I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 106

< The Best Swordsman of Mount Hua 1 >

“I agree. If they found our tracks, it means there’s a corpse in that carriage, not Jo Gwang-yun. With Jo Gwang-yun’s martial arts, it would take them a hundred years to find our trail.”

Gae Bang-do [a member of the Beggars’ Sect] ran like the wind and stood in front of the carriage.

“Heo Gae (虛 丐), a disciple of the Five Greats of Gae Bang. I pay my respects to the deceased.”

The side door of the carriage opened.

“Heo Gae? A hungry beggar? Just making things up as you go. Which branch are you from?”

“The Patrol Unit.”

“Then you must serve Chwi Gae [the Chief Patrol].”

To speak so casually to the Chief Patrol, Chwi Gae, this person’s martial lineage must be extraordinary. Heo Gae became even more respectful.

“That is correct.”

A face peeked out through the opened side door.

As soon as Heo Gae saw Kwon Jung-won’s face, he lowered his head again.

“Ah! I didn’t recognize you, Great One. I apologize.”

“It’s natural since you haven’t seen me. Don’t worry about it. But, could I ask you a favor?”

‘There’s no way the Quick Sword Master would ask a disciple of the Five Greats of Gae Bang for a favor. It’s clearly a warning,’ Heo Gae thought.

“You flatter me. Please, speak. I will obey.”

“Don’t try to learn too much about my arrival in this capital and my destination. This concerns my personal affairs, and my disciple, Jo Gwang-yun, specially prepared this carriage so I wouldn’t be noticed by beggars like you.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Even if you’re Gae Bang, you wouldn’t want to pry into someone else’s family matters, so you won’t follow me, will you?”

“Who would dare to follow the Great Hero? I will retreat immediately.”

“Thank you. But… !”

Kwon Jung-won glared at Heo Gae.

“If I see any Gae Bang-do in my sight from now on, I will not hesitate to cut their throats. If Gae Bang wants to hold me accountable, I can meet with the Chief myself. Do you understand?”

“I will keep that in mind. My group and I will leave here immediately.”

“I’ll trust you.”

With these words, Kwon Jung-won closed the side door.

“Let’s depart.”

The carriage slowly moved, leaving the bowing Heo Gae behind.

As the carriage disappeared, the other beggars rushed over.

“Brother, what happened?”

Heo Gae turned around without answering.

“Quickly, let’s go to the nearest branch. We need to inform the main branch urgently.”

‘He’s not the type to make threats under normal circumstances. Even if he’s moving in secret, he’s not the type to use a carriage.’

‘When he travels the Jianghu [the martial arts world] alone, isn’t his martial art so great that even Gae Bang can’t chase him?’

‘For such a person to use a carriage and even threaten Gae Bang, a big problem must have occurred.’

* * *

When they arrived at the entrance of Mount Hua in Hwayeom County, Kwon Jung-won got out of the carriage.

“You’ve worked hard. You can return now. Don’t bother waiting here.”

The accompanying martial artists shook their heads violently in surprise.

“No, we will serve you until the end, Great Master.”

“It’s not for your comfort. It’s better for me to go alone now.”

“Then what about the Clan Lord…?”

“I will carry him on my back.”

“No, we will carry him on a stretcher and serve you.”

Kwon Jung-won frowned.

“You fools. Shouldn’t I carry that guy who’s practically a corpse so the people of Mount Hua will feel even a bit more sorry for him? Think, think! How are you all so consistently blockheads? Seeing you guys succeed with leading you, I can only imagine how much that guy suffered. Tsk, tsk.”

At his words of pity, the Changryong Clan disciples all lowered their heads.

“You fools, when Clan Lord Jo comes back alive, you all better give him a big bow. It’s thanks to him that you guys are even acting like proper human beings.”

Kwon Jung-won carefully carried Jo Gwang-yun on his back and headed towards Mount Hua.

The main headquarters of the Mount Hua Sect (華山派) is located on Yeonhwa Peak (蓮花峰). As befits the most rugged of the Five Great Mountains, the steep path continued endlessly.

Kwon Jung-won ascended slowly, like a woodcutter climbing the mountain, without using his lightness skill [a martial art technique that allows one to move with great agility and speed].

After passing Ori Pass (五里關), going through Unmun (雲門), and reaching Hoesim Rock (回心石), he paused for a moment.

Hoesim Rock, which means to turn back and descend because the path is not easy, tells how difficult the road ahead will be.

Kwon Jung-won took a deep breath, and a small smile appeared on his lips.

He felt several gazes that had noticed his presence and were watching his every move.

He also sensed the busy movements. The Quick Sword Master had appeared carrying someone, so they had to report it upwards and receive instructions on how to respond.

The reason Kwon Jung-won didn’t climb the mountain like an arrow using his lightness skill was to see their reaction.

The first disciple of Mount Hua approached not long after he sensed their presence. This shows how excellent their lightness skill is.

“This is Yu Yeop (由葉), a disciple of Mount Hua, paying respects.”

“There was no need to come out to greet me. I feel sorry for bothering you.”

“Not at all. It is only right. But, who is that you are carrying…?”

“He’s my unworthy disciple. His body is weak, so this rugged mountain path is too much for him.”

“If he is your disciple, is he Jo Gwang-yun of the Jo Clan?”

“I haven’t taken any other disciples besides him, so it must be him, right?”

Yu Yeop glanced at Jo Gwang-yun and said.

“He doesn’t look to be in good condition. Did you experience some kind of mishap (險事)?”

Kwon Jung-won’s eyes narrowed.

“Could you bring me a chair?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t you know what a chair is? It’s something you sit on.”

“Why are you suddenly looking for a chair…?”

“If I were to tell you the whole story from beginning to end in this spot, it would take quite a long time, and this old man can’t stand here carrying his disciple for that long.”

Yu Yeop blushed and lowered his head.

“I have committed a great discourtesy. Please forgive me.”

“It’s fine. Let’s go up quickly.”

As Kwon Jung-won took a step, Yu Yeop carefully followed behind him.

“You there.”

Kwon Jung-won said quietly without turning around.

“If the instruction was to find out the whole story, I will pretend your arrogant question never happened. But if you acted that way solely out of your curiosity, I will complain to your master. A master must cover for their disciple’s faults.”

In terms of seniority, he’s on par with the Sect Leader. A greenhorn disciple blocked the Sect Leader’s path and questioned him so closely, committing an act of disrespect that would not be enough even if he smashed his head against the floor to beg for forgiveness.

Yu Yeop bit his lip tightly and quickly knelt and prostrated himself before Kwon Jung-won.

“I earnestly beg the Great Hero to generously forgive the rudeness of this lowly martial artist.”

Kwon Jung-won smiled quietly as he watched the scene.

“I don’t know who it is, but they taught you well. That mindset of not thinking anything of the humiliation of kneeling for the sect, don’t forget it until the end.”

Yu Yeop’s eyes widened.

The close questioning was an instruction from the sect. But he had offended a master like the Quick Sword Master, so he decided that he, not Mount Hua, would take responsibility.

‘Just seeing that he understood all of this at once, he is definitely not an easy person,’ Kwon Jung-won thought.

Yu Yeop slowly got up and bowed once more.

“I am repeatedly grateful for the Great Hero’s great generosity. I will lead the way. Please follow slowly and carefully.”

Kwon Jung-won nodded.

‘This event will also be reported to the headquarters by someone.’

‘I’ve seized the initial momentum… It would be nice if there was one more thing to pick on.’

Kwon Jung-won smiled and slowly climbed the rugged mountain path, as if he were out on a picnic enjoying the scenery.

* * *

When he arrived at the main headquarters on Yeonhwa Peak, a familiar and welcome face greeted Kwon Jung-won.

“Where are you saving your heavenly martial arts to use that you’re walking so slowly? You should have rushed over and greeted this Woo Hyeong first!”

“Lim Yeo-ryang, you rascal. Are you daring to change the family tree? When you heard that this brother was coming, you should have prepared a palanquin at the foot of the mountain… Are you saying you were waiting with your hands behind your back? Hehe.”

Falling Blossom Sword (落花劍) Lim Yeo-ryang tried to hold Kwon Jung-won’s hand, but since he was carrying Jo Gwang-yun on his back, he could only express his joy by tapping his shoulder.

“Is the disciple very ill?”

The joy was temporary, and he erased his smile as he looked at Jo Gwang-yun on his back.

“Why else would I be carrying this guy on my back?”

“Let’s go inside first. Let’s talk about the ‘whole story’ inside.”

Kwon Jung-won realized that Yu Yeop’s master was Lim Yeo-ryang.

“Your disciple was quite heavy.”

Lim Yeo-ryang frowned at Kwon Jung-won’s compliment.

“He’s lighter than a leaf. I’m in the dark about when he’ll act like a human.”

The two exchanged compliments and modesty as they moved to the inner quarters.

After laying Jo Gwang-yun on the bed, the two sat side by side in chairs and quenched their thirst with clear tea.

“What happened?”

Kwon Jung-won had heard the detailed story from Gu Seung and Lee Hak-rin, but he couldn’t tell the truth.

“The Mukdo Society tried to steal that guy’s wealth. He ended up like that while stopping them.”

“The Mukdo Society?”

Lim Yeo-ryang asked with a serious face.

“Yes. But as you know, that guy’s head is unusually sharp, isn’t it? Those guys got thoroughly beaten instead. The underworld guys will be quiet for a while. They need to sort out their internal divisions.”

“Internal divisions?”

“Hey!”

Kwon Jung-won shouted.

“I didn’t come all the way here to tell you about the martial arts world’s situation.”

Lim Yeo-ryang immediately retorted with a cold expression.

“Then why did you come?”

“I came to try and save that guy.”

“There’s not even a common doctor here, let alone a famous one. You’ve come to the wrong place if you want to save someone.”

He had already read Kwon Jung-won’s intentions. If he came to Mount Hua to save his disciple who was on the verge of death, there was only one purpose.

But the only thing Kwon Jung-won believed in was Jo Gwang-yun.

“Just as medicine is used differently depending on the disease, the doctor who saves someone also changes depending on the person.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you examine that guy’s condition first.”

Lim Yeo-ryang knew that it meant he wasn’t simply on the verge of death, so he began to examine Jo Gwang-yun without saying anything else.

Lim Yeo-ryang wasn’t a blockhead like Lee Hak-rin.

From the beginning, he channeled his energy to check Jo Gwang-yun’s condition. He checked the destroyed dantian [the center of one’s internal energy] and confirmed that the blood vessels were smooth.

And…

As the energy he had channeled disappeared in an instant, his tightly closed mouth twitched, and he continued to channel energy until sweat formed on his forehead.

At this level, even Yu Yeop, his beloved youngest disciple, would have struggled to endure it.

Lim Yeo-ryang took his hand off Jo Gwang-yun’s body and couldn’t say anything for a while.

When he came out of his shock, Kwon Jung-won asked slyly.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

“Just how is that guy’s body made…? How can a guy with a damaged dantian absorb energy like a bottomless pit?”

“There’s no one under the heavens who knows that exactly. The influence of the upper dantian must be significant, but since the dantian is damaged, there’s no way to confirm it.”

“So? Did you come to Mount Hua to revive that guy’s dantian?”

Kwon Jung-won calmly picked up his teacup.

“Otherwise, I would have looked for a doctor as you said.”

“Is what you want our Mount Hua’s Amethyst Divine Pill (紫霞神丹)?”

Kwon Jung-won nodded.

“If the Amethyst Divine Pill can’t revive that guy’s dantian, I don’t need it. Then I’ll have to carry that guy back to Mount Wudang.”

At the mention of Mount Wudang, Lim Yeo-ryang chuckled.

“You must be very anxious. You’re trying to provoke me with the name of Wudang, but I’ve already abandoned such ambition. I already admit that Wudang is several levels above us.”

Kwon Jung-won shook his head.

“So, I’m saying you should give the Amethyst Divine Pill to that guy.”

“What?”

“Don’t you want to see the Plum Blossom Sword (梅花劍) suppress the Tai Chi Sword (太極劍)?”

As Kwon Jung-won said with a smile, Lim Yeo-ryang’s mouth dropped open.

< The Best Swordsman of Mount Hua 1 > End