“Ju Na Rin is my daughter?”

Splatter!

Dokgo Cheon spilled the green tea he was holding, and the nearby servant hurriedly wiped the table. It’s only natural to be surprised.

“Yes. The darling mandu-head squirrel that the Sect Leader cherishes so much was actually his lost youngest daughter. More or less, congratulations.”

Dokgo Cheon looked down at the back of Na Rin’s head, who was sitting on his lap busily crunching on jujube seeds, and remained silent with a serious expression.

‘Well, his thoughts must be complicated.’

It’s a situation where a daughter he never knew he lost has found her way back on her own. How confusing must it be for a father? After organizing his thoughts for a while, Dokgo Cheon carefully opened his mouth.

“Then…should I send Ju Na Rin to Somyeong Palace?”

“Huh? Oh, well. I hadn’t thought that far.”

Somyeong Palace.

It was a palace created to provide the best growing environment for the children of the Sect Leader, the Young Lords and Ladies. So that the children with the blood of Cheonma could live in an environment lacking nothing, receiving help from the best talents.

Hugging Na Rin tightly, Dokgo Cheon spoke defensively.

“No. Ju Na Rin is my side-by-side pupil.”

“Before being a pupil, she’s your daughter. Sect Leader, aren’t you happy? You found your daughter!”

“I’m not happy. The only emotion I feel right now is anger towards the world that’s trying to take Ju Na Rin away from me.”

“This is driving me crazy.”

Gong Son Wu clicked his tongue.

‘This isn’t even a fool. It’s gotten harder to deal with.’

It’s good that thanks to Na Rin, Dokgo Cheon’s emotions have returned. You could even say it’s a joyous occasion.

The problem is that Dokgo Cheon’s illness hasn’t completely recovered.

What Dokgo Cheon has regained by being with Na Rin is still only one-dimensional joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.

In other words, it’s just his ‘mood’.

‘To regain deeper feelings like paternal love or friendship, more time is needed.’

Thinking about that, sending Na Rin to Somyeong Palace right now might not be the best plan…

Crunch crunch.

“Is it delicious?”

Na Rin rolled her eyes to look at Gong Son Wu and instead of answering, gave a thumbs up.

Right. Xinjiang is known for its jujubes.

“What do you think? Tell me how it feels to have a father now.”

“Hmm.”

Na Rin swallowed the piece of jujube she was crunching.

“How is the name Dokgo Na Rin? Isn’t it not great? Um, that’s what I’m thinking.”

“…..”

Now that things have turned out this way, Gong Son Wu couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Am I the strange one?’ He’s not the type of person to be called sensible anywhere, but still.

‘But she really doesn’t seem to have many thoughts about it.’

For Na Rin, it’s not like she learned anything new, and it’s not like there were any huge changes, so honestly, she didn’t care either way.

“But Appa. Do I have to move again?”

“No, you’re not moving.”

Dokgo Cheon, answering in place of Gong Son Wu, tightly hugged Na Rin.

Feeling stuffy from the thick arms pressing on her ribs, Na Rin wriggled out down to her waist and continued speaking.

“Go or not go?”

“I don’t know. If we make the excuse that you’re a bit too young to live alone, we can probably delay it by 1-2 years. How old are you now?”

“I’ll be five in half a month.”

Five years old, huh.

The usual age to enter Somyeong Palace is around three or four, so using young age as an excuse won’t work since she’s too old.

Of course, since the Demon Cult values the strong and Dokgo Cheon is the Sect Leader, if he insists stubbornly, she might not have to go, but…

‘It’s not good to show blatant favoritism either.’

Like it or not, Na Rin’s existence itself is bound to attract attention.

The sudden appearance of Dokgo Cheon’s illegitimate child, who has been avoiding women for years, is the kind of introduction rumor-lovers enjoy. It’s not like Na Rin has been quiet since entering the sect either.

‘My bad karma is substantial.’

Gong Son Wu is the one who gave Na Rin, who was a slightly extraordinary commoner, the grandiose title of First Disciple of Dongcheon Palace. At that time, he thought he did it to protect Na Rin, but…

Huh? Protect?

“It might be better to stand out completely.”

“Stand out?”

“Where the sun shines, moss can’t grow.”

Na Rin nodded as if she understood.

“Got it. If I only walk on the big roads in broad daylight, even Salmak’s assassins can’t lay a hand on me.”

“…Right. Correct.”

It’s not really an analogy a child about to turn five would understand, but.

“Anyway, if we create public opinion about her being a pitiful Young Lady born in the Central Plains who had a hard time coming back, she can enter Somyeong Palace a bit late without being accused of favoritism. We can also widely publicize the story of her finding the Asura Sword. That way, that bastard Jeokgunak won’t be able to swallow the divine weapon our Na Rin worked hard to find, right?”

“Great! Great! What do you think? Sect Leader, don’t you like it too?”

Na Rin smiled brightly at Dokgo Cheon.

In that moment, someone’s face overlapped and reflected on Na Rin’s smile.

“What do you think? You like me too, don’t you?”

Wol Yeong’s smile, as bright and clear as a full moon.

A complex emotion, half joy and half sorrow, sprouted within Dokgo Cheon.

“…Yes. I like it.”

Dokgo Cheon didn’t know.

That this feeling he has now is called longing.

“Awl in the Bag – Who is Ju Na Rin?

It hasn’t been long since those three characters started being talked about among the Demon Cult members. But the sharp eyes and ears of the Cheonma Sinbo never miss a rising scoop.

The attention-grabbing First Disciple of Dongcheon Palace, Ju Na Rin.

Ambitious rookie reporter Ji Seung Pae conducted an in-depth interview of Ju Na Rin through people around her.

Q. What was your first impression of Miss Ju Na Rin?

A. I could tell she was no ordinary child from the first glance. – Guide 1

A. Didn’t I say she was an unpleasant kid? – Guide 2

A. What I mean is, she’s unpleasantly clever, no! Exceptionally clever. – Guide 3

The guides who directly recruited Miss Ju Na Rin answered that they recognized that Central Plains girl’s genius at first sight.

Especially in terms of intellectual ability, she’s incomparable to other children her age. Similar evaluations continued among high-ranking officials within the sect as well.

Q. How would you assess Miss Ju Na Rin’s intelligence?

A. She’s a child with a lot to learn from in many ways. Even this old man is indebted to her. Hoho. Have you heard of Eojjeolsingong, by any chance? – High-ranking official 1

A. Well. It’s impossible to fully express it by just saying she’s smart. Anyway, she played a big role in solving the Cheongseongpa monster incident. – High-ranking official 2

The ‘Cheongseongpa monster incident’ mentioned by high-ranking official 2 refers to the incident where a monster from the righteous faction attacked the sect’s informant.

At this time, despite her young age, Miss Ju Na Rin made a great contribution in uncovering the full truth of the incident, and reportedly became the First Disciple of Dongcheon Palace because of this.

However, the Lord of Jigukcheonwang, who was the Palace Master of Dongcheon Palace at the time, didn’t take in a single disciple unlike other Protectors of the Law. Was there anyone who felt uncomfortable with the sudden appointment of a First Disciple?

Q. Was there any member dissatisfied with Miss Ju Na Rin becoming the First Disciple?

A. Absolutely not. She’s a prodigy. – Cheongryong member 1

A prodigy.

When the author asked again about this amazing word, an even more surprising answer followed.

A. I saw the five-colored rings of blue, yellow, green, black, and white with my own eyes. You know, right? Ogijowon! That means she reached the level of Ogijowon at that age!

Who would dare be dissatisfied with the First Disciple? We’re just grateful she came. Honestly, what is there to see in Dongcheon Palace… – Cheongryong member 1

Due to the informant being overly excited, the exact facts couldn’t be verified, but one thing became certain.

The First Disciple of Dongcheon Palace, Ju Na Rin, who appeared like a comet.

All eyes are on the path this small Central Plains girl will take.”

“Whoa. It’s an excellent article.”

Ji Seung Pae put down his brush with a proud face.

It’s a small article that no one pays attention to, but he worked hard on the interview. It feels a bit rushed at the end due to lack of space.

“Reporter Ji! Is Reporter Ji Seung Pae here!”

Just then, the door swung open and a middle-aged man with glasses rushed in without even fixing his disheveled hair.

“Editor-in-chief? What’s the matter?”

“Oh, you were here. That Ju Na Rin you mentioned last time. The First Disciple of Dongcheon Palace! You have an interview on that, right?”

“Yes. I just finished the final draft. I prepared it to fit the corner article length you mentioned, exactly matching the character count.”

“Corner? Nonsense!”

The editor-in-chief shouted angrily and waved his finger, scolding.

“Big, make it very big! Rewrite it as a major article for the front page. Before the Demon Cult Newspaper writes it!”

Isn’t the Demon Cult Newspaper the rival newspaper of Cheonma Sinbo?

Reporter Ji Seung Pae instinctively sensed that something big had happened.

“What content should be included?”

The editor-in-chief pulled Ji Seung Pae close and whispered something in his ear.

The moment he heard the content, Ji Seung Pae could feel an electric current running from his toes.

“Editor-in-chief!”

“Yes. It’s a scoop… No! A jackpot!”

Ji Seung Pae nodded forcefully, sat down, and picked up his brush again.

It was truly a stroke of genius.

Fancy rhetoric was inserted above and below the previously interviewed dialogue like skewered meat, and the article title changed.

“The Undeniable Cheonma Bloodline! – Meeting Dokgo Na Rin, the Young Lady who returned with the Asura Sword.”

The Cheonma Sinbo’s special feature on Na Rin was literally a huge hit.

The so-called Cheonma bloodline, the Sect Leader’s family, is the object of admiration for all Demon Cult members, so they expected it to be somewhat popular, but even considering that, it was a record-breaking number of sales.

“I didn’t know it would cause this much of a reaction.”

“People love secrets of birth. About half of the popular novels circulating in the market are about that, right? Eight out of ten for martial arts novels.”

Na Rin popped a Juak Rice Cake, made by frying glutinous rice cakes in oil and dipping them in rice syrup, into her mouth and sucked on the syrup stuck to her fingers.

“Mmm! Sweet!”

“My goodness. You must have had a busy life, even reading popular novels at that age.”

Indeed.

At Na Rin’s age, most children are just barely learning the Thousand Character Classic and about to start elementary learning. They don’t have the leisure to read popular novels and giggle in their free time after studying.

“Who knows? Maybe everyone lives like that.”

Na Rin shamelessly feigned ignorance.

“While we’re on the subject, you should live more diligently too, Appa. Because Appa only relies on his martial arts skills and doesn’t put in the effort to expand his forces, his only disciple gets pushed around here and there, only suffering!”

“Suffering?”

Gong Son Wu let out an exasperated sigh as if dumbfounded and sarcastically asked Na Rin.

“These days, do you call swallowing honey cakes suffering?”

“You misunderstand. It’s rice syrup.”

Na Rin demonstratively put the last remaining Juak Rice Cake in her mouth and chewed it.

“Mmm, but it tastes like honey.”

“You’ll choke. Ju Na Rin. Drink some tea too.”

“Hehe! As you command!”

Na Rin smiled brightly and took the tea Dokgo Cheon handed her.

The father and daughter are an unpleasantly fitting pair.

‘My life has truly become miserable.’

The Na Rin in the articles written by Cheonma Sinbo is an admirable Young Lady who overcame her ill-fated destiny with innate qualities and exceptional skills, even retrieving the Asura Sword.

“If your real self was even half of what’s portrayed in the articles, I would have felt at ease.”

“Oh right. About that.”

Na Rin suddenly remembered something, got off the chair, and rummaged to take out something. On a single sheet of paper printed with a wooden block, black letters were densely packed.

“Isn’t this just a regular newspaper?”

“Look closely.”

Gong Son Wu carefully read through the newspaper.

The subtitle visible right below the large text ‘Demon Cult Newspaper’.

“Does a rolling stone drive out a stuck stone? The appearance of a Central Plains Young Lady shakes up the Somyeong Palace hierarchy!”

“It’s a bit much.”