49 – EP.3 Dokma, Jegalhwi-3

***

After Master left, my life became more relaxed.

There was no one calling at night, so I got more sleep, and I didn’t have to leave the palace because I didn’t have a specific job.

I enjoyed the life of an unemployed man with a lot of money that modern people dream of at least once.

When her back hurts from lying down, she takes Maehwa and Yeonhwa and heads to the office where the commander-in-chief works.

The commander-in-chief, engrossed in work, welcomed the refreshments I had brought, and we chatted while eating the refreshments.

The commander didn’t ask much about me and Master, whether Master had told the officers, or whether he was excellent at handling things.

Whatever the reason, his caring was very noticeable.

“Does the young master serve without any shortage?”

The governor, sipping tea, asked Maehwa as if it were an annual event, and Maehwa replied yes.

Yeon-hwa was following an insect flying outside the window with her eyes, and it was very cute that her neck moved along with the insect’s movement.

“I feel it every time, but it’s a lot of work.”

“Anyway, it’s all about the church’s housekeeping, so it has no choice but to be that way.”

When I said that I was tired of seeing the work piled up like the Tower of Babel, the commander-in-chief laughed and chewed on the snack.

The wind blows, the trees shake.

A creaking sound is heard.

Ah, the wind shakes the forest.

Suddenly, I had this thought.

“I can hear the wind very well when I’m here. It’s very calming, especially at night.”

“But it’s especially audible at night.”

After exchanging stories, we rested and when the prepared refreshments and tea ran out, I revealed the purpose of my visit to him.

“Are you talking about the sunset?”

Suddenly, the commander looked at me and asked if I was saying something stupid.

I asked if I could go outside for a while to see the sunset I saw while climbing up Heukcheon Bridge with Master.

The reason why she suddenly wants to see the sunset is because Yeon-hwa is sleepy.

– Little teacher, little teacher. Do you have a favorite place in Heukcheongyo?

After going around several trails, Yeon-hwa asked.

Heukcheongyo was so well maintained that it was hard to believe that it was located on a mountain.

At first, I wondered how materials like bricks were transported to this mountain.

When I think about it, I concluded that it would have been very easy to carry heavy objects up the mountain in a world where there were unmanned people who could fly and split trees.

Anyway, the well-decorated Heukcheongyo had many places to see.

In the first place, I was an office worker living in a concrete forest. Staying in a world full of green like this, each one was new and looked pretty.

Why, aren’t classical poetry also made with the beauty of nature?

When I was a student, I didn’t understand it well, but living in Heukcheongyo, I understood the people’s feelings.

If it’s the most memorable of many, many places.

– The sunset scenery I saw with Master on the way up here was the prettiest.

At these words, Yeon-hwa begged to see the sunset, so she came to see the governor.

In order to go out of Heukcheongyo, the permission of the governor was required, and above all, because of the installed Kimunjin, it was impossible to go out and return without the commander accompanying him.

“I tend to refrain from private outings as much as possible, but I will accompany you if the young master orders it.”

“It’s not like I’m asking you to… but if you don’t mind, give me permission…”

I wonder if I’m taking up the time of a busy person for no reason.

“No. Now that the headmaster is gone, it makes sense for this Dark Heavenly Church to follow the will of the young master. Urgent matters have been taken care of right now, so there is no problem even if we take a break for half a day.”

It’s been awhile since I’ve had to go for a walk.

He smiled kindly and prepared to leave.

Having achieved our goal, Yeonhwa and I glanced at each other, and Yeonhwa secretly greeted Maehwa as if she was grateful.

aw cute

***

Since Yeon-hwa and I hadn’t learned martial arts, the commander-in-chief gave us a bit more time to go back and forth.

Truly, I traced back the way I had come up.

Looking to the left, I saw the world spread out below the mountain.

The densely packed trees and sparsely scattered private houses farther away.

A world where there is stillness in a world surrounded by computers and cars.

The commander-in-chief was at the end of the line with his hands behind his back, and Yeon-hwa led the way far ahead, laughing.

Maehwa still spared her words, but she seemed to enjoy taking a walk in her own way while looking at the plants in bloom.

By the time I reached the place where I was resting with Master, the sunset was setting just as the brilliant general had planned.

“Wow-“

As if to accept the energy of the huge sunset, Yeonhwa raised her arms in admiration.

It was cute, like looking at a baby bear.

‘Isn’t it beautiful?’

Looking at the sunset that was so large that it seemed to swallow me at any moment, I felt as if I could hear Master’s voice from afar.

“I’ve seen it often, but it’s still superb.”

Looking at the same place as me, the general muttered.

He, too, was appreciating this mysterious and wonderful painting made by nature.

“Master was something to be proud of.”

I remember saying that I really wanted to show it to myself.

Perhaps, it is a promise made in the past.

I’m not her real disciple, so I’m sorry about that.

Because the disciple who made that promise is no longer in this world.

The wind blew again.

The wind that came up from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the mountain hit our faces as we watched the sunset.

“Is it because it’s a mountain? It’s already cold.”

As I shrank in the cold wind, the general opened his closed eyes and looked down the mountain.

His eyes moved as if chasing something rather than focusing on one spot.

It was the first time I had seen his eyes open, as they were always slightly closed.

Yellow-green eyes stare at something.

I also looked down at the end of that line of sight, but there were only trees. I couldn’t see anything.

“Maehwa. Serve the young schoolmaster.”

In a low voice, the commander-in-chief said.

“It’s an assault.”