Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Entering Qingcheng Mountain
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For a while, everything was a blur. He could do nothing but lie in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, waiting...
Then came the sound of the door opening, accompanied by footsteps.
Han Ibi turned his head and saw a plump middle-aged man standing there.
A short mustache above his upper lip stood out prominently.
He wore a kind, amiable smile.
Han Ibi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Regardless, he struggled to sit up as a sign of respect.
The middle-aged man waved him off gently.
"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so just lie still. We've only come to check on your condition."
Han Ibi let out a deep sigh, exhausted, and lay back down.
The middle-aged man spoke.
"It's a relief you're safe. I heard from Hyeok—he said you're his younger brother."
Though still disoriented, it seemed like the right moment to respond.
"Yes. That's correct."
"I'm Seo Ui-jae, an elder of the Qingcheng Sect."
Aha. Seo Ui-jae.
He remembered hearing that name.
Seo Ui-jae appeared in the part where Jong Ri-hyeok trained at the Qingcheng Sect.
He was the one who handled all the sect's tedious and messy affairs.
In modern terms, he was like the 'general affairs manager.'
In the cold winds of the Qingcheng Sect, he played the role of a 'caring mother.'
Han Ibi said,
"If I may... um, excuse my rudeness, but where exactly is this place?"
Seo Ui-jae chuckled heartily before replying.
"This is Qingcheng Mountain."
"Ah... so then I..."
"Indeed. You're currently within the Qingcheng Sect grounds."
"Ah! I see. Then it was you, Elder, who... Thank you."
Seo Ui-jae waved his hand dismissively.
"No, no. I was just here at the sect the whole time. I handle the household affairs, so that's usual for me. Your brother and Geun-taek brought you here..."
"Ah... so that's what happened. And my brother...?"
Seo Ui-jae's expression hardened slightly.
"Ahem... well, you'll be able to meet your brother later."
Han Ibi thought,
Sigh. I get it. He doesn't even want to see me. Can't blame him. Especially since I'm connected to his mother's death...
Jong Ri-hyeok had practically been chased here by Jong Ri-mae and Geum Na-ryeon. It was understandable if he hated him to the bone.
Seo Ui-jae then said,
"You were truly remarkable. You faced that Yin force without regard for your own body to protect our Geun-taek. And the martial world alliance folks speak very highly of your escorting that woman too."
Yeah, that's something the system needs to hear. I didn't plan on getting involved.
Seo Ui-jae continued,
"Anyway, your wounds are deep, so focus on recovering for now. We can hear the details later. I have some business to attend to."
"Understood, Elder. Thank you deeply for your kindness and that of the Qingcheng Sect."
Seo Ui-jae nodded.
"Good. Rest well."
Han Ibi made a show of trying to sit up as a gesture of respect.
As he lay there blankly, a profound fatigue washed over him again.
Slowly... ever so slowly, he drifted off to sleep.
Time passed like that, lying on his sickbed.
About a month, perhaps.
The only visitors during that time were Ok Geun-taek and Jin Yu-rok from the mountain lodge, and occasionally Seo Ui-jae to check on him.
Ok Geun-taek was extremely friendly and polite.
It was clear he harbored goodwill for Han Ibi saving his life.
On the other hand, Jong Ri-hyeok hadn't visited even once.
Not even a glimpse of him.
Is he really that busy, or does he just hate me? Sigh. I don't know anyone here—it's so lonely I can barely stand it.
His body was now almost fully recovered.
"This is quite peculiar."
Seo Ui-jae tilted his head as he spoke.
Han Ibi asked,
"What do you mean?"
Seo Ui-jae explained,
"Your wounds healed much faster than expected... Anyway, you should be fine to meet someone right away. They've been asking for you these past few days."
"Pardon? Who?"
"Who else but our sect leader, of course."
Han Ibi asked in surprise,
"The sect leader?"
"Yes. The sect leader wishes to see you, so prepare to move. If it's too much strain, let me know."
"No, I'm much better now. I'll get ready."
Han Ibi thought,
This is odd. In this timeline, the sect leader in the novel should be someone like 'Hong Gu-geum.' From Father's description, he doesn't seem like a particularly good person. Tch. I don't really want to meet him...
Han Ibi followed Seo Ui-jae out of the room.
Only then did he realize he had been staying in the Qingcheng Sect's outer guesthouse.
To reach the main hall, they'd have to go around the outskirts.
Seo Ui-jae said,
"The sect leader is well aware of the incident at the mountain lodge. He's received a detailed report."
Han Ibi replied,
"I see."
"But... do you have somewhere urgent to go? That's why you were passing through Qingcheng Mountain, right?"
Hmm... This uncle notices things but doesn't say them outright.
"Yes. Actually, I came to meet my brother."
"Hyeok, you mean?"
Seo Ui-jae didn't seem surprised at all.
Han Ibi said,
"Yes. I had something important to tell him, so I had no choice but to come."
"What could it be that brought you all this way?"
Han Ibi sighed deeply before answering.
"It's a family matter, so I think it's best to tell him directly. Please forgive my rudeness, Elder."
Seo Ui-jae smiled warmly.
"Rudeness? What rudeness? I nearly pried into family affairs myself. Anyway, how about staying at the Qingcheng Sect for a while to recover body and mind? Actually, I've discussed it a bit with the sect leader."
Whoa~ Exactly what I wanted to ask! Things are going so smoothly—talk about lucky!
But he couldn't show that excitement.
Han Ibi put on a serious face and spoke carefully—not too hesitant, not too coy.
"Ah... With my brother here at Qingcheng, it's a grateful offer, but as an outsider, how could I..."
Seo Ui-jae grinned.
"What outsider talk is that? You're the brother of our Jong Ri-hyeok, so you're no stranger. Think it over carefully."
Han Ibi cheered inwardly as he replied,
"Ah... If you insist so kindly, Elder, then though I'm unworthy, I'll gratefully accept..."
Seo Ui-jae laughed.
"Good. Wise decision."
As he followed, Han Ibi racked his brain recalling everything about 'Hong Gu-geum.'
Concentrating until his skull felt like splitting revealed a few details.
For example:
Hong Gu-geum had a very prickly, nitpicky personality.
Like a boss who complained about every meal.
He also possessed above-average political savvy.
That might be his true strength.
He was loyal to the martial alliance and got along well with key figures from neighboring sects without major conflicts.
But according to his father, the man was quite insidious inside.
Someone to be cautious of, no doubt.
Seo Ui-jae said,
"This way."
The sect leader's office was near the main hall entrance.
Seo Ui-jae and Han Ibi entered.
Gasp...
That was Han Ibi's reaction to his first impression of Qingcheng Sect Leader Hong Gu-geum.
His appearance was...
Well. I shouldn't judge looks, but really... this is something else.
Hong Gu-geum looked like a 'giant rat.'
Like the radioactive mutant rat from an old cartoon.
He could be cast straight into a movie—no special makeup needed.
Hong Gu-geum greeted Han Ibi and Seo Ui-jae with a blank expression.
He had been talking with another middle-aged man.
Seo Ui-jae glanced at the man and said,
"Sect Leader Hong. I've brought Jong Ri-mae of the Zhongli Clan, Ri-hyeok's younger brother. If you're busy, we can come back later."
Hong Gu-geum glanced over briefly.
"Why go back and forth when you're here? No need for a long meeting—let's do it now."
Then, looking at Han Ibi,
"Come in. I've heard a lot about you."
Aah. That massive mustache doesn't match his face at all...
A perfect clash of fashion senses.
But he was the sect leader, after all.
Han Ibi bowed properly.
"Jong Ri-mae of the Zhongli Clan greets Sect Leader Hong Gu-geum of the Qingcheng Sect."
Hong Gu-geum asked,
"How's your body?"
"Thanks to the Qingcheng Sect's kindness, I've recovered well. Allow me to express my gratitude once more."
"Good."
The sect leader tossed a few more perfunctory questions.
He didn't seem deeply interested.
Still, Han Ibi answered politely.
Hong Gu-geum said,
"Move to our inner guesthouse and stay there for the time being."
"Thank you."
Han Ibi bowed in thanks, thinking,
Hmm... Permission to stay granted, but this feels precarious—I don't know when they'll kick me out. I need to stick by Jong Ri-hyeok here. Gotta come up with a plan to make sure they don't send me away lightly...
Hong Gu-geum said,
"You may go now."
His gaze shifted back to the middle-aged man beside him.
That was when it happened.
"Sect Leader."
It was Han Ibi.
Hong Gu-geum looked at him with a hint of surprise.
Seo Ui-jae wore an odd expression too.
Han Ibi said,
"Having received such profound kindness, my heart is uneasy."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Hong Gu-geum's eyes.
Oof. Did I misjudge...? Water under the bridge now.
"Your heart is uneasy?"
"Yes. My family always taught me to be someone who 'earns their keep.'"
"Earns their keep..."
Then the middle-aged man interjected.
"I'm Lee Shin-song, an elder of the Qingcheng Sect."
Broad shoulders, sturdy build, angular face—the middle-aged man's name was Lee Shin-song.
Though an elder like Seo Ui-jae, he was effectively the sect's second-in-command.
The strategist, the brains of Qingcheng, and Hong Gu-geum's prized advisor—the sect's top intellect.
He continued,
"Not like today's youth—you've got depth. Rumors aren't always reliable, it seems."
A chill ran down his spine.
Praising on the surface while subtly probing.
Jong Ri-mae was infamous among江湖 gossips as a 'spoiled brat.'
"Intriguing. So, how exactly do you plan to earn your keep?"
Han Ibi said,
"While scraping by, I picked up some errand boy skills. Chopping wood, splitting logs... I can even handle food prep. So, if I help with meals while staying at the Qingcheng Sect..."
Huh? Did I say something wrong?
Lee Shin-song and even Hong Gu-geum looked like they'd bitten into something bitter.
A mix of bewilderment...
"Hahaha."
Lee Shin-song laughed as he spoke.
(To be continued in the next chapter)