If You Get Hit, You’re Supposed to Move Aside! (4)
"No! What do you mean there’s something the world just won’t allow? If it won’t happen, then make it happen!"
As Chung Myung barked the words, Hwang Mun-yak wore an extremely troubled expression.
If anyone else had said that, he might have looked offended, but this was Chung Myung. Hwang Mun-yak owed him too much to take offense.
"Young Sect Leader, please calm yourself first."
"Do I look like I can calm down right n—"
"Pin him down."
At Hyun Jong’s quiet order, Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong hurriedly grabbed Chung Myung and forced him down.
"Mnnngh."
Chung Myung let out a pained groan.
Hyun Jong glanced at Hwang Mun-yak, then asked gently, "Could it be because of the Ice Crystal?"
His voice held clear concern.
The Ice Crystal mined from the North Sea’s deepest and most treacherous lands was one of the rarest and hardest materials to obtain for making the Honwon Dan. Since it was controlled by the North Sea Ice Palace, it was not something money alone could easily secure.
Hwang Mun-yak smiled bitterly. "It is true that obtaining the Ice Crystal is terribly difficult, but with the Eunha Merchant Guild’s capabilities, such a thing can still be managed."
"Then?"
"The item we cannot procure is not the Ice Crystal. It is this Purple Wood Grass."
"Hmm?"
Hyun Jong tilted his head.
He had asked them to secure Purple Wood Grass too, but since it did not seem all that impressive, he had not paid it much mind.
"Is it that rare? Extremely expensive, perhaps?"
"Not at all. Of course, Purple Wood Grass is also a rare item found only in certain places, but its medicinal value is so insignificant that one can hardly even call it an herb."
"Then why?"
Hwang Mun-yak let out a long sigh.
"Sect Leader, I’m sure you know of the Five Outer Palaces."
"Of course."
The Five Outer Palaces.
The five powers on the fringes of the Central Plains.
They were grouped together by that name because each one possessed strength comparable to the Nine Sects and One Gang of the Central Plains.
Southern Sea Sun Palace. North Sea Ice Palace. Potala Palace. Southern Barbarian Beast Palace. Mara Blood Palace.
These five sects together were known as the Five Outer Palaces.
"The problem lies with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace among them."
Hyun Jong blinked.
What exactly had that Southern Barbarian Beast Palace done?
As though he understood the question, Hwang Mun-yak immediately began explaining.
"This Purple Wood Grass is a wild herb that grows deep in Yunnan. In the past, it was not all that difficult to obtain. There was no trader who specialized in distributing it, so one had to go directly to Yunnan, which was a nuisance, but that was all. However, these days the path to the habitat where it grows has been completely blocked."
"...Blocked, you say. What do you mean?"
"The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace I mentioned earlier is blocking the road. More precisely, they are not only blocking the path to the Purple Wood Grass’s habitat, but also preventing Central Plains people from traveling through their territory at all."
"What? Does it make any sense for a mere sect to block a road?"
Hwang Mun-yak gave a bitter smile.
"The South is a place where our common sense does not apply. The martial groups and armed factions there occupy whole regions and rule them like kings. Not even the state has the power to control them."
Hyun Jong’s brow furrowed.
It was not entirely nonsense. Were not Potala Palace and the North Sea Ice Palace among the Five Outer Palaces practically reigning like royal houses in their respective regions?
It would not be strange if the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace was the same.
"Why are they blocking the road?"
"Ever since the bloody war with the Demonic Sect, relations between the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace and the Central Plains have deteriorated rapidly. When the Demonic Sect first began ravaging the outlying regions, they requested help from the Central Plains, but the Central Plains did not aid them. They said there was no need to waste resources on affairs beyond the frontier."
"Tsk."
Chung Myung, who had been listening in silence, clicked his tongue softly.
And look how badly that bit them in the ass later.
By the time the Demonic Sect had swept through the lower regions and advanced northward, there had been no one left to help them.
"Because of that, after the Demonic Sect’s rampage was finally brought under control, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace cut off all exchange with Central Plains people. Not only that—they now forbid access entirely."
Hwang Mun-yak sighed.
"As a result, the merchant guilds are suffering terribly. Yunnan tea is among the most famous in the Central Plains. It was one of the greatest sources of income for merchants in Sichuan and Shaanxi, but with the trade route to Yunnan blocked, massive losses are inevitable."
"So, in other words..." Baek Cheon summarized the situation. "Their stance is so hardline that the merchants are forced to give up the profit."
"Indeed."
Hyun Jong’s face hardened completely.
"Sect Leader. We can procure every other item for you. But as for the Purple Wood Grass, there is nothing we can do, even with all our strength. I’m sorry."
"Please raise your head, Guild Leader. How could this be your fault?"
Even as Hyun Jong gently consoled Hwang Mun-yak, the expression on his face did not soften. He had thought Mount Hua had finally found a path to greater strength, only to run into an unexpected reef.
"Medicine Hall Chief."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Medicine Hall Chief Un-gak immediately lowered his head.
"What do you think? If we do not have Purple Wood Grass, can we still make the Hon... the Jaso-dan?"
"Sect Leader..."
Un-gak swallowed several dry gulps and let out a sigh.
"Refining elixirs is not simply a matter of combining ingredients. It is only when all the materials are perfectly balanced and put through a special refining method that a synergistic effect occurs. If even one ingredient is missing, or if the exact amount is not used, it is difficult to expect even a tenth of the intended effect."
"Hmm."
"If one cannot produce a perfectly refined spirit pill, it would honestly be better to eat the ingredients raw. Without Purple Wood Grass, the Jaso-dan cannot be made."
Everyone’s faces darkened.
Then—
"So..."
A voice as eerie as if it had risen from hell itself reverberated through the room.
Of course, the owner of that voice was Chung Myung.
"Those Southern Barbarian Beast Palace bastards are refusing to hand over the material for my Hon... No! For my Jaso-dan?"
"..."
His face reddened as if it might burst at any moment.
"What? Those bastards want to die?"
"Pin him down!"
"Yes!"
As Chung Myung looked ready to erupt, everyone nearby rushed in and pinned him down again.
"Let go! Why the hell won’t you let go? These bastards are out of their minds! It’s not even some amazing thing—it’s just a few blades of grass, and they’re making such a fuss about not handing it over?"
"C-calm down. If someone that powerful is blocking the road, what can you possibly do?"
"Block it? They’re blocking the road? Hit them once, and they’ll move! Let’s see if their heads are cracked open and they still feel like standing there blocking the way!"
Chung Myung’s eyes flashed wildly.
"Uraaaah!"
He threw off the people pressing him down and sprang to his feet!
Seeing those burning eyes, Hyun Jong flinched.
"Sect Leader!"
"...Ah, what now."
What are you trying to do this time, you brat!
"I’m going to Yunnan!"
"..."
"I’ll smash those bastards’ heads in and bring back the Purple Wood Grass."
Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong were horrified and seized Chung Myung again.
"You idiot! It’s the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace! One of the Five Outer Palaces!"
"If you pick a fight with a place like that, you won’t have ten heads, let alone one!"
But Chung Myung remained infuriatingly calm.
"Why should I worry about my own head? They should be worrying about theirs!"
"..."
Wow. Annoyingly, that almost made sense. It really did make sense.
At that moment, Jo Gul, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke in a low voice.
"Guild Leader."
"Hmm?"
"If Central Plains people are forbidden from entering Yunnan, couldn’t we hire people from other regions? Westerners, perhaps. Couldn’t non-Central Plains people be allowed into Yunnan?"
"Oh?"
Hwang Mun-yak’s eyes widened.
"Well... clever. Our Jo Gul."
"See? His big brother really can think sometimes."
"..."
Jo Gul wanted to ask if they were perhaps the ones lacking in thought, but for now he kept his mouth shut.
Hwang Mun-yak shook his head, his expression heavy. "We tried that as well... but every attempt failed. The Westerners who trade in Yunnan swear an oath not to take those goods out into the Central Plains. Some do sell things, of course, but if they get caught, they lose their heads, so they are not eager to touch it."
"...I see."
"More importantly..."
Hwang Mun-yak exhaled deeply.
"This Purple Wood Grass grows especially deep in Yunnan, right beside the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace’s territory. It is a place where even Westerners are forbidden entry, so there is no way to obtain it that way. In fact, even Yunnan natives who are not affiliated with the Beast Palace are barred from entering."
Jo Gul lowered his head slightly, as though he understood.
Watching him, a new light entered Hwang Mun-yak’s eyes.
This one has business sense.
And in this room, there was also someone who had business sense only in the form of lethal intent.
"Then it’s settled!"
Grinding his teeth, Chung Myung said, "We just run to Yunnan and tell those bastards to hand over the Purple Wood Grass!"
"...I said Beast Palace."
"Who cares! I’m from Mount Hua!"
"..."
As he watched Chung Myung puff out his chest, Hyun Jong felt a torrent of emotions.
It was heartening to see such overflowing pride in the sect; at the same time, it was so absurdly reckless that he hardly knew what to do.
But the conclusion was already all but decided.
We must obtain the Purple Wood Grass.
It would be unthinkable to obtain the recipe for the greatest elixir of legend, only to have to suck one’s fingers because the ingredients were missing. This was something that had to be achieved, even if it meant mobilizing all of Mount Hua.
Hyun Jong, having firmed his resolve, looked at Chung Myung.
"Chung Myung."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
"Can you do it?"
Hyun Jong’s face was utterly serious.
"This is an extremely dangerous task. But it is also absolutely necessary. So I want to ask you—can you obtain the Purple Wood Grass and return safely without injury?"
Chung Myung curled the corner of his mouth into a grin.
"Sect Leader."
"Yes."
"I’m Chung Myung."
"..."
Hyun Jong’s eyes twitched wildly.
The moment he heard those words, trust surged in his chest like a flood.
Yes. That child is Chung Myung.
If one could not trust Chung Myung at Mount Hua, then whom could one trust? That child was the one leading Mount Hua forward. Naturally, one had to trust him and rely on him...
"Don’t worry! I’ll smash all their heads in and bring the Purple Wood Grass back! No, damn it, let’s do this like it makes sense! Did we say we were taking gold? Did we say we were taking the throne? We’re only taking a little bit of grass, and they’re blocking us? So they want to die, huh? I’ll stuff grass down their throats and light it on fire!"
"..."
Trust, my ass...
How had such a thing ever risen from the Daoist sect?
Forcing his trembling face back into place, Hyun Jong turned his head with difficulty.
"Hyun Young."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Prepare the children as quickly as possible."
"Sect Leader?"
Hyun Young’s eyes wavered slightly. But Hyun Jong spoke firmly.
"I will send Chung Myung to Yunnan."
"Understood!"
Then he looked quietly at Chung Myung and said, "You must succeed."
"Don’t worry! I’ll bring back the whole Purple Wood Grass field if I have to!"
"..."
Somehow, Hyun Jong felt a bit sorry for the people of Yunnan.
"Kheuhum!"
Just then, Hyun Young, who was still staying in the room, subtly signaled Hyun Jong with his eyes. Catching the cue, Hyun Jong rose from his seat.
"Ah, then I shall step out for a moment."
Hyun Young and Hyun Jong quickly left the room and moved as far from the hall as possible. Hyun Jong spoke first.
"What is it?"
Hyun Young frowned slightly. "Are you planning to send only the children into danger again?"
"I do understand that it would be good to have at least one person to coordinate them. But as you know, when those children are left alone..."
"Not that."
"...Hm?"
Hyun Young opened his mouth with an expression of utter dissatisfaction.
"If you’re sending the kids somewhere that dangerous, shouldn’t there be some kind of plan? Feed them that thing."
"That thing?"
"The Honwon Dan! The Honwon Dan!"
"..."
Hyun Jong flinched.
"N-no. Since there’s no guarantee they’ll even bring back the Purple Wood Grass, we should save this Honwon Dan..."
"Sect Leader, when did you become such a miser?"
"A-miser?"
"Is it Mount Hua’s? Chung Myung brought it back, so isn’t it Chung Myung’s? And the others who helped get it should have a share too! Why are you trying to save it now? What if they come back injured?"
Hyun Young’s eyes blazed.
If the children came back hurt, he looked ready to rip Hyun Jong’s head right off.
"Feed the kids the Honwon Dan."
"..."
"Now."
"..."
"Immediately!"
Fine, fine, I get it.
We’ll feed it to them. We’ll feed it to them!