took Yu-woon, the only survivor, as his disciple. Since then, Yu-woon had visited White Virtue Clan several times.

Though he belonged to Black Sky Clan, his roots lay in a prestigious family of the Righteous path, making him a suitable choice as an envoy.

The more someone loses, the less likely they are to let go of what they still have. So why was the First Disciple so blatantly trying to keep Kang-oh in check?

'Did the Second Disciple suddenly rise in prominence? Or did a martial artist of significant status declare their support for Kang-oh? Or maybe Kang-oh staying at House of Joy, instead of wandering outside as usual, was seen as a threat?'

Woo's heart sank. The reason Kang-oh had remained in Black Sky Clan was because of Woo himself. If that was the case, then Kang-oh was being caught up in trouble he never needed to face—all because of him.

While he had been preoccupied with worrying about Kang-oh's memories returning, a new problem loomed over him, tightening around his chest.

He didn't care about being called all sorts of vulgar names in the rumors. He couldn't bear for even a single hint of disgrace to be associated with Kang-oh's name. The thought that this might jeopardize the fragile neutrality he was trying to maintain unsettled him even more.

It felt as if the heavens were pushing Woo away. Telling him to leave Kang-oh's side. Telling him this wasn't where he belonged.

'We should never have met in the first place...'

The warmth that filled his hand. The gaze that had looked up at him intently. The bright smile, like a ray of sunshine.

'I should've never let him get to know me…'

The arms that had easily lifted him up when he became a full-grown adult. The broad shoulders where he could bury his head. The embrace that still held the warmth of his childhood.

Every time he pushed that comfort away, his heart felt like it was being torn apart. He wanted to rest. He just wanted to stop and take a break.

Was it too much to ask to finally take a break?

A sliver of selfishness, fueled by his deep exhaustion, startled him to the core.

No matter what, he couldn't bear to take advantage of Kang-oh. Kang-oh had already sacrificed everything for him.

The love that had been dug up from the depths of his heart, the very last drop of life squeezed out of his soul.

"..."

Woo furrowed his brow, swallowing his resentment, unable to let out the bitterness that had nowhere to go.

There was no one to blame but fate. Such was life.

'Since I decided not to die, I have no choice but to endure today, no matter how painful it is.'

Woo's eyes shone with a cold light in silence.

***

Kang-oh walked slowly through the garden of the House of Joy, mulling over the information he had gathered so far. The early spring flowers had faded, leaving behind fresh, green leaves that sprouted in their place. The dense branches swayed gently in the wind, creating a soothing sound like the waves of the sea.

Even with his mind in turmoil, he couldn't skip his daily walk.

As he walked, Kang-oh felt someone's presence ahead of him. He slowly turned the corner and came face to face with an unexpected figure

The man he had decided to let go was standing there. Woo, who had been staring motionlessly into the lotus pond, turned his head when Kang-oh appeared. His gaze, instead of being cast downward as usual, met Kang-oh's with confidence.

'Was he waiting for me?'

Though they stayed in the same residence, Woo had been avoiding him all along, so this was surprising.

Woo had never come outside at this hour. After their not-quite confrontation, he had completely shut himself in his room. Kang-oh had even called for the servant, Yeon-jin, to ask if Woo was unwell, but she said nothing was wrong. So, he left him alone. Forcing out someone who clearly had a lot on their mind was never his intention.

Besides, Kang-oh's mind was preoccupied enough as it was. He had decided to let Woo go. And to top it off, there had been a murder at Honamgak.

"Were you looking at the pond?"

Kang-oh was the first to speak. He thought Woo had come to ask when he could leave the House of Joy, so he deliberately avoided the topic.

"The lotus buds are all coming up,"

"When they bloom, they will be truly beautiful."

"It's a shame… I won't be staying long enough to see it."

Despite Kang-oh's roundabout words, Woo seemed to see right through him.

Was it just his imagination, or did Woo's voice carry a hint of loneliness?

"What brings you here? If it's about your departure, it might be delayed because of the problem at Honamgak."

Kang-oh couldn't pretend not to know Woo's purpose forever, so he subtly hinted that his schedule might be postponed. It was a perfect excuse.

"Oh, I know."

Woo's response was somewhat unexpected, but Kang-oh quickly understood.

"The whole Black Sky Clan must be in an uproar over what happened at Honamgak. For it to reach even your ears, when you hardly ever leave the House of Joy…"

As Kang-oh muttered this, Woo shook his head.

"I looked into it on purpose. Actually, I've been waiting for you because of that… situation."

The words that came out of his mouth were completely unexpected.

"Do you have something to say about the murder case?"

"Yes."

Woo lowered his eyelashes.

Kang-oh couldn't help but be puzzled. Woo hadn't taken a single step outside the House of Joy for nearly two days—how could he know anything about what happened at Honamgak?

On top of that, if Woo had learned about it, it meant that the terrible rumors had reached his ears too.

Kang-oh's face twisted, his expression a mess as he forgot to maintain his composure. But Woo continued speaking, unfazed.

"I heard there was a... a murder at Honamgak. That a member of the Southern Lake Group did it and that... that the Third Disciple is being accused as the mastermind."

"…Well, that's about right. I owe you an apology for getting you involved with this mess."

"It's not the Third Disciple who should apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry. I was staying somewhere I had no right to be."

"Don't say that."

Kang-oh's voice, filled with anguish, faded in an instant.

"It was my own greed. If I blamed you for that…"

Woo's attitude, avoiding placing even the smallest responsibility on Kang-oh, felt like he was drawing a line between them.

"Enough. If you're worried about rumors, I'll handle it myself."

After saying that, Kang-oh started to turn away. However, before he could even turn halfway, Woo reached out. His desperate gesture caught Kang-oh's sleeve.

"N-No, that's not it."

Woo quickly added,

"It's not like that."

Kang-oh froze, staring at Woo as if he had turned to stone. Perhaps afraid that Kang-oh might leave, Woo spoke rapidly.

"I heard about the... the murder at Honamgak, and I was worried about you, my lord, so I... I came to see you. I'm not here to interrogate you or... or blame you."

"Then what is it?"

"...There's something I need to tell you."

Woo spoke as clearly as he could. He understood. How suspicious would a supposed illiterate servant seem if he could read and write so fluently? And how strange would it be if he, who didn't possess any extraordinary foresight, tried to offer advice about the situation within the Black Sky Clan?

That was why he needed Kang-oh's trust.

No matter how well-intentioned his words were, if Kang-oh didn't believe him, there was nothing Woo could do. Even if he had once been the master of the White Virtue Clan, who had once ruled over the Righteous path, the current Woo was nothing more than a lowly servant. He had lost his martial arts skills, so he couldn't secretly take out those who intended to harm Kang-oh. He didn't have the information or manpower to dispel the rumors tarnishing the Third Disciple's reputation.

Thus, Woo had to persuade Kang-oh.

"Someone did this to slander you, my lord."

Even after hearing that he and the Southern Lake Group had been set up, Kang-oh remained calm, showing not a hint of surprise.

"Yeah. I have stayed in the House of Joy for far too long."

Kang-oh muttered as if reflecting on his past actions, a bitter smile crossing his face. This incident had been suspicious from the very start.

He just didn't want to believe it..

"They may have vaguely blamed the Southern Lake Group, but soon... soon they'll point to a single person as the murderer."

Determining that Kang-oh was listening intently, Woo spoke in a quiet voice.

The Southern Lake Group had only been following Kang-oh out of obligation. They were relieved to finally have something to do, taking on chores without complaint. Everyone felt awkward seeing the guest brought in by the Third Disciple acting personally involved at the House of Joy, so they avoided him. Since the group never had enough time or opportunities to form close relationships or trust each other, misunderstandings were common. As a result, it wasn't surprising when one of the group members ended up being falsely blamed for something—there was no sense of loyalty or mutual defense to prevent that from happening.

But Woo had come to realize that Kang-oh genuinely cared about the Southern Lake Group. Some people treated their subordinates as disposable, while others valued them like their own hands and feet.

Kang-oh was the latter.

He would personally spar with regular members and offer them valuable advice on their skills. While he couldn't manage every personal matter concerning his subordinates, he had made arrangements for Il-woon, the leader of the Southern Lake Group, to keep track of their important life events. Though not as lavish as the House of Joy, Honamgak was built to be sturdy and spacious, with living quarters prepared for all its members.

Kang-oh's dedication to the Southern Lake Group likely stemmed from his nature — someone who valued his people. But beyond that, there was also a sense of obligation. As their leader, he was supposed to provide support, yet he spent more time away from the Black Sky Clan than with them.

Knowing this, Woo couldn't simply stay silent when he had a clear idea of how things might unfold.

"You will get caught trying to protect him. You'll have to either protect your honor or make a deal by offering some advantages. Since the death of the Third Internal Officer will cut off the merchant's dealings with the Black Sky Clan, it's obvious what the merchant will do."

It was a predictable course of action—so obvious he could picture it with his eyes closed. The Southern Lake Group was mostly made up of those from modest backgrounds or without any backing. They relied solely on their own skills. Many were envious of those under the command of the Third Disciple, whom the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan favored.

If even one person got caught, they would seize the opportunity to tear them apart mercilessly.

If Kang-oh stepped in, he could protect the person involved. It would take time, but he could eventually prove their innocence. However, such an approach would be slow and wouldn't prevent the damage that would happen in the meantime.

In other words, it would be like applying medicine after the wound had already festered.

It wasn't that Kang-oh lacked ambition — he had chosen to lie low to avoid conflict. He lacked the strength to firmly secure what was his. Unless he turned to his master—or possibly sought help from his senior disciple

"…Are you telling me this to warn me to prepare in advance?"

After a heavy silence, Kang-oh asked. But Woo shook his head.

"You need to strike first."

Woo wasn't the type to sit back and fix things afterward. His way was to figure out the flow and context once things started happening, overturn the opponent's plan, and then create a new one.

"Do you know who's going to take the blame?"

At Kang-oh's words, Woo shook his head.

"It's not about protecting the Southern Lake Group member. I'm saying you should go after the person who surfaced in this incident."

"…"

Kang-oh looked puzzled at that statement. Was Woo implying they should kill the merchant?"

If that were the plan, they would have put the Master or Senior Brother Yeom in charge.

"Send a letter. Express condolences to his wife regarding her son's death."

Woo began to explain.

"Also, send a cart filled with condolence gifts under a black flag and make sure everyone will see it."

"Are you suggesting that the Black Sky Clan should admit fault?"

It would be difficult to admit fault when the culprit hadn't yet been clearly identified. Wouldn't that be the same as admitting the Southern Lake Group was responsible?

Woo wouldn't have suggested such a thing without reason, so instead of questioning him, Kang-oh waited for Woo to explain himself.

"Expressing sympathy over an unfortunate incident within the Black Sky Clan should be enough. Announce the death of the new swordsman and offer the appropriate courtesies—that's all."

"And what do I gain from this?"

"You can put pressure on the Merchant."

"…"

"Because the dead man was an illegitimate child."

Even though Woo clearly had no direct sources of information and must have pieced it together from fragments of gossip, his voice carried unwavering confidence. Knowing his prudent nature, Kang-oh was certain it wasn't a baseless claim.

Kang-oh asked with wide eyes, "How did you find that out?"

"The Merchant's son has joined a martial arts clan. And he's not even a disciple of a renowned master—he's just a new warrior. While the merchant may only be of mid-tier rank, his wife's father holds an important position in the government. A legitimate heir of such birth wouldn't become a martial artist. Even if he was exceptionally gifted, someone of his birth would aim to pass the military exam and rise through official ranks."

For someone as prudent as him to confidently claim that the victim was an illegitimate child, he must have had solid grounds for that certainty.

This wasn't just information—this was sharp insight.

From the bribery ledger incident involving the Third Internal Officer, Kang-oh had already realized Woo wasn't an ordinary person. As Woo had said, he wasn't illiterate, and his observation skills were sharp, paired with an impressive level of patience. But this level of insight was different—it went beyond natural talent.

It required learning and experience.

"..."

Kang-oh's gaze deepened, unable to grasp Woo's true identity. Woo seemed to take Kang-oh's focused attention as a sign to continue.

"the merchant's son is indeed his, but he's likely illegitimate.. That's why they forced him into the Black Sky Clan. The wife likely knows about it, but she must have agreed to overlook it after being promised that he would become a martial artist and not inherit the family wealth."

Kang-oh quickly grasped Woo's implication.

"So you're saying we should reveal the existence of his illegitimate child publicly."

"Y-Yes... The merchant maintained ties with the authorities to make business easier, but if this comes to light, his wife's family will resent him. The more prestigious the family, the more important their reputation."

Even more important to them than the life of the deceased.

It's possible to overlook wrongdoing, but only if it remains a secret within the inner circle. Once it's exposed, it will escalate into a vicious scandal. Especially for a family so deeply rooted in the region that they hold local power… they cannot allow their honor to be tarnished. People may leave, but the land remains—and so does their reputation.

That's why, if word gets out that a diplomatic gift containing Black Sky Clan's official letter is on its way, the merchant would rush to stop the carriage rather than catch the murderer.

He likely thought he could gain a favor from the Black Sky Clan through this incident, but the losses would only grow greater. After all, it would shake their very foundation.

The scheme their opponent devised will be crushed before it even has a chance to succeed.

The reason? The grieving father who demanded compensation for his only son's death would lose his justification. Once it's revealed that the son he called precious was actually illegitimate, People would see him for the hypocrite he is. Worse still, if that man rushed frantically to cover up his son's death out of fear of losing his in-laws' support, just how desperate and self-serving would he seem?

Woo knew how the powerful operated. He understood the weaknesses of those who valued their honor more than anything else as if he could see through them completely.

That's why he could offer Kang-oh the sharpest blade.

But it was now up to Kang-oh to wield it.