Chapter 15

Chapter 15

To Hwa So-mi, everything looked big. It was partly because her frame was smaller than other children, but also because she was still young, making everything feel larger than herself.

The front yard of the manor.

Standing there, Hwa So-mi was blankly looking at the pine tree. The thick roots buried deep in the ground and its grand posture.

The appearance of the pine tree stretching its branches in all directions was so impressive that it could not be captured in a single glance.

Looking at this pine tree, she was reminded of the dependable back of a person who looked like they would absolutely never fall.

With the pine tree behind her, Hwa So-mi finished preparing to go out. Today, she was scheduled to go out with Dan Woo-hyun.

She had spent difficult days recently due to martial arts training, so she was glad to take a break from training after a long time and go outside.

“Where are we going?”

“Well, if we follow the stem, something will show up.”

Hwa So-mi nodded her head slightly.

Even if he told her where, she did not know well. Originally, before becoming an orphan, Hwa So-mi's home was a place about three shichen away from Yueyang, but if she was asked to find it again now, she would shake her head, saying it was impossible.

Because memorizing such a complicated path was not easy, and the only places she went to were the vicinity of the manor and Yueyang anyway, she did not need to remember other paths.

For that reason, she was very excited today.

Because going a bit far from the manor was also an opportunity to see a new place.

Shining her eyes, she followed behind Dan Woo-hyun.

“Is Servant Uncle not coming with us?”

“That guy is…… well…….”

They were three people who were always together. Although Jang Sam-tae ran errands from time to time, they were almost stuck together other than that. Therefore, if the three of them were not walking, she felt a bit of loneliness.

Moreover, if Jang Sam-tae was there, he could make anything……

It was good because she could eat delicious things.

“I told him to watch the manor today. Nothing good will come of him going with us.”

“Eh?”

What did it mean that nothing good would come of it?

Hwa So-mi had to think deeply. She placed her small hand on her cheek. Although she felt her thick cheek fat, even that was familiar now, so she did not seem to feel that it was strange.

They walked in that manner.

Looking at flowers and trees, they walked for a long time following the water stream flowing from Dongting Lake. Because she wandered around for over two shichen, she was sweating profusely and was now on the verge of finding it difficult to even walk.

However, Dan Woo-hyun absolutely did not stop.

Walking ahead, he did not help Hwa So-mi even a little.

Just like in the past when Dan Woo-hyun left Hwa So-mi's side, she felt that if he disappeared like this, she would never meet him again, so Hwa So-mi stepped forward vigorously.

In order not to lose Dan Woo-hyun, who was walking ahead.

She did not complain that it was hard.

Because she felt that if she did, she would be abandoned forever.

No, perhaps she even had such an anxious mind that this path, the back of Dan Woo-hyun seen in front of her, might be the last today.

“What are you doing? If you stop because you are tired, it won't be exercise.”

“Ex…… Exercise?”

“No, it is nothing. Let's go a bit further. There is a small village near here, so we can rest there.”

Hwa So-mi nodded her head vigorously.

The softly heard tone of voice blew away all her anxiety. Hwa So-mi followed behind Dan Woo-hyun even more vigorously with her small steps.

However, looking around, Hwa So-mi recalled something. It felt like a place she had been to before. Focusing on the scenery one by one, the familiarity soon pulled out memories that had been sleeping beyond her recollection.

“Ah, I have been here with my mom before.”

“Oh? To this place.”

Hwa So-mi nodded her head slightly.

Soon, she looked around and recalled the past. It was a long journey she had taken while holding her mother's hand in her childhood.

Surely, this village was said to be blessed by immortals, so they had come to make a wish.

So-mi had also wished.

For her parents to live well without worries.

As such memories came back one after another, she laughed in spite of herself.

“What was it famous for?”

“Mmm! From what So-mi remembers, it was definitely a village where an immortal descended……”

“I did hear that.”

Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

People thought an immortal was some big deal. In reality, what they did was just wander around the world for fun when they got tired of eating and drinking, and plant a weed like this.

‘They are also good at backstabbing.’

Twitching his eyebrows, he tried hard to relax his face that was about to stiffen.

If not for such a surprise attack, he would have never been easily defeated. The fellows called the Eight Immortals might have become Seven Immortals or Six Immortals.

However, it was already a past matter, and rehashing it would only bring regret.

“Do you think an immortal is cool?”

“Hmm…… So-mi doesn't know well. I think you are the coolest and best in the world, Uncle. Hehehe.”

Releasing an innocent laugh, she secretly stuck to his side. As if not wanting to separate from Dan Woo-hyun's side, she stretched out her small hand and grabbed his finger.

Dan Woo-hyun also did not shake it off and naturally held it back. With even his gaze changing softly, he looked like a different person.

“It seems we have almost arrived.”

Finally, it was the village.

Hwa So-mi let out an exclamation. As the appearance of the village in her memory was revealed just as it was, it naturally made her smile.

It was truly amazing.

Nothing had changed.

The appearance of the small village, fitting the story of a village where an immortal descended, was beautifully decorated as if looking at the Peach Blossom Spring.

Bright flowers were in full bloom here and there, and every time the wind blew, their scent was thickly transmitted.

Whether the village was holding a festival, the sound of music was heard loudly.

It was a place that satisfied the eyes and ears, and even the sense of smell was full of joy. It gave off a cheerful feeling that was hard to believe for a small village.

However, something was strange.

What should be there was not visible.

In fact, there was a reason why this village became famous.

Namely, a huge pine tree.

The pine tree said to be planted by an immortal was located in the center of the village, and she remembered making a wish there.

However, it was not there now.

Although the village was as beautiful as in the past, there was nothing that could fill that empty spot where the pine tree had disappeared.

Even the passing villagers were seen sighing slightly while looking toward the place where the pine tree had disappeared.

“Huh? The tree is gone.”

“Hmm?”

“There was originally a tree here…… a huge pine tree.”

“I…… I see.”

Dan Woo-hyun secretly looked up at the sky.

The day was exceptionally clear today.

It had been a long time since he passed the stage of being unaffected by heat and cold, so why was he about to break into a cold sweat?

“Little miss, did you come to see the pine tree?”

“Yes? Ah…… yes.”

One passing villager looked at Hwa So-mi and asked gently. Looking at that bright face giving the answer, they shook their head somewhat bitterly.

“I'm sorry. The pine tree was stolen a few months ago.”

“Yes? That was huge……”

“Indeed. In the village, they say the immortal took it back, but…… sigh, anyway, because of that, it has been a total mess here.”

“He…… Hee……”

Hwa So-mi drooped her head with a gloomy expression. She seemed hurt that one of the precious memories she shared with her mother had disappeared.

With eyes welling with tears, she looked at Dan Woo-hyun.

“Was it really stolen? Or did the immortal take it back?”

“Whether it was an immortal or a thief, I think someone who needed it took it. That pine tree might also be happier than standing blankly in a village like this.”

“Yes…… I really hope so!”

In an instant, Hwa So-mi smiled brightly.

Although it weighed on her mind that her memory had sadly disappeared, it seemed better if the pine tree could live happier in a better place.

Because Hwa So-mi also felt greater happiness by being together with Dan Woo-hyun in this manner, rather than living a wandering life in the market street.

As the child wore a broad smile, Dan Woo-hyun stroked her head.

Hwa So-mi felt as if the sadness over the disappeared pine tree was entirely blown away by just that. She harbored a small wish in her heart that this happy time would continue without end.

* * *

A height that looked to easily reach eight feet, brawny muscles, and a shaggy beard.

A single saber placed by his side implied that this man was by no means an ordinary figure.

That man sat on a large chair, drinking straight from the bottle.

Everyone present around him held their breath.

Not a single person opened their mouth carelessly.

Soon, after completely emptying a bottle of alcohol, he roughly threw the bottle onto the floor.

Crash!

Flinch!

Everyone shrank back.

That was how much they feared this man in front of them.

For those operating in the shadow world, there were two most feared organizations.

One was the Black Killing Sect.

A place where it was unknown where they hid, and they raised formidable assassins who were said to even target the life of the Murim Alliance Leader once they received a request.

And the other was the Black Dao Association.

One must not look down on them just because they were a group of vagabonds. It was no exaggeration to say that these vagabonds were perhaps the most terrifying existence in the Central Plains.

They were greater in number than the Beggars' Sect's beggars, and their information-gathering ability was a dragon's pool and tiger's den that did not pale in comparison to the Beggars' Sect, the Hao Gate, or renowned merchant groups.

But was their skill low?

No.

Although he did not know about others, those present in this place were all peak-realm experts, strongmen who did not lack when compared to figures of prestigious clans or the Nine Great Sects and One Association.

And this man, Sama Chan, the Leader of the Black Dao Association.

This very man was the existence practically leading the Black Dao Association. He was also the idol of vagabonds, a man called the Wandering King.

“Jang Baek-san……”

“Ugh……”

“So Chu-yeom, do you know how much money these fellows pay us in a year?”

“O…… Of course, but, but……”

“The Hunan Branch…… and contact was also lost with the fellows who went to capture Jang Sam-tae.”

Thump!

As he spoke, Sama Chan's eyes burned with anger. Hunan had been the quietest place until now.

Because there was no notable power, and it was that good of a place to move in.

Also, thanks to Jang Baek-san causing a ruckus, the powers climbing up were significantly reduced, so Hunan was a place where the incoming income was superior.

But suddenly, successive incidents and accidents broke out.

Jang Baek-san and So Chu-yeom were captured, and a short while ago, even the Hunan Branch was destroyed.

“There is someone. Someone is interfering with us.”

“Y-You are correct.”

One man nodded his head while wiping away cold sweat. Most of the people present in this place would be thinking the same.

No matter how twisted things got, incidents would not break out all at once like this, so it was clear someone intended it.

“I am extremely curious who that fellow is.”

“We…… We will take measures.”

“The Magistrate, and the fellow named Jang Sam-tae who tried to trade with So Chu-yeom. Squeeze the legs of these two fellows. Something will surely come out.”

“Understood!”

Sama Chan withdrew his chilly gaze and raised his head. Although only the high ceiling was visible, why did he feel that darkness was exceptionally cast today?

Strangely, his mood was not good.

Sama Chan scowled and reached his hand toward the alcohol bottle once more to shake off this unpleasantness.