Chapter 673: A Younger Brother’s Kindness is Invincible
Chapter 673: A Younger Brother’s Kindness is Invincible
The painting was magnificent.
A famous artist, driven to the streets by a string of misfortunes, had been making a meager living by painting portraits for passersby. His skill was so exceptional that, in any other circumstance, he could have easily been the protagonist of his own grand tale.
In the painting stood two men whom anyone would recognize as Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at the painting head-on, then tilted his head to view it from an angle.
“No matter how I look at it, he drew you way handsomer than me, Brother.”
Mu-geuk began spinning a conspiracy theory as he examined the finished work.
“You threatened the painter with Voice Transmission, didn’t you? You told him if he didn’t make you look better, he’d never hold a brush again!”
The elderly painter simply offered a faint, knowing smile. Having spent years painting in this spot, he had encountered people from all walks of life. Perhaps because he had spent so much time observing faces, he had reached a point where he could sense the weight of a person’s life just by looking at them.
And today, he had experienced something truly extraordinary.
It had happened while he was sketching the younger brother’s face. The man had been chattering away with such light, frivolous words that he seemed almost shallow. Strangely, however, as the painter worked, he felt as if he were painting a vast landscape rather than a simple portrait.
When he drew the hair, it felt like sketching a reed forest swaying in the wind. When he drew the eyes, it felt like capturing the boundless, deep sea. At times, he felt he was painting a snow-covered mountain amidst a blizzard, or a barren wasteland where not a single blade of grass could grow. He felt the four seasons; he felt the passage of time itself.
Though he had spent his entire life painting human faces, this was the first time he had ever felt such a profound depth while drawing a single person.
Geom Mu-yang looked down at the result in silence.
Unlike his own expressionless face, his younger brother in the painting was smiling brightly. It seemed the boy had been smiling the entire time he was prattling on.
He liked this painting.
“Here, take the payment.”
Geom Mu-yang offered ten times the usual price, but the old painter pushed the money back.
“It has been a long time since I enjoyed painting this much. I wish to give this to you as a gift.”
He didn't want to put a price on today’s work. If he were to accept payment, he felt he would have to ask for hundreds or thousands of times the amount offered to match its true value.
When the painter bowed again, making it clear his request was sincere, Geom Mu-yang nodded.
“Do you know a place that mounts scrolls?”
The painter gave them the location of a mounting shop in the marketplace. After bidding the painter farewell, the two headed straight there.
The shop owner, whose face was filled with the pride of a man who had spent his life mounting scrolls, took the painting from Geom Mu-yang.
“Make it so it can be hung on a wall. Use the finest materials; I don't care about the cost.”
“The finest, eh? That will take some time. Come back in seven days.”
Geom Mu-yang looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
“I’ll be in Wuhan until then,” Mu-geuk answered.
At his brother's response, Geom Mu-yang spoke briefly to the owner and turned away.
“I shall return in seven days.”
*
Leaving the mounting shop, the two began walking toward their lodgings.
“When did you learn to play the bamboo flute?”
“A long time ago.”
“Does Father know?”
Geom Mu-yang shook his head, but Geom Mu-geuk thought differently.
“He probably does.”
Geom Mu-yang looked at him, his expression asking what he meant.
“I’m saying he likely knows you can play an instrument.”
His brother didn't seem to believe it, but Mu-geuk was certain. When he had first regressed, his father already knew he had been poisoned by Energy-Scattering Poison. Mu-geuk knew that their father was aware of many things regarding his children; he simply chose to act as if he didn't.
In any case, Mu-yang wasn't the type to play just because someone asked, nor was he the type to offer a performance himself. Mu-geuk decided he would have to set the stage eventually. He truly wanted his father to hear his brother’s playing at least once.
As they walked together...
Patter.
Thick raindrops began to fall, and then—
Shwaaaaaa.
A sudden downpour began. The two stood under the eaves of a shop, waiting for the rain to let up. With their level of martial arts, they could have reached their destination without getting wet, but they chose to simply wait.
Watching the rain, Geom Mu-yang stole a glance at his younger brother. The falling rain had finally silenced his talkative brother. Geom Mu-yang knew that this version of him was his true self. That deep gaze, silently watching the rain, held his brother’s real eyes.
Geom Mu-yang asked softly, “What do you like?”
Surprised by the unexpected question, Geom Mu-geuk turned to look at his brother. Geom Mu-yang turned his head back toward the falling rain and asked again.
“I asked what you like.”
Brother, do you realize? This is the first time you’ve ever asked me something personal. And you were the one to bring it up first.
“I like plenty of things. I like drinking and hanging out with people...”
“That’s too...”
Geom Mu-yang was about to warn him that being too swayed by affection and sentiment could lead to death. But then he realized that it was because of those very sentiments that their enemies were being wiped out.
A younger brother’s kindness was invincible.
“You prefer being alone, don't you?”
His brother continued to surprise him. It was surprising that he knew such a thing, and even more surprising that he expressed it.
“My brother is a regular shaman, a real psychic. What’s with you today?”
“What do you really like? Stop talking about people and booze.”
Knowing his brother was asking seriously, Mu-geuk answered honestly.
“I like lying down comfortably and looking at the sea. I like soaking in a hot spring in the middle of a snowy landscape.”
It might have sounded like a lie since he suddenly brought up the sea and hot springs, but these were things he truly loved.
“I like this, too. Standing under the eaves like this, watching the rain.”
Watching the world alone. He had experienced that moment far too many times in his life before the regression. In the middle of a blizzard, on a drifting raft, hanging from a cliff...
Even in those agonizingly lonely moments, looking at the world like this made him feel better. Just watching people pass by eased his heart. Perhaps that was why he still enjoyed moments like these.
Geom Mu-yang stared at his brother for a moment before looking back at the rain.
“I thought you said people who watch the world from the outside are old.”
“At least I’m watching from the outside with you.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed out loud, finding his own words childish. A faint smile touched Geom Mu-yang’s lips.
Shwaaaaaa.
“Brother, once Father finishes his closed-door training, let’s the three of us go hunting together.”
After watching the rain in silence for a moment, Geom Mu-yang nodded.
“Fine.”
Then, he added one more thing.
“...Always take care of yourself first.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes trembled as he looked at his brother. Today, for the first time, his brother had asked what he liked, and for the first time, he had shown genuine concern.
“I knew it! You’re not my brother! I suspected it from the moment you agreed to the painting. Give me back my brother! When did you swap places with him?!”
“...”
Once the joke was over, Geom Mu-geuk spoke seriously.
“Brother, I’m more selfish and cold-hearted than I look. You don't need to worry too much. If it looks like I’m messing up, don't hesitate to curse me out.”
Geom Mu-yang replied with equal gravity.
“I’ve held back several times today already.”
Shwaaaaaa.
*
The two decided to wait for the scroll to be finished by practicing their martial arts at their lodgings.
Geom Mu-yang focused on mastering the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. The power of the three drops of Sky Blue Stone Oil significantly influenced his training. Thanks to his purified internal energy, his practice was smoother than ever, and his achievements came more rapidly.
Geom Mu-geuk took it upon himself to handle the meals so his brother could focus on training. Every mealtime, he went to an inn to buy food and set the table. Knowing his brother didn't like eating out, he used the excuse of wanting some fresh air to go out and buy the dishes.
He moved so quickly with his lightness technique that it seemed like no big deal, but he prepared a different menu for every meal. When asked what he wanted to eat, Geom Mu-yang always replied "anything," but it couldn't literally be "anything" every time.
Thanks to this, Geom Mu-geuk learned about his brother’s palate—which dishes he liked and which he disliked. Even while eating, he tried to squeeze in as much conversation as possible. When else would he have the chance to stay in the same house with his brother for seven whole days?
Mu-geuk knew better than anyone that if you miss the moment, the opportunity to connect might never come again.
And on the final, seventh day, Geom Mu-yang went out and bought the food himself. Surprisingly, even though he hadn't asked, Geom Mu-yang returned with only the dishes Mu-geuk liked.
“How on earth did you know I liked these?”
“The tastes of a picky eater are obvious.”
Though he answered bluntly, Geom Mu-yang had been carefully observing which dishes his brother’s chopsticks gravitated toward over the past week.
*
And so, the seven days passed.
Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang appeared in the marketplace to retrieve the scroll. The streets of Wuhan were buzzing with a single piece of news. Today, the Murim Alliance was holding a grand banquet to celebrate Jin Ha-gun becoming the successor. Not only the leaders within the Alliance but also many renowned martial arts masters of the Central Plains were in attendance.
The marketplace was in a festive mood. Martial artists had flocked from every region, making the streets a literal sea of people.
“Hey, you lot! If you get too excited and bump into my brother’s shoulder, it’s all over! Total annihilation!”
Mu-geuk only said that for effect; in reality, he and Geom Mu-yang were the ones proactively avoiding others.
“Did you say Young Alliance Leader Bi is arriving tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
Bi Sa-in had sent word of the news through Tongcheon Pavilion.
“Ah, I’m so curious. I want to meet him and ask what happened with Miss Han of the Ice Palace.”
When they had all gathered and then parted ways previously, Bi Sa-in had abruptly suggested to Han Seol that she stop by the Unorthodox Path Alliance before returning home. He had regretted it the moment the words left his mouth, but surprisingly, Han Seol had agreed. At the time, Mu-geuk had let him go without teasing him via Voice Transmission so he could enjoy his happiness.
“When I see him this time, I’m going to squeeze every detail out of him. Could that bear-like guy even speak properly? I’ll have to give him a proper lesson on how to woo a lady.”
Wading through the crowds, the two arrived at the mounting shop. The scroll was finished as beautifully as the owner’s confidence had suggested.
“It’s wonderful!” Mu-geuk exclaimed.
The painting had been transformed into a high-quality, elegant scroll. The feeling was entirely different from when it was just a drawing on paper. Geom Mu-yang also wore a satisfied smile. It was good enough to be presented as a gift to their father.
Geom Mu-yang carefully rolled the scroll and tucked it into his robes. He looked as if he were guarding a divine sword.
“You’ve worked hard.”
After paying for the scroll, the two left the shop. They were about to head back to their lodgings when—
“Get down!”
At Mu-geuk’s shout, the two leaped into an alleyway together.
Geom Mu-yang asked in a low, tense voice, “Is it them?”
In response, Geom Mu-geuk peeked his head slightly out of the alley. His sharp gaze pierced through the crowd.
“Yeah, it’s a very fierce and scary-looking guy. And that scary guy is doing something adorable.”
Adorable?
Wondering what he meant, Geom Mu-yang also peeked out to look where his brother was pointing.
There he was.
Far off at the end of the marketplace stood a fierce and terrifying-looking man. Even the passing crowds parted ways the moment they made eye contact with him. Surprisingly, it was Bi Sa-in. They had thought he was arriving tomorrow.
“It seems his schedule was moved up. But why are we hiding?”
At Geom Mu-yang’s question, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes narrowed.
“Not at all! Look next to that liar.”
Beside Bi Sa-in, a woman in snow-white martial robes was looking around, taking in the sights. It was Han Seol of the Ice Palace. Surprisingly, she was with him.
“Why are the two of them together?”
“Look behind her.”
Behind Han Seol, the Twin Frost Swords, who served as her guards, were visible.
“The Twin Frost Swords aren't even paying attention to their guard duties; they’re just enjoying the market. That means they trust Sa-in. In other words, they’ve grown used to the four of them traveling like this. Which means Miss Han, who went to the Unorthodox Path Alliance, didn't go back to the North Sea and has been sightseeing around there instead.”
Mu-geuk could tell. Bi Sa-in had likely shown her around various places. Then, upon receiving his contact, they had come here together.
“To think he’d deceive me!”
“They probably just happened to arrive a day early.”
But they couldn't escape Mu-geuk’s keen eyes.
“Look at those clothes.”
Now that he mentioned it, Bi Sa-in was wearing white robes.
“He matched his outfit with hers. He even chose a patterned one on purpose so it wouldn't look like they were wearing identical uniforms.”
Hearing that, it did seem plausible. Geom Mu-yang wasn't the type of person to enjoy spying like this, but being with Mu-geuk made even this amusing.
Mu-geuk’s deduction continued.
“Do you know why he isn't wearing a bamboo hat?”
“Why?”
“Because he’s afraid it’ll mess up his hair.”
“Surely not?”
Not Bi Sa-in. With a face like his, he looked like he could conquer the Murim right this second. Geom Mu-yang couldn't believe it, but Mu-geuk was certain.
“Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to walk around with his face exposed right in the Murim Alliance’s front yard.”
Just then, Bi Sa-in, who was far off, suddenly whipped his head toward them. But the two had already pulled their heads back into the alley.
“What is it?”
At Han Seol’s question, Bi Sa-in turned back to her. His fierce, sharp expression softened instantly.
“It is nothing.”
Bi Sa-in looked at a street vendor’s cart nearby and asked her, “Would you like some sweets?”