Chapter 22: Why is he venturing out again…? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Why is he venturing out again…? (2)
“Come back after you’ve gotten some rest. You’re going to die at this rate.”
Those were the words Muyeon heard from the leader of his swordsmen squad before being assigned as an escort.
Every night, Muyeon swung his sword, trying to forget that memory. Yet, it refused to fade.
To martial artists, martial arts without ‘heart’ are mere movement. Muyeon’s sword was the same—a hollow blade with no purpose. He was just going through the motions. That’s why, no matter how many hundreds or thousands of times he swung it, the memory remained.
He was a prodigy of the Ancient Gu Clan. Aside from the First Elder’s grandson, Gu Jeolyub, Muyeon’s talent was undeniably that of a genius. It was said he would have become the youngest in the clan’s history to reach the Peak realm.
Looking back now, it all seemed so insignificant.
Were all first-rate martial artists this obsessed with rank?
Muyeon still couldn’t understand his own past self.
Why did I come this far? For what reason? What is left for me?
He could still remember the desperate screams of his fellow swordsmen pleading for help.
What is my purpose for wielding a sword? A swordsman serves to protect with his blade. And yet, I couldn’t protect them.
Then who am I?
He didn’t know.
He lived like a cripple, drifting through the days until the leader’s order finally came.
“I can’t let a martial artist like you rot here, not in the current situation. This is the best place I can send you. Go there and take it easy.”
The place he was sent to was the escort squad—an honorable position protecting the direct descendants of the Gu Clan. But Muyeon didn’t see it that way.
“Report each and every one of their actions.”
That was the order he received as soon as he joined.
Why? Am I really protecting them?
In Muyeon’s eyes, the escort team existed more to observe than to guard. But he didn’t object. Was he in any position to? He couldn’t figure it out.
Soon after, Muyeon was assigned his charge: Gu Yangcheon, the third child and only son among the clan leader’s four children.
His first impression wasn’t favorable. Like every Gu Clan descendant, the young master had sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, clearly marking him as ill-tempered. They didn’t speak much, but Muyeon could tell he was arrogant as well.
Nice to meet you, Young Master.
You’re the escort?
Yes, my name is Muyeon.
Oh my, I told them to bring me a woman. They suck at their job.
Pardon…?
Don’t talk to me, you’re annoying. Go sit in a corner and don’t let me see your face.
…No wonder a senior from the swordsmen squad gave me a yakgwa.
What is this for?
If he starts to get angry, just listen with one ear and let it out the other. Then give this to the Young Master. Things will be slightly better after that.
Muyeon was thankful for the advice. Thanks to it, he could handle the young master a little more effectively.
He didn’t know if it was the leader’s intention, but after just a week with Gu Yangcheon, he wanted to return to his old squad. The new job was easier physically, but mentally, it was far more taxing.
Then one day, the Second Elder sent for Gu Yangcheon. Upon hearing the news, the young master immediately fled to the streets.
Do I have to stop him?
Muyeon considered it briefly. To be honest, he feared Gu Yangcheon’s tantrums more than the Second Elder’s scolding. So he simply followed, quietly observing from a distance.
Outside, Gu Yangcheon didn’t do anything in particular. He just watched people as they passed by, living their lives.
…
To my surprise, the air around him seemed to shift into a desolate silence.
What was he thinking? Usually, he had a foul temper, but sometimes, certain deep emotions surfaced—immense regret and a mollifying sorrow lingered on his face. Yet, at the same time, he looked peaceful. Resigned.
The only word that matched the expression on his face was “resigned.”
Why would the young master, destined to become the next clan lord, carry such an air? Muyeon couldn’t comprehend what pain the boy was going through. He didn’t want to pry further—he wasn’t in a position to, anyway.
Then, in an instant, the air around Gu Yangcheon changed.
Muyeon’s hand instinctively went to his sword hilt. Many had told him he had good instincts. He scanned the area quickly but sensed no immediate threat.
Huh?
What was this prickling sensation? It was so sharp it gave him chills. But it didn’t last.
“Want a potato?”
A child, her face barely visible, appeared before Gu Yangcheon holding a basket full of potatoes. She seemed to be around his age.
The prickling feeling vanished. Could that child have been responsible? Impossible—but better safe than sorry. Muyeon moved closer, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
“Young Master…?”
To his shock, Gu Yangcheon was eating the potato the girl had handed him. The same boy who would flip a table if a dish displeased him was eating a plain potato from the street.
The child’s appearance was even more concerning. Her clothes were tattered and dirty. Muyeon expected Gu Yangcheon to erupt at any moment, just as he did when discarding clothes after a single use.
He had to send her away immediately.
“How dare you put your hands on—”
“You got any yakgwas?”
“Huh?”
“Do you have any yakgwas?”
Why was he suddenly asking for yakgwa? Muyeon wanted to say he’d greedily eaten them all on the way here, but he held his tongue. Thankfully, a search of his pocket turned up one last piece.
Hahh… I learned martial arts only to become an escort who carries yakgwas…
That was what he thought in that moment.
Gu Yangcheon took the treat. Muyeon assumed he meant to cleanse the taste of the potato.
“You want to try this?”
Instead, he offered it to the child.
…Huh?
Muyeon had fully expected Gu Yangcheon to curse the girl out after eating the yakgwa. That was the young master he knew.
But he had changed.
He even apologized, saying he’d give her more if he had any. Muyeon couldn’t make sense of it.
I need to check where the sun rises tomorrow.
Whether it was the west, east, or south—he had to be sure.
The girl, delighted by the gift, disappeared shortly after with an old man.
Strangely, a few days later, that same girl and old man began working at Gu Yangcheon’s residence.
That day was unmistakably the point when Gu Yangcheon began to change.
He started to train. The fact that he was training at all was shocking, but the level of skill he displayed was even more so. He trained to the point where even Muyeon was sometimes in awe.
His attitude toward the servants shifted, too. Not that he became kind—just indifferent. Whether they worked hard or made mistakes, he didn’t seem to care. The servants rejoiced, saying it felt like heaven.
So much had changed.
Did he really change…?
Muyeon often recalled the expression on Gu Yangcheon’s face. It worried him constantly. It felt like the young master was hiding something. What could a teenager possibly have to conceal?
Maybe he didn’t change. Maybe this is his true self.
But what for?
He didn’t know.
When they next ventured out, Gu Yangcheon navigated the streets and alleys until he found the Hao Clan.
Why would someone from the Orthodox Factions involve himself with an Unorthodox Faction? And how had he even discovered this place? Muyeon understood nothing.
Then Gu Yangcheon revealed information about the Hao Clan’s lord. The shock nearly made Muyeon draw his sword too late. The guards’ blades were faster than he expected.
But Gu Yangcheon didn’t flinch, even with swords pointed at him. How could he stay so calm?
It reminded Muyeon of something the squad leader once said when drunk:
You know, the Gu Clan isn’t all bright and sunshine like you might think. Don’t delve too deep—you might not like what you find.
Remembering that, his mind grew troubled.
After leaving the Hao Clan, Gu Yangcheon bought a mountain of yakgwas as if nothing had happened. With all of Muyeon’s money, no less—which still hadn’t been repaid.
Back at the clan, Gu Yangcheon asked him to keep everything a secret, as it was personal business. Muyeon agreed.
But he was supposed to report everything.
Sitting down to write the report, he couldn’t understand himself. His job was simple: write what happened. So why couldn’t he put pen to paper?
The answer was a gut feeling. Something deep inside told him not to write it down.
But why? What was the problem? His thoughts were a tangled mess.
In the end, he only wrote that Gu Yangcheon had visited the Hao Clan. He omitted any mention of the clan lord.
It was a difficult night. Not understanding himself made it worse.
Suddenly, he felt the urge to swing his sword again. He went outside and took up his blade.
How many months had it been since he’d felt this desire? It was different from swinging it without will.
Who am I? Who is Gu Yangcheon? What is the Gu Clan?
He asked these questions to his sword, and it answered.
Just like that, he felt enlightened for the first time in months. A childlike joy filled him. He even bragged about it to the old man sweeping Gu Yangcheon’s courtyard.
His mind felt clear.
“…I think I can go back now.”
He felt he could return to being a true swordsman. Perhaps he had Gu Yangcheon to thank for that.
He felt grateful to the young master, who had noticed his agitation but never pressed him. That was also why Muyeon couldn’t bring himself to ask about Gu Yangcheon’s own troubles.
Why had he worn the mask of a scoundrel? Why had he cast it aside? What secrets did the Gu Clan hold? Muyeon didn’t dare dwell on it.
So, he prepared to request a return to the swordsmen squad.
“…Sichuan?”
But instead, they ordered him to go to Sichuan.
…Why?
* * *
“The Military Exhibition of the Tang Clan?”
A day had passed since the Second Elder had absurdly told Gu Yangcheon to just run away.
When Yangcheon complained that running was ridiculous, the elder had looked at him disappointedly and gone to find a legitimate way to get him to Sichuan.
Hence, the Military Exhibition.
“We get an invitation every year, but it’s not something I’ve ever been fond of attending.”
The exhibition was one of the events hosted by the Tang Clan to showcase their military prowess.
“That starts around this time…?”
In his previous life, he’d attended once, using his status as Young Lord. He remembered many impressive weapons on display.
“It starts in about fifteen days, so I should leave now.”
He barely had enough time to travel such a long distance. Could he really reach the secret vault of the Golden Nature Clan in Sichuan in such a short time?
“But how did you get approval?”
He’d only been allowed to attend before because he was the Young Lord. It wasn’t easy for a Gu Clan descendant to leave for nearly a month.
The Second Elder laughed.
“I just have to call in a favor for the Gu Clan.”
“You’re going that far?”
What kind of favor could make it so easy? Yangcheon had honestly expected to be sent off in a random carriage headed toward Sichuan.
Well, that was still better than running awa—wait, that was running away.
He got goosebumps realizing he’d just thought like the Second Elder.
I’m at least better than this old bear of a man… Yes! Of course I am.
“I’ve already promised you, Yangcheon.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know why you’re trying to go to Sichuan, but you are a direct descendant of the Gu Clan. Mark that in your head and act appropriately.”
“…”
It was a clear warning not to cause trouble.
Yangcheon made a strange face. The words would have been more persuasive coming from anyone else. Hearing the Second Elder tell him not to make trouble felt utterly unrealistic.
“What’s that face? This old man is suddenly tempted to smack you on the head.”
“…You looked so amazing a moment ago that I was speechless.”
Anyway, things were proceeding smoothly. Even if he failed to find the vault, he was determined to ensure the Gaecheon Clan couldn’t get their hands on it.
“So, when do I leave?”
“What do you mean ‘when’? You need to leave now.”
“Pardon…?”
What is this old man saying? How can I leave without any prepara—
“I told the servants to get everything ready. You can leave immediately.”
Oddly, the preparations had been made with startling speed.
“What about my opinion?”
“You seemed to want to go as soon as possible, so this old man took care of it.”
“Isn’t ‘soon’ a bit too soon…?”
“The trip is long. Isn’t it better to leave early and return early?”
He wasn’t wrong, but it still felt strange.
Yangcheon saw Muyeon approaching from afar. The escort’s face was blank, as if his soul had left his body.
Why does he look like that?
It seemed he’d been ordered by the Second Elder to join the carriage, like it or not.
The crew included Muyeon and some servants. Wi Seol-Ah wasn’t there. Yangcheon was relieved she hadn’t been included.
But should I leave without saying anything to her? She’d probably be sad.
He’d be gone for almost a month. It was easier on his mind to leave her here, but the thought of not seeing her for so long…
“But can I really leave like this? Shouldn’t I at least tell the—”
“Go! This old man has taken care of everything. Now set off!”
He shoved Yangcheon into the carriage and shut the door.
“What kind of farewell is this…!”
Yangcheon didn’t even get to finish his sentence. The carriage was already moving.
Just like that, it set off, leaving the clan behind.
* * *
After the carriage departed, the Second Elder turned and headed back toward Gu Yangcheon’s residence.
“Now let’s talk, Senior.”
Though the place seemed empty, the Sword Venerable was waiting inside. The usual smile was gone from his face, leaving only cold eyes.
“About what?”
“About why the clan lord requested I do such a thing.”
The Second Elder settled down opposite the Sword Venerable. His huge frame dwarfed the other man’s. It seemed he could easily pin him down with sheer weight, but the elder knew better.
Never judge a book by its cover.
Within that small vessel resided the strength of the heavens. The Sword Venerable, despite his title, didn’t even need a sword in his current state.
“About why you are desperately searching for the Immortal Healer. I’m curious.”
The Sword Venerable said nothing, only stared. The Second Elder sighed. He’d known he wouldn’t get an answer.
“Then I’ll ask a different question.”
The Second Elder took a sip of tea, swallowed slowly, and spoke again.
“Your granddaughter. What is she?”
The Sword Venerable’s cold eyes sharpened.
“That child.”
Their gazes locked.
“Is she even human?”
The moment the words left the Second Elder’s mouth, the Sword Venerable’s Qi erupted, engulfing the room like a raging storm.