Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Merchant's Dilemma
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, Merchant Leader."
"Yes?"
"I am Zhuge Seon of the Zhuge Family."
"Ah!"
The merchant leader's eyes flew wide open.
He had already guessed they were from the Zhuge Family based on their attire. He'd assumed they were from the Yichang branch heading out for the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. But Zhuge Seon from the Yungzhong main house?
Who among those operating merchant groups in Hubei Province wouldn't know that name, even if they'd never laid eyes on his noble face?
"I'm No Guk, leader of the Qingyuan Merchant Group."
"No need for formalities. I only revealed my identity because I didn't want to cause you any trouble."
He smiled graciously at the bowing No Guk. It was the epitome of refined courtesy, befitting a scion of the Zhuge Family, one of the Five Great Families of the Central Plains.
"I have some connection with these two gentlemen, so how about it? I'd like to board your ship with them."
"Pardon?"
"If you need escorts, the warriors from the Yichang branch who came with me will provide their services free of charge."
"Ah, well..."
"If that's still not enough, come to the main house in Yungzhong tomorrow. I'll send word ahead."
"...!"
No Guk's eyes widened like saucers at Zhuge Seon's words.
What was this? Like stumbling upon a lump of gold on the roadside?
Not the branch family, but an invitation to the Yungzhong main house? No less?
Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity might never come again. And it was coming from none other than Zhuge Seon.
This was a no-brainer.
And all the preconditions in his words boiled down to one thing: absolutely no boarding those three warriors on the ship.
So, of course, they had to get off.
He'd have to force them if necessary.
"P-Please wait just a moment."
No Guk hurriedly boarded the ship.
"Warriors."
"...".
"Please get off."
As the merchant leader held out the money pouch he'd received, irritation flickered in Jinmu's eyes.
Their martial arts weren't so poor that they couldn't overhear the conversation with Zhuge Seon below.
That guy?
Jinmu glared down at Zhuge Seon.
"No."
Jinmu flatly refused, and the merchant leader's face twisted in distress.
"Why not?"
"The deal's already done, isn't it?"
"Come on, a verbal agreement without a contract? The future of my merchant group is at stake here."
This damned bastard!
How could a merchant have such little regard for credibility? Sure, it was for his own gain, but this level of shamelessness?
"If you insist, I'll return the original amount plus extra. Please, I beg you."
The merchant leader pulled out his own money pouch on top of Jinmu's and pleaded desperately.
The money had even multiplied, but it still soured Jinmu's mood.
"Why don't you just board our ship and travel comfortably?"
Zhuge Seon chimed in with a smile, urging him on, but Jinmu snorted derisively.
"Why would I?"
At Jinmu's retort, the Zhuge Family warriors scowled, but Zhuge Seon held them back with a hand.
"Haha, you seem to have quite the prickly personality. If your elders learned you'd treated this gentleman so poorly, they wouldn't be pleased."
"Don't be ridiculous. Why would I care about that?"
"What?"
"Mind your own business and take that annoying old geezer with you."
Zhuge Seon looked puzzled at Jinmu's words.
What an odd Taoist.
His expression clearly showed he knew they were Wudang Taoists.
Even after subtly mentioning Deng Yeopyeong's status and invoking his sect, his tone remained utterly unconcerned.
But...
"Haha, I'd love to, but the elder insists on traveling with you all."
Jinmu muttered under his breath with a sigh at Zhuge Seon's smile.
"Jeez, what a nosy broad."
"...!"
Luckily, no one else heard the mutter, but Zhuge Seon clearly read his lips.
'H-How did he know?'
Zhuge Seon stared at Jinmu in shock.
Zhuge Seon.
No, Zhuge Sansan.
She was the only daughter of the Yungzhong Mountain Zhuge Family, without a single son.
She had been born a twin, but after her brother died, she was forced into male disguise.
It was due to the family's circumstances.
If the main house failed to produce a proper heir, they'd have to adopt one. That was possible, but for the Yungzhong main branch, it would be catastrophic.
An adopted heir not of the direct line would fracture the family's power after the current patriarch's death. Legitimacy would be questioned.
Thus, she discarded her original name, Sansan, took the name Seon, dressed as a man, and lived as one.
It was a secret known only to the patriarch, his wife, and a select few.
By the patriarch's order, all related information was strictly controlled from leaking out, so no one outside the core knew.
Fortunately, her talents surpassed ten ordinary men, so no one suspected.
Some had doubts, but the patriarch quashed them each time, and being a twin, her slightly delicate, pretty features were dismissed as those of a youthful man.
And recently, good fortune smiled on the main house.
A younger sibling was born.
A boy.
It was a blessing, but for her, who only needed to return to being a woman, one path lay ahead.
A political marriage.
Zhuge Sansan absolutely did not want that. Her abilities were too exceptional to be confined as a family matriarch.
Then, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was announced.
A chance to make a name as a female warrior unbound by family.
She persuaded the patriarch for a long time and finally received permission.
The time to truly become a woman had come.
This journey to Wuhuan would be Zhuge Seon's final voyage.
There was no real reason to delay further, but twenty years of male disguise felt comfortable, perhaps a product of love and hate.
Thus, she disguised her maid as Zhuge Sansan with a veil and volunteered to escort to Wuhuan as Zhuge Seon.
Upon arriving in Wuhuan and meeting only Grand Strategist Zhuge Hyeopjin of the Justice Alliance, Zhuge Seon would fall ill and retreat into seclusion, paving the way for her younger brother to become young lord.
But...
Only Yulpyeong, who had long served at her side, and Deng Yeopyeong knew the truth here.
How could this stranger, Jinmu, know and see through her identity at a glance?
Her innate beauty was hard to fully conceal, but she used no powder or musk like a woman her age, disguised her face perfectly over ten years, and acted the perfect man in speech and manner, fooling everyone.
'How did he know? Even Elder Baekro didn't seem to notice.'
Zhuge Seon felt intense curiosity toward Jinmu but knew how to hide her feelings.
Shocked as she was, not a hint showed on her face.
"Well, looks like this bastard's ship is off-limits for us now."
As Jinmu hopped off the boat, Zhuge Seon spoke even more masculinely, aware that he had seen through her.
"Shall we travel together then?"
"Me? With you lot? You're insane."
"...".
Jinmu snorted and called out to Cheongsang.
"Hey, go fetch some horses."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
Jinmu handed the two money pouches he'd gotten back from the merchant leader to Cheongsang.
Martial Uncle?
At that, Zhuge Seon and Deng Yeopyeong were shocked once more.
They'd assumed he was just a martial brother due to similar ages.
"Damn it, I wanted to cruise leisurely on a boat, but these idiots had to interfere. Now we've gotta take the land route. What a hassle."
Jinmu vented his frustration as he brushed past them, leaving Zhuge Seon and Deng Yeopyeong looking dumbfounded.
They already knew the three were Wudang Taoists.
Yet...
Wudang Taoists, who ought to embody virtue.
And a Wudang Taoist addressed as Martial Uncle by his junior disciples.
Not an elder, and far too distant from a First Generation Disciple...
A young Taoist in his twenties, with utterly crude speech and zero manners.
Not a shred of character to be found.
"Hm, we've inadvertently caused trouble."
"No, Young Lord."
Zhuge Seon smiled brightly at Deng Yeopyeong's apology and continued.
"Would you prefer a carriage? Or horses?"
"Eh?"
"You're planning to follow them, aren't you?"
"Hoho, as expected of the pride of the Zhuge Family."
"We'll accompany you."
"You too? Didn't you already charter a ship?"
"Haha, the ship can go as planned. I'll hurry and prepare a carriage."
"Hohoho, very well."
Deng Yeopyeong smiled warmly at Zhuge Seon, who read his intentions perfectly.
"Yulpyeong."
"Yes, Young Lord."
"Half go aid the Qingyun Merchant Group and take the ship. The other half escort Sansan by boat. I'll go by land with the elder."
"Pardon? Without escort warriors?"
"Escort warriors? Do you not know who the elder before your eyes is?"
Zhuge Seon shook her head, and Yulpyeong bowed to Deng Yeopyeong.
"Understood. But at least let me and the Four Guardians accompany you. You'll need a coachman for the carriage, and on the land route, we'll camp outdoors sometimes."
"Hm. Fine."
Zhuge Seon didn't refuse Yulpyeong's suggestion.
They knew her secret, so no discomfort there.
"...".
Jinmu scowled deeply and shot a glare to the side.
They'd ridden the horses Cheongsang procured along the land route.
He'd deliberately bypassed villages to camp at the mountain base.
Yet those leech-like bastards brazenly followed and set up camp right beside them.
"Care to join us?"
"...".
Unlike their group, the men with him set up a proper camp and unpacked various items from the carriage.
The ones supposedly taking the ship had brought dried meat, dried fish for soup, thick fur blankets for camping—everything.
"We're always well-prepared."
Zhuge Seon smiled brightly, as if reading his thoughts, and Jinmu irritably turned his head away.
Cheongsang, out foraging for food, was late today of all days.
It had been ages since Cheongu lit the campfire, enduring the spicy smoke.
"Come on, don't be like that. At least have some hot soup."
"Yes, they say the Four Seas are one fellowship. Come join us."
With Zhuge Seon and now Deng Yeopyeong urging him, Cheongu, tending the fire, wrinkled his nose and glanced over slyly.
"Cheongu."
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
"You haven't trained these past few days, have you?"
"...".
"Want to train? Shall I add a few more stones?"
"N-No, sir!"
As Jinmu glared, Cheongu paled and blew furiously at the fire base.
One idiot or the other. Their heads were all messed up.
Jinmu pondered ramping up their training intensity when...
"Now, now, don't be like that."
Deng Yeopyeong approached, one hand holding a wine flask, the other roasted jerky.
"You look like you handle your liquor well. How about a drink and a chat?"
A chat?
He'd just pry into everything annoyingly. As if I don't know your type.
The wine aroma tempted after the long ride, but he had zero interest in drinking with them.
"I am Zhuge Seon. You seem to be Wudang Taoists."
As Zhuge Seon approached, repeating what they all knew, Jinmu frowned.
"I told you to scram."
"So uptight. It's not like we're going to eat you."
"Hilarious. You expect me to trust a scheming wench hiding her true self in male disguise?"