HDCLSSRS Ch 25

Chapter 25: Mount Hua or Namgung? (3)

 

“…Young Lord.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Cheonchu pricked up his ears as if determined not to miss even the slightest word from him. Seong Muyeon let out a laugh of disbelief.

“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. It’s not like that.”

“Then the stories I heard are all nonsense? That Baek Ryeoil tied you to a tree every morning and tormented you?”

“……”

Rumors sure spread fast.

“T-That part is true, but it’s not what you’re thinking, Young Lord. There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for it.”

“Is that why you scattered sand and ran away? There were no shortage of disciples who witnessed you fleeing, screaming. And on top of that—you do the cleaning, the laundry! You even take on chores! Why are you living like this?”

“Please, hear me out!”

In the end, Namgung Cheonchu seized both of Seong Muyeon’s hands.

“Let’s not do this. Come with me to the Namgung Clan! I swear on the name of Namgung Cheonchu that you’ll live free of all worries!”

Seeing Namgung Cheonchu on the verge of tears, Seong Muyeon felt helpless. Was he always like this?

Just then, a hand suddenly reached out and pulled Seong Muyeon back by the shoulder. It was Baek Ryeoil.

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes… Anyway, Young Lord, I’m fine, so don’t put too much stock in those rumors. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Baek Ryeoil and Seong Muyeon left Namgung Cheonchu standing there and headed toward Chwijungjae. With Baek Ryeoil’s long legs striding quickly ahead, Seong Muyeon had to break into a run just to keep up.

Seong Muyeon found it strange. Judging by his pace, Baek Ryeoil didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“Master, are you perhaps upset about something?”

“Upset? Me? Why?”

“Then why are you walking so fast? Slow down a bit. I’m about to collapse.”

Baek Ryeoil abruptly slowed to his usual pace. Even so, he didn’t glance at Seong Muyeon once, keeping his gaze fixed ahead.

Seong Muyeon cautiously watched his expression.

“…You’re not walking like this because you think I might go with the Namgung Clan, are you?”

“As if!”

Baek Ryeoil let out a rough snort.

“Right? I’m just overwhelmed by how sudden it all is. But there’s still time, so I’ll take things slowly…”

Baek Ryeoil suddenly came to a stop. He pushed Seong Muyeon by the shoulder.

“From now on, you’ll be sleeping in the guest quarters.”

“What? All of a sudden?”

“The headmaster already said it was fine.”

“But… Master! Master Baek!”

Without waiting for a response, Baek Ryeoil walked off with long strides. He was so quick it seemed he might be using light-footwork techniques. Left behind without warning, Seong Muyeon stood there blankly, staring at the figure disappearing in the distance.

“What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?”

Scratching the back of his head, Seong Muyeon turned and retraced his steps back to where Namgung Cheonchu had been. Seeing him approach, Namgung Cheonchu widened his eyes in surprise.

“You’ve returned, Young Lord. Where is Baek Ryeoil?”

“He told me to stay in the guest quarters starting today.”

“Then until now, you weren’t staying there? Where have you been lodging?”

“At Master Baek Ryeoil’s residence.”

“What? With that guy? That must’ve been uncomfortable.”

“It just happened that way. And yes, it was uncomfortable. But now that I’ve been told to move to the guest quarters, it’s worked out well.”

Seong Muyeon and the Namgung Clan members were each assigned rooms under the guidance of the Mount Hua disciples. He politely declined Namgung Cheonchu’s offer to have tea and entered his room, closing the door behind him.

Seong Muyeon glanced around his newly assigned room. It was spacious, clean, and he was alone. There was no one to mess things up, no one to constantly monitor him and threaten to tie his wrists together at night.

It was definitely a good development.

Yet, seized by a strange feeling, Seong Muyeon tossed and turned for a long time before he finally managed to fall asleep.

The next morning, Baek Ryeoil woke up at his usual time.

He turned his head out of habit, only to find the space beside him completely empty, as expected. The rope that used to bind wrist to wrist was no longer necessary.

‘It’s comfortable. Just as it should be.’

Now that he’d rid himself of that thorn in his side, he felt a sense of relief.

Yawning, he headed to the kitchen, quickly washed his face, and stepped out of Chwijungjae to begin his daily training.

A tree stood alone at the edge of the courtyard. It almost sounded as if the wails that once rang out from that spot still echoed faintly in his ears.

‘Hm?’

Baek Ryeoil spotted a dark-haired head bobbing up and down beyond the wall—it was someone peeking in.

He leaned close to the wall, waiting for the boy’s head to reappear. When it did, the boy shrieked in fright.

“L-L-L-Lord Baek!”

The boy clutched his chest in panic.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah, well…”

Kang… What was his name again? The boy, whose name Baek Ryeoil couldn’t remember, darted his eyes around nervously before subtly leaning to the side—clearly trying to get a look inside. Realizing his intent, Baek Ryeoil asked,

“You came looking for Seong Muyeon?”

The boy, caught off guard, flushed and gave a small nod.

“Y-Yes… Is he still asleep? I heard the headmaster returned yesterday and was curious about what happened.”

“He’s not here anymore.”

“What?! Don’t tell me he was kicked out?!”

“Oh, my ears. Why do you have to be so loud?”

The boy fidgeted nervously and pressed on.

“But I haven’t even said goodbye! Where did he go?”

In the middle of his frantic questions, the boy suddenly froze. Looking up at Baek Ryeoil with trembling eyes, he asked,

“D-Don’t tell me… you k-killed him?”

“I did not! He’s in the guest quarters now! Why would I kill him?!”

“Ah. I see.”

The boy awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

“Anyway, he’s not here. If you want to see him, try the guest quarters.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll be off then.”

With a deep bow, the boy turned and left. Watching his receding back, Baek Ryeoil added,

“Don’t get too attached to him. He’ll be leaving soon.”

Without waiting to see the boy’s response, Baek Ryeoil headed toward the training hall. Behind him, the sound of the boy’s hurried footsteps faded away.

That day, Baek Ryeoil forced himself through an uninspired training session. As he returned to Chwijungjae, he was greeted by an empty and silent room.

It was the same familiar place as always, but the air felt strangely cold.

Sitting down in a chair, it suddenly hit him that the boxed meals would no longer be delivered. So he made his way to the dining hall. On the way, he ran into Wang Hojun.

“Senior! Where’s Young Lord Seong? Why didn’t he come today? I heard the headmaster returned yesterday… Don’t tell me he was kicked out?! You didn’t kill him, right?!”

“What is with you people today?! I didn’t kill him!”

“Why are you yelling…?”

“I said, I didn’t kill him.”

Baek Ryeoil’s voice dropped to a low growl.

He hastily passed by Wang Hojun. Among the crowd entering the dining hall, he spotted Seong Muyeon. He was laughing about something—laughing heartily. Beside him was Namgung Cheonchu, smiling just the same.

“Senior? Where are you going? Senior!”

Ignoring Wang Hojun’s calls, Baek Ryeoil walked away from the dining hall.

For a moment, Seong Muyeon thought he’d caught a glimpse of Baek Ryeoil.

He turned his head reflexively, but all he saw was Wang Hojun waving at him.

He had overslept that morning and failed to report to the treasury. He wanted to explain the situation and talk with Wang Hojun, but Namgung Cheonchu hurried him along.

“Let’s go. It’s our turn.”

At Mount Hua, meals were only served during designated times in the dining hall.

Up until now, Seong Muyeon had taken his meals at Chwijungjae only because his movements had been restricted. That had been a special exception. From now on, if he didn’t go to the dining hall on time, he’d have to handle his meals on his own like everyone else.

Namgung Cheonchu didn’t seem too pleased with that.

“Orthodox sects are really inconvenient in this way. No flexibility whatsoever. It’s fine for cultivators in seclusion, but even guests like us have to follow it.”

As he filled his plate, Namgung Cheonchu continued cheerfully.

“If you come to the Namgung Clan, you won’t have to lift a finger. You’re the savior of my life, Young Lord. Everyone in the clan will treat you with the utmost respect. So, won’t you come with me?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

The dining hall was filled with disciples dressed in Mount Hua uniforms. Amidst them, Namgung Cheonchu and Seong Muyeon stood out in their casual attire. They attracted a number of curious stares as they ate.

Having always eaten with Baek Ryeoil, being in the dining hall felt strangely different.

“This afternoon, they’re sending a disciple to give us a tour of Mount Hua.”

Come to think of it, Seong Muyeon had never really seen the sect. Other than a few specific places, he hadn’t been anywhere.

He had no idea how vast it was or what was where.