“Chung Myung-aaaaaaaah!”
Paaaaaat!
Chung Myung leaped over the wall like a bolt of lightning and dashed down Hwasan. Judging by the intensity of the screams heard behind him, if he got caught, he’d be stuck in the Repentance Chamber [참회동] for at least three days.
“Hey, aren’t you going to stop right there?! You punk! I’m really not going to let you off today! Not stopping? Are you not going to stop? Hey, you little!”
“If I stop, you’re going to hit me!”
“Hasn’t it occurred to you, that if you don’t stop, you’ll get beaten even more?”
“That’s something to worry about later.”
“Stop! Stop right there! We will just talk it out!”
“Lies!”
“If I catch you, I’m really going to break your legs!”
Chung Myung didn’t even look back and ran even faster.
“Phew.”
Having come down the mountain, Chung Myung rubbed his face vigorously with both hands.
“The nagging is relentless.”
Seriously, what on earth did he do that was so huge to cause such a fuss?
Visitors who climb Hwasan make offerings, and the Taoists living on the mountain live off those offerings, don’t they? So, strictly speaking, visitors to Hwasan are basically coming to hand money over to Chung Myung.
“I just skipped that annoying middle step and took it directly – how can they give me such a hard time for that? They’re so narrow-minded.”
Of course, using that money to buy alcohol was a bit… well, just a tiny bit of a problem. And getting caught hiding the leftover liquor in the Ancestral Hall [조사전(祖師殿)] was also a bit of a problem.
But depending on how you look at it, you could say that he treated the ancestors – who only ever eat hermit’s food [선식(仙食)1*] – to some fine liquor for once, couldn’t you?
“In any case, they just won’t listen.”
Chung Myung clicked his tongue.
Now that it’s come to this, if he goes back up, it’ll be hard to even see a scrap of meat, let alone any alcohol, for a while. He’ll surely be stuck in the Repentance Chamber, chewing on those foul-smelling fasting pills [벽곡단]…
Chung Myung reached into his robe and pulled out a luxurious-looking silk pouch.
Previously, when a visitor, who seemed quite advanced in years, tried to harass a young woman traveling alone, Chung Myung gently talked him out of it. Moved to tears, the man handed him this pouch.
Ahhh. Indeed, true Taoists are recognized and supported by the people themselves.
“Since it’s come to this, I might as well have my fun before going back. It’s better to take the beating later.”
Chung Myung whistled as he headed towards the tavern.
“That won’t do.”
“…Huh?”
“I cannot sell you any liquor to you, Dojang.”
“Why not?”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew wide.
“The elders of Hwasan came and made a special request. They said not to sell liquor or even food to Hwasan’s Chung generation – especially to Chung Myung Dojang.”
“Ah, no, this isn’t for me. I was going to bring it to my Master….”
“That’s not allowed either. They said that from now on, they won’t ever send the Chung generation on any errands, so we must not give you anything.”
“T-That’s cruel……”
They’d really go this far? Good heavens, how can people be so vicious! Even the most notorious savages would have trembled at the sight and run away.
“Ugh. Really?”
“Yes. So it’s absolutely impossible.”
Groaning under this ironclad defense, Chung Myung changed his approach and subtly leaned closer to the owner.
“Heh heh, don’t be like that.”
“Hmm?”
Chung Myung took out a silver coin from his pouch, placed it on the owner’s palm, and clasped the man’s hands firmly with both of his.
“I wonder how business has been for you these days. Go ahead and pocket this, and I’ll just take a few bottles of cheap liquor and maybe a couple of dumplings.”
“Hey!”
However, Chung Myung’s ‘warm’ touch was swatted by the owner’s resolute refusal.
“Don’t even try such a ridiculous trick. If we take a few pennies from you and anger Hwasan’s elders, we won’t be able to do business in Hwaeum ever again.”
“Ah, no…….”
“It’s not just me. I can assure you that no tavern in Hwaeum will sell liquor or food to the Chung generation. Especially not to you, Dojang!”
Chung Myung stepped back, looking hurt.
“After all the business I’ve brought you until now, how can you be so heartless…”
“There’s nothing we can do, even if you see it that way. Chung Mun Dojang also insisted on it.”
It seems a demon has come and gone already. A demon.
“Really, you should’ve been moderate.”
“Hey, what did I even do?!”
The owner’s face twisted all of a sudden.
Does he really have to spell it out? Some brat still wet behind the ears comes down from the mountain whenever he’s bored and drinks himself silly. The fact that those elders have put up with him so far shows how truly saintly they are.
“Anyway, it’s not possible. If anyone sees us talking like this, who knows what kind of thunderous punishment might fall? Off you go now. Shoo! Away!”
“Shoo? I’m not some bird, you know.”
“Oh, enough. Please leave!”
Pushed along by a firm hand on his back, Chung Myung was finally shoved outside.
Bang!
Chung Myung stood there blankly, staring at the tightly shut door of the tavern, then began trembling with anger.
“Hmph! Do they think there’s nowhere else for me to go?”
Chung Myung spun around. There had to be more than five taverns in Hwaeum that he singlehandedly kept in business, and surely one of them would be on his side…
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
“…None of them.”
The moment Chung Myung looked their way, the tavern owners, startled, hurriedly slammed their doors shut.
A hollow laugh escaped his lips.
“They wouldn’t even treat a bandit this coldly! You damned people!”
A wave of betrayal washed over him. After all the money he’d poured into their businesses!
No, wait. This isn’t their fault. It’s all because of those Hwasan’s bastards.
So treacherous, so very treacherous! He’d always had such good relationships with the tavern owners in Hwaeum, and they had gone and driven a wedge between them! What a wicked thing to do!
They call themselves Taoists, yet they destroy harmony among people. Where is Hwasan headed if they carry on like this?
“Ugh.”
But there was no one to hear his lament.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
After going through all that trouble to bring the money, he couldn’t even spend it. He was planning to splurge on food and drinks with this money today, and on top of that, sneak a few bottles back to Hwasan to hide and enjoy later…
What makes money – money? It’s because you can spend it. Turn that around, and it means if you can’t spend it, it’s not really money. Which means these heavy coins in his pouch right now are nothing but useless lumps of metal.
Chung Myung’s shoulders slumped.
“…Should I just go back?”
No, that was impossible. If he went back, there would definitely be nagging from hell waiting for him. Having to endure all of that without even a single drink would be worse than hell. But what was he supposed to do…
“Hmm?”
Right at that moment, Chung Myung’s eyes lit up. Over there at the entrance to Hwaeum, a few people in familiar robes were walking in.
Spotting who they were, Chung Myung broke into a sly grin and scampered over.
“Aigoo, Sasuks!”
“Huh?”
“Eeek!”
“W-Wait, isn’t that Chung Myung?”
The Baek disciples of Hwasan, who had been walking along while chatting, shrank back when they saw Chung Myung walking up to them with a beaming smile.
“Wow! You’ve just arrived?”
“Y-Yes……”
“Hahaha. It’s such a joy to see my Sasuks here in Hwaeum.”
Their faces filled with apprehension. If you think about it, they practically saw each other every day anyway, so what was there to be so suddenly delighted about? He clearly had some kind of ulterior motive.
“I-I see. But for what… reason…?”
Sasuks, like rabbits, were trembling facing their tiger-like Sajil.
“No, it’s nothing special. I mean, we may not say it often, but we’re all one family, right? Practically relatives, you could say.”
“…R-Right.”
It was a sight that wouldn’t normally be possible. Even though the people here were the youngest among the Baek generation – far younger than their older peers – they were still older than Chung Mun.
In other words, they were at least ten years older than the average Chung disciple.
Ten years is by no means a small gap for someone who’s still young. No matter how outstanding one’s talent may be, crossing that ten-year gap often requires decades of rigorous training.
That’s why, among younger martial artists, even a single year difference can be a massive gap that seems insurmountable.
They thought so, too – until a few of the Baek generation, enraged by Chung Myung’s antics, took their frustration out on Chung Mun one day.
Of course, Chung Myung’s misdeeds should rightly be blamed on Chung Myung himself, but he was so young that even speaking directly to him felt beneath their dignity.
So, a handful of the youngest among the Baek disciples called over Chung Mun, the great disciple of the Chung generation, to scold him and gave him a bit of a beating.
In their eyes, it was a matter of maintaining discipline. They themselves had once gone through something similar at the hands of the Un generation.
But the price they paid was nothing short of disastrous.
Chung Myung, who usually paid no heed to anyone’s words and just laughed off even harsh reprimands, completely snapped after that incident. Like a rabid dog, he started beating up any Baek disciple he laid eyes on.
That day, the Baek generation learned that there exists someone who doesn’t merely “soar high” in talent, but can flip the heavens and earth – and, on a whim, turn a person’s world upside down.
Eventually, the Sect Leader stepped in to calm the situation by locking Chung Myung up in the Repentance Chamber for a month. After that, most of the Baek generation avoided even meeting Chung Myung’s gaze.
Especially…
“Well now. There’s a face I know all too well.”
“…”
Particularly in the case of Baek Oe [백외(白巍)], who had the misfortune of provoking Chung Mun and ended up having his face chewed on by Chung Myung, there was nothing more to say.
“How have you been?”
“O-Of course. I’ve been… just fine…”
Cold sweat broke out on Baek Oe’s forehead. He never imagined he’d run into this mad dog here.
How many miserable days had he endured since that dreadful choice he made on that day?
He still remembered it clearly. That demon’s face, rushing at him without warning and shouting, ‘Did you hit our Sahyeong?’ as he drove a fist right into Baek Oe’s face.
That wasn’t the end of it. Afterwards, whenever that bastard was bored, he would come looking for him.
There were days when Baek Oe woke up to a club smacking him in the face. Days when he went out for early morning training and got kicked in the back of the head, passing out on the spot.
If that wasn’t bad enough, one time he was doing his business in the privy when that bastard attacked him, and he fainted without even getting his pants back up. That was how people found him.
Eventually, a few of his Sahyeongs tried to step in and teach Chung Myung a lesson, but in the end, they were the ones who got taught a lesson instead.
If it had been seniors from a higher generation causing trouble, they could have expressed their concerns to someone about it. If Chung Myung had at least been older, maybe they could have raised a complaint. But how could they whine that they’d been beaten up by some little whelp the size of a mouse?
To make matters worse, word of the trouble even reached the Sect Leader, who personally locked Chung Myung in the Repentance Chamber – yet the harassment continued.
If Chung Mun hadn’t found out about it and caught Chung Myung for a whipping, Baek Oe would probably be crippled for life by now.
Facing that brat right in front of him brought all those ghastly memories rushing back.
“Hey, why are you trembling like that? It’s all in the past.”
“H-Haha…….”
“You laughing?”
“…”
Chung Myung shot Baek Oe a strange look. Baek Oe’s lips quivered.
“Haha, it’s nothing really. It’s just that I have a favor to ask.”
“Ah, no.”
“Huh? How do you know what I’m about to ask, and you’re already saying no from the start? Sasuk, do you have something against me? Because if you do, I’ve got something too.”
“N-Nothing like that. You’re trying to ask us to buy you some alcohol right now, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew round, him wearing an expression that seemed to say, ‘Was this guy always this smart?’
“How did you know?”
“I… I didn’t figure it out myself. Chung Mun told me to never do it. He said that if you… if all your other means are blocked, you might grab me and threaten me…”
A ghost? Or maybe he’s really the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang? He even managed to predict this much?
“So it’s impossible. I’ve been banned from going there, too. Honestly, because of you, half of the Baek disciples can’t even step foot in Hwaeum’s tavern. If you don’t believe me, go ask the owner yourself.”
“Huh….”
Chung Myung couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. This isn’t even close to Sun Wukong being trapped in the Buddha’s palm.
“Ugh.”
Realizing there was no other way, Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.
“Y-You get it, right?”
“Ah, damn it! You’re really no help at all!”
“S-Sorry.”
Chung Myung kicked the ground in frustration, then turned around.
“Phew…..”
At that very moment, Baek Oe – who had just barely escaped the tiger’s jaws – let out a long sigh.
“But.”
“Huh? Y-Yes?”
Chung Myung turned his head slightly to look at Baek Oe.
“Where are you coming from right now?”
“Ah, we were just in Xian on the Elder’s orders.”
“Where? Xian?”
“B-But, why? Is something wrong…”
“Xian…… you say?”
Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled. The moment Baek Oe saw that gleam, he sensed that something had gone wrong.
“W-Wait a minute. Chung Myung. You can’t go to Xian. The Sect Leader has strictly forbidden anyone below the Baek disciples from going there, remember?”
“I know, I know. Of course I do.”
No… it doesn’t seem like you do…
“I’m just curious – what’s in Xian? I heard it’s bigger than Hwaeum.”
“What’s in it, you ask. There’s nothing particularly special. It’s just a somewhat larger city, that’s all.”
“Compared to Hwaeum?”
“Comparing it to Hwaeum… is a bit difficult. Xian is a city, and Hwaeum is just a small village. Xian has more people and more buildings.”
“More taverns, too?”
“Right. More taverns… oh.”
Baek Oe’s gaze began to tremble.
“So that’s how it is, huh?”
Chung Myung snickered. Just from that expression alone, anyone could tell exactly what he was thinking.
“W-Wait, Chung Myung. Don’t do this…”
“Sasuk.”
“Yes?”
“Which way is Xian again?”
“…”
Ah, there’s no stopping him now.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Wow…”
Chung Myung’s eyes grew wide as he looked around. People, people, people, and more people. There were so many that his head was spinning.
“Just how many people…”
A massive street, seemingly three times the size of Hwaeum’s, was filled with makeshift stalls, and an enormous crowd was flowing through. For Chung Myung, who was seeing a city for the first time, it was overwhelming.
“Don’t block the way, move aside!”
“Why are you standing here?! You’re in the way!”
“S-Sorry.”
Even as he hastily stepped to the side, Chung Myung kept glancing around.
“Wow… so this kind of world exists.”
It wasn’t just the number of people: the entire scene was different. In Hwaeum, you might find one or two tall pavilions at most, but here they were crowded together on all sides.
From the open windows, laughter from people already drinking in broad daylight spilled out without pause. So this is what they mean by ‘lively,’ he thought.
“No wonder… they wouldn’t let me come to Xian no matter what.”
Chung Myung’s lips curled higher and higher. The best part was that, here, Hwasan’s clutches couldn’t reach him, so he could do as he pleased.
“Great!”
With a mischievous grin, Chung Myung dashed towards the most splendid-looking pavilion in sight.
“Waiter!”
“Yes, Sirrrrr!”
No sooner had Chung Myung raised his hand after taking a seat than a waiter, who looked even younger than he did, rushed over.
“Welcome, dear customer! What can I get for you?”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung studied the young waiter curiously. Even seeing such a youthful server was something he rarely encountered in Hwaeum, where older folks usually handled the hosting.
“Shall I bring a bottle of alcohol first?”
Chung Myung gave a broad grin at the smooth response.
“What’s good here?”
“Our establishment is the best tavern in all of Xian…”
“Ah, enough with the introductions. Just get to the point!”
“Yes, Sir! Our house specialty is Chojak-myeon [초작면(醋斫麵) a noodle dish] – it’s wonderfully tangy and delicious. If you need something restorative, our steaming hot Yangtang [양탕(羊湯) – soup on lamb bone] is also a delicacy!”
“I’ll have that and a few other dishes. And as for the alcohol… bring me a few bottles of some gooood stuff.”
“Yes, yes, we can do that. But when you say ‘good‘…?”
Tap! Chung Myung took out a silver coin from his pouch and placed it on the table. Then he slipped a small coin into the waiter’s hand as well.
“This is for you to keep.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
“Just make sure it’s delicious. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir! I’ll bring out our finest.”
“Heh! Now we’re speaking the same language.”
“Yes, of course. Naturally so. Please wait just a moment, Sir!”
The young waiter secured the silver coin and dashed towards the kitchen. Watching his retreating figure, visibly satisfied, Chung Myung chuckled to himself.
At the tavern in Hwaeum, everyone always had rather sour faces, which had been a constant annoyance. How nice it was to have someone so eager and cheerful.
Whether they already had some dishes prepared, or whether that coin worked its charm and diverted food meant for other tables, the space before him quickly filled with mouthwatering dishes.
“I brought these dumplings especially for you.”
“You really didn’t have to.”
“Enjoy your meal, Sir!”
Watching the boy bow deeply until the very end, Chung Myung smiled broadly. He’ll be a great pillar of society someday.
“Well then.”
Rubbing his hands together as he looked at the food on the table, Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled.
Although Hwaeum also has good taverns, there was something distinct about Xian’s cuisine right from the start. Indeed, a dish that looks appetizing always boosts the appetite.
“Let’s see.”
Chung Myung quickly picked up his chopsticks and popped a perfectly-fried piece of pork into his mouth.
“Oh?”
It was greasy. So fatty that the richness hit him immediately. But rather than being disappointed, Chung Myung’s eyes shone as he pulled the cork out of a bottle and poured liquor into his mouth.
“Yeeeeah!”
This is it! This food wasn’t made to be delicious on its own – it was made to go with alcohol. The greasy flavor of the side dish perfectly accentuated the taste of the liquor.
Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
“I can’t believe a world like this existed! Everyone’s done for today!”
His chopsticks began to roam over the table at a fearsome speed.
“That’s what I’m saying, Sahyeong!”
Jin Seokrim [진석림(秦夕林)] was in a great mood. Two months ahead of the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly [용봉지회(龍鳳支會)2*], which was being held for the first time in ten years, he had claimed an overwhelming victory in the internal sparring contest.
That much was only natural, but what truly satisfied him was the elders’ remark, after watching the match, that ‘this year’s Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is something to look forward to.’
Those words meant that among the countless talents under heaven, he was fully capable of ranking at the top.
“Though they say Shaolin is strong, this time it looks like you’ll take first place, Sahyeong.”
“What do you mean by ‘it looks like’? If it’s our Sahyeong, then victory is already a sure thing. The important part is how he’ll win.”
“Haha, you’re right. I misspoke.”
Even that frivolous flattery sounded pleasant to Jin Seokrim’s ears. But then he shook his head.
“Shaolin, huh… I’m not particularly interested in Shaolin.”
“Why is that, Sahyeong?”
“Shaolin, due to the nature of their martial arts, supposedly isn’t all that remarkable in one’s youth. Instead, as time passes and their cultivation deepens, they gradually become worthy of the Shaolin name. Which means defeating them now or losing to them doesn’t mean much.”
“Ah, I see.”
“But Wudang is different.”
Jin Seokrim’s gaze grew sharp.
“I’ve heard that the younger generations of Wudang and Namgung are quite exceptional. My goal in this tournament is to face them and win.”
“You can certainly do it, Sahyeong.”
“If not you, Sahyeong, who else could defeat Wudang and Namgung and make Jongnam the greatest sword sect under heaven?”
“Don’t heap too much praise on me. I’m worried it’ll make me arrogant.”
Jin Seokrim waved his hand dismissively, but his fellow disciples had no intention of stopping.
It wasn’t just flattery. They genuinely believed Jin Seokrim could become the best swordsman in the world.
They all trained under the same sword style and the same teachers, yet the gap between them and Jin Seokrim was as vast as between the heavens and the earth. Even his Master, who taught him personally, couldn’t help but marvel at his talent.
Though Jin Seokrim was the direct heir of the Jin family [진가(秦家)], a prestigious lineage of Jongnam, and had grown up taking countless elixirs, even that environment alone couldn’t explain his level of talent.
“If not you, Sahyeong, then who could do it?”
“Exactly. Of course.”
Jin Seokrim smiled and raised his cup of liquor when someone spoke up.
“This would be a perfect chance to put those Hwasan’s bastards in their place…”
“Saje!”
Jin Seokrim’s eyes narrowed. Those who saw his expression swallowed nervously. Mentioning ‘Hwasan’ in front of Jin Seokrim was practically a taboo.
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.”
The one who slipped up began sweating profusely, trying to smooth things over, but the atmosphere did not lighten so easily.
Tap. Jin Seokrim set down his cup without bothering to hide his displeasure.
“I’m sorry, Sahyeong.”
A short sigh escaped Jin Seokrim’s lips.
‘Damn it.’
Even though he tried not to, merely hearing the word ‘Hwasan’ ruined his mood.
Jongnam wasn’t in any way an inferior sect compared to Hwasan. In fact, in terms of influence and resources, it even surpassed Hwasan in certain aspects.
The problem was pure skill. His Master, known as the Greatest Sword of Jongnam, still could not match the reputation of Baek Oh – called the Greatest Sword of Hwasan – Ilgeom Maehyang [일검매향(一劍梅香)2**].
As the result, the title ‘Greatest Sword of Shaanxi,’ which was practically a matter of pride, naturally belonged to Baek Oh instead. Jin Seokrim could never accept that.
And if that were all, he wouldn’t be this upset over merely hearing the word ‘Hwasan.’
As the atmosphere grew tense, Yang Gwanjeong [양관정(梁寬正)] spoke up with a laugh.
“Isn’t it fortunate that Hwasan’s fame is so high?”
Jin Seokrim frowned and looked at Yang Gwanjeong.
“What do you mean?…”
“Think about it, Sahyeong. If we had joined the greatest sect under heaven from the start, wouldn’t we have been unable to enjoy the joy of raising it to the top with our own strength?”
“…”
“In some ways, it’s quite fortunate that our predecessors couldn’t completely defeat Hwasan. Thanks to that, we can enjoy that glory in our generation.”
“Hmm.”
Only then did Jin Seokrim pick up the cup he had set down. Upon hearing it, he realized it didn’t seem entirely wrong.
“Hwasan is no easy opponent.”
“Of course, Sahyeong. Hwasan is certainly a tough foe. Frankly speaking, even Chung Mun of Hwasan, who’s recently begun to be called the ‘Hidden Sword of Tao [장도검(藏道劍)3*],’ has quite a reputation, doesn’t he?”
The cup that had been rising leisurely paused slightly once again. Chung Mun. Those two syllables made Jin Seokrim feel displeased. Yang Gwanjeong quickly continued.
“But once this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is over, that reputation will be completely overturned. Waving around some lofty cause under the name of ‘the Tao’ won’t be possible once visible results come out. If you, Sahyeong, step forward yourself, that so-called Hidden Sword of Tao will soon take a fall.”
“You’ve coated your tongue with honey. That’s not good”
“Haha, I apologize. I’m just being honest.”
Even so, Jin Seokrim didn’t seem too offended, leisurely drinking his liquor.
That was precisely what he was aiming for. If he could make a name for himself at this Assembly, it wouldn’t just change how he and Chung Mun were perceived – the evaluations of Hwasan and Jongnam would shift dramatically as well.
If that happened, he would become the first disciple of Jongnam to ever overwhelm a disciple of Hwasan. It was something no one of this generation had managed to achieve.
“We’ll have to make sure it turns out that way.”
The moment Jin Seokrim said that with a slight smile…
“Bullshit.”
“Huh?”
Jin Seokrim turned his head towards where the voice had come from.
‘Did I hear something wrong?’
No, he definitely heard it. But it might not necessarily have been directed at Jin Seokrim. After all, there were countless people in this tavern besides them, chatting noisily and drinking.
Maybe the conversation they were having just happened to coincide with the moment he finished speaking.
Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, who in Xian would dare to respond in that manner to what Jongnam’s disciples say?
Just as Jin Seokrim was about to turn his head back, thinking along those lines.
“Hmm?”
“What’s the matter, Sahyeong?”
“There.”
“…..Yes?”
Jin Seokrim gestured with his chin towards a corner. Following that gesture, the onlookers narrowed their eyes.
“Hwasan…….”
“How long has he been there?”
In a far corner, on the opposite table, a lone disciple of Hwasan was occupying an entire table by himself, devouring all the food. Judging by the two or three liquor bottles rolling around beside him, he seemed to have really made himself at home.
“You think he heard us?”
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t a distance where he could hear them unless he was deliberately eavesdropping. And even if he did hear, it hardly mattered. There was nothing particular to hide. But still…
“Look.”
“Yes?”
“Doesn’t he look young?”
With that, Yang Gwanjeong narrowed his eyes as he glanced at the boy on the opposite side, who was stuffing his cheeks with food.
“He certainly does.”
“Is he in a Myung disciple?”
“Strange. I heard that anyone below the Baek generation is forbidden from leaving Hwasan for Xian.”
“Well, the circumstances of a sect can change at any time.”
Jin Seokrim let out a small chuckle and added.
“But… it doesn’t look that way. Seeing a so-called Taoist gulping alcohol like that in broad daylight…”
At those words, Yang Gwanjeong and the other disciples burst into laughter.
It certainly didn’t look normal. If he were truly a Taoist, he should at least maintain a proper bearing when others can see him, but he seemed to have no awareness of that at all.
No matter how much Hwasan is said to be relatively free-spirited among Taoist sects, a Taoist sect is still a Taoist sect. It wasn’t a place free from restrictions compared to secular world.
“Every sect has its share of troublemakers. Looks like he disobeyed his sect’s orders and came all the way here to fool around.”
“That’s quite unfortunate.”
Yang Gwanjeong smirked.
“What do you think, Sahyeong?”
“Hmm?”
“After all, they’re our neighboring sect, aren’t they? The Sect Leaders exchange visits and occasionally hold gatherings, so if there’s a wayward young disciple among them, shouldn’t we, as his seniors, offer him some strict guidance?”
“Guidance…”
Jin Seokrim cast a sidelong glance at the young Taoist, then shook his head.
“Leave him be.”
“Then…… yes?”
Jin Seokrim quietly crossed his arms.
“If he were only a couple of years older, I might have tried to teach him a lesson, but what’s the point in dealing with a kid so green? People would talk if I did that.”
“Hmm. That’s certainly true.”
“And I’m about to compete in an important tournament. I don’t want to invite any pointless gossip and end up disappointing the elders of our sect.”
Yang Gwanjeong nodded. It made sense. Right now, Jin Seokrim had to be wary of even falling leaves.
Of course, scolding that boy wouldn’t cause any real trouble, but they wouldn’t be able to avoid a reprimand from the elders.
“He’s a lucky brat.”
“Let him enjoy himself. Before long, his own sect’s elders will scold him until he’s in tears anyway.”
Jin Seokrim laughed faintly once more.
“There’s just one thing I realized.”
“What are you referring to?”
“Hwasan, and that Chung Mun – neither seems all that impressive. I heard that Chung Mun has a profound depth of knowledge, a grand character, and that his disciples trust and follow him like a parent. But someone who can’t even handle a single young brat and ended up letting him wander all the way here – can he really have such virtue?”
“Indeed, that’s how it seems.”
“Rumors in this world are always exaggerated. Thinking of it that way, I’m actually grateful. That kid showed me the truth.”
“Is that so? Hahahah!”
Those seated around the table burst into boisterous laughter.
“This won’t do. He’s done us such a favor – we should at least send him a bottle of liquor. Hey! Waiter!”
“Yes, yes! Coming right now!”
At that moment, the young waiter, who had been called, dashed towards them in a hurry.
“Ah!”
He stepped on some spilled liquor on the floor, slipped, and dropped the tray he was carrying as he toppled towards their table.
Crash!
The food on the tray scattered in all directions. The disciples of Jongnam quickly pulled back, their faces twisting. But their expressions soon turned from irritation to embarrassment.
“S-Sahyeong…”
Sitting at the table, Jin Seokrim now had crimson stains splattered here and there on his pristine white robe.
It wasn’t that he failed to dodge the flying food. There was no way Jin Seokrim couldn’t avoid something like that.
The problem was that while he was focused on dodging the food, he didn’t notice the waiter’s foot striking the leg of the table, which sent the dish in front of him flying up and splattering him.
Yang Gwanjeong broke into a cold sweat. Anyone who was a disciple of Jongnam knew. They all knew how highly Jin Seokrim valued cleanliness. More precisely, how fixated he was on keeping anything white absolutely pristine.
Jin Seokrim rose slowly from his seat. Then, with a gaze cold as ice, he glared at the young waiter who had fallen over.
“This is…….”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Realizing his mistake, the boy turned pale and sprang to his feet.
“Th-This was so clumsy of me. I’ll do something about it, somehow…”
Instinctively, the boy picked up a cloth and began wiping Jin Seokrim’s white robe. Seeing the dampness from the cloth spreading across the robe, Jin Seokrim’s expression turned ice-cold.
Thunk!
“Argh!”
After kicking the boy away, Jin Seokrim bit his lip.
“Call the owner.”
“I-I’m sorry! Sir! I’ll find some way to pay for the damages…..”
“Shut your mouth and bring me the owner! How could the likes of you possibly take responsibility?”
“B-But then I’ll be kicked out! Please, just give me one chance…”
When the boy tried to grab Jin Seokrim’s pants with his soiled hands, Jin Seokrim backed away in disgust and tried to push him away with his foot.
At that moment.
“Man, how disgustingly dramatic. He even looks like pure bad luck.”
Jin Seokrim’s foot, poised in midair, came to a sudden stop. Lowering his foot, he slowly turned his head towards the voice.
“…What did you just say?”
Gulp, gulp, gulp. Without answering, the man shoved the liquor bottle into his mouth and drank heavily, then popped it out with a ‘plop.’
“Ahhhhh….”
Then he slammed the bottle down on the table, picked up a piece of pork with his chopsticks, tossed it into his mouth, and began chewing as he spoke.
“I came here to enjoy a drink in a good mood, so how about not ruining it and just stopping there?”
“What….?”
Jin Seokrim’s face hardened.
By this point, the other customers, sensing the atmosphere, were starting to get up quietly. But Jin Seokrim was oblivious to their presence.
“Are you a disciple of Hwasan?”
“Well, do I look like someone from Shaolin? Don’t you have eyes?”
Jin Seokrim let out a short laugh.
“So I can assume this Hwasan’s brat is picking a fight with me right now?”
“Huh? Does that mean I’m the one picking a fight with you?”
“Are you saying you’re not?”
Chung Myung leaned back against his chair and sneered.
“Well, think whatever you like.”
“…What?”
“What if I am picking a fight?”
Jin Seokrim looked at Chung Myung in disbelief. What in the world was this little pipsqueak relying on to act so brazenly?
“Ha… hahaha.”
He was laughing with his mouth, but the expression had vanished from his face.
“Does Hwasan not teach manners?”
“Eh?”
“Or is it that you’re counting on Hwasan behind you and acting like this? Assuming I can’t do anything to you?”
“Behind me?”
Chung Myung tilted his head slightly to look behind himself.
“There’s nothing there.”
“…”
“Talking about backers and all that nonsense… you sure like to assume everyone else is just like you.”
Jin Seokrim’s eyes twisted sharply. At this point, words were no longer enough.
“If you say that, I assume you have the guts to face me in a match?”
Chung Myung rose from his seat as if he’d been waiting for it.
“Hah! A fight I can walk into myself…”
But just as he was about to lift himself fully from his seat, he suddenly froze.
As if something had occurred to him, Chung Myung fidgeted nervously for a moment, then let out a grunt and sat back down.
“Why the sudden change? Are you scared now?”
Chung Myung let out a sigh that sounded as if it would collapse the ground beneath him.
“You see… the situation is what it is, right? With all I’ve done so far, once I go back, I’ll have to endure a week of nagging anyway. If I cause any more trouble here, I might as well go deaf.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. No point in explaining. I’ll let you off this time, so you’d better leave while your luck is still good.”
Then, as though he truly had no more interest, he turned away and went back to devouring his food.
“Uh…..”
“Is he insane?”
It wasn’t Jin Seokrim who reacted to that action, but his fellow disciples.
This was an act that had long since crossed the line. At this point, wasn’t it practically an insult not only to Jin Seokrim but to the entire Jongnam?
“Sahyeong! There’s no need for you to step in. That little runt, I’ll…”
“Step aside.”
“Sahyeong?”
“Move.”
Pushing aside the disciple who was blocking his way, Jin Seokrim crossed the tavern and walked straight towards Chung Myung.
With a terrifying aura, Jin Seokrim approached until he was just a few steps away from Chung Myung, then stopped three paces in front of him.
“Get up.”
Glug, glug, glug.
“Get up. I’m not going to let this slide just because you’re sitting there. If you don’t want to see something worse, get up.”
Glug, glug, glug.
Chung Myung kept drinking as if ignoring him.
Jin Seokrim’s face grew as rigid as it could possibly get.
He wanted to strike him on the spot, but he couldn’t ignore the boy’s age.
If he rashly made the first move, people would certainly say he had raised his hand against a mere kid. So even if it wasn’t something grand like an official match, he had to make the brat come at him first.
“If you’re so confident, then get up. I’ll see if you’re truly entitled to that arrogance.”
But Chung Myung continued to drink, ignoring those words.
A vein bulged on Jin Seokrim’s forehead.
Clench.
He spoke through clenched teeth.
“Is that what Hwasan taught you? A brat like you only learned how to throw tantrums.”
“Yes, yes. All I learned was how to throw tantrums.”
“No, from the looks of it, you’re not someone Hwasan could ever teach. You were born that way. You were rotten from the start.”
Glug, glug, glug.
Jin Seokrim bit his lip. This brat had no intention of exchanging blows with him. He absolutely wasn’t going to get up from that spot.
“Cowardly punk.”
“Sahyeong, let’s just go. Is there any need to deal with someone like that?”
Jin Seokrim let out a sharp breath and then let his arms droop as though all strength had left him.
It was ridiculous to be the first to strike, and endlessly hurling insults was plainly pathetic. In the end, he had no choice but to back off.
Biting his lip, Jin Seokrim spat out one last curse before turning away.
“Just by looking at you, I can guess what that Sahyeong of yours, Chung Mun, is like. It’s laughable that such a person gets called the Hidden Sword of Tao or whatever it was. They should just call him the Sword Without Tao [무도검(無道劍)] instead…”
Puuuuuck!
“Huh?”
For a moment Yang Gwanjeong doubted his own eyes.
‘What…?’
That brat had been sitting there just a moment ago, drinking as if he were deaf… so why was he now floating in midair? Could a person even float like that? To pull off such a jump, you’d normally need to plant your feet on something…
‘Feet?’
“S-Sahyeong!”
They were planted. His feet. Or more precisely, they were jammed right into Jin Seokrim’s face.
Thud!
Jin Seokrim fell straight backwards.
“Aaaaah! Sahyeong! Sahyeong! Are you all right?”
His fellow disciples rushed over in a panic. Jin Seokrim, sprawled out on the floor, now had a bright red footprint marring his once perfectly sculpted face.
“But this bastard!”
Chung Myung, who had landed back on the floor, shouted angrily, still clutching his liquor bottle.
“You keep going on and on about Chung Mun this and Chung Mun that? Is my Sahyeong your buddy or something? Huh? You bastards think that just because I can trash talk my Sahyeong, you can do it too?”
“…W-What is he saying? That lunatic.”
“My Sahyeong, huh? Sure, he can’t even wield a sword properly, he’s already aging prematurely still being young, he doesn’t exercise so his belly keeps growing, his personality is nasty, and he nags more than a grandmother with five sons – but still!”
Excuse me. We never went that far.
“And you punks dare to badmouth my Sahyeong? If anyone’s gonna talk trash talk him, it’s me! Are you trying to get yourselves killed, you bastards?”
“Th-That bastard attacked us out of nowhere!”
“Get him! Catch that punk right now!”
Only then did the disciples of Jongnam finally realize what was happening, and they rushed towards Chung Myung in a swarm.
“What a load of crap.”
Chung Myung snorted and grabbed the empty liquor bottle sitting on the table.
“Come on!”
Crash!
The bottle slammed into the head of Jongnam’s disciple who was charging at him.
“I said I just wanted to drink quietly and leave!”
Crash!
Another bottle took out another disciple. In the blink of an eye, Chung Myung had knocked down five of Jongnam’s disciples while spewing fire from his mouth.
“Why isn’t anyone helping me? I said I wouldn’t cause trouble! Huh?”
“Ugh…”
“Oww, my back… argh…”
Having turned the tavern into a complete wreck, Chung Myung glanced at the chaos and snorted before picking up the remaining bottle.
“Hey.”
Then he nudged the sprawled-out Jin Seokrim with the tip of his foot.
“That’s why you should be careful who you pick fights with. Why act so cocky, huh?”
“…”
“Tsk. Ruined my drink.”
Chung Myung downed the remaining liquor in the bottle at once. Just as he reached for the very last bottle.
“Over here!”
“He’s here, Sahyeong!”
“Chung Myung is here!”
“Huh?”
The door of the tavern burst open, and a group of people dressed in Hwasan’s robes came rushing in.
“Chung Myung!”
“Goodness, already…”
Chung Myung flinched and backed away. In no time, the tavern was packed with those devilish Hwasan’s folks.
“Come on, Chung Myung. Come here.”
“The Sect Leader said to make sure we catch – I mean, bring you back.”
“Chung Mun will be here soon. You know you’ll be in more trouble if you run, right?”
He quickly turned his head, but not only the entrance, even the windows that could serve as escape routes were all blocked by Hwasan’s disciples.
Knocking them all down would be tough even for him, and if he laid hands on any more of them, Chung Mun would definitely skin him alive. Truly a predicament with no way out.
“I didn’t even get to drink that much.”
Just as Chung Myung muttered with a face full of injustice.
“Over, over here!”
“Huh?”
Near a small side door leading to the kitchen, the young waiter whom Chung Myung had helped earlier raised his hand high.
“Here!”
Before his mind could catch up, his body moved on reflex.
“He’s escaping!”
“Grab him!”
In a flash, Chung Myung scooped the waiter under one arm and dashed through the kitchen, still gripping a liquor bottle in his other hand.
“Stop right there!”
“Chung Myung! Please, just stop!”
“Hey, you damn brat!”
Hearing angry shouts echo behind him, Chung Myung ran with all his might.
Xian’s outskirts. Having fled to a small nearby mountain beyond the sparsely populated area, Chung Myung breathed a sigh of relief.
“…That was close.”
Well, truth be told, the worst had already happened, if he was being honest. But at least he hadn’t been caught. That meant he could have at least one more day of fun. Anyway…
Chung Myung’s gaze shifted to the young waiter at his side.
“I appreciate your help, but is it okay for you to leave like this? It seemed like you were right in the middle of work. Won’t you get in trouble for stepping out?”
The boy looked at Chung Myung with astonishment.
‘You’re the one who dragged me out.’
He never even said he’d come along…
“You’ve got a sense of loyalty, you really do!”
But seeing Chung Myung grinning mischievously, he felt no urge to argue.
“It’s all right. Considering the scene I caused with those important-looking folks, I’m sure I would have been fired today anyway. …It’s a bit disappointing, but what can I do? It was my mistake.”
“Disappointing? Because you can’t work anymore?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Isn’t it good if you don’t have to work?”
The boy looked at Chung Myung, puzzled. Then he nodded, seeming to understand.
From what he had heard, this person seemed to be someone who was busy cultivating the Tao and training with the sword deep in the mountains, so it’s no wonder he wouldn’t know much about the ways of the world.
“Everyone has their circumstances. The owner of that tavern was actually a decent person and paid well, so I was hoping to work there for a long time. That way, I could’ve saved up quite a bit of money.”
“Hmm? What’s a kid like you going to do with money? Is there something you want to buy?”
The boy shook his head.
“I’m not trying to buy something – I want to run a business.”
“A business?”
“Yes.”
Chung Myung’s expression brightened with interest. He seemed too young to already be dreaming about something like that.
“So your parents run a business?”
“Ah, I’m an orphan. I don’t have parents.”
“An orphan? Wow, nice to meet you! I’m an orphan too!”
“…”
Chung Myung grabbed the boy’s hand and shook it enthusiastically, as though genuinely delighted.
“Oh, so that’s it? Because you don’t have a way to make a living.”
“It’s not exactly that…”
The boy stood up. Before he knew it, night had fallen, and he looked out over the countless lights illuminating the city of Xian. It was a splendid and beautiful nighttime view of the city.
“I want to become a renowned merchant. I’m not really sure why. It’s just my dream.”
Chung Myung let out a small laugh and took a swig from the bottle.
“Then I feel bad. Seems like I got in your way.”
“In my way? It just delayed things a bit. If I work harder to make up for the lost time, someday I’ll be able to open my own shop.”
The boy, who had been speaking confidently, scratched his head in embarrassment.
He normally wouldn’t talk like this. After all, whenever he mentions it elsewhere, people just scoff at the lofty dreams of a penniless orphan.
‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’
He felt a bit bitter about leaving the tavern when he’d planned to stay there for a while. Maybe that’s why he spoke too much.
“I’m sorry. Please forget I…”
“That’s great.”
“…Sorry?”
The boy lifted his head and looked at Chung Myung. Leaning against a tree trunk, Chung Myung was smiling genuinely.
“I’m not entirely sure, but that sounds great. A dream….”
“Um… what should I call you?”
“Call me Dojang. At least in name, I’m a Taoist.”
“Yes. Do you have any dreams, Dojang? Like attaining mastery of the Tao, perhaps?”
“Not sure.”
Chung Myung shrugged.
“If I had to say, maybe it’d be escaping Hwasan.”
“Pardon?”
“Going someplace where no one nags me, eating and drinking all day, living however I please, never again dealing with those adults who make me do boring, tedious chores. Something like that, I guess?”
The boy tilted his head, looking puzzled.
“That’s strange. From what I can tell, you’re already quite skilled in martial arts, so if you really put your mind to it, couldn’t you just do that? You’re already running away from them now, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“Then why go back to the place you dislike so much?”
“Well, that… I guess…?”
“On your own two feet?”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung scratched the back of his head. It was only natural, but hearing it said by someone else made it feel a bit strange.
There’s an even younger boy out in the world, enduring all sorts of drunken rants to fulfill his dream, so why was he tied down to Hwasan all this time? The world has so many good things out there.
Just look at Xian for instance. As far as he knew, Xian wasn’t that big of a city in all the Central Plains. But if Xian was already like this, how many more amazing places must there be throughout the land?
He wanted to see it. All those places, with his own eyes.
‘Then can’t I just go?’
Why did he have to head back to Hwasan on his own two feet, only to be scolded and nagged?
“Ah, I get it.”
“Huh?”
Even Chung Myung hadn’t reached a conclusion yet, but the boy nodded as if he understood.
“They say it’s just that kind of place.”
“What is? I don’t get it.”
“Home.”
“…..Huh?”
“Home, yes, home. Family.”
“…”
Chung Myung looked blank, but the boy continued speaking with a smile.
“You can become sick of it. Sometimes they’re worse than strangers, they let you down, and sometimes you can’t even stand the sight of them. Sure, there are some good things, but there are so many more bad things no one else knows about.”
Is he a ghost or something? If he’s trying to raise capital for his business, maybe he shouldn’t be working as a waiter, but instead stick a bamboo pole behind him with the words ‘Master of all paths, expert in all matters 4*’ written on it?
“It’s so exhausting, but… in the end, it’s the place you return to. And then you start to miss it.”
“…”
“They say that’s what home is.”
The boy asked with a bright smile.
“Dojang, for you, Hwasan is your home, right?”
“Huh? Uh…. I guess so?”
“Then it makes sense.”
The boy let out a laugh and added.
“I envy you. The reason I do business and want to become a merchant is that one day I want to build my own home and family. Even if we bicker or sometimes fight, in the end it’s a place you can always return to.”
Chung Myung stared intently at the boy. With Xian’s dazzling nightscape as a backdrop, the boy seemed to shine a little as he spoke. Ordinarily, Chung Myung wouldn’t have paid any mind to such a small boy.
“Have you decided on a name?”
“Yes?”
“I mean the name of your trading company.”
“Ah, that?”
Turning towards Xian’s magnificent night view, the boy spoke.
“One day, I’m going to light up that city with the shops I own, just like its nightscape. Almost like the silver of that night sky…”
“Over there!”
“That way, Sasuk!”
“Chung Myung-aaaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Ah, damn! They’re like leeches!”
Chung Myung jumped up from his spot, quickly glanced left and right, and plunged his hand into his robe.
Thunk!
“Ugh?”
The boy hastily caught the object that flew towards him.
“What is this…….”
“It’s my thanks for your help! Later!”
Chung Myung turned around and dashed away.
“D-Dojang…..?”
“Ah! Right!”
And then, he came back even faster than he had run away. Without warning, Chung Myung slipped a finger into the pouch the boy was holding and pulled out a piece of silver from inside.
“Still, I have to secure some liquor money for the next day or two.”
“…”
“Now I’m really going. Live well! Make sure you open that shop!”
Chung Myung dashed off again into the distance.
“D-Dojang! Wait just a moment. My name is Hwang….”
But Chung Myung’s figure had already vanished into the darkness, far away.
The boy’s hand, which had reflexively reached out, slowly clenched at the emptiness where Chung Myung had been, then dropped limply.
“…Indong [인동(忍冬)].”
The boy scratched the back of his head in disappointment.
“I wanted to tell him that if I ever create a trading company, I’d call it the Eunha Merchant Guild”
He let out a deep sigh and looked at the pouch in his hand.
“Why give me something like this… for no particular reason?”
Casually, he opened the pouch, and at once his hand started to shake.
“U-uh… Ugh.”
It was silver. The pouch, which was quite hefty, was filled to the brim with silver coins. This was more than enough to open a shop in Xian outright, not just a simple stall.
“G-Goodness.”
The boy – no, Hwang Indong – stared, wide-eyed, towards the direction Chung Myung had run off.
In the sky, a river of stars – on the earth, a river of people flowed through the night 4**.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Ugh, seriously… If only they used that tenacity for training.”
Is it reasonable to cause such a commotion just to catch one person? Chung Myung gnashed his teeth and rubbed his leg. He hadn’t been able to drink all night because he was being chased around.
“I was planning to head in tomorrow. But at this rate, that’s impossible. This is all your doing!”
Chung Myung spat – more like he made it seem like so, then stood in place looking east. Even in the darkness, he could see Hwasan’s ridge-line towering in the distance.
“Hmm…. Home, huh….”
Chung Myung scratched his cheek.
“Well, I think I’ve made them worry enough. Maybe I’ll just go back tomorrow.”
But first, I’ll drink to my heart’s content…
“Here you are.”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung turned his head around abruptly. Had he been caught? Just a while ago, those guys had been hollering at the top of their lungs – why were they suddenly so…
Then he tilted his head in confusion. The person approaching him wasn’t from Hwasan.
“Who are you?”
“…Have you already forgotten what happened earlier? I am Jin Seokrim!”
“Jin who?”
“From that tavern earlier!”
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes. The moon, which had been hidden behind the clouds, emerged, brightening the world.
Revealed in that light was a face that was annoyingly handsome yet somewhat familiar.
“Ah, so you’re that fellow from before. I thought you might’ve been someone else. So what brings you here… huh?”
Chung Myung reflexively caught the object that came flying towards him. It was a long stick – no, a wooden sword.
“Take your stance.”
“Huh?”
With an expression, that seemed to tell he was ready to kill, Jin Seokrim raised his wooden sword.
“Did you think you could get away after humiliating me like that? It was a mistake to go easy on you because you’re young. I’ll fix your insolence once and for all today.”
Chung Myung tilted his head.
“Ah, you want to fight?”
“Raise your sword.”
“Well, I’m not exactly against it, but are you sure about this? I heard you have some important sparring match? A tournament? Something like that coming up.”
“Stop babbling and pick up your sword. This time, you won’t be able to run.”
Jin Seokrim ground his teeth. If word got out that he beat up a young disciple of Hwasan, the elders of his sect would surely be furious. But that was still preferable to being humiliated and not getting even.
If he let this brat go now, he’d be a laughingstock within Jongnam forever.
“This is your last chance! Pick up your sword!”
“Ah, well, if you really insist…. But.”
Chung Myung grinned.
“Don’t regret it.”
“You bastard!”
Jin Seokrim charged at Chung Myung with all his might.
“Where is he?”
“A scream came from over there!”
“Sahyeong! No matter what, he’s just a kid… what are you planning to do?!”
Yang Gwanjeong and the disciples of Jongnam, who had been searching all over Xian for the enraged Jin Seokrim, dashed into the bushes following the sound of that scream.
They had to stop him somehow before Jin Seokrim turned the boy into a cripple.
“Sahyeong! Stop… Huh?”
But the scene that unfolded before them was a bit different from what they’d expected.
“S-Sahyeong?”
“Why is Sahyeong…!”
“H-How did this happen…”
Seeing Jin Seokrim sprawled out on his back as if the night sky were his blanket, the startled disciples rushed over to him.
“Good heavens, this is a mess. Were you ambushed?”
The faces of Jongnam’s disciples turned pale. Although Jin Seokrim wasn’t in mortal danger, it was clear at a glance that he had been thoroughly beaten and broken.
Surely that kid couldn’t have done this.
“Yang Sahyeong, over here.”
“What is it?”
“Jin Sahyeong’s arm…”
Yang Gwanjeong’s face grew ashen. It was obvious that Jin Seokrim’s arm, still clutching the wooden sword, was broken and dangling.
“If… if that’s the case, then what about the tournament…”
What was there to say? It was all for nothing.
‘What in the world happened…’
No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t figure out what had taken place here. Why was Jin Seokrim lying there in such a state?
Right at that moment.
“Urgh….”
“Sahyeong! Are you conscious? Sahyeong!”
A feeble groan, as if he were on the brink of death, escaped Jin Seokrim’s lips.
“What on earth happened?”
“F-Five….”
“What? Five? Were you attacked by five people? Don’t tell me it was those Hwasan’s guys?”
“I told him… five times….”
“…What?”
“Why… a sixth time….”
Jin Seokrim’s head slumped to the ground. Lost for words, Yang Gwanjeong broke off mid-sentence and stared at Jin Seokrim, who had fainted again.
“Yang Sahyeong, what should we do?”
“Urgh…”
Yang Gwanjeong rubbed his face vigorously with his hands.
“First… let’s take Sahyeong away.”
“Yes!”
His fellow disciples lifted Jin Seokrim and rushed off towards Jongnam. Left alone, Yang Gwanjeong bit his lip and stared at the spot where Jin Seokrim had fallen.
‘That…’
At that moment, what caught his eye was a wooden sword lying on the ground. It wasn’t the one Jin Seokrim had been holding, but another wooden sword that had been thrown aside from the start.
Yang Gwanjeong’s expression twisted strangely.
‘No way. That can’t be.’
That can’t be. Absolutely not.
Never…….
Two days later, after drinking heavily until evening, Chung Myung, completely inebriated, climbed Hwasan on his own two feet.
And when Chung Mun heard what had happened in Xian, he quite literally flew into a stare of extreme rage [대로(大怒)] and locked Chung Myung in the Repentance Chamber for over a month.
Then, after a formal complaint arrived from Jongnam, Chung Myung’s confinement was extended by another month.
Two months later, when Chung Myung finally emerged from the Repentance Chamber, he began suffering from a side effect: just hearing the word ‘Jongnam’ was enough to make him lose his composure. For some, it was a tragic event – for others, merely a minor inconvenience.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Why?”
“…”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung with a clearly annoyed expression. That bastard had been glaring at him since earlier.
“Well, all of a sudden.”
“All of a sudden what?”
“I’ve thought you were annoying ever since I first saw you.”
“…Huh?”
“I was just wondering why.”
Baek Cheon’s face contorted in anger. That lunatic seemed even crazier today than usual.
But Chung Myung, oblivious to how Baek Cheon felt, tilted his head with a serious expression.
“Where did I first meet you, Sasuk?”
“At the tavern, you brat! You were downing alcohol right then and there! Even though you’re just a kid!”
“Is that right?”
“That’s right!”
“At that time, Sasuk was drinking with your fellow disciples, right?”
“Are you already senile? Why do you keep asking? It wasn’t that long ago.”
Chung Myung tilted his head.
“Well, that’s right, but… I’m sure it’s right, yet somehow it feels different. It feels like it happened ages ago. It’s on the tip of my tongue.”
“What are you going on about, you’ve been like this since earlier.”
After pondering and pondering, Chung Myung suddenly burst into a bright smile.
“Eh, I don’t know. Maybe you just have an unlikable face.”
“…”
“Hahaha. So simple.”
“Please just drop dead… please.”
Baek Cheon could only lament over whatever sin he had committed in a past life to end up with this brat as his Saje.
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1*선식(仙食) – literally “immortal’s food,” referring to a frugal, ascetic diet often associated with monks, Taoists, or hermits.
2*용봉지회(龍鳳支會) – yongbongjihoe – a concept frequently appearing in wuxia. Simply put, it is the martial arts version of the “World’s Strongest Martial Arts Tournament.” It is a martial arts competition hosted by the Just Sects. The participants are typically young martial artists (rising stars of Gangho).
2**일검매향 – there is no hanja in the raws, this is what I think: 一劍梅香. One sword that carries the fragrance of plum blossoms (香 the same as in the name of Chung Myung’s sword 암향매화검(暗香梅花劒) – amhyang-maehwageom).
3*장도검(藏道劍) – Jang-do Geom – Hidden Sword of Tao I would say. Or hidden tao sword. But the first one makes more sense.
4*사통팔달 무불통지(四通八達 無不通知) – straightforward translation would be: connected/reaching through 4 directions (N/S/E/W) and 8 directions (Northeast, Southwest etc); without anything one does not understand.
4**A word play on the word eunha (은하 – galaxy or Milky way). Like a Milky Way galaxy starts flow through the sky, the same way people below on land also flow like a river.
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Return of the Mount Hua 