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C4. I Will Protect You. Understood?
The narrow, damp doghole offered comfort just by looking at it. Yeon Jeokha knew how peaceful the world on the other side was.
Even if only for a brief moment, the outside world offered freedom and peace.
Yeon Jeokha hesitated in front of the hole.
His aunt had told him not to cause trouble because they had important guests today.
With a weakened heart, Yeon Jeokha began to walk in circles around the hole.
After walking in one direction, he felt dizzy and turned around.
Bump!
Taking an inattentive step, Yeon Jeokha collided with someone.
“…”
Yeon Jeokha's eyes widened.
It was the older sister who had come as a guest.
The older sister, named Namgung Yeon, glared at him furiously.
He tried to apologize, but his scared heart beat uncontrollably.
“Ah... Ah...”
Suddenly, he remembered his aunt’s warning not to speak.
Yeon Jeokha closed his mouth and tried to pass by Namgung Yeon.
But things didn’t go as he wished.
When Yeon Jeokha, who was younger, tried to pass without properly apologizing, Namgung Yeon extended her hand.
Yeon Jeokha, grabbed by the shoulder, fell backward.
Plop!
As he fell to the ground, Yeon Jeokha made no sound.
Since he had caused trouble, he decided not to make any noise to avoid making things worse. That way, he would receive fewer punishments from his aunt. Fewer punishments meant less pain.
Every time his aunt pinched him and struck him with her fingers, it felt like his skin was being torn apart.
Compared to that, Namgung Yeon’s hand was bearable.
Namgung Yeon, surprised to see Yeon Jeokha fall with a simple push, was also dumbfounded.
'He's so light.'
Her father had told her that Waryong Mansion had martial arts techniques that rivaled those of the Namgung Family.
Perhaps, without realizing it, she had used too much force with her hand.
But the boy had no martial skills. Even considering he was only six years old, he was too weak.
Children from martial families start their training around the age of six. She herself had done so. She thought Yeon Jeokha could withstand a little. But he seemed weaker than an ordinary child.
It wasn’t just a matter of physical strength.
Mentally, Yeon Jeokha was like a puppy or a chick, making no move to protect himself. Even if he hadn’t learned martial arts, he should have resisted instinctively, but he didn’t even do that.
Namgung Yeon, though she had built a barrier with the world, was perceptive and curious.
The boy under her gaze was like an insect that could easily die with just a press of a nail.
A small insect without the will to resist.
Were all the children of Waryong Mansion like this?
Thinking about it, she remembered that the brothers of this boy were stronger than ordinary children. Only this boy was weak, with lifeless eyes.
‘Aha.’
A spark of understanding flashed in Namgung Yeon's eyes.
This boy was the son of the concubine who had died giving birth six years ago.
Unknowingly, Namgung Yeon extended her hand and grabbed Yeon Jeokha.
The boy did not resist and was dragged like a puppet.
Namgung Yeon lifted Yeon Jeokha and looked into his eyes.
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes, dull for a child, flickered like a candle in the wind.
Suddenly, Namgung Yeon's fist struck Yeon Jeokha’s face.
Smack!
Yeon Jeokha’s face turned to the side.
His lips split and began to bleed.
…
Neither the hitter nor the hit said anything.
Namgung Yeon frowned.
Was he not crying even though he was bleeding?
“Hmph!”
With a snort, Namgung Yeon took more drastic measures.
She extended her index and middle fingers towards Yeon Jeokha’s eyes.
It was a cruel technique rarely used even by adults.
But surprisingly, Yeon Jeokha didn’t move or close his eyes.
He just stared blankly at the fingers approaching to harm him.
Namgung Yeon quickly diverted her fingers and touched Yeon Jeokha’s eyebrow.
Yeon Jeokha’s lifeless eyes blinked several times due to the strong stimulation.
“Ah!”
For the first time, Namgung Yeon exclaimed.
Surprisingly, the six-year-old boy didn’t cry even though it hurt.
He seemed accustomed to pain.
It was as if he accepted all the cruelties inflicted on him, as if they were natural, like an ox being led to slaughter.
Namgung Yeon slowly lifted Yeon Jeokha's sleeve up to his elbow. The soft skin of his inner arm was covered in bruises.
The inspection was over.
Namgung Yeon gently stroked Yeon Jeokha’s head.
Yeon Jeokha closed his eyes, trusting the caress like a kitten.
After a while, Namgung Yeon held Yeon Jeokha’s head with both hands.
And fixed the boy’s face in front of her.
…
For a while, Namgung Yeon just stared at Yeon Jeokha.
I will protect you.
Do you understand?
Namgung Yeon kept saying it in her heart.
Perhaps that desire was conveyed?
Yeon Jeokha, gathering courage, opened his mouth.
“Mom…”
In an impulse from the warmth he felt for the first time in his life, he called his mother.
Namgung Yeon shook her head.
She was not his mother. The boy didn’t even know what a mother was.
Then Yeon Jeokha lowered his head, with an expression as if he was about to cry.
Namgung Yeon gently hugged him.
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes filled with tears.
Shortly after, tears rolled down his cheeks and fell on Namgung Yeon’s arm.
Namgung Yeon wiped Yeon Jeokha’s tears with her clothes.
Was it because he understood that someone was caring for him?
This time, Yeon Jeokha took Namgung Yeon’s hand.
And he began to walk somewhere.
The place Yeon Jeokha headed to was the doghole.
Yeon Jeokha wanted to show his secret refuge to the kind Namgung Yeon.
Reaching the hole, Yeon Jeokha put his head in without hesitation.
Yeon Jeokha’s small legs moved as he went away.
Namgung Yeon, who had been biting her lips and hesitating, entered the hole before Yeon Jeokha’s legs disappeared.
-----------
The conversation between the adults, which had begun at noon, did not easily end until dusk. At the end of the discussion, Baek Miju suddenly mentioned a marriage arrangement.
Jang Haeun, the wife of Namgung Byeok, was surprised but hid her reaction while observing her husband’s expression.
Namgung Byeok laughed heartily and showed his acceptance.
“Ha ha! The lady’s suggestion is reasonable. My younger brother’s children are trustworthy. I won’t oppose it.”
Baek Miju, who had thrown the idea without much hope, opened her eyes in surprise. She couldn’t believe that the leader of the Namgung Family accepted such an unexpected proposal!
“Are you serious?”
“Of course! Waryong Mansion is more than worthy to be our in-law. What do you think, brother? Do you also want to be my brother-in-law?”
However, unexpectedly, Yeon Muryong shook his head.
“No, brother. I don’t want to impose that burden on you. And I prefer the children to decide for themselves about marriage.”
Baek Miju’s face turned pale.
Hey, you’re about to ruin everything at the last moment!
“What are you saying? It’s natural for parents to arrange their children’s marriages.”
But surprisingly, Yeon Muryong did not yield.
“It’s not right. The children’s lives do not belong to the parents. I want our children to choose their own partners.”
“What are you saying…?”
Baek Miju looked at her husband with burning eyes.
Her marriage to Yeon Muryong had been arranged by the elders of the Yeon Clan. Until the day before the wedding, they didn’t even know each other.
Could it be that Yeon Muryong was hinting that he regretted his married life with her?
While her teeth ground internally and her face blushed, Namgung Byeok intervened to calm the situation.
“Ha ha! Both have valid points. Brother, how about this proposal?”
“What is it?”
“If the children like each other, then we will marry them. That way we fulfill both desires.”
“That would be fine. In that case, I will cling to you, brother.”
“Ha ha! What a good decision! Brother, don’t you think?”
Baek Miju had to swallow her frustration and step back. Although she smiled as if she didn’t care, inside she was hurt. It was a polite way of saying that the engagement would not take place.
“But, although it’s unrelated, I have a favor to ask you, brother-in-law.”
Namgung Byeok smiled and nodded for him to continue.
“Go ahead, feel free to ask.”
“I would like our Mubaek to receive training in the Namgung Family.”
“Your eldest son?”
Namgung Byeok looked at Yeon Muryong with a puzzled expression.
The Yeon Clan also had formidable swordsmanship, so why send him away? Moreover, this was a decision the Waryong Mansion Leader should make, wasn’t it?
What followed was even more surprising.
Yeon Muryong nodded as if it were the most natural thing.
“If it’s not a burden on the Namgung Family and you, I would also like to ask that favor.”
“Alright.”
Namgung Byeok nodded without hesitation.
If Yeon Muryong, who was always so careful, made such a request, there must be a reason.
Besides, he was intrigued by the Yeon Clan’s swordsmanship.
Sending the eldest son of Waryong Mansion to the Namgung Family was a way to exchange martial knowledge between the two families, which wasn’t a loss.
“Are you sure about this?”
Given the importance of the matter, Namgung Byeok had to ask once more. Although the secrets of both families wouldn’t be fully shared, it wasn’t a decision taken lightly.
Besides, in this situation, the Namgung Family had an advantage. Yeon Mubaek was just a fourteen-year-old boy, while he was a supreme master who could infer ten things from one.
“Yes, I would like you to take him with you when you go to Mount Wudang.”
“Is there a reason to hurry so much?”
“I will explain it to you in private.”
At Yeon Mubaek’s words, Namgung Byeok silently nodded.
Baek Miju looked at Yeon Muryong with a mix of love and hate.
‘What is he plotting?’
Though he had prevented the engagement, at least he was sending Mubaek to the Namgung Family. Though she had made the request on a whim, it was strange that her husband didn’t oppose it, given his firm character.
-----------------
That night, Waryong Mansion was in chaos.
The adults of both families realized that Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon had disappeared. The guards on duty were punished, and their wages were cut.
Immediately, the warriors of Waryong Mansion and the Heavenly Squad began searching within a ten-li radius around the mansion.
Finally, they found the two children in the town market.
They brought the children back to Waryong Mansion and presented them before Yeon Muryong and Namgung Byeok.
Namgung Byeok, visibly upset, reprimanded them severely.
“You! Didn’t we tell you not to leave the mansion?”
“…”
Yeon Jeokha, scared, shrank his head like a turtle.
But Namgung Yeon did not. She looked at Namgung Byeok with an indifferent expression. In fact, she even seemed angry.