Chapter 21
Finally, the long-awaited letters had arrived.
Not just one, but several. Mixed among them were letters from others as well, not just Namgung Hyuk.
[“When exactly are you coming back? Without you, I can’t seem to practice at all. Seeing Hwang Bo-chung, that rascal, looking all smug makes my blood boil. Return as quickly as you can!”]
The letter written in an elegant script was from Namgung Hwan.
Old man, did you lose again because you couldn’t hold back?
[“Brother-in-law. I miss the days when we used to sweat together. Do you know how many new recipes I’ve developed while you’ve been away? Look forward to it. When you return, I’ll treat you to a feast that’ll break the table.”]
Namgung Hyeo’s letter brought back memories of my past mistakes.
I’ll have to tell him when I get back: Chicken breast is actually a delicious ingredient.
[“That’s enough. To think you’ve caused this mess because you couldn’t control your own son? It’s laughable, but for that family, it makes sense. We’ll discuss the details in person. And…]
The letter written in bold strokes was from Namgung Hyuk.
A command to return.
Are they seriously telling me to come back so easily?
Of course, after checking the end of the letter, the exact opposite order was written.
[“…Since you’re already out, I’ll give you another task. Go visit the Taoist Master Samahyeong residing in Mount Taebaek. If you tell him I sent you, he will understand. I’ll reward you handsomely for your hard work.”]
Mount Taebaek meant Shaanxi Province.
If you connected the Namgung Family, the Moyong Family, and Shaanxi Province, it would form a large triangle.
In other words, he’s telling me not to come back directly but to take the long way around.
‘This man is relentless.’
I knew Namgung Hyuk was trying to keep me far away from Yeon-hee. But to go this far?
If it was urgent, he could’ve asked someone else to do it.
Maybe I should just quit everything and disappear.
‘But when the boss says jump, you jump.’
When the invincible Namgung Hyuk, Lord of the Murim Alliance and the Namgung Patriarch, gives an order, what choice do I have?
Actually, it’s for the best. I can take this as an opportunity to clear my thoughts.
‘But… Taoist Master Samahyeong?’
Samahyeong.
Wasn’t he one of the Five Great Eccentrics of the Martial World or something?
I’d only heard rumours, so I couldn’t quite remember.
The last letter was from Yeon-hee.
Even though it had travelled a long distance, a fresh fragrance rose from the letter.
[“My dear. It’s already been a month since you left. I’ve never experienced time moving this slowly in my life, and it’s bewildering. The days I spent with you passed in the blink of an eye… I’m barely holding on, looking at the ornament you gave me. What if it wears out from staring at it every day? (Excerpt) These days, I spend my time imagining what we’ll do once you return. Please come back soon.”]
The letter was incredibly long.
Each word was written carefully, making me picture Yeon-hee diligently writing the letter, which made me smile.
[“Surely, you haven’t set your eyes on another woman, have you? I believe in you, my dear. After all, before you left, you held me and made that promise, didn’t you? Of course, no woman could resist you once they’ve seen you. You must be careful. You’re such a kind person, but I’m afraid too many people might mistake your kindness for something more. So… (Excerpt)”]
By the end, my smile had faded.
It felt a little heavy.
In my memories, Yeon-hee was always cheerfully laughing.
It wasn’t because I felt guilty.
I’m innocent after all.
***
“It started with an apology, and it ended with an apology. I’m truly sorry, Young Hero.”
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
Things with Moyong Chun were resolved more smoothly than expected.
Though I did beat him one-sidedly, it was under the formal duel framework, and it was Moyong Chun who provoked me again despite being under self-reflection.
Moreover, there was no one who could defend Moyong Chun, who had disobeyed the family head’s orders.
‘Only Moyong Guk lost face.’
It was Moyong Guk who swore he would break his limbs to stop him.
The reason I was willing to accept his words and settle things was that I trusted Moyong Guk.
In the end, both I, who beat Moyong Chun again, and Moyong Guk, who couldn’t keep his promise, were in an awkward position.
“Don’t worry about me reporting this to the Namgung Family.”
“How could I even suggest such a thing?”
“I have never once felt regret during my time at the Moyong Family. It was all thanks to your care, Patriarch. I, Lee Se-woong, am not one to forget the kindness I’ve received.”
Moyong Guk looked utterly drained, like a matchstick burnt to white ash.
He was a man of honour.
Failing to keep his word had deeply affected him. And it was all because of his son.
“Why not send me off with a box of Seoljungmae? I’ll take it and at least try to uncover the secret behind its taste.”
“Huh?”
“I still can’t forget that taste. Even if it’s a specialty, I think it’s fine to indulge just this once.”
Moyong Guk, standing dumbfounded with a blank expression, finally let a smile curl at the corners of his mouth when I grinned and spoke.
“One box wouldn’t be enough! I’ll fill the whole cart!”
“Oh, come on now, do you want the cart to break down while traveling? You’re not seriously aiming for that, are you?”
“Why speak so bitterly!”
Murim is smaller than you think.
If you go a few connections deep, everyone knows each other, that’s the saying. Socializing is necessary to some extent.
Besides, it was tough to see this burly man looking so gloomy.
***
There wasn’t much need to pack a lot of things.
When traveling a long distance, it’s better to travel light.
Relying on internal energy to endure can only last for a day or two.
If you end up carrying a pile of stuff and run into bandits, it’d be troublesome.
-“Why are you refusing this?”
I was a bit startled that Moyong Guk took my light-hearted joke so seriously.
He even wanted to add a horse to the cart.
I barely managed to dissuade him using the excuse that I had to stop by Shaanxi.
“Are you already preparing to leave?”
“I plan to depart at dawn.”
As I was nearly done packing, Moyong Hye appeared.
“Such a shame. If there were just a little more time, you might have come around to my side.”
“…….”
“I’m kidding. You don’t need to be that stiff!”
When I remained silent, she smiled as if uncomfortable with the quiet.
“Young Lady, thank you for everything.”
“What exactly are you thankful for?”
“Thanks to you, I lived comfortably. I got to enjoy beautiful scenery and delicious food.”
“And?”
“And I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. Do I need to list everything one by one?”
“I love hearing compliments, so why not?”
Moyong Hye answered playfully.
If it weren’t for her, explaining the situation with Moyong Chun would have been complicated.
No matter what feelings she had toward me, the fact that I was grateful remained true.
“Young Master, have you ever heard of a flower that only blooms in snowy fields?”
“Does such a thing really exist?”
“You have no sense of romance. It’s just a saying, of course.”
Hmm, hmm.
Clearing her throat, Moyong Hye began to recite a verse.
“They say that no flower stays red for ten days,”
“Yet this flower never goes without the spring breeze.”
“That’s from the verse of Naptjeonwolgyu, isn’t it?”
**T/n: “Naptjeonwolgyu” (납전월계) refers to a specific verse from classical Chinese poetry that emphasizes the resilience and beauty of the monthly-flowering rose (月季), a flower that is said to bloom once every month, enduring throughout the four seasons. In English, “Naptjeonwolgyu” can be interpreted as “The Verse of the Monthly-flowering Rose” or “The Ode to the Perennial Rose”, which highlights the flower’s continuous blooming, even in challenging conditions like winter or harsh environments.**
“You know poetry?”
“Is there any rule that says a swordsman should only swing a sword?”
Was she talking about the monthly-flowering rose?
A flower that blooms once a month and thus lasts throughout all four seasons.
“Well… to be exact, it’s a flower that doesn’t wither even in snowy fields.”
“Why bring up the rose all of a sudden?”
“It’s a gift.”
Moyong Hye pulled out a small scented sachet from her sleeve and handed it to me. Inside were processed rose petals. The scent reminded me of the fragrance I noticed when I first met her.
“It doesn’t mean anything special. Since you’ve come all the way to this remote region, even if you can’t take any liquor, you can at least take a token of remembrance, right?”
“…….”
Her lingering attachment was obvious.
I had a strange feeling that the woman who had been pursuing me relentlessly was now sending me off so calmly.
Anyone would think this looked like a lover’s token.
“Young Lady, this is…”
“Shh. Say no more.”
Before I could finish my sentence, she raised a finger to hush me, pressing it gently against my lips.
“I’m not asking you to look back at me. But you can at least remember me, right?”
“…….”
“You’ve rejected me all along. I understand. But at least keep this for me. Can you do that?”
Her voice was so soft that you’d miss it if you weren’t paying close attention. Tears seemed to glisten in her eyes, as though they were about to fall.
I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
“Whether you throw it away or not, that’s up to you, Young Master.”
Moyong Hye pushed the sachet into my hands like an unwanted bundle and smiled as she said those words.
It was her own way of saying goodbye.
***
“A letter?”
Three days had passed since Lee Se-woong left.
Moyong Guk, who had been feeling the absence of the rare guest, entered the family head’s quarters for work, and immediately noticed a letter lying on the table.
[“To my beloved father.”]
The neat handwriting on the envelope was undoubtedly from Moyong Hye.
“Haha, Hye-ah, my dear. Why a letter all of a sudden?”
If she had something to say, she could have just talked over a meal.
If she went so far as to leave a letter like this…
Could there be something she wanted to convey privately?
“It couldn’t be about Chun, could it?”
Still, he hoped his children would get along.
With that light-hearted thought, Moyong Guk opened the letter.
[“I am leaving to find love.”]
He couldn’t help but be shocked by the content.
Moyong Hye, 24 years old.
She had run away to leave for a life of asceticism.
—
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