Steel Under Silk is an ongoing manhwa written and illustrated by Snob and was originally published, serialized, and licensed by Lezhin.
Synopsis[]
On a night when the moonlight was particularly cold, Yeonjo’s family collapsed at the tip of Hye-Ryang’s ruthless sword. Yeonjo, who lost everything overnight, vows revenge and approaches Kwon Hye-Ryang, hiding a cool blade behind a fragrant flower...
Characters[]
Lee Yeonjo[]
Yeonjo used to be a very high-ranking noble but ever since the death of his father 5 years ago, Yeonjo has lived a terrible life as a prostitute. From being a young master and the youngest son of the most powerful family in Joseon, he became a mere lowly servant. Selling his body so he is able to at least try and live a well-kept life, which seemed impossible even after all the special care given to him and every one of his requests are granted by his master, Chang Moon-Won.
Kwon Hye-Ryang[]
In the land of Ham-Gil, resides the Auditor, Kwon Hye-Ryang. The Auditor is as powerful as the King.
Chang Moon-Won[]
A gentle and humble noble who takes care of Yeonjo. He finds himself in a one-sided obsession with Yeonjo, aware of how much Yeonjo despises his touch. Yeonjo comes to him for help and when he seeks for better conditions, giving his body to Moon-Won. He obliges to Yeonjo's pleads, frustrated enough to give into Yeonjo's wishes. Moon-Won is obsessed with Yeonjo that he'd suddenly become rough with him, spiting the fact that Yeonjo hates being with him.
Story[]
Lee Yeonjo witnesses the downfall of his own family from the sword of a high-ranking noble, Kwon Hye-Ryang. Yeonjo's father was framed as a criminal and it was Hye-Ryang's duty to either imprison criminals or end their lives. Hye-Ryang then mockingly asked Yeonjo if he resented him after his blade met the flesh of Yeonjo's last standing kin. He tells him that there is nothing he can do to avoid these events and at that night, Yeonjo's world flipped upside down and he lost everything.
Since then, Yeonjo has lived his life miserably as a prostitute who serves an Auditor, a Gam-Bang Master who grants him every wish and request as long as he does not resist his touch.
He gets into fights every time he hears rumors about him going into his master's chambers every day and night to receive special treatment. His master came at just the right time and stopped Yeonjo from throwing a rock at his teaser and brings him back to their abode, asking him to stop getting into fights every day. Yeonjo demands for him to quit telling him what to do and even told his master that he does not want him acting coy and making it look like he cares at all. His master takes advantage of Yeonjo's tantrum and pins him on a table, reminding him who he is and that he can't run away from the fact that he sells his body to get the things he wants. Yeonjo slaps him and tells him that he will no longer ask for anything and barges out of their hanok. After walking away from the village, Yeonjo reminisces and once again thought of how his last family member died right in front of him. He thinks that if dying, he can no longer feel the pain of his past but ends up vowing to the world that he will avenge his family and finally kill the person who finished off the life of his father.
Yeonjo goes back to the village to see his master and asks him to move him to a land called Gam-Yeong, saying that he does not want live where he is right now. His master recalls him saying he would never ask requests from him anymore and asks what changed his heart. Yeonjo says he wants to live in better conditions and that servants who work at Gam-Yeong live a much better life. His master tells him that if he sends him to Gam-Yeong to start working, he will see him even more, asking him what he will do if he ever does something to him. Yeonjo replies with acceptance. Yeonjo's master then tells him to give him a month to see what he can do, also placing out conditions of not being allowed to reject his master.
One month later, Yeonjo arrives in Ham-Heung Gam-Yeong and is given a tour by a servant. The servant tells him that there are a lot of high-ranking nobles living around their area. The people who received favors from the King to the people who got titles from him. People living in Gam-Yeong also includes the smartest intellectuals. The servant warns Yeonjo about remembering the nobles and having to treat them with the utmost respect.
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