Chapter 139
139
“Why, what about Woon, Brother?”
“It seems he saw the Divine Elder… Never mind. It’s better to hear it directly from Woon.”
Dang Geunmyeong, who had been vague, awkwardly scratched his cheek. His strange reaction made my eyes narrow involuntarily.
Something’s odd. Why is he acting like that?
He looked at the empty air with a troubled expression, then subtly changed the subject.
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
“How are Songji and Kyung-ah doing?”
“You mean your Maids. Songji is cleaning the newly built Elder’s residence. Woon has Kyung-ah with him.”
“Grandfather’s residence? It’s already finished?”
“It’s been a year since it collapsed. It was finished a while ago.”
“What about Deokju? She doesn’t have any lasting internal injuries, does she?”
“She’s fine. She’s returned to the Black Cloud Unit, so don’t worry. All three are doing well. Woon has been very attentive.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
Dang Geunmyeong isn’t one to lie, so they must all be okay.
Only then did I feel relieved. It was as if the invisible thorns that pricked me every time I moved had been pulled out, leaving me feeling refreshed.
I have to make sure to thank Woon, Brother, when I send him a letter.
Seeing my expression brighten, Dang Geunmyeong chuckled and gestured to me.
“If you don’t have any more questions, you should go out for a while. We adults have things to discuss.”
“Huh? Now?”
“It’ll be quick. Your brother will be out soon.”
Yeon-ryang said kindly, as if telling me not to worry.
I was puzzled as to why they were sending me out to talk, but I figured they must have something to discuss between themselves.
“…Okay. I understand.”
I rolled my eyes and awkwardly got up.
\ \ *
The cool morning air brushed against my cheeks.
As I watched my breath dissipate in the air, I looked up to see a bright full moon.
I was so nervous on the way here that I didn’t even notice the moon.
I stared blankly at the moon, then jumped up onto a tree planted in the front yard of the residence.
Sitting on a thick branch, I could see the patrolling guards beyond the wall. They seemed tired from their early morning shift, yawning widely and chatting about something.
I quietly watched the scene. Then, Ju-ryeong, who had been as still as a mouse, wriggled its head out of my sleeve.
“What brings you out here? Are you taking a break too?”
“Kkyuuu.”
Ju-ryeong, whining as if being spoiled, scurried onto my lap.
I stroked it and listened to the surrounding sounds.
Dang Geunmyeong and Yeon-ryang must have put up an Energy Barrier, because not even the slightest sound of breathing could be heard, and Beopgong and Paeng Ji-yoon were nowhere to be seen.
I wonder if Yeon-ryang’s matter was resolved well. I wanted to ask Beopgong Monk what happened.
I smacked my lips and stopped petting Ju-ryeong for a moment, and it got annoyed, rubbing its head against my palm.
“Kkii!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll pet you. Geez, look at all the fur coming out. Weren’t you done shedding?”
I grumbled and pinched Ju-ryeong’s soft belly, when someone made a sound.
“Dang Sojeo.”
“Jinseong disciple.”
Stretching my neck, I saw Jin-sung standing under the tree.
His eyes, looking up at me, were dyed a mysterious color by the moonlight.
“Oh… Would you like to come up too, Disciple?”
“Yes.”
Jin-sung nodded and lightly jumped up to sit next to me. In his hand was a basket containing a warm, damp towel.
Sensing my gaze, Jin-sung quietly held out the basket.
“Where did you get this?”
“Song-gwang heated it up, saying it would be needed.”
“Song-gwang?”
“He is one of the Wudang’s Three Great Disciples. You may have seen him once on the Central Plains battlefield.”
“Ah. Please thank him for me.”
I smiled sheepishly and took the steaming towel, pressing it against my eyes.
Meanwhile, Ju-ryeong was busy sniffing and exploring Jin-sung.
It hadn’t even acknowledged him the entire time we were coming to the Murim Alliance, but it seemed it had finally decided that Jin-sung wasn’t an enemy.
“Stop sniffing and come here. The disciple is uncomfortable.”
“Kkiwoo!”
“Want jerky?”
When I asked, taking out a jerky pouch, Ju-ryeong’s eyes sparkled and it jumped onto my lap.
I gave it a piece of jerky and offered some to Jin-sung as well.
“Would you like some jerky?”
“It’s alright.”
“Are you saying that because it’s Ju-ryeong’s snack? It’s delicious. I eat it too.”
“I do not eat meat.”
“Oh. You’re a picky eater.”
He doesn’t eat meat either. And he can’t have spicy food. There are a lot of things he doesn’t eat.
I shrugged and popped the jerky I had offered into my own mouth.
Jin-sung said defensively.
“It is not pickiness, but a practice to avoid being bound by appetite.”
“Your fellow disciples eat meat and drink alcohol, though.”
He looked away, flustered.
“…I have not yet reached that level. Even in Buddhism, the Five Pungent Spices are avoided. It is right for practitioners to be careful about food.”
“Beopgong Monk seemed to eat anything and everything.”
“……”
Jin-sung hesitated for a long time, as if he had nothing to say, then firmly closed his mouth.
He furrowed his thick eyebrows and was lost in thought for a long time before opening his mouth again.
“That is… Beopgong Daesa…”
I burst out laughing at Jin-sung’s serious consideration of his answer.
“Ahaha, I’m just kidding, Disciple. Don’t take it so seriously.”
“Yes.”
He answered obediently and stared intently at me chewing the jerky. Then, he turned his gaze to Ju-ryeong, who was sitting on my lap and munching on jerky as well.
“May I… may I touch it?”
“If Ju-ryeong doesn’t refuse.”
“I understand.”
Jin-sung answered and carefully extended his index finger to Ju-ryeong. Ju-ryeong grabbed Jin-sung’s finger with its front paws and brought it under its chin, as if telling him to stroke it.
Jin-sung, gently scratching Ju-ryeong’s chin, seemed a little happy.
I thought he was just stiff, but he has a cute side.
He’s not a bad person, even though he has strong convictions. Seeing that he turned a blind eye to Yeon-ryang’s matter, it seems he’s trying to be flexible in his own way.
…Still, he’s the type of person who’s a little tiring to be around. Well, it is what it is.
I chuckled and moved Ju-ryeong onto Jin-sung’s lap, asking.
“Will you be staying in the Alliance for long, Disciple?”
“Yes. I was planning to return to Wudang once Sojeo’s matter was concluded, but it seems I will be participating in the bandit suppression mission.”
“Ah. You’ll be busy. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes.”
“And when the sun rises, be sure to show your injured shoulder and wrist to a doctor. A Swordmaster’s arms are their life.”
“I will.”
“Don’t just say it. Don’t brush it off just because it’s not cut off. Minor injuries can easily lead to major injuries. This is advice from a doctor, so take it to heart.”
“I understand.”
Jin-sung nodded and smoothly changed the subject.
“Where will you be going now?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to my brother. I’m curious about Dongting Lake. I was supposed to go with a friend, but we couldn’t go together.”
I answered, fiddling with the ring I had put inside my sleeve.
I wonder how Empress Hwang is doing. I should send a letter to Jinling too.
Then, Jin-sung opened his mouth, watching my expression.
“Dang Sojeo. The offer to provide you with Wudang’s guest quarters is always valid. If you ever need a place to stay, please let me know.”
“Thank you for your words. I will remember your kindness, Disciple.”
The moment I answered with a smile, Ju-ryeong cried out briefly and tapped me.
“Kki.”
Turning my head, I saw Beopgong sitting crouched on the wall, grinning and watching us.
Beopgong, who met my eyes, jeered.
“What’s this? You two have a good atmosphere? A young couple, huh?”
I pouted at his annoying teasing.
“It’s not like that. Do you even know what youth is, Monk? You probably shaved your head and banged a wooden gong at our age.”
“What, you little punk? Now you’re throwing Throwing Daggers with your words.”
Beopgong, who grabbed his neck as if he was dumbfounded, gestured to me.
“Hey, kid. Come here.”
“Why?”
“Just come when I tell you to.”
“You’re not going to hit me, are you?”
“…What do you think of me? Come here already.”
Hesitating, I gently landed on the wall.
Beopgong, who sighed as he looked at me, pulled on my ear.
“Ouch! You’re hitting me again! I told you to use your words!”
Beopgong, lightly ignoring my grumbling, whispered to me.
“Hey, don’t let your brother make a deal with them. Tell him to stay that way until you’re completely out of the Alliance’s territory. It seems the Alliance will be following you for a while.”
“Why? Do they still suspect Yeon-ryang?”
“No. They’re watching you.”
I frowned at the incomprehensible words.
“Me? Why me?”
“Are you acquainted with the Alliance Leader? The Alliance Leader seems to want to bring you into the Alliance.”
Wi Ji-gok?
I thought about it carefully, but I had never even had a proper conversation with him.
“No. I only saw him once when he came to visit Grandfather.”
“Then, they’re trying to bring in your grandfather, not you. Anyway, be careful. I told you. Don’t act like you know anything. Don’t ask anything until you leave the Alliance.”
Beopgong, who had warned me, casually moved away from me as if nothing had happened. Then, he casually spoke to Jin-sung.
“Hey. Your Three Great Disciples are looking for you. It seems a letter came from Wudang.”
“Is that so. Thank you for letting me know, Daesa.”
Jin-sung, who answered, lightly jumped down under the tree as well.
“Then, Dang Sojeo, I hope to see you again if the opportunity arises.”
“Yes, Disciple. I wish you good fortune.”
He cupped his fist in a polite salute, holding the basket, and disappeared into the darkness.
Beopgong, who stretched and extended his legs down the wall, asked.
“What about your brother? Why are you out here alone?”
“He said he has something to talk about with Geun-myeong Uncle. What about Paeng Daeju?”
“He went to find alcohol. He told me to wait until Dam-cheon Hyungnim wakes up. He said he’ll kill me if I don’t wait and run away. I don’t know when that noona will grow up. She’s still crazy about alcohol.”
“Shouldn’t you be the one saying that, Monk? By the way, are you the youngest? Everyone’s a hyungnim or noona.”
Who’s Dam-cheon?
The moment I asked back, puzzled, the doors of the residence shattered with a loud noise, and something rolled across the floor.
I screamed in shock.
“Brother!”
The person rolling on the floor, covered in dirt, was Yeon-ryang.
