The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 92

“…And so, I have come here to deliver a message. My name is Seo Taeho.”

 

After briefly explaining the situation, Seo Taeho bowed to Gaon.

 

Only then did Gaon slowly lower the sword he had been aiming at his neck.

 

‘Could he have threatened Yeong to take this, extracted the information, and brought it to me?’

 

Even though he held Yeong’s Inyeon cloth in one hand, Gaon hadn’t entirely dispelled his doubts and scrutinized Seo Taeho from head to toe once more.

 

Then he asked a question in a stern voice.

 

“So, you’re saying Yeong is currently with your master?”

 

“Yes. She is with Young Master Park Dohyul.”

 

“If it’s Park Dohyul…”

 

Gaon narrowed his eyes. It was because the name was familiar.

 

“Park Dohyul, the son of Prime Minister Park Jutaek. Right?”

 

“What did you say?!”

 

“You’re saying he’s the Prime Minister’s son?”

 

At those unexpected words, not only the subordinates standing behind Gaon but even Damho, who was eavesdropping on the entire situation from behind the inn, gasped. 

 

‘The Prime Minister’s son?’

 

To those who didn’t know the circumstances well, Park Dohyul would have been considered the successor of the Anseong Park family, a core figure of the perfect enemy.

 

However, while everyone else was worried, Gaon actually wore a bright expression as he spoke.

 

“Hmm, if you’re someone under that child… it makes sense. Because I remember him as the child who helped the Chief and Yeong in the past.”

 

A long time ago, when the Chief rescued Yeong from the Prime Minister’s villa.

 

“If it weren’t for that child, we would have been in big trouble.”

 

“Even though he’s the Prime Minister’s son… he seems different from his father.”

 

Gaon had heard from the Chief that they were able to escape safely with Park Dohyul’s help.

 

To think the Prime Minister’s son helped Yeong and the Chief.

 

It was unknown how he would grow up.

 

But while preparing for the rebellion, couldn’t they perhaps recruit him later as an ally providing information from the inside?

 

He was also someone Gaon had taken an interest in, thinking of using him as a spy.

 

“They say he’s a genius among geniuses.”

 

“Everyone says with one voice that they have never seen a child master the Elementary Learning and the Great Learning so quickly.”

 

“Furthermore, they say he devises military strategies himself and is writing a book on military tactics… He truly is an outstanding talent.”

 

“Moreover, unlike his father, there are those who have seen him secretly going around helping the common people.”

 

Gaon, who was in charge of recruiting people or handling negotiations at the fortress, always sent people out to gather information. 

 

He had even found out about Park Dohyul’s reputation back then.

 

‘He’s a child who helped the Chief in the past, and since he has proven himself… he’s worth trusting.’

 

Gaon nodded and calmed down his confused subordinates.

 

“It is fine. I know something about this, so do not worry.”

 

“A-are you telling the truth?”

 

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

When Gaon gave a definite answer, his subordinates sheathed their drawn swords as if relieved.

 

“My name is Kim Gaon. So, where is Yeong right now?”

 

“She has already headed to the ferry crossing with Young Master Dohyul. It will take about half an hour on horseback from here, or an hour on foot.”

 

“Then lead the way. We will follow…”

 

Swoosh- Thwack-!

 

At that moment, a sudden arrow flew in and embedded itself in a pillar of the tavern.

 

“!”

 

Everyone gasped as they looked at the arrow.

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

Starting with that, a barrage of arrows began to pour down along with the shouts of men.

 

It was the Prime Minister’s private soldiers.

 

It was obvious that they had somehow figured out Gaon’s location and flocked here leading the troops.

 

“Damn it!”

 

Swoosh-!

 

Gaon immediately drew his sword.

 

“Everyone! Prepare for battle!”

 

Gaon moved his body, frantically parrying the flying arrows, and his subordinates also soon drew their swords, but…

 

The opponents were overwhelmingly superior in number.

 

“H-hurry, follow me! We can go this way… Ugh!”

 

An arrow grazed the shoulder of Seo Taeho, who was guiding the escape route.

 

Clutching the bleeding area, he gritted his teeth and swung his sword.

 

Gaon’s subordinates weren’t in a great situation either.

 

Since they were also pulling the carts loaded with gold and silver treasures, their movements were even slower.

 

“Hurry, clear an escape route! Hurry!”

 

A highly volatile situation. Gaon stepped to the forefront and began to break through the enemies’ encirclement.

 

“Father!”

 

Damho immediately looked back at his father.

 

The pirate captain, who had been hiding and watching together, bit his lip and took out his bow from behind his back.

 

And just then.

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

“Young Master, we have arrived!”

 

“Move out of the way! You b*stards!”

 

A group of people came swarming like a cloud from behind the Prime Minister’s private soldiers.

 

The pirate captain, who was about to notch an arrow, looked up in surprise and stared at them.

 

“Those are…?”

 

Gaon and Seo Taeho were equally surprised.

 

There were quite a number of private soldiers, but the number of those running behind them was far greater.

 

They were all wearing ragged plain clothes with bandanas, holding farming tools like pickaxes, sickles, and flails in their hands.

 

There were even elderly people and women mixed among them.

 

“Die! You rotten bastards!”

 

A woman who had filled her skirt with stones threw them with all her might at the private soldiers.

 

“These lowly wretches! How dare you!”

 

However, no matter how numerous they were and had weapons in their hands, they were no match for trained private soldiers.

 

As the private soldiers swung their swords, several civilians fell in an instant.

 

But.

 

Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!

 

Seeing the scene, Gaon immediately notched his arrows. Every single shot hit its mark. The arrows fired by Gaon and the mountain stronghold members accurately pierced the enemies’ vital spots.

 

Even the pirate captain pulling his bowstring from behind assisted them in taking down the soldiers together.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Eventually, when the momentum of the private soldiers was somewhat broken.

 

Taking advantage of the confusion, two men holding pickaxes hurriedly ran up to Gaon.

 

“Young Master! Do you recognize us?!”

 

“You two are… Chilbok and Maksoe?”

 

Gaon recognized them instantly. When he arrived at his family’s residence, he had seen them in passing but had intentionally pretended not to know them.

 

“Yes. You recognize us.”

 

“…How could I forget you? I just pretended not to know because you are the ones following my father.”

 

In his childhood, Gaon grew up amidst discrimination and violence.

 

The reason he could learn swordsmanship alone and hold onto his studies was…

 

Because these few servants within the household had protected him. 

 

Like secretly giving food to Gaon when he was crying after being beaten, or tipping him off beforehand when Lord Kim Junmo was in a bad mood.

 

They were the ones who had struggled to protect the young Gaon.

 

They always felt sorry for Gaon, who was nothing but a small child, and tried to shield him as much as possible.

 

And now, after years had passed, they had returned to his side again.

 

“We apologize. At that time, we couldn’t do anything…”

 

Chilbok and Maksoe faced Gaon with tears streaming down their faces.

 

Then they abruptly knelt before Gaon.

 

“If you permit us, we would also like to follow you, Young Master. The ones who came with us are also people we trust. We came all this way… hoping to be of strength to you.”

 

“W-we will do anything. Young Master. Please take us in.”

 

“…..!”

 

At those words, Gaon’s eyes wavered uncontrollably.

 

The times he was abandoned by those he wanted to trust.

 

He had thought those times were merely pain that had to be erased.

 

But even within that time, there were people. People who believed in him, cared for him, and wanted to follow him.

 

After a long time, they reached out to Gaon again.

 

Thirteen years since he left home.

 

As if reconnecting the severed time.

 

It meant returning to a relationship where they could comfort each other’s wounds.