SYM 43

It was a few days later that Ha Yeo-un came to Eun-hyeon’s residence.

“Great Hero Ha, what brings you here?”

“The way you say that, it sounds like I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t have.”

“Surely, you don’t think I meant it that way? I just meant I’m glad to see you.”

Eun-hyeon smiled gently, seeing Ha Yeo-un’s grumpy demeanor as soon as he arrived.

“Please, sit over here. I was just thinking about how to contact Great Hero Ha, as there was something I wanted to ask of him.”

Eun-hyeon brewed Longjing tea in a teapot. The subtle fragrance of the tea filled the room.

“Seeing you come through the main gate today, it seems you’ve cleared up the misunderstanding with the Clan Head.”

It hadn’t been long since Namgung Juwon had blamed Ha Yeo-un for Eun-hyeon’s abduction and kicked him out of the clan residence. But seeing him come so confidently like this, it seemed things had gone well with Namgung Juwon.

“Your father seems to think I’ll be quite a good friend to his son, and asked me to take good care of you. It felt like I was receiving a lecture from my father-in-law while welcoming a new bride.”

Eun-hyeon chuckled at Ha Yeo-un’s nonsensical joke.

“There’s something I wanted to discuss with Great Hero Ha.”

“With me?”

He already knew everything from Amhon’s report, but he pretended not to know anything and asked back.

Ha Yeo-un fanned himself with his fan and leaned forward.

“My mother’s death anniversary is coming up soon, and I’m planning to go to the temple to offer a Buddhist service…”

Eun-hyeon put down his teacup and looked at Ha Yeo-un.

The corners of Ha Yeo-un’s lips were slightly raised as he looked at Eun-hyeon.

“This time, it seems difficult to go alone, so I’m looking for a companion. Would you perhaps be willing to go with me?”

Ha Yeo-un fanned himself gently, then snapped the fan shut with a sharp sound.

“I have a feeling I won’t be the only companion going?”

“Due to my delicate health, it’s difficult for me to travel alone, so I plan to travel with Madam Hwang.”

“Then you shouldn’t need a bodyguard? With Madam Hwang and the Eldest Young Master traveling, there will be plenty of escorts, won’t there?”

“That’s true.”

Eun-hyeon nodded.

If only brute force was needed, the servants Namgung Juwon had given him would have been enough to protect Eun-hyeon.

But this was about uncovering Madam Hwang’s secret hidden in Godeok Temple and revealing the origins of the Undead.

There was no knowing what they would encounter in the process.

“I heard from Soseo that Madam Hwang has been frequenting a temple called Godeok Temple recently. If there’s anything, it’s sure to be there.”

“Hmm… Then how about I take a look around Godeok Temple alone?”

Eun-hyeon glared at Ha Yeo-un with wide eyes, but Ha Yeo-un didn’t budge.

“Frankly speaking, it doesn’t seem like the Eldest Young Master would be of much help if he went along. Just stay comfortably in the clan.”

Eun-hyeon knew that Ha Yeo-un was saying those words out of concern for him, but seeing him fluttering his fan as he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

“Then how about this? I’ll go with Madam Hwang, and Great Hero Ha can go his own way.”

“Eldest Young Master!”

Eun-hyeon stood up from his seat, and Ha Yeo-un followed suit.

“It seems I’ve put too much faith in Great Hero Ha’s achievements. This body, with its meager martial prowess, would only be a burden if it went along, so please don’t worry about me.”

Ha Yeo-un grabbed Eun-hyeon’s wrist, who looked as if he was about to turn around and leave at any moment. The relaxed smile that sometimes lingered on his lips as if he was teasing was nowhere to be seen.

“Young master, don’t misunderstand me. Do you not realize what I mean at all?”

“I am but a humble commoner, unworthy of understanding the great man’s grand intentions.”

Eun-hyeon retorted coldly and tried to pull his arm away, but he couldn’t easily escape Ha Yeo-un’s grasp.

Ha Yeo-un, who had been wearing a stern expression, felt his heart soften as he saw Eun-hyeon’s reddened ear tips and sulky eyes. Like the ancient tales of peerless beauties whose beauty could topple nations, even Eun-hyeon’s frowning face looked lovely as he dared to defy him and act as he pleased.

Ha Yeo-un slowly released Eun-hyeon’s wrist and let out a light sigh.

“I’ll do as you wish, so please stop being angry.”

Only then did Eun-hyeon look at Ha Yeo-un and smile brightly.

He must be going with him, even though he knew it was a dangerous place, because he trusted him.

Even though he knew that he was doing this after calculating things shrewdly, he couldn’t help but feel pleased that he trusted him.

“I feel reassured that Great Hero Ha is with me.”

“I’ll have to make sure I get a good reward from Eldest Young Master for my assist this time.”

“Of course.”

The reason Eun-hyeon was so determined to go to Godeok Temple with him was because this was a matter concerning the Namgung Clan.

If it became known that the Namgung Clan’s matriarch was colluding with the Hongbaek Sect, a public enemy of the martial world, the Namgung Clan would be unable to avoid criticism no matter what they did.

Eun-hyeon wanted to reduce the criticism the Namgung Clan would receive from the world, even if only a little, by resolving the matter himself as the Grand Prince.

Even though the Namgung Clan wasn’t his real home, he couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in his heart.

* * *

On the morning of the day they were to go to Godeok Temple with Madam Hwang, Eun-hyeon headed to the main gate of the main residence early in the morning.

He had also promised to meet Ha Yeo-un at the main gate.

He thought it was quite early, so Madam Hwang wouldn’t be out yet, but Madam Hwang was already at the main gate.

“I’m late.”

“Not at all. I simply came out early to prepare. The Eldest Young Master has arrived at the appropriate time.”

“Brother, you’ve arrived.”

Namgung Eun-gwang greeted Eun-hyeon. Eun-hyeon also gave a rough greeting and looked around at the noisy surroundings.

As Soseo had said, Madam Hwang’s procession was indeed boisterous.

There were four large carriages with the Namgung Clan’s crest on them, and if you added the servants and guards, there were more than thirty people. It was quite a large number of people for a trip that would only take a day at most.

“Are all these people going to Godeok Temple together?”

“We have some items to donate this time, and there are many rumors of bandits and such, so I’ve called for plenty of guards.”

“Mother, don’t worry. What big-hearted bandit in Hefei would dare to attack after seeing the Namgung Clan’s crest? There’s no need to bring so many cumbersome guards.”

Madam Hwang clicked her tongue softly and shook her head.

“Eun-gwang, don’t you know about the great trouble the Eldest Young Master recently experienced? It’s better to be excessive than to regret it after something happens.”

“Mother, this son has not yet made a name for himself in the martial world, but my skills are not comparable to those of common thugs. No matter how many bandits come, I am confident that I can prevent them from harming a single hair on Mother or Brother’s heads.”

“This is why you are still called immature.”

Namgung Eun-gwang’s face contorted at Madam Hwang’s words. He felt bad hearing that he was immature in front of Eun-hyeon.

Meanwhile, Eun-hyeon couldn’t help but chuckle at Eun-gwang’s words and actions.

A young master who had only ever practiced martial art stances and shouted their names loudly in sparring matches was underestimating bandits.

Young masters like him were perfect for getting their backs stabbed and barely escaping with their lives, returning as beggars, when they went out into the martial world.

What made bandits scary wasn’t their martial arts. The reason why large merchants paid tolls rather than fighting was to avoid antagonizing the Green Forest (Bandit Group) behind them.

Turning hundreds of Green Forest into enemies meant having to worry about arrows flying from behind at any time and in any place.

“Eun-gwang. I think Mother is right. It’s not that I’m ignoring your achievements, but since Mother and I don’t know anything about martial arts, it’s better to have guards.”

After uttering those words, Eun-hyeon realized his mistake when he saw Eun-gwang’s eyes widen and his lips tighten.

It seemed he had only hurt Namgung Eun-gwang’s pride by adding to the conversation.

“Does Brother not trust my skills, or does he not trust my character? Does he think I would leave Brother, who knows nothing about martial arts, in danger?”

Eun-hyeon gave an awkward smile as he looked at Namgung Eun-gwang, who was glaring at him.

Was Namgung Eun-gwang this kind of person?

In fact, he had never spoken to Eun-gwang other than to exchange greetings, so he didn’t really know what kind of person he was.

“Eun-gwang, you don’t have to worry about the Eldest Young Master’s safety. I’ll take care of the Eldest Young Master.”

At that moment, Ha Yeo-un’s voice was heard from behind Eun-hyeon.

When he turned around, Ha Yeo-un was standing behind Eun-hyeon.

“White-Robed Divine Dragon, why are you…”

“Good morning. Madam Hwang, and Eun-gwang. I heard from the Eldest Young Master that you were going to offer a Buddhist service today, so I asked to accompany you. As payment for accompanying you, I will act as the Eldest Young Master’s bodyguard today.”

Madam Hwang frowned at the sudden appearance of Ha Yeo-un, but she nodded soon after.

“I was a little worried because there were two of us who didn’t know martial arts, but if the White-Robed Divine Dragon accompanies us, I would be grateful. Now that everyone is here, let’s depart. Eldest Young Master, please get in that carriage with the White-Robed Divine Dragon. I will go in this carriage with Eun-gwang.”

With those words, Madam Hwang entered the carriage first, and Eun-hyeon and Ha Yeo-un followed behind her.