Episode 165: Is this paradise?
Jin Ha-ryeongâs sword caused a series of changes.
The opponent, unable to block her dazzling swordsmanship, eventually admitted defeat.
âI lost.â
As the sword aimed at his neck was recovered, Jin Ha-ryeong raised his hand to everyone.
A thunderous roar erupted.
âJin Ha-ryeong is the best!â
âAwesome Jin Ha-ryeong!â
âThe winner is Jin Ha-ryeong!â
âOne taste of Hubuk, Jin Ha-ryeong!â
But today, the words I was waiting for were not heard. She looked around at the soldiers, but Geomyeon was nowhere to be seen.
âAre you hurt a lot?â
I heard that the master that Geomyeon serves was injured in the Battle of Palgang. Even though I knew that was probably why I couldnât come, I still felt sad for some reason. He felt like he wanted to come for a moment, even when he was busy.
âYou canât do that when youâre sick.â
As she came off the stage with such regret, an unexpected person was waiting for her.
âCongratulations on your victory.â
It was a courtier. Normally, I would have made a firm impression, but today for some reason, I treated him gently.
âthank you.â
âIf Jean Sozer wins, I will hold a separate celebration.â
âThank you just for your words. âThen I have to prepare for the next meeting.â
After Jin Ha-ryeong lightly suppressed him, he left unarmed.
Jo Shin somehow felt like she was treating him more gently than usual.
âWas he right?â
He said he knows a lot about women, but just one congratulation changed the way he treated them.
âHeâs quite useful rather than just looking at this guy.â
But that was his mistake.
The reason why Jin Ha-ryeong treated him comfortably was because yesterday, during a walk with his grandfather, he received confirmation that there would be no arranged marriage.
In that case, there is no longer any need to create an awkward relationship with the courtiers. Anyway, you wonât have to see his face once the battle of Soryong is over. I will join the elite organization of the Murim League and begin new activities.
âFriend, I hope you get better soon.â
That way, you will be able to hear welcome voices amidst the cheers of support.
* * *
At that time, Geomugeuk was going somewhere with the master.
âAaaah! âItâs too fast!â
Geommugeuk ran lightly carrying Seo Dae-ryong on his back. Seo Dae-ryong, who was riding on his back, was only screaming.
Even though it was fast, it was too fast. No matter how much light I used, it was shocking that a person could run so fast. And that too while carrying himself.
Seo Dae-ryong couldnât even open his eyes. Even when I barely opened my eyes, everything around me went by so quickly that I felt dizzy. What on earth do you see that makes you run like this? I felt like I was going to pass out because I was so anxious that I would hit a tree or a rock at any moment.
What was even more surprising was that even during this time, his body felt extremely comfortable. Psychologically, he was scared and anxious, but his injured body was surrounded by the energy of sword dance so that it would not shake while running.
âIs this possible? âYou run so fast and protect me too?â
It was something you would never believe if you had not experienced it yourself. Seo Dae-ryong had been surprised by Geommugeuk many times, but he was even more surprised that there were still such surprises left. No, there was another surprise. I didnât even rest while running. How much inner strength is there?
âMaybe itâs a dream. Could it be that I passed out on stage and was dreaming? omg! âAm I really dead?â
I had all sorts of delusions riding on Geommugeukâs back and eventually arrived at my destination. The place the two arrived was a rural village far away from the Murim Alliance.
âUgh! âIs this paradise?â
Seo Dae-ryong, who came down from his back, stumbled and collapsed on the spot. I was so dizzy I thought I was going to die. He took a deep breath.
âah! I think Iâll buy it now. Itâs paradise. âPeople must live with their feet on the land.â
Seo Dae-ryong brushed his tangled hair and looked around. He was nervous inside. I was on my way to hell, but I was told that sword dance would take me to paradise, so I was brought to this village.
âLetâs take a rest over there.â
There was a bench at the entrance of the village, and a child was lying down reading a book.
Seo Dae-ryong felt a strange feeling. After rushing in such a hurry, why bother resting on a bed like this? That too, on a bench at the entrance to a neighborhood where a child is reading a book?
Then something even more strange happened. Geommugeuk spoke to the child who was lying on the bed.
âGo, child, and bring me a bottle of wine made from bugs.â
At the words of the sword dance, the child who had been reading a book stood up, yawned, and asked.
âWho introduced you here?â
Through this conversation, Seo Dae-ryong was able to find out. What Geommugeuk said earlier was some kind of secret word.
âI came from Protestantism.â
Seo Dae-ryong was surprised when it was revealed that Geommugeuk was a demonic religion. This is because since I started this job, I have never revealed my identity.
On the other hand, the child was not surprised at all, as if he had no idea where Shingyo was.
âTell him that itâs a private matter, not an official matter, so you can handle it as usual.â
âyes. Wait.â
The child disappeared somewhere. Finally, Seo Dae-ryong asked Geommugeuk.
âWhere are we?â
âEntrance to paradise.â
âIt doesnât look like paradise at all, does it?â
âWhat kind of place do you think paradise is?â
âwell.â
âDid you just picture the sight of a feast and drinks in a room full of beautiful women?â
Seo Dae-ryong was startled.
âNo.â
Seo Dae-ryongâs face turned red as he tried to deny it. I guess I was thinking of a more erotic paradise.
âSentient beings, listen! Most places in the world that seem like paradise are hell. âHehehe.â
âThe great monk who has attained enlightenment, please stop going in and call our monks. ah! âWhere am I?â
âYou will know when you go.â
After a while, the child came back.
âThey asked me to bring you here. âPlease follow me.â
Geommugeuk and Seo Dae-ryong followed the child.
A camp was set up along the winding road. If you didnât know the exact location of the main gate, it was a way to keep wandering and go somewhere else.
After passing through the Jinbeop, there was a huge manor.
A plaque attached there.
Paradise.
It was a paradise that was written not as a manor, but as a wish. It means the wish to be reborn in paradise.
âIs this really paradise?â
âI told you I was going to paradise, right?â
There was an old woman standing there following the child.
At first glance, she prayed which was unusual, and her back was so straight that it would not be appropriate to call her an old woman. However, she had been badly injured and had bandages wrapped around her head and arms.
âYou came from Protestantism?â
âThatâs right.â
âWhat is the evidence that it is a Protestant religion?â
The sword dance unleashed magical energy. It was a demonic energy with enough force that she could trust it.
âstop! Why are you giving off such bad energy? Tsk! âTsk!â
The old woman took salt and sprinkled it on her body. She didnât seem to be afraid of the Demon Cult at all.
âCompared to your age, your level is very profound.â
âthank you.â
âWhy did you have to reveal your identity?â
âNo matter how hard you try to hide it, you will know anyway.â
âDo you know enough about me? Then the story will be easy. âWhat do you want?â
Geommugeuk looked at Seo Dae-ryong and said.
âPlease let this friend win this Xiaolong battle.â
Seo Dae-ryong looked at the sword dance in surprise.
âIf I ask you to let me win, will I be able to win?â
âmaybe?â
âyes?â
The old woman approached Seo Dae-ryong, whose eyes were wide open. She limped as if her leg was also injured.
The old woman held out her hand to Seo Dae-ryong.
âhand!â
Her right arm was injured, so she held out her left arm.
âOh, I hurt my left arm.â
âThen will this old man stick out his sore arm?â
âno. So what I mean is, can we not shake hands?â
But the old woman still held out her hand. The moment Seo Dae-ryong reluctantly grabs her arm.
The old woman jerked Seo Dae-ryongâs injured arm and lifted it up.
âAaaahhh!â
Despite Seo Dae-ryongâs screams, the old woman moved her arms around wildly.
âYour arms are still together well.â
âAA AA AA! âIâm dying!â
âIâm going to kill you!â
âI thought I was going to die from the pain!â
âJust by looking at him, he has a very stern-looking face.â
Seo Dae-ryong pouted his mouth and looked at the sword dance. I asked with an expression on my face who this damn old woman was, but Geommugeuk just smiled.
âTry swinging the sword once.â
âYou donât like it?â
The old woman seemed to be approaching Seo Dae-ryong quickly, then grabbed Seo Dae-ryongâs arm again and waved it around. Her movements were so fast that Seo Dae-ryong could not stop them.
âDo you still hate it like this? âEven if itâs like this?â
âAh ah ah ah ah! No, I like it! Help me! âI will!â
Only then did the old woman let go of her arms.
Wiping away the tears that were flowing down from pain, Seo Dae-ryong pulled out the sword.
The old woman, who had been watching Seo Dae-ryong eating herbivorous food for a while, shook her head.
âitâs hard. âYou canât beat Jin Ha-ryeong.â
The old woman was well aware of the current situation of Xiaolongzhen. He knew exactly the skills of Jin Ha-ryeong, the candidate for the championship, and also knew Seo Dae-ryongâs skills from the way he wielded the sword.
âI came here because I was having a hard time. âArenât you the one who makes the impossible possible?â
âWell, it depends on how much you pay. âHow much can you pay?â
The price of the sword dance was not negotiated.
I handed the 500,000 nyang I had brought to the old woman.
âItâs 500,000 nyang.â
Then Seo Dae-ryong was surprised.
âWait! Are you sure you were looking for that money to spend on me?â
âokay.â
âItâs not possible. No!â
Seo Dae-ryong thought that Geommugeuk would use it for himself until he found the money, but he didnât know that he would use all the money.
âItâs my money, why canât you do it?â
âAnyway, no. Itâs giving up on the path you said you wanted to take. It was all just nonsense. Iâm happier like this. â500,000 nyang?â
Seo Dae-ryong sent a message.
-And that old woman is strange, isnât she? At first glance, you can see that he is a quack who pretends to be mysterious. Who can heal someone when their own body hurts like that? My own body⊠Wow! I just ate a bug!
The old woman was sitting on a rock and massaging her limbs while chewing something.
âInvestigator Seo. âYou can make money at any time, but an opportunity like this will never come again.â
âI donât like it. Please donât spend this much money on me. âItâs not worth even 50,000 nyang.â
âItâs also worth the money. âItâs the cost of a man becoming a true warrior.â
âIt takes will and courage for a man to become a warrior, not 500,000 nyang.â
âDonât feel pressured. You can just work hard as an investigator from now on. Sometimes, when there is a situation where we need to save our school from a crisis, we save it. âThen thatâs okay.â
âThatâs a burden!â
âIf you think too much, life becomes difficult. I just live the way I feel at the time. You said you wanted to win, right? I want to win. âItâs okay if our hearts fit together perfectly.â
At that time, the old woman snatched the slip from Geommugeukâs hand.
âI will accept treatment.â
âItâs not possible!â
Seo Dae-ryong approached her to take the slip back from her, but stopped in shock.
The old woman just glanced at him, but her body stiffened under the pressure.
âHow many days are left before this bastardâs next meeting?â
âThere are seven days left.â
âSeven days. Time is tight. âLetâs start right now.â
The old woman limped into the building.
Seo Dae-ryong, a man with just the two of them, quickly asked.
âWho the hell is that person? âPlease tell me to treat myself!â
âHowâs your arm?â
âAnyway. It hurts more. uh?â
Seo Dae-ryong tried to move his injured arm. My arms were moving better than when I first arrived. The old woman earlier wasnât just waving her arms carelessly.
âwhat? âIt hurts less?â
Then, a surprising name came out of Geommugeukâs mouth.
âThat person is the loyal doctor.â
Seo Dae-ryong was surprised. It was a name he had heard of before.
âDid this person really exist?â
âokay.â
There was a rumor like a legend floating around in the martial arts world. There was a rumor that there was a god who was good at handling bugs, and that his medical skills were so good that he could cure all kinds of diseases using bugs and even bring the dead back to life.
There was even a rumor that his skills were better than that of the Heavenly Demon Churchâs Demonic Doctor or the Murim Allianceâs God. That wasnât confirmed, but at least one thing was certain. Since Chung-ui himself was a master who had reached his peak, it could be said that he knew the martial artistâs body better among the three.
âBut youâre a person who reveals too much about your money, so youâre called a money guru, right?â
âIf it werenât for this person, I wouldnât be able to recover you in such a short period of time.â
âHow on earth do you know this person? Oh, thatâs it. âItâs too expensive.â
âStrictly speaking, all that money didnât go to you, so you donât have to worry about it.â
âyes? âWhat do you mean by that?â
At that time, the door to the building opened and Chung-ui shouted.
âWhat am I going to do if I donât come? âTime is money!â
Geommugeuk and Seo Dae-ryong hurriedly entered the building.
As Seo Dae-ryong entered inside, his expression naturally frowned. There were bottles full of bugs everywhere, and all kinds of bugs were stuffed on the walls. The smell was so bad that I had to cover my nose.
Seo Dae-ryong had to drink the medicine he was given, the ingredients of which were unknown.
âWhat if itâs poison? No, this is definitely poison. Poison!â
Seo Dae-ryong refused to drink it with an anxious look on his face.
âThen you will pay the most expensive money in the world and die in the most luxurious way. âIt will be a death that will remain in the Murim Temple.â
Chungui washed off all the Geumchang medicine he had applied and applied a new medicine. Although I didnât know, it was definitely a medicine extracted from various insects.
A new bandage was wrapped over it, and the method of wrapping it was completely different from before.
Then they laid him down on a heated stone bed.
âSigh, take a good nightâs sleep.â
Perhaps it was because of the medicine or the hot bed, but Seo Dae-ryong could not stand the pouring water.
âOh, this isnât right⊠Thatâs not right⊠Lord Gakju, we were deceivedâŠâ
Just like that, Seo Dae-ryong fell asleep as if possessed.
While the treatment was going on, Geommugeuk looked at all the bugs he was raising in the backyard. Hundreds of barrels were piled up, and they contained all kinds of strange bugs.
Chungui came and stood next to Geommugeuk and said while looking at the bug in front of him.
âIt may not look like much, but it has a poison that kills you instantly within half a time if you are bitten. âIâm fine because Iâm resistant to poison, but youâre in danger.â
Chung-ui opened the box and took out the bug, saying it was dangerous. The poisonous insect quickly flapped its wings, wanting to jump out at any moment. Holding the poisonous insect in front of Geommugeukâs face, she asked coldly.
âIf you knew about me, you would have roughly known the cost, so why did you pay so generously?â