TFSG 09

Chapter 9

A week had passed since then.

The reply from the current Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Cheon, came quickly.

As soon as Jegal Cheonseong’s letter arrived, he sent back a reply saying that they would meet three days later.

Three days from Anhui to Hubei.

‘At that speed, he’d have to drive his horse quite hard.’

It wasn’t difficult to understand why.

The current Murim Alliance Leader and Chief Strategist, Namgung Cheon, and Jegal Cheonseong.

The two had been childhood friends, and two or three times a year, they enjoyed drinking together with their children.

Since both of them had risen to high positions, they could no longer spend time together as freely as they had in their younger days, so they made a point of meeting separately like this.

‘It seems the Alliance Leader must have been craving a drink quite badly.’

And today was exactly three days since that reply had arrived.

By evening, he would probably get to meet the people of the Namgung Family again after a long time.

Imagining the reunion, Muheun curled the corners of his lips upward.

“Young Master, is something good happening?”

A mature, pleasant voice broke Muheun out of his thoughts.

The owner of the voice was an elderly herbalist named Hwang Yak-sang, whose herb shop Muheun had been visiting.

“Ah, yes. An old friend is coming to visit today.”

“Hoho! That’s a good thing! At your age, there’s nothing quite like having friends.”

Hwang Yak-sang’s hearty laugh suited his age and had a strangely pleasant charm.

“You’re right. At our age, that’s certainly how it should be.”

Muheun laughed along amiably before casually turning his gaze elsewhere.

There, in a place that anyone would have considered shabby, sat an old wooden box.

“But, Elder Hwang. What is that box?”

A strange emotion flashed through the old merchant’s eyes at Muheun’s question.

It wasn’t because of Muheun’s question itself.

“Well… actually, that isn’t an item belonging to our shop. It certainly isn’t a family heirloom, either.”

“Hm? A family heirloom? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“What? I heard that Young Master has been going around looking for family heirlooms throughout the marketplace.”

“…I have?”

The old merchant looked puzzled by Muheun’s question.

“Well… from what I’ve heard, Young Master has been visiting every shop in the marketplace, finding hidden family heirlooms or precious medicinal herbs, and then paying the shopkeepers a viewing fee while thanking them.”

Only then did Muheun understand what he meant, and he nodded.

“Ah. So that’s how the rumor spread?”

For the past week, Muheun had come to the marketplace every single day, accompanied by only a few maids.

He had wanted to come alone whenever possible, but he had been unable to overcome Jegal Cheonseong’s concerns.

Even this had only been permitted because Muheun had demonstrated his Cheonsan Yeongong.

‘Even if he hadn’t, I would have found some way to come out.’

It was necessary if he wanted to accurately confirm the abilities he had gained through his regression.

‘And… now I’m certain.’

Muheun’s nose and eyes had changed, allowing him to detect the fragrance possessed by valuable objects.

The Hubei marketplace had enjoyed considerable prosperity for a long time under the protection of the Jegal Family and the Wudang Sect.

Because of that, while not every shop had one, most shops possessed something that could be called a family treasure.

Yet, at first, Muheun couldn’t find even the slightest trace of the fragrance anywhere, making him wonder whether he had been mistaken.

‘The misunderstanding came because the first thing I encountered happened to be a hundred-year-old He Shou Wu.’

The hundred-year-old He Shou Wu was not just any treasure—it was a family heirloom of the Mok Family.

It possessed an exceptionally strong fragrance and a vivid golden color.

That had confused Muheun.

‘The deeper or lighter the color becomes depending on the value of the treasure.’

Once he looked more carefully, he realized that faintly colored fragrances were actually coming from all sorts of places.

Muheun, whose eyesight wasn’t particularly good, would squint as he approached the source of each fragrance and ask the merchants whether they possessed anything valuable.

At first, the merchants were reluctant to reveal the locations of their family treasures.

But whenever Muheun accurately identified their locations, they were so startled that they would hurriedly show him the treasures.

Muheun would thank them and pay a viewing fee equivalent to the most expensive item in their shop.

The rumor had simply become distorted.

“Well, I suppose it’s understandable that a strange rumor would spread when I was squinting my eyes and flaring my nostrils like that.”

“Yes. According to the marketplace aunties, they called you some kind of ‘puppy that sniffs out family treasures’ or something like that… Oh! I’m sorry! I’ve committed a terrible offense!”

“Haha. It’s fine. A puppy that finds family treasures. Isn’t that an appropriate comparison? I must have looked exactly like that.”

Muheun laughed heartily and brushed aside Hwang Yak-sang’s slip of the tongue.

Since it was merely a nickname attached to something he had actually done, he wasn’t particularly offended.

‘But calling them family treasures… it’s not limited to that.’

Muheun knew just how absurdly powerful his ability was.

‘This ability doesn’t simply find medicinal herbs.’

The things Muheun could locate with his newly acquired ability were divided into two categories.

Medicinal herbs emitted a golden fragrance, while objects such as treasured swords or martial-arts manuals emitted a reddish fragrance.

Their scents were subtly different as well.

Both smelled wonderful, but while the fragrance of medicinal herbs made one’s mouth water, the fragrance of treasures made one’s mind feel clearer.

‘In other words, this ability allows me to find every fortuitous opportunity in the world.’

The fact that the colors happened to be gold and red—the colors symbolizing the Ming Dynasty—wasn’t particularly appealing to him, but the ability was so overwhelmingly powerful that he could overlook that.

Thus, with a pleasant sense of certainty, Muheun named the ability Giyeonbi—the Nose for Fortuitous Encounters.

“Anyway, if that’s not a family heirloom belonging to your shop, then what exactly is it?”

Hwang Yak-sang’s expression became uncomfortable.

It wasn’t because of Muheun’s question.

“Last night, just before we were about to close the shop, some martial artist covered in blood came here.”

“A martial artist covered in blood?”

“Yes. The smell of blood was so strong that I nearly stayed up all night trying to wash it away.”

Hwang Yak-sang shook his head with a disgusted expression.

“Anyway, that martial artist approached me carrying all sorts of herbs for treating wounds. I thought he was going to pay for them.”

“But?”

“Instead of paying, he shoved that box at me and said only, ‘Keep this for me.’ Then he simply walked out! Honestly, does that make any sense?”

Hwang Yak-sang seemed to become angry again as he remembered the incident, but soon let out a sigh.

“But what could an old man like me say to a martial artist? I just said yes and accepted it. Sigh… Still, I didn’t like looking at it, so I put it in that corner.”

“Good heavens… You must have had quite a difficult time.”

“Thank you, Young Master. I wish all martial artists were like the Jegal Family! At this rate, it’s too frightening to keep running a business.”

Muheun gave a small chuckle at Hwang Yak-sang’s complaint.

“Yet your family has been running this herbal shop here for three generations.”

“And it’ll end with my generation. My son says he’d rather study and enter government service than become an herbal merchant. Even if it goes against what I want, how could I stop my own son?”

“Wouldn’t it be good if you found an apprentice? You’re the finest herbal merchant in Hubei. Surely someone of your standing could take on a disciple.”

“Hohoho. It’s people like you, Young Master, who speak to me like that that keep me holding on to this business.”

Muheun smiled warmly at Hwang Yak-sang’s answer and examined the wooden box.

To anyone else, it was nothing more than an old wooden box.

But through Muheun’s eyes—and through the vision of the Giyeonbi—it looked completely different.

The box was emitting a deep red mist, dark as blood.

The fragrance that cleared his mind was so intense that he felt as though he would become an idiot if he failed to concentrate.

It had definitely not been visible yesterday, but today, the moment Muheun entered the marketplace, the fragrance had drawn him toward it.

That fragrance was the reason he had come to this herbal shop today.

‘…At this level, it’s comparable to the hundred-year-old He Shou Wu… No, is it even greater?’

Judging from its red color, there was no doubt that whatever was inside was an object rather than a medicinal herb.

“Elder Hwang, have you opened the box before?”

“Oh, of course. I was curious what was inside, so I opened it. But there wasn’t anything particularly special inside.”

“Nothing special… May I open it?”

“Of course. I don’t mind at all.”

Muheun carefully opened the box.

Since Hwang Yak-sang had already opened it, there was probably no special mechanism attached to it.

Creak—

The moment Muheun opened the box, the intense fragrance and red mist dispersed like fog, revealing its contents.

“As you can see, it’s just an ordinary branch. The only unusual thing is that it’s old and somewhat thick.”

Indeed, just as Hwang Yak-sang had said, inside was an old branch about two spans long and roughly the thickness of two finger joints.

“…I see.”

And Muheun immediately knew what it was.

‘A hilt… Judging by the balance designed for a double-edged blade, it isn’t the hilt of a saber. It’s the hilt of a sword.’

Having spent his life gathering countless pieces of information for the Murim Alliance, Muheun possessed deep knowledge of weapons as well.

And from his perspective—

‘It must be at least two hundred years old. And with this kind of balance… it must have once belonged to an extraordinary treasured sword.’

Even without relying on Muheun’s knowledge, the deep blood-red color and intense fragrance were evidence enough.

‘But a martial artist covered in blood left this here and departed…’

That could mean one of two things.

Either the martial artist had stolen it and was being pursued.

Or he was protecting it from people who wanted to steal it.

‘How strange.’

There was no incident involving the theft of a treasured sword around this time in Muheun’s memories.

After becoming the Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance in his previous life, Muheun had carefully examined every major incident that had occurred over nearly fifty years.

And he possessed perfect memory.

The fact that it did not exist in his memories meant that, at the very least, this wasn’t an incident involving one of the major sects capable of possessing such a treasured sword.

‘Then perhaps it involves a martial art passed down through a single lineage…’

There were several martial arts that came to mind, but something more important existed right now.

Hwang Yak-sang’s safety.

Whether it was the people searching for this object or the martial artist himself, it was obvious that eventually someone would come looking for the hilt at the herbal shop.

And it was equally obvious what they might do to Hwang Yak-sang to silence him.

Muheun raised his head and stared intently at Hwang Yak-sang’s face.

“Um…? Is there something on my face?”

Muheun remembered something his maid had complained about in his previous life.

—Old Hwang quit running his herbal shop, so it’s become really difficult to get Young Master his medicine.

At the time, Muheun had simply let the matter pass.

Back then, Muheun hadn’t even been able to leave the estate, and it hadn’t been long since Ran had quit her job under the excuse of overwork.

So he had assumed Hwang Yak-sang had done the same.

‘Did he quit the business… or was he forced to quit?’

The answer had practically been revealed the moment he saw this hilt.

Muheun slowly nodded and spoke.

“Elder Hwang, you are a lifesaver to me.”

At Muheun’s sudden words, Hwang Yak-sang was startled.

“W-What are you saying all of a sudden? How could someone like me possibly…?”

“From the moment I was born until now, haven’t most of the herbs used in my medicinal decoctions been purchased from this shop?”

Hwang Yak-sang frantically waved both hands.

“Oh, no! No! I only sold ordinary herbs! The precious ingredients were separately obtained by the Jegal Family, weren’t they?”

“Without those herbs, the medicinal decoctions could not be made. So how could I not consider Elder Hwang my lifesaver?”

As he spoke, Muheun gave a self-deprecating smile.

‘Yes. I have so many benefactors like this. Even though I remembered them all, I failed to take care of them in my previous life.’

Hwang Yak-sang, of course, had no idea what Muheun was thinking and continued speaking with an embarrassed expression.

“Oh, I only sold you herbs in exchange for money. How could I possibly accept such an excessive compliment…?”

“Since you sold me herbs in exchange for money, I should also repay you for the favor.”

Muheun’s expression became quite serious.

“That box must be extremely important to the martial artist, so he will certainly come back for it. And… even if you don’t know what it is, he may try to silence you.”

At Muheun’s words, Hwang Yak-sang froze as if struck by lightning.

“M-Me? Why would he? I only kept it for him…”

“It’s merely a possibility… but even so, this isn’t something we can simply ignore.”

“Th-Then what am I supposed to do? My son only studies and isn’t yet capable of supporting himself. If something happens to me…”

Even after hearing such words, the old man’s first concern was his son.

Muheun couldn’t help but smile faintly at the sight of a father’s heart.

Muheun reached inside his robes and took out the Judge’s Brush, the symbol of the Jegal Family.

It was an item that every member of the Jegal Family was required to carry at all times.

“I’ll set up a formation around this shop for you.”

“…What?”

Hwang Yak-sang’s mouth fell open.

“A formation of the Jegal Family’s? The kind that people say can’t easily be obtained even with a thousand gold pieces? For me? Are you sure that’s all right? I don’t know if I’m worthy…”

“Is there such a thing as needing to be worthy to have a formation installed? And didn’t I tell you? I’m repaying your kindness. If anything, I’m worried this still isn’t enough…”

“N-No! Of course not! If anything, this is far too much!”

“Then that’s settled.”

Muheun smiled lightly and focused on constructing the formation.

‘I don’t know how strong my opponent is. In that case, I need a defense as powerful as possible… No. Simply protecting this place isn’t enough.’

After thinking for a moment, Muheun drew a formation across the floor of the shop with a single, flowing stroke.

Hwang Yak-sang watched the tip of Muheun’s Judge’s Brush in a daze, mesmerized by the elegant movements.

What Hwang Yak-sang didn’t know was that the formation he was watching being designed was worth far more than an ordinary formation of the Jegal Family.

It was the formation personally designed by Jegal Muheun, the Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance, who was regarded as the greatest formation designer since the founder, Zhuge Wuhou, and who had even experienced war against the Imperial Palace.

An hour later, Muheun straightened his back and let out a light breath.

“Cough! Hmm. This should be enough.”

“Are you all right…? Shall I bring you some water?”

Hwang Yak-sang looked at Muheun with a mixture of gratitude and concern after seeing him cough softly.

“I’m fine. Thanks to your medicine, I’ve been getting healthier lately.”

“Ah… That’s wonderful to hear!”

The main reason was actually the Cheonsan Yeongong, but surely the medicine had helped as well.

Muheun stretched his bent back and took a small sheet of paper from inside his robes.

Unlike the formation he had just drawn, he scribbled across the paper a few times with the Judge’s Brush, then nodded in satisfaction.

“If anything goes wrong with this formation, I will be contacted through this piece of paper. Then the warriors of my family can come here immediately.”

Muheun nodded and looked at Hwang Yak-sang with a gentle expression.

“I hope your business continues to prosper. I should be going now. The maids are waiting outside.”

Muheun gave a slight bow.

Hwang Yak-sang was startled and hurriedly bowed deeply to him.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! How could I ever repay this kindness…?”

“It’s nothing.”

Muheun helped the old man stand and lightly patted him on the shoulder.

“If it really bothers you that much, then continue selling herbs diligently, just as you have been. And don’t deceive people. The life you’ve lived until now, Elder Hwang…”

Muheun slowly walked out of the shop as he finished speaking.

“…is what created the kindness you believe you owe me today.”

Listening to Hwang Yak-sang’s emotional words of gratitude, Muheun stepped outside the herbal shop.

Outside, the maids who had been waiting for him were standing there.

Among them was Yeon, the youngest maid, who had joined the household to fill Ran’s vacant position. She was pouting unhappily.

“Hmph… My legs hurt from standing for so long. What was Young Master doing inside for so long…?”

Seonhwa, one of the older maids, tried to calm her.

“Yeon. That’s simply what being a maid is like. You shouldn’t complain like that.”

“But…”

“Sorry. I took too long, didn’t I?”

At Muheun’s voice, Yeon and Seonhwa jumped in surprise and gasped.

“I-I’m sorry, Young Master! I-I made a terrible mistake…”

“I’m sorry, Young Master. It’s because I haven’t educated her properly. If you must punish someone, please punish me instead…”

Seeing the frightened maids’ reactions, Muheun gave an awkward smile.

“No. I really did take too long, didn’t I? And Yeon is only ten years old, isn’t she? It’s understandable.”

Muheun bent down on one knee so that he could meet the still-small Yeon’s eyes.

“Yeon, I want to apologize. Would you like some tanghulu, at least?”

“T-Tanghulu? Really? Wow! I love it!”

Yeon’s gloomy expression instantly turned into a bright smile at the mention of tanghulu.

She seemed so excited that she even began humming to herself, making Muheun chuckle.

“Seonhwa, Hwaryeong, Moyeon, you want some too, don’t you?”

The other three maids couldn’t bring themselves to say no, but they hesitated because they were watching Muheun’s reaction.

Hwaryeong, the second youngest, gathered her courage and spoke.

“Ap-apple flavor…”

“Hwaryeong!”

Seonhwa tried to give her a warning look, but Muheun was quicker.

“Hwaryeong wants apple flavor. What about the rest of you?”

Eventually, even Seonhwa named her preferred fruit flavor after seeing Muheun smiling.

Muheun and the four maids walked toward the Jegal Family estate, each holding tanghulu of a different flavor.

Muheun smiled warmly as he watched Yeon slowly savoring her tanghulu, then remembered the branch he had just seen.

‘…Who could have used an object from a sword like that?’

A treasured sword that even Muheun had never seen before?

It was certainly intriguing.

However, he had deliberately not brought the hilt with him.

For Hwang Yak-sang’s sake.

Who knew? Perhaps if he simply returned it, the owner would take it and leave.

‘But the chances of that are slim.’

He had told Hwang Yak-sang that he hoped his business would continue to prosper, and he sincerely hoped that nothing like that would happen.

Even so, Muheun was almost certain that the people involved would attack the herbal shop.

Especially considering that in his previous life, Hwang Yak-sang’s previously thriving herbal shop had suddenly closed down.

‘But this time, Elder Hwang won’t disappear.’

With that resolve in his heart, Muheun returned to the Jegal Family estate.

---

That evening.

“The Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Cheon, has arrived!”

A thick hand as hard as steel landed on the gatekeeper’s shoulder as he announced the guest’s arrival.

“Ha ha ha! Are you planning to announce it to the entire neighborhood? I’ve only come here to have a drink with an old friend!”

“Father, your voice is the loudest thing here.”

“Haha! You should be used to it by now, Sister.”

“Oh, honestly…”

The current Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Cheon, walked into the Jegal Family estate accompanied by his two children, both dressed in garments made of noble blue silk.

With his booming voice, Namgung Cheon shouted,

“Cheonseong! I’m here!”