Episode 1407 It’s time to wake up from the dream. (2)
Long eyelashes trembled slightly.
After a while, the trembling subsided, and my tightly closed eyes slowly opened.
The strange eyes, which seemed cloudy and not accepting anything, seemed to draw me in just by looking at them.
The eyes were staring upward.
Criminals could see the extremely luxurious ceiling of the carriage, which was lavishly decorated with precious treasures that would be difficult to even see even if they spent their entire lives.
The silk that hangs from the ceiling like a wave is the finest quality of Cheonjam (天蠶), which is considered the best silk. It was a precious gem that put even gold to shame.
The silk was decorated with precious gemstones cut and pasted, and the cat’s eye stones embedded in between were so precious that just one could buy a huge manor.
That’s not all.
Datak, placed within reach when you stretch out your hand, is carved from the highest quality rosewood, said to be used only by kings. Even the small cup placed on top was made by a craftsman by carving a whole piece of jade.
Wherever his hands touched, where his feet touched, there was nothing on his body that was not precious.
But the man who held it all in his hands did not have a single trace of desire or pride in his eyes.
To the world’s people, the eyes looking at things that are infinitely precious and expensive are just boring and empty.
Are they really worth that much? No, are they worth that much?
The man’s red lips soon formed a small smile.
“That can’t be possible…”
This is beyond ridiculous.
Even though it is silk, it is nothing more than a slightly tougher and more attractive looking fabric. What difference is there between someone wearing silk and someone wearing a mat?
Those rare jewels? It too is no different from stones on the side of the road. It’s just a little more shiny rock.
Rosewood is said to be a tree that only those in power, such as emperors or kings, would dare to use without permission. At best, it is nothing more than a tree with a slightly different color.
Can animals other than humans tell the difference between a gem and a rock? Will they understand the difference between straw and silk to fill their nest? Do they care that they are different colors as they climb trees?
Probably not.
It is only humans who give value to these meaningless things and believe in the value they created for themselves.
More than wealth, fame, faith, relationship… There are endless amounts of sloppy things.
“Cluck cluck.”
A faint sound of laughter escaped.
In the end, values are things that people have appropriately adopted. It can be removed at any time.
However, people forget that they are the ones who created that value and cling to it. Even risking my most precious life.
The man grabbed the liquor bottle on the table and slowly tilted it. Amber-colored rice wine flowed into the jade pear.
“It’s stupid… stupid.”
The moths that recklessly rush towards the fire laugh at them and believe that their act of throwing their lives away for something worthless is noble.
So how can you not laugh? The world is such a great comedy full of tragedy.
The man, who was savoring the dense aroma of liquor, raised his glass. His image was reflected on the faintly shimmering amber liquor.
He burst out laughing as he looked at himself with expensive metal hanging, his face covered in excessive makeup, and his entire body draped in red and white silk.
Jang Il-so laughs at everything. But the person he ridiculed most thoroughly was none other than himself.
The countless people who live outside this carriage each pursue what they believe to be valuable. However, even though Jang Il-so knows that it is all meaningless, he does not want to let go of anything.
Even though he does not realize the difference between cheesecloth and silk, he wraps his body in the most luxurious silk and pushes only the most rare miju into his mouth, knowing that there is no difference whether it is cheap or expensive miju if it flows into his stomach.
“Cluck cluck cluck.”
Jang Il-so emptied the alcohol in his glass in one go.
If risking your life for worthless things and being obsessed with meaningless things are conditions for being human, Jang Il-so would be a more perfect human than anyone else.
My gaze turned to the small, square window.
People are flocking in, each with their own ideals.
Some people will be looking for agreement, some will be looking for power, some will be looking for loyalty, and some will be looking for peace.
People with different purposes are all gathering in one place. Each and every desire, so thick it will take your breath away, will swirl around in a lump.
Jang Il-so’s blood-red lips moved.
“I guess I’ll have to get ready to welcome it soon.”
It will swirl.
On the board he created. Shaolin, Gupa, Hwasan, Cheonwoomaengdo, and even Sapaeryun.
It is not people or lives that will die in that terrible whirlpool. It is an ideal that someone embraces. It is a vain mirage that one believed was worth pursuing.
For those who are intoxicated with ideals, the world will be infinitely sweeter. It’s like a moth being captivated by a fire without even realizing that its wings are burning.
But now…
“It’s time to wake up from this dream.”
A bright smile appeared on Jang Il-so’s lips. Soon the world will be covered in blood.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Huuuk⋯⋯. “Wook…”
There was no more sweat. The pale, bloodless complexion clearly told us about Geumyangbaek’s current situation.
But his feet did not stop for a moment. He would run until the moment he lost his breath.
King Hyeonjong looked at Geumyangbaek’s condition from the corner of his eye and spoke to Tanggunak.
“Our matriarch…”
“It’s impossible.”
However, Tanggunak must have guessed what Hyeonjong was going to say in advance, and shook his head mercilessly before he could even speak.
“The dantian was broken and the true energy flowed backwards. “There is no way to save him even with our medical techniques.”
“⋯⋯Isn’t it Danga who brought Cheongmyeong back to life when he was half dead?”
“Lord. I fully understand your sad feelings, but… we are neither Hwata nor Shinseon. “There are things you can do and things you cannot do.”
“⋯⋯.”
“The reason the Hwasan Sword Association was able to survive was because they were able to withstand treatment. But it’s not a gold stamp. Even if you put a lot of effort into fixing a glass that is already broken, you will not be able to stop the water from leaking.”
“Hmm.”
Even though I listened to it, I didn’t immediately understand it.
As expected, the visible wounds on Cheongmyeong were incomparably more severe. Nevertheless, Cheongmyeong can be saved, but there is no way to save Geumyangbaek.
However, Hyeonjong did not say anything more. As far as medicine is concerned, he is no different from an illiterate person, and his Tang military music is one of the best in the world. Isn’t it impossible to ask someone like that about medical techniques?
I looked around at Dangsoso to see if anything, but Dangsoso just shook his head.
At a time when King Hyeonjong was secretly sighing, Geumyangbaek, who had been struggling to follow them, stumbled greatly and vomited out blood.
“Jangmun-in!”
The shocked disciples hurriedly tried to approach Geumyangbaek, but he immediately threw up his hands and opened his eyes wide.
“Keep going! “Don’t worry, just run!”
The faces of the Haenam disciples turned blue. However, it was impossible to disobey the command of the solemn Jang Mun-in. In the end, they gritted their teeth and started running again.
At that time, Kwak Hwan-so came to Geum Yang-baek’s side.
“Hold me, Jangmun, on your back!”
But Geumyangbaek stubbornly shook his head and ran silently. Gwak Hwan-so, who became impatient, followed him again and grabbed his arm.
“Then even if it’s a novelty…”
“Don’t do anything useless.”
With a stern scolding, Geumyangbaek removed Gwak Hwanso’s hand that was holding his arm.
“Jang Moon-in! This is not the time to be so stubborn! “It’s really…”
“Die?”
“⋯⋯.”
“Did you want to say that?”
When Kwak Hwan-so closed his mouth, Geumyangbaek chuckled. It wasn’t a mockery. Contrary to the firm and cold hand gestures, Geumyangbaek’s eyes clearly showed warmth towards his students and Kwak Hwan-so.
“I too am a person who knows that my life is a waste. “If I could survive by being carried on my back, I would have done it already.”
Geumyangbaek gasped and said. But even then, his voice was calm, so Guo Huanxiao bit his lip.
“But if you can’t do that, there’s no need to lose strength because of me. “We haven’t arrived in Gangbuk yet.”
“Don’t say that! Why did Jang Mun-in die? The disciples are still alive and well, so Jang Mun-in should live too! “Shouldn’t you buy it and resettle Haenam from Gangbuk?”
Kwak Hwan-so’s voice was watery, but Geumyang-baek just smiled and did not reply.
Kwak Hwan-so also knew. How vain what he said was.
“Hwansoya.”
“⋯⋯Yes, Jang Moon-in.”
“I’m glad I have you.”
Kwak Hwan-so’s shoulders trembled slightly. Geumyangbaek coughed and looked back at him. His face was so pale that it had turned blue.
“If it weren’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to close my eyes even after death. But… because I have you, dying isn’t that scary. haha.”
“Long story…”
A twisted laugh leaked from Geumyangbaek’s mouth.
This is the way to die. In a situation where there was no longer any way to survive, I thought that one last sword dance would be enough. He believed that this was the last duty left to him as a scholar in Haenam.
But they are still alive. And maybe we can carry on the name of Haenam beyond that river.
But now, what reason is there to be afraid of death?
Geumyangbaek quietly looked at Kwak Hwanso. Would it be strange to say that Kwak Hwan-so, who is trying hard to hold back tears that threaten to burst out at any moment, is trustworthy?
‘You’ve changed a lot.’
Kwak Hwan-so no longer feels hit. Although he is still young to become a scholar of a clan, he will not be lacking in carrying out his duties. No, maybe we can do much better.
So…
But Geumyangbaek forced himself to swallow the blood rushing down his throat again.
‘Not yet, though.’
We haven’t reached a safe place yet. There is still a mountain left to climb. The only reason he is holding on to this tough life is because he still needs it, even if it has been completely cut off.
If only we could send them to Gangbuk.
So, if his disciples can survive and continue Haenam’s name, he will be able to laugh without regret even at the moment of his death.
‘I understand now.’
I looked at the three blue waves engraved on my chest. And then he kicked the ground with all his might.
“Squeeze out your last strength! Now all we have to do is cross that river!”
“Yes, Jang Mun-in!”
Geumyangbaek smiled as he listened to the answers of his crying disciples.
‘There are things that are more important than life.’
And it was now by his side. With such a firm look.
