Episode 44. An encounter with a bitter memory
‘Eeh~! ‘Are we finally here?’
Han Ibi was a little disappointed.
‘I thought I was going to some great place to train, but…’
Usually, when you see martial arts movies or places like that, you tend to hear things like paradise with waterfalls or similar secret spaces.
But this place was so ordinary.
It was a wide area where the valley water gathered, and its characteristic feature was that it had a flat sandy field like a beach.
From what I heard from Han Yi-bi, the people of the Cheongseong faction called the lake, which is not this lake, Yuseonho (流仙湖).
Han Ibi thought.
‘Well, the bottom here is flat and wide… Even though it’s near the top of the mountain…’
Han Ibi, who was watching So Eun-ri while hiding behind the bushes, now prepared to go back.
I was very worried that I would climb up an unknown path, but… if it was a path of this level of difficulty, it was definitely worth finding.
‘good. Then, now it is Jong Ri-hyuk’s turn. But we should be more certain.’
Han Ibi began to move carefully so as not to be noticed by her.
* * *
It was certain.
Yoo Seon-ho was So Eun-ri’s main training place.
The next day, and the day after that, she was still practicing there.
Han Yi-bi shook her head and decided that it was really time to go see Jong Ri-hyuk.
Of course, Qingcheng Sect disciples usually practice together. At the center of the Qingcheng Sect grounds is a huge outdoor training hall.
It’s really noisy.
There is no separate Dottegi Market.
However, there was also an indoor training center for personal use.
Five Elements Hall.
The Five Elements Hall consisted of eight rooms measuring approximately 50 pyeong.
This was an efficient place to replicate the effects of ‘head wall training’.
It was originally a facility for scholars and elders, but at some point the system was changed so that later-level ‘aces’ could use it with prior permission.
And Jong Ri-hyuk had the status of an ‘ace’ in the Cheongseong faction.
The room he was assigned to was a water room.
It feels a bit cold.
But what…
isn’t it an ‘ice room’?…’
While masturbating, Han Ibi was located in front of the water room, avoiding other people’s eyes.
Even though she made up her mind several times, Han Ibi felt nervous for some reason.
Moreover, interfering with the training of others in the Five Elements Hall was a taboo for Cheongseong and Kangho.
Nevertheless…
‘Ah… let’s think about the greater good.’ For the greater good… This is not just a path for me, but for everyone.’
He stood there for a moment, pondering.
‘Well… should I at least knock and go in?’
Knock knock!
There is no sound.
Han Ibi took a deep breath and knocked on the door again.
Knock knock!
Silence flows again.
‘Are you away? weird. I clearly saw you go in earlier…’
Han Ibi carefully pushed the door open.
And the sight we encountered.
‘omg!’
Jong Ri-hyuk was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the spacious room.
Seeing that it doesn’t budge, it’s clear that it’s in a state of trouble.
Han Ibi closed the door as carefully as she had when she came in.
And I watched Jong Ri-hyuk for a while.
Not interfering with fortune is one of the basic principles of a strongman.
Although it may seem like he is doing nothing, his insides will be shaking like a storm.
So, over his body….
‘I… is that real?’
Han Ibi was truly surprised.
There was something like a haze surrounding Jong Ri-hyuk’s body.
It was the same blue color as the symbol of the Cheongseong faction, and it had a brilliant color like the northern lights of the North Pole.
‘ah…! ‘Is that the magic that I’ve only heard about?’
Yes.
It is often depicted in martial arts novels.
This means that Jong Li-hyuk’s inaction is much stronger than Han Yi-bi thought.
And this could be said to be on a higher level than the description that appears in ‘Yeomsaji Dream’.
Han Ibi thought.
‘Hey Shiki. ‘You’ve been hiding your true skills.’
Han Ibi could not help but watch his fortune show for a while in admiration.
It was then.
Jong Ri-hyuk opens his eyes in a flash.
A bluish luminous membrane was seen pouring into Jong Li-hyuk’s body in an instant.
Jong Ri-hyuk discovered Han Ibi.
Even though his eyes cannot see, I can see them being distorted like those of a person who has seen.
Han Ibi was startled and took a step back.
Jong Lihyuk spoke while sitting down.
“What’s going on?”
He said with an awkward smile, the corners of his mouth turning up, as if he were quickly taking a picture.
“Tongue… bro. Ahaha. “How are you?”
However, Jong Ri-hyuk spoke in a voice as stiff as his face.
“I understand that it is not polite to come and go without permission during the lunch break…”
Huh?
What an honorific….
Han Ibi said.
“I’m so sorry, bro. That’s right…”
“Just get to the point.”
Again, it is a respectful term.
Only then did Han Ibi realize.
The fact that the poor main character is deliberately using polite language to distance himself from me.
‘But I can’t just leave like this.’
Han Ibi looked anxiously up and down for a moment and acted in agony.
At the same time, his eyes were wide open and he never blinked.
I have never seen anything like this in a way that brings tears to my eyes.
He spoke with those moist, forced eyes.
“Brother… I mean… I came to check on you about the Se family’s business. “I have something serious to discuss.”
But Jong Ri-hyuk turned away as if he was not interested.
So shamelessly… Han Ibi was filled with jealousy without even realizing it.
However, I soon remembered the past when Jong Ri-hyuk had to be treated harshly by Jong Ri-mae and his mother, and I suppressed it.
‘Well… I didn’t do anything wrong, but…’
“Hyung! good. I will separately apologize for my past mistakes later. But… But something really big has happened to our Zhongli family.”
Jong Lihyuk said.
“If it’s the Zhongli family… If it’s the Zhongli family, I’ve already erased it from my mind. no. To be more precise, you could say that he erased me from the Jongli family. So, I and Zongjia are no different from strangers who have nothing to do with each other. Including you, of course.”
“Bro bro! They all died. “Everyone is dead.”
Jong Li-hyuk didn’t even nod.
‘Ah, you indifferent Shiki. ‘Poisonous Shiki.’
Han Ibi said, changing her tone of voice to become even more desperate.
“My whole family was murdered by unknown men. Everything left behind. “Only I… only I… survived thanks to Uncle Zhong Ligang’s blessings.”
Only then did one of Jong Li-hyuk’s eyebrows twitch for the first time.
‘There is a right reaction. Come to think of it, the only person in the family who cared for Jong Li-hyuk was Jong Li-gang.’
According to Zhonglimei’s synchronized memory.
The rest of the family members all treated Jong Li-hyuk poorly while keeping an eye on Jong Li-mae’s mother, Geum Na-ryeon, who held real power.
Only Jong Li-kang, who had a strong personality, steadfastly treated Jong Li-hyuk warmly.
Han Ibi thought it was time to speak quickly.
“Your uncle… your uncle… was tortured by those evil enemies and died miserably with his hand cut off… brother!”
Jong Li-hyuk closed his eyes tightly.
There was silence for a moment.
Han Ibi swallowed her saliva and watched him, wondering if it was now over.
Jong Li-hyuk slowly opened his eyes and said.
“But it doesn’t change anything. I… It’s been a long time since I completely erased Zhongjia from my mind. I swore that I would never get involved in the Zhong family. So, you…”
Jong Li-hyuk continued, glaring harshly at Han Yi-bi.
“…Please leave without disturbing the training any longer. Right Now!”
An unreasonable ban on guests.
The cold air, as cold as its name, rushed like a wave as if threatening Zhongrimae.
I was embarrassed.
I had no idea that Jong Ri-hyuk would come out this strong.
I couldn’t even bring up the topic of ‘So Eun-ri’ that I really needed to talk about.
But how can I talk about it further when I have even received a ban on guests?
Han Ibi, who was in a difficult situation, bit her lower lip and was worried about how to overcome this crisis.
It was then.
A shout of popularity was heard from outside.
“uncle!”
‘Yes?’
Han Ibi wondered if she was hallucinating.
“uncle! uncle!”
‘Hi! Why does that sound like a child’s voice…’
At that moment, the door burst open and I saw three children running towards me.
There were two boys and one girl.
A cute-looking girl opened her arms wide and jumped towards Jong Ri-hyuk.
Han Ibi was shocked and thought when she saw that.
‘Ugh… er… what is it? What are you doing with the stone-faced Jong Ri-hyeok?…’
But the next scene was even more shocking.
Isn’t Jong Ri-hyuk smiling like a father, opening his arms wider than the child, and hugging the girl?
“Our Su-a and the beggars have arrived.”
Then the chubby boy pouted and spoke.
“Uncle Ai. What is it? “I’m shaking.”
Jong Li-hyuk spoke again with a big smile on his face.
“Ahaha. sorry. sorry. Our child is angry. “My uncle was wrong.”
At that time, a short, dark-faced boy spoke.
“uncle! Why didn’t you come? “You promised to come to my house.”
Then Jong Ri-hyuk said with a shy smile.
“Oh my! Has it already been so long? “Your uncle lost time talking to the guests.”
Only then did the children turn their attention to Han Ibi.
At that time, a girl called Sua greeted me.
“hello?”
Han Ibi thought this was an opportunity, so she quickly composed a message in her head to spread kind words.
At that time, Jong Li-hyuk quickly spoke.
“are you okay. No need to say hello. “You’re going now.”
Wow!
Han Ibi had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.
At that time, the boy named Gwaa looked at the dark-haired boy and Han Ibi alternately.
Then he tilted his head and said.
“That’s strange. ‘Hanjeong’ is black, but why is that guy so white?”
Then the child named Su-ah also looked at Han Ibi with interest.
At that time, Jong Ri-hyuk spoke as if to divert the children’s attention.
“Yes, it’s okay. “Why did you ask to see this uncle?”
“ah! That’s it… Ta-da!”
A child named Gwaa took out something he had been hiding behind him.
“Wow! “That’s really cool!”
Jong Ri-hyuk made exaggerated exclamations.
Han Ibi also became curious and saw it.
It was a short cane.
However, it was not just a walking stick; it had a horse’s head carved in wood on the head.
So, a kind of toy.
Not to be outdone, Su-ah and Han Jeong also took out their own toys.
It was a wooden doll in the shape of a monk, called a touye (土偶儿), and a kind of ‘ball’ made of cotton and sewn into cloth.
Sua said.
“Dad gave it to me as a gift.”
Jong Ri-hyuk said, laughing as if it was fun.
“no… “Why did Brother Jeong buy you all the toys?”
Only then did Han Ibi realize.
These children were the children of Cheongseong disciples who had married and started their own homes.
Han Jeong screamed.
“Go out and play ball! uncle!”
Jong Ri-hyuk put his finger to his mouth with a smile on his face and said.
“Shh. Shh. “The masters might be angry if they find out you are here.”
(Continued in the next part)
