The Eunha family's main residence stood in the center of the compound, surrounded by stone walls tall enough to ensure security without making it look like a fortress.
The complex is spacious and neatly organized. The main building stands in the center with a layered dark blue roof, supported by sturdy wooden pillars adorned with simple carvings. A wide stone staircase connects the main courtyard to the hall, wide enough for several people to pass at once.
On the left and right sides are several separate buildings. The training pavilion, guest hall, and administrative building stand at regular intervals, each serving its own function in the family's daily life.
A rectangular pond stretches along one side of the courtyard. Its water is clear and still, reflecting the shadows of the buildings on its surface.
Several watchtowers stand at the corners of the complex. Their design is not particularly striking, but their placement and spacing indicate that the Eunha family does not neglect the security of their residence.
The place is not merely a home for the extended family, but also a residence for the soldiers and servants who are devoted to the Eunha family.
The servants constantly came and went, carrying various necessities. The soldiers moved in and out of the training area, while some guests walked toward other buildings, accompanied by servants who escorted them.
The residence was bustling with life.
And amid all the commotion, the noise from the training grounds had not yet fully subsided when the sound of horses' hooves was heard coming from the direction of the main gate.
The carriage wheels rumbled over the cobblestone road.
A thin cloud of dust rose as the procession entered the courtyard. A blue flag bearing the Eunha family's emblem—the Moon and Dew Leaf—fluttered at the front of the procession, a clear sign to anyone who saw it.
One of the guards near the gate immediately recognized the carriage.
"Young Lady Seo-rin has returned!"
His voice echoed across the main courtyard. Several servants who were working also turned their heads.
Shortly afterward, the attention of those near the gate slowly shifted to the procession that had just arrived.
Chief Guard Jang Do-woon stopped in his tracks.
His attention, which had previously been focused on the building where Daehyun had been taken, now shifted to the procession entering the courtyard. His gaze remained calm, but the vigilance of a martial arts master never truly wanes.
The gate swung wide open.
The first carriage came to a slow stop. The escort soldiers dismounted and spontaneously formed a semicircle around the carriage, while the servants near the courtyard bowed their heads in respect.
Seo-rin stepped out first, followed by Head Maid Han Minji.
Her silk robe was simple, but her demeanor still exuded an authority she did not need to display ostentatiously.
"We're here," she said softly.
Raven got out next. As soon as her feet touched the courtyard stones, her gaze immediately swept over her surroundings.
The training ground to the left.
A line of soldiers who hadn't quite dispersed yet.
A few servants still hurrying toward the main building.
The scent of sweat and dust still lingered in the air, mingling with the lingering traces of Qi from the training session that had just taken place.
Hana, Lisa, and Karin got out as well.
"This place… is much bigger than it looks from the outside," Hana whispered.
Lisa looked up at the buildings surrounding them.
"I just realized… the richest families in this world are truly on a whole different level," she murmured in awe.
Karin didn't say anything. She simply observed her surroundings with a look in her eyes that betrayed a hint of nervousness.
From the second carriage, Kevin stepped out, stretching his body and letting out a long sigh after the exhausting journey. Kyle followed behind him, his gaze immediately sweeping across the grounds.
"Not bad… looks like this place is pretty spacious," he muttered.
Kyle glanced over briefly, then gave a small smirk.
"'Not bad,' you say? I think this is more spacious than anywhere I've ever seen in our home world."
Kevin snorted softly.
"Hey, stop acting like a hick."
Kyle frowned.
"Huh?"
"If you act like that, they'll look down on you."
Kyle just gave a small smile.
"It's so unusual for you to care about me."
Kevin gave him a blank look.
"Shut up. I just don't want your inability to read the situation to make us look poor and stupid in their eyes."
Kyle fell silent for a moment.
Then the corners of his mouth turned up again.
"Doesn't that mean you actually care about us?"
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Kevin glared at Kyle.
"I just don't want to be humiliated too."
Kyle chuckled softly.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say."
Meanwhile, from the side of the training ground, Jang Do-woon began walking toward them.
His stride was steady and measured. His worn black robe fluttered gently in the breeze, while the two crossed swords on his back remained still, following his every step.
His presence gradually drew the attention of several people in the courtyard.
Seo-rin, who had been talking with Han Minji, finally noticed the approaching figure.
She waved cheerfully.
"Uncle Jang!"
Jang Do-woon responded with a respectful yet understated nod. "Miss Seo-rin, you're as energetic as ever. It seems your journey went quite smoothly."
"You could say that," Seo-rin replied, letting out a slight sigh.
"But you know yourself how exhausting this trip is, Uncle."
The man gave a faint smile. "It seems the young lady isn't in the best of moods. But what matters most is that you've returned safely."
"Well… I guess so."
Jang Do-woon's gaze then shifted toward Raven and her friends standing behind Seorin.
"And young lady, who are they?"
"Ah, they're my guests. We met on our way home. One of them even saved my life."
Jang Do-woon's expression shifted slightly. "Saved you?"
He glanced at the line of guards behind him, including Gwi-heon, who stood at attention with a stern expression.
Seorin quickly raised her hand. "Please don't blame them, Uncle. I was careless, too. So there's no need to look at me like that."
Jang Do-woon let out a short sigh. "I understand that, Young Lady. But allowing you to nearly get hurt, even though the Deputy Chief of the Guards was accompanying you… in my opinion, that's still negligence."
The remark was sharp and clearly directed at Gwi-heon.
The deputy head of the guards did not respond. He stood silently, accepting the words without defending himself, as if he considered them a well-deserved reprimand.
"So how did you end up getting hurt?" Jang asked again, now more seriously.
"It's a long story," Seo-rin replied quickly. "I'll tell you later. For now, they'll be staying here temporarily."
Jang Do-woon nodded slowly. "If that's the Young Lady's decision, then we'll make the necessary arrangements."
"All right." Seo-rin then glanced at the soldiers who were pacing back and forth with panicked expressions.
"By the way, what's wrong with them?"
"that—"
Before Jang Do-woon could finish his sentence, several servants rushed out of the main building.
One of them ran up to him, panting heavily.
"Head Guard! The physician has been summoned. The Young Master has been taken to the inner chambers!"
Seo-rin's face immediately turned pale. "What happened to Daeh-yun?"
Jang Do-woon replied calmly, though his voice sounded heavier than before. "The Young Master pushed himself too hard during this morning's training. He fainted from exhaustion."
"What?!" Seo-rin exclaimed, clearly startled.
Without waiting for further explanation, she immediately turned and climbed the stone stairs toward the main hall. Her silk robe fluttered lightly behind her hurried steps.
Raven watched her receding back, then shifted his gaze to the grand entrance of the Eunha residence. The ancient wooden pillars stood sturdy, bearing the marks of time and a long history. This place was not merely a home but a center of power, where major decisions were made and secrets were kept in silence.
"What's going on?" Hana asked softly, moving closer to Raven's side.
Raven kept his gaze fixed on the door, which was now bustling with servants coming and going.
"It seems we've arrived at an inopportune time," he replied calmly.
Han Minji, standing beside them, immediately spoke up.
"If you don't mind, I'll show you to your respective rooms, Sir Jin."
He then added, "It seems the young lady will still be meeting with you later. For now, please get some rest first."
"All right."
Raven then told his friends to grab their belongings and follow Han Minji.
They began to leave the main courtyard and head toward the inner part of Eunha's residence.
However, when Raven passed by Jang Do-woon, the old man remained on guard.
His eyes kept following the young man.
Raven didn't say a word. He simply walked past the head guard alongside his friends.
Even after he had turned his back on him and continued walking away, Jang Do-woon's gaze was still fixed on his back.
There was something that made him keep watching the young man.
It wasn't because of his appearance, nor was it because he was a guest Seo-rin had brought home.
For some reason, the instincts honed over decades in the world of Murim made Jang Do-woon feel that the young man wasn't as simple as he seemed.