DKM 5

“I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy trying to make a living.”

“…….”

Soseo, who had been looking at me suspiciously, belatedly composed his expression and spoke.

“You might not know. It’s okay, it really could happen. Probably.”

“……Sorry.”

“No, no. You don’t need to be sorry. As long as you know from now on, it’s fine.”

Soseo spoke kindly.

“The Nine Great Sects and One Union refers to the nine sects that represent the orthodox faction and the Beggars’ Gang.”

“……Um, Soseo.”

“What is it?”

“I’m really sorry, but could you explain exactly what the ‘orthodox faction’ is in wuxia novels—I mean, here?”

“…….”

“And what is the Beggars’ Gang? I have a rough idea of what a sect is, but the Beggars’ Gang is a bit….”

Once again, Soseo failed to maintain his composure. I’m sorry; I’m the worst. I am truly sorry for possessing a body in a wuxia novel while knowing absolutely nothing about wuxia. I couldn’t even lift my head. After another long silence, Soseo spoke.

“I expected as much when you called me a button mushroom after hearing my name, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”

Having kept my head down, repeating apologies in my mind, I looked up and said:

“Huh? Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Soseo gave a bright smile.

“I’ll explain it in a way you can understand.”

“Thank you so much.”

“The orthodox faction refers to the sects that use their martial arts for the right causes and protect the central plains from various dangers, such as the wicked unorthodox faction or the Demonic Cult. The reason you can live so safely right now is thanks to the orthodox faction. And the ones representing that orthodox faction are the Nine Great Sects and One Union, and the Five Great Families.”

Concentrating on Soseo’s words, I was struck with horror.

“……Five Great Families? What’s that now?”

“As I mentioned, the Nine Great Sects and One Union refers to nine sects and the Beggars’ Gang, and the Five Great Families refers to five clans. I’ll explain the Five Great Families later. For today, let’s find out in detail what the Nine Great Sects and One Union are.”

I clutched my head and spoke.

“Wait, wait a second.”

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“Could you give me a little bit of time? I need a moment to organize this.”

I buried my face in the dining table and mumbled.

“Ah, I think I’m really stupid.”

Soseo spoke comfortingly.

“You’re not stupid; it’s just because you’re trying to learn too many things at once.”

“……Too many?”

I’ve only just learned a few things. Just as I was about to say that, Soseo placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You should head back down for today.”

“……That’s true. It’s about time the customers start flocking in. Thank you so much for today, Soseo.”

“See you tomorrow.”

I went down to the first floor. Meeting Soseo was truly a godsend. What would have happened if I hadn’t met him? I looked down at the box of snacks in my arms and muttered.

“I probably would have starved to death by now.”

There would have been no one to explain things to me step-by-step like he did today. I hugged the snack box tightly.

I already missed him.

The kind and gentle Soseo.

---

“Ah, so that’s what the orthodox faction meant?”

“Yeah, and the Nine Great Sects and [unauthorized copy]Read on Read BL Novelsunauthorized [Read on Read BL Novels]copy -->One Union refers to nine sects and the Beggars’ Gang.”

“What’s the Beggars’ Gang?”

“The master said he’d teach me that tomorrow.”

On the way home, I shared the snacks with Myoryeong and taught him the wuxia terms I had learned. However, throughout the explanation, Myoryeong kept looking at me with a strange expression.

“What is it? I finally figured out what the orthodox faction is.”

“……No, it’s nothing.”

I took another snack from the box and held it out to Myoryeong.

“But aren’t these snacks really delicious?”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Right? Really delicious, right?!”

“…….”

The snacks Soseo had specially ordered were perfectly suited to Myoryeong’s taste as well. As expected of Soseo. Just as I was about to offer another one, Myoryeong spoke.

“Hey, Myoha. Stop talking about the master and let’s think about what to do next.”

Because I had been chewing over the things Soseo explained to remember them, I had forgotten the fact that I met the protagonist at dawn.

“Do you think the protagonist is still at our house? He wouldn’t have gone somewhere already, right?”

“I hope he stayed quietly at home.”

This was because I had been told several times by the physician that he needed absolute stability. Above all, we had also performed grueling labor and didn’t have the strength to go around searching for a protagonist who might have fled. Please just be at home. Upon arriving home, I opened the door. Just then, I heard the sound of something breaking.

“What was that sound……. Gasp!”

“Myoha!”

A shard of a broken bowl was thrust toward my neck. Pale blue eyes glared at me coldly.

2. Ignorance is Bliss (Ignorant and Brave)

“Put that away this instant! Is this guy actually crazy?!”

Myoryeong’s expression turned fierce. However, Yoo Seolhwa didn’t budge.

“What do you think you’re doing to the person who struggled to carry you on his back!”

“…….”

“Hey! I said put that away right now!”

Myoryeong raised his arm high. Yoo Seolhwa seemed startled for a moment, but he pressed the shard even closer to my neck. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have carried him. I should have just dragged him along like a piece of luggage. Becoming a ‘regretful male lead’ once again, I pondered. What should I do in a situation like this? I swallowed hard and looked at Yoo Seolhwa. Up close, Yoo Seolhwa was truly beautiful. The last Ropan female lead I read before this one also had silver hair and blue eyes. I unconsciously muttered.

“Pretty.”

“……What?”

Myoryeong, who had been raging, looked at me with a bewildered face. And then,

“…….”

Clink. The shard of the bowl fell from Yoo Seolhwa’s hand. Sorry for the sudden nonsense. I could feel the confusion from both of them. Still, I was glad the dangerous situation had passed. I bent down, picked up the shard, and threw it far away.

“Ah.”

What if someone steps on it and gets hurt? If nothing else, I shouldn’t throw sharp things. As I quickly ran back to retrieve the shard, Myoryeong asked me.

“What are you doing?”

“……Being an idiot.”

“So you do realize it.”

Grumble. Just then, a signal for food came from my stomach. It was only natural, as I had not only worked hard all day but had also run. I had eaten snacks earlier, but that was nowhere near enough.

“First, let’s eat—no, wait.”

I gave Yoo Seolhwa’s back a light push.

“You go wash up first.”

Myoryeong asked with questioning eyes.

“Huh? Is he allowed to wash even though he’s injured?”

“Yeah, he is. I asked the physician during the treatment.”

I urged Yoo Seolhwa once more.

“Don’t you want [Read [stolen content]on Read BL Novels]to feel refreshed before eating? Hurry up and wash, then let’s eat.”

Yoo Seolhwa looked at me without a word. Is he still baffled by what happened a moment ago? For some reason, I didn’t think that was it.

“Ah, perhaps.”

Does he not know how to wash? Well, since his father was such a piece of trash, it was only natural that he wouldn’t know. I should teach him. I gathered the necessary tools and motioned to Yoo Seolhwa.

“Come here. Let’s go wash together.”

“…….”

“The physician said you need to eat well. If you don’t, your condition will keep being poor. Is that okay with you?”

At those words, Yoo Seolhwa’s eyes wavered. I headed toward the stream, and Yoo Seolhwa followed a couple of steps behind me. I first dipped my hand into the clear, transparent stream. The water felt colder than usual today, but it couldn’t be helped. As I put my hand in the water, I asked.

“Can you take off your clothes by yourself?”

Thud. As soon as my question visit Read on Read BL Novelsour siteended, the clothes—which were nearly rags—fell to the ground. Yoo Seolhwa asked.

“……Do I just go into the water?”

“Yeah.”

Thank goodness. His attitude had become much softer. Yoo Seolhwa stepped into the stream. I also quickly rolled up my sleeves and pants and helped Yoo Seolhwa wash. As I splashed cold water on him, I asked.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“No.”

Impressive. I make such a fuss because I’m cold when I wash. After the bath, I handed clothes to Yoo Seolhwa. Though they were old, they were the cleanest and most intact clothes I owned. After changing, Yoo Seolhwa asked.

“Is it all done now?”

Without realizing it, I stared blankly at Yoo Seolhwa. His snow-white hair and skin, having regained their original color, sparkled. He looked just like a snowflake. I unconsciously muttered again.

“As I thought, you’re pretty.”

“…….”

Yoo Seolhwa looked at me with the same expression as before. Feeling awkward, I turned around and gathered our things. As we were heading back, someone shouted from behind.

“Oh! It’s the white-haired ghost!”

“Hey, white-haired ghost!”

It was the village children. Yoo Seolhwa slowly turned his head to look at them. The children, who were about to throw stones, froze in unison upon seeing Yoo Seolhwa’s clean face. At this point, Yoo Seolhwa’s face was practically a weapon.

“Why are you so la— Oh, holy crap.”

Myoryeong’s reaction wasn’t much different from the village children’s. Myoryeong stared blankly at Yoo Seolhwa.

“This is actually insane.”

“Yeah, truly insane.”

Yoo Seolhwa frowned.

“I’m not insane.”

“Oh, the voice is insane too.”

“I said I’m not insane.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you’re handsome……. Ah, right.”

Myoryeong suddenly snapped back to his senses.

“I almost let it slide because I was captivated by the face. You, did you apologize to Myoha?”

Myoryeong glared and pulled me toward him.

“Do you know how much Myoha suffered because of you stolen [unauthorized copy]contentEND: stolen content -->last night? And yet, you show no gratitude and just threaten him out of the blue. Hurry up and apologize to Myoha.”

Yoo Seolhwa kept his head down and said nothing. In the suddenly chilled atmosphere, I pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Honestly, I don’t entirely disagree with how you feel. Waking up from a faint to find yourself staring at the ceiling of a stranger’s house. It’s enough to be startled. But.”

I agreed with Myoryeong’s words.

“You should still apologize for doing something wrong.”

“…….”

“I almost got seriously hurt. Never do that again.”

At my words, the silent Yoo Seolhwa spoke.

“……I’m sorry.”

Satisfied with that one phrase, I nodded.

“Alright, that’s enough. Now let’s eat. I feel like my stomach is sticking to my back.”

“Let’s eat quickly. Sister Jinmi packed a lot of delicious things.”

I unpacked the bundle. We sat in a circle on the floor and ate. Fortunately, there were some utensils left from when my parents used them. After we were somewhat full, I asked.

“By the way, who gave you those wounds?”

Yoo Seolhwa answered simply and clearly.

“My father.”

As expected. It was just as I had guessed.

“Where is your father now? He doesn’t seem to be at home.”

“I don’t know.”

“…….”

I exchanged glances with Myoryeong. For now, we should hide Yoo Seolhwa in our house. After clearing the used dishes, we sat in front of Yoo Seolhwa again. Then, we introduced ourselves.

“My name is Ha Myoha.”

“I’m Ha Myoryeong. And you?”

“Yoo Seolhwa.”

“Alright, Seolhwa. Let’s sleep at our house today.”

“You can sleep with him. It’s a small and narrow house, but there’s enough space to put up one person.”

At those words, Yoo Seolhwa’s eyes widened. He might have expected the treatment and the food, but he probably hadn’t expected a place to stay.