Chapter 640
Chapter 640
Chapter 640. The Incident in Sichuan Province (3)
Since I had to see my uncle before heading to the Emei Sect, I headed for the Sichuan branch of the Eunha Merchant Guild with the people I had brought with me.
“Somehow, we ended up coming all the way here together.” (Eun Seoho)
Among those going with me was Head Escort Jang Jin of the Changin Escort Agency.
Originally, I had only asked him to come with me as far as Hubei Province, but our schedule changed, so he came all the way here with us.
Of course, when I sent a letter to Father, I did ask him to explain the circumstances to the Changin Escort Agency as well.
“It is fine. You will calculate the escort fee generously to match, will you not? Hahaha.” (Head Escort Jang)
At those words, I nodded.
“You need not worry about the escort fee. I will pay even the additional amount caused by the sudden change. And you may return now. In any case, the carts will be empty on the way back.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Head Escort Jang looked at the people behind him and said,
“No. Since we have come this far, we will take part in the relief efforts as well.” (Head Escort Jang)
“It will be difficult. Is that still all right?” (Eun Seoho)
“If we work hard and move about, we will form new connections. And as you know, such connections can be of help later.” (Head Escort Jang)
That was true as well, but he probably could not simply pass by after seeing a situation like this.
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
“You need not say such things.” (Head Escort Jang)
And then a telepathic message reached my ear.
* I am the one who should ask for your favor. Young Palace Head. (Head Escort Jang)
At that, I gave a faint laugh.
Head Escort Jang is an expert at the absolute peak level, and also a high-ranking figure of the Snow Wind Palace.
So he also knows my other identity.
Soon, we arrived at the Sichuan branch of the Eunha Merchant Guild.
My uncle and aunt welcomed our party warmly.
“I pay my respects to Uncle and Aunt.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, I heard you came for the relief efforts. But how did you know an earthquake had happened?” (Uncle)
Let’s blame the Emperor here.
“It is thanks to His Imperial Majesty’s wise insight. Thus, His Imperial Majesty sent me along.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see!” (Uncle)
On my uncle’s and aunt’s faces, relief was mixed with worry.
It must be because of Noona Hyangok, who would be at the Emei Sect.
“Please do not worry too much about Noona Hyangok. I heard the Emei Sect did not suffer very much damage, and Noona is also an absolute peak martial artist, is she not?” (Eun Seoho)
“I know that, but a parent’s heart does not work that way, does it?” (Uncle)
At this, my aunt continued.
“And I am worried she might overdo herself trying to help others. That child may speak roughly, but her heart is very tender.” (Aunt)
It would be better to tell them in advance.
“As it happens, I will be going to the Emei Sect this time for the relief efforts. So I will go and look after Noona Hyangok.” (Eun Seoho)
“You are going to the Emei Sect?” (Uncle)
“Yes. The Provincial Administration Commissioner said we should stabilize the Emei Sect and receive their help.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, my uncle nodded.
“Indeed, in the current situation, that would be the wise course. As it happens, our Sichuan branch was also preparing to release supplies. Since things have turned out this way, it would be good if you led them and took part in the relief efforts.” (Uncle)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
Most of the people at the Sichuan branch were also from Sichuan.
Perhaps that was why it was very easy to gather people to join this relief effort.
Because everyone participated willingly.
Well, since it is such a closed-off region, if you cross five bridges, everyone is a relative.
As soon as preparations were complete, we headed for Mount Emei, where the Emei Sect was located.
And not long afterward, we discovered that the entrance leading to Mount Emei was blocked by earth and sand.
And there were people moving to clear it away as well.
Most of them were disciples of the Emei Sect.
All of them looked plainly exhausted, but they seemed unable to rest because they were worried about the Emei Sect.
I approached them.
“From here on, please leave it to us.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, they looked at me and blinked……
“Oh! Master Seonhyeop Mirang?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Master Seonhyeop Mirang, what brings you here?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
Those among them who were acquainted with me looked at me and were glad to see me.
They were people I had met before at the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering and the Great Murim Banquet.
“I was able to come here thanks to His Imperial Majesty’s insight and mercy. We will step in now, so please rest.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Miss Seohyang, who was beside me, said to them,
“That is right. Please come this way and rest a little. If you push yourselves too hard and collapse, the others of the Emei Sect will be saddened.” (Miss Seohyang)
At her gentle persuasion, the Emei Sect disciples no longer insisted.
After expressing my thanks to Miss Seohyang, I turned and spoke to the party.
“Then, let’s clear it.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Everyone)
Each of us took up equipment and rushed at the mound of earth.
Honestly, clearing away the mound of earth that had poured down because of the landslide was no easy task.
But people’s hands are frightening, and when over a hundred people rushed in, the mound of earth was disappearing as if spring snow were melting away.
In about one si-jin, we succeeded in making a path several people could pass through.
“The path is open!” (Someone)
“Then we move again!” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes!” (Everyone)
Naturally, the mound of earth blocking our way was not only the one we had just passed.
And since Mount Emei is a rocky mountain, there were also cases where a huge boulder was squarely blocking the path.
Just like now.
“This time, it seems we must step forward.” (Eun Seoho)
I stepped forward with the guard warriors and had the people nearby move back.
“You may be injured if stone fragments fly, so please step aside for a moment.” (Eun Seoho)
After confirming that the people had moved back like that, we swung our swords with all our might in turn.
Slice!
Since only martial artists of at least the absolute peak level had stepped forward, the boulder was dealt with without difficulty.
The reason we did not step forward at the same time but in turn was because sword qi might fly out or the rock might split apart and become dangerous.
A short while later, the huge boulder that had blocked our way became small stones that people could move.
After we dealt with blocked paths in several places like that, the day grew dark.
Sichuan Province’s climate could be described as humid and hot, but that did not mean winter was not cold.
Since the weather had been warming, we wore lighter clothes during the day, so perhaps that made the night feel even colder.
Campfires were lit here and there, and we warmed ourselves in front of them while eating dinner.
Because in order to move diligently again tomorrow, we had to conserve our strength at night.
I headed to the campfire where the Emei Sect disciples were resting.
“Please do not worry too much.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah! Master.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Even so, the earthquake was not that severe here, so there probably will not be much damage.” (Eun Seoho)
“We are hoping so.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
I sat down beside them and said,
“By the way, I am worried about the Qingcheng Sect. I heard that place suffered great damage from the earthquake.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah……” (Emei Sect Disciple)
They made sorrowful expressions.
Although the two sides bickered over the position of ruler of Sichuan Province, that also meant they had grown attached to one another.
“Fortunately, I heard the Sichuan Tang Clan set out to help them.” (Eun Seoho)
I carefully brought up the main point.
“So this is why I say this, but how about you all go help the Qingcheng Sect starting tomorrow?” (Eun Seoho)
“You mean, leaving this place behind?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“You may leave this place to us now. As you know, my cousin noona is a disciple of the Emei Sect. As such, I will devote all my zeal and sincerity to it.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, everyone hesitated and looked at one person.
She seemed to be the disciple with the highest seniority among the Emei Sect disciples here.
“I do not doubt Master Seonhyeop Mirang. I am only curious why you say that.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Do they not say all within the Four Seas are brethren? Moreover, since they are people who live in the same Sichuan Province, I believe we naturally must help them.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true, but……” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Although the Sichuan Tang Clan has moved to help them, they will still be short on hands. If you all join them, it will be a great help.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“Also, the mere fact that the disciples of the Emei Sect moved to help the Qingcheng Sect, whose situation is worse, even though the Emei Sect itself suffered damage, will be a great help to the Emei Sect in the future.” (Eun Seoho)
At my advice, she pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Understood. Junior Sister Hyangok said there was no one better at using his head than Master Seonhyeop Mirang, so I will accept that advice.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
……That is a compliment, right?
Somehow, I feel like she grumbled, ‘That bastard Eun Seoho. His head really does spin well! I’m sure he used his head because he didn’t want to spar with me! Just wait until I catch him later! I’ll smash him to pieces!’
Mm…… I really must keep the fact that I pretended to have broken my leg a secret forever.
I managed my expression and respectfully gave a clasped hands greeting.
“To think Noona praised me so. I am embarrassed. Thank you for accepting my advice.” (Eun Seoho)
“No. Then we will rest and head for the Qingcheng Sect tomorrow.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
At those words, I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I succeeded in persuading them.
There were about twenty Emei Sect disciples here now.
They had come down the mountain and stopped by Chengdu because they had business to attend to when the earthquake occurred.
In my previous life, they devoted themselves to opening the road to the Emei Sect.
Up to that point, it was an exceedingly natural and obvious thing to do.
Because one’s arm is bound to bend inward.
But after that, the interior of Sichuan Province was thrown into confusion, and the Emei Sect was so busy handling the situation that they could not give help to the Qingcheng Sect.
And in the end, this became the cause of the worsening relationship between the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect.
The reason I am sending them in advance is to remove that cause.
In truth, although the Emei Sect’s actions at the time were not wrong, there must have been some other reason I did not know that caused it to become the source of conflict and antagonism with the Qingcheng Sect.
It was probably the Sura Blood Cult playing tricks.
But as long as I do not know the process, I cannot stop the trickery itself.
Instead, it is possible to prevent the relationship from worsening because of that trickery.
If they end up helping the Qingcheng Sect before the Emei Sect has even finished handling its own situation, the Qingcheng Sect side will have no choice but to feel goodwill toward the Emei Sect.
Considering the relationship between the Sura Blood Cult and the Martial Alliance, as well as the matters revealed so far, it is highly likely that antagonism between orthodox murim forces is also part of their scheme.
Then I must stop it.
.
.
.
Day broke.
As I had said, the Emei Sect disciples prepared to head for the Qingcheng Sect.
“You may take this cart with you.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is this?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“It is loaded with food for you to eat along the way and relief supplies.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, an Emei Sect disciple inspected what was loaded on the cart and said,
“Bandages, Golden Wound Medicine, splints…… There are many items for the injured.” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Yes. Since the damage from the earthquake is said to be severe, I thought there would likely be many injured people.” (Eun Seoho)
I spoke as though it were a guess, but I prepared them like that because I actually knew the Qingcheng Sect’s situation was very serious.
There are many people who were buried under buildings or seriously injured after being struck by building debris.
They were so short of bandages to wrap their wounds that they were said to have cut up blankets and clothing to use, so the seriousness of it goes beyond words.
“But what is this breastplate?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“That is something like a splint for those whose sternums are broken.” (Eun Seoho)
And I could not leave out promoting a product our Eunha Merchant Guild was releasing at this opportunity.
It is also something they actually need.
Like that, they pulled the cart and headed for the Qingcheng Sect.
Then we should continue opening the road to the Emei Sect.
The next day.
While we were working, Prince Seongbo arrived.
“You have come, Your Highness.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, the pace of the work seems faster than I expected.” (Prince Seongbo)
“Yes. It is thanks to everyone working hard.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then I too shall lend a hand.” (Prince Seongbo)
Prince Seongbo took off the silk clothes he had been wearing and began moving by personally carrying mounds of earth.
“Y-Your Highness! How can Your Highness personally……” (Eun Seoho)
When I hurriedly tried to stop him, Prince Seongbo waved his hand.
“This is work for the people of Sichuan Province. Each of their lives is precious. I cannot allow Father Emperor’s precious people to lose their lives in vain.” (Prince Seongbo)
But the feeling I get from his gaze is, ‘Please praise me for doing well’…… That must be my imagination, right?
He is reflecting what I said with remarkable faithfulness.
“I will uphold Your Highness’s will.” (Eun Seoho)
After about two days passed like that, the Emei Sect began to come into view before we knew it.
In my memory, I heard that back then, it took nearly a fortnight just for the Emei Sect’s isolation to be lifted.
If so, even including the time the Emei Sect disciples had spent opening the road before, it has taken less than half the time it did before.
As we were again diligently clearing away the mounds of earth like that, I heard someone’s voice.
And this presence is……
“Noona Hyangok?” (Eun Seoho)
Perhaps she had heard my voice, because Noona Hyangok’s voice came from the other side of the mound of earth.
“Huh? Could it be Seoho?” (Hyangok)
“Yes. Noona. It is me, Eun Seoho.” (Eun Seoho)
“Why did you come here?” (Hyangok)
“Why else? I came to save you, Noona.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, a brief silence flowed from the other side.
And then……
“Junior Sister Hyangok. Are you moved right now?” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“She is moved!” (Emei Sect Disciple)
“Ah! Be quiet!” (Hyangok)
“How embarrassed she is……” (Emei Sect Disciple)
Noona Hyangok acting embarrassed…… Somehow, I cannot imagine it.
“But were my words that moving?” (Eun Seoho)
I asked in a small voice, and at this, Warrior Seowoo nodded.
“Even I would have been moved.” (Warrior Seowoo)
Prince Seongbo then said,
“Indeed, because you say such things as if they are nothing, you tend to move people’s hearts even more.” (Prince Seongbo)
I-Is that so?
“So is that not why I fell for you?” (Prince Seongbo)
……That seems a rather dangerous remark.
At my gaze, Prince Seongbo waved his hand.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do not misunderstand, by any chance. By saying I fell for you, I mean that you are someone worthy of respect.” (Prince Seongbo)
“I was not misunderstanding in the first place.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hrm, hrm. Is that so?” (Prince Seongbo)
“To hear you say that, I can only say that your grace is immeasurable.” (Eun Seoho)
Phew, I got through it naturally.
I asked Noona Hyangok,
“Noona! What is the situation at the Emei Sect?” (Eun Seoho)
“Everyone is safe.” (Hyangok)
“That is a relief. Then please rest for a moment. We have many people on this side, so we will move.” (Eun Seoho)