The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 100

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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 100

‘…No. That’s impossible.’

How could he know about internal affairs of Mount Hua?

However, considering that he possessed both Sinui’s and his master’s tokens, it really did seem that way.

A shiver runs through my body.

Whether intentional or not.

The result of all those processes seemed to be entirely for one person.

“You said you’re going to Shandong, are you going to meet someone again?”

“…”

Dangmuryang didn’t answer the Patriarch’s question for a moment.

This silence was for the Patriarch’s sake.

If he wanted to hear it, he would have to bear the responsibility.

“…It doesn’t seem like the right time to hear it now.”

“The Patriarch’s wisdom will shine someday.”

“I think I’ve seen a bit of it even now. We should be able to overcome the great crisis.”

Those who had come to the Patriarch.

In exchange for resolving the crisis that had befallen Mount Hua, they had demanded only one thing.

At the time they desired.

To enter Bongmun without any conditions.

This was the only thing they wanted, and the Patriarch had flatly refused.

Until the situation became serious, that is.

The worsening condition and their continued visits.

He had tried to find Sinui’s whereabouts, but even that was unclear, leaving no options.

“Patriarch. The preparations are complete.”

Just then, Sinui’s voice was heard.

“I understand. Senior Dang, Uncle Go. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Return safely, Patriarch.”

Coming outside, Sinui was waiting with plenty of things packed.

“What did you pack so much of?”

“Things needed for treatment. When it comes to treatment, having too much is better than having too little.”

“I understand. Then, let’s depart.”

Thus, the Patriarch and Sinui also headed toward Mount Hua together.

* * *

On the road to Shandong.

On the path to Shaolin, Cheongun’s caravan was taking a brief rest.

The forest path at sunset was also the most anxious time for those included in the caravan.

The busy sounds of preparing meals began to be heard, and soon the adjutant approached Cheongun.

“Young Master. We’ll prepare your meal separately.”

“It’s fine. Just give me what the others are eating.”

“However…”

“I said it’s fine.”

Cheongun didn’t particularly care much about meals.

He had gnawed on tree bark and kept it in his mouth for more than a day.

“Today we’ll spend the night here and depart tomorrow morning.”

“Who hired the guards?”

“Ah, they say they’re people the usual guard captain knew. They have good reputations, so you don’t need to worry.”

Worry.

There’s only one thing Cheongun worries about.

He worries that innocent people might suffer unnecessary harm.

To Cheongun, these ordinary common people were those whose lives he had saved most often in his previous life.

They were good people to the point of seeming foolish.

Well, not all of them were like that, but those who weren’t couldn’t cause any harm to Cheongun anyway, so they weren’t even worth worrying about.

Rather than staying inside the carriage like this, Cheongun came outside.

“Move it over here!”

“Hey! What are you doing eating that now?”

What is now a time of rest for others is also the busiest time for someone else.

Cheongun had never been able to join such a caravan before.

The common perception was that someone who had lost an arm was useless.

Though he had nothing particular to do, Cheongun simply came outside the carriage and watched them.

Helping with the work?

There was no reason for that.

They were doing their work, and Cheongun was doing his.

Someone he didn’t know well.

Moreover, someone the branch manager had treated with utmost respect.

There was no more uncomfortable existence than this.

The guards seemed to be taking turns watching the surroundings, but something puzzling was catching his eye.

“…”

Since it was still only suspicion, Cheongun just watched them for now.

They were different from those who usually took on guard duties.

Generally, these people don’t mingle together and share meals like this.

They start eating from the best position to guard the carriages with important things.

‘And… that person isn’t visible.’

Concentrating on his senses and examining the surroundings, he could feel someone a bit away.

He could also sense that they weren’t trying hard to hide.

Cheongun’s gaze didn’t leave the spot where the leader of the hired men was.

Strange premonitions and feelings of unease were always right.

Then, one of the guards approached Cheongun.

“Greetings, Young Master.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

“I thought this might be your first time on such a caravan, so I came here out of concern.”

Right.

How ridiculous must Cheongun look?

Though the branch manager had treated him respectfully, that branch manager wasn’t here now.

And even if he returned, once this commission ended, they would practically be strangers.

The respectful manner shown to someone who was clearly a subordinate.

It showed in the guard’s eyes.

He had already judged Cheongun as weak.

“Ah, is that so? Thank you.”

“Haha, not at all. Thank you. Haven’t you eaten yet?”

“Yes. I felt uncomfortable eating well by myself in a place like this.”

Since he saw it that way, he decided to become that kind of person.

What were they hiding that made them move around so busily?

If Cheongun was the type of person they expected, there would be no variables for them, so they would reveal their true nature faster.

“Ah, such deep consideration…”

An impressive expression.

It looked like an expression of being moved by Cheongun’s thoughtfulness, but in reality, it wasn’t at all.

Someone ignorant of worldly affairs.

He seemed to view him as someone with nothing special except for coming from a good family.

And since he was becoming exactly that kind of person, it was quite an interesting expression to watch.

“I brought this for you to try. It’s made in my hometown…”

What the guard handed over was something of unknown identity.

“What is this?”

“It’s a sweet drink. Something I drank a lot when I was young.”

“You’re giving this to me…”

It’s a necessary question.

Nothing puts someone at ease more than showing appropriate suspicion and then having it dispelled.

“Well, actually…”

As if he had been waiting for just that question, a lengthy explanation began to pour out.

Starting with stories about his parents, then tales of his deceased younger brother, and so on.

“So… I wanted to make money with this.”

Therefore, he wanted me to go back anytime and think positively about it.

He didn’t forget to ask me to speak well of him to the Branch Manager too.

“Such a story… I understand. I’ll convey it well.”

“Haha! Thank you. How does it taste?”

He’s asking about the taste when I haven’t even drunk it yet.

As if urging me to drink it quickly.

When I brought that sweet thing into my mouth, it had a taste you could find anywhere.

A sweetness that was perhaps a bit excessive.

The kind that children would like more.

‘…’

And after that sweetness faded, a slight bitterness washed over me.

“It, it seems good.”

“Haha… thank you, Gongja.”

His eyes showed satisfaction.

What could be so satisfying about it.

After he left, Cheongun looked down at what the man had handed him.

“…”

A drink filled with malice so disgusting it was uncomfortable to even look at.

Cheongun gently discarded it on the ground, placed his hand over it, and lightly clenched his fist.

As he slowly circulated his inner energy, something began to fall into the cup with a sound like burning, dark red drops.

One drop, two drops.

Though he had only taken a single sip, quite a large amount collected.

“Poison of Divine Immortal Waste and Crane Spirit Grass…”

Divine Immortal Waste was a type of energy-dispersing poison, an extreme toxin whose presence couldn’t be detected at all until circulating inner energy.

Crane Spirit Grass was also classified as an extreme poison.

‘A mere peak-level warrior carries such extreme poison around?’

It didn’t make sense.

Even for the Danggga, it would be too risky to give such extreme poison to a peak-level warrior.

He had been watching, thinking they would surely poison others with this toxin, but there had been no particular movement after that.

‘Ah, that’s what happened.’

They must have refined the Crane Spirit Grass poison to delay its timing, and poisoned everyone before departure.

And among that group, the only person who joined suddenly.

That was Cheongun alone.

“Cough…!!”

Someone’s sound of coughing up blood could be heard.

Using this as a starting point, those who hadn’t learned martial arts began vomiting blood and collapsing on the spot.

“Wh, what…!”

The guards and Bugwan tried to circulate their inner energy in response to the poison inside, but Divine Immortal Waste scattered that inner energy and began spreading another toxin throughout their bodies.

It was instantaneous.

Precisely crafted poison, timed perfectly for when symptoms would manifest.

Poison that could never be obtained or made by one person’s strength alone.

“Did you finish them all?”

“Yes. To the guy in the carriage too, with the newly received…”

“…He’s fine?”

Eyes met with Cheongun, who was looking around with interest.

“What? That can’t be…”

His expression looked like he would draw his sword immediately.

“Ah.”

Right.

I was poisoned, wasn’t I?

“Cough…!”

Cheongun hastily bit the inside of his mouth to draw blood, spat it out, and collapsed to the side.

This poison.

It wasn’t one that would cause instant death.

It wouldn’t be too late to move after properly identifying who was behind them.

“…What?”

“He seems to have lost consciousness for a moment.”

“…Well, that would be it.”

“Captain! Now we just need to take all this stuff?”

“Right. Everything. It’s all ours.”

At least it was certain they were coveting everything loaded in this carriage.

“But what should we do about that guy?”

“Looking at the Merchant Guild Branch Leader’s reaction, he seems to be from quite a well-off family…”

They could demand a reasonable ransom and take even more, but they couldn’t help but fear the consequences.

However, if they feared consequences, would they do such things again?

“Tie him up appropriately. It seems we can get a hefty ransom.”

“Yes!”

Their captain said while looking at Cheongun.

Though he probably couldn’t hear anyway.

“What can you do? Still, if they pay the ransom properly, I’ll let you return home safely.”

Naturally, these weren’t words born from guilt.

Just the kindness shown by someone in a superior position in an already finished situation.

Cheongun, who had been lying with his eyes closed, could soon sense a new presence.

Someone with a different aura from these guards had appeared.

The Man in Black Robes seemed to look around briefly, then approached their captain.

“Kill them all. You can take everything, but make sure to bring only one thing.”

“Yes! My lord. Thank you.”

At first I thought they were after everything in the carriage, but listening to the conversation, it seems something important had been mixed in.

What could have been mixed in?

“You all heard? Deal with everything.”

“You, you bastards… how dare you…”

“Start with the living ones… no, no. Kill them last. As painfully as possible.”

“Yes! Captain.”

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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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