Pride and Sloth (8)
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A small bird let out a clear cry, flapping its tiny wings.
It looked around curiously, as if seeing everything for the first time, then returned to Seomun Hwan and perched lightly on his shoulder.
“……”
Seomun Hwan blinked.
The soft touch of feathers brushed against his cheek.
Faced with the playful little creature, he found himself momentarily unsure how to react.
“What the hell is going on here?”
The bird, oblivious, tilted its head and nuzzled his cheek once more.
Just then, Mok Sa-cheon’s startled voice rang out from behind.
“I-It’s the Vermilion Bird! I can’t believe I’m seeing the Vermilion Bird with my own eyes!”
Mok Sa-cheon stared at the bird, his face a mix of shock and awe.
“One of the Four Divine Beasts. A supreme sacred creature on par with the dragon itself!”
His voice began to tremble.
“That egg was filled with the energy of hundreds of yokai. Any ordinary spirit beast would have been corrupted by the demonic qi. But the Vermilion Bird is different. Its purifying power absorbed all that filth and cleansed it completely.”
His eyes burned with excitement as he spoke.
The baby Vermilion Bird cheerfully rubbed its beak against his wrist, acting cute.
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Its eyes were pure and innocent.
Mok Sa-cheon let out a hollow laugh and muttered under his breath.
“A hatchling imprints on the first being it sees. It seems to think you’re its mother.”
Seomun Hwan’s fingers stiffened.
The baby Vermilion Bird hopped onto his finger and gave it a light peck with its tiny beak.
Then it smiled with its eyes.
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Seomun Hwan stared at the small creature in silence for a long while.
The word “spirit pill” circled in his mind again and again, yet every time he met those eyes, the decision refused to come easily.
“……”
At that moment, Mok Sa-cheon shot to his feet.
His earlier humiliation and defeat had long since been forgotten. In their place burned a desire that bordered on greed and madness.
Mok Sa-cheon flailed his arms in the air and stumbled forward a few steps.
“Give that child to me!”
Seomun Hwan raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
But Mok Sa-cheon had no intention of stopping.
“You don’t understand, do you? That’s the Vermilion Bird! The thing I’ve dreamed of my entire life!”
His voice had shifted from pleading to outright insistence.
“It’ll be useless if you keep it! I have to raise it! Only I can do it!”
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When the Vermilion Bird tilted its head, Mok Sa-cheon’s eyes grew even more frenzied.
He reached out with both hands, nearly screaming.
“That’s mine! I’m the one who’s going to raise it! It has to be raised by my hands! Please, give it to me! Give it! Right now……!”
Seomun Hwan’s eyes filled with irritation at the sight of the clinging old man.
The next instant……
Thud!
A short, heavy sound echoed.
Seomun Hwan had struck the back of Mok Sa-cheon’s neck with his fist.
Mok Sa-cheon’s body swayed and collapsed to the side, eyes wide open as he lost consciousness.
“Tsk!”
Seomun Hwan clicked his tongue as he looked down at the unconscious Mok Sa-cheon.
“I’ve got enough on my mind without you buzzing in my ear.”
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The baby Vermilion Bird hopped onto his finger and gave it another light peck.
Then it smiled with its eyes again.
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Seomun Hwan gazed at the small creature in silence.
“Hmm. What should I do?”
Even if it was small, it was still the Vermilion Bird.
If he cut open its belly, there would surely be a spirit pill inside.
Swallowing it would make him stronger in an instant.
But if he did that……
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The clueless baby Vermilion Bird burrowed into Seomun Hwan’s robes.
Feeling its warmth, he lowered his head and let out a deep sigh.
“Haa!! What a life.”
That sigh carried a heavy note of resignation.
* * *
Seomun Dam woke up in a good mood for the first time in a while.
The damp, gloomy energy of Gwilyeongsan that had lingered until yesterday had vanished as if washed away.
His body felt light and refreshed.
He rose from his bed and opened the window.
Creak!
Cold morning air flowed in, carrying a strangely clear and invigorating energy.
Seomun Dam took in the mountain scenery.
“Hmm!”
Gwilyeongsan was usually shrouded in thick fog like a curtain.
But today was different.
Beneath a crystal-clear sky, the mountain ridges stood out sharply.
A faint smile touched Seomun Dam’s lips.
“Hah, it was all nonsense after all. What’s this talk of evil spirits?”
He shook his head and muttered to himself.
Just days ago, the merchants had been in an uproar, claiming ghosts appeared on Gwilyeongsan.
Rumors had spread of strange cries heard at night and black fog enveloping the mountain.
But seeing the view today, it was clear all of that had been baseless gossip.
Seomun Dam exhaled in relief.
The merchants, too, seemed to have regained their energy and were moving about busily.
The anxious faces from the night before had disappeared, replaced by bright smiles as they checked horses and carriages from early morning.
Today was an important day—they had to cross Gwilyeongsan.
Seomun Dam walked slowly, inspecting the preparations.
Then, an unexpected guest arrived.
“Father!”
At the familiar voice, Seomun Dam turned in surprise.
Standing there was someone he had not expected at all.
“Hwan-ah?”
His youngest son, Seomun Hwan, was here?
Seomun Dam’s eyes widened.
“What are you doing here?”
Seomun Hwan shrugged casually.
“I had a restless dream last night. Felt uneasy for no reason, so I came.”
It was surprising enough that his famously lazy son had come all this way himself.
But before Seomun Dam could speak, others approached.
“My, the young master Seomun Hwan has arrived?”
Several caravan leaders hurried over, raising their voices.
They were the heads of major trading groups from various regions who had shared drinks with him at last night’s banquet.
They bowed deeply to Seomun Hwan.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned heir of the Kunlun Sect, whose fame echoes across the martial world.”
“We never expected such a distinguished guest to come all the way to Gwilyeongsan.”
Seomun Hwan smiled and replied.
“Calling me the heir of Kunlun is too much for me to bear. I am merely the youngest son of the Seomun Clan.”
The leaders continued trying to engage him in conversation, but Seomun Hwan maintained his usual polite yet distant demeanor.
Seomun Dam spoke in a dignified tone.
“Hwan-ah.”
His voice was stern, firm, and brooked no argument.
“Why have you come here? You have important matters to attend to. This is no place to waste your time.”
Seomun Hwan lowered his head obediently.
“I’ll just help with the preparations and return right away.”
Seomun Dam did not yield an inch.
“It’s fine. We can handle this without you. Go back home at once.”
That unyielding tone carried the full weight of a father’s authority.
Seomun Hwan was no exception.
After gazing at his father for a moment, he slowly nodded, as if he had no choice.
“……Understood.”
Just as Seomun Hwan turned to leave, the caravan leaders quickly stepped in.
“Oh dear, young master! How could you do that!”
The first to speak was Wang, the leader from the Shandong caravan.
He rubbed his hands together and approached Seomun Dam.
“Clan Head, the young master has come all this way to Gwilyeongsan. If we send him back immediately, won’t we look terribly rude?”
Soon the other leaders crowded around as well.
“That’s right! When else would we have the chance to host a young master of such renown in the martial world?”
“He must be tired from the journey. At least share a meal with us before he goes.”
“How often do merchants like us get to meet someone so distinguished? Clan Head, please grant us this favor.”
Seomun Hwan waved his hand lightly with a polite smile.
“There’s really no need to go to such trouble on my account.”
But the leaders showed no sign of backing down.
One of them even bowed halfway before Seomun Hwan.
“Young master, even a short while would be the greatest honor for us.”
Seomun Dam pressed a hand to his forehead, looking troubled.
Though his expression was strained, the leaders’ pleas were so earnest and respectful that refusing them outright was difficult.
“Hah!”
Seomun Dam let out a deep sigh and reluctantly nodded.
“Very well. We still have some time before departure. Let’s have a proper breakfast.”
“Oh! Thank you, Clan Head!”
The leaders’ faces lit up instantly.
Wang immediately called over the innkeeper.
“Prepare the finest ingredients right away! We must treat him to the best!”
“Y-Yes! I’ll prepare it immediately!”
The innkeeper hurried off, and the leaders exchanged excited glances.
They were already discussing how to arrange seats so each could speak more with Seomun Hwan.
Seomun Dam stood with his arms crossed, watching the scene.
Normally he would have scolded them and left, but today was different.
Though he maintained a dignified expression on the surface, he struggled to suppress the slight upward curve of his lips.
‘……I’ve led caravans my whole life, but this is the first time I’ve seen such treatment.’
His gaze shifted to Seomun Hwan.
The sight of his youngest son gracefully accepting the merchants’ hospitality while remaining courteous caught his eye.
Seomun Dam felt a strange warmth in his chest.
“Heh.”
He nearly burst into laughter but quickly cleared his throat and composed his face.
Thus, an unexpected banquet began early in the morning at the Gwilyeongsan inn.
Neatly arranged dishes and fragrant wine were served, and the caravan leaders eagerly offered drinks to build rapport with the young master.
They took turns raising their cups before Seomun Hwan, and he responded with polite, practiced ease.
Seomun Dam watched his son in silence for a while.
Then he quietly spoke.
“Hwan-ah.”
His voice was low but clear.
When Seomun Hwan turned, Seomun Dam’s deep gaze met his.
“……I’m sorry.”
Seomun Hwan paused with his cup in hand and blinked.
“Sorry? What do you have to apologize for, Father?”
Seomun Dam gazed at his cup in silence for a moment.
The wine inside rippled faintly.
Then he spoke heavily.
“I should have believed in you more than anyone, yet I didn’t. I thought you were just lazy. I failed to see how great your ambitions were, or how remarkable the path you intend to walk. As your father, I can only apologize.”
His words were calm yet weighty.
Seomun Hwan was momentarily at a loss for words.
‘Father.’
He could neither call it a misunderstanding nor tell the truth.
He could not honestly reveal the facts of his past life as the Phantom Demon and his reincarnation.
After hesitating for a long time, Seomun Hwan raised his cup and smiled gently.
“I…… will strive to be a son who does not bring shame to your name.”
It was the best answer he could give.
Seomun Dam set down his cup and looked at his son for a moment before smiling faintly.
“Your name is not important.”
He continued in a calm yet firm tone.
“It is enough that you are simply yourself. The fact that you are my son is already more than I could ever ask for.”
Seomun Hwan looked at his father in silence.
He had always thought of him as strict and unyielding, yet the Seomun Dam before him now felt strangely different.
Slowly, smiles spread across both father and son’s faces.
* * *
The next morning.
“What’s that? The bird on your shoulder?”
Deokheum, who had been sweeping the courtyard, asked Seomun Hwan, who was lounging on the wooden bench.
Seomun Hwan was sprawled on the bench as usual, with a small, cute bird he had never seen before perched on his body.
The bird stared at Deokheum with bright, curious eyes.
Seomun Hwan answered in his usual lazy voice.
“Can’t you tell by looking? It’s a crow.”
“A… crow?”