Chapter 557. The Test (5)
That reaction...
He knew. The ones who tried to take him out last time were from the Baegcheon Merchant Group, a subsidiary of the Murim Alliance.
He must have figured it out by investigating based on the hints I casually dropped.
They really have a tight grip on Shandong Province.
I let out a smirk.
"You already know about me, yet you ask anyway."
And there was no way they hadn't looked into me.
It's ruthless, but that's reality.
From my position, it might even work in my favor.
Besides, to be honest, our Eunhae Merchant Group investigates other merchants' people too, so it's only fair.
"A person's situation can change at any time."
"That's true. But with orders from the Alliance Leader himself, how could I not obey?"
I continued.
"You know as well as I do—there are places in this empire where merchants shouldn't overstep."
"The imperial palace... and the Murim Alliance."
"Hah, yes."
At the same time, I let out a sigh and sent him a sound transmission.
—I'm swamped as it is. What the hell is this?
He looked flustered for a moment before composing himself and bowing his head.
"To even think that for a second! My apologies."
"It's fine."
I waved it off with a smile.
Come to think of it, Young Master Ho-kyung was the next-in-line heir to the Baegyeom Merchant Group, which dominated this Shandong region.
"If you're not too busy, would you care for some tea?"
"Of course."
.
.
.
After meeting Young Master Ho-kyung, I returned to the Cheongsan Inn, had dinner, rested a bit, and went to bed.
I needed to sleep soundly—tomorrow, I'd be running around nonstop.
The next morning, we set off for Mount Tai.
The sect we were heading to was called the Nine Rocks Sect, located midway up the mountain.
As Team Leader Won explained, the name referred to nine rocks, and they were said to excel in lightness skill and fist techniques from navigating Mount Tai.
"Their sect leader received a favor from the Alliance Leader. That's why he's safeguarding the Golden Buddha Statue at his request."
"Is it a major sect?"
"No, not really. It's more of a mid-sized one."
"Then why are they guarding such a precious item?"
"You'll see when we get there."
We began our ascent of Mount Tai, and soon enough, I understood what Team Leader Won meant.
"Huff, huff, huff."
The team members gasping for breath.
The rugged terrain of Mount Tai was truly grueling.
"That's why we left the horses at the inn."
"Exactly. Haha."
Team Leader Won continued.
"The Nine Rocks Sect's name also implies you have to cross nine rocky peaks. Even if someone stole the Golden Buddha Statue, this sect that treats Mount Tai like their backyard would catch them in no time—and they'd suffer greatly for it."
"It's definitely that treacherous. But this isn't your first time here."
"Yes, I came once before."
This guy's holding up way better than the team members.
"Aren't you tired?"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm from the Hwasan Origin Sect, where Mount Hwasan is our backyard."
Pride in his sect.
He wasn't even winded, so his claim didn't seem like boasting.
Is this why the Alliance Leader sent him?
"Even the Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop seems to have good stamina."
"Stamina is the foundation of any warrior. I don't skip training."
"Your guards don't look fatigued at all either. But..."
He glanced back and clicked his tongue.
"Tch. I told them not to neglect their stamina training, but their love for playtime is showing now."
"They'll realize it eventually."
Doesn't seem to like his team much?
I probed a bit.
"The team members don't listen well, huh?"
"Sigh, what's the point of talking?"
Whether he had pent-up frustration with them or trusted me, he spilled it out.
"They're all spoiled brats from their clans. Why would they listen to me?"
"Must be tough."
I said that while smirking inwardly.
Cracks are showing.
Crossing nine rocky peaks was no easy feat.
We'd left in the morning but couldn't reach the Nine Rocks Sect and had to camp midway.
The harsh path had eaten up too much time.
Of course, if it had just been me and my group, we'd have been faster, but the team members' stamina was the issue.
They were so exhausted they couldn't even prepare camp.
Thought this would be easy, but no such luck.
Did the Alliance Leader assign this to screw them over?
But there was no reason for him to do that.
Man, the weather's colder than expected.
Shandong isn't a hot region to begin with, and Mount Tai's altitude makes it worse.
Camping without a fire might mean freezing to death.
No choice.
"Palgap."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Let's make a bonfire. Dealing with frozen corpses would be a bigger headache."
"Got it."
So we lit a fire for them and even prepared dinner.
"Th-thank you so much."
"We'll never forget this kindness."
Their eyes and expressions were completely different from a few days ago.
We safely passed the night, and early the next morning, we headed for the Nine Rocks Sect again.
But the team members were still struggling, and Team Leader Won looked displeased.
"We need to hurry if we want to arrive on time."
"I know, but what can we do about being tired?"
"Climbing mountains isn't our strong suit."
"Not everyone climbs like you, Team Leader. Give us a break."
I smirked inwardly.
No respect for the team leader in their eyes.
They're like a bag of flour—falling apart at the seams.
Thanks to constant prodding, we finally spotted the sect gate.
"Phew, we're almost there."
Someone from the sect gate must have seen us and came running our way.
Thud!
Whoosh.
Navigating the treacherous path like flat ground, with a light landing to boot.
Not just any sect.
They cupped their fists in greeting.
"We greet the great heroes of the Murim Alliance."
"Welcome to the Nine Rocks Sect."
Team Leader Won-eop responded on our behalf.
"Thank you for the warm welcome. I am Won-eop, Sixth Team Leader of the Murim Alliance's Dragon Fang Division. Beside me is the Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop and his entourage, and behind are my team members."
"Disciple Geon-gu."
"Disciple Sang-yeon."
Geon-gu continued.
"I'll guide you. Follow me."
Thus, we followed Disciple Geon-gu past the sect gate and into the grounds.
"Please wait a moment. We'll escort the two of you to the reception hall."
My group waited in the courtyard while Team Leader Won and I headed to the reception hall.
As we sat sipping tea, I sensed someone approaching.
Remarkably pure energy.
Not common to sense energy this refined.
Soon the door opened, and an elderly man entered.
Team Leader Won quickly stood and cupped his fists.
"Sixth Team Leader of the Murim Alliance Dragon Fang Division greets the Sect Leader."
Ah, so he's the Sect Leader.
I did the same.
"Eunhae Merchant Group Branch Head Eun Seo-ho greets the Sect Leader."
"I am Hyeon-am, Sect Leader of the Nine Rocks Sect. Please, sit."
"Thank you."
We sat back down, and the Sect Leader asked me.
"I heard the Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop was coming, so why introduce yourself as a merchant?"
I smiled in response.
"I feel I'm not yet worthy of the title Seonhyeopmirang."
"Hm, I see..."
"You can scold me for my lack of boldness, and I'd have no defense."
He shook his head at my words.
"No. What right do I have to scold you? I was just curious."
He smiled as he said it, but I couldn't yet read the meaning behind it.
"Anyway."
The Sect Leader turned to Team Leader Won.
"What brings you all this way?"
"Not on my own accord—on the Alliance Leader's orders. He commanded us to retrieve the Golden Buddha Statue you're safeguarding."
"That Golden Buddha Statue?"
"Yes. Here's the Alliance Leader's letter."
He pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it over.
The Sect Leader read it, nodded, and tucked it away.
"If that Golden Buddha Statue will protect many people, it's a fine thing."
"Indeed."
"Understood. I'll have it prepared for you to take. Rest well tonight."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I'll have quarters prepared."
We left the reception hall and joined my group in the courtyard, then were led to the guesthouse.
After washing up and having dinner, I stepped outside for a moment.
A full moon hung in the sky, and the view below from up here was stunning.
Night's like this—daytime must be even better.
No wonder Mount Tai inspires countless poets.
That said... I felt a bit confused.
Because of Seo Hyang Sojeo's advice.
The Sect Leader I saw didn't seem like the type, so what was going on?
I need to see the real Golden Buddha Statue first.
The next day.
After breakfast, Team Leader Won and I answered the Sect Leader's summons and entered deeper into the sect.
We waited briefly, and then the Sect Leader appeared.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, not at all."
"This way."
He led us to a hall with a peculiar structure, built using a massive rock as its wall.
"The Golden Buddha Statue is here."
A rectangular outline like a door was etched into the rock.
But no handle—how do you open it?
"Hup!"
The Sect Leader gathered energy in his palm and thrust it toward the rock.
The rock pulled out as if stuck to his hand.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Fist techniques are their specialty—Vacuum Palm.
The Sect Leader set aside the rock slab that served as the lid and reached inside.
He soon withdrew his hand, holding the Golden Buddha Statue.
About twice the size of a human face.
Smaller than I'd expected.
"Here it is."
"Thank you."
Team Leader Won took it.
I was slightly puzzled why a Daoist sect was guarding a Buddhist statue, but it wasn't a big deal.
"Many are after that statue, so be careful."
"Yes, we will."
With the statue in hand, we left the hall.
"So, we depart now?"
"Yes. After resupplying, we'll head out immediately."
As we talked and headed toward the guesthouse, one of Team Leader Won's team members came running.
"Team Leader!"
"What is it?"
"We have a problem."
"Problem?"
"Some team members haven't woken up yet."
"Haven't woken up? What do you mean?"
"I... I don't know exactly."
I raised my hand and said to him.
"Mind if I take a look?"
"Of course. Please do."
Perhaps because I'd safely detoxed his abdominal pain before, he accepted without hesitation.
I headed straight to the team member's room and approached the warrior lying on the bed.
I pretended to take his pulse.
In truth, it was my doing that this warrior and a few others were unconscious.
I'd slipped them sleeping pills last night.
The emperor had given me some to put the sailors arriving at the port to sleep, and a bit was left.
They wouldn't wake for about three days.
The ones who'd seemed the most exhausted from lack of stamina yesterday—I dosed them so they'd rest properly.
I put on a grave expression.
"This might be a contagious disease."
"What?"
"A contagious disease?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"I've heard of a sudden-onset illness like this before, where victims lose consciousness."
"What? A contagious disease!"
The Sect Leader had followed us at some point.
"Yes. To be safe, we should hold off descending the mountain."
"Indeed. If it spreads to a village, the damage could be huge."
"I'll keep monitoring. If they wake safely in a few days without symptoms, we can relax."
Team Leader Won frowned and said.
"Sigh, alright."
He then cupped his fists to the Sect Leader.
"Given the situation, please allow us to stay a few more days."
"Of course. You can't move sick people. Stay as long as needed."
After handling that, we stepped outside.
Seeing Team Leader Won head to the other team members, I approached the Sect Leader.
"Sect Leader, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why did you hand over a fake Golden Buddha Statue?"
"What are you talking about?"
I smirked at his feigned ignorance.
"I'm the branch head of a merchant group called great enough to be dubbed tycoons. I have a good eye for valuables."
"..."
That's right.
The Golden Buddha Statue the Sect Leader gave us was a fake.
That was Seo Hyang Sojeo's advice to me.
"That Golden Buddha Statue... it's a fake."
If I'd taken the fake to the Alliance Leader, it would've been a disaster.
But sensing there was a reason, I delayed departure by putting a few team members to sleep.
I asked the Sect Leader again.
"What's the reason?"