HLFH | Chapter 15

Meanwhile, there were those who were deeply concerned.

“What should we do?”

The elders, seated around a round table, sighed in unison. They were all elderly, with graying hair.

As they moved, their black robes fluttered, and the tiger embroidery on their right chest seemed to come alive. It was Cheongho, the Blue Tiger, the guardian spirit of Bonryeong.

These were the elders of the council, consisting of five members. Aside from the master of Bonryeong, Kim Jamyeong, they were the highest decision-makers.

Of course, like any organization, there had been a generational shift, but they felt it was unfair to be treated as old relics. Why? Because their achievements were truly remarkable.

They had established Bonryeong, standing tall against Incheon (Cheonjiharang), considered the root of exorcists, and Busan (Haeshin), favored by the sea god. Their attachment to Bonryeong was exceptional, and they were seasoned veterans who could easily sway the younger generation… but…

Someone had appeared who caused them genuine concern.

“This is absurd! A whole month has passed already!”

Someone slammed their fist on the table in frustration. Another elder on the left agreed, raising his voice.

“Yes, exactly! We can’t afford to be so complacent when Cheonjiharang might suddenly decide to take Ki Jaeeon back. That’s unacceptable. Absolutely!”

“Where else would we get the chance to monopolize an exorcist as valuable as Ki Jaeeon? We should make the most of it. Even Haeshin (Busan) couldn’t get this opportunity!”

“But he hasn’t been completely freed from the curse, has he? Even Master Young couldn’t lift it….”

“Eh! What are you saying?!”

A thunderous rebuke interrupted someone’s concern.

“Curse? What curse! Have you already forgotten the miracle that covered the sky that day?”

Others nodded in agreement. The meeting room quickly became noisy. It was unanimous praise for ‘Ki Jaeeon.’

Just then.

Someone who had been listening quietly spoke up, “But.”

“They say he never comes out of his room, so what should we do….”

The room fell silent.

The person who had poured cold water on the heavy atmosphere didn’t look pleased either.

But he was right. It was something that needed to be pointed out.

It had been a month since Ki Jaeeon arrived at Bonryeong.

And a month since he holed up in his room.

The elders’ plans to elevate Bonryeong’s status through Ki Jaeeon were being thwarted daily.

The elders exchanged glances, fiddling with their neat beards or collars.

“What’s the use of being talented if he doesn’t know manners?”

“But talent can cover everything.”

Ahem, someone muttered a curse, pretending to clear their throat.

It was true. Although they had to be cautious of Cheonjiharang and the Ki Family because of that brat Kim Juwon… still, if he came under the title of [Exchange], he should at least show the appropriate attitude.

‘Staying locked in his room for a whole month is a bit much.’

One of the elders sighed, rubbing the wrinkles around his eyes.

“If only we could handle him like that brat Kim Juwon. Tsk tsk!”

But wishing was just that; they couldn’t treat him like they did Kim Juwon.

Because… he was Ki Jaeeon.

With Cheonjiharang and the Ki Family backing him, messing with him could lead to big trouble. If another incident occurred, Bonryeong might lose its ‘Bon.’

“Hmm, this can’t go on!”

While everyone was silent, one of the oldest and wisest elders stood up and shouted. His wrinkled face was full of determination, and the others’ eyes sparkled. Oh, does he have a good idea? They gathered eagerly, waiting for his next words.

“Please, tell us!”

Like baby birds waiting for their mother, they looked at him with bright eyes, and he spoke again in a booming voice.

“Let’s beg!”

“…….”

“…….”

“Hiccup!”

“……What?”

“Is my hearing going bad?”

Fumbling.

The elder who had spoken pouted at the cold reactions, making a walnut chin.

“What~ Didn’t hear? I said let’s beg! Go to his door and plead for him to come out.”

Then he placed his thin legs on the chair and smiled broadly, his cheeks lifting.

“If he doesn’t come out when old folks with aching knees plead, is he even human? He’s a rascal!”

The elder chuckled, giving a thumbs-up. Ah, it’ll work, I’m telling you. They’d long since let go of dignity. He confidently persuaded the others.

It might be a bit underhanded, but… so what! Wisdom sometimes loses elegance.

“Let’s go!”

To them, Bonryeong and its future talents were more precious than pride.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Surprisingly, their method worked directly on Ki Jaeeon. Is Jaeeon here! They knocked cheerfully like a relative, and the tightly closed door couldn’t withstand it and creaked open. Truly fitting for the land of Confucianism.

Anyway, the greeting that started with [Our Jaeeon! Are you settling in well^^] continued for about an hour or two, ending with a conversation reminiscent of a corporate pressure interview.

Ki Jaeeon, utterly drained, finally agreed to participate in the ‘Village Purification Pilgrimage’ next week. Finally, Jaeeon is coming out! The elders celebrated, shoulders shaking with joy.

However, there was one thing the elders didn’t know: the reason Ki Jaeeon came out after a month wasn’t because of them.

It was because of Kim Juwon and what he said about ‘pulling your weight.’

It wasn’t about paying money or helping with cleaning… but just eating without contributing bothered him. Even if it was just one meal a day.

Still, it weighed on his mind.

‘It’s not like they’re asking me to exorcise, and if it’s just purification….’

Maybe it’s possible? Ki Jaeeon swallowed hard. His tightly clasped hands trembled pathetically.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

“The intersection is done!”

“Ugh, I’m drained. I just want to rest.”

The work that started at 10 AM continued until 6 PM. The kids stretched, loosening their stiff bodies. Someone shouted to finish quickly before the afternoon rain, and scattered responses of “Yeah, let’s do it—fighting!” came from here and there.

“Yawn—so sleepy.”

The kids looked noticeably tired.

Some rotated their shoulders, others yawned widely.

Even though it was a relatively easy task of purifying impure energy, it still consumed spiritual power, so fatigue was inevitable.

Except for one person.

“Only this area left….”

As someone trailed off, the kids’ gazes naturally converged on one spot.

There stood Ki Jaeeon.

Dressed in an oversized black hoodie and loose sweatpants, he stood in the corner, chewing his lips with a particularly pale complexion. When he felt the stares, he flinched and avoided eye contact. He looked like a cow being led to slaughter, exuding a gloomy aura.

One of the kids sighed as if they expected this. The atmosphere turned awkward. The others shrugged and turned away. They soon gathered and divided the area among themselves. You take that part, I’ll do this. Okay, let’s hurry up and go!

The kids quickly settled into their spots and dispersed.

Ki Jaeeon was left standing alone, like a transparent ghost. No one spoke to him.

There were no invitations to join, no concerns about his pale face.

It was the expected outcome. To them, Ki Jaeeon was no longer the ‘respected genius.’ He was just a ‘rude outsider.’

“Why did he even come if he’s going to be like that?”

One of the kids grumbled. Everyone knew who the sharp criticism was aimed at. Just then, Lee Gyeonghak adjusted his glasses and spoke up.

“Hmm? Didn’t you know? The elders personally came down to ask him.”

“What?”

Some of the kids stopped what they were doing, eyes widening in shock. Is that true? They gaped in disbelief. Is it really that surprising? Lee Gyeonghak chuckled, nodding.

“Yeah, all five of them.”