GMLS Ch 18

‘Is it really because of those ten days?’

Ten days, five years ago. The Yihwa of that time was truly nothing more than a handful. When he was first taken out of the mother-of-pearl box, it wouldn’t have been strange if he had died right then and there. In fact, the physician who first examined his condition shook his head.

It was Muryun who had saved him, feeding him rice gruel every hour, wrapping him tightly in a cotton quilt, and massaging his limbs.

Color returned to his cheeks, which had been pale as if he were about to die. As if his earnest heart had reached the Sangseon, the child opened his eyes in three days. And from then on, he followed Muryun like a newborn bird following the first thing it saw.

Looking back, there was always an earnest gaze. When he looked into those eyes, the child would patter over and open his arms. In an instant, his heart would soften. If he awkwardly lifted him up, the child would exclaim with his whole body that he liked him.

Muryun’s heart, which was steady even after running a hundred leagues without rest, suddenly thumped loudly. Silently flustered, Yihwa’s cheek slowly came to rest on his shoulder. His soaring heart now dropped to the floor. Muryun’s closed eyes flew open.

Muryun froze like a stone statue, unable to move. Memory and reality overlapped.

Rolling only his eyes, he looked down at Yihwa, who was asleep leaning on his shoulder. The light of the bonfire flickered on his white face. He was completely asleep. Realizing that, ripples formed in Muryun’s heart.

Though he always saw him as young, Yihwa was an outstanding warrior. The fact that he had followed them this far without difficulty was proof of that. No, in terms of stamina alone, he was the best among the five. For him to be sleeping so soundly, oblivious to the world, must be because he trusts me.

“……”

Muryun suddenly remembered that it wasn’t him standing guard now, but the other guys. ……No, no matter what, it’s definitely not because he trusts those foolish walking sticks that he’s so defenseless.

Eyes filled with a cold chill looked at the two pitch-black walking sticks. The walking sticks flinched at their master’s sudden murderous gaze.

Carefully raising his hand, Muryun stroked Yihwa’s hair. Still, Yihwa did not wake. This time, he laid him down sideways and rested his head on his own lap.

The hair that brushed his fingertips fell away with a rustle. It was as soft as it looked, and Muryun was impressed. The mysterious ash-gray hair shone like silver threads under the sunlight. His eyes, a darker shade, resembled a bronze mirror (銅鏡). Like a clear mirror, there wasn’t a single blemish, yet what it reflected was different from reality.

Yeo Yullyeong, who had at least a hundred people holding a grudge against him, was a reliable supporter, and Heukwol, a mere shadow, was a dependable sworn brother. The mother-of-pearl box, whether large or small, was an ugly thing he hated to even look at.

The sword was the best means to see his will through. The dried Shin Yihwa was a secret letter. Sweets were a bookmark of old memories. The blooming magnolia branch was one of the few memories with his mother.

And Muryun was Yihwa’s everything.

Even if Yihwa’s whole world was put together, it couldn’t compare to Muryun alone. The feeling that his straightforward gaze was blind was not a misconception. There was no end to that heart. Its size could not be gauged.

While that was burdensome, it was also true that he felt a sense of superiority. At the same time, a dark possessiveness raised its head from the depths of his chest.

‘So that’s what it was.’

The ten days were just a trigger.

Muryun, having finally understood the reason for his favoritism, smiled faintly. To be precise, it wasn’t favoritism. How could it be ‘favoritism’ when the type of affection held was different?

He had been pondering something for which the answer was already obvious. What good is it to have learned much and know much? What a dullard I was.

Heukwol, who had appeared silently, pushed wood into the dying bonfire. The sun had set, and the air had grown colder. Muryun took off his own cloak, wrapped it around Yihwa’s body, and laid him down again. The limp Yihwa did not stir. He was like a cat that had melted in a warm spot.

Muryun smiled like a well-fed beast. Yes, now I see, you were right all along.

“Those who are cold seek the bonfire.”

In fact, the clash between Monghyun and Wi Junghyuk was a foreseeable event. Monghyun was displeased with Wi Junghyuk, who had been the late emperor’s loyal dog, and Wi Junghyuk found Monghyun, who subtly bared his teeth, contemptible.

However, even those two did not draw their swords in front of Muryun without any thought. They had in mind a certain unwritten rule from the time when Muryun had led an army by imperial order in the past.

Muryun’s army. Among them, in Muryun’s direct subordinate unit where the skilled and spirited were gathered, such quarrels were quite common. The solution was also set. Rather than carrying a strained relationship, it was better to let it explode once. However, they had to cross swords only in front of the watchful eyes of Muryun.

Monghyun, who had served Muryun until now, naturally knew this, and Wi Junghyuk, who had briefly lent his strength during the barbarian subjugation in the past, also knew of the solution’s existence.

So they drew their swords by tacit agreement, but Yihwa, who didn’t know the circumstances, intervened. As a result, the two of them became black walking sticks, standing guard while also training.

Their gazes met in mid-air.

‘Even if my arm breaks, I will last longer than this bastard.’

‘I will stake the name of the former Captain of the Imperial Guard and touch the ground later than this man.’

Monghyun’s and Wi Junghyuk’s faces grew serious. Of course, since it was a posture that a wandering eccentric might strike, it was merely comical to a third party.

The breath of the bonfire died, and the morning frost fell. The winner was Wi Junghyuk.

Captain of the Imperial Guard Wi Junghyuk was a renowned warrior. He was also the eldest legitimate son of the influential Wi family. Gazes of admiration for him did not distinguish between men and women.

All those who dreamed of becoming the number one in the Geum Empire nurtured their dreams while looking at his back. Those who wanted success and personal well-being tried all sorts of things to win his favor.

Even setting all that aside, Wi Junghyuk was a truly fine man. A tall man of six and a half feet. His impression was taciturn and his eyes were fierce, but he was handsome nonetheless. He had a manly and striking face. A man who became a painting just by standing with his mouth closed.

“Your endurance is pathetic.”

Such a Wi Junghyuk was being cheeky. I didn’t want to liken it to a light word, but there was no other way to describe it than ‘cheeky.’

“All you did was come down a few seconds later. But you started much later than me.”

“The loser has many words.”

In any case, since Wi Junghyuk was the winner, Monghyun was at a disadvantage. How could he not know that himself? Monghyun’s aura became even more murderous.

“If we had crossed swords, the result would have been different.”

“It’s the weak dog that barks.”

“Are you perhaps backing out? You must be afraid you’ll lose in a contest of skill.”

*Surely a man of Wi Junghyuk’s stature wouldn’t fall for such a light provocation……. *

“What did you just say?”

He was hooked. And he was hooked good and proper.

“You heard me, yet you ask again. Or have you gone deaf in your old age?”

As far as I know, Monghyun is twenty-nine and Wi Junghyuk is thirty. Pointing out their age is like spitting in one’s own face. But neither Monghyun nor Wi Junghyuk cared about such trivial things.

While they were not caring, it would be nice if they ignored each other as well.

“Yihwa, you don’t look well. Are you tired?”

Muryun asked me. I was the one who received the question, but it was Monghyun who flinched and moved away from Wi Junghyuk. He turned his head stiffly and glanced at me. He seemed anxious, wondering what words would come out of my mouth.

Wi Junghyuk also seemed to have instinctively felt something. But since he was a man who lacked any sense, he didn’t seem to know exactly what that something was. Still, he tactfully shut his mouth and followed behind Monghyun.

I let out a deep sigh. There was still a long way to go. I decided to forgive the hateful twenty-nine-year-old and thirty-year-old just once.

“I am alright. More importantly, we should hurry. Mount Cheontae is gradually coming into view.”

The fourth day. We passed through Yeonbuk Province and entered Jubuk Province. Mount Cheontae revealed its majesty in the distance.

Muryun followed my gaze and turned his head. Far away, a giant wall blocking the space between the land and the sky revealed itself. It was the largest mountain range on the continent, crossing the northern part of the Yeon Continent from west to east.

Mount Cheontae referred to the mountain with the highest peak in the Cheontae Baek mountain range. Our destination was there.

“Uninvited guests have arrived.”

I nodded at Muryun’s words. A multitude of killing intents flew from behind. Arrows thudded into the trees.

“Monghyun.”

Monghyun’s figure slid backward. A clamor of shouts was heard, and Monghyun swam back up like a salmon.

“How many?”

“Fifteen.”

I didn’t ask about their affiliation. If they had caught up like this, I had a rough idea.

“He divided his men in half. How foolish.”

Muryun gestured with his chin towards the back.

“We’ll stop and take care of them.”

The feet of the four men stopped simultaneously.

It was the first battle since the start of the test. The ones who had followed were, as expected, the 2nd Prince’s hands. Their appearances were haggard and their eyes were sunken. From their appearance, I knew that they, like us, had abandoned their horses and desperately pursued us. Moreover, since they had to run even more to catch up, they probably had even less rest than us.

It was truly a foolish act. Catching up wasn’t everything.

This kind of crazy act was not something that even a first-rate warrior could easily imitate. At the very least, one had to be a top-class warrior to be without strain. Like the five of them here, including Muryun.

“Foolish. Did you think you could do anything to us in such a sorry state?”

“Our role isn’t to win, but to hold you here!”

“How does the 2nd Prince educate his subordinates? To dare speak informally to a prince of the nation.”

“The likes of you. Once the 2nd Prince, His Highness, ascends to the throne, you are a life that will wither away like a bug. We will dedicate our lives for the sake of his great cause—”

“That’s what I mean. What changes just because you sacrifice a life like that?”

Muryun stepped back. The warrior’s eyes belatedly took in his surroundings. At that point, the remaining warriors, including him, were only three.