Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Triumphant Return (2)
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After two days, my internal injuries had mostly healed, making it easier to move.
It was all thanks to Cheong So-so’s desperate efforts to treat me, determined to clear her family’s name from the disgrace of their secret arts being flawed.
“There! All done.”
*Smack.*
“Ugh!”
The moment she pulled out the needle, she slapped my back with her cold palm and laughed mischievously.
“You’re supposed to be a master, yet you’re making a fuss over something so small… I have something to tell you, so hurry up and put your shirt on.”
“Just say it. We’ve seen all there is to see, so why be shy now…”
“I said I’m serious! Get dressed, now.”
Unable to win against her persistence, I put on the shirt left beside me and sat on the edge of the bed. She crossed her arms and spoke.
“It’s nothing much, I just wanted to borrow the meditation room.”
“The meditation room?”
My home, formerly the Jo Merchant Guild, consisted of buildings and corridors attached to a large rectangular wall.
I, the de facto owner, used the main building, which was the largest and farthest from the main gate. Myo Hyang and Cheong So-so shared two rooms in the east wing, while the two rooms in the west wing were unoccupied.
The meditation room Cheong So-so mentioned was a warehouse-like building constructed using the southern wall as one of its sides. The Jo Merchant Guild had remodeled it for use as a shop.
Being right by the road, its excellent accessibility made that possible.
The problem was…
“When are you planning on going home?”
Here was a woman, who should be returning home soon, insisting on starting a new business.
“No, that’s not it…”
Seeing Cheong So-so hesitate, I got the picture.
‘She’s too scared to go back because she knows she’ll be scolded…’
A sigh escaped me at her incredible immaturity.
“Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“You were just looking at me like I’m some thoughtless niece of yours.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“No, I’m not… You definitely gave me a look of displeasure…”
“I said you’re not. Anyway, you can’t borrow the meditation room.”
“Why?! Please let me!”
“Because you won’t go home if I do.”
“…”
“So hurry up and pack your…”
Hearing my firm refusal, Cheong So-so bit her lip and said.
“I’ll give you a fifty-fifty split.”
“When would be a good time to draw up the contract?”
“What need is there for a contract between us? I’ll handle the business myself, so you just lie back and count the money, Squad Leader Jin.”
“Oh my! You don’t have to be so considerate. I’m truly humbled. Hehe.”
“In return, please help me prepare. Now that the clinic is bigger, there will be more than a few things to buy.”
“But of course! I shall help you with whatever you need. Yes. You can work me like an ox.”
“Heehee, then let’s go out after lunch.”
Cheong So-so smiled brightly and opened the door to the main building.
I watched her leave with a proud smile.
‘This is how I’ll make up for the loss of Yong Ma-san.’
It was a relief to quickly fill the vacancy left by my A-class sucker.
* * *
After a hearty lunch, I headed out to the streets with Cheong So-so as promised.
Once we reached the street lined with apothecaries, Cheong So-so’s eyes lit up and she began darting all over the place.
“Oh my, dried fire-patterned centipedes! How much? Three nyang? That’s so expensive! How about two nyang?”
“The condition of this siler and perilla leaf is quite poor…”
“Old Man Gwak, didn’t you say you’d have the mulberry leaves by today?”
Despite her incredibly picky inspections, the merchants didn’t show any signs of annoyance. Instead, they dealt with her with bright smiles.
A few even laughed heartily and gave her leftover herbs for free.
One of the apothecaries, who seemed to recognize me following behind, greeted me.
“Squad Leader Jin, what brings you here?”
“I’m with her.”
I pointed to Cheong So-so, who was up ahead haggling with the merchants. He looked surprised and said.
“You know the Divine Maiden?”
“We just happened to meet. But is she really worth being called a Divine Maiden just because she’s good with needles?”
“She spares no effort in her healing arts for the poor and sick. Of course she deserves to be called a Divine Maiden.”
“What do you mean?”
Hearing this for the first time, I looked puzzled. The apothecary smiled and said.
“It seems you didn't know.”
“…”
“There are over five hundred residents in the Outer Fortress who have been graced by the Divine Maiden’s kindness. Thanks to her, the number of people dying from illness because they have no money has greatly decreased.”
No wonder there were so many shabby-looking patients…
“She is a truly good person.”
“…It seems so.”
Just as we were talking, Cheong So-so called out to me.
“Hurry up!”
“She’s calling. I’ll see you next time.”
“Take care.”
I quickened my pace to catch up, and she handed me a bundle as big as her own body.
“Here.”
“You’re buying this much?”
“Of course. Even if I buy this much, it’ll be gone in three days.”
“Well, can’t be helped then. Where to next?”
“We need to find some carpenters.”
“Why there?”
“I need beds for the patients. Before, the place was so small I could only have one, but not anymore, right?”
“That’s true. So you should be grateful to me for lending you such a spacious clinic.”
“Anyone would think you lent it to me for free. By the way, did something good happen?”
“Why? What about me?”
“You’ve been smiling this whole time.”
“Ah, I’m just in a good mood being out after so long. Since we’re out, let’s get something to eat. My treat.”
“Okay! Heehee. What are you buying?”
“Hmm… Noodles?”
“You really are a cheapskate.”
* * *
The next day.
My internal injuries had almost fully recovered, so I went outside.
I needed to meet Bukgung Baek and report my return to duty.
If I had my way, I would have locked myself in my room and continued my paid leave until next year, but…
‘Trying to fool that man would be riskier than trying to cheat King Yama at cards.’
It was obvious that attempting to deceive him, a man who knew the state of my body inside and out, would only backfire.
And besides.
‘Rest well. Something good will happen once you’re better.’
I couldn’t stand the curiosity of what that “something good” was.
As I opened the door and left the house, I heard shouts from the Black Dragon Martial Hall across the street.
It was probably the remaining young disciples training.
Since I had some time, I peeked over the wall. Sure enough, the kids were sweating profusely.
“Hah!”
“Hah!”
I had never formally learned the martial arts of the Mount Qingcheng Sect, so I didn't know what it was, but judging by its speed, I guessed it might be the Light-Splitting Sword Art.
‘Cute little rascals.’
As I watched them with an uncle-like smile…
“What is a brat like you doing here?”
A massive shadow fell over me.
Judging by the shape of the shadow—bald in the middle with hair sticking up on both sides—it was undoubtedly the Adept of Annihilation, the master of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.
Every time I saw him, I thought he looked exactly like Heihachi from Iron Fist.
The fact that a man who looked like this was a Taoist adept felt like a major character design flaw.
“This is right in front of my house, so I was just watching.”
“Your house?”
At his question, I pointed to my home across the street.
“That… that’s your house?”
The Adept of Annihilation’s eyes widened as he asked.
Even a Taoist adept ignorant of worldly affairs would know that the land in front of the East Gate was worth its weight in gold.
Of course, I didn’t tell him the truth.
“Ah, it’s not mine. I’m just renting for a while.”
Getting caught up in rumors and having the Disciplinary Corps come sniffing around would be a headache in many ways.
“But what brings you here, Pavilion Master? Shouldn’t you be at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion?”
“I quit.”
His unexpected answer made me think I had misheard.
“Pardon?”
“Did you not hear me? I said I quit.”
“Are you insane?”
“I wonder when that mouth of yours will ever be fixed.”
Honestly, it was a shocking statement.
The Master of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion was a tremendous position, respected by graduates, with a high salary and guaranteed status.
Moreover, parents were just as obsessed with their children’s education in the Nine Dragons Fortress as they were in modern times.
The parents who had enrolled their children in the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion wouldn't just stand by.
Although bribes were ineffective since skill was everything, everyone had a reputation to maintain, so they sent lavish gifts to the Pavilion Master every year.
The Adept of Annihilation had sold most of them to support the Black Dragon Hall.
And yet, he had walked away from such a great position on his own.
As I stared at him in disbelief, the Adept of Annihilation grinned like a mountain bandit and said.
“The sect needs an elder to protect it, does it not?”
True, if the Black Dragon Hall hadn't been in such dire financial straits back then, he would never have taken the position in the first place.
It was also inefficient for a natural-born warrior and a supreme swordsman like him to put his sword aside to teach children.
“And now that the sect is doing well enough, I felt no need to stay at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion any longer.”
He glanced at the Black Dragon Martial Hall and continued.
“I heard you helped out. They say the children no longer go hungry thanks to you.”
“Well, something like that.”
“I thought he was just a nuisance, but it seems my Senior Brother brought back a lucky charm.”
“A nuisance? Who has contributed more to the Black Dragon Hall than me?”
“Hahaha. It was a joke, you punk.”
“Heheh, I know.”
“Since you’re here, come in for a cup of tea.”
“I’d like to, but I have somewhere to be. It’s right across the street, so I’ll drop by soon.”
“Well, if you must.”
As I turned to head to the headquarters, he called out to me.
“Mujeon.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“Why are you being so sappy all of a sudden? Just be your usual self.”
“Now you’re complaining even when I thank you.”
Leaving the head-shaking Adept of Annihilation behind, I headed to the old house on Black Snake Road that I had sold to Bukgung Baek.
It was well past the time I should have been at work, but I knew he wouldn’t be there anyway, so I went straight there.
As expected, Bukgung Baek did not disappoint.
Entering the main gate, I found him sleeping in the middle of a wooden divan, his stomach exposed.
From the strong smell of alcohol stinging my nose, it was clear he had been drinking heavily.
The former spies of the Ten Demon Alliance, now Bukgung Baek’s servants, approached.
“Go and make some warm honey water. This man’s stomach must be killing him.”
“Yes, sir.”
After sending them on their errand, I approached Bukgung Baek.
*Flash!*
*Flinch.*
I saw a hand slicing through the air toward me.
Of course, having been through this several times, I was prepared.
“Hup!”
I unleashed the Three Yang Hand, infused with internal energy, to meet Bukgung Baek’s Black Dragon Hand.
*Crack.*
The first strike slowed its speed.
*Thwack.*
The second strike altered its direction.
*Thud.*
And with the third strike, I managed to knock the Black Dragon Hand away.
A sly smile appeared on Bukgung Baek’s lips.
“Aren’t you tired of this?”
“Why would I be tired of checking on my subordinate’s progress?”
I placed a cask of the bamboo leaf liquor he favored in front of the shrugging Bukgung Baek.
As he sniffed the aroma of the liquor, his eyes lit up when he saw what was attached to the cask.
“You brought snacks, too.”
“I brought some boiled pork from Misan Restaurant. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for you, after all.”
“I was just getting hungry. This is perfect. Why don’t you join me for a drink?”
“It’s still morning, sir…”
“What does that matter?”
And so, the drinking session began.
After a few rounds, I asked the question that had been on my mind.
“You mentioned a while ago that something good would happen?”
“Ah, that.”
“Yes. That.”
Bukgung Baek lifted the cask of bamboo leaf liquor and drank straight from it.
“There will be a distribution of rewards as soon as the defense force returns.”
“A distribution of rewards!”
The words made my heart race.
For reference, I had received an unparalleled movement technique, the Flying Heavenly Wind, as a reward for my contributions in the Southern Barbarian War.
However, the scale of this rewards ceremony was far greater than I had imagined.
“I’ve put your name at the very top of the list, so you’ll receive something much grander than last time.”
“I-Is that really true?”
“You made the greatest contribution, so it’s only natural, isn’t it?”
“Thank you! My deepest thanks!”
As expected, the great Bukgung Baek did not disappoint.