Chapter 62
Soso recounted the events with Sau.
There was only one thing she left out: that Sau had wrapped his arms around her waist and acted seductively.
‘There’s no way I could ever confess that.’
After hearing the story, Jegal Haesu’s expression grew serious.
The image of him as a somewhat clueless young master, always flashing a charming smile and greedy for money, had completely vanished.
“I cannot trust this Sau fellow. An expert whose identity is unknown… isn’t that far too dangerous?”
Namgung Jin also agreed.
“When he silently battled at the herb market, I wasn’t certain we could defeat him. He is strong. That makes him even more suspicious.”
“Of course, I don’t fully trust Sau either,” Soso said.
Though she said it, she didn’t dislike Sau. Somehow, he reminded her of Master Eonwoo.
Just thinking about that Master Eonwoo made her heart flutter and ache at the same time.
Since awakening at Mannyeonseolsam, she hadn’t met a single person like him. That’s why Sau’s presence felt strangely meaningful.
Of course, Sau was a cold and fearsome absolute master, but in conversation, he had an oddly endearing side.
Particularly impressive was the time he brought her some sweets.
However, she couldn’t let Sau off just out of sentiment.
As Namgung Jin said, he was far too strong for someone of uncertain origin, making it impossible to fully trust him.
What if the events at the Namgung family repeated themselves?
What if Namgung Jin or Jegal Haesu were injured?
That could not happen.
“But how do we make Sau fall back?”
“First, we need to find out why he wants to follow our journey. Once we know, we either remove that reason or come up with another excuse to make him retreat.”
“Brother Namgung, whoever your sibling is, you’re really smart.”
“I’m an only child.”
“Then… which brother am I talking to?”
Jegal Haesu teased Soso as she looked at him.
“And I also worry that Sau might act like Mu-myeong. What if he pretends to be kind, only to betray us at a critical moment?”
Ah, right—Myeong.
Soso finally asked about Myeong’s whereabouts.
“Have you met Myeong?”
“Yes. He returned to the inn on his own. He couldn’t come all the way here, so I left him there.”
“That child alone… shouldn’t we bring him here?”
“Since you’re here, bringing Myeong along isn’t a bad idea.”
Jegal Haesu looked intently at Namgung Jin.
“I thought my legs would give out from running straight to Yangyang without rest. Meanwhile, Great Hero Samanryong didn’t even seem to pant. Truly remarkable. Truly the young master of the Namgung family.”
“…Hmm.”
At the sudden praise, Namgung Jin’s lips curled slightly.
“The future of the Great Namgung family looks bright. With such a powerful master as young master, isn’t it a blessing for the family?”
“Hmm!”
Namgung Jin’s lips curled further!
“The great young master will dash to the end in a flash! He could bring Mu-myeong back very easily.”
Namgung Jin’s lips fully lifted!
“You ask so earnestly, I can’t refuse. Very well, Jegal Haesu, I will bring Myeong here.”
“Oh, thank you, sir.”
“That cheeky brat…”
Even though Namgung Jin knew he had been tricked, he didn’t scold Jegal Haesu.
He secretly liked her devotion, even if it was just a tiny bit.
“Baek Sojeo, I’ll be back soon. While I’m gone, be careful. If danger arises, call Daeu.”
“Daeu Daehyup is here too?”
“Yes. While performing a secret mission trailing Mu-myeong, he noticed the child’s unusual movements and followed him. Daeu is also the one who informed us about Yangyang.”
Ah…!
So it was Daeu who had been following Sau.
“You weren’t badly hurt, right?”
“No, don’t worry.”
“But why did Myeong kidnap me?”
This time, Jegal Haesu answered.
“He thought you were really Doraji and wanted to sell it to buy you some sweets. That rascal—he didn’t even realize it was you!”
“But… did he really not know it was me?”
“Are you worried about that?”
Namgung Jin tilted his head.
“Our eyes met.”
“Huh?”
“Even though his eyelids were lowered, when I fell under the table, it felt like our eyes met. It was strange and eerie. After that, he quickly grabbed me like a flying squirrel.”
At Soso’s confession, the two men looked genuinely surprised.
“What do you think, Brother Namgung? Can Mu-myeong see ahead?”
Namgung Jin firmly shook his head.
“He cannot. I didn’t see him observing through any trick.”
“What on earth is Myeong?”
Soso also wondered about Myeong’s identity. Was it really all because of sweets?
Determined, Soso declared:
“We need to find out Myeong’s true identity.”
“Huh?”
“Yes?”
“There’s a nearby Mudang faction. Let’s go ask them about Myeong’s identity, and also seek their head about Sau’s affairs.”
The head of the Mudang faction, Kwon Wang Myeongheo.
Like Namgung Seonyul, he was considered one of the Seven Greatest Masters, and rumors said Myeongheo was even stronger than Namgung Seonyul.
“If it’s him, he will see what we cannot,” Soso was certain.
“Baek Sojeo! What a good suggestion. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You’re slow-witted, but our Sam is smart. Since he came up with a good idea, he can have more dumplings.”
“You just called me ‘sir’ a moment ago, didn’t you?”
“A person’s heart can change as quickly as flipping a palm. Didn’t you realize that now?”
The two men stared at each other as if waiting for a fight.
‘Will their eyes end up meeting…?’
Soso could not admit it honestly and laughed awkwardly.
“Hahaha…”
Leaving the inn, Sau slowly walked along the street where he had been with Baek Sam.
Throughout the walk, her figure lingered in his mind.
When she was reading the surroundings, she had held her breath as if imitating him.
Recalling how intently she had concentrated made his heart flutter slightly.
‘Why is this happening? Am I going mad?’
He hadn’t used martial arts, yet it felt strange.
However, the stirring in his heart lasted only an instant, and he calmed himself as if it were an illusion.
Sau stopped thinking about her and focused on the people following him from the moment he stepped out of the inn.
With a smirk on one side of his lips, he entered the dark alley.
He walked to the end of the alley and flourished his long robe.
“Come out.”
