The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 17

“Since they grow in the coldest places, all the flowers and leaves must be frozen. And it is said that the frozen flowers and leaves sparkle.”

 

The Chief clearly remembered the words the monk had told him before climbing the ice cliff.

 

“Byaaaa.”

 

The child’s face flashed through his mind. 

 

The child with soft, chubby cheeks, flushed red, looking at him and laughing blindly. 

 

When the child opened her mouth to laugh, the newly sprouted white bottom teeth showed, looking utterly silly.

 

Yeah. He definitely thought it was silly.

 

‘I want to go back and see it once more… that smile.’

 

In truth, he was also curious about how the child would walk better, how her teeth would grow, and how she would speak. 

 

Whoosh—!

 

The Chief took a deep breath and planted his feet firmly. He felt a sharp pain, but he endured it

 

With that, he leapt, planting his feet on the ice cliff and soaring upward. 

 

His outstretched hand grasped the frozen flower. 

 

Simultaneously, the legendary medicinal herb, which had been pulled out by the roots, settled securely in his grip. 

 

Tak—!

 

The edge of the ice cliff began to crumble.

 

The Chief, attempting to brace himself by plunging the sword in his left hand into the ice cliff, was bounced off and flung into the air. 

 

Crash—!

 

Chunks of ice and snow tumbled down together with a crash.

 

It was a massive avalanche. 

 

And the Chief, swept up by the avalanche, plummeted downwards in an instant.

 

While clutching the herb carefully in his arms.

 

* * *

 

“Everyone, listen! Last night, an avalanche occurred on the ice cliff, and the Chief has gone missing!”

 

Dupil stood up and raised his voice.

 

The bandits, who had been murmuring among themselves, focused and stared at one spot.

 

“No matter what… we must find the Chief. Even his body will do—we must find him at all costs.” 

 

“D, Deputy Chief!” 

 

At that moment, Uncle Gaeddong suddenly stepped forward. He stamped his feet anxiously and, looking at me in the monk’s arms, asked with concern.  

 

“W, what about the baby… what should we do? The baby doesn’t look well at all. Should we try something?”

 

“Now that the Chief has gone missing, is this the time to fuss over the baby!”

 

One of the bandits standing next to Uncle Gaeddong suddenly raised his voice and scolded him. 

 

Despite that, Uncle Gaeddong didn’t stop.

 

“But the Chief went to save the baby. For the Chief’s sake, shouldn’t we at least try to find a way to save the baby…” 

 

Then Uncle Dakdong also stepped forward, lending his support to Uncle Gaeddong’s opinion. 

 

“Quiet!”

 

Gaon, sitting in a corner of the barracks, silenced the bandits with a single word. 

 

He was the one who had followed the Chief up the ice cliff first last night, and although he ultimately couldn’t catch up…

 

His hands and feet were red, and his body was covered with scratches, as if he had endured all sorts of hardships.

 

Gaon cast a sharp gaze back at me.

 

After staring at me, barely exhaling my fading, uneven breaths, he then spoke in a calm voice. 

 

“Listen carefully. Because of this child, we’ve already paid far too great a price. So none of you need to try saving this child any longer. Because…” 

 

Even as my body went limp from weakness, I felt a foreboding sense of dread. 

 

At that moment, I realized his gaze was fixed on the top of my foot.

 

And I also seemed to understand what he was about to say next.

 

“This child belongs to the current king—”

 

“Stop!”

 

“!”

 

It was then that I heard the familiar, heavy voice.

 

I mustered every bit of strength I had and barely opened my closed eyes.

 

“C, Chief!”

 

As if to prove I hadn’t misheard, all the bandits lit up and ran toward him.

 

‘He’s back. Really.’

 

I just turned my head and blinked.

 

I couldn’t believe it.

 

The line between reality and dream had blurred so much that I began to wonder if I was seeing an illusion. 

 

What made me realize this wasn’t a dream was the fact that he looked so completely different from the man I had seen before.

 

The Chief’s appearance was utterly miserable.

 

‘He’s covered in blood, isn’t he?’

 

From head to toe.

 

He returned completely drenched in blood, looking for all the world like a grim reaper standing guard before the River Jordan. 

 

“Oh my, Chief!” 

 

One step, two steps. 

 

The approaching Chief’s foot suddenly twisted. 

 

The bandits rushed over to support the Chief, and he took something out of his arms and handed it to them. 

 

“Eat this, eat it. Quickly.”

 

“Is this the time for that? Chief, right now you’re…”

 

“Time is critical. Hurry, quick!”

 

Drip, drip. Even as blood fell, the Chief’s eyes were fixed solely on me.

 

‘What should I do… but I… I’m at my limit now…’

 

I struggled to blink my heavy eyelids as I looked at the pure white, glowing herb held in his hand.  

 

‘Still… I’m glad you came back.’

 

That’s all I need.

 

“Byaa. (Welcome back.)”

 

Mumbling softly,

 

I finally lost consciousness.

 

* * *

 

At some point, I suddenly opened my eyes wide. 

 

“Bu…?” 

 

When I opened them again, I realized, surprisingly, that not a single part of my body hurt.

 

No, not only was I unhurt, I was bursting with energy.

 

…Huh? I’m alive? 

 

This time, I really thought I was going to die. 

 

‘Looks like the herb really does have its effect.’

 

Recalling the herb I’d seen right before losing consciousness—one that had looked potent even at a glance—I glanced around my surroundings.

 

And then I realized the Chief was lying right beside me. 

 

‘You’re really hurt… Chief.’

 

He was bare-chested, his body wrapped tightly in white cloth, and emitted a strong medicinal smell.

 

Moreover, seeing blood seeping through the white cloth wrapped around his side, it seemed his wounds hadn’t fully healed yet. 

 

‘This… makes me feel so sorry.’

 

Honestly, the thought that he had risked his life to bring back medicine for me—a complete stranger, and the daughter of his enemy—made my heart ache for no reason.

 

‘I want to do something for him.’

 

I knelt down and sat, lost in thought for a moment.

 

Even magpies repay kindness!

 

Even though he is a criminal, he is a lifesaver who saved my life twice. 

 

Not only that, but thinking about how he’s looked after me all this time… I can’t help but want to do something for him.

 

‘What can I possibly do with this tiny body?’

 

I glanced around, then suddenly slapped my knee.

 

Yeah! For now, let’s focus on ensuring the Chief sleeps comfortably. 

 

‘I need to cover him with a blanket first!’

 

Ugh, ugh.

 

For now, I crawled desperately and grabbed hold of the edge of the blanket.

 

It was exhausting to drag the blanket with the strength of a mere seven-and-a-half-month-old baby, but I didn’t give up.

 

Even so, I was a fiercely passionate detective, so stubborn that once I bit, I never let go — that’s why they called me a “mad dog”! 

 

Keung.

 

I strained with all my might, my face turning red, and pulled the edge of the blanket as hard as I could.

 

I barely managed to pull the blanket up to cover the Chief’s chest.

 

“Whew!”

 

As I wiped the sweat from my forehead and smiled with pride,

 

“Are you done?”

 

“Wu…?” 

 

I realized it too late.

 

I realized that the Chief’s dark eyes had been watching my every move all along.

 

“Wu, bya…?” 

 

I was shocked and rolled my eyes.

 

No, since when have you been staring at me with your chin down like that?

 

With a needlessly handsome face… ?

 

Ssshk.

 

At that moment, the Chief suddenly reached out his hand.

 

His long arm seemed to wrap around me, pulling me tightly into his embrace.

 

In an instant, I found myself nestled in the Chief’s arms, curling up and blinking my eyes.

 

“Buu?”

 

“Then stay still now. I won’t be able to sleep if you keep moving.” 

 

“Abhu.” 

 

“Still.” 

 

“Buu?” 

 

“…It’s warm.”

 

“….”

 

“Thank you.” 

 

Hearing him mutter softly, I couldn’t help but smile.

 

“Abubu! (This is nothing!)” 

 

I raised my hand and gently tapped the Chief’s muscular arm.

 

Hoping that my vigorous little massage would give him some energy.

 

Then the Chief let out a small chuckle.

 

“Looks like you’ve fully recovered.”

 

“Bya! (No problem!)”

 

Let me give you a thumbs up. 

 

The Chief let out a faint laugh, as if in disbelief, then raised his own hand and gave a thumbs-up.

 

Our fists lightly bumped together, as if creating a secret signal known only to the two of us.

 

“Yeah. I don’t have a problem either.”

 

Blink.

 

A little surprised, I quietly looked at the Chief.

 

Because I hadn’t expected him to actually understand what I was saying.

 

“I’ve thought this since the first time I saw you… You really are different from ordinary babies. It seems you understand everything I say. Is that right?”

 

“Buu! (Yep! This is my second life!)”

 

As I nodded vigorously, the Chief let out a soft laugh and said,

 

“Then listen carefully. I’m about to tell you something very important.”

 

Thump—!

 

Feeling inexplicably tense, I clenched my fists and looked at him anxiously.

 

At that moment, the Chief gently pressed the back of my head and pulled me deeper into his embrace.

 

Then he spoke softly and gently.

 

“I wanted to see you living a prosperous life, being protected in a bigger and better place than here, seeing and enjoying many things.” 

 

When I tilted my head because I didn’t understand, the Chief calmly declared to me. 

 

“When spring comes, I intend to send you to a good home for adoption.”