Chapter 174
Episode 174
I was speechless at the sight of Song-hwa rolling powerlessly on the ground.
Should I help him up? Would it hurt his pride?
Woon rolled his eyes, waiting for Song-hwa to get up again. But Song-hwa, who staggered to his feet, had something wrong with the shape of his arm.
"Sahyung! Your arm! Your arm is broken!"
"Yes? Ugh, Song-hwa Dojang! Are you okay?"
Alarmed, I ran to Song-hwa and examined his arm. The wrist that had blocked my fist was cleanly snapped, and his dislocated left shoulder was dangling pathetically.
"Oh my god... I'm sorry, Dojang. We need to go to the Medicine Hall right away. Is there anything around here that can be used as a splint?"
"Here it is, Dang Sojeo."
While I was fixing Song-hwa's wrist with the splint someone had handed me, Song-hwa muttered with a mournful face.
"It's the left side this time..."
"I'm really sorry, Dojang."
"It's okay. I expected this to happen. I just didn't expect to be broken in one exchange. Song-rim, help me up."
"Yes, Sahyung."
The young disciple called Song-rim carefully helped Song-hwa up. Song-hwa, leaning on Song-rim, trembled and greeted me.
"I'm ashamed to show you such an unsightly figure, but I'll be on my way."
"Make sure you get moxibustion! And take some medicine to reduce the swelling!"
Song-myeong's eyes welled up as he watched Song-hwa's retreating figure being supported by Song-rim.
"I, I made a mistake... Hiccup, Slaughter the Entire Family..."
That's not it. That guy treats me like a complete demonic cult leader.
My mouth was bitter, but I couldn't make excuses because of what I had done.
Even if it wasn't intentional, I had crushed him mercilessly from the first sparring match.
Whether they thought I was trying to take the lead on purpose, the remaining three Three Great Disciples didn't move, watching me carefully.
The silent training hall was so quiet that even the sound of someone swallowing could be heard clearly.
Song-hwa's absence was too great. I smiled awkwardly and spoke in the kindest voice I could muster.
"Shall we call it a day?"
Then the three of them looked at Jin-sung all at once. Jin-sung, who had been watching silently, said calmly.
"You may want to hold back a little, Sojeo."
"Yes? You want me to do more here?"
"Yes. I'd like to ask you one more time. The remaining three should be enough to take on at once."
What if I break them again?
I was worried, but seeing Jin-sung's serious eyes, I couldn't tell him to stop.
Otherwise, it would sound like I was ignoring the Three Great Disciples of Wudang.
"Um... Okay. I will."
When I nodded, the Taoist priests, who had closed their eyes tightly, went up to the training hall and greeted me with a fist and palm salute.
"Song-gwang, a Three Great Disciples of Wudang, asks Dang Sojeo for guidance."
"Song-in, a Three Great Disciples of Wudang, asks Dang Sojeo for guidance."
"S, Song-myeong, a Three Great Disciples of Wudang... Hiccup."
Oh dear, he's going to cry.
I sighed, followed them up, and paid my respects to the three disciples.
When I stood still without moving first, Song-in and Song-gwang, who had exchanged glances, rushed at me.
But their movements...
Were slow.
They were so slow that I wondered if there was something wrong with my eyes. I could read everything from the movement of their muscles to their breathing, which was disconcerting.
What's going on? The Three Great Disciples I met before weren't this slow? Are they different people?
But considering that Song-hwa said he had met me before, it was likely that they were the same people, even if I didn't remember their faces.
I dodged the two men's attacks with ease and scratched my head awkwardly.
I guess I should hold back and just avoid them, like Jin-sung said.
If I countered with all my might, the other three would be carried to the Medicine Hall as well.
It seemed that not all Wudang disciples were as skilled as Jin-sung.
Well, Jin-sung isn't an ordinary person. I shouldn't compare them to a genius.
With a lighter heart, I faced the three men.
Song-in's movements were large and powerful, but his accuracy was poor, and Song-gwang's movements were smooth, but he tended not to focus his strength in one place.
Among the three, Song-myeong was the fastest, but he seemed to lack strength, as he fell over as soon as I lightly pushed him.
I guess it's because he's still young, but I wonder if he can make up for it when his frame gets thicker and he gains muscle.
As I dodged the incoming punches and kicks and analyzed the three men's characteristics, I blinked in surprise.
...Huh, why can I see this?
I've had plenty of experience being played in the palm of someone else's hand, but this was the first time I could see everything as if someone was in the palm of my hand, and I was dumbfounded.
The difference was so great that Song-hwa's statement that he had never touched Jin-sung might not have been an empty one.
The faces of the Three Great Disciples, who were flustered and helpless, were turning pale. They seemed to be watching Jin-sung carefully.
It seemed right to end it here for the sake of those three.
As I was thinking about where to hit them so they wouldn't get hurt and fall over, I felt someone peeking around the front of the training hall.
"Hyeon-mun? What's going on?"
At Jin-sung's question, the Three Great Disciples stopped moving. Relieved, I quickly jumped down from the training hall and peeked over Jin-sung's shoulder.
A Taoist priest in the Second Great Disciple's attire stood respectfully with his hands clasped.
"Sasook, the Sect Leader is looking for you."
"For me?"
At Jin-sung's question, Hyeon-mun glanced at me and carefully opened his mouth.
"That... To be exact, he's looking for Dang Sojeo. He asked her to have breakfast with him."
"Yes? Breakfast with me?"
Why me?
I exchanged glances with Jin-sung and widened my eyes.
\ \ *
Tae-neung Jin-in, the Sect Leader of Wudang, was an old man with white hair around his ears.
Unlike the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, who had been playful, he seemed serious and dignified.
His neat and noble atmosphere conveyed the dignity of a leader who led a Martial Sect.
I'd never even had a meal alone with my damn father, and having breakfast with the Sect Leader of a great Martial Sect made my mouth dry.
As I swallowed the stir-fried vegetables without chewing, feeling very nervous, Tae-neung Jin-in smiled and said softly.
"You don't have to be so nervous. I just called you to say hello, but I'm sorry if I've put a burden on you, Sojeo."
"A burden? No, it's not. Sect Leader. It's an honor."
"Are our disciples treating you badly? If you have any inconveniences, please come and see me at any time. I will also pay attention to Old Noh."
No. Please don't pay attention to me.
I wanted to shake my head wildly and tell him not to say that even as a formality, but I didn't dare to talk back to a senior in Jianghu.
I forced the corners of my mouth up and bowed my head.
"Thank you for your consideration, Sect Leader. I will be sure to tell you if I have any inconveniences."
Ugh, I feel like I'm going to get indigestion.
Tae-neung Jin-in, who was stroking his beard with a satisfied face, spoke again.
"I heard you're close to Jin-sung."
"Ahaha... Rather than close, I've received a lot of help from Jin-sung Dojang."
Looking back, I had overcome many crises with Jin-sung's help.
It was a situation where he gave me poison and then gave me the antidote, but it was thanks to the Wound Remedy that I was able to stop Yeon-ryang's bleeding and escape.
It was also thanks to Jin-sung that I wasn't seriously injured when I met the bandits, and that Yeon-ryang's identity wasn't revealed at the Alliance.
Come to think of it, I've been involved with him in many ways.
At my answer, Tae-neung Jin-in narrowed his eyes as if he was a little embarrassed, then nodded slowly as if he understood.
"Ah, I see. That's how it is."
"Yes?"
"It's nothing. Old Noh was mistaken for a moment. Sojeo, have you met Madam Ma?"
"Yes. I saw her briefly yesterday."
"She is a person with a lot of pain. Her words and actions are rough, but she is a good person, so I hope you don't misunderstand her."
"Yes. I will."
When I answered politely to Tae-neung Jin-in's request, Tae-neung Jin-in put down his chopsticks and clasped his hands together.
"I owe your teacher a debt. A very big debt that I cannot repay even if I give up Old Noh's life."
Debt?
The word bothered me, and my heart sank, wondering if he had bad feelings like Wi Ji-gok.
As I flinched and bit my lip, watching Tae-neung Jin-in carefully, he smiled.
"It seems you've met people who have a grudge against Poison King. Old Noh is not like that, so rest assured."
You know exactly what's going on. I'm glad it's not like that.
Tae-neung Jin-in, who laughed at my relieved expression, continued.
"Is your teacher still in seclusion?"
"Yes. That's what I know."
"If Sojeo wishes, you may stay until your teacher's seclusion is over."
"Yes?"
"I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of other Martial Sects, but there is nothing wrong with treating a guest of this School with respect. You will not experience any difficulties while staying at the main mountain."
His tone of voice was as if he knew everything that had happened to me, and I couldn't control my expression for a moment.
Did Grandfather send a letter to this man as well? Is he trying to use me like Wi Ji-gok?
As I unknowingly became defensive, Tae-neung Jin-in shook his head.
"It seems you've received a similar offer before. I'm not forcing you, so you don't have to be so defensive. Sojeo. Your teacher would be heartbroken if he saw you."
His tone was sincerely regretful, and I gradually regained my reason.
I came to Wudang because the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk offered to look at Yeon-ryang's condition.
Tae-neung Jin-in hadn't even intervened, so what was I suspecting when I came up the mountain on my own?
"Ah... I'm sorry. Sect Leader. I was sensitive."
At my flustered apology, Tae-neung Jin-in smiled as if it was okay.
"When the world is rough, everyone builds a wall to protect themselves. It's not Sojeo's fault."
"..."
When I couldn't answer and hesitated, he placed something in my hand.
Two small glutinous rice cakes.
"It would only be uncomfortable for you if Old Noh held you back any longer, right? Share one with Jin-sung. You may go now."
"I will. Thank you, Sect Leader."
I bowed politely and tried to maintain a graceful gait as I slowly left the Sect Leader's residence.
When I opened the door, I saw Jin-sung pacing back and forth under the fence with a slightly anxious face.
When Jin-sung saw me, he asked a question at an uncharacteristic speed.
"What did the Sect Leader say?"
"He told me to share rice cakes with Dojang."
"...Yes?"
"Here."
When I placed one of the glutinous rice cakes in Jin-sung's hand, he gaped with a dumbfounded expression.
I shrugged and put my share of the rice cake in my mouth.
