Try Living Well Without Me

“Cough… Whoof…!”

After expelling the water I had involuntarily swallowed, my vision cleared up.

Then things started to come into focus properly.

Su-a, who was looking at me with worry.

“Aba.”

“Why did you follow me?”

“…I came to deliver this.”

Su-a handed me a piece of clothing. It was a simple garment with no patterns on it.

“And to retrieve that.”

Su-a pointed at the clothes I was currently wearing with her finger.

As I bent my head, the large ‘Namgung’ characters embroidered on my chest came into view upside down.

“What were you thinking, just rushing out like that?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t be apologizing to me. You should be apologizing to the people who were hurt because of you.”

“…”

Although I would rather follow Su-a’s requests, I cannot comply because anyone who was hurt because of me was evil.

My daughter wouldn’t understand this, but…

“You’ve undergone a lot of hardship because of your useless father.”

After stripping off my water-soaked clothes, I neatly folded them and handed them over to Su-a.

She hesitated for a moment as she accepted them, then passed me the garment she had been holding.

It was a cozy cloth, quite comfortable to wear.

“This wasn’t given by our main household. I’ve been weaving this for the past week.”

“It seems the decision to expel me from the family occurred a week ago. Thank you, Su-a. If it weren’t for you, I might have been driven out naked.”

“…Don’t call my name with that revolting voice.”

Su-a holds a mix of love and hatred towards me.

The filial kind of hatred.

It meant a lot to me.

Because it signified that she still harbors affection for me, even if she’s the only one.

As I remained silent in response to her order not to speak, a brief moment of silence ensued.

It was broken by Su-a’s low-toned voice.

“At the Namgung conference, they have decided to confiscate all of your properties, father.”

“…”

“They are talking about the wealth you obtained from the Black Sand Sect and the bribes you took from the caravans.”

“There shouldn’t be any…”

“What did you just say?”

“I was talking to myself.”

All my assets have been donated to the orphanage as soon as they’re earned, following Confucius’ teaching that charity done in secret is the truest charity. Nobody knew about my donations.

When I eventually revealed everything while I was accused of being a sex offender, nobody believed me.

“What do you plan to do now?”

Even though my voice irritates her, Su-a inquires for my response.

What should I answer?

All members of the Blood Cult were eliminated.

The Demon Sect has pledged never to leave the Celestial Mountains.

As a Sword Sage, I’ve done all that I could do.

I merely wished to spend the remainder of my life peacefully with my family, but thanks to that cursed younger brother, even this modest dream has become impossible.

“Will you establish a dark sect, or become an assassin? Or perhaps you plan to join the Demon Sect and live under their protection?”

I had only vaguely planned to start a new life.

Nothing more than living as Byul Rak instead of the renowned Namgung Cheolbin, leading an inconspicuous existence no one would envy or covet.

“Hmm… what should this old man do to earn a living?”

“With your martial skills, you won’t starve wherever you go.”

“Is that so?”

“Just don’t do evil. Repent and live righteously. You’ve done enough evil, haven’t you?”

“Haha…”

“To be honest, I hate you. Thinking about the children who were destroyed because of you, I feel an urge to cut off your head right now.”

Su-a’s voice trembled slightly.

How much determination must it have taken for her to say such words to her father?

“If you want to cut it, go ahead. If it brings you peace of mind, I will willingly offer it.”

“…I’m not finished.”

“…”

“But the reason I don’t… is because I remember the image you showed me when I was young.”

When I was young?

“Because the kindness you showed everyone and the smiling face you always carried seemed genuine, at least to me.”

Did I always smile brightly?

It must have been from before I started my countless reincarnations… nearly ten thousand years ago for me.

After witnessing my wife’s body, who sacrificed herself protecting me from the Blood Cultists, I have never smiled brightly since.

The only two incidents were when I beheaded the Blood Demon for the first time and forced the Celestial Demon to retreat.

“Damn it, I don’t even know why I’m behaving this way. Everyone in this world calls you an evil person, with plenty of evidence and witnesses. You always seem to be involved in incidents after disappearing for days.”

“But still… every time I see you, I can’t bring myself to believe you’re truly evil.”

“…”

“Even though the dark shade under your eyes clearly suggests you’ve practiced dark martial arts.”

Should I explain that these dark circles are from insomnia and emotional distress?

Even if I do, nothing would change now.

“And… while your evil deeds can’t be justified, you’ve done a lot of good for the martial world. Your life is only spared because of those contributions, according to the conference. Thanks to your mother shedding tears, they barely stopped uncle from having you executed with officials.”

Though Su-a wouldn’t know, there’s no way I’d let them take my head.

If I hadn’t been discovered by Su-a and had drowned instead, my younger brother might have displayed my severed body publicly.

…That despicable scum.

“…Alright, what good does all this do now? I’m leaving. I’ve said too much.”

As Su-a gathered the Namgung family clothes and stood up.

“Don’t overthink things and live righteously. If you have any conscience left.”

It’s impossible to live more uprightly than I already do.

Not out of self-justification but genuinely so.

“That voice is already ruined, so I guess there’s nothing to be done, but don’t self-harm. Being without a surname doesn’t mean you have to die, does it?”

Since my daughter has mentioned it, perhaps I should reconsider my plan to master Bone Shrinking Technique.

“With the mindset of atonement, live healthily. Stop doing bad things. I mean, live doing something worthwhile.”

“…Alright, I will.”

“I’m really leaving now. Let’s never see each other again.”

After leaving those words, Su-a returned to the Namgung family estate.

I stared at my daughter’s retreating back for a long time.

Drip-drip…

It seems the rainstorm has mostly passed.

I fell asleep on the bridge due to overwhelming fatigue and woke up to a rumbling sound.

Heehyih-!

A powerful neigh rang in my ears.

When I looked around, holding my neck, I realized the space was enclosed on all sides.

A space smaller than a square meter.

Inside, a young woman squatted in front of me.

“What is it?”

She was about 16 or 17, with flowing black hair and striking golden eyes.

“I seem to have caused you trouble, miss.”

“Just lie down. You don’t seem to be in good condition. I’ve never seen someone with so many scars on their body.”

As she spoke, I felt my rough scars and firm naked skin.

Wait, naked?

“What have you done with the clothes I was wearing? Did you discard them?”

“No, they’re over there. They were too dirty, so I washed them.”

“Haa… Thank you.”

I stretched my hand to retrieve the clothes I had considered putting on later and held them in my arms.

“Is it important to you? For such a plain outfit.”

“It’s unparalleled in the world.”

“It certainly looks like it.”

She twinkled her sun-like eyes at me with interest, which, instead of being burdensome, felt refreshing to me who sought company.

“Anyway… Your throat seems to be in bad shape. And your hair is so short it barely covers your ears.”

“…There had been a situation.”

“What kind of situation?”

“I’ve been expelled from my family.”

“Hmm… I won’t ask which family.”

She smiled gently.

A candid smile full of purely good intentions.

It had been years since I saw a smile so warm.

“Why did you save me? Although I’m grateful, we’ve never met before.”

“Never met… Yes, this is the first time we’re meeting today. But when someone collapses on a bridge like that, you see them whether you want to or not. And it’s impossible to ignore someone in serious condition.”

What a kind-hearted miss.

I’d like to introduce her to Su-a if possible.

Though Su-a wouldn’t accept any introduction from me.

“Is this… inside a carriage?”

“Yes, the person who found you seems to have some money.”

“Just by looking at your clothes, I can tell you’re not from an ordinary family.”

She wore a silk gown in green that harmoniously complemented her jet-black hair and golden eyes.

“Still, isn’t it dangerous to bring strangers inside a carriage like this? Aren’t you too fearless?”

“It’s not about being fearless, it’s about trusting people.”

Trusting people, she said.

I trusted people too.

I failed and got betrayed, but she succeeded, didn’t she?

“May I ask your esteemed name?”

“Esteemed name? That’s a term you shouldn’t use with someone around your father’s age. Please speak casually.”

“I cannot treat someone who granted me life-saving grace as casually as that. Please allow me to uphold propriety.”

“…Esteemed grace…”

Did my request get through?

After mumbling like a mosquito for a short while, she smiled brightly and gave her name.

“My name is Gayoung Jin! I’m the princess of the Taewon Jin Clan!”

“Gayoung, a fitting and meaningful name for you, miss.”

The Taewon Jin Clan.

The Taewon Jin Clan is one of the few noted martial families in Shanxi.

There was talk that they nearly ranked among the top five families recently. But regardless, it’s a household known to be on the rise.

And the eldest princess who cleverly earned the nickname “Sword Flower” has supposedly contributed significantly to elevating the reputation of her household.

“So will you tell me your esteemed name now?”

“…I, don’t deserve an esteemed name.”

“I’m not someone who treats elders rudely.”

“Ho, truly the famed intelligence of the Taewon Jin Clan’s princess is well-deserved.”

Amazed by her ability to turn my own words against me, I revealed my name.

The name I had chosen after being expelled from the Namgong Manor.

“My name is Byul Rak. I don’t have a surname.”

“Byul Rak… A name that suits you well.”

“Does it?”

If she’s the cheerful type, it might be a compliment indeed.

“You said you were expelled from your family, so you don’t have any work now, do you?”

“That’s correct.”

“By chance, there’s an open position. Interested?”

“Are you actually offering me a job when we just met?”

“We’ve exchanged just a few words, but I’ve already understood that you’re a knowledgeable and good person. It’s not a tough job, and the pay and vacation are regular. The clan will provide accommodation.”

“Nothing else matters, but does it give me a sense of fulfillment?”

“Sense of fulfillment?”

Gayoung looked surprised.

“Most people inquire about the salary or the job’s difficulty, but you’re the first one I’ve met who asks about fulfillment.”

“It is the most important to me.”

I don’t need the food or salary anyway.

Since there’s no real use for money, nor a real need for me to eat.

Though I might eat for taste.

Naturally, if I needed those things… fulfilling the request of my precious daughter would still be my top priority.

“You’ll be a servant. Lifting my family’s reputation, of course. Mainly sweeping the yard in the morning, running a few errands for me… but if you don’t like that, I can offer you a higher position.”

“Sweeping the yard will help the Jin family live comfortably, and being your servant can alleviate your burdens somewhat. I accept. It means I’ll work earnestly as your trusted servant.”

“Thank you, having such a reliable person under my command makes me feel like having an army of a hundred thousand soldiers.”

An actual army of a hundred thousand soldiers could be summoned if necessary, but there’s no need to mention that now since the Martial Sword Sage is no longer.

“However, did you accept because you felt obligated due to the life-saving favor? Because of some debt of life or something…”

“No, I truly accepted this job out of my own will.”

Life-saving favor?

Though I said that, it wouldn’t have mattered much if the situation worsened since I wouldn’t have died unless I deliberately sealed my Dantian or blocked my Qi.

Therefore, this job is purely out of my own choice.

The servant of the Taewon Jin Clan’s princess.

It might be regarded as a lowly position by some.

But at least I won’t be envied or despised, right?

Nobody would unjustly accuse or tarnish such a simple servant with false charges.

“Then, where are we heading now?”

“We’re on our way back to the main estate. I’m returning after helping a caravan.”

“This seems deep in the mountains, judging by the constant jolting.”

“Yes, this is the Seven Evils Mountain. You must have heard of it?”

I more than heard of it; I’ve memorized its topography completely.

I once fought against a thousand Blood Cult members shoulder-to-shoulder with Jade Flower.

Back then, I owed my life to Jade Flower, but unfortunately, when I visited her recently, she sternly told me to leave.

“Are there any bandits here?”

“How did you know? The Seven Evils Bandit Gang is here. They’re quite ruthless.”

“They’re more than just ruthless, it seems.”

The bloody smell is so strong, and it’s clear now.

There are about twenty friendly energy signals surrounding our carriage.

Each of them is at least a fairly capable martial artist of the second tier.

And surrounded by those are two hundred hostile energy signals.

Most of them are third-tier practitioners, but it’s an overwhelming number for a single bandit gang.

“Seems you’re not an ordinary person. When I feel nothing, your eyes change.”

“Shall I deal with them ahead of time?”

“Let’s wait a moment. They might just let us pass. It’s better to avoid bloodshed if possible.”

“Hmm, understood.”

Now I serve Lady Gayoung, so I stay still as per her command.

Not long after, loud shouting and the clanging of metal sounds reached our ears.

“Wow, they’re actually attacking.”

“Shall we deal with it now?”

“Just wait. In these situations, money usually works wonders. Just follow me.”

Saying so, Lady Gayoung stepped out of the carriage.

Following her, I saw dozens of bandits surrounding us, each wielding various weapons.

Lady Gayoung walked over to the largest figure who seemed to be the leader.

“Are you Zhang Ping, the chief of Seven Evils Bandit Gang?”

“Yes, and are you Sword Flower Gayoung Jin?”

“Yes, seeing as you’re not willing to let us pass quietly… How much will suffice?”

Lady Gayoung took out a box of money from her bosom, seemingly trying to negotiate with cash.

That tends to be the norm.

Bandits usually accept the money and leave, allowing the caravan or clan to avoid unnecessary casualties while the bandits bolster their reputation and pocket some cash.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement where both parties part ways amicably.

But these Seven Evils Bandits seem greedy.

“Hmph, we want all of you, including the twenty bodyguards accompanying you!”

“Me? Why?”

“We’ll capture you and negotiate with Taewon Jin Family. They’ll cough up at least three thousand taels of gold, hahaha!”

So that’s why they gathered such a large group, with a couple of high-level experts hiding among them.

“Can’t we just settle this peacefully? You might regret it deeply.”

“Since this is our big final heist before retirement, just surrender quietly! You don’t want to shed blood either, do you?”

“Even though I have a reputation, letting myself get captured by you and forcing my family to pay three thousand taels of gold would damage the Sword Flower name beyond repair, wouldn’t it?”

“To you, perhaps, but to us, all that matters is the money!”

With the atmosphere now almost certainly leading to a fight.

I discreetly sent a telepathic message to Lady Gayoung.

– Shall I handle it?

Her reply came sharp as a blade.

– Let’s handle it together.

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