Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: What Am I?
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Cheong So-so and I departed for Nine Dragons Fortress in a carriage provided by the branch.
*Flutter, flutter.*
It flew a flag emblazoned with the nine dragons symbolizing the fortress.
Thanks to that, we could travel comfortably and quickly.
*Chirp, chirp.*
Ah, I take back the part about it being comfortable.
“It's so loud I could die. Seriously!”
“Don't shout. You'll startle my baby!”
“What baby! You said you were going to release it back into the wild!”
“What am I supposed to do when Cheong-ah doesn't want to leave?! My dear Cheong-ah, you want to live with mommy forever, don't you? Aww, you're so cute.”
*Chirp, chirp. Trill, trill.*
“…”
Well, for reasons like this, the journey wasn't exactly peaceful.
In any case, after bickering with Cheong So-so the entire way, we finally arrived at Nine Dragons Fortress.
I left Cheong So-so to unpack and headed straight for the Outer Hall.
*‘Hey! Why do I have to do this all by myself!’*
She wore an aggrieved expression, but what could I do?
Thanks to me, she had a comfortable carriage ride, so doing this much was only common decency.
“Nine! Dragons!”
I gave Ga Rip, whom I hadn't seen in nearly three months, the sharpest salute I could manage.
I had originally looked for Bukgung Baek first, but upon hearing he hadn't come to work, I rushed over to him.
In truth, it didn't really matter who I greeted first.
Since Bukgung Baek rarely showed up for work anyway, Ga Rip held the real power in the Outer Hall.
“…Nine Dragons. Yes, did you have a good trip?”
“Hehe, thanks to your grace, Vice Hall Master, I had a very, very good trip. Hehehe.”
“You're looking well. Seems you ate plenty of good food.”
Perhaps because he had to take on my duties in addition to Bukgung Baek's, Ga Rip's words were quite sharp.
“How could that be? This subordinate was so worried about you, Vice Hall Master, that I lost all appetite and…”
“If you're going to lie, you can leave.”
“Hehehe, your insight is truly unmatched, Vice Hall Master. But it's true that I was thinking of you. Here…”
I slyly handed Ga Rip the bundle I had brought.
“What's this?”
“It's nothing much, just some ten-year-old fo-ti root and Goryeo ginseng, said to be good for restoring vitality. I picked out only the finest quality, so if you brew them into a tea, your marital bliss will not just improve, it'll explode. Hehehe.”
“Hmph, it's not as if I said that to receive something like this… Ahem, well, since you brought it with sincerity, I'll accept it for now. But, no matter how small, a bribe is a bribe. Don't bring anything next time.”
Ga Rip furtively hugged the bundle and let out a dry cough.
“Goodness! A bribe? This is a token of my sincerity, born from my deep respect for you, Vice Hall Master. Sincerity. Calling it a bribe hurts my feelings.”
“Ahem, I understand. You must be tired after being dispatched for so long. Go and get some rest.”
His mood finally seeming to have improved, Ga Rip smiled faintly.
As expected, capitalism is the best way to live comfortably in this world.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Ah, I forgot this.”
“Yes?”
He held out a small piece of paper.
A quick glance revealed it to be an order stamped with the Grand Chancellor's seal.
“It's an order to report to the Military Affairs Department as soon as you return to the Outer Hall. It's too late today, so you'll have to go tomorrow morning.”
It was a slightly unsettling order.
*‘Nothing good ever comes from getting involved with the Military Affairs Department...’*
Especially since I'd had a bad run-in with them before.
But there was no way to avoid it.
“Yes, I understand.”
* * *
“Ugh, my head…”
My head was throbbing from drinking late into the night with the First Squad members I hadn't seen in a long time.
I wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed, but I couldn't.
“Ugh, these ink-stained bastards are completely useless.”
Because I had to stop by the Military Affairs Department.
As I was hastily washing up at the well, I heard a clattering sound from somewhere.
I turned my head and saw Cheong So-so bustling about with an apron and a rag.
Even though it was morning, it was just past dawn.
No matter how I thought about it, this wasn't a time this woman would normally be awake.
Moreover.
*‘Good heavens!’*
She was cleaning the clinic that had been left vacant all this time.
“What… what are you doing right now?”
“What do you mean? I'm cleaning the clinic that's been empty for nearly three months. It has to be clean to see patients, doesn't it?”
I gently placed my hand on her forehead.
“Hmm… no fever.”
Her face flushed, she raised her voice.
“Wha-what are you doing! How indecent!”
*Chirp, chirp!*
“I was just checking if you were sick or something…”
“Ugh…”
*Chiiirp…*
Seriously, when is she going to get rid of that cricket?
“Ahem, well, as long as you're not sick. I'm heading out, so watch the house.”
“Wait.”
Cheong So-so called out to me and tossed me a small pouch.
“They're hangover pills. I put a few in there.”
“Nice. You’ve got good sense.”
“Wha-what? Nice? Good sense?”
Leaving Cheong So-so behind, I hurried straight to the Military Affairs Department.
As always, I greeted the guards and entered, seeing the department's scholars scurrying about.
*‘I should force them to participate in the Outer Hall's hellish training sometime.’*
When that time comes, I'll show them the true taste of PT number 8.
As I paused to envision this future while watching them, the attendant guiding me urged me on.
“The Grand Chancellor is waiting.”
“I'm coming, I'm coming.”
Following the attendant, I arrived at the Grand Chancellor's office.
“You're here?”
“Yes.”
I sat where the Grand Chancellor gestured, and an attendant brought tea.
“Drink.”
“Yes.”
It was bitter.
I've drunk it several times, but it's a taste I just can't get used to.
“It seems it doesn't suit your palate.”
“It's because it's bitter.”
“It's often described as a taste that clears the head.”
“This subordinate's head is already clear.”
“Could it be that it's clear because there's nothing in it?”
He got me there.
The Grand Chancellor looked triumphant for a moment before setting down his teacup and speaking.
“You led the Hanzhong branch very well. And you saved the Gold Dragon Hall Master's life.”
“That's because I'm such an outstanding talent…”
“Hmm… Your actions are those of a complete rogue, and yet you have talent. Your martial arts are exceptional as well.”
*Crack.*
Upon hearing the Grand Chancellor's provocation, I crushed the teacup. I must have accidentally put too much force into my hand.
“…And you have no patience, I see.”
No matter that he was the Grand Chancellor, I couldn't take it anymore.
“If you have nothing more to say, I'll be leaving. Also, the higher one's position, the better one should treat their subordinates…”
“I called you to give you a reward, you know.”
“…I have always looked upon you, Grand Chancellor, and wondered if you were the second coming of Zhuge Liang.”
“Alright, what do you want?”
“Hehe, this subordinate has no great ambitions. A simple bonus would be nice.”
“How much?”
“A humble sum of about one thousand three hundred gold taels…”
“…You're spouting bullshit.”
It was clear as day this would not be an easy negotiation.
I decided to use a skill I'd learned while working at a cell phone store, the place where the fiercest negotiations in modern Korea take place.
“Th-then, how much can you give me?”
It was the 'state your price first' tactic.
“Considering your contribution, twenty gold taels would not be unreasonable…”
Hearing that, I inwardly shouted "Jackpot!" dozens of times.
Twenty gold taels.
Wasn't that about the same amount I'd made from banditry?
However, I couldn't hide my disappointment at the Grand Chancellor's next words.
“However, you committed the crime of ignoring procedure and attacking the territory of the Ten Demon Alliance, so it must be reduced.”
“What! H-how did you…?”
How did he know?
I'm sure I went in disguised as the Blood Killing Gate.
The Grand Chancellor's following words revealed the reason.
“Is the Black Tiger Corps not the Lord's treasured sword? There can be no secrets.”
That old geezer of a Corps Leader betrayed me!
*‘Damn that old geezer! I won't let him get away with this!’*
Rage welled up inside me, but what was important now was the negotiation with the Grand Chancellor.
I suppressed my anger as much as possible and began to defend myself.
“It was an act done with the pure intention of protecting Hanzhong, so if you could just let it slide…”
“The amount of money you gained from thievery is too large to be considered pure.”
“…!”
He even told him the amount.
The urge to storm the Black Tiger Corps' office and snap the Corps Leader's neck surged within me.
“However, the outcome was good, so I won't make an issue of it. Instead, I will not be paying you a bonus.”
I worked my ass off, and I don't even get a bonus.
Is this some kind of modern-day sweatshop?
“However.”
The Grand Chancellor smiled faintly and continued.
“Your merit in saving the Gold Dragon Hall Master's life is great, so the Lord has commanded that you be rewarded with a grade-A weapon from the Nine Dragons Armory.”
“Gasp.”
“Congratulations. A grade-A weapon is a treasure worth several times more than twenty gold taels. It is a special bestowal from the Lord, so you should be grateful.”
“But.”
Just give me the money…
* * *
The day I would enter the Nine Dragons Armory was set for three days later.
Something about needing time to disable some formation, or whatever.
Oh, and it's a secret that I asked if I could sell it and got an earful for it.
Anyway, after leaving the Military Affairs Department, I headed for Bukgung Baek's house on Black Snake Road.
I intended to ask him about the questions that had arisen in Hanzhong.
“…”
The moment I arrived, I witnessed a ridiculous sight.
*Waddle, waddle.*
“Pant, pant. Are you done cleaning over there?”
“Huff, huff, not yet.”
“Hurry up. We need to start preparing dinner soon. Pant, pant.”
The Ten Demon Alliance spies, who once boasted six-packs, had all turned into sumo wrestlers.
If I hadn't looked closely at their faces, I would have misunderstood and thought Bukgung Baek had buried them all and hired new servants.
“Pant, pant… Who… Ugh! I-isn't it Squad Leader Jin?”
“…Why did you end up like this?”
“What do you mean…”
“Never mind. Is the Hall Master inside?”
“He went out for a walk. It's been a while, so he should be back soon.”
He waddled as he pointed to the main building.
It was the place Cheong So-so used to use as her room.
“This way, please. I'll bring tea shortly.”
“Alright.”
Watching the back of the guy waddling away somehow made me crave boiled pork slices.
*‘Hmm… I should stop by Misan Inn. It's been a while.’*
They don't have any other items on the menu, but their boiled pork is quite good.
I was sipping steaming tea while waiting when, before long, Bukgung Baek returned.
“Nine! Dragons!”
“Annoying. Go inside.”
“Yessir.”
I immediately went out and gave a sharp salute, and he waved his hand dismissively.
Just like Bukgung Baek, the symbol of anti-authoritarianism.
“Why are you here instead of resting at home?”
“What a hurtful thing to say to a subordinate who's like your right-hand man, whom you haven't seen in three months.”
“Right-hand man? More like my right big toe.”
“Hey.”
I'm a man who gets his feelings hurt, you know.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself after that shocking assessment, I finally managed to speak.
“I have something to ask you.”
*Pfft.*
“I see.”
His attitude was as if he'd been expecting this.
He waved his hand, and the door slid open with a clatter.
It was the art of moving objects without touch, a skill only those who have reached a high realm can use.
“If anyone's there, bring some wine.”
“…”
After giving the order to his servants, he smiled faintly and met my eyes.
“Let's have a drink. It's been a while. If there's anything you want to eat with it, just say the word.”
* * *
“Drink up.”
I sat across from Bukgung Baek, a plate of steaming boiled pork slices between us.
While eating and drinking, I explained everything that had happened in Hanzhong from beginning to end in great detail.
It was a long story, enough to fill about 25 chapters of a web novel, taking a full two hours to explain, but he maintained an interested expression throughout.
*‘There's something more to this.’*
His reaction convinced me that Bukgung Baek had a keen interest in Hanzhong.
Otherwise, a man who was usually indifferent to everything wouldn't have such a sparkle in his eyes.
“A lot has happened.”
“Indeed. But as I was working, a question arose.”
“Go on.”
“What was your true intention in sending me to Hanzhong? And what is the Bukgung Clan?”
“…”
In response to my question, he simply lifted his cup and downed the wine, offering no other answer.
Seeing his reaction, I slowly rose from my seat.
Bukgung Baek wasn't the type to give anything up just because he was pressed.
“If this is difficult for you, shall I take my leave?”
“Is that all you're curious about?”
“Actually, what I'm truly curious about is something else.”
The questions that began in Hanzhong led to more, and I began to doubt everything.
Was it really a coincidence that I acquired the land in Hanzhong?
Why is Bukgung Baek teaching me?
What exactly are the War King Arts bestowed by the Lord?
Why did the Dragon-Slaying Thirteen Strikes exist in the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion?
And finally.
What if my coming to Nine Dragons Fortress wasn't a coincidence?
What if someone's intention was behind my meeting with my grandfather?
I condensed all these meanings into a single question.
“What am I?”