Chapter 19
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Bound for Anhui
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Three months had passed since Nangong Han-su returned after being successfully rejected in his marriage proposal.
The hot summer had gone by, and around the time snow began piling thickly on the bare branches of fruit trees that had borne fruit and dropped it.
“What? Anhui?”
“Yes.”
“…….”
Yu Seong-hwan frowned as he gazed at the neatly dressed youth.
His hair, oiled with camellia oil, neatly tied up and fixed with a topknot hairpin, the slender eyes beneath sleek brows, and then……
Wrinkled, crinkled.
“…….”
Yu Hyun fiddled with his sagging cheeks, grumbling inwardly.
Damn it, he had lost weight too quickly.
His body felt lighter, which was good, but……
The skin that had stretched out over time hadn’t returned to shape, leaving it even more droopy than his seventy-year-old father before him.
He had wrapped cloth tightly around his torso and limbs to conceal them somehow, but he couldn’t cover his face. Anyone seeing him would think he had some terrible illness.
“Hyun-ah. Winter has come and the weather is this cold—where are you going?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun pretended not to hear his father’s worry, sipping only at the tea with steam rising gently.
“No. The roads are all iced over, and carriage accidents from slipping are frequent, aren’t they? You’ve already grown so thin lately that only bones are left—if you slip on the ice and break a bone, what then?”
Yu Seong-hwan pleaded with his unmoving son, even bringing up the weather as an excuse to persuade him.
But for all his stubborn will, Yu Hyun didn’t budge an inch.
“They say that when you see the Five Peaks, no other mountains catch your eye, and when you see Mount Huangshan, the Five Peaks no longer satisfy.”
“What?”
“They say Mount Huangshan’s snowscape is truly magnificent.”
“……You’re saying you’re going to see the snowscape now? In this weather? With the north wind and heavy snow raging?”
“Yes. I heard from O Hyun, the branch chief, a few days ago that Mount Huangshan has seen record-breaking snowfall since ancient times, making the snowscape a spectacular sight. One you might never see again before you die.”
“Th-those…… beggars! What do they know, spouting such nonsense!”
At Yu Hyun’s words, Yu Seong-hwan’s eyes bulged as he unleashed a barrage of curses toward the Beggars’ Sect.
“Also, I plan to stop by the Nangong Clan on the way.”
“The Nangong Clan? Why!”
“Last time, Brother Han-su said to visit the Nangong Clan sometime, as he was also paying respects to Uncle.”
“Those damn fools?”
“Yes.”
“What respects? He doesn’t even come every day to his own father living under the same roof…….”
“Haha, Father. Doesn’t he visit every other day at least?”
“Every other day! Morning and evening every day wouldn’t be enough!”
“Anyway, even though he’s a distant uncle, he’s family all the same, and I’ve felt uneasy for not visiting because I was bedridden for seven years after gaining weight. I was too neglectful. So please allow it. I’ll see the Mount Huangshan snowscape while I’m at it.”
“Distant uncle my ass. With the marriage talk fallen through, what’s so great about…….”
He grumbled incessantly, mixing in curses he wouldn’t normally utter, showing how deeply unsettled he was.
But Yu Hyun was not one to back down for that.
He stood firm there, silently watching his father mutter like he was reciting sutras—something about appeals, the royal guard, a sea of fire.
“Whew……. At least wait until the weather clears, Hyun-ah. It’s been seven years since you last saw him—what’s a few more months?”
“But I have to see the snowscape.”
“What snowscape! Cheongam Mountain has plenty of snow too.”
“I told you.”
“…….”
“Rec!ord!break!ing snowfall? Might not see it again until I die.”
“…….”
“Anyway, I’ll pack within the next three days and go, so know that. I’ll return safely, so don’t worry.”
Clink.
Yu Hyun emptied his teacup and slowly rose.
“The tea is exquisite. The warm heat filling the heart so generously—much like Father’s ocean-like heart embracing me warmly?”
“…….”
“Then, I’ll take that as permission and withdraw.”
Yu Hyun smiled brightly, wrapped his thick overcoat tighter, and left the room.
“Haa, once that kid sets his mind, he’ll go even secretly…….”
Yu Seong-hwan, standing awkwardly and staring at the closed door, let out a deep sigh.
Yu Hyun. His proud son, whom he wouldn’t mind poking an eye out for, had shown tremendous change over the past three months.
Every little thing was touching, but what pleased him most was the weight loss.
How diligently had he slimmed down? Seeing his son now slender without envy, he didn’t know how many tears of joy he’d shed through the night.
And his martial arts?
After laying Dam Cheon-u flat, he’d begun mastering the Heaven-Earth Divine Book on his own, and now even Yu Clan Manor’s top expert Dam Cheon-u couldn’t win without using his internal energy.
It was truly admirable.
Late bloomer, they say—and it fit his son perfectly.
No parent could fail to rejoice seeing their child’s achievements in scholarship or martial arts, let alone Yu Seong-hwan, who was happy just watching Yu Hyun breathe.
But……
The problem came after that.
He could no longer rein in his son’s actions at all.
Was he compensating himself for the seven years lost in bed?
In the process, he was so elusive it was almost like the Divine Vagabond who once stirred up Chang-an.
Even in the crowded Hwiam Hall, no one knew when his son slipped out or returned to sleep……
So he had the escorts from the trading company and escort agency guard him, but the result was the same.
They all shook their heads, feeling like their noses had been slit in broad daylight, and he couldn’t burden busy Dam Cheon-u with household duties.
With no choice, he recalled Guard Huang, whom he’d demoted, and attached him by his side—only then did things quiet down a bit, letting him finally relax……
What? Where? Anhui? Snowscape?
This madman!
“Damn beggars. Letting my Hyun get such nonsense ideas because he visits often? He’s already making a fuss about catching up on the world he missed, and I let it slide…….”
Grinding his teeth toward the innocent Beggars’ Sect, he shouted toward the door.
“Is anyone there!”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
“Go to the Grand Steward right now and have him bring the documents for that three-story building on the main street!”
“……A three-story one, you say?”
“Beggars’ Sect branch!”
“Ah, yes. Understood, Patriarch.”
“Those damn bastards…… I’ll definitely chase them out of Anpyeong County!”
On that day, as Yu Seong-hwan’s venomous roar echoed through Yu Clan Manor, the rent for the three-story building the Beggars’ Sect branch had been using almost for free shot up exactly a hundredfold.
Terrified, O Hyun rushed over to beg, but the merciless landlord Yu Seong-hwan locked the door and refused to meet.
It meant get out.
O Hyun and the Beggars’ Sect disciples tearfully set up a temporary branch at a roadside shrine outside Anpyeong County.
* * *
Two days after notifying Yu Seong-hwan that he was going to Anhui.
Yu Hyun finished preparations by packing a few changes of clothes, travel money, simple medical tools, wondrous pellets, and five types of poison including rock-piercing poison.
One month ahead.
Plenty of time to go leisurely to Anhui.
The reason he’d gotten permission from his father by mentioning the snowscape and Nangong Clan was because it was about time for the Child Ginseng to appear on Mount Huangshan.
Know the location?
……No, but getting near there would suffice.
The rest, his body trained in the Spirit Heart Core Method, would sense the energy and pinpoint it on its own.
He’d even thought of a way to secure a reliable informant……
“Alright, preparations are done. A weapon would be nice…… Should I have asked for the Azure Heaven Sword from the Nangong Clan?”
No matter how he thought, going empty-handed felt lacking. A sword was an indispensable ornament for a martial artist, after all?
“Well, whatever. A true master doesn’t fuss over tools. With plenty of money, I can stop by a smithy on the way and buy one.”
In any case, he felt so, so good.
How hard had it been living with pretense unlike his nature?
Now slimmed down, once away from here, he could live freely without restraint.
Without minding anyone’s eyes! In the form of Jin Wi-gang, freer than anyone!
Thinking of the heavy money pouch at his waist, Yu Hyun grinned and opened the door.
Bang. Whoosh.
The rush of cold air felt so refreshing and g…… Huh?
Yu Hyun, who had been inhaling deeply with a fat cat-like expression, flinched at the sight before him.
Strange.
What’s all this?
The door wasn’t some portal to another world…… It was definitely Hwiam Hall’s front yard.
So what was that luxurious carriage, and who were all these people?
“Young Master, you’ve come out?”
Seeing Yu Hyun standing blankly with the door open, Guard Huang, whose cheeks were red from waiting outside for so long, bowed politely.
“Uh…… Guard Huang?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“What’s all this?”
Yu Hyun couldn’t hide his bewilderment, pointing here and there, and Guard Huang smiled as he answered.
“What else? We’re preparing the escort procession.”
“……It looks that way, but why in front of Hwiam Hall?”
“Hm? The Patriarch didn’t say anything?”
“…….”
What?
He’d heard the Beggars’ Sect branch got kicked out for not paying rent……
“It’s an escort to Anhui.”
“Anhui?”
“Yes.”
“Then…… that carriage?”
“The one for you to ride in, Young Master.”
“…….”
Me? Alone?
Big enough for six or seven people?
He’d thought of riding a horse since he’d lost weight and wouldn’t snap its back……
“Then, those bundled in cotton clothes, looking like they’d laugh at the winter winds?”
“They’re the attendants and maids to wait on you, Young Master.”
“…….”
Attendants and maids……
Ten of them, looking like bears from all the layers.
“And over there are escorts selected by the Grand Steward from the best martial artists and most experienced in the trading company and escort agency, in case of danger on the way.”
“…….”
Shifting his gaze, the martial artists who met his eyes bowed politely.
Twenty of them, with sword-like auras that would slice through any bandits or river pirates they encountered……
All told, thirty people.
“We’ve also sent word ahead to the post stations along the route. We’re awaiting replies, so you can depart tomorrow morning.”
“…….”
Even cooperation from the post stations……?
This was like the Emperor traveling……
“Oh, and the Patriarch said if you refuse even slightly, we’re absolutely not to let you go.”
“…….”
Guard Huang subtly rolled up his sleeve as he said it.
Clearly meaning he’d block by force if needed.
“Haa…… really…….”
Yu Hyun thought of Yu Seong-hwan and sighed deeply.
Sending all these nuisances along.
Damn…… what to do?
If it were just finding the Child Ginseng, going with them wouldn’t matter.
But Yu Hyun had another goal beyond acquiring the Child Ginseng.
Killing the minions of the future calamity.
No one must know about that.
If he, as a martial artist, it might be fine, but as a commoner, it would be serious trouble.
Who would believe he had no choice to prevent future calamity?
It would just be murder.
Rumors of a rich heir killing ordinary folk would turn public opinion against them.
With Guard Huang and the household warriors along, his father would surely find out, and he’d stake everything to cover his son’s sins.
Then his hard-earned reputation would plummet overnight, and Yu Clan Manor might shatter.
Oh…… absolutely not.
Losing all that wealth he was to inherit in one go would be very, very troublesome.
And beyond that, with these guys tagging along, he’d have to keep up the polite, good-boy act.
Damn…… just thinking about it was horrifying.
He was already sick of hiding his personality. He had to go alone.
But…… to do that, he had to deal with this leech-like Guard Huang first.
Could he with his current skill?
He’d learned the Beggars’ Sect lightness skill that covered a thousand li on a handful of qi, but if Guard Huang, at the pinnacle of will, decided to pursue, shaking him would be hard.
He’d probably be caught within ten—no, a hundred li.
Then?
“Departure tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“So we have a day.”
“Yes?”
“Never mind.”
As Guard Huang looked puzzled, Yu Hyun shook his head with a smile.
One day was enough.
Even if they chased later, they wouldn’t catch him.
Yu Hyun thought of one of the poisons in his bundle.
The rock-piercing poison he’d gotten from Jang Se-yong just in case.
“Since we depart tomorrow and have time, how about a drink together?”
“Yes?”
“Thinking about it, I don’t remember ever drinking with you…… You’ve always guarded my side…….”
“……Y-Young Master!”
Yu Hyun scratched his cheek as if embarrassed, and Guard Huang’s face lit with感动.
“Wait. I’ll get a good bottle from Namsan Housewife.”
“Yes! Young Master!”
Guard Huang waved happily as Yu Hyun went to fetch the liquor.
And in an instant, having left Yu Clan Manor far behind, Yu Hyun cupped his hands to his mouth and silently shouted with apologetic feelings.
Guard Huang~ Sorryyy.
I had no choiceee.
My masters taught me not to choose means or methods to save the martial worlddd.
I’ll leave a letttter.
You might get demoted again, but not kicked outtt~!