Chapter 49
A few days later, I set off for the Namgung Clan accompanied by some of their people. I'd made this trip before too—after meeting Manshin-ui, heading straight to the Namgung Clan.
The Namgung Clan. The family of this world's protagonist, Namgung Ryu-cheong.
Well, Namgung Ryu-cheong isn't at the clan right now anyway.
He was staying at his maternal grandfather's place with his birth mother. Even though I'd left for the Namgung Clan after autumn this time—unlike before—nothing had changed. Namgung Ryu-cheong wouldn't return until I headed back to the Baek Ri Clan.
Even with the trip delayed by two whole months, he should still be at his grandfather's.
The first time I'd met Namgung Ryu-cheong was much later, at my father's funeral.
As I kept my eyes closed, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
Come to think of it, no motion sickness.
My vision issues should've made it worse, but my body felt fine—better, even. All those premium elixirs I'd scarfed down in the training hall had paid off.
When I opened my eyes, I locked gazes with Yahul, who was staring right at me. It had been a while since we'd looked at each other without my blindfold.
The carriage curtains were drawn tight with fabric covers, plunging the interior into darkness despite the midday sun. I could ditch the blindfold no problem.
Yahul spoke up abruptly.
"Why couldn't that kid come along?"
"That kid?"
"The mute."
"Oh, So Nok?"
I furrowed my brow slightly.
"Isn't that obvious? It's dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"The Baek Ri Clan is a murim family. No need to drag a regular person into that world."
Manshin-ui wouldn't want that either. A few years from now, the Great War between righteousness and evil would erupt, and then no one could guarantee her safety. Better for her to live a life untouched by the martial world.
And most importantly, I didn't want to be responsible for anyone.
I've got my own path to carve—barely.
Then Yahul asked,
"But you brought me."
"Father brought you, not me."
"......"
Yahul looked displeased. Had he already forgotten? No way he'd forgotten Father's grace so soon, right?
I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing him, when another fact popped into my head.
"Oh, right. While we're at it, I should tell you too."
Father being here would've made this impossible to say.
"My position in the Baek Ri Clan... isn't great."
I explained to the puzzled Yahul.
"The Namgung Clan folks here have been kind to me, treating me well. But things will be different back at the Baek Ri Clan. Just a heads-up."
Baek Ri Clan estate.
A voice drifted from the chambers of the Baek Ri Clan's matriarch, the old lady.
"Yes, I started preparations the moment I got your letter. Go check it out."
"Thank you."
Baek Ri-myeong, standing beside her, scowled faintly and asked,
"What about your special unit, the White Tiger Squad? Why not use them for the search?"
"The White Tiger Squad aren't my personal men—they belong to the Murim Alliance. I can't use them for private matters."
Baek Ri-gang led the Murim Alliance's elite White Tiger Squad. He was away on a short absence, but things had been peaceful lately, so no issues.
After a brief silence, Baek Ri-gang added,
"And it's far anyway."
The Alliance headquarters, where the White Tiger Squad was stationed in Palgwa Village, was farther from the Baek Ri Clan. If it weren't, he might've considered using them, Baek Ri-gang thought wryly.
Baek Ri-myeong clicked his tongue.
"Palgwa Village? You said you were going to the Namgung Clan—why detour there all of a sudden?"
"......"
With Baek Ri-gang silent, Baek Ri-myeong slammed the table.
"Don't we deserve to know why? What happened that you got into trouble in some backwater like that! Ri-yeon is your daughter, but she's my niece too!"
"......This isn't just my affair. I can't tell you."
"Ha!"
"Ri-yeon is a Baek Ri clansman! It's not just your business!"
"Ri-myeong."
The old lady called his name like she was reining him in. Baek Ri-myeong huffed and turned away.
The old lady said,
"That's enough. Off you go. Tell me if you need anything else."
"I'll take my leave."
As Baek Ri-gang rose at the dismissal and headed out, he glanced back at the old lady.
She asked,
"Something else to say?"
"......Does Father know about Ri-yeon's situation?"
"The patriarch is in closed-door training. You know once he starts, he stays at least a month—sometimes more."
"......"
Usually, yes. But for clan emergencies, they'd interrupt even then. The patriarch couldn't completely detach during seclusion.
This was deliberate withholding. They'd deemed it unimportant.
"......What does the steward say?"
The old lady frowned as she lifted her teacup. Catching her mood, Baek Ri-myeong jumped in.
"Why ask about that? The steward's busy with his duties."
"......"
"You're awfully chatty today. Mother's tired—go on."
"......I'll take my leave."
As Baek Ri-gang walked away from the old lady's chambers, he halted before a shadow blocking his path.
It was Baek Ri-ran, dressed vibrantly in a pink skirt embroidered with plum blossoms and a yellow jacket.
Baek Ri-gang bowed his head and tried to pass.
"Hah, now you won't even greet me?"
Baek Ri-ran snapped indignantly.
Baek Ri-gang paused, turned, and bowed properly.
"It's been a while, Sister."
"I came because I heard you were back and had words for you. Ignoring me like that? You'll make me out to be the villain."
Baek Ri-gang just regarded her quietly.
Averting her eyes under his gaze, Baek Ri-ran cleared her throat and continued.
"About that matter."
"Pardon?"
"What Father said."
"What did he say?"
Biting her lip, Baek Ri-ran burst out,
"You know! When Father told me to go ahead and leave home or send Pyo and Ak to Gokgye Temple!"
"Ah."
Baek Ri-gang's face showed a vague oh yeah, that expression.
Twisting the handkerchief in her grip, Baek Ri-ran fumed. She'd suffered so much over that, yet the culprit had conveniently forgotten!
"So I sent Pyo and Ak—so U-ak and Baek Ri-pyo—to Gokgye Temple."
Baek Ri-gang watched her silently.
Licking her lips nervously, Baek Ri-ran pressed on.
"But after recent events, I'm worried sick they'll run into trouble there too. Can't sleep a wink."
"......"
"What if my boys end up like that Baek Ri-yeon girl? I couldn't live with myself."
"......What are you getting at?"
"So I thought, why don't you talk to Father? Tell him I'm worried and want Pyo and Ak back."
Baek Ri-paehyeok had given carte blanche to send So U-ak and Baek Ri-pyo to Gokgye Temple before entering seclusion—and warned against bringing it up again.
Baek Ri-ran's plan to fake sending them and call them right back had obviously failed. She couldn't even broach the topic.
Chin raised defiantly, Baek Ri-ran said,
"Besides, with Baek Ri-yeon gone, there's no reason for my boys to stay at Gokgye Temple, right?"
Baek Ri-gang's expression turned icy.
Undeterred, Baek Ri-ran continued,
"Right? If you agree, Father won't get mad."
"This isn't about my agreement."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're against it?"
"No point continuing this."
Rubbing his brow, Baek Ri-gang shoved past the blocking Baek Ri-ran.
"Young miss!"
Her maids rushed to support her.
Baek Ri-ran shrieked,
"Are you insane? You just pushed me?"
But Baek Ri-gang didn't look back.