Chapter 555
Chapter 555
Chapter 555. The Test (3)
The next day.
I was preparing to leave in the carriage yard.
“You’re leaving now?” (Jeongho Hyung)
When I raised my head, it was Jeongho Hyung.
“Yeah.” (Eun Seoho)
“Sigh. How many days has it even been since you shouted that you were finally free, and now you’re going out again?” (Jeongho Hyung)
“I don’t want to go either. But what can I do? The Martial Alliance is telling me to go.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Jeongho Hyung clicked his tongue.
“This is the problem with being too outstanding. No one leaves you alone from any direction.” (Jeongho Hyung)
I smiled awkwardly.
How does he pick out only the things I want to say right now?
“Don’t worry. I’ll stay quiet and come back without causing any trouble.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Jeongho Hyung gave a faint laugh.
“I’ve decided not to believe you anymore when you say you won’t cause trouble.” (Jeongho Hyung)
“Hm?” (Eun Seoho)
“Trouble always follows you around, so how can human strength do anything about it? That is what one calls force majeure.” (Jeongho Hyung)
His face bore a mischievous smile.
“And if the person traveling with you happens to fall into trouble along the way, would that not also be force majeure?” (Jeongho Hyung)
“Hehehe. That’s right.” (Eun Seoho)
I immediately understood what Jeongho Hyung meant.
It seemed Jeongho Hyung had accumulated quite a lot against the Martial Alliance as well.
“Then have a safe trip.” (Jeongho Hyung)
“Yeah.” (Eun Seoho)
And so, I left the Beijing branch with only Palgap and three escort warriors.
As I did, I recalled the Emperor’s reply that I had received through Master Jinyoung last night.
[Remember that you are Our subject.]
A single line.
To others, it would mean a warning: “You are mine, so do not think of running away,” but to me, it came across with a different meaning.
‘You are Our subject, so if there is anything you need to beat down the Martial Alliance, We will support you.’
I recalled that letter and smiled faintly.
“Did you not say you did not want to go? But why are you suddenly smiling so brightly?” (Palgap)
“There’s something.” (Eun Seoho)
When I vaguely glossed over my answer, Palgap tilted his head.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m completely fine, you know.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, yes.” (Palgap)
Soon, we arrived at Yuryun Inn.
Martial artists who seemed to belong to the Martial Alliance were packing their respective belongings and preparing to leave.
“I greet the Masters. Is Squad Leader Won inside?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, they nodded.
“He is inside.” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
“Thank you for telling me.” (Eun Seoho)
Like squad leader, like subordinates? They, too, looked just as arrogant.
The one who answered me looked very young, yet seeing how curtly he spoke to me made it clear.
Regardless of age, if this is our first meeting, should he not at least treat me with a little courtesy?
By the way……
For something called an important mission, they all look too young.
Why?
With that question in mind, I went inside.
“Oh! You’re here?” (Won Eop)
It was Squad Leader Won Eop, still speaking down to me.
“Did you have a peaceful night?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course. Hahaha. It was an extremely satisfying night.” (Won Eop)
I glanced at the waiter in charge of reception, who was looking this way.
He nodded with a satisfied face.
As expected, he wrung the information out of them.
“Are you departing now?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is my intention.” (Won Eop)
I asked cautiously.
“By the way, may I ask how many times you and your squad members have taken on this kind of long-distance mission?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, this is the third time.” (Won Eop)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
This is only their third time…… They are novices.
In a Trading Company or escort agency, if one has not experienced at least ten long-distance missions, one is treated as a novice.
That is how poor such people are at responding to unexpected situations.
I began to suspect that perhaps the Alliance Leader entrusted this work to me as a test, and at the same time, as a request to clean up after these bastards.
Phew…… By the way, is the Martial Alliance still the Martial Alliance after all?
Usually, when someone entrusts a mission, there should naturally be compensation to go along with it.
However.
[This matter is necessary for the peace of the murim, and it is something that can raise your name even higher, so I hope you will not refuse.]
Judging by the letter’s contents, the reward the Alliance Leader offered was the peace of the murim and fame.
I am a merchant. Merchants are beings moved by money.
That made me dislike it all the more.
But what can I do? This is a matter that concerns the peace of me and the Eunhae Trading Company, so I am moving because I have no choice.
However, who am I?
I am Eun Seoho, who would pick up a coin even after falling into a swamp.
“Both I and my squad members have plenty of experience like this. It is not such a difficult matter either.” (Won Eop)
“Of course. Then may I simply follow behind you, Master? Since it is the first time for this humble merchant and my party to receive the Alliance Leader’s command, we do not know how to handle it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do not worry. We will protect you. Hahahaha!” (Won Eop)
I expressed my thanks with clasped hands and used my sleeve to subtly pull down the corners of my mouth that were about to rise.
It is annoying enough to be forced to move under the Alliance Leader’s command, so there is no need for us to take unnecessary sacrifices.
So we decided to ride on their backs.
.
.
.
Clop, clop.
The sound of horse hooves rang out lightly.
I examined the figures of the party ahead.
A total of ten people, including Squad Leader Won Eop.
From what I heard, the other half were at the Martial Alliance together with the vice squad leader.
They belonged to the Sixth Squad of the Martial Alliance’s Dragon Fang Unit.
Seeing how he had only sent half of one squad from an armed unit, it seemed the Alliance Leader did not think this mission would be very difficult.
But thanks to Miss Seohyang’s advice, I had come to know.
This matter would not be so easy.
The Alliance Leader probably did not know that either.
If he had known, he would have sent the entire squad or even more.
But why is simply bringing back a golden Buddha statue a test aimed at me?
I did receive advice from Miss Seohyang, but it is still not certain.
I only need to respond calmly according to the situation.
And so we traveled for several days, and today we ended up camping in the open.
“We will handle our own camping preparations and dinner preparations ourselves. We cannot impose on the other Masters.” (Eun Seoho)
Camping in the open is tiring enough as it is, and if we camped in a site they prepared for us, I felt our fatigue would only pile up more.
At my words, Squad Leader Won readily agreed.
That is a relief.
We quickly prepared our camp and waited for Palgap to make dinner for us.
Watching them prepare their camp made a faint laugh slip out of me.
As expected, the way they prepared to camp was clumsy beyond belief.
There were even places where they had not yet managed to light a fire.
It depends on the situation, but generally, when camping in the open, the most important thing is starting a fire.
One needs fire to maintain body temperature, drive away wild animals, and eat, after all.
As such, starting a fire should be both essential and basic in outdoor camping training.
“Should we not help them?” (Warrior Ipil)
At Warrior Ipil’s question, I shook my head.
“If we step forward and help them first, they will look down on us.” (Eun Seoho)
“Certainly, judging by their behavior so far, that is quite likely.” (Warrior Ipil)
“Yes. Normally, it would be natural to be grateful in such a case. But they are not ordinary people like that.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“They are people who do not yet know the ways of the world. They have lived lives where being held up by others was only natural.” (Eun Seoho)
“Somehow, they did seem that way.” (Warrior Ipil)
While traveling with them, I had figured out their composition.
It was a squad formed from the children of martial families friendly to the Martial Alliance.
They likely intend to expand their standing through a relatively easy but important mission.
Warrior Yeo Eungam said,
“Yet they somehow managed to complete two long-distance missions.” (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
“Indeed.” (Eun Seoho)
Well, they probably only stayed at inns and the like.
“So until they ask us for help, we will not move either.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
Soon, the porridge Palgap made was complete.
As we were eating the porridge, someone approached.
“Ahem, give me a bowl as well.” (Won Eop)
It was Squad Leader Won.
He must have been hungry, and since we were eating deliciously beside him, he could not hold back. Just as I expected.
“Ah, I apologize. I made exactly enough, so there is none left.” (Eun Seoho)
A bewildered face.
“If you wish, would you like some of what I was eating?” (Eun Seoho)
“N-no! Do you take me for a beggar?” (Won Eop)
“Of course not. And beggars cannot eat this either.” (Eun Seoho)
Then he grumbled.
“By the way, is this not too much? If you were going to prepare a meal, should you not have asked us our intentions too?” (Won Eop)
“I did ask.” (Eun Seoho)
“When?” (Won Eop)
“I clearly told you earlier. That we would handle our own camping preparations and dinner preparations ourselves. And what did you say then? Did you not tell us to do so? If the Masters also wanted to eat together, you should have asked at that time. Is that not so?” (Eun Seoho)
Squad Leader Won seemed to be at a loss for words.
Then, as if something had come to mind, he spoke.
“Come to think of it, this is not your first time camping.” (Won Eop)
“Yes. It is not our first time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then why did you lie?” (Won Eop)
“When did we lie?” (Eun Seoho)
“You clearly said it was your first time……” (Won Eop)
“What I said was that it was our first time receiving the Alliance Leader’s command. I do not believe I said it was our first time camping.” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Won Eop)
Perhaps he had run out of things to say, because he suddenly shouted.
“Ah, from now on, handle things on your own! We will not protect you!” (Won Eop)
“Then you are saying we should act separately.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled and asked.
“Will that be all right?” (Eun Seoho)
“What do you mean?” (Won Eop)
“The Alliance Leader clearly said to ‘move together,’ did he not?” (Eun Seoho)
“Then from now on, we will travel together, but let us not interfere in each other’s affairs at all!” (Won Eop)
“Good. Then what about giving and receiving help?” (Eun Seoho)
“I refuse! We will not provide help either!” (Won Eop)
“Understood. Since you say so, there is nothing to be done.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hmph!” (Won Eop)
Unable to overcome his anger, he turned around.
Tsk, how petty.
Squad Leader Won began hounding his squad members.
“Will this be all right?” (Warrior Seowoo)
Warrior Seowoo had a worried expression.
He must be concerned about what kind of tyranny they might inflict on us from now on.
“It will be fine.” (Eun Seoho)
I grinned and sent Warrior Ipil a telepathic message.
At my telepathic message, Warrior Ipil gave a faint laugh.
“They were getting on my nerves as well.” (Warrior Ipil)
He quietly slipped into the forest, then returned and placed one root of an herb before me.
As expected of someone from the Sichuan Tang Clan.
To think he could bring the herb I wanted so easily.
* Geumryeong. (Eun Seoho)
* Kkui! (Geumryeong)
* Can you put this into their pot? (Eun Seoho)
* Kkui! (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong immediately put the herbs evenly into their pots.
He is a fellow who moves so quickly.
There is no way they would notice Geumryeong’s movements.
Just as I expected, they began eating without having any idea that herbs had gone into their pots.
“Oh! I made it myself, but it’s incredibly delicious!” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
“Uoooooh!” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
“Hah! This is delicious!” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
They ate while repeating that it was delicious, and Warrior Ipil and I watched them with expectant expressions.
Yes, eat up. Hehehe.
Soon, you will be shouting for someone to save you.
The herb I asked Warrior Ipil for has a painkilling effect if eaten raw or applied to the skin.
But if it is heated, it changes into a poisonous herb.
That said, it is not enough to take a life or damage the body, merely enough to cause severe abdominal pain.
Some may wonder whether deliberately causing abdominal pain in allies while camping in the open is the act of a sane person, but I am sane.
Because with only me and my party here, our safety is more than sufficient.
Moreover, the antidote is very simple.
They only need to eat the herb they ate, as is, raw.
It is an interesting herb.
If you add it and boil it, the food tastes unbelievably good, so they will be happy for a while.
After that, it will be hell.
I explained the situation by telepathy to everyone in my party except Warrior Ipil.
* Do I seem too much like a villain? (Eun Seoho)
At my question, everyone in my party shook their heads.
* I feel refreshed myself. (Warrior Seowoo)
* Kheuu! This is good! (Warrior Yeo Eungam)
My party had also accumulated a lot of resentment.
.
.
.
And so, half an hour after they finished their meal.
“Ugh…….” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
“Uuugh…… My, my stomach…….” (Martial Alliance Warrior)
It finally began.
Starting with Squad Leader Won Eop, all the squad members began clutching their stomachs and groaning.
Seeing them break out in cold sweat, it seemed they truly were in pain as if they were dying.
However, we merely watched them with pitiful expressions.
Squad Leader Won approached us.
“W-why are you only watching? Should you not call a physician at once?” (Won Eop)
Tsk, tsk, he does not even remember what he said earlier.
Maintaining a pitiful expression, I said,
“Even if I want to help, because of what you said earlier, I cannot carelessly lay a hand on this.” (Eun Seoho)
“What?” (Won Eop)
“Did you not clearly say earlier that we should not interfere with each other at all, and that we should neither give nor receive help?” (Eun Seoho)
“……Th-that was……” (Won Eop)
“How could I dare disobey the Master’s frost-like command?” (Eun Seoho)
He spoke haltingly with difficulty.
“Is, is the situation not different now?” (Won Eop)
“When you spoke earlier, you did not say that those words would be withdrawn if the situation changed, did you? I would not dare refuse that command of yours, Master.” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Won Eop)
I let out a sigh.
“And honestly, my party and I were greatly hurt in our hearts. Do you think we acted that way because we did not want to prepare the Masters’ meal?” (Eun Seoho)
Of course, we did act that way because we did not want to prepare it.
“We only behaved that way because of what had been said before, yet you drove us into a corner so unreasonably over it…… Sigh.” (Eun Seoho)
After hesitating, he ultimately apologized to me.
That must mean he is in that much pain.
“Th-that, I-I am sorry. I misunderstood without meaning to……” (Won Eop)
“I will accept it.” (Eun Seoho)
I felt a little better, but not yet.
“Please help us.” (Won Eop)
“I will take your pulse.” (Eun Seoho)
I took Squad Leader Won’s wrist and pretended to take his pulse.
“Since our Trading Company mainly deals in herbs, there are some parts I can guess at. Judging by the symptoms and the situation, it seems you ate something wrong.” (Eun Seoho)
“S-save me!” (Won Eop)
I shook my head.
“It is all right. Right now, you may be in enough pain that it is difficult to move, but there should be no danger to your life whatsoever.” (Eun Seoho)
“Truly?” (Won Eop)
“Yes. The abdominal pain will continue for about five days, but after that, you will be fine. You are Masters of the great Martial Alliance, so surely you can endure that much?” (Eun Seoho)
“F-five days?” (Won Eop)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“H-how could we endure that!” (Won Eop)
He cried out in pain, and I grinned as I answered.
“Of course, there is a way to detoxify it.” (Eun Seoho)