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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Veteran's Charge
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Among the escorts of the Henan Escort Bureau, there were all sorts of people. Some old, some young; some hot-tempered, others calm. Hyeong Pyo fell into the category of the older and more composed ones.
Though he wasn't an escort leader, he received treatment on par with them from the other escorts and leaders alike. Even Bureau Chief Sama Cheol acknowledged it. His martial arts might fall short, but the experience and gravitas he carried could not be dismissed.
Hyeong Pyo had met with Sama Cheol that morning. And he'd received a most peculiar request.
'Take care of the porters, he says.'
Hyeong Pyo tilted his head in puzzlement. He knew the chief's temperament well, which made it all the harder to understand. Sama Cheol wasn't the type to ask anyone to look after someone out of personal favor.
"Dan Hyeong-u..."
Murmuring the name softly, Hyeong Pyo headed toward where the goods were stored. It was early, but the work was probably just about done. The Henan Escort Bureau's porters were no slouches, just like their escorts.
"Hm?"
Hyeong Pyo arrived at the storage area before he knew it. The porters had already finished up and were chatting in small groups. He'd figured they'd wrapped up early, but they looked like they'd been idle for quite some time.
"You've arrived, sir."
One porter hurried over to greet him. Turning, Hyeong Pyo saw it was Jong Chil. He knew the young man well—of course he did. Jong Chil unofficially led the porters and was secretly learning martial arts from one of the escorts. He'd likely become an escort himself before long.
"You finished quicker than expected. Good work, everyone."
Jong Chil looked sheepish at Hyeong Pyo's praise. They'd hardly done much, and even a thick-skinned man would feel awkward accepting compliments like that.
Hyeong Pyo noticed but let it slide without comment.
"Is there a porter here named Dan Hyeong-u?"
At the question, Jong Chil's face drained of color for a moment. But he quickly composed himself, forcing a smile as he replied.
"Yes, sir. The new recruit who came in yesterday."
Saying that, Jong Chil glanced off to one side. Hyeong Pyo's gaze naturally followed. There stood a man with a sword at his waist. Hyeong Pyo's expression soured slightly.
"Hasn't he been given his uniform yet?"
Jong Chil jumped in surprise.
"Oh no! S-Sorry, sir. I-I'll fetch it right away."
With that, Jong Chil bolted off. He'd known something was off—he'd forgotten to deliver the clothes. Everyone at the Henan Escort Bureau, escorts and porters alike, wore uniforms provided by the bureau.
Escorts donned blue martial robes embroidered with the character for "river" (河) front and back, instantly marking them as Henan Escort Bureau men to anyone who saw.
Porters wore gray.
Hyeong Pyo looked puzzled. This was far from normal. Usually, if he asked Jong Chil about someone, the young man would summon them at once. He had that much sway among the porters. But now, it seemed like he was wary of this Dan Hyeong-u.
'Did this guy strong-arm Jong Chil or something?'
Hyeong Pyo figured it was possible. That sword at Dan Hyeong-u's waist suggested he practiced martial arts. No—it was certain. Otherwise, the chief wouldn't have gone out of his way to ask Hyeong Pyo personally.
Hyeong Pyo eyed a porter standing awkwardly nearby. Meeting his gaze, the man rushed over. Hyeong Pyo nodded and asked,
"Was there a fight or something?"
The porter shook his head vigorously.
"Absolutely not, sir."
Hyeong Pyo tilted his head.
"It's fine—just tell me. I'm asking because Jong Chil's acting off from his usual self."
As he spoke, Hyeong Pyo glanced toward Dan Hyeong-u. The sharp-eyed porters caught the hint. The one before him shook his head even harder.
"I swear on my life, nothing like that happened. Really."
Hyeong Pyo judged the man truthful. But that made it even stranger. If nothing had happened, why were they all tiptoeing around him like that? He was just a porter.
As Hyeong Pyo pondered, Jong Chil came running back with the clothes.
"Huff... huff... H-Here it is."
After reporting to Hyeong Pyo, Jong Chil approached Dan Hyeong-u cautiously. Seeing him again stirred memories of last night, sending cold sweat down his back.
"Um... H-Here... your uniform..."
Jong Chil offered the clothes timidly. Dan Hyeong-u glanced at him, then looked around. Sure enough, he was the only one dressed differently. He nodded and took the uniform.
Then he started undressing.
Everyone there was stunned. No one had expected him to change right then and there. This wasn't just a spot for porters and escorts—guests came and went, and servants and maids passed through constantly.
"Uh, w-wait...!"
Jong Chil flailed, pointing at him mutely, words failing.
In a flash, Dan Hyeong-u stripped bare. His smooth body gleamed—no excess fat, just perfectly toned muscles everywhere. His skin was pale as a baby's. No one touched it, but it looked impossibly soft.
Now naked, he donned the uniform Jong Chil had brought. Putting it on was clumsier than taking the old one off, taking some time, but he managed properly in the end.
Now dressed like the other porters, Dan Hyeong-u felt a strange satisfaction, like he'd blended seamlessly into their midst.
Strapping his sword back on last, he carefully folded his old clothes and tucked them into his bosom. They were precious to him too.
Hyeong Pyo watched Dan Hyeong-u with a curious expression. What an odd fellow. His balanced physique and muscles screamed dedicated training.
But not swordsmanship. A swordsman couldn't have such pristine skin—not just lack of scars, but the overall condition. Even his hands, glimpsed briefly, were smooth without a single callus.
Hyeong Pyo approached him.
"You're Dan Hyeong-u?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded slightly. Hyeong Pyo nodded back, noting his demeanor. Just as Chief Sama Cheol had said— in dire need of basic training.
"For the time being, you'll stick with me. Follow along."
With that, Hyeong Pyo turned and walked off. Dan Hyeong-u stared after him a moment, then followed slowly.
Once they were gone, sighs of relief erupted among the porters.
"Ugh, thought I was done for."
"What kinda guy is he...?"
The porters grew rowdy at last. Jong Chil watched, slumping to the ground in exhaustion. He'd burned the most energy here by far.
Hyeong Pyo took Dan Hyeong-u to a small teahouse. He could've talked in his quarters or somewhere quiet in the bureau, but something made him prefer this.
Sitting at a tea table, he gestured for Dan Hyeong-u to sit.
"Take a seat."
Dan Hyeong-u hesitated, then awkwardly perched on the chair. He'd have to get used to it eventually. And sitting like this meant good food, right?
Once seated, Hyeong Pyo studied him quietly. He wavered on where to start. But Dan Hyeong-u solved that.
"Where's the food?"
Hyeong Pyo blinked in confusion.
"Food? Oh, you mean tea. Hold on—they'll bring it soon."
Dan Hyeong-u nodded. Now Hyeong Pyo could speak freely.
"That's a fine sword."
He started with the obvious. Dan Hyeong-u stared blankly. Hyeong Pyo felt truly at a loss—this man was hard to talk to.
"Shouldn't you at least get a proper scabbard?"
"No fitting one."
Hyeong Pyo frowned slightly. Speech training first, it seemed. Talking like that anywhere else would get him killed.
"We'll fix that mouth of yours later. For now, let's get you a scabbard. My gift to you."
Hyeong Pyo paused, eyeing him, then continued.
"I heard you're looking for someone."
Dan Hyeong-u nodded.
"Mind telling me who?"
That was Sama Cheol's other request—help him search. Someone as experienced as Hyeong Pyo could make it easier, hence the personal ask.
"Well..."
Hyeong Pyo looked baffled. "Well" to who he's seeking?
"You don't even know who, but you're looking anyway?"
As Hyeong Pyo gaped, tea arrived on the table. He sipped to steady himself. Dan Hyeong-u just stared at his cup.
After a moment's thought, Dan Hyeong-u lifted it and gulped the hot tea down in one go. It scorched down his throat, but his face stayed impassive.
"It's bland."
Hyeong Pyo gawked. Downing scalding tea like that and staying calm? He must be toughing it out.
"A-Are you alright?"
Dan Hyeong-u stared.
"I mean, isn't it hot?"
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head faintly—so subtle Hyeong Pyo might've missed it without staring.
Hyeong Pyo pondered. From their brief exchange, he'd gleaned much. Dan Hyeong-u was simple, clumsy at everything. Natural, after a life secluded in the mountains.
Peeling back that layer, he seemed different now—pure, untouched by worldly cynicism. A faint smile tugged at Hyeong Pyo's lips.
"Alright, up we go. We'll find a scabbard for that sword first."
As Hyeong Pyo rose, Dan Hyeong-u followed, head tilted.
"No food?"
Hyeong Pyo burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! This isn't for eating, lad. Just tea and talk. Hahaha!"
His hearty laugh left Dan Hyeong-u tilting his head again. Why sit so awkwardly without food?
Anyway, they headed to the smithy together.
En route, Hyeong Pyo chatted idly, assuming Dan Hyeong-u knew nothing. He explained the world's workings from the simplest bits, step by step.
He didn't expect full understanding, but repetition would help.
"So, planning to stay at the bureau till you find them?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded.
"Might take longer than you think, if you know so little."
"Won't. Got some ideas."
"Oh? That's welcome news. Like what?"
"People with the surname Yak."
Hyeong Pyo's mind raced. Not common, but enough to narrow it down massively.
"Anything else?"
"Lives in a really big house, I think."
"Really big house?"
Hyeong Pyo thought. Something clicked.
"Nothing more?"
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head. Those scraps were miracles after so long.
"A big mountain nearby."
Hyeong Pyo nodded. A few spots fit, maybe.
"Do they practice martial arts?"
Dan Hyeong-u tilted his head. Vaguely, yes. His friend seemed more skilled than others, and he'd gotten help from him a few times.
"Probably. Ah...!"
Dan Hyeong-u stopped abruptly with a sigh. Hyeong Pyo looked puzzled.
"What? Something else?"
Dan Hyeong-u muttered heavily.
"Remembered his friend's name. Yak Se-gi."
Hyeong Pyo nodded, piecing it together from Dan Hyeong-u's tone. He was seeking Yak Se-gi's family. And Yak Se-gi was surely dead.
"Got it. Might take time, but we can find them. Keep your hopes up."
Dan Hyeong-u's eyes widened in surprise. He'd seen no path forward, but a few words and Hyeong Pyo claimed success?
"Really?"
"Really. But seriously, fix that speech. It grates—and not just on me, on everyone."
"Everyone?"
As they walked, Dan Hyeong-u quietly repeated Hyeong Pyo's words.
Everyone. A word he'd never pondered before. Right—others were here with him. A place to live among people, not alone.