Ruined Economies Are Steppe Tradition - 3
Not that it's my place to say, but among the high officials, the Left Do-eosa was on the younger side. Really, not that it's my place to say, but anyway, that's how it was.
The reason this relatively young blood had risen not just to a lofty rank but all the way to Dochalwon's Do-eosa was simple. First, she'd ascended to the supreme realm of Hwagyeong, becoming one of Daesong's Twelve Great Masters. And second... 'She's Yoo Gi's daughter.'
Yoo Gi. In the original history, the advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty. If Liu Bang had Zhang Liang, Zhu Yuanzhang had Yoo Gi—that's how legendary a brain he was, one of Ming's three greatest founding merits.
Though in this world, Taizu had seized the realm instead of Zhu Yuanzhang, a change in lord didn't erase Yoo Gi's talents. If anything, Taizu—who knew the original history—made excellent use of his counsel. Thanks to that, Yoo Gi's stature remained immense in modern Daesong.
He'd fully retired from the front lines, even passing his title to his eldest son for a peaceful retirement life. Yet the Emperor and founding merits still sought his wisdom whenever needed.
'He's even proficient in Taoism.'
The Right Do-eosa seemed to handle over half of Dochalwon's duties single-handedly. That he could wield amateurish Air Grasp and somewhat pointless Cloning Techniques was thanks to learning Taoism from Yoo Gi.
If the disciple was that capable, the master's skills had to be even greater. So, risking rudeness, I made my request to the Left Do-eosa.
Please let me meet your father. I needed to beg him for a rite of re-purification.
"My father has long since fully retired from public life. He's even forsaken honorary posts and is spending his old age in his hometown."
"No one in all Daesong is wiser than Elder Baek-on, so it's truly regrettable. But who could complain about the decision of one who devoted himself to the realm?"
I bowed my head at the Left Do-eosa's words after a brief silence. I'd just declared I'd exploit not her, but her elderly father—who'd already retired with the Emperor's blessing and was nearing seventy.
Screw this up, and I'd catch her genuine punch. In a world that prized filial piety, treating another's father cavalierly? Even murder would count as natural death.
"Yet I'm a dull, immature fool who can't move forward without Elder Baek-on's wisdom. The greatest Taoist and strategist I know is Elder Baek-on, so shamefully, I wish to seek his aid."
To dodge natural death, I spoke as deferentially as possible.
"Of course, troubling the elder is regrettable, so I've already summoned a renowned Taoist for the rite. Why use a cattle knife to kill a chicken, after all?"
I emphasized that I wasn't arbitrarily dragging Yoo Gi in—I'd explored other options.
"But even that Taoist shook his head and urged me to find someone superior. With my wits, only Elder Baek-on came to mind."
I confessed how things had twisted until I had no choice but to seek Yoo Gi.
Truth be told, for just a skilled Taoist, the Baekryeon Cult Leader was an option. As imperial kin, Hwagyeong master, and excellent Taoist, even if the Mongols had schemed viciously, his rite would likely purify it right away.
But asking the Baekryeon Cult Leader—even as crown prince—was hugely risky. Calling the Emperor's uncle, and not by imperial decree but some mere official? A man who'd stayed in Shiwandaishan since becoming cult leader, only venturing to Guangxi or Guangdong if at all?
I'd have no defense if the Emperor summoned and reamed me. Even if northern merits marched back to thrash me, it'd be understandable.
'It's not just exploiting someone high up.'
Back when Taizu had just stabilized the realm, the Baekryeon Cult Leader had better odds than the current Emperor for crown prince. He'd roamed the Central Plains fighting Mongols with Taizu and was his eldest son, after all.
But the Cult Leader renounced the secular world for the cult path, supporting his younger brother as crown prince, paving the way for the current reign.
In a way, he was the foundation of the Emperor's ascension—and a potential blemish on its legitimacy. For a lowly retainer to tell such a figure, "Come do some work"? I'd need multiple heads for that outrage.
Better to exploit the boss's dad.
"Tch."
Seeming to grasp my desperate sincerity and extenuating circumstances, the Left Do-eosa clicked her tongue softly.
"The world's ugliness is half-made by Goryeo and half by the Mongols, anyway."
"Even so, Goryeo's better than the northern barbarians."
I reflexively defended Goryeo at her words. Sure, they were lunatics, but comparing them to Mongols was too much. You couldn't equate a civilized state with nomads.
Or could you? Their current king had seized Liaodong by flaunting Golden Clan blood, after all.
"To protect the realm and its people from the northern barbarians' schemes—it's a plea no Daesong official can refuse."
As I pondered Goryeo-Mongol ties alone, the Left Do-eosa spoke again.
"So I'll convey the Right Assistant Do-eosa's request to my father."
"Thank you, my lord."
"But my help ends there. Whether he agrees is Father's choice—don't expect too much, or disappointment will sting."
Natural enough, so I nodded immediately. Summoning a retired father was embarrassing; asking her to persuade him too would be shameless.
'He'll agree.'
But founding merits universally harbored deep grudge and rage toward Mongols. If they'd schemed in the Central Plains, he'd charge with bloodshot eyes.
Persuasion wasn't for me or the Left Do-eosa. It was the Mongols' accumulated karma.
A few days later, the eagerly awaited man appeared. As if to soothe my anticipation, he revealed himself from the sky, visible from afar.
'What the hell is that.'
Seeing Yoo Gi approach through the sky—not the ground—left me dazed. Sure, humans traversing the heavens wasn't new. I'd seen Koke Temur sky-walking at Jiayu Pass, then the Baekryeon Cult Leader.
Reach Hwagyeong, and mortals could touch the skies. So a Taoist Hwagyeong like Yoo Gi sky-walking? Tolerable.
Yeah, tolerable—
'That's a cow.'
Yoo Gi wasn't alone in the sky. He strode the heavens with a cow. Precisely, the cow strode the heavens, with Yoo Gi riding it.
'What.'
What kind of spectacle was this? Was the cow Yoo Gi, and the old rider his assistant? Or was the cow a spirit beast, lending Yoo Gi Taoist power? But could you call a sky-walking cow merely a spirit beast...?
- Kki, kki-ing?
- Kki-ong...
Even Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, lounging nearby, let out bewildered cries. I get it. Staying calm at that sight would be weirder.
"My lord. He's descending."
"Ah, yeah. So he is."
Jo Wi-cheo's faintly trembling voice snapped me back; I finally nodded. Even the stern, serious Jo Wi-cheo found Flying Cow tough, huh.
If Yoo Gi had shouldered the cow, it'd shock less. A Taoist levitating himself was one thing; levitating another being too? Or an elder muscling a cow aloft? The latter felt saner.
"Mm. You're the young hero, Right Assistant Do-eosa?"
"Yes, Elder. Right Assistant Do-eosa Han Un."
Anyway, I greeted the leisurely descending Yoo Gi with a respectful clasp of hands.
"Indeed. I didn't notice as a child, but now I see His Highness Giwang's face plain as day."
Chuckling heartily, Yoo Gi dismounted the cow and patted its back.
"Good work, Mandoo."
- Moo-ooo...
At the bizarre name, I quietly closed my eyes. For some reason, I glimpsed this cow's post-mortem future.
"Mm?"
After that intense exchange, Yoo Gi turned back to us, stroking his beard and tilting his head.
"Those white deer... children who defied fate."
"Pardon?"
- Kki-ing?
- Kki-ong?
He eyed Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i, spouting something incomprehensible. Defied fate? What did that mean? That these deer, meant for ordinary lives, became spirit beasts?
"Those white deer were fated to become demonic beasts. The kind that ravage the realm, shatter order, and drink the blood and tears of the people. Yet they met a radiant star and altered that cruel destiny—how could I not marvel?"
I bristled instantly. Sure, my kids were bratty back at Hyeong-san, but fated to be vicious demons? Even for deer, that was rude on first meeting.
At the same time, I half-accepted it inwardly. Born from Mongol human sacrifices, they could've grown into the hideous monsters Yoo Gi described. Might've led my beast brigade in real-time rampages now.
"From ferocious demons to spirit beasts guarding realm and order—what joy. You saved these children, young hero, and they'll save you. A fine bond indeed."
"They're too good for the likes of me."
- Kki-iing~
- Kki-oong~
Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i then rubbed their faces against my cheeks. Thrilled at their master's self-deprecation, apparently.
"No bond is 'too good.' Mutual aid defines fate."
My trust in Yoo Gi ticked up. Flying Cow, the deer's fate, bond talk. Anyone could see a profound, noble Taoist.
"But is that the trace you mentioned?"
"Ah, yes. It is."
"May I inspect closely?"
"Of course. Please, take your time."
I nodded, and Yoo Gi unhesitatingly approached the dark red liquid.
"E-Elder!"
Before I could stop him, he dipped his index finger in and tasted it.
Are you insane?! Why eat that?!