Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Boy and the Girl
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"That's right. Every year when the pomegranates ripened, he'd come visit. My boy always watched that girl eat them with such delight, a smile on his face."
"I see."
"And with each visit, the girl grew more and more beautiful. The words 'peerless beauty' didn't even do her justice."
"From the way you keep going on about her, she must have been stunning."
"Hahaha. Indeed. Even an old fool like me can't help but call pretty what is pretty."
"Well, of course."
"Then one day, she stopped coming. For a while, my boy went alone. He looked so listless... Oh dear!"
"What's wrong?"
"I must be drunk. What nonsense am I spouting to a guest?"
Han Ibi smiled brightly.
"Nonsense? Not at all. I was enjoying it thoroughly."
Gu Jeong-deok burst into hearty laughter.
"Then I'm glad."
Han Ibi asked,
"But what happened to that beautiful girl you spoke of?"
"She left, they said."
"Pardon?"
"To study far away... At the Wudang Sect, I think."
Han Ibi felt his mind grow hazy.
No way...
"I'd secretly hoped that pretty girl and my boy would end up together, so I mentioned it once. He jumped in shock and waved it off, saying he had no such thoughts. Besides, she was the daughter of the Qingcheng Sect Leader—worlds apart from lowly folk like us."
Han Ibi stammered,
"B-by any chance, what was that girl's name...?"
Gu Jeong-deok furrowed his brow in thought for a moment before answering.
"Let's see... It's been so long, I can barely recall. Bok family, I think. The unusual surname stuck with me."
That's right... That's her...
Bok Yeon-hwa.
This old man was talking about Bok Yeon-hwa.
Han Ibi felt his heart subtly quicken.
"I see. Elder, you're far older than you look."
Gu Jeong-deok looked puzzled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"That girl... She's already past sixty."
Now Gu Jeong-deok's eyes widened in surprise.
"You know her?"
Han Ibi nodded.
"Yes. There's only one female disciple from Qingcheng who went to study at Wudang. Elder Bok Yeon-hwa."
Gu Jeong-deok clapped his hands with a smack.
"That's it! Yes, her name was Yeon-hwa. So even you young hero know of her."
"Of course. Anyone from Qingcheng knows her."
The old man's face clouded with wistful reminiscence again.
"So that's how it was... Time has flown that far already..."
Han Ibi asked,
"By the way, what was your son's given name?"
"My boy's name? Gab-hwi."
Han Ibi felt dazed once more.
Gu Gab-hwi.
'Gu Gab-hwi... The senior brother of my master Tak Bu-yong, who witnessed Bok Yeon-hwa's assault and died a tragic death... Oh...'
Han Ibi shot to his feet and bowed to the old man.
"So you're Senior Gu's father."
Gu Jeong-deok's eyes flew wide open.
"You... know my son?"
Han Ibi shook his head.
"I'm not from Qingcheng, and I've never met him personally, but I've heard plenty. Just the praises from Qingcheng folk."
Only then did Gu Jeong-deok's expression soften a bit.
"So there are still people at Qingcheng who remember my boy."
Han Ibi nodded vigorously.
"Of course. He was an outstanding senior. Elder Bok thought highly of him too. The very model of a righteous hero—cheerful yet steadfast."
Gu Jeong-deok tilted his head.
"You speak as if you'd met him yourself, young hero."
Han Ibi startled and waved his hands frantically.
"Oh, no, how could I? I'm just repeating what I've heard."
Gu Jeong-deok's lips curved upward unwittingly.
"Still, knowing my unworthy son earned respect at Qingcheng eases my heart a little."
"Don't say that. He was 'truly' exceptional. Right up to his final moments."
Gu Jeong-deok's eyes snapped open.
"Final moments? Did you witness Gab-hwi's death?"
Han Ibi waved it off.
"How old do you think I am? I only heard from others."
Gu Jeong-deok's face hardened.
"Qingcheng said he died in a spar... But I've spent my life as a herbalist and healer. Those wounds were from a one-sided beating. Yet those bastards... not a word of explanation. Just 'sparring accident' and wouldn't even say who he fought."
Only then did all the pieces fall into place for Han Ibi.
He understood why the old man hated Qingcheng so fiercely.
And why he couldn't leave Qingcheng Mountain...
This elder despised Qingcheng like enemies, yet lacked the courage to leave the mountain where his life was rooted.
Feeling deep pity, Han Ibi said,
"Elder. Senior Gu died carrying out a vital mission."
Gu Jeong-deok jumped in shock.
"What do you mean?"
Han Ibi decided on a well-intentioned lie.
"He perished while on a crucial mission. Though I'm not from Qingcheng, no one knows more than I do."
Gu Jeong-deok trembled all over, grasping Han Ibi's hands.
"Is... is that true?"
"Yes, Elder. But it was highly confidential, so Qingcheng couldn't speak freely. Trust me—he was a hero of Qingcheng to his last breath."
It wasn't a lie.
He died for Bok Yeon-hwa, the woman he cherished deep in his heart...
Gu Jeong-deok's shoulders shook violently.
Tears cascaded from his eyes like a waterfall.
"So that's what happened... My boy... That's how it was... My son... I miss you so..."
The old man sobbed like a child for a long while.
It was as if long-buried grief had erupted.
Han Ibi silently watched over him.
Finally regaining composure, the elder sniffled.
"Ah... Weeping like this before a guest."
"Nonsense. It's only natural."
"Still... thank you... Truly... thank you."
"No need. I only told the truth as I know it."
Brushing off Han Ibi's refusals, the elder saw him all the way to the hill's end.
Gazing at flowers swaying in the gentle breeze, Han Ibi suddenly asked,
"Isn't that white flower siris grass?"
"It is. My boy planted it as a joke at first."
"A joke?"
"Said it grew like a weed anywhere, just like his friend."
"Sounds like he had a close friend. From Qingcheng too?"
"Yes. They were master and disciple, actually. Song Myeong-cheon, I think. After the Bok girl left, they visited every year together."
Thud!
No way...
What kind of heavenly prank is this...?
But no need to act like he knew already.
"I see. They must have shared a strong bond."
Having just heard of Song Myeong-cheon, something clicked for Han Ibi.
"Oh, by the way... Being a local, you might know. Ever heard of Jeolpan Valley?"
Gu Jeong-deok looked puzzled.
"Jeolpan Valley?"
Jeolpan Valley was the training ground noted in Bok Yeon-hwa's memoir for Song Myeong-cheon.
Han Ibi had asked on a whim, hoping to uncover his master's whereabouts.
"Yes, there's a place called Jeolpan Valley."
"Haven't you already been?"
"Pardon?"
"You haven't?"
"What do you...?"
"Pa Cheon-ung."
"Isn't that bear already dead?"
"The place you emerged from after meeting Pa Cheon-ung? That was Jeolpan Valley."
Han Ibi froze like ice.
The place he'd stumbled upon by chance was... where Song Myeong-cheon had trained...?
'No way!'
Then Gu Jeong-deok held out his hand, placing something in Han Ibi's palm.
Startled, Han Ibi looked down.
The light maiden reacted first.
It was the root of the Yi-ham-jong-su he'd longed for!
Han Ibi said,
"No, Elder, this is..."
"Take it, young hero. My gift."
"Elder, didn't you swear never to help Qingcheng folk?"
"True. That was before."
"Before?"
"Yes. Now that you've revealed the truth, I'm cutting out this rotten grudge at last. I just want... to live in peace."
The elder's face was serene. Peace had come to his heart too.
"Are you sure?"
Gu Jeong-deok nodded gently.
"You saved my life and restored my son's honor in the afterlife..."
Suddenly, he dropped to his knees.
"Benefactor, this grace is etched in my bones forever. How could I begrudge a mere tree root?"
What...? Then just give it sooner...
"But Elder, it's hardly 'mere'—quite valuable, no?"
A hint of regret crossed Gu Jeong-deok's face. It did pain him a bit.
"Anyway, thank you. I'll put it to good use. On behalf of my friend, thanks."
Gu Jeong-deok smacked his lips and turned to go.
"Oh! Elder."
He looked back curiously.
"More business?"
"No, but... I have a small request."
"A request? What kind...?"
Gu Jeong-deok's eyes darted nervously.
As if fearing demands for more money.
"Nothing big. You'll agree easily. It's everywhere around here anyway."
Han Ibi hurried down from the village and up Qingcheng Mountain.
His heart raced so fiercely he barely noticed the scenery.
Where people were, he walked briskly; alone, he used lightness skill, reaching the peak in moments.
Finally, before Bok Yeon-hwa and So Eun-ri's lodging.
He knocked. Bok Yeon-hwa's stern face appeared.
"Didn't I warn you to stay away?"
Han Ibi grinned sheepishly.
"Ah! Elder Bok. Sorry for disobeying. But I had to come."
"What nonsense?"
"I got the antidote."
"What! The antidote for Yin Harmony Poison?"
"Yes. The root of the Yi-ham-jong-su tree."
The door creaked open wide.
Bok Yeon-hwa stepped aside without a word.
Han Ibi slipped inside like it was his own home.
He said,
"I saw a tea setup last time."
"Tea?"
"Yes, Elder. Mind if I borrow it? Need some drinking water too. The Yi-ham-jong-su root is highly toxic—must handle it carefully or it could cause problems."