Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Boredom at the Gates
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“Yawn…….”
Leaning against the wall beside the wide-open main gate of Yu Clan Manor, Guard Huang yawned widely, bored out of his mind.
“Why don’t you just head in and rest? We’ve got this covered.”
“……”
Guard Huang shook his head at the words of the guard O Gyeong standing beside him.
“It’s the Patriarch’s orders. How could I take them lightly?”
“Man, you’re loyal to a fault. The Patriarch went too far this time. They say even the Emperor gets cursed when he’s not around— who in Yu Clan Manor hasn’t grumbled about the Young Master at least once?”
“Hey now, enough of that. It’s irreverent.”
“You and your ‘irreverent, irreverent.’ You wear that word on your sleeve. Someone who knows it so well ended up like this?”
“……”
A dull ache in his bones made Guard Huang bristle, but he shut his mouth and sighed instead.
He was right. He’d been demoted.
From personal guard to the Young Master Yu Hyun to front gate sentry.
All because he’d carelessly muttered his true feelings—and of all people, Yu Seong-hwan had overheard.
The Grand Steward Dam Cheon-u had patted his back and told him to endure until the Patriarch’s mood improved, but that didn’t make the boredom any easier to bear.
Blame it on Anpyeong County living up to its name a little too well.
Why? Yu Clan Manor, of course.
The entire area around Anpyeong County was Yu Clan Manor territory.
Every hill and field—even the ants crawling through them—belonged to the clan. Merchant houses, escort agencies, martial arts schools, academies—everything was under their ownership.
Even if they tried to give land away, folks preferred the clan over the officials and refused. Farmers begged to hand over their plots and work as tenants.
With the whole district like that, no spot was free from Yu Clan Manor ties—not even room for a toehold.
And with no one mistreating travelers, the main gate stayed wide open. The two guards posted to greet guests rotated with villagers for extra pocket money—it was practically a part-time gig.
In a place where people policed themselves, what threat could there be?
Even if there was one, who’d be crazy enough to mess with the household under the Emperor’s protection?
No wonder Guard Huang squirmed with itchiness.
At least back in Hwiam Hall, trailing after Yu Hyun had its amusements……
“By the way, I heard the Young Master’s been learning martial arts lately?”
“That’s right.”
“Would you look at that—he’s full of surprises. After chasing off all those scholars, I figured he’d sworn off learning altogether, but here he is picking up martial arts.”
“Seems serious this time.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Mr. Three-Minutes-No-More, or should I say Three-Seconds-No-More……”
O Gyeong shook his head in disbelief.
“Hmm, but maybe he’s got real talent for it.”
“Talent?”
“That’s how it looks to me.”
Guard Huang stroked his chin, recalling Yu Hyun’s movements at the river that day.
“……That’s unexpected. Coming from you, Guard Huang, a former Dali Temple Censor no less. Guess there really is something to him.”
“Heh heh, where do you think that blood comes from?”
“True enough. But isn’t the Patriarch more versed in scholarship?”
“Sure, but it’s all connected in the end. Martial arts take brains too—if you’re dim, enlightenment doesn’t come easy.”
“I see.”
“I laughed it off at first, but seeing him shed the weight so ruthlessly changed my mind.”
“……”
“Maybe the Young Master’ll really sit for the military exam. You know, that gut feeling?”
“Huh? Not heading into the jianghu? I thought learning martial arts made you a martial artist……”
“Hey! What jianghu?”
“……”
“What’s Yu Clan Manor? A family with deep official roots. Military exam, obviously. Even if he stubbornly insists on the jianghu, you think the Patriarch would allow it? Martial folk start as wanderers and end up nameless corpses—that’s their lot.”
“Hmm, fair point. The Patriarch’s stubborn enough to make second place cry, so no way he’d send the Young Master to a brutal place like that.”
“Stubborn? It’s his unparalleled spirit. The man who staked his neck arguing with the Emperor to save me and my family from treason charges. I can still see him standing tall amid armed soldiers, spine straight as he remonstrated.”
“What a man.”
“Damn right. To me, he’s someone I’d repay even in death.”
“Come on, you’re not the only one. Everyone in Anpyeong County feels that way. Our full bellies are all thanks to his grace.”
“Heh heh, true. Our Young Master needs to grow into someone worthy of that reputation……”
Guard Huang nodded at O Gyeong’s words, then suddenly turned his head, tilting it in puzzlement.
Someone approached with a familiar gait.
A waddling, bow-legged shuffle with zero balance.
Forcing his hands behind his back despite the fat making it awkward—it was none other than Yu Hyun heading for the gate.
“Huh? Young Master?”
“Settling into the demotion alright?”
Spotting Guard Huang, Yu Hyun waved and asked.
“Well, aside from the boredom, it’s the easiest job in the world.”
“Sounds like you’re saying bodyguard duty was a hassle.”
“Haha, n-no way. The pay’s too good……”
“Pays well for doing nothing, yeah.”
Yu Hyun winked teasingly, and Guard Huang chuckled awkwardly before asking,
“Where you off to?”
“Out for some air.”
“Air? Isn’t it training time?”
“My brother-in-law’s in no shape to teach right now.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Probably being wheeled into the infirmary about now.”
“Wheeled?!”
Yu Hyun grinned mischievously at the baffling words, and Guard Huang shot back in disbelief.
Dam Cheon-u in the infirmary? What nonsense?
“His nose is likely broken. Won’t wake up for half a day, I’d say.”
“……?”
Yu Hyun kindly elaborated, but Guard Huang’s expression hadn’t budged.
“What the hell did you do to hurt him that bad?”
“We sparred.”
“……With who.”
“Me.”
Guard Huang stared blankly at Yu Hyun.
This Young Master’s been spouting nothing but nonsense……
“Anyway, gonna take a loop around the village for once. Keep that in mind.”
“……Without an escort?”
“Need one?”
“Well……”
No need.
Who in Anpyeong County would harm him……?
Watching Yu Hyun saunter off, Guard Huang belatedly questioned his earlier words.
What did the Young Master just say?
They sparred, and the Grand Steward’s nose broke, landing him in the infirmary?
“……Nah, joke’s a joke.”
Dismissing it as overthinking, he shook his head—when suddenly, the memory of Yu Hyun’s movements from before flashed in his mind.
……No way, right?
What was Dam Cheon-u? A true master, that’s what.
Never fought him, but as a former Dali Temple Censor who’d handled perilous missions, Guard Huang knew the Grand Steward’s skills wouldn’t fall short.
Beating a guy like that after just ten days? Absurd.
Unless it was a sneak attack or drugged tea……
And the Young Master he’d known was exactly the type.
“Man, he’s hopeless sometimes. Already slacking off…… Sigh, still, ten days is impressive. Yeah, pretty good.”
Chuckling and shaking his head, Guard Huang stretched and stepped inside the gate.
“Young Master said the Grand Steward’s in the infirmary?”
Whatever, better report the whereabouts to avoid trouble.
Waving to the other guards, Guard Huang headed for the infirmary.
* * *
Meanwhile, Yu Hyun strolled down Anpyeong County’s main road.
The street, unchanged from his transplanted memories, brimmed with peace after two months indoors.
Old men puffed pipes on a roadside bench, playing go, while children laughed and scampered about.
Life’s woes wrinkled most faces, yet not one here lacked a smile.
Following their cheer along the road warmed his heart.
Savoring the rare leisure, he passed the inns and reached the bustling market street lined with stalls—when
“Huh? Wait, huh?”
“……?”
Passersby double-took at Yu Hyun, tilting heads before eyes widening.
“Yeah, it’s him. The Young Master.”
“…….”
“What in the world? You’ve slimmed down so much, and no palanquin—I thought you were someone else!”
“Oh, hello.”
“Goodness, Young Master. No need to honor a wretch like me. Speak casually. It’s awkward.”
“…….”
He politely greeted those who recognized him en route, but they waved it off, flustered.
“Uh, sure……”
Yu Hyun nodded with an awkward smile.
Truth be told, since entering this body, he’d never spoken casually to anyone but Guard Huang.
Even as Jin Wi-gang, he’d been under thirty, and now he was just seventeen.
But the more formally he spoke, the more uncomfortable they got, forcing him casual.
However……
“No way, that’s really the Young Master? He’s walking?”
“For real?”
The greetings didn’t end there.
“Lord almighty, he’s a whole new person.”
“…….”
“Oh, Young Master!”
All along the road, folks approached warmly, fussing over him.
What’s the big deal about walking……
But that wasn’t the problem.
“Young Master, try some of this.”
“Ah, appreciate it, but I’m dieting.”
“Young Master, try this on. Fresh silk, top quality.”
“Haha, custom fits only these days……”
“Young Master, how’s this vase? Made by a famous potter. Perfect for your room.”
“…….”
“Young Master, our forge’s finest dagger, best iron.”
“Young Master……”
“Young……”
“…….”
He’d just been walking, not shopping—yet they piled gifts on him until he couldn’t see.
Even after refusing clothes and food!
“Young……”
“Enough! Stop bringing stuff!”
Overwhelmed by the insistent crowd, Yu Hyun finally yelled,
“Stay back! Just out for a walk! A walk! Nobody come near!”
“Sorry.”
“No apologies either!”
“We just wanted to give the Young Master a little……”
“Don’t need it! Nothing!”
“…….”
These people……
What, ghosts of the giftless haunting them?
They’d beg for stuff instead—why this frenzy to give?
“Youn……”
“Damn it! Back off already?”
He swore and raised a fist on purpose, but no one flinched. Instead, they fretted if they’d upset him.
Damn, those honest faces—he couldn’t yell more. No more carefree walks like this.
Sighing deeply, Yu Hyun called over a burly man, asked him to haul the gifts back to the manor, and sank into thought.
Basic training wrapped up, spar with Dam Cheon-u confirmed his progress.
Left was this damn fat and the Child Ginseng due in four-plus months.
Plans sorted, time to scout succession spots and worldly affairs—but……
“Came for intel, got buried in gifts instead. Hmm, what now.”
He needed views beyond the manor’s besotted fools—objective takes……
“……Guess it’s those guys.”
Recalling the ones everywhere under heaven, he grinned.
“They won’t be on the main road—probably holed up in some alley. Or the abandoned shrine outskirts?”
Destination set, Yu Hyun’s steps veered slowly from the main road into a back alley path.