Chapter 21
I took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and ran straight toward my father.
"Father!"
"Didn't I tell you not to run inside my room?"
"Hehe."
"Why are you up already? Aren't you tired?"
"I'm fine."
Even though he'd just been raising his voice moments ago, Father pulled me into a gentle hug and set me down beside him with a warm smile.
"We already crossed paths earlier, but this is my daughter, Baek Ri-yeon."
Thanks to my interruption, their argument had halted, but Namgung Wan still looked thoroughly displeased. Even in shabby clothes, he'd stood out with his impressive bearing. Now freshly bathed, clean-shaven, and dressed in deep indigo silk robes, he was strikingly handsome. His features were bold and sharp, his eyebrows thick and prominent, giving off a masculine air—but there was also an air of arrogance and haughtiness about him. He was utterly different from my refined, scholarly father. From their appearances to their personalities, they were opposites in every way, which made many wonder how such men had become close friends.
Is it because their martial prowess is evenly matched?
They'd achieved comparable feats at similar ages, and there were even bets floating around the jianghu on who would first reach the transcendent realm of Superlative Mastery.
Of course, it's Father who'll get there first.
Assuming he stayed alive, that was...
Father looked at Namgung Wan and said to me, "And this is the young lord of the Namgung Clan, my old friend Namgung Wan."
"Hello. I'm Baek Ri-yeon. I've heard so much about you from Father."
"He probably didn't say anything nice."
"......"
His sharp sarcasm caught me off guard, and I blinked rapidly in surprise. Father sighed and rubbed his brow.
Just then, Yeondu appeared carrying a tray with a teapot, three teacups, and some simple snacks. As always, I picked up a snack and popped it straight into Father's mouth. He reflexively chewed and swallowed, only realizing afterward as he lifted the teapot that Namgung Wan was watching. Namgung Wan stared with narrowed eyes and mouth slightly agape, as if utterly astonished.
Then, my busy little hand shoved a snack into his mouth next.
"......!"
I broke the stunned silence. "Father, don't be mean to Uncle Namgung Wan."
"Kuhk!"
I refilled Father's teacup as he coughed. The moment Namgung Wan clenched his jaw in disbelief, a crunch echoed as the snack crumbled. He had no choice but to chew and swallow.
Baek Ri-gang had no idea where to even begin criticizing. Uncle? Being mean? When had the great Namgung Wan ever been treated this way?
The one who'd silenced them both continued, "You were wrong too this time, Father."
"Kuhk, kuhk—what do you mean, my fault?"
"It's all because you didn't write in your letter that it was a very important guest."
"......"
"Would those gatekeepers have ignored Uncle just because of his clothes if you'd said he was an important guest? It's all your fault!"
Namgung Wan's lips twitched upward, clearly pleased by my words. I filled his teacup too, then plopped onto Father's lap and swung my legs idly.
"Father, what punishment did the gatekeepers get?"
"A three-month pay cut and two weeks of confinement."
As expected, it wasn't much of a punishment. Namgung Wan, having seen them stubbornly refuse to admit fault to the end, must have anticipated this mild outcome. That's why he'd struck first with his palm strike.
Father sighed and stroked my head. "I'm sorry, my dear. You saw my incompetent side. I've scolded them thoroughly, so no need to worry about it anymore."
He seemed eager to drop the topic and avoid mentioning the gatekeepers in front of me.
But not so fast. There was still something to reveal.
"But... doesn't it seem strange?"
"What does?"
"Why would the gatekeepers ignore Uncle Namgung Wan? They had to know they'd be punished once you returned. They're not idiots."
Namgung Wan's sharp gaze turned to me.
"Are you saying it was deliberate?"
I couldn't act like I knew too much. I backpedaled a step. "What's 'deliberate' mean?"
Namgung Wan explained with a hint of disappointment. "That they did it on purpose."
"Oh. But even doing it on purpose is weird. Who likes getting punished?"
"......"
The room fell silent after my words. But I caught Namgung Wan's Adam's apple quiver briefly across from me. A glance at Father showed his doing the same.
The two had begun conversing via transmission of voice.
Perfect. Success.
This seed of suspicion would make them both realize the truth. They should have figured it out long ago. But Father, because this was his clan. And Namgung Wan, as the Namgung Clan's sole heir, had been oblivious to internal power struggles.
Father's expression grew grave by the moment. Namgung Wan's did too.
Would idiots at the gates really chase off someone bearing their master's letter? Just to bully him? When it was obvious they'd face punishment once the guest explained everything to Father?
No, they had a goal.
Father was renowned in the jianghu. Wandering the land, he'd helped countless unfortunates and befriended many high-status allies along the way—like the man before me now.
The gatekeepers' aim was simple: identify Father's guest by any means.
In the end, word of Namgung Wan's visit would spread through the Baek Ri Clan as intended. Mission accomplished.
Surely, soon another Baek Ri Clan youth would request a meeting with him.
As their conversation ended, Namgung Wan looked at me gravely. I tilted my head innocently, as if wondering what was wrong.
"So they weren't just idiots, huh?"
"......"
Who's calling who an idiot...?
Father, holding his teacup, stared steadily at Namgung Wan. Startled, Namgung Wan averted his gaze slightly. But Father kept silently watching him.
After a few awkward coughs, Namgung Wan spoke in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. "......Fine. Since we've met like this, I'll give you a gift."
Suddenly? Before Father could protest, Namgung Wan pulled something from his bosom and placed it on the table. Father scowled deeper at the sight, while I tilted my head.
"A dagger?"
Namgung Wan nodded and drew it from its sheath. A non-ordinary white blade gleamed. He flicked his wrist, and a subtle blue sheen flashed and vanished.
I'd heard of blades with that eerie luster. But if it was truly what I thought, it wasn't something to hand over as a casual gift.
To confirm, I feigned awe. "Wow! I've never seen a sword that color before!"
"You wouldn't have. It's forged from White Lotus Puresteel."
"Gasp!"
It was real! Swords made from White Lotus Puresteel could cleave through wrought iron, they said. Even as a dagger, it was treasure enough to become a clan heirloom.
And he was giving this to me, just like that?
I'll take it, you fool.
But Father was cold. "Don't do something pointless. Take it back."
"I'm just giving it because she might need it."
Namgung Wan sheathed the dagger and pressed it into my hand, whispering, "Next time some annoying pests bother you, stab them with this."
Was he referring to the twins as the "annoying pests"?
Father pulled me away from him. "Don't say weird things to my daughter. Ri-yeon, you aren't getting ideas just because he gave you that, are you?"
I blinked innocently, quickly making a confused face as if I had no clue what he meant.
To the suspicious Father, Namgung Wan said lightly, "Besides, there's that thing I promised to take in return."
"Promised to take?"
I stared blankly, then suddenly remembered. The sachet! No way, he was serious?
Recalling what I'd forgotten, I gaped unwittingly.
"Ri-yeon, what does he mean?"
"Th-that... there is something I promised to give him, but..."
"But? What did you promise?"
"That's... a secret!"
Father looked mildly surprised. "Ri-yeon already has secrets?"
He tried to hide it, but disappointment was plain on his face. I spilled the beans faster than flipping my palm.
"It's nothing big. I promised to make him a sachet."
"You making a sachet?"
"Yeah. It just kinda happened..."
My surprise was ruined. I pouted and glanced at Namgung Wan, but he looked utterly shameless, as if he'd done nothing wrong.
"......I see."
Thinking Father would be okay now, I turned back—only to find him looking even more hurt!
Why? What's making him so upset?