Merchant

The small table Palgap had thrown crashed into the assassin from behind. My Escort Guards seized the moment and rushed in, their swords leveled at his neck. The situation was over. I hurried to Palgap. “You alright? You’re not dizzy or nauseous, right?” Quick-witted as ever, Palgap understood my meaning and replied. “I’m fine, thanks…

I asked, feigning ignorance. “What do you mean, an assassin? What are you talking about?” He responded with a troubled expression. “There were signs just now that someone tried to assassinate me. There was a needle stuck in the leg of the horse I was riding.” “I knew it. I thought it didn’t make sense…

The wind gradually grew colder. It meant we were drawing closer to the North Sea Ice Palace. “We’ll stop at the inn up ahead to restock supplies.” We all nodded at Escort Guard Jin Yu’s words. Escort Guard Seo Wu had led us as far as the capital. From there, Escort Guard Jin Yu had…

Our carriage reached Beijing with surprising speed. I hadn’t planned on seeking an audience with His Majesty this time, so I’d asked the old man to put in a good word for me… Meeting the Emperor usually required following proper procedures, but as they say, you never know what will happen in this world. That…

The pitch-black night revealed no signs of life as I set out with Escort Guard Seo Wu and Escort Guard Jin Yu toward the place where Daoist Cheong Su had collapsed. I chose only these two because they were the strongest, and we needed to move quickly and quietly. “Come to think of it, I…

I recognized the handbell’s sound immediately and quietly reassured Palgap. “Calm down. It’s not an enemy.” “Pardon? Not an enemy?” “No.” I nodded firmly. “That sound belongs to someone who does good deeds.” We were traveling along a mountain path that connected the main roads—a route maintained by the government and relatively safe. More importantly,…

A short while later, Mun Ju-seong entered my room carrying a tray with a teapot and teacups. After confirming that no one was around, I greeted him warmly. “Have you been well?” “Thanks to you, benefactor, I’m living well.” “But… what happened? How did that inn become so large?” “Well, it just turned out this…

I arrived at the general shop and explained the situation to the old man—about having to journey to the North Sea. “I see. Make sure you come back alive.” His words were blunt, but I could feel the warmth beneath them. “I will.” “Is that all you came here for?” “Actually… is there anything I…

At the Black Flute Physician’s words, I was flustered. For him to ask about my relationship with my Master meant he must have had some suspicion. Then again, it was plausible that someone like the Black Flute Physician would notice. My constitution, and my martial arts. My Master had asked me not to mention that…

The heavenly secret that the Great Emperor Zhenwu revealed to me in my dream, as a reward, concerned the current whereabouts of the Black Flute Physician. In this life, I had already cured the illness brought on by my Black Dragon Star Body, so I hadn’t been paying much attention to the Black Flute Physician’s…