Chapter 5 : Chapter 5

Chapter 5. The Adoption Commotion

"Come on, just go talk to him!"

"To him?"

"Yes! Try being friendly!"

"Who even is he……"

"Why are you asking who he is? Just go already, will you!"

Hmm, strange things had been happening around me lately.

Specifically, the number of people trying to act friendly had multiplied.

It was rather exhausting.

If there'd been even a shred of sincerity in them, engaging would've been easy enough. But every one of them wore their displeasure plainly on their faces.

People coming to court me, only to act like they were the ones owed attention–when my surroundings were overflowing with them, how could I not be exhausted?

This was the problem with these young masters and young ladies.

You'll never get cast as a child actor with that attitude. It's not all about looks, you know.

"Um…… hi?"

The face of the Eon Clan girl currently greeting me with all the ease of a wooden plank was full of resentment. The man behind her–her father, no doubt–wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he'd put her up to this, glaring daggers at the back of her head. Tsk, tsk. Poor thing.

Should I humor her a bit?

"Hi. What's up?"

"I, uh, wanted to be friends?"

"Why?"

"……"

Wait, you didn't even prepare a script? These martial artists might be more hopeless than I thought. How are you going to survive in this harsh world?

It was a bit much to expect social skills or charm from kids this young, but wouldn't those young masters and ladies benefit from a stint as a waiter? A sort of vocational school or hands-on training, if you think about it–they'd learn how to deal with all kinds of people.

I waited patiently for the Eon Clan girl to find the right words. But she just stood there hemming and hawing, unable to pick them. Fair enough–the gift of gab isn't something you develop overnight. Honestly, I was at a loss myself.

"Ahem, Yul. Do you have a moment?"

Right on cue, a savior appeared.

It was none other than Daoist Cheonggwang. I hadn't seen him for a few days and wondered where he'd gone–he finally showed up.

His expression, however, was painfully awkward. He seemed to know full well how the situation had developed.

"Of course."

I answered brightly. Not only did this let me slip away naturally, but there was something I wanted to ask Cheonggwang.

As I followed him, the Eon Clan girl, who'd been brimming with displeasure, scurried back to her father looking relieved. She promptly received a scolding but didn't seem to take it to heart. So her family education really had been half-hearted. Tsk, tsk. What's she going to be when she grows up?

Before getting to the main point, Cheonggwang started with small talk.

"How have you been spending your days lately?"

"Same as always. I bathe well, eat well, and a different dish comes out every day, which is nice."

"Ahem, anything else?"

"Oh, people have been swarming around me a lot lately and I can't figure out why. Some Daoist brought me sweets, and a kid in silk clothes asked me to play–it's bizarre. Do you know what's going on?"

"Trying to lure you with sweets when you're not even seven or eight…… Ahem, ahem. I'm afraid I wouldn't know."

His reaction told me he definitely knew. Something seemed to embarrass him. Hmm, since I'm a well-mannered person, I suppose I should wait until he brings it up himself.

"Especially all the stares I keep getting, and people pretending to be chummy–it's a headache. Nobody's being malicious, but it's torture when they approach me only to act all stiff and awkward."

"No one caught your fancy?"

"You'd have to have a real conversation first before anyone catches my fancy. What am I supposed to talk about with kids who just stand there pouting and fidgeting?"

"The clans' overtures have come to nothing, then."

I caught Cheonggwang's quiet murmur perfectly. But I decided to play dumb. That seemed more advantageous for me. How did I know? Intuition. Just intuition.

[Quite the lover of intuition, aren't you.]

What does a hunk of scrap metal know? This body here is the former son of a shaman and a current waiter–I can read people's faces like an open book.

"Has life at the Murim Alliance been satisfactory?"

"Yes, very much so. It's comfortable, and everyone's been kind."

"No issues with the sword? You haven't felt anything unsettling or ominous?"

"The sword? This thing's noisy, but I've been tuning it out."

Whenever it really got on my nerves, I dunked it in water. That shut it up like a mouse.

"……That's reassuring. But don't you find it stifling?"

"Not at all."

I wasn't the type who liked going out much. With housing prices what they are, staying home as long as possible is the smart move, isn't it? The Murim Alliance buildings clearly had serious money poured into them, so making full use of them was only common decency.

"Your temperament seems suited for training on a mountain, too."

'I think I misheard something.'

A mountain? A mouuuuuntain?

The thing I despise most is mountains. I absolutely loathe mosquitoes. Especially here, where there's no bug repellent or calamine lotion.

Cheonggwang had completely misjudged me.

"Ahem, it is good that you've adapted well to the Murim Alliance, but you cannot stay here forever."

"Is that so?"

I didn't press the issue. No explanation was needed. I'd never believed this paradise of free meals and board would last forever.

It seemed the time had come for me to leave. Or to be given some task.

"With that in mind, would you like to come with me?"

"With you?"

"Yes."

I'd at least hear him out. Not that I had any intention of following him. A mountain? Absolutely not.

"The Wudang Sect I belong to is a prestigious orthodox school among the Nine Sects and One Gang."

Oh, so he was from the Wudang Sect. Cheonggwang's face as he called his own sect "prestigious" was slightly abashed, but beneath it lay unmistakable pride.

Fair enough, I'd give him that. Cheonggwang and the other Wudang Daoists were far removed from thugs. They were people who truly deserved to be called a prestigious orthodox sect.

"That's an impressive place you come from."

"Ahem, you think so?"

"I do. But if I were to go with you, would I be joining the Wudang Sect?"

"That is right. How does it sound? I could take you on as my personal disciple."

This was a rather exceptional offer.

Having picked up bits and pieces of information since arriving at the Murim Alliance, I knew that what mattered in the martial world wasn't just age or martial skill, but Seniority.

Given Cheonggwang's age, his Seniority within Wudang would be quite high, and becoming his direct disciple would guarantee considerable standing.

But it didn't tempt me in the slightest.

"Mm…… I'm sorry. I don't want to go to Wudang."

"Wh…… what? Why? How come?"

Cheonggwang was taken aback by my flat refusal. The bit where he muttered, "I thought it was practically a done deal"–I'll keep that secret for Cheonggwang's honor.

"If I become a Daoist, I can't eat meat. And my favorite food is Kung Pao Chicken."

"For…… for such a trivial reason?"

Trivial, he says. Gastronomy is half the joy of human life. And giving up seafood and meat to become a Daoist?

'Absolutely out of the question.'

On top of that, living on a mountain for the rest of my life, fighting mosquitoes and bugs every day–the mere thought was horrifying. And in the worst case, I might have to fend off tigers or bears. Hmm, the more I thought about it, the more reasons piled up against going to Wudang.

"How could you, no……"

"Are you all right?"

"I…… yes. No, actually. I'm not…… ugh……"

Cheonggwang appeared deeply shaken, stammering his way through a response. Was it really that shocking? I don't quite understand…… Did he assume I'd accept without question?

Hmm, I'm sorry for failing to meet his expectations, but there was absolutely no way I was going to hole up on a mountain and become a Daoist.

In any case, I couldn't just abandon him, so I stayed by his side and waited for him to calm down. See how well-mannered I am?

"It seems you have been rejected."

Just then, the Namgung Clan Head emerged from the shade of a tree and spoke. His presence had been so faint that I hadn't even noticed he was there.

"The N-Namgung Clan Head."

"Daoist Cheonggwang seems quite disappointed. From what I heard, it was a rather exceptional offer."

His gaze passed over Cheonggwang and settled on me.

"Oh, hello!"

I gave the Namgung Clan Head a deep bow. He'd made a good first impression. Among the clan heads, he was the only one who'd returned my greeting.

'This is why you have to get your greetings right when it comes to social skills.'

That alone sent your likability skyrocketing with the elders.

"Hello, good to see you."

He accepted my greeting with a warm smile. Yep, a good person.

"You seem to be fond of meat?"

"Of course. Is there anyone who doesn't like meat?"

"Believe it or not, there are some peculiar people in this world who don't."

As he said this, the Namgung Clan Head glanced at Cheonggwang. Ah, he means the Daoists and monks.

"But I am fond of meat. The Namgung Clan in particular employs many cooks who excel at meat and seafood dishes."

"More than the Murim Alliance?"

"Certainly. We pay higher wages than the Murim Alliance. That's why the quality and number of our cooks is superior. They are remarkable people who can make even vegetables taste delicious."

"Oh."

Now that was tempting…… Ahem, it's certainly not because I'm a glutton. Food is simply a matter of grave importance. The food I'd been eating before coming to the Murim Alliance was truly…… truly terrible.

"Moreover, the Namgung Clan's influence in Hefei is immense. If you tire of our cooks' fare, you can eat at any number of inns in the city. And you won't need to carry money around. The Namgung Clan handles everything."

"The Namgung Clan must be wealthy."

"Naturally. Unlike certain people holed up in the mountains with money they can't even spend."

The moment the Namgung Clan Head finished, Cheonggwang cleared his throat in displeasure.

"Ahem, Clan Head. That was uncalled for."

"I was not talking about Wudang. Why so defensive?"

The Namgung Clan Head replied nonchalantly. It was blatantly aimed at Wudang, and everyone knew it.

'What nerve.'

Of course, I pretended not to catch on. Being young had its perks at times like this. Feigning innocence was the perfect escape from awkward situations.

"The more I hear, the more wonderful it sounds."

"And that's not all. The Namgung Clan's martial arts are recognized across the land. The Boundless Firmament Sword Art in particular, which only the Main Lineage may study, I can confidently call the supreme art under heaven."

"Wow."

Hmm, but now that I thought about it, something felt off. What was the point of boasting this much? He didn't seem like the type to just show off for no reason.

When he was talking about food, I thought he might take me out for a nice meal, but the mention of martial arts made this feel strange.

"What do you think?"

"I'm very impressed by the Namgung Clan."

"Indeed?"

The Namgung Clan Head smiled. Was that all–just bragging for bragging's sake?

"Then, would you consider coming to Hefei?"

"Are you inviting me?"

So this was the real pitch.

Well, it wasn't a bad idea. If I couldn't stay at the Murim Alliance much longer, going to Hefei might be worthwhile.

I had no idea why he was extending this invitation, but it was probably related to the martial world. Most likely something to do with this sword…

"It is not an invitation."

"I'm sorry?"

Here, something I hadn't remotely expected came out of his mouth.

"Would you be willing to change your surname?"

"My surname?"

"Yes, your surname."

Change my surname? No, this is completely out of the blue…

"I would like to take you as my Adopted Son."

"……"

I'd just heard something I never in a million years imagined I would hear.

An Adopted Son……?

'Wait, what?'

My brain overloaded.

I'd never even considered a proposal like this.

"Pardon?"

Damn it all.

Even I could tell that was the most vacant response possible.