Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 22
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 22
Since he had noticed, there was no point in hiding it.
In this situation, not saying anything would be even stranger.
‘It would be better to speak up.’
Telling everything would be too much.
He couldn’t tell Old Man Jang everything about what he had done at dawn that had thrown Hangzhou into chaos.
Not because he didn’t trust him, but out of concern.
Some appropriate editing was necessary.
“Actually, we do need people with martial power to protect the medical clinic.”
“You’re saying what’s needed is martial power?”
“Yes. You remember the Donghwa Guild, don’t you?”
“Of course. I was there when they came by.”
He started with the Donghwa Guild incident.
Old Man Jang had been present when the guild members came.
The old man also knew well that the matter was related to tribute money.
“If we pay tribute to those guys, it might be convenient for now. But I don’t like the idea.”
“Hehe. You’re worried about being dragged around by them?”
“Honestly, yes. Is it because I’m not from Hangzhou?”
“Usually paying tribute is the end of it. But in truth, anyone would feel that way, not just you, Physician.”
“That’s why I felt we needed martial power.”
“I understand. Even if it costs more to hire people right away, you want to protect yourself?”
“That’s right. Entrusting my medical clinic to others doesn’t suit my temperament at all.”
“Hehe. You’re choosing a difficult path.”
Not wanting to entrust the medical clinic to others.
Old Man Jang seemed to empathize with those words as he nodded.
‘Since I’ve come this far, should I finish it up?’
Having said this much, Old Man Jang would think Jung Myeong had told him everything.
With a hopeful heart, he asked.
“So I want to hire people, but there’s something that really bothers me.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. There was that incident with the broker before, wasn’t there?”
“Ah… that incident!”
“Yes. So I wonder if I can find trustworthy people.”
“Trustworthy people…”
The question about trustworthy people.
Old Man Jang also showed signs of contemplation.
He had to ask just in case.
But it would certainly be difficult for Old Man Jang to find an answer too.
‘Of course it would be difficult.’
He had only spoken this far because the old man had hit the core with his wisdom.
Jung Myeong himself didn’t think Old Man Jang would be able to introduce someone with martial power.
Old Man Jang wasn’t a martial artist either.
How could an ordinary person like him know a way to bring someone with martial power?
Just as Jung Myeong was about to relieve the burden.
The old man’s mouth opened first.
“If you want a martial artist, how about this?”
“Hmm? You have a method?”
“There’s one place, isn’t there? Neither a sect nor a guild. But a trustworthy place without scoundrels.”
“Where is that?”
“That place is…”
Old Man Jang pointed out a place he had never thought of.
* * *
‘Is this the wisdom of life?’
Old Man Jang. He had pointed out a place Jung Myeong had never thought of.
It was a key point that Jung Myeong hadn’t considered.
“I never even thought of this place.”
And so the unexpected place Jung Myeong now stood before.
That place was none other than an escort agency.
[Baekyang Escort Agency]
While brokers handled all sorts of odd jobs.
And various guilds helped mediate wandering warriors.
This escort agency was a more serious place than those.
‘Even I only thought about transporting goods.’
The work of escort agencies also included protection services.
Old Man Jang had hit right on that point.
His reasoning was also exceptional.
-Most wandering warriors aren’t trustworthy, are they?
-That’s right.
-Actually, places like the Donghwa Guild do provide protection too. But they’re hard to trust.
-Exactly.
-Compared to them, I’ve heard escort agencies are different. Especially Baekyang Escort Agency is even more so.
-Why is that place different?
-From what I heard through rumors, it’s not an escort agency established by someone from Hangzhou.
-An outsider then? That couldn’t have been easy.
-About thirty years ago, I think. They came in when Hangzhou was in chaos due to Sea Horn stirring up trouble. I heard they were sent by the Namgung Family. Though a branch family, they’re still Namgung, aren’t they? They might just share the same surname, so confirmation would be needed…
-But you’re recommending them believing it’s true, right?
-That’s correct.
-Then I should go see them right away.
Originally not a force of Hangzhou, but the Namgung Noble House.
An escort agency established by them.
Even if they’ve been settled for thirty years, they’re different from the natives.
Unlike other forces in Hangzhou, they seemed trustworthy.
‘If it’s truly a place connected to the Namgung, at least other forces would have kept them in check rather than joining hands with them.’
Though Murim changes according to interests.
Still, Orthodox Sects care about their reputation, which made them even better.
This was why Jung Myeong came here directly.
Though it was long after sunset.
The entrance of the escort agency was bustling rather than quiet.
There seemed to be many people coming and going, suggesting various commissions.
Jung Myeong approached what appeared to be a gatekeeper guarding the entrance.
“Have you come for an escort agency commission?”
“That’s correct.”
“You’re a client of the escort agency then. Please come this way.”
He was able to enter inside without difficulty.
* * *
The escort agency he entered after being guided.
‘The system is better organized than I thought.’
There are several notable people.
Their skills also seem decent.
Well, it’s an escort agency created by someone who’s practically an outsider.
If their skills weren’t good, it would have collapsed long ago.
It’s an understandable aspect.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
“Is it alright for you to leave without asking who I am or what I need?”
“It’s not within my authority… And I already know who you are. You’re the one called the Divine Physician in the west, aren’t you?”
“That’s just a name heard occasionally at Market Street.”
“Haha. At least to me, you’re truly the Divine Physician.”
“Pardon?”
“When I was away, you treated my child, Physician.”
“Oh my… Did I do that?”
“I heard that when I was out on a commission, the child had a severe cold. You know well, don’t you, Physician? Even a cold can be fatal to a child.”
“Colds are quite prevalent these days.”
“Thanks to you, I heard the child recovered quickly. Haha. So to me, you’re the Divine Physician.”
“I only did what needed to be done. Such gilded titles as Divine Physician…”
“I’ve seen many people who couldn’t even do that basic duty while traveling around as an escort.”
“Hmm…”
So he was an escort.
Who would have thought I’d have such a connection with an escort.
I wondered why they treated me like an honored guest from the beginning.
It might not just be due to their system, but because of his connection that they’re treating me well.
Either way, it wasn’t bad for Jung Myeong.
“Well, first let me bring someone over. If this drags on longer, won’t your commission be delayed too, Divine Physician?”
“That’s quite right, but just that title Divine Physician…”
“Then, please wait a moment.”
The escort didn’t drag it out longer.
He left the reception room.
Not long after, a new person entered.
“I am Namgung Yeon, the second child of Baekyang Escort Agency. It’s an honor to meet the Divine Physician.”
* * *
‘The surname Namgung? She must be direct lineage of this escort agency’s master.’
An escort agency presumed to be established by a branch of the Namgung.
Moreover, even a branch of the Namgung isn’t someone to be ignored.
Among martial artists of noble houses, there are many with high reputation even if they’re from branch families.
The master of this escort agency is the same.
Just surviving in Hangzhou, a territory of Evil Sects, proves their outstanding ability.
To ignore the direct lineage of such a person would be madness.
[Using Skill: Analysis.]
[Analysis result confirms Peak Expert level.]
‘Already Peak level. Indeed strong.’
Namgung Yeon as seen by Jung Myeong.
She was his age.
Yet her level was already Peak.
I heard that martial artists from decent noble houses eventually reach Peak level given time.
But at that age, it wasn’t common.
Especially among women like Namgung Yeon, it’s even rarer.
Considering that.
‘It means the family is taking special care in raising her. Or she possesses exceptional martial talent.’
Whether it was the former or the latter didn’t matter.
Either way, she was an outstanding individual.
Jung Myeong tightened his guard.
“I am Jung Myeong, who runs a small medical clinic.”
“Escort Song earnestly instructed us to serve you well, calling you a divine physician.”
So that escort from earlier was surnamed Song.
And the fact that he had earnestly instructed them meant.
‘Either Escort Song holds a higher position than I thought. Or the people in the escort agency have closer relationships than expected. And they listen to him carefully.’
Either way seemed fine.
It was worth coming here on Old Man Jang’s recommendation.
However, the direction of this conversation was somewhat concerning.
“Divine physician is just an empty title. It’s a nickname that will disappear once the empty fame fades, so please don’t mind it.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Hmm…”
“From what we can see, we don’t think that’s the case?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
It felt like unnecessary flattery.
Because of this, Jung Myeong’s wariness was growing.
In contrast, Namgung Yeon showed confidence.
“Do you have some information you’ve heard?”
“To run an escort agency, one must place eyes and ears everywhere.”
“Eyes and ears?”
“From small things like market scoundrels to the major forces controlling Hangzhou. Even beyond the city walls. An escort agency can barely survive only by keeping watch that far.”
“And I caught the attention of those eyes?”
“Yes. Coincidentally.”
“You’re not denying it or pretending you didn’t see. What’s your reason for telling me this so easily?”
“Can’t one glimpse ability through information gathering alone?”
“A demonstration of capability, then.”
“That’s right.”
“Interesting.”
“I’m glad it pleases you.”
“This doesn’t seem like a matter of personal preference. Hmm…”
Had she revealed it to demonstrate capability?
To call it youthful recklessness.
‘Her eyes are clear. She seems to have a purpose with me.’
Namgung Yeon’s eyes showed neither pride nor a hint of arrogance.
She had brought out the information because it was needed.
And so she had conveyed it – that was the atmosphere.
“It’s somewhat unexpected that you’d demonstrate capability to this extent just because I made a request.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it’s not worth that much.”
“You’re being too modest.”
“Let’s call it knowing reality rather than modesty.”
Jung Myeong subtly drew the atmosphere toward himself.
And then he asked.
“From what I can see, you don’t seem like someone who moves without reason.”
“That’s correct.”
“You want something from me.”
“That’s also correct.”
As expected.
The answer to his question wasn’t to his liking.
It was an escort agency that seemed organized and capable.
‘I like this part.’
However.
He didn’t like that they needed something from him.
He had come to make a request.
Not to receive one.
“Well, I came to make a request but might end up receiving one instead. I’m sorry, but…”
Just as he was about to refuse.
Namgung Yeon quickly interjected.
“Please hear me out to the end. If my assessment of your situation is correct, this could be a proposal that’s not bad for either of us.”
“A proposal that’s not bad.”
“It will be a good story for both of us. Would you at least listen once?”
“If it’s just listening for now… very well.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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