Chapter 118: Everyone Has Pain

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Ju Yu-gang let out a sigh and rummaged through his clothes.

CLINK-

He placed a small money pouch on the table.

“Well, will this allow you to grant more time?”

Dam Maeng-gi’s eyes immediately sparkled, and he scurried over to pocket the money pouch, then stood behind Ju Yu-gang again like a folding screen.

“Lord Ju, I shall guard your side until midnight!”

Ban Bu-bong watched this scene and clicked his tongue.

My goodness, you’re really something too.

At that moment, Ju Yu-gang pointed to the empty chair with a chin gesture.

“Sit here.”

When Dam Maeng-gi sat down without objection, Ju Yu-gang’s low voice followed.

“I want you two to continue trusting and following me from now on. Even if large and small doubts arise about what I’m doing. Will you do that?”

“Yes.”

When Ban Bu-bong and Dam Maeng-gi answered in unison, Ju Yu-gang nodded and continued speaking.

“Good, thank you. For now… I can promise one thing for certain. That I will absolutely never borrow either of your martial skills for anything that goes against righteousness.”

At that, a faint smile spread across Ban Bu-bong’s lips.

“Ha. Yes, I trust you. Your heart’s conviction was clearly proven through this incident.”

“You must have been a bit suspicious seeing that scene yesterday.”

As if waiting for Ju Yu-gang to bring that up, curiosity filled Ban Bu-bong’s eyes.

“Yes. I realized that… You, Chief Magistrate, are even stronger than I expected.”

“I intend to address that point. All I can say right now is that the contents of the report I submitted to the Inspector General is everything, and I have nothing else to say.”

The report in question recorded that Fatal Heart Sword Du Cheong and the other Thousand Snake Gang executives had recklessly attempted to attack the pursuit team of Ban Bu-bong and Dam Maeng-gi while fleeing, and were ultimately killed in return.

However, Ban Bu-bong didn’t raise any objection to that content.

Though he roughly guessed it was accomplished through Ju Yu-gang’s unknown martial power and the help of an unfamiliar young man who seemed to be on friendly terms with him.

It was purely because of trust.

That he had handled the report that way because there must be some unspeakable circumstances…

What Ju Yu-gang had just said was also in the same vein.

It meant: let it be buried.

Having grasped the other’s intent, Ban Bu-bong responded gravely.

“Yes, Chief Magistrate. I fully understand what you mean. So please don’t worry about it anymore.”

Dam Maeng-gi also nodded in agreement as his response.

“Good, someday when the time comes… There will be a day when I tell you about myself in detail. For now, think of only one thing. Conducting affairs without a shred of shame as officials who receive the nation’s stipend – nothing else is important.”

“Yes, Chief Magistrate.”

“There’s a saying that a tiger dies because of its hide, and a person dies because of their name. Before being demoted to Chief Magistrate here, when I was at the central government office in the capital Luoyang, I saw such cases from time to time. But most of those names were truly righteous. Because they died wrongfully accused while working for all people. Dying because of one’s name – it’s quite a frightening saying. Even so, we must not stop this path. Rather than turn a blind eye to justice in this world being weeded out… Dying for one’s name would be a better choice.”

Moved by Ju Yu-gang’s firm resolve, Ban Bu-bong put strength in his eyes.

“Receiving the nation’s stipend should rightfully be accompanied by such a mindset as the foremost priority.”

At that moment, Dam Maeng-gi, who had been silent, casually added.

“I’m learning so much from you, Chief Magistrate. Thank you for making me reflect on myself anew.”

“What are you talking about, ha.”

While Ju Yu-gang wore a faint smile, Ban Bu-bong muttered internally as if surprised.

‘Ho-oh, so he can say such mature words too. Perhaps he’s not just an entirely eccentric person.’

Before long, the three put aside the heavy topics and boiled tea to drink while chatting about this and that.

The outside had grown dusky before they knew it.

Dam Maeng-gi suddenly looked out the window and quickly stood up.

“You two, please wait a moment. I’ll go and prepare a meal.”

At that, Ju Yu-gang waved his hand and said.

“Let’s all go out to eat.”

“No, Lord Ju. Please remain comfortable here. I received overtime pay after all, so it’s only right that I do at least this much as a proper human being. Hahaha.”

Dam Maeng-gi laughed refreshingly and immediately closed the door and disappeared.

Immediately after, Ban Bu-bong casually asked.

“Chief Magistrate… What do you think of him?”

Referring to Dam Maeng-gi.

Ju Yu-gang slurped a mouthful of tea and asked back.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm… To be frank, he sometimes shows frivolous behavior, so I’m a bit concerned. Ah, of course, I’m not doubting his qualifications or your judgment, Chief Magistrate, but…”

“Yes, I know what you mean. He’s quite eccentric, he is.”

“Yes, his eccentricity does seem somewhat excessive.”

“I’m deliberately accepting it. That eccentricity.”

“Pardon?”

“Before being an escort martial artist holding a sword, he too is one ordinary person, so how could he not have hidden circumstances?”

“……”

“Maeng-gi keeps a great pain in his heart. His eccentric behavior also stems from that.”

“Could you tell me what it is?”

“I think it’s alright to tell Vice Unit Commander Ban.”

“Something… Doesn’t seem trivial.”

“A few years ago, Maeng-gi was an instructor at a unit in this region. At the time, he was only twenty-four years old, and his exceptional martial prowess meant his promotions had been extremely fast.”

“Ah, yes. I think I heard something about that somewhere.”

“At that time, he was growing weary of the repeating daily routine and wanted to find some peace of mind, and happened to learn about an orphanage operated by the government. After that, he steadily visited that place and tasted a new joy in life.”

“Orphanage volunteering… That’s unexpected. This is somehow making me reconsider his character.”

Ban Bu-bong was genuinely impressed.

Because volunteering by giving one’s precious time without compensation for others was not as easy as it sounded.

Ju Yu-gang nodded quietly and continued the story.

“A few months later, a new child came to the orphanage. A roughly five-year-old girl who had been abandoned by her parents and left on the street. Maeng-gi was very shocked then. Because that girl looked exactly like his younger sister, whom he had lost to an epidemic when he was young.”

“Ah… Then he must have devoted exceptionally much affection.”

“That’s right.”

-Little one, what’s your name?

-It’s Yu-hyang.

-Oh, really? Wow, what a truly pretty name.

-Mister… What’s yours?

-This mister’s name is Dam Maeng-gi. Kind of tacky, isn’t it?

-Mm… No.

-Oh come on, it is. Hahaha. Since it’s your first time here, the mood must feel a bit strange? But there are many friends your age, so you’ll be able to have fun from now on. Just eat well and play well, that’s all you need to do.

-But… I shouldn’t be here…

-Hm?

-The other day, Mommy told me to wait quietly by the roadside. I should be standing there… Then Mommy will come… What should I do?

-Ah…

-Hic… Mister, I want to see Mommy. Hic… I want to go back there again. Then Mommy will come.

-Oh my, Hyang-ah. Don’t cry. Here, here, come, mister will give you a hug.

-Hic, sniffle… Hic…

-It’s okay, it’s okay. Shh, shh. You can see Mommy again later. If you’re patient and wait here, she’ll definitely come to see our Hyang.

-Sniff… Really?

-Of course! If it really doesn’t work out, mister will bring her! Got it? Promise!

“Maeng-gi couldn’t sleep because that pitiful Yu-hyang kept weighing on his mind. So from the next day on, he went straight to the orphanage as soon as work ended and played with Yu-hyang, building a deep bond.”

“Hmm… He must have thought of her as his younger sister’s reincarnation. Well, that’s understandable.”

“Yes, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the role of older brother and father. To the point of even considering adoption.”

-Our Hyang, why are you crying again? Mister’s here. Here, look at this. I bought something delicious.

-Hic… Mister… When is Mommy coming? It’s been more than a hundred nights. Being here alone… I’m scared. Because Mommy isn’t coming… Hic, hic…

-Ah, dear… Mister will find out. So don’t cry. Hyang-ah, you trust this mister, right?

-Sniffle… Yes…

-Hmm, what should mister do to make our Hyang stop crying?

-Hic…

-Ah! That’s it, want to see something amazing? Mister is a military person, so he handles swords very well. Here, watch this. I hold the sword like this and swish, swish-swish, swish, swish-swish…! How’s that, how’s that! Super fast, right? Swish, swish, swish-swish…! Oh, you’re not crying now? Aw, Hyang is so good.

-Wow… So cool.

-Hahaha. Of course! Plus, mister can even punish bad people with this sword.

-If you make swish, swish-swish, swish sounds, will bad people get scared?

-That’s right, exactly. Hahaha.

-Hehe, even if I do it?

-Absolutely. If a bad person comes and tries to hurt you, swing a stick going swish, swish-swish, swish. Then they’ll probably run away scared.

-Hehe. I really hope… That would work.

-Mister has to go somewhere far, so I won’t be able to see you for a few days. Instead, I’ll stay with you today until night comes. And when I come back, I’ll buy you new clothes to wear, Hyang.

-Yay! I’m so happy!

-Mister is the best, right?

-The best, the best! You’re like a daddy! I love it so much!

“That was the last.”

“Pardon?”

“She passed away a few days later. On the day Maeng-gi came to the orphanage carrying new clothes.”

“No, that…”

“Actually, the orphanage director was a vile person. When no one else was around, he singled out the most fragile Yu-hyang as his punching bag and severely beat her. Targeting only the areas that could be hidden by long clothes. It was the same on the day she died. The director hit and kicked that tiny child, tormenting her brutally. That day’s beating was particularly severe… And Yu-hyang resisted, holding a toy sword made of braided twigs. Making swish, swish sounds as she had seen and learned from Maeng-gi. How desperate must that little thing have been to do that?”

“Ah… Good heavens…”

Tears welled up in Ban Bu-bong’s eyes, his heart lurching.

“In the midst of that, Yu-hyang was struck in a vital spot by mistake and stopped breathing. And at that moment, Maeng-gi witnessed the scene.”

“Ha… He must have lost his mind the moment he saw it.”

“Indeed, the director was immediately beaten to a pulp. Only barely clinging to life.”

“Phew… And then he was handed over to the authorities?”

“Yes.”

Ju Yu-gang nodded and added quietly.

“According to the director’s confession… Yu-hyang was beaten and beaten again, but never stopped making that sound. Until the very moment she stopped breathing.”

At that, Ban Bu-bong wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes.

“Sigh… Hearing this, my heart aches.”

“Thinking about it now, that was perhaps a desperate cry for whoever might hear that sound to please save her.”

“Yes…”

“Anyway, because of that incident, Maeng-gi quit his military position and became an escort martial artist, steadily saving money to establish an orphanage. On the day he buried Yu-hyang in the past… He swore to do so.”

-Keughh… Hyang-ah… I’m sorry! This mister wasn’t the best but the worst! Keuup… If only I had noticed just a little sooner… There was meaning hidden in all the things you said to me… Sob… Please rest peacefully. This mister… Will build a truly good orphanage and then follow after you. Let’s… Definitely meet again!

Ju Yu-gang said while handling his cold teacup.

“The reason Maeng-gi makes that sound every time he moves his sword is a kind of requiem to deeply commemorate Yu-hyang’s death and honor her spirit.”

At that, Ban Bu-bong cast a heavy gaze.

“Truly… I had no idea there was such a story. His eccentricity was a struggle to hide the sorrow seated deep in his heart. By the way, when did you hear that story?”

“Last night. I assume after seeing me handle the Thousand Snake Gang matter, he thought I was someone worth trusting and confided in me.”

“Phew… In this damned world… When will all the ugliness ever disappear?”

When Ban Bu-bong spoke as if lamenting, Ju Yu-gang let out a bitter smile.

“Ha. It’ll never disappear. We can only join forces and reduce it one by one…”

A short while later, Dam Maeng-gi opened the door and appeared, placing a food tray on the table.

“You must all be quite hungry, right? I brought it quickly.”

At that moment, Ban Bu-bong sprang up and tightly embraced Dam Maeng-gi’s body.

There were no words.

But.

It was enough action to convey his sincerity.

Dam Maeng-gi also seemed to sense something, patting Ban Bu-bong’s back with both hands while speaking calmly.

“I’m sorry. I’m not that way inclined. I like women.”