Chapter 208
208
After taking a walk with Grandfather, I was so exhausted that I took a nap.
I used to be able to travel that distance with ease, but now it was so difficult. It seemed I still had a long way to go before regaining my strength.
As I massaged my stiff left arm and went outside, I saw Uncle Geun-myeong chopping firewood.
He saw me and gestured.
"If you're awake, come and have your medicinal soup. The Elder left it brewed for you."
"Yes. Where's Grandfather? Did he go somewhere?"
"He's stepped away for a moment. The Council of Elders Head came all the way down here."
The Council of Elders Head?
I rummaged through my memories of when I stayed at the Tang Clan, but all I could remember was the eyes that scanned me up and down and the white beard.
Curious as to why he had come, I was about to ask when Dang Geunmyeong handed me the bowl of medicinal soup as if to say I didn't need to know.
"Just drink your soup."
His firm voice implied that I shouldn't bother trying to find out.
I obediently received the bowl and stared blankly at the medicinal soup.
I felt a pang of conscience as I endlessly consumed medicinal soups filled with Spiritual herbs and Elixirs.
I wondered if what I had eaten since waking up was worth two or three manor houses.
"Uncle. By any chance... how much did the medicinal ingredients cost?"
When I asked cautiously, Dang Geunmyeong looked dumbfounded.
"What kind of place is the Tang Clan that you're worrying about money? If the Elder knew, he'd be dumbfounded, thinking the main family looked that poor. Just focus on getting better."
Even though I'm drinking money that would bankrupt an average household every day.
I nodded awkwardly and emptied the medicinal soup without asking further.
I thought I had only closed my eyes for a moment, but quite some time had passed, as the world was dim.
The gray sky, covered with dark clouds, looked as if it would pour down rain at any moment.
Was autumn rain coming?
I plopped down on the wooden platform and rolled the wooden beads around.
The trembling in my left hand had long disappeared, but perhaps it was just my imagination, it felt stiff like a piece of wood.
It seemed I would need more time to handle Hidden Weapons as before.
Flying Dagger-like precise Hidden Weapons were still out of the question... Should I start throwing coins little by little?
As I worried and rubbed each of my finger joints, Ju-ryeong, who had been creeping closer, grabbed my pant leg with his teeth.
"Kit."
"What's wrong, Ju-ryeong?"
"Kii!"
"Are you saying let's go for a walk? We already went earlier."
I asked back, puzzled, but Ju-ryeong didn't care and pulled at my clothes.
I whispered with a bewildered expression.
"What's going on? Where do you want to go?"
"Kkuluk. Kkuk."
This was unusual. He wasn't one to insist on going out for no reason.
After pondering for a moment, I got up.
"Uncle. If Grandfather comes, can you tell him I went for a walk?"
"The sky is cloudy, where are you going?"
"Just getting some fresh air. I'll be back soon."
"Don't go too far. It looks like it's about to pour. Be back before dinner."
"Yes."
As I slowly crossed the threshold of the estate, Ju-ryeong darted forward as if he had been waiting.
"Ju-ryeong, go slowly."
"Kit!"
Despite my plea, Ju-ryeong didn't stop. Rather, he stiffened his upper body as if to say we had to go that way, pointing north.
As I began to follow Ju-ryeong, he looked back to check if I was keeping up, then gradually increased his speed.
He definitely had something he wanted to show me.
Had we run for an hour? Or two?
As I gasped for breath and wiped the sweat from my forehead, Ju-ryeong encouraged me as if we were almost there.
"Kkyuu."
But perhaps because I was reaching my limit, my legs wouldn't listen, as if I had fallen into a deep swamp.
As my speed gradually decreased, Ju-ryeong came back and circled around me, then tapped a wide rock as if telling me to sit for a while.
"You're saying rest here?"
"Ki."
"Okay. But we should start heading back soon, Ju-ryeong. How much further do we have to go... Where are you going again!"
After confirming that I was sitting on the rock, he disappeared into the bushes without listening to me until the end.
If I'm late, Grandfather will worry.
As I sighed and massaged my numb legs, a chilling Qi brushed past my neck.
Every hair on my body stood on end at the sensation I couldn't possibly mistake.
Demonic Energy.
I put my hand in my sleeve and jumped to my feet.
The hand gripping the Hidden Weapons was damp with tension.
Could I face a Demonic Cultist with this body?
As if resonating with my anxiety, the leaves collided in the strong wind, creating an eerie sound.
I held my breath and watched the approaching presence, and a small figure stealthily revealed itself between the bushes in the distance.
I, who had been watching the enemy with wary eyes, was taken aback.
"Ju-ryeong?"
Ju-ryeong was clinging to the shoulder of a small boy.
As my expression hardened, Ju-ryeong, sensing my mood, jumped down and circled around me.
"Kyuu..."
"What are you doing? Why are you bringing a Demonic Cultist?"
I didn't even give him a glance and fixed my grip on the Hidden Weapons. Then Ju-ryeong mumbled something as if making excuses.
"Kkyuk. Kkuluk..."
The boy, who had been quietly looking at me, also hesitantly reached out his hand. I glared fiercely at him, then widened my eyes in surprise.
The boy was holding a familiar hair tie in his hand. It was Yeon-ryang's.
"You... where did you get that? Why do you have that?"
The boy flinched at my sharp cry and took a step back, looking around. He opened his mouth with a clumsy tone.
"Baekya. Go and tell So-hye that Yeon-ryang sent you."
The words that made me doubt my ears momentarily turned my mind white.
My lips trembled, and I asked with difficulty.
"...What did you just say?"
"Tell So-hye that Yeon-ryang sent you."
My heart sank at the tone that seemed to be imitating someone.
"Is your name Baekya? Did Yeon-ryang really send you?"
The boy nodded hesitantly. My body trembled at the affirmative sign.
"Where is my brother now? Is he okay? Back then, he clearly...!"
"No."
"What?"
"You mustn't get involved with the Righteous Sect, So-hye. Don't try to find your brother. You must go home now."
Baekya, cutting off my words, shook his head from side to side, imitating a stern expression.
My heart began to race like crazy at the words that only Yeon-ryang could say.
He's alive. And he even has enough leeway to send someone to me.
I was relieved for a moment, but then anger surged up.
He even sent someone to tell me not to look for him? This idiot, really...!
"No. I'm going to find him. Where is that idiot now? Tell me quickly!"
Baekya staggered backward at my shout. Even so, he continued to convey Yeon-ryang's words to the end with unclear pronunciation.
"Don't worry about your brother. Forget about him and live your life."
"Shut up with that crazy talk! I'm asking where he is!"
"Live your life."
Baekya, repeating the same words as if emphasizing them, soon turned pale and began to run away.
"Wait! Wait a minute!"
I hurriedly reached out my hand, but Baekya didn't even pretend to hear and moved away.
His speed was so fast that even if I gritted my teeth and followed, the distance didn't narrow. Rather, it only widened more and more.
Damn body, why aren't you moving...!
Even if I gave strength to my legs while getting angry, my already exhausted body didn't move as I wanted. I shouted, panting.
"Tell him! Tell him I'm definitely going to come get him! I'll be there soon, so...!"
Just a little,
Just wait a little.
The unfinished cry lingered in the air before disappearing.
Idiot.
You haven't gotten better at all. You're the same.
I said that families trust and rely on each other.
I told you not to handle it alone, so, so many times...
I stared at the forest where Baekya had disappeared, then dropped my head powerlessly.
Who should I resent? It's all a result of my powerlessness.
"Kkuluk..."
Ju-ryeong whimpered softly and pulled at my clothes, but I couldn't move at all.
Drip. Thud.
Swaaaaa!
Raindrops seemed to fall one by one, but soon the thickened raindrops soaked the world.
Reason gradually returned as the raindrops beat against my whole body.
...It's late. I have to go back.
As I gathered my emotions and caught my breath, someone snatched my shoulder.
"You rascal, how can you be alone in this far place when it's pouring rain like this...!"
Grandfather, who had been raising his voice, distorted his face when he met my eyes.
He closed his eyes tightly as if trying to calm his excitement, then opened them and cupped my cheeks with a painful expression.
"...My dear."
I wanted to say something, but my throat was so tight that no words came out.
Grandfather, who had wiped my eyes with his thumb, wore a mournful expression.
"My dear. Just cry. Huh?"
"..."
"Poor thing... You used to cry so much... How did our crybaby puppy become like this? Why, why can't you even cry..."
What would change if I cried?
The fact that I couldn't protect him wouldn't change.
Grandfather, who had been stroking my rain-soaked cheeks, silently raised his Inner Energy and blew away the moisture from my body.
Then he opened my clenched fist and took away the Hidden Weapons that I hadn't been able to throw in the end.
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"I'm sorry..."
I mumbled and buried my face in Grandfather's shoulder.
The request that I couldn't bring myself to say turned into a suppressed groan and scattered.
