When I, who had just stepped out, and Tang Hye-seo came running back, the gatekeepers stared at us in confusion.
“What is the matter?”
“Trouble has come. Inform the Sect Master that the time has arrived.”
The spear-wielding gatekeepers rushed out into the alley and peered in the direction I pointed. Hidden behind a corner, the scene wasn’t visible, but the vicious, clashing sound of metal made both flinch and look at each other.
As preparations had already been made, they swiftly shut and barred the main gate, and one of them sprinted toward the Crouching Dragon Hall. I headed to the detached house with Tang Hye-seo.
“Uncle!”
Ju-gyeong, who had been playing in the shade, came trotting over and proudly held out what was in his hand.
“Look at this.”
It was a grasshopper. The grasshopper, caught in the small, frail child’s grasp, struggled desperately as if to survive somehow. Despite the urgent situation, I bent my knees, crouched down, and met Ju-gyeong’s eyes.
“Impressive. Did Ju-gyeong catch this?”
“Yes.”
As I stroked the head of Ju-gyeong, who smiled with pride, I brought up the difficult matter as nonchalantly as possible.
“You remember the smithy we went to before?”
“Huh? Um...”
“We need to go there now.”
Ju-gyeong flinched and stared at me intently, then nodded resolutely.