As expected, you have a big heart. (2)

Tock-tock.

Tock-tock.

Slurp.

Tock-tock. Tock-tock.

…Slurp.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Um…”

The village elder, seated in front of a large pot, couldn’t bear it any longer and turned around slowly. The ones holding spoons and empty bowls all had saliva dripping down their chins as they stood there, swallowing hard.

“It needs a bit more time…”

“You can eat it without waiting…”

“But still, the, the rice needs…”

“You can eat raw rice too.”

The village elder’s face contorted oddly.

“Ahem.”

Watching the scene unfold, Geum Yangbaek coughed awkwardly.

“Um… Is it not advisable to eat it right now?”

“You can eat it, but if you haven’t had grains for a long time, there’s a chance of getting an upset stomach…”

“Our kids are martial artists, so it should be fine.”

With this reassurance, the village elder nodded hesitantly.

“Yes, if you say so… Then, pass the bowls this way…”

“You can eat it!”

“Move aside!”

“I was here first! You go back!”

“Ouch, who grabbed my face!”

The disciples of Haenam rushed towards the pot like hungry wolves. Despite the scalding white steam erupting from the pot, they charged forward with even more force, scooping out rice with their bowls.

“Oh my, what in the…?”

The village elder, taken aback, blinked as he beheld the chaotic scene before him.

They were esteemed guests from the Southern Sea, or so they claimed, yet they behaved no differently than uncivilized thugs. No, even those thugs would have recoiled at such a sight.

“Stop pushing!”

“Move aside!”

“Wait, who took all the food? Do you want to die?”

Witnessing the indescribable and chaotic scene, the village elder shook his head with a heavy heart and spoke.

“Um… Since we have multiple pots hanging right now, if you could just wait a bit longer…”

“That’s right! We can just eat that one!”

“Huh?”

Without hesitation, the disciples of Haenam dashed towards the other pots. Though the firewood blazed fiercely underneath, to these people who had grown accustomed to even the flames of hell, such heat was no hindrance.

Successive lids of the boiling pots were lifted, and white steam billowed throughout the village.

It was as if the village was under siege by bandits.

Watching the scene unfold, Hyeong Wook glanced around in a daze. Baek Cheon, avoiding eye contact, awkwardly cleared his throat.

“…They’ve been starving…”

“…”

“I hope you understand. They’re not normally like this.”

“Yes.”

Baek Cheon rubbed his flushed face in embarrassment. He never imagined those Haenam brats would discard their pride and dignity so quickly.

The newcomers found no designated seats and simply sat where they were, shoveling food into their mouths.

“Ah, this is the taste of life!”

“After eating nothing but unseasoned meat for so long, I thought I was done for.”

“People should live by eating grains!”

“…If only we had some grilled fish.”

“Where are you getting such nonsense? Don’t be greedy!”

“What? Who said anything about being greedy? Please give me back my rice!”

Watching the scene unfold, Lee Jayang let out a deep sigh.

‘At least I am not sitting on the ground.’

The disciples of Haenam, sitting on the village ground, were eating with their hands. Who would see this? It’s embarrassing…

“Jayang Sahyeong, if you don’t want this, I’ll eat it…”

“Don’t touch my food! You might lose your hand!”

“…”

A strange silence fell. Lee Jayang avoided Saje’s gaze and cleared his throat.

…Embarrassing as it is, hunger is hunger.

He awkwardly picked up his bowl of rice and was about to eat it, when he caught sight of Gwak Hwanso, who still hadn’t eaten.

“Sahyeong, please have your meal.”

“Hmm. I’ll eat a little later.”

“Later? Will there be any food left for you by then?”

Lee Jayang’s remark made Gwak Hwanso chuckle.

His gaze was fixed on the pot placed in the far corner. Lee Jayang realized what it meant and sighed softly.

That pot wasn’t cooking rice, it was for porridge for the injured.

“…I understand, but you need to eat first to gather strength to treat the injured.”

“I know. I’ll make sure to eat, so don’t worry.”

Lee Jayang’s expression turned somewhat troubled.

‘I didn’t even think about it…’

While he had been busy observing the behavior of Haenam’s disciples, Gwak Hwanso had been taking care of the injured who couldn’t eat properly.

Now, there was no need to compare who between him and Gwak Hwanso had a bigger heart. And…

“Sahyeong! Please try this.”

“If rice doesn’t sit well with you, how about this? It was given by the villagers and is perfect for snacking.”

“What on earth are you talking about? You should eat a proper meal!”

“Oh, no. Since Sahyeong isn’t eating, it’s fine… You can have your meal later…”

The other disciples of Haenam also set down their bowls upon hearing that Daesahyeong wasn’t eating, and they crowded around Gwak Hwanso with concern.

“I’m fine, so please finish your meal.”

“But if Daesahyeong isn’t eating, how can we…”

“Don’t worry about me. I still have strength.”

“Still…”

It wasn’t just because of his position as Daesahyeong. It was an uncomfortable thought, but even if someone like Geum Yangbaek, the respected Sect Leader of Haenam, had done the same thing, it wouldn’t have elicited the same response under these circumstances.

They had all endured hardships to come this far, and now they all understood. They knew how much Gwak Hwanso cared for them, how much he sacrificed for them. So, without anyone needing to say anything, they naturally worried about and cared for Gwak Hwanso.

Gwak Hwanso chuckled as he looked at the gathered disciples.

“My, aren’t you all clueless. Aren’t you all eating coarse grains now?”

“Huh?”

“If I eat what the patients are eating, I’ll get to enjoy fine white rice. It’s a win-win.”

“Was that your intention?”

“Wow… So, Daesahyeong…”

Gwak Hwanso’s playful tone lifted the mood.

“So, everyone finish what you were eating. I’ll also take care of Cheonumaeng”

“Yes, understood, Daesahyeong.”

❀ ❀ ❀

Surveying the courtyard before entering the village chief’s house, Baek Cheon looked at the elderly man sitting in front of him. The old man bowed deeply towards Baek Cheon.

“First… I don’t remember much because I was unconscious… But I heard that you rescued and treated someone as ignorant as me. How can I ever repay such kindness…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Baek Cheon scratched his cheek with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“That matter should have ended there, but it’s embarrassing to push my face into it again.”

“Why do you speak like that! I should be grateful for allowing me to repay even a small portion of the great kindness you’ve shown.”

Elder Hyeong continued to bow repeatedly towards Baek Cheon.

Observing this scene, Hyung Wook unconsciously furrowed his brow slightly. Until just a moment ago, his father didn’t seem particularly favorable towards these people. Of course, he always carried gratitude for their lifesaving kindness, but there was an underlying sense of distance in his demeanor.

However, the way he was treating Baek Cheon now seemed almost as if he were treating a deity descended from the heavens. The excessive bowing made Hyung Wook feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Just as elder Hyeong seemed about to prostrate himself, he hesitated, stealing a glance at Baek Cheon before speaking softly.

“Um, but… you mentioned… needing grain?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Baek Cheon nodded quietly.

“It would be proper to explain the situation and circumstances in detail, but unfortunately, we cannot stay here for long.”

“…”

“We will pay the full price. So, please give us the grain you have.”

Baek Cheon bowed his head deeply to show respect. Hyeong Wook, who was next to his father, was surprised and tried to stop him.

“Sir, why are you saying this? Of course, we should provide the grain! What kind of compensation is needed to share grain with those who saved our lives? Please, don’t say such things…”

“Stay quiet.”

Elder Hyeong interjected, subtly restraining Hyung Wook. Flustered, Hyung Wook protested,

“No, Father. This is obvious…”

“Just stay quiet!”

Hyung Wook was quite flustered, staring blankly at his father. However, his father’s gaze was firmer and colder than usual, leaving him no choice but to bow his head for now.

“Ahem.”

Elder Hyeong cleared his throat as if to dispel the awkward atmosphere that had momentarily settled.

“Sorry.”

“Of course.”

“That…”

The elder looked at Baek Cheon’s eyes and opened his mouth.

“I understand your point. We are all humans, and it’s only natural for us to do so.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“However…”

Elder Hyeong sighed deeply.

“As you know, this year’s severe drought has left us with no crops to harvest, and we are struggling to make ends meet. If you take away our grain, we’ll have no way to survive the winter.”

“I understand. That’s why I’m willing to offer a fair price. We will pay generously for the grain you provide, so you can buy food from nearby villages.”

Elder Hyeong bowed deeply, expressing gratitude for the offer.

“It’s truly humbling to receive such generosity when repaying a debt of gratitude.”

Baek Cheon’s expression became even more awkward.

He wasn’t accustomed to such excessive courtesy. He realized now how such excessive politeness could make the recipient uncomfortable.

Then, the elder looked at Baek Cheon with a strange expression.

“However, sir. There is something I would like to ask.”

“Yes?”

“Are you currently being chased by those ruthless bastards?”

Baek Cheon hesitated for a moment before answering. There was no point in hiding it.

“Yes, that’s correct. However…”

“Oh, please spare me! I beg of you!”

At that moment, elder Hyeong screamed and fell flat on the ground. Baek Cheon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why, why are you suddenly doing this?”

“If by any chance those barbarians find out that we’ve provided grain, not a single one of us will survive!”

“Ah… You needn’t worry about that. That’s why we’ve completely erased any traces of our presence here. And besides, the money isn’t marked with anyone’s names…”

Baek Cheon tried to remain as calm as possible while speaking, but before he could finish, the elder once again slammed his head onto the ground.

Thud!

“Please!”

Baek Cheon’s face contorted with shock. The elder’s plea continued.

“Do you not consider sparing these pitiful souls, and taking the grain elsewhere? I can tell you the way to another nearby village. Please…”

“…”

“If, by some chance, the fact that we’ve done such a thing were to be known by others, we will all perish. Even if you can erase the traces, can you silence every mouth?”

Baek Cheon tried to say something, but the elder was quicker.

“Please.”

With tears in his eyes, elder Hyeong looked at Baek Cheon mournfully. In that moment, Baek Cheon felt all strength leaving his body.

Elder Hyeong lowered his head and spoke.

“You don’t need to pay for the grain you have eaten. So please, leave this place with everyone as soon as possible. I beg you!”

Baek Cheon involuntarily closed his eyes tightly.