Master. The Genuine Article (2)
"It's understandable you'd misunderstand. We're both adults. We drank until evening and then went into the same room—what else is there to think?"
"..."
Teacher Cheon beat his chest as if the whole thing frustrated him beyond words. "I don't know how you took it, Teacher Yu, but to me it was simply about sharing a deep, sticky friendship between friends. Of course, it might not have worked out that way. If so, that's a shame. But there's no reason to keep sulking over it like this, is there? People attach far too much meaning to spending one night together in the first place."
I said nothing, instead lifting a piece of tofu with my chopsticks. The egg-coated, fried exterior was chewy yet moist from soaking up the broth.
"It's nice when you meet a good person, when words flow easily and hearts connect. It's just taking one extra step from there. Feeling each other's warmth, sharing emotions on a deeper level—that's all it is. Honestly, Teacher Yu, you call yourself a member of the Demonic Cult yet you act this uptight?"
Teacher Cheon tilted his head until it nearly rested on my shoulder, pouring out his argument with dramatic flair. I had intended to ignore him again, but one word in that torrent made it impossible.
I asked, "...How did you know I called myself a member of the Demonic Cult?"
Teacher Cheon looked genuinely puzzled. "Huh? It's not like you were hiding it. You wrote something about the Heavenly Demon in the guest ledger, and you've been traveling with Cho Yak this whole time, haven't you?"
It was true I hadn't tried to conceal it. Still, the distance from Chang'an to Tianjin took five days by boat and far longer by carriage. Even if rumors had wings, we had essentially taken the fastest possible route for news to spread. We had set out the day after meeting Jegal Ji, and Cho Yak's illness had delayed us another day, so the total lag was only two days. It wasn't impossible for word to reach someone who had been listening from the start.
I pressed further. "You knew I was from the Demonic Cult?"
"Obvious at a glance. Anyway, in the Cult we treat that sort of thing like a casual greeting. I already apologized, so let's move on. If you keep this up I'll die of boredom, Teacher Yu!"
He clung to me with a whine. I tried to shrug him off with my shoulder, but he only swayed like a blade of grass in the current and refused to budge. It felt wrong to shove him with my hand or use inner force, so I settled for sharp words.
"A greeting, you say. Then Miss Cho must have been remarkably rude inside the Cult."
"Ah, she suffered a lot outside during her adolescence, so she's a bit twisted. Still, her heart is in the right place..."
The claim was so absurd I had nothing left to say. The moment I turned my attention back to the tofu, Teacher Cheon spoke again.
"Oh, right—Cho Yak mentioned it and it reminded me. Teacher Yu, have you heard of the Guyeongmun?"
"...Guyeongmun?"
"Yes. The name keeps popping up here and there, and with Cho Yak's situation too, but whenever I chase the lead I come up empty."
I had never crossed hands with them, so I could only guess, but Teacher Cheon's skill seemed even higher than Cho Yak's. The Demonic Cult was both a religious order and a martial faction; someone of that caliber would surely hold a high position. If Teacher Cheon and Cho Yak decided to fight to the death with Master Ju and his circle, I would find it difficult to side with either party—yet failing to take a side would also bring resentment. I could only hope the matter wouldn't become a nuisance and answered carefully.
"Do you have a grudge against Miss Cho aside from that matter?"
"The name itself is the problem. Seeking eternity? How could any devout follower of the Demonic Cult feel comfortable with that?"
At those words, the Cult's doctrine that Cho Yak had once described rose clearly in my mind. At its very foundation was the assertion that there were no gods, no heavens, no eternity, and no absolutes.
"Beyond that, there are signs they have reached into our territory and touched our people. So, do you know anything?"
"Well... that's..."
Saying I knew nothing would be an outright lie, but admitting I did would be no different from inviting an immediate fight. As I let my words trail off, a young woman in pale blue-and-white silk robes approached our table from the stairs. It was Jegal Ji.
"Greetings. I came to ask if the honored elder was experiencing any discomfort during the journey. May I ask who this person is?"
For once, I was genuinely glad to see Jegal Ji. I answered, "The trip has been comfortable, without any particular inconvenience. This is..."
"I am Cheon. Teacher Yu and I share an exceptionally close relationship."
Teacher Cheon cut in before I could finish. Jegal Ji's eyebrows twitched faintly.
"Senior Cheon... you are also from the Demonic Cult?"
"If not, what else would I be?"
"Ah, yes. Of course. I was startled and spoke out of turn. Please forgive me."
Jegal Ji bowed deeply. Seeing this, Teacher Cheon smiled.
"Good. Rudeness forgiven. Teacher Yu, don't you feel anything when you see this?"
"Feel what?"
"When someone apologizes to me, I generously accept it. Last night was a trivial matter, and you received an apology—wouldn't it be reasonable to let it go?"
The person who should be seeking forgiveness was now lecturing others on how to forgive. Such thick skin was rare. I immediately raised my voice.
"Are you equating those two things?"
"Guyeongmun?"
"..."
While I froze at the sudden word, Teacher Cheon continued.
"Whatever it is, it seems there are reasons you can't speak of it, so I won't ask further. See how considerate I am? Yet here you are, holding onto one little misunderstanding and acting so narrow-minded. Is that really necessary?"
"...Fine."
When I reluctantly nodded, Teacher Cheon casually draped an arm over mine. I reflexively started to shake it off but stopped myself, instead moving my chopsticks to finish the remaining tofu.
"Ah, now that I've finally reconciled with Teacher Yu, it feels like the yellow sky has turned blue again."
"Remove your hand."
"Why? Is there a problem?"
I could tolerate the arm, but the hand slowly creeping onto my thigh was absolutely unacceptable. I glared at him with all the intensity I could muster. Only then did Teacher Cheon withdraw his hand with a sigh.
"Goodness. You said you forgave me, yet your expression stays so stiff I thought I'd tease you a little. If I keep bothering you when it's obvious you dislike it, how could I call myself a friend? Of course, if Teacher Yu's feelings change, that's another story."
"They won't."
"You never know. As the Heavenly Demon himself said, nothing is eternal."
My sigh seemed endlessly amusing to him; Teacher Cheon burst into laughter. I paid him no mind and focused on finishing the tofu dish.
And so a few more days passed.
Teacher Cheon stayed glued to my side every single day. His supply of stories never ran dry, nor did his silver. With nothing else to do aboard the ship, our routine became sitting in the same spot from late morning until sunset, chatting about worldly affairs or martial theory while enjoying lavish wine and food.
Jegal Ji appeared less and less often, and for the past two days she had been nowhere in sight. I could only assume she was busy with some inscrutable plan of her own.
The Grand Canal was nearing its end, and the air had grown noticeably warmer than when we were in Shandong. As if to signal that the capital was close, buildings of various kinds frequently flashed by along the riverbanks. It was late morning, some time after sunrise, so the river sparkled under the sunlight, the pavilions bustled with people, and the plates on our table were nearly empty.
I glanced at Teacher Cheon, then picked up the last remaining shrimp and popped it into my mouth. For once he sat quietly beside me, gazing outside. After the waiter cleared the dishes, the silence began to feel awkward. That was when Teacher Cheon spoke.
"Only a few days left now."
"Until what?"
"Until Wuhan."
"So you aren't even trying to hide that you've been following me anymore."
"There's no point hiding what's already obvious. It wouldn't make sense."
Teacher Cheon smiled and took out his pipe, drawing in a long puff. The tobacco he smoked carried a thick, sweet scent—different from any tobacco I knew.
"Once we reach the capital, if we really race along the river we'll reach Yueyang in just a day and a half. What do you think?"
"I've said it many times. If that was my plan, I would have run the whole way from the beginning."
"Yes, you did say that."
Two days ago the latest news had arrived: Yu Baek had already reached Yueyang. Since Yueyang was practically next door to Wuhan, whether we went to him or called him to us, it wouldn't take long. There were still things I needed to explain—the way I had seemingly imprisoned him, the meaning of the protagonist's name in that absurd story—but first I had to hear why he had swung his sword. My head grew tangled with all the things I needed to say.
In the middle of those thoughts, Teacher Cheon asked, "What will you do when you catch him?"
What would I do? Ask what I needed to ask, tell him what I needed to tell, and after that...
"I'll scold him a bit, then let him do as he wishes."
"Hm. And if I say I will kill him?"
I slowly turned my head to meet the eyes of Teacher Cheon, who was still drawing on his pipe. He inhaled leisurely, turned to exhale the smoke, then looked back at me.
"No matter what, he damaged the prestige of the Cult. It doesn't seem right to let that go with just a few soothing words, does it? He's not a child anymore."
"I thought the matter had already been settled with Cho Chasa."
"I'm her superior."
"...In that case, it would be difficult for me to accept you unilaterally breaking an agreement already reached with her."
"Exactly. That's what they call faith. Then who should bear this responsibility..."
With his left hand still holding the pipe, Teacher Cheon rested his chin on it while his right index finger tapped the table. Tap. Tap. Tap. On the third tap he lifted his finger and pointed across the river.
"It seems Cho Yak, who arbitrarily agreed to a light punishment, will have to take responsibility."
"..."
"It's unfortunate, but it looks like Cho Yak will have to die. That's none of your concern, is it, Teacher Yu?"
A heavy silence settled over us. I finally managed to speak.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"How scary. Why the sudden serious atmosphere? Oh, just kill me instead. That works too. Then there's no need for Cho Yak to die."
At those words the strength left the hand I had kept resting on my sword. The mocking Teacher Cheon saw this, suddenly straightened his expression, and let out a sigh.
"Ah, I'm just frustrated. You keep trying to measure the world, but in my opinion it's a useless endeavor. You already know this, don't you, Teacher Yu? You said you've lived longer than I have."
I tried to respond, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth. When it became clear I wouldn't speak, Teacher Cheon stood up.
"Think it over. The part about killing Cho Yak or not was just talk, so don't take it too seriously. I like Cho Yak too, you know. She's cute, isn't she?"
With those final words, Teacher Cheon left. It was two days before we would arrive in Wuhan.