Chapter 147
"Grandma Hongryeon's summons, you say?"
"Yes, Young Master Jin."
"Hmm... if she had something to command, she would usually notify me in writing. The fact that she even summoned me must mean it's an urgent matter."
"Please have a look."
With his words, the chief steward handed So-ah a letter with the words 'Martial Alliance Leader's Imperial Edict' written on it.
The contents of the letter were as follows:
「So-ah...
Thank you so much for your efforts in uncovering the secret activities of Eunuch Han and the Eastern Depot, as well as the White Lotus Cult.
All the elders are grateful to you for being able to reveal the truth of a matter that the alliance could not have imagined.
Also, I was sincerely impressed by your beautiful heart and loyalty in giving the peerless divine art called the <Sunflower Manual> to Myo-seon without any compensation.
Furthermore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the head of the Moyong family for allowing such generosity.
But I have to ask you for another favor.
I feel apologetic about this.
However, since this is a task that only you can do in the current Orthodox Path, I am sending this letter, forgetting even my shame.
So-ah.
Do you remember the matter of negotiating with the <Heavenly Demon Divine Cult> that Military Strategist Zhuge mentioned at the alliance's regular meeting before?
The time has come for you to step forward.
Of course, I do not expect that you will be able to recruit the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and produce a remarkable result right before our eyes.
So, you do not have to feel burdened.
However, it is to create a fuse that can root out the great evil called the White Lotus Cult through exchange with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
As soon as you read this letter, return to the alliance.
Martial Alliance Leader, Abbess Hongryeon's official seal—」
So-ah, who had been reading the letter with deep eyes, seemed to be in deep thought and stroked his chin.
"Hmm... I'll finally get to see it."
"What do you mean, Young Master Jin?"
"Ah! It's nothing."
"What are you thinking of doing?"
"I have to go."
"Although the former family head was on close terms with the Heavenly Demon, the great hero Wi-ji, I am worried. I hear that the current cult leader, Wi-ji Gang, is a cold-hearted person. Will you be alright?"
The chief steward was not pleased with the matter of So-ah being dispatched as a negotiator to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Now that the Moyong family was prospering day by day thanks to So-ah...
He was worried about what would happen if he were to encounter a dangerous situation by any chance.
"Chief Steward. Don't worry. To survive in the blood-splattering martial world, can I only do easy things? Besides, in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, there is Brother Chan, whom I followed like a real older brother when I was young. Nothing will happen."
"I have heard that you are on special terms with the young leader of the Demonic Cult. Aren't you readily accepting because you want to meet the young leader?"
"Are you perhaps learning mind-reading these days? Haha."
"Hoho. Anyway, please be careful."
"Yes! Then, regarding the construction matters, the ice spirit stone distribution, and the business expansion, I will trust only the chief steward and Lady Yuk, and I will focus on the affairs of the martial world."
"Don't worry. I am also a person who has lived his 50 years of life touching money. I will work hard to make money, engraving the young master's words that you have to row when the water comes in."
"As expected of our chief steward! You like money."
"As much as the young master?"
"Hahahat."
"Hohoho!"
"But do you know that?"
"What?"
"Since you peeked at the alliance leader's imperial edict in advance, this is a grave crime among grave crimes."
"That is... since the young master's work is like my own, my curiosity was aroused..."
"It's a good thing it wasn't a love letter! Aww!"
"Please just exchange some love letters. Are you not thinking of getting married?"
"It's still a long way off."
"Are you trying to become an old bachelor?"
"First, I'll see our family become a chaebol. Then I'll really think about it."
"A chaebol..."
"Do you think it's impossible?"
"What are you saying! It's definitely possible. No, it has to be. Definitely. Hehehe."
"Kekekek."
Listening to the two's banter, which was not a banter, Yi Baek, having forgotten the fact that he had received a precious piece of equipment, stared at them with a dazed expression.
'No matter how I hear it, it doesn't sound like a conversation between the leadership of a martial family that is involved in the martial world...'
Watching So-ah and the chief steward talking about becoming a chaebol, Yi Baek projected his father, Chairman Yi Kun-hee, and the chief steward of the Yi family.
'Master is really a person who is greedy for money... hah...'
But why was a sigh coming out?
***
So-ah moved busily as if his feet were on fire.
The items he had painstakingly obtained.
For example, Goryeo ginseng, Manbong-manhwa-ju, treasured swords, crescent moon sabers, hidden weapons, etc.
'That brat Han Baek will be so happy. From Hwa-rin and Brother Il-gi to Seok-won, Paeng Il-gi, the three idiots of the Eon-yeong-je, and my junior sister and junior brother. Let's see, let's see... nothing is missing.'
So-ah had prepared gifts for his former In-dan cadets, who were now scattered to various branches and were busy with their official duties.
And he was planning to transport those gifts through the head of the Liaoning transport company, Chairman Jang.
"Young Master Jin. This much... you must have spent quite a lot of money."
"Isn't money something that comes and goes? Haha."
"I don't think that's something for the money ghost, Young Master Jin, to say."
"Anyway, please transport it as quickly as possible. I'm asking you."
"Of course. Since the Green Forest and Waterway sides have granted the privilege of no inspection for transportation related to the Moyong family, a speedy transport is possible."
"Here. This should be enough for the request fee, right?"
"Aww! Why are you being like this? Between us. I should do this much for free."
"Huh? What kind of relationship do we have?"
"Are you drawing a line?"
"Hahaha."
"Kehkehkeh!"
Before they knew it, Chairman Jang and So-ah had become friends who could exchange jokes without hesitation.
Suddenly, Chairman Jang recalled the time he had first seen So-ah.
'The prediction that Young Hero Jin would change the Moyong family has turned out to be exactly right... In just a few years, the power of the Moyong family has grown by dozens of times. As expected, you have to stand in the right line. Hohoho!'
He praised his own insight and showed the generous spirit of handling So-ah's request without pay with a pleased heart.
***
The farewell with his uncle and aunt was simple.
Although Moyong Baek and Yeon So-so cherished So-ah like their own son, the negotiation with the <Heavenly Demon Divine Cult> was an important mission that would sway the rise and fall of the entire martial world, and since they had blind faith in So-ah's abilities, they agreed to his departure without any particular objection.
—But! As I always emphasize, if a dangerous situation arises, you must be careful. So-ah, you are no longer in a position to act recklessly. On your shoulders are the Moyong family, the Orthodox Path martial world, and furthermore, the economy of Liaoning. Do you understand?
Of course, he had added such a nagging piece of advice.
After such a simple farewell, So-ah performed his lightness skill with all his might.
'The power of the Great Purity Limitless Divine Core and the Vajra Bronze-Man God Core are gradually becoming one. If I can use the power of awakening not just temporarily, but constantly...'
It's alive.
It's a jackpot.
If it becomes like that, then even the expression 'earth-shattering' would not be enough.
So-ah's body burst through the air and stretched out roughly.
His internal energy was overflowing, and his dantian felt like it would explode at any moment, his head became as clear as a still mirror, and his body was as light as a feather.
'Brother Chan. Maybe I'm stronger than you now? Hahaha.'
At this moment, So-ah missed Wi-ji Chan.
Although he had never revealed it, in fact, So-ah, since he was young.
No, from the first time he had seen Wi-ji Chan.
He might have been admiring and looking up to him.
***
"You're here! So-ah!"
"Yes, Alliance Leader!"
Since it was an official occasion, So-ah called her 'Alliance Leader' instead of 'Grandma Hongryeon'.
When he arrived at the main office, it seemed that the opinions of the elders and the main officials of the alliance had already been unified.
Everyone, regarding So-ah's dispatch, expressed their expectations and worries at the same time and did not spare their words of blessing.
"Young Hero Jin. Your role is important."
"Young Hero Jin. Thank you for readily accepting the alliance's request amidst your busy public and private affairs."
"Don't feel burdened. No one expects cooperation with the Demonic Cult right away. We just hope that Young Hero Jin will open the floodgates."
But.
'Phew... you're making it more burdensome by saying such things!'
Originally, there was no burden.
If it went well, it would be good, and if it didn't, it couldn't be helped.
But since they were reciting such lines full of tragic beauty, he felt a sense of mission for no reason.
"First, I will say that I will do my best. And if it doesn't work out, please don't be disappointed! Because I am considering various brilliant plans."
"Brilliant plans?"
"Young Hero Jin. What are those brilliant plans?"
"Hahat. That's still a secret!"
So-ah kept the matters he was pondering in his head to himself.
Because he felt it was too early to reveal them, and he had no clear conviction.
Just then.
"Hohoho! I am also curious, but I will not ask, So-ah. By the way, when are you thinking of departing?"
Abbess Hongryeon asked with a benevolent smile.
"I plan to set out as soon as the day breaks tomorrow."
"You haven't even relieved your travel fatigue... won't it be hard?"
"It's alright. If I have a drink with Elder Baek and Brother Woo-chi in the evening, that's relieving my travel fatigue."
"You brat. You like to drink, don't you?"
"My grandpa also liked to drink. I learned by watching him since I was young. Haha."
At So-ah's joke, everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Because the only person who could make fun of the God of War, Moyong Cheon, would be So-ah.
"Kehkehkeh!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hoho!"
"If the Elder God of War sees this from the immortal realm, he'll be sulking, Young Hero Jin. Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
For the first time in a while, So-ah also laughed heartily, recalling his grandfather.
'My grandpa. He really liked to drink. When he met with Grandpa Wi-ji, he would drink straight from the jar.'
Whenever he recalled his childhood memories, So-ah, as a rule, could not hide such a joyful smile.
***
Around the Hour of the Dog (7-9 PM)—
After the sun had set and darkness had fallen, So-ah, having roughly finished his preparations, was able to have a simple gathering with Baek In-hwa and Jeon Woo-chi.
"Elder. How is your life at the main office? If it's uncomfortable, shall I escort you to my family's estate?"
"Hoho. Young Hero Jin. I am fine. There is no better place than this to dig into the Evil King's Castle. Besides, since everyone is holding me in high esteem, far from being uncomfortable, I am living in a state where I don't know where to put myself."
"That's a relief. But Elder. How long are you going to speak formally to me? Don't do that, just speak comfortably."
It was his honest feeling.
In fact, So-ah revered Baek In-hwa as the most renowned great man of his time.
Since he used honorifics every time to such a respected person, he couldn't help but feel apologetic...
"...Young Hero Jin. I do not speak informally to outsiders, regardless of their age."
"Wow! I'm disappointed, Elder. Am I an outsider? You are my grandfather's friend. Of course, it's right for you to speak informally to me."
At that.
"Master. Please do so. So-ah is like my younger brother. That would be more appropriate."
Only then did Baek In-hwa, as if he could no longer find a reason to refuse, curl the corners of his lips and nod his head.
"Hoho. Then, I will do so."
"Again, again!"
"Aha. Yes. So-ah. Then from now on, I will consider you as comfortable as Woo-chi."
So-ah picked up the liquor bottle with a satisfied expression.
"Now! Then please have a drink, Elder. And you too, Brother Woo-chi."
"Kehkehkeh! Alright."
"Yes!"
After one round of drinks had been passed around...
Baek In-hwa, looking at So-ah with a gaze that somehow felt lonely, said.
"So-ah... I don't know much about the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but it is true that I am worried. Of course, I know that your martial arts are not inferior to anyone's. You will probably be able to take care of yourself in any difficulty. But there is no harm in being careful. How about leaving with Woo-chi tomorrow?"
"With Brother Woo-chi?"
"Yes."
In an instant, So-ah felt a sense of doubt.
'Elder Baek wouldn't be unaware of Brother Woo-chi's skills... although Brother Woo-chi is a great Taoist... in case of an emergency... far from being helpful...'
A thought he couldn't say out loud.
But as expected, So-ah.
"Will Brother Woo-chi be of any help?"
...as if his temper would only be satisfied by uttering that harsh one sentence, he ended up committing it.
"Jin So-ah. That's too much. I, you punk! Huh? You don't know how much stronger I've become while you weren't looking? I can now fly to the end of the sky on a carpet, and recently, I've even been able to use the Heavenly Will Brush!"
Jeon Woo-chi, who had been silent, jumped up and down and glared at So-ah.
(End of Chapter)