Chapter 340
Chapter 340. Is This Contagious?
Yeon Jeokha stared at Tang Unmang for a long time, struggling to contain his anger.
Although he wanted to kill him on the spot, he knew he couldn’t do it until the poison had been completely eliminated.
“Old man.”
“W-what do you want now?”
“You were planning to disappear as soon as you got paid, weren’t you? You knew that, once they found out about this, the Tang Family might come looking for you at any moment.”
Tang Unmang, with a dejected face, nodded silently. Now he didn’t have a single cent and was forced to wander aimlessly in search of a place to stay.
“Go to Kaifeng (개봉). There’s a place called Namyeon Inn (남연객점) in Hwasang Village (화상촌). Stay there and work on preparing an antidote. If Baek Ilun (백일운) is not at the Wudang Sect (무당파), then you will be the one to eliminate the poison.”
“I don’t have a single cent…”
“I’m a co-owner of that place. Just go and mention my name so they can assign you a room. Work on the antidote while you’re there. After all, you put me in this state, didn’t you? At least do that, don’t you think?”
“Yes… of course, of course.”
Thus, it was decided that the new residence of Tang Unmang, a poison master at the level of Simdok (심독, Heart Poison), would be Namyeon Inn.
“This… I don’t know what words of comfort to offer.”
So Jiwoong, leader of the Geonwon, could barely articulate himself as he looked at Yeon Jeokha.
The world was full of surprises. Less than an hour ago, the man in front of him looked completely normal. Now, his appearance was grotesque and terrifying.
However, Yeon Jeokha, without worrying, replied indifferently:
“It’s because the poison hasn’t been completely eliminated yet.”
“Ah… the poison…”
So Jiwoong instinctively took a step back, clearly afraid that the poison might be contagious.
“It’s not contagious, so you don’t have to be alarmed.”
“I see… What happened to the man who used the poison?”
“He fled.”
So Jiwoong glanced at Jang Wian (장위안), who, having already agreed what to say with Yeon Jeokha, nodded vigorously and added:
“He fled while Yeon Sohyeop was busy taking the antidote.”
“What a barbarity! Thank goodness things turned out well. But what would have happened if the antidote had been fake? Why did they let him escape?”
Faced with So Jiwoong’s criticism, Jang Wian lowered his head in a sign of repentance.
“My apologies. Yeon Sohyeop’s condition was so serious that we didn’t have time to think about anything else.”
“Tsk, tsk. It’s at times like these that those who are close must remain calm. Anyway, you did a good job. But I’m worried that someone so skilled in the use of poison was involved in this matter. Did you investigate who he was?”
“It’s Tang Unmang, a poison expert and former member of the Tang Family. However, he assured us that he has no connection to the Tang Family. Apparently, he has been separated from them for years.”
Jang Wian did not hide that Tang Unmang belonged to the Tang Family, as Geum Bulwi would surely spread the information sooner or later.
“Tang, you say? Are you sure the Tang Family is not involved?”
“Yes. Tang Unmang is hiding, fleeing from the Tang Family.”
“What did he do to be persecuted?”
“He’s part of a secondary branch of the family, but apparently he was more talented than the young master of the main line, which caused him to be severely repressed.”
“Ah, I see.”
So Jiwoong, understanding immediately, nodded. The struggles between the main and secondary branches were common, not only in the prominent families of the Murim, but also in the business world.
“What do you think Geum Bulwi will do now?”
“For now, he still doesn’t know that Tang Unmang failed and fled. Geum Bulwi probably trusts that his mission will be accomplished, so he will wait a while longer for results.”
“So, do you think he will remain silent for now?”
“Yes. After all, he has already involved one of the Four Great Families. At this point, he has no other options.”
“Do you think it would be prudent for me to meet with Gong Joseung of Yeongha Valley (영하대곡) in this situation?”
So Jiwoong carefully observed Yeon Jeokha and the Three Heroes of Qingzhou (청주삼협), aware that their actions could endanger their lives.
“I think simply showing your strength at the inauguration will be enough. That will show that the Geonwon Escort Agency was able to face an expert from the Tang Family and emerge victorious.”
Jang Wian, instead of giving a direct negative, subtly expressed his opinion that it would be better to avoid more outdoor activities. With Yeon Jeokha in that state, it would be difficult to keep traveling together.
So Jiwoong, looking sadly at Yeon Jeokha, sighed.
He couldn’t go outside alone with the Three Heroes in these circumstances, but he couldn’t take Yeon Jeokha with him either, who now had a grotesque and festering face.
After deliberating, he decided to remain secluded until the day of the inauguration.
“It’s decided. I will stay at Cheonji Manor (천지장원) until the day of the inauguration. I hope you can bear a few more days.”
“Understood.”
Jang Wian responded on behalf of the others.
The Three Heroes, who had been watching the conversation with uneasiness, finally let out a sigh of relief.
The day of the inauguration.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed. During that time, the sign at the entrance was changed from Cheonji Manor (천지장원) to Geonwon Branch.
Around noon, the notables of the region and the merchants of Heochang (허창) began to arrive, one by one, at the building, whose doors were wide open.
So Jiwoong greeted the guests at the entrance, appearing confident and resolute.
Even the merchants who had been in conflict with him until the previous day came to congratulate him. It was an impressive event, worthy of the prestige of the Geonwon Pyo Guk, which even attracted the local magistrate.
After the presentation ceremony, a banquet was organized.
So Jiwoong, always on the move, chatted with key guests.
In the middle of the crowd, he spotted Geum Bulwi, the leader of Haesa Bang.
Approaching him, So Jiwoong said with a meaningful smile:
“I received the ‘gift’ you sent very well. Soon, headquarters will send you a proper response. Expect great things.”
For a moment, Geum Bulwi’s face hardened like stone.
The Geonwon Escort Agency, headquartered in Namjik Province, was a giant, with hundreds of escorts distributed among its main offices and branches. With only 30 members, Haesa Bang could not compare.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir.”
He tried to feign ignorance, but his voice trembled. He knew his lie wouldn’t work.
Then, So Jiwoong, leaning towards him, whispered in his ear:
“I know you’re just a messenger. If you tell me who hired you, I’ll consider being lenient with you.”
Geum Bulwi, with eyes full of uncertainty, finally muttered:
“It was Wang Gukju of the Geumil Escort Agency.”
“Is that all?”
So Jiwoong, not to be persuaded, insisted on getting more details. Finally, Geum Bulwi, defeated, also mentioned Su Geumseo, known as the God of Red Flames (적염신장).
“Sir, I was just following orders. You know how things are here. To survive in Heochang, you have to go with the flow.”
So Jiwoong did not respond immediately.
When Geum Bulwi confessed everything, he waited for So Jiwoong’s decision, trembling.
Finally, he said:
“If you keep me informed about all their movements, I will forget your past mistakes.”
Geum Bulwi’s face lit up immediately. Being a double agent, reporting to both sides, was exactly the kind of situation he wanted.
“Yes, yes. Thank you very much.”
As Geum Bulwi withdrew, visibly relieved, So Jiwoong watched him calmly, knowing he had found a useful local informant.
For an outsider like So Jiwoong, leader of the Geonwon Escort Agency, having local workers was a necessity, and having someone like Geum Bulwi (금불위), even as an informant, was a mutual advantage.
“After all, Haesa Bang (해사방) is just a tool, there’s no need to shed pointless blood.”
However, his real enemies were Mugok Manor (무곡산장) and Geumil Pyo Guk (금일표국).
The struggle for commercial dominance was no different from a war, and as commander of the Geonwon Pyo Guk, So Jiwoong had no intention of losing.
The opening ceremony, which began at noon, extended until late afternoon. As the workers cleaned up, Yeon Jeokha said goodbye to the Three Heroes.
Baek Okjo, who was the same age as him, tried to persuade him with a pained expression:
“Why don’t you rest here one more night and leave in the morning?”
“People keep looking at me. I already told So Hangsu (소 행수) that I would leave today.”
With a sigh, Baek Okjo did not insist. Looking at Yeon Jeokha, who now looked like someone sick with smallpox, made it difficult to ask him to stay.
Il Suhan, the second brother of the Three Heroes of Qingzhou, intervened to break the tension:
“Younger sister, it’s better for Yeon Sohyeop to leave as soon as possible. He needs to find that Baek Ilun they talked about. Every day counts.”
Finally, Baek Okjo agreed and gave him a farewell smile.
“I hope you find the doctor at the Wudang Sect. When you’re healed, please come visit us at the Geonwon Escort Agency headquarters. We’ll welcome you as we should.”
“I will. So, goodbye for now.”
After bowing to Baek Okjo, Il Suhan, and Jang Wian, Yeon Jeokha turned around and left.
—-
Namyang.
Around noon, a young man with ashy, brittle hair entered the city walking slowly. His face was covered in sores and scabs, an unmistakable appearance: it was Yeon Jeokha.
“Wow, everything is the same as before.”
With a nostalgic feeling, Yeon Jeokha looked around him. He had visited the place years ago on his way to the Wudang Sect, and the return brought back memories.
When he reached the market, the place was crowded with people and street vendors. However, wherever he went, the crowd quickly moved aside.
The face full of sores and the mottled skin of his body, reminiscent of the mottled skin of a fish, made people instinctively move aside, afraid of the possibility of contagion.
Every time that happened, Yeon Jeokha shouted internally:
“This is not contagious, damn it!”
Although the constant uncomfortable stares bothered him, there was a positive side: he could move through the busiest places without anyone approaching or touching him. Of course, that was the only good thing.
When hunger began to gnaw at him, he went to a restaurant and, as soon as he entered, a young waiter stopped him firmly.
“No, you can’t stay here! Get out!”
“Why? I have money.”
“It’s not a matter of money. If we let you in, the other customers will leave.”
“This is not smallpox. It’s not contagious.”
“It doesn’t matter. You can’t stay here.”
“Come on, kid. I need to eat too. I’m hungry.”
Faced with Yeon Jeokha’s insistence, the young waiter responded with even more drama:
“Brother, I also have a sick mother and four younger brothers to feed. If I let you in, I’ll be fired. Please understand my situation.”
“Hah!”
A deep sigh escaped Yeon Jeokha’s lips.
He could have used force to get his way, but that wasn’t his style. Doing so would have been acting like a Nokrim (녹림) bandit.
As he turned around with resignation, his stomach rumbled audibly. Noticing how pathetic he looked, the young waiter called out to him.
“Brother.”
“What? Are you going to let me in?”
“No. But I can bring you the food out here. What do you say?”
“Do you want me to eat in the street like a beggar?”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
Yeon Jeokha changed his attitude quickly.
“What dishes are good here?”
“The Yangyuk Jangmok (양육장막, lamb-stuffed bread) and the Bupan Tang (부판탕, mung bean noodle soup) are very popular.”
“Add a chicken stew too.”
“So, Yangyuk Jangmok, Bupan Tang, and chicken stew. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“That’s 150 mon.”
“How expensive!”
Yeon Jeokha, grumbling, rummaged through his robe.
Before, he wouldn’t have thought twice about the price, but since he worked at the Geonwon Escort Agency, where his first salary was only 50 mon, everything seemed expensive to him.
“This is the most famous restaurant in Namyang. That’s why it’s expensive.”
The young waiter took the money and ran back inside the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Yeon Jeokha sat in a secluded corner next to the restaurant, grumbling to himself:
“Damn it, three days of salary for a single meal.”
He remembered that in large restaurants like that, he rarely saw wandering warriors. Now he understood why: it was too expensive.
As he pondered all this, a delicious aroma reached his nose. The waiter had come out with the food.
“What are you doing? Come get it.”
“Does a customer have to do that too?”
The young waiter couldn’t refute it, knowing he wasn’t wrong. Quickly, he left the food on the ground.
Yeon Jeokha placed the dishes on a board he had found nearby and began to eat.
Even though the restaurant was famous in Namyang, the food wasn’t as exceptional as he expected.
The place was full of merchants and warriors, many of them associated with the Namyang Chamber of Commerce and warriors of the Cheongunbang (Blue Cloud Hall), but none recognized the disheveled and sickly-looking man who was Yeon Jeokha.
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