Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Heartwarming Reunion
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Truly a smooth journey, a thousand li in a single day.
Going there had been such a struggle, but coming back was so effortless that Yi Ho-chang felt strangely drained inside.
Still, good things were good things.
He had no desire to invite needless swordplay.
"Whoa, whoa."
Finally back at the inn in Shaoxing where they had set out from, Yi Ho-chang stepped down from the carriage and breathed in the familiar air.
As if celebrating their safe return, the dawn sky was clear and cloudless.
Chun Seom glanced at him and remarked,
"That guy—watching him act, you'd think he was older than me. He was the same way when he came back from the Famous Name Assembly."
"Haha... Was I?"
He might look young on the outside, but he was actually older than Chun Seom, so it wasn't wrong.
While the other Dragon Pearl Gang members dismounted and relaxed, Bok Jung-ho went to collect their payment for the escort mission from Wei Xiaoxiao.
There had been more than a few perilous moments this time, so the bonus was substantial, bringing their total compensation to a whopping 1,100 taels of silver.
Wei Xiaoxiao clasped her hands in a fist-palm salute to Bok Jung-ho and said,
"We received so much help from the Dragon Pearl Gang on this escort. Thank you."
"I'm glad to hear that. I hope we cross paths again someday."
As Bok Jung-ho returned, the Dragon Pearl Gang members had finished preparing to head back to their base.
Wei Xiaoxiao was about to board her carriage when she strode over to Yi Ho-chang.
"Young hero."
"Yes, Escort Leader."
"Thanks to you, I felt like I had someone to rely on. It made me so happy. Thank you truly."
"I enjoyed my time traveling with you too, Escort Leader."
"You really did?"
"Of course. It was great."
At those words, Wei Xiaoxiao smiled softly, then climbed into the carriage and said,
"Come visit anytime. If you want to spend more enjoyable time together."
"Haha, sure, I will."
"Promise?"
Yi Ho-chang nodded, and soon the carriage departed.
Just as Wei Xiaoxiao vanished from sight, Chun Seom and Mu Cheol-gae sidled up beside him from nearby, clearing their throats.
"You saw that, right?"
"Yeah, I did."
"Looks like the escort leader's gaze on our squad leader wasn't ordinary, eh?"
"Yes, it definitely seemed that way."
Yi Ho-chang furrowed his brow at their words.
"What are you two getting at?"
"Didn't our squad leader feel it? That scorching look from Escort Leader Wei?"
"No, I didn't."
"You're more oblivious than I thought. We felt it, but you didn't? Anyway, this could be your chance. Your ages match up well—maybe you'll even become the son-in-law of the Great Hero Escort Agency."
These fools were really laying it on thick.
Ages match up? What did they know about his real age?
But looking at their faces, they were already imagining grandkids.
"You might be hearing 'uncle' from her soon, who knows?"
"Hey, you never know. Heh heh."
Best to make himself scarce in times like this.
Yi Ho-chang shook his head and started to leave.
The two chased after him, laughing.
"Squad Leader, you embarrassed?"
"Probably. But once it sinks in, he might not mind."
"Cut it out, you two."
"Heh heh, alright, sorry, Ho-chang. But that look in her eyes..."
"Argh!"
Yi Ho-chang broke into a run.
After parting ways with the gang members, the first place Yi Ho-chang headed to was none other than White Go Hall.
Entering the annex, he found Jo Jung-seon seated on the grand veranda, who brightened up and welcomed him warmly.
"Ho-chang, you've come."
"It's been too long, Elder."
"Come, sit."
Seated across from him with the Go board between them, Yi Ho-chang recounted the events at Shaolin Temple.
Jo Jung-seon listened attentively, then nodded with a smile once he finished.
"I see. Quite the ordeal. You must have worked hard."
"Not at all, Elder. I made it back safe and sound."
"Heh heh, as if it was all smooth sailing. A Summoning Pill, a map to Immortal Assembly Valley, and even Dalma Jiang— you've brought back a haul."
Yi Ho-chang smiled at his sincere praise.
But a lecture followed right after.
"Still, be cautious. I never truly believed that map from the Go board was real. You said you picked it up on the street, so I figured it was some crude fake scribbled together. Tales of Immortal Assembly Valley aren't exactly obscure, and besides, no one could verify it anyway. So when you said you were going to Shaolin, I thought it was just for the escort."
That explained why he hadn't been too surprised.
It made sense now, looking back at Jo Jung-seon's reaction then.
Jo Jung-seon took a sip to wet his throat and continued.
"But for a map to Immortal Assembly Valley to emerge from a Go board inscribed with the Ten Go Precepts even at this Shaolin visit... there must be something to it. From now on, stay extra vigilant."
Yi Ho-chang nodded and asked nonchalantly,
"Don't you feel any temptation, Elder?"
"I'd be lying if I said no, but I have no need for it."
"Why not?"
"Heh heh. Simple enough. What could an old man like me, no martial artist, do with it? I just want to live my days in peace—no desire to get tangled in the murim folk's blood feuds."
Yi Ho-chang smiled brightly at Jo Jung-seon's words.
Exactly.
That was the natural stance for someone outside the martial world.
Spotting the scratches on Yi Ho-chang's body, Jo Jung-seon let out a sigh.
"Anyway, enough nagging. Go rest. You should've taken a few days off after the escort, but you came straight here for this old man."
Even as he said it, he looked delighted.
Like a grandfather seeing his grandson.
Yi Ho-chang grinned and said,
"You like it, though, right?"
"Heh heh, of course! Do you know how bored and lonely it was without you?"
"I'm glad to be home too."
"Yes, yes. If you're happy, I'm happy."
Seeing how pleased he was, Yi Ho-chang decided to hold off on mentioning the trip to the Sichuan Tang family in a month or so.
He could already picture the hurt look if he announced another departure.
Come to think of it, he realized their bond had grown as close as family.
Then, something occurred to Yi Ho-chang, and he spoke up.
"Oh, right, Elder. I have something for you."
With that, he pulled a fine brush from his travel pouch.
"I bought it on the way back, thinking of you. They said it's good quality. I'm no expert, but it's called a rat-whisker brush?"
"Haha, yes. Great resilience, sharp tip, neatly trimmed—top-notch indeed. But..."
Examining the brush, Jo Jung-seon soon asked with a worried expression.
"It's quite fine. How did you afford something this precious? Don't tell me you overdid it..."
"No, no. I've only been receiving from you— this time, I wanted to give something back. We got paid well for the escort, so no worries."
Jo Jung-seon smiled contentedly at the answer.
Then he pulled something out himself.
"Ho-chang. Try this on."
In his hand was a simple yet elegant belt—upon closer look, an extraordinarily high-quality one.
Yi Ho-chang waved it off.
"That looks too expensive. I didn't give the brush expecting anything in return."
"I know. I bought it because I wanted to give you something. Don't think like that."
"Still..."
"Come on, my arm's getting tired. Here."
Refusing further might be rude.
With that thought, Yi Ho-chang cautiously said,
"Then, thank you. I'll gratefully accept."
"Do you know how to tie it?"
"Never tried, so not really."
"Turn around. I'll do it."
Yi Ho-chang turned, and Jo Jung-seon personally fastened the belt.
It suited him perfectly once secured.
Looking at Yi Ho-chang, Jo Jung-seon smiled warmly again.
"It fits well. Good."
"Thank you. I'll treasure it."
"Yes, yes."
Yi Ho-chang felt his heart truly warm from that smile.
It had been so long since he'd felt this.
Perhaps that's why.
His late grandfather from his past life came to mind.
The only pillar in his life after losing his parents.
Lost in those memories for a moment.
Yi Ho-chang asked Jo Jung-seon,
"Elder. Why are you so good to me?"
To be fair.
They weren't old acquaintances, and their first meeting was over betting Go.
And while he could justify asking for his own support, he'd even demanded help for his unseen siblings.
Hard to feel fondness after that.
Jo Jung-seon chuckled at the question.
"Ho-chang, do you know the poet Du Fu?"
"Du Fu?"
"Yes. Let me recite one of his poems, 'Song of Poor Friendship'."
"Palm up, and it forms clouds; flip it down, and rain falls.
Shallow, fickle hearts—must we measure them anew?
Do you know of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya's bond forged in poverty?
Such sentiments today are discarded like clods of dirt."
After reciting, Jo Jung-seon gave a brief explanation.
"Du Fu wrote this after a life of hardship and betrayal by friends, envying the friendship of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya."
He continued, looking at Yi Ho-chang.
"When I held office in the imperial court, I had not a single true friend. Everyone was after my head. Like Du Fu, I envied deep bonds."
Yi Ho-chang felt the same.
Ruling as the absolute in the Go world, how could he escape envy and jealousy?
A pro among pros, yet isolated like an island.
Jo Jung-seon went on.
"Ho-chang, from our first Go game, I've always been sincere with you. Playing Go with you lets me clash as my true self. At my umbrella longevity of eighty, how could I not do this much for a new friend?"
I see.
He's thought of me that way from the start.
It was deeply moving.
As Yi Ho-chang reflected on that.
"Hall Master, if you say that, my grandfather will feel slighted."
At the familiar voice, Yi Ho-chang turned.
It was Sima Hwa-yeong.
"Miss, you've come."
Sima Hwa-yeong responded to his greeting and walked into the annex.
"Young hero, it's really been ages."
She stepped onto the veranda and shot Jo Jung-seon a sharp glance.
"Hall Master, wasn't my grandfather your friend?"
"Heh, that old man who hasn't contacted me in over five years and just sends his granddaughter... my friend?"
"Grandfather!"
"Alright, alright. My ears are ringing. You were so cute as a kid."
"You were the same, Grandfather? You used to melt at my every word."
Listening to them, Yi Ho-chang could tell their rapport had grown much closer lately.
As he smiled at the pair, Sima Hwa-yeong said to him,
"But young hero, did you gain some enlightenment at Shaolin? Your aura feels fiercely powerful from afar—quite different from before."
"Ah, probably from the Summoning Pill. The gang leader said the same."
"Summoning Pill? You don't mean one of Shaolin's two great divine medicines?"
"Well, that's..."
Sima Hwa-yeong's eyes widened round, and Yi Ho-chang began explaining the whole story anew.