Chapter 133: Myojinmun (7)

In Suzhou, Anhui Province.

They finally arrived at this place where the vast lake, which could be mistaken for the sea, was visible from everywhere.

The massive walls, comparable to those of Muhan City, were dazzlingly splendid, and the number of people coming and going seemed more than a swarm of ants.

What drew the most attention were the endless willow trees along the lake’s edge and the flower boats floating on the sunlit water.

“I’ve heard Suzhou is beautiful.”

Now I see why they call it Suzhou.

Looking at the islands dotting the lake, it felt like a paradise on earth.

“I pride myself on being quite good at poetry, but if I were to describe Suzhou in a poem, no words come to mind.”

Jegal Tan, the scholar, seemed to be contemplating poetic inspiration instead of reacting with a simple “Wow.”

On the other hand, Namgung Yun-ho seemed unimpressed.

“Doesn’t this sight amaze you?”

Is your heart dry? he asked.

“Anhui Province is my hometown.”

“Oh, right. The Namgung Clan.”

“Though the main family is in Huangshan, I often visited Suzhou.”

It’s like how outsiders are amazed by the sea, but those from seaside villages are indifferent.

“Meanwhile, the other two…”

They were preoccupied with something else despite the overwhelming scenery.

Baek Ri Seol, her usual aloof expression gone, was fidgeting.

“So-hye, what if the cats don’t like me?”

“It’s okay. The cats at Myojinmun are friendly. It’ll be fine.”

“You never know. Cats are unpredictable.”

Usually a glamorous beauty, Baek Ri Seol was unusually anxious today.

When asked why, she said she had a peculiar trait that made feline creatures wary of her.

It felt oddly relatable.

“I used to be like that too.”

“You too, Instructor? They say couples grow alike.”

“For some reason, every time I went to the mountains, tigers tried to bite me.”

“…That’s a bit different.”

Mo Yong So-hye immediately retorted, while Baek Ri Seol pointed out something else.

“Instructor, is there a way to make cats like me?”

There’s no convenient method for that.

“There must be! Just like there are ways to survive in the wild and make fire with wood, there must be a way to make cats like you!”

That’s true.

‘But I don’t know any.’

No matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t come up with a good method.

“Sister, it’s impossible. He can’t even make people love him, let alone cats!”

Your words are getting harsher.

Namgung Yun-ho, deep in thought, came up with an idea.

“How about bringing something cats like?”

Something cats like.

“Tan, do you know anything?”

“Hmm. Cats. I don’t usually like animals.”

“They’re inefficient creatures, except for being cute.”

“I see…”

Seeing Namgung Yun-ho looking dejected, Jegal Tan continued.

“First, cats like boxes.”

“Boxes?”

“They like to squeeze into small spaces and enjoy relaxing there.”

Jegal Tan called it ‘cats baking bricks.’

“Next is feather toys. If you dangle a feather on a string, they’ll come running.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Then there are sprouts of wheat or oats. If you give them a pot with new shoots, they’ll chew and enjoy it.”

“Really?”

“And their favorite is catnip. If you put catnip powder in a sachet and carry it around…”

Jegal Tan, losing his usual composure, excitedly explained.

Seeing his strange reaction, Cho Un-hwi interrupted.

“Hey, Jegal.”

Realizing his behavior, Jegal Tan quickly composed himself.

“Yes, Instructor.”

“Hand it over.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“The catnip sachet.”

“Instructor, I don’t like inefficient pets.”

*Thud!*

Jegal Tan, his head turned, pulled out a fully packed sachet from his pocket.

“Sister, it even has cat embroidery on it.”

“When did he prepare this?”

“…”

Jegal Tan remained silent.

But Cho Un-hwi wasn’t satisfied and gestured again.

“…Here it is.”

He also pulled out a feather toy and cat jerky from his pocket.

For someone who claimed not to like inefficient creatures, he was overly prepared.

“…”

“…”

“There’s really nothing else.”

As Cho Un-hwi raised his fist, Jegal Tan sighed and pulled out four palm-sized sachets from his bag.

“Oh my. They’re for us.”

“At least he had some sense of camaraderie.”

He probably planned to keep the best one for himself.

He even had a booklet.

“A Hundred Cats?”

“It’s an illustrated book published by Myojinmun.”

It was even a limited edition.

After rummaging through his bag for a while, Jegal Tan showed his empty hands.

“That’s everything.”

“Okay, I believe you.”

If I pushed further, he might jump into the lake out of shame.

“Shall we go?”

After a small commotion, the group confidently headed towards the city gate.

***

Walking through the crowded streets of Suzhou, jostling shoulders with countless people, and asking noisy market vendors for directions, they finally arrived at Myojinmun, located on the outskirts of the northern gate.

But what they saw was.

A long line stretching down the main road.

“Wow!”

A massive cheer shook the ground.

The situation at the destination was unusual.

***

Unable to wait in the endless line stretching into other alleys, they pushed through the crowd, drawing sharp glares.

“Sister, everyone’s eyes are fierce.”

“We’re not cutting in line!”

Despite their protests, the glares didn’t soften.

Just when they were in a difficult situation, a savior appeared.

“Haha. Are you from Shinmu Academy?”

A middle-aged man with a friendly face.

He looked to be in his late thirties.

He had a sturdy build, a manly face with strong features, and round cheeks that appeared when he smiled.

“And you are?”

The man politely cupped his hands and said.

“I am Myo Gwang, the thirteenth head of Myojinmun.”

***

A private meeting with Myo Gwang took nearly two hours to arrange.

“Haha. I apologize. According to our sect’s rules, we must keep our doors open until 7 PM.”

When asked why, the answer was, “It’s business hours.”

‘A martial arts sect with business hours?’

It seemed a bit odd.

“Of course, the cats need to rest too.”

“Imagine how much they must endure.”

“We live together in this world, don’t we?”

Apparently, I was the only one who found it suspicious.

“Here, this was given to me.”

Handing over the appointment letter from the academy, Myo Gwang quickly reviewed it and stamped it.

It was a bold move.

“What’s the request?”

“What was it again?”

I received something but didn’t remember.

– Instructor, that’s rude.

Mo Yong So-hye mouthed a threat, glaring.

‘If I don’t know, I don’t know.’

Fortunately, Myo Gwang raised his hand and spoke easily.

“It’s okay, miss. It’s not difficult to explain.”

With a magnanimous air, Myo Gwang continued.

“Recently, we’ve had a troublesome issue and a request.”

“Let’s start with the troublesome one.”

“Recently, cats have been found dead.”

According to the explanation, some cats occasionally leave the sect and wander the streets. When they return, they’re in a strange condition.

“It seems someone is regularly abusing the cats.”

“What? Abusing?”

“For example…”

After mentioning various signs of systematic abuse, Mo Yong So-hye clenched her fists in anger.

“Instructor, isn’t this too much?”

“Is it worse than you crushing human friends?”

Love humans before cats. Humans are pitiful.

Jokingly, he got pinched in the side.

“Ow, ow.”

“Ahem. We’d like you to catch the culprit.”

“We’ll do it!”

While Mo Yong So-hye, now completely enchanted by cats, was all in, Jegal Tan seemed skeptical.

“That’s strange. The academy is involved in this?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Shinmu Academy takes on requests to uphold justice, but…”

They don’t usually accept requests unless they’re significant.

“Sending valuable academy members to find cats seems odd.”

At his sharp observation, Myo Gwang readily admitted.

“It’s understandable. The first request is to cover the second.”

“The second request?”

Cho Un-hwi muttered quietly.

“So, the first request is a smokescreen?”

The second request is so important that it’s hidden by the first.

Myo Gwang confirmed.

“That’s right, temporary instructor. The second request is the real one.”

“What is it?”

After a brief pause, Myo Gwang spoke.

“Do you know about the ‘Black and White Twin Cats’?”

Shaking their heads, Myo Gwang looked slightly disappointed.

Then Jegal Tan spoke up.

“Are you talking about the legendary Black and White Twin Cats?”

“You know about them!”

Myo Gwang’s face lit up, as if finding someone who shared his rare hobby.

“Explain.”

Clearing his throat, Jegal Tan quickly explained.

“The Black and White Twin Cats are legendary creatures.”

“They’re incredibly intelligent. The black cat can find deadly poisons, and the white cat can find miraculous medicines.”

“Because of this, they’re highly sought after by herbalists, poison masters, and alchemists.”

“They’re said to contain inner alchemy themselves.”

Myo Gwang nodded, satisfied with the explanation.

Meanwhile, Cho Un-hwi felt annoyed.

“What? The cats are so useful.”

“They’re priceless.”

“They’re worth more than me. Damn it!”

Grumbling, Cho Un-hwi tilted his head.

“But how do you find black and white cats? There are so many.”

Jegal Tan, holding the Hundred Cats booklet, firmly rebutted.

“True, completely black cats are rare.”

“Quiet.”

From the other side, a voice spoke.

“They’re easy to find.”

Myo Gwang, confidently, his eyes shining.

“The Black and White Twin Cats each have two tails.”