Echoes from Nakan
“Aigoo! You claim to care about my reputation, yet you frequent brothels every other day? If you took the position of county magistrate, people would praise me instead.”
“Grandfather, I train in martial arts day and night not to shuffle papers.”
“No one entrusts great tasks to a man who cannot be faithful in small ones.”
“I can only call myself an official if I become a county magistrate. Nothing less.”
“Then don’t. Wait your whole life and see if anyone ever begs you to take the post.”
“Couldn’t you create a magistrate’s seat for me, Grandfather?”
“Of course I could. But why would I recommend a wretch like you? I’d only bring shame on myself.”
Son Yu-baek had not the slightest intention of listening to his grandson.
The conversation between grandfather and grandson, which had begun over official posts, fizzled out without resolution.
After the meal, while drinking tea, Son Ji-heon asked his grandfather with a lingering expression.
“Were you planning to recommend Yeop for the magistrate’s post?”
“Hardly. One does not use a cleaver meant for oxen to slaughter chickens.”
“……”
Son Ji-heon’s pride was deeply wounded, so he asked no more. He himself had been dismissed as unfit even for chickens.
Dan Yeop, sensing the tension between them, quietly slipped away.
***
Seonpyeong District.
Jeommun headquarters at Jipdanhyang.
When Dan Yeop entered the Anshih Hall, Go Jwa-ryeong raised both hands above his head and shouted loudly.
“Instructor Dan! You’ve arrived!”
Dan Yeop flinched at the bow usually reserved for the emperor. Yet the disciples of Seonmun showed no surprise at the sight. Even the senior experts of Seonmun were exceedingly respectful.
“Instructor Dan, welcome.”
“Good morning, Instructor Dan.”
“We’re counting on you.”
“Please don’t expect too much from Seonmun. We’re nothing more than boatmen, after all. Hahaha.”
Dan Yeop was dumbfounded by the sudden change in everyone’s attitude.
Baek Cho-gong, the branch master, sidled up and whispered in his ear.
“They’re pitiful folk when you get to know them. Go easy on them, if you can. Ah, I’m not forcing you. How you teach is up to you. Ahem, ahem.”
Baek Cho-gong coughed and walked away.
Dan Yeop suddenly recalled what had happened at Byeongmachong. Similar things always followed whenever the heart demon stirred.
“……”
Their dramatic shift amused him, yet it also irritated him. He felt pathetic for living off the heart demon’s influence.
A short while later, Dan Yeop taught the final three forms of the Jincheonji Dobeop to the Seonmun experts. They followed his instructions without complaint.
By the time the sun began to set, Dan Yeop finished tidying the practice yard and left Anshih Hall before anyone else.
Right after he disappeared, Go Jwa-ryeong pulled something from his satchel.
It was a pair of yeonangyeong.
The Haomun experts who saw it burst into laughter.
Chapter 77. Feeling better now?
Dan Yeop walked slowly through the night streets. Though it was still midwinter, the roads were crowded. Most people were buying or selling goods at the western market. He wandered aimlessly, letting his feet carry him.
After walking for some time, he stopped when Hwaunru came into view.
Habits were terrifying. He had come here without realizing it.
He glanced up at the window seat where he and Baek Yu-hwa used to sit, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.
He roamed without purpose for a long while, passing through several districts. Before he knew it, he had entered the eastern market.
Just as Dan Yeop was passing a restaurant, the door opened and four young men and women stepped out. The men wore thick wonryongpo robes, while the women had pibaek shawls lined with soft fur draped over their shoulders. They looked like children of wealthy families finishing a meal.
Dan Yeop glanced at them casually, then quickly turned his head and strode away.
At that moment, a sharp female voice called from behind.
“Dan Yeop.”
Dan Yeop turned around reluctantly and offered a greeting.
“Miss Na. It’s been a while.”
The one who had stopped him was Na Geum-ryeong of Jinbosangbang.
“Let’s talk for a moment. Come with me.”
Dan Yeop was reluctant, but thinking of the heart demon, he followed her lead.
Songnim Teahouse.
When the tea set arrived, Na Geum-ryeong poured tea only into her own cup. Dan Yeop silently filled his own cup a moment later.
“I heard from my brother recently. He said he went to see you and apologized for the past.”
Dan Yeop drank his tea in silence. It was bitter and astringent.
“I don’t agree with it. As you know, my brother can be indecisive in relationships. That’s why he used me to sever ties with you.”
Dan Yeop muttered inwardly, “Even the heart demon’s life isn’t easy.”
“If word gets out about your relationship and reaches Jinbosangbang, my brother will surely regret it deeply.”
“……”
Dan Yeop offered no reply. Unlike the heart demon, he had not a single pleasant memory of Na Bu-gang and Na Geum-ryeong. Listening to lectures from people he felt nothing for made his skin crawl. If not for the heart demon, he would have stormed out long ago.
“So I’m asking you to end it firmly on your end.”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like you to tell my brother that you want to sever ties.”
At those words, Dan Yeop could no longer hold back.
“Miss Na. I think you’re mistaken about something. I already severed ties with Young Master Na a long time ago.”
“W-what did you say?”
“Severing ties once is enough. Why keep asking for it over and over? Do merchants not keep their promises? Asking someone you’ve already cut ties with to cut ties again.”
“Dan Yeop! Are you finished talking?”
Na Geum-ryeong trembled as she glared at him. She had never expected such words to come from Dan Yeop’s mouth.
“I’m not finished. I’m sick of hearing different things from you and Young Master Na. Reach an agreement between yourselves before speaking to me. Though it won’t change anything, since I’ve already severed ties.”
“You… you…”
“Are you Young Master Na’s mother, Miss Na? Or is he such a fool that he can’t make proper decisions? Why do you keep meddling in his relationships?”
“How dare you speak like that when you know his personality? How cunning.”
“If Young Master Na is that soft, how will he run a trading company? A merchant’s job is meeting people and building relationships.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly!”
“You’re the one making me speak carelessly!”
Dan Yeop shouted, his voice thick with pent-up frustration from everything that had happened with Baek Yu-hwa. The teahouse fell silent at his heavy cry. Na Geum-ryeong could only blink, unable to speak in the face of his forcefulness.
“I may have grown up as an orphan, but I’m the same as you, Miss Na. Could you speak to those people you were with earlier the way you speak to me?”
“That comparison doesn’t work. They’re of different status from you.”
“Ah, yes. Because my status is low, you spoke freely. I understand now. They say you only know someone’s true nature after watching them for a long time—I never realized Miss Na was this kind of person.”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”
In her anger, she had misspoke. Na Geum-ryeong tried desperately to take back her words, but it was too late. Realizing this, she offered no further excuses.
Meanwhile, Dan Yeop knew she was not a bad person by nature. But he and the Na siblings simply did not get along.
“It seems we are not meant to have a good relationship. The more we meet, the worse our feelings become. I hope we don’t cross paths again.”
With that, Dan Yeop rose from his seat first.
After leaving Songnim Teahouse, Dan Yeop suddenly thought of Dan Bul-wi and hurried away.
***
Jangnak District in Useong (western market area).
Amun headquarters at Wonbang Inn.
First hour of the drinking period (7 p.m.).
Dan Bul-wi and Dan Yeop sat facing each other in the inn’s dining hall. The table was laden with an abundance of dishes. The Amun branch had gone to great lengths for the meeting between the chief instructor and an instructor.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I thought you should know about this as well, Chief Instructor.”
“Something happened?”
Dan Yeop relayed his conversation with Pung Un-gae, the Chang’an branch leader of the Heavenly Path Society. Dan Bul-wi did not take the matter seriously.
“Well, it’s hard to say it’s completely impossible, but it still seems like an overreach. If the Five Great Sword Sects are tigers, then Haomun is a stray dog. Would those proud people meddle in a stray dog’s affairs? I don’t think so.”
If the conversation partner had been the genius Dan Yeop, he would have argued back. But the dunce Dan Yeop’s insight could not surpass Dan Bul-wi’s. Since Dan Bul-wi said it was not the case, Dan Yeop felt slightly relieved. Even if the Heavenly Path Society was targeting them, there was no other way to respond, so he decided to think positively.
“Also, Chief Instructor, there’s something I’ve been personally curious about.”
“What is it?”
“I heard you found me in Nakan County. Is there anything else that might help guess my family background?”
“Why? Are you trying to find your parents?”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop nodded readily. They say one longs for home when death approaches. Thinking this might be the end, he wanted to see his parents.
“The place I met you was the large market in Nakan County. Your home must have been near the market. If you ask around there, you’ll find clues.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
“Are you planning to go right away?”
“Yes.”
“Then stay here tonight and leave tomorrow morning. There are things to prepare before heading there.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“No.”
“Then a horse won’t do. I’ll arrange a carriage. It’s winter, so a carriage will be better than a horse anyway.”
“Thank you.”
While drinking tea after dinner, Dan Bul-wi spoke.
“I heard about you and Baek Munju’s niece. You two were close since Byeongmachong?”
“Yes.”
“Are you thinking of taking revenge on the Blood Emperor?”
“I know it’s presumptuous, but I intend to.”
“Presumptuous? No. If it’s you, you might surpass the Blood Emperor.”
“……”
Dan Yeop remained silent, knowing the words were meant with the heart demon in mind. Seeing Dan Yeop’s expression darken, Dan Bul-wi quickly ended the conversation.
“You have a long journey tomorrow, so rest early today.”
“Yes.”
***
The next morning.
Dan Yeop left Wonbang Inn in the carriage Dan Bul-wi had prepared. The carriage arrived in Nakan County at the end of the hour of the snake (3 p.m.). Having departed at the beginning of the hour of the snake, it had taken a full three shichen (six hours). The winter weather had slowed the carriage, and resting the horses along the way had also delayed them.
Dan Yeop asked around and found the largest market. It was quiet in winter. After wandering the area asking questions, he entered the largest inn as the sun began to set.
“Welcome! Eh? You’re back again?”
When the waiter he had never seen before greeted him familiarly, Dan Yeop asked back.
“You know me?”
“Aigoo! Of course I do. You stayed at our inn for two days about a month ago. How could I not remember?”
“I did?”
“Yes, Young Master. You were looking for someone who lost a four-year-old child here fourteen years ago.”
“Ah……”
A sigh escaped Dan Yeop’s lips. It seemed the heart demon had come here without his knowledge.
“Seeing you return again—”