Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Green Pine Academy.

The most famous academy in Yueyang was Green Pine Academy.

As a place attended by the children of reasonably prominent government officials or wealthy merchants, only children from families wielding significant influence in Yueyang gathered there.

The headmaster there was famous as someone who had served as a scholar in the imperial court, and he had a track record of producing numerous successful candidates for the civil service examinations, though not every year.

Gam Won, the headmaster of Green Pine Academy, looked at Hwa So-mi with a stern expression in front of Dan Woo-hyun.

“Hmm… this child to the academy?”

“Yes.”

Gam Won's eyebrows twitched at the informal speech that came out abruptly.

Since the man looked to be in his mid-twenties at most. However, he did not get angry for now.

Looking at the clothes worn, it felt like they were quite well-off. That was, the child's side, not the adult's. As for the adult's side, how should he put it, he looked penniless and shabby.

Actually, in his heart, he did not have the slightest desire to accept her, but due to the County Magistrate's influence acting behind the scenes, he was in a position where he had no choice but to accept.

‘Who on earth are they that even the County Magistrate is stepping in…’

Currently, in the land of Hunan, there were two places that could be considered major powers.

One was the Prince's Manor, which was a heaven beyond heaven, and the other was County Magistrate Hong Won-chang, who was recently making a name for himself by wiping out the Black Dao Association.

Since doing something to get on his bad side might make it impossible to laugh it off, Gam Won had no choice but to treat them with caution even if his stomach turned.

He quietly observed Hwa So-mi.

Standing behind the man named Dan Woo-hyun and only poking her head out slightly, she looked quite cute.

It seemed she would hear that she was quite a beauty when she grew up.

But he doubted whether they had the money to attend the academy.

Because there were plenty of people who dressed their children in good clothes but actually had no money in the household.

In particular, this place was the most expensive academy in Yueyang, and without money, he could not possibly grant the request, no matter how much the County Magistrate asked.

“It is ten taels of silver per month, is that alright?”

He asked with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.

Usually, the monthly salary that laborers received was two or three taels of silver. Since even the waiters at taverns barely received one tael, ten taels was an enormous amount.

“Ten taels of silver… it is expensive.”

Dan Woo-hyun was currently realizing the value of money lately.

If they were frugal, ten taels of silver might be enough for several months of living expenses.

But he did not regret spending money on Hwa So-mi at all.

Meeting Gam Won's piercing gaze, he searched his chest pocket. He took out a gold coin from his purse and placed it on the table.

“Is this enough?”

“O… Of course.”

Gam Won's voice changed completely.

Who would have thought he would suddenly pull out a gold coin?

Although the value of a gold coin varied depending on the time, one easily exceeded ten taels of silver.

If this was real, it was paying two or three months' worth of fees at once at the current rate.

Gam Won's gaze fixated on the gold coin placed on the table.

He wanted to bite it once.

To see if it was real or fake.

But he endured it.

Because in front of whom might be a more extraordinary person than he had thought, he must not behave in a way that looked frivolous.

“Ahem, by no means! Do not worry at all! I, Gam Won, shall make your daughter a child with learning so outstanding that even the top graduates of the imperial examinations will look average.”

Dan Woo-hyun chuckled without realizing it.

It was funny that a person's behavior could change so instantly.

Moreover, to bend a stiff neck not before martial power, but money?

He had heard that the man was a scholar who had made a name for himself in the imperial court, but it was disappointing.

He shook his head and spoke.

“There is no need for such things. I am satisfied as long as this child can spend her time happily.”

Gam Won flinched at the calm gaze.

Although it was only for a moment, goosebumps broke out all over his body when their eyes met. Cold sweat even dripped, like a weak beast standing alone in front of a massive predator.

Since the County Magistrate recommended him, there had to be a reason, and since he looked unusual, he intended to accept the child.

Although he wondered if that child could adapt, that was a matter to think about later.

Right now, pocketing the money in front of him was the priority.

* * *

“Am I really attending the academy starting tomorrow?”

Returning to the manor, Hwa So-mi looked up at Dan Woo-hyun, who was sitting on the veranda, and asked. Actually, she wanted to go, but it was not that she did not feel anxious.

Since, just by looking, that academy was a place where children from high-status families would attend, and the headmaster also looked quite strict.

She wondered if she might cause trouble for no reason, and her anxiety showed in her clear eyes.

Dan Woo-hyun stroked Hwa So-mi's hair.

He knew better than anyone that she was anxious about being separated after always being together.

However, she could not avoid standing on her own feet forever; although it was merely going to school, it was a parent's duty to pave a path for her to walk alone.

“Do not worry. You will surely be able to spend a fun time with good friends.”

“Yes!”

Hwa So-mi nodded readily with a bright smile. These were the words of Dan Woo-hyun, of all people. Everything would surely work out well, and only good things like this would happen.

Flashing a broad grin, Hwa So-mi turned around.

Now that her mind was at ease, she intended to play.

She ran vigorously toward one side of the yard. It was unclear what she wanted to do, but she looked extremely excited.

“It will not be easy, though.”

Just then, a voice reached Dan Woo-hyun's ears.

Although he might have been startled, he turned his head naturally. He could see Namgung So-hye sighing softly, though he did not know since when she had been there.

“Are you still here?”

“We saw each other this morning too, you know.”

“I did not notice because you have no presence. I apologize.”

“Hmph! More importantly, is it really alright? Green Pine Academy is quite a famous place in Yueyang…”

“Is it that big of a deal?”

Namgung So-hye held her brow and shook her head. This man still seemed to be ignorant of the ways of the world. The more famous an academy, the more children of wealthy families gathered there, and territorial behavior was harsher in such places.

Although whose recommendation one entered under was important, it was a place like a small political arena where what kind of background one had played the largest role for the children.

Although Hwa So-mi was quite cute, with this background, bad things would surely happen.

“The children there will not like it, you know? Since they are children who make a habit of playing mischievous pranks and bullying the weak since childhood…”

“Have you experienced it?”

“Did you ask if I experienced it?”

Namgung So-hye knitted her eyebrows.

In the Anhui Province area, the Namgung Clan was a place more famous and holding stronger power than the Prince's Manor, but when she attended school, Namgung So-hye had deliberately changed her name, and because she originally did not wander outside much, no one knew she was of the Namgung Clan.

Because of that, she suffered severe bullying.

The children in the Anhui Province area who were somewhat well-off picked fights and bullied her at every opportunity, and sometimes they even spat out harsh insults that went too far.

She endured that humiliation steadfastly.

Because there was a strict command from her grandfather that the strong must know how to protect the weak.

And on the day when what she had endured and endured finally exploded.

‘I completely smashed them to pieces…’

Namgung So-hye smiled awkwardly. She beat up not only the children attending the academy, but even the headmaster who had only watched her get bullied every day.

Although she was only ten years old, no one could stop her as she had systematically learned martial arts.

Thanks to that, she had a hard time finding another academy.

“Well, it is similar. Anyway, it is extremely bad. Wouldn't it be better to send her elsewhere? If you have more money, you could invite a highly skilled scholar to the house…”

It was not that Dan Woo-hyun had not thought about that. In fact, since his worries would decrease, that side might be better from Dan Woo-hyun's perspective.

But wouldn't Hwa So-mi be like a bird trapped in a cage then?

Only by seeing the wide world and experiencing many things can one finally grow into a true human. Thus, if one only tries to avoid hardships, one can never grow properly.

“There is nothing to worry about. That child will clear her own way in her own manner.”

“Wouldn't it be better to think about such things when she is older? That child has a soft heart and is too nice, so she might suffer greatly.”

Dan Woo-hyun turned his head and looked at Hwa So-mi.

She was moving her hands on one side of the yard, as if playing around with Jang Sam-tae.

“But what is that again? Tai Chi? The form is similar, but something is off. What on earth are they trying to do with that…”

Hwa So-mi moved as Jang Sam-tae moved. Rather than practicing martial arts, she was merely copying him for fun.

Still, the two of them looked quite satisfied.

Dan Woo-hyun glanced at Namgung So-hye.

“Since pride is blinding your eyes, how can you see anything properly?”

“Excuse me?”

“So-mi is a stronger child than you think. Whatever So-mi cannot resolve, I can simply do it in her stead.”

“……Because you are her parent?”

“Yes, because I am that child's parent.”

“That is a given. But do you have the confidence not to yield before a great power?”

Namgung So-hye asked.

This man, who did not even seem to have learned martial arts.

It seemed that all he possessed was this manor and the people inside it. Could such a person truly block the pressure of prominent clans or government officials in the land of Hunan?

The answer was no.

‘Although it has nothing to do with me anyway…’

Namgung So-hye sighed softly and sat on the veranda.

Although Hwa So-mi was cute, she was staying here only for a brief moment, and once her work was finished, this was a place she would not return to.

She rolled her eyes slightly to look at Dan Woo-hyun sitting beside her. His extremely calm gaze was still tracking Hwa So-mi, and his tightly closed mouth slowly opened.

“Even if the entire Central Plains becomes my enemy, I shall protect that child.”

“That is a nice ambition.”

“Ambition… Haha.”

Dan Woo-hyun laughed.

He was serious.

Even if the entire Central Plains became their enemy again because of Hwa So-mi's mistake, Dan Woo-hyun would not hesitate to take Hwa So-mi's side and block everyone.

No one would be able to do anything to that child. As long as this Dan Woo-hyun lived.

Flash-!

Although it was only for a split second, his eyes glowed red. The red eyes, which they said only those born with the Heavenly Slaughter Star possessed, swept across the world.

Chills-!

‘Wh… what is this?’

Namgung So-hye, who had been looking elsewhere for a moment, felt goosebumps break out. Although it was only a fleeting moment, the air was suppressed and the wind held its breath.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat dripped down.

‘What on earth is it?’

That phenomenon, whose meaning was unknown, soon disappeared.

Because it was such a brief instant, it was difficult to grasp anything.

She jumped up and scanned the surroundings.

“Just now…”

“What is it?”

“Just now, a strange energy…”

“I felt nothing.”

“……”

Namgung So-hye swallowed hard.

If so, it meant that only she had felt that momentum. Could it be that the master said to be hiding in Yueyang had released it?

If so, it meant they were definitely in this vicinity.

Namgung So-hye clenched her fist tightly.

‘I will definitely find them.’

She swore to herself once more.

As the Squadron Leader of the Phoenix Squadron, and as a member of the Namgung Clan.

Because failure of a mission was impossible.