episode_0072

Shake! Shake!

Baek Geon was lost in thought as he felt the vibrations through his buttocks on the carriage, or rather, the journey to Hebi.

I felt like I got used to the unfamiliar riding sensation after two days of riding.

A man named Guk-ju from Seongheungpyoguk looked like he was breaking into a cold sweat upon Namgung-hyeon’s visit.

‘Did they mistakenly think that the martial people had come to start a fight?’

The only martial people Baek Geon had ever encountered were local gangsters, for whom the name ‘Murim people’ was a waste.

So, this means that they were unable to properly guess what kind of status the position of elder of the Namgung family would have in the martial arts world.

However, it was certainly impressive that Gukju, who seemed so nervous, responded to Namgung-hyeon’s visit by saying that it was actually to join the group, and gave him a warm welcome.

He yells at the errand boys outside and immediately serves them drinks and food.

Even though it was a simple visit, the sight of a party being held in an instant came as quite a shock to Baek Geon.

Seongheungpyoguk was a place well known to Baek Geon, who made a living by begging and pickpocketing nearby.

A place where if there were beggars or wanderers nearby, the merchants who deposited the goods would feel uncomfortable and chase them out.

When Baek Geon saw that a beggar who had been snooping around disobeyed was badly beaten, Baek Geon did not even come near him.

However, it was a great shock to Baek Geon to see the highest-ranking person in the country, who had despised him so much, treating Nam Gung-hyeon as if he were a king.

It was only then that I understood what Minho had said: “Life has opened up now.”

By simply catching Namgung-hyeon’s eyes, the world he lives in now has changed from before.

Seueueuu

‘It’s my first time wearing clothes that aren’t tattered.’

I smoothed out my clean linen clothes. It felt rough to the touch. I liked this outfit because it seemed sturdy.

Namgung-hyeon was rather disappointed that there were no better clothes that fit their bodies. However, these were clothes of such high quality that they could not be compared to the rags she had worn before.

The sounds of the messengers chatting among themselves could be heard outside the cart.

“It’s been a long time since I left the commercial business, not the commercial business.”

“That’s right. Although it is not an uncommon occurrence, the main task of our Seongheungpyo Bureau is to conduct public affairs.”

“Is it true that the reason the unplanned commercial trip was organized was because of the Murim people who participated in the party?”

“Shh… Be selective with your words. There is a rumor that he is not just a martial artist, but an elder of the Namgung family.”

“Huh… I was wondering why they packaged the goods so badly. It was because it was a business that was sure to succeed.”

‘I see.’

Baek Geon learned little by little about the world by eavesdropping on the stories of the messengers.

Since this is a world where people cannot be free from the threat of dangerous beasts and bandits, their characteristic was to carry out even small acts with thorough planning.

But there are always exceptions.

If a strong martial artist like Namgung-hyeon was included in the group, the success of the act was almost guaranteed.

That’s why the state governor made such a bold move and proceeded with the unplanned climb to Hapbi.

At that time, a grumpy voice came from somewhere.

“But isn’t it too much to give away an entire cart?”

“This person is really…! Wouldn’t this be a business that couldn’t have proceeded without them in the first place? Use your mind wisely.”

“Don’t you all know how much profit you can make by loading goods on that cart? If it weren’t for the two people carrying luggage, I would have only had to hand over one horse…”

“That is a problem for the Lord of the Nation to worry about, not you. We are satisfied with traveling safely.”

“Tsk… I just hate that kid. When I arrive at Hefei, I have to go to Giru (妓樓) and have a drink.”

Baek Geon instinctively looked at his surroundings. It was something I had always done while living in the slums.

There was no way Minho and Namgoonghyeon couldn’t hear the conversation they heard.

Namgoonghyun was quietly closing his eyes with an expressionless face, unable to tell what he was thinking.

On the other hand, Minho’s brows were slightly furrowed, clearly showing his displeasure.

Baek Geon put the harsh voice into his memory.

If I ever got the chance, I was planning on giving trouble to Pyo Sa, who had spoken negatively about me and Minho.

And that opportunity came faster than expected.

Hwiikㅡ

“We are making camp here today!”

All carts stopped at a signal sent from the head of the upward movement.

The warriors began clearing the surrounding grass and stones and making a campsite.

After all, these are people who make a living from this, so a vacant lot suitable for taking a break was completed in a short period of time.

“I’ll go over there and smoke some cigarettes.”

“Oh my goodness, if we finish it together and move on, what will be the difference?”

“It’s because I’m in a hurry. I’m in a hurry. I’ll clean up after myself next time.”

“Tsk tsk… It’s always like this. Don’t just go deep and end up meeting a tiger.”

A gruff voice that I kept in my memory.

When I turned around, I saw a grumpy-looking messenger entering the forest.

Baek Geon followed behind while watching Minho and Namgoong Hyeon getting ready for bed.

Rustling…

“Phew…”

The embers of the Hwaseopja (火攝子) were transferred to the cigarette pipe, and a long smoke of the beginning of the year was seen exhaling.

As he stood with his back to me, the jewelry on his waist caught Baek Geon’s eyes.

An accessory worn around the waist made of small jade and thread.

‘It looks quite expensive, doesn’t it? ‘I’m going to feel a little sick.’

While muttering to myself, I slowly approached and stretched out my hand from the grass.

What Baek Geon overlooked was that this was not the neighborhood where he usually worked, and that the master had trained martial arts to some extent to protect the object.

Pop!

“Ugh…!”

“This little bastard…”

Pyo Sa’s expression crumpled as he roughly grabbed Baek Geon’s wrist that was reaching out to his waist.

“What kind of tampering were you trying to do?”

Pyo Sa was grabbed by rough hands and pushed his face towards Baek Geon, who was being lifted up.

“I didn’t like it earlier, so I’d appreciate it if you could make an excuse.”

He smiled crookedly and blew cigarette smoke into Baek Geon’s face.

“Cough, Cough…!”

“When I see the old man’s face, I’ll give him a hard beat.”

The moment Pyo Sa said that and was about to wave his other hand.

“Do it in moderation.”

“Minho…!”

“Um…?”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Minho emerged from the bushes and was watching the two in a crooked position.

“If you want to chew us from behind, be careful not to lift us into the cart. I’m saying it out loud so the kid is so dissatisfied that he’s not trying to play around.”

“What…? Did these guys run in pairs?”

The messenger muttering as if it was absurd, put down his bag and approached Minho.

He growled as he thrust his toned body menacingly while carrying the load.

However, Minho spoke calmly, showing no concern at all.

“Namgoong-hyeon, I’m sure you all heard this, but let’s end it between us while we’re in good words.”

“Come on, I’ll fix your really messy hair!”

The messenger seemed angry to the core, raising his palms in the air.

The moment Baek Geon was about to shout to be careful, Minho moved.

puck!

He kicked the lion’s shin as he tried to stab him, and when he lost his balance and lowered his posture, he grabbed his ear and punched him in the face.

Mate!

Baek Geon’s eyes widened.

Not only did he subdue a bully the other day, but he also casually does the unbelievable thing of bringing a sturdy warrior to his knees with a single blow.

Even though he wasn’t much different from me in size, I couldn’t figure out where that strength came from.

I could only vaguely guess that the unusual constitution I had heard about at the time was greater than I thought.

“……”

Minho whispered something in the ear of Pyo Sa, who was unable to come to his senses.

Then, upon hearing that, the priest’s face turned pale.

“Gugh… I’m sorry! The weather has been bad these days, so I reacted too sensitively… I won’t do that again, so please forgive me…!”

“I will be watching from now on, so act correctly.”

“Ah, I understand…”

With his face as if he had seen a ghost, the messenger said those last words and limped away to the camp.

“……Thank you for your help.”

He expressed his gratitude to Minho, who was looking at him expressionlessly.

I was embarrassed because I always felt like I only received help from him.

At that time, the ornament in my hand suddenly caught my eye.

When the master lifted himself up, the jewelry he managed to steal while being hit by cigarette smoke in the face.

Baek Geon handed it to Minho.

“Would you like this? It’s a gift!”

Even after making the suggestion, I felt like it was a mistake for a moment.

Pickpocketing is a daily routine for people in the slums, but Minho had the feeling that the world he lived in was something different.

Not only is he able to confidently converse with older martial artists in difficult words without being scared, but his strength is stronger than it appears on the outside.

Minho may have been in the slums because of complicated circumstances different from those of Baek Geon and himself.

Maybe he was originally the child of a noble family?

Then, I thought that Minho might have been disappointed in himself like everyone else.

Even though he went to the Namgung family, he didn’t change anything.

As a feeling of shame came over him, Baek Geon lowered his head.

Blood ㅡ

“……?”

Baek Geon cautiously raised his head at the sound of laughter.

Minho came closer and had a calm smile on his face.

“It’s still very clumsy. Next time, try to steal it without getting caught.”

“……!”

Fortunately, he didn’t look disappointed in himself.

Baek Geon, who regained his energy, nodded vigorously.

“So you don’t accept this?”

“Um…”

Minho, who had been observing the jewelry for a moment, shook his head.

“It is a dharma tool that slightly increases vitality. It won’t really work for me.”

“But, I want to give you something in return…”

Minho placed his hand on Baek Geon’s sullen head.

It wasn’t a very stylish look since they were similar heights, but Minho didn’t care and just roughly ruffled his hair.

“There is still time left to arrive at the Namgung family, but soon we will become a group of priests who serve the elder Namgung-hyeon as our teacher. Since the military and father are one body, the teacher is like a father, so we are like brothers. Of course, I am the older brother. You, my younger brother, should write these things.”

Baek Geon had messy hair and looked blankly at Minho.

It was the first time in my life that I felt such a strong feeling.

Even when he was lucky enough to get a week’s worth of food out of his fat wallet, his heart was filled with a feeling of fullness that he had never experienced before.

‘sibling……’

A concept that was unthinkable in slum life where there were only competitors.

A smile naturally appeared on Baek Geon’s face as the words had a good resonance.

“Yes, we are brothers!”

“So, let’s go back now. The elderly must be worried.”

“Yes!”

On the way back, Baek Geon asked a question that suddenly occurred to him.

“But, what did you say to that messenger earlier that made you run away with such a pale face?”

Minho answered his question as if it was no big deal.

“He said that if he keeps causing trouble, he will learn the martial arts of the Namgung family and then find the three clans and kill them.”

“Ahaha! What is it. Did you just get scared by that joke and run away?”

Minho was silent as he watched Baek Geon smile.

That night I went to sleep at the camp I returned to.

Bandits have attacked Pyoguk.

Namgung-hyeon stepped forward and defeated them, but there was only one victim.

For some reason, there is a person who looks like his waist is empty.

On his way back, Pyoguk decided to bring a coffin to retrieve the body and buried him in the mountain.

Afterwards, the bandit attacks continued, but there were no more victims until they arrived at Namgung House.

It was a very fortunate thing.