Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Namgung So-hye sometimes thought that words were truly funny.

Even just looking at her current situation, she could tell.

She was currently in a large manor.

It was so beautiful that it was surprising that such a manor existed near Dongting Lake.

Perhaps because it had not been built long ago, the pillars and walls were all clean.

With Dongting Lake right in front, the scenery was unspeakably beautiful, and all sorts of decorations inside the manor caught the eye.

But the problem was not those things.

Look at her current situation.

“Ugh…”

She began to wash the clothes one by one with her fair white hands.

She was now doing housework that she had never done in her entire life.

Dressed like the women who went out to the stream carrying laundry, her appearance was so shabby that no one would ever think she was Namgung So-hye, the Phoenix Squadron Leader of the Murim Alliance.

Thump, thump!

She struck down with the laundry mallet diligently.

Each time, a harsh sound was heard, as if she were venting her anger.

“My plight… my plight…”

Namgung So-hye lamented her situation.

She, who was the Squadron Leader of the Murim Alliance's Phoenix Squadron, the precious daughter of the Namgung Clan, which was called the pinnacle of the Eight Great Noble Clans, and a talent who could receive the title of Sword Empress in the future, had been pampered and revered by many.

‘I only asked him to help me…’

She let out a deep sigh.

For the first time in her life, she had asked someone for help.

Because she felt that if she stayed like that, she would really starve to death or be carried off by the Beggars' Sect.

Thanks to the help of a young child named Hwa So-mi, she was able to enter this manor.

In fact, a few silver coins as charity would have sufficed, an amount she could pay back immediately once she returned to her clan or the alliance.

But Dan Woo-hyun never gave away money easily.

‘To tell me to work during my stay…’

That was why she was now beating the laundry mallet.

Because he had said he would give her money when it was time for her to finish her work and leave, she ended up in a situation where she had no choice but to do hard labor.

She felt a sudden burst of anger.

Had not Dan Woo-hyun pocketed a quite handsome sum of silver from the bandits thanks to her?

“Geez, speed it up! Why are you doing laundry all day?”

“What?”

“No, am I wrong? What do you mean you've been doing laundry for a whole double-hour! There's a mountain of work to do!”

“Then what should I do! The stains won't come out!”

“Harder! How many times do I have to tell you to strike it hard? Where did all the strength from the meal you just ate go?”

Seething-!

There was something else that gave Namgung So-hye a hard time.

It was none other than this man named Jang Sam-tae, who had completely lost all fear.

He lingered around all day, following her closely as if monitoring her. Then, whenever Dan Woo-hyun appeared, he would suddenly pick up a broom and pretend to sweep the yard, or act as if he were working.

That sight was so irritating that she twitched her eyebrows and spoke.

“Then why don't you do it yourself!”

“Well, that's your job, not mine. Do you think earning a living is easy? You have to do at least this much to put food on the table. Tsk tsk, what on earth do you know how to do?”

“Ugh…!”

Her stubborn pride was piqued.

Having been outstanding since childhood, she extremely disliked falling behind others.

Because of that, a surge of irritation welled up, and she resolved to complete the work perfectly.

She pounded the mallet even more vigorously.

“Damn it! Where on earth did this guy go!”

“Hey, stop talking and start pounding!”

“I got it!”

“Why are you shouting?!”

“You shouted first!”

Namgung So-hye trembled at the feeling of wanting to beat up someone weaker than herself for the first time in her life.

If it were not for this situation, Jang Sam-tae would have been beaten to a pulp by now.

* * *

Yueyang.

In that county, famous because of Dongting Lake, there was now an even more famous figure.

It was County Magistrate Hong Won-chang, who had eliminated the Black Dao Association that no one had been able to deal with until now, and he was a rising star drawing attention not only from the common people but also from the martial artists and the imperial court.

Today, instead of going to the government office, Hong Won-chang was staying at his own manor.

Sitting in his office, his tense expression was quite evident, and even as he broke into a cold sweat, he seemed to be trying his best to look alright.

What on earth was going on?

In front of him, a man sat, casting a calm gaze.

Dan Woo-hyun.

Because the person Hong Won-chang respected the most, but was in fact far more difficult to face than the Emperor, was currently inside this office.

“It is this.”

Hong Won-chang handed over a large wooden box with trembling hands. Seeing that Dan Woo-hyun did not attempt to open it, he carefully opened the lid of the wooden box himself.

Inside, it was full of gold coins, which would not be an exaggeration to describe as dazzling.

“Impressive, you prepared it well in such a short time.”

“It is one hundred taels of gold. Since it was given by the Prince's Manor as a reward for this matter, it belongs to Hero Dan.”

Dan Woo-hyun nodded and took the wooden box.

It matched the expected amount perfectly. In fact, if he had received it in the name of a bounty, a larger sum should have changed hands, but since they had put forward Hong Won-chang, the County Magistrate, he could not possibly receive the entire amount.

Moreover, it was a reward that came down from the Prince's Manor.

Indeed, since it would have been perfectly fine for Hong Won-chang to keep it, he accepted his sincerity and took it without declining.

“What will happen to those guys now?”

“People from the Prince's Manor came in person yesterday and dragged them away. I think they will probably be handed over directly to the Eastern Depot.”

Hong Won-chang shuddered.

Although the Brocade-Clad Guard was also terrifying, the most feared group in the imperial court could be said to be the eunuch bastards, the Eastern Depot.

With outstanding martial arts and cruel torture techniques, they were fearsome fellows who made one wonder if they were venting their pent-up sexual desires in that manner, having nothing of their own.

“The Eastern Depot…”

“Yes, once they are handed over, they will not be able to come out alive.”

“Then is the matter concluded with that?”

“Of course, hahaha.”

Hong Won-chang burst into hearty laughter. The achievements made through this incident were entirely his. Just thinking about it, he could not help but feel excited and pleased.

He had not even been able to sleep properly lately because of those guys, but now he felt he could sleep soundly with his legs stretched out. It was as if his worries had vanished.

Sip-

At that moment, Dan Woo-hyun sipped his tea and stared intently at Hong Won-chang. Because that gaze was quite sharp, Hong Won-chang, who had been laughing, stiffened his expression and stealthily turned his head away.

“I hear you might be going up to Beijing?”

“Haha, nothing has been decided yet.”

Hong Won-chang wiped away his flowing cold sweat and held his breath. Entering the central government was like a dream for all powerholders.

Hong Won-chang had also harbored such a desire since childhood, and it remained the same even now.

But entering the central government was no easy task.

Moreover, since there would also be those trying to keep in check the suddenly prominent Hong Won-chang, he had no certainty of immediately going up to the center even if he received the Emperor's reward.

Furthermore, since there would be many who would raise issues regarding the process of this incident, going up to Beijing was actually a quite burdensome situation for Hong Won-chang.

Because many people would try to ask about the truth of this incident.

At that moment, Dan Woo-hyun's voice was heard.

“It does not matter to me either way, but it is a bit of a pity.”

“Do not worry, Hero! Even if I, Hong Won-chang, enter the center, I will never forget you, Hero.”

“Those are… indeed grateful words.”

Dan Woo-hyun chuckled and drank his tea.

Being remembered by someone was a good thing. For Dan Woo-hyun was someone who could not be found in anyone's memories after a thousand years had passed.

“Ah, it seems the number of martial artists visiting Yueyang has increased significantly recently. I am worried that some unnecessary incident might occur…”

“I know. Since the matter is what it is, it is only natural for gnats to gather. There is one in my house as well. A blowfly, that is.”

“Excuse me?”

Hong Won-chang, who did not understand, asked back. Having lived an extremely busy life for the past two days, he had not visited the manor recently, so he did not even know who was there.

‘A blowfly? Is he talking about that fellow Jang Sam-tae?’

He tilted his head in puzzlement.

In Hong Won-chang's mind, there was no blowfly in this world quite like Jang Sam-tae.

Giggle-

At that moment, a child's laughter was heard from outside.

Dan Woo-hyun, who stood up slightly from his seat, carefully opened the window. He could see Hwa So-mi, who had been waiting outside, running around the yard and playing alone.

When he smiled softly while watching that, Hong Won-chang also spoke in a pleasant tone.

“She is a truly good child. Quite rare these days.”

“I know.”

Who else in the world would know as well as Dan Woo-hyun that Hwa So-mi was a good child?

That was why he was with her, and because it was that child, he wanted to protect her.

As he smiled softly with such thoughts, Hong Won-chang's voice drifted in.

“Haha, but isn't it about time to send her to school?”

“A school?”

Dan Woo-hyun tilted his head.

Although he had heard that such a place existed, he was someone who had never learned anything. Because of that, he wondered if there was any particular need for it.

In his mind, even without such things, it did not hinder one's living.

Seeing Dan Woo-hyun's face of incomprehension, Hong Won-chang jumped up and spoke.

“For children these days, school is a must, a must! If a child cannot read a single letter anywhere they go, what greater embarrassment could there be? Moreover, they can make friends, and it is also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the child's talent, so isn't it killing two birds… no, three birds with one stone?”

“Hmm… is that so?”

“Yes! Of course. Haha, I know a good school, so shall I introduce you?”

“…I shall think about it for a moment.”

Seeing Dan Woo-hyun's hesitating expression, Hong Won-chang clenched his fist tightly. Every parent's heart was the same. They did not want their child to eat good food, wear good clothes, and fall behind others.

Although he was hesitating now, Dan Woo-hyun would surely come around.

‘She is a child who will be my daughter-in-law in the future, so how could she not even read a single letter?’

Hong Won-chang grinned inwardly.

It was the moment when the plan to make Hwa So-mi his daughter-in-law gradually began. However, as soon as he caught Dan Woo-hyun's gaze, he quietly cast his eyes down and cleared his throat.

The moment his inner thoughts were exposed, he might die.

Therefore, he had to act as naturally as possible.

* * *

Hwa So-mi felt as if she had come to another world because the garden, though smaller than the manor where she lived, was well-decorated and everything she saw around her was exotic.

Because of that, she was even more excited.

Dan Woo-hyun, who was talking with Hong Won-chang, showed no sign of coming out anytime soon, but Hwa So-mi did not mind. Because she was used to playing alone.

She looked at the planted flowers and chased butterflies.

The fish playing inside the small pond were fascinating.

They were not the kind of fish commonly seen at home.

Amazingly, their scales had colors and they were large.

‘Are these things called koi fish?’

Hwa So-mi picked up a small twig and dipped it into the pond. Seeing the large carp get startled and flee, she burst into giggles.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

It was just then that a voice was heard.

Startled, Hwa So-mi raised her head abruptly and looked straight ahead. A large boy stood there blankly.

His build was as huge as a mountain and his fists were also large, so far from looking like someone her age, it was like looking at a small bear.

The boy approached while huffing.

It seemed he did not like that an unfamiliar child was playing in his house.

Since she was a child he had never seen before and he had not even heard that an important guest was coming, he seemed to think there was no need to be cautious, so his actions were without hesitation.

Frowning fiercely, the boy approached Hwa So-mi.

“I'm asking what you are doing.”

“Ugh…”

Hwa So-mi recoiled and stepped back.

As the boy with the mountain-like build approached, she felt a sudden fear. She looked around, searching for Dan Woo-hyun. But Dan Woo-hyun, who had gone inside, still showed no sign of coming out.

Meanwhile, the boy drew closer and closer.

“Who on earth are you? This is our house!”

“Ah, that is…”

The moment she was startled by the loud voice and tried to step back again, her legs became tangled and her body reeled heavily.

With a short groan of “Ah!”, Hwa So-mi's body plummeted toward the pond.