Chapter 270: Receiving Guests (2)
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“Has Army Commander Yeon arrived?”
Yeon Ho-jeong took a cupped-fist salute.
“I greet the Strategist.”
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled bitterly.
“Heaven and earth were vibrating. I wondered if there was a group training, but it seems that wasn’t it.”
Due to the position of Strategist, his brain abilities were highlighted, but Zhuge Wen-hu was also the clan head of the Six Great Clans. The senses he possessed were very sharp, befitting an absolute peak master.
“But what brings you here?”
“Heo-heo, sit down first.”
“Yes.”
A moment later, two cups of tea were placed on the table.
“I have something to talk about alone with Army Commander Yeon. Ah-yeon, please excuse us for a moment.”
Zhuge Ah-yeon stuck her lips out sullenly.
“I am also the military strategist of the Evil-Annihilating Army.”
“Ah-yeon-ah.”
“Tch, understood.”
As Zhuge Ah-yeon left, Yeon Ho-jeong smacked his lips.
“Is it because of the matter regarding the Three Cults of Fanaticism?”
“Let’s talk about that matter later. It is an extremely serious matter, but at least it doesn’t seem like they will invade the Central Plains right away.”
“That is true.”
“The reason I came to find you today is because of this.”
Zhuge Wen-hu took out a letter from his embrace and handed it over.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who read the first line of the letter, frowned.
“Divine Maiden of the Western Regions?”
“That’s right.”
“What is this? This randomly given nickname?”
Zhuge Wen-hu unwittingly burst into laughter.
“I’ve never thought about it, but it certainly seems like it was given randomly as you said.”
“That’s what I mean.”
“The Divine Maiden of the Western Regions is exactly as her nickname says, a person from the Western Regions. The reason the name Divine Maiden is attached, you will know if you read the letter further.”
A moment later.
“Ho-oh.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled. It was a smile laced with admiration.
“A righteous person who provides medical skills that have reached the divine realm for free to poor patients…… that’s amazing?”
“Isn’t it? Although she is a person from the Western Regions, thanks to her spirit of service and good nature, no one ignores her. No, rather, if anything, they respect her.”
“There’s nothing as stupid as ignoring someone because their skin color is different.”
“Heo-heo, you are right. Actually, aside from such things, I heard she is an owner of tremendous beauty. Did they say that’s one of the reasons why people can’t easily ignore her even if they want to?”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Ho-jeong put down the letter.
“But what brings this amazing woman to the Murim Alliance?”
Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
“Rather than what brings her, we’ve sent people several times to invite her since the Murim Alliance was established. However, the Divine Maiden continuously refused, saying she has many patients to take care of.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
Hearing stories of honest and good-natured people naturally makes one feel good. He liked the appearance of a person doing things he couldn’t do without caring about others’ opinions, not clinging to money and fame.
“We couldn’t forcibly bring someone who says she can’t come because of patients, could we. So we kept waiting, but a while ago, she said she would accept the Alliance’s invitation.”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“But what is the reason you went out of your way to invite this person? Of course, since she is a rare good person, it is not strange to host her once, but listening to your words, it seems there is a separate purpose.”
“Heo-heo, as expected, you are sharp.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes became serious.
“I plan to create a medical institution in the Murim Alliance.”
“You are creating a medical room affiliated with the Murim Alliance?”
“It’s a bit much to express it as a medical room. Because it’s a broader concept than that. But well, that isn’t a wrong statement either.”
“Hmm.”
“The world is rough. Conflicts and fights happen frequently. And the Murim Alliance is at the center of that world. Countless martial artists affiliated with the Murim Alliance will be injured in the future, we can’t just keep putting out wanted posters for physicians forever, can we?”
“But doesn’t the Murim Alliance already have a similar group?”
“Of course there is. They are all physicians with decent skills. But they are merely contractors. When the contract ends, we are in a situation where we have to extend it or recruit other physicians.”
“So you mean to completely create an institution affiliated with the Murim Alliance.”
“That’s right. This part at least was unanimously agreed upon by all the Honored Guests.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“Blacksmiths and physicians are the closest friends of martial artists. But creating a medical room affiliated with the Murim Alliance separately…… this is a bit strange.”
“Why? Is there something bothering you?”
“Rather than bothering, it seems the intention of not disbanding the Murim Alliance in the future is underlying the plan to even create an affiliated medical room.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m getting tired of admiring you even more. To dig that far at once, your discerning eye is truly surprising.”
“You can keep praising me. I’ve gotten used to it now, so I feel good.”
“Tsk, this person.”
“Keul-keul.”
“There were many Honored Guests who expressed concerns about that part. I was also one of them.”
“Indeed, for now, reducing immediate damage is important.”
“You saw it well.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s face became serious.
“The existence of the Three Cults of Fanaticism. No one knows how great their power is. If so, before thinking about the future of the Murim Alliance, I think there is nothing bad about possessing as many highly skilled physicians as possible.”
“Hmm, you are right.”
Yeon Ho-jeong scratched his head.
“Anyway, Divine Maiden of the Western Regions…… is she a very famous person? I’ve never heard of her.”
“Those who know all know. Of course, people who are not interested in that area don’t know. Indeed, considering her skills and nature, there is a feeling she is excessively buried.”
“Pardon?”
Zhuge Wen-hu sighed.
“Don’t factions naturally exist everywhere? To those who succeed the medical veins of the Central Plains, it seems her existence was an eyesore.”
“Heol.”
“I heard the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions’ medical skills combined the medical skills of the Western Regions and the Central Plains, and are superior to any famous physicians of the Central Plains. Therefore, those who succeed the medical veins of the Central Plains slandered her medical skills as an unorthodox path, that’s what I’m saying.”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“Those who take fixing people’s bodies as their profession pour their energy into quite useless places.”
“Tell me about it. In any case, the fact that her fame failed to shake the world is largely the fault of the physicians of the Central Plains.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Either way, the Murim Alliance side wouldn’t have been able to ignore the opinions of the local physicians, but you miraculously thought of inviting the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions.”
“To us, what’s important is not tradition or money, but skill and nature. Furthermore, the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions is young. We saw her as perfect to grow together with various people.”
“It’s a good idea.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes shone.
“So, what is the work I have to do?”
“Aren’t you already guessing it?”
“Is it an escort?”
“That’s right.”
Zhuge Wen-hu sighed.
“As I said, the Divine Maiden of the Western Regions has many enemies. At the same time, there are many who aim for her. So far, no one has stepped forward, but if a rumor spreads that she is coming to the Murim Alliance, I am afraid the Black Dragon Manor or other organizations might attack or kidnap her.”
“Then isn’t it better to send those specialized in covert operations? You can secretly escort her here, right?”
“Afraid of what?”
“Pardon?”
Zhuge Wen-hu smiled.
“What is the Murim Alliance of the world afraid of to move covertly? When we can just send capable people to bring her here proudly and confidently?”
“Where did this sudden confidence come from?”
“Heo-heo, this is the thought of the majority of the Honored Guests. Well, that isn’t wrong either. There are times to move carefully, but there are also times when one must step forward boldly even at the risk of various disturbances.”
Yeon Ho-jeong snickered.
“Do you want to show the power of the Murim Alliance through me?”
“It’s one of the various reasons.”
“I am not that strong.”
“That was the most awful joke I’ve heard this year. Furthermore, what we desire from you is not only ability.”
“Then?”
“Fame.”
“Hmm.”
“Along with the Heaven and Earth Tiger General Murong Yu, the name value of the Tiger General of Green Mountain, who has reached the pinnacle of the rising stars of the current generation, is not that easy. That fame is already spreading throughout the entire Central Plains.”
“That’s even more annoying. I think there will be many bastards who will charge at me to check my skills once.”
“Smash them all and come back.”
“Do not speak so easily as if it’s someone else’s business.”
“You can just think of it as part of your ascetic practice, right?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.
“Is the entire Evil-Annihilating Army moving?”
“You take care of that yourself. Whether you take only a small number of personnel or lead the entire army.”
“What about departure?”
“I want you to depart within five days.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Ho-jeong got up from his seat.
“How is Murong Jun these days?”
Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
“He is quiet. He is definitely keeping his head down due to the previous incident.”
“I see.”
“Just as you said, we are keeping a close watch on his every move. If we discover any suspicious movement, I will tell you immediately.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was turning his body, flinched at a sudden thought.
“Strategist.”
“Um? Why? Do you have more to say?”
“About this mission. Does it necessarily have to be the Evil-Annihilating Army?”
Doubt arose on Zhuge Wen-hu’s face.
“Does it not have to be the Evil-Annihilating Army? Why? Do you want to do it with someone else?”
“That’s right.”
“With who?”
Yeon Ho-jeong opened his mouth with a smile.
Listening to his words, Zhuge Wen-hu’s face stiffened.
“Will it be alright?”
“You said name value is important.”
“Of course that’s true, but…… must you?”
“There are things I need to look into as well, so if there are no special matters, I’d like to do it together. Will it be alright?”
“…….”
“Well, if it really can’t be done, it can’t be helped.”
Zhuge Wen-hu snickered.
“I will believe that you have your own thoughts.”
“Thank you.”
“Please work hard this time too. My my, it hasn’t even been long since that difficult mission ended, but I am sorry to pass off such work to you again.”
“Do not speak like that. I am going by my own will, not because the Strategist ordered me to.”
“Heo-heo, understood. You must be busy, so you may go now.”
“But Strategist.”
“Um?”
“Come to think of it, this is the headquarters of the Evil-Annihilating Army, so why am I leaving?”
“……Keo-heok!”
“Please leave safely.”
“S-sorry.”
Zhuge Wen-hu rushed out hurriedly, as if he was embarrassed.
Yeon Ho-jeong grinned.
“Seeing that gentleman once in a while, he is quite a cute person.”
* * *
“Hmm.”
“Heok-heok!”
Yeon Wi stroked his chin and looked down at Gang-ryang.
“Your basics are certainly outstanding. Just with that sturdy foundation alone, any ordinary master wouldn’t even be your opponent.”
“Kol-lok-kol-lok! Heok-heok!”
“However, you are too honest. Honesty is a good virtue, but an excessively honest attack will inevitably provide a clue for a counterattack.”
Seu-reu-reung.
Yeon Wi, who sheathed his sword, raised Gang-ryang up.
“Heok! I-I can stand up!”
“You are not honest at times like this either. If we exchanged one more move, you would have fainted.”
He barely managed to stand up with support, but no strength went into his legs. Gang-ryang blushed in embarrassment.
“I have no face, Clan Head.”
“Heo-heo, do not speak like that. It is more amazing that you held on with your teeth clenched until now.”
Yeon Wi sat Gang-ryang down on a wooden bench.
“Hmm, it seems there is no need to separately supplement the physical stamina part, and the martial arts of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect are also all without exception ultimate techniques. I could pull your martial arts up further, but in the current situation, there is no need to go out of my way to…….”
Yeon Wi, who was tilting his head, suddenly felt a presence.
He smiled.
“I thought of a good idea.”
“Heok-heok! Pardon?”
A moment later, Yeon Ho-jeong entered the Army-Destroying Pavilion.
“Father.”
“Have you come?”
“Yes.”
“I was just about to ask you for a favor.”
“What kind?”
Yeon Wi pointed at Gang-ryang with his chin.
“I think I will need your help.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Gang-ryang. Anxiety spread across Gang-ryang’s face.
On the other hand, a fishy smile spread across Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
He caught on immediately. He instantly saw through what his father wanted.
“Ho-oh, it seems I can get a taste of my hands before departing?”