Chapter 78
Two months had passed since the news that the daughter of So Ho, who was called the number one tycoon of Sichuan, had gotten up from her sickbed.
The nearby residents welcomed the news and would often send their congratulations towards the So family manor.
So Ho had a very good reputation in the neighborhood because he had frequently held ancestral rites and made donations in the hope that it would help his daughter's condition.
Perhaps because his daughter, who had been sick for several years, had gotten up, So Ho had not shown himself for a while, staying indoors.
Although carriages loaded with numerous treasures had left for somewhere and people of unknown identity had begun to come and go, no one found it particularly strange.
It was thought that the treasures had been donated as before in joy for his daughter's recovery, or had gone to the doctor who had cured her illness, and since people of unknown identity had often visited So Ho's manor for his daughter's treatment on a normal basis.
But in such a village, strange things had begun to happen little by little, without anyone knowing.
"They say a person has gone missing again, right?"
"It's already the third time. First a child, then a woman, and now a man..."
As three people had disappeared at intervals of three days, when two or three people gathered, they would first bring up that story and would ask about each other's well-being.
Especially since a healthy man had disappeared without a sound this time, and with the slow attitude of the authorities, the people's anxiety was growing even more.
Since there was even a rumor that it was the work of demons because of the sound of a pipa that was heard every night, the people had reached a point where they would lock their doors at night and refrain from going out.
Clatter, clatter...
The sound of horse hooves was heard from a distance.
The residents, seeing about a dozen strong martial artists in black martial arts uniforms appear, made way for them.
This was because Sichuan was a place where if one were to block the path of martial artists, especially those who seemed to be of the black path, it was a frequent occurrence to have to put down the spoon for eating the next day.
"Is this the place?"
Jeshin, who was riding a horse at the front of the people in black martial arts uniforms, looked around the village.
Since he had left the Black Contemplation Fortress for the first time in a long time after the great war of Baidao Wumen, he felt the gazes of the residents, who were carefully observing him, to be cumbersome, but he was maintaining a bold posture and expression as much as possible.
"Yes, the building you see over there is the So family manor."
Jeshin, with only Huang Feihu, Shiyue, and the Slender Moon Squad, was in front of the magnificent manor.
"Does this village usually have so many eyes?"
Huang Feihu, who was accompanying Jeshin to guard him, raised his nerves sharply, as if the heavy atmosphere of the village and the wary gazes were bothering him.
Although it was a lull, the war with the Sichuan Alliance was still ongoing, and even in the Black Contemplation Fortress, the people of the great young master, Jejeong's side, could aim for Jeshin at any time.
"Since the young master of the So family is gathering martial artists, isn't it a sense of caution due to that?"
Shiyue, who had gathered information about this area before Jeshin's visit, unlike the on-edge Huang Feihu, did not think much of the villagers.
Since he had been sufficiently cautious and was accompanying both Huang Feihu and himself, it was almost impossible for anyone to harm Jeshin without being noticed by him, with any decent force.
Clatter, clatter.
The party of the Black Contemplation Fortress, leaving the village behind, hurried their horses towards their destination.
The So family manor.
Although it could not be compared to the Black Contemplation Fortress, it was so large that it seemed excessive for a mere master of a family to be staying in. It was the largest scale he had ever seen.
"Are you from the Black Contemplation Fortress?"
As befitting the reputation of the number one tycoon of Sichuan, the subordinates of the manor who had come out to meet Jeshin also had a great momentum, no less than any martial artist.
Although his clumsy Central Plains language was a little annoying, and since he was covering his face with a veil, his face could not be seen.
Since he did not back down while facing the Black Contemplation Fortress, his training and boldness were so great.
"As expected... they say he is the number one tycoon of Sichuan, and his authority pierces the sky."
"Guide us."
Jeshin, who had gotten off his horse, had the Slender Moon Squad, who had been following him, stay in the inner court of the manor, and with only Huang Feihu and Shiyue, he moved his feet according to the guidance.
Although he didn't know for what reason the renowned tycoon of Sichuan had begun to secretly help him, regardless of the reason, Jeshin needed his wealth now. That was the only way to renew his situation.
'They are extraordinary people.'
A strange current that covered the manor was felt by the senses of Jeshin, whose training in the Ten Variations True Art of Mo Guangdi had deepened.
Although the man who was guiding the way was a master whose depth he could not know, it was clear that the ones who were covering their faces with a veil and were showing themselves fleetingly were also considerable masters, one by one.
The number of people he had met while being guided was already five.
If there were those who were hiding or had not yet shown themselves, he even had the thought that they might surpass the current force of Jeshin, Huang Feihu, and Shiyue.
To think that masters who could be compared to the top masters of the Black Contemplation Fortress were lurking and guarding the manor of a Sichuan tycoon.
It was truly a dragon's den and a tiger's lair.
Moreover, since he didn't know their identity and purpose, it felt as if the fine hairs on his back were standing on end.
Huang Feihu, who had noticed this sign first, clutched his lion saber and glared fiercely.
He was planning to circulate his entire power and to save Jeshin in one go if the young master of the So family had met them with a foolish thought.
Ting... ting, ting...
"What is this sound?"
Jeshin stopped his steps at the strange sound of music that was tickling his ears.
"It is the sound of the pipa played by the young master of the So family's daughters."
"A pipa?"
Although Jeshin was not very well-versed in music, he could tell that it was a considerable skill.
The sound that made his heart cool passed by his ears sharply, as if a sword were being held to his chin.
"It's a sound I've never heard before, and it's a great skill."
Shiyue, who was well-versed in the Book of Rites among the three, let out an exclamation of admiration.
"Is it the daughter of the young master of the So family who is said to have gotten up from her sickbed?"
"It is the sound played by the two daughters of the master."
The subordinate answered in a still awkward Central Plains language and strode forward.
Although it was a famous anecdote that So Ho had a daughter who was lying in a sickbed, it was the first time he had heard about the other two daughters.
But since there was no need to gather information about So Ho's other two daughters, Shiyue did not think much of it and admired the daughters' talent.
"Would you please wait there for a moment? I will bring the master."
"Hmm."
Although it could be unpleasant that he had not come out to meet him in advance, So Ho was now his guardian, and Jeshin was in a position where he had come to him to ask for a favor.
As Jeshin went up to the pavilion that So Ho's subordinate had guided him to, Huang Feihu and Shiyue took their places below the pavilion and guarded the surroundings.
'It's a great place.'
Jeshin, looking at So Ho's subordinate who was leaving, swallowed his admiration inwardly.
So Ho's wealth was already widely known to the extent that it surpassed Sichuan.
But the fact that So Ho had hidden such great masters without the Black Contemplation Fortress noticing was not just great, but amazing.
Looking around, he could see the width of the manor, which seemed to have no end, and the servants with dark expressions were moving and coming and going from the manor.
But a strange sensation was constantly tickling Jeshin as if it were tickling him.
As if the Ten Variations True Art were wriggling as if it were about to move, regardless of his will, he could not understand the reason at all.
"Who is it?"
As Jeshin was lost in thought, looking down at the manor alone, a small commotion arose below the pavilion.
A woman with her face covered with a veil had appeared below the pavilion, holding a small drinking table.
"My father had an urgent matter, so I have come to greet you, young master, for a moment."
"The daughter of the young master of the So family?"
"Yes."
At the beautiful voice that was like a jade bead rolling, Huang Feihu and Shiyue, who were on guard, straightened their backs and put strength into their toes without realizing it.
Although her face was covered, the atmosphere and voice that seemed to be about to disappear at any moment, and the scent, were those of a woman who would be called a peerless beauty even without seeing her.
"Then... the one who is said to have gotten up from the sickbed..."
"Yes."
Huang Feihu looked at Shiyue as if he were in a difficult situation.
The first point was whether the tea and snacks she was holding were safe, and he was suspicious of So Ho's intention to send his daughter on the pretext of an urgent matter in a meeting like this.
Shiyue also came to his senses and looked at her with suspicious eyes.
Although it was covered with a veil, seeing the seductively moving red lips, it seemed that even his lower body, which had been dead, was twitching.
'What kind of a foolish thought is this?'
"Let her up."
While Shiyue was bewildered, Jeshin's order fell from above the pavilion.
Even if he was suspicious of the tea and snacks or So Ho's intention, to treat his daughter, who had come alone, coldly was not an action befitting the dignity of a young master of the Black Contemplation Fortress.
Moreover, the opponent was the daughter that So Ho had cherished and cared for like a treasure.
As Huang Feihu and Shiyue made way, she went up the pavilion with light steps.
"My name is Jeshin."
"...I am Daji, a young girl."
Jeshin had also felt a strong impulse when he had heard Daji's voice from below the pavilion.
Moreover, as he faced her up close, he felt that impulse even more strongly.
At that moment, a black light flashed in Jeshin's two eyes.
As the Ten Variations True Art, which had been wriggling anyway, was manifested, Jeshin's mind became clear and distinct.
"What is the reason why the young lady came first, not the young master of the So family?"
"My father had a matter that he could not put off... although I know it is a great rudeness, I have come to attend to you, young master, for a moment."
"Haven't you just gotten up from your sickbed? Are you saying you're entrusting a person like that to attend to me?"
"Since I am lacking and have caused my father much pain, I have come forward first with the desire to help my father's work."
"That's a fine thing."
Jeshin thought that the woman named Daji had a fine filial piety as much as her appearance.
Although he was unpleasant that So Ho had not waited for him, now that he had met Daji, he even had the thought that it was a good thing that So Ho had had something to do.
Daji skillfully set the tea and snack table and poured tea.
Jeshin, who was watching her white and long fingers, became curious about Daji's face, which was hidden by the veil.
But to look at a woman's face carelessly was not something a man should do.
Since she had been sick for a long time, she might have unfortunately gotten a scar on her face.
Jeshin lightly lifted the teacup that Daji had poured and took a sip.
"Hmm."
As he savored the deep taste of the tea with the first sip, a sweet scent and a flower scent lingered at the tip of his nose.
Although he didn't know whether this was the taste and scent of the tea, or because he was looking at the young lady named Daji in front of him, in any case, the sensation on the tip of his tongue was sharper than usual.
'What on earth are you doing, Jeshin!'
The face of Wenzhong, who was lying in a sickbed, flashed before his eyes for a moment.
Jeshin, who had been sharing tea, suddenly became wary of the appearance he was showing and emptied the teacup in one go.
He had been shaken because he had never felt this way about a woman before.
Swoosh.
As a cold wind suddenly blew on the pavilion, Daji, who was standing in front of Jeshin, hurriedly grabbed the veil that was covering her face.
"Gasp!"
White skin, a high nose, a graceful chin, and mysterious pupils in two eyes like a phoenix.
Although it was a frowning expression to avoid the wind, it was a beauty that made one's breath stop.
Clang.
Daji hurriedly adjusted her veil, and Jeshin, without realizing it, grabbed the teacup that he had dropped again.
Although he was circulating the Ten Variations True Art, since his heart was pounding, it was clear that something was wrong with him.
(End of Chapter)