Are you a Joseon person?
It’s been a while since someone asked that just by looking at my black hair.
Usually, they’d start with, “Hey! Barbarian! Where are you from, you barbarian bastard? Joseon? Where’s that? Isn’t it Goryeo? Do I need to know where the barbarian country is? What a cocky brat.”
Goryeo? What an idiot. A barbarian who doesn’t even know his country’s name? It’s Goguryeo, you punk! I’ve met every type of person, even ones whose country updates are over a thousand years old.
To think there’s a hero who’s polite and understands the world situation. This Taoist Master’s every little attitude is likable.
“My name is Kang Yoon-ho. I’m from Joseon and currently running a bookstore in Yichang.”
I’m from Joseon, but I’m paying taxes as a person from the Central Plains.
Just in case, I added a side note. “Like the Guard Unit, I’m warm to my own kind, but merciless to barbarians. I could suddenly change my attitude and shout, ‘I’ll kill that Chosun person!’”
“I see. By any chance, do you know of the Wind…?”
“We don’t have time! We need to get out of here quickly!”
Before Cheong-un could finish his sentence, a member of the Guard Unit shouted towards me.
“This isn’t the time for personal questions.”
Cheong-un swallowed his words, looking disappointed.
Wind? What could there be to ask a Joseon person about the Taoist Master of Mount Wu? Maybe the usual subject in martial arts, Wind Bai Yun-Sa? I was curious for a moment but didn’t bother to inquire further.
The attack might have been halted, but it’s not the time to let our guard down. We need to lift the tilted carriage and tie the living horses to escape the mountain immediately.
“Yes. I should help.”
Fortunately, the impact from the fall was strong enough that I couldn’t get up, but it’s not severe. I need to help quickly.
“Who would have thought a Demonic Cultist would appear at the front of the Mount Wu? Do you know the reason for their attack?”
Cheong-un asked as he intended to approach my group.
“That is…”
“Cheong-un, thank you for your help, but didn’t I say it’s difficult to speak further since it’s a matter for the Tang family?”
One of the Guard Unit members stepped forward, interrupting as I was struggling to speak.
That’s the easiest excuse. Just say it’s a family issue. So you’re not going to tell me why they were attacked?
“…”
Cheong-un looked between me and the Guard member. He had a suspicious and dissatisfied expression. Well, if it’s a matter of the Sichuan Tang family, it’s only natural to be skeptical. Internally, he might be thinking, “Is it you again from the Sichuan Tang family?”
Furthermore, if I risked my life to help him and didn’t tell him the reason, it would certainly feel bad.
Of course, I understand the situation of the Tang family members. If it became known that they conducted human experiments, it could turn into a significant issue for the entire Martial Arts World.
‘I need Cheong-un’s help.’
I should have spoken nicely during times like this. To a person who risked their life to help me. Is it okay to just brush it off as a family matter? I sighed quietly inwardly.
If the hero leaves in a huff over a bad mood, it would be our loss. To take Hwarin safely to the Tang family, I absolutely need the help of the Taoist Master from Mount Wu. But I can’t speak carelessly about the human experiments.
What should I do?
‘There’s a good method.’
I gently pushed the Guard member aside and stepped in front of Cheong-un.
“The Demonic Cultist is targeting my close friend. They are unconscious in that carriage over there because of the experiment.”
“Master!”
A member of the Guard exclaimed in surprise.
“How could I lie to the benefactor who saved me? Benefactor, I’ve heard I could save my friend if we take him to the Tang family. I apologize for this, but could you accompany us until we escape from danger?”
At times like this, it’s about speaking what’s not entirely the truth.
Most of this incident is the trash from the Tang family wanting to conduct human experiments. If I say all the facts, they might be reluctant to help, thinking it’s the Sichuan Tang family’s self-inflicted problems.
Instead of sharing all the facts and making them ponder over who’s at fault like a black box video replay, I just need to share the necessary facts.
Tang Geoh is allied with the Demonic Cult. We’re transporting a child who fell victim to the Demonic Cult’s experiments to the Tang family.
I only need to let them know the important facts minus the side notes.
“…If that’s the case, then I will accompany you.”
Cheong-un, although he still held onto some suspicion, nodded as if he couldn’t ignore the situation.
————
We set the carriage back up and quickly ran down the mountain path.
“Is it alright not to go help the Guard Unit?”
I asked a member of the Guard inside the moving carriage. Fortunately, I couldn’t see any pursuers. While I don’t intend to go help, their thoughts might be different, so I asked out of courtesy.
“You became the bait for us. To return to danger for our benefactor would be against his wishes.”
“Let’s hope they’re safe.”
Even though there were still lingering bad feelings, he was the one who offered to sacrifice himself in the end. I hope we meet again alive. It would be even better if he could justify me as a bastard child.
“We have no choice but to trust. They should have managed to escape.”
The Guard member said while avoiding my gaze, as if the uncertainty was troubling him.
After running non-stop for over a day, we finally descended from the mountain and reached a small village.
“We don’t know where the enemy will appear. We mustn’t let our guard down.”
One member of the Guard made the reservation for the guest room and said to us.
That’s true. We could collapse after eating poisoned food if we let our guard down thinking we’re safe. Then I’d have to watch some scumbag mumbling with a rotten smile that I was actually a traitor of the Tang family.
Or, we might end up revealing that we are the Demonic Cult’s undercover agents. Yelling while seeing people who look just like us gang up on us.
“Hwarin will be protected by us. Master Kang, please enter the guest room with Cheong-un.”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.”
I worry about Hwarin, who is unconscious, but there’s nothing I can do. All I can do is hope that the professionals in healing, who enjoy destroying the source of illness, do a great job.
Cheong-un and I entered the designated guest room and unpacked our things.
—————————-
“Warm water is available. You should go in and wash up immediately.”
I said to Cheong-un while wiping my hair, dressed only in lower garments.
“Ah! I… will wash before sleeping.”
Cheong-un glanced at me for a moment before hastily turning his head away.
Is exposing my upper body uncomfortable? With my training in internal massages and elixir showers, I’m not someone to be ashamed of anywhere. But then again, we’re not close, so I guess it’s understandable.
“If you wash before sleeping, the warm water might not come out. It’s best to wash right now.”
It’s a miracle for warm water to come out in a village inn like this. I quickly put on some pajamas and said.
“It’s fine.”
What can I do? I don’t need to interfere with his washing time since he’s not my mother.
After making the suggestion and getting declined, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.
“Conducting a heroic journey is quite an impressive task. It’s been some time since I came to the Central Plains, but this is the first time I’ve met someone like you. Once again, thank you.”
I said to Cheong-un, who was looking away, to lighten the mood.
No matter how I look at it, he’s a fascinating person.
Like Yun (the Great Hero) from Neungnam Gate, no. Was it Neungnam Gate? Anyway, that guy had grown old to still be called a hero.
How could he appear just at the moment of crisis? He won gracefully in a way that made people stare blankly. If I were a woman, I would have fallen for him immediately.
“It’s not a remarkable feat. It’s just that I don’t turn a blind eye to the small things I can do. Didn’t Master Kang risk his life to rise for a close friend as well?”
Cheong-un replied, looking at me as if it’s no big deal. How humble. He even calls me Master Kang instead of a barbarian.
Does the Mount Wu sect use the Sun Fist rather than the Tai Chi? I feel like I might be blinded by the halo illuminating from behind.
“You wanted to ask something, didn’t you? Since we’ve had a breather, if there’s anything you’d like to know, I’ll answer.”
“I’m sorry. I think discussing that might be difficult since it’s a matter of the sect.”
Cheong-un seemed reluctant to speak about it, avoiding eye contact. Could it be that he’s upset because of the Tang family?
“Haha. It seems you might have been quite upset by the attitude of the Tang family members. I apologize on their behalf.”
“Ah, no.”
What? He stumbled on those words as if I had hit the nail on the head.
“Is it really because the Tang family is very closed-off? Given the situation, it’s understandable, but I hope you aren’t too upset—it’s something they’ll surely have to be reminded of often.”
“Being told so is a bit comforting. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask again?”
“Of course.”
“If you’re from Joseon, have you ever visited Baekdu Mountain?”
“If it’s Baekdu Mountain you’re talking about, then I haven’t been there personally.”
I’ve been to Hallasan, Seoraksan, and Jirisan, but since Baekdu Mountain is in another country, I couldn’t visit it.
“I see…”
A disappointed look crossed Cheong-un’s face.
“Can you tell me why you’re asking? If it’s something I can help with, I’d like to assist.”
“Are you familiar with the Taoist Master of Baekdu Mountain?”
“The Taoist Master of Baekdu Mountain?”
“Yes. Actually, I was on my way to visit the Taoist Master of Baekdu Mountain.”
What’s this? A Taoist Master from the Mount Wu sect is traveling all the way to Baekdu Mountain? In every martial arts novel I’ve read, it’s usually the masters from Baekdu Mountain who come out to seek the heroes of the Martial Arts World.
“I know there’s a sect that manages Zhangbai Silver.”
Zhangbai Silver, more valuable than gold. It’s a place where dangerous people gather due to the interests involved, and when chaos reigns, someone needs to step in to control them.
I’ve heard stories associated with Zhangbai Silver, which I used as a trump card to survive.
“Do you know which sect it is?”
“The Zhangbai sect. I’ve heard there’s a mystical sect on the Taoist side.”
“Zhangbai sect, indeed….”
What’s the deal with “indeed”? Cheong-un mumbled, as if his suspicions were morphing into certainty.
Tell me, what’s going on? Why is the Taoist Master from Mount Wu headed to Baekdu Mountain? What’s the business with the Mount Wu sect?
I smiled gently, encouraging him to share, and soon Cheong-un opened his mouth.
“One more question, and could you please answer it?”
“Is there anything I can’t answer for my benefactor?”
I said, waiting for Cheong-un’s query, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the question I had hoped for.
“I heard you write. May I know what books you’ve written?”
