Chapter 48

Chapter 47. Qinghai Martial Escort (3)

I can roughly guess.

There are two missions listed, but I won't be able to take them now.

It probably means that I have to choose the martial escort and come here to receive the missions.

"Excuse me, who are you...?"

While Seohui was lost in thought for a moment, Seokdoo showed interest first.

Then, Joo So-hye said with a bright expression.

"Oh! You're the one who just showed an incredible martial skill, right? I watched from behind, and it was really amazing."

"Ah, really? I, I did that? Hehehe..."

Seohui's face twisted.

Did he hear it wrong?

Hehehe?

"Really impressive. I didn't expect to see such a great martial skill in person. It's been a long time since I've seen something so impressive."

"It's nothing. I just disciplined some ruffians."

"Still, they are known as sword masters in this area..."

"Is that so? Hehehe..."

Sure enough, he didn't hear it wrong.

He definitely said hehehe.

Now I understand why he got beaten by the pervert.

Seeing Seokdoo's face flushed red, I had the urge to hit him before the pervert.

"By the way, who are you?"

"Ah, I'm late in introducing myself. I'm Joo So-hye, the granddaughter of the master of Manjin Mountain Lodge. To brag a little, there's no one in this area who doesn't know me."

"What brings the granddaughter of Manjin Mountain Lodge here?"

"Ah, actually..."

To my surprise, she was quite bold.

Joo So-hye's expression stiffened for a moment.

But even in a situation where she might have been intimidated, she didn't lose her smile.

Instead, she crossed her legs leisurely and smiled sweetly.

"I get interested when I see high-level martial artists like you. I want to learn a bit more about you."

"We're not as good as you think."

"The more talented a person is, the more likely they have a sharp edge somewhere."

'Quite a smooth talker, this woman.'

Seeing her speak warmly, unlike her pretty appearance, Seohui became interested.

Just as he was about to let his guard down a bit, Joo So-hye, who had been standing, brought a chair and sat down.

The sword gate guards who had been bickering were already gone, and the inn was quiet.

"Making a request on our first meeting. Sure, I'm fine with it. What do you want to talk about?"

She's definitely not an ordinary woman.

She joined the conversation, using the excuse of sitting down, to try to take advantage of the situation. She emphasized the word 'request' to maintain control.

As the granddaughter of a wealthy family, she seemed skilled at dealing with people.

"We have a guy we need to catch. Since we don't know the local geography well, you would be better suited for this. Moreover, as Manjin Mountain Lodge, you must have good information networks. Can you help us find him?"

"Do you have any information about this person?"

"No detailed description. The pervert uses disguises, so his appearance won't help. The only things we know are that he's obsessed with women and uses demonic arts."

"......!"

Her eyes widened.

I expected this reaction.

Qinghai is far from the Central Plains, but the fear of the demonic sect is no less.

Seohui continued.

"He has demonic nature, but he also has the ability to hide it. As long as he doesn't use his true power, it's not visible."

The pervert, Yin Wujin, must have infiltrated the crowd this way.

Considering the possibility of someone from the sect appearing, he must have been very cautious.

"Then, are you also...?"

"No way."

Seohui shook his head.

There was no need to give her a wrong impression.

It wouldn't matter even if he hid it.

Since he reached the peak of martial arts, he could control even the slightest demonic aura.

Only a supreme expert would recognize his true identity.

Seokdoo, standing beside him, was just a strong man from the sect without any inner strength.

"Alright. If you help us, what can we do for you?"

At that moment, Seokdoo joined the conversation.

"Hehehe. Miss, tell us what you want. We can do anything..."

Smack!

He quickly grabbed his head.

Seohui had hit the back of his head.

"If you say hehehe one more time, you won't live long."

"I'm sorry! Leader!"

Seokdoo clutched his neck and looked away.

Apart from being reliable, there's nothing good about him.

"Miss Joo."

"Yes, Sir."

"It seems you have some misunderstandings..."

Seohui met Joo So-hye's eyes, and she nodded.

"Though it's a request, it's more like a proposal. A martial artist from Manjin Mountain Lodge catching a demon who causes chaos in the world. Isn't that enough?"

Her subtle gaze conveyed a message.

She might have learned to think strategically, but compared to him, it was still cute.

Even if he barely survived as a low-ranking officer in the sect, he had been living on his wits for over thirty years.

It was easy for him to see through the thoughts of a young woman like her.

"If you don't accept my proposal, we'll go elsewhere..."

"I'll help you."

Joo So-hye agreed more easily than expected.

Seohui added a condition.

"Then, as a favor, add two more things. A comfortable place to rest and plenty of food."

"Is that all?"

"......?"

"Generous travel expenses. Access to information whenever needed. Maps of the surrounding area. I'll provide all the support you need."

Seohui was taken aback by Joo So-hye's boldness.

"In return."

His curiosity was piqued by her next words.

"After we catch the pervert, come back to Manjin Mountain Lodge once more."

I can guess the reason, though I don't know the exact details.

It's probably related to the mission given to her.

Still, her proactive approach shows she's not an ordinary woman.

"That's my condition for your proposal."

"Alright."

Then there was no need to hold back.

* * *

Seohui and Seokdoo moved to Manjin Mountain Lodge with her.

It took quite a while to reach the guest quarters after passing through the massive gate.

A day later, I learned that Manjin Mountain Lodge was, as Seohui had guessed, the richest in Qinghai.

Not only were there many people, but the estate was so vast that they had to ride horses to tour the surroundings.

Fortunately, the guest quarters were not far from the entrance, so Seohui and Seokdoo could rest.

"Why is this bowl so strangely shaped?"

But Seokdoo didn't leave him alone.

He tilted his head, looking at the white porcelain bowl on the shelf.

"Why is the chamber pot so elaborately decorated?"

Seohui glanced up and saw Tang Sancai.

It was a slightly different shape from the one in Sima Gui's office.

What a brute.

That's why he was called a bumpkin and bullied by the pervert.

"Oh! This seems to be real leather."

Seohui closed his eyes tightly, watching Seokdoo touch the carpet on the floor.

He quietly gathered his inner strength.

Ready to beat him up if he said it again.

"Water is coming out here?"

"What?!"

But he couldn't hear the last answer.

No way.

Water coming out in the bedroom?

This is unbearable.

"Oh! It's real!"

Seohui witnessed the scene and exclaimed.

Some mechanism was installed, allowing clean water to be supplied inside the room, as Seokdoo had said.

* * *

Joo So-hye's face was slightly flushed as she waited at the door.

Her grandfather, who had been away for about a month, had called her immediately upon arrival.

In such cases, the conversation usually revolves around family matters, not casual talk.

Naturally, there would be some unpleasant things as well.

"Come in."

As permission was given, the servants opened the doors.

Joo So-hye, who had prepared herself, stepped into the room, walking on the golden carpet laid out at the entrance.

The room was as spacious as a palace.

Elaborate ceilings, walls, and expensive jewelry were displayed.

In the center, an old man sat on a zitan wood chair, smoking incense.

"Our granddaughter has arrived."

The old man, with white hair and a kind face, greeted her.

Joo Wang-gil.

The founder of Manjin Mountain Lodge and a powerful businessman.

A well-known figure in Qinghai, where one in three people knew him.

"Sit down."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Joo So-hye sat down in a modest posture.

Her tone and posture were completely different from when she had met Seohui.

Joo Wang-gil, sitting leisurely, asked with a bright smile.

"So, I heard you've been going to the capital often lately."

"I find it more enjoyable to see people and have conversations than to stay at home."

"I understand, but try not to bring just anyone to the main house. Even if we pretend not to notice, there will be talk."

It seems the talk about the guests she brought had already spread, even though she had only been back for a short time.

"Also, though I pride myself on not having any major grudges, unexpected issues can arise anywhere. Always be cautious."

"I will keep that in mind."

Suck.

Joo So-hye's answer made Joo Wang-gil take a puff of his pipe.

She instinctively knew he was about to get to the main topic.

He always took a moment before changing the subject.

"You'll be of marriageable age next year."

Indeed.

He subtly hinted, and she immediately responded.

"Yes, I still need to experience the world."

"Hehe. Wouldn't it be better to gain that experience with a good match?"

"Even difficult orchids grow best in the wild, not in a greenhouse. For someone my age, it's helpful to travel and have many conversations."

"But if you're like a chrysanthemum, beautiful from birth, wouldn't you need less care?"

"Understanding and re-understanding is part of human nature. Just like how Grandfather still drinks clear wine even though he knows its taste."

"Hehehe... You."

Joo Wang-gil laughed heartily.

He could see her cleverly avoiding the topic of marriage.

But as her grandfather, he found it endearing.

"Let's get to the point. Don't you think it's time to start preparing?"

"Grandfather..."

"Zheng Gongzi is a lay disciple of the Huashan Sect, from a powerful family. He is trustworthy and knows honor. It wouldn't be right to reject such a marriage proposal."

"But I've heard he is impulsive and often makes mistakes. Moreover, I haven't heard any rumors about him being interested in women."

"Hehehe."

Joo So-hye's firm expression made Joo Wang-gil laugh with interest.

Puff.

After finishing his last puff, he put down his pipe and said.

"I'm sorry to say this, but heroes always have women. As long as they don't have a terrible hobby or treat women poorly, it's not a big flaw."

"Grandfather, but..."

"Then, did you bring a high-level martial artist, as you mentioned last time, to reject this marriage proposal?"

"That is..."

She couldn't continue.

She remembered.

Her father's argument that a high-level martial artist was needed for the family.

At the time, out of defiance, she had said she would prove that Zheng Gongzi wasn't a great martial artist.

And she had added that she would bring a martial artist to subdue him.

"Suhye