Episode 111

“What is this…!”

The figure, realizing there was no one around, not even the guards, sensed something odd and headed to the base.

But upon arriving there, he couldn’t close his mouth at the sight that unfolded before him.

“Annihilation?”

There were signs of violence.

It seemed like the corpses had used strong techniques, as traces of such techniques were found even on the bodies. But to think that they had used such powerful techniques and still been annihilated?

The figure gritted his teeth and stepped into the cave.

The interior was full of corpses, too.

The foul blood and the rotting smell of the corpses that permeated the place stung his nose and further heightened his anxiety. Eventually, when he arrived at the place where the members of the Namgung family were imprisoned, he burst into laughter in shock.

“Such a clean cut.”

The grate was made of iron, not even wood. And they had even sealed it tightly, so it made no sense that they were able to cut it.

Then, it meant there was an intruder.

“The traces suggest… three?”

He came to that conclusion after examining the situation inside and outside the cave.

Two from the outside. One from the inside.

Given that most of them used the same technique, he thought they must be at least as skilled as the Ten Great Warriors or the Seven Immortals.

No, perhaps…

‘Sword Emperor…!’

He considered this to be the most likely possibility.

The movements of the Murim Alliance had been monitored from the start. If something had changed there, he would have known about it.

Of course, it was also possible that the Nine Great Sects or other forces of the Eight Great Families had secretly sent their warriors, but the evidence of just three slashes seemed too small for that.

There was no way that they had sent three people here without his knowledge.

Of course, the Seven Immortals would not take action.

Their activities were under constant surveillance.

‘The highest probability is that the Sword Emperor is alive, and he brought someone with him… someone this strong?’

The shadow swallowed hard.

If the Sword Emperor was alive and had helped his people escape from the prison, their goal would have been to shake up the Justice Faction.

The sacrifice for that purpose was the Namgung family, which once had the immense support of the Sword Emperor. But if the Sword Emperor’s return became known to the world, they would face trouble executing their plan.

The shadow frowned.

“Who…? Let’s think about it. There are at most three opponents.”

The existence of the Sword Emperor was a secondary concern. The priority was to find out who the ‘other two’ were and where they came from.

Snap!

The person snapped their fingers.

At the same moment, a strange-looking figure emerged from the ground. He wore a black robe that covered his face, had a fairly rugged body resembling a bear, and his eyes, slightly exposed, seemed to hold blades within them.

The part of his face visible through the mask was somewhat grotesque.

As if scarred by burns.

“Look for any suspicious people among those who recently arrived. We need some information without overlooking anything.”

“Yes!”

Shh!

The man’s body vanished like fog. Anyone could tell that his movements were abnormal, but the shadow didn’t seem concerned about it.

“Sword Emperor… If you truly are alive, the day you meet me will be the last day of your life.”

The shadow’s frown deepened.

Dan Somi awoke, looking disheveled, and glanced around the unfamiliar room.

She turned her head several times to check if anyone was around, but she was alone in the room.

Without realizing it, her eyes snapped open.

This unfamiliar place.

This ignited the child’s adventurous spirit.

Without bothering to wash her face or even tidy her hair, she rose from the bed and opened the door. There was a large hallway with several rooms.

That was the room where Dan Woo-hyun and the others were gathered.

A room with a large door at the center.

Dan Somi hastily walked over and opened the door.

But no matter how much she looked around the large room, she found no traces of anyone.

“Where did they all go?”

She tilted her head.

Could they have abandoned her? She entertained this anxious thought but quickly shook her head, dismissing it.

This was Dan Woo-hyun, not someone else. He was the type of person who couldn’t do anything without Somi and needed her to take care of him.

So, there’s no way he would abandon her. The little child nodded her head in agreement, reassuring herself.

She took a step back, convinced.

If they’re not here, maybe they’re in the guesthouse?

She left that place and made her way carefully to the guesthouse.

Despite it being early in the morning, the guesthouse was bustling with people. Individuals dressed in high-quality silk clothes were everywhere, all appearing to be young masters or children from prestigious families.

Dan Somi looked down at her own clothes, which seemed unkempt.

She tidied her attire and proceeded to the guesthouse.

“Uh? Kid. Over here.”

Before she realized it, a server approached her, offering a table with a smile. Even though the guesthouse was so crowded that some guests had nowhere to sit, Dan Somi was led by the server’s hand to a seat, drawing sharp glances from those around her.

The onlookers had such piercing eyes.

But the server paid them no mind. It was natural to treat guests well—especially those with wealth and influence. Moreover, she was a guest who had been instructed to receive special treatment.

This was all according to the server’s expectations.

“You should have some breakfast… what would you like?”

“…A steamed bun…”

“Haha! Right, right. I’ll bring some for you, so just stay put.”

The server gently patted Dan Somi’s head.

With each pat, her small head bobbed slightly up and down. Perhaps enjoying the gesture, the server continued until another customer called out.

“Ah, my head…”

Dan Somi felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Dan Woo-hyun never did this when he petted her, but the server was different. Did he realize she was feeling dizzy when he pressed her?

But then, it’s not bad to receive affection from someone.

Thus, she sat alone at the large table, waiting for her food.

But then, she had a sudden realization with a ‘Hah!’.

“Somi didn’t come to eat, though?”

She suddenly raised her head.

She had come here looking for Dan Woo-hyun, but why had she been given a table? And when she mentioned a steamed bun, no one asked her for anything!

Dan Somi bit her nails in fear.

The server was intimidating.

He had captured the child’s heart in an instant.

That’s why they say not to talk to strangers, she thought, making a sad face.

What should I do? What should I do?

Leaving seemed a bit too late now. Before she realized it, the server had brought the steamed bun.

“Now, enjoy your meal.”

“Yes…”

In the end, Dan Somi took a deep breath and reached out tentatively to take the bun. It felt good, different from what she remembered.

Was it because it was expensive?

Were all expensive things like this?

She hadn’t eaten proper food until Jang Sam-tae appeared. And even after he joined the family, she had plenty of delicious meals, but how could she discern the difference between expensive and cheap food when it was all homemade?

But these buns felt different.

They looked expensive.

She held back her amazement and took a bite.

“Wow!”

Dan Somi couldn’t help but exclaim. From the texture to the juicy sensation, it was no exaggeration to call this the best steamed bun she had ever tasted.

It was that delicious.

With a bright smile, Dan Somi stuffed another steamed bun into her mouth, and her cheeks puffed out.

Something felt odd, so she glanced around to see people watching her with smiles.

What? Why were they acting like this?

As she tilted her head in confusion, she heard admiration here and there. Some people were blushing, too.

Why were their eyes shining like that?

She swallowed the dumplings that were on her cheek. At the same time, small exclamations came at her cute looks.

“Eh?”

Dan Somi, who couldn’t understand this, just tilted her head. She didn’t understand why people were acting like this.

And at the same time, customers from all over the place began to order steamed buns.

“Hey! Server! Two plates of steamed buns here!”

“Here too! Three plates!”

The server was busy taking the orders.

Very few people ordered this item in the guesthouse. Of course, they put it on the menu, but not many ordered a dish that could be made in their homes.

But this time, the server and the chef were surprised at the sudden number of orders.

“Haha, you must be the blessing.”

Watching this, everyone came and said something to Dan Somi. When she lifted her gaze, she saw the guesthouse owner she had seen last night.

“Hello.”

“Right. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! Somi slept well. But Dad… and Grandpa are not here…”

“Oh, they went out to the marketplace. They said they had some preparations to make.”

“Hehe… it would be nice if Somi was taken too.”

“Don’t be sad. It was too early in the morning, and you were sleeping soundly, so they felt bad waking you up. But, is your stomach full?”

“Ah? Ah, yes. Somi is good.”

“Haha, if there’s anything you want to eat, let me know. I’ll give it to you for free.”

Dan Somi hesitated at those words. She surely wanted to eat more, but it was impossible to fill her stomach with just buns.

And for free.

But she shook her head because she couldn’t cause any trouble here!

“Dad said it. Do not take anything for free, and don’t even look at it.”

“Oh? He said good things then.”

The owner smiled.

Since Dan Somi was here, the owner could understand why the atmosphere in the guesthouse had changed.

This child is really adorable.

Every act she performed made people look at her. Most of the customers had daughters, so seeing her happy made them smile, too.

It was truly pleasing.

The moment the guesthouse owner smiled—

Kwang!

Someone violently hit the wall and raised their voice.

“Just how long do I have to wait?! That kid! She came a lot later than me, so why is she sitting and I’m still standing here!”

This group of men shouted harshly, their faces contorted with anger.