"When things reach an impasse, they must change. When they change, they become open. When they open, they endure. That is, when pressed, you must change; when you change, you will find passage; and once there is passage, things can last long."
"Mm… yes, that will do."
As Cheon Wuha read from the I Ching, Go Seokjeong raised a hand.
"That will be enough for today."
"Yes, as you say."
Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, Cheon Wuha closed the worn book.
Go Seokjeong's lips curved in a subtle smile as he looked at the boy.
"You shouldn't have had much time for study lately… and yet, it seems you haven't been entirely neglectful?"
"…When my teacher insists that even in such times study cannot be abandoned, how could I dare be lazy?"
Cheon Wuha retorted curtly as he reached for the refreshments beside the table.
"If things have quieted down, you needn't have come in person…"
"Foolish child, for a scholar, reading is no different from eating. How can you speak of timing when it comes to study?"
Feigning severity, Go Seokjeong scolded him, then coughed lightly and continued.
"And besides, with so much commotion about you, how could I, as your teacher, not come to see for myself?"
"…Commotion about me?"
"I speak of the fight where you drove off the demonic wanderers who invaded the guild. And before that, the duel you had with the sub-leader of the Sect of Attendants. People are now calling you the greatest young genius in all of Xi'an."
"Heh… People must be very idle."
Cheon Wuha snorted, popping a piece of confection into his mouth.
"Brawls break out all over the place every single day."
"It is not something to be spoken of so lightly, is it? One was a prodigy once hailed as Xi'an's brightest genius, the other a murderer who terrorized the region for years…"
"All exaggerations."
Cheon Wuha shrugged, his tone brusque.
"Has anyone ever actually gathered all the so-called geniuses of Xi'an and made them fight? And just because someone's a murderer doesn't mean they're good at fighting."
"Hmm…"
Go Seokjeong, rendered speechless, sipped his tea.
"…I meant to praise you and see your reaction, but you parry it so."
"Weren't you the one who told me to beware and keep distance from those who would flatter me?"
Swish.
"…Of course, I didn't mean I should distance myself from my teacher."
Seeing Go Seokjeong's hand drift toward his switch, Cheon Wuha hastily added.
At that, Go Seokjeong furrowed his brow but stopped, and Cheon Wuha quickly asked a question.
"Why did you try to praise me then?"
"…Because I'm a little worried."
Abandoning the thought of scolding, Go Seokjeong straightened his posture and spoke solemnly.
"They say a needle in a sack will inevitably poke through. I fear that others may find that needle threatening."
Cheon Wuha's eyes widened in surprise.
For that was precisely the mistake his past self, Sa Umyung, had once lived through.
Go Seokjeong, smiling gently at the boy's startled face, went on.
"I know well you're not a foolish child, nor one who strives to flaunt himself. But even so, I felt as your teacher I must offer you counsel. Even if you take it as mere nagging."
"..."
"Knowledge not put to use when needed is as good as dead. Martial arts are the same. But still, people harbor fear of what is different from themselves. That is why, unless it is truly necessary, I hope you do not reveal yourself too much. For your own sake, nothing else. Do you understand?"
"…Yes."
Moved by the sincerity, Cheon Wuha nodded slowly.
"I will."
But this was not because of his teacher's advice.
He had long ago resolved to live as Cheon Wuha, to walk an ordinary life.
Even now, leaving the demonic sects untouched though he could sweep them away in an instant—that was to keep to his vow.
Unaware of such thoughts, Go Seokjeong nodded with a pleased smile.
"Good. Thank you for heeding your teacher's counsel."
"It's nothing."
"Then… I'll take my leave for today. I know you've many busy matters, so until they are settled, you may forego homework."
"What? Truly?"
"Yes. Study is important, but not so much as protecting those dear to you."
"..."
"Then, I'll see you in a fortnight."
Go Seokjeong gathered his books and left Wuha's quarters, nodding at the boy who stood blankly.
Hurriedly, Cheon Wuha rose to escort him, his face full of gratitude and affection for his teacher.
"Now, didn't I say that's enough?"
"No, forgive me, but it really isn't."
Cheon Wuha spoke impatiently, refusing Go Seokjeong's insistence on declining an escort.
"The situation is what it is—even if it weren't you, we assign guards to anyone going to and from the guild."
"Then assign them to others. Even when I worked for the Imperial Court, I never had escorts walking me home…"
"Ah, so you find escorts burdensome?"
"Indeed. What need has an old man who only reads of such things?"
"Fine, then there's no helping it."
Shrugging, Cheon Wuha extended his hand to the guard nearby.
"Sorry, but could I borrow your sword?"
"…Eh? What do you mean, suddenly?"
"Since my teacher finds escorts burdensome, I've no choice. As his disciple, I'll see him home myself…"
"You brat! As the young guild master, how can you wander about in such dangerous times?"
"Better that than letting my aged teacher walk alone in danger. Shall we go then?"
"You little rascal…"
Cheon Wuha calmly opened the front gate, leaving Go Seokjeong flustered.
When Wuha had been younger, he could be disciplined—but now his quick tongue was harder to match.
At last, realizing he couldn't win, Go Seokjeong sighed heavily and relented.
"Very well. But three escorts is too many. Let only one come."
"One won't do. At least three."
"What! You'd have your old teacher drawing eyes by walking with three guards?"
"Well, but—"
"One is plenty. They cannot guard me every moment of every day, and all it would do is draw attention."
"…Hmm."
Cheon Wuha fell silent, acknowledging the point.
Indeed, being guarded all day would only make him a bigger target.
"…Alright. If you insist."
Yielding, Wuha pointed out the most capable-looking guard among the three.
"Please accompany him."
"Yes, understood."
And so, after much back-and-forth, Go Seokjeong departed the guild with only one escort.
Watching their retreating backs, Cheon Wuha shook his head and went back inside.
'Well, nothing should happen.'
From all the interrogations so far, the so-called Black Sand Group wasn't strong enough to dare stir trouble inside Xi'an.
That's why they hid in such an awkward spot, near the Nine Great Sects, eking out their banditry.
Shaking off his faint worry, Cheon Wuha turned back toward his quarters.
But across the street, in a tavern, several men drinking had been watching the entire scene with sharp, glinting eyes.
"That is a relief."
"…Pardon?"
"To see he's unharmed after all that."
"Ah… yes."
The guild guard looked at Go Seokjeong in surprise as they walked.
The man's face, usually stern, now bore a rare smile of relief.
"So… you were worried."
As the guard spoke cautiously, Go Seokjeong nodded.
"When I heard my young disciple stood against those vile demonic wanderers… what teacher would not worry?"
"..."
"Hearing he triumphed safely, I restrained myself… but truly, I longed to rush to him at once."
The guard had no answer, only nodding.
Seeing that, Go Seokjeong smiled awkwardly.
"Surprised to hear me speak so, are you?"
"Ah… a little, yes."
"..."
"When you're with the young guild master, the air is… different."
Go Seokjeong laughed, shaking his head.
"That is my failing. Why is it so hard to give one warm word? I always end up harsh and stiff."
"..."
"With all my years and study, I ought to change… Perhaps because he's so bright, I expect him to know without me saying. Hah."
Despite his hollow laugh, deep affection and trust showed on his face.
The guard, realizing whom it was for, couldn't help but smile softly too.
"Then the reason you came despite the guild master's protests was because you worried for him?"
"Foolish of me, isn't it? He's surely busy enough, yet I came with a clumsy excuse."
"Not foolish at all. I'm sure the young master was glad to have you visit."
They continued down the road, Go Seokjeong showing a surprisingly gentle side.
But then, as they entered a narrow alley darkened by morning clouds—
Step. Step.
'…Hm?'
A strange presence behind them.
The guard turned, and saw two figures in deep bamboo hats following quickly.
'Who are they?'
A sense of foreboding struck him. He whispered to Go Seokjeong.
"Please, pay me no mind and leave this alley quickly."
"What's wrong?"
"Something feels off. Please, do as I ask."
"…Very well."
Sensing the gravity in the guard's face, Go Seokjeong quickened his pace.
At once, their pursuers matched speed.
'Damn it…!'
So it was true.
The guard's face hardened, but he didn't panic.
He drew his sword and blocked the alley.
Shing.
"Stop right there."
Srrk.
Clang.
Ignoring the warning, the two men drew hidden blades and a tiger hook.
A chill sweat broke on the guard's back, but he stayed calm.
The alley was narrow—enough that even two men could be held.
"Run! Now!"
"Y-yes!"
Realizing the peril, Go Seokjeong turned and fled. He knew staying would only hinder.
Clang!
"You bastards! Begone at once!"
"Keh…"
"A mere guild guard dares bark so loud."
Thud, thud.
The attackers lunged, blades flashing.
Steel rang in the alley as the guard met them head-on.
Kakang!
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