The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 121

Honestly, for the past five or six years, my heart would grow heavy every time I looked at the mole on the top of my foot.

 

I even had extreme thoughts of wanting to get it removed if I could.

 

Still, before I went down to the civilian houses with Gaon, I wore beoseon, and since the top of the foot isn’t a usually exposed area, I thought it would be fine.

 

But that was entirely my misjudgment.

 

In Jehan, there were people who noticed not only my existence but also Gaon’s.

 

Gaon always covered his face, but he was a person with an eye-catching appearance and aura.

 

Meaning he was a person who could be easily remembered just by his hair color or impression.

 

Therefore, if by any chance someone were to recognize him… my identity would naturally be suspected as well.

 

In such an atmosphere, it was obvious that the tavern mistress had stripped off my socks, and it went without saying that she had reported directly to the Prime Minister.

 

“It truly is invisible.”

 

“It’s truly fascinating that this works?”

 

“It’s like magic!”

 

The eyes of the uncles gathered around my foot all went wide simultaneously.

 

Everyone couldn’t help but marvel at how the mole was perfectly concealed with the cosmetics Aunt Bokhee prepared.

 

“Certainly… she’ll normally hide it with beoseon, and they wouldn’t go so far as to think of washing her foot to look. This should be quite safe.”

 

Gaon also observed with a keen eye and nodded.

 

The last one to step forward was the chief.

 

As he approached, everyone stepped back. The chief silently and closely inspected the top of my foot.

 

Then, looking at Bokhee, he asked carefully.

 

“There are no harmful ingredients to the body, correct?” 

 

“Yes, Chief. I have verified numerous times that none of the ingredients used contain any toxicity.”

 

“You possess a truly marvelous talent.”

 

“You flatter me.”

 

Bokhee lowered her body, her face flushing slightly. She seemed happy at the moment of being acknowledged.

 

“Then now… I can go to the capital too, right?” 

 

Not missing the opportunity, I asked back anxiously. 

 

However, the chief couldn’t answer readily. After a moment of silence, he spoke heavily.

 

“Was it not… just a few months ago that you fell into danger. It is still too early, Yeong.”

 

“Chief.”

 

At that moment, my reliable supporter, Uncle Gaon, stepped forward!

 

“Chief. If we are to set up a bookstore, most of the personnel here will have to be deployed. Rather, it might be more dangerous for Yeong to remain alone in the stronghold.”

 

He continued with a serious look in his eyes.

 

“How about acquiring an existing bookstore, remodeling its internal structure, and creating a secret space? If Yeong stays inside there, exposure to danger will be virtually nonexistent. To naturally guide the mistresses of noble families in the capital, I will spread rumors through the contacts I am currently establishing.”

 

As if a fairly specific plan had already been established, Gaon’s words were persuasive.

 

He finally added a decisive remark.

 

“Yeong will only stay inside that secret space without any external activities. Furthermore, since the Vice Chief and General Jeon are conducting a disturbance operation, drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to the south, the capital is relatively safe.”

 

That’s right.

 

Uncle Dupil, General Jeon, and the pirates had already set up a separate stronghold in the south and were currently active.

 

The Prime Minister’s private soldiers had also detected those movements, and currently, they were gathered en masse in the south.

 

In other words, it could be called an operation that struck at the enemy’s weak point.

 

That wasn’t the end of it.

 

As if he still had more to say, Gaon continued.

 

“Also… although it is difficult to see them as the Prime Minister’s cronies, I discovered traces of someone passing by the vicinity. Judging by the size of the footprints, it is presumed to be a woman, and although she didn’t come all the way to the stronghold… we must not let our guard down at any time.”

 

“Someone passed by the vicinity?”

 

“Is that true?”

 

At Gaon’s words, not only the chief but everyone in the group widened their eyes in shock.

 

This stronghold was surrounded by dense foliage, making it difficult to even know of its existence unless one came very close.

 

Moreover, there was no one here besides the chief, Gaon, the Four Ddong uncles, Aunt Malja, Aunt Bokhee, and three or four confidants.

 

In short, it was an extremely small-scale hideout, so the risk of being exposed to the outside was remarkably low.

 

But even so, the mere fact that someone had been nearby was reason enough to be tense.

 

‘It was Aunt Seol’s footprints.’

 

I, at least, knew her true identity. 

 

Neither the Prime Minister’s spy nor a suspicious person, but a runaway slave who lost her memory. And I was certain it was Auntie Seol, from whom I felt deep warmth in my heart.

 

‘I’m glad she seems to have gone down safely…’

 

I unknowingly let out a sigh of relief and held my breath, hup.

 

‘There’s no need to correct her identity right now. Because I absolutely have to persuade Dad and go to the capital right now.’

 

I resolved in my heart and watched the chief’s reaction.

 

“We cannot let our guard down for the time being.”

 

The chief soon nodded with a heavy face and said.

 

“We must strive to secure nearby bases so we can prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, and make preparations to move immediately in an emergency.”

 

Then, turning his gaze toward me, he hesitated for a long time before quietly asking.

 

“Do you truly wish to go to the capital?”

 

“Yes! I really want to go!”

 

I answered, looking up at him with bright, clear eyes. 

 

The chief soon slowly shook his head as if he couldn’t stop me.

 

“Hah… I have lost. Very well. Do as you wish. However…”

 

He once again warned me with serious eyes.

 

“You must always be careful. Since this father of yours will often be away, there may be times when no one is by your side to protect you. That… concerns me.” 

 

“I promise. I will never do anything dangerous. I will be careful and careful again.”

 

Just as the chief had done, I held out my ring finger. Then the chief too held out his finger as if to make a promise.

 

He smiled faintly.

 

“Yes. You have grown quite a lot now. Our Yeong.”

 

In the chief’s pleased smile, I felt like I had become a little more of an adult.

 

* * *

 

After that, we embarked on establishing a plan to build the bookstore in earnest. The chief entrusted Gaon with full authority.

 

“The First Commander shall take charge regarding this matter.”

 

Because it was not a simple order, but an important decision that could determine the direction of our base within the capital.

 

“And as for Yeong…”

 

After letting out a sigh, the chief turned his gaze toward me.

 

With sparkling eyes, I was anticipating the order that would fall to me as well.

 

“…Since you are exceptionally brilliant beyond compare to children your age… if you wish to participate in the meetings, you may join.”

 

“R-really!? Waaah!”

 

I clenched both fists and jumped up from my seat. Hopping around, I lunged at my dad’s waist and hugged him tightly.

 

“I love it so much! I definitely want to be with Dad and the uncles!”

 

To think the credit for coming up with the bookstore idea would return like this, joy surged up wildly!

 

“Actually, I asked Damho and looked into a few candidate sites for the bookstore inside the capital. How about here!? Meaning this place and this place! On this scale!”

 

As I poured out my opinions while waving my hand over the map, Gaon let out a dry laugh. 

 

“As expected… you’re amazing.”

 

Recalling the memories of strategy meetings when I was a detective, I skillfully led the flow.

 

In the end, Gaon let out a dry laugh—‘Ha!’—as if he couldn’t believe it. 

 

“Huhu! This much is basic!”

 

“Hah, unbelievable.”

 

I grinned with pride. 

 

Perhaps because I had focused so intently, beads of sweat had formed on my forehead. 

 

I unconsciously reached into my clothes to take out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off.

 

At that moment.

 

“What is that?!”

 

At Gaon’s sharp question, I tilted my head.

 

‘Uh-oh, I pulled out the wrong one?!’ 

 

A cold sweat broke out in an instant.

 

What I originally intended to take out was a plain handkerchief to use during the meeting.

 

But I accidentally took out Aunt Seol’s embroidered handkerchief, which I had carefully hidden deep within my clothes.

 

And of all things, it caught Gaon’s eye perfectly!