“Haha, I didn’t expect so many guests at this late hour.”
“We apologize…”
“Hehe, it’s not a scolding. I’m just happy that you’re relying on me like this.”
Sacheon Governor Samayeom.
He was the epitome of a scholar type. Tall and skinny, with deep eyes and a neatly groomed beard.
Instead of scolding Hyeok Gi-rin for bringing uninvited guests at such a late hour, Samayeom’s expression was full of fondness.
Hyeok Gi-rin lived as a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction while dressed as a man, but that didn’t entirely sever their connection to the imperial family.
True, Hyeok Gi-rin had changed gender to seek refuge in the Jeomchang due to power struggles, but it was more about keeping distance to avoid causing trouble for each other rather than a desperate escape from the Martial World.
So while I thought that there would still be a connection between Hyeok Gi-rin and the governor, I had no idea it would be this close.
Samayeom looked at Hyeok Gi-rin with the eyes of someone admiring an incredibly cute nephew.
Hyeok Gi-rin was objectively cute after all. Even the Black Cat was head over heels for her. Yet even after barging in with an outcast in the middle of the night, Samayeom could still smile so warmly, which suggested they weren’t just casual acquaintances.
“I felt that the Martial World has been chaotic lately… It seems something serious has happened.”
It seemed Samayeom was also on high alert about what was happening in Sacheon City.
“Since it’s quite late, let’s head to our quarters first. I’ll prepare rooms for our guests. And for the outcasts as well.”
“Um… Thank you for your kindness.”
“I know well what the outcasts do, so there’s no need to worry.”
Samayeom smiled kindly, but the words held a certain coldness. From the perspective of a lord, the outcasts were disruptive individuals. Of course, as soon as they stirred trouble, the Righteous Faction would swiftly come out and handle things, so it wouldn’t be a big issue…
Ultimately, the governor wouldn’t see the Sacheon Outcasts in a positive light.
“Please excuse me for a moment with these guests and my… sibling.”
“Hmmm… How disappointing. After such a long time, you’re only going to handle business and leave?”
“T—that’s…”
“Just kidding. I’m sure you have reasons to leave now. Since I’ll be sending out invitations for the grand banquet tomorrow, should I deliver it to the Hwang Gold Clan you’re currently staying at?”
“…Thank you, Governor.”
“Please go back quickly. I’ll hear the stories at tomorrow’s banquet.”
In truth, Hyeok Gi-rin bringing us to Governor Samayeom’s residence was quite a bold move. As soon as he saw Hyeok Gi-rin leave with a smile on his face, Samayeom’s expression vanished.
“May I invite you all to breakfast with me tomorrow and share stories?”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“This is the residence of Sacheon Governor Samayeom. Even if you are the leader of the Nine Great Sects, you have no need to worry about crossing the threshold here. Let’s meet again tomorrow.”
* *
Honestly, I expected Samayeom to ask about the circumstances surrounding Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Hmm. I see. So you hired us because of that? What happens next?”
“What happens next is…”
But Samayeom wasn’t probing like that. He wanted to know where Hyeok Gi-rin had gone, what actions had been taken, and who he had met…
When it came to meeting bandits, he smiled contentedly at the part where Hyeok Gi-rin got close with the Black Cat, but when I mentioned getting praised by Hyeok Gi-rin, he looked as if he could kill someone. So I quickly blurted out how Hyeok Gi-rin had interacted with bandits and how I turned the atmosphere around at the inn, spitting out the details.
Clap. Clap. Clap!
“Indeed, indeed, wonderful!”
Hearing that the people at the inn were moved to tears by my sorcery performance and Hyeok Gi-rin’s heroic effort, Samayeom’s eyes welled up as he clapped.
When I mentioned I had visited various merchants to negotiate and retract the conditions imposed on the Jeomchang, he couldn’t help but grin.
“The Okryong Sinhyeop visited where? Wait… Bring me writing supplies! Do you not have more details? For instance, did you meet the head of a guild, or perhaps the guild leader’s deputy instead? We wouldn’t want to catch the wrong person… Ahem.”
Samayeom was very kind to Hyeok Gi-rin in many ways.
After hearing everything up until yesterday, Samayeom looked quite satisfied. It seemed he was mostly interested in what Hyeok Gi-rin had experienced since arriving in Sacheon, and I couldn’t help but ask.
“Is there not anything else you’re curious about?”
“Yes, I already know everything else.”
Samayeom frowned.
“I also know about their intent and goals. It’s just that, unfortunately, it’s purely circumstantial evidence.”
Taking a sip of tea, Samayeom continued.
“The government has to be rigid and inflexible. They must devise strategies applicable across the world, leading to measures that are solid yet coarse and viscous… While they may block large boulders and ferocious beasts, they find it hard to prevent mice and pests.”
“Especially speaking of that. There are some yellow-furred mice among the companions in this Sacheon.”
“Companions, you say?”
“The Gae Myung-bu and Seong Rak Ruju Yu Ji-gyeong.”
“…That makes sense.”
Indeed, the Gae Myung-bu has partnered with the Hwang Geum-seon. And it seemed that the one spreading rumors and stirring trouble in the night was none other than Seong Rak Ruju Yu Ji-gyeong.
This Yu Ji-gyeong was the owner of one of the three great Daoist sects in Sacheon and deeply involved in money lending, theft… and other illegal activities. He fit perfectly into this shady business. He was someone I could have expected.
“I suspect all three of them have a grudge against Miss Yeo Il-ye.”
However, the following words from Samayeom left me utterly stunned.
“They all laid the foundations for their current success with an incomprehensible fortune 15 years ago.”
…It seemed there wasn’t just one nemesis of Miss Yeo Il-ye lurking in Sacheon.
There were three.
* *
“Ugh! Those damned bastards!”
Hyeok Gi-rin exploded with rage as soon as she returned.
Though it was supposed to be in the banquet hall, the atmosphere was anything but festive. Hyeok Gi-rin was furious to the point of boiling over, while Samayeom looked at Hyeok Gi-rin, as if finding her adorable. The Black Cat seemed startled by Hyeok Gi-rin’s agitated state. And Miss Yeo Il-ye was lifeless, having lost her vigor after forcibly using the Gratitude Plaque.
I wasn’t in great shape either.
The news that Samayeom relayed during breakfast was shocking indeed. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.
“What do you mean I should take a cautious approach! Those damned bastards! The Jeomchang is trying to butt in and interfering!”
“Hahaha, Great Hero. Don’t get too worked up.”
What on earth does Samayeom want? Watching Hyeok Gi-rin get angry seemed to be his idea of fun, as he casually sipped wine. Did he just love to see Hyeok Gi-rin?
It felt like a grandfather listening to a grandchild earnestly explain an argument they had with a friend in kindergarten, chuckling just because the grandchild’s animated storytelling was so cute.
It was frustrating to be in this Martial World, not knowing a thing about the character sheets. I just wanted to understand what they were thinking.
Aside from that, Hyeok Gi-rin was unleashing a torrent of complaints with no positive note in sight.
The Hwangbo Clan and three sects were apparently forming a cozy alliance. It seemed that factions like the Daoist Sect and the Righteous Faction were hesitant to establish their presence right in the center of the Capital. Taoists and Monks living in the city didn’t seem to have a great vibe.
It seemed the Hwangbo Clan had decided to settle in Sacheon, and they had reached a preliminary conclusion regarding how to distribute the profits from it. The specifics would be adjusted between the Hwangbo Clan and the three sects.
And it appeared they had agreed to launch an offensive against bandits at the request of the Hwang Geum-seon.
That part is exactly what has currently exacerbated Hyeok Gi-rin’s rage.
“Even if they are Righteous Sects, they can form alliances within the Martial World! But knowing full well that the people of Sacheon are suffering, how can they seek their own profit? What difference does that make from the Outcast faction!”
Perhaps I was expecting them to prioritize discussions over profit when the senior members of each faction gathered.
Certainly, the actions of the Hwangbo Clan and the Nine Great Sects were unbecoming of their reputations.
Especially since Hyeok Gi-rin, having grown up in the Jeomchang, likely thought that the Nine Great Sects represented true compassion among true heroes.
Yet the stage set by Hwang Geum-seon was so immense that it would rip the masks off those so-called heroes.
Hyeok Gi-rin’s anger seemed to flare as she snatched the wine jug in front of Samayeom and downed it in one go.
“Haha, Great Hero, I thought you’d enjoy the wine!”
“What do you think I am! I’ve long surpassed my youthful years! Hmph! If I don’t drink today, when will I?”
With those words, Hyeok Gi-rin lunged up, filled the glasses of Black Cat, me, and Miss Yeo Il-ye, and raised her own.
“Cheers!”
“E… um…”
The Black Cat looked disconcerted, while Miss Yeo Il-ye lifted her glass weakly, as if it didn’t matter. Samayeom was chuckling in encouragement.
“Haha, it’s too weak an alcohol for a Martial Expert like you. After ten cups, I’ll bring you something strong enough to get anyone drunk.”
Even amidst the chaos in my head, I think I understood Samayeom’s reasoning. He was merely prodding the situation to see various sides of Hyeok Gi-rin’s character. It was like a fan collecting all kinds of skins, including a character’s bikini or Santa skin.
He wanted to see Hyeok Gi-rin angry and also see her merry.
This led me to think that he would willingly turn a blind eye to the current chaos just to watch an exhausted Hyeok Gi-rin.
I raised my guard against Samayeom, but regardless, it was Hyeok Gi-rin who was in full throttle.
“Puhaha! Drink! If you get caught while circulating Qi, it’s three more cups!”
The higher one’s level, the less affected they are by alcohol. Even unwittingly, part of their Qi is always activated. If you scientifically analyze the phenomenon of getting drunk, it’s a state where alcohol the liver can’t detoxify travels through the bloodstream.
Advanced practitioners strengthen their liver function intentionally, allowing them to clear alcohol rapidly, while Peak Stage practitioners can expel drunkenness through perspiration, and at the Peak Stage they can dispel the effect altogether.
Of course, this only applies when they remain sober before getting drunk. Once absolutely drunk and losing their judgment, it doesn’t matter if they are at Peak Stage or not.
“Sister! You got caught! Three cups!”
“Ah…”
The Black Cat, who was secretly circulating Qi to clear her intoxication, got caught by Hyeok Gi-rin and ended up downing three cups in succession, her body beginning to sway.
“Hohe~ Drink~ Nine Great Sects~ Bad little guys~!”
From that point on, the atmosphere spiraled out of control… Samayeom and I, trained in drinking skills, managed to hold ourselves, but Hyeok Gi-rin and the Black Cat ended up completely drunk. Miss Yeo Il-ye simply drank whatever was given to her without batting an eye.
It seemed her innate tolerance surpassed normal standards.
“You can drink quite well.”
“…I think it’s surprising how much the governor can drink.”
“Haha, as you rise to higher positions, the only thing that increases is your alcohol tolerance. If you can’t drink in the world of politics, you’ll end up dead.”
It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious.
Hyeok Gi-rin became almost incapacitated, while the Black Cat, now quite drunk, was playing with the cheeks of an utterly wasted Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Soft~ Look how soft it is, it’s growing!”
“Ow~”
“Ugh~ So cute, like a cat! How can a person be this cute?!”
Samayeom watched with a beaming smile as the Black Cat hugged Hyeok Gi-rin and pinched her cheeks.
“Hoho, it seems that our lady understands that the Great Hero of Okryong Sinhyeop is dressed as a man, doesn’t she?”
With those words from Samayeom, my drowsiness suddenly lifted.
“Ah, there’s no need to be so tense. Over time, one might notice the Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin’s disguise. Anyway, since she’s an outcast, I believe your secrets are well-kept.”
“…Of course.”
“The Great Hero is too harsh on herself. Sometimes, one needs to loosen the tension a bit. Shall we clean up and have another drink? Now then, let’s tend to that lady over there. Miss Yeo Il-ye, may I ask for your assistance?”
“Yawn… Senior, could you help me? I need to recover my Qi for a bit~”
As I offered my arm to the half-limping Black Cat, Miss Yeo Il-ye scooped up the unconscious Hyeok Gi-rin. It was somewhat awkward with the Black Cat practically hanging on me. But seeing the somber expression on Miss Yeo Il-ye, such thoughts vanished.
“Recover before you come back.”
“Yes~”
It seemed that Samayeom didn’t think he could handle it alone. The Black Cat was at the Peak Stage, and merely taking a short moment to recover could clear most of her intoxication.
After ensuring that the Black Cat was wiggling on the bed, I closed the door.
“Honorable Person.”
Then Miss Yeo Il-ye called out to me.
“Please tell me if something is happening with the Jeomchang Faction.”
Hyeok Gi-rin had said nothing about the current situation impacting the Jeomchang. I hesitated for a moment. Should I share the information Hyeok Gi-rin hadn’t disclosed with Miss Yeo Il-ye?
“Honorable Person, I beg you.”
“…Let’s move to a different spot.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye and I relocated to a small pavilion in front of the lodging. After all, I couldn’t keep it hidden any longer.
The Sacheon Merchant Association had decided to establish a branch of the Nine Great Sects within Sacheon, and the Jeomchang was to guarantee that Miss Yeo Il-ye’s requests would be fulfilled as a condition for participating in that competition.
Tears streamed down Miss Yeo Il-ye’s cheeks.
“…I have become a burden even to my own sect, haven’t I?”
“Miss.”
“The quest for vengeance for my mountain lodge family has gone so wrong. Why must the heavens give me trials like this?”
With her head down, she merely shed tears. I couldn’t gauge those feelings, so I could only remain silent.
“…I wish to be alone.”
“Miss.”
“Please go. I want to see the moon.”
With Miss Yeo Il-ye’s dismissal, I could only let out a sigh and head back to the banquet hall.
