Chapter 6 In truth, it’s quite dangerous for three children to go out to the marketplace alone. Even if they belong to a third-rate martial family, others will see them as children from a wealthy household, and there could be those who target them for their money or ransom. 'But there isn’t enough surplus in the family to assign a guard with decent martial skills to protect them.' This situation was evident from the question Baek Yeon-Yeon asked after she had finished her ritual purification. "Brother, do you think we’ll get permission to go out? The adults might not let us…." Despite understanding the situation, Yang-Hui replied confidently. "Yeon-Ah." "Yes?" "This brother of yours is a man who makes the impossible possible." Yang-Hui grinned and looked at Baek Heon-So. "So-Ya, I’m sorry." "What? Wh-what for...?" Baek Heon-So wore a face full of anxiety, and soon his worries became reality. Taking Baek Heon-So and Baek Yeon-Yeon with him, Yang-Hui went to see Chief Steward Han Seok-Eon and abruptly said, "Chief, So-Ya said that because I’m from a beggar’s background, he can’t accept me as his older brother." "Wha-what?!" Baek Heon-So, turning pale in an instant, couldn’t even stammer out a coherent response. Ignoring him, Yang-Hui continued. "Though Father commanded us to hone both our literary and martial skills, I believe the most important thing before that is to establish a righteous heart." Chief Han, glancing back and forth between Baek Heon-So and Yang-Hui, let out a deep sigh. He had a strong premonition that the Patriarch's children would continue to cause him headaches in the future. "Young Master Hui, what exactly are you trying to say?" "I believe it’s necessary for me to step outside the walls of the Baek Family estate to gain some outside experience." "In short, you want to go out. It’s not possible. It’s too dangerous." Hearing Chief Han’s firm refusal, Yang-Hui began to speak fluently. "Of course, it’s dangerous for three young scions from a noble family to go out. But I’ve lived on the streets for eight years. I dare say that there’s no one in this household who understands the ways of the market better than I do." "Knowing the ways of the market, huh? Fine. But what will you do if someone with malicious intent comes after you for your money?" It was a valid point. If the three children went out, they could be in danger even if they encountered some lowly thugs, not to mention a criminal gang. However, Yang-Hui was confident that he could handle most third-rate thugs even in his current young body. 'I can’t say this outright, so I need to come up with an excuse.' "Then how about this? Let’s ask Brother Gu to act as our escort." "Brother Gu? Are you talking about the Blood-Drinker who... visited the estate yesterday?" "Yes, that’s right." "The Blood-Drinker doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would offer such a favour, Young Master Hui." "Just allow me to send him a letter. If Brother Gu doesn’t agree to provide us with an escort, I won’t go out." Chief Han’s lips curled into a faint smile. ‘The boy will give up on his own… No, wait. Something similar happened yesterday too.’ No, today will be different from yesterday. After all, someone from the criminal underworld, especially the son of the Honggyeo Gang Leader, wouldn’t stoop to babysitting children. "Very well, Young Master Hui. Will you write the letter yourself?" A question about whether he could write. When Yang-Hui nodded, a glimmer of surprise appeared in Chief Han’s eyes. It seemed remarkable to him that a child who had lived as a beggar for eight years could know how to write. Yang-Hui swiftly wrote the letter, sealed it to prevent anyone from reading its contents, and handed it to Chief Han. "Here it is, Chief." "Hmm. I’ll see that it’s delivered." And a short while later, Chief Han’s jaw dropped. For Gu-Ak, with a very displeased expression, had arrived at the Baek Family estate. "......" "......" When the person who had been ambushed and the person who had boldly barged in only to be stripped of his belongings met face-to-face, what could possibly happen? Yang-Hui stepped in between the silent Chief Han and Gu-Ak. "Chief Han, since Brother Gu has come personally, I hope you will keep your promise and give us the opportunity to learn something new." "......Phew. So be it. However, I will report this to the Patriarch." "Of course! You needn’t even bother; I’ll report it to him myself!" Having said that, Yang-Hui turned to Gu-Ak with a sly smile. "Brother Gu, I plan to take my siblings out to the market first. How about we discuss the matter I mentioned in the letter after I return them home?" "......I’ll follow your wishes, little brother." Thus, the three Baek siblings were able to go out. "Wow! Brother, it feels like I haven’t been out in four months!" "Has it really been that long?" "Yes! Father has been so busy…." Indeed. If there wasn’t even enough leeway to provide them with a guard, their father probably didn’t have much time to spend with his children either. Seeing Baek Yeon-Yeon so delighted brought a pleased smile to Yang-Hui’s face. "Let’s play to our heart’s content today." "Yes! Hehehe." "So, you too." "...Okay." Though Baek Heon-So still seemed a bit timid, he also appeared excited about the rare outing. In other words, the only one among them who had any complaints was Gu-Ak. "All day long? Little brother, I’m not exactly a man of leisure." "Then how about we strike a balance?" "Ugh…." Gu-Ak groaned as he looked at Yang-Hui, who was smiling sweetly. 'Damn it. If only it weren’t for this wretched mouth of mine.' Yang-Hui's letter had contained just one sentence. -"Brother Gu, if you want to become my brother again, please spare just one day." It was Gu-Ak’s problem for having snorted at the idea of paying back the favour to the Baek Family by saying he’d consider being a younger brother if it were possible to nullify the grudge. 'Damn this mouth of mine.' Martial artists value their honour and reputation as much as their lives. And being a part of the criminal underworld and an unorthodox sect didn’t make Gu-Ak any less of a martial artist.