ROTMHS Special Spin-off - Chapter 2

Chapter 2. Uh, There… (2)

Clack.

Leaning against the window, he slowly tilted the liquor bottle. Just as the faint aroma of alcohol spread through his mouth, a low voice reached his ear.

“The Mean is the way of the gentleman, it is said. Though we are not ones who pursue the gentleman, the weight of the Mean is no different, sahyung.”

[Jungyaja, gunjijidoya. 중야자, 군자지도야 (中也者, 君子之道也). A phrase from Confucian thought meaning ‘The Mean is the way of the gentleman.’]

[Gunja. 군자(君子). A morally cultivated person or ‘gentleman’ in Confucian philosophy.]

[Jungyong. 중용(中庸). The Doctrine of the Mean; balance, moderation, and harmony.]

“Yet it is also said, ‘the great Tao has no gate; there are a thousand differing paths’, and again, that non-action is not something that does not flow, but something that is always flowing. If there is intent, and the heart inclines toward action—would discussing the Mean not be excessive artifice?”

[Daedoneun muni eopgo cheonchayuro. 대도무문 천차유로(大道無門 千差有路). ‘The great Tao has no gate; there are a thousand differing paths.’ A Taoist expression emphasizing boundless approaches to truth.]

[Muwi. 무위(無爲). ‘Non-action’ in Taoism; not inaction, but effortless, natural action aligned with the Tao.]

“You speak rightly. As Taoists, we should not turn away from the voice of the heart. However, sahyung, Lao Tzu also said, ‘He who knows contentment will not be disgraced; he who knows when to stop will not be endangered.’ We must not forget sufficiency and restraint.”

[Jijokbulyok jijibulta. 지족불욕 지지불태(知足不辱 知止不殆). ‘He who knows contentment will not be disgraced; he who knows when to stop will not be endangered.’ From Taoist teaching.]

“How could I not know that? But in the Old Book of Tang, it is also said, ‘Opportunity must not be lost; time will not come again.’ Does your sufficiency and your restraint speak of now? Or of later? An opportunity once lost may never come again.”

[Gibulgasil sibuljaerae. 기불가실 시불재래(機不可失 時不再來). ‘Opportunity must not be lost; time will not come again.’ A classical maxim emphasizing seizing the moment.]

[Old Book of Tang. 구당서(舊唐書). A historical text of the Tang dynasty.]

“Of course, what jangmun sahyung says is also correct.”

Cheong Jin let out a sigh and turned to look at Cheong Myeong.

“Sahyung, what do you think?”

“….About what?”

“What jangmun sahyung just said. ‘Opportunity must not be lost; time will not come again’.”

“Ta… tasting poetry?”

“…..”

“Why? What? Why are you looking at me like that, damn it!”

“…..”

Cheong Myeong’s face twisted mercilessly. If those people were put together, they were like that all day.

Do they seriously not know how to speak without attaching some quote they picked up from somewhere? This one said it like that, that one said it like this.

‘Over something as simple as dealing with Wudang, why does it have to go this far.’

Just go and shove the Violet Mist Divine Sword into their heads and it’d all be over, it’s just so damn frustrating.

“Hmm. Very well. As you say, it does seem a bit early still.”

“Thank you for your understanding, jangmun sahyung.”

“But it cannot be postponed forever. This is not merely a hollow title of reputation. Things not accomplished when they are fitting will, one day, return as thorns.”

Cheong Jin quietly nodded.

“I will keep it in mind.”

While he, Cheong Mun, and Cheong Myeong were alive, it didn’t matter. Wudang will not dare to be hostile toward them.

No— even if he and Cheong Mun were gone, as long as Cheong Myeong existed, there would never be a day Wudang would pick a fight with Mount Hua. Though the name of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was not widely spread across the world, that Wudang knew it well.

‘But after that, it won’t be the same.’

The only reason Mount Hua could stand equal to Wudang now was solely because of Cheong Myeong. A Mount Hua without him would not be able to withstand Wudang’s strength. Their current crouching was nothing more than seclusion for that future.

‘As jangmun sahyung said, before the next generation arrives, it needs to be settled once and for all.’

Cheong Jin silently nodded and rose from his seat.

“Then I will be going.”

“Go ahead.”

“Please take care.”

After giving a deep bow toward Cheong Mun, Cheong Jin turned to leave, then stopped and stared at Cheong Myeong.

“What?”

“….Do you really have to pour that liquor right here?”

“If I pour it somewhere else, you won’t nag?”

“I will.”

“Then it doesn’t matter, does it?”

“Ordinarily, even if it doesn’t matter, people try not to be seen, sahyung.”

“I’m fine. No need to worry.”

“…..”

Cheong Jin shut his eyes tightly.

Don’t forget. The one standing before him now was the very reason that Wudang, as formidable as it was, could not recklessly check Mount Hua, even as it pressed right up under their chin.

And that was both Wudang’s misfortune—and Mount Hua’s misfortune at the same time.

“….Wouldn’t it be better if you drank in moderation? There are kids watching now.”

“Ah, the nagging.”

Cheong Myeong cleared his throat and straightened his posture. Then he pushed his belly out slightly and spoke in a solemn tone.

“As Lao Tzu said…… what was it again? Ah, right. Doing whatever the heart desires is the true Tao.”

“….That’s not what it means.”

“No?”

“Ugh. I’m leaving.”

As Cheong Jin left briskly, Cheong Myeong clicked his tongue.

“Why is he so naggy?”

At that, Cheong Mun chuckled.

“You should understand. He grew up in a prestigious family, did he not? It seems he still hasn’t grown used to your free-spiritedness.”

If you can call that free-spiritedness, that is.

It felt like he heard something like that, but Cheong Myeong cleanly forgot the rest of the sentence.

“No, it’s just… he’s lived in the Taoist sect for decades.”

“One’s origins are like that. What is imprinted in childhood does not easily disappear just because one grows older.”

“Hmm.”

“Cheong Jin is still searching as well. Something of his own, beyond what he has been taught. So you should understand him a little.”

“Eheh. What can I do. Generous as I am, I suppose I’ll have to understand that lacking saje brat.”

“Yes, yes. But don’t say that to Cheong Jin.”

“Because I might get hit?”

“No. Because Cheong Jin might get hit.”

“Ah.”

Cheong Myeong nodded. Come to think of it, the faint bluish tinge around his eye—looked like the bruise from last time hadn’t fully faded yet.

Cheong Myeong was someone who knew propriety. If you’ve become a sahyung, at the very least you shouldn’t hit someone again until what you already hit has healed.

That aside.

“Familial home…”

[Saga. 사가(私家). One’s familial home or household in the secular world.]

A somewhat unfamiliar word slipped from Cheong Myeong’s mouth.

At that, Cheong Mun pretended not to notice and glanced sideways at Cheong Myeong’s face.

“Sahyung, don’t you ever go back to your family home?”

“….Huh? Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“Just got curious. That Cheong Jin guy still leaves the mountain gate sometimes, saying he’ll visit his family home once in a while.”

“That’s true.”

“But I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that, sahyung. Did you completely cut ties with your family?”

At that, Cheong Mun laughed as if it were absurd.

“Cut ties? That’s quite an interesting way to put it.”

He laughed for a while before continuing.

“To leave home means to sever all things of the secular world. I chose of my own will to become a taoist—how could I harbor lingering attachment?”

[Chulga. 출가(出家). ‘Leaving home’; renouncing secular life to become a religious practitioner.]

“But the others aren’t like that. There are still plenty who keep in touch with their family home, even visit from time to time.”

“That too is their Tao, perhaps. But I think a little differently. The pursuit of the Tao is an exceedingly arduous and difficult journey.”

[Gudo. 구도(求道). ‘Seeking the Tao’; the path of spiritual pursuit.]

“Meaning those who don’t know that are the ones presumptuous enough to cling to attachments?”

“No. Rather, it would be more correct to say I am lacking, and do not have the capacity to carry both.”

Cheong Myeong let out a short laugh.

“Anyway, so you don’t even go near your family home at all.”

“If you put it that way, yes.”

“That’s cold of you. I didn’t know something like jeong could be cut off so cleanly. Well… of course—it’s not really my place to say, since I’ve never cut one myself.”

[Jeong. 정(情). Deep emotional bond, affection, or attachment between people; not easily severed, encompassing affection, loyalty, and shared history.]

It wasn’t said with any particular sarcasm. Even so, Cheong Myeong felt like he had made a slight slip of the tongue.

That must be why he raised his head to check Cheong Mun’s face.

And in that moment, he saw it. Cheong Mun gazing far outside the window, wearing a strange expression Cheong Myeong had never seen before.

“jeongri….”

[Jeong-ri. 정리(情理). The interplay of human emotion (jeong) and moral reason or principle (ri); emotional bonds governed by an internal sense of right.]

Fixing his gaze beyond the window, Cheong Mun spoke as if reciting.

“I have only done what ought to be done. If a lacking person indulges in excessive desire, it only brings harm to all. To myself, to them, and to those who follow me.”

“…..”

“But, Cheong Myeong. I am human as well.”

“….Yes?”

A faint smile formed on Cheong Mun’s lips.

“No matter how much one turns their head and averts their eyes, how could there be no lingering attachment?”

“…..”

“That which one knows must be cut, yet cannot cut—that is human. That which one knows must be forgotten, yet cannot forget—that too is human.”

“….That too is Tao?”

“Yes. It is. That too is Tao. The Tao resides in all things, yet it is also of humans. If what humans naturally desire is the Tao, then being unable to sever the jeongri of the secular world and wavering—would that not also be Tao?”

Speaking heavily, Cheong Mun suddenly let out a small chuckle.

“But in truth……”

“Yes?”

“It’s more accurate to say there’s no real need to worry about it. My family happens to be quite well-off.”

“……”

“They’re probably living more comfortably than I am. It’s not like a cat needs to worry about a mouse, so why should I trouble myself over them?”

[tl note: “A cat worrying about a mouse”, ironic expression implying there is no need for concern, as the one ‘worrying’ is in a far superior or safer position.]

“Well, it’s not like they’ve gone bankrupt.”

“Exactly. Hahahahaha.”

“Hahahahaha.”

“Hahahahaha.”

✿ ✿ ✿

“They said it’s ruined, you damned old man!”

— How was I supposed to know……

Standing atop a pavilion roof, Cheong Myeong pointed accusingly at the distant sky.

“Ascension, my ass! If you were going to ascend, you should’ve at least taken proper care of your family!”

Meanwhile, the disciples of Mount Hua watching from below exchanged sighs.

“…..What’s with him now?”

“Just ignore it, ignore it. It’s not like this is a day or two.”

“That’s exactly the problem—it’s not just a day or two………………”

“Who knows. Looks like his madness is flaring up again lately. If you catch his eye, you’ll get dragged into it. Go. Hurry.”

After venting at the empty air for a while, Cheong Myeong abruptly snapped his head to the side.

“Rather than this, I should first check what exactly is going on.”

Cheong Myeong’s eyes flashed as he shot down the mountain.

“Shandong Yu Family? That place was completely ruined—aaagh! Why are you hitting me!”

Struck out of nowhere, Hong Daegwang clutched his face and shouted.

It wasn’t as if this lunatic going on a rampage was anything new—but today’s madness(?) had a different flavor than before.

“Are you sure you checked properly? This isn’t some nonsense rumor you picked up somewhere? Look into it properly!”

“Cough cough! Let go of me first so I can talk! What is there to look into! This isn’t even something that needs the Beggar Union’s information network. The whole world knows about it.”

“Huh….”

“What, have you been doing wall-facing cultivation in a cave or something? Asking about this now?”

[Wall-facing cultivation. Myeonbyeok suryeon. 면벽수련(面壁修鍊). Ascetic training facing a wall for extended periods, implying isolation from the outside world.]

“When?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Yeah. When were they ruined? When?”

“When, you say… well….”

Hong Daegwang frowned as if he couldn’t quite remember.

“It was back when I was still a brat beggar, so… at least twenty years ago, I think.”

“Twenty…….”

Thud.

Cheong Myeong collapsed onto a chair that barely deserved to be called one in the Beggar Union branch and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“The house… ruined? Ah, what a cursed bastard. The sect ruined, the house ruined, and he gets stabbed to death… did he sell a country in his past life or something…”

[tl note: “Sell a country” — idiomatic exaggeration implying an unforgivable sin in a past life, used to lament extreme misfortune.]

— Hehehehehe.

“And you find that funny? Huh? Is this something to laugh about!”

“Who said I was laughing? What are you on about all of a sudden?”

“Ugh. Wasn’t talking to you, old beggar.”

Cheong Myeong grabbed his hair and yanked at it.

If it had been in the middle of collapsing, he would’ve done something. If it were on the verge of ruin, he would’ve rushed there immediately. But if it was already ruined—what could he do? And long ago, at that.

“But why the Shandong Yu Family all of a sudden?”

“…That’s not something you need to know. That’s not what matters—why were they ruined?”

“Huh?”

“You said they were a prestigious house. Produced multiple prime ministers.”

“That’s right. Up until they were ruined, it was hard to find a house as prestigious as the Shandong Yu Family.”

“Then how does a house like that end up completely ruined overnight?”

“I’ve heard they got entangled in political strife, but I don’t know the details. That place isn’t under our jurisdiction.”

“…..”

“Want me to look into it? If I try, it shouldn’t be hard—only about twenty years ago, after all.”

After seeming to think for a moment, Cheong Myeong shook his head.

“No need. Does ruin need a special reason? If it was going to be ruined, it was bound to be ruined.”

“That’s true.”

“More importantly—look into something else for me.”

“What?”

“Where the descendants of the Shandong Yu Family are now.”

“…No. Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? They were completely ruined—there aren’t any descendants left.”

“It’s not like the people disappeared.”

“Huh?”

“The house may be ruined, so they might abandon the name or change their surname—but it’s not like the bloodline was cut off.”

“Hm. That’s true.”

“Find them. Where those who carry that blood are now. What they’re doing.”

“And why would you—… tch. Fine, fine. It’s not like you’ve ever needed a reason to do anything.”

Scratching his head roughly, Hong Daegwang asked again:

“So when do you need this by?”

“Take your time. It’s not urgent.”

“Right?”

“Let’s see, then……….”

Cheong Myeong spread all ten fingers out in front of him.

“Ten days? That’d be tight, but maybe possible……”

At that moment, Cheong Myeong’s fingers began to fold one by one.

“Uh……….”

“Eight. Seven. Six.”

Hong Daegwang’s face turned deathly pale.

“AAAAH! You lunatic! What are you all doing, you beggar bastards! Send a letter to the main branch! Now, hurry!”

“On it!”

“Run! Run, I said! Unless you want to see the huts we barely built get completely smashed!”

It was the Huayin branch that got struck by lightning out of a clear night.

[tl note: “아닌 밤중에 날벼락”, a Korean idiom meaning a sudden, unexpected disaster or shock, like being struck by lightning at night when nothing is expected.]

Next Chapter

✿ ✿ ✿

If anyone wants to donate to motivate me (I'll use the money to buy the RAWs from Naver Series too). Thank you so much!

- Buy Me a Coffee

- Patreon

- Trakteer (this one for Indonesian)