Chapter 53: Chapter 53

The wilderness was no more.

Even though it was winter in the Central Plains or elsewhere, the weather in New Sichuan was merely cool. It even felt slightly humid. Added to that, the yellow grass and dust clouds seen over the past few days passing through the wilderness after departing from Salt Lake City were erased by lush greens, trees, small streams, and rivers, leaving not even a trace.

A blue sky, softly billowing clouds, bright sunlight, and a salty breeze brushing past the nose. Though the coastline was still far off in the distance, one could already smell the scent of the sea.

And there stood a city.

From large, tall buildings erected with pillars made of New Continent oak trees brought along the coast, to tiny shacks crudely patched together with old wooden planks in a corner. Over the past hundred years, buildings were intricately lined up, built upon the foundation of time laid by people who came searching for a new life, for their own land, desiring gold, or simply fleeing.

In that city, whether chaotic or prosperous, as many people as the numerous buildings were moving about. From Central Plains natives well-dressed in silk clothes or natives carrying loads wrapped in old rags, to the exact opposite sights, there were merchants selling food on the streets and traders carrying loads full of goods on carts.

Jin Seo-ha, who had been excitedly watching them, hid inside the carriage in fear after seeing a black man among those numerous people who had a head and body size larger than others and pitch-black skin.

Jin-ha looked at the girl’s appearance and the black man’s size, and spoke.

“Where could he have come from? Seeing that he carries a long sword on his back, he doesn’t seem to be a slave…”

“Why, are you scared of that person too?”

Jin-ha, who was driving the carriage, turned to her side at that question.

“I’m just curious. They say that to come to the Central Plains from the west where they live takes as much distance as coming from the Central Plains to the New Continent, yet he stepped even one step further to come all the way to this land. Isn’t that amazing?”

Jang Geon smiled slightly. It was because he could see Jin-ha getting slightly piqued at the comment asking if she was scared. This woman, even if she didn’t seem like it, was secretly quite proud.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“Just thinking that what you said might be right.”

Jang Geon gave a casual answer and urged Jojo forward a bit. Jin-ha looked sullenly at his back and muttered.

“I said I wasn’t scared…”

However, as she looked around again, her eyes happened to meet those of that black warrior from earlier. Meeting those large brown eyes, her face stiffened tightly as she turned her head away and quickly drove the carriage. The black warrior watching the receding carriage wiped his nose once with a huff and soon plunged into bargaining with a merchant.

* * *

The group first looked for a ship bound for the Central Plains. In the process, there was an incident where Jin Gyeon looked into a human transport ship where over a hundred people were crammed onto a single boat, only to get scolded by Seol Myo-geum. Jin Gyeon laughed sheepishly and scratched his head.

“I was not traveling alone, after all. I acted thoughtlessly.”

In truth, he had done so because feeling indebted to Seol Myo-geum felt burdensome, but he changed his mind for Jin Seo-ha’s sake. It was already a long and treacherous voyage, and if they traveled on such a transport ship, the child might fall ill. Of course, since she had learned internal energy, she had arrived fine.

Seol Myo-geum looked for a slightly more expensive and comfortable ship, even paying extra money to secure seats. Of course, there were no seats for her and Jin-ha there. They had to go to Hawaii, not the Central Plains.

Handing the tickets to Jin Gyeon, she spoke.

“We’re lucky. There was a ship departing right tomorrow.”

“Dear me. I do not know how I should repay Benefactor Seol for this grace. Truly thank you, Benefactor Seol.”

Seol Myo-geum shook her head. A faint smile floated on her face.

“It’s nothing for something like this. Well then, please take good care of Seo-ha.”

Jin Gyeon was temporarily at a loss for words at her words and expression. It was because they were sudden words of farewell.

Having come all the way here together, perhaps he had thought naturally that she would return to the Central Plains together, or at least see them off as they departed. However, she was a person who had come to the New Continent with her own purpose of gathering material for a book. Parting was natural.

“…So our overlapping paths end here. It seems I have indebted myself to you very much over the past few days. Please be sure to visit our Shaolin Temple later, Benefactor Seol.”

Seo-ha, who was sitting astride Jojo’s saddle swinging her legs and watching the people at the pier, opened her eyes round at those words. The girl looked at the adults with faintly trembling eyes. In those eyes, Jin Gyeon was seen pressing his palms together toward Seol Myo-geum and bowing his waist.

Seo-ha hurriedly tapped the shoulder of Jang Geon, who was standing beside her. Jang Geon, watching Jin Gyeon, roughly understood what she meant and lifted her up from the saddle to set her down on the ground. Once set down on the ground like that, Seo-ha immediately ran and buried herself tightly in Seol Myo-geum’s arms.

“Oh, Seo-ha?”

Having been embraced like that, Seo-ha slowly raised her face to look up at Seol Myo-geum. The child did not make a tearful face or burst into tears. She simply looked up at her with clear eyes, with tears naturally trickling down her eyes.

Meeting those eyes, the rims of Seol Myo-geum’s eyes quickly turned red.

“Uh, um, right. It’s a bit sudden, isn’t it? But it’s time to part, Seo-ha. Seo-ha has to go to the Central Plains now, and I, um. Jin-ha and I also have a place we must go.”

Seol Myo-geum forced a smile and wiped the corners of Seo-ha’s eyes with her hand. She continued speaking in a voice that turned slightly hoarse from a choked throat.

“Don’t be too sad, Seo-ha. It’s not a permanent farewell. If Seo-ha stays at Shaolin Temple, I will definitely come visit with Jin-ha. Got it? If you wait at Shaolin Temple while listening well to Monk Jin Gyeon’s words, um, I’ll buy a present and come too. What would be good for Seo-ha’s present? Silk clothes? An incense pouch? Ahem, I’ll tailor really pretty silk clothes and come, so…”

Just then, Seo-ha’s mouth opened.

“When?”

At that moment, amid the countless people coming and going at the pier, it became quiet as if only the space around them were filled with soft air. Though it was clearly a noisy place with shouts from sailors and merchants, the group hearing Seo-ha’s voice was one step removed from such commotion.

Seol Myo-geum, who had a startled expression for a moment, smiled brightly even with tears gathered heavily at the corners of her eyes.

“…When am I going? Um, do you know the story that autumn foliage at Song Mountain in Henan, where Shaolin Temple is located, is truly wonderful? I’ve only heard stories since childhood and never been there even once. So I’ll go this autumn. Since it hasn’t been long since the New Year began, it’ll probably take a little more than half a year. Our Seo-ha, you can wait that long, right?”

Looking at that face, Seo-ha wriggled her lips for a moment and then nodded her head. And she opened her mouth again.

“Must meet.”

Seol Myo-geum hugged Seo-ha tightly.

“Of course. We must definitely meet again.”

Saying so, she also pulled Jin-ha, who was biting her lips tightly beside her, and embraced Seo-ha together. Feeling Seo-ha’s warmth in her arms, Jin-ha eventually snuffled and showed tears.

Having shown a bout of tears, Seol Myo-geum wiped the corners of her eyes, stood up, and looked at Jang Geon. And coming close, she clasped her hands in a martial salute and spoke.

“Although we weren’t together for long, thanks to you, I was able to learn many parts I wanted to know about New Continent martial artists. It’s a slightly distant story, but if my book comes out, the protagonist will probably be Warrior Jang.”

Jang Geon answered.

“Well now. Then will you share some of the book sales proceeds?”

“Of course. Come collect it later.”

He shook his head gently and gave a grumbling laugh. And looking at Seo-ha and Jin-ha, who were still embracing each other and snuffling, he spoke.

“Do you have urgent business? Have dinner together tonight before leaving.”

“…That might be difficult. The ship we are taking leaves in a little while.”

-If we are any later, there is someone whose head might actually fly off.

Jang Geon nodded as he heard the Double Sound Art layered very softly beneath what she spoke outwardly. Indeed, if it were a princess’s runaway, it wouldn’t be strange if an imperial proclamation were posted. It was somewhat predictable how hard the official in Hawaii must have struggled to cover up and smooth over that problem.

He returned the martial salute to Seol Myo-geum.

“Farewell.”

After exchanging greetings with Jin Gyeon once more, Seol Myo-geum barely led the snuffling Jin-ha away into the distance. Seo-ha wiped away her trickling tears and looked at them without a single scowl. That face seemed like a maturity unsuited for her age, or perhaps like the trust and composure that she would be able to meet them again next time.

At any rate, the remaining three people looked into the crowd at the pier where the two women had vanished for quite a long time.

* * *

Seol Myo-geum, Yu Seol, glanced at Jin-ha’s reaction. Even though it had been a long time since they parted with Jang Geon’s group, Jin-ha was still snuffling with red rims around her eyes. The crying that had burst once wouldn’t stop.

However, in truth, it was understandable. Jin-ha had taken care of Seo-ha most attentively and paid attention to her while pretending not to. Perhaps because of their similar names, she had regarded Seo-ha as a newly gained youngest sister.

“Stop crying. We can just meet at Shaolin Temple later.”

Yu Seol said so upon feeling passing people glance sideways. But Jin-ha glared at her with red eyes and spoke.

“This autumn? Is that even possible? The moment we return to Chang’an, we’ll be lucky if we don’t get put under house arrest.”

“…W-Well? If we handle it well with Magistrate Yeon, wouldn’t it end without Father knowing?”

“Don’t say things even Miss doesn’t believe.”

Yu Seol laughed awkwardly at that fierce attitude and spoke.

“Look, Jin-ha. Don’t worry too much. When I return this time, I’m going to ask Father for one favor.”

“…Asking for a favor after returning from running away from home? Are you in your right mind?”

“Why? It’s better than my brothers or sisters. Isn’t it a far lighter wrong than those people who step up claiming they’ll snatch the successor spot, don’t practice martial arts, and commit all sorts of foolish acts?”

Jin-ha eventually let out a sigh. Perhaps those words were right. Even if Yu Seol fell for five-fen novels and caused a fuss, it was just running away from home, whereas her siblings didn’t hesitate to kill political foes for power.

“…What are you going to ask for?”

“Um. I’m thinking of receiving a suitable official post and returning to the New Continent. Since it means I won’t play and eat anymore but work, wouldn’t Father like it too?”

Jin-ha opened her mouth wide in utter disbelief. However, Yu Seol merely giggled innocently while looking at that face.

* * *

After the two women departed, the remaining group secured an inn. Since the ship’s departure was tomorrow morning, they needed a place to stay overnight. Jang Geon went and sold the carriage, which was no longer useful, for a reasonable price. Since Seol Myo-geum had bought it, it would be nice if they could take it all the way to the Central Plains, but realistically that was far too expensive.

Having three people eat a meal that five used to eat made the dining table very quiet. Perhaps because Seol Myo-geum, who acted affectionately, was absent, Jin Gyeon had no words, and Jang Geon didn’t talk much while eating either. Furthermore, since Seo-ha was a girl who wouldn’t say a single word until opening her mouth earlier today, it was natural. Ultimately, until finishing the meal and sending Seo-ha up to her room to put her to sleep, the three people did not share any particular conversation.

Afterward, Jang Geon remained on the first floor to smoke his last remaining tobacco. But before he could light it, he saw Jin Gyeon coming down.

“Are you smoking tobacco again?”

Jang Geon slyly lowered the unlit tobacco and answered.

“This is the last one.”

Jin Gyeon chuckled softly at that answer, then called the waiter and ordered liquor. Jang Geon asked in disbelief.

“I understand monks aren’t supposed to drink liquor.”

“Liquor? What are you talking about? I ordered grain tea, grain tea.”

At Jin Gyeon’s overly shameless expression and answer, Jang Geon gave a grumbling laugh. Certainly, Jin Gyeon had a personality that was far softer and slightly more shameless than his initial first impression. But just as his junior martial brother had been, he was a decent person as well.

When the liquor came out, Jin Gyeon filled Jang Geon’s cup and his own cup with his own hands. And lifting it up, he spoke.

“For Warrior Jang’s peace in the future.”

Jang Geon accepted it with a faint smile.

“May the voyage be smooth.”

Looking at each other with a grin, the two soon drained their cups. However, unlike Jang Geon, who swallowed the liquor cleanly, Jin Gyeon’s face quickly flushed red as he coughed.

“Th-This tastes terribly awful compared to what I thought. What kind of taste do you drink this for?”

“Well. I don’t know much about refined taste either.”

Jang Geon answered like that and filled his own cup. When he slyly extended it to Jin Gyeon, he shook his head and turned his cup upside down to cover it. It seemed it was far worse than he had thought.

Afterward, just like during mealtime, the two sat occupying the table for a long time without much words. In the late evening, people drinking quiet drinks like them, people making small commotions while laughing loudly, people simply killing time because sleep wouldn’t come, and so on could be seen here and there on the first floor of the inn.

Just then, Jang Geon raised his head and looked at the inn stairs. Seo-ha was looking down at him with a sullen face. Jang Geon asked with his lip movements.

Why?

Seo-ha wriggled her lips and answered with lip movements as well.

Sleepy.

Realizing after thinking for a moment what that meant—that she was asking him to stay by her side until she fell asleep, just like at the inn where the previous attack had occurred—Jang Geon stretched his lips long, let out a small sigh, and stood up. And looking at Jin Gyeon, he spoke.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing Seo-ha come down, Jin Gyeon smiled and nodded. Taking stairs two or three at a time in strides, Jang Geon picked Seo-ha up, slung her over his shoulder, and went up to the room. After getting into bed, Seo-ha gave strength to her clear eyes throughout the night as if to stay with Jang Geon, but before long her eyes turned sleepy, blinked, and she soon fell asleep.

The next morning, perhaps because she was pouting over that, she held onto Jang Geon’s clothes throughout the meal. Ultimately, since she wouldn’t separate, Jang Geon had to carry her on his back all the way to the ship at the pier.

When the large ship they were to take came into view, Jang Geon spoke toward his back.

“We’ve arrived.”

However, Seo-ha kept her eyes tightly shut as if she couldn’t hear. Of course, since Jang Geon slowly set her down, she couldn’t continue pretending to sleep. In the end, Seo-ha had to face Jang Geon with the ship behind her back.

Jang Geon smiled slyly at the sight of Seo-ha looking only at the ground with a sullen expression. And kneeling on one knee before her, he spoke.

“It’s time to part.”

At those words, Seo-ha abruptly raised her head. Jang Geon flicked her nose and continued.

“There’s no need to feel too sad. As you live on, we might meet again someday.”

“…See again?”

Jang Geon nodded.

“Right.”

Even though it wasn’t a proper promise, Seo-ha’s expression brightened slightly as if that alone were enough. Thanks to that, she did not cry while parting with Jang Geon and boarding the ship. It was the same while looking at him after going up on the deck. The ship soon set off.

Jang Geon waved his hand while looking at them on the receding deck. Seo-ha and Jin Gyeon also waved back. But Seo-ha suddenly lowered her hand for some reason. And afterward, Jang Geon, who was the only one at the pier to see that girl’s face, burst into a loud laugh by himself.

Seo-ha had stuck out her tongue—bleh—at Jang Geon.

Afterward, while that ship passed out of the bay and receded beyond the horizon, Jang Geon stood in that place for a long time watching the sea. Although brief, it seemed he too had grown very fond of her. Containing his remaining regret, he let out a light sigh and turned around to return to the inn. It was time to look for work.

Just then, someone abruptly called out to him.

“Jang Geon? Are you Jang Geon?”

When Jang Geon turned his head, a man in his mid-thirties was looking at him with a surprised face. He had a face so closely resembling Jang Geon that he looked exactly like how Jang Geon would look when he got older.