66 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

The Youngest Daughter of the Murim Alliance Leader Spent the Night, Chapter 66: A Long Vacation With no particular schedule in mind, returning to the family estate was the beginning of trouble. "Dear Young, isn't it about time you started looking for a spouse?" "Exactly. All we hear are rumors about who you're meeting. You've never even brought anyone home!" "Time flies, you know? You should get married young to be cherished more." Aunts were hounding Jaegal Young mercilessly. And it wasn't even a holiday. Completely surrounded, she had no choice but to endure their nagging. "I knew I shouldn't have come back..." Of all times, she returned home during her third uncle's birthday, which also meant the gathering of the aunts. Jaegal Young's marriage was a matter of great concern to her family. "I'll take care of it myself." As the only daughter of Jaegal Hwi to reach marriageable age, she was under scrutiny. Despite being part of Baekyangdan, rather than assisting the family like most young women of prominent clans, this made her easy prey for her aunts. "When the time is right, I'll handle it." "Oh, look at her. Those big eyes! We're only trying to help you." "Sister, let her be. She'll understand once she experiences it." "Why are you talking like that? Do you want to see our Young become an old maid?" "If she doesn't want it, what's the point of insisting?" Oh. Suffocating. Why are they so obsessed with my marriage? She was in such disarray, unsure if the food was going down her mouth or her nose. To silence her aunts, Jaegal Young made a move. "I don't have anyone I'm seeing, but there is someone I've taken a liking to." "Oh my, oh my. And who's that?" "We're not in a relationship yet... I'll let you know if it progresses." "It seems like Young already has a plan." "Ah, she'll just say that and not bring anyone again..." "Hey, you girl! Watch your words!" It was an empty gesture. A tactic Jaegal Young often employed. Pretending there was a potential relationship with an imaginary person. However, what was different this time was— "Why is his face coming to mind?" It was meant as an excuse for her aunts. Yet, when she said "there's someone I like a bit," Lee Se Woong's face appeared in her thoughts. "It's troubling that he keeps creeping into my fantasies these days." But to think it would get this far. Developing feelings for someone engaged to another is painful. It's best to pluck these feelings before they grow. Even if they continue to meet as long as they're in Baekyangdan, she believes things will be different from now on. Lee Se Woong performed admirably. Capturing the assassin and discovering the cult traces. Through this mission, he proved himself a competent member of Baekyangdan. So there should be no need for Jaegal Young to take extra care of him as she had before. Distance will help her feelings fade. Time will handle the rest. * Overwhelmed by her aunts, Jaegal Young fled her family estate, barely spending any time with her siblings, and returned to Anhui Province. Again, she realized that life doesn't always go as planned. "Team leader?" "Yes." "Me, a team leader?" "You don't seem too thrilled about it?" Team Leader. While most Baekyangdan members prefer acting solo, it's not always possible to undertake missions alone. Depending on the mission's importance or danger, teams are formed. This means handling larger tasks. A team typically consists of four members. Baekyangdan members are very independent. To minimize variables during missions, optimal team formation is crucial. Becoming a team leader is akin to a promotion. "It feels too soon." "What's too soon? If you lay out all the missions you've accomplished until now, it's more than enough. This recent assassin case was just the trigger." "Sigh..." "You get a pay raise, too. Isn't that great?" Despite Kang Cheon's praise, Jaegal Young could only sigh. A pay raise? With the wealth of the Jaegal family, money wasn't a concern. Becoming a team leader grants significant authority, but— It also comes with substantial responsibility. "Keep your spirits up! It's something you had to go through eventually, right?" "Boss, you know everything already..." "Is it because of the team members?" Team leader. The role comes with the authority to command team members and a pay raise, but why the hesitation? It was a position with a good name but more often a depository for difficult tasks. The team leader is responsible when not led by the main leader. Expected to manage unpredictable members independently. Hence, to truly advance, one had to perform exceptionally well to skip being a team leader and become a special-grade member. "If you're worried, don't be. We’ve assigned members you've already worked with to your team." "No way?" "Yes. Hwangbo Se Yul and Lee Se Woong. They're both on your team." "Why on earth?" "Though the coordination was rushed, they executed their mission brilliantly. Capturing the assassin, exposing Mount Heng's scandals, and finding the cult traces—the team is a perfect match." The worst-case scenario I'd dreaded since Kang Cheon started speaking came to pass. "Se Woong lacks the experience for team missions." "That's why he should be in your team to gain that experience. Didn't he perform during the last mission? To treat him just like a rookie would be a loss." "And what about senior Hwangbo Se Yul? Why didn't he lead a team?" "He insisted strongly. Threatened to abstain from team missions unless placed in your team." "Sigh..." "He's always been a bit wild, hasn't he? It's a waste just to give him solo missions. Please understand." But it's easier said than done. Just when Jaegal Young thought she could create some distance from Lee Se Woong... And then there was Hwangbo Se Yul. How was she supposed to manage someone so unpredictable? "For now, I'll even double your budget for a while. How does that sound? Doable?" If you think it's that great, why don't you handle the role, mentor? Jaegal Young couldn't voice her frustration, only think it. The mentor looked oddly relieved. As Jaegal Young left his office, worry painted her face. * "A junior team leader, congratulations! Wow~" "Wow~" "..." Huh. Isn't becoming a team leader supposed to be a good thing? I had heard it was akin to a promotion. Hwangbo Se Yul and I raised our voices to celebrate, hoping to lighten the mood, but Jaegal Young didn't look pleased. "Senior, I heard everything from the mentor. Care to explain?" "It's simple—if it wasn't you leading, I wouldn't want to have someone weaker above me!" "Excuse me?" "I don't listen to those weaker than I am!" "Sigh..." With her hands on her hips, Hwangbo Se Yul replied confidently. Jaegal Young clutched her head and sighed in exasperation. "You know, I'm terrible with reports and organizing the budget... But you're specialized in that, right?" "You're openly dumping your work onto me now?" "Well, senior Hwangbo Se Yul does seem pretty inept at those things." "Junior-in-junior, what do you mean by that?" During our previous mission, although unexpected, the two complemented each other well. The spontaneous yet bold Hwangbo Se Yul. The meticulous but overly cautious Jaegal Young. They could cover each other's weaknesses well. Clearly, Baekyangdan's leader hadn't just thrown us together on a whim. About me? I thought it was pretty decent. Both were considerate, and during the last mission, I didn't feel inconvenienced at all. I even felt quite favored for a rookie. Having two women did make me slightly anxious, but we're here to work, so it's not a big deal. "Lee Se Woong, if you wish, you can transfer to another team at any time. It’s not like you have to be in ours." "Me?" "Yes. If there's a team you prefer, feel free to say so." "I like it here now." "......" There were times during training when I wondered if this was right, but I know it was Jaegal Young's consideration to keep the martial arts maniacs at bay. In another team, I'd likely lose my time to sweaty training sessions year-round. "Even if I join another team, I'd miss the chance to work under such a competent leader as you, senior." "Ugh..." "Isn't that right? Your work is tidy, you're considerate, and you're cautious, too? I don't think I'll find someone like you elsewhere." "St-stop it. Enough of your flattery! Nothing more from me!" "I'm sincere." Jaegal Young, this woman. She’s surprisingly weak to compliments. You'd think she'd be used to it, having been renowned as a prodigy since childhood. Yet seeing her turn her head bashfully, it was a bit unfamiliar. But watching the corners of her mouth turn upwards, I had the urge to tease her more. For now, I'll hold back. Pushing enough might lead to unexpected consequences. "Junior-in-junior! What about me?" "You, senior? You're incredibly strong." "And?" "You're so full of energy, it's refreshing." "Feel free to praise more!" "...That's enough." "How cruel!" Playfully, Hwangbo Se Yul patted my shoulder with a fist. The punch felt so weak, it seemed hard to believe the immense strength I witnessed before. "Let's not waste time anymore, senior. We have a mountain of work ahead." "Hm, you're right. There's a lot to do. I do have something I wanted to propose as a team member." "And what's that?" "A team dinner!" Hwangbo Se Yul answered with enthusiasm. She signaled me with her eyes. "A team dinner...?" "Now that we're officially a team, shouldn't we build some camaraderie?" "Sigh." "And to celebrate completing our last mission. What do you think, junior-in-junior?" "I agree. We're covering it with our budget, right?" Jaegal Young looked like someone whose expectations just crumbled unexpectedly. Though she had my apologies... A chance to dine on the Baekyangdan's dime? How could I possibly turn that down?