Episode 3
Although the Seomun family was not famous for its martial arts, it was well-known for its high virtue and reputation. There was a saying that no one in the region of Unhan, where the Seomun clan was based, went hungry.
Cheon Oh was the only child of Seo Mun-jeong, the sole daughter of the family. She ended up pregnant after a thrilling and mysterious romance with an outsider, but the man who was supposed to be her husband suddenly disappeared. Unable to find a suitable marriage partner, Jeong Hye raised the child alone. However, both Jeong Hye and her grandparents loved and cherished Cheon Oh. Cheon Oh was expected to grow up happily in the arms of his family.
However, the identity of the father, which would have been better left unknown, was forcibly revealed in the year Cheon Oh turned seven. The Baekhyeop League coveted the recently discovered luminous pearl mine in Seomun’s territory of Cloud Cold Mountain.
To seize Seomun’s weakness, members of the Baekhyeop League carried out a thorough investigation of all clan members, eventually uncovering the identity of Jeong Hye’s clandestine lover. He turned out to be the young master of the demonic cult considered the common enemy of the martial world.
From then on, things happened swiftly. Overnight, the Seomun family was branded as a wicked group that had sacrificed their daughter to the demonic cult for the family’s advancement, without a chance to explain. They faced the warriors of the execution squad.
A fifty-member execution squad from Baekhyeop League dragged out all members of the Seomun family, threw them to the ground, pierced their bodies with spears, poured oil on them, and burned them alive. They broke the family’s historic pillars, demolished the walls, and even tore down the cloud-shaped roof. They poisoned the pond that was once compared to the legendary paradise and killed all the servants, leaving no one alive.
Cheon Oh’s survival was purely by chance. Thanks to his great-grandparents, who had an underground vault built under the house to store precious items, he was hidden.
“And looking at it today, it seems that formation was also created by Choyun. This wasn’t in the original story. Whoever the author is, they have a lot of unnecessary setups.”
Choyun fondly washed a dusty silk cloth, glancing at the clothes Cheon Oh was wearing. It was smeared with muddy brown vomit, making it impossible to wear again.
The reason for such vomiting was that Cheon Oh had only been eating QuHuang-Biokudan, a mixture of grass and grains, for a week.
When the execution squad raided, Seo Mun-jeong took out goods from the underground vault, hid them elsewhere, pushed Cheon Oh into it, and urged him.
– No one will find you if you stay down here. If you can’t hear the sounds from outside, count up to 100,000. Don’t come out before then. Promise me.
After shaking off Cheon Oh’s clinging hand and closing the door, Seo Mun-jeong faced the warriors and, not revealing the whereabouts of the child, met an even more painful death.
Fortunately, the formation flawlessly concealed the child’s immature presence. The executioners couldn’t find Cheon Oh, burned down the mansion, and left.
After coming out a long time later, honoring Seo Mun-jeong’s last words, the first thing Cheon Oh witnessed was the obliterated remnants of the mansion and his slaughtered family.
Seeing the horrendous sight, Cheon Oh vowed revenge. Shortly thereafter, he willingly consigned himself to the hands of the demonic cult that came to fetch him, training himself in the 108 hell-like trials to toughen his resolve.
Thus, Cheon Oh reincarnated as a ruthless villain in the martial arts world, causing a bloody carnage as the final boss of “Return of the Hero.”
And contrary to all this grand narrative, Choyun was just a minor character who appeared as a pointless role in the original story.
“Honestly, all they ever think of is killing off female characters. Having the hero save a beautiful woman in danger and receiving unconditional love and adoration – what a fantasy.”
Choyun was a one-time-use debuff-clearing service, saving one of the protagonist’s heroines who happened to be poisoned by extreme venom.
Afterward, Choyun didn’t appear, but since the novel was still being serialized, it was possible he might appear later in the story. Otherwise, Choyun wouldn’t have had this much power and setup.
With Cheon Oh showing an interest in finding Choyun, hinted as a potential reliable ally for the protagonist later on, it was clear.
Nevertheless, impulsively bringing in Cheon Oh, the root of all evil, was shaking the very foundation of the scenario.
If I had been possessed by the novel, at least the foreseeable advantage would be “knowing future events,” but I messed up even that.
“Wait a minute.”
Choyun’s hand, which had been dressing Cheon Oh in new clothes, froze.
“Isn’t it actually good? If this kid doesn’t go to the demonic cult, unify the evil clans, and become the Yama Lord, the demonic cult will remain relatively calm, and the protagonist can smoothly overturn the corrupt martial world, right?”
Choyun swallowed nervously and looked at the sleeping child, blissfully unaware of the situation.
“Honestly, isn’t such training too harsh for a child? That’s child abuse. The martial arts world is too desensitized to child abuse.”
Of course, revenge should be…
But does he have to join the demonic cult to do it? He’s the final boss, after all. He could probably take his revenge without the cult’s help.
Choyun, a master in the state of transcending age and returning to innocence, was a living legend, having lived for nearly 200 years.
And Jeong Ha-yun, possessing Choyun’s body and inheriting all his powers, was a proud graduate of a Korean teacher training college.
Although I’ve never been appointed anywhere…
Still, I think I can raise him better.
Thinking such was only natural.
Choyun adjusted Cheon Oh’s newly dressed clothes and straightened his posture. The child, who had been silent throughout, groaned in sleep as the comforting hand vanished. Surprised, Choyun quickly held the child’s injured hand.
Recalling the novel’s details about Cheon Oh, Choyun pondered. Behind her, the sound of simmering medicinal herbs bubbled on.
◇
Cheon Oh first opened his eyes to warm liquid trickling into his mouth.
Although his vision was blurry, the dim surroundings suggested he was in a dark indoor space. He felt the jostling movement late. Despite this, the cozy warmth suggested he was being cuddled.
With his foggy consciousness, he couldn’t think straight. At that moment, something pushed against his tongue. A wooden spoon. Instinctively, Cheon Oh swallowed the liquid.
“Yes, take it in just like that. It’s okay if you don’t fully wake up yet.”
A soft, cool voice reached Cheon Oh in his daze. Trusting it, he closed his eyes again. Although some liquid spilled from his mouth, it didn’t fall; it seemed to be caught by a cloth near his cheek.
“Sleep more. Only then….”
You will secretly arrive without anyone knowing. The latter part was too quiet to hear clearly.
His previous memories were hazy. Where am I heading now? That was Cheon Oh’s last thought before falling asleep again.
When he woke the second time, the surroundings were clearer. Cheon Oh found himself being held in someone’s arms inside a covered wagon. The person had a strong herbal scent and, while not of a large build, carried a firm grip that cushioned him from the jolts of the wagon.
His thoughts were disjointed. His body felt heavy, barely able to blink. White silk curtains and thin silver hair swayed above him. Sensing his awakening, the mysterious figure gently patted Cheon Oh on the back.
“It’s not time to wake up yet. Sleep more.”
With that, a flood of sleep washed over him. Without resisting, Cheon Oh surrendered to the sleep. He felt calm and serene. Something was supposed to happen.
But why does it feel alright?
Two days later, Cheon Oh finally awoke fully.
Feeling as refreshed as if he had enjoyed a midday nap, he heard birds and insects chirping and a nearby stream. The air smelled damp and clean, mingled with the scent of herbs.
Cheon Oh slowly rose, only to feel a sharp pain, and noticed his hands were meticulously wrapped in white cloth. The varied fragrances of herbs and honey suggested ointment was applied underneath.
Cheon Oh looked around the small room. One wall was covered with cabinets filled to the brim with herbs. The characters on each drawer were unfamiliar, but the herbal scent was strong.
Near his head was a bamboo-reinforced window, while at his feet lay a low table with books and a lamp. The bedding and all furnishings looked humble, with the only valuable item being a golden stand next to the herbal drawer cabinet.
For Cheon Oh, used to a sophisticated and wealthy environment, this was entirely foreign.
“Whe…?”
Where am I?
Trying to speak, Cheon Oh found his voice stuck, making only a raspy whisper. His own hoarse sound unnerved him. Fearing something was wrong with his throat, he touched it, but found nothing unusual apart from his sore hands.
Just then, the wooden door creaked open, and unfamiliar voices followed.
“Hey, he’s awake. Sis, he woke up.”
“Awake? Hey, why did you get up? Lie down again.”
Two children entered, carrying a basin and a tray. Wearing white martial arts uniforms, the boy and girl approached Cheon Oh.
Soon, they had him back lying down.
“Wait a bit. You’re badly hurt and need to change your medicine.”
“It might hurt a little, but bear with it.”
“Sis, should we take off his clothes?”
“Yes. Hey, stay still.”
In a blink, Cheon Oh found his clothes loosened and his upper body exposed. Despite his attempts to resist, their grip was unyielding.
They unwrapped the cloth from Cheon Oh’s hands, wiping off the sticky ointment with fabric while chatting between themselves.
“Master’s medicine is excellent. Look how much it’s healed already.”
“Whew… Looks like it won’t scar. Thank goodness.”
“He woke up just as master said. Aren’t you hungry?”
“I brought some gruel. Eat it. If it’s hard to lift the spoon, I’ll feed you.”
“What about his knees and legs? Should we take off those clothes?”
Cheon Oh, wincing from the stinging pain in his hands, was startled by the last remark and looked at them. Ignoring his panic, they continued discussing his clothes.
“No…”
It’s okay without that. Cheon Oh tried to calmly deter their high spirits. Though his throat felt as if it would tear, he intended to speak.
Yet, another sound from the door made him involuntarily close his mouth and look up.
