Chapter: 13
Meanwhile, on a hill overlooking the Guan Estate.
The Shadow Demon Lord and Unhyun hid behind a thicket, secretly listening through the open window to the conversation between Guan Yun and Yeonwoo.
Partly to see what kind of person had bought Yeonwoo.
Partly to hear what they were talking about after summoning her.
And partly to make sure Yeonwoo explained her current situation properly.
…At least, that had been the plan.
After glaring at the estate through the bushes for a while, Unhyun finally lost his patience and turned to the Shadow Demon Lord.
“Do we really have to do this? Wouldn’t it be easier to watch from the sky like before?”
“Oh, sit down, sit down. Someone might see us.”
The Shadow Demon Lord pressed down on Unhyun’s shoulder.
His grip was so strong that although Unhyun tried to stand, he couldn’t move an inch.
“I’m asking who exactly would see us! Judging by what I’ve seen, there isn’t anyone in this estate skilled enough to—”
“Shh!”
The Shadow Demon Lord pressed a finger against Unhyun’s lips, silencing him.
Disgusted by the touch, Unhyun frowned deeply and slapped the hand away.
Just as he was about to shout, Guan Yun’s voice drifted out from inside.
“So. Nothing unusual happened?”
“…!”
Unhyun immediately turned toward the estate.
“Nothing unusual?”
He swallowed dryly.
Would Yeonwoo be able to explain properly that assassins were after her?
How would the Guan family respond to the fact that she was in danger?
With those thoughts, he and the Shadow Demon Lord stared intently toward the estate.
“Nothing happened.”
The moment Yeonwoo answered so casually—
Unhyun shot to his feet.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Demon Lord clutched his stomach, silently shaking with suppressed laughter.
Nothing happened?
What nonsense!
“I’ll go myself!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Unhyun headed straight for the estate.
Behind him, the Shadow Demon Lord simply waved him off.
Knock, knock.
“Father, it’s Hyuk.”
At the voice from outside the door, Guan Yun smiled faintly.
“Come in.”
Soon, the door opened and someone entered the room.
He looked to be around ten years old.
Though still bearing traces of childishness, Hyuk had the same upright features as Guan Yun.
They really look alike.
The thick eyebrows.
The round eyes.
The straight nose.
How could they resemble each other so perfectly?
Yeonwoo was blankly staring at the boy, whose face looked almost identical to Guan Yun’s.
“…”
Guan Hyuk cast her a cold glance.
“…?”
It lasted only a moment, but the hostility in it was unmistakable.
Yeonwoo tilted her head.
…Huh?
Yet as though nothing had happened, Guan Hyuk respectfully cupped his fists and bowed toward his father.
“Father, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest? Who is it?”
“He claims to be this child’s guardian.”
“Guardian?”
Guan Yun looked at Yeonwoo with interest.
“An old man?”
“Yes. However, he was wearing a black half-mask, so I couldn’t identify him for certain. What should I do?”
“A half-mask?”
Guan Yun raised an eyebrow.
He had expected the old man Yeonwoo lived with.
But why the mask?
“Let him in.”
“Could he be dangerous?”
“It’s fine. Let him in. How many people around here even know Yeonwoo?”
Besides, even fewer people knew that Yeonwoo lived with someone.
If someone claimed to be her guardian, it could only be that old man.
“Yes.”
Hyuk bowed once more before turning to leave.
At that very moment, Yeonwoo once again caught him glaring at her.
“…?”
She kept chewing on her dried fruit while watching his back until he left the room.
Then Guan Yun spoke.
“Your grandfather has come.”
“Grandpa?! Here?”
“Yes. I told them to let him in, so he should be here shortly…”
At that moment, a chill ran down Guan Yun’s spine.
He instinctively sprang to his feet.
His tense gaze fixed on the door.
…What is this?
Something was approaching.
An enormous…
Dangerous presence.
Like a beast hiding its claws as it slowly stalked toward its prey.
Clack.
Guan Yun grabbed the bow resting behind him.
Knock, knock.
He inhaled sharply.
Before the door opens…
Before then, I need to nock an arrow—
“Grandpa?”
“Wai—!”
Before Guan Yun could stop her, Yeonwoo hopped down from her chair, dashed across the room, and flung the door open.
Guan Yun froze in shock.
Damn!
Just as he belatedly prepared himself for battle—
The suffocating pressure that had threatened to crush him only moments ago vanished completely.
As though it had never existed.
It happened precisely as the old man stepped into the room.
Forgive me for revealing my aura without warning.
The words echoed directly inside Guan Yun’s mind through sound transmission.
He swallowed hard and looked toward the doorway.
A man wearing a black half-mask stood there with his hands clasped behind his back.
“…”
Just by looking at his bearing, Guan Yun knew.
This man was no beggar.
The fact that he could use sound transmission meant he was a martial artist.
And judging from the noble air he naturally exuded, he was more likely someone from a prestigious family.
I can’t judge his level.
He had no idea how strong the man truly was.
Even if he summoned every martial artist in the Guan family, he couldn’t tell whether they would be enough.
Just who…
Who is he?
He had never heard of anyone like this living nearby.
A reclusive master?
No…
That dignity couldn’t be hidden so easily.
How on earth…
How do you know someone like this?
Guan Yun glanced toward Yeonwoo.
Apparently, the man had only revealed his aura to him.
Yeonwoo welcomed him without showing the slightest fear.
…May I ask who this esteemed senior is?
Circumstances prevent me from revealing my identity.
Exactly the answer Guan Yun had expected ever since the aura had appeared before the man’s face.
That overwhelming pressure had clearly conveyed one message.
Don’t ask.
Don’t try to find out.
I cannot tell you who I am. However, if you have no intention of harming Yeonwoo, then neither do I.
In other words—
If Guan Yun ever intended to harm Yeonwoo…
The terrifying power from moments ago could instantly become hostile.
At that moment, Guan Yun raised his own aura.
A fierce wave of energy erupted around him, causing his robes to flutter violently.
Can you handle it? Every martial artist in this estate.
As soon as he challenged him, Unhyun’s aura—which had completely disappeared—rose once again.
Unlike before, it was calm.
Yet it was so vast that it swallowed Guan Yun’s aura in an instant.
It felt to Guan Yun as though an endless sky had spread before his eyes.
Then a quiet voice reached him through sound transmission.
Would you like to test it?
“…”
For a brief moment, Unhyun’s eyes and Guan Yun’s met in tense silence.
Ssshhh…
Instead of answering, Guan Yun withdrew his aura.
Unhyun’s presence disappeared just as quickly.
Yeonwoo is important to our family as well.
The Guan family had no intention of harming Yeonwoo.
That was Guan Yun’s answer.
Unhyun gave a short nod.
Then he looked down at Yeonwoo.
She stared curiously at his mask, tilting her head from side to side.
“Yeonwoo, go outside and play for a while. I have something important to discuss with this gentleman.”
For a moment, Yeonwoo looked back and forth between Unhyun and Guan Yun.
“You’ll wait for me?”
“Of course. We’ll go home together afterward.”
“Okay!”
She answered cheerfully before running to the desk and grabbing another handful of dried fruit.
“Mister, I’m leaving!”
“R-Right.”
She waved at Guan Yun and scampered out of the room.
Honestly, Guan Yun wanted to stop her from leaving.
Watching the innocent child run away so carefree only made him feel more helpless.
Bang!
The door shut.
Only Guan Yun and Unhyun remained inside.
Whoosh.
The moment the child left, an invisible barrier surrounded the room.
Guan Yun suddenly felt like crying.
Is this what a rabbit trapped inside a tiger’s den feels like?
Although…
In this case, the tiger had invaded the rabbit’s den.
I shouldn’t have let him in.
“I’ll sit.”
“…This way.”
“Hey, beggar.”
As Yeonwoo walked out of the building, chewing on dried fruit, a mocking voice called after her.
I wonder where they eat around here.
“Hey!”
She kept walking, humming to herself.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”
Only then did Yeonwoo turn around.
Standing there were two boys who looked to be around ten years old.
One was Guan Yun’s son, Guan Hyuk, whom she’d just met.
The other was Guan Hyuk’s young attendant.
When Yeonwoo looked at him, Guan Hyuk sneered.
“So you do know you’re the little beggar.”
Yeonwoo stared at him for a moment.
Then lowered her eyebrows and tilted her head.
“Who…?”
“We just met! In Father’s room!”
She tilted her head again.
“Ah!”
Mister’s son!
“What do you mean ‘ah’?! It’s only been one gak—fifteen minutes—since we met!”
Watching Guan Hyuk fume, Yeonwoo popped another piece of dried fruit into her mouth.
“Son, did you need something from me?”
“Don’t call me ‘son’!”
“But you are someone’s son.”
“T-That’s…!”
Well…
He was.
“I don’t want someone younger than me calling me that!”
“Son, do you know how old I am?”
Yeonwoo certainly didn’t.
“Father said he bought an eight-year-old beggar three months ago, so you must be nine by now!”
The new year had already come, after all!
“I see. Thanks for telling me.”
I’ll have to remember that.
Watching her calmly chew away without the slightest shame, Guan Hyuk ground his teeth.
Yeonwoo frowned.
What’s his problem?
“A-Anyway…! Come with me!”
“Why?”
“Just come! Stop asking questions!”
Guan Hyuk stomped off toward somewhere, while his attendant nervously glanced at Yeonwoo before following behind him.
Yeonwoo thought about it.
What a bother.
She had wanted to go find the dining hall.
Then suddenly, her eyes lit up.
A broad grin spread across her face as she hurried after Guan Hyuk.
Her cheerful voice echoed through the courtyard in front of the family head’s residence.
“You’re taking me to eat something delicious, aren’t you??”
“No!!”
