Chapter 4

4. Protect yourself. Understand?

The narrow, damp hole was something that made one’s heart warm just by looking at it, for it revealed a world of peace beyond.

Though it was only a brief moment, the outside world offered freedom and tranquility.

Yeonjeok hesitated in front of the hole.

Grandmother had warned him not to cause trouble because an important guest had come today.

With a weakened heart, Yeonjeok circled around the hole.

Continuing to walk in one direction, Yeonjeok felt dizzy and turned around.

Thud.

Unintentionally taking a step, Yeonjeok ended up bumping into someone.

“……”

Yeonjeok’s eyes widened.

It was the older sister who had come as a guest.

The beautiful sister named Namgung Yeon was looking at him with an angry face.

Trying to come up with an excuse, his heart pounded wildly.

“Eh... Eh...”

He suddenly remembered Grandmother’s warning not to speak.

Yeonjeok tightly closed his mouth and brushed past Namgung Yeon.

But things didn’t go as he wished.

Seeing that the child, who was about his age, was trying to pass without a proper apology, Namgung Yeon reached out her hand.

Yeonjeok, caught by the shoulder in one swift motion, fell backward.

Thud.

Yeonjeok, who had fallen to the ground, did not make a sound.

He had decided not to make any noise since trouble had already occurred, so he wouldn’t get scolded as much by Grandmother. The less he was scolded, the less it would hurt.

When Grandmother pinched and poked him, it felt as if pieces of his flesh were falling off.

Compared to that, Namgung Yeon’s touch was bearable.

On the other hand, Namgung Yeon was even more surprised to see Yeonjeok fall with just a light touch.

‘Too light.’

Her father had clearly said that Walong Hall had martial arts techniques that were not inferior to the Namgung family. So, she must have unconsciously put some force into her hand.

But the child was far from having any martial arts skills. Even considering that he was only six years old, he was excessively weak.

Children from martial arts families usually start learning martial arts around the age of six. She had done the same. So, she thought Yeonjeok would be able to withstand a bit. But he seemed weaker than ordinary children.

It wasn’t just a matter of physical strength.

Mentally, Yeonjeok was like a puppy or a chick, making no effort to protect himself. Even if he couldn’t learn martial arts, he should have instinctively resisted, but he didn’t.

Despite building a wall between himself and the world, the intelligent Namgung Yeon was puzzled.

The child in front of her was like a small insect that could be easily crushed by pressing with a fingernail.

A small insect with no will to resist.

Could all the children of Walong Hall be like this?

Upon careful consideration, it seemed that the other children were stronger than ordinary children. Only this young child was weak, and his eyes were lifeless.

‘Ah!’

Namgung Yeon’s eyes sparkled.

This child was the son of the young aunt who died while giving birth six years ago.

Without realizing it, Namgung Yeon reached out and grabbed Yeonjeok.

As expected, the child did not resist and was led along like a wooden puppet.

Namgung Yeon turned Yeonjeok around and stared into his eyes.

Yeonjeok’s eyes were turbid, unlike those of a child, and flickered like a candle in the wind.

Suddenly, Namgung Yeon’s fist flew toward Yeonjeok’s face.

Thud.

Yeonjeok’s face turned to one side.

Blood trickled down from his lip, which seemed to be split.

...

Neither the one who hit nor the one who was hit said a word.

Namgung Yeon’s delicate brows furrowed.

He doesn’t cry even when bleeding?

“Hmph!”

With a sneer, Namgung Yeon became even more daring.

She extended her index and middle fingers and poked Yeonjeok’s eyes.

It was a cruel technique that even adults rarely used.

However, surprisingly, Yeonjeok neither dodged nor closed his eyes.

He just stared blankly at the fingers coming to harm him.

Thud.

Namgung Yeon quickly changed direction and poked Yeonjeok’s eyebrow.

Yeonjeok’s lifeless eyes blinked a few times, seemingly startled by the strong stimulus.

“Aah!”

Namgung Yeon’s voice finally broke the silence.

Surprisingly, the six-year-old Yeonjeok did not cry out in pain.

It seemed he was already accustomed to suffering.

He accepted all the oppression inflicted on him as if it were natural, like a cow being led to slaughter. Even if it led to fatal injuries...

Namgung Yeon slowly rolled up the sleeve of the child’s arm, which had fallen to her palm. The tender flesh inside his elbow was black and blue with bruises.

The inspection was complete.

Namgung Yeon suddenly stroked Yeonjeok’s head with a gentle touch.

Yeonjeok, like a kitten, submitted to Namgung Yeon’s touch and closed his eyes.

After a moment, Namgung Yeon grabbed Yeonjeok’s head with both hands.

She fixed the child’s face in front of her.

...

For a long time, Namgung Yeon stared intently at Yeonjeok.

Protect yourself.

Understand?

Namgung Yeon kept saying it in her heart.

Did her wish come true?

Yeonjeok, emboldened, opened his mouth.

“Mom...”

The word "mom" slipped out unconsciously, feeling the warmth he had never experienced before.

Namgung Yeon shook her head.

She was not his mother. The child didn’t even seem to know what a mother was.

Yeonjeok, with a face that looked like he was about to cry, lowered his head.

Namgung Yeon gently embraced him.

Tears welled up in Yeonjeok’s eyes.

Soon, tears rolled down and fell onto Namgung Yeon’s arm.

Namgung Yeon wiped away Yeonjeok’s tears with her sleeve.

Perhaps realizing that she was trying to help him, Yeonjeok grabbed Namgung Yeon’s hand.

And he started walking somewhere.

The place Yeonjeok was heading was the hole.

He wanted to show his own little paradise to the kind Namgung Yeon.

Without hesitation, Yeonjeok stuck his head into the hole.

His small feet wiggled and moved away.

Biting her lip and hesitating, Namgung Yeon crawled into the hole before Yeonjeok’s feet disappeared.

***

The conversation among the adults, which started in the afternoon, did not easily end as the evening approached. The reason was that Baek Miju suddenly brought up the topic of engagement at the end of the conversation.

Namgung Beok’s wife, Jang Haeun, was flustered but did not show it, instead observing her husband’s expression.

Namgung Beok laughed heartily and showed his approval.

“Haha! Sister-in-law, you are right. If he is the son of Yeon, he is trustworthy. I do not object.”

Baek Miju’s eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected the head of the Namgung family to accept such an absurd proposal!

“Really?”

“Of course! If Walong Hall is involved, it would be an honor for the Namgung family. What do you think, brother? Do you want to become in-laws with me?”

However, unexpectedly, Yeon Muryong shook his head.

“No, brother. I do not want to burden you. And I want the children to decide their own marriage.”

Baek Miju’s face turned pale.

You can’t ruin a done deal!

“N-no, what do you mean? It’s natural for parents to decide their children’s marriage.”

But for some reason, Yeon Muryong did not back down.

“That’s not right. The children’s lives are not the parents’. I want our children to choose their own partners.”

“What are you saying...”

Baek Miju glared at her husband with burning eyes.

The person who had arranged her and Yeon Muryong’s marriage was a senior of the Yeon family. They had not even seen each other’s faces until the day before the wedding.

Was Yeon Muryong regretting their marriage?

Her teeth ground together in frustration, and her face flushed.

‘I have worked so hard for the Yeon family... How can you...’

Sensing the tension between the couple, Namgung Beok quickly changed the subject.

“Haha! Both of you have valid points. Brother, how about this?”

“What do you mean?”

“If the children from both families like each other, we will arrange their marriage. That way, both your and sister-in-law’s wishes will be fulfilled. What do you think?”

“I don’t object to that. In fact, I will hold onto your pants and beg if that happens.”

“Haha! I think that’s a fair decision. Brother, what do you think?”

In response to Jang Haeun’s question, Baek Miju had to swallow her frustration and step back. She forced a smile, but inside, she was bitter. This was essentially a refusal of the engagement.

“In return, I have a request, Uncle.”

Namgung Beok met Baek Miju’s gaze with a gentle smile.

“Please speak freely.”

“I would like you to guide our Mubak at the Namgung family.”

“Your nephew?”

Namgung Beok looked at Yeon Muryong with a puzzled expression.

The Yeon family had advanced martial arts, so it was unclear why he wanted to send Mubak to him. Moreover, such a decision should be made by the head of Walong Hall.

However, unexpectedly, Yeon Muryong nodded without hesitation.

“If it is not a burden to the Namgung family and you, I would also like to make this request.”

“Understood.”

Namgung Beok nodded without hesitation.

There must be a reason for the cautious Yeon Muryong to make such a request.

Moreover, he was curious about the Yeon family’s Guchun Sword. Sending the eldest son of Walong Hall, Mubak, to the Namgung family would also facilitate the exchange of martial arts techniques, so it was not a loss.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

Given the gravity of the matter, Namgung Beok had to ask again. The secret techniques of both families were not to be decided lightly.

Moreover, this situation was more advantageous to the Namgung family. Mubak was a fourteen-year-old child, while he himself was a supreme expert who could deduce ten from one.

“Yes, I would like you to take him with you when you go to Mount Mudang.”

“Is there a reason to hurry?”

“I will explain it separately.”

Namgung Beok nodded silently in response to Mubak’s words.

Baek Miju glanced at Yeon Muryong with a mix of affection and resentment.

‘What is he up to?’

He had broken the engagement but still wanted to send Mubak to the Namgung family. It was strange that he did not object, given his straightforward nature.

***

Walong Hall was in an uproar that evening.

The adults from both families finally realized that Yeonjeok and Namgung Yeon were missing. The guards were docked pay and punished.

Soon, the warriors from Walong Hall and Changcheon Hall searched the area within ten miles of Walong Hall thoroughly.

Ultimately, the two children were found in the town market.

The two children were brought before Yeon Muryong and Namgung Beok.

Namgung Beok, greatly surprised, scolded them harshly.

“You brats! Didn’t we tell you not to leave the estate?”

“...”

Yeonjeok’s head shrank like a snail’s.

However, Namgung Yeon did not react that way. She stared at Namgung Beok with a calm face, and if anything, she seemed angry.