After the boisterous banquet ended, the master of the Shi-yue Pavilion and I t separately.
I, regardless of my current age, don't usually drink much for the sake of my health, and it seems the master of the Shi-yue Pavilion also didn't drink much.
"Do you not usually drink? You don't seem drunk at all."
"Yes. I don't enjoy drinking. I am a person who sells alcohol, not one who drinks it."
"Usually, when you say you're the owner of a brothel or a tavern, you get the impression that you would enjoy drinking, but it seems that's not always the case."
"Yes. I don't know about others, but I have to be the only one who is awake so that I can deal with whatever happens. However, I also often drink before going to bed during the day when I'm not working."
It is once again reminded that the day he speaks of is night for ordinary people.
"That's a good mindset. You must have been able to raise the best brothel in Wuhan because you had that kind of mindset."
"Thank you very much for saying so."
He smiled brightly, bowed his head to , and then continued, "The reason I have brought you here, Taoist master, is to have a brief discussion about the paynt and reward we talked about before."
"We have ti tomorrow, so why today?"
"It's just my feeling, but I have a feeling that you will be returning to Mount Wudang as early as tomorrow... or at the latest, the day after tomorrow. I thought it would be better to have a quick talk when we have ti."
"Oh. You're quite sharp, aren't you?"
I affird his words.
My master had already told to return to Mount Wudang as soon as possible.
Although he said my wound had healed considerably, he told to rest for about two more months, and it would be better to rest comfortably at Mount Wudang rather than resting outside the house.
But the reason that 'soon' is not tomorrow is because we have to get a carriage to ride together tomorrow.
My master said he would not allow to walk for a long ti, let alone train.
As I said before, he told not to hold a sword for at least two months of rest, and of course, not to go outside of Mount Wudang.
I had no choice but to nod my head without resistance at those words.
Putting aside the fact that it was my master's words, since I had almost died while running around like a horned colt on my own, if I didn't listen well now, it seed he would not let leave the Wudang Sect for a quite a long ti.
"It's late, and it's ti for you Taoist masters to go to bed, so shall we get straight to the point?"
"Good. But master, senior brothers, is it okay if we don't talk together?"
"Yes. I have already finished talking with them."
"Really?"
"I promised Taoist Master Hyeon Yang a personal reward and also to sponsor the Wudang Sect. Of course, I am not as rich as the famous wealthy people or rchants in the Central Plains, but I have decided to do my best within my ans."
"I see. Thank you."
Although I bowed my head to him and greeted him, I didn't even ask how much the amount was.
That money is the money of the Wudang Sect, not my money.
And on top of that, if he had decided to sponsor a larger amount than I had thought, my stomach would surely ache.
So it's better to not even hear how much money I can't even use and just forget about it.
"I have been worrying a lot about what I should do for you, Taoist Master Unhwi."
I was worried that I might hear sothing like, 'I don't think I should reward a person like you, Taoist master, with just money...'
I want money. Money! I wanted to shout like this, but I held it in.
At that ti, Gongsun Huan continued, "I'm telling you in advance in case you might misunderstand, but it's too obvious to reward you with money, so I was worrying a lot about what else I could do besides that."
I opened my mouth wide without my realizing it.
Controlling my expression is the most basic of basics, but thinking that I am still far from being calculating, I cleared my throat.
Gongsun Huan chuckled at and then opened his mouth again.
"So the conclusion I have co to is... although it is very precious to as well, I am going to give you things that might be really necessary for you, Taoist master."
He took out a large box from under the table and placed it on the table with a thud.
But when I heard the sound of it being placed, I tilted my head for a mont.
Because although the size of the box was very large, judging by the sound of it being placed, I thought the contents would not be very heavy.
"To be honest... if my grandfather finds out that I gave these to you, Taoist master, he will really be angry. Because these are the heirlooms of our family."
He put on a serious expression and continued, "I'm not threatening you at all, but the reason my grandfather was called Minister Jeong is because he once served as the pri minister of the court. Although he has retired now, I am honestly afraid of the connections and power he has. So please do not ever tell anyone about the existence of these items."
Gongsun Huan waited for my answer, as if asking to promise.
"I understand. I don't know what the items are, but I will never tell anyone."
"Yes. I believe you."
After saying that, he opened the lid of the box.
And then, the two items that were visible inside.
One looked like a translucent piece of clothing, and the other, which was rolled up, looked like a belt.
I was wondering what was so great that he was showing it to while trembling like that, but then I was so surprised by a thought that I shouted, "No, wait a minute, are these by any chance?!"
"Hoo-hoo... as expected, you recognize them at a glance. The one on the left here is the Ghost Pattern Treasure Armor. In the martial world, it is commonly called the Ghost Armor for short. And the one on the right is an item called the Flexible Sword Belt."
"Ghost Armor, Flexible Sword Belt..."
I was so dazed for a mont that I couldn't easily say any words.
Because the two items that Gongsun Huan had offered were literally things called 'divine weapons'.
The Ghost Pattern Treasure Armor, that is, the Ghost Armor, looks translucent and flimsy on the outside and seems to have no ability, but in fact, it is an armor made by mixing thread made by processing black iron and heavenly silkworm silk in an appropriate ratio, and an ordinary sword or saber cannot even pierce it.
The reason why the Ghost Armor is particularly special is that no matter what the original material is, in the end, it is a piece of clothing woven with thread, so it is not noticeable on the outside even when worn, and it is also flexible, so it is comfortable to move in.
And on top of that, it is so light that it is said that you often forget you are wearing it.
"It may look big now, but if you wear it and move your body, it will soon fit your body perfectly. Strangely, it has that characteristic. And please try using this as well."
He handed the Flexible Sword Belt while I was holding and touching the Ghost Armor.
The Flexible Sword Belt is literally a belt made of a flexible sword.
When you wear it around your waist, it just looks like a belt, but if you pull on the end like this.
A smooth hilt and blade are revealed.
Although it is a pity that it is a form without a guard, it is sufficient to use in an ergency when you don't have a sword.
Although the flexible sword that bends can be used by learning the flexible sword art itself.
Because you can also inject energy like this and make it stiff, for a swordsman who can handle internal energy to so extent, it is just a slightly thinner sword than a normal sword.
"As expected...! Since you are familiar with internal energy, you can handle the flexible sword like that."
The master of the Shi-yue Pavilion shouted as if in admiration.
I retrieved the energy from the sword, and after rolling up the sword that had beco flexible again, I said to him, "Can you really give these items?"
"Of course. I have already made up my mind to give these to you, Taoist master."
"To be honest, these... feel too excessive."
I sincerely thought so.
No matter how much I like free things and gifts, I am not a person without a conscience.
If you were to sell these items, they are valuable enough to buy a hundred of these Shi-yue Pavilions.
I thought it was too expensive as a reward for just retaking the Shi-yue Pavilion.
"However, before I give you this, there is one thing you must promise ."
"What promise?"
"Will you promise that you will never sell these items? And soday, when you no longer need them, can you return them to ?"
"Yes?"
I was so surprised for a mont, thinking that he had read my mind, that I asked back.
Fortunately, it didn't seem to be the case, and he answered with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"As I said before, these items are the heirlooms of the Jeong family, and they are items that my grandfather gave . If only you and I, Taoist master, know that I gave you these items, my grandfather will never know that I gave them to you, but if items of this caliber co out on the market, he will surely find out."
"Ah... that's right. If I were to say I'm selling these, Chang'an would probably be in an uproar."
"So for , these are items that I can neither use nor sell. In fact, the Ghost Armor can be worn under my clothes, but the Flexible Sword Belt in particular was a pie in the sky for . Because I am a complete dunce when it cos to martial arts, I have not been able to learn internal energy or the flexible sword art. So you can receive them without any burden."
After thinking for a mont without being able to answer, I soon nodded my head.
"I understand. I will gratefully accept them."
"Thank you for accepting them."
He rather expressed his gratitude to .
It seed that by giving these, he was freed from the burden of having to repay for saving his life and the Shi-yue Pavilion.
In fact, the reason I accepted his proposal was not that grand.
'If I have these items, my overall strength will rise by several levels right away.'
Just look at the fight with Dokgo Jugwak right before.
If I had just been wearing the Ghost Armor, I would have been able to overwhelm him.
I have just made up my mind not to shy away from any ans or thods if I can beco even a little stronger.
And besides, it's not like I'm taking them, but he's giving them to voluntarily, so there's no need to refuse.
"And please accept this as well."
He said that and also placed a money pouch on the table.
"First, I have included the expenses and labor costs that you have used, Taoist master, and a little of my heart. Please check it."
When I slightly opened the pouch, I almost scread without my realizing it.
Because a yellow light was pouring out from between the slightly opened pouch.
It looked like at least ten gold coins.
"The Ghost Armor and the Flexible Sword Belt are already more than enough, but can you really give this much money as well?"
I asked, quickly putting the money pouch in my bosom in case he might change his mind.
He shrugged his shoulders and answered, "That money is not actually from ."
"Then?"
"The Red Snake Gang guys did only one thing right, and that is that they ran the business really well for the few months they occupied the Shi-yue Pavilion. Thanks to the fact that you Taoist masters raided the Shi-yue Pavilion at the right ti, the money they had earned from their business during that ti was in the safe, and I just brought it. And the money I had hidden here and there was also there as it was."
He said that and smiled brightly.
And I also smiled back at him.
Although it was money that he should have earned, for so reason, it feels like I have taken the money of the Red Snake Gang guys.
And taking the money of bad guys is always fun and exciting.
It felt as if the master of the Shi-yue Pavilion was also feeling that joy with .
(End of Chapter)
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