LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 171
“Hye-ryeong, are you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. In fact, I’m quite comfortable.”
“I’m uncomfortable.”
“Really?”
“I’m just joking.”
I bent my waist further under the weight of Hye-ryeong hanging from my neck with her arms for about half an hour.
The weight isn’t really an issue, but the feeling of a large lump of fat pressing on my back is somewhat…
“Uncle, lately you’ve been going in and out a lot, and when you come back, all you do is meditate, so we don’t get to see you much. Would you really wander around like that when you have such a pretty lover?”
“Should I be saying that?”
In response to my rebuttal, Hye-ryeong smiled evasively and pressed her cheek against mine.
“Uncle, you don’t have any beard.”
“I shave it off every morning.”
“Do you not grow a beard?”
Beards.
In fact, many people around me grow beards, but I keep shaving because of the habits from my previous life. When I told them a white lie that if someone pulls my beard, it could cost me my life, quite a few accepted it.
“Hmm, do you think it would suit me?”
“Um… I think it would! You might look similar to a friend of Elder!”
“Friend of Elder?!”
While I may look older than my age, isn’t that too much? Although I do look older due to the hardships I’ve faced in the desert, not to that extent… Or maybe…
I pictured myself with scruffy facial hair in my mind.
…I can’t really deny that.
Even now, I’m treated as if I’m twice my age. If I grow a beard, I might be treated as if I’m three times my age.
Though I’ve only been an adult for a few years, the thought of being mistaken for an old man makes me shudder involuntarily. Hye-ryeong, hanging on my back, chuckled and tickled my ear when she felt me shiver.
“Got you there?”
“I’ll never consider growing a beard.”
“Uncle, wouldn’t a beard suit you? It might make you look more like a skilled elder.”
“Following Seo-ryeon’s logic, you might look like a seasoned elder.”
Seo-ryeon, who was drinking tea beside me, interjected slightly.
“Seems like an elder…”
“Or even worse, you might be called a shameless old man who married a man’s daughter.”
Now, most people already know my age, but it’s not as if there wouldn’t be anyone who would doubt upon seeing my face.
Besides, being a Colored-Eyed Person, it wouldn’t be strange if someone really claimed that.
“Your dad might grab you by the collar if he heard you say that.”
Hmm, not likely.
But then again, judging by his expression when he sees me lately, he might actually do it.
“I had better watch my words carefully to avoid falling over.”
“Uncle, are you really not going to try growing a beard? It might bring out a dignified charm…”
“That’s correct. Master Eun-gong would likely look good with a beard.”
A few days ago, Mok-kyeong, who was dressed as a male, now changed back into women’s clothing, echoed Hye-ryeong’s words. She blushed and quickly turned her head away when our eyes met.
So easily understandable, it’s quite convenient.
“You, please stop staring at me so much.”
“It’s past the point where I should act shy.”
Though this is her first time dressing up so elaborately, it’s not like she hasn’t worn women’s clothing before.
“This outfit doesn’t suit me at all; I feel embarrassed. It would suit Hye-ryeon or Seo-ryeon much better than me…”
“Honestly, can you stop that?”
“Miss Tan, I think you need to realize how you look.”
I understood their reactions. Anyone would be astonished if a universally admired beauty said the clothes didn’t suit me.
“You should stop saying that. They suit you plenty.”
“But Hye-ryeong and Seo-lyeon have much better posture!”
“Ultimately, the completion of the outfit is the face. A pretty face covers half of it. So stop spouting nonsense and drink your tea.”
“Yes…”
Upon hearing my words, Mok-kyeong shrunk like a wet dog.
How cute.
She managed to pass herself off as a man so well until I heard otherwise. Who would have suspected she’s a woman before I learned the truth?
“Uncle, where were you planning to go again?”
“I have to visit the Sungcheon Trading Company.”
“Sungcheon Trading Company… Is it about the Three Treasures Sword Technique?”
Miss Mok, who knew the situation, asked me. I nodded and replied.
“Exactly. I need to retrieve the rest of the secret manual as well.”
“I will help too.”
“Are you sure? You’re not fully recovered.”
“How can I rest when Master Eun-gong has shown me such grace?”
“…You should be fine.”
“Uncle, I want to go too!”
“You would have followed even if I didn’t say anything, wouldn’t you?”
“Still, it’s only polite to ask, right?”
“Will you follow me?”
“Yes!”
She tightened her arms around my neck just because I asked in an exaggeratedly polite way. While it doesn’t quite make it hard for me to breathe, the pressure on my back from her ample chest makes me lean forward.
Who would have thought that I’d end up reciting the Lord’s Prayer daily like a turbaned Koran chant?
I instantly started reciting the Lord’s Prayer in my head while speaking.
“Hye-ryeong, would you please loosen your grip on my neck a bit?”
“I want to stay close a bit longer…”
“We need to start preparing.”
“Alright.”
Only then did Hye-ryeong untangle her arms from my neck and step back. I finally managed to catch my breath, calmed down, and stood up.
“I’ll be back in a bit.”
“I want to go too!”
“Master Eun-gong, I’ll come too.”
“Can I come as well?”
“It doesn’t matter to me… But we’re just going to watch the clouds.”
It’s not all that interesting just to watch.
However, when I could see that the three of them had no intention of waiting, I sighed and said.
“Follow me well.”
——————-
“Master Wi’s words… They really are vast.”
“Yes, it’s that kind of paper.”
I mumbled with irritation while inserting a carrot into the mouth of the horse approaching me. Fengyun chewed the carrot vigorously, swallowed it, and stared at me as if asking for more.
“Alright, you can have more.”
“Uncle, I’ll be back in a bit to see Jinxiang!”
“Go ahead.”
I watched Hye-ryeong walk far away, likely looking for Jinxiang nearby, then turned my gaze back to Fengyun. Fengyun’s body gleamed like it was well-maintained by an expert stable hand.
Who would think this horse, which is so vibrant, is 10 years old?
Its eyes are so lively.
“Fengyun, you’ll be able to run soon, so please wait just a little longer.”
“Neigh!”
“Can I touch him?”
“If you don’t touch him roughly, it should be fine.”
I stepped aside by a single step to give Seo-ryeon space to approach Fengyun. Seo-ryeon, perhaps feeling tense about approaching Fengyun, who was much larger than any other horse in the stable, extended the back of her hand cautiously with an uncharacteristically rigid expression.
Fortunately, Fengyun didn’t reject her touch.
He merely sniffed her hand and gently rubbed his face against it. Seeing that Fengyun didn’t reject her, Seo-ryeon lit up and began to gently stroke Fengyun’s nose.
“Oh, he’s a bit scary because of his size, but he’s so cute.”
“It seems like you like him.”
Or maybe it’s because I’m watching her.
Fengyun has long been subdued by my presence, so there’s no way it will cause trouble now. He’s already had a good run thanks to me.
A smart horse like this would certainly understand that much.
I quietly turned my gaze to Mok-kyeong, who was silently observing Seo-ryeon and Fengyun interact.
“Last time, you said you knew nothing about riding, right?”
“I did learn a little when I was young, but I barely remember it…”
“I’ll teach you how to ride.”
“…Thank you, Master Eun-gong.”
“Your gratitude isn’t necessary. I’m teaching you out of necessity.”
“Still, by teaching me this, Master Eun-gong is bestowing yet another favor on me. How can I possibly repay it…”
“Don’t think about it too heavily.”
From my perspective, just having Mok-kyeong stay by my side is a great advantage.
Having such a young prodigy as an ally is no ordinary matter. She may be naive about the ways of the world, but she doesn’t have to be so humble.
“…Master Eun-gong, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Isn’t it necessary to ride a horse to go to the Sungcheon Trading Company?”
“That’s right.”
“Then…”
“Ride in front of me.”
“Master Eun-gong, even if that were true…”
Why are you shy now?
Shouldn’t she learn shamelessness from Hye-ryeong? She needs to learn from Hye-ryeong’s ability to boldly pursue without worrying about embarrassment.
Just half of it.
“Since I’ve already checked on Fengyun’s condition, let’s head to the market now.”
“Are you intending to prepare for traveling?”
“Yes.”
Traveling to Sungcheon Trading Company is a journey that would take around a day on horseback, so if we start riding hard from tomorrow, we can definitely make a round trip within fifteen days.
“…There will surely be more chaos this time as well.”
Hearing Mok-kyeong’s words, I sighed and nodded.
“My life has never been easy once, so it’ll probably be a bit tiresome.”
“Regardless of what happens, I will follow Master Eun-gong.”
“Me too!”
“Can I join as well?”
“…Alright.”
Mutual need for one another.
Isn’t that the best relationship?
I headed to the market with the three women.