When A Woman Harbors Resentment (4)

In the main hall of the Luoyang Prefect’s residence, Princess Jang-ok, dressed in men’s garb, sat in the Taishi chair and asked the masters of the Eorim Institute,

“Do you know who he was?”

“……”

Of course, the Eorim masters had no idea who Neung Je-gang was.

“Even the Eastern Depot does not know?”

“The subdued agents said he once belonged to the Depot, Your Highness, but his exact identity is unknown.”

The head of the Luoyang branch of the Eastern Depot floundered before her question.

“And those who pursued him—did they catch him?”

“They lost him, Your Highness! His skill was far beyond theirs, and they could not trace him. He must be a martial world figure.”

“Then surely you know which martial figure he is? Isn’t it the Depot’s job to investigate such things?”

“Our deepest apologies, Your Highness!”

“Find out who he is, what he saw, and what he learned. Punish the Depot agents who grew lax in their watch and let an evil man run rampant. Report this to the Inspector-General so precautions are taken. And strengthen intelligence on martial figures, so they dare not act recklessly again.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

After the branch chief withdrew, Princess Jang-ok sat in the chair for a long while. At last, she slowly closed her eyes.

“Your Highness, perhaps you should retire to your chamber.”

Her chief attendant court lady spoke.

“No, just a little longer…. But who could he be? I’ve heard my master tell me much about martial world figures, but never of someone like that…. And wasn’t he truly handsome?”

“Your Highness, he is still but an evil man, unworthy of your regard.”

“That’s exactly my point. Why was I born a princess, unable to be with such a man? If I’d been born into the martial world, I could chase after him right now. Don’t you think so?”

“Y-Your Highness!”

Her court lady’s pained voice echoed through the hall, while the Eorim masters exchanged bitter smiles.

Go So-jeong raced from the Martial Alliance toward Mount Li.

He was, after all, the man called Secret Shadow. He might vanish without a trace. She had laid down plenty of orchid tracking powder, but one could never be too sure.

“You bastard!”

Her already crumbling patience had fully snapped. With no need to hide her nature, even her voice was venomous.

“He avoided the powder. He knew I was hiding.”

She couldn’t shake the feeling Neung Je-gang was toying with her.

She drew a small box from her robe—snatched from her father with threats back at the Martial Alliance.

Click.

Inside lay a crimson throwing weapon, the Blood Rain Dagger, forged at the Danya Workshop of Henan.

Once thrown, it would split into thousands of shards, wrecking everything within a radius of thirty paces—the emperor of hidden weapons.

“The moment I see him, I’ll fire. I’ve already told the Alliance that the killer is linked to them. I don’t need Secret Shadow anymore. I’ll kill him. Bastard! He must be smug, thinking he avoided the powder. He doesn’t know I sprinkled some before. Hohoho! Fool—just wait.”

Following the faint trail of powder, she crossed into Henan. The scent led her into Luoyang, over several walls, to a small building.

Shhhrrrp.

She landed where the building came into view. Trained in the secret body arts of the Martial Alliance, her lightness skill was unmatched.

“So, you ran here. This must be the Hao Sect’s den.”

How could she know it was the Luoyang branch of the Eastern Depot, recently disgraced by Neung Je-gang’s intrusion? Its agents were seething with fury.

She alighted before the building, body taut with tension, sweat dampening her grip on the Blood Rain Dagger she was ready to throw.

“Who goes there? This place is not for trespass.”

The warning came, though no one was visible.

“I’ve come to see your master.”

“Master? What nonsense? Leave at once.”

“I know you had a guest here recently. I’ve come for him. I’ve no business with you—call him out.”

“A guest? You mean you’re looking for that man.”

“That’s right, so—”

She hastily agreed, taking the bait—and that was her mistake.

“This wench is with him. Seize her!”

Craaaash!

Pffft!

Shhhhhh!

Hidden weapons rained from all sides as dozens of Depot agents surrounded her.

“What is this?”

She leapt up to dodge, but there were too many.

“Urgh!”

Caught unprepared, thinking this was only the Hao Sect, she was careless. Several blades buried into her leg, hampering her movement. Worse, the swords closing in were far too sharp for mere Hao Sect agents.

“W-what is this…?”

“Girl! You dare mock the Eastern Depot? We’ll make sure you die hard!”

“Depot…? Not the Hao Sect?”

“Enough talk. Die!”

Clang-clash!

Sparks flew.

Go So-jeong nearly raged herself to madness. Why had the Hao Sect suddenly become the Eastern Depot? And why were they hunting her so mercilessly?

She knew the answer—everything traced back to Neung Je-gang.

She thought he had set her up, and fury boiled over.

“You bastard!”

All she had left was hatred.