Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There was a box on the table inside his room. Chung Myung stared at it for a long time, as if he didn't quite know what to do with it.

Actually, it contains a gift that he bought recently. But since he can't find the right time to give it to the right person, it was just here for almost a week now. Its presence was so odd that the one time his sajae came to visit him to tell him something, he gave a weird look to the box that hasn't left its spot. He thankfully didn't ask anything, though.

Today…he should be able to give it. Even if it will be a bit difficult, he will absolutely try when that guy comes by to visit him in the sect just as he always does.

He lets out a sigh.

Tap.

Tap.

Light footsteps echoed around the room as he drew closer to the box. With a hesitant hand, he reached out to finally take it. It was the first time that it left that table since he brought it to his room, so it almost felt like it was thrumming excitedly under his touch.

He shook his head and hid it underneath his martial arts uniform. There was now an awkward bump due to the box being there, but it wasn’t like there was anyone to question him even if they noticed. There was only one who will, and it’s not like it would matter much if he did point it out, since he was supposed to be the one to take it anyway.

He turned to open one of the drawers of his cabinet where a green ribbon rested. His touch lingered on it for a while, feeling the smoothness of the fabric. Subconsciously, he smiled.

“Well then,” Chung Myung mumbled to himself. “Let’s give that brat his thank-you gift.”

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

There was a common routine in Mount Hua that everyone has already gotten used to.

Usually, it is forbidden for disciples to go outside of the sect, more encouraged to focus on training than minding the business of those down the mountain. Only when they have mastered most of the techniques that they need to know would they be allowed to come down the mountain, but even then, this is only if they have a mission. There was no reason for them to come down the sect anyway. This is true even for the elders and the first-class disciples, who are busy managing the affairs of Mount Hua and training the younger generation at the same time.

There is one exception to that rule, though.

Chung Myung, who has always been a troublemaker since he was young, had been allowed to run off from the sect and down below since he was a second-class disciple. There was simply no one who could reign him in, and even his sahyung can only temporarily stop him from doing whatever he wants. This was also agreed upon by the elders, because apparently, he does more damage inside the sect than when he was outside, just drinking and eating meat to his heart’s content.

He never outgrew this habit of his, typically coming down even when he became an elder in the sect. However, since he was someone who naturally attracts trouble even without doing anything (although his sahyung refused to believe him sometimes when he claims so), it was natural that he would manage to find a fellow troublemaker who loves to stick with him every time he comes to visit Shaanxi.

“Dosa Hyung-nim! Dosa Hyung-nim!”

“Aigoo! About time, you brat!”

The routine that everyone was accustomed to by now, of course, happened to be opening the gates of Mount Hua once every month and immediately running away to take cover as the two most dangerous but admittedly dependable (???) people in the entirety of the Central Plains meet up with each other.

The Dark Saint’s presence was honestly quite terrifying, especially during the first few times he visited the mountain. It wasn’t intentional at all, but he naturally exudes this presence that could suffocate anyone who was standing in a close enough proximity to feel it. It only stopped when someone complained to Chung Mun about it, who in turn asked Chung Myung to tell their guest to tone it down because it was aggravating the disciples. After a firm hit on the head, the Dark Saint has tried to consciously lower his presence when coming by the sect.

Now completely oblivious to the disciples who were hurriedly trying to run away from them, Chung Myung turned around, steps purposeful as he headed to the sect leader’s residence. Tang Bo followed closely behind him, chattering about things that he came across with and discovered during the weeks that they haven’t seen each other.

It was as if the sect leader already anticipated the appearance of the duo. When the doors blasted open without warning, he just let out a tired sigh and lowered the cup that he was originally drinking.

The only positive thing about this is that Chung Myung deemed it appropriate to come in through the door instead of just appearing from the window as he would normally do. He doesn’t think he was quite ready to handle not one, but two brats tumbling inside his residence to talk to him.

“Jangmun Sahyung!” Chung Myung calls out proudly. “I will be coming down with this leech again for a bit!”

Tang Bo comes in after him, smiling politely at the sect leader when their eyes meet. Chung Mun only shakes his head and doesn't even bother saying anything like asking them not to cause too much trouble while they are down the mountain. He has just naturally accepted that this is how things are when it comes to them. Common sense just doesn’t work.

There wasn’t much that happened after that. The duo left as quickly as they appeared, and it felt like a storm had just passed. They didn’t even bother closing the door behind them.

Chung Jin peeked inside the room after a while, numerous martial tomes balanced in between his arms. He glanced at the door that was left ajar, then at the sect leader who was just staring mournfully at his plum blossom tea. Just those little things were enough to tell him of what had happened before he came.

“Should I restock on the stomach pills?” Chung Jin asked immediately, as if it was the most normal thing to ask. Except they’ve been dealing with this for so long that it really has become the normal for them.

Chung Mun rubbed his temples and mumbled a quick Taoist prayer under his breath. “Yes, thank you.”

He had a feeling that by the time that those two come back from whatever it was that they were going to do, the stock of pills that they have in the Medicine Hall just won’t be enough to keep him sane.

“It’s like looking after two brats…”

“It’s always been like that when it comes to sahyung, hasn’t it?” Chung Jin laughed helplessly, knowing there wasn’t much that he could do to help with the situation.

“He’s an elder now. I just thought maybe he’d have become a Taoist at this age…”

There was a pause. And another heavy sigh.

“What am I saying, I don’t think that guy would ever start acting like a Taoist no matter the age.”

“Let’s just give up thinking about it, Jangmun Sahyung.”

“You’re right…you’re right…”

Still, how is it possible that that crazy malko could find someone exactly like him, ah? It was like his headache was doubled—No, that was too great of an understatement. It felt like his pains were multiplied ten times ever since the Dark Saint walked into the gates of Mount Hua.

He looked back down at his cup, where a single petal was floating innocently on the water’s surface.

“I just hope they won’t cause too much of a problem this time….”

“...Sahyung, you shouldn’t have said that out loud. Isn’t it the same as jinxing yourself?”

“...”

“...”

“....Double the usual amount of pills, please.”

“Alright.”

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Even though they hang out every month, there is actually very little variation in what Chung Myung and Tang Bo does whenever they’re outside.

The usual thing they do is just drink together and eat or hunt down some Sapa that were trying to cause a mess in their territory. Or they would spar with each other and see how far they’ve progressed with their martial arts (but that case only applies to Tang Bo.) Sometimes, they would do all three, and by the time the sun had come down they’d say their farewells to each other.

That wasn’t always the case, though. It really just depends on whether Tang Bo was feeling special for the day.

Like today.

“What’s all this?” Chung Myung grumbled out loud as he followed his companion closely, going deeper inside the forest. Since it was already almost winter, the air was already a little chilly. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was a martial artist and could just circulate his qi to keep himself warm, he would’ve been shivering already before they could even go where it was that they were going.

Tang Bo glanced back at him, smiling slightly. There was a pack in his hand that he picked up from a store before they went all the way here. It’s been a while since they started walking around, but the swordsman still has no idea what was inside of it.

“Actually, Hyung-nim, this younger brother found a good spot where we can sit until nighttime.”

“This is all for that?” the other person’s voice rose slightly, a bit annoyed.

“Ah—Yah, I brought some drinks and snacks with me, so you won’t complain! Don’t be too angry!”

“Hmph.”

They were crossing some sort of mountain ledge that was wide enough to be deemed safe even if it wasn’t them who were walking there. It wasn’t anywhere part of Mount Hua as far as he was concerned, and they hadn’t gone close enough in Xi’an to have ended up in Zhongnan’s mountain. Somewhere from a distance, he can hear the sound of water rushing and falling from a height.

He looked at Tang Bo for a while, not needing to pay attention to where he was stepping.

“Bo-yah.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim?”

“What’s all this about? We could’ve just spent time inside a store like we always do.”

Tang Bo paused for a while, then glanced back at him. There was a mysterious smile on his face.

“Hyung-nim, don’t you know what day it is today?”

“Uh?”

He turned around for a bit to face the older person, looking serious.

“Actually, I’ve been waiting for it for a few days now, but strangely enough, it hasn't happened yet. So I waited for a bit, and my intuition just told me today was the day. That’s why I hurried to Mount Hua to pick up my Hyung-nim.”

“But what’s this about?”

“Ah, you’ll see in a while.”

Actually, Chung Myung has been mentally applauding himself the entire time that they were walking. Anyone who knew the Plum Blossom Sword Saint would’ve known that he wasn’t really known for his patience. So the fact that he hasn’t even hit this guy even once over the head for trying to act all mysterious the entire time was already a miracle in itself. He rolled his eyes and looked off to the general direction of Mount Hua.

Now sahyung can’t tell me that I’m too hasty.

He’s been complaining both inside his mind and out loud during the entire journey, just so that Tang brat was aware of how he was getting a little too impatient. He can distinctly feel the box inside his robes, still untouched and ungiven despite having been around Tang Bo for almost an hour now. It was also actually strange how he never said anything about the odd bump that was so obviously there by his chest.

The sound of the rushing water has also become considerably louder. Looking off to his left, he noticed a waterfall of multiple heights falling down to the lower levels and letting some of the droplets fly off everywhere. Thankfully, they were far enough to not get wet. If they were, he might’ve tried to strangle Tang Bo for taking him there.

“Almost there,” he hears from just up ahead of him.

Just as promised, they finally reached a flat area where Tang Bo was most likely trying to take him the entire time. It was a fairly quiet clearing, a circle of trees just around a large area. It has a good view of the waterfall and everything else that was around it. Everything about it just…reminded Chung Myung a little of the “Taoism” that his sahyung would usually lecture him about.

He turns his head to look at the younger person, unimpressed.

“So?”

Tang Bo pouted a little. “Come on, Hyung-nim. Don’t you find it a little impressive?”

“Isn’t this something I can see every day in Mount Hua anyway?”

“There are no waterfalls in Mount Hua,” Tang Bo feebly defended.

He lets out a scoff and crosses his arms. “It’s just some trees and water. We see this every day, what’s so special about it?”

Well, it was hopeless trying to explain this to someone like Chung Myung anyway. He doesn’t care about much unless it was about Mount Hua, his swordsmanship, trying to cause a headache for the Taesang Elders, eating meat, and consuming as much alcohol as a person physically can. Looking at nature like this probably wasn’t exactly the kind of thing that he would do in his free time, unless he was dragged along into it like what was happening in the present.

“Well, it’s a little quieter. I thought Dosa Hyung-nim would like a change in scenery once in a while.”

“....”

Honestly, he doesn’t have any strong opinions about it. But he doesn’t say anything else and just lets Tang Bo do what he wants. There are some days when he just feels like letting these happen. Anyway, if he tries to argue about it, they will end up physically fighting against each other, and it was already obvious who will come out as the winner of that fight. 

The Tang elder moves along with setting up the place where they will be hanging out. The pack that he brought with him seemed to contain everything that they would need for the day. There were multiple containers of food piled on top of each other, and two full bottles of wine squeezed in as well. He expertly laid down two cups for each of them and gestured at Chung Myung to find a comfortable spot after he was done.

The older person, on the other hand, only looked at him strangely as if wondering how he managed to fit all those things inside that pack.

He sits down. Finally, Tang Bo decided it was a good time to bring up the odd thing on his chest.

“Dosa Hyung-nim,” he calls out, settling down just next to him. He relaxed almost immediately when he settled down. “What did you bring?”

The other man tensed for the slightest bit. It was then that he realized that it was pointless trying to postpone the subject matter. Besides, it wasn’t like he was being discreet about it the entire time, not when it was almost peeking out from his robes.

He lets out a sigh and sticks out a hand inside his robes. Chung Myung takes out that box and sets it in front of them. The green robed man’s eyes drew towards it, brimming with a sense of curiosity.

It was definitely something that he doesn’t quite recognize.

“Oho? What’s this?”

He reached out a hand to take it. But before he could even touch it, his hand was slapped away by the other person just next to him.

“Take it later,” Chung Myung scolded, glaring slightly.

Tang Bo withdrew his hand, looking a bit wronged. “Later? Why not now?”

“Later.”

“Aigoo…you’re leaving me in suspense here!”

“Later.”

“Ei—Okay, Hyung-nim. Since you keep insisting, this Tang Bo will wait.”

It was only when that person moved his hand back, frowning slightly as he picked up his cup and moved to pour himself a drink, did Chung Myung relax as well and began to enjoy himself with the food that was brought along.

There was one good thing that he liked about hanging out with this brat from the Sega, and it was the fact that he always had unlimited money with him. Even when they first met and he had stolen his wallet as payment for the sudden spar he challenged him into, there was already so much money inside. There was no need for him to worry about using up his money that his sahyung was so reluctant to give him when he’s got someone else paying for everything anyway!

Click!

There was no need to say anything. Their hands just naturally moved at the same time, allowing their cups to meet each other in midair and letting out a sweet sound. In a swift gesture, they drank their first sip.

It was a rather calm hangout day for them. This time, it seems Tang Bo did not pour anything funny into their drinks to test its potency. The previous times he had done it, things had been a bit messy. He must be aiming for a normal day for the two of them, even if it was just this once. The conversation flowed naturally between the two of them. They talked about anything, everything that there was to talk about.

Even the silliest of things.

Naturally, Tang Bo did not pass up the chance to complain about his family.

“I'm telling you, Hyung-nim. Although you already came to beat some sense into them, some people just don't know how to understand.”

“Ah?” He looks over, cheeks a bit flushed from the alcohol. “Then, should I come again and whack their heads?”

“I don't think it does anything more at this point? Those old bastards are so difficult to talk to, it's like talking to a wall!”

“Mhm.”

“ And they're always using me as an excuse ah! ‘You’re the Dark Saint. Your existence is enough proof that our family is strong’—Aigoo! These yangbans live so comfortably they have no fear anymore!”

“Then, why not teach your brats?”

“Uh?”

Chung Myung yawned lazily, reaching out to get another round of drinks for himself. “Train the brats in your family? If you can't beat the old, hit the kids over the head and set them straight before—before they end up like those guys.”

The Tang Elder stared at him for a while as if he was realizing things for the first time in a while.

“...Yeah, Dosa Hyung-nim is right.”

“Pfft. Of course I am, brat.”

“ But that means I'd be doing something for those bastards…”

“Aiyaaah…what are you complaining about, ah? You have words to say for everything!”

“I'm not going to listen to those guys, Hyung-nim! They annoy me! If I do, they're never going to shut up anymore!”

“That's not my problem! Don't try to get me involved in it!”

“Hyung-nim! Your younger brother is having troubles, how can you turn your back on him, ah?”

“Tsk! If you're so worried, then just leave that family. Anyway, those Sega yangbans aren't good for anything.”

Tang Bo paused, looking a bit offended. “ I'm a Sega guy, though?”

“Isn't that why you're useless?”

“Ah! Dosa Hyung-nim, you're not gonna say that when I finally beat you in a spar.”

“Hm? Wanna test that out?”

“Haha…it was a joke! A joke!”

He hurriedly pours more alcohol into the half-empty cup, smiling nervously as he felt he just narrowly escaped another beating. Only when the other person accepted the drink did he lose his tension. Then, his face turns serious for a while.

“But it's not like I'd want to go even if I think about it.”

The sudden change in the atmosphere threw Chung Myung off-guard. He forgets about the urge to bonk the other person's head and mirrored the somber expression.

“Ah? Why not?”

“Would Hyung-nim have left Mount Hua if he was given the chance?”

“What kind of stupid question is that? Wanna get hit?”

“It was just so you can understand better! Let's talk calmly, calmly!”

“Tsk.”

Eyeing the Sword Saint for a while, Tang Bo sighs and continues, “It's just like that. The Tang Family gave a lot for me in the past when I was a kid. It wasn't the best , of course. But it was still…where I grew up.”

Chung Myung looked at him curiously.

“No, have you always been a sentimental person?”

“Uh? It must be the alcohol.”

“I don't think so.”

“Aigoo, Hyung-nim. Let me have this.”

“Hm.”

For Tang Bo, who didn't know much about the world in the past except for the Tang Family, who has spent half of his life being proud of being a member of that place, then it definitely wasn't easy imagining a life where he didn't grow up with them. It gave everything he needed. Martial arts, power, money…Even though everyone fears him, there was also still some respect there.

Most importantly, wasn't the fact that he was from the Tang Family, a place with all its ridiculous flaws and things that annoy him everyday, the reason why he was able to meet an amazing person as the Sword Saint himself one of the reasons why he cannot hate it too much?

The topic changed after a while. By the time they were done, the sun was already starting to sink.

At last, Chung Myung lets go of his cup. It was also by then that the food they brought with them already ran out. He stared at the empty containers for a bit, before his eyes moved back to the direction of the box that lay untouched in front of them.

It was as if Tang Bo, too, recognized that it was finally time for the thing he’s been curious about for a while now to finally have an answer. He followed the direction of where the swordsman was looking, and shifted in his seat in anticipation.

The older man reached out to take the item in his hands once more. There was the sound of something colliding inside, but it wasn’t anything that sounded familiar. 

Chung Myung hesitates for a while, before saying, “Bo-yah.”

Tang Bo straightens up slightly, paying close attention.

“Yes, Hyung-nim.”

“I told you I’d give you back your ribbon, right?”

Green eyes slowly moved to the side just next to the other person’s ear. From where he was situated, he can catch a glimpse of the emerald green ribbon that he gifted the other person about a week back, because he accidentally lost the usual ribbon that he would tie his hair with. Thankfully, he wasn’t asked why he kept a spare one with him for… emergencies. But the very first thing he did was offer it and claimed that it was a gift.

Naturally, Chung Myung thought he should return it after he gets a replacement. If it belongs to that guy, then it simply wasn’t right to keep it as he wants to.

Except Tang Bo firmly insisted that there was no need to give it back, saying that it would have more use if it was with his Hyung-nim. When his sahyung asked about the sudden green colors that he started wearing, he ended up telling the story of how he got it, which led to the other person suggesting that he give something back in return as thank you instead.

Tang Bo gives a slow nod, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tries to figure out what this was about. It can’t have been the same ribbon, because he can see that Chung Myung was still using it. So what about this one?

“Here,” the swordsman says, throwing it to him without much care. Hey this guy…he boxed it so carefully but this is how he delivers it?

Well, to be fair, this was Chung Myung.Giving anything delicately to someone seems like something he would only do if he was forced by the sect leader to do so.

The Tang elder easily caught the box and held it up to have a better look at it. Just the initial impression of the item made it seem like whatever is inside must be precious, because the box wasn’t just any average box. If he squints at the small, engraved details on the sides of it, there would be a faint feeling of familiarity that he would soon recognize to be because it seems like something that the artisans of his family would do.

He looks back up at Chung Myung, a bit amused.

“Dosa Hyung-nim, did you get A-Pyung to help you with the box?”

Said person scoffed. “He was the one who insisted.”

“So he did help.”

He made a mental note to himself to give his grand nephew something when he returns to the manor. Huh? When did the Sword Saint even make contact with that brat, though? He was pretty sure that if Chung Myung were ever to visit Sichuan, he would be one of the first people to know about it.

Well, no matter. It wasn’t really the point.

The Mount Hua elder was already looking away from him, trying to pretend like he was uninterested in what was happening in front of him. Tang Bo stared at him for a while and smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Dosa Hyung-nim.”

He sees a roll of the eyes.

“It was just for the ribbon.”

“Alright. Since Hyung-nim insists so.”

He finally moves a hand to open it and unveil what was inside. There was something in there that he least expected.

Firstly, there’s two items inside the box. The first one was a pink hairpin, a color similar to the one that Mount Hua would always use. There were small carved motifs that ran on the thicker end, looking similar to plum blossoms. However, it wouldn’t be noticeable unless one had a close view of the hairpin itself. He tilts his head and feels something warm in his chest at the sight of it.

The other one was also another hairpin, but was different from the first one. It looks rather expensive, like something that he probably wouldn’t use much unless he had to attend formal occasions. Whenever it is angled right, the light hits it wonderfully and allows a bright golden shimmer to glint back at him. The design at one end was a painted flower…a camellia, maybe? But what makes it different from the first one was that it seems like there are two pins that are connected with the flower.

Tang Bo blinked at it in confusion.

“Dosa Hyung-nim, did you get these by yourself?”

“Ah? Is this brat complaining?”

“No, I’m just a little curious.”

Chung Myung turned his head in his direction, looking a little suspicious of the question. Still, since he doesn’t really think there’s anything wrong with answering, he says, “I asked some of my samaes to help me.”

“Your samaes?”

“Yes. Why?”

Tang Bo saw them before. There’s not many women who stayed in Mount Hua as elders because the majority of them would come down the mountain either to marry off with someone, or to build a subsidiary sect where they can share some of the main branch’s teachings. So those that were left unfortunately ended up developing a personality that was fitting to deal with Chung Myung.

They were always looking at them from a distance whenever he visited the sect. It was as if they were always talking about something that the two involved men absolutely cannot hear about.

He smiles and decides to let the matter go. At first, he wondered why on earth would Chung Myung, of all people, knowingly give him this type of hairpin. He was already starting to wonder if he got it simply because it looked expensive, and if he was unaware of some implications that people would give this specific type of hair accessory. But hearing that there was an external force that…”helped” him with making a choice, he supposed the mystery was as good as solved.

“But I only gave one gift. How come Hyung-nim decides to give me two?”

Chung Myung looks at him as if he was asking questions to something that should already be obvious. He would wear that expression sometimes, so he actually wasn’t too bothered about it by now.

“When I asked my samaes, they picked that fancy hairpin.”

He points to the camellia hairpin with a frown on his face.

“But it looks too fancy. You probably won’t be able to wear it whenever, and those people will feel insulted if I just waved off their suggestion. So I bought another one instead and decided to give two.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

Tang Bo smiled to himself.

Yah, you malko bastard! You can’t just give these kinds of things and not care for the message behind them!

Still, there was definitely no way he was going to say he disliked it. In fact, just seeing Chung Myung wearing something with the color of the Tang Family made him feel a little giddy. Receiving something that was associated with the color of Mount Hua definitely made him feel twice as happy as he already was.

Chung Myung rests his arm behind him to support his figure as he leans back.

“So, why did you take us here?”

“Oh, that.”

Tang Bo looks around again. The sun has almost completely gone down during the long time he spent opening the gift. From the distance, he still hears the gushing of the waterfall not too far away from them.

It should be about time…

Aha.

There was a fleck of white that slowly drifted down in front of Chung Myung’s vision.

It was so quiet and small that if anyone hadn’t been paying attention to it, it would’ve gone unnoticed. Except it landed neatly just by the tip of his nose, and a cold sensation slowly spread from the contact point, before it was quickly chased away by the qi that was keeping his body warm the entire time.

Oh.

The first one was followed by another. And another. And another. And another.

It didn’t take long before a hundred—No, possibly more than that, of snowflakes fell as far as their eyes could see. Tang Bo closes the box and hides it inside his sleeves for a while, then turns around to look at the swordsman who watches everything with a blank face. He noticed the mild look of interest in his eyes as he glanced around the area. 

At last, he was looking at the surroundings.

It was the last view he can have of the fall before everything is engulfed by the snow.

The Tang elder spreads his arms out and smiles in delight.

“It’s the first snow of the year, Hyung-nim.”

Slowly, the plum blossom eyes moved away from the view, to fix to the other person that was standing in the snowfall in front of him. In truth, the entire thing doesn’t really hold much significance to him. He’s witnessed the first snows multiple times in Mount Hua in the past, either staring out from the window inside his sabu-nim’s house, or with his sahyung and Chung Jin. 

(Because of his personality, there’s very few disciples that asked him to come with them and play around in the snow. It was typically his sahyung who would take a break from his duties to build snowmen with him when he was a kid. 

Eventually, he became too old to bother getting excited about these things.)

“There’s nothing new about it, though?” He frowns, genuinely not understanding what the big deal about it was.

And since he was so serious about this, Tang Bo’s arms lowered slightly and a snort of amusement left his mouth.

“Well, that’s right as well.”

Tang Bo, too, barely had any time to be excited about the first snow. He was too busy with training when he was young, and when he had grown up, he was already developing the unsavory attitude that made everyone stay away from him.

In fact, he wouldn’t have entertained this idea if it wasn’t for Tang Jopyung excitedly chattering to him about how he can’t wait to play around in the snow.

He adopts a pitiful look. “Still, shouldn’t we see this together at least once in our life? If it’s happening anyway, then we might as well make it look a little more special, right?”

Chung Myung looked at him for a long time at first, but made no move to hit him.

“Bo-yah.”

“Yes?”

“Quit thinking useless things.”

The other person laughed in response, as if he found something worth smiling about in the response. He ended up packing up the things that they used during the time they spent waiting for the snow so they could leave without leaving a mess behind.

Still, Chung Myung didn’t tell him it was a complete waste of time.

He thinks he ends up triumphant either way.

Chapter Text

For the next few days, it seems like Tang Bo had been so happy about his gift that he spent almost a month bragging to everyone that he met about it. In the letter that Tang Jopyung sent to him, apparently, Tang Bo had worn the chai hairpin around the house for no reason, gushing about how it was given to him by the Sword Saint until the Gaju scolded him for being too enthusiastic about it.

Everyone inside the house had been twice as creeped about him than they usually were, since he was brighter and laughs to himself at the most random times. The kid thought it was funny, though. Based on what he wrote, he tried to encourage his grand uncle to talk about the hair accessory more. Chung Myung thought doing so must’ve raised him even more to that brat’s good side.

Still, he felt a bit curious about it. He went back to his samaes a few days after receiving the letter, brimming with some sort of excitement as he started to ask around about it. 

The eldest of the women, Oh Dahye covered her mouth the moment he voiced out his question to them. He was a bit surprised at first when he saw her, because from what he knew, she had gone away to get married with some random guy she met.

“What’s wrong, sahyung?” she says, eyes crinkling in amusement. From behind her, the younger women were exchanging glances and giggling to themselves. “Well, it was just a hairpin like you wanted to give.”

“No, why did that guy react like that if it was nothing important, then?” he asked, feeling a bit suspicious.

“Hasn’t the Dark Saint always been happy when it comes to things that sahyung gives him?”

“Uh?”

“It’s true, sahyung,” another one spoke up, looking like she was enjoying the situation. “I guess he really treasures his friendship with you, huh?”

“In fact, I didn’t think you would find someone who can match you so well,” the first one continues thoughtfully. There was another round of laughter from behind her. It was like they were sharing a joke that only they understood. Chung Myung felt some chills run down his arms as he saw them giggling around like that.

Yah…what’s this about?

He scowled. “Can you just stop playing around?”

“Ah? Of all people, sahyung’s the one to tell us this!”

“I didn’t think I’d see this day! Hurry, we have to tell our sagos and sajos!”

He smiles at them, his hand suddenly resting on the sheath of his sword.

“It’s a little annoying?”

“Ack!! Sahyung, let’s live like humans! Humans!”

“Oh, we will!”

“Haha! He’s really going to hit us!”

There were some screams, but none of them actually sounded scared. One slipped away to call for the sect leader in case things get a bit more difficult than usual. Meanwhile, Chung Myung’s blade met his martial sister’s, and it didn’t even take very long before he beat her in the sudden impromptu spar.

Unfortunately, this guy has always treated martial artists fairly, regardless of if they’re a man or a woman. Oh Dahye immediately knew she was screwed when her martial brother raised the scabbard of his plum blossom sword over his head.

“Sahyung! Sahyung! Do it in moderation!” she yells at him, covering her face.

“Ahh! He’s really gonna hit sajo!”

“I’m telling you! I’m telling you, so don’t hit sajo!”

The scabbard stops just a few centimeters from her face. Oh Dahye felt her life flash before her eyes for a few moments, cold sweat dripping down her temple. She smiled nervously at her senior.

However, Chung Myung wasn’t paying attention to her anymore, but to the youngest among the Chung generation. She looked really panicked a while ago, and the relief in her face made him think that she almost passed away if it wasn’t for him stopping at the last moment. In fact, almost all of them wore that same expression.

…No, why are they looking at him like he was about to commit murder? He wasn’t going to do anything too serious though…? Wasn't this how they usually interact?

“It’s just that we think the matching accessories are a bit cute!”

He falters when he hears that answer, staring back at them as if they’ve gone mad.

What matching accessories? Wait, no, what matters more is…

“Cute?”

He…wow. He hasn’t heard anyone else call him that since he was a kid. What’s these people doing calling an old man like him cute, ah?

“Besides, it’s not a matching pair of accessories,” he argued. “Tang Bo-yah gave the ribbon because I can’t use anything, but since he didn’t want it back, I gave something in exchange. It’s not even the same type or color?”

“Aigooo…Sahyung really doesn’t get it!”

“It’s okay, sahyung. You don’t have to think about it too much.”

At that moment, the door opened. A very familiar face walked in. Chung Myung froze as his sahyung looked at him with that helpless look on his face, then at their samae, who was still on the floor just looking back at them quietly.

He swore he heard a vein pop.

“Yah, you crazy brat, ah!” Chung Mun raised his hand and grabbed him by the ear. “What are you doing, hitting your pregnant samae, ah?!”

“Uh?”

Uh?

Uhhhhhhhhhh?????

He stared dumbfoundedly at Oh Dahye who just smiled serenely back at him. He pointed a shaky finger, then winced as his sahyung tugs harder at his ear.

“You’re pregnant?” he repeats in disbelief. Was that why everyone reacted strongly when he was about to hit her? “Ack—! Sahyung! It’s unfair! It’s really unfair! I didn’t know samae was pregnant!”

“It’s because you’re always playing around outside of the sect with Tang Bo! Have some conscience, you braaat!”

“Sahyung! I really didn’t knooow!”

Hey, it shouldn’t be his fault! 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

He gets punished for what happened. Of course, Chung Mun made sure to take into account that he genuinely didn’t know, so it was mostly because the first thing he did was try to hit his younger martial siblings. He escaped being locked into the Cave of Penance only because of this fact (not that it would affect him much, considering how used he was to staying there.)

Chung Myung ended up being stuck helping his samae take her stuff from the mountain and back down to where she and her husband had decided to settle down. He thought it was odd when he originally saw her in the sect, because he remembered that she left a while ago to get married. Now he knew that the reason for it was because she came to get some of the things she left behind and tell the good news to her samaes.

Oh Dahye looked amused as he carried multiple packs with him as they descended the mountain.

“Sahyung, are you annoyed?”

He turned his head away, not willing to answer. If he does, then word might come back to his sahyung and he gets hit again.

She giggled slightly as she saw this action. Although she is a single child, the way that Chung Myung was acting reminded her a little about some young children that she has interacted with since she came down from the sect.

In the end, even though this person was now a senior in Mount Hua, he was still the youngest in their generation.

“Sahyung, thank you for your help,” she tries again. “Since it’s like this, you can ask me anything and I’ll answer honestly, okay?”

Chung Myung turns his head slightly to look at her from his peripheral vision. He adopts a look that must’ve been one of contemplation, before he lets out a sigh and properly turns to look at his samae.

“...It’s not really matching accessories, okay?”

His words sent the woman to a laughing fit. The swordsman’s face contorted into mild annoyance.

“Yah! Stop laughing at me!”

“Sahyung, why are you so pressed on that?” she wiped a tear away from the corner of her eyes. “You know me and everyone else were just teasing, right?”

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes. He was still bothered about why Tang Bo had been so happy about it, and their answer did not help at all, so he cannot help but think too much about it. For Chung Myung, it was a bit difficult to understand why someone would make such a big deal out of some hairpins.

His samae saw his confused thoughts and took pity on him.

“Sahyung, there are some people who are happy with receiving gifts from precious people.”

“Ah?”

“Yes. That’s because it's their ‘love language’. You see, people express their affection in different ways, and it's more varied than you might think. They also like to receive affection in specific ways. For your Tang Bo, it was your gift that made him really happy.”

“...That’s it?”

“Yes, that’s it.” She smiled at him, finding it cute how innocent this person is when it came to matters of the heart. Isn’t this guy a Mount Hua elder? Lived his life this long and still remained oblivious of these things…

Somehow, it was so endearing to think about, if she doesn't think too much about who she was talking to. People lately are always too hurried to find someone that they can fall in love with. It's rare to find someone who experiences love purely like he does.

“That reminds me, sahyung hasn’t met my husband yet, right?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll introduce you to him. I’m sure he would be happy to meet the Sword Saint.”

She was right. When they arrived, there was a guy whose age was starting to show, standing by the gate waiting for them. He raised an eyebrow when he saw his wife with an unfamiliar guy, but when Chung Myung was introduced, he stood frozen staring at him with a starstruck expression for a long time.

Said person, unbothered by that expression since he was used to it anyway, turned to his samae to ask where he was going to put all the things. She was more than happy to point everywhere and make him do some heavy lifting.

Chung Myung can’t even complain about it, because this was the punishment from his sahyung!

It was only when there were two more bags left did Oh Dahye’s husband finally snap out of it. He rushed over to grab the remaining items from Chung Myung’s hand, sweating a bit as if he had run a mile when in truth, he was here the entire time.

“I can do it! Please take a rest, Sword Saint-nim!”

“...”

He vanished into one of the rooms as soon as he appeared. The swordsman stared in disbelief for a while, then slowly turned to Oh Dahye who was laughing to herself and looking at the doorway where that guy vanished off to with a fond look in her eyes and something else that he was…unfamiliar with.

She caught him looking and smiled back at him. “Sahyung, are you staying long enough for lunch?”

“...Me?”

“Who else?”

He gives her a strange look.

Although they were from the same generation, Chung Myung wasn’t close enough with anyone apart from Chung Jin and Chung Mun. So it was strange for her to suddenly invite him for lunch.

Besides, he hasn’t seen her since she went down the mountain to go with her now-husband.

“Is it too much to ask for? I think my husband will be happy to have the Sword Saint having lunch with us.”

Ah, so that’s the reason why.

She was probably asking this of him so that she can make her husband’s day. Finally being able to conclude that, Chung Myung nodded to himself and ended up agreeing with what she was asking for. Her husband returned not too long ago, staring at him again like he was surreal before Oh Dahye snapped him out of it.

The swordsman headed outside after a while when they started being lovey-dovey with each other. He felt a bit awkward being stuck in the same room as a married couple who kept whispering sweet stuff to each other and looking at their partner with impossibly soft looks in their eyes.

He has never seen Oh Dahye with that expression. He would say he was happy for her, but he would much rather prefer it if they could keep in mind that there are other people in the same room as them. For the sake of his sanity.

The house that his samae chose was actually not very far from Mount Hua. It was skirting around the edges of Hwa-Um, a bit quieter than if they chose the main street, which is something he expected since she never had large amounts of energy anyway. There were very few that had been around when he stepped out, and the few kids that were running around playing didn’t recognize him when they passed by.

Looking around for a while, he acknowledged that there was nowhere to actually sit, so Chung Myung ended up hopping up into a tree and settling down there.

He could go back anytime and continue drinking and sleeping, but…he already promised to his samae that he would stay for lunch. Besides, he’s never had home cooked food before, so it wouldn’t be bad to try some for once.

 His mind naturally drifts back to his earlier conversation with Oh Dahye.

Chung Myung reached behind him and stared at the green ribbon that he’s never failed to wear ever since it was given to him, wondering to himself if it could give him some form of answer.

There was no reason for him to think too much about it, but here he was. Thinking too much about what the girls told him when he asked. About what his samae answered him with while they were walking back.

When Tang Bo first appeared in his life, asking for a spar while looking like he rolled around the nearest forest, he thought it would just be another fleeting person, coming by and going as quickly as he appeared.

This…could it be that he’s become someone important enough to his life?

“Sahyung? Are you coming?”

Chung Myung looks down as he hears the familiar voice. It’s been a while since he was there, but he didn’t notice the time pass by. It seems like she had finished cooking lunch.

He jumped down noiselessly and glanced through the window where he could see his samae’s husband waiting by the kitchen. He squinted his eyes at that person, then looked back at Oh Dahye with a strange expression.

“Samae, why did you choose that guy?”

“Huh?”

“He’s a normal person who can’t defend himself. There’s probably someone from another sect or a Sega bastard who would be willing to marry you, and that person would grow old just as fast as you.”

He gestures to the still-youthful face of his samae, then to the other person who was starting to show some signs of age.

“And there will definitely be people who won’t bumble foolishly like he does.”

Oh Dahye stared at him for a while when he asked that question.

In the past, she thinks that she might’ve gotten mad at him and kicked him out of the house for asking such a question. After all, the person she wanted to marry was her business alone, and she won’t allow anyone to criticize her decisions.

But the conversation from earlier enlightened her on how little her sahyung actually knew outside martial arts.

She looked at him for a long time, as if trying to decide how to answer his question. She realized, for a moment, that this was probably the first time that her sahyung’s seemingly harsh words weren’t met with equally sharp responses but with a genuine answer.

She reaches up and pats the top of his head. It was a bit ridiculous because she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach him. Although she was young in appearance, she still looks older when next to this kid.

Chung Myung flinched at the sudden gesture, not expecting it. He opened his mouth to protest. But before he could, he heard her finally answer his question.

“It’s because I love him.”

“...Huh?”

“Besides, you would kick up a fuss if I married someone from the Sega. Don’t think too much about it, sahyung.” She laughs at his dumbfounded expression. “Maybe one day, you’ll come to understand.”

She turns around and returns to her husband who was waiting by the dining table. That person perked up and lit up when she approached, looking at her again with the same fond eyes that he’s been staring at her with the entire day.

Chung Myung swallowed slightly, feeling some sort of discomfort as he watched them. Still, he shook his head and followed after her, resolving to eat lunch with them just as he promised, and then leaving as soon as he was done.

He originally planned to go before they could notice, but Oh Dahye had sharp eyes as a disciple of Mount Hua. She called after him.

“Sahyung.”

Chung Myung paused just before he was about to go, barely glancing back.

“Be safe, okay?”

“...Congratulations for the baby, samae.”

There was the soft sound of laughter from behind him. “Thank you, even though you tried to hit me.”

“What?!” Her husband turned to look at her, eyes wide in shock.

“I didn’t know!”

“Alright, alright!”

He left quickly after the brief interaction. There was still that stuffy feeling in his chest that made sure that he was going to return to Mount Hua as quickly as possible. Inside Chung Myung’s mind, he was already planning to run straight to the sect leader’s residence and complain about the entire thing and what he was forced to do.

His figure was a blur as he practically blasted the gates of Mount Hua open and charged straight to where he knew Chung Mun was. He left a trail of dust in his wake that made the disciples stare blankly for a while, before shrugging their shoulders and rationalizing what happened by deciding he must’ve returned to the sect.

“Sahyung! Sahyuuuuuung!”

Chung Mun, who heard the shouting from a mile away, just sighed and lowered the papers that he was looking over just in time for the door to slam open loudly. The Sword Saint jumps right inside and went straight for the sect leader, slamming his hands on the desk and sending some papers flying.

From another table, Chung Jin eyes the flying papers with a nasty eye. That will be a pain to rearrange later.

“Chung Myung-ah, how was the trip down?”

“Horrible! I had to carry everything!”

“That was because you almost hit your samae. You can’t always resort to violence, this kid ah…How old are you to keep hitting everyone?”

He crossed his arms but was unable to do anything. What can he do? It’s always fastest to solve problems if he starts drawing his sword. It’s easier to get answers that way too.

Seeing the unrepentant look on his sajae’s face, Chung Mun turned his head to the ceiling and mentally mourned.

I definitely raised this one wrong.

“Anyway, it’s good that you came back quickly.”

Chung Myung tilted his head, confused. When he wears that expression, he always looks innocent and decent. The sect leader, who no longer falls for those kinds of tricks, continued with what he was originally going to say.

It just so happened that this person, despite having a remarkable personality, was also one of the most dependable when it came to things like these.

He took the letter that he had been reading before this guy came in and showed it to the Sword Saint.

“Read this.”

“Huh?”

Confused, Chung Myung took the letter in his hand and looked over it briefly, forgetting what he was complaining about at the same time. Seems like it was sent by the Beggars’ Union. It detailed a report about a strange sighting of a small group roaming around and causing a headache for the residents by saying some weird things that made them uncomfortable.

He lowers the letter and looks at the sect leader again.

“Sounds like some Sapa trying to cause problems. Should I go hit them to set them straight?”

“Hm…” Chung Mun looked at the contents of the letter for a bit more before setting it down the table. “It’s the third report now. Hopefully, the local sects will clear them out soon.”

“Ei, it’s just some annoying guys trying to get their name out. Why are you worrying so much, sahyung?”

Chung Jin also said the same thing, and the majority of those in the murim alliance thought the same. That’s why they were letting the minor sects deal with it.

Maybe this time his gut was wrong. It won’t be the first time it was, and it also wasn’t the first time that reports about local problems get sent to them multiple times. He might be overthinking a little because this brat in front of him was trying to cause more trouble than usual.

He shook his head and forgot about it. It shouldn’t be anything too important. He hears his two sajaes start talking to each other, their voices rising slightly as the conversation turns into a lighthearted bantering.

…Maybe he should still send Chung Myung in case. To be safe.

Chapter Text

It was a little noisy in the sect again today. Naturally, the reason is because the Dark Saint came to visit for the second time this month.

Tang Bo stood in front of the sect leader, pulling out something from his sleeves and throwing them. It all landed perfectly on the table, lined up neatly and properly that it was almost impressive. There’s about four pouches tightly sealed.

Chung Mun did not look amused at all, just remained sitting from where he was with his arms crossed. He didn’t even have to say anything before Chung Jin was already moving closer, opening the nearest pouch to check what was inside. He squinted when the tie was undone.

The inside was full of so many gold coins that it was almost overflowing. Any beggar that might’ve seen it would probably go blind should they lay their eyes on it. Not to mention, that was one out of the four pouches that he bought!

However, the two Mount Hua disciples remained unmoved. As expected of the members of a Taoist sect! They do not waver in the face of material possessions!

“Jangmun-in!” Tang Bo declares, bowing his head to display utmost respect. He was completely undaunted despite the lackluster reaction to what he bought with him. “I’ve come to get your permission to date my Hyung-nim!”

“Get out.”

“But—”

“You think this is enough to take my sajae from the sect?” Chung Mun smiled at him, looking eerily calm despite the dangerous pressure that he exuded. At that moment, he was displaying exactly why he was the Virtuous Sword of Mount Hua, and the rightful sect leader. “My, my. The Tang Family sure has been doing well lately, for them to think they can just take one of us if they pay enough money.”

Tang Bo shook his head.

“You’re wrong, Jangmun-in.”

“Uh?”

“I’m not buying him off. That’s the advance dowry.”

“...”

Chung Mun lets out a hollow laugh.

“You…”

Tang Bo smiles smugly, knowing that this time, he absolutely definitely has the upperhand now. But what he failed to see was Chung Jin shaking his head as he retreated to a far corner, as if he was trying to get away from the scene of the crime as fast as possible.

Suddenly, the sect leader stood up from his seat and drew his sword. It all happened in a flash that for the briefest moment, Tang Bo saw the image of his Dosa Hyung-nim overlapping with the person who was actually standing in front of him.

“Then, you came here with nothing?”

A cold sweat ran down from his temple.

Hey…didn’t they say that Mount Hua’s sect leader has incredible patience that he could keep his cool regardless of how many dirty tricks were thrown his way? How…how come that person was looking at him now like he wanted to end Tang Bo then and there?

“That–That’s not—”

“Then, you came here thinking words are enough to ask for our sajae?”

“...Jangmun-in…”

“First,” Chung Mun coldly continued, eyes glinting as he got into a posture. At that moment, Tang Bo understood just where that crazy malko got some of his habits from. “Let me correct that arrogant thinking of yours.”

Chung Jin, who smartly slipped outside of the sect leader’s residence as soon as he felt that something bad was going to happen, only returned when he was sure that things were already clear. He was fully confident that despite the scene he saw before leaving, there was no real physical danger that would befall the Dark Saint. The keyword in that was ‘physical’.

True to his thoughts, when he opened the door, there was Tang Bo sitting on the chair with a defeated expression on his face but not a single scratch on his skin. He was probably yelled at and threatened.

It was actually a little funny. Since it was this person who came to ask first, then Chung Mun made sure to give the talk even before their sajae knew about the situation. But if it was Chung Myung who brought up the situation first, then it was likely that he would have no problems with it and just wish the best for his sajae. That was how much he actually cared for their troublemaker.

The only problem here was that it was Tang Bo. Even if he asks earlier or later, he will get threatened regardless. It was about who the sect leader was talking to.

The room was silent even as he walked around the area to prepare tea. Chung Mun was back to sitting on his spot and quietly watching the Tang Elder with narrowed eyes, while Tang Bo did not dare raise his head and just remained quiet from where he was. He was a bit scared that if he does challenge them, then he might lose his chances altogether.

Aigoo, Hyung-nim! Why is it that you have to listen to your sahyung and sajae so well! Ack!! It’s so difficult!

He fears that if those two told Chung Myung to quit hanging out with him, then that person might sulk and complain for a few days, but he would end up listening to them anyway.

There was just the sound of footsteps and boiling water for a while. Then, Chung Jin returned to where they were, setting down a cup in front of the two, then pulling back a seat next to his sahyung to sit as well with his own cup of tea.

“Now then,” he says, suddenly taking control of the conversation. “Since everyone is calm now, we can talk well.”

Tang Bo looks up, recognizing that Chung Jin’s presence was finally his chance.

But that person looked back at him with the same judging look that the sect leader stared at him with. Uh? Yah, Dosa Hyung-nim! Why is it that I feel like everyone in your sect currently hates me? I didn’t do anything wrong, though?

Unfortunately, Chung Myung wasn’t there to answer.

“...”

“You have to prove you’re worthy of it, right?” Chung Jin smiles at him. “Being my sahyung’s partner, I mean.”

No, this is crazy! Why do those three smile the same way!? Just the sight of it was sending shivers down his spine!

It was an instinctive response for him to bury one of his hands inside his robes in preparation for a fight. That’s the same face Chung Myung would wear whenever he was having fun with their sparring sessions, which tells him that there will be a world of pain waiting for him.

But instead, he remained sitting, looking with determination.

“Of course.”

“Good.”

…Maybe he should’ve reconsidered his extremely fast agreement just for a little bit, though.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tang Bo spent the entire day in Mount Hua running around doing ridiculous errands.

Even some things that the third-class disciples do, he was made to do. It seems like from the elders to the second-class disciples, they were briefed about his predicament. They happily made him do the most random of things whenever they saw that he was doing nothing.

No, this is crazy! Where else can you find an entire sect ordering the Dark Saint around?

He was even asked to come down the mountain to bring welcoming gifts for Oh Dahye from her martial siblings. She asked why he, of all people, came knocking on her door. He debated whether to tell her at first, but after thinking a little too long about it, it seems like she already picked up on the situation and understood why he looked like he'd been going around so much.

Oh Dahye took a closer look at him then and narrowed her eyes.

“So it’s really you, huh?”

Her husband seemed so amazed to have both outstanding people visiting his house in the span of a week, and he was the only reason why she stopped scrutinizing him. Instead, Oh Dahye turned around, waving her hand dismissively and saying, “Well, whatever. It’s sahyung’s decision anyway.”

And then when he came back and asked why he hadn't seen his Dosa Hyung-nim since he came, they finally told him that Chung Myung hadn’t been in the sect that entire time.

Chung Myung hasn’t stopped laughing at him since, excluding the fact that he was there for the sole purpose of getting their permission to go out with him. He thinks that Tang Bo went through all those things to hang out with him.

“It’s really not that funny!” Tang Bo complains, huffing and crossing his arms. “I spent an entire day being told to do things! It was so annoying!”

The other person tried to catch his breath for a while, but he couldn’t help the smirk that was on his face as he looked at the green-robed man. “They made you do Mount Hua’s chores.”

“Eurk…don’t remind me, Hyung-nim….That damned sect leader ah….Virtuous, my ass…Ptoey!”

The swordsman paused and suddenly narrowed his eyes. “Yah, I think I heard wrong? Did you just curse out my sahyung?”

“Ah? Hahaha…you might be hearing it wrong, Hyung-nim.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m sure! I’m so sure!”

Chung Myung looks like he still doesn’t trust his words, so Tang Bo hurriedly piled one piece of meat after the other onto his bowl. He looked down at it in satisfaction, forgetting his doubt as he used his chopsticks to eat it all immediately.

The Tang Elder lets out a sigh.

“Anyway, I don’t really know why we’re here. Why was Dosa Hyung-nim sent so far away from Mount Hua?”

“Ah? You came here, but you don’t know that?”

“I came hurriedly because I missed my Hyung-nim. Did you not miss your little brother?”

“Brat, you’re not being cute at all. Stop that.”

Tang Bo laughs at the response, but he fully expected it anyway. There was the sound of clinking, and the chopsticks were laid back on top of the bowl that was cleaned so quickly it was as if there was never food there to begin with. There was now a frown on Chung Myung’s face as he thought about the question.

“Jangmun Sahyung got a report from the beggars a few days ago.”

“Oh?”

Noticing that the situation is taking a more serious turn, Tang Bo wiped off the humor in his form in order to listen with a more serious mind.

“He made me read through it because he said he was feeling a little worried. They say it wasn’t the first time that kind of report came.”

“What is it about?”

“Some unknown bastards causing trouble in this area. The very few witnesses I found said they use odd martial arts. It’s not very similar to anything that the Sapas has done in the past.”

“An unknown technique?” Tang Bo wore a concerned look. “Also, if it’s about the strange reports from this area, I heard the Gaju talk about it too before I headed to Shaanxi. He asked me to take a look as well, but I ran away.”

Chung Myung looked at him in disbelief. “You ran away?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“...There’s important things to do in Mount Hua.”

Uh? How is asking to hang out with him important? In the first place, this guy just comes and goes whenever he wants anyway. Now that Chung Myung thought about it, why was he asking for his sahyung and sajae’s permission to do something they’ve always done with or without permission?

This kid gets stranger with each passing day…

“Then, are you going to help with the investigation this time?”

“Since that’s what Hyung-nim is doing now, then there’s no reason for me to not tag along.”

“Alright, do what you want.”

Chung Myung looks at him critically, suddenly falling silent. That gesture made Tang Bo confused, so he also shut his mouth and stared back at the swordsman with a nervous smile on his face.

“Hyung-nim?”

“Hm.” The other person, instead of answering him, just shook his head instead. “I guess you can be useful.”

“Ah? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Eat quickly and I will show you.”

The grave tone used by the Sword Saint made him understand that there was something else going on about the situation. Tang Bo’s expression hardened, and he quickly finished his food as he was told to do so. The two of them stood up at once, and Chung Myung, for once, decided to be the one to pay for their food. It was only when the owner rushed over their way to collect the money did they leave the place.

The town they were in was a bit busy by that time. It was odd to think, with how lively these people are, that there was trouble brewing somewhere in this area. Tang Bo carefully observes the passersby before they can get out of sight.

Chung Myung, noticing what he was doing, filled him in on what he knew so far.

“These people lack a sense of danger because they think the nearby sects would be enough to fix the problem. It wasn’t that they didn’t know, they are just deliberately ignoring it at the moment because of their sense of security.”

The other person chuckled when he heard that. “Well, I don’t think their nearby sect is doing as well as they think, if they’re sending help through the Beggars’ Union.”

“Idiot, don’t say that outloud. Do you want to suddenly cause panic?”

“Don’t worry, Hyung-nim. I made sure to speak loud enough for only the two of us to hear each other.”

He receives a roll of the eyes as a response.

They keep walking for a while, and none of the places they’ve passed look anything like there was a problem happening there. However, Tang Bo noticed that the area had less and less people the longer they kept walking. 

He frowned as he noticed that the observation he had not too long ago was slowly changing. It’s becoming quieter, and those that passed them by look more solemn compared to the more busy areas of this town.

“This is what I was saying,” Chung Myung mumbled when he noticed the look on Tang Bo’s face.

They stopped walking after a bit, just in front of a massive house. From where they were standing, he could see that the windows were left open to let some air in. There was barely anyone wandering around nearby, and there was a faint smell in the air that made him notice that there must be something wrong in here.

“Is this it?” he asked.

“Just part of it.”

It was the Mount Hua swordsman who went first, knocking on the door with some urgency. He was acting a bit different from the carefree person that he usually is outside of the current situation. Just that fact was enough to ring some alarms.

The door creaked open not too long after, and a woman peeked out. She had heavy bags under her eyes, and the way she blinked at them made it obvious that she probably hasn’t had a proper sleep for days now. She briefly recognized Chung Myung, but was confused when she found a new presence standing just behind him.

“That’s…”

“Someone from the Tang Family,” he answers.

Hearing those words, her eyes widened and she immediately opened the door wider to let them in. Chung Myung turned on his heel to look back at Tang Bo.

“Like this, you better not be useless.”

“Ei, Hyung-nim. Don’t say it so seriously,” he lightly protested. “Now I might feel a little pressured.”

“How can a Tang brat feel pressured? Haven’t you guys been boasting about your medical knowledge?”

Ah? So this was in that field, huh?

Tang Bo brightens up. He was a bit worried because he thought this is about martial arts, and there was nothing that he could possibly say if even his Hyung-nim was stumped on the situation. But if it was about medicine and sickness, then it made sense why he was brought here! Of all people, he was probably one of the best to bring in this place! Even if he focused more on blades, he did not neglect the other specialities of his clan.

They went inside and followed the woman deeper into the hallways of the house. It was a bit dark there, and he was already observing every nook and cranny, silently judging.

Were they taking care of a sick person in this shabby place? He supposed it was good that they were getting fresh air, as he recalls the open windows, but it was a little dreary that he thought.

They headed to the room furthest inside the house. It was the woman who brought them there who opened the door for them and allowed a good look of those inside.

“This…”

The first thing was the smell. The stench of blood and gunk was so prevalent that even they, who deal with weapons and poison on a daily basis, grimaced when it reached their noses. It smelled like it's been there for days, possibly weeks.

The people inside were no better. There were only three of them, and two seemed to be unconscious. The third watched them quietly but didn't dare move too much. There was a pool of blood right where he was sitting.

“Aigoo, you coughed out so much again!” The woman fretted, running over to that person immediately and checking his temperature.

Tang Bo’s eyes were glued on his forehead, where he can see something that he's never seen any disease do before.

“Red spots?”

Chung Myung nods.

“That's right. In fact, the other two had them as well. That woman said it's been days since they lost consciousness.”

“How did they get it?”

“From what I got, it seems like they got in contact with the strange people with odd martial arts. It took a few days for the first person to pass out with a nosebleed, but before that, they were already feeling weak.”

The symptoms don't really match with any other disease that he was aware of. His eyebrows scrunched together even more.

“Are they the only ones with this?”

“No.”

“Huh? Then, are there other sick people out there? They should've been isolated immediately since we don't know if it's contagious.”

“That's not it. There's only one other person.”

“Ah?”

“He passed away last night.”

The last statement wasn't spoken by the woman nor the swordsman, but by the person who hasn't stopped staring at them since they came in.

“Are you a doctor?”

Tang Bo turns his attention to him, lips pursed tightly. “That's right. You're saying the other person is dead?”

“That's—” The woman glances at the unconscious people in the room. “Don't say that.”

“No, it's the truth,” the other person says, shaking his head. “Soon, it will be those two. And then it will be me.”

It was a grim statement.

Tang Bo looked at him with distasteful eyes. He did not like the tone of this person's words. It was clear that he already gave up hopes of being cured. While the disease is currently unknown, this really wasn't the attitude to have when recovering from it.

He turns to Chung Myung. “Hyung-nim, I don't think I can help this guy.”

“Ah? You were boasting so much earlier and this is all you have to say? You didn't even do anything yet?”

“No, but that guy doesn't want it anyway! Look at his attitude!”

“What are you saying, ah? What kind of doctor gives up on a patient? Want me to hit you?!”

“Aiyahh, Hyung-nim! I understand, so let's just calm down now!”

He turns back to the other person, glowering quietly. He was probably not supposed to threaten a patient, but really, he's got no obligation to help anyway, if not for the presence of his Hyung-nim. And for the fact that this situation probably has something to do with the problem that everyone was talking about for the past few weeks.

He sighs and moves closer, flicking his sleeves back to kneel down and begrudgingly check that person's wrist. In his mind, he was already making mental notes of everything that must be remembered for when they inevitably make a report about what they found here.

Chung Myung turned around and left the room to survey the area, most likely to look for more clues, if there are any. Maybe if they were lucky, they would find the source of this problem.

Hopefully, it won't turn into something more serious.

Chapter Text

It’s been a little difficult lately.

It’s been difficult to get a full night’s sleep. It’s also been a while since he’s had a very filling meal. In fact, he barely had more than a few hours of resting time at most before being called away to fight on the battlefield once more.

To anyone else, it must’ve seemed really impressive. After all, the majority of those who were fighting alongside them had to take some time to step back and switch with someone else so they could recover some of their strength. But Chung Myung…well, he doesn’t really have the luxury for that.

There’s just too many of them who were looking up to him. Too many who had been…depending on him to cut open the path where they can charge in and fight.

It’s been three months since the war with the Magyo officially started. And still, nobody is seeing an end to the war yet.

Sogok!

Sogok!

The blood splashed across his face. Chung Myung jerked his head a few inches back, narrowly avoiding a sharp claw that tried to swipe at his face. With one swift movement, he used the edge of his sword to finally end the life of the demonic practitioner that takes a while to die.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. They’re like cockroaches, so difficult to kill.

He hears shouting from a distance, but it doesn’t sound anything bad. Concentrating slightly, he can make out the words, “They’re retreating!”

It was true. The remaining group of Magyo were running away from the group that were opposing them. Chung Myung narrowed his eyes at the sight of those cowardly backs slowly making distance between their two groups. Then, raising his sword, he used his qinggong to immediately catch up to them, leaving a thick trail of dust from where he had passed by.

He’d rather bite his tongue off and die first than allow these bastards to come back alive!

Three knives whizzed past him, glowing with a faint shine of green spiritual energy. It was perfectly angled to hit the enemy but completely miss him. He paid no attention to this and kept going as if it was part of him, even using the next passing knife as a jump spring to get a boost up.

He lands on top of the nearest Magyo. With a deadly glint in his eyes, his sword swung into an arc, radiating a brilliant red light. Vibrant plum blossoms bloomed from its path, immediately filling the world with its colors. It blended in perfectly with the blood that was flying all around, so much that it was almost impossible to tell which ones are the flowers and which ones aren’t.

There were some loud grunting and yelling around him. He sees them turn around to try to stop him from ending them all. Instead, Chung Myung raised his head and grinned at them, lacking the necessary humor in the expression. He looks more like he’d been baring his teeth, bloodstained and looking like the reaper that has crawled out from the underworld to drag them all back down with him.

There was something distinct amongst all the shouting, though. A familiar voice, one that was missing the usual tease and tears that he would always wear in more casual times, cursing at him so heavily that even his Jangmun Sahyung would’ve come to wash his mouth with soap.

“You absolute madman! Hyung-nim!”

Barely glancing back since he was now aware that Tang Bo was just behind him, he tossed his own body straight into the heart of the group, leaving behind a storm behind his wake. The sweet smell of plum blossoms wafted through the air, displaying a scene that almost felt like it was from a fantasy. The petals cut through skin and shredded the Magyo, effectively cutting off their breaths.

One by one, they began to drop like flies.

The martial artists behind them, who were all about to collapse on the ground from exhaustion not too long ago, rushed to try to support them, yelling out a ridiculous battle cry that no one can fault them for anyway. Tired arms swung their swords and harnessed internal energy.

“Support the Twin Saints as much as possible!”

“These idiots!” Tang Bo glared at them for a bit, gnashing his teeth as he had to redirect his knives to a different direction before it hit one of them. These guys, wouldn’t it have been easier if they just stayed back and let them handle this!?

As if he was completely unaffected, Chung Myung kept cutting forward with his sword, eyes completely locked on to the person at the front of the group. Anyone who tries to approach him with malicious intent ends up falling, either due to a hidden weapon, or poison.

Just a few more…

Finally, his sword reached the Magyo that was leading the entire group.

His eyes narrowed distastefully. He kicked his feet and twisted his body, performing a series of movements mid-air to effectively end the leader in a split second.

His feet landed noiselessly on a steady surface soon after. He takes a breath, not paying attention to the body that fell with a thump just next to him as he shook off the blood from his sword.

As soon as the leader was gone, it didn’t take long for the battlefield to cool down. The fight ended with multiple bodies on the ground, and the sound of martial artists finally falling on their backs in relief, because it was over now.

Shiiiing.

Chung Myung sheaths his sword back just as a presence comes up to him. The only warning he got was the sight of green robes moving around in his peripheral vision, before he felt his arm get grabbed harshly and turned around to face an annoyed Tang Bo.

Eyes insistently ran throughout his body, from the top of his head to his toes. Tang Bo’s face was riddled with worry which only became worse and worse the more he saw cuts and wounds all over his figure.

“Dosa Hyung-nim,” he says in a warning tone. “You can’t keep throwing yourself into battle like that again.”

An unpleasant expression appeared on Chung Myung’s features. He clicked his tongue and tried to move away, but he was grabbed again and forced to stay still.

“I will stab you with my needles if you leave.”

“Tang Bo-yah, let me go,” he argued. “I have to come back to sahyung.”

“You will come back after I treat you.”

“This is nothing.”

Because of that comment, the other person decided to press painfully into one terrible-looking laceration on his forearm. He winced and gritted his teeth, glaring at the green-robed man.

“Nothing, ah?” Tang Bo scoffs as he takes note of the reaction. He really didn’t like it when he had to do that just to get his Hyung-nim to stay still, but he was so stubborn that the only way to force some sense into his head was by beating it into him.

Chung Myung looked as if he would rather be anywhere but there. Still, he rolled his eyes and just resigned to his fate.

“Do it quickly.”

“I wouldn’t even have to do this if you are more careful when fighting,” Tang Bo mumbled as he took some first aid from inside his sleeves.

The swordsman wrinkles his nose in disapproval.

“If I was more careful, the fight would’ve lasted longer than it did and those pathetic bastards would’ve lost their fights.”

Not liking hearing his patient talk back, he purposely pressed a little harder on the injury he was treating. Chung Myung hisses at him for that, looking like he was debating whether he should bite Tang Bo’s head off or not.

Those around them were also slowly starting to get up to get treatment. Some beggars came by one in a while, gathering the information that they needed to bring back to their leader.

There was one that tried to approach the two of them at some point, but he saw how the Sword Saint glowered at the person treating him as if he was going to draw his sword again and kill him, while the Dark Saint glared with as much defiance like he was going to pour poison down the untreated wounds. Naturally, the only thing that anyone with some sense would do is to run away.

The tension between them was so thick that it could’ve been cut with a knife. During the entire process of being given first aid, neither of the two spoke to each other.

It was only when Tang Bo was done did the swordsman retreat to himself again, mumbling something about reporting the result of the battle to his sahyung, and then leaving without any other word.

With a heavy sigh, Tang Bo followed him.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

There are people in the meeting room who shouldn’t have been there in the first place. It’s not due to the lack of qualifications, but more so because these bastards are nothing but a bunch of fools parading around pretending to lead when all they actually did was hide behind the disciples that they’ve been using as meat shields.

Just hearing them talk around the table has been pissing Chung Myung off for a while now. But he had to remain quiet, because his sect leader has been sending him warning looks to hold his tongue ever since he felt his growing impatience.

It was ridiculous. If only these people didn’t ignore the first few signs that was being reported when the Magyo first started moving, then things wouldn’t have been as dire as it already is.

The gaju of the Peng Family snorted at something that was said.

“No, what’s the big deal? Didn’t the Sword Saint already push them back? What are you all being scared about?”

“Now, wait a minute,” Chung Mun frowned, not liking how that person was making it sound like. “You—”

“Just send him everywhere those guys are, then things will be fine, won’t it? After all, isn’t he the best in the wor…”

His words trailed off as a heavy feeling crept over the room. It sent goosebumps rising from their necks and effectively shutting their mouths. That feeling…it was as if someone had creeped up behind them and started choking them with the full intention of killing.

Eyes turned to the direction of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, who was looking at the Peng Family’s Gaju with an eerie glare. Although he wasn’t moving or saying anything, it was obvious from his killing intent what he wanted to do.

Shaolin’s Abbot cleared his throat uncomfortably, putting both of his hands together and mumbling a quick prayer. “Amitabha Buddha, please calm yourself, Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”

He was directly addressed, and a quick look was sent to his sect leader. It was as if saying that, This is why this person shouldn’t be present during this meeting.

Of course, Chung Myung was only there because no one actually had the confidence to chase him away. Not when his face was still covered with the blood of the Magyo that he killed, glaring at them as if he was seconds away from decapitating their heads as well.

Chung Mun expected this behavior towards his sajae already, and he could do nothing but sigh tiredly.

“Chung Myung-ah, stop it.”

Said person only gave a slow blink in acknowledgement, but didn’t take his eyes away from the Gaju, nor did he take back that killing intent.

“Sajae.”

“Tsk.”

After that small noise, the pressure vanished like a lie, and everyone was able to breathe normally again.

Still, everyone was still looking at him warily. The expressions on their face made Mount Hua’s sect leader realize that there was no way they could settle much of everything if everyone was acting hostile to each other. Not especially if it was towards his sajae, arguably the biggest power they have to fight against the enemy.

It was a bit uncomfortable to do so, but he swallowed down the guilt and turned his head to the other Mount Hua elder.

“Chung Myung-ah, step outside for a while and take a breath.”

Chung Myung turned his eyes to him, scowling.

“But Jangmun Sahyung—”

“Just for a bit.”

He seemed greatly displeased about the order, but there was no way that he could reject his sahyung in front of the other leaders of multiple sects. He gave one last warning look at everyone in the room, before turning around to leave the place without another word.

The way he refused to talk back to the sect leader in times like this was one of the reasons why most of those inside the room thought the same thing.

He really is like Mount Hua’s attack dog, one who only listens to the guy who raised him.

Of course, he would undoubtedly get angry if those thoughts were said out loud, and his sect leader probably won’t do anything to stop him this time. It was difficult to say personal thoughts in a war situation, because it might cause a rift between the relationships of the alliance because it might end up putting them in danger in the future.

Chung Myung heads outside of the meeting room, steps heavy as he goes. There was a bad expression on his face that made sure that everyone who came across him would steer clear of the path that he was taking.

There was only one person who did not turn away when he saw the Sword Saint approaching.

Tang Bo lowered the pipe that he was smoking the entire time, looking like he was waiting by the entrance for him to come this entire time. His eyes gave a quick sweep over to see what information he could get from the initial impression, and found nothing but the obviously foul mood.

No surprises there. Chung Myung always hated those pretentious yangbans.

“Dosa Hyung-nim.”

Chung Myung looks up as he hears the familiar voice.

There was a time in the past when the smell of herbs and smoke would make him wrinkle his nose and yell at this brat, since it was such an unpleasant smell. But over time, he got so used to it that he actually felt a little better when it reached his nose.

There was no need to say much when Tang Bo moved up to walk next to him. He immediately resumed checking if any of his previous injuries had opened up, forcing him to sit on the nearest place where they could pause to do so.

The Sword Saint, who doesn’t really want to think too deeply about unpleasant things, instead steered the conversation to a different direction.

“But why were you waiting outside?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Hyung-nim,” Tang Bo scolded him, flicking his bicep despite knowing nothing would really happen if he did so. “My patient ran off to report, of course I would be waiting for him to come back. I promised to use my needles on you if you ran away again, remember?”

Chung Myung gave him an unamused look. “Is this the time for that?”

“Are you joking? Hyung-nim may be a strong fighter, but you’re not invincible. Get that thought inside your stubborn head.”

“...”

“Yah! Come on, tell me you know what I’m saying!”

“You’re ridiculous.”

Tang Bo scoffed since he didn’t hear the answer that he wanted to hear.

“Dosa Hyung-nim.”

“What?”

“You know those guys are bastards, right?”

Chung Myung rolls his eyes at that. “Of course they are. Only a blind man won’t be able to tell. No, even a blind man would know, except for those hypocrites.”

“That’s right,” Tang Bo agrees. “So don’t think too much about what they’re saying.”

“...”

“In the first place, Hyung-nim wasn’t the kind to worry too much about sect politics, right? Those guys yap and say whatever they want, but it doesn’t really have much substance. Anyway, it’s been tough lately, but we'll get over it soon.”

“Well…”

“Quit doubting!”

“Tch.”

The Tang elder still knew this person wasn’t on the same page as him, and he understood why. Week after week, Chung Myung got little rest, always told to go on one battlefield after another to turn the tides and save the asses of those weak bastards who aren’t competent enough to fight in a war. There were also some disagreements happening both inside and outside Mount Hua, from what he heard.

The last time any of them actually got a break was before the war even happened, when he was dragged along by this guy to drink and eat with his sahyung and sajae. The only time they were civil with Tang Bo.

He disliked it when his Hyung-nim was starting to bury himself in his negative thoughts. Even though he doesn’t hear it out loud, he can tell from the facial expressions that he was making.

Tang Bo crouches down so he can look up at Chung Myung. That person’s eyes found his, looking back in confusion despite the dark look in his eyes.

Well, that’s good. At least he was a little aware of what’s happening.

“Dosa Hyung-nim,” he says. “Let’s make a promise.”

“...Uh?”

There was the sound of rustling as Tang Bo slips a hand inside his sleeves, looking for something that he never fails to bring around with him.

It took quite some time for his fingers to wrap around it. He takes it out and shows it to Chung Myung.

It was recognized in a split second. The swordsman’s eyebrows knit together as he looks at a familiar hairpin. It was the very same one that he gave a while back, the one that his martial sisters insisted that he give to Tang Bo.

“What promise?” he asked suspiciously.

Without answering quickly, Tang Bo held the hairpin with both of his hands, one for each stick, and then broke it into two pieces.

Snap!

Chung Myung’s eyes widened, and he stared speechlessly at the hairpiece that was now broken into two separate pieces.

“...”

Tang Bo turns it over as if checking if it was evenly split. He was oblivious of the dumbfounded look on the other person’s face.

No, this guy…Did he just break the gift for him? The same one that he was boasting about for days?

What’s wrong with him, ah?

“This bastard…”

“Ack!” Tang Bo seemed to have finally caught on to the glower on his Hyung-nim’s face, so he hurriedly tried to explain. “No no, have you not heard of this? Don’t be too mad, really!”

“I’m going to break your arm.”

“No, listen for a while!”

He shoved one of the pieces to Chung Myung’s way, smiling nervously. “Here, take it!”

“...”

“This is what I’m saying, alright? This is the promise.”

“...”

Ah? Well, he’s not snarling and trying to hit him, so Tang Bo assumed that he was probably fairly safe for now.

“There was this thing that people actually do, and it fits because your gift is a chai hairpin. Actually, when people make promises, they’d split it in two and give one half to each other.”

“So?”

Still holding the other half out until it was taken from his hands, Tang Bo smiled nervously.

“Hold on to it for now. One day, things will eventually get better, and this thing will be over. When that happens, then let’s return the halves to each other.”

“...Then the promise?”

“That’s the promise. That things will end one day.”

…Huh.

Was this kid trying to make him feel better, since the seemingly endless war was causing so much trouble for everyone?

…How useless.

Well, whatever. He was insistent on it anyway.

Despite himself, Chung Myung ended up taking the other half and staring at it for a while. Then, he glanced back up at Tang Bo.

“You better not lose your half.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to return it.”

That person laughed at his words. “Are you joking? Of course I won’t! We’ll see through the end of this war, Hyung-nim.”

He was being so ridiculously optimistic that it was odd to hear. He was still also crouching, just the perfect height for Chung Myung to hit him. So that’s what he did.

“Ack! Dosa Hyung-nim!”

Anyway, as ridiculous as that promise sounded, there was no denying that it definitely helped him feel better. He hid the other half under his robes and started grumbling just so as to not make his raised mood too obvious.

However, Tang Bo, sometimes, is an unreliable brat.

It was two years later when he died.

He never really got to return the other half of the hairpin.

Chapter Text

Chung Myung, who thought he had died at the end of the war, was met with a rather unpleasant surprise at the next moment.

Instead of dying, it seems like he was reincarnated back to life as a beggar in the middle of a place he doesn’t recognize. To make things worse, it was in a situation where Mount Hua had almost fallen to the ground and was forever forgotten by the entirety of Jianghu.

It almost felt like a nightmare when he first appeared at the time. But thankfully, things were slowly getting better now. Not only the fact that they have alliances and a steady source of money to make sure that they won’t be riddled with debts like before, the disciples also recently managed to ingest a pill that will allow them to reach a level higher than what they previously were.

Naturally, one cannot just take a pill and call it a day. No! In order to fully absorb it, it was necessary that they are properly beaten up—Ehem! Guided and taught so that none of the precious energy goes to waste!

So that’s what it had been for the past few months.

Chung Myung takes a step back, taking a deep breath as a bright smile creeps up his face. He stretched out his arms and breathed in deeply. He looked very refreshed and satisfied with his life, almost glowing with health as he stood there.

From behind him, a large group of disciples lay dead on the ground. Uh? No, one of them just made a noise. So it must be that they’re actually still alive and were just acting dramatic. They always do this anyway.

“Aigoo! Kids these days really are so weak! Just this much, and you’re all complaining so much ah?”

He spared them a glance and shook his head, the sound of his tongue clicking reaching the ears of the fallen disciples. It made them clench their teeth and mentally curse inside their minds, crying unseen tears.

Come back to hell, you evil asura!

Besides, you’re the youngest out of everyone here! The youngest!

Fortunately for them, their thoughts remain unspoken. Otherwise, there would’ve been a whole new world of pain waiting tomorrow.

The second-class disciples, since they were beaten up much earlier than the younger ones, were already dragged to the infirmary to get themselves checked. However, there really wasn’t much to do there. The worst part about training with Chung Myung was that he always knew where exactly to hurt the most but would leave no physical signs of the…erm… training.

They would’ve complained a lot more, if it wasn’t for the fact that every single one of them no longer has any energy to even lift a finger.

In the first place, it’s not like there was any place for them to talk! All of this was happening with their full consent—It was necessary if they wanted to win the upcoming tournament. In fact, not even Tang Soso, the recent addition to their sect, was complaining much even though she’s not really used to this kind of lifestyle before being taken to the sect.

This…this was something that they knowingly subjected to themselves to…

Now, it was only a matter of knowing which would come first. The Murim Tournament, or their impending doom.

Chung Myung looks up at the sky for a bit, admiring the clear blue hue of it. He seemed to be thinking of something.

“Maybe I should come down today…”

Those nearest to him twitched when they heard his words. It was like a spark of hope was unknowingly ignited in them.

Don’t come back!

Hurry, hurry! Stay outside for as long as possible!

It’s been a while since he visited Hwang Munyak. Since that guy is a merchant, it’s always pretty easy to get a general grasp of some of the latest news if he asks. In another three months, the Murim Tournament will be happening, so the people should’ve already heard about it and must be already having their speculations on how it would go.

Chung Myung thought he should have an idea on the situation to see how big of an effect his plan would have.

Thankfully, there was no need for him to ask for permission to come down the mountain. He could just go as long as he told someone where he was going.

“Sahyung!” he shouted out to the mass of fallen disciples.

From somewhere at the center surrounded by his dying fellow martial siblings, Yun Jong tried to look at him, face already half-dead. He was unable to answer, but he met Chung Myung’s eyes so that guy would know that he was listening.

Conscience…where’s your conscience, you damn malko…!

“I’ll come down the mountain for a bit, if anyone asks! Don’t look for me!”

This guy…why do you sound like you’re ordering around your sahyungs, ah? The hierarchy in Mount Hua…it really has been toppled over by this crazy brat…

Besides, who in their right mind would come looking for you? If you come down, the entirety of the sect would most likely celebrate, because it means that they would be free for a couple of hours!

Looking at that smiling face, Yun Jong cannot help but close his eyes.

No, it was impossible to be fully happy about the situation. In fact, since he was also from a Taoist sect, he cannot help but worry for the people in Hua-Um, who would now have to deal with this guy while he was down there.

Oblivious to the things that they were thinking about him, their youngest disciple turned around to leave so quickly that it was like he was never there in the first place.

“...Is he gone?”

Someone looked up to check, groaning all the while. Seeing that there was no longer a trace of that demonic figure, he says, “Yeah.”

There were multiple sounds of relief from the third-class disciples. It was almost amazing how all of them near-simultaneously slumped down to the ground and laid there unmoving now.

They look like they could fall asleep there. Well, who can blame them, really?

The trip down was rather uneventful. He was getting faster and faster at coming down, no longer having to climb down each step painstakingly if he can just use qinggong to hop a distance down and another until he finally reached the foot of the mountain. Chung Myung heads straight for the Eunha Merchant Guild.

Hwang Jongui shot up from where he was and hurried to greet him when Chung Myung entered without knocking inside their place. This happened so many times already that he no longer questioned who was there whenever their doors blast open like that.

“It’s Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon.”

Chung Myung looked at him and frowned when he heard that.

“Aigoo, why do you keep calling me that? I told you to call me Chung Myung! Chung Myung!!”

“...Anyway, young disciple. Is there anything wrong?”

The last time that he was here, he asked for a room and locked himself in there, refusing to come out nor to eat for several days. It left Hwang Jongui wondering if the same thing would happen today.

Whatever it was, he decided to no longer be surprised. After all, he thought there was just no way that he can understand what was going on inside that guy’s head.

Chung Myung grinned when he heard the question.

“Firstly, do you have some alcohol?”

The way that he was smiling, he was trying his best to look as innocent as possible! Hwang Jongui expected this, but he still thought the same thing to himself.

He’s back to steal from the warehouse, this bastard!

Of course, it wasn’t said with any malicious intent. They brought him to the dining table where some food and drinks were prepared for him. By the time the head of the Eunha branch came down to finally greet him after he was free from some of the immediate duties, Chung Myung was already halfway through stuffing himself full with their food.

Hwang Munyak honestly didn’t expect any less. From next to him, his son sighed as if he had a growing headache just watching the plates rapidly empty.

“Young disciple, I wasn’t here last time when you stayed in the branch. How have you been doing?”

The swordsman looked up, his cheeks puffed because it was full of food.

“Old man, can you consider sending some of your chefs up to Mount Hua? This food is great!”

“...I’m afraid I can’t just decide that so quickly.”

“Why not?” Chung Myung frowns, but before he could get an answer, he waved his chopsticks at them. “Ah, forget that. Actually, I came here to ask how things have been going.”

“If you mean about the businesses, then things have been going as smoothly—”

“No, no. Not that.”

Chung Myung grabbed a bottle of alcohol and drank half of it in one go so he could quickly swallow the food he had been chewing previously.

“The Murim Tournament is coming up, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, are the people already talking about it?”

Hwang Munyak frowned as he thought about the question.

“Young disciple, as you know, we are in Hua-Um which is a place that has been guarded by Mount Hua for generations. It’s only natural that all of them had firm belief that Mount Hua will be winning this year.”

“Uh? What are you saying?”

Chung Myung laughs and reaches out for another piece of food. But his chopsticks only got empty air. He realized the sad realization that he ran out of food already.

“...” He shook his head and decided to pay attention. “Even if that’s true, there’s still some people who don't really believe in Mount Hua as much as they used to. After all, the sect almost fell a while back.”

Hwang Munyak did not deny that. In fact, even he doubted the martial prowess of the sect if it wasn’t for him witnessing how the Zhongnan-Mount Hua conference went.

“Do you want me to ask around for information?”

“No, no need. I just wanted to know the initial assessment inside the town.”

If he wanted a more detailed idea on what everyone was thinking, then he could just ask that beggar ahjussi who is always eager to stick around with Mount Hua. His information is always readily available anyway, since he had a position in the Beggars’ Union.

He grabs the bottle and drains it with one more sip. When there was no longer anything inside, he brought it back to the table and originally planned to leave.

But before he could go, he heard the president say to him, “By the way, there’s a new doctor who just settled in recently.”

The words made him pause.

“Ah?”

“Since Mount Hua is a sect, then it must be inevitable to get hurt, right? This doctor helps anyone for free, so if ever you need it, I heard that his place was just a little near the main street.”

Chung Myung considered it for a moment before saying, “It was good that someone is moving here. If it wasn’t for the fact that we already had someone from the Tang Family move in to look over the medical side of the sect, then I would’ve considered looking for this guy.”

Hwang Munyak looked a bit surprised when he heard that someone from the Tang Family is now in Mount Hua. Although he heard that he won a fight in Sichuan, he didn’t think that one of them would follow all the way here.

“Well, that’s good.”

Anyway, he really didn’t care much. Even if Tang Soso wasn’t in the sect and this doctor was invited to come up, then there was very little chance he would’ve easily agreed. It would be faster to just come down the mountain and visit instead of asking that guy to climb the many steps leading up to the sect. 

He didn’t stay very long after that. Chung Myung left the Merchant Guild and walked around for a bit. Since he was outside now, then he might as well make the most out of it and return later.

He looks up at the sky, thinking about some things.

Actually, he realized he wasn’t quite as full yet despite eating from the Merchant Guild. Maybe he should stop by a restaurant again to buy something to drink?

There was no such thing as having too much drinks!

-What kind of Taoist drinks this much? Have some moderation!

Ei, Jangmun Sahyung, what are you talking about? In fact, he hasn’t drunk as much lately because he was busy training the disciples of Mount Hua! He should take this time to relax so that he would be full of energy when he comes back up the mountain! That way, he can enthusiastically go back to whipping them all into shape!

Of course, the disciples would probably scream and run away if they knew that this was what he was thinking at that time. But since they weren’t here anyway and were blissfully unaware, he merrily skipped towards the direction of one of the businesses owned by Mount Hua.

Since it was already a few hours past lunch time, it was natural that there’s not many people eating anymore when he arrived. There were more empty seats than there are people, but judging from how tired the servers look, he figured that there was probably an onslaught here not too long ago.

They saw that there was only one of him, and a familiar face as well, and they almost looked relieved. Even more so when he only asked for something to drink.

Chung Myung watched the guy who came to take his order rush off once he said what he wanted.

Uh? Are they happy because I came alone?

Well, whatever. It wasn’t his business anyway.

Looking around, he was glad that the Eunha branch did an amazing job with looking after the businesses in Hua-Um. He already thought of it before, but seeing the excellent condition of the restaurant left him quietly looking at every corner again.

When he first arrived here, the businesses that weren’t supported by Zhongnan looked like it was barely hanging on, especially considering that there was barely anyone but travellers who would come by to visit the area. Now, after having a massive merchant guild looking over them, coupled with the word about Mount Hua that made some people curious enough to come and visit more often, the businesses were clearly profiting more now.

It didn’t take long for his order to come, and nothing but bottles filled his table. Chung Myung’s eyes shone brightly, and he clasped his hands together in joy.

“Finally! This is life!”

He pops open one bottle and lets out a happy sound.

“Kuahhh! As expected from this place!”

This guy…from somewhere up above, it was likely that his sahyung was probably shaking his head and rubbing his forehead as he watches the brat do whatever he wants.

Hey, it should really be a talent…Not just anyone could make the head of the dead work. Uh? Are there any painkillers in the afterlife?

If not, well, too bad.

“Hehe…I’ll come back to Mount Hua after finishing all these drinks, yes. That’s right. I should enjoy my life for now and come back later!”

This guy is crazy. He would’ve gotten alcohol poisoning if it wasn’t for the fact that he was a martial artist who can just purify the poison before he does anything serious to himself.

It was probably about a quarter in his drinks when someone else came inside the restaurant. He didn’t pay much attention to it, since it wasn’t strange to have customers anyway. Still, he thinks to himself that guy must have off eating habits, to come here at this hour.

“Welcome! You may take any seat you want!”

Chung Myung lowers his bottle and goes back to thinking about the progress of the disciples.

There should be three more months before the Murim Tournament starts. As of now, they were already at a level where most can beat the average-level disciples in other sects. But since there’s only a fixed number of people who could go with them, he finds that he really can’t settle with how it already is.

There’s still plenty of time for him to force some improvement in them. Since it was like that, he was already making some mental calculations on how to make the next few days work and how he would make them train.

There was just no way that he's going to allow those brats lose to those bastards! No way! Just no way! Not for as long as he lives!

Especially after that big talk that Baek Cheon was doing, saying that he will definitely win against his brother this time? While it will be funny to see him on the ground losing again, Chung Myung absolutely cannot stomach the idea of Zhongnan gloating over them again.

Those bastards will surely pay. They should watch their backs…

He thought too much that by the time he was done, there was no longer anything to drink. Chung Myung raised the last bottle and turned it upside down as if he was hoping that there was at least one drop left.

Nothing came out.

With a disappointed sigh, he shook his head and stood up, reaching inside his sleeves to grab the money to pay for his meal.

Uh? Meal? You mean all the drinks are his meal?

Ehem!

He left the money on the table, and someone immediately came by to clean up his table. Chung Myung turns around and looks around the place one last time before leaving.

…Huh?

Wait, huh?

He thought he saw someone familiar.

Chung Myung froze before he could move a step away. He felt as if his heart almost leapt out from his mouth. He looked back around the general direction where he was sure he saw…

No, there was no way, right…?

His eyes stopped where there was one man sitting at one of the tables. He was alone, and if Chung Myung’s memory was right, then he wasn’t there when he originally came inside this place. If he was, then there was no way he would’ve missed that guy.

 It was him. That face really was him.

No, how can he forget…?

He doesn’t quite look as built as he used to be, the signs of endless training no longer seen in the calluses of his hands. His hair, too, was a little different. Lighter, different bangs as well. But…he tied it the same.

He smiled the same.

Chung Myung felt as if he had been punched in the gut.

It was different from when he was imagining his sahyung talking to him. It was different from when he imagined that guy sitting across from him when they visited Sichuan, drinking and laughing like they had in the past.

It was different, because this one was…real? Real…? This…he wasn’t seeing things, was he?

Tang Bo.

There was just no way it wasn’t. Looking without moving from his spot, Chung Myung observed closely. The way he held his chopsticks languidly as if he was about to throw it anytime was the same. The brooding expression that he wore while looking at nothing in particular—

All that was left was to look.

Look.

Look at me.

You…You also came back too, huh? Was that why you were in Hua-Um, this brat…

Look at me.

At that moment, sensing the eyes that were digging holes on his back, the person who had Tang Bo’s image raised his head and turned his attention to the disciple that was standing frozen a few tables away from him.

Their eyes met. It was the same shade of green. There was no mistaking—

But then that guy smiled, tilting his head in confusion. He didn’t run to Chung Myung with the same enthusiasm and warmth that he always had whenever they met. There was no recognition in his eyes.

…

This…

Chung Myung, not knowing how to feel nor to process the myriad of emotions swelling up in his chest, forced himself to turn around and hurriedly leave the restaurant.

(No recognition at all.)

Chapter Text

There was something off with the sect’s atmosphere. It feels like a bomb that was just waiting to explode.

The reason for this, of course, happens to be none other than the very same person who had been tormenting them endlessly for the past few days. Chung Myung.

He was still as ruthless as ever, but it feels like his mind was lingering on something else instead of on their training. He doesn’t yap about the things that bothers him about their form, just correcting them quietly and going back to beating them up. Somehow, the fact that he could do all of these perfectly, unflinching with no problems at all, felt worse than when he was nagging at them until their ears bled.

This guy is too much! What’s wrong with him?!

Someone give them back the sajil that yells to their faces! This silence is scarier than that! It feels so dangerous, like he was about to cut them all into pieces!

So, after another day of training with that malko being unusually tame and quiet, Jo Gul turned to his senior brother, a terrified look on his face.

“Sahyung, should we call for an Taoist? I think Chung Myung was possessed. We should exorcise it as quickly as possible, right?”

Yun Jong would've told him to shut up, if not for how he felt as if everything in his body hurts. Instead, he settled for groaning for a bit and rubbing his forehead, before turning to look at the other person.

Someone save this sect, please.

“What are you saying? We're Taoists too.”

“...Oh, that's right.”

…

This guy, too…have you been swinging your sword so much that you forgot Mount Hua is partly a Taoist sect? Wasn’t their sect leader someone who used to religiously recite Taoist scriptures? How can he forget that…They've failed with this one, that's for sure…

Anyway, since Jo Gul was able to notice that something was off, then it was only natural that everyone else also knew about it sooner or later. It didn’t take very long for them to act on the problem.

They patiently waited until after Chung Myung was done eating his lunch one day and headed back out. Then, they turned to each other to talk about what was happening.

“Sasuk, there’s something going on with Chung Myung lately,” Yun Jong started since no one else was, staring at a dazed-looking Baek Cheon.

The daesahyung of the second-generation disciples snapped out of whatever it was that he was thinking to focus on the matter at hand. His face crumpled to a light frown.

Someone from the back suggested something absurd.

“Do you think he’s just undergoing puberty?”

“...Huh?”

Eyes turned to the direction of the third-class disciple who said that, who didn’t look sorry at all. In fact, he looks a little confident of his claim.

No, that guy? Undergoing puberty?

Well, it was true that he is a teenager, and also the youngest out of all of them. But does that even make sense? With how he is, it was almost bizarre to think that he would go through normal things that teenagers do, like having that…weird rebellious stage.

Huh? Was that why he’s being like this now?

Maybe his usual personality was his rebellious one and he was slowly calming down? Maybe there’s hope for them to be saved in the future?

Yu Iseol, who was only present because she also wanted to know what was happening to her sajil, looked at everyone in the dining hall with an unamused face.

“Sajil is not being rebellious.”

“...”

They wanted to retort her words, but with the warning look that Tang Soso was looking at them with, there was just no way for them to say anything. In other things or if it was someone else who spoke, it might be possible. But her admiration of Yu Iseol was just so high that disagreeing with her might lead to greater dangers involving needles.

The rest of the disciples who were there to try to gain an understanding about the situation also looked a bit dubious. But they trusted these five to properly talk and resolve the situation as ones who are always with Chung Myung. Apart from the one who suggested the first possible explanation, they kept quiet and remained as spectators.

Baek Cheon coughs in his fist to catch everyone’s attention again. There was a question at the tip of his tongue. “Soso, since you’re also a doctor, do you think that it might just be puberty as well?”

Tang Soso looked at him, furrowing her eyebrows. “There’s very little chance. About this much.”

She shows to them her hand, the distance between her thumb and pointer finger about a millimeter apart to tell them there’s a low possibility.

“Of course, it can’t be erased. But I think there’s another reason why.”

They were all looking at her, absorbed with the words that she was saying. Oh? They were actually making some progress?

“That is?”

Tang Soso looked up at all of them for a while. And then she smiled brightly.

“I don’t know.”

“Uh?”

“I don’t know,” she repeats calmly, not losing her grin. “But we would know if we asked him, right?”

The disciples stared at her blankly as if she’d lost her mind. But to her, that doesn’t matter. Because Yu Iseol was nodding her head with a thoughtful look. She brightens up when she sees this.

“Uh…Soso, you might not know this, but it’s impossible to get anything from that guy.”

She looks at Yun Jong who said those words unsurely.

“He only tells things whenever he wants to. That’s always been how he is.”

“So?”

“...Ah?”

“Are you going to wait until he says something? What if it was serious? Are you only going to act when things are already bad?” she scolded them.

“...”

There is great sense in her words. The fact that she was absolutely right as well might be attributed to the fact that she was an older sister among her siblings. To her eyes right now, it was likely that she just gained a whole set of siblings that sometimes lack sense when it comes to things that don't involve the sword.

They exchanged looks and remained silent. So, taking her chance, she continued.

“On that note, I nominate sasuk to ask!”

“...Huh?”

Baek Cheon, stunned, pointed to himself when he was mentioned. He looked a bit dumbfounded and was about to protest, but when he was about to speak, he saw that everyone else around him was nodding.

Huh? Huuuuuuh? Why him?

There was no need to read the screaming and questioning that he was doing inside his head. For once, it was Jo Gul who gave him the reason.

“Sasuk gets hit by that guy the most.”

“That’s right. It was likely that he would say something if sasuk asked.”

He looked at them in disbelief. “Isn’t that more reason not to have me ask?”

“No, Chung Myung isn’t like most. So he shows his affection by bullying. You’re the one he bullies the most.”

“...”

Baek Cheon doesn’t know whether to feel proud or sorry for himself.

Well, it was true that Chung Myung tormented him more than the others. But to be fair, that was only because of how badly their first meeting had gone, right?

Unfortunately for him, the majority decided that he should go, and there was just no one defending him. Not even Baek Sang! He just looked at him with a sorry smile, before telling him to hurry along so that they could solve the issue faster.

Really now, only in Mount Hua you would find juniors ordering their daesahyung around.

He waited until the next day just so that he could gather some courage before going to ask. Baek Cheon purposely woke up early in the morning before training started so that he could go find Chung Myung while he was still doing his individual training in a separate area.

Chung Myung was swinging his sword with utmost concentration when he arrived. He lowered his sword when Baek Cheon was in the vicinity like he sensed his presence even before he appeared. A frown appeared on his face.

“Sasuk.”

“Chung Myung-ah…” he started. “Is there anything wrong lately?”

“...Uh?” A confused look appeared on his sajil’s face.

“Since you seem troubled, I’m telling this to you. You know that we’re all ready to hear it, right? Whatever it was…”

He kept saying some nice things in order to get Chung Myung to lower his guard and talk about his problem. But the person himself, who was starting to get creeped out about what he was saying with that shockingly neat and handsome face, took a step back and raised his sword.

“Sasuk,” he spoke.

Baek Cheon paused in the middle of what he was saying, blinking in confusion. “Yes?”

“Did you bring a sword?”

“A…sword? No?”

He was here to ask what’s wrong, not for a fight. So naturally, he brought nothing but himself.

“Then, let’s do it like that.”

“What?”

At that moment, he sees Chung Myung throw away his sword to the ground and then smile brightly up at him while cracking his knuckles. The sight made him remember something in the past that he would much rather forget, so Baek Cheon instinctively took a step back to widen their distance.

“W—Wait, Chung Myung-ah! Let’s talk about this!”

“Ah? Isn’t this why you came along so early? Tsk tsk, sasuk. I didn’t think you missed getting hit this badly!”

No, you madman! He made sure to talk about why he came, so why are you getting ready to hit him right now?!

It’s too early! Too early!!

The fate of Baek Cheon…well, it hadn’t been so fortunate.

Still, Chung Myung made sure not to hit him too much because he will still be training with the others later. He took a glance at the fallen figure on the dirt, and then at the wooden sword that he was using to train with earlier.

Has he really been acting weird enough for those brats to come ask what’s wrong like this? He didn’t even realize it…

In fact, for the past few days, Chung Myung was thinking to himself whether he was seeing things, or he missed the people in his past life so much that he was mistaking other people for them. Ever since that day, he hasn’t come down the mountain and decided to focus on training his seniors instead, using the upcoming tournament as an excuse.

Maybe he should…check…?

Ah!

A flash of inspiration suddenly hit him. Chung Myung’s eyes widened, and then he hurried back down to the main area of the sect, not bothering to check if Baek Cheon was fine.

-You brat! How can you just leave him there?!

He’s fine, sahyung! Really! Chung Myung didn’t beat him up so much!

He ran so quickly to the sect leader’s residence that he was a blur of black in the eyes of the disciples who were just starting to wake up. Still, they only froze in the middle of their yawning, blinked a few times, and then brushed off what had happened as if it was a regular occurrence.

“Jangmun-in!”

Almost forgetting his manners, Chung Myung stopped a few inches away from the door. Ehem! He was hurrying so much that he almost started acting as he usually does with his Jangmun Sahyung, barging in without any prior warning!

He brushed away some dust from his martial arts uniform and knocked. It didn’t take very long for the door to open, because they probably heard him yelling outside the door anyway.

“...Chung Myung-ah?” The sect leader looked at him, looking greatly confused. “Is there anything wrong?”

He cupped his fist into his palm and bowed. “Jangmun-in! Please let me go down the mountain for a while!”

“...” Hyun Jong was at a loss for words. “Is everything okay?”

“Huh? Yes!”

He doesn’t look convinced at all and just looks at the youngest disciple, both speechless and confused.

Was it because it was still early in the morning? Chung Myung-ah, why are you asking permission to come down the mountain? Don’t you have the special privilege of coming and going as you want? Isn’t that something that they already established…?

…But still, seeing the determined look on his face, Hyun Jong couldn’t find it in him to remind him.

He lets out a sigh.

“Alright, but be careful.”

Chung Myung straightens up and gives a confident smile. “Yes, Jangmun-in!”

He rushes away again so quickly, about as fast as he appeared. It left the sect leader even more confused. In the end, he ended up chuckling to himself as he closed the door.

He supposed Chung Myung is still a child after all. So spontaneous and full of life, and it is always so evident when he acts like this. He’s really still the youngest in their sect regardless of how many impressive titles he gets.

Of course, if Chung Myung had known his thoughts, he would’ve greatly protested, saying that he’s their ancestor and there was no need to think about those useless things. But alas, he was busy heading to the training arena and waiting for the disciples who would assemble not too long later in a rather impatient manner, as if he cannot wait to come down.

Yun Jong, who was already there, looked around with a nervous face.

Where did their sasuk go? Uh? Did he really die?

…They might’ve knowingly thrown him to the wolf…Rest in peace, sasuk.

Looking at Chung Myung pacing back and forth like that, Jo Gul wondered for a moment if he was finally starting to feel nervous about the Murim Tournament. Maybe that was the reason why he was acting off lately?

It was a little strange, though. In the past, this guy didn’t feel any nerves at all when the conference with Zhongnan happened, so does it make sense that he would start to feel so now? Wasn’t that time the first he had to spar with someone outside the sect?

…No, it’s impossible to think about this with a straight face. Just the thought of Chung Myung being so nervous about something was so wrong that it unknowingly sent some shivers down his spine.

Anything that could scare a guy like that must be truly horrific!

Only when the last person finally stumbled into the area did Chung Myung stop pacing and look at them. There was a thoughtful expression on his face.

Slowly, he raises a palm and moves it back and forth, as if telling them to come closer.

“Hit me.”

“....What?”

The look of confusion on each disciple’s face was almost funny, since it closely mirrors each other. They stared at their youngest like he’s gone crazy.

No, what kind of crazy guy would willingly hit that demon? No one is suicidal enough to do that!

“Hey. Heeeeeey! Has my sasuks and sahyungs gone deaf? Hit me!”

“No, Chung Myung…” Baek Sang took the initiative, since a certain someone was absent from the place today. “Let’s talk about this, alright?”

Not for his sake, but more for theirs! There’s just no way he’s telling them to hit him without reason.

Chung Myung doesn’t understand why everyone has been telling him that same thing since this morning. What’s going on, ah? It was just a simple request! He picked at his ear, not bothering to listen too closely about whatever it was they had to say to dissuade him.

When Baek Sang was done, he says, “Don’t think too much about it. Let’s take a break today, but only if you hit me.”

His words sparked something in the Mount Hua disciples, who were training nonstop ever since the day that they got that invitation to participate in the Murim Tournament. It was with those words that they were convinced easily.

“Yah…you better not take back those words!”

Whoosh!

Although it was a third-class disciple who said that, the first one to come swinging at him was Yu Iseol. Out of instinct, Chung Myung dodged her sword and then kicked her away ruthlessly.

Those who saw this stopped and looked at the direction where Yu Iseol flew away, suddenly remembering why they were so fearful in the first place. The girl twitched a bit from the ground, before using her wooden sword to stand back up and resume attacking him.

“What’s everyone waiting for? There’s only one of him!”

Whoever said that managed to easily raise their morale. With a war cry, the disciples also started to rush at him, just a step behind Yu Iseol whose eyes were glinting with the full intent to kill.

Huh? Kill? Sago, are you seriously trying to kill him?

-You asked for it.

Wait, isn’t this a little too much?

Chung Myung watched the disciples with a dumbfounded look on his face. Now that they managed to push past their fear, they are already running at him with that bloodthirsty look in their eyes, like they cannot wait to hit him as much as their heart desires.

These guys…

Still, he grinned when he saw that.

“Good!”

While he asked them to hit him, there was still no way he was going to allow them to hit him without having to fight for it. No training for the day? There was no such thing in his vocabulary!

Grabbing the wooden sword hanging by his waist, Chung Myung showed his glinting teeth to them.

Time to start today’s lecture.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Chung Myung ran out of Mount Hua after all that, bruised from head to toe. But if he was in such a situation, then there was no need to mention what happened to the disciples. It was an absolute bloodbath.

He made a beeline for the Eunha branch down the mountain, blasting their doors open again as if he didn't look like he urgently needed a doctor. Seeing his state made the people there panic, and they hurriedly called the vice president. Hwang Jongui ran to him with a pale face, a bit alarmed as to what kind of person could do something to this impressive person.

“Young disciple, what happened?”

“Doctor!”

“...Huh?”

That’s right, you badly needed a doctor! So why did you run all the way here? Didn’t you say there’s now someone from the Tang Family in your sect?

“That guy you were talking about before! What’s his address?”

“That—”

“Hurry!”

Hwang Jongui hurriedly told the address of the doctor in a fluster, not knowing what else to do. As soon as he got what he wanted, Chung Myung ran out of the place so quickly that it felt like a whirlwind had just come to pass.

Everyone else stared at the open door in a daze, like they didn't fully understand what happened. First, there was an injured guy waltzing in. And then he’s suddenly…gone?

As for Chung Myung, he ran so quickly that anyone else barely noticed him passing by. He kept an eye out for where he was, and ended up stopping in the street near the busiest area in the small town.

Now that he was here, he was already remembering the last time that he was down the mountain. Just the memory of it left his heart to thrum quietly out of some lingering nervousness.

What if he was wrong? What if he really was just seeing things that day and ends up disappointed?

The place he stopped at is a rather modest one, looking to be enough for one up to two people to live in. Not thinking much about what should be done, Chung Myung came up to the door and knocked rapidly, loudly.

He’s an injured person, okay? He’s in dire need of immediate help!

It took a while for the door to open. When it did, the same guy that he saw at the restaurant that day greeted him. At first, his eyebrows were furrowed like he felt a bit bothered. But when he saw Chung Myung’s situation, his eyes widened in surprise.

“What happened?” He asked, rushing to urge the disciple inside.

“I need help,” Chung Myung says blankly.

That person who looks like Tang Bo stared at him speechlessly for a bit due to how nonchalant he was acting about the situation.

That’s pretty much obvious, though?

Feeling there was something strange about the situation, he told his visitor to come sit down while he gets some things.

Well now. Time to figure out if things really are as he thinks.

Chapter Text

There was a sort of awkward air around the room as Chung Myung sits down in the living room. Actually, this was something that is new to the doctor, because while most of his visitors may also be curious while he was rummaging around his shelves, there was something about this person’s look that made him feel a little awkward.

This is because he could feel that this person isn't just being curious for no reason. There must be another reason why he was looking. He tried to hide it with a carefree expression, but it is obvious from the sharp glint in his eyes that he was…looking for something.

Hm…what could that be?

Chung Myung was quiet the entire time, choosing to drink in the image of the person in front of him, moving around and breathing.

Maybe because he had many others who would come by to ask for his help, that guy came back soon with everything that he needed. All he brought is actually just a single jar of what seems to be ointment.

He narrows his eyes at it for a while, trying to remember if that was something he has seen before in his past life. The container popped open, and the smell of medicine wafted through the air.

“Don’t worry,” the doctor says despite knowing he clearly wasn’t. “It’s actually pretty effective. You’d be good as new as if nothing ever happened after this.”

 He…was still not making any indications that he recognized who Chung Myung was.

He flinched slightly in surprise when that guy got down to the floor on his knees and took his arm first to start rubbing the cool ointment on one of his darkening bruises. Even the pressure, the touch itself was so familiar that he was almost hit with a sense of nostalgia.

Now that he was actually here, he found it…surprisingly hard to blurt out the words he wanted to say.

So for the first few minutes, the two of them were stuck in a wordless silence. The doctor focused on what he was doing, and Chung Myung just stared at him as if in a daze.

Surprisingly, the first one to break it wasn’t him.

“How did these injuries happen?”

Chung Myung paused for a moment in surprise, before saying. “It happened while…training.”

“Training?” The other person looked up at him, eyebrows furrowing to a frown. Their eyes met, and although he had already seen it once, he felt himself become a little choked up when a familiar shade greeted his sight. “Do martial arts sects still train this much these days? I’ve not seen anyone get as badly beaten up as you have.”

-If this is badly beaten up, you should’ve seen the brats this guy terrorized.

Sahyung, now is not the time! Besides, I didn’t leave any visible injuries at all to those guys! They’re going to be fine after whining for a few hours.

Anyway, it was a good thing he didn’t change out of his martial arts uniform. Like this, at least that guy wasn’t so surprised by his answer and is able to answer back smoothly.

Chung Myung lets out a huff in response to the former question. “You think Mount Hua trains like those idiots?”

His words made the other person falter. An amused expression briefly crossed over his face, and he let out a chuckle. “Hey, is it alright to badmouth them so loudly?”

“Why not? You’re the only one here anyway.”

“If I tell them?”

“You won’t.”

The resolution in the disciple’s tone surprised him. He stared for a while like he was trying to understand why that is so, before reaching out to ruffle his hair and going back to applying ointment.

Chung Myung adopts a dumbfounded look, mouth opening slightly after that.

“...Why did you do that?”

“Cute brat,” the other person answers instead.

...

Huh? Huh? What’s with this bastard?

That was something completely foreign to him, not anything that the previous Tang Bo ever did to him in their past life. It left him at a complete loss for words.

Wait, wait…

“How old are you?” he asked, tone both annoyed and curious.

“Older than you, that’s for sure.”

But this guy?

Noticing his growing annoyance, the doctor lets out another laugh. “See, you get annoyed so quickly. What’s with that? I’m not joking, though. I’m already in my twenties.”

Since he got the answer he wanted, Chung Myung calmed down for a while. But still, it was bizarre to think about, so he blinked at that person for a few seconds and then pursed his lips.

Tang Bo was younger than him in his previous life. That was part of the reason why he insisted on calling Chung Myung as “Hyung-nim”, the other reason being the fact that he could never beat the swordsman in any of the spars that he would start. This was also the reason why he had the habit of sometimes calling that leech a brat.

It was odd to think that he was the younger one now and being called that way by this guy.

“Hey,” he calls tentatively.

“Hm?”

“What’s your name?”

“You’re awfully curious about me,” he hears a casual response.

Instead of freezing up, he rolled his eyes and said, “What if you’re suspicious? There’s no way I’m coming back here.”

“Fair point.”

He feels his other arm get taken to be treated next. Chung Myung glanced at the right arm and saw that there were no longer any small pains or discoloration there. It seems like the ointment really was effective. He wonders where he got the knowledge from.

“It’s Tang Bo.”

The feeling comes again, a sort of electrifying jolt that was only there for less than a second. Chung Myung breathes for a while to keep himself from trembling. He knew that if he got too excited, then this guy would notice that something was going on. Since he didn’t like how he was still acting like he doesn’t know, then there was no need to rush too quickly.

“Tang…You’re from the Sichuan Tang family?”

He sees the other person smile at him because of that question. There was a small dimple on his left cheek, and he almost closed his eyes because it was in the same spot as it used to be.

Somehow, he didn’t expect this encounter to be this difficult.

“The Sichuan Tang family uses a character with as many strokes as their technique does. Mine only has six.”

“...” His eyelid twitched slightly. Seeing this only seemed to make Tang Bo even more amused.

Uh? Thinking about it, was this guy somehow enjoying trying to get to his nerves? He seems like he’s really trying his best…

“Our surnames use a different character. It sounds similar, but I’m from a different family uninvolved with Jianghu.”

Chung Myung started what he was originally here to do.

“If you’re uninvolved, how come you know about the eleven daggers technique?”

“It’s been the talk lately, hasn’t it? A disciple who withstood the eleven-daggers technique of the Tang Gaju.”

“There were just ten.”

“He used ten, but the original had eleven.”

He frowns while looking at the doctor—Tang Bo? “You know a lot about it even though you said your family is uninvolved with martial arts.”

Isn’t it a bit suspicious? Does he…does he really remember…?

Instead, Tang Bo just laughed and found nothing wrong with what he was trying to insinuate. “I’m a doctor, little guy. Before I settled in Hua-Um, I came across others who liked to talk a lot about what happened there. They talked so much it was difficult to not know.”

He deflates when he hears that answer. Then scowls when he recalls the ‘little guy’ comment, but decided not to say anything first because that wasn’t the point.

It was just a rumor, based on what he knows. But people have still been talking about it so much even without the complete information? He thought he was on to something, but he felt like he was shoved back to having no progress at all.

He tries something else.

“Then…do you think there’s another hidden secret in that technique?”

Tang Bo just hums and moves on to another bruise. “Like?”

“Like...a twelfth dagger, for example.”

This was something that this guy told him in the past. At first, Chung Myung thought that it was part of the common knowledge. But apparently, it was a secret that was only hidden inside the Tang Family. Tang Bo in the past was just out of his mind for casually telling him that secret like it was the most natural thing to do in the world.

He sees no change in the doctor’s figure, even when he tries to heighten his sensitivity with spiritual energy. If anything, all he felt was a mild interest when he asked the question.

“Oh?” he says. “I suppose if they have that, then it will be easier to take the opponent by surprise.”

Nothing again.

Arghh!! This guy is so difficult!

There’s no way, right? Does he really…not remember?

“I only heard rumors about it since they don’t really talk much about it outside Sichuan,” Chung Myung continues, trying to find more ways to probe that person’s memories. “They said it was an idea from the Dark Saint back then.”

“The Dark Saint? There’s someone like that?”

No! How could you not know your own title in your past life?! Chung Myung resists the urge to hit his head.

“Yeah. He’s some great guy from the Tang Family, apparently.”

“Apparently?”

“Since no one is talking about him who is not from there, then I guess he’s not that great after all.”

Tang Bo’s lips twitched slightly. “You should do something about how you keep bad mouthing others. It might get you in trouble someday.”

“...Not like it matters if I just beat them up and hit their heads.”

“There’s that too.”

This is so annoying!

Chung Myung was literally bad mouthing him in front of his face, but he was acting like they were talking about someone else entirely!

Of course, this would only mean one thing. But that was something that he was having a bit of difficulty trying to accept.

That Tang Bo really…doesn’t remember.

There was the possibility that this wasn’t him at all, of course. Maybe it was just a coincidence that they shared so many similarities, and he was just seeing his friend in that guy because of how much he wanted to find someone else who would understand. But, well…

There was no way. Because as soon as Chung Myung saw him, he just knew it was the Tang Bo he knew.

He just…He probably just doesn’t remember. Besides, he said he was uninvolved in Jianghu now, right? There was no way that guy, who was so obsessed with trying to someday beat him in a spar, would just give up on martial arts if he had memories of his past life.

It was frustrating to think about, though…

Chung Myung falls silent after a while. It didn’t take long for the treatment to be complete, and there were no signs of him being injured at all like when he came into this place.

Tang Bo stands back up and brushes away imaginary dust from his clothes. “Now then, it’s done. You could go back now.”

He stared for a while, and asked, “You don’t need payment?”

“I will charge you if that’s what you want.”

“...No thanks.”

Chung Myung observes the places where his seniors hit him only because he purposely allowed it to happen, and found it difficult to believe that Tang Bo really doesn’t remember anything. After all, this level of efficacy was something that is possible if only the person knew the medicine from the Tang Family. Anyone outside from there doesn’t really have this much level of healing.

He asks, “How come the ointment is this effective?”

“Are you surprised?” Tang Bo asked, putting back the jar where he took it from. “I made it myself.”

“How? There’s no recipe out there that has this effect. If there is, then I would’ve just come to Mount Hua.”

Of course, that was partly a lie. The sect was indeed improving in terms of medicine, since Tang Soso was now there to help teach them some of the things she learnt from her family. But even so, he still would’ve come to visit this guy for the same reasons. Wasn’t that why he willingly allowed himself to get hit? To have an excuse to come?

Tang Bo slowed down as he heard the question. There was a long pause after that.

Then, he turns around to say, “Actually, I don’t know.”

“...Huh?”

“I saw some books in the past, but when I followed them, it wasn’t as effective. So I just did some experiments to improve some of them, and it became like this.”

“...”

He sees another cheeky smile. The sight of it made him a little sad, for a reason that he doesn’t really understand.

“Maybe I’m just a genius?”

…

The sad feeling vanished away in an instant. The urge to bonk his head came back vengefully.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tang Bo must’ve not expected it, but that visit wasn’t Chung Myung’s first and last time to come knocking on his door.

Still, he no longer had to ask his seniors to beat him up. He just appeared in front of the doctor’s house whenever he felt like it, standing there and knocking impatiently until he was let inside. Every single time, there was an incredulous expression on the other person’s face.

The first time it happened, he asked, “What’s wrong this time?”

Of course, Chung Myung just shrugged his shoulders and said, “I was just curious.”

“Curious?”

Yah…aren’t you a martial artist? Why are you curious about medicine? Are you planning on switching professions?

Still, after the third visit, Tang Bo stopped trying to make sense of it and just allowed him to hang around if that’s what he wanted. Chung Myung would spend his visits watching him treat others who came because of minor problems, trying not to disturb the process. Whenever Tang Bo was free, he would ask some questions as if he was trying to get to know him.

It was surprisingly nice…for someone who has been living in the house for a while by himself.

Actually, Tang Bo was alone because he doesn’t like having others in his presence constantly. But for some reason, he doesn’t mind the young disciple’s presence. If anything, he found himself welcoming it more and more as the time went on.

One particular day, Chung Myung sat up from where he was lying down in the living room when he saw Tang Bo pass by with some things held in his hand. It seems like he was about to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“There’s a kid with a fever for some days now,” Tang Bo answers immediately as if he was expecting the question even before it was asked. “The parents asked me to take a look. Do you want to go with me?”

He hesitated for a while, wondering if he should go back to Mount Hua instead and drive his seniors to insanity, but thought against it. Anyway, it won’t be in a few more hours before he would have to personally beat them up again to see if they’ve been processing what he keeps telling them, so he has some time to spare.

He ends up coming along. The two of them walked around Hua-Um.

It was something that was both familiar and foreign to him. In the first life, Chung Myung has always walked around this place and Sichuan with Tang Bo. But right now, it was different, because that guy doesn’t remember those memories at all.

The route they took was vaguely familiar so he looked around for a while before remembering why it was familiar. It was close to the neighborhood where his samae used to live. If they took a few more turns, then he was more than sure that they could probably retrace the steps that he took back then to get to her home.

It was…a little odd to think about. During the war, he never had the chance to visit her anymore. But he knew that she came up the sect once, arguing with the sect leader to allow her to participate in the war. She was strictly rejected, because at the time, she just gave birth. There was no way that she would be allowed to go. Even just climbing the mountain caused her to get scolded for straining herself.

Naturally, any mother with a newborn would’ve chosen to remain safe to take care of her child. But before she descended again, Chung Myung saw the pursed look she wore, riddled with guilt and worry, as she searched the crowd for the martial siblings that she grew up with once.

Aish. He quickly gets rid of the unpleasant thoughts.

The trip to their destination was short. They came across a modest house after a while, and Tang Bo knocked on the door first.

The door opened, and a woman opened the door. Her face was marked with both worry and age. She looked relieved when she saw Tang Bo.

“You’re here! Please…please help my son!”

Because of how troubled she was, she didn’t notice Chung Myung’s presence until they were about to enter the house. Her eyes locked in on the plum blossom in his uniform and immediately felt embarrassed.

“There’s a Mount Hua disciple too…Ah, forgive me for my discourtesy!”

Uh? What’s with that? The sect hadn't been doing well a few years ago, but surprisingly, people had already regained their faith in Mount Hua in the short amount of time that has passed since he returned.

Anyway, there’s no need to be so polite! He told this to the woman, who relaxed slightly but still looked troubled.

The kid inside the house looked like he was having a hard time. He was sleeping, but there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead and he was tossing around a lot. Chung Myung took one look to make sure that it wasn’t anything like what Hwang Munyak had, before stepping back and allowing Tang Bo to do his work.

It was just a normal sickness, nothing related to the demonic sect. There was little chance, of course, but he still had to make sure.

He was a little useless in the situation, so after a while, he stepped outside the house and waited for Tang Bo to do whatever it was he was doing. 

Later, a presence joined him. A quick glance told him that it was the doctor, rearranging some of the things in the bag that he bought with him.

“He will be better after a few days,” Tang Bo says despite not being asked. “They just didn’t have medicine to give, so it was getting worse for some days. It should ease out since I gave them some.”

Chung Myung look at the door for a while, then at the other person.

“For free?”

“Yes.”

“You’re weird.”

Tang Bo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Medicine can’t be cheap because of the materials. Why are you doing charity for no reason?”

It really was a strange thing. The fact that he was acting like a charlatan now was vastly different from the Tang Bo in the past, who would’ve grumbled a lot and waited until he got scolded before helping. And even so, he would’ve still not been nice with his treatment.

There was only one person he treated without a fuss, after all.

It made…Chung Myung doubts his thoughts again of this being the same person. There are just more things that point to him being not, than otherwise.

“No reason?” He laughs a little. “Well, that’s not true at all.”

“Then?”

“Let’s go back for now, alright?”

They walked back again to the direction they came from. While this happens, Tang Bo tells him about some of his reasons.

“I actually don’t get along with my family.”

…Huh. Somehow, that didn’t surprise Chung Myung at all. He recalls how this person would complain and whine about his family in the past, because they have differing perspectives. It seems like a lifetime and a different family later, he still doesn't like being with whoever is in his family now.

“I’m here because I don’t want to stay with them. But they still keep sending me money, and I just use and use all of it to drain their storage dry.”

“...”

No, this guy really is crazy. Or was it the family?

Typically when the family doesn’t like someone, don’t they stop providing support to the wayward child? Why’re they allowing him to leech off them?

Tang Bo read his thoughts based on his expression and laughed again. Hey, aren’t you laughing a little too much? Why are you such a happy guy now?

Wait, hasn’t he always been like this? If he’s not laughing so loudly, wasn’t he yelling with crocodile tears, complaining about useless things?

“Don’t worry. There’s another reason.”

Chung Myung removed the frown on his face and asked, “What?”

Surprisingly, there was a melancholic expression that suddenly came up on the other person’s face. He quickly looked up to the sky as if he was trying to hide that face.

“It’s just…”

He hesitates, as if it was something that he was debating whether to keep to himself or not.

Frankly, Chung Myung himself wasn’t interested. If he doesn’t want to say, then there is no reason to force an answer. It has always—Uhm. It used to be like that between them anyway.

But Tang Bo, who didn’t know this, eventually continued what he was saying. He looks back ahead, a faint smile on his face.

“I feel like someone will really scold me if I look away from a patient. So much that it feels like my ears would start bleeding with how much nagging would be done.”

Chung Myung stopped in his tracks and looked back with an unreadable look on his face.

“Who?”

“That’s exactly the problem, right?” Tang Bo shook his head and waved off the question as if it didn't matter much. “I don’t know. Maybe that was my conscience speaking.”

“...”

Chung Myung looks away, ignoring the sudden shock that he felt when he heard the reason, trying to calm the sudden rapid beating in his chest.

“Yeah.” He swallowed back the other words he wanted to say, still reeling in what Tang Bo could possibly mean . “Maybe that’s it.”

Chapter Text

Just when they thought things couldn’t get creepier, it did.

If in the beginning, they were worried because Chung Myung was being unusually quiet while training them, now he has been going down the sect more frequently, almost in a hurry. If the disciples were a little more daring, then one of them might’ve even described it as excited.

Huh? Chung Myung? Excited?

…Somehow, those words left a terrifying thought inside their heads.

If that guy was excited about something, then there’s almost always a huge chance that there was somebody else experiencing the darkest winter somewhere. Since Mount Hua was experiencing a lighter kind of hell, then they could only wonder what was happening on the other side.

No, it’s better not to think about that. As they say, you should count your blessings.

It’s a good thing that he’s not pushing them to death, but that doesn’t mean that they’re being allowed to take things easily. In fact, it was still as bad, with very minimal differences. Even if that guy wasn’t watching, whenever they tried to take a shortcut on their training, they would end up feeling guilty and do the usual routine without any prompting anymore.

It shows just how much Chung Myung has tamed their bodies. There was no one else to feel sorry for but themselves.

Still, it was inevitable that they would get curious as to what was going on.

It was Tang Soso who first spotted her sago on her way to leave the mountain without telling anyone else. Naturally, she had to ask what was happening.

“Sago, are you leaving?”

Yu Iseol nods, eyes fixed on the gate.

“Why?”

“I got permission.”

“Uh? What’s happening?”

“Sajil.”

“Huh?”

She looks a bit impatient as she explains the situation. Yu Iseol explained that she went to see the sect leader early in the morning to ask for permission to come down to check up on Chung Myung. The sect leader, although he was a little confused, was about to reject her request. But then she saw the seriousness of her expression and her insistence, so he relented and decided to trust her judgement.

Tang Soso nodded her head when she heard the story. At first, she, too, didn’t think much of it. But the more that Chung Myung was leaving the sect as much as possible, the more she also grew curious.

Now that she heard her sago will come take a look at what’s happening down the mountain, she couldn’t deny that she also wanted to know.

She paused slightly.

“Does the other sasuks know?”

Yu Iseol shook her head. “I didn’t tell them.”

Oh! So it was a secret task that those guys won’t know unless they tell! Now it got a little more exciting.

“Then, can I also come?”

The second-class disciple hesitates for a while.

The initial response that she wanted to give was an agreement since it was Tang Soso anyway. But the issue was that she doesn’t have permission to leave from the sect leader.

She settles by saying, “Let’s ask first.”

“Okay!”

In the end, Hyun Jong couldn’t find it in him to reject when there’s two of them asking. In the first place, there was nothing wrong with what they were asking. They are just concerned about what was happening to Chung Myung and for the cause of his odd behavior recently.

The two descended the mountain without the other disciples noticing. 

The greater challenge that faced them wasn’t getting permission to go out, nor was it descending the mountain. It was more of the fact that they have no idea where the person they were supposedly trying to find went.

They tried to ask around the nearby restaurants and passersby for a while, but none of them saw a Mount Hua disciple passing by. 

It was only after some aimless wandering did Yu Iseol have an idea on what to do. She turned around and started walking in a specific direction. Tang Soso immediately noticed what she was doing and hurried to catch up to her.

“Sago, did you find something?”

There was a humming sound. “I know who to ask.”

“Alright.”

Because she seemed confident in her movements, Tang Soso fully believed in her. They ended up going around for a few more steps before ending up in a seemingly wealthy place. It was the Eunha branch that was stationed in the town. If there’s anyone that might have an idea, then maybe it was them.

Tang Soso looks around for a while, nodding in appreciation. It was only natural for sects to partner with a merchant association, and by looking at it and recalling the other businesses they’ve been to, she knew that this place was a highly competent one.

Someone was quick to report their visit. From the inside of the place, Hwang Jongui felt some sort of deja vu as he hurried to greet the Mount Hua disciples that came to visit the place. He politely bows as a greeting to them.

“Hello, young disciples.”

The way he spoke was now more formal compared to when he was talking to Chung Myung. This is because he wasn’t very familiar with the others from the sect while said person would commonly come inside this place either to run some errands or to say hello to his father.

Tang Soso decided that she shouldn’t bother her sago with having to talk, so she decided to explain the situation instead.

“Hello. We just came to ask if my sahyung came by recently.”

“By sahyung…do you mean the Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon?”

Since Chung Myung wasn’t there to tell him not to call him that way, then he was more than ready to use that term. There was just something satisfying about saying it, like being proud of the fact that he was acquainted with one of the rising stars of Jianghu.

“That’s right.”

“Is something the matter? He hasn’t visited this place for a few days now.”

“Ah?” Tang Soso looks up to her companion for a while, a bit lost. She looks back to the vice president afterwards. “Then, did he mention anything when he was here?”

“Come to think of it, he was covered in injuries when he ran here back then.”

“...”

The two disciples avoided eye contact for a while, not because they felt guilty, but because they were annoyed. That guy, even though he willingly allowed himself to get hit, he really didn’t spare any of them! 

“I was wondering why he didn’t just go to the sect’s Medicine Hall, since he said someone from the Tang Family was now in the sect.”

Ah? He talked about Soso to the merchant guild? 

She feels a little embarrassed, but happy. Like this, she was no longer someone who was thought to only be some jade in her family, but someone competent enough to be trusted when it comes to other matters.

“What happened next?”

“He was asking where the doctor who just came by lives. That’s right, there was someone that recently moved into town, and he’s been helping others for free. I assume that’s where he went back then. As for where he is now, well..Maybe it’s worth checking?”

The two disciples exchanged glances again, then cupped their fist with a palm and bowed slightly.

“Thank you for telling us. But where is that place?”

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

 “If you weren’t a martial arts disciple, then you would’ve already had liver problems by now.”

“But I am,” Chung Myung shot back, crossing his arms and looking disgruntled. “Quit nagging me. Aigoo, aigoo…you’re starting to sound like someone I knew.”

Tang Bo, who was in the middle of throwing away the bottle that the disciple brought with him, turned to glance back at him. “With how much you drink, you’d definitely be holding a bottle in the middle of a fight or something. Isn’t this some sort of addiction?”

 He looks away, grumbling unhappily to himself.

Sighing, Tang Bo discards the bottle and returns to his kitchen to grab something that he bought not too long ago. Due to how many times this guy keeps coming to his place, it is inevitable that he ends up figuring out some things that he likes.

He returns, and Chung Myung looks back in time to see a mooncake being waved in front of his face. Without any other word, he grabbed it and started eating, the grumpy expression melting away in an instant.

Tang Bo watched him for a while, entertained. While he’s a handful more often than not, he really does act like a cute kid whenever it’s like this.

Seeing as he was busy with what he was eating, the older person left again to grab a seat and brought it closer to where Chung Myung was. Then, he settled down there and watched as the food was rapidly consumed.

“Anyway, I can’t help but notice something.”

Chung Myung looked at him when the next conversation began. He licked away the remnants of the mooncake crumbs around his mouth and then tilted his head, waiting for the other man to continue.

“Even though I’m older than you, you don’t really like to acknowledge it much, don’t you?”

Older? Oooolder?

If Chung Myung had less self-restraint, he would’ve bursted out laughing at that moment. It was ridiculous to hear that in this lifetime, because he technically is an old man. Sure, if it was Tang Bo, then there’s lesser years compared to the kids living in this generation. But still, it was funny.

“What about it?”

Tang Bo leans forward slightly, eyes glinting with something that he can’t quite pinpoint. It was a look that immediately made the disciple wary.

“Try it.”

“Huh?”

He pointed to himself and said, “Try calling me ‘Hyung’.”

“...”

Chung Myung stares at him, speechless.

Hyung? Hyung? Tang Bo?!?!?!

No way! No way! Isn’t that just too strange?!

There was no trouble calling everyone in the sect as his sahyungs and sasuks, but he can’t seriously say that when the person he was talking to was probably the reincarnation of Tang Bo who doesn’t remember anything! It was too odd! Just thinking about him saying that word made him grimace.

What the heck?

Tang Bo, seeing the offended look on his face, became even more determined to get him to call him that way. “Come on now, I’m older, aren’t I? Just one time, no! Maybe two! Or just call me like that!”

He almost jumped off where he was sitting. The swordsman batted away the hands that were trying to pinch his cheek, his face looking very traumatized. This crazy guy, ah! Just wait when you remember everything!

“Leave me alone!”

“Come on! Oh, I know, should I go first so you become less embarrassed?”

“...Huh?”

Go…go first with what? What’s this guy saying?

Then Tang Bo leans back, his smile looking uncomfortably close to a smirk.

“Dongsaeng.”

Chung Myung’s head blanked out.

He’s crazy, he’s really gone crazy! It was so creepy that shivers ran down his spine! He made sure to inch away, staring at him like he was some unverified existence that absolutely mustn’t be approached.

This time, he jumped away from his position and tried to get away from the excited Tang Bo. If it took a while before he relented being called ‘Hyung-nim’ in the past, then this was something that absolutely must never happen!

“Get away from me!”

Tang Bo took that as a challenge and stood up as well.

“My dongsaeng, Chung Myung-ah, don’t run away! It’s just one time, alright? Just once!”

Calling him by name too?! What’s with this guy? He got so used with hearing nothing but ‘Dosa Hyung-nim!’ from him that it almost felt wrong to hear this right now. Internally, Chung Myung was already screaming so much.

“Dojang is fine! Fine! Don’t call me that, I’m not your brother! Why are you so obsessed with this anyway? You creep! Get away! Awaaaaaay!”

“Just once! Just once!”

He abruptly spun on his heel and brought out his sheathed sword, pointing threateningly at Tang Bo who skidded to a stop just by the tip of it.

“I’m going to hit you if you take a step closer,” he warns.

Tang Bo immediately raised both hands in surrender, smiling nervously. “Yah, come on now. It was just a joke. A joke!”

There were a few more seconds of that stalemate before Chung Myung lowered his sword, glaring defensively. The other man also brings both of his arms down, going back to a calmer mood now that his teasing was over.

“You don’t like either, so should I just continue with calling you a little brat?”

“No,” he immediately answered. “I told you, dojang is fine!”

He already said this when Tang Bo asked what to call him before. Because it isn’t natural asking him to call him by how he used to, then he settled for the safest option, which was something that he was already asking others to call him with anyway.

“Alright, alright. Because you keep insisting.”

He nods after that, relieved that he was free from whatever harassment he was suddenly subjected to. But the lull in the moment made him more wary of his surroundings, and the swordsman tensed up slightly.

Reaching out behind him, he slams the window open to look outside. And then looked up the trees where he could feel someone’s presence lurking around.

Who?

It was a bit alarming. Why was someone just hiding outside instead of coming in? Did they follow Chung Myung here?

Instead, he finds himself looking back at the two familiar faces of Tang Soso and Yu Iseol. The former looks a bit sheepish for being discovered while the latter just stared back at him, then turned her gaze at Tang Bo, then back at him.

These two heard what had been going on for a while now. There was also another window from this angle where they could see her sajil running around instead of yelling and hitting the stranger immediately.

“What are you doing here?” Chung Myung asked incredulously.

Not that Tang Bo’s presence was supposed to be a secret, but he felt a bit caught-off guard since these two found out where he’s been going for some time now.

“We were just worried, sahyung,” Tang Soso immediately says. But before she can elaborate, a soft voice follows after her.

“I understand.”

“Huh?”

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at Yu Iseol, who just hopped down from the tree. From behind Chung Myung, the doctor glanced at them for the last time, before shrugging.

“I’ll let you talk with your friends, then.”

And then he leaves.

Yu Iseol watched him go, her usual deadpan expression melting into some sort of enlightenment.

During the entire time that they were there, she had observed some things. The main thing out of that was the fact that it was the first time she’s seen her sajil indulging in childish activities instead of burying himself in their training and overworking himself as well.

Most importantly, she saw a softness there. It was so brief that she thought she imagined things, but there definitely was one.

So she ends up saying, “Don’t worry, sajil. We won’t tell.”

“Uh?”

Hearing her say this, Tang Soso’s eyes widened as she also connected the dots. A hand covered her mouth to hide her shock for a moment, and she seemed to be processing what she concluded. Her eyes trailed back inside the house where she can no longer see the fourth person.

Of all people, Chung Myung? The same guy who avoided her like a plague back when she was trying to marry him??

No way! It was a bit surprising, but exciting to think about. She also can’t help but feel a little giddy.

Not a martial artist as well, but a normal person? I didn’t expect that from you, sahyung.

She was determined when she gave her blessing.

“Sahyung, I am really willing to help if you want.”

Chung Myung didn’t immediately understand what they were talking about. He stared at the two disciples as if they’ve gone insane, his head tilting in confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

The two girls paused and looked back at him as if trying to figure out something. The way they kept doing this made him feel a bit unnerved that he unknowingly took a step back. It was like two tigers were quietly observing him, which is ridiculous, by the way. These two are young enough to be his granddaughters, there was no need to be scared!

Tang Soso was the first one to react. She looked stunned as she realized something else.

“How can this be? Sago, surely it’s not…?”

But Yu Iseol only nodded her head gravely. She looked at Chung Myung with a pitying look, which made him feel a little more frustrated.

How are they having a conversation that only they can understand? They haven’t even known each other for very long, but this was already the level of their communication? He couldn’t decide whether it was scary or commendable.

“Sahyung, you’re really…”

Tang Soso shakes her head. To be fair, this was the same person who ran away from her. There was no way he could probably figure out his own feelings so easily.

Still, it's a bit sad to think about! He really is still their youngest!

Yu Iseol moves closer to come inside. “Where’s that person?”

“Tang Bo?” Chung Myung asked. “Probably going back to his weird experiments. Why?”

She didn’t answer and instead vanished so quickly, like a ghost. Tang Soso didn’t even wait for him to say anything, inviting herself inside as well to follow where her sago went. The remaining disciple stared blankly after her figure, frozen from his position of holding the windows open.

Yah…is this really okay? Who invited those two in, ah?

And Soso, too…you weren’t like this in the past, right? Surely, even though you chased him around wearing all those accessories and heels, you would have more manners than coming inside a guy’s house without permission, right…?

H–Hey…?

But they already set their minds into it. Yu Iseol appeared without showing her presence to Tang Bo. Just as he turned around to head to his shelves, he found the woman from earlier staring at him quietly just a few feet away from him. It surprised him so much he almost screamed.

“Oh—Hello?”

Instead of answering, she narrowed her eyes at him. Tang Soso arrived later. When she caught her breath, she straightened up again and looked at Tang Bo up and down like she was sizing him up.

“Him?”

“Mhm.”

“...Me?”

He pointed to himself, not knowing why they were all suddenly on his case. He thought these two were having a conversation with Chung Myung? How come they’re suddenly here, then?

“You.”

“Yes.”

The dangerous look that the taller girl was giving him made him feel a little nervous.

Hey, can they at least talk about the reason for whatever is going on? Isn't it a little unfair to be hostile at him even though he doesn't even know why this was happening?

“Why here?”

“What?”

“Sago is asking why you moved to this village,” Tang Soso explained, crossing his arms. “You came recently, right? And sahyung immediately stuck to you. Why’s that? Is it purely coincidental?”

This…Is this an interrogation? So suddenly?

Tang Bo, who doesn't know where this is going, said, “Well, I've been moving around a lot. I've been everywhere else, and this year happened to be here.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Why do they look like they don't believe him? Why are they being so distrustful anyway?

More surprising, however, was how they suddenly descended into firing one question after another to him. While it was true that they acted so supportive towards Chung Myung, there was no way they’re going to play nice to him too!

“How well do you know him anyway? No, how old are you? Where did you come from? Your surname is ‘Tang’ as well? Are you part of—”

Before they could say anything more, Chung Myung came into the room as well, grabbing the two girls by their arm and dragging them back away from Tang Bo. They disappeared as quickly as they came.

“What are you saying, ah? It's nonsense! All nonsense!”

“But sahyung—”

“Don't assume things!”

Their voices trailed off as they got further away. The doctor stood there for a while, blinking in confusion.

What was that about?

After a while, he moves back to the living room to see what happened. However, the only one he found there was Chung Myung, who was plopped on the chair he moved there, like he was tired.

Tang Bo moves over to poke the top of his head. Chung Myung looks up at him, catching his finger with a frown.

“Don't do that.”

“What's that about?”

“Nothing. They just wondered where I went.”

“Ah?” Tang Bo’s eyebrows scrunched together. “You came here without them knowing?”

“I can come and go from the sect whenever I want. I was given permission.”

“Is that so…”

His hand was released. He took the chance to observe the younger boy that went back to staring at the ceiling without saying anything else.

There was a question that was nagging at him from the back of his mind for a while now. It was only then did he finally decide to ask about it, especially since interesting things had just happened.

“Dojang.”

“Oh, you got it right this time,” Chung Myung off-handedly comments.

“Those two said that you came as soon as you heard I'm here.”

He sees the other person stop moving around so much. Plum blossom eyes slowly shifted to look in his direction.

“That's not it.”

“Then?”

He took a long while, thinking how to respond. Instead, he settled with, “I was injured, and you were a good conversation partner.”

“But wasn't there a doctor in your sect? I'm pretty sure those things have that.”

“...”

Tang Bo moves so that he could properly look at him. He made sure to evenly meet his eyes as he listed down the things he wanted to say.

“You talk familiarly with me, and from our previous conversations, you know some things I would do even though we haven't spent much time with each other.”

“...”

“Since it’s like this, I'm a little curious.”

Chung Myung listened to his words without saying anything, his expression carefully tempered to make sure that nothing slips through. There was nothing that could be read there.

“Have we met before?”

…

Well.

What to say to that?

Originally, Chung Myung thought he would've just straight up told him about how he thinks Tang Bo is the reincarnated, but amnesiac version of his friend in his past life. But the problem was that, the more time that he spent with him, the more he hesitated to talk about it.

He seems to be doing fine not knowing the problems of his previous life. Would it be unfair to burden him with all of it again?

When his mouth opened, all Chung Myung said was something vague. He didn't even bother explaining and just allowed Tang Bo to interpret it as he wanted.

“Well, it was a long time ago.”

“...”

“So let's forget it. If you don't remember, it's probably nothing too important.”

…He'll tell eventually. Just…not now.

Tang Bo looked a little displeased by that answer. He narrowed his eyes, but shook his head.

“Alright.”

Chapter Text

Chung Myung hasn’t visited for a few days now. No, he hasn’t stopped by ever since that time some of his fellow disciples followed him down the mountain.

At first, Tang Bo thought that it was only natural for it to happen. After all, that guy has a life of his own no matter how young he is. And he was also a martial artist. There was no way that a disciple could have so much free time everyday that he would be able to visit as much as he wants.

However, it was only the second day of him not being anywhere in sight did Tang Bo start to miss the presence that would linger around. Although that guy wasn’t the kind of person who had plenty of words to say, him being in the same room was enough.

The silence between them has always been comfortable. Now, being alone felt a little too lonely.

For a brief moment, he wondered if the reason why this had happened was because he was asking some things that Chung Myung was uncomfortable with the last time they met. He clearly saw the awkward expression on the younger man’s face, the kind of expression that someone who wanted to change the subject as much as possible would wear. But he insisted on asking, and it ended up like this now.

“Aigoo.”

Tang Bo shakes his head and sighs heavily. There was a hand on his forehead, which moved to scratch the top of his head slightly.

Still, nothing much changed from his schedule and he did his everyday as he always has. He went around the town when his supplies finally ran out, and helped some of the villagers that would stop by once in a while for treatment, whether light or serious.

He was apparently the only one who thought so.

The man watching over the vegetable stall today looked at him, then around him as if trying to find something. When he didn’t see what he was looking for, he turned his eyes back to a confused Tang Bo, who was about to pay for what he just got.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“The disciple isn’t here with you, I take it?”

“No he’s not.”

The vegetables were taken from his hands and then packed up for him to be able to carry easily. The man nodded as if it made sense.

“So that’s why you look a little gloomy since yesterday.”

“...Me?”

“Yes? Is there anyone else I’m talking to?”

“...”

Tang Bo paid for what he bought and returned home. However, the words that were spoken to him left him thinking about it for a while. He tossed and turned them over his mind, frowning all the while.

“Me? Gloomy?”

He doesn’t really feel particularly different.

Of course, he smiles less without Chung Myung, but that was only because there was nothing happening anyway. His conversations with the disciple were always so entertaining that he couldn’t help but smile at them. But if doesn’t have anyone to talk to, then it is normal not to smile or else he would look like he lost his mind for some reason.

Him? Does he look gloomy without that person?

It was an odd thing to say. Hasn’t he always been like this though?

In the end, he brushed it off as a passing comment and there was no need to think too much about it. 

There are more urgent matters to think about rather than whether or not he looks lonely. When he came home, there was a letter waiting for him just by his doorway. It arrived while he was outside, and the person who came to deliver it must’ve been in too much of a hurry to wait for him to come back.

Since it was like that, he immediately knew who this letter was from.

In his family, his parents would always send their letters all at the same time. There is only one person they would hire in order to deliver it. They don’t trust just any courier services to take care of the job no matter how good their reputation is, especially if they would have to cross an area with bandits lurking around. This is why they personally assign someone to take care of it.

That person would travel all over to deliver the letters safely, but because there’s plenty in his list all the time, then it was natural that he would try to finish his task as much as possible.

Of course, there is a handsome pay for it. Or else, no one would’ve bothered doing that job.

Tang Bo lets another burdensome breath. He was already lacking the motivation to pick up the letter and read the contents of it.

He knew that there would be a high chance of the contents being some sort of persuasion for him to come back home. But despite what he wanted to do, he headed back inside to properly store the things he bought. Then, he took his seat and opened the letter to read the contents.

There was barely any reason to be careful. It almost ripped in between his fingers before he managed to wrangle it out. Then, Tang Bo raises it and starts to read.

The contents really were as expected. He rolled his eyes and went to the last line.

When he was done reading, Tang Bo lowered it back down with a frown on his face. He stared blankly at it for a while, before running a hand over his hair again.

“It’s gonna get bothersome soon.”

He hoped that person won’t find him, but alas, he had too high hopes. If he knew well, then there was no way someone like that would give up so easily. Even if he runs all the way to Shaanxi and hides in this village for a while.

“That crazy person…”

As for Chung Myung himself, however, he really doesn’t hold any negative feelings for him. Even if there was a slightly bitter note in their last conversation, there was simply no way that he would be hung up on that.

The truth was that for a few days, he decided to focus on the disciples more since the tournament was rapidly approaching. And then the other days he was absent precisely because he was participating in it. It took some time for the event to be done, but for him, the entire thing ended satisfactorily.

Shaolin was humiliated. That was enough for him for now.

If there was another good thing about it, it was the fact that there are now some sects who are trying to get into their good side again. To him, it was a familiar sight since the previous Mount Hua would constantly experience it. But for these people right now, it was such an amazing thing that was just short of a miracle.

It was a little depressing to think about. All these things, the prestige and honor and pride are things that they should’ve had the moment they chose Mount Hua. But Chung Myung, who failed to protect the sect until the very end, had no choice but to let them inherit the remains of a collapsing sect.

Well, it was unfortunate. But he’s here now, and there was no way that kind of thing would happen again!

Anyway, it’s been a while since he saw a familiar face, right?

His sahyungs in the dorms were still vibrating with excitement even after the tournament ended, and they were all so busy talking about it with those who had to remain. Since it was like this, Chung Myung decided to let them have their moment of victory and let them off for a little bit.

He decided to come down the mountain to see someone as soon as he was free. It was bad because he forgot to talk about the event with Tang Bo. But he supposed that since people were talking about it anyway, then maybe he would have a clue as to why he suddenly wasn’t showing up.

Funnily enough, the first people to notice his presence were Tang Bo’s neighbors.

He doesn't really talk to them, but they say hi every once in a while when the two of them would pass by their house. It seems it was natural for friendly relations to be made when you live so close with each other.

“Sohyeop, you're visiting today!” The pleasant lady acknowledged, smiling at him.

Her husband was next to her, waving when he saw him looking.

“It's been a while. It seems you were busy?”

He was unused to such casual conversation, so he just scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“There were some things I had to do previously.”

“That's good. Oh, we shouldn't hold you back too long. The doctor is at home. He doesn't come outside much in the first place, but he will definitely hear you if you knock.”

“Alright.”

He thanked the couple and bid them farewell before continuing.

Even though they told him to knock, there was actually no need for it. He just opened the door and came in without saying as much as an announcement of his presence. Still, he was detected because he didn’t make a conscious effort to hide himself either. Someone peeked out from a room to see who was there, and he saw how eyes widened when he saw who it was.

“Welcome back,” Tang Bo greets, forgetting about what he was doing so that he could greet the disciple that he hasn’t seen for quite some time. “Were you busy?”

Chung Myung, who thought that he’d have known what happened because everyone was talking about the Murim Tournament anyway, looked at him in confusion.

“I was on Mount Song.”

“Huh?” Tang Bo looked at him in surprise. “Mount Song? That’s far from here. Was it a mission?”

“No? It was the tournament.”

“There was a tournament?”

 The younger person gave him a blank expression. “You really don’t know?”

“No.”

This guy…

Well, not that it matters. Since Tang Bo wasn’t involved in the tournament anyway, it only makes sense that he has no idea about it. That’s probably how normal people are like.

Still, it feels a bit sad. In the past, there were never any tournaments that were held in his first life. This was partly the reason why Tang Bo wasn’t able to prove the point that he wanted to make and had to actively find him just so they could prove who is stronger.

He thinks that this guy would’ve enjoyed participating as well.

But then again, it was likely that the young monk he faced off against wouldn’t end up in the finals if Tang Bo had his memories and had practiced martial arts. The outcome would’ve been different and he wouldn’t be able to humiliate Shaolin just as he had.

Tang Bo felt a bit relieved when he was briefly told about why the other person wasn’t visiting for the past few days. It disproved his assumption that it was because of what he said when they last met. He felt as if a weight was lifted from his chest.

“Anyway, since you’re here now, you should help me out.”

“Uh?”

Chung Myung tilted his head, a bit interested. Most times when there was something that he was asked to help out with, they go outside. He also says, ‘You should come with me’ instead of what he just said. He wondered what it would be this time.

“Stay here for a while.”

“Look at this guy, ordering me around when I just came back…”

Chung Myung mumbled to himself as if displeased, but it was only for act. He sits down where he usually does and waits for the other person to do whatever it was that he had to do.

Tang Bo laughed slightly when he heard the annoyed grumbling, finding it familiar. Now, that kind of noise was something that he missed during the time that he was alone in the house and left unvisited.

He comes back with something in between his hands. It was a bottle filled with something that he hadn't seen before. Chung Myung watched it with dread for a while, feeling some sort of deja vu.

“Yah! What’s that?”

“This?” Tang Bo raises the bottle to give him a better look. “Let’s test it on you.”

“...”

“You came just at the perfect time.”

He slowly raises his eyes to look at the smiling face, speechless.

“ What is that?”

“It’s something I’m experimenting on,” Tang Bo answered brightly, his smile not dimming at all. “Usually, I test it on myself. Take a look.”

He rolled up his left sleeve and showed some bandages wrapped around his arm. Chung Myung already wanted to hit him when he saw it. But the moment that guy started unwrapping the bandages, he felt some alarm and resisted the urge to scream at him.

He ran over and grabbed the doctor by the shoulders, shaking him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Ah—Hey! Calm down!”

He shook him for a while more before he finally let up, staring in horror at the bottle.

“Wait a minute, you wanted me to test the bottle?”

“That’s right.”

“...Me? Drink the bottle?”

“It’s the only bottle here, and you’re the only other person apart from me.”

Chung Myung looked back at the arm that still didn’t have the bandages from earlier, swallowing back his saliva.

No, the state of that arm looks bad enough, you weird Tang brat! You want to make him drink something that he doesn’t even know anything about?!

The way Tang Bo was still grinning made him want to slap his face.

Of all things you would have carried with you from your past life, why the hell does it have to be this weird habit?!

While it was true that he was used to throwing himself in dangerous situations, Tang Bo’s weird concoctions are totally out of the question! It’s always unknown what the effects will be, this guy is really unreliable when it comes to these things! Sometimes, he would sneakily spike their drinks to see if what he made would affect the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, but everytime it was discovered, he would get beaten up and scolded so badly.

Still…

Eurk…this…

Without even realizing it, there was a pout on his face. Chung Myung cannot find it in him to reject the request for help, despite having an inkling on what would happen to him. The moment he saw this, Tang Bo’s lips tugged into a larger smile.

He couldn’t help himself. Without warning, the now-older person reached out and pinched his cheek.

“Hey!”

“Don’t you trust me? Why are you hesitating so much?” Tang Bo pretended to feel sad. “Don't worry, it’s safe.”

“How can you be sure? Did you try it?”

“Of course not!”

“But this guy—”

Chung Myung wanted to kick his shin, but regrettably had to hold it in. Right, this guy is useless now in everything except with medicine and things like this. He would probably be so dramatic about it if the swordsman hits him like how he hits the chicks of Mount Hua.

He sighs in resignation. Anyway, it’s not like he’d be in danger. While the effects have always been unknown, Tang Bo never gave him anything that could be deadly.

He held out his hands and waited to be handed the bottle with his head down, like a criminal awaiting punishment.

Tang Bo watched all this in amusement. It was funny how he was acting like this, since he wasn’t obligated to take it anyway. But Chung Myung only commented in shock a few times as if asking for clarification if he’s really the one who will take it. But not once did he voice out that he refuses to drink it.

It’s amazing. He didn’t even insist too much on knowing what it was made of. Does he really trust Tang Bo this much even though they hadn’t known each other for very long?

Dojang, it’s so easy to poison you like this…

Of course, Tang Bo wouldn’t understand that this is only the case because it was him offering the drink.

Chung Myung raised the small bottle next to his face as if trying to figure out what it was. He sighs and thinks he could purify off whatever it is anyway. Holding his breath, he popped it open and drank it in one gulp.

…

…

There was a long pause. The two of them just stared at each other for a while, waiting for something to happen.

The Mount Hua disciple frowned. There was something sweet exploding in his mouth. He tried to recall from his memories if this was something he tried before. His head came up blank.

And then Tang Bo smiled at him. His face became a little red, and his lips trembled as if he was trying to hold back something.

“It was juice.”

“Ah?”

“I just gave you juice, dojang. You looked so wary of it, but it really is harmless.”

The expression that Chung Myung gave him did it for him.

Tang Bo bent over and started laughing so hard that there were tears in the corner of his eyes. Chung Myung, mouth hanging open because he had been overthinking for nothing, secured the bottle inside his sleeves and clenched his fist.

“You…”

Playing nice? Niiiice? Him? Just because this guy is a normal person now? No way! Not when he pulls these kinds of jokes!

“Is it funny? Is it really so funny, you bastard?”

“It was just some light hearted teasing. Don’t be so—”

Tang Bo saw the fist and started laughing nervously instead.

“It really was a joke! Yah! It was sweet too, wasn’t it? It tasted nice, right? Do–dojang!”

“I’ll show you a joke! Come on, laugh!”

“Ackk!!”

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

“Is Chung Myung here?”

“Chung Myung?” Yun Jong looked up at the person who just came inside the room. Then, he shook his head. “No, why? Did something happen?”

“No, sahyung.” Jo Gul looked around as if to double check. “But he’s gone again.”

“That guy comes down the mountain whenever he wants to. Is it weird?”

“...No.”

Rather, what was weird was the fact that he was consistent in his descent ever since that one particular time he went down before the tournament itself. Some of the disciples have been mumbling about it, wondering why he kept vanishing. While it didn’t affect their training too much, it was certainly something that is bound to attract some attention.

Seeing the troubled look on Jo Gul’s face, Yun Jong sighed.

“Did sasuk say anything about it?”

“He was the one who asked first where Chung Myung is.”

“Then…”

The daesahyung of the third-class disciples pondered over something for a bit before coming to a conclusion.

“Since everyone is so curious about it, why don’t we convince sasuk to ask permission to see what Chung Myung is up to?”

“Won’t Elder Hyun Young get angry at us?” Jo Gul asks doubtfully. That person would definitely start ranting about how Chung Myung is free to do whatever he wants without scrutiny.

“It’s out of concern. That’s our sajae, right? We are just worried. What if something is wrong and we kept ignoring it?”

It was so easy to convince him.

At the end of the day, even though they keep calling Chung Myung an asura, all of them would naturally worry when that guy was acting out of character. With a nod, Jo Gul ran off to find Baek Cheon and talk about this suggestion.

Whatever that guy is up to…they could only hope it’s nothing that would cause too much of a headache.

Chapter Text

“Y–yes? Jangmun-in, are you…?”

“Just one day of a break, Chung Myung-ah.”

“No, this…”

He looked at a loss as watched the smiling face of the sect leader. But there was no way he could reject it now. This is a request—No, isn’t it an order from the sect leader? The disciples had come up with the right idea when they decided to ask for permission, because it also gave them a chance to bail out of training.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

“Eurk—”

He lowers his head and just decides to listen to what was being requested from him.

Tsk. Fine. He’d let those brats go just for today. Today only.

Naturally, the news spread quickly as soon as he relented. There were some who took advantage of it and decided to let the others do what they wanted to do, choosing to go rest instead. The majority of the disciples waited until Chung Myung was off the mountain, before discreetly following after him as much as possible.

It was difficult. They had to make sure that they kept their distance unless they wanted that guy to figure out what they were doing.

However, because of how quickly Chung Myung moves around, it was inevitable that they end up losing him. The disciples stood in the middle of the street, looking left and right and trying to figure out which way he went.

Baek Cheon sighed. Like this, there was no way for them to find them quickly enough. Hua-Um may seem small, but it’s definitely big if they’re looking for one person. Especially someone as slippery as their sajae.

He turns to the group that came with him.

“Let’s split up.”

“Yes, sasuk.”

They quickly split their group as much as possible, and then made sure to head to different directions. Because of their presence, it made the place look busier than it usually was. Strange looks were sent over their way as disciples wearing the uniform of Mount Hua passed through the streets, eyes looking around carefully as if they were trying to find something.

One of the men in the corner looked a bit worried.

“Is there something going on?” he asked out loud.

This question made the person standing next to him turn his head to look. Tang Bo, who had only come to the area to restock some supplies that he will be using to make more of his medicine, seemed confused when he recognized the symbol embroidered on their uniforms.

That’s odd.

He doesn’t really remember Chung Myung mentioning to him about anything big that will be happening soon. Not that he was required to, but that person would usually tell him a lot of things happening ever since that time when he assumed wrong during the Murim Tournament. So it was strange to have this many disciples down the mountain if there was nothing major that was happening.

Unless it was urgent, of course.

“There might be.”

A disciple caught sight of their curious expressions and headed for their direction. He looks serious as he walks forward, and his martial brother follows closely behind him.

“Hello,” the young disciple greets politely. Tang Bo mentally takes note that he looks a little older than Chung Myung. “Is it alright if we ask some things?”

Oh?

Maybe he could get some information while they’re trying to get some out from here.

“Yeah, sure.”

The disciple looks a bit put off by the mild disinterest in his tone. Still, he exchanged glances with his martial brothers, and then decided to just go continue with what he was originally going to ask for.

“Have you seen another disciple? He didn’t really come down with anyone and was wearing the black version of our uniform.”

Tang Bo briefly glanced at the other man who was originally with him. That person was frowning as he thought about the description.

“Is there something going on? You’re not the first one asking about this.”

“Ah?” Tang Bo cuts in, eyes narrowing. “Someone asked about him before?”

“Yes. Two girls, also wearing their uniform.”

Hearing those words, he suddenly remembered the two women who were eavesdropping just outside his house about a week ago and realized why it sounded familiar. He nods in understanding and turns back to the other two who were still waiting for an answer.

They were probably looking for Chung Myung, right? But why? Did he do something wrong?

“I have the same question,” he answered, referring to the inquiry about whether there was something going on.

“Well, no…” The second disciple looked a bit unsure whether he was going to explain. After a brief pause, he ended up telling the truth anyway. “We’re just a bit worried about our sajae.”

Uh? What’s this?

“Why?”

“It’s because he’s been acting weird lately, so we wanted to make sure that nothing is wrong.”

He watched them for a while, a bit amused. So, were they feeling a bit worried because of whatever was going on with Chung Myung? He already thought about it, but he had an inkling that they were actually protective over him. He initially thought about this when he saw the judging expression of the first two that visited him, and this incident is slowly confirming it.

Still, maybe he should play dumb for a bit. Even though he knew that the person they were looking for probably went to his home to see if he was there.

“Even if he’s acting weird, why are you running around following after him without his permission? You could’ve just asked him or waited until he told you. Do you trust him so little?”

The two disciples looked a bit offended by what he said.

“Yah, you don’t know anything.”

Oh, look at that. He laughed inwardly when they glared at him, because that expression looks so similar to the very same person they were talking about. From the scrunching of the eyebrows to the look that was more similar to a bandit than a Taoist, it really was so familiar.

“Then, what else am I supposed to think?”

“That guy just doesn’t tell us anything,” the other one defended. “He’s exactly the kind of person who refuses to speak even though there’s obviously some things bothering him.”

“That’s right. That guy doesn’t know it, but at night, we could clearly hea—Ehem.”

He was elbowed before he could say too much, especially to people outside the sect. Their sajae’s problems weren’t something that they should openly tell to everyone.

“Is this disciple a newcomer?” the person next to Tang Bo asked curiously. “If the sect is protective, then he must be, right?”

There was the sound of someone snorting.

“Newcomer? I wouldn’t say that. That guy would beat up anyone anytime. He’s ruthless.”

The two shuddered as they remembered the asura that breathed down their necks during training. This made the man confused, so they decided to elaborate.

“Have you heard of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon?”

That name was familiar. Both the man and Tang Bo looked on in interest, wondering why that name was suddenly mentioned. They are aware that the person was someone from Mount Hua, but no one has actually seen him in person. They figured that since he was such a great person based on the rumors, there’s very little reason for him to come down when there was no trouble anyway.

Someone like that would probably prefer to train and improve their skills up in Mount Hua, right?

The two older men nodded, so they continued. “That’s the sajae we’re looking for.”

Yeah, they figured as much as—

Wait, what?

Who? Who was the sajae?

“What?” Tang Bo voiced out loud, eyes widening slightly. From next to him, the other man also looked surprised.

“The Divine Dragon is in our village?”

“That’s right. But don’t tell everyone, because he might run away if he figured out we’re looking for him.”

Huh?

Tang Bo blinked several times, frowning. Hey, weren’t they talking about Chung Myung? Or were they talking about different people? He might not be too interested in whatever is happening in Jianghu, there was no way that he wouldn't hear about that title.

That person who beat the gaju of the Tang Family? He’s also heard from the rumors that he would’ve won the Murim Tournament had he not chosen to surrender at the last minute.

He knew that Chung Myung was a martial artist, and that he was good enough to participate in the tournament. But…the person who won said event was the same brat who keeps visiting his home? The person who discussed the dagger techniques of the Tang Family with him when they first met? Uh? What’s going on?

It doesn’t make sense. Chung Myung doesn’t really talk about his martial arts since Tang Bo said he was uninvolved in jianghu anyway. But why is someone like that sticking to Tang Bo like a leech? The oddness of the situation suddenly dawned on him.

Ah, that’s right, it makes some sense now. If someone as good as that was acting weird, then it was natural that the people from the sect would try to figure out what was wrong. Since he was a significant person in their sect, then anything that troubles him might cause troubles for the sect as well.

It was still shocking, though. To think that he was actually an impressive person, but would just hang around his house and complain, asking random questions and acting like his age..

Tang Bo made a mental note to himself to ask what this was about, with him apparently being so weird that the sect was starting to worry about him.

Before they could talk about anything more, however, Tang Bo felt something tug lightly at his sleeves. There was a young boy that briefly passed by him, bumping shoulders but not taking the moment to pause to look at him or apologize.

Wait…

His other hand immediately checked his clothes. This action allowed him to quickly notice that his money bag was missing.

“Yah,” he slowly lowered his hand and stared at the retreating figure. “That guy stole my money.”

“Huh?”

“My money,” he pointed at the brat who bumped into him. The disciples found where he was pointing at, and gears slowly started to turn inside their heads. “That person took it.”

“...”

“...”

In an instant, they bolted and ran after the thief.

They were so quick that an untrained eye wouldn’t have noticed them going. The man next to Tang Bo looked both stunned and impressed at how quickly the disciples moved, then frowned when he noticed the unbothered look on the other person’s face.

“You seem unworried.”

“Me?” Tang Bo pointed to himself, then shrugged. “Well, no need to worry.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. Don’t you trust those kids?”

There was the sound of fingers scratching at the head. The man nodded. “They’re martial artists, so I guess you’re right.”

He nodded, before deciding he should probably follow them. He decided to put off his restocking for now and quickly followed after the shouting duo, shaking his head all the while. His hand slid inside his sleeve, grabbing something that he never fails to bring with him in case of emergencies like this.

He may be a doctor, but Tang Bo made sure to not slack on physical activities for some reason. It feels off whenever he doesn’t do some exercises, after all.

He quickly caught up to them, the thief also being in perfect sight. The crowd of people that were walking along the streets made sure to part ways when they saw that there was someone being chased, their first instinct being to watch what was happening.

There was a perfect angle right where Tang Bo was right now, a good line of sight where he could see the guy who snatched his wallet. Without an ounce of hesitation, his fingers slipped away from his sleeves, and several thin, tiny things flew out. The only indication that there was anything at all was the glint midair as the sunlight reflects on metal.

Thin needles landed perfectly on several acupoints. The thief froze from where he was, suddenly being unable to move. The disciples chasing after him also came to a stop, looking confused at what just happened.

Tang Bo slowed down his pace and smiled at the group.

“That was a handful for no reason.”

Finally, the thin needles were visible when they got closer. The two disciples stared at it for a while, before turning dumbfounded looks at Tang Bo, who just calmly moved to look for his money bag while the thief was still frozen.

If he was capable of dealing with it so swiftly, why bother telling them about the crime and watching for a while first before moving?

“Yah, bastard,” the doctor mumbled to the brat, making sure that he won’t be heard by the others. “You chose the wrong person.”

He could see that guy’s eyes tremble in fear at the unamused look on his face. But he quickly moved away and hid his money again. Then, he retrieved the needles and watched as the kid collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily and still frozen even though there was nothing in his acupoints anyway.

When he looked up, the two were still staring at him with their mouths open.

“Uh…are you a martial artist?” one cannot help but ask.

Huh?

The question made him laugh so suddenly that the thief was startled.

“No.”

“What?”
 

They looked back to his sleeves, which were now hiding the needles again. They’ve never seen anyone as accurate as the Tang Family. Besides, does it make sense that a regular person could easily, accurately detain someone like that?

It was obvious that they didn't believe him.

Maybe he was someone going undercover to watch Mount Hua? Was that even possible? After the tournament and how it went, they really won’t put it past any sect to try something like this.

But actually, the truth was that Tang Bo would sometimes have patients that refuse to stay still, so he had to learn about where to best hit them to paralyze them. And needles are something that any doctor would have ready at any moment, so he got used to using them.

“No, but—”

For a moment, that really felt like something that a trained martial artist would do…

Really, you don’t have to hide it at this point, okay? They really had it figured out…

“Chung Soo! Han Jin!”

“Ah?”

It seems the commotion managed to catch the attention of some of the disciples that came down with them. More of them came over, and the sudden growth of the group drew more and more attention to them. Tang Bo looked around for a while, observing how those on the sidelines were staring at them so curiously. It’s not everyday that disciples would come down from their sect.

“It’s you!”

The familiar voice drew his attention back.

One of the girls that visited them originally was pointing at him. It seems the two of them successfully recognized each other as soon as they met eyes.

The others who were around them took a step back so there was no one in between them. Heads turned back and forth between the two who bore similar family names but aren’t quite from the same family. 

In truth, Tang Soso was only here because she wanted to see if her martial brothers would successfully find the answer. Looking at how things are going now, it seems like they’re on the right track.

“You’re dojang’s martial sister,” he acknowledged.

“Uh?”

The two he was talking to earlier whipped their heads his way when they heard that response. When they asked earlier, this person didn’t make any indication that he knew anything about Chung Myung at all. What’s this so suddenly?

“That’s right,” Tang Soso acknowledged, lowering her finger. “You’re that guy…Tang…Tang Bo?”

“That’s right as well.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was restocking some things for my medicine.”

“Your medicine…?”

Oh, that’s right. She remembered that he was a doctor. She also remembered how comfortable her sahyung had been around him. Hey come to think of it, her questions didn’t get answered back when they first met, right?

Her eyes narrowed as she realized something off. The more that she looks, from the casual stance of the person to the uninterested face that he was wearing, she became aware of how different this person is outside of his house. If she didn’t find her sahyungs here with him, she wouldn’t have spared her a second glance.

“Since we’re here anyway…”

It’s the perfect chance to continue sizing him up. If this person was really someone who they should allow next to her sahyung!

But before she could say anything, there was the sound of painful thwacks nearby.

Some of her sahyungs crumpled to the ground, looking pained and shocked at the sudden attack. They turned their heads at once, only to find the very same topic of the conversation standing with them, one hand holding the thief who tried to sneak away during the time that they were distracted talking to each other. He looked unhappy about what was happening.

He smiled with all his teeth at his sahyungs, who instinctively moved away when they saw that face.

“So, this is why my sahyungs were begging for a free day?”

“Wait, wait—Chung Myung-ah, listen for a moment, okay?”

“Listen? I’m listening!”

He shook the poor kid who was trapped in his hand, then let go. There was immediately another disciple who came to grab the guy before he could run away. Someone has to turn him over to officials for stealing, right?

No, this guy is probably the biggest victim here…Why is he being passed around like this?

“It’s because you keep vanishing, so we got curious! You really can’t blame us, r–right?”

“Poking your snouts around others’ business?”

“No! Well, I guess it looks like that…”

“It’s exactly what it is!”

“Chung Myung-ah! Moderation! Have some moderation!”

These guys…what kind of Taoists would stalk someone like this? Jangmun Sahyung, these kids are growing a little too well!

-And whose fault is that?

Eurk…No, he can’t even protest…

It can’t be his fault, okay! He didn’t teach them to be like this!

He sighs and shakes his head. Tang Bo watched their interaction in amusement, covering his mouth in his sleeves as he saw Chung Myung act like this despite obviously being younger than everyone else.

This scene makes sense to him, which is what made it funnier. Somehow, he can’t imagine this guy listening patiently to his own martial siblings.

“Since you guys have so much energy, maybe I should cancel the free day, ah?”

“No, no! We’ll come back now since we now know!”

“Huh? Know what?”

He faltered at the sudden response to his words. But they all just shook their heads. One left with the thief to hand him over to the authorities so he can leave with everyone else instead of being left behind.

Han Jin said, “But sajae, next time, you don’t have to sneak around.”

“Ah?”

They all nodded.

“That’s right, Chung Myung-ah. It’s alright if you have a friend, you don’t really have to hide it.”

“We won’t bother you two much after this, so we really will get going now.”

He watched them, suddenly confused at what they were spouting, then turning his attention to Tang Bo. Said person, feeling the eyes on him, lowered his hand and waved as greeting to Chung Myung.

“But why did you come here?”

They were getting one last glance before the disciples scurried off. There was an enlightened expression on their faces that felt a little wrong. While there was nothing wrong with what they were saying about them being friends, there was a feeling of wrongness in his chest that made him scowl to himself.

“That’s because when I came by, you weren’t in the place,” he answered Tang Bo’s original question. “Then I found this thing happening. And your money almost got stolen too.”

“Eh? You saw that, then.”

“It was confusing to see those brats running around, but you suddenly came. Hey, did you really not learn martial arts?”

Tang Bo laughed at that question. As far as he could remember, he was already a little attracted to throwing things with precision. It just became useful when he continued on to his current career path.

“It does wonders for patients who are trying to run away.”

Chung Myung made a mental note not to get injured around this guy.

Still, with how much he trusts this guy, he ends up not questioning any more about his accuracy with the needles.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

It was easy to find where the other disciples were. Baek Cheon took one look at their sorry states and asked what happened when they regrouped.

“That crazy bastard got us…”

He nods his head as if understanding how things happened. In fact, there was no need to ask for more details. Just hearing that answer was enough to tell him everything that he needed to know.

“Sasuk, actually…we still found out why he was coming down so frequently.”

Baek Cheon looked at them, curious. “Is that so?”

“Yes. He was with a friend that he met.”

“A friend?” Jo Gul mumbled from where he was, looking a bit concerned. “Someone got along with that personality?”

“...”

Well, that was right too. Anyone who gets along great with someone like Chung Myung is bound to have a troublesome personality as well, right? If that’s not the case, then the other party must be someone in dire need of saving. But the Tang Bo they met doesn’t look like he was suffering through the harshest winter anyway.

Tang Soso twitched as she listened to their conversation. She looked at each of them carefully, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Are you all blind?”

“Huh?”

She huffed and crossed her arms, looking unhappy about what her sahyungs had said. “It’s not about friendship at all.”

In the first place, it was her sago who said that she won’t tell. All that Tang Soso assured Chung Myung was that she would help with his situation. Maybe if she tells these people, then they would help them push those two a little closer to each other. She may be wary of the random person, but she was still supportive of her sahyung!

“Clearly, sahyung is in love with Tang Bo.”

There was a loud moment of silence that overtook their group.

…

……

………

“WHAT?!”

“That malko bastard? That heartless asura?”

“In love?? In looove with someone???”

“Tang Bo? Who is this guy? I’ve never heard of him!”

No, isn’t the more pitiful one the person who became the subject of that guy’s attention? With how ruthless he is to everyone in the sect, they could only shudder as they think about how that person would act towards someone they like. Isn’t being rolled to the ground already an inevitability since the attention was already caught?

They all stared at her like she’s gone mad because of her declaration. At the same time, they moved closer to her, faces stoic and serious as if they wanted to hear the full story from her as soon as possible.

Tell us more, come on, Soso.

“No, Soso…how can you say that so resolutely?” Baek Cheon tried to mediate the situation, eyeing his juniors. But he, too, was clearly interested as well. His eye would twitch once in a while as he thinks about what she just said.

Finally catching their attention, she smiled brightly. So bright that it was almost suspicious to look at.

“It’s actually quite simple to explain.”

Chapter Text

There's something wrong with Mount Hua again. Except this time, it wasn't because of Chung Myung, but more of because of the rest of the disciples themselves.

These brats, for some reason, suddenly started to get some sort of immunity with training, since they don't fall dead after the sessions. Instead, after complaining for a while, they would suddenly come to life as they remember something, and then suddenly would reach out to grab Chung Myung's arm with a scary glint in their eyes.

“We're done, right? We're done?”

Staring at them and trying to move away as if he'd rather be anywhere than with his weird, insistent seniors, their youngest would always try to get away from their grip.

“Yah! What's with you?”

“Let's come down the mountain.”

“Huh?”

“Chung Myung-ah, come o—come on…”

And then his sahyung who was holding onto him at that one particular tiime slumped to the ground, like the strength he briefly manifested suddenly vanished and allowed fatigue to catch back up to him.

The craziest part about this was that it didn't just happen once.

There's always at least one disciple who would hound him after training, begging him to take them down the mountain for a quick trip, they promise! It was always amazing to watch how quickly they seem to recover their energy.

He scratched his cheek as he thought about it for a bit. Then, he concluded something.

“Since you're all still so energetic, maybe we should make your training harder!”

“No!”

Everyone else who was on the ground screamed so loudly that he really considered changing their training. He was only messing around, what's with that passionate response, ah?!

In the end, out of curiosity on why they were being so insistent, he relented and allowed himself to get dragged down to go to Hwa-Um.

“Sahyung, you have to make sure that no one slacks off while I'm not around,” he warns Yun Jong, who has heard these words many times already. He only received a wave of the hand as a response to his nagging.

“Don't worry. Just take your time down and don't worry about going up quickly.”

“That's right, that's right!”

Uh? Where did Jo Gul come from? And why is he so eager to affirm those words?

Actually, those two were just trying their best to stay out of the sect as much as possible. In their defense, they just got past the hellish preparation for the Murim Tournament, so they believe they more than deserve taking it easy for a bit now! And the existence of that doctor presented the perfect opportunity to distract him.

There are still those that doubted Tang Soso’s words from before, but if it was true…

Well! There's already some who are dedicated to trying to pair those two together anyway! They're the same people who keep insisting that they come down the mountain together, which finally succeeded today after all their failed attempts. Like this, they should just focus on doing their task and saving everyone else in the sect.

Of course, Chung Myung remained ignorant of the plan that his seniors concocted behind his back. All he thought was that the chicks were probably being weird because they're tired.

Someone joined their conversation since it doesn't like they would be making a move on soon. She waved her hand around as if telling her senior martial brothers to go away.

“Aish, quit nagging, sahyung! They'd be fine!”

Chung Myung gives her a look. Somehow, Tang Soso had been so energetic lately. He doesn't really know what to think of it…

Anyway, she wasn't even the person who insisted he come down today! It was someone else, but she decided that she should tag along. According to her, it was just that she ‘probably knew more about the outside world more than them’. That was also definitely her words, not Chung Myung’s. The way she said it felt like deja vu for him.

“Alright, I'm going, I'm going.”

She was strangely happy today. She was insistent on tugging him away more than usual.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

“What's going on?”

“Huh?”

“You and everyone is up to something, aren't you?”

“Sahyung, why are you so suspicious of us, ah?” She asked.

Huh? Why? Did she really just ask that question? There was an incredulous expression on his face.

“You guys were sneaking around town a few days ago. Are you really asking that?”

“Oh, right,” Tang Soso smiles sheepishly. “Let's forget about that time, sahyung. It was in the past! The past!”

Hey you…

The way you talk is really reminding him of someone. He can't decide whether to be impressed or amused. Come to think of it, doesn't she like to leech around Yu Iseol as well? It seems the blood runs strong in this one, ah?

There was also another question that was in his mind, so he didn't wait before asking it.

“But how did you get permission from the sect leader to come and go as you want?”

“Forget it, forget it!” Tang Soso insisted. “Let's not talk about those things when it didn't matter!”

“...”

No, there's seriously something wrong with this sect!

Huh? What do you mean it's because of him? He was just minding his own business, so how can that be!

Looking at it from all angles, isn't this just a little unfair? In the past, Chung Myung went through so much just so he could get the sect leader’s permission to allow him to leave the mountain without permission. Whatever it was that these guys did, how come they earned that same thing he went for without suffering too much? Is it favoritism?

-Why are you complaining about this now…You're an old man already.

But sahyung! It's so unfair! It was exactly because he's an old man now that he should be able to do things easier, otherwise his back would crack from the amount of work that he had to do!

-You never had regrets when you kept adding to my workload.

That's different!

-What different, you little…

They met with two other disciples who would come down with them. Chung Myung paused in surprised when he realized who one of them are.

“Why is sasuk coming as well?”

“That's because Jangmun-in asked me to make sure you won't cause trouble,” Baek Cheon responded, eyes narrowing at the innocent smile that his sajil gave him in response.

“Trouble? Me? Isn't it sasuk who causes trouble?”

“When did I ever do that?”

“Well, there was a time in Yunnan when I came back to you and the other sahyungs—”

“Quit talking right now.”

Amused at the expression on the other person's face, Chung Myung continued making fun of him.

“Aigooo! Look at our Dongryong, pinning all the blame on me! I guess this really is the kind of person that he is…”

“Don't call me that! It's Baek Cheon! Baek Cheon! And stop acting innocent! No one believes you!”

He wiped an imaginary tear from his eyes. “No, how can you say such cruel things to your sajil?”

“...”

This guy is hopeless.

“Sahyung, stop playing around,” Tang Soso scold him, feeling more eager to go down rather than listen to him cause more headaches for everyone. “Let's come down now.”

“Alright, alright.”

Why's she so eager on leaving the sect anyway? It's not like that town is going anywhere.

In fact, it took them more time just hanging around by the gate compared to the actual descent from Mount Hua. They even barely escaped having boulders tied to their limbs as they went. The only reason it didn't happen was because they managed to dissuade Chung Myung from making them train since it was supposed to be over by now.

Like usual, the town is quiet today. The only reason why it looked busy previously was because of the Mount Hua disciples running around the streets.

Baek Cheon turned to them when they arrived at the foot of the mountain and said, “I will go away for a while. I want to check something.”

“Ah? The person who is supposed to watch over us is leaving?”

“I will come back soon,” he answered immediately, as if he expected those words even before they were uttered.

He didn't get the chance to speak again, because someone beat him up to it.

“Alright. Have fun, sasuk!”

He nodded at Han Jin, the other disciple that came with them, then turned away and left soon after. All that was left were the two third-generation disciples who were standing next to Chung Myung. Since he had no idea what they were going to do down here, he turned his attention to the two of them, just in time to see them exchange looks.

In truth, there are about two reasons why they went here.

The first was that they were hoping that they would come across the doctor while they were down. Therefore, they would be able to closely observe his interaction with their mad dog, and be able to decide from there how they should approach their goal of helping their dear martial sibling get together with the person who ended up catching his interest.

Some of the other's weren't really too eager to let it happen since the subject of his…affection? Violence? Uhhh…whatever it was, the subject of it was just a normal person, and they don't deserve such suffering. The others didn't have any strong opinions at all, while the rest are working together to make this work.

Therefore, that's how the three Mount Hua disciples ended up walking around the street, dragging an unwilling Chung Myung with them while they wore giddy expressions on their faces.

Uh? Why is even Han Jin happy about this? Are you really having fun?

“Look at this, sahyung,” Tang Soso turns to him, holding a fancy hairpin.

He frowned when he saw it, having an inkling of what's to come.

“These are the kinds of things that people who like each other give the person they like.”

Ehem!

Hearing that, Chung Myung almost choked at nothing.

What are you saying?! Even friends could give each other hairpins and other accessories! Why did you have to specify it as if it's exclusive for romantic relationships only?

Look! Look at Chung Myung! He's the living proof!

“It's nothing special,” he said, mostly to himself. This was because compared to the hairpin that he bought before and gave to Tang Bo, the one that she is holding really wasn't as impressive.

“Yah! You can't just say that! Besides, it's the thought behind the gift that matters, alright?”

“If it's not a good gift, then what's the point? It should at least be expensive so I could get some use out of it when I sell it off.”

“See, sajae? This is exactly the problem,” Han Jin cuts in, shaking his head. “You need to learn how to speak considerately too. If you keep talking so bluntly like that, it can scare off just about anyone!”

He stared at the two of them like they've gone mad.

“You have to make sure that you're nice to them instead of always being so unpleasant. It is also important that you pay attention to what that person likes and dislikes, so that there won't be uncomfortable moments just because you ‘didn’t know’—”

He raised his voice and asked, “Hey, what are you talking about?”

“It's a trick,” Tang Soso explains patiently. “A trick to get the person you like to feel the same way for you, okay?”

Huh?

He blinked slowly at Tang Soso, then at Han Jin. Still, nothing in their expressions changed at all. They looked back at him with a seriously look as if trying to see if he understood what they are trying to say.

Unpleasant shivers ran down his spine.

“What's this useless thing?”

“Useless? It's not! We're trying to help you!”

“Help with what?!”

“Aren't you pining for Tang B—”

Even before he could fully hear what she was about to say, he turned on his heel and bolted as fast as he could away from them.

“Hey—sahyung! Where are you going?! Sahyung!”

Uh? No way he's coming back to them until they're in their right mind! What's all this, telling him how to get someone to like him?! He doesn't need something like that! Besides, all the things they were saying made his ears ring, there was just no way that he would sit through that!

Just the thought of it made him feel so uncomfortable that he felt his legs move faster. For some reason, the thought of using qinggong completely slipped from his mind. His face also felt uncomfortably hot, but he assumed that it was only because he was running so quickly.

What the heck was that? And who were they saying that he likes someone too? It was a good thing that he ran off before he could hear everything that they were going to say…

As he thought, these chicks have really gone insane! Tsk tsk! Kids these days, always thinking about irrelevant matters!

From the distance, he caught sight of the figure of someone that left a while back.

“Sasuk! Sasuk!”

“Huh?”

Baek Cheon turns around, mouth opening slightly in surprise as his demonic sajil runs over to him with a spooked expression on his face. Seeing that, he wondered if the other two that he was with earlier failed on what they were trying to do.

“Help me, sasuk,” Chung Myung says, looking genuinely troubled that if he didn't know ahead of time about the situation, Baek Cheon would've pitied him. “They've gone mad.”

He shook his head. “Aren't they just trying to help?”

Uh-oh.

His response made the other person realize that he was in on it too. He saw the exact moment when Chung Myung stared at him with horrified betrayal and then turn into an expression with a sharp grin.

“Did everyone conspire to mess with me?”

“Huh? No, that's not it at all, Chung Myung-ah—”

“I see, I understand now! I was being so lenient that these brats think they can push me around!”

You're the youngest out of all of us!

“Chung Myung-ah, you're exaggerating things now. There's no need—”

“Tomorrow, I will make sure all of you has no energy left after training.”

A cold sweat dropped down from his temple. Uh? Did they make a grave mistake?

Baek Cheon turned his head to the sky, feeling like he was already seeing his own deathbed which would come tomorrow. But thankfully, it seems a being somewhere out there was looking down at his suffering at that moment and decided to grant him salvation.

“Dojang?”

“Huh?”

The two disciples turned at the same time. Tang Bo stood a few meters away from them, expression brightening up when his original thought was correct all along.

“What are you doing here?”

“Tang Bo?” Chung Myung called, looking caught off-guard. He didn't think he'd run into this guy today.

Baek Cheon took a careful look at the expression on his sajil’s face and understood why Tang Soso was saying what she said when they left the mountain last time. The expression on that terrifying guy’s face was almost so foreign to him that it shocked him for some time until he managed to shake himself out of it.

It really was strange. That guy’s face softened ever so slightly, looking so different from the asura that would terrorize them. And to make matters worse, he thinks that Chung Myung himself doesn't even know that he's making such an expression.

“Yah, are you sick?” He cannot help but ask.

“What?”

Tang Bo looked alarmed by that. “Martial artists get sick?”

“What?” Chung Myung turns to him again, frowning. “Of course they do. We're not immortal. Though the sickness had to be a special case.”

“I see.”

Baek Cheon fully turns his attention to this new person now. Subconsciously, he began scrutinizing this so-called doctor. If he was going to be somebody that Chung Myung somehow got attracted to, then it was his role as a responsible sasuk to make sure that this guy won't do anything that might possibly harm their precious sajil, no matter how demonic he is sometimes.

He wears a more serious face and starts his interrogation.

“So you're that doctor.”

…Well, this was a little familiar. Tang Bo also fully turns to him, feeling like he heard these things before.

Oh, that's right. This was also how those two girls greeted him previously.

“That's right.”

“How long have you been a doctor?”

“Longer than you were a disciple, I imagine.”

But this guy? Something about the way he speaks made it obvious that he wasn't trying to make himself seem pleasant.

Chung Myung frowned when he heard that. “Aren't you younger than him?”

…Hey, you. That's not really the point.

“Did you not practice martial arts?”

“Why, is it such a great honor to do so?” Tang Bo answers ruthlessly, smiling mild humor, but he was obviously trying to get on the disciple's nerves. “What's wrong with just being a doctor? It's not like I should have to learn how to hit others, right?”

No, why are you being openly antagonistic towards each other?

Chung Myung felt strange watching this interaction. Looking back and forth between his sasuk and Tang Bo, he concluded that both of them were poking at each other's nerves.

Something should be done about this, right?

Without thinking too much about it, he walks forward, reached out, and tugged at Tang Bo’s hair without a change in his expression.

In an instant, the tension melted. The doctor yelped.

“Ow—Hey, what's that for?”

“Let's go.”

“Let's—Huh?”

Bake Cheon narrowed his eyes at this sight, but didn't comment anymore. Instead he says, “Come back soon, Chung Myung-ah.”

“It's not like I'd cause trouble, though?”

“Just do it.”

“Tsk. Alright.”

They left quickly after that, leaving the older disciple to continue with what he was originally doing. Chung Myung observed his companion’s face for a while, trying to figure out why he was pissed off earlier.

“Why are you arguing with my sasuk?”

“Arguing? No I'm not,” Tang Bo denied. Now with how he's acting, it was as if he wasn't being so sharp with his wds earlier.

“...”

“Anyway, let me buy something for you while we're here.”

“Huh? What?”

But before he could protest against it, Tang Bo grabbed him by the arm and brought him along to find places where they could find sweets. He navigated through the streets so easily, and it was because he had originally scoured the area numerous times when he came here to locate where the best restaurants and sweets shops are.

He was doing this to get rid of the foul mood from earlier. For some reason, he didn't feel so nice at the realization that that guy from earlier was sizing him up.

They ended up buying a stick of tanghulu. Chung Myung asked why there was only one, but Tang Bo said that he didn't want one anyway and just wanted to get him something. He didn't say that it was his way of releasing some stress.

“Anyway, it's good that I ran into you,” he starts. “I was thinking about how to say this anyway.”

This naturally piqued some attention. Instead of answering, Chung Myung kept on munching on his snack.

Tang Bo took a breath and says, “Soon, there will be a visitor in my house. If you happen to come by, you will probably meet them.”

Ah.

He swallowed the fruit and scrunched his eyebrows together.

“But why are you telling me this?”

“It's so that you don't get surprised.”

He shrugs when he hears that answer. Why should he be surprised anyway? It can't be anything bad, right? Well, unless this guy was secretly connected with the Sega unlike what he keeps insisting, then there's no reason to fuss.

“When is this?”

“I'm not sure either, but it's better to know than not.”

“Alright.”

It was the end of that part of the conversation. Afterwards, they just walked around the village and h

ung around with each other for a while before parting ways and returning back.

Tang Soso seemed a bit disappointed that she didn't see him with Tang Bo, but she got her head bonked for that, so she had no choice but to shut her mouth and climb back up to the sect.

When they return, Chung Myung will make sure to talk long and well with his sahyungs and sasuks.

Chapter Text

Being never one to fight against his own curiosity, Chung Myung visits Tang Bo almost daily. He cannot help it when he wants to know who will be coming by to visit him. Besides, he has already become curious about the kind of life that the other person was living before he came to this place.

He said that he wasn’t from the Sichuan Tang Family, who are involved in the jianghu. Still, he is adept in medicine and, apparently, with throwing daggers. 

Chung Myung had a theory that they might actually be a distant relative. He put down the idea that maybe in the past, an ancestor of the Sichuan Tang Family accidentally wrote down his last name wrong in the government records, and started writing it like that ever since until they became perceived as a separate family. He got pinched on the cheek for that, and he complained a lot, but Tang Bo said he doesn’t think that was the case because no one in his family shared the same passions that he has.

“Then…” Chung Myung frowns, feeling strange again. “Where did you get it?”

“It just happened,” Tang Bo shrugs. “I have liked it since I was young, I think.”

This guy, really…Showing all these traces of things that came from the past, and yet remembering nothing of it…

The swordsman briefly considered hitting him hard over the head with his scabbard. Maybe if he did this, then all the missing memories will suddenly come back. If they’re appearing to this guy like this, then it was just sleeping somewhere in his head, right?

But no, he tried it once before already, right? When that guy was messing with him by making him drink the juice he made, Chung Myung made sure to hit as hard as he could. Still, nothing happened back then.

He ended up just sighing in disappointment and glaring heavily at the top of the brown haired man’s head. He looked at it so nastily that Tang Bo felt the need to cover it out of fear of being hit.

After a while, Tang Bo figured out why he was so insistent on coming by without fail everyday again as much as possible.

“I told you about it so that you wouldn’t be too surprised, not so you can wait for them everyday like this!”

Chung Myung, holding a bottle of alcohol in his hand, looked at him with wide eyes like he was wronged.

“I just wanted to see!”

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I won’t come here if I am!”

He was once more reminded of the fact that this person was someone who was known as one of the best martial artists in this time, and had to question again why he’s even here in a random doctor’s house drinking alcohol.

He balled his fist and lightly knocked over the top of the disciple’s head. Chung Myung grumbled in protest about it, but since it wasn’t done with much force, he just scowled and slapped the arm away.

“What’s that for?”

“That’s my way of telling you not to think too much about it.”

Chung Myung scoffs and does not listen to his words. Instead, he decided to poke around to see how he could spend his time while waiting here.

“By the way.”

“What is it, dojang?”

He exhales a little. “I feel like I’ve seen you with a lot of outer robes already, but you haven’t worn green yet.”

“Ah?” Tang Bo’s eyebrow quirked up slightly when he heard that. Then, he lets out a small chuckle. “Why, do you want to see me wear green?”

“I was just wondering!”

You keep doing all these things that were familiar to you once, so how come you’re avoiding that color this time when you used to wear nothing but that color? For Chung Myung, it doesn’t make sense. This guy always does the weirdest things…

The doctor glanced down to his sleeves and said, “You already wondered if I’m part of the Sichuan Tang Family, didn’t you?”

“Uh? Yes…?”

“If I wear green after that, then won’t everyone start thinking that I’m really one of them?”

Chung Myung frowns. “So you’re trying to avoid being associated?”

“That’s because there are those in jianghu that can be quite troublesome. In the past, when I helped martial artists that were injured after a fight, they would have some enemies that would still come after that. More often than not, I get implicated because they would think I am one of them.”

The disciple’s frown deepened when he heard that. “Who is it?”

“Aish, it was a long time ago, dojang! Forget it, forget it!”

Anyway, Chung Myung strived hard to find a topic of conversation everyday. At some point, since Tang Bo was now properly aware that he was the person who fought in the finals against Shaolin, he also ended up talking about the bald brat who he fought against.

Tang Bo was a little confused when he heard about it. “Isn’t it just bullying?”

“What bullying? Are you crazy? If I didn’t fight back, then his divine fists would have crushed me to the ground!”

“Dojang, you’re the Mount Hua Divine Dragon,” the other person responded, looking at him like he found the situation funny. “Even if that monk is someone slightly above everyone else, I don’t think he really could’ve done anything against you?”

Chung Myung stared at him in disbelief. “Who do you even think I am? You haven’t seen me fight before though?”

“Oh, that’s what my gut told me.”

“Your…huh?”

Tang Bo smiled quietly at him, but insisted that it was just a feeling that he had. Again, Chung Myung had to fight with the urge to hit this guy for that comment. No doubt, he was probably subconsciously confusing the past with the present without realizing he was. It was a little off-putting whenever this happens…

“Ackk! Dojang, why are you in a foul mood again?! I have some mooncakes in the kitchen, do you want some?”

Uh? He’s really starting to become attuned to how Chung Myung acts! The disciple gave him a strange look for that

“Why do you always have sweets? I didn’t think you had a sweet tooth.”

“Ei, what are you saying, dojang? Naturally, it’s all for you!”

“...Me?”

“It’s a precaution.”

“...”

“Anyway, do you still want the snack?”

“...Okay.”

Tang Bo left for a while, smiling victoriously at how quickly he managed to douse the growing fire. When he came back, there was a plate with him with two stacks of the sweet food. Chung Myung reached out for one.

“Hey, I feel like I only come here to eat these days,” he said before he took a bite on it.

“Isn’t it righ—Ehem!” The other person corrects himself when he sees the glare sent his way. “That’s because there’s not many patients lately. It’s rather quiet these days. That should be good, right?”

“Don’t say that.”

“Huh? Why?”

He swallowed what was in his mouth and said in a matter-of-factly tone, “Usually when things are quiet, it means that there is something big in the distance.”

“Oh.”

Tang Bo scratched the back of his neck and laughed awkwardly. “Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen!”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re great at jinxing things?”

“Dojang!” he complains.

Still, it was the truth. Thinking about the things that he accidentally jinxed during their first life just because he was noting out an observation, it was like this guy really had a talent when it came to those unfortunate circumstances.

It took about a few more days when the very person that they were waiting for finally arrived.

They actually came knocking before Chung Myung could arrive. Tang Bo felt strange at first, thinking it was the disciple who was by his door. He was about to ask if anything was wrong, because he could count with one hand the number of times that the swordsman came by knocking.

However, when he opened the door, he saw a different face.

In an instant, Tang Bo’s expression turned cold.

“Why are you here?”

There was a woman standing there, dressed in clothes made of fine fabric. She used the fan in her hands to cover her face, as if displeased by the lack of hospitality in his body language.

“Don’t be like that. I just came to say hi since it has been a while.”

“...”

“Aren’t you letting me in?”

“I’d rather not, actually.”

Still, they just stared at each other for a while before he reluctantly opened the door and let her in. It was a good thing that he had prepared himself mentally for the past few days, because energy is something that he would greatly need for this encounter.

After a while, Chung Myung arrived as well. He was taken off-guard by the sight of an unfamiliar woman sitting in the place that he usually occupies.

The woman turns to look at him, scrutinizing him with careful eyes, before letting out an obviously fake smile.

“Hello there, little one.”

Little one? Who? Him?

He looks around for a bit before realizing that she really was talking to him. Which was absurd, because he was someone who is older than even this person’s grandfather. Who was she to call him like that, ah?

But it’s not like he can announce that so carelessly unless he wants anyone to think he’s gone mad. Especially since, checking their capabilities, this woman is just a normal civilian as well.

“Hello,” he warily responds.

He checks if Tang Bo was around, but didn’t see him in the room. Which means he is stuck with the woman who was observing his every movement as if trying to figure out who he was and what he was doing here.

Suddenly, she says, “Are you a disciple from the nearby sect?”

Lady, isn’t this a little obvious? He’s clearly wearing a martial arts uniform with the symbol of Mount Hua embroidered on his chest…

Still, he nods, mentally wondering who this person is. “That’s right.”

“I will assume you’re Tang Bo’s friend, since you’re here and don’t look like you need a doctor’s attention at all.”

He keeps his mouth shut, not sure of how to answer. Judging from her appearance, it was likely that she is well-off. He’s always made sure not to interact too much with civilians with high status because they’re always so difficult to talk to. So at that moment, he wasn’t sure on how to approach her.

In jianghu, it was easier to just hit them when proving a point. But considering how this person is, he doubts he could walk off without stirring some trouble if he treated her like how he usually would.

“Pardon me, I will introduce myself. Please call me Soo Munhee. I’m Tang Bo’s fiancé.”

Oh. She has a different last name, so she can’t be Tang Bo’s relative. Wait—

Huh?

Huuuuh?

Chung Myung’s mouth opened and closed, staring blankly at the woman sitting in front of him.

What? A what?

Fiancé? Fi–Fiancé? Does that make sense?

Tang Bo? With a fiance? That guy who was a bachelor even when he reached his seventies? That guy? No, even if it was a different lifetime ago, it still sounds absurd!

He was so flabbergasted that he stood there, motionless like a statue for quite some time. The woman—Soo Munhee? She frowned in disapproval at the unpleasant attitude and was about to comment on it when Tang Bo reappears with a tray of tea in his hands.

He looked like he was in a foul mood. But when he caught sight of Chung Myung, it melted away so quickly that one could wonder if they were seeing things.

“Dojang, you really came to visit at this time.”

“Uh?” Chung Myung turned to him, stoic and stiff. “Uh?”

He seemed to be incapable of processing things that’s happening around him.

Tang Bo lowers the tea and walks over to Chung Myung, frowning. “Is something wrong? Aiyahh…I told you not to be so surprised, didn’t I?”

Swallowing something stuck in his throat, the disciple looked back and forth between the two of them. There was something heavy in his chest that he couldn't quite figure out, but he shook his head and decided to just sit down for a while.

Soo Munhee covered her face with her fan to hide the bewildered expression on her face. For the longest time that she knew that guy, there was never a time that she’s seen him with a harmless look on his face.

It was the most awkward meeting for everyone in this room. Chung Myung was still trying to process that Tang Bo was e…e—engaged…and with someone that doesn’t seem like she matches his personality well, at that! Soo Munhee was feeling odd watching the strange behavior of Tang Bo, while the person himself felt uncomfortable while watching the two of them. It was like introducing two ticking bombs.

“Dojang, this is Soo Munhee,” he says, gesturing to the woman who was still watching them. He turns to her and does the same. “This is Chung Myung.”

Chung Myung stares at him, being the quietest that he’s been ever since they met. It felt like it was the first time that anyone actually saw him at a loss for words.

He was like that for the majority of his stay. Since he visits a lot anyway, he didn’t mind too much that Tang Bo spent the time talking to the woman that was in his house—His fiancé? Is that really his fiancé?

Crazy…this entire thing is so crazy that he was convinced that he was dreaming at first.

But no, it wasn’t, because he almost burnt himself when drinking tea (if the Mount Hua disciples saw this, they would’ve been so surprised they’d have known something was wrong.) He gets scolded for a bit for not paying attention, but he was more focused on the two who were sitting and chatting while he was just…watching them.

No, that’s not really how it went. Tang Bo would eagerly try to get him to join the conversation often, but his answer was so brief that it was awkward to force it to keep going.

What the hell?

In the end, he stood up from where he was.

“I forgot I had something to do in Mount Hua.”

There wasn’t even an attempt to make his excuse more believable. Tang Bo heard something wrong in his tone and frowned.

“Dojang—”

“I will go first.”

“That’s—”

But before he could dissuade the younger boy, Chung Myung already left.

He doesn’t know why, but Tang Bo felt something heavy in his chest.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

He knew he was probably being childish, but Chung Myung returned to Mount Hua with a terrible expression. The taste of the tea was still in his mouth, and it was a little bitter.

He thinks he prefers the sweetness of the plum blossom tea the sect leader would usually drink.

It wasn’t too strange to think about, actually! He was aware that Tang Bo came from a wealthy family since they were providing him money without any protests. Usually, when families are like that, they would always strike an agreement with other wealthy families. This is most common with civilians, but there are some in jianghu that still follow this tradition.

Tang Bo isn’t in jianghu, though. He’s a normal person, and a rich one at that! So it makes…it makes…sense…

Sighing heavily, he recalls how the two of them interact.

It was definitely peaceful to watch. Tang Bo never had to raise his voice in protest, and they get along well even if there’s some sort of invisible barrier between them. But considering how that guy is refusing to come home, then that barrier was probably because they haven’t talked for quite some time.

Eurk…he feels a little salty thinking about it.

He wanted to complain about it, but when he saw them talk, it all died in his throat. It was as if their previous conversations were finally sinking in on him and making him realize how stupid he was being.

Before Chung Myung burst into his life, he had a fiancé and was living well on his own already. He wasn’t involved with martial arts at all, but it was already causing him some troubles. Didn’t he talk about it already? There was even a recent conversation about why he doesn’t wear green! Won’t there be bigger trouble if people find out that he’s related to someone like the Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon?

He suddenly just realized how selfish he was being.

Tang Bo already had a fiancé.

A…a life before him.

Seeing it felt like a slap to his face. All this time, he has been treating him like he had in the past, like they were still close friends who would always hang around with each other, coveting both his time and attention.

Hey, aren’t you being too selfish?

It was so uncomfortable. No, in the first place, why was he even overthinking this?

His chest hurts a little, but he can’t figure out why.

“Sahyung?”

Ah?

Looking up, he didn’t even realize that he was back in Mount Hua. The very first person to catch sight of him was Tang Soso, who was waiting for him to come back since he told her where he was going.

Her eyebrows furrowed when she saw the foreign expression. “Did something happen?”

“Ah?”

He stared blankly at her for a while, head a little confused. It took some time for it to clear up.

“That’s…well, no, nothing much.”

Nothing? Looking at his face, she doubts that it was really nothing. He was clearly troubled about something, which was weird because everytime he goes down to visit Tang Bo, he always comes back in a good mood.

Seeing the unconvinced expression she wore, he hesitated for a bit before asking the question bubbling in his throat.

“Why…did you say I like Tang Bo?”

“Huh?”

Her face turned from suspicion to surprise. “Why are you asking so suddenly?”

He was someone who stubbornly insisted that he was uninterested with what they were trying to tell him, so why is he so suddenly asking this? Did he finally accept it and was having troubles associating himself with that feeling? Thinking about the kind of person that he was, she wouldn’t put it past him.

“Well…”

“No, nevermind that.” Tang Soso decides she doesn’t need to know because he really looks so conflicted. “Well, it’s obvious in everything, sahyung.”

“Obvious?”

“That’s right. Whenever you’re with Tang Bo, you’re not like how you are with us at all. You smile more, and your expression is really completely different!”

“...”

“Besides, you keep coming down to meet him. Isn’t it already obvious that you like him? You want to have him constantly close, and it’s something that most romantic attractions have.”

“But…” Chung Myung frowns. “Are you saying it’s automatically like that just because I visit him everyday?”

“Of course not!” she says. “Well, platonic attractions don't demand as much attention sometimes, but it depends on the person. It’s more on how you feel, actually. It’s very difficult to explain.”

He still looks like he didn’t understand, so she tries one last thing she can think of.

“Sahyung, look at me.”

“Huh?”

He does as she said, although he didn’t know what this was about.

“In the future, could you imagine spending the rest of your days with me? Living old and doing things like chores for the rest of our lives?”

“What?” He stared at her like she’s gone insane. It was a little similar to what he felt when she was chasing him around the Tang Estate, trying to get him to marry her. “Of course not. But that doesn’t say much about anything.”

“Okay, then can you imagine the same thing, but with sasuk instead? With Jo Gul sahyung? With sago?”

If it was Baek Cheon, then he would definitely spend his days bullying him because it was funny to annoy him sometimes. Jo Gul was alright, but he might go mad if they live together for the rest of his life. Yu Iseol? Just the thought of it sent shivers down his spine, thinking of how terrifying she can be sometimes.

He doesn’t mind living in the sect with them, but doing everything together made his eyebrows furrow.

“What about Tang Bo?”

A memory from the past echoed in his mind.

It was in a cave, with injuries in his body and magyo surrounding them from all directions outside where they were hiding.

Travelling the world together after the war?

It doesn’t sound that bad.

It was natural to agree. After all, he’s spent so long with that guy anyway that being with him was almost as natural as breathing.

What’s he doing, not letting go of the past even after knowing that person is gone? What’s he doing, following after someone who was likely his reincarnation, forcing himself into this new lifetime?

Why did he do that?

He feels a little sick.

In the back of his mind, he remembers a sight from a long time ago. His samae, with her husband who wasn’t even half as good as her. Still, she kept choosing him all the same.

Is that really how it is?

Maybe one day, you’ll come to understand.

He hoped he would never have to.

“I…”

His words got caught in his throat before he can say thank you to Tang Soso. There was the strongest urge to throw up, but he ignored it. His eyes were heating up slightly, but he took a breath and just nodded as indication that he will be going now.

“Sahyung.”

Tang Soso looks at him worriedly. She didn’t know if she did good, or made things worse.

“...No, nevermind.”

With that, he hurries away and returns to his room, not even bothering to nag at some of his martial siblings that he passed by.

Love? Was that really it?

Wasn’t it a little ridiculous? For someone as old as him, was it really possible for him to still fall in love?

No, that was wrong.

It wasn’t that he was just falling in love now, but more like he was just finally recognizing a name for the feeling that he never bothered to think about in the past. After all, there was never a time in which he had to imagine Tang Bo leaving his side for a moment.

Still, here he is now. In a different lifetime, with that guy who doesn’t remember the previous one. With someone who was living his own life peacefully and well even without Chung Myung’s presence.

Maybe there was a reason he doesn’t remember.

He closed the door behind him and took an exhale, feeling terrible.

Late.

There’s nothing more accurate to describe what he’d been. Late to recognize his own feelings, late to address it. Thinking about it, hasn’t Tang Bo also shown multiple times what he was feeling?

…For him to realize it now of all times…

…What a ridiculous joke.

He was so late. Now, thinking about everything he’s seen from that person, he had known it already.

This lifetime doesn’t belong to him anymore.

Chapter Text

There was silence in the room the moment Chung Myung left the house. Tang Bo remained standing for a while, just staring at the door where he left.

Slowly, his hand reached out to clutch at the top of his head. A disbelieving sound left the doctor's mouth.

What was that?

“That went well,” Soo Munhee commented, closing her fan and reaching out for the tea. “He wasn't the most pleasant guest.”

A tinge of annoyance passed through Tang Bo. He turns around, glaring at the woman who was acting as if nothing happened.

“Yah. What did you tell him?”

“Oh, so it's my fault now?” She asked, looking a little offended.

“He isn't like that whenever he visits me. Then I come in to you talking with him, and suddenly his expression is bad. Clearly, you said something.”

“We just did simple introductions. In fact, I was the only one who introduced myself. He stood there quietly until you came in.”

“What?”

No, there really is something strange about that telling. He could tell it just from that. Determined to figure out what it was, he moves back to sit where he originally was, staring at her with an unamused frown. She looks back at him, unbothered and unflinching. This was something she's used to by now.

“What, exactly, did you say?”

“This is a little better.”

“...”

“You're acting like your normal self again. Earlier, you were so pleasant that I almost considered asking if something was wrong.”

“Quit that,” he huffs, scowl deepening. “Just—answer me properly, okay?”

Hearing just how serious he really was being, Soo Munhee drained her drink and lowered her teacup back down, leveling him with a critical eye. He sees every miniscule expression that she made, even though it was almost nonexistent.

“If you're like this, then you must've really liked being with that person.”

He almost clicked his tongue in annoyance. If you can see that, then why are you making things difficult?

She flicks her fan open again and hid the rest of her face.

“Alright then. I'll tell you.”

Tsk. Why do you have to be so haughty about it? She made it sound like she was doing a favor by telling this to Tang Bo. In fact, this annoying personality was one of the reasons why he had known that the arranged marriage between them just won't work out.

Instead of answering, he kept his mouth shut. If he makes a single noise, then it was possible that she would change her mind and make things even more difficult for him. He reached out to the other teacup, staring back at her with narrowed eyes.

Just as he was about to take a sip, she said, “I told him I'm your fiancé.”

He almost dropped the cup he was drinking from and spilt hot tea on himself. Hurriedly putting it back down, his voice rose slightly.

“You what?!”

“Quit that exaggerated reaction,” she frowned disapprovingly.

He almost jumped out of his seat. Tang Bo crossed his arms and tapped his fingers impatiently.

“Why did you say that?”

“It's true, isn't it?”

“No it's not,” he shot back. “That was dissolved years ago. It won't work out, why do you keep saying this to everyone, ah?”

“They dissolved it years ago, yes, but your parents seem quite insistent,” she replied. “Once you get out of this rebellious phase and come home, they'd push for it again. My parents don't mind either. I'm not very happy with it as well, but I figured I should get used to it now nevertheless. Even if you're being…difficult.”

“It's over,” he repeated. “Is that why you're here? Trying to convince me to come back?”

“Oh, don't get ahead of yourself. I just happened to be nearby.”

“Wow.” He rolls his eyes. “What a coincidence, huh?”

She looked unhappy about that response. “Considering your family’s wealth, I'd have thought you would be more careful with your words.”

How useless. They're not even related to the emperor, so why should he be careful? Really, it was annoying dealing with these people who think that they're above everything and everyone just because they have more money than everyone else. They're just some merchants who got a little lucky and hit it big. It was so off-putting to Tang Bo how arrogant they all are that it was part of the reason why he ended up leaving without a word and living by himself as a doctor instead.

This was also another reason why the marriage fell apart. Soo Munhee wanted a man who wasn't problematic at all, and Tang Bo was the opposite of that. He was someone who brought the bad reputation to his family name and gave them so many problems.

He stands up, wearing that annoyed look on his face.

“If you're done with this visit, then leave quickly.”

You've done enough damage.

Recalling Chung Myung's face from before, Tang Bo thinks that he must've felt uncomfortable sitting with the two people he thought were engaged to each other. The idea of the swordsman thinking that he's bound to another feels so wrong to him that he cannot help but feel restless by just standing here, unable to clear up the misunderstanding.

From the corner of his eye, he sees Soo Munhee hesitate.

“You…do you really care this much about that disciple?”

“...”

He barely turns his head to her, deeming that as enough of a response that he can deign her with. How many times did she ask that now? Was it difficult to understand? Tang Bo genuinely liked Chung Myung's presence, it was a simple fact.

She sighs and shakes her head.

“Alright, I will go.”

She rose gracefully from her seat and headed to the door. But just when she reached it, she paused again and turned to the doctor.

“But Tang Bo.”

“What now?”

There was some pursing of her lips. Suddenly, the mask of superiority that she's worn the entire time she was here was dropped for the briefest moment.

“I don't know if what you're doing now is really for the best, or if you even know what you're doing,” she says to him, unable to properly meet his gaze. “But…it's a little nicer seeing you less angry and tense while talking to me. I know it was because of that person but…that's just it.”

Tch.

Their relationship hasn't been smooth sailing from the beginning. Now what is she expecting him to reply with? Say thanks to her or something? But contrary to what he thought, instead of waiting to hear what he has for an answer, Soo Munhee turned around and really left the house with her own two feet.

Really, she just came by to do some damage and then left! And Chung Myung was so excited about meeting her too!

Still, it does beg the question of why that person was so affected by the comment with him having a fiancé. He stares at the walls for a while, thinking about it. And then a sudden answer came to mind, and his eyes widened.

“Could it be…?”

Was it because Chung Myung was a Taoist that he greatly…disliked displays of romantic love?

No way, right?

Tang Bo found himself pacing around restlessly inside his own house, thinking about how to explain to Chung Myung that he was, in fact, not engaged to anyone. At all. Just the thought of that guy spending some time thinking that the doctor was a taken man made him walk around faster.

His eye caught something off from his peripheral vision.

There was something resting on top of the seat where the swordsman sat when he was here a while ago. It was an emerald shade of green, a tassel that he faintly recognized originally hung on the end of that person's sword.

Huh? Did he leave it accidentally? How did it even come off…?

He stared oddly at it for a while, before his eyes widened.

Ah!

This was it! Wasn't this his ticket to an excuse to go up Mount Hua?

Sure, he could just wait until Chung Myung picks it up but…should he really do that? He's more anxious just sitting here and waiting for what will happen, so he might as well take matters into his own hands, right?

Taking the tassel into his hands, he scrutinized it for a while.

“Still, it was weird for dojang to forget his things too.”

Hm. Well, no matter.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The trip up the mountain wasn't as easy as he thought it. He had the assumption that it would be, considering how quickly and frequently the disciples would come up and down. But then he was soon forced to realize that it was likely because that's where they train everyday, which is what made them as adept as mountain goats when it came to climbing.

He cursed the many stairs that led up enough times that he can't count it anymore. By the time he reached the sect gates, he swore he was almost about to die from exhaustion. Thankfully, it wasn't dark yet, so he wasn't turned away.

The disciple by the door frowned when he saw Tang Bo struggling to catch his breath. He can't see well since it was just through a gap, but he wondered if the guy was fine.

“Is there something wrong, young man?” He asked.

He opened his mouth to speak, but only more desperate breathing came out.

Ack!! This is ridiculous! Maybe if they add a service that allows instantaneous climbing, then he would've gladly paid with no questions asked!

It took a few more minutes before he finally fully recovered. Tang Bo straightened up and said, “Is dojang—Uh…The Mount Hua Divine Dragon in here?”

He was unsure if he was being polite enough by using the title that everyone knew him as, but he still did it anyway.

There was a pause from the other side.

“Why? Is there something wrong?”

“He forgot something in my house. I want to give it back.”

“Oh, are you a friend?”

The gates finally opened wide, allowing him a view of the inside.

The person standing there, Un Am, smiled when he finally got Tang Bo’s attention back. 

“Welcome to Mount Hua. If you give me the item, I can hand it to him.”

“No, actually…” he immediately rejected. “Can I take it to him myself?”

“Huh?” Un Am sounded a little confused. “Well, I guess it should be fine if it's just for a while…”

He was allowed inside after that. Maybe he would've taken his time looking through the building in the sect, but as of the present, he was more focused on what he wanted to do. The disciples spared him a glance as he passed by, but only those who already saw him knew who he was.

All of a sudden, someone he recognized appeared in his path. She was quiet as a ghost, he almost missed her presence.

“You're—”

It was the other girl who came by to visit his house. She looked at him suspiciously and said, “What did you do?”

“Huh?”

“...Nevermind.”

And then she left without an explanation.

He stood there dumbfounded, not quite sure of what kind of conversation just happened. Even Un Am next to him seemed to be at a loss for words.

“...Ehem,” he heard the clearing of someone's throat. “Anyway, let's head on.”

“Right.”

He led him to what seemed like a house…no, was it a dormitory? That was where they stopped walking after a while.

“This is where Chung Myung-ah is right now,” his guide says. “It's the fifteenth room to the right. Just knock.”

“Alright. Thank you."

Oddly enough before he can even come in, he felt multiple eyes watching him. Turning around for a bit, he noticed that there are some disciples who was watching every little thing that he was doing like some…guard dogs?

What's with that wariness? If anything, it was like they were looking at—

“Yah, you!”

…Huh? Did that just come from a disciple?

If he didn't know any better, he would've been convinced that it was a street thug or a bandit calling for him.

“Me?” He asked.

“That's right.”

Someone came forward. It was the person who called out to him. A glance was first sent to the house, then to the confused Tang Bo who had to deal with all this without having an explanation.

The voice lowered when talking to him.

“Earlier, that guy came in with a foul mood. You should be careful when talking to him.”

Tang Bo blinks once. Then twice. “Foul mood?”

“That's right. I don't know how bad, but he didn't talk to anyone but had a terrible expression.”

“Hey, that's not true,” another disciple interjected. “Soso talked to him just fine.”

“Wh—Alright, Soso talked to him, I guess. But anyway, it doesn't change much! Be careful! He might suddenly start roaring out fire!”

These guys….just what kind of existence do you see Chung Myung as…?

A bit amused with how dramatic they are being, he nodded his head to indicate that he was listening. Then, he heard someone say, “Just to be sure, you're that guy, right? Tang Bo?”

“Huh?”

Surprise flitted through his face. They already knew his name? He's only met some of them, but they're already familiar with who he was?

“Well, that's right.”

Un Am shook his head. “Children, he might have something to do after this. Don't keep disturbing him.”

“...Okay, I get it. Go in quickly!”

Well, it made sense. If Chung Myung had his weird quirks here and there, it shouldn't be too strange to him that Mount Hua’s disciples would also behave strange. He thought it was a little funny how they got scolded for stalling, though.

He came inside and started counting. Fifteenth room to the right. When he paused, the door in front of him was shut tight.

This should be it, right?

Without waiting for too long, his hand reached out and knocked three times.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Dojang?”

There was a silence that greeted him. So Tang Bo tried again.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Dojang?”

He was about to go for a third time when the door finally opened. The face of the person he was looking for squinted up at him as if trying to figure out who he was. Then, he seemed to recoil back when he figured out who was standing by the door.

“What are you doing in Mount Hua?” Chung Myung asked.

The immediate question caught him a little off-guard. Tang Bo had to pause to recollect himself, before holding out his hand, which still held the green tassel that he found in his house.

“Here. You forgot this.”

Chung Myung slowly looked down on it. His eyes flashed with recognition when he saw what it was.

“You could've just asked the Great Sasuk to hand it to me.”

“He did say that, but I wanted to give it personally.”

Brilliant pink eyes turned up again to wordlessly stare at him. Like this, Tang Bo realized that he disliked not being able to tell just what Chung Myung was thinking about.

“Why?”

He bit his inner cheek for a bit before replying, “Because I want to?”

“...”

He wasn't sure if that was a good answer. The way the swordsman remained silent still left him a little uncomfortable.

“By the way—”

Before he can explain about what the fiancé-situation was about, he was cut off.

“If I do something, would you dislike me?”

“Huh?” Tang Bo frowns, forgetting what he was about to say because of the question. There was something about that tone that told him to be careful of how he should be answering. “Of course not? Well, it depends on what it is that you would do.”

Chung Myung observed his every expression for a long time, as if debating something.

Even in this situation, he really made no sign of having memories of the past life. He didn't even understand the significance of Chung Myung carrying around a green tassel with him, hanging by the end of his sword.

It really was…different. The life and the person.

He mentally decided. Maybe today is the day when he should quit being so selfish, involving him with things that he shouldn't be involved with simply just by existing next to Chung Myung. For the same reason why he hadn't announced to the sect that he was their ancestor, he doesn't like the possibility of his future enemies going after this unrelated person.

But the thought of just letting go…left an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth.

He doesn't know if somewhere in that head, the Tang Bo he knew was watching. How does reincarnation even work, when done properly? He personally doesn't know, because apart from being a Taoist, he also reincarnated with all his memories with him.

Just as he was late…he should…get over the past. And maybe get some closure with it. And with the person that he used to be.

He didn't say anything else, not so much as a warning. Instead, he grabbed Tang Bo by the lapels of his outer robe, dragged him down to his height, and allowed their lips to briefly press against each other.

It happened so quickly that if he'd blinked, he would've completely missed it.

That's for the leech in my past, I guess.

After a second, he pushed the other person away. Tang Bo stumbled back, staring at him with wide eyes as if he couldn't understand what just happened. A realization slowly became evident in his mind. He was...He was so wrong.

Clearly, Chung Myung was mad not because he hated seeing others display romantic affection around him. 

Maybe that was a little too cruel. After all, this guy already has a fiancé.

“Go.”

“...Huh? Huuuh?”

He grabs the doctor by his wrist and starts to tug him out of the dormitory. There was a firmness in his actions that didn't leave any room for protests.

“From now on, I won't come finding you. So you shouldn't come anymore either.”

“What?”

Tang Bo was still having troubles understanding what he did, but hearing that, he stubbornly planted his feet on the floorboard and stared at the disciple with wide eyes.

“No, first of all, what...did you mean by that?”

“Forget it. That wasn't for you anyway.”

Not for this version of you.

“Wh—What are you talking about? Hey! Quit pushing and explain!”

Tang Bo was a little frantic, trying to stay and fighting against the force, but only one of them trains regularly is far stronger than him so it was just impossible to resist.

“I'm telling you not to come anymore!” Chung Myung repeated, refusing to look at him in the eyes. “If you get implicated in problems, won't it be bad for you? You said it yourself that you would rather avoid jianghu’s problems, didn't you? Besides, if you get hurt, then what are we telling your fiancé?”

“My fia—Dojang! You've got it wrong! Soo Munhee is—”

He was successfully kicked out, where a lot of the other disciples who were waiting for his safe return was waiting. They watched the two of them argue, yelling at each other, their faces turning to confusion.

Then the door was shut to his face.

Tang Bo stared at it, feeling a little absurd.

That? Thaaaat?

No...it all happened in a flash that he could still feel it. The feeling of someone else against his lips, but it didn't taste sweet at all. Instead, it left behind a bittersweet feeling that made his heart feel complicated things that he can't address so quickly and carelessly.

“...But this guy?”

He didn't even explain his actions nor let Tang Bo explain his situation! What the hell was that?!?!

What he didn't realize was that the disciples heard what they were yelling about. There was an uncomfortable shift in the crowd that slowly started muttering amongst themselves.

“Hey sahyung, did I hear that right?”

“... That's…”

“Fiancé? This person has one?”

“...”

Un Am cleared his throat, obviously not sure on what to do after what he just witnessed. He looked from the closed door to a frozen Tang Bo, smiling a little awkwardly.

He was only here to wait for him to finish the conversation, but what's that?

“Did you…give what you had to give?” He asked.

Tang Bo was quiet for a while, just watching the door as if hoping for it to open. Then, his lips tightened, and he turned around.

“Yes. Thank you.”

He left the mountain after that. As for the disciples, there was one that came looking for one of the Five Swords as soon as possible, screaming in a panic. It was a good thing that two of them were already in one place, talking to each other before they were rudely interrupted.

“Sahyung! Sahyung!”

“Uh?”

Both Yun Jong and Jo Gul looked up at once at the sound of someone calling so urgently.

The disciple almost shook the former so hard that he toppled off balance. But thankfully, he was able to steady himself.

“Hey, what's wrong with you?”

“It's a problem! A biiiig problem!”

“What?”

They were met with wide horrified eyes. But what was more surprising were the words that came next.

“The guy Chung Myung likes already has a fiancé!”

“What?!”

Chapter Text

There is always someone with him, he thinks. It’s impossible to fully see that person’s face, but there was one thing that was certain about him. Everytime Tang Bo is in his presence, his mood becomes a hundred times better, and all his worries dissipate.

Sometimes they drink together, laughing over a couple of drinks and toasts to the moon. Sometimes, they just go around wandering, telling jokes that only they would find funny.

Other times, they just indulge in each other’s presence.

In times like this, he would wish that this was how every waking moment goes. But in reality, everytime Tang Bo opens his eyes and goes back to the world of the living, he would no longer have any recollection of what he dreamt about. All that was left in him was the lingering sense of loss and yearning, a dull ache in his heart that he has already gotten used to over the years where he had to wake up the same way.

There are times when it wasn’t so kind, though.

It actually started well and normal enough that he didn’t think too much about it at first. He was walking along the corridor of what his head said was his home, but it looks nothing like the house that he was raised in. The people around him made sure to steer clear from him, but for some reason, he didn’t pay attention to them. What was more obvious was the glee that thrummed quietly in his chest out of anticipation for something that he’s not quite sure about yet.

Instinctively, he knew why that was. There is someone who will be visiting his home soon.

He took a step again, eager to get out of what felt like an endless corridor. He thinks he was singing something merrily, and Tang Bo’s mind was occupied with the knowledge that the person he wanted to see is just a little past the corridor that he was walking through.

But when he did walk forward, there was the feeling of something crushing under his feet, followed by the sound that was a little unpleasant.

Craaaaack!

He was now standing on top of a mountain.

He doesn’t recognize where he was, about there was a thick air of resentment in the place that made him want to cover his mouth. No matter how far away he looks, all his eyes can see are fallen bodies everywhere. The sound that he heard not too long ago came from the body that he was putting all of his weight in.

There was someone standing just a little ahead of him, with his back turned against Tang Bo. He wore a black uniform that looked strangely familiar, and his sword was drawn. Even without seeing his face, he instinctively knew it was the same person that he would always dream about.

He thinks he called out. But in the end, he remained unheard.

And then before his eyes, the person sank on his knees. He bent over, seemingly coughing out blood. Tang Bo tried to run to him, his hands moving inside his sleeves to find something that he can use for first aid.

Then the sound of growling came. His feet stopped before he could get any closer.

Multiple dogs surrounded the person in front of him, their teeth barred and their coat matted red with what looked like dried blood. All of them ignored Tang Bo’s presence, as if he was never there to begin with.

One took a step closer. The swordsman in front of him barely raised his head and then swung his sword, movement heavy from exhaustion.

This action seemed to have encouraged the other canines to strike as well. There were loud barks all over, and even if he tried to cover his ears, he could not seem to block out the sounds at all.

Teeth sank into flesh. It must’ve hurt, but that person didn’t scream.

No matter how much he wanted to come and help, his feet refused to move an inch. Instead, he remained where he was, watching the situation, horrified and powerless.

How could someone in so much pain not let out even just a small scream?

No. Maybe the reason for this all along was because instead of the swordsman, all the pain manifested instead to Tang Bo, who pitifully remained as the spectator who cannot do anything but watch all of this happen.

But like usual, when he opened his eyes, there was no recollection of what his dream had been. All that was there was the faint feeling of wrongness, and a creeping sense of danger.

His life had been quiet ever since he had climbed up to Mount Hua. It was similar to the time when Chung Myung had disappeared without explanation, even if it was actually for the Murim Tournament. However, the situation feels so much worse knowing the true reason behind the sudden lack of presence.

The Mount Hua disciple stayed true to his words. He really no longer came to see Tang Bo.

Thinking about it logically, it made sense why he came to this conclusion. Tang Bo would rather not think of it that way, but Chung Myung’s decision actually sounds like something that would help him more than hurt.

He was aware of the fact that that guy was slowly gaining a reputation for himself, and by being known in the world, it is inevitable for him to attract enemies that might come for him. It could be dangerous for him, who was unaffiliated with any groups that could protect him. Especially since he was just a normal civilian who only knew how to throw things well and heal others but not do anything useful past that.

No, what was more frustrating wasn’t the logic behind the decision of not seeing each other, but something else entirely.

It unsettled him a lot that Chung Myung really thought he still had a fiancé. And, most importantly…the meaning behind the kiss that he was pulled into without his consent.

Every time his mind moves to this line of thought, he would always find himself pacing around impatiently inside his house.

The latter was definitely one of the things that kept him awake at night. He was no fool, and he was able to conclude that Chung Myung possibly had…romantic feelings for him. After all, there was no reason to kiss him on the lips otherwise, regardless of whether it was a brief contact or not. In that context, it made sense why that guy was always trying to appear in his presence and get to know him more, why his martial siblings who hadn’t been discreet at all seem to be determined to both push them together and judge his very existence at the same time.

The problem behind that lies in the fact that Tang Bo doesn’t know what to make of it. Every time he thinks of it, his chest aches with a feeling that he faintly recognizes as guilt. He felt like he was a despicable person, both for not realizing it sooner and for leading him along until the swordsman was faced with the false reality that he was bound to someone else.

“Of all people, it shouldn’t be surprising that dojang will be the one to make things so confusing and difficult, given his personality…”

He doesn’t understand how and when such feelings could have bloomed. As far as he was aware, they’ve not known each other previously. This was also the reason why he was agonizing about this situation.

…No, that was probably wrong as well.

Tang Bo’s eyes stopped on the seat where Chung Myung would always claim as his own whenever he came over. With a bitter taste in his mouth, he recalls a previous conversation they had and fell silent.

Have we met before?

-Well, it was a long time ago.

Initially, he had chosen to forget about it because it was what Chung Myung said. Of course, he thought about it for a few days, but because there was nothing that sparked familiarity in his memories, he thought that it must really be nothing, just as what that person said.

But if it was true, then it was the only chance when that guy would have developed these…feelings for him. But that only opens even more questions than answers.

For as long as he could remember, he has always been with his family until he grew old enough to leave the house. It was impossible to come across anyone as well, because he was mostly kept locked inside for certain reasons.

But he couldn’t just ignore it, could he? After all, he even noticed that there was an odd sense of familiarity whenever they were together. He assumed at first that it was only because their personalities get along well with each other, except it was starting to look like there was something else in it that he had overlooked.

It really doesn’t make sense!

Tang Bo was about to pull his own hair off in frustration. Thankfully, he recognized his feelings soon enough and quickly calmed himself down by taking several breaths. Then, he turned around and headed to his room to look for something.

It’s been a while since he cleaned up the place. His thoughts were too occupied for him to think about doing so. He eyed the messy papers scattered around from when he attempted to get his head off the incident by burying himself in medicine. With a slight huff, he refocuses his attention towards the drawers where the very thing he was looking for was secured.

In times when his mind is a mess, he makes a habit of grasping it in his hand and just staring at it.

Inside one of the drawers that he just pulled out laid a single golden hairpin. It looked quite expensive and intricately made, so it must’ve fetched quite a price had he sold it. But it was a little strange as well. At the thicker end of the hair accessory where the design should be, there was the shape of something that resembles a flower, but it looked like its other half was cut off at some point.

It might seem incomplete, but the sight of it eased his heart a little. Once, he thought to himself that it was this little thing’s own charm. Even though he was still aware of his problems from earlier, he felt it get pushed to the back of his mind.

Tang Bo raised it closer to his eye level and squinted at the hairpin in his hands.

“It’s a little dusty.”

It’s been a while since he had to bring it out. Tang Bo sighs and looks around for something to clean it with.

It is too precious to be treated crudely, after all.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tang Bo came across a strange person while he was eating in a restaurant in the village at some point.

There were plenty of things in his bag, but he didn't seem to be bothered at all. In fact, he acted as if it was completely normal for him to come around the town taking so many things with him. What he carried was more than the usual things that the doctor would usually have with him after restocking his supplies.

What made him curious was the fact that some of the things he was carrying seemed to be raw ingredients.

Tang Bo was the first one to approach, abandoning his table to move next to that person who was probably just here to have a quick meal before going about their day.

He sits without asking if he could. The stranger was a little startled when he did that and moved a little closer to the things that he had with him.

“Hello,” the other person greeted warily.

Tang Bo did not care much for pleasantries. He got straight to the point.

“What are all those things for?” 

“Why do you ask, good sir?”

It was natural that this person was suspicious, so Tang Bo sighed and tried to ease those feelings.

“I’m a doctor myself, and I noticed you have some things that they don’t really sell in this place.”

He sees the other person’s eyes widen slightly. “Oh. You are the doctor who settled in a while back.”

“You know me.”

It wasn’t a question, but more of an affirmative statement. He already knew that it wouldn't be odd for people of this place to know him, because it is a little strange for a doctor to help others without asking for payment.

He sees the other person nod. “That’s right. The guild mentioned you a few times before.”

“Guild?”

“Yes. I am from the Eunha Merchant Guild. I am here because I am going to deliver some things to the headquarters.”

Tang Bo wore a frown on his face. “Why not have a carriage to bring with you? It’s a little inefficient to carry it around.”

“We do, but the horses got a little tired and had to rest. Since it is a short distance from the branch anyway, me and several others decided to just carry around the items. It is urgently needed.”

Well, if that’s what they decided, he couldn’t say anything about it.

“Anyway, I only came because I was curious,” Tang Bo said. “But now I’ve decided. In the future, if I need some things that this village doesn’t have, I will pay you a visit and ask if I could buy some.”

The merchant’s eyes widened. It was clear that his interest was so easily bought, since this was a conversation about money.

“There is no reason for me to reject that. You’re a friend of Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon anyway.”

Tang Bo almost jumped up at the sudden mention of the name. He came here to briefly forget about his…Divine Dragon problems, but somehow it still managed to find him.

At that moment, the food that he ordered was brought to the table. It seems that the waiter was a little confused on why he moved tables and made sure to give a glance to the person that he was talking to. But since this was none of her business, she didn’t ask anything about it.

Tang Bo keeps his eyes trained on the other person. He recalls again how Chung Myung was so insistent to now push him away.

“How do you know that?”

They haven’t interacted very much outside of his house, but people still knew him? 

“Don’t be too alarmed. It’s because the young disciple visited us originally to ask about your whereabouts.”

“...What?”

Not noticing the strange expression on Tang Bo’s face, the man continued on with his explanation while sending a hungry look at the steaming food in front of him.

“At first, he came to our branch to ask some things. It wasn’t so strange, since the Eunha branch and Mount Hua work together closely.”

Ah? This was the first time that he heard about this. But then again, considering that they are the people who chose to settle in Hwa-Um, then it wasn’t very strange to think about.

“Since he was so curious about the happenings in town, he was told a little about you when you first arrived. He didn't seem very interested at first, but he came back after a while to demand to know where you live.”

“...”

Tang Bo fell silent after he heard those words.

He wonders why there was no interest at first, and then a sudden burst for one. The explanation did not make much sense, but it at least explained how that person was able to find him.

Anyway, thinking about this won’t do him good!

The merchant must’ve seen something in his expression, because he leaned a little forward and asked, “Are you interested in Mount Hua?”

The question made him narrow his eyes immediately. When a merchant looked at him like that, he knew that it was because they could smell some money from him.

“While I do know a little, I am not going to pay anything for information about them.” 

“No, no, you got me wrong, doctor,” the other person immediately cleared up. “It is because we are both friends of Mount Hua, right? Since you look like that, I figured you must’ve been a little interested. After all, we are all down here, and they’re all the way up the mountain. It is sometimes difficult to know what is happening up there.”

Well, that was true. But Tang Bo wasn’t really interested because of that…

“Since we get some letters about what is happening to them, would you like to hear some that happened recently?”

“Huh? Is that okay?” He frowned.

“Normally, it might not be. But you’re a friend of the Divine Dragon, so it should be fine.

Haha…friends? He’s not quite sure about that, after how their last interaction went…

Thinking of it, wasn’t there always something off about their relationship? There was always a strange feeling that he couldn’t pinpoint so easily. Ugh...it was actually always so difficult and he was just realizing it now…

He’s been considering visiting Mount Hua anyway because he was still a little worried. Maybe if he just asked instead to keep tabs on them, then there would be less effort to climb the ridiculously tall steps.

“Fine.”

With that, it was easy to figure out some things. Apparently, the latest incident was when some people who claimed to have once been part of the sect came up the mountain to retake their place. Chung Myung, in his letter, was apparently fuming the entire time he was retelling it because ‘ How dare traitors walk back to Mount Hua just because we’re getting some fame!’

When he heard the merchant repeat the words in an animated tone that was a little similar to how Chung Myung would say it, there was a slight, nostalgic feeling in his chest that left him sighting.

Anyway, it seemed like Mount Hua was doing well, and so was Chung Myung. He was a little worried that whatever happened between them might’ve dampened his mood, but it wasn’t the case at all.

Tang Bo idly wonders if he was the only one who was overthinking their last meeting this much.

Somehow, that thought brought forth a faint urge to cry.

“Also, a lot of the people in the sect aren't up there right now.”

Those words drew his attention back. There was a frown on Tang Bo’s face.

“They’re not here?”

“That’s right. They went to Xi’an, but I’m not sure why.”

“Dojang came as well?”

“Yes.”

Then it would’ve been useless even if he had climbed up Mount Hua and demanded to talk to Chung Myung. He feels a little helpless at this.

Dojang, you really know how to cause a mess and leave without cleaning it up…

It really was tough. At that point, Tang Bo couldn’t decide if he wanted to charge up there and force a proper conversation where he can explain everything properly or just listen to what Chung Myung wanted because it is technically the best for him.

No, what made even less sense was why he felt like he should explain all this!

It was so frustrating, actually. He believes that because that person was someone he genuinely enjoys being with, then it weighs heavily in his heart when things aren’t going well between them.

(He deliberately ignores the other set of feelings in his chest as he briefly recalls that kiss again.)

After finishing his meal, Tang Bo gets up and bids goodbye to the merchant, resolving himself to just ask them again next time for updates about Mount Hua while he tries to sort his own confused emotions out.

As he went back to his house, some whispering managed to catch his attention as well.

“...a little scary.”

Huh?

Just a little bit further away from where he was walking, two people were talking in voices that they probably didn’t even realize had raised a little.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. They were definitely heading in the direction of Mount Hua.”

“...Do you think they know yet?”

“I–I should hope so. That group looks a little scary.”

Tang Bo froze for a while, processing what he just overheard.

A group coming up Mount Hua? A scary group?

There was a bad feeling in his chest. Without thinking long enough about what he was going to do, Tang Bo turns away from his original path and heads to the direction of the mountain path.

His instincts told him something will be happening soon.

Chapter Text

The more steps he climbed up, the more the feeling of dread came over him, slowly crawling its way up. It clung to him, slowly, to his throat, tightening by the second—

Eyes the shade of moss stared upwards, not daring to look away. He feared that if he did so, then he might find himself back down the foot of the mountain, as if he never came running in the first place.

There was a sudden surge of energy that seemed to build up on his legs. It allowed him to move faster than he usually could, forgetting about the exhaustion that would’ve normally hit him by now.

Why are you hurrying?

The sense of danger that he was feeling, he faintly recognized where it came from now. Not too long ago when he had woken up from his dreamless sleep, it was definitely the same feeling that was trying to warn him that something would happen. However, there was no time to think about why he would have such feelings when he could technically be uninvolved with the sect.

…That thought slowed his feet down slightly.

Ahead of him, he could barely see the gates of the sect. If he looks back, he probably also won’t be able to find the bottom of the seemingly endless trail.

Thinking about it logically, even if there was trouble, there was no need to come and help, right? After all, Mount Hua was filled with trained martial artists who are capable of handling themselves. If he climbed up there, what could he do?

He was just a civilian, a doctor at best. Won’t going up there just result in having more trouble?

‘If you get implicated in problems, won't it be bad for you?’

The words echoed in his head, both a mockery and a reminder.

Hey, what can you do anyway?

But just as his feet were about to stop completely and turn around, another image flashed inside his mind.

A person on his knees, sword in hand, stained in blood. Everywhere around him were wild dogs, barring their teeth in hostility.

He almost recoiled back at the sudden scene. It was so brief that he thought he was hallucinating, because he was sure that it was something that he hasn’t experienced nor seen before. But in that brief moment, he felt as if…he was forgetting something.

It was a feeling that accompanied him for as long as he could remember. But this time, it was so prominent and impossible to ignore that he found himself frozen.

Tang Bo’s eyes drifted up ahead, conflict in his chest.

Should he just turn back?

Wasn’t he someone who first decided to not get too involved in things that might harm him in the end?

But if he did so—

He’s just a normal person. What can he do?

He’s a doctor, isn’t he?

It almost felt oppressive, even when he wasn’t even at the top itself. There was a thick feeling of danger that kept whispering at him to come back down. He doesn’t know what to do.

...This was something that happened in the past. Back then, in his childhood home, he stood in front of the gates of his family’s home, mixed emotions and a raging storm in his heart. Everything in him had been going against each other, screaming at him to leave while the other half was telling him to stay and live well, peacefully as he was supposed to.

In the end, why did he take the step?

(No. Keep going.)

…

(Go.)

(There is something out there. You can’t forget about it.)

Gritting his teeth, he sees in his mind a face that cannot even find the strength to meet his eyes. A person who had been insistent on pushing him away despite how painfully obvious it was that it wasn’t what he wanted to do.

He can’t quite word it now, but there was an instinctive feeling in him that if he comes back…If he comes back…

What?

If he comes back, then he can live as he always had.

And if you come up?

…It was uncertain. Maybe, just maybe, he would miss the only chance he was looking for.

“Dojang,” he said out loud, even when he was aware that there was no one who could hear him anyway. “You said that it is not important, but everything you did says otherwise.”

He wanted to know. There’s a lot of questions that he wanted to ask, and if getting the answers meant running headfirst into danger, then—

There was no reason to hesitate too much.

As if knowing how he’d made up his mind, the burst of energy returned to him. Step after step he took with ease. It didn’t take long for him to hear the growing sound of metal against metal, sounds of shouting, and horrifying noises of flesh being cut.

Tang Bo took a breath and did not falter anymore. He might’ve not seen it yet, but from what he was hearing, the situation was turning for the worse. More than he originally thought.

How many are there?

Hands subconsciously reached up inside his sleeves. However, his fingers came up with nothing. In a split second, he realized that he left most of his needles back in his home.

Really?

How ridiculous! Of all times when he could’ve forgotten it?

On the last step, there was a body that he didn’t recognize at all. The person wasn’t wearing the now-familiar uniform of Mount Hua either, but there was something about him that gave him some chills in the back of Tang Bo’s neck. As if he instinctively knew that this person is more dangerous than he seems, no matter if he had already fallen or not.

“Y–You…”

A shaky voice drew him out of his observations. Looking up, Tang Bo caught sight of a Mount Hua disciple who didn’t look that much older than Chung Myung, staring at him like he couldn’t distinguish if he was seeing things or not. The young disciple shakily held a sword in his hands, and he didn’t lower it at all when the doctor approached.

He observed how the weapon was frantically pointed to him. He didn’t flinch at all when he saw this. Instead, Tang Bo frowned and tried to clear his head.

“Are you a third-class disciple?”

“Th…that’s…”

From the corner of his eyes, he saw movement.

In an instant, he swiped the discarded sword from the disciple’s fallen opponent and hastily threw it forwards. The other person flinched and was about to yell at him, but he heard a sound come from behind him. Turning around, he saw someone who was about to sneak up on him fall, the sword embedded in his chest.

It made him tremble even more, breath quickening slightly. He turns back to Tang Bo.

“You just…”

Hey…aren’t you a doctor? Did you just kill someone?

“Focus,” Tang Bo scolded instead, getting the boy’s head back into the fight. He moved forward, his action of helping the disciple thankfully enough to no longer have a weapon pointed to his face. He quickly checked over the condition of the brat, and nodded when he saw that he just had some scratches here and there, but there was nothing fatal apart from how shaken he was.

Was this…the first time they’ve encountered anything as serious as this?

The Mount Hua disciple, Chung Hwa took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he looked a little more focused, although definitely still nervous.

“Are you here to help?” he asked.

Tang Bo glanced at him again. “I’m not a fighter.”

“Then…why are you here?”

Yeah, that was probably a good question. He would’ve been much better off had he just come down and had faith in them. Maybe his presence here might’ve made things worse as well.

But…

“I’m still a doctor, after all,” he answered instead. “There’s a fight, so pay attention. If there’s anyone injured, come find me quickly.”

“No, but you’re…”

Aren’t you the person that Chung Myung likes? If you get hurt, who knows what that devil would do to them! Still, he didn’t dare say those words out loud.

As if to prove the point he was trying to make, Chung Hwa hurriedly blocked an incoming strike that tried to sneakily hit them while they were talking. Heart beating loudly in his chest, he turns around again to yell, “You should head to the infirmary immediately!”

“Eyes ahead!” Tang Bo answered back, scowling. He didn’t really like how this kid kept getting distracted, especially since the entire area reeks of bloodlust. “And why would I go there? It’s more efficient to give first aid as soon as possible here instead of dragging them all the way inside!”

Yah! Have you gone crazy?!

Even if you’re a doctor, how can a normal person just fearlessly charge into the battlefield? Look, even the Mount Hua disciples, who were taught how to fight, found it hard to focus on their own battles!

But then, there was a scream from somewhere deeper into the sect. This effectively distracted both of them, their heads turning to the direction of the source of the noise. Chung Hwa paled slightly, recognizing the voice. His hands shook once more, and it didn't need an expert to tell that he was starting to be affected again by the atmosphere.

 Before he could fully sink into the emotion, he felt a hand firmly grasp at his wrist. Tang Bo, whose eyes have sharpened as he assessed the battlefield, tugged him forward.

“Your sword,” he says, tone deathly serious. “Raise it. You’re a disciple of Mount Hua.”

“Y–you…”

There was some truth in what the doctor was saying. It momentarily filled him with confidence, but it was quickly snuffed out as he saw how his martial siblings were clearly struggling against their opponent.

Seeing this, Tang Bo clicked his tongue. If the morale is like this, then it will be difficult. He technically still was an outsider here, so his words could only carry very little reassurance. His eyes subconsciously strayed up to the distance, towards the general direction where Xi’an was located. When he noticed what he was doing, he clicked his tongue and looked away.

There was someone moving around quickly amongst the numerous bodies that crowded the place. Tang Soso almost stumbled as she narrowly avoided a sword that came swinging to her face. Thankfully, one of her sasuks saw that she was in trouble and quickly came to aid her.

“Are you okay?”

“Don’t worry about me,” she answered almost immediately, picking up some of the daggers that were within her reach. She quickly resumed assisting the others who weren’t paying attention to their blind spots. There was a terrible expression on her face, not quite helplessness but not confidence either.

One of them needs medical attention, quickly. He’s bleeding too much, she thinks to herself as she glances to the side where one of her seniors had staggered back. He was holding on to his shoulder with a pained expression. Someone quickly filled up the space that he abandoned in order to get treated.

She dared not to look in the direction where she knew the sect leader and Un Geom were. She already caught a glimpse previously, and she was afraid that if she saw, then she would freeze and fall into the pressure.

Just then, she saw someone out of place from the corner of her vision.

Stunned, Tang Soso whipped her head around to check if she saw right. The eyes of a familiar doctor caught her eyes, and he smiled like there was nothing wrong with the situation. She was so surprised that she almost forgot where she was.

Thankfully, she snapped out of it quickly and focused again.

That guy…what was he doing here? How did he know? What kind of crazy person is he to come with his two feet to Mount Hua despite knowing there’s trouble? If he gets hurt, even if they were clearly fighting, won’t her sahyung raise hell?????

Still, there was some merit in his presence. Tang Soso’s formerly worried figure eased up slightly. Knowing Tang Bo was here to help with giving first aid to the injured gave her a feeling of relief. From what she heard, he was an excellent doctor, so there was nothing to worry about.

But looking at the endless fights around her…she can’t fully ease her heart.

Sahyung…please come quickly!

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

There was another reason why Tang Bo wasn’t fully confident in involving himself with the affairs of jianghu.

He’s been running around tirelessly, picking up those who crawled out of the fight in order to get treated. He can hear the disciples shouting so loudly around him, and the painful sounds of being cut up. It was a good thing that although he can hear those things, none of them came to him half-dead.

He takes a deep breath, his hand pouring antiseptic on the injury. It was something that he got from the Medicine Hall disciple who came running when he heard that they have someone who can help. His hands didn’t shake as he quickly bandaged the bleeding wound.

“You can’t come back there,” he said firmly. He knew that if that person did, he would probably be distracted by the pain in his arm and won’t be able to fight properly. If that happens, then he might have an even worse injury. “I will personally cut you up if I see you go.”

Seeing the dark glint in the doctor’s eyes, he had no choice but to listen.

The Tang Bo that they saw visit the sect was nothing like the person who was helping them now. Instead, he was someone who remained calm despite the hectic state of the battlefield. He moved with terrifying expertise, as if this was something he had done enough times in the past. The way he coldly instructed the disciples on what to do next left no room for questions.

But for him, he was thinking about completely different things.

There was a growing frustration in him as one disciple came after the other. Like it was an endless stream of injured people. He had to take several deep breaths so that he could maintain his composure.

It’s not enough.

Somehow, what he was doing was still too slow. Too inefficient. But he knew that if he faltered now and fell into the frustrations in his head, then it would become even slower than how it already is. So he had no choice but to keep going.

His eyes flitted over to the faint glow of red energy in the fight. There was a crease in between his eyebrows.

If…if I knew how to manipulate qi a little…

There are some things that he, as he is now, is completely helpless against. His normal healing skills are completely useless and slow when it comes to a situation where spiritual energy is involved.

“Do–doctor!” Someone ran over, tears filling his eyes. “It’s sasuk! You have…you have to help him!”

Green eyes washed over him, examining each part closely to make sure that nothing was wrong. The disciple was clearly frazzled, but nothing more.

“He’s…he’s really injured! Please!”

“Well, where is he?” he asked apathetically. The stench of blood invaded his nostrils, but it was a smell that was faintly familiar to him.

“He–He’s still fighting—”

“I can’t do anything if it’s in the middle of the fight,” he cuts in. “Do you think your sasuk could be helped if I jumped in while they’re swinging swords? Get him here.”

“But he won’t leave!”

This, too. It was so annoying.

This worthless pride of martial artists, who refused to back down from a fight even if it was a matter of life and death.

Knowing what it was all for, he can do nothing but bite his tongue and just tirelessly work.

He could very clearly hear the angry cries of the disciples, most likely because of their senior and instructor who was somewhere at the heart of the fight. The sect leader, too, from what he had seen when he passed by, didn’t have the same level of martial prowess that the younger generations have. He was fighting a losing battle.

He…wanted to do something. He wanted to jump in as well and fight. Except he knew that going there would be tantamount to suicide. It would also do nothing to overall morale. If those brats see someone fall again because they’re not capable of fighting well, they would no longer be able to focus on their own battles.

The sounds of clashing echoed endlessly in his ears. His hands did not stop moving. He doesn’t quite know how long it has gone on for.

And then the grounds fell into a sudden hush.

A suffocating presence appeared nearby. It was so harsh that Tang Bo’s attention had been split. He looked up to see what happened, prepared for the worst to happen.

Except what he saw was…well, he really doesn’t know how to say it.

The expression on that person’s face was one that he hadn't seen before. They say that when a person is angry, there are times when all emotions cease from them. It was close to what Chung Myung looks like now, but his expression spoke a thousand silent promises of pain.

“Chung Myung!”

“Ch–Chung Myung!”

There were sounds of relief from everyone around him, and the disciples’ expression slowly started to regain its light. But looking at him, Tang Bo cannot help but frown.

They haven’t seen each other for a while now, and this wasn’t how he expected it to go. He may look scary to the eyes of the enemy, but to Tang Bo himself, there was something not quite right with that face.

He looks…close to crying.

Tang Bo forces himself to look away and go back to his own business. There was a complicated feeling welling up inside his chest. Likewise, Chung Myung’s eyes remained ahead of him and never strayed, so their gazes never met each other.

“Soso.”

He went to address some of the Medicine Hall disciples who were trying their best to assist him. “Help me carry some of them to the infirmary.”

“Soso!”

Turning his back from the presence of one of the reasons why he came up here in the first place, he moved some who had fainted to a more secure area. Since that person was here now, then he could hope that the problem from earlier will be solved quickly.

Based on what he could understand, someone was gravely injured. It probably won’t take long before he gets taken to where they were.

He wanted to look back, but the doctor feared that if he did, Chung Myung would notice his presence. There was something in him that screamed not to show up before that person right now, because if he did so, then he might only cause more problems. Besides, the last time they saw each other was far from pleasant. He promised not to appear in front of Tang Bo again.

With the headspace that Chung Myung was in, he doesn’t want to make it worse. Right now, he was only here to be a doctor, regardless of what kind of disagreement they have. Nothing more, nothing less.

(There were a thousand questions at the tip of his tongue, but he had no choice but to swallow them all back.)

Tang Bo heads for the Medicine Hall, the smell of medication thick in his hands. And after a while, after attending to what is urgent, Chung Myung turned the opposite direction where he went and headed to the forest, where no one could see nor help him in his fight.

In his heart, he still quietly told that idiot to be careful.

Chapter Text

After a while, the sound of fighting came to a halt. Because there doesn’t seem to be any terrifying noises outside, he safely assumed that they settled it well.

When the door creaked open again, it was the familiar face of Tang Soso who came inside. Their eyes met, before hers trailed down to look at the disciple that he was bandaging.

Looking at the tremble in her features, Tang Bo couldn’t do anything but sigh. He could roughly guess what she was thinking based on the expression that she was wearing. Her eyes were already red, but there were no tear tracks. He guessed that she must’ve been trying to hold them back while the fight was still going on.

He tightens the bandages on the person he was treating, ignoring the pained noises and angry glares that he received. His eyes were just looking at the newcomer.

“Good timing,” he says calmly. “Come and help me.”

“...” She shut her eyes and nodded. “Okay.”

She silently made her way over, picking up some of the things that she needed to do her task. Tang Soso watched the doctor work wordlessly for a while, until her attention became too obvious to ignore anymore.

Tang Bo watched her from the corner of his eyes.

“What is it?”

Now that she was called out, she had no choice but to talk about it. She chewed her tongue for a while before asking the question.

“What about Un Geom sasuk?”

Giving her a sideway glance, he answered as honestly as possible. “He will be fine.”

“Really?”

“What I meant by that is that he will live.”

Recalling the state that person was in when he was brought to the infirmary, it was a miracle that he survived despite having lost so much blood. Perhaps the only thing that kept him here was his strong will to keep living. However, there was nothing Tang Bo could do about what he lost.

“Is–Is that so?”

“He’s recovering now.”

There was still no relief in the other girl’s face. So he sighed and temporarily forgot about the person they were treating, who was polite enough to remain silent while they were talking. To be fair, it was probably because he was also worried about how Un Geom was doing.

He lightly tapped the back of Tang Soso’s tightly clenched fist and said, “You did well enough.”

She looks at him, confused at the sudden words. “Yes?”

“I heard you’ve recently joined, so it was probably the first time you had to deal with the actual battlefield than normal sparring. Still, if you look closely, there was barely anyone who got seriously wounded, right?”

“...That’s right…”

“They told me that you were also the one who helped your sasuk after it was safe to get him. So don’t beat yourself up too much.”

“...”

She didn’t respond anymore. But Tang Bo already said all that he could, so the two of them went back to quietly helping others who came to the infirmary.

At some point, Elder Hyun Sang came in and had to have poison drained from his body. While Tang Soso was adept at the medical practices of her clan, there was little she knew about poison techniques.

Thankfully, Tang Bo was there to help deal with it quickly. He was used to working with those due to his unsafe habits. There was no lasting damage, but he had to emphasize multiple times that Hyun Sang absolutely mustn’t push himself while he was recovering.

“But…” The Elder frowned, glancing at the doctor that he was sure he hadn't seen in the sect before. He heard about his visit previously, but… “While I appreciate your presence here, why is a doctor from the village in Mount Hua?”

That's a good question…

Not knowing how to answer, Tang Bo just smiled humorlessly and said nothing. The silence passed on long enough that it became a little awkward, so Hyun Sang ended up just nodding and excusing himself since the treatment with him was already done anyway.

The sect leader, too, came by. He looked almost as pale as Un Geom, but his situation wasn’t as dire. He thanked Tang Bo for helping even without being asked to do so.

When there was finally a lull to the number of patients they had to attend to, he slumped over the seat, feeling so exhausted. It was the first time that he had to deal with so many people at once, so it was obvious that he would feel exhausted. Tang Soso too, who had remained quiet next to him, finally allowed herself to take a breath. But as soon as she did, her eyes rapidly heated up and something warm crept down from her cheek.

“...Oh.”

Seeing her starting to cry, he was about to say something but bit them back when he remembered that they didn’t know each other very well anyway. He thought that if he did, then it might feel a little strange hearing comforting words from him.

Tang Soso turned around and excused herself.

“I will step outside for some air for now.”

“Alright.”

Tang Bo was now left alone in the infirmary, staring at the door that just closed. Like this, it was quiet again, as if the fight from before had been nothing but a lie.

He exhales, trying to ignore the pooling dread at the pit of his stomach. He leans back in an attempt to calm himself down. No matter how many times he snuck a glance at the entrance, there was no one that came inside. Not yet.

Soon.

He doesn’t think he’s quite ready for this ‘soon’.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tang Soso almost screamed when she saw her sahyung appear before her, held on both arms by Baek Cheon and Jo Gul as if he was a misbehaving cat.

“What happened?!”

There were still some tears in her eyes, and it almost worsened when she saw how many injuries Chung Myung had all over his body. Some were already turning an odd color, and looking at it made her realize that it was probably poisoned.

“Aigoo. Were you crying?” Chung Myung asked her with a small grin, as if his situation wasn’t serious at all. The other girl stared at him speechlessly for a short while.

“Laughing?” she responded in disbelief. “Are you laughing?”

She was going to scold him, but annoyingly enough, her throat tightened up and made her unable to say anything. Her seniors looked at her worriedly for a while when they saw this, unsure of what to do.

While they’ve been with each other for a while now, they were all actually unfamiliar with how to comfort a crying person. The typical method of Mount Hua is to beat up and yell at each other, after all.

Baek Cheon was about to say something, but before he could, their youngest squirmed out of their hold to poke Tang Soso.

“Do you feel bad?”

“Sa…sahyung?”

They looked at each other for a while. Chung Myung slowly repeated his question.

“Do you feel bad?”

What kind of…?

She was obviously crying, so clearly, she did feel bad! Baek Cheon and Jo Gul stared at him in disbelief. Maybe if he wasn’t so injured, they would’ve attempted to hit his head for being so insensitive right now.

But actually, he was trying to do something.

“Just…” Tang Soso hesitated. “Just a little.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

She looked confused at the response. There were a lot of ways she could answer this. Firstly, she realized that her knowledge of Mount Hua’s techniques was too insufficient, which was why she had to rely on her knives during the fight. Secondly, she can’t fully help everyone. The proof of that was Un Geom sasuk, who was still unconscious at the moment. And thirdly, she felt so frustrated with herself for allowing the pressure to get to her, paralyzing her at critical moments.

There was no need to answer, though. From looking at her, it felt as if Chung Myung understood those worries.

“It’s all over now. Tomorrow, your sahyungs will be running around with so much energy it was like you didn’t have to stitch them together.”

“...”

Hearing those words made sense. She knew that it was the truth. This person in front of her probably had worse injuries than them as well. Knowing how stubborn the disciples of Mount Hua were, she could clearly see the possibility of Chung Myung's statement happening. 

She allows herself to take deep breaths to calm herself.

“I’m okay now, sahyung,” she says. “Besides, he told me not to blame myself.”

Having cried enough, she decided it was time to address the bigger problem and drag this guy back inside the infirmary. Chung Myung frowned, mulling over her words. From behind him, the other two watched them like they didn’t understand.

Huh? Did it really work?

No, most importantly, Chung Myung really tried to comfort her? That heartless bastard? Him?

If Chung Myung could hear their thoughts, he would've hit them and asked how badly they thought of him, looking like he was the wronged one. Thankfully, though, he's still human. Somehow.

“Who is him?” said person asked, oblivious to their opinions of him.

Instead of answering, she started walking back to the direction of the infirmary, glancing back to make sure that both Jo Gul and Baek Cheon were dragging the stubborn person along with them. It was only when she was already standing in front of the door and was about to open it did she remember who the person in the infirmary was.

Or rather, the incident of what happened the last time that he was here.

Everyone knew about it, after all. The memory of her sahyungs running around in chaos as they figured out Chung Myung's attraction was probably unrequited and that he was sulking in his room played in her mind once more.

She almost froze from where he was. Thankfully, the other three noticed nothing.

Hey! Isn't this bad? Won't letting them meet be like putting two bombs next to each other?!

Tang Soso glanced back behind her, to the uncaring look of her sahyung, then at the door again. She briefly pondered whether she should really open the door or not.

…Well, if she did, then they would have to talk, right?

Isn’t that a good outcome? From what she could see, there was probably something else behind their disagreement. However, it was obvious that Chung Myung, who would always prefer to charge straight in and use brute force, ended up frozen when it came to serious matters of his own feelings. It might sound ridiculous, but that's how it is.

There was a deeper context that she doesn't know, of course. But…

Making up her mind, the female disciple opened it and hurriedly shuffled inside. The three also entered after her, with Chung Myung grumbling the entire time that he was dragged along, saying something about how he could walk by himself.

Now, here comes the most painful part…

There was the sound of the chair being pushed back. This caught the attention of the newcomers.

Tang Bo was watching them with a blank expression, having stood up from where he was originally sitting restlessly. The moment his eyes met Chung Myung’s plum blossom ones, an icy atmosphere instantly descended upon the room. It felt as if winter had changed its mind and decided to come earlier into the year.

Nobody spoke for a long time.

From behind Chung Myung, the two disciples exchanged looks that screamed of how they were dreading this. Then they simultaneously glanced accusingly at Tang Soso, who avoided their gaze as much as possible.

You knew this would happen, didn't you?!?!

Isn't this just evil?! You should've at least told them to go before opening the door!

The silence was almost painful.

Tang Soso rethought her idea for a brief moment. Still, she had no choice but to stick with it because they’re here anyway.

“... cough .”

Even Jo Gul can feel the suffocating energy between these two. His eyes moved back and forth from the two. His self-preservation instincts were telling him to flee as soon as possible.

Sorry, sasuk.

At that moment, there was no remorse in his expression as he let go of the arm that he was holding.

“Since I am only here to drag this guy to the infirmary, I will go now.”

He came running out of the room after that. But! In his defense, it was always him being used as bait when it came to the asura of their sect, so he would prefer to be kept safe right now, while he had a choice to go.

Baek Cheon watched him go with wide eyes, mouth opening and closing as if he can’t believe that guy just ran like that. Now he was stuck with Tang Soso in this terrible atmosphere!

No! It was so cold that he swore training would be a better experience than this!

(Of course, no one told him that this was a little similar to that time he was visited by his father and brother.)

While the disciples were overthinking the situation, there was no one who felt more terrible than Tang Bo himself.

Dojang, aren’t you going to say something?

He hated how he couldn’t read the expression on Chung Myung’s face at all. It was as if he carefully built barriers to block Tang Bo from figuring him out as soon as they saw each other in this place.

So instead, he had to clear his throat. He did not cast a pitying glance at the other two who got trapped in this situation with them, because they've had more than enough chances to leave anyway.

“Take…uhm…take a seat.”

Baek Cheong coughed awkwardly and tugged his sajil to the bed.

“...Right. You’re right. Come on now, Chung Myung-ah.”

Even as they went there, they were still staring at each other. Hey, just how awkward are you two trying to make this situation? Oh my! Give it a break! Can’t you see there’s a patient here!?

Tang Soso cautiously joined them as well, moving closer. She was waiting to see what she should do.

The doctor’s eyes quickly scanned over the multiple injuries on Chung Myung’s body, almost having turned his uniform into nothing but rags. There was one on his bicep that seemed to have reopened, since there was a thin trail that was gradually staining his sleeves that are barely there anymore.

There was an unamused look on Tang Bo’s face. He recalled their first meeting, how this person came for help because of how many bruises he had. Somehow, this situation was a thousand times worse than that.

Just how reckless were you?

He pursed his lips and bit back his tongue. Although he wanted to say something, he had no choice but to hold it in. There was already a fragile truce happening when they became aware of each other's presence. He doesn't want to risk shattering it.

His fingers reached out to take a closer look at the wounds. But before he could get close enough—

“What do you think you’re doing?”

His hands froze midway through the gesture.

Chung Myung was staring at him with his eyes narrowed, eyebrows furrowed and the corner of his lips tugging downward so obviously that his displeasure was clear.

He takes a breath to calm himself.

“I’m just checking up on you.”

“Did I ask you to?”

“...”

…That tone was so biting. Although it was a question, it was clear that it was spoken with no intention to hear a response.

It was…a little annoying to hear.

Tang Bo lets go of the breath that he held previously.

“You’re injured.”

“So?”

“You should get it treated.”

“And I am,” Chung Myung answers, unwilling to make even the smallest contact. “But you. You are not my doctor.”

He withdraws his touch.

“That’s—”

He was going to say something, but he couldn’t. Not when the expression on Chung Myung’s face showed just how much he refuses to back down.

Tang Soso looked uncomfortable next to them.

“Sahyung, he’s been helping treat everyone else. Don’t be too much.”

Chung Myung’s eyes briefly flickered over to her. “He’s not part of the sect. He shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

“...”

“Chung Myung,” Baek Cheon tried to reason out. “You’re injured right now. Quit being stubborn.”

“Then Soso can do it.”

“You—”

“Soso is in charge of medical-related matters anyway.”

“Stubborn brat—”

“Besides,” he says, steeling his expression to something completely closed off. Just looking at it felt like he was talking to a completely different person, so much that Tang Bo found himself unable to speak. “I told you not to come anymore. So what the hell are you doing here?”

…

…

It almost felt like whoever tries to cut into the conversation would end up getting dragged into the icy blizzard that was Chung Myung in the present. The way he was acting was foreign to all three of those who were in the room with him. It was impossible to decide on what to do.

There was a growing urge to cry and yell back at him for being so unfair. But Tang Bo thought that since he was the older one here, he should just try his best to remain calm and explain.

It’s just a tantrum, alright? This guy is just being a little unreasonable, but if he explains, then…

It was difficult to speak, but he had to.

“I heard there was a fight, so I came.”

Based on the unmoved expression on Chung Myung’s face, it wasn’t enough.

“We could’ve handled it well even without you.”

This guy, really—!

“I wanted to come. What’s so wrong about that?” he answers back, not realizing that his voice, too, was starting to raise. “Can’t I be a little worried, ah? Even though it's a martial arts sect, can’t I come and help when there’s danger?”

Chung Myung stands up, eyes flaring. “Why should you come? I told you we’re more than capable! Soso is here! She could handle it!”

“She was on the battlefield as well! What, you want her to do multiple things at once? She was fighting, but you want her to also heal while doing so? Are you crazy?”

“Is she the only healer here? There are many others from the Medicine Hall, don’t get ahead of yourself!”

“Why are you complaining so much anyway? What’s wrong with you? I’m already here, so what’s the point of kicking up a fuss?!”

“Alright, alright. That’s enough!” Baek Cheon tried to get in between them.

His arm rose to block the two’s sight from one another, but Chung Myung simply didn’t care. Even if he was injured, he lunged forward, grabbing the doctor by his clothes.

“Kicking up a fuss?! I’ll show you kicking up a fuss!”

“Hey! Stop, stop!” Tang Soso screams. However, unsure of what to do, she stood there with her eyes wide. “Stop it! Sahyung!”

Firm hands gripped Chung Myung’s wrist. Tang Bo, refusing to back down, tightens his hold and glares down as well.

“Am I wrong? Look at yourself right now and tell me if I’m wrong!”

“Chung Myung!” Baek Cheon helplessly tries, trying to tug him away as well. But this guy, he’s crazy enough to remain unbudging no matter what they do. “I said enough! Quit fighting! Are you two children?”

“I told you not to come back!” the youngest yelled, shaking in anger. “I told you to forget it! Go live your life!”

It was so unfair .

How dare he yell all these things, telling him what to do? Listening to him prattle on, Tang Bo felt as if everything else around him had gone silent. All he could hear, past the shouting of the disciple in front of him and the loud rushing in his ears, was the grinding of his teeth.

“I don’t care about that!”

“I—”

The hands on the wrist moved to Chung Myung’s shoulders. His eyes were so warm at that moment, and he wanted so badly to push away the other person. But instead, he just gripped tightly, enough to hurt if it had been anyone but Chung Myung.

When Tang Bo yelled back, heart at the tip of his tongue and tears forcibly drawn back, he only said what he earnestly believed.

“I don’t care about living well! Fine, sure! I said I wanted to stay away from trouble! But so what? Can’t I change my mind? Yah! Can’t I do what I want?”

“You—!”

“No, you shut up!” He cuts in before anything else could be said, trembling due to his emotions. “Who are you to decide what I should do? Why should I do it just because you said so? Are you mad? You keep calling me the crazy one, but you’re the idiot here! Heeeey! Use your head, you damned Taoist!”

“You don’t understand anything!”

“Then make me understand, whatever!” the doctor immediately retorts back. He shook Chung Myung harshly, as if hoping that he would see some sense if he did so. “Tell me what it is! Bastard, are you having fun watching me tiptoe around you like a fool, not knowing what's setting you off?! Why the hell are you pushing me away?! Why are you telling me what I can’t and can do? You don’t own my life! It’s mine, and I do whatever I want!”

He didn't even notice when he got close, face contorted with expressions of frustration and annoyance. There was barely any distance that they could feel the warm, shaky breath of each other. So close that the weaker could get suffocated and consumed by the fire in the other's eyes.

He's so sick of this.

Chung Myung smiles, both self-deprecating and stubborn.

“Fuck off.”

Haaaah.

The two fell into sudden silence, the swordsman with his tight hold on Tang Bo’s robes, and the latter with his bruising grip on the shoulders. They stared at each other wordlessly, both of their eyes aflame with determination and stubbornness, refusing to let the other side win.

(He knows, alright? He knows it so well.

That this life doesn’t belong to hi— )

And then the door opened.

A sharp aura intruded inside the room. Yu Iseol’s eyes scanned what was happening, taking one glance at the frazzled Tang Soso, at the helpless Baek Cheon, and the duo that still refused to let go, not ceasing their silent fight.

Her lips twitched in disdain.

“Sajil, you’re an idiot.”

Her words were simple, but it made said person flinch. His hands slowly loosened, and he moves away when Tang Bo also lets go of him. Chung Myung sits back down the bed and crosses his arms, now refusing to speak anymore.

Yu Iseol’s eyes turned to Tang Bo.

“Leave.”

“...What?”

“Sajil needs treatment. Leave.”

Stunned, he was about to protest. But at that moment, Tang Soso caught herself and moved towards him to explain in a hush.

“She just meant leaving the room. Sahyung won’t be calm if you’re here.”

He wanted to protest. Their conversation wasn’t done at all, there was no way he could just go. But Baek Cheon nodded hurriedly and grabbed his arm, dragging him out.

“Enough. Let’s just go.”

Yu Iseol watched them go with a glower. It was only when the door closed did she turn her head back again, ready to stare disapprovingly at her sajil. But when she looked back, she saw Chung Myung bury his face in his hands, losing the tension he had but obviously not doing ok.

She exchanged glances with Tang Soso, who was chewing worriedly on her bottom lip.

…This isn’t how things are supposed to go.

“Soso, treatment.”

“Yes, sago.”

She moved quickly, cleaning up the injuries that Chung Myung sustained. Although her heart was still beating loudly after hearing two people yell at each other in front of her, her hands remained steady. She cannot believe this guy was arguing so noisily when there’s still remnants of poison in his body.

Tang Soso was about to scold him, but she saw how his gaze was somewhere far away, outside the window. So she ended up just sighing and shaking her head.

“Sahyung,” she says. “You really didn’t have to make things so complicated. That’s not how you miss people.”

Chung Myung’s lips tightened at that, but he didn’t respond.

Chapter Text

It was almost amazing how cold it was in Mount Hua after that fight.

By that point, most of them had already fully recovered from their injuries. Un Geom, too, had been training himself with his other arm after having lost his right one. So, theoretically speaking, they should be going back to how things used to be now.

That isn’t what happened.

Tang Bo decided to stay until he could make sure that all of them were truly okay now. He checked up on them every day, unwrapping the bandages and taking a good look in case one of them got infected or poisoned. He is also closely monitoring Un Geom’s situation because he just doesn’t trust these martial artists to not push themselves.

There was also one more reason: He wanted to have another conversation with Chung Myung. One in which they could talk calmly, without temper getting in their way.

However, it is simply impossible. Whenever the two of them coincidentally end up in the same area, the disciples would flee as soon as possible, shaking and their teeth chattering. They didn’t personally witness what happened the last time those two talked, but there are some who heard, and some could roughly guess what happened.

Normally, as a guest, Tang Bo would’ve been kicked out already. However, because there was a valid reason for him to stay, the sect leader gave him permission until he deems everyone fully well.

Tang Bo also takes the time to look around the Medicine Hall. He wanted to see what ingredients they had in the room.

“But where did you learn medicine?” Un Gak asked once when he was squinting at one of the many shelves.

He glanced up, debating whether or not to answer with an uninterested expression on his face. In the end, since there was no difference if he did or not, except maybe making a worse impression to the sect if he decided to be rude. So he said, “I’ve been interested in it since I was young.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” He nods. “I gathered some books and studied them. Then, I tested them out to see if it was real and effective. Some of them would fail, and there would be problems for some time. Over time, I gained experience and slowly got a steady stream of patients visiting me.”

“I see…”

Un Gak looked like he was genuinely considering doing the same thing. Noticing this, the doctor immediately tried to dissuade him.

“It’s not a very safe method, so you don’t have to think about doing it as well.”

“But it’s effective, isn’t it?”

“Only because I spent years doing it. No need to risk yourself.”

Eh? Thinking about it, the child Tang Bo must really have something wrong in his head for doing all sorts of things to himself, huh?

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

Hearing the sudden exclamation, he turned his head to look at the other person, who looked a little enlightened. “What is it?”

“Well, it’s just a thought…”

“Uh?”

Un Gak looked at him consideringly for a while. “How long have you known Chung Myung?”

That’s—

The mention of the name made the doctor shut his mouth immediately. There was a sour look that came over his face. Seeing this, Un Gak looked a bit sorry.

“No, there’s no need to answer.”

Naturally, he took the out given to him. The first-class disciple then decided to go ahead with something else instead of the question.

“For a moment, I thought the remedy for the president of the Eunha Merchant Guild came from you. But I guess that’s not the case.”

“...Yeah.”

It was a little uncomfortable talking about Chung Myung when they have this kind of relationship in the present. It really felt like the younger man was trying his best to push Tang Bo away. The more that he thinks this, the more he refuses to leave the sect. He already missed the previous times where they could talk with each other calmly.

There’s little he knew about Chung Myung, apart from the things of his daily life that he talked about in the past. He could only infer based on what he already knew.

He wanted to know why that guy doesn’t want him to get involved anymore, especially when he didn’t mind this at all in the beginning when they first met.

“...By the way.”

“Yes?” Un Gak looked a little relieved to hear the beginnings of a subject change.

“Have you ever tried to heal with qi before?”

“Huh?”

Tang Bo saw the thoughtful look on the disciple’s face. “I heard that people do it. But I haven’t really encountered any instance yet where I had to try it as well.”

“Oh…I see.”

“If you’re curious, then why not try asking Soso?”

He looks up, a little confused.

“Why her?”

“Because before she was a disciple of Mount Hua, she was still from the Tang Family. In fact, from what I heard, she transferred here in order to pass the medicinal knowledge of her family to the sect. I think she would know more about this matter.”

“...I understand.”

He already planned on asking her anyway. However, he hasn’t gotten around to doing it because he still can’t find it in himself to properly face her after the disastrous event that was that argument the last time they saw each other’s face.

Maybe he should ask someone else first…

However, there’s barely anyone who actually joined the Medicine Hall. From what he observed from the days that he was here, most, if not all of them, were preoccupied with learning the sword techniques of the sect instead of other things.

Tang Bo sighs. Right, not that he should complain. The same thing did help them well back when they were under attack.

Discreetly, whenever he could find the chance to do so, he waited until he could talk to one of them for what he wanted. But somehow, most disciples were busy, mostly due to their training.

It was only when he was checking up on the condition of one of them did he finally get the chance to do what he was originally trying to do. The very first one he got, the same disciple that he met when he arrived at the sect during the attack, hesitated when he asked about qi manipulation.

“Doctor, I can't talk about the techniques of Mount Hua to outsiders,” he said apologetically. “In fact, not just me. I don't think any sect would do it.”

“I'm not asking for the techniques specific to Mount Hua,” he insisted. “Just a little information about spiritual energy.”

“But there's different ways on how people manipulate their qi, and it mostly differs on how the sect taught you.”

Sighs.

Tang Bo, seeing that Chung Hwa was someone who will remain stubborn about not saying anything, decided to let the matter drop. When the disciple saw the disappointment in his face, he felt a little guilty. After thinking for a while, he had an inkling that this probably had something to do with what happened while he was here.

Looking cautiously, he asked, “Do you want me to ask Soso if she can help?”

The doctor let out a huff when he heard the offer.

“No, it's fine. I can do it.”

He made sure to ask the others that he came across as well, but in the end, they all keep saying the same things. Normally, it would be a good thing that they're conscious about keeping their sect’s secrets to themselves. However, Tang Bo, who was feeling a little frustrated, didn't quite appreciate it as much as he should.

If…if he knew a little bit of qi, then his medicine could be another level higher. He would be twice as efficient, and—

Probably having heard of him asking a lot of people about his predicament from one of her martial siblings, Tang Soso came to find him one day. Tsk tsk. These Mount Hua disciples always seem to have difficulties listening to others, huh?

She was still a little cautious of him when she approached. He guessed it was maybe because she had to see him lose his temper and get into a loud verbal disagreement with someone from her sect. Still, she asked him to come along with her to the front door of the Medicine Hall with a firm expression on her face.

Tang Bo did as she asked without many questions. They stood in front of the area for a while, just quietly staring ahead and not at each other.

Then, Tang Soso started the conversation first.

“Are you thinking about this because of the attack?”

Haha. Well, a lot of things that happened recently had been because of the attack. He was starting to get sick of hearing it every second, but since it still was the reason, then he had no choice but to nod.

Tang Soso understood his answer. After all, she, too, was very frustrated with herself for not being able to do much. This was also the reason why she came to seek out Tang Bo when she heard of his predicament.

She turns to him with a determined look.

“Since we're both doctors, I can tell you a little about it.”

Tang Bo looks at her. He wasn't surprised that she would say this, but he still asked testily, “Really? Even without asking for anything else?”

“Uh?”

“It's common sense to avoid talking about specific techniques like this, there's barely anyone who would willingly talk about their sect's martial arts to normal people regardless of the reason.”

“That's partially right,” Tang Soso corrects him. “The more important techniques aren't taught to just anyone. But have you been to Anhui? Around the area where the Namgung Family watches over the place?”

“...Only for a brief while.”

“If you take a look at their bookstores, there's actually those that sell the most minimal level martial arts books in the area. They said that it was so that their people would know a little on how to protect themselves. Of course, none of the books were anything too significant. It also made for a lucrative business, since this is the Namgung Family they're talking about.”

“They sell martial arts books?” He asked in disbelief.

“They do.”

Actually, Tang Soso only knew this because she had been a little amazed that they did that, since she was from a family that jealously guards its techniques. When she thought about it previously, she realized that back in Sichuan, her family also had their own way of helping the common people protect themselves, even if not everyone was willing to go along with it. If the Namgung sold these books to the streets, the Tang Family would take the sons of the families and teach them martial arts.

Tang Bo taps his chin thoughtfully.

“Then, what you're going to tell me is something similar to that? The most basic that it doesn't matter if I know about it?”

“Yes,” she nods. “But it's not from Mount Hua.”

“Huh?”

“I may be from here, but I don't know if they have anything that could be taught to outsiders. If there is, then…”

She hesitates for a bit, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.

“...If there is, then maybe sahyung would know.”

"Ah."

There was an uncomfortable air between them as soon as that person was mentioned. Tang Bo coughed to his fist in order to dispel that kind of atmosphere and waved his hand to try to get the conversation to move on.

“I see. Then where will it be from?”

Tang Soso was grateful that he moved past it quickly, but she still took a glance at his expression to make sure that it really was fine before answering properly.

“It's the Tang Family who knew the most about this in jianghu. There are also some things that I can easily share.”

Or at least, among the orthodox sects and families, they were the best in medicine. She made this claim, but there's still a possibility that there's someone hiding out there who knew more. But as long as they don't show themselves, then that title belongs to them.

Actually, they probably should've chosen a better place to talk about this. There were some disciples that passed them by, curious about what they were talking about. Multiple times too, they had to move to the side to allow people access to the Medicine Hall. It was only for the fact that the two of them were focused on what they were talking about that they didn't really think much about the minor inconveniences. Tang Soso was talking about theoretical matters, and the other person was listening well, making sure to take note of her words inside his mind.

There was one reason why their conversation had to come to a stop, though.

Even if the place where they were wasn't very secretive, there wasn't anyone that came to interrupt them. Not until that guy came across them.

The sound of footsteps stopping just in front of them made the two look up to see who it was. And, like it has been every time these two were near each other, there was that frozen atmosphere in the air that could put the North Sea into shame.

Chung Myung looked back and forth between the two of them, not saying anything. He heard about what they were talking about when he was approaching, and the miniscule twitches in his expression showed how he disapproved of it. For a moment, his mouth opened slightly, like he was about to say something. But in the end, he shut it close again.

“...Hello, sahyung,” Tang Soso greets in an attempt to get rid of the silent stare-off.

“...”

His eyes briefly drifted over to Tang Bo's direction. The latter, for the briefest moment, swore that he saw a flash of something cross Chung Myung's eyes. But it was gone so quickly that he wasn't able to confirm what he saw.

Then, the disciple turned on his heel and kept walking, pretending he never saw the two of them there in the first place.

Tang Soso lets out the breath that she was holding.

“Don't tell sahyung, but I prefer it when he's yelling at us during training instead of whatever that was.”

Tang Bo silently agreed to her words. Seeing that guy act so seriously and so…coldly felt wrong that it left some pangs in his chest. Although he wanted to say something, as long as Chung Myung was unwilling to hear it, then their argument will never be solved.

The other girl turned her attention to the doctor next to her. Inside her head, she was mulling over the reason why her sahyung, who will normally not mind it if someone shows interest in martial arts, was suddenly so insistent on stopping someone. Especially since that person was fairly close to him.

What reason could there be to willingly cause a rift in your relationship with someone just for the sake of stopping him from doing something?

Of course, with the two of them like this, she can't just recklessly ask that.

“What a friendly guy,” Tang Bo muttered under his breath.

“...I was thinking a little about this.”

He looked back at her when he heard that. “About what?”

“Since you're asking about qi anyway, why don't you just join the sect?”

It was a logical question, actually. If he did, then the disciples would no longer have a reason to avoid answering his questions about spiritual energy. He could also focus since there's a dedicated hall especially for his field. There would be more time for him too, because the only patients that would visit him are people from Mount Hua who got themselves hurt while training. Which means he won't have to go to their houses to knock and treat their problems.

Even so, Tang Bo was already firm on his response regarding this matter.

“I'm not going to do that.”

If Chung Myung was already like this just because he went to help the sect when it was needed, then he could only imagine what would happen if he officially joined them. He shuddered as he thought of it. Maybe he would have to sleep with one eye open every night just so his throat doesn't get slit while he is asleep.

Since he wasn't willing to share the reason why, Tang Soso didn't push much. She just sighed and continued with their conversation earlier. Hopefully, after this, Tang Bo will be able to figure some things out.

Of course, if he didn't, then she would be more than happy to demonstrate some things. Even if she's not really the best person for it.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

There was a troubled look on the sect leader's face while he stared down at the teacup that was laid on the table in front of him.

Hyun Jong, as someone who has been here for quite some time now, is someone sensitive to even the smallest change within the sect. Therefore, with the chill that was descending upon them every once in a while, he can't help but feel a little worried.

At first, he thought that it was because his kids were still feeling a bit anxious after being attacked by an entire group not too long ago. There are still physical reminders of it too, specifically whenever they see Un Geom walking around with only one arm left. But taking a closer observation, he realized that it was because of two specific people.

There was a short knock on the door.

“Jangmun-in, I am here.”

“Come in.”

After a while, it creaked open. The person behind the door did as he asked, stepping inside and greeting him respectfully. When Hyun Jong’s eyes laid on the disciple, he couldn't help the calm smile that crept up his face.

Baek Cheon was someone he had seen grow up before his very eyes. He had thought about it when this child came so suddenly to assist him when there was danger, but he truly felt proud of how he's become someone so dependable.

“Have a seat.”

“Of course, Jangmun-in.”

Even his actions were done well, not too much noise and almost graceful. Hyun Jong took a sip of his cup as he waited for the disciple to settle down.

Only when he was sure that Baek Cheon was comfortable did he start with what he had originally called him for.

“To get straight to the point, there's something I am a little curious about.”

“Yes?”

He takes a sip of his cup, savoring the sweet taste of plum blossom in his mouth. Then, when he lowered it back down, his eyes moved to the window, where he could see a clear view of the sect that was under him.

Hyun Jong releases a deep and heavy sigh.

This child probably knew about what he wanted to know about, because he was constantly with everyone else.

“Has there been something going on with Chung Myung lately?”

Chapter Text

After a certain period of time had passed and Tang Bo thought that he gave enough time and space, he then tried his best to initiate a conversation with a certain stubborn Taoist first.

Although he wasn’t sure of the usual schedule that Chung Myung follows, it was still a rather small sect, so seeing each other is something that is inevitable. He came across him multiple times, in the training grounds and in the Dining Hall, sometimes in the path to the dormitory. However, every time he tries to open his mouth, he would be stopped by the sound of someone clicking his tongue and would always be greeted with the distasteful expression that Chung Myung would wear on his face.

After a handful of attempts with this method, Tang Bo ended up sighing and returned to the guest room that was given to him while he was here. He decided that maybe he should try a different approach. The only problem is what should he do instead…

Thankfully, everyone had the sense to not ask what was actually going on.

One particular time while he was busy agonizing about his situation, there came a knock on his door. It was quiet and short, nothing that sounded urgent, so he took his time groaning on the bed in frustration before reluctantly standing up to open the door.

The person on the other side was a familiar face. It was one of the first few disciples that he met originally—Chung Soo, if he wasn’t mistaken. He looked like he was a little displeased about something, but he looked relieved when he saw that Tang Bo opened the door.

“What’s—”

“Here.”

Before the doctor could ask anything more, something was hurriedly shoved into his arms. He blinked in surprise and looked down. It was only then did he realize that he was just given two books.

“Uh?”

“Don’t ask, I was just told to give it to you, so I don’t know what this is about either,” Chung Soo told him, scratching his head and sighing heavily.

Those words made Tang Bo’s eyes narrow. “Who told you to give it to me?”

“...” There was a sudden hesitation in the other person’s words. He looked like he was debating whether or not to tell the truth. In the end, he said, “Soso did.”

Huh?

One hand moved to balance both books, and the other flipped open to see the contents. His eyes widened a little when he saw that it was something that he had been asking about—A book about spiritual energy and using it in medicine.

He squints a little at the terrible writing of the person who must’ve originally written the book, but since he could still understand most of it, he chooses not to comment on it.

Since there’s not much that she told him apart from hammering some of what she already knew well the last time they talked, Tang Bo figured that Tang Soso must’ve taken her time to research more about the topic in hopes that he would be able to make more sense of it. She also made him promise to trade knowledge with each other anyway, so it would be a beneficial situation for them both if he was able to master it.

He nods slowly and looks back at Chung Soo.

“Well then, I appreciate…it…”

Midway through speaking, he realized something.

Hey, isn’t this the perfect opportunity?

Chung Soo saw the sudden flash of inspiration in Tang Bo’s eyes and suddenly felt nervous for a reason that he, too, doesn’t know about. Hurriedly, he tried to find a way to escape the situation.

“Then…I will be going n—”

“Wait for a moment.”

“...”

Too late.

Tang Bo grinned at him, but it looked too far from friendly! In fact, he looked a little malicious that anyone watching him might’ve easily felt nervous!

“Since you came to bring me something Tang Soso asked you to bring, won’t you pass a message to someone else for me too?”

That’s right! This is the perfect answer to his problem! If Chung Myung constantly kept refusing to listen to him when they were in front of each other, then he should just ask someone else to say what he wanted to say!

Aigoo, dojang! You really are talented at making things complicated! If only you were a little more agreeable, then we won’t have to resort to this sort of solution.

Chung Soo felt a little faint when he heard the suggestion. No matter how quiet he has been, he’s still a disciple of this sect! Who here doesn’t know of the complicated situation between this person and the resident asura of their sect? If he gets involved, then won’t it just be a path to immediate death?!

“That’s not something I—”

“Stay here for a bit,” Tang Bo smiled, adopting a saccharine tone that could make any listener feel nervous. “If you dare leave, I will find you.”

…

Ah.

Now it made sense why Chung Myung got along so well with this person, despite him being a doctor and the other being a martial artist.

Faced in the situation that he was in right now, then isn’t it similar to being coerced into doing something by an evil spirit? He thought he would be relatively safe since this wasn’t Chung Myung he was dealing with, but it seems that this guy, too, had no problems dragging him into what was definitely a blaring hot danger zone, which was also known as this cold war that those two have.

Tang Bo turned around and vanished inside with the books, but he didn’t close the door so he could see if the disciple left. As for Chung Soo, he turned his head up to the sky and mumbled a quick Taoist prayer under his breath.