The room still faintly bore traces of her father and brother.
Despite their meager circumstances, Jin Hayeon had prepared coarse grain rice and simple side dishes with utmost care for her uncle, whom she was meeting for the first time.
It was a humble meal of just rice and vegetables, but the spotlessly clean bowls revealed the sincerity of her heart.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. This is all we have to eat... But tomorrow, I'll sell some herbs and buy some meat!"
"..."
Jin Muhon stared down at the table for a moment before picking up his spoon and devouring the rice like a man possessed.
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Jin Hayeon watched him with wide eyes.
He wolfed it down in the blink of an eye and set his spoon down with a clack.
"It was delicious."
"Pardon? It wasn't anything special..."
"No. It really was delicious. Thank you."
Sincerity filled Jin Muhon's voice.
"...Yes."
Jin Hayeon beamed. Her smile alone seemed to brighten the dim room.
Jin Muhon glanced over the yellowed walls.
How hard must it have been for her to hold on alone in this rundown shack? Life couldn't have been easy.
Yet even with an uncle who hadn't sent word in years suddenly returning, she harbored no complaints or resentment. Instead, she seemed apologetic for not offering a proper welcome.
She was a remarkably kind girl.
"Um... Uncle. Wouldn't it be better if you hid for a while?"
Worry clouded her face.
A sharp pang stabbed Jin Muhon's heart like a needle.
He hadn't been able to protect anyone.
Not his father, mother, brother, or sister-in-law. Not even his wife and child who had saved him.
Now, only Jin Hayeon remained before him.
'I'll protect you, no matter what.'
He had a hunch what troubled her, but he feigned ignorance.
"Why?"
"Those guys from earlier today. They're bad men. They backed off politely in front of you, Uncle, but they'll surely come back with their buddies."
She wasn't entirely naive.
Jin Muhon's heart warmed at her concern.
'Of course. What family blood runs through her veins? She knows that much.'
He nodded awkwardly, his face twitching.
"Huh? Uncle! Was that... a smile?"
Jin Hayeon stared at him with wide, curious eyes.
"Hm? Was it?"
"Yes! Smile more often! It looks good on you!"
"...First time I've heard that."
"Why not? You have such a fine face! Oh, right! Are you married? Do I have cousins?"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Jin Muhon's expression hardened instantly.
Realizing her mistake, Jin Hayeon panicked and lowered her voice.
"S-Sorry. I overstepped..."
"No. You had an aunt and cousins."
"...I see."
Had.
Quick on the uptake, Jin Hayeon sensed there was a story her uncle couldn't share. Of course—after decades without a word, how could his life have been smooth?
"But who were those guys?"
"Ah! Well..."
Changing the subject, Jin Muhon asked about the thugs.
Jin Hayeon, relieved to move past her blunder, eagerly spat out their identity and the ordeals she'd endured, flecks of saliva flying.
'Jigangpa, huh...'
From what he gathered, they weren't even a proper sect—just a gang of thugs preying on honest folk.
She'd borrowed money from them for her parents' funeral, and the debt had snowballed into a mountain, leading to today.
"You've been through a lot."
"Sob! Waaah!"
Having poured it all out, her pent-up grief overflowed, and she threw herself into Jin Muhon's arms.
How heartbroken and terrified she must have been.
Jin Muhon gently patted her back.
"You're a grown woman now. How will you ever marry if you cling like this?"
"I'm not getting married!"
"Why? Your father would want you to."
"How could I leave you alone, Uncle? I'll stay by your side!"
The corners of Jin Muhon's mouth curved up slightly.
They'd only met today.
But it seemed Jin Hayeon had craved family bond even more.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine now."
"Yes! Now that you're back, I have nothing to fear!"
"Good."
Exhausted from crying, Jin Hayeon fell asleep with her head on his lap. Childlike for her age, but after such a grueling day on her frail frame, it was no wonder.
Jin Muhon let her use his lap through the night.
'Tomorrow, I should pay those guys a visit.'
He turned his gaze to the window.
A full moon hung in the sky, scattering silver beams.
For some reason, tonight the moonlight felt warm.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After carrying the sleeping Jin Hayeon—who hadn't stirred—to her room, Jin Muhon enjoyed a deep sleep for the first time in ages.
The enemies who haunted his dreams, his departed wife and child—they didn't appear last night.
Old habits die hard, though.
After just two hours, he was up, and dawn hadn't fully broken. The early morning air chilled his lungs.
"Young Master."
As Jin Muhon, iron sword at his waist, stepped toward the gate, he paused and turned.
Baek No stood in the corner of the courtyard, gazing at him with worry.
"Not sleeping more?"
"The older you get, the less sleep you need."
Baek No approached slowly, tapping his cane with a tap-tap. Dry leaves crunched underfoot.
Jin Muhon waited patiently.
"The sun hasn't risen yet. At least have some breakfast before you go."
Jin Muhon met Baek No's eyes squarely.
Trembling with anxiety, on the verge of tears.
He probably thought the young master, seeing the family's state after so long, would leave again.
"Young Master. My days are numbered. Thinking of the young miss left alone... Sob!"
Overcome with emotion, Baek No finally let his tears flow, streaming down his wrinkled cheeks.
Jin Muhon stepped forward and patted the old man's hunched shoulders.
"Numbered days? Live stubbornly till you're painting the walls with shit."
"Cough! Pardon?"
Baek No looked up with wide eyes.
Jin Muhon's mouth twitched awkwardly.
"Don't worry, I'm not leaving. Just heading to Jigangpa."
"J-Jigangpa?! Why that wretched place!"
"Shh! Keep it down. You'll wake Hayeon."
"Ah, yes. Yes."
Both lowered their voices and glanced toward Jin Hayeon's room.
Sure enough, rustling came from behind the door.
"Young Master, it's dangerous. Sell what little we have and flee with the young miss."
"How can I leave with Mother and Father's graves here?"
"That's..."
Baek No's briefly brightened face darkened again.
The Baek No in his memories had been sturdy, but age took its toll.
"Where are Brother and Sister-in-law's graves?"
"Not far from the family head's tomb."
"Mm. Tell me what happened."
He couldn't ask Jin Hayeon to recount her parents' deaths.
Baek No bowed his head, biting his cracked lips, then spoke in a low, raspy voice.
"Officially... it was an accident."
Accident.
But both Baek No and Jin Hayeon suspected foul play behind the deaths.
The family's few remaining businesses had all fallen to Jigangpa soon after.
"...That's how it was."
"I see. Understood."
Jin Muhon nodded impassively after listening in silence.
The eastern sky was beginning to redden.
He turned to leave.
"Y-Young Master! Really to Jigangpa—!"
"Shh! I said you'll wake her."
Jin Muhon quickly covered Baek No's mouth and glared.
"Don't worry. Just a little talk, then back."
"Really...?"
"Yes. Just talk."
"...Yes."
Anxiety lingered on Baek No's face, but he had no way to stop him.
Jin Muhon flashed an awkward smile and headed out the gate.
Under the gradually reddening sky, Baek No watched his receding back for a long while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After a short walk from the estate, Jin Muhon arrived in Jigang County.
The sun hadn't fully risen, but market folk were already stirring.
Men opening shop doors, women firing up dumpling steamers, travelers with bundles heading out, vendors setting up stalls.
Soon, the savory aroma of steaming dumplings wafted through the air.
"Come to think of it, I never asked where Jigangpa is."
Standing idly in the street, Jin Muhon scratched his head and looked around.
No rough types in sight this early.
He approached the dumpling stall.
"Excuse me."
"Oh! Dumplings? Trouble is, I just lit the fire—you'll have to wait a bit."
The young woman looked apologetic.
"No, directions to the brothel or gambling den?"
"...Ah."
Thugs like them would hole up in such places. Even if not, grabbing a few would reveal their base easily.
But her reaction was odd.
"Looking for those at this hour? They're closing up soon."
She eyed him up and down pityingly.
Only then did Jin Muhon check his appearance.
His black martial robes crusted with dried blood and grime, unwashed body reeking. To the harsh eye, he looked like a beggar.
Jin Hayeon sleeping on his lap all night was impressive.
"Tsk. Worry about your own nose first. Straight down this road—you'll see the brothel."
"Thanks."
"Tsk tsk tsk."
She turned away, clicking her tongue at his thanks.
When had the Sword Demon ever faced such treatment?
Jin Muhon chuckled and strode on.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
True to her word, a brothel soon appeared.
Oversized and gaudy for the village scale.
"Unbong Pavilion..."
The ornate signboard gleamed in extravagant script.
Red pillars and vibrant paints sparkled in the morning sun, but the doors were shut tight after hours.
Gazing at them, Jin Muhon recalled his words to Baek No.
- Just talk and back.
Of course, "talk" didn't have to mean words alone.
He walked up and kicked the doors savagely.
BOOM!
The heavy doors shattered inward with a splintering crash, debris flying everywhere.
"Kyaaak!"
"Eek! Wh-What?!"
Thud. Thud.
Jin Muhon stepped over the threshold.
A pungent mix of alcohol and perfume assaulted his nose.
Courtesans heading home after a long night, maids cleaning the filthy halls, even the brothel's pillar men overseeing them.
All froze like statues, staring at the intruder.
"Wha...?"
"What is it? A customer?"
"Pfft. Customer? That's a beggar."
The absurdity left everyone speechless.
Jin Muhon scanned the interior swiftly.
Then, from deeper within, a man burst out cursing coarsely.
"Fuck! What now— Hiiik!!"
The man, charging out aggressively, collapsed to his knees as if facing the grim reaper.
Jin Muhon grinned at the man's empty sleeve.
"Here for a talk."
"G-G-Great One?"
The thug's voice cracked in terror.
Jin Muhon drew his sword with a shing, an awkward smile on his face.