A Burden Worth Its Weight in Gold
Whap! Hwak!
It was still an hour better suited to night than to dawn.
The sound of wind splitting through the courtyard of Jin Manor rang out across the darkness.
"Hah. Hah."
How long had he been driving himself through his training? For all that he was a hardy child, his body was running so hot with fever that steam rose in curls from his shoulders.
Teeter!
His foot caught, and the small frame staggered. If a hand hadn't appeared at just that moment to steady him, he would have tumbled straight into the dirt.
"Master?"
The boy, Jeong So-ryong, spun around in surprise.
"Yep, it's me. Hoooam. Ugh, I'm getting sleepy just standing here."
Jin Cheong-un stretched out a long yawn and scratched at his neck.
"How long have you been at it? I told you to rest up because we leave early today."
"N-not that long. I just couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd work my body a little…"
"A little?"
"…"
"And I believe I also told you to train only where I can see you."
Jeong So-ryong hunched his shoulders.
"You said moving-form training is fine to do alone once in a while…"
"I said once in a while, not every day."
When Jeong So-ryong pressed his lips shut, Jin Cheong-un let out a deep sigh.
Jeong So-ryong, still suffering from Nine Yin Severed Meridians, could not yet learn external arts or swordsmanship. And so Jin Cheong-un had taught him the Cheongun Heart Sutra along with moving-form cultivation — internal energy training performed in motion, exactly as the name implied.
Unlike static cultivation done in seated lotus position, it built qi slowly, but it was a method that steadily and evenly loosened the whole body and its flow of blood and energy.
"I did notice you sneaking out early now and then… but judging by how you never stop sweating, I'd say you've been at it every single day, haven't you."
"Thank you, Master."
"That wasn't a compliment. How many times have I told you to train only when I'm around?"
Jeong So-ryong flinched.
'No wonder his health's been improving so fast lately.'
Jin Cheong-un had taught him precisely so nothing would go wrong if he trained alone — and the boy had gone and hammered away at it regardless. A sigh escaped him on its own.
What was he going to do with this kid?
'Should I scold him for this?'
Jin Cheong-un mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. Right. Better to address it firmly and be done with it.
His expression turned serious.
"Jeong So-ryong."
"Yes?"
"I've told you time and again that this is the most dangerous stage, so you mustn't rush."
Right now, So-ryong was carving small openings into a thick levee, slowly letting the pooled energy circulate through. That was exactly why this moment was the most perilous. If he pushed his qi to grow too fast, the dam of turbid impurities would collapse all at once, and the accumulated energy would come flooding out beyond anyone's control.
"…I'm sorry."
"You're normally sharp and you listen well. Why did you do it?"
"It's just…"
"At least it doesn't look like you overdid it, so I'll let it slide. But if you do it again, you'll really be in trouble. Understood?"
"…"
"Why no answer? Do you understand or don't you?"
Jeong So-ryong bowed his head deep.
"Yes. I was wrong."
"…Good, that's all I needed. Now go inside and get some rest, even a little."
"Yes, Master."
Jeong So-ryong bowed formally and withdrew. Watching him go, Jin Cheong-un exhaled a long breath.
'There. That should do it.'
Hard, this was hard. You only knew how to handle these things after trying them yourself.
Well, hadn't he done well enough, all things considered?
'Hm.'
But why, then? Why did it feel so unsettled in his chest?
He hesitated, then hurriedly called back the boy who was trundling away.
"Hold on. Come back here."
He couldn't be sure. The boy was so placid about everything that it was hard to tell. But something…
"Is there something you want to say?"
"…No, Master."
"Hmm. Really nothing?"
"No."
"Ah, right. Then go on back and—"
Jin Cheong-un cut himself off, mouth still open. After a moment he scrubbed roughly at his head and sighed.
"So-ryong. Look, the truth is… this master of yours has never been a master before, either."
"…Yes, I know."
"What I mean is, I don't really know what I'm doing either. But my own master — when things like this happened, I think he would have asked what was on my mind first. That's why I called you back."
"…"
"Ahem. So you really have nothing to say?"
At that very moment, Jeong So-ryong opened his mouth, slow and deliberate.
"I feel like a burden."
Jin Cheong-un's eyes went blank with surprise.
"What?"
"I don't do anything, do I? Noona's been helping you… so I figure that's why you give her more of your attention."
"When did I ever pay more attention to your sister? I fuss over you plenty more, actually."
The rebuttal had left his mouth before he could think — and the instant it did, Jeong So-ryong's lips pressed shut.
'That's not it?'
Ugh, he had no idea.
What would his master have done here? His master, surely, would have…
"Why do you feel that way?"
"You watch over my body the whole time you train Noona. You check my energy and blood flow, then go straight back to her. I feel like I'm just stealing your time because I'm sick. If I healed faster, I could learn martial arts alongside Noona, and I wouldn't be taking up your time…"
Jin Cheong-un opened his mouth to answer — and simply let out a short breath instead.
He had nothing to say. He hadn't done it consciously, but looking back, it really had been that way. The boy had spent more hours alone with him, but perhaps the greater share of his attention had gone to So-so.
'This is hard.'
What was he supposed to do in a moment like this? He'd thought teaching martial arts well was enough. Apparently it wasn't.
-Cheong-un. Nothing in this world stands alone.
'Master. I don't understand. What do I do in a moment like this?'
-Devote yourself utterly, and pour your whole heart into the work. Into yourself, and into those whose lives entwine with yours.
So that was it.
Just as he had poured everything into mastering martial arts, he owed his disciple that same depth of care.
"So-ryong."
Jeong So-ryong lifted his head.
"You are not a burden."
"Yes?"
"If you were, you'd probably be a pack stuffed full of gold and jewels. A precious bundle I'd sooner die than set down."
"…?"
"So… hm. This master of yours has been in the wrong, these past days."
Jin Cheong-un scratched his cheek.
"I'm sorry."
Jeong So-ryong's eyes went round, and he flustered at once.
"No, you shouldn't apologize! I'm the one at fault. I deserved to be scolded."
"That part's true."
"…?"
"Your effort was admirable, but ignoring your master's instructions was wrong. Understood?"
"I-I'm sorry."
Jin Cheong-un nodded.
"Then let's make a deal, you and I. We'll be staying somewhere else for the next few days. While we're there, you promise never to train alone — and never to hide it if your body hurts or feels strange. Can you promise that?"
"Ah — yes!"
"If you break it again, I'll be furious. But if you keep it, I'll grant you one thing you want — whatever you ask. Now, give me your hand."
Jin Cheong-un held out his palm, facing upward.
"What's this for?"
"Ah, well, this is…"
Jin Cheong-un froze.
It was something they used to do when swearing oaths in the Black Dragon Unit. The meaning of it, of course…
'If you break this promise, I'll cut this head off your hand.'
He glanced at his own outstretched hand and swallowed dryly.
"Hmm. It's, uh, a vow. That you'll absolutely, definitely keep the promise."
"Oh!"
Jeong So-ryong beamed brightly and pressed his hand atop his master's.
"I swear it!"
"…Right, then."
He'd never find out what it meant, so no harm done.
Jin Cheong-un gave a small smile and rose to his feet. Off in the distance, dawn was already bleeding into the sky.
"So-ryong! Master! Where are you two?! The carriage leaves soon! Hurry and get ready!"
Jeong So-so's voice rang out loud and clear from the main house. Master and disciple exchanged a glance.
"This stays a secret from your sister."
"Yes!"
"Then let's go."
Today was the day.
The day they departed for White Horse Academy in Yiling Castle to compete in the Plum-Rain Martial Gathering.
Yiling Castle.
"Wow! So-ryong! Look at that! That boat is enormous!"
"Noona, the market street is huge too. This isn't like a countryside town at all, is it?"
"They say anywhere touching the Yangtze grows big, but I never dreamed it would be like this! Master, Master! Look over there!"
Jin Cheong-un, his soul half-drained from riding in a carriage all day long, was dragged about by the collar by his two disciples.
Had he underestimated the stamina of children? The Jeong siblings, whose travels had never taken them beyond a stopover in a nearby village since leaving Yinghua, scampered wild with excitement all over the market streets of Yiling Castle.
And then it happened.
"M-Master."
Jeong So-so tugged at Jin Cheong-un's sleeve, flustered. In the distance, a column of people was making its way down the street.
"Hm? Ah, the Gathering trainees."
Jin Cheong-un came to a quiet stop. Children in identical uniforms, swords at their waists, marched in perfect formation — and the air of the marketplace rippled at the sight.
"Master. Th-those are the kids I'm going to fight, right?"
He looked over to find Jeong So-so so tense that her hands were trembling.
Jin Cheong-un tilted his head.
"What are you this wound up for?"
"They look strong…"
"Every last one of them looks like they'd keel over from a light shove, is what they look like."
"Easy for you to say, Master! Their eyes are all sharp and gleaming, and their posture is so straight, and their uniforms look so cool…"
Jin Cheong-un stared at her blankly.
'Is she really this oblivious?'
Then again, he supposed she had an excuse. Since So-so had begun learning martial arts, the only martial artist she'd ever laid eyes on was him.
"Hmmm."
Jin Cheong-un cast an idle glance over the street. Groups of Gathering trainees were clustered here and there.
Well, he couldn't speak for how they'd look to anyone else, but to his eye they were nothing to write home about. The qi they gave off was decent enough, but there was something about them that felt like they'd only trained the parts that showed.
'No need to tell her that, though.'
Lessons like this had to be learned firsthand. That way she'd get to savor the fruits of her effort all the more.
"No need to be so nervous."
"Why not?"
"Their master already took a punch from me and went down like a sack of rice."
The faces of the Jeong siblings went blank.
"That big fellow over there? All size and no substance — soft, squishy muscle. Oh, and that man in the white robes over there, the one with the red nose? He got knocked flat too."
"R-really?"
"Which means you two owe me far more respect. Your master is a man of such towering skill that lesser masters can hardly measure the distance between us—"
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Jeong So-so nodded with a faintly unimpressed look. It made for a strange sort of encouragement — but somehow, her nerves had melted away entirely.
Jeong So-ryong, for his part, grinned.
"Master, you're so cool."
"But of course."
Jin Cheong-un said it with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Done sightseeing? Then let's head over. They said they'd prepared lodging for us."
"…Right this way, sir."
"Much obliged."
"Then please rest comfortably. The Plum-Rain Martial Gathering begins tomorrow. Before that, there's an assembly in about one sijin…"
"Oh, do I have to attend that too? Ah, well. Nothing to be done about it."
The White Horse Academy attendant, who had been escorting them to the guest hall, froze mid-step.
"N-now that I think of it, I believe it would be quite acceptable for you to rest here, sir."
"No, no. I ought to go show my face in person."
Do people normally volunteer for that?
"N-no, sir. I misspoke. Please—"
"Hmm, well, if you insist that strongly. It would be rather awkward, I suppose, coming face to face with a man I thrashed just days ago. I, being a man of great consideration, shall grant your request."
"…"
The attendant, sweat pouring down in streams, fled as if running for his life.
"…Master, why do you keep bullying people you don't even know?"
"When have I ever."
"…"
Jin Cheong-un gave the guest hall a listless once-over and then spoke.
"Well, at least they're giving us a proper guest hall."
"The very last room. Barely big enough to squeeze three people into."
Jeong So-so let out a short sigh. Her heart was pounding — it felt like walking straight into enemy territory. Meanwhile, their master seemed to have buried every ounce of tension neatly in the ground back in Yinghua Village before departing.
"Think they'll feed us on time? Surely they won't discriminate against us over cheap rations. Come to think of it, we haven't eaten since before the assembly either."
"…Is that what's important right now?"
"Obviously. Is there anything in this world more important than a meal?"
"…"
Jin Cheong-un flopped down into a chair.
"Mm. So, uh, how do I put this. You're ready, right?"
"Of course."
"And you can do the secret technique I taught you?"
"W-well… yes. Trust me. I can't promise the championship, but I'll win at least three matches, no matter what!"
"Three matches?"
"Yes! The bet! You said I only needed to win three!"
Jin Cheong-un frowned for a moment, tilted his head — then went, Ah.
"I never did tell you, did I."
"Yes?"
"We have to win the whole thing."
"…Excuse me?"
"Mm, well, the thing is…"
Explaining was a bother, so he clicked his tongue briefly and summarized.
"There's some kind of trap buried in this tournament. So we need to seize the championship outright — plant our faces squarely in the spectators' memories."
Jeong So-so's jaw dropped open.
"N-no! You never said anything about that!"
"You can do it, So-so. With an utterly devoted—"
"Finish that mindset speech and see what happens! Aaaargh! I can't deal with this!"
The crushing pressure hit her all at once, and Jeong So-so let out a scream that felt like she couldn't breathe.
Just then, footsteps sounded beyond the guest hall door.
"Forgiving the intrusion during your rest. Is the master of the Cheongun Martial Arts Academy within?"
Jin Cheong-un turned his head.
"What business do you have?"
"The master of this academy requests a meeting with you. Would that be agreeable?"
"You mean the vice-master?"
"No, sir."
The attendant said,
"Not the vice-master. The master of White Horse Academy himself."
"…On what grounds?"
The attendant hesitated a moment before answering.
"He asks that you be told: he shares a connection with the man who was master of the Cheongun Martial Arts Academy some dozen years ago."
His master?
Jin Cheong-un's expression changed.