Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 50

No matter how beautiful the Moon sisters were, what good would they be after they were dead? It was for this reason that he clutched his aching heart and rejected the beauties before him.

Therefore, whether the Moon sisters liked him or not was even more irrelevant. He only wished to finish his task quickly, eliminate the poison in his body, and eagerly await the day he could leave this place. What would happen to the Moon family afterward was of no concern to him.

Upon his firm rejection, the faces of Madam Eom and the other wives darkened, but the Moon sisters seemed quite pleased.

Even the youngest, Moon Chae-hwan, sent Han-lip a smile as if to say he had done well. And Moon Ok-ju and Moon Bong-mu also looked at Han-lip with softened eyes.

Madam Eom sighed deeply, exchanged glances with the other wives, and then turned back to face Han-lip.

“If Master Han dislikes it, there’s nothing we can do! Then, we will choose as Master Han suggested. If you kill the ‘Furious Lion’ Gu Yang-bi-cheon, the head of Dokpae Mountain Manor, we will give you the Nanyang Jade.”

“Haha! The ladies’ schemes are impressive. I’ve heard that even though the Furious Lion Gu Yang-bi-cheon is old, he still has no daughters, so if he dies, Dokpae Mountain Manor is likely to fall apart. Then, they won’t be a match for the Gyeonggyo Association anymore.”

“It’s not just that. Do you know where that man, Oh Geom-myeong, was sent from? Oh Geom-myeong was sent by that very head, Gu Yang. Moreover, he was said to be Gu Yang-bi-cheon’s seventh and most favored disciple.

The head of Dokpae Mountain Manor is of a similar age to my husband and has always harbored ambitions to take over the entire Southern Province. He intends to swallow our Gyeonggyo Association with cunning tricks and then bring down the Osaek Gate.

He already tried to incite internal strife within the Gyeonggyo Association a few years ago by instigating my husband’s sworn brother, Ma Gong-cheon, and his second disciple, Jo Gon.

Fortunately, we discovered it first, but they lost their lives at the hands of their fellow disciples, and the Gyeonggyo Association also suffered enormous losses. Since then, we’ve been pushed around by the numerically superior Dokpae Mountain Manor, barely managing to narrow our sphere of influence and protect Gawon Castle.”

Madam Eom calmly revealed the secret history of the Gyeonggyo Association.

“The Gyeonggyo Association’s power isn’t that strong even within Gawon Castle. Why hasn’t Dokpae Mountain Manor destroyed the Moon family in one fell swoop?”

“There’s a reason why that Gu Yang-bi-cheon dares not attack this place. If you want to know, agree to the conditions we proposed earlier. Then, we’ll tell you right away.”

The Third Madam said jokingly with a smile.

“It’s alright then. I was just curious.”

“Really! You’re not very manly. You can’t even do such a small thing.”

When Han-lip didn’t budge at her suggestion, the Third Madam pouted and flirted with Han-lip. Madam Eom and the other wives pretended not to notice the Third Madam’s coquetry, but the Moon sisters blushed.

“Third Madam, it’s easy for you to say, but my life is on the line with that small thing. I’m fine with just being a man in body, not necessarily a manly one.”

His frank attitude slightly bewildered the wives.

“How does Master plan to end Gu Yang-bi-cheon’s life? That man hides in his manor all day and hardly ever goes out. Moreover, his martial arts are at their peak, and he’s not easy to deal with when it comes to using his mind.”

“That’s not something the Fourth Madam needs to worry about. Just give me a good horse and a portrait of his face. After that, it’s my business.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

Madam Eom did not press further at Han-lip’s unreserved tone.

“But before that, ladies, you need to give me some assurance. There’s a chance you might turn your backs on me after I’ve done the job!”

“How can we assure you?”

Madam Eom expressed her dissatisfaction at Han-lip’s words. However, she didn’t seem too surprised, as if she had expected it.

“You ladies need to take one of these pills each. I won’t say what kind of medicine it is. Anyway, on the day I kill Gu Yang-bi-cheon, everything will be resolved when we exchange the Nanyang Jade and the antidote.”

When Han-lip placed a medicine bottle on the table, Madam Eom picked it up without hesitation. As she tilted the bottle, a blue-green pill rolled out, and she swallowed it without any sign of hesitation.

‘She’s fearless and decisive, befitting someone who has led the Gyeonggyo Association this far.’

Han-lip admired her inwardly and shifted his gaze to the other wives.

“Don’t the others not need to take it? It seems enough to hold my life in your hands.”

Madam Eom, who had already swallowed the pill, stopped the other wives from taking the medicine. Han-lip thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Since the Fourth Madam is so compassionate, then so be it. I’m not that heartless either.”

Immediately after speaking, Han-lip took the medicine bottle back.

“Well, since our business is done, I’ll take my leave. Tomorrow at this time, I’ll visit the Moon family to receive what I need, and then I’ll start working on it right away.”

“Then, we’ll trust in Master!”

Madam Eom saw Han-lip off, and Han-lip left the room with a gentle smile. He had just come downstairs when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

“Senior Brother Han, wait a moment! Second Sister says she has something to say!”

When Moon Chae-hwan’s voice rang in his ears, Han-lip reluctantly turned around. He saw Moon Bong-mu and Moon Ok-ju walking down behind Moon Chae-hwan.

Moon Chae-hwan stopped a few steps in front of him, widened her eyes, and began to circle around him.

“Senior Brother Han, it must have been fun deceiving me! I never thought you’d be a fake too! Giving me something insignificant and trying to trick me.”

Han-lip glared at her words. She had forcefully taken it from him and was now slandering him like this.

“Third Sister, be polite. Don’t be rude to Master Han.”

Han-lip felt a pleasant languor when he heard Moon Bong-mu’s voice for the first time. It was truly a beautiful voice that put people at ease.

“What! I’m speaking on behalf of Mother. Who told you to show off in front of our mother?”

Seeing Moon Chae-hwan huffing, he realized that she was just trying to pick a fight, as he had expected. So, he immediately turned his head and shifted his gaze to Moon Bong-mu.

“What is it that the Second Miss is looking for me for?”

“The reason Bong-mu is looking for Master is to confirm whether the ‘Fragrant Charm Pill’ that Third Sister has was really given by you. Did Master inherit medical skills from your father?”

Moon Bong-mu, her face flushed at Han-lip’s words, asked in a still gentle voice. Han-lip, who had a liking for her, liked her even more when she asked him so kindly.

“If the Miss is curious, I should tell you. It’s true that I gave Chae-hwan the Fragrant Charm Pill. It’s also true that I inherited medical skills and prescriptions from Master Moon. I also learned the method of making the Fragrant Charm Pill at that time. Perhaps Miss Bong-mu is also interested in medicine?”

From seeing the medicinal herbs grown in the back garden of the Moon family, he had expected that there was someone here who had inherited Master Moon’s medical skills. But when Moon Bong-mu asked him this question, he naturally knew that the woman in front of him was that person.

When Han-lip spoke, a look of joy flashed in her eyes.

“There’s no need to hide it from Master. I’ve wanted to learn my father’s medical skills since I was young. So, I’ve been studying my father’s medical books, but it hasn’t been easy since he left the Moon family when I was so young.”

Moon Bong-mu paused and hesitated before continuing with a hesitant look.

“So, I have a request for Master, if you could grant it. If you could write down what your father realized about medicine, it would be a great help for me to learn medicine.”

As she made this request, Moon Bong-mu’s face was slightly flushed, and she seemed worried that she was making an unreasonable request.

“Of course. When I come to the Moon family tomorrow, I’ll bring you Master Moon’s will and prescriptions. Those things originally belonged to the Moon family, so I was planning to return them to the Fourth Madam anyway. Since the Miss is asking, giving them to you wouldn’t be much different.”

“I don’t know what to do with Master granting my request. Thank you so much.”

When Han-lip immediately agreed, a look of emotion appeared on Moon Bong-mu’s face.

“Sister, what’s there to be thankful for? Didn’t you hear? He said it was originally ours. It’s natural for him to return it.”

‘Huh! If a kind and beautiful woman like your second sister hadn’t asked, would I have returned the things that came into my hands to the Moon family for free?’

When Moon Chae-hwan, who had been watching them, interrupted, he glanced at her and muttered inwardly.

“Third Sister, watch your words. It’s a very grateful thing that Master Han is returning our father’s belongings.”

Moon Bong-mu hurriedly urged Chae-hwan and prevented her from being rude any further. Then, with an elegant posture, she bowed and left with Chae-hwan. And Moon Ok-ju, who had not said a word throughout, also scanned Han-lip thoroughly and followed them. From his perspective, he could not read Moon Ok-ju’s thoughts with just that gaze. Han-lip shrugged his shoulders, dismissed his thoughts, and left the Moon family.

* * *

When he returned to the inn, Son I-gu, the new head of the Sapyung Gang, was waiting for Han-lip in front of the door. Of course, Gok-hon was with them as well.

Seeing him, Han-lip nodded to him, opened the door first, and entered. Son I-gu and the others followed him into the room. Then, Son I-gu and another man greeted him respectfully.

Han-lip sat down and examined the face of the man next to Son I-gu. He was a very menacing-looking man.

“Looking at your face, it seems you’ve taken the position of head of the Sapyung Gang.”

“I have! It’s all thanks to you, Master. If it weren’t for you, how could a man like me have had a day like today!”

“It’s good that you know. I won’t interfere with the affairs of the Sapyung Gang, but you must handle the tasks I’ve ordered cleanly with all the gang’s strength. It’s not difficult to change the gang leader again.”

Han-lip spoke coldly, seeing Son I-gu’s wide grin. Only then did Son I-gu, who had been unable to hide his excitement, regain his composure as if he had been jolted awake.

“I will do my best to carry out Master’s orders. I will complete them even if it costs me my life!”

Han-lip nodded again and turned his gaze to the other man.

“You’re the one who heard the conversation of the immortals?”

“Yes, that’s right. I, Seok Cheol-woo, heard it clearly with both ears.”

When Han-lip asked with interest, he answered politely, which did not suit his fierce face. Han-lip was satisfied with that appearance, as only a clever person could handle things well.

“Tell me about the day you saw the immortal man and woman, from beginning to end, without leaving out a single word. If I like it, I promise you the position of deputy head of the Sapyung Gang.”

Seok Cheol-woo was greatly pleased by those words and began to recount the events of that day in detail. His story was slightly different from what Son I-gu had heard from others, but the general flow was similar.

“Did those immortal men and women mention a time or place?”

When all his descriptions were finished, Han-lip asked the most important question.

* * *

“A date or place?”

Seeing Seok Cheol-woo’s bewildered expression, it seemed that he didn’t remember anything in particular. However, seeing Han-lip asking so seriously, it was clear that whether he answered this or not was crucial, so he began to rack his brains again.

# 52