Chapter 43
“Did you see that, Soyeon?”
“I know, right? Hehe. I really didn't think he'd say exactly what Big Brother predicted.”
“Brother! What in the world...”
“Ailang, come here.”
Tian Ailang approached the group with a pleased expression.
“So this is Damga,” he said.
Daeyeok nodded vigorously. His face was filled with a welcoming smile for Tian Ailang.
“Yes, I always wanted to invite you properly, Young Hero Tian, but I never imagined it'd be like this. Haha.”
“What kind of building is this, though? It's quite unique.”
Tian Ailang glanced around the first floor. The walls were lined with bookshelves packed with countless books.
“This is where I used to study. The room where you were staying, Young Hero Tian, was my old sleeping quarters. I gathered tons of books here and just ate, slept, and read right in this spot. It's the quietest place in the entire household, so I brought you here.”
“Ah.”
As Tian Ailang nodded with a small flicker of surprise, Chanho's voice rang out.
“Ailang.”
Tian Ailang turned. Chanho was smiling.
Tian Ailang smiled back. “Ah! Chanho, I'm so glad you're safe too.”
Chanho snorted. “Hmph! As if there's any chance I wouldn't be.”
Tian Ailang laughed at his words, sensing the worry hidden beneath them. “Still, it's a relief. You too, Little Song.”
Song Sogeol rolled his eyes and scolded Tian Ailang. “No, Brother! Are you in your right mind or not? Were you seriously trying to get yourself killed? What were you thinking, fighting like that in the middle of the camp? We were supposed to run a rescue op, not a wipeout mission!”
Tian Ailang scratched the back of his head at the nagging.
“Ugh, stop scratching your head like that when you're embarrassed.”
“Haha...”
Tian Ailang scratched his head again in embarrassment. Song Sogeol let out a small sigh of resignation as he watched.
“Sigh... Still, thank goodness you're alive. You're amazing in so many ways, Brother.”
Song Sogeol shook his head.
After the warm greetings had exchanged appropriately, Tian Ailang turned to Song Sogeol. “So... what happened with the situation back then?”
“We rescued the brothers of that guy Oh Jang. Sadly, two of them were already dead. We also freed and released the other captives.”
Tian Ailang's mouth turned bitter at the news of the dead brothers. Yet relief washed over him knowing so many had been saved.
“Where are those brothers now?”
“I think Dam Young Master here should answer that.”
Song Sogeol glanced at Daeyeok, who nodded and spoke up.
“I'll explain in broad strokes.”
“Please do.”
Daeyeok paused briefly to gather his thoughts. Tian Ailang watched him. The pale green scholar's robe, like bamboo, suited him perfectly. He seemed to exude an upright spirit and a clear aura. His eyes looked sharper somehow.
Once he'd organized his thoughts, Daeyeok began. “After you went missing in Shenyang, Young Hero Tian, I returned to the family. But then a guest came looking for me—specifically for me. His name was Zhu Yuanzhang. He asked me to serve as military strategist for his Red Turban forces, where he's the commander.”
Tian Ailang tilted his head. “Red Turbans?”
He'd heard the name before, at some tavern or inn.
“Yes. He said they had the strength and the cause, but needed a brain to turn it toward the future. The Murim Alliance sent mid-level martial artists, good for captains or special missions, but they lacked true sages. And since those dispatched from the Alliance ultimately belong to their sects, Commander Zhu wanted someone of his own.”
“So you accepted? Ah, I remember now—Dam Young Master, you once talked about your dream.”
Daeyeok smiled warmly at Tian Ailang's words. “Haha, you remember. Yes. I saw it as my chance to shine, the right time and the right man. So I decided to become a founding merit of a new nation.”
Tian Ailang tilted his head again. “And how does that connect to what Brother Song was saying?”
Daeyeok chuckled softly. Tian Ailang hadn't batted an eye at the hugely dangerous implication of overthrowing a nation, which drew the laugh out of him.
“Yes. Right after I became Zhu's strategist, we clashed with imperial troops. We even repelled an army of 100,000.”
“Impressive.”
Tian Ailang tried to picture the unimaginable number. Even the thousand soldiers he'd fought at Pengfeng Fort had felt overwhelming; 100,000 was beyond comprehension.
Daeyeok continued. “We repelled them, but that didn't make the 100,000 vanish in one go. They scattered and regrouped, dragging the skirmishes on for over a year. By chance—or fate— the imperial unit my forces were tracking turned out to be the one you'd fought alongside your sworn brothers, Young Hero Tian. Without their commanders, thanks to you, we wiped them out easily.”
“Ah...?”
Now Tian Ailang understood the identity of the sudden rescuers.
He glanced at Chanho and Song Sogeol. They were listening calmly, already in the know.
“And the brothers you tried to save joined our ranks. With two dead by imperial hands, they jumped at the chance for revenge. I made the eldest, Iljang, a squad leader and took in the rest. I hope I didn't overstep with your acquaintances, Young Hero Tian?”
Tian Ailang slowly shook his head. He pitied the brothers' thirst for death and vengeance, but was relieved they'd found a path. The world beyond the Directorate of Righteousness was a blood-soaked hell of swords and slaughter, impossible to grasp. In such times, was there anywhere to escape the blade and blood? Joining them might be the better choice than scraping by as a farmer or laborer.
“No, they were just a small connection I worried about. Thank you.”
Daeyeok smiled at Tian Ailang's unchanged kindness and went on. “Did you happen to see an old man firing massive arrows?”
Tian Ailang's eyes widened. He recalled the arrow that had cleaved through his moment of utter peril.
“Yes, I remember. Right before I lost consciousness, I saw that huge arrow that saved me.”
Daeyeok nodded. “He's Commander Zhu's spiritual pillar and martial arts master—Master of Sorrowful Righteousness, I believe. He wants to meet you, Young Hero Tian.”
“That man? Where is he?”
Tian Ailang's eyes gleamed.
“He's staying with Zhu's detachment a short distance from the household.”
“Can I meet him right now?”
As Tian Ailang moved to go immediately, Song Sogeol stopped him worriedly. “What? Brother! You're not fully recovered yet. Don't push yourself.”
Chanho and Dam Soyeon chimed in with concern.
“Yeah, Ailang, take it easy.”
“Exactly. Don't overdo it.”
Tian Ailang smiled at those worrying over him. Daeyeok laughed as he spoke. “Hahaha, but first, I'd like you to meet my father. He's been dying to see you, Young Hero Tian. He'll be thrilled to hear you're awake.”
* * *
A middle-aged man stood on the porch under the eaves, admiring the falling snow.
When I left home long ago, the willows danced in the sky; today as I return, snow pours down fiercely.
He recited a poem as he watched the snow, lamenting the futile passage of time.
“Time is so fleeting.”
The middle-aged man stroked his elegantly grown beard that reached his chest. His eyes gleamed purely in the white snow. They were so clear, one might mistake him for an immortal from the mountains. Topped with firm, glossy brows that spoke of unyielding character, and below a straight nose, lips pressed tight in signature stubbornness.
He was Dam Haung, patriarch of Damga and renowned grand scholar of Shandong.
Suddenly, the doors to the patriarch's quarters burst open.
“Daddy!”
Dam Haung turned sternly toward the voice. Dam Soyeon hopped over, avoiding the snowdrifts, and threw herself into his arms.
A father's smile bloomed involuntarily on the immortal-like stern face of Dam Haung.
“Aigoo~ my girl is here?”
Dam Soyeon nodded and glanced back. The middle-aged man naturally followed her gaze.
The guests who'd been staying at the household for the past month were approaching.
Dam Haung scrutinized them. Leading was his own son, the household's eldest—bookish, overthinker, chronic runaway problem child. Experience in the world had lent him a properly manly air now.
I can't see why the village girls fawn over a punk like that. Gotta be someone my caliber. Ahem.
Dam Haung idly stroked his magnificent beard and eyed the next. Chanho, with his thick jawline, heavy brows, high nose, blue eyes, and sturdy build. Not one for many words, hard to read at first.
But that strong impression screams loyalty. Yes, a real man needs that weight.
Dam Haung nodded approvingly at Chanho's vibe. Next, beside Chanho, came one with light steps: Song Sogeol, fine-skinned, slender lines, small lips—feminine features, yet bolder than most women.
Chatting with him, he's sharp as a tack. Fun sparring partner for Soyeon.
Dam Haung recalled Song Sogeol's witty spark and smiled faintly. Finally, he eyed the man in black martial robes. The reason they'd all gathered here—and the one he'd yet to properly see due to treatment.
Dam Haung narrowed his eyes, observing Tian Ailang. Chiseled handsome face, perfect proportions, hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Moderately large eyes with a clear gaze that drew people in magnetically.
As he studied Tian Ailang intently, Dam Haung spotted a tiny dot between his brows, right by the edge of his eyebrow. Barely noticeable unless you looked closely, but Dam Haung, veteran of countless books and faces, caught it.
The Emperor's Visage!
Dam Haung's eyes flew wide as he swallowed hard.