CLS-Chapter 42

Chapter 42:

That guy finished his business at Hanrim Grand Academy and moved on to his next destination.

Well, as you’d naturally expect by now, it took quite a while for that guy to move his heavy butt.

Hmm?

Where did he go next, you ask?

You’re quite impatient, aren’t you.

No, it’s more accurate to say you still lack understanding of the human being called Wei Yan-ho.

What do you mean?

You shouldn’t ask where he went next.

You should ask what happened next.

Good grief, your comprehension is lacking!

Haven’t I been saying this all along!

That guy brings bad luck wherever he goes!

Do you think nothing would happen while that guy was traveling to his next destination?

Right, expectations are not something to be made carelessly.

Especially when it comes to anything involving that guy.

Hmm, perhaps the story I’m about to tell might be quite refreshing for you to hear.

It’s the story of the guy who gave you the cold shoulder, diving into a river of misfortune.

Huh? Who gave you the cold shoulder?

That guy, you know.

Right, that guy!

***

Wei Yan-ho continued to live as a freeloader at Hanrim Grand Academy for a full two more weeks after that day.

“Didn’t you say you’d be leaving soon?”

“Ah, I’m going. I said I’m going!”

“……But you don’t seem to have much intention of leaving?”

“Ah, I really am going. Since it’s a bit late today, I’ll go tomorrow, tomorrow.”

“You’ve been saying that for two weeks already……”

“Well, I might be a little late.”

“That may be so, but even so……”

“Are you saying this because of the cost of the food I’m eating? Wow, I didn’t see you as that type, but you’re really cold-hearted. They say people with money are worse, and I’m really learning a lot from coming here.”

“Ahem, I didn’t mean it that way, I was just……”

“The person who told me just two weeks ago that it was fine to be a little late, to take my time looking around, has completely changed his tune in two weeks and is now scolding me for being late. Your recognition of academic diversity and flexibility in not falling into stubbornness is remarkable, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the slight lack of determination and steadfastness you’re showing.”

Moon Yu-hwan could only be amazed by the dazzling eloquence, as if oil had been applied to his mouth, and the wicked heart that used such eloquence to criticize others.

“Where on earth did you learn to say such things?”

“Well, I learned it from that con artist old man.”

“I see. Then rest and depart tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“But where did you say your destination was?”

“I told you last time. Ugh, I’m really tired, do I have to keep talking about this?”

“……I’m sorry.”

Moon Yu-hwan left Wei Yan-ho’s room with a face as if the sky had fallen.

The shock of receiving advice to cultivate determination and steadfastness from Wei Yan-ho, who seemed to have less connection to scholarship than a dog wandering the streets, was great enough to blow away the composure that Moon Yu-hwan had built up over decades.

Moon Eun-ji, who had been waiting outside the door, approached Moon Yu-hwan.

“Father.”

“Ahem, yes.”

Moon Eun-ji, who had been observing Moon Yu-hwan’s expression, carefully spoke up. At this rate, Moon Yu-hwan was going to fall ill.

“Shouldn’t we get rid of that freeloader?”

“Since we owe him a debt of gratitude, for the sake of repaying that debt, we should first let him do as he pleases……”

“Then he’ll be here until next year.”

“……That’s probably right?”

“Yes.”

Moon Yu-hwan stroked his beard.

It wasn’t good to keep someone who had been made into a Royal Inspector staying at this estate where not even a speck of dust would come out no matter how much you shook it.

Surprisingly, he didn’t cause any additional trouble since all he did was eat in his room, but having such a person staying in the house wasn’t particularly good either.

‘I’d be afraid to let the students see him.’

Everyone has their use.

Unfortunately, at Hanrim Grand Academy, a lazy bum was a worse existence than dog shit. At least dog shit could be used as fertilizer.

“Do you have a plan?”

“If he were a person, there would be no plan, but for a luggage-like human like that, there is a plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve already taken measures, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm?”

Moon Yu-hwan tilted his head at Moon Eun-ji’s incomprehensible words.

The next day.

Wei Yan-ho woke up to the bustling noise in front of his room.

“Ugh……”

Wei Yan-ho rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Thanks to the Dream Lotus Technique that Baek Mu-han had implanted in him, Wei Yan-ho, who had to train even in his dreams while sleeping, had no such thing as a refreshing morning.

“Why is it so noisy! People are trying to sleep!”

Are they now resorting to such cowardly tactics since they can’t openly scold him to work!

Wei Yan-ho got up from his spot, grumbling with annoyance. If he kicked the butts of those making noise in front of the door and sent them flying outside the estate, peace would return.

Wei Yan-ho flung open the door.

“Huh?”

Outside the door stood two people he’d never seen before and Moon Eun-ji.

The middle-aged man had a flag with “Swift” written on it stuck behind his back, and another man stood behind him as if assisting.

“Thank you for calling the traditional and historic Swift Dragon Escort Agency. So what is the cargo we need to transport?”

Moon Eun-ji calmly turned her head and pointed at Wei Yan-ho.

“This.”

Moon Eun-ji’s fingertip pointed at Wei Yan-ho.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The three men, excluding Moon Eun-ji, looked at each other’s faces in silence.

“Please don’t joke around and show us the cargo……”

Moon Eun-ji nodded.

“I’m telling you, this is it.”

“……It looks like a person?”

“Only roughly shaped like one.”

The man looked at Wei Yan-ho with cold sweat and spoke again.

“We do escort people, of course, but in that case we prepare a separate carriage. Also, there’s timing involved, so accompanying this kind of cargo transport……”

Moon Eun-ji waved her hand as if telling him not to worry.

“Don’t worry about it. Cattle and chickens are loaded in those cargo carts too, right?”

“Yes? That’s true, but……”

“Even though he looks like this, there’s really no difference. Just put him on top of the luggage, give him three meals a day, and he won’t complain or cause trouble. I’ll pay you the cost of transporting a person. No, I’ll pay you double. So please, please take that free…… I mean, that human away.”

“No, even if you say that……”

“Triple!”

“The regulations state……”

“Four times!”

“We’ll escort him. This way.”

Wei Yan-ho grasped the situation and burst out angrily.

“What are you talking about! You’re going to load me in with the cargo and send me off?”

“You catch on quick.”

“Good heavens! I’ve heard that martial world morality has fallen to the ground, but how can this be! I’m still your benefactor who saved you, yet you’re selling off your benefactor like cargo!”

Even if people are ungrateful, there should be limits! How can you do such a thing! Wei Yan-ho trembled with anger, but Moon Eun-ji said calmly.

“I’m helping you.”

“Helping me how?”

“You said you were going to Hubei, right?”

“……Yeah?”

“It’s the route to Hubei, so you can go with an escort agency going to Hubei. You find it bothersome and don’t want to walk to Hubei on your own feet anyway, right?”

“Yeah.”

Wei Yan-ho readily admitted it. Anger or whatever, Wei Yan-ho would proudly admit what should be admitted in any situation.

“You get to ride in a horse-drawn cart, which is good, the escort agency makes money, which is good, and we get rid of you, which is good. It’s a direction that makes everyone happy!”

Wei Yan-ho found himself nodding without realizing it.

“Very persuasive.”

“So stop complaining and follow these people.”

“……But mom told me not to follow strangers.”

“It’s fine. They’re trustworthy people with clear identities. Don’t worry and follow them.”

“Still……”

“I said it’s fine. Anyone with even a little brains wouldn’t sell you off. Where would they sell someone who’d dig into a mine and sleep there? Don’t worry. In that sense, you’re the safest person in the world.”

“Ugh……”

Wei Yan-ho was defeated by Moon Eun-ji’s logic.

“R-right!”

“Good thinking.”

Thus, Wei Yan-ho was registered as cargo for Swift Dragon Escort Agency.

“Well, I’ll be going then.”

Wei Yan-ho received a modest send-off from Moon Eun-ji and Moon Yu-hwan. The huge cargo cart visible behind him indicated how he was being treated.

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too, Scholar Moon.”

“Don’t forget that Lee Wang-ya is also keeping an eye on you.”

“I’m fine with that……”

Wei Yan-ho made an uncomfortable expression as if it was quite burdensome. Moon Yu-hwan looked at the reluctant Wei Yan-ho and smiled gently.

“Even if I say he’s keeping an eye on you, given Lee Wang-ya’s position, it won’t be easy for him to directly meet you. So there’s nothing to feel burdened about.”

“I’m grateful for your words alone.”

Moon Yu-hwan smacked his lips.

‘He’s surprisingly polite.’

Wei Yan-ho asked Moon Yu-hwan.

“Are you going to the imperial palace?”

“It seems I’ll have to.”

“I hope we can meet again next time.”

“Are you telling me not to die?”

“As expected, you’re quick to catch on.”

Moon Yu-hwan smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry. I may look like this, but I’m tenacious.”

“Hmm. Well, save yourself if things get urgent. Honor and whatnot are things you can only uphold if you’re alive.”

Moon Yu-hwan smiled gently at the sincere worry from a child who hadn’t even lived half his life. If someone else had said such words, he might have thought them presumptuous, but Moon Yu-hwan, who had learned how difficult it was to receive such concern from Wei Yan-ho, found it merely welcome.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Wei Yan-ho turned his head to look at Moon Eun-ji.

“Well, I’m going.”

“Have a safe trip.”

“You seem very happy?”

“Does it show?”

“Hmm.”

Wei Yan-ho let out a deep sigh and then climbed onto the cargo cart with dragging steps. Having gotten on top of the luggage, he flopped down flat.

“Let’s depart.”

The escort guards looked at Wei Yan-ho loaded on top of the luggage, chuckled lightly, and drove the cart.

“Hey there!”

Wei Yan-ho answered Moon Eun-ji’s call while lying down.

“What?”

“Stay healthy.”

“Giving poison and then the antidote. You shouldn’t have kicked me out in the first place.”

“Fix your laziness too!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The cargo cart carrying Wei Yan-ho moved into the distance.

Moon Yu-hwan quietly watched the scene and spoke.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes, Father.”

Contrary to her words, Moon Eun-ji didn’t move for a while, watching the cargo cart carrying Wei Yan-ho.

“Do you miss him?”

“Pardon?”

Moon Eun-ji chuckled and spoke.

“Miss him? It’s like a sore tooth has been pulled out.”

Moon Yu-hwan was at a loss for words at Moon Eun-ji’s attitude, speaking as if she felt incredibly refreshed.

‘I thought she might have grown attached……’

If not, it was rather fortunate.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Yes, Father.”

Moon Yu-hwan slowly walked into the estate.

Moon Eun-ji followed Moon Yu-hwan and slyly turned her head.

The cargo cart had already disappeared into the distance.

‘Still, a little regrettable?’

Moon Eun-ji smiled slightly.

‘Goodbye, strange slacker.’

When you pass by briefly, it becomes chance, and when you pass by and meet, it becomes fate.

No one could know when the long thread of fate might connect again.