The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 91

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

Chapter 91

Swoosh.

Along with the plum blossom fragrance that calms the mind and body, a faint presence is felt nearby.

The light coming through the open door is blocked, and at the same time, a low voice is heard.

“So it’s you. The one who came to Zhongnan.”

It’s a calm voice, but perhaps more impressive because of that.

“M-Master.”

“Enough. Rest yourself. It seems I need to have a conversation with this person. Come out.”

With each step, it’s as if plum blossoms are blooming.

Even the breath he inhales and exhales seems to contain plum blossoms.

Anyone who saw him would recognize at a glance.

That this old man before them is the Patriarch of Mount Hua.

Cheongun, who followed the Patriarch out, first showed proper courtesy.

“I greet the Patriarch of Mount Hua.”

“I heard you belong to Cheongeumjang. Is that correct?”

“Yes. I am Cheongun, the Young Patriarch of Cheongeumjang.”

This was the first moment Cheongun directly revealed his identity.

“…Young Patriarch?”

His eyes showed surprise.

To think a merchant would possess such presence.

“How did you come to be here? And what about that head?”

“I had business at Mount Hua and came to visit, when I saw someone hastily leaving this place.”

“…How much do you know?”

“I’m not sure about that myself, but I do know what is needed.”

“How arrogant. Remember that I’m only listening because you have merchant blood in your veins.”

“That’s precisely why I’m here.”

“…Hah. Fine. Speak.”

What an interesting answer.

An answer that he wouldn’t have done this if he weren’t a merchant.

One might think there’s no difference, but there truly was a great difference.

The difference between making a choice and receiving one.

“Rather than hearing about it, it would be better to see it directly.”

What Cheongun took out was none other than Sinui’s token.

“Th-this is…”

Sinui had been mysteriously absent before, but recently they couldn’t find even a trace of him.

Though he knew of the hideout from past connections, he was nowhere to be found.

“When did you meet Sinui?”

“About two weeks ago, I believe.”

“Is that true? If it’s a lie…”

Before the Patriarch could finish speaking, he interrupted.

“Since you said you’d continue the conversation because I’m a merchant, please treat me as one.”

These words, which even showed slight displeasure, would have warranted immediate execution if spoken by anyone else.

It was arrogant, rude, and utterly presumptuous.

However, the words weren’t wrong.

If he was treating him as a merchant for conversation, why suddenly treat him as a warrior?

Also, Sinui’s token in his hand played a significant role.

“So. You mean to give me Sinui’s token?”

It was hard to understand.

Having Sinui’s token meant being able to save anyone once, as long as they weren’t dead.

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Why? Do you intend to create a debt with Mount Hua?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“…Hah, I’ve lived long, but this is the first time I’ve seen such boldness.”

Normally this might anger him somewhat, but it’s so bold that it’s actually amusing.

“You’re giving it to me knowing when it might be needed?”

“I don’t need this, you see.”

“You don’t need it…?”

“Precisely, not having it is no different from having it.”

There’s not a hint of falsehood in how he speaks as if very close to Sinui.

“Where is… Sinui?”

“He’s at Cheongeumjang.”

“Something must have happened.”

“Yes. Many things happened.”

Finally, the wariness disappeared from the Patriarch’s eyes.

“But how did you know to come?”

“What do you mean?”

“About Mount Hua’s current state.”

“Mount Hua wasn’t my destination. I was merely passing through.”

“While carrying Sinui’s token?”

“Patriarch, may I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

If earlier he judged only by whether it helped Mount Hua or not, now he had developed personal interest.

Breaking through the formation, answering him so boldly.

Wasn’t this an attitude only Mount Hua’s elders or senior disciples could show?

“Patriarch, you are the center of Mount Hua.”

The Patriarch silently waited for the next words.

“Yet why do you seek reasons why I shouldn’t help Mount Hua?”

“It’s reasonable suspicion.”

“Does that mean the current situation is the Patriarch’s fault?”

“You insolent…!”

He said it was fine, but doesn’t he know his limits?

“I’ve told you what I can do and what I desire. What more do you need?”

“Are you saying a merchant doesn’t understand the importance of caution?”

“Whether that caution is justified, or…”

Cheongun looked at Jangmunin’s Disciple watching them through the open door and said.

“Just to grant absolution for one’s own mistakes. I know better than anyone.”

“…I’ve overlooked your arrogance several times. Now you’ve crossed the line I can tolerate.”

“Are you trying to prove it yourself? That my words were correct.”

“You seem to mistake carrying Sinui’s token as being given an extra life.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Patriarch drew his sword.

“Are you planning to intimidate a merchant?”

“Fool. Stop your pathetic act.”

The Patriarch with his drawn sword looked not at Cheongun but at his disciple beyond and continued.

“Watch carefully. This could be your goal.”

“…Yes! Master.”

“Just receive one sword strike and go.”

This is somewhat absurd.

Suddenly telling him to receive a sword strike.

However, considering the arrogance he’d shown the Patriarch so far, it seemed he should at least receive one sword strike.

“Find the void.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Patriarch’s sword floated in the void, then began flying toward Cheongun.

Controlling a sword with qi.

However, Cheongun showed no particular reaction.

Even though the sword was flying at him as if it would pierce his throat at any moment.

Rather, his expression looked even more peaceful than when they were conversing, making it confusing who was receiving the sword attack.

Cheongun, who hadn’t moved a muscle, first showed movement after about half a moment had passed.

‘Now.’

Among countless sword paths, the first one that clearly aimed for his throat.

In an instant, Cheongun drew his sword and deflected the flying blade.

He could feel the vibration through his sword.

A Patriarch is a Patriarch indeed.

This was truly a power that could be called monstrous.

“Well… look at this fellow.”

If Cheongun showed slight surprise, the Patriarch’s reaction went beyond surprise to disbelief.

He hadn’t moved a muscle for half a moment, then only reacted to that final attack.

He read that exquisite difference?

Even though he had no intention of killing, to deflect the sword so easily.

The Patriarch was also a natural-born warrior by nature.

The reason he decided to take a disciple this time, after not accepting any for so long, was because he was captivated by that brilliant talent.

Seeing Cheongun deflect it more easily than expected made him greedy.

Wouldn’t it be alright to go a bit stronger?

Wouldn’t it be fine to put more internal energy into it? Such thoughts arose.

“How about it. Will you try receiving one more?”

The displeased and dissatisfied look from moments ago had long since disappeared.

His eyes were urging Cheongun to quickly answer yes.

Without answering such a question, Cheongun sheathed his sword and replied.

“Because I’m a merchant.”

“Ha, what a spiteful fellow.”

If he hadn’t said at first that they were having this conversation because he was a merchant, Cheongun might have received that sword.

However, to someone who thought of him as a merchant, he would only show a merchant’s attitude.

“I’ll leave Sinui’s token and go.”

“…Thank you.”

If it’s Sinui, it would be possible.

The purification of these unclean things that had befallen Mount Hua.

That’s why Cheongun deliberately didn’t mention it.

That no more deaths would occur from now on.

That these matters would be resolved given more time.

Wouldn’t it be several times better for Cheongun to collect the debt rather than that red-haired witch?

“Everything is finished, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Hmm…? You’re just going to return like that?”

“I’m not returning, but moving forward. I must do what I originally intended to do.”

“What an unpredictable fellow. To just leave like that.”

“I’ve done everything I needed to do, so I’m simply leaving.”

Cheongun politely bowed and left his seat.

The two people stared blankly at the empty space where Cheongun had departed.

“Daoist Master. That person is really…”

“Disciple.”

“Yes, Daoist Master.”

“If you meet that fellow again in the future, don’t make him an enemy.”

That means…”

“Don’t try to make him a friend either. The moment you try, he’ll devour you.”

“…Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“If you have that much value, he’ll approach you on his own.”

The Patriarch examined Sinui’s token he had received from Cheongun.

“…Huh?”

But this wasn’t Sinui’s token.

For a moment, he wondered if this was some kind of trick.

Deep anger boiled up at the thought of whether he was playing games with a sect’s future when there was nothing else to humiliate.

However, once he realized the identity of this token, his boiling anger instantly turned to amazement.

A token he remembered seeing long ago.

There had been rumors that at some point, this person stopped giving tokens to anyone, yet he had received such a person’s token.

‘Master of Righteousness…?’

How did that young fellow come to possess this token?

Deliberately giving this token was like proving his own worth.

“What an extraordinary fellow.”

Who was the lucky one in their meeting?

What he hadn’t even considered at first now seemed to lean toward one side.

If he had been a moderately exceptional person, he would have only said not to make him an enemy, but earlier was an exception.

Not exceptional, but unpredictable.

The best policy with such people is not to get close to them in the first place.

However, if that’s not possible.

Then one must maintain an appropriate distance.

He didn’t know if his young disciple understood this, but being a clever and talented child, he probably caught on.

Cheongun, who had come down the mountain, was quite satisfied that things had ended much faster than expected.

Of course, the fact that Hyeolramahua, called one of the Seven Great Demonic Cultivators, had shown interest in Cheongun wasn’t a good thing.

“To think everything would be finished in just one day.”

It felt somewhat liberating.

It had been a situation with time pressure and no leisure, but now that he had gained that leisure, it felt even more so.

That didn’t mean he intended to feel at ease.

He would simply carry out the next task more solidly.

More efficiently.

The place he sought for that purpose was right here.

[Cheonjingjang]

This was probably his first time visiting like this.

The spirit of the one guarding the entrance was quite impressive.

Indeed, money seemed to be overflowing.

Now, let’s see how that small master handles the reception.

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