Chapter 76
Deng Chochan entered the Huayoung Inn in Wuhuan.
“Welcome. Did you come alone?”
In response to Jeom Soi’s welcoming question, Deng Chochan turned around. At a short distance stood Geum Jinryang.
“…No, I have companions. Two of them.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll prepare seats for both of you. Will you be staying here?”
“Yes. Give us two rooms, and let’s start with the meal first.”
“Yes, yes. This way. I’ll show you to your seats.”
Once Deng Chochan sat down, Geum Jinryang followed and sat across from him. Avoiding his gaze, Geum Jinryang fidgeted slightly.
Deng Chochan watched his grandson’s face and let out a small sigh.
“Bring somen noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and a few well-cooked dishes.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll do that.”
After Jeom Soi responded and left, Deng Chochan spoke.
“Geu-ri, don’t worry about anyone’s opinion. Do as you wish.”
“Yes. I will.”
Geum Jinryang took a sip of water and replied calmly.
“Let me ask one last thing. Don’t you truly regret it? After all, it’s not something small—it’s a gathering of officials. Are you sure you have no intention of becoming a government official?”
“No. I don’t want to become a salaried official. I will never regret it.”
Geum Jinryang’s answer was clear and unwavering. Deng Chochan simply nodded at his grandson’s response and recalled the deeply impactful conversation from a few days ago.
The Golden Guard and his household… I never once thought of them as family. Perhaps that was natural. They were just strangers to me.
Then how did I… recognize you?
You might remember, when I was a child, I saw your face from afar.
Only once? You remember that?
You looked at me with such pity, almost sorrowfully. That’s how I knew. That’s what a family’s gaze looks like. It was different from the way the Golden Guard looked at me.
And you’ve remembered all this time?
I tried not to forget your face, Grandfather. I thought I had, but the moment I saw you, I knew it was you who had looked at me back then.
I see… I understand now.
I’ve always seen it in the mirror. Didn’t you notice? I resemble you a lot.
Do you know what I do for a living?
Do I need to know?
Yes… but perhaps it’s a meaningless question. I will go to Seolga Market as the head of Hong An-hyeon.
May I follow you?
Yes, do so.
“Your food is ready.”
Jeom Soi skillfully placed the dishes on the table: somen noodles, stir-fried vegetables, crispy roasted duck (Gwa-roso-ap), and Dongpo Pork.
“Let’s eat.”
Deng Chochan picked up his chopsticks.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Yes, eat plenty.”
They ate in silence. The food quickly disappeared. On the journey from Hangzhou to Wuhuan by boat, they hadn’t had proper meals, and the Huayoung Inn’s food was truly delicious.
“It’s very tasty.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Deng Chochan nodded at Geum Jinryang and took a bite of somen.
“What kind of place is Seolga Market?”
After finishing the meal, Geum Jinryang asked.
“Well… I don’t really know.”
Deng Chochan replied, placing his chopsticks in a cross on the table.
“Then why are you heading to Seolga Market?”
“I need to become a teacher to someone not destined for it.”
“A teacher?”
“Yes. I will teach martial arts. That was the promise. Payment in that form.”
“Ah…”
“So this is the first time you’ve heard it?”
“Yes. Now that I know, it’s fine.”
Geum Jinryang hadn’t even known that Deng Chochan was a martial artist. He had just followed because they were blood relatives.
“Why don’t you try becoming a teacher yourself?”
“Does that household need a teacher too?”
“Hmm… a ten-year-old child, wouldn’t one be needed?”
“A ten-year-old?”
Geum Jinryang asked in surprise; he hadn’t expected Deng Chochan to be heading to Seolga Market because of a child.
“Yes. That child, who made me indebted, must be about that age.”
“Haha. Sounds like an interesting child.”
“Yes, fearless and quite mischievous.”
Their conversation occasionally paused, but gradually continued. The first time with family was awkward, but they slowly got used to it.
At that moment,
“Master!”
A teenage boy entered, looking for his teacher, and sat beside Deng Chochan.
“No, no, no! You left without me! This cannot be allowed!”
Then, speaking loudly toward Deng Chochan, he pushed aside the chopsticks placed in a cross.
Placing chopsticks in a cross was a sign for Hao Moon. Pushing the chopsticks meant Hao Moon had arrived.
When you go to Wuhuan Huayoung Inn, my disciple will be waiting. That child will help.
Deng Chochan had only followed the instructions of Hao Moon Lord Yeosangyang, but he didn’t expect the disciple to be so noisy.
“Annoying,” Deng Chochan said with exasperation. The boy pretended to be hurt.
“How can my master leave me all the way in Hangzhou? Answer me!”
“Uh, I said it’s noisy, didn’t I?”
Geum Jinryang listened to their exchange, a bit bewildered, but quickly grasped the situation. He was wise and knew it was best to go along with it.
“It’s not like that, disciple.”
When Geum Jinryang spoke, the boy opened his eyes wide and looked at him.
“Oh? You’re here too, senior brother? Why didn’t I see you? Did my master abandon me?”
“Haha. Not exactly. You’re noisy, so it would be a distraction. Let’s go to the room. Master, come up.”
At Geum Jinryang’s composed words, everyone stood.
“Jeom Soi, show us to the rooms.”
“Yes, yes. Follow me.”
The three followed Jeom Soi up the stairs.
“Master, don’t ever leave me again!”
After exchanging glances with the boy, Jeom Soi went down, leading the party to the top floor.
“Hao Moon Lord’s disciple, Yeohyeshin, greets Elder Deng.”
On the top floor of Huayoung Inn, entering Hao Moon’s secret space, Yeohyeshin greeted Deng Chochan.
“Deng Chochan. This is…”
“Geum Jinryang,” Deng Chochan said, looking at Yeohyeshin. She perfectly resembled a boy in appearance.
“If it’s Yeohyeshin, she must have been a girl.”
At a glance, even Deng Chochan’s eyes were fooled.
“Haha. Yes, I remember meeting you as a child.”
“Well… that disciple, has learned well.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
Yeohyeshin thanked him, smiled, and spoke.
“Here, receive your ID tokens first. I will now explain your backgrounds.”
She handed one ID token each to Deng Chochan and Geum Jinryang.
“Elder Deng’s name is Deng Chochan. Geum elder brother has changed only his surname to Deng. You two are grandparent and grandson.”
Deng Chochan and Geum Jinryang looked at the ID tokens with their new names. Geum Jinryang traced the character Deng (鄧) with his finger.
Watching this, Deng Chochan cleared his throat and looked away, then asked Yeohyeshin,
“Humph. And next?”
“Yes. I am Elder Deng’s disciple, Yeohyeshin.”
“What? You’re my disciple? Why?”
“Oh? Didn’t our master tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“I have to go to Seolga Market too. It’s natural if I go with Elder Deng.”
Indeed, it was natural if they went together. But why she insisted on going with them, Deng Chochan couldn’t understand.
“Your master told you to follow me? No need. If this child goes together, that will suffice.”
“No, no. That’s not it.”
“Then why?”
“Ah. My master didn’t tell you, did she?”
Yeohyeshin sighed softly, frowned, and continued,
“I also have to go to Seolga Market. I have a debt to repay.”
“A debt?”
“A debtor?”
Deng Chochan and Geum Jinryang spoke simultaneously.
“Oh? Have you become a debtor as well, Elder?”
At her question, Deng Chochan looked astonished. Geum Jinryang watched them with interest.
“So, you… met that child too.”
“You met… that strange child as well.”
Deng Chochan and Yeohyeshin spoke at the same time.
“Seol Woonyeong, mischievous child.”
“Seol Woonyeong, ghostly thing.”
They glared at each other, frowning. Only Geum Jinryang looked at them and burst into laughter.
Indeed, it was a truly cheerful feeling.
“I’m curious about this child, Seol Woonyeong.”
