Chapter 190
Episode 190
"What do you mean, what to do?" Of course, you have to meet her. Isn't that why I went through all this trouble?”
Jeokroe seemed dumbfounded, as if Namgung Hwi was asking something obvious, but Namgung Hwi didn't care.
To be precise, he was so focused on the letter that he didn't even notice Jeokroe's disrespectful tone.
He fidgeted, reading the letter over and over again.
Jeokroe narrowed his eyes at his master's behavior, like a puppy needing to relieve himself.
“No, why are you suddenly like this? You've been counting the days until you could see Dang Sojeo.”
“So-hye only knows me as a child.”
“Of course. You haven't seen her since then.”
“But wouldn't she be surprised if a strapping young man suddenly appeared, a head taller than me?”
Jeokroe's expression soured at the absurd remark.
“...Is that what you're worried about right now? The bigger problem is that someone impersonated you to call her out.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Put yourself in her shoes. Would you be happy if Jegal Hyowon set up a Formation in Hefei to call out the Young Patriarch?”
“I'd be pissed.”
“Exactly. Dang Sojeo is probably angry right now. She probably wants to punch the impersonator in the solar plexus.”
Namgung Hwi's face paled at Jeokroe's scolding. Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Jeokroe asked, puzzled.
“Didn't you even consider Dang Sojeo's reaction? I thought you were willing to meet her even if it meant getting cursed at.”
“No, I just... I just wanted to stop anything from happening again...”
Overlapping with the mumbling Namgung Hwi was the image of his six-year-old master, who had once broken Jeokroe's things and apologized with his mouth full.
'When I see him like this, he hasn't changed much from the old days.'
Jeokroe opened his mouth, reminiscing about the little boy who used to grab his pants and beg to touch his True Sword.
“Sigh, how can someone so intelligent be so clumsy when it comes to Dang Sojeo? You can't approach her like this, Young Patriarch.”
Jeokroe clicked his tongue, crossed his arms, and changed his gaze. It was a loving look, as if he were looking at a cherished brother, not his lord.
“Young Patriarch. Women hate men who don't respect their wishes and push themselves on them. You can't act as you do with the old fogeys of the family. You have to approach her gently and kindly.”
Namgung Hwi stared at Jeokroe as if asking him to say more. His eyes were pleading for help.
Jeokroe chuckled and continued.
“Even if Dang Sojeo is wary of the Young Patriarch, don't be upset. It's been a long time since she left home, so she won't easily trust people.”
“And?”
“Don't try to win her heart with clumsy gifts either. It might work when dealing with subordinates, but trying to solve everything with money is not helpful at all. It's annoying.”
“So, I was annoying to you?”
“...Ahem! Ahem!”
Jeokroe cleared his throat and stammered, looking away.
“Anyway! Don't act like you do with me. Don't raise your voice when you're upset, don't interrupt, and don't talk like you're giving orders. Of course, you can't touch her body carelessly. You know how the drunken newbie groped Peng Daeju, mistaking her for a courtesan, and ended up with only one arm, right? If the Young Patriarch comes back with Poison Needles, I'll be killed by the Great Princess.”
“I understand.”
“It's also forbidden to mention the name of Namgung. It makes you sound like an idiot if you brag using the family's name.”
“...I've done that before. Did I seem like an idiot?”
“I don't know. I don't think Dang Sojeo even remembers. I think Dang Sojeo has forgotten the Young Patriarch's existence itself.”
Worry appeared on Namgung Hwi's face at Jeokroe's nonchalant answer. He seemed to think that he had only shown her childish behavior that was hard to keep as a memory.
Namgung Hwi sighed, his shoulders drooping.
“It's better if she doesn't remember. But if you know so well, why aren't you married?”
“...Are you really asking me that because you don't know?”
Jeokroe retorted with a dumbfounded expression, but Namgung Hwi didn't even answer, biting his lip.
He seemed lost in thought about how to show a renewed image.
Jeokroe, who had been watching him quietly, comforted his master.
“Young Patriarch, get some sleep first. You seem out of your mind right now. You need a clear head to make proper decisions.”
“I've already made the wrong decision.”
“Yes?”
“I can't show up like this. I need to wait for a natural opportunity.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden, Young Patriarch? You're not saying you're not going to meet her now, are you?”
“That's right. Tell her I can't meet her due to circumstances.”
“Yesss?!”
Jeokroe wanted to scream at the order that would make his nearly year-long efforts worthless.
“...Young Patriarch. I'm going to retire. Please send me back to my hometown.”
“Where are you going?”
“Ah, I can't do this anymore! Aren't you being too much? Why did you make me take on more work if you were going to do this!”
Jeokroe, who had finally shouted, jumped up and down in frustration. He looked like he was about to roll on the floor.
But Namgung Hwi didn't bat an eye and shook his head.
“We found So-hye's whereabouts because I took on more work. It's enough that I confirmed she's with the Golden Dragon Merchant Group. Let's change the method. I need to create an opportunity to reunite naturally.”
“The world calls that a trick, Young Patriarch.”
“Do you have no plans to return to the Tang Clan at all? Other than the Three Rivers Assembly, there's no chance our paths will cross...”
“Yes, yes. Forget it and get some sleep. You've been up for four nights. Dang Sojeo, the Demonic Sect, and the spies, you're going to die first.”
Jeokroe cut him off, snatched the letter, and pushed Namgung Hwi onto the bed. Namgung Hwi, who had been obediently pushed, turned his head and asked.
“...Would it be okay just to watch from afar?”
“I don't know what level Dang Sojeo's Martial Arts are, but the Tang Clan is so good at hiding and tracking that she might notice.”
“I see.”
Jeokroe, softened by the gloomy voice, pounded his chest and raised his voice.
“Sigh, I'll go out. I'll go out! I'll draw attention, so don't get caught.”
Only then did Namgung Hwi's expression relax. He smiled like a shy boy and nodded.
It was the first time in a long time that Jeokroe had seen such a joyful face, and a smile appeared on his lips as well.
'When he was young, he always laughed like that with those eyes.'
His master, who had begun to break away from his father's shadow and pioneer his own path, no longer smiled easily.
He only whipped himself and drove himself every day, to the point where it was painful to watch from the side.
If there was someone who could make his lord laugh even for a moment in this situation, it was right to accept her as a subordinate.
What did it matter if he suffered a little? His lord's happiness was his happiness.
Jeokroe, who had resigned himself, stared blankly at the air, thinking of the young lady with the beautiful appearance. He could only hope that his master would be able to capture the heart of the young lady.
\ \ *
The taste of the secular world, enjoyed after leaving Wudang Mountain, was exhilarating.
All sorts of delicacies were provided three times a day, and servants came and went from time to time to take care of my needs.
Rubbing my full stomach, I drank the Dragon Well Tea I had brought from Hangzhou and leaned back, exclaiming.
“Money is good...”
“Didn't you say you liked the mountains because they were quiet?”
“Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. If there is joy in emptiness, there is also joy in fullness, isn't there?”
When I replied nonchalantly, Yeon-ryang shrugged as if he couldn't help it.
“Our sister's eloquence is getting better and better. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.”
Unlike me, who was enjoying the treatment I was receiving from the Golden Dragon Merchant Group, Yeon-ryang seemed uncomfortable with the overly polite hospitality.
But he ate well for someone who felt that way.
I smiled brightly at Yeon-ryang, whose complexion had improved. I was relieved to see that his Qi and Blood Points were stable.
Now, all I have to do is cut off the connection with the Demonic Sect. If I just disappear as if I'm dead...
“It seems like we got a reply from the impersonator.”
Following Yeon-ryang's gaze to the window, I put down my teacup.
As he said, Jang Mi-ryeo was walking busily from afar with a letter in her hand.
Jang Mi-ryeo, who met my eyes, raised her hand with a slightly nervous face.
“Young lady, the reply to the letter has arrived.”
Anxious, I jumped out of the window and approached Jang Mi-ryeo, who handed me the letter.
Taking a small breath, I unfolded the letter.
The white paper simply stated the date, time, and place.
The shape, which gave no clue as to who sent it or why, naturally narrowed my eyes.
“Is this a Martial Duel Letter?”
Yeon-ryang, who had come up behind me and checked the letter, scratched his head as if he didn't know what was going on either.
“It's ambiguous. Unless you want to compete with a Martial Artist stronger than you, you don't usually send letters like this.”
“Who the hell is it? Do people just send Martial Duel Letters to people they've never met?”
“If they have the brains to send a Martial Duel Letter, they're still polite. Most of them just barge in while you're eating and ask to see your skills.”
“...Are you talking about Beopgong Monk?”
“Well, yeah.”
Yeon-ryang chuckled. The two's first meeting must have been much more dramatic than I thought.
Yeon-ryang, who had carefully examined the letter, tilted his head.
“Judging from the handwriting, he seems to have eaten some ink, but he's too strong to be a scholar. He seems to be a Swordmaster who uses a Greatsword.”
“How can you tell?”
“He drew the strokes strongly. The brush tends to resemble the movement of the sword. Check out the Junior Head's handwriting later. He has a habit of pointing the tip of his sword, so the strokes in his handwriting will also have sharp ends.”
“...Brother. You really are a Swordmaster.”
You have to be able to distinguish that much to be called a Swordmaster.
Two days later, at midnight... I just hope it's not someone who has malicious intentions towards me.
Jang Mi-ryeo, who had been watching my expression, asked worriedly.
“Do you need someone to accompany you? If you need, I can send warriors...”
“It's okay, Do-jang (Master). If there are too many people, it will only attract attention, so let's just go the two of us. Brother, you'll come with me, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. I need to see what kind of bastard is impersonating our sister.”
Yeon-ryang, who had answered cheerfully, soon frowned and muttered.
“The way he's acting is making me feel bad, it seems like a guy. I just hope he's not as persistent as the Junior Head...”
Oh my. Why are you talking about the Jinseong disciple again?
Pretending not to hear, I smacked my lips and casually rolled up the letter and put it in my sleeve.
