Chapter 140 : Chapter 140
Chapter 140 Family Harmony Brings All Success (1)
In forming relationships between people, one cannot always talk about heavy and serious stories.
Since Wuji Jin-in and I shared each other’s thoughts and hearts, it was also because that was sufficient.
It means it is also natural that our topic flows to personal small talk.
By the way, why did you bastard participate in such an event? Seeing your nature, it doesn't seem like you enjoy showing off?
‘Such an event’ would probably mean the New Star Exchange Meeting.
Honestly speaking, it wasn't an event of the caliber for me to participate in.
That is...
We talked about such trivial stories.
What kind of study is the Healing Sage's Mind Cultivation Art?
It will be different in texture from Wudang’s martial arts.
You rascal, it was said all martial arts return to one origin. Do you think I wouldn't understand?
The Healing Sage's Mind Cultivation Art is...
Ha- Indeed, the Healing Sage must have been a Grandmaster not lacking compared to Sambong.
We also researched my martial arts together.
How does the True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven seem?
I memorized it, but actually, I don't know well.
You might need time.
I suppose so.
The True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven is...
Staying at the Sword Emperor’s hermitage, I shared truly many stories with Wuji Jin-in.
Leaving aside age, Wuji and Mubong became close friends.
The truly amazing point lies in that Wuji Jin-in did not give me any definite answer, but it became a time for me to realize truly many things.
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.
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Time flowed quickly, and nearly fifteen days passed since the Taecheong Pill theft incident occurred.
-Kkyu-it!
Perhaps thanks to getting familiar, the Divine Immortal Squirrel fellow sometimes came to play at Wuji Jin-in’s hermitage located on the outskirts of Nogundang.
I don't know if it welcomed the existence that could fully capture it, or if it felt a nostalgic scent from Wuji Jin-in, but anyway, it was a good thing.
Because the Divine Immortal Squirrel would become a companion to Wuji Jin-in who would have spent lonely times living a secluded life that isn't really seclusion.
Did you pack everything?
Since there is nothing really to pack, I finished preparations long ago.
It is a habit I got used to since my Myeong-gae days. Originally, my hands leaving on a journey were always light.
Anyway, since the time spent in Wudang reached a month, I, Dancheon Hak, and Lee Chun-baek finished preparations to leave.
It is like a customary law of the Jianghu Murim, but staying over a month in a sect that opened its doors is conduct close to rudeness.
Originally, in the culture of the Jianghu Murim, if a guest stays over a month in a sect or clan, they become an implicit retainer.
Since the importance of retainers is immense in the culture of the Jianghu Murim, it is right to view that they are careful about situations becoming implicit retainers without clear expression of intent.
But it is an ambiguous situation for a martial artist of a clan to become an explicit retainer of the Nine Sects, so we are preparing to leave.
We can leave after saying goodbye.
We should do so.
Going back home...
For me and Lee Chun-baek, we are faces quite used to life away from home, but for Dancheon Hak, the precious child of the Dancheon Clan, it might have been a time with its own difficulties.
Can't you stay in Wudang longer and come later?
Brother Dancheon Hak asked in a subtle voice.
I am no longer a guest of Wudang, so it is a situation where staying longer is no problem.
However, looking at the context read in Dancheon Hak’s words, it would be roughly ‘Why don't you just settle down in Wudang at this opportunity?’.
If it were the relationship of old times, I might have misunderstood, but the current me knows the person called Dancheon Hak well, so I could know the fact that the words he handed were a kind of bad joke.
I also like home better.
My home is naturally the Dancheon Clan.
Hmph.
Seeing Dancheon Hak’s appearance where the corners of his mouth went up subtly even while snorting like a habit, I know the fact that he is also satisfied with my answer.
Let's go.
Let's do so.
We moved our steps to bid farewell to Wudang.
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.
.
It was said those who meet must part, and those who part must return.
I know it as a teaching of Buddhism, but actually, it would be right to view it as a teaching on our human life.
Because there is a farewell at the end of every meeting, and yet we will meet again.
Originally, the Beggar’s Gang disciples could be called experts in farewells.
If one chases information, crossing provinces is frequent, and if one does so, changing the affiliated branch or hall is very common; that is the reason.
It is a natural story that I, who lived the life of Myeong-gae, also have a plain nature in front of farewells.
Of course, I also know the fact that not everyone can be so.
I never permitted you to descend the mountain.
Although Wuji Jin-in with a sullen expression said so, I know the fact that those words are not sincere.
How could I not know the fact that it is the grumbling of Wuji Jin-in who feels regretful about parting with someone he shared affection with?
I will visit once in a while.
Once in a while?
Yes.
Not often?
Yes.
What a bad fellow.
Haha. I apologize.
It is done. Don't go somewhere and die.
I should do so.
For a supreme martial artist, crossing provinces is not such a hard task, but it would be right not to make promises I cannot keep.
How could I come to Wudang so often when I can't even visit the Emperor Breaker frequently?
Senior Brother, I will surely visit you next time.
Senior Brother, I will visit too.
Yes. Let's surely meet again.
Musang Jin-in and Mudam Jin-in were calling me Senior Brother before I knew it.
Since I also became an Honorary Disciple of the Mu generation, it wouldn't be completely wrong words.
-Since I entered later, aren't I the Junior Brother?
-Looking by age or by martial prowess, Mubong Jin-in is right to be Senior Brother. Isn't that so, Musang?
-I also agree with Mudam’s words.
It just became like that.
Originally, the hierarchy of a sect is strict so it cannot be decided by agreement between parties, but since none of Wudang’s heavyweights stopped it, it would be right to view this also as tacit permission.
Naturally, they were not all.
Come anytime, Mubong. Since Wudang is like your home.
Yes.
Including Sect Leader Taecheong Jin-in, elders of the Hyeon generation, and Wudang Daoists of the Cheon, Jin, and Mu generations all came out to see me off.
I don't know if it's because the great elder Wuji Jin-in stepped forward, or because I am an Honorary Disciple of Wudang, but anyway, it was a farewell that made my heart touchingly full after a long time.
Thanks to you, I see a rare sight.
Peng Jin-hu of the Peng Clan laughed heartily and put his arm around my shoulder.
Since he is also a martial artist who solidified the identity of a Clan, the fact that I, from a clan, receive respect from the martial artists of the Nine Sects must be delightful.
You were here until now?
Since I realized the flaws of my martial arts, I couldn't spend time in vain, could I?
Correct words.
It seems he also remained in Wudang broadening his knowledge.
Since we entered the mountain together, we came to descend the mountain together.
...Congratulations. I heard the news.
Hesitating with a somewhat dispirited appearance, Namgung Tan spoke to me.
Seeing the species that was always arrogant and confident showing such an appearance was also unfamiliar.
Thank you.
Grudges are like that.
It would be right to respond to malice with malice, and to goodwill with goodwill.
Since I am truly not a childish prodigy around the age of twenty, there is no reason to reject Namgung Tan’s courage.
We will see each other again, right?
Peng Jin-hu of the Peng Clan asked regretfully.
It will be so.
It was not empty words.
I am not talking about the logic of meeting and parting.
Probably, they and I will meet next year.
Because it is a fact I guess since I regressed, there will be no mistake.
‘Come to think of it, Namgung...’
Namgung Tan’s conduct of knowing nothing as if he lived closing his ears was strange, but it would be right to just pass over it for now.
Since I will come to know when the time comes anyway.
Let's go.
Having finished all farewells, I said to Dancheon Hak and Lee Chun-baek.
Now is the time to go back home.
* * *
The culture newly created in the Dancheon Clan seems to be settling down excellently.
I mean the gathering where family members gather to eat once a month.
Since the time staying in Wudang along with the New Star Exchange Meeting became long, a meal gathering was arranged as soon as Brother Dancheon Hak and I returned to the clan.
The appearance of following the principle decided long ago as it is without flexibility seemed to show the nature of Father Dancheon Gang for some reason.
You worked hard.
Father Dancheon Gang, who already knows all circumstances through messages, replaced everything with that one word.
Clan Head, is that all?
Actually, Uncle Yeo Baek’s words would be correct.
The move of bestowing grace on the Southern Wudang, one of the seats of the Nine Sects, and obtaining full-scale favor is truly a great achievement.
Hmm...
At Uncle Yeo Baek’s words, Father Dancheon Gang pondered for a while and spoke.
Hey, Yeo Baek-i.
Yes.
If I were to list the achievements that fellow accomplishes every time he goes out, wouldn't there be no time to swallow a spoonful of rice during mealtime?
...Eh?
Since Father Dancheon Gang’s argument was truly correct, Uncle Yeo Baek seemed unable to find a counter-logic.
The uncle who always teased the Clan Head recently took a blow after a long time.
Still, don't end it with 'you worked hard', and please give a word of praise each.
Sliding a side dish towards me and Dancheon Hak, Mother Baek Yeo-hae chimed in.
Mm.
Perhaps thinking the mistress’ words were truly correct, the Clan Head nodded.
Father Dancheon Gang’s gaze headed towards me.
Well done.
And he gave a gaze to Brother Dancheon Hak again.
You did well too.
Saying so, he turned his gaze back to the food.
Although the expression was truly plain, I know the fact that Father’s heart is sincere.
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.
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The harmonious mealtime ended.
Thank you for the meal.
To me, who was bowing and raising my body, Mother Baek Yeo-hae approached stealthily.
I, who claim to be a supreme martial artist myself, could not fail to know the approach of Mother who hasn't even learned martial arts.
Turning my head, hesitation was congealed on Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s usual chilly expression.
Mother, do you have something to say?
Although it would be difficult for me to be an affectionate son, I cannot be called a son if I ignore Mother’s hesitation which is clearly visible.
Maybe it is a positive function of meeting Wudang’s masters.
It doesn't mean I became soft by attaining enlightenment, but that honorifics came out quite naturally.
As if finally making up her mind, Mother Baek Yeo-hae opened her mouth.
Tomorrow morning, can you come to my quarters?
Yes. I will do so.
I don't know the reason, but for now, answering would be right.
* * *
Next day.
I visited Mother Baek Yeo-hae’s quarters.
...Is it here?
Thinking about it now, I seem to be truly a foolish person.
Because I realized the fact that I visited Mother’s quarters for the first time only now, even though nearly three years have passed since I acknowledged the woman Baek Yeo-hae as my mother.
I know the fact that the person who managed my quarters every time I vacated it meanwhile is Mother Baek Yeo-hae.
Of course, she would have ordered subordinates for direct cleaning, but the fact that Mother paid attention and managed it personally is an undeniable truth.
But I, the son, visited Mother’s dwelling for the first time only now, so wouldn't this prove how indifferent a son I was meanwhile?
I will escort you.
A clan steward whose face was familiar approached me.
Please.
A moment following him.
You came.
There was Mother Baek Yeo-hae dressed elegantly.
Were you peaceful overnight?
Even if I am curious about the reason she called me, since there are propriety and procedure, it is right to offer a morning greeting first.
Yes.
Now Mother Baek Yeo-hae also accepted my greeting nonchalantly.
Suddenly, my appearance offering a greeting to her on the first day of regression came to mind.
- Mother, did you sleep peacefully overnight?
- Y-Yes.
Setting aside stuttering, I have no choice but to feel the change of times from the expression she showed then and now.
I, no, we seem to have changed a lot.
May I know the business for which you called?
Since I kept propriety, I could ask now.
The sentiment of Mother Baek Yeo-hae who accepted my question could be expressed roughly as ‘embarrassment’.
Listen without misunderstanding.
Yes.
She, who breathed neatly as if somewhat tense, spoke.
What do you think about the Young Branch Mistress of the Yang Clan?
Yes?
I mean Yang Su-rin.
Mm.
I was flustered a little after a long time.
It was because a name even I did not expect had appeared.