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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator:Bobt
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The elderly man who had introduced himself as Officer Gam sipped his tea. He then looked out the window and asked,
“Who are you waiting for?”
Yun, who was sitting on a chair with bandages around his abdomen, followed the old man’s gaze out the window and replied,
“…Master Jang. He’s the one who saved my son and me.”
Outside the window they were looking at, a young boy was gently stroking the back of a small chestnut horse. However, to any observer, the boy’s attention was not on the horse but on the wilderness in front of the village.
Officer Gam, who had been watching Hwan, let out a chuckle.
“From what you’re saying, he sounds like a wandering Martial Artist…But I’ve never met a self-proclaimed wandering Martial Artist who was actually worthy of being called one. Moreover, taking on thirty bandits alone? I don’t think he’ll be coming back.”
“Master Jangnever called himself a wandering Martial Artist. And he has already effortlessly dealt with over ten bandits without a scratch. Why are you saying such things?”
Officer Gam turned his smiling face toward Yun and said,
“Well, I’m someone who really hates those so-called martial artists. What do they end up doing? They’re just murderers who eat good food and kill people. Since you’ve paid me, I’ll prepare the meals. But if that Master Jang shows up, don’t even think about causing any trouble in this village.”
“…Couldn’t you just tell him yourself?”
Officer Gam turned his back and walked inside.
“I don’t talk to martial artists.”
Yun gave a bitter smile and nodded. To him, Jang Geon was a benefactor who had saved his life, but to Officer Gam, he was likely just another nuisance that would disturb this quiet village. They were the ones who had suddenly barged into the peaceful land, so it was only natural that they had to be careful.
He turned his head back to the window and watched Hwan, who was now standing with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the hitching post with a sullen expression, looking toward the entrance of the village as if he had grown tired of pretending to pet the horse.
Watching the boy, Yun felt worried. Would Jang Geon be able to return? He hadn’t been able to witness Jang Geon’s full abilities since he had been lying injured from the sword wound. However, judging from the casualness after the fight and the way he had used his bare hands for acupuncture, Jang Geon did seem to be a master.
Moreover, it appeared that Jang Geon’s final retreating figure had left a deep impression on Hwan. Otherwise, there was no way the boy would be waiting so eagerly for someone he had only exchanged a few words with. Yun hoped that Jang Geon would return safely, not so much for his own sake but for Hwan’s.
Letting out a sigh filled with his brief musings, Yun got up to help Officer Gam prepare the meal. The money he had given the old man wasn’t much. Although it made him grimace, he felt he should at least lend a hand if he wanted a proper meal.
At that moment, he saw Hwan taking his hands out of his pockets and straightening his posture outside the window. Without a second thought, Yun quickly opened the door and went out upon seeing the boy’s brightening expression.
A man was leisurely leading a horse toward the village entrance. It was Jang Geon. His clothes were tattered in places, and there was a wound above his eye, but overall, he appeared unharmed. Perhaps because he wasn’t wearing his bamboo hat, his eyes squinted in the sunlight.
Spotting Yun and Hwan who had come out, he led his horse Jojo toward them. Then, looking up at the father and son, he gave a slight smile.
“I’m hungry.”
Officer Gam seemed a bit surprised when Jang Geon entered the building, but he didn’t say a single word while Jang Geon ate with his chopsticks. He even kept his mouth firmly shut while treating the wound on Jang Geon’s forehead, to the point where Jang Geon asked Yun if the old man was mute.
Unable to convey Officer Gam’s words, Yun just smiled awkwardly. Officer Gam only spoke after hearing what Jang Geon said.
“I’ll rest here today and leave in the morning.”
“If you’re going to stay at my place, pay more.”
Yun’s expression turned aghast, but Jang Geon simply smiled and said,
“I thought the old man was mute.”
“I speak when I want to and don’t when I don’t want to. Anyway, if you’re going to stay at my place, pay me more.”
“Ah, Officer Gam! I’ll send you the money later by mail, so for now…”
Yun hurriedly intervened with those words, but Officer Gam only looked at Jang Geon and said,
“Either pay more or get out.”
After quietly observing the old man’s stern face, Jang Geon took out a pouch from his bosom and silently handed over some coins. Officer Gam accepted the money and busied himself tidying up the clinic, then went out the door, saying,
“Leave before I return in the morning.”
Yun gave Jang Geon an apologetic look as the door slammed shut.
“I’m sorry, Master Jang. He seems to dislike any disturbances.”
“It’s only natural to be wary of strangers.”
With those words, Jang Geon lay down on a long chair in the corner and closed his eyes. Hwan, whose eyes had been sparkling as if he wanted to say something, lengthened his mouth in disappointment when Jang Geon lay down like that. Yun felt a pang of pity but could only comfort the boy by gently patting his head, afraid of showing his own emotions in front of his son.
The next morning, Jang Geon and Yun’s family woke up early, had the leftovers for breakfast, and immediately prepared to depart. They resaddled the horse and bundled up against the chilly morning air.
That’s when Officer Gam, who had disappeared the previous night, reappeared. He handed Jang Geon, who was staring at him with a blank expression, a bundle.
“…What’s this?”
“Were you planning on traveling looking like that? Not that you’re bragging about being a martial artist who loves fighting.”
Inside the bundle was a loose black outer robe. Jang Geon, who was still wearing his tattered clothes from the fight, quickly put on the robe and turned to thank Officer Gam. However, the old man simply exchanged greetings with Yun and Hwan and went back inside without even looking at Jang Geon.
Letting out a chuckle, Jang Geon felt the clean robe. It didn’t seem brand new, but it was a well-laundered garment. He turned to Yun and Hwan and asked,
“Will we arrive today?”
“Yes, we should. We’ll arrive by evening at the latest.”
And so they departed from the village of Nam Jak-ho.
Their journey, which had started at sunrise, consisted of continuous riding except for occasional breaks for Yun and Hwan to rest. As the morning progressed into the afternoon, the land, which had been filled with only dry grass, gradually turned into moist, verdant meadows. The once wide and flat terrain became more dynamic, with shallow streams flowing through the deeper crevices. Tall trees with lush, green foliage began to appear.
Jang Geon’s sharp eyes even caught glimpses of deer fleeing beyond the trees.
“It seems you’re living in a good place.”
“In her letter, my sister-in-law mentioned that farming isn’t easy due to the rocky soil. So instead of farming, they run various businesses. She said there are many travelers passing through on carriages and wagons.”
Not long after, they were indeed able to see carriages. But it wasn’t just carriages – there were people on horseback, pedestrians, small carts pulled by a single horse, and even ox-drawn wagons.
Among them, there were many martial artists with swords and blades at their waists. However, no one seemed interested in causing trouble, as most of them exchanged casual greetings when their eyes met.
By the time the sun had passed its zenith and was clearly slanting westward, they arrived at the village. On one side, small boats were moored along the flowing river, and countless people were coming and going through Cheong Sangok, which looked more like a small town than a village. Or at the very least, it was undoubtedly becoming one.
“For her to own multiple businesses in a place like this, your sister-in-law must be quite capable.”
“…The two sisters have always been extraordinary people…”
Yun muttered bitterly. Thinking about his sister-in-law seemed to remind him of his deceased wife. But he quickly erased that expression, perhaps afraid of showing it to his son. Fortunately, Hwan was too preoccupied watching the passersby to notice his father’s expression.
After entering the village and avoiding the passing carriages, they found themselves momentarily lost. It was indeed difficult to locate someone without a proper address in an unfamiliar place. However, Yun began stopping people and asking for directions, and before long, they found a shop at the outskirts of the village.
A sign read, “Cheong Sangok’s Finest Seon’s Cloth and Fabric Shop, Selling the Most Beautiful and Exquisite Fabrics.” In the New Continent, it was trendy to use long-winded signs, and this cloth shop followed that trend. Despite being located on the outskirts, the shop still had customers coming and going.
They tied up their horse and went inside, where a woman could be seen arranging clothes. Hwan called out to her,
“Auntie!”
The woman turned her head, surprised at being called auntie, and her eyes widened when she saw Hwan’s face.
“Hwan! Brother-in-law!”
The woman, who introduced herself as Seon Yeon-o, immediately closed the shop and led the father and son upstairs. Hwan seemed delighted to see his aunt, fidgeting restlessly, while Yun looked relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from him.
After hearing about their ordeal, Seon Yeon-o immediately took out a pouch and handed it to Jang Geon.
“I’m truly grateful. You saved my brother-in-law’s life…You’ll be greatly blessed.”
Jang Geon carefully observed Seon Yeon-o’s hand as she offered the pouch, and the hefty weight made him unconsciously peek inside. To his surprise, the pouch contained not only two silver taels but also a pile of copper coins.
“Looks like I’ve already been blessed.”
With a wry smile, he stood up from the chair and asked,
“Could you tell me the locations of the blacksmith and the merchant guild?”
Seon Yeon-o volunteered to guide them herself. When Yun tried to follow, she forcefully made him stay put, and Hwan silently tagged along. Neither Seon Yeon-o nor Yun stopped the boy, as he had been closely watching Jang Geon’s every move since the previous day.
Before leaving, Jang Geon told Yun,
“Rest well. And be sure to visit a doctor later.”
Without waiting for Yun’s response, Jang Geon went outside and, for some reason, had Hwan ride on Jojo’s back while he held the reins himself. Hwan grinned and said,
“How did you know I wanted to ride Jojo?”
“I just had a feeling you would.”
As they followed Seon Yeon-o’s guidance, the fidgeting Hwan asked Jang Geon,
“Where did you learn your martial arts, Master Jang?”
Jang Geon glanced at Hwan’s wide-eyed face and turned his gaze back to the front.
“From various people here and there.”
“…Various people?”
“In the Central Lands, there are quite a few martial arts teachers who teach for money. They may not be that skilled themselves, but they’re good at teaching.”
Hwan looked surprised.
“I thought you had to join a sect to learn martial arts.”
“There are sects that operate that way, like the orthodox sects of the New Continent. But most sects in the Central Lands are just like cram schools.”
Hwan tilted his head in confusion.
“Cram schools?”
“Schools that prepare students for the imperial army’s entrance exams. You have to join the imperial army to learn true martial arts and get paid, so that’s why imperial army masters are considered the real masters.”
Hwan seemed deep in thought after hearing those words. After a brief contemplation, he looked like he wanted to ask something else, but they arrived at the blacksmith’s before he could.
Seon Yeon-o said,
“These are the most skilled of the three blacksmiths in Cheong Sangok.”
“Thank you.”
Without any haggling, Jang Geon purchased a new sword from the blacksmith. He simply traded in his old sword for scrap value, as the blade had become too dull.
“Could you now take me to the merchant guild?”
Guided to the three-story merchant guild building, where New Continent merchants formed an organization to protect their rights and interests, Jang Geon exchanged the small promissory notes he had for twenty silver taels. The money he had spent on the sword was instantly multiplied several times over.
He also bought a new bamboo hat from the assortment of knickknacks sold on the first floor of the merchant guild. Stiffer than his previous hat, it had a brand-new look. Jang Geon left the merchant guild with a satisfied smile.
As Jang Geon came out, Seon Yeon-o, who had been watching over Hwan, said,
“It’s about time for a meal. Do you like alcohol? We have some good liquor at home.”
“Thank you for the offer.”
Seeing Jang Geon’s polite refusal, a puzzled expression crossed Seon Yeon-o’s face. Meanwhile, Jang Geon gently lifted Hwan, who was still mounted on Jojo, and set him down on the ground. Hwan, who had been wearing a blank expression, looked startled when he saw Jang Geon mounting the horse.
“Master Jang! Are you really leaving just like that?”
Seated in the saddle, Jang Geon chuckled at being called “Master Jang.”
“Master Jang? Look who’s calling me old. Do I really look that old to you?”
Hwan grabbed Jang Geon’s leg.
“But, please stay a bit longer. Our auntie is an amazing cook. And you need a place to stay overnight, don’t you? And also, uh, could you…”
“Teach you martial arts?”
“…If it’s not too much trouble. And how someone like you becomes a wandering Martial Artist.”
Jang Geon leaned down and gently stroked Hwan’s head, who was nearly in tears.
“My martial arts are a mishmash of various styles, so they wouldn’t be suitable for you to learn. You should ask your aunt instead. Your aunt is also a master.”
Seon Yeon-o, who had been looking at Hwan with pity, looked up at Jang Geon in surprise.
“…You have sharp eyes.”
“I took a closer look at your hands earlier. Thank you for the guidance. Thanks to you, I can leave before sunset.”
After giving Seon Yeon-o a light nod, Jang Geon straightened up and put on his new bamboo hat. Then, with a slight smile toward Hwan, who was looking up at him, he said,
“Live well.”
He then gently kicked Jojo’s side. As if bidding farewell, Jojo bobbed his head toward Hwan and trotted off lightly. Since it was late afternoon, there were few people on the main street, allowing them to quickly fade into the distance.
Hwan couldn’t take his eyes off Jang Geon as he disappeared. Watching the boy from the side, Seon Yeon-o realized that this child would never forget this scene and that he had found a dream. At the same time, she realized she had found a successor for her martial arts style, which she had thought would be buried in the New Continent. With those thoughts in mind, she turned her head to gaze in the same direction as Hwan.
In the fading red sunset, the wanderer and his horse grew more distant.
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