Gongbaek spoke.

He said there was nothing more to teach.

“From the start, Huaxing has to walk the path on her own. It’s strange for others to intrude on one’s own journey. There’s really nothing more I can teach you now…”

“Thank you, Elder.”

“Enough with the thanks. You’ll probably hear my name thanks more than you have from your entire life. After all, didn’t you give me more? You gave me the chance to deal with the corpse of the Master who was being used, and thanks to you, I could untangle the toxic aspects hanging over Shaolin… So what’s the big deal about teaching you just one martial art?”

Gongbaek cleared his throat.

“Jeok-un. As I said, I’ll keep the secret I have to myself. But let me say this again…”

“Elder, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“…I’ll believe you. Ah, and I have something to give you.”

A small box was handed to me. Knowing what might be inside, I hesitated.

“You know this is something I don’t need right now, right? Just keep it, Elder.”

“Then sell it or turn it into money at least. If it’s the Great Return Elixir, any martial artist would come rushing after it drooling.”

“…Huh? The Great Return Elixir?”

Isn’t that the best elixir in Shaolin?

“Why…?! Are you giving me something like that?!”

“Just take it. Here, I’ll leave it with you. This should be used for increasing your power rather than for recovery. If you happen to find a disciple, hand it to them. It’ll open up all kinds of meridians and help with their foundation.”

“Wait, Elder…!”

“Whenever you feel bored, come visit. You’re always a precious guest of Shaolin.”

With that, Gongbaek hurriedly left the spot I was in. I was left fiddling with the Great Return Elixir from Shaolin.

What should I do with this…?

The truth I spoke was not a lie. This wasn’t something that mattered that much to me right now.

It would enhance my prowess, sure, but that’s it. After all, I had exposed myself to many valuable things while training directly under Ilma.

To be honest, most of it is comparable to the Great Return Elixir, so… I can’t say I feel much excitement about it now.

“…….”

I’ll just hold onto it for now.

I returned to the secluded temple. I examined my body, completely refreshed from the training.

I carefully fed the remaining food. Su-ryeon, who had been accepting it like a baby bird, flinched as she saw me packing.

“Are you leaving?”

“It’s time to go. Su-ryeon, how’s your body?”

“I’m fine now.”

“That’s good. Have you thought about what to do?”

Su-ryeon hesitated.

“I’m still… not sure.”

“What are you thinking about Sapa?”

“Even if I dream of rebuilding it, there aren’t enough people. Even if I recruit around, there’s no real reason to go that far. I had originally expected to die alongside my revenge… but things have unexpectedly gone well…”

“Still, that’s a relief. Living is certainly better than dying, right? While alive, you’ll naturally figure out what you want to do.”

“…Is that so?”

“You’re a wise person, Su-ryeon. You can definitely figure it out.”

Su-ryeon looked up at me thoughtfully. After hesitating, she grabbed my sleeve.

“Jeok-un.”

“Yes.”

“…….”

It seemed she had unspeakable words swirling in her mouth, and she frowned. After holding onto my sleeve for a while, she suddenly let go.

“I hope everything you do goes well.”

“I wish the same for you, Su-ryeon.”

“Yes. I won’t forget the kindness you showed by saving my life.”

“We were partners, after all. No need for such words. We helped each other out as needed. You can forget about it.”

Su-ryeon chuckled.

“…You’re a strange person. There’s really no need to say that at the end.”

“…….”

“You liar.”

And with that, Su-ryeon disappeared, just as silently as she had appeared the first time.

No, wait. Has she gotten stronger? Maybe her martial arts have advanced a level after stepping on the ground again.

As a warrior, I could definitely defeat her…

But in the middle of the night, if such a person aimed for my throat, I wasn’t so sure I could protect myself.

As expected, there are many hidden masters in the martial world…

I need to train even harder.

Without waiting for someone, I set off on my journey. After all, the Martial Alliance Inspectors already left long ago, and all I had to do was return to the Martial Alliance on time.

I headed to Hanam Province to replenish the food supply. But then, an unexpected event occurred.

“…That person… No way…”

“Great Person!”

“It’s… Muk Geom! Muk Geom!”

My face turned pale.

More than I had anticipated.

People started gathering. Among them were some familiar faces.

The vagrants. The ones I had promised to bring back.

As they poured out their emotions towards me, I was ready to accept it all. But they didn’t blame me.

They just hugged me again and again.

“Thank you… thank you… thanks to you, at least my daughter could close her eyes in peace…”

“Ugh… My son… thanks to you… somehow…”

“Thank you for revealing the truth… Because of Shaolin’s compensation, I can feed my remaining son now… I’m really grateful… Great Person…”

A crowd gathered. I reached out and shook each extended hand one by one.

“…I’m sorry.”

But I couldn’t smile.

I hadn’t saved them and had only prevented more tragedies with money.

It left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Someone tugged at my pants.

“…Big Brother.”

I turned around.

A small girl was looking up at me.

The girl from that time. The girl I had promised.

I faced her. She sniffled and wiped her nose before presenting something to me.

What came from her wiggling hands was a bead. One I hadn’t received before.

“…T-thank you. Please accept this this time.”

“…I don’t deserve this. I couldn’t keep… my promise.”

“I-I heard from the adults what you did. They said you fought so hard that you got greatly injured…”

She insisted on pressing the bead into my hand. Sniffling, she said firmly.

“I-I’ll become someone like you… I’ll definitely… work hard and become great… like you…”

“…….”

I looked down at the bead in my palm.

I gripped it tightly. The bead, and her hand too.

“What’s your name?”

“I-I’m Sua…”

“Do you have family?”

“…….”

She shook her head. I lifted my sleeve to wipe her face once more.

She really has no one.

I looked at her clothes. They looked the same as before. Gaunt, with a face that seemed like she hasn’t eaten well.

What would happen if I gave her enough money?

I recalled my past. There was a time when I found a coin while unable to protect myself from begging.

The money tossed by a wealthy passerby was never used. Someone took it from me.

Even if I give her something…

It would probably end up like that.

Of course, I can’t personally take her in. I’m not in a position to do so.

But since I have some merit now…

Maybe I can place one child in the Cheonmu Academy run by the Martial Alliance. After all, Narin and Gwangyang are there too, so I can ask them to look after her.

“Sua.”

“…Yes?”

“If you have nowhere to go, come with me. To the Martial Alliance. I’ll put you in there with the martial artists. You might receive living expenses as well.”

The girl’s eyes widened. I gently wiped her tears away.

I wanted to give her a chance to live properly.

To fulfill the promise I couldn’t keep.

“If you’re interested…”

The child reached out.

She hugged me with all her might.

“I-I want to go. Please let me go with you…”

“…Alright.”

I held her hand and pushed through the crowd.

“Taking care of a lost child…”

“The rumors were true.”

“To look after the weak and wield the sword against corruption…”

“Even in a world where only gluttonous pigs abound, humanity still exists.”

“Oho… Muk Geom…”

“As he saves people and silently wields his sword against evil…”

“Is that the Martial Alliance Inspector?”

“…Impressive.”

“Muk Ryong Jeok-un…!”

Ignoring the noise behind me, I walked ahead.

Being careful not to lose the warmth I held at my fingertips.

. . .

Sua coughed lightly.

She has been feeling sick lately. It’s been strangely cold. She feels unusually weak.

Even while riding in the cart, she kept feeling nauseous. So, in the end, she had to get off with the person in front of her.

So she couldn’t cause any more trouble than this.

Sua walked steadily. She diligently followed the back of the person ahead.

The Martial Alliance Inspector.

The one called Muk Geom.

She peeked at the person’s back. Then she tripped and fell to the ground.

Sua quickly stood up and pulled up her skirt. She could see blood running down her knee.

…It hurts.

But what worries her more is that the clothes he bought her have gotten dirty.

It looked like expensive clothing at first glance. Hesitant, Sua fixed her skirt. She stood carefully to avoid letting any blood touch it.

He looked back.

His previously calm expression slightly widened.

“Sua.”

“Y-Yes…”

Would I get scolded?

Her own father did that. The person she would never see again always grumbled about not having money.

Whenever she made a mistake, she would naturally receive a slap. He would shout for her to get something to eat.

So when these situations happened, it was automatic to be cautious. Her shoulders trembled slightly.

“I-I’m sorry…”

But the expected reaction didn’t come.

“I was walking too fast.”

Her body was lifted up smoothly.

In the sudden embrace, Sua blinked.

“For now, let’s continue like this. Even if it’s uncomfortable, bear with it a little. Got it?”

“…….”

Different reaction.

Different person.

Sua gently fixed his clothes. After traveling for over half a day, Jeok-un stopped his feet.

He flattened the ground around and gathered wood. He started a fire and put the food he brought on.

“I-I’ll do it.”

“It’s alright. Just rest.”

With no chance to help, the camping preparations were completed swiftly.

Sua hesitated eating the meat he offered.

…It’s delicious.

Her eating speed picked up. Eventually, she even bit her tongue.

“Ugh…”

“There’s plenty, so eat slowly. Want me to grill it some more?”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. Eat well.”

After a long time, Sua finally ate to her heart’s content. She began to watch Jeok-un’s movements.

“Wh-what should I do now…”

“Just relax.”

“Relax…? How does one do that?”

Her fingers fidgeted. Sua felt strangely uneasy with the sudden freedom given to her.

It would be better if he asked her to do something, but since he didn’t…

I-I should fetch water…

Suddenly standing up, Sua looked at Jeok-un, who had his eyes closed. Even though he was still, he seemed to be doing something anxiously.

I shouldn’t disturb him, so I’ll go and come back quickly.

Packing the water bottle, Sua stepped into the darkening forest.

She had heard it while passing by earlier. The sound of flowing water.

As she moved slowly, her feet quickly found the river. Beaming, Sua carefully looked over the wound she received earlier.

Now, there was no one to rely on. Her father wouldn’t return… she had heard she would be handed over to Cheonmu Academy…

…She has to do everything on her own.

Just like when she was in Hanam Province.

Grow up. I can do this. I want to live. I don’t want to die.

I have to manage it alone. Now really…

No one she could trust is around.

“Ugh…”

As she desperately wiped her wound, Sua quickly brushed away the tears gathering in her eyes. After filling the water bottle, she turned her body.

She retraced her steps.

…But…

She couldn’t find it. The campsite.

“Um…?”

It’s gone.

It’s gone.

Nowhere to be found.

I must have taken the wrong path. But I don’t even know where I went off track.

She heard the sound of a beast howling. Sua flinched and started running. Breath coming in gasps at the worry of being caught.

Everywhere she passed looked the same. She felt as though she was running in circles.

Her head turned blank.

“Um… Um…”

The night is getting darker. Now she can’t even see ahead.

She needs to find a light, but there wasn’t one, and she didn’t know where she was.

“…A-Ah, Dad…”

Without realizing it, these words came out, and she stopped. Her heart was pounding and wouldn’t stop.

Her stomach hurts. Her body hurts. Her legs hurt.

Everything hurts…

Wh-what should I do…

“Dad…”

He wasn’t a good dad.

But still… still…

She could lean on him.

The one person she could trust in this world, the one who she thought was her ally.

But now even that is gone.

There’s no one to lean on.

Sua curled up. Unable to stand properly, she hugged her water bottle and held her breath.

The sound of the beast’s howl was getting closer.

Her whole body trembled.

“Dad—!”

“Sua.”

At the call, she flinched and raised her head.

In her blurring vision stood a man. Someone who had hurried over, with leaves caught in his hair.

She automatically flinched at the extending hand, as her father would always scold her in such situations.

But…

“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“……”

Instead of scolding, a worried voice came.

Completely different from what she expected.

“…Huh… ah…”

“You’re fine.”

The warmth of the arms that embraced her felt nice.

Sua burst into tears that she had been trying hard to hold back.

 

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