Chapter 124
“Grandfather!”
I ran straight back that instant.
The warriors who had been with me accompanied me.
All I could think of was that I had to inform Grandfather and Father immediately. An intruder had entered the Cheondok Forest!
If this became known to outsiders, it would be laughed at. Moreover, that man was no ordinary fighter.
He didn’t even feel like a master of Baekdo. The chilling sensation I had felt when facing him still ran vividly along my arm.
“Biya.”
The doors of Yongyeon Hall opened, and Grandfather turned to look at me. The Chief Commander, who had been talking with him, was also inside the hall.
Grandfather asked, with a puzzled expression:
“What has you running here in such a hurry?”
He rubbed my cheek with the sleeve of his robe. The touch was warm and pleasant, but now wasn’t the time to simply enjoy Grandfather’s gentle care.
“Grandfather, I saw a strange man in the Cheondok Forest.”
“A strange man?”
“Yes. Even the Tanggong members can’t enter the Sahwawon without a pass, but there was an intruder inside.”
Maybe because I had run so fast, my breath came in short, uneven gasps. I carefully continued speaking to prevent my words from breaking.
“He was definitely an intruder. I checked with the caretaker about everyone who entered today. The only person with a pass entering the Cheondok Forest was me.”
“Do you remember his appearance?”
“To be honest, I don’t remember clearly, but he looked young. Tall, with horizontal eyes. And… he was incredibly strong.”
I recalled the moment I had stood before that man.
The instant when I realized that even if I threw every single sword I had, none would be able to harm him.
Naturally, that memory stirred excitement within me.
But it wasn’t the kind of excitement that made me happy.
It was the kind that comes from replaying a near-death, life-or-death moment—an excitement born from relief at having survived.
“He was incredibly strong. I could feel it. If he had made a move, I would have died without even knowing it!”
Grandfather’s mouth closed as I shouted, my voice trembling with excitement. Perhaps thinking it was best to calm me first, he patted my shoulder.
“It’s alright, Biya. Calm yourself for a moment.”
“Yes…”
“Did the man escape?”
His next question wasn’t for me but for those standing behind me.
The warriors of the Tanggong bowed their heads, looking apologetic.
“When we heard the young lady’s signal horn and rushed over, the intruder was already gone. We searched the nearby area, but he was skilled enough that we couldn’t even trace where he went. We even sent out the martens to track him, but they couldn’t find any sign of him either.”
They showed expressions of frustration.
“First, we are confirming whether anything went missing inside the Cheondok Forest. If anything is discovered missing, we’ll investigate using that information. We will capture him as soon as possible.”
“If he entered the Cheondok Forest, startled my granddaughter, evaded all pursuit, and exited calmly, he’s no ordinary man.”
Grandfather said.
“But he must be caught. Whatever it takes, we must find him.”
“Yes, Head of the House!”
“Chief Commander, summon the artist.”
Grandfather held my shoulder and looked down at me, locking eyes with me.
“Biya, before you forget his face, have a portrait made of him. A skilled artist will help you.”
I nodded.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Whoever he is, we will catch him. So don’t worry.”
“Yes.”
“Did he attack you?”
“No, he didn’t harm me. But when he looked at me, he said, ‘You guessed wrong,’ Grandfather.”
“Guessed wrong?”
“He stared at me for a while and said he felt nothing from me. I think he was looking for someone in the Cheondok Forest.”
At that moment, Grandfather’s expression hardened.
‘Does he know something?’
I instinctively stepped back. I had never seen Grandfather wear such a terrifying expression before—only when giving severe orders to the Tanggong.
“Grandfather…?”
“I will investigate that matter. For now, do not go to the Cheondok Forest. I will inform the Sahwawon.”
“Yes, I will do as you say.”
“Why did you go to the Cheondok Forest?”
“I wanted a place where I could play the flute without being disturbed.”
The Cheondok Forest was perfect for that, but because of an intruder whose identity was unknown, my peaceful space had been taken away.
“Will he come again?”
“Anyone who has come once can come again. But measures must be taken so that he cannot enter again.”
Grandfather spoke to the Chief Commander.
“Summon the Twelve Poison Flowers. I have a special task for them.”
“Yes, Head of the House.”
He left to summon the artist and the Twelve Poison Flowers.
I calmed myself in Grandfather’s arms a little longer before leaving Yongyeon Hall and heading toward Dokryonggak, where my father was.
I intended to inform Father of the incident immediately.
When I told Father that an intruder had entered the Cheondok Forest, his expression stiffened.
He seemed slightly relieved that I hadn’t been harmed, but still, he worried, holding me and turning me around to check that I was fine before letting go.
“Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. He didn’t touch me at all.”
But why did he behave that way?
Looking back now, it seemed strange.
He had intruded yet hadn’t harmed the witness and simply escaped. Normally, intruders would kill any witnesses.
Did he refrain because I was too young?
‘Ugh, how could anyone know what a madman thinks?’
Father caressed my cheek with his large, thick hand. The pressure made my eyes squint slightly.
“It’s fortunate you weren’t hurt. Our Cheondok Forest contains all kinds of deadly poisons, and only a fool would think of entering…”
“He must be insane.”
“Yes, insane… Where did you learn that word?”
Father pinched my cheek slightly as he rubbed it. I squeezed my eyes shut at his playful pinch.
“Ouch! That hurts!”
“You are still a young one to use rough words. Don’t say things like that.”
“Ah… okay, Father.”
“That’s my good girl.”
Father finally released his hand from my cheek after I obediently responded.
I rubbed my cheek and glanced at what Father had been observing.
It was the evaluation reports submitted by the instructors of Dokryonggak, detailing the abilities of each member of the Dokryongdan.
The instructors were required to submit evaluation reports every seven days, and Father compiled these monthly into reports for Grandfather.
This was one of those reports Father was reviewing.
“You were reading the Dokryongdan evaluation reports?”
“Yes, I’m ranking them.”
Father put away the reports, which had been stacked like a mountain.
“You haven’t sparred with each other yet, so you probably haven’t heard of your ranking.”
I nodded.
I had joined Dokryonggak and become a member of Dokryongdan at age ten. Now, a year had passed.
However, the instructors, including Father, had not forced us to spar or give rankings. They believed that establishing rankings too early would lower morale rather than encourage competition.
“But that’s no longer the case. Soon, you will spar with the other members. The match schedule will be released.”
“Are you telling only me?”
“I already told Muyeon as well.”
Muyeon was another Dokryongdan member, two years older than me, and part of a branch of the Tang family.
“Good, I was worried I’d be the only one told in advance.”
“No, she probably informed the others too.”
Father then lifted his head and looked at me.
He smiled at me with eyes that seemed to know exactly what I was worrying about.
“If you were worried that only you might receive special treatment, don’t. Your father knows the difference between public and private matters.”
