Chapter 26
“Thinking about it, it’s frustrating, isn’t it? That guy knew she had Jeolmaek Syndrome.”
Dok Go-ryong frowned, and Lee Ji-cheol asked.
“That guy? Who?”
“The head of the Dokgo family.”
Lee Ji-cheol raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Only Dok Go-ryong would call the head of one of the ten major noble families ‘that guy’.”
“He didn’t tell me either. Anyway, it’s a terrible family.”
Looking at Eun Sowol, who mimicked Dok Go-ryong’s posture and gave a pouty expression, Lee Ji-cheol couldn’t help but be momentarily speechless.
‘Blood is terrifying,’ he thought.
Even though they were sworn brothers, they looked so alike.
“Well, that’s a matter for later. Anyway, we need to go to the Sacheon Dang Clan to treat her.”
“At least we know who to go to, right?”
“Even so, it won’t be as easy as you think, kid.”
At Lee Ji-cheol’s words, Eun Sowol tilted her head.
“Why? Shouldn’t we just go to the Sacheon Dang Clan?”
“The Sacheon Dang Clan is one of the most secretive and infamous of the five great families. They’re known for rejecting outsiders. Unless we have an invitation, we won’t be able to set foot inside.”
“Still, we have to try. We can’t just give up.”
“Well, to figure out your exact diagnosis, that’s the only way…”
Lee Ji-cheol crossed his arms and thought deeply before making a big decision.
“I’ll try contacting the Sacheon branch.”
“…You’re really going that far to help?”
“The child’s life is at stake. I can’t just stand by. I’ll do whatever I can, even if it’s clutching at straws.”
Eun Sowol looked at him with a puzzled expression and couldn’t hold back her curiosity. She tugged at Dok Go-ryong’s sleeve and whispered into his ear.
“How is Ji-cheol going to help? Does the Sacheon branch have an inn?”
“No, it’s not that. That guy, despite his looks, is the Southern Yang branch head of the Hao Moon.”
“…Huh?”
“Do you not know what Hao Moon is? It’s an organization… think of it like an information network.”
Dok Go-ryong casually dropped the bombshell before returning to his conversation with Lee Ji-cheol.
Meanwhile, Eun Sowol gaped in shock.
‘That ordinary-looking uncle is the head of the Southern Yang branch of Hao Moon?!’
If it’s Hao Moon, doesn’t that mean they have intelligence equal to or greater than the Open Faction?
Not to mention, he wasn’t just an employee; he was the branch head, managing a whole region!
‘He said they’re sworn brothers? No wonder his connections are impressive…’
Eun Sowol was astounded by the unexpected influence Dok Go-ryong had. Despite his background, his surprising network of connections was overwhelming.
She stared at the two men in awe. However, neither of them noticed, as they continued to discuss how to get into the Sacheon Dang Clan.
“When are we leaving?”
“As soon as preparations are complete. It will be a long journey, so we need to be properly prepared. Especially since… we’re not alone anymore.”
The weight of responsibility was felt in Dok Go-ryong’s hand as he patted Eun Sowol’s head.
Feeling suddenly guilty, Eun Sowol clenched her fist.
“I’ll help as much as I can! What should I do first?”
“Just eat well and sleep well. You’re no help to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself. It’s late, so go eat and get some rest.”
With that, Dok Go-ryong gently lifted Eun Sowol off his lap and walked out of the room.
“Uncle, where are you going?”
“Stick with that uncle. I’ll be back soon.”
“Then I’ll come with you…”
Eun Sowol tried to follow him with her short legs, but—
“Hey, you’re not feeling well. Where do you think you’re going?”
Lee Ji-cheol stopped her.
“Let’s stay here with me while Dok Go-ryong is gone. You haven’t eaten yet, right?”
“…Yes.”
Seeing her droopy shoulders and slightly pouting lips, Lee Ji-cheol thought for a moment before smiling.
“Is there anything you want to eat? Tell me, I’ll get it for you.”
At first, Eun Sowol was confused, but as soon as she saw the huge inn below while looking down from the balcony, her mouth dropped open.
“I-Is all of this your property, uncle?”
“Of course. This is the best inn in Southern Yang.”
What she had seen before was a shabby inn, but this was a five-star hotel.
The inn was a five-story building, huge enough to accommodate ten times the number of people of an ordinary inn.
‘And he’s the head of the Southern Yang branch of Hao Moon?’
That meant he also had some serious muscle behind him. He was an incredible person.
Just then, Eun Sowol sniffed the air.
Looking slyly, she caught a glimpse of the food on the tables, and before she knew it…
Gulp!
She swallowed unconsciously as her eyes sparkled.
Seeing her drool, Lee Ji-cheol chuckled.
“Order whatever you want.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Have you ever had braised five-spiced pork?”
“No! I want to try! Can I have something else too?”
“Of course! Anything you want. But since you’re still sick, don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Yes!”
Before long, Dok Go-ryong had been left far behind, while Eun Sowol’s mind was completely filled with thoughts of food.
Before long, the round table was filled with every delicacy imaginable.
The food looked so much better than anything she had ever eaten before, and Eun Sowol’s mouth watered uncontrollably.
“Eat well.”
“I will!”
As soon as Lee Ji-cheol finished speaking, Eun Sowol reached for the food.
The first thing she grabbed was a massive dumpling. She blew on it and ate, her eyes lighting up.
“Mmm, it’s so delicious!”
She kicked her legs in the air and shook her cheeks, making her face tremble with joy.
She ate as if she had been starving for days, savoring every bite, while humming “Mmm” every few seconds.
“Eat slowly, or you’ll get sick.”
“Okay!”
She answered energetically, but she didn’t slow down at all.
‘She’s amazing.’
Lee Ji-cheol watched in awe as Eun Sowol devoured the food. She was so thin; her bones were visible, and her limbs seemed fragile.
Even though she had gained weight, he could hardly imagine how bad she had been when he first found her.
She had eaten half of the food when her chopsticks finally stopped.
“I can’t eat anymore…”
Looking at her glossy lips, slightly puffed cheeks, and her bloated stomach, Lee Ji-cheol chuckled.
“Did you eat too much? What if you get sick?”
“I might have eaten a bit too much, but it’s okay! I ate everything! You’re a great cook, uncle!”
“Well… if you’re satisfied, that’s good.”
Lee Ji-cheol ruffled her hair and finally picked up his chopsticks.
Leaning against the back of his chair, Eun Sowol patted her stomach and suddenly got curious.
“Ji-cheol, how did you meet Uncle? Were you really sworn brothers?”
“Of course. At least, I think so. As for Dok Go-ryong… I’m not sure what he thinks.”
Since Dok Go-ryong was a bit gruff, Lee Ji-cheol added that last part.
“But why do you call him ‘Ryoong’?”
“Well, that’s his name?”
“Everyone else calls him ‘Kwang-ryong,’ though.”
“Ah, now he’s got the nickname ‘Kwang-ryong,’ but when I first met him, he was just an unknown rookie. I think that was his first time leaving the martial world.”
The story of a rookie in the martial world… it was fascinating.
Dok Go-ryong didn’t like talking about himself, so asking about it was hard, but hearing about his early life intrigued Eun Sowol.
