Chapter 72:

Chapter 72:

Ryu Seol-ho managed his expression well, being the seasoned branch leader he was, but Mu-jin did not miss the change in his demeanor.

“We shall take our leave now.”

“Please be careful on your way. Outer Chief! Guide Hyun-gwang Monk and Novice Mu-jin to the hall where they will stay for the next two days. If possible, provide a place close to my mother’s estate.”

“Understood, Sangdanju.”

Mu-jin and Hyun-gwang followed the Outer Chief.

Meanwhile, Ryu Seol-ho’s eyes flickered as he watched Sangdanju Ryu Ji-gwang treat Hyun-gwang with great respect.

—

Ryu Seol-ho now wore the familiar mask on his face, greeting Ryu Ji-gwang with a nonchalant demeanor.

Ryu Ji-gwang’s attitude seemed somewhat softened compared to the past, but Ryu Seol-ho only sneered inwardly, revealing nothing of his true feelings.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Ryu Ji-gwang asked a question.

“What do you think of Novice Mu-jin, Seol-ho?”

“...He seems exceptionally talented for his age.”

Knowing that Ryu Ji-gwang held Mu-jin in high regard, Ryu Seol-ho hid his true feelings and responded appropriately.

“Especially, I was amazed by his ability to attract officials to the clinic in just a few days after arriving in Nanchang.”

“Hahaha. It wasn’t solely Novice Mu-jin’s effort. I know that you helped him.”

“...?”

“Recently, the delay in Nanchang’s operations is because the manpower was diverted to assist the Shaolin clinic, isn’t it? However, the clinic is generating considerable profit, so it was a sound decision.”

Despite the setbacks caused by those wretched Shaolin disciples and Ryang Ga-won of Imun, which disrupted the operations of Paedobang, what nonsense was this?

‘No, this is definitely an indirect rebuke.’

Even if he had recently become gentler, the Sangdanju, who was obsessed with work, would never overlook matters related to ‘business.’

“...While assisting the clinic, I tried to handle the original tasks cleanly, but I am still lacking.”

“No, no. Hahaha. Given that no additional manpower was supplied, it’s natural to find it difficult to handle extra work.”

Ryu Ji-gwang’s gentle laughter was hard for Ryu Seol-ho to endure.

Thus, he hastily changed the subject.

“By the way, who was the esteemed monk accompanying Novice Mu-jin that Sangdanju treated with such respect?”

“That was Monk Hyun-gwang, Mu-jin’s great master. He is a highly devout monk whom my mother befriended in her later years.”

‘A high monk of Shaolin... Could he be a martial arts master?’

Concerned that his plans might be disrupted, Ryu Seol-ho tried to maintain a calm facade as he asked.

“Then he must be quite skilled.”

“He was exceptional in the past, but now he is someone with physical difficulties.”

However, Ryu Ji-gwang shook his head at Ryu Seol-ho’s question. This was despite knowing full well the capabilities of Hyeon-gwang.

This was for security reasons.

To Ryu Ji-gwang, Hyeon-gwang was the last insurance policy. He was the final protector who would safeguard the family in times of crisis.

Moreover, as a seasoned merchant, Ryu Ji-gwang understood the importance of information better than anyone.

No matter how close someone was, words uttered with the thought, ‘This person should be fine,’ would eventually spread. The person receiving the information would also think, ‘This person should be fine,’ and pass it on to someone else.

Especially considering the recent situation with Hong So-hee, who was captured by Mu-jin, this information had to be kept hidden from the family until the very end.

However, Ryu Seol-ho did not fully trust Ryu Ji-gwang’s words.

‘Just in case, I need to check it out.’

With that thought in mind, Ryu Seol-ho bid farewell to Ryu Ji-gwang and stood up.

“Sorry to take up your time, Sangdanju-nim. I’ll go and greet Grandmother now.”

After finishing his greetings with Ryu Ji-gwang, he headed to Yeon Ga-hee’s quarters with his bodyguard.

Upon arriving at Yeon Ga-hee’s quarters, Ryu Seol-ho almost frowned again.

“Branch Leader Ryu Seol-ho, it seems we meet often today. Hahaha.”

Once again, he encountered Mu-jin Novice and Hyeon-gwang there.

At Ryu Seol-ho’s question, Chief Officer Geum replied in a calm tone.

“Hyeon-gwang was known as the ‘Supreme Talent of the World’ in his youth.”

“!!!”

Both Ryu Seol-ho and his bodyguard were startled by Chief Officer Geum’s answer.

“Then wouldn’t that pose a problem for the plan?”

“Do not worry. There’s a reason I mentioned his youth. Thirty-five years ago, that monk lost all his martial arts while protecting Shaolin from a detachment of the Demon Cult. He became so disabled that he can barely move on his own.”

“Are you certain he lost his martial arts? He could have regained them.”

“His qi and blood flow were completely disrupted, and his danjeon was destroyed. Thirty-five years ago, the whole Central Plains was abuzz with news that the ‘Supreme Talent of the World’ had become a cripple. Shaolin spent years trying to restore his body, but at some point, the name ‘Hyeon-gwang’ disappeared from the Central Plains.”

“......”

“Still, thinking that there might be a chance, I continued gathering information through those who remained in the main house. Thanks to the rehabilitation treatment from Mu-jin Novice, he has barely managed to move again. There wasn’t even a trace of internal energy left.”

Ryu Seol-ho nodded slightly and spoke.

“So, the old monk also recovered through Mu-jin Novice’s treatment?”

“Yes. The old madam also went to Shaolin and received treatment from Mu-jin Novice, and as a result, Mu-jin’s grand master, Hyeon-gwang, and the old madam became friends.”

“Hmmm.”

Having heard all the explanations, Ryu Seol-ho stroked his chin.

‘Seeing how officials keep seeking him out, it seems that treatment method is indeed useful.’

Ryu Seol-ho thought it might be quite a lucrative business, similar to the clinic in Nanchang.

But Mu-jin’s treatment method was not his immediate concern.

“So Hyeon-gwang won’t be a significant obstacle in this matter. Proceed with the plan as it is.”

“Understood. Even if you sustain minor injuries during the ambush, please don’t be too surprised; it’s to clear you of suspicion.”

“Do you think I would undertake such a task without that level of courage?”

“I apologize. I misspoke.”

Saying this, Chief Officer Geum bowed and left the room with the bodyguard.

After Ryu Seol-ho was no longer present, the bodyguard discreetly asked Chief Officer Geum a question.

“It seems the name Mu-jin Novice keeps coming up, possibly because the Sangdanju cherishes him. Have you obtained any separate information about him here?”

Asking in Ryu Seol-ho’s absence indicated that the question pertained to information that should not reach Ryu Seol-ho, information meant to stay within their organization.

Normally, there would have been no need to ask such questions separately since they regularly exchanged information.

However, due to the chaos after Hong So-hee’s capture and the bloodshed at the Cheonryu Sangdan main house, spies like Chief Officer Geum had to halt their activities completely for several months.

Despite their caution, two-thirds of the spies were eliminated, and Chief Officer Geum survived only due to his decades of loyalty.

Even though Chief Officer Geum survived, many of his trusted aides were removed. Thus, the main house spies only recently resumed their activities.

As a result, the information gathered at the Cheonryu Sangdan main house had not been properly relayed to other places.

“Mu-jin Novice is a child we are also watching closely. Particularly, we obtained some peculiar information during the interrogation of No. 1027.”

“What peculiar information?”

“She claimed that the black-clad man who summoned her was Mu-jin Novice. Moreover, she said that Mu-jin Novice knew our code system.”

“!!!”

“I naturally thought there was a rebellious faction within the organization. I believed she was trying to protect the black-clad man by betraying Mu-jin Novice. However, no matter how much I investigated the black-clad man and the rebellious faction, nothing came up.”

Listening to Chief Officer Geum, the bodyguard felt the fog in his mind clearing.

‘It never made sense before. That Ryang Ga-won was investigating Honginmun.’

Ryang Ga-won was an official who had no interest in the lives of the poor. It made no sense that he was secretly tracking Honginmun and Paedobang. But now, hearing Chief Officer Geum’s words, a strong suspicion arose that Mu-jin might be involved.

‘Because of that damn novice, I’ve suffered such humiliation!’

The bodyguard’s eyes blazed as he recalled the insults he had endured from Ryu Seol-ho over the past four months.

“I understand that Mu-jin Novice is also invited to the seventieth birthday celebration. Can I deal with him personally during this opportunity?”

“Hmmm. Although it might cause friction with Shaolin, I too have felt uneasy about him, so I’ll try to create an opportunity.”