Episode 107: The Journey Back to the Holy City
After parting ways with Pyochung in the northern part of Nogunsan, the two companions headed south towards Junggyeong.
By now, the path was familiar, and with the bridge in place, they could quickly reach their destination by passing through Nogunsan.
”…Should we just take the long way around?”
“That might be best.”
Despite the shortcut, Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung decided to take a detour, avoiding Nogunsan altogether.
It had only been a few days since their emotional farewell. Running into Pyochung again so soon would undoubtedly create an awkward atmosphere.
Just as clay needs time to harden, memories require space to settle beautifully.
Even with the detour, the journey wasn’t arduous. Thanks to the funds Harang had provided, they could afford the best accommodations and meals, reaching Junggyeong in comfort.
Naturally, they made their way to Deungseonru.
As always, the owner of Deungseonru greeted Dang Mujin with a mix of anticipation and concern, and it wasn’t long before they were seated across from Harang.
“What took you so long? I thought you’d be back in ten or fifteen days, including travel time, but it’s been three months.”
Harang’s voice wasn’t accusatory; it was more of a grumble to mask her relief and gratitude.
“Things turned out to be more complicated than expected.”
“Your intentions are good, but if you linger every time, it becomes a problem.”
“Why is that?”
“It becomes awkward to ask you to help the people again. Next time, try to limit your stay to three or five days.”
“Next time… I don’t think it’ll be necessary. The people of Nogunsan can now visit a physician if they fall ill. Not that I’m saying I’ll never go back.”
Harang’s expression turned peculiar.
“They’ll visit a physician?”
“Yes.”
Dang Mujin recounted the events at Nogunsan to Harang: the cliff paths, the cloud bridge, the Nogun Three Swords, and the Master of the Taeui Sword Sect.
It sounded like a tale of exaggeration or fiction, but the evidence was undeniable—Namgung Myung had surpassed the pinnacle.
Harang looked skeptical.
“Ichung visited Nogunsan several times but never mentioned any of this.”
“His only concern was treating patients. He probably didn’t want to get more involved.”
“That’s true. Ichung was always like that.”
“And I have a gift for you.”
“A gift?”
Dang Mujin rummaged through his pack and placed several wooden tablets on the table. They were memorial tablets from a cave in Nogunsan.
The tablets bore names: Guwolun, Hwanjangmu, Bokwigyeong.
Unlike other tablets that listed age or cause of death, these only had names.
They weren’t for missing persons either, as real missing persons’ tablets were marked as such.
In other words, the people named on these tablets weren’t missing or dead. Dang Mujin hadn’t paid much attention until he saw the name Bokwigyeong.
He had only heard the name once, but he knew who Bokwigyeong was—the former leader of the Jangsangchae, whom he and Hong Geolgae had killed.
Why was the leader’s tablet here? Dang Mujin pondered over the tablets, finding a clue on the topmost one.
He pushed the last tablet across the table.
“There’s a tablet for you too, Harang.”
It was noticeably older than the others, as if made two or three generations earlier. The name Song Harang was inscribed on it—a name too coincidental to be mere chance.
Harang’s expression turned bitter.
“Your insight has surpassed your master’s.”
“Were you from Nogunsan?”
“Yes.”
Harang spun the neck of a wine bottle absentmindedly. The glass was more than half full, so it wasn’t out of necessity.
“Long ago, when I was about fourteen or fifteen, I met a nun in Nogunsan. I was so desperate to leave the mountain life that I begged her to take me away. Eventually, I managed to escape with her.”
“I can see why you’d want to leave. Life in Nogunsan is incredibly harsh.”
“But it was even harder for me. Unlike the others, my mother was a true rebel.”
Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung flinched. It was a statement so intense it seemed like it might lead to violence.
Yet Harang showed no signs of hostility.
They watched her carefully, listening intently to her story.
“When I was very young, my father was dragged to the authorities and beaten to death. I never knew why. My mother, consumed by rage, joined the rebels. Fortunately, she left me with distant relatives, so I survived even after the rebellion failed. Though I ended up in Nogunsan.”
Harang finally poured herself a drink, the fragrant aroma filling the room.
“At first, it was tough but bearable. But as time passed, people realized I was the daughter of a true rebel. Do you know what happened then?”
“I don’t.”
“I became the scapegoat for all their anger. They blamed me for being exiled to Nogunsan, even though neither they nor I had participated in the rebellion.”
Harang downed her drink. To match the mood, Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung emptied their glasses too.
“Hunger and hardship were bad enough, but the way people looked at me was worse. They often ate without me, and I was beaten for no reason. Meeting my master and escaping Nogunsan was a stroke of luck. I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t left then, I would have died soon after.”
“You had no choice. I understand.”
Namgung Myung chimed in at the right moment, nodding in agreement.
Harang chuckled softly and continued her tale.
“Anyway, I ran away. I didn’t care what happened to the people of Nogunsan. I recited Buddhist scriptures and trained in martial arts. But as I grew older, I began to understand them a little. They were pitiable too.”
“What did you do then?”
“I justified my actions. I thought that by pursuing enlightenment, I might one day save them and lead them to paradise. As time passed, people started calling me the Flower Lotus Nun.”
At that moment, a courtesan entered with a warm dish, sensing the gravity of the conversation and looking flustered.
Dang Mujin quickly took the dish and sent her away. Sometimes, good food can lighten a heavy atmosphere.
Harang, aware of this, shrugged and took a bite of the pork dish. It was sweet and savory.
“Then one day, I realized that no matter how much I chanted here, it wouldn’t change the fact that I had abandoned the people of Nogunsan. Nor would it improve their lives. So I founded the Hao Moon to help those in need.”
Dang Mujin raised an eyebrow. Her intentions were noble, but her approach seemed twisted.
“If that was your goal, shouldn’t you have returned to Nogunsan to meet the people? You could have helped them in some way.”
Harang acknowledged Dang Mujin’s point.
“I know that’s the right thing to do. But whenever I think of going back, all I can think of are reasons not to. I remember the coldness of the people back then, and I worry that my presence might bring them more trouble. I’m sure they wouldn’t welcome me.”
Harang’s emotions were incredibly complex.
Resentment, a hint of vengeance, concern, fear, guilt.
These tangled emotions had persisted for over a century. Harang leaned back slightly.
“Besides, everyone who knew me must be long dead. Thinking like that, I couldn’t bring myself to return to Nogunsan. Do you understand my feelings?”
“Is that why you sent the old man in your place?”
“Yes. I asked him to check on the people’s health for me. It eased my conscience a little. But it wasn’t Ichung who solved the problem—it was you.”
Dang Mujin shook his head.
“Nogunsan’s issues might be resolved, but it seems your problem isn’t.”
“My problem?”
“Yes. Go to Nogunsan and meet the people.”
“Why?”
“Whether or not it requires forgiveness, you want to be forgiven and free yourself from the burden on your heart.”
Dang Mujin gestured to the pork dish Harang had eaten.
“Also, the timing is perfect. Forgiveness comes from abundance and prosperity. The people of Nogunsan are experiencing their first taste of prosperity, so they’ll welcome and forgive you.”
”…”
Harang remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.
”…I’ll do that when I feel more confident.”
“Don’t miss the opportunity.”
With that, Dang Mujin rose and left Deungseonru.
Harang propped her chin on her hand, gazing out the window. She watched as Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung departed from Junggyeong.
Haryeong watched Tang Mujin’s retreating figure for a long time.
On the journey back to Chengdu from Chongqing, a perplexing question began to take root in Tang Mujin’s mind.
It was because Namgung Myung was accompanying him to Chengdu as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“When is this guy planning to return to the Namgung family?”
Tang Mujin had assumed Namgung Myung would eventually return to his own family. By now, he had learned enough about the world and had honed his martial skills to a level worth boasting about.
Even though Namgung Jinchun was known to be a particularly demanding person, he didn’t seem like someone who would be dissatisfied with such accomplishments.
Finally, Tang Mujin decided to ask Namgung Myung directly.
“Aren’t you going back to the Namgung family?”
The response he received was neither a plausible reason nor a flimsy excuse.
“Why would I?”
In that brief reply, it was clear that Namgung Myung thought it was perfectly natural not to return.
Not exactly what you’d expect from the heir of a prestigious family.
“Why? It’s your family, isn’t it?”
“I don’t really plan on going back.”
“Why not?”
“If I return, I’ll have to learn the Namgung family’s martial arts.”
“And?”
“I don’t want that.”
”…What kind of nonsense is that?”
Tang Mujin couldn’t make sense of Namgung Myung’s reasoning.
He had no idea that Namgung Myung had secretly mastered the Jeongwang Sword Technique and found immense satisfaction in doing so.
Namgung Myung continued, improvising as he went along.
“I don’t want to learn martial arts in such a mundane way. I want to master them through my own realizations in real combat and redefine the rigid Namgung techniques. That’s my path.”
Namgung Myung smiled, feeling quite pleased with how convincing his words sounded once he said them out loud.
Of course, Tang Mujin wasn’t fooled and didn’t bother trying to understand Namgung Myung’s bizarre ideas.
“Well, it’s your life. Do what you want.”
“No need to worry. There are only a handful of Namgung techniques I haven’t mastered.”
“Who said I was worried?”
“Besides, from now on, it’s about enlightenment, not just learning. A few more techniques won’t make a big difference. You might find it hard to understand since you’re just a first-rate wannabe…”
Without hesitation, Tang Mujin launched a White Lotus Divine Fist at Namgung Myung’s side.
But Namgung Myung, being the expert he was, effortlessly dodged Tang Mujin’s attack.
Tang Mujin sighed deeply.