The True Zhongyuan Journey
Jeong Gwang had never imagined that Heo Cheong would say no.
"No?"
"That's right."
"What if I just run off?"
"Sigh. That's exactly what worries me."
Heo Cheong let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself.
"What to do. I just can't let you go alone... "
"Master. I can hear you."
"Hm. In that case..."
After much deliberation, Heo Cheong continued.
"Should I come with you?"
"No."
"Why?"
"You'll nag me the whole time."
Heo Cheong looked wronged.
"Show me a master who nags less than I do."
"Do you want to leave here too, Master?"
"Don't say that."
"Why?"
"...I've taken on more than my share of burdens. Honestly, I'm a bit scared."
As Heo Cheong confessed his heavy heart, Jeong Gwang comforted him.
"Then go. Alone."
"Hah. You just won't say you want to go together, will you."
Heo Cheong gave a wry smile before speaking gravely.
"I can't go. I have work to do here. So at least you should fly free."
"That's my master."
"But."
"Yes?"
"You can't go alone. Take at least one person."
"Who?"
Heo Cheong's gaze turned in one direction.
Jeong Gwang's eyes followed.
Baek Seung-mu, receiving those looks, trembled faintly.
"M-Master. S-Senior Brother. Wh-Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jeong Gwang glanced back at Heo Cheong and asked.
"Can't I really go alone?"
"Seung-mu wants to become a great hero. If you go together, he'll try his best to show you a good example."
"Me?"
As Jeong Gwang looked baffled, Heo Cheong frowned.
"Is that too much?"
"Of course."
"Anyway, you must take at least one. If you go alone and come back, you'll read the Daoist scriptures for two hours every day."
"...!"
Jeong Gwang considered bolting right then but gave up.
Kunlun was his home.
A real home that gave him the warmth he'd never known in his previous life.
'I'll visit sometimes, but I can't deal with that every time.'
As Heo Cheong pondered, Jeong Gwang started thinking too.
"Hmm... Is there anyone suitable?"
"Hmm... Doesn't seem like it."
"Can't Seung-mu work?"
"No."
"Then your martial uncle Heo Jik."
"Master, I'll take Seung-mu."
"Good. Go carefully."
Baek Seung-mu, watching their dramatic compromise, gaped.
'...Why? Why me?'
Understanding his feelings, Heo Cheong smiled softly and sent a transmission.
-Seung-mu. I know it's been hard since you entered late. Go with Jeong Gwang. He'll pave the way for you.
-...Master, you did this for me. Thank you.
-Also, you're worldly-wise and heroic, so you'll help Jeong Gwang too. Don't forget your heavy responsibility.
-...Can't I skip it?
Heo Cheong shook his head firmly.
Baek Seung-mu's face paled.
Meanwhile, Jeong Gwang was reasonably satisfied with the compromise.
'If I have to take someone, better a junior brother.'
At least Baek Seung-mu was useful and easy to boss around.
Compared to someone like Heo Jik, he was an incomparable treasure.
And so, Jeong Gwang and Baek Seung-mu's escape—no, their journey into the jianghu—was decided.
Jeong Gwang planned to leave immediately, but first, there was something to do.
"Junior brother. Empty all your valuables and give them to Master."
"Pardon?"
"Hurry."
"Ah, yes."
Baek Seung-mu was dumbfounded.
'Give them all? Did Senior Brother eat something bad?'
But he had to obey orders. He pulled out his hidden bundle from the corner and dumped it before Heo Cheong.
Clatter—
A flood of items spilled onto the floor.
Heo Cheong's eyes widened as he gasped.
"Heavens!"
Silver taels and gold nyang barely registered!
Gems, stacks of promissory notes—enough wealth to make one's head spin!
Heo Cheong barely managed to work his gaping mouth.
"Th-This much? I knew you were rich, but not this rich."
"Since Junior Brother's coming too, we should give it to Master. Use it for business operations. Send some to the main sect too."
"I-I will. Thank you so much."
"No big deal."
"...But I don't see the land deeds."
"I'll keep those."
"Hm. Fair enough."
After meticulously checking the items, Heo Cheong gathered them all and asked.
"If you give everything away, how will you two manage?"
Jeong Gwang clasped his hands.
"Infinite mercy of the Buddha. What use is wealth to a Daoist on the road? Just take a step forward."
Heo Cheong nodded as if he understood.
"You must have some set aside. Good thinking."
He knew his disciple too well.
He didn't know Jeong Gwang had pocketed the Namgung bribes, but he figured he'd have some travel funds.
'Sending both feels strange.'
No matter how strong Jeong Gwang was, it felt like putting a baby by the water's edge. And Baek Seung-mu?
Still, it was time to let them go.
"Off you go. I'll explain to the elders."
"You sure?"
"I'll get an earful."
Heo Cheong shrugged, and Jeong Gwang chuckled softly.
"The elders are one thing, but I'm worried how much the Alliance Leader will hassle you."
"Hang in there, Master."
Heo Cheong smirked and started to spread his arms for a hug, then flinched.
It had been ages, but his disciple had shot up taller than him.
He hugged him in his heart and turned away.
Jeong Gwang's bright voice rang in his ears.
"Then we'll be off."
Heo Cheong didn't turn.
Instead, a slightly trembling voice escaped his lips.
"...Yes. The jianghu is perilous. Always take care."
Baek Seung-mu bowed to Heo Cheong too, then grinned inwardly.
'The one who needs care isn't you, Senior Brother...'
In his mind, the real danger was the jianghu.
And so, Jeong Gwang and Baek Seung-mu's journey into the jianghu began.
Once far from the Murim Alliance, Jeong Gwang set Baek Seung-mu down from his shoulder.
"Junior brother. Why are you wobbling?"
"Urk. I-I'm gonna puke."
"Tsk. What good is weak balance?"
"Urgh. B-Because you ran like you were flying, Senior Brother."
As Baek Seung-mu caught his breath, he felt a bit better.
Now he noticed something he'd ignored before.
"Senior Brother. Your bundle looks awfully heavy. What's in it?"
"Wealth and whatnot."
"Where'd you... acquire that?"
"It just happened."
Baek Seung-mu shook his head but looked relieved.
"Good. I was worried after giving almost everything to Master."
"More than enough for the jianghu. Plus this."
Jeong Gwang raised his middle finger, revealing a dark iron ring.
"Ah. The ring from the Qinghai Province Lord."
"Yeah. Need money? Show this at any money house on the continent."
Baek Seung-mu fully relaxed.
Then another question arose.
"But why give Master so much?"
"Business needs solid funds. And the folks at the main sect are probably eating scraps in the cold wind. It's only right to help."
"...Only right?"
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. Utterly proper words."
The problem was Jeong Gwang saying something so proper.
'Is he scheming again?'
Suspicious Baek Seung-mu realized something unexpected.
'...Come to think of it, Senior Brother's been generous to his own people.'
He recalled scattering money and elixirs like water.
His mother Heo Yeo-min's words came to mind too.
'He treats his people differently.'
His heart warmed.
As a Kunlun disciple, wasn't he one of Jeong Gwang's people?
He felt a sense of responsibility to give back, even if not equally.
'As Master said, I need to keep Senior Brother from straying.'
If done right...
The world would gain an unprecedented hero.
A hero named Jeong Gwang, who lived for self-interest that became heroism.
Baek Seung-mu clenched his fist.
"Senior Brother. I'll do my utmost to assist you."
"Good. Start with this."
Jeong Gwang handed over the bundle, and Baek Seung-mu shouldered it eagerly.
"Whoa. Pretty heavy."
"It'll get heavier."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"I'll keep filling it with wealth."
"...Ah. Yes."
Jeong Gwang grinned at Baek Seung-mu's uneasy face.
"So grow it well."
"...Sigh. Understood, Senior Brother. But where to?"
"Hebei."
"Business there?"
"Sort of. Anywhere you want to stop?"
Baek Seung-mu paused, then listed famous sights endlessly.
Born and raised in Qinghai Province, when had he ever been to the Central Plains?
No stuffy adults around—this was his chance to visit every dream spot.
"...Sorry, Senior Brother. I got excited and talked too much."
"It's fine. I want to see them too."
"...!"
"We'll take it slow."
"Yes! Senior Brother!"
Jeong Gwang smiled at the overjoyed Baek Seung-mu.
'That exciting, huh.'
Truth be told, Jeong Gwang loved it too.
Wandering the Central Plains freely like this.
Something impossible in his previous life.
His mood lifted, stirring his interest.
"Alright! Let's grab a drink first!"
"Yes! Senior Brother! Wh-What?"
"Ah. Somewhere else first."
Jeong Gwang changed into civilian clothes at a clothier.
Light silk attire that suited him well.
'Still uncomfortable.'
After nearly twenty years in Daoist robes since reincarnating, it felt odd, but what could he do?
To eat and enjoy properly, this was necessary.
To gain one thing, sacrifice another. No—sacrifice one, gain many!
As he steeled himself.
Baek Seung-mu hesitated before calling.
"Um... Senior Brother."
"Yeah?"
"You just disguised yourself."
"Right."
"Won't help much."
"Why?"
"Where in the world is there a man as handsome as you? Word will spread fast."
"Oh. True."
To reach Hebei, they'd pass Kaifeng, Beggars' Sect headquarters.
The beggar hordes would spot him instantly. Rumors to the Murim Alliance were inevitable.
'That's a problem.'
Pondering, Jeong Gwang chose the easiest way.
'Some demonic qi will leak, but not the Alliance, so fine.'
He drew qi from his dantian and scattered it over his body.
Activating Thousand Transformations Disguise Bone Shrink Demonic Art, he felt it take hold.
'Decent enough.'
To check, he asked Baek Seung-mu.
"How's it look?"
"...Pardon, but who are you...?"
Baek Seung-mu's baffled expression meant it worked perfectly.
"Your senior brother."
"...R-Really you, Senior Brother?"
"Can't tell?"
Baek Seung-mu was flabbergasted.
That's why he asked!
'A disguise technique like this exists?'
The man changed in an instant.
Face and build!
It seemed less disguise and more sorcery.
'Do they teach this at the sect?'
As if.
It was Jeong Gwang's creation from his past life.
Meanwhile, heedless of his junior's confusion, Jeong Gwang walked on.
Realizing late, Baek Seung-mu shouted urgently.
"S-Senior Brother! We go together!"
"Hurry up."
"Yes!"
Baek Seung-mu chased after him frantically.
His senior brother walked lightly, as if on clouds.
Indeed, Jeong Gwang's heart was that light.
'Where to?'
With his identity perfectly hidden, nothing could stop him...
This was the true start of his Zhongyuan journey.