Episode 862. They say I don’t know where I am, but I know where I am. (2)
“Whoa.”
“Oh my, Lord Sangdan. Don’t do this. “We’ll take it.”
“No. “The road is this steep, so I need at least one more person to help.”
“Aren’t we originally working people?”
“haha. This person. “Then am I a person who plays and eats?”
“That’s not what you’re saying, is it?”
“It’s okay. “This is how I feel at ease, so just let me lift it.”
“…If that’s the case…”
The worker looked at Hwang Jong-ui with eyes that were still filled with anxiety. However, Hwang Jong-ui walked silently without any intention of putting down his pack.
‘It’s steep.’
I have already climbed it several times, but this mountain makes me gasp anew every time I climb it. The tall mountains and rugged cliffs seemed as if they were completely denying human access.
When I first climbed this mountain, curses just flowed out of my mouth. However, after climbing it a few times, I felt quite happy even though it was equally difficult.
Because there were happy people at the top.
But now, Hwang Jong-ui’s heart was heavier than when he first climbed the mountain.
‘Volcano…’
I glanced towards the peak that was hidden by the clouds.
It felt especially further away today.
“Okay.”
“Arrived.”
The workers who reached the top were panting and wiping the sweat from their foreheads.
If I were to count the number of times I climbed it, I would have already climbed it dozens of times, but no matter how many times I climbed this mountain, I could never get used to it.
“now. Let’s finish this and rest.”
“yes.”
The workers unpacked the luggage from their backs and carefully placed it in front of the mountain gate.
Hwang Jong-ui watched them carrying their luggage in silence.
Just because you eat food doesn’t mean people can live without eating it. No, now that we have returned home, we need more food. If you didn’t have a clan, you would be able to get your own food by going up and down the vast mountain, but if you couldn’t go out of the clan, you would have no choice but to rely entirely on outside sources for food.
Therefore, the Galaxy Top was transporting food to the volcano for the disciples to eat once a month.
“after.”
Hwang Jong-ui also put down the luggage on his back.
“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Sangsan.”
“You don’t have to do this, but thank you very much.”
Compared to the amount of luggage he carried, the amount of luggage he carried was not particularly significant. However, the workers were thrilled by the fact that the world-renowned leader of the Galaxy Sangdan had climbed the mountain carrying their luggage with them.
After putting down his luggage, Hwang Jong-ui stood in front of the mountain gate of Hwasan in silence.
The door, which was always wide open to receive customers, was closed tightly as if it had never been that way.
Dust had accumulated on the signboard, which was always cleaned cleanly.
Hwang Jong-ui, who watched the scene for a moment, lightly rubbed the mountain gate. The accumulated white dust was wiped off my fingertips.
“Yu Haengsu.”
“Yes, Lord Sangdan.”
“Have you ever heard that the people who were carrying the luggage never encountered Hwasan’s disciples?”
“yes. “As far as I know, no one has ever seen it.”
“…Right.”
A bitter smile appeared on Hwang Jong-ui’s lips.
– No, it’s not because we committed a crime. I’m telling you here and there not to come here because it’s annoying, but there’s nothing you can’t do, right?
“…let’s just say that.”
I just complained.
“Do you usually pile your luggage here?”
“yes. “No one is climbing the mountain, so I leave my luggage in front of the mountain gate so I can take it with me.”
“Right.”
“Once in a while, if there is an item you need, you hang a sign on the mountain gate according to when people come. Then, we will deliver the items to you on your next visit.”
Hwang Jong-ui nodded.
These are things we all know.
‘A lot of medicinal herbs and wooden swords were used.’
Both are things to worry about.
The need for a lot of medicinal materials means that there are a lot of people getting hurt, and ordering a wooden sword means that you won’t even waste time sharpening the wooden sword yourself in this mountain overflowing with trees.
Just knowing that a lot of those two items were going into the volcano gave me an idea of what was going on inside it.
“Phew.”
Hwang Jong-ui took a step back and saw the mountain gate of the volcano and the wall next to it.
Bonmun is a really funny thing.
It is impossible to cut off the world and clans with this small wall. Anyone can cross this wall and meet those inside if they put their mind to it.
But I couldn’t do that.
What completes the Bonmun Gate is not the low wall, but respect for the clan that declared the Bonmun Gate. Climbing over that wall is an act of ignoring the will of the volcano.
That is why even Hwang Jong-ui of the world cannot climb over that wall.
“Maybe…”
“Yes, Lord Sangdan.”
“Have you brought any cleaning cloth?”
“Cloth? Well… I didn’t bring anything like that. “I have some cloth for carrying luggage.”
“Bring it and see.”
“yes.”
Everyone’s faces were filled with doubts, but no one complained about Hwang Jong-ui’s words. This is because he is too high a person to ask the reason for each of his actions.
“Here I am, Lord Sangdang.”
A worker brought a cloth and held it out to Hwang Jong-ui, who took it and nodded.
“Thank you.”
Then he folded the cloth and started wiping the volcano gate. The gate, which had accumulated white dust, was cleaned and gradually revealed its original color.
“Lord Sasangdan. We will do it. “Give it to me.”
“No.”
Hwang Jong-ui shook his head.
“This is something I have to do, so don’t worry about it.”
“oh my. Lord of the top. “A precious person would do something like this…”
“I am not a precious person.”
Hwang Jong-ui smiled and said.
“And no one anywhere in the world orders someone else to clean their friend’s house. “I’m just doing this to ease my mind, so please help me.”
“…yes. Lord of the top.”
Only then did the workers step back.
Hwang Jong-ui, who cleaned the main gate of the volcano, brought his luggage, climbed on it, and even cleaned the signboard. Before I knew it, sweat was forming on my forehead.
After a while, Hwang Jong-ui came down under the luggage, wiped his forehead, and looked up at the clean signboard.
The commander-in-chief who came up behind him took a deep breath, looked at Hwang Jong-ui’s back, and said with a sad expression.
“Sodanju… no, Sangdanju.”
“hmm?”
The title ‘Sangsanju’ still doesn’t stick well in people’s mouths. After all, how many years had it been since Hwang Jong-ui was called by the name Sodanju?
Hwang Jong-ui, who took over the Galaxy Sangdan after Hwang Mun-yak passed away quietly, ran the Sangdan very well. So much so that everyone watching was amazed.
However, there were times when Hwang Jong-ui looked very lonely.
‘I guess so.’
How could you not be lonely when you lost your father, whom you depended on the most, and the people you trusted the most went into seclusion with the door locked?
“Would you like to call me sometime?”
“Stop it.”
He spoke out of pity, but Hwang Jong-ui shook his head.
“But, Lord Sangdan. “This isn’t a very personal matter.”
“That’s why it doesn’t work anymore.”
“yes?”
Hwang Jong-ui sighed softly.
In fact, the current situation at the top of the galaxy is not so smooth. Thanks to Hwang Jong-ui’s excellent management, there are no major problems on the surface, but the business, which had been expanding vigorously until Hwang Mun-yak’s death, has recently hit a rocky wall.
No, even if Hwang Mun-yak were alive, the same would be true. It’s a confusing time for everyone.
“Have you heard from the ghost gate yet?”
“yes. He said teaching his students was a priority….”
It was none other than Eunha Pyohang who suffered the greatest blow. No matter how much the Gangnam non-aggression treaty applies only to the nine factions and the five major families, who would move with expensive goods in Gangnam, which is dominated by the Saepaeryeon?
I couldn’t help but cringe even more, especially since it was a ghost gate that could be said to be a friend of the volcano. In the end, Eunha Express was only transporting goods to places other than Gangnam, but Ghost Moon had not been very cooperative with them recently.
As the number of messengers sent in shifts gradually decreased, we were unable to receive requests these days due to lack of manpower.
“I think it’s a bit too much.”
“…I don’t think it’s too much. To them, we are just merchants. “Wasn’t it just a transactional relationship to begin with?”
“But…”
“If it weren’t for the volcano, there’s no way we would have been able to trick them. “It’s about getting back to your place, so don’t complain.”
“…yes.”
Hwang Jong-ui opened his mouth again.
“Still no news from the North Sea?”
“yes. They said they would give us a flue when preparations were complete… but we haven’t heard from them in over a year since we delivered the supplies to the volcano last year.”
“Hmm.”
“Why don’t you do that and send someone…?”
“Leave it alone. Their hostility towards the midfielder has not disappeared yet. “If you rush for no reason, you might end up in trouble.”
“…But even Pyo Haeng, who went to Yunnan to pick up the car, is having problems with the people in Yunnan and has not been able to receive the car. All three of the largest financial channels at the top are blocked. Lord of the top. They say they now operate with the money they earned….”
“I know.”
Hwang Jong-ui sighed.
It was once thought that the existence of volcanoes gave wings to the top of the galaxy. Although I had sufficient ability, I was not able to expand due to bad luck, but I met a good friend who I could walk with.
However, as things turned out like this, I became painfully aware that what I thought was his ability was nothing more than the halo of a volcano.
‘Your father was right.’
I think I understand why Hwang Mun-yak was so respectful and careful about volcanoes. Hwang Mun-yak saw deep into places that his son could not see.
After experiencing the whole situation, my thoughts about the volcano deepened.
Because you knew how beneficial volcanoes were?
Not like that.
He revealed to Hwang Jong-ui that he did not fully understand the value of volcanoes. This is how low the volcano has treated the top of the galaxy so far.
Even though he brought a lot of benefit, he never once stiffly held his head down and looked down on people. As colleagues and friends, I treated them with laughter and without losing courtesy.
“It is said that a person only realizes the value of something when he or she loses it.”
“…Sangdan Lord.”
Hwang Jong-ui, who had been staring at the mountain gate of Hwasan in silence, shook his head.
“Let’s go back. The seal said it wouldn’t last more than three years, so he’ll be opening the door and coming out soon. Do you think you will have time to rest so that you don’t get scolded and ask why you were so upset at that time?”
“…yes.”
“Let’s go. “You have to do as much as you can.”
Even as he said that, Hwang Jong-ui kept looking back.
‘stamp.’
I kept missing it.
This is the image of Cheongmyeong suddenly barging in, kicking down the door, and yelling at the bar to give them alcohol.
At the time it just felt rude… but now I know. They acted like that because they thought of each other as friends with whom there was no problem.
‘It wasn’t rude, it was just informal.’
Now I fully understand the smile Hwang Mun-yak made every time Cheongmyeong came to visit. After carrying this much on my shoulders.
“Hey Commander-in-Chief.”
“yes. Lord of the top.”
“Please get me a few more bottles of alcohol. “With something good.”
“yes? Haven’t you already prepared more than ten bottles to give to the seal when Hwasan releases the seal? These are all rare famous liquors in Jungwon….”
“That’s a drink for the seal.”
“…If you do that, this time…?”
Before Hwang Jong-ui answered, he looked back at the mountain gate, which was now a little further away.
“This is the drink I will drink while sitting in front of him.”
“….”
“Please.”
“I will do so, Lord Sangdan.”
Hwang Jong-ui nodded slowly.
‘stamp.’
The empty seat was extremely large, but Hwang Jong-ui did not want to rush Cheongmyeong.
Hwang Jong-ui knows. That Cheongmyeong of the past made up for their shortcomings. And now is the time for them to fill the void left by Cheongmyeong.
‘Please come out as a grand Duke. I will prepare as many congratulatory drinks as I can.’
Hwang Jong-ui, who had been staring at the tightly closed mountain gate for a while, turned his lingering body around and began to go down the mountain.
