Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 34

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#034

The manor’s family welcomed Song Ja-in and her son.

They were people who simply trusted Ja-gang-cheon’s invitation.

Their warm hospitality was a warmth Song Ja-in had felt for the first time in a long while.

This was because poison arts were martial arts that everyone feared.

Moreover, she was someone who gave everyone a sense of rejection, having driven not only her husband but also her child into a life-threatening situation.

Yet they even held a welcome party for her, shared a wonderful dinner, and conversed with her at close distance without any hesitation.

It was a comfort she had almost forgotten, but it also brought anxiety.

‘Should I really be this comfortable?’

The reason she hadn’t died yet and was still holding on was to save her son. But that didn’t mean she thought she deserved to be happy.

It was while she was looking at the precarious crescent moon that seemed ready to disappear, standing in front of her sleeping son’s room.

“How do you find the manor?”

It was Ja-gang-cheon.

“It’s so good that I wonder if I deserve to enjoy such luxury.”

“Please don’t think that way. Pil-saeng will feel it too. Children aren’t unaware of their mother’s pain. Even if they can’t hurt together like their mother, they feel guilt and sadness.”

“You’re a good son, Lord.”

“Then would you like to make a deal with this good son?”

When Song Ja-in didn’t understand, Ja-gang-cheon asked.

“Pil-saeng doesn’t have much time left, does he? So please tell me your greatest secret, Auntie. Then I’ll tell you a secret of equal weight.”

She realized that Ja-gang-cheon desperately wanted to give her something.

This didn’t feel like a trade, but rather a request for justification to give her a gift.

“If my son’s life is at stake, what couldn’t I give you?”

She tore her sleeve and pricked her fingertip with a small needle. With the blood that formed, she began writing something.

“What is this?”

“It’s the antidote for the poison arts I’ve learned.”

It was a much greater secret than what Ja-gang-cheon had requested. With this, no one would need to fear her martial arts.

But something was strange.

“If you have this, how did Pil-saeng get poisoned? And your husband too…”

Song Ja-in smiled sadly and shook her head.

“I wish that had been the cause. Then I could have definitely treated it.”

“Then it’s a different cause?”

“Yes. It’s a hereditary disease. My husband’s health wasn’t good even before he met me. In that condition, he treated me. Unfortunately, our son inherited that disease too.”

Thinking about the fate of having to watch her family slowly die, Ja-gang-cheon’s heart felt torn as well.

“Please take this. I’m sorry for giving it to you so late.”

To the mother who had risked everything for her child, Ja-gang-cheon handed over a book.

“It’s the Chosaneuiseo.”

The medical text of Sipjeolsu Ok Cho-san.

Song Ja-in’s hands trembled as she received it.

***

Bang!

Hwangbo Taeseong couldn’t contain his anger and struck down the drinking table.

Even the feast prepared solely for him and the eight courtesans couldn’t soothe his rage.

“How dare they! Do they know who I am!”

Not only the young master of Deungmyeong Manor, but Song Ja-in as well.

He had encountered two people on whom the name of the Hwangbo Clan held no sway.

Since giving up on the succession competition, he had never suffered such great humiliation.

The problem was Song Ja-in’s existence.

‘She’s a woman with nothing to lose.’

Many people had sought her out, but no one had ever benefited through coercion or threats.

Particularly famous was the fact that Hyeollin-bang, which had been called one of Sichuan’s two great demonic sects, had turned into a cemetery overnight.

What they all wanted was the manufacturing method of the ‘Mandok Haedok-dan (Ten Thousand Poison Antidote Pill)’ called Dokgok Seongdan.

It was Dogok’s secret technique known to neutralize ten thousand poisons, and it was known that there had even been secret dealings with the Sichuan Tang Family.

‘The fact that she’s still alive means she’s a real expert.’

Some even counted her among the Murim Sip-dae Gosu.

“I can’t let this slide!”

Hwangbo Taeseong had a pathological hatred for eyes that looked down on him.

The day he realized the difference in talent and gave up on succession.

It was because those closest to him had looked at him that way.

After seeing relatives and acquaintances who had followed him switch to his brother without hesitation, he stopped trusting anyone. Conversely, hating someone became all too easy.

“Third Young Master. It seems that poison witch has entered Deungmyeong Manor. They say she left the inn and settled her luggage at the manor.”

“What?”

Gu Dong-gu focused the target of rage into one, as if fanning the flames of anger.

‘There’s nothing for me to gain from fighting Song Ja-in. I need to fight Deungmyeong Manor.’

While bowing his head and flattering, Gu Dong-gu created the situation he wanted.

“I apologize. I was incompetent and could only watch Third Young Master’s humiliation.”

“Shut up! How dare someone like you try to comfort me!”

“I apologize!”

“Those who are rude to me will surely be punished. You just need to do what I tell you. Understand?”

“Those are undeserved words. I will only await Third Young Master’s orders.”

The Third Young Master roughly downed his drink and spoke to Gu Dong-gu.

“I need to see Deungmyeong Manor destroyed. What’s the fastest way?”

“Wouldn’t just destroying it be insufficient?”

“Then do you have a better method?”

“We must seize Deungmyeong Manor. There’s an ice storage there.”

“Ice storage?”

“Like Binggung in the North, it produces quality ice year-round. That’s their biggest source of income, and the storage is built within the manor. If we seize the manor, that storage comes with it.”

The Third Young Master didn’t have much greed for wealth. His position as Third Young Master already freed him from money concerns. But Gu Dong-gu stirred his greed.

“Actually, I’m worried about how long the clan will leave you like this, Young Master.”

“What do you mean?”

“Couldn’t the other young masters try to check you? If they were to apply economic pressure, I fear it would greatly damage your dignity, Third Young Master.”

This was something the Third Young Master occasionally worried about too.

In reality, the clan viewed his actions unfavorably, and there had been talk of no longer allowing him to use the clan’s assets.

The clan head hadn’t permitted that yet, but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen if his brothers gained more power.

“Wouldn’t it be good to create your own assets at this opportunity? Deungmyeong Manor has not only the ice storage but also produces the recently popular Deungmyeong pills. With these two things, you’d never have to worry about wealth again. I can make that happen.”

Gu Dong-gu was subtly trying to take over the manor’s business as well.

“Thinking about it, that would be best. Even if those bastards lick my feet and beg, I will never forgive them.”

“Of course. Since Third Young Master has made up his mind, those bastards are already dead. So please enjoy yourself to your heart’s content today.”

At his signal, the courtesans who had withdrawn quickly filled the space around the Third Young Master.

***

“I apologize. I didn’t know that acquiring Gyeonam Trading Bureau would become a point of contention.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. But were you planning to enter the caravan business?”

“No. I acquired it not for escort services but for goods transportation. As Deungmyeong pill production increases, purchasing the necessary medicinal materials is no small matter. So besides Gyeonam Trading Bureau, I’m also gathering those well-versed in distribution.”

Jo Pilseong, having seen success with talent recruitment, put even more effort into acquiring businesses and scouting people.

-This is the power that builds a merchant guild.

That’s what he had realized.

There were far too many people who, despite having ability, did not receive proper treatment.

-We will gather up all the talented merchants throughout the nation.

He spoke so openly about this. Rather, as word spread, those with big dreams began seeking them out on their own.

“I’ll handle the other problems, so uncle, please push forward according to plan.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

After Jo Pilseong left, Ja-gang-cheon went to the Bingokgo where ice was made.

Since it was winter, it was quiet after extracting ice twice in the morning, but recently one person had been practically living there.

“Hyung.”

Han Pilsaeng waved his hand with effort in response to Ja-gang-cheon’s greeting, even while trembling with blue lips.

“Wow. Your complexion looks so good?”

“Pfft!”

Han Pilsaeng burst into laughter with a face as white as a corpse.

“Pil-saeng. Let’s rest for a moment.”

Song Ja-in quickly lifted Han Pilsaeng, who was almost frozen solid, and moved him outside the Bingokgo training room.

Though it was still cold outside, it was nothing compared to the training room.

“How’s your body feeling?”

“It’s definitely having an effect.”

Ten days had passed since they came to the manor.

After analyzing the Chosaneuiseo, they realized something and began various experiments.

Eventually they even utilized the Bingokgo and seemed to have found a method.

“When I get better, I’ll definitely repay you.”

“Let’s talk about it after you get healthy first. For now, don’t think about anything and just focus on treatment. Got it?”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Ja-gang-cheon turned his gaze to look at Song Ja-in. She brought over a bowl that had been set aside.

It was ordinary vegetable porridge.

The warm vegetable porridge passed through Song Ja-in’s hands into Han Pilsaeng’s mouth.

“Huh?”

Han Pilsaeng readily accepted and ate the porridge.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Han Pilsaeng, who had felt terrible pain at every mealtime, now swallowed his food with a comfortable expression.

Ja-gang-cheon smiled brightly and Song Ja-in’s eyes welled up with tears.

How fun it was to feed someone.

Song Ja-in felt like she was playing the most enjoyable game in the world.

***

It was the second New Year they were celebrating since leaving Gwigok Island.

This year, various people came to the manor from the morning.

Feast tables were spread out in the courtyard and nearly two hundred people gathered.

Excluding those residing at the manor, they were all East Sea Merchant Guild members, and they had one characteristic.

-Only those who want to come should come.

Currently, the East Sea Merchant Guild had expanded its business and grown to five hundred members. They allowed anyone who wanted to come, and two hundred came on their own. Considering those who would join a bit later, it was more than half.

“From next year, bring all your families too. I’ll prepare so you can eat and play to your heart’s content.”

The guild members cheered and applauded at Ja-gang-cheon’s words.

“Don’t applaud every time I speak.”

“Waah!”

Clap clap clap!

“I told you not to do that.”

Laughter erupted at Ja-gang-cheon’s reaction.

To them, Ja-gang-cheon was both a respected lord and a friendly colleague.

Knowing their hearts, Ja-gang-cheon had prepared plenty of food and alcohol.

But while they were enjoying the feast, Merchant Guild Leader Jo Pilseong shouted loudly.

“Everyone! Let’s begin!”

About twenty people who had been given advance notice gathered around Jo Pilseong. There were Inryeok Sojangnin So Yeon-dok, Seok-ho and Man-sik, and the key figures of the merchant guild including the old subordinate lined up before Ja-gang-cheon.

“We already greeted each other.”

Ja-gang-cheon looked puzzled, but Jo Pilseong took out an unexpected item.

In his hands, held up with both palms, lay a blue long robe.

“What is this?”

“We prepared it thinking it would suit you, Lord.”

The long robe made of blue hemp resembling the sea with silk lining was similar to the crane cloak that Taoist masters favored wearing, in the form of an outer coat worn over clothes.

The sleeves and lower hem gradually became pure white, and from a distance it felt like the dawn breaking at daybreak. And on the left chest, the characters “Deungmyeong” were embroidered in gold thread.

“Though it’s late, we prepared this hoping to hold your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Coming-of-age ceremony meant an adult initiation ritual.

Usually done at fifteen, Ja-gang-cheon was two years late.

“Please accept our hearts.”

It was a phrase that stirred strange emotions.

Ja-gang-cheon did not turn away from the pride rising in his chest.

“Thank you.”

When Ja-gang-cheon put on the long robe, everyone in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

Sometimes clothing adds to one’s dignity, and today that was true for Ja-gang-cheon.

Deungmyeong Manor didn’t particularly distinguish by social status, but at least the lord needed some degree of dignity.

This was expressed through clothing along with the meaning of a coming-of-age ceremony.

Perhaps that’s why?

He spoke words he had only kept in his heart.

“Just trust and follow me. I’ll take responsibility for everything.”

Waaaaah!

A thunderous cheer erupted at Ja-gang-cheon’s characteristic declaration.

***

“Uncle. How do these clothes look?”

“I saw them yesterday too, but they look great again today!”

“The guild members gave them to me as a gift!”

“Congratulations. They really suit you well.”

This happened throughout the New Year period.

-I had my coming-of-age ceremony too!

-These clothes are cool, right?

-Ahem! I’m not a young boy anymore.

Ja-gang-cheon, who had become a child again from wanting to show off his coming-of-age ceremony, came to his senses on the fifteenth day of the first month, long after the New Year period.

This day, called the Lantern Festival, held a celebration where people made wishes and released them on lanterns.

Countless people flocked to Gyeonam Port as well to release lanterns.

The people of Deungmyeong Manor also left the walls on this day to mingle among the people.

Among them, the brightest expressions belonged to Song Ja-in and Han Pilsaeng. Thanks to Han Pilsaeng’s noticeably improved health, Song Ja-in no longer avoided crowded places.

“Mother. Let’s make wishes together today. You’ve been making wishes alone every year.”

Song Ja-in had released lanterns every year with a hopeful heart.

-Please let my husband become healthy.

-Please don’t let my husband die.

-Please don’t let our son get sick.

-Please don’t let our son die.

Her wishes had changed like that.

“This mother has no more wishes to make.”

“Why not?”

“Because my wish has already come true.”

At Song Ja-in’s words, Han Pilsaeng quickly released his lantern. And he made his wish loud enough to be heard.

“Please don’t let my mother cry anymore.”

The lantern rose high, carried by the sea breeze.

Among all those countless lanterns, Ja-gang-cheon’s wish was also mixed in.

-Please let me meet my parents again.

Ja-gang-cheon made the same wish as last year.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————