Work Text:
Chung Myung wakes up alone in his room with cold morning’s air to greet him. He blinked slowly, unusually feeling too lazy to get up. Today is another busy day. And it's just when he started to think he can loosen up for a bit, there will always be things he needs to do. Things only he can do.
But who is he? He is Chung Myung!
Even if the strongest swordsman is now in a teen body, there is nothing he can't do if he puts his mind to it. So Chung Myung forced himself to get up and prepared for the day. After all, there is a sect that can’t function a day without him.
“But, did I dream about something earlier?” Chung Myung thought to himself. “If I forgot, then it must mean that it isn't important.”
Despite him saying that, Chung Myung left his room without being able to forget the feeling of loss that somehow bothered him.
***
Mount Hua Divine Dragon.
Such a grand name for a teen who barely reached sixteen at the time. A name that declared the coming of a new genius. Even though the talk of his achievement got quieted down because there was no more news about him for two years, he made his name soar again after his confrontation with Wudang.
Nowadays, who doesn’t know the name of Chung Myung, the Mount Hua Divine Dragon? Only his appearance that’s still not well known except the fact that he is young. Though, that only opened more room for people to discuss and imagine the figure of the new hero.
“And the most popular rumor is, the Divine Dragon has a gentle figure, with eyes filled with passion for justice and charismatic aura to lead people. He is a strong martial artist, but very good in manners and speech.“
“Who the heck are they talking about?”
All of Mount Hua disciples feel chills just hearing about the absurd image those people have about their youngest.
A gentle figure? He is way too gentle that he only needs a single slap to make them unconscious.
Charismatic aura to lead people? More like a devil trainer with hellish training’s schedule (although they must admit it is half true, since Cung Myung has a charisma that drawn them to follow him)
Good at manners and speech? Those people must mistake it with his scamming skill!!
Hidden from the outside world, inside the peaceful Mount Hua, the young dragon is called with another name. The name only his fellow sect’s members would use and those who already have a chance to cross paths with him will understand.
Mount Hua Mad Dog.
A mad dog who bites and breaks the head of everyone who pissed him off. Someone who thinks that beating the shit out of people is a good idea to give them a lesson.
“No, he is more like a rabid dog.”
Recently, the disciples thought that way. Because since coming back from Yunan, their gentle and kind senior brothers, Yun Jong and Baek Cheon, seem starting to get more and more similar to Chung Myung. Both in way of thinking and training.
“The madness is infecting them” Jo Gul who watched how it came to this from the beginning can only say that to his fellow disciples without being able to escape himself.
Then again, should they be grateful that neither of their senior brothers also inherit the mad dog’s temper too? Because if not for that, there won’t be anyone left to calm him down if his temper is acting up. For example, in times like this one.
Everyone feels like walking on eggshells in front of Chung Myung who has a dark look since morning.
“Sasuk, what happened with him this time?” Yun Jong asked Baek Cheon with caution, afraid Chung Myung would pop up anytime.
“I don’t know either. He was still fine when we went to meet sect leader earlier.”
“What sect leader talked to you about?”
“Nothing much. He just praised us for our great work, about our trip to Yunan, and some plans on what we need to do, now all the disciples have received the Violet Heavenly Pill. Also, it seems sect leader will prepare a reward for us who have contributed the most in this chance.”
“Hmm…. It does look like nothing wrong with it.” Yun Jong nod his head as he thinking about any other possibilities.
“How about we observe the situation for the time being? It’s not like this is the first time he is being moody.” Baek Cheon pat Yun Jong’s shoulder to ease him. After all, he will be the one who deals with Chung Myung the most as the head of third disciples.
“Yeah, sounds like a plan.”
“Yup, nice plan Sasuk.”
A voice creeping them from behind. Yun Jong and Baek Cheon knew even without turning their backs that a demon is standing there.
“Are you done?”
We are done for!
They can feel Chung Myung smiling as they froze in place.
“Still here?”
“We’re going!!” Said both as they ran away before Chung Myung could say another word.
But as Baek Cheon suggested, the disciples take turns to observe Chung Myung’s behavior for the next several days. Chung Myung won’t say anything even if they asked, so this is the fastest way to understand what’s gotten into him. At the same time, this is their way to learn more about Chung Myung.
After a week worth of observation, they came up with a conclusion.
“He is like a dog.”
“Shut up if you don’t want to die.” Yun Jong warned Jo Gul harshly since there were not only once or two his word became a reason Chung Myung mopped the training ground with their face.
However, he must admit Jo Gul’s comment didn’t come out of nowhere. For the past week Chung Myung seems to be tailing their sect leader a bit more often than usual. Even when he watches them for training, sometimes he will run to the sect leader who is passing by to talk to him. Baek Sang who coincidentally is there once said that Chung Myung came to talk about their training progress in a simple report. Another time, he will just look from afar if the sect leader is still talking to the elder.
His temper switched back and forth, one second he looked so annoyed and ready to throw hand, and second later he would stay really quiet, somewhat looking upset about something. And although they couldn't believe their own eyes for this, in a really rare moment, Yu Iseol and Tang Soso claim that they had seen Chung Myung pouting when he came back after he greeted the sect leader.
“Is he perhaps, sulking?”
“Who? Chung Myung?” They almost want to laugh out loud at the thought alone.
But this situation started after his meeting with the sect leader and still continues for a week. At this point, they are more than halfway sure that the sect leader is related with Chung Myung’s odd behavior.
“This is just how I see it, but doesn’t he look like he wanted something from sect leader or it’s just me?” Surprisingly, almost all of them also have the same thought on this.
So Yun Jong decided to secretly ask their sect leader for opinion (more like he was the one who was forced to take the role). With help from the others, he successfully sneaked away in the middle of afternoon training and went to sect leader’s house.
Hyun Jong is standing under an old plum blossom tree, admiring the new buds that has bloomed beautifully and the gentleness it bring in the air. Yun Jong arrived just in time before he decided to go back inside.
“I greet the sect leader.” said Yun Jong bow politely .
“Yun Jong, does something matter? You don’t look good.” Hyun Jong said after seeing a nervous Yun Jong spoke with a low voice and keep looking at his back as if he was hiding from something.
“It’s not something big, sect leader. But if you allow me to, I need to ask something.”
“Ask anyway.”
“Did….., did you perhaps already told Chung Myung about the reward you want to give him?” Yu Jong asked the closest question he could think of, based on their assumption that Chung Myung wanted something from the sect leader but couldn't ask directly for it.
“Hmm? No. I have one in mind but I’m still thinking what else I can do for him. After all, compared to what he did for our sect, there is so little that left for me to give.” Hyun Jong smiles bitterly at his own words. And Yun jong knew very well how that felt. Because everyone in Mount Hua also thinks the same.
“I’m sure he can feel sect leader’s sincerity in whatever form of gift it will be.”
Chung Myung respect their sect leader a lot. After seeing how Chung Myung interacts with many different people on their trips, Yun Jong can see that their sect leader is the only one Chung Myung shows respect the most, and so openly at that. He does act polite on some occasions, but it will entirely depend on how he sees people.
Chung Myung always listens to their sect leader obediently, and that makes Hyun Jong naturally adores the youngest like his own grandchild.
“Thank you. But, I do feel like I’m missing something these days. We got very busy even after the pill completed with all this monitoring and controlling information from leak out.” Hyun Jong thought to himself. “I feels like I haven’t done something I usually did.”
“Something you usually did? Does that have anything to do with Chung Myung?”
“What has something to do with me?”
Yun Jong jolted at the familiar voice.
You should fix your habit of appearing out of nowhere!!
“Chung Myung.” Hyun Jong gestured to him to come closer.
“Greetings to the sect leader.” Chung Myung eyeing Yun Jong from beside before continuing without commenting on his question. “Is there anything you need from me, sect leader?”
“Ah, no. no nothing at all.” Hyun Jong smiled seeing Chung Myung’s face closer. When he is only standing like this, he looks just like any other kid his age. While the pair of his plum blossoms orb staring back clear and calm, his face is an image of youth, a teen who hasn’t yet reached twenty. He is a kid who is supposed to be given everything to grow healthy and happy, rather than work by sweat and blood for it.
Hyun Jong feel guilty, but also relieved to has him on his side.
“Chung Myung.”
“Yes, sect leader?”
“Is there something do you want from me? You know, as a reward.”
Chung Myung send a glare to Yun Jong, thinking he had said something unnecessary. Yun Jong can only avert his eyes, trying not to make eye contact. Hyun Jong chuckled at the interaction between the two.
Because there are so little things left for me to give. I want to give you that very little thing you need to stay happy.
“I don’t know how much more I can feel thankful to you. No matter how many times I think about it, I never feel enough.”
“I’m okay. sect leader. I’m doing it for Mount Hua.” he took a brief pause. “ My home.”
Chung Myung feels something rest on the top of his head. The weight of a palm is somehow nostalgic. Full of warmth and tenderness. An act of genuine affection that he misses from time to time. The comforting hand patted him gently, and Chung Myung closed his eyes to enjoy the motion.
“Thank you, for making Mount Hua as your home. Thank you, for protecting our home” Hyun Jong give a last pat on his head before retracting his hand. Chung Myung feel a bit upset that it didn’t last long but he quickly went back to his normal face.
“Remember, you are my pride and joy.”
Those words filled his chest with warmth all over.
**********
Chung Myung didn’t respond much after that. Even after Hyun Jong went back inside his house, or on his way back to the training ground with Yun Jong.
Yun Jong who watched everything from the start till the end feels like he finally sees another side of Chung Myung. It may be something trivial, but he feels a bit closer than before.
“To think you are upset because the sect leader hasn’t give you a headpat as often as before.”
Now that he thinks about it again, Yun Jong realizes that the sect leader always pat Chung Myung’s headpat every time they meet or talk. Chung Myung never refuses the gesture and more likely grown liking to it.
“Huh?? Is there something wrong with your head, sanghyung? ridiculous!”
Yu Jong can’t hold his laugh and ended up being hit once. But maybe because he is also embarrassed, Chung Myung let it slide without much protest. Yun Jong even upped their pace and walking right beside Chung Myung. His junior faced away from him, obviously hiding his face.
Pat pat
Yun Jong pet Chung Myung’s head teasingly. Chung Myung’s face turns bright red at that. He starts chasing Yun Jong who quickly runs with joyful laughter.
“Chung Myung!” Yun Jong stopped and shouted happily “You are my pride and joy too. And I’m sure it's the same for everyone.” Yun Jong’s kind smile stopped Chung Myung from landing his fist on his face.
“Stop it.” Chung Myung mumbled with an annoyed face.
ah, he really look like a dog
Of course Yun Jong didn't say that out loud. But imagine Chung Myung with a pair of dog's ear and wagging his tail in annoyance made him look a little bit cuter.
After a while he continued.
“Never do it in front of everyone.”
Yun Jong staring wide eyed-surprised by what he said. Then again, who is he to refuse the permission?
“I will keep that in mind.” He said as they walk side by side again.
****
“Chung Myung-ah… Chung Myung-ah, come here.”
“Yes Sanghyung!”
“Come here. Let me see your hand.”
Two little hands offered without protest. So small, yet, already full of scratches from all the training.
“Chung Myung-ah, please don’t grow up too quickly.”
“Eh? Why? I want to grow as big as sanghyung.”
“But I will miss your cute little hand after you grow up.”
The little boy tilted his head, then he took his senior’s hand on his head.
“But I like snaghyung’s hand because it’s big and warm.”
“....is that so? Then…” he put his hand on the top of the little boy’s head and start patting it gently. “I will pat you whenever you want.”
“Even after I’m grown up?”
“Even after you grow up.”
He pat the little boy dearly.
“After all, you will always be my pride and joy.”