Chapter Text
***
" UGGGGGGGH!! "
" This damn Sahyung of mine, won't leave me alone. "
Chung Myung ran through the trees of Hwasan, cursing under his breath.
In his hand was a bottle of alcohol stolen from Baek Oh.
" YooUUUUUUUUUUUUU BRAAAAAAAAT!!! "
His Chung Mun Sahyung was in hot pursuit.
" Don't make that bastard hate you even more!! "
" So what? He deserves it. "
Chung Mun couldn't answer that one.
" Still- "
CRACK!!
" Huh? What's that? "
The cliff Chung Myung was standing on broke apart.
It was a clear crisp sound.
" Yah! What-- "
And Chung Myung fell down the cliff.
" AHJGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! "
" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! "
Chung Mun's scream was considerably louder.
The past few days had been considerably stormy, so landslides were not uncommon in Hwasan.
Usually, people were taught to avoid the cliffs throughout the rainy season.
Unfortunately Chung Myung and Chung Mun had simultaneously forgotten this simple fact.
" Damn iiiiiiiiiiit!!! "
" Sahy-- "
Chung Mun instantly leaped towards Chung Myung.
It was a considerable distance he had to follow.
They flew like dead wood falling off a tree.
And.............
SPLASH!
They landed in a spring.
Chung Jin, who had been trying to keep up with Chung Mun, stopped at the edge of the now-broken cliff.
" AHHHHHHHHHHHJKKKKKKKKKKKKKKGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! "
And he instantly jumped in after them.
***
Chung Mun struggled to swim up.
The debris was coagulating towards the bottom.
He thought he would have a better view from the light at the top.
' Chung Myung... '
Someone like Chung Mun who is fairly trained in martial arts might be fine from this drop.
But...What about a small child barely 10 years old?
It could prove fatal.
Chung Myung, on his part, was a fairly sturdy kid and a competent martial artist for his age but such things couldn't protect him from natural disasters and the like.
Was this Chung Mun's fault?
No.
He couldn't have predicted an event like this would happen.
'Honestly, I completely forgot it was this season....'
If he remembered he would have threatened Chung Myung with the repentance cave so he would come back immediately.
An empty threat of course...for the most part.
Chung Mun had specifically demanded that he be the only one in charge of Chung Myung and his punishments.
If he didn't, Chung Myung would've been treated harshly.
He'd already been through a lot.
' ... '
Just then a gurgle was heard.
Chung Mun's head snapped in that direction.
From his position near the light he could make out Chung Myung's small form trapped somewhere in the debris.
He instinctively swam towards him.
It hadn't been long since they fell; Chung Mun was not out of breath, but what about Chung Myung and his little body?
If he was trapped...
Chung Mun shook his head and quickly swam to Chung Myung.
" ... "
Chung Myung's head was bleeding.
He was trapped too.
' Damn it. '
Chung Mun quickly removed all the debris ensnaring Chung Myung's little form.
And rushed to the surface as fast as he could.
***
" PUAAAAAAAAH!! "
They broke through the surface.
Thankfully, the spring was quite deep for its size.
Chung Mun speedily swam to the edge with Chung Myung in tow.
" Damn it..damn it..."
He gently laid Chung Myung on a patch of soft soil.
Chung Myung seemed to be unconscious.
" Is Sahyung okay? "
" AHK. "
Chung Mun flinched hard.
It was Chung Jin who had followed him.
He turned his head to Chung Myung.
Chung Myung was still unconscious and a thin stream of blood cascaded onwards.
" Let me see him. "
Chung Jin calmly requested.
Chung Mun let him inspect Chung Myung.
" Hm. "
Thankfully his wound wasn't too deep, only a surface level abrasion, but the impact on his tiny frame caused him to turn unconscious. ( falling into the water )
The steep cliffs of Hwasan were not meant for little children to climb.
" Let's take him to the Medical Hall. "
" The wounds aren't too serious, so I'm sure he'll be fine if we hurry him there. "
" Alright. "
Chung Mun nodded.
They walked to the Medical Hall in silence.
Chung Myung, held firmly in Chung Mun's arms, did not stir.
***
The people of the Medical Hall took him with no complaint.
He was properly cared for and left to rest on a bed.
Chung Mun held his little hand on his own, waiting for him to awaken.
It was now past noon.
Suddenly..
" Yah, we should make him some warm food. "
It was Chung Jin.
" He'll be hungry. "
" And.. if you and I catch a cold he'll be sad. Let's go back home for now. "
Chung Mun silently nodded.
He would rather stay by Chung Myung's side until he awoke but Chung Jin was right.
The walk home was oddly quiet.
To Chung Jin it seemed that Chung Mun felt guilty for what happened to Chung Myung.
But the only thing to do was to do what was necessary.
Chung Jin would do whatever it took to care for both Chung Mun and Chung Myung.
It was why he had jumped in with them without a second thought.
But, on second thought it was a dumb decision.
If a sheep jumps off a cliff wouldn't all the other sheep jump with him even if it was an accident?
Sheep are naturally dumb like that.
Chung Jin shook his head.
What if he had gotten injured too.
How much guilt would be on Chung Mun's shoulders?
He hated that thought.
Thinking about guilt, what would Chung Myung think about all of this?
Would he think it was all his fault?
It clearly wasn't.
Chung Jin shook his head again.
" Lost in thought? "
" Huh? "
Chung Mun asked Chung Jin.
"..Yeah. "
" I can tell. "
There was a reason Chung Jin respected Chung Mun so much.
He was obviously the most affected by Chung Myung's injury.
Unlike Chung Jin who had recently joined Hwasan, Chung Mun had taken care of Chung Myung since almost exactly after he joined.
Becoming the Great Sahyung of the Chung disciples less than a month after joining was an incredible feat.
And less than a month after that he was given the responsibility to care for the youngest and newest of the Chung disciples.
Chung Myung became Chung Mun's kid.
' Being a parent at 17 must be a tough thing.... '
" Yah! "
" AHK. "
Did he hear that?
No, there's no way...
" You're brooding, spit it out. "
Ah.
" Ahem. "
He let out a measured cough.
They say a child takes after their parent. Isn't Chung Myung the same?
That directness must be inherited.
" YAH, YOU BRAT! "
Flinch.
" Where are your manners? Answer the damn question. "
No, why does this seem like a threat?
A child really does take after their parent....
" Yeah, I was worrying about Chung Myung. "
He gave a half-hearted response.
Seeing that, Chung Mun let out a deep sigh.
" We're almost there. "
" Lets save our excuses until Chung Myung wakes up. "
" Right. "
Chung Jin gave a slight nod.
***
Cooking skills?
Who needs that?
Just throw some things in a pot and let it simmer for an hour.
Who were Chung Mun and Chung Jin?
They were complete amateurs at cooking.
Baking was something completely different.
" What kind of idiots were they? Seriously... "
Chung Myung was busy reminiscing on good times.
He audibly sighed.
' Why is everybody in Hwasan an idiot? '
" I swear.... These kids 'bouta be the death of me. "
A thought shared by a Chung Mun of the past.
***
Truth be told, Chung Mun and Chung Jin did not need to cook anything.
That was what a Mess Hall was for, after all.
However, they both felt guilty for what happened to Chung Myung and decided that this was the best way to make it up to him.
" Hah... "
Chung Mun let out a deep breath.
He had done this once before, a second time is no big deal right?
He glanced at Chung Jin.
That guy has no experience at all.
He was a noble's son after all.
So was Chung Mun but he didn't want to think about that.
" Khehum. "
They awkwardly gathered ingredients in silence.
Chung Jin's thoughts were a little different.
" Hm. "
There were vegetables on the left, already washed and dried by Hwasan's chefs.
And on the right was the chicken and spices.
In the center lay peanuts.
Unfortunately, there were no chili peppers.
Hwasan's chefs were told to make Kung Pao Chicken only for the Elders.
" Damn bastards ate it all.. "
He couldn't blame them though, it was good food.
But all of this was courtesy of Hwasan's kitchen, you see.
Chung Mun didn't know but Chung Jin had taken all of this without any permission.
Who would've thought...
Certainly not Chung Jin.
He was certainly adept at learning the intricacies of Hwasan's martial arts.
Even with his limited time spent on Hwasan.
But...
Cooking.
COOKING.
COOKING!?
He didn't know what he was doing.
He glanced at Chung Mun, who glanced away.
And asked in a trembling voice.
" ...Do you know how to cook? "
" Unlike you, I have some experience. "
A concise answer.
" Ugh. Where do we begin..? "
Chung Mun began:
" First, we need to marinate the chicken. "
" Then what. "
" Cut the vegetables. "
" And then? "
" Cook the vegetables in the spices and peanuts. "
" Then? "
" Add the marinated chicken. "
" The whole chicken? "
" ..no. "
" You need to cut it. first. "
The words were becoming hard to pour out.
His extensive knowledge was waning.
" So after you marinate it, you cut it into small chunks and fry all of it together. "
So, he had already figured it out.
...When?
Why ask..
Chung Mun let out another deep sigh.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.
He was beginning to think that maybe Chung Myung would be happy with any warm food at this point.
But he also knew how happy his cooking made Chung Myung before.
Therefore, he could not back down yet.
They began to work swiftly in Baek Oh's home.
He wasn't there, thankfully.
Baek Oh learned fast to stay away from his home unless absolutely necessary.
If he showed up again Chung Mun would beat his ass fair and square.
Thanks to Chung Mun, Baek Oh was exiled from his own house.
Don't feel too bad for him, though, he was cruel.
' Seriously. '
Chung Jin used to feel sorry for him.
But not now.
That bastard deserved it.
' Too bad, too sad. '
Try jumping Chung Myung with Chung Mun and Chung Jin in the house.
Try it, you damn bastard.
" AHHHHHHHHHHHHG!! "
" What?! "
" What happened? "
" I burned my hand on the pot. "
" ... "
" ... "
Chung Jin slowly brought a hand to his face.
And dragged it down nice and slow.
*inhale
*exhale
" Let me take care of the pot. "
" Fine. "
Chung Mun looked quite miffed, but he quickly moved on and accepted it.
***
" YAAAwwwwwwwwwn. "
Chung Myung headed home.
He had already been given the okay to leave the infirmary.
All that was left was a white bandage on his head and an aching headache.
Along with stiff limbs.
And a warm belly.
' Ah. Not that last bit. '
Since it was dinnertime when he awoke, they fed him there.
It was mostly jook and vegetables, not enough meat in his opinion.
' Anyway, I wonder what those guys are up to. '
Chung Myung was lost in his idle thoughts.
And..
BOOOOOOOOM!!
Something blew up.
" Tsk. Tsk. What bastard is up to no good this time. "
If anyone heard him say that they'd foam at the mouth.
' Too bad they can't hear me. '
In the distance he heard some incoherent screams.
' Wait...Isn't this near my house..? '
" Yah! What bastard blew up my house!? "
" I'll crack your head open!! "
As usual, Chung Myung's first thoughts were violence.
He was quite the vicious 10 year old.
What he saw shook him to his core.
" T..There. "
' Isn't my house supposed to be there? '
' Wait. '
" What about my Sahyung and Sajil? "
Chung Myung looked around in a panic, however Chung Mun and Chung Jin were nowhere to be found.
Until...
***
Chung Mun hurriedly ran to the scene of the crime, Chung Jin in tow with buckets full of water in each hand.
They ran like crazed madmen.
There was no need to speak; they knew what was wrong and how to fix it.
" AAAAAAAAHGJK! "
" EEEEEEEEEYM! "
Only incoherent speech made it past their lips.
Both were relatively new to the sect.
How would they be able to explain this to the elders?
" Think about it, they won't know unless we leave evidence. "
" That won't work. We can't rebuild this in a day. "
Half the building was burnt down.
Neither knew what went wrong.
But there was no time to reflect.
SPLASH!
Buckets of water flew into the flames.
Actually if you think about it the fire wasn't that big.
Just a little something, right?
What's so wrong about a small mistake like this?
Living in tents is a good idea!
A good one.
" YAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh!...? "
" Uh. Where's the enemy. "
' Shouldn't they be over here somewhere? '
Chung Myung arrived.
" Ah! Sahyung, Sajil! You're alive! "
He seemed relieved.
Chung Mun had a blank look on his face.
Chung Jin shook his head.
' How did this happen. '
I-wait. What?
What was that? I let the flames get too high under the pot?
Chung Jin shook his head.
Surely that can't be the case, what idiot woul-...
" Ah. "
He nodded his head.
Even a sheep wouldn't be so dumb.
Nevermind. That sounds a bit too harsh...
" Sahyung, Sajil, who did it? "
" I'll skin them alive!! "
" How dare they mess with us!? "
" Myung-ah, you have the order wrong. "
" Oh. You're right.. "
Chung Myung looked more sheepish.
" For now, go sit over there and don't move. "
He pointed to a patch of soft grass a little ways away.
" Fine. Fine "
Chung Myung listened to Chung Mun.
***
Finally, the last bit of fire was quenched.
" Augh. "
" Oof. "
The two older people looked like they lost their souls.
In fact Chung Mun looked dead.
' Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I must take responsibility for this. '
If only he hadn't given the pot to that idiot Chung Jin.
I should've given him lessons instead.
He cried internally.
It was too late.
They had rushed into it in an effort to make Chung Myung happier.
However, there wasn't anything Chung Mun wouldn't to for Chung Myung's well being.
This would be something both he and Chung Jin would learn from.
And for that, he was satisfied.
But before that.
" Chung Jin. "
" ... "
" ..Clean up your mess. "
" Yes. Sahyung. "
Good.
***
Chung Myung watched as Chung Jin returned from the Sect Leader's residence.
A gloomy face for sure.
He carried with him large tent materials.
' I almost feel sorry for him. '
Then Chung Myung glanced at Chung Mun.
' Jin-ah is in trouble. '
Poor thing.
It's all that bastard's fault.
Two conflicting emotions raged inside Chung Myung.
" What does it matter? A tent is a tent. "
" Myung-ah. You were just cursing Jin-ah a second ago. "
" So what? "
Chung Mun looked at him and let out a deep sigh.
' These kids 'bouta be the death of me. '
***
" Ugh. "
Both Chung Mun and Chung Jin were dying.
Sahyung and Sajil....
How could they betray him like this?
" Sasuk. Can I have two extra bowls of food for my idiot Sajil and my Sahyung? "
"....sure. "
Un Jo, the one in charge of the Mess Hall, answered.
He scurried to the kitchen and immediately grabbed two extra bowls of jook.
It seems like Chung Myung's reputation spread even to the Sasuks.
Extra food lying around in Hwasan right after a meal wasn't uncommon.
After the chefs eat their own food and retire for the night, the dish-washing people come in.
So there is a sweet-spot between the two.
And Chung Myung took advantage of that fact.
' Wait what do the dish-washing people eat? '
' Are my Sahyung and Sajil stealing their food? '
Unbeknownst to Chung Myung, the dish-washing people eat at the same time as the chefs.
He didn't know that though.
He was still a kid.
***
" Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. How dare they send me to get their food. "
" These lazy bums! "
Chung Myung arrived at their tent.
Baek Oh was suffering somewhere else, so they didn't need to worry about him.
He opened the tent flap and entered with two bowls in hand, utensils included ofc.
The sight before him was pathetic.
Chung Mun and Chung Jin were sprawled over their blankets.
Chung Jin was still sweating nervously and Chung Mun still looked dead.
' My poor Sahyung.. '
Thankfully none of this was his fault.
In truth neither Chung Mun nor Chung Jin asked for food.
They didn't want to burden Chung Myung with more work.
And they also almost completely blew up their house cooking.....
Food was the last thing on their minds.
" Yah! You lazy bums! Eat your fill. "
But it was Chung Myung...
" Alright, alright. We'll eat. "
" Thank you, Myung-ah. "
' hmph. '
Chung Myung had a triumphant smile gracing his small face.
***
SHHHHHH.
SHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Rain patted the outside of the tent.
Today was a particularly stormy day.
Training was canceled for the Chung disciples.
Most were young teens so the heavy storm could easily get them sick or seriously injured.
Considering that Chung Mun, the oldest, is 17 and Chung Myung the current youngest ( in age ) was around 10, this was an informed decision.
Although there were one or two babies on the way from exclusively Hwasan families.
That generation wasn't even formed yet.. not fully anyway.
Anyway,
Chung Myung glanced at his Sajil and Sahyung.
They didn't know what to do either.
Chung Mun mumbled under his breath:
" I would've checked up on Chung Jo today if it weren't raining so much... "
He seemed lost in thought.
" What? Sahyung, do you want another baby to take care of?
Chung Jo was another kid who was 3 years younger than Chung Myung.
They wanted to discount him as a Chung disciple but there were no others of the same generation except for Chung Myung.
So they made him the cusp of the Chung disciples, hence why he doesn't count.
And, unlike Chung Myung, he had his parents with him in Hwasan.
They were the youngest of the Un line.
" You bastard, Sahyung would never replace me! "
Despite his protest he seemed a little unsure.
Chung Mun sighed gently and looked at Chung Myung.
" Myung-ah there's no need to be jealous of Chung Jo. He's another of your saijls. "
" That brat is the most annoying one. "
He didn't seem to listen.
Chung Mun let out another sigh.
" Sahyung, if you sigh so much you'll get all wrinkly. "
" Ugh. "
He let out a groan.
There was no way Chung Mun was unaware of Chung Myung's insecurity.
It was because of his personality.
Most would find it hard to deal with, even the most experienced.
Chung Mun was also aware that he and Chung Jin were the only ones who tolerated him.
Everyone else tried to hide from him at all costs.
Perhaps it was actually Chung Myung who tolerated them.
He seemed to only respect the tenacious.
Chung Myung was quite guarded for a kid.
Underneath his rough exterior, however, was a deeply warm heart.
To Chung Mun, it seemed like his arrogant exterior was a way of guarding his heart from any pain.
Chung Jin seemed to notice something similar.
It was only natural.
The three of them fit quite nicely in Hwasan.
***
zzzzZZzzzzsh
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
The rain didn't stop.
What could they do?
Training was canceled until the weather got better.
' So annoying. '
Even Chung Myung who didn't really care about training was bored.
" Sahyung, what's your favorite color? "
" Myung-ah, you already know it's blue. "
" Why? "
" The sky is blue and it is calm. I want to imitate the sky. "
" Ah. I see. "
" What about you, Sajil? "
" Purple. "
" Why? "
" Ugh. You already know it's because of the sunset. "
" Are the Purple Sky Divine Arts here because of Sajil? "
" ..What kind of question is that. "
" Why wouldn't it be? It could be here because of Sahyung too. "
" Sahyung Chung Mun, what do you think? "
Chung Jin was curious what Chung Mun would think.
Chung Mun gave a soft smile, " It could be, Myung-ah. It could be. "
" ... "
His answer gave no room for doubt.
Chung Jin soon let out a small sigh.
There wasn't anything to do now.
A storm beat down on their tent mercilessly.
" By the way, why was Sajil sleeping so much? I was the one that got hurt yesterday. "
" ...nervous. I was nervous. "
" You sleep when you're nervous? "
Chung Jin gave a small nod.
" Oh. I see. "
" I can't sleep when I'm nervous. It's too annoying. "
" Sahyung, what about you? "
Chung Mun looked at Chung Myung.
" I lose sleep easily. "
" Why? "
" ... "
" ... "
Neither could answer his question.
" Yah! Are your ears clogged? "
Chung Jin shook his head.
" It's nothing, Myung-ah. "
Chung Mun answered for both of them.
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes but went along with it.
' I'll ignore that bastard Chung Jin for now because he's my Sajil. '
Chung Mun was fine.
Chung Jin was an idiot.
Chung Myung had already made up his mind.
This wouldn't change even after a 100 years passed.
***
' What a mess. '
Chung Myung was lost in thought.
A soft blue sky peered back at him.
The sun was smiling brightly.
' Would they be happy now? '
With the martial arts of Hwasan fully replaced.
And the Spirit of Hwasan continuing.
' Could they finally rest in peace? '
He wondered.
But he couldn't tell.
' Could they really hear or see him? '
Did his hallucinations have any value at all.
Nothing was certain.
But what could he do...
He could only live.
***
Soon the rainy season passed.
Training resumed in Hwasan for the Chung disciples.
For Chung Jin, however, was a fate worse than death.
" AAAAAAHKKK. "
He was forced to rebuild the house from scratch, without any help.
Chung Myung hid in the trees, eating watermelon.
Spring had passed and now it was summer.
The heat of the sun was scorching, even on the highest mountain.
Chung Mun was busy corralling the other saijls.
So, for now, Chung Myung was left alone.
He wondered how long it would take for his Sahyung to realize he was missing.
slurp. crunch. crunch.
It was a good watermelon.
Too bad Chung Jin couldn't eat it.
*sigh.
The plum blossom trees were still in full bloom.
Their sweet scent lifted his spirits.
The familiarity comforted him.
A few of them were only ornamental while others were able to produce plums.
Personally, he liked the blossoms all the same.
Eating plums was nice, but simply being with the blossoms was better.
Did it matter which one he was?
He just had to live well.
" AHK. "
He choked on a watermelon seed.
" Ptoo. Ptooy. "
Snap.
' Uhhhhhhh. '
" Oh no. "
CRASH!
plop.
" oof. "
" YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU BRaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! "
" Crap! "
' I've been found out. '
' damnit. '
Chung Myung ran for his life.
***
FIN.
( for now. )
_____________________________________________*
***