A Dragon Lives In That Scholar's Deep Spring - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

On the uneven mountain path, the hooves of four horses nervously pressed forward.

“Ha!”

In an instant of urging the horse already galloping at its limit, a hat that couldn’t overcome the wind flew somewhere. It seemed poorly tied. There was no time to turn back. Do-gyeom just tightened the reins even harder.

“There’s the sea, and spring as I’ve heard before. It’s said to be precious water coming down from a bigger mountain behind Baekaksan.”

Fortunately, through Sun-yi’s response, they could find the way. If it was Farang who always thirsted for water during the regular water cycles, she would try to find the source of the spring. 

After finding the source, it wouldn’t be too late to go to the sea.

“A white collar and a blue skirt… that’s the lady!”

However, since they didn’t know in which direction Baekaksan was, Do-gyeom judged that Farang would ask someone for directions. He went to the outskirts of the marketplace after following Farang and caught a random merchant, asking directly about Farang’s whereabouts.

“She’s a woman of about this height, wearing a white collar and a blue skirt. And her hair might have been let loose… She’s also a very fair-skinned and noticeable beauty. Have you seen her passing through here?”

In the urgent moment, Do-gyeom’s mind couldn’t conjure up other distinctive features to describe Farang. He regretted not drawing a portrait to carry with him.

“I, I apologize, my lord! As they collect the local taxes, I couldn’t dare to say anything to the lady.”

He didn’t expect to find her so quickly, but the unexpected response upon returning was surprising. 

When the owner timidly handed over a bundle of coins, Do-gyeom couldn’t help but feel disappointed. It was the bundle of coins from his writing. Yes, she was a generous lady.

“She went in that direction, beyond Baekaksan. She mentioned taking her to Samgaksan, but they probably took her to their gathering place, which is likely at the western foothills of Baekaksan. It’s about half an hour, so hurry and you’ll make it.”

In truth, Do-gyeom, knowing Farang’s prowess, wasn’t greatly worried even as he heard this.

“You need to hurry. Those guys are cruel, playing viciously, kidnapping half-and-half maidens, and even feeding them some potion. Awful guys!”

That was until he heard such remarks.

“No. This can’t be….”

“Ahh!”

Do-gyeom was about to urge the horse once more. Faint screams of people were heard amidst the incessant sound of hooves and sporadic bird chirping.

But when he immediately pulled the reins to stop the horse, there was no sound at all.

“It seems we’re not far.”

Unable to determine the direction, Do-gyeom looked around, and it was then that he realized he had been galloping on a path full of rocks.

“Oh no.”

How much suffering had he endured, trusting the master and riding on this excessively treacherous path? Do-gyeom dismounted from the saddle and comforted the horse.

“I’m sorry. Wait for a little longer. I’ll try to find her from here….”

“Argh! Help… Aaah!”

It wasn’t a hallucination. Soon, the screams of someone echoed from not far away. Do-gyeom forgot to tie the horse and started running in the direction of the screams.

Even though it should have been daytime, the surroundings were dark. Do-gyeom’s coat, tinged with a faint blue hue, fluttered and swayed following his movements.

“Farang!”

How far had he gone, pushing through the rough forest that seemed endless, following the sound? Just as Do-gyeom grabbed and pushed away a dry branch blocking his path, he saw beyond it: a man collapsing limply and a petite woman hidden behind the man.

The sunlight that pierced through the trees silently illuminated Farang, and her long breaths escaping through her closed lips turned white in the air.

She looked around for a moment, but then her eyes lifted to meet his as if she already knew.

“You….”

Do-gyeom couldn’t continue speaking. In that brief moment, her eyes, shining dark blue, seemed akin to those of a wild beast. It was due to an indescribable sense of intimidation. 

Was this what it felt like when facing a fierce beast alone? After the unsettling sensation, Do-gyeom managed to open his mouth.

“D-did you kill them?”

In the cold, he spoke words that felt distant from his heart. He should have asked if she was hurt or if she was okay first.

“…I should’ve killed them.”

It’s harder to let them live. Farang mumbled softly, but unfortunately, Do-gyeom couldn’t hear from the distance, as he was checking the pulses of the men closer to Farang.

“You should have come with me. You foolishly trusted these men.”

Knives that seemed like they would burst with blood were scattered around. Some were stuck in someone’s arm, and another in someone’s leg.

Yet, strangely, amidst all this, there was not a single person whose life had been taken.

It was fortunate. It wouldn’t be right for these scoundrels, who would have to live the rest of their lives in pain, repenting every day, to die so easily by Farang’s hands.

“Do you believe these people over me, who looked after you?”

“I don’t trust anyone.”

How resolute she was. Do-gyeom was momentarily lost for words.

“Then….”

Even though they had spent only a few days together, it was natural that it would be hard to believe. However, wasn’t treating these bandits like this going too far? Do-gyeom emotionally revealed his feelings without hiding them.

“Why did you stay by my side? You violated the agreement on the first day you entered my house, breaking the deal!”

Farang blinked slowly and tilted her head with an ‘Ah.’ She probably understood in what way Do-gyeom had discovered the truth.

“You doubted me. I used that doubt as motivation to use you. I have to go back.”

“….”

“You were the one who decided to wait for three days. I didn’t have any intention of killing anyone on this land anyway, so I wanted to get your consent without unnecessary arguments and went to Buyongji that very night.”

Farang explained indifferently, but Do-gyeom’s doubts were not dispelled.

“So, were you planning to leave as soon as you found the way?”

“Of course.”

Farang, who responded immediately without a moment’s hesitation, kindly added an explanation.

“That way, we both avoid unnecessary trouble, don’t we?”

“…You were planning to leave without telling anyone, without a word, forever?”

“There’s a sea, so there’s no need to stay on the land.”

Do-gyeom clearly understood. Farang was a ruthless being devoid of emotions, unlike a human.

To so callously abandon those who had relied on and followed her for just a few days, how could she be like this?

“You’re wrong. If it was to minimize trouble, you should have honestly told me from the beginning that you had already been to Buyongji and discussed it.”

Do-gyeom approached Farang and confronted her.

“In that case, I would have helped you, having been convinced that your intention was not to harm the emperor, even if you broke the agreement.”

It was after he saw how strong the power Farang could wield on her own was. He knew that his provocation might provoke her anger, putting his life at risk, but even then, Do-gyeom didn’t stop.

“You didn’t even give me a proper chance to help you. Why did you foolishly act like this without utilizing me, why!”

Perhaps it was because he found out that while he was building trust with Farang, she didn’t trust him at all. Was it because his pride was hurt?

“No.”

The answer to the question that had risen in his heart came from Farang.

“I was afraid I would rely too much on you. I was being cautious.”

“…What?”

“If I wait until you find a way back, I might never get back.”

Farang didn’t look at Do-gyeom. She simply continued to express her honest thoughts while glancing at the fallen bandits.

“These are proof that I was already relying too much on you. In the short time, because I got accustomed to your vague kindness, I thought other humans would be the same… even to the extent of thinking that the overflowing weapons were meant to protect, just as you said.”

“….”

“It’s ridiculous. To think there are weapons to protect is to know that there are those who wield them badly.”

A self-deprecating smile briefly appeared on Farang’s lips before dispersing into thin air.

“And such complacency would be of no help to me, who needs to survive when I return there. That’s why I searched alone.”

As Farang spoke up to that point, she suddenly leaned weakly against a tree and collapsed. Do-gyeom’s eyes widened.

“You…!”

The edges of her clothes were torn roughly, seemingly indicating how the men had tried to lay hands on her. The hem of her skirt was torn here and there as if it had touched a blade.

Most importantly, blood continued to flow from the abdomen she was holding with her pale hand.

“Were you stabbed by a knife? Are you injured? How bad is it?”

Approaching Farang in a hurry, Do-gyeom inspected her condition. Despite being called “medicinal users,” it was clear they had indeed tried to drug and rob her.

But of course, it was certain that a couple of them were subdued by Farang, each wielding a weapon teeming with intent to kill, even after drugging her. Judging by the timing and distance, Farang had endured for a while even after being drugged.

However, in the end, she was stabbed by someone’s knife.

“If I wasn’t so dizzy, dodging wouldn’t have been a problem.”

“Press this against it.”

Do-gyeom pulled out a handkerchief and applied pressure to the wound.

“It was… just a sip.”

“We’ll talk about it later. First, we need to stop the bleeding. Regardless of whether you’re human or not, this is something you should show to a doctor.”

Before Farang could agree, Do-gyeom was already running towards the horse with Farang in his arms, not waiting for her permission.