Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Royal Family 12-2
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Hwaeun Temple was one of the temples nestled within the embrace of Jirisan Mountain.
Unlike those along the tourist paths, it sat quietly along a narrow country trail, making the ascent far from easy.
Partly because of that, Jang Woo was pouting at Seo Ji-hyeok as they climbed, lips pursed like a sulky child.
"I can see it all. Put that beak away."
"You could've warned me. I came in sneakers..."
"You? Want me to turn back?"
"No! Hyung! Hyung! Hyung! Happy now?"
Ji-hyeok couldn't help but smile faintly at Jang Woo's grumbling.
Moments like these were precious.
Jang Woo was just twenty-six now.
At that age, he was already the boss of an organization that dominated Cheongnyangni, Dongdaemun, and Mapo.
It was a life of suffocating tension, forcing a maturity far beyond his years.
That's why these moments mattered so much.
Moments when Jang Woo could just act his age.
And Ji-hyeok knew they only happened when it was just the two of them. So, whenever they were alone, he teased Jang Woo a little.
Bickering like that, they reached the summit. Hwaeun Temple lay in serene silence.
'Yeah. This is the place.'
Ji-hyeok paused, gazing at the temple shrouded in stillness.
Jang Woo stood beside him, his expression mirroring the same nostalgic look as he slowly took it all in.
That's when it happened.
"Well, if it isn't you two."
A monk emerged from behind the main hall, his voice warm with delight.
Ji-hyeok and Jang Woo grinned and approached him.
"I hope you've been well."
"We're all doing fine here. It's just been a bit too quiet without our two patrons."
"We've caused you enough trouble."
"Nonsense. We miss those days. Oh, right—Layman Cheonun is in his usual spot. Go on ahead."
"Yes. Thank you."
After a brief exchange, they passed the main hall and headed toward the monks' quarters.
Following the aroma of food, they soon arrived at the kitchen building, where all of Hwaeun Temple's meals were prepared.
"Hasn't changed a bit."
"Yeah. That's why getting my ass kicked here feels like yesterday."
Still sulking, Jang Woo's shoulders slumped under Ji-hyeok's arm as they quickened their pace to the kitchen door.
"We're here."
A white-haired man trimming vegetables looked up, a gentle smile spreading across his face.
"Still as noisy as ever, you two. Don't come in—this is a kitchen. I'll come out."
At Layman Cheonun's words, they stepped back and headed around to the rear of the quarters.
A wide clearing opened up, and the two fell silent, old memories blooming fresh like spring grass.
The happiest year of Ji-hyeok's life had ended with his mother's death.
It plunged all the nuns at the convent into grief, but Mother Superior Veronica worried most about Ji-hyeok's future.
She knew he wouldn't return to the world as an ordinary student once he left the convent.
It was Veronica who introduced him to Layman Cheonun.
Ji-hyeok still had no idea how the two knew each other.
One was the head of a cloistered convent; the other, no monk but a man doing menial tasks at Hwaeun Temple in Jirisan.
Their faiths differed, and the distance between them made their connection hard to fathom.
That secret remained unsolved.
All Ji-hyeok knew was that he'd come here with a letter from Veronica and spent a full decade with Layman Cheonun.
Those ten lost years from his resume were preserved here intact.
Lost in those memories, they were interrupted by Layman Cheonun, who appeared wiping his hands on a dry towel.
"Look at the state of those heads..."
Jang Woo pouted at Layman Cheonun's words.
"Always picking on me... What about hyung?"
"Jang Woo, looks like you've improved a lot. Want to test it?"
"No, sir! Just excited to see you after so long."
"Good. With a face like yours, you need to smile more. Got it?"
"Yes. Heh heh heh..."
Layman Cheonun chuckled at Jang Woo's grin.
The term "layman" originally referred to a scholar who shunned office and lived quietly in seclusion.
Which made it a bit of a stretch for Cheonun.
He hadn't avoided office—he'd retired from it.
Cheonun had once worn a military uniform.
An elite soldier, at that.
In a childhood photo Ji-hyeok had seen, Cheonun was young, his shoulder insignia gleaming.
He'd even said himself that he'd shone back then.
According to Cheonun, his own master had been military too.
And that master's master, and the one before— all served in the army. Tracing back, it led to the creator of this martial art, who held the rank of Golden Guard Commander.
No one knew why or how Layman Cheonun had left the world for Hwaeun Temple.
But many followed him, and during Ji-hyeok's time there, uniformed men with shining stars on their shoulders visited occasionally.
Cheonun would leave the temple for days, sometimes half a month.
Ji-hyeok suspected it tied to why he'd left the military and his link to Veronica, but he never asked.
As Ji-hyeok recalled his past with Layman Cheonun, the man appeared around the corner, towel slung over his shoulder. He gestured to the old wooden chairs where the three always sat.
"Ji-hyeok, you look like you've found your path."
"Yes. I've joined Taesung."
"Good choice. You can't dodge life's problems."
"But I found these."
Ji-hyeok pulled six Sangcheon necklaces from his pocket.
Layman Cheonun took one, examined it closely, and sighed softly.
"So they really exist."
"Yes."
"I doubted it when you mentioned them, but here they are, right here on this earth."
"That's why Jang Woo needs your guidance."
"Jang Woo—you haven't been getting beat by things like these, have you?"
"No way!"
Jang Woo waved his hands frantically.
But then...
"Every time we fight, he takes a blade. I can't stand it anymore."
"What? Letting those bastards cut you?"
"I'm innocent!"
"Of what?"
"Hyung fought one at a time—I took two! And honestly, hyung needs training too aaagh!"
As Jang Woo latched onto Ji-hyeok like a water ghost, Ji-hyeok pressed his thigh, drawing a yelp.
Too late, though.
Layman Cheonun's eyes turned to Ji-hyeok.
"You're staying the night anyway."
"I..."
"Two nights?"
"No, sir. I'll change and come back."
"Good. Your room's as you left it."
"Yes. Be right out."
With that, Ji-hyeok and Jang Woo rose and headed to the dorms for devotees, bodhisattvas, and wandering monks next to Cheonun's room.
Stepping into the room separated by a sliding door, they froze.
It was frozen in time, exactly as they'd left it that day.
Not a speck of dust—proof of how meticulously Cheonun maintained it.
"Looks like the layman missed us too."
Ji-hyeok smiled at Jang Woo's words.
But then...
"Oof!"
Ji-hyeok's elbow jabbed Jang Woo's side.
"Water ghost, huh?"
"What'd I do? I couldn't even tell the guys I was gone."
"Phone's blowing up. If the organization's crumbling without you for a few days, it's not worth keeping."
"No, that's not... Hyung, you really leaving tomorrow? Stay longer."
Jang Woo's voice carried a sticky loneliness.
Being here stirred memories of their shared past.
Ji-hyeok's heart wavered slightly.
"Tell the layman, not me. Think he'll let you go after a beating?"
"Aha! Got it. Phone first."
Jang Woo pulled out his phone while dropping his pants.
"Yeah, it's me. Sending the address—ask around and gather donations for the temple."
"..........."
"Plenty. Yeah. That'll do."
Phone on shoulder, head tilted, he lifted a foot into tan pants...
"Wha—hey! Let go!"
Ji-hyeok yanked the pant leg; Jang Woo hopped along, then tumbled comically as Ji-hyeok tripped him lightly. Huffing, he continued:
"Nothing. No! Yeah. I'll be here a few days—keep the kids in line. Call if anything."
Call ended, Jang Woo sprang up, but Ji-hyeok was already gone.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Ragged breaths after so long.
Ji-hyeok bent at the waist, panting, eyes on Layman Cheonun across from him.
Cheonun nodded approvingly.
"Didn't slack off."
"No."
"Still half a breath short."
"I know."
"Hard in the secular world, but you must persist."
"I will."
"Over here. Jang Woo! Up already?"
Jang Woo groaned up from the floor.
Cheonun had gone easy on his face, but rising hurt.
Still...
"Hurry, or I come get you."
"Coming!"
Jang Woo scrambled to the chair at the teasing tone.
"Jang Woo needs longer. Training aside, you're soaked in booze and smokes. Build yourself up first."
"Yessir..."
He'd felt it himself—no excuses.
Shocked by his own condition.
After the brutal session, they devoured Cheonun's meal and retired.
Sleep didn't come easy.
Sharing a room after ages, Jang Woo spilled backed-up stories.
Ji-hyeok listened, responded, and they talked into the night.
Jang Woo dozed at dawn.
Ji-hyeok slipped out quietly.
"Leaving?"
"Yes."
"Got the contact I gave you?"
"Yes."
"Good. Call when needed—I'll help. Head down. Come back anytime."
"Yes. Stay healthy."
"I will."
Simple words.
But their eyes brimmed with affection.
From fifteen to twenty-three...
How to sum up those years?
Cheonun was more than a master to Ji-hyeok.
Yet their bond stayed plainspoken.
Bidding Cheonun farewell, Ji-hyeok descended slowly.
He drove down from the foothills toward Seoul.
A bit past lunchtime, his car arrived in Pyeongchang-dong.
A massive iron gate barred the way, but behind it, five buildings in distinct designs overwhelmed at a glance.
"How may I help?"
A suited man approached Ji-hyeok's stopped car—solidly built.
"Kang Ji-hyeok, moving into Taesung Residence today."
Finally, entry into Taesung Residence.