Chương 7: Chapter 53: The Best Man For The Job

When they counted up all their gold, it came out to four hundred and fifty four gold, fifteen nyang. Roughly fifty gold short of the amount required. It was close, but not quite enough. However…

"We'll reach out to the Jos for a short-term loan – they still owe us. Or whoever retrieves the oak heart can try and barter down the price." Lee San announced once everyone was back in their place in the yurt wagon.

"Or we can promise this Nam Gwansoo an amount against the horse sale. Subin, you go meet with the Jos right now."

"Yes Patriarch," Subin pulled himself to his feet, arranged his hastily-worn hanfu as best as he could, then bowed and made his way out.

"The next problem is who's going. It's still seven hours till daylight," San sighed, showing some real emotion on his face for the first time. He rubbed his temples before continuing, "Minsu, is there enough time to wait till morning?" The Lee family physician adjusted his spectacles and smoothed his white and blue deel before answering carefully.

"Time is of the essence. We can send someone in the morning, but I can't promise Mae will last long enough for them to go and come back." Lee San looked out the window. It was pitch black outside, and the grasses were barely visible in the flickering torchlight. The assembled Lees all shot each other uneasy glances, and a few stared into the black portal to the outside like it was a window into their own hearts. ["What's the problem?"] Cyrus asked. ["Why can't they just send someone now."] ["Riding on new moon, very dangerous."] Song replied. ["So? Use a torch."] Song gestured at the window. ["Wind puts them out. Horses afraid too. Very dangerous. Many have lost horses to drunk night rides. If horse breaks leg, is now just food. And how many torches to waystation?"] While Cyrus and Song discussed the dangers of riding horses at night, conversation in the yurt continued.

The current best idea was to send a large contingent of warriors, enough that they could have at least a few torches going at any one time, and if one or two went out there'd be enough to relight.

"There's the grasswolves to consider as well," Eunji complained. She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder with a gauntleted hand, then scratched at her ear.

"If we send a group that big, it'll draw attention. And if there's really one out there at foundation level we could lose a dozen of our best warriors with this plan, or worse if we send any of our cultivators."

"It'll draw attention no matter what," Elder Duri sighed.

"And torchlight doesn't go that far, so the horses will be slow. They may not be able to outrun the pack if it becomes a chase."

"Let me go," Seojoon announced. He'd fully regained his composure and stood before his warriors. His eyes were still rimmed red, but they now held that sense of purpose that Song was used to seeing.

"It's for my sister anyway."

"No," Lee San said firmly, "I'll not put another of my brother's children at risk for this. We just need someone to deliver our message as quickly as possible. What if you and I led the other expert refinement cultivators, Eunji? The grasswolves wouldn't stand a chance then."

"And leave the family unguarded? Just to deliver a message? Dishonour!" Eunji scowled, crossing her arms.

"We're warriors first, Patriarch. Our duty is to protect all of Changpo! I'll give all I can for Mae's medicine, but I'll not go on a fool's errand in the middle of a new moon when there are demonic beasts lurking in the plains ready to strike the nest while the hawk is away." Dishonour. Song recalled Cyrus's words from what felt like ages ago, but couldn't have been more than a few weeks. What's dishonourable about bringing a widow word of her soldier husband's death?

Or delivering emergency supplies to a town in need? Or providing protein shakes to a housewife who really wants to lose that last pound? This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He hadn't understood any of it before, but he understood it now. Not the protein shakes. No. About the honour that could be found in doing something the right way.

There was just as much honour in being the strongest warrior protecting the village, as there was in being the best stable hand. Just as there was a dao of the merchant – to focus on obtaining wealth above all else, there was a dao of delivery – to bring what was sorely needed to those who needed it most at the precise moment that they needed it. Quickly, efficiently, and unharmed. And at this moment, there was only one person in the clan who could deliver the message to Nam Gwansoo.

Only one Lee who could see in the dark and spread light for their horse. Only one Lee who could see the honour in what needed to be done. Song stepped forward once more. This time there wasn't even a hint of the pangs of fear he'd felt the first time he'd done so.

"I'll go." ["Sooong, what're you doing?"] Cyrus asked nervously. ["You should leave this to the adults."] I thought we were past the child thing. Song thought sardonically. Juwon was the only one who heard him clearly, and his brother's eyes widened before he made a shooing motion with his hand. Song ignored him, repeating more loudly, " I'll go!" ["Wook's coming up behind you."] Cyrus called, and Song took a step forward into the centre of the circle, dodging out of his older brother's iron grasp.

Song had a quick glimpse of Wook's surprised face before he was facing his father. The crowd quieted as everyone processed what he'd just said. Lee San addressed him directly, frowning, "Did I hear you right, Song? You'll go?"

"Yes." There were a few pointed remarks about his age and one person outright laughed, but they were all instantly shushed. Lee San eyed his youngest son up and down, his face wan. Beside him, Chohee looked like she was a moment away from fainting.

"This is a serious matter, Song." Lee San growled.

"I'll give you one chance to speak - but if you didn't think this through and are acting on emotion alone, you'll be on dung duty for a month." Song pulled open his deel and lit his dantian as bright as he could. Now that he was approaching the top of adept refinement, it was much brighter, and there were multiple exclamations of pain as Lees grabbed at their eyes.

"I'm the only one in the clan who can see far enough ahead to guide my horse, and give him enough light to run," Song added.

"That also means I'm the only one who can outrun the grasswolves if they find me."

"What if the foundation level beast finds you?" San said, seriously.

"San! You're not considering –" Chohee interrupted, but the Patriarch held up his hand.

"Answer me," His father commanded.

"I have the Yus' poison orbs," Song hedged.

"And I can jump on and off Bongbong using my Starlight Bridge to try and distract it. And – and – I can see better in this darkness than they can. And maybe the pack leader won't show up," he finished lamely.

"San, surely you can't be thinking of sending this child," Eunji complained, gesturing contemptuously at Song.

"Piss off boy, the adults are talking."

"Back off, Eunji!" Juwon snapped, then held his hand to his mouth. He clearly considered stepping back as the Elder Lee grew red in the face, but lowered his hand and decided to press on instead.

"You've all seen Song's skill with his Void martial arts. He might actually be the best person for this job." Seojoon stepped up behind Song and placed his hand on Song's shoulder.

"I agree with Juwon. It's as though the heavens sent him to us for this moment. Nobody else in the clan could make this trip, but I believe Song can." ["He's just willing to sacrifice you to save his sister,"] Cyrus scoffed. ["But whatever, I get it. Do you really think you can do this, Song?"] ["Yes."] The Lees waited, tense, to hear the Patriarch's judgement. Song was the first to know the answer. He could see it in the set of his father's chin, and the light in his eyes before he even spoke.

"Then Song will go," Lee San said in a gravelly voice. Song had expected more push-back, but everyone remained strangely quiet at the Patriarch's final decision. Even his mother bit her lip to hold back her thoughts.

"I'll be ready in ten minutes," Song announced, turning and heading for the door flap.

"Have Bongbong saddled and ready." Behind him, Elder Eunji's voice cut the silence.

"Has everybody lost their minds? Why not send all our children to their death tonight–""Oh shove it, Eunji," Granny Bora cut her off with a huff.

"Song's a clever boy, he'll find a way."