Chapter 224: Leaving No Lingering Attachments (3)

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Sage Hyeon-so’s eyelids trembled slightly before opening. The rough ceiling was the first thing that came into view.

“…”

His mind felt foggy, as if shrouded in mist.

‘I was surely meeting with Taishang Laojun*, but was it a dream?’

T/N- *Heavenly Lord of Dao and Virtue

Sage Hyeon-so blinked his eyes like a cow for a moment. Then his scattered memories began to return bit by bit.

“Are you awake?”

At that moment, someone’s voice was heard.

Sage Hyeon-so turned his head towards the source of the voice. He saw a familiar-looking woman.

“I’m Jong Ri-yeon. Do you recognize me?”

Sage Hyeon-so nodded silently. He wanted to speak, but his throat felt parched and he couldn’t open his mouth.

“Your bodily functions have greatly deteriorated from lying down for so long. Don’t strain yourself and rest a bit longer. I’ll call the others.”

Sage Hyeon-so nodded once more at Jong Ri-yeon’s words. Jong Ri-yeon smiled and then went outside.

Left alone, Sage Hyeon-so looked back at the ceiling. His memories were slowly returning, but he was still confused.

The memories during his unconsciousness were too vivid to simply dismiss as a dream.

‘Did I dream of being a butterfly? Or did a butterfly dream of being me?’

He thought that if Zhuangzi*’s butterfly dream existed, it would be like his current state.

T/N- Zhuangzi was a famous philosopher during 3 BCE.

‘What does it matter anyway?’

Just as Sage Hyeon-so was thinking this, the door opened and someone entered along with Jong Ri-yeon. Then a familiar voice was heard.

“Master.”

“Ho… is that you?”

“Yes!”

With an seemingly indifferent response, the owner of the voice sat down next to Sage Hyeon-so. It was Dam-ho.

Sage Hyeon-so barely turned his head to confirm Dam-ho’s face. Dam-ho still had an expressionless face. It was a face that showed no human emotion, but Sage Hyeon-so saw a hint of relief hidden within.

Sage Hyeon-so forcibly moistened his dry lips with saliva and continued speaking.

“How long… have I been lying down?”

“A month.”

“That long?”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I had a good long sleep. Haha!”

Sage Hyeon-so smiled. His throat still felt like it was tearing, but he didn’t want to show weakness in front of his disciple.

Sage Hyeon-so extended his hand to Dam-ho.

“Help me up.”

“You shouldn’t move yet.”

Jong Ri-yeon tried to stop him in surprise, but it was useless. Dam-ho was already supporting Sage Hyeon-so to sit up.

The muscles that had atrophied from lying down for so long cried out in pain, and his joints creaked. Just moving a little had already drenched his back in sweat.

Sage Hyeon-so leaned on Dam-ho and moved slowly, little by little. Each step was so painful he wanted to scream. Still, Sage Hyeon-so didn’t say a word about the difficulty and kept taking small steps forward.

‘Ha! Like master, like disciple.’

Jong Ri-yeon shook her head as she watched from behind.

If it weren’t for Jong Ri-yeon, Sage Hyeon-so would have already become a wandering spirit. Thanks to her desperate treatment, most of the poison remaining in Sage Hyeon-so’s body could be neutralized.

Though it was still not easy to move having just recovered, if he rehabilitated calmly, he would soon regain his former mobility.

When the door was opened wide, the outside scenery came into view.

The magnificent mountain landscape, deep green foliage, piercingly blue sky, and intense sunlight stimulated his eyes. Sage Hyeon-so squinted as if dazzled.

His eyes, which hadn’t seen light for a month, had become very weak. Sage Hyeon-so closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get accustomed to the light.

After a while, when the pain in his eyes subsided a bit, Sage Hyeon-so gently opened them. Then the view of the mountain fortress, which had been obscured by the light, came into sight.

“Where is this?”

“It’s the Mount Huang’s Overlord Stronghold.”

“Not Mount Hua?”

“Yes!”

“Why here? No, you must have had your reasons.”

Sage Hyeon-so showed infinite trust in his disciple.

It was then.

“Grandpa.”

“Wow! You’re awake.”

Suddenly, with boisterous voices, children came running.

“You little ones!”

A bright smile appeared on Sage Hyeon-so’s face.

They were the children he had taken in. The children all hugged him without exception. As a result, Sage Hyeon-so’s body swayed and it was painful, but he didn’t show it.

The warmth of the children filled his heart.

Sage Hyeon-so raised his head to look at Dam-ho.

“Did you bring all these children too? Thank you.”

“It was only natural.”

“You rascal!”

Sage Hyeon-so smiled at Dam-ho’s blunt answer.

“Grandpa, are you okay now?”

“Of course!”

“Grandpa, don’t be sick. You can’t be sick.”

“Yes! I won’t be sick, if only for our Hayoung’s sake.”

“Okay!”

Hayoung buried her face in Sage Hyeon-so’s chest again. Sage Hyeon-so gently stroked Hayoung’s head.

Dam-ho silently watched the scene. Jong Ri-yeon stood beside Dam-ho with a smile.

“It’s nice to see, isn’t it?”

When Dam-ho nodded, Jong Ri-yeon wrinkled her nose as if she had expected it.

Just seeing this scene felt like a reward for the fatigue and effort accumulated over the past month.

‘This must be why people save others…’

Jong Ri-yeon stretched beside Dam-ho. A fresh smile appeared on her face. It was the kind of smile that made even the onlooker feel good.

“Hyung! Noona!”

At that moment, someone approached cautiously.

Even without turning his head, he could tell who the owner of the voice was.

“It’s Jinbo.”

“Hehe!”

It was Bang Jinbo.

Although it hadn’t been long since he met Jong Ri-yeon, Bang Jinbo was already calling her noona with familiarity. The two quickly became close, and Jong Ri-yeon cared for Bang Jinbo like a real younger brother.

Sage Hyeon-so raised his head to look at Bang Jinbo. A warm smile formed on his face as he looked at Bang Jinbo.

“So you’re Jinbo.”

“You know me?”

Bang Jinbo’s eyes widened.

“How could I not know? I’ve heard so much about you from Ho.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Come here. If you’re Ho’s brother, you’re like family to me too.”

“Ah!”

Bang Jinbo’s eyes wavered at Sage Hyeon-so’s warm words. Sage Hyeon-so embraced Bang Jinbo warmly.

Bang Jinbo just blinked blankly. His eyes became misty with moisture. Tears were coming without him realizing it.

Bang Jinbo quickly wiped away his tears and pulled away from Sage Hyeon-so.

“Hehe! I just made some porridge, this is perfect. You must be hungry, right?”

“Yes! Lying down for so long, my stomach is practically stuck to my back.”

“Let’s go quickly then.”

“Let’s do that.”

Sage Hyeon-so moved with Bang Jinbo’s support. The children, Dam-ho, and Jong Ri-yeon followed behind.

Jong Ri-yeon whispered to Dam-ho.

“Jinbo has been making porridge every day for the past few days. He said Sage Hyeon-so would be weak when he wakes up. He’s a kind child.”

Dam-ho nodded silently.

While Jong Ri-yeon was taking care of Sage Hyeon-so, Bang Jinbo had been in and out of the room countless times. It was partly to bring meals to Jong Ri-yeon, but also because he wanted to prepare nourishing food when he saw that Hyeongum Jinin was about to wake up.

Jong Ri-yeon was surprised by Bang Jinbo’s dedication, and doubly surprised by his cooking skills. Bang Jinbo’s cooking skills in particular were remarkable.

It wasn’t just delicious, but through the harmony of ingredients, it had the effect of boosting a person’s vitality.

At first, she thought it was a coincidence, but as she continued to taste Bang Jinbo’s food, she could clearly see this fact.

‘That child will surely become one of the greatest chefs in the world.’

Jong Ri-yeon was convinced of this.

Bang Jinbo’s quarters were a fairly spacious thatched house in the corner of Overlord’s Stronghold. Although shabby, the house was filled with a large hearth for cooking and numerous kitchen utensils.

It was a place that Hwang Gyeong-mun, the owner of Overlord’s Stronghold,had prepared for Bang Jinbo. Here, Bang Jinbo could research and create recipes to his heart’s content.

On one side of the kitchen was a large table and chairs big enough for about twenty people to gather and eat with room to spare.

“Everyone, please sit down.”

Bang Jinbo offered seats to the group.

Sage Hyeon-so sat in the most honored seat, with Dam-ho and Jong Ri-yeon sitting in the next seats. Then the children sat down in a rush.

“Brother, I’m hungry.”

“I’m hungry!”

The children clamored.

During the period when Sage Hyeon-so was unconscious, Bang Jinbo and the children had become very close. The children especially loved the food Bang Jinbo made.

Bang Jinbo brought a pot as big as his own body to the front of the table. The pot was full of porridge.

“It’s porridge made with deer meat caught yesterday.”

The men of Overlord’s Stronghold often go hunting. Although basic food, clothing, and shelter can be taken care of in the mountain fortress, they still want special dishes occasionally.

The game they bring back from hunting varies, including wild boars and deer. Many people gave some of the game they caught to Bang Jinbo. They knew about Bang Jinbo’s passion for cooking.

Bang Jinbo made excellent nourishing food by adding various medicinal herbs picked from Huangshan to the deer meat.

“Please eat.”

He served porridge to everyone in the house, starting with Sage Hyeon-so.

Just as Sage Hyeon-so smiled at the savory smell of the porridge, it happened.

“Haha! I hear Sage Hyeon-so has woken up.”

With a booming voice, someone entered the thatched house. It was Hwang Gyeong-mun, the owner of Overlord’s Stronghold, and Hwang Hye-ryeong.

“Ah! It’s Grandpa Chief.”

“Grandpa. Sister.”

This time the children rushed to Hwang Gyeong-mun and Hwang Hyer-yeong.

“Chief.”

Bang Jinbo and Jong Ri-yeon also stood up, and Sage Hyeon-so stopped eating porridge and got up. Dam-ho also stood up.

Sage Hyeon-so made a fist and palm salute to Hwang Gyeong-mun.

“I am Hyeon-so of Mount Hua. I am grateful for allowing me to stay here.”

“Not at all, Sage Hyeon-so. Rather, I am sorry for hosting someone like you in such a humble place. I hope you will think of this as your own home and rest comfortably during your stay here.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope I haven’t disturbed your meal.”

“Not at all. We were just about to start.”

“Then may I have a bowl too?”

Hwang Gyeong-mun said good-naturedly as he sat down.

“Of course.”

Bang Jinbo quickly served porridge for Hwang Gyeong-mun and Hwang Hye-ryeong.

Hwang Gyeong-mun said to Sage Hyeon-so.

“You must be hungry, please eat. Jinbo’s skills are really good. Thanks to him, I’m always looking forward to his invitations.”

“I’ve heard a lot about him from Ho too. Well then…”

Sage Hyeon-so carefully scooped up some porridge and brought it to his mouth.

It was warm and soft. And savory. The moment the porridge went down his throat into his stomach, he felt at ease. Although the porridge entered his stomach, which had shrunk from not eating for a long time, it didn’t feel burdensome at all.

“It’s really delicious.”

“Hehe!”

Bang Jinbo scratched his nose and laughed awkwardly at Sage Hyeon-so’s praise.

Sage Hyeon-so and Hwang Gyeong-mun chatted while eating porridge, and the children were excited and noisy. A warm atmosphere filled the room.

“Brother!”

Tears welled up in Hwang Hye-ryeong’s eyes.

Dam-ho’s return and everyone gathering together felt like a dream. That’s why she was crying.

“So you’re Hye-ryeong.”

Sage Hyeon-so also showed warm interest in Hwang Hye-ryeong.

“Yes!”

“You must have had a hard time being separated from Ho. You’ve grown up to be very pretty.”

“Thanks to my father, I didn’t have any hardships at all. Thank you so much for taking good care of my brother.”

“No, rather, Ho took care of me and was my strength.”

“How was my brother at Mount Hua?”

At Hwang Hyeryeong’s words, Sage Hyeon-so briefly recalled his memories.

Everyone’s eyes were on Sage Hyeon-so. They too were curious about Dam-ho’s time at Mount Hua.

“Ho was…”

Finally, Sage Hyeon-so began to speak.

Not only Hwang Hye-ryeong, but also Bang Jinbo and the children were completely absorbed in Sage Hyeon-so’s words. Because of this, no one noticed that Dam-ho had quietly gone outside.

“Hyung!”

Muk Il-gwang, who had been waiting outside, approached.

Dam-ho asked.

“How are things outside?”