Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: A Journey to Collect Debts
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I Rip and Hong Jeok-mun were led to a pavilion in the inn's rear garden.
In the empty pavilion, a spread of various dishes had already been prepared.
“I had this set up here so you could eat comfortably.”
I Rip exclaimed with a look of deep gratitude.
“Like father, like son, as they say! You certainly know how to win people over!”
Hong Jeok-mun felt the same.
His mouth watered uncontrollably at the sight of the wine bottle on the table.
“You do realize you're being a nuisance, don't you?”
Dan Ak-seon stopped Han Seol-hwa from pouring cold water on the cheerful atmosphere.
“They've been a great help to us.”
Dan Ak-seon genuinely thought so.
Although they had a connection with his father, they had never met him before.
“Helpful?”
Han Seol-hwa scoffed.
“If I hadn't saved them that day, they wouldn't even be here.”
The two men's faces crumpled pitifully.
“Oh, come on, Senior…, why bring up something from so long ago…?”
“Th-that was when we were just kids, wasn't it?”
Unlike the two flustered men who were now stammering, Dan Ak-seon showed his curiosity.
“You have a history with them?”
A faint smile settled on Han Seol-hwa's lips. Seeing this, I Rip spoke up in a panic.
“S-Senior!”
“…?”
“I am, for what it's worth, the leader of the Beggar's Sect now.”
“And?”
“It means I have a bit of a reputation to uphold.”
Han Seol-hwa chuckled.
“How time flies. To think the little brat who clung to me, crying his eyes out after getting beaten to a pulp…”
“Senior, please…”
At I Rip's desperate plea, Han Seol-hwa reluctantly fell silent.
Dan Ak-seon was terribly curious about the story, but he didn't press further. The expressions on I Rip and Hong Jeok-mun's faces were just that pathetic.
Once the situation settled, the four of them sat at the table and began to eat.
As time passed and the meal was winding down, I Rip glanced at Han Seol-hwa before asking.
“So, what's the reason for treating us so generously?”
“It's a token of my gratitude for everything you've done so far.”
Dan Ak-seon said with a smile.
“From now on, you won't need to stay here for my sake.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
A look of confusion appeared on I Rip's face.
He was quite curious why Dan Ak-seon was refusing their goodwill.
But his expression turned serious at Dan Ak-seon's next words.
“We're going on a journey.”
“We?”
To I Rip's question, Dan Ak-seon replied.
“Yes. Me and the lady here. The others helping me will be coming along too.”
“Hmm.”
I Rip's gaze grew serious.
“So…”
After watching Dan Ak-seon in silence for a moment, I Rip finally spoke.
“You want me to spread a rumor?”
As expected of the Beggar's Sect leader, I Rip's intuition was second to none.
This time, however, his intuition was off the mark.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Huh? Didn't you come to ask me to spread a rumor?”
“I just came to let you know so you wouldn't waste your efforts for nothing.”
Faced with such pure goodwill, devoid of any ulterior motive, I Rip was the one left flustered.
“Well, this is awkward. I seem to have misunderstood.”
Seeing I Rip's awkward smile, Dan Ak-seon simply returned it with one of his own. Even that smile was so pure that I Rip felt genuinely ashamed.
“We won't be here for a while. We'll be traveling all over the Central Plains.”
If it became known that he wasn't here, there would be no reason for martial artists to flock to this place.
“But is there really a need to go that far?”
I Rip said, glancing at Han Seol-hwa as he shared his thoughts.
“The mere fact that we've stepped in should be enough to keep most troublemakers at bay. If you're going on a journey to avoid them…”
“It's not that. I have something I need to do.”
“Something you need to do?”
Han Seol-hwa, who held the highest seniority in the martial world, and Dan Ak-seon, the subject of the hottest rumors. He was intensely curious about what the two of them hoped to achieve through a journey.
“I can't tell you that. You'll find out naturally as time goes on, so please understand for now.”
“Well, if you put it like that, I understand. Don't worry about it. It's an occupational hazard. Haha.”
Still, I Rip, who couldn't quite let it go, could only smack his lips in lingering curiosity.
“Alright, then we'll keep that in mind. I hope you achieve everything you set out to on your journey.”
“Thank you. I won't forget your help this time.”
“Don't mention it. Don't worry about it. Haven't we already been treated to such a splendid meal? Besides, considering the grace I received from the Divine Physician, a little legwork like this is nothing.”
And so, they exchanged farewells and parted ways.
On their way back to Divine Demon Valley, Han Seol-hwa asked.
“When do you plan to leave?”
“We should give it some time. I need to say goodbye to Mister Pung before we go.”
Han Seol-hwa nodded silently.
When the two returned to Divine Demon Valley, Sa Mu-sim and Neung So-mil were busy preparing for the journey.
But something was strange.
Their luggage was much lighter than expected.
And it didn't take long to find out why.
“You're not coming with us?”
To Dan Ak-seon's question, Sa Mu-sim replied with a smile.
“Someone has to stay and watch over this place, don't they? A house can fall into ruin in no time if it's not cared for.”
“But…”
Neung So-mil glanced towards Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi and said in a whisper.
“I'd rather drink sewage than travel with those two.”
It was clear how much he had suffered; Neung So-mil's eyes were hollow and sunken.
Sa Mu-sim added to that.
“There are too many things we've started to leave with a light heart.”
The trade with the Evil-Shattering Nation was not yet concluded.
A decision-maker needed to remain in place to confirm the results and push forward with future plans.
“We will wait here for you until you return.”
Faced with their firm resolve, Dan Ak-seon soon relented.
Just then, Sa Mu-sim asked carefully.
“On that note, would it be alright if we used the medicinal herbs here to mass-produce restorative pills?”
“Yes, of course. I'll teach you the recipe.”
“Thank you.”
Sa Mu-sim's expression brightened at the easy permission.
Just then, the person they were waiting for entered Divine Demon Valley. It was Pung Jin-seong, who had rushed over immediately after hearing the news.
“You're going on a journey?”
“Yes.”
Dan Ak-seon took his time explaining the reason for his decision.
Pung Jin-seong let out a low sigh.
“It won't be an easy journey.”
“Still, I have to try. I'll also be training my martial arts during the trip, so even if I fail, it will be a meaningful journey.”
Seeing the firm determination in Dan Ak-seon's eyes, Pung Jin-seong smiled quietly.
“Three years… that's quite a long time.”
Pung Jin-seong forced himself to hold back a sigh.
Dan Ak-seon leaving Divine Demon Valley to venture into the world was what Pung Jin-seong himself had wanted most. Yet, hearing the reason for it, his heart grew heavy at the thought of the difficult path he was taking.
‘I can't stop him.’
Dan Ak-seon's life was on the line.
Pung Jin-seong looked at Dan Ak-seon with a complicated expression.
Just a year ago, he had seemed like a mere child, but now he was preparing to throw himself into the world to forge his own destiny.
“Please see, hear, experience, and learn much on your travels. And don't forget that I will be waiting for you.”
* * *
Four days later, having completed their preparations, Dan Ak-seon's group left Divine Demon Valley.
“Then, please have a safe trip.”
Pung Jin-seong bowed his head to Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa.
“Please take good care of the Valley Master.”
“Don't you worry.”
Beom Gye-wi also thumped his chest and declared gallantly.
“Just trust me! I won't let a single drop of blood touch Doctor Dan's fingers.”
Han Seol-hwa, as usual, answered with her haughty gaze.
After exchanging farewells in turn, Dan Ak-seon and his party departed from Divine Demon Valley.
The three who saw them off watched with regretful expressions, staying in place until Dan Ak-seon was completely out of sight.
“Well then, I should go check the herb warehouse first.”
While easier to make than the Sacred Hand Divine Pills, the restorative pills themselves were still very labor-intensive. So, Pung Jin-seong had decided to teach them the manufacturing process himself.
After Pung Jin-seong walked away, leaving the two of them alone, Neung So-mil sighed with a bittersweet expression.
“I guess I'm still a bad guy.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I feel a little sad and regretful, but…”
“But?”
“I'm more happy than sad.”
“Haha. I completely understand how you feel. You've really suffered a lot.”
“You're the only one who understands my heart, brother.”
Sa Mu-sim smiled and encouraged Neung So-mil.
“Then let's work hard and change this place. I want to see the looks on their faces when they return.”
“Just thinking about it makes me feel good.”
Having found common ground, the two men laughed brightly.
* * *
One month later.
Alongside the Southern-revered Wudang, the Northern-esteemed Shaolin was one of the two great orthodox sects that upheld the righteous martial world.
And Shaolin Temple was located here, on Mount Song.
While reviewing their plan on a path leading to the Shaolin Temple, Dan Ak-seon carefully studied Cho Ak-ryang's expression and spoke.
“Mister, are you really okay?”
Cho Ak-ryang smiled and nodded.
“Nothing to worry about. I'll try to endure it, at least for this time.”
In truth, Cho Ak-ryang's mind had been in turmoil the entire way here.
It was because of the memory of that day he had nearly lost his life at the hands of three masters deployed by the Martial Alliance.
He especially couldn't forget Ryobeom, the head of the Arhat Hall.
The memory of wandering the verge of death due to the Lion's Seal, a technique specialized in destroying protective energy, was as vivid as if it were yesterday.
‘Hmph!’
He recalled the image of that bastard offering an apology just before his breath gave out.
Being a monk, it seemed he was the only one among them with a shred of conscience left.
He had said he was deeply ashamed that they, the so-called renowned masters, had abandoned their honor to attack him together.
“Don't mind me, just be careful on your way.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled warmly.
“Thank you. We'll be back.”
As he watched Dan Ak-seon walk away with Han Seol-hwa, Beom Gye-wi glanced at Cho Ak-ryang.
“What?”
“Brother Cho, are you really alright?”
“Don't worry. Didn't I already say I would follow Doctor Dan's wishes?”
“Then…?”
“I'll have to put my personal grudge aside for a while.”
“Tch.”
“…?”
“And here I was, hoping you'd lose your temper and charge in.”
“And if I did?”
“Brother Cho. It's not too late. We can storm the place and turn Shaolin upside down before Doctor Dan gets there. Don't be scared just because your martial arts have weakened. I'll be right behind you.”
“What about Doctor Dan?”
“Actually, this is all for Doctor Dan's sake.”
Beom Gye-wi grinned.
“Don't sick people listen to doctors better? Just like us.”
Cho Ak-ryang decided not to engage with Beom Gye-wi any further. But he couldn't. Not with the question that followed.
“But will it really work out like Doctor Dan says?”
“Hmm…”
Cho Ak-ryang recalled a memory from a month ago.
* * *
A month ago, Dan Ak-seon had said he found a way.
“Let's go on a journey!”
At the time, Cho Ak-ryang hadn't thought much of it. He assumed the "way" was to find peace of mind through travel.
Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa's reactions weren't much different.
“So suddenly?”
Then, Dan Ak-seon had said.
“Yes. There's a way for us to live together openly. If my plan works, you all won't have to hide your identities anymore.”
With that, Dan Ak-seon took out a thick book.
“It's my father's medical records.”
“How do you plan to use that?”
“I'm going to visit the people listed here.”
Dan Ak-seon explained to the still-confused group.
“My father never once accepted a fee for treatment.”
“And?”
“I think it's time to collect the treatment fees they promised to pay someday.”
“If it's about money…”
Dan Ak-seon cut Cho Ak-ryang off, shaking his head.
“No.”
“…?”
“I'll be collecting the fee in something other than money.”
Dan Ak-seon explained his plan.
When his explanation was finished, the group couldn't hide their astonishment.
“Will that even be possible?”
Towards the skeptical Cho Ak-ryang, Dan Ak-seon opened the book and showed him a few of the names.
After confirming them, Cho Ak-ryang muttered to himself without realizing it.
“It just might be…”
Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa also soon came to agree. But the real problem started from there.
“You're going to visit all these people?”
Dan Ak-seon nodded at Beom Gye-wi's question.
“Yes. So it seems it will be a long journey… but I have to do it. It's the only way.”
And he asked carefully.
“Will you come with me?”
The three of them naturally agreed.
They had no reason to refuse.
The journey that began that day had led them to the present.