The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 65

* * *

 

Jeon Bongjin stared blankly at the steaming teacup before raising his head.

 

At the end of his gaze was a man whose figure still exuded the dignity of a monarch despite the passage of time,

 

The Chief—Kim Gangdu.

 

“Drink. It would be only right to treat you to wine, but with the forest fire having only just broken out, such things are difficult at the moment.” 

 

“Not at all. Just your consideration is more than enough, Your Highness.”

 

After taking a sip of the tea, Jeon Bongjin let out a deep breath and carefully opened his mouth.

 

“Your Highness, actually earlier… I heard a strange rumor while coming into the mountain stronghold.”

 

“What did you hear to make you say that?”

 

“By any chance… did Your Highness also know? That the child Your Highness adopted is of the current King’s bloodline.”

 

Clack. The Chief set the teacup down rather roughly.

 

A brief moment of agitation flashed across his face, but he calmly opened his mouth as if nothing had happened.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Dupil, who was standing at the entrance of the barracks, couldn’t hide his agitation and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

 

However, the Chief soon laughed in disbelief without even letting his breathing falter.

 

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”

 

He must never reveal the truth.

 

Keeping that in mind, the Chief feigned a very calm demeanor and took a sip of his tea.

 

‘I don’t know how this guy Jeon Bongjin found out about Yeong’s identity, but…’

 

It was a gathering plotting treason, no less. Because of that, there were people stationed all over who harbored a terrible animosity toward the current King.

 

Trust and support could shatter in an instant.

 

‘Above all… the most important thing is Yeong’s safety.’

 

If Jeon Bongjin’s alliance fell through like this, there was no telling what kind of rumors he would spread about his daughter outside.

 

Creak. The Chief’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. He had to prevent that at all costs.

 

“Then… are you saying it is not true?”

 

“Indeed. You must have heard some nonsense in the fortress. They often speak idle words, so pay it no mind.” 

 

Swoosh, the Chief raised his head.

 

And looking straight at Jeon Bongjin, he told a lie without batting an eye.

 

“Why would I have adopted the current King’s daughter as my own in the first place? You should know better than anyone what that man did to me.”

 

“…I am relieved that Your Highness says so. However.”

 

Jeon Bongjin did not back down and looked straight at Kim Gangdu with resolute eyes.

 

“If that is the case, I worry that perhaps Your Highness overlooked the child’s lineage without knowing.” 

 

“What?”

 

“There is one way to verify it. We can call the person who attends to the child’s baths and confirm if there is a royal mark.”

 

Literally, he was demanding verification right in front of his eyes.

 

Saaaa…

 

At Jeon Bongjin’s presumptuous demand, the Chief’s eyes instantly turned fierce.

 

“……”

 

“…..”

 

A suffocating silence flowed.

 

The veins on the back of the Chief’s hand stood out vividly, and countless possibilities flashed through his mind. 

 

‘Whether I refuse the proposal or accept it and reveal the truth…’ 

 

Yeong’s existence would be leaked to the outside world no matter what.

 

In that case.

 

I must kill him right here.

 

The Chief’s hand slowly slid from his knee toward his sword.

 

His fingertips trembled slightly, but soon gripped the scabbard without hesitation.

 

Whether it was a comrade who had crossed the lines of death with him, or someone who would be a powerful ally in the future, in the face of danger to his daughter, he was blind to everything else.

 

At that moment, a loud noise was heard from outside. It was loud enough to make the barracks tremble slightly.

 

“What is happening outside?”

 

“I will find out right awa…”

 

Rumble— Crash!

 

As soon as the Chief’s question fell, the sound of thunder rang out loudly.

 

‘…It seems the scheduled heavy rain has started to fall.’

 

Barely regaining his reason, the Chief subdued his killing intent and stood up from his seat. He intended to hurry and evacuate Yeong first.

 

“Enough. It seems we must evacuate to the caves soon, so I shall go and check myself.”

 

“I will follow you.”

 

“….”

 

As Jeon Bongjin also stood up, the Chief glanced at him.

 

It was an impassive and calm gaze.

 

However, perhaps having felt the unusual killing intent, cold sweat was already dripping down Jeon Bongjin’s forehead.

 

“Do as you wish.”

 

“….”

 

The Chief did not stop him.

 

And as they left the barracks together, he had to frown at the sight unfolding before his eyes.

 

Thud, thwack!

 

Amidst the fierce wind blowing around.

 

A familiar person was ruthlessly trampling on a man.

 

Although he had a slender body like a woman’s, his fists were not like that at all.

 

“Speak! You XXX!!”

 

“Please, spare me…!” 

 

“I told you to speak! Which way did that child go!”

 

“I-I only saw her leave the barracks… Gah!”

 

“…Lying to me again?”

 

The moment a beast-like light flickered with terrifying cruelty in his eyes.

 

Thwack! Blood burst from the man’s mouth once more. Yet the man did not stop. 

 

“Stop.”

 

The Chief, who had been watching the scene, ordered coldly.

 

Flinch—

 

The rushing fist stopped mid-air in an instant.

 

Only then did Gaon turn his body to look at the Chief. 

 

His face, which used to be nothing but handsome, was already tainted with an indescribable madness.

 

Standing up, he lightly shook his head. Drops of blood splattered from his mysteriously golden-brown hair.

 

Drip. Drop.

 

Gaon lightly massaged his neck and nonchalantly answered the Chief.

 

“Did you call for me, Chief?”

 

“Explain what is happening.”

 

“….”

 

Shhhhhh…

 

Just then, a heavy downpour started falling from the sky.

 

Perhaps because they were halfway up the mountain, as soon as the rainwater hit the ground, white vapor began to ripple like haze everywhere.

 

Standing there askew like a lost child, the corners of Gaon’s mouth trembled slightly.

 

He kept his head bowed deep and said nothing.

 

He looked somewhat precarious and extremely anxious.

 

Thud!

 

Gaon suddenly let go of the man’s collar he had been gripping.

 

And, he quietly confessed the truth to the Chief.

 

“…That child, Yeongie has disappeared.”

 

“What…?”

 

Instantly, the Chief’s complexion turned pale. Crossing the distance with large strides, he grabbed Gaon by the collar.

 

“What do you mean by that!! Tell me exactly what happened!” 

 

“She left on her own two feet. Because her secret was discovered.”

 

“How could that be! Yeong, Yeong wouldn’t do that!”

 

“Didn’t you know as well… Chief. That child is different from ordinary kids her age.”

 

Swoosh, Gaon stared at the Chief with sad eyes amidst the pouring rain.

 

“…That child knew everything. Perhaps she had been preparing for this all along.”

 

“….!”

 

Tears, indistinguishable from the rain, flowed from Gaon’s eyes.

 

He firmly grabbed the Chief’s hand that was holding his collar, as if in defiance.

 

“All of this is my fault. However…! Those b*stards are not without fault either.”

 

Gaon’s chilling gaze turned. The bandits who had turned a blind eye to Yeong flinched and shrank their shoulders.

 

“Those b*stards finally drove Yeong to her death.”

 

Just as people had done to his mother.

 

Despising her for being a foreigner, driving her out… and ultimately leaving her to be torn limb from limb to her death!

 

Grip.

 

Anger surged in Gaon’s hand once more as he tightened his grip.

 

The Chief, who had been calmly observing the scene, coldly opened his mouth.

 

“Pull yourself together, Gaon.”

 

“….”

 

Smack—!

 

With a single strike, he knocked away Gaon’s hand that had grasped his own.

 

“The rain is getting heavier. We must find Yeong as soon as possible. Do you understand?”

 

“…

 

Despite that, Gaon merely took deep breaths, his shoulders heaving.

 

At that sight, the aura of a liege lord briefly settled into the Chief’s eyes.

 

“Gaon, take responsibility and make sure you bring Yeong back.”

 

“..!”

 

“Do you understand?”

 

Only then did Gaon slump to his knees on the ground. Holding back his sobs, he slammed his fist into the dirt floor.

 

“Even if I have to sacrifice this one life, I will absolutely, absolutely… bring her back.”

 

The Chief turned his body to issue orders to Dupil without delay.

 

However—.

 

What met him was Jeon Bongjin, staring at him with a glaring gaze.

 

“You have deceived me.”

 

“….”

 

A dozen or so subordinates following him were glaring at the Chief alongside Jeon Bongjin, exuding a murderous aura.

 

“Our conversation with Your Highness today, and coming all the way here… I will pretend it never happened. It’s a shame, but it seems it will be difficult for us to join forces.”

 

The Chief clenched his teeth at Jeon Bongjin’s attitude as he turned around as if he had nothing more to say.

 

And the next moment.

 

Schwing—!

 

In a flash, a sword was pointed at Jeon Bongjin’s neck.

 

“Once you have come here, there can be no such thing as a failed negotiation.” 

 

At the Chief’s resolute words, Jeon Bongjin’s eyes hardened.