Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Wandering for a Bit
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Shwaaa! Shwaaaaa!
Rain poured down like a waterfall.
It had come and gone throughout the night, but by morning, it was falling in earnest.
"What should we do? It looks like we're in for a thorough soaking."
After finishing their meal, with no sign of the rain letting up even after a long while, Byeon Ryeo-gun gazed out anxiously, unable to tear her eyes away. Being a woman, she seemed to dread getting drenched more than most.
"I'll fetch a carriage."
"I can't just sit here comfortably while you go alone. Let's go together."
"This is because of me, so feel free to wait here."
Do Cheon said with a gentle smile. Byeon Ryeo-gun, who had risen from her seat to follow, saw his smile and didn't insist further.
"Thank you."
"I'm the one who's grateful. Thanks to you, I could leave the elders back at the main sect and come out scouting like this. And you're keeping me company again."
"Now that you mention it, I guess I have done something for you. Then I'll wait comfortably."
Byeon Ryeo-gun smiled through her veil. Do Cheon returned the smile and left the table. He asked the innkeeper about the stables, then stepped out into the pouring rain without hesitation. Byeon Ryeo-gun watched him go with a pang of guilt.
Steward Seo's words had been spot on.
There was nothing money couldn't buy. When Do Cheon reached the stables, the coachman grumbled that the rain was too heavy to move. But at double the price, plus a promise to cover any damage to the carriage, the man jumped up and urged him to hurry.
Do Cheon rode back to the inn in the carriage. But the scene inside had changed. Around the spot where Byeon Ryeo-gun sat, six men lay sprawled on the floor.
"Why can't men leave a lone woman alone?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun stood from her seat. Do Cheon couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's not that she's alone—it's that a beautiful woman is alone."
"I'm wearing a veil."
"The veil just emphasizes how stunning she must be."
"Sigh, that's not why I wore it."
"Then why did you?"
"Curious?"
"Very."
"Then I won't tell you."
"...!"
"If the mystery fades, you won't want to travel with me anymore. Then I might lose my positions as Shadow Pavilion Master and New Moon Tablet Keeper."
"I doubt that."
"...?"
"You say you're curious, and now I don't want to tell you for no reason."
"How did you know?"
"I've done the same."
"...!"
"When you got curious, I didn't want to tell you. No real reason—just felt like it."
Byeon Ryeo-gun stared straight at Do Cheon as she stood. Do Cheon met her gaze, peering into her eyes as if reading each other's thoughts.
"It's not 'just because' for me."
"Then what's the reason?"
"I want to be by Do Gongjanim's side."
"...!"
"You're misunderstanding right now, aren't you?"
"Misunderstanding?"
"Thinking I like you and want to stay close because of that."
"No?"
"I want you to use your power for good. I want to guide you that way and offer advice."
"Ah, I see. And here I thought you really liked me."
"Disappointed?"
"What man wouldn't be?"
"You'd be even more disappointed if you saw my face. It's not pretty."
"Then don't show it."
"You like pretty women?"
"No man dislikes pretty women."
"You can't live on looks alone forever."
"Then what do you live on?"
"Hearts that connect."
"With a pretty woman, hearts connect naturally."
"Why?"
"A beautiful face is thanks enough."
"Pfft!"
"Why laugh?"
"What kind of answer is that? Nothing more to want beyond a pretty face?"
"Nothing."
"Sigh, there are so many beauties in the world. With your abilities, you could have as many as you want."
"I'm no playboy. Up to now, the only women I've seen are Little Sparrow, you, and White Rakshasa. Oh!"
"What?"
"I didn't get paid."
"Paid for what?"
"For smashing the main gate. I have to collect from Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi..."
"You can get it when we head back."
"I keep forgetting. I seem idle like a loafer, but with so much on my mind all day, I forget things like that."
"I'll remind you."
"You will?"
"Yes. I'll make sure you don't forget and tell you for sure."
"Thanks. Let's get going."
"Okay."
The two headed for the inn's entrance.
The rain still poured, and a carriage waited about ten paces away.
"Run!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun dashed off nimbly.
She scampered like a squirrel, flung open the carriage door, and slipped inside. Do Cheon watched her for a moment, then walked over slowly.
Shwaaa! Shwaaaaa!
The rain seemed to fall even harder. But not a single drop touched Do Cheon. An invisible aura formed a vast barrier around him. Seeing this from inside the carriage, Byeon Ryeo-gun crossed her arms.
"If you'd told me ahead, I could've stayed dry too."
"I was going to, but you were too quick."
"You didn't let me on purpose?"
"Of course not."
Do Cheon laughed as he climbed in, and the carriage began rolling slowly through the downpour.
Golden Flower Money House.
Yoo Geon, who had entrusted Dongting Lake's transport business to the Yoo Merchant Group, was now seriously planning the Yangtze transport operations. Even though he'd thought and schemed about it endlessly since meeting Do Cheon as a child, Elder Merchant had pointed out the issues.
"You can't think transport is just loading and carrying. For merchants racing deadlines, prepare fast clipper ships. For those needing secure storage, have the right setups ready."
"So we need to map out local specialties along the Yangtze and their storage methods?"
"Exactly. Just hauling carelessly won't make big money. Major merchants already have their own transport agents."
"To make them abandon those, even small merchants using the Yangtze should create real competition."
"Right. Get everyone using the Yangtze. Minimize differences, create an atmosphere where they feel safe just loading onto our ships."
"Cheon will handle the security fine."
"Speaking of him, how reliable is he? Money moves ghosts, but changing living minds is another matter."
"If he wants it all, I'll give it."
"If Do Gongja wants it all?"
"I'll hand it over."
"...!"
"Elder Merchant, neither he nor I do this to grasp power. Even with billions, there's only one bed to sleep in, three meals a day."
"Then why do it?"
"Because we can."
"...!"
What kind of answer was that?
At first, it sounded utterly absurd. But in moments, it felt like the boldest declaration imaginable.
"Impressive."
Elder Merchant let out an exclamation despite himself.
"Praise?"
"Yes, praise."
"Thank you."
Yoo Geon smiled faintly when—
"Visitors from the Baekri Clan."
"Bring them in at once."
Elder Merchant replied in surprise to the voice from outside, and the door opened to reveal a familiar middle-aged man.
"Has the great hero come in person?"
Elder Merchant rose even more astonished. It was Baekri Mun-gyeong, younger brother of Baekri Clan Leader Baekri Hyeon-do.
"No need to stand. Sit, everyone. You too."
Baekri Mun-gyeong sat with a beaming smile, urging the others down.
Elder Merchant stayed tense. Those types smiled wide, then slit throats at the slightest offense.
Orthodox sects? Did that make them any different?
Merchants had a saying: Outlaws rampage openly; the righteous do it from the shadows.
"What brings you?"
Elder Merchant asked.
Baekri Mun-gyeong wiped his smile and let out a heavy sigh.
"Not good news."
"What has the great hero sighing first thing?"
"The Golden Emperors are on the move."
"Golden Emperors?"
Elder Merchant's eyes widened.
Baekri Mun-gyeong turned to Yoo Geon.
"They've caught on that we're aiming for the Yangtze."
"Any basis for that?"
Yoo Geon asked.
"They're buying up Yangtze ships."
At Baekri Mun-gyeong's words, Yoo Geon and Elder Merchant's faces hardened.
Golden Emperors.
The singular force that could buy the world if money could—bar the Demonic Cult, the mightiest single power spanning orthodox and unorthodox alike.
Coachman Jin Pung.
He'd driven carriages for over a decade, ferrying thousands of passengers with vast experience. Yet serving these clients brought an unprecedented, ghost-like encounter.
The rain was so heavy that even cautiously, wheels sank into mud. Sometimes deeply, tilting the carriage. Each time, bracing for impact, a wind god seemed to steady it. Astonishing.
'Great masters summon winds, right? No, can't be. They didn't seem that high-level. An elder, maybe.'
Jin Pung shook his head but couldn't shake the thought. It happened five or six times.
"Uh, guests. Wuhan's a day away—shall we stop here in Geumbang for an inn?"
"Yes, please."
"Got it. I'll take you to the best eatery around."
"Yes, do that."
The young lord replied. Generous without fuss—easy clients.
"Rain's eased—let's pick up speed! Hya!"
Jin Pung whipped the horses toward the nearby town.
Half a shichen later.
The carriage halted before an inn sign reading "Bright Forest Inn."
"We're here."
As Jin Pung dismounted, the door opened, and Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun emerged.
"You worked hard."
"No trouble at all. Thanks to your help, it was smooth and safe."
Do Cheon just smiled faintly at Jin Pung's probe. Seeing it, Jin Pung's skin crawled.
'Suspected it, but it's true! He summoned the wind!'
Jin Pung gaped at Do Cheon like he'd seen a ghost. Byeon Ryeo-gun remarked,
"I trust you'll keep quiet."
"Y-Yes? Oh, yes! This humble one knows nothing."
As Jin Pung bowed repeatedly, Do Cheon handed him something—silver coins.
"Enjoy your meal. See you tomorrow morning."
"No need for advance pay."
"It's for tomorrow's good service too."
"I'll give my best regardless."
Do Cheon forced it into Jin Pung's protesting hand, then entered the inn with Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Welcome!"
The waiter greeted them. Jin Pung bellowed at him,
"Treat them like royalty! Or we'll never come back!"
"No worries!"
Jin Pung led the horses away as the waiter shouted back.
"What'll it be?"
As Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun sat, the waiter asked. Do Cheon glanced at her.
"What do you want?"
"Anything."
"Bring your best sellers."
Simple order; the waiter served well.
Do Cheon ate anything without greed. Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't eat much. Finishing early, they drank. Too early for bed felt lacking, so she ordered liquor.
Chatting over one cup, two, soon two bottles empty, starting the third.
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes slightly red, voice a touch husky, asked,
"You said you want to grow the Iron Lion Sect big?"
"Yes."
"How big?"
"Big enough to make even the Demonic Cult look laughable."
"Ambitious."
"Mocking me?"
"Knowing your power? Hardly."
"Strength alone doesn't make it easy."
"You have Yoo Gongja."
"Force and wealth, but short on people."
"When rain pours, folks flock under great trees. Expansion brings conflicts."
"They scatter when rain stops."
"Some will truly follow."
"I hope so."
"It will."
"Thanks."
"No need. Drink."
Byeon Ryeo-gun poured. Do Cheon downed it, took the bottle, filled hers slowly, then his.
"You studied the Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate arts to counter the Demonic Cult and Heavenly Demon, right?"
"Yes."
"What now?"
"Wandering for a bit."
"Undecided?"
"Yes."
"What if you stay at the main sect?"
"...?"
"You said you want to guide my power right and advise me."
At Do Cheon's words, Byeon Ryeo-gun seemed flustered. She stared into her cup, then downed it as the air grew awkward and stood.
"Sleepy. Heading to bed."
She left Do Cheon and went to her room. Her troubled heart was clear. Do Cheon just watched her back silently.