The Road to Luoyang: An Unexpected Understanding
Because his thinking was rooted in modern ideas, Seo Jun had assumed it would be difficult to make Danhoe understand their current situation. After all, what they were doing was utterly taboo in this society—incest. The reaction he received was entirely unexpected.
“Neither of them has any particular place to stay, so I intend to bring them both with me to Luoyang and proceed from there.”
Danhoe, unaware of the full truth of Seo Jun’s circumstances, looked at him with a face full of admiration for the filial son who would take his stepmother and aunt as wives in order to serve and support them. Yet his expression also carried clear concern.
“It is truly a commendable act, but once you reach Luoyang, I worry how the scholar-officials, nobles, and Confucian students will react if this becomes known. Your heart is in the right place, Jun, but it would be best to keep this marriage hidden until you have firmly established your position there. Do not feel slighted—think it over carefully.”
“Yes, I understand, Uncle.”
Unexpectedly, the conversation with Danhoe ended on a smooth note. In fact, Seo Jun had gained valuable information. If any problems arose regarding the marriage in the future, he now had a clear sense of how to respond.
Pohan offered no particular opinion, simply nodding and saying a single phrase: take good care of them. He had apparently seen and heard enough of such arrangements in his life to accept it without issue.
After Seo Jun left, an awkward silence settled over the two women who remained. What had once been a relationship between sisters-in-law—each married to a brother—had now become something entirely different. They now shared the same husband.
“Sister-in-law… No… Lady Yi~” Seol Ryeon spoke softly.
“Yes, Sister~”
“I think we need to be very clear about this.”
“What do you mean?” Yi Hyeon asked, slightly intimidated by Seol Ryeon’s serious tone.
“Both you and I are Lord Husband’s women now, but in the Central Plains it will be difficult for us to appear openly at his side. He is destined for greatness. As regrettable as it is, we cannot become obstacles in his path. So until he secures a firm position, let us refrain from greed and endure with patience.”
“Yes, I understand, Sister.”
Yi Hyeon immediately grasped what Seol Ryeon was worried about and readily agreed. Her own feelings were not so different.
“I’ll do exactly that. Sister, if you ever see me acting greedy, please tell me right away.”
“Thank you~”
Seol Ryeon took Yi Hyeon’s hand and gently stroked it. They had always been close, but their shared circumstances now made them feel like true sisters, and the atmosphere between them warmed considerably.
At the end of the ninth lunar month, roughly a month after the grand funeral held in Shuofang, the day finally arrived for Seo Jun’s family and companions to depart for Luoyang. They had originally planned to leave in the tenth month, but preparations finished earlier than expected, moving their departure up by about a month.
With the addition of the newly incorporated Xiaoyuezhi clan members to both Seo Jun’s household and Pohan’s, the traveling party numbered close to fifty.
“White Dragon, live well in Luoyang. I have already submitted a report to the capital regarding the events at Yishuse. It should help you somewhat in establishing your position there.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Governor.”
Governor Zhang Zhong of Shuofang had treated Seo Jun with almost fatherly care ever since he had recovered Zhang Jin’s body.
“Governor, please take good care of Uncle Dan’s health. I will definitely visit again to pay my respects.”
“Go safely. You have worked hard.”
After exchanging final farewells with both men, Seo Jun mounted Black Dragon. Once seated high on his steed, he slowly turned in a circle, taking in the surroundings one last time. This was the same landscape he had seen upon first arriving here. Though the season was slightly earlier, it had been autumn then as well. After one full year, Seo Jun was leaving this place behind for Luoyang.
“Move out!”
The procession—roughly thirty riders and ten wagons—stretched out in a long column. Pocheol led from the front while Seo Jun moved back and forth along the line, checking on the travelers.
“Jun, after we pass through Daeseong Fortress, which route do you plan to take?” Pohan asked, riding up beside him on a small donkey that looked comically tiny beneath his massive frame.
“After Daeseong Fortress, we’ll pass through Bushi County and Pozi County. The main party will continue south toward Pingyang County while I make a brief stop at my hometown in Yang County, Hedong.”
“Your hometown? Is there some matter you need to attend to?”
“Yes. There is someone I must meet.”
“Who is it?”
“There is one person I very much want to bring with me to Luoyang.”
If it was the man Seo Jun had in mind, he would be someone trustworthy enough to guard his back and a powerful ally in the days ahead.
After departing Shuofang and spending two nights camping outdoors, the party finally reached Daeseong Fortress—where Zhang Liao was stationed—on the afternoon of the third day. With carriages and wagons in tow, the journey naturally took far longer than it would have for a lone rider.
“White Dragon Brother!!!”
As if he had been informed in advance, the fortress gates swung open the moment the party drew near, and Zhang Liao came running out with a bright smile.
“Wenyuan! Have you been well?”
“Yes, Brother! I’ve been fine. You are the one who has endured much hardship. I should have come to visit, but it was difficult to leave my post without permission.”
“How could I not understand your heart? Do not trouble yourself over it.”
Zhang Liao took the lead and guided the entire party into the fortress. They would rest here for the day before continuing onward. After assigning quarters to the others, he drew Seo Jun aside.
“Brother, I cannot thank you enough for the prosthetic leg you sent through Younghak. The grace you have shown my mother is something I will repay even if it costs me my life.”
“Don’t speak such heavy words. When I met your mother, it simply reminded me of my own mother—someone I cannot even remember. That’s all it was.”
Zhang Liao had grown close enough with Pocheol to call him “Brother” as well. His gratitude for Seo Jun’s consideration toward his mother was so profound that merely speaking of it caused tears to glisten in his eyes.
“Not everyone who remembers does what you have done, Brother. You thought deeply and then took action. As it happens, we received a letter from Brother Fan in Maup two days ago.”
“Is that so? Are Mother and Wunyeop doing well?”
“Mother has been using the prosthetic leg you made and, with a little assistance, has begun moving about on her own. The entire county of Maup was thrown into an uproar when she started walking again. Haha!”
“She’s walking again? Haha! That’s wonderful news. Truly wonderful.”
Seo Jun had invested genuine effort into the matter, so hearing of the positive outcome brought a smile to his face. The two men spoke for a while about their families before turning to the subject of Seo Jun’s journey to Luoyang.
“I knew your name was spreading, but to receive a Xiaolian recommendation as well—truly, it feels as though it were my own good fortune.”
Zhang Liao had been hearing rumors about Seo Jun from passing merchants even while stationed here. He had a rough understanding of the major events Seo Jun had been involved in. The fact that he had built such a close relationship with a man capable of such feats filled him with pride. And now that Seo Jun was heading to Luoyang with a Xiaolian recommendation, his heart swelled with satisfaction.
“Wenyuan, just wait a little longer. I will find a way to bring you to Luoyang as well.”
“Aigo, Brother, do not worry about me. Focus on securing your own position first.”
“Haha! I will secure mine without fail, so wait for my call. I will definitely send for you.”
After a joyful day spent with Zhang Liao, the well-prepared party set out once more toward Bushi County. The journey to Bushi would require five days of camping, and the route from there to Pozi County would be much the same. Beyond Pozi County lay the mountain paths of the Tongtian range. That area fell under the influence of the Black Mountain Bandits, and recently the White Wave Bandits had begun expanding their territory. They would need to move with caution.
Once they left the Tongtian range, the main party would turn south toward Pingyang County while Seo Jun would split off alone and head north to visit his hometown of Yang County.
Despite many worries, nothing occurred during their passage through the Tongtian range. They crossed the mountains safely and without incident, after which the time came for the group to part ways.
Seo Jun called Pocheol aside for a moment.
“Younghak, while I am gone you must take responsibility for protecting the party. I will return as quickly as possible, but I’m counting on you.”
“Do not worry, Brother. I will stake my life to ensure no harm comes to anyone.”
Before leaving the group, Seo Jun also called Na-Pa over.
“Na-Pa. I entrust the wives to your care.”
Since she was a woman herself, Na-Pa had been staying close to Seol Ryeon and Yi Hyeon. That was why he gave her this separate request.
“I understand, Gaju-nim.”
By now, everyone in the family had unified on the title Gaju-nim when addressing Seo Jun. He had become the de facto head of the small Seo clan.
“Na-Pa, take care not to injure yourself either.”
At his final words, Na-Pa’s cheeks flushed bright red. She whipped her head away and hurriedly ran back to her original spot.
How cute.
It was a very different sight from the bold, resolute woman who had once thrown herself at him without hesitation.