My Friend Called Cheonma
"Reciting those Buddhist scriptures so elegantly must've really surprised Un-seon, the head of Bo-ta Mun∼∼."
As Yeon Sa-gu finished explaining the events of that year in Chim-ju, Cheon Jung-seo's stunned retort burst out immediately.
"That much of Seol Jin-gwang's estate belongs to Mu Yun?"
"But that bastard—no, Mu Yun's always been sly as a fox, so he's hiding way more. I'm telling you, it's true. If Father asks, I'll spill everything. So tell me a bit more. Ahem!"
"……?"
This time, the talk turned to the business ventures in Chim-ju's city streets.
"When he first brought up the moneylending, Brother Gong Ya-seong flipped out in anger, but turns out it was this kind of business. Oh, and that guy being ten years older, yet this bastard—no, Mu Yun—just casually drops informal speech on him? I'm five years older myself. Ahem!"
A moment later, it was Mother Ryu Hwa-seon's turn to gape in shock.
"Teaching embroidery for free? To all the women in a place as big as Chim-ju?"
At that instant, Yeon Sa-gu's lips curled up smugly.
'That one's perfect! Heh heh.'
He'd been mulling it over for a while. It was a gift best delivered by Mu Yun himself, but the guy wasn't one to blab about his inner thoughts. Nosy as it was, he had no qualms if it was for his friend's sake.
"Hold on a sec! I'll be right back."
"……?"
Yeon Sa-gu dashed to his room and returned with bolts of colorful silk in hand. He examined them carefully before handing one to Ryu Hwa-seon.
"This one's chrysanthemums, so it's for you, Mother."
"……Why are you giving me this?"
"That guy's a bit shy. Hard to bring it up in words, so he stayed up nights embroidering one for each family member. The skill's obvious, but pretend to wear it for the effort."
"……!"
A single tear dropped onto the silk she received. Her startled hand quickly wiped it away.
Swoosh!
It had been seven years since her son returned, and this was handmade by him—no flaw could be tolerated by a mother.
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes and hands moved swiftly.
"This lotus pattern's for Sis, and let's see... this one?"
He glanced around before thrusting a bolt toward Gu Chae-ryeong.
"Little Aunt, right?"
"Pardon? Oh... yes."
"Heard you like gazing at the sky, so he added clouds."
Gu Chae-ryeong stared blankly at the embroidery, her eyes unfocused as if entranced.
'Me too?'
Mu Yun hadn't even greeted her properly after turning fifteen. No, even up to the day before he left, he acted repulsed by her mere presence.
The unbelievable reality left her chest trembling, her mind going numb.
Finally, Yeon Sa-gu's gaze turned to a girl blooming like a flower.
"You must be A-hyeon."
"Yes? ...Yes."
"Haha! That bastard Mu Yun really! I'm gonna smack him a few times when he comes out."
"……?"
Yeon Sa-gu bent down to meet Cheon A-hyeon's eyes.
"He talked about you like such a kid, I figured I'd pat your head when we met. But you're all grown up now—close call, that could've been trouble."
Cheon A-hyeon's face was etched with disbelief.
"O-Oppa talked about me? No way."
Her big brother always scowled whenever they crossed paths at the estate. A scolding would've been better. He just gave that unwelcome look and turned away—the scary brother she feared.
She'd hoped he'd never return. She'd only come here dragged along unwillingly. Even now, the thought of facing him made her heart pound.
This time, Yeon Sa-gu simply held up two bolts of plain silk before Cheon A-hyeon, his face brimming with the warmest smile he could muster.
"A-hyeon, this silk has no embroidery. Everyone else has theirs—know why yours is missing?"
"I'm fine... really."
"I asked that bastard—your big bro—'cause I was curious too. He just sighed heavily."
"……?"
"Took him ten days for everyone else's, but five days of agonizing and he still couldn't do yours."
"……Why?"
"He doesn't know what you like. Worried over it and left it blank. Said he'd ask you in person when he got back."
Cheon A-hyeon's eyes widened in shock. Her gaping mouth stayed open for a long while.
'...Oppa did that?'
Yeon Sa-gu filled his gaze toward A-hyeon with sincerity. These words had to be said.
"Truth is, if your big bro finds out I told you, he'll beat the crap outta me. But I gotta say it. Know why?"
"……?"
"With his personality, he might slink off without saying sorry. Yesterday on that mountain, he stared at this silk and sighed forever."
"……?"
Not just Cheon A-hyeon—even Gu Chae-ryeong, listening beside her, let her trembling eyes drop. Tears welled up and streamed down in an instant.
'...Mu Yun did that!'
She hadn't wanted to come here either. She'd truly hoped he wouldn't return. No regrets for those feelings.
But now her chest ached coldly, her throat tightening. She knew it herself—she'd never reached out to Mu Yun either. As an adult, she shouldn't have, but with him ignoring her daughter A-hyeon, she had no choice. She'd let resentment build into hatred.
Indescribable regret crashed over her like a tidal wave.
'I shouldn't have.'
Yeon Sa-gu swallowed hard, surveying the room. Everyone's teary eyes hit him at once. A chill ran down his spine at the ominous premonition.
'Did I overstep?'
He'd planned to meddle from the start. Especially with the youngest, A-hyeon—that'd been brewing since yesterday.
Still, fearing the backlash was inevitable.
'He must've powered up big time this round.'
Already outmatched, and now this—deep sigh.
But his lips soon curled up.
'Spilled it already—what's done is done!'
If worrying fixed it, he'd worry. But otherwise, best to reframe.
'Screw it. Might as well go all in. A few extra punches, I'll take 'em.'
Yeon Sa-gu's current criterion was simple: Could he face the guy coming out soon head-on? As a friend, he had to stand tall. That's what friends do.
'Our feelings are tangled enough, and yesterday made it worse. But he won't spit it out straight. It'll just fester. Better to rip the band-aid!'
With that conviction, he could push further.
He turned to his younger brother, Cheon Mu-jin.
"Mu-jin, remember what I say."
"Huh? What?"
"This bro of yours matches even the Divine Dragon in skill."
"Divine Dragon... you mean that Divine Dragon?"
"Won't believe it now, but you'll see later. But why do you think I'm saying this?"
"……?"
"The guy who made me like this is your brother. So demand it, no question. Got it?"
"……Demand what?"
"Bi-ryu Dan-hon Geom!"
"Pardon? That's our family heirloom martial art."
"That bastard reworked it massively. On the way here, I saw it shreds even Cho-jeol-jeong in a few moves. But he hesitated to give it. Worried you'd get cocky and hurt yourself."
Cheon Mu-jin just blinked.
"Um, what exactly are you saying?"
"Your bro's a total master. Met an amazing teacher and became a real dragon. And that lucky punk brags to me non-stop about what he snagged!"
"……My brother?"
"Here's what went down in Chim-ju."
"……?"
A while later, as the martial arts explanation wrapped up, Cheon Jung-seo—the family head—couldn't close his slack jaw.
Beyond belief or disbelief, it was just absurd.
'No way!'
His lips trembled as he confirmed.
"Is all that really true?"
"I get you don't believe it. But the Murim Alliance's Demon Subjugation Squad will be here soon. Check then. That guy's no liar. But he does tease gently sometimes. Father, you gotta give him a good scolding then. Ahem!"
"……?"
Just then, Dang Seo-ha arrived ahead of the other squad members.
Clatter!
She glared at Yeon Sa-gu the moment she spotted him.
"Hey! If you were here, you should've said something sooner!"
"It worked out."
"Where's the Bangju?"
"Inside."
Dang Seo-ha glanced around and blinked.
"Isn't that the family?"
"Yep."
"And he's inside? In this situation?"
Yeon Sa-gu pouted.
"Enlightenment hit him. A big one."
Dang Seo-ha's eyes widened like saucers.
"For real?"
"You think I'd lie now?"
"……Then how far did he get?"
Yeon Sa-gu tugged at Dang Seo-ha's sleeve.
"More importantly, explain to them."
"What?"
"What else? Look at their faces—they don't buy a word I said."
"……!"
As Dang Seo-ha's impromptu explanation neared its end—
Thud!
The door opened.
Knowing someone was already there, Mu Yun stepped forward without hesitation, one steady footfall at a time.
Thud! Thud!
His eyes quivered faintly, but a soft smile graced his lips.
This was necessary now. He had to show this wasn't a smile worn after ages. To make it seem like the constant smile he always had when thinking of them, unbroken by seven years of lost hope.
That was his best now. He had to erase any trace of despair wrought by grief and regret. To signal he hadn't spent those seven years that way.
It was the most precious gift to those suppressing their emotional storm.
Barefoot on the earth, he walked out slowly.
A moment later.
Drip!
Bowing his head, he murmured softly toward his father, Cheon Jung-seo.
"I've finally returned. ...I'm sorry."
"……!"
In that instant, a woman's robes brushed the floor.
Clatter!
"Mu Yun!"
Her hands rushed forward in one stride, caressing her son's body.
Smooth! Rustle!
The touch continued endlessly. How she'd longed to feel and hold him.
After a long while, her wrinkled hands lifted his face.
Smooth!
Aged only in years, his features mirrored the day he left. Seven years of anxiety melted away, relief rippling through her.
"Ugh! You're healthy. ...Thank goodness."
"……I'm late. I'm sorry."
The woman's head shook vigorously.
Whoosh!
Her open arms enveloped him fully.
Swish!
"No! ...You're here. That's enough. Being able to hold you like this is all."
Tears flooded Ryu Hwa-seon's eyes. The wetness on her lips spoke of deep remorse.
At the news of his return—and cleared of demon charges—she'd already wept until her eyes swelled.
Yet until seeing him with her own eyes, her trembling heart couldn't be calmed.
Her hands began stroking his cheeks.
Rustle!
Nights spent sleepless, soaking her pillow in secret—countless.
After sending him away, days without dry clothes from solitary tears.
With each tender stroke, the knotted grief in her chest washed clean. The long-embedded lump dissolved in the tears glistening on her cheeks.
Her churning heart finally released its lament.
"Ugh! As long as you're whole, this mother wants nothing more, my son!"
By then, the rising sun caressed the verdant earth.