Back to Routine (1)
When I returned to the inn after selling off all the gold from the safe, Gwangdu was sitting at a table.
As soon as our eyes met, he snapped out of his daze and stood up abruptly. I expected him to rush over like an excited bull, but instead, he dashed out the back door of the inn.
“Just wait a moment.”
A passing waiter whispered to me.
“Since you left, this is his first meal. He stayed up all night waiting for you.”
Looking at the table, I saw he had ordered the cheapest dish to save money, and it had gone cold, untouched.
I ordered a dish that I knew Gwangdu would like.
A little while later, Gwangdu returned, his eyes red. The moment he saw me, he couldn’t hold back his emotions and tears welled up.
“Another bowl of rice here!”
I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I ordered it for him. He wouldn’t be able to eat properly alone anyway.
“You fool, how could you eat after sending the young master into danger?”
“If you don’t eat on time, you’ll get a stomachache. And let’s get the facts straight. Who said I sent him?”
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
And so, the two of us polished off the new dish and rice.
Gwangdu patted his full stomach and said, “This is nice.”
“Isn’t it?”
It was genuine. There was nothing to envy in the world when you could enjoy a good meal and a full belly. My eyes fell on the pouch with the receipts beside me. A person’s stomach is satisfied with just one meal, yet Yang Gicheol lost everything because of his excessive greed.
“By the way, it’s not true, right?”
“What isn’t?”
“The rumor that Bloodhound killed Yang Sobangju and ran off with the treasure. The warriors who came earlier were talking about it. It’s not true, right?”
“Did something like that happen?”
“It’s not true, right? You didn’t do it, right?”
“They said Bloodhound did it, didn’t they?”
“Right? Of course, it must be. How could you defeat Yang Sobangju and Bloodhound? It must have been a coincidence, right? You just happened to be there when it happened, right? But… no way. How could such a coincidence happen? How did you do it?”
“I told you I would kill him.”
“Oh my god!”
Gwangdu covered his mouth in fear.
“You did it yourself?”
“Yes, with my own hands.”
“Then the treasure that Bloodhound supposedly stole, did you take it?”
“Steal? It’s compensation.”
“Compensation?”
“He ordered the death of my parents, you, me, and our entire family. He wanted to destroy us and take everything we had. I wanted to take everything from him.”
It was true. I wanted to take even the chopsticks from his kitchen, but that wasn’t realistic.
“How much did you take? No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
“Why? If you’re curious, I’ll tell you.”
“No! It’s scary! They say the first to die is the one who knows too many secrets.”
“Hahaha.”
“Don’t laugh like that!”
After converting what I took from his safe into money, it amounted to exactly thirty-two thousand nyang.
If I had stayed longer at Yang Sobang and sold off more things, I could have gotten much more, but I didn’t.
It was best to make a clean exit here. Getting greedy could expose my existence and cause various complications.
Before I left, Jeongyeo realized I was the notorious heir of the Byeok clan.
But he didn’t dare to underestimate me.
There was no one he knew who could kill both Yang Gicheol and Bloodhound in one go.
Instead, he feared me even more.
He thought of me as a hidden dragon, concealing my martial arts prowess, and swore loyalty. Of course, I wasn’t naive enough to trust such impulsive and desperate loyalty. Keeping a safe distance and using him appropriately would suffice.
After all, since he was deeply involved, he wouldn’t reveal what I had done.
Gwangdu asked in a trembling voice, “Did you really kill Yang Gicheol too?”
I nodded, and Gwangdu’s expression darkened slightly.
“Why? Do you feel sorry for him after all he did?”
“He’s still young, isn’t he?”
“At twenty, he’s no child. And what does age have to do with right and wrong? Whether young or old, if you do something deserving of death, you should die.”
Even without considering his attempt to kill me, what he did to the servants was enough to warrant death.
“That’s true, but…”
He’s just kind-hearted. I like Gwangdu’s kindness. In a world where kindness is seen as a weakness and goodwill as foolishness, it’s all the more precious.
“I didn’t kill him because of you. That day, he tried to kill me. I just avenged that.”
After easing any potential burden on his conscience, I stood up.
“Come with me for a moment.”
I led Gwangdu into the woods behind the inn. We walked for a while until we reached a secluded spot.
Gwangdu looked around nervously and asked, “Is this the moment to leave a last message?”
“What if it is?”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Why thank someone who’s about to kill you?”
“Still.”
It was a joke, but Gwangdu was half-serious. Even if I were to kill him now, he was grateful.
“Gwangdu.”
“Yes, young master.”
“I’m thinking of teaching you martial arts from now on.”
Gwangdu’s face was a mix of surprise and excitement. It was probably the most shocked I’d seen him since we met.
“Not just any martial arts, but the real thing.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am.”
“But the Baekwol Sword Technique is a secret art…”
“Of course, the martial art I’ll teach you is different. One you can learn.”
After a moment of contemplation, Gwangdu spoke.
“Even if I want to learn, isn’t it too late for me? I’m already twenty-five.”
“Leave that to me.”
It’s quite late, but I’m the one teaching. I can offset the disadvantage of starting late.
“Think carefully before you answer. This decision will change your life and could mean life or death. Will you learn martial arts from me?”
Gwangdu didn’t hesitate long.
“I will.”
“Can I ask why you decided?”
“Of course, it’s because of you, young master. You’ve changed, and after what happened… I don’t know what it is, but I want to change too. I want to be like you.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes.”
“Why are you so good to me? I was a worthless person before.”
“Because there was a time before that.”
“What?”
“When you were young, you were a good person. You treated me well. There was a time when I was fifteen, and you were ten. I was very sick then, with a high fever, and I lost consciousness. When I came to, you were placing a cold towel on my forehead. I still can’t forget the worried look in your eyes. No one before or after has ever looked at me with such genuine concern.”
“You’re a fool. To be stuck on such a trivial thing.”
“To some, it’s trivial, but to others, it’s unforgettable.”
Gwangdu smiled brightly.
To think that Byeok Lidan, whom I thought of as trash, had such a past? It was a bit surprising.
“What kind of martial art will I learn?”
As someone who lived as the greatest martial artist and leader of the martial arts alliance, I knew many excellent martial arts.
The one I decided to teach Gwangdu was…
“The Seven Techniques of the Southern Sea.”
“The Seven Techniques of the Southern Sea!”
Gwangdu repeated the name several times.
It was a martial art I thought of because of the sword Gwangdu carried. It was easy to learn despite its power, and it had been out of practice for so long that few in the martial world would recognize it.
“Now, memorize the formula I’m about to teach you.”
I first taught him the mental cultivation method of the Seven Techniques of the Southern Sea. Gwangdu was indeed smart. After a few repetitions, he memorized the formula perfectly.
“You’re clever.”
“This is just average.”
He seemed pleased, perhaps proud of himself.
Next, I explained the meridians and internal energy and taught him how to circulate energy using the formula. The intelligent Gwangdu understood what I taught well.
“For now, let’s focus on diligently practicing the mental cultivation method. It will take at least ten days to properly circulate energy. I’ll teach you the techniques afterward.”
In my past life, I never formally taught anyone, so I was a bit nervous and excited.
“You can’t become a master overnight.”
“Of course. Even sweeping the yard requires experience.”
“How do you feel now?”
“I feel great. Like I could fly.”
“Don’t forget this feeling. The moment you first learned martial arts.”
As I said that, I recalled my own beginning.
The exhilarating moment when I first learned martial arts. It was so long ago, but still vivid.
They say you gain something from teaching. That the process of teaching broadens the well of your heart, filling it with clearer and deeper water.
I wonder what I will gain from teaching Gwangdu.
“Though it’s not the right time to ask in this grateful situation… when did you learn this martial art?”
“I had a chance to learn it by chance.”
Gwangdu stared at me intently. He must have many questions about when, how, and why.
Give it up, kid. Compared to what you’ll see and experience in the future, this is nothing.
“You’re no longer my servant. From now on, you’re my right-hand man.”
A surge of emotion flickered across Gwangdu’s face.
“So, I’m your right-hand man now?”
“Could be, or maybe just a pinky finger.”
“No, I’ll be your right hand. I need to be by your side. I’ll work myself to the bone to earn that place.”
Gwangdu bowed deeply.
“I heard that when martial artists take on a student, they bow like this.”
“Very well. I’ll accept your bow.”
I had no intention of taking Gwangdu as a disciple. It was more like giving a subordinate a lesson. Still, accepting a bow of gratitude seemed appropriate.
This journey has yielded three significant outcomes.
I’ve eliminated the threat of Yang Sobang, acquired a fortune, and most importantly, gained a loyal follower in Gwangdu.
“Let’s head home.”