Chapter 1484
Why are you suddenly here? (4)
“Hoo.”
Un Am let out a long breath as he put down the load he had been carrying.
‘Is it finally over?’
It seemed he had finished moving all the goods for today. Of course, once the short night passed, there would undoubtedly be more work waiting for him.
“Are you finished?”
Hearing a voice from beside him, Un Am turned his head. Tang Gunak, the head of the Sichuan Tang clan, was approaching with a smile.
Un Am quickly offered a fist-palm salute.
“Greetings to the head…”
But Un Am couldn’t bow as deeply as he intended. An intangible force held his body firmly in place.
“You’re too formal. I can’t accept a bow from the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
Un Am smiled awkwardly.
“I apologize. I understand in my head, but my body just doesn’t get used to it.”
Tang Gunak smiled lightly. It would undoubtedly be uncomfortable. Un Am had watched him communicate on equal footing with Hyun Jong.
Moreover, when Tang Gunak first assumed his position as head, hadn’t he also found it difficult to interact with those associated with his predecessors?
“Have you finished all your tasks?”
“Barely managed to.”
Tang Gunak shook his head, exhausted.
“How did things get so out of hand?”
“Indeed.”
The two men sighed simultaneously. The crowd of people had thinned enough to allow them a brief moment of respite. The past few days had been so busy they hadn’t had a moment to breathe.
“No one in the world can match them when it comes to creating a mess.”
Un Am said, prompting a bitter smile from Tang Gunak, who then frowned.
“Come to think of it, that’s the problem. Those troublemakers are away right now.”
“…”
“What new troubles will they get into? We haven’t even finished dealing with things here.”
Tang Gunak spoke heavily, glancing at Un Am for his reaction. To his surprise, Un Am’s expression remained calm. Tang Gunak said, somewhat perplexed.
“It seems you’re not worried, Sect Leader.”
“Of course, I was taken aback when they left abruptly with just a word.”
“…”
“But, Lord Tang, I believe in those children.”
“You believe they will handle everything well and return?”
“No.”
A hint of confusion crossed Tang Gunak’s face.
“Then what do you believe in?”
“I believe in what those children have learned and experienced so far.”
Tang Gunak frowned slightly at the somewhat roundabout answer. But before he could ask further, Un Am continued.
“They are Taoists. The world focuses only on their swords, but those kids are finding their own way in this world.”
“Ah…”
Tang Gunak let out a small exclamation. Un Am smiled broadly.
“As long as their thoughts and actions do not stray from the Tao discussed at Hwasan, what does it matter what they do? I am merely waiting for them to return.”
Tang Gunak looked at Un Am with great interest.
Had it been Hyun Jong, he would likely be building mountains of worry about the kids who had left. But Un Am was certainly different from Hyun Jong. Though he had concerns and worries, there was a clear layer of trust above them.
“If they heard this, they would be pleased.”
“Haha. They would just laugh it off.”
Un Am chuckled and looked far to the east.
‘I believe in you, you rascals.’
May everything they achieve be grounded in the path they have chosen.
On the path named Hwasan.
❀ ❀ ❀
“…Wow.”
“This is mind-blowing.”
“Unbelievable.”
The disciples of Hwasan, having just crossed the grand entrance, all stood with their mouths wide open.
Even Jo Geol and Tang Soso, who were likely quite familiar with luxurious sights, couldn’t hide their astonishment.
“S-Sahyeong, isn’t that a cat-eye stone?”
“This is ridiculous. Who in their right mind would use it to decorate a pavilion?”
“But it is, right?”
“Oh my…”
Both Jo Geol and Tang Soso shivered simultaneously.
The entire first floor was adorned with lavish jewels and silk. It was a level of extravagance that even Four Seas merchant guild and the Tang clan would never dare attempt.
“I wonder what Elder Hyun Yeong would say if he saw this?”
“He’d probably curse them out, saying that these lunatics are flushing money down the drain, and it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“Right?”
Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong couldn’t keep their mouths closed either. Even Hye Yeon, who walked the path of Buddhism far removed from luxury, seemed on the verge of losing his senses.
“How can a place like this exist in the world…”
The exterior had been dazzling enough, but the interior was beyond comparison. The shimmering decorations, the sweet fragrances, the music drifting through the air, and the coquettish laughter blended together, making it feel as though they had stepped into another world entirely.
“Is this the celestial realm?”
“Oh, Sasuk. In that case, it’s worth ascending.”
“You lot seem like you’re asking to be struck by lightning.”
“…Yoon Jong-ah. I’m your Sasuk.”
“…”
While everyone was entranced by the splendor, a woman elegantly dressed in a palace dress [궁장(宮裝)] approached.
“Welcome.”
She smiled warmly at the disciples of Hwasan, who were standing awkwardly.
“It is a great honor to have such heroes visit Cheonsangru.”
The woman bowed gracefully, making them shrink back even more.
“Sasuk, if you keep shrinking, you’ll become smaller than Soso.”
“Look at yourself before talking.”
The woman raised her head and asked.
“What brings you to this place?”
“Well, you see… we… um… came up here…”
“Ah, move aside!”
As Baek Cheon stammered, Chung Myung, unable to bear it any longer, pushed him back and stepped forward.
“We came for a drink. What other business would we have? Please guide us to a high place with a good view.”
“Oh, I see.”
The woman sighed sympathetically at Chung Myung’s words.
“I’m sorry, good sir. Our Cheonsangru is not a place that just anyone can enter. We only allow those of certain status…”
“Status?”
At the mention of status, Chung Myung’s eyes flared with anger.
“Status? Who has a more certain status than us? Don’t you know Jongnam, Jongnam?”
“Um…”
“Even if this is Kaifeng, not recognizing the Great Jongnam Sect? Should I show you the Thirty-Six Swords right here?”
“Ugh…”
Lee Songbaek, who was standing at the back, clutched his chest as if fighting an invisible force, looking like a man whose heart might give out.
‘At this rate, he’ll start coughing up blood.’
‘I can’t blame him. That guy has no sense of restraint.’
The disciples of Hwasan subtly moved to shield Lee Songbaek, offering awkward smiles.
The woman, initially looking troubled, suddenly brightened her expression.
“No matter how ignorant I may be, I can still recognize the noble cloud pattern on your robes.”
“Right? So we can go in, can’t we?”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“What?”
“Please forgive me for not finishing my explanation. Only those with certain status and high reputation in the world can enter our Cheonsangru…”
“Reputation? Is there anyone here with a higher reputation than this man? This is Jin Geumryong! The Golden Dragon among the Five Dragons! Jin Geumryong!”
Baek Cheon, who had been in a daze, quickly adopted an arrogant expression. Jo Geol swiftly whispered into Yoon Jong’s ear.
“Was Jin Geumryong’s nickname actually Golden Dragon? So it’s Golden Dragon Jin Geumryong? Paegun Jang Ilso, Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung, Golden Dragon Jin Geumryong?”
“…Uh, was it? I don’t think so.”
How could they come up with such random titles…
“And you don’t know this man? From Jongnam, he’s… uh, right! Lee Songbaek! He doesn’t have a title yet, but in the future, he’ll probably be called something like Invincible Sword of Jongnam.”
Lee Songbaek was dragged out by Chung Myung, looking totally lost. Chung Myung shouted proudly.
“Is this not enough reputation?”
“Well…”
“Wow! This place is really something. Totally ignoring Jongnam, Jin Geumryong, and Lee Songbaek. Truly an impressive establishment!”
“N-No, if you’d just let me finish…”
By this point, the woman’s previously serene expression started to show signs of irritation, a vein beginning to throb on her forehead.
‘She’s angry.’
‘She’s annoyed.’
‘No wonder.’
The woman, who had seemed elegant enough to never lose her composure, began to show a distorted expression. While the situation was undoubtedly entertaining to some extent, the disciples of Hwasan could not laugh – it was rather sad. After all, they had always been on the receiving end of such treatment.
In a voice more resolute than before, the woman spoke.
“Dear guest, our establishment only accepts members as patrons. Only those with certain status and high reputation in the world can become members, and only those members can enter the premises!”
Chung Myung snorted derisively.
“What kind of establishment requires membership? This isn’t a sect.”
“Do not forget where you are, guests. This is Kaifeng.”
“…”
“You can’t discuss important matters in a place where anyone can easily come and go, can you?”
“Oh, so that’s how it is?”
Indeed, in an area teeming with beggars, there would be those who sought a place free of eavesdroppers. They couldn’t leave Kaifeng every time they needed to have a private conversation, avoiding the eyes of beggars.
Chung Myung let out a sound of realization and then said, almost dismissively.
“Well, then becoming a member is all it takes. Jin Geumryong should be enough, right?”
“Of course. If it is the esteemed Jin Daehyeop of Jongnam, he naturally qualifies to be a member of Cheonsangru.”
“Then make him a member.”
At that moment, the woman donned a mysterious smile as she replied.
“Of course. Which level of membership would you like to attain?”
“…What? Level?”
“The tiers in Cheonsangru determine which floors you can access. For instance, to access this floor, you need to be at least a ‘Gi-기’ level member.”
“…Huh? And the top floor?”
“The top floor… Do you wish to go there?”
“Yes.”
The woman’s eyes slightly darkened.
“In that case, you need to be a ‘Gap-갑’ level member to access the top floor.”
“Then make it Gap level. Sign us up for that.”
“To become a member of Cheonsangru, you must pay a corresponding membership fee.”
“A membership fee? Money?”
“Yes, an appropriate sum…”
At that moment, a money pouch thrown by Chung Myung flew towards the woman. She caught it instinctively.
“Use what’s in there to cover it and give me the change. Got it?”
The woman quickly estimated the amount in the pouch with a sidelong glance and then smiled.
“Sir, with this amount, you can only purchase a ‘Byeong-병급(兵級)’ grade membership. Is that acceptable?”
“Alright, take one nyang and buy yourself a meal… What?”
Chung Myung’s eyes bulged, then narrowed in disbelief at the sum of money inside.
“What, a grade? Not even a level but a ‘grade’?”
“That’s correct.”
“And how much for a ‘top’ membership?”
“It’s a hundred thousand gold nyang.”
“…How much?”
“A million nyang.”
“…How much did you say?”
“A million…”
Chung Myung’s eyes quivered as if experiencing a sudden earthquake. Shock and confusion quickly gave way to rage.
“What in the world! Even if you’re trying to scam me, this is outrageous! A membership costs a million nyang? Who in the world has that kind of money?”
“Please calm down, sir!”
“We can’t cause a scene here!”
“I’ve heard of people selling their conscience, but meeting lunatics like you at my age? This is a first! You’re trying to swindle us today, aren’t you? Well, you’ve picked the wrong target! Get your boss out here right now!”
Chung Myung was fuming. But the woman remained calm, even smiled.
“Sir, causing trouble here won’t do.”
“Trouble? What do you mean, trouble? If I decided to use force, what would you do?”
“I’m afraid there’s no other choice. I’ll call the government officials.”
“Fine. Let’s see… Huh?”
Chung Myung’s head tilted to the side.
“You’re… calling the government?”
“Official forces [관군(官軍)]. From the government bureau [관청(官廳)].”
“…What?”
Chung Myung was taken aback by the unexpected response.
“But… doesn’t this person know about the ‘Government affairs’? Why would officials be involved here?”
“Of course, we know. But this is not a place of Gangho, it’s a business establishment. Naturally, if there’s a problem, we have to call the authorities. Isn’t that right?”
As Baek Cheon cautiously approached, surveying the situation, he whispered to Chung Myung.
“Hey, up until now, it was kind of a joke, you know?”
“Huh?”
“But now there’s a problem with the officials? This is getting serious. Our bluff is about to be called. Sect Leader will test the performance of his new cold iron sword on our scalps.”
As the two whispered to each other, the woman smiled and asked.
“So, are you planning to cause more trouble?”
“Heh. Hahaha. Hah.”
A spark ignited in Chung Myung’s eyes. Just as the startled disciples of Hwasan instinctively rushed to grab him, Chung Myung’s figure seemed to abruptly vanish from the spot.
‘Oh, no!’
“Oh, excuse me.”
The rushing disciples stumbled and fell where Chung Myung had been standing, but Chung Myung was already gracefully stepping back. His waist was politely bent at a right angle, posture impeccably straight.
“Uh…”
“Uh?”
“Goodbye. Now, let’s all leave.”
Chung Myung waved his hand dismissively.
“Why are you all standing there? Let’s go! Officials are coming!”
…Ah. This guy has something he can’t do. Heh heh…
“Hurry up, let’s go!”
“We’re going, we’re going.”
Just as the disappointed disciples of Hwasan turned to leave the magnificent pavilion, someone hurried down the grand staircase leading to the upper floors. And in a soft whisper near the frowning woman’s ear, they murmured something inaudible.
The woman spoke up.
“Just a moment.”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung, who was about to step outside, turned abruptly. The woman lowered her head.
“I apologize. I may have misjudged you. Please forgive the impoliteness of a mere servant.”
“Huh?”
What’s going on all of a sudden?
From the deeply bowed woman’s lips flowed a voice of utmost courtesy, as if the previous commotion had never happened.
“Thank you for visiting Cheonsangru, Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung. Allow me to guide you to the top floor immediately.”
For a moment, a sinister gleam flashed in Chung Myung’s eyes.
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