“So that’s what happened.”
Palace Lord Unhyeon exhaled, steadying her breath to suppress her turmoil, and spoke with a devastated expression.
“If I had made the right decision back then, neither Hyeonmun nor Master Hyeonmu would have suffered such hardship...”
Master Hyeonhae looked at Unhyeon’s pallid face for a mont, then said,
“Martial Aunt Unhyeon, this may be presumptuous of , but may I offer a few words from concern alone?”
Unhyeon nodded.
“I’ll listen.”
“It’s said that once the great roc soars into the blue heavens, it never folds its wings again for the rest of its life.”
“...!”
How could Unhyeon not understand the aning of those words?
It was a gentle way of saying: let go of your lingering attachnt to the roc that has already left the nest.
Palace Lord Unhyeon suddenly realized that she still harbored lingering feelings toward Kwak Yeon. Every word she had spoken until now clearly reflected that trace.
“A roc that’s left the nest... Indeed, that’s true.”
She nodded slowly, her entire being aligning with the realization.
“Palace Lord, I truly believe I was right to climb Samnyeong Peak today.”
Seeing Unhyeon’s noticeably brightened expression, Master Hyeonhae said,
“I will take to heart what Palace Lord Unhyeon asked regarding your grand-disciple Seokjangsan.”
“Thank you.”
When Palace Lord Unhyeon rose and stepped out of the Hall of Empty Heart, brushing herself off, Master Hyeonhae accompanied her and said,
“Martial Aunt Unhyeon, past Cheongun Bridge, there’s another trail that descends from Samnyeong Peak.”
“...?”
“The scenery is quite splendid. I thought it might help soothe both body and mind if you take it slowly and enjoy it.”
Below the hall of Samnyeonggung lies Jasogung, and if you descend a bit further and veer sharply west, you’ll reach Yeongmudang.
Unhyeon understood that Master Hyeonhae was pointing her toward a shortcut to Yeongmudang.
She was essentially urging her to visit her disciple on the way down, since she had already climbed Samnyeong Peak.
****
Sangjeon Village wasn’t as large as the main county seat of Deokseonghyeon, but it was still quite bustling. There was a fairly large inn and even a small market district.
On the village ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ outskirts, there were several large warehouse-like buildings.
“What are those?”
“Probably weaving mills.”
Kwak Yeon replied candidly to Ju Yeoryeong’s question, just as he had suspected.
He figured a bit of kindness might be necessary if he wanted to learn the old woman’s true intent.
“Weaving mills?”
“In this Sangjeon Village, every household raises silkworms and spins silk threads. That’s how the weaving mills ca about.”
“Ah... That Daejehak man is even more impressive than I thought. Vast farmland, and now he earns additional profit through mulberry fields and silk.”
The Daejehak’s manor, Deokseonjanggwon, was easy to find.
“This is the Daejehak’s manor?”
Ju Yeoryeong was even more surprised than when she saw the vast silkworm farms and large weaving mills.
Because it didn’t even resemble a manor. There wasn’t even a fence, let alone a main gate with a na plaque.
“You’re telling this is the residence of the wealthiest man in Hunan?”
Kwak Yeon finally couldn’t hold back.
“The Daejehak here is known to be extrely frugal. I heard he parceled out all the reclaid land to displaced commoners, leaving almost nothing for himself.”
Ju Yeoryeong’s eyes grew round as saucers.
“Why would anyone do that?”
“Why are you asking ? I’m not the Daejehak.”
Ju Yeoryeong glared at him.
“Are you getting revenge for earlier?”
Kwak Yeon was growing weary from the endless stream of questions and the frequent sharp remarks.
Dealing with this exhausting mouth is worse than just hearing it straight from the old woman myself.
Without replying, Kwak Yeon started walking off. Ju Yeoryeong shot a glare at the back of his head before hurrying to catch up.
In the yard of the Daejehak’s manor, there were several sturdy-looking n.
“What brings you here?”
One of them, around thirty, looked displeased as he eyed Kwak Yeon and Ju Yeoryeong.
“We’re here to find Elder Wang Cheol-go, who arrived yesterday.”
“Elder Wang Cheol-go?”
The man’s gaze turned suspicious.
“You look like martial artists—why are you looking for the Wang family?”
The tone of his words was sharp. He clearly didn’t have a favorable opinion of martial artists.
“It’s true the two of us belong to the martial world. We’re acquainted with Elder Wang and had arranged to et him today.”
“If you say you’re acquainted, I’ll tell you where to find them, but I ask that you behave respectfully.”
Ju Yeoryeong frowned.
“Martial artists are still people. Is there a need to be so stiff right from the start?”
Another man, who had been watching, stepped in.
“Miss, we may be a bit brusque, but that doesn’t an a guest should speak like that, don’t you think?”
“Hey, I—”
“Miss Ju, that’s enough.”
Kwak Yeon stopped Ju Yeoryeong and gave a polite martial greeting to the n.
“My apologies for not identifying myself earlier. I am Kwak Yeon, a lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung on Mount Wudang. This is Miss Ju, my companion.”
Whether it was because he ntioned Wudang or because he bowed politely, the n’s expressions softened a little.
“Ah! So you’re from Wudang Sect. Please forgive our stiffness. Lately, groups from dark sects have been lurking around, so everyone’s been on edge.”
“That’s understandable. Of course.”
“We’re just a village militia—small and powerless. It’s not like we can strong-arm martial artists. I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
“......”
“The refugees who arrived yesterday were placed in the far end of the village. Please head there.”
Once they left the manor, Ju Yeoryeong muttered irritably,
“In a valley without a tiger, the rabbits play king, huh? A bunch of rabble pretending to be important.”
“Don’t say that. They’re braver than most.”
“...?”
“They’re stepping up to protect their own village. Their stiff attitude cos from rigidity, nothing more.”
“How would you know that?”
Kwak Yeon could sense their fear through Primordial Harmonious Art. That was why he had been so polite—to ease their apprehension.
But Ju Yeoryeong’s flare-up had rendered that effort moot.
When Kwak Yeon didn’t respond, Ju Yeoryeong grumbled again.
“In any case, I don’t get this Daejehak guy. No walls, no guards, relying on a militia to protect him?”
“......”
“He should at least keep enough wealth to hire guards or servants, shouldn’t he?”
Kwak Yeon looked at her silently.
“Why are you looking at like that? It’s creepy.”
“It’s just... unexpected.”
Ju Yeoryeong blinked in disbelief.
“What’s unexpected?”
“You were just worrying about soone else.”
“I was just frustrated. It reminded of soone.”
“......”
“Think about it. Where there’s wealth, flies always swarm. That’s natural. But there’s no preparation here. That’s why so sloppy militia had to be ford.”
Kwak Yeon also found it strange. He knew full well that dark sects always flocked to wealth.
And it was even more suspicious given the man he’d seen from the Sangwan Family, clearly scheming sothing back at the inn in Deokseonghyeon.
The Daejehak must have sothing in mind.
Kwak Yeon soon brushed aside the thought.
For now, I should focus on healing So Cheong’s condition.
Following the directions given by one of the n from Deokseonjanggwon, they arrived at the village's edge.
It was a newly built settlent, with modest houses lined up without fences yet.
As they entered, soone recognized Kwak Yeon and greeted him warmly.
“Oh my, the Daoist has really co.”
It was soone he had exchanged greetings with at Pyo Unseon the day before.
“Where is Elder Wang Cheol-go’s house?”
“Just two houses down. By the way, you haven’t forgotten what you promised us yesterday, right?”
“Of course not. I’ll visit Elder Wang first, then co see everyone in order.”
“Thank you.”
As the man turned away, Ju Yeoryeong quickly clung to Kwak Yeon and asked,
“What did you promise them?”
She was acting like a ghost who’d died with a question left unanswered.
If he didn’t tell her, she’d just keep pestering him, so Kwak Yeon answered honestly.
“I promised to perform the Rite of Appeasent for the Holy Ancestors.”
“Rite of what?”
Ju Yeoryeong stared at him, dumbfounded.
“You’re scamming people now?”
“What do you an, scamming?”
“You’re not even a real Seondo-cultivating Daoist, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then it’s a scam. What, are you that hard up for money? Enough to start pulling cons?”
Kwak Yeon sighed and said,
“I know the incantation for appeasing the ancestral spirits. Of course, I don’t have the Daoist power to make it truly effective. But what does that matter? If it brings these people peace of mind, isn’t that enough?”
Ju Yeoryeong blinked a few tis, then smiled softly.
“This ti, you actually sounded like a real Daoist.”
Phew...
Kwak Yeon shook his head.
Wang Cheol-go’s household was bustling. The house had just been built, so the surroundings were still a ss.
“Elder Wang, I’ve co.”
“Oh, you’re here!”
“Welco, Master Kwak!”
Wang Cheol-go and his wife, who had been clearing the yard, greeted them warmly.
At the appearance of strangers, So Cheong quickly hid behind his mother’s skirt.
“But... who might this young lady be?”
“This is Miss Ju. Due to so circumstances, she’ll be staying with us for a while.”
Ju Yeoryeong offered her greeting.
“I’m Ju Yeoryeong. I’ve heard a lot about your family.”
So Cheong’s mother, her hands stained with mud, hid them behind her back and said,
“We’re not in a position to receive esteed guests yet. I’m so sorry.”
“I ca knowing the circumstances, so please don’t worry.”
Ju Yeoryeong turned to So Cheong, who peeked from behind his mother’s skirt.
“You’re So Cheong, right? Hello!”
“......”
“I felt bad coming empty-handed, so I brought sothing.”
She held out a pouch filled with marbles.
So Cheong buried half his face in his mother’s skirt.
Smiling warmly, Ju Yeoryeong stepped closer.
“Don’t you want to see what’s inside?”
So Cheong peeked out.
Ju Yeoryeong stepped closer again and opened the pouch to show the marbles.
“How about it? Do you like it?”
“......”
“Here, take it. It’s a gift from your big sister.”
So Cheong hesitated for a mont, then backed away behind his mother.
His mother, wearing an apologetic expression, said to Ju Yeoryeong,
“You’ve brought a gift despite being such an important guest... I’m so sorry. Our child is a bit unwell... May I accept it on his behalf?”
“Of course, that’s fine.”
Kwak Yeon interjected.
“Sister-in-law, it would be best if So Cheong receives it himself.”
Wang Cheol-go and his wife understood what he ant.
He was asking them to wait—so their child could take one small step toward the world.
So Cheong’s mother gently coaxed him out from behind her.
“So Cheong, it’s your gift, so you should accept it. Just take the pouch, that’s all.”
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