Chapter 24 - Protective Garment
'Wet nurse?'
'Uncle?'
'Who's that?'
Jeong Gwang answered the Taoists' unspoken questions with his eyes.
"The wet nurse who fed me nineteen years ago and her husband."
She remembers that?
Any ordinary person might have asked in disbelief, but the Taoists accepted it without question.
It was Jeong Gwang, after all.
As they watched the two riders galloping toward them, curiosity flickered in the Taoists' eyes.
They're dismounting and walking while there's still quite a distance left?
They're showing great respect.
From their movements, they're martial artists. Not at an exceptional level, though.
A moment later, the two, now close, offered polite greetings.
"It is an honor to meet the immortals of Kunlun. I am Baek Jin-hwan of the Baek Merchant Group."
"I am Heo Yeo-min of the Baek Merchant Group. We hurried here in our haste. Please forgive our rudeness."
The Kunlun Taoists moved to return the courtesy, but Jeong Gwang spoke first.
"What's going on?"
"Have you been well, benefactor? We rushed here because we have urgent business with the True Person. If it's not too much trouble, could you introduce us?"
True Person—a title for a Taoist of great attainment.
It was typically used to honor elders of advanced years.
Baek Jin-hwan was asking who led the Kunlun group.
But Jeong Gwang took it differently.
"The only one worthy of being called a True Person is my grand-master, and he's not here."
Rudeness beyond belief!
Baek Jin-hwan and his wife widened their eyes in shock.
H-how can he say that!
Even as a benefactor, to insult the sect elders like this!
Righteous faction rules were exceedingly strict.
Besides, wasn't Kunlun one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the pinnacle of prestigious sects?
They expected thunderous rebuke any moment!
Tense, they cautiously eyed the old Taoists.
But the old Taoists they met gaze with awkward expressions.
"Ahem. Ahem. Well, that's true enough."
"Elder Brother Un Hu lives up to the name True Person, but we're just ordinary Taoists."
"Truth be told, being called a True Person isn't always a good thing. Taoists are human too—we need that human touch, don't you think?"
Baek Jin-hwan and his wife gaped.
Prestigious righteous sects were known for their arrogance beyond words—how could such unpretentious people exist!
Recalling their visit to Kunlun Mountain long ago, they finally understood.
Come to think of it, they were like this back then too.
Shame on me for letting preconceptions cloud my judgment.
Kunlun had long held great renown, but their heroic deeds two years prior had earned them the adoration of Qinghai's common folk.
To let that fame intimidate them and build mental walls—how foolish.
The couple clasped their hands once more, speaking from the heart.
"As expected of Kunlun."
"We'll never forget the sight we've witnessed today."
The Taoists looked even more awkward, and the couple hesitated to speak further.
Un Hak, leading this Central Plains journey, broke the awkwardness.
"So, what brings the Baek Merchant Group? It doesn't seem like a mere courtesy call."
Clearing his throat, Baek Jin-hwan bowed deeply.
"We humbly beseech the immortals: please save the merchants of Qinghai Province."
***
The group heading to the city turned to follow Baek Jin-hwan and his wife.
Crowds at the city gates, startled, chased after them.
"We wish to host the Kunlun immortals, even briefly."
"It won't harm the True Persons. Please grant our wish."
The Kunlun Taoists politely refused and walked far before reaching the Baek Merchant Group compound.
"Whoa, wet nurse's place is pretty huge, huh?"
It was a vast manor that even surprised Jeong Gwang a little.
"Thanks to you, benefactor, we relocated recently. With more frequent movement of people and goods, we had no choice but to move outside the city."
Entering the enormous compound, they were startled again by the bustling workers—many armed martial artists, despite it being a merchant group.
"This way."
Following the couple inside, they sat. Un Hak, silent until now, asked.
"We came because of your connection to Jeong Gwang, but what do you mean by 'save Qinghai's merchants'?"
"With your help, benefactor, we restored the Western South Road linking the Central Plains and the West. Then, those using the old Tianshan South-North Road began to obstruct us."
"Restored the Western South Road? Heh, Jeong Gwang helped with that?"
"It was Kunlun's virtue shining upon us. We meant to climb the mountain in thanks, but their interference kept us too busy. We apologize through this opportunity."
"Amitabha. No need. Continue."
It started as simple obstruction, but as the Baek Merchant Group rallied mid- and small-scale groups to use the Western South Road, complaints arose.
"Up to that point, it wasn't a big issue. People and organizations fight for profit. We shared gains and grew our scale to resolve it."
But that worked only among Qinghai groups.
Conflicts arose with those from other provinces.
"Gansu Province merchants? Why them?"
"Merchant groups to the West pass through Jade Gate Pass or Jiayu Pass, above the Qilian Mountains, then head to Lanzhou, Gansu's capital—essentially traversing Gansu."
Unlike them, the Baek group took the lower Qilian path through Qinghai to its capital, Xining.
They still needed to reach Lanzhou from Xining, but the route shifted from Gansu to Qinghai.
The Baek road shaved off a bit of time compared to Gansu's.
"Places with traffic prosper. Inns and eateries spring up, profits follow."
The Baek group united partners for massive investment in the new route.
Clean new facilities at low prices—irresistible to weary caravans on long journeys.
"Thanks to that, not just Western South Road users, but even Tianshan South-North mid- and small groups started routing through Qinghai."
"I see. No wonder Gansu folk are upset. But a question."
"Please speak."
"Luxury goods from the West are immensely valuable, so officials along the routes receive substantial... ahem, income from bribes."
"Yes."
"Then, shouldn't the Baek group worry more about officials than Gansu merchants? Their backlash must be fierce."
Fierce was an understatement.
Ruthless officials robbed of profits wouldn't sit idle. Disadvantaging caravans entering Gansu from Qinghai was child's play.
But countermeasures existed.
"We gifted the treasure you gave us, benefactor, to key officials to smooth things over."
"Heh, treasure? Jeong Gwang, what was it again?"
All eyes turned expectantly to Jeong Gwang.
"Just a lizard tail."
"...We'll ask details later. I see your point, group leader. Qinghai merchants in danger? Losing new profits would hurt. However..."
As Un Hak continued, the couple's hopeful faces hardened at "however."
"...A Taoist sect like ours meddling in merchants' competition isn't proper. You understand?"
The Kunlun Taoists nodded.
It was a profit war among merchants.
No reason or justification for Kunlun to intervene.
But Baek Jin-hwan had an answer to sway them.
"Thanks to your heroic deeds, the water bandits, mountain bandits, and scum of the black path have all been crushed."
"We know."
"Now, backed by Gansu merchants, they're targeting our group. Having lost their old haunts, they're seeking new livelihoods."
The Taoists' eyes widened.
Jeong Gwang summed up their thoughts.
"So, in legitimate merchant competition, those losers hired rivers-and-lakes trash. Should've just killed them all."
A sigh escaped Un Hak.
"Amitabha..."
***
To grasp the situation fully, Un Hak decided to meet Qinghai merchants with Baek Jin-hwan.
Other Un-generation Taoists took disciples to gauge the Baek group's reputation and status from locals.
Jeong Gwang was left with Heo Yeo-min for unfinished talk.
What to talk about?
Nothing came to mind.
It'd only been a year—what more?
But Heo Yeo-min had plenty to say.
"Benefactor, you've grown so much in that time. A fine young man now. This must be the Original Celestial Venerable's blessing..."
"Wet nurse, just talk casually."
"Pardon?"
"That's not your style."
"W-what do you..."
"'You stupid, stuffy Taoists! How can you starve a newborn like this!'"
"...?"
"That's what you said while nursing me back then."
"...!"
Staring wide-eyed, Heo Yeo-min laughed.
"Ahaha. Right, honest in front of you, benefactor."
"Finally back to my old wet nurse. Prettier than back then, even."
"Ahahaha!"
Her genuine, hearty laugh made her face look youthfully beautiful, defying her age.
After laughing heartily, she fetched a box from the room's corner, smile fading.
"What's this?"
"Open it yourself. You'll like it."
Inside was yellowish scale armor.
Protective Garment made from fangless dragon scales.
"From that guy's tail?"
"Yes. Its toughness and elasticity are unrivaled—perfect for emergencies."
"Feels uncomfortable."
"Soft enough to wear under Taoist robes. Try it."
Tilting his head, Jeong Gwang shrugged off his robe top.
Broad shoulders and packed muscles gleamed.
Jade Dragon Guardians might faint screaming, but Heo Yeo-min clapped in admiration.
"Wow! External training too?"
"I'm a martial artist."
"Ahh, that tiny baby grown so mighty."
"You've put on a little weight too, wet nurse."
"Ahaha. Rude to say that to a woman."
"Why?"
"Well... no woman likes hearing it."
"So I should lie and say you've slimmed down?"
Heo Yeo-min shook her head inwardly.
This young benefactor had unfathomable martial prowess and world-piercing insight, but...
Clueless in ordinary matters.
Too honest, perhaps?
Harmless words, but receivers might not see it that way.
With such beauty, he'll make more enemies.
She wanted to help Jeong Gwang.
But she wasn't overconfident.
No assurance she could "fix" one raised among lofty Kunlun Taoists.
Glad I have something over those Taoists.
Taoists were celibate unless entering late.
They knew nothing of women.
Thus, as a woman, she could help.
"Benefactor, honesty with women is good."
"Didn't you just say to lie?"
"No, that's not it. Speak of merits, not flaws. Honestly, like always."
To the cocking head, Heo Yeo-min asked.
"What's my merit?"
"My wet nurse."
"...Besides that."
"Hm. Gracefully aged?"
"Front good, back bad. More?"
"Smart and straightforward."
Heo Yeo-min raised both hands triumphantly.
"That's it! Say merits like that—everyone's happy!"
"Not me."
"Ahahaha. When others are happy, you'll feel good too. Right?"
Jeong Gwang recalled.
His master, overjoyed at new Kunlun arts, calling him genius.
Grand-master, eyes misty at his sky-soaring feat, proclaiming Kunlun's dragon returned.
How did that feel?
"Hm. Maybe."
"See? Haha. Lecture over. Try it on."
Jeong Gwang donned the garment.
Lighter than expected, it clung comfortably.
Lizard scales, huh...
Infusing qi into a finger, he flicked it.
Ting!
A clear ring filled the room.
The struck scale gleamed unchanged.
Withstood Three Saints power?
Of course—swords failed against the dragon; he used penetrating scripture.
If I'd had this in my past life's youth, less hardship.
Jeong Gwang nodded.
"Not bad."
"Right?"
"I'll use it well."
"Glad you like it."
"One tail made this? The other to that official uncle mentioned."
"Your insight floors me."
"Who's backing those scum?"
Her playful raised hands dropped, face hardening.
"...Pardon?"
"Bandits won't rampage to the capital just on merchant backing. Officials at least neutral. A Gansu sect?"
After silence, she whispered.
"We suspect so."
"More than suspect."
"Not certain yet..."
"Spill roughly."
Hesitating long, she finally spoke.
"...We suspect the Kongtong Sect."