Chapter 48. Do you understand what I mean? I rested my chin on my hand, gazing at the boxes of White Flame Grass.
The small box contained a hundred-year-old White Flame Grass, while the two large boxes seemed to hold regular White Flame Grass.
Just then, Jin-hae, who had gotten off the carriage late, strode into the main hall and said, "Brother, we still need to check the quality."
Jin-hae sat across from me and opened the large box first.
"Ah, these days, it's not easy to find such elixirs."
Jin-hae waved his hand to catch the scent of the elixir.
"Ah, it seems like there's a warm heat contained in the smell. It's not easy to store this, so you should consume it as soon as possible."
I glanced at the regular White Flame Grass.
An elixir doesn't have a grand appearance.
It looks just like ginseng or the greens served on a dining table.
What matters more is where it was found.
Just as a person changes depending on the environment they grow up in.
White Flame Grass can actually be harvested not from the Western Regions but from the Southern Forest of the Western Continent.
It has no side effects and helps improve one's inner strength, so the older it is, the more valuable it becomes.
I picked up a piece of regular White Flame Grass, slipped it under my mask, and slowly chewed it.
Jin-hae, who assumed I would buy everything, asked, "How is it?" I nodded.
"It's good."
"Ah, have you eaten White Flame Grass before, brother?" In my previous life, compared to the top masters of the martial world, my training period was relatively short.
Naturally, I had tried most elixirs.
Of course, I had never tasted extreme elixirs like Snow Ginseng.
However, I had been dragged to the Southern Forest to taste this White Flame Grass, so I couldn't forget its flavor.
The regular White Flame Grass was genuine.
The problem was with the hundred-year-old White Flame Grass...
As I was about to open the box containing the hundred-year-old White Flame Grass, Jin-hae pressed down on the box with his finger.
"Brother, no matter how close we are, shouldn't we at least put down some money to check? It's not that I don't trust you, but that's the basic principle of trade."
"Bok, bring the money."
"Yes, Lord."
Matters should always be handled simply and clearly.
While Bok dragged over the box containing the money, I said, "We still need to check the quality. Bok, you should take a look yourself."
Bok placed the box of money on the table and replied, "Shall I?" Jin-hae looked at Bok.
"Do you know how to assess elixirs?" "Of course."
I pointed at Bok.
"He's a veteran of the martial world for over thirty years. A legendary elixir appraiser, an expert in elixirs, a genius in elixirs, the great master of the elixir world, a man who can discover elixirs from a hundred miles away and smell them from even farther. He became a martial artist to appraise elixirs; that is Bok."
Bok countered with a hint of embarrassment, "You're overpraising me."
It was indeed an overpraise.
Jin-hae chuckled and looked at Bok.
"Is that so? Bok, impressive. Go ahead and check."
Bok opened the box and sniffed.
"There are three roots. The smell is correct. But here, you can see the joint of the root is awkwardly torn; it seems someone has taken one root."
After Bok finished speaking, he looked at Jin-hae.
Jin-hae retorted, "I told you to assess it, not to spout nonsense. Just determine if it's genuine or not. Selling three roots for fifty gold coins is already a big concession on my part. Do you want to make me uncomfortable? I might just take it to Brother Baekyu like this."
As Jin-hae became overly irritable, Bok slightly bowed his head.
"I apologize."
Bok then said to me, "But the choice must be made by you, Lord. The White Flame Grass is indeed genuine. Even if we send someone to the Southern Forest, it would not be easy to find such goods. More importantly, transportation is difficult, so Jin-hae's words are true. If there were five or six roots, Jin-hae would probably have asked for a hundred gold coins."
I nodded.
"Is that so?" Jin-hae laughed heartily, as if his mood had lightened.
"Bok, I thought you were just a perverted painter, but you have extensive knowledge about elixirs."
I pointed at the box.
"Check the money and take it."
Jin-hae opened the box of gold coins and carefully examined them with his hands.
"It should be correct. By the way, this time, I think Myeo will win? That's a pity."
"What do you mean?" "Nothing."
"Speak up."
Jin-hae tilted his head and said, "Well, if there's a martial arts betting match, wouldn't most people bet on Brother Baekyu? Brother is the underdog. I think if you take this, at least it would be a draw, or Myeo would win. If the stakes are raised, fifty gold coins for you and me is nothing... Do you understand what I mean?" "A fight between the Twelve Divine Generals as a martial arts betting match?" Jin-hae pointed at me.
"That's why it's a big deal. Do you understand what I mean? Moreover, Brother Baekyu is a Divine General. Since I can't think of a way right now, I'll ponder it a bit. Ah, if this match happens, it would be a big deal, but it's a pity. If we just get the outcome right, fifty gold coins? No, at least five hundred gold coins. If that happens, Brother would be eating the elixir for free."
I subtly showed interest.
"What about Master?" Jin-hae replied, "Master? I'm taking good care of him as usual, what's the problem? Hahaha."
As Jin-hae laughed, Bok, who was beside him, also laughed along for no reason.
"Hahaha, indeed, it seems that Jin-hae is always competing with the Twelve Divine Generals in terms of wisdom. This old man is impressed."
Jin-hae looked at Bok.
"Bok."
"Yes."
"Who told you to give such unnecessary flattery?" Bok clasped his hands together respectfully.
"I apologize many times today. I overstepped."
I felt that Jin-hae had crossed a line, so I spoke in a calm tone.
"Disciple, you should also be moderate."
Jin-hae stood up and replied, "Then I will take my leave now. Brother, it's better to consume that as soon as possible. The efficacy may diminish once it comes into contact with air. Bok."
"Yes."
"Today, our Myeo will be cultivating Qi all day, so be even more vigilant than usual. Not even an ant should be allowed to pass."
"I will keep that in mind."
"See you again."
As Jin-hae turned to leave, I called for my disciple.
"Wait a moment."
Jin-hae merely turned his head to look at me.
I took three roots of the hundred-year-old White Flame Grass and slipped them under my mask to chew immediately. "..."
In truth, I didn't need to cultivate Qi right away because of Cheon-ok.
Cheon-ok would absorb the energy of the elixir first, and I would gather the energy from Cheon-ok whenever I had time to build my inner strength.
Perhaps, I was the only martial artist in the world who built inner strength this way.
I nodded and said, "There's no doubt. This is genuine White Flame Grass."
Jin-hae smiled and bid farewell.
"Brother, congratulations in advance. See you again."
After Jin-hae disappeared, Bok asked me, "Are you alright? You don't have to cultivate Qi right away."
I took off my mask and replied, "I'm fine. What about the other officials?" "They are waiting at various points along the route. By the way, Lord, even if you take off your mask and go out yourself, didn't Jin-hae see your original face?" "He's a clever pig, so he will remember."
"Could that be a problem? There are quite a few troops under Jin-hae's command."
I set down the black cat and, while taking off my clothes, said, "Bok, I'm not that calculated. What's important is..."
"Yes."
"To muster the courage to seize the money. The will to take it by force. Courage, spirit, bravery, aggression, and a proactive attitude. Planning is not important. The heart is always more important. Worry is a trivial thought that ranks lower than planning. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, Lord."
As Bok brought me a change of clothes, he lowered his head upon seeing my bare body.
I changed into a clean white robe and commanded Bok, "Maintain a tight guard. Officially, the Lord is currently cultivating Qi."
"I will obey your orders. Ah, are you not bringing a sword?" "What servant needs a sword?"
As Jin-hae got into the carriage and took off his mask, he spoke to the guard sitting across from him.
"You foolish brat, there are too many suspicions. It's tiring."
The guard, holding a sword against his chest, smiled and replied, "You've worked hard. Where shall I take you?" "Let's go to the Chicken Head Brother. It's a busy day."
The guard raised his voice slightly while looking at the driver.
"Let's head to Baekyu Divine General."
Inside the rattling carriage, Jin-hae suddenly tilted his head.
"It feels like the atmosphere has changed a bit."
"Why?" "Isn't he making some silly jokes? His head seems a bit off."
Jin-hae twirled his finger around his temple.
"He must be anxious and on edge about competing with Baekyu Divine General."
"Is that so?" "Are they going to have a martial arts betting match?" "I don't know yet."
Jin-hae's guard, as if pleased with the plan, chattered excitedly.
"Sell three roots to the black cat, and four roots to Baekyu. If we can arrange the martial arts betting match and raise the stakes... indeed, there are no gaps in the plans of the Lord."
Jin-hae nodded.
"It would be better to stick to the Divine General. That rabbit won't even know why he lost again. If he gets injured badly this time, I can bribe Master a bit. Should I also participate in the ranking battle?" "Then you'll immediately rise to the fifth rank?" "What difference does it make to rise to the fifth rank?" The guard shook his head.
"Lord, why are you satisfied with just the fifth rank? If you take down just one of the four Divine Generals, you could rise to their position."
Jin-hae pointed at the guard.
"You're too hasty. The Divine Generals are not easy opponents. Let's think long-term. How much money have I lost to the Daenachal gang? There's no need to rush. Our family has never suffered losses. In the end, we will recover everything."
At that moment, the driver shouted "Whoa—whoa—" and the carriage shook violently.
Along with the sound of hooves thundering outside, a clattering noise echoed, and the mournful cries of horses filled the air.
Jin-hae, upon seeing through a small window, shouted angrily, "Are they crazy!" With a look of disbelief, Jin-hae got out of the carriage.
It was a situation where a carriage had almost collided with one that suddenly emerged from the right path.
The startled horses were kicking up a storm.
Such a carriage accident could only happen if the drivers were not drunk.
The guard hurried to calm the furious Jin-hae.
"Lord, please put on your mask first. I will handle this."
"No, what kind of nonsense is this on a wide road? Check if that driver over there has been drinking."
"Yes."
"If he has, slap him twenty times."
"Understood."
I watched the fireworks bursting in the sky as I adjusted my direction.
Whether Jin-hae was returning home or heading to the tavern with the money he just earned, the officials lying in ambush at important intersections would block him or delay him by any means necessary.
While the officials bought time, I planned to follow the direction indicated by the fireworks.
However, judging by the position of the fireworks, it seemed that Jin-hae had not gone far yet.
I began to pick up speed, running toward my beloved disciple.
There were so many things I wanted to say.
First of all, my money.
I regretted responding politely when I asked him to bring water.
Now that I think about it, it seems my disciple didn't even pay for the meal.
It was a lavish feast, so that couldn't be right.
I wanted to suggest he lose some weight for his health.
And above all, I felt uneasy about my disciple being too arrogant.
Suddenly, as I was running fiercely, I realized I wasn't wearing my mask.
If that's the case, I am currently...
The point of the Twelve Divine Generals, the leader of the Hao Moon, the liberator of the Black Line, the servant of the Black Cat, and the one who is in charge of the Jaha Inn.
What does this mean? No matter what, it means that the rich young master has a strong aversion.
Perhaps it's because I was running.
Suddenly, anger boiled within me.
I tore through the wind as I ran.
Wait for me, disciple.
I am... coming to meet you... now.