“You’ve been known for cherishing your disciples, but knowing how Jin-neung taught his, it’s surprising. You seem to teach Ha Hyun and Ha Heun in a way that’s the polar opposite of Jin-neung.”

At those words, a faint, bitter smile appeared on Yoo Woon’s lips.

Jin-neung, Yoo Woon’s master, had been quite harsh in his teachings. The disciples who were already geared toward medicine due to their mentor being a medical practitioner had it somewhat easier, but it was only ‘somewhat’.

If you hurt your hand, you can’t treat patients, so he was relatively gentle there, but he was extremely strict if you couldn’t wield a sword while being a warrior.

For disciples like Yoo Woon who had decided to walk the path of swordsmanship, they faced limitations at every turn. After sending them into a dangerous environment, surviving was proof of one’s skills, he’d say.

And Yoo Woon had no complaints about such a teaching method. He had no nature to complain trivially to his master, he himself wanted to excel in swordsmanship, and Jin-neung’s way was quite effective in skill-building.

‘Effective, but.’

Yoo Woon looked down.

Even without Jang Moon-in mentioning it, he was well aware that he was raising his disciples gently. And he had his own set of beliefs that his method was right, at least when it came to Ha Hyun.

As for Ha Heun…

After a brief silence, Jang Moon-in spoke first.

“I’m sorry. Just let it slide. I didn’t mean to admonish your methods. I have no right to, especially since I didn’t teach my disciples the way Jin-neung did.”

It was sincere. Knowing Jin-neung’s methods, he was merely surprised that Yoo Woon was the exact opposite. Jang Moon-in knew that he didn’t have the standing to interfere between a master and his disciples.

“It was just curious. Usually, disciples tend to resemble their masters.”

Yoo Woon chuckled softly. Just as Jang Moon-in knew Sage well, Yoo Woon also had a good understanding of Jang Moon-in, the Four Hundred Sage.

Jang Moon-in, when dealing with outsiders of his clan, acted with unparalleled skill and cunning. When necessary, he could be cruel and cold. However, when dealing with insiders, he was informal like this, even prone to making mistakes.

“Yes, I didn’t misinterpret it to that extent.”
“Ahem, yes. Anyway… I thought I should inform you, as their mentor, what task to send them on, hence the summons.”

Jang Mun-in handed over the document that had been placed beside him to Yoo-woon.

“Take a read.”

Yoo-woon slightly nodded and spread the received document. After a short time passed, he spoke softly as he folded the document back up.

“It’s unfortunate.”

Jang Mun-in took it back, speaking solemnly.

“Yes, it’s unfortunate. That’s why it’s not a matter to be taken lightly. But both children are cautious, so I think it’ll be alright.”

“…Yes. I appreciate your concern for my disciples.”

Certainly, one couldn’t forever protect and teach them haphazardly. Yoo-woon had known this but had spent years in a laid-back manner; changing the approach now wasn’t easy. He had to admit it, especially when even the head of the family took an interest.

After a few more exchanges, Yoo-woon, who had left Jang Mun-in, walked slowly, pondering about his disciples.

Ha Hyun had been aggressive in both manner and gaze since the first meeting.

Though he didn’t ask, and thus didn’t know what circumstances Ha Hyun harbored, their first meeting had occurred when Yoo-woon intervened to stop Ha Hyun from killing someone pursuing him.

He was merely a boy, a peer to his disciple, who barely had an interest in learning. Yoo-woon had thought it was too soon for Ha Hyun to take on a “task,” but had stepped in regardless.

Then, what he saw in Ha Hyun’s eyes at close range, there had been absolutely no hesitation about killing.

If he had to, he just would.

It seemed as if there were no room to consider morality in his choices.

He had probably been trained to think and act this way, but Yoo-woon couldn’t help but think that Ha Hyun’s inherent disposition also played a role. That’s why he had decided to protect and teach him.

He had done so, worrying that Ha Hyun might forever step over the line, wanting to at least establish some boundaries for him.