“...Yeon-ah.”
Namgung Yeon woke from a light doze at the voice that brushed past his ears.
Was it his imagination?
But he couldn’t ignore it.
Namgung Yeon immediately rose and approached his father’s bedside.
In case his father might wake, Namgung Yeon checked on him first before responding.
Faintly open eyes.
“Ga, Clan Leader.”
Namgung Yeon grabbed his father’s hand with a bright response.
The failing Clan Leader of the Namgung Family, Namgung Cheon, shook his head.
Instead, he simply gazed at Namgung Yeon with eyes full of apology and pity.
“...”
Namgung Yeon hated those eyes.
He hated the apologetic look, and he hated the pitiful one.
It felt too selfish. It was an insult to his own efforts.
If you want to be my strength, just smile—that would be enough.
“Are you keeping up with your training without slacking?”
“...Is that always the only thing you’re curious about? There are so many more interesting stories out there.”
“What could be more important than my child’s achievements?”
“...I’m improving little by little. Still a long way to go, though...”
“You can do it. One day, you’ll walk the path of the sovereign.”
Namgung Yeon had never understood his father’s faith in him.
Me?
The dullard Namgung Yeon?
A path even my father couldn’t walk—how could I?
Perhaps reading his expression, Namgung Cheon gripped his hand tighter.
“Always... I’m sorry.”
“Ah, no. How could you...”
“The Clan Leader should have been my second brother by rights. My shortcomings brought the family to this state. I...”
...The same words, repeated endlessly.
Blaming himself for having only one child,
regretting that he never reached the pinnacle himself,
cursing himself for collapsing into bed without properly teaching him...
And confessing the guilt of being a burden to his child because of it.
...Enough.
Namgung Yeon thought to himself.
Please, just stop.
Finally, unable to hold back the surging emotions, Namgung Yeon whispered.
“...You always told me. To live like a man, strong and bold.”
“...”
“That’s what I’m trying to do. You too, Clan Leader... return to your old self.”
As if grasping his intent, Namgung Cheon’s eyes widened greatly before he finally nodded.
“...Yes, you’re right. That’s what I said.”
“...”
“Lying in this bed so long has weakened my resolve. I’m sorry.”
Namgung Cheon soon fell back asleep.
Namgung Yeon watched his father for a moment, then quietly knelt beside the bed... and shed silent tears.
This burden is so heavy.
The pressure to revive the family.
The fear that if he crumbled here, the Namgung Family would be finished.
The Black Dragon’s teachings are too harsh and grueling.
He fears the hands waiting to prey on the weakened Namgung Family.
The mounting debts are twisting the pillars of Namgung.
His own lacking talent feels utterly hopeless.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Namgung Yeon quickly wiped away his tears.
The young lord of the Namgung Family must not show tears.
Opening the door, a servant of the Namgung Family bowed at the waist.
“Young Lord, escorts from the Escort Agency have arrived.”
“...Escort Agency?”
“Yes, they insist on seeing you no matter what, and won’t leave...”
Namgung Yeon instinctively tensed.
Fear welled up from the depths of his consciousness.
What new crisis is this?
Another wave threatening the family’s safety?
Perhaps... more debt documents?
But no matter what it was, the one who had to step up and take responsibility right now was him alone.
“Bring them in.”
Namgung Yeon followed the servant across the courtyard.
Midway, his eyes caught a maidservant.
As he walked, a striking scene in one corner caught his eye.
A maidservant who seemed to have been scolded huddled weeping by the wall, while another maid silently stayed by her side, gently stroking her back.
That comforting touch was so quiet and tender.
Why did envy suddenly stir in him?
Namgung Yeon shook off the lingering weakness within him and resumed walking.
And so he arrived at the end of the hall.
The escort warrior awaited.
A swordsman in his forties at least, dressed neatly in a white robe, hands at his waist.
His bearing was anything but ordinary.
One could tell his martial prowess was far above average just from his stance.
He offered a restrained fist salute and spoke.
“I am Azure Sword Yu Heon. Might I be in the presence of Young Master Namgung?”
Azure Sword, Yu Heon.
A familiar name.
Namgung Yeon had heard of him in the rumors of the jianghu.
A lay disciple of the Wudang Sect, making his living as a swordsman for hire with considerable skill?
His realm was said to be late second-rate.
A figure whose talents seemed wasted on mere escort work.
“...Yes.”
“My apologies, but might I see your nameplate for a moment?”
Even coming directly to the family, he double-checked his identity.
An attitude that could seem rude, but proof of how precious the item he carried must be.
Namgung Yeon silently pulled out his plate and showed it.
Yu Heon examined it once, then finally drew out an object finely wrapped in silk from his bosom.
“I have delivered it safely. Then...”
Without another word or lingering, he turned and quietly departed.
What remained was something wrapped in fine silk bearing the unique emblem of the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
He could sense it just by holding it. A mystical energy flowed through it.
As if seeping through the silk into his skin.
The servant gauged the mood and quietly withdrew.
Namgung Yeon carefully unwrapped the silk.
Inside was a strangely shaped herbal root and a single note.
Namgung Yeon couldn’t comprehend.
What it was, why it was sent.
So he first unfolded the note in his hand.
To the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
As one who has always supported you, I offer the Tang Clan of Sichuan’s treasure, the Detoxification Immortal Root.
This is a priceless treasure.
Please keep it safe and secure.
If you feel gratitude, I ask only one thing.
Please, consume this gift yourself.
Do not give it to another,
do not wonder about me, do not seek me out.
I am merely one of the many who support you,
May you continue to walk the jianghu path steadfastly.
Even after reading every word, one emotion lingered in his heart.
...Why?
Why me?
‘One of the many who support you’—that line cut even deeper.
...No one supports the Namgung Family’s dullard.
Unnoticed by all, not even trusted or pitied, let alone expected.
Mocked for lacking effort as if it were natural, and even that he had to endure.
...To such a me, they sent a priceless treasure?
Could there be some impure motive?
Suspicion lingered for a while.
But the note said otherwise.
Don’t seek me. No thanks needed.
Just support.
Not even a word about repayment.
Is there really... someone who just wants to give?
A merchant with vast wealth?
Even that didn’t make sense.
He wanted to believe, but couldn’t.
“...”
And yet.
Namgung Yeon found himself looking at the note again.
His grip tightened on it unknowingly.
Was it because of these hard days?
Each line of this suspicious note felt like a quiet pat on the back.
Like a faint warmth brushing past, caressing his face.
To think there’s someone supporting me.
...Someone supporting a person like me.
****
“Uncle!!”
Honghwa came back from somewhere, dumping a handful of berries in front of me.
Her mouth and fingertips were already stained deep purple.
Honghwa had clearly eaten her fill of mulberries on the way.
“Uncle, you eat some too!”
The girl who once playfully tossed wild strawberries now brought a double handful, offering them earnestly.
No reason to refuse the sweet taste, so I picked a few and muttered as I ate.
“You’re skipping training and wandering the mountains all day—you’ll get lost.”
“I don’t get lost anymore?”
“Stay put today without being a nuisance. If you’re just watching, sit quietly. Otherwise, go home.”
“I’ll stay quiet. But what’s that? Clothes...?”
“...”
I paused my work, my mind going blank.
...What am I making in front of this kid?
“...Just go home today, Honghwa.”
“Ah, no. I won’t ask anything.”
“...It’s not that... Never mind. I don’t know either.”
...I have to make a living.
Why am I minding a kid?
So I continued my work, chatting idly with Honghwa for a while, when I sensed she had come again today.
A woman picking up one of Honghwa’s mulberries and popping it in her mouth.
It was Cheongwol.
Seeing the two of them together was a first.
“Eek!”
At Honghwa’s cry, Cheongwol looked at her as if asking what was wrong.
“Th-that... Ah, Uncle’s...”
“Ah... Was I not supposed to eat it?”
“N-no, it’s not that...”
“Good? Then I’ll just have a few.”
It was a strange feeling.
Watching the infamous murderer converse with an innocent girl.
I was trying to let go of my fear of Cheongwol, but it wasn’t as easy as said.
A lifetime of terror doesn’t vanish with one promise.
“Sa-Sago... what brings you here?”
Honghwa asked first.
“And you, skipping training to be here?”
Cheongwol countered.
“I came to... play with Uncle a bit.”
“You’re not disturbing the Shopkeeper while he works?”
“No...! So I brought... snacks too...”
“I see.”
Cheongwol gently stroked Honghwa’s head, then squatted between me and Honghwa.
“Shopkeeper. Making that again today? Will it really sell well?”
Then Honghwa suddenly stood, looking at me with panicked eyes and asking.
“Huh? Sa-Sago and Uncle kn-know each other...?”
Cheongwol didn’t answer, just looked at me.
As if telling me to explain.
I glanced at Cheongwol, then forced it out.
“W-we’re... acquaintances.”
“Neeeh?!”
Honghwa jumped in shock and scurried to sit right next to me.
“I-I told you last time! Sa-Sago targeting you is totally creepy!”
“Hey.”
...I’m not the one targeting.
I cut her off in disbelief, but Honghwa was already on a roll.
She pointed straight at Cheongwol and shouted.
“D-don’t fall for Sago’s kindness! Sago hates Uncle! Absolutely!”
Hates me? She called me her only friend looking all pitiful.
I glanced uncertainly at Cheongwol, who frantically tried to cover Honghwa’s mouth in distress.
“H-Honghwa, hold on—”
“—Sago badmouthed Uncle so much!! Said she gets why he’s unpopular in the village, really!!”
...And silence fell.
My eyes met Cheongwol’s.
“...”
“...”
Even then, Honghwa didn’t stop.
“Poor! No friends! Timid! Ev-even a bit creepy! I heard it clear! Sago’s just being nice, doesn’t wanna hang out with Uncle!”
...She said all that?
I frowned and glanced at Cheongwol.
Cheongwol was visibly flustered, only watching my reaction.
No excuse meant she probably did.
...But why be friends then?
It was absurd.
Am I that desperate for her to cling?
Or does she just like tormenting masochists.
The worse I am, the better for her?
You dare see me as... equal?
If that’s it, not thrilled.
...Well, she’s pretty. There’s a gap.
“Sh-Shopkeeper. So to explain...”
Honghwa turned on Cheongwol this time.
“Sago. Why? You definitely said that to me. Did Uncle trick you or something?”
“Honghwa. Quiet down first—”
“—Or did Uncle get handsome? I thought Sago didn’t care about that...! Kinda disappointed...! Don’t get close to Uncle!”
Agreed with the last part. Go, Honghwa...!
I’d lost any excuse to push Cheongwol away, but still didn’t want her close.
Cheongwol, eyes darting in confusion, finally lightly knocked Honghwa’s head.
“You! Don’t tease the Shopkeeper! Saying he’s h-handsome...! You can’t go around saying that! What if he believes it!”
“See, see! Told you Sago hates Uncle!”
“I’m stopping your lies!”
“B-but to me, he looks handsome...? Really...”
“Tsk! I said stop! Ask around the village! See if anyone says that!”
“...”
Honghwa and Cheongwol both stole glances at my face.
...Really hurts.
Why’s everyone so obsessed with judging my looks.
Handsome or ugly, who cares.
As long as someone likes me, that’s enough.
“Whatever... both of you, go home.”
I used formal speech with Cheongwol in front of Honghwa and shooed them away.
Better this way.
Chance to rid myself of the distractions at once.
****
Muwol Satae watched Cheongwol immersed in training from afar.
Seeing her swing her sword brought peace to her heart.
Beautiful.
Like a single flower petal.
The daughter-like existence she’d watched since childhood.
She may waver and bend, but rises again.
Advances straighter and truer than ever.
Her swordsmanship was excessively stable, her breaths and movements without hesitation.
She seemed to have safely passed the storm that once raged.
No moment happier than seeing Cheongwol, whom she’d worried might stray, return to the righteous path.
Muwol Satae suppressed the welling tears, gazing proudly at Cheongwol.
After watching her for a time, the Sect Leader turned to leave.
She felt like offering thanks to the Buddha after so long—a serene moment to pray in meditation.
But a doubt suddenly crossed her mind.
...Since when did that child become so upright again?
She and Soun had worried endlessly over how to handle Cheongwol.
What change was this?
She knew Cheongwol had been going down to the village often lately.
Something happen there?
As she pondered, Honghwa bustled into view in the lower courtyard, carrying a water bucket.
“Honghwa.”
At her call, Honghwa flinched in surprise.
She hurriedly set down the bucket and approached with quick steps, offering greetings.
“Th-third Disciple Honghwa, to the Sect Leader—”
“—Enough. No need for formalities when it’s just us.”
“Ah... Yes!”
Muwol Satae had called Honghwa for a reason.
A curious child with wide connections.
Surely knowledgeable about village news.
Perhaps a clue to Cheongwol’s change.
“Honghwa. I have something to ask.”
“Yes! Ask anything!”
“Do you know what Cheongwol does when she goes to the village? Lately, her mind seems much more settled.”
“Ah... Sago?”
Honghwa fidgeted with her lips before answering.
“Th-these days, she greets people a lot... making connections everywhere! Wherever you go, everyone praises Sago.”
Heartwarming news in itself.
But insufficient to explain the profound change in Cheongwol’s eyes and swordsmanship.
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Oh, and... Ah, no. She won’t do that anymore...”
As Honghwa trailed off, Muwol Satae’s curiosity grew.
“Speak up. I want to hear.”
Unable to refuse the Sect Leader’s request, Honghwa confessed.
“...Lately, th-that Han Seojin from the Leather Room keeps seducing Cheongwol Sago.”
“...What?”
“And Sago... seems a bit receptive. Other than that...”
At that, an alarm rang in Muwol Satae’s heart.
...A man?