Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Severing Ties
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“I told you not to come looking for me.”
“It was purely by chance that we met. So please, don't blame him too much.”
Pung Jin-seong continued with a smile.
“A fortune teller I met a while ago told me that the northeast was auspicious. So I set out without a destination, but I never imagined I would meet you, Young Lord. Had I known, I would have paid him more…”
“…”
“Since we've met like this, why don't we have a meal together? Surely you won't turn me away, considering our history?”
At his earnest plea, Dan Ak-seon reluctantly followed. As they walked side by side, Pung Jin-seong asked a question.
“I hear you've been coming down to the village often recently? And purchasing more medicinal herbs?”
“That's…”
Dan Ak-seon was at a loss.
He was struggling with how to answer.
Telling the truth would put Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi at risk. But lying felt wrong to Pung Jin-seong.
He was trying to think of a suitable excuse.
Thump.
Dan Ak-seon collided with a group of people walking from the opposite direction.
They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed him.
Pung Jin-seong quickly reached out and caught Dan Ak-seon as he stumbled.
“Are you all right?”
Dan Ak-seon gave a wry smile.
“I'm fine.”
“That's a relief.”
Pung Jin-seong sighed in relief.
But his expression soon hardened with anger. It was because the men were continuing on their way without a single word of apology.
“You there!”
At Pung Jin-seong's shout, the men stopped.
“Ah!”
It was then that a look of alarm crossed Dan Ak-seon's face. The faces of the people he had bumped into were familiar.
They were the Martial Alliance warriors who had been looking for Cho Ak-ryang at the apothecary a few days ago.
Pung Jin-seong shouted at them.
“You look like you're from the Martial Alliance, so how can you be so shameless?”
“Shameless?”
A man stepped forward from the group.
“If you've done something wrong, isn't it only right to apologize?”
The man frowned at Pung Jin-seong's words.
His sharp features and cold eyes gave off a chilling impression.
“The warriors of this Alliance are currently on official business. So just go on your way.”
His voice was cold, carrying an oppressive weight just by facing him.
At this, Pung Jin-seong's eyes grew fierce. It was because the man had subtly placed a hand on his sword.
His intention was clear to anyone.
“A martial artist threatening a civilian! Have you no shame? How can someone who bears the name of the Martial Alliance be so lawless!”
The man flinched at Pung Jin-seong's outburst.
His fierce and imposing aura was far from ordinary.
“State your name and affiliation.”
The warriors' gazes turned hostile at Pung Jin-seong's continued words. But Pung Jin-seong did not back down.
“I will personally visit your Alliance and file a formal complaint about this matter.”
Only then did the Martial Alliance warriors look at each other.
They judged the situation was becoming serious. At that moment, the man who had spoken first cupped his fist.
“I am Gwak Ga, the leader of the Fifth Squad of the Evil-Shattering Corps. May I ask for your esteemed name?”
“I am Pung Jin-seong of the Pung family.”
“Pung Jin-seong?”
A peculiar light flickered in the man's eyes as he repeated the name.
“From the Jinseong Medical House, perhaps?”
Pung Jin-seong nodded.
“Though I am unworthy, I am the one who leads it.”
“…!”
The face of the man who had identified himself as Gwak Ga froze.
He had guessed from his demeanor and speech that he was no ordinary person, but he never imagined he would be the head of the Jinseong Medical House.
“What brings someone who should be in Lanzhou all the way out here?”
Though Gwak Ga belatedly asked with due courtesy, Pung Jin-seong's expression remained cold.
“Must I report my every move to the Martial Alliance?”
Gwak Ga smiled bitterly.
“Of course not. It's just that the situation here is not very good, so I wanted to give you a word of caution…”
Gwak Ga and his men looked around, their faces clearly troubled. Everyone's attention was focused on them.
Gwak Ga let out a sigh.
‘This has become a nuisance.’
The situation was awkward in more ways than one.
In the end, Gwak Ga bowed his head to Pung Jin-seong.
“We sincerely apologize for our rudeness. Please, calm your anger.”
“I am not the one who should receive the apology.”
Gwak Ga's brow twitched.
But as if nothing had happened, he cupped his fist towards Dan Ak-seon.
“My apologies, young warrior. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive this Gwak's mistake…”
Dan Ak-seon forced a smile and nodded.
There was nothing to be gained from getting involved with them. Once Dan Ak-seon accepted the apology, the Martial Alliance warriors hastily left.
Dan Ak-seon sighed at Pung Jin-seong.
“You didn't have to go that far…”
Pung Jin-seong beamed as if he had never been angry.
“It wasn't for you, Young Lord. I simply haven't been pleased with their recent actions.”
Pung Jin-seong continued.
“There is a fearsome villain known as the Blood Hand Honored One. They announced they had eliminated him not long ago. But it seems the truth is different. You can tell by how they've deployed people to continue the investigation.”
“Ah…”
“Because of that, the atmosphere has been tense lately. So I thought it was necessary to sound a warning to them. There's nothing more unfortunate than innocent civilians getting caught up in the fights of martial artists.”
Conversing like this, the two arrived at an inn.
But inside the tavern, a grand feast of delicacies was already laid out.
There were no other customers in sight. Pung Jin-seong had rented out the entire place.
Dan Ak-seon asked Pung Jin-seong with a look of disbelief.
“I suppose this is also a coincidence?”
Pung Jin-seong laughed sheepishly at Dan Ak-seon's question.
“Here, please sit.”
Gesturing to the seat of honor, Pung Jin-seong pulled the dishes closer and offered them to Dan Ak-seon.
“Please try this as well. The chef here is exceptionally skilled.”
Pung Jin-seong diligently served food onto Dan Ak-seon's plate.
However, he himself barely touched the food. He simply watched Dan Ak-seon eat with a contented look on his face.
Some time passed like this.
Clink.
Dan Ak-seon put down his chopsticks and looked at Pung Jin-seong.
“This is the last time I will see you.”
Pung Jin-seong paused for a moment.
But it was only for a moment.
“Have you finished your meal already? The dessert here is also excellent. It's dried persimmons simmered in honey, mixed with ginger and peanuts. It pairs wonderfully with the Bi Luo Chun tea from Dongting…”
“Don't change the subject.”
Pung Jin-seong smiled bitterly.
“Have I done something to offend you, Young Lord, without realizing it?”
“No.”
“Then are you disappointed with me in some way?”
Again, Dan Ak-seon shook his head.
“Then why are you trying to distance yourself from me so much?”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon's silence, Pung Jin-seong let out a sigh.
“If I only knew the reason, I wouldn't feel so frustrated…”
“You're not alone anymore, Uncle.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled softly.
“It's time for you to let go of your burden.”
“Young Lord…”
“How long are you going to be tied to that incident?”
Dan Ak-seon continued.
“That was all my parents' decision. No one blames you, Uncle. So please, stop blaming yourself. You have your own path to walk.”
“It's truly disheartening to hear you say that.”
Pung Jin-seong continued.
“The grace I received from the two Valley Lords is as vast as the sea, how could I…”
“What you've done for me until now is more than enough.”
“But…”
Dan Ak-seon cut Pung Jin-seong off with a question.
“Do you remember the last words my parents said?”
Recalling that time, Pung Jin-seong nodded.
“The Demonic Physician told me to use the medical arts I learned to make a lot of money and live in luxury.”
“You must remember what my father said, too.”
“Of course. Though it was a bit unexpected.”
—You must get married too. No, get married twice. I can't be the only one to suffer.
It was a completely different side to the Divine Physician he usually knew.
Dan Ak-seon smiled faintly.
“The two of them had a fight that day.”
Dan Ak-seon spoke to the faintly smiling Pung Jin-seong.
“Don't go to such lengths like you did today. Forget everything and live your own life, Uncle. Just as my parents told you to that day.”
His smile fading, Pung Jin-seong silently tilted his teacup.
He did so for a moment.
“The day you were born, Young Lord, it snowed so much.”
Pung Jin-seong's eyes grew misty as he recalled the distant memory.
“I was there by your side when you took your first steps, too.”
“…”
“And when you were just beginning to talk, you followed me around everywhere.”
“…”
“Was it when you were seven? When you were badly injured after the persimmon tree you climbed broke, I was the one who carried you on my back and ran.”
Pung Jin-seong looked at Dan Ak-seon with a sad expression.
“We may not be connected by blood, but you, Young Lord, are no different from family to me.”
The regret in Pung Jin-seong's eyes was palpable.
“I could bear it from anyone else, but not from you, Young Lord. You can't do this to me.”
“Uncle…”
“To live as if I've forgotten the two of them and you… Don't you think that's too cruel?”
Dan Ak-seon's heart ached.
He knew just how deeply the man cared for him.
‘What would happen if I told him I'm treating the two Uncles?’
He would drop everything and willingly follow.
Pung Jin-seong was that kind of person. But Dan Ak-seon didn't want him to be in danger.
He wanted at least him to continue living a happy life.
Because if he wasn't entangled with him, he could enjoy his current fame and status to the fullest.
‘My parents wanted that, too.’
To do that, he had to harden his heart.
He knew better than anyone that a simple reason wouldn't break that stubbornness.
“You ask why I'm trying to distance myself from you, Uncle?”
Dan Ak-seon looked at Pung Jin-seong.
“Because it's painful for me.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
Pung Jin-seong, who had been confused, froze at Dan Ak-seon's next words.
“Being with you is agonizing. It keeps reminding me of my parents.”
“Young Lord…”
“So please, listen to me. Not for anyone else, but for my sake.”
Pung Jin-seong stared blankly at Dan Ak-seon.
Then he suddenly spoke.
“I am in pain, too.”
Those words shook Dan Ak-seon's heart.
“Aren't we family? If you are in pain, Young Lord, then I am in pain. What's wrong with that? It's only natural to hurt when your family is hurting.”
Pung Jin-seong reached out and took Dan Ak-seon's hand.
“When you're hurting, being alone is the most sorrowful thing. I will take good care of you, so please don't push me away.”
Dan Ak-seon fought back tears.
As he barely pushed back the emotion, the words he had to say came to mind.
‘I'm sorry, Uncle.’
He did not say those words out loud.
It was for the sake of what he had to say. Dan Ak-seon stared at Pung Jin-seong with a hardened face.
“Pung Jin-seong of the Pung family.”
“…!”
“As the current Lord of the Divine Demon Valley, I hereby command.”
Dan Ak-seon's next words struck Pung Jin-seong's ears like a thunderbolt.
“Pung Jin-seong, a lay disciple of the Divine Demon Valley, is hereby excommunicated as of this day.”
Pung Jin-seong froze on the spot, as if in shock.
Dan Ak-seon, who had declared the severance of their ties, was not feeling any better. But this was the best way. He stood up from his seat and walked away quickly.
He had steeled his heart, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
Pung Jin-seong was left alone.
He alone remained, staring at the teacup in his hand with a devastated gaze.