The Martial Alliance’s Commission (2)

The day after his meeting with Je Yeong-hak, Neung Je-gang was formally given a graduation certificate from the Soul-Returning Medical Institute.

Now he had the status to openly call himself a physician anywhere in the Central Plains. At the very least, he would never have to worry about starving.

On the way back to Kuaiji Mountain, he chose the route of sailing from Geumhwa to Dongyang, then traveling by land to Kuaiji.

While waiting for the boat at the Geumhwa ferry, Neung Je-gang carefully observed the passing people.

Strangely, there were more martial artists than usual. Geumhwa had no martial academies or sects, so it was rare to see them here. At most, he would see injured martial artists coming to Shinsu Medical House for treatment.

The boat arrived, and Neung Je-gang dismissed his thoughts. He was just heading home, after all.

But then, a voice that pricked his nerves rang out.

“Sahje!”

He turned his head sharply. Je So-yeon stood there grinning, all ready for the journey.

“W-What are you doing here?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? I’ve been assigned to Kuaiji Mountain. Isn’t that great, Sahje?”

Je So-yeon came right up to him and tugged his sleeve.

“Well? Aren’t you getting on the boat?”

Practically dragged along by her, Neung Je-gang boarded. Everyone’s eyes turned toward them.

“Sahje, you’ve ridden boats plenty of times, right? This is my first time.”

Chuckles sounded again. Neung Je-gang had grown used to being called Sahje, but to others it sounded ridiculous.

“Do you know how far we have to go? What’s Kuaiji Mountain like? Is the road rough? Are there lots of sick people? Have you fought the Pirates before? Are they really scary?”

Je So-yeon seemed thrilled to be traveling alone with him. It was also her first trip outside Shinsu Medical House, so she brimmed with curiosity.

‘So this is what Je Yeong-hak meant by “I’ll handle it.”’

He couldn’t help blaming the old man in his heart. The thought of having to look after such a childish girl made him shake his head.

‘But wait—what made him send his granddaughter alone out into the world? Even if I’m with her, it isn’t easy to make that decision.’

Then it hit him. The unusually high number of martial artists today…

‘Ah! So they’re all her escorts.’

Indeed, among the passengers taking their seats, Je So-yeon and Neung Je-gang were placed in the very center.

“Well? Why don’t you answer me?”

Lost in thought, he hadn’t replied, and she began pouting again. She had always been like this at the medical house—wherever Neung Je-gang went, she would suddenly appear to chatter, laugh, or sulk.

“Hm? What did you just say?”

“Forget it!”

Her whole face scrunched in a sulk. Neung Je-gang had never once comforted her when she acted this way.

Then—

“Tch, I can’t watch this disgusting display.”

“Heh heh, Yeon-hyeong, endure it. They’re just kids. Their play won’t last long.”

The voices came from a few sinister-looking men.

Neung Je-gang’s sharp eyes swept over them. They were martial artists, though not in the league of real masters. Likely trained in external arts.

‘Could they be half-men scouts for river bandits?’

Half-men were spies who boarded boats in advance to scout for dangers. If no strong martial artists were present, they would signal to the waiting bandits.

Bang!

“My blood’s boiling. You expect me to endure?”

The one called Yeon-hyeong swung his iron staff threateningly. If someone stepped in to subdue them, it usually served as a sign to the bandits not to attack.

Je So-yeon frowned. She realized their insults were directed at her and Neung Je-gang.

“Quiet.”

A bodyguard from Shinsu Medical House stepped forward, voice heavy with intimidation. He even revealed the hilt of a hidden blade in warning.

The supposed half-men fell silent at once. They always became meek when facing danger—after all, their lives were their greatest treasure.

〔My thanks.〕

Neung Je-gang sent a sound transmission to the bodyguard. The man glanced around in surprise, locking eyes with him. His look turned to shock—he hadn’t expected this young man to be capable of transmitting sound.

Neung Je-gang nodded slightly, and the bodyguard quickly returned the gesture before resuming his post.

Neung Je-gang endured Je So-yeon’s chatter for the rest of the ride, while the bodyguard performed his duty with newfound peace of mind.

Kuaiji Mountain remained as ever—filled with people training, or descending to guard against pirate incursions.

With his master’s permission, Neung Je-gang gathered children unsuited for martial training and taught them basic medicine. Je So-yeon, meanwhile, became so busy tending the sick and infirm that she rarely saw him, earning herself the nickname Crying Divine Doctor among the children.

And yet, as expected of Shinsu Medical House’s bloodline, her patients recovered so quickly that calling her a divine doctor was no exaggeration.

One day, Nam Yeong quietly summoned Neung Je-gang.

“So, how is it? Isn’t it effective, changing your face like that?”

“What do you mean, Master?”

“Don’t you feel the way people look at you has changed? A good first impression is invaluable in the martial world.”

“Well, yes, but the problem is the women. Too many approach me so openly—it’s uncomfortable.”

Nam Yeong chuckled.

“You may not care for women, but many powerful ones exist in the martial world. That face of yours will serve as a formidable weapon.”

“I understand. But you keep mentioning the martial world… is something happening?”

“There’s good news.”

“Good news?”

“Do you know of the Martial Alliance?”

“Yes. You mean the Righteous Martial Alliance in Zhengzhou?”

The Martial Alliance was the righteous counterpart to the Black Alliance, created during the Necromancer Cult’s reign of blood. The two still opposed each other.

“They’ve asked me for help.”

“What sort of help?”

“An incident has occurred. Taskforce Unit 36 of their Special Assault Corps was found annihilated. All thirty were elite warriors.”

“Thirty elites dead? And they’re asking for…?”

“They want us to find the murderer.”

Neung Je-gang frowned.

“What about their Investigation Unit? I heard it rivals the Eastern Depot.”

“They’re all tied up in another matter. I don’t know what. Right now, they’re stretched thin.”

“I see. So what will you do?”

“I’m inclined to accept. Their offer is… tempting. Perhaps they won’t honor it, but it’s too good to ignore.”

“What condition did they offer?”

“If we succeed, the Martial Alliance will dispatch assault units to aid Zhejiang and Fujian in the fight against the Wae.”

That explained Nam Yeong’s interest. But to Neung Je-gang, it felt hollow.

“That’s rather shameless.”

“Eh?”

“If they were truly righteous, they would have acted against the Wae long ago. To use it now as a bargaining chip is disgraceful.”

Nam Yeong sighed.

“Maybe so. But if we don’t accept, we’ll get nothing.”

Neung Je-gang grinned suddenly.

“Then add more conditions.”

“Such as?”

“What does Master need most right now?”

“Funds, I suppose.”

“Exactly. Demand ten years’ worth of funding for our base. They can’t refuse.”

Nam Yeong laughed.

“Excellent. I’ll have you go in my stead to make that demand.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’ve already told them you’ll be the one.”

“…I wonder if they’ll accept an outsider like me. The Righteous sects are often conservative.”

“True. But think: isn’t it time you sought your enemies more directly? The Martial Alliance controls the Beggar’s Sect, the greatest intelligence network in the land. If anyone can find Dam Ja-cheon and Dam Yeo-yeong, it’s them.”

“Ah…!”

So that was his master’s true intent.

Still, Neung Je-gang worried.

“What if the culprits were righteous sects themselves?”

“Then let them approach you first. You’re strong enough now to survive, and perhaps lure them out.”

“I understand. You want me to stir the grass and see what snake slithers out.”

“Exactly. Just remember, there may be traps.”

“Yes, Master.”

A blue light flickered in Neung Je-gang’s eyes. This time, he vowed, he would uncover the truth of his family’s massacre.