Chapter 150
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: A Call for the Specialist
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While Dan Ak-seon was flustered by the unexpected words, Han Seol-hwa stepped forward.
“What reason could you have for not receiving guests?”
The middle-aged Daoist lowered his head with a troubled look.
“This humble Daoist cannot speak of the matter. I ask for your understanding.”
At Han Seol-hwa's cold gaze, he let out a sigh.
“My heart is heavy for not being able to welcome guests who have come from so far. However, you cannot see the Sect Leader at this time.”
Dan Ak-seon and Han Seol-hwa exchanged troubled glances.
Han Seol-hwa was deeply displeased, but she couldn't ignore his words.
The current Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect's Daoist name was Hyeongjin.
Judging by the shared character 'Hyeong' in their names, she surmised that the middle-aged Daoist before them was not of a low rank, but of the same generation as the Sect Leader.
After a moment, Dan Ak-seon let out a soft sigh.
“If the host won't see their guests, there's nothing we can do.”
Dan Ak-seon took Han Seol-hwa's hand and led her away.
Even at that moment, Han Seol-hwa was deep in thought, contemplating something very seriously.
“Let's go back.”
“But…”
“There will be another chance.”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon force a smile as if nothing was wrong, Han Seol-hwa furrowed her brow.
In the end, the two had no choice but to turn back from the gates of the Kongtong Sect.
When they arrived at the only teahouse in the village, Beom Gye-wi greeted Dan Ak-seon with a delighted expression.
“You're back already?”
“No. We couldn't even get past the gate.”
“Why?”
Dan Ak-seon explained what had just happened at the gate, unable to hide his disappointment.
“I wanted to get the consent of all Nine Great Sects…”
But he couldn't just keep dragging his feet forever.
At this rate, he would have no choice but to publicize the contents of the joint petition without the signature of the Kongtong Sect Leader.
“But really, does it matter if we're missing just one, the Kongtong Sect?”
Dan Ak-seon shook his head at Cho Ak-ryang's question.
“I feel like if it's not perfect, problems will arise eventually.”
“So you're saying you have to get it, no matter what?”
With those words, Beom Gye-wi subtly rose from his seat.
Dan Ak-seon quickly asked.
“Where are you going?”
“Huh? Uh… the restroom?”
“That restroom isn't inside the Kongtong Sect, is it?”
Beom Gye-wi flinched, realizing Dan Ak-seon had already seen through him.
Dan Ak-seon smiled and shook his head.
“You know it's meaningless if we solve this with brute force.”
As Beom Gye-wi smacked his lips and sat back down, he was met with a flurry of reproachful glares.
“But it's really strange.”
Dan Ak-seon still couldn't understand.
“I thought that even if they were going to refuse, they'd at least meet with us to do it.”
Just then, a strange light flickered in Han Seol-hwa's eyes.
“That Daoist said we couldn't meet him *now*.”
“He did.”
“But he specifically emphasized the word *now*. That means…”
Cho Ak-ryang finished her sentence.
“He left open the possibility that we could meet him, just not right now.”
Cho Ak-ryang, who had been contemplating something, spoke to Dan Ak-seon.
“It seems there's some reason behind this.”
For a first-generation disciple to come out and say that, there must have been a hidden meaning.
“Maybe we could find out if we ask the Beggar's Sect?”
The three others nodded at Dan Ak-seon's words.
Wherever people tread in the Central Plains, the Beggar's Sect had a presence.
Of course, this place, Gansu, was no exception.
Dan Ak-seon immediately hung a yellow cloth with eight knots tied in it at the teahouse entrance.
It was a method I Rip had taught him, telling him to use it whenever he needed the Beggar's Sect's help.
A short while later.
A man of Branch Leader rank, who commanded the nearby Beggar's Sect members, entered the teahouse.
After a brief greeting, Dan Ak-seon got straight to the point.
“Well…”
The elderly beggar, who introduced himself as Pungsuk, tilted his head.
“I haven't heard any news of any particular incidents within the Kongtong Sect recently.”
Unable to get any results even through the Beggar's Sect, Dan Ak-seon couldn't hide his disappointment.
As if feeling sorry, Pungsuk offered a comforting smile, revealing his sparse, yellowed teeth.
“I will look into it further.”
With that, Pungsuk disappeared out of the teahouse.
However, even after waiting for a long time, he did not return.
Just as they were idly passing the time, unable to do anything without a clear solution.
Cho Ak-ryang suddenly spoke up.
“It seems we'll have to call him.”
“Who?”
“Neung So-mil.”
“Mister Neung?”
Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“This kind of work is his specialty.”
At least when it came to digging up information, there was no one better suited for the job than Neung So-mil.
The group immediately headed for the nearest Divine Demon Trading Company branch.
And a short while later.
A carrier pigeon soared into the sky.
* * *
Late afternoon.
Having finished his backlog of paperwork, Neung So-mil left the trading company.
Since taking on the role of Head of the Divine Demon Trading Company, Neung So-mil never forgot to take time out of his busy schedule to observe the marketplace.
This was because there was nothing more accurate for gauging local trends than the mood of the people.
It was his own long-standing habit and secret, from his days running the Swift Information Bureau.
As he strolled leisurely, observing people's expressions, a passing porter greeted Neung So-mil.
“Greetings, Head.”
It was a familiar face, so Neung So-mil acknowledged him.
“Oh, have you been well?”
“I'm doing just fine. It's all thanks to you, Head.”
“I'm glad to hear it. By the way, how is your son? I heard last time he had a high fever?”
The porter wore a look of immense gratitude.
“You remembered something like that?”
“Of course, I should. You're someone who spares no effort for our company.”
There happened to be a stall selling snacks nearby, so Neung So-mil bought some sweets and crackers and handed them to the porter.
“Take this and give it to your son.”
“Oh, no, I couldn't.”
Neung So-mil practically shoved the snacks into the arms of the porter, who was adamantly refusing.
“You really shouldn't have…”
“Raising a son alone, you must be lacking many things. I'll arrange a better position for you next year, so just hang in there a little longer.”
“Thank you. My child is still too young to be left alone…”
“Yes, I know. I'll take care of that problem soon, so don't you worry and just do your best at your current job. Well, of course, you're already doing a great job.”
The porter's face was filled with emotion at Neung So-mil's words.
Just then, Neung So-mil spotted something and frowned.
“Goodness, this old man really doesn't listen.”
At Neung So-mil's words, a stooped old man holding a handful of tools gave an awkward laugh.
“I told you to get some rest. Why can't you put down your tools when you have grown sons? I hear they're quite skilled, too.”
“I just do it to pass the time. It's what I've done my whole life. If I suddenly stop, I'll get sick.”
“What if you fall off a roof again like last time? That just brings shame to your sons.”
The old carpenter grinned at Neung So-mil's scolding.
“Thanks to your care, Head, I'm perfectly fine now. Besides, I have to do this to give my grandchildren some pocket money, don't I? That's what I live for these days. Please don't take away this old man's joy.”
“Hah. Such stubbornness. Who could possibly stop him.”
Neung So-mil shook his head from side to side.
“Take care of yourself, and just do things in moderation. Moderation.”
“Haha, of course.”
Even after parting with him, Neung So-mil continued to walk through the market, greeting people.
Despite his meddling, not a single person showed any sign of displeasure.
This was because since the Divine Demon Trading Company had established itself here, their lives had improved significantly.
“Brother Neung!”
A passing courtesan cast a flirtatious glance at Neung So-mil.
“Come visit sometime. I'll treat you real nice.”
Neung So-mil gave the courtesan a steady look.
“To serve me fake liquor and overcharge me?”
“What are you talking about? Fake liquor?”
“I hear rumors you've been selling Jiannanchun mixed with cheap white liquor lately?”
Neung So-mil issued a stern warning to the startled courtesan.
“Tell your madam to tone it down. I'll be by soon to check myself. You know that teahouse that got run out of business for passing off cheap green tea as Dongting Biluochun? Right, Yixin Xiang. Don't end up like them.”
“I-it's not us.”
Neung So-mil smiled quietly at the sight of the courtesan hastily leaving.
‘I used to be busy hiding.’
By his own admission, he wasn't exactly handsome.
Moreover, steeped in the life of a martial artist for so long, he would unconsciously put a harsh intensity into his gaze.
Especially since he had frequent contact with the people of the Righteousness Hall, led by So Jeok-san, most people misunderstood and tried to avoid getting involved with him.
But things were different now.
Since it became known that he was the Head of the Divine Demon Trading Company, he had become a famous figure in Wuwei.
“How peaceful.”
Neung So-mil looked around, savoring the current situation.
His relaxed demeanor and expression overflowed with ease.
Neung So-mil was more satisfied with his current life than ever before.
‘It's nothing like when I ran the Swift Information Bureau.’
That's the thing about information.
It's never obtained for free.
He had to offer bribes disguised as gifts to grease the wheels, and provide all sorts of entertainment to build rapport with his informants.
After all that, there was barely any money left in his hands.
His current situation was incomparable to those days when he struggled to keep the business afloat.
Of course, the owner of the trading company was Dan Ak-seon; he was only the Head in name.
Still, he was the one who actually ran the company.
As the saying goes, a full granary breeds generosity. Unlike his past self, who was stingy about taking care of those around him, he was now learning the joy of giving.
Furthermore, with the recent success of trade with the Western Regions, Wuwei was also becoming more vibrant.
Even now, that was the case.
It wasn't hard to spot men with red hair and blue eyes wandering through the market.
Just as he was about to head back to the company.
He noticed someone rushing toward him, parting the crowd.
It was So Jeok-san.
The people in the market greeted So Jeok-san warmly as well.
But So Jeok-san, in a great hurry, responded perfunctorily and ran straight to Neung So-mil.
“What is it?”
So Jeok-san, panting for breath, took a letter from his robes.
“A carrier pigeon has arrived!”
“From whom?”
Instead of answering, So Jeok-san held out the letter.
Seeing his very respectful demeanor, Neung So-mil felt a sense of unease for some reason.
And just as he expected.
—Come to the teahouse in the village below Mount Kongtong.
Familiar handwriting that made his heart sink.
It was from Cho Ak-ryang.
Neung So-mil hesitated for a moment with a troubled expression.
“I can't just pretend I never received this, can I?”
“Pardon?”
“It's nothing. Nothing at all.”
Neung So-mil let out a sigh that could have split the earth.
“Peace, my ass.”
After giving a few instructions to So Jeok-san, Neung So-mil shot off.
Running so hard his feet were sweating, Neung So-mil arrived at Pinglang, the village at the foot of Mount Kongtong, and easily found the teahouse.
“Mister!”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon greet him with a bright smile, Neung So-mil also ran forward with open arms.
“Valley Lord!”
After they exchanged warm greetings, Neung So-mil bowed his head toward the three people sitting behind Dan Ak-seon.
“You're looking well.”
Neung So-mil immediately replied to Cho Ak-ryang's words as if he had been waiting.
“It is all thanks to you, seniors.”
Cho Ak-ryang snorted briefly at Neung So-mil's glib words.
Then, Cho Ak-ryang explained why he had summoned him.
“There's something I need you to do.”
“Just say the word.”
“Find out what's happening at the Kongtong Sect.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No.”
“Understood.”
With a nod, Neung So-mil gave Dan Ak-seon a smiling glance and promptly left the teahouse.
“Can he really find out with no clues at all?”
Cho Ak-ryang gave a slight smile at Dan Ak-seon's concern.
“We'll have to see. But one thing is certain.”
“…?”
“If he can't find out, then there's no other way.”
“What if he doesn't get any results?”
“Then we'll have no choice. We either give up…”
Cho Ak-ryang trailed off, his gaze meeting Beom Gye-wi's.
“Or we go up Mount Kongtong and find out for ourselves.”