Parting – This Is As Far As We Go
The party continued north without major trouble.
Whenever a problem arose on the road, Soun stepped in and settled it—peacefully, and at times even cringingly.
As a result, the money in their possession steadily ran out.
He had said it was hard to demand payment from people he was escorting, yet now he went further.
He personally emptied the group's pockets, handing money over to mountain bandits, constables, and alley thugs, and kept the northward journey (北行) going.
For Cheonsan-gaek, there were moments that tested his patience, but most situations were resolved without violence.
Soun called that "learning."
He said he was learning the world.
The imperial capital was close.
On the evening they unpacked at an inn with only about a day's distance remaining, Soun gathered the party in his room.
The closer they drew to the capital, the heavier his heart became.
Since they had ridden hard without resting unless something truly forced them to, they had cut down their travel time greatly.
Now, with the capital less than a day away, Soun intended to send the four of them back.
It was enough that they had accompanied him this far.
He did not want them sharing the danger as well.
"The capital is only half a day from here.
It would be unwise for you to accompany me any farther.
I am deeply grateful that you guided someone as ignorant of the ways of the world as I am, and saw me safely this far.
But if you become involved any more deeply, your own household (本家) and your home sect (本山) could be put at risk.
I ask that you turn back here."
That had been Soun's plan from the beginning.
This was the point where their role ended.
They all nodded in agreement, yet perhaps out of guilt, they could not meet his eyes.
"Why do we have to?"
Lee Sojin, bristling at the decision, asked sharply.
"One traitor is enough—me.
I am from the Yu family estate in Taewon, and I lost my home and my entire family to a barbarian invasion.
I have nothing left to lose.
But the four of you are not the same.
I urge you to go back."
It was a fair argument.
And yet they could not simply return.
From a martial artist's point of view, they had gained nothing from traveling with a master.
Even when trouble came, they did not fight; they persuaded, paid, or avoided, all the way to Seokgajang.
He supposedly possessed extraordinary martial attainment, yet they had not even seen a glimpse of it.
And Lee Sojin, who had carried her own ulterior motives, had likewise gained nothing at all.
In the end, they had merely escorted him toward the capital at the Supreme General's request.
In truth, continuing any farther could be dangerous.
If the covert eyes of spies caught their trail, it would not be Soun but their sect or household that might be imperiled.
To be known was to be exposed, and exposure meant danger.
The outcome would be horrific.
They would have to imagine words like extermination and ruin.
This was the end of the road.
More than returning empty-handed, the weightier fear was being branded as traitors.
No one could make a different decision alone.
"I will go with you, Lord Benefactor."
Everyone turned at once to look at Jang Jimin, who had spoken.
As one of the Five Dragons of Cheonsan, she should not have been able to say such a thing so lightly.
It sounded as though there was another matter at play.
For someone usually quiet and modest, it was an exceptional move to step forward.
"I'm an orphan too—alone under the sky.
Even if I'm implicated, there's no one for it to become a problem for.
I'll go with you, Lord Benefactor.
Is that acceptable, Lord Benefactor?"
At the word "orphan," Soun felt a sharp ache in his chest.
Looking back, he realized he was much the same.
"Would that not become an issue for Cheonsan (天山)?"
"I'm only staying there as a guest.
It has nothing to do with them.
My martial art is not Cheonsan's, so there's nothing to worry about.
Even if I go out there, fight, and die—bam, just like that—there won't be a single person who'd mourn me."
Jang Jimin emphasized the "bam."
Without meaning to, Soun glanced at Cheonsan-gaek.
Officially the two looked like husband and wife, yet something about them felt unresolved.
Cheonsan-gaek's arm trembled, and then he bowed his head.
It felt like silent approval.
Weren't they a couple?
Soun regretted, for a moment, having never asked.
"Then so be it.
I will go with Lady Jimin.
The rest of you, please turn back.
By tomorrow morning, you must be gone from here."
Soun turned away.
There was nothing in his room.
No trace that he had unpacked.
Only a small bundle and a single sword stood by the door.
It was clear he had never intended to sleep there.
A strange silence settled around the round table.
There were things that could not be said in words.
Forgive me for not being able to go with you because I fear for my house and my sect.
Forgive me because I cannot bear to watch my sect branded as accomplices of a traitor and wiped out.
How could anyone bring themselves to say such things aloud?
Regret and guilt tangled together.
The candle burned without a sound.
It flickered, holding within it resentment (恨) and lingering念 (念).
A heavy chest.
A heavy heart.
Feet that would not lift.
A single shijin felt like a full day as they remained trapped in helplessness.
The one who broke the mood was Soun, lost in thought.
"Then this is where we part.
Only Lady Jimin will remain, and the rest of you will turn back.
I truly thank you for helping me on this long road.
Lady Jimin, bring your things and come to this room.
We leave at once."