HDCLSSRS Ch 102

Chapter 102. So It Turned Out That Way (1)

“Kang Dojang⁽¹⁾, what do you mean by that? Ever since I collapsed, Baek Dojang hasn’t set foot in Chwijungjae. Wasn’t he working with Yakseon Dae-in⁽³⁾?”

“With me? Working on what?”

Yakseon strolled lazily into the training ground. Ever since the first day, she had left Seong Muyeon’s training to his own will, but she had been unfailingly attentive about his meals. As training time ended, she had personally come to fetch him.

“Didn’t the Great One give Baek Ryeoil some work to do? Since he never came by, I assumed that was the case. Where is Baek Dojang right now?”

“When would I have given him work? That day was just the brief encounter we had—that’s all. How should I know where he is or what he’s doing? Anyway, enough talk! Let’s go eat. The kitchen got some very fine ingredients today.”

Even as he was dragged off by Yakseon, Seong Muyeon could not hide his shock.

“Kang Dojang! Are you absolutely certain that Baek Dojang has been sleeping at Chwijungjae every night? Now that I think about it, he hasn’t skipped dawn training, so why haven’t I seen him?”

“Yes, I’m quite certain. I’ve seen him every morning… And Master always does personal training instead of group drills during the dawn session, so it’s natural you wouldn’t meet him here…”

The guiltless boy glanced nervously at Seong Muyeon, but Muyeon had no energy to care about that now.

This man? What is he pulling?

Until now, he’d thought Baek Ryeoil was simply busy with some special matter he himself was not aware of—but realizing that wasn’t the case, suspicion began to sprout in his mind.

Is he… avoiding me?

What unsettled him most was that Baek Ryeoil had apparently spoken to Kang Ung without issue, showing himself openly.

Seong Muyeon recalled a vague memory from several nights ago—he had, half-asleep, felt as though someone were sitting beside him. At the time, he had brushed it off as a dream, but now he wasn’t so sure.

Tonight, I won’t sleep. I’ll stay up and catch him.

That was his resolve. But habits are terrifying things. Though he sat upright on the bed, grinding his teeth while waiting for Baek Ryeoil’s return, at some point the sunlight pierced his closed eyes and he woke in the morning.

With the intense exercise, regular meals, and fixed sleeping hours he had recently been subjected to, once his usual bedtime arrived, he had begun nodding off without realizing it—and had ended up sleeping through the night.

Agh.

He pressed a palm to his forehead.

Then, on another day, he happened to wake early and heard muted voices outside his door.

“…and then…”

“Yes, understood. And Master?”

Master!

Throwing off his blanket like lightning, Seong Muyeon scrambled out of bed and, nearly tumbling over himself, burst the door open. At the far end of the hall stood Kang Ung, body angled toward someone outside Muyeon’s sight, clearly in conversation. When Kang Ung spotted him, he smiled brightly.

“Oh? Young Master, you’re up early.”

“Where’s Baek Dojang!”

“Master is right here—Huh?”

When Kang Ung turned back, there was no one there.

“He… was just here.”

“Baek Ryeoil!”

Calling his name, Seong Muyeon dashed into the courtyard. But Baek Ryeoil was already gone. No matter how thoroughly he searched or craned his neck, not even a shadow could be found. And if the man chose to conceal himself, what means did Seong Muyeon have to find him?

With that, it was confirmed.

Baek Ryeoil is avoiding me.

But why?

No matter how hard he thought, no reason came to mind. His energy drained, he trudged back to Chwijungjae.

“Kang Dojang, aren’t you going to training today?”

He had noticed that Kang Ung was not yet dressed in his training robes.

“There’s no training today. You forgot?”

“Ah, right. The holiday starts today.”

In celebration of the grand festival of the Lunar New Year (Chunjeol⁽⁴⁾), the Mount Hua Sect granted its disciples a sweet reprieve. Except for the minimum personnel needed on site, the others could choose to return home to their families or remain at the sect.

“You were going home, weren’t you, Kang Dojang?”

“Yes…”

Kang Ung’s hometown was the village just down the mountain, so the trip would not be exhausting. But though he had packed his things in advance, he hesitated and could not bring himself to step forward.

“What’s wrong? Hurry on and go see your family.”

“I just don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone for the holiday… Even though Master is here, it’s almost like he isn’t… U-Um, if you don’t mind, would you like to come to my house with me? My family would be happy to have you!”

Oh, what could be done with such a kind boy?

The warmth in the youth’s heart, worrying that Muyeon would be alone during the New Year, touched him deeply. He patted Kang Ung’s head and said,

“I’ll be fine. Honestly, it’s better for me without family around, you know? You already know where I come from.”

Kang Ung nodded, wearing a conflicted expression, unsure whether to laugh or not.

“Well then… I’ll be going. Happy New Year, Young Master.”

“Happy New Year! Eat lots of delicious food!”

Once Kang Ung left, Chwijungjae sank into heavy silence.

Muyeon didn’t dislike this stillness. Though he’d said it lightly to Kang Ung, the Lunar New Year in his hometown had been dreadful. Every day was filled with lavish, gaudy banquets, and as the Seventh Young Master, he was obliged to sit at the leader’s side. Some of his siblings might have enjoyed it, but for Muyeon, it was pure torture—sitting in a place that wasn’t his, listening to laughter and loud conversation all day.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Muyeon brewed tea and sat by the window. Thankfully, even Yakseon refrained from bothering him on a day like this.

He gazed at the clouds drifting gently by.

Peaceful, and nice.

Quiet solitude was far preferable.

At that same time, Ma Jincheon delivered a kick to his disciple’s backside.

“Why are you lying around in my house instead of your own?”

His fully grown disciple, who had long since been living independently, had for the past few days taken to quietly occupying an empty room in his master’s house from sunrise onward, lazing about within.

“…Leaving already? Happy New Year.”

Baek Ryeoil bid him farewell while still lying down. After Ma Jincheon wandered off muttering complaints, Baek Ryeoil let out a long sigh.

These past few days had been agony for him.

And at the same time, his heart trembled helplessly from a late-blooming first love that had taken him entirely by surprise. He had come to recognize feelings he had long turned away from.

Yes.

I… toward Seong Muyeon…

He deliberately swallowed the latter half of the thought. He could not accept it. He must not accept it.

Everyone, at some point in their life, defines themselves. For Baek Ryeoil, that definition was Mu⁽⁵⁾, Do⁽⁶⁾, and Ui⁽⁷⁾—to cultivate martial ability, to walk the righteous path. He was not someone close to Hyeop⁽⁸⁾.

What? I’m attracted to his body?

It was laughable nonsense.

Just as one cannot know the feeling of falling until driven to the edge of a cliff, Baek Ryeoil had simply not realized it before.

That day—

When he thought Seong Muyeon might truly die, his mind went utterly blank. Whether it was that accursed Seomun Yuha or Yakseon—no matter who—it didn’t matter what he had to do. He was consumed entirely by the determination to keep Muyeon alive.

It didn’t matter if things became messy, or even if Muyeon never came back to him again. As long as he was alive, that was enough.

And when everything had settled down, the shock he felt was indescribable.

Do I really… toward Seong Muyeon…?

To make Seong Muyeon’s medicine, I need you.

That day, in the guest hall, with only the two of them left, Yakseon had said so.

Baek Ryeoil had been a little surprised. Hadn’t she just recently acted as if she couldn’t stand the sight of Muyeon and driven him away? Perhaps reading that question in his mind, Yakseon had let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

Yes. I’ve decided to try making the medicine. Seong Muyeon… He has a rare constitution. If I succeed in making the treatment this time, a full recovery may not be just a dream. In that sense, you could call him a valuable specimen. But does that mean I have to like him?

…

Baek Ryeoil had exhaled slowly. At least now he could be certain Yakseon had no intention of harming Muyeon.

What do you mean you need me?

Extreme Yang, Extreme Yin, the Five Elements. Seong Muyeon was born with all three energies. And so were you.

Yakseon rose and tapped him on the shoulder.

Did you know that you, too, were born with Extreme Yang, Extreme Yin, and the Five Elements?

…I did not.

Of course you didn’t. The only difference is that Seong Muyeon’s body is incompatible with them, which manifested as Jeolmaek, whereas yours is the opposite.

Cheongeuk Jiche⁽9⁾.

That was the name for a person born with a body in which three energies not only coexisted but harmonized, making it possible to perfectly reproduce—and thus master—any martial art after seeing it only once. A constitution so rare it might appear once in a million people.

Now there are two such people—enough to at least attempt making the medicine. Rotten luck, if you ask me.

Yakseon clicked her tongue in displeasure, then fixed him with a deep, penetrating gaze.

You must decide—will you help Seong Muyeon, or not?

Footnotes:

¹ Dojang (도장) – A respectful title for a martial arts instructor or a person holding a high training position.

³ Dae-in (대인) – Literally “Great Person”; a title of high respect, often used for senior masters or eminent figures.

⁴ Chunjeol (춘절) – Lunar New Year; a major traditional holiday.

⁵ Mu (武) – Martial prowess; the martial path.

⁶ Do (道) – The Way; moral or philosophical discipline.

⁷ Ui (義) – Righteousness or justice.

⁸ Hyeop (俠) – Chivalry; the martial hero ideal of helping the weak and upholding justice.

9 Cheongeuk Jiche (천극지체) – “Heavenly Extreme Constitution”; an extremely rare physique capable of mastering any martial art instantly due to perfect harmony of Extreme Yin, Extreme Yang, and the Five Elements within.