Chapter 43 – The Master Who Returned Old to Youth

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 43 – The Master Who Returned Old to Youth

A room of about ten pyeong attached to the Red Cat Merchant Guild's inner residence.

"Did you let it slip without them noticing?"

At Hui Bu-yong's question from her seat at the desk, No Gong in the opposite seat nodded.

"Yes, our worker passed along only minimal information without drawing attention."

"Good. What's the situation on their end? By now it should have reached that pig guild master's ears."

"There doesn't seem to be any particular movement yet. But won't they show a reaction soon? If Sect Master Cheol's prediction is accurate."

At that moment, there was a presence, and.

"Guild Master."

With a quiet voice, a shadow flickered beyond the lattice door.

"Oh, come in."

No sooner had Hui Bu-yong replied briefly than the owner of the shadow outside the door stepped into the room.

It was the new male employee who had first greeted Cheol Ryu-heun and Ye Woon-rang.

"I have a report. A local merchant who was watching the Azure Hound Merchant Guild's movements urgently informed us that just a moment ago, Young Guild Master Choe Yeon rode off somewhere on horseback."

Instantly, Hui Bu-yong's eyes took on a peculiar light.

"Indeed… It seems to be progressing as Sect Master Cheol predicted."

No Gong nodded again and responded.

"He said there would be some movement before the afternoon ended, and it seems he really went there. I have a feeling the rest will flow smoothly as well."

Hui Bu-yong nodded in return, then looked at the man standing with his back to the lattice door and praised him.

"You're quick with reports and everything – I like that, newbie."

"Ah, thank you!"

The moment the man brightened up at that.

Thump-

Hui Bu-yong took out a red money pouch and placed it on the desk.

"Take it."

The man tilted his head upon seeing it.

"Pardon?"

"You contributed to this contract's success in some part."

"Then that is…?"

"A kind of bonus."

"Oh… I-Is it alright for me to receive this?"

"Why, you don't want it?"

"N-No! Thank you! I'll work even harder from now on!"

The man quickly grabbed the pouch and put it in his clothes.

At that moment, the golden Maitreya Buddha in the form of the Cloth-Bag Monk placed on one side of the desk caught his gaze.

Sparkle sparkle.

A smile that made all worldly worries disappear.

Wow, what do I do! The Maitreya Buddha keeps smiling at me! What, are you telling me to take you? Huh? Is that it? If I work harder, will you come into my arms like this bonus?

"In your dreams, kid."

At Hui Bu-yong's short remark, the man flinched in surprise.

"Y-Yes?"

"You're not paying attention. What are you coveting? It's not smiling at you, you know?"

"Ah, I'm sorry! I couldn't help but be captivated by that smile…"

"That, that – later if someone richer than me sweet-talks you, you'll betray me anytime."

"Gasp! No! I, absolutely never!"

When the man, his face gone pale, waved both arms wildly, Hui Bu-yong let out a snicker.

"Relax, I'm joking. As you said, work hard from now on. Who knows? You might actually receive a reward like a golden Maitreya Buddha later."

"Yes, Guild Master! I'll devote this entire body to serving you!"

"Oh my, that won't do."

"Pardon?"

"Devoting your body is a bit racy, but I do like it – however, I already have a husband. Once that man kicks the bucket, I'll accept your heart then."

"Um, that's… that's not what I meant…"

While the man was flustered, No Gong shook his head repeatedly.

"Oh dear, Guild Master. Please be more delicate with your words…"

"What, my face is this pretty – do my words need to be pretty too?"

Hui Bu-yong made a show of prettily sweeping back her hair, then looked at the man and commanded.

"Now, off you go. I need to finish talking with Steward No."

"Ah, yes… Then I'll take my leave…"

The man came out with a blank face, closing the door behind him, and muttered internally.

Father, Mother, making a living is this hard.

Well, what can you do?

Just gotta adapt on my own.

'But how much is it?'

His pupils widened as he checked inside the money pouch.

Because it was a large enough sum that he wouldn't need to work for at least two months.

'As expected, the Guild Master…!'

Hui Bu-yong was famous for never discriminating against subordinates, and for clearly handling rewards and punishments according to merit and fault.

Wasn't the pouch in his hand proof of that?

Apart from the eccentric attitude that showed from time to time, he had heard well that she took care of her people like family.

'I'll bury my bones here!'

Clenching his fist tight, the man strode away.

Looking forward to the day when he would achieve great merit and receive an enormous reward like a golden Maitreya Buddha.

Meanwhile, Hui Bu-yong in the room rested her chin on her hand and recalled the words Cheol Ryu-heun had left behind.

-Dispose of the items I handed over as you see fit, and just bring our sect's share of silver quickly. And take this. I've written what you need to do from now on on this paper. Well, a good method to crush the Azure Hound Merchant Guild without effort, you could say. Anyway, just do as I say and both our sect and the Red Cat Merchant Guild's status will rise sharply.

'Cheol Ryu-heun… What an interesting person. His indifferent attitude somehow makes him more trustworthy.'

When she heard the news that White Gate Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon had died, she had considered White Peak Sword Sect's closure practically predetermined, but after actually meeting the new Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun, who came from being his direct disciple, her thinking had completely changed.

'If White Peak Sword Sect, possessing immense wealth, also acquires high-level martial power, they'll grow faster than any existing place. They already have a master from the previous generation who has achieved Rejuvenation in the sect…'

That's right – acquiring high-level martial power would only be a matter of time.

"What are you thinking about?"

No Gong's quiet voice broke Hui Bu-yong's reverie.

"Ah, I was just thinking briefly about White Peak Sword Sect's development potential."

"Once this matter concludes, won't we be able to clearly gauge that development potential?"

What No Gong referred to as 'this matter' meant the Meteoric Iron transport, which was one condition of the contract.

Cheol Ryu-heun had written this on that paper.

That if they followed Ye Woon-rang's guidance to a certain location, they could find hundreds of chunks of Meteoric Iron.

Hui Bu-yong spoke with a faint smile.

"The moment we secure large quantities of Meteoric Iron, the Azure Hound Merchant Guild can no longer be our competitor."

"Yes, if that happens, our guild will reach a position counted first in this entire Hunan region. The top tier of guilds that dominate the realm won't just be a vague dream either."

"That arrogant pig. He never imagined in his wildest dreams that someone he had mistreated before would appear as a mega-jackpot customer. Ah, how satisfying."

"Hahah, he has taught us the bad example of commercial practices."

"Right. You reap what you sow. By the way, where is that gentleman?"

"When I came, he seemed to be in contemplation in the garden over there."

"Really? I should go chat with him to build some rapport."

Hui Bu-yong and No Gong left the room together and passed through the corridor.

Shortly after, the back of Ye Woon-rang standing alone in the middle of the garden filled with various old trees came into their distant view.

At that very moment.

When Ye Woon-rang lightly rotated his right arm.

Snap-!

A thin branch of a tree in the direction of his right side fell to the ground.

Ye Woon-rang glanced at the direction of the sound and muttered internally.

'I thought from earlier it looked like it was going to fall, the way it was dangling…'

Just a moment ago, that branch had been accidentally broken by a Red Cat Merchant Guild worker who was passing by carrying a large load.

'Anyway, my shoulder is a bit stiff from carrying that heavy bundle all this time.'

Just as he was about to rotate his arm once more.

"My, Void Grasping Technique!"

A sharp exclamation burst out from over there.

It was Hui Bu-yong.

'Void Grasping Technique?'

Ye Woon-rang whipped his head around with a question.

Void Grasping Technique meant the supreme skill of taking objects using internal power without touching them.

Meanwhile, Hui Bu-yong and No Gong rushed over.

"Oh my, oh my, to perform Void Grasping Technique so casually…"

"I've only heard of it; this is my first time seeing it in person. Truly amazing."

When the two expressed such admiration, Ye Woon-rang was inwardly flustered.

Huh? N-No, that's not it?

He had just rotated his arm because his shoulder was a bit stiff?

Hui Bu-yong's expression was still excited.

"You can break a branch with just a wave of your hand regardless of distance. Indeed, Rejuvenation… Oops!"

Hui Bu-yong hastily shut her mouth and looked around.

'Darn, I need to watch my tongue.'

It was because of Cheol Ryu-heun's request not to carelessly reveal Ye Woon-rang's identity.

She understood that it was a kind of test to see how trustworthy the Red Cat Merchant Guild was.

If rumors related to Ye Woon-rang spread, they would be branded as a merchant organization that carelessly leaked customer secrets.

"Elder, there are many watching eyes, so I think you should refrain from using such elevated skills. For confidentiality. Thank you for showing me such a rare sight. Hoho."

Hearing Hui Bu-yong's words, Ye Woon-rang quietly nodded and thought.

'Mmm, it is a misunderstanding, but… it feels good?'

If he had to pretend to be a previous-generation martial world master who had achieved Rejuvenation anyway, he might as well just enjoy it.

I'm sorry, Patriarch Ancestor.

I'm embarrassed, Master.

But for the time being, I'll borrow the identity of the Dragon Martial Gate's Red Dragon Sword Brigade Captain.

Please don't blame me too much.

This is all Sect Master Cheol's fault.

* * *

The dining hall within White Peak Sword Sect.

Shortly after everyone had gathered and started dinner.

Clack!

Cheol Ryu-heun suddenly set down his chopsticks and spoke curtly.

"What is this?"

Then he stared directly at the duty group seated at a table over there.

"Don't make dumplings from now on."

In short, they tasted terrible.

On the other hand, the disciples were so hungry from the relentless training that they were busy gulping down dumplings regardless of whether they tasted good or bad.

Cheol Ryu-heun soon stood up from his seat and recalled what Ye Woon-rang had said.

-The dumplings he made at that time were absolutely superb. Honestly, it was the first time in my entire life I'd eaten such amazingly delicious dumplings.

Having left the dining hall, he crossed the courtyard bathed in moonlight.

'Hmm, I'm suddenly curious. What they taste like… His name was Neung Po, wasn't it? Should I bring him as a guest retainer and cook?'

* * *

The waves of Hong Lake glittering like salt under the moonlight.

Inside Neung Po's shop, where Ye Woon-rang once had a connection, a customer was seated eating dumplings.

A handsome face with clear, honest eyes – an impressive young man.

It was none other than Namgung Sang-rin, a direct bloodline of the Namgung Family.

"Haha, if you eat that fast, you'll get indigestion."

When Neung Po brought over a glass of water with those words, Namgung Sang-rin picked up the last remaining dumpling and spoke sheepishly.

"Ah, yes. The dumplings are so delicious that I couldn't help myself… They're definitely the best I've ever had."

"I'm glad they suit your taste."

"It suddenly reminded me of my mother. When I was young… She used to make dumplings like this often. Of course, the taste is different."

Namgung Sang-rin smiled bitterly, then cleaned his plate, drank the water, and placed money on the table.

"I really enjoyed it. I mean it. If I have the chance, I'll stop by again."

"Do come again. It's getting dark, so watch your step."

Having gathered his sword, Namgung Sang-rin bowed slightly in greeting, then hurried out of the shop.

A space that had grown quiet.

Neung Po sat at a table and gazed out the window briefly before waving his left hand.

Simultaneously.

Whoosh-

The plate and glass floated up as if led by invisible hands and slipped into the dishwashing basin over there.

Expert-level Void Grasping Technique.

Having tapped his side a few times, he let out a quiet voice while keeping his gaze outside the window.

"Feels a bit stiff – is it going to rain? Even though I look middle-aged thanks to Rejuvenation, I can't help showing my age in these ways. Heh."