Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Returned Junior Disciples (1)
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Only two days had passed since I left home, but I'd already been through so much.
I'd met the beggar elder from the Beggars' Sect, encountered assassins, and even witnessed their bloody work with my own eyes.
To think all this happened the moment I stepped out of the village.
'I just wanted to live a normal life.'
I sat alone in the inn, eating my meal, when news of the Si Family reached my ears.
"They say the Si Family got wiped out last night."
"I heard it on the way here too. Not just the retainers, but even the acting family head. Word is the Seok Family did it."
"No way the Seok Family would do that. I heard it was assassins."
"Either way, the Seok Family's the only martial house left in Huanin County now."
I finished my meal while listening to the rumors flying around.
By the time I swung by the market for meat and liquor for the monk and the Taoist on my way home, noon had come and gone—it was nearly evening.
As home drew closer, one worry gnawed at me.
The Great Heavenly Demon's sword.
I'd buried all the other weapons underground, but that sword was tucked away in a chest inside the house.
If the monk and the Taoist had searched the place while I was gone, they would've found it for sure.
The sight of my house sped up my steps.
But as the front gate loomed before me, I stopped dead.
"Namgung young lady, why don't you handle dinner?"
"I made lunch, so Myeong-gak monk should do dinner. Or have Clear Wind Taoist take care of it."
"Clear Wind's cooking tastes like he made it with his feet instead of his hands. If Namgung young lady doesn't want to, then Zhuge young lady can do it."
"No need to fight over it. I'll make dinner."
"Thank you, Seok young lady."
"I-I'll help you, Seok young lady."
"Namu Amida Butsu, Kwanseum Bosal. Could it be young brother Seok has feelings for Seok young lady?"
"N-No, that's not it, brother Myeong-gak."
"I was thinking the same thing, little brother Gwang-u."
From the voices, it wasn't just Myeong-gak and Clear Wind—Namgung Hye, Zhuge Ji, Seok Su-a, and Gwang-u were all there too.
And absurdly enough, even Clear Wind was calling Gwang-u "little brother."
'You idiot.'
Fury boiled up inside me. I ground my teeth and stormed toward the gate.
Bam!
I flung the gate open roughly, and everyone lounging in the courtyard turned to stare.
The moment our eyes met, Myeong-gak and Clear Wind averted their gazes slyly, while Zhuge Ji, Namgung Hye, and Seok Su-a greeted me with bright smiles.
"You're back. We were just waiting for you."
"Good to see you again, hunter."
In my foul mood, my response came out sharp.
"Why are you all here again?"
My prickly words chilled the air.
They all just glanced at each other awkwardly, no one daring to speak first.
As the silence stretched, that fool Gwang-u stepped forward.
"Brother, what's your problem? Why are you mad at them?"
"Shut your mouth, you punk!"
I bellowed, and Gwang-u flinched back.
But he quickly flushed red and stepped up again.
"Why are you snapping like that? What did I do wrong?"
He must've been embarrassed getting yelled at in front of everyone.
I found the sight of him ridiculous, but also infuriating.
"Let's settle this, punk."
"Why... do you have to say that again?"
Gwang-u hesitated, glanced back at Seok Su-a, then clenched his fists.
"Fine, bring it on."
As Gwang-u raised his fists and advanced, I set down the meat and liquor on the porch and faced him.
I wouldn't hide my martial prowess from them anymore.
No, I wouldn't bother hiding it from the eyes of the jianghu either.
Whoosh!
His iron fist tore through the air toward my face.
I jerked my head aside, dodging, only for his other fist to follow.
I bent at the waist to evade that one, but his knee shot up toward my chest.
Thud!
I blocked the knee with my forearm and staggered back.
Swoosh!
The moment I retreated, his palm grazed past my face.
One fist, one kick—both lethally powerful.
Swish! Whoosh! Thump! Thud thud!
Gwang-u pressed the assault without mercy.
I couldn't land a single counter, and a smug grin crept onto his lips as his fists and feet flew.
Whoosh!
Another air-ripping punch came. I dodged, exposing an opening, and Gwang-u wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Brother, surrender if you don't want a busted back."
I slammed my forehead into his grinning face.
Thud! Thump! Thud! ...!
Urk, guh, grrrgh!
After a few headbutts, Gwang-u loosened his grip, stumbled back, and collapsed.
"Who the hell do you think you're messing with?"
I loomed triumphantly over him—until warm blood trickled into my eyes.
I wiped it away with my hand. It was coming from my own forehead.
"Ah... you iron-headed bastard."
I wiped the blood and headed for my room, legs wobbling.
Glancing back, Gwang-u was rubbing his forehead and getting up.
'This... feels like I came out worse off.'
"Brother... I lost. I don't know what I did wrong, but forgive me."
After trading blows with Gwang-u, the pent-up anger inside me had somehow dissipated.
"Whatever. The monk's on dinner duty."
Myeong-gak, who'd been watching silently, looked utterly aggrieved.
"I made lunch too..."
"Do it or get out."
"N-No, I didn't say I wouldn't!"
Hahaha...
Myeong-gak's deadpan response cracked me up, and Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye finally relaxed.
"He's right. Myeong-gak monk's the best cook here."
I waved them off and retreated to my room.
The chest in the corner looked exactly as I'd left it two days ago.
I opened it. Silver taels, bank notes, books, and the Great Heavenly Demon's sword—all untouched.
If anyone had rummaged through, things would've been shifted or disturbed. But everything matched my memory perfectly.
"At least that's a relief."
Myeong-gak really was a talented cook.
If he'd left Shaolin to open a restaurant, he might've been a wealthy man by now.
Especially that massive fish on the table—huge, and delicious.
Everyone else held their rice bowls while eating, but I set mine down on the table.
Clear Wind eyed me curiously.
"Hunter, why do you eat with your bowl on the table?"
Gwang-u answered for me.
"That's just how brother is, brother Clear Wind. Don't mind it. Even Master once scolded him, 'Why do you eat like a dog?' but he never fixed the habit."
I wanted to sew that fool's mouth shut.
Puhahaha!
Myeong-gak dropped his bowl and clutched his belly laughing.
My mood soured; I set down my chopsticks.
"You bald..."
Just as I was about to snap, Zhuge Ji cut in hurriedly.
"The hunter isn't from around here. In the eastern lands, they eat individually, so no need for long chopsticks to reach distant dishes. Am I right?"
Zhuge Ji was sharp as ever.
I silently picked up my chopsticks again.
But midway through the meal, Myeong-gak's words made me drop them once more.
"What's that sword in the chest? It looks so fierce, like it'd take its owner's life."
"You barge into my room without permission?"
"I got permission—from little brother Gwang-u over there. We only peeked at the sword, so don't be too harsh."
I glared at Gwang-u, who was eating cautiously next to Seok Su-a.
"Gwang-u."
His big, cow-like eyes looked utterly guileless.
"Yeah, brother?"
"When did you get here?"
"Before lunch."
"We've only known each other three hours, and you're calling that Taoist 'brother'?"
Gwang-u replied matter-of-factly.
"He's friends with brother Myeong-gak, so that makes him my brother too."
Was this kid naive or just plain stupid?
"Good for you, punk."
Gwang-u pouted but kept eating.
Eating with any decorum must be torture for him.
"I saw that sword too. Whose is it?"
Namgung Hye and Zhuge Ji looked curious as well.
"Mine."
"Where'd you get it?"
"Secret."
"Is that so? Then I'll reveal a secret about you two right here."
Namgung Hye coyly arched a brow, smiling at everyone watching her.
"You two are very close with my big brother."
"Namgung young lady..."
My face hardened instantly.
The others paused eating to stare at her, but resumed without much reaction.
Only Seok Su-a looked around confused, not understanding.
I was uneasy about Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye staying at my house.
"The monk and Taoist can stay, but you two young ladies head back to the Seok Family after dinner."
"Hmph..."
No sooner had I spoken than Namgung Hye let out a strange snicker.
Not just her—Zhuge Ji, Myeong-gak, and Clear Wind were all chuckling.
Puhahaha!
Myeong-gak even pointed at me while laughing.
"Want to die, monk?"
I scowled, but Myeong-gak showed no fear.
He even leaned in close.
"Too late, patron. Little brother Gwang-u already took the lodging fee."
Haa...
I was beyond anger now.
I stared blankly at Gwang-u, grinning proudly as he handed over a pouch.
'Did I do good?' his face seemed to say. I wanted to punch it.
"One hundred silver taels, brother."
"You... forget it."
I pocketed the pouch and finished eating.
After the meal, Seok Su-a and Gwang-u headed back to the Seok Family.
From what I gathered, a few retainers from the Zhuge Family were staying there permanently.
Experts in mechanisms and formations, they were setting up defenses for the Seok Family.
Once Gwang-u was gone, I stepped out to the backyard and spotted a ferryboat moored by the river.
"What's with that boat?"
Myeong-gak, following behind, answered.
"Some old man brought it yesterday. Said he ordered it to live as a fisherman... Is that true?"
I walked down to the river without a word and inspected the boat.
Inside were oars, a fishing rod, and nets.
"Namgung young lady caught that fish with the rod during the day. The one we had for dinner."
"Guess I need to learn how to cast nets now."
"So-seung knows how."
"Unbelievable. Just unbelievable."