The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 62

* * *

 

After many twists and turns, we finally returned to the mountain stronghold just as evening was falling the next day.

 

“Chief! You’ve returned!” 

 

“A message arrived while you were away! You should look at this first!”

 

The family members who had remained at the fortress rushed out to greet us.

 

“What is it?”

 

When the chief asked, they handed him a sealed letter.

 

The chief took the letter, broke the seal, and unfolded it.

 

“…Jeon Bongjin? That man says he will cooperate with us?”

 

“Jeon Bongjin? Who is that?”

 

“A man I know well. We fought together in several battles during the war. I heard he withdrew into the mountains and vanished after the current King’s accession… to think he was acting as a righteous thief in the Yeongnam region.” 

 

A brief warmth flickered in the chief’s eyes as he heard news of his old friend.

 

Tucking the letter into his tunic, he continued.

 

“It would certainly be a tremendous help if he added his strength to ours. But where did you see this man?”

 

“Yes. It seems he was also searching for you after hearing rumors of the Chief. Whether by chance or fate… he was camping near our fortress. Of course, we did not reveal our location.”

 

“I see. Well done.”

 

The chief stroked his chin thoughtfully. At that moment, one of the bandits spoke cautiously.

 

“If he is someone you know and trust… how about meeting Jeon Bong-jin at a nearby base tomorrow?” 

 

The chief nodded.

 

“That would be best. See if you can arrange a meeting with him at the Jangseung-gol base tomorrow.” 

 

“Yes, leave it to us! We will send someone immediately.”

 

After the subordinate disappeared, the Chief turned to look at Dupil, who had been standing behind him like a shadow. 

 

“Vice Chief, prepare to receive Jeon Bong-jin.” 

 

Yes, Chief. Understood. But is he truly a man to be trusted?” 

 

“Don’t worry. He is dependable and a man who could become a vital military asset. We must recruit him.” 

 

“Yes! Chief!”

 

At the Boss’s command, Dupil and the uncles shouted with grim resolve. 

 

‘Is our force growing?’

 

I tilted my head, observing the situation from the side. I had been curious enough to watch a little longer before entering….

 

“You’ve waited long, Yeong-ah.”

 

As soon as the chief finished the remaining reports, he came over and lifted me up in his arms.

 

“Come inside and rest. You look exhausted.”

 

“Ehh… I’m fine…”

 

“Hey, prepare Yeongie’s quarters at once.” 

 

“Yes, Chief!”

 

Contrary to my brave words, I began to nod off in the Boss’s arms. Only then did I realize just how exhausted I was.

 

‘Then again, so much happened over the past few days….’ 

 

I stopped Gaon from handing over the letter, and I climbed a lot of mountains while returning to avoid the government troops. 

 

“Sleep well, Dad.”

 

Having reached the tent, I shuffled under the covers.

 

And like a bundle dropped in water, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

 

Unaware of what would happen when the sun rose. 

 

* * *

 

The next morning.

 

“Uuuugh?!”

 

‘What? Why is the sun already so high?’

 

I had overslept for the first time in ages! 

 

I couldn’t even remember the last time I had slept this comfortably.

 

‘I suppose I felt relieved after seeing Gaon throw away that letter yesterday….’

 

It made sense, considering I had been trembling with anxiety over that matter. 

 

My stomach growled. Grabbing it, I pushed myself up from the futon.

 

Then I tilted my head in confusion.

 

‘Huh? Something’s strange.’

 

If I had overslept this long, Malja or Bokhee would have surely come to wake me.

 

But today was different. The surroundings were utterly quiet.

 

I stretched and ran toward where the aunts might be.

 

‘No one’s here!’

 

Confirming their absence, I boldly opened the barracks door and stepped outside.

 

Tap-tap-tap!

 

Walking across the stronghold, I saw people gathered near the main square, just as I expected.

 

As usual, a fire had been lit, and they seemed to be having breakfast together.

 

“Uncle! Aunts!”

 

I ran toward them with a bright smile. I expected them to playfully chide me for oversleeping while handing me a warm bowl of rice.

 

But.

 

Sshhhhhh…

 

As I approached, everyone instantly fell silent. The once lively space became eerily still.

 

‘Why… why are they like this?’

 

Flustered, I looked around at my uncles and aunts, hesitating before approaching Bok-hee.

 

“What’s wrong? Huh? I’m hungr—”

 

“Don’t come near me!”

 

A sharp, shrill scream rang out.

 

Bokhee stepped back, her face pale as paper.

 

“W-why…?”

 

Turning to see the reason, I froze. There were the Four Ddong Uncles.

 

“Unc…!”

 

Swoosh. 

 

Just as our eyes met, they turned their heads. Their faces were ghostly pale, avoiding my gaze entirely.

 

‘Why are even the uncles acting like this?’ 

 

Still clueless, I scanned the surroundings. Then I caught a faint murmuring.

 

“Is she really the current King’s daughter?” 

 

“How could such a thing happen…?”

 

“Then did the Chief take that child in knowing everything?” 

 

“That can’t be! The Chief knows better than anyone what the King means to us…!”

 

Thud.

 

Feeling as if I couldn’t breathe, I covered my mouth with both hands. My legs felt like they were going to give way.

 

‘They… they found out.’ 

 

I had expected a day like this would come eventually. But it wasn’t supposed to be like this—so suddenly. 

 

‘How… how did they find out?’

 

The only people who knew about the royal mark were Dupil, Gaon, and the Chief.

 

If anything, they would have tried to keep this a secret from the rest of the fortress family; they were the last people to spread the word.

 

“I heard it clearly last night!” 

 

Then, a man stepped forward, resolving my question. 

 

He strode toward us, his large staff thumping against the ground.

 

The monk who had always tended to my injuries. 

 

The only person in the stronghold with medical knowledge, who had occasionally taught me herbalism.

 

That man.

 

He glared at me with an expression of pure, unadulterated hatred.

 

“It seems the First Commander already knew this fact. In that case, the Chief must have known as well. I will certainly ask the Chief about this and uncover the truth!” 

 

Gritting his teeth, the monk tightened his grip on the staff.

 

“To think we lived and shared affection with the daughter of an enemy who deserves to be torn apart. How could this happen…!” 

 

Only then did I fully understand the situation. 

 

Someone had eavesdropped on the conversation between me and Gaon last night.

 

‘I should have been more cautious… I let my guard down.’

 

The stream was some distance from the temporary barracks, and having been so focused on Gaon, I never imagined anyone could be watching.

 

‘Ah… what should I do?’

 

I turned toward Uncle Gaeddong as if seeking help.

 

Recalling the way his eyes would always crinkle affectionately whenever he saw me.

 

One step, then another.

 

I approached him with heavy, leaden feet, but he backed away in distress.

 

As if he were facing a monster.

 

Boom!

 

And in that moment, it felt as if something inside my heart had come crumbling down.

 

“They say her dad is a murderer.”

 

“Disgusting. I wish she’d just die.”

 

“It means that man’s blood is in her body. Isn’t it creepy?”

 

“When she grows up, won’t she become a murderer too? Eugh, this is horrible!”

 

The daily contempt, the cutting ridicule aimed at me.

 

“Go ahead and call for a school violence committee; you can’t do anything to me. You know that, right?”

 

“There isn’t much I can do for you. Go home.”

 

“Why don’t you just consider transferring schools? Hmm?” 

 

The violence that had been poured upon me, and the indifference that had hurt even more.

 

I thought I had forgotten.

 

I thought I had buried it all as events from a long time ago.

 

I had struggled for so many years just to live on and forget.

 

“Urgh!”

 

A sudden wave of nausea hit me from the revulsion. I hurriedly clutched my mouth shut.