Chapter 36
Chapter 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Way to Build Trust - 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was the hour when the dawn stars still hung in the sky. People had gathered near Yangwei Castle, a place that would normally be utterly deserted at this time.
The expressions on their faces were filled with relief. And rightly so.
The soldiers led by the Lord of Yangwei Castle—though in truth, they were Thousand-Day Flower's subordinates—had been trying to resolve the string of disappearances. And now, it was solved.
Of course, they weren't the only ones rejoicing. On the faces of people who looked utterly out of place among the soldiers, smiles were blooming too.
"Daddy!!"
The giant of a man who caught the tear-streaked girl running toward him was shedding tears just like her, in a face too rugged for such tenderness. His thick arms hugged her tight, looking like they might crush her any moment, but surely he knew better than to squeeze that hard.
Around them, families and loved ones of those who had become enthralled were bursting into tears of relief.
After all, being enthralled meant losing one's will and becoming a puppet in someone else's hands. Leaving them like that forever wouldn't do anyone any good. If the state dragged on too long, the body could even start to break down.
The silver lining was that those under Yang Myeong's control hadn't suffered any major damage beyond some physical exhaustion.
They'd had their life force drained by her, but the enthrallment was fully lifted now. A few tonics to build them back up, and they'd recover.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!"
Those freed from enthrallment, along with their families and friends, bowed repeatedly to Chaejin in gratitude. I hadn't taken on this job for thanks in the first place, so I just nodded vaguely.
Besides, Chaejin had done the heavy lifting anyway. She'd caught Yang Myeong and knocked out most of the enthralled herself.
"It was just my duty as a righteous knight of the orthodox sects! Ohoho!"
"Ahem. Ahem. Still, if you could at least tell us your name..."
"It's nothing worth revealing. Fufu."
She was clearly itching to brag, but even she seemed embarrassed to toot her own horn out loud.
But with that skin-tight outfit clinging to her and the emblem emblazoned on it, didn't everyone already know where she was from?
I spoke up in place of Chaejin, who was struggling to keep a straight face.
"She's Chaejin, the Moonlight Sword and senior disciple of Full Moon Pavilion."
"Ooh! Ohhh!!"
"Full Moon Pavilion! You mean the sword faction?!"
"Wow! Incredible! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
The moment I said it, the crowd started chanting her name. Chaejin looked flustered by the praise but couldn't hide her pride.
Failed at poker face.
"Ah, come on. I wasn't going to say anything. What have I even done?"
"Ooooh! So humble too!"
She was loving it, twitching with barely contained joy, her mouth corners threatening to curl up into a grin. That's when I glanced at her and noticed a burly man approaching me. He had a fierce, intimidating look.
"...You're the one who saved my daughter?"
It was the man who'd been holding O Yuna and sobbing just moments ago.
O Chil, the king of Yangwei Castle's back alleys. His eyes were puffy from all the crying, and he didn't bother hiding the lump in his throat.
"That's how it turned out."
"...I'll never forget this debt."
"I didn't do it for thanks."
Yeah. What I really wanted was to rack up points and use them against the Iron Blood Clan.
Of course, O Chil was no slouch as a martial artist himself, but I couldn't exactly ask him to join the fight. He had to hold down the fort in Yangwei Castle right now anyway.
"Still, I can't just let it slide. Sure, I make my living by the blade, but I'm no ungrateful beast."
"If you really feel that way, grant me one favor later."
"Anything."
He bowed deeply in thanks again, then approached Chaejin. Righteous sects and unorthodox ones—they were sworn enemies in the martial world.
Yet O Chil bowed to her.
Because she'd saved his daughter.
"Full Moon Pavilion has my debt now."
"I'll collect on it someday, so remember that."
"Of course. Until next time."
O Chil clasped his hands in a final salute to her, then turned to me. He looked like he had something to say...
"You're wondering how I got info on Yang Myeong. I asked the Hao Gate."
"...Hao Gate. Hoo. I see. Thank you."
His face hardened at the name. I couldn't read his thoughts, but I figured I should say something.
"This is just my personal request, so feel free to ignore it. But if you can, I'd appreciate it if you left the Hao Gate alone in Yangwei Castle as much as possible. It's tough otherwise."
I wasn't asking him to repay any debt. I'd gotten the info from them myself, so his gang didn't owe them anything.
But telling him to leave them be? That was purely selfish on my part. Island Flower Village had no Hao Gate branch, so I needed the Yangwei one to make contact.
Otherwise, I'd have to trek even farther, which was a pain.
"...I'll consider it positively."
Of course, each sect handled its own affairs. I couldn't dictate that. Still, it was good that O Chil was open to it.
As O Chil left and the soldiers cleaned up, I stood from my seat.
"Alright, time for us to head back."
"To Island Flower Village?"
"No."
With the request done, it was time to report. Thousand-Day Flower probably knew already, but I had my own favors to ask, so better in person.
By the time Chaejin and I returned to Yangwei Castle, it was pretty late, but Blue Tile Pavilion was still rowdy and bustling. Drunken shouts from patrons, clinking glasses everywhere, the twang of pipas and strings from courtesans, snippets of song.
We climbed past the oblivious revelers enjoying themselves unaware of the outside drama, until the noise faded completely.
At the end of the hall, two experts greeted us.
"Welcome back. Teacher Yu. Just like you."
Gi Cha-jo giggled and waved. Wi Yeol beside him twitched an eyebrow faintly, but that was it. He just silently opened the door.
Beyond it, Thousand-Day Flower welcomed us.
"Good work. Teacher Yu. Haha. I'm dying to know how you wrapped it up so fast."
"Nothing to it. Just commissioned the Hao Gate. They had the intel."
Thousand-Day Flower paused mid-pour as he smiled and seated us with tea. But only for a moment. He calmly resumed and even offered a cup to Chaejin, whom he'd planned to exclude until this was over.
"I see. Hao Gate. Hao Gate..."
"You know what happened between them and the authorities."
"Of course I do. Trust is hard to build but crumbles so easily. How could I forget the fools who wrecked it for their own gain?"
Thousand-Day Flower openly trashed them, and Chaejin, who'd been listening, nodded vigorously in agreement.
I felt the same. Promises were made to keep, not break.
"They're the weak ones. The weak are fearful and wary. Undoing that wariness from the authorities' side... who knows how many years it'll take."
It did eventually, but no need to mention that.
I stayed quiet.
"Anyway, you did great. As thanks, what can I do? An official post? Money? Goods maybe..."
"No post... But if I need help later, please don't forget."
I had no interest in office; money I could save up for; goods I could buy. But experts like him? Better to ask favors upfront.
Spirit medicines? The military couldn't spare any even if I begged.
Thousand-Day Flower nodded slightly.
"You have my word."
"Oh, and take a look at this?"
I pulled a paper from my robe. A sort of business proposal, asking for an introduction to sell Crimson Star Sect herbs and sachets to officials.
"Hm. This should sell well. Depends on packaging, though. Bring samples when ready."
"Thank you."
Chaejin looked disinterested. Makes sense—a true martial artist like her wouldn't care about this stuff.
Unlike Crimson Star Sect, Full Moon Pavilion had land, buildings, donations, entrance fees from disciples. Money multiplied on its own. Why bother with business?
After the report, he suggested eating before leaving, so we headed to the first floor. They offered the fourth, but no need.
Chaejin seemed to feel the same, following without complaint. We took seats outside the pavilion.
I'd gotten what I wanted. Even the imperial conscription office—er, Blue Tile Merchant Group—had agreed positively to my proposal.
Tension eased, and suddenly I craved a smoke.
As I started to step away, Chaejin smirked at me.
"Just smoke here. It's fine."
If you insist.
With her okay, I pulled out my tobacco case. Up close now, I saw cracks all over the wooden box. Must've happened fighting the enthralled.
Good thing I hadn't brought Hongryeon's jade pipe. It would've snapped for sure.
"You know there's a sect that uses tobacco for sorcery?"
"Heard of it. Some clan founded by a branch of Mt. Mo Sect, was it Chung Clan? They use the awakening effect."
"Oh. Surprisingly well-versed in martial world lore?"
"Better than someone clueless on handling enthralled."
Chaejin shot me a pouty glare, and I turned away. I put the tobacco in my mouth and reached for the fire starter.
Which was dead.
Using Fire Stance seemed overkill... No choice.
"Excuse me."
A pleasure house like this should have fire starters. As I stood, Chaejin laughed and held out her hand.
A flicker of fire bloomed at her fingertip. She'd ignited it with her internal energy.
"Thanks. But haven't you used a lot of energy yourself, Miss Chae?"
We'd had to catch Yang Myeong quick and neutralize the enthralled. No time for meditation or rest after.
And she was fine burning energy like this?
Pure internal energy to make fire—without Five Animals Frolic or elemental arts—was inefficient, I'd heard.
"This is nothing. More importantly, innkeeper. Mind if I try one too?"
"No issue... but first time? Not sure I'd recommend it."
I wouldn't push it on her like "don't hold back," but I didn't want to encourage a newbie either. Still, Chaejin shook her head and reached out.
"My dad's a smoker, so I'm used to the smell. I'll take one~."
She took a stick, put it in her mouth, and stared intently—not at it, but at the one in my mouth.
"What're you looking at?"
"Um. Mind if I... No. Nothing."
She fidgeted her fingers like she wanted to say—or do—something, then let out a big sigh.
She lit it casually and inhaled gently, just like me.
And then.
"Cough! Cough!"
I knew it.
Familiarity with the smell and actually smoking are two different things...
"Kuhk. Why do people even smoke this stuff?"
Reasons aplenty.
The awakening effect sharpened focus for sorcery like the Qing Acoustic Sect, and some experts even gained enlightenment in that state.
But what could I say to someone hacking away without looking at me, neck flushed red?
I just stubbed out my smoke and smiled.
"Beats me."