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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Return to the Manor
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The next day, Sama Cheol opened his eyes and sat up, rubbing his tousled hair. He jolted in surprise.
"Eek!"
Dan Hyeong-u was standing stock-still in the middle of the room.
"Y-you didn't... No, that can't be. Heh heh."
Sama Cheol couldn't fathom that Dan Hyeong-u had stood there all night without sleeping. He figured the young man had simply gone to bed a bit later and risen a bit earlier than him.
"What a light sleeper this kid is."
Sama Cheol got up and shook Jo In awake.
"In-ah, time to rise."
Jo In stirred at his words, stretching as he sat up. Spotting Dan Hyeong-u standing there, he shot him a surprised look.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Big brother! Uncle! You're up, right?"
A knock at the door was followed by Jo Seol-yeon's voice. Sama Cheol listened blankly for a moment before chuckling dryly.
"Heh heh heh. This is a first—seeing Yeon-ah act like that."
"Tell me about it. It's surprising to me too."
Jo In replied as he hurriedly dressed and opened the door. Jo Seol-yeon stood there, fully prepared and beaming. She peeked inside, glancing at Dan Hyeong-u.
"Did you sleep well, Dan young hero?"
Dan Hyeong-u gave a slight nod, and Jo Seol-yeon lit up even brighter. Sama Cheol and Jo In exchanged exasperated glances.
"'Also'? I don't recall ever getting that kind of greeting from you, niece."
"Oh, come on, Uncle. Let's go eat. I'm starving."
Jo Seol-yeon grabbed Sama Cheol's arm and tugged playfully. He just smiled indulgently and followed her down, unable to resist. No matter what she did, Jo Seol-yeon was utterly adorable.
In the end, the Jo Family Manor group set off from Dongting Lake, leisurely touring until they reached Hechang. During the journey, Jo Seol-yeon grew a bit closer to Dan Hyeong-u.
Of course, neither Sama Cheol nor Jo In could bridge that gap with him. Part of it was Dan Hyeong-u's taciturn nature, but even when he spoke, he showed no deference to elders or outsiders.
They chalked it up to his wild upbringing in the mountains, but understanding it intellectually was one thing—accepting it was another. It still rubbed them the wrong way.
The two often sighed watching Jo Seol-yeon stick so close to Dan Hyeong-u.
"Sigh, In-ah. What do you make of it?"
"It seems Yeon-i's just intensely curious because he's so different from the people she's met before."
"To me, it looks like it's gone a bit beyond curiosity..."
Jo In shook his head.
"She might seem like this, but Yeon-i's sharper and more thoughtful than anyone. She'll choose a match that truly benefits the family. Besides, she's still young."
"Hoo, true. She is young... Do you know she's seventeen now?"
Jo In grinned.
"Of course. And I know that's old enough to start a family. But she's still young when it comes to knowing the world."
"That's exactly why I'm worried."
"Don't fret too much. It'll all work out."
"I hope so..."
Before they knew it, they'd arrived at Jo Family Manor. Jo In watched Jo Seol-yeon enter the gates with Dan Hyeong-u, a wry smile tugging at his lips. It almost looked like she was introducing a lover to her parents.
"Let's head in. First, we need to pry that kid away from her."
"Right, my head's not on straight."
Sama Cheol dashed inside like the wind.
In a small chamber, Jo Family Manor Head Jo Il-hyeon sipped tea across from the two men.
"So, no incidents?"
Sama Cheol nodded at Jo Il-hyeon's question.
"None. Though we didn't gain much either."
"I heard the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits came at you."
"Word spread here already? It was nothing. I can't fathom why they'd attack with so few."
Jo Il-hyeon nodded. As long as no one was hurt, that was what mattered.
"How was Yeon-ah?"
His subtle probe drew wry smiles from both Sama Cheol and Jo In. They couldn't give the answer he wanted.
"No standout talents in the Martial Alliance."
Jo In stated flatly, prompting Jo Il-hyeon to tilt his head.
"I heard that Victory Dragon Unit Leader Ha Won-hu was quite impressive."
"He was too busy to even properly see Yeon-i."
"Hm, I see. Given the circumstances..."
Jo Il-hyeon said as much, but he felt a twinge of regret. The Victory Dragon Unit was an elite group among the Martial Alliance's younger generation.
Ha Won-hu led it—what more needed saying? Impressive or not, he was a man, and Jo Il-hyeon had been confident that one proper look at his daughter Jo Seol-yeon would win him over instantly. She was that beautiful and captivating.
"So, what happened?"
Jo Il-hyeon asked seriously, and Sama Cheol replied quietly.
"He wouldn't say exactly, but it seems the interior was completely destroyed."
Jo Il-hyeon looked genuinely shocked.
"Really? Then the Heavenly Qi Master's martial arts..."
"Gone. Someone might have gotten there first. They found something inside, but I don't know what."
"Could it be the Heavenly Qi Master's arts?"
"Unlikely, though not impossible. It didn't seem like it."
Jo Il-hyeon nodded.
"Hm. What do you think, In-ah?"
"Same as Uncle Sama."
"If you both see it that way, then it is. It's not like it has anything to do with us anyway—let's drop it."
"Understood."
Jo Il-hyeon smiled warmly at Jo In's response.
"By the way, someone came with you?"
"Yes. Thinking of giving him a shot at the Escort Bureau."
"Background checked?"
"Not yet, but he seems fine."
"Handle it as you see fit."
Jo Il-hyeon left Dan Hyeong-u entirely to Sama Cheol. The Escort Bureau was his domain anyway—no need to interfere.
"There's a bit of an issue, though."
"Hm? Didn't you just say no problems?"
"Not with him—it's Yeon-i."
"Yeon-i? What's wrong with her?"
"She's grown awfully attached to him. Manor Head, you should talk to her."
Jo Il-hyeon frowned slightly at Jo In, who averted his gaze. It meant it was beyond his handling. Jo Il-hyeon muttered softly.
"That serious, huh?"
"Not yet, but it could get there. So..."
"Got it. These things need nipping in the bud before they blow up. I'll handle it. You're dismissed."
"Yes."
Sama Cheol and Jo In bowed politely and left. Alone, Jo Il-hyeon smiled contentedly.
Jo In had grown into a man who needed no more guidance. He was pulling his weight fully now. Though confined to the manor, Jo Il-hyeon kept tabs on the world's rumors.
Even Victory Dragon Unit juniors nodded at Jo In's prowess—what greater joy? Rumors said only three in the unit could match him. Pure delight.
"I've raised my kids better than anyone when it comes to that. Yes, indeed."
Jo In was one thing, but Jo Seol-yeon? Her wit, kindness, beauty—flawless. Recalling her lovely face, Jo Il-hyeon smacked his lips.
"Still, need to guide her carefully. At that age, she could veer off course..."
He decided to meet the man Sama Cheol brought back—after clearing his backlog.
The Henan Escort Bureau was the largest in Hechang and Henan Province, backed by Jo Family Manor, one of the province's top martial clans. More precisely, it was one of the manor's ventures.
Not quite the world's greatest, but one of the Four Great Escort Bureaus.
Chief Sama Cheol aimed for supremacy, a goal shared by Manor Head Jo Il-hyeon, ensuring ample support over other businesses.
Hechang's crossroads of official routes fueled the bureau's growing prestige.
Entering the bureau, Sama Cheol sought Dan Hyeong-u first. Ignorant of norms, he could bump into trouble anywhere. Sama Cheol had to watch him early on.
Especially with Jo Seol-yeon's interest. Any mishap would devastate her—and that, Sama Cheol couldn't bear.
Heading to his office, he spotted Jo Seol-yeon sitting on the stairs, Dan Hyeong-u beside her.
"Ugh, there they are."
He hurried over but paused hearing Jo Seol-yeon's words.
"Who are you looking for, Dan young hero?"
Dan Hyeong-u answered simply.
"My friend's family."
At "friend's family," Jo Seol-yeon eyed the sword at his waist cautiously.
"Then that friend of yours..."
"I have ninety-nine friends. This sword took one."
"Ninety-nine friends?"
Jo Seol-yeon gasped. Ninety-nine seemed modest at first, but for a loner in deep mountains, it was a lot.
"Then they..."
"All dead."
No emotion colored Dan Hyeong-u's voice. Time had dried up any feelings about their deaths. Or perhaps he had few emotions left. Only recently was he reclaiming them, bit by bit.
"S-sorry."
Jo Seol-yeon stammered, flustered. She hadn't expected them all gone. Dan Hyeong-u noted her misty eyes and said flatly.
"It's fine."
His eyes narrowed faintly—imperceptible to most. But he was pleased.
Sorry echoed. Words from his last friend and comrade, who died in his place. He'd apologized.
Dying for him, yet only sorry. Back then, it baffled him. Now, he dimly understood.
"It's fine. Even alone..."
Dan Hyeong-u murmured so softly. Jo Seol-yeon startled—it wasn't for her. His gaze drifted to the distant sky.
She sat quietly a moment, then chirped brightly.
"You're not alone anymore."
Dan Hyeong-u looked down at her. She tried beaming through teary eyes.
"I've got you now. I won't leave you solo. Heh heh."
His eyes narrowed noticeably.
"It's fine."
Jo Seol-yeon stared wide-eyed at his expression.
"Is that... a smile?"
Dan Hyeong-u turned back to the sky.
"You really like the sky, huh."
"Couldn't see it before. Not like that blue."
Jo Seol-yeon tilted her head, uncomprehending.
"Dan young hero—oh, can I just call you big brother?"
Dan Hyeong-u gazed at her steadily, then nodded.
"Then it's Dan big brother from now on. Hee hee."
Her face brightened.
"Big brother, let's go to the smithy. That sword needs a proper scabbard."
Dan Hyeong-u glanced at his blade. He'd tried making sheathes before. All failed.
Even hides from famously tough demon beasts couldn't handle it. The sword's keen edge defied them.
He shook his head, but Jo Seol-yeon stood, hugging his arm with both hands, tugging insistently.
"Hee hee, come on. I'm rich, you know. Well, technically not my money."
She pulled, but he didn't budge. Flustered, she tugged harder.
She truly wanted to get him a scabbard. The thought had nagged since he first entered the inn.
"Hiyah!"
She strained, unwittingly channeling qi. Still, he was a rock. Startled, she released him.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to..."
Gripping with qi could snap an arm. She couldn't fathom why she'd done it.
"It's fine."
Jo Seol-yeon eyed him puzzled. It had been pure instinct. Maybe he'd drawn it out of her.
"Have you... trained in martial arts?"