Chapter 586

Chapter 586 - Side Story 20

But even if the Merciless Twin Axes complained, those words wouldn't reach others' ears.

"Mister, you cooperated well, so I'll let you go. Reform yourself."

"Ah, really, why are you doing this? Do you want to see me just bite my tongue hard and die?"

"Just don't rob anyone, why would you die?"

The Merciless Twin Axes pointed at the Song Il Sect martial artists with his bound hands.

"I'd rather be taken away. Together with all those people. Would that be okay?"

"Sure, then."

"No, excuse me. That's not what I meant."

The Song Il Sect martial artists looked at the Merciless Twin Axes incredulously. Why drag them in too!

Some protested to Tang Yu-jeong.

"We are the legitimate successors of the orthodox righteous path and are officially registered with the Murim Alliance!"

Tang Yu-jeong answered.

"If you feel wronged, say it at the magistrate's office."

Tiger Throat Sword angrily drew his sword.

"Words won't work with you!"

The Song Il Sect martial artists also each drew their swords.

Tang Yu-jeong crossed her arms and turned to look at Jin Heon.

"Good. Go! Little brother!"

Jin Heon frowned.

"I said I don't do troublesome things."

"Don't you remember what those misters said earlier? Is it really okay to just leave it?"

Something about South Sea Sword Sect...

Fire lit in Jin Heon's eyes. Jin Heon kicked off the ground and moved like lightning.

Tiger Throat Sword deployed his sword technique in response. He tried to create several sword shadows to protect his front and prevent approach. Jin Heon's fist ignored the sword shadows and went through.

Crack! Tiger Throat Sword flew backwards.

Tiger Throat Sword couldn't even get up and squirmed. The Song Il Sect martial artists froze. Their leader-like Tiger Throat Sword had been knocked out in one blow without any fancy technique, so the outcome for the others was obvious even without fighting.

Jin Heon stood among the Song Il Sect martial artists and asked in a chilling voice.

"Earlier, who carelessly ran their mouth about South Sea Sword Gate and Ice Phoenix?"

The Song Il Sect martial artists felt wronged.

'That wasn't us...!'

***

Tang Gyeong and Jin Heon tied up the Song Il Sect martial artists in a line. The bandits just stared blankly at them being tied up. In the midst of this, the Merciless Twin Axes' bindings were released, so he received even more glares from others.

Tang Gyeong looked at Tang Yu-jeong as if asking what to do.

"We should go to the magistrate's office."

"But I'm bothered by what that uncle said earlier..."

They'd have to reveal their identities, go through interrogation and trial processes, and verify false accusations.

"Hmm."

As Tang Yu-jeong pondered, Jin Heon said slightly sarcastically.

"Why are you hesitating? Earlier you acted so righteous. Now that it's getting troublesome, you don't like it?"

"It was for you."

"What?"

"Let's go over there and talk for a moment."

Tang Yu-jeong moved away from the Song Il Sect and bandits who just stared blankly.

At a distance where they couldn't hear, she said.

"Originally, we didn't come to meet you. We left Sichuan for the first time and just wanted to travel the jianghu and see the world like others. We wanted to be free from the preconception of being the Poison Dragon's children."

"So?"

"We found out you were here and heard there were people targeting you. How could we ignore that? We came to the South Seas because we thought we should find and protect you in case something went wrong."

Jin Heon furrowed his brow.

"Don't meddle unnecessarily. As soon as that man leaves my house, I'll go back right away."

"Right. It seems so."

Tang Yu-jeong smiled vigorously.

"Then there's nothing more to worry about. So let's part ways here."

"..."

Jin Heon looked at Tang Yu-jeong for a moment, not understanding.

"What?"

Tang Gyeong also shouted.

"Sister! You're planning to reveal our names at the magistrate's office, right? Within half a shichen, Dad's friends will storm in, right? Then we'll have no choice but to be dragged home."

"Yeah, I know. But before that, Dad will fly over first."

Tang Yu-jeong looked at Jin Heon and nodded.

"Your house will be empty like you want. If you go home, you'll be much safer than wandering outside."

"What... you're giving up your jianghu journey because of me? Are you serious?"

"You said it yourself. Justice is troublesome. Sometimes effort and sacrifice are necessary."

Jin Heon unknowingly looked at Tang Gyeong. Tang Gyeong looked tearful. He seemed disheartened by the fact that he'd have to go back already after just leaving home for the first time. Tang Yu-jeong said comfortingly.

"Gyeong, cheer up. If we just give up a little, everything will work out the way everyone wants. Heon will be safe, and we caught the sect colluding with bandits. If we reveal our identity, the magistrate's office won't be able to ignore it and will investigate."

"..."

Tang Yu-jeong smiled brightly and cupped her fists to Jin Heon.

"It was brief, but I was really happy to meet you. Let's meet again someday. I hope we can greet each other with smiles then. My little brother, Heon."

"..."

Tang Gyeong shouted.

"Sister!"

Jin Heon felt strange. He couldn't bring himself to return the cupped fist greeting to Tang Yu-jeong.

Tang Gyeong sighed.

"Hah... Sister's stubbornness is no joke. My life's first jianghu journey is ending too."

Tang Gyeong also cupped his fists to Jin Heon and bid farewell.

"Leave quickly before you run into Dad, older brother. Dad will really come in an instant."

Jin Heon couldn't complete the courtesy of cupping his fists this time either.

Tang Yu-jeong and Tang Gyeong went back, grabbed the rope tying the bandits, and headed to the magistrate's office.

"Let's go, misters. Sorry for making you wait."

The bandits and Song Il Sect martial artists walked following Tang Yu-jeong in a line. Even the Merciless Twin Axes, though not bound, was following behind the bandits with his hands together as if tied.

Jin Heon was watching their backs. His chest felt heavy for some reason. He felt an indescribable feeling.

Like this... is it really okay to just let them go?

'Because of me...'

"Later, if you meet Gyeong, treat him well."

"That won't happen."

"Gyeong couldn't leave the inner courtyard until recently. Because he couldn't control his poison energy."

"Siblings who only cause trouble."

Tang Yu-jeong laughed.

"Now you're there too."

But is this really the last time already?

It was really strange. It was Jin Heon who wanted to part ways quickly because they pretended to be close siblings and acted annoyingly. But now that they were actually parting, he kept feeling uncomfortable.

While Jin Heon pondered, Tang Yu-jeong and Tang Gyeong had already reached almost in front of the magistrate's office.

Jin Heon felt like he'd regret it if he delayed any longer.

"Wait!"

Tang Gyeong stopped, but Tang Yu-jeong didn't. Tang Yu-jeong took over and dragged even the prisoner rope Tang Gyeong was holding.

Jin Heon gritted his teeth and ran to block Tang Yu-jeong's path.

"I said stop!"

Jin Heon snatched the prisoner rope Tang Yu-jeong was holding and held it himself.

"I have a friend nearby. I'll ask for help from that friend's sect."

"Heon... ah?"

Tang Yu-jeong looked at Jin Heon with surprised eyes. It even seemed like tears slightly welled up in her eyes.

Jin Heon felt embarrassed, turned his head away, and walked ahead. His face felt hot, so he couldn't turn back.

Tang Gyeong ran to Jin Heon.

"Thank you, older brother."

"Forget it. I just don't want to be indebted. And I need to receive what you said you'd share with me."

"Then can I give one piece of advice, older brother?"

"Advice?"

"Our sister is extremely wicked. She's really kind and good as a person, but she's weirdly obsessive, taking after Dad in that way."

Taking after Jin Ja-gang? From the outside, she always smiled brightly, so he never thought she'd have a personality similar to Jin Ja-gang's. But he himself was told he lived with a personality similar to Jin Ja-gang, so how would Tang Yu-jeong be different?

"...?"

Jin Heon felt slightly confused.

"Honestly, I'm more afraid of Sister than Dad. Now that you're caught in Sister's hands, just think 'well, my life is over now.' Then you'll feel at ease."

Tang Gyeong then stepped back.

Jin Heon unconsciously tried to turn back, then hesitated. His head had turned halfway, but he was too anxious to turn further. If what Tang Gyeong said was true... Tang Yu-jeong's facial expression would be right now...

He felt intense conflict.

But he couldn't turn away from the truth!

Not backing down in any situation was Jin Ja-gang, and Jin Heon received that blood.

Jin Heon gritted his teeth and turned his head to look back.

Tang Yu-jeong was covering her mouth with both hands. That expression was exactly the same as when she looked at him earlier and went "pfft."

Jin Heon threw down the prisoner rope.

"Ah shit!"

***

Separate from Jin Heon getting angry at Tang Yu-jeong, he kept his word about handling the matter.

Yeon Family Sect.

It used to be part of South Sea Sword Sect but broke away in opposition to South Sea Sword Sect's actions, thus avoiding the calamity caused by the Poison Dragon. However, it was an old family that maintained loyalty by helping when South Sea Sword Sect faced difficulties.

Jin Heon gave a warning.

"Even though they didn't antagonize the Tang Family, they were a branch of South Sea Sword Sect. They only know my old name. So watch your mouth. If they find out you're Tang Family people, we don't know how they'll react."

"Got it."

But Tang Yu-jeong was expecting something else. Jin Heon felt like he could now read Tang Yu-jeong's thoughts.

"If it's an old name, it must be a childhood name?"

"I knew it. Don't laugh when you hear it. If you laugh, I'll kill you."

"Okay. ...Okay? Why? Why?"

Without answering, Jin Heon walked straight to the front of Yeon Family Gate's estate with nearly twenty people tied up. The gatekeeper was surprised and reported inside.

Receiving the message, Yeon Woong of Yeon Family Gate welcomed Jin Heon warmly.

"Well, who is this? Isn't this Chu-mong!"

"Long time no see, friend!"

Tang Yu-jeong, who had expected what Jin Heon's childhood name would be, showed a surprised expression.

"Chu-mong (Autumn Dream)?"

It wasn't as strange a childhood name as she thought.

"Chu-mong..."

As Tang Yu-jeong recited it again, Tang Gyeong muttered beside her.

"That's fine, right? Chu-mong. But why did he tell us not to laugh?"

Being a boy, Tang Gyeong didn't know, but Tang Yu-jeong seemed to understand where that name originated.

Outside where pomegranate flowers bloom fully

How bright it is.

石榴開遍室外明

That heartless oriole

Just keeps crying endlessly

無情鶯叫嘰嘰喳喳

Opening the useless beaded curtain

Waiting hopelessly for my love

麻搭珠簾撩以待

My heart is an unending

Autumn dream.

秋夢未完我的心

It was a poem by an unknown author that was once popular in women's chambers. It compared failed first love to a clumsy and immature but vitality-filled spring dream, and the heart longing for the past after separation to an autumn dream, receiving great response.

Tang Yu-jeong herself had failed at first love and memorized all four poems of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Dreams overnight while sniffling.

Naming Jin Heon's childhood name Chu-mong was probably Son-bi's feelings toward Jin Ja-gang.

So rather than finding it funny, Tang Yu-jeong felt the pain of fellow sufferers as Son-bi's heart was conveyed.

Fate always gets tangled and life doesn't go as one wishes, making it all the sadder. She could understand how disappointed Jin Heon must have been when he was called by the childhood name Chu-mong and then learned its meaning when he came of age.

Perhaps it was commendable that he didn't cause even bigger trouble.

Tang Yu-jeong felt an inexplicable sense of pride and looked at Jin Heon with a small smile.