14th Episode
Cheon’s ankle was severely sprained. However, thanks to his master’s treatment and care, he quickly recovered and soon recovered completely. His energy was brimming thanks to the large snake meat that the master himself brought and fed him since the day it rained.
In addition, the master brought long black leather and made new shoes for the siblings and Cheon. The reptilian scales and metallic luster made it look like the monster in the cave they encountered that day. Sa-young and Sa-hyun joked that the shoes were sturdy and light, wondering if it was a Jimoogi, and indeed there was some suspicion. A snake with four legs and such sharp teeth, it could only be a Jimoogi.
After talking with the master, Sa-young offered a brief apology to Cheon. Although he wasn’t particularly friendly afterward, he wasn’t as sharp as before. Cheon, who had no particular feelings from the beginning, accepted this calmly.
After recovering his health, he finally began to learn the martial arts he had always longed for. He was so absorbed that he didn’t even know how the days passed. Regular and fulfilling days brought anticipation when waking up and a sense of fulfillment when going to sleep.
“Doesn’t it feel stiff?”
“I can do more…”
Cheon, in a horse-riding stance, was trembling in his thighs and both arms. Sweat trickled down his face and back, and his heart was pounding.
For a healthy seven-year-old, the daily exercise was quite overwhelming, but thanks to the herbal bath he took every evening and the master’s massages, there were no knots or aftereffects in his muscles.
After lightly correcting the child’s posture, Choyun said.
“Hold the position for only half the time.”
“I think I can hold it for one more duration.”
“No, only half the time.”
Doing more would build his body faster and allow him to learn proper martial arts sooner.
Impatience welled up. The moves the master showed him a while ago were clearly stuck in his head, but his body wasn’t able to follow through, making it frustrating. At seven, in a renowned martial arts family, one would already be considered too old to start learning. He was far behind.
However, when the half-time mentioned by the master passed, he decisively made Cheon sit down. Cheon plopped onto the ground with a flushed face, panting heavily.
The master pulled Cheon’s legs and massaged the insides of his thighs, saying,
“Muscles and tendons are made of thin, long fibers. Overstrain them, and they will snap. If that happens, there’s no way to reattach them. Even if they heal, they won’t be as strong as before.”
“…”
“Do everything with a moderate intensity. If you’re not tough enough, you won’t achieve anything, and if you’re too tough, you’ll ruin your body. You must build up steadily, step by step, or it will be like a sandcastle.”
“…Yes, Master.”
Listening to the master’s calm words, the boiling impatience subsided, and he regained his rationality. There was nothing wrong with what the master said. After fully loosening the overworked muscles, the master quietly stood up.
“Drink some water. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Yes, Master.”
The master turned and walked into Musimseo. It seemed he intended to check if Sa-young and Sa-hyun were doing well with their studies. Since the day Cheon started physical training, Sa-young and Sa-hyun had begun learning letters, whereas Cheon, who could already read, focused solely on training.
Wiping his sweat-drenched face with his sleeve, Cheon slowly stood up. His legs were wobbling but he managed to walk. As he staggered to the kitchen and drank water from the water jug, a sharp coolness coursed through his body.
After a quick wash, he returned to the yard. A wooden sword leaning obliquely against the corner of the fence caught his eye. The sword, with a crow character carved on the handle, belonged to Cheon.
Seeing the sword brought back recent memories naturally. That scene was strongly etched in Cheon’s mind.
-You are born with strength and nimble bones, so you will excel in whatever you hold. A sword suits you best.
Said his master, taking out his sword and performing an elegant sword dance. The ten basic moves and sixteen advanced actions were both dazzling and slow enough for Cheon to follow with his eyes.
The wind stirred by the sword shook the surrounding trees, and the master’s footsteps seemed to float as if stepping on clouds. The arms drawing circles, and the white clothing fluttering looked like the wings of a heron, and when the hair settled gently, it looked like snow falling on mist.
Unlike other martial artists, the master never mentioned which sect he belonged to or who his master was. Even when introducing the martial arts, he explained without any grandiose words. But watching it firsthand, even the novice Cheon had to be convinced.
Choyun’s martial arts were neither as intricate as Namgungsega’s Changgoongmuae swordsmanship nor as brutal as Habukpaengga’s Oho Danmundo. It just seemed to blend with the surroundings as if nature was right in front of him, sometimes exuding an overwhelming aura.
And it was something only Choyun could make possible.
-To Sa-young, a short sword suited, and to Sa-hyun, a scimitar was fitting, so I taught them different martial arts. But you can learn this.
It meant that Cheon was no different from a direct disciple. Although the master might have senior brothers or uncles, and it might not be a single succession, receiving the master’s main martial arts was an extremely honorable thing.
Although he was postponed a bit due to a lack of strength to wield the sword, Cheon remembered every part of the master’s demonstration. If his body allowed it, he was confident he could follow it exactly.
Nonetheless, his fragile and young body was a constant hindrance. Although it was natural because he was still young, it was sometimes frustrating.
Without wasting time, Cheon spread his legs straight and sat down, stretching his muscles and joints while waiting for the master.
Don’t be impatient; be moderately intense. He recited Master’s words several times in his mind.
◇
The child ate and slept better than expected. Despite experiencing two shocking incidents consecutively, he carried on his daily life calmly as if unaffected.
However, Choyun knew better than anyone that the child was not in a peaceful and leisurely state.
“Huuu… Uhk, sniff…”
“Shh, it’s okay.”
When Cheon fell asleep, he seemed to always have nightmares, tossing and turning for a long time. He didn’t seem to remember when he woke up, but it was heart-wrenching to see him whimper every night.
Choyun wiped the child’s forehead, wet with cold sweat, and held his small hand, patting it gently. The child’s furrowed brows briefly relaxed, but Choyun knew it was only a temporary relief.
Despite putting medicinal herbs for sound sleep in the bathwater and meals, the child always suffered. This meant it wasn’t a physical problem. It was a sign that the trauma from the significant events was still lurking deep within him.
And whether it was Choyun or Jeong Hayoon, neither knew how to heal the human psyche. All they could do was hope the child would grow up healthy and fulfilled each day, eventually facing his inner darkness.
Worried that the moonlight might wake him, Choyun closed the window. In the pitch-black room without even a lamp, Choyun watched over the child the whole night. His trained martial artist’s body could see the child’s face even without a shaft of light; he was fine without sleep.
Truly, having a sturdy constitution can make anything possible. Choyun leaned against the wall while holding the child’s hand, staring at the dimly lit room.
Morning and noon were busy with taking care of the children. Rising first to prepare breakfast, teaching Sa-young and Sa-hyun letters, and closely watching over Cheon’s training to prevent any overexertion. Preparing lunch, teaching again, then preparing dinner, preparing baths, and repeating…
Unexpectedly starting as a caregiver was much harder than anticipated. It certainly would have been much harder if not for the unswerving dedication of a martial artist’s body.
The day’s activities left no time for idle thoughts. On the contrary, when alone at night with nothing else to do, idle thoughts flourished.
‘…How are they doing?’
Thoughts about his former life always led back to family. Having suddenly fallen into an entirely different world in his early twenties, it was hard not to miss them, living in a realm where bloody sword fights, violence, and murder were commonplace. Had he not had a steel-like spirit, it might not have been Cheon but himself unable to navigate daily life.
There seemed to be no way to return. Moreover, even if a way to return appeared immediately, he couldn’t abandon the children he was raising. Realistically, he had to focus on parenting for at least ten years and look for a way back after they became independent.
However, since Cheon’s great path would begin once he grew up, he also needed to be mindful of that. It was hard to predict how things would unfold, having intercepted him from the Demon Sect, but it was unlikely to have a purely happy ending.
It was overwhelming, daunting, and worrisome.
When busy, he had no time to entertain such thoughts, but it was hard to escape the darkness in his heart upon contemplating his situation.
While sitting idly and feeling melancholic, the warm hand he held twitched. Another nightmare? Choyun quickly shook off his thoughts and checked the child. Cheon fortunately was in a deep, peaceful sleep.
Nevertheless, he was likely to suffer again in less than half an hour.
Choyun reached out and carefully brushed the child’s bangs. Thinking about the children, especially Cheon, drove away his gloom. The sight of the child sleeping so soundly, with his round forehead, chubby cheeks, and pointed lips, brought a smile to his face. This must be why parents find themselves deeply attached despite the hardships. He understood now.
Feeling significantly better, Choyun leaned his head against the cool wall and closed his eyes. Thanks to the gentle, even breaths beside him, the countless solitary nights ahead no longer seemed so lonely.
