Chapter 29: Who are you?

“…Grandfather?”

Baek Yeon’s brow furrowed in confusion, but I just nodded nonchalantly.

I could guess the reason.

‘Probably wants to give me the prize for winning the sparring competition.’

I’d won, but we couldn’t hold the award ceremony as planned.

Doing so would’ve tanked the already chaotic atmosphere.

Despite the obvious reason, Baek Yeon seemed uneasy, chewing her lip before jumping up.

“Then I’ll go with her—”

But—

“Unfortunately, the Clan Leader wishes to meet her alone.”

A middle-aged man poked his head through the door, cutting her off.

“Dowan, Uncle.”

“Haha! It’s been a while, Young Lady.”

“…We saw each other yesterday?”

“I couldn’t properly greet you then!”

The man called Dowan laughed heartily, greeting Baek Yeon.

His actions didn’t carry any hostility.

But Baek Yeon, displeased with his words, pouted.

“Still, Seoran is my person.”

“Young Lady.”

Dowan called her name.

“It’s the Clan Leader’s order. You understand, don’t you?”

His warm smile held an unshakable firmness.

Baek Yeon must’ve sensed it, as she stopped arguing and just bit her lip.

Tch, she’s going to hurt her lip like that.

‘Why’s she reacting so strongly?’

I was a bit puzzled, but my priority was Baek Yeon’s well-being.

“Then I’ll get ready. Could you wait outside?”

I interjected, risking being called rude for a maid.

Thankfully, Dowan didn’t seem offended, responding with an intrigued tone.

“Ho. Alright, come out when you’re ready.”

Click.

Dowan and Song Hwa stepped outside, closing the door.

“Why’re you hurting your lips, Young Lady?”

I reached out, gently brushing her lips with my finger.

Thankfully, she relaxed, placing her hand over mine.

“…I don’t know, I just feel uneasy. A weird feeling.”

Hm… intuition?

Baek Yeon does have sharp instincts.

‘Her saying that makes me uneasy…’

But if I started worrying too, it’d only make her more anxious.

“Don’t worry, Young Lady.”

I smiled brightly, softly stroking her cheek.

“I promised, didn’t I? I won’t ever leave your side. Until the end.”

Emphasizing the last part, her tense expression finally eased.

But then—

Her eyes rolled as if she’d gotten an idea, a faint smile forming.

And then—

Lick.

“!”

Something wet touched my finger.

“Y-Young Lady…!”

She’d started licking my finger.

Staring straight into my eyes, the odd sensation made my face heat up.

“Hehe.”

Giggling at my reaction, she licked my finger for a while before speaking.

“So, Seoran.”

“…Yes.”

She guided my hand to tap her lips.

The awkward sensation through my finger made me let out a soft groan.

“I’m still uneasy, so reassure me.”

“…”

No clear subject, but I knew what she wanted without her saying it.

‘Is her brake broken?’

Since last night, she’s been flooring the accelerator, and I keep getting swept up in her pace.

The problem? It doesn’t feel bad.

Feeling good about being swept up by a kid gave me a weird sense of shame, but…

‘…She’s cute.’

What can I do? She’s too cute.

Closing my eyes and steeling myself, I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

The embarrassing peck echoed in the quiet room, and Baek Yeon, satisfied, smiled deeply and patted my head.

“Good job, Seoran.”

“…R-Right, I’ll be back!”

Feeling flustered, I quickly changed and rushed out.

Creak.

Dowan and Song Hwa were waiting right outside.

“…Ahem.”

“Ahem.”

Both looked incredibly awkward.

‘…What?’

I wondered why, but then—

Dowan laughed heartily, slapping my shoulder.

“Hahaha! Your… bond is quite strong!”

“Master, you could just pretend you didn’t hear.”

“R-Right?”

It was like a comedy skit, but I wasn’t laughing.

‘…Damn it.’

They heard everything.

Well, they’re martial artists, so it’d be weirder if they didn’t hear, but…

I covered my face, head bowed.

Embarrassment was killing me.

—

After that little commotion, I pulled myself together and followed Dowan to the Clan Leader’s quarters.

Dowan was a rare, friendly face in the Baek Clan.

But that wasn’t all.

I could sense it instinctively.

‘This guy’s insanely strong.’

I don’t know if it’s because of my martial arts training, but my gut was screaming it.

Plus, something Song Hwa casually said earlier stuck with me.

‘She called him Master…’

So, he’s Song Hwa’s teacher and the Clan Leader’s man.

As I sneaked glances at him, curious—

“!”

He caught me staring, our eyes meeting.

“Hm.”

Instead of being annoyed, he grinned broadly and spoke.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Left Protector Dowan.”

“…Oh!”

My wuxia knowledge came in handy again.

Protectors are elite warriors directly serving the Clan Leader or sect heads, always exceptionally skilled.

And Left Protector? That’s like the Clan Leader’s left arm.

Since joining the Baek Clan, my motto’s been strong-weak-weak-strong (only for those worth respecting).

I quickly bowed.

“G-Greetings! I’m Seoran! I’m sorry if I was rude!”

“Hahaha! You’re an interesting one.”

Thwack!

He laughed heartily, slapping my back.

The sound was loud, but he controlled his strength—it didn’t hurt much.

“No need to be so formal! I enjoyed watching your performance yesterday.”

“T-Thank you.”

“I think we’ll get along well.”

“…?”

I didn’t quite get what he meant by that last part, but my courage wasn’t big enough to ask.

Anyway—

We arrived at the Clan Leader’s office in the Clan Leader’s quarters.

“Phew…”

Nervous, I took a moment to steady my breath, but Dowan suddenly pushed my back.

“Go on in.”

“…Alone?”

He’s sending me in alone? Really?

I looked at him, pleading, but he just smiled brightly.

That smile screamed, “Stop whining and get in.”

‘…Damn it.’

Swallowing my tears, I stepped into the Clan Leader’s office alone.

Clunk.

As expected, the Clan Leader was there, tending to a bonsai.

The issue was the elderly man standing to his left.

‘…Who’s that?’

I hadn’t seen him at the banquet.

I thought this was supposed to be a private meeting—why’s someone else here?

The Clan Leader stopped pruning and turned to me.

“Come in. Sorry for calling you so suddenly.”

His tone was kind, but it only made me more tense.

In this brutal martial world, who’s the most dangerous?

Someone like the Young Master’s brother, openly scheming and committing evil?

Sure, you need to watch out for them, but they’re just mid-tier bosses.

The real threat, the one you really need to avoid, is the mastermind watching from the shadows.

Exactly like this Clan Leader.

‘…Stay sharp.’

Swallowing hard, I steeled myself.

But then—

“Hah, what an interesting kid.”

The old man chuckled, suddenly gesturing to me.

“Come here and show me your wrist. I need to check something quickly.”

“…Huh?”

And who are you?