Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Encounter with Bitter Memories
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‘Eh~! This is it?’
Han Ibi couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
‘I thought it’d be some amazing spot for training…’
In martial arts films and the like, there was always a secret paradise with cascading waterfalls or something equally grand.
But this place was far too ordinary.
It was a wide expanse where the valley stream pooled, featuring a flat sandy beach like you’d find by the seaside.
From what Han Ibi had overheard, the Qingcheng Sect folks called this lake-like lake the Flowing Immortal Lake.
Han Ibi thought to himself.
‘Well, the bottom is nice and flat, and the water drains well across this broad area… even though we’re near the mountain peak…’
Having hidden behind some bushes to watch So Eun-ri, Han Ibi now prepared to head back.
He’d been worried about taking an unfamiliar path up, but this level of trail was manageable enough to find his way down.
‘Alright. Next up is Jong Ri-hyeok. But I need to make sure of it first.’
Han Ibi began moving his steps carefully, taking care not to be spotted by her.
It was certain.
The Flowing Immortal Lake was So Eun-ri’s main training spot.
The next day, and the day after that, she was there practicing.
Han Ibi nodded to himself, deciding it was finally time to seek out Jong Ri-hyeok for real.
Of course, Qingcheng Sect disciples usually trained together. At the center of the sect grounds was a massive outdoor training field.
It was downright rowdy.
Like a bustling marketplace.
But there were also private indoor training rooms available.
The Five Elements Pavilion.
The Five Elements Pavilion consisted of eight rooms, each about fifty pyeong in size.
It was an efficient setup designed to mimic the effects of wall-facing meditation.
Originally meant for the sect leader and elders, the system had changed at some point to allow top disciples— the “aces”—to use them with prior permission.
And Jong Ri-hyeok held ace status within the Qingcheng Sect.
The room assigned to him was the Water Chamber.
It had a rather chilly vibe.
But still…
‘Better than the Ice Chamber, I suppose…’
Comforting himself like that, Han Ibi lurked near the Water Chamber, avoiding prying eyes.
He’d steeled himself several times, but he couldn’t shake the tension.
Moreover, interrupting someone’s training in the Five Elements Pavilion was taboo—not just in Qingcheng, but in the entire martial world.
Even so…
‘Ugh… think of the greater good. The greater good… This is for everyone, not just me.’
He stood there for a moment, wrestling with his thoughts.
‘Maybe I should at least knock…’
Knock knock knock!
No response.
Han Ibi took a deep breath and knocked again.
Knock knock knock!
Silence flowed once more.
‘Did he step out? That’s weird. I definitely saw him go in earlier…’
Han Ibi cautiously pushed the door open.
And the sight that greeted him.
‘Gasp!’
Jong Ri-hyeok sat in half-lotus position in the center of the spacious room.
He wasn’t moving a muscle—clearly deep in qi circulation meditation.
Han Ibi closed the door as quietly as he’d opened it.
Then he watched Jong Ri-hyeok for a bit.
Disturbing qi circulation was one of the basic etiquettes of the martial world.
It might look like he was doing nothing, but inside, a storm was likely raging.
Which is why, hovering over his body…
‘No… is that for real?’
Han Ibi was genuinely shocked.
A haze-like aura enveloped Jong Ri-hyeok’s body, undulating gently.
It was the signature blue of the Qingcheng Sect, shimmering like the aurora of the far north.
‘Ah…! So that’s the legendary qi veil I’ve only heard about?’
That’s right.
The thing often described in martial arts novels.
This meant Jong Ri-hyeok’s skills were far beyond what Han Ibi had imagined.
And it was a level even higher than what was depicted in Dream of the Ant Snake.
Han Ibi thought.
‘Damn, he’s been hiding his true power all this time.’
Han Ibi could only watch in admiration as the meditation continued.
That’s when it happened.
Jong Ri-hyeok’s eyes snapped open.
Han Ibi could see the glowing blue qi veil surging back into his body in an instant.
Jong Ri-hyeok spotted Han Ibi.
His eyes twisted into a glare, like he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.
Han Ibi startled back a step.
Jong Ri-hyeok spoke without rising.
“What do you want?”
Han Ibi flashed an awkward smile, the kind you’d give for a snapshot.
“B-Bro. Haha. H-Have you been well?”
But Jong Ri-hyeok’s voice was as stiff as his face.
“You know it’s improper to barge in during qi circulation… or do you not?”
Huh?
Why the formal speech…?
Han Ibi said.
“Sorry, bro. Look…”
“Get to the point.”
Formal again.
Only then did Han Ibi realize.
This bland protagonist was deliberately using formal speech to keep his distance.
‘But I can’t back down now.’
Han Ibi fidgeted anxiously, glancing up and down as he put on an act of anguish.
At the same time, he widened his eyes, refusing to blink.
No one had ever seen him redden his eyes like this.
With those forcibly moistened eyes, he said.
“Bro… so… I came about clan business. There’s something urgent I need to discuss.”
But Jong Ri-hyeok turned away, utterly disinterested.
So cold… Han Ibi felt inexplicable anger rising.
But he quickly recalled the past where Jong Ri-hyeok had been harshly treated by Jong Ri-mae and his mother, suppressing it with effort.
‘Well… I didn’t do anything wrong, but still…’
“Bro! Fine. I’ll apologize properly for the past later. But listen… a huge disaster has struck the Zhongli Clan.”
Jong Ri-hyeok said.
“The Zhongli Clan… As far as I’m concerned, I’ve wiped it clean from my mind. Or more precisely, the Zhongli Clan erased me. So I have no ties to the Zhonglis—we’re strangers. You included.”
“Bro… Bro! They’re all dead. Everyone’s dead.”
Jong Ri-hyeok didn’t even nod.
‘Ah, this heartless bastard. Cold-hearted bastard.’
Han Ibi twisted his voice into an even more desperate tone.
“Unknown assailants massacred the whole family. No one was spared. Just me… only me… I survived thanks to Uncle Jong Ri-gang’s grace.”
Only then did one of Jong Ri-hyeok’s eyebrows twitch for the first time.
‘Good, he’s reacting. Come to think of it, Uncle Jong Ri-gang was the only one in the clan who looked after Jong Ri-hyeok.’
According to the synchronized memories of Jong Ri-mae, that is.
The rest of the household had all snubbed him, wary of Geum Na-ryeon, Jong Ri-mae’s mother who held real power.
Only the upright Jong Ri-gang had steadfastly treated him warmly.
Seizing the moment, Han Ibi pressed on.
“Uncle… Uncle was tortured by those villains, had his hands cut off, and died a miserable death… Bro!”
Jong Ri-hyeok squeezed his eyes shut.
Silence hung for a moment.
Han Ibi swallowed hard, wondering if it had worked, and watched him closely.
Jong Ri-hyeok slowly opened his eyes and said.
“It changes nothing. I… erased the Zhonglis from my mind long ago. I swore never to get involved with them again. So you…”
Jong Ri-hyeok glared sharply at Han Ibi and continued.
“…stop disturbing my training and get out. Now!”
An unequivocal eviction order.
A chilling wave of air crashed over Jong Ri-mae like a threat.
Han Ibi was at a loss.
He hadn’t expected Jong Ri-hyeok to be this unyielding.
He hadn’t even brought up So Eun-ri yet.
But with an eviction order issued, how could he broach the topic?
Caught in this bind, Han Ibi bit his lower lip, racking his brain for a way out.
That’s when it happened.
Footsteps approached from outside.
“Uncle!”
‘Huh?’
Han Ibi wondered if he was hallucinating.
“Uncle! Uncle!”
‘Eek! What’s with the kid’s voice…?’
Then the door burst open, and three children came scampering in.
Two boys and one girl.
The cute little girl spread her arms wide and threw herself at Jong Ri-hyeok.
Han Ibi watched in shock, thinking.
‘Gasp, wh-what… what’s this with the stone-faced Jong Ri-hyeok…?’
But the next scene was even more shocking.
Jong Ri-hyeok broke into a fatherly smile, spread his arms wider than hers, and scooped her up tight.
“Sua and the little rascals are here.”
The chubby boy puffed out his cheeks and said.
“Hey, Uncle. What’s a rascal? Rascals?”
Jong Ri-hyeok grinned broadly again.
“Haha. Sorry, sorry. Little Kwa-ah’s mad. Uncle was wrong.”
Then the short, dark-skinned boy spoke up.
“Uncle! Why didn’t you come? You promised to play in front of the house.”
Jong Ri-hyeok chuckled sheepishly.
“Whoops! Has it been that long already? Uncle lost track of time talking with a guest.”
Only then did the kids turn their attention to Han Ibi.
The girl called Sua greeted him.
“Hello?”
Han Ibi saw his chance and scrambled to think of some kind words.
But Jong Ri-hyeok cut in quickly.
“It’s fine. No need to greet him. He’s leaving now.”
Damn.
Han Ibi clamped his mouth shut.
Then Kwa-ah glanced back and forth between the dark-skinned boy and Han Ibi.
He tilted his head and said.
“Weird. Hanjeong’s dark, but why’s that uncle so pale?”
Sua now looked at Han Ibi with interest too.
Jong Ri-hyeok, trying to redirect them, spoke up.
“Right, Kwa-ah. Why’d you want to see this uncle?”
“Oh! It’s this…”
Kwa-ah pulled out something he’d been hiding behind him.
“Wow! That’s so cool!”
Jong Ri-hyeok exclaimed exaggeratedly.
Han Ibi’s curiosity piqued as he looked too.
It was a short stick.
But not just any stick—the head was carved into a wooden horse.
A toy of sorts.
Sua and Hanjeong quickly pulled out their own toys too, not to be outdone.
A wooden doll in the shape of a boy monk, called a tou’er, and a ball stuffed with cotton and sewn in cloth.
Sua said.
“Daddy gave it to me.”
Jong Ri-hyeok laughed heartily, amused.
“No way… Senior Brother Jeong bought toys?”
Only then did Han Ibi realize.
These kids were the children of married Qingcheng disciples who had set up households.
Hanjeong shouted.
“Let’s go out and play ball! Uncle!”
Jong Ri-hyeok put a finger to his lips with a smile.
“Shh, shh. If your masters find out you’re here, they might get mad.”
(To be continued in the next chapter)