Sect Master’s Guide to Babysitting

Downstairs in the main chamber, Lee Jin-Ho was trying to guide a sleepy bunch of orphans into something that resembled an organized lineup. The smell of steaming hot rice porridge was wafting in from the kitchen, courtesy of Do-won and Jung-soo tinkering about with the stove yet again.

Chul-woo with his hair sticking in every which way was yawning very loudly. "Five more minutes." he was mumbling while almost toppling over.

"That's what you said over then minutes ago," Lee Jin-Ho chided gently while pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "We've got a busy day, remember?"

Su-yeon while clinging on to her doll, was blinking consecutively. "What's the plan?"

"We'll find out once Heuk Cheon gets here." Ae-rin said softly while still rubbing her eyes as she was still a bit sleepy.

At that moment, Heuk Cheon went in with his disciple Seo Ryung trailing right behind him. Every kid straightened up or at least attempted to, they all were varying in degrees of success. Heuk Cheon's hawk eyes passed over them, keeping in mind their messy hair, crumpled clothes, and a few of them had crusty eyes.

"Line up properly, brats." he commanded with his voice slicing through the morning doze.

Han-ju was already wide awake, he snapped into an approximation of a martial stance. Jin-mu was scowling, he was tugging at the bandage on his arm as if it itched. Dae-hyun was squirming at the back while whispering about to Chul-woo about how he really is in need of a toilet. Chul-woo was poking him in the ribs while trying his best not to laugh.

Heuk Cheon while folding his arms, said. "We will eat breakfast in ten minutes. After that, we will proceed to do chores, and then onwards we'll train. Understood?"

A united murmur of acknowledgement filled the chamber.

The dining hall's simple table was groaning under the bowls of porridge, side dishes, and a platter of pickled vegetables. The children took their seats, some of them was still too drowsy to even speak, the other kids were talking about the day's events. Dae-hyun, looked really relieved as he was returning from the bathroom with a satisfied smile.

On the other hand, in the small kitchen, Do-won was peering anxiously at a hot kettle that was balancing precariously on the stove's edge. "Jung-soo," he spoke, "please watch that pot. I think it's about to-"

It was too late. The kettle was wobbling and it sloshed and released a burst of hot water pouring down the stove. Jung-soo yelled while jumping back just in time to avoid a direct splash. The water was hissing against the surface of the stove, sending a puff of steamy smoke into the air. 

Seo Ryung, upon hearing the loud noises coming from the kitchen, poked his head in to peek. "What is wrong with you two?"

Jung-soo was bristling, his ears reddened. "It's not my fault that this stove is a deathtrap!"

Do-won was rubbing his temples. "We should finally replace it. If we had the ample coin, that is..."

Before tempers could flare, Lee Jin-Ho walked at the door, his cheeks were puffing in slight exasperation. "Boys, the breakfast is ready. Try not to burn down the entire estate, please?"

Heuk Cheon, overheard their commotion from the dining hall, he let out a silent scoff. He marches into the kitchen with his arms still folded. "At least try to focus," he said in a commanding voice. "If you can't even handle a stove, how do you expect to handle your duties outside the estate?"

Jung-soo was muttering something under his breath, but Do-won swiftly elbows him, he was forced to manifest a strained smirk. "We will be careful, Master Heuk." he promises while lifting the kettle from its dangerous position and placing it on a more stable surface.

Just as soon as their breakfast wrapped up, their used bowls were scraped clean, the spoons were clattering on wood, and a faint knock was echoing from the main gate. An immediate silence fell over the table. Getting visitors were rare here, especially at such an early hour.

Heuk Cheon's eyes focused. "Stay put." he told the children while rising to his feet.

Seo Ryung was moving to follow behind him, but Heuk Cheon help up a hand. "I will handle it alone."

With calculated strides, the ex demon lord crossed through the courtyard. The iron gates was rebuilt but it still had the scars of aging, it vibrated with another knock. He unlatches it, and proceeded to brace for a potential attack.

Instead of that, he was looking at a slight, frail looking old woman and was dressed in a scratched up robe. Her eyes were half hidden by droopy lids, he blinked up at him with an apologetic smile. "Excuse me, sir." she spoke in a soft tone. "Might I trouble you for a little bit of water or a short moment of rest?"

Heuk Cheon's suspicion grew, he did not believe in coincidences. But the woman's voice were really trembling, her gait was unsteady, as if she truly was in need of some help.

"Are you alone?" he asks tersely. 

She nodded while her hand was quivering on the wooden cane she was leaning upon. "Yes... I am on a journey to find my relatives in the next province. I have walked all night."

Heuk Cheon was weighing his instincts. Could she be the spy? Although... it seems not likely. With a curt nod, he stepped aside. "Please enter, but do not try and wander about."

The old woman was bowing gratefully. "God bless you, young man."

Word of the strange old visitor quickly spread among the children. They were peeking from the dining hall windows, they whispered about in a hush excitement. 

"Who could she be?" Su-yeon asked while pressing her tiny face against the glass window.

"Maybe she's a wandering beggar?" Ae-rin guessing with her brows curled in concern.

Han-ju was shrugging trying to look like he's not concerned. "We should just let Master Heuk handle it."

In the manor's courtyard, Heuk Cheon was guiding the old woman to a small chair under a shade. Lee Jin-Ho gave her a cup of water, which she was sipping on with trembling hands. Seo Ryung was lingering nearby, with his posture stiff, he was ready to intervene if she did anything suspicious.

"Thank you, dear." the woman let out a sigh after drinking. "I'm sorry for disturbing all of you. I heard rumors that there was an orphanage here, though I didn't expect it to be so huge."

Heuk Cheon grunted, while studying her movements carefully. "Where exactly are you heading, Elder?"

She aimed her eyes down. "My precious son lives in the next province. He... got ill a few months ago, and I am hoping to see him before he-" Her voice caught, trailing off in a trembling manner.

A flash of empathy manifested in Lee Jin-Ho's face. "If you are in need of a day's rest, we could provide a quiet space." he offered her kindly.

Seo Ryung gave Heuk Cheon a questioning look. The Demon Lord was hesitating. A part of him wanted to keep Redwood Estate not accessible to strangers, especially since there was a suspicious presence nearby lurking in the outskirts of the estate. However, the old woman looked harmless, she was even frail.

Finally, after a short moment, he gave a quick nod. "Very well. You may stay for the day, if you must. But do not wander. This place is not a common inn."

Her eyes glowed with gratitude. Truly, I thank you."

As the sun was climbing higher, the day's routine continued on. Some of the children ran off to the library (it was really just a dusty room with a collection of tattered books) for a quick little lesson in reading and writing. They were watched over by Lee Jin-Ho. The other kids, like Han-Ju and Jin-mu, were looking forward to more martial arts training.

Heuk Cheon obliged them, he led them to the manor's courtyard where he drilled them in some basic stances and footwork. In the background, Ae-rin and Su-yeon were quietly cleaning the perimeter walkway, they were on occasion sneaking a peek to watch some of the older boys practice. On the other hand, Dae-hyun and Chul-woo were stuck in the kitchen, they were helping Do-won scrub pots and pans, thanks to their unfortunate morning prank that involved an overturned bowl of leftover porridge

Meanwhile, the old woman was dozing off under the shade, her cane was resting across her lap. Seo Ryung was passing by her every so often, he was secretly spying on her and at the same time checking if she needed anything. He made sure, that she was not in a position to snoop around and about.

Around the middle of afternoon, while delivering a pitcher of water to the old woman, Seo Ryung noticed something suspicious. Although, the old woman's robes were looking a little shabby, the exposed skin on her forearms had fading, symmetrical scars, it almost looked like old slash wounds from a sword. His brow furrowed. Could she really be just a helpless woman?

He chose to keep his suspicions to himself for the moment, but his carefulness grew even sharper. If she was part of a ploy to hurt Redwood Estate, then she had made a big mistake in underestimating them.