Chapter 48 : Sacred Hand Grounds (1)

Chapter 48: Sacred Hand Grounds (1)

“Thank you for your help.”

Paeng Dogeuk clasped his hands and greeted Gok Bihang and the others.

“Don’t mention it.”

But there was a subtle coldness in Gok Bihang’s gaze.

In truth, Wi Yeonho’s words weren’t wrong. If Paeng Dogeuk hadn’t shown up, they wouldn’t have had a reason to risk their lives in the first place.

And if Wi Yeonho hadn’t been an expert beyond Gok Bihang’s expectations, they would’ve ended up buried here today.

“All the damaged goods will be compensated by the Paeng Clan. Please send the bill to Hubei. And in case of possible retaliation, I’ll send martial artists to the Swift Dragon Escort Agency.”

“Understood.”

Gok Bihang didn’t say much more.

This incident had put them at odds with the Green Forest. That wasn’t something that could be resolved with compensation.

Though Paeng Dogeuk wasn’t entirely at fault, it was natural that kind words wouldn’t come easily.

“I will make sure to repay this debt.”

“Where are you headed?”

At Gok Bihang’s blunt question, Paeng Dogeuk paused for a moment before answering.

“To the Murim Alliance.”

“Not to the Paeng Clan?”

“I’m currently carrying out an order from the Alliance. The compensation for the goods will come from the Paeng Clan, but matters related to the Green Forest will be handled by the Righteous Martial Alliance.”

“In that case...”

Gok Bihang’s expression brightened.

Sungcheon Righteous Martial Alliance.

Often called the Murim Alliance or the One Alliance, it was the most powerful force in the world. An alliance centered around the Nine Sects and One Gang, and the Five Great Clans—the most dominant powers in the martial world.

If they protected the Swift Dragon Escort Agency, even the Green Forest wouldn’t dare to interfere so easily.

Handled well, this might even turn out to their advantage.

“Then I’ll be off.”

Paeng Dogeuk was about to hurry away, but he turned his head slightly and looked at the freight wagon.

‘Still, I should at least say something...’

Paeng Dogeuk climbed onto the wagon.

“Thank you for your help. I will definitely repay this debt.”

“How?”

“That is...”

Wi Yeonho looked at Paeng Dogeuk with a tilted gaze.

“How exactly are you going to repay it?”

“In some way or another...”

“I’m asking what that ‘some way’ is. What are you going to repay me with? My whole body’s aching from all that effort. How are you going to compensate me for this pain?”

Paeng Dogeuk couldn’t answer.

It was just a formality, wasn’t it?

Wi Yeonho clicked his tongue.

“Just go, will you? Let’s not meet again if we can help it. If I keep hanging around with you, I’ll end up getting dragged into the water like a drowning ghost.”

“Ahem!”

“What are you waiting for? I said go.”

At Wi Yeonho’s irritated voice, Paeng Dogeuk’s face reddened.

“Then please take care.”

And with that, Paeng Dogeuk departed.

Gok Bihang climbed up onto the wagon.

“Wasn’t that a bit harsh?”

“What was?”

“What you said to that young man. He didn’t do anything terribly wrong. Sure, he made a mistake, but it wasn’t intentional, was it?”

Wi Yeonho let out a sigh.

“Mister.”

“What is it?”

“If I weren’t here, you’d be dead.”

“...That’s true.”

“Everyone else would’ve died too. All because of that one guy.”

Gok Bihang nodded.

It was true.

“But judging by the situation, it seems he had something important to deal with. That young man was just trying to act in chivalry.”

“Chivalry?”

“Yes.”

Wi Yeonho gave a faint laugh.

“So then, is it okay for people to die?”

“...”

“Maybe some people value causes and righteousness. But if that means others have to be sacrificed, then that cause isn’t worth having.”

“Hmm...”

“If he really meant to act chivalrously, he should’ve handled it on his own somehow. He shouldn’t have caused trouble for others.”

“But wasn’t it a situation he couldn’t resolve alone? And if more people might end up in danger...”

Wi Yeonho smiled faintly.

“I don’t want to get caught up in saving more people and end up dying because of it.”

Gok Bihang looked at Wi Yeonho with a curious gaze.

It sounded incredibly selfish and worldly. Most people would be ashamed to say something like that out loud.

But Wi Yeonho’s face showed no hesitation in saying such things.

“My master once told me, there’s nothing more foolish than risking your life for something unrelated to you. He said I had to survive first if I wanted to help others.”

“Hmmm.”

“I have to be happy for others to be happy. So the one who must come first is me.”

Gok Bihang laughed.

“But still, you helped him in the end, didn’t you?”

“Well, if we hadn’t, those green-faced guys would’ve come after us.”

“Hm?”

“Having him around meant one less swing of the hand, so I helped. If leaving him alone would’ve solved the problem, I would’ve just walked away.”

“I-is that so?”

“Of course.”

Gok Bihang let out an awkward laugh.

“Anyway... you’ve got some incredible martial arts, you know!”

“Haha, it’s just average.”

Gok Bihang was genuinely impressed.

“No, really. I’ve never seen martial arts like yours in my life. It was truly extraordinary!”

“Nah, it’s nothing special.”

Wi Yeonho tried to act modest, but a pleased smile crept across his face.

It was only natural—throughout his life, Wi Yeonho had almost never received praise from others. His parents tormented him, his brother tried to devour him, and his only master constantly berated him for being dull.

Thanks to that, Wi Yeonho was especially weak to compliments.

“Besides, your body can’t be in good condition, can it?”

“Sorry? What are you talking about now?”

“Aren’t you sick or something?”

“No, I’m not? Who said that?”

It was Gok Bihang who looked confused instead.

“I mean, you said you were going to Sacred Hand Grounds...”

“That’s just because I had something to do there.”

“I thought you were bedridden all day because of illness?”

Wi Yeonho answered with absolute confidence.

“No, I just sleep a lot.”

Gok Bihang’s expression twisted for a moment.

‘So all of that... really was just laziness?’

Realizing that the ten or more hours Wi Yeonho spent lying down each day weren’t due to illness but to pure sloth, Gok Bihang looked at him with fresh eyes.

‘He might be a bit lazy, but he’s definitely a capable young man. It wouldn’t hurt to establish some ties with him through the escort business.’

Having recently witnessed Wi Yeonho’s martial prowess firsthand, Gok Bihang held him in high regard. Even if he was lazy, a man with skills like that had earned the right to be lazy.

But that thought didn’t last long.

From that point on, Gok Bihang got a proper look at Wi Yeonho’s laziness.

It was a world of difference seeing it with awareness versus not. Once the idea of illness was off the table, he could clearly see just how slothful Wi Yeonho truly was.

After just a day, Gok Bihang adjusted his assessment.

‘He definitely has the ability. But he’s too lazy to make use of it. At this rate, he could even lose what he has. If only he weren’t so lazy, he’d go far...’

By the third day, Gok Bihang was staring at Wi Yeonho like he was something revolting.

‘Does he have glue on his back or something? How can someone stay stuck to the ground all day like that? He’s still a person, isn’t he? Shouldn’t he move a little?’

When they finally arrived at the inn they’d arranged, and Wi Yeonho spent two whole days doing nothing but eating and sleeping, Gok Bihang solidified his conclusion.

‘He’s not even human. I’m honestly afraid the guards will pick up on his habits. I need to get him away from this escort mission as soon as possible!’

Thus, Gok Bihang hurried the conclusion of the escort job.

“Thank you for everything.”

“No need to thank me. It’s a job I was paid for.”

“Still, thanks to you, I arrived in comfort.”

“Comfort, yeah. You sure did. In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone arrive this comfortably.”

“Hopefully we’ll run into each other again someday.”

“As if that’s likely.”

“Well then, goodbye.”

As Wi Yeonho turned and walked away, Gok Bihang called out to his back.

“Still, thank you! I won’t forget that you saved our lives!”

“Just words, huh?”

“...”

“Just kidding.”

Wi Yeonho waved a hand and wandered off.

Gok Bihang watched him go with a sigh.

“If only he had a bit more diligence, he’d really be something.”

But for Wi Yeonho, that was a dream too far removed to even wish for.

*         *         *

Wi Yeonho stood before a massive gate.

Sacred Hand Grounds.

“Hm, it’s pretty big.”

The gate was wide open, and people who looked like patients were going in and out.

Wi Yeonho had seen many physicians, but he’d never come across such a massive clinic in his life.

“Ugh.”

A sigh escaped his lips.

“What kind of torment is waiting for me here now?”

Wi Yeonho never considered the possibility that he might be the one tormenting others.

“Well, something will work out.”

And with that, Wi Yeonho stepped inside Sacred Hand Grounds.

After crossing a wide courtyard, he arrived at a reception area where people were waiting in line.

Wi Yeonho headed toward the desk.

“Excuse me.”

The narrow-eyed man handling reception raised a hand to stop him.

“Wait your turn.”

“No, I...”

“Don’t you see all those people waiting? Go to the back of the line.”

“That’s not it, I just—”

“This guy! I said wait your turn!”

Wi Yeonho’s lips jutted out in protest.

‘At least let me explain.’

He turned and stepped back.

Thankfully, perhaps because they often dealt with long waits or to accommodate patients too weak to stand, there were several long benches for people to sit while they waited.

Wi Yeonho sat at the far end of one bench.

Whenever someone finished at the reception and went into the physician’s office, the people subtly slid over.

‘So that’s how the line moves, huh.’

It was actually quite a decent system.

The only problem was that every time someone moved, you had to shift along the bench.

And for Wi Yeonho, that was a huge problem.

‘I feel drowsy.’

Wi Yeonho closed his eyes.

“Excuse me.”

“...Yes?”

“The line’s moved a lot, you know! Slide down a bit.”

“Go ahead.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll give up my spot. Just go ahead.”

“Oh, thank you kindly! Then, I will.”

As that person passed by Wi Yeonho, the next person behind them immediately stepped up.

“Could you move down a little...?”

“I’ll yield.”

“But I...”

“Everyone just go ahead. I’ll get up when I feel like it.”

“Much appreciated.”

Wi Yeonho leaned back and shut his eyes.

After ten days on a bumpy freight wagon, even the hard bench felt like a plush bed.

“Snore...”

And with that, Wi Yeonho dozed off.

“You crazy wench!”

Wi Yeonho woke up to the sound of shouting.

“So noisy...”

He looked toward the source of the commotion.

A woman, holding a child in her arms, was pleading with the receptionist.

“Sir! My child’s barely breathing! Please!”

“You think I don’t know? I know, alright? That’s why I’m telling you—go get the money.”

“If I had money right now, why wouldn’t I bring it?”

“If you don’t have money, leave. What, you think we run this place by digging money out of the ground?”

“My child is very sick. I swear I’ll repay it, so please, just this once, help us!”

The narrow-eyed receptionist clicked his tongue.

“You think you’re the only one who pulls this kind of stunt? You’re not stepping a foot inside until you bring the money, so don’t even try.”

“Sir! I swear I’ll pay it back. Please...”

“Enough. Go get the money, or take yourself somewhere else.”

The woman, her face streaked with tears, kept pleading. But when it became clear that words wouldn’t work, she clutched her child tightly and bolted toward the interior.

“Hey!”

The receptionist shouted and ran after her, grabbing the woman and tossing her away.

“Aagh!”

“You crazy woman!”

Even as she collapsed to the ground, the woman desperately shielded the child in her arms.

Was it a mother’s instinct, protecting her child from harm no matter what?

“You want me to teach you a lesson? I’ll—”

As the receptionist loomed over the woman, berating her, his body suddenly stiffened mid-sentence.

His mouth hung open, and his entire frame trembled.

With shaky eyes, he slowly turned around.

“Haaam.”

There stood Wi Yeonho, letting out a long yawn.

‘Was I imagining it?’

For a brief moment, he had felt a chill run down his spine, like he’d stepped into an ice cave.

That was why he turned around.

Wi Yeonho lazily strolled over to the woman.

“Let me take a look.”

“Y-yes, of course!”

Wi Yeonho clicked his tongue.

“The kid’s completely blue.”

He gently pressed down on the child’s chest.

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