Chapter 95 : The Slacker Starts Trouble (1)

Chapter 95: The Slacker Starts Trouble (1)

The day was warm.

As if the cold air from the night had been a lie, a gentle breeze began to blow once the sun rose.

“Hmmm...”

Ha Daebung stretched his arms out as he looked up at the sun. Today was the day he would start something new.

“Well then...”

Ha Daebung began scanning his surroundings.

The manor was bustling from early morning, busy with preparations for the banquet. The hired cooks were seated in a corner, tirelessly preparing food, and the servants employed in the clinic were laying out mats and carrying trays in anticipation of the incoming guests.

In the middle of all this hectic activity, only two people were nowhere to be seen.

“Hey.”

“Yes, Lord Chief Steward.”

“Where is the Manor Lord?”

“He’s currently in the lord’s chamber, dressing himself.”

“Is that so?”

Ha Daebung stroked his beard and asked again.

“Then where is the Former Head?”

“...You mean the Former Head, sir?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“He had his meal in the patient room yesterday, but we haven’t seen him since.”

“Is that so? Which room is that?”

“It’s over there.”

Ha Daebung walked toward the room the servant had pointed out. As expected, when he opened the door, Wi Yeonho was lying down, tightly wrapped in blankets.

‘I knew it.’

Knowing Wi Yeonho’s habits, if he’d eaten, he would have laid down afterward. And if he had laid down, he wouldn't leave that spot until it was time to eat again.

“Master Wi.”

“Mmmnghh...”

“Former Head!”

“D-Don’t call me that! I’m not that old! It sounds like you’re referring to some ancient geezer.”

Wi Yeonho rolled over with a spin.

“At the very least, wash your face and wipe the gunk from your eyes. On such a fine day, you really plan to stay cooped up inside?”

Ha Daebung smiled gently.

Originally, Wi Yeonho had intended to take the position of Manor Lord, but Ha Daebung’s strong opposition had prevented it. Though Wi Yeonho was the actual owner in substance, Ha Daebung’s opinion—that to others, Jin Soa should be the visible Manor Lord—was accepted.

Wi Yeonho’s strong request to become Manor Lord was resolved by giving him the strange title of Former Head.

“Ughhh...”

Wi Yeonho sluggishly got up. No matter how much of a slacker he was, he knew what kind of day it was.

“You’re ready, right?”

“Yes.”

“There mustn’t be any mistakes.”

“I said yes already.”

When Wi Yeonho pouted and stuck out his lips, Ha Daebung chuckled and took him along to Jin Soa’s room.

“Why do I have to come along too?”

“Manor Lord must be quite nervous right now. Don’t you think the Former Head would be a greater comfort than me?”

“Most people who know me say they get annoyed just looking at my face.”

“...That might be true.”

When they entered the manor lord’s chamber, Jin Soa looked at the two of them.

“Last night... by any chance...”

Ha Daebung let out a long sigh.

“Did you manage to get any sleep?”

Seeing Jin Soa’s pale face, with dark circles reaching down to his chin, Ha Daebung shook his head.

“I-I-I-I did sleep.”

“...Just speak. Stop stuttering.”

Wi Yeonho looked at Jin Soa with a disappointed expression.

“How are you supposed to function if you’re that much of a coward? You need to have a bit of boldness.”

“You’re the one with too much boldness, Master Wi.”

Balance is always key.

“What are you trembling for? It’s not like you’re doing anything anyway.”

“Still...”

When Jin Soa looked dejected, Wi Yeonho gave a small smile and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Master Wi!”

Who would’ve thought Wi Yeonho could be this kind?

“Do you have any idea how much money we poured into this? If it goes wrong, your head won’t remain intact.”

There it is.

Jin Soa gave up on expecting anything from Wi Yeonho.

This was just how he was. Nothing more to expect.

Still, seeing Wi Yeonho being his usual self brought some sense of calm.

“Master Wi, aren’t you nervous?”

“What’s there to be nervous about? I’m not doing anything.”

Ha Daebung’s special order to Wi Yeonho was to stay out of sight as much as possible. And that happened to be Wi Yeonho’s specialty.

“I’ll be going back in anyway.”

As Wi Yeonho stuck his lips out and grumbled, Ha Daebung let out a warm laugh.

“Still, you never know. Besides, now that the Manor Lord has calmed down like this, it proves my judgment wasn’t wrong.”

“Am I a tranquilizer now?”

“If that’s how you can be useful, it’s a good thing.”

Watching how smoothly Ha Daebung handled Wi Yeonho’s words, Jin Soa couldn’t help but be impressed.

This man always seemed to show a different side of himself each time.

“Well then...”

Ha Daebung looked out the door and continued.

“Let’s make this a great day.”

It turned out Ha Daebung had been right about throwing the banquet. Even though the manor was far from small, it was so packed that they had to set up more tables outside.

Ha Daebung beamed as he looked upon the scene.

“We’re running low on food.”

“Tell them to make more! If we don’t have enough people, tell them to bring in everyone they know and get them working! Tell them I’ll pay them well!”

“We’re short on seating too.”

“Then open up the unused patient rooms! Lay mats down in the main hall—receive everyone you can!”

“At this rate, we’ll run out of ingredients...”

“Buy them! Just buy more! What’s the problem?!”

Ha Daebung responded with lightning speed.

Watching him, Jin Soa could finally understand why Wi Yeonho had appointed this man as Chief Steward. He was far more suited to this than sitting in some office.

‘I need to pull myself together.’

Jin Soa, Seated at the Head Table

Jin Soa, seated at the head table, made a conscious effort to keep a firm expression. No one spoke to him directly, but he could feel glances coming from every direction. His face had been burning from the attention for a while now.

“He’s the legitimate heir of the Sacred Hand Grounds, right?”

“So that child’s grown up that much already?”

“If he has even half of his father’s skills, he’s more than worthy of carrying the Sacred Hand’s name.”

“What about that fake Sacred Hand?”

“He’s doomed.”

Snippets of conversation reached his ears, and before he knew it, the corners of Jin Soa’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.

He was reminded once more just how much trust and goodwill the Sacred Hand Grounds had earned from the people in this region.

‘I must carry it on.’

And if possible, it was the duty of a successor to build a glory even greater than the predecessor. Jin Soa reaffirmed his resolve to study harder and become a proper physician.

“They’re entering!”

Just then, a servant shouted from the main gate.

“They’re here!”

Ha Daebung dashed toward the gate barefoot.

‘What’s going on?’

Jin Soa tilted his head, confused. He’d heard Wi Yeonho and Ha Daebung had been preparing something, but he hadn’t known what. Stretching his neck to peek toward the gate, Jin Soa looked on.

The doors flung open, and a man entered, holding a large fan in one hand. When Jin Soa spotted the soldiers behind him, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“N-No way!”

Ha Daebung flung himself forward and prostrated at the feet of the man walking in.

“Your Excellency, have you arrived?”

“Ahem!”

When Ha Daebung addressed the man as His Excellency the Governor, Jin Soa’s jaw dropped.

“T-The Governor…”

Could it be? Was this truly the Governor of Hubei?

On a normal day, Jin Soa wouldn’t even dare to meet such a person’s eyes. Just passing by would have warranted a full bow to the ground. And yet, this very man was now stepping into his clinic.

“His Excellency the Governor arrives!”

The governor’s attendants shouted, and those near the gate, unaware of what was happening, all jumped up in surprise before hurriedly bowing in unison.

“Rise.”

The Governor stroked his long beard and approached Jin Soa, who looked completely overwhelmed at the head table.

“Hmm!”

Standing beside Jin Soa, the Governor patted him on the back.

“To see the Sacred Hand Grounds restored like this brings me great joy. You must be the son of the previous master?”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”

“The revival of the Sacred Hand Grounds is a joyous occasion. And to see it rise again after vanquishing wicked forces is a most welcome thing. As Governor, I officially recognize the restoration of the Sacred Hand Grounds on this day. I trust that the new master will dedicate himself to the people of Hubei.”

“There is no doubt of it!”

Though Jin Soa was stunned, he knew exactly what was expected of him in this moment.

“Waaaaah!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd, shocked by the Governor’s unexpected appearance and proclamation of the Sacred Hand Grounds’ revival. Moreover, according to his words, the ones who had defeated the Black Land Manor were none other than the Sacred Hand!

“The Sacred Hand really has risen again!”

“Our pride has returned to Wuhan!”

“What do you mean, Wuhan? This is the pride of all Hubei!”

The Governor praised Jin Soa several more times before finally rising from his seat. While Jin Soa remained dazed, Ha Daebung quickly grasped the Governor’s intentions and escorted him to the gate.

“Your Excellency’s visit amidst your busy schedule is an honor I will treasure for life.”

“Hrmm.”

The Governor cleared his throat a few times, then addressed the people.

“Visit the Sacred Hand Grounds often. A nation thrives only when its people are healthy.”

“Understood!”

“You need not worry, Your Excellency.”

Leaving behind one final reminder, the Governor glanced over the crowd before stepping outside the gate.

As he departed, the people once again bowed deeply, then sat in small groups to chat in excitement.

“To think the Governor himself would come to a clinic opening! What is this?!”

“What clinic? That’s the Sacred Hand Grounds!”

“No kidding. In the old days, when it came to medicine, it was the Sacred Hand Grounds. Not that fake one over there, but the real thing right here!”

“Exactly.”

Hearing the people’s chatter, Jin Soa’s vision blurred with tears.

‘Father, are you watching?’

He could no longer remember his father’s face. But in this moment, it felt like his father was watching over him.

“I’ll do well.”

Jin Soa finally bowed his head.

Outside the gate, the Governor climbed into his palanquin. After traveling a distance and reaching a quiet, deserted area, he ordered the palanquin to stop.

“Everyone, move away for a bit.”

“Sir?”

“Now!”

As the Governor raised his voice, the attendants, who were about to protest that they couldn’t abandon him, scurried to the side.

“Farther. I said, farther!”

“Yes, sir.”

Once the attendants were far enough that no voices could be heard, the Governor looked around and spoke in a low tone.

“Was that good enough?”

“Yes.”

A quiet reply came, and a man suddenly appeared before the Governor.

“Whew, that was a lot.”

Of course, the man who appeared was Wi Yeonho. With a sly grin, he clapped for the Governor.

“It was perfect.”

“Then you’ll keep your promise?”

“Of course.”

Wi Yeonho smirked deviously.

“But I’ll be holding onto the ledger for now. Wouldn’t want you to suddenly change your mind later and cause trouble.”

“Grrr.”

The Governor let out a long sigh and nodded.

“Very well, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, safe travels.”

Wi Yeonho waved lazily as he trudged back toward the manor.

“Completely played. Of all people, the ledger ends up in the hands of someone carrying the Royal Inspector Sword…”

The Governor of Hubei kept his gaze fixed on Wi Yeonho’s back as it faded into the distance.

“Utterly played. Tsk.”

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