Single-Minded Devotion (5)
We soon arrived at the mountain.
It was the place where I'd obtained the Qingbing Snow Plum that fixed my constitution right after my regression, and it was the mountain behind the main headquarters of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
This place had a spirit herb that aided physical recovery.
Its name was the Revival Flower.
Just inhaling its scent dramatically accelerated the recovery speed.
I'd learned about it thanks to the Black Dao thugs who'd flowed into Sungyang County before.
One of their leaders had been gravely injured in a gang fight, discovered it, and used it to heal himself.
The problem was that their fight had intensified because of it, harming innocent civilians in the process.
I knew about it but hadn't sought it out earlier because its blooming season was still far off.
According to my memories, it should have bloomed just a few days ago. The effect was best right after it freshly bloomed.
It wasn't hugely important, so I'd tucked the memory away, only recalling it now because of Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong's injury.
"Is this the place?"
At Seo-u Warrior's question, I nodded.
"Yes."
I moved while recalling the information I'd gotten from the Haomen before.
From where the three pine trees clustered, about five hundred steps toward the bent pine tree.
And...
How far had we gone?
Since we were using lightness skills, it didn't take long in reality. About an incense stick's time.
Soon, I smiled.
A red flower blooming on the cliff came into view.
That was the Revival Flower.
Though it bloomed midway up the cliff, we were all peak masters.
And it wasn't an extremely treacherous cliff, so we retrieved it easily.
Come to think of it, in my previous life, the Black Dao warrior who'd experienced the Revival Flower's power had obtained it when it coincidentally got uprooted and fell below.
Anyway, now it was mine.
Strictly speaking, it belonged to Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong.
***
Yu So-ak remained at the medical hall even after sunset.
When he'd just arrived at headquarters and heard that Jo Yeong-yeong had been critically wounded, the world had gone dark before his eyes.
He couldn't think of anything.
When he came to his senses, he was in front of the medical hall.
But he couldn't bring himself to go inside.
Why did I do that?
The reason was simple.
He was afraid to see Jo Yeong-yeong.
He let out a sigh as he gazed at her, lying on the bed, breathing laboriously.
Seeing her like that tore at his heart. Honestly, this feeling... it was a first.
He'd never really empathized when others were hurt before.
This kind of feeling hasn't come since Mother passed away.
He hated this.
He wanted to see her chattering away while looking at him like before. He wanted to see her cheeks flush at his words...
He hesitated to reach out his hand.
Was it right for him, who hadn't answered her feelings, to hold her hand?
She was so precious that he hesitated to even touch her.
After repeatedly extending and withdrawing his hand, he finally took hers gently.
It was very hot.
Fever from the injury.
"Please... wake up."
He murmured like a desperate prayer.
Her face was deathly pale, proving how much blood she'd lost.
Yet she burned this hot.
That was when it happened.
Jo Yeong-yeong's eyelids fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened. But her gaze was unfocused.
"Ah... Inner Steward?"
She grinned hazily.
"I'm trained in martial arts, so I'm super tough. Not the type to die easily..."
"......"
"I don't meet any other men besides you, Inner Steward..."
Hearing that, Yu So-ak bit his lip.
Jo Yeong-yeong knew his past.
That's why she said such things.
"When did you find out?"
"When I went to Beijing."
He asked without thinking.
"Did you pity me?"
"You're strong, Inner Steward. Why would I pity you?"
"......"
Strong? Him, strong?
"No. I'm not strong. I'm a coward who only runs away cravenly."
"No. Anyone else would've gone mad by now... but you're still living. So you're strong, Inner Steward. That's why... I admire you so much. Hehe."
She was definitely delirious. Otherwise, she wouldn't speak so openly.
"What about me is so great?"
"Just everything. Hehe."
"......"
"Don't ask embarrassing questions like that."
Without realizing it, Yu So-ak gripped her hand tighter.
"Do you know how beautiful the spring flowers are on the mountain behind us?"
"I do."
"The plum trees Third Young Division Leader planted are stunning. This spring, let's go see the plums together."
"Really? Great. Hehehe. Promise?"
"Of course. I promise. So... please recover and wake up."
And so Yu So-ak spun tales for Jo Yeong-yeong.
In summer, they'd walk by the pond in the rain together; in fall, they'd go leaf-peeping.
He kept talking, urging her to respond.
A vague fear gripped him that if she closed her eyes now, she'd never open them again.
That was when it happened.
Sss...
Smoke began drifting in from somewhere.
It filled the room where Jo Yeong-yeong and Yu So-ak were.
Moments later, they fell asleep.
***
I opened the door.
Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong and Inner Steward Yu So-ak were asleep inside.
As expected of something made by Elder Man-gyeol's group, the sleeping incense worked perfectly.
I approached them, smiling at their clasped hands.
I opened the box Jin Yu Warrior offered and took out the Revival Flower.
Then I held it under Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong's nose.
Her breathing steadied, and her complexion improved.
Fortunately, we weren't too late.
"If we'd been even a little later, it might've been too late for good."
Jin Yu Warrior said after checking her pulse. Thanks to his profession, he had some medical knowledge.
To kill quickly and surely, one had to know the body well.
"Maybe it's thanks to the Inner Steward keeping her talking?"
"I think so too."
We exchanged smiles and slipped out as if nothing had happened.
.
.
.
I headed to the annex.
More precisely, to the rear garden in the alley leading to it.
The Eunhae Merchant Group was vast, with rear gardens scattered everywhere.
Once there, I pulled out the Revival Flower from my sleeve.
The one that had helped Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong recover was long withered.
The Revival Flower could only be used once, but I didn't regret using it on her.
If Deputy Jo had died, Inner Steward Yu would've been heartbroken.
And Father and everyone else who cared for her would've been deeply wounded.
Especially her father, Chief Steward Jo...
Anyway, it might cause rifts in the Eunhae Merchant Group. Even a tiny one could affect our path to becoming the world's top merchant group later.
As long as I was here, I couldn't tolerate even the slightest crack.
I murmured, looking at the Revival Flower in my hand.
"So, how should I dispose of this?"
Even withered, if someone saw it, it'd be a big problem.
I'd put Deputy Jo and Inner Steward Yu to sleep precisely to hide that it'd been used.
That was when it happened.
- Kuiit? Kui! Kui!
The Gold Spirit's cry echoed in my mind.
"What? You want this?"
At my question, the Gold Spirit poked out from my sleeve and nodded.
Its eyes sparkled, drool dripping from its mouth.
I squatted down and looked at it.
"You gonna eat this?"
"Kui!"
The Gold Spirit nodded eagerly.
"Aren't you supposed to eat only silver or gold coins?"
At my question, it tilted its head, then shook it.
"Kuiit? Kui. Kuiuut! Kui!"
"So... you eat spirit herbs like this too? Ah... anything expensive, huh. But this has no effect left?"
"Kuiik! Kui!"
"Even spent spirit herbs, you squeeze out every last drop?"
So it pursued extreme efficiency.
Anyway, if it could handle disposal, I had no reason not to give it.
"Alright, eat up."
I offered it, and the Gold Spirit snatched it, munching deliciously.
Then it slipped back into my sleeve.
I chuckled at the sight and turned.
I clasped my fists at Seo-u Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior.
"Thank you for not asking questions."
Honestly, I'd been a bit worried how to answer if they asked about today.
But they hadn't, and I was grateful.
"It's the young master's business. We just follow."
"We'll protect you from now on too. Don't worry."
I nodded at their words.
Especially Seo-u Warrior, whose life I'd saved with the Soul-Returning Pearl, shone with deep trust.
"Then let's go."
"To the annex?"
"No. To the Hyeonpung Division. Lots of work piled up."
As I walked away, Jin Yu Warrior said,
"Don't be sad."
My voice must've sounded sad.
"Who was on escort duty this time?"
"Me and Changun Warrior."
"Together, let's push on."
***
Yu So-ak jolted awake.
"Th-this!"
He was flustered.
He'd resolved to watch over Jo Yeong-yeong all night, yet he'd fallen asleep.
What a pathetic fool!
Self-reproach hit him as he quickly checked on her, fearing she'd passed in the night.
But...
She slept with a much better complexion than yesterday.
Her breathing was even, showing improvement.
He sighed in relief.
Now that she was okay, he should get up and...
But he couldn't rise.
Jo Yeong-yeong gripped his hand tightly, not letting go.
The physicians and attendants would soon come for rounds.
Staying was embarrassing; pulling away might wake her. He was in a bind.
"Sleep well?"
The medical hall master entered with attendants.
"Ahem, uh... forgive my unseemly display."
"No need."
The master chuckled.
"You looked wonderful last night. Heh heh."
Meaning he'd seen them holding hands asleep.
Yu So-ak turned his head slyly.
"Anyway, she seems past the worst. Thanks to the Inner Steward's devotion."
"......"
.
.
.
Yu So-ak left the care to the master and exited.
Mountains of work awaited, but he didn't regret holding her hand all night.
He looked at his hand.
Her warmth lingered.
But...
Falling asleep so suddenly felt suspicious, no matter how he thought about it.
His specialty was pulling all-nighters.
And... I think I heard Third Young Division Leader's voice.
***
Three days had passed since I used the Revival Flower on Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong.
Now, rumors spread through the Eunhae Merchant Group of a miracle.
One born from Inner Steward Yu So-ak and Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong's feelings.
Honestly, that suited me fine—far less burdensome.
And such stories would only tighten bonds among the members.
I headed to the Inner Steward's office with documents.
Oddly, he wasn't there.
Seok Il-song explained.
"He's at the medical hall now."
"Ah..."
Urgent papers, so I went straight there. Obvious where he'd be.
"I definitely heard it. We promised to see flowers in spring... walk by the pond in summer."
"Ahem, ahem. Yes."
"You promised. Not going back on your word, right?"
"N-no."
"If you did, I'd be so sad."
"......"
Sweet as dripping honey.
I grinned quietly, listening.
Deputy Jo Yeong-yeong's unrequited devotion from my previous life was finally reciprocated in this one.
Still...
How to handle the peasant rebels who'd nearly killed her?
The Changin Escort Agency and we were discussing from all angles.
This afternoon, their chief would visit headquarters for more talks.
I understood them, honestly.
They'd done it to survive.
But harming others wasn't right.