Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Traces (1)
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"Not just in plain clothes, but even wearing armor, and all the subordinates he brought with him are imperial guards..."
"Exactly. What could bring personnel and troops from the central military, who rarely visit the provinces unless something major happens?"
While Gu Hwan-gae pondered deeply, Hwan-gyu simply beamed with joy.
"What an impressive figure. To think he'd even memorize your face. Little brother, you're truly remarkable."
"It was just good luck."
"Luck is a skill in itself, isn't it? Come on, let's go."
Dang Yu-wol and his group left the docks amid envious stares from the crowd.
"Wow!!"
"Look at that! Brother!"
Near the harbor was a massive market.
The two disciples, seeing things they'd never encountered before, began darting around excitedly, peering at everything.
It was while they were wandering around following the pair.
"......"
Dang Yu-wol suddenly stopped in his tracks.
His gaze was fixed on one side of the market.
"What's wrong?"
Gu Hwan-gae asked curiously, but Dang Yu-wol couldn't respond.
Yu-wol. That...
Yeah. No doubt about it.
And for good reason.
Etched into the wall on one side of the market was a symbol.
It was the mark indicating a Blood Cult branch.
Was there a Blood Cult branch here?
They set up countless secret branches across the Central Plains long before attacking the Central Plains.
True...
They used those branches to experiment their research on martial artists and commoners alike. Truly detestable bastards.
By now, the Blood Cult must be focusing heavily on poison research.
So these people here are probably carrying out poison-related missions?
His thoughts deepened.
Dang Yu-wol recalled the Song Juk he'd seen earlier and even the imperial army before asking,
"Elder."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Could you look into why General Song Juk came here?"
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Just personal curiosity."
"I'll ask one of the Beggars' Sect members around here."
It wasn't just any event— a central military general personally leading imperial guards.
Even if it was a secret mission, the beggars would likely know the general reason.
"Alright, I'll be back. Oh, right. There's this place called Haekyung Pavilion here with amazing food and great views."
He swallowed hard.
Then he pointed at the two excited young Daoists.
"They say it's a must-visit for anyone stepping into the martial world for the first time."
"Haekyung Pavilion? I hear it's... a bit pricey."
The Jeomchang Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects, but at its core, it was a Daoist sect.
They upheld frugality as a sect rule.
He's being too cautious.
Jeomchang doesn't send disciples on external missions like other sects, so they probably don't have much money.
That makes sense. With travel expenses to Henan, they can't afford extravagance.
Unlike the flustered Hwan-gyu, the two disciples' eyes sparkled.
"Wow! Where is it?!"
"Is it a nice place?"
"Heh heh. It's the best."
"Whoa!! Really?! I can't wait! Have you been there, Master?!"
As their master, it was embarrassing to admit they had no money to his disciples, who knew little of the secular world, so Hwan-gyu hesitated.
Help arrived for him then.
It was what Gu Hwan-gae had aimed for in the first place.
"I'll cover it."
"Little brother, but..."
"We got that reward money this time, didn't we?"
Dang Yu-wol made light of it.
How expensive could it be?
"Since Elder Gu Hwan-gae and Daoist Hwan-gyu helped out, it's only right I treat you."
"Whoa!! Brother Yu-wol!"
"Brother Yu-wol! You're so cool!!"
"I knew it!! Heh heh!"
As the two hopped around in delight, Hwan-gyu gave a wry smile.
He was glad his disciples were happy, but it felt like he was burdening Dang Yu-wol unnecessarily.
"Amitabha. Children, don't burden little brother too much."
"It's fine. What's buying a meal for friends?"
Dang Yu-wol smiled as he spoke, prompting Hwan-gyu to sigh and nod.
Gu Hwan-gae chuckled at him.
"Order me some Qingzhu Pork Threads there. That's supposed to be the best. And Haeryeong Bamboo Leaf Liquor too."
Excited at the chance to finally eat something greasy, Gu Hwan-gae dashed off using lightness skill.
Dang Yu-wol turned his head after watching the beggar vanish like a ghost in an instant.
"By the way, where is it?"
"Why not just ask?"
"I'll ask!! Excuse me! Excuse me! Do you know where Haekyung Pavilion is around here?!"
A cute-faced girl asked with sparkling eyes.
The targeted middle-aged man chuckled heartily.
"Ha ha. Daoist, Haekyung Pavilion is at the end of the docks over there."
"Got it! Thank you! May the Primordial Heavenly Worthy protect your life!"
She recited a typical Daoist blessing.
Yi Yul puffed out her chest confidently with a smug expression.
Hwan-gyu smiled warmly at her un-Daoist-like cuteness.
"Now that we know the location, let's head there right away."
Dang Yu-wol's group went straight to Haekyung Pavilion, and upon arrival, the two disciples gasped in surprise.
"Whoaaa..."
It was a four-story grand hall.
Twice as large and ornate as the surrounding buildings, it clearly shocked them.
"Are there lots of buildings like this in the Central Plains?"
"Not uncommon. I know there's something similar in Sacheon right now..."
"Yes, Taeseong Pavilion in Seongdo."
"I want to visit there too!!"
"Ha ha ha... That's a brothel."
"A brothel?"
"How do you know it's a brothel, Master? Have you been?"
Hwan-gyu shut his mouth.
Of course he had gone.
Not to enjoy it, but because a meeting had been held there.
But as a Daoist, visiting a brothel isn't something to brag about...
He quickly changed the subject using his worldly experience.
"Come on, let's go in. The views here are excellent."
"Yes!"
"I want to go to the fourth floor!!"
It was natural to want the highest spot.
As his disciples looked expectant, Hwan-gyu glanced awkwardly at Dang Yu-wol.
The fourth floor will be quite expensive...
Worried about burdening Dang Yu-wol, he tried to dissuade them.
"You kids, do you know how much the fourth-floor meals cost?"
"How much?"
"Dozens of silver taels, at least."
"Eek!"
"Th-that's so expensive!!"
Ten silver taels could feed an ordinary Yun'nam family for a month.
Burning dozens on one meal?
It was shocking for disciples used to Yun'nam's prices.
"Th-then the first floor! Plenty of seats there!"
"Wow! The first floor looks so fancy too~! Brother Dang! I love it here!!"
The two quickly changed their tune.
Ye-ui found their antics amusing and giggled.
"It's fine. I got quite a reward."
"But little brother, I've heard poison arts are quite costly to practice."
Even with reward money, one should be frugal.
Dang Yu-wol shook his head leisurely despite Hwan-gyu's words.
"I've got plenty, so don't worry."
I can just make more poison.
"Still..."
"Excuse me, do you have seats on the fourth floor?"
Unaware of the truth, Hwan-gyu looked apologetic.
Dang Yu-wol ignored him and asked a Haekyung Pavilion attendant.
"Yes! We do! A spot with a view of the Heavenly River and the Hoi River County's scenery at your leisure!"
"Then please guide us there."
"Yes!! Fourth-floor guests incoming!!"
The first-floor patrons looked up in surprise at the mention of the fourth floor.
Is this the thrill of spending?
Not really.
Dang Yu-wol felt indifferent.
He'd climbed dozens of stories in his previous life.
What was four?
"Whoaaaa!!"
Unlike him, Yi Kyung and Yi Yul's faces flushed with excitement and anticipation.
"Welcome! What would you like to order?!"
The attendant who led them to the best seat asked politely.
All eyes turned to Dang Yu-wol.
"Qingzhu Pork Threads, Red Baby Pork, Jade Hare Moonlit Night, and a steamed carp. Order anything else you want, kids."
"Ah! Then I'll have this! Huangliu River Prawns Steamed!"
It was large prawns from the Huangliu River marinated in various seasonings and steamed.
Rare in Yun'nam, so she was curious about the taste.
Yi Kyung ordered quickly, while Yi Yul pondered before choosing the same.
"Daoist, please order as well."
"With all you've ordered, little brother, that should suffice."
"Very well then. Order more if it's not enough."
The attendant beamed.
As he turned to leave, Dang Yu-wol handed him a few coins.
"And if a Beggars' Sect disciple named Gu Hwan-gae comes to the first floor, could you bring him up here?"
A mere beggar might be different, but a sect disciple changed things.
The attendant bowed deeply.
"Understood!"
As he withdrew with a profound bow, the two disciples turned back to the scenery.
Watching them enjoy themselves, Hwan-gyu gave a wry smile.
"Thank you, little brother. For giving my disciples such a good experience."
"No need for thanks."
"By the way... what was that earlier? You seemed to be staring somewhere."
"...Nothing much. Just something personal catching my attention."
"I see."
No need to pry since Dang Yu-wol refused to elaborate.
As he closed his eyes in meditation, Hwan-gyu slowly calmed his mind too.
"Brother! Brother! Look at that!"
"Wow... People look so tiny!"
"Hee hee. We're the same height now. Whoa... The river's so cool, right?"
"Yeah!"
The spot buzzed only with the two excited disciples until the food arrived shortly after.
The pair peering out the window sparkled even more.
"Wow!!"
"Amazing!!"
The dishes looked delectable.
As they pondered where to start,
"Hey hey! Not too late, right?!"
Gu Hwan-gae came rushing up, out of breath.
He plopped into a seat naturally and chuckled at the food on the table.
"Oh! Qingzhu Pork Threads!"
He took a bite of the one he'd requested and beamed.
Then the attendant brought the Haeryeong Bamboo Leaf Liquor.
"Kya! This is it!!"
"You recognize it?"
"Yeah. There was some bizarre incident here recently."
"Bizarre incident?"
"Yeah. A whole village called Ji-ro River collapsed completely."
"Fascinating. What exactly..."
He glanced at the children.
Perhaps because it wasn't suitable for kids?
He leaned in close and whispered softly into Dang Yu-wol's ear.
"Hundreds of people died with their bodies twisted grotesquely."
"......"
"And astonishingly, toxic fumes keep emanating from the village continuously."
They couldn't even properly investigate the corpses.
In the end, deeming it beyond Hoi River County's capabilities, they requested aid from the capital.
"Song Juk brought his men to resolve that."
"What kind of poison?"
"Dunno. They say it reeks like rotting fish. Even beggars could barely handle it."
"That's all?"
"Of course not. Staying long in the village causes skin to corrode like it's being eaten away."
It's Sae-yu Blood Demon Poison. The Blood Cult's poison.