Chapter 306: Chapter 306

A person’s empty spot is larger than what was thought. In particular, when it suddenly became vacant, the perception felt around it transcended imagination.

However, sometimes it also became an opportunity to find an unexpected aptitude.

Thud, thud!

Sado Hak’s hands swinging the laundry mallet had no hesitation.

Frightening thud-thud sounds were heard every time he hammered, sounding as if he would smash even rocks.

However, the swung mallet did not damage the laundry at all, only stripping away the old dirt and making it regain a more perfect color.

“It is easy.”

Soon, he shook out the water-laden laundry.

Snap!

The lingering water droplets were wrung out in an instant. It was a perfect dehydration to the point that he did not feel the need to dry it in the sun, a laundry far faster and more perfect than before.

The mountain-like pile of laundry that had been stacked for several days was resolved in an instant, easing their worries.

“You unexpectedly have talent.”

“What talent. You and I are the same, you fellow.”

Jeok Mu-seong, who had been hammering with the mallet by his side, muttered softly. When he first did the laundry, Jeok Mu-seong had turned several sets of clothes into rags.

It was because he failed to control his strength.

However, since Sado Hak washed it all at once like a person born with the talent of doing laundry, he could not hide his surprise.

“This is why guys who do everything well are… tsk.”

Jeok Mu-seong, who was accustomed to servant life in his own way, felt pride in doing minor chores. He even had a belief that he would do better than Sado Hak or Namgung Cheon at least.

This was especially so because he had watched and learned by Jang Sam-tae’s side, but indeed, those with heaven-sent talent did everything well no matter what they did.

Jeok Mu-seong swung the mallet with a frown.

“By the way, where did that Jang fellow go? Are you not even looking for him?”

“He will be nearby. Since he is not a fellow to go far.”

Sado Hak smiled.

There was no one who did not know Jang Sam-tae’s personality. He must surely be hiding somewhere, turning pale as he watched the estate running well even without him.

“Then why is he not coming?”

“Do you not know? He needs attention. He wants us to come find him while crying, begging, and pleading.”

Jeok Mu-seong nodded slightly at Sado Hak’s scathing reply.

‘By the way, will it really be alright?’

Jeok Mu-seong swallowed a groan.

* * *

Jang Sam-tae, who was watching the Hunan Dan Family from a distance, trembled all over. The manor, which should not run properly, was running far too well.

According to his expectations, everyone should be exhausted from housework and desperately looking for Jang Sam-tae, but such a sight was not to be seen at all.

Sado Hak and Jeok Mu-seong were doing laundry, and Namgung So-hye and Zhuge Yeon took charge of cleaning the house.

The biggest worry when Jang Sam-tae left was preparing meals, but except for when Namgung So-hye occasionally did it, Dan Woo-hyun even showed the meticulousness of having food delivered from Hoyeon Ji’s inn.

“Th… This makes no sense…”

His place had completely disappeared.

He had firmly believed that someone would come and cling to his trouser legs, but since it was not like that at all, only a bewildered mind remained.

If so, what about Dan So-mi, who was most attached to Jang Sam-tae?

Straining his vision, he glanced at the yard visible in the far distance. Since Jang Sam-tae had not gone home for three days already, the cute Dan So-mi was surely crying and looking for him.

However, the moment he looked at the yard, Jang Sam-tae clutched the back of his neck.

“D… Damn it!”

In the yard were Hong Jin-rang and Ju Ji-yak.

Since the two children were together, a smile was fully bloomed on So-mi’s face.

As if not even feeling the empty space without Jang Sam-tae, she was absorbed in giggling and playing pranks.

“Why… why did it turn out like this?”

If one thought about it, this entire situation was Jang Sam-tae’s fault.

Because if he had not run away from home, this kind of thing would not have happened.

It might have been his intention to make them realize his empty space, but most of the people in the estate were like monsters, and they were those who possessed the ability to fill a single person’s empty space in an instant.

Jang Sam-tae watched the estate, trembling all over.

“I… I want to go back…”

With a trembling voice, Jang Sam-tae made a tearful face.

Since he had no money, there was no proper place to stay, and yet he did not want to steal again.

Because he also wished to play with Dan So-mi, in his heart he wanted to return to the estate right away.

At that moment.

“Ugh?!”

Jang Sam-tae, who was about to enter the estate with his head hanging low, felt someone’s gaze and turned his head.

He saw Dan Woo-hyun sitting in the pavilion visible in the far distance.

Although it was a considerable distance, his gaze, which seemed to penetrate through, looked as if he was observing Jang Sam-tae.

Smirk.

Soon, Dan Woo-hyun smiled.

It was like a sneer sent to the runaway Jang Sam-tae.

Flinching and trembling, he frowned.

‘Do not even think about just returning.’

Because it was an expression that seemed to say those words.

“Damn it!”

Jang Sam-tae only then realized.

He had to bring something back with him.

If he just returned, Dan Woo-hyun, who had no choice but to handle annoying chores for the few days he ran away, would never leave him be.

It was a smile containing the intent to extract the cost of making him suffer until now.

Jang Sam-tae turned his back.

“I am not going, you bastard!”

He also had pride.

He had not the slightest desire to bow his head and enter while receiving such treatment.

In the first place, he did not possess anything Dan Woo-hyun would want either.

Jang Sam-tae hurriedly turned his body and headed elsewhere.

Since he was caught, there was also a possibility that Dan Woo-hyun would chase him. Since he went on strike and left home, he had not a shred of desire to be dragged back.

Frowning and grumbling inwardly, he took a spot at Lake Dongting.

Crouching and looking at the flowing water, Jang Sam-tae frowned.

“Is my existence merely to this extent?”

Tilting his head, he exhaled a sigh.

‘Whether I am here or not makes no difference’, it would surely not be that kind of feeling. Even so, there were things Jang Sam-tae had done, and there were those who relied on him knowingly or unknowingly.

“Sigh, you were in a place like this?”

Just then, a voice was heard from behind.

Jang Sam-tae, who was crouching, looked back in surprise. He saw Mae-hyang, who carried a large basket containing wild greens, approach with a sigh.

“You… why here…?”

“What do you mean why. While picking wild greens, I heard a strange sound, so I sought it out and…”

Mae-hyang shrugged her shoulders and read Jang Sam-tae’s reaction.

It was just as Dan Woo-hyun said.

At the statement that he would be lingering nearby, she had moved to pick wild greens and search the surroundings, and to think this would hit the mark.

It truly seemed that no matter where Jang Sam-tae went, he could not escape from Dan Woo-hyun’s palm.

“When are you going to return?”

“I am not returning!”

“Why?”

“Damn it, I get beaten up every single day, would you want to go if you were me?”

“Then do not do things to get beaten up.”

With an expression of truly not understanding, Mae-hyang shrugged her shoulders. In the first place, Jang Sam-tae getting beaten up was because he did wrong.

If you missed the snake, you should have caught it!

It was not a place containing only adults who practiced martial arts, but even a young child was there, so if she had been bitten, a major disaster almost broke out, did it not?

“…Are you on my side?”

“Of course I am on your side. Who else would I trust and live with in that place.”

“Then you should comfort me!”

Jang Sam-tae flared in anger, his face turning red.

It would be nice if there was at least one person who took his side, but since even Mae-hyang turned her back and sighed, he felt angry for no reason.

“Like you are some child…”

At those words, Jang Sam-tae sprang up from his seat.

Soon, he leaped up onto the tree. That rapid body movement was so agile that even Mae-hyang’s eyes widened.

“Yes, I am a child, a child! What of it? Huh?! Bloody hell!”

“Where are you going!”

“I don’t know!”

Jang Sam-tae, who bellowed out, disappeared in the far distance.

Mae-hyang stared quietly at his back, then let out a sigh.

Right now, no matter what she said, it did not seem like he would listen.

* * *

“Hmm? He left.”

Namgung Cheon, who had been sensing the presence inside the estate, laughed heartily as he felt him recede in an instant.

Unlike having thought that he would not return easily, since he visited and hovered near the estate almost every day, it was possible to know how much Jang Sam-tae wished to return.

However, Dan Woo-hyun rejected it.

“Is it alright? He ran away, though?”

“I do not hold onto those who leave.”

“Hahaha, he seemed to wish to return again, though.”

“That is that fellow’s own thought.”

Answering coldly, Dan Woo-hyun tilted his wine cup.

He does not stop those who enter, nor does he hold onto those who leave. That was one of the ironclad rules Dan Woo-hyun possessed.

Although many things were put in a difficult situation due to Jang Sam-tae’s disappearance, that was only for a brief moment, and the estate was running well.

So, if he wants to return, should he not show something worthy?

Of course, rather than that reason.

“It seems your wish is for him to suffer more.”

“Haha.”

It was a punishment given to Jang Sam-tae, who had vanished without a word.

Suffer a bit more.

Realize how precious home is.

Not failing to know Dan Woo-hyun’s heart like that, Namgung Cheon laughed heartily.

Say what you will, is Dan Woo-hyun not someone who would dash off immediately if Jang Sam-tae fell into a crisis?

“You are especially harsh only to that Sam-tae fellow.”

“A fellow like that must roll. Only then will he grow. That fellow is still… underdeveloped in his growth.”

Dan Woo-hyun spoke, lightly tapping his temple.

Was he talking about spiritual growth, not physical growth?

Namgung Cheon wore an incredulous expression, but Dan Woo-hyun’s words were not exactly wrong either.

Even in his eyes, Jang Sam-tae still had a child-like side.

If he was a fellow who had lived in the back alleys, he should naturally know how to look after himself or be quick-witted, but Jang Sam-tae had none of those.

But rather, that aspect was good because it was just like Jang Sam-tae.

“Either way is fine, but he should return soon…”

Namgung So-hye, who had approached before long, muttered with a weary expression. Since she had to look after Dan So-mi, let alone cleaning and laundry, and could not even neglect training.

Since Sado Hak and Namgung Cheon were absolute masters, they would not be affected thanks to their extraordinary physical strength, but it was not the case at all for others.

Everyone was rapidly growing exhausted.

At this rate, those who try not to work would appear one by one.

“Hmm…”

Dan Woo-hyun let out a groan.

He saw people with hollow eyes.

Although they did not show it, the others also seemed quite fatigued.

“It will work out somehow. Before long, that is.”

“I hope so. Truly…”

Namgung So-hye sighed.

Although she felt Dan Woo-hyun, who brushed it off lightly, was rather irresponsible, if she looked into it, she also thought that the one who would find it most troublesome that Jang Sam-tae was gone among the people in the estate was Dan Woo-hyun.

Since it was Jang Sam-tae who had taken charge of Dan Woo-hyun’s minor errands until now, and his fast feet were convenient for ordering anything, but now, Dan Woo-hyun had to move entirely on his own.

Wishing that Jang Sam-tae would return quickly, Namgung So-hye let out a small sigh.

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