Episode 81: The Hao Clan
A bad feeling never misses its mark.
The white-haired woman seemed to have connections not only with the current head of the Zhangshang Trading House but also with the previous one.
‘How should I respond?’
As Tang Mujin hesitated, the woman furrowed her brow.
“Stop overthinking and just answer.”
A hint of irritation. Yet Tang Mujin felt as if an invisible hand was tightening around his throat.
”…Yes, that’s correct.”
“And what’s your relationship with that beggar boy, Hong?”
“We’re friends.”
“And what about Yichung?”
Tang Mujin paused. He wasn’t sure if he could be honest about the strange old man.
If, by any chance, she was connected to the Salmak, he could die right here. There would be no chance to resist or escape.
‘Should I just say I don’t know?’
No, that wouldn’t work.
She already knew quite a bit about him—his friendship with Hong Geolge and the events at the Zhangshang Trading House.
Given that she commanded Hongmyeon Nogae, the top figure in Zhongjing, like a subordinate, she likely knew most of what happened there.
Lying was never an option.
“We traveled together… and he was somewhat of a mentor. Though I’m not sure if he considered me his disciple.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”
The white-haired woman nodded lightly, suggesting she wasn’t on bad terms with the old man.
She leaned forward, resting on the table as she continued.
“Why did you kill Gyeong?”
“Who is Gyeong?”
“The former head of the Zhangshang Trading House, Bok Wigeong.”
Her tone was unchanged, but Tang Mujin realized this was the crux of the matter.
It was a question he couldn’t stall or evade. He answered as it came to him.
“I heard he was kidnapping and selling children. Should I have just let that happen?”
“Is that the only reason you attacked the Zhangshang Trading House? What about the treasures inside?”
“That was the only reason, and I didn’t touch a single coin.”
“If you try to deceive me, you’ll lose your head.”
“I have no intention of lying.”
To be precise, it wasn’t that he wasn’t tempted by the treasures; he simply didn’t have the luxury to take them. Taking the treasures would have meant fighting every bandit in the Zhangshang Trading House.
The white-haired woman stared at Tang Mujin for a moment, then clicked her tongue.
“You’re telling the truth.”
With that single word, the tense atmosphere softened.
“You’re quick-witted. If you had tried to make up a story or killed Gyeong for money, you’d be dead by my hand.”
Her words ended there. She rested her elbows on the table, lost in thought.
Tang Mujin had many questions for the white-haired woman.
Was she truly the legendary master of eternal youth? What was her relationship with the former head of the Zhangshang Trading House? What were her name and title? What was her connection to the old man?
But he didn’t want to satisfy his curiosity just yet.
‘I just wish she’d leave.’
The atmosphere and situation were overwhelming.
His plan for a pleasant evening at the tavern was already half-ruined. But it was better to send them off now than to face them all evening.
The problem was that it was awkward to show his true feelings.
Tang Mujin and Namgung Myeong waited for the three to leave for quite some time.
The current head of the Zhangshang Trading House and Hongmyeon Nogae seemed indifferent, but the white-haired woman remained deep in thought.
The one who wants something must act, and the one who wants others to leave must give a hint.
Finally, Tang Mujin subtly broached the subject. The conversation began with introductions.
”…May I ask who you are?”
He knew that calling her “young lady” might not be appropriate for someone who seemed to have mastered eternal youth.
But he had no better term, and in his experience, women never got angry when they were perceived as younger.
Without opening her eyes, the white-haired woman replied.
“Ha Ryeong. Or you can call me Granny Ha.”
Granny. So she was indeed a master of eternal youth.
But as far as Tang Mujin knew, there was no Ha Ryeong among the six supreme masters of the orthodox sects. To be precise, there were no women among them.
Could she be from the unorthodox sects? Tang Mujin glanced at Namgung Myeong, who was well-versed in martial arts lore, but he also seemed unfamiliar with the name Ha Ryeong.
The conversation couldn’t end here. Tang Mujin racked his brain to keep it going.
”…What was your relationship with the former head of the Zhangshang Trading House?”
“I’ve known him since he was a little boy.”
It seemed he had touched a nerve.
As he pondered how to handle the situation, Ha Ryeong continued.
“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you accountable for that. I knew he had gone astray. I just couldn’t cut him off harshly.”
“Gone astray?”
“He got involved in things he shouldn’t have and embezzled money for his own gain. That wasn’t why I entrusted him with the position.”
Tang Mujin looked at the current head of the Zhangshang Trading House. He had a rough and rugged appearance, but unlike the former head, he didn’t seem like someone who reeked of blood. He could easily be mistaken for a martial artist from the orthodox sects.
The conversation continued. Tang Mujin asked again.
“How did you know about my relationship with the old man?”
“Last summer, Yichung came to me asking about Hong Jeong of the Yufeng Clan and his son. Around the same time, rumors spread that a beggar named Hong Geolge and a blacksmith with the surname Tang had killed Gyeong.”
When they came to Zhongjing last year, the old man had disappeared for a few days, leaving Tang Mujin and Hong Geolge to deal with the former head of the Zhangshang Trading House. It seemed the old man had visited Ha Ryeong to inquire about various things.
Ha Ryeong continued.
“I figured there must be some connection between Yichung and the Hong beggar, and since you’re connected to the Hong beggar, there must be something between you and Yichung as well.”
“What was your relationship with the old man?”
“Yichung? He often helped me with my work. I owe him a lot.”
It had been a while since Tang Mujin heard someone speak favorably of the old man.
They weren’t just on good terms; they seemed quite close.
“Oh, right. You said you considered Yichung your mentor, didn’t you? When you meet him later, tell him to visit me when he has time. If you say Granny Ha has a favor to ask, he’ll understand.”
Tang Mujin pondered how to respond, deciding to be honest about the situation.
Since she was a friend of the old man, she might be able to help. He also didn’t want to be accused of hiding the old man’s death.
“The old man has passed away.”
“What?”
For the first time, Ha Ryeong’s expression showed a hint of disturbance. The current head of the Zhangshang Trading House showed little reaction, but Hongmyeon Nogae and Namgung Myeong were visibly surprised.
“Yichung is dead? This is the first I’ve heard of it. Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why did he die… No, I suppose it was only a matter of time. But how did I not hear about it?”
“It hasn’t been long since he passed, and it wasn’t a situation where his death could be widely known. I’m the only one who knows about it.”
Suddenly, it struck Tang Mujin as odd that he hadn’t encountered any assassins from the Salmak on his way here.
‘Maybe the Salmak is searching for the old man instead of me.’
Ha Ryeong pressed her temples with her small hands.
“Recently, there were rumors that Yang Heun also died. So, only Ma Yi remains of the Three Great Physicians of the World? By the way, do you have any connection with Ma Yi?”
”…I’m not certain, but Ma Yi is probably dead too.”
“What?”
Ha Ryeong frowned and asked.
“What happened? Did the Three Great Physicians decide to die together on the same day?”
“It’s a complicated story, and it’s difficult to explain here.”
Ha Ryeong muttered in disbelief.
“The lineage of the Three Great Physicians’ medical skills has been severed?”
“Not entirely. I’ve learned a fair bit of medicine myself.”
“Weren’t you learning swordsmanship from the old man? No, wait. I heard rumors that you were a blacksmith.”
“My main profession is a physician. I can work as a blacksmith and have learned some swordsmanship, but…”
Ha Ryeong raised an eyebrow and scrutinized Tang Mujin closely.
Then, as if discovering something, she reached into his clothes with her small hand. The unexpected touch startled Tang Mujin.
When Ha Ryeong withdrew her hand, she was holding the Book of All Diseases.
The reason the book was in Tang Mujin’s possession was simple. It was the book he was currently reading.
He had already mastered the medical texts left by the old man, and he had read Ma Yi’s medical book countless times with the determination to avenge Baek Chuseo, so it was tucked away in his bundle.
“Why do you have this? You seem to have confirmed the old man’s death and Ma Yi’s circumstances, so if you have their medical texts… No, wait.”
Ha Ryeong paused, as if realizing something, and raised her right hand.
The bundle beside Tang Mujin floated up and was drawn into Ha Ryeong’s hand.
When she opened Tang Mujin’s bundle, two more medical texts emerged from the clutter. The old man’s and Ma Yi’s medical texts. Ha Ryeong stared at the two books.
Tang Mujin worried that Ha Ryeong might covet the medical texts. But she returned all three books to the bundle without hesitation and handed it back to him.
“I almost ended up taking the head of the greatest physician in the land and severing the lineage of medical knowledge. If I had acted rashly, it would have been disastrous. I apologize.”
The thought of a physician vouched for by a martial arts master was intriguing.
Unlike before, Haryeong straightened her posture and tidied her clothes. Hongmyeon Nogae and Jang Sangchaeju, standing beside her, did the same.
In a calm voice, Haryeong spoke, “Though we are in different fields, I should introduce myself properly before the greatest in the world. I am Haryeong. Though I have abandoned it now, I was once known as Hwayeon Shinni.”
Dang Mujin had no idea who Hwayeon Shinni was, but Namgung Myeong reacted immediately, recognizing the name.
“Hwayeon Shinni? I heard you passed away before I was even born.”
“Many believe that. But those who need to know, know that I am alive.”
Dang Mujin, sensing the significance, whispered to Namgung Myeong, “Is she famous?”
“She was the head of the Amipa sect two generations ago. I hadn’t heard she was a martial arts master, so she must have surpassed her limits and achieved eternal youth after abandoning her title.”
If she was the head of a sect two generations ago, she must be quite old. Yet, to Dang Mujin, she appeared to be just an unusual young woman.
“Did you abandon your title because…?”
“I grew tired of merely preaching about saving others. I left Geumjeong Peak to take action myself. Now, I lead a small group called Haomun.”
Neither Dang Mujin nor Namgung Myeong had heard of Haomun. Haryeong shrugged.
“It’s natural you haven’t heard of it. The name is quite new. Anyway, how many know about the deaths of Ma-ui and Ichung?”
“I don’t know much about Ma-ui. Somehow, I ended up with his medical book, but he might still be alive, just without it. As for Ichung, only those present here know of his death.”
“Then it would be wise to keep the deaths of the three great physicians and the three medical books a secret for now. We can’t predict how people will react.”
Haryeong’s tone shifted. Initially commanding and authoritative, it now sounded more like a suggestion or advice.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Everyone needs medicine, and some might go to great lengths to monopolize it. It’s fortunate for you that Ichung’s death isn’t widely known.”
“I see.”
Haryeong scratched her head and stood up. “This unexpected news has left my mind in a whirl. I might need your help soon. Will you assist me?”
“What kind of help are you asking for?”
“What else would I ask of a physician? To care for patients and treat their ailments, of course.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll help.”
Though not as extreme as Gwai, Dang Mujin had come to accept some of his thoughts and opinions during their travels together.
To Dang Mujin, a patient was someone who deserved treatment, regardless of whether they were good or evil, rich or poor.
Pleased with his ready response, Haryeong smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Excellent. If you ever need my help, come to Junggyeong and contact me through Hongmyeon Nogae or Jang Sangchaeju. I’ll assist you as much as I can. Repaying my debt to Ichung through you wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Haryeong rose and, before leaving, added, “And a word of advice: you should pass on your medical knowledge before it’s too late. Whether to a child or a disciple.”
Though the thought of children seemed distant, Dang Mujin chose not to argue.
The three left as suddenly as they had appeared, and the room quickly fell silent.
Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong awkwardly resumed eating, their chopsticks moving through the now cold dishes, with congealed oil floating on the soup.
”…”
Dang Mujin opened the door.
There were no other guests, but the courtesan who had guided them earlier was sitting by the stairs.
Dang Mujin addressed her, “You are Seollan, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Could you ask the owner of Deungseonru to come up here?”
“Certainly.”
“And tell them to prepare themselves.”
Seollan nodded meaningfully and descended the stairs.