The Burden of Two Souls
Dan Yeop felt a single eye fixed upon him.
It was because the man who had appeared late was wearing pitch-black Yeonangyeong over his eyes.
Baek Cho-gong, the branch master, could not contain his curiosity and asked,
“Instructor Dan, is that not Yeonangyeong you are wearing?”
“It is.”
“I have seen the branch master of the Gakmun branch, Yi Jang-won, carry a pair, but were those not meant for summer use?”
“I decided to wear them to protect my eyes and change my atmosphere at the same time—killing two birds with one stone.”
“Ah, atmosphere… I see.”
Baek Cho-gong looked at Dan Yeop with pitying eyes.
It seemed Dan Yeop had suffered a greater shock than he himself had from losing his niece.
The reactions of the others were no different from Baek Cho-gong’s.
After all, these days there was no one in the Jeommun branch who did not know the story of Dan Yeop and Baek Yu-hwa.
Training resumed.
Dan Yeop taught the instructors the second form of the Jincheonji Dobeop.
As expected, they mastered this form in a single day as well.
They had now learned one form per day.
Perhaps because of that, the instructors’ shoulders were puffed with pride.
Dan Yeop was curious what their expressions would be when they learned the Jinbaekryu Dobeop, but he decided to leave that to the dunce Dan Yeop.
Training without sleep for two days was too much of a burden on the body.
That night.
Upon returning to the annex at Son-taek, Dan Yeop wrote a note of instructions for the dunce Dan Yeop, then climbed onto the bed and closed his eyes.
The next morning.
The moment Dan Yeop opened his eyes, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Haa!”
He had thought he would disappear once everything was written in the white notebook.
Although he held control of the body, he felt as though something crucial was missing from himself.
The new morning felt quite moving.
“Well, disappearing like this isn’t so bad either.”
In that moment, even he forgot about revenge against the Blood Emperor.
That was how much joy Dan Yeop felt at simply being alive.
Soon after getting off the bed, he took the white notebook from the bookshelf and read it.
He was in such a hurry that he did not even sit down.
His expression changed several times while reading the notebook.
‘He succeeded in inner energy training by overcoming the wall of terror, and now he is in the process of merging the two personalities into one?’
The part that said, ‘As a side effect, his eyes have turned golden, so he must wear the Yeonangyeong when going out,’ did not even register in his mind.
Dan Yeop muttered unconsciously.
“So in the end, we merge.”
The thought that one of them would disappear left him feeling heavy-hearted.
“But this guy seems to be enjoying himself.”
Unlike his own dejected self, a strange vitality could be felt in the other’s writing.
Suddenly, his gaze turned to the table.
The pitch-black Yeonangyeong lay right in the center.
“So I have to wear those when going out? How ridiculous.”
The genius Dan Yeop possessed outstanding abilities, so he had nothing to fear, but he was different.
The thought of walking around wearing something like that like a madman already made his head throb.
Episode 74. 2nd Generation Go Jwa-ryeong
The Yeonangyeong clearly revealed the difference between the two personalities.
While the genius Dan Yeop accepted it without any issue, the dunce Dan Yeop was at a loss, consumed by shame.
It had nothing to do with the presence or absence of talent.
If the genius Dan Yeop was proactive and outgoing, the dunce Dan Yeop was passive and introverted.
This was evident even at the breakfast table in the inner hall.
Unlike yesterday, Dan Yeop could not even meet the eyes of Son Yu-baek’s family.
After finishing breakfast and leaving Son-taek, Dan Yeop felt as though everyone was staring only at him, making his head burn.
After walking for about an hour, he arrived at Jipdanhyang and felt an immense sense of fatigue.
It felt as though an entire day had passed before he had even begun.
Soon, Dan Yeop hesitantly entered the Anshihyeon.
The Jeommun experts, still not accustomed to the Yeonangyeong, kept glancing at him repeatedly.
—Instructor Dan, you know. He was wearing those even when he left after training yesterday.
—But it was dark then?
—That’s what I’m saying. He seems worse than Branch Master Yi Jang-won.
—Is it because he’s young?
—Aigoo! I wouldn’t wear them even if someone gave them to me.
—Branch Master Yi Jang-won will be pleased. He’s found someone else who understands Yeonangyeong.
At the sound of the branch masters whispering from afar, Dan Yeop wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.
Following the previous day, Dan Yeop taught the instructors the second form of the Jincheonji Dobeop.
The instructors mastered this form in a single day, and by the next evening, they had finished the third form as well.
Before leaving the Anshihyeon, Unjung-gaek spoke to the Jeommun experts with a triumphant face.
“Hahaha! Since we mastered the three forms of the Jincheonji Dobeop in three days, the Jinbaekryu Dobeop should take four days, right?”
It was said with the knowledge that the Jinbaekryu Dobeop had four forms.
The Jeommun experts only laughed awkwardly and said nothing.
They all predicted that the instructors would also get stuck on the Jinbaekryu Dobeop, but since they had not tried it yet, there was nothing they could say.
When Dan Yeop was preparing to return to Son-taek, Munwi Im Song approached and asked quietly,
“Instructor, do you think the instructors will learn the Jinbaekryu Dobeop easily as well?”
“It will be difficult.”
“Right?”
Im Song’s face brightened immediately.
Although the instructors were famous experts in the martial world, he wanted them to know that Haomun’s martial arts were not to be underestimated either.
“Instructor Go will be a bit faster, but Instructors Un and Han will be similar to Branch Master Baek.”
“Ah, I acknowledge Instructor Go.”
Im Song nodded.
It was because Go Geom-haeng, whom he had actually seen, was several times more outstanding than the rumors.
While the two were whispering, Baek Cho-gong, who had gone out, returned.
Following behind him were over ten Haomun members.
The branch masters who were still in the Anshihyeon greeted them.
“Vice Branch Master Yoo Shim? How long has it been?”
“Dangju Han, welcome.”
“Dangju No, why are you here?”
“Patrol Jang, when are you going to pay back the money?”
Dan Yeop also spotted one familiar face.
‘Go Jwa-ryeong?’
Go Jwa-ryeong was one of the trainees from the second generation of Byeongmachong who had tormented Dan Yeop.
At that moment, Go Jwa-ryeong and Dan Yeop’s eyes met by chance.
However, Go Jwa-ryeong did not recognize Dan Yeop because of the Yeonangyeong.
He only glanced at Dan Yeop occasionally with a bewildered look.
It was because a young man was wearing Yeonangyeong in the early evening.
Dan Yeop paid no attention either way.
Go Jwa-ryeong was already of no interest to him.
Then Baek Cho-gong approached Dan Yeop with a middle-aged man of heroic bearing.
“Instructor Dan, greet him. This is Branch Master Go Won-bang of the Seonmun branch.”
Dan Yeop greeted Go Won-bang respectfully.
“I am Dan Yeop.”
Go Won-bang looked at Dan Yeop with a flustered expression.
The fool of Byeongmachong, adoptive son of Dan Bul-wi, the living proof of the saying ‘success comes from digging one well deep,’ the reclusive expert who had mastered the Jin-sam-dae-do-beop…
Nowhere in those descriptions was there any mention of Yeonangyeong.
Soon regaining his composure, Go Won-bang spoke.
“I am Go Won-bang. Pleased to meet you. I have heard much about you.”
Go Won-bang’s words came out in broken fragments, still flustered.
After the greetings were exchanged, Baek Cho-gong stepped forward.
“From now on, the Seonmun experts will also learn the Jin-sam-dae-do-beop at the Anshihyeon.”
With those words, Dan Yeop understood the current situation.
He had already thought it was time for one or two more branches to join.
It was because the Gimun and Chamun branches had recently sent experts to the Amun branch.
Go Won-bang added with an awkward face,
“We have decided to stay at the Cheong-un-pyo-guk until the weather warms up. We will come on time starting tomorrow, so please take care of us.”
“Yes.”
Since the Anshihyeon was spacious anyway, adding another ten or so people posed no difficulty for training.
Then Go Won-bang spoke as if in passing,
“I thought only Branch Master Yi Jang-won was a stylish fellow, but Instructor Dan is no less so.”
It was said regarding the Yeonangyeong.
Dan Yeop had nothing to say in reply and remained silent.
Just before the atmosphere could turn awkward, Baek Cho-gong led Go Won-bang away to another place.
A moment later, as Dan Yeop was leaving the Anshihyeon, someone called from behind.
“Senior Dan Yeop.”
When Dan Yeop turned around, it was Go Jwa-ryeong.
For a moment, the past flashed through his mind and he slightly furrowed his brows.
“What?”
“Ah, I was just glad to see you after so long. I heard you became an instructor of the Jeommun branch? You have become very successful.”
“Yeah. If there is nothing else, I am leaving.”
As Dan Yeop was about to turn away, Go Jwa-ryeong quickly said,
“I heard about Junior Baek. They say the Blood Emperor cut off her head.”
“……”
Dan Yeop let out a light sigh.
The memories of that day, which he had tried so hard to bury, came flooding back one by one.
Regardless, Go Jwa-ryeong continued.
“I do not know if you are aware, but because of the Blood Emperor incident, Haomun’s work has dropped sharply. Now everyone is going to the Gaibang.”
“What is it you want to say?”
“No, I just said it because I felt regretful. We worked ourselves to death, yet the results turned out worse.”
In that instant, Dan Yeop’s face hardened.
It felt as though Go Jwa-ryeong was somehow criticizing the Jeommun branch.
“You are Go Jwa-ryeong of the second generation, right?”
“So you remembered my name. That is correct.”
“If you feel regretful, do not beat around the bush. Clearly state what you regret. Do you regret that the Jeommun people died? Or do you regret that the work was taken by the Gaibang?”
“Well, if it is both, would that make me too calculating?”
“On the day the Seonmun people are dying off, I will say the same thing to you.”
“Are you cursing me right now?”
Go Jwa-ryeong glared at Dan Yeop.
He had heard that Dan Yeop’s Jin-sam-dae-do-beop was fearsome.
But the Dan Yeop he met in person did not seem much different from before.
No, with the Yeonangyeong on, he looked like a clown.
No expert in the martial world would walk around in such a state.
Moreover, Go Jwa-ryeong knew Dan Yeop’s true nature.
Until a few years ago, Dan Yeop had been an easy target for mockery.
‘That son of a bitch……’
At that moment, Dan Yeop replied in a nonchalant tone.
“No, I am making a promise. I will return the favor exactly the same way. Why? Is there a problem?”
“……”
Although Go Jwa-ryeong was ‘infuriated,’ he did not lash out immediately.
What held him back was something his father had told him.
—When Go Geom-haeng and Dan Yeop sparred, saber qi and sword qi flew everywhere. Their footwork was so elusive it was like ghosts. If you ever meet Instructor Dan Yeop, be careful. If you act up thinking of the old days, you will get a big nosebleed.
Could a fool become a peerless expert in just a few years?
If he had encountered a fortuitous opportunity, it was not impossible.
Having thought that far, Go Jwa-ryeong quietly lowered his eyes.
“There is no problem.”
“Know that I am letting it slide because of Branch Master Go. There will not be a next time.”
After speaking coldly, Dan Yeop left without looking back.
Upon returning to the annex at Son-taek, Dan Yeop meticulously recorded the incident with Go Jwa-ryeong in the white notebook.
It was because he hoped that if Go Jwa-ryeong acted up while the genius Dan Yeop was in control, he would punish him.
After writing and reading it again, he felt as though he was tattling, but he left it as it was.
That was how much Go Jwa-ryeong’s words had soured his mood.
That night.
Dan Yeop lay on the bed but could not fall asleep easily and tossed and turned.
They say life is a sea of suffering, and it truly was.
Nothing brought him joy, and only things that scratched at his wounds occurred.
Both the Blood Emperor and the Cheonlyeon were beyond his capabilities.
‘What am I? Why was I born?’
After worrying late into the night, Dan Yeop finally fell into a deep sleep at dawn.
The next day.
After washing his face, Dan Yeop added a few more lines to the white notebook.
Then he climbed onto the bed, sat in a lotus position, and closed his eyes.
His face was utterly indifferent, as if he had attained enlightenment.
Flash—!
With a dazzling burst of light, the genius Dan Yeop opened his eyes.
He got off the bed, sat at the table, and opened the white notebook.
The still-wet characters caught his eye first.
[I do not know why I live. Do you?]
“Hmm!”
Letting out a low hum, Dan Yeop read the densely written characters above it.
“Tsk! Scratched by Go Jwa-ryeong again.”