[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 290

“Han So-jeo!”

Jeon Ho comes running, holding a scroll in his hand.

“Yah.”

“Here it is.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

As I pull out an item from the storage space, Jeon Ho blinks his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’? Don’t you want it?”

“Uh, uh. No, it’s not that!”

Despite his persistent refusal, Grandfather Hye Neung insists that this is all he can give from the temple and hands him three Summoning Pills.

Jeon Ho, holding one of the pills, can’t stop his lips from twitching.

“Do you like it?”

“Hehe. Yes! I love it.”

Jeon Ho glances back and forth between the Murim Alliance wall and me, then nods to himself.

I have no idea what he’s thinking.

“But, is it really okay to give me something so precious?”

“Yes.”

Whatever it is, since he chose to follow me over the Murim Alliance, I have to take responsibility as much as I can.

“You shouldn’t decide so casually. These pills are so rare that countless martial artists would risk their lives for just one. Each major sect has its own minor and major spiritual medicines, and in Shaolin’s case, the Summoning Pills and Major Summoning Pills correspond to them.”

“I know about the Major Summoning Pills. Even my rabbit smelled them.”

“Smelled them?”

Baekseol peeks out from the pocket of the robe.

“Nice!”

“Right?”

“Yes!”

After petting her head a few times, she goes back into the pocket and starts chattering with Danpung.

“There are many types of minor and major spiritual medicines, but Shaolin’s are considered the best. From what I know, it takes 10 years to refine one Summoning Pill, and the Major Summoning Pill takes over 300 years.”

“300 years? Is that true?”

Jeon Ho nods.

“The Major Summoning Pill is practically a legend, only mentioned in texts. There were even rumors that it had been lost, and hardly anyone knows the truth.”

“Should we have asked Grandfather?”

“Perhaps the abbot might know, but since it’s a Shaolin secret, it would’ve been hard to get an answer.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

If word got out that such a thing existed, Shaolin Temple would be drenched in blood without a moment of peace.

In a place where drawing a sword is considered the best solution to any problem, that pretty much says it all.

“Jeon Ho, stop being so happy and let’s get out of here.”

Jeon Ho, who had been grinning non-stop, looks at me with a puzzled expression.

“Why are we running away?”

“We caused trouble. We need to leave before people swarm in.”

“Ah, I see. You’re aware of that.”

“Hey, I’m not that clueless, you know?”

The once quiet Murim Alliance wall is now bustling with people again, thanks to the giant iron boulder we shattered.

Slipping through the crowd with Jeon Ho, I finally feel like I can breathe again.

—Click, click.

“Whew— let’s see.”

I unroll the scroll Jeon Ho brought, and a long list of vertically written characters comes into view.

───

[Undefeated in Combat Exchange List]

Dragon Fragrance Golden Spear Medicine – 1

Centennial Ginseng – 3

Danyajang Hyuncheol Weapon – 3

Golden Yuan Treasure – 10

Danyajang Black Iron 40% Weapon – 15

Nine Sects Minor Spiritual Medicine – 15

*Taicheong Pill out of stock

Shaolin Summoning Pill – 25

Danyajang Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron 10% Weapon – 30

Hwanhwan Mansang Library Heavenly Pavilion Access Pass – 100

───

“Jeon Ho, what’s a Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron 10% Weapon?”

“It’s a weapon made by mixing a rare metal called Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.”

“So, 10% of the weapon is made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron?”

Jeon Ho, walking beside me…

He nods his head.

“Correct. The usual parts are made of eternal iron. There’s even a joke that you’d have to ransack the imperial treasury to find a full set of eternal iron gear.”

“What about the blacksmith workshop?”

“It’s a place where the blacksmiths within the alliance gather. They’re famous for their exceptional skills.”

Gold Wound Ointment seems to be a salve for wounds, and even a century-old wild ginseng is listed among its ingredients.

As I continue walking and reading through the exchange list, a delicious smell wafts in.

“Let’s grab something to eat over there.”

“Yes, Han So-jeo.”

Perhaps because of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, the inn is packed, and tables are set up outside to accommodate more guests.

We take a seat at an empty table, and Jeon Ho casually calls for the waiter.

“Yes, may I take your order?”

The waiter approaches, placing a cup of tea on the table with a friendly smile.

“Bring us some spicy stir-fried meat, crispy rice, and a plate of dumplings.”

“Understood, young hero.”

Thanks to traveling together, he knows my tastes well and orders accordingly.

The spicy stir-fried meat is a dish where meat is stir-fried with chili paste and a hint of sourness, the crispy rice is a type of scorched rice dish, and the dumplings are, well, dumplings.

“What about alcohol?”

“At April Inn, we have more types of alcohol than we don’t.”

“Do you have Bamboo Leaf Green and Lady’s Red?”

“Of course. How would you like the Lady’s Red served?”

“Bring it warm.”

After Jeon Ho pays for the meal and leaves a tip, the waiter’s face lights up with a big smile.

“I’ll bring it right out, great hero.”

Money really is the best wherever you go. In an instant, Jeon Ho went from being a young hero to a great hero.

“Han So-jeo, since we’re in the capital, it seems the inn sells rare alcohol too.”

“Didn’t you know, working for the Murim Alliance?”

“Being an inspector, I spend more time in other regions.”

—Chik, chik.

“Phew— You really have it tough.”

Leaning back on the wooden chair, I feel a warm sensation coming from the pocket of my robe.

Opening the pocket, I see two cotton balls playing around inside.

“Hey, don’t stay cooped up inside. Come out and get some fresh air.”

“Okay!”

“Peet!”

Before I even finish speaking, they scurry out.

Ding!

“Baekseol and Danpung, come eat.”

“Yay!”

“Peet!”

Baekseol, sitting on the wooden table, starts nibbling on a flower she picked up.

Not to be outdone, Danpung gathers sunflower seeds into his cheek pouch.

“Phew— What’s this 100-item Hwanhwan Mansang Library thing listed here?”

“There’s a lot to say about that. It’s no exaggeration to say that all the shady dealings behind the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering are because of it.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a collection of books gathered after the alliance was established. They’re divided into Human, Earth, and Heaven tiers, with the Heaven tier being the highest.”

It seems to be an access pass to the highest-tier library.

Where I come from, documents are digitized, but here, all knowledge is stored in books.

In this era, it’s undoubtedly the most precious thing they have.

“Did they just throw it in to make things more complicated? Why?”

“I once asked the Naegakju about it, and he said the alliance leader added it for fun.”

“Just for fun?”

“Yes.”

Jeon Ho gives a bitter smile.

The leader of the Murim Alliance seems to be quite an eccentric character.

“Realistically, collecting 100 undefeated titles is impossible, and even if you did, there’s nothing you can do with them within a short time. It’s essentially a trap.”

“Hmm.”

“They say the legendary Sword Dragon, a once-in-a-millennium figure, is also recorded there.”

It stopped at the dog. “Still, the Hwanhwan Mansang Library isn’t without value. It’s packed with all sorts of martial arts books, so any martial artist would be wide-eyed.”

If it’s around Il-da-gyeong, it’s time for a cup of tea, about 15 minutes.

According to Grandma Hyanghyang, the martial arts here basically use acupoints as pathways for energy.

The acupoints they talk about are points along the blood vessels. In other words, martial arts is about using these acupoints as energy channels. That’s why you can speed up by using the acupoints in your feet or enhance your vision by focusing energy on your eyes.

If you were to connect all the blood vessels in a human body, it would be over 100,000 kilometers long—complex and vast.

Each martial art has its own unique way of navigating this intricate network of blood vessels, which could wrap around the Earth twice.

Ultimately, whether it’s meridians, channels, or acupoints, the fundamental starting point is the blood vessels, the root of energy.

“So, it’s nonsense to master such complex martial arts books in just Il-da-gyeong, right?”

“The volume is just too massive. Even if you had twenty heads, it would be impossible to memorize everything in Il-da-gyeong.”

“In the comics I read, they’d smash an inn, throw gold bars as an apology, and burn the martial arts books they memorized.”

Jeon Ho’s expression changes to one of disbelief.

“Han So-jeo, what on earth have you been reading? The foundation of martial arts is based on energy manipulation. Memorizing forms is one thing, but instantly mastering the use of energy channels is nearly impossible.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That’s why the more complex the martial art, the more important it is to have a master to guide you.”

“Hmm.”

While chatting with Jeon Ho, Jeomsoi approaches.

The tray in her hands holds the alcohol and food we ordered earlier.

“The food is here.”

“Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

“Haha, I should be thanking you. If you need anything, just call.”

Jeomsoi places the food on the table and skips away.

“Han So-jeo, the longer you age bamboo leaf liquor, the closer its color gets to gold.”

“Oh-ho.”

Jeon Ho offers the liquor bottle, and as I lift the cup, a mysterious liquid mixing green and gold flows out.

“Me too!”

“This is alcohol, so Baekseol will get a stomachache if she drinks it.”

Baekseol, sitting on the table, puts down the flower she was eating and waves her front paws.

Reluctantly, I hand her a piece of potato chip, and she calms down.

“Eat this now, and you can drink alcohol when you’re older, okay?”

“Okay!”

“Here, Danpung too.”

“Ppi-it!”

After handing out snacks, I finally get to take a sip of the liquor.

“Hmm. It’s way stronger than I thought.”

“Bamboo leaf liquor is a blend of strong alcohol, sweetness, and bamboo aroma.”

As Jeon Ho said, it’s incredibly strong.

Then, a strong sweetness hits, followed by a subtle bamboo aroma after swallowing.

It’s quite good.

“I pride myself on having tried most famous liquors, but even this can’t hold a candle to Heavenly Peach Wine.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Not at all…”

*Thud!*

While eating and chatting, a dull noise comes from behind.

Turning around, I see someone collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily.

“It seems the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering is about to start. Free sparring is happening everywhere.”

The person lying in front of the swordsman seems more injured than expected, bleeding profusely, but Jeon Ho casually sips his drink, unfazed.

The people around also don’t seem too concerned.

Always close to death…

This way of living must be their true nature.

“Stop!”

Rushing over to block between the two, the gaze of the man standing there pierces me.

“Who dares to interrupt the duel?”

“It’s over. Stop it.”

“He hasn’t surrendered yet, how can it be over? Don’t interfere and step aside.”

Ignoring the guy standing, I look at the person collapsed on the floor. As he said, he’s still conscious.

“His shoulder is half cut off. He won’t be able to hold a sword for the rest of his life.”

“Ah…”

The man raises his hand and touches his shoulder. His palm, torn and scarred repeatedly, shows thick calluses.

He must have lived his whole life dedicated to the sword, and now it ends so meaninglessly.

“Shall I treat you?”

“…Is that possible?”

“Of course. As long as you pay the right price.”

“Anything… If I can hold a sword again, I’ll give you anything.”

“Good.”

While talking to the man, I feel a shadow falling behind me.

“I clearly told you not to interfere and step aside, didn’t I?”

“I’m in the middle of business. Just wait a bit.”

Swoosh.

A cold blade rests on my shoulder.

“This is the last time. Step aside.”

“Ha, this brat wants to die. Not moving?”

“What, what…?”

Whack!

I slap him, and the guy rolls away like a stone.

Rolling, thud!

“Patient, the treatment fee is an undefeated badge, is that okay?”

“Ah… Yes. Here it is…”

The flustered man pulls out two undefeated badges from his waist and hands them over.

There’s a restriction that you need to advance to the main round to exchange, but you can trade 10 for one Gold Yuanbao.

Meaning, each badge is worth 100 million.

“Thank you, customer! I’ll treat you right away.”

“Please, take care of me…”

As I’m about to examine the wound for treatment, I hear Jeon Ho’s voice from behind.

“Han So-jeo!”

“What.”

“That’s not how you do a duel, please!”

Jeon Ho runs over, clutching his hair and stomping his feet.

“Jeon Ho, if we collect 25, we can exchange for another Summoning Pill. Don’t you want it?”

Hearing my words, Jeon Ho’s movements stop abruptly.

“Indeed, watching Han So-jeo’s duels is always educational. Shall I go fetch the loser’s undefeated badge?”

“Please do.”

“Yes.”

He’s a decisive friend.

***

“Great!”