Chapter 16
“I want to do that too, but the guests who came this time are very important. If we make any mistakes, we don’t know what kind of punishment we’ll face. I’ll just give you the leftover food, so can you come back after the business hours are over?”
“Ah……”
Oh no, this was a bit problematic.
Should I have just crossed the kitchen secretly? Sa-yeong slightly regretted it and put his hands together, pouting sulkily.
“But then I’d feel too sorry… Can’t I at least fetch some water? I won’t go near the restaurant or guest rooms and will only move around the backyard. I can also do the laundry and dishes.”
“Hmm… Yeah, that sounds okay.”
The cook, thinking it would be okay if it was by the kitchen, took Sa-yeong to a corner where the dishes were piled up.
“Just wash these bowls and spoons here. Be careful not to break them, and you don’t need to finish everything, so don’t overwork yourself. Got it?”
“Yes, sir! Thank you!”
Half admiring and half pitying the child who said thanks for getting work to do, the cook patted Sa-yeong’s head and quickly went back to his place. Sa-yeong erased the triumphant expression and carried the dirty dishes in a large wooden basin, struggling to go back out the back door.
It was common for a fairly upscale guesthouse to have a pond inside. If they had the funds to create such a waterway, they would also draw water close to the kitchen to form a stream, and the Gale Guesthouse was no different.
Sa-yeong diligently washed the dishes with his small hands at a little stream in the corner of the backyard, busily moving his eyes. Though just finding Jang-wee’s whereabouts was challenging enough, there was a calculated purpose behind taking on this chore.
‘I’ll definitely catch him when he comes out.’
At least ten people must have come, so at least one of them should come to the backyard. The Gale Guesthouse is famous for its landscaping, so they might come this way while taking a walk.
Hoping for luck, Sa-yeong continued washing the dishes in the cold water until his hands were frozen.
And finally, after going in and out of the kitchen three times with the packed dishes in the wooden basin, the opportunity arrived.
‘That man.’
A tall man, dressed in elegant sky-blue and luxurious dark blue silk, the symbols of the Namgung clan, walked into the backyard. The three golden tassels and jade plaque on the hilt of his sword indicated his high status.
Sa-yeong did not miss the opportunity and stared at him intently. Realizing he had taken a wrong turn, the man stopped and turned around.
“……”
The man made direct eye contact with Sa-yeong, who was in a corner of the yard. Sa-yeong, who had been gaping, quickly lowered his gaze as if he had come to his senses.
“I-I’m sorry! It was so fascinating that I couldn’t help…”
Stuttering in apparent embarrassment and blushing, Sa-yeong’s innocent reaction seemed to catch the man’s interest as he saw the man’s boots within his bent head’s sight.
Looking up, Sa-yeong found the man had already approached and was smiling broadly.
“Hm? There’s no need to apologize. By the way, what was so fascinating that you lost yourself just by looking at a person?”
“Well, that is…”
Coincidentally, the man was the type Sa-yeong despised most but also needed the most for this task.
Though he intended it, did he have to call my stolen glance ‘losing oneself?’ A touch of self-praise. Sa-yeong cursed the man inwardly and fidgeted with his frostbitten red hands.
“I happened to overhear that the guests who came today are very important figures among the martial artists. They said they’re strong and righteous people who can easily cut down bandits with one stroke…”
“Hahaha! Comparing us to mere bandits!”
Clang⎯!
The man who burst into loud laughter suddenly drew the sword hanging at his waist. The sharp light from the sword made Sa-yeong’s body stiffen momentarily.
‘This crazy bastard!’
Drawing a sword privately in front of a civilian, especially a child!
But showing disdain was not an option. Sa-yeong feigned an awe-struck expression as he admired the seemingly expensive sword.
“Wow…”
“Look at this. It’s not just a sword to spill bandit blood. This one has severed the heads of vile Demon Sect members and sliced the innards of hypocrites allied with them. How is it? Isn’t it impressive?”
“Yes, sir. It’s amazing!”
Amazing. Incredible. Showering him with praise, the man seemed satisfied and sheathed the sword. Then, he made an offer Sa-yeong hadn’t anticipated.
“After dealing with snake-like humans all day, seeing someone like you lifts my mood. Judging by you doing chores till this hour, you don’t seem to be in a well-off household. Have you had dinner?”
“Dinner?”
“Yes, dinner.”
When Sa-yeong shook his head, the man extended his hand with a beaming face. He seemed to mean for Sa-yeong to take it and stand up.
“Then come inside and eat with me. No need to decline.”
“Huh? But there are still dishes left to wash…”
“If this Namgung Hogwan says he’ll have you sit next to him for a meal, do dishes matter? I’ll even make sure to pack enough for your family. So no more arguing, just come.”
“Th-thank you, sir…”
With a delighted smile, Sa-yeong took the man’s hand. A tall man, a martial artist, and a member of the Namgung clan— touching him felt like centipedes were crawling up his wrist, but he endured it. This flow was better than he had planned.
The man, Namgung Hogwan, led Sa-yeong into the restaurant on the first floor of the Gale Guesthouse. Thanks to renting the entire place, all the guests inside were from the Namgung clan.
It could be seen as a tiger’s den. Sa-yeong deliberately hunched his shoulders, appearing intimidated.
“Young Lord, who’s the kid?”
“Oh, he spoke so charmingly that I brought him in. He works till this hour because his family circumstances aren’t good. I just thought I’d give him a meal, so don’t mind him.”
Young Lord of the Namgung clan?
Watching Namgung Hogwan wave his hands to shoo people away like flies, Sa-yeong bit the inside of his cheek lightly. The first legitimate child of the Namgung clan, which boasts unrivaled power in the martial world, made his heart sink.
Did these people really take Jang-wee? For what purpose?
The man sat Sa-yeong across from him and ordered food from the waiter haphazardly. When the table was filled with luxurious dishes, he generously gestured for Sa-yeong to eat.
“Eat up. These are things you wouldn’t taste even if you worked your whole life, so enjoy them now.”
“Th-thank you, sir. Thank you so much. But… If I can’t finish everything, can I pack the leftovers to take home? I want my siblings to taste them too…”
“Such a goodhearted and kind child you are. Of course, that’s fine. But don’t think you’ll get off easy if you don’t eat enough. This is a show of goodwill to you.”
“Thank you so much, sir. Then, I’ll eat well.”
After bowing his head in gratitude, Sa-yeong started stuffing his mouth with the dishes. Considering the situation, it seemed like he’d choke instantly, but he had to do this.
While devouring the steamed duck savagely yet without looking crude, the man began to casually narrate his heroic tales. Despite his cheeks being puffed up, Sa-yeong diligently chimed in.
“The Demon Sect members are so vile that cutting off fingers isn’t even considered torture. So we devised a different approach.”
“What approach would that be?”
“If they have children, it makes things much easier. I’ve never seen one who could endure when we threw their kids into lye. It’s ridiculous that those Demon Sect rats cherish their kids, though even dogs wouldn’t laugh at that.”
“You did well. Thanks to that, you could uproot them, right?”
“Indeed. Well said.”
The man responded with a hearty laugh. Sa-yeong felt a knot forming in his stomach and his fingertips growing cold but forced a foolish grin. It was far from appropriate dinner conversation, but Sa-yeong had to keep pleasing him.
And finally, after persistent waiting, another opportunity presented itself.
“How about you? Is there anything tough about living in a place like this? If there’s anyone bullying you, tell me. I’m feeling especially generous today, so I’ll assist you as much as I can.”
It was an unbelievably lucky chance.
Seeing the man who gazed at him with relaxed curiosity, Sa-yeong quickly calculated. What should I do? Having made up his mind, Sa-yeong subtly transitioned his expression from content to forlorn while lowering his hand from the food.
“Looks like there’s something on your mind seeing that face.”
“Well…”
Tears welled up in Sa-yeong’s eyes, as if he would cry just thinking about it. He glanced around to hold back his tears, swallowing as if his throat was choked.
“Actually, there’s something I’m very worried about. But since there’s nothing I can do, I had no choice but to let it be. If you could help, it would be a heavenly blessing. Of course, I’m already grateful for what you’ve done, but…”
“What’s the matter that makes you so tearful? Go ahead and tell me.”
“Actually… a very close friend of mine suddenly disappeared today.”
Sa-yeong spoke in a soft, choked-up voice.
“His name is Jang-wee, he’s a bit taller than me with short hair. I’ve been searching the whole village all day, but he’s nowhere to be found. His father said he doesn’t know where Jang-wee went either. I’m so worried that he might be hurt somewhere…”
“Oh?”
The man’s interest was piqued as he straightened his posture. Sa-yeong cautiously observed him from underneath his previously lowered gaze.
He stared into the distance for a moment, then rubbed his chin with his fingertips.
“Is that so? Is he a close friend of yours?”
“Yes, sir. By the way… do you know Jang-wee?”
So it is you after all. But why?
Feigning ignorance, Sa-yeong inquired, harboring a sharp question inside. The man crossed his arms, twisted his lips, and pondered for a moment before speaking.
“The thing is. We….”
But just as Sa-yeong was eagerly anticipating the man’s answer.
A gentle voice interrupted.
“What are you telling so openly, brother?”
Startled, Sa-yeong looked up to see a young man standing on the stairs. He resembled the man in front of him but was much slimmer and taller. The man who was about to respond instead said something else.
“Ohk-li. You said you wouldn’t come out today because you were upset. What brings you here?”
“I came out myself because you seemed distracted by some kid, leaving a rat alone. The quality of this guesthouse is really poor.”
Ok-li threw what he was holding in his hand down the stairs. A small sack tumbled down the stairs and fell to the floor with a thud.
It was a small child,
Someone Sa-yeong knew very well.
