The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 88

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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 88

It had escalated into quite a bigger incident than expected, but this was a satisfactory outcome.

‘Twilight Swordmaster…’

He knew well that this wouldn’t be the last time.

He didn’t know when it would be, but they would surely meet again someday.

Grudges in Gangho are carved into one’s bones, after all.

However, Twilight Swordmaster hadn’t shown deep anger toward Cheongun.

As if it was something that shouldn’t be shown.

For anger shown to someone who had killed his brother and disciple…

It was rather refined.

It wasn’t restraint, but refined anger.

“I definitely saw that bastard somewhere…”

Geou seemed to be digging through memories he had accumulated over time.

“It’s Twilight Swordmaster.”

“…Ah! Right. That was him.”

“Have you seen him directly before?”

“I must have seen him when he was around twenty.”

He was literally a monster of a man.

Few showed such martial prowess at the age of twenty.

“But you tried to cross swords with such a man?”

He knew all too well that Cheongun was strong.

However, combat was inherently unpredictable.

“Since I’ve already experienced that path, what is there to fear?”

“Tsk. Learn to value your life. Though the vigor of youth is beautiful, I cannot even count how many lives it has claimed.”

“I shall do so.”

Though he said this, Geou was someone who had watched Cheongun from the side for quite a long time.

He knew well that even what seemed reckless was all part of a plan.

“So now you’re going straight to Shandong?”

“There’s one more place I need to visit.”

“Oh, really? Where?”

It wasn’t far.

“I intend to go to Mount Hua.”

“To Mount Hua?”

“Since we came to Zhongnan, we should naturally visit Mount Hua as well.”

“…Ah, I suppose so.”

Hadn’t quite a big incident occurred?

Mount Hua must have surely heard reports about this incident.

Though the relationships between Daoist sects weren’t particularly good to begin with, it wasn’t Cheongun’s concern.

Cheongun classified things into only two categories.

Whether it was helpful to him and Cheongeumjang, or not.

One might say he lacked spirit and backbone, but when necessary, he would adopt a merchant’s attitude or a warrior’s attitude.

And the attitude he was showing now was precisely that of a merchant.

“Since it’s not far, are you planning to go right away?”

“We should. First, I want to see whether they heard properly or not.”

Though he said he classified things into two categories, there was a line for each.

Nothing was less helpful than the help of foolish and stubborn people.

In that sense, Zhongnan had crossed that line, but could Mount Hua cross that line?

Mount Hua in his previous life could be called a truly disappointing place.

They suddenly went into seclusion just before the Jeongma Great War broke out, and after that, no one from Mount Hua could be seen in Gangho.

Everyone had awaited the plum blossoms and their fragrance scattered on the battlefield, but Mount Hua said nothing and made no movement.

So rumors even circulated in the world that Mount Hua had joined hands with the Demonic Sect.

He would have to go and check directly.

Since the seclusion couldn’t have happened suddenly, he should be able to confirm the signs even now.

“Do you have any information related to Mount Hua?”

“Of course. However, I don’t know if it’s what you’re looking for.”

“Who are the rising stars of Mount Hua?”

“Hmm?”

Geou had been rating Cheongun’s information network quite highly.

He knew things that even he didn’t know.

But to ask such basic information.

“Most notably there’s Maehwaogeom, but there’s a rising star called Jaseongchin.”

“Is that so?”

“He’s a direct disciple, probably the same age as that Daoist Jewunhwi you saw at Zhongnan.”

They would very likely be in a competitive relationship.

“Are there no internal problems within the Mount Hua Sect?”

“Internal problems… if they’re not easy to know, wouldn’t they not be internal problems?”

“There’s no way other than finding out directly.”

“Right. But what do you plan to do after finding out?”

It’s not like he would be selling the information.

He wondered if he was planning to resolve it.

Unless something happened that could leave a debt like with Zhongnan, hoping for such fortune wouldn’t be right.

“By the way, what will you do about Gongtong?”

Gongtong wasn’t a place to be ignored either.

Like most Daoist sects, they had their characteristic aloofness and spirit.

Also, there were many who followed them.

However, one cannot take everything.

Zhongnan was something that simply flew into his outstretched hand, while Gongtong was different.

It was something that could be grasped just by reaching for it, but there was no reason to expend effort and time on this.

What is easily gained is easily lost, but this time it wasn’t even like that.

He had gained it easily and wouldn’t lose it easily.

Compared to what he had done so far, this could be called very good efficiency.

All of Zhongnan had become an ally.

“I have no interest in Gongtong.”

“…Ha, what a sharp answer.”

“Cutting ties is as important as forming them.”

“I feel like I’m looking at a man who’s experienced all the world’s hardships.”

“If that’s how you see it, then isn’t that what it is?”

A puzzling answer.

Whether it was actually true, or if there was something more to it.

At first, Geou had thought he would learn about Cheongun through investigation.

However, as time passed, being the Patriarch of Cheongeumjang was merely a small part of what Cheongun possessed.

For others, that was often the entirety of what they had.

“So. Are you going this time too?”

“There’s nowhere in this world I cannot go.”

“Then…”

“However. Mount Hua is a bit…”

“Is there a reason?”

“There’s a very small and trivial problem with those stubborn fellows over there.”

It was a story from long ago, but originally grudges don’t disappear with time—they get sharpened.

“There aren’t many who would recognize you anyway, are there?”

“What? If I stay with you, I’ll probably end up meeting the Patriarch too. How could I go?”

He’s practically a walking storm.

Not knowing who he’ll meet, not knowing who he wants to meet.

It just feels like he simply meets whoever comes to find him.

“I’ll probably look like a beggar you’ve never seen before.”

“Well, still, what’s curious is curious.”

And so, Cheongun and Geou headed toward Mount Hua together.

It wasn’t a very long journey.

They could have increased their speed, but they didn’t.

Looking around as they traveled would be of greater help.

Since the matter at Zhongnan had ended much faster than expected, they had time to spare.

* * *

Mount Hua.

A place that had never once fallen from its position as a prestigious righteous sect.

However, there is no such thing as eternal prosperity.

Even if it doesn’t fall into ruin, there are always moments when it cannot show the same prestige as before.

“How… is there no hope of recovery?”

“…I’m sorry. This is the best I can do.”

The physician left the room, and soon the voice of an elderly man could be heard.

“Seongun.”

“…Yes, Daoist Master.”

“May I come in?”

“You don’t need to ask, Daoist Master.”

“Very well. I’m coming in.”

The old man who soon revealed himself looked at a girl lying next to his disciple.

“What did he say?”

“He said there was no hope of recovery.”

Despite her young age, her composure was remarkable, but one could see what was hidden deep within.

“…Are you alright?”

“Yes. I apologize for causing you worry. I’m fine.”

This place was some distance away from Mount Hua’s main sect.

There was no other special reason.

Only one.

It was entirely for quarantine purposes.

It had started with the disciple right before his eyes.

It had begun with physical discomfort and a sense of déjà vu.

After that, one by one.

The young disciples who would form Mount Hua’s foundation and those with lower martial arts began showing unknown symptoms.

Those in serious condition even lost their lives.

At first, it seemed like a new epidemic had broken out, but now the situation had become even more serious.

To simply call it an epidemic, too many of Mount Hua’s disciples were showing symptoms.

Though no more lives were lost, that didn’t solve the problem.

“…I understand. Compose yourself and come out.”

Even Jaseongchin’s younger sister, his disciple, had ended up like this…

“Is anyone there—”

Just then, a bright voice could be heard, as if mocking Mount Hua’s current situation.

When no answer came, the voice spoke again.

“Oh my. I know you’re inside.”

“…Didn’t I clearly say it wasn’t necessary?”

“Haha. For someone who doesn’t even stop me from coming here, aren’t your inner and outer selves too different?”

Silence followed once again.

The mysterious man seemed quite displeased with that silence itself.

“Today is the last day. What does my background matter so much? Isn’t saving Mount Hua’s people what should be done?”

The owner of the voice knew Mount Hua’s current situation well, and above all, possessed what Mount Hua needed.

However, he was demanding something unreasonable in return, making it impossible to decide easily.

Until now, that is.

Now they could delay no longer.

If they did, something truly irreversible might happen to Mount Hua.

This was the second time since their first meeting.

Facing this mysterious man.

Creak.

As the old door opened, a man covered entirely in black robes was waiting before him.

“It seems you’ve finally made up your mind.”

“…Are you certain?”

“Yes. Surely I wouldn’t lie about such safety.”

What this man possessed was a cure that could treat these unknown epidemic-like conditions.

“I’ll need to verify it.”

“You’re very cautious. Of course you should be. The effects will show in about two days.”

“I’ll observe the progress and give you an answer.”

“Understood. Ah, just so you know, even after treatment, if they remain in the same environment, nothing will change.”

A warning not to harbor any foolish thoughts.

“…Interesting. To hear such threats from the likes of you.”

“Haha. You flatter me…”

The noble fragrance of plum blossoms briefly brushed past his nose.

A scent as close to death as it was refreshing and fragrant.

At the same time, a sword tip touched the man’s throat.

“Put away that petty sense of superiority. This is a warning.”

“…Haha. I shall do so. Please accept this.”

Blood flowed from where he was slightly cut, but his expression didn’t change much.

He only showed an expression of interest and amusement.

Then he took out a bottle from his robes and handed it over.

“On the day the results come out, I’ll visit again. I hope you’ll make a good choice then.”

“…Leave now. Even stepping on the same ground as you is unpleasant.”

“Of course. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

One bottle in his grip.

To think this bottle could cure the current ailments.

Mount Hua’s honor and its lineage.

A situation where he had to choose between these two.

The old man chose lineage over honor.

After all, honor would be easier to rebuild.

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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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