Chaotic Nights — Chapter 137. Fortress

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 3/4

They found a house. There lived a herbalist who lived with a young woman.

Her forehead glistened with sweat as she steamed potatoes along with barley.

Jihak looked at the basket the girl had brought. After he told her he would adequately compensate her, she opened the door.

“Thank you!”

Her innocent face flushed. Before Jihak entered the room, he looked at the girl feeding the warriors. He remembered Eunha.

Slowly he entered the room.

It had been a day since he left Harye, he constantly thought about her. Even when he cut an enemy’s throat, her face appeared in his head.

I wish I don’t lose my sanity.

He, too, anticipated Eunha’s arrival at the door.

He placed his sword on the floor with a smile.

“Want some potatoes?”

Jihak coldly replied to the girl’s words.

“No.”

“Everyone enjoyed the meal, aren’t you hungry?”

“I said no.”

But the girl placed two potatoes in a wooden bowl, then quickly ran away.

“Yuljae.”

Jihak removed his outer clothing. Immediately, Yuljae entered the room.

“Give these potatoes to the others. I just need water.”

“I will.”

“Where is Seogyeong?”

“I’ll find out.”

“It’s too late.”

“Nothing will happen in Harye. Don’t worry.”

He gave the bowl with potatoes to the nearby warrior. The girl, watching from afar, lowered her head in disappointment.

Yuljae closed the door.

“We have set traps. The surrounding area is also being guarded by sentries. The herbalist said that the northern mountains are too steep, so enemies won’t be able to hide there.”

“However, remain vigilant. Assess whether anyone is injured. Anyone who is seriously injured will be sent back to Harye.”

“Yes, I will.”

Jihak, who had his back against the wall, closed his eyes.

“My uncle wants to separate me from what I cherish. Did you know who killed the deer?”

Yuljae gulped.

“Yes.”

Jihak, who smiled wryly, raised his eyelids.

Indescribable emotions flashed in his eyes as he looked up at the ceiling.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…I believed it would be better if you didn’t know. Forgive me.”

“There will be no second chances.”

“One chance is enough.”

Jihak closed his eyes again. There was only one reason to rest his eyes. He wanted to look at the face he longed for in his dreams.

***

“You’re likely close to the capital at this point. Please respond…”

The man, who was holding a paintbrush, was confused at Kim’s words. Kim, who was staring at the empty paper, calmly gave instructions.

“Eunha dared to escape, it seems that a roving samurai killed her. You write that the body was not found. It is sad that she has become animal food.”

“Do you think our Lord will believe that her body was not found?”

“Don’t worry. I have an idea.”

Kim turned around to look at Gari, who was caught by the warriors.

The reason they gave up everything was because they believed the Prince could regain his power. Their unwavering conviction propelled them this far.

But their hope started to turn into despair since this woman appeared. She broke the fortress. She melted his heart like snow.

Eunha was poison that made Jihak weak.

“Do you think you can handle that woman who is locked up?”

The man’s hands trembled as he secured the letter to the hawk’s leg. Although he had accepted Kim’s job, he feared the consequences.

“We’re in the same boat.”

Kim, who looked as if he had read the man’s mind, grabbed his shoulder.

Then the man dismissed the hawk.

“I don’t want to kill a woman.”

“If you don’t, you may die.”

“But…”

“We will return to our original place. I will reward you for your great service.”

The reluctant man replied that he would do so before he left.

He knew he did not have long to live. He was aware that failure of his plan would cost him his life at the hands of the Prince.

But he didn’t care as long as he saw Jihak with a crown.

He had no regrets.