Hua Sochen's group, who had come out of the inn, was about to head to the medicinal ingredient street again. But Biyun showed an unexpected reaction.
"I can't go."
"You can't go? What do you mean by that?"
"I have older sisters and brothers."
The children of the street.
Biyun was not alone.
Although she lived while being beaten by Bear Hair, there were children who were like her own flesh and blood, relying on each other. She couldn't just follow them to live well by herself.
Hua Sochen, who had realized the situation, made a pitiful face.
But she soon deliberately smiled.
"You're a good kid. I'm the head of the Hua Family Clinic in An. If you ever need help, come and find me anytime. And hide this well and use it when you really need it."
Hua Sochen took out a purse and put it in Biyun's bosom.
Twelve-year-old Biyun saw a warm smile for the first time since the monk who had raised her had passed away, and she received help full of warmth.
"Thank you."
Biyun, who was bowing her head.
Hua Sochen hugged such a Biyun and said in her ear.
"The world is unfair, but there might be a chance someday. Cheer up."
Biyun, whose eyes had reddened, forced back her rising tears.
And when Hua Sochen, who had been hugging her, let her go, she nodded her head greatly and then bowed her head to Cho Myung as well.
Cho Myung just watched without a word.
Biyun looked at the silent Cho Myung and then turned around. She looked back several times as she went and then disappeared into the crowd. It was a short but frustrating meeting for Cho Myung.
An hour later, the Eun Family Merchant Guild.
At the words that the head of the Hua Family Clinic had come to visit, the head of the family, Eun Yijeong, came running out himself.
"It's really you, head of the family. Welcome, you've come at a good time."
"Thank you for not forgetting and welcoming me, even though we've only met once."
"What does it matter if it's once? I already knew then that it was a good connection."
Eun Yijeong smiled pleasantly.
Hua Sochen, who was so welcomed, thought it was a relief and smiled.
She had looked around the medicinal ingredient street once more with Jeok Yorap, but she still could not decide which place to trade with.
Since she had to inquire with the Eun Family Merchant Guild about the transportation of the medicinal ingredients anyway, she had come to ask about the medicinal ingredient stores in Chengdu as well.
"Ildo."
"Yes."
"Guide the carriage and let the driver rest."
"I understand."
The young man called Ildo guided the driver and moved away.
"Now, let's go in."
"Okay."
Eun Yijeong took Hua Sochen, Jeok Yorap, and Cho Myung and headed to the guest room.
"This is Old Master Jeok, who works at the main family's pharmacy."
"Nice to meet you. Please just call me Old Jeok."
"I am Eun Yijeong."
"This is Myung, Old Master Jeok's grandson."
When Hua Sochen introduced him, Cho Myung bowed his head greatly and greeted him.
"I am Jeok Myung."
He had decided not to reveal that he was Cho Myung for now. So he had no choice but to say that he was from the Jeok family, following his grandfather.
"Your body is really good. Have you learned martial arts?"
"Yes."
When Cho Myung answered, Eun Yijeong nodded.
Eun Yijeong, who was at a considerable level, had grasped at once the firm body hidden under the clothes just by Cho Myung's body type and actions.
"That's a relief. Since there is a divine dragon like you, it will be a great help to the safety of the clinic."
"I will protect the Hua Family Clinic."
"You're full of confidence, good. Very good! Hahaha!"
When Eun Yijeong laughed heartily, Cho Myung also let go of his tension about seeing him again and his sorry heart for hiding his identity, and scratched his head and laughed.
After exchanging such a friendly greeting, everyone sat down.
When Hua Sochen sat opposite Eun Yijeong, she told him the purpose of her visit to the Eun Family Merchant Guild.
Eun Yijeong, who had been listening silently, opened his mouth as soon as Hua Sochen's story was over, as if he didn't need to think long.
"I know you're a busy person, but would you have time until tomorrow? I can't get away today because I'm setting up the merchant guild, but I think I'll be fine tomorrow, so I'll introduce you to someone."
"You don't have to go that far. If you just tell me where he is, I'll go and find him."
"No. Since you said you wanted to entrust the transportation of the medicinal ingredients to me, wouldn't it be better for the three of us to meet together? And that person doesn't like it when someone comes to visit him suddenly. If you're okay with it, it's better to send word today and visit him tomorrow."
"I understand. I will do that. Thank you very much."
Hua Sochen expressed her gratitude politely and then got up from her seat.
Then Eun Yijeong got up as well and said.
"If you're going to stay at an inn, how about staying with our main family? My daughter, Soso, will also be very happy. After seeing you once three years ago, she always said she wanted to be like you, head of the family."
When Eun Yijeong said with a smile, Hua Sochen looked back at Jeok Yorap and Cho Myung.
"Since the great man Eun is showing his kindness, even mentioning his daughter, how about accepting it?"
At Jeok Yorap's words, Hua Sochen nodded.
She soon expressed her gratitude to Eun Yijeong.
"Thank you. I will be in your care for one day."
"Aren't we in a relationship that has decided to have a good transaction? And when I go to the land of An, I will visit the clinic and be in your care."
"Yes. Please do so."
The two sat down in their chairs again and talked in a friendly atmosphere.
And after a long time, when the conversation was about to end, Eun Yijeong let out a short sigh and brought up a topic.
"Seeing the two of you, I am reminded of the people I met in the desert three years ago. I hesitated with the thought that I should not get involved in the grudges of the martial world carelessly and could not help them properly. Ah, the name of the child I met then was also Myung."
Eun Yijeong recalled the past, revealing his regret, worry, and sorry heart.
Jeok Yorap, who was watching his expression, felt sorry. So he could not help but say something.
"Since he said he was treated well at the clinic and left, he will be fine."
"Do you think so?"
"Of course. Not only the head of the family here, but the doctors of the main family have really great medical skills. They will be fine, and they will not forget the help they received from the great man."
"If he's fine, that's a relief."
It was when Eun Yijeong was nodding.
A lively voice was heard from outside the guest room.
"Dad! Can I come in?"
It could be seen that Eun Yijeong's daughter, Eun Soso, had come.
"Come in."
As soon as Eun Yijeong's permission was given, the door burst open and a pretty girl poked her head in.
"It's really you! Sister Sochen!"
"You rascal! What kind of rude behavior is that? If you knew your dad was meeting a guest, you should have waited until it was over."
"It's sister Sochen."
"Still."
"Can I come in?"
"Didn't I say you could come in?"
"Hehehe."
Eun Soso jumped into the room. Then she ran to Hua Sochen.
"Sister Sochen, it's nice to see you. You haven't forgotten Soso, have you?"
"How could I forget such a pretty Soso? Have you been well?"
"Yes. I've been well. Wow, sister, you're like a complete flower."
"Thank you. But when I see Soso, I'm about to get a little sad."
"What?"
"Because in a few years, Soso will definitely be several times prettier than me."
"Ehehehe. That's not true."
"No, it will really be like that. Hmm, there's a way for me not to be sad, do you want to hear it?"
"Yes."
"Even when Soso becomes an adult, you have to keep calling me sister. Since there's no one in the world who is jealous of their younger sibling being pretty, I won't be sad at all."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"I'll keep calling you sister."
"Will you really do that?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
When Hua Sochen thanked her and stroked her head, Eun Soso smiled brightly.
Thus, the stormy reunion of the two passed.
"By the way, who is this big brother?"
Eun Soso asked, looking at Cho Myung.
"He's Jeok Myung, the grandson of Old Master Jeok here."
When Hua Sochen introduced him, Eun Soso bowed her head to Jeok Yorap.
"Hello. I'm Eun Soso."
"You're as pretty as your name. You can just call me Old Jeok."
Eun Soso giggled at Jeok Yorap's compliment and looked back at Cho Myung.
"I'm Jeok Myung... I am."
"Wow, your name is Myung too, big brother? It's the same as Cho Myung."
"I-is that so?"
"Yeah, I met a boy named Cho Myung a long time ago, he's a kind and good kid, so he decided to be my younger brother."
"I see."
Cho Myung just nodded his head awkwardly.
At this time, Eun Yijeong, who was watching the scene, said in a gentle voice.
"Since we've decided to sleep here for today, how about you show your big brother around the house?"
"Really? Did you really decide to sleep here today?"
Eun Soso turned around in a hurry and asked Hua Sochen.
"Yes, we've decided to be in your care for one day."
"Wow! I'm so excited!"
Eun Soso jumped up and down with joy.
"You rascal, what kind of frivolous behavior is that?"
"Heeheehee!"
"That laugh, anyway, since my conversation with your sister is not over yet, go and show your big brother around the house."
"Okay. Big brother Myung, let's go."
Eun Soso took his hand and pulled him.
Cho Myung was caught in a daze and followed him outside.
Eun Yijeong, who was watching the scene with satisfaction, said in a low voice.
"There is nothing as precious as children."
It was a statement that anyone who cherished and loved children could make.
But the moment he heard those words, Jeok Yorap's face hardened.
It was because it was the words that Jeok Yorap had said three years ago.
Eun Yijeong looked back at the stiffly hardened Jeok Yorap in surprise.
"Is the wound on your chest okay?"
"You knew."
"At first, I was not sure."
He must have changed a lot. But it was amazing that he had recognized him. It was because he was a martial artist who had reached a certain level, so his eye for people was sharp.
When Jeok Yorap admitted it, Eun Yijeong got up from his seat.
Hua Sochen watched the scene with a tense face.
But Eun Yijeong suddenly clasped his hands and bowed his head politely.
"I always felt sorry. I'm sorry that I hesitated and could not extend a hand to the end, even though I knew of your difficulties. I'm ashamed as an adult that I could not help that young Myung."
"No, no."
Jeok Yorap hurriedly got up and clasped his hands in return.
"The reason I'm still alive is because the great man cleared my blocked breath, because Myung ran to the clinic, and because Doctor Hua used her medical skills with all her heart. So I was always grateful to the great man. Although there was a reason, I'm sorry for hiding my identity."
"What do you mean, sorry? That's not true. There must have been a reason to be careful."
Eun Yijeong, who had nodded as if he understood everything, urged Jeok Yorap to sit down again and then sat down himself. And after looking back once at the entrance where Cho Myung and Eun Soso had gone out, he said.
"I thought it wasn't Myung because he had changed so much. How... is it really Myung?"
***
To show him around the house meant to keep him outside until the conversation was over.
How big was the Eun Family Merchant Guild to show him around?
And to a big brother who was all grown up.
Eun Soso just took Cho Myung to her favorite place.
A small pavilion and a flower garden were built like in the picture.
"This is it. My favorite place. I used to play here with my mom. Do you have a mom, big brother?"
"Yeah."
"I'm jealous."
"It's not good."
"Why?"
"My mom and dad sold me."
"......!"
Eun Soso's expression changed as if she could not understand.
"Can that happen?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"That's pitiful."
"It's not."
"It's not pitiful?"
"I thought it was natural then."
"And now?"
"Just a little upset."
"Is it because you're an adult?"
"An adult?"
"Yeah, if it were me, I think I would cry my eyes out because I'm sad. My mom and dad are selling me, just imagining it is so sad."
Eun Soso's two eyes were filled with sadness.
Cho Myung, who saw her face, was slightly flustered and just stared blankly.
"Big brother, don't be too upset."
"Okay."
"I'll be your younger sister."
"......!"
"You don't want to?"
"No, it's not that I don't want to..."
"Even if you don't want to, you can't help it. We have a great connection."
"......?"
"A super famous monk in the world said that even if people's clothes just brush against each other, it's because of a connection from a past life. But you came to our house, big brother, and we're talking like this. And your name is the same as my younger brother, Myung. This must be a great connection. Right?"
It seemed right, but it also seemed not.
He couldn't reveal that he was that younger brother, Cho Myung, and he was at a loss, so he could only blink his eyes.
"Why is your reaction like that? You don't like me?"
"I don't dislike you."
"Then will you be my big brother?"
She was asking, holding out her face and with her eyes sparkling.
What kind of reaction would she show if he said he wouldn't?
He definitely didn't want to do that.
"I will."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Once a big brother, always a big brother, even if you die. Got it?"
It was twisted.
He had said that once a sister, always a sister, even if you die.
Nod, nod!
Cho Myung just nodded his head instead of answering.
He was at a loss and could not answer with words.
"Wow! I'm so excited! I have a big brother too! Big brother Myung!"
Eun Soso, who was jumping up and down, looked back at Cho Myung and called him.
"Yeah?"
"I'm Eun Soso. Your younger sister, Eun Soso! Don't ever forget!"
"Okay."
When Cho Myung answered, she jumped up and down with an even more excited face and then ran to the pavilion's railing, climbed up, and then hung from the roof eaves.
"It's dangerous."
Even though Cho Myung shouted, she did not care and shook her body while holding onto the eaves, and then she swung up to the roof.
Cho Myung, who was approaching quickly, stopped walking and looked at her. Then she looked down from the roof and smiled brightly.
"You come up too, big brother. The wind is blowing here and it's better."
"I can't go up."
It was not a height that Cho Myung could not go up.
But if he went up in his own way, the roof tiles might break. Eun Soso, who could not know such a thing, jumped down from the roof.
"Big brother, you don't know martial arts?"
"I know."
"Then why can't you go up?"
"Just because."
"You don't know."
"No."
"My dad said that it's not shameful not to know."
"I really don't know."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Eun Soso, who was squinting and doubting even at Cho Myung's answer.
After looking at Cho Myung like that for a long time, she said out of the blue.
"Then fight with me."
"......!"
The surprise was fleeting, Cho Myung could not do that.
It was because he was worried that he might hurt Eun Soso. But before he could answer, Eun Soso reached out her hand. It was a quite sharp palm force.
Thwack!
It hit Cho Myung's lower abdomen.
But Cho Myung did not move at all.
"Wow! Your body must be really hard, big brother. The martial artist uncles in our merchant guild said it hurts when they get hit. Doesn't it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"Still, don't just get hit, avoid it."
Eun Soso attacked again.
Cho Myung slightly avoided it to the side. Then Eun Soso turned the direction of her outstretched hand and followed him.
She was quite agile.
But it was useless.
Cho Myung avoided it as if he were avoiding a three-year-old child.
Perhaps because she was annoyed, Eun Soso's speed became faster and her two hands stretched out chaotically.
For an eleven-year-old child, it was a quite sharp body movement.
Of course, it was not enough to catch up with Cho Myung.
"Don't just avoid it, block it or attack!"
The frustrated Eun Soso shouted.
Eun Soso, who was very annoyed, wanted to clash with Cho Myung.
Then she thought she could surprise Cho Myung with the palm force she had learned from her dad.
Thwack!
Cho Myung blocked Eun Soso's sharp palm force.
He had blocked it with his palm.
When Cho Myung did not move and blocked with his outstretched hand, Eun Soso, thinking this was it, launched a fierce attack.
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
All of Eun Soso's fierce attacks were blocked.
Cho Myung, who was standing tall, had blocked them all with his palm.
"Hmph! Now you attack, big brother! I'll avoid them all!"
Eun Soso, who had taken a step back, shouted bravely.
Cho Myung, who had thought for a moment, took the basic stance of the Hundred Strikes Art.
And he moved his two feet quickly and moved in all directions, front, back, left, and right, and threw his two fists alternately.
Of course, it was towards the empty space, not Eun Soso.
The body movement was so fast that Eun Soso watched, mesmerized.
Then at some point.
Kwa-reung!
A thunderous sound burst out.
The invisible energy unleashed from Cho Myung's fist had pierced through space and stretched for dozens of zhang.
At that sight, Eun Soso's two eyes widened like lanterns.
Eun Soso was quite shocked by the great power that even her dad had not shown her.
But that shock soon turned into joy.
"B-big brother! You're the best! My big brother is the best!"
It was when Eun Soso was jumping up and down with joy and shouting.
"What's going on!"
Eun Yijeong's startled voice was heard breathlessly.
(End of Chapter)