Episode 96:


    After returning to the guest house I was staying in, I headed straight to the amodation on the second floor.


    But just before I opened the door, a woman called me and stopped me.


    “Would you like to go out for a while?”


    “I’ve juste back.”


    Although his face was covered with a mask, his voice was familiar, so I was able to recognize the other person’s identity right away.


    It was Cheon Ga-ryeong.


    “Do you remember when we stayed in Shaanxi?”


    “……?”


    “It’s the same business as before, but are you really not going toe with me?”


    “I will go.”


    I chuckled and let go of the doorknob.


    Apparently, a ck city had opened nearby.


    ‘Well, ck merchants will also try to seize a share of this opportunity.’


    Cheon Ga-ryeong and I left the guesthouse and crossed the street side by side.


    She said, handing me a golden certificate.


    -I’ve experienced it once before, so I know the admission process well.


    -yes.


    -There will probably be more customers than when I wentst time. ck merchants will also be releasing products they have been holding onto, so there will be quite a few good items. Maybe there will be an auction.


    -Auction?


    -It is held once in a while when there are a lot of customers visiting Heuksi. It is a tactic to raise the price of goods to the maximum by encouragingpetition.


    -Is the auction of great significance? I understand that the prices of Heuksi’s products were not set in the first ce.


    -If the value of the item being exhibited is high, the story is different. For example, an elixir or a new weapon.


    -Are you saying they sell elixirs in the dark city?


    -Actually, I’ve never seen elixirs sold either. I’m just saying that there’s a possibility of that happening. Even if they sell it, they probably won’t show it. Shouldn’t the items be delivered by discussing with the sessful bidder separately and meeting them at a time and ce?


    -Even so, it would be dangerous. Since the time was right, most of the guests would be martial people.


    I remembered a conversation I had with Heuksang in the past.


    [Is there something you are looking for?]


    [Is there an elixir by any chance?]


    [There is no way such a thing exists.]


    An unknown ck figure answered in a tone as if he was asking something like that.


    Considering his attitude at the time, the possibility of handling elixirs in the dark city was extremely low.


    But Cheon Ga-ryeong’s thoughts seemed a little different.


    -Well, there are probably quite a few people who go crazy when they hear that there is an elixir. Even ck people wouldn’t know that. Still, the possibility is not entirely out of the question.


    -I don’t think the ck merchants would be willing to take risks to sell elixirs. If you do something wrong, the entire ck poem can turn upside down.


    -What if we prepare double and triple security measures in addition to deploying sufficient security personnel in case of an emergency?


    -……?


    -Do you remember how you got into an argument with me when I visited the Heuksi held in Shaanxi before?


    -I remember. After using the certification card, he asked me to return it. Even after receiving the promise two or three times.


    -Why do you think I was so strict?


    -Wasn’t it because the certificate was Hao Wen’s property and not Su Zhe’s personal item?


    -That’s true, but there’s actually one more reason. The ck merchants rate the customers whoe to the market. We issue certificates of different colors depending on your wealth and credit. Among them, the golden certificate is an item that signifies a special guest.


    -Express?


    -And only customers with a golden certificate can participate in the auction held in Heuksi.


    -……!


    -Other guests who do not have a golden certificate do not know of the existence of the auction in the first ce. Because no story about him has been told.


    -This means that only a very small number of verified people can participate in the auction.


    -yes.


    After listening to this point, I couldn’t help but feel excited.


    Doesn’t that mean that if you’re lucky, you might be able to find an elixir?


    Cheon Ga-ryeong, who was walking ahead, stepped into a dirty alley.


    She nodded once while looking closely at the wall covered in all kinds of graffiti.


    It took a long time to move along theplicated road.


    ‘Didn’t we just pass by here?’


    Feeling ufortable, I tilted my head and opened my mouth.


    “It seems like we’re going round and round on the same road.”


    “I know.”


    “Are you lost?”


    “no. “You’re on the right track.”


    “……?”


    The next moment, I narrowed my eyes at the foreign sensation irritating my skin.


    I’ve felt simr sensations several times before.


    “Jinbeop (陣法)…?”


    “I don’t usually hide it this thoroughly. “It looks like you clearly paid attention to security.”


    Cheon Ga-ryeong hummed and looked again at the graffiti-covered wall.


    Is it because of my mood?


    The positions of the scratches on the wall seemed to have changed slightly.


    “This way. let’s go.”


    Cheon Ga-ryeong, who had just finished interpreting the secretnguage, grabbed my arm and said,


    I crossed the alley with her, looking around with a curious expression.


    * * *


    After going through the verification process, Cheon Ga-ryeong and I entered therge underground space and leisurely looked around and inspected the items.


    As Cheon Ga-ryeong said, the number of guests was significant.


    It seemed like it would be five times the previous amount.


    Like when I visited the ck Poetry Festival held in Shaanxi, I decided not to take individual action.


    This was because I received advice from the inspector who checked the certification te.


    [Confirmationpleted. That friend will be in charge of guiding you to the entrance]


    […….]


    [I hope you can find something good. Ah, now that I think about it, there might be something interesting to see today. Since you’ve been here for a long time, why don’t you two go and have a look?]


    A meaningful statement.


    Cheon Ga-ryeong said that the intention was to participate because an auction would be held.


    It also means that the two of you should go together because you will soone into contact with someone.


    I leisurely looked around, stopped in front of a store, and looked at the items on disy.


    From weapons, including swords, spears, and swords, to odd-shaped weapons such as serrated swords andrge scythes.


    They were all unusual items.


    I fixed my eyes on one of the objects.


    ‘It’s called an iron ship.’


    With the permission of the ck man whose face was covered with a blue mask, I picked up the object and looked around.


    The weight felt in my hands was significant.


    It seemed like something mixed with ink and iron.


    ‘It’s okay.’


    The size was just right, and the de at the end was still intact, as if it had been well maintained.


    It gave off the feeling of a high-quality product forged by a skilled craftsman.


    I thought that if it weren’t for a type of weapon that people don’t often look for, it would have been sold to someone long ago.


    “I will buy it for twenty gold coins.”


    “Isn’t that too harsh? “It’s definitely worth twice that amount.”


    “Looking at it, it looks like it’s a neglectedplex that isn’t selling, so just sell it for a reasonable price.”


    “This is why I don’t like quick-witted customers.”


    A ck man wearing a blue mask grunted and epted a bag containing gold coins.


    After folding the iron wire and putting it in my arms, I left with Cheon Ga-ryeong.


    -You bought it as a gift, right?


    -yes.


    – Dam Sohyeop would also be great. Having a boss who thinks terribly of his subordinates.


    -If you find something you like, please let me know. I’ll buy it for you.


    -…….


    -Why do you look at it that way?


    -The Yeonsun I know is not a person who gives favors to others for no reason. What kind of n do you have?


    -There is nothing like that in particr. I’m just trying to repay the debt since I’ve been helped in one way or another.


    -Is that really all it is?


    -You can think of it as a parting gift as well.


    -……Did you know?


    -I figured it out just by looking at the atmosphere. Recently, he has been away whenever he has time. The only thing I was asked to do recently was to reveal the personal information of some reviewers who participated in a contest.


    -You noticed it well.


    -I went around with my womb like that, so there’s no way I wouldn’t know. Even when having a conversation, doesn’t he keep talking alone and staring into space with a serious expression?


    -I said that?


    Cheon Ga-ryeong tilted his head and looked back at me.


    Judging by the way his eyes were constantly blinking, he seemed quite embarrassed.


    -Has a return order been issued?


    -huh.


    -When do I have to go back?


    -We’ll probably be able to go together until the Yongbong branch is finished.


    -Have youe to the conclusion that it is no longer worth watching over me?


    -That’s not right. Rather, recently, many of the leaders of the factions have expressed interest in you. Catching the assassin recently was the final blow.


    -if?


    -We have to decide on the next Lord Hao Wen. In peacetime, there is no need to rush like this, but in times like now, when a war is approaching, the session issue must be resolved in advance. Although I am the troublesome youngest student and have a low level of session, I am also qualified. You have an obligation to participate in meetings.


    -I don’t think that Hao Wen-ju’s personal life will be in trouble if the Great War of True Demons breaks out.


    -No one knows what will happen in the future. Well, as I say this, I have thoughts that are not much different from you. But what can I do? Mungyu (門規) says.


    -…….


    -Are you worried about me?


    -no.


    -are you okay. Even though it is apetition for session, it is not a particrly bloody battle or anything. It’s literally a friendlypetition.


    -well. I don’t think there is any room for good intentions to get involved in the fight to decide the leader of a group.


    -This may be the case for other martial arts groups, but Hao Wen is the exception. There are double and triple measures in ce to prevent internal strife. Due to the structure of the organization, factions cannot be formed, and the leaders have all received thorough training from childhood and consider the survival of the faction as their top priority.


    -…….


    -I can assure you that among Hao Wen’s leaders, I am the one with the most humanity.


    I nodded as if I agreed with her remarks.


    Is it because he is the youngest disciple that Hao Wenju cherishes?


    Or is it because he fell into a mental state and there was a gap in his education that bordered on brainwashing?


    Compared to other leaders, she was rtively emotionally rich.


    Although there are times when I am confused as to whether it is real or an act.


    -And to begin with, I’m not interested in Moon-joo’s position. I’ve expressed that intention to those around me for quite some time, so I don’t think any dangerous situation will arise.


    -What happens if you lose thepetition?


    -Nothing special will happen, right? At best, he would be stripped of his position as leader and demoted to branch manager?


    -……Isn’t this a purge?


    -It’s just a minimum measure to ensure that no one is dissatisfied with the results and ns a rebellion. It’s not like my life is in danger. Perhaps in my case, I will be given the role of your dedicated handler again.


    -Are you saying it wille back after the session issue is resolved?


    -It’s highly likely. Why were you relieved?


    -……It’s burdensome, so please speak from a distance.


    -If you think about it, Master may have attached me to you with this in mind.


    We spent a while chatting and looking around.


    A guard wearing a gray mask quietly approached me and handed me a note.


    I looked around, opened the note, and looked at its contents.


    Cheon Ji-ryeong asked, fiddling with the mask.


    -Are you going?


    -of course.