Chapter 444
Chapter 444
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 444
Chapter Title: Lingering Attachment (3)
After confirming the voices of Tae-gong and Ak-gong, I spoke to Namgung Yun and Won-cheol.
"I need to step out to the main gate for a bit. You two hold things down here."
"Got it."
"Won-cheol?"
"Yes? Oh, yes!"
"Don't pick fights with Yun over nothing, alright?"
"...Yes, sir."
I left the two of them in charge and headed toward the main gate.
In the meantime, the squabble between the two eccentric elders and my Eon family juniors continued unabated.
"Listen here, you brats. I had an appointment with a fellow named Eon Yong-un. I'm friends with Jang Cheol-han!"
Ak-gong was still fuming with frustration, while Cheon Jang-ho snorted dismissively.
"Jang Senior and this elder look like they've got a massive age gap. Friends? Hmph. From the looks of it, you seem a bit off in the head. Hey, Ha-seong. Isn't there a condition like that among illnesses?"
"There is something called manic delusion."
Eun Ha-seong, standing nearby, chimed in.
Ak-gong pounded his chest in exasperation.
"Manic delusion?! Have you ever seen such frustrating idiots in all the world? I'm telling you, I'm genuinely a guest of this Eon Yong-un! You lot, at least pretend to check!"
Eun Ha-seong responded to Ak-gong in a calm, measured tone.
"Elder, do you know who I am?"
"How the hell would I know you? Who are you?!"
"Exactly."
"Exactly what?! Is asking if someone knows you the latest trend among you youngsters?!"
"To put it simply, I'm the one who's been serving as his right-hand man ever since that 'Eon Yong-un' you claim to know left the Pearl Eon Family to wander the world. Have you heard of the Southern Jiang Divine Alliance?"
"I told you, I don't know!"
"Heavens. You don't know me, who's been by Yong-un hyung-nim's side the whole time. And I don't know you either. So how exactly could you be hyung-nim's guest?"
"What kind of logic is..."
"I've turned away hundreds like you today alone. Show me an invitation or some letter at least. If I let everyone in willy-nilly, people will riot asking why I let you through."
As Eun Ha-seong finished speaking, Woo So-reung and Cheon Jang-ho piped up one after another.
"Whoa. They say even a temple dog recites poetry after three years. Sticking by hyung's side has really sharpened your arguments!"
"As if there'd be any such letter! If these geezers are Yong-un hyung's guests, then I'm the Beggar Clan's gang leader!"
At that moment, Tae-gong and Ak-gong's chatter abruptly cut off.
I cleared my throat and stepped out beyond the main gate.
"Ahem."
The onlookers who'd come to gawk upon hearing of my arrival erupted in cheers.
"Hey, it's Eon Yong-un!"
"Is that tall, handsome young lord really the Invincible Sword?!"
"I told you, yes! I saw him myself when he came to Luoyang as a freshman. Greetings, Young Master Eon Yong-un! May you prosper!"
In the midst of it, Tae-gong and Ak-gong vented their grievances.
"Finally, you show up! Tell these fools!"
"Yeah! Didn't you tell us to come here? How do such stubborn mules even exist?!"
I addressed the two elders first.
"As you can see, crowds have turned out drawn by my unworthy name. To avoid disrupting Hye-min Pavilion's core operations, I instructed them not to let in anyone who isn't a patient."
"Bah!"
"And... I didn't expect you to arrive so soon, truthfully. Didn't you say you absolutely wouldn't come?"
"Ahem. Well, that was..."
Having calmed the two eccentric elders, I turned my gaze to the juniors guarding the gate.
"They're my guests."
The Eon juniors, instantly grasping the situation, snapped to attention and gulped nervously.
"Uh."
"Gasp."
"Hep."
I patted their shoulders reassuringly.
"You're doing great. At least take names next time. What if a real VIP leaves in a huff?"
I shifted my gaze back to Tae-gong and Ak-gong.
"We're helping out at Hye-min Pavilion right now. Can't just up and leave after agreeing to assist, right?"
"So?"
"Given the circumstances, please understand, elders. As for the talk from North Fang Mountain, how about we continue over dinner after we wrap up here?"
The two elders nodded readily at my words.
"Very well."
"Agreed."
Yet they showed no sign of moving from where they stood rooted to the spot.
"Um... elders? We don't have a guest house here to accommodate you. Every room is packed with patients. What I meant just now is to come back after we close up for the day. Around the hour of Jin."
Ak-gong cleared his throat and shot back.
"Ahem. Even we from the mountains aren't so dense as to miss that much."
"Then why are you still hanging around?"
"We were wondering if there's anything we could help with."
At those words, Master's voice spoke up in my mind.
- These old timers gave me a good thrill after so long, but it's odd. They griped about everything at North Fang Mountain, yet their attitude flipped overnight?
I shared the sentiment, tilting my head as I replied.
"You do seem a bit off. You said worldly affairs were none of your concern. Why the sudden eagerness? I'm genuinely curious."
"Hmph! Ahem!! And you—complaining about not enough hands, then balking when we offer to help? What kind of question is that?!"
Ak-gong had a point upon reflection, so I nodded.
"...Hmm. It wasn't quite about lacking hands, but Hye-min Pavilion could use more, sure. You've both lived in the mountains, so you must have some knowledge of medicine and herbs?"
"Better than your average quack."
"I'm a notch above that Wang Ak-gong here."
"Understood. I'll check with Lady Geum the physician."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Whether the world was abuzz from the newsletter I spread or not, Hye-min Pavilion remained Hye-min Pavilion.
As always, throngs of patients knocked on its doors seeking aid.
We brewed decoctions, assisted the physicians draining pus and blood, and endured a warlike day.
After closing up at last with a creak—
Kirgeek—
Tae-gong, one of the two elders who'd spent the day with us, spoke up.
"You called it dire enough to beg for even the hands of a maiden fern, and from the gossip on the way, something big is indeed brewing. Is it really fine to be draining yourselves with patients like this?"
I chuckled softly in response.
"Mm. There are various reasons. But above all, isn't this part of cultivation? Waving a sword all day doesn't make you enlightened."
Namgung Young nodded and added.
"It hasn't been long since someone shouted that a day with senior is worth a year. Seeing patients who truly need this one day makes me reflect on myself."
Jeong Hyeon followed suit.
"I thought we must prevent such patients from increasing in number. Aging and illness are nature's way, but in chaotic times, we should minimize the sacrifices."
As Namgung Yun nodded in agreement.
"Right. Suffering weighs heaviest on those at the bottom. When chaos comes, the lowest will suffer most."
I clapped to liven the mood.
Clap.
"Alright, let's head to the guest hall. You two as well. Ah, Miss Eun and Miss Zhuge, please prepare a brief on the plan."
Once we'd relocated, Yin Xia Lian covered her mouth and whispered.
"...But who are those elders to bring them all the way here?"
"I don't know the details myself."
At my reply, Dang Ok-gi furrowed her brows as if I'd lost my mind.
"...You don't know? Then why tell Ha-yeon and Seol-ji to prep on the Demonic Cult?"
"It's still prep stage. I'll decide after hearing them out."
The confidential info was already in the materials anyway.
We spoke openly, just keeping our voices low.
Tae-gong spoke up at our words.
"Well, we came here with a rough grasp ourselves. You, Eon Yong-un, pulled off a provocation those demons couldn't ignore. By now, demonic forces are probably racing here from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."
"Yes. Likely."
"Yet you're not gathering the White Path's full strength in Luoyang separately, instead doing charity work here... It's for honing body and mind, but there's tactical judgment too. A ploy to ensure the demons can't turn back, perhaps."
Some Eon juniors widened their eyes in surprise at Tae-gong's insight, while others sharpened their gazes.
As Tae-gong opened his mouth again.
"For such grave discussions, trust is essential. Worldly trust starts with proper introductions. I am Yeo Chi-su."
He drew a jade plaque from his sleeve, faded with age and adorned with tassels.
Engraved on the plaque Yeo Chi-su presented was the title "Grand Marshal," reserved for those commanding a nation's entire army.
"Might be unfamiliar to you youngsters. I once served as a general in the small southern sea kingdom of Ap-pa State."
Yin Xia Lian's eyes widened in shock as she responded.
"Ap-pa State. I've heard of it. It was one of our trade partners. But it's said to have vanished into the annals of history..."
I added my piece.
"I sensed tactical acumen from how you read our intentions. So that's your background. In your homeland, you must have been called Tae-gong for... other reasons?"
"Hahaha. All in the past."
Simultaneously, a thought flashed: this could be a tremendous asset.
'Ap-pa State. For even Miss Eun to dredge up such obscure history means he's offering his hand...'
A small kingdom, but rising to Grand Marshal in military affairs.
For us, deliberately avoiding concentrating proper forces in Luoyang to lure demons, he was like a heavenly host.
'Capable of large-scale command, and seasoned to boot.'
As I pondered Tae-gong—no, Yeo Chi-su—a moment longer.
Ak-gong's voice snapped me from reverie.
"What're you all staring at?"
Glancing around, every Eon junior was fixed on Ak-gong.
Their unspoken thought was clear: If he's Grand Marshal, who are you?
Ak-gong, bathed in those gazes, asked me.
"Unlike Yeo Tae-gong, revealing my identity carelessly could spell disaster. Can we agree to keep mouths shut?"
I answered immediately.
"Yes. No worries there."
But Ak-gong urged thought, speaking again.
"That beggar brat, scrawny Heo Yeo-mul-geol, and that Southern Jiang Divine Alliance punk—they didn't inspire trust!"
"Rough as they seem, they know where to draw lines. And as I explained, that was the right call in context, wasn't it?"
"Hmph."
Ak-gong crossed his arms, then revealed himself.
"I'm an old codger named Wang Seon-nam. Unlike Yeo Tae-gong, I can't proclaim it boldly. I merely oversaw the Beggar Clan's affairs."
Yin Xia Lian and Zhuge Seol-ji gasped.
"...Wang Seon-nam? Elder, are you... the former Beggar Clan Leader?"
"But... we heard the former leader passed at the hands of current Leader Mok?"
As shock spread among the other Eon juniors.
Ak-gong—no, Wang Seon-nam—let out a faint sigh.
"That's why it mustn't spread. Since ancient times, installing a new Beggar Clan Leader meant someone bore the clan's fury... My mercy failed there."
I couldn't grasp every detail, but I could infer.
'Faked his death to retire from the world.'
In other words, Wang Seon-nam bore no true grudge against the Beggar Clan.
'For now, to lure demons, we hide it as he says. But the former leader joining our alliance would be a huge boon in emergencies.'
Realizing the two were far bigger figures than expected, I stood at once.
"This isn't for a brief plan rundown here. You two, come with me somewhere."
Yeo Chi-su asked.
"Where to?"
"I'll take you to the Alliance Leader."
Ak-gong wore a what-kind-of-guy-is-this expression.
"...Murim Alliance Leader? Right now?"
"If you're here to help, help."
"No, after squeezing pus all day, you want us to move? To meet the Murim Alliance Leader?"
The Eon juniors shook their heads in unison.
"Elders... that's just how he is. Welcome... aboard."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Wang Seon-nam and Yeo Chi-su.
I introduced the two eccentric elders to Gongson Mu-gyeol straight away.
After hearing their tales and identities, he immediately assembled the strike force.
He then demonstrated the invasion response framework.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Once the sequential defense lines and formation deployments were complete.
Gongson Mu-gyeol eyed the two and spoke.
"What you just saw is the core of our alliance's response posture. What do you make of it, elders?"
At Gongson Mu-gyeol's words, Tae-gong pondered before replying.
"Hm. Not sure if I should say this..."
"The decision's mine anyway. Just your thoughts, candidly."
"Very well. Unlike soldiers, martial artists often see wielding shields as dishonor—especially Righteous Sect folk. That mindset carries into the strike force posture."
"Mm."
"Fine for pursuit and kills. But for defense, shield units would help. Response posture should prioritize defensible spots over administrative or historic sites."
"Wise counsel, thank you. And you, Wang—"
"Just call me Ak-gong."
"Yes. What say you, Ak-gong?"
"I lack Tae-gong's knowledge... But what's that twine made of?"
"Twine. Straw, obviously. Even the alliance isn't different."
"Use taro stems."
"Taro stems?"
"In emergencies, boil stem twine for food. Useful for prolonged sieges."
After hearing the two elders' input, Gongson Mu-gyeol nodded thoughtfully, then ordered his aide, Secret Service Chief Guk Do-jin.
"Secret Service Chief."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"Show the elders the spots the war council flagged as vulnerabilities."
He turned to me.
"Where do you find such gems? You're a walking lucky charm."