Chapter 145 : Chapter 145
Chapter 145 The Sorrow of the King of Wanderers (2)
Memory is selective.
Although the mechanism regarding human cognition, thought, and memory has not been clearly defined, the above proposition is a clear fact.
If the memories piled up layer by layer with growth all occupied the same weight, wouldn't one eventually suffer from madness?
The reason why oblivion is considered a curse and at the same time a blessing is probably due to such a fact.
Anyway…….
Myeong-gae, a skilled informant, possessed exceptional ability in the selection of memory.
Since innate excellence was added to the tedious repetition and mastery of training, it wouldn't be lacking to express it as exceptional.
Just like my discernment.
Myeong-gae was more skilled than anyone in assigning value according to importance and preferentially recalling information with high value.
As he swam in the sea of information every day as a Beggar’s Gang disciple and memorized an amount of information resembling a library while arranging for regression, it became so.
In such a life of Myeong-gae, the amount of information about the person named King of Wanderers Lee Chun-baek was not much.
It would be due to the information listed in the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu and the memory of passing by him glancingly at the Murim Alliance Headquarters.
In Myeong-gae’s life, the connection with Lee Chun-baek did not reach.
Nevertheless, there is a reason why the appearance of the King of Wanderers encountered just once is vivid in my brain.
It is because his sentiment contained in my discernment was quite impressive.
The King of Wanderers at the time was a martial artist containing immeasurable sorrow behind a sharp and firm impression.
It was an appearance quite different from Brother Chun-baek now, who has a low threshold for laughter and enjoys wind and flow.
Impression is impression, and relationship is relationship.
Since I was a body destined to regress anytime back then, those were days when I focused on information connected to me rather than connections with influential figures.
It was inevitable that memories related to King of Wanderers Lee Chun-baek were pushed to the back in selection.
But isn't life a series of coincidences?
For Dancheon Myeong of this life, Brother Chun-baek became a person more precious than anyone.
It means my brain rearranging the priorities of selected information is also inevitable.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the information ‘King of Wanderers’, which I didn't even know was remembered, was replaced by the information ‘Brother Chun-baek’ and came to occupy the most important part of my memory.
Who am I?
Am I not Myeong-gae who memorized all of the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu?
The person who memorized the geography of habitats of elixirs and major contents of various treasure maps is also me.
It means that at least in keen insight and memory, I am a figure unrivaled by others.
It also means that fairly good information is all stored in my head in the form of memory.
I cannot immediately recall information with low importance, but it is me who doesn't easily forget either.
It must be because of that.
That information about the King of Wanderers, which was asleep in the memory beyond, probably in the unconscious, floated to the surface of memory.
.
.
.
I remember it as a certain day when King of Wanderers Lee Chun-baek rang a huge victory report.
A Secret Pavilion member who was praising the achievements of the King of Wanderers spoke to me.
“Myeong-gae, do you know that fact?”
“That fact?”
Since Beggar’s Gang disciples should be called masters of listening, that Secret Pavilion member might have wanted to show off the information he knew.
“The reason why the King of Wanderers fights this fiercely.”
“Is there a martial artist who is not fierce in the Great War of Righteousness and Evil?”
Did they say heroes appear in turbulent times originally? One of those heroes was exactly King of Wanderers Lee Chun-baek.
Since heroes receive awe from people in times of tribulation, it was like a daily routine for informants to lay out what they knew about that hero.
“But a martial artist who dismembers demonic practitioners like the King of Wanderers is not common.”
“Um.”
The Secret Pavilion member’s words wouldn't be wrong. The King of Wanderers was famous for dismembering and displaying the heads of demonic practitioners’ corpses.
I just considered it the temperament of a wanderer, but it seemed there was another reason.
“As expected, your information power and discernment are unrivaled. You pointed out a part that could be passed over inadvertently and revealed the reason, so you should be called a model for informants.”
“Haha.”
Whether my praise was welcome, the Secret Pavilion member’s shoulders soared high.
“Don't beat around the bush and tell me. I am deeply curious about how far your information power reaches.”
Perhaps reading my sentiment craving information, the Secret Pavilion member continued without delay.
“They say the King of Wanderers’ sect and hometown were turned into a wasteland by the Demonic Cultists.”
“Wasteland?”
“Annihilation. Not an exaggeration, but in the literal sense.”
“I haven’t heard such information?”
If it is the King of Wanderers’ sect, the importance of that information would be very high, so it didn't make sense that I, a member of the Secret Pavilion, was hearing it for the first time.
“I know it has been about five or six years. The trickery of the Demonic Path must have been that old.”
Whether he was proud of knowing information I didn't know, the Secret Pavilion member’s shoulders showed no sign of coming down.
War was like that.
Perhaps it ruined somewhere in everyone’s emotions.
Since they were talking about a gruesome story just as information, and accepting it just as information.
Since I was also in the same position, it wasn't my place to rebuke the Secret Pavilion member, so I decided to satisfy my remaining curiosity.
“When was it?”
I remember asking that just in case. Since I will regress.
“I heard it was New Year's Day. Come to think of it, it would be exactly five years ago.”
“I see.”
Looking back, it is a thing that makes me think it is truly fortunate.
If it weren't for a characteristic date like New Year's Day, no matter if it were me, I wouldn't be remembering the exact date until now.
New Year's Day when I turn twenty-five.
Demonic Cultists will rush into Brother Chun-baek’s sect.
Since the current season has reached Slight Cold and a chill hangs in the air, it meant there was less than a month left now.
* * *
I visited the Clan Head’s Chamber.
Father Dancheon Gang was guarding his seat with a dignified appearance as always.
Since Uncle Yeo Baek, who is like Father’s shadow, was unexpectedly not visible, it was a private meeting with Father after a truly long time.
“What is the matter?”
“I have to leave home for a bit.”
“Run away from home?”
“It is leaving home.”
“Run away from home?”
“……Yes.”
I decided to accept Father Dancheon Gang’s language.
What does it matter if it is leaving home or running away from home?
The core would eventually lie in the essence, so the fact that I am leaving the Dancheon Clan would be important.
“How long do you plan to vacate the house?”
“I am thinking about two months.”
“Hm.”
As if my answer was not satisfactory, a slight furrow appeared on Father Dancheon Gang’s brow.
Seeing that concern settled on the expression of Father, who always smiled saying ‘Hehe’ when seeing me recently, I know the fact that he does not like the current situation.
“Do you know the fact that New Year’s Eve is less than a month away?”
“I know.”
As expected, it seemed the timing was the problem.
Last year, I acted as a ginseng digger with Brother Chun-baek and returned to the Dancheon Clan in time for New Year’s Eve.
It means I welcomed the New Year together with family at the Dancheon Clan.
Considering the spirit of the prestigious Dancheon Clan that emphasizes rituals and etiquette, it was an event to be evaluated as narrowly avoiding being the ultimate unfilial son.
Since I even discovered the Garden of Joy not long after and became the ultimate filial son Dancheon Myeong, I can say my position in the family has been truly peaceful meanwhile.
But I cannot do so for the upcoming New Year welcome.
It is because I know the fact that a great tribulation will strike Brother Chun-baek’s sect on New Year's Day when I turn twenty-five.
I should rightly be at Brother Chun-baek’s sect, not the Dancheon Clan.
Just as the Dancheon Clan is precious to me, it is because I don't fail to know the fact that the sect would be precious to Brother Chun-baek.
Since I don't know exactly where the mysterious sect, Brother Chun-baek’s sect, is located, if I stay at the Dancheon Clan on New Year’s Eve, there is no way I can block the tribulation that will strike Brother Chun-baek’s sect on the next day, New Year's Day, is there?
It would be a path taking a step towards the ultimate unfilial son again, but if it is for Brother Chun-baek, it would be a disgrace I can fully endure.
“Is it something you must go out for?”
“Yes.”
I said it repeatedly, but I would be a stubborn person whom even Chwipung-gae of the world raised his two hands to.
Whether he knows such a temperament of mine, the sentiment seeped into Father Dancheon Gang’s slanted eyes was leaning towards approval.
“May I ask the business?”
Father Dancheon Gang asked.
The reason that question is welcome is because I know it was words spoken as a father’s request, not as a Clan Head’s order.
“I plan to go to pay respects to Brother Chun-baek’s sect.”
“Um?”
As if he didn't expect my answer, Father Dancheon Gang’s sword eyebrows rose slightly.
“Sir Lee’s sect?”
“Yes. Didn't Brother Chun-baek welcome the New Year together with me at the Dancheon Clan last year? Since I must repay the kindness, I plan to welcome the New Year together at Brother Chun-baek’s sect this time.”
“Hm.”
Father, who pondered for a moment, readily accepted.
“Do so.”
It is because Father Dancheon Gang is also a gentleman who knows proper conduct.
“Thank you.”
It was when I paid respects to Father and tried to raise my body.
“Myeong-ah.”
“Please ask.”
Father Dancheon Gang, who pondered for a moment, called me.
“Now I know there is a reason for all your conduct. Surely there must be a story, so you intend to leave home.”
“…….”
I have always adhered to a frontal breakthrough in dealing with Father Dancheon Gang.
However, since guidelines are not prepared on how to respond to the current situation, I could not respond agilely.
It means I kept silent.
“The fact you must not forget is that the Dancheon Clan is your home and your family. If you need help, ask the family anytime. The Dancheon Clan will be with you.”
Seeing me who still couldn't answer, Father Dancheon Gang smiled benevolently.
“Do you understand?”
“……Yes.”
“Done. Go out now.”
“Yes.”
Just as I gauged Father Dancheon Gang’s sentiment, Father also must have gauged my sentiment.
Additionally, I know the fact that he succeeded in reading my sentiment to some extent.
I don't know if my excuse was not perfect, or if Father Dancheon Gang’s wits are keen.
However, since I came to recall again the fact that Father and the Dancheon Clan are on my side, having my sentiment seen through cannot be said to be a loss.
.
.
.
I visited Brother Chun-baek’s guest room.
I am planning to find his sect, but it is because I can't go alone.
“Brother Chun-baek.”
Brother Chun-baek was refining his sword today as well.
Since Brother Chun-baek was the one who always maintains the attitude of a martial artist, it would be a passage that allows understanding his achievement.
“What is the matter?”
“What do you plan to do for the time being?”
“Hm?”
As if my question was out of the blue, Brother Chun-baek raised the end of his sentence.
“I mean whether you are busy or not.”
At my repeated question, Brother Chun-baek said.
“I plan to explore sword forms for the time being.”
That was his answer.
“Not busy.”
And so, I reached that conclusion.
“What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?”
“By then I will likely be researching improvements for footwork.”
“And nothing to do.”
Whether he agrees with my determined evaluation, Brother Chun-baek’s head nodded minutely.
“On New Year's Day?”
“I think it would be good to refine the blood vessels.”
“Likewise, nothing to do.”
“…….”
Whether he agrees with my judgment, Brother Chun-baek did not refute in the end.
Truly, I know the fact that Brother Chun-baek is also a martial arts idiot who knows nothing but martial arts.
For him, it is just that all days are an extension of training.
“Brother Chun-baek.”
“Why?”
“Let’s go somewhere together with me.”
“Um. That wouldn't be bad either.”
Such Brother Chun-baek is also good, but it would be right to change the schedule a little.
It was because I didn't want to see the sorrow of the King of Wanderers in Brother Chun-baek now.