Chapter 97
“Elder. Have a drink.”
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
“You have one too, young master.”
So-ah and the old man, who had filled each other’s glasses, drank with smiling faces.
Since it was a small inn, he could only offer the common white liquor, but fortunately, the old man looked satisfied.
“Ahem… white liquor is quite a strong drink. Are you alright? What kind of liquor do they drink in Goryeo?”
“Most commoners drink cloudy rice wine, but the rich and high-ranking officials drink ginseng wine or soju, which are famous as Goryeo’s specialties. Of course, since I am a Taoist who is cooped up in a deep mountain valley, I usually enjoy medicinal wine made from herbs.”
Starting with small talk, the two continued their conversation.
The more they talked, the more So-ah’s ears perked up.
Because he was curious, he had taken an interest in the stories of other countries.
In the midst of that.
“Then, the Udo-bang where you are the head is not just a place to learn things like Taoist magic, is it?”
So-ah, who was listening to Baek In-hwa’s stories about Udo-bang and the Goryeo martial world, asked with a look of surprise.
“That’s right. Udo-bang teaches three main things. First, exorcism, the Book of Changes, and spells. Second, the ability to read the heavenly ki. And third is martial arts.”
The part that surprised So-ah was that Udo-bang also taught martial arts.
‘Well. The elder’s body techniques were at a heaven-shaking level. It wasn’t something that could be dismissed as just a special ability. I don’t know, but even in terms of martial arts alone, he’s probably a step above me.’
In that way, So-ah’s one-sided barrage of questions continued for a while…
“Hoho. Young master, you seem to be a very curious person. And you talk a lot.”
“Oops! I’ve been bothering you unintentionally.”
“Not at all. I also like to chat, so don’t mind it.”
“Haha! I also love to chat.”
The two chatted away, losing track of time.
In the midst of that, when So-ah heard the mythical heroic tale of ‘Cheok Jun-gyeong,’ who was called the strongest martial artist of Goryeo, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of rivalry.
“Wow! Is that really true? Great Hero Cheok is an amazing person.”
“He is a person worthy of being called the number one in Goryeo, both in name and reality.”
“How does he compare to you, elder?”
So-ah hit the nail on the head.
It was a question with a sharp edge.
“How can you compare a martial artist like Great Hero Cheok with this humble old man?”
At Baek In-hwa’s humility, So-ah smiled bitterly.
‘He’s hiding his true abilities.’
He couldn’t help but think so.
In So-ah’s eyes, the depth of Baek In-hwa’s martial arts was immeasurable.
Moreover, considering his mysterious special abilities, Baek In-hwa would surely be able to face a monster like the Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong…
“Elder. You’re being too humble. Although my knowledge is still lacking, I have an excellent eye for people. It seems that you are an absolute master who has at least reached the Mysterious Realm. Haha.”
This time, Baek In-hwa did not deny So-ah’s words and just laughed heartily.
Then.
“I saw you using the Ten-Second Invincible Arts earlier.”
Didn’t he utter a surprising statement?
So-ah asked with a startled face.
“Elder! Do you know the Ten-Second Invincible Arts?”
“Of course, I do.”
“…How?”
“Because the great hero Moyong was my friend.”
“Aha!”
So-ah’s eyes lit up with a pleased look.
“To be honest, I realized from the beginning that you were the successor of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.”
“Yes?! How did you…”
“A person with the appearance of a great hero who will save the world, wouldn’t he naturally be the disciple of the God of War?”
***
Before long, a pitch-black darkness fell…
After tilting cups and talking for a full three shichen, So-ah and Baek In-hwa promised to meet tomorrow and moved to their respective rooms.
‘To think that I dared to size up such a great elder. I was foolish.’
As he had numerous conversations with Baek In-hwa, So-ah came to clearly understand the meaning of the words ‘heaven above heaven’.
The Baek In-hwa that So-ah saw was a person who was close to a demigod.
As it turned out, he had realized that So-ah had learned the Great Whale Heart Law just by the ki flowing from his whole body, and had deduced that he was the top disciple of Moyong Cheon.
Moreover, when he heard that he had already known about the deaths of Moyong Cheon and the Heavenly Demon, Wi-ji Un, by reading the heavenly ki, goosebumps rose on his body.
‘I have to learn a lot while accompanying him from now on.’
Such a thought suddenly came to him.
So-ah had never thought of learning something from someone after Moyong Cheon.
That was because he had never experienced a martial art greater than the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.
But Baek In-hwa’s amazing ability caused a ripple in the heart of So-ah, who had a strong tendency to be the only one in the world.
In that way, a tiring day passed.
***
The next day.
“Have you been well overnight? Elder. Hahaha.”
“Hoho. And how was the young master?”
“I had a good dream.”
“A good dream?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of dream was it?”
“Huh? Aren’t you supposed to not talk about dreams?”
“Hoho. I see now, the young master is a Taoist.”
“Hahaha.”
The two, who had started the day with trivial jokes.
Soon, So-ah asked Baek In-hwa.
“As I said, I have to enter the North Sea Ice Palace, would you like to go with me, elder?”
“I’ll just stay here, so you can go and take care of your business.”
“It might take a while. Because I have to finish the matter of the mining.”
“I’ll wait for days and days, so don’t worry.”
“Then, elder! You can’t disappear, right?”
“I promise.”
Only after getting a promise did So-ah feel relieved and head to the Ice Palace.
He desperately wanted to accompany him at least until the meeting between Baek In-hwa and Gu-yang Seon took place.
A little later…
Wang Bang-tae and Wang So-yeong, who saw So-ah arrive at the Ice Palace, were pleased.
“Young Master Jin! What happened? I was so worried! The person who went to catch the demonic beast didn’t send word for a whole day!”
“So-ah! You’re not hurt anywhere, are you? Are you okay?”
At the two’s fuss, So-ah smiled and opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry, Palace Lord. You were worried, So-yeong-ah? But anyway!”
“…”
“…”
As a question appeared in the eyes of the Wang father and daughter.
Sseuk—
So-ah took something out of his bosom and pushed it forward.
“…This is!”
“Wow!”
It was the internal dan of the Snow Mountain Giant, which was full of cold ki.
“Young Master Jin. You finally did it. Keke!”
Wang Bang-tae’s mouth hung open.
At that sight, So-ah couldn’t help but be pleased.
“Ugh! Palace Lord. Don’t even mention it. The Snow Mountain Giant or whatever, it was really. It was terribly hard. I almost couldn’t catch it and came back.”
“Kuhaha! You’ve really been through a lot!”
“Now, then, take this. Palace Lord.”
So-ah handed over three internal dans to Wang Bang-tae.
“Hah… not two, but three.”
Originally, So-ah had planned to gift two internal dans to Wang Bang-tae.
But his conscience wouldn’t allow it.
Not only had he given him the distribution rights for the snow ice stones, trusting him, but wasn’t it also thanks to Wang Bang-tae’s recommendation that he had obtained the internal dan of the Snow Mountain Giant?
He felt that it wouldn’t be a waste to give away all the rest after taking the two internal dans for his junior sister and junior brother.
“Palace Lord. I can give you more if you want. But you have to give me two for sure. Because my rabbit-like junior sister and junior brother are waiting eagerly… haha.”
In that moment.
The slightly excited atmosphere of Wang Bang-tae suddenly changed to static.
Not only that.
Even Wang So-yeong, who had no interest in the internal dan, glanced at So-ah with trembling pupils.
‘Why are they like this? Are they that happy? Hah…! I guess I’ll have to hand over five.’
But So-ah’s guess was completely wrong.
The sudden change in the attitude of the two stemmed from something completely different.
‘I thought So-ah was a very greedy kid, but he’s surprisingly considerate.’
Wang So-yeong was lost in that thought.
“Young Master Jin. The more I see you, the more I know you. The more I admire you. To think that you would easily give away such a precious internal dan! You have a brilliant mind, astonishing martial arts, a bold heart, and a generous heart! Where in the world is there such a wonderful man! Ah…!”
Wang Bang-tae, as if he had fallen for So-ah, poured out a stream of compliments that was truly embarrassing to hear.
“Ha… haha… hahaha… Palace Lord. Why are you praising me so fiercely? Phew…”
There is a saying that praise makes even a whale dance.
Why would So-ah dislike praise?
But.
‘Wow… if I’m not careful, I’ll become a son-in-law without being able to get out of it. I have to be careful, very careful.’
At this moment, So-ah felt a sense of fear from Wang Bang-tae.
***
“Keke! Isn’t the amount too much to take as a sample?”
Wang Bang-tae immediately gave an order, procured the snow ice stones, and handed them to So-ah.
Of course, the full-scale process of mining, processing, and distribution would take place after securing the workers, but since So-ah had come all the way to the North Sea, he planned to carry as many snow ice stones as possible and return.
“It’s enough. Because there’s someone who will carry it with me anyway.”
“Together?”
“Yes. I’ll tell you about that later.”
“Hoho. So we’re having another sad farewell. When will we see each other again?”
“First, I’ll go back to Liaoning and meet with the working-level officials for a meeting. By then, a call will probably come for the election of the new Martial Alliance Leader, so I’ll have to stop by the alliance as well. As soon as that matter is settled, I’ll come back, Palace Lord.”
“Alright. If you run into any difficulties, send word anytime.”
“Thank you for everything.”
So-ah bowed his head politely and said goodbye.
At that.
“You man! Thank you for what. Are we strangers? Huh? The connection between you and me is no ordinary connection, so of course I have to do this much. Your success is my success. Kuhaha!”
It was a statement that contained a meaning that was too comprehensive to interpret.
‘He’s crossing the line again, Palace Lord… hah!’
Thanks to that, So-ah had to be wary of Wang Bang-tae’s dark intentions once again.
Just then, Wang So-yeong’s voice, filled with disappointment, flowed out.
“It was fun, thanks to you, Jin So-ah. As soon as the work is done, come and visit again. Let’s just chat a lot, you brat.”
“Of course, of course. Now I have no choice but to come often because of work. When I stop by soon, let’s have a duel. Train hard in your martial arts.”
“Are you going on about infinite stamina again?”
“Hahaha.”
The farewell was simple.
If there was no promise, it would be different, but since he would be stopping by again soon, So-ah said goodbye to the Wang father and daughter with a light heart and then headed back to the inn where Baek In-hwa was staying.
But…
“Hah… Young Master Jin! What is all that? Good heavens…”
Baek In-hwa, who saw So-ah, was so surprised that his mouth hung open.
As expected.
“Haha. There’s a lot of luggage, right? Well, I can carry it all by myself! You don’t have to help me at all, elder, you can just go comfortably. Hahahat!”
It was because the figure of So-ah, who was carrying a bundle of snow ice stones much larger than his own body, wrapped tightly with a silkworm thread net, had come into view.
“Hah! So that’s why you asked me if I had a spell that could carry a lot of luggage? Really…”
Baek In-hwa was dumbfounded by So-ah’s absurdity.
“Ah! No, elder. I was just asking. Keke. Anyway, don’t worry about it. If I struggle by myself and use up all my internal energy, I can carry these stones and run to Liaoning.”
Unless one was a fool, it was a statement that anyone could tell was a request for help.
As if he found that amusing, Baek In-hwa chuckled and opened his mouth.
“Keke! Young Master Jin. You are an interesting person. Give it here. I’ll carry half of it.”
“Ah… you don’t have to do that. Really. Hahahat.”
“You really don’t have to?”
“No.”
As if he was afraid that Baek In-hwa would change his mind, So-ah hurriedly divided the bundle of snow ice stones in half and handed them over.
“Elder.”
“Speak, young master.”
“The art of shrinking the earth. I’d like to see it once. How amazing it is.”
“It’s nothing special. It’s just like the lightness skills and footwork of martial artists.”
“Then would you like to have a duel?”
“…What kind?”
“Who can run faster.”
“Alright!”
Papapang—
As soon as his words ended, So-ah’s body disappeared like lightning, leaving afterimages.
Although So-ah had committed a foul to the point of being despicable, in Baek In-hwa’s eyes, it was just imprinted as amusing and cute.
‘Hohoho. For a hero who will save the world, he’s a cheerful person.’
(End of Chapter)