“The outskirts of Dosung.

Geon growled at the man with many houses.

“Say it again. What is that kid to me?”

The menacing atmosphere he emitted made the surroundings as cold as an ice rink.

When Geon, the subject of gossip, appeared, the man who had hesitated and the bearded man next to him held their breath as if they had seen a ghost.

The man with many houses, not content with raising his hands and feet, began to tremble even his lips.

Geon stared at the man with a sinister gaze and sent a threatening tone.

“Just a moment ago, you were talking big. Did a cat get your tongue?”

As Geon approached with just enough distance for a fist to barely fit, the man swallowed his breath in surprise.

“Uh…”

“Or should I tear that arrogant mouth of yours apart?”

The man had never imagined that the formidable Geon would appear before him.

Thinking of the numerous rumors about Geon, his mind became dizzy.

If it was the feared Geon, he wouldn’t likely spare those who spread rumors about him.

The man with many houses prostrated himself in front of Geon, begging for mercy.

“I beg you, spare my life!”

“I have committed a crime!”

“Please spare me!”

The men behind, the one who hesitated earlier and the dwarf-like man, also prostrated themselves.

Watching the men begging for mercy with clasped hands, Geon twirled his thick eyebrows fiercely.

For Geon, dealing with those who spread baseless rumors to satisfy their curiosity and amusement was a routine matter.

Dealing with insignificant and inferior guys was not worth it, but involving innocent people and causing harm was a different story.

Geon coldly looked down at the men, and with his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, he spoke in a threatening tone.

“If you have committed a crime worthy of death, then you should die.”

“Wait, Lord!”

As Geon was about to draw his sword, Yeonwoo grabbed his arm. If he said he would kill someone, he was indeed capable of it.

However, the current location was the outskirts, and unknowingly, a crowd had gathered to watch Yeonwoo and his party.

Although it was infuriating to be angered by unfounded rumors, if Geon were to bend these men here, it would only add strength to the already baseless rumors.

There was nothing good for Geon in that, and Yeonwoo did not want to be associated with any unfavorable rumors about Geon.

Yeonwoo held Geon’s arm with both hands, sending him a look that it would be better to let it go.

“Lord, it would be too wasteful to stain your sword with the blood of these insignificant fools. They have surely understood enough by now with just this much.”

Geon, looking down at Yeonwoo holding his arm, seemed to have no particular preference for whose blood stained his sword, but seeing Yeonwoo, he seemed to have no intention of causing a big incident.

Even if the person concerned says he’s fine, what can he do? In the end, after gathering his will to survive, Geon put the half-drawn sword back into its sheath.

The sound of the blades brushing against each other dispersed into the air.

Even though his fierce momentum had somewhat softened, it was enough to instill fear in the men kneeling on the ground.

Geon declared in a low voice, “Speak ill of my people once more, and I won’t preserve that jaw of yours intact.”

Geon still pressed the men with a chilling force.

“Get lost. Before I change my mind.”

As soon as Geon spoke, the men whose lives had seemed so precious a moment ago fled in a hurry.

As they left, Yeonwoo aimed harsh words at the retreating backs of the men.

“You scoundrels who wouldn’t even hesitate to fry in oil! Stepping on nightshade might be too good for you!”

Although Yeonwoo tried to stop Geon, who was still angry, he couldn’t contain his anger completely and swung a fist into the air.

But when he felt Geon’s gaze fixed on him, he quickly withdrew his hand quietly.

Yeonwoo, who had moved some distance away, stood up straight and asked Geon cautiously.
“Nari, is the rumor true?”

“What are you talking about?”

Geon roughly guessed what Yeonwoo would ask.

She must have heard the rumors that the men were spreading.

Blinded by the king’s favor, he kills tigers, indiscriminately kills innocent people, abandons principles, and killed his own mother… If she heard such rumors, no one would have a good impression of Geon.

But Yeonwoo’s question coming back was unexpected.

“The king’s command is to capture a tiger without the help of the Tiger Hunt. Is it true?”

In reality, it was Hwan who commanded Geon to capture a tiger. However, since it was a decree issued with the king’s consent, it was as good as the king’s order.

Although Hwan’s arbitrary decision to prohibit the involvement of the Tiger Hunt in the process was questionable, no one else knew the details of the situation.

“It’s true.”

“…”
Yeonwoo suppressed her agreement with Geon and held her breath. She seemed to be struggling to contain the rising emotions within her.

Not long after, Yeonwoo exhaled the withheld breath and revealed her emotions without filtering.