The last to arrive at the dining table were Yu Sung Sabaek and Sajo.

“First, we’ve just finished setting up a formation to remove the malicious energy and prevent more from entering from the outside.”

As soon as he sat down, he began reporting on the progress of the work.

I also know something about the formation he mentioned.

It involves preparing various talismans, banners, or jade pieces engraved with magical patterns, making complex calculations to arrange them in the correct positions, and then the ambient spiritual energy reacts to create whatever the person setting it up desires.

‘It’s like that because it’s a martial arts novel. If it were a Western fantasy, it would be like creating a barrier by drawing magic circles with magical tools?’

That was the impression I got when I first heard a detailed explanation of these formations, so I keep thinking of magic circles ever since. In fact, it was easier for me to understand it that way.

No one else would understand if I tried to explain it to them anyway, so I might as well interpret it in whatever way is easiest for me.

“It’s a method mainly used when you want to protect a large area at once, but for a curse targeting specific individuals like this, it would be quite intricate. So this alone won’t completely cure the young masters who have been afflicted. It’s more of a temporary measure.”

After saying that, Sabaek paused for a moment, glanced at the clan leader’s face, and added:

“Of course, even a temporary measure should provide some relief. They should suffer less.”

“…I’m grateful for even that much.”

The clan leader bowed his head with a slightly brighter expression.

Although he had invited us to dine together first, given the clan leader’s situation, food was unlikely to go down easily. What he had originally hoped for was probably to hear from the Sabaeks about how things were progressing under the pretext of a meal.

“I can’t tell you how anxious I’ve been, not even knowing the cause. I’m already grateful that you came, but to hear that you can identify the cause and resolve it, I’m truly…”

The clan leader’s voice choked up, and he trailed off without finishing his sentence. Yu Baek Sabaek, who had been listening, spoke in a gentle tone as if understanding his feelings.

“This old one has also experienced the anguish of watching a disciple fall ill, so I fully understand how you feel. However, worrying also requires energy, so if you want to stay healthy until your children wake up, you must pay attention to your diet and get enough sleep.”

“Yes… Yes, of course.”

“We plan to examine your children once more this afternoon. If their condition has improved, we’ll let you know that as well.”

“Thank you, Dojang.”

The atmosphere was quite warm and friendly. As I quietly observed this scene, I was suddenly reminded of the eldest son again.

‘Well, he’s not someone I particularly want to keep thinking about.’

But for some reason, he keeps bothering me.

‘Why?’

I tend to think too deeply about things that have meaning to me, which sometimes causes problems, but I’m usually quick to let go of things I consider meaningless.

That eldest son was flashy-looking and did some odd things, but that was about it.

In other words, it’s not worth my continued attention.

I came here at the clan leader’s request, and the Sabaeks are handling the practical matters, so I should just assist the Sabaeks as I’ve been doing. Yet for some reason, that eldest son wouldn’t leave my mind.

‘Really, why?’

I pondered this throughout the meal, but couldn’t come up with an answer.

In fact, as I kept thinking about it alone, I started to feel that “bothered” might be a more accurate description than just “concerned.” The fact that I still couldn’t understand why I felt this way made it even more problematic.

After blinking a few times, I inwardly sighed.

‘Is it intuition?’

Actually, even when I noticed the curse before, I didn’t approach it with any rational logic.

I just suddenly dove in and took action on a whim. But since I did end up discovering something, I’ve started to believe a little more in things that can’t be explained in the realm of reason since then.

‘But I might just be getting caught up in my own thoughts and labeling him as suspicious.’

I swallowed inwardly.

Even if I keep suspecting the eldest son, Ha Hyun and the Sabaeks don’t seem to have any particular thoughts about him.

‘It seems like I’m the only one bothered by him.’

While I’m not going to automatically conclude that I’m the one acting strangely, I can’t completely rule out the possibility that I might be overreacting for no reason.

‘Logically, the latter seems more plausible.’

It seemed like this was another matter I’d have to observe for a while longer.

When we examined the patients again in the afternoon, their condition had certainly stabilized. Their breathing seemed a bit easier, and their fever had gone down considerably, making them look as if they were just sleeping.

But…

‘He doesn’t look good.’

The eldest son was the opposite.

I’m not sure if it’s because he used up his energy getting up and talking with us in the morning, or if there’s some other reason. But compared to his siblings, his complexion seemed to have become a bit paler now in the afternoon.

However, perhaps because he was in the best condition to begin with, even with his poor complexion, he wasn’t so bad that he couldn’t sit and converse.

Despite Sabaek’s concern, he insisted on sitting across from us at the table, just like in the morning.

“Young master, you don’t look well.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been lying down so much that I feel restless, so I don’t want to miss this time to chat and drink tea. It’s not a strenuous activity, is it?”

The eldest son calmly replied and then changed the subject.

“Rather… there’s something I’d like to ask. Did you perhaps set up something?”

“Ah, yes. My disciple completed the formation about half an hour ago. Do you feel anything?”

“Yes.”

The eldest son seemed to think for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“Somehow, I feel more at ease.”

“That’s good to hear, then.”

Is it really good? Is he really feeling at ease?

I was a bit on edge. I thought I hadn’t shown it outwardly, but Ha Hyun, sitting right next to me, seemed to sense something was off.

He reached out under the table and lightly tapped the back of my hand. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead.

The fingertips that tapped my hand then turned it over and wrote letters on my palm.

Why

Is something strange?

There is something…

For a moment, I felt a bit of tension release. The way he was communicating seemed like a childish prank. Of course, since we haven’t learned telepathy yet, this method is probably the most appropriate in a situation like this.

‘Should I tell him?’

After clenching and unclenching my hand a few times, I thought for a moment, then, keeping my gaze fixed straight ahead like him, I wrote my answer on Ha Hyun’s hand.

I’ll explain later

It means there is something, but it’s too long to explain like this right now. It wouldn’t make sense for me to cause a scene by singling out the eldest son based on a vague feeling while the Sabaeks are here.

But if we were alone, Ha Hyun isn’t the type to criticize me for saying something that might seem a bit strange or out of the blue.

‘It’s not that I don’t trust the Sabaeks, but…’

I trust him more than the Sabaeks.

Since he’s the only fellow disciple close to my age, we’ve spent more time together than even with our master since Ha Hyun joined. That time is the basis of my trust.

Just as the conversation between Sabaek and the eldest son seemed to be ending, Ha Hyun withdrew his hand, seeming to understand.

“By the way…”

The eldest son, who had been silent for a moment, spoke up again. His slightly blue-tinged eyes turned towards Ha Hyun and me.

The fingertip conversation with Ha Hyun had been brief, and we had maintained our expressions, so I don’t think it showed outwardly. But perhaps because we had done something secretly, I was a bit startled inside. I tried to look at him as naturally as possible.

“Come to think of it, I’ve talked a lot with Dojang Yu Baek, but not much with the two of you right beside him. You seem to be around my age… Are you perhaps Dojang Yu Baek’s disciples?”

“Ah, yes.”

Sabaek smiled nonchalantly, as if unaware of anything, and glanced at us.

“They are my martial nephews and nieces. Disciples of Yu Un, the First Sword of Hwasan.”

“Oh, the Sword King’s?”

As the eldest son widened his eyes in feigned surprise, Sabaek seemed to become a bit more pleased.

“That’s right. Both of them are highly talented and very promising disciples within Hwasan, and they’ve been a great help with this matter as well. Now that I think about it, they seem to be around the same age as you, young master. I hadn’t thought of that before. Why don’t you exchange greetings?”

No, Sabaek. How can you suddenly say that?

I was momentarily flustered, but a few seconds later, the thought crossed my mind that this might not be so bad after all. To find out why this person bothers me so much, I need to learn anything I can about him.

“I’d be happy to. How should I address you?”

The eldest son turned towards Ha Hyun and me again. More precisely… towards me.

Because our eyes met again.

“I am Ha Heun.”

“Ha Heun… Dojang, I see.”

The eldest son lowered his eyes and muttered my name once under his breath, then turned his gaze to Ha Hyun.

“Ha Hyun.”

“And Ha Hyun Dojang.”

I could feel Sabaek’s gaze, watching contentedly as if observing a nephew making friends.

‘…That’s right.’

From Sabaek’s perspective, Ha Hyun and I are martial nephews and nieces who have played only with each other since joining at a young age, without making any friends until now. That was exactly how it was, nothing more, nothing less.

After nodding upon hearing Ha Hyun’s name as well, the eldest son smiled gently.

“If it’s alright with you, I hope we’ll have a chance to chat someday.”

His attitude was very polished. Unlike earlier when he was smiling meaningfully with his eyes, now he was impeccably proper. Thanks to that, I too was able to respond outwardly calm.

“If you recover your health, I’m sure there will be an opportunity.”

“Yes, I think I’ll get better soon, so I’m looking forward to it.”

I didn’t really believe someone with such a poor complexion saying that. Of course, I wasn’t looking forward to it either, but if he really does get better, maybe I could at least get some clues as to why the eldest son bothers me so much through conversation.

I smiled appropriately and naturally turned my gaze away.