“So, what I want to say is……”
“Wait a moment.”
Just as Chung Myung was about to continue, Baek Cheon stepped forward urgently.
“First, come outside.”
“Huh? What, what’s this?”
“I said I got it. For now.”
Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon grabbed Chung Myung’s arms on both sides and, without changing his seated posture, hauled him out of the house.
“What are you doing? All of a sudden.”
“I’m saying this out of worry.”
Seeing Chung Myung frown in embarrassment, Baek Cheon spoke in the most cautious tone.
“Do not get angry or hit anyone.”
“Huh?”
Before Chung Myung could answer, Yoon Jong said as if pleading.
“Right. Listen properly to sasuk. Don’t kick or lash out just because you’re angry. In this world, some straighten up after being hit, but others go further astray—I’d say that one is clearly the latter.”
“What are you talking about, really.”
Chung Myung said as if incredulous.
“Are you worried I’m going to get into a scuffle with that kid right now?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“……”
Chung Myung’s face suddenly twisted.
“What do these people take me for? Do they think I can’t handle a runt like that?”
“Anyway, I said it clearly. Use words.”
“Ah, I said I get it!”
Chung Myung snorted. There’s a limit to underestimating someone—how old is he to be wrestling with a kid that size?
“Just watch quietly.”
Chung Myung strode back inside the house.
He plopped down in front of Seok Han-Bin and, staring at him sharply, spoke in a firm tone.
“Yu Han-Bin.”
“……”
“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, nothing.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“No, it’s not like it’s necessary……”
“I said, tell me?”
Seok Han-Bin glanced away briefly, smiled awkwardly and said.
“I mentioned once before that my name is Seok Han-Bin, but you stubbornly keep calling me Yu Han-Bin, so……”
“Hm?”
“It seems you either don’t understand words or have some sort of… problem. There’s no point in trying so hard with that.’
“……”
Chung Myung gaped. Seok Han-Bin smiled faintly at him.
“It’s fine. What’s a surname matter? Just call me however you want. I’m the younger one by a year—I should be the one to understand.”
“Chung Myung.”
“Yes?”
“Lower your fist.”
“……”
Chung Myung flinched and turned his head. His hand, betraying his will, had already risen beside his face.
“Wh-why is this here?”
“Look at the blood vessels standing out on the back of that hand.”
“My goodness, to hit a kid……”
“Beast.”
“……”
Hearing the Five Swords’ reproaches, Chung Myung’s head rattled to the side like a broken machine. It wasn’t so much anger as something different… an emotion he’d never experienced.
“Didn’t you have something to say? If you’ve said all you need to say, may I go? I’m somewhat busy.”
“……”
Chung Myung took a long breath. Right. It’s not right to lose his temper over such a tiny brat.
“All right, Seok Han-Bin.”
“Yes.”
“Are you planning to keep living like that?”
“Like that in what way?”
“Scamming black-market types, swindling the wealthy, and messing around with young kids?”
Seok Han-Bin tilted his head to the side as if he couldn’t grasp the point of the question.
“Well……”
“Hm?”
“Is there a reason it shouldn’t be?”
“……”
“Isn’t this living well enough? I don’t see any particular problem.”
Chung Myung gaped wide.
“No problem? A murderer showed up! If you’d moved the wrong way today, you’d have been dead! And you say there’s no problem?”
“Well, that’s not exactly wrong.”
Seok Han-Bin shrugged.
“In the end, I didn’t die, so isn’t that fine? If the outcome is good, it’s all good. If you look into it, those guys lost their money because of me, and I’m fine.”
“……”
“Then I won.”
Staring at Seok Han-Bin, who was smiling broadly, Chung Myung blankly spoke.
“No, you crazy son of a……”
“Chung Myung.”
“Now. Take a deep breath, deep breath.”
With a stunned expression, Chung Myung looked at Seok Han-Bin and suddenly shouted.
“You almost died, I tell you! Can’t you read the situation? One wrong move and you’d actually be dead!”
“I know, I know?”
“Is that how someone who knows acts?”
At that, Seok Han-Bin made a slightly sullen face.
“So you’ve been living very comfortably, I see.”
“…Huh?”
“How many times has an orphan nearly died living on the streets? How can you keep making a fuss over each little thing in this cruel world? Then again, how would a hermit practicing asceticism in the mountains know the world’s harshness? I should be the one to understand.”
“Phew, harshness?”
A dull ache climbed the back of Chung Myung’s neck.
The world’s harshness? So this kid is lecturing him about the world’s cruelty right in front of him?
With a desperate expression, Chung Myung turned his head to look at Baek Cheon.
“……sasuk.”
“No.”
“Can’t I just hit him once, really?”
“No.”
“I’m just so dumbfounded. It’s a little sad, too.”
“If you’re sad, why hit someone? You madman.”
Chung Myung felt his head grow warm. Still, he restrained the anger about to burst and took a deep breath.
Right. This isn’t a matter of being a descendant of Sect leader sahyung.
The boy before him was still very young. If he’d had children long ago, he’d have a grandson this size… no, even a great-grandson like this.
“Listen to me properly.”
“I’ve been listening since a while ago, you know?”
“……”
No. If this were truly his great-grandson, he’d have beaten him to death and hung him from a tree already.
“Don’t you know if you keep living like that you’ll end up dying alone on the street?”
“Well, maybe. But that doesn’t mean I can just sit idle.”
“Then don’t do dangerous things! Don’t!”
“Ah. You hermits don’t know. If you want big gains, you have to risk big things. That’s how success works.”
“That’s success? That’s success? If you’re going to succeed, do it properly. You call bilking lowlifes and making a bit of money success? It’s a waste of blood! A waste of blood!”
“Success is success, all the same. What’s the difference.”
“Decent people don’t talk about success over such petty things!”
“Haha. I’m a bit petty by nature. Sorry if that displeased you.”
“Ugh……. sniff……”
“Grab him!”
The Five Swords quickly rushed in and pinned Chung Myung down.
“Calm down and breathe deeply! Deep breaths!”
“Gyaaah!”
Chung Myung threw off the Five Swords holding him and unleashed a roar toward Seok Han-Bin.
“They say when a person is born they must establish themselves and make a name! So first, establish yourself, set your foundation straight!”
“I have. For an orphan, this is enough.”
“And then, raise your name, make your name widely known……”
“Ah. I’m famous. Haven’t you heard? I haven’t been in Henan long, so maybe you don’t “know.
“That’s not the kind of fame I’m talking about, you brat!”
“No, fame is fame. Are there kinds of fame? Anyway, it’s reputation, isn’t it!”
“Success! You must climb and make your name famous!”
“Oh, climb the ranks?”
Seok Han-Bin nodded calmly.
“That’s true. I haven’t really managed to climb ranks, to be honest.”
“Right! Advancement is important! Money isn’t everything!”
If he rises, not only Seok Han-Bin but the fallen Shangdong Yu family could be rebuilt. Wasn’t that why Chung Myung came this far in the first place? If only this kid could understand a bit……
“Oh, really?”
“Yes!”
“So climbing the ranks and establishing oneself is the best?”
“That’s right! Now you’re starting to understand a bit.”
Only then did Seok Han-Bin agree and clap his hands together.
“Then you should do it yourself.”
“…Huh?”
Chung Myung blinked, and Seok Han-Bin spoke earnestly.
“If you think climbing the ranks and establishing yourself is so great, it’s not too late—take the state exams. Good things should be shared, right?”
“I’m a hermit, you madman!”
“You can return to secular life.”
“Age makes a difference!”
“Tsk tsk. There’s no age limit to learning. Huh? You hermits don’t know this? Do I have to explain even this……”
“Aaaaargh!”
Chung Myung sprang up from his seat, grabbed Jo Gul who was behind, and started pounding him relentlessly.
“Gah! Gyaah!”
“Aah! Ah! You madman! Why me! Aaaah!”
“Hold on, Gul. But you can’t hit the kid because of that.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“If someone is going to get hit, it should be you.”
“What nonsense is that! Aaaah!”
“Huff. Huff. Huff. Huff!”
After beating Jo Gul for a long while, Chung Myung panted with a face about to burst.
That barely eased his mood, but seeing Seok Han-Bin yawning with a look saying “Are we done?” made his blood boil again.
‘No… How did sect leader sahyung spare me? Ah, I must have been stronger.’
Why? Otherwise he’d have beaten him to death already! How can a person bear this!
“Tsk. I tell you, you don’t make sense.”
At that moment, Seok Han-Bin stood up from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
“We’ve only known each other for a day. Why should I explain that to you? Sitting in someone else’s house as you please!”
“…That’s true.”
Seok Han-Bin stared at Chung Myung for a moment, then suddenly bowed his head deeply.
“Thank you for saving me.”
“…Huh? All of a sudden?”
Seok Han-Bin then raised his head and said bluntly.
“I’ve expressed my thanks, so let’s not see each other again. If I keep talking with you lot, I’ll burst.”
With that, Seok Han-Bin turned to leave, but Chung Myung spoke up in a voice a little different from before.
“Turning away has no meaning.”
“……”
Seok Han-Bin silently turned his head to look at Chung Myung.
“Whether you’re of the Yu clan or the Seok clan, it’s the same. No one wants you to live like you do now, whether they’re alive or already dead.”
“No matter what others think……”
“And I’m talking about you too.”
“……”
“Isn’t that so?”
Seok Han-Bin bit his lip a couple of times, then his face contorted sharply.
“……nagging.”
Seok Han-Bin spun on his heel and dashed outside.
“Wait, hold on. It’s still dangerous……”
As Tang Soso tried to stop Seok Han-Bin, Yu Yiseol grabbed Tang Soso’s shoulder.
“Sago.”
Yu Yiseol shook her head. It meant it’s not good to force him any more.
“But it’s still dangerous……”
At that moment, Chung Myung picked up Baek Ah that had been perched on his shoulder and set it down ahead of him.
“Go and watch him. If anything happens, report it.”
“Kii!”
Baek Ah darted off to chase after Seok Han-Bin.
“Hmm. Chung Myung.”
Baek Cheon said, looking at Chung Myung.
“I don’t think he’s the sort who can be persuaded with a few words.”
“I know.”
“We can’t keep waiting forever, can we?”
“I know that too.”
“So what do you plan to do?”
Chung Myung closed his eyes for a moment. What would Chung Mun have done in this situation?
“Wait just two more days. If not, let’s go back.”
“…Will that be all right?”
“It’s enough that we confirmed he’s alive. What he says isn’t exactly wrong. If he doesn’t want it, forcing him is the only way.”
“Hmm.”
The Five Swords’ gazes fixed on the doorway through which Seok Han-Bin had left.
A sigh let out by someone spread slowly outward.