Chapter 201. Brother Jin-ho's Spring (5)
Brother Jin-ho tilted his head at my words.
"A play? What do you mean?"
I finished the dumplings, took a sip of tea, and explained to him.
"Hyung, that Cheonhyang Brew I gave you was a spirit medicine with no equal."
"Yeah, probably."
"But if word got out that you obtained something like that, do you think rumors wouldn't spread?"
"They would."
Walls have ears, and somehow, rumors spread like wildfire.
That's why they say to hide a tree in the forest—to spread false rumors to conceal the truth.
Especially something like Brother Jin-ho's story was prime gossip fodder for those who loved to chatter about others' business.
"So, how do you think people will react to it?"
"That it's fortunate he found the spirit medicine so quickly?"
As expected...
It was too predictable an answer.
"No, there will definitely be people who suspect something."
"Suspect?"
"Yeah. Think about it. He leaves home to find spirit medicine and comes back with it in just one day—do you think anyone would buy that easily?"
Only then did it seem to click for him, and he nodded slowly.
"You're right."
"Sure, it's real spirit medicine, so it'll cure the illness without issue. But the process of obtaining it? That's bound to raise eyebrows."
"Like they might think you already had that spirit medicine, or the clan had some hidden away?"
"That would be the best-case scenario. It could get worse—they might whisper that we stole it from someone."
I let out a sigh as I spoke.
"You know how many people envy our merchant group, especially now that we're growing so fast."
"I know all too well."
At first, people would think, Impressive—he got the spirit medicine and saved Ha Sojeo.
But if those with ill will toward the Eunhae Merchant Group started raising doubts—"Was it really obtained legitimately?" or "Don't they have a stockpile of hidden spirit medicines?"—it would become a real headache.
People are more drawn to "They had a huge fight last night" than "They're living happily ever after."
There's a saying: three people gather, and they invent scandals out of thin air.
The power of rumors is scarier than you might think.
Just recall how sales of the Self-Defense Doll plummeted because of one rumor—it's no laughing matter.
And once a rumor takes hold, quashing it costs time and money.
"That's why we need a play."
I continued.
"A touching tale about you and Ha Sojeo so moving that anyone who thought ill of it flinches and thinks, I'm the trash here!"
Sigh.
Of course, if we'd exchanged the spirit medicine in secret from the start, we wouldn't have to go through this hassle.
The problem was that Brother Jin-ho had made such a flashy exit.
With rumors already spreading far and wide, he had to return with the spirit medicine to avoid becoming a laughingstock.
And in doing so, create a process so convincing that no one could raise doubts.
"So, what do I need to do?"
"Yeah, just catch one mad spirit beast."
"...What?"
It might sound out of left field, but I'd thought of it on the way to find him.
I even had the perfect villain in mind.
If we're putting on a play, might as well make it spectacular.
But Brother Jin-ho...
Why are you looking at me like that?
You're hurting my feelings.
I had Geum-ryeong send a letter to Father.
It said I'd found Brother Jin-ho and we'd return the day before my birthday banquet, so no need to worry.
This birthday banquet would draw most of the local notables.
If we couldn't stop the rumors, at least we could shape them.
The next morning, we prepared to depart at dawn.
"So, there's a mad spirit beast at the foot of Bokryong Mountain?"
"Yeah, that's right."
We headed toward Bokryong Mountain, where a certain spirit beast lurked.
That beast would be the villain in Brother Jin-ho's starring role.
We weren't turning a peaceful spirit beast into a villain just for the hunt.
There happened to be one nearby that needed dealing with anyway.
The Blood Claw Tiger.
A tiger that craved blood.
Not only did it have far sharper and longer claws than ordinary tigers, but it was incredibly agile.
Up until now, it had preyed on other animals, so it hadn't caused much harm.
But in my past life, after the Jegal Clan was wiped out, the Murim Alliance scoured Bokryong Mountain for investigations.
The beast swallowed up the warriors who entered its territory.
Having tasted human flesh for the first time, it took a liking—and began raiding villages at the mountain's base.
It took over a hundred lives lost before the Murim Alliance finally put it down.
Ironic, really.
The Alliance's actions stirred the trouble, and the Alliance cleaned it up.
The squad leader who led the Alliance warriors earned the moniker Slasher Tiger Sword Hero for it.
Though it later came out that he'd let others wear the beast down, sacrificing them, before finishing it off himself.
In any case, if it ever tasted human meat, it posed a risk of massive casualties.
Eliminating it now would avert that future bloodbath and boost Brother Jin-ho's reputation—one stone, two birds.
Plus, it was a fitting opponent for his skill level, not too taxing.
"How did you know about the mad spirit beast on Bokryong Mountain?"
I grinned and replied.
"Geum-ryeong told me."
"Oh, that quirky pig?"
Geum-ryeong grunted in protest from inside my sleeve at Brother Jin-ho's words.
I patted it soothingly.
"It's kinda cute, though."
"Sure, sure."
We rode through the day and reached Bokryong Mountain. I recalled the area where it would be and searched accordingly.
Unlike typical tigers that favored sunlit rocky zones, the Blood Claw Tiger preferred dark, dense woods.
Fortunately, we found it quickly.
"There it is."
I nodded at Seo-u Warrior's words.
A jet-black tiger with crimson hues glared at us from ahead.
"Brother Jin-ho."
"Yeah?"
"Do your best. And don't worry—if it gets too tough, Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior will back you up."
"No need."
Brother Jin-ho gripped the spear I'd gifted him, the Azure Dragon Spear, tightly.
"I can handle it alone."
Facing such a worthy adversary, his face lit with exhilaration.
As expected, Brother Jin-ho was a martial artist through and through.
"Raaargh—!"
The Blood Claw Tiger charged, and Brother Jin-ho swung the Azure Dragon Spear.
Clang—!
Sparks flew as the spear met its razor claws.
The shockwave shook the surrounding trees, yet the spear held firm. Elder Yeom the smith...
Worth every coin.
As I admired inwardly, the fierce battle between Brother Jin-ho and the Blood Claw Tiger unfolded.
Seo-u Warrior murmured in slight surprise.
"The Second Young Master's skills are more impressive than expected."
"Even better than I thought."
"At this rate... he won't be far from peak mastery. He seems right on the cusp between first-rate and absolute peak."
Seeing him clash in real combat, not just training, revealed Brother Jin-ho's true prowess.
As far as I knew, he'd reached first-rate some time ago.
And in battle, he fought like an early absolute peak warrior.
Brother Jin-ho thrived in real fights, it seemed.
Maybe I should've picked a stronger spirit beast?
No, no.
This was just part of the play—no need to overdo it.
There's a saying in the martial world: hide three-tenths of your strength.
"And he's not even thirty yet—this is astonishing."
We all nodded at Seo-u Warrior's words.
Finding a weapon that suited him and training accordingly must have accelerated his growth beyond my past life.
Thud—!
"Huff, huff... It's done!"
About half a shichen later, Brother Jin-ho finally felled the Blood Claw Tiger.
"Great job, hyung. Incredible—you took it down solo!"
Looking at the Azure Dragon Spear, he replied.
"I just... had a feeling I wouldn't lose. That's the vibe I got."
I chuckled and clapped his shoulder.
"Alright, let's head back."
The day before my birthday banquet.
I returned to the merchant group ahead of time.
It was Brother Jin-ho's moment to shine—if I was there, eyes would split between us.
And I had the role of hype man.
As I greeted guests arriving for my banquet, I casually suggested,
"Perfect day for tea outdoors—how about a cup in the garden?"
"Sounds good."
There was a pavilion right next to the reception hall with a clear view of the main gate.
As expected, the Jegal Clan sent the Supreme Patriarch and Jegal Yu-a Sojeo.
But the Sichuan Dang Clan guests were a bit off-script.
Not just the Supreme Patriarch and Dang Jo-woong, but Dang Su-bin Sojeo too.
Retiring from her Perfect Knot Immortal days?
Seeing her in proper clothes after those rags was a little jarring.
In any case, with heavyweights from the great clans of Jegal and Sichuan Dang present.
No one passed up the chance to make an impression.
We climbed to the pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.
Brother Jin-ho should arrive any moment now...
"Egmaeni!"
"What's that?"
"Eek!"
Gasps of surprise and confusion rippled through the crowd.
Here he comes.
I feigned ignorance and called to Palgap.
"What's that noise?"
"I'll check immediat—"
"No need. They're not on guard—they're just startled. Must be someone we know."
The Jegal Supreme Patriarch gazed toward the gate and spoke. I lit up.
"Oh? Looks like Second Brother's back."
"Ah! The one who ran off for spirit medicine?"
The elder had heard the rumors and recognized him instantly.
"Yes. We were so worried when he left suddenly..."
The Perfect Knot Immortal focused her inner energy on her eyes, then tilted her head.
"He looks unharmed. But... what's he dragging? A tiger? A spirit beast?"
"Spirit beast?"
"Let's go see for ourselves."
She moved first, and everyone followed to the gate.
I trailed last, smiling inwardly.
Perfect Knot Immortal's playing her part too.
Father had gotten word too, arriving just as we did.
Thud.
Brother Jin-ho knelt before him.
"Father, your son has returned."
"...What happened?"
His body was drenched in blood—not his, but the Blood Claw Tiger's.
"It's a Blood Claw Tiger, a spirit beast. I slew it and claimed the spirit medicine it hoarded."
The onlookers buzzed with admiration.
"What? He really got spirit medicine?"
"Has to be real—look at that monster!"
"Amazing! Second Young Master took down a beast like that and got the medicine!"
Just as I'd predicted, the reaction was electric.
The Jegal Supreme Patriarch and Perfect Knot Immortal, examining the corpse closely, spoke up.
"Struck right in the vitals."
"Looks like spear wounds. Must've been tough solo."
"But no signs of anyone else..."
"Remarkable."
They nodded to each other. With their endorsement, no one else would dare question it.
And truthfully, he'd handled it himself.
"Where did you hunt this?"
Brother Jin-ho answered the Perfect Knot Immortal's question, and she glanced at the Jegal Supreme Patriarch.
"The one who obtains it owns it, be it medicine or beast."
"Quite right."
That was the unspoken truth of the martial world.
From her eyes, she clearly wanted the corpse.
Hmm, what price to ask?
But first, time for the play's other star.
"Young Master Jin-ho!"
Right on cue.
"Ha Sojeo!"
"Ah... Young Master Jin-ho. Truly, for my sake..."
"It was only natural. A world without you holds no meaning for me."
Their heartfelt reunion moved everyone to tears.
In truth, Ha Sojeo already knew.
I'd returned early, tipped her off, and gotten her consent.
She admitted her feelings for Brother Jin-ho and agreed to play along.
I watched them with a warm smile.
The actors mattered in a play like this.
We'd saved her life and burnished his reputation, but this was possible because he'd never slacked on training.
Hence the plan.
Of course, it was extra hardship that could've been avoided, but let's think positive.
I gave a wry smile and rubbed my nose.
Winter was coming with its chill, but for Brother Jin-ho, spring had arrived.