Chapter 26 – Training…? (3)

“Well, actually, I had a plan. My uncle is in charge of the Baekho Danju in the Muryeong League. I was going to get a recommendation from him and go to the Yongbongji Society.”

Hong Yeon-hwa and I looked at each other without saying a word.

…The recommendation from the Baekho Danju? Didn’t we receive that?

I ended up knocking him out, but the assassination of Cheokan Geum-gwi was originally one of the things that was done in the Muryeong League.

Latecomer Baekho Danju Paeng Cheol-jin must have liked us for doing his job, and he gave us a recommendation badge as a gift, separate from the reward.

“Ah, that…maybe…”

“Cough!”

As I tried to tell the truth, Hong Yeon-hwa pinched my hand under the table and interrupted me. Then she started coughing to stop Paeng So-so.

“I think that’s a little…what do you think? Didn’t you want to leave your family and make a name for yourself with your own power? But if you borrow your uncle’s power, even if you win in the Yongbongji Society, it will be the glory of your family, not your own.”

Paeng So-so nodded with wide eyes after hearing Hong Yeon-hwa’s words.

“Thank you for seriously considering it. Actually…I’m already on my way to see my uncle, and he said he gave the recommendation badge to someone else a few days ago.”

“Ah, oh…”

Paeng So-so pouted and shook the car, in contrast to Hong Yeon-hwa who was flustered and empty-handed.

“Well, what can you do? It’s not like it was promised in advance, and it’s not entirely your uncle’s fault…that’s what I think. Hmm!”

Hong Yeon-hwa started to defend Paeng Cheol-jin this time, clapping her empty hand.

Was that cute? Paeng So-so smiled and nodded.

“Enin is right. At first, I was a little surprised, but I’m not blaming my uncle. What I was upset about was…what happened next.”

“Huah…ah, what happened next? What happened that made you say that?”

I could feel the palpable relief in Hong Yeon-hwa’s voice. …No, is this something that can be hidden so well?

I was momentarily curious, but upon further thought, Hong Yeon-hwa seemed to like Paeng So-so quite a bit. I don’t know why.

Well, even so, she wouldn’t have just boosted her ego. If she really wanted that, she would have shown off her martial arts skills to the commoners.

Something I don’t know about must have pleased Hong Yeon-hwa.

Anyway, I’m not the type to be nervous about whether Hong Yeon-hwa will be hated for this, so maybe I’m worried that Paeng So-so will be hurt?

I thought about it from Paeng So-so’s perspective for a moment. Even though he knew in his head that it was inevitable, if he saw me with the recommendation badge in front of him…yeah. It’s something.

As I nodded my head inwardly, Paeng So-so began to speak.

“My uncle…he didn’t like the pressure he received from our family, so he joined the Muryeong League. He’s already in a position of power as a Danju, so he’s practically independent. That’s why I thought he would understand my situation and help me…”

But instead of receiving help, he was told to choose between going home tied up or walking home on his own.

“Isn’t that too much? I didn’t expect my uncle, who was in a similar situation as me, to say the same thing as my father. That being a martial artist wasn’t for me and that I would be happier living a normal life…”

Paeng So-so pouted and spoke out.

“You don’t know until you try it. And for me, I love martial arts. The happiest moment for me is when I wield my sword…um, yes. The happiest moment for me is when I wield my sword.”

Paeng So-so blushed in the middle of his sentence and glanced over here. It’s a strange look.

Is it because of the hangover?

But seeing him in a dangerous situation and starving because he has no money, I can’t help but feel uneasy. He’s a peak-level martial artist, stronger than me, but I’m still worried.

Perhaps the head of the Paeng family, Paeng Cheol-jin, said that Paeng So-so wasn’t suited for martial arts because of this unease?

Hong Yeon-hwa seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she listened to Paeng So-so’s story with a serious expression.

“I understand your situation. What are you going to do now?”

“…Even if I don’t receive the recommendation badge from my uncle and can’t borrow any money, my goal remains the same. I will go to the Yongbongji Society and make a name for myself, and gain recognition from my father.”

“You have a good spirit. Do you have a specific plan? Don’t forget that the results you’re getting now are because your body is moving before your mind.”

“Well…”

Paeng So-so started to look gloomy and began to scratch the table for no reason. Did he not think of anything?

Come to think of it, the Ha-buk Paeng family was famous for its excellent martial arts and innate power, but it was also famous for having short-sightedness.

More accurately, they said that their bodies moved before their minds. It seemed like Paeng So-so had an even stronger tendency towards that.

He only thought about proving himself by participating in the Yongbongji Society, but he didn’t seem to have thought about any specific plans to get there.

It’s really amazing that while the martial arts may affect the body, it may also affect the genes…

Perhaps the martial arts of the Ha-buk Paeng family affect the genes that are passed down.

Anyway, Paeng So-so seemed to be thinking of a solution and finally spoke up with a clap of his hands.

“I don’t have to move alone, I can join a caravan as a guard and travel with them. I’m a peak-level martial artist, so I won’t be treated badly anywhere!”

Paeng So-so liked this idea because he wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost or making money.

It’s a good idea, even though it’s embarrassing that he only thought of it now.

As long as he doesn’t run into the swollen-headed Sangdan or the Nokrim who recognized him like last time, he should be able to arrive without any problems.

But there’s a better way.

Thunk!

Hong Yeon-hwa placed the recommendation badge on the table.

“This is…”

“Ah!”

Paeng So-so’s eyes widened, and Hong Yeon-hwa was startled and quickly covered the badge with her sleeve.

“No! This is…um, it’s nothing!”

Stretching her arm out, Hong Yeon-hwa retrieved the badge from the table.

Then she handed it to me under the table and scowled at me. I could hear her thoughts without her saying anything.

‘Why did you show him the badge? Anyway, since I’ve somehow resolved the situation, just go along with my plan!’

???

I don’t think the situation has been resolved at all?

Paeng So-so may not think deeply, but he’s not stupid.

He understood immediately when he saw that we had the recommendation badge.

But Hong Yeon-hwa kept poking him in the side with the badge as if she were sincere, giving him a warning look.

I had no choice but to take the badge from her once and then put it back on the table. I made sure the words Baekho were clearly visible.

“Eek!”

Hong Yeon-hwa screamed like someone poisoned by the venom of a male duck-billed platypus.

Then she glared at my hand as if she were about to bite it off.

I quickly wrapped my arm around her shoulder and turned her around, facing away from me.

I tickled her under the chin while we were in this shoulder-to-shoulder position. Her eyes softened every time I moved my fingers. So cute.

“Paeng So-so said he didn’t care about not getting the recommendation badge. And I have a plan too.”

“What…uh…was it because you had a plan?”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s weak inner energy spread around her like a thin membrane.

Amazing. I can tell her this without worrying about Paeng So-so overhearing.

“Think about it. What’s our ultimate goal?”

“Well…uh…it’s to go back to the Muryeong where I used to live…uh…right?”

“Right. That’s why we were trying to get help from the Mosanpa, who are experts in brewing techniques. The Yongbongjihoe is just an intermediate step towards establishing a relationship with the Mosanpa.”

Asking the Mosanpa for help with dimensional travel-related brewing techniques out of the blue would be futile.

But what if we made such a request while meeting with the Mosanpa’s leader, thanks to the recommendation of the Muryeong Prince?

Even if it’s just to see the Muryeong Prince’s face, he would consider it positively at least once.

That’s why we were trying to use the right to receive the Muryeong Prince’s help, which is given to the winner of the Yongbongjihoe, to establish a relationship with the Mosanpa.

“But it doesn’t have to be the Muryeong Prince, right? As long as the person is a well-known figure in the martial world that the Mosanpa cannot ignore, it doesn’t matter who it is.”

“Gorong… are you talking about the head of the Habeokpa, Paeng Cheol-jin…?”

I stroked Hong Yeon-hwa’s head, conveying my praise.

“Right. From what I heard, Paeng So-so values him so much that it’s almost excessive. He’s the one who rescued Paeng So-so from the Nokrim’s hands, and he won’t easily refuse the request of someone who took care of him during his runaway period.”

“Good. Since I was a little worried about that child too, there’s no reason to oppose it.”

That settled the conversation with Hong Yeon-hwa.

By the way, did the hand that was stroking my chin disappear, leaving me feeling empty? Hong Yeon-hwa started rubbing her chin against my shoulder as if she were a cat.

…Is she a cat?

I wanted to sit her on my lap and pet her all day, but…this isn’t even a room, and Paeng So-so is right behind us.

I lightly kissed her nose, which was swaying, and turned my body again.

“….”

“….”

And then, our eyes met with Paeng So-so, who was looking at us with an interested expression.

Did…he hear us?

No, that’s impossible. Then he must have seen us. He could tell that we were being affectionate with each other just by looking at our backs.

His sparkling gaze was unsettling, so I cleared my throat unnecessarily and spoke.

“Ahem! As you can see, we received the recommendation badge from Baekho Danju Paeng Cheol-jin. So…our destination is also to participate in the Yongbongjihoe of the Yongbongjihoe. That’s what I’m saying.”

“Is that…so?”

An awkward expression that seemed to say, “Do you really need to say that again?” It seems like he still doesn’t understand what I’m trying to say.

“I’m saying that if Paeng So-so is okay with it, we won’t mind traveling together since we have the same destination.”

“Ye…yes?!”

Paeng So-so, who was taken aback, rolled his eyes left and right before speaking in a voice that sounded like ants crawling.

“I…I don’t have a penny right now. And I won’t even be able to enjoy the benefits of my family because I’m a runaway….”

“Don’t worry about the expenses. We’ll pay for everything. In return, would you be willing to spar with my lord if you have the time?”

Before I could even answer, Hong Yeon-hwa interrupted with something completely unrelated.

“Wait a minute. What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“What do you mean? No matter how well you teach her, there’s a limit to practicing with just you. Besides, do you think there will be many opportunities to spar with a top-notch martial artist like Jeoljeong?”

That’s…true. No matter how many different ways Hong Yeon-hwa practices with me, she’s still Hong Yeon-hwa.

It’s not that my skills are lacking, but rather that I might get used to sparring with Hong Yeon-hwa.

It’s also true that opportunities to spar with a top-notch martial artist like Jeoljeong are rare.

Nodding my head absentmindedly, I agreed with everything she said. Hong Yeon-hwa smiled satisfactorily and urged Paeng So-so for an answer.

“So, what are we going to do? We don’t have to do it every day, but it’s enough to do it when we have time.”

“Umm…I’ll do my best.”

We had one more person to travel with.