Chapter 645
645
Chapter 645. The Ghost’s Identity (1)
A short while later.
I entered a tent with Taoist Geumbong.
The one who had tried to assassinate him had been subdued and would be locked in the prison.
Even though the other buildings had collapsed, the prison was intact.
“Please sit.” (MC)
“Hoo…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
When I offered him a seat, he sat on the temporary cot in the tent and let out a sigh.
“You must be wondering what in the world is going on right now.” (MC)
“Yes. That is correct.” (Taoist Geumbong)
Just then, Palgap brought tea, and I poured it myself and held it out to him.
“Please drink. It will calm your mind.” (MC)
Since I had infused the tea with the energy of the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art, his mind should clear a little.
“……I finally feel somewhat clear-headed. So what in the world is the situation right now?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“First of all, Taoist Geumbong, you nearly got assassinated.” (MC)
“……!” (Taoist Geumbong)
His eyes widened in an instant.
It must mean he was that shocked.
“No, who in the world would try to…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Shouldn’t you know that better yourself?” (MC)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
After biting his lip and remaining silent for a moment, he asked.
“The mind-bewitching drug handed to me by the man with the red leaf tattoo. Was that the problem?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Pardon? A red leaf tattoo?” (MC)
I already knew the fact from Taoist Inbong’s father, but since I could not reveal that, I pretended it was my first time hearing it.
“Ah…… yes. Th-that’s right.” (Taoist Geumbong)
He made an awkward expression and continued.
“My martial uncle told me not to speak of this to others…… but I ended up saying it without realizing.” (Taoist Geumbong)
“If it is not rude, I would like to hear more of that story.” (MC)
“Very well. You saved my life twice. How could I remain silent?” (Taoist Geumbong)
He nodded with a bitter expression.
“The man with that tattoo approached me and handed it to me. He said that if I had my father drink it, and if I ate it too, then Father would come to cherish me.” (Taoist Geumbong)
From Taoist Geumbong’s explanation, I thought I knew what drug he had used.
It was a mind-bewitching drug that had secretly circulated among the more vicious figures of the business world around a few years before I died in my previous life.
There is an insect called the Constant Love Insect, which meets one mate in its lifetime and clings to that mate for life.
The drug was made using that insect as an ingredient, and if someone ate a mind-bewitching drug made from a male Constant Love Insect, they would favor the person who had eaten the mind-bewitching drug made from the female Constant Love Insect.
At first its identity had been unknown, but after some time passed, its nature was revealed and an antidote was also discovered.
That was to eat a mind-bewitching drug made from a different Constant Love Insect.
Someone who had eaten one made from a male merely had to eat one made from a female.
Moreover, it was revealed that the mind-bewitching drug had a fatal flaw.
If the other party died, the person who had eaten the paired mind-bewitching drug would stop eating grain and starve to death.
It was too dangerous, and the Constant Love Insect was such a rare insect that it was not often used, but to think it was already being used at this time!
In any case, looking at this, the ones who made that Constant Love Insect mind-bewitching drug must be the Asura Blood Cult.
I said to him.
“I do not know much about the identity of those who bear that tattoo. But there is one thing that is certain. Such people do not care what means or methods they use if it is for their objective.” (MC)
“So they even bribed another disciple in order to kill me?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“It was not bribery.” (MC)
“Pardon? Then?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“They say they killed Taoist Eombong, then peeled off his facial skin and made a human-skin mask.” (MC)
I did not believe those words, but for now, that was what he claimed.
At this, Taoist Geumbong made a pained expression.
“Th-then Eombong is…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“What is important here is that their purpose was not to silence Taoist Geumbong. They were trying to use Taoist Geumbong to control the Sect Leader and take this Qingcheng Sect into their hands.” (MC)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Then when things did not go well, they tried to silence you.” (MC)
“How could……!” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Have you ever told anyone about this?” (MC)
At my question, he shook his head.
“No.” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Who knows about this?” (MC)
“Only the martial uncle who interrogated me and my father should know.” (Taoist Geumbong)
“I see.” (MC)
Well, the Sect Leader’s other son also only knew that Taoist Geumbong had bought a suspicious drug from the marketplace.
At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
Wait…… wait…….
If I had not detoxified the Sect Leader, then they could have killed the Sect Leader by killing Taoist Geumbong, couldn’t they?
Wow, those bastards are vicious.
I looked at Taoist Geumbong and pieced together the memories and information I knew.
The current earthquake was something that had happened in my previous life as well.
If so, it was highly likely that the reason the conflict between the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect had worsened back then was because of Taoist Geumbong.
In a way where they gave this and that order to the Sect Leader through Taoist Geumbong.
This time, too, they must have tried to do that, and when they failed, they committed this act to silence Taoist Geumbong.
I organized my thoughts and looked at him.
He was tearing at his hair in agony.
That was only natural, since this had happened because of his foolish choice.
“I only wanted to receive Father’s love. But was that feeling of mine wrong? It was only that…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“No. That feeling was not wrong. As a child, it is only natural to crave a parent’s love.” (MC)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
I calmly continued speaking.
“It is just that the method was wrong.” (MC)
He let out a heavy sigh.
“Then what should I have done?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“I do not know that either. Each person’s circumstances are different, so how could I answer? However, from what I see, perhaps treating his children coldly and sternly was the Sect Leader’s own way of expressing affection.” (MC)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
It was then.
“Liege! Are you there? Liege!” (Warrior Ipil)
It was the voice of Warrior Ipil urgently calling me.
“What is it?” (MC)
“They say Taoist Eombong has been found.” (Warrior Ipil)
“What?” (MC)
“As you said, they searched the places Taoist Eombong often went, and found him being held captive.” (Warrior Ipil)
The assassin had said he killed Taoist Eombong, but I did not believe it.
The fact that he had not been discovered while pretending to be Taoist Eombong for quite some time surely meant that he had been continuously obtaining information from him.
That was why I had asked my guards to search.
We hurriedly headed there, and saw a disciple who looked exactly like the face of the assassin we had captured alive.
So that fellow made the human-skin mask quite well.
“Eombong!” (Disciple)
“Aigo! Eombong! We thought you were dead!” (Disciple)
“Waaah! Eombong!” (Disciple)
And his peers were hugging him and crying their eyes out.
“I thought I was going to die too.” (Taoist Eombong)
And he kept bowing his head to the people around him, thanking them for saving him.
Taoist Geumbong looked at him and bit his lip.
“Why do you not go?” (MC)
“With what face could I…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Do you feel sorry?” (MC)
“Of course I do, don’t I? He suffered that hardship because of me. If I did not feel sorry, would I be human?” (Taoist Geumbong)
He is better than those two great masters of the Royal Guards who scratched at me before.
“Then express that thought. No matter how sorry you feel, if you do not say it, it will not be conveyed.” (MC)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
At that, he clenched his fist tightly and walked toward Taoist Eombong.
“Eombong.” (Taoist Geumbong)
And he knelt before him.
“I’m sorry.” (Taoist Geumbong)
Everyone seemed surprised by his action. To be honest, I was surprised too.
I thought he would merely bow his head deeply, but to think he would even kneel.
“What can I possibly say? You suffered that because of me.” (Taoist Geumbong)
“…….” (Taoist Eombong)
“You may curse me, and you may hit me. Or…… you may even cut off one of my arms. If that will convey how sorry I am…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Hey.” (Taoist Eombong)
Taoist Eombong approached Taoist Geumbong and called him.
“Are you all right?” (Taoist Eombong)
“……Huh?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“The bastard who did this to me said so. That he came to kill you.” (Taoist Eombong)
“Ah…… I’m all right. Master Seonhyeop Mirang saved me.” (Taoist Geumbong)
“That’s a relief.” (Taoist Eombong)
“I’m sorry. Truly…… sorry.” (Taoist Geumbong)
Tears as big as chicken droppings fell from Taoist Geumbong’s eyes.
It seemed that Taoist Geumbong had finally escaped the obstinacy that had been imprisoning him.
“That’s enough. Get up. There is no forgiving or whatever.” (Taoist Eombong)
“Huh?” (Taoist Geumbong)
“Because you just have to not do it again from now on. To be honest, the reason I avoided you all this time was because of your attitude, still unable to reflect on yourself. That attitude where you thought you had done nothing wrong.” (Taoist Eombong)
“…….” (Taoist Geumbong)
“In any case, I’m glad you’re safe.” (Taoist Eombong)
Watching that, I smiled faintly.
Taoist Eombong…… now that I see him, he is a person with quite a large vessel.
Well, even during the Grand Murim Banquet, he had not mingled with Taoist Geumbong’s group and had shown himself looking after Taoist Inbong.
I turned away from that place.
“Ah! Master Seonhyeop Mirang!” (Taoist Inbong)
But then, someone called me.
When I turned around, it was Taoist Inbong.
“I heard. That you saved us from the assassin.” (Taoist Inbong)
“That is true as well, but the one who dealt with the assassin at the end is someone else.” (MC)
“Pardon?” (Taoist Inbong)
“There is someone in this Qingcheng Sect who cares for Taoist Inbong very much.” (MC)
“Ah…….” (Taoist Inbong)
“That person helped.” (MC)
Leaving only those words, I turned around again and headed for the Sect Leader’s quarters.
.
.
.
The day dawned.
We proceeded with the restoration work without paying any more attention to what had happened during the night.
The Sect Leader had said he would take care of that matter himself.
The task originally assigned to us was to open the path toward Fengryeon Pavilion in order to rescue its disciples.
And the five disciples who had originally been in charge of that mission also moved with us.
“Taoist Eombong, will you be all right? Your body should still not be in good condition…….” (MC)
At my concern, Taoist Eombong smiled and said.
“I am fine. My arms and legs are intact and I can move, so how could I withdraw myself from a matter for my fellow sect members?” (Taoist Eombong)
“Understood. However, absolutely do not overexert yourself. The path there is rather dangerous.” (MC)
“I will keep that in mind.” (Taoist Eombong)
The path to Fengryeon Pavilion was very rough and narrow, so the work was not easy.
But we did not give up, and in the end, after three days, we were able to make a path toward Fengryeon Pavilion.
“Senior Brother! Senior Brother!” (Taoist Inbong)
“Is everyone safe?” (Taoist Inbong)
Buildings that were half broken and collapsed.
At that, the Qingcheng Sect disciples, including Taoist Inbong, ran toward the place and shouted in all directions.
“Huh? This voice is?” (Disciple)
There was a rustling sound, and someone poked out his head. Then he cried out in delight.
“Inbong!” (Disciple)
“Senior Brothers!” (Taoist Inbong)
When we drew close, around a dozen people were gathered and sitting in the yard around a campfire they had lit.
“Is everyone safe?” (Taoist Inbong)
“Yes. There are people who are injured, but everyone is safe.” (Disciple)
“Fortunately, we had plenty of fasting pills.” (Disciple)
“Senior Brother! Are you all right?” (Taoist Inbong)
As if he had injured his head, the disciple who had it wrapped in a long torn strip of cloth waved his hand.
“No need to worry. This much will heal if I put saliva on it.” (Disciple)
“Senior Brother…….” (Taoist Inbong)
Looking at that sight, I recalled my previous life.
Back then, it probably had not been such a warm atmosphere.
Since the restoration inside the Qingcheng Sect grounds had taken a long time, the path leading here had also been opened late.
I had heard that people starved to death in the Qingcheng Sect at the time, and I wondered if perhaps it had been these people.
“It is a relief that all of you are safe.” (MC)
“Who…….” (Disciple)
They tilted their heads as they looked at me, but one of them recognized me.
“Ah! Are you perhaps Master Seonhyeop Mirang?” (Disciple)
“I am indeed called that.” (MC)
At that, Taoist Inbong quickly added an explanation.
“Thanks to the Master’s help, we were able to open the path leading here.” (Taoist Inbong)
At those words, the disciples clasped their hands toward me and showed respect.
“We truly thank you.” (Disciple)
“Our fasting pills were already running out, so thanks to you, we survived.” (Disciple)
I waved my hand and expressed humility.
“Rather than thanking me, you should thank the Sect Leader who called me, and His Majesty the Emperor who knew in advance that there would be a natural disaster and sent support.” (MC)
I continued with a smile.
“Now it would be best to go down and nourish yourselves while eating some warm porridge. Receive treatment as well.” (MC)
Once we had safely rescued the disciples of Fengryeon Pavilion like that, the atmosphere of the Qingcheng Sect became completely lively again.
As I was smiling while looking at the people cheering, someone came running from behind while calling my name.
“Master!” (Tang Jo-ung)
When I turned my head, there was an unexpected person.
“Huh? Jo-ung!” (MC)
He was Tang Jo-ung, the youngest son of the Sichuan Tang Clan Head, who had once saved me when I was kidnapped.
Nearly ten years had already passed since then, so he should be around seventeen now.
The childish look I had seen back then had completely disappeared, and now he was a sturdy young man.
“It has been a long time!” (MC)
“Yes. Master. I came along this time when support was sent to the Qingcheng Sect.” (Tang Jo-ung)
“I see.” (MC)
“Noona Subin came as well, over there.” (Tang Jo-ung)
At the place he pointed to was Miss Tang Subin.
“It has been a long time, Miss.” (MC)
“Yes. It has been a long time. I heard that you have been active in many fields.” (Tang Subin)
“Haha. Is that so?” (MC)
I continued speaking.
“But the fact that two direct descendants came like this means you came because of a rather important matter. Am I right?” (MC)
“That is right.” (Tang Subin)
She nodded.
“We came to provide financial help to the Qingcheng Sect.” (Tang Subin)
Financial help, huh…….
It was probably a matter of lending money to the Qingcheng Sect.
At a glance, the current Qingcheng Sect would need quite a large amount of money to rebuild the sect.
Wait…….
If this goes well, it seems our Trading Company can profit too.
As it happens, I have the construction firm I created.
There had once been a place called Oseong Construction Firm that had gone broke after doing shoddy construction in Beijing.
At the time, I gathered the technicians who had lost their place to go and made a construction firm.
They had experience accepting my commission and rebuilding buildings that had collapsed at the time.
Currently, many buildings in this Sichuan region have collapsed.
That means construction projects will proceed in large numbers, and experience rebuilding collapsed buildings will be quite important.
—Geumryeong. (MC)
—Kkui? (Geumryeong)
—I need you to run an errand. (MC)
I never miss an opportunity like this.
—Kkui! (Geumryeong)