Damuk Family Estate (5): The Impostor Beggar Lord
"Yeon, could you move this plate for me?"
"Yes."
"Good. Thank you. Here, take this to share with your brothers."
Auntie Chu, who worked as an assistant cook in the Damuk Family Estate's kitchen, watched Yeon take the plate. She slipped a small bundle into the pocket of Yeon's skirt.
"Ah... Thank you, Auntie."
"Oh, you pretty thing. If only my daughter were like you, I'd have no regrets."
Yeon just gave a soft smile at the words, adding nothing more. She simply bowed her head slightly and walked away.
It had already been a year since Yeon and the children started doing odd jobs at the Damuk Family Estate. It was more than enough time for the kids to adjust to their new life—and also enough time for most of the estate's workers to grow fond of Yeon.
She was the only girl among the five, and unlike other children, her manners were careful and polite, which naturally endeared her to the adults. On top of that, her beauty was such that a single smile could make it seem like the whole area within ten jang lit up.
"Where are you off to, Yeon?"
"Oh, Uncle Hun."
Yeon, now on friendly enough terms with Damuk Hun to call him "Uncle," smiled and held up her broom.
"To do some cleaning."
"Where are the other kids?"
"They went to gather firewood this morning."
"You've grown a bit taller, haven't you?"
"Have I?"
It was true. After living as beggars, the regular meals had sparked growth spurts in all of them, especially during these formative years. Yeon could feel it herself, and the others were the same.
Watching Yeon mature day by day, Damuk Hun said with a playful grin,
"Can't you stop growing already? If you keep this up and get married in a few years, this uncle will be heartbroken."
"Haha. I'd better get going."
The path from the training grounds to the dining hall got dirty every day from the warriors' dusty shoes, no matter how often it was swept. Yeon brushed the dirt off the stone pavement with her broom.
But even as her hands moved mechanically, her mind held an entire universe. She was simulating dozens of Go games at once.
16-12. 3-6. 15-8. 11-11. 8-13...
Thousands, tens of thousands of moves flashed through her head simultaneously, each one placing a beautiful stone on the board.
Before long, Yeon's eyes glazed over dreamily, and the faint scent of lotus flowers wafted from her hair again. Whenever her broom unconsciously traced a subtle arc, the surrounding dust—even untouched by the broom—swirled away and settled softly.
If anyone had seen it with clear eyes, they might have been entranced by the eerie sight and begun to question who—or what—Yeon really was.
But unfortunately for Yeon, the one who discovered her trance was Damuk Jeong.
"Hey!"
"Ah."
The sharp shout snapped focus back into Yeon's dreamy eyes, and strength returned to her broom-holding hand.
I got too absorbed again.
Yeon turned toward the voice and bowed her head.
"Hello, Young Master."
"Can't you sweep properly? Cleaning while dozing off like this?"
"I'm sorry."
While most of the estate's servants and warriors liked Yeon, Damuk Jeong was different. Ever since he'd slapped her cheek long ago, he'd made a point of bullying her.
Yeon had a vague idea why. He felt guilty and embarrassed but couldn't admit it without bruising his pride, so he pushed her away by hating on her instead. It was childish behavior fitting for a twelve-year-old, so she couldn't really blame him.
Not that she was in any position to, anyway.
"Whatever. Finish cleaning quick and go buy some sweets. You know what I always get, right?"
"Um, Young Master... I have to help in the kitchen today."
Yeon knew it was pointless but tried anyway, glancing carefully. She didn't want to shirk her assigned duties and make someone else cover for her.
But as expected, it didn't work.
"Think we can't cook without you? What, too lazy? Getting cheeky now?"
"...No. I'm sorry. I'll go right away."
"Tch."
Damuk Jeong clicked his tongue and tossed a few coins from his pocket. Same as always—never handing them over properly.
Yeon bowed and picked up the scattered coins.
"Be back in two sijin."
"...Yes."
Damuk Jeong spun on his heel and left, so Yeon hurriedly finished sweeping. Two sijin was fairly generous; if she rushed to the kitchen now, she might make it back on time.
She trotted to the kitchen, where Samwol greeted her.
"You're quick. Cleaning done?"
"Yeah. Young Master sent me for sweets, so I have to go out. Let's finish up fast before then."
"Again? That jerk—"
"Shh. Someone might hear. What needs doing?"
"Potatoes to peel. I'll handle it. Go on."
"No, together. I have a little time."
Samwol grinned and pointed to a spot beside a straw pile.
"Sit here."
And so the two peeled potatoes while chatting away. Samwol did most of the talking; Yeon mostly listened.
"So anyway, today while gathering wood, Chunbong—"
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. And Wangcho—"
"Haha."
They laughed and chatted lightly as they worked. Suddenly, Samwol glanced around and lowered his voice.
"Oh, and on my way here, I overheard some warriors talking."
"What about?"
Yeon leaned in and whispered too.
"The Beggar Clan has this leader called Chuhon Singae, and he suddenly showed up in Shandong, slaughtering all the demonic cultists and heading south."
"Huh? The Beggar Clan?"
Yeon's first thought was of the two Beggar Clan boys who'd stolen their coins not long after arriving here. Not a fond memory.
Oblivious, Samwol chattered excitedly.
"Yeah, the king of the Beggar Clan. Word is he's entered Anhwi Province and might visit here soon. Our Damuk Family is the biggest righteous sect in northern Anhwi, after all. If he keeps going south, he'll hit the Namgung too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That's why they're prepping extra food, just in case. Heh."
"Why are you so happy about it?"
At Yeon's natural question, Samwol stared at her like she was clueless.
"Come on, Yeon. Whether he shows or not, they'll make the food anyway. Means we get tastier stuff than usual."
"Oh, true."
"You've forgotten our starving days already, with all the aunties spoiling us?"
"Haha, no way. Oh, right—Auntie Chu gave me this earlier. Here, you eat it."
Yeon pulled the morning bundle from her skirt pocket and handed it to Samwol. He opened it and beamed.
"Nice! Jerky. Let's split it, just us. Don't tell the others."
"Sure?"
"Heh."
#
"Phew. Gotta hurry."
As soon as the potatoes were done, Yeon hurried off. The market in the lower village sold sweets, and taking the main road would take one sijin. But crossing the mountain was tougher yet halved the time.
After a brief hesitation, Yeon started up the slope. A little hardship was fine; she didn't want Damuk Jeong using her lateness as an excuse to hassle her and the kids.
Suddenly, a voice from the side.
"Yeon."
"Kyaa!"
Her heart nearly leaped out as she jumped two steps away. The man looked sheepish, not expecting such a reaction.
"Sorry. Did I scare you that bad?"
"Uncle Hun."
Yeon calmed her pounding heart and asked,
"What brings you here?"
"Hm. Saw you heading out, so I followed. I had business in the lower village anyway."
There was no business. If there was, he'd send a subordinate. What would make Damuk Hun go himself?
Yeon knew he'd tagged along because he worried about her going alone, so she smiled warmly.
"Good thing. I was a bit scared to climb alone."
"Right? Glad I came. But why not the main road?"
"To get back quicker."
"Hmm. Got it."
The path wasn't high but rugged, rarely used, so naturally quiet. A bit risky for a young girl alone—but with the promising warrior and kind Uncle Hun along, Yeon felt more at ease.
"Uncle, are guests coming to the estate?"
"Guests?"
"I overheard something about prepping extra food in case."
Yeon phrased it vaguely, skirting the Beggar Clan leader rumor. Mentioning it directly might lead to questions about where she'd heard it.
Damuk Hun chuckled.
"Oh, just a rumor. I heard it too, but that guy's not the type to pop up in Anhwi out of nowhere."
"Oh, I see."
"How's life treating you? Settling in okay?"
"Yes. Thanks to everyone looking after us."
They chatted amiably, halfway up the mountain path, when Damuk Hun spotted an old man perched on a rock.
Sensing something off, he held out a hand to stop Yeon.
"Hold up."
"Huh?"
Only then did Yeon notice the old man and tilt her head. Ragged clothes, tangled hair, worn straw sandals, foul stench. A beggar through and through.
Except for one thing: the ornate antique sword at his waist, mismatched for a beggar.
"Who might you be, elder?"
"......"
"Why are you blocking the path?"
The old man's cloudy eyes finally turned to Damuk Hun.
"What're you yapping about, you rude brat? When asking a superior's name, you state yours first."
Crabby tone, and not the words to hurl at a Damuk Family warrior ruling Anhwi—but he wasn't wrong. Damuk Hun nodded.
"...My apologies. I am Damuk Hun of the Damuk Family."
"Ah. I am Chuhon Singae, leader of the Beggar Clan."
"......"
Yeon's eyes widened in shock. The Beggar Clan leader—really here? In a place like this?
She glanced at Damuk Hun. As a Nine Great Clans member, shouldn't he apologize for the rudeness?
But Damuk Hun's face had hardened.
"Yeon, run down the mountain now. Report to the estate as soon as you get back."
"Huh?"
"Go."
As Yeon hesitated, the self-proclaimed Chuhon Singae slid off the rock like flowing water, stood, and stared at her intently.
"Ho. Pretty girl. You with the Damuk Family too?"
"Uh? I..."
As Yeon started to reply, Damuk Hun stepped in front, drawing the spear from his back.
"Shut it. Yeon, what are you doing? Go!"
"But..."
"The Beggar Clan doesn't use swords. And..."
"......"
As Chuhon Singae eyed him with interest, Damuk Hun gripped his spear tighter.
"I know what Hero Chuhon Singae looks like. That man is not him."
"I am Chuhon Singae."
Having heard that much, Yeon spun and ran. She needed to leave so Damuk Hun could fight the impostor freely.
After just three steps—
Thud—thump.
She whirled at the ominous sound. In that split second of her turning away, the old man had ghosted up and knocked Damuk Hun unconscious.
"Ah..."
The fiend glanced at the frozen, panicked girl, hoisted the limp Damuk Hun over his shoulder, and said,
"Follow me."
"......"
Yeon stood lost, unsure what to do. His dry voice rang again in her ears.
"Don't, and this one's dead."
With that, the old monster plunged into the underbrush. Yeon bit her lip, hesitated, then followed.
No point running from someone who'd downed Damuk Hun in an instant.
The now-silent path held only the spear Damuk Hun had dropped, lying forlornly.