‘!?’
At the words that came from Mok Gyeong-un's mouth, Guard Go Chan's expression stiffened. Since the Manor Lord was safe, it was a story that could have been kept hidden, but he never expected Mok Gyeong-un to mention it so directly.
‘How could he...’
Was he really so eager to provoke the Great Madam Seok? That was as good as her secret. To say he knew such a thing, it wouldn't be strange if she tried to kill him right here and now to silence him.
‘Damn it!’
Go Chan, completely tense, looked at Madam Seok. Just as he expected, Madam Seok's expression had turned even more venomous than usual. However, rage did not immediately pour from her lips.
It was because, ‘This brat...’ she had come here in the first place thinking that Mok Gyeong-un might have seen or discovered something. But Mok Gyeong-un's attitude was completely unexpected. Confessing that he knew her secret was no different from asking to be killed.
‘What is his intention?’
Is this wicked boy acting so boldly because he thinks he has a hold on my weakness? If that was the case, he had made a self-destructive move. In any case, this boy was someone who had to be dealt with once Mok Yeong-ho became the Manor Lord.
Madam Seok's hand shot out like a snake striking its prey, seizing Mok Gyeong-un's neck. Seeing that hand movement, Guard Go Chan was certain. As someone from the martial arts family of the Golden Flower Seok Family Manor, she was definitely a first-rate master.
‘Unless it's Senior Brother Gam, no one could face her.’
That also meant she was an opponent Mok Gyeong-un could not handle.
‘Ah?’
A strange light appeared in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes as his neck was grabbed. He was inwardly surprised by the greater than expected strength and the unique hand movement.
‘This woman is strong, isn't she?’
The information report had mentioned that since she was from the Golden Flower Seok Family Manor, her martial arts would be quite formidable. But at this level, her strength was far greater than Go Chan's. ‘How strange.’ Madam Seok's wrists were incredibly slender.
They were no different from any other woman's, yet they held such power. The power of martial arts was indeed mystical. Seeing Mok Gyeong-un's reaction, Madam Seok's eyes narrowed.
‘This brat...’
She had grabbed his neck to threaten that she could take his life at any moment, but far from it, he didn't even show a hint of alarm. Since he wasn't her own child, she hadn't seen him often, but did this boy possess such nerve? On the contrary, she knew him to be the most cowardly among the half-brothers.
"You..."
That one word from Madam Seok's lips. Hearing it, Guard Go Chan swallowed dryly. Could it be, was he found out?
On second thought, wouldn't a first-rate master be able to tell if someone had learned martial arts just by grabbing their neck? But then, "... Have you been hiding your true colors?"
‘!?’
At those words from Madam Seok, Go Chan was dumbfounded. Should he consider this fortunate? Or should he see it as having raised her suspicions even more?
She didn't seem suspicious, but it looked like Madam Seok had perceived it in a negative way.
"So this was your true self..."
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un opened his mouth.
"That's... not... what's... important... right now."
"What?"
"If... the Manor... Lord... were to... pass... away... it would be... difficult... for the first... young master... to become... the Manor Lord."
"You brat!"
Madam Seok's grip tightened.
"Insolent boy. Do you think I can't kill you right here and now? Who do you think you're trying to bargain with?"
"This... is a little painful."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, she frowned. With this much pressure on his neck, it should be hard to breathe, yet there was no significant change in his expression. Was he not in pain?
While she was wondering, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"I... see... It seems... bargaining... is only... possible... when there's... a certain... level... of... wariness... towards... the opponent."
"Wariness? Do you think I would feel such a thing towards the likes of you?"
Among the four sons of the Mok family, Mok Gyeong-un had the most insignificant martial arts skill. Moreover, with his mother dead and his maternal family all but ruined, what could he possibly use to make her feel wary? It was at that very moment.
"Demonic Monk."
As soon as the words fell.
Flinch!
In that instant, a chilling sensation that sent shivers down her spine seized her. Then, Madam Seok was struck by something and pushed back. Her eyes trembled as she was pushed back about four steps.
‘What was that just now?’
Something unseen had touched her. She had been pushed back as she instantly circulated her qi to create a rebound, but the sensation was beyond unpleasant, it was hair-raising.
"Hoo."
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un, who had sat up, rolled his neck, making it crack.
"Having one's neck grabbed by someone is not a pleasant experience."
At his relaxed tone, Madam Seok glared fiercely and spoke.
"You... what did you just do?"
"What do you mean, what did I do?"
"Just now, clearly..."
It was difficult to explain what had happened. Mok Gyeong-un hadn't done anything to her directly. But what was that strange sensation?
While she couldn't understand, Mok Gyeong-un sat on the edge of the bed and spoke.
"Are you now in the mood to bargain?"
"Bargain? How ridiculous. It seems you had a hidden card, but do you think such luck as a moment ago will work again?"
"It seems not yet. Then shall we use a maid?"
"What?"
"The one on the left should be good."
"The left? What are you talking about..."
The moment she tried to ask.
"Ack!"
Everyone's gaze turned towards the source of the sound.
‘!?’
Madam Seok's eyes wavered. Not just her, but everyone in the Medicine Hall stared with wide eyes. It was because one of the maids Madam Seok had brought with her was floating about ten feet in the air.
"Uup, uup!"
As if trying to scream in shock, the maid only made muffled sounds as if her mouth was blocked by something. At this sight, everyone was at a loss for words. What on earth was happening?
Why was a perfectly fine maid floating on her own and struggling like that?
‘I-impossible.’
Madam Seok's mind became a tangled mess at this bizarre phenomenon. She had heard that among profound internal energy masters, there were those who could manipulate objects with their internal energy, their true energy. But there was no way this young boy could be such an internal energy master.
Besides, if he had wielded true energy profound enough to lift a maid, she would have sensed some of its aura.
‘Wh-what is this?’
Guard Go Chan was just as shocked. What was the meaning of this? Was this fake Mok Gyeong-un hiding such a bizarre ability?
Just then, Mok Gyeong-un casually raised a hand and made a throat-slitting gesture. In that instant.
"Keok!"
Then, the veins on the face of the maid, who was floating in the air as if caught by something, bulged out and her eyes rolled back. It looked as if she would stop breathing at any moment.
'Th-this is?'
The corpse of the dead Occultist came to mind. Flustered by the sight, Madam Seok shouted.
"St-stop!"
"What are you talking about?"
"You're the one doing this! I don't know what kind of Demonic Arts this is, but stop it right now!"
"I wonder."
"You!"
"This is to prove that I am qualified to bargain with the Great Madam, so wouldn't it be alright to take one life?"
Mok Gyeong-un showed a faint smile. At that sight, Madam Seok's expression, in contrast, hardened even more. The maid, who seemed on the verge of death.
If she were an ordinary maid, it might have been different, but she was a girl who had served her since her time at her family home, the Seok Family Manor. Biting her lip hard, she shouted.
"Stop! Stop it! I'll listen to whatever bargain you want, just stop it right now!"
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un gave a slight nod. Then, the maid, who had been on the brink of death, fell to the floor unconscious.
"So-hwa! So-hwa!"
Another maid hurriedly checked on the fainted girl. Fortunately, she seemed to be alive, and the maid let out a sigh of relief. Madam Seok was also relieved, but more than that, she grew suspicious of Mok Gyeong-un's bizarre ability.
What on earth was this? It was a power far removed from qi. It was akin to Demonic Arts or some anomalous power.
When had he learned such a strange power?
‘... This brat.’
Her mind was complicated with suspicion, but since she couldn't immediately identify what this power was, it was too risky to clash with him recklessly. If she wanted to do that, she should have brought only guards who knew martial arts. Madam Seok, who had been glaring at Mok Gyeong-un, opened her mouth.
"... What is it you want to bargain for?"
"The Manor Lord is on his deathbed, don't you need the Manor Lord's seal?"
"..."
She didn't answer, but she didn't deny it either. It wasn't something to deny in the first place. That was the only way to secure the succession.
But she didn't understand.
"If you knew that, you could have just kept it hidden. Why are you telling me?"
"Why am I telling you?"
"Yes. You're a Mok, so you must want to be the Manor Lord too."
This was exactly what made her suspicious. She couldn't understand why he was bringing up a story he could have kept to himself. If he used the seal, he could gain the support of the vassals.
But, "I don't particularly want to."
"What?"
At those words from Mok Gyeong-un's mouth, Madam Seok was momentarily speechless. He doesn't want to become the Manor Lord? He could become the master of a historic martial arts family that held sway over the northern Anhui Province, and he didn't want that?
"... Am I supposed to believe that right now?"
"You don't believe me?"
"If it were you, would you believe it?"
"I wouldn't. I might even think I was being deceived."
"If there isn't a convincing reason..."
"First, as I just said, I'm not interested. And second, shall we say I don't want to get involved in the succession battle and fight?"
"You don't want to fight?"
"Yes. To be precise, I'm not interested, so should I say I don't want to waste time on something pointless?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, she frowned. Is this boy considering the matter of deciding the master of the Lotuswood Sword Manor a waste of time? How much effort had she put in all this time to make her son, Mok Yeong-ho, the Manor Lord?
In a different sense, it was absurd. Staring intently at Mok Gyeong-un, she said, "... If you truly want nothing, then tell me the location of the Manor Lord's seal and the secret manual.
Then I will believe that you have really given up." At her words, Mok Gyeong-un scoffed.
"I can't do that."
"Then I can't fully believe your words either..."
"Then don't believe me. I'll just make the same bargain with the second young master's side."
"What?"
In that instant, Madam Seok's composure wavered.
"What are you talking about..."
"Exactly what you heard. It seems the Great Madam is having trouble understanding, so I'll explain it kindly. I may not need it, but do you think the Great Madam and my first brother, Mok Yeong-ho, are the only ones who want the Manor Lord's seal?" '!!!!!'
Her expression completely froze. Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly and said, "It seems you now know who holds the hilt of the sword."