Chapter 68
Her face felt ticklish, suggesting that Bang-woo’s gaze kept lingering on her.
“…There’s just over an hour left before Hee-myeong’s martial duel begins. Until then, I plan to rest in a quiet place. Will that be alright?”
She nodded slightly, and after a brief silence, Bang-woo spoke again.
“Shall I let you rest your hand on my arm?”
This time, she shook her head and gestured forward, signaling that she would follow if he went ahead.
“How do you expect me to follow when I can’t see ahead?”
“Well.”
Though he showed a hint of doubt, he began moving forward very slowly.
Yeo-il naturally followed behind.
When Bang-woo increased his pace, she did as well. When he suddenly stopped, she halted too. Moving with her eyes closed while following another’s presence was second nature to her, so she felt no discomfort.
But apparently, it wasn’t the same for Bang-woo.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. Right now, I am the one holding Namgung So-jeo’s hand, so don’t be too surprised.”
Then he took Yeo-il’s left hand and placed it on his arm. She was slightly taken aback.
‘His arm is higher than before.’
Bang-woo, naturally muscular, had already possessed a near-perfect warrior’s body when they first met. Now, it seemed he had grown at least two spans taller…
‘A bit taller than Namgung Jeok-myeong, maybe similar to Jin Cheong-ak.’
Before Yeo-il could get lost in her own thoughts, Bang-woo’s voice deepened further, as if interpreting her momentary surprise differently.
“I understand your discomfort. I apologize for being curt on the first day. It’s just my nature not to be very gentle, so please don’t take it to heart.”
It seems like the one bothered is actually you, not me.
After she gave a small nod, Bang-woo began moving at an incredibly, exceedingly, painstakingly slow pace—anyone watching might think he was walking with a five-year-old child.
‘He’s probably unusually cautious because the blind can’t even speak.’
Contrary to appearances, Bang-woo had a compassionate side.
He couldn’t take his eyes off small, fragile creatures and had even taken in several orphaned wild animals.
[Yeon-woo, why didn’t you save it?]
[What?]
[The baby hawk I’ve been caring for since two weeks ago! I don’t know which animal attacked it, but it was beaten and left dead in the snow. You must have heard it crying at the manor…]
[Are you blaming me for that?]
[…No, it’s not that. But I…]
[…]
[You knew I had been caring for it… If only you had gone, just once, to check…]
[…]
[…Bang-woo. Are you crying?]
Though he didn’t sob, there were unmistakably small droplets at the tips of his thick lashes. It was ridiculous.
[…You’re too cold, sir. I know I’m just a burden, but couldn’t you have shown a bit less heartlessness?]
[Why do you say the same things to me that you say to the other brothers?]
[I don’t care what the others say. What matters here is me and you.]
His brothers would have beaten her without flinching, yet here he was, shedding a tiny tear over a single defenseless bird. The more she saw him, the more astonishing he seemed.
[Alright. Next time, I’ll make sure to check.]
[…You promise?]
[Yes.]
[Since I can’t easily trust your word, please write a vow.]
[You’re really troublesome.]
Compared to before, Bang-woo was now more mature and flexible.
Even in his interactions with others, it was evident.
“Bang-woo! I wondered where you disappeared right after the duel… and here you appear with a beauty I’ve never seen? Has your heart suddenly changed? I thought my eyes were deceiving me.”
“Don’t make a fuss over trivial things. Namgung So-jeo will feel uncomfortable.”
The old Bang-woo would have given the other party a severe rebuke, but now he managed it with tact. A huge improvement.
Then, it happened.
“Namgung So-jeo, do you remember my voice?”
A young yet firm voice. The name came to mind immediately.
‘Head of the Sacheon Tang clan, Dang Maeryeong.’
She nodded.
“That’s fortunate. I have a sudden request to convey to So-jeo. Could you spare a moment?”
Before Yeo-il could respond, Bang-woo spoke first.
“That will not be possible, Lord Maeryeong.”
His firm refusal prompted Dang Maeryeong to ask coldly,
“Not possible? What do you mean?”
“I have promised Namgung Hee-myeong to protect Namgung So-jeo. So even if it concerns you, it must be done in my presence.”
Given Dang Maeryeong’s fiery nature, she might have interpreted Bang-woo’s stance as a personal affront.
“…If it’s for protection, then I suppose it cannot be helped.”
Unexpectedly, her response was compliant—proof of the effectiveness of “Gaek-hyeol.”
“Then I shall send a message to Namgung So-jeo in your presence. Is that alright?”
“A message? …Yes, go ahead.”
Another message, really.
[Namgung So-jeo, this may be sudden, but if you’re agreeable, I would like to invite you to the Tang residence.]
“….”
[Don’t worry about the recent incident. It’s not an overt invitation. My birthday feast will be held in early autumn. Attending with the Namgung brothers will not seem out of place.]
There was a reason for sending the message.
“Reason?”
Certainly to request Hong-yu’s antidote.
[…Yes, that’s correct. I’d like your help with producing the antidote.]
As expected.
Yeo-il thought for a moment before responding,
“I’ll think about it.”
[I understand. Naturally, you must deliberate. I promise two things: our clan will ensure nothing harms you, and we will offer the utmost compensation. I hope you conclude positively.]
She nodded.
[…Is it alright?]
She tilted her head.
[Bang-woo says So-jeo seems somewhat uncomfortable. I too can read the tension between a man and a woman.]
Since Yeo-il had been quietly following, the discomfort must have been all Bang-woo’s. What expression had he worn while walking?
[Bang-woo is a remarkable warrior, but from a woman’s perspective… it could be a bit… no, quite difficult. If So-jeo is very uncomfortable, I might call Namgung Jeok-myeong…]
Suddenly, the transmission from Dang Maeryeong was interrupted.
It wasn’t just her. Bang-woo also paused, sensing something urgent.
“A person is dead!”
A panicked voice from somewhere in the Martial Alliance.
“A person… a person is dead! Someone help, it’s more than one!”
Heavy breaths interspersed with the cries. Dang Maeryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“This doesn’t seem related to the martial duel.”
“We need to go and check ourselves.”
“Indeed. I’ll first head to the Alliance Leader. You take care of Namgung So-jeo…”
“I will continue to protect Namgung So-jeo, so it’s fine. Please, Lord Maeryeong… Namgung So-jeo, excuse me.”
Ignoring Dang Maeryeong’s offer, Bang-woo swiftly lifted Yeo-il and began running at high speed.
