Episode 186: Fortune and Misfortune

Namgung Myung was taken aback and shouted, “Master? What master? You said your master was dead!”

“You fool, Hong Geolgae has two masters. The late Master Ma Jeon-gae and Master Dae Poong-gae.”

Even Tang Moo-jin, who had only heard of Dae Poong-gae in stories, was slow to react upon seeing him in person for the first time.

Realizing he had subdued Hong Geolgae’s master, Namgung Myung was genuinely flustered. “What do we do? What should we do?”

“If you don’t want to get caught, we should get out of here first.”

“But… what about Master Dae Poong-gae? Should we leave him, or take him with us?”

All eyes turned to the unconscious Dae Poong-gae. The weight of the gold they were carrying was already significant, and adding the hefty Dae Poong-gae to the mix would make their escape even more challenging.

Tang Moo-jin made a decision. “Let’s leave Master Dae Poong-gae here and make our escape. He seemed to be helping out at the Man Geum-jang, so leaving him shouldn’t cause any issues. Taking him might even lead to more misunderstandings.”

Namgung Myung pondered Tang Moo-jin’s words, calming his initial panic to think more clearly. “No, that’s not a good idea. While nothing might happen to Master Dae Poong-gae, we could end up in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“We recognized Hong Geolgae earlier. They might figure out who we are through him. We could get caught.”

Namgung Myung’s sharp observation was spot on, but it didn’t change their situation. Tang Moo-jin asked, “So, what do you suggest?”

Namgung Myung’s eyes glinted dangerously as he looked at Hong Geolgae with a meaningful expression. “Hey, Hong Geolgae.”

“What?”

“Do you really need two masters?”

Without hesitation, Hong Geolgae kicked Namgung Myung in the shin. “What nonsense are you spouting? Besides, one of them is already gone!”

“Really? Maybe it’s time for you to step out of your master’s shadow and stand on your own.”

Instead of entertaining Namgung Myung’s nonsense, Hong Geolgae pulled out his staff. Namgung Myung backed off slightly. “I was joking, of course. But let me ask you one thing.”

“If it’s more nonsense, you’re really going to get it.”

“It’s not. If we leave Master Dae Poong-gae here and escape, will it cause any problems?”

Hong Geolgae thought for a moment. Despite his playful nature, Dae Poong-gae was sharp and perceptive. He wouldn’t carelessly reveal anything about Hong Geolgae and the group. “No, it shouldn’t.”

“Alright, then.”

The group sighed in relief, avoiding the awkward situation of having to carry Dae Poong-gae instead of their gold.

Just then, they heard the sounds of people stirring. Those who had been knocked out by Tang Moo-jin’s poison were waking up. Namgung Myung shouted, “Let’s get out of here!”

The four of them leaped over the wall. With Dae Poong-gae unconscious and his magic dispelled, they successfully escaped the Man Geum-jang.

They headed towards the inn, savoring the weight of the gold they carried.

However, Hong Geolgae couldn’t help but glance back at the Man Geum-jang as they left.

The next morning, Yoo Jin-kwang and Tang Moo-jin’s group were discussing their future plans.

Yoo Jin-kwang spoke with a hint of regret. “So, you’re not planning to return to Sichuan right away?”

“Yes, we thought we’d stop by the Namgung family first.”

“In that case, should I tag along to the Namgung family?”

Tang Moo-jin quickly waved his hands. “No, that’s alright. The people of the Jeomchang sect are eagerly waiting for your return. You should head back as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Yoo Jin-kwang looked genuinely apologetic. “You’re right. But after all the help you’ve given me, it’s a shame I can’t even properly repay you with a meal.”

Last night’s meal hadn’t met Yoo Jin-kwang’s standards for proper hospitality. Tang Moo-jin replied politely, “It’s fine. We’ll visit the Jeomchang sect soon, so you can treat us then.”

“Alright, I understand.”

With Yoo Jin-kwang’s agreement, Tang Moo-jin breathed a sigh of relief internally.

Tang Moo-jin’s mention of the Namgung family was a ruse to avoid traveling with Yoo Jin-kwang. Carrying heavy gold with them, they risked Yoo Jin-kwang discovering it if they traveled together.

For the sake of everyone’s happiness and the greater good, they had no choice but to keep the gold a secret from Yoo Jin-kwang.

So they lied, saying they were heading to the Namgung family instead of returning to Sichuan.

If they headed straight to Sichuan, they’d have to travel with Yoo Jin-kwang for a long time, but by claiming to go to the Namgung family, they could part ways with him sooner.

‘Not that we actually plan to go to the Namgung family.’

Yoo Jin-kwang rummaged through his pockets and handed a few gold pieces to Tang Moo-jin’s group. “It’s not much, but use this for your travel expenses. I’m sorry I can’t do more.”

“Oh, this is more than enough for travel expenses. Thank you.”

Hyeon-gong chimed in, eagerly accepting the gold. In such situations, it’s best not to refuse a kind gesture to wrap things up quickly.

Yoo Jin-kwang, still feeling a bit regretful, gathered his belongings and stood up. He seemed eager to return to the Jeomchang sect as soon as possible.

“I thought I’d never return to the Jeomchang sect, but thanks to you, I can go back. I owe you a great debt, both last time and this time.”

“If anyone else said that, I’d brush it off, but hearing it from you, Yoo Dae-hyup, is quite overwhelming. Please, don’t mention debts again.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Let’s meet again someday.”

Yoo Jin-kwang waved goodbye to Tang Moo-jin’s group and left the inn without looking back, as he always did.

After seeing Yoo Jin-kwang off, Tang Moo-jin’s group returned to the inn. Of course, they didn’t head to the Namgung family as they had told Yoo Jin-kwang.

The group gathered to discuss their next steps.

“If we leave right now and run into him on the way, it’ll be awkward. What should we do?”

“We either wait long enough to avoid crossing paths or take a different route. One of the two.”

Taking a different route would be faster and safer.

If they headed south and took a boat along the Yangtze River, they were unlikely to run into Yoo Jin-kwang unless they were incredibly unlucky.

With their plan set, they moved on to the next topic: Hong Geolgae’s master, Dae Poong-gae.

Namgung Myung was eager to leave without meeting Dae Poong-gae again, but he couldn’t voice it. After all, he had knocked out Hong Geolgae’s master right in front of him. At the very least, he should give Hong Geolgae time to explain the situation to Dae Poong-gae. It was the least he could do as a decent human being.

“Are we going back to the Man Geum-jang?”

“That sounds a bit awkward.”

“If it’s awkward, we don’t have to go.”

The group’s eyes turned to Namgung Myung, who looked defensive. “Why are you looking at me? I didn’t say anything!”

“Right. I did.”

The group’s gaze shifted behind them. There stood a plump man, looking both like a sage and a beggar. It was Dae Poong-gae, who had been unconscious the day before, now sitting in the inn.

Hong Geolgae jumped up and shouted, “Master!”

“Joo-san, it’s been a while.”

While Hong Geolgae and Dae Poong-gae talked, Namgung Myung avoided Dae Poong-gae’s gaze, looking uneasy.

But Dae Poong-gae showed no discomfort as he looked at Namgung Myung. “Why do you look so uneasy?”

Namgung Myung couldn’t bring himself to answer and just gave an awkward smile. He didn’t have the courage to admit he was the one who knocked Dae Poong-gae out the day before.

However, Dae Poong-gae seemed to know everything already. “Don’t worry. I knew there would be a small misfortune when meeting my disciple. Fainting for a bit was a very minor misfortune.”

“You knew in advance?”

“Of course. In my younger days, I was a sage of Mount Kunlun. I can read the heavens quite well.”

“Oh…”

“Anyway, don’t feel uncomfortable. I’ll just have a chat with Joo-san and be on my way. Is that alright?”

“Oh, it’s perfectly fine. Please, take him with you.”

Namgung Myung replied eagerly. If someone uncomfortable was leaving, there was no reason to stop them.

Dae Poong-gae took Hong Geolgae outside and headed to a small Taoist temple in a corner of Luoyang.

Fortunately, the temple was empty. Dae Poong-gae sat on the porch and spoke. “Joo-san, you don’t seem to be doing well.”

“No, I’m doing fine.”

“That can’t be true. Your fate is covered in stains.”

Just as Gwai taught Tang Moo-jin martial arts and medicine, Dae Poong-gae taught Hong Geolgae martial arts and Taoist magic.

But there was a significant difference between the two master-disciple pairs. While Tang Moo-jin excelled in Gwai’s medical teachings, Hong Geolgae lacked the intellect and talent for Taoist magic, achieving only minimal success.

Hong Geolgae couldn’t perform any magic, nor could he read the heavens or set up formations like his master. All he had was a vague sense and knowledge of Taoist magic.

But even that level of knowledge was enough to understand Dae Poong-gae’s words.

“Well, what’s a few stains on my fate? I’m alright.”

“It should be fine for now. But there’s no guarantee it will stay that way.”

Hong Geolgae possessed an extraordinary stroke of luck, a fortune that had turned his once-doomed fate around when he was young.

The problem was, there was no certainty that this fortune would last a lifetime.

“As you know, luck tends to seep from high places to low ones. The best course is to live in solitude, and the next best is to interact sparingly with those who have noble destinies and great fortune. But your current path is far from either.”

Daepunggae recalled Yujingwang, who had left the inn alone. Unlike Hong Geolgae, Yujingwang was born under a cloud of misfortune and wanderlust.

Yet, Yujingwang had managed to shake off his bad luck and achieve his goals. It was likely not due to his own fortune, but rather the influence of Hong Geolgae’s luck by his side.

He then thought of the three young men he had seen in the inn.

Two of them had fairly average destinies, but one was particularly concerning. The one with the scent of medicine about him. It was almost certain he was the disciple of the eccentric Lee Choong.

Like his master, the disciple’s fate was far from favorable. To put it bluntly, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had already met his end.

It was only because Hong Geolgae, with his great fortune, was nearby that the disciple managed to survive and avoid disaster. Without Hong Geolgae, he likely would have faced numerous calamities.

“Jusan, you know it’s best not to associate with that one. He’s bound to get caught up in endless unwanted troubles and will drain the good fortune of those around him. Staying by his side will only make you a scapegoat.”

Hong Geolgae was someone who attracted luck effortlessly. The rope tied to his waist and the rare bamboo staff in his hand were testaments to his extraordinary fortune.

But Hong Geolgae merely shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter. I’d rather live as I please and take on some misfortune than hide away in the mountains like others to protect my luck. If sharing my fortune can improve his fate, then why not?”

He spoke as if it were no big deal, but it wasn’t a simple matter.

If Hong Geolgae’s fortune was like a precious tower built of the finest jade, then Dang Mujin’s misfortune was a vast pit of dirt. There are far more people with misfortune than those with great fortune.

For Hong Geolgae to stay by Namgungmyeong and shield Dang Mujin from misfortune was like demolishing a priceless jade tower to fill a single dirt pit.

Daepunggae knew how foolish this was and couldn’t hide his regret.

“Losing the fortune you’ve taken for granted will be far more inconvenient than you think. If you’re lucky, it might just turn away. But depending on the situation, you might end up living with misfortune yourself. Are you really okay with that?”

“Better that than abandoning a friend who understands me.”

Daepunggae looked at Hong Geolgae with a disapproving expression. Stubborn, despite appearances. It wasn’t his place to interfere.

Seeing his master’s displeased face, Hong Geolgae laughed.

“Who knows? Just as my misfortune turned into fortune, maybe his misfortune will transform into great luck one day.”

“That’s not common. And from what I see, he’s not someone who can hold great fortune.”

“You’re probably right, Master. But I have a feeling. If he overcomes a few hurdles, he’ll achieve something significant. Isn’t that worth betting my fortune on?”

”…Do as you wish.”

With a deep sigh, Daepunggae patted Hong Geolgae on the back and stood up.

Like all mentors, Daepunggae couldn’t overcome his disciple’s stubbornness.