Posting the full Chapter 2 of [[ Tang Bo Returns! ]] here on tumblr before posting it on ao3 because i just know when I get back to this later, I will see some typos dskwdkadklasd
[[ Anyways, Enjoy the read! ]]
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Moments before Myeong-Suk arrived.....
Gu Chil, a member of the beggar sect walked leisurely down the road.
He quietly observed the busy market with a hint of curiosity, but shifted his focus to his thoughts.
'Maybe after the report, I could eat some food..' Gu chil thought.
As he continued his walk, A person carrying heavy boxes abruptly bumped into Gu Chil.
The boxes fell one by one. Causing huge, loud thuds ringing through the market place, but people couldn't careless. and continued their business.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Gu Chil immediately apologize, moreso bluntly than feeling sorry.
However, The person who looked like an thug glared at him, and quickly retorted.
"You! YOU..!!" The thug roared, it was loud enough to burst a person's ears.
Gu Chil slowly step back from the thug, and swiftly looks at the eyes of crowd who was walking by as if asking for help
However, the crowd avoided eye contact, and continue to stroll peacefully as they ignore the poor beggar.
The thug was about to walk up to Gu Chil, however, as if faith has landed on Gu Chil's shoulders, the thug was quickly stopped by beggar.
No, but seriously! What are the beggars doing here?
It's not like they're here to buy anything?
With a multiple beggars suddenly coming forward left, and right, The thug angrily grit his teeth, and turned around. "I'll remember this.." the thug grumbled as he walks.
"Hey, Gu Chil! We did great right!?"
With no words to be said, Gu chil simply sighed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You always cause trouble by yourself, Gu Chil-ah. If the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword sees you bruised, he might start tormenting us with his fist." The beggar joked, but he seems serious at the same time?
With a pat on the back from the beggars, Gu chil felt uncomfortable, and let out a nervous chuckle.
'He's mentioning Chung Myung again...'
No! but seriously! why am I always associated with Cho sa- I mean Chung Myung in any form of way!?
Is it because I used to know him??
Anybody who knows me would always talk about Chung Myung... It's as if Chung Myung is the only person engraved in their mind!
It's not like my whole identity revolves around him.. So what's the point of mentioning it?
With confusing thoughts, A sigh came out of Gu Chil's tired mouth.
If only Cho Sam didn't join Mount Hua..
Cho sam used to be an angel that condone no sins!
Ah.. wait no.. He wasn't a complete angel per say, but he was soft-spoken, quiet, and honest.
But now, he has turned into a madman disguise as a disciple from a prestigious sect!
Just what did he see in Mount Hua that made him suddenly change his personality?? And why!?!?
Or maybe chief Jeong Pol hit him so hard that day, he went completely nuts?
Defeated, Gu Chil slowly looked at the beggars within the crowd.
Then quickly glanced at the beggars that are with him.
Though.. there is someone missing.
"Hm? Is he in trouble? Why are you trying to find that punk?" An upset
beggar asked.
"No, no. Me, Ha jun, and Myeong-Suk were assigned to report something."
Gu Chil calmly explained to the irritated beggar.
"Pfft- He must be sleeping right now, like he always does" One of the
beggar laughed, and chimed in the conversation.
"Yeah.." Another beggar sighed. "Are you sure you want him to be with you?
He only slacks around."
"Eh? From what I know, he always mentioned that he has an illness, or
something?"
"Isn't that just him excusing himself so he could doze off, you punk?"
"No, i mean- you always see him getting tired before he can even lift a box,
right?"
"That's just him being lazy"
"Well, how about the time he ran a few meters away, and suddenly he
fainted to the ground?"
"That's him being lazy again!"
"This crazy guy- How is that considered lazy!?"
The two beggars fiercely glared at each other, but one of them halted their heated argument.
"Whether he has an illness, or was lazy, I still don't think he would be
helpful, Am I right Gu Chil?"
Gu Chil didn't respond, and sighed. The beggar who ended the argument saw an opportunity being open, and quickly ask.
"Gu Chil, I can help you instead of Myeong-Suk if you'd like." The beggar smiled.
It wasn't any normal smile however. It was one of those smiles that didn't bring any comfort. A smile with no genuine emotions.. but greed...?
Gu Chil can't say for sure.
Was it like Chung Myung's scamming smile? No, It was far from it.
Although that bastard is up to no good whenever he smiled maliciously, at the very least he knew that he did it with a good intentions. (Despite, the strange strategies being used, ahem-). This one however, made Gu Chil uncomfortable. It also didn't help that the smiling beggar had a mocking tone.
So, he could only stare at him in silence.
He was simply tired of it.
Tired of people siding with him just for the sake of getting near the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. Tired of people kissing his ass just to not getting beaten by that devil of a guy.
He could understand the reason. If he were in their shoes, he would do anything to not get pummeled by him too!
But what he never understood is why they're approaching him with a friendly facade, acting as if they were friends from the very start.
He's not the only one getting weird vibes from them, right?
Maybe they thought they could escape the death doors of the Chivalrous Sword, if they somehow befriended him? If that was the case, they don't know anything about Chung Myung.
Or maybe, they thought that if they approached Gu Chil, they would quickly befriend the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword themselves... If so.. They clearly don't know who Chung Myung is!
If only they knew, they would have probably avoided Gu Chil in every possible way, or take matters into their own hands, and beat the shit out of him out of anger.
Though, betting on the latter, the first one seems to be the safest..
Did all of this happen because he was treated with special treatment by Chung Myung? Perhaps.
But rather than feeling thankful that the demon himself favors him.
It felt like he was betraying someone he never even met.
And to add more stress, the people around him just made him feel miserable. The way they look at Gu Chil as they give him backhanded compliments and praises. The way they talk to him as if he never deserved to have such treatment. It's not like Gu Chil wanted this attention!
Were they acting this way out of Jealousy? Resentment, perhaps? or maybe it's Superiority?
He couldn't be sure, but whatever the case, It was clear they didn't want to be friends with him.
"Gu Chil?" The smiling beggar blinked, waiting for an answer.
'Ah.. I kept him waiting' Gu Chil thought. He then grinned back at the him, and simply responded "No thanks."
He was used to this, so rejecting them was shockingly easy.
The smiling beggar's eye twitched. "No, I insist. You might have a hard time dealing with someone like Myeong-Suk"
Gu Chil swung his head back, and forth in denial, and faced the smiling beggar. "Honestly, I'd rather be with Myeong-Suk than be with you guys"
Now hold on, that's a shocking news on its own, what the actual FUCK?
Gu Chil said it so confidently, however he was taken aback by the loud shouts of the beggars.
"Huh? Why that bastard??"
"Well.. Thats because unlike you guys, he simply doesn't care.."
"Doesnt care about what??"
That's not entirely a lie... Myeong-Suk was known to have never pay attention to one's affair.
To sum it up, he was a lazy bum. The beggars even sometimes wonder why he ever joined the Beggar Sect, a place dedicated to gathering, and collecting information.
"Hm.. He is quiet, i suppose.." The beggar added
"But still! You prefer that useless guy over us?"
"Well, in his defense, you guys are condescending at times.."
"What was that, you bastard!?"
Tired of listening, Gu Chil finally snapped
"Ay- whatever! Ha jun, help me find him!"
Gu chil intently stared at Tang Bo who was in the body of Myeong-suk.
He's asking if the heavenly demon is alive...?
This crazy guy- He must have lost his memories when he was asleep..
Still, hearing this from "Myeong-Suk" bewildered him. Why would he ask that??
Gu Chil pondered, then completely stopped his thoughts as he looked away from Tang Bo, and gazed directly at the mountains of Mount Hua.
Just as Gu chil could process his mind, Ha Jun growled at Tang Bo.
"Are you stupid, or what? why would he-"
but before Ha Jun could finish his words, his mouth was quickly covered by Gu Chil's hand.
"...? So that's a no?" Tang Bo tilted his head at the two beggars
"..Ahaha..." Gu Chil nervously laugh.
He was sweating bullets. He didn't know why, but his instincts are telling him that if he made a wrong move, It would hunt him back then, and there.
"Ahem... Let me speak in Ha Jun's stead" Gu Chil replied.
However Ha Jun resisted, and spoke out " Mmpfh- WAIT- NO BUT WHY-"
but before Ha Jun could even form coherent sentences, his mouth was again, completely shutted by Gu Chil.
'This crazy guy! Are you getting yourself killed?' Gu Chil internally screamed as he direct his gaze at Ha Jun.
However Ha Jun couldn't understand the fear in his eyes, and look back, and forth at Tang Bo, and Gu Chil in confusion.
Tang Bo simply stared at the two struggling with a stoned-face.
It was an interesting sight to see two beggars looking at him confounded, and afraid. Not like that was his first time-
But, He couldn't exactly blame them because if someone were to ask Tang Bo an idiotic question, that person would have been burried ten feet underground.
If Tang Bo used to had his prior strength that is.
Fortunately for Tang Bo, Gu Chil had common sense, and a sense of intuition, Although Gu Chil didn't understand why, he knew not to mess with the newborn devil in front of him. So he politely answered every one of Tang Bo's questions.
Uncomfortable silence fell in the air.
Tang Bo's eyes were filled with confusion
Hundred years since the Demon war?
and Hyung-nim was the one who ended it?..
He can't tell if he should be happy or not.
On one hand, the war had finally ended. There will be no more people dying from pain. The people who survived, and lived on, proved that no matter the catastrophe, they won't give up.
but on the other hand....
Tang Bo suddenly flowed back to his memories of Chung Myung who was holding his hand in panic, and agony.
...What did he feel when he finally killed him?
Euphoric? No, Rage maybe..?
Tang Bo raise his head, and face the now clear sky emitting with light, as if the previous battles hadn't happened.
Words can't describe the anguish on Tang bo's face
Though quickly, his face turned into acceptance.
The dead will be dead, He had already said his goodbyes to him.
If only he could meet him just one more time, that would be nice...
Tang Bo shook his head, and moved away from his thoughts, He looked into the direction to Sichuan.
Although he missed his old life. The lord himself had given him a second chance
In this new life, he had set two goals in mind.
Go to the Tang Family, and heal his Dantian!
He recalled that there was a specific room hidden away in the balcony deep into the underground in the Sichuan Palace that had ingredients of recovering from a Dantian. It was in Tang Bo's room...
Tang Bo did wonder on why his room specifically was place too deeply below the surface, despite him focusing more on pharmacy than poisons, but it's best not to dwell on it.
As he continues to walk, He realize that he was.. slow..
and that annoyed him.
He knows that he can't overexert the beggar's body. After all, the Dantian will get damaged. And, It's not like he was in a hurry either, but it's annoying nonetheless
Though he does wonder how he'll get in the Sichuan Palace.. The Tang Family would probably deem him as an impersonator, or anything.
But that doesn't matter right now, he'll find out anyway when he gets there.
"Ho- Hold on, Myeong suk where-"
"Tang Bo." He abruptly asserted "Call me Tang Bo."
Tang Bo? As in a member of the Tang Family?
Just what is he planning??
Gu Chil, and Ha Jun were perplexed, but Tang Bo never cared enough to clear the confusion.
Tang Bo was walking away from them.. albeit slowly..
But, before Tang Bo gets too far, he quickly turned around, and faced Gu Chil.
"..........ahahaha......"
Tears started to form in Gu Chil's eye
The Mount Hua disciples who was laying on the ground, all bruised, and defeated, glared at Chung Myung as if their eyes were throwing daggers towards him.
Chung Myung payed no attention to them however, and quaffed the cheap liquor on his hand.
After drinking the liquor whole, He then mercilessly struck Im Sobyeong's face when he was about to rise from the ground.
He flew across the field, and his head was thrusted against the ground. Im Sobyeong coughed heavily, and scowled at Chung Myung.
"You..! I'm a patient, you bastard!"
"Patieeeent? You? Patient? Come on, You evil sect bastard! Let me show you what a real patient is!"
" Wa- wait..!- Heeeeeeeeeeek!-"
Like a cat chasing a mouse, Chung Myung plunges himself towards Im Sobyeong, who was running away pathetically, then struck him on the back using his leg.
Chung Myung quickly landed himself on the ground after thrashing Im Sobyeong near the death doors, and looked across the field.
Everyone lay sprawled to the ground, gasping for breath. They all look like they were barely clinging in life.
well except for Namgung Dowi, who had special treatment because of the money he offered, but still...
"Is this all you can do!? Tsk, tsk! Back in my day...."
"Amithaba, He's talking like an old man again.."
"We're older than you! Older!"
"Is he a spy? How does he know all these things?? "
"Just please shut his mouth... I don't wanna listen to him anymore..."
"What was that?" Chung Myung glared back at the people criticizing him, however they averted meeting his eyes.
Chung Myung scoff, and continue to nag for who knows how long, he then
casually walked inside the sect's head quarter to eat desserts, as if the business was done.
Namgung Dowi tilted his head, and directly looked at Baek Cheon who was groaning on the ground, disheveled, and covered in dirt.
"Uh.. Deputy Sect Leader"
"About Doja-nim.. what did he ever do in the past for him to always bring up our ancestors..?"
"I wonder too.. He's talking as if he knows them personally..."
"Maybe, he's an old soul reincarnated inside a younger man's body?"
"That doesn't sound too far off.."
With many questions rising, all eyes went to Baek Cheon, eagerly waiting for an answer.
Baek Cheon could only smile back at their silly questions
"I don't know" he simply responded
"Eh? How can you not know? Don't you hang out with him?"
"Well, He's not the kind of person to talk about himself despite chattering a lot"
"Yeah.. try talking to Chung Myung about his past, and it'll turn into a nagging session!"
"Augh.. Why can't he just tell us.."
They know him, but they don't at the same time
Aside from his strength, and a bit of his personality, They never really knew much about Chung Myung.
He was close, yet distant . Though a stranger, he was still familiar.
They never questioned Chung Myung's knowledge. Because if they did, it will only lead them to confusion.
" Maybe, He knew our ancestors before?"
"If that's the case, then he must be the age of an elder! Think better!"
"Aigooooooooooooo, just thinking about Chung Myung makes my head ache, Can't we just agree that he's a demon disguising himself as a disciple?"
"What if he came from Maegyo?"
"This crazy bastard! Do you want your skulls to be broken? What if Chung Myung heard that!"
Baek Cheon silently stared at the Nokrim clan arguing with the Tang Family.
it was a.. strange combination..
And.. uh...? Even the Namgung Family is bickering at the Ice palace soldiers...
Are we seriously gonna talk about this..?
Questioning Chung Myung's origins is like taking a deep dive to a pile of shit.
Chung Myung as a person is already breaking the law of physics, even logic couldn't define his miracle-like actions! So why did they think it would be easy to figure out his past?
"Does anyone even know what he even likes?"
Everyone stared all at once to the person who asked who asked.
"Uh.. Sweets? Mooncakes?"
" Does him liking plum blossoms count..?"
"No but these guys! What does that question have anything to do with Chung Myung's past?"
" Well he's Chung Myung, How are we suppose to know? Try questioning him bout it, and even that's a struggle! So, we should at least know the basics of what he likes! like uh..? what else?""
"We all know he likes Mount Hua Sect dipshit, where else do you think he'll be?"
"Honestly, aside from his achievements, Mount Hua is may be the only thing we ever know about him.."
They knew Chung Myung likes Mount Hua.
Hold on, wait- "Like" is understatement.
He LOVED Mount Hua. They have never seen someone as loyal as Chung Myung is to Mount Hua.
Devotion? Determination? And Dedication? Combined with Eccentricities?
Lo, and behold, we get the Mount Hua's Mad Dog.
Looking back, why did Chung Myung ever joined a declining sect like Mount Hua?
As they continue to think about it, Chung Myung being in Mount Hua just felt..... strangely natural..? Like it felt Perfect. Too perfect, in fact.
As if he was born to be in Mount Hua Sect.
Chung Myung among the Plum Blossom trees felt naturally quintessential.
Whenever he's alone, he would sometimes stare at the Plum Blossom trees with a gentle, warmth expression. Something about his eyes shimmer with pride as he looks at it, yet at the same time he looked as if he was yearning for something that was forever gone.
A sense of Melancholy exuded his presence.
To be frank, From their perspective, Chung Myung represents the Mount Hua Sect as a whole.
Through his sword techniques, his honey-like scent, and even the color of his eyes complements the color of Plum Blossoms. He was proud of it, being one from the sect. Nobody can deny that, they have seen it through his passion, and devotion.
So, despite the sect being at rock bottom, It'd be stranger if he didn't join at all!
Still, how did he do it? Restoring a fallen sect? Even their elders will have a hard time doing that..
In a way, he's like a miracle. As if heavens themselves gave Mount Hua's luck and fortune towards him specifically.
A person like Chung Myung wouldn't happen in a hundred of years. No.. Maybe thousands!
Simply calling him " the prodigy" is doing an injustice to what he had done to the world. He's a genius, a Master even. A monster that towers everyone, even the elders despite being so young.
"But then again, he's the same asshole who's tormenting us..."
"Aughh.. Why did you have to mention that?"
Everyone sighed in unison. Just thinking about that bastard's story was a headache in it of itself, so it's best to never question him at all.
But... there was still something that stands out...
" Say.... Does Chung Myung like the color green?" Jo Gul asked.
" This guy.. Yoon Jung sahyung! Can you please hit sahyung's head!"
"Hey! Hey! I was just asking a question??"
"What stupid question is that? Wouldn't he like pink, or red instead?
"Yeah i thought so too, but he has that long green ribbon he usually wears on his hair, so I was curious"
"Maybe he likes the color green, but why does that matter?"
"Because it is?" Jo Gul responded, but the disciples all looked at him with disappointment.
Jo gul pouted, and argued.
" Don't look at me like that! I'm not the only one noticing that Chung Myung, That devil of a guy who would kick around a chest with the rarest treasure, and throw it around as if its a doll, takes care of a green ribbon with delicacy like it's a precious item, right!? "
"Jo Gul isn't asking a mindless question, like he usually does.."
"Now that you mentioned it, When did Chung Myung wore it?"
" Probably since he joined? It's not like it's that important"
" Eh? Since the start? Didn't that ribbon came from the Tang Family?
The expensive silk says it all! Maybe he wore it to show off our friendship!" a Tang Family member interjected.
"This crazy bastard! Do you honestly think that Chung Myung is that kind of person to do that!?"
"Well, it's not like we ever see him wear anything outside of the Mount Hua attire, so it's uncertain."
" But still.. the ribbon seems special to him.."
All stared at Chung Myung who was eating mooncakes, with a prickly, confused expression.
He always wears the green ribbon, but they never knew why.
It felt natural, like how Chung Myung naturally fitted Mount Hua.
And contrary to his body, and outfit that was usually covered in blood, dirt, or any kind of things, the green ribbon was always left untouched. Not even the a single stain gets to it, and whenever it does, he would he would do anything to remove it. Which speaks for itself that it is special.
As they further looked at the Ribbon.
They noticed that the ribbon wasn't just any normal ribbon.
As the Tang Member mentioned earlier, it was indeed goddamn expensive.
A sophisticated, long green ribbon made of silk with tatters at the end.
The appearance was simple, yet the fabric was uncommon.
It looked worn out, as if the ribbon existed a century ago. Though, if they look closely, it was still lustrous, and was brimming with elegance.
Which was a stark contrast to Chung Myung's basic black, and red outfit.
Everything about the ribbon contradicted who Chung Myung is.
Elegance? Lustrous? Expensive fabric? and Decades of existence?
Even the green color was distracting at times. Though, strangely enough,
the ribbon's colors didn't clash with his clothes, but instead complemented each other.
It just somehow fitted him naturally, and again, they never knew why.
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The ribbon part was taken inspiration of this work lol
Anyways- Thank you so much for reading!! I hope you enjoyed it skks
And if you have any criticism/feedback, please tell me in the comments!
(Also- the drawings for some of these scenes would be uploaded on Ao3 lol so yeahhhh- )
