Chapter 527
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 527
Chapter Title: I'm Really Sorry, and Thank You So Much
Ha Mu-baek stepped out through the main gate of Sanhwa Manor.
"You can't just dump everything on me."
Han Seol-bing emphasized, her tone firm.
"Didn't you say you'd only do as much as I do?"
At Ha Mu-baek's question, Han Seol-bing nodded.
"Of course."
"And you know there's a loophole in that?"
"A loophole?"
"If I work hard, you'll have to work hard too?"
Han Seol-bing let out a scoff at his words.
"Ha...? As if you'd ever do that."
It was a reaction that screamed there was no way he'd follow through.
"Well, it wasn't boring. And that guy Feng Jian? He's got some real potential worth teaching."
An intriguing comment.
"You planning to grind him down?"
Among the new recruits of Hocheon Corps, anyone who'd earned that kind of praise from Ha Mu-baek had been worked to the bone without exception.
Ha Mu-baek had trained them mercilessly.
And the result?
They were now the core strength of Hocheon Corps.
He'd cherry-picked the promising ones and drilled them relentlessly.
Now, Ha Mu-baek was saying the same about a disciple from another sect, not even Fierce Dragon Corps.
"He's not my subordinate, so no. Unless the kid begs me to do it himself."
His words lingered meaningfully.
In any case, they'd signed the contract with the manor lord and stamped it.
They'd even paid upfront.
No one knew when he'd prepared it, but the bill of exchange came straight from Ha Mu-baek's pocket right there on the spot.
"We need to head to Serbok, hire some hands, tidy up the manor, and split up the folks at the outpost. Lots to do."
Han Seol-bing's expression hardened again at Ha Mu-baek's words.
"You want me to handle all that?"
"You'll take care of Serbok. I'll handle the outpost."
"How about we switch?"
At her suggestion...
"Let's each do what we're better at."
His comeback left her no room to argue.
She had to find hires and sort out lodging.
She couldn't just leave it to Ha Mu-baek out of worry.
Upon arriving in Serbok, the two parted ways.
A hefty bill of exchange from Ha Mu-baek's pocket went to Han Seol-bing.
Hiring people, fixing up the manor, stocking supplies—it would take a lot of silver.
Ha Mu-baek headed straight for the outpost.
He sought out Wi Ji-gun the moment he arrived.
He'd rushed off to buy the manor without explaining about the vice corps leader position.
He'd scribbled the rough situation in the messenger bird note about the delayed return, but he still needed to explain properly in person and make the request.
"How'd it go?"
"Well enough. Got a place where about half the men can stay comfortably. Comes with some strings, though."
He added a detailed explanation.
"Hah. Quite the bold one. Not bad at all. I like it. Shows ambition."
Wi Ji-gun seemed genuinely pleased with Feng Jian's actions.
"So, you want me to serve as vice corps leader for Fierce Dragon Corps?"
Ha Mu-baek answered Wi Ji-gun's question.
"Yes. We'll split Fierce Dragon Corps in two, rotating between the manor and outpost. Need leaders at both spots. The issue is when I'm away for other matters."
"Hmm."
Wi Ji-gun stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"What're you planning to be so busy gallivanting around for?"
"You never know with people. There's the matter with Taecho and Manhwang too."
A point no one could argue with.
On a grand scale, it served the world, but on a smaller one, it was sect business.
Wi Ji-gun decided to help his disciple.
"Alright, I get it. I'll do it."
"Thank you. There'll be no unrest on the side you oversee, Master."
"That's what puts my mind at ease."
For Wi Ji-gun, Ha Mu-baek and Ha Seol-ran were always the top priority.
"Why not take this chance to resume your old title of Ji-gun Guard?"
Wi Ji-gun asked teasingly, as if the thought just struck him.
But there was no need.
Everyone had seen Wi Ji-gun's prowess in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest.
"The men would trust 'Wi Ji-gun' more than 'Ji-gun Guard.' Especially after your feats in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest."
"True enough."
"Still, it'd be fun to see their faces if Ji-gun Guard showed up."
How brutally Ji-gun Guard had drilled Fierce Dragon Corps cadets back at Dragon Training Pavilion.
The nightmares would come flooding back.
Wi Ji-gun chuckled at Ha Mu-baek's words.
"You're corps leader now, not instructor. No need for that harshness anymore. If it's a comfy spot, live comfy."
Wi Ji-gun said it casually, but a glint flickered in his eyes.
"Anyway, I need to split the men, so I'll head out."
Ha Mu-baek moved straight to the troops.
He gathered everyone except those on sentry duty.
After explaining their new quarters, small cheers erupted here and there.
Food was one thing, but bathing had been a real hassle.
Their stay in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest had been too brief to adjust.
They hadn't shaken off Dragon Training Pavilion's comforts yet.
Even Fierce Dragon Corps, the most mistreated there, had been paradise compared to the forest or this outpost.
"Uh, if we're splitting Fierce Dragon Corps in two, does that mean the corps leader and vice corps leader each take charge of one?"
Dang Jin-san's question.
"I'll oversee everything overall, and my master will handle vice corps leader duties for a while."
It was unexpected, but soft exclamations rippled through the ranks.
And for good reason—they now knew who Ha Mu-baek's master was.
The old man sweeping at Dragon Training Pavilion.
Him.
How terrifying he'd been alongside Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest.
No complaints surfaced at the thought of such a supreme expert leading them.
Wi Ji-gun took half, including the seven squad leaders of Fierce Dragon Corps.
Han Seol-bing got the other half.
Those under Han Seol-bing headed first to the manor in Serbok.
She was the one sorting it out now.
After two days at the outpost, Ha Mu-baek led his group to Serbok.
Two days should have been enough to get the basics in order.
Yuun Martial Hall.
Yu Gwi-gwang gazed up at the weathered signboard with deep emotion.
It was time for the trainees' lively training voices to echo from beyond the firmly shut doors, but all was quiet.
Still too cold?
No way there were no trainees, right?
Tilting his head in thought, he reached for the door—
"B-B-Brother?"
A familiar, longed-for voice came from the side.
Yu Hyeon-gwang, vice hall leader of Yuun Martial Hall, who'd been away briefly.
Yu Gwi-gwang's younger brother.
Turning, Yu Gwi-gwang saw his brother standing there, face stunned.
"Have you been well...? Thanks for holding things down. I'm grateful."
Why did his throat tighten so just saying this?
"Brother......"
Yu Hyeon-gwang's voice brimmed with moisture.
Not just his voice.
His eyes were red, brimming with tears ready to spill.
One poke, and they'd stream down.
Returning amid distressing news, only to find his brother back home—Yu Hyeon-gwang's emotions overflowed.
"What kind of man sheds tears like that over nothing."
Yu Gwi-gwang forced back his own tears, chiding his brother warmly despite his choked voice.
"N-No, not here. Come inside."
Wiping his streaming tears, Yu Hyeon-gwang opened the door and stepped in.
The moment the door swung open...
Yu Gwi-gwang could no longer hold back.
Right there in Yuun Martial Hall's training yard, visible past the gate:
A single child swung his wooden sword with fierce determination.
On this chill day before winter's end, his face and ears were flushed red.
His small hands gripping the practice sword were blistered.
That face—he could never forget it, even from a portrait.
He'd worried the boy might have grown too much to recognize, but it was unfounded.
He knew at once.
His daughter.
His long-yearned-for daughter was out there, diligently swinging that wooden sword.
And she was just nine years old.
"Ha, that kid again......"
Yu Hyeon-gwang let out a small sigh at the sight.
"S-Seon-a? Seon-a!"
With tears blurring his vision of his daughter, Yu Gwi-gwang called her name in a trembling voice.
She was deep in her sword forms.
She'd heard the door but assumed it was her uncle back from an urgent trip, so she kept swinging.
Nine years old, wielding a wooden sword sized for her, swinging with utmost seriousness—but oh, so adorably childlike.
Girl Yu Seon-a was oblivious to that.
She just wanted to grow strong fast, to help the hall.
Then a voice called her.
Not her uncle's.
A stranger's.
So Yu Seon-a had to stop.
She knew every voice in the hall—family and trainees alike.
This was new, calling her.
Startled, she halted mid-swing and turned toward the sound.
There stood her uncle and a man who resembled him but was unfamiliar.
A stranger, yet instinct hit her the moment she saw him.
No rejection, despite the surprise of the unfamiliar voice.
A certain thought struck her.
Her uncle had said it too.
Dad would be back soon.
But words slipped out first.
"Daddy?"
It just felt right the instant she saw him.
And out it came.
Yu Gwi-gwang nodded vigorously at his daughter Yu Seon-a's question.
"Yes, it's Daddy. Seon-a. Your daddy."
"Daddy!!!"
At his answer, Yu Seon-a flung her wooden sword aside and ran straight to Yu Gwi-gwang.
She leaped into his arms.
"Daddy, Daddy!! Why'd you take so long!! I missed you so much!!"
Tears pouring, she whined like only a child can.
Yu Gwi-gwang hugged his daughter tight.
Yu Hyeon-gwang watched warmly from the side.
Tears still flowed from his eyes.
The sudden commotion in the yard drew Yu Seon-a's mother outside.
Seeing the man holding Yu Seon-a tight beside Yu Hyeon-gwang, she froze.
Her husband, who'd left eight-plus years ago for a place he couldn't return from until he saved the hall—even if it killed him.
She'd gotten letters saying he'd return soon, but still harbored doubts.
Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest was no joke.
She'd thought who knew what might happen before he actually came back.
Yet there he was.
Her husband, cradling their daughter, tears streaming endlessly.
"My lord......"
Drip. Drip.
Tears welled in Yu Gwi-gwang's wife, Sim So-hee's eyes too.
Her husband was really home.
At her soft voice, Yu Gwi-gwang looked up.
And saw his wife.
"My lady... I'm back. Safely back. You've suffered so much."
The moment she heard his voice, laden with all his pent-up emotions, Sim So-hee could hold back no longer.
She ran to Yu Gwi-gwang and threw herself into his already occupied embrace, alongside their daughter Seon-a.
"My lord! Sob sob sob......"
"M-Mommy... Daddy, Daddy's here! Waaah!"
"I'm really sorry, and thank you so much. Sob sob sob."
Yu Gwi-gwang finally broke into open sobs.
Watching the family's tearful reunion, Yu Hyeon-gwang bit his lip, stifling his own sobs.
He couldn't interrupt his brother's family moment.