Things to Do (2)
In my previous life, I'd always found Kang Yong's tribe regrettably insular.
This was a place where Hongram, the main ingredient for Yeonji, grew exceptionally well.
So I'd tried to entrust them with its cultivation, but they always refused outright.
The reason was simple: they refused to deal with outsiders.
It stemmed from the tribe chief's son going missing after an outsider's visit.
But now that the missing son had returned, their clannish attitude should soften a little.
The tribe chief and I exchanged names and greetings.
"It's getting late. Stay the night."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
We couldn't travel farther anyway with darkness falling.
And we needed some rest.
Even riding in a carriage took a toll on the body.
At that moment, the tribe chief glanced at the carriage and asked,
"Are there other children as well?"
"Yes. We rescued five in total, and we've already returned one. Kang Yong is the second."
"I see. May I meet them briefly?"
"I'll ask the children."
They might be scared, after all.
The kids said it was fine, so they followed me to the tribe chief's house.
"This is my father."
At Kang Yong's introduction, the children shyly greeted him.
"H-Hello."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm glad you're safe."
As he spoke, the tribe chief's eyes scanned the children, as if gauging which tribes they hailed from.
A moment later,
he gestured for me to step outside.
I followed him out.
"First, let me thank you again. For rescuing my son and bringing him all the way back."
"I only did what needed doing. Protecting children who are the future's promise—isn't that the duty of adults?"
"But those adults were the ones who kidnapped them."
"……."
"What I mean is, some adults deserve death, while those who know their duty deserve gratitude."
The tribe chief continued.
"Those children are from tribes I know. I'll send word for them to come here."
"It'll be a bother— are you sure?"
"Of course. I've experienced losing a child myself; how could I not understand their feelings?"
He went on.
"Fortunately, all their tribes are on friendly terms with us, so they'll come when called. We'll send messengers."
"Thank you."
In truth, after returning the children, I had business in Gansu.
That's why I'd hurried, and now this help was most welcome.
The tribe chief promptly summoned men and dispatched messengers to the three tribes.
I suggested waiting until morning since it was dark, but they insisted they were used to it, so I nodded.
And so we spent a peaceful night.
The next day.
As soon as morning broke, the messengers who'd left the previous evening returned.
They'd brought a couple from another tribe.
No sooner had they dismounted than they called out a child's name.
"Eungman! Eungman! Where are you?"
At the sound, Eungman, who was sleeping in the tribe chief's house, bolted awake.
"Huh? Is that Mother's voice?"
His eyes met those of the handsome young man sitting in front of him.
The kind big brother who'd saved them. He smiled and pointed outside.
"What are you waiting for? Your mother's calling—go on out."
"Ah... yes!"
Eungman nodded and scrambled from his bedding, rushing outside.
"Mother! Father!"
"Aigoo! It really is our Eungman!"
"You rascal, where on earth have you been... sob..."
The couple would never forget the night before.
One day, their child had vanished without a trace. Child disappearances weren't unheard of in the tribe.
With wild beasts in the area, they'd assumed the worst and grieved deeply.
Then a messenger from the neighboring tribe arrived with unbelievable news.
"Is there a child named Eungman in your tribe?"
"Yes, that's right."
"He's here with us now. Our chief bids you come fetch him."
They'd raced here in haste and reunited with their child.
"What happened? We thought you'd been attacked by a wild beast."
Eungman explained everything to his father.
Some passing merchant had given him dumplings, he'd blacked out, and when he woke, he'd been forcibly taken somewhere.
Locked in a cave prison, and rescued by a handsome big brother— all of it.
His parents were stunned.
It was beyond their wildest imaginings.
'Come to think of it, there've been more missing kids from the tribe lately. We thought it odd.'
Then Eungman beamed.
"That big brother saved me! And he said he's a hero of the martial world, called Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop!"
Starting with Eungman's parents, the other children's families arrived one by one.
The last to come were the father of Gilseong, from the farthest tribe, apparently—he'd come alone.
"Even arriving tomorrow would be fast... well, after losing a child myself, such things lose meaning."
"Still, thank you for your help."
"No need for such words. But how to repay this grace... I wouldn't know where to begin."
He continued.
"Truth be told, when we had Kang Yong, my father had a prophetic dream."
A father-in-law dreaming of his daughter-in-law's pregnancy—odd, but these things happened.
"Someone in the dream said that if Kang Yong safely came of age within the tribe, our people would prosper greatly. But if he didn't mature here, we'd fall into poverty."
"……."
"Just a dream from my father, of course. Still, Kang Yong was our tribe's future and hope."
Having lived one life already, I couldn't dismiss the chief's words lightly.
"So, I must repay you somehow."
"It wasn't just me; others..."
"But you're the one who personally saved my son. And you took on the kidnappers' leader alone, or so I'm told."
Kang Yong had seen it all.
"So, don't refuse my request."
After a moment's thought, I nodded.
"Very well. Then, may I ask one favor?"
"Speak freely."
"Do you know of a herb called Hongram?"
"Of course—the plant used to make Yeonji, right?"
"I have a request regarding it."
I entrusted the tribe chief with Hongram cultivation. I'd process and sell it for profit, and they'd supply it to me for theirs.
A win-win.
At any rate, all five children I'd saved reunited with their parents— a relief.
That evening,
the tribe chief hosted a feast.
For the parents who'd found their lost children, it was pure joy.
Then Eungman's father approached me.
"Daehyeop."
"Daehyeop is too much for me yet."
"Nonsense. Who else fits the title better? Right, Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop?"
Ugh!
That moniker had spread even here!
Via Palgap to the kids, then to their parents...
Would it blanket all northern Gansu tribes?
I said, embarrassed,
"Fine, fine—just drop the Seonhyeopmirang. It's embarrassing."
He chuckled and nodded.
"As you wish. Another thing—do you know of other kidnapped children? We've had two more vanish from our tribe recently."
Others chimed in agreement.
"Same here."
"Two from ours too."
As expected...
They'd snatched kids evenly from everywhere.
I set down my teacup.
"Truth be told..."
I explained that officials had reported the disappearances to His Majesty the Emperor, who had ordered an investigation.
Omitting sensitive details, of course.
"His Majesty will interrogate them to find the children and ensure as many as possible return home."
"Ah, our thanks for the grace!"
"Truly the empire's fortune!"
"So please wait a little. His Majesty is doing his utmost."
His Majesty? Watching?
I'm your loyal minister, spreading word of your wise rule.
So you'll overlook the funds I've spent, right?
The day after the feast ended.
Those who'd come for the children prepared to depart.
Then Gilseong approached me.
"Daehyeop."
"You too? Kid. I told you to call me big brother."
I reached out and ruffled his hair. A ten-ish-year-old calling me Daehyeop?
Not cute at all.
Though he was the oldest of the five, at fourteen or so.
"Ah, big bro!"
"There we go. Now, what?"
"I'll definitely repay this favor."
"Don't think like that. Focus on growing up strong and healthy first."
"Ugh! Can't you take me seriously? I'm being dead serious here."
"I know."
"Huh?"
"I can tell if you're serious or joking just by looking. I know you mean it."
"……."
"Yeah, I get your resolve. But right now, don't you think what you need isn't resolve, but figuring out how to eat well and live well?"
Gilseong tilted his head.
"Huh?"
"To help me, you need the ability to repay that favor first."
His face grew grave.
Did my words sound that heavy?
I ruffled his hair again, messing it up.
"So save that for later. Stay healthy, kiddo."
"Argh! Big bro!"
"Off you go."
I pushed his back. He walked off, then hesitated and turned.
"Big bro!"
"Yeah?"
"Look forward to it! I'll become someone useful to you!"
He dashed to his father, saying something to the gathered crowd.
Hm? What'd he say?
As I focused my hearing with inner power, the Seo-u Warrior spoke.
"That Gilseong kid—he's got big things ahead."
"Pardon?"
"That's just the feeling I get."
With that, the children returned to their homes, and we parted from Eungman's tribe.
"Until next time."
"Travel safely."
"Yes. Take care, everyone. You too, Eungman."
"Yes!"
Our group left the tribe.
"Young master, where to now?"
"Gongdong Mountain."
"Pardon?"
Palgap blinked.
"You don't mean the mountain where the Gongdong Sect holds sway?"
"Exactly."
I continued.
"We'll hide out there. With Gansu's overlords, the Gongdong Sect, it's safe, right?"
The Seo-u Warrior nodded.
"A sound plan."
"By now, if they've realized they were duped and are pursuing properly, they'd be nearing Gansu."
Of course, it wouldn't matter.
The deed was done; Master Bang and the others were heading to Beijing along the Yellow River.
Still, to buy time until they arrived, I'd play tag with them.
And handle some business on the side.
At that moment.
The pursuit squad of black道 origins set foot in Gansu.
"Finally, Gansu!"
"Damn it!"
"He has to be here, right?"
They gnashed their teeth.
Word had sent them south to Guangdong, but midway suspicions led to new inquiries.
The local Beggars' Sect and Haomen said it seemed they'd gone to Gansu.
After wasting money, time, and enduring hardships, they'd returned to Kaifeng to confront Haomen and Beggars' Sect.
"The info at the time pointed south. Later we heard they'd turned toward Gansu."
Reporting upward, their superiors demanded they uncover the letter Eun Seo-ho carried, no matter what.
So they'd come to Gansu again.
They clenched their fists.
"No failure this time! We'll crush that Eun Seo-ho bastard!"
Soon they scoured Gansu, inquiring after him.
The trail led to... a ruined mountain stronghold.
Yet a group of black道 men was already inspecting it.
"Who the hell are you?"
"And who are you?"
"Whatever business you have, back off. We got here first..."
"Can't do that!"
"Hmph. No helping it, then."
Shing,
"Hah! That's our line!"
Shring,
Weapons drawn, the two mysterious black道 groups clashed.