Chapter 85
The gang of bullies hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances. One of them suddenly bolted toward Cheon Wi-eung in a panic.
"Hyung!"
"Urk... guh."
Cheon Wi-eung writhed on the ground, drooling uncontrollably from the solid hit he'd taken. The onlookers, who had fallen silent as if by some unspoken agreement, began murmuring again.
"Ugh..."
"Aigoo."
"Did you see that? I didn't even catch what technique he used."
"How did that little kid take down someone twice his size...!"
"He's the young master of the Namgung Clan. Lives up to the name. Serves those punks right."
Cheon Wi-eung looked pitiful enough to warrant some sympathy, but not a single person stepped up.
How much of a jerk must he be usually?
On top of that, the way this big lug had lumbered forward so eagerly made him look even more pathetic, drawing harsher reactions from the crowd.
Seo Ha-ryeong quietly grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear.
"Looks like the Namgung young master stepped in because of me."
"Yeah, probably."
Seo Ha-ryeong shuddered as she gazed down at Cheon Wi-eung. Picking up a flying sword seemed downright merciful compared to rolling around on the dirt like that.
"I heard that Cheon kid was looking down on the Namgung young master."
"Really? That sword strike was packed with power. I don't think I could've blocked it."
Cheon Wi-eung's swordsmanship looked properly trained—brute force aplenty—but the wielder hadn't focused it worth a damn. I continued,
"Of course. He swung it half-assed, figuring he'd win anyway. Might as well have begged to get smacked."
"So that's why the Namgung young master got mad?"
"...Probably not."
"Oh, right. He's always mad anyway."
I bit my lip hard to stifle a laugh that nearly burst out.
That's when another kid who hadn't rushed to Cheon Wi-eung's side exploded in anger.
"That's too much!"
I turned to glare at the yeller. This was the same punk who'd egged on Cheon Wi-eung and Jang Cheol from the sidelines, never once trying to stop them. A scoff escaped me naturally.
"You're joking, right? All of you had swords at your waists. Yahul and I didn't even have any. But when we agreed to spar, you drew yours and now it's 'too much'? Seriously?"
If they'd suggested bare hands instead of swords, I might've talked Namgung Ryu-cheong into going easy. But no—they'd swapped smirks like it was no big deal that they had real blades, practically thrilled at the matchup.
The kid who'd complained about it being "too much" shut his mouth, lips sealed like they'd been glued with starch.
No comeback, huh? Because I'm right.
I pressed on.
"What if I'd gotten stabbed or sliced by one of your swords? Would you be whining then?"
Seo Ha-ryeong's eyes went wide at my words. She clearly hadn't considered that angle; she looked utterly shocked.
And... Namgung Ryu-cheong showed no reaction at all.
Or maybe he already knew.
Our eyes met for a split second as I glanced back.
Yeah, he knew.
That might explain why he'd hit Cheon Wi-eung even harder. Just my guess, though.
I kept laying into them.
"You drew your swords, so be grateful it ended here. If you can't even figure that out, you're just idiots."
That's when Namgung Ryu-cheong, who'd been watching me quietly, spoke up.
"Baek Ri-yeon."
"Yeah? ...Huh?"
I answered on reflex, then jolted in surprise a beat later. Namgung Ryu-cheong had called my name! Not "you" or anything dismissive—he'd said my actual name!
He continued,
"Shut up."
"..."
One word, and my mouth snapped shut. Namgung Ryu-cheong said coldly,
"So, who's next?"
Everyone just rolled their eyes around, avoiding his gaze. They'd seen his skill up close—no way they wanted to end up like that.
In the sudden silence, Jang Cheol suddenly spun and bolted.
I'd been keeping a subtle eye on him and gave immediate chase.
"Hey! He's running!"
I ignored Seo Ha-ryeong's shout, shoving through the crowd encircling the clearing and kicking Jang Cheol square in the back.
Thud! He face-planted forward.
I stomped his back once more for good measure.
"Ack!"
"Where do you think you're going? Apologize first."
* * *
I made the whole Cheon Wi-eung crew apologize properly before sending them packing. Not that I expected heartfelt remorse from those punks, but getting the apologies mattered.
And Seo Ha-ryeong, who'd been scowling the entire time they groveled, burst into laughter the moment they were out of sight.
"Puhahaha! I nearly died holding that in. Ahaha!"
Jang Cheol had lifted his head from the dirt with a massive nosebleed.
"Gonna tell my sahyung and sasuk back home, heh heh... about Jang Gongja's double nosebleed! Puhaha, Jang Gongja nosebleed!"
Seo Ha-ryeong could be a bit wild, but she wasn't the type to revel in others' misery. I tilted my head curiously.
"Why are you so thrilled? You know them?"
"Yeah! Puhahaha. Whew. Sometimes I'd run into them at gatherings when I tagged along with Mom. Total jerks."
Her mom was the head of Suhyangmun, so they'd crossed paths at inter-clan martial events.
"What were they like?"
"Especially that Cheon kid—he'd strut around in packs, picking fights only with weaklings."
Barrel leaks inside, floods outside. No way their antics were limited to here.
Seo Ha-ryeong had a grudge and spilled it all.
"He'd boss around kids from small sects like servants! Followed me around begging to play, being super annoying. When I said no, he'd harass my sahyung!"
"Followed you around to play?"
"Yeah."
I eyed Seo Ha-ryeong's healthy, rosy cheeks. Her face still had baby fat, but the sharp, high nose bridge and perfectly arched brows weren't childish at all. Those slightly upturned eyes gave her a cat-like charm. A perfect candidate for female lead—her future beauty was already promising.
Sudden worry flooded me. I said gravely,
"Never get close to creeps like that. Birds of a feather flock together! Hang around filth, and you'll get dirty too!"
"I like swords."
"...Huh?"
"I hate studying..."
"Yeah... me too, I like swords..."
I exhaled deeply, shaking off the daze. Seo Ha-ryeong tilted her head and took my hand.
"Ri-yeon, why are you so pale?"
I'd tried to hide it, but she'd noticed.
"...Guess I was tense."
"Tense?"
I pulled my hand free from her wide-eyed stare and turned to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"Young master, thanks for the help. Perfect timing."
"..."
He gave a slight nod. He dropped his gaze briefly, then spoke.
"I didn't expect you'd agree to spar so readily."
He frowned faintly, tone matter-of-fact.
"Weren't you bedridden?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Take care of yourself."
Namgung Ryu-cheong worrying about me? Our encounters hadn't been for nothing after all.
Is this what being moved feels like?
I beamed, basking in the glow.
"Thanks for worrying."
"I need you for sparring."
"...Come again?"
It felt like my budding sense of being moved had shattered. Yeah, pretend I didn't hear that.
I quickly looked away from him. My eyes landed on Yahul, whose sour expression hadn't improved even during the apologies.
And then...
"Oh no! What do we do? Waaah."
I wailed in despair. Namgung Ryu-cheong startled and stared.
"...W-What's wrong?"
"Waaah. How? The dumplings... our turn... it's passed..."
In all the chaos, we'd lost our spot in line.
Namgung Ryu-cheong gritted his teeth.
"Ugh, seriously. You scared me."
"But! We have to start from the back now!"
"So what if we miss some stupid dumplings..."
Right then, a young server approached, wiping his hands on the towel at his waist with quick steps. He'd been hustling dumplings out at the stall.
"Aigoo, such dashing and cute young masters and ladies. Right this way—we saved you seats."
"Really?"
"Of course. Great show you put on."
He glanced slyly at Namgung Ryu-cheong as he spoke. No way he hadn't heard he was the Namgung Clan young master.
I played dumb to his obvious stare and lit up.
"Wow! Thank you!"
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked a tad uncomfortable, clearly sensing it too. I hooked my arm through his.
But before five steps, he shook me off.
"I can walk myself. Let go."
"Okay!"
"Link with me!"
Seo Ha-ryeong thrust her arm out. I grabbed her and Yahul, one on each side, and trailed the server eagerly.
Midway up the stairs to the second floor, I froze and yelled,
"Oh right!"
"What now?"
Namgung Ryu-cheong arched a brow. His glaring eyes screamed he'd make me regret it if it wasn't important.
Instead of explaining, I unlinked arms and bolted down the stairs.
"Wait! Go ahead and sit!"
I dashed back the way we'd come, racing to the spot where I'd been arguing with the Cheon crew. I scanned the ground frantically.
Cheoljeon! Where's my cheoljeon!