Chapter 5 …

The Outer Court

The tightly shut door that had never once been opened slowly swung open, and a small child stepped out.

“Young Master!? Is there… something you need?”

Hyun-ah, who had been standing at the entrance of the detached residence, hurriedly rose to her feet and asked. I lightly shook my head.

“I don’t need anything. I was just feeling a little stifled, so I’d like to look around outside.”

“Outside…?”

For the past three days, the child had never once left the residence.

The only people who had visited him were Chief Steward Heo and herself, so it was only natural that he would feel confined. However, permission to leave had not yet been granted by the elders of the family.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll ask the Deputy Chief Steward first.”

Just as Hyun-ah turned to leave, I reached out and lightly caught her wrist.

“Ah!?”

“It’s alright. I’m only going to look around nearby. I won’t go far.”

“But I still have to report it to the higher-ups…”

“If you’re worried, why don’t you guide me yourself?”

“Ah… then I’ll accompany you.”

Following Hyun-ah, who quickly hurried ahead, I leisurely began to walk.

The Inner Residence, located within the Inner Court.

The moment we left the Rear Learning Hall where the direct descendants stayed, the atmosphere changed.

A breeze carrying the scent of pine mixed with the smell of steel flowed through the corridors, while the buildings stood in perfect order.

‘That should be the Council Hall where the family’s important matters are decided. And beside it must be the Patriarch’s Hall.’

I had already memorized every detail of the layout of the Zhuge Family estate.

But actually walking through it was another matter.

I needed to personally confirm the distances, the walls, and even the angles of every line of sight.

“It’s quite peaceful.”

“Yes. The Inner Court is inhabited only by the Patriarch and the direct bloodline, so very few people come and go.”

“I see.”

“This area is the Inner Residential Pavilion. The Second Madam also resides there. Over there is the Banquet Hall…”

Hyun-ah continued explaining.

I nodded while taking in the scenery of the estate.

Even so, my gaze naturally drifted toward the Patriarch’s Hall standing proudly at the center.

‘Are those the guards at the entrance?’

Even at a glance, they radiated formidable strength.

If someone recklessly rushed in, they would be subdued before they could even raise a hand.

‘Not that I ever intended to do that from the start.’

A Fourth-Class Assassin was different from an ordinary assassin.

Having been painstakingly trained, their foremost objective was to infiltrate the heart of a clan or sect and be acknowledged as one of its own.

In other words, they did not choose methods like hiding inside a bedroom to launch a surprise attack or stabbing someone in the back.

‘Besides, I haven’t even learned assassination arts.’

This was a place filled with masters who had cultivated profound martial arts.

Even Zhuge Sang had reached the realm of Creation (Johwa) and stood among the Ten Greatest Masters Under Heaven.

If I had practiced martial arts steeped in killing intent, I would have been exposed the moment I stepped into the Zhuge Family.

‘That’s why they trained me only in taking lives.’

Memories from the Corpse Blood Valley flashed through my mind.

The days spent desperately struggling to survive.

The eyes of children slowly consumed by madness and mercilessness.

It was then—

As those thoughts lingered, we arrived at a small pond tucked away in one corner of the estate.

Several people stood upon the Moon Bridge stretching across the pond.

Young maids, and at the very center, a little girl.

‘Who is that?’

As I paused to look, Hyun-ah quietly explained.

“Ah, that’s Young Miss Seol-ah, your younger sister.”

Zhuge Seol-ah.

The treasured jewel of the Zhuge Family.

The biological daughter of the Second Madam, Lady Jin—and someone I needed to pay close attention to.

‘She resembles her mother.’

She was an eight-year-old girl, two years younger than me.

Her arms and legs had yet to fully mature, and her hair danced freely in the breeze, but her eyes alone shone like polished jade—the unmistakable eyes of the Zhuge Family.

Counting the carp gliding across the water, she lightly kicked the bridge with the tips of her feet.

“Would you like to greet her?”

At Hyun-ah’s suggestion, I shook my head.

“Another time.”

“Ah, yes. Then let’s go this way.”

Just as we turned to leave—

“Young Miss!”

“You mustn’t run in the Inner Court!”

Urgent cries rang out from the maids across the pond.

Hyun-ah and I instinctively turned our heads.

The Zhuge Seol-ah who should have remained on the bridge was now running along the pond toward us.

There was no need to wonder who her destination was.

After running right up to me, the little girl caught her breath.

“Huff… huff… I finally found you.”

With those words, I realized.

She had been waiting for me.

“Hello! I’m Zhuge Seol-ah!”

“…”

It was a radiant smile.

One I had never encountered in my life.

It shone like sunlight reflected upon calm water.

Was this simply what it meant to be the treasured daughter of a great family?

When I remained silent, Seol-ah spoke again.

“They said you’re my big brother now?”

“Young Miss! You can’t call your big brother ‘you.’ You have to speak respectfully!”

“Huh? Really?!”

The woman who appeared to be Seol-ah’s maid hurriedly corrected her.

I nodded, indicating that it was alright.

“My name is Muyeon. I look forward to getting along with you.”

At my polite greeting, Seol-ah’s lips curved like a drawn bow.

“They said you’re ten years old? You’re about the same height as me, so I thought we were friends.”

“…”

Why would she say that?

Everywhere in the Central Plains, it was common knowledge that girls matured faster than boys during childhood.

“Is that so.”

“Anyway, nice to meet you, Third Brother.”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“But why do you talk like First Brother? You’re so little.”

“…”

My heart skipped a beat.

Inside the Council Hall…

Before the Patriarch…

Even before the Chief Steward…

My composure had never wavered.

Even when Lady Jin cut open her own arm to reveal the Bloodline Mark, I had not reacted in the slightest.

And yet…

‘My unwavering heart is shaken… because of nothing more than an eight-year-old child?’

Commander of the White Guard of the Martial Alliance.

An assassin who had been trained to perfection.

No matter where I was, controlling my emotions was second nature.

I quietly steadied my breathing and suppressed the stirring within.

‘So this is truly a daughter of the Zhuge Family.’

At that moment, the maid hurried over and covered Seol-ah’s mouth.

“Young Miss, I told you to show proper respect to your elder brother!”

“Ah, right!”

She was only an innocent child.

There was no need to assign any meaning to her words.

“I have somewhere to be, so I’ll be going now.”

“Okay! Bye, Brother! Next time let’s watch the carp together!”

I simply gave a slight nod before leaving.

Hyun-ah quickly caught up beside me.

“Young Miss Seol-ah is still very young. She’s also been raised as the family’s precious treasure.”

“So it seems.”

“And Young Master… you’re not that small.”

I stopped in my tracks.

Hyun-ah still wore a smile, evidently finding the earlier exchange amusing.

“I know.”

“Ah… yes…”

Without saying anything further, I resumed walking.

I’ll avoid interacting with that child whenever possible.

That was the thought that crossed my mind.

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After walking for quite some time alongside the long outer wall,

we finally passed through a massive gate.

The atmosphere immediately changed.

‘It’s an ordinary day, yet it’s bustling.’

Servants hurried back and forth.

Scholars carried stacks of books.

Most noticeable of all were the Zhuge Family martial artists with swords at their waists.

Two guards stood watch at the boundary separating the Outer Court from the Inner Court.

When Hyun-ah greeted them, they merely nodded before briefly looking me over from the corners of their eyes.

Without saying a word, they returned their gaze forward.

News of my existence had likely spread throughout the family during the past three days.

In other words, they had no intention of greeting me.

“This way, Young Master.”

“Yes.”

With that, we began walking through the Outer Court.

The Medical Hall, where medicine was researched and injured martial artists were treated.

The Formation Department, where mechanisms and formations were studied.

Throughout the vast Outer Court, not a single person greeted me.

To put it simply—

I was being treated as though I didn’t exist.

‘Exactly as I expected.’

A stone that had suddenly rolled into the family had become a direct descendant.

To the collateral members who also bore the Zhuge surname and the family’s martial artists, such a development could hardly be welcome.

Moreover, the greater the clan, the less everything revolved solely around bloodline.

Everyone had their own faction.

Their own alliances.

Calculations for power were as natural as breathing.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

The reason I was here had nothing to do with earning their acknowledgment or goodwill.

‘I only need to accomplish what has been decided and leave beyond these walls once again.’

That alone was both the only way for me to survive and the creed engraved into me over countless years.

Until that day arrived…

I merely had to live as though I truly belonged to the Zhuge Family.

Clang. Clang.

Before long, the sound of weapons colliding echoed through the air.

As if drawn toward it, I turned my head.

Hyun-ah spoke cautiously.

“That area is where the Martial Hall and the training grounds are located.”

“Let’s have a look.”

“Ah, but that area is still… Young Master!”

Ignoring her concern, I walked ahead.

The moment we passed through the gate,

a wide training ground spread before us.

Martial artists stood at fixed intervals across the packed earth.

There was no noise.

No laughter.

No shouting.

Only discipline, hanging in the air itself.

‘So this is the Zhuge Family’s martial arts.’

Every movement had been stripped of unnecessary killing intent.

There was only efficiency—

And motions made with the next move already in mind.

‘Just as I remember. These must be one of the Zhuge Family’s martial divisions.’

Each and every one of them was a capable expert.

Different from the Valley Master and instructors I had constantly faced while being raised as an assassin in Heukmyeong—

Yet powerful all the same.

Even without examining them closely, I could sense sturdy and pure qi flowing from them.

‘Just like the martial artists of the Jin Family.’

Back when I belonged to the Martial Alliance, I had already witnessed the Zhuge Family’s martial arts.

I had even spent nearly two years studying their martial manuals.

But merely imitating them and truly learning their authentic techniques and forms were entirely different matters.

‘And since these are the martial arts I’ll soon be learning myself, observing them in advance isn’t a bad idea.’

I remained completely absorbed in the scene.

Then—

One of the men standing near the edge of the training grounds noticed me and tilted his head.

Holding a wooden practice sword, he strode toward me.

Only when he drew close did I clearly see his face.

A youth who still retained traces of boyishness despite nearing adulthood.

“Who are you? Who dares stand here and spy on our training?”

His tone was sharp and openly hostile.

Just as I was considering how to answer, Hyun-ah stepped forward first.

“My respects, Second Young Master.”

The Zhuge Family’s second son.

Zhuge Jun.

In other words—

The one who would become my elder brother.

“So it’s Hyun-ah. Fine, then you answer instead. Who is this child wandering around the family grounds as he pleases?”

“Well… this person is—”

Before Hyun-ah could finish speaking, I stepped forward.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elder Brother. I am the third son, Muyeon.”

The moment I said “third son,” Zhuge Jun’s eyebrows twitched.

Blatant displeasure surfaced across his face.

Resting the wooden sword on his shoulder, he let out a mocking laugh.

“The third son, Muyeon… I don’t recall having such a younger brother. Ah! So you’re the ‘dog’ the family picked up recently.”

Only then did I fully understand the attitudes of the martial artists and servants.

Orders had likely already been passed down throughout the family as though they were law.

“Yes, Elder Brother. I am indeed that Muyeon.”

“…”

I accepted the insult calmly.

My reaction caused the corners of Zhuge Jun’s lips to twist upward.

“Your words are polite, but your eyes aren’t. Those dead-fish eyes of yours are full of other thoughts.”

He glanced at Hyun-ah before continuing.

“By the way, why is this raised dog here at the training grounds?”

“Th-That’s…”

“Don’t tell me you’re the one who brought him here?”

“I’m sorry, Young Master. I was only…”

Hyun-ah repeatedly bowed her head.

I silently watched the scene.

Soon, Zhuge Jun’s gaze returned to me.

“Are you thinking of learning martial arts?”

“If I’m given the opportunity, that is indeed my intention.”

“A mere raised dog wants to learn the Zhuge Family’s martial arts…”

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then Zhuge Jun chuckled.

“Very well. Then I’ll teach you a lesson.”

His expression looked playful.

But there wasn’t the slightest trace of laughter in his eyes.

“Follow me.”

The instant he turned his back, Hyun-ah hurriedly grabbed my arm.

“Young Master, you can’t! If you follow the Second Young Master, something terrible will happen!”

I answered only with a faint smile.

“Elder Brother is personally offering to teach me. Refusing would be discourteous, wouldn’t it?”

“But…”

“Nothing will happen.”

 

After saying those few words, I walked toward the center of the training grounds.