Chapter 124
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: End of a Long Journey
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One week later.
Having finally wrapped up the long journey from Zhongqing through Yunnan and into Sichuan, we finished our preparations to head back.
It had definitely been August when we set out, yet here it was already December, with a crisp chill in the air.
Time sure flew by.
...Sadly, there were no heart-pounding, emotion-surging events.
Still, there had been some progress in my relationship with Narangi.
- Young master! You can speak casually to me!
Just the fact that she'd evolved from "Young Lady Narang" to "Narangi" was proof enough of how much closer we'd gotten.
"Kyau!"
With our luggage already sent ahead via the escort agency, our shoulders felt especially light. The wolf pup let out a playful growl as we waited for our companions heading to Xi'an.
"Hm, you're already out here."
"Young master!"
"A-ah, h-hello... s-sir..."
Bringing Elder Dang Uuryang along was inevitable, but we'd picked up another baggage handler.
Dang Narin.
Three days ago.
- It feels too one-sided, with you reaping all the benefits. As allies, surely you can grant me one request?
- What is it?
- Take Narin with you. She and Father originally refused to enroll at the Hundred Flowers Academy, but it's time she learned some social skills. Oh, should I send a matchmaker too?
- ...No need for a matchmaker. I'm the type who aims for love marriages.
I wondered if it was right to send the young lady of the house off with an outsider like me.
But looking at the group—father, daughters, and prospective son-in-law—it was basically a family trip with one massive antisocial beast tagging along.
...Though that beast occasionally gave me these weird looks, like she was appraising my physique.
Well.
To be brutally honest.
If her assets were on par with—or even surpassing—Narang's young lady, I could overlook those stares as mutual ogling.
"Alright then, let's get going."
"Kyau!"
With the luggage issue solved, our variable-form wolf pup was like a high-speed train. Adding one more family member wouldn't slow us down much.
The Tang Family matters were fully resolved, and we'd wiped out the Venom Sect to boot.
So the journey was pretty peaceful.
The only minor issue...
"Urk, uueeegh..."
"Sister, you okay? Want some water?"
"Uueeegh..."
Despite the comfy ride on the Xi'an express wolf pup...
Dang Narin puked seven times before we arrived.
Xi'an, after four months away, was still buzzing with energy despite the cold weather.
A fair number of people seemed to have rushed through their year-end exams and hurried back—familiar faces passed by on the streets.
"Third Young Master! Haha, thanks to you, we're busy even in winter."
"Haha, is that so? Good business is good business. Why don't you cash in too, Escort Leader Kwak?"
"Oh, that'd be wonderful!"
The closer we got to the main house—the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress—the more bustling activity from our clan members caught my eye.
Winter was usually the off-season.
I could confidently say I'd played a huge role in keeping the Geum Farmstead afloat.
It's me.
Sihyeon Kim.
I puffed out my chest proudly while Narangi dragged along Dang Narin, who was still yelping and failing to adjust.
We arrived at the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress with heads held high.
"Chwiit!"
The squirrel (clone) on Narangi's shoulder suddenly did a flip in midair and vanished with a pop.
"Yaho! Geum Sihyeon! Narang!"
"Dalami! Hehe, it's been ages!"
The main body squirrel absorbed the energy and popped out to greet us.
"Hng. Making your main spirit wait like this—you're awful."
"...What, have you become a land god or something?"
Mirinae popped out too, showing off, and I humored her appropriately.
We exchanged greetings with the guards we hadn't seen in ages, then slowly made our way to the inner courtyard, chatting about old times.
"Where are the other beast friends?"
"The Lady graciously gave them a forest and ranch just outside the city. They're all settling in fine."
"That's a relief. So where do you and Dalami stay?"
"The guest hall is convenient. We look after the kids in the morning, then return there at night."
"Good to hear. With Narangi around, I'll arrange proper lodgings for you both soon."
"Narangi...?"
Mirinae's eyebrows furrowed as she sidled up to me, flicking her tongue by my ear.
"Did you sleep with her?"
What the hell is this perverted snake on about?
I saw that forked tongue coming from a mile away.
"Are you in heat or something?"
Mirinae's fist slammed into my gut but bounced harmlessly off my peak-level protective energy.
"...You've gotten even more shameless. After groping my lower belly like that."
"I've decided to live a bit more boldly. And please refrain from misleading comments. You were in snake form back then."
I smoothly pushed Mirinae away before the weird stares piled up.
Then I turned to Elder Dang Uuryang, who'd been looking constipated for a while.
"Elder, is something wrong?"
"...Well..."
What's with this guy... Oh.
"...Is it because of the Divine Doctor?"
Elder Dang Uuryang dipped his head slightly at my words.
Yeah.
My senior brother wasn't just failing to uphold our master's legacy—he'd bolted in the night, the epitome of ungratefulness.
Well.
"What, you think the Divine Doctor's gonna kill you? Your dantian was destroyed anyway, so at worst he'll smack your head and—Urk!"
Dang-ajussi's palm struck my crown.
Ironically, since it lacked internal energy, my protective aura didn't even trigger, and the raw physical hit nailed me right in the skull.
"H-hee, hieeek...?!"
Dang Narin, spotting the aftermath, jumped in shock.
"...You brat. Where do we go?"
"Guh... That way..."
The perpetrator flashed a faint, resolved smile and strode toward the guest hall.
Well.
Siblings will sort it out themselves.
For now.
"Sihyeon, you're back safe and sound? No troubles?"
At the soft voice by my ear.
I straightened my posture, smoothed my robes, and bowed deeply.
"I'm home, Mother."
When I looked up.
There was Mother's radiant face, defying the years like always—someone might mistake her for a rejuvenated Profound Realm elder.
Her gentle eyes turned to Narangi and Dang Narin.
"Narangi, right? It's been a while. And next to her..."
"Ah! Mother, hello! Hehe, it's really been forever! Th-this is my sister, Dang Narin!"
Narangi poked Dang Narin's side like a button, sending her floating into the air with a "Hiyaak!"
It was amusing to watch her flail like that.
But some matters needed a serious touch.
"She's the young lady of the Sichuan Tang Family, here to formally establish friendly ties with us, Mother."
With Narangi's relationship-focused intro bolstered by my purpose-driven one.
"A-ah, u-uh... H-hello... As the young master introduced, I'm Dang Narin, young lady of the Sichuan Tang Family. P-pleased to meet youuu."
Clumsy or not, she strictly separated personal and official matters.
Though her eyes stayed glued to the floor and the ending was a bit sloppy, she'd managed a proper self-introduction.
Of course.
"Hng. I see. Clan matters can be discussed with Father... so feel free to relax."
"Y-yes, yes...!"
"Come here, dear."
"H-hiyaak...!"
She started flopping again as soon as Mother linked arms with her.
But watching the trio—Mother, Narangi clinging on, forming a neat triangle—head off, I calmly organized my thoughts.
They'd have to impose briefly for now.
But I couldn't keep my people as perpetual guests at the fortress.
Scout a good plot in Xi'an, spruce up the Golden Mystery Sect's facade nicely.
Absorb the Beast Palace and slot in disciples from branches one through three.
And to make good use of the Divine Doctor and Elder Dang Uuryang, appoint them as branches four and five, and build a proper medicine hall too.
Winter was going to be busy.
Normally, as guests, they should first pay respects to the elders and greet the household head.
But knowing it was improper, Dang Uuryang slipped away from the group toward the guest hall.
His heart weighed too heavy for etiquette.
Crossing the vast garden, he gazed at the guest hall—an unusually large, elongated building.
Dang Uuryang took a deep breath.
The scent of herbal decoction wafting nearby tickled his nose.
Ginseng, atractylodes, poria, licorice...
It had to be Ten-Complement Great Tonic Decoction.
Probably brewing for Geum Sihyeon, due back today.
Clack—
At the door opening, Dang Uuryang turned.
Their eyes met.
Master and disciple, after years apart.
Since fleeing without repaying his life debt.
He'd practiced medicine to honor his teachings.
But a dark cloud always lingered in his heart over his master.
Facing a face far more aged and frail than memory.
Unsure how he'd be received.
He forced open his reluctant mouth.
"...No troubles, Master?"
He bowed his head.
A brief silence.
Then.
"What're you doing? If you're here, go tend the decoction."
"Yes?"
"Gonna make a healthy disciple sit idle while I do it? Flaunting your youth?"
"...Understood! Master!"
As if nothing had happened.
Treated just like before he left.
Dang Uuryang swallowed the surge in his chest.
He was still his master's disciple.
Only after.
Ending this very, very long journey.
Did he finally feel back where he belonged.