0107 : Dark Heaven Village
It wasn’t long before I was able to enter Gaegyeong. Since the escorting of most prisoners had beco my responsibility, I took the selectively gathered Goryeo people prisoners to a Senior Official of Goryeo. The rather stern-looking official glanced at the list of nas I provided and said,
“What is this? So what do you want to do?”
“Please help these individuals return to their hotown.”
“Your Goryeo language is quite fluent.”
The official, who was prattling on uselessly, began to beat around the bush.
“I’d love to help, but I’m not one to have spare ti, and nearly everyone on this list is either a commoner or a lowly serf except for about three nas…”
“……”
“It requires so goodwill. Isn’t that right? Without goodwill, I can’t move.”
As I stared at the official with a look of disbelief, the Lord of the Great Dragon rchant Association, who was standing next to , whispered and pulled aside.
“Co over here for a mont.”
Once we moved to a more secluded spot, the Lord said,
“I knew this would happen. That person wants a bribe.”
“A bribe? What do you an asking for a bribe while trying to help these poor souls whose lives were completely devastated by pirates?”
“Of course, Baek Woong, you are correct. However, that’s how the world operates. If there isn’t enough money, that person won’t move at all.”
“Ugh.”
I frowned. I never imagined I would be stuck in a place like this. After a mont of thought, I asked the Lord of the Great Dragon,
“Could you connect with Jeong Cheol-wook?”
“Hmm? Of course, I have connections with him, but what do you intend to do?”
“It would be sufficient just to have a conversation with him. I beg you.”
“Alright then.”
The Lord of the Great Dragon agreed to my request. Of course, I was fully aware that there was a ticulous calculation behind the Lord’s generosity, so I knew I would need to repay him soday to avoid any future repercussions.
I possessed not only the gold and silver treasures taken from the pirates but also ingots of gold, yet I felt reluctant to hand those over to that corrupt high official. Moreover, I felt a sense of unease that if I released those upon this land, there might be unpredictable consequences to deal with.
The eting arranged by the Lord of the Great Dragon would take place about two days later. When I arrived at the reception room, Jeong Cheol-wook greeted , saying,
“Welco! It is an honor to et the young hero who has achieved such great territorial prowess.”
“I’m greatly honored to et you, Head Jeong.”
As I spoke politely according to Goryeo customs, Jeong Cheol-wook’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Are you perhaps from Goryeo? Your Goryeo is quite fluent, and you seem adept at the etiquette, as if trained in a noble house for a long ti.”
“Not at all. I rely spent a brief period in Goryeo.”
“I see…”
Jeong Cheol-wook seed to be in a rather jovial mood. As he poured tea into his cup, he asked,
“So, Baek Woong, what brings you to see ?”
“Actually, I have sothing to discuss with your physician, Elder Hwa Seo-myeong.”
“What? You know him?”
Jeong Cheol-wook appeared sowhat taken aback. This was understandable given that the naturalization matters of the Hwa Clan were sothing he had been discreetly assisting with, and the fact that Elder Hwa Seo-myeong was renowned in the central region as the Luminary Divine of the Central Five Great Elders was virtually unknown in Goryeo. I respectfully continued,
“My master was a close friend of Elder Hwa Seo-myeong. I essentially ca all the way to Goryeo to et him. Please, grant this favor.”
“Hmm… Considering the vastness of the central region, such things can indeed happen… Then, might you also possess any dical skills?”
“I can do a little.”
“Oh?”
After a mont of contemplation, Jeong Cheol-wook said,
“Good. You will accompany my Guardian Warrior Group. I will inform Elder Hwa right away.”
I followed their guidance to Elder Hwa’s residence. Upon my arrival, the head of the Guardian Warrior Group seed to have a brief discussion inside. Shortly after, I was able to enter the separate quarters where Elder Hwa lived.
The familiar scent of dicinal herbs filled the air. I had trained in dical skills for about ten years, and the aroma stirred nostalgic emotions in as I stood in the middle of the room. Just then, a clear voice rang out.
“You’re my friend’s disciple? Who on earth are you?”
Elder Hwa was glaring at with a less than friendly gaze. He didn’t seem particularly welcoming towards a visitor from the central region. Given that he had experienced disdain in the central region, leading to the complete relocation of the Hwa Clan, it was understandable. I smiled and spoke to him in Mandarin.
“Calm down. That was a lie, but from now on, you and I will be able to help each other.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I am aware of the situation your Hwa Clan is in. If you cooperate with , I can help move all the dical knowledge of the Hwa Clan to Goryeo within a few years.”
“……!!”
Elder Hwa widened his eyes. Instead of continuing to glare, he began to observe with a calm deanor.
“I cannot believe that.”
“First, let’s start with this.”
Swish.
I revealed a gold ingot from the box. Upon seeing the brilliant shine of the ingot, Elder Hwa stared at it for a while as if srized. Suddenly receiving a gold ingot from , he seed skeptical.
“With this, you should be able to relocate most of your family.”
“Wha… Who on earth are you? How do you know my situation so well?”
“My na is Baek Woong. I trained in the collateral branch of the Hwa Clan, and upon hearing that the main family was in danger, I ca all the way to Goryeo to help.”
“The collateral branch? So you learned dical skills as well?”
“Please check for yourself.”
I approached a nearby anatomical model and slowly began to perform the Hwa Clan’s Eighteen Needles technique. After demonstrating the basic forms and the flow of ridians taught in the Eighteen Needles, I followed up with the Hwa’s Five Elental Healing technique. As I completed all the demonstrations, Elder Hwa sank down to the ground in disbelief.
“This is… for real? Is it truly possible for soone from the collateral branch to master the Hwa Clan’s dical skills to this degree? How could I have not known soone like you?”
“……”
“This is indeed the authentic Eighteen Needles and Five Elental Healing techniques…!!”
With that, Elder Hwa burst into tears and embraced my shoulders.
“Ugh… Thank you so much. I will never forget this favor…!! This has reduced our tiline by ten years…”
“Now, it is ti for Head Hwa to help .”
I took out another gold ingot and presented it to him.
“If you accept this ingot as well, you should be able to relocate all the physicians. However, I am currently in a difficult situation, so I greatly need Head Hwa’s assistance. If you can help , I will give you this gold ingot.”
“Tell ! I will definitely help you with whatever it takes.”
I explained my current predicant regarding the pirates’ stronghold and the issues with the prisoners I had brought back, ntioning the high official of Goryeo who was stalling for a bribe. After listening calmly, Elder Hwa stroked his beard and said,
“What a despicable person.”
“Can you help ?”
“Of course. I currently have the trust of Head Jeong, so I will speak directly to him. He generally listens to , and it will likely be of help to you.”
“Thank you.”
“No, I should be the one to thank you…”
Elder Hwa’s eyes welled up as he wiped away the tears from his eyes.
“I never expected soone from the collateral branch to co all the way to help the main family in this distant land… and to possess such exceptional dical skills. Who is your master? I really want to et him.”
I felt a bit taken aback but sighed.
“They have already passed away…”
“Oh, I see…”
After this, I had a brief conversation with Elder Hwa. Most of the discussion revolved around trivial dical topics, and occasionally he would express surprise at my dical knowledge. When I asked about areas where I had been uncertain, he kindly provided insights.
“Then I’ll be counting on your help.”
“Take care.”
It was precisely one day after I returned to my lodging when a mber of Goryeo’s Guardian Warrior Group ca to my room, and the leader spoke to .
“Head Jeong would like to see you. Please follow us.”
“Understood.”
As I followed them to et Jeong Cheol-wook again, I found soone tied up with a cord, sitting submissively in the reception room, covered in blood. Elder Hwa was also present. Jeong Cheol-wook, sitting in a chair, welcod , saying,
“Welco, Baek Woong.”
“This person is…”
“He is the one who demanded a bribe from you. To think he would be so rude to a righteous person from the central region—my face flushes in embarrassnt.”
Indeed, the man before was the high official I had encountered earlier. His face was swollen as if he had already been subjected to a round of interrogation and beating, and he looked utterly defeated. Upon seeing , he desperately shouted,
“That’s not true! I was just trying to make things easier for you… It was just a misunderstanding! Please resolve this!”
What misunderstanding?
I coldly shot him a glance and turned to Jeong Cheol-wook, saying,
“I am moved by Head Jeong’s righteousness.”
“Now my face can breathe again, ha ha.”
Jeong Cheol-wook chuckled bitterly before adding,
“I will actively resolve the issue concerning the Goryeo prisoners you brought back. We will cover up the fact that they were pirates’ captives, and I will provide funds for their resettlent as well. Additionally, I will do my utmost to care for the won who are in dire situations.”
“Once again, thank you very much.”
With Jeong Cheol-wook saying this, I had no further worries. If the head of one of Goryeo’s two great noble families, who shared power with the king, was determined, there was no way things wouldn’t be resolved. Jeong Cheol-wook then issued his final command.
“Listen here. Execute this man and demote his entire family to commoners.”
“Uwaaaah!”
How wonderful.
I delightedly listened to the pitiful screams of the fallen official as I left Jeong Cheol-wook’s residence.
Upon returning to my lodging, I found Seo Mun-hye, the daughter of Lord Shadowless Gate, waiting in front of my room. Her eyes lit up with joy as she saw .
“Oh, you’re back!”
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to check if your eting went well…”
“Of course, it’s been resolved. I should be able to leave tomorrow as planned according to the movents of the rchant association.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you have sothing else you want to say?”
Seo Mun-hye hesitated for a mont before saying,
“I have sothing important to discuss with you, just the two of us.”
“Understood.”
I followed her into the room. Seo Mun-hye gazed at intensely before speaking.
“Doctor Baek, it seems you are not only skilled in dicine but also in martial arts.”
“I don’t possess skills worth boasting about.”
“Before you arrived, I spoke with my sisters about how to repay you for your kindness, and I ca to my own conclusion.”
“Already receiving the pirates’ gold and treasures settles that matter.”
“No, that’s not enough to repay you for saving my life.”
Seo Mun-hye shook her head firmly and then took my hand tightly in hers. I felt the softness of her grip.
“Baek Woong, please be my partner. I beg you.”
“…….!!”
I was taken aback. Was she being serious?
But her eyes made it clear that she was not joking. The stunning, ethereal beauty was holding my hand, her face coming closer until our breaths mingled. She asked,
“Can you not accept my heart?”
“This is such a sudden request… What led you to think this way all of a sudden?”
She sighed and replied,
“I have never seen soone like you in my life. Though I may be young, I recognize your outstanding dical skills and noble spirit, along with your impressive martial arts. You conceal your inner strength, yet I can tell you possess trendous power.”
“Hmm.”
“Despite that, you do not frivolously pursue won and instead act with righteousness, and I was deeply impressed. You are the ideal partner I have envisioned.”
It dawned on at that mont that Seo Mun-hye had developed infatuation for . Surely, if she had any sense, she would know that as she grew, she would not maintain her exquisite beauty but rather beco just another average looking woman. Yet, here she was, asking to be her partner!
Feeling the weight of her request, I cleared my throat and said,
“As you can see, I am very unattractive. I do not think I am suited for soone as beautiful as you.”
Her delicate, pale hand tightened its grip even more.
“What does a man’s appearance matter? I have grown up surrounded by many good-looking n, among whom so are as handso as the esteed Song Ok. But what they had was rely appearance. I can love everything about you, Baek Woong.”
“……”
She was truly sincere.
I found myself in a quandary. If I accepted Seo Mun-hye’s proposal, I could potentially beco the successor to Shadowless Gate, with the strongest martial artist backing . Moreover, I would gain the attention of a breathtaking beauty—this was undeniably an extraordinary choice.
Yet, I could not choose hastily.
Binding myself to her in matrimony would create yet another inevitability, a chain of fate that I could not escape from in my previous life. In a situation where I had not yet achieved my goals, this could deliver a significant blow to my ntal fortitude. After all, I had already resisted the temptations of Hwa Ryu, Han Ji-hwa of the Han family, and Mi-ho without hesitation.
I sighed and said,
“You are making a hasty decision. You do not truly know what kind of person I am yet.”
“Are you… rejecting my proposal?”
“Not at all. I also find you very appealing. However, we need more ti to understand each other better.”
I crossed my arms.
“If that is the case, let us travel to Shadowless Gate together. If my feelings do not change by then, I will accept you as my partner.”
Her face lit up with a bright smile.
“Yes!”
A wave of complex emotions swept over , and a sense of unfairness began to prick at .
‘I’ve been confessed to for the first ti in my life…’
All I wanted was to enjoy life with her, but it felt unjust to give that up for the sake of a single goal. Surely, countless people put in great effort just to win over a breathtaking beauty like Seo Mun-hye.
However, I quickly reshaped my thoughts. Once again, the images of Myung Yang and Mi-ho surfaced in my mind. As long as I owed them a debt of the heart, I could never divert my attention from my goals. This was my penance for the foolishness I had committed in the past.
‘I will definitely defeat the demon sect.’
My resolve strengthened. To lay the foundation for a smoother life plan, I had no choice but to eliminate those scoundrels as quickly as possible and return the beings summoned from another realm back to the imperial palace.
The next day, the ship set sail.
That night, Seo Mun-hye visited my cabin and opened the door.
“Baek Woong.”
Then I heard sothing rustling in the dark, as if sothing was being shed. As she slipped under the covers with , I was jolted awake. I felt her bare skin against mine, which took by surprise. I had intended to enjoy a peaceful sleep, but it felt like a bolt from the blue.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to know you better, Baek Woong.”
Her naked form clung to . A pleasant fragrance enveloped , and her soft skin brushed against my arm. It was reminiscent of Hwa Ryu, but the difference was that she was an innocent girl who knew nothing of the carnal aspects of life.
Looking closely, I saw that she was tightly shutting her eyes while hugging , as if she had no care about the situation at all. I couldn’t help but swallow hard at this different allure. It was rare for a man to refuse a table set before him in such circumstances.
But I said,
“Please turn on the light.”
“Baek Woong…”
“And put on so clothes.”
Seo Mun-hye replied,
“Even if we don’t formalize our marriage, I am willing to give myself to you, Baek Woong. Do you dislike that much?”
“That’s not what I an…”
“Hic…”
She sounded like she was about to cry. I felt at a loss for what to do, but I eventually picked up her clothes from the floor and handed them to her. As she sniffled and began putting on her garnts, I stepped out of the cabin.
‘Sigh… Does anyone not suffer?’
I could only sigh deeply.
At that mont, I heard a voice.
“Ba – bo!! Pervert! Fool!”
“……?”
In the darkness of the corridor outside my cabin stood a small girl. She looked very angry, glaring at with a disgruntled expression. Then she shouted,
“Is this what you’re doing while I ca to help?! Ugh, so annoying!”
“Huh?”
“Go ahead and keep ssing around! Fool! Hmph! Blundering idiot!”
The childish insults continued, but before I could react, she vanished in an instant.
‘What was that?’
I tilted my head in confusion, but the girl’s action was clearly a sophisticated technique, and I felt a sense of déjà vu about her. After a mont of searching the cabin, I found no trace of the girl.
—————————= Author’s Note —————————=
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