NOVEL NEXT I Will Raise It as the Best Family in the World
Chapter 10
“Hoo. That’s a strange thing.”
Jegal Dam sighed after spotting the woman entering the Deng Tian Escort Agency’s branch office. “What is it?” The escort warrior Yang Cheolwoo asked in surprise. Yang Cheolwoo, the son of Jegal Dam’s nanny, was now a trusted aide. Having watched over Jegal Dam since his birth, he prided himself on knowing him better than anyone else. Since he was someone who rarely showed interest in women, he couldn’t help but be surprised. Who is Jegal Dam? He was the eldest son of the Jegal family, a great pillar of the Five Great Families and a lineage that had produced military leaders for generations within the Murim Alliance, Jegal Clan’s Great Young Master. Jegal Dam, who had just turned 14, had been intelligent since childhood. As he learned to read and started studying many books on his own, he surprised everyone with his incredible insight. After turning 10, even the elders of the family found it difficult to evaluate his knowledge and intelligence. They rejoiced, claiming that another divine prodigy had been born into their clan, and their expectations for him grew ever greater. There was an opinion that the Great Young Master should be put in the position of Young Lord. “Hey, do you see the woman who just entered?” “Yes, I do. I have eyes too, you know.” “How is it?” The wrinkles were caught in the fine light. After clearing his throat, he spoke again. “She is a beauty, but is that a strange thing?” “You say you have eyes, but it’s as if you don’t have any. Tsk.” There was a wrinkle between his fair eyebrows. He clicked his tongue once and opened his mouth again. “I mean, look at that woman’s martial arts technique.” “You said that right away.” Yang Cheolwoo looked at the woman. His eyes grew wider in surprise. “Huh? G, Great Young Master, that woman.” “Before I paid close attention, her very existence was blurry. Even though she possessed such beauty.” “Is the martial artist… Hmm, third-rate?” “She hides her martial arts skill, yet seems unaware that erasing one’s presence only draws more attention. Judging by that, her experience appears lacking… She probably isn’t third-rate.” “What do you mean?” “Yes, usually the only ones who hide themselves like that are assassins and shadow.” “Could it be assassins?” “Well, what do you think it is? Let’s find out.” Yang Cheolwoo’s gaze sharpened, but Jegal Dam spoke calmly. Jegal Dam arrived in Wuhan at the summons of his uncle, a military officer of the Seven Factions of Murim Alliance. Feeling stifled by the atmosphere of peace that permeated Wuhan as always, Jegal Dam found something intriguing when he encountered this change. A mischievous smile appeared on his elegant face. “Go and receive the token from the person.” “Now you’re asking me to do all sorts of things.” “It’s something you’re good at, isn’t it? Try doing it.” “What am I good at?” “It’s an imitation of a black swordsman who reveals money and uses his strength.” “Why am I the only one who does this?” “So, should I do it?” “Alright, alright. I’m leaving. Our Young Master is now interested in everything again. What can I do? It’s the Young Master’s order after all. I have to do it, is there anything I can do?” Yang Cheowoo grumbled and started walking towards the reception desk. The more he walked, the more his upright posture broke down, shifting into a shaky stance. Yang Cheolwoo, wearing the appearance of a grumpy black swordsman, spoke as the prestigious guard of the Great Young Master of the Jegal Clan. “Hey, you there, Pyodu, Elder Pyodu is looking for you.” Jegal Dam, who was watching from afar, couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “He complains about not being able to do it, but he’s really good at it. Just like a real bandit. Tsk.” After receiving the woman’s token, Yang Cheolwoo returned after dealing with several more customers. He spoke, holding something that looked like a letter in his hand, with a very proud expression on his face “This makes things a lot more fun.” “What is this?” “This is a gift that the woman was trying to send. Huh, really.” “Why did you bring it here?” “It would be better to see yourself.” Jegal Dam took the letter from Yang Cheolwoo’s hand and narrowed his eyes at the name of the recipient written on the envelope. It was because his own name was written on it. “It looks like it’s a love letter. The sender is said to be a Young Miss from the Hong’an County’s Seol Family. The Great Young Master will be pleased to hear about this.” “Hmm.” “Wouldn’t it be the escort of a precious Young Miss? Even if the escort has mastered shadow martial arts, it wouldn’t be surprising.” “Hmm.” “The Great Young Master seems to have misjudged this time…” Ignoring Yang Cheolwoo’s continued teasing, Jegal Dam opened the letter. “What is it talking about? Is it not a love letter?” As the furrows between Jegal Dam’s eyebrows deepened while reading the letter, Yang Cheolwoo asked cautiously. But Jegal Dam didn’t respond and just stood still with his eyes closed. Yang Cheolwoo remained silent and waited patiently. He knew that the Great Young Master’s behavior indicated that he was deeply lost in thought. Finally, Jegal Dam opened his mouth in a stern tone. “Escort Yang Cheolwoo, listen.” “Yes, Great Young Master.” The playful atmosphere suddenly disappeared. In its place, with an air that seemed to have even changed, stood Jegal Dam, the Great Young Master of the Great Jegal Clan, and his escort Yang Cheolwoo. “Immediately ordered the Wuhan branch of the Jegal family and the branch of Deng Tian Escort Agency to gather all information on the Seol Family of Hong’an County. I want everything, both what is known and what is hidden.” “I will follow.” “However, it is important to remember that this matter must be carried out in secret.” “I will follow.” Yang Cheolwoo, who answered with a disciplined posture, quickly left the room. Left alone, Jegal Dam began to read the letter in his hand again. [Spring is here, and flowers are blooming, A small pouch full of money, I am not a beggar under the sky. Even if the dragon in the sky blocks the light, Don’t worry. Snow will come again. I hear it’s a song sung by the children in the marketplace. I think it’s a really interesting song. What do you think, Young Master?] “Ha. That’s right. Seol’s Young Miss. It’s really… an interesting song.” With an unreadable smile, he carefully tucked the letter into his pocket and walked slowly. The flower grass blooming at his feet turned red as if embarrassed. *** “Therefore…” After reading the investigation documents about the Seol family brought by Yang Cheolwoo, Jegal Dam began to speak. Yang Cheolwoo’s head sank down indefinitely. Even though it was only collected from his family’s Wuhan branch and Deng Tian Escort Agenci’s branch, it was extremely poor. Even though it was prepared in a short period of time, there really wasn’t much to it. “You mean this is everything?” “Yes, that’s correct.” “Haa, this is it.” Jegal Dam let out a dry laugh and scanned the documents again, his eyes gleaming. Yang Cheolwoo, who had raised his head, asked cautiously. “How about trying to get information from the Beggar Sect or Low-Down Sect?” “No, it’s okay. I don’t think it would be much different if I asked them for information.” “How come…” “Hmm.” A mischievous smile that he doesn’t usually see appeared on Jegal Dam’s face. “Isn’t it fun?” “What do you mean?” “Think about whether this is possible. One family has guarded a single village for over 500 years. Not a hundred, not two hundred, but over 500 years. Yet, the power of that family has neither grown nor diminished.” “Isn’t Hong’an County said to be very small? I’m hearing about it for the first time now. So wouldn’t it have been possible?” Jegal Dam shook his head and began to explain. “No, no. No matter what happens in human life, there are ups and downs. Even our family, which is called the best in the world, experiences that, don’t we?” “From what I’ve heard, it seems like that, but…” “Yeah. This means that they have been maintaining their power at just the right level all this time.” “What do you…” “Right next to Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance is, they’ve kept an appropriate distance from both the government and the martial world. They must have made tremendous efforts to maintain their status and their family’s standing.” Yang Cheolwoo’s mouth opened. He had noticed something unusual. “Why on earth…” “That’s right. Why on earth did they do that?” Jegal Dam’s eyes sparkled like a child who discovered a fun toy. He stood up and added, “If nothing comes up after investigating, wouldn’t it be okay to ask directly?” “T, to whom?” “Didn’t you find out? It was called Hwayoung inn, right?” “Huh. You plan to ask that woman directly?” “Yeah, I will.” “Would a mere escort know anything?” “Well, you’ll find out if you ask.” Jegal Dam strode forward, the white hem of his robe flapping in the wind. Yang Cheolwoo belatedly stood up and followed his master. And they arrived at Hwayoung inn. The servant must have noticed the appearance of these unusual people, and jumped out as if flying. “Oh, welcome. This is Hwayoung Inn. We have a nice spot on the 5th floor. Shall we take you there?” “Ahem. I heard that a woman wearing a bamboo hat is staying here…” When Yang Cheolwoo spoke softly in a hesitant manner, the servant naturally changed his words. “4th floor. There’s a great spot on the 4th floor. I’ll take you there.” It was natural that the servant, who was quick-witted, had deep pockets.
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