TRFM 20

Chapter 20

Dan Yuseon and Jin Yeongyeong were overjoyed.

Hwayuhwa was staying at the Dan family estate.

They had thought their son was like a block of wood, but it seemed like things were finally progressing.

Dan Yuseon had been worried.

He wondered if his son, who had wandered the Jianghu and Dosan Sword Forest, might have developed some problem with an important part of his body.

That was why he thought perhaps he had no interest in women.

“That’s not it.”

Dan Hyeonwoo spoke firmly.

Just by looking at his father’s expression, he could tell—

what he was thinking.

Dan Yuseon moved his body as he spoke.

“This is quite difficult. It’s called the Haegang Gijo Method, a kind of qi circulation and breathing technique?”

“Take it slow at first. It will take time for your stamina to recover, so don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I’ve been lying down for too long. I need to move quickly now. I can’t leave the Dan family’s problems unattended forever.”

At a glance, it was obvious his father was overexerting himself.

Having gotten back on his feet for the first time in a while, he ignored Hwayuhwa’s attempts to stop him and diligently practiced the qi circulation method the family performed every morning.

Because of that, Hwayuhwa was watching over him with an anxious expression.

Dan Hyeonwoo smiled at her.

Of course, only inwardly—if he smiled outwardly, that girl would cling to him again.

‘When she said she was going to settle down here, it startled me, but it’s true the atmosphere at home has improved because of her. But… why is she dressed like that?’

Usually, she wore clothes that exposed her thighs, but when meeting his parents and family, she dressed modestly.

But when sneaking into his room, why did she wear clothes that exposed even more of her thighs than usual?

A perfectly ordinary question.

Anyway, except when she was asleep, this was the first time she actually looked pretty while taking such devoted care of his parents’ health.

Of course, not as a woman—but as a physician.

Ever since Hwayuhwa came, the previously stiff atmosphere had softened a lot—probably due to her natural disposition.

With her elegant and pure demeanor, the family had taken a liking to her.

Though that was likely because they hadn’t yet seen her when she was acting like a madwoman.

‘Since I called her here, I should take responsibility. As a subordinate—and as a physician.’

Even if he hadn’t called her, she would have tracked him down someday anyway.

She would have bought out the entire Hao Clan just to find his whereabouts.

Or beaten up the Hao Clan leader to get the information.

Her obsession was burdensome, but the smiles of his family diluted that burden.

In any case, ever since Hwayuhwa arrived, the family had become noticeably healthier.

That much was undeniable.

With a bitter smile, Dan Hyeonwoo composed himself and approached Eun Hyeongyeom.

Aside from the Haegang Gijo Method, he was also training in martial arts every morning.

“You—quit the escort agency.”

“If I quit, how am I supposed to make money?”

“If you keep working as an escort with your martial arts, my sister will become a widow. At best, within a year.”

“Thanks for saying something terrifying with a smile, my friend.”

“What’s the name of the martial art you learned?”

“Cheonho Jikang (Heavenly Tiger Severing Strength).”

“Heavenly tiger splitting strongly? Is there such a martial art?”

“The name sounds grand, but it’s just something written in a book sold by the escort agency. To join, you either need to know a martial art or learn one from the manuals they sell.”

“Can I see that book?”

“It’s in my room. Wait a moment.”

Eun Hyeongyeom quickly brought the book.

Dan Hyeonwoo understood the nature of the martial art from the very first page, and by the time he read halfway, he felt a strange sensation.

‘They mixed the street-sold Samjae Sword Technique and Taijiquan. And even something I saw in the imperial archives… That martial art was called Cheonhwa Giryu.’

Cheonhwa Giryu was a lost martial art, a divine and supreme technique.

Dan Hyeonwoo had once taken interest in it.

However, since the principles of Cheonhwa Giryu were already incorporated into the Manmu Divine Art he had mastered, he passed it to Hwayuhwa, where it became part of her.

He judged it suited her best.

Now one of the seven martial arts she had learned, Cheonhwa Giryu allowed her to slaughter enemies on the battlefield with terrifying efficiency.

So why was such a martial art in an escort agency manual?

‘Interesting. It’s only a fragment, but it allows for considerable improvement. Still, in this state, one can never become truly strong. It’s as if they removed the supreme essence just to keep selling the book.’

If one trained for a hundred years, they could become strong.

Assuming they lived that long, they would become a mid-tier martial artist in the Jianghu.

Just barely enough to earn a nickname.

“Isn’t this Cheonhwa Giryu?”

Hwayuhwa, who had been glancing at the book, approached and spoke.

Her face showed interest.

“Shall I teach him martial arts? If the leader says so, I will.”

“The flow of Cheonhwa Giryu has already settled in Hyeongyeom’s body. You are indeed the right person.”

Eun Hyeongyeom joined the conversation.

“You’ll really teach me martial arts?”

“I’ll start teaching you tomorrow morning. I’ll make you a renowned martial artist within half a year.”

“Ah….”

To turn Hyeongyeom—who was practically a blank slate—into a renowned martial artist in half a year meant she intended to half-kill him in the process.

‘Survive well. Don’t make my sister a real widow.’

While he was thinking that, the family, having finished the Haegang Gijo Method, were sweating with bright expressions.

Out of the twenty total forms, they had already learned up to the seventh.

Their bodies were now flowing with a clear, refined energy.

Dan Hyeonwoo smiled.

Everything was becoming perfect.

Through the breathing technique, their health was returning, and Hwayuhwa was curing all their illnesses with her medical skills.

She had treated Eun Hyeongyeom’s chronic ankle condition.

She had also healed Dan Seoyeon’s wrist pain from working at the inn.

And his father was improving day by day—it seemed he would soon fully recover.

Jin Yeongyeong spoke.

“Let’s all eat breakfast together now. These days, I enjoy meals with everyone the most. Having the whole family gathered every morning… I don’t know if this is a dream or reality….”

His mother repeated the same words every morning.

They heard it every day, yet each time, the family smiled.

This—must be happiness.

The happiness one feels within the boundaries of family.

Hwayuhwa had joined that boundary, but nothing had changed.

She was family now too.

Of course, when they were alone together, she was still a burden.

Still, returning to Hangzhou with dreams of such a harmonious family had truly been the right decision.

Dan Hyeonwoo felt his eyes grow slightly moist and turned his head.

“Hyeongyeom, go tell the escort agency that I’m quitting.”

Before warm tears could fall, Dan Hyeonwoo quickly left the Dan estate.

Realizing, after a long time, that even happiness could bring tears.

Jeon Ak-gwan asked Yoo Su-cheon,

“What should we make for lunch today?”

“Sweet and sour pork, shredded pork in soybean paste, and Kung Pao chicken. Three dishes.”

“We’ll need to buy quite a lot of ingredients. Lately, my mother-in-law has even started nagging about the ingredients, so we’ll have to choose carefully.”

“Let’s hurry if we don’t want to get scolded. By the way, did you finish cleaning the wall?”

“I made Cheon Il-seong do it.”

“If he slacks off, beat him up.”

“That’s my specialty.”

The two entered the now-familiar market.

Since when had this place become so familiar?

As they entered, the woman who had previously told them about a shop selling fresh vegetables was looking at something with a troubled expression.

“What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“Oh my? Aren’t you Lord Yoo? Please look over there. Isn’t that outrageous?”

Yoo Su-cheon and Jeon Ak-gwan turned toward where she pointed.

There stood a familiar man, harassing a merchant as if squeezing him dry.

‘Gang Podu from the county office?’

The other two were minor constables, but Gang Podu was fairly well-known.

Gang Podu said to the merchant,

“This is fraud!”

“Oh dear, officer, how is this fraud?”

“You said this is chrysanthemum bread, right? Then why isn’t there any chrysanthemum in it? That makes it fraud!”

“It’s named that because of its shape. Who actually puts real chrysanthemums in it?”

“Enough. Boys, drag him away. Unless you want to avoid that, pay additional tax. Since you earned dirty money through lies, it’s only right you pay extra tax.”

“Additional tax?”

“Two nyang of silver. Pay quickly, or you’ll be taken to the county office!”

The chrysanthemum bread vendor lowered his head and endured.

His fists trembled with resentment, but he couldn’t risk his livelihood.

So he simply took out money and handed it over.

Originally, taxes were collected by the provincial office.

The county office had nothing to do with it.

Yet once a month, Gang Podu came to extort “additional taxes.”

Everyone in the market knew what happened to those who refused.

They were dragged away, beaten half to death, and never able to do business again.

That was the reality of the Hangzhou market.

After receiving the money, Gang Podu said,

“Be careful from now on. Be grateful I’m letting you off with just this much.”

“Th… thank you.”

The vendor clenched his teeth, holding back tears.

A family’s monthly living cost was about one nyang of silver.

To earn that, he had to work all month.

Yet he had just been robbed of two nyang.

This month, his wife—who repaired clothes—would have to support the household.

Having finished with him, Gang Podu walked to the chicken vendor.

“You—three nyang as additional tax.”

“Officer! What did I do wrong to pay more tax?”

“Do you know how many complaints say your chickens don’t have their feathers plucked properly?”

“There’s no such thing as a chicken whose feathers can’t be plucked! You know that better than anyone! Times are hard, business is bad—please spare me.”

“This bastard still doesn’t get it. Boys!”

At his command, the constables drew their weapons.

The chicken vendor trembled in fear.

He had no choice.

Either pay—or borrow from loan sharks.

And eventually be dragged away and beaten.

‘I don’t like this.’

Watching familiar merchants suffer, Yoo Su-cheon and Jeon Ak-gwan felt anger rising.

“That chrysanthemum bread vendor—he just had twins and said he needed to earn money. If they take two nyang, how will he raise them?”

“And that chicken vendor—he taught me an incredible feather-plucking technique. Thanks to him, cooking has been easy. And remember when we used to come here after getting beaten by Dan Hyeonwoo?”

“Yes. Song would give us chrysanthemum bread for free when we were starving. How could I forget?”

Their faces turned red with anger.

Why were they angry?

These merchants used to be nothing more than sources of food to them.

But now…

They didn’t want to think too deeply.

They simply entrusted themselves to the boiling rage.

That was the way of the unorthodox faction.

Yoo Su-cheon stepped forward.

“Gang Podu, stop this!”

“Lord Yoo? Why interfere? Don’t you know officials and martial artists must not interfere with each other?”

“That rule doesn’t say we must keep our mouths shut.”

“That may be, but…”

“Even I, a member of the unorthodox faction, don’t touch the pockets of market folk. You know how hard they live.”

“This is ta—tax! You must not interfere with official matters!”

Gang Podu held his ground.

The rule separating officials and martial artists was the only shield preventing conflict.

Breaking it would come at a great cost.

Yoo Su-cheon knew that well.

So—

Thud.

He gripped the hilt of his sword.

He didn’t draw it.

Just held it.

Gang Podu clenched his teeth.

‘He’s threatening without breaking the rule. Experienced bastard.’

A drop of cold sweat ran down his temple.

Hangzhou’s strongest.

If it came to force, Yoo Su-cheon alone could wipe out the entire county office.

That was why even this gesture was enough.

In the end, Gang Podu stepped back.

“Return the money you took from the chrysanthemum bread vendor.”

“…Fine. But you will regret this. Those who interfere with officials rarely meet a good end.”

“I’ll remember that. Though I’ll probably forget by tomorrow.”

Gang Podu threw the money onto the vendor’s table.

“Let’s go!”

As he retreated, Yoo Su-cheon sneered.

“What regret? Don’t show your face again, you bastard. Hey, Song—keep your money safe next time.”

“Lord Yoo! Thank you! This is for my twins—how can I ever repay you?”

“How many buns have I eaten from you? Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you. Truly.”

Cheers erupted throughout the market.

All the merchants bowed.

An old vegetable seller cried while holding hands.

A limping fish vendor thanked them.

Gratitude poured from everywhere.

The cheers didn’t stop.

Embarrassed, Yoo Su-cheon scratched his head.

‘Damn… is this why people become righteous heroes? This is strange. We’re supposed to be villains.’

The unfamiliar warmth filled his chest.

Yoo Su-cheon grabbed his hair and shouted,

“Ahhh! Ever since I met Dan Hyeonwoo, I’ve become weird! Really weird! Me—a righteous hero? Does that make any sense?!”