Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Don't Do Anything
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< Don't Do Anything >
"Th-that...!"
"How could you break that!"
Byeok Jehyeok shouted.
Byeok Taesu just stared blankly at the shattered golden wall.
The fact that Byeok Taesan had so casually destroyed the golden wall didn't even register in their minds.
Only the thought that he had broken something belonging to the Heavenly Demon remained, making them tremble in fear.
What would happen if the Heavenly Demon found out about this?
The Golden Jade Trading Company was finished.
Byeok Taesan calmly looked down at the fragments of the broken golden wall.
As he thought, it wasn't just a simple wall; there was a special structure inside.
Countless holes and grooves were visible in the shattered, splintered pieces.
He might be able to figure something out if he pieced it together to analyze the structure, but that was too much of a bother.
'I wonder if Seung Doheung could figure something out if he saw this?'
With that thought, Byeok Taesan looked at Byeok Taesu and spoke.
"I'll be taking these gold chunks."
Byeok Taesu stared blankly at Byeok Taesan before simply nodding. He probably wasn't even aware if he was nodding or shaking his head.
"If this... if this is broken... our family is now..."
Byeok Jehyeok muttered, his expression one of a man who had lost half his soul.
Then, he quickly came to his senses and glared at Byeok Taesan.
"What on earth are you thinking, doing this!"
Byeok Taesan looked at Byeok Jehyeok.
"Even the Heavenly Demon would say I did the right thing."
At Byeok Taesan's words, Byeok Jehyeok stared at him blankly.
"Do you... really think that makes any sense?"
Byeok Taesan nodded.
"And he's not coming. The Heavenly Demon doesn't even know something like this is here. He doesn't care."
Byeok Jehyeok gritted his teeth. How could he say such a thing?
His opponent was the Heavenly Demon and the Heavenly Demonic Cult. What kind of people did he think they were to create something like this without a second thought?
There had to be a record of this within the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
Even if they weren't paying attention to this place right now, the moment they turned their eyes here someday in the future, the Golden Jade Trading Company would be finished.
Byeok Taesan frowned as he looked at Byeok Jehyeok and Byeok Taesu.
Their conditions were far too grave.
Their fear of the Heavenly Demonic Cult had consumed their reason. It would likely be difficult for them to escape this state for a while.
If this continued, their minds would become ravaged, and it could ultimately lead to ruin.
"So weak."
Byeok Taesan clicked his tongue.
Seeing this, Byeok Jehyeok's head grew hot.
But strangely enough, he couldn't muster the courage to attack Byeok Taesan.
Even though he was seething with rage, his head feeling like it would explode, he had no desire to confront Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Jehyeok wondered if something was wrong with him, then his gaze fell upon the fragments of the broken golden wall.
"Ah...!"
Byeok Taesan had shattered that thick golden wall in an instant. Just by placing his palm against it.
Only then did his head cool down a bit. And he felt it was a good thing he hadn't attacked.
If he had attacked here, with no one watching, he would have been beaten to a pulp.
"Uncle, how can you be so certain?"
Byeok Taesan turned his gaze to Byeok Taesu.
Byeok Taesu also seemed to be coming to his senses, as he was now looking at Byeok Taesan.
To resolve the current situation, Byeok Taesan decided to create one more secret for them.
"I am the Heavenly Demon."
Byeok Taesu and Byeok Jehyeok stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
***
The relocation of the Heavenly Medicine Hall had begun.
It was a long journey from Kaifeng to Wuhan.
The distance was well over a thousand li, and the amount of luggage they had to transport was immense, making it no ordinary task.
There was no telling what might happen along the way. They could encounter bandits or have a run-in with factions from the underworld.
Or perhaps the Poison Demon, whose relationship with the Heavenly Medicine Hall had become irreconcilable, might make a move.
In any case, despite the various dangers, the people of the Heavenly Medicine Hall were not overly concerned.
Although the Heavenly Medicine Hall was a sect composed of healers, they never neglected their martial arts training.
So, while they had no renowned healers famous throughout the land, they could muster considerable strength in an emergency.
Ordinary bandits or river pirates could never touch the Heavenly Medicine Hall.
Moreover, people from the Martial Alliance had joined them, offering their help.
That made it even less likely for anything to happen.
The people from the Martial Alliance were, of course, the Leader of the Seventh Squad of the Heavenly Sword Division and the squad members under his command.
The Leader of the Seventh Squad received a tremendous welcome from the healers of the Heavenly Medicine Hall.
Though they were only thirteen in number, the skill of each one was incomparable to that of the Heavenly Medicine Hall's healers.
In particular, the General Manager of the Heavenly Medicine Hall, No Jugang, was all smiles whenever he saw the Leader of the Seventh Squad.
The Leader of the Seventh Squad, knowing he would have to keep an eye on the Heavenly Medicine Hall in Wuhan anyway, also made an effort to maintain a good relationship with No Jugang.
"The Heavenly Medicine Hall is truly impressive. Are you saying all of that on those carts is finished medicine?"
The Leader of the Seventh Squad said in admiration.
Where his gaze fell, three rather large carts were moving in a line, each piled high with medicine wrapped in pure white paper.
"It's not what it used to be. Times have been tough lately, so it's difficult to stockpile medicine. Still, it's a relief that it makes it easier to move like this."
At No Jugang's words, the Leader of the Seventh Squad nodded and carefully scanned the Heavenly Medicine Hall's carts.
There were a great many carts.
And each one was filled with medicinal herbs and remedies.
Just selling all of that would likely fetch an enormous sum.
And to think this was the amount they had after the Golden Moon Trading Company's interference had prevented them from properly meeting their quotas; he couldn't even imagine how impressive it must have been originally.
"You must have lived in Kaifeng for a long time. It must be a great pity to leave it all behind and go to Wuhan."
At the Leader of the Seventh Squad's words, No Jugang gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"It would be a lie to say it's not. To be honest, it's easier to receive help from the Martial Alliance if we stay in Kaifeng... Still, I have no regrets. According to the Sect Leader's plan, going to Wuhan will be a stepping stone for the future."
The Leader of the Seventh Squad continued to chat with No Jugang for a while longer. Only at the very end did he ask the question he really wanted to ask.
"By the way, General Manager."
"Yes, please speak."
"It seems there are some people mixed in who don't look like they belong to the Heavenly Medicine Hall."
"Ah, you mean them? They are ronin."
"Ronin?"
The Leader of the Seventh Squad frowned.
"Was there a reason to hire ronin? Frankly, I believe we alone are sufficient..."
No Jugang laughed as if he finally understood and replied.
"Ah, my, you've misunderstood. They are men sent by our Sect Leader. They are ronin who operate in Wuhan, and I couldn't possibly ignore the Sect Leader's sincerity, could I?"
"Ah... I see. I understand. However, you must always keep in mind that ronin are not the most trustworthy of men."
"Yes. I will keep that in mind."
The Leader of the Seventh Squad said no more and stepped back slightly.
Then, he observed the men called ronin one by one.
The reason the Leader of the Seventh Squad was being so cautious was that among the ronin, there were some who exuded a dangerous aura that set his senses on edge.
'Ronin of that caliber wouldn't have come for just a pittance...'
If his senses were on edge, it meant he could be in trouble if he let his guard down.
Just how many masters were there who could hold their own against a squad leader from the Martial Alliance's Heavenly Sword Division?
A quick scan revealed over a hundred ronin mixed in with the healers of the Heavenly Medicine Hall.
And among them, at least twenty were men who triggered the Leader of the Seventh Squad's senses.
The rest didn't give off any particular feeling, but he couldn't afford to be careless.
'Well, it's not like I'll have any reason to fight them...'
For now, they were on the same side.
The Leader of the Seventh Squad decided to continue the journey while quietly observing.
Then, on the night of the second day after leaving Kaifeng, someone approached the Leader of the Seventh Squad in secret.
He was a man from the Golden Moon Trading Company.
***
Byeok Taesu and Byeok Jehyeok, having heard Byeok Taesan's explanation, couldn't get their minds straight.
The explanation wasn't long, but it contained the core of the matter, so they clearly understood what he was saying.
In truth, it was an unbelievable story.
Yet, the strange thing was that they found themselves believing it.
Because when you listened to Byeok Taesan, it just happened naturally.
Caught between that strange feeling and fear, Byeok Taesu and Byeok Jehyeok had to continue their conversation with Byeok Taesan.
And so, a secret was born that they could never tell anyone.
This was a secret far greater than hiding and protecting the golden wall all this time.
And honestly, it was a secret that no one would likely believe even if they told them.
Furthermore, if someone did believe them, it would create an even bigger problem. The Golden Jade Trading Company would likely not survive.
After gaining one more secret, they parted ways for the time being.
Later, Byeok Taesu met with Byeok Taesan alone.
This was not an issue that could be glossed over. Especially not for Byeok Taesu himself.
"I don't even know how I should speak. May I still speak comfortably as I did before?"
At Byeok Taesu's question, Byeok Taesan smiled faintly and nodded.
"It's more comfortable for me too if you do."
Byeok Taesan had also started speaking comfortably to Byeok Taesu.
Byeok Taesu hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Then... is our real Taesan... dead?"
Byeok Taesan scratched his cheek with a finger. This answer required some thought.
"Well... you could say I saved his body just before he died."
"His body... does that mean his soul died?"
Byeok Taesan waved his finger.
"They mixed."
"Mixed?"
"Well... I originally thought I had taken over Byeok Taesan's body, but as I lived in it, I realized that wasn't it. We mixed. In a very strange way."
Byeok Taesu looked at Byeok Taesan with a hardened expression.
His gaze was incredibly deep and calm.
And it was sharp, as if trying to discern whether Byeok Taesan was being sincere.
"It's true."
"I have no reason to lie."
How often would the Heavenly Demon have a reason to deceive someone?
Byeok Taesu nodded firmly.
"In that case, you are also my younger brother."
Byeok Taesan could see that Byeok Taesu's expression had become incredibly relieved as he said those words.
Byeok Taesu smiled gently.
"Then that's all that matters. My younger brother has become healthy and has gained a fortuitous encounter, so I should be congratulating you instead. The fact that your memories aren't left... is a bit of a shame, though."
"Ah, memories. It's not like they're completely gone."
Byeok Taesu's eyes widened as he looked at Byeok Taesan.
"There are fragmented scenes that I remember. And there are remnants of emotions left as well."
If not for that, he wouldn't have been so good to Byeok Taesu.
At those words, Byeok Taesu couldn't hide his surprised expression. And his face grew even more at ease.
Byeok Taesan watched Byeok Taesu's change and suddenly said.
"It seems you're learning the martial art well."
Byeok Taesu smiled faintly and nodded. How could he neglect a gift from him?
In fact, he had to constantly listen to the general manager talk about how his stamina had increased and his body had become much healthier after practicing the Essence-Absorbing Art.
He had felt disappointed and jealous every time the general manager boasted, so how precious must the martial art that Byeok Taesan had given him, saying it was even better, be to him?
"Thanks to you, I've taken a lot of medicine and my body has gotten much better."
"If you master it well, you won't get beaten up wherever you go."
What Byeok Taesan had given Byeok Taesu was a modified version of the Blood-Seeking Demonic Arts.
It was originally a demonic art that craved blood, but he had altered it to draw power from elixirs instead.
Still, the Blood-Seeking Demonic Arts were the Blood-Seeking Demonic Arts. In a future moment of crisis, absorbing blood might save his life once.
So he had made sure to tell him about that part as well.
"It can also absorb blood. It's dangerous, so don't use it carelessly."
Byeok Taesu's eyes became as wide as lanterns.
"This... is a demonic art."
"It's the Blood-Seeking Demonic Arts. I just modified it to use elixirs instead of blood. But just because it's modified doesn't mean all of its original effects are gone."
Byeok Taesu asked with a serious expression.
"What happens if I absorb blood?"
"Your disposition might become a bit cruel. But using it once or twice in an emergency is fine."
Byeok Taesu nodded. That much was acceptable.
"I'll have to make sure not to create an emergency."
Byeok Taesan grinned.
"That's right. You learn fast."
The best victory is one won without fighting.
Byeok Taesan and Byeok Taesu continued to talk for quite a while after that.
Byeok Taesu's expression softened more and more, and at times, he was overcome with emotion.
This was the first time in his entire life that he had spoken with Byeok Taesan for so long.
Byeok Taesu savored the precious experience.
***
Byeok Jehyeok couldn't even remember how the conversation had proceeded.
It seemed that when one received such a great shock, their mind went blank like this. His head felt completely empty.
'The Heavenly Demon.'
Honestly, he couldn't believe it. But he did. Because when you listened to Byeok Taesan's words, it just happened.
It was as if the words were being carved into his very soul.
'No one can know!'
If word of this got out, it would truly be the end.
In fact, Byeok Jehyeok found himself gripped by a compulsion to keep the secret, far stronger than he himself would have thought.
Walking along in a daze, Byeok Jehyeok soon arrived at the residence of his mother, Chae Miryeong.
He hadn't intended to come here; his feet had carried him unconsciously.
As he entered the pavilion, Chae Miryeong ran out to greet him as if she had been waiting.
"My son, what brings you here? Aha, you said you were meeting your father today, so you must have come about that."
Chae Miryeong quickly ushered Byeok Jehyeok inside, and they sat facing each other across a table.
She then looked at Byeok Jehyeok with eyes full of expectation.
"Well, tell me. What did you and your father talk about? By the way, you don't look so well. Did something bad happen?"
Byeok Jehyeok quickly composed his expression and shook his head. He couldn't let it show.
"No, Mother."
Byeok Jehyeok relayed to Chae Miryeong only the conversation that had taken place in the reception room that day.
After hearing the entire story, Chae Miryeong trembled with a resentful expression.
"He's determined to give a piece of the company's fortune to that boy, I see."
Chae Miryeong smiled brightly and looked at Byeok Jehyeok.
"My son has nothing to worry about. This mother will take care of everything. How many pavilions do we own, and he's giving them all away? That's ridiculous."
Hearing those words, Byeok Jehyeok was horrified.
"No! That's not it, Mother!"
"Hm? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"The portion of our Golden Jade Trading Company that the pavilions occupy is so small, it's better not to worry about it. Isn't it a small price to pay for safely inheriting the company?"
"No, but..."
Byeok Jehyeok shook his head vehemently.
"Absolutely not. Just leave it alone. I'm begging you. Our Golden Jade Trading Company's prestige will rise only when my uncle does well, won't it? So please, don't do anything."
Chae Miryeong's eyes narrowed slightly.
'What's gotten into him?'
Byeok Jehyeok calmed his excitement slightly and continued.
"My uncle will be going independent soon, so just watch quietly for a while. Please promise me you'll do that."
Byeok Jehyeok was so insistent that Chae Miryeong couldn't bring herself to say anything.
She felt that if she cut him off sharply here, it might crush her son's spirit and prevent him from accomplishing great things later.
"Well... I'll do as you say."
Upon hearing that answer, Byeok Jehyeok let out a huge sigh of relief.
And as Chae Miryeong watched him, her expression gradually hardened.
< Don't Do Anything > End