What was inside the bag full of…

“Money!”

A near-exclamation escaped from Kwon Jwa Woo’s lips.

Hong Woo Geon spoke in a completely different tone than before.

“If you want, I can give you all the money in this bag.”

He silently pressured her with his gaze to accept his request.

Meeting his gaze directly, Kwon Jwa Woo opened her mouth.

“Really?”

“Of course, really.”

“Then…”

Hope filled Hong Woo Geon’s eyes as he waited for her next words.

He had never seen someone not swayed by this much wealth.

Nodding his head as if to say ‘of course’, Hong Woo Geon waited for Kwon Jwa Woo’s response.

“Even more so, I cannot do it.”

“Yes, even more so, I can’t… What? Can’t do it? Why?”

Hong Woo Geon’s expression twisted at the unexpected answer.

How much time had passed?

Two people stood facing each other in the yard of a small thatched house.

Hong Woo Geon and Kwon Jwa Woo.

Had he given up now?

Hong Woo Geon willingly let Kwon Jwa Woo go.

Emerging belatedly from the room where she had been held, Kwon Jwa Woo realized she was in a thatched house at the foot of Mount Namsan.

Spring flowers bloomed beautifully in the yard of the thatched house.

Perhaps because she had caught her breath,

The stars scattered across the dawn sky seemed beautiful.

However, the situation was not suitable for leisurely appreciating such things.

She only wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

“Are you really not going to do it?”

Hong Woo Geon’s voice, full of lingering attachment, held Kwon Jwa Woo’s feet in place.

Kwon Jwa Woo nodded with a resolute face.

“It’s not that I won’t do it, but that I can’t. I’m not the kind of person you think I am, sir.”

“All that money could be yours?”

Looking back at the bags of money piled up in the room, Woo Geon tried to persuade Kwon Jwa Woo once more.

“That’s not bad money, and it’s certainly not money earned through evil deeds.”

“I still don’t want it.”

“Why?”

“It’s my family’s principle not to get involved with bad people.”

“I’m telling you, I’m not a bad person.”

“If someone who kidnaps a woman isn’t a bad person, then who is? Well, I suppose even the worst villain in the world wouldn’t call himself bad.”

“If that’s how you truly feel, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“This could have been a connection of sorts, but it’s a shame we’re parting like this.”

Woo Geon’s eyes sought agreement from Kwon Jwa Woo.

Kwon Jwa Woo replied with a faint smile on her lips.

“I feel relieved to be ending this ill-fated encounter.”

“Huh…”

A deflated sound escaped from Woo Geon’s mouth without him realizing.

Yet strangely, he didn’t feel bad about it.

So he made one last offer.

“If you ever change your mind, come back here.”

“It would be better for you to leave quickly before I change my mind and return with government troops.”

“You’re colder than you look.”

“I’m often told I’m rational.”

“If you ever need my help…”

“I’ll be sure to ask someone other than you, sir.”

Fearing he might grab her again, Kwon Jwa Woo hurriedly took a step.

She was free now.

Hong Woo Geon’s voice clung to her back.

“Be careful going down, the dawn path is dark.”

A farewell that didn’t suit a kidnapper.

At the words that sounded like they were meant for an old friend, Kwon Jwa Woo briefly turned her head to look at Woo Geon.

The image of him cheerfully waving his hand was deeply etched in Kwon Jwa Woo’s retina.

For a moment, an inexplicable ripple stirred in her heart.

For a moment… just a brief moment, her heart wavered.

Should I help him?

“No, no.”

What nonsense.

Quickly shaking off the disturbance, Kwon Jwa Woo resumed her halted steps.

Pat, pat, the sound of footsteps echoed along the fresh spring forest path.

After quite some time had passed like that.

A servant in black martial clothing approached Woo Geon, who was watching the path where Kwon Jwa Woo had disappeared with his hands behind his back.

Taking off the mask covering his face, the servant spoke.

“What should we do now? She rejected so firmly.”

“We’ll have to find another way.”

“Another way…?”

“Kwon Jwa Woo, was it?”

The servant was puzzled by the sudden question.

“Pardon?”

“That woman’s name.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Kwon Jwa Woo, truly a balanced name.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“This time I went to find her, next time I’ll make her come to me on her own.”

A meaningful smile appeared on Hong Woo Geon’s lips.

A smile so charming that if an unknowing person, especially a woman, saw it, they would be instantly captivated.

However, the servant glancing at him flinched.

There were only two cases when his lord made such an expression.

Either someone displeased him, or someone seriously pleased him.

Though opposite cases, the conclusion was the same.

Once in Hong Woo Geon’s sights, one’s life would not be smooth sailing.

Kwon Jwa Woo.

The servant felt deep sympathy for Kwon Jwa Woo, whose face he had seen only once today.

One hour later.

The place where Kwon Jwa Woo reappeared was Namchon in Hanyang.

Clear spring sunlight settled on the roof and yard of the old thatched house.

This place, with a small yard between the main house and a small servants’ quarters, was Kwon Jwa Woo’s home in Namchon, Hanyang.

A yangban in name only, with little to their name, poor nobles.

The house and furnishings were old and humble, worn by time.

Signs of poverty were evident throughout the house.

Moreover, the only servants were an old couple in the quarters and their granddaughter.

There were quite a few dusty corners visible.

But for Kwon Jwa Woo, it was the most comfortable place in the world.

Usually, she would just open that small gate and go inside.

But having spent the whole night out,

If the old woman in the quarters found out, how would she handle the fuss?

She hesitated to take a step.

As she was pondering, peeking inside, a voice full of moisture flew from behind her.

“Where on earth have you been?”

Eon Nyeon ran to Kwon Jwa Woo with tears brimming in her eyes.

Eon Nyeon was the only one who knew about Kwon Jwa Woo’s escapades as the ‘Hwa Seop Ja of Myeongye-bang’.

“Let me see. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Eon Nyeon’s eyes, examining Kwon Jwa Woo, were red and swollen.

“You were supposed to be back by now, but you didn’t come. I wandered the alleys of Myeongye-bang so much, wondering if you were at your usual place. Do you know how much I searched? Where have you been and what were you doing until now?”

Perhaps from wandering the alleys all night, the hem of Eon Nyeon’s skirt was soaked with muddy water, and small cuts covered her knuckles.

“Have you been crying?”

“Do you think I only cried?”

Eon Nyeon shot a not-so-unkind glare with her puffy eyes.

Glancing at Eon Nyeon, Kwon Jwa Woo asked.

“More importantly, how’s the old woman?”

“She’s still asleep.”

“She doesn’t know I was gone?”

“Of course not. If Grandmother knew, do you think this girl would be standing here so intact?”

“That’s a relief.”

“Where have you been? Do you know how worried I was that something might have happened?”

“I’m back safe and sound. So you can relax now.”

“Are you really okay? Where have you been all this time?”

“…”

“You didn’t spend the night outside, did you?”

Eon Nyeon pecked out questions like a woodpecker.

Finally, Kwon Jwa Woo gave in and opened her mouth.

“I met someone.”

“Who?”

“Someone I don’t know well either.”

“What?”

Eon Nyeon’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

She examined every inch of Kwon Jwa Woo’s body with a worried gaze.

“You weren’t harmed in any way, were you?”

“No, nothing happened.”

“You must have been so startled.”

“I was a bit surprised.”

Kwon Jwa Woo nodded.

Suddenly, Eon Nyeon bustled towards the gate.

“Where are you going?”

“To call a doctor…”

“Then the old woman and old man will find out too. That I’ve been out all night and just came back.”

“They’ll probably scold us?”

“Not just that. They’ll surely try to eat you alive.”

“Ugh, just thinking about it makes my insides shrivel up and die.”

Eon Nyeon shuddered.

“…Then what should we do?”

“I just need to rest well, so don’t make a fuss.”

“But still…”

“I haven’t slept at all, so I just want to sleep now.”

“Oh my, look at this foolish girl. How thoughtless of me. How tired you must be, my lady. Go to sleep. I’ve kept your bed warm all night. So sleep well.”

“Alright, I’ll sleep for a little while then wake up.”

Kwon Jwa Woo forced a smile and entered her room.

She wanted to rest without thinking about anything. Her body felt infinitely heavy, like cotton soaked in water.

It wasn’t easy to take even one step.

“Haah.”

As soon as she entered the room, a sigh of relief escaped Kwon Jwa Woo’s lips.

Her small, humble room welcomed her with a cozy appearance.

Her whole body melted with relief at having safely returned home after a long and dangerous day.

Kwon Jwa Woo buried her head at the edge of the bedding as if collapsing.

How much time had passed like that?

The woman who had been lying with her eyes closed as if dead suddenly raised her body.

Hong Woo Geon’s face flashed through Kwon Jwa Woo’s mind.

“That bad…”

Kwon Jwa Woo clenched her fist.

But only for a moment.

This time, what filled her mind was the image of Woo Geon waving his hand warmly towards her.

It was a first.

He was the first person to seek out Kwon Jwa Woo not for himself, but for someone else.

Most of those who had sought her out until now were either for themselves, or for their children, parents, or siblings, or if not that, then only thinking of their family’s glory and safety.

But that man wasn’t like that.

He just took risks to find talented individuals.

What kind of person could he be?

Could he perhaps hold a high government position?

Was he truly trying to sacrifice himself for the safety of this country?

Kwon Jwa Woo caressed her left cheek where Woo Geon’s fingertips had touched.

Strangely, the fleeting sensation was still vivid.

At the same time.

“This is the private residence of Kwon Eui Jung, who served as Chief Inspector of the Office of the Inspector-General.”

The servant’s voice came from behind.

Hong Woo Geon, who had been peering into Kwon Jwa Woo’s house over the wall, turned his head.

The servant bowed his head towards him.

“Chief Inspector Kwon Eui Jung of the Office of the Inspector-General?”

“He was one of those who died in the mysterious sudden death incident at the Office of the Inspector-General 8 years ago.”

“Then?”

“Most of the people who passed the exam with the help of the ‘Hwa Seop Ja of Myeongye-bang’ over the past 3 years were descendants of families related to or suspected to be related to that incident.”

“So…”

“It seems she is investigating the incident from 8 years ago alone.”

“Has there been any progress?”

“It doesn’t appear she has found anything conclusive yet.”

Hong Woo Geon, who had been indifferent all along, turned his head again to look into Kwon Jwa Woo’s house.

Beyond the low wall, a blue glint shone in his eyes as they swept over the old and shabby thatched house.

“I see, so that’s how it is…”

Muttering to himself in a low voice, Woo Geon suddenly raised his right hand.

The servant came to stand on his right.

“Tell him that we’ve found the Hwa Seop Ja of Myeongye-bang.”

“I receive your command.”

With a brief reply, the servant’s figure disappeared in an instant.

Left alone, Hong Woo Geon still didn’t take his eyes off Kwon Jwa Woo’s house.

In the distance, the golden sun was slowly revealing its face over the mountain peak.