Hours passed after Jang Eun Sook dismissed the prince. The sky outside had darkened and the wind had picked up a little. Night had finally come. In her room, Eun Sook stood in front of her mirror, now dressed in a black hanbok. It fit her body well, made for movement. Her hair was tied tightly in a bun, no loose strands falling. She looked calm but focused.
She picked up a small black bag from the corner. Inside was her sword, wrapped carefully, along with a few supplies she needed. Her eyes glanced at the door one last time before she stepped out. She moved fast and quiet, making sure no one saw her.
She left the Jang residence and headed straight for the Magistrate Office. She didn't go through the main street. She knew the dark alleys and quiet paths well. Soon, she arrived near a small inn not too far from the Magistrate Office. She slipped into a corner, staying hidden behind a wall.
From there, she watched the Magistrate building. Lights burned inside. Guards stood at the gates. She waited patiently, eyes fixed on the door.
A few minutes passed. Then, Lord Baek stepped out, dressed in his usual robe, walking with his usual proud steps. He had two guards behind him. Eun Sook stayed hidden and watched him carefully. When he was far enough, she moved. She followed him quietly, using the shadows and corners of buildings to hide herself.
Lord Baek didn't seem worried. He walked straight to his residence, not knowing someone was right behind him. Once he entered, the gates were shut, and his guards returned to their posts. Eun Sook didn't move. She climbed a nearby tree that gave her a good view of the entire compound. She sat there, hidden by the leaves, waiting for the right moment.
Meanwhile, Seo Jin had just finished his visit from the last person on the list. The daughter opened the door herself. Her eyes were red from crying, and she looked tired. He introduced himself and stepped inside.
She led him to a small room. "I don't know what happened to my father," she said. "But... I remember something."
Seo Jin listened closely.
"That night... after dinner, I went out to get water. I saw someone walking away from the house. A woman. She was dressed like a servant but walked too fast and too light. I didn't see her face, but... she didn't look like one of ours."
Seo Jin didn't say much. He asked for the exact time and wrote it down. His mind was racing. This wasn't the first time someone mentioned a woman.
Without wasting time, he left her house, got on his horse, and rode straight to the Magistrate office. His thoughts weren't calm anymore. The pieces were slowly coming together, but they didn't fit right.
When he got there, a young officer met him.
"My Lord, Lord Baek has already gone home," the man said.
Seo Jin nodded but didn't leave. He sat at his desk, thinking deeply. He couldn't stop remembering Lord Baek's strange words that morning. Something about the way he kept muttering to himself didn't feel right.
Seo Jin tried to convince himself to wait till morning, but his chest felt heavy. He stood up quickly, grabbed his sword, and left the building. He had decided—he was going to Lord Baek's house.
___
Back at the residence, Jang Eun Sook kept her eyes on the guards. They walked back and forth slowly, sometimes talking quietly. She waited until one of them moved far from the others. Then, without making a sound, she pulled out a small bamboo stick from her bag.
She placed a tiny dart inside and aimed carefully. With a soft blow, the dart flew straight and hit the man's neck. He dropped without a sound. One by one, she shot the rest of them. In a short time, all the guards and servants outside had passed out.
She climbed down and ran fast across the yard. She entered the house quietly, heading straight to Lord Baek's study. She knew the layout. She had been there once, years ago.
But the moment she opened the door to the study, she was met with something unexpected.
A sharp blade touched her throat.
Lord Baek stood there, eyes wide, holding a sword. He looked like he had been waiting.
"So... Seo Jin was right," he said, breathing heavily. "It really is a woman."
Eun Sook didn't panic. In one quick move, she stepped back, twisted her body, and flipped over. She landed behind him, pulled out her sword, and pointed it at his chest.
Lord Baek stepped back slowly, sweat running down his face.
"Wait... please. I knew you would come for me," he stammered. "But I can pay you. I have money, jewels. Everything. Take it. Just spare me."
"I am not interested in the money you took as bribes to cover up crimes," Eun Sook replied coldly.
"I can leave Goryeo," he said. "Tonight. I'll disappear. You'll never hear from me again. I promise. Just let me live."
Eun Sook didn't speak. Her eyes stayed cold.
He slowly reached into his hanbok. His hand moved carefully, as if reaching for gold.
But she saw the trick.
In a flash, he pulled out a small dagger and charged at her.
Without blinking, Eun Sook swung her sword. It cut through him. Lord Baek fell to the floor, the dagger dropping from his hand.
He didn't move again. A pool of blood kept tiding from his neck.
Eun Sook stood over him for a moment, then turned to his table. It was full of open reports and scrolls. Some had names crossed out, others had strange marks. She saw her work scattered in his notes, it was details of nobles she had killed, with notes pointing at a possible female assassin. He had been close to the truth.
She grabbed a nearby lantern, broke it over the table, and watched as the oil caught fire. Flames spread quickly. She pushed over the shelf beside the table. More scrolls and papers fell into the fire.
The room filled with smoke.
She didn't waste time. She turned and left the study, moving fast through the now-empty halls. She climbed over the wall and ran back to the tree where she had hidden her bag.
She sat on the branch, breathing slowly. From where she sat, she could see the study burning. The orange flames danced in the night, eating away at the reports, the scrolls, the secrets.
But her face didn't change. There was no joy. No regret.
Only silence.
The fire burned below, but her heart remained still.