Chapter 221: Those Who Wish to Fight Enter, Those Who Wish to Sell Leave (3) |
Ham So-Ryeong chattered nonstop as she rode alongside Kwak Moon-Jung, but not a single merchant or escort showed any annoyance. Her affection for Kwak Moon-Jung was plain, and her voice was so lovely that anyone could have listened to it forever without tiring.
The only ones put out by it were Nam Myeong and the Kongtong Sect martial artists. Since Kwak Moon-Jung had already taught them a harsh lesson, though, they could only glower in silence, unable to get a word out.
Kwak Moon-Jung smiled as he rode, untroubled by Ham So-Ryeong's affectionate advances.
Grandfather said that only that person is fit to be my teacher.
His smile didn't last long. The tragic sights along the road soon wiped it from his face. He saw young children wandering the streets, stripped of their homes and parents. He saw maimed people groaning in pain. He saw villages wiped clean off the map.
If Kwak Moon-Jung weren't here, I'd have dragged the boy to the Kongtong Sect by force.
The sights weighed heavily on his heart.
The burden of war always falls on the powerless.
Peaceful lives had been brutally shattered, homes and livelihoods erased entirely. The people who still lingered around the ruins, unable to abandon the places they had lost everything to protect, held no trace of life in their eyes.
"Listen to Oppa and stay safe."
Ham So-Ryeong's expression darkened as well. "I wish the war between the Silent Night and Heaven's Summit would end soon."
The war had dragged on for three years with no end in sight. The mental exhaustion weighing on the people was immense.
The sights weighed heavily on his heart.
The tragedy unfolding before him filled Kwak Moon-Jung with rage, but he forced it down. His spirit hadn't weakened. His patience had simply grown stronger.
Watching him closely, Ham So-Ryeong remarked, "Oppa, you've become a real man."
"Huh?" Kwak Moon-Jung looked at her, puzzled. Her face, even the nape of her neck, had flushed bright red. "Are you sick?"
"N-No."
"You don't have a fever, do you? Your face is red."
"I said I'm not!" Ham So-Ryeong snapped, whipping her head away.
Thinking she was angry, Kwak Moon-Jung scratched his head. He couldn't see why.
Kwak Moon-Jung smiled as he rode, untroubled by Ham So-Ryeong's affectionate advances.
Did I do something wrong?
He had no idea that Ham So-Ryeong was smiling after she turned her head away.
Idiot.
Watching him closely, Ham So-Ryeong remarked, "Oppa, you've become a real man."
The White Dragon Merchant Association's journey was uneventful, but they picked up some grim rumors along the way.
Kwak Moon-Jung sighed.
After they left, Fu County was completely sealed off. Two days later, the flames of war consumed it. The merchant groups that failed to escape in time paid a heavy price.
"See the request through, and let's meet again, Moon-Jung."
The Silent Night and Heaven's Summit were determined to settle the score in the Fu County region once and for all, drawing in forces from everywhere else. Because of that, the White Dragon Merchant Association kept crossing paths with martial artists heading toward Fu County.
Consequently, the White Dragon Merchant Association steered clear of the main roads favored by the martial artists. They did not want to risk encountering someone on edge and becoming embroiled in an unforeseen conflict.
Furthermore, with the world in chaos, tales of merchants being robbed by martial artists were common. The White Dragon Merchant Association's escorts had to stay on high alert to keep the merchants safe.
Nevertheless, the caravan continued pushing south, cutting short their rest and sleep. Nam Myeong and the other Kongtong Sect disciples looked unhappy, but Kwak Moon-Jung's presence silenced them.
As they neared Xi'an, Ham So-Ryeong pulled her horse up beside Kwak Moon-Jung. "Oppa."
"Young Miss?"
"We're almost at Xi'an now."
"So we are."
Disappointment filled Ham So-Ryeong's face, but Kwak Moon-Jung failed to notice.
Behind him, Han Seon-Woo shook his head. "You're as dense as a block of wood, aren't you?"
"What? Who is?" Kwak Moon-Jung asked.
"You are, Hyung."
"Me? Why?"
"But that'll delay the company's departure."
"Sigh!"
"You're following him without even knowing who your master is?"
Rather than answer, Han Seon-Woo only sighed. Despite his youth, even he could tell that Ham So-Ryeong had feelings for Kwak Moon-Jung. It was astonishing that anyone could be so dense, especially with her hovering around him every moment.
"I don't know yet either.
Watching Han Seon-Woo sigh, Ham So-Ryeong chuckled softly.
Just then, another rider pulled up at Kwak Moon-Jung's side. It was Gong Jin-Sung.
As they neared Xi'an, Ham So-Ryeong pulled her horse up beside Kwak Moon-Jung. "Oppa."
"Moon-Jung."
"Chief."
"I said I'm not!" Ham So-Ryeong snapped, whipping her head away.
"Now that we've nearly reached Xi'an, why don't you go on ahead to Huayin County, where the Mount Hua Sect is?"
"Pardon? But the request was only to escort them as far as Xi'an."
"This is your first request. If you're going to finish it, isn't it better to do it properly? Take them to the Mount Hua Sect."
"But that'll delay the company's departure."
"We'll set off first. You're heading that way anyway, aren't you?"
"Well, yes, but..."
Disciples of prestigious sects carried themselves in a certain way. It was a discipline and order not found in those who clawed their way up from the bottom of the jianghu.
"Just do it. Parting ways a little sooner isn't such a bad thing."
You're heading that way anyway, aren't you?"
"I understand. If that's your will, Chief..."
The more he talked with Kwak Moon-Jung, the more questions piled up.
In the end, Kwak Moon-Jung accepted Gong Jin-Sung's offer.
A wide smile spread across Ham So-Ryeong's face as she watched.
"Then let's part ways here," Gong Jin-Sung said.
"See the request through, and let's meet again, Moon-Jung."
"Understood. I'll come and see you again next time."
"Safe travels."
Grandfather said I'd know once I get there."
"Thank you. I'll pray for your safe return as well, Chief."
Just then, another rider pulled up at Kwak Moon-Jung's side. It was Gong Jin-Sung.
Gong Jin-Sung clapped Kwak Moon-Jung on the shoulder, then returned to his place.
"This chaotic age takes everything from people."