Slandered Names and Unwanted Admired Looks

“The thing is… you remember that extremely bizarre rumor. The one about Lord—no, wait. The rumor that Namgung Hwi had managed to single-handedly get Mangeum Bank’s youngest child pregnant right beside the lake.”

“Cough!”

Mmh?

Right as Yeo-ui was finishing his thought, a sudden, violent choking sound erupted through the room.

Because the noise had broken the flow of our conversation with absolute precision, I shifted my gaze back toward the stranger, only to find him continuously coughing into his sleeve to cover his mouth.

Seeing his immense reaction—clearly triggered by hearing a piece of gossip he had never encountered before in his entire life—vividly reminded me of my own dumbfounded state when I first arrived in Hefei.

Feeling a very faint sense of camaraderie with the man, I watched him finally cease coughing after a long moment, immediately draining his fresh cup while quietly muttering something under his breath. Unfortunately, the exact words failed to reach my ears.

“Young Master?”

“Ah, go ahead and finish your thought.”

The moment I extricated my gaze from the stranger, Yeo-ui rapidly resumed his narrative.

“Anyway, because of that pregnancy news, the entirety of Hefei was buzzing with absolute excitement.”

“That’s true.”

“But because of the disgraceful antics the Young Master of the Namgung Clan and that Yeon Ji-oh bastard pulled directly in front of Mangeum Bank, everyone has completely given up on wishing for a pregnancy here and returned home. Furthermore, it seems they were the ones who originally birthed the gossip, so now a staggering number of people outside the borders of Hefei are fiercely pointing fingers at the Namgung Clan as well.”

Aha.

Hearing just this much was more than enough to give me an incredibly clear blueprint of exactly how the situation had unfolded. Since I chose to remain silent, Yeo-ui must have calculated that I was desperately curious to hear the remaining details, prompting his tongue to wag even faster.

“Think about it, Young Master! The Young Master of the Namgung Clan abandoned his lawful partner—who had literally achieved pregnancy despite possessing a man’s body—just to immorally keep another person by his side. Because of that, everyone who traveled here simply packed up and left, terrified that if they prayed for a child at the shrine, their own partners would also step out on them!”

“…Pfft!”

I had already anticipated that the rumor would warp, but hearing the explicit details forced a genuine laugh past my lips.

Truthfully, this sort of counter-gossip should have started the exact moment the pregnancy rumor was born, so watching the record finally get set straight in this manner was highly amusing. When I had first found myself ensnared in those preposterous rumors, the future had looked incredibly bleak, but the current reality was entirely different.

“The gossip truly has turned into quite an entertaining spectacle.”

When I first stepped foot back into Hefei, the sheer absurdity of the floating rumors had left me deeply unsettled. However, discovering that the exact same gossip had now caused the prestige of the Namgung Clan to completely plummet to sub-zero temperatures was nothing short of intensely gratifying.

Unable to conceal my amusement, I bared my teeth in a wide grin, prompting Yeo-ui to start giggling right along with me. Even Jin-cheong, who historically maintained a mask of frozen rigidity, allowed a soft smile to grace his features. It appeared everyone at the table was sharing in the exact same sense of absolute triumph.

Setting aside my own status as the actual target of the rumors, watching the two of them look so thoroughly delighted made me realize they had undoubtedly been suffering immense anxiety in silence on my behalf without ever showing it.

While we were happily laughing together, the attendants finally began placing our dishes onto the table one by one.

“Young Master, please eat before it cools.”

“Alright.”

The exact split-second the food materialized, Yeo-ui immediately prioritized serving my portion first. Accepting the bowl he extended toward me, I scooped up a single spoonful of the hot soup, nodding my head in absolute satisfaction at the taste.

“You two should eat as well.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

The moment I began my meal, the two of them finally picked up their own chopsticks. Watching Yeo-ui eat with absolute ferocity as if he were thoroughly famished, while Jin-cheong moved his hands at a matching speed right beside him while trying his absolute best to pretend he wasn’t starving, filled my chest with a strange sense of pride.

Draining my soup bowl at a highly leisurely pace, I sampled a few bites of the stir-fried vegetables before smoothly setting my chopsticks back down.

I was quietly sipping my tea while looking out at the street when a fairly powerful gust of wind blew directly into the open third-floor landing. Feeling the fabric of the veil suddenly plastering against my skin, I reflexively snapped my head to the side, only to realize that the white cloth had flipped completely backward, leaving my view entirely unobstructed.

Simultaneously, my eyes locked directly with the stranger who had been staring intently toward our table.

“…….”

An accidental glance was one thing.

However, I possessed absolutely no idea why the man’s eyes suddenly widened to their absolute limits.

Watching the stranger’s pupils dilate further with every passing second injected a sharp layer of confusion into my chest. I was perfectly aware that Geum Seo-yul possessed an extraordinarily beautiful countenance. To put it into perspective, even during the past five years when the original soul had been running around unleashing tyrannical tantrums, there had been an endless sea of people casting identical looks of intense fascination his way.

If he could command that much attention while completely saturated with venom, the current Geum Seo-yul—possessing absolutely zero malice—was bound to trigger an even more explosive reaction. Deprived of that toxic arrogance, his features were nothing short of breathtakingly radiant.

Recalling the reflection I had viewed in the mirror prior to our departure today, a subtle smirk curled the corner of my mouth. A split-second later, just as the man appeared to freeze entirely mid-motion, the wind died down, and the heavy fabric of the veil cascaded back into place, completely concealing my face once more.

“…….”

At the exact same moment, a distinct note of profound disappointment washed over the stranger’s features. It appeared he, too, had been completely captivated by Geum Seo-yul’s looks. Actively behaving as if absolutely nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, I calmly withdrew my gaze and continued to holler down my tea.

“Young Master.”

“Mmh?”

Shifting my gaze toward Yeo-ui at his sudden call, I found the boy tightly clutching his chopsticks as he spoke in an incredibly tentative whisper.

“Whenever you choose to go out for a stroll in the future, do you think we could come back to this establishment frequently?”

“Does it truly suit your taste that much?”

“Yes! Intensely so!”

“I also find the establishment quite satisfactory. Furthermore, there are virtually no other patrons utilizing this floor.”

Following Yeo-ui’s praise, Jin-cheong also offered his firm seal of approval. I was personally highly satisfied with the culinary quality of the dishes, and the absolute privacy of the empty floor made it the perfect haven to relax.

The moment I nodded in agreement, the two of them mirrored my gesture with absolute delight before finally setting their chopsticks down. Watching them transition to sipping their tea, my brows suddenly furrowed tightly as I realized a piercing glare was still aggressively boring holes into the side of my face.

“…….”

Right as I was preparing to turn my head toward the source of the gaze, another completely unprompted gust of wind swept through the room. Trusting the protection of my veil, I checked on the stranger’s condition once more, only to find his movements infinitely more frantic than before.

Repeatedly picking up his cup only to slam it back down was the least of his antics; he was continuously lifting his hips from his seat before forcing himself back down. Calculating his erratic behavior, it was glaringly obvious that it was only a matter of time before the man aggressively marched over to our table. I immediately turned to address my companions.

“Are both of you completely finished eating?”

“I have finished my portion entirely.”

“I merely need to swallow this last bite, Young Master.”

The exact split-second the question left my lips, Jin-cheong slammed his chopsticks down with absolute precision. Simultaneously, Yeo-ui practically shoved the remaining contents of his small bowl down his throat, instantly clearing his plate before setting his own utensils down.

While I felt a faint pang of guilt for disrupting their peaceful meal, I calculated that it would be infinitely better to vacate this establishment immediately and seek out other street vendors to fill our stomachs while exploring. Wiping my mouth with a silk handkerchief, I delivered my instructions to Yeo-ui.

“Yeo-ui, proceed downstairs immediately and ensure the carriage is ready for departure.”

“Yes, Young Master! I shall have it prepared this instant!”

Under normal circumstances, I would have sent Jin-cheong to handle the vehicle, but right now, I desperately needed Jin-cheong’s sharp wits and protective presence more than ever.

Following my command, Yeo-ui rapidly descended the wooden steps. The moment his figure vanished completely from sight, I let out a soft sigh, prompting Jin-cheong to address me in a low, cautious whisper.

“Young Master.”

dishonesty. “Mmh?”

“If you harbor any specific commands for me, please deliver your orders.”

“Ah, it’s nothing like that.”

“…In that case.”

As expected of Jin-cheong.

Without needing a single explicit word from my lips, he subtly shifted his weight, tilting his head a fraction of an inch to the side. Anyone with eyes could tell he was silently indicating the stranger hovering right behind his back. Instead of offering a verbal response, I gave a firm, knowing nod.

“I shall guard your flank fiercely until we are safely inside the carriage.”

“I am always grateful to you.”

“Please do not say such things. Serving you is the ultimate joy of my life, Young Master.”

“Is there perhaps something you want from me? Your words are unusually sweet today.”

“…….”

Although I had tossed the remark out as a light jest, Jin-cheong’s reaction deviated entirely from his usual stoic compliance. Propping my elbow against the wooden table, I rested my chin in my palm, staring intently at him with absolute amusement.

“What on earth is it?”

“The truth is…”

“The truth is?”

Given his immense hesitation, it appeared he actually did harbor a specific item he desperately wished to purchase. Mimicking his phrasing while maintaining locked eyes, I watched him let out a soft breath before finally revealing his inner thoughts.

“I was hoping to purchase a new sword.”

“Fantastic. Let us proceed directly to the weapon shop you’ve been eyeing the exact moment we leave this place.”

Wandering aimlessly around the streets in a carriage was one thing, but moving forward with a definitive objective in mind sounded infinitely more entertaining.

“Thank you profoundly, Young Master.”

“While we are there, I should also browse through a few self-defense items. Lately, it feels as though some bizarre individual constantly glues themselves to me the exact moment I step outside.”

I purposely tossed a sideways glance toward the stranger while muttering about strange people latching onto me, but due to the thick fabric of the veil, the man appeared entirely oblivious to my pointed look.

“…….”

If I had known he would be this dense, I should have simply ripped the veil off my head entirely when the wind blew earlier. If I had done that, I could have at least broadcasted an explicit message to the man—who was currently merely hunting for a perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation—exactly how repulsive I found his lingering gaze.

However, the moment had already passed, and there was absolutely no way to rewrite history. As I let out a soft sigh, Jin-cheong offered a reassuring response.

“I shall personally inspect every single item with absolute scrutiny to ensure you secure only the absolute best product, Young Master.”

“Perfect.”

“Young Master, the carriage is fully prepared outside!”

“Then let us make our departure.”

“Yes.”

Rising fully from his seat, Jin-cheong extended a hand toward me. Accepting his perfect support, I pushed myself up and took a few decisive strides forward. However, the exact split-second we reached the threshold of the staircase, a sudden rustling sound echoed from behind our backs, followed by a loud, deliberate throat-clearing as the stranger called out to us.

“Ahem, ahem! Forgive my intrusion, esteemed guests.”

Simultaneously, Jin-cheong powerfully pushed my form a full step ahead before smoothly releasing his grip on my hand. Turning my head slightly to assess the situation, the only view that met my eyes was Jin-cheong’s massive, imposing back.

“Advancing any further is strictly forbidden.”

“Ah, this traveler merely wishes to—”

“If you attempt to close the distance by even a fraction of an inch, it shall be entirely construed as a direct threat to my master’s life.”

Faced with Jin-cheong’s razor-sharp hostility, I could clearly sense the stranger descending into visible dismay. However, that didn’t mean I harbored even a shred of sympathy for the man. Peeking my head out slightly from behind Jin-cheong’s flank, I carefully analyzed the expression painting the stranger’s features.

“Ah…”

Although Jin-cheong had swiftly moved to obstruct my view, I had already captured every single detail with absolute clarity.

The stranger’s face was completely flushed with a deep crimson that extended all the way to the tips of his ears, his entire physical posture radiating an immense, undisguised romantic infatuation.

Given that his facial structure was reasonably handsome, the display was somewhat tolerable, but the sheer burden of his intense interest was an undeniable fact. Recalling the man’s cartoonish expression, I frantically urged Jin-cheong forward.

“Now that the carriage is ready, let us leave immediately.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Please, wait just a fleeting moment!”

The man’s desperate, frantic shout echoed through the tavern floor, but his call failed to sway my movements in the slightest.

Schwing—!

“I am certain I explicitly delivered a warning.”

The unmistakable, metallic ring of a blade being drawn from its scabbard sliced through the air. A brief second later, Yeo-ui—who had been waiting anxiously at the foot of the landing—rushed up the steps and threw his arms around my frame to shield me.

“Young Master, proceed downstairs first!”

“Right.”

If my presence could offer even a shred of tactical assistance, I would have happily remained on the floor, but if the two martial artists actually engaged in a physical clash, my fragile form would merely become a massive liability for Jin-cheong. Following Yeo-ui’s judgment, I rapidly descended to the ground floor and climbed safely into the vehicle, prompting Yeo-ui to immediately turn on his heel and dash back into the tavern.

I found myself wondering what on earth was happening upstairs, but my anxiety lasted only a brief moment. Spotting Jin-cheong smoothly exiting the building alongside Yeo-ui, I let out a soft sigh of immense relief.

“For a second there, I genuinely believed a full-scale battle was about to erupt.”

The murderous aura radiating from Jin-cheong’s frame had been uniquely terrifying compared to his usual baseline demeanor. Then again, his hostility was entirely justified. The opponent had been openly armed with a sword. Whether the stranger was a genuine martial artist of the unorthodox path or merely a superficial brawler using the weapon for cheap vanity was impossible to determine. However, one absolute certainty remained: the presence of that blade represented an immense, lethal threat in Jin-cheong’s eyes.

“Young Master, we have returned safely.”

“And the payment?”

“I have successfully settled the bill just now.”

“Then let us depart immediately.”

Lingering idly in this location would merely grant that persistent bastard a perfect opportunity to track us down once more. Whether his true nature was benevolent or malicious was a question for another day. Recalling the mountain of disasters I had been forced to endure the exact second I crossed the borders back into Hefei, I shook my head violently to clear my thoughts.

“Does your head ache, Young Master?”

“No, it’s nothing. A few stray strands of hair simply blocked my view for a second.”

“Should I readjust your hair for you?”

“In a bit. Jin-cheong, let us proceed directly to the establishment that houses the weapon you mentioned.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Having climbed into the carriage first, Yeo-ui carefully analyzed my physical condition before shifting his gaze toward Jin-cheong, who was waiting just outside the threshold. The moment Yeo-ui offered a firm nod, a wave of visible relief washed over Jin-cheong as he stepped into the vehicle. Taking up his usual position right by the doorway, Jin-cheong pulled firmly on the signaling rope twice. A brief moment later, the carriage set into motion, smoothly melting into the streets of Hefei.