Damuk Family Estate (2)
Damuk Jeong stood awkwardly in place, muttering inwardly that he hadn't meant for things to turn out like this, while Yeon couldn't immediately grasp what had just happened to her.
"Urgh...."
Excruciating pain radiated from her cheek, and her left ankle throbbed from what must have been a bad step when she'd rolled across the ground. Pain shot through her fragile little body in various spots besides. When she touched her struck cheek, the skin was swollen like a steamed bun and burning hot as fire. She nearly burst into tears right then but barely held them back, staggering unsteadily to her feet.
Finally regaining her balance, Yeon asked, "May I... go now...?"
"I... It wasn't on purpose..."
"......"
"Argh!"
Damuk Jeong started to make excuses but then glanced at Yeon's cheek, swollen bright red, before whirling away and vanishing downward in a flash. He'd lost his reason in the moment and lashed out, but as the young master of a martial family, he knew full well it was a despicable act to use internal energy against a powerless commoner who knew nothing of martial arts.
Yeon thought inwardly that it was probably for the best. Better that the boy flee from her on his own than for her to waste more time stuck here with him.
But no matter how she tried to frame it positively, enduring the pain wasn't easy. At least the heavy weight of four nyang of silver in her bosom offered some comfort. With this money, she could feed the kids a proper meal.
Clutching her aching cheek and dragging her leg, she started carefully down the mountain when a dignified voice from behind halted her steps.
"Little one."
"...?"
A stranger's voice suddenly rang out in the silent mountain where no one had been before, making Yeon tense up instinctively as she whipped around. In this martial world where law and order were nowhere to be found off the main roads, the appearance of an unfamiliar man was never welcome—especially now, when she carried precious silver on her.
If this man had watched her bet with Damuk Jeong and was just waiting for him to leave before striking, her life was as good as over.
Sensing Yeon's wary gaze, the man seemed to guess her fears and raised both hands placatingly.
"Ah, I'm no suspicious character. I'm the young master's guard."
Yeon examined him closely again, noting the long spear strapped to his back and the deep navy robe distinctive of the Damuk Family warriors she'd seen at their estate gates. The embroidered "Damuk" on his shoulder gleamed in the evening light.
Yeon cautiously performed a po-gwon.
"Greetings to the great hero of the Damuk Family."
"Yes, yes. Come here, child. You look badly hurt."
Pulling some medicine from his bosom, Damuk Hun's eyes filled with pity for the little girl.
That damn brat. He needs to become human before he can become young master. I'll report this to the family head today.
Damuk Hun had been hiding and watching the girl play Go with Damuk Jeong the whole time, planning to step in if the silver ran out and the young master kept bullying her. A few nyang wasn't much to him, and he'd been inwardly amused watching the usually spoiled Damuk Jeong get repeatedly trounced by the girl. But when Damuk Jeong suddenly slapped her cheek, even he froze in shock for a moment before emerging now.
"I'm sorry. I should have stopped it."
No matter how sudden it was, with his skills, he could have easily caught Damuk Jeong's hand. But his mind had been unsettled, his guard down, so he'd failed to react—a lapse even in his duty as guard.
"No, sir. Thank you for your concern."
"Hmm."
Damuk Hun's heart softened further as the girl bowed her head politely.
Though he'd only watched for a day, this girl was far more composed and clever than a typical child. You could tell from how she handled Damuk Jeong, her Go posture, and even her response after taking the hit.
It was only natural for an adult to feel drawn to and fond of such a talented child, so Damuk Hun's words came out gently.
"What's your name?"
"Yeon, sir."
"A fine name. I'm Damuk Hun."
"Greetings to Great Hero Damuk Hun."
It was rare even in the vast Central Plains for a beggar girl to mimic a po-gwon, however clumsily, and greet with proper etiquette.
Damuk Hun turned his back to her.
"Hop on. I'll take you to a physician."
"Ah... I'm fine."
Damuk Hun chuckled playfully at her waving him off.
"What's wrong? You think I'll make you pay for treatment? It's the Damuk Family's fault, so we'll take responsibility."
"That's not it..."
"Then?"
The girl's face flushed as red as her cheek while she hesitated.
"I'm... I'm too dirty. I'm worried I'd soil your clothes, sir... I'll walk."
"...Pardon?"
Damuk Hun stared blankly at Yeon. Her unexpected reply choked him up for a moment, and he stepped closer. Children who matured early and thought of others before themselves could inspire admiration in adults—but sometimes, like now, a poignant sadness too.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Pardon?"
In the next instant, Damuk Hun scooped up her small body and unleashed gyeong-gong.
It was Yeon's first time being carried by a strange man, let alone racing through the air in his arms via gyeong-gong. Of course, Damuk Hun was using a light version since he held a child, but to Yeon, watching trees and scenery whip by, it felt plenty fast.
Her glum mood freshened in the wind, but the pains in her body didn't subside easily.
Tap-
"There. We're here."
It was a physician's that would have taken two full shichen at Yeon's pace, but with gyeong-gong, it was over in moments.
Setting Yeon down, Damuk Hun called out.
"Physician! This is Damuk Hun of the Damuk Family Estate."
"Eh? Coming!"
As a physician in the Damuk Family's sphere of influence, he'd treated their warriors many times, so he rushed out and flung open the door.
"Treat this child, please."
"Huh? What happened to her?"
Alternately eyeing Yeon's obviously slapped-and-swollen cheek and her limping leg, the physician cleared his throat and gave Damuk Hun a suspicious look—an understandable misunderstanding for a healer, but utterly unforeseen for Damuk Hun, who frantically waved his hands.
"No, it wasn't me."
"Then...?"
"Well..."
Damuk Hun's mouth clamped shut. Spoiled or not, the boy was his nephew and the family heir. He couldn't badmouth him. Nor could he lie and claim ignorance, so his voice lacked conviction.
"...Just treat her without asking."
"...Understood."
The physician, who would normally be more deferential, turned his back coldly today and gently took Yeon's hand, leading her inside.
Before vanishing, Yeon turned and bowed, but Damuk Hun, embarrassed, could only wave awkwardly without smiling.
Glancing up at the sky in frustration, now darkening with dusk, he cursed under his breath.
"Damn it. This time, I'll definitely report to the family head."
He'd known of Damuk Jeong's poor conduct even before being assigned as his guard. But rumors and seeing it firsthand were different. Family head Damuk Baekun—his own brother—only indulged the boy without proper discipline, which might explain it. And who better than he to advise his brother and straighten out his nephew?
Creeeak-
Lost in such thoughts, he saw the door open as the physician and Yeon emerged. Her cheek to jaw was wrapped tightly in bandages, and a small splint bound her left ankle.
"No running or jumping for a while, little one."
"Yes, sir."
"None of that 'sir.' Here—ointment and bandages. Change them once a day."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Such manners too. Who'd hit a child like this... Sigh."
Patting Yeon's bowed head, the physician glanced at Damuk Hun, who had no choice but to endure it. It was the Damuk Family's fault; they had to take responsibility.
Forcing a wry smile, Damuk Hun handed over the payment slip.
"Treatment fee."
"Tch. Be careful on your way."
Leaving the dissatisfied physician behind after settling up, Yeon bowed again as soon as they stepped out. She knew manners were the quickest way for a child to earn an adult's favor.
"Thank you."
"No need. I'm the sorry one."
"Then I'll be going."
As Yeon flashed a small smile and turned to leave, Damuk Hun called her back. The sun had set, darkness blanketing the streets, and injured little girls like her could attract even more dangerous types than the gloom.
"Where do you live? I'll escort you."
"I'm fine. You've already risked reprimand because of me—how could I hold my head up?"
"Reprimand?"
Surprised by such an advanced word from a child, Damuk Hun's eyes widened. Who would reprimand him? Reading his expression, Yeon spoke softly, worried she'd offended him.
"You said you were on guard duty... But you left the young master alone, so... you might get in trouble."
"What?"
It was true. He was tasked with protecting the heir, and no matter the reason, he'd abandoned his post midway. Sure, in Anhwi Province, no one dared touch the Damuk heir, so he'd left lightly—but if it was that safe, why assign a guard at all? A warrior on duty should give his all. The girl was right.
Eh, whatever. Hateful brat. Good excuse to ditch guard duty for today, he admitted he'd thought something like that.
Damuk Hun nodded.
"I see. I let personal feelings make me take my duty lightly. But it's too late now—escorting you won't matter. Just for today. Thanks for thinking of me."
"...Thank you for looking out for me."
Yeon led the way, and Damuk Hun followed slowly behind. Carrying or piggybacking would be quicker, but he hesitated to strain her freshly treated ankle.
They walked until she stopped before an inn, lingering and glancing hopefully at him. It was the first childlike expression he'd seen on her, making Damuk Hun burst out laughing.
"Hahaha. Hungry? Want something to eat before you go?"
"I'm not hungry. But... could I ask one favor?"
Damuk Hun nodded readily.
"Anything I can do, I will. Speak freely."
Yeon carefully offered the four nyang of silver she'd received from Damuk Jeong.
"Could you help me with a ledger transaction?"
"Ledger transaction?"
"Yes."
In this chaotic martial world, as a total weakling, it was the surest way for Yeon to safeguard her precious silver.