Chapter 566
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 566
Chapter Title: To Be Happy
"You want to protect your family?"
Ha Mu-baek asked.
"Yes!"
Gong Hae-jun nodded vigorously as he answered.
"And for that, you need to get stronger?"
"Yes. Today, I was too weak to do anything."
He answered clearly, beyond his years.
Watching him, Gong Hae-bin quietly stepped forward beside Ha Mu-baek and knelt next to her brother.
"I want to get stronger, too."
Gong Hae-bin's eyes burned with the same earnest plea.
Ha Mu-baek gazed silently at the siblings.
Then he asked,
"But why me, of all people? There are plenty of martial instructors here, and other sects besides."
"We haven't been in Sangnam long, so we don't know the local situation well. And sir, you showed us firsthand what a strong person looks like."
Gong Hae-bin replied.
Seeing the answer come so readily, it seemed the two had discussed it between themselves.
They were the first customers he'd met while hawking on the Luoyang night streets.
He knew they were martial artists.
But he hadn't realized they were this kind of people.
Thinking back on today's events, it must have felt like a savior descending from the heavens.
And so the two children thought,
I want to become someone like that.
They respected their father and mother, but today's experience ignited in them a burning desire for strength.
Before long, Gong Yeop-myeong had slipped to the kitchen entrance to watch over the children.
"If you both learn martial arts, what will become of this inn?"
"Of course I'll take it over!"
Gong Hae-jun replied boldly.
"But you want to get strong?"
"I want to get strong to protect my family and this inn."
Ha Mu-baek chuckled at the response.
Kyu Hwi and Wi Su-yeon, standing nearby, smiled faintly as well.
The goal behind their desire to grow strong was simple and clear.
It was different from the usual sorts who knocked on sect doors to learn martial arts.
Those people spoke of ambitions like becoming the world's greatest or shaking the heavens with their fame.
"Why do you want to protect the inn and your family?"
Ha Mu-baek's questions didn't stop there.
"Well... um..."
Gong Hae-jun couldn't answer that one right away.
An answer floated in his mind, but he couldn't quite put it into words.
"To be happy."
At that moment, Gong Hae-bin spoke up, her eyes shining.
Ha Mu-baek flinched slightly and looked at her.
"Happy?"
He had no choice but to repeat it.
After all, he'd only recently discussed this very topic with Kyu Hwi.
It was a question that had unexpectedly resurfaced after he'd conquered the demon within himself.
"Yes. Happiness. We came here because of our circumstances, but I was happy. Today was the first time I realized it could all be shattered."
Even running the inn in Luoyang, there had been rowdy guests.
But nothing like the ruffians' rampage today.
In Luoyang, it was just drunken complaints at worst.
With the Righteous Heaven Alliance headquarters there, rogues didn't dare act out.
Besides, their small inn in Luoyang didn't do booming business, so there were few customers—and even fewer troublemakers.
Today, for the first time, the Gong siblings felt the terror that their happy lives could be destroyed.
That's why they yearned for strength and clung to Ha Mu-baek, their rescuer.
"Happiness..."
Ha Mu-baek murmured softly, lost in thought.
Kyu Hwi watched with keen interest, wondering what would come next.
He had long recognized the children's talent and felt both envy and pity for it.
"Get up, for now."
Ha Mu-baek told them.
But the siblings wore determined expressions, refusing to rise until given permission.
"If you don't get up, I'll never accept you."
Perhaps sensing a sliver of possibility in those words,
the children sprang to their feet.
"I'll think on this for a few days and give you my answer."
With that, he turned his attention back to his drinks and food.
Unfortunately, little remained.
Eun Cheong-seon, who had quietly approached, led the children away.
"What will you do?"
Kyu Hwi asked.
Ha Mu-baek wove a barrier of qi around them.
"I don't know."
"At your level, isn't it time to take disciples? Those kids seem promising."
"Just having those apprentice-like headaches is headache and hassle enough."
Ha Mu-baek replied after downing another cup.
"Heh."
Kyu Hwi sensed the affection Ha Mu-baek held for those "apprentices" in his words.
That's why he chuckled.
He felt the same for the Huashan disciples under his wing.
It was inevitable to care more for the talented ones.
That wasn't why he was traveling so far with Wi Su-yeon, though.
"Come to think of it, I don't even know your sect."
Hocheon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek.
His prowess at a young age during the Great Martial War was renowned.
Though his true power remained unknown.
Kyu Hwi still didn't know Ha Mu-baek's full capabilities.
Just this recent display far exceeded his war-based estimates.
No one knew the sect of such a mighty expert.
There were countless martial sects in the world, yet none claimed a master of this caliber.
Even So Hwi-woong and Gong Son Dan-gyeong knew only the name of Infinite Sect.
That's why they were shocked by Yu Ji-gun's appearance in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest battle.
"Why bring up my sect all of a sudden?"
Ha Mu-baek eyed him like it was an odd question.
Not that no one had been curious about his sect before—but that was in the past.
No one asked now.
"I was wondering why your sect says nothing about you wandering without raising the next generation."
Kyu Hwi emptied his cup as he spoke.
At Huashan, they constantly begged the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal Kyu Hwi for guidance.
For talented disciples.
He'd give pointers suited to their talent, as duty to the sect.
Though he secluded himself for training when needed, like now.
He always did his best for his sect's disciples.
Ha Mu-baek pondered his own sect at Kyu Hwi's words.
His master had wandered the world seeking a disciple of perfect aptitude.
And found him.
Then what of these inn children?
Honestly? They didn't measure up to him.
Did that mean he couldn't accept them?
No.
His junior Seol-ran was Master's disciple too.
Come to think of it, why did Infinite Sect maintain such minimal numbers?
The old sect grounds had been sizable.
Because of Taecheon and Manhwang?
His thoughts reached that point, but
"Eh, nothing special."
Ha Mu-baek's casual reply ended Kyu Hwi's probing.
He knew pushing further would cross into another sect's affairs.
Ha Mu-baek had finished his food and drink.
It was an in-between meal at an in-between time.
Dinner hour approached soon.
Early diners began trickling in.
"Well, I'll be off."
Ha Mu-baek headed upstairs to his room.
The room was spotless.
It had always been well-kept, but now it gleamed.
Someone had clearly put their heart into cleaning it.
"Heh."
Ha Mu-baek chuckled.
It was obvious who and why.
After he left with the black path rogues, the children must have calmed and done this.
Imagining Gong Hae-bin and Gong Hae-jun sweating as they tidied up deepened his smile.
"What to do..."
He murmured, leaning back on the bed.
"Sangnam."
Yoo Hyun-gwang murmured, eyeing the visible walls.
Traveling with women and children slowed them, but they'd finally returned.
Yoo Gwi-gwang turned to the retainers.
"It'll be tough, but we need to pick up the pace from here. We have to pass the gates before evening."
Sunset meant possible street camping.
The guards knew him, so they'd likely let them in at night, but not all did—better account for variables.
The retainers nodded at Yoo Gwi-gwang's words.
"Come on, everyone, let's go."
Pung Geon encouraged them heartily.
The three youngest clung to him.
One on his back, one per arm.
That let them keep this pace.
True to his peak realm mastery, he brimmed with energy.
"Tch. Should've made a litter or something."
Children gripped adults' hands with tiny fern-like ones, lips pursed as they trudged.
Adults carried the young ones.
Pung Geon muttered his thought aloud.
He wanted to carry even more.
Yoo Gwi-gwang carried Yoo Sun-ah too.
She'd insisted on walking, but one day was her limit.
Walk, carried, repeat—now exhausted, she slept in his arms.
The children's feet were blistered and raw.
They'd traveled like this leaving Sangnam.
And now repeated the journey so soon.
Yet heading home, no one complained of hardship.
Pung Geon admired their resolve.
Any child would whine on such a trek.
Gwi-gwang didn't get that personality for nothing.
Pung Geon thought it must be the Yuun Martial Hall's family tradition.
They reached the gates before sunset.
"Eh? Gwi-gwang?"
The guards had tensed at the approaching group.
Seeing children eased them, but they stayed alert.
Spotting the leader, one relaxed instantly.
It was Jong-u.
The very guard on duty when Yoo Gwi-gwang first returned to Sangnam.
"Thank goodness! You're safe!"
He knew of the eastern district incident.
Gate duty was dull; guards gossiped endlessly.
Jong-u moved to hug Yoo Gwi-gwang but stopped at Yoo Sun-ah in his arms.
"Of course. Haven't shared that drink with you yet."
Yoo Gwi-gwang chuckled.
"Ah..."
Jong-u let out a soft exclamation.
Right—that first return, they'd met at the gates and promised a drink.
But it remained unfulfilled.
Black Face Hall and Plum Fragrance Sect's schemes at Yuun Martial Hall left no leisure then.
"Things were chaos."
Jong-u said gravely.
The battle's blasts reached even this eastern gate.
"Didn't even know you'd left, you rascal. Could've said something—saved me a trip to the hall."
A hint of reproach laced his words.
When Yoo Gwi-gwang fled with retainers, the gate guard was a stranger.
One ignorant of Yuun Martial Hall folk.
He waved them through indifferently, never telling Jong-u.
So on the riot day, Jong-u visited despite warnings.
To check on his friend returned from hell.
There, Gwan Ha-kyeong told him Yoo Gwi-gwang had left Sangnam.
"Sorry. Things were too urgent..."
Jong-u nodded at the apology.
He'd heard the gist from Gwan Ha-kyeong.
"Heard it all worked out—head to the hall."
Thanks to Jong-u, they passed smoothly.
By Yuun Martial Hall's main gate, night had fallen.