Devil’s Music

Chapter 195: Trip to Busan

The grandfather took Geon's hand and led him into the guest room. Despite feeling uncomfortable about staying at someone else's house, Geon had thought it too risky to ride his bike at night on dark, rural roads, so he reluctantly followed his grandfather into the room.

"Rest here for a moment. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare a meal and come back."

After the grandfather left the room, Geon stood in the middle, surveying it.

"It's surprising to find a house like this these days, not even a hanok from the Joseon era. But it has a TV, and everything else one might need. Except there's no bed... Sleeping on the floor will hurt my back..."

Sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall, Geon recalled the little child he had seen earlier.

"Did he say his name was Hakdu? What was he trying to tell me earlier? Why did he ask me to save him? Could it be that I have some unknown power? Ha, what am I thinking."

Geon dismissed his own thoughts as ridiculous and began to quietly play his guitar.

It was late at night, and with a sick person in the house, he couldn't play loudly, only gently strumming the guitar as he sat there. Soon, he heard someone outside the door.

"Ahem, may I come in?"

"Oh, yes, sir."

As Geon responded, the door opened, and the grandfather came in, looked around the room, and said,

"My wife will bring the meal soon. But is there anything you find uncomfortable? It might be inconvenient for a young person like you."

Geon waved his hands and replied,

"No, sir. Please, have a seat here."

Offering his seat, the grandfather sat down with a smile.

"You have good manners, not like most young people these days. But why are you wearing a hat and sunglasses indoors? Even a mask, isn't it stuffy?"

"Oh, I forgot about them."

Geon took off his mask, sunglasses, and hat, causing the grandfather to exclaim,

"Wow, you're incredibly handsome. I wish my Hakdu would grow up to be as handsome as you. So, what do you do?"

Kneeling in front of the grandfather, Geon said,

"I'm still a student. I was just passing by on my way to Busan to visit my grandparents' graves."

"Is that so? A good student, then. Make yourself comfortable. As they say, the formality matches the generosity."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

Geon adjusted to sit more comfortably, which made the grandfather ask,

"What's your name?"

"My name is Geon Kim, sir."

"Which Kim family are you from?"

"I'm from the Sunsan Kim clan, sir."

"Sunsan Kim clan? From the Silla period? Which branch?"

"I belong to the Jeongjo Gong branch, sir."

"Ah, you seem young but well-educated. My name is Minjun Choi, head of the Yeongcheon Choi clan."

"Sir, it's an honor to meet you."

"No, the honor is mine. You saved our seventh descendant. My grandson, Hakdu, is the direct descendant of the Yeongcheon Choi clan. You've done a great service to our family. I haven't properly thanked you. Let me express my gratitude again."

Minjun bowed deeply towards Geon, who frantically waved his hands,

"No, please don't, sir. I haven't done anything significant. Just a few words."

Straightening up, Minjun smiled kindly.

"Those few words saved my grandson. Even a powerful shaman we brought from the south couldn't save him after three days and 20 million won spent on rituals and prayers."

Geon, unsure how to clear Minjun's misunderstanding, hesitated when Minjun noticed his guitar and asked,

"Is that a guitar? Are you a student who loves music?"

"Yes, sir. I'm majoring in music at college."

"Really? Which college? You sound like you're from Seoul, are you attending a school there? Is it a good college?"

"Ha, actually... I'm studying in the U.S. I've completed my military service and am on a break right now, but I'm returning to the U.S. in a few days."

Minjun, visibly surprised, exclaimed,

"What? The U.S.? That's impressive. I hope Hakdu grows up to be someone who can navigate big waters like you. Having a brother like you would be perfect for Hakdu. So, which school in the U.S.?"

"I attend Juilliard, sir."

"Ju... Juilliard? Isn't that a woman's name? What an odd name. Ha."

"Ahaha... Yes, it's a bit funny. Ha..."

As Minjun and Geon chatted, noises came from outside the room. Turning his head towards the closed door, a gentle woman's voice could be heard.

"Father, the meal is ready."

Minjun struggled to his feet and opened the door, saying,

"Oh, Hakdu's mother. You shouldn't have brought it yourself in your condition. Why didn't you ask the maid?"

The woman in her late thirties, looking pale but smiling, replied,

"No, Father. It's my duty to do this for the person who saved our Hakdu's life. I'm fine."

"Come in, then. And you, dear, come and greet our guest."

As Geon awkwardly stood up, two women entered, each carrying a side of a lavishly prepared tray.

Geon's jaw dropped at the sight of the sumptuous feast, while the grandmother covered her mouth with her hand, giggling gracefully.

"Don't think it's too much. We just want to offer a warm meal to our savior. Please, sit down."

Geon sat down somewhat clumsily, and the three family members all focused their attention on him. Unable to start eating under their gaze, Geon could only manage an awkward smile. Noticing this, the grandmother said,

"Oh dear, are we making you uncomfortable? Here, try this."

She picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it into Geon's mouth. Sweating profusely, Geon forced a smile to show his appreciation.

'I can't tell if I'm eating through my mouth or my nose...'

The grandmother continued to offer various dishes, placing them on Geon's rice and asked,

"So, who exactly is the savior of our Hakdu?"

As Geon was about to answer, after quickly chewing his food, the grandfather interrupted,

"Now, now, let the guest eat in peace. His name is Geon Kim, from the Sunsan Kim clan, studying music at a college in the U.S. The school's name was... Ju... Juilliard, was it?"

Listening quietly, Hakdu's mother widened her eyes in surprise,

"Juilliard? You attend Juilliard?"

The grandmother looked at her daughter-in-law and asked,

"Is that a famous school?"

"Oh, Mother-in-law. It's a school for musical geniuses, among the most renowned music colleges in the world. Juilliard..."

Upon closely examining Geon's face, the mother gasped,

"Kay? Could it possibly be Kay?"

Dropping his spoon, Geon gave an awkward smile,

"Ah... Yes, Mother. That's me."

The mother covered her mouth in shock,

"My goodness! Kay in our house!"

Seeing his daughter-in-law's reaction, Minjun alternated his gaze between Geon and her, asking for clarification,

"Speak clearly, daughter. Do you know him?"

The mother, excitedly, explained,

"Father! Remember the Nepal earthquake fundraising campaign? You even asked to donate after watching the broadcast, remember?"

"Of course, I remember. It was quite a hassle figuring out how to donate."

"Do you remember the young man from the fundraising broadcast?"

"Yes, I remember. That young man moved even an old man like me to tears. But why?"

The mother pointed at Geon and said,

"This gentleman is that young man, Father."

"What??"

Minjun and the grandmother both turned to Geon with expressions of astonishment. As all three stared at him, Geon fidgeted with his fingers, emitting an awkward laugh.

The grandmother, having also seen the broadcast, was so taken aback she couldn't take her eyes off Geon. Minjun, recovering first, spoke up,

"Ahahaha, we didn't recognize you with all the dust and everything. Such a fine and handsome young man you are! A combination of looks, character, and education. It's a pity we don't have a granddaughter for... Ha."

The grandfather's remark brought the grandmother back to her senses, and she grasped Geon's hand, her eyes welling up with tears,

"I saw the broadcast. Oh, we didn't recognize a noble soul. You've been through so much, truly."

"Ha... No, grandmother."

"Could you take a picture with our Hakdu tomorrow? He'll have it for memories. Would you do us this favor?"

"Of course, grandmother. I'd be glad to."

"That's wonderful. Oh, we've made you so uncomfortable. Let's leave you to eat in peace."

As the grandmother stood up, Geon looked at the mountain of food in front of him, sweating,

'I've already eaten a lot, grandmother... How can I... Ha...'

The mother bowed gracefully, and Minjun also got up, saying,

"The maid is waiting outside. When you're done eating, let me know. Rest well, and if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. We can't do enough for our benefactor. Good night, cough."

Geon stood up and bowed respectfully,

"Yes, sir. Have a good night."

Minjun smiled warmly and exited. Outside, the grandmother eagerly spoke to Minjun, still waiting,

"We've had a very famous person in our home. Is this an honor for our family?"

"Indeed, it seems so. Let's ensure Hakdu is fully recovered tomorrow before we send our guest on his way," Minjun responded thoughtfully.

A look of worry suddenly crossed the grandmother's face,

"He seemed fine before falling asleep earlier, but what if something happens again?"

"We've invited our benefactor here for that very reason. If anything happens to Hakdu tomorrow, we'll have to ask for our guest's help again. Now, let's get some rest. It's late."

After a while, Geon, who had slightly opened the door, informed the waiting maid in an apologetic tone that he had finished his meal. The maid then carried away the tray. After removing the tray from the room, the maid fetched a blanket from the closet, spread it carefully on the floor for Geon, and left, leaving Geon scratching the back of his head,

"This is too much hospitality..."

Deep into the night, someone hidden among the branches of a 500-year-old Zelkova tree belonging to the Yeongcheon Choi family estate peeked out at the guest room. A small creature, about the size of a small monkey, blinked its large eyes thoughtfully,

'I have to make sure he didn't follow me here to harm my family too! Oh, my legs are trembling with fear, just hold on a little longer, Miso Pae Es.'

The small demon, concealed in the Zelkova tree, continued to watch nervously long after the lights in the guest room had gone out, keeping vigilant in the deep night.

>

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