168

Chapter 168 - An Unexpected Encounter - 5

"I was shortsighted."

The apology from Cheong Woon grazed the air swiftly.

As I looked confused, not understanding what he was talking about, Cheong Woon continued, "Having heard the stories that the people of Tang family tell, it seems that even if there are occasional explicit scenes, it's truly a story of a noble martial artist. To think it can inspire such longing for a true hero in the hearts of not just martial artists but also ordinary citizens; I believe I may have viewed it too narrowly before."

Cheong Woon bowed his head, seemingly filled with genuine regret.

"It is not something that merits your head bowed in apology, Sir. Stand up, Cheong Woon. You are not yet a sinner." I quickly rose from where I had been seated on the bed and approached Cheong Woon.

"No, if you were capable enough to write a popular work, you would have succeeded even if you wrote an ordinary night tale. Thinking that you kept your dream of becoming a hero alive despite difficult circumstances, my heart couldn't rest without issuing an apology."

Cheong Woon bowed his head once more towards me.

I felt sorry; I never actually expected an apology. I just thought clearing the awkward air between Cheong Woon and me would be enough, but he apologized anyway.

Of course, I am the one who shaped public opinion. And yet, there are countless people who, even when given a perfect stage, would refrain from uttering a single 'sorry', opting instead to say, 'It was you who was wrong in the first place, you fool!' 

Moreover, there was fault on my part this time. Surely, for Cheong Woon, it should not compute to apologize to a barbarian with black hair or to a mere writer of lewd novels, yet he did.

"I am the one who should be seeking forgiveness," I said, bowing my head in turn towards the still humbled Cheong Woon.

"Pardon?"

"Being in the presence of the hero I've long admired, I wished to conceal my own shameful flaws. I apologize for not divulging the full nature of my novel."

It was true that the atmosphere had soured because Cheong Woon denied me, but the catalyst was provided by my own doing. In such a case, it's best for both parties to acknowledge their respective faults and alleviate the burden on each other's hearts.

"Human nature is to flaunt one's merits and conceal one's faults. Blame me instead for altering my demeanor at the sight of a trivial imperfection."

Cheong Woon looked at me and once more bowed his head.

"How can one who has received kindness scorn his benefactor?"

Why can't we conclude this by simply accepting each other's apologies? The righteous man who lives with integrity, the courteous Taoist of the great Murim sect, the handsome martial artist – it somehow feels uncomfortable to keep apologizing.

"I am also ashamed for having scolded Young Master Kang without knowing his circumstances."

We kept exchanging apologies towards each other.

While it's better than the earlier discomfort, a continuous exchange of apologies isn't desirable either. Without end, this could become like a manhwa where the characters keep outwitting each other in an endless reversal of reversals.

I stood up straight, gently took Cheong Woon's shoulders into my hands, and helped him to his feet before speaking.

"Then, let's just agree that we both feel sorry and no longer mention any faults regarding this matter."

"Would you do that?"

Beneath my words, Cheong Woon seemed grateful as he nodded his head.

----------

If sometimes I feel like nitpicking about this world's food not staying true to martial arts authenticity, then on the contrary, something I'd praise for lacking authenticity is the well-maintained sewerage system.

Perhaps it's because the game characters that appear are all in clean attire to match the authenticity of the world, but here, water simply flows at the twist of a tap.

If this were traditional martial arts, wishing to bathe at an inn would cost a sizable amount for just a pail of well water.

"The water was cold just before, but now lukewarm water seems to be coming out. I think now would be a good time for a shower."

Of course, just because the plumbing is modern doesn't guarantee hot water – that's still at the innkeeper's discretion.

I quickly showered during the hot water window like a timed military routine, to ensure that Cheong Woon too could bathe in warm water, then called out to him.

"Ah! No, I'm fine."

Cheong Woon glanced at me and then turned away, looking at the wall as he spoke. Even after reconciling, it seems we're still awkward about seeing each other with exposed upper bodies.

"The innkeeper might have briefly warmed the water since it's past mealtime. If you don't go in now, you'll have to bathe in cold water in this weather."

"I've often practiced mental discipline in cold water during winter. I'll be fine."

Had Cheong Woon been practicing under waterfalls? After seeing so many fake martial artists, hearing about a real one's training methods is indeed surprising.

I nodded at Cheong Woon's words, quickly changed into comfortable clothes, and walked over to my bed.

"What's with the dumplings?"

There were a few dumplings placed on a plate on top of my bed.

"Young Master Kang, I was worried since you skipped your meal because of Miss Tang, so I brought these."

I heard the door open briefly, perhaps he had stepped out and returned.

"I appreciate the gesture, but honestly, I have no appetite because of Hwa Rin."

Cheong Woon's concern is touching, but I truly have no desire to eat. Hwa Rin is barely sustaining on a liquid diet, unconscious.

Will we be able to safely reach the Tang family? Can Hwa Rin survive if we do? The worries I had put aside in my mind now flooded over, taking my appetite with them.

I picked up the plate of dumplings and placed it on the stand.

"To protect Miss Hwa Rin, Young Master Kang must also take care of himself. If you won't think of yourself, then please have these as my apology."

Cheong Woon swiftly came to my side and offered the plate of dumplings.

I didn't want to eat, but to keep the improved mood from souring, I accepted the plate.

"This is troubling… At least let me pay. I am grateful for Cheong Woon's concern, but I can't let you spend money as well."

"Don't worry about that. It wasn't my money."

"Then your fellow travelers must have bought it."

"No, it's not that. When I ordered the dumplings, the innkeeper's daughter gave them to me for free, saying that there would be leftovers anyway."

What kind of nonsense is that? There were never any leftovers at an inn. Even when I lived like a beggar with black hair, I never had the history of eating such leftover food from an inn.

"Apparently, she said if the hot water isn't working, you're welcome to visit her room for help. It seems even in this backward village, people aren't stingy with their kindness."

Cheong Woon smiled awkwardly at me.

So that was it. I stared intently at Cheong Woon for a moment.

A handsome face that's rare in this kind of village. Although I've never seen him naked, he surely has the type of lean muscles from martial training that women love.

Envious indeed. The life of a handsome man.

I bit reluctantly into a dumpling. Could it be specially made? Somehow it felt juicier than usual dumplings.

"They're delicious."

I said it more out of politeness than sincerity, as Cheong Woon looked at me intently.

"Glad it suits your taste."

Cheong Woon finally smiled contentedly and nodded his head.

It reminded me of the old days. I had a handsome friend back in school. On Valentine's Day, his desk was like a mountain of chocolate.

一 Yunho, want one?

Staring enviously, I found myself nodding unconsciously and acquired a piece of chocolate.

'This must be the harmless trap they talk about.'

一 Why are you eating that?!

As bad luck would have it, a girl saw that her gift of chocolates had come to me. She cried an outrageous amount. Even after my friend and I apologized, I was bad-mouthed later on. Surprisingly, only I was the subject, not my friend.

It was so absurd. My friend felt sorry, so only after giving up twenty hours of internet cafe time and 3 meals of instant ramen, I received dramatic forgiveness.

"Would you like a dumpling?"

Lost in the past, I offered a dumpling and looked up, only to see Cheong Woon staring hard at it.

"No, I'm fine."

Cheong Woon seemed startled by his own thoughts, waving his hands as he declined.

"Is something bothering you?"

"It's not that... it's just that looking at the dumplings reminded me of a certain Beggar Sect hero I once read about."

A Beggar Sect hero who loved dumplings?

"If we're talking about a Beggar Sect hero who loves dumplings, that would be Dog-beggar Great Hero, I suppose."

"You know of Dog-beggar Great Hero?"

Cheong Woon looked at me with surprised eyes.

"As a writer, one also reads extensively. Of course, I know of Dog-beggar Great Hero."

I remembered Dog-beggar Great Hero. I had done extensive research by reading various martial world tales before writing "Tang Family's Wind and Cloud".

Of course, I found them dull and the overtly dirty portrayal of the Beggar Sect repulsive, but I still remember laughing at the thought that there were people in this world who also loved dumplings.

"Considering Dog-beggar Great Hero's story isn't very popular and the books are hard to find, you've managed to read it?"

Cheong Woon asked tentatively, as if gauging whether I was truly an aficionado or just a fake, much like how a broadcaster grabs the otaku concept and is ready to accuse, 'You're just a fake otaku, aren't you? I know it all.'

Well, stories of the martial world aren't popular in this world, and the less popular ones even more so.

"I'm not only a writer but also a bookstore owner. Naturally, I've read them."

Considering the unpopularity of martial arts tales, they often end up as backstock at the Imperial Library. I saw no need to mention that.

"A person who's read about Dog-beggar Great Hero? Honestly, you're the first I've ever met!"

I could sense a strange excitement in Cheong Woon's voice. Seeing him this spirited, I felt compelled to play along.

"The book may not be as popular as the unflattering nickname that suggests begging for dog meat, but his deeds indeed qualify him as a hero. Especially when he raided a malevolent clan that leeched off local merchants, and for the ridiculous reason that they wouldn't give him dog meat, he even beat up the clan's leader – was certainly a satisfying tale."

"That's right! I really love that story too!"

Cheong Woon leaned in as if he's a student who's resigned himself to liking an obscure work several decades old, assuming nobody else knew about it, only to discover that his partner also shares the same passion.

"Haha."

Too close. With an awkward smile, I conveyed that even a handsome face is uncomfortable when it's a man's and too close.

"Oh! My apologies."

After realizing his indiscretion, Cheong Woon retreated a bit but couldn't conceal his excitement.

"No need. It's always a pleasure to meet someone with shared interests."

After another polite bite of dumpling, I prepared to lie down for bed.

"Um…"

Cheong Woon didn't seem to want to move even after I lay down.

"Do you need something?"

"If it's alright with you, can we maybe talk a bit more about Dog-beggar Great Hero…"

He spoke with his head lowered, as if asking to talk about the novel embarrassed him. He must be truly eager, despite any embarrassment. 

Considering he's the first hero I've met since arriving in the central plains and goes by 'Cheong 'The Righteous' Woon', his interest caught me off guard.

Longing for a hero himself, he must be thirsty for someone to share stories about impressive yet unrecognized heroes. I can relate, as I've delved into obscure content too.

It would be best to maintain good relations with Cheong Woon. While I'm uncertain how long he'll accompany us, having someone to talk to might extend his company.

To safely escort Hwa Rin to the Tang family, any help is necessary.

"Of course."

I conversed with Cheong Woon until my eyelids grew heavy.

------------------

The sound of water stirred me in my half-sleep.

"Hmm... Hng hng."

The first sounds were low tones, gradually lifting to a pleasant hum.

'Is Cheong Woon finally taking a bath?'

It could be Cheong Woon, but instances of being pursued and potentially facing an intruder crossed my mind. After all, aren't there thieves who barge into homes uninvited, stealing money, having their fill of food, and indulging in scented baths with hot water to boot?

Of course, any brash intruder caught by me would need to start their basic training all over again.

"Cheong Woon, are you taking a bath?"

I made sure to clear my mind and put strength into my voice as I called out. It was a tactic I had often used since my days as a vagabond. When a thief after my meager possessions approached while I was sleeping rough, even just letting them hear that I was awake would often cause them to panic and flee.

If it was Cheong Woon, he would calmly say that he was bathing, and if it was an intruder, th

ey would be flustered upon realizing that my keen senses had detected their hiding place.

Who's there, you?

"K-Kang sirs? Weren't you sleeping?"

Contrary to my expectations, the one who responded with a flustered voice was Cheong Woon.