Chapter 109 Triumphant Return (2)

Chapter 109 Triumphant Return (2)

Two days passed, and my internal injuries had mostly healed, making it easier to move around.

This was thanks to Cheongso-so desperately treating me to clear the disgrace of the family’s vision being wrong.

“There! All done.”

Smack.

“Ugh!”

The moment he pulled out the needle, Cheongso-so slapped my back with his cold palm and laughed as if amused.

“For someone who claims to be a master, this is all you’ve got? Stop whining… I have something to say, so hurry up and get dressed.”

“Just say it. After seeing everything there is to see, why bother now…”

“Oh, come on! I’m serious, so get dressed quickly. ”

Unable to withstand the pressure, he grabbed the upper garment left nearby, put it on, and sat perched on the bed. She crossed her arms and spoke.

“It’s nothing else. I’d like to borrow the main hall.”

“The main hall?”

The former Jo family residence, now the Mujeon family home, was built in the shape of a large rectangle, with pavilions and corridors attached to the walls.

The main building, the farthest pavilion from the main gate and boasting the largest floor area, was occupied by me, the actual owner. The two rooms on the east side were shared by Myohyang and the cleaning staff, while the two rooms on the west side were unoccupied.

The storage room the cleaning staff mentioned was a warehouse-like space built against the south wall. The Jo Family Store had renovated it for use as a shop.

Being right by the roadside, its excellent accessibility made this possible.

The problem was.

“When are you planning to go home?”

A woman who should be returning home soon was stubbornly insisting she wanted to start a new business.

“No, it’s not that…”

Seeing the cleaning lady hesitate, I understood.

‘She can’t go back because she’s afraid of getting scolded…’

Her utterly childish demeanor made me sigh involuntarily.

“Why are you suddenly staring like that?”

“What did I do?”

“You looked at me just like you would a childish niece.”

“It’s just your imagination.”

“No, it’s not… You definitely looked at me with an unpleasant expression…”

“I said it’s nothing. Anyway, I can’t lend you the Dojwa Room.“

”Why?! Please lend it to me!“

”If I lend it to you, you won’t go home.“

”…….“

”So hurry up and pack your things…….“

Hearing the firm refusal, the cleaning service clenched her lips tightly and said.

”I’ll give you the money.“

”When would be a good time to draw up the contract?”

“What contract do we need between us? I’ll handle the business myself, so Team Leader Jin can just lie back and count the money.”

“Oh my! You really didn’t have to be so considerate. This is truly humbling. Hehe.”

“Instead, help me prepare for business. With the clinic expanded, there must be more than a few things to buy.”

“You mean this?! I’ll help you as much as you need. Yes. You can work me like a bull.“

”Hehe, then let’s head out after lunch.”

Cheongso-so opened the main building door with a bright smile.

I watched his retreating figure and smiled with satisfaction.

‘So this is how they’re making up for the loss of Yongmasan.’

It’s fortunate they quickly filled the gap left by the A-class sucker.

* * *

After a hearty lunch, I stepped out onto the street with Cheongso as promised.

Upon reaching the street where the herbal medicine dealers gathered, Cheongso’s eyes lit up and she began darting around.

“Oh my, dried Hwagyunji! How much? Three nyang? You’re charging that much? Just two nyang.”

“The quality of the Fangfeng and Zaxieye is really…”

“Mr. Gwak, didn’t you say you’d have the Sangyeop delivered by today?”

Despite her incredibly picky inspection of the goods, the merchants didn’t show any sign of displeasure; instead, they smiled brightly and dealt with her.

Some even chuckled and gave her scraps of herbs for free.

One of the herbalists, who must have recognized me following behind, greeted me.

“What brings Chief Jin here?”

“I followed that woman.”

Pointing to the herbalist haggling with merchants ahead, he exclaimed in surprise.

“You know the Divine Lady?”

“Just met her. But does being good with needles really make her a Divine Lady?”

“She spares no effort in healing the poor and sick. That alone makes her worthy of the title.”

“What nonsense is that?”

Seeing my puzzled expression at this unfamiliar claim, the herbalist chuckled.

“You didn’t know?”

“……”

“Over five hundred residents of the outer city have received her kindness. Thanks to her, far fewer people die from illness due to lack of money.”

No wonder there were so many patients who looked so shabby…

“She truly is a wonderful person.”

“……It seems so.”

Just as we were talking, the cleaning lady called out to me.

“Hurry up! ”

“She’s calling. I’ll see you next time.”

“Take a look.”

I quickened my pace and approached. She held out a bundle as big as her own body.

“Here.”

“You buy this much?”

“Of course. Even buying this much, it runs out in three days.”

“Well, I suppose there’s no helping it. Where next?”

“I need to find the carpenters.”

“Why there?”

“We need to set up beds for the patients. Before, it was too cramped for more than one bed, but that’s not the case anymore, right?”

“That’s true. So you should be grateful to me for lending you such a spacious clinic.”

“Anyone watching would think I got it for free. But what’s the occasion?”

“Why? What about me?”

“You’ve been smiling since earlier.”

“Ah, I’m just happy to be out after so long. Since we’re out, let’s grab a bite. I’ll treat.”

“Great! Hehe. What are you treating me to?”

“Hmm… Noodles?”

“You’re such a cheapskate.”

* * *

The next day.

My internal injuries were mostly healed, so I came out.

I came out to report my return to work to Baek.

Honestly, I wanted to hole up in my room and extend my paid leave until next year.

‘Trying to fool that guy would be like trying to cheat Yama himself at cards—it’s safer not to.’

Trying to deceive him, who knew my condition inside out, would only end up costing me more than I’d gain.

And.

‘Get plenty of rest. Once you’re better, something good will happen.’

How could I possibly resist wondering what that ‘something good’ might be?

Opening the door and stepping outside, I heard the sound of training cries coming from the Mukeong Martial Arts Academy across the street.

Probably the remaining young disciples practicing.

Seemed like there was plenty of time, so I peeked over the wall. Sure enough, the kids were sweating buckets.

“Hap!”

“Hap!”

I’d never formally learned the martial arts of the Pointing Star, so I didn’t know what style it was, but judging by the swiftness, it seemed like the Spectral Sword Technique.

‘Cute little things.’

I watched with an uncle-like smile on my face.

“What are you doing here?”

A huge shadow fell over my head.

Judging by the shape of the shadow—a bald spot in the middle with hair sticking out wildly on either side—it was definitely the Immortal of Annihilation, the sect master of the Ascension Pavilion.

Every time I saw him, I couldn’t help but think he looked exactly like Hey Yang-a-chi from Iron Fist.

The fact that someone who looked like this was a Taoist master felt like a major character design flaw.

“I just came to watch since it’s in front of my house. “

”Right in front of your house?“

At his counterquestion, I pointed across the street to my house.

”You mean that’s your house?“

The Immortal of Annihilation asked, his eyes widening.

Even a Taoist ignorant of worldly matters would know land in front of the East Gate was worth its weight in gold.

Of course, I didn’t tell him the truth.

”Ah, it’s not my house. I’m just renting it temporarily.”

I didn’t want to risk getting caught up in gossip and having the inspection team descend on me.

“But Master, shouldn’t you be at the Ascension Pavilion? What brings you here?”

“I quit.”

The unexpected answer made me think my ears were deceiving me.

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear? I said I quit.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“I wonder when that damn habit of yours will ever change.”

Frankly, it was enough to make anyone jump.

The position of Head of the Ascension Pavilion is not only respected by graduates but also an immensely prestigious role, guaranteeing a hefty salary and status.

Moreover, parents staking their lives on their children’s education was the same in both the modern era and the Nine Dragon City.

Parents who had gotten their children into the Ascension Pavilion would never just sit idly by.

Since ability was everything, bribes were ineffective, but everyone had their pride, so they sent the Ascension Pavilion Head enormous gifts every year.

Most of these gifts, the Immortal of Annihilation sold off to supplement the Black Dragon Sect’s finances.

But to voluntarily walk away from such a coveted position?

Staring at him in utter bewilderment, the Immortal of Annihilation flashed a bandit-like grin and said,

“Doesn’t the sect need someone to uphold its teachings?”

True enough, had the Black Dragon Sect’s finances not been dire back then, he likely wouldn’t have taken the position of Sect Master at the Ascension Pavilion.

It was inefficient for a natural-born warrior and peerless swordsman like him to set aside his sword and educate children.

“And lately, the sect’s been doing well enough to get by. I didn’t see the need to stay at the Ascension Pavilion any longer.”

He glanced at the Moolryong Martial Academy and said.

“I hear you helped out? Thanks to you, the children aren’t going hungry anymore.”

“Well, that’s how it turned out.”

“I thought he was just a burden, but now I see you brought a lucky charm, Brother.”

“A burden? Who else has contributed more to Moolryong Hall than me?”

“Heh heh. Just kidding, Inseok.”

“Heh heh, I know.”

“Since you’re here, have some tea before you go.”

“I’d like to, but I have somewhere to be. It’s near my house, so I’ll drop by soon.”

“Well, I suppose that can’t be helped.”

Just as I turned to head back to headquarters, he called out to me.

“Mujeon.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks.”

“Why are you suddenly giving me goosebumps? Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“Thanks my ass.”

Leaving the exterminator shaking his head behind, I headed for the old house of the Black Snake I’d sold to North Palace Baek.

It was well past his usual work time, but I figured he wouldn’t have shown up anyway, so I went there.

Sure enough, North Palace Baek hadn’t defied my expectations.

Stepping through the gate, he was sprawled belly-up on the veranda, fast asleep.

Judging by the pungent alcohol fumes assaulting my nose, he’d clearly been drinking heavily before passing out.

Former spies of the Ten Demon Alliance, now servants to North Palace Baek, approached.

“Go fetch some warm honey water. This gentleman must have a sour stomach.”

“Yes.”

After dispatching the servant, I approached North Palace Baek.

Flash!

Crack.

A hand sliced through the air, hurtling toward me.

Of course, having done this countless times before, I was naturally prepared.

“Hmph!”

He unfurled his three-strike technique, clashing with North Palace White’s Black Dragon Strike.

Crack.

He slowed the first strike.

Thud.

He redirected the second strike.

Thump.

With the third strike, he repelled the Black Dragon Strike.

Then, North Palace White let out a faint, bitter smile.

“Aren’t you bored yet?”

“Bored? How could I be bored while witnessing my subordinate’s achievements?”

He placed a wine jar filled with his favorite bamboo leaf-infused liquor before North Palace White, who shrugged his shoulders.

After checking the scent of the liquor, North Palace White and his eyes lit up.

“You brought snacks too.”

“I brought boiled pork from the Misang Inn. I figured drinking on an empty stomach would upset your stomach.”

“I was just getting hungry. Perfect timing. Since you’re here, why not have a drink before you go?”

“But it’s still morning…”

“What does that matter?”

And so the drinking began.

After a few rounds, I asked what had been on my mind.

“Didn’t you say something good would happen soon?”

“Ah, that.”

“Yes. That very thing.”

Bukgungbaek lifted the entire jar of bamboo leaf wine and downed it in one gulp.

“Once the garrison returns, there will be a ceremony to reward meritorious service.”

“Recognition of Merit!”

A heart-pounding phrase.

For reference, I received the peerless divine technique, Bicheonpung, as a reward for my achievements in the Great Southern Man Campaign.

But the scale of this recognition of merit was far greater than I had imagined.

“I’ve placed your name at the very top, so you’ll receive something much larger than last time.”

“I-is that really true?”

“You had the greatest merit, so isn’t that only natural?”

“Thank you! Overwhelmingly grateful!”

As expected, the man Baekgong Baek never disappoints me.