Episode 143. Geumui Hwanhyang (錦衣還鄕)
“I’m glad you woke up safely.”
Han Ibi turned to the direction the voice came from.
He was a middle-aged man dressed in formal beggar attire, with a thin physique and the appearance of a typical open-minded person.
‘and. Now I finally meet a beggar worthy of a beggar.’
The middle-aged man smiled somewhat sinisterly and spoke to Sa Woo-yeon.
“Even when I said that, they didn’t listen… I took out clothes that I hadn’t worn in the past few days and put them on…”
Sawooyeon then opened her eyes and shouted while waving her hands.
“Uncle! What are you talking about? “I just feel bad about getting a birthday present from my uncle…”
The middle-aged man continued with a sly expression.
“okay. Who said what? “I was going to say that too.”
When Sawooyeon heard those words, she got a little nervous.
“no way. I don’t know. “I’m busy so I’ll just leave.”
Then he ran out the door without any time to stop him.
The middle-aged man was looking at this with satisfaction and then spoke to Han Ibi.
“Isn’t it really cute?”
“yes? Ah… yes….”
Han Ibi answered hesitantly, not knowing what the situation was.
The middle-aged man said.
“Wooyeon is my niece. Oh, by the way, the introduction was late. “I am Sapyeongcheon (史平千), the Buntaju of the open Anpyeong Bunta.”
Han Ibi also responded hesitantly.
“This is Zhonglimei of the Qingcheng Sect.”
Si Pyeong-cheon nodded and said.
“Of course I knew.”
At that time, Han Ibi asked as if she remembered something.
“ah! “Where is Seonmujae Daehyup?”
Sipyeongcheon said.
“Elder Sun is a very busy kid… Oh, indeed! Look at my mind. It’s been a habit since ancient times… I have to be polite to my elders, hmm. So… Elder Seon, Lord Bang orders a lot of things. For example, it was Lord Bang’s order to pair up with Zongli Xiaohyeop.”
Han Ibi was somewhat surprised.
‘So you’re saying that pairing up with me wasn’t out of indifference… it was already planned?’
Ebi Han said.
“Now that I think about it, Elder Seon said the other day that you should take me to the Lord Ark.”
Then Sapyeongcheon smiled and said.
“Don’t worry about that. “The Lord of the Ark has already given orders.”
Si Pyeong-cheon put his hands close to his mouth and spoke while pretending to whisper.
“The speed of our open information transfer is unrivaled.”
At that time, Han Ibi said as if she realized something.
“Oh, by the way, I see that Lord Ark also uses the last name S. “It seems like there are a lot of Sa clans in the open area.”
Sipyeongcheon, who heard that, laughed and said.
“That’s not true. In fact… Lord Saeungcheon is my cousin.”
Then Han Ibi looked very surprised.
However, Sipyeongcheon continued speaking with a face that seemed not to matter.
“And… coincidentally…”
Wait.
Sawooyeon is his niece, but she and Bangjoo are cousins… Then!
“She is the Ark’s daughter!”
Sipyeongcheon said.
“That’s right. My brother sent Wooyeon to Anpyeong Bunta, where I have been the leader for a long time, to receive training. And I want that child…”
His expression darkened somewhat.
“…I left it up to Ha Ho-beop to take care of it. Ah… he was such a great man.”
“That’s right.”
As we talk, it gets a bit boring.
Han Ibi decided to quickly get to the point.
“But Lord Bunta.”
“yes.”
“Why did the Lord ask to see me?”
Then Sipyeongcheon corrected his expression and said.
“First of all, Lord Bang expressed his resignation regarding the current Ungeuk disease incident. “I have heard a lot about the activities of the Zhongli Small Association.”
It was then.
Tiriring.
[Main Quest Accomplished: Open Helping Elder Seonmujae complete the special mission of the Ark.]
[Reward 1: Strength +20, Strength +20, Dexterity +30, Wisdom +15, Charisma +10, and reputation +5.]
[Reward 2: Evil spirit . You can obtain clues related to the ball.]
[Reward 3: You can freely utilize the open information network in the future.]
‘Huh? Now that I think about it, the quest was solved on its own. But, aside from reward 1… what happened to rewards 2 and 3?’
At that time, Sipyeongcheon spoke.
“Lord Ark is investigating a series of recent incidents that occurred in Gangho. First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences regarding the recently announced tragedy of the Zhongli family.”
Han Ibi calmly nodded her head in return.
Sapyeongcheon continued.
“The reason behind this Jong Li-se tragedy was hidden… but Lord Bang found out that this incident was in no way unrelated to the Heavenly Palace.”
“If it’s Cheonseonggung… isn’t it a sect classified as a black sword in martial arts?”
“That’s right. And after that…”
Si Pyeong-cheon lowered his voice and said.
“…It is presumed that there is an unidentified person or organization called the ‘Evil Spirit Worker.’”
Han Ibi suddenly stood up.
“ah!”
“Do you know about the demon ball?”
“no. “It’s just… I heard about it before.”
Si Pyeong-cheon nodded and said.
“Anyway, Cheon Seong-gung is carrying out various messy incidents in the martial arts world while hiding his identity. “The Ark is keeping track of those things.”
Ebi Han said.
“okay. “If it is really they who have harmed our family, I will also definitely hold Cheonseonggung responsible.”
Of course, through Jong Ri-hyuk.
“So…”
Si Pyeong-cheon continued, reaching into his arms and taking out a small, flat bowl.
“…Take this.”
huh?
“Isn’t this… a begging bowl?”
Sipyeongcheon said with a smile.
“It’s not just a bowl. “It is a mark that proves the identity of a guest informant recognized by Jang Moon.”
“It’s truly unique. Of course, the bowl…”
Who wouldn’t say he’s a beggar?
“ha ha ha. Since this can be used anywhere in the open market, Zhongli Small Cooperatives will be able to exchange information comfortably. Of course, if the Zhongli Small Association also gets good information, it would be good to share it with each other.”
Han Ibi thought.
‘Hmm. Being able to utilize an open information network would be a great advantage.’
At that time, Sipyeongcheon spoke.
“Anyway, Lord Bang said he would see Zhongli Xiaoxiao soon.”
“Me…?”
“That’s right.”
Han Ibi said while tilting her head.
“Why someone like me…”
Then Sipyeongcheon said with a meaningful expression.
“You said you had a very important question to ask about the mage.”
* * *
When Sipyeongcheon gave me the old money, it was a bit strange because it felt like I was being begged for by beggars.
However, this old money was put to good use on my way back to Cheongseong alone.
‘Well, there’s no need to be sorry. They only look like beggars, but they are a huge part of Moorim
and a huge interest group…’ Still, I felt a bit of regret about not being able to say goodbye to Sa Woo-yeon.
Anyway, even though he was a wise man… it was Han Ibi who asked and eventually ended up at Cheongseongsan Mountain.
Seeing the familiar scenery somehow made me feel warm…
‘Ah! This is not it. This is not my hometown. ‘I really need a proper homecoming.’
Just like that, it was Han Yi-bi who finally reached the doorway of the Cheongseong Sect.
Han Shu (漢琡), a third generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, who was a couple of years younger than Han Yi Fei, happened to be passing by there.
Of course, we were friends with whom we had never even spoken before.
He said with his eyes wide open.
“ah! “Jongli Sasuk!”
Ugh? Let’s go!
Surprisingly, Hansuk came closer and said.
“and! “I heard everything.”
“What did you say?”
“no way. ‘What are you saying?’ “Please speak low.”
Han Ibi said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve in an awkward atmosphere.
“Uh… that’s right. “But what did you hear?”
“Right now, rumors are spreading around Gangho. “I said I had a problem in the stream.”
“huh?”
“I mean the small dragon.”
“Ah… that.”
“Wow, that’s it. Isn’t it the dream of all the new powerhouses who are currently sweating hard to be named the Murim League’s Small Five Dragons? Plus… a blue dragon! “I heard you were nicknamed ‘King of Destruction’ because you destroyed everything that came your way, right?”
“That… That much…”
“Anyway, Jong-ri Sa-suk. Thanks for your efforts. I will quickly go and report to you, so please come slowly. “Did you know?”
“Uh… that’s right….”
‘These philistine bastards… do you mean to say that they cunningly change their attitude right away just because they have achieved some results?’
That’s what I thought…
but on the other hand, it was difficult for Han Ebi to hide her flattering feelings.
* * *
It was not only the three generations of disciples, including Han Sook, who were treated warmly.
Most of the elders welcomed Han Ibi.
But the highlight of all was the fact that the obnoxious elder ‘Lee Shin-song’ ran up to hug Han Ibi as soon as he saw her.
He attempted to please Han Ibi by using devious reverse flattery as if he would relieve her gallbladder.
That’s right, any powerful person would be watching the Murim Alliance’s every move.
Moreover, doesn’t the name of the Little Five Dragons have the effect of greatly raising the status of the affiliated sect?
Therefore, it was a great achievement for the Cheongseong faction to win the later index competition, which they participated in as a special participant.
Anyway, after going through these troublesome hurdles, Han Ibi finally got to meet Bok Yeon Hwa alone in the Jangmun room.
It’s been a very long time.
Han Ibi bowed politely.
“Master. I’m home.”
However, unlike the others, Bok Yeon-hwa simply nodded her head once.
“Did anything special happen?”
It’s a big deal… there were countless of them.
But I can’t say it all one by one…
“Yes. “I had a good time.”
Yeonhwa Bok said.
“Good work.”
Oooh… thank you for your hard work!
At this level, it can be said to be the highest compliment this cold-blooded old lady can receive.
In times like this, rather than accepting things too harshly, it is necessary to add some seasoning of humility.
“The help from the alumni who went with me was great. Oh. Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to say hello yet. “Everyone arrived safely, right?”
Bok Yeonhwa shook her head.
“Eun-ri and Nan-ju have come… but Jong Ri-hyuk has not returned yet.”
Han Ibi asked in surprise.
“yes? “Still?”
“okay. The message came through Eunri. “I have some things to look into on my way out.”
Han Ibi thought.
‘Hmm. I see At the very least, they are probably inquiring about the enemy of the Zhongli family.’
And at the nuclear power plant, several opportunities are gained through this powerful journey.
Looking back now, it wasn’t that great, but…
‘The skills that are coming out now aren’t that great compared to what I have. ‘Because Yeomsajimong was characterized by slow growth and development that did not fit the recent trends at all…’
Han Ibi said.
“Master, if you wish, I will go out again and look for Jong Li-hyuk.”
Then Bok Yeon-hwa shook her head and said.
“no. It will come when the time is right… you…”
“Yes.”
“There is something else to do.”
huh? Something else to do? I?
“What does that separate work mean?”
Yeonhwa Bok said.
“An official letter has been sent from the Murim Alliance.”
“An official document?”
“okay. The current Murim lord is Zhuge Yuxian of the Zhuge family. “You know that much, right?”
“aha! “I’ve already met him in person.”
“Good. There are six months left in the current Murim Lord’s term.”
(Continued in the next part)
