WRBFW 65

Chapter 65

Do things that have stood in one place for many years acquire their own energy? Or is it the other way around?

Jegal Dam stared at the endless green bamboo forest before him and felt a sense of awe.

Even as he tried to take a step forward, he hesitated.

It had been several days since he returned to the Jegal residence, coming and going, but he still could not adjust to this Blue Forest (Cheongrim).

The Blue Forest, which wrapped around the expansive estate, was one of the most important formations of the Jegal family, alongside Ohhwanji.

Shaking his head at what appeared to be just an ordinary bamboo forest, he stepped cautiously.

Inside, countless layers of formations were laid out, requiring full concentration.

“This must be the youngest uncle’s formation… doesn’t seem like he intends to remove it.”

Entering a formation he hadn’t encountered yesterday, Jegal Dam let out a sigh.

This was why the Blue Forest was special.

The entire bamboo forest was contained within a massive protective formation called the Great Square and Circle Formation (Da Ra Bang Won Jin). Even if other formations were cast inside it, the Great Square and Circle Formation remained unaffected. It was also a space where family members and disciples could practice their formations.

Ordinary people would never sense that a formation even existed here.

But Jegal Dam was sensitive to the energy of formations.

He only stepped into this place when necessary, because drawing energy to block the formation’s power required a great expenditure of effort.

“Still, I promised to find it…”

Jegal Dam raised his energy, pushing back the faint aura emanating from the formation, and headed toward the underground library of the Blue Forest.

The most secret place of the Jegal family, once called the “Jegal of Records.”

Um… I heard that, sometimes, there are moments like that.

He remembered the last conversation he had with Wooyoung.

The child had spoken cautiously.

What do you mean?

Intrigued, Jegal Dam listened. From their first meeting, Wooyoung had been unreserved, even scolding him, so this careful attitude felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Well… I haven’t experienced it myself yet…
…Yes, sir.

Jegal Dam nodded, acknowledging this, though he suspected Wooyoung’s words were not entirely truthful.

I think my older brother might have been like that too.

The child avoided Jegal Dam’s gaze as they spoke.

That was a lie.

Since when had he been able to read Wooyoung’s true feelings little by little?

Even when Wooyoung skirted the truth with convoluted words, he listened patiently because he enjoyed it.

Jegal Dam knew that if anyone else had twisted their words this way, he would have been angry. Wooyoung was always stricter with him than anyone else.

I… just start hating the world, and… I don’t even want to see my family’s faces.
Huh?

Surprised, Jegal Dam asked, but Wooyoung continued without concern. It was hard to follow the flow of his thoughts.

This was extremely rare.

Jegal Dam finally realized that whenever he faced Wooyoung, he was always in a state of tension.

I heard that there are times when moods change dozens of times a day.
Wait, wait a minute, sir.

He stopped Wooyoung’s words for the moment, worried what might come out of that delicate mouth.

Huh? Isn’t that right?

Wooyoung widened his eyes and looked up at Jegal Dam. He let out a small sigh and said:

It’s hard to follow what you’re saying.
Ah, I see.

Wooyoung muttered quietly to himself:

Even Master has moments like that.

Jegal Dam wondered what Wooyoung thought of him. He had never been curious about how others perceived him before.

They call it… adolescence. That period, I mean. Moments like that.

Adolescence? That was the difficult term he had finally managed to speak?

Anyway, during that period, people resent the world, their families, everything around them. Emotional ups and downs increase.
Haa…

Jegal Dam brushed his face with both hands and let out a deep sigh.

Huh? Isn’t that it?

Wooyoung muttered, eyes wide. Jegal Dam even caught a very small mumble: “If it’s not adolescence, then why the hell did I do that?”

A sigh escaped his lips.

Jegal Dam could not read his thoughts at all. He seemed understandable, yet incomprehensible. Even his efforts to hide his thoughts were readable, which was strange.

Wooyoung’s existence became something utterly incomprehensible to him.

Unfathomable.

In his relatively short life, the most peculiar and yet the most fascinating person he had ever met was ten-year-old Wooyoung.

As a member of the Five Great Families, Jegal Dam had met countless prominent figures.

He had met high-level martial artists of great renown and scholars of extraordinary learning. Yet none had made him laugh or feel flustered like Wooyoung did.

Young in age, yet deep in thought. Not scholarly, but wise. Odd, yet with reason.

What… exactly are you trying to say?

Ultimately, Jegal Dam had to ask.

Hm…

Wooyoung, as if thinking carefully, continued:

Then… why… did you establish the Great Wipeout Scheme of Central Martial Arts (Jungwon Mulin Massacre Plan)?

Jegal Dam could not respond; he did not fully understand Wooyoung’s words and simply stared blankly at him.

Wooyoung asked casually, as if it were nothing, unlike the cautious tone when first speaking. He was genuinely curious.

Did… the royal family threaten you? Did they say if you didn’t, the Jegal family would be erased?

Jegal Dam simply stared at the child’s mouth.

They say the royal family wants to erase the martial world, though it’s officially untouchable. Everyone knows that.

Wooyoung added nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders.

When had he ever been this lost for words? Ah, the first time he had talked to Wooyoung. Back then, he had listened because the child’s words made sense.

Now, he was speechless, as if his true intentions had been uncovered.

Hahaha.

Jegal Dam simply laughed.

It was a new experience. They say laughter comes when one is speechless—it was true. He thought that might have crossed his mind.

Sir, I don’t understand what you mean.
Huh? You’ve never thought that?

He had no choice but to flinch. He had thought it many times before. It was only natural.

If he wanted to disturb this peaceful martial world, there were countless ways.

But he had never voiced it to anyone.

Never.

Jegal Dam feigned calm and denied it. He could not openly admit to having such thoughts.

I don’t know why you would think I’d have such thoughts.

He added with a low laugh, hands trembling but skillfully hidden.

I am the heir of the Jegal family. Even if it were the royal family, they cannot force me to destroy the martial world…

Jegal Dam shook his head with exaggerated motions.

Such words are vile even to speak aloud. Sir, in the future, be careful about saying such things.
Ah, yes.
No one can compel me to devise such schemes.
Is that so? How fortunate.

Wooyoung clasped his hands together, eyes shining, as if truly delighted.

Then, Master, never devise such schemes again. And if by any chance you do, never leave a record.

Wooyoung continued rapidly before Jegal Dam could respond.

If you want to record something, use the code I taught you. And, oh, be careful of servants. Especially those with the character “three” in their names; don’t trust them.

Jegal Dam wondered if there was any servant with “three” in their name.

It was ridiculous, yet Jegal Dam found himself listening attentively, letting out another wry smile.

Impulsively, he asked: