Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Waves Before the Yangtze (2)
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The torrential rain that had poured for days stopped as if it had been a lie, and warm sunlight pierced through the parting clouds, illuminating the world.
Ha Hu Gok, who had been sleeping like the dead, slowly opened his eyes at the sound of birds chirping busily outside. Just then, Ha Hu Yeon entered with a bowl of medicine and let out a cheer as she rushed over.
"Great-grandfather!"
"Quiet down, kid. My ears are still fine."
Ha Hu Gok furrowed his brow slightly and slowly sat up.
His expression brightened, perhaps because his body felt lighter than expected.
"The rain has stopped."
Ha Hu Yeon hurriedly opened the window.
"Yes. It started easing at dawn and completely stopped by morning."
"That's why they're making such a racket."
Ha Hu Gok chuckled as he watched the birds flitting about, branches rustling against each other.
"Yeon-ah."
"Yes, Great-grandfather."
"How many days was I out?"
Ha Hu Yeon flinched for a moment and hesitated to answer, so Ha Hu Gok gave a faint smile.
"The fact that you can't answer right away means it was quite a while."
"Three... days."
Ha Hu Yeon said with a worried face.
"Three days? Ha ha! Everyone must have been worried sick."
Ha Hu Gok burst into hearty laughter, and Ha Hu Yeon gave a wry smile.
During the three days Ha Hu Gok had been unconscious, the Ha Hu Clan had been in utter chaos—not just worried, but in a frenzy. Especially the first two days, with his high fever and irregular breathing, the clan head and all the leaders had worn out the doorstep visiting his bedside. No, they had kept vigil right by his bed. The room was too small, so many waited outside. Fortunately, from dawn, his fever broke and his breathing stabilized. Only then did the physician declare he'd passed the crisis, allowing them a moment's relief to step away.
"Any word on the others?"
"Nothing since they passed Gu-gang, but enough time has passed—they should arrive soon."
"Soon..."
A flicker of regret crossed Ha Hu Gok's face before vanishing. Thinking he was worried about them, Ha Hu Yeon quickly added,
"You know what kind of people my brothers are, right? Don't worry. They're not the type to be stopped by a little downpour."
"Worry? No, just regret."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind."
Ha Hu Gok shook his head and got off the bed, startling Ha Hu Yeon, who rushed to support him.
"Are you going out? Pushing yourself now could make things worse."
"I know my own body. Don't worry—just fetch my clothes."
With Ha Hu Yeon's help, Ha Hu Gok changed and stepped out of the room.
He took a deep breath of the crisp air piercing his lungs and closed his eyes tightly.
After a long moment, he opened them. The light in his eyes was now fierce, different from before.
"Bring your sword and follow me."
Ha Hu Yeon couldn't hide her surprise at Ha Hu Gok striding forward without hesitation.
After returning to the Ha Hu Clan from Soheung, Ha Hu Gok's health had steadily declined. Especially in his later years, as he poured all his energy into compiling his insights, his body weakened day by day. Worried, the clan had mobilized every elixir to aid his recovery, but to no avail.
'They said he passed the crisis, and his condition has improved. The cough has definitely eased. What a relief.'
Ha Hu Yeon recalled the physician's words from that dawn about the dangerous hurdle being overcome and let out a sigh of relief.
But he didn't know.
That the flame about to go out burns the hottest.
"We're almost there."
Man Chu pointed to a farmhouse rapidly growing larger ahead.
"Yeah. Looks like we've finally made it."
Noe Jeon shuddered with a chill.
"No time to rest. Hurry."
Even with their destination in sight, Sima Geon didn't stop. If anything, he picked up speed toward the Ha Hu Clan.
"We've been running nonstop for days. Can't we take a breather now? Everyone's a mess—we haven't even rested properly."
Cheol Woo said, keeping pace with Sima Geon.
He was right.
The relentless downpour had given the group not a single moment's ease. Moreover, Sima Geon had pushed on like they were being chased, even skipping Man Chu's training. The grueling march was so tough even Cheol Woo struggled, leaving the group looking like beggars who'd lost several bouts to Beggar Clan disciples. Even Neung So Hwa, who boasted pristine beauty, and Jin Rim were drenched in sweat.
"No choice. I have a bad feeling."
Sima Geon wouldn't yield to Cheol Woo's suggestion.
"Hang in there a bit longer. If we don't hurry, I have a feeling we'll regret it."
"If the boss says so, then it is. Got it."
Cheol Woo dropped the argument. Instead, he signaled Noe Jeon and Man Chu, who trailed with deathly faces, to shut up.
Cheol Woo's gaze shifted behind Man Chu.
His brow furrowed at Jin Rim, barely keeping up with Neung So Hwa's support.
In his eyes, Jin Rim's pure martial skill surpassed Man Chu's. But in stamina and lightness skill alone, he fell short. Especially after Man Chu deeply grasped the essence of Chwi-seon-bo under Sima Geon's guidance, the gap widened.
And now it showed.
Unlike Man Chu, who somehow clung on despite being half-delirious, Jin Rim could barely move without Neung So Hwa's help. It wasn't just internal energy—his basic stamina couldn't keep up.
"He'll manage on his own."
As he tried to ignore it, Jin Rim, practically leaning on Neung So Hwa, finally fainted.
Cheol Woo stopped.
Startled, Neung So Hwa panicked and checked on him. Relieved it was just a faint and not serious, she tried to hoist him onto her back.
"What are you doing?"
"Carrying him."
"Who doesn't know that? I'm saying you don't need to go that far. He's just exhausted—let him rest and catch up slowly."
"I can't do that."
"What?"
"My gut says no. If we don't hurry, something bad will happen."
Cheol Woo stared at Neung So Hwa in disbelief.
She was saying the exact same thing as Sima Geon.
"You two rehearsed this?"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, whatever."
Cheol Woo strode over, grabbed Jin Rim by the waist, and slung him over his shoulder.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Neung So Hwa's eyes sharpened.
"I know you can handle him, but let's just go. Carrying an unconscious gu... hem, an unconscious guy? What would people think of us? Would they point fingers, saying the men are that pathetic?"
"He's my comrade. Put him down."
"Instead of arguing, hurry up and follow. Was that talk about regretting if we don't rush just a lie?"
"Th-that..."
"That guy's going full speed. You'll lose him."
As Cheol Woo said, Sima Geon's figure was already far ahead.
Neung So Hwa glanced between the shrinking dot of Sima Geon and Jin Rim on Cheol Woo's shoulder, bit her lip, and said,
"Fine, take care of him. I won't forget this debt."
"Debt, my..."
Cheol Woo waved dismissively but trailed off.
Neung So Hwa's figure had vanished like a mirage.
"She's no joke."
Cheol Woo clicked his tongue, watching her close the gap to Sima Geon in an instant.
"Not the time for me to slack either. Hey, hold on tigh..."
His playful words to the still-unconscious Jin Rim twisted his expression oddly.
'The scent...'
Despite days of camping in the rain, she was nothing like Noe Jeon and Man Chu, who reeked even from afar.
"Who cares."
Cheol Woo smirked and accelerated across the muddy field like the wind, refusing to be outdone by Neung So Hwa.
Jin Rim's limp hair fluttered in the wind, tickling his nose, but he ignored it.
He didn't notice his own face flushing slightly.
The Ha Hu Clan's training grounds.
Most of the clan's warriors had gathered in one place.
It wasn't to celebrate the long-awaited clear weather. It stemmed from a casual remark by someone wanting to see the descendants' skills.
Those assembled formed groups by age, freely showing off the techniques they'd honed over the years.
Some were sorely lacking, others excelled beyond their peers. But at this moment, none of that mattered. What counted was that they all belonged to the Ha Hu Clan, brothers bound by blood.
"Good."
Ha Hu Gok, standing with hands behind his back where the grounds were visible at a glance, nodded in satisfaction.
"You approve?"
Ha Hu On, who hadn't missed Ha Hu Gok's offhand comment and had ordered a full muster, asked quietly.
"Yes. Not perfectly satisfying, but enough that I don't need to worry."
"Losing the sparring tournament to an outsider seems to have lit a fire under them. From the top to the bottom, everyone's working hard."
"Stagnant water sours. A jolt like that isn't bad now and then."
"Thanks to the brother who brought that guy in."
"I didn't bring him in—he used me."
Ha Hu Gok smiled, in high spirits, and turned his gaze beyond the grounds.
Regret tinged Ha Hu On's face.
He'd seen him turn his head like that whenever there was a gap—not just once or twice.
"Waiting for them?"
"Yes. They're later than I expected."
"They'll be here soon, won't they?"
"I hope so. But you know, don't you? That my time is short."
Ha Hu On fell silent.
Ha Hu Yeon was just glad the illness had improved, but someone like Ha Hu On could read the situation clearly.
'Return light, return shine.'
The last flame burns hot, then fades all the faster.
"Oh, did you check what I sent?"
"Yes. Over and over."
"Like it?"
"Like it? I still tremble just thinking about it."
Ha Hu On exclaimed, face full of awe. Nor was he alone—the clan's leaders around him, holding their breath, felt the same. The insights Ha Hu Gok had compiled in his final years were a treasure that could elevate the clan's martial arts by at least two levels.
"Glad to hear it."
Ha Hu Gok nodded with a pleased smile and slowly walked toward the grounds.
Ha Hu On followed quietly, thinking it was to encourage the descendants at life's end.
As Ha Hu Gok appeared, everyone training sheathed their swords and stepped back.
Stopping before Ha Hu Yeon, who was panting, Ha Hu Gok clicked his tongue.
"You brat, how many times have I said no need to swing so hard?"
"I think it in my head, but my body isn't used to it yet."
Unlike the others, Ha Hu Yeon was practicing the new techniques Ha Hu Gok had compiled, and he looked embarrassed.
"The sword."
Ha Hu Gok extended his hand to Ha Hu Yeon.
"Great-grandfather."
"It's fine. Give it."
Only after a silent nod from Ha Hu On did Ha Hu Yeon hand over the sword.
Ha Hu Gok took it, assumed a stance slowly.
"Twice might be too much. Just once—watch and memorize well."
It was a plea to everyone gathered, not just Ha Hu Yeon.
"I wanted to hear that kid's verdict. Shame."
As his sigh of regret mixed with anticipation, and his sword began to move—
Roooaaar!
A lion's roar echoed from afar.
"They're here."
Ha Hu Gok halted his sword, a smile blooming on his face.