NOVEL WEB Chapter 33
“Hmm… What on earth is going on here?”
Once again, a sigh escaped from Elder Baek, slipping into my ears. It was impossible to say how many times he had sighed already.
But no one dared to defy his lament.
Who would have thought that a once-successful friend would end up living in this dilapidated house on the verge of collapse.
What could possibly have driven him to lie in such a decrepit place, gasping for breath as if his days were numbered?
“Father! I’ve arrived!”
“You… How did it come to this…”
Elder Baek could not continue his words, closing his mouth while staring intently at his long-time friend. His expression, so full of anticipation when he started to talk about his friend, was now wildly contrasting with the grim reality.
It felt surreal that his old friend had fallen into such a state.
Even I would react in disbelief if I were told that a friend who once ran a successful inn was now on the verge of death in this crumbling ruin.
This is what ‘turn of fate’ looks like, I thought with an uncomfortable realization.
I leaned against the almost collapsing wall and silently observed the reunion of these two old friends.
“Cough… cough… You’ve come…”
“What happened to you? How could the Iron Hero end up like this?”
His outcry, intermixed with despair, shook the decrepit house.
Even though sounds alone couldn’t cause such reactions, was it because he infused his internal energy into his voice in his excitement?
I let the trembling internal energy ripple past my skin and adjusted the handle of my weapon. Getting involved in such a troublesome situation seemed inevitable, though I wished it wasn’t so. However, once drawn in, my best bet was to solve it like I did with the Young Hero of the Ming Sect.
I began attentively listening to their conversation.
“It’s merely the result of my own sins…”
“Sins? What do you mean? You’ve saved dozens of people through your righteous actions! Weren’t you celebrated as a hero until you retired?”
Elder Baek’s sigh intertwined with anger and sorrow manifested as a feral, harsh voice.
Should I try to calm him down?
It might lead to sickness if he stays this agitated.
I hesitated slightly but continued watching their conversation.
“In the mountains where I live… cough… even hermits can accumulate sinful deeds. It was all my fault.”
“Father! The fact that my brother went astray was not your doing, was it?!”
“No… I should have made sure to… explain… this to him properly…”
So, this is a family matter, I thought.
“If you’re his first son, weren’t you named Moon-kyung? I knew he had a wild side, but how could he commit such a violation of filial piety as to harm his own father? What happened?”
“It’s all… my fault…”
“I’ll tell you.”
Ma-ryang’s tale was a long one. It was inevitable, given the voice that emerged filled with indignation. I sighed as I listened carefully to their stories.
“Because you didn’t teach him martial arts, did he leave home and later challenge you with someone else’s martial arts? And during the duel, didn’t he use assassins?”
“That’s correct…”
Ma-ryang couldn’t control his anger, grinding his teeth. His face said it all: if his brother were there in front of him, he would most likely attack without hesitation.
“All my fault… my fault… I should have been more honest…but it was my pride, I guess…”
The old man, half-crazed, kept apologizing over and over again.
But what could be the reason for not teaching him martial arts? In a modern world, I might understand it, but in this era, unless his son had some kind of physical condition preventing him from practicing martial arts, it made little sense not to teach him.
Given that innkeepers often deal with martial artists, learning martial arts would hardly have been a disadvantage. Instead, becoming a renowned warrior could be something to boast about.
Wouldn’t it be better if your heir is your own son?
“Father, why didn’t you just teach my brother martial arts?”
“…It’s impossible… the Seven-Section Way… impossible…”
“Father!”
“Let’s lay you down on the bed! No, we must take you to the doctor immediately! Carry him quickly!”
“Ahh, Master, it’s such a terrible story…”
“In life, you’ll hear countless tales like it. Get used to it. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes without warning.”
Indeed, some pile sins upon sins and live peacefully, while others are suddenly overwhelmed by the snowballing consequences of small misdeeds. This old man, carried on his son’s back, had become an unsuspecting victim of an unforeseen tragedy.
“Ha-jin, you all should stay here at the inn. Today, I want to stay by my friend’s side.”
“Understood, Elder.”
With a bitter look, Ha-jin nodded and turned to us.
“Let’s settle down quickly.”
None of us dared to argue.
“Hey Uncle… Did you sleep well?”
“Hmmm…”
Truthfully, after what happened yesterday, there was no way anyone could sleep peacefully. Even Hye-ryeong, who looked at me with a slight blink, seemed tired.
I wanted to tell her to sleep more, but the time was already late.
We woke up half a watch later than usual. We should be waiting for Elder Baek by now.
Anyway, why didn’t the innkeeper teach his son martial arts? Ma-ryang seems troubled about that too.
The reason behind not teaching martial arts seemed to be the key. What could have been the reason that prevented him from explaining it to his son? Especially when it was his own child.
Contemplating these questions, I went down to the first floor of the inn with Hye-ryeong. The others were practicing their breathing exercises and would take some more time, so Hye-ryeong and I decided to have breakfast together.
We were sitting in a quiet corner of the inn, looking toward the entrance.
“Since we’ve informed Elder Baek of the inn’s location, he should arrive soon, right?”
“I’m not sure. Considering his friend’s condition is critical, he might not. It’s probably better if we go to him.”
Last night, Muguang found out the doctor’s location, so we should split: some staying here and others going. Given the seriousness, two or three of us venturing out seems appropriate.
And yet, it’s unclear whether it’s right for us to interfere.
Involving ourselves in such delicate family matters is quite awkward, I thought. It probably ties to my former life as a Korean national…
“Uncle, let’s stop talking gloomily and eat breakfast!”
“Sure, sure…”
What good does moping around do? After all, we know nothing of the situation. It’s not wise to judge based on only half the story told by the son.
“Waiter! Please bring us two servings of noodles with soybean paste and steamed buns!”
“Right-o! Two bowls of noodles and two servings of buns!”
The slightly strained voice of the waiter and the gruff sounds from the kitchen. I killed some time swirling my teacup as they prepared the food.
Hye-ryeong, who usually chatters enthusiastically, was uncharacteristically quiet, probably still affected by yesterday’s events.
“Your order, two bowls of noodles and two sets of buns, is ready!”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you!”
The waiter, possibly nervous because I’m a colored-eyed person, answered respectfully and then hurried back into the kitchen. It’s like they find it hard to converse with foreigners.
But I’m speaking the Common Language here!
“I shall dine now.”
We focused solely on finishing our breakfast, as there was nothing else to do.
Before long, members of the Hainan Sword Sect began to take their seats at the table where we sat. Soon, after a lengthy but silent meal, Ha-jin broke the silence.
“Would it not be good for me and Great Hero Wi to make the visit?”
“Agreed. Let’s do that.”
“Great sir, I shall go as well…”
“Ha-kyung, you remain here and look after the juniors while we’re gone.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ha-kyung nodded, understanding his orders.
“Great Hero Wi, let’s go.”
I hope nothing happens along the way.
I agreed with his suggestion and stood up.
“Well, we’ll be going then.”
“I’ll rest in the room. Safe trip.”
Hye-ryong announced the schedule in a lower tone than usual before standing up.
At this point, I could stop worrying about her.
Things would not happen consecutively, would they? With a hint of concern, I followed Ha-jin toward the doctor’s place.
“Ha-jin. You’ve arrived.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Elder Baek’s face looked noticeably gaunt, indicating he had not slept well. How much anguish must he have endured last night?
“Are there any updates?”
“He’s preparing his mind.”
The worst-case news. I glanced at Ma-ryang sitting there, lost in soul. He didn’t look good either, as if he might follow his father soon.
“Had you heard anything further?”
“He kept repeating that all this was his own fault.”
With a look of utter frustration, Elder Baek replied in a cracked voice.
“I’d like to honor my friend’s funeral and then leave, so you all should go ahead.”
“That’s not necessary. Since we have time, we can help with arrangements too. Would it not be appropriate to bid farewell to Iron Hero as his juniors once did?”
I quietly nodded in agreement, offering him support.
In any case, the story proper won’t start for a few months yet, so a delay won’t cause any significant changes.
“Return and rest. I would like to stay by my friend further…”
“Understood. Please take care of yourself, Elder.”
“I’m fine, please go.”
We turned to leave the clinic.
Phew, it’s suffocating.
In situations like this… it’s best to take decisive actions.
“Little Hero Ha-jin.”
“Yes, Great Hero Wi.”
“Are there any beggars around here?”
“Is there a place without beggars?”
Exactly. Beggars are ubiquitous.
“Let’s take a look at how the beggars live here.”
Ha-jin, understanding the weight of my words, nodded firmly.