Once our people got moving, the final obstacle blocking the road to the Emei Sect was cleared far faster than I had expected.
Thanks to that, I was finally able to see Cousin Hyang-ok.
“Cousin!”
“Seo-ho!”
Cousin Hyang-ok looked so battered that it hurt just to see her.
Her clothes were torn in several places and caked with dirt, and even her hands were covered in wounds.
She must have been pushing herself incredibly hard.
Aunt had warned me that she was worried Cousin would overwork herself trying to help everyone else. Looks like she knew exactly what she was talking about.
“What happened to your hands?!”
“I couldn't help it. We had to clear the road as quickly as possible, even if it only saved us a single day.”
“Because of the food shortage?”
“That's right.”
The earthquake itself hadn't caused as much damage as I'd expected, but apparently the food situation was far worse than I'd realized.
Come to think of it, the disciples I'd sent to the Qingcheng Sect had said they'd gone down to Chengdu to purchase food.
“Are your legs all right?”
“Yes. They're completely healed.”
“Thank goodness.”
She'd raise hell if she found out I'd only been pretending my leg was broken.
I quickly changed the subject.
“We brought food and other relief supplies.”
“That's wonderful!”
Just then, Prince Seongbo approached us from behind.
“Is this the Cousin you've spoken of?”
“Yes, Your Highness. She's my uncle's eldest daughter, Hyang-ok, a disciple of the Emei Sect.”
Then I introduced Prince Seongbo to Cousin as well.
“Cousin, this is His Highness Prince Seongbo.”
“This disciple of the Emei Sect, Hyang-ok, greets Your Highness Prince Seongbo.”
Cousin prostrated herself and paid the proper respects, which Prince Seongbo accepted.
“Rise.”
“Your grace is immeasurable.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you. Has the Emei Sect suffered any serious trouble?”
“No. We're short on food, but the earthquake itself caused relatively little damage.”
“I suppose that's fortunate amid all this misfortune. In that case, could you take me to your Sect Leader?”
“Of course.”
And so we passed through the Emei Sect's mountain gate and entered the sect grounds.
The people of the Emei Sect couldn't hide their delight when they saw the relief supplies we'd brought.
There were signs here and there that buildings had collapsed, but compared to what I'd seen elsewhere, this was remarkably mild.
Most importantly, there didn't seem to be many injured people.
We left the distribution of the relief supplies to the people who had come with us and the Emei Sect disciples, then immediately went to meet the Emei Sect Leader.
“Hyang-ok!”
At that moment, a familiar woman came running toward us, calling Cousin's name.
It was Merciless Sword Haecheong, the Divine Nun, whom I'd met several times before.
She was also Cousin Hyang-ok's master, the one who had brought her into the Emei Sect.
After greeting her master, Cousin introduced us.
“I'll explain everything in detail later. This is His Highness Prince Seongbo.”
“This humble nun greets Your Highness Prince Seongbo.”
“Rise. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
I addressed Divine Nun Haecheong.
“His Highness wishes to meet the Sect Leader.”
“Understood. Please come this way.”
We followed her, and before long, we were standing before the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader offered Prince Seongbo the proper courtesy due a member of the Imperial Family, and the Imperial Prince respectfully returned the greeting.
After all, the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect held a position worthy of respect even from an Imperial Prince.
“His Majesty sent my elder brother, the Crown Prince, and me here to provide relief to those suffering from the earthquake in Sichuan.”
“His Majesty's grace is truly immeasurable.”
The Emei Sect Leader continued.
“Your Highness need not speak so respectfully to this humble nun. It is far more courtesy than I deserve.”
“How could you say such a thing? The Sect Leader of the Emei Sect is respected by countless people. I merely wish to show you the respect you deserve.”
“You honor me.”
Now we were getting to the point.
I quietly watched Prince Seongbo as he spoke.
“I have long heard of the Emei Sect's great reputation. At present, countless people throughout Sichuan are suffering because of the earthquake. I have therefore come to ask for the Emei Sect's assistance in the relief efforts.”
“How could we possibly refuse? We, too, will do everything in our power for the people of Sichuan.”
“You have my deepest gratitude.”
And just like that, the Emei Sect's support was secured.
After recovering their strength with the relief supplies we'd brought, the Emei Sect disciples immediately began moving with renewed vigor.
They divided themselves into several groups, sending two groups whose martial arts were relatively weaker to the Qingcheng Sect.
The rest accompanied us until we reached the Provincial Administration Commissioner.
“Your Highness Prince Seongbo, you've returned?”
“Where is my brother?”
“I heard His Highness is currently at the Provincial Command Office.”
“I see. Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho and his party cleared the road leading to the Emei Sect, and we've returned with the Emei Sect's relief forces.”
“Ah! That's excellent news!”
The Provincial Administration Commissioner's face immediately brightened.
Soon, the Team Leaders commanding the Emei Sect's relief groups gathered, and the Provincial Administration Commissioner began assigning them their duties.
“First, those with particularly strong martial arts should head over to the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.”
“Right. He did mention that the Forest Bandits have been running rampant and giving him no end of trouble.”
Just as Prince Seongbo said, chaos like this was an opportunity for the Forest Bandits.
Anyone with a conscience would know better than to cause trouble at a time like this, but then again, anyone with a conscience probably wouldn't be living as a Forest Bandit in the first place.
“The rest of you should help with relief efforts in the nearby villages.”
“We will.”
I turned to the Provincial Administration Commissioner.
“What would you like me to do?”
“You… should continue clearing access routes to the isolated villages.”
“Understood.”
I headed over to Cousin Hyang-ok, who was preparing to leave for the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's position.
Cousin was one of the Emei Sect's most outstanding Younger Generation Prodigies, good enough to have taken second place at the Murim Grand Assembly.
Naturally, she belonged with the group going out to beat down the Forest Bandits.
“Cousin, Uncle's terribly worried about you. Please be careful.”
“I know. And…”
Cousin hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“Thank you… for coming to save me.”
“It was nothing.”
There wasn't enough time for a long conversation, so Cousin quickly ran off after the others.
For some reason, I could've sworn her face looked a little red…
My companions and I focused entirely on clearing roads to villages that had been isolated by landslides.
As we kept at it, we gradually got the hang of the work, and our efficiency continued to improve.
We were clearing the access road to the fifth village when the Crown Prince came to see me.
“How is the work progressing?”
“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince!”
We immediately began to offer our respects, but the Crown Prince waved us off.
“The situation is far too urgent for lengthy formalities. Until this crisis is over, a cupped-fist salute will suffice.”
“Your grace is immeasurable.”
“The Provincial Administration Commissioner couldn't stop praising you. He says the relief efforts for the isolated villages have been progressing remarkably quickly thanks to you.”
“I'm glad I've been of help.”
“Indeed. Is there anything I can do to assist?”
“We're fine here. However, if Your Highness has forces to spare, I would ask that you send support to the Qingcheng Sect.”
“The Qingcheng Sect?”
“Yes. I've heard they suffered particularly severe damage this time.”
“That's right. They did.”
“Providing relief to civilians is important, but the Qingcheng Sect is also responsible for maintaining order throughout that region. I'm worried that if they're weakened too severely, it could leave a dangerous gap in local security.”
“Understood. I'll see that it's done.”
That was when it happened.
Young Lady Seohyang tugged at my sleeve.
I briefly excused myself and moved somewhere quiet with Young Lady Seohyang.
“What is it?”
“We need to evacuate this place immediately. An aftershock is going to trigger a landslide here.”
“Did you… see when it happens?”
“Soon. I saw the people here and His Highness the Crown Prince being swept away by the landslide.”
“…!”
What?
If that was true, we were in serious trouble.
If the Crown Prince was swept away in a landslide, I couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences.
I hurried back and shouted to everyone.
“We're stopping work for the day!”
Prince Seongbo looked at me in confusion.
“What happened? The sun hasn't even set yet. Why are we suddenly stopping?”
“We've been working for days without a proper break, and I think the fatigue is starting to catch up with everyone. It would be better to rest today and resume tomorrow.”
“If that's your judgment, then I'm sure it's the right one. Do so.”
I immediately stopped the work and began getting everyone out of the area as quickly as possible.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness Prince Seongbo. Please follow me.”
“Very well.”
After hearing Young Lady Seohyang's warning, there was no way I could afford to let my guard down.
I stayed as close to the Crown Prince as possible as we moved.
We had almost completely cleared the access road where we'd been working when it happened.
Rrrrrumble.
The ground suddenly began to shake.
Just as Young Lady Seohyang had predicted, an aftershock had struck.
“Everyone, lower yourselves and keep your balance!”
I swept my gaze over the surroundings and spotted a torrent of earth crashing down from above.
And of all places, it was heading straight for the Crown Prince.
Damn it!
I urgently drew my sword and threw up a barrier of Qi.
“Urgh!”
A groan escaped me as the crushing weight of the falling earth and debris bore down on my body.
“Get out of here!”
“D–Deputy Merchant Lord Eun! What about you…”
“Just go! What are the royal guards doing?! Get ahold of yourselves and move!”
My furious shout snapped the Crown Prince's and Prince Seongbo's guards back to their senses, and they hurriedly dragged both princes away.
Now the problem was getting myself out of here…
That was when it happened.
Rrrrrumble.
The ground shook once again, and the pressure from the avalanche of dirt and rocks above me became even stronger.
I might have reached the Profound Realm, but this wasn't something I could endure through martial arts alone.
I forced out as much Qi as I possibly could while desperately searching for a way out.
If I got buried under this, even I would die instantly.
What the hell do I do…?
“…!”
That was when I realized there was a cliff directly behind me.
In that case, jumping off the cliff gave me a far better chance of survival than staying here and getting crushed beneath several tons of dirt and rock.
The instant I made my decision, I threw myself backward without hesitation.
Tap!
My body shot out into open air, and I immediately began plummeting toward the ground below.
“My Lord!”
“Young Master!”
“Deputy Merchant Lord!”
Desperate shouts and screams rang out above me.
But amid all that, my eyes locked onto a thick vine growing from the cliffside.
I need to grab that.
Damn it!
I stretched out my hand as far as I could, but the vine was still just beyond my reach.
“Kui!”
Something suddenly shoved me from behind.
“Geumryeong?”
“Kuiii!”
Grab!
Thanks to Geumryeong giving me a powerful push, I barely managed to catch the vine.
I'm alive.
“Geumryeong. Thanks for saving me.”
“Kuiii!”
What? Of course you had to save me? Do I have any idea how badly I scared you? And if I'm going to do something this reckless again, I should at least warn you first?
“Sorry. I'll give you a Gold Tael later, so don't be mad.”
I probably wouldn't have died even if I'd fallen all the way down, but I definitely would've been badly injured.
Geumryeong had saved me from that. How could I possibly begrudge one little Gold Tael?
“Kui?”
Really? Of course I mean it.
The moment Geumryeong heard the words Gold Tael, its little rump started wiggling.
I knew it. You love money way too much.
I hung on to the vine for a while longer until the dirt and rocks finally stopped falling.
“My Lord! Are you there? My Lord!”
Escort Guard Seo Wu's desperate voice came from above.
I shouted back as loudly as I could.
“I'm down here!”
“You're alive?”
“Of course I am!”
“Thank goodness. Truly… thank goodness. We'll lower a rope immediately.”
A rope soon came down from above.
I slipped the loop at the end around one leg and grabbed hold of the rope.
“I'm ready! Pull me up!”
The rope rose, and I was finally hauled back over the edge of the cliff.
“Deputy Merchant Lord!”
Young Lady Seohyang ran straight toward me. So did my Escort Guards, and…
“Young Master! Waaaaah! Oh heavens! Young Master!”
“Palgap, could you keep it down a little? My head's already pounding.”
Not only was my internal power nearly exhausted, but my body had reached its physical limit as well.
“Waaaaah! If you'd died, Young Master, I was going to avenge you by destroying this entire mountain!”
That's a relief.
Geumryeong, you just saved this mountain from destruction.
“Whew… I'm perfectly fine, so could you let go now? The shoulder you're squeezing hurts more than anything else.”
At my words, Palgap immediately released my shoulders.
“You truly aren't hurt anywhere, Young Master?”
“I'm fine.”
As I brushed the dirt and dust off my clothes, the Crown Prince and Prince Seongbo approached.
“Are you truly all right?”
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your Highness Prince Seongbo. I apologize for causing you concern.”
“Don't say that! If it weren't for you, we would've died without even having a chance to escape.”
“Why would you do something so reckless?”
At Prince Seongbo's question, I scratched my cheek.
“I don't really know myself. By the time I realized what I was doing, my body was already moving to save the two of you.”
The two of them looked genuinely moved by my answer.
“Now I understand why people call you the Handsome Young Hero. If that title doesn't belong to you, then who could possibly deserve it?”
“I knew there was a reason I fell for you, Great Hero.”
I gave them an awkward smile.
It's not like I could tell them the truth – 'If either of you dies or gets badly injured, it's going to cause me one hell of a headache.'
“You should rest for the remainder of the day.”
“I agree.”
And so we headed to a nearby village, where I washed up and collapsed onto a bed.
Maybe I'd overdone it a little today, because my shoulders were starting to ache.
Martial artists might have stronger bodies than ordinary people, but that didn't mean we were incapable of feeling pain.
“Kui?”
Geumryeong climbed onto my stomach.
“Kui! Kui!”
“Right. I promised you a reward.”
I reached into the pouch beside me, pulled out a Gold Tael, and held it out. Geumryeong hugged the Gold Tael tightly and rolled happily back and forth across my stomach.
You really like it that much?
I like money too, but whenever I look at Geumryeong, I start feeling like some kind of ascetic with no worldly desires whatsoever.
“Oww…”
A pained groan escaped me without my realizing it as I sat up.
“Kui?”
Geumryeong looked back and forth between me and the Gold Tael, then swallowed the Gold Tael in one gulp and spoke.
“Kui! Kui!”
Hm? You know somewhere good and want me to follow you?
I tilted my head, but Geumryeong sounded so confident that I couldn't exactly refuse.
I got myself ready and followed after Geumryeong.
Palgap and my Escort Guards followed behind me with grim, determined expressions.
You really don't need to look that serious…
Now I feel a little guilty.
“Kui!”
At that moment, Geumryeong announced that we'd arrived.
It's closer than I expected.
With that thought, I walked toward Geumryeong – and the instant I saw what was in front of me, my eyes widened.
This place is…
–TL Notes–
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