Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Hwa So-mi, who was squatting on the veranda, held dumplings tightly in both hands and was nibbling on them. Because they were made by Jang Sam-tae himself rather than bought from the market, they tasted even better, and she was already eating her third one.

Watching this, Hong Won-chang came up with a brilliant idea.

'What if that child becomes my daughter-in-law…?'

She was only a seven-year-old child, but considering her future, she seemed likely to grow up quite splendidly.

Although being shy was a bit of a flaw, the background she possessed had the power to crush such a disadvantage in an instant.

Moreover, she was secretly cute.

For Hong Won-chang, who had originally wanted a daughter rather than a son, it would be something to welcome with open arms if that child named Hwa So-mi came in as his daughter-in-law.

'The problem is that my own child is dull…'

Hong Won-chang quietly thought of his son.

His son, who had the background of being the Prefect of Agyang, had nothing to fear. He had been practicing martial arts since childhood, so although he was seven years old, he had a truly sturdy build, and he ordered the children of Agyang around as if they were his subordinates.

Would Hwa So-mi like a fellow like that?

The conclusion was 'no'.

Judging by her gentle personality, she did not seem to match his son.

"What are you thinking about so seriously?"

"Hmm, I am talking about that child Hwa So-mi."

"Do you have some business with So-mi?"

"If we take her in as our daughter-in-law…"

"What utter nonsense. If you said such a thing to the master, he would turn the government office upside down right away."

Shiver.

It was just for a moment, but Hong Won-chang truly got goosebumps.

Hong Won-chang had witnessed Dan Woo-hyun's personality and his power right in front of his eyes.

He also knew very well that if he started to run amok, no one would be able to stop him.

Hong Won-chang laughed awkwardly, "Haha."

"Of course… it is a joke."

"Keep it as a joke. If you provoke him for no reason, even nine lives won't be enough."

"Ahem!"

"Still, well, that child is indeed outstanding. Good looks, good background. When she grows up a bit more, she will be sent to the academy, and since she is smart, won't her writing skills be great as well? Yes, she is indeed the best bride candidate."

"Ahem! My son is also the best groom candidate. His face is decent enough, and he is good at fighting. Although his head is empty, there is no fellow like him."

Was he cursing him, or praising him?

Jang Sam-tae looked at Hong Won-chang with a strange gaze.

He wanted to shoot back another word, but soon closed his mouth. If he kept praising Hwa So-mi, he felt this man's son would become too pitiful.

"By the way, where did you go and only return now?"

"I made a snack for the child and did some training before returning."

At the word training, Hong Won-chang's eyes sparkled.

Others did not know well, but he also was someone who had dreamed of being a martial artist in the past.

Although he now had his own pride as a Prefect, that dream had not vanished yet.

Even more so, because his longing for martial arts had grown larger due to this incident, he could not help but be interested in the martial arts that Dan Woo-hyun had personally taught him.

"Ahem! Are you talking about that? The one that Great Hero Dan taught you?"

"Taught me my foot, didn't I say it was just a manual sold in the market?"

"But you said he gave you advice and you wrote it down?"

"Even so, it is only a third-rate martial art."

Hong Won-chang smirked.

This fellow seemed to have no idea at all how great a single word from Dan Woo-hyun was. Even if it was called a third-rate martial art, its value could be worth a fortune.

Hong Won-chang rummaged through his robe and pulled out a silver coin.

"I will give you this, so hand it over."

"Get lost."

"No, how dare this fellow speak so rudely in front of me! You can just buy a new manual like that from the market."

"Then you go buy a new one. I do not need to."

Jang Sam-tae grinned.

Seeing Hong Won-chang trying to buy it with money, he realized that the third-rate martial arts manual was worth quite a bit of money.

Of course, he had absolutely no intention of giving it from the start, but if it was going to be like this, he had to extract the maximum profit.

"Well… then how about ten taels?"

"Even if you gave twenty taels it would be insufficient, so what is ten taels?"

Ugh… Hong Won-chang's face turned red.

Only then did Hong Won-chang realize that Jang Sam-tae had read his thoughts.

If it was going to be like this, it seemed he would have to pay a lot of money unintentionally.

However, if it was a manual containing Dan Woo-hyun's words, he thought it might be worth that much.

In the end, Hong Won-chang sighed and nodded.

"Fine, I will buy it for twenty-five taels of silver."

"Give it to me."

"I do not have it now, so come to the government office to get it later."

"Hmph, do you expect me to believe those words now? I will give it to you when you bring the money."

'This bastard?'

The flush on Hong Won-chang's face did not easily subside.

Jang Sam-tae snorted, and Hong Won-chang swallowed his anger.

Hwa So-mi, who was quietly watching the two of them, had a gloomy expression as if it was not fun, and was fidgeting with her fingers.

Jang Sam-tae was there, and Hong Won-chang was there. The number of people was clearly the same as before, but for what reason did it feel strangely empty?

This small child knew the reason.

It was none other than the absence of Dan Woo-hyun.

Where had he gone?

Because he had left without saying a word to her, she could not easily hide her anxious mind.

Whether he had abandoned her and left, or whether he had gone somewhere and suffered harm.

Since neither Jang Sam-tae nor Hong Won-chang said anything, her anxious mind could not help but grow bigger and bigger.

Already two days had passed.

Hwa So-mi, who was several times more mature than other children, also found it hard to bear when Dan Woo-hyun was not seen for a long time, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She shouldn't be like this…

"Sob…"

"Oh dear, So-mi! What is the matter! Do not cry, do not cry!"

"There, there! Stop! Stop!"

It was a moment when the manor shook greatly as two sturdy men tried to coax a young child.

* * *

After leaving the manor, Dan Woo-hyun moved along the mountain path and began to search for the place Bang Chu-gok had talked about.

However, because it was further than he thought and the location was also unclear, it seemed a bit difficult to find it easily.

"Coming out like this after being stuck only in the manor is quite interesting."

It also seemed to bring back some old memories.

From his childhood until now, around the time he wandered around the Central Plains alone. He held the world in his chest and a man's dream in his two fists.

It was a time when he walked such paths alone, day or night, falling into martial arts without even having time to look at the scenery. It felt as if things he had not seen back then were visible to his eyes now.

Wouldn't something like this also be one of the pleasures of life?

Of course, this too was fun.

Rustle!

A group of people suddenly revealed themselves, blocking the path and pointing swords at him.

Judging by their rough impressions and large numbers, they were not ordinary people. Yet, they were not people who had mastered great martial arts either.

So people commonly spoke of them like this.

As mere mountain bandits.

"It has been a long time since I encountered this kind of thing too."

He had run into them countless times.

In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was mountain bandits who raised his martial arts skills during his childhood.

Later on, there was even a time when these fellows banded together to take revenge on Dan Woo-hyun and created the Eighteen Forts of the Green Forest, roaming around in droves.

"Hahaha! You fellow! If you want to pass through this path, hand over everything you have."

"The cliché words remain unchanged."

This also felt like a remnant of the past.

Because the tone of voice coming out of their mouths and the way they behaved were no different compared to those fellows from a thousand years ago.

Rather, they seemed to have degenerated somewhat. Back then, those fellows at least had some quick wits.

"What are you doing! If you do not want to die, hand over everything you have right now!"

"I have nothing?"

"What…?"

At the unexpected words, the mountain bandits were flustered and looked at Dan Woo-hyun. Come to think of it, his appearance wearing a white robe looked somewhat destitute.

His clothes were a bit worn out. Moreover, he was not carrying a bundle, so there was nothing that could be called luggage, and looking at his state, he did not even seem to have a single purse on him.

"Wh-What, you. What were you thinking walking on a mountain path?"

"I had no thoughts. I was just looking at the mountain scenery."

At the gentle words, the mountain bandits were lost for words. It was because each and every word of Dan Woo-hyun touched their heartstrings and made their minds peaceful without them knowing.

The man who seemed to be the chief cleared his throat with a cough.

"You fellow, this path is a place teeming with mountain bandits. If you carelessly travel back and forth without money, you cannot resent anyone even if you die right away."

"Haha, are you advising me? Thank you. I will keep it in mind in the future."

Although it was not something a mountain bandit would say, the chief scratched his head in embarrassment at Dan Woo-hyun's behavior of accepting it gratefully. Although he had done only this his whole life, it seemed his human nature still remained.

"By the way, is this the right way to Cheonjasan?"

"Cheonjasan? You want to go to that scary place? You fellow, now that I look at you, you have lost your fear."

The chief clicked his tongue and shook his head. If they were people living in Honam, there was no way they did not know about Cheonjasan.

A place where once you enter, you cannot come out alive.

Although it was famous for having rugged mountain terrain, the reason it was dangerous was a bit different from that.

A place possessed by ghosts.

Or the mountain of death.

That place was Cheonjasan.

"Listen well, you fool."

"Yes, speak."

"Cheonjasan is, you see, the most dangerous place in Honam."

"Why?"

"…It is just a dangerous place."

How could he know the reason?

It wasn't like he had entered it himself.

The chief awkwardly turned his head and wore a displeased expression. Since everyone said it was dangerous, he also thought it was dangerous, not that there was a specific reason.

"Chief…"

"What is it?"

"Aren't we going to rob him?"

At the subordinate's words, the chief only then snapped out of it. Because the man in front of him exuded such a mysterious atmosphere, he had fallen completely for it.

But he was a mountain bandit.

He must not forget that duty.

If he had no money.

Thud!

The chief stuck his sword roughly into the ground and glared fiercely with wide eyes. Then he shouted loudly.

"You fellow! If you have nothing, strip naked and go!"

"I do not mind, but it would be better for you to be careful…"

"What?"

Again, incomprehensible words were heard.

Just as he was tilting his head with a puzzled expression, the sound of horse hooves was heard from somewhere.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

The mountain bandits were startled and turned their gazes.

"Ch-Chief, over there!"

Someone was riding a horse and rushing over.

At first, because the distance was too far, it was not visible in detail, but as it began to get closer, the identity of the shadow, though blurry, was revealed.

It was a woman.

The woman rushed fiercely with her long hair fluttering. Then she frowned harshly as she looked at the mountain bandits.

"You fellows! You must be mountain bandits!"

The woman shouted and threw herself off the horse.

That appearance was as brilliant as watching a flying bird. The mountain bandits could not understand at all how a person could fly so lightly, and how she could draw a sword while throwing her body in the air.

Step.

At that moment, Dan Woo-hyun took a step to the side.

At the same time.

Slash!

The woman's blade swept toward the mountain bandits.