223 - Linker

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- # 223 Tai Jon Birok Volume 9, Chapter 23 Chapter 57: The Lazybones, It's Not Easy (3) "'No relation,' you say..." Hocheolsan (Ho Cheolsan / 호철산) trailed off, glancing sideways at Jin Yeran. The look in his eyes clearly expressed, 'If there's no connection, why do you keep glancing over there?' "I thought perhaps you were companions, but it seems you're not." "Companions, huh..." Wi Yeonho scratched his head. The nature of his relationship with Jin Yeran wasn't something that could easily be defined as either companions or strangers. Although they had come together, it wasn't with any particular purpose, so calling them companions didn't feel right. If that qualified as being companions, then everyone here would be considered Wi Yeonho's companion. "Exactly. But what brings you down here? Isn't your lodging upstairs?" "Well, my father called for me, so I came to see him, but he's not here." "Your father, you say... You must mean Wi Jeonghan, the great hero. He just left for an administrative meeting a short while ago." "Ah, I see." Wi Yeonho frowned deeply. Apparently, he had been summoned only for his father to leave for some business. "He mentioned introducing you to us. It seems he wanted us to get acquainted with his son." Wi Yeonho nodded and casually surveyed the group. Naturally, he didn't recognize any faces. If his father had been here, introductions would have been made, but with no one to facilitate the situation, he was left pondering what to do. How should he proceed? As Wi Yeonho contemplated this, keeping an eye on the unfolding situation, Hocheolsan spoke up quietly. "You seem to be here for introductions." "Well, something like that, I suppose." "Hmm, now that I think about it, I've been introduced to the other juniors here, but I haven't been formally introduced to you." Turning to his companions, Hocheolsan announced, "We have Wi Yeonho here, the second son of the Guangdong Wei Clan, the child of Wi Jeonghan, and the younger brother of Wi Sanho. Everyone, let's welcome him with applause." Though the introduction was slightly exaggerated, it included a hint of sarcasm that Wi Yeonho was about to respond to when applause erupted from all sides. "Wow!" "Oh!" People he had never met before clapped with vigor, causing Wi Yeonho to unconsciously grin. Wi Yeonho was someone who was easily swayed by compliments and atmospheres. "Hehe, such a warm welcome... Hehe." Witnessing Wi Yeonho bowing his head several times, Jin Yeran inadvertently sighed. 'If only he were as aware of his abilities as he is of the atmosphere.' While humility was a virtue, excessive modesty in someone capable was not an attractive trait. More so, Wi Yeonho's issue wasn't modesty but rather a lack of awareness of his position. 'Wi Jeonghan seems equally unaware of his son's capabilities.' From an objective standpoint, Wi Yeonho was truly impressive. Even for her, someone not well-versed in the martial world, Wi Yeonho was deserving of recognition. Yet Wi Yeonho himself failed to perceive his worth beyond being a lazy junior, and Wi Jeonghan appeared to share that view. That frustrated her subtly. "Pleased to meet you." "Ah, yes." Offering a gentle smile, Hocheolsan extended his hand, which Wi Yeonho grasped while chuckling cheerfully. For someone used to being treated as a mere freeloader wherever he went, such reception was a novel experience for Wi Yeonho. "I hope this meeting marks the beginning of a good relationship. Being from the Guangdong Wei Clan, I'm sure we'll cross paths frequently." "I don't venture out much, so I doubt we will." "..." Hocheolsan stared blankly at Wi Yeonho. 'What is this kid about?' Surely, he hadn't taken the polite remark seriously and was responding genuinely? 'No, that can't be.' If Wi Sanho were just an idiot boasting great martial skill, he wouldn't have gained such a formidable reputation. Wi Sanho was well-known for his sharp intellect. It was improbable for Wi Sanho's sibling to be an idiot. It is rare for one sibling to excel at studies while the other is outright foolish. 'Is he mocking me?' Yet Wi Yeonho's seemingly genuine expression seemed quite out of place. "Cough, indeed?" "Yes." Nodding as if expressing the obvious, Wi Yeonho acknowledged. Hocheolsan had already realized that a productive conversation with Wi Yeonho was unlikely. Besides, Ak Sehee (악서희), by his side, had been signaling him for a while now. "Alright. You must be tired. Why not head upstairs?" "My father instructed me to come down..." Hocheolsan smiled warmly. "I believe Wi Jeonghan intended for us to introduce ourselves to you, which we've done. Even if he returns, I doubt he'd fault you." "Do you think so?" "Of course! I assure you." "Hmm..." When Wi Yeonho appeared hesitant, Hocheolsan patted his shoulder. "What are you so worried about?" "I'm eager to go upstairs..." "Then what?" "What if my father gets angry once I do?" Hocheolsan laughed, seemingly finding it absurd. "I've assured you, haven't I? I'll even guarantee it—so rest easy." Wi Yeonho looked at Hocheolsan with a skeptical face. "And if he does get angry after your assurance, what then?" "...Huh?" Hocheolsan blinked in confusion. "Are you going to take the fall for me?" Momentarily speechless, Hocheolsan was at a loss. What kind of answer do you give when someone asks what you'll do if something you assured won't happen, actually does? 'Is he picking a fight with me?' Ak Sehee nudged Hocheolsan from the side, nudging him to let it slide. "Tsk." Usually, he would have taught such an impertinent junior a lesson for doubting his superior's word, but... 'If I do, I'll never hear the end of it from this kid.' Hocheolsan decided to graciously let Wi Yeonho be. "Unlikely as it is, should it come to that, I'll ensure Wi Jeonghan recognizes your innocence." "Hmm." --- Newly Encountered Names / Titles / Proper Nouns: - Hocheolsan (Ho Cheolsan / 호철산) - Ak Sehee (악서희) Translated and Implemented Instructions Wi Yeonho looked at Hocheolsan with eyes full of disbelief. Then, he slowly nodded. "Well, alright." While not entirely trusting Hocheolsan's words, Wi Yeonho also couldn't bring himself to wait indefinitely until Wi Jeonghan returned. Having found a convenient shield, Wi Yeonho resolved to use this person cleverly to free himself from Wi Jeonghan's grasp. "Then I'll be heading up. It was nice meeting you." "Yes, it was a pleasure. Go on up." "Alright, then." Wi Yeonho turned and headed upstairs. For a moment, his eyes met with Jin Yeran's, but Wi Yeonho paid no mind and continued upward. "Honestly..." Jin Yeran gazed at Wi Yeonho with an expression of helplessness. She understood that there was no malice; he was simply dense. He probably had no idea of the difficulties she was presently facing. Even though she was aware she shouldn't expect anything from him, she couldn't stop herself from nervously biting her lip. Determined to resolve this situation without Wi Yeonho's help, she was startled by an abrupt voice. "Aren't you going up?" "What?" Surprised, Jin Yeran turned around. Wi Yeonho was looking at her with a face full of impatience. "The lodging is upstairs, isn't it?" "Uh? Oh... Yes!" "So, do you have some business down here?" "No! Nothing at all!" "Then let's go." A flush of color spread across her face. 'He was actually thinking of me.' She had thought him indifferent, but it seemed that wasn't the case. "I'll be right there." Jin Yeran followed Wi Yeonho with a bright smile, causing Wi Yeonho to involuntarily blush slightly. 'She's incredibly beautiful.' Although Jin Yeran was always stunning, seeing her smile made even Wi Yeonho's normally steady heart waver. "Ahem." Feeling awkward, Wi Yeonho feigned a cough and headed upstairs. "Wait a moment!" But just then, a voice interrupted his mood. "Hmm?" As Wi Yeonho and Jin Yeran turned their heads, they saw Hocheolsan looking at them with a stern face. "Where are you going?" "You told me to go up, so I'm going. Yet after telling me to go, you're now asking where I'm going? That's quite ridiculous." "Not you!" Hocheolsan's face flushed with frustration. Why couldn't this kid discern when to join in and when to stay out of things? Unlike Wi Sanho, this fellow lacked any sense of tact. "Young Miss Jin." "...Yes?" "You seem not to have properly responded to our request for you to join us. Leaving without addressing a formal invitation could be considered impolite, wouldn't it?" Jin Yeran's expression hardened. It was clear these people had no intention of letting her go easily. What should she say? She was searching for an answer that wouldn't escalate the situation, but she didn't need to worry. Someone skilled at riling things up spoke first. "Geez, if she doesn't want to, why keep pushing? You're coming off as really desperate." "..." Hocheolsan flinched momentarily. Sentences are combinations of words. While there's an endless array of word combinations, it's hard to imagine any that would irritate Hocheolsan more in this moment. "W-What do you mean, desperate?" When had he ever heard such a comment? But Wi Yeonho wasn't the type to consider what kind of words others were accustomed to hearing. "You're clearly being persistent." Wi Yeonho, still observing the stunned Hocheolsan, continued to speak. "Are you married?" "No, I'm not." "Do you have someone you're dating?" "No." "And that's why." Wi Yeonho shook his head slightly. "Keep doing things girls hate, and who'll ever like you? If you lack experience and brains, you should at least have some instinct. Why keep trying when she's obviously not interested?" "Huh..." Hocheolsan, taken aback, mirrored Jin Yeran who was also left with her mouth agape. Did he always have this kind of insight... No, no, that's not it! What on earth is he trying to do? In this world, there are truths that should never be spoken aloud. Yet Wi Yeonho brushed these constraints aside, delivering his words unabashedly to Hocheolsan. "Shall we go?" Having said all he intended to, Wi Yeonho prompted, and Jin Yeran nodded with a somewhat bewildered expression. "Yes, yes." As Wi Yeonho and Jin Yeran began ascending the stairs, an angry voice erupted. "You fool!" The person who shouted was Ak Sehee. "You insolent brat! Every person here is older than you, and you're..." "Stop, stop." Wi Yeonho interrupted Ak Sehee mid-sentence. "I'm known to be quite talkative..." "...Huh?" "But I know when words are necessary and when they're not." "..." Wi Yeonho casually let his hands swing as he moved forwards, step by step, down the stairs. "Whatever's said in between, it'll all end with demands to apologize, admit my wrongs, or threats to punish me, right? I'm not interested in any of that..." Wi Yeonho grinned mischievously as he exclaimed: "If you're mad, come at me."