Chapter 10

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The old man, who had asked to be called Dr. Gan, sipped his tea and then, looking out the window, asked, "Who are you waiting for?"

Yun, who was sitting in a chair with bandages around his abdomen, followed the old man’s gaze out the window and replied, "It's Mr. Zhang, the one who saved my and my son's lives."

Outside the window, a small boy was gently stroking the back of a horse with a small broom, but it was clear to anyone that the boy’s attention was not on the horse but on the wilderness in front of the village.

Dr. Gan, who had been looking at Hwan, chuckled. "From what you say, he sounds like a knight-errant... but I’ve never met a real knight-errant among those who call themselves one. Besides, thirty bandits alone? He probably won’t make it back."

"Mr. Zhang has never called himself a knight-errant. And he once defeated over a dozen bandits without a scratch. Why do you say such things?"

Dr. Gan, still smiling, turned his eyes to Yun and said, "I just really hate those martial artists. What do they do in the end? They eat good food and kill people. I’ll prepare a meal since you paid, but if that Mr. Zhang comes, tell him not to cause any trouble in this village."

"Can’t you tell him yourself, sir?"

Dr. Gan turned and walked inside, showing his back. "I don’t talk to martial artists."

Yun smiled bitterly and nodded. To him, Zhang was a savior who had saved his life, but to Dr. Gan, he was just a troublemaker who had come to this quiet village. They were the ones who had suddenly intruded into a peaceful place, so they had to be careful.

He turned his head back to the window and looked at Hwan, who was half-heartedly stroking the horse. The boy seemed tired of the act, as he stuck his hands into his kangaroo pocket, leaned against the post where the horse was tied, and stared at the entrance of the village with a sullen expression.

Seeing the boy, Yun felt worried. Would Zhang return? He hadn’t seen Zhang’s full abilities because he was lying wounded, but thinking about his calmness after the fight and his skill in acupressure, he seemed to be a true master.

Moreover, the last image of Zhang that was deeply etched in Hwan’s heart seemed to be the reason why he was waiting so eagerly. If not, he wouldn’t be waiting for someone he had only exchanged a few words with. Yun hoped Zhang would return safely, more for Hwan’s sake than his own.

Yun exhaled a sigh, filled with brief thoughts, and got up to help Dr. Gan prepare the meal. The money he had given wasn’t much, but he thought he had to help at least a little to get a proper meal.

At that moment, he saw Hwan straighten his body and pull his hand out of his pocket. Yun, who was getting up, saw the boy’s brightening expression and, without a second thought, quickly opened the door and went out.

He saw a person leisurely riding a horse at the entrance of the village. It was Zhang. His clothes were torn in several places, and there was a wound on his forehead, but overall, he looked fine. Without his hat, he seemed to be squinting in the sunlight.

Seeing Yun and his son come out, Zhang urged his horse, Zhaocao, toward them and smiled slightly at the two of them looking up at him.

"I’m hungry."

Dr. Gan, who seemed a bit surprised to see Zhang enter the building, didn’t say a word while he ate with chopsticks. He even kept his mouth shut while treating the wound on his forehead, to the point where Zhang asked Yun if he was mute.

Unable to convey Dr. Gan’s words, Yun just smiled awkwardly. Dr. Gan only spoke after hearing Zhang’s words.

"We’ll rest here tonight and leave in the morning."

"If you want to stay at my house, you’ll have to pay more."

Yun’s face turned pale, but Zhang smiled and said, "I thought the old man was mute."

"If I want to talk, I will. If not, I won’t. If you want to stay at my house, pay more."

"Mr. Gan! I’ll send the money later by mail. So, for now..."

Yun quickly stepped forward to say this, but Dr. Gan only looked at Zhang and said, "Pay more or leave."

Zhang, who had been looking at the old man’s firm face, took out a pouch from his coat and silently placed some coins on the table. Dr. Gan, after receiving the money, busily tidied up the clinic and, as he went out the door, said, "Leave before I come back in the morning."

Yun, hearing the door slam shut, looked at Zhang with an apologetic expression.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Zhang. He seems to dislike trouble."

"It’s natural to be wary of strangers."

Saying this, Zhang lay down on a long chair and closed his eyes. Hwan, whose eyes sparkled with something he wanted to say, pouted when Zhang lay down. Yun felt a small pang of regret but thought Zhang must be tired after fighting thirty bandits, so he just patted the boy’s head to comfort him.

The next morning, Zhang and the Yun family woke up early, ate the leftover food from the previous day, and prepared to leave. They tied the saddle they had left loose and buttoned their collars against the cold morning air.

At that moment, Dr. Gan, who had disappeared the night before, appeared. He handed a bundle to Zhang, who was looking at him with wide eyes.

"What is this?"

"Are you going to walk around looking like that? You’re not even boasting about being a martial artist who loves fighting."

Inside the bundle was a black, wide outer garment. Zhang, who was still wearing his torn clothes, quickly put it on and turned to thank Dr. Gan, but Dr. Gan only greeted the Yun family and went back into the clinic without looking at Zhang.

Zhang, chuckling, smoothed out the clean new clothes. They didn’t seem new, but they were well-washed. He turned to the Yun family and said, "Will we arrive today?"

"Yes, we should. We’ll definitely arrive by evening."

They left the village of Qing Shang Hu like that.

Their journey, which started at sunrise, continued without stopping, except for occasional breaks for Yun and Hwan. As the morning turned to afternoon, the dry land gradually turned into a lush, green field. The flat terrain became more dynamic, and small streams flowed in the deep valleys.

Tall trees with lush green leaves began to appear. Zhang, with his keen eyes, could even see deer running beyond the trees.

"Seems like a nice place to live."

"My sister-in-law wrote that the land is full of pebbles, making farming difficult. So, they own various shops. Many travelers pass through, so there are many outsiders."

They soon saw a carriage, not just a carriage, but also people riding horses, walking, small carts pulled by a single horse, and ox-drawn carts.

Among them, many martial artists with swords and knives could be seen. However, most of them didn’t seem to want to cause trouble, as they would nod and pass by when their eyes met.

When the sun had clearly moved to the west, they arrived at the village. Small boats were moored by a river, and many people were coming and going. Qing Shang Hu seemed more like a small town than a village, and it was clearly growing into one.

"To own several shops in such a place, your sister-in-law must be quite capable."

"…My sister and I were never ordinary…"

Yun muttered bitterly. Thinking of his sister-in-law made him think of his deceased wife, but he quickly hid his expression, afraid his son would see. Fortunately, Hwan was too busy watching the passersby to notice his father’s expression.

Avoiding the passing carriages, they entered the village and got lost for a moment. It was indeed difficult to find someone without a proper address in a new place. However, Yun, who went out to ask passersby, soon found a shop on the outskirts.

A sign read, "Qing Shang Hu’s Best Fabric Shop, Selling Beautiful and Elegant Fabrics." In the New Continent, it was fashionable to write signs as long as possible. Despite being on the outskirts, the shop had customers coming and going.

Tying the horse and entering, they saw a woman organizing clothes. Hwan shouted, "Auntie!"

The woman, who had been turning to see who called her, was startled to see Hwan’s face.

"Hwan! Brother-in-law!"

The woman, who introduced herself as Xian Yanwu, quickly closed the shop and led them upstairs. Hwan, happy to see his aunt, kept smiling, and Yun, now truly relieved, looked exhausted.

Xian Yanwu, after hearing their ordeal, immediately took out a pouch and handed it to Zhang.

"Thank you so much. For saving my brother-in-law’s life… you will surely receive great fortune."

Zhang, looking at the pouch Xian Yanwu handed him, couldn’t help but peek inside at the heavy weight. Inside were two silver coins and a pile of copper coins.

"I think I’ve already received my fortune."

Smirking, he got up from his chair and asked, "Can you show me the location of the blacksmith and the merchant guild?"

Xian Yanwu offered to guide them. Yun, who wanted to follow, was forced to lie down by her, and Hwan silently followed. Xian Yanwu and Yun didn’t stop Hwan, as he had been watching Zhang’s every move since yesterday.

Before leaving, Zhang looked at Yun and said, "Rest well. I’ll definitely visit the doctor later."

Without waiting for Yun’s response, Zhang went outside. For some reason, he put Hwan on Zhaocao’s back and took the reins. Hwan, smiling, asked, "How did you know I wanted to ride Zhaocao?"

"I just thought you would."

As they walked, Hwan, who had been mumbling, asked Zhang, "Where did you learn your martial arts?"

Zhang, looking at Hwan’s curious face, turned his head forward.

"From various people."

"…Various people?"

"There are many martial arts teachers in the Central Plains who teach for money. They may not be great themselves, but they teach well."

Hwan looked surprised.

"Isn’t it true that you have to join a sect to learn martial arts?"

"Some sects work that way. The sects in the New Continent and the old traditional sects. But most sects in the Central Plains are like prep schools."

Hwan tilted his head.

"What are prep schools?"

"Schools to prepare for the imperial army exams. You have to join the imperial army to learn real martial arts and earn a salary. The reason why high-level martial artists in the imperial army are called true masters starts there."

Hwan seemed to be thinking about something after hearing this. After a moment of deep thought, he was about to ask another question, but they arrived at the blacksmith’s first.

Xian Yanwu said, "This is the best blacksmith in Qing Shang Hu among the three here."

"Thank you."

Zhang bought a sword from the blacksmith without much haggling. He sold his old sword for scrap metal, as it was too dull to be worth more.

"Can you take me to the merchant guild now?"

The merchant guild, formed by New Continent merchants to protect their rights and interests, also handled banking services at each branch. Zhang exchanged the small bonds he had at the three-story merchant guild, receiving twenty silver coins. The money he spent on the sword had multiplied several times.

He also bought a new hat from the first floor of the merchant guild. It was stiffer than his old one, clearly new. He smiled contentedly as he left the guild.

When Zhang came out, Xian Yanwu, who had been watching Hwan, said, "It’s almost time for dinner. Do you like alcohol? I have some good wine at home."

"Thank you, but I’ll pass."

While she looked confused, Zhang gently lifted Hwan, who was still on Zhaocao, and set him on the ground. Hwan, who had been staring blankly, was startled to see Zhang mounting the horse and asked, "Mr. Zhang! You’re not just leaving, are you?"

Zhang, who had mounted the saddle, chuckled at the "uncle" part.

"Uncle? What makes you think I’m an uncle?"

Hwan grabbed Zhang’s leg.

"Stay a bit longer. My aunt is an amazing cook. You need a place to stay, right? And, well, that, that…"

"Want me to teach you martial arts?"

"…If you could. And how to become a martial artist like you."

Zhang bent down and stroked Hwan’s half-crying head.

"My martial arts are a mix of various techniques, so it would be hard for you to learn. Ask your aunt instead. She’s also a master."

Xian Yanwu, looking at Hwan with pity, was surprised to see Zhang and looked up at him.

"…You have good eyes."

"I noticed your hands earlier. Thanks for the directions. I’ll leave before sunset."

Zhang, lightly bowing to Xian Yanwu, straightened up and put on his new hat. He smiled at Hwan, who was looking up at him, and said, "Live a good life."

Then he lightly kicked Zhaocao’s side. Zhaocao, as if nodding, tilted his head at Hwan and trotted away. With few people on the village road in the late afternoon, they quickly disappeared.

Hwan couldn’t take his eyes off Zhang, who was getting farther away. Xian Yanwu, watching the boy, realized that he would never forget this scene and that the boy had gained a dream. At the same time, she realized she had found a successor for her martial arts, which she thought would be buried in the New Continent. With this in mind, she turned her head to look in the same direction as Hwan.

In the setting red sun, a martial artist and his horse disappeared into the distance.