“My thoughts were too shallow.”
The apology from the young hero, Cheongun, came quickly.
When I looked confused, not knowing what to say, Cheongun continued.
“From what I’ve heard about the Tang family, even if there are scenes of intimacy, it’s said to be the story of a true hero. It seems that ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ inspires admiration for heroes not just in the Martial Arts World but even in the hearts of Yichang people. I must have seen it too naively.”
Cheongun lowered her head, looking genuinely sorry.
“Why would a benefactor like you bow your head? There’s no reason for you to apologize, young hero.”
“Lift your head, Cheongun. You are not a sinner yet.” I hurriedly got up from the bed where I had been sitting and approached Cheongun.
“No, if you are writing popular works, even if you wrote an ordinary adult novel, you would have succeeded. Knowing that you held onto the dream of being a hero and wrote despite difficult circumstances makes it hard for me to be at ease without apologizing.”
Cheongun bowed her head to me once more.
I’m sorry. In truth, I hadn’t even wanted an apology. I just thought it would be enough to ease the awkward atmosphere between us, but here she was apologizing.
Of course, I did create public opinion. But in this world, there are countless people who, even when the rug is laid out nicely, don’t want to say, “I’m sorry,” saying instead, “Wha, what the hell! You messed up first!”
And this time, there happens to be a mistake on my part. Obviously, Cheongun could think, “Why should I apologize to a black-haired barbarian? To a mere adult novel writer?” Yet, here she was, ready to apologize.
“I am the one who wants to apologize.”
I lowered my head in response to Cheongun, who seemed unwilling to lift hers.
“Huh?”
“I felt embarrassed thinking about being in front of the admired hero. I’m sorry I couldn’t fully convey what kind of novel mine is.”
While it was true that Cheongun’s denial changed the atmosphere, the root cause was me. In situations like this, admitting mistakes and lightening the burden of each other’s hearts is the best approach.
“Everyone wants to show their merits and hide their faults. Rather, scold me for changing my expression over such a trivial flaw.”
Cheongun glanced at me and then bowed her head again.
“How could one under your protection scold a benefactor?”
Can’t we wrap this up just by receiving each other’s apologies? The upright man, the courteous Taoist of the Mount Wu sect, the handsome hero continuously apologizing was making me uncomfortable.
“I am the one who has scolded Master Kang without knowing anything about his story, so I am utterly ashamed.”
We kept bowing our heads to each other.
It was better than the awkward atmosphere, but continuously apologizing to each other wouldn’t do either. At this rate, it would be like a never-ending comic where we keep plotting behind each other’s backs with each twist of the fight scene.
Straightening my back, I gently placed my hand on Cheongun’s shoulder to lift her up and spoke.
“Then, let’s agree to stop mentioning right and wrong about this matter since we both feel sorry.”
“Would you really?”
Upon my words, Cheongun nodded with a look of gratitude.
———-
Although I sometimes want to poke fun at the lack of martial arts authenticity in this world’s food, there’s also something I want to praise for ignoring that authenticity.
That would be the well-maintained plumbing system.
I don’t know if it’s because the characters in the games are always clean-cut, but in this world, turning on the faucet in the guest room yields water.
If it were a traditional martial arts story, asking to wash up in an inn would have cost me a small fortune for a bucket of well water.
“Earlier the water was cold, but now it’s lukewarm. I think now is a good time to wash up.”
Of course, even if the plumbing is fine, whether the innkeeper provides hot water is up to them.
For Cheongun’s convenience, I quickly showered as if racing against the time when warm water is provided in the military, calling for him after I came out.
“Ah! I’m fine, really.”
Cheongun glanced at me and turned his head towards the wall. Even though we made up, was it still awkward to see each other’s upper bodies?
“The innkeeper sometimes only turns on the warm water after meal times. If you don’t go in now, you’ll have to wash with cold water in this chilly weather.”
“I used to train my mind with cold water even in winter. I’m fine.”
Had Cheongun been training while getting hit by waterfalls? It’s a bit surprising to hear about a real martial artist’s training style after only seeing fake martial artists.
I nodded at Cheongun’s words and changed into comfortable clothes, walking over to my bed.
“What’s this dumpling doing here?”
A few dumplings were on a plate sitting atop my bed.
“I brought it because I was worried that Master Kang might not have eaten due to worrying about Hwa-rin.”
Did I hear the guest room door open for a moment and she stepped out?
“I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t have much appetite because of Hwa-rin.”
Cheongun’s consideration was nice, but I really had no appetite. Hwa-rin was unconscious and barely managing to eat some liquid food.
Would we be able to reach the Sichuan Tang Family safely? Would Hwa-rin be able to survive? The worries I had been pushing back rushed in all at once, stealing my appetite completely.
I picked up the plate of dumplings and set it down on the nightstand.
“To protect Hwa-rin, Master Kang must also take care of himself. If you have no thoughts on that, just think of accepting my apology and eat it.”
Cheongun quickly came over to my side, holding out the plate of dumplings.
I didn’t want to eat it. I couldn’t ruin the nice atmosphere that had finally improved, so I took the plate of dumplings.
“This is quite… Please let me pay for it at least. I appreciate your concern, but I can’t let you spend money on me, too.”
“Don’t worry about that. I didn’t use my own money.”
“So someone from the group bought it?”
“No, the innkeeper’s daughter gave it to me for free, saying they had leftover dumplings.”
What does that mean? I’ve never known a time when there was leftover food at an inn, even when I was living like a beggar as a black-haired barbarian.
“She said if you have trouble with the water, come to her room for help. It’s an underdeveloped village, but the people don’t seem unfriendly.”
Cheongun smiled awkwardly at me.
So that’s how it was? I gazed at Cheongun for a moment.
An attractive face, hard to find in places like this. I’d never seen her naked, but she must have a well-toned body that women like because she practices martial arts.
Envious. The life of a flower boy.
I awkwardly bit into a dumpling. Was it special? It felt like there was more juice in it than the dumplings I usually eat.
“It’s delicious.”
I said that for the sake of politeness, even though I felt a bit bitter inside as I looked at the young hero who was staring at me.
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Only then did Cheongun smile and nod with satisfaction.
It reminded me of my old school days, where I had a handsome friend like Cheongun. On Valentine’s Day, his desk would be piled high with chocolates.
“Yoon Ho, you want one?”
I nodded subconsciously while looking enviously, and I could score a chocolate.
“That’s what they mean by an innocent trap.”
Of course, I later found out a girl saw the chocolate she had given him being handed to me. She was heartbroken. Both my friend and I ended up apologizing later, but only I was the one who got gossiped about afterward.
How ridiculous. My friend felt so sorry that in a dramatic resolution, it ended with 20 hours at an internet cafe and 3 cups of instant ramen as compensation.
“Would you like a dumpling?”
As I recalled the past, I offered a dumpling and raised my head, and I caught Cheongun staring intently at it.
“Oh, no.”
Surprised, Cheongun waved her hands as if noticing something.
“What’s troubling you?”
“That’s not it… I just thought about the story of the hero in the open who liked dumplings that I read a long time ago.”
A hero in the open who loves dumplings?
“You must be talking about the Great Hero Gu-gye.”
“Do you know the story of Gu-gye?”
Cheongun looked at me with startled eyes.
“An author is someone who writes but is also someone who reads a lot. And of course, I know about the Great Hero Gu-gye.”
I remember Gu-gye. Before writing ‘The Rise of the Tang Family,’ I read several stories of the Martial Arts World as preliminary research.
Of course, it wasn’t fun, and the overly graphic descriptions made it hard to stomach. Still, I remembered laughing at how there was someone in this world who also loved dumplings.
“It’s hard to find popular stories about Gu-gye, and it must have been tough to get your hands on his book. Did you really read it?”
Cheongun asked with a dubious expression. Her demeanor reminded me of the kind of person who watches a show and thinks you’re just a fake fan who only skims through.
Well, martial arts stories are unpopular in this world. It would be a little suspicious that I read an unpopular book among them.
“I’m not just an author; I also manage a bookstore. So of course, I read it.”
Since martial arts stories aren’t popular, we have a lot of stock at the Tea Bookstore. But I decided to leave that detail out.
“Someone who read the story of Gu-gye? I honestly haven’t met anyone like that before!”
There was a strange thrill in Cheongun’s voice. Since she was this enthusiastic, I decided to indulge her.
“Among the unpopular aliases like begging for dog meat, it wasn’t a particularly popular book. But if you delve into his actions, he certainly acts like a hero. Especially when he stormed the evil sect that exploited the merchants for the ridiculous reason that they wouldn’t give him dog meat—now that’s quite refreshing.”
“Exactly! I really love that story!”
Cheongun seemed to have discovered a kindred spirit after believing no one else would share her feelings about a decades-old minor piece of work, her face glowing with excitement.
“Haha.”
Whoa, her face is too close. I awkwardly laughed, making it clear that while handsome, a man’s face was still burdensome.
“Ah! I-I’m sorry!”
Realizing it was impolite, Cheongun took a small step back, though her excitement remained.
“It’s fine. It’s natural to be happy when you meet someone with the same interests.”
Out of courtesy, I ate another dumpling before preparing to lie down.
“Um…”
Even as I lay down, Cheongun showed no signs of moving.
“Is there something you need?”
“Could we perhaps share more stories about the Great Hero Gu-gye, if it’s okay…”
It appeared Cheongun was shy about talking about novels, her head bowed as she spoke. If she was feeling shy, she wouldn’t need to say anything, but she seemed really eager.
I thought she would be the typical hero from a righteous sect in the Central Plains, but this was an unexpected side of her.
Having admired heroes, it made sense she would crave someone to discuss unpopular hero stories with. I understand from my experience as a fan of minor content.
It would be advantageous to maintain a good relationship with Cheongun. I didn’t know how far she would accompany me, but if she became a companion to talk with, she might stick around longer.
To safely escort Hwa-rin to the Tang family, I needed at least one person’s help.
“Of course.”
I chatted with Cheongun until my eyelids grew heavy.
——————
In the midst of slumber, I could hear the sound of water.
“Hm… Hmm-hm.”
The first sound started in a low tone but soon developed into a pleasant high-pitched sound.
‘Is Cheongun washing up now?’
It could be Cheongun, but given the circumstances, I briefly entertained the thought it could be an intruder. After all, there are thieves who have stolen money, indulged themselves, and even bathed with bath salts while visiting someone else’s home.
Certainly, any intruder aware of me at this point would need some basic training.
“Cheongun, are you washing?”
I made my voice firm to ensure I was awake.
I had developed this technique since my days as a drifter. Just the sound of my voice had been enough to rattle a thief trying to rob me into fleeing.
If it was Cheongun, she would calmly say she was washing, and if it was an intruder, they would be flustered to find their concealment discovered by my heightened senses.
“Who are you?”
“Ma-Master Kang? I thought you were asleep!”
To my surprise, the flustered voice belonged to Cheongun.
