A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 9

– CHAPTER 9 –

As the woman’s anger surged, a chill seemed to emanate inexplicably. Indeed, from the edge of the spring, it began to freeze white. Do-gyeom exhaled a white breath, trying to calm the anger.

“It seems I’ve shown excessive interest as if I didn’t know my limits. It’s a misunderstanding born of not deeply understanding each other. Understand?”

“…How do I understand?”

The tone, now lowered, was as sharp as a blade. Even the midwinter bull wind or the early spring breeze would not be as fierce as this.

“First, calm your anger a bit, and then slowly…”

“What’s there to be okay about? Even the water here doesn’t gather enough energy. And I don’t know how to go back!”

As the woman exploded in anger, the shallow ice around the spring shattered like glass. Sharp ice fragments flew up, almost grazing Do-gyeom’s cheek.

“…It’s okay.”

However, Do-gyeom didn’t panic or startle. He stood straight like a bamboo that wouldn’t bend.

The blood seeped from the arm torn by the spear last night and the cheek grazed by the ice, but his gaze remained unwavering.

“To make it okay, I will help you find a way.”

“…”

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? It’s hard to find someone who can help you properly more than me.”

Still glaring at Do-gyeom defiantly, the woman resembled a cat. To elaborate a bit more, she looked like a newborn kitten, orphaned and without a place to attach her heart, fearing the world while only growling.

It seemed her mind had also been lost from being immersed in icy water for days. Thinking only of offering such a weak creature to the brink of death with terrifying power, it was absurd to compare it to anything.

“So stop bothering the spring that doesn’t gather energy properly and come here.”

Instead of just comforting to stop the woman, Do-gyeom reached out his hand forward this time.

“It’s too early to be angry and discouraged.”

The woman’s gaze, previously full of anger, flowed from Do-gyeom’s eyes to his fingertips like a stream.

“…Who are you.”

The woman, lips trembling as if her pride was hurt, finally showed interest in Do-gyeom.

“Why are you so relaxed? What do you believe in?”

“In the Analects of War, it is said that one should not follow one’s desires, and someone also left a cautionary message by calling one the leader of the tomb, and in Art of War, it is also called the precept of right direction. I see that there is a reason why many saints make the same request, so I also embrace that intention and put it into practice.”

“So what does that mean!”

She froze with her mouth half open. Do-gyeom felt a chill and shrugged lightly.

“The more urgent it is, the more you have to go back.”

Despite quoting good words, the woman was mercilessly cold.

“Why make it so long on such a weak topic… You think you’ll be able to escape properly when you talk so long in a hurry?”

Do-gyeom pretended not to hear and firmly grasped the woman’s hand to help her up.

“In that sense, it would be good to take the first step back with a formal introduction.”

“…What?”

Do-gyeom, who had firmly tied the woman’s sleeve, which was lightly swaying in the waves, first revealed his name. Strangely, she quietly followed as he led her.

“I am Choi Do-gyeom. Choi Do-gyeom.”

He also put the leather shoes he had taken off in front of the spring on the woman’s feet. Although his shoes were ridiculously large for her small feet, it was fortunate that her bare feet were covered. Do-gyeom, who had been frustrated all along, felt relieved and asked.

“What is your name?”

* * *

It would have been nice to take the time to ask and answer about each other’s worlds until the curiosity was resolved, but unfortunately, the confusion in Do-gyeom’s mind was not the only thing that disturbed him.

“…Farang.”

The pronunciation was as strong as the waves crashing against the cliffs in the sea, yet soft and flowing, like disappearing.

Farang is a woman whose meaning, pronunciation, and even existence are all related to water. Walking back and forth in front of the courtyard, Do-gyeom repeatedly muttered the name he had finally obtained with difficulty.

Otherwise, it was an action born out of some unconsciousness that seemed like it would disappear and scatter away soon.

“Master! You came out?”

It was Sun-yi who woke up Do-gyeom, who was lost in thought. He turned around suddenly.

“Yeah. How is it going?”

“What else can there be? I prepared her clothes. At first, I thought that lady wouldn’t survive in this harsh world because she seemed so naive, but when I talked to her once, she understood everything like a piece of cake.”

Does Farang know? That an eight-year-old child worries about her way of life.

“…Well done.”

As Do-gyeom listened to the story and praised it, Sun-yi became delighted. Excitedly, she began to speak.

“She doesn’t know how to hold chopsticks properly, can’t even lift a spoonful of rice, doesn’t know where her heart is… My, she’s so naive.”

It seemed like a waste to glance at the firmly closed door, probably still influenced by the previous fainting incident.

Do-gyeom smiled generously and patted Sun-yi’s head.

“Did you have clothes to wear right away?”

There was no time to hastily ask for clothes to be made. Worried, he asked, but before Sun-yi could answer, her lips and toes poked out.

“Well, I had saved some money to make clothes when I grew up.”

Hastily asking and snatching away a child’s precious possession without a plan was embarrassing. Do-gyeom took out a purse from his sleeve and handed it over.

“Thank you for giving up your cherished clothes. Go out and make a new set of clothes right away.”

“What? No, you don’t have to!”

Sun-yi couldn’t even meet his eyes and waved her plump hand. Do-gyeom, holding her hand with the purse, lowered his voice confidentially as if sharing a secret.

“You can use it all. Don’t worry; I’ll make you new clothes when you need them after you improve your appearance.”

“Really?”

“But there’s one condition.”

The weight of the purse was considerable, and Do-gyeom didn’t forget his admonition to Sun-yi, who seemed like her eyes were about to pop out.

“You must not speak about the guests staying in the main house, no matter where you go. Understand?”

The sharp-witted steward would likely handle the monitoring, but the effect of the owner speaking directly would be different. Especially for Sun-yi, who was still naive.

“Okay! Just hold on to your worries.”

“Yeah. Thank you for your hard work.”

After a polite bow, Sun-yi walked to the courtyard with firm steps. Do-gyeom lightly coughed and stood in front of the door.

Even though he pretended, he felt tense every time he faced that mysterious presence. Whether it was due to overcoming several near-death experiences or feeling the imposing presence of Farang subconsciously, he wasn’t sure.

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

There was no response from inside. Perhaps she had fallen asleep in the meantime. Do-gyeom withdrew quietly.

“If you want to be alone, I can wait. But aren’t you in a hurry? If you want time to think, rest. I have somewhere urgent to go…”

Bang! There was a loud noise before he finished speaking. If he hadn’t stepped back, he might have been hit by the door. Startled, Do-gyeom leaned against the opposite wall, straightening his posture.

“I-I meant to open the door, not to tear it down…”

He couldn’t continue speaking for a moment, as he looked at the completely broken door.

It was because Farang, who had grown up so precious and rare that all his efforts to believe she was not human were in vain, was standing there. Although she had a stern expression, it didn’t matter.

“You will never be locked out of your room, so you can always push the door open lightly.”

“Where is the place I first appeared?”

A beautiful but reckless lady came out without caution and grabbed the edge of her skirt. Do-gyeom wanted to point out her behavior right away, but what was the point when she didn’t even know the standards of this land? Do-gyeom quietly answered her question.

“If you are trying to go back there, it’s not possible. It’s the royal palace, so not anyone can enter.”

“But you were there.”

“I am an official of that place, so it’s possible.”

“Official?”

“It refers to those who serve the king and manage the affairs of the country.”

“Then is there a reason why I can’t go back? If you just take me there, I’ll handle the rest.”

“Even if I called you my relative, that place is a forbidden garden. It means access is strictly restricted even within the palace.”

“So, it’s not allowed?”

Her voice suddenly lowered, and if it wasn’t allowed, she probably would have immediately knocked Do-gyeom down and rushed into the palace. Do-gyeom tried to negotiate as vaguely as possible.

“I told you. I am an official of that place. If necessary, I’ll create a justification for it to be possible. Wouldn’t it be better for you to enter comfortably without overexerting yourself? Even for you, it would be difficult to reach that place unscathed with so many soldiers armed with disgusting weapons guarding it.”

Because of Do-gyeom’s ambiguous words, Farang’s patience finally ran out.

“So, is it allowed or not? Why does your stance keep changing even after you promised to help me?”

“I did promise to help you and to send you back.”

Do-gyeom, who couldn’t forget his duty, calmly explained, hoping Farang wouldn’t get angry.

“Regardless of that, I cannot ignore the safety of His Majesty and the Crown Prince.”

“What does that mean?”

Instantly, a frost seemed to descend in Farang’s eyes.

“It sounds like you don’t trust me. Have you forgotten what I said?”