.jpeg){kind=tracking}
C133. It All Depends on How You See It
Dr. Jang Munjin couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
—"Ha, ha, ha. One month is the minimum. It could take even longer."
—"Not even by carriage?"
—"No, it’s not possible. The body would shake, which would be the same as walking."
—"Really?"
—"The cold weather will prevent immediate infection, but I still recommend that you don't move."
—"Even if we keep applying the good wound medicine?"
Yoo Geunsik glanced quickly at Namgung Cheon. Every prestigious clan has its own elixirs. The wound medicine of the Namgung Family, which was one of the Five Great Families of Murim, was especially famous. Even the doctor had said there was no danger because a good wound medicine had been applied.
His patient’s stubbornness made Jang Munjin shake his head. Although he was concerned, knowing the strong constitution of Murim warriors, he couldn’t simply say no. Besides, the medicine they used was almost an elixir. Suddenly, Jang Munjin thought these people might be from a famous sect.
If the wound medicine was that good, it might be possible. Finally, Jang Munjin decided to let the patient go. The patient’s will is important in recovery, and he was determined to leave.
—"Hmmm, if this were summer, I’d definitely tell you no. But since it’s winter and you have good wound medicine, you can leave after one more day of treatment."
At the doctor’s words, Yoo Geunsik looked at Yeon Jeokha. His eyes pleaded for one more day, and Yeon Jeokha nodded. Seol Chasu was also injured, so it was better to rest one more day. They didn’t have a strict deadline, so they could afford the time.
Finally, Yoo Geunsik regained his color. Yeon Jeokha and his group left Seol Chasu and Yoo Geunsik at the hospital and went out.
The inn was just a stone’s throw from the hospital. With two fewer men, Namgung Cheon had a room to himself. The others retired to their rooms and didn’t come out. Though they didn’t say it, they seemed quite exhausted.
-------------
Around noon, Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim came down to the dining hall. Namgung Cheon was still resting, so it was just Namgung Yeon and Jin Gahee eating. Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim sat down next to them.
While the two men ordered food, Namgung Cheon came down. He greeted the group and sat across from Yeon Jeokha.
Winter had kept the inn empty, with only Yeon Jeokha’s group as customers. Namgung Yeon and Jin Gahee finished their meal and quietly enjoyed some tea. With no other customers, the atmosphere was relaxed.
When Yeon Jeokha, Old Shim, and Namgung Cheon finished eating, they joined the women in their moment of relaxation.
After a while, Yeon Jeokha looked at Namgung Cheon as he held a cup of hot tea.
—"Brother."
—"Yes?"
—"Why does Yoo want to come with us? He seems quite injured."
—"Murim warriors consider a journey of justice a great honor. To him, this mission is very important. Even a serious injury won’t stop him."
—"Really?"
Yeon Jeokha didn’t understand. Following them didn’t seem crucial enough to risk his life.
—"Young Master, don’t think too much about it. Murim people often cling to meaningless things,"— said Old Shim.
Old Shim’s words resonated with Yeon Jeokha. Yoo Geunsik seemed almost obsessed. Though his presence in combat wasn’t significant, he insisted on following despite his condition.
Namgung Cheon smiled and said:
—"Veteran Shim may call it obsession, but I call it dedication. Thanks to people like him, the right values are maintained."
Old Shim called it obsession, but Namgung Cheon saw it as dedication.
—"Fighting the enemy directly is important, but someone must also gather information. Jeokha."
—"Yes."
—"It all depends on how you see it. The big and small tasks, good and evil, life and death. A master like you must accept everything. If not, the world will become very rigid."
Yeon Jeokha nodded silently. He was beginning to understand what Namgung Cheon meant. If his aunt and the elders of Waryong Manor had been like Namgung Cheon, his life wouldn’t have been so painful. Namgung Cheon seemed different now.
Justice in Murim didn’t seem so hypocritical after all.
At that moment, Jin Gahee approached and handed Yeon Jeokha a scroll.
—"Young Master Yeon, I’ve organized information about the Martial Demons. Could you take a look?"
With nothing else to do, Yeon Jeokha nodded. Jin Gahee sat next to him and unrolled the scroll.
The names "Lava Demon," "Fire Demon," and "One-Horned Demon" were written there. Before he could read the descriptions, Jin Gahee quickly explained:
—"I called it Lava Demon because its body is black and hot like lava. And the one that spits fire and lava is the Fire Demon..."
—"Ah, and the One-Horned Demon is because it has a horn on its forehead?"
—"Yes, I named them so that anyone would immediately recognize them."
Yeon Jeokha nodded in admiration. Naming them this way made the monsters easier to remember. Suddenly, he recalled Namgung Cheon’s words: "someone must do these necessary tasks."
—"Indeed, the distinction between big and small tasks is absurd."
—"It all depends on how you see it," now he understood.
—"I’m like a frog in a well."
Yeon Jeokha looked at Namgung Cheon with respect.
—"What? Do you have something to say to me?"
—"No, brother. I just respect you."
—"Ha, ha! It seems you finally have good judgment. Keep respecting me."
Namgung Cheon deflected the subject with a joke to ease the awkwardness. Shortly after, Yeon Jeokha finished reading about the Martial Demons and handed the scroll back to Jin Gahee.
—"This is excellent. The names really evoke the image of those monsters."
—"Really? What a relief."
Jin Gahee rolled up the scroll and commented absentmindedly:
—"If there’s a One-Horned Demon, a Two-Horned Demon might appear someday."
—"Hmm..."
Yeon Jeokha murmured, feeling an uneasy premonition. What if such a monster existed? The mere thought was overwhelming.
Namgung Cheon tried to lighten the mood with a lighthearted comment:
—"If it has two horns, it would be the Ox King."
—"Brother, who is the Ox King?"
—"In the book 'Journey to the West,' there’s a demon with a bull’s head called the Ox King."
—"Ah, the Bull Demon!"
—"Yes. When you have time, you should read it. It’s quite entertaining."
The conversation shifted to the stories of "Journey to the West," dissipating the unease caused by the Martial Demons.
-----------------
At the Boeun Clinic, Seol Chasu rested in a room prepared for patients. He glanced sideways at Yoo Geunsik, who was lying face down.
—"Brother Yoo, you should stay here and recover. It makes me nervous to see you like this."
—"Don’t worry. I’ll be better by tomorrow."
—"That’s what you hope. Will you really be okay?"
—"Yes, believe in human potential."
—"Jin and I can gather information, so why are you trying so hard to come along?"
—"It’s not just that."
Surprised, Seol Chasu blinked. It sounded like there was something more important.
—"Is there another reason?"
After hesitating for a moment, Yoo Geunsik spoke in a low voice.
—"Brother, don’t tell anyone. Especially not Sister Jin."
—"Understood. What’s going on?"
Seol Chasu asked curiously. Secrets are always exciting.
—"I want to be close to Miss Namgung."
—"What? Who?"
—"Miss Namgung."
Thinking it was a joke, Seol Chasu laughed.
—"Come on! Don’t look at a tree you can’t climb. You could break your neck."
—"It’s okay. I just want to see her from afar."
—"Really?"
—"Yes."
Seol Chasu’s eyes widened. Yoo Geunsik’s voice was serious. He hadn’t said anything about Namgung Yeon before, so this was unexpected.
—"You never mentioned this before."
—"I fell in love today."
—"Suddenly?"
—"Yes, when she saved us, my heart trembled. I’ve never felt anything like this."
—"Weren’t you just scared? I felt that way too today. I thought I was going to die."
—"Brother, it’s not the same. My trembling was accompanied by excitement."
—"Wake up! Normally, when you’re scared and excited, it feels similar."
—"It’s different. I felt something special with Miss Namgung."
—"So, you’re saying you want to follow her not just for the mission, but because of your affection?"
—"Exactly, it’s like killing two birds with one stone."
—"Be careful. Do you think you can handle Miss Namgung? She proved today to be one of the best sword masters. They say the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower is formidable, did you know?"
—"Sincerity always prevails."
—"Forget sincerity. Take care of your life. If Miss Namgung gets angry, only Yeon Jeokha could stop her. And I don’t think he’d intervene for you."
—"Brother, why are you so pessimistic?"
—"You’re too optimistic. Besides, how can you think of love when your life is at risk? You’re really something."
Seol Chasu shook his head. Yoo Geunsik, excited, forgot his situation and turned over quickly.
—"It’s always said that when your life is at stake, you become honest. I realized I love Miss Namgung after being stabbed."
—"Tch! I was expecting responsibility and a sense of duty, not this."
—"Sure, I have that in mind too. That’s why it’s like killing two birds with one stone."
—"Ugh! Don’t mention this anymore. If others find out, they’ll think you’re crazy."
—"Brother, I’m not a fool. Do you think I’d show it openly?"
—"Never do it. If you do, you’ll be seen as crazy."
—"Oh, please! I’m not an idiot. Brother, do you think Miss Namgung has a boyfriend?"
—"Who would have? With her beauty and martial skills, not just any man would dare approach her. I told you not to even try."
Seol Chasu looked at Yoo Geunsik with pity. Although he saw no chance, he couldn’t stop worrying about him.
-
(Up to '50' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 5 weekly ch4pters, thanks.
---