SYM 101
by Emerlyn“Eun-hyeon, where have you been?”
“Ah, I woke up early today, so I went for a walk around the neighborhood.”
As he entered the inn, Namgung Juwon, Eung-wang, Cheong-un, and Jeong-hyeon’s two disciples were all out and seated at the table.
“It seems you went with Master Jeong-hyeon. Master, the meal is ready, please come this way.”
As he sat in the remaining seat, Eun-hyeon ended up sitting next to Jeong-hyeon. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but he felt a little guilty.
“I ordered when the Head was away, so the food is already out. It’s still warm, so please eat.”
Eun-hyeon glanced at Cheong-un and picked up his spoon.
The mealtime passed quickly and simply. There were more important things to do than eat.
Namgung Juwon was the first to speak.
“With the help of the Beggar Clan, we’ve narrowed down the candidate sites located near Beijing. We plan to check these out today.”
Eun-hyeon was surprised that the Beggar Clan had already narrowed down the candidate sites.
It hadn’t been a few days since he heard the news, and they had already narrowed down the candidates.
“Due to the urgency, we will divide the personnel and check each one quickly.”
Jeong-hyeon added after him.
It seemed that the story from last night ended here.
“Since we don’t have much time, it would be best to check the farthest places first. Eung-wang and I will check the western and northern areas.”
“Then I will check the east and south with my disciples. And even if we find something, let’s not act alone. Their strength continues to exceed our expectations, so it would be good to move together when striking the Hongbaek Sect.”
“Head’s words are correct. We shouldn’t rush in and give the enemies time to prepare. Let’s meet at Number One Building Under Heaven in two days.”
“Even if we haven’t checked all the suspicious things, we must gather at Number One Building Under Heaven in two days.”
“Understood.”
The conversation proceeded smoothly under the leadership of Namgung Juwon and Jeong-hyeon.
Eun-hyeon watched Cheong-un, who had been silent from beginning to end. For some reason, Cheong-un was only eating and didn’t offer any opinions.
“Father, what about Great Hero Ha and I?”
Feeling the atmosphere that they were about to leave immediately, Eun-hyeon had no choice but to open his mouth.
Namgung Juwon looked at Eun-hyeon for a moment, then glanced at Cheong-un.
“Eun-hyeon, chasing after the Hongbaek Sect is too dangerous. The Head of Kunlun and I have stepped in, so there’s no need for you to get involved.”
“That’s right, Young master of the Namgung family. You’ve already done so much for us. Leave the rest to us now. Since we may directly encounter the Hongbaek Sect during the investigation, it’s dangerous for Young master of the Namgung family to move directly.”
Eun-hyeon looked at Namgung Juwon and Jeong-hyeon with a bewildered expression.
“It’s not that I’m trying to force myself to come along. But then Great Hero Ha…”
“Ah, I told you yesterday, Great Hero Ha said he had personal matters to investigate. It seems he hasn’t told you yet.”
“…Yes?”
Eun-hyeon looked at Cheong-un without realizing it.
Cheong-un put down his teacup and met Eun-hyeon’s eyes. Eun-hyeon felt a chill in his heart at the emotionless gaze that conveyed no feelings.
“I couldn’t tell Young master of the Namgung family yesterday because you seemed to have fallen asleep. I plan to move independently and look into suspicious places.”
“Th-then I’ll follow Great Hero Ha…”
“Young master of the Namgung family.”
Jeong-hyeon cut off Eun-hyeon’s words.
“Weren’t you poisoned by being involved with the Hongbaek Sect? Although you’ve almost recovered, there’s still a trace of poison left, so it’s best to get plenty of rest.”
“What are you talking about? Eun-hyeon!”
Namgung Juwon jumped up in surprise at Jeong-hyeon’s words.
He had deliberately not written about the poison in the letter he sent to Namgung Juwon.
Eun-hyeon glanced at Cheong-un without realizing it. Others may not have noticed, but Eun-hyeon saw Cheong-un’s eyebrows rise. It was Cheong-un’s habit when he was in a bad mood.
Eun-hyeon felt like a child who had lied to his parents and done something bad.
“Ah, Namgung Family Head didn’t know? When we went for a walk together this morning, I briefly took his pulse. There was a slight trace of poison.”
“Eun-hyeon, are you alright? What, what kind of poison were you exposed to?”
That was why he hadn’t told him, fearing Namgung Juwon would react like that.
Eun-hyeon glared at his former Eldest Senior Brother. He couldn’t tell if he was clueless or doing it on purpose.
“I was poisoned when I encountered the Hongbaek Sect in Xi’an. Fortunately, with the help of Great Hero Ha, most of the poison was driven out. Now, only a little remains, and Head Jeong-hyeon, with his keen senses, was able to detect it.”
Eun-hyeon desperately smiled to show that he was fine now.
Namgung Juwon hesitated to say something a few times, but eventually just sighed.
“Hoo, in that situation, you need to be even more careful. Eun-hyeon, you stay at Number One Building Under Heaven. Anyway, someone has to be in charge of contacting from Number One Building Under Heaven, and you, Eun-hyeon, will have to do that.”
It was true that a contact person was needed at Number One Building Under Heaven, but now it seemed more like an intention to prevent Eun-hyeon from wandering around outside.
Eun-hyeon looked at Cheong-un for a moment and nodded.
“I understand. Then I’ll move to Number One Building Under Heaven with Great Hero Ha.”
Namgung Juwon burst into laughter at Eun-hyeon’s words.
“Hahaha, you two are really close. Great Hero Ha, can I ask you to take care of my son until Number One Building Under Heaven?”
Cheong-un nodded and cupped his fist in salute.
“Don’t worry. Then I will escort Young master of the Namgung family to Number One Building Under Heaven and then depart.”
“Thank you. Alright, let’s leave before it gets too late.”
Namgung Juwon patted Cheong-un on the shoulder and got up from his seat.
Feeling like he was about to leave soon, Eun-hyeon approached Namgung Juwon.
“Father, recalling the time at Godeok Temple, they may have used a formation technique again this time. Even if there’s nothing suspicious on the surface, you must be careful.”
Namgung Juwon paused for a moment and nodded.
“Alright. I’ll be careful of formation techniques. Thank you.”
Namgung Juwon left with a short greeting.
“Young master of the Namgung family, then let’s meet at Number One Building Under Heaven soon.”
After that, Jeong-hyeon and his two disciples departed. Se-ak and Se-jin simply bowed their heads lightly without saying anything.
After everyone had left, Eun-hyeon was able to face Cheong-un again.
“What Eldest Senior Brother said earlier was just that he briefly examined my condition and…!”
As he faced Cheong-un, excuses poured out. Only after he had spoken did he realize that he was hastily answering a question that had not been asked.
“It’s quite a distance to Number One Building Under Heaven. Let’s depart as well.”
Cheong-un said quietly and took the lead.
Eun-hyeon followed behind with a slightly flushed face.
They ended up taking a carriage to Number One Building Under Heaven. The coachman was, of course, Yoon Ju-myeong. It now felt familiar to see Yoon Ju-myeong sitting in the driver’s seat.
Eun-hyeon thought that Cheong-un would not ride in the carriage with him, but Cheong-un did. Thanks to that, an awkward and uncomfortable silence filled the narrow carriage. The Juma River and the beautiful mountain scenery were no longer in sight.
Eun-hyeon fidgeted uncomfortably and sighed.
Although he was displeased with what Cheong-un had said and done last night, wasn’t he Cheong-un’s Master?
Eun-hyeon was regretting what had happened last night.
He shouldn’t have acted the same way when his disciple was acting childish, but he couldn’t suppress his rising emotions.
Perhaps that was also due to the Hongbaek Sect’s poison weakening his reason.
“Cheong-un. I think I acted immaturely last night. I just woke up early this morning and met Eldest Senior Brother, but we didn’t talk about anything special.”
Cheong-un’s eyebrows twitched.
“Does Master know what kind of eyes that man was looking at Master with?”
“That man? Are you talking about Eldest Senior Brother?”
“Yes. I’m talking about the Head of Kunlun.”
“What did Eldest Senior Brother look at me like…”
“It was like he was looking at a delicious meal he had marked.”
“…Meal?”
Eun-hyeon burst into laughter at Cheong-un’s words.
“Hahaha, what on earth are you talking about? Why would I look delicious? Isn’t that metaphor ridiculous?”
Cheong-un looked at Eun-hyeon like that and was about to say something more, but eventually just sighed.