“Ugh… Did I drink too much?”
Jo Gol raised his gaze to the sky.
As it is late at night, the sun is about to rise.
The feast, hosted by Yasugung ju, lasted until the early morning hours. The match between Yasugung ju and Chung Myung went on until dawn.
Who was victorious?
‘How do I know this?’
The rest of them returned to their respective positions, leaving the two who had no intention of stopping. Mount Hua’s disciples also decided to rest their tired bodies and unpack their belongings at the location designated by Namman Yasugung Clan first.
“Ugh. It would be better if I didn’t wake up until lunchtime.”
He must have consumed a large amount of alcohol.
Jo Gol, who had washed his face by the well and shook off the moisture from his face, took a staggering step to the location and opened the door to his room.
Yoon Jong, who was already getting ready to sleep, opened the window and looked out.
“Aren’t you sleeping, Sahyung?”
“I’m going to sleep.”
Yoon Jong returned Jo Gol’s smile with a light response.
“…… What’s troubling you?”
“Rather than worry…….”
Yoon Jong grinned.
It is ridiculous to even ask if one has any concerns after traveling all the way to Yunnan and entering Namman Yasugung Clan.
No matter how warmly Yasugung ju welcomed them, this is not a place where they should relax their guard.
But Yoon Jong is aware that this is not what Jo Gol is asking.
“Gol ah.”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
“I’m sorry. It is all because of this ugly bastard.”
“What are you talking about? Sahyung!”
Jo Gol maintained his expression.
“Isn’t it already over?”
“I’m glad things went well, but we almost died because of me.”
Yoon Jong’s brow furrowed.
“Even if something went wrong, Chung Myung would have done something about it.”
“That’s the problem.”
“What?”
Yoon Jong made a shaky motion with his head.
“It’ll work out somehow because Chung Myung was there. I might have thought of that secretly. I should be helpful to him, not a burden. But I ended up being a burden, right?”
“Sahyung…….”
“It was a stupid act. I will never do such a thing again. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Sahyung.”
Jo Gol groaned. He felt his heart become heavy as he realized that no matter what he said, Yoon Jong’s heart would not be as light as if washed away.
“But… Why did you do that? I’ve never seen Sahyung been so serious.”
“I…….”
Yoon Jong shut his mouth.
He sighed deeply after appearing to think deeply about something.
“Did you know that I was an orphan?”
“Yes, I have heard it.”
“Then do you know that I used to be a beggar?”
“What?”
Jo Gol’s eyes widened slightly.
Yoon Jong opened his mouth calmly while still staring at him.
“Since I remember, I have lived with my mother. No relatives, no acquaintances. And after my mother died, I had to be a f*cking beggar.”
“…Sahyung.”
“It’s still vivid. On that cold winter day, I was dying on the street where no one helped me. What was ridiculous was that hunger was more painful than cold. I haven’t eaten anything for more than 10 days, to the point that I want to kill people later to steal their food. If I weren’t a child, I’d be a thief.”
Jo Gol remained silent.
It’s the first time he’s heard so much about Yoon Jong’s background.
And it was the first time he had heard such a harsh remark from him, who was always trying to protect Daesahyung’s duty.
“If the elder who was passing by at that time hadn’t saved me, I would have died on the road. Mount Hua Sect is a benefactor to me. They raised a young beggar who was dying despite the difficult living conditions.”
Yoon Jong quietly closed his eyes.
Whether he’s thinking about the past or organizing his thoughts. Jo Gol didn’t want to interrupt Yoon Jong’s thoughts by rashly opening his mouth.
“Since then, whenever I see starving people, it reminds me of the past. Maybe it’s because I know how hard and painful it is… I can’t help myself.
“I understand, Sahyung.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
“Will you understand me even if you’re dead?”
“…….”
“Could you have told me it was fine in the underworld?”
“Sahyung.”
Yoon Jong stated unequivocally.
“It was a stupid thing to do. Helping people who do not even know the names is Tao. It is also Tao to ensure the safety of those I know and my brother’s disciples. How did I think that was the only way? “In order to sell the Plum Sword.”
Yoon Jong’s face is etched with deep regret; if things had gone wrong, he would not have closed his eyes even when he died.
Yoon Jong gently licked his lips.
“As soon as I return to Mount Hua, I will plead guilty to Sect Leader. I might be able to get Plum Sword again… But what can I say if I can’t? ”
Jo Gol, who had been silently listening to the tragic voice, waved his hand.
“Sahyung. I’m not sure what lies ahead, but you won’t be chastised for selling Plum Sword.”
“Why?”
“Well, Plum Sword is Mount Hua’s sword, but it’s not Mount Hua’s symbol.”
“Hm?”
Jo Gol cleared his throat.
“If Chung Myung had heard of it, he would have said,”
‘What? Symbol? Would putting plum blossoms on your sword make it Mount Hua’s symbol? Would a garment with a plum blossom print then be Mount Hua’s symbol? Is alcohol also a symbol of Mount Hua if I put plum blossoms in a wine bottle? ‘
That’s exactly what he’d say.”
“…….”
Jo Gol gives Yoon Jong a friendly smile.
“It’s not the things of this world that matter. Isn’t it significant what Sahyung thinks of Mount Hua? ”
Yoon Jong gave a bitter smile.
It’s not because he understands what Jo Gol said, but because he understands Jo Gol’s mind and attempts to put him at ease somehow.
“That’s what Chung Myung would do. The important thing is not to make mistakes, but to learn from them. Did you learn something from this, Sahyung? ”
“……Yes, I learned.”
“Doesn’t that suffice?”
Yoon Jong sighs and quietly closes his eyes.
– Are you okay? Please open your eyes.
‘Elder.’
In his eyes, he sees the image of Hyun Sang holding him.
‘I apologize.’
“Let’s just sleep. There’s a lot of work to do. Just think about finding Jamokcha and returning to Mount Hua for now.”
“Yes, we should.”
Yoon Jong nodded lightly and walked over to his bed.
He lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and attempted to fall asleep, but a low voice interrupted him.
“Sahyung.”
“Hm?”
“What Sahyung did may have been wrong.”
“…Yes.”
“But still.”
“Huh?”
“I’m glad Sahyung is such a person.”
“…….”
“Go to sleep.”
The room fell silent.
Yoon Jong covered his eyes with his hand and closed his eyes tightly.
He didn’t think he’d be able to sleep until morning.
* * *
“…Are you still alive?”
“I think he’s dead.”
“No, he seems to be breathing.”
When the disciples of Mount Hua saw Chung Myung lying face down in front of them, they became solemn.
Jo Gol poked Chung Myung with a stick he found somewhere.
“Is he gone?”
“He must have died. He’s not human if he’s alive and eating that much.”
“Common sense is that there’s a limit to how much you can fit in a person’s stomach, does it make sense to drink it all? I thought he saved it for the wedding.”
“Drunken guy.”
Pluck, pluck, pluck.
Chung Myung, who had fallen, wriggled as Jo Gol repeatedly stabbed him.
“He’s alive!”
“I told you to not break the line, but you do it anyway. And that’s in the wrong direction too.”
“Who came out on top?”
It was back then.
“Ugh…….”
Chung Myung, who was lying face down, let out a terrible moan that could only be heard from hell.
“I… I won…”
“Just rest. You were fantastic.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” You are free to die now that you have won.”
“Argh! I’m not gone! ”
Chung Myung slowly stood up and sat on the hall floor.
“Ca- Can I have a glass of cold water…….”
“Doesn’t Sect work well? Sasuk offered water to Sajil? ”
Baek Chun held out the cold water he had prepared ahead of time, and Chung Myung took it without saying anything, gulped it down, set the cup down, and grabbed his head.
“Ugh… “In my head…….”
“… Isn’t it preferable to burn the poison at that point? That’s exactly what you used to do.”
“If you’re going to do that, why would you alcohol? You should drink water then! ”
“Yes, yes. You have said the same before.”
A sigh escaped Baek Chun’s lips.
When he sees a dead-like man beside him, he can’t help but sigh.
But…….
‘Anyway, this guy did an excellent job.’
Because he believes that Yasugung ju’s position is absolute, becoming friends with him is the best way to strengthen his friendship with Namman Yasugung Clan.
Baek Chun isn’t sure if he does it knowing or just because he enjoys the alcohol… In any case, Chung Myung has formed a close friendship with Yasugung ju.
“Oh, I’m dying.”
Namman Yasugung people rushed to them when Chung Myung, who had shaken his head a few times, raised his head.
“Are you awake?”
His bent posture conveyed a respectful formality that contrasted with his previous attitude.
It was only natural for their attitude to shift after Yasugung ju recognized them as guests.
“Yes.”
“Yasugung ju is looking for you.”
“What?”
Chung Myung raised his head.
“He already up? After drinking like that? ”
The corners of Baek Chun’s mouth twitched in response to his stern expression.
“I think you lost, Chung Myung.”
“…this, this can’t be right.”
“Loser.”
Baek Chun smiled and followed the people of Namman Yasugung.
As he lives, he witnesses Chung Myung’s defeat, which is far more entertaining.
‘That can’t be right.’
Baek Chun’s eyes, which had been soaked in joy for a very short time, were filled with sadness, and Yasugung ju, who was sitting in front of them covered in tiger skin, was as usual……
No, he does not have the same amount of momentum as before.
“Ugh…….”
‘How much did you two consume?’
Yasugung ju’s face, which appeared to be capable of supporting even the falling sky, collapsed in half a day.
His eyes were black and hollow, and his cheeks were sunken, as if he had died of a fatal disease.
Chung Myung asked, his voice cracking.
“… I’m sorry; are you all right? ”
“Ha ha. I’m perfectly fine. I’m going to drink today…… uuk! Drink……. uuup! ”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Mount Hua’s disciples rushed to Chung Myung, shouting and covering his mouth.
“Don’t vomit, you idiot!”
“Where is it?” Hold on! Take it in! ”
“Bucket! Bucket! Hurry! ”
Yasugung ju smiled as he saw the sight.
“Yes, you can’t eat that much and be fine……. Uwooghhh! ”
“Argh! Good luck, nim! Don’t puke again! ”
“Here! Here! ”
Gung Do yelled as if it were unbearable. (I’m not sure if Gung Do means servant or people of Namman Yasugung, so I’ll leave it as is for now. )
“If you’re so sick, you can take care of the poison by your own internal strength!”
“What the hell, you idiot! Why would you drink then? It isn’t any better than drinking water!”
Then Baek Chun, who was watching the scene, asked with a bright smile.
“…I think I’ve heard that somewhere, but I’m sure I’m mistaken.”
“It’s a mistake, Sasuk. No way.”
Chung Myung and Yasugung ju, who had been fighting for a long time, were wiping the corner of their mouths and looking up at each other at the time.
“if it goes like this…….”
“Is it a tie?”
The match between the two who drank until dawn last night was eventually settled by running out of alcohol, and it now has to be decided in the condition of the next day, but it doesn’t make much of a difference in the way it’s settled.
“…… You’re incredible.”
“You too.”
When the disciples of Mount Hua saw the two haggard-looking men raising their thumbs at each other, they smiled proudly.
‘They get along just fine.’
‘Something appears to be in common.’
‘It’s terrible.’
And they thought, the lives of the Namman Yasugung people would not be that happy either, seeing as the leader is similar to that guy, they must be going through hell. Suddenly, the Mount Hua disciples feel sympathy and compassion.
“However, why did you call me this morning?”
“Oh, right.”
Yasugung ju stepped back from the bucket and opened his mouth.
“Something about the plant you were talking about yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“It seems that the guy I picked up from my side has already inquired it to the merchants. A merchant he knew called to come.”
“Wow, that’s fast.”
“Huhuhu. Yunnan people are naturally quick and precise.”
The Mount Hua disciples sighed as they watched the two laugh and giggle.
They appear to have known each other for about 20 years.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the merchant to open the door and come in to stop the two from getting along any longer.
“I greet Gungju nim, the sun of Yunnan.”
“Let’s put aside the pretense! So, do you know about Jamokcha? ”
The merchant brought up the subject without delay, as if he was familiar with the situation, and he didn’t even give him time to introduce himself.
“Jamokcho spoken in Jungwon is the word for Sinryeongcho (神靈草/Spirit Grass/Sacred Herb) spoken in Yunnan.”
“What?”
Yasugung ju’s voice rang out loudly.
“Did you just say Sinryeongcho?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You’re here to find Sinryeongcho?”
Yasugung ju’s eyes grow larger, and the spirit that had vanished from his voice returns.
No, what exactly is it……
“…is it really that good? That? ”
Chung Myung inquired, his heart slightly tense; the strong response is most likely due to the unfavorable atmosphere.
“……No. It isn’t all that great.”
That’s correct.
Didn’t they say it was a trade item in Jungwon? If it was that good, there was no way it could have been a trade item in Jungwon.
But Yasugung ju’s face remained troubled, and he scratched his head with his large hand.
“Well, how can I say……”
“Is there a problem?”
When Chung Myung inquired, Yasugung ju let out a sigh.
“Even when things are already twisted, things could get more twisted here. First of all, Jamokcha you mentioned, that is, Sinryeongcho, definitely exists in Yunnan. But…”
In the middle of saying something, he shook his head.
“No. Saying it in words is of no use. Follow me. I will guide you directly to the place where Sinryeongcho is.”
Yasugung ju arose.
They can’t help but notice the trust in that massive frame…..
“Follow me…. Uuupp! Bucket! Bucket! Hurry up! Uwaggh! ”
……disappears on its own.
Disappear in an instant.
![Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]](https://cpunovel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/arcane-sniper.jpg "Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]")
