Chapter 1144
“Did you see it yesterday?”
“See what?”
“Well, that... the manor where Heavenly Comrade Alliance members reside.”
“Oh, that’s what you mean. Why are you bringing that up now out of nowhere? It’s been the talk of Kugang for a while now.”
The listener let out a chuckle. Indeed, the manor where Mount Hua resided had become quite famous in Kugang.
“Don’t even get me started. This time... I heard that Jang is bedridden.”
“Again?”
“What do you mean, again? I told that yangban to hire more people a long time ago, but he didn’t listen.”
“He did listen, this man. He hired some. It’s just that those he hired were not able to hold on and ran away after just three days!”
“That’s true.”
“Aigoo. That yangban is bedridden again. He’s really raking in the money, isn’t he?”
“Oho, is the money the point here? The human have to live first.”
“Kukukuk. I wouldn’t mind dying if I could make that much money.”
The Jang they are talking about is none other than the owner of the largest grocery store in Kugang. When the Mount Hua residing in the manor requested food supplies, fortune and misfortune hit him simultaneously.
“No, why do they eat so much food?”
“Aren’t they martial artists? It’s inevitable that you eat a different amount than ordinary people.”
“No matter how much it is. The amount those yangbans eat is enough food to feed the entire Kugang. It doesn’t even seem like there are that many people there...”
“Who knows? How can we understand the lives of martial artists?”
There was no need to publicize anything. The massive quantities of meat and grain entering the manor alone were enough to make it a notable attraction in Kugang.
“And I heard that Yoo was also sick in bed.”
“Why Yoo? He’s not involved with food supplies, is he?”
“Ei, this guy really knows nothing. What does Yoo do? He cuts grass, doesn’t he?”
“I guess?”
“I heard that the manor is overflowing with beasts from Yunnan, and the amount of grass they eat is no joke.”
“Ah, so that’s why Yoo recruited many laborers last time.... Wait a minute? But he must have hired at least twenty people at that time. And now he’s bedridden?”
“Twenty? No, it’s been over thirty for a while. Half of them are bedridden now. They cut grass day and night, so the mountains around Kugang are now turning bald.”
“Ho.... hoho. That’s something.”
The person who heard the story shook his head. The more he heard, the more bizarre the things became.
“They eat so well, but why do the people I see every time I pass by look like that? I thought the Beggar Union had joined Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
“Kukukuk. That’s right, that’s right. I’ve heard that they train more intensely than they eat.”
The speaker shook his head.
“I used to think that those great and prestigious disciples were like lofty cranes in the sky, people I could not dare look up to, but after seeing them cultivate, I no longer envy them.”
“What envy! I’d run away even if they offered me free admission. How can anyone endure that?”
“Exactly.”
No matter how much the great sects of Kangho try to get closer to the common people, the distance between them is not easily narrowed. This is because even in peacetime, it is difficult to shake off the aversion to those who carry swords.
Even if they understood with their heads that they were good people, the fear that they could be struck down in an instant was something everyone instinctively felt.
But now, Heavenly Comrade Alliance was narrowing the distance between themselves and the common people in a way that even they could not have expected.
“I heard they hired a large number of cooks this time?”
“Don’t even get me started. They hired thirty new cooks this time. And on top of that, they’ve hired people to manage the manor and take care of the beasts.”
“Hoho. Really.”
“It’s fortunate, really. Just think about it. How many people were half-starved because they couldn’t go out fishing with those pirates causing trouble? Aren’t all those yangbans now going to that manor and working there? Thanks to that, Kugang can breathe a little easier.”
“But... does Heavenly Comrade Alliance really have that much money? From what I hear, they’re spending a fortune on food, hay, and wages for the workers.”
“Tsk, tsk. This guy.”
“Who?”
“Which bastard dares to disrespect Hyun Jong Jinin?”
“What crazy bastard dares do that in Kugang!”
As soon as the fierce gaze poured out, several men came forward with their arms folded. The man who saw them was terrified and shouted.
“No! No! It’s a misunderstanding! How could I do that! Hyun Jong Jinin of Mount Hua is the greatest person in the world! Of course! Absolutely!”
At that time, when the desperate screams to avoid beatings were echoing through the streets, the Hyun Jong they were praising was literally on the verge of collapse.
“Ughhhhh.”
Thud.
Hyun Jong collapsed on the floor.
“I- I’m dying....”
“Sect Leader! Are you okay?”
“Ugh....”
Hyun Jong, whose complexion was deathly pale, groaned incessantly. Next to him, Hyung Sang and Hyung Young were already lying in a daze.
“It’s not like I... asked for wealth and honor....”
“H- Here’s the water, Sect Leader!”
“Ugh....”
A groan kept leaking out of Hyun Jong’s mouth.
‘He’s raising our internal strength unnecessarily.’
That damn brat occasionally came and fed them elixirs to keep them healthy, so he thought that brat really cared about the elders. But he was using its effect here to the last bit, to the very last bit!
“Sect Leader... It’s already been five days.”
“...It’s almost done.”
Hyun Jong nodded and looked at the door, from which white steam was continuously escaping.
That moment.
Flash!
A dazzling purple light poured out through the tightly closed door.
“It’s dooooooone!”
At the same time, even before the loud voice from inside had completely faded, someone burst through the door.
Kwang!
“Keuh!”
Hyun Jong stared blankly at Chung Myung, who emerged from the door. Carrying a bundle that looked bigger than himself on his back, he exhaled purple steam from his mouth.
“Even elixir concocting skills improve if done a few times, it seems! I thought all Jasodan were the same.”
“Ugh. Chung Myung, is it done?”
At those words, Chung Myung tapped the bundle he was carrying.
“Perfect! This Jasodan will be even more effective than before. Hehe!”
“...Then that’s fortunate.”
You’ve been grinding the elderly day and night, so it should work... You damn punk.
“Huhuhuhu. Let’s see if you can still complain after eating this. You’re dead meat, these little shits!”
Chung Myung chuckled gleefully and quickly flew away.
“Chu- Chung Myung....”
Hyun Jong, staring blankly at his rapidly retreating figure, let his half-raised hand fall weakly. He then slowly turned to the elders.
“...Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”
“...That rotten punk.”
“....”
Soft curses mingled with the faint fragrance of Jasodan that filled the air.