3
1
0.
Starting with those who do business lighting lanterns at every stall.
Young men and women in colorful outfits that could not be seen during the day.
From waiters soliciting customers as I passed the streets to high-ranking officials hurrying somewhere in large palanquins—’Was it always this splendid?’ My memories of the nights in my previous life consisted mostly of collapsing from exhaustion to rest or working overtime.
Being able to spend my time so leisurely right now is only possible because I am living a life different from my past. [You bastard, if you spend your entire monthly salary today, how do you plan to live?] [Is there any guarantee you’ll be alive tomorrow?] [Huh? You’re right.] [Here… another bottle of liquor worth fifteen silver coins!]
The image of those guys who used up their monthly payouts as if there were no tomorrow, hoping to receive the next one, flashes through my mind.
“…….”
I felt a bit bitter for some reason, so I quickly bought a candy and put it in my mouth.
As I walked and reached my destination, for some reason, it was packed with people. ‘What’s going on?’ I wondered if there was something interesting to see, but that wasn’t the case, as the people standing in the long line were all dressed in flashy outfits.
“Hey. Are you thinking of going in here?”
The man standing at the very front, accompanied by three women, spoke to me.
But why is this jerk speaking informally to me the first time we’ve met?
Because I was supposed to meet someone.
“In that state?”
He scrutinizes my outfit and lets out a chuckle.
The women standing beside him also, for some reason, all covered their mouths and gave condescending smiles.
Well, you look like you’re about to get slapped.
Did you make a reservation?
“reservation?”
Don’t you know that reservations are standard at Sohwaru?
A sneer hangs on the corners of the man’s mouth.
“……
Because I’ve never been here like that before.
“Tsk tsk. These half-baked fools just come here because it’s famous, without knowing anything.”
“What are you doing! Go stand in line over there at the back. You won’t be able to get in today anyway.”
“Really? We were supposed to meet here today.”
If I had known we had to make a reservation, I should have suggested meeting somewhere else.
No, but it was Yang Gun-baek who made the appointment in the first place.
While I was at a loss as to what to do, the man made a suggestion to me.
Show me a trick. If I like it, I’ll take you inside.
“trick?”
“Seeing you carrying a sword, you seem to be a warrior… Surely you don’t have a single skill to show?”
At the man’s words, the women burst into laughter as if they could no longer hold it in.
There was also a woman who laughed while clutching her stomach.
You look really excited.
I looked them over one by one and answered calmly.
“I don’t really have a talent for killing people. Should I show you that instead?”
For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly became chilly.
The women who had been laughing became even paler, their faces already white from the powder.
The man who was about to say something to me cleared his throat for no reason, muttered, “That’s just how warriors are,” and turned away.
at that time.
Squeak
Just then, the door of Sohwaru opened and a caretaker came out holding something like a register.
“Next is…….”
The men and women quickly got ready to go inside and took their eyes off me.
“Huh? Confucius?”
The caretaker suddenly looked at me and folded the register.
“Why are you here? If you came, why didn’t you come in?”
No, I was just wondering what to do after hearing that I had to make a reservation.
“Oh dear! What kind of talk is that…! Of course, you are welcome to visit anytime without a reservation, Master.”
“okay?”
“Yes. Please eat quickly! There are guests waiting inside.”
“Okay. Ah…!”
I was about to enter, guided by the caretaker, but stopped and turned toward the man and his party.
Before they knew it, their faces had turned blank.
He looked them up and down and asked.
Do you happen to have a talent to show?
The man who keeps his mouth shut at my suggestion.
Then again, what talent could you possibly have going around drinking day and night?
I stepped inside, receiving excellent guidance from the caretaker.#“Huh?”
Gapshil, who previously met the Haomunju.
I saw a welcome face there for the first time in a long while.
It has been a long time since I last greeted you, Master.
Weren’t you in Hunan Province?
I often move around.
It is Manbingak footnote Haeryeong.
How have you been?
Then, Yang Gun-baek, whom I had requested a meeting with, came to greet me.
Thanks to you.
A sumptuous feast was spread out, enough to break the table legs, and the aroma of fine wine filled the air, but there were no musicians or entertainers inside.
After exchanging a couple of drinks and exchanging pleasantries, the conversation began in earnest.
This is material regarding the electric lamp doors and electric light oil system.
I paused as I passed my glass of wine at the documents Haeryeong handed me.
I didn’t say anything.
Haeryeong said with a strange smile.
“We are always observing you, Master. Was this not what you desired?”
I keenly realized how the Hao Sect had been able to become an equal competitor to the Beggar Sect, which was backed by the Murim Alliance, during the Great War between the Righteous and Demonic Sects in my previous life. ‘So this is why the Beggar Sect was wary of the rising Hao Sect.’ Feeling a strange emotion once again regarding past events I was unaware of, I examined the documents.
However, even after examining the materials regarding electric lanterns and oil-based methods, there was nothing particularly special.
Other than the fact that Jeondeungmun was a sect founded by the founders themselves without the help of Cheongseongpa or Punghyangmun, and that Oh Il-sik was a man who established his own school through solitary training, nothing else was known.
Then, suddenly, something strange caught my eye.
As my gaze lingered on one spot, Haeryeong opened her mouth.
Indeed, it is a shame for you to remain a warrior, Master.
As I tilt my head and meet her gaze, a smile forms on the corners of her lips.
You found something strange among that information, didn’t you?
“For a sect built by one person alone, the growth rate is rapid.”
When I first heard the story of Dok-a-geom, I expected that it would have taken at least ten years for the martial arts school to transform into a sect.
Because establishing a foothold and expanding one’s influence isn’t something that can be achieved simply by having high military power.
however.
It took less than five years for the military academy, which had been operating for those taking the escort agency exam, to transform into a martial arts sect.
Moreover, the disciples of the Electric Lantern Sect I faced were not a ragtag bunch, but looked like people who had undergone quite a long period of training and education…
Three years.
Haeryeong held up three fingers.
It took exactly three years to go from a martial arts school to a sect.
“By any chance, was there anyone sponsoring you?”
If there is massive support, it is not entirely impossible.
but.
There was none. Jeondeungmun literally rose to that position by his own strength.
I couldn’t easily accept it.
Then, what about the shamanic robes of the same color worn by the disciples?
Well-trimmed black?
How can I explain those chubby cheeks and flesh that showed no signs of starvation?
“Hehe, even you, Confucius, would have found it hard to predict this far, wouldn’t you?”
I am not an all-powerful person.
“Haha, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am. To think I can be of help to you, Young Master.”
Then, Haeryeong hands over one more document.
I glanced at the document and was startled.
“Even you, Confucius, find this strange, don’t you? Most of those people met Oh Il-sik with the intention of becoming bodyguards. However, once they became officials and disciples, they suddenly forgot their original purpose and turned into people who merely offered money.”
Not only my own money, but also my parents’ money and even the money I borrowed from relatives and gave to them.
It was enough money to establish a respectable sect even without any other sponsorship.
Suddenly, I remembered that fucking slogan the people at the Electric Door had shouted.
Disciples comparable to fanatics who, as if possessed, burned their own bodies to protect the Oil-sik.
And as soon as Oil-sik died, he seemed to come to his senses and was busy looking out for his own safety.
The Poison Fang Sword that accompanied him at the time was too intact to think, ‘Did he learn sorcery too?’
Is there anyone who placed the Way in the hand of Oh Il-sik?
Oil-sik changed as a person before and after taking up the Way.
In that case, it was around that time that he mastered the demonic arts.
However, contrary to my expectations, Haeryeong shook her head.
After leaving Punghyangmun, Oh Il-sik did not serve anyone as a separate master. He also did not work at one courier agency for a long time, moving around frequently.
While listening to the story, Oil-sik’s last moments came to mind. [Cheon… …
Ma Jae-rim, may you be blessed with all your blessings!
Even with death imminent, instead of seeking a way to survive, he died shouting about the Demonic Cult, which did not even exist in the world yet.
Just like when the demons of the past life died.
Crunch.
This pisses me off even when I think about it again.
Confucius?
“Oh, sorry. Where did I leave off?”
It was the part where no one gave Oh Il-sik any instruction.
“okay.”
“Hmm, why are you so certain that Oil-sik had a teacher?”
Oil-sik brought forth a demonic flower at the moment of death.
This means that the guy is a lunatic who has completely fallen into the Demonic Cult.
However, if he didn’t have a separate master, how on earth did he turn Oil-sik into a Mind?
And what was the method used to brainwash Oil-sik into obeying him to the point of death?
I took out only the part where Oil-sik voluntarily chose death and told him about it.
Haeryeong also frowned as if finding it strange.
That is certainly strange.
Are there any others who, like Oil-sik, suddenly improve their skills or expand their influence?
Haeryeong thought deeply and nodded.
There is one place.
“Who is it?”
If he is following the same process as Oil-sik, then that guy… no, we should suspect that he, too, might be a Mine.
I’d rather uproot the pillars of that bastard’s sect…
Jin So-un of the Taeeul Sect.
Huh? Why is my name suddenly coming up…
Haeryeong smiled brightly.
“According to Confucius, ‘Young Master Jin Xiaoyun’ is indeed the most suspicious person.”
Ah, right. This was the most fucked-up part of this problem.
It was something I had anticipated from the start, even as I smashed the light door, because I knew this wouldn’t be a problem that would be easily solved.
I guess I’ll have to be investigated first.
“Of course, there are a few questionable parts, but you have sufficiently cleared your name, Master, so you do not need to worry.”
Haeryeong smiling lightly.
Wow, this person… was a scary person.
To think the investigation is already finished.
Should I like this or not?
Anyway, the problem is that even if there is another guy like Oil-sik, there is no way to prove that he is a Mine.
It’s not like I can force-feed them the Blood Potion.
“Still, we have started the investigation for now. We need to gather the data before we can begin the analysis.”
It’s going to take a long time.
“Isn’t it an important matter?”
Haeryeong’s face was more serious than ever.
“Confucius, we take the importance of this matter very seriously. So please do not worry.”
I couldn’t say a word for a moment.
Because just moments ago, I was about to get deeply discouraged without even realizing it at the thought that things would get harder.
However, I am not the only one to solve this problem.
As that thought crossed my mind, I felt much lighter.
“thank you.”
As I lightly bowed my head, Haeryeong took out a bundle from one side.
I brought this just in case. It is a record of the publicly known martial arts of the Punghyang Sect and the unique martial arts of Jeon Gwang-do Oh Il-sik.
Oh, when I searched the light door… there was nothing like this.
The people of the Poison Fang Sect were very kind. Fortunately, I was able to make it before the investigator from the Murim Alliance arrived.
At that moment, Haeryeong’s gaze turned serious.
“I heard that Denggao Xuan’s eyes had turned as black as obsidian… Is that true?”
Then again, as an information broker, you can’t help but be curious about this kind of information.
They must be searching everywhere to secure Denggohyeon’s body.
But it will be difficult.
A corpse in an abnormal state is associated with sorcery, which means it is linked to a high evaluation.
Wouldn’t anyone trade their career for a few pennies?
Are you curious?
I know I won’t be able to dissect it, but I thought it would be nice if I could at least take a look.
By any chance, could the Head Student Council Member set me up?
I think that would be difficult.
Haeryeong and Yang Gunbaek’s faces hardened.
It feels like a hint of disappointment is creeping out.
Ah, I made an unreasonable request…
Is it really necessary to go through the hassle of going back and forth?
yes?”
I pushed the bundle I brought in front of them.
A rattling sound came from the bundle as it moved.
Yang Gun-baek, who had been tilting his head, peeked into the bundle and his eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
“Th-what is this?”
A bone that has turned black as if smeared with ink.
“Oil-sik, he belongs to that man.”
What I brought was the bones of the oil-based food that remained after being burned in Mahwa.
Haeryeong also jumped up from his seat and carefully examined the bone next to Yang Gunbaek.
You have brought something precious.
I could see the corners of Haeryeong’s mouth twitching.
I nodded once while looking at the shape of his mouth.
“Then do I not have to pay for the drinks today?”
Haeryeong, who had been forcibly holding back her laughter, bursts out laughing.
Of course. Would that be all? I should treat you to something even more precious.
As Haeryeong clapped twice, a woman entered the inner room a short while later holding a bottle of liquor.
I will raise a glass.
While Yang Gun-baek and Hae-ryeong examined Oil-sik’s bones, a mysterious woman filled a cup and sat quietly beside them.
As I looked at the woman as if I were strange, Haeryeong spoke.
Ah, that child will stay by my side.
I never wanted something like this.
I wondered if I had seen Haomun wrong.
Pitter-patter.
I realized it as I watched the liquor being poured into the glass.
“It’s cold…….”
The glass quickly became damp because the alcohol that fell into it was low.
From the drink I swallowed in one gulp like that… … .
“oh!”
It makes me spontaneously marvel.
It is called Hwabingro.
Cold dew on a flower… it had a taste and scent that perfectly matched the name.
As I was marveling, Haeryeong’s gentle voice flew in.
Hwabinglo tastes its best when served cold.
There was pride in her words.
Come to think of it, there was a reason why Suhualou was always bustling with customers despite the abundance of high-class taverns in Hefei. ‘To think they sell alcohol using ice magic…’ After experiencing such a bizarre thing, it was clear that even high-ranking officials and the wealthy would lose their minds.
Even I, who have mastered martial arts, find this fascinating.
Ice magic is useful in many ways.
If there had been someone in this guild who had mastered the Ice Technique, they wouldn’t have had to endure the stench of rotting corpses in Denggohyeon.
It is convenient to use even on sweltering summer days.
“Some clan leaders in the Murim Alliance even go out of their way to give extra points to those who have mastered ice magic. But since it isn’t something that can be achieved by effort alone… it is truly a pity.”
In that sense, it is a rare sight, even for a warrior, for an employee who has mastered ice magic to pour drinks.
You should enjoy it as much as possible while you can.
I took another sip of the Hwabingro. However, perhaps because the temperature had risen due to the heat from the hand holding the cup, the original aroma and taste were absent.
If you empty your glass, I will pour you a new one.
As if emptying the cup and pouring new wine is the proper way to drink Hwabingro, a woman who has mastered the ice art subtly offers an empty bowl.
However, for some reason, I couldn’t easily empty the cup because I felt it was a waste to throw the ice pot away.
“Tsk, how much is all this?” “Hmm… is this how it’s done?” Was it because I was too drunk?
Eun Seol-ran operated the bet while recalling the time when she used the ice magic.
Of course, there is no way to use ice magic with this.
To begin with, he didn’t even know the secret formulas, and the quality of his internal energy itself made it impossible to use ice magic.
So, it was nothing more than a prank played while under the influence of alcohol.
Tsutsutsutsu.
It definitely was like that…
“M-Mr. Confucius?!”
“S-Surely not!”
oh!”
The three people looked at my cup with eyes even more surprised than when they saw Oil-sik’s bones, and Haeryeong’s astonished voice echoed through the inner room.
“Young Master…… Were you able to use the Ice Technique? There is certainly nothing like that in our records……!”
Huh? I can use ice magic?
I asked Haeryeong with surprised eyes.
“What on earth happened?”
A look that says, “Why are you asking me that?”
The glass in my hand is as cold as her expression.
“Oh, it’s cold!”
In the silent room, only the sweet scent of the ice furnace was spreading.
