After a full day's journey, the two finally arrived at the Market.
Caelrisu froze the moment she saw it. Her eyes widened at the hustle and bustle of the place and the endless lines of stalls and streets.
"Wait... this is the Market!?" she exclaimed, voice full of disbelief. "You said it was a market, not a bloody city! This thing's enormous!"
Namgoong Gyo chuckled softly, clearly amused by her reaction.
"Ah, yes. It's the central trade hub of this entire region. It spans over 1,500 km² in size.
Managed by the combined effort of the Aurelis, Solisrisu, and Vesperion Clans, the three ruling families of this region."
Caelrisu blinked, still trying to take it all in. "What do you mean, 'of this region'?"
"Huh? I mean the Golden Evening Sun Alliance created by your grandfather," he said, looking at her strangely. "Though it's been fractured for years now. Isn't that common knowledge?"
He let out a laugh, expecting her to join in. But Caelrisu quickly looked away, her expression growing stiff.
The laughter stopped.
Namgoong Gyo stared at her for a long second before realization slowly dawned. "…Wait. Don't tell me you didn't know that at all."
She turned her head even further away, pretending to be fascinated by a passing cart.
A vein twitched on his temple. "Young Lady…" His voice dropped with disbelief.
"Don't tell me you've never studied the basic survival curriculum either? Map? Directions? Skinning animals? Creating fire? Procuring water? Building shelters?"
"N-no…" she mumbled, shrinking slightly under his glare.
For a moment, silence, then his composure cracked completely.
"By the heavens!" Namgoong Gyo exploded, his voice echoing across the street. "Just why did you even leave your clan's stronghold if you can't survive a single day outside it!?"
Caelrisu pouted, folding her arms and muttering under her breath, "I can fight though…"
That only made him sigh harder; he rubbed his temples as he explained.
"What's the point of being able to fight," he groaned, voice furious, "if you're just going to die of starvation, thirst, or by getting lost in the middle of nowhere!?"
Caelrisu lowered her head, her shoulders curling in slightly.
Namgoong Gyo exhaled, long and weary, before straightening his back. "First," he said, tone firm and measured now, "we'll buy a house using the money your Clan Head entrusted to me. Then, I'll teach you the basics, directions, survival, hunting, shelter, and everything. Only after that will we take a job. And only then will I begin teaching you my four Martial Arts."
"Okay…" she muttered, puffing her cheeks a little. The pout on her face was so childish and unguarded that even his anger subsided for a moment.
He pinched the bridge of his nose again. "Don't make that face, young lady. It won't work on me."
"It wasn't supposed to," she mumbled under her breath, clearly lying.
He ignored that, starting to walk toward the market gate. "Come. We'll settle first before the sun sets."
"Wait!" Caelrisu called after him, jogging to keep up. "What is the job, anyway? You avoided the question last time too."
Namgoong Gyo glanced at her, a small, secretive smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Ah, that," he said, turning his gaze forward again. "It's a secret. I'll only tell you once you've finished the survival training."
Her cheeks puffed again, but this time, she didn't argue, just followed silently as they roamed the market.
The market city was alive.
Vendors shouted prices for tasty-looking fruits, smooth fabrics, and blades that seemed extremely sharp. The scent of roasted meat mingled with spices, dust, and sweat.
Carriages rolled past pulled by horses while children darted through the crowds clutching bread or toys.
Caelrisu's eyes were wide with wonder and excitement, darting from stall to stall. "It's so noisy," she said, half in awe, half in complaint. "Do people really live like this every day?"
"Yes," Namgoong Gyo said, keeping his hands clasped behind his back as he walked calmly. "This is how the world outside the clans and families is: loud, busy, and full of people trying to survive.
Even I was shocked when I first came here. I suggest you remember it well. It would broaden your perspective in the future."
"I feel like I could get lost here."
"You would," he replied dryly. "In less than ten minutes."
She pouted again, earning herself a small chuckle from him.
They continued walking until the paved stone road turned relatively empty and lined with more permanent structures made of polished stones and wood.
"This district," Namgoong Gyo said, "is where brokers and dealers conduct trade."
He stopped before a tall building with clean glass windows and a sign that read:
"Havers & Sol: Certified Land and Housing Dealers."
The inside was vastly different from the noise outside. The air was cool, and the scent of lavender hung faintly in the air.
Ledgers, documents, and scrolls lined the walls. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man with a slick beard and an unnaturally bright smile.
"Welcome," the man said, bowing slightly. "I am Havers. How may I assist you today?"
"We're looking to buy a modest residence," Namgoong Gyo replied calmly. "One suitable for two people. Preferably somewhere quiet, but not too far from the main road. Must also have good noise isolation."
Hearing this, the unnaturally bright smile on Haver's face faltered for a second as he exchanged looks between Caelrisu and Namgoong Gyo.
"She tends to be loud. Any problems?"
Namgoong Gyo looked at him with a frustrated expression, as he looked like he would leave if delayed any further.
[Give a shy smile, Young Lady.]
Caelrisu couldn't understand their conversation at all, so she just did what Namgoong Gyo asked and smiled shyly.
Looking at this, Haver's expression froze as it appeared back naturally instantly.
'Did he kidnap her or something? No, it doesn't look like it. Blackmail? Must be.'
"Ah, very good. We have several listings that might suit your needs."
The dealer reached under the counter and produced a thick binder of papers, flipping through them swiftly.
"Would you prefer a courtyard-style home or a compact city dwelling?"
"Courtyard," Namgoong said without hesitation. "Something with a dark basement. And plenty of space for 'special tools.'"
[Move your knees a bit and show a fidgeting expression, Young Lady.]
'Crazy old man. What is he going to do to this poor girl?'
The man's smile widened. "I see. I may have just the thing, a walled property on the city's northern edge. Two rooms, one central hall, a small pond, and open ground behind, as well as a two-story deep basement. It's old but sturdy. It was used for some sexual acts about a year back, but now it is suitable for living."
"How much?" Namgoong asked.
Havers leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "For ordinary clients, it would be four hundred eighty gold. But since you appear to be of refined standing and matching taste… let's say four hundred."
Havers was vomiting in his mind when he said 'matching taste.'
Namgoong Gyo's expression didn't change. He took out a small pouch and dropped it on the counter. The clinking of coins brightened the clerk's false cheer.
"Three fifty," Namgoong said flatly. "We'll handle the repairs and equipment ourselves."
Havers blinked. Then smiled again, bowing deeply. "Three fifty it is, esteemed sir. You drive a hard bargain."
As the papers were signed and the keys handed over, they both stood up and left the establishment.
While leaving, Haver looked at Caelrisu with a pitying gaze as he prayed to [Reason] to bless this young girl.
'Sorry, child but I can only pray for you.'
Caelrisu leaned toward Namgoong and whispered, "What were you talking about inside the store when you asked me to act shy or start fidgeting?"
"You didn't understand it?"
He looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"I wouldn't have asked you had I known, Uncle?"
Caelrisu looked at him with an expression that said, 'Are you stupid? '.
"Ah, I made you do that act because he would think that we are sexual couples. And I am someone rich, and you are my young mistress. And what we want is to just be freaky and spend our lives like this. It will act as a disguise for us."
Namgoong explained it as if it's a matter of fact.
"Oh, nice idea. But what does 'sexual couple' mean?"
Caelrisu asked him with a curious expression.
"You don't know? Wait, do you know what sex is? You can also call it intercourse."
He looked at her as a strange sense of déjà vu hit him.
'Please don't tell me, she doesn't know that as well.'
"Oh, I know that." Hearing this, Namgoong Gyo exhaled with relief, only to be shattered the next moment. "It means gender, right?"
'I will have to teach her everything. Damn Aurelis Clan, why didn't you teach anything common to her!?'
On that day, for the first time, Namgoong Gyo shed a tear after reaching Peak Rank.