[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 273

“Take out everything you have.”

“Ha, Han So-jeo…”

“Huh? How did you know my name?”

“……”

Given that you’ve been gathering people in the village and performing healing acts, it’s actually more surprising if someone *didn’t* know.

“Not taking it out? I didn’t save you back then for no reason, huh?”

“Ah, I understand.”

One of the Punglim Three Brothers, who was talking to me, rummaged through his pocket and handed over a small pouch.

“Keep collecting more in the future.”

“……”

“Answer.”

“Y-yes……”

Opening the pouch, I saw a shiny silver coin and several yellow copper coins.

Seems like they’ve been saving diligently in their own way.

“Then finish what you were doing.”

“……Huh?”

“I said finish what you were doing.”

“Ah, yes……”

Leaving behind the awkward response from the eldest of the Punglim Three Brothers, I got back on the bike. Just then, the wooden window creaked open.

I could feel a gaze scanning me from inside. It’s the kind of look high-ranking people give when they’re looking down on you.

“Punglim.”

“Yes, Han So-jeo.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you guys to just run away? The one riding that thing looks really dangerous.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the necks of the Punglim Three Brothers quickly turned to look at the cart.

Normally, those riding in carts are likely to have power or wealth, so I don’t know what guts they have to surround it.

Seeing that they’ve left their original village, I suspect they’re planning to make a big score and then leave.

“Hmm.”

Even though the Punglim Three Brothers had drawn their swords, the old cart driver maintained a calm expression.

This isn’t normal.

“No matter how shabby the cart looks, you shouldn’t mess with people riding in it. Do you have multiple lives or something?”

“Gasp…!”

“Ugh, I don’t know. Just run away or something.”

The Punglim Three Brothers, who had been rolling their eyes, quickly sheathed their swords.

Swoosh.

“Uh, let’s go quickly.”

“Yes, brother.”

The Punglim Three Brothers ran off noisily, kicking up dust.

They’re pretty fast. Seems like they’ve trained in martial arts.

—Click, click.

As the Punglim Three Brothers left and I lit my pipe, two pairs of eyes turned to me.

The driver exuded intimidation, while the person in the cart radiated boredom.

It seemed natural, not intentional.

Probably because they’ve been living like this for a long time.

“Phew—”

Blowing out smoke, I made eye contact with them but didn’t take any particular action.

It’s like watching animals in a zoo, curious about what they’ll do next.

“Biiit?”

“Huh?”

Danpung, perhaps curious about why I was just smoking, called out to me.

“Danpung, stop with the ‘abababa’ game. Your throat’s gonna give out.”

“Bii-bit!”

Not understanding what was wrong, Danpung tilted its head and slowly wagged its tail.

The wind and the shaking bike had made my voice cut off, and apparently, that was particularly amusing.

“No. If you keep doing that, you’ll have to take really bitter medicine.”

**〈Heal〉**

A light emitted from my hand and seeped into Danpung.

“Biiit!”

As I patted Danpung’s head, it closed its eyes tightly.

Since it’s a smart creature, it’ll probably adjust on its own.

“Phew—”

Tap!

After tapping out the pipe and grabbing the handlebars again, a bunch of fluffballs gathered in front.

This must be their lucky spot.

“Let’s go.”

Vroom—!!

The bike shot forward, cutting through the wind.

“Bii! Hee! Hee! It!”

***

“Gasp…! Gasp…!”

“Phew…! Speed up a little more.”

“Grand Elder! We’re really going to die at this rate!”

The Cheonhyeol Unit, the direct combat force under the Grand Elder of the Cheonma Shin Guild, gasped for breath.

“We have no choice. As long as Han So-jeo is riding that strange iron horse, we have to keep chasing.”

The Cheonhyeol Unit…

Everyone was repeatedly moving, suffering internal injuries due to the forcefully elevated inner energy.

“Please release the sealed blood vessels. We’re really about to collapse.”

The Daeju looked at the Heavenly Blood Members, who were thinly bleeding from their mouths.

However, the Daeju of the Heavenly Blood Unit shook his head upon seeing this.

“Not yet.”

The mission assigned to the Heavenly Blood Unit this time required absolute secrecy.

It was natural for blood to flow whenever the Cheonma Shin Guild and the Murim Alliance clashed.

Good and evil.

Righteousness and demonic paths.

A relationship that could never mix.

But the situation had worsened due to the recent incident involving Jeon Seo-gu and Shin Yi.

In such a situation, releasing the sealed blood vessels and unleashing demonic energy would lead to utter chaos, as judged by the Daeju.

“We won’t release the sealed blood vessels unless Han So-jeo’s life is in danger.”

Currently, the Heavenly Blood Unit couldn’t even muster 10% of their full strength due to the sealed blood vessels.

The only saving grace was that Han Ga-eul had reduced the speed to less than half midway.

“Huff! Huff!”

Breathing heavily, the Heavenly Blood Members stopped abruptly upon seeing the Daeju raise his hand.

They had encountered the cart Han Ga-eul had stopped.

‘Please, don’t cause any trouble, please…’

The Daeju had briefly observed Han Ga-eul, who was like a sharp, unyielding stone.

A beautiful yet hard, unbreakable stone.

It was as if she had no concept of compromise.

‘A walking disaster…’

***

*Crash!*

The expensive wooden table, struck by a palm, split in half and met its end.

“Naegakju, say it again!”

“P-Please calm down, Alliance Leader.”

The Murim Alliance Leader’s face turned pale as he trembled upon hearing the Naegakju’s words.

“Do I look calm to you? Where on earth is Shin Yi, and what is he doing?!”

“At the Divine Teaching…”

“Divine Teaching?”

Before the Naegakju could finish, the Alliance Leader’s eyes flashed.

“Ahem! The demonic sect informed us a few days ago that Shin Yi had left their territory and requested we stop sending messages through the Jeon Seo-gu.”

Yang Ik-jun, the Naegakju of the Murim Alliance, quickly corrected himself, feeling his legs go weak under the Alliance Leader’s gaze.

As the leader of a righteous organization, he rarely lost his temper, but this was different.

The Alliance Leader, known as the Sword King, Namgung Hwi, had a gaze that made Yang Ik-jun feel like he was facing death.

There’s a saying that the Sword is the King of Ten Thousand Weapons. Among countless weapons, the sword reigns supreme.

Thus, the title “Sword King” holds immense significance among martial artists.

“*Sigh*, I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine.”

The Sword King, calming his anger, offered a quick apology to Yang Ik-jun.

But despite his words, the clenched fist of the Alliance Leader showed he was still far from calm.

“The Information Organization has circulated Shin Yi’s portrait.”

“Information Organization…”

“Yes. I’ve already reported to the Chief Inspector. It’s going to cost a fortune.”

The Jeon Seo-gu and Jeon Seo-eung, used for fast long-distance message delivery, were as valuable as gold. Similarly, the Information Organization, also known as a beggar group, was notorious for being a money pit.

Given the vast territory, the value of information had risen accordingly.

“Deputy Inspector Jeon Ho, who first delivered the news, is still searching. Once we hear anything, Shin Yi will surely hurry back.”

“*Sigh*, understood. I couldn’t take care of my hardworking Naegakju and only vented my anger. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all. I’ve only done my duty.”

The first letter Yang Ik-jun received from Jeon Ho was about Shin Yi’s medical mission.

Shin Yi’s medical mission, which didn’t discriminate between high and low, noble and common, was an example for many.

That’s why Shin Yi would have gone to the demonic sect without hesitation.

Yang Ik-jun believed so.

‘With Shin Yi’s generous heart, he’ll surely rush back upon hearing this news.’

***

“Chewy and delicious.”

“Tasty.”

“Got it!”

“Thud!”

“Making dumplings has reached the level of art.”

“I didn’t have high expectations since I just bought some steamed dumplings from a passing stall, but they’re surprisingly delicious.”

“Kids, eat slowly.”

“Even though they’re just eating the usual flowers and seeds, they’re saying it’s delicious too.”

“While eating dumplings on a mat casually laid out by the roadside, people start gathering and murmuring.”

“I’ve finished eating, so let’s get back to it. Next patient, please.”

“Me, it’s me!”

A man approaches.

His forearm is braced with wood and tightly wrapped in cloth.

“How did you break it?”

“Well…”

The patient with the broken arm scratches his head with his other hand, hesitating.

“Come on, spit it out. It’s crowded here.”

“Arm… arm wrestling…”

The man’s face turns bright red.

At the same time, laughter erupts from the surrounding crowd.

No matter the world, men are always a bit odd.

“I’ll set the bone. It’ll sting a bit.”

“Yep!”

*Thud!*

**〈Heal〉**

I remove the splint, align the bone, and begin the treatment.

The man, who had been tearing up from the pain, instantly looks better.

“Wow…! It doesn’t hurt anymore, Divine Healer.”

“That’s good. Drop thirty coins in the basket here and you’re good to go.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

The man drops the coins into the basket and repeatedly bows his head.

Just then, another man pushes through the crowd.

“Huff! You told me to come, so here I am!”

A greasy chin, a jiggling belly, and saggy cheeks.

A walking money bag.

“Where are you sending people? If you’re sick, you should crawl here yourself, you brat.”

“Eek…!”

“You’re banned from gold.”

“W-what?! Are you talking about the Gold Yuanbao? That’s ridiculous!”

Each gold coin is worth 20 million won. A Gold Yuanbao, worth 50 gold coins, amounts to 1 billion won. It’s no wonder the man reacts like that.

Still, I need to make a lot of money here to shop for skills later.

“If you don’t like it, you can die. The last guy like you ended up screaming to death.”

“Gasp!”

The man stumbles backward.

“Next patient.”

“Yes!”

A bold-looking girl, about ten years old, steps into the spot the man left.

“Where does it hurt?”

“My mom is sick. Please make some medicine, Divine Healer.”

“What’s wrong with your mom?”

“She’s in a lot of pain.”

“Hmm… I’ll need to see her to know.”

The scruffy-looking girl rummages through her clothes and pulls out a few coins.

“I have money.”

Seems she misunderstood me.

“The medicine costs one coin. Drop it in the basket over there.”

“Okay!”

*Clink!*

“Then let’s go together…”

As I reach out to take the girl’s hand, someone leaps over the crowd and lands lightly in front of me.

“Divine Healer. I’m Jeon Ho, Deputy Inspector of the Murim Alliance!”

*Bang!*

The man introduces himself with a loud clap of his fist against his palm.

He’s the guy I saw earlier with Namgung Myung, who offered spiritual medicine.

“Ah, yes.”

“The Alliance Leader is looking for you. Please hurry and come with me. It’s urgent.”

“No thanks.”

“Yes! Then I’ll prepare… Huh?”

“I said no.”

“W-why…?”

“Ah, I’m busy, so stop interrupting my business and leave. Why are there so many annoying brats?”

Meanwhile, the girl tightly grabs the hand I had stretched out.

She must be worried that Jeon Ho will take me away.

“Let’s go see your mom together.”

“Okay!”

I pack the mat and money basket into my storage space and start to move, but Jeon Ho blocks my path again.

“Divine Healer, what’s the matter? A patient is waiting, every second counts!”

“This kid’s mom is waiting too.”

Jeon Ho’s gaze shifts to the girl holding my hand, and he lets out a deep sigh. Then he grabs the arm the girl is holding.

“I didn’t really want to do this, but it seems like there’s no other choice.”

“Divine Healer.”

“What’s this? You’re not letting go?”

“It’s the Main Leader’s order.”

“Order? This punk is really pissing me off. You wanna die?”

At my words, Jeon Ho, who looked quite flustered, started to tighten his grip.

The child was holding my hand, so I let it go, but now it seems like he’s completely lost it.

What I’ve noticed while doing business here is that these people tend to solve things with force when they’re upset.

“Why are there so many people in this neighborhood who try to solve things with force? Do I look that easy to mess with?”

“Yes!”

The answer comes from the child who was holding my hand.

Even in this situation, they’re still bold.

“Well, that’s true.”

As I pat the child’s head, which is still sticky from not being washed, they smile brightly.

“By the way, do you know how to count?”

“Yes!”

“Then, how about closing your eyes, covering your ears, and counting to ten?”

“Okay!”

The strength coming from Jeon Ho’s hand is getting stronger.

It’s a silent pressure.

Meanwhile, the child starts counting.

“One~”

“Divine Healer. We don’t have time to waste on a child like this.”

“Two~”

“What kind of child is this?”

Jeon Ho sighs deeply, his gaze turning to the child, and soon his face twists in frustration.

“Three~”

“This child could be carrying some disease. I’m thinking of you, Divine Healer…”

Thud!

“Gah?!”

“Four~”

As I grab his neck, Jeon Ho starts flailing.

Thud! Thud!

“Crack!”

“I don’t care if you guys play around with knives at your throats, but don’t mess with the kids and leave me alone, okay? Before I kill you all.”

Thud! Thud!

“Crack! Crack!”

“Five~”

***

Outside Hefei, Anhui Province, something shadowy appears in front of the coachman who was feeding the horse from the cart.

After hearing the message from the person dressed in black, the coachman nods and immediately approaches the cart.

Knock knock.

The wooden door opens at the coachman’s knock, and a lazy pair of eyes look down at him.

“Jin Musa. We’ve found Shin Yi’s whereabouts. It’s the woman with peach-colored hair we encountered earlier.”

“Tsk… Bring her to me.”

“Yes!”

The Jin Musa of the Imperial Guards, directly under the emperor, operates independently of the law and holds unique authority as the only institution of the royal family.

The Jin Musa oversees both the penal system, which enforces punishments and detains criminals, and the military, which handles armed forces.

Thus, everyone feared the Jin Musa, who wielded absolute power. Countless people, innocent of any crime, had disappeared under his hands, becoming mere dew on the execution ground.

“What a bother…”