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Chapter 06
“My arms and legs strangely feel full of strength.”
Namgung Ho smiled contentedly.
‘Full of strength? Well, of course.’
Hong Seol’s body was in shambles because two opposing energies were fighting each other inside her.
Just as the surroundings become ruined when two martial artists of equal skill fight, the same applied here.
Because of that, there was no way for Hong Seol to properly accumulate internal energy.
No matter how much internal energy gathered in her dantian, it would immediately leak out through her damaged meridians. It was like grain pouring endlessly out of a sack full of holes.
Moreover, her small body could not withstand the energy leaking out like that. It was truly in a state like a shack that could collapse at any moment.
“The ten-thousand-year hasuo you just consumed is something that repairs your meridians.”
It was as though a skilled mason were patching cracks in a broken wall with plaster.
Though it was still precarious, since no one knew when the wall might crumble again.
‘Phew, at least the urgent crisis has been dealt with for now.’
At the very least, the chances of the child suddenly collapsing dead had greatly lessened.
Though Hong Seol did not know it, Namgung Ho’s heart was beating considerably faster than usual.
‘What a strange feeling.’
Discovering a child with outstanding talent was naturally something to rejoice over as a senior in martial arts.
Especially if that child might fulfill his long-cherished wish.
But that was not all.
‘The human heart truly is strange.’
At first, he had only pitied her.
But after seeing the child’s dazzling talent, greed arose within him. Greed to watch by her side just how far this child could go as she grew.
Even though he was someone who had never once taken in a disciple in his entire life simply because it was bothersome.
Perhaps fascinated by how much lighter her body felt, Hong Seol repeatedly clenched and unclenched her tiny fists.
Watching her fondly, Namgung Ho spoke.
“Come to think of it, I never explained how you ended up here. You must have been very exhausted from climbing all the way to the top of Mount Daechok in such cold weather with your frail body. You suddenly lost consciousness, so I brought you here first.”
Hong Seol’s eyes sparkled.
‘This grandfather saved me!’
And on top of that, he gave her mountain-like amounts of food and even a precious spiritual medicine.
‘T-then I should hurry and thank him properly!’
Only a well-mannered child would be allowed to stay here, after all.
Thinking she moved quickly in her own way, Hong Seol slid down from the chair, gathered her tiny hands together, and bowed her head.
“Thank you for saving me. Great Hero, you are my be-benefactor.”
Benefactor, huh.
Namgung Ho let out a small chuckle at the old-fashioned way of speaking that did not suit an eight-year-old.
There was no way those sinister Myoga Clan bastards had taught their child etiquette. She must have simply copied something she overheard somewhere.
Unaware of his thoughts, Hong Seol unconsciously smiled brightly along with him.
‘Thank goodness. My greeting must have been proper etiquette!’
Now that she was full and her tension had eased, she had many things she was curious about.
Sneaking glances at the cloud-pattern embroidery on Namgung Ho’s collar, Hong Seol asked,
“Um, is this the Namgung Clan?”
“That’s right. More specifically, this is Changcheongak, the residence of the Taesang Gaju.”
Whaaat?
Hong Seol’s eyes widened.
The Taesang Gaju referred to the former head of the Namgung Clan. Hong Seol tilted her head as she looked at Namgung Ho, who was grinning nonstop.
“You’re the Taesang Gaju? But you don’t really look that incredibly old….”
“Wahahaha!”
At the unexpected compliment about his youthful appearance, Namgung Ho laughed heartily enough for his Adam’s apple to show. It was such a loud laugh that even the martial artists at the inner training grounds turned their heads toward Changcheongak.
“Does it seem that way? When one accumulates pure internal energy, it’s possible to appear somewhat younger than one’s actual age.”
“Waaah.”
Hong Seol’s lips parted slightly in amazement. Not missing the opportunity, Namgung Ho asked,
“What do you think, child? Would you like to learn martial arts from me?”
This was not just anyone, but the Taesang Gaju of the Namgung Clan. If one wished to become a martial artist, it would not be an exaggeration to say it was difficult to meet a better master than him.
Though she could not use internal energy right away, she could still train her external martial arts.
If her body were prepared in advance, then when her illness was cured in the future, it would become much easier for her to learn Eumyang Singong.
It was a question asked by Namgung Ho after looking far into the future.
However, a shadow instantly fell over Hong Seol’s tiny face.
“Ah… I-I… have a body that can’t use internal energy.”
After speaking, Hong Seol lowered her head deeply.
Namgung Ho realized his mistake.
Looking at the helpless expression on her face, he could imagine the child having suffered scorn her entire life because she could not accumulate internal energy.
Hong Seol knew nothing. She had no idea what kind of martial artist Namgung Ho wished to raise her into.
She had not even properly adapted to the Namgung Clan yet. It was too early to talk about the future.
‘…I said something unnecessary.’
Damn it! You impatient old mutt!
It felt as though he could hear Dang Imu’s scolding voice from somewhere.
“I made a mistake. It seems even pure martial arts cannot restrain an old man’s foolishness. Please forgive me.”
At those words, Hong Seol looked up in surprise. After thinking for a moment, she answered maturely,
“I’ll forgive you. Because Grandfather is my benefactor.”
Seeing Hong Seol acting like an adult, a smile naturally escaped Namgung Ho’s lips.
Thankfully, it seemed he had avoided being hated forever by the baby kitten.
“But instead, there’s one favor I’d like to ask.”
Hong Seol looked at him with a resolute expression. Judging from how she kept clenching and unclenching her tiny hands, she was extremely nervous despite her expression.
“You see….”
What could she possibly want to say that made her hesitate so much?
Namgung Ho’s fierce-looking face filled with curiosity. Hong Seol took a deep breath before opening her cherry-like little lips.
“Could I work as a maid in the Namgung Clan?”
She said it!
Hong Seol nervously examined Namgung Ho’s expression.
For some reason, his face was becoming fiercer in real time. Judging by his expression alone, he looked less like the Taesang Gaju of the Namgung Clan and more like someone from the Black Dao faction.
“That will not do.”
At the firm refusal, Hong Seol’s eyes shook.
The disappointed child was just about to lower her head when—
Namgung Ho’s voice rang out.
“You are not here as a maid, but as a guest of the Taesang Gaju of the Namgung Clan. How could I possibly make someone like you do menial labor?”
“A guest? Then does that mean… I’m allowed to stay here?”
“Of course. Since I have decided it, no one in the Namgung Clan would dare object. You may stay here as long as you wish.”
A warm smile spread across Namgung Ho’s face. In response, the tension in Hong Seol’s expression melted away like spring.
‘I did it!’
Hong Seol’s cheeks turned rosy.
Ever since learning she had nowhere to return to, Hong Seol had been anxious the entire time.
The fear of ending up alone on the streets melted away in relief.
‘Now as long as nobody discovers I’m a cat beastkin….’
At least for the time being, she could live under a roof. She would not have to starve every meal. That alone made Hong Seol overwhelmingly grateful.
“You there.”
Namgung Ho called to a maid who had come to clear the table.
“Wash this child and dress her in new silk clothes. She is a guest staying at Changcheongak.”
The maid, who had bowed with her hands clasped, widened her eyes.
“But to make new silk clothes fitted for the young lady, it will take at least three days, Taesang Gaju-nim.”
“Isn’t there ‘that outfit’?”
“Pardon?”
The maid’s face turned pale after hearing Namgung Ho’s words. But she could not disobey the stern command of the Taesang Gaju.
“I will prepare it as you command.”
The maid respectfully bowed and extended her hand toward Hong Seol.
“I shall escort you, Young Lady.”
“Ah.”
Hong Seol unconsciously hid her hands behind her back.
It reminded her of Cheongok, the maid from the Myoga Clan. Saying young Hong Seol walked too slowly, Cheongok would often snatch her hand without warning.
Once Cheongok grabbed her hand, Hong Seol had to hurry along until it felt like her legs would tear apart. Sometimes, Cheongok would suddenly squeeze her hand painfully as well.
‘Scary!’
That was why Hong Seol could not carelessly take the maid’s hand, even if it was not Cheongok’s.
“Young Lady?”
“Y-yes….”
Only after being urged once more did Hong Seol cautiously extend her hand. Soon, she felt her tiny fingers being gently wrapped.
The hand of the Namgung Clan maid was unexpectedly warm and soft.
“Then, shall we go?”
The two slowly walked through the corridors of Changcheongak.
She did not suddenly squeeze Hong Seol’s hand painfully, nor yank her forward telling her to walk faster. She simply smiled kindly whenever their eyes met.
“I am Maeran, a maid belonging to Changcheongak. Please feel free to call me comfortably.”
Hong Seol could not answer and only blinked. The sight of a maid treating her respectfully felt unfamiliar.
Would Maeran’s attitude suddenly change once they turned the corner and Grandfather Namgung Ho was no longer visible?
Her tiny chest filled with worry.
“The residence where Young Lady will stay is just ahead. We only need to walk a little farther.”
“Yes.”
Suppressing the anxiety that kept threatening to spill out, Hong Seol quietly followed where Maeran led her.
