"Hey, wait a minute."

Seo-jun stood in front of Seong Ihyang, staring at her thoughtfully.

'This is a sure thing.'

Even in the martial world, they didn't have a different sense of aesthetics. If Seo-jun thought a woman looked pretty, she usually was.

And of course, they liked beautiful women too.

'With a face like this, there must be at least one guy in the village who's in love with her.'

Of course, she's nowhere near as stunning as my Chun-bong, but still, she could be considered a decent beauty.

After a bit of contemplation, Seo-jun finally spoke up.

"Hey, how about we get married?"

"What...?"

The usually cold and cynical Seong Ihyang was left with her mouth hanging open.

And, for the record, Chun-bong had the same reaction.

"What, what, what...? M-marriage... What?"

Chun-bong was completely thrown off. Seo-jun had to repeatedly push her open jaw shut, and in response, she snapped.

"Hey, hey! Have you lost your mind!? What the hell are you saying!?"

"Why?"

"Why? WHY!? You bastard! You piece of sh*t! Just go die!"

What's her problem?

Seo-jun, the expert in calming down Chun-bong, tried to lift her up by placing his hands under her arms, but this time, she resisted fiercely.

"You rotten bastard..."

"Seriously, why are you so upset...?"

At this point, Chun-bong was on the verge of tears. Perplexed, Seo-jun grabbed her cheeks.

"Did you really get attached that quickly?"

"Wha... Did you just say that to me?"

"Yeah?"

"How can you say something like that to me...?"

Chun-bong stood frozen, her mouth agape.

'Attached that quickly?' Then what was the past year for?

She was so shocked that Seo-jun's words barely registered in her ears. No matter how much he poked her, she didn't react.

Seo-jun, panicking at the sight of tears streaming down her face, quickly scooped her up in his arms.

"Wait, wait. Are you really that upset about someone else getting married? It's not even confirmed yet."

"I... I..."

"Oh, my dear Chun-bong. What do I call her again? Ms. Ihyang? Since when did you two get so close?"

Seong Ihyang, who had been quietly watching them, furrowed her brows slightly.

"Excuse me... Who exactly are you talking about getting married?"

"Well, obviously you and someone from the village, right?"

"Ah, I see."

Seong Ihyang gave a faint smile, and Chun-bong, who had been trembling, suddenly froze.

This was it. The calm before the storm.

The dark silence that always precedes something disastrous.

"Aaaah...!"

"Oh no! Up you go, Chun-bong! Up, up!"

Sensing danger, Seo-jun picked Chun-bong up and ran across the yard.

Only a fool wouldn't understand the situation now.

And Seo-jun was no fool.

To prevent Chun-bong from dying of embarrassment, he needed to completely distract her.

"Chun-bong is the best! Chun-bong is the sweetest!"

"Ugh...!"

"Wow! Look over there, Chun-bong! The sun is shining!"

"GYAAAAH!!"

It didn't work.

•  

Well, since it failed, I might as well tease her a little, right?

"Oh, our Chun-bong. Do you love your oppa that much? When you heard I might get married, did it feel like someone was taking me away?"

"......"

"You're so cute. I'll live with you forever, my sweet Chun-b—Ow!"

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Please, spare me!"

Only after getting thoroughly beaten up could the conversation return to its original topic.

"Ugh, my body... But seriously, wouldn't it be good to find a decent husband?"

"Why are you suddenly talking about a husband?"

"You said you have nowhere to go, right? Then, let's make a place for you."

The great matchmaking plan.

As Seo-jun confidently explained his plan, Seong Ihyang smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"No one would take someone like me. I'm already... tainted."

"You know, even unicorns break their horns from time to time, depending on the situation."

"Excuse me?"

Even guys who are picky about virgins would nod approvingly at a face like hers.

Besides, Seong Ihyang didn't do anything wrong, so it's not like noble families or anyone would make a big deal out of it.

If even women who get passed around like a village bicycle can get married, why couldn't Seong Ihyang?

All she had to do was pick someone she liked.

Simple and easy.

"So, tell me. Is there someone you've had your eye on?"

"......"

"Oh? What's this?"

From the look on her face, it seemed like there was someone.

When Seo-jun smirked, Seong Ihyang's expression darkened even more.

"Overreaching leads to disaster. I have no intention of burning myself in a love that exceeds my station."

"You should have more confidence in yourself."

"It's just vanity."

"Hmm..."

When she hated the idea this much, there was no point in forcing her.

Just as Seo-jun clicked his tongue in thought—

Boom, boom—

Someone knocked on the door.

"Is anyone there?"

That voice sounded familiar.

Creak—The door opened slightly, and an old woman spoke to Seong Ihyang.

"Ihyang, open the door."

"...Yes."

Hesitant, Seong Ihyang carefully opened the door.

"Ihyang."

"Uncle..."

The man standing at the door looked familiar. He was the one who had been with Mr. Seong yesterday, trying to stop him.

"...I'm really sorry about yesterday. I didn't think he'd say something like that."

"It's not your fault, uncle."

"I should have stopped him."

"Please don't say that. I have no ill feelings toward you, uncle."

The two stood, awkwardly exchanging words, as Seo-jun nudged Chun-bong beside him.

"Hey, hey, isn't that...?"

"......"

"Chun-bong? Ms. Geum Chun-bong?"

No response. She was still in shock.

Clicking his tongue, Seo-jun decided not to interrupt the two and quietly carried Chun-bong back inside.

"Ah, you’re here, benefactor."

Inside, Wang Daesan and Jang Yu-ho were resting.

Jang Yu-ho, still pale and sweating, lay asleep while Wang Daesan changed the cloth on his forehead.

"And the child?"

"Soryeong likes to sleep in late, so she's still out."

"Ah, I see. Kids are like that."

Setting the still-rigid Chun-bong down, Seo-jun approached Wang Daesan.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask."

"Ah! Ask me anything, benefactor!"

"Why was Soryeong out there with just the bodyguard? It seems pretty far from home, considering they were trying to cross a mountain."

"Ah, that..."

With a deep sigh, Wang Daesan lowered his head.

"Sorry."

"No, no, it's fine."

"Soryeong... well, she has some very active friends. They often travel around here and there."

Wang Daesan paused, rubbing his temples before continuing.

"Because of that, it seems Soryeong also wanted to travel."

"And you let her?"

"Jang Ho-wi is a top-tier martial artist. I thought she'd be fine. Besides, it wasn’t far—just a village across the mountain."

Gritting his teeth, Wang Daesan's eyes briefly glowed red.

"But I never imagined something like this would happen. I should have stayed with her. From now on, I won't leave her side."

"Once your daughter grows up, that'll be tough. She might hate it if her dad sticks around too much."

"How could you say such cruel things, benefactor!"

"Oh, come on."

Is he going to cry if Soryeong hits puberty and gets moody?

Clicking his tongue, Seo-jun stroked Chun-bong's head...

Smack—

"...Leave me alone."

Chun-bong slowly trudged out of the room, defeated.

Seo-jun froze, his mouth open.

"Ms. Geum...?"

"...Benefactor. Now that I think about it, you might be my senior. If Soryeong ever reaches that stage... oh..."

As Wang Daesan's words crushed him even further, Seo-jun let out a wail.

"Noooo!"

He collapsed to the floor in despair.

•  

Of course, I didn’t actually cry.

Honestly, if I were in that situation, I'd be embarrassed too.

This is when you quietly sneak up and tease them just enough to break the tension.

A trick I learned from experience.

"Shall we go catch Ms. Geum Chun-bong~?"

As Seo-jun hummed a little tune and stepped out of the room, he saw Seong Ihyang and the man still talking.

Their conversation seemed to be winding down, and they were saying their goodbyes...

"Oh?"

The man grasped Seong Ihyang’s hand and said something to comfort her, causing her to blush and lower her head.

'The age difference...'

He looked old enough to be her father, but hey, if they’re happy, who cares?

This matchmaking thing could be more fun than I thought.

While Seo-jun was smirking at the two, he heard Wang Daesan’s voice from behind him.

"Benefactor."

"Ah! You scared me."

Seo-jun almost instinctively activated his martial arts technique, but the oblivious Wang Daesan continued speaking calmly.

"I spent all night thinking."

"About what?"

"About what I could offer you in return for your help."

Approaching Seo-jun slowly, Wang Daesan glanced toward Seong Ihyang and the man before speaking.

"After much thought, I realized the only thing I have to offer is martial arts."

"Martial arts?"

"Of course, you’re a stronger martial artist than me. But the sword technique passed down through the Wang family is unique."

Wang Daesan raised one finger, making a downward slicing motion.

"Unlike a sword, the blade specializes in cutting, and the deeper you dive into it, the more profound it becomes."

Lowering his hand, Wang Daesan offered a formal bow, his gaze serious.

"Please, allow me the chance to repay my debt and offer you this knowledge."