Chapter 145 : Chapter 145
Chapter 145 - Gift
“He went off on a tangent?”
A dumbfounded voice echoed at the pier.
An adorable pretty girl with her hair in two braids had a look of disbelief on her face.
“Wh-When? In what instant? He couldn't wait even for that long?”
Sedong, who was suddenly bombarded with questions, gave an awkward smile.
“He soared into the sky, dragging one of the Hojubang's subordinates with him.”
“Soared into the sky? Are you teasing this young lady right now?”
She asked, wrinkling her smooth forehead.
When a few merchants coughed uncomfortably at her, Sedong raised a hand to stop them.
“Teasing? I just stated the facts. Lady Hyeokri Hong, you know as well. That it’s something Biyoung is more than capable of.”
“Hmm… It's true that he’s not a person you'd find strange no matter what he does.”
Hyeokri Hong nodded, touching her slightly large front teeth with her thumb.
It wasn't wrong.
Her senior brother.
Biyoung had always acted unpredictably.
But.
Even so.
How could he just disappear without a word?
“Where did he say he was going with that Hojubang bastard? You were on the same ship back then.”
“That is…”
Sedong glanced around and approached Hyeokri Hong.
Then, he whispered in a small voice into her ear.
“He said he was going to plunder the wealth accumulated by the Hojubang. Down to the very foundations.”
“……Oho?”
Perhaps she thought that reason was acceptable?
Only then did the two thin lines on Hyeokri Hong's brow disappear.
“Well. Alright. There’s a saying that as long as you get to Luoyang, it doesn’t matter how you get there, right? It’s fine as long as we meet at our destination.”
“That's right, young lady. He will be back before we reach our final destination, the Unmun Family Clan, so for the remaining time, you can comfortably tour Lijiang City.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Just a moment ago she was pouting, but now Hyeokri Hong smiled bashfully.
Really.
When she smiled like this, she was fresher and more vibrant than all the green fruits in the world.
He felt that her darned fiery temper was greatly diminishing her charm.
“What are you looking at?”
“Ah. It’s nothing. Now that the luggage is all loaded, shall we get moving?”
“Alright.”
Hyeokri Hong skipped and ran to the front of the group.
There was a good reason why Sedong mentioned 'touring' to her.
The problem was Elm Leaf Lake, which blocked Lijiang City, but once they crossed this large lake, there were no other dangers.
Although Biyoung was temporarily absent, once the escorts' injuries were treated, no particular trouble would arise.
‘Besides…’
There was that man.
The secret weapon of the Diancang Sect who had shattered one of the Yewi Twin Tyrants in a single blow.
The tall, handsome man was standing at the rear of the merchant guild, surveying the surroundings.
He felt a strong sense of trust that as long as he was with that man, they would be safe.
“Come to think of it.”
“Yes?”
Not long after the merchant guild had departed, Hyeokri Hong stuck close to Sedong's side.
Then, just as Sedong had done earlier, she gently whispered into his ear.
“Among the treasures collected by the Hojubang, there must be a lot of things like jewelry, right?”
“Yes… well, I imagine there would be quite a lot.”
“Kyahaha. And among them, there will surely be something for me too.”
“Yes…”
Sedong, who had answered without thinking, was startled and asked back.
“Yes?!”
“It’s true, isn't it? I came all this way to Lijiang City, going through so much trouble, so shouldn't I get something as a reward for my hard work? He-hit.”
Hyeokri Hong's eyes sparkled as if she believed it without a doubt.
No matter what gold and silver treasures Biyoung brought, they would not shine brighter than Hyeokri Hong's eyes right now.
Sedong couldn't bring himself to crush her expectations.
“That could be a possibility… right?”
“Kyahaha. Let’s hurry.”
Hyeokri Hong walked ahead by herself.
A bitter smile naturally formed on Sedong's lips.
From what he had heard, it wasn't that someone had dragged her here by force, but that she had volunteered.
As if she had completely erased such memories, Hyeokri Hong seemed to want a special reward.
Moreover, wasn't she a martial artist of the Diancang Sect, of all places?
Her openly wanting jewelry was both amusing and bewildering.
‘I just don't have the courage.’
Actually.
Sedong already had something for her.
A rare item that Biyoung had given him before leaving the ship.
But Sedong couldn't bring himself to give the item to her.
Look at those eyes that shone brighter than precious metals.
If he handed over what he was holding in his bosom, those bright eyes would surely flash like a rabid dog's.
‘I’m sorry, Biyoung. You'll just have to give this to her yourself.’
It was the first time Sedong had ignored Biyoung's request.
“We will arrive at the government office in about an hour.”
“Yes.”
Sedong nodded at the head baggage carrier's report.
Hyeokri Hong, who had been listening with pricked ears, quickly approached and asked.
“The government office? Didn't you say our destination was the Unmun Family Clan?”
“That is our final destination, but… there is a place we must stop by. We will stay here today and visit the Unmun Family Clan tomorrow. While we unload our luggage at the inn, Young Hero Mu (Absolute protector) and Lady Hyeokri Hong are welcome to look around.”
“Hoho. Then I won’t refuse.”
Hyeokri Hong smiled brightly and quickly turned around.
Now that she had heard about it, she seemed ready to rush out into the streets immediately.
“Young Hero Mu…?”
At Sedong's question, Absolute Protector slightly shook his head.
It must be the first time he had ever been here, but it seemed the man before him had no interest in anything.
‘How can people from the same sect be so different?’
Sedong smiled brightly and neatened his clothes.
Thanks to the help of Biyoung and the others from the Diancang Sect, they had safely crossed Elm Leaf Lake.
From now on.
The battle of Yi Sedong, the second son of the Yi Family Clan, would begin.
The place they arrived at after crossing Elm Leaf Lake was Yongsheng County in Lijiang City.
It was a town similar to Yiliang County in many ways, in terms of size and commerce.
“The second son of the Yi Family Manor greets the Registrar.”
“Welcome. How long has it been?”
The official Sedong met at the government office was a man named Son Su-beom.
He had a very large face and a bushy beard, an appearance that one would never forget after meeting him once.
The Registrar was a ninth-rank position in charge of the county's practical affairs.
It could be considered a rather high position for meeting the manager of a mere merchant guild, but since it was a visit from the Yi Family Clan, which held sway over Yiliang County, they couldn't just treat him poorly.
He had also been acquainted with the head of the Yi Family Clan, Yi Gwon-su, in the past.
“Young Master Yi becomes more and more dependable as time passes. When I first saw you, you were just like a child, but it seems the Family Head is as talented in raising children as he is in growing his storehouses.”
“You praise me too much. A considerable amount of time has passed, so it would be troublesome for me to just hide behind my father and peek out now.”
“Haha. Do you remember that day? You were so cute, looking around with your round eyes wide open.”
Although he didn't express it openly, Sedong was inwardly amazed by Son Su-beom's memory.
As someone in charge of the county's practical affairs, he must have countless meetings every day.
But he casually brought up something from several years ago as if taking it out of a warehouse, making him think that he was indeed the man in charge of the county's affairs.
‘And now, I have to negotiate with such a person.’
Sparks didn't just fly on the clashing blades of martial artists.
Even in the warm conversation between an official and a merchant, there were fierce moves being exchanged.
Sedong slowly took out the weapon he had in his bosom.
“Thinking of the grace you have shown me, I should have visited often, but I am sorry that I could not.”
“Hoho. Stop with the empty pleasantries. Between Yiliang County and this Yongsheng County, there is a distance that is not visible on the map. In fact, it's a great feat that you came all this way by yourself.”
A distance not visible on the map.
He must be referring to the group based in Elm Leaf Lake.
But that group no longer existed.
“I will visit you often and pay my respects in the future.”
“Haha. Thank you for just saying so. But don't overdo it. Elm Leaf Lake is not a place you can cross safely in succession.”
“It will be so from now on.”
“Hmm?”
Son Su-beom's warm expression, as if looking at a nephew, slightly hardened.
Was he a foolish child to be stubborn about an elder's words of advice?
Since his memories were only from when he was young, he wasn't sure.
“I have brought a gift for the Registrar. Would you like to check it?”
“A gift. I wonder what the Family Head has prepared for this Son Su-beom this time?”
The unease he had felt a moment ago melted away like snow at the word 'gift'.
Sedong's father, Yi Gwon-su, always prepared a fine gift whenever he met him.
Things like the highest quality tea from Yunnan, or silk brought from the far western regions.
“You will surely be satisfied.”
After saying that, Sedong signaled to the head baggage carrier standing outside.
And soon, Son Su-beom's eyelids shot up high into the sky.
Thud!
“Mmph, mmph!”
“Th-This is…!”
What Sedong called a 'gift' was surprisingly a person.
A person with a gag in his mouth and one ankle blown off.
The startled Son Su-beom jumped up from his seat.
Then, with a voice full of anger, he scolded Sedong.
“What is the meaning of this! Do you dare to play tricks in front of this Son Su-beom?”
If it were the Sedong of the past that he knew, he would have been trembling and bowing his head to the floor.
But Sedong just bowed his head lightly with a calm face like the morning mist.
“Registrar. Please take another look at that man's face.”
“Face…?”
Because of the gagged mouth and the severed ankle, his face was an afterthought.
Son Su-beom took a few steps forward and confirmed the man's appearance.
“No!”
He was so surprised that Son Su-beom flinched as if struck by lightning.
He looked several times more shocked than when the man first appeared.
“Th-Th-This is that… one of the Yewi Twin Tyrants!!”
“That is correct.”
Sedong raised his bowed head and answered calmly.
“This is Chu Gap, who called himself the master of Elm Leaf Lake.”
“Hah… to think this would happen…!!”
The government does not interfere in the affairs of the Murim.
It was an unwritten rule throughout Jianghu, but there was one exception.
If the common people, not the Murim, were harmed, the government would step in and subjugate them.
In that case, the government office of Yongsheng County should have dealt with the Hojubang.
But the lake was so large, and there was no suitable way to subdue them on the water.
To be precise, the government office had not dealt with the Hojubang, but rather 'could not'.
They had used the embarrassing unwritten rule 'The government does not interfere in the affairs of the Murim' as a pretext.
“A gift…”
Son Su-beom recalled the word Sedong had said.
Indeed.
This was a top-grade gift that could not be compared to anything else.
Since settling in Yongsheng County, the Hojubang had always been a thorn in their side.
But to capture the leader of the Hojubang alive.
Sedong's gift was like pulling out Son Su-beom's aching tooth without pain, and like scratching his itchy back satisfyingly.
“Young Master Yi. You have done a great thing.”
Son Su-beom praised Sedong's achievement with all his heart, and Sedong smiled the innocent smile he had seen when he was young.
“Capturing Chu Gap is an unparalleled happy occasion for our Yongsheng County. If there is anything you want, speak. I will do my best to help you.”
It wasn't because Sedong was Yi Gwon-su's son.
Anyone who received such a gift would naturally offer a suitable reward.
The weapon Sedong had prepared had opened Son Su-beom's heart wide.
Now, what remained was to receive as much as he had given.
From Sedong's small mouth, the price of the gift began to come out.
“What I want is…”