Live Well Without Me-chapter 2

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
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Jin Ga-young

“Gah… Ugh…!”

I coughed up the water that had filled my throat, and my vision gradually cleared.

And then, I saw her clearly.

Sua—gazing at me with worried eyes.

“Dad.”

“Why did you follow me?”

“…I came to give you this.”

She handed me a set of clothes.

Plain and unadorned, with no markings or insignias.

“And to take that back.”

She pointed at the clothes I was wearing.

I lowered my gaze.

Emblazoned across my chest, the word Namgung stood out in large, bold letters—upside down.

“What were you thinking, running off like that?”

“…Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me. If you’re going to be sorry, be sorry for the people you’ve hurt.”

“…….”

I wanted to listen to Sua—I truly did.

But the only people who had been “hurt” because of me were villains.

She wouldn’t understand that.

“You’ve suffered because of my failings.”

I took off my soaked clothes, neatly folded them, and handed them to her.

She hesitated for a moment before accepting them. Then, in return, she placed the clothes she had brought into my hands.

Soft and dry, they felt surprisingly comfortable against my skin.

“These aren’t from the clan. I’ve been sewing them for the past week.”

“So… they decided to expel me a week ago, then. I see.

Thanks, Sua. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been thrown out completely naked.”

“…Don’t call my name with that disgusting voice.”

Sua’s voice was cold, filled with a tangled mix of love and resentment.

Love and resentment—toward her own father.

And yet, I was grateful for it.

Because it meant she still had some affection for me.

She was the only person left in this world who did.

Since she had ordered me to stay silent, I obediently shut my mouth.

For a moment, silence stretched between us.

Then, Sua broke it with a quiet, heavy voice.

“The Namgung Clan has decided to confiscate all of your assets.”

“…….”

“Everything you took—bribes from merchant guilds, money from the Black Death Sect.”

“There shouldn’t be anything to confiscate…”

“What did you just say?”

“Just talking to myself.”

I had never kept a single coin.

Every bit of wealth I ever earned had gone straight to orphanages.

Because true charity, as Confucius once said, is done in secret.

No one had ever known about my donations.

And when my absence from home—caused by those very acts of charity—was twisted into accusations of heinous crimes, no one had believed me when I finally spoke the truth.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

She claimed to hate the sound of my voice, yet here she was, demanding an answer from me.

What was I supposed to say?

The Blood Cult had been eradicated.

The Demonic Sect had sworn never to leave Mount Tian.

As the Sword Star, I had already fulfilled my duty.

All I had wanted was to spend my remaining years in peace with my family.

But thanks to my beloved brother, even that simple dream had been torn away.

“I asked you—what are you going to do now? Are you going to start a gang in the underworld? Become an assassin in the dark path? Or maybe you plan to join the Demonic Sect?”

Now that I thought about it… I had only set myself a vague goal—to start a new life.

All I had was a single dream—to live a life as Byeorak, someone entirely different from Namgung Cheolbin.

A life where no one would envy or resent me.

A life free from the weight of my past.

“Well… what should your father do to make a living?”

“With your martial arts? You won’t starve, that’s for sure.”

“Is that so?”

“Just don’t do anything bad. Reflect on what you’ve done and live properly. You’ve already done more than enough terrible things.”

“Haha…”

“To be honest… I hate you. When I think about the children whose lives were ruined because of you, I want to cut off your head right here and now.”

Sua’s voice trembled slightly at the end.

How much resolve must it have taken for her to say such words to her own father?

“Then do it. If taking my head will bring you peace, I’ll gladly offer it.”

“…I’m not finished yet.”

“…….”

“But the reason I don’t do it… is because I still remember the father you used to be when I was little.”

When she was little?

“You were kind to everyone. You always smiled so warmly. At least to me, none of it ever felt like a lie.”

I always smiled?

That must have been before I started my endless cycle of regression.

To me, that was nearly ten thousand years ago.

Because ever since the day I saw my wife’s corpse—her body torn apart as she tried to protect me from the Blood Cult—I hadn’t smiled.

Not even once.

Except for two moments.

The first time I severed the Blood Demon’s head.

And the day I finally forced the Heavenly Demon to retreat.

“Damn it… I don’t even know why I feel this way.”

“The entire world says you’re a villain. The evidence and witnesses are overwhelming. Every time you disappeared for days, another incident happened.”

“But…?”

“But when I look at you… I can’t bring myself to believe you’re truly evil.”

“…….”

“The so-called proof of your demonic cultivation—those dark shadows under your eyes—are as clear as day.”

Should I explain that these shadows are from years of insomnia and stress?

Not that it would change anything now.

“And… while it doesn’t excuse your crimes, you have done a lot for the martial world. That’s probably the only reason you’re still alive.

During the clan meeting, Uncle wanted to bring government officials to execute you on the spot.

Mom was the one who stopped him—crying as she pleaded for your life.”

I had no intention of offering my neck to them, even if I might have considered it for Sua.

If she hadn’t found me and I had drowned, my brother might have chopped up my corpse and put my head on display.

What a disgusting bastard.

“…Ha. What’s the point of all this now? I should go. I’ve said too much already.”

Sua gathered up the Namgung Clan’s robes and stood.

“Don’t do anything stupid. Live properly. If you have even a shred of conscience left.”

I already had lived as properly as a man could.

That wasn’t some weak excuse to comfort myself—it was the truth.

“Your voice is already ruined, so I guess there’s nothing to be done about that. But don’t hurt yourself. Just because you lost your surname doesn’t mean you have to die over it.”

Hearing that from my daughter made me reconsider my plan to practice Bone Reshaping Technique.

“Atone for what you’ve done by staying healthy. Stop doing bad things. Live a life where you can actually feel fulfilled.”

“…Alright. I will.”

“This is really goodbye now. Let’s never see each other again.”

With those final words, Sua turned and walked away, back toward the Namgung Clan.

I watched her retreating figure for a long time.

Sssshaaaa—

At some point, the rain had mostly stopped.

******

I had fallen asleep beneath the bridge, overcome by exhaustion.

When I finally woke, a jolt of movement shook my body.

Neigh!

The powerful cry of a horse rang in my ears.

Feeling an ache in the back of my neck, I rubbed it absentmindedly while glancing around.

I was enclosed on all sides.

A small space, barely large enough for one person to lie down in.

And in front of me, a young woman sat crouching.

“You’re awake?”

She looked to be just past her coming-of-age ceremony—around twenty.

Her long, wavy black hair cascaded down her back, and her golden eyes shimmered like molten sunlight.

“I must have caused you trouble, my lady.”

“Just stay lying down. Your body’s in rough shape. I’ve never seen someone with so many scars before.”

At her words, I ran my hands over my body.

I felt the familiar rough texture of old scars and the firm muscle beneath them.

Wait—bare skin?

“M-My clothes… what happened to them? Did you throw them away?”

“No, I put them over there. They were covered in dirt, so I washed them first.”

“Sigh… Thank you.”

I reached out and pulled the bundle of fabric into my arms.

I had no intention of putting them on just yet—just holding them was enough.

“That must be important to you. It looked like a simple set of clothes.”

“There is nothing in this world more precious to me.”

“I can see that.”

She gazed at me with bright, curious eyes, her golden irises gleaming like sunlight.

For someone like me, who had been deprived of any warmth or attention, her interest felt less burdensome and more… welcoming.

“By the way… your voice is severely damaged. And your hair—it’s so short it doesn’t even cover your ears.”

“……I had my reasons.”

“Would it be rude to ask what those reasons are?”

“I was cast out of my clan.”

“Hmm… I won’t ask which clan it was, then.”

She smiled.

A pure, genuine smile, free of ulterior motives.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen a smile like that.

It felt… warm.

“Why did you save me?” I asked. “I’m grateful, of course, but we’re complete strangers.”

“Strangers… Yeah, I suppose we are. But when someone collapses right on a bridge, it’s impossible not to notice them. And I couldn’t just ignore someone in such a terrible state.”

She had a kind heart to match her appearance.

If possible, I would have liked to introduce her to Sua.

Not that Sua would accept anyone I recommended.

“This is… a carriage, isn’t it?”

“Yes. The person who found you happens to have quite a bit of money.”

“Just from your clothing alone, I can tell you’re not an ordinary traveler.”

She wore a fine silk robe of deep blue, which complemented her black hair and golden eyes perfectly.

“Even so, isn’t it a bit reckless to bring a stranger into your carriage? Aren’t you afraid?”

“It’s not about being fearless. I just choose to trust people.”

She trusts people…

I had trusted people, too.

And in the end, I was betrayed.

But she had succeeded where I had failed.

“May I ask for your name, my lady?”

“My name?” She chuckled. “That sounds a bit formal, coming from someone old enough to be my father. Just speak comfortably.”

“I wouldn’t dare. I am not so discourteous as to treat my savior with familiarity. Please allow me to show you the proper respect.”

“…Savior, huh?”

Had my words reached her?

She murmured to herself for a moment, then smiled brightly.

“My name is Jin Ga-young! I’m the eldest daughter of the Jin family of Taewon!”

“Ga-young… A fine name, well-suited to you.”

The Jin family of Taewon.

One of the most powerful martial clans in Shanxi.

They had recently come close to joining the ranks of the Five Great Clans, and their influence was growing rapidly.

I had heard that their eldest daughter was an exceptional talent—so much so that she had earned the title Sword Flower, bringing great prestige to her family.

“Now, will you tell me your name?”

“…I am unworthy of such a title as ‘name.’”

“I’m not the kind of person who disrespects her elders.”

“Hah. It seems the rumors of the Jin family’s daughter being exceptionally clever were true.”

Her quick-witted response amused me.

So, I gave her the name I had chosen for myself—the name of a man who no longer bore the burdens of his past.

“My name is Byeorak. No surname. Just Byeorak.”

“Byeorak… It suits you well.”

“Does it?”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult.

Given her bright personality, it was probably the former.

“You said you were expelled from your clan. That means you don’t have any work now, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Well, as it happens, I have a job opening. Interested?”

“You’re offering a job to someone you just met?”

“Our conversation was brief, but I can already tell you’re knowledgeable and a good person. It’s not a difficult job—regular pay, scheduled leave, and room and board provided by my family.”

“…More importantly, is it a meaningful job?”

“Meaningful?”

Ga-young tilted her head, puzzled.

“Most people ask about pay or how hard the job is. I’ve never heard someone ask about meaning before.”

“For me, that’s the most important thing.”

I had no need for food or money.

I had nothing to spend money on, and I had no real reason to eat anymore.

I could still eat for the taste, but that was about it.

Regardless, I had promised Sua I would find work that felt meaningful.

“I want you to be my servant,” Ga-young said. “You’ll be helping to raise the status of the Jin family. Though honestly, all it means is sweeping the courtyard in the morning and running a few errands for me. If you don’t like it, I can find a higher position for you.”

“By sweeping the courtyard, I can help the Jin family live more comfortably. By running errands for you, I can make your life a little easier. Yes, I accept. I will serve you faithfully as your attendant.”

“Thank you! Having someone as strong as you around feels like having an army at my side.”

I could literally be an army if needed.

But there was no need to mention that.

The Sword Star was dead.

“There’s no obligation, right?” she asked suddenly. “You’re not doing this out of guilt because I saved your life?”

“No. I’m accepting because I want to.”

Savior?

That was just a word.

Even if I had stayed in that river, I wouldn’t have died.

Not unless I had actively severed my energy center or blocked my own breathing.

I had simply reached a level where dying was no longer so easy.

So, this was my choice.

To serve as the attendant of Jin Ga-young, eldest daughter of the Jin family.

Some might see it as a lowly position.

But at least no one would envy or resent me.

No one would try to frame or disgrace a mere servant.

“By the way,” I asked, “where exactly are we headed?”

“We’re on our way back home. I was helping with a trade caravan.”

“This must be a mountain road. The way the carriage keeps jolting makes it obvious.”

“Yes, we’re passing through Chilak Mountain. You’ve probably heard of it—it’s quite large.”

Heard of it? I had the entire terrain memorized.

I had once stood here, back to back with Ok-hwa, as we fought against a thousand Blood Cultists with only the two of us.

Back then, I had owed her my life.

But when I visited her recently, she repaid that debt by driving me away with a single, cutting word: Disappear.

“Are there bandits in this area?”

“How did you know? There’s a group called the Chilak Stronghold. They have a reputation for being… quite brutal.”

“They’re more than just brutal.”

The air was thick with the scent of blood.

Outside the carriage, I could sense the presence of our allies—twenty trained warriors, all at least second-rate martial artists.

But surrounding them were two hundred more figures.

Most were third-rate, but even so, it was an unusually large force for a single bandit clan.

“You’re not an ordinary person, are you?” Ga-young noted. “I don’t sense anything, but your eyes just changed.”

“Should I take care of them now?”

“Let’s wait a moment. They might let us pass. It’s better to avoid bloodshed when we can.”

“Hmm. As you wish.”

She was my master now. If she commanded me to wait, I would wait.

But we weren’t left waiting for long.

Soon enough, the air was filled with the sounds of shouting and clashing steel.

“Wow. So they really decided to attack us.”

“Should I deal with them now?”

“Wait—money usually works best in these situations. Just follow my lead.”

With that, Ga-young opened the carriage door and stepped out.

I followed her.

As expected, we were completely surrounded—hundreds of bandits wielding all manner of crude weapons.

Ga-young strode forward, heels clicking against the dirt, and stopped in front of the largest man at the head of the group.

“You must be Jang Pyeong, the leader of Chilak Stronghold?”

“That’s right. And you… you must be Sword Flower Jin Ga-young.”

“Yes. Judging by the situation, it seems you won’t simply let us pass… How much will it cost?”

She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small wooden box.

Clearly, she was hoping to settle this with money.

Which, normally, was the right approach.

Bandits typically accepted bribes and let their targets go—businesses and noble houses preferred to pay rather than risk casualties, and bandits gained both gold and reputation from such encounters.

It was a mutually beneficial system.

But these particular bandits were greedier than most.

“Hah! What we want… is all of you.”

Ga-young’s expression remained calm. “Me?”

“You, and all twenty of your guards.”

“…Why?”

“We’ll ransom you back to the Jin family. I’d say… three thousand gold taels should do nicely. Kehaha!”

Ah. So that’s why they gathered such numbers.

And they even had two hidden experts among them.

“Are you sure you don’t want to just let us go? You might deeply regret this.”

“After this big haul, we’re planning to retire anyway! So, be smart and surrender. You wouldn’t want to shed blood over this, would you?”

“As much as I dislike the idea… I do have a reputation to uphold. If I allowed myself to be captured and ransomed for three thousand gold taels, my title as Sword Flower would be shattered beyond repair.”

“That’s your problem! We just want the money! Kehaha!”

The air was thick with tension.

This was no longer a negotiation.

I sent Ga-young a silent transmission.

-Should I deal with them now?

Her response came immediately.

-Let’s deal with them together.

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