Frail Young Master Properly Raises a Heavenly Demon C3

Chapter 3

Murong Yeon returned to Baekungak and collapsed onto the bed like cotton soaked through with water. He truly didn’t have the strength to even lift a finger anymore.

What a pathetic body.

Not being able to cultivate internal energy because of his Jeolmaek was one thing, but with physical stamina this terrible, would he even be able to properly complete the quests ahead?

Should I try finding some spiritual pills or herbs to eat?

To do that, however, he would have to slowly recall the contents of the novel he had written. Right now, he didn’t even have the energy for that. Without bothering to take off his outer robe, Murong Yeon closed his eyes.

Fatigue crashed over him like a tidal wave.

I’ll just sleep for a little while. Just a little…….

How long had he been asleep?

It was only when the sunlight filtering through the paper window had begun to fade that Murong Yeon finally opened his eyes with a groan.

“Ugh…….”

His entire body ached as though he had done some exhausting manual labor. His mind had yet to fully clear, leaving him in a hazy daze.

He had dreamed while he slept.

He had dreamed that he was desperately running away from Wi Hyeokrin, who had returned as the Heavenly Demon.

But his frail body hadn’t even managed to run very far before he collapsed. The Heavenly Demon soon caught up with him, grabbed him by the back of the head, and wrenched his neck backward.

The gaze looking down at him had been so vicious and filled with such murderous intent that even now, the back of his neck tingled at the memory.

And the sadder fact was that what had happened in the dream wasn’t merely an illusion.

“Haa.”

He must have broken into a cold sweat while sleeping. Wiping his forehead with his sleeve, he sat up.

He had probably had the nightmare because of his encounter with Wi Hyeokrin.

Perhaps even his dreams were warning him about the future that awaited him if he failed to handle things properly.

Come to think of it, my favorability went up.

After blinking blankly for a moment, he suddenly remembered the notification and quickly summoned the system.

Show me the favorability.

A translucent window soon appeared before his eyes.

《Current Favorability with Wi Hyeokrin》

《- Current Favorability: 5/100》

《※Warning: Be careful not to let the favorability drop too rapidly. A penalty will be automatically imposed.》

“What do you mean, only five? Five?!”

Murong Yeon let out a hollow laugh when he saw the increased number.

He had dragged his feeble body all the way to the Western Dormitory himself, chased away those barking like stray dogs, rescued Wi Hyeokrin, and personally instructed a servant to clean him up and make him presentable.

And this was all the reward he got?

“System, isn’t this a little unfair?”

《Favorability is not calculated by the system. It is a numerical representation of the feelings displayed by the other party.》

“What does it mean to turn someone’s feelings into a number?”

《It means exactly what it says. Their emotional investment and psychological factors are comprehensively analyzed and measured.》

Well, I suppose people’s feelings aren’t that simple.

Perhaps he should consider even this small increase in favorability a positive thing, especially since he had also managed to preserve the story’s plausibility through all those complicated calculations.

“Young Master, have you awakened?”

Lost in thought, Murong Yeon abruptly looked toward the door at the sound of someone calling him.

“What is it?”

“May I bring in your washing water?”

Washing water? Why is that suddenly coming up?

Confused, Murong Yeon suddenly realized that the sunlight coming through the window looked different from when he had fallen asleep.

In fact, it was even brighter than when he had first regained consciousness.

“……Bring it in.”

Surely he hadn’t ended up sleeping through the entire night when he had only intended to close his eyes for a moment?

The door opened, and a maid brought a basin of steaming water inside.

Through the crack in the door, a fresh, cool breeze slipped inside. From that, Murong Yeon guessed that morning had arrived.

“What time is it?”

“It is the beginning of the Myo hour.”

“Ah…….”

A sigh escaped him as he realized just how deeply he had slept.

Perhaps that was simply proof of how exhausted his body had been.

What an utterly helpless body!

I really need to cure this Jeolmaek first.

Remembering the resolution he had made just before falling asleep, Murong Yeon washed his face, ate a little, and poured himself a cup of tea before casually ordering the maid,

“Among the disciples who entered yesterday, there should be a boy named Rin who has no family name. Bring him here.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

The maid was puzzled by Murong Yeon’s sudden request for someone, but quickly answered and left.

While waiting, Murong Yeon continued drinking his tea with a composed demeanor.

By the time his teacup was nearly empty, he sensed someone outside.

“Young Master, I have brought the boy you requested.”

“Send him in.”

Murong Yeon set down his cup and sat up straight.

Soon, the door opened, and a small figure entered the room.

Oh…….

The instant he saw him, Murong Yeon’s eyes widened, and a gasp of admiration escaped him.

He already knew what Wi Hyeokrin looked like.

But seeing him in person was something else entirely……

He’s truly the very picture of jade-like bones and an immortal’s bearing.

Once the grime had been washed away, his hair combed, and his clothes changed, the beauty that had been hidden beneath all that filth was revealed in an instant.

There was still a slightly rough quality to him from having been poorly cared for, but his flawless white skin and perfectly sculpted features were astonishing.

His long, almond-shaped eyes, without double eyelids, held calm irises as deep and tranquil as a lake. His sharply defined nose and firmly pressed lips gave him an air of maturity despite being nothing more than an immature boy.

Moreover, he was dressed in black martial attire, presumably for cultivation, which gave him an even more imposing presence. He truly looked every bit like the kind of protagonist destined for greatness.

“You finally look somewhat presentable.”

Despite the pleased thoughts in his mind, the words that came out were cold.

Wi Hyeokrin seemed unsure of how to respond and merely opened and closed his mouth.

When Murong Yeon noticed him staring intently, he tilted his head slightly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Why are you treating me well?”

It was a surprisingly bold question.

“You insolent brat! How dare you speak so carelessly!”

The maid, who had yet to leave, scolded Wi Hyeokrin.

Murong Yeon had completely forgotten that she was there. He frowned and waved his hand.

“That’s enough. You may leave.”

“Yes? But……”

Murong Yeon normally disliked even servants coming in to clean, and he never allowed family members or guests into his quarters. So the maid hesitated when he told her to leave him alone with a newly admitted disciple whose origins were unknown.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave?”

Unable to withstand his sharp command, she hurried outside.

Perhaps still worried about him, she left the door slightly ajar. Murong Yeon noticed the narrow gap but paid it no attention.

“Your name was Rin, wasn’t it?”

“……Yes.”

“Judging by the fact that you don’t even have a family name, I suppose you were some beggar wandering from place to place.”

At the cutting insult, Murong Yeon clearly saw Wi Hyeokrin clench his fists.

He couldn’t help feeling slightly nervous.

What if his favorability drops?

Fortunately, the disaster of losing the hard-earned points did not occur.

He must simply be taking it as part of my character’s plausibility.

Suppressing a sigh of relief, Murong Yeon tapped his fingers against the table.

He remained silent for a moment, simply staring at Wi Hyeokrin.

Even the boy, who had been trying to act mature beyond his years, gradually began to grow tense.

“You have a bit of a temper, but you’re not much of a talker, and you’re cautious in your actions. Almost like an animal constantly on guard against danger from every direction.”

The corners of Murong Yeon’s lips twisted as he spoke words that were difficult to tell whether they were praise or an insult.

“From now on, you will attend to me.”

“……Attend to you?”

“I can’t stand people who talk too much. And I dislike people bustling around noisily. So you will keep your mouth shut, stay quietly in a corner as though you were neither here nor there, and move immediately whenever I call for you. Understood?”

Only then did Wi Hyeokrin seem to understand what he meant. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Do you mean you’re telling me to stay here?”

“What? Are you dissatisfied because I’m telling you to be nothing more than my attendant?”

“No, I am not.”

Seeing Wi Hyeokrin hurriedly shake his head, Murong Yeon snorted and called for the maid outside.

“Is anyone there?”

“Did you call, Young Master?”

The maid immediately came back inside as though she had been waiting for the call.

Murong Yeon pointed his chin toward Wi Hyeokrin and deliberately gave his order in a cold voice.

“Give this child the room beside mine.”

“The adjoining room……?”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

The maid had asked again because the order was so unexpected, but his sharp rebuke made her flinch.

She hurriedly led Wi Hyeokrin outside, almost pushing him ahead of her.