[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 274

At the octagonal pavilion, Grim Sword, who was leisurely passing time, stretches his arm towards the sky.

Whoosh!

Then, with a flapping sound, a hawk with black feathers lands on Grim Sword’s arm.

“Why are you already here?”

Black Hawk is one of the near-mystical goshawks that Grim Sword keeps.

Unable to send his own Suryageomhondae, he had sent Black Hawk with Cheonhyeoldae, just in case. And now, Black Hawk has returned so soon after being sent.

Flap!

After shaking its wings once, Black Hawk extends one of its legs to Grim Sword.

Tied to Black Hawk’s ankle is a small official document.

“Hmm…”

Grim Sword, having removed the document, takes out a pouch from his pocket and shakes it out.

“Here you go.”

Black Hawk, having eaten the jerky given by Grim Sword, flaps its wings and flies up again.

Black Hawk, trained to deliver messages, will fly back to the sender. Unlike pigeons, as a top predator with almost no natural enemies, its value is such that even ten million gold pieces would not be enough.

“Did something arrive?”

At that moment, Gwonma, who saw Black Hawk, asks a question.

“I was just about to check.”

Grim Sword unfolds the tightly rolled document, and his eyes catch the hastily written words.

“What!?”

As Grim Sword reads the document aloud, the elders, who were scattered around the pavilion drinking the alcohol left by Han Ga-eul, quickly gather.

“Grim Sword, what’s going on?”

Just like the Murim Alliance leader, Grim Sword’s white hair shakes like a quivering aspen.

“Come on, speak up.”

At Gwonma’s urging, Grim Sword hands over the document he has finished reading. After quickly reading it, Gwonma exclaims the same as Grim Sword.

“What!?”

The elders, who peeked from behind and read the document in Gwonma’s hand, had the same reaction.

Everyone’s eyes are wide open.

“Why on earth did they beat up the inspector sent from the Murim Alliance…”

Of all people, they had to knock down an inspector.

The Murim Alliance’s inspectors, as their name suggests, are primarily responsible for inspections, and thus are granted more authority than their abilities warrant. Hence, even in the martial world where the logic of strength prevails, many people tread carefully around inspectors.

There was a time when Namgung Myung brought Shin Yi to his family with Baek Suk-bu. Even then, Jeon Ho had raised his voice once against Chang Cheon Un-geom, a renowned martial artist, citing a Murim Alliance event.

“Where did the child say they were from?”

“I haven’t heard, but it must be from the unorthodox faction.”

At Gwonma’s answer, Dokma, who had asked the question, frowns.

“Hey! You ignorant fool. Where in the world is there an unorthodox faction that practices immortality techniques?”

“What? Ignorant!?”

Martial arts is the study of mixing physical movement with learning, and a master is one who can perfectly utilize hundreds of acupoints and meridians as intricate as a maze.

Thus, it’s impossible for an elder who has reached such a level to be ignorant, but Gwonma was already rolling up his sleeves. Not to be outdone, Dokma also flares up.

“Perhaps it’s a hidden mystical sect or someone who received teachings from an immortal.”

Just as Dokma and Gwonma were about to have a big fight, the General Commander’s voice flows into the octagonal pavilion.

Even the elders, known for their wisdom, could only nod at the General Commander’s words.

Han Ga-eul’s immediate external wound treatment, internal medicine, and bone-setting skills were almost miraculous, beyond comprehension.

Healing visible wounds in an instant and treating invisible internal organs and bones.

The General Commander, wondering if perhaps the immortal was Hua Tuo, shakes his head.

‘No. Even if Hua Tuo came back to life, he couldn’t do that.’

A special child.

In the martial world, to be special, one must be highly skilled. Otherwise, one’s shining talent would only become poison, shortening their lifespan.

“It’s a hidden gem, isn’t it?”

The General Commander, who had been worrying about Han Ga-eul and whether to deploy more troops, suddenly remembered the Heavenly Blood Member attached to her and brushed off his concerns.

“Kids will be kids, they’ll get into trouble. As long as it’s not a big mess, it’s fine!”

“True words.”

Unlike the General Commander’s thoughts, Dokma didn’t seem particularly worried.

“But even though his appearance and abilities are outstanding, he’s still just a kid. I hope nothing big happens.”

***

As the Heavenly Blood Members entered the village, they quickly dispersed at Daeju’s signal, blending naturally among the ordinary people.

Some strolled around with liquor bottles, while others snacked on street food.

While escorting Han Ga-eul, Daeju noticed an old man.

With shabby clothes and white hair, he seemed like an ordinary person who wouldn’t catch anyone’s eye, but Daeju saw something different.

‘He’s deliberately disrupting his steady gait.’

Though Daeju’s martial power had weakened due to his meridians, his eyesight hadn’t deteriorated.

Daeju had survived countless life-and-death situations, and his experience told him this man was no ordinary person.

As Daeju kept watching him, a subordinate’s voice transmission reached his ears.

『North-Northeast, 20 paces, next to the butcher shop’s wall—escort spotted.』

Daeju naturally shifted his gaze from the old man to the butcher shop.

A crowd had gathered there.

In the center, a head of peach-colored hair stood out. Even without the subordinate’s message, it would’ve been impossible to miss.

*Thud!*

“Ugh!”

One of the Heavenly Blood Members was pounding someone into the ground.

*Thud!*

‘Why does it sound like a drum beating from a human’s stomach…’

Every time Han Ga-eul’s fist struck the opponent’s abdomen, a loud, tearing drum sound echoed.

『Identity confirmed. Deputy Inspector Jeon Ho of the Murim Alliance.』

“Gasp.”

Daeju, who had unintentionally let out a sound, quickly shut his mouth.

Inspectors, with the vast authority of the alliance, were always poking their noses everywhere, making them a thorn in the side.

But even such an inspector couldn’t possibly have a grudge against a newcomer like Han Ga-eul.

As Daeju pondered, a certain incident came to mind.

‘There was one, but…’

It was the incident where Namgung Myung, the third son of the Namgung family, had wagered the Spiritual Medicine Cheonsimyongyeondan in a martial arts challenge before entering the Murim.

In the end, Namgung Myung, beaten by Han Ga-eul, brought his uncle, Chang Cheon Un-geom, only to have his leg cut off by Hyanghyang.

Deputy Inspector Jeon Ho had been there at the time. But no matter how much Daeju thought about it, there wasn’t really a grudge. He was just there.

*Thud!*

With a loud noise, Daeju ended his pondering and looked back, but the shabby old man was already gone.

“Is your house the Murim Alliance?”

“Ugh…”

“Because of what Grandma asked, I need to see those bastards’ faces, so wait.”

Han Ga-eul, who had thrown Jeon Ho against the wall, was seen walking away holding a child’s hand.

***

Near the entrance of Hefei, a cart was parked.

The coachman, perhaps to let the horse graze, had tied it to a tree and disappeared.

From the grass, Heavenly Blood Members hidden with stealth techniques began to notice a familiar pink color.

“Gasp…!”

A startled voice. This time, it wasn’t Daeju.

The Heavenly Blood Member who realized his mistake looked apologetic.

But seeing that sight, it was understandable.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Because Han Ga-eul was dragging Jeon Ho by the ankle, pulling him along as she walked out.

Every time Jeon Ho’s head hit the rocks on the ground, it bounced up with a thud.

“Guide me, whether it’s the Murim Alliance or some damn plague.”

“T-The Murim Alliance is located in Henan, right next to Shaolin Temple.”

“How long will it take?”

“It’s a little less than 2,000 li from here.”

Upon hearing the answer, Han Ga-eul’s hand rose high and then swiftly came down.

*Whack!*

“Gah!”

Thanks to that, Jeon Ho’s eyes momentarily went blank before returning to normal.

“Ugh, you annoying brats. Use the metric system, the metric system!”

“M-Miss, what on earth is this metric system you speak of…?”

“The Murim Alliance dares to talk back…?”

“Gasp…”

The affectionate gaze she had shown to the child was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a murderous aura.

Jeon Ho, facing that gaze, felt his legs go weak.

This was the first time someone had treated him, a deputy inspector, so harshly.

*Whack!*

“Guh!”

The Heavenly Blood Members, watching from afar as Jeon Ho got hit again, instinctively covered their mouths.

Yet, they continued to maintain their stealth techniques while keeping an eye on Han Ga-eul.

*Tap.*

A mysterious figure lightly landed in front of Han Ga-eul.

The eyes of the Heavenly Blood Leader widened sharply.

It was the shabbily dressed old man he had briefly noticed earlier.

The old man carried a black bundle on his shoulder.

“Are you Shin Yi?”

“That’s correct.”

Without hesitation, the old man confirmed his identity, then began to untie the bundle he carried on his shoulder.

As the string loosened and the bundle slowly fell, what was revealed was human hair.

The hair, now exposed, was greasy and unwashed for a long time.

“The child you cherished is in my hands. Join us…”

Han Ga-eul, who had been silently watching, suddenly blurred and disappeared from her spot.

*Thud!*

At the same time, something exploded, and—

*Boom—!!*

A shockwave tore through the air, hitting the Heavenly Blood Members who were watching from afar.

*Sizzle—!*

Smoke rose from Han Ga-eul’s skin.

Her movements were reminiscent of Son Goku’s.

*Thud. Thud-thud.*

The aftermath of her punches scattered severed heads into the air, creating a bloody mist, and chunks of flesh fell from the sky, making the ground squelch.

The headless corpse of the old man collapsed. Han Ga-eul, with an expressionless face, carefully took the person from the bundle and held them in her arms.

“Jeon Ho.”

“…Yes.”

The person nestled in Han Ga-eul’s arms was the child who had paid a coin to ask for their mother’s treatment.

“Take them back carefully.”

“Ah, understood, Miss Han…”

Jeon Ho took the child from Han Ga-eul and hurriedly retraced his steps.

Meanwhile, Han Ga-eul’s gaze shifted toward the cart.

Han Ga-eul knew what the headless coachman’s cart was carrying.

“Get down.”

As Han Ga-eul approached the cart and spoke, the wooden door creaked open.

“I am…”

A voice, still tinged with lethargy, flowed out from the cart.

*Crash!*

But before the person inside could finish speaking, Han Ga-eul’s kick slammed into the cart.

“Ugh!”

The person inside hastily landed from the half-destroyed cart, blinking their eyes and lifting their head.

“I am…!”

*Smack!*

Han Ga-eul’s palm struck the man’s cheek like lightning, causing one eye to burst and teeth to fly into the air.

“Ugh!”

The man desperately clings to his fading consciousness.

He couldn’t die in a place like this.

He was only wearing dirty clothes and riding a filthy cart because of the royal decree.

If he could just reveal his identity, the other party would surely back down.

He was Jin Musa, a man who could make anyone but the emperor tremble in fear, a high-ranking official of the royal court who commanded a million-strong army nurtured by overwhelming wealth.

“Grrr…! I-I am the Royal Northern General Jin Musa…!”

Having managed to spit out his identity despite the growing pain, the man felt a sense of relief.

Whether his words had an effect or not, the opponent’s hand, which had been rising toward the sky, stopped.

‘If I can just make it back, I’ll tear them limb from limb…!’

The man, seeing the hand that had barely stopped, unconsciously stifled a laugh that was about to escape.

Thwack!

But the stopping didn’t last.

The man, whose eyeballs had burst and were dripping blood, couldn’t withstand the second slap and collapsed face-first into the ground, foaming at the mouth.

***

Jeon Ho used the rope he had received from Han Ga-eul to tie up the legs of Jin Musa, whose limbs were all broken, and secured the rest to the motorcycle.

Watching this from a distance, Daeju of the Cheonhyeol Corps was drenched in cold sweat.

“D-Daeju, he clearly said he was from the royal court…”

“Shh.”

Daeju covered his mouth with his finger and shook his head.

But despite his calm exterior, his mind was in complete disarray.

Even for someone like him, who had experienced countless battles and chaos, this situation was a first.

Thus, reporting to the superiors was the priority.

The situation had already gone beyond the point where he could make a unilateral decision.

Whoosh!

After a long wait, a familiar flapping sound reached Daeju’s ears.

‘Black Eagle!’

The Black Eagle flew silently.

The sound of flapping meant that the Black Eagle had intentionally made noise to announce its arrival.

“Daeju, why is the Black Eagle heading over there…?”

“…?”

The Black Eagle, sent for the initial report, seemed to have lost its way and was now heading toward where Han Ga-eul was.

Whoosh!

Han Ga-eul, hearing the sound, looked up.

There, the Black Eagle was hovering in place.

When Han Ga-eul reached out her hand, the Black Eagle gently landed on it.

“Huh? Who are you?”

The Black Eagle tilted its head as it made eye contact with Han Ga-eul, then bowed its head and nuzzled against her arm.

“Wow, your feathers are so pretty. That white tuxedo look is really cool.”

Flap!

“But why are you so small for a bird of prey? You should eat more. Want some meat?”

Watching this, Daeju of the Cheonhyeol Corps was on the verge of losing his mind.