“Whew.”
Sara let out a long sigh. Since the Trench Faction had announced an impending attack, she had a mountain of responsibilities as the Sect Leader to ensure the safety of Podalap Palace.
After wrestling with work all day long, night had fallen before she knew it. Returning to her quarters late at night, Sara heard faint cries and asked the Tribesmen, “What’s all the commotion?”
“Nab-in Miss is at Lord Ramo’s quarters…”
Nab-in? Sara moved towards Ramo’s room. When she opened the door, she saw Nab-in tightly hugging Ramo and crying her eyes out, while Ramo looked helplessly at the situation.
“Nab-in…?”
“Auntie!!”
Seeing Nab-in rush at her while crying, Sara couldn’t help but wear a troubled expression.
*
“That’s what happened!”
After a few pats from Sara, Nab-in finally stopped crying and shared her conversation with Ho Cheon-an from earlier.
“I see.”
“That Elder was too much!”
Ramo related to Nab-in’s feelings and Sara patted Nab-in’s back while reminiscing. She recalled the fierce fight between the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye, and Ho Cheon-an’s bewildered expression in the middle of it all.
‘He still doesn’t understand a woman’s heart, huh?’
Or was it the heart of a child this time?
Despite the poor way it was communicated, the intention was just too bad. Ho Cheon-an only wanted to give Nab-in a chance to choose… but could Nab-in truly accept it that way?
Probably not.
That’s why she had come running to Ramo in such a distraught state.
Sara stroked Nab-in’s head and spoke up.
“Do you know how Ho Cheon-an Great Hero treated me when I was suffering from the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse?”
So what could she do?
Someone had to tell Nab-in how much Ho Cheon-an cared for her.
However, upon hearing Ho Cheon-an’s name, Nab-in’s expression clouded. It was clear she was angry with him and didn’t want to hear anything about Ho Cheon-an.
But.
Sara knew just how to melt Nab-in’s heart.
Magic.
“Ho Cheon-an Great Hero is quite the magician.”
Sara opened a drawer filled with magical tools for the first time in ages. Ever since Ho Cheon-an had disappeared, she hadn’t only been honing her Martial Arts.
“Have you ever seen the magic performed by Ho Cheon-an Great Hero?”
As she spoke, Sara made a ball vanish before Nab-in’s eyes. Watching her eyes widen in amazement, Sara smiled and pulled out a magical squirrel.
“Wow…!”
Now a skilled magician, Sara’s performance captivated Nab-in, who even forgot her anger towards Ho Cheon-an as she became entranced by the magical display.
Seeing Nab-in like that brought back memories for Sara. The enchanting magic had even made her forget her sick body temporarily. After recovering, she would dash to watch Ho Cheon-an perform magic whenever she heard he was going to show off.
Sara looked at Nab-in, whose eyes sparkled with fascination, and wondered if Ho Cheon-an felt the same way back then as he watched her.
Suddenly, Sara felt the mystical connection of fate. The girl who once watched the magical performance with shining eyes was now showcasing the magic taught to her by Ho Cheon-an’s disciple.
As Sara mimicked Ho Cheon-an from her memories, raising one arm while placing the other on her chest to signal the end of her act, Nab-in finally snapped back to reality and applauded.
“Wow… Amazing!”
“Hehe. This is all thanks to Ho Cheon-an Great Hero,” Sara said with a grin.
Perhaps her curiosity about magic had suppressed Nab-in’s resentment towards Ho Cheon-an. Noticing that Nab-in didn’t frown, Sara had her sit on her lap and continued.
“When I was fifteen…”
Nab-in silently listened as Sara shared an old story. She spoke of the feats Ho Cheon-an performed in Rasa and how he treated Sara, who suffered from the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, with incredible care.
“If he were that Elder, he could have healed you without even coming to Podalap Palace. But I believe he came here just in case something went wrong with you. That’s how I see it.”
“…”
Nab-in lowered her head in silence. In her mind, she recalled Ho Cheon-an’s image, buried in research for three months, holed up in his room.
Wouldn’t he wish he could live here forever?
During the time she was so happy, Ho Cheon-an had quietly spent his days in endurance for her sake.
That action was proof of his feelings for Nab-in.
Only then did Nab-in realize the truth.
Tears of a different meaning streamed down her cheeks. Sara wiped away Nab-in’s tears and gently said,
“Trust the Elder a little more.”
Nab-in nodded silently.
“I’ll… go now.”
“Should I accompany you?”
Nab-in shook her head. She wanted to express her feelings to Ho Cheon-an without relying on anyone else.
“Alright.”
Sara sent the resolute Nab-in off. Nab-in bowed to Sara and Ramo before dashing towards Ho Cheon-an’s quarters.
Nab-in burst through the door of the quarters. Ho Cheon-an silently gazed at the out-of-breath Nab-in.
Nab-in looked back at Ho Cheon-an.
Images of everything that happened since she met Ho Cheon-an flashed through her mind.
Ho Cheon-an had given her courage when she was scared to leave the village.
He rushed to her side when she felt lonely.
He spent three months studying to teach her Martial Arts and for her health.
And for her happiness, he even contemplated letting her go from his side.
Even though it made her so mad to think such a thing!
She fully understood that all of Ho Cheon-an’s actions were for her. Thanks to Sara’s stories, she comprehended it in her mind.
“Grandfather.”
“Speak.”
“There have been so many joyful moments since meeting you. Riding Hwa-jeo to enjoy the scenery, rolling around with Seo Gong, clinging to Mi-ho, and shrieking with happiness while playing with Seok Woong. After all that fun, you’d cook me delicious meals. Then we’d all snuggle together and travel around, gazing at new sights…”
She felt her heart understand through Ho Cheon-an’s gaze directed at her.
Anxiety.
Nab-in could sense that Ho Cheon-an had been waiting for her, filled with anxiety.
“I really, really love Lady Ramo and the Lord of the Palace. I love everyone in Podalap Palace too. So much so that I wished I could live here for a lifetime.”
As Sara watched the fierce tremor in Ho Cheon-an’s eyes, she realized that just as she was hurt by Ho Cheon-an wanting to abandon her, Ho Cheon-an was also affected by Sara’s actions.
Sara had been mindlessly enjoying what Ho Cheon-an had done for her without expressing anything.
Thus, Ho Cheon-an thought she was no longer there.
Did Nab-in truly want to follow him? Wouldn’t it be better for her to have a joyful time here at Podalap Palace rather than go through a rough and arduous journey?
Such doubts were creeping into his mind.
“But you see, the reason I wanted to live my life in Podalap Palace is that you are here with me, Grandfather.”
With that, Nab-in decided to make her will known.
In a form that Ho Cheon-an could never misunderstand.
Nab-in knelt down and bowed to Ho Cheon-an.
“Please take me as your disciple.”
“Nab-in…!”
Nab-in gasped as she lowered herself, looking at Ho Cheon-an who held her hands, and voiced her determination.
“I want to continue traveling with you and the entities. Parting from Lady Ramo and the others hurts my heart, but it’s okay. So please, accept me as your disciple.”
To become a disciple.
Nab-in expressed her intention clearly, not wanting to be separated or even have the notion of being separated.
Ho Cheon-an’s eyes shook violently.
“This old man… will wander all over the world to bring stability, and I might neglect you during that journey.”
“It’s okay.”
She knew he wouldn’t.
“Becoming a disciple means you’ll have to share my ideals. Are you truly okay with that?”
“Yes.”
Nab-in also wished for Sabok Seol to return to the Central Plains and for peace in Podalap Palace.
She hoped Ho Cheon-an wouldn’t suffer or worry because of her.
So, she smiled brightly and said,
“From now on, I’ll diligently practice Martial Arts to assist you, Grandfather!”
“…Thank you.”
Nab-in threw herself into Ho Cheon-an’s embrace at his choked response. In truth, she wasn’t that fond of hugging Ho Cheon-an.
How could a human body be so steel-like and hard? Even saying it felt pleasant wasn’t the case.
However, Nab-in firmly hugged that sturdy figure and said,
“From today, I’ll call you Master!”
Ho Cheon-an didn’t respond. He simply embraced Nab-in back. Yet, Nab-in felt a clear agreement in that action.
Just two people; one a hero and the other a child.
Finally, the two who had become Master and Disciple held each other for a while.
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