Chapter 48
The Master of the Yuseong Gate pointed to a spot where twenty shallow, hand-carved wooden ladles and dozens of duck eggs were piled up.
“The game is to place a duck egg on the ladle and carry it to the finish line without breaking it. The first person to circle the pond and return wins.”
How fun!
The faces of the children gathered there brightened.
“And here is today’s prize.”
As the Master of the Yuseong Gate pulled back the cloth covering the tray held by a maid, a mouse made of gold was revealed.
“Is this not the Year of the Rat? I prepared this in the hope that you all have a healthy and happy year.”
In terms of silver nyang, it was worth at least thirty.
At the Master of the Yuseong Gate’s generous spirit, it was the adults’ faces that brightened this time.
The same was true for Hong-seol.
“Wow, a shiny, glittering mouse!”
The confusion that had clouded her eyes moments ago had vanished without a trace. It was a lovely sight to see her cheeks flushed red, just like any other child.
Namgung Baek, sitting beside her, glanced at that expression.
Soon, a faint smile, unlike his usual self, bloomed on his face.
* * *
Before the race began, the children each warmed up.
While some ran lightly, a few precocious children sat in the lotus position, beginning their Energy Circulation to circulate energy throughout their bodies.
The boys were all more tense than usual.
After all, Namgung Baek, the eldest Young Master of the renowned Namgung Clan, was participating.
However, the girls were a bit different.
Could one say there was a flutter of excitement hidden within their gazes, as if they were looking at a worthy rival?
“Shall we go and talk to him?”
“Or should we ask to stand next to him at the starting line?”
Every one of them was busy stealing glances at Namgung Baek, their cheeks flushed.
In particular, Deng Soso, the only daughter of the Deng Clan’s Master, had been staring at Namgung Baek from the pavilion as if she could pierce right through him.
She had groomed herself so diligently that her head felt heavy from the silk ribbons and silver hairpins.
Her efforts were not in vain, as Deng Soso’s beauty shone brightest among the girls gathered today.
Her hair, tied only at the ends, flowed with a lustrous sheen, and her cheeks, soft as peach fuzz, were charming.
‘So that’s the girl who sent a matchmaker to Brother Namgung Baek.’
Hong-seol watched Deng Soso with a strange feeling.
‘If it’s the Deng Clan, they said they were famous for their acupoint-striking techniques.’
She had heard it from the Master of the Azure Sky Unit, Namgung Uigyeol.
“Deng Soso, the only daughter cherished by the Deng Clan’s Master, is also famous for her talent in acupoint striking.”
And on top of that, she was so beautiful.
‘For some reason, Brother Namgung Baek didn’t even give her a single glance back at the pavilion.’
Though Namgung Baek was someone who put up a wall against everyone.
But given how great Deng Soso’s interest in him was, even to Hong-seol’s eyes, Namgung Baek seemed almost cold-hearted.
“Jeok, what are you doing?”
Namgung Heuk nudged Hong-seol.
Lost in thought, Hong-seol was startled and jumped.
“Yes? Yes!”
“Why are you so surprised? Anyone would think you were that little kid back home.”
That little kid?
‘Ah! He means me.’
Hong-seol, who had been tilting her head, nodded.
The clever Namgung Heuk deliberately avoided calling Hong-seol by her name.
It was out of concern that the children of the Myo Clan might hear it.
“Don’t be nervous. The winner is already decided anyway.”
“Yes? Who is that?”
“You’re strange today. Obviously, it’s that guy.”
Hong-seol looked where Namgung Heuk had gestured with his chin.
There, a silver-haired boy stood leaning against a pillar of the pavilion with his arms crossed.
Namgung Baek did not seem to have any intention of looking toward where Hong-seol was.
But he wasn't looking at Deng Soso, either.
‘Brother Namgung Baek... who on earth is he looking at?’
Hong-seol turned her head to follow Namgung Baek’s gaze.
At the end of that gaze, she saw a pair of brothers who were twice as sturdy as the others.
‘Those kids are...’
Suddenly, Hong-seol’s breath hitched.
They were Myo Geum-myeong and Myo Eun-myeong, who had bullied Hong-seol in the past. Geum-myeong was grumbling even before the race began.
“Ugh, why do we have to participate in such a boring race?”
“Still, you must win, Brother. If we lose the victory to those Namgung Clan brats, we’ll be severely scolded by Father.”
“Cough, cough!”
At those words, Geum-myeong suddenly choked and coughed.
It seemed Myo Jung-san had given them quite a stern warning before they came here.
He had told them they must win and humble the Namgung Clan.
“How can we win easily?”
“For that, you see...”
As always, the cunning Eun-myeong whispered his plan to Geum-myeong.
The smile on his lips was sinister.
“As soon as we start, you trip the kid running next to you. I’ll snatch the wrist of the one next to me using the Capture Hand technique.”
This race wasn't simply about who was the fastest runner.
The rule was to safely carry the duck egg on the wooden ladle to the finish line.
That meant there was no problem with using martial arts to stop others from reaching the finish line.
“It’s not a duel, but this is a competition of martial arts.”
That was Eun-myeong’s thought.
“As expected, you’re the smartest, Eun-myeong! I’ll take care of at least five of them, so don't worry.”
“Good. Especially show that youngest Young Master of the Namgung Clan, who is the youngest here, a lesson first.”
“Understood!”
With that, Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong glared at Hong-seol, who was disguised as Namgung Jeok.
“Ugh...”
Was it because of the memory of drinking the water steeped in rotten weeds?
Hong-seol suddenly felt a wave of nausea.
Namgung Heuk glanced at Hong-seol.
“Namgung Jeok! Are you okay?”
“I-I’m okay.”
Hong-seol, forcing herself to settle her stomach, managed a smile.
“Everyone, gather at the starting line with your wooden ladles and duck eggs!”
The Master of the Yuseong Gate shouted with his internal energy, his voice booming. The children, who had been chattering away, came running, their clothes fluttering.
Everyone held a duck egg and a wooden ladle from the table in their hands.
Heuk and Hong-seol also each chose sturdy-looking items and stood at the starting line.
‘But why is Brother Namgung Baek still over there?’
He, who had seemed uninterested in the race, was still rummaging through the remaining duck eggs, painstakingly choosing his own.
That was when it happened.
Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong positioned themselves on either side of Hong-seol, who was disguised as Namgung Jeok.
It was an act with a clear intent.
“Let’s do well, little one.”
The two of them bumped their shoulders against Hong-seol from both sides with sinister smiles.
“Ah!”
In an instant, Hong-seol’s entire body stiffened so much that she even forgot she needed to breathe.
Because of her small stature, and because the terrible bullying of the past came rushing back, Hong-seol couldn't say anything and just trembled in place.
That was when someone placed a hand on Hong-seol’s head.
“Move.”
The owner of the gentle touch was the blue-eyed boy, Namgung Baek.
“I will stand here.”
“Yes? Brother... no, Elder Brother?”
“Yes. This spot looks good.”
Saying that, Namgung Baek gave a glance to Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong, one by one.
What was that just now?
It was a glance that seemed indifferent at first, but for a moment, Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong felt an ominous chill to their very bones.
“Y-yes, if you say so, Brother...”
Hong-seol obediently stepped out of that spot and scurried over to stand next to Namgung Heuk.
It was when everyone was holding a wooden ladle with a duck egg on it.
Namgung Baek spoke to the highly tense Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong.
“Hey.”
Since it was extremely rare for him to speak to anyone first, Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong waited for his next words with puzzled expressions.
“Sometimes, foolish kittens only come to their senses after their throats have been bitten. Isn't that right?”
That moment.
The two of them felt the hair on their bodies stand on end, as if they were standing before a beast.
Even though he was clearly around their age, an extraordinary aura emanated from Namgung Baek’s body.
They even had the illusion that his sharp fangs were glinting threateningly.
Just then.
Tweet!
The Master of the Yuseong Gate blew his wooden whistle forcefully.
At the same time, the flag in his hand fluttered with great vigor.
Namgung Baek chuckled and walked past the two, who were standing there blankly.
“I’ll be going first.”
Intimidated by Namgung Baek’s aura, Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong missed the starting signal.
“Damn it!”
“Hurry and run! Brother!”
The two grabbed their wooden ladles and began to run in a panic.
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