Chapter Index

    “I like this spot.”

    “Yes, Jangju-nim.”

    The millstone started moving again.

    It shifted towards a large tree shade outside the Unjungak.

    There, the millstone was placed on the ground again.

    But instead of getting off the millstone, Bang So-woon enjoyed the coolness on top of it.

    “Let’s wait here.”

    “Yes, Doryeon-nim.”

    And so, Bang So-woon and Jang-il waited inside the Unjungak with three female disciples for the scorpion to arrive.

    However.

    “Follow me.”

    “Yes?”

    Stumbling.

    The evil spirit, Bang So-woon, began walking towards the tree shade where Bang So-woon’s group was.

    Yang Yeon-hwi looked flustered, but soon followed her husband, as if there was no other choice.

    Soon, the evil spirit reached Bang So-woon.

    The three female disciples took a defensive stance with tense faces.

    At that moment.

    “It’s fine.”

    Bang So-woon raised his hand.

    The three female disciples relaxed at his gesture.

    The evil spirit casually leaned against the tree next to Bang So-woon.

    “It’s quite audacious. Treating those women like millstones.”

    “They have some guts.”

    “The tongue is smooth and well-spoken.”

    “Sang-gong, it’s impolite to say such things on a first meeting…”

    “Oh, it’s fine. I don’t really think that way.”

    Bang So-woon extended his hand.

    But his true thoughts were completely different.

    ‘Wow, it’s really big.’

    Bang So-woon inwardly marveled.

    Even with just a glance, the size of the milk jug was apparent.

    He had only seen such a size two or three times in his life.

    Among them, the woman with a beautiful face was Yang Yeon-hwi.

    ‘…Ah, it’s so hard to control where my eyes go.’

    He desperately resisted his instinctual urge to keep looking at the milk jug.

    Even though he knew she was his wife, the fact that his eyes kept wandering, asking to be satisfied, showed that this lustful creature had no brain.

    ‘Wait, Jang-il?’

    The embodiment of lust.

    A guy who could stare at a milk jug in front of his wife without any shame.

    Bang So-woon’s urgent gaze turned to Jang-il.

    And there, he found Jang-il staring blankly at the sky with a vacant expression.

    It was the kind of expression one might see on a monk performing austerities.

    It seemed like he had forcibly detached himself from reality for survival.

    ‘…Yes, that’s it.’

    Bang So-woon finally relaxed.

    He was indeed a guy who knew when to act.

    “What a fun little game you played.”

    The evil spirit chuckled.

    “Haha, not even giving a heads up. What will you do now? Try using other means.”

    “No. Seeing that woman flustered was refreshing.”

    It seemed like he meant something else.

    It seemed like a lot had built up over the past few days.

    It was truly a remarkable skill to scratch at the depths of the evil spirit’s mind like this.

    “By the way, you don’t look too well.”

    “But you seem to be in good health.”

    “I’ve heard that a lot.”

    Bang So-woon replied calmly even to the bone-chilling words.

    He was certainly a fearsome individual, but he could still reply so calmly because there was no hostility between them yet.

    Of course, if he were a mere mortal, this would not be possible.

    It meant that Bang So-woon’s capacity was larger than expected.

    Or perhaps, since becoming a deacon, he had grown through many experiences.

    “How about it? Should I pass on a message if I happen to go in?”

    “Hmph. Do you think that’s possible?”

    The evil spirit chuckled.

    Over the past few days, he had realized that the Unjunggu was more stubborn than its reputation.

    No matter what was said, nothing seemed to get through.

    Even if it was not a martial artist, even if it was a dying commoner begging for help, not even a sniffle was given, making it unclear whether this was a doctor or a mortician.

    But what about a non-patient martial artist?

    The possibility of being let in was completely nonexistent.

    “Sang-gong, what are you talking about?”

    However, Yang Yeon-hwi, thinking differently, hastily intervened to stop her husband.

    “Please, Dae-hyeop, I beg of you.”

    With a voice filled with earnestness, Yang Yeon-hwi spoke.

    She knew the chances were slim.

    But she wanted to hold onto even the slightest glimmer of hope.

    It was a scene that showed just how desperate she was.

    “Since Madam has spoken, I will not forget and will do as she says.”

    Bang So-un readily nodded his head.

    “Thank you, Dae-hyeop.”

    “But I can’t bear to be called Dae-hyeop. I’m not that kind of person to be called that.”

    “That’s right. What kind of frozen-to-death Dae-hyeop is Tang-a?”

    It seemed as though Ahk Bool-beom had already figured out Bang So-un’s true identity.

    It was only natural, as someone like Ahk Bool-beom, who wouldn’t tolerate being talked about behind his back, would be able to hear the murmurs around him.

    “Better a Tang-a than a murderer, this guy.”

    Bang So-un cursed inwardly.

    It was simply ridiculous to openly show disdain for someone who had killed over a thousand people and casually dated women.

    “Are you talking about Tang-a…?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi also looked surprised.

    She couldn’t have imagined that the person rumored about was the man right in front of her.

    And if a woman was called Tang-a, it was only natural for her to be wary.

    “Ha, love comes in many forms. I don’t think affection is just one type.”

    Bang So-un chuckled, rolling his tongue smoothly.

    “Did your smooth tongue charm the women?”

    “Of course, that’s part of it, isn’t it? But I tried to help a fellow martial artist, and it seems my words were a bit too harsh.”

    “Oh… Madam tends to speak strongly, but it’s never with ill intent. It’s embarrassing, but please understand.”

    Yang Yeon-hwi quickly tried to smooth things over.

    Regardless of whether the other person was Tang-a or a seducer, the most important thing right now was her husband’s treatment.

    For that, she was willing to throw away her pride and emotions.

    “Oh, I see. I understand. And I’ve already promised, so how could I say anything else? I will not forget and will deliver the message to Goe.”

    From his face to his skills and personality, everything about him was appealing.

    He was more than enough for a murderer.

    He would definitely snatch her away.

    “Oh? Here he comes!”

    Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the other side.

    The gathered people became tense.

    For someone to come out of the room meant they were choosing a patient to bring in.

    One person, hoping desperately to be chosen, looked anxiously towards the door.

    But.

    The physician from Woonjunggak simply walked past the gathering of patients.

    “Uh… What? Where are you going?”

    “Look here! Over here!”

    The patients were bewildered.

    But the physician ignored them and approached a group under a tree shade where Bang So-un and Ahk Bool-beom were.

    He stopped in front of Bang So-un.

    “Sir, over there.”

    He pointed directly at Bang So-un with his finger.

    “Haha, look at this guy. Where did you pick him up from?”

    “Hey, it’s not like that, so hurry up and follow me. The doctor is calling you.”

    At that moment.

    The expressions of Akbulbeom and Yang Yeon-hwi were filled with surprise.

    I never thought they would come this way, and to actually call for me…

    Is this really happening…?

    “Oh, is that so? That’s good.”

    Bang So-woon rose from the furnace with a pleased expression.

    “But I’ll take one guard with me.”

    “What?”

    Sebi looked perplexed as if she hadn’t heard such words.

    “Is that not possible? If not, I won’t go in.”

    “Oh, really.”

    Sebi shouted loudly towards the direction of the furnace with a tired expression.

    “Ask if it’s okay to bring one guard in!”

    Seems like she was too lazy to go back and forth.

    After a while, a loud answer came from inside.

    “They said it’s okay!”

    “Did you hear that? Let’s go.”

    “Haha, understood.”

    Bang So-woon and Jang Il followed Sebi into the furnace.

    Creak.

    Thud!

    The door closed again.

    But the murmuring did not subside.

    “What, they’re letting in a stranger from the martial world?”

    “Does this make sense? Does it make sense?”

    “Damn it… is it about money? How much are they offering? How much did they promise?”

    “Ugh, is that eccentric guy bringing in a martial artist for money? There must be another reason.”

    “Then what reason?”

    “…I don’t know.”

    “Argh, this is infuriating! Why is that bastard the only one getting special treatment… ugh!”

    The man who was cursing hastily shut his mouth.

    Because there was a high school student emitting a cold aura standing in front of him.

    Yeon Soo-rin.

    “If you want to live long, watch your mouth.”

    Even though she was already a terminally ill patient…

    …her presence exuded an aura that made even bones tremble to the point where not even a word could be uttered.

    “Y-yes… th-that’s right….”

    “I remember your face.”

    “Ugh…!”

    The man bowed deeply with a pale face.

    If Bang So-woon and Jang Il had seen this, they would have been very pleased.

    At the behavior of Yeon Soo-rin, who was willing to protect the honor of her master even in their absence.

    She was truly a high-class slave who could be entrusted with even the temporary leadership.

    And so, the patients remained quiet for a while.

    ***

    Clack, clack.

    The furnace was wider than expected.

    It seemed to be about the size of the Golden Dragon Field, and even if it couldn’t reach the scale of the Red Flower Pavilion, it seemed quite spacious.

    “Here we are.”

    Sebi suddenly stopped walking.

    The door was in sight.

    It seemed like this was where the eccentric was.

    “Doctor, I’ve brought the guest as you requested.”

    “Bring them in.”

    A voice came from inside.

    A gender-neutral voice that was hard to distinguish whether it was male or female.

    It was unclear if the voice was deliberately disguised.

    Bang So-woon and Jang Il’s eyes met briefly.

    An expression that said they couldn’t know from this.

    ‘I guess we’ll have to see for ourselves.’

    Bang So-woon thought.

    “Please come in.”

    At Sebi’s words, Bang So-woon slowly opened the door and entered.

    A spacious room.

    The scent of medicinal herbs stung the nose.

    Various types of acupuncture tools were also visible.

    The scene in the room clearly felt like a doctor’s office.

    Thud!

    Sebi closed the door from outside.

    ‘It should be just me.’

    If there was someone else besides the eccentric, things would get complicated.

    They might have to resort to forceful means.

    But.

    Bang So-woon had a certain confidence that he would be alone.

    This was a matter related to a small master.

    It was likely to be a secret even here.

    So he wouldn’t have someone by his side.

    And.

    That thought was correct.

    There was only one person in front of him.

    A human wearing a black cat mask.

    Wearing a wide robe that made it impossible to distinguish between male and female lines.

    The height was also such that it could be either a man’s or a woman’s height, making it impossible to tell.

    ‘No wonder the gender is unknown.’

    Bang So-woon understood immediately.

    Jang Il had the same expression.

    “Come this way.”

    The eccentric gestured to the seat with a neutral voice.

    “Thank you.”

    Bang So-woon sat down without hesitation.

    “I can see that this is not a fake. It seems genuine.”

    The ghost placed the ancient scroll in front of Jangil and spoke.

    “You are not a human bold enough to tamper with the legacy of the ghost.”

    “Where did you hear about my master?”

    “I have a wide network, so I happened to hear about it.”

    “I see.”

    As they conversed, Jangil felt a sense of overwhelming presence, as if facing a true master.

    If that was the aura of a real master, then it was damn impressive.

    But if it was just a natural aura emanating from someone who had reached the pinnacle of their field, then it was fortunate.

    The probability seemed high.

    “You mentioned that there is a potion left by my master here?”

    “Indeed. I have prepared it for your arrival.”

    “May I see it?”

    “If you only wish to see it.”

    Bangsoun nodded.

    Then he said to Jangil, “Show it to him.”

    “Yes, sir.”

    Jangil took out a small wooden box.

    Inside was the potion of the absolute deity.

    And it was right there, right now.

    Tap.

    Bangsoun lightly tapped the floor with his finger.

    A signal to attempt hypnosis.

    Jangil approached Ghost to hand over the box.

    ‘Indeed….’

    His heart pounded.

    What face would be behind that black mask?

    A man, or a woman.

    Depending on their true identity, everything would be determined whether it would go smoothly or not.

    “Here.”

    Jangil slowly handed the box to Ghost.

    Their eyes met naturally.

    In that moment.

    Jangil’s eyes turned black.

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