Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 81

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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 81

 

 

There were no stories of Japanese pirates causing trouble in Hangzhou.

Even for Jung Myeong, it was strange that the Japanese pirates who were just below weren’t in Hangzhou.

He had wondered why that was.

Now he understood.

He had wondered why the government didn’t subdue them but left them be.

 

‘So the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians has the Jusan Archipelago in between.’

 

Without needing to project the government’s insufficient power all the way outside, they let the archipelago block the Japanese enemies.

The price for this was turning a blind eye to smuggling to some extent.

It was an exquisite balance he hadn’t thought of.

At the same time, it was a well-orchestrated scheme.

 

‘Whether they absorb the Japanese as proof or kill them. Either way, as long as there’s no damage, the government doesn’t care.’

 

The special nature of that archipelago was also explained. As was how they survived.

Moreover, in addition to this.

 

“In any case, after various circumstances, we have more Quanzhen Secret Arts than any other island in the archipelago.”

“You mean Quanzhen Secret Arts, not Bota Gate?”

“This was the first place where a branch office was established. Why else would there be a training ground on this island? We received more martial arts in exchange for managing it. In fact, it’s also because the originally existing branch office was on this island.”

“I see…”

“But it’s not everything.”

“Then?”

“Even though we received martial arts in exchange for guarding the branch office’s site, we didn’t become complete disciples of the Quanzhen Sect. We couldn’t become inner disciples, so think of us as lay disciples.”

“Lay disciples. I understand.”

 

He now understood how they came to possess Quanzhen teachings.

It was the result of various special circumstances and coincidences.

 

“I’m telling you this because it’s you. Actually, we couldn’t enter that training ground.”

“For what reason?”

“Honestly, it’s not that we didn’t try.”

 

Ju Tae-gong was more honest than necessary.

It wasn’t incomprehensible that they would try.

Seol Mae-geom seemed a bit irritated.

Hadn’t the Quanzhen Sect, the owner of this cavern, collapsed?

It wasn’t strange to target an ownerless place and try to enter.

Meanwhile, they had connections at the level of lay disciples.

They weren’t lacking in justification either.

 

“We couldn’t break through.”

“It’s not that you didn’t try, but you failed. Is that it?”

“That’s right. We just saw it open once every twelve years.”

“Once every twelve years…”

“We roughly know the timing. Otherwise, how could we have been here at exactly the right time while managing many islands? It couldn’t have been by chance. Hehe…”

“I understand.”

 

So they were waiting because they knew when it would open in advance.

Then it made sense how they happened to be here at exactly the right time.

 

‘It wasn’t coincidence, but timed to when the cavern opens.’

 

Jung Myeong thought he understood everything.

But here, Yeo Eun-so, who had been quietly listening to the situation from the side, suddenly expressed surprise.

 

“Twelve years!? We were definitely told it opens every thirty-six years!”

“Heh… Do you think you’re all there are?”

“Are there other disciples? I hadn’t thought of this?”

“Hehe… The surviving remnants of the Quanzhen Sect also had no choice in order to survive. No, to continue the True Transmission. To avoid ‘their’ eyes… No, you probably don’t need to know this much.”

“Hmm?”

 

Them. There was definitely something hidden.

However, Ju Tae-gong didn’t seem inclined to say more here.

 

‘Even what he just said wasn’t a mistake. He deliberately let this slip too.’

 

There was no reason to waste more time.

 

“Could you at least tell us who they are?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Ah…”

“We too were able to continue the True Transmission because we kept secrets. Hehe…”

“That’s difficult.”

“I can’t stop you from finding out on your own. Just remember that there’s a twelve-year gap.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Twelve years. Using that difference, there weren’t completely no clues.

 

‘There probably aren’t many martial artists coming and going to the Jusan Archipelago. If I examine those with connections by cycle… there should be plenty of ways to find them.’

 

Yeo Eun-so seemed to have the same thought as Jung Myeong, just nodding and maintaining silence.

 

“I think I’ve conveyed everything I needed to. Actually, it was more than necessary.”

“I can only express my gratitude repeatedly.”

“Hehe… The results weren’t bad, so I’m satisfied too!”

 

The results weren’t bad.

Was it a satisfactory result for Ju Tae-gong as well?

Well, his granddaughter had properly regained consciousness, so that was understandable.

 

“That’s fortunate.”

“By the way, I would have let you go even without the proof. Heh… The best isn’t always the greatest, isn’t it?”

“I’ll take that to heart as well.”

“This old man seems to have kept you too long with unnecessary talk. Anyway…”

“Do you have more to say?”

“Since I’ve explained both the reason and the secret, I suppose I should gradually keep the promise from the previous generation?”

“Pardon?”

“A promise from the previous generation?”

 

Was there some agreement that even Yeo Eun-so didn’t know about?

The two could hardly collect their thoughts at what followed.

 

“Take that child along as well.”

“Grandfather?”

“It’s a promise passed down from the previous generation. There’s no helping it, is there?”

“Then before…”

“Before, those people were hard to trust. Hehe… These ones look just right for keeping promises. Go and see many things, learn, and return. Trust this old man’s eyes.”

“…”

 

To think he would use the previous generation’s promise as an excuse to send Ju In-hye away.

Wasn’t she the granddaughter he cherished like a precious jewel?

Ju Tae-gong revealed his true intentions as if there was nothing to hide.

 

“Of course, it would be even better if you treat her to the end.”

“Ha. Isn’t this what you were aiming for?”

“Well. I’m not sure about that. It’s a connection from the previous generation, so you wouldn’t neglect it, would you? Hehe.”

“…Don’t you often hear that you’re cunning?”

“They say I’m called Ju Tae-gong because I fish well.”

“Oh my…”

 

Ju Tae-gong.

So that’s what it meant.

 

‘Not one who fishes for time, but one who fishes for people.’

 

He truly was a cunning old man to the very end.

It seemed he had grasped Jung Myeong’s character of not being able to retreat when there was a patient.

 

‘He’s sending her knowing I’ll treat her to the end.’

 

He was clearly planning to establish a connection with Jung Myeong while he was at it.

 

‘This will have repercussions.’

 

How would the Hangzhou Martial World interpret this movement?

It was something to watch.

However, Jung Myeong found it hard to deliberate further.

 

[By the way.]

[Please speak.]

[That child was born with divine power. She’s bound to have a connection with Jeon Jin, isn’t she?]

[Huh…]

[It’s truly a mysterious connection. Keep it to yourself.]

 

He had ended up hearing something unexpected.

 

‘…This is… divine power?’

 

He was also known to possess divine power.

But it wasn’t actual divine power, was it?

Yet here emerges someone who possesses divine power.

And a woman who has a connection with Jeon Jin at that?

 

‘Is it coincidence? Is it fate? I can’t tell right now, but…’

 

It seemed certain that woman was also entangled in something.

Since fate had brought them together like this, he couldn’t just pretend not to know.

 

“…If you permit it, may she accompany us?”

“Let’s go together.”

 

Ju In-hye of the Jusan Archipelago would be accompanying them.

 

 

* * *

 

 

When they came out to the ferry terminal, there was an unwelcome face.

 

“Have you returned?”

 

It was Blood Hand Dog.

He who had been tied up seemed free now, as if he had been released in the meantime.

 

“You look well? How were you released?”

“The Physician vouched for me, so they let me go.”

“My, it’s all thanks to me.”

“Haha. How shameless.”

“Hey, calling your life’s savior shameless.”

“…Hahaha.”

 

Blood Hand Dog tried to brush off Jung Myeong’s claim of credit with an awkward laugh.

 

‘This fellow, this makes me want to tease him more?’

 

It had started as a joke.

But Blood Hand Dog had a history of acting as a broker and trying to steal precious gold ingots.

As if proving that the word “dog” wasn’t attached to his name for nothing.

He was trying to slip through the situation as easily as a snake crossing a wall.

This only made Jung Myeong more provoked.

 

“Savior, aren’t I? By the way, this is still the Jusan Archipelago?”

“Ahem. That’s right. It’s thanks to you, Physician. Oh my. You are my savior.”

“Then I’ll collect the payment later?”

 

When he insisted on paying a price, Blood Hand Dog’s expression crumpled.

 

“What? A price? You must be joking?”

“Someone told me that you should take payment when the opportunity arises.”

“Oh my. You learn quickly?”

“Thanks to someone.”

“Still, won’t you need me for the return trip?”

 

In the midst of this, he tried to negotiate.

 

‘What nonsense.’

 

At first it was just mischief.

But then it became serious rather than playful.

Come to think of it, did he really need to give Blood Hand Dog compensation?

There was no real necessity for it.

The longer this person from Black Point stayed here, the more advantageous it was for Jung Myeong.

 

“Haha. If things work out well, I don’t necessarily need you for the return trip?”

“Hehe. What are you saying? I should escort you.”

“Then what about the price?”

“The return trip is naturally free! It would be an honor to escort you!”

 

Blood Hand Dog sent a complete surrender signal.

For now, that was sufficient.

 

“Good. Ah, don’t roll your eyes too much.”

“Ahem… Rolling my eyes? Hehe.”

“That’s enough. Let’s head back.”

“Hehe. Yes!”

 

It was time to return to Hangzhou.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Elder, I’ll be going now.”

 

Jung Myeong climbed aboard the ship and gave a cupped fist salute toward Ju Tae-gong.

Ju Tae-gong, who had come out to see him off, nodded in response.

 

“Hoo…”

 

Looking at him, Blood Hand Dog took a deep breath as if nervous.

 

“Let’s go quickly. Quickly!”

 

Swoosh- Swish-

Soon he acted like a skilled boatman and rowed the oar.

His rowing motions were extremely rough, as if he desperately wanted to leave this place.

Thanks to this.

The ship quickly picked up speed and headed toward Hangzhou.

 

“Hehe. Came like the wind, disappearing like the wind.”

 

Ju Tae-gong watched him with amusement.

Behind him, a thoroughly displeased voice could be heard.

 

“What’s so good that you’re laughing?”

—————
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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