Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: A Leisurely Outing with Master and Yeonhui
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Where to go.
Handing the choice over to the two of them had been a mistake.
"How about we stroll through the market?"
"Hmm, crowded places aren't my thing."
"That's why everyone calls it Anheung for a reason. It's on a whole different scale from the outskirts markets."
"I looked around last time, and it didn't seem like much."
Master, really.
The kind of person who couldn't care less if it was packed with people or not.
"Where would you like to go, then?"
"Wherever it is, I'd have to know a place around here first."
"Then wouldn't it be better to start with the place I recommend?"
I just wanted to grab some tasty snacks for him, but today he was being extra picky for some reason.
"Somewhere with a nice view would be good."
"In that case... the lake would be perfect. Let's go to Soho."
"Now that I think about it, I'm feeling a bit hungry. Should we hit the market?"
"Ugh...!"
It was opposition for the sake of opposition.
Yeonhui trembled, swallowing her frustration.
Master had turned his head away so she couldn't see, grinning mischievously.
"Gaga, where do you want to go?"
Yeonhui sought my help.
Her face looked so pitiful, like she was on the verge of tears.
It was cute.
She'd be even cuter if I teased her a little.
But if I joined in, she might really get upset, so I held back.
"We can do both."
"Huh?"
"We can circle around Soho first. Then when it's time for the market, we head there and grab something to eat."
"Gaga..."
It was a clear solution.
If you're torn between two, just do both, right?
Zing.
Master's glare stung.
"Blinded by a girl... Your master is completely sidelined."
No matter how much he glared, there was nothing to be done.
Master would leave in a few days anyway.
The aftermath would all be on me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Soho was a lake not far from the Namgung Family estate. It wasn't as vibrant as the flower garden in the manor, but it was a place Yeonhui frequented because it was full of flowers and trees.
"Gaga, look at this!"
"Yeah?"
"It's already in full bloom!"
"Oh, right. That's the one from last time."
Yeonhui spoke with her face buried in a cluster of flowers.
If Master weren't here, I'd have teased her about where she was hiding, but I lacked the confidence to do it under her sulky gaze.
"Even before you left on your trip, Gaga, it was just budding... Seeing it like this brings back memories."
"A lot of time has passed."
"Truth be told, I kept coming here even while you were gone. Wondering if you'd return before it bloomed."
Yeonhui wore a wistful expression.
Recalling the time she waited for me.
Then she grinned broadly on her own.
"Remember what you said last time we were here?"
"Oh, that."
"Say it one more time!"
Yeonhui.
I could do it anytime later.
Can you hold off for now?
"Gaga."
"..."
"You won't?"
"They say Soho's scenery is so beautiful, but it's all just empty rumors."
That was the moment.
Forced to show affection in front of others.
A crisis where I nearly called out 'Namgoong Jin'.
What saved me was Master.
"I'm getting hungry. How about the market?"
"Shall we?"
"Yes. I hope it's as good as you boasted."
"There are plenty of things you'll like, Master."
"Tch."
Yeonhui clicked her tongue briefly, but there was no helping it.
Master had looked a bit miffed from us chatting among ourselves.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "This mooncake is definitely worth eating!"
"Does it suit your taste?"
"Mm, excellent."
Master munched on the mooncake with a satisfied face.
Sweets were the best way to appease him, as expected.
Tanghulu in one hand, mooncake in the other.
Enjoying the market without missing a thing.
"Is it okay to eat so many sweets?"
"Is there a problem?"
"You'll gain weight."
"Oh? Yeah, I suppose. That's a valid concern. But it doesn't matter to me at all!"
"?"
Master puffed out his chest proudly as he spoke.
Good thing the clothes Yeonhui prepared were loose-fitting.
"Once you reach the realm of controlling your body, you can eat all the sweets you want. Don't you expel alcohol to disperse intoxication? Think of it as an extension of that—it's easy."
"You can do that...? That's cheating!"
"Even without expelling it, I naturally don't gain weight anyway!"
"What? That's not fair!"
Of all things.
I thought Yeonhui just didn't like sweets much.
Who knew she was worried about gaining weight.
"Yeonhui, don't worry about it. Just eat."
"Don't tempt me!"
"You're too slender as it is. A little more meat on you would still look pretty."
"Gaga..."
This girl.
She gets emotional over the smallest compliment.
"Disciple!"
"Yes?"
"Over there, I want some of that candy!"
Master couldn't stand even a moment of us being close.
He was extra clingy today.
Maybe because he had to leave again soon.
"Here you go."
"Disciple, I need more hands!"
"?"
"Ah~"
Just put one of them down, would you?
Master squeezed his eyes shut and opened his mouth wide.
"Master, you need to maintain some dignity."
"How could it be shameful for a disciple to honor their master? You did it fine before. Is it because that girl's watching?!"
"No."
"Then serve it up without backtalk!"
Master stood motionless like a stone statue.
He wouldn't budge until I fed him.
With trembling hands, I brought the candy to his mouth.
"Mm, yum. Does it taste like honey because you're feeding me?"
"Isn't it because it actually has honey in it?"
"Hey, that's irreverent!"
Well, embarrassing was embarrassing.
As long as it tasted good.
"Gaga!"
"Yeah?"
"M-Me too, I don't have enough hands!"
Yeonhui called out, demanding attention.
Snacks clutched in her hands from who knows when, mouth agape as she looked my way.
"Ah~"
"Chewing messes up the flavor! Candy's not great—have some tanghulu!"
"Mmph!"
Master shoved a tanghulu into Yeonhui's mouth to interrupt my gesture.
Weren't you just raving about it...?
"What are you doing right now?!"
"Haha. Flirting right in front of me? No manners! Ten years too early!"
"You gobbled it up yourself!"
"Then you should have been the master. Hahaha!"
Master teased Yeonhui and fled to the other side.
Yeonhui chased after him desperately, but of course she couldn't catch him.
It was like twisting a child's wrist.
I lamented the waste of his honed skills, but... well.
At least they seemed to be getting along.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Aren't we heading back a bit early?"
"It's enough. All talk, no different from other cities."
For someone saying that, he sure seemed to enjoy it fully.
Thanks to long experience, I didn't bother pointing it out.
"And while wandering is fun, shouldn't we inspect the Namgung Family estate?"
"Here?"
"Yes. Like it or not, it's where you'll be staying for a while. Can't just take the Murim Alliance Leader's word for it."
"You're so suspicious."
"Anyone can talk. If everything he promised came true, you'd have already surpassed the Murim Alliance Leader and become the World's Strongest."
"Wh-what? Bringing up stuff from when I was a kid all of a sudden?"
I'll make the world kneel in ten years!
A brash youthful declaration.
A black history I'd buried in my heart...
Why was Master digging it up now?
And saying things like that would...
"Gaga's childhood..."
"Curious? It's thanks to me he turned out decent. You wouldn't guess now, but his glare alone could kill back then..."
"Master?"
"Tell me more!"
Yeonhui clung to Master, eyes sparkling.
Nothing like the way she'd bickered with him like enemies earlier.
"Heh heh... Feel your respect for me surging?"
"Yes, yes!"
"That's all for today! Behave until next time, and I'll tell more."
"Ugh, really! You can't do that!"
Good thing.
Master was just the type to purely tease Yeonhui.
Good... right?
"Brother-in-law! Good to see you again."
"Ah, brother. Training again? You're unbeatable."
"Can't slack even a day! And who's that beside you?"
"Did Father-in-law tell you? This is my master."
We ran into Namgoong Hyu while the three of us wandered.
He had a bunch of relatives in tow, all looking mentally and physically drained. Their glares at me were sharp, like I was to blame. Good thing they averted their eyes at Namgoong Hyu's gesture.
"Greetings, elder! I'm Namgoong Hyu, a humble one!"
"Mm, yes. A very energetic young man."
"Thank you. I wondered who the master was that raised my brother-in-law so well. I heard it's all thanks to you, haha!"
"Flattery disguised as praise. Are all in this family as polite as you?"
"You're gilding it—I'm at a loss."
They'd just met moments ago, but they hit it off instantly.
Anyone would think Master had spent more time with him than me.
"One look tells you ten. The Murim Alliance Leader raised his kids right."
"I told you not to worry."
"Everyone but you."
"I can't take anymore!"
After Namgoong Hyu left for his duties, Master bickered briefly with Yeonhui.
Then he toured the manor a bit more without her.
His impressions afterward were:
"Excellent. This is more than sufficient."
"Satisfied?"
"Modest yet not shabby, ornate yet not extravagant. I can tell the lady of the house's character."
Master's face was full of contentment.
"Even the passing servants brim with vitality. You can't fake that."
"See? No need to wear out your feet..."
"Hey. Even if it's just for show, they need to know I'm checking."
Anyone would think I was some freeloading son-in-law living off side-eye.
Master still fretted endlessly over matters concerning me.
"This is good enough. I can leave tomorrow."
"You could stay a few more days."
"That guy sure spins tales well when he doesn't mean them."
Busted.
"What can I do? You have to go. Can't cling forever."
"Then no need to bring it up."
"You'd just feel slighted if I didn't."
"You've grown in the time I haven't seen you. Lost your knack for teasing."
Master's face showed deep regret.
"The blue comes from the green, as they say."
"You're still far off!"
If I showed any regret too, it'd only slow his departure.
I just brushed it off as a joke.