Chapter 82: Chapter 82
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Jeo-ryang persistently pried into how Jang Geon had been able to defeat the evil spirit.
However, Jang Geon also only had rough guesses and was ignorant of many details—such as how exactly the power of Shaolin’s Lion’s Roar acted upon the evil spirit, how the spirit and the native people’s grudge took physical form, or why Hun-ma suffered no great harm from the arrow. In the end, his answer to Jeo-ryang’s questions could only be brief.
“I do not know well either.”
“…Then you simply fought believing in your own martial arts and will?”
Jang Geon chuckled softly and tilted his head.
“Does it sound that grandly expressed?”
“It does not sound grand, but seems to be the truth. In that unreal situation, who could possibly stand ground relying on their own sword like that? Most who put on airs as martial artists would likely have fled headlong only to be shot in the back with an arrow.”
Even at those praising words, Jang Geon merely smiled faintly. And seeing that smile, Jeo-ryang sat in the rattling carriage and began pondering something for a long time. As he fell quiet, this time Hun-ma, sitting in the driver’s seat, spoke up.
“…Warrior Jang, earlier I was too frantic to say it, but thank you truly. If not for Warrior Jang, I would have helplessly fled only to be impaled by a spear and die. Warrior Jang is my savior. If you ever need help with anything in the future, please call upon me. I will assist you with all the power I have.”
Jang Geon did not offer polite platitudes—such as claiming it was unnecessary or that he would gladly make use of him—and simply gave a light nod. In truth, since the evil spirit’s target was all Central Plains people, he too had merely fought to survive. Of course, Hun-ma likely brought it up knowing that point full well. Regardless, thanks to him, his life had been saved.
Around dusk, they were able to discover a village. It was quite a large village, perhaps because many travelers like them passing through this plain frequented it. At the thought of staying in an inn tonight, all three men’s expressions brightened.
The villagers and the inn keeper looked curiously at the half-destroyed carriage. It was a look of wonder that it could still roll.
Leaving their gazes behind, the three secured rooms, washed up clean, and gathered again for a meal.
Having finished a hearty meal while sipping a cup of liquor, they finally let out a long sigh and relaxed the tension that had continued since daytime.
As they were sipping tea in that somewhat dazed state, Jeo-ryang, who had not said a word until now, spoke up.
“Warrior Jang.”
Jang Geon looked at him as if telling him to speak. Swallowing hard, Jeo-ryang continued.
“…Warrior Jang called himself a wanderer. About how long have you been traveling like that?”
“Well, I have stayed in one place for several months at a time, so it has been quite a while. It has been several years.”
“Your martial arts are considerable as well; have you ever wiped out bandits and received bounties?”
“I have done that as well. Bounties are paid right away, so it is good for making a tidy sum.”
Jeo-ryang nodded.
“I see, yes… Is Jang Geon your real name?”
Jang Geon chuckled softly. It was a smile asking what kind of question that was.
“It is. From birth until now, that has been my name.”
“…Then by any chance, have you heard of the name Nameless Chivalrous Hero?”
“Nameless Chivalrous Hero?”
Tilting his head, Jang Geon recalled having heard that name from Seol Myo-geum, Princess Yu Seol.
“Is that not the five-penny novel popular in the Central Plains these days?”
“Yes, it is a novel. A novel about a chivalrous hero who defeats bandit bands attacking people, drives away corrupt merchants harassing ordinary villagers, uncovers plots taking place in cities, and vanquishes evil demonic practitioners.”
Looking at Jeo-ryang speaking like that, Jang Geon smiled again.
“Perhaps thanks to that novel, there are people who have come to harbor fantasies about the New Continent.”
“…Fantasies. Yes, such conflict between chivalrous heroes and villains tends to be a story dramatized in various ways. Cutting away the grimy aspects and keeping only the cool tales.”
Jeo-ryang spoke thus while gazing intently at Jang Geon. And as Jang Geon developed a bewildered expression at this seemingly contextless story, Jeo-ryang pulled out a book and fine brush from his chest fold, wrote something down, tore off the paper with a *rip*, and held it out to Jang Geon.
“Whenever it may be, bring that paper and visit my estate in Heavenly Empress City. You saved my life twice over, so should I not repay you?”
Receiving that paper, Jang Geon saw the words ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ written alongside what appeared to be Jeo-ryang’s signature. Confirming it, he asked Jeo-ryang in bewilderment.
“Twice over?”
“If you visit with that paper, even if I am not at the estate, my butler will prepare a reward on his own. If keeping the paper is troublesome, you may simply state Warrior Jang’s name. At any rate, be sure to visit later. Then, I am tired so I shall head up now.”
Giving an off-tangent answer to Jang Geon’s question, Jeo-ryang went up to his room just like that. Bewildered, Jang Geon asked Hun-ma with his eyes what this was about, but Hun-ma merely nodded as if he alone understood, smiling strangely.
Jang Geon did not ponder deeply. He too was somewhat fatigued from the fight earlier in the day, and his mind was dazed with that fatigue and fullness. Folded roughly and tucked into his chest fold, Jang Geon also went up to his room and fell into a deep sleep.
“You must absolutely visit Heavenly Empress City, absolutely. If you do not come, I might come look for you myself.”
Jeo-ryang repeatedly urged Jang Geon as they parted ways. At such an earnest tone, Jang Geon had no choice but to answer that he would. However, since he spoke so pressingly, there was no telling if he would truly visit.
When morning came, Jeo-ryang and Hun-ma headed west, saying they would take a boat from Gamsan to return to Heavenly Empress City, while Jang Geon set his course northeast to visit the valley tribe he had visited before.
Riding slowly on Jojo, Jang Geon could not help but laugh as his heavy chest fold swayed. Jeo-ryang, who said he would reward him if he visited, handed over a pouch first, saying this was all he had right now. Receiving it at a expression that seemed to imply trouble if refused, he found the pouch filled to the brim with silver.
The silver ingots obtained from the treasure map commotion last time still filled Jojo’s saddlebags, and now his chest fold was plenty prosperous as well.
Jang Geon pulled out small paper and tobacco from his chest fold and rolled a cigarette. Having been unable to smoke for a while because he had not encountered a village with a merchant guild, he had obtained it in the previous village. Lighting it with his index finger, Jang Geon adjusted his bamboo hat and naturally blew out smoke while riding Jojo forward.
Afterward, he camped for several days while heading north along a familiar path. When he had descended south along this road last time, it felt as though the starting winter was pushing him back, but now the far warmer weather seemed to welcome him.
During that journey, the open plain full of dry grass vanished before he knew it, and more rugged hills and mountains appeared. Between those hills and hills, mountains and mountains, streams and rivers flowed. White foam rose in the narrow, rocky upper reaches, while fish splashed in the slow currents of the wide lower reaches.
Straight-reaching tall conifers drew long and short shadows depending on the sun’s position. Whenever he paused to rest along the way, he received a strange feeling as if he could see the slow movement of those shadows.
Jang Geon thus entered the spine mountain range of the New Continent, which along with the southern desert was delaying the Central Plains people’s eastward expansion. And after passing through forests and valleys for a long time, half a dozen natives appeared and blocked his path as he drove Jojo leisurely along. They had been hiding in the trees and thickets.
The largest native among them stepped forward and shouted in slightly awkward Central Plains speech.
“Halt, Central Plains people cannot wander here carelessly. Vagrant, get lost.”
“Have you been well, Mountain-Riding Bear?”
Not only the native who had stepped forward, but the others as well were all startled upon seeing his face.
“Jang Geon!”
For the first time in a while, the entire tribe became boisterous. It was because the benefactor who had departed like the wind had returned.
Not only the tribe’s warriors, but all tribe members—regardless of whether elderly or children—gathered to see his face. Red Wind, the warrior guarding the village, laughed loudly *uhaha* in the midst of that commotion and slapped Jang Geon’s back.
“Well, look who it is! Is this not our tribe’s benefactor who departed like drifting clouds! Leaving so cold-heartedly without even having dinner!”
“Long time no see, Red Wind.”
Jang Geon smiled faintly and clasped hands with him. At that sight, the surrounding tribe members cheered lightly. Jang Geon looked around at them as if slightly embarrassed.
“…The welcome is beyond imagination.”
“Of course! Do you know how great a deed you performed for our tribe!”
However, unlike Jang Geon who was bewildered by the hospitality, Jojo seemed delighted by the touch and welcome of the tribe members stroking and petting him, continuously snorting. He even slunk toward the tribe women to rub his head against them.
As Jang Geon watched him incredulously, the tribe members suddenly quieted down. And among those standing around Jang Geon in a circle, the people on one side stepped back in a rush to open a path. From that opened path, an old man walked slowly while leaning on a cane.
The old man had only one eye open, and that eye was red. Jang Geon remembered that his other eye was silver.
Appearing like that, the old man called One-Eyed Cloud approached right up to Jang Geon. Leaning his bent body against his cane, he looked up at Jang Geon.
“We meet again, Jang Geon. I am truly glad we can meet like this again while I am still sound.”
“I am also glad to see you again, One-Eyed Cloud.”
At Jang Geon’s answer, One-Eyed Cloud erased his solemnity and grinned brightly.
“But there is someone who will be happier than me or the other tribe members.”
At those words, Jang Geon momentarily wore a puzzled expression. Just then, tribe members on another side opened a new path in a rush. Beyond that path, a woman walked slowly step by step.
Carrying a bow and arrows on her back as if having just returned from hunting or patrol, that woman approached Jang Geon and stopped short. Looking back at the golden eyes gazing at him, Jang Geon spoke.
“It has been a while. Have you been well?”
“…Yes. Has Jang Geon been well too?”
She asked back with a bright smile in her slightly tear-filled eyes. Her name was Sad Wolf, Bi-rang. It seemed not that much time had passed since their last meeting, but she who had looked like a lively young girl had grown up considerably.
Afterward, before Jang Geon could do anything, the tribe people brought out stored food and buried alcohol to throw a feast. They seemed excited as if finally getting to hold the conclusion they had failed to carry out last time because Jang Geon had departed.
Jang Geon had to share drinks not only with the tribe warriors, but also with tribe members he had never even conversed with properly. Eating and playing, the sun set, and beside a large fire lit in the middle of the village, the tribe people danced.
Having consumed plenty of alcohol, Jang Geon also simply enjoyed himself from around then. Since these tribe people were not going to vanish as soon as the sun rose, he could look into the black spearhead tomorrow.
Plentiful food and alcohol, merry flutes and drum sounds, captivatingly burning flames and people dancing in that yellow glow. Jang Geon let down his guard and mingled with them for the first time in a while.
It was a fine night.
* * *
Jang Geon blinked his eyes open. It was because he felt someone brush past his toes *srrk*. When he raised his head slightly, that someone had already slipped out of the tent.
“…Goodness.”
He was lying on a floor lined with soft leather, completely naked without a single piece of clothing on. Looking around inside the tent, he saw his clothes and sword neatly placed on one side.
He was lying on a floor lined with soft leather, completely naked without a single piece of clothing on. Looking around inside the tent, he saw his clothes and sword neatly placed on one side.
Jang Geon let out a hollow laugh despite himself.