The Escapee (6)
“Eek! What in the world is going on?”
Palgap cried out in surprise upon seeing our group return to the campsite with the rescued prisoners.
“Th-there’s more than one of them?”
“It’s a long story. First, boil some porridge.”
“Got it.”
Palgap hurriedly filled the pot with water and set it over the campfire.
He gathered the remaining ingredients and began preparing the porridge.
In the meantime, we seated or laid down the rescued individuals in front of the fire.
Meanwhile, the escapee knelt before his still-unconscious master, wracked with anguish.
I quietly approached Physician Jeok Ui-hwa and asked,
“Physician, you said earlier that this man was poisoned, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“I’m much younger than you, so please speak freely.”
At my words, Jeok Ui-hwa nodded readily.
“Very well.”
“And everyone else is older than me as well, so feel free to treat me casually.”
They all nodded agreeably at my suggestion.
I asked Jeok Ui-hwa again,
“What kind of poison is affecting him?”
“I’m not entirely sure. I’m no expert on poisons, so I could only tell it affects the muscles. They must have had a hard time dragging him to the prison; they barely subdued him with that toxin.”
“Is there an antidote...?”
“I asked the prison guards, but they didn’t seem to know either.”
Well, what would the lowly guards know anyway.
Fortunately, I could neutralize the poison.
But now that we’d brought everyone here, I couldn’t just do it recklessly.
If word got out that I could detoxify poisons, it would spell trouble—not just annoyance, but real danger for me and the Seolpung Palace survivors.
I’d learned the ones who wiped out Seolpung Palace were the Blood Cult, but I had no idea where their remnants were lurking or in what form.
Still, familiarity breeds affection. I’d grown somewhat fond of the escapee.
Seeing him suffer like this tugged at my heartstrings.
It felt wrong to keep watching, yet turning away left a bad taste.
Sigh, no helping it. Dodging like this is my specialty anyway.
Tap tap.
Just then, Geum-ryeong tapped my arm with its front paw from inside my sleeve.
Huh?
Come to think of it, it hadn’t been there moments ago. When did it get back?
—What is it, Geum-ryeong?
—Kkwi! Kkwi!
—Hm? You’ve got something for me?
I tilted my head and reached into my sleeve.
What’s this?
I pulled out what it had given me and couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.
Geum-ryeong had handed me a spirit herb called Mudo Grass, renowned for neutralizing nearly any poison—hence its title, the King of Detoxifying Herbs.
It was said to completely eradicate any poison once ingested, earning its name.
—Wait, how did you get this?
Geum-ryeong puffed up proudly at my question.
—Kkwi! Kkwi-it! Kku!
Ah... so it’s a breadwinner spirit beast too?
Right, right. You’re more than capable of pulling your weight!
—Kkwi! Kku!
So this time, it wants gold coins instead of silver? And it’s been feeling weak lately, needs some nourishing?
—Alright, got it.
After such a meritorious deed, that much was only fair.
I approached Jeok Ui-hwa with the Mudo Grass.
“Physician, will this do for the antidote?”
“Heavens! Isn’t this Mudo Grass?”
As expected of Physician Jeok Ui-hwa.
Even without poison expertise, he recognized it instantly.
“Yes.”
“How does someone like you have such a rare treasure?”
“I keep it for emergencies.”
“It looks freshly harvested.”
Sharp as ever.
“Our merchant group specializes in herbs. Keeping them this fresh is basic.”
I continued,
“And with my group’s master hovering between life and death, I’d say this qualifies as an emergency.”
Overhearing us, the escapee’s eyes widened as he asked,
“B-Brother, you’re using something so precious... for our master?”
I nodded.
“No matter how valuable, it’s worth less than a human life.”
“Brother!”
I patted the tearful escapee.
“This isn’t the time for tears. Save that strength for something else. You can cry later.”
Jeok Ui-hwa nodded in agreement.
“He’s right. Your tears would only trouble your master’s heart.”
“Sniff... Understood.”
Soon, Jeok Ui-hwa liquefied the Mudo Grass and fed it to the escapee’s master.
His specialty was external injuries, but that didn’t mean he was clueless elsewhere.
Moments later, after taking the pulse, he nodded.
“The poison’s neutralized. Mudo Grass lives up to its name.”
As expected of the King of Detoxifying Herbs.
Thanks to it, I saved the escapee’s master without using my Taeeum Ice Sea Divine Art.
—Kkwi!
—Yeah, thanks to you. Gold coins next time. Situation’s a bit off right now. You get it, right?
—Kkwi-it!
Geum-ryeong had mentioned earlier that it smelled money underground.
I carefully assessed the rescued group.
Master Yoon was from a prominent family, with a reward of five hundred silver taels.
The others were notable figures too; they wouldn’t let us go empty-handed.
The escapee’s master was wealthy as well.
No wonder Geum-ryeong smelled money.
“It’s ready!”
Palgap announced the porridge was done and ladled it into bowls for everyone.
“It’s hot. Eat slowly.”
“Gulp it down and you’ll burn your mouth or get indigestion—big trouble after being rescued. How unfair would it be not to see your families?”
Everyone nodded at Palgap’s words.
“We’ll eat gratefully.”
“Thank you.”
As they slowly savored the porridge, tears began to flow.
Only now did the reality of their rescue from the prison sink in...
“Sniff! It’s too delicious.”
“Damn! Why’s simple porridge taste this good?”
Ah, they’re crying over how tasty it is.
I took a spoonful myself and immediately understood.
“Palgap, why’s this so damn good?”
“I-Is it? Heh heh heh.”
Palgap through and through.
What would I do without him?
As we ate and rested, Yeo Eung-am Warrior came running from afar.
“My lord! I’ve carried out your orders.”
“Good work. How did it go?”
“An emergency meeting was held, and the Murim Alliance’s Tiger Justice Squad is en route.”
“Perfect.”
I grinned.
Tiger Justice Squad.
One of the Murim Alliance’s armed units, named for their tiger-like decisiveness against evil.
And their captain was the Alliance Leader’s confidant.
Someone from behind chimed in,
“Sending the Tiger Justice Squad against Black Cat Sect? Isn’t that overkill?”
“It proves how seriously the Alliance Leader views this incident.”
And how anxious he is.
He needed them wiped out fast.
Writing in the letter to the Alliance Leader about requesting imperial support had worked wonders.
I hadn’t actually requested it.
Just wrote that I had.
I mobilized the Murim Alliance because this was clearly their doing, but without hard evidence.
I could find proof, but the risks outweighed the gains.
Handling Black Cat Sect myself wasn’t ideal either.
So I devised a way for the Leader to clean up his own mess.
They’d invested time and money; losing it all must sting.
But as Leader, he had no choice.
The Emperor was always waiting for a chance to rein in the Alliance.
Getting caught by him would be disastrous.
Heh, serves him right.
I chuckled inwardly.
And there was another reason I orchestrated this.
A rift.
The Leader ruthlessly eliminating his own favored pawn would create cracks.
Even a single ant can breach a dam.
No fortress is immune to fissures.
Dust gathers into mountains; petty vendettas accumulate into grand revenge.
A short while later.
The Tiger Justice Squad arrived at our location.
“Whoa, whoa!”
A man dismounted his horse.
It was the Tiger Justice Squad captain I’d met before.
I approached and offered a respectful fist salute.
“Eun Seo-ho here. Honored to meet a hero of the Murim Alliance.”
“Hahaha! Hero? You’re the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament!”
“You flatter me. Compared to your renowned name, I’m but a firefly to the sun.”
“Excessive humility isn’t polite. Anyway, are those the ones you rescued?”
“Yes.”
“How did you come to save them?”
Tension flickered in his eyes. Whether I’d known and sought them out or stumbled upon them mattered.
“Truth be told, it started with this mushroom.”
“A mushroom?”
“Yes.”
I showed it to him and explained,
“This grows on old willow trees that love water. But my servant picked it from a dry area, piquing my curiosity.”
I recounted the facts as they were.
“While searching the source, I heard groans and cries for help. How could I ignore that? During the search, I found a rock.”
“A rock?”
“Yes. Smoke was seeping from a crevice.”
A lie.
No smoke, but I couldn’t explain Hyun-ro-do guiding me.
“Inside, I found suspicious men holding people in a prison. I subdued them, and the captives were the reported missing.”
“I see.”
“Yes. Locking healthy people in a cave without proper food—what scum. Right?”
“Ahem, y-yes.”
The captain cleared his throat and nodded.
“Letting such villains roam the empire freely—makes you curse.”
“...”
An awkward expression.
His superior was behind it, after all.
“Don’t worry. We’ll handle Black Cat Sect.”
“Thank you.”
“That aside, I’d like to ask your rescues a few questions.”
“Go ahead.”
He approached them.
“I’m Captain Geon Man-seok of the Tiger Justice Squad. You’ve endured much. We’re here to eradicate Black Cat Sect. Does anyone know why you were imprisoned?”
They all shook their heads.
“Sorry, I have no idea why I was locked up.”
“That’s what I’m curious about.”
“If we knew, we wouldn’t feel so wronged!”
Their outrage left even the captain flustered.
I smirked.
In truth, I’d hinted at this beforehand.
“The captain will surely ask for details. Say too much, and you might get summoned by the Alliance.”
They could erase evidence again.
“Hm... Makes sense.”
“Besides, I’ve no desire to cooperate with them now.”
The others nodded.
From what they’d overheard in prison, they’d grown suspicious of the Alliance.
Survival to that age in murim meant keen insight.
“So I suggest playing dumb. What can they do if you don’t know?”
“Right.”
“You want to see your families now, not waste time on investigations, don’t you?”
“You’re right.”
And so they agreed to stonewall.
Wow, great unity.
“Understood. We’ll do our utmost to uncover why you were imprisoned.”
“Please do.”
The captain headed to his men with a sour look.
That afternoon.
Black Cat Sect burned entirely.
“They’re vile, wicked dark path scum! Show no mercy!”
“Yes, sir!”
Captain Geon Man-seok’s shout drew a resounding response, and his squad mercilessly struck down the sect disciples.
“Sp-Spare me! Gahk!”
“Aaaagh!”
The Tiger Justice Squad was relentless, and Black Cat Sect’s existence faded away.
The captain headed to the sect leader’s office.
Slash!
The door shattered in one stroke as he kicked it open.
“Gasp!”
The man grabbing valuables turned in shock, then rage.
“You bastard! You tricked me! You said the prison escapees were out, so do nothing and stay put!”
“Regrettable.”
The captain smirked and pierced the leader’s heart.
“Kk!”
“We needed you still to erase the evidence easily.”
“You son of a...”
Thud.
The Black Cat Sect leader collapsed without finishing, and the captain sneered vilely.
But no one there knew.
Someone hanging from the ceiling watched it all.