'Come to think of it, am I... a magnet for friendless people?'
Danmok Ryeon suddenly reflected on her social circle and shook off the thought.
In that moment, Moyong Seol-ho spoke up.
"But that's only natural as a friend, so of course I'd pay the price... more..."
"I told you earlier, right? Friends help each other without expecting anything in return."
"...!"
'So later, when you've grown up strong—strong enough to compete for the top spots among the later-generation prodigies—you'll do whatever I ask.'
Someone like Moyong Seol-ho was weaker to intangible debts than ones measured in cold numbers. With this, the Yonyeong Province escort agency branch was as good as theirs.
'You have to become the next head of the Moyong family! Accept our Yuseong escort branch, and sweep away those Blood Valley scum too!'
Ryeon gazed at him with fervent wishful thinking before speaking steadily.
"Letting an attack pass doesn't mean you let the counterattack chance slip away too. You can use that momentum and force to swing right back."
She paused, a bit embarrassed, then added, "Like... what I did right before I got launched into the air. The opponent attacked, so there has to be an opening. Aim for that. I just happened to fly away."
Embarrassed, she tacked on unnecessarily, "And we often forget this: we focus on the enemy's weapon not because the weapon itself matters, but because it's their hands and feet."
"...!"
"We wield weapons not to strike the enemy's weapon, but to strike the enemy. A counter is 'striking back'—and the key there is the 'striking,' not just the blocking."
Ryeon had started with a pleased smile. He's smart, so no need to explain more, she'd thought.
'Wait, no—even for a smart kid, isn't this too smart? He just comprehended Dou Zhuan Xing Yi right here?'
Ryeon stared at Moyong Seol-ho with a dumbfounded look, but he seemed too busy sorting the waves in his mind to notice.
"...!"
When he finally snapped out of it, Moyong Seol-ho's eyes flew wide. His face lit up like he'd gotten the birthday gift of a lifetime. He flung his arms out, then yanked them back down, repeating it over and over before hopping in place.
"H-How... how is this...!"
"We're real friends now, right? Don't forget our promise."
"Of course. Of course, but this... uh, just a bit more..."
Moyong Seol-ho shook his head vigorously, insisting no one would wash their mouth after gaining such insight.
Ryeon just laughed and waved it off.
"I didn't know, but turns out my grandma's super close with your grandma too."
"Y-Yeah, I know. Grandma talks about her a lot."
"So we'll be awesome friends carrying on their legacy. Friends stick together, right?"
"Yeah. But even friends should correct each other if they're wrong..."
"If I'm wrong, everyone around will already be yelling about it. That's when a friend steps in to back you up, isn't it?"
Moyong Seol-ho paused, then nodded—it made sense.
"Yeah. Always on your side. Promise."
He nodded several more times for emphasis.
After sending Moyong Seol-ho off, the next person awaited Ryeon.
As she walked briskly past, she caught sight of a boy clutching a wooden sword by the wall, fidgeting anxiously before slumping his shoulders.
Ryeon hid a sly smile and turned back.
The boy perked up, but when Ryeon pretended to have forgotten something and walked past again, his shoulders drooped once more.
Deciding to stop teasing, Ryeon approached him.
"Seo-jin?"
"H-Hi... hello..."
The boy, same age as Danmok Bi, bowed deeply.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh... just... passing by..."
Namgung Seo-jin dragged his toe, mimicking walking.
"Where to?"
His eyes darted wildly before lighting up with an idea. "Th-There! The reception hall! Yeah, reception hall!"
He figured since Ryeon was heading back to the reception hall, they could go together.
"Oh? Then let's go toge—"
"What are you doing here?"
"Nui! Nui!"
Suddenly, Danmok Seong and Danmok Bi popped up—clearly the ones Ryeon had sent ahead earlier. Danmok Bi especially latched onto Ryeon's arm, glaring at Namgung Seo-jin with fierce wariness.
Namgung Seo-jin shrank back, shoulders hunched.
"Was gonna go to the reception hall with Seo-jin. He said he's heading there too."
"Oh? What's your business there?"
Danmok Seong peered down, and Namgung Seo-jin shriveled further.
Worried he'd blow it, Ryeon grabbed Seo-jin's hand with her free one.
"Probably curious how we do evening study, right? We decided to do it together now."
"Uh, y-yeah... Can I... join too?"
"If you don't wanna, don't!"
Danmok Bi burst out. His eyes screamed he didn't want Seo-jin there.
"It's not... I do wanna... I will..."
Namgung Seo-jin mumbled.
Danmok Bi started to retort but caught himself with Ryeon watching and shut his mouth.
Danmok Seong, who'd been observing, shook her head. Judging it harmless to Ryeon, she relaxed into a gentle expression.
They chatted amiably all the way to the reception hall, but Namgung Seo-jin still hemmed and hawed without saying his piece. Finally, he just mumbled, "G-Goodbye..." and bowed his head.
Unable to stand it, Danmok Bi grumbled, "If you got something to say, just say it. Don't make us guess."
He seemed annoyed that Seo-jin's fretting stole Ryeon's attention.
Under Danmok Bi's sharp words, Namgung Seo-jin hesitated, then looked at Ryeon with desperate eyes.
Reading the room, Ryeon separated Danmok Bi and Danmok Seong, leading Seo-jin to a quiet corner.
Finally, he spoke cautiously. "D-Did your brother... really say he'd study with me? Can I really join?"
His face mixed anxiety and longing.
Ryeon met his gaze and nodded slowly. "Yeah, of course. Seo-geon suggested it first. Don't worry."
Relief washed over Namgung Seo-jin, melting into a bashful grin.
Danmok Bi, watching anxiously from afar, sensed the talk's end and scampered over, bickering with Seo-jin.
"Why you acting all cute?"
"N-No, I'm not..."
"Even if you do, Ryeon-nui's my nui."
"I-I didn't say she's mine..."
"Good. Remember that."
"Okay..."
The kids whispering was adorable, but Ryeon was a bit surprised by Danmok Bi's unexpected possessiveness.
Catching on, Danmok Seong whispered maturely, "Kids get like that when they think their only family might get taken away."
"R-Really?"
Ryeon turned to her. Danmok Seong nodded calmly, then said seriously to Ryeon, "So you get married in 50 years. Got it?"
"Huh? 50 years from now?"
Fifty years?
Ryeon blinked wide-eyed. She'd never thought about marriage before, and still didn't...
"Yeah. Ten years is too soon, twenty's still iffy."
"What about you, Seong?"
"Twenty-five years for me."
"Wh-Why twenty-five?"
"By then, we might need someone useful for the family."
'What does she plan to be doing twenty-five years from now?'
"You skip it and I do it alone?"
"I'm a bit older, so I'll go first and give you tips later."
"O-Okay."
She doubted the advice would apply, but nodded at the thoughtfulness.
Seong smiled faintly, satisfied, then shooed the kids. "Eat dinner properly first if you wanna study. Got it?"
"Yeees!"
"Yes!"
Danmok Bi answered quick and tugged Ryeon's hand toward dinner. With family meals separate, Namgung Seo-jin watched wistfully before turning away alone.