Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 77

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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 77. Are you satisfied now?
Dan Yeop walked slowly through the night-lit streets.
Though it was the depths of winter, the thoroughfare teemed with people.
Most were merchants buying or selling goods in Seosi.
He drifted forward without direction, his feet carrying him where they would.
After wandering for some time, he came to a halt—the Hwaunru had come into view.
Habit is a terrifying thing.
The fact that he’d arrived here without thinking said as much.
He gazed up at the window table where he and Baek Yuhwa used to sit, then turned away and walked in the opposite direction.
For a long while he wandered aimlessly, doubling back on himself.
He passed through several gateways.
Before he knew it, he had drifted into Dongsi.
It was just as Dan Yeop was passing a restaurant.
The door opened, and four pairs of young men and women emerged.
The men all wore thick Yuan Ling Robes, while the women draped themselves in Pi Baek—soft fur-lined wraps—about their shoulders.
At a glance, they looked like the sons and daughters of wealthy households leaving after a meal.
Dan Yeop glanced at them casually, then turned away and walked on with long strides.
That was when a sharp woman’s voice called out from behind.
“Dan Yeop.”
He turned back with a resigned air and offered his greetings.
“Miss Na, it’s been a while.”
It was Na Geumryeong of Jinbosangbang who had called him to a stop.
“Come with me. We need to talk for a moment.”
Dan Yeop was reluctant, but thinking of Sim Ma, he followed her lead.
Songnim Dagwan.
Once the tea utensils were brought, Na Geumryeong steeped the hot water and poured tea only into her own cup.
A moment later, Dan Yeop quietly filled his own.
“I heard from my brother some time ago that he went to find you and apologized for past wrongs.”
Dan Yeop sipped his tea in silence.
It was bitter and astringent.
“But I don’t agree with it. As you know, my brother has always been rather wishy-washy when it comes to people. That’s why he severed things with you through me.”
Dan Yeop muttered to himself, ‘Sim Ma’s life isn’t easy either.’
“If word gets out about your relationship with him, if people in Jinbosangbang start talking, my brother will certainly regret it bitterly.”
…….
Dan Yeop said nothing in response.
Unlike with Sim Ma, he had not a single good memory of Na Bugang or Na Geumryeong.
To sit and be lectured by someone for whom he felt nothing at all was maddening.
If not for Sim Ma, he would have left long ago.
“So what I’m asking is that you settle things firmly on your end.”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like you to tell my brother that you want to sever relations.”
At those words, Dan Yeop could hold back no longer.
“Miss Na, I think you’re mistaken about something. I have already severed relations with your brother long ago.”
“What, what did you say?”
“Once a severance is made, it’s done. Why do you keep asking me to do it again and again? Don’t merchants keep their promises? To see you ask someone already severed from you to sever again—”
“Dan Yeop! Have you finished?”
Na Geumryeong trembled as she glared at him.
She had never expected such words to come from his mouth.
“I’m not finished yet. I’m tired of you and your brother saying different things. First, the two of you should come to an agreement, and then speak to me. Though it won’t matter anyway—I’ve already severed ties, so nothing will change.”
“You, you…….”
“Are you your brother’s mother? Or is your brother a fool who cannot make his own decisions? Why do you go around arranging his relationships for him like this?”
“You’re cunning, speaking like that when you know your brother’s nature.”
“If your brother has such a retiring disposition, how does he manage a merchant house? Merchants live by meeting people and building relationships.”
“Don’t speak carelessly with that loose tongue of yours!”
“You’re the one making me speak carelessly!”
The words burst from Dan Yeop in a shout.
So much had accumulated in him over the matter of Baek Yuhwa.
At the weight of his outcry, the teahouse fell silent.
Faced with his vehemence, Na Geumryeong could only blink, speechless.
“I may have grown up an orphan, but I am no different from you. Would you speak to those you were with earlier the way you speak to me?”
“That comparison doesn’t hold. You and they aren’t of the same station.”
“Ah, I see—so I was presumptuous because my status is lower? I understand now. They say you must know someone for a long time to see their true face, yet I never realized you were this kind of person.”
“No, that’s not what I meant at all…….”
In the heat of the moment, she’d let slip words she shouldn’t have.
Na Geumryeong tried hurriedly to take them back, but it was already too late.
Realizing it belatedly, she offered no further excuses.
For his part, Dan Yeop knew that she wasn’t a bad person by nature.
But he and the Na siblings—Na Bugang and Na Geumryeong—simply had poor chemistry.
“It seems we don’t share a fortunate connection. The longer we meet, the worse our feelings toward each other become. I’d prefer we not entangle ourselves further.”
With that, Dan Yeop rose from his seat first.
Leaving Songnim Dagwan, he suddenly thought of Dan Bulwi and hurried quickly through the streets.
***
Jangrakbang in Useong (Seosi district).
Aemun Chongdan Wonbang Guesthouse.
Dusk, the hour of the dog (seven in the evening).
Dan Bulwi and Dan Yeop sat facing each other in the guesthouse dining hall.
The table was laden with an abundance of dishes.
Amun had pulled its weight to arrange a meeting between the Chief Commander and the Commander.
“What brings this meeting about this evening?”
“I thought you should know about it.”
“Has something happened?”
Dan Yeop relayed his conversation with Yu Daeung, the fierce wind blade of the scattered fists faction in Chang’an.
But Dan Bulwi didn’t take the matter seriously.
“Well, I can’t say it’s entirely baseless, but it still seems exaggerated. If the O Ak Geompa is a tiger, then Haowen is a stray dog. Would a tiger concern itself with the stray dog’s affairs? Those proud folk? I don’t think so.”
Had his conversation partner been a brilliant Dan Yeop, he would have argued back.
But the ordinary Dan Yeop’s judgment couldn’t surpass Dan Bulwi’s.
When Dan Bulwi said it wasn’t the case, Dan Yeop felt somewhat relieved.
In truth, even if the Cheon Do-hoe were plotting something, there was little he could do about it, so he chose to think of it in the best light.
“And Chief Commander, there’s something I’m personally curious about.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve heard you found me in Lakan County. Is there anything else that might give me a clue about my family?”
“Why? Are you thinking of searching for your parents?”
“Yes.”
Dan Yeop nodded readily.
They say that when death draws near, one longs for home; knowing this might be his last chance, he found himself missing his parents.
“I found you in a large market near Lakan County. Your home must surely have been near the market as well—if you ask around there, you’ll find leads.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
“Were you thinking of going right away?”
“Yes.”
“Then stay here tonight and set out tomorrow morning. You’ll need time to prepare for such a journey besides.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Can you ride a horse?”
“No.”
“Then a horse won’t do. I’ll arrange a carriage for you. Winter’s here anyway—a carriage will serve you better than a horse.”
“Thank you.”
After the evening meal, while they were taking tea, Dan Bulwi spoke.
“I’ve heard about you and the niece of Sect Leader Baek. You were close to each other from the Terracotta Army Tomb, I understand?”
“Yes.”
“Are you thinking of taking revenge on your blood brother?”
“I know it’s presumptuous, but yes.”
“Presumptuous? No. With your strength, you could surpass him.”
“…….”
Dan Yeop understood the remark was made with Sim Ma in mind and said nothing.
When Dan Bulwi saw Dan Yeop’s expression darken, he quickly brought the conversation to a close.
“You have a long journey ahead tomorrow—rest early tonight.”
“Yes.”
***
The next morning.
Dan Yeop departed from Wonbang Guesthouse in the carriage Dan Bulwi had arranged.
The carriage reached Lakan County at the hour of the sheep (three in the afternoon).
They left the Aemun Chongdan Wonbang Guesthouse early in the fourth watch, and the journey took a full six hours.
Winter slowed the carriage’s pace, and stopping to rest the horse along the way added further delay.
Dan Yeop asked locals for directions to the largest marketplace in the area.
Winter had left the market sparse and quiet.
After questioning merchants and wandering the market’s perimeter, he watched the sun sink toward the horizon before heading to the largest inn in town.
“Welcome! Oh? You’re back again?”
Jeom Soi, whom Dan Yeop had never seen before, greeted him as if they were old acquaintances. Dan Yeop frowned.
“You know me?”
“Of course I do! You stayed here for two nights about a month ago. How could I forget?”
“I did?”
“Yes, sir. You were asking around about someone who’d lost a four-year-old boy here—fourteen years ago now, wasn’t it?”
“Ah…….”
A sound of recognition escaped Dan Yeop’s lips.
So Sim Ma had passed through this place without his knowledge.
“Seeing you back here, I suppose you never found him?”
“Something like that.”
“Did you ever meet with Gwak Ido?”
“Gwak Ido?”
At Jeom Soi’s words, Dan Yeop’s heart began to race.
“You asked me where his house was, remember? I gave you directions, and you packed up and left. So you never found him after all?”
“Yes—could you tell me again where Gwak Ido’s house is?”
“First you should have a meal. And we need to settle your account from before…….”
As he spoke, Jeom Soi glanced around and opened his palm.
He was asking for information money.
Dan Yeop pulled out coins and pressed them into Jeom Soi’s hand.
“When you leave the inn, follow the left path for a good distance. Then you’ll see it on your right.”
“On the right?”
“Yes. There’s a plaque on the main gate that reads ‘Gwakhouse.’ You can read, can’t you?”
Jeom Soi eyed the young man with a hint of suspicion.
He’d given these directions before, and now the man was back—something felt off about it.
“Of course I can. Thank you.”
As Dan Yeop turned to leave, Jeom Soi called after him urgently.
“Sir, won’t you at least have a meal?”
“I’m in a hurry now. I’ll come back to eat later.”
“Ah, everyone says they’ll come back later, but nobody ever does.”
Dan Yeop left the inn, leaving Jeom Soi’s grumbling behind.
As he followed the path Jeom Soi had described, his heart pounded in his chest.
After walking for some time, he spotted it: a plaque reading “Gwakhouse” on the right side of the road.
The moment he confirmed his destination, his mouth went dry.
Yet instead of striding forward, he circled the Gwakhouse repeatedly, like a dog hesitant to approach.
This was nothing like the bold Dan Yeop who would normally knock on a door without hesitation.
Someone appeared before the main gate, where he stood wavering.
“You there—who are you? What business do you have loitering in front of someone else’s home? Wait—you!”
Gwak Ido stared at him in shock.
A month ago this man had appeared without warning and turned the entire Gwak household upside down. Why had he returned?
“Do you know me?”
For a moment, Gwak Ido thought Dan Yeop was mocking him.
They had exchanged names, stayed under the same roof for a night—and now the man asked if he was recognized?
“Aren’t you Dan Yeop? You left as though you’d never return, yet here you are again. What brings you back?”
Unlike a month before, Gwak Ido’s tone was cold.
He had tried to heal the frozen relationship between Jin Unseol and Dan Yeop, only to be criticized by the young man for his efforts.
“Fifteen years ago now—the year has turned. You lost a four-year-old boy…….”
“Stop. My wife has been bedridden since you left. Have you come back to finish what you started?”
“Your wife, you say?”
“Who else? Your own mother, of course.”
“My mother married this man?”
Dan Yeop pointed to himself, and Gwak Ido’s voice suddenly rose in fury.
“Are you mocking me? Yes! She married me! We have a son, five years younger than you. After learning about you, the boy abandoned his studies entirely. Since you came through here, our household has been utterly destroyed. Is that what you wanted?”

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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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