Good-Bye, My Friends (3)
"Someone came from the Tang Family. They say the Tang Family will pay for all the damages, including the repairs to the collapsed hall."
"Ah…."
At Jo Pyeong’s words, Jo Gul let out a soft gasp.
"Nothing to be surprised about. In their own way, the Tang Family is thorough when it comes to that sort of thing."
"Yes."
"Still, the family head himself came in person."
"What?"
Jo Pyeong’s expression shifted in a strange way.
"The Tang Family isn’t a clan that knows nothing of face. When they cause harm through their own mistake, they make compensation so excessive it almost seems absurd. But I’ve never once heard of the victims getting an apology from the Sichuan Tang Family’s head."
Jo Gul’s fist tightened slightly.
"Money is one thing, but the Tang Family head bowing his head to someone else—that would’ve been something he couldn’t bring himself to accept. And yet, for this matter, the Tang Family head came here personally and apologized. It seems…."
Jo Pyeong glanced at Jo Gul and said,
"The fact that you’re a disciple of Mount Hua, and the second son of the Sahae Merchant Guild, must have played a role."
"…."
"What you’ve accomplished outside the family appears to have been greater than I thought. For the mighty Tang Family head to consider your face in this way."
Jo Gul listened silently to his father’s words.
It was not the time for him to speak.
After a brief silence, Jo Pyeong opened his mouth again in a low voice.
"So, you don’t intend to return to the family?"
"Father…."
Jo Gul bit his lip.
It was uncomfortable. Awkward.
But it was something he would have to face someday, and something he would have to say someday.
"I like Mount Hua."
"More than your family?"
"Of course I can’t compare it to family. But…."
Jo Gul lifted his head.
Then he looked straight at Jo Pyeong with resolute eyes.
"I think that’s where my path lies."
"Hmm."
"I’m proud of our family. I think what Father and my brother do is truly remarkable. But the place I belong is not here."
Seeing the conviction in his son’s eyes, Jo Pyeong’s mouth twitched before he could stop himself.
"I’m sorry, Father. If I’m granted only one life, then I want to die as a disciple of Mount Hua."
Jo Pyeong let out a quiet sigh.
"Gul."
"Yes, Father."
"Do you know what my dream is?"
"…I’m not sure."
Jo Pyeong raised his head to the sky.
"My dream isn’t much. It’s only to pass down this Sahae Merchant Association, inherited from my forefathers, and see you and your brother support each other as you carry it on well."
"…."
"That was the dream I had from the moment you were born."
At the lonely note in his voice, Jo Gul lowered his head deeply.
"But!"
Their father’s voice grew stronger as he looked at his son.
"Now I understand. That was my dream, not yours. If I have a dream, then naturally you must have one too. I shouldn’t trample on your dream for the sake of mine."
"Father…."
"Chung Myung Dojang said something like that, too. That the one who decides is you. Back then, it sounded terribly arrogant, but now I understand why he said it. Just because I’m your father doesn’t mean I can decide your life for you. You, too, are entitled to dream your own dream."
With a gentle smile, Jo Pyeong patted Jo Gul’s shoulder.
"Do your best."
Jo Gul looked at his father with trembling eyes.
"I’m sorry, Father."
"Ahem."
Perhaps embarrassed, Jo Pyeong gave a low cough. Then, in a slightly flushed voice, he said,
"Don’t worry about the family. I’m here, and your brother is here too. But… even if you live as a Mount Hua disciple, never forget that we will always be cheering for you."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
Jo Pyeong smiled faintly.
"Yunnan is a frightening place."
"Yes."
"Seeing what you’ve accomplished at the Tang Family, I think you’ll manage well there too… but a parent’s heart doesn’t work the way one wants it to. I can’t help but worry. Come back safely, whatever happens."
"Yes, Father."
Jo Pyeong patted Jo Gul’s shoulder once more.
The warm strength resting there made Jo Gul smile without realizing it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Are these the ones?"
Gwak Gyeong, the one in charge of the Hwapyeong Merchant Caravan departing for Yunnan, looked over the Mount Hua disciples with a strange glint in his eye.
"That’s right."
"Since this was personally requested by the family head, I’ll make sure they’re treated without any discomfort."
"Thank you."
Gwak Gyeong shot a careful glance at Tang Gun-ak.
Then, in a slightly smaller voice, he murmured as if confiding a secret,
"However… bringing outsiders along on a trip to Yunnan is a considerable burden for our caravan as well, so…."
"I’ll compensate you generously."
"How could we possibly ask the family head for compensation? Just please remember that our caravan did its utmost to fulfill the Tang Family’s request."
"Of course I will."
"Thank you. Thank you, family head!"
After bowing deeply, Gwak Gyeong spoke to Baek Cheon, who seemed to be the representative of the group.
"If you have any last words to exchange, please do so. Let me know once your preparations are finished."
"Understood."
When Gwak Gyeong returned to his post, Baek Cheon quietly looked over the gathered group before turning to Tang Gun-ak.
"Thank you again for accommodating us in so many ways."
"Considering what Mount Hua has done for the Tang Family, this is nothing. Yunnan is a place even we cannot enter lightly, so please be careful."
"I’ll remember that."
But Tang Gun-ak still looked unconvinced and added,
"It’s no exaggeration to say that Yunnan is ruled by the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace. I hear the current palace lord hates Central Plains people and has a vicious temper to match, so be especially careful. If you want to accomplish anything in Yunnan, it would be best to avoid clashing with the Beast Palace as much as possible."
"I’ll remember that as well."
Baek Cheon gave Tang Gun-ak a deep bow.
"I look forward to seeing you again with smiling faces."
As soon as Tang Gun-ak finished speaking, Dang Soso, who had been waiting behind him, stepped out and beamed brightly.
"Have a safe trip! We’ll be seeing each other often once you’re back."
"Grrrrr…."
Chung Myung let out a long sigh.
Did he really have to accept that…?
In the first place, that was something the sect leader should decide.
Seeing that Chung Myung’s expression was far from pleasant, Dang Soso puffed out her cheeks.
"Don’t be like that. We’ll be eating from the same pot now!"
Baek Cheon laughed softly.
"If that comes to pass, then it will be a good bond indeed."
"Yes! I’ll be counting on you from now on…."
"Soso."
Tang Gun-ak cut off Dang Soso’s words in a low voice.
"Yes, Father?"
"If you truly intend to become a disciple of Mount Hua, then forget that you are a Tang Family daughter."
"Yes. That’s what I intend."
"What do you mean, 'intend'? Do you speak to your elders that way, you little brat?"
"…."
"Are you going to Mount Hua as a Tang Family daughter, or are you going to Mount Hua to become a disciple of Mount Hua?"
At Tang Gun-ak’s words, Dang Soso straightened up.
"Please take care of yourselves, Uncle-senior disciples. And you too, senior brothers. From this moment on, Soso is no longer a Tang Family daughter. I’ll go to Mount Hua first and learn its rules and laws there."
Baek Cheon smiled faintly.
Even Yu I-seol’s slightly sharpened gaze eased at last.
Not bad.
Watching Tang Gun-ak handle things, Chung Myung snorted softly.
He had deliberately scolded Dang Soso in public to nip any discontent in the bud and ensure that her standing wouldn’t collapse before she even entered. It showed just how much Tang Gun-ak cherished his daughter.
Dang Soso would probably need some time to adjust to Mount Hua, but….
Well, that was true for everyone.
Thinking of what had become of Jo Gul, who once ran wild like a little thunder demon, Chung Myung could clearly imagine Dang Soso’s future.
Even if she still didn’t change, well… after a few trips up Nagan Peak, she’d learn what reality looked like.
Unaware of what Chung Myung was thinking, Tang Gun-ak looked at Baek Cheon and spoke in a calm voice.
"Once you depart, I’ll return to Mount Hua, relay what happened here, and finish settling the matter of Soso’s entry."
"The sect leader will welcome you as well."
Chung Myung tilted his head and asked,
"So you might not be at the Tang Family when we come back?"
"Hmm. Would it take that long? Besides, if you’re heading deep into Yunnan, the distance may be greater than the journey from here to Shaanxi. The road there isn’t well maintained, so it will probably take more time than you expect."
"Oh, really?"
Chung Myung glanced sidelong at his sect brothers.
"If the journey’s long, that’s fine in its own way. We’ve got a lot to do."
Sensing Chung Myung’s gaze, the Mount Hua disciples shuddered.
Is he thinking of doing that again?
All the way to Yunnan?
Even while we’re with the caravan?
…Maybe we should’ve just said we were continuing the family line.
Remembering what they had suffered on the way to Sichuan, the Mount Hua disciples’ bodies stiffened on their own.
Tang Gun-ak stepped closer to Chung Myung and murmured quietly,
"You must never use what I gave you carelessly. You understand, yes?"
"Don’t worry. I’m not a child."
"…."
Honestly, if you were a child, I’d worry less.
I’m worried because it’s you, you bastard.
Tang Gun-ak let out a long sigh.
"Then we’ll be leaving now."
Baek Cheon gave Tang Gun-ak a light bow.
"Thank you for the hospitality. We’ll rely on you again when we return."
"…You plan to visit again?"
"Of course."
Tang Gun-ak squeezed his eyes shut.
"Then travel safely, Tang Family head."
"Take care on the road."
As if still reluctant to part, Chung Myung was dragged forward by Baek Cheon.
"Why do you always have so much to say? We’ve already wasted plenty of time. Come along!"
"Then see you next time."
Even as he was being dragged away, Chung Myung waved a hand.
At that moment, Dang Soso, who had been watching them, suddenly darted forward. Then she shouted toward Yu I-seol, who was walking away without a care in the world.
"W-wait…!"
Yu I-seol turned her head slightly to look back.
Even though she had clearly come to say something, Dang Soso could not bring herself to speak and could only stare blankly at Yu I-seol.
As though she understood that heart of hers, Yu I-seol spoke in a low voice.
"No regrets?"
"…No."
Yu I-seol gave a small nod.
"See you at Mount Hua."
"Yes!"
That was all.
Yu I-seol turned and walked away without hesitation.
Watching that, Baek Cheon laughed lightly and said,
"I thought you were a little disappointed that there wasn’t another girl among the third-generation disciples, but it seems you rather like the youngest one joining you."
"I’m not that interested."
"Still, I am a little worried. Being a Tang Family daughter, she won’t be easy to handle."
"What?"
Yu I-seol turned her vacant gaze to Baek Cheon.
"…Difficult?"
"Didn’t even Chung Myung struggle with her?"
"That was because she was someone else’s child."
"…Huh?"
"If you’re a disciple of Mount Hua, then you’re all equal. When we meet again, she’ll probably be holding her head and rolling on the ground."
"…."
Cold sweat began to run down Baek Cheon’s spine.
She’s going to beat up the Tang Family head’s daughter?
…Knowing that bastard, he’d absolutely do that.
If he can curse out his own uncle-senior, who on earth wouldn’t he bully?
"There’s time before that. If she adjusts well to Mount Hua, it should be fine. But."
A chill entered Yu I-seol’s eyes.
"If she acts uppity because she’s a Tang Family daughter, I’ll smash her head before Chung Myung gets to her."
"…."
Baek Cheon shut his eyes tightly. Then he prayed.
Please, let Dang Soso never regret her choice.
"They’re gone."
"Yes, they’re gone."
After confirming that the Hwapyeong Merchant Caravan had completely left Chengdu, Tang Gun-ak let out a low sigh.
"They really swept through the Tang Family like a storm."
"…Are people from the Central Plains all like that?"
"Of course not."
There was no other person quite like them in all the world, even if one searched to the ends of heaven and earth.
With a trace of bitterness in his smile, Tang Gun-ak spoke quietly.
"We must do our best as well. Before long, they’ll bring a storm across the entire Central Plains."
As long as Chung Myung existed, Mount Hua would never know peace.
And it would undoubtedly grow at an astonishing pace.
If the Tang Family wanted to keep up, it would have to run without rest from this moment on. They would have to accelerate their reforms and match pace with them.
"Your burden is heavy."
"Don’t worry. I’ll do my best."
After a silent nod, Tang Gun-ak’s lips curved faintly.
"Then let’s go and see for ourselves."
"What? What are we looking at?"
"What the other people of Mount Hua are like."
"Yes, let’s depart at once."
Dang Soso and Tang Gun-ak turned around.
After taking a couple of steps, Tang Gun-ak suddenly looked back toward where Chung Myung and the others had left. Then he smiled and murmured softly,
"Farewell, my friends."
Friends.
It was the first time in Tang Gun-ak’s life he had ever used that word.