Chapter 1528
Now it’s my turn. (3)
The transformed Hwaeum was full of life.
The reason those who fled struggled with poverty was because they lacked food, shelter, and work. However, at least in Hwaeum, that was no longer the case.
As the personnel who had been mobilized to establish the basic framework of the city returned to their original training, a significant number of job vacancies emerged within the city. Tang Gunak and Hwang Jong-ui filled these vacancies by hiring refugees to work.
The refugees, who had initially felt relief just by having a place to eat and sleep, were now even provided with jobs. Naturally, many were delighted and performed their duties with utmost sincerity.
Among these tasks, the one Hwang Jong-ui paid the most attention to was land reclamation – transforming land into arable fields.
Land reclamation is not as easy as one might think. You can’t simply carve out mountains to make fields – you need to find suitable flatlands. Even if you find fertile land, it takes several years of effort to make it able to grow crops.
Moreover, concerns regarding reclamation do not end there. If obtaining farmland alone could solve everything, then those who clear slash-and-burn fields wouldn’t live in such poverty.
When humans occupy land, the animals that lived there lose their homes and are driven out. But animals, too, have defined territories and do not easily encroach on others’ domains. In the end, they end up constantly eyeing the opportunity to reclaim their lost territory.
When the habitats of animals and humans intermingle and boundaries become blurred, accidents are inevitable. That is common knowledge and an undeniable truth.
However… that obvious truth was being avoided in this land.
“…Are they still at it?”
“They told us not to worry about it.”
“How can we not worry?”
“Well, that is true.”
Whenever they dug up the ground, they still pulled out rocks and tree roots. The farmers, who were tidying up, kept glancing awkwardly at something, clearly distracted.
A sleek, streamlined body. A sharp, triangular face with glimpses of razor-sharp teeth. Black, glossy fur that looked as if it had been polished with coal.
A black panther was lounging lazily, basking in the afternoon sun.
“Can a leopard really be that black?”
“Isn’t it called a black panther? Haven’t you heard of it?”
“I’ve only heard of it…”
For those who lived in the peaceful lands of Hubei and Shaanxi, seeing a black panther with their own eyes was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
And in fact, this scene would be rare even for those living in remote areas outside Shaanxi.
“So why is it just lying there?”
“Haven’t you heard? That’s its job.”
“Job?”
“You know, after land is reclaimed like this, wolves or leopards often sneak in and attack people without warning.”
“That’s true. My friend’s father met his end that way. They said it was a tiger back then.”
“You know. So, you understand how dangerous it is for us to be here, right?”
“That’s… true.”
The person answering tilted his head. Come to think of it, there should have been several such incidents already, but strangely, there had been no reports of such occurrences in this place.
“Are there no wild animals here?”
“Haha, what nonsense. Hey, my friend, this is Shaanxi, Shaanxi! If folks from Hubei said there were no animals in Shaanxi, how much would the Shaanxi people laugh at them? Do you know how many high mountains there are here where people can’t even set foot?”
“That’s right. That makes sense, but…”
“They say those beasts are guarding this place, so other animals can’t come near.”
“Really? Well, they do look extraordinary, but even if beasts like those stand guard one by one in such a wide area…”
“Tsk, tsk. You don’t understand anything. They’re not ordinary beasts – they’re spiritual creatures. They were brought from the Nanman Beast Palace.”
“Ah…”
“That’s why the animals that should have been running wild, taking advantage of the absence of Cheonumaeng’s members, can’t even come near.”
“So that’s what it was… So, what? The beasts are protecting us?”
“In a way, yes.”
“Huh… That’s really something unbelievable.”
Of course, it wasn’t entirely uncommon for animals to protect people. Even dogs guard homes, and there are often stories of horses blocking enemies to protect their masters.
But… what kind of panther…
It was at that moment.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Out of nowhere, the fierce barking of dogs could be heard.
“What’s with the dogs…”
And just then, the black panther, which had been lounging lazily, suddenly stood up. It didn’t even glance at the startled people and quickly assumed a defensive stance toward the mountains.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
The barking grew louder, and soon, dozens of dogs began to swarm in.
“Huh? What, what is that?”
“Can’t you see? They’re dogs, dogs.”
“I know they’re dogs! I’m asking why a bunch of dogs suddenly appeared out of nowhere.”
Of course, packs of wild dogs could exist anywhere, but there was something odd about this.
No matter how fierce wild dogs are, they should be running away at the sight of a panther. But these dogs were charging towards this place with fierce determination.
Bark! Bark!
The rough barking drew nearer, and the dogs swiftly came to a halt in front of the panther. Even then, the black panther maintained its vigilant stance without turning its gaze away.
And then…
Growl.
The dogs parted to the sides. From between them, something waddled out.
“…A weasel? Walking on two legs?”
“What’s it wearing?”
The weasel, which slowly emerged from between the dogs, looked at the black panther with apparent displeasure.
Flick.
Then, it flicked its small front paw.
The black panther, which had been in a defensive stance, charged toward the weasel like the wind, seemingly ready to grab it in one bite and twist its neck!
“There! Look at that!”
But the scene that unfolded next was truly bizarre.
The black panther, which had rushed like lightning, lay flat in front of the small weasel, which was no bigger than its front paw.
Kiiiiii!
The weasel stomped the ground forcefully with its back foot. The panther winced and let out a whimper.
After scolding the panther for a while with gestures that looked like nagging, the weasel let out a sharp cry, and the panther quickly returned to its place. Its fur stood on end, and it scanned its surroundings vigilantly, a stark contrast to its earlier laziness.
Kiiiiiii!
The weasel shook its head in dissatisfaction, glared at the panther as if to say it would keep an eye on it, and then scurried away.
Bark! Bark!
The dogs that surrounded the weasel as if guarding it quickly began to follow it. The people who had been watching the whole process muttered absentmindedly.
“…What kind of place is this, really?”
“Shaanxi… It’s very different from Hubei.”
“…Is it because it’s Shaanxi?”
“Maybe?”
Shaking their heads, they resumed their work. Until they finished, the black panther never once relaxed its stance.
It wasn’t just the refugees leading busy lives in the bustling Hwaeum. The martial artists, who had laid the foundation for the refugees, were now living even busier lives in comparison. Their methods, however, were somewhat… peculiar.
Blue Flower Inn [청화객잔(靑華客棧) – Qinghua Inn] within Hwaeum. This inn had been entirely rented out by Cheonumaeng to serve as a temporary dining hall since the actual dining hall was not yet completed.
Inside, people dressed in Hwasan’s robes were huddled around round tables. It was time for their evening meal after finishing their afternoon training. This should have been the noisiest time as they relaxed, yet everyone around the table was silently fiddling with something.
“Ugh…”
The silence was broken by a groan from Jo Geol. His eyes, which had been widened in concentration, twitched.
He glared at the piece of cloth in his hand as if he wanted to set it on fire with his gaze. Then, with a resolute expression, he fiercely jabbed the cloth with the needle in his other hand.
Plunk!
“Ahhhh!”
“Be quiet, Geol.”
“What’s his problem? Why do I keep stabbing my own fingers every time I sew?”
“If you think about the purpose of this training, it’s the right action, isn’t it?”
“That’s… peculiar…”
Jo Geol, fuming, threw the blood-stained cloth and needle onto the table.
“Damn it, why do I have to do this!”
“Geol, I said be quiet!”
“But…!”
As he turned his head quickly to retort, Jo Geol flinched and fell silent.
Baek Cheon, with his hair band tied up high to keep his bangs in place, was sewing meticulously with an elegance that could rival a noble lady. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was calmly doing embroidery. He appeared that composed.
“Don’t blame others for what you can’t do.”
“I’m not the only one who can’t do it, am I?”
Jo Geol, angry, pointed to Yu Iseol sitting opposite him.
“Look at Sago! At this rate, she’ll lose all her fingers.”
It was a fair point, as all ten of Yu Iseol’s fingers were wrapped in bandages. She spoke briefly with an expression that was both blank and subtly sullen.
“It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“It’s not fine! It’s not fine at all! What if this interferes with holding our swords? Do you realize how important those fingers are?”
“I never knew you cared so much about Samae. Anyway… I’m telling you for the last time. Sit down and be quiet.”
“Argh!”
Jo Geol plopped back into his chair, though his anger had not subsided.
“Why do we have to do this…?”
“Geol. If you keep grumbling, I’ll send you to the training grounds,”
Yoon Jong warned him.
Jo Geol quickly shut his mouth, then nervously glanced at Baek Cheon.
“Isn’t that right?”
“If you don’t want to learn from Soso, then shut up and get to work.”
“…Yes.”
With that, Jo Geol’s daily rebellion was suppressed, but he wasn’t the only one suffering in this situation.
“Ouch! My finger!”
“Tsk tsk. I told you not to put too much strength into the needle.”
“That’s easier said than done! My whole life, anything I’ve held has been for stabbing, cutting, or slicing!”
“…Why are you talking like a Sapa bastard?”
“Ouch!”
Sporadic cries of pain echoed from various directions. Baek Cheon shook his head in resignation.
“…This is harder than it looks, Sasuk.”
“What do you find so difficult?”
“It seems this task suits you, Sasuk.”
“Medicine?”
“No, embroidery.”
“This little brat?”
Yoon Jong sighed, avoiding Baek Cheon’s piercing gaze.
“Just sewing isn’t that hard, but using internal energy to do it quickly is easier said than done…”
“No wonder Soso’s sewing skills seemed almost supernatural.”
It’s easy to pierce something with a needle infused with internal energy. However, accurately embedding the needle halfway using internal energy is incredibly difficult. It requires precise control over one’s internal strength.
“…If someone practices this from a young age, it’s no wonder the Tang clan’s hidden weapon skills are unrivaled.”
“Yes, exactly. It also makes sense how Soso mastered the sword so quickly. Swordsmanship also requires delicate control over internal energy.”
“Indeed.”
This meant that this seemingly pointless training would ultimately sharpen their swordsmanship. But Baek Cheon didn’t feel the need to voice this.
“Ouch! My nail! I pierced my nail! It’s bleeding!”
“Bandage! Get a bandage!”
Well… it wasn’t because there was a grand reason. It was simply enjoyable to see these guys suffer.
“Where the hell is the person who caused all this, not showing up since morning?”
“…He’s probably off drinking alone somewhere.”
“After causing all this trouble?”
“…When has he ever cared about that?”
Yoon Jong let out a groan. Baek Cheon couldn’t help but sigh as well.
He recalled the meeting a few days ago, which had been the starting point of all this chaos.
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