Longevity - Chapter 2

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 2: Don’t Lay a Hand on Ro Hwang
Jang Saeng did not lift the plow.

“I can’t.”

Ro Hwang scraped at the hard earth with his hooves.

“We’ve already finished our field. This really is the end.”

When Jang Saeng pulled the reins, Ro Hwang’s neck jerked backward. Startled, the boy released the tension. The marks where the leather cord had dug into the beast’s thin neck were stark and deep.
Ro Hwang did not take a single step back.

“Why would you push yourself like this……”

A low cry came in answer.
Jang Saeng looked toward the neighboring field and beyond. Black fields at winter’s end stretched in layers down to the foot of the mountain. They were too vast to take in at a glance.
In Ro Hwang’s current condition, even the nearest corner of the nearest field would be a struggle to finish.
And yet the beast waited before the yoke.
Jang Saeng rubbed his eyes with his sleeve.

“If it gets hard, you have to stop right away. Not this time. You won’t have your way.”

When Jang Saeng reattached the plow, Ro Hwang moved forward at once.
As the sun climbed past its zenith, furrow after furrow lengthened. At first, even when Jang Saeng held the plow shallow, Ro Hwang pulled it forward. As time wore on, the roles reversed. Each time Ro Hwang’s pace slowed, Jang Saeng lifted the handles to lift the plow blade above the earth.

“Let’s stop now.”

Ro Hwang walked on as if he hadn’t heard.

“Ro Hwang.”

One hoof dragged through the soil. His body tilted sideways, then barely righted itself.
Jang Saeng grabbed the reins and blocked his path.

“You can’t go. This is where we stop.”

Ro Hwang kept his head down, breathing hard and rough. His nasal discharge fell in a long string onto the earth.
Jang Saeng reached to unbind the yoke. But then Ro Hwang twisted his body with what strength remained and lunged toward the next furrow.

“Why won’t you listen to me!”

Only after his voice cracked did Jang Saeng fall silent.
Ro Hwang had always obeyed. When Old Wang pulled the reins, he stopped. When Jang Saeng lifted the plow, he walked. Now, for the first time, he was clinging to his own will.
Jang Saeng bowed his head.

“……I’m sorry.”

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and grasped the plow again.

“Go on. I’ll support it from behind this time.”

As the sun tilted toward the west, Ro Hwang’s legs began to tremble. With each step his hooves took, his knees buckled. Jang Saeng followed behind, holding the plow almost entirely aloft.

“Just a little more and we’ll reach the field’s edge. Let’s get that far.”

Ro Hwang turned down the final furrow and emerged at the field’s edge.
And stopped.
His head lowered, he stood motionless, as if asking to be freed from the yoke.
Jang Saeng threw down the plow and untied the leather cord first.

“That’s enough! Don’t do anything else now.”

The yoke slipped from Ro Hwang’s back. Jang Saeng pulled over the container of bean water he’d been carrying since morning.

“Here, drink. Even just a sip.”

Ro Hwang lowered his head to the container.
Jang Saeng’s eyes widened.

“That’s it. Slowly, slowly now.”

Only a few swallows. Soon Ro Hwang lifted his head away, and his tongue—wet with bean water—traced slowly across Jang Saeng’s cheek and forehead.

“That tickles.”

Jang Saeng tried to laugh, but his voice trembled.

“When we get home, I’ll make you more. It doesn’t matter if there are no soybeans—we’ll find a way somehow……”

Ro Hwang licked his cheek once more.
Then he turned his body away.

“Ro Hwang?”

Home lay to the south. Ro Hwang turned toward the Back Mountain instead.
Jang Saeng followed, clutching the bean water container.

“Where are you going? You’ve taken the wrong path.”

He tugged at the halter, but Ro Hwang wouldn’t stop. Afraid of hurting the beast’s thin neck, Jang Saeng couldn’t pull hard enough. Ro Hwang walked on until he reached the sunny grassland between the fields and forest—a place where cold winds were blocked by the ridge and dried grass lay thick.
Once there, he folded his front legs.
Thump.
His great body settled onto the grass.

“Why are you lying down here?”

Jang Saeng knelt beside him.

“Let’s go home. It’ll be cold once night falls.”

Ro Hwang’s eyes only blinked slowly.
Jang Saeng removed his rain cape and draped it over the beast’s back. It was hopelessly small. The wet cloth barely covered the middle of his spine.

“You’re just resting a bit before we go, right?”

Instead of an answer, ragged breathing leaked out.
The sun sank beyond the mountain. At first, Ro Hwang would occasionally lift his head to lick Jang Saeng’s hand. Soon only his eyes moved. With each breath in, his belly swelled greatly; with each exhale, a long time passed before the next one came.
Jang Saeng kept stroking his neck.

“I’m here.”

Wind pressed down the dried grass.

“So don’t go alone.”

Then came the sound of wood cracking.

“Jang Saeng! What are you doing over there?”

A middle-aged man carrying firewood was descending the mountain path.
Jang Saeng quickly rose and shielded Ro Hwang from view.

“I’m not doing anything.”
“If you’re doing nothing, why are you at the foot of the mountain until nightfall?”

The man drew closer.

“I’ve been plowing the field and resting.”
“Ro Hwang plowed the field?”
“He plowed until afternoon. Didn’t you see?”

The man scanned the overturned fields to the south, then let his gaze fall on Ro Hwang.

“Then why is he lying there like that?”
“He’s exhausted.”
“Isn’t he dead?”
“No, he isn’t!”

As Jang Saeng’s reply grew heated, the man’s eyes narrowed.

“Why are you shouting?”

The man plucked a thin twig from the stack of firewood and held it before Ro Hwang’s nose. Jang Saeng batted it away with his hand.

“Don’t touch him.”
“Well, he’s still breathing, it seems.”
“He’s alive. So please go.”
“Look at this cripple, speaking to an adult like that.”

The man clicked his tongue and turned away. After a few steps, he glanced back.

“If he really dies, don’t hide it. The village needs to know.”
“Why? Ro Hwang is mine.”
“That’s for the village head to decide.”

The man descended the darkening mountain path.
Jang Saeng watched until his figure vanished from sight. A chill crept through his chest.

“Ro Hwang, let’s go home.”

Even with the rope in hand, Ro Hwang could not stand.

“Just hold on a little longer. I’ll push you up.”

Jang Saeng pressed his shoulder against the beast’s flank and pushed. One hind leg twitched, but the body did not move.

“Please…….”

Ro Hwang’s ear flicked once.
It was like saying that would have to be enough.
As night fell, lights appeared from the direction of the village.
At first there was one. Soon two, then three, and before long a dozen torches came in a line up the field path.
Jang Saeng stood up from where he sat.
Beneath the torches he could see baskets, wooden containers, and wash basins. At the front was Village Head Wang Jeon-gwi,

and beside him walked the butcher Wang Dae-u,

his belt cinched with knives both large and small.
Jang Saeng stepped forward, placing himself in front of Ro Hwang.
The villagers formed a circle around the grassland.
Old Wang, the village headman, cleared his throat.

“Jang Saeng, what’s Ro Hwang’s condition?”
“Why did so many of you come?”
“When an elder asks, you answer first.”

Wang Dae-u tapped the scabbard of his sword.

“Is there still breath in him?”

Jang Saeng saw the wooden containers and wash basins in their hands. There was no need to ask what they’d come to collect.

“Go back.”

The forced smile vanished from the headman’s face.

“Ro Hwang isn’t your ox.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The ox was originally bought with money the villagers pooled together. Old Wang simply raised him for us.”

Jang Saeng swallowed a hollow laugh.

“Old Wang said he bought him for two silver coins.”
“Do you have proof?”
“Then do you have proof the village bought him?”

Curses erupted among the crowd.

“You insolent brat!”
“We’re all witnesses!”
“Where does some stray get off acting like an owner?”

Wang Dae-u raised his hand, and the voices quieted somewhat.

“Let’s settle this with words. Step aside.”
“I won’t.”
“We need to bleed him before he stops breathing. Once he’s dead, even the meat will spoil.”

Jang Saeng’s body went rigid.

“Ro Hwang is still alive.”
“That’s why we need to take him now.”

Jang Saeng pointed toward the southern field.

“You all saw who plowed that field today! He didn’t just plow our field. He kept plowing your fields even as he was dying!”
“So?”

The woodcutter spoke from behind the crowd.

“We’re about to starve to death. Are you saying people should go hungry because of one ox?”
“What has Ro Hwang done for you?”
“It’s just a beast working. What’s so great about that?”

Someone snorted derisively.
Wang Dae-u stepped forward.

“Step aside while I’m asking nicely. If you don’t, I’ll break those legs of yours too.”

Jang Saeng drew the sickle from his waist.
The villagers muttered and stepped back.

“Anyone who lays a hand on Ro Hwang will answer to me.”

The village chief’s face flushed crimson.

“How dare you raise a blade to your elders?”
“You came here to kill Ro Hwang!”
“Seize that boy first!”

Three strong men rushed forward, hefting hoes and cudgels.
Jang Saeng swung the sickle to block, and the handle met a cudgel with a jarring crack that shot pain through his arm. An a-frame pole came whistling from the side and caught him across the shoulder.

“Hngh!”

His knees buckled.
Jang Saeng gritted his teeth and swung the sickle again. The blade grazed a man’s thigh.

“The boy’s cut me!”

The villagers surged forward as one.
The sickle flew from his grip. Fists and kicks poured down on his back and ribs. Jang Saeng wrapped his arms over his head and crawled toward Ro Hwang.

“Stop—don’t touch Ro Hwang!”
“I’ll report this to the magistrate! You said it’s a crime to kill a plow ox without cause!”
“Report me?”

Wang Dae-u’s foot drove into Jang Saeng’s belly.

“Then we’d best make sure you can’t open your mouth at all.”

The kicks came harder, faster.
Then, from behind, a low and long cry tore through the air.

“Moooooo—!”

Before the villagers could even turn, Ro Hwang rose to his feet.
His trembling legs drove hard into the earth. His tawny head plunged through the crowd.

“The ox is up!”
“Get back!”

Two men were gored sideways and tumbled away. A torch fell to the dirt. The startled villagers shoved one another, scattering in panic. Ro Hwang planted himself between Jang Saeng and the mob.

“Ro Hwang…”

The beast drew one long, shuddering breath, and his body tilted to the side.
Thud!
Ro Hwang collapsed again.

“The mad ox gored people!”

Wang Dae-u unsheathed his sword.
The villagers around him grabbed hoes and cudgels, closing in.
Jang Saeng had no strength left to stand. He pushed himself forward on his elbows, crawling toward Ro Hwang.

“No!”

He wrapped his arms around Ro Hwang’s neck and threw his body over hers.

“If you’re going to hit someone, hit me first!”

The club came down hard across his back.
Stars exploded in his vision.
A second blow grazed the back of his head. Jang Saeng didn’t release his grip on Ro Hwang’s neck.

“Stop!”

A thunderous shout erupted from the Northern Forest.
The torches and clubs froze mid-motion.
Everyone turned to look north.
Jang Saeng lifted his head a moment too late. A massive shadow was hurtling through the trees. Dry branches snapped and cracked against his shoulders with each stride.
The shadow bounded forward, launching itself into the torchlit circle.
It was a young man.
His head towered a full height above ordinary laborers, and beneath his grey long robe, his shoulders were broad as a door. In one hand he carried a yellow copper staff as tall as a man.

The man pointed his staff at the crowd.

“You are so many, and yet you beat a single child? Why?”

No one answered.
All eyes turned to Old Wang.
The broad-shouldered man followed their gaze.

“Are you the one responsible for this village?”

Old Wang cleared his throat and straightened his collar.

“I am the village headman. But it seems you don’t understand the situation……”
“Then explain. Why did you beat that child?”

Old Wang’s mouth opened and closed several times.

“The trouble arose because of that ox.”

The large man looked back and forth between Ro Hwang and Jang Saeng.

“You, boy.”

Jang Saeng wiped away the blood from his lips.

“Yes.”
“Did you steal the ox?”
“No! Ro Hwang is my family. These people came to slaughter her.”
“Family?”

The large man’s eyes widened.
A woman pushed her way through the crowd.

“Don’t believe him! That ox belongs to the village. That cripple took it for himself!”
“She’s my ox!”
“She’s the village’s ox, I tell you!”

As accusations flew from both sides, the large man’s thick brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

“Wait! One at a time, please!”

Yet his voice did not diminish. Geosaeng scratched his head vigorously and turned to gaze toward the Northern Forest.

“Master! Please come quickly! I cannot tell who is lying!”

The villagers’ faces hardened.
The man had not come alone.
A moment later, four figures emerged from between the trees.
In front walked a white-haired Taoist Immortal.

His hair was white as snow, yet his face appeared barely past middle age. In one hand he held a whisk with long white horsehair streaming from it.

Behind him came a stout youth bearing an enormous bundle on his back, a small-built person in a grey long robe, and a young man carrying wooden chests in both hands. The last man set down his chests and immediately perched atop them, worrying a dry stalk of grass between his teeth.
Wang Dae-u quietly slid his sword back into its sheath.
The white-haired Taoist Immortal examined Ro Hwang lying on the ground, then Jang Saeng draped over it, then the bloodstained club in turn.
Then he brought his hands together in a light salute.

Limitless Celestial Worthy.

His gentle voice stilled the clamor.
The Taoist Immortal’s gaze came to rest on Old Wang.

“Who is responsible for this place?”

Old Wang’s lips trembled.
The dozens of eyes that had been fixed on Jang Saeng moments before now swiveled toward him all at once.
No one dared open their mouth.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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