The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 58

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Now that I had succeeded in tagging along on the expedition, I moved on to my next mission.

 

As for what that mission was—

 

“Uncle! Does your injury still hurt?”

 

It was to rebuild intimacy with Gaon and earn his trust, continuing from where we left off before.

 

The reason was simple.

 

‘In the end, the best method is to persuade Gaon.’

 

I still remembered what happened with Pilsuk.

 

She had tried to poison me, and in the end, the Chief didn’t forgive her.

 

She was cast out of the stronghold.

 

In other words, the Chief could be merciful—but he was never lenient toward betrayal.

 

If it were discovered that Gaon had secretly sent a letter?

 

Even Gaon would likely face a similar punishment. 

 

After all, his actions would have endangered the lives of everyone living in the stronghold.

 

But…

 

“If only I hadn’t existed, none of it would have happened. My very existence… killed my mother.”

 

Perhaps because I had overheard Gaon’s conversation that day—

 

I couldn’t simply let things unfold that way.

 

More than anything, losing someone as capable as Gaon would be an immense loss for Seolhwa as well.

 

Therefore….

 

‘No matter what happens, I have to get closer to Gaon and make sure he listens to me.’

 

After that, I stuck close to Gaon all the way down the mountain and on the way to the inn, chattering nonstop and bombarding him with questions.

 

“If it’s hard to move, I’ll help you with anything! Just tell me! Want me to carry something?”

 

I even volunteered myself as his errand runner.

 

“That’s fine. What could someone that small possibly carry? Take this instead.”

 

“….”

 

Instead of handing me his luggage, Gaon tossed me a bundle of acorns or mushrooms.

 

…But I didn’t give up!

 

“Do you know how much everyone missed you, Uncle? When they found out I had talent with the slingshot, do you know what they said? They said Uncle Gaon should be the one teaching me, because there’s no one who’s as good as you—and it’s such a shame you’re not here right now! You’re amazing, Uncle. Do you think I could get that good too!?”

 

I patiently followed him around like a little chick, telling him stories of what happened while he was gone and showering him with praise! 

 

“Let’s walk quietly.”

 

“….”

 

Every time, this dull fellow showed no intention of accepting my goodwill and responded coldly.

 

Still, he didn’t push me away the way he used to.

 

Eventually, we arrived at the inn… and that night, while I was fast asleep—

 

“Yeong-ah, wake up. We must depart now.”

 

‘Huh? It’s already over?’

 

The Chief had returned after neatly plundering the storehouses of the Anseong Park clan’s affiliates. Cleanly. Without a whisper of trouble.

 

‘Ahhh! I still wanted to see it at least once—the Chief looking cool in action….’

 

Thud. I fell into despair, momentarily forgetting the situation. 

 

But it was only for a moment; remembering that things were not yet fully resolved, I quickly pulled myself together.

 

Once I was ready, the Chief nodded toward Gaon.

 

“Carry Yeong on your back and follow.”

 

“Yes, Chief.”

 

The night was still dark. 

 

I rode on Gaon’s back as we moved swiftly toward the village with the members of Seolhwa.

 

At a certain point, the Chief signaled for everyone to halt.

 

“We must finish within hour. Distribute only half to the villagers before we leave.”

 

Upon receiving the order, Dupil relayed detailed instructions to each group, and the uncles moved in perfect coordination.

 

One by one, sacks of rice taken from the storehouses were placed in front of villagers’ homes.

 

That was not all.

 

“Treat their wounds.”

 

The Chief ordered that those lying weakly in the streets, on the verge of death, be examined and treated for injuries and illness.

 

Bandits who possessed a bit of medical knowledge—and had brought ointments and medicine—quickly scattered in all directions.

 

“Thank you so much. Thank you.”

 

“My goodness… a General has come to us.”

 

“Indeed, indeed. He is truly our King.”

 

People could not contain their admiration and sent looks of respect every time the Chief passed. 

 

Watching it all, I felt once again just how extraordinary he was.

 

‘He truly cares for people. He serves the common folk as if they were his lords…’

 

At first, I thought he was strange.

 

He did things so naturally—things I could never understand.

 

Taking in a child with no ties to him. Risking his life twice to save that child.

 

But I no longer thought of him that way.

 

‘He’s truly… a great man.’

 

An indescribable feeling welled up inside me. I had never met a proper adult before in my life.

 

But this man was different.

 

‘What would the future look like if the Chief became king?’

 

The thought occurred to me naturally.

 

If he became king… the world would surely be better than it was now.

 

And for that to happen—

 

‘I have to protect the Chief.’

 

I clenched my fists tightly.

 

Swoosh. 

 

At that moment, Gaon suddenly set me down and turned to Uncle Gaeddong standing nearby.

 

“I will briefly check the perimeter for any government troops. Watch Yeong.”

 

“Yes, understood, First Commander.”

 

Uncle Gaeddong said he would look after me, but I couldn’t just stay still.

 

Gaon spoke as nonchalantly as usual, but as he turned away, his eyes seemed to waver somehow. 

 

Moreover, he was told to keep me with him, but he handed me off? I smelled something fishy. 

 

A warning light flickered in my mind.

 

‘Could it be… is he about to hand over information in reply to that letter?’

 

For some reason, I felt certain!

 

‘If that’s the case, I can’t miss this!’

 

Watching Gaon’s retreating figure, anxiety surged through me.

 

Without waiting another second, I turned to Gaeddong Uncle.

 

“U-Uncle! I have to go to the latrine!”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I—I have to go! It’s urgent! Really urgent!”

 

As I stomped and shouted, Gaeddong Uncle panicked and glanced around, looking for the latrine.

 

“Yeong-ah, I think it’s over th—! Huh? Where’d she go?”

 

I had already seized the moment and slipped away.

 

“Yeong-ah!!!”

 

I could hear Uncle Gaeddong calling desperately behind me, but I had no time to care.

 

‘Where did Gaon go?’

 

“Huff, huff!”

 

Perhaps because of my short legs running at full speed, I scanned the area while struggling to catch my breath.

 

‘This won’t do. I have to climb a tree to see.’ 

 

I glanced at the large tree nearby.

 

It wasn’t one I climbed every day, so it might be a little harder—but there was no other option.

 

“Ugh—hnng!”

 

Fortunately, I succeeded in climbing halfway up the tree in an instant. 

 

The moment I looked around, I sucked in a breath at the sight before me.

 

‘Gaon…!’

 

There he was, in the distance.

 

And standing in front of him was a man wearing a black mask.

 

Gaon had taken the letter from his chest—

 

As though he were about to hand it over to the man.

 

“N-no…!”

 

He was holding the letter, but—

 

He was hesitating, not pulling it out.

 

As though even at the very last moment, he was questioning whether he should truly give it over.

 

‘It’s not too late… Gaon, please stop!’

 

Clenching my teeth, I gripped the slingshot tightly in my hands.