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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Return
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#019 Return
*Whoosh.*
A biting wind blew, so cold it felt as if my very flesh was freezing.
It was an intense chill, enough to remind me of my military service in Hwacheon during the dead of winter.
'Is this the Icy Hell?'
Left all alone in the pitch-black darkness, a curse escaped my lips before I could stop it.
Dammit.
Even if I was reincarnated into a martial arts world, the Icy Hell was just too much.
I went to church in my modern life, so they should have at least sent my soul to the Westerners' afterlife.
'There's supposed to be something called an extradition treaty.'
But there was nothing I could do.
All I could do was sit still and wait for King Songje's trial.
He should hurry up and get here.
It's freaking cold.
By the way, I wonder what hell's public defender is like?
It'd be nice if they were as competent as the ones in the movies.
As I waited idly, lost in thought…
'Hm?'
I felt the temperature of hell rise slightly.
At this strange phenomenon, I looked around and saw a small sun rising high in the sky.
'A little better.'
Thanks to it, the chill subsided enough for me to move.
'Still, how long do I have to be here?'
Just because the sun had risen didn't mean anything had changed.
The darkness had only lifted slightly; there was still nothing I could do.
Just sitting here was the extent of my abilities.
And so, the endless waiting began again.
***
Had it been ten days?
*Boom.*
A massive explosion echoed from somewhere.
'Huh?'
I quickly raised my head and saw the sun beginning to move, devouring the cold and darkness.
It continued for a moment.
Then, once the pitch-black darkness and the cold had vanished…
A great sun fell like a meteor.
*CRASH! Fwoosh.*
'Son of a bitch!'
A massive burst of light erupted and enveloped me.
***
"Ugh!"
"Are you awake?"
"*Gasp, gasp.* Who… who are you?"
My vision was blurry, so I squinted to get a better look.
I saw a familiar face.
It was the Great Pure Adept of the Black Dragon Hall.
"You… old man?"
*Thwack!*
A flick of his finger shot out like lightning, and a splitting pain erupted in my head.
"Agh!"
"Heh heh, seeing you so full of energy, it seems you've passed the crisis."
"What crisis… Huh?"
My senses finally returning, I quickly looked around.
I wasn't dead.
And for some reason, I was in the Nine Dragons Fortress.
"What happened?"
"That child carried you on her back over the Gongdong Mountains."
Following the Great Pure Adept's finger, I saw Cheong So-so, fast asleep.
Her clothes were torn in various places, and her arms, legs, and face were covered in scratches.
"They said she arrived at the Hanzhong branch looking like that and set you down."
I could piece together the rest.
The Hanzhong branch must have sent me to the main fortress, and somehow the Great Pure Adept found out and used his internal energy to save me.
After all, he possessed the most profound internal energy in the entire Nine Dragons Fortress.
No matter how close we were, one must never forget a debt of gratitude.
Especially if it was the grace of saving one's life—it must be carved into one's very bones.
"Thank you for this life-saving grace."
"No need for formalities now."
"The Mystic Swordsman said that even if you receive but a bowl of water, you must show courtesy and repay the kindness."
That was the first lesson the Mystic Swordsman, who brought me to the Nine Dragons Fortress, had taught me.
The Great Pure Adept's face showed surprise, as if recalling the past, and he patted my shoulder.
"You haven't forgotten your Senior Brother's teachings. I'm proud of you."
"How could I forget? He was like a grandfather to me."
A warm atmosphere filled the room.
"Ahem! Hmph! *Yawn!* Ahem!"
That is, until the Great Pure Adept started coughing while staring at the donation box.
***
'To think I got squeezed for ten nyang…'
In modern currency, that was nearly ten million won.
My stomach churned at the unexpected, massive expense.
"Life-saving grace, my ass…"
The fact that they billed me the moment my treatment was over was a stark reminder that this was a martial world, one without any Hippocratic Oath.
"This place is in dire need of medical insurance."
If it had it, I would've only had to pay one nyang…
As if hearing me muttering to myself, Cheong So-so opened her eyes.
"You're awake?"
"Oh my?! When did you wake up? How are your internal injuries? Can you move your hands and feet properly?"
"I just woke up. My internal injuries seem to be healed. My limbs are a bit stiff, but they move fine, so you don't have to worry."
Only after I answered her rapid-fire questions did Cheong So-so finally let out a sigh.
"Thankfully, it seems there are no lasting effects."
To think she carried me over a mountain range with that slender body.
I felt a surge of gratitude toward Cheong So-so.
"Thank you, Miss Cheong."
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing. It all happened because you were trying to save me."
"Still, it couldn't have been easy crossing the mountains. The proof is all those cuts and bruises, isn't it?"
"These will heal quickly with some medicine. Don't worry about it."
Cheong So-so waved her hand, refusing my thanks.
But I couldn't let it go.
Regardless of the cause or the process, she had essentially saved my life.
"I will never forget this kindness."
"…If you really insist, there is one favor I'd like to ask."
"Please, ask anything. As long as it's not co-signing a loan, I'll do it."
Of course, a no-interest, no-collateral loan was also out of the question, but the mood wasn't right to elaborate, so I left that part out.
"Tsk, so stingy. We went through life and death together, and you can't even co-sign a simple loan?"
This girl was trouble…
"I have a policy of not mixing money with friendship."
"Friendship?"
At the word 'friendship,' Cheong So-so's eyes widened in surprise, and then she smiled.
"Hmm… a friend. I like the sound of that."
She then took out a wooden box from her robes and showed it to me.
It was the same box that had contained the Red and Blue Twin Pills I received from Jeok Hwa-ran.
"The Red and Blue Twin Pills."
"That's right. I used the Red Pill, so the Blue Pill is left."
"Then the favor you mentioned is…"
"I'm asking you to give me what's left."
"You won't get much money for just the Blue Pill, you know?"
The Red and Blue Twin Pills were only effective when both were taken simultaneously.
With only one, you wouldn't get any benefits; in fact, you might find yourself knocking on death's door.
Just like me, after I drank the Glacial Yin Nectar and took a trip to the Icy Hell.
Of course, it wasn't completely worthless.
Just as a single earbud from a lost pair might be sold on an online marketplace in modern society, someone might eventually need it.
It's just that its value would plummet to the level of wild ginseng.
However, Cheong So-so seemed to have a different perspective.
"I'm not asking for it to sell. And do you really think I'm some money-crazed woman?"
"Then?"
"…I need to remake the Glacial Yin Nectar. The nectar in the hidden cavern was like a memento from my great-grandfather. I have to refill it before my father finds out."
"Can you make a spiritual medicine like the Glacial Yin Nectar with the Blue Pill?"
The Red and Blue Twin Pills were spiritual medicine, yes, but they were on a different level.
The Glacial Yin Nectar was a top-tier spiritual medicine, treated as a precious treasure even in the Cheong Family, the world's greatest general hospital.
The Red and Blue Twin Pills, on the other hand, while made by the top chemical corporation, the Green Dragon Hall, were a mass-produced, fourth-tier spiritual medicine.
"Of course not. But it will let me skip a few steps."
"I see. Then please, take it. No, I can't repay my life-saving debt with just that. I'll help you make the Glacial Yin Nectar as well."
"Really?"
"No matter how desperate the situation was, I did consume a treasure of the Cheong Family. I believe it's only right for me to help."
"Thank you! I was at a loss, but having an ally makes me feel so reassured!"
"Don't mention it."
"Then let's go to the Heavenly Mountains as soon as you've recovered."
"What? Why the Heavenly Mountains all of a sudden?"
"Why else? The main ingredient is the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Herb that blooms in the Heavenly Mountains, so we have to go!"
"But… the Heavenly Mountains are in the territory of the Ten Demon Alliance…"
"Hey! I saw you fighting them last time, you were doing just fine. And besides, if some minions from the Ten Demon Alliance show up, you can just beat them up! Like this, and this!"
Watching Cheong So-so shadowbox in excitement, I had a thought.
My big mouth really gets me into trouble.
***
During the week or so I was hospitalized, quite a few people came to visit.
"Squad Leader, how are you feeling?"
"Like death, you guys. And how could you come empty-handed when your squad leader is on his deathbed?"
The members of the Seventeenth Squad, who not only came without any fruit but also devoured everything that was already there.
"Good work. You've done very well! I've discussed it with my squad leaders, and we'll entrust you with guarding the fortress gates until next year. Just focus on your recovery."
"I will serve you with loyalty until this body dies a hundred times over!"
The Vice Hall Master, who brought an unexpected gift that moved me to tears of gratitude.
*Chatter, chatter.*
"Please, please! The patient needs rest, so please step back!"
The members of the Outer Hall, who came in such large numbers that they were stopped and chased away by the healers of the infirmary.
"An urgent mission, just like that? Were you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"You think I wanted to do it? I only did it because my superiors ordered me to."
"Honestly, looking at you, senior, gives me a heart attack more often than not. Please, stop making everyone around you worry!"
Jeok Hwa-ran, who, despite not having much of a chest to be shaken, lectured me with all sorts of advice.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"I'm sorry, sister. I'll be discharged soon, so don't worry too much."
Myo Hyang, who came to me with a tear-streaked face.
And.
"You look better than I expected."
"..."
The procession of visitors finally ended after the one person I wanted to see least, Dan Un, showed up.
"Get up. Let's settle things as promised."
Sure enough, the sight of him trying to collect on his debt the moment he arrived made me feel like I was on the verge of Qi Deviation.
"Can't you see I'm lying here, barely hanging on?"
"A true warrior must fight by mobilizing their mental strength, even when their body is in poor condition. As a graduate of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion, you should know that."
Nope. Never learned anything like that.
Who would even preach about mental fortitude in the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion, a place filled with the children of noble families?
"So you're determined to beat a man while he's down?"
"If you truly wish it, I will grant you a few days' reprieve. However, I will soon be assigned a mission myself, so I cannot give you much time."
"I'll visit the Blue Dragon Hall soon, so please, just leave."
"Very well."
*I'm never going. Not even if you beat me to death.*
Two days after sending away my greatest challenge, I was discharged.
The first thing to do was report my return.
I was supposed to do it right after coming back from the dispatch mission, but my hospitalization had delayed it.
"Nine! Dragons! Seventeenth Squad Leader Jin Mujeon, reporting my return upon completion of my mission!"
*Wave.*
Bukgung Baek waved his hand dismissively and said.
"Can you not do that strange chant?"
"Hehe, isn't it things like this that give the Outer Hall warriors a sense of belonging?"
"It doesn't seem to be working all that well…"
This guy clearly doesn't understand the importance of military discipline.
The old saying that a man needs to serve in the army really is true.
Of course, before I enlisted, I thought it was complete nonsense.
"Hall Master, here…"
I held out a silk cloth wrapped around the Black Lotus Gauntlets I had borrowed from Bukgung Baek.
He answered without even opening it.
"What is it?"
"These are the Black Lotus Gauntlets you lent me. I've brought them back after putting them to good use. Ah! I washed them thoroughly, so you don't have to worry about hygiene."
Hearing my answer, Bukgung Baek said something unexpected.
"I don't need them. You can have them."
"What?! What do you mean…?"
"Exactly what I said. I no longer have a use for them, so you should use them."
An unexpected windfall.
The Black Lotus Gauntlets were the pinnacle of this era's steel-making technology, forged by linking together pieces of dark iron and white-refined steel, each the size of a pinky nail.
Although they were considered third-tier because they didn't use precious materials like profound iron or cloud iron, they were not something you could easily find anywhere.
Fearing Bukgung Baek might change his mind, I quickly bowed my head.
Given his personality, he wouldn't go back on his word, but an item like this was like an extra life.
It was best to seal the deal when offered.
Since I couldn't actually get it in writing, a verbal contract would have to do.
"This grace! I will engrave it upon my very bones so that I never forget, and I will make the Black Lotus Gauntlets you have bestowed upon me a family heirloom, to be passed down for twenty-seven generations."
"There's no need for all that. They are merely worldly possessions."
"No, sir! The grace of the Hall Master is so overwhelming that tears cloud my vision, making it difficult to look straight ahead."
I desperately squeezed my eyes, stimulating my tear ducts. After much effort, a single droplet fell to the floor.
'I should start carrying saltwater with me.'
You never know when you might need it, just like now.
In many ways, this mission had been very enlightening.