Who in the Moyong family can I claim to have a connection with?
Well, there’s Moyong Seo, Moyong Yeon-hwa, and maybe Moyong Mo, who I’ve had a few run-ins with. If I’m being forced to stretch it, perhaps Moyong Chan, Yeon-hwa’s younger brother, from our brief chats as he passed by.
What was my first impression of Moyong Mo?
Even if you scrub away all the negative vibes surrounding the Shengsu Faction, the dude was still as clueless as a rock. He headbutted our group during our first encounter and pranced around like a lost puppy at the mine.
On the other hand, Moyong Seo and Moyong Yeon-hwa were sharp as a tack with their wits.
I’d only met three folks, but you can’t really judge all members of the Moyong Clan based on that. I figured that Moyong Mo was just the odd one out.
But then…
Visiting the Moyong Clan’s main house made me realize that Moyong Mo’s cluelessness was probably a family trait.
In other words, among the Moyong Clan, Moyong Mo was the average Joe, while Moyong Mo and Moyong Yeon-hwa stood out as the unique characters.
Ah, that’s why Moyong Seo was so far gone. I mean, this guy, the face of the Moyong Clan, was running around dealing with affairs of the Shengsu Faction, and not to mention being the representative of the Moyong Clan in the Martial Forest Alliance. If Moyong Seo was the only one among the senior members who had any sense of external activity, that made sense.
Maybe he was feeling a bit of a crisis, thinking that the clan would flop if he wasn’t around.
“Brain Knife Outcast! Matches… cough!”
“Hahaha! I’ve got something to discuss with my dear Gi-rin, so I’ll take him along!”
Even after being dealt the spicy stuff at the banquet, watching Moyong Gang charge recklessly and Moyong Clan’s elder members deal with him head-on made me think about their mentalities.
Is this what it feels like to live in a one-eyed village?
“Phew….!”
There was only one person I could vent this frustration to.
Tang Do-yeon.
I can’t spill the beans about the Moyong family’s flaws to Moyong Yeon-hwa, so Tang Do-yeon was my only outlet…
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!!
“UAAAAHHH!!”
“Hahaha!”
Meanwhile, Tang Do-yeon was completely wrapped up in running the Bicheongmacha. I had no idea how they ended up in that carriage, but any clan with such determination must’ve been holding strong inside.
Tang Do-yeon looked happier than a kid with a shiny new toy, or rather, a passenger.
They were so engrossed in their little world, they didn’t have time to listen to my grievances. I felt a pang of bitterness watching the distant Bicheongmacha as it became just a dot.
Is this loneliness in a crowd? So many people like me, yet why do I feel this solitude…?
With my shoulders drooping, I turned around and immediately sensed a presence, hiding quickly.
“That’s strange, I heard Ho Cheon-an Great Hero was headed this way…”
“Let’s search. It would be troublesome if the tea brewed for Ho Cheon-an Great Hero gets cold.”
As the Moyong Clan members scattered and I confirmed their disappearance, a sigh of relief escaped me.
After all, the Moyong Clan’s cluelessness came from a good place; their actions were merely stemming from their goodwill. If we were to blame anyone, I guess it’d be me.
Anyway, they showed me favor, so I should just accept it.
But that wasn’t easy. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent eight long years as the Sacheon Outcast, just strolling down the street, only to face contempt. I’m used to mindless criticism, but now facing mindless praise and goodwill? It feels unbearable, like I know I should endure it but can’t.
I thought my ability to withstand unjust criticism was at an all-time high, yet I recently realized my tolerance for undeserved affection was at rock bottom. My sense of pride, thinking I had a handle on human relationships, shattered like glass.
“Sigh, life really is tough.”
As I sighed and trudged back, suddenly Seo Gong came dashing up to me and clung to my back, peeking over my shoulder.
Click!
With my attention drawn to where his tail was pointing, I noticed some kids flinching.
It was an obvious situation. Seo Gong was incredibly popular among the children. You could see kids running around with Seo Gong dolls no matter where you went. But now Seo Gong showed up at his home? Naturally, the kids would go crazy.
And Seo Gong, probably feeling cautious around the overly eager kids, was running away.
“Hmmm.”
Yeah, they’re just kids.
I can’t keep avoiding the Moyong Clan members forever. So, why not get friendly with the kids and use it as an excuse to catch my breath among the Moyong Clan?
Thinking of how I would lure kids in Sacheon City, I nodded, feeling like it had potential. Although I didn’t have snacks like before, I did have Seo Gong, so I could probably coax them into liking me.
Deciding on that, I gently embraced Seo Gong while gesturing to the kids. They were inching closer, hesitant but curious, still wary of the strange adult.
“It’s okay. Come a little closer.”
As brave kids stepped forward, the rest quickly followed.
“Be gentle when you pet him, okay? Just like how it’d hurt if someone pulled your hair or pinched you, it’s the same with Seo Gong.”
Seo Gong shot me a look that said he did not appreciate this, but he didn’t seem inclined to run away. The kids stretched their hands out, and soon there were gasps of amazement.
“So soft!”
“Warm!”
Once I set Seo Gong down, the kids were all over him, playing with glee. I had no idea how long they had been chasing, but finally getting to pet Seo Gong made them beam with joy.
On the flip side, Seo Gong looked thoroughly uncomfortable, squashed like a doughy bun. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he bolted at any moment.
Hmm. Should I rain on their parade and scold the overly excited kids? It might spoil the fun a bit, but it’s better than Seo Gong fleeing.
“Hey, be a little gentler. Seo Gong’s getting uncomfortable, don’t you want to be friends?”
“Okay!”
Unlike the kids in the alleys of Sacheon City who never listened, these kids were promptly obeying my words. Upon closely observing, I caught some kids looking up at me with wide, sparkling eyes.
In those eyes, I sensed a clear admiration.
They were probably focused on touching Seo Gong now, but could it mean they thought I was someone noteworthy too?
Well… it makes sense for kids to idolize heroes.
What’s surprising, though, is that these kids from the Moyong Clan would even like someone like me, who isn’t a part of their family. Typically, those raised in noble families idolize the martial artists of their clan.
To ordinary folks or basic sects, renowned heroes feel like distant, heavenly beings living in another world, but for these kids in the Moyong Clan, is it truly that way?
A hero might be a peak-stage martial artist, but in the clan, peak-stage martial artists are as common as dirt. Ultimately, the stories about those heroes are just tidbits, while the clan’s martial artists are flaunting their swordplay right there in front of them.
So, it’s obvious which side they’d lean toward. Yet somehow, their admiring gazes intrigued me.
“Seems like you have something you’re curious about.”
“My mom said it’d be rude to ask anything out of the blue.”
“Haha, I won’t get mad, so go ahead and ask.”
After I reassured them multiple times, the kids spilled out their burning questions.
“Sir! When you use martial arts, does lightning actually crash?”
“Hey hey! He’s not just a sir, he’s a Great Hero!”
“Haha, that’s true! When I unleash my Qi in an instant, it does make a thunderous sound.”
“Wow!”
So that’s how it is.
Kids are naturally drawn to spectacular things. Fire, water, wind, lightning—those are things every child would marvel at.
Before they reach their middle school years when they start discovering the beauty in subtlety, it’s natural for them to think a lightning swordsman is cooler than just a regular swordsman.
“And is your sword really that big?”
“Yeah, my great sword is about 6 feet long. Roughly the size of my body.”
“Cool..!”
It seems a great sword lightning swordsman is even cooler than just a lightning swordsman. Being showered with those pure, admiring gazes made me feel unexpectedly good.
After all, when the reasons are clear, you can accept the results calmly. Lightning + great sword = awesome! What a beautiful and clear equation of admiration!
What started as an excuse to minimize time spent with the Moyong Clan has turned out quite well, being with these pure-hearted kids. Maybe I’ll gather them together to play more often for some healing and time-killing.
Just then, while nodding in agreement…
Click!
Seo Gong dashed away.
He probably didn’t dislike the kids entirely but managed to escape a short distance, trembling and grooming his fur as if to say, “Enough already!”
“Aah…!”
“Wait!”
But to the kids, it must’ve looked like he was trying to get away. Seo Gong smirked at the kids chasing after him, leaping around while maintaining his distance.
“Catch him!”
And so began the tag game. The kids quickly perked up and started running around while Seo Gong, previously circling nearby, sprinted away with them.
I was left standing there like a dog chasing a chicken, blankly watching the chaos unfold.
“Ha.”
How despairing. It seems the value of Ho Cheon-an the Great Hero in the kids’ eyes hasn’t even reached the level of a simple game of tag with Seo Gong.
“There you are.”
Lost in despair, gazing up at the sky, Moyong Yeon-hwa suddenly stood before me.
“I was looking for Seo Gong, but it seems you’ve been entertaining the kids.”
“Seems that way.”
“By the way, the clan members are searching for the Great Hero.”
Without realizing it, I must have looked tired, as a smile spread across Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face.
“I’ve never seen you look so troubled before.”
At that, I hung my head low. I had no face to show Moyong Yeon-hwa. I had cleaned up the Cheon-ho Sect in Ak-yang for Black Cat’s household, and I’ve tried every trick in the book for Hyeok Gi-rin, haulling the entire world around. I even managed to push out the powerful nobles, greatly strengthening the Imperial Family.
But here, in Moyong Yeon-hwa’s home, not even enjoying a simple meal with the clan members—it makes me wonder what thoughts were going through her mind watching me avoid the Moyong family.
In the brief silence between us…
“Here!”
At that moment, the Moyong Clan members barged in.
“Great Hero, there you are! We’ve been searching for you to share a cup of tea! Hahaha!”
“Hahaha! The tea is getting cold! Great Hero!”
The Moyong Clan members were already bursting with laughter. Watching them, I steeled my resolve and stood up. Well, I guess I’ll just have to take one for the team and mingle with the Moyong Clan. For Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sake, I should do at least that much, right?
If I can think of it like enduring a trial in the ‘Moyong Yeonhwa Laughter Chamber’, why should I have a hard time?
“Haha, well then…”
Just as I was about to finish my sentence, someone wrapped their arms around my arm.
It was Moyong Yeon-hwa.
“Excuse me, but Ho Cheon-an Great Hero has a prior engagement with me.”
The Moyong Clan members, previously chuckling, looked perplexed at her statement.
“Hmm. Shall we join together then? There’s premium tea and snacks prepared, so let’s enjoy together.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll have to decline. I’d prefer to spend some intimate time with my partner.”
“….Ah!”
The Moyong Clan members had expressions as if a lightbulb went off over their heads, nodding and retreating.
“Indeed, we cannot disturb this intimate couple’s time!”
“Hahaha! Great Hero! We’ll come back to find you later!”
“Hahaha!”
Like a receding tide, the Moyong members hurriedly left. I merely stood there, dazed, until I turned my gaze back to Moyong Yeon-hwa. She seemed to find my expression amusing, breaking into quiet laughter.
“It was refreshing to see you troubled, but as we’re now betrothed, I can’t keep enjoying this sight forever. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Will you forgive me…? For being such a hopeless person who can’t even enjoy a simple gathering with my family like the others?”
In response, Moyong Yeon-hwa tightened her grip on my arm. The warmth radiating from her arm felt somehow like her caring thoughts towards me.
To reassure me that this wasn’t just a delusion, Moyong Yeon-hwa gave a slight side glance and said,
“How could I ever be harsh on the Great Hero? There’s no need for self-reproach.”
“…Yeon-hwa.”
“You don’t have to force yourself to mingle with the clan. In fact, I would prefer to spend time alone with the Great Hero. And it seems you feel the same, so it’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”
Her mature consideration touched my heart.
What’s so special about a useless Great Hero like Ho Cheon-an that deserves this thoughtfulness?
“Mama…!”
“Fufu, I don’t know what you mean, but let’s move along. I know a great walking route.”
That day.
I finally enjoyed the scenery of the Moyong Clan comfortably.
