Chapter 1102
– Chapter 1102. This kind of reward is worth receiving (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“It’ll be okay now.”
Tang Soso, who had just finished the acupuncture treatment, smiled gently as she neatly arranged her needles.
"Thank you."
"Still, your body is not fully recovered yet, so make sure to eat well."
“…Yes."
Tang Soso, who had cleaned up all the needles, poked the cheek of the child who was sleeping in the woman's arms.
“Haki, too….”
At that moment, the woman instinctively pulled the child closer to her.
"Ah….”
The woman's eyes wavered.
“S- Sorry....”
"No, it's my fault for not thinking."
Tang Soso scratched the back of her head with an embarrassed expression.
The body can heal with acupuncture and medicine, but the wounds of the heart do not heal so easily. Considering what this woman had been through, Tang Soso should have approached more delicately and cautiously.
"I'm sorry."
As Tang Soso bowed his head deeply, the woman shook her head in a flustered manner, not knowing what to do.
"It’s not like that. Really... it's really not your fault."
A look of deep embarrassment appeared on the woman's face as she held the child close.
“You treat me so well, but I'm just uneducated and easily frightened….”
"Please don't say that."
Tang Soso also felt at a loss, not knowing what to do. Although she had learned medicine, she had no idea how to handle situations like this.
'What should I do?'
If she just walks away, she feels like the woman will blame herself for a long time, and if she tries to make her feel better, she might end up making her feel uncomfortable for no reason. It was when she was unable to do anything and was only pinching her thighs in frustration.
Tung!
There was a loud, rough knock on the door.
"Huh?"
Creak.
As she turned around, the door swung wide open. But that was it, no one showed up. All she could see was the scenery of the manor beyond the door.
'What...'
Kii!
“…Ah."
Tang Soso’s gaze dropped lower and lower.
“…Was it you?”
A white marten, swinging its tail, stood there with an expression that seemed full of dissatisfaction (?).
Tang! Tang!
Baek-ah, as if scolding her for not recognizing him sooner, hit the ground twice with his tail and then grabbed a bowl the size of his body with his front paws and carried it into the room.
What was in the bowl was the decoction that she had asked Chung Myung to bring. Tang Soso’s face distorted.
“No, that guy….”
Oh my gosh, was he really so lazy that he made a beast, not a human, do this simple task? Besides, what kind of beast is willing to do what it told?
At this point, it was hard to tell if the problem was with the person or the beast.
Baek-ah trudges forward on its own two feet and sets down the bowl of decoction in front of Tang Soso. And it let out a deep sigh like a human.
"...You've worked hard."
It may not be something to say to a beast, but somehow, looking at Baek-ah, she felt compelled to say this.
Baek-ah glanced at Tang Soso and then quickly looked back. He rushed to close the open door and then lay down in a corner of the room.
There was a moment of silence. Baek-ah slowly raised its head and glanced at Tang Soso. The look in its eyes seemed to say, 'Let's not be mean to the situation where we are suffering together.'
"...Right. You must be tired too."
Maybe Baek-ah was the one who worked the hardest and suffered the most here. After all, he was the beast who stuck with Chung Myung all day. Returning to him would probably only mean more trouble for no reason.
'Come to think of it, it's quite fascinating.'
Why on earth is that beast so attached to Chung Myung Sahyung?
It seems that in Nanman Yasugung Palace, he lived in all kinds of luxury as a mystical creature among mystical creatures, but here, Baek-ah is treated no better than an ordinary marten, isn't it?
Kicked around for fun, used as a scarf when it got chilly, a neck pillow when sleeping, and had to fetch alcohol when it was running out because Chung Myung would get aggressive if there wasn't any. It even had to run all sorts of errands...
'Sahyung must have it nice....'
I wonder if I could find a cub like that?
“The, the marten….”
At that moment, the woman uttered a startled voice. She was staring at Baek-ah with wide eyes.
"Ah….”
Well, to the average person, it might seem strange for a marten to bring a bowl of decoction, open and close a door, and walk on two legs.
"Don't worry. He's a kind... No, just a very smart mystical creature."
“M- Mystical creature?”
"Yes. Um... just think of him as a very intelligent beast."
The woman looked at Baek-ah curiously. Baek-ah must have sensed her gaze and turned its head to face the woman.
There was a subtle exchange of glances between the woman and the beast. Baek-ah rose from its seat, perhaps thinking of something. It walked up to the woman, jumped onto her, and wrapped itself around her neck.
"Ah...!"
The startled woman reflexively grabbed Baek-ah wrapped around her neck, but immediately relaxed her grip upon feeling its soft fur.
“It’s warm….”
"Wow."
Tang Soso opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Although Baek-ah looks pushover because it gets beaten often, Baek-ah is a mystical creature in the first place and has an unusually strong pride. Are there just one or two Mount Hua disciples who got scratched on their faces while trying to tame that white and soft fur?
She can't believe that a beast who never leaves its seat except for Chung Myung approaches people on its own.
"That's amazing."
Meanwhile, Baek-ah seemed somewhat dissatisfied, tilting its head before slowly slipping down to rest between the woman's neck and the child. Then it got between the child and the woman, took a comfortable position, and closed its eyes.
"Isn't this dangerous..."
"It will be fine."
Tang Soso added, muttering softly, 'He doesn't want to be beaten by Sahyung, after all,' but the woman couldn't hear it.
The relieved woman gently rubbed Baek-ah's back. From the outside, it looked like a small animal that posed no threat to people, which seemed to comfort her.
Seeing the woman's expression soften, Tang Soso unconsciously nodded.
‘It does have its uses.’
No, actually, Baek-ah was very useful. Only for Chung Myung Sahyung.
The woman spoke in a slightly softer voice.
“It’s my first time seeing a marten follow a person.”
"Oh, really?"
Actually, it was my first time seeing it too. Of course, whether it is truly following ‘people’ is something you need to think about.
"…They say animals only follow good people."
At the woman’s words, Tang Soso’s expression became so complex that it was difficult to explain.
“R- Right.”
But eventually, she tightly closed her eyes.
‘Sorry, but I think that's a lie.’
Otherwise, there is no way that Baek-ah would be next to Chung Myung. But does the truth really matter in such situations? As long as it brings comfort, it’s fine.
Still, she was glad that the awkward atmosphere seemed to have eased thanks to Baek Ah's appearance.
"I'm sorry about earlier."
“No, it’s not like that. It’s nothing."
“I was just worried…. really… Would things really be okay?"
"Yes?"
The woman's face was filled with sadness.
"From now on, I have to protect him and live... Is it okay for someone as scaredy-cat as me?"
Tang Soso could not easily answer. This is because she knows that the thoughtless consolation that everything will be okay is ultimately nothing more than a way to gloss over the situation.
"That….”
That was when Tang Soso opened his mouth to say something.
"Soso, are you inside?"
A familiar voice came from outside the door. Tang Soso looked around in surprise.
“Yes, Sect Leader! This disciple’s inside.”
"May I come in?"
Tang Soso took a quick look at the woman’s complexion. Although she looked slightly uneasy, she slowly nodded. Tang Soso quickly ran to the door and opened it respectfully.
Soon, Hyun Jong entered the room with slow steps. When he made eye contact with the woman, he smiled warmly and gently… then asked with a puzzled tone.
"Why is that fellow lying there like that?"
“…Well."
Baek-ah was now stretched out with an expression that everything seemed like a bother. His posture was exactly...
"They say animals resemble their owners."
“That’s right….”
Hyun Jong shook his head and sat quietly in his seat. Tang Soso could see the careful consideration in his every movement. Every hand gesture and every step were done with as little effort as possible so that the other person would not feel threatened. People who didn't know him would think he was just a frail old man who didn't have the strength to even hold a spoon.
"How is your health?"
"Yes? Ah….”
Hyun Jong smiled as he looked at the perplexed woman.
"I am Hyun Jong, Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect."
“Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect….”
The moment Tang Soso was about to quickly add something, Hyun Jong slightly raised his hand to stop her. What he meant was not to say anything that might make the other person feel burdened.
"After going through so much, I’m sure you needed time to sort out your feelings. So I didn't bother looking for you sooner. But now, I thought it would be rude not to come and see you, so I am here. Please forgive me if I have been inconsiderate."
"N- No. Absolutely not."
The woman shook her head vigorously, flustered.
“Everyone treated me so well…. I'm not the kind of person who deserves such treatment... You’ve all been so warm to me, I don’t know what to do."
She repeatedly bowed her head and expressed her gratitude. Hyun Jong, who was watching this, suddenly turned his gaze to the child in his arms.
"The child is very cute."
"Yes….”
Hyun Jong smiled softly.
"Do you have somewhere to go with the child?"
The woman's face stiffened awkwardly at that question. After a long hesitation, she spoke in a small, trembling voice.
“Somewhere… I’ll go. Somewhere….”
“….”
"I've caused you so much trouble. I’m so sorry… Being this shameless."
Tang Soso was momentarily taken aback and looked at Hyun Jong. This is because it seemed as if Hyun Jong was urging the woman.
Nevertheless, there are two reasons why Tang Soso is not opening her mouth. One was because she couldn't dare point it out to Sect Leader here, and the other was because she believed that Hyun Jong was not the kind of person who would say something like this without thinking.
"It’s not easy for a woman to raise a child and live alone in a foreign place."
At Hyun Jong’s words, the woman lowered her head with a sad expression.
"The world can be extremely warm, but it can also be incredibly harsh. It won't be easy to decide where to go right away."
"Yes….”
Hyun Jong shook his head with a shallow sigh.
"It is the duty of Righteous Sects to help those in need, but it is difficult for us to take care of them indefinitely.”
The woman nodded slightly. Though her expression and demeanor were calm, her lips trembled, unable to hide her overwhelming feelings of helplessness.
How could she not understand? She knew full well the immense trouble she had caused these people. Medical treatment was a luxury only for those with money, wasn’t it?
Lying in a warm room with nothing to do, being served meals, and receiving treatment was a life she could not even dream of. It was simply time for her to return to reality.
“This grace… I- I will definitely repay....”
“Please do so.”
"But, Sect Leader…."
Tang Soso started to say something but then clamped her mouth shut. Hyun Jong did not even give her a glance and just stared at the woman calmly.
"You are a mother with a child. You must stand on your own feet."
“…Yes, Sect Leader-nim.”
It was then that the woman nodded again. Hyun Jong asked.
"Do you know anyone around this area?"
The woman closed her eyes for a moment, unable to overcome the heaviness in her heart. She interpreted his question as a suggestion to seek refuge with someone she knew.
Coming all the way from Gangnam to here, how could she have anyone she knew nearby?
It was truly an indifferent question, but she didn't feel the slightest bit of resentment toward the man in front of her. They have already given her too much.
Therefore, the woman spoke calmly.
"Yes, I… do. Don’t worry."
"Ah, does this acquaintance perhaps know how to cook?"
"Yes?"
The woman looked at Hyun Jong as if wondering what he meant.
Then Hyun Jong said in a slightly troubled tone,
"I’ve been staying at this manor longer than expected, and those guys eat so much that it’s hard to find a cook. However, the food the disciples cooked was not fit for human consumption. So we’re looking for a cook. They just need to know how to cook enough to feed a person without spoiling the ingredients. Since this manor is far from inhabited Ara, I am thinking of giving the room to the cook and paying them a reasonable wage... Do you know anyone who might…?"
"I, I can do it…!"
"Yes?"
The woman looked at Hyun Jong with an urgent look and raised her voice.
“I will do it, I will! I’m good at cooking!”
“….”
"I can work really hard. Please let me do it! I’ll do my best!"
“Hmm.”
“Please, Taoist-nim! Please….”
Hyun Jong frowned, looking troubled.
"But you seem too unwell to work…. You don’t even seem to be taking your medicine properly…."
As soon as she finished speaking, the woman hurriedly grabbed the medicine bowl from the floor and took a gulp. She drank her medicine in one go, and as soon as she put down the bowl, she looked at Hyun Jong and spoke as clearly as possible.
"Look. I am healthy now!"
Hyun Jong looked at Tang Soso, still appearing troubled.
"What do you think? Can she work…?"
"She can, Sect Leader!"
“….”
"Give me two days. I can make her well enough to work in just two days. There will be no problem!"
“Is that so?”
In response to Tang Soso’s confident response, Hyun Jong nodded slowly.
“…Finding a cook isn’t easy, so we have no choice. From now on, this woman is not a freeloader but a person who works at Mount Hua for fair wages. Make sure there is nothing lacking in her treatment.”
"Yes! I will do so, Sect Leader."
"Then."
Hyun Jong smiled quietly and stood up. The woman lowered her head in bewilderment, her face a mixture of all sorts of emotions.
"Th- Thank you…."
At that time, Hyun Jong, who had half-raised his body, asked.
"Ah. Now that I think about it, what should we call you from now on?”
Understanding the meaning of his question, the woman replied in a faintly trembling voice.
“…My name is…is Chu Yeong (추영(秋榮)).”
"So, you are Mrs. Chu."
"And... this child is..."
Chu Young gently looked down at the child in her arms. When she looked up again, her voice no longer trembled.
"Hak. Lee Hak (이학(李學))."
Hyun Jong smiled softly and answered.
"Then we look forward to your help from now on, Mrs. Chu.”
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