Chapter 107: Snow Flower Academy (4)
While Hanzhong’s military barracks had mostly been wooden structures, Chang’an Fortress was built primarily with newly laid bricks. The barracks for the Wolf Fang Squad was also wider and cleaner than before.
Bang!
The door to the barracks flew open, and So-so ran inside. She immediately began to look left and right.
Only Uncle Il-gwang was there. Lately, he hadn’t been going to training and sat alone in the barracks all day with his legs crossed in meditation.
“What are you doing, Uncle?”
Without opening his eyes, Il-gwang said quietly, “Meditation.”
“Why are you meditating?”
“To step into the next realm, one needs enlightenment. There is nothing better than meditation for that.”
So-so fell into thought. She had missed the drawing class this morning and had been given homework. She was supposed to draw the person she loved most.
Since she had no other choice, she decided.
Unwrapping the bundle from her back, she spread the rolled-up paper and gripped a small brush.
“Uncle, stay still.”
“Yes. I am staying still right now. So please remain quiet so I can keep staying still.”
Sitting politely opposite Il-gwang, So-so adopted a serious expression. Soon, her hand began to trace Il-gwang’s features.
A quarter of an hour passed.
“Giggle.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at her own drawing.
Feeling a prickling sensation on his face, Il-gwang slowly opened his eyes. He asked in surprise, “Wh-what are you doing?”
“Uncle, you must not move!”
“Could it be you’re drawing me?”
“Yes! I drew you well, right?”
“Hmm… at this rate, you’re practically an artist. Keep drawing. Make me look more handsome.”
Il-gwang closed his eyes to resume his meditation. Telling her she drew well was a lie; he just needed her to be quiet so he could focus.
Another quarter of an hour passed, and the drawing was finally complete.
“Heeheehee.”
“Are you finished?”
“Yes. I’m so happy~”
Pleased with the drawing, she hugged it tightly to her chest and spun around. She then carefully rolled it up and tucked it into her bundle.
“Where are you going?”
“To show Teacher Cho-hee~”
“Isn’t she going to be shocked by your handsome uncle’s face?”
“Heehee. I’m leaving~”
“Go on.”
Heading toward the door with her bundle on her back, So-so suddenly stopped. She quickly ran back and stood behind Il-gwang.
“Uncle, does your shoulder hurt lately?”
Her small hands began to massage Il-gwang’s shoulders. Although she struck lightly, her small fists contained a heavy force powered by her internal energy.
“That’s refreshing. Keep going.”
Leaning back, a smile played on Il-gwang’s lips. A quarter of an hour passed as he enjoyed it.
“Did it feel good?”
“Yes. You did a great job.”
Il-gwang pulled ten copper coins from his pocket and handed them to So-so. It was enough money to buy three or four snacks.
“Heehee. Thank you~ You’re my favorite uncle.”
So-so hopped out of the barracks. Since she had received pocket money, she was in a great mood.
Although it couldn’t compare to Hanzhong yet, a few stalls and shops had opened in Chang’an, providing places to buy snacks. Furthermore, the army itself ran several stalls within the palace.
Except for the barracks and training grounds, most of the palace grounds were open to the public, so the number of residents strolling and resting here was gradually increasing.
Although she wanted to play, showing the drawing to Teacher Cho-hee was her priority. Arriving at Snow Flower Academy, So-so headed straight to her office.
“Teacher~”
The door opened, and the beautiful woman appeared.
“So-so is here? What brings you?”
“I drew a picture. Heehee…”
Smiling shyly, So-so unwrapped her bundle, pulled out the drawing, and handed it over.
Receiving the drawing, Yeon Cho-hee looked at it with a puzzled expression.
“Hmm… So-so. I asked you to draw a person, so why did you draw a bear?”
“It is a person. It’s my uncle~”
Her eyes wide, she examined the drawing repeatedly. Come to think of it, she remembered seeing a Wolf Fang Squad member with such a massive build. Although she hadn’t seen his face, his build alone was striking enough to remain in her memory.
“Your uncle…?”
So-so suddenly remembered what Il-gwang had said.
“Yes! Are you shocked by his handsome face?”
“Y-yes… you drew it very well. What does he do?”
“Nothing. He just sits in the barracks all day.”
Cho-hee fell into thought.
If he was in the barracks, he must be one of the heroes of the Wolf Fang Squad. Coincidentally, they were currently lacking a teacher for physical training. If he could act as a temporary teacher for the orphans, the children would surely love it.
“He does nothing but sit?”
“Yes. He didn’t even go out today…”
It was worth a try. Cho-hee asked gently, “Shall we bring your handsome uncle here to meet your friends?”
“What if my friends are scared of him?”
“Scared? They will love him. Everyone will thank you, So-so.”
“Shall I bring him tomorrow?”
“Would… that be possible?”
So-so shrugged and said confidently, “Yes! I can bring Uncle here!”
“Yes. Don’t force him. If he is busy… we can’t help it…”
“Heehee. Understood, Teacher. I’m leaving now.”
Her heart fluttered at the thought of introducing her uncle to her friends.
Leaving Snow Flower Academy, So-so stopped by one of the stalls run by the army. The soldier wearing an apron asked warmly, “So-so is here? Did you come to eat skewers?”
“Yes! Two, please!”
These were the Five-Ingredient Skewers, a favorite of Il-gwang’s. It was a skewer with grilled pork, mushrooms, and roasted vegetables.
Holding one in each hand, So-so began to eat as she walked back to the barracks.
“Heehee. Delicious~”
Humming, she finished one skewer just as she reached the barracks. She still held one in her left hand.
“I’m back~”
Inside the barracks, Uncle Il-gwang was still meditating. And her father had also arrived.
“Where have you been?”
“I went to Snow Flower Academy~”
So-so ran straight to Il-gwang and shook him.
“Uncle, do you want to try this?”
Watching this, So-mu looked dumbfounded. She hadn’t even thought of giving it to her father and was taking care of her uncle first. Although he felt slightly disappointed, there must be a reason. He decided to observe for now.
“Wh-what? Is this for me?”
Il-gwang looked surprised. For his niece to buy him a snack—it was a first.
“Yes, it’s for you, Uncle~ Hurry up and eat it.”
So-so crouched before him, her eyes shining. Receiving the skewer, Il-gwang asked, “Do you need more pocket money?”
“No!”
Il-gwang’s mood instantly brightened.
“Haha! Our So-so has finally grown up!”
He glanced at So-mu, almost as if teasing him.
“Mmm. Delicious. Eating this alone makes it taste even better.”
When he had finished about half, So-so leaned against his leg. She thrust her face forward as if demanding he look into her eyes and asked, “Uncle, will you go to Snow Flower Academy with me tomorrow?”
“No. Why would I go there? Mmm, this is delicious.”
“Our Teacher Cho-hee was shocked when she saw your handsome face.”
Watching from the side, So-mu finally burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
Yet, Il-gwang looked strangely serious, which made it even funnier.
“The teacher has good taste. Your father has no eye for people.”
“You’re going with me, right?”
“No, I’m not. I can’t very well sit there drawing pictures with you.”
When her uncle refused immediately, So-so’s face fell. Tears welled in her eyes, and she clenched her fists.
“Why…?”
“Take your father instead.”
Just then, So-so burst into tears, went behind Il-gwang, and began to beat his shoulders.
“Bad Uncle! You have to go!!!”
Thump! Thump!
“Ugh. What am I supposed to do there?”
“I promised my friends I’d introduce you… sniff…”
Realizing what was happening, Il-gwang said with a sly smile, “Not for free.”
This meant he would go if his condition was met.
Seeing a sliver of hope, So-so’s face brightened.
“Wh-what do you want? Should I massage you?”
Glancing at So-mu, Il-gwang said with a smirk, “I want to eat delicious noodles.”
So-so quickly searched her pockets. She had four silver coins left. It wasn’t enough for both of them to eat, but it was enough to buy her uncle a bowl.
“I’ll buy it for you, Uncle. Let’s go quickly.”
“No. Not just any noodles… a long time ago in Baiyang County, a chef used to sell them, but now I can never taste them again. Ah, I miss that taste… the meat noodles of Soho Tavern…”
So-mu chuckled. Come to think of it, Il-gwang had been the very first regular customer at his tavern. Right before leaving Baiyang County, unable to forget the taste, he had visited to eat noodles and nearly met with disaster.
Although So-so didn’t know the story, she knew what meat noodles were.
“Uncle, my father knows how to make meat noodles too. How about it? Do you want to eat the noodles my father makes?”
“Mmm. Is it delicious?”
“It’s incredibly delicious!”
“Then will you let me eat it?”
“Yes. I’ll make sure you get to eat it, Uncle.”
Watching the two of them, So-mu let out a dumbfounded chuckle. He hadn’t even agreed to make it, yet she was deciding on her own. It was hilarious.
Moreover, she was already striding toward him. Leaning against his lap, she smiled and asked, “Father~ when are you going to make meat noodles for us?”
How many fathers could win against their daughters? Wiping the tear stains from her face, So-mu said, “Shall we invite Uncle Il-gwang to Yeonhwadang sometime soon and make them together?”
Yeonhwadang was the name of the residence Yeon Seo-hwa had purchased.
“Heehee. I’d love that~”
Hugging So-mu’s neck, she turned to Il-gwang and asked, “Uncle, did you hear that?!”
“Yes. We have a deal.”
***
The next morning.
So-so headed to Snow Flower Academy holding Uncle Il-gwang’s hand. Her steps were light and she even swung their hands.
So-mu had already informed Yeon Seo-hwa that he would take the day off today. Arriving at Cho-hee’s office, So-so said with a bright voice, “Teacher~ So-so is here!”
The door opened, and the neatly dressed woman appeared. Her delicate appearance and pure gaze exuded a charm entirely different from her sister’s.
Faced with Il-gwang up close for the first time, she flinched and greeted him in a trembling voice, “He… hello.”
Scratching his head in embarrassment, Il-gwang said, “I am Il-gwang, So-so’s uncle.”
“Yes… please come inside…”
As the three sat down, Cho-hee filled their teacups. Being introverted, she rarely spoke unless she was with children. As silence fell over the room, So-so asked quietly, “Now that you see him in person, my uncle is even more handsome, right?”
“Yes… indeed…”
Seeing Yeon Cho-hee blush, Il-gwang said in confusion, “Y-you are beautiful too, Teacher.”
Having spoken, Il-gwang was startled. The words had slipped out of his mouth. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to pay much mind.
“You are in the Wolf Fang Squad…? Your body is very robust…”
Her social anxiety kicking in, Cho-hee trailed off. Hearing her praise him, Il-gwang’s mood seemed to improve.
“Haha… I was born with a robust body.”
“If you have time… I would like to request you to act as a temporary teacher for the children’s physical training class…”
“A physical training class. Just tell me what you want, Teacher. Since I’m So-so’s uncle, of course I’ll help!”
“C-could you teach them some basic self-defense to protect themselves…?”
In a chaotic war-torn era, nothing was more important than learning to protect oneself. However, they couldn’t very well teach martial arts to orphans all of a sudden. Street-fighting techniques would be more than enough as an introduction.
“Haha! I am an expert in that field, Teacher. Leave it to me.”