Chapter 95: The Promise
Qin Yueshu's confession left all of us stunned.
He told her to cut off the medicinal supplies going to Kunlun?
It made no sense.
Why would Gu Mun do something like that?
Did he perhaps have some deep grudge against Kunlun that I didn't know about?
Hyeongwon seemed to be thinking the same thing.
He immediately asked,
“First Elder Gwangung, do you know why that Face-Stealing Hand would do something like this?”
Jin Gwangung stroked his chin.
“Hmm... I haven't the slightest idea.”
He frowned.
“Kunlun has never had any particular grudge against that old monster.”
He looked frustrated.
I felt the same way.
Even when I searched through my memories from before my regression...
I couldn't remember Gu Mun ever having anything to do with Kunlun.
So why was this happening in this life?
What could Gu Mun possibly gain by threatening Qin Yueshu into cutting off Kunlun's medicinal supplies?
I couldn't understand it at all.
Maybe something similar had happened in my previous life as well.
Perhaps...
it had simply never become public knowledge.
But even then...
It's strange.
Far too strange.
It still didn't explain why Gu Mun would do such a thing.
I let out a slow breath and looked down at Qin Yueshu.
There were many unanswered questions...
but for now, we needed to deal with the situation directly in front of us.
“Madam.”
I spoke carefully.
“Was Gu Mun the only person threatening you?”
“Did you ever see anyone else helping him?”
Qin Yueshu shook her head.
“Gu Mun was the only one I saw with my own eyes.”
Then she hesitated.
“But....”
I immediately asked,
“But?”
Her voice trembled.
“Gu Mun always warned me.”
“He said that if I betrayed him or tried anything foolish...”
She swallowed.
“my son would die.”
Her hands shook.
“And he said the people working with him would never forgive me.”
People working with him?
Does she mean the Shadow Corps?
Then Qin Yueshu suddenly bowed her head toward me, tears gathering in her eyes.
“Please help me.”
Her voice broke.
“Taoist... please save my son.”
"..."
She turned toward Myeongjeon.
“Myeongjeon...”
She sobbed.
“I'm begging you.”
Myeongjeon's brow trembled slightly.
“I know...”
Her voice cracked.
“I know I treated you cruelly when you were young.”
She struggled to continue.
“But Munhyeok...”
“your brother...”
She looked at him desperately.
“He was always good to you, wasn't he?”
Her tears began falling.
“Please...”
“save your only brother.”
“If you do that, I'll spend the rest of my life repaying this debt to you.”
“Please... I'm begging you.”
Myeongjeon's fists clenched tightly.
Pain was written all over his face.
I couldn't tell whether that emotion was rage toward Gu Mun...
or resentment toward Qin Yueshu.
I answered in Myeongjeon's place.
“There is a way to save Young Master Myeong Munhyeok.”
“So don't worry.”
Qin Yueshu's face immediately brightened.
It was the expression of someone who had just found a lifeline out of hell.
“Th-Then... how...?”
I looked directly into her eyes.
“The answer is simple.”
“It's a method you already know.”
Qin Yueshu stared blankly.
“What do you mean?”
“A method I already know...?”
I gave her the answer immediately.
“Keep the promise Gu Mun demanded.”
That evening.
Someone visited Qin Yueshu's residence in the inner quarters.
“Madam, Young Master Myeong Munhyeok has arrived.”
A maid announced him from outside.
Qin Yueshu replied,
“Let him in.”
Then she added,
“And all of you, stay far away.”
The door opened.
Myeong Munhyeok stepped inside.
Or more precisely...
Face-Stealing Hand Gu Mun, disguised as Myeong Munhyeok.
The moment he entered, Gu Mun scanned the room.
Once he confirmed that only he and Qin Yueshu were present...
the corners of his mouth rose.
“Hehehe.”
Qin Yueshu gripped the edge of her skirt tightly as though terrified.
Gu Mun smiled cruelly at her.
“The Kunlun bastards are all gone.”
Qin Yueshu lowered her head.
“I wanted to fulfill my promise to Lord Gu Mun as quickly as possible.”
“I thought it would take longer if outsiders remained around...”
She continued carefully,
“so I merely encouraged them to leave.”
Gu Mun smiled with satisfaction.
“You really are a clever woman.”
“Worthy of being the mistress of such a massive merchant group.”
He stepped closer.
Then lightly lifted Qin Yueshu's chin with one hand.
“Enough praise.”
His smile deepened.
“Tell me.”
“Why did you call this old man all the way here?”
"..."
Qin Yueshu didn't answer immediately.
She seemed frightened.
After taking a moment to steady her breathing...
she spoke carefully.
“I have a request.”
Gu Mun tilted his head.
“A request?”
Qin Yueshu raised her eyes.
“I want to confirm my son's condition.”
Gu Mun chuckled.
“Didn't I already tell you?”
“Once you fulfill your promise...”
“your son will return to you naturally.”
Qin Yueshu lifted her head and stared directly at him.
The fear that had been in her eyes only moments ago was gone.
What remained instead...
was the ferocity of a mother who had lost her child.
“As promised...”
Her voice shook, but she forced the words out.
“I'll put the medicine you gave me into the Merchant Group Head's decoction.”
Gu Mun smiled.
“Of course you will.”
Qin Yueshu's voice rose.
“But.”
Gu Mun's gaze turned cold.
“If I cannot confirm whether my son is alive...”
“I will no longer cooperate.”
Gu Mun's eyes narrowed.
Then he grabbed Qin Yueshu by the hair with one hand and yanked her head upward.
“Don't misunderstand your position, you stupid bitch.”
He bared his teeth and whispered into her ear.
“Your life and your son's life are both in this old man's hands.”
“If I wanted to...”
“I could kill both of you right here and now.”
Tears gathered in Qin Yueshu's eyes.
But she didn't back down.
“Then kill me.”
Her voice trembled...
but her resolve did not.
“Unless you prove that my son is alive...”
“even if you put a blade to my throat, I will never obey you again.”
Gu Mun's eyes narrowed further.
“You bitch....”
He stared straight into her eyes.
Qin Yueshu could feel the thick killing intent in his gaze.
But she didn't look away.
She met it head-on.
After a brief silence...
Gu Mun finally reacted.
“Interesting.”
His lips stretched into a grin.
“Hehehe. Fine.”
“If seeing your son is what you want so badly...”
“I'll grant your wish.”
A faint hope appeared on Qin Yueshu's face.
The instant Gu Mun saw it...
his smile became even crueler.
“I'll bring you one of your son's fingers.”
"..."
“Once you see your son's fresh finger dripping with blood...”
