Chapter 36
After receiving repeated thanks from the Haomun Leader, I was about to head downstairs when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
I subtly looked down to see who it was...
“Haomun Leader-nim—!”
“Elder Brother!”
...It was Munseok and Youngest.
As soon as our eyes met, Munseok rushed to the Haomun Leader, and Youngest rushed to me.
“Haomun Leader-nim! Are you alright—?”
“Elder Brother! Are you safe?”
His face full of worry, I patted Youngest’s head and said,
“I took care of the Leader Arrow-poison Frog over here. How about your side?”
Munseok, who had been checking the Haomun Leader’s condition, answered my question.
“There were several sacrifices, but thanks to you dealing with the Poison Flame Pavilion Lord, we were able to subdue them much more easily. But did you really take care of that Grand Elder...?”
Munseok’s face showed utter disbelief. And indeed, it was understandable.
It was only because it was me. If it had been anyone else, no matter how much of an Absolute Master, it wouldn’t have been easy to kill that Grand Elder.
Even if they had managed to kill him with great difficulty, there wouldn't have been a single intact part of their bodies.
So, for me to come out looking perfectly fine after dealing with him certainly wouldn't inspire confidence.
But...
“I finished it cleanly.”
“...”
Even if I wasn't trustworthy, the Haomun Leader’s words apparently were, because as she spoke, Munseok’s expression began to crumble.
“...Haomun Leader-nim. Do you mean...”
“I’ve severed all the ill-fated ties with him.”
“Ahhh...”
*Thud—*.
Not just his expression, but his body too, seemed to collapse. Munseok finally sank to the floor right there. Tears streamed down his face.
“Congratu... lations, Haomun Leader-nim. Finally... finally...”
Munseok sobbed and caressed the Haomun Leader’s instep.
Munseok Ajae had apparently received a great favor from the Haomun Leader, suggesting their relationship was deep. To see him make such an expression for someone else was noteworthy.
“You’ve suffered a lot, Sichuan Branch Leader.”
The Haomun Leader patted the Sichuan Branch Leader’s shoulder and smiled faintly. Then she looked up at me...
...I believe there’s much to discuss with the Great Hero. For now, please rest and we’ll talk a little later.”
“Hmm?”
...The Haomun Leader was looking at me with an even more tender gaze than Munseok’s.
**
“Youngest, are you really okay?”
“Yes, I dodged all the daggers and hidden weapons they threw, so I’m fine.”
After fighting those who use poison, it’s important to check one’s physical condition. It would be disastrous if poison were to seep into any wounds.
With the Haomun Leader’s consideration, we moved to our original Guest Room and checked in.
I had already cut through the Poisonous Qi, so I had no problems, and Youngest also had no problems.
“...He’s fine.”
“I told you so, hehe.”
...Indeed, there were no signs or traces of poison. There were some shallow cuts and scrapes here and there, but it seemed no poison had touched him.
Relieved that Youngest was safe, I flopped down onto the bed.
“Oh my... I’m exhausted... so exhausted...”
“Were you very tired?”
“Of course I was tired. It wasn’t just anyone, but the Tang Family’s Grand Elder I was facing...”
He was a particularly difficult opponent to deal with, too...
However, it wasn’t as if there were no gains.
*Swish—*.
I pulled out the Haomun Leader’s Ring and the paper with the seal that I had quickly taken earlier.
“Elder Brother... that...”
“Hmm... what should I call this...”
A tempting fruit I can’t eat?
The item the Haomun Leader gave me clearly held immeasurable value.
If I were to show this to those with some standing in Haomun, they would give me their livers and gallbladders.
If I demanded all the money and land deeds they managed, they would hand those over too.
But...
“...If I try to eat this, I’ll definitely get indigestion.”
...The value of this was too great for a mere Bandit Leader to possess.
This was a genie’s magic lamp that could be used infinitely, and I could control Haomun through it.
However...
*“The problem is the trace it would leave...”*
The *jianghu* is a place where eyes and ears are open everywhere. If I were to control Haomun, information about me, the mastermind behind Haomun, would eventually leak out somewhere.
There’s nothing worse than that for me, who don’t want the world to know about me.
“Hoo...”
What is this... even if it’s precious, if I’m reluctant to use it, it’s no different from chicken ribs...
“For now, I”ll keep it as insurance and use it in an emergency...’
Thinking so, I carefully tucked it into my bosom.
Just then... *Knock, knock*.
“Sorry to disturb your rest. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
...Munseok Ajae knocked on our door and carefully opened it.
He bowed deeply, showing respect as if I were a Benefactor. It seemed that helping the Haomun Leader had truly impacted him greatly.
Of course, even while showing such respect, he didn’t use formal speech with me. Having spent years together, I was also more comfortable with informal speech.
“The Haomun Leader is looking for you. Would you be available?”
“Ah, good. I had something to say anyway.”
The only person who saw me deal with the Sichuan Tang Family’s Grand Elder was the Haomun Leader. She was also the only one who saw me use that Martial Art...
I intended to ask her to keep quiet once more. I was planning to go see her again, but since she called for me first, I immediately got up.
So, I told Youngest to wait for a moment and followed Munseok. The Haomun Leader’s room was on the top floor of Cheongwolru, so we had to climb many stairs. There was a brief moment during that time.
Taking advantage of that brief moment, Munseok spoke to me.
“I’ve said it countless times already, but I want to thank you once more.”
“...”
“I feel like the luckiest moment of my life was when I met you on the street several years ago.”
At his words, I recalled the moment I met Munseok Ajae. He had shown me a small kindness then.
That was when I was at my weakest, so perhaps Munseok Ajae’s small act of compassion has remained unforgettable to this day.
“It’s all karma, I guess.”
“Karma?”
“It’s because you’re not a bad person that you met me and these things happened. Our meeting wasn’t just a coincidence.”
“...You’re speaking quite like a Buddhist.”
“I used to believe in Buddha a bit, back then.”
That is, in my past life, I used to go to temples on weekends with my parents and even did Templestays.
*Tap*.
...?
Just as we reached the Haomun Leader’s room, Munseok, instead of opening the door, turned around and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I knew you were a good person all along.”
“What nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden, Munseok Ajae? You’re too high today.”
Munseok Ajae had been trying to create a warm atmosphere earlier, so I threw a joke, but Munseok Ajae steadfastly continued.
“However, I think it’s a separate matter from now on.”
“...What are you talking about suddenly?”
“The Haomun Leader has suffered much throughout her life... Please make her happy.”
“...What?”
Make the Haomun Leader happy...? Why are you telling me that...?
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
“W-wait a minute, Ajae! What do you mean, suddenly?!”
I tried to ask Munseok why he was acting so strangely, but he avoided answering and immediately went downstairs.
I watched Munseok’s retreating back, feeling uneasy, and had no choice but to open the Haomun Leader’s door.
*Creak—*.
“You’ve arrived.”
As soon as I opened the door, I heard the Haomun Leader’s welcoming voice. And...
“...”
...I also realized that the atmosphere was somehow different from before.
**
For the past week, I had been frequenting the Haomun Leader’s room to play the *geomungo*. So, her room was quite familiar to me.
But today, something was different.
The first thing that caught my eye was the liquor table. While it didn’t seem to have too many dishes, anyone could tell the appetizers were high-class, and the scent of Drunken Immortal Wine wafted from the bottle.
Alright, that much was fine. After finishing a big task, toasting and having a drink were something I also enjoyed.
But...
*“Damn it, why did she set that up?”*
...In front of me was a fluttering white veil.
Behind that opaque screen, I could see the silhouette of the Haomun Leader, but her figure wasn’t clear.
No, this wasn’t like suddenly becoming shy or anything...
As I sat down at the liquor table, feeling uneasy, the Haomun Leader spoke.
“I trust you’ve kept what I gave you safe.”
“Ah, of course.”
She was clearly referring to her ring and the paper with her seal. They were safely in my bosom now.
“Surely she”s not trying to take them back after giving them...?’
The atmosphere didn’t suggest that, so I decided to wait for her to speak.
“As you know, Haomun is a decentralized organization, a federation of numerous individual groups. However, you could become the great hand that controls Haomun with those items.”
“Yes, I know these are overly valuable. But to take back something you’ve already given...”
“No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”
*Swish—*.
Saying so, Dang Wolhwa stepped out from behind the veil, revealing herself gradually, one step at a time.
“...”
Seeing her, I was speechless for a moment.
That was because... she was wearing clothes even thinner than that opaque veil.
Each step she took made the thin fabric flutter, and it made my head spin.
“I don’t think I can repay your kindness with just my ring and seal. You have, after all, given me a new life.”
“Uh, uhm... you mean...”
With a trembling heart, I carefully raised my head to observe her expression.
*Rustle—*.
Even she, who always wore a composed expression, was blushing like a beet, seemingly embarrassed by the situation. My heart felt even more fluttery for someone who seemed so suited for such things to show such a novice-like demeanor.
She hesitated for a moment, moving her lips, then spoke to me with a determined expression.
“Since you have given me a new life, from now on, my life is solely yours, Great Hero. So I will give you everything. My body... my heart... my first night... my chastity...”
“...”
“Even the depths of my soul, if you wish.”