Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter Eighty-Nine
[It wasn’t from our unit—I just happened to pass by someone else eating it, so I swallowed it whole.]
It was a relief that it didn’t belong to our forces, but the fact that the curse originated from within Sabigung itself troubled me.
I’d heard that once they built a temple inside the palace and enshrined the Buddha, they’d expelled all the Bangsul practitioners.
“Someone must have summoned a Bangsul practitioner and cast a Jususul spell.”
[But something feels off…….]
Irae’s voice had grown heavy, and worry flickered through me.
“You didn’t just consume any old curse and fall ill because of it, did you?”
[That’s not it—if I’d swallowed that much curse, I should be much heavier in the gut, shouldn’t I?]
“You mentioned it felt like overeating.”
[Normally I’d have to use a bit of the curse to dispel it and be fine. But right now I’m perfectly clear. I swallowed twice as much as my usual capacity, and yet I don’t feel burdened in the slightest.]
“Pardon?”
[It’s like my limit has vanished. Why did it suddenly change?]
There was one thing that nagged at me.
When Ja-myeong came to me in a dream, she’d called it the Pitiful Curse and touched the blade with her hand.
“I think Ja-myeong must have helped you in the dream.”
[Why would she suddenly help me?]
“I’m not entirely sure. That’s why she said it was pitiful.”
[So this noble Pollution deity found me pathetic and worthy of pity.]
“It’s not quite like that…….”
[Enough of that. Whether it’s pity or something else, I’m grateful for the help. But Weol-ya surprised me.]
“In what way?”
[He’s far too handsome. Since he kept himself wrapped up so tightly, I thought he was plain—but it seems he was hiding his appearance because it drew too much attention.]
I’d been curious about why they vanished like fugitives each time. Sam-cheon and I had even stayed up through the night once, speculating about the reasons behind their reluctance to linger long enough for gratitude.
But now that I faced him, I understood. He looked exactly as he had back at Cheol Gwang-san.
He probably didn’t age at all, just like Yong-yong.
What was the favor he asked for when the time came? Was it connected to his unchanging appearance?
As Sam-cheon drifted to sleep amid her spiraling questions, Weol-ya too was thinking of her. Sitting in the darkness of his room, he rested his chin on his palm and turned over what had happened that day.
‘Still so small.’
It had been long since seeing her up close, and the joy of it was genuine—yet her warm welcome had left him unsettled.
Though he knew she was a Celestial Maiden, it surprised him that she’d chosen a palace attendant’s life.
With Ha-bin as an example, she must have given considerable thought to what a Celestial Maiden’s existence entailed.
A life where praise and acclaim follow wherever one goes. He knew full well that officials brought considerable tribute gifts with each passing season.
Her silence stemmed from not wanting such a life. He’d hoped to speak with her longer, but the moment had been cut short when Gye-san returned.
Still, it had been a meeting that stirred in him emotions both varied and precious.
Could he afford hope? Could he truly restore life and death to his followers this time?
His body remained unchanged, but his heart grew weary and worn.
Weol-ya held his breath for a moment, letting the turmoil within settle, then exhaled slowly. And so the night deepened.
Man-chun’s lips curled upward endlessly as he clutched the heavy money pouch. The heat of the Dog Fighting Pit still hadn’t dissipated.
“I always knew that beast would cause a stir. Look at those sturdy legs, that noble head—a true champion, a true champion indeed.”
Thanks to the dog he’d marked down winning fight after fight, Man-chun’s purse had grown pleasantly fat.
Strangely, everything had begun to fall smoothly into place since he took on the name Man-chun—as if all his previous misfortune had been caused by nothing but his old name.
As Man-chun made his way back to the house near the Dog Fighting Pit, he changed direction. A night like this called for lubrication.
“Maybe I’ll wet the whistle with a drink.”
Chuckling to himself, he turned down an alley when he felt a sinister presence at his back.
Thud.
A blunt impact struck the back of his skull, and his knees buckled.
Man-chun cried out reflexively, clutching the wound with both hands. Blood streamed down his face.
Before he could even turn around, someone kicked him forward, and he crashed to the ground. Hands immediately dove into his clothes.
“Found it.”
He felt the clumsy fingers fumble through his pockets and draw out his money pouch.
Man-chun fought to hold onto his fading consciousness, but it was useless.
Two? No, three ruffians had been whispering among themselves, then suddenly fixed their gaze on him.
“No Gold Bead.”
“Hey, search harder.”
The three began tearing through his body. Man-chun forced his mouth open to meet the gaze of their glittering eyes.
“P-please. Spare me.”
No one answered his pleading voice. One of the men, searching with fervent intensity, found the Gold Bead hidden in a sewn inner pocket.
“He really tucked it away deep.”
“First time I’ve seen a Gold Bead.”
“What do we do with this bastard?”
“Clean it up—no loose ends.”
The words chilled him to the bone, but Man-chun couldn’t move a finger. Staring at the death approaching him blankly, someone emerged from deeper in the alley.
He clicked his tongue at the sight of Man-chun and the ruffians.
“If you want to live, walk away from here.”
One of them barked a threat, but he planted himself in front of Man-chun.
“That won’t be possible, I’m afraid.”
With those words, Man-chun’s consciousness snapped shut.
When one of the ruffians rushed at him with a punch, blood sprayed. The others charged in unison, but a single gesture sent them flying backward.
In the blink of an eye, he’d subdued them all. He collected the money pouch and Gold Bead, then hoisted the unconscious Man-chun onto his shoulder.
As he vanished with Man-chun, silence reclaimed the alley.
Morning sun broke over the horizon. Time passed, and a sharp scream pierced the alley as an early riser began their day.
Sam-cheon woke and began preparing to leave as soon as the sun rose. With many tasks ahead, she needed to move with purpose.
The moment she stepped outside the central command quarters where the officers’ tents were gathered, a small voice rang out from within her clothes.
[Dazzling beauty. Most pleasing.]
“……Me?”
[What are you saying? I meant Weol-ya.]
Following Irae’s curt reply came a voice still unfamiliar to me.
“Good morning.”
Weol-ya, leaning against a tree near the entrance, offered a greeting. Sam-cheon broke into a bright smile at the sight of him.
“Good morning, Weol-ya!”
The moment of confusion passed in an instant. Weol-ya composed his expression and stepped closer.
“Yes. Good morning.”
Sam-cheon’s shoulders, brimming with warmth, stiffened slightly.
Just that single step forward carried a weight of presence. Though his face bore no particular severity, she found herself cowed as he stood before her.
Noticing her discomfort, Weol-ya retreated half a step and extended a Wooden Box, no larger than his palm.
“This is…….”
“Medicine. It should prevent scarring if applied regularly.”
Sam-cheon accepted the Wooden Box.
“Thank you. I’ll apply it diligently.”
“If you have time, I’d like to speak with you.”
Yesterday, Weol-ya had withdrawn the moment Gye-san returned. Sam-cheon had wanted to talk with him as well, as there was much she wished to ask.
“I need to visit Sabi Fortress this morning. Would it be alright to speak later this afternoon?”
The Gyeon Hwan Army was encamped outside the gates of Sabi Fortress. To use the merchant networks, one had to enter the fortress itself, and she had a prior appointment.
“Will you be departing immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Then how about we go together? We can talk along the way. There’s a place I’d like to show you as well.”
Weol-ya smiled quietly.
Somehow unable to refuse, Sam-cheon found herself nodding without thinking, then swallowed hard.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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