Chapter 249: Fishing for Time (1)
At this moment, the busiest place in the So State was the Eiseondang Hall in Chang’an. This was because the intrusion of the Crimson Tiger Corps had resulted in many casualties.
Among those working, one person had been sweating profusely for days without a break.
“Phew.”
It was the sigh of Mo Cheong, the Divine Physician of the martial world and currently the head of medical affairs for the So State.
It had been a grueling surgery lasting two full days. By his side stood a young girl who was radiating a faint golden halo.
“You can stop now.”
“…”
When she did not respond, Mo Cheong urged her once more, his eyes filled with concern.
“I said you can stop. Go get some rest.”
“…”
So-so did not stop, continuing to pour her internal energy into Baek Ri-hyeon’s body. She had been doing so for two days.
Even though the surgery had concluded, she showed no sign of stopping.
An officer of the medical unit assisting beside them observed So-so and wore an incredulous expression.
“I think she’s asleep.”
Mo Cheong blinked, his face blank.
“She was circulating her internal energy while asleep? Is such a thing even possible? Unbelievable.”
Behind them, another man stood watching with his hands clasped behind his back. He also looked extremely haggard, as if he had not slept a wink for two days.
“How is he…?”
Mo Cheong clasped his hands and bowed his head.
“I can say with certainty that it was the most difficult surgery of my life. I barely managed to keep him alive, but… he will be disabled for the rest of his life.”
Jang-yang’s face brightened instantly. He nodded repeatedly at Mo Cheong.
“You have worked hard. As long as he is alive, we can see him like this and touch him. Is that not enough?”
At Jang-yang’s words, Mo Cheong looked back.
The patient, who had been in a coma, had opened his eyes after two days. His left hand was rising very slowly, pointing toward somewhere.
Although it was a simple movement, his hand shivered as if it weighed ten thousand catties.
Where his warm, rough hand reached, a small, walnut-like hand was extended to meet it.
Clutching the hand of the sleeping So-so, the Shadow King, Baek Ri-hyeon, wore a barely visible smile.
“Haha. We should leave them be.”
Before he knew it, a laugh escaped Jang-yang’s lips.
As he walked out with his hands behind his back, two children were squatting on the stone steps.
The children looked up, their faces dark.
“Grandfather…”
It was Yeong-yeong and Baek Sang, who had been hovering around the Eiseondang Hall in worry.
Jang-yang patted their heads as he passed.
“Thanks to your concern, he has survived. Go on in.”
“Is that true, Grandfather?!”
“Yay!”
Yeong-yeong and Baek Sang jumped up and rushed inside.
A moment later, So-so’s laughter, having woken up, echoed all the way outside.
“Hahaha. Hahaha.”
The smile did not leave Jang-yang’s face.
About ten zhang away from the Eiseondang Hall, Military Strategist Jin Yoo-so stood with his hands pressed together, waiting for him.
“Why are you waiting here?”
“I have just arrived. It seems things went well.”
“Indeed. Is it not because everyone worried together? He is no longer a lonely man. Though his body will be uncomfortable, his face looked much better.”
Jin Yoo-so walked alongside him.
“Since the Great General has destroyed the imperial court of the Hui Dynasty, they will collapse soon. The war is over.”
“This is only the beginning. Preparing to prevent war from ever happening again is our task now. In any case, is this not the most joyful day for the So State since its founding? I would like to hold a festival for the Great General and the soldiers who have worked hard. What do you think?”
“It is an excellent idea. The citizens will also be able to rejoice together. However, one problem remains.”
Jang-yang tilted his head in confusion.
“A problem? What else is left?”
“The Great General has resigned. He will likely not attend today’s festival.”
Jang-yang halted his steps, looking up at the distant sky.
His gaze chased the drifting clouds, recalling someone.
“A true hero withdraws at his moment of greatest honor. We must never forget his dedication to the world.”
After a brief silence, Jin Yoo-so asked carefully, “Would it be alright to erect a statue of him here, to serve as a model for everyone?”
Jang-yang nodded immediately, as if there was no need to think.
“An excellent idea. Proceed with it at once.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
***
It was the summit of a small mountain in Baiyang County, Shaanxi Province.
In a sunny spot, a small grave mound stood quietly.
A cool spring breeze gently caressed So-mu’s hair.
Recalling the past, he gently placed a snow-white flower on the grave.
Then, he asked the child who was holding his hand tightly, “There is a festival today with lots of delicious food, so why did you follow me?”
“Because I wanted to be with you, Father.”
“You rascal. Your speech has improved a lot.”
“Hehe. But Father, who is inside this grave?”
Staring at the grave for a moment, So-mu murmured as if possessed.
“A flower… Yoo-hwa, a flower as beautiful and kind as our So-so…”
So-so tilted her head in confusion. It was the first time she had heard of such a flower.
So-mu chuckled and lifted his daughter, placing her on his shoulders.
“Do you see that small house down the mountain?”
“Yes, Father. Why?”
“That is the tavern your father used to run. Today, I should make something delicious for our So-so there.”
Riding on his shoulders, So-so laughed brightly and hugged So-mu’s neck tightly.
“Really? Can you make me meat noodles then?”
“Of course. We need to buy ingredients, so let us visit the market first.”
A trace of regret suddenly appeared on So-so’s happy face.
“I wish we had brought Mother along too.”
She seemed to regret that they could not eat the food her father made together.
So-mu started walking with a warm smile, not minding it.
“Haha. You do not need to worry. Your mother will be able to eat her fill now.”
***
Time is like the wind, impossible to catch, and the years flow like a rapid river, never stopping.
Ten years had passed since the war ended.
An endless field stretched out. A stream flowed on one side, and there was a cozy stable and a field.
In this place filled with nature stood two houses, a warehouse, and a lookout hut.
From the cool lookout hut, the pleasant sound of a seven-string zither echoed continuously.
To one side sat Cho-hee, quietly drawing a picture.
“I’m coming!”
A man of massive build ran over noisily, clutching a table. It was a table laden with alcohol and dressed meat.
On his back, a chubby baby slept with its arms wrapped around his neck.
“Where did my husband go?”
Il-gwang set down the table and looked around.
“He went fishing, so he will return soon, Brother-in-law,” Yeon Seo-hwa replied.
No sooner had she spoken than a small dot in the distance rushed toward them at terrifying speed.
Arriving shortly after, So-mu set down the bucket he was carrying in the corner and spoke.
“I caught six. Let’s grill them together tonight.”
Il-gwang laughed heartily, filling So-mu’s cup.
“I knew you could do it! Three of them are mine, right?”
“Haha. Do as you wish. Come, let’s have a drink.”
It had been years since they had turned their backs on the world. Since they were self-sufficient, they had no need to go to the town.
Although alcohol could not make them drunk, their refined senses allowed them to appreciate its deep flavor. Laughter echoed continuously from the small lookout hut.
Just as the mood was at its peak.
A guest arrived in this place where human footsteps never trod.
Wearing a tattered robe, carrying a worn cane, a small bundle on his back, and a deeply pulled-down bamboo hat, his identity was impossible to guess.
“Who is it? Was someone coming?”
No one could answer Yeon Seo-hwa’s question.
They would know if they watched. Everyone watched the rare stranger with curious eyes.
As the traveler approached, So-mu tilted his head and asked, “Who might you be…?”
“I am a passing traveler. Please give me a cup of water.”
The moment he spoke, So-mu and Il-gwang jumped to their feet.
So-mu approached him with a delighted face.
“Haha. We should offer you food, not just water. Since when did Min-gong become a traveler?”
When he removed his bamboo hat, everyone saw the familiar face of Jang-yang. Although years had passed, he looked no different from before. In fact, his complexion looked much healthier.
“Haha. I have passed that position to someone else.”
“Is he a good person?”
“A person the citizens wanted became Min-gong, so who could be better? I also find him to my liking.”
Knowing Jang-yang’s eye for people, So-mu did not think deeply about it. He was more curious about other news.
“By the way, how is our So-so doing? Even if state affairs are busy, she hasn’t contacted us in years, and I am worried.”
Jang-yang looked surprised.
“Did you not hear? Great General So-so resigned three years ago and suddenly departed for somewhere.”
So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa stared at each other in surprise. It seemed there was some story behind it. It appeared they would not know unless they took time to find out.
Just then, Il-gwang asked carefully, “Um… how is our eldest daughter doing?”
“Haha. Yeong-yeong is doing very well. She succeeded So-so and became the Great General. She coordinates well with Military Strategist Yang So-cheong. Light, come to think of it, there was also a boy named Baek Sang.”
Jang-yang quenched his thirst with the cup of water Cho-hee handed him and told them of the recent events.
The Black Cat Sect, which had been led by the children, had succeeded Baek Ri-hyeon’s legacy and became a sect dedicated to protecting Min-gong. And by the time So-so became the Great General, Baek Sang had succeeded as the Sect Leader.
He also shared the news that although Baek Ri-hyeon, the Shadow King, still had difficulty walking, he was now an elder of the Black Cat Sect, training new disciples.
“I see. What is the situation in other countries?”
“The Song Dynasty’s national strength was greatly weakened due to a declining population and the tyranny of the imperial court. After Qin Hui and the Emperor were assassinated, the successor requested to be annexed by the So State. They could no longer hold out economically.”
So-mu remembered Qin Hui’s guard, the Dark Shadow Soul Chaser. Thus, the list of people capable of assassinating them was extremely limited. There must have been some story behind it.
“Since our borders with the Song Dynasty have been open for a long time, absorbing them will not be difficult.”
“Indeed. Only the Song Dynasty’s imperial family is disappearing, but there will be many changes in the lives of the citizens.”
“That is good news. What about the Po and Hui Dynasties?”
“The Po Dynasty has been very friendly to us since their Emperor changed. Their military strength is incomparable to ours, and they rely heavily on us economically. As for the Hui Dynasty, it has been divided into five countries. Currently, under the treaties signed by each country, they are monitored by the victorious states to ensure they cannot maintain independent militaries.”
The victorious states likely referred to the So State and Goryeo.
Except for the mystery of his daughter’s whereabouts, there was nothing unusual.
After chatting for about an hour, Jang-yang stood up, grasping his cane.
“Please stay for a meal.”
Despite So-mu’s request, he shook his head, smiling as he put on his bamboo hat.
“Consider it eaten. Before I die, I plan to travel to every corner of the So State and write a book about the problems and areas that need improvement. I have a long road ahead of me. Hahaha.”
Sitting in the lookout hut, they watched Jang-yang’s retreating back.
Although it was a lonely walk, he looked happier than ever before.
As they watched with warm smiles.
Suddenly, So-mu’s face stiffened. At the same time, his hand darted out.
Clutch!
A small flying dagger was caught between his fingers.
And in the distance, a shadow quickly dashed away.
At a glance, the person had not even reached the peak stage, so capturing them would be child’s play.
“How dare he?”
As Il-gwang tried to stand, So-mu quickly stopped him.
“Leave him be.”
Knowing the attacker had no intent to harm them, he had let him go.
A piece of paper was tied to the flying dagger.
Unfolding and reading it, So-mu chuckled in disbelief.
Yeon Seo-hwa reached out, curious.
“What does it say?”
Taking the paper, Yeon Seo-hwa’s reaction was the same as So-mu’s.
A moment later, she murmured in disbelief, “A challenge…? Challenging you for the title of the number one under heaven?”
Then, the four of them burst into hearty laughter.
Il-gwang even shed tears, unable to calm himself.
“Hahaha! Who is the challenger?”
“Well? It only says ‘Sword Queen’. Is she a martial artist?”