Chapter 63. Giant Panda (7) (Revised)

“What do we do with this one?”

Wijian asked with a worried look, gazing at the golden bear cat that had fainted with a blissfully unaware expression. It was too big and heavy to carry.

“Can’t the two of you do something? Use your inner strength.”

Wijian shook her head.

“It’s fine for a moment, but it’s difficult to maintain the strength until we get down the mountain.”

“Then let’s just roll it.”

Since the golden bear cat liked rolling, it should be fine to roll it a bit. The two of them rolled the golden bear cat down the mountain while I directed them from behind.

“Oh, not that way. Over there, to the left. Yes, yes. Good. No, not there.”

Panggui, who was rolling the golden bear cat and sweating profusely, asked.

“Hey, stop just giving directions from behind and help out a bit.”

“My hand is like this.”

I lifted my injured right hand. Panggui glared at me with eyes like rotten fish, but there was nothing he could do.

‘Turning a crisis into an opportunity.’

After rolling it down the mountain, I told the two to keep a close eye on the golden bear cat and headed to the branch of Nanxing Escort Agency.

Fortunately, some preparations had already been made, so we could finish quickly.

“Roar... Roar...?”

When we pulled the cart into the bamboo forest, the bear cat, which had just woken up, noticed the situation and looked around in confusion, clearly disoriented.

“There, there, be good?”

“Roar...”

After feeding it the honey bun laced with the sleeping drug, it soon started to snore and fell asleep again. The bear cat, now asleep, was surrounded by the guards and other people, who commented.

“So this is the golden bear cat.”

“Hmm... It’s not as good-looking as I thought.”

“Is there really someone who would take such a thing and raise it?”

Most of the comments were negative. Seeing them talk about the golden bear cat we had brought with so much effort, I felt a bit annoyed and said,

“Imagine how sad the bear cat would be if you keep saying it’s ugly. Even if it can’t speak, it’s not right to say such things in front of it.”

“Hmm...”

“Oh, I understand.”

After all, we had gone through so much trouble to save it.

Since it was already late, we decided to start the journey the next morning. We parked the cart in a corner of the branch and decided to rest for the day.

‘This is the job of bringing it back.’

I gently stroked the golden bear cat, which was sound asleep in the cart, and then headed to the main hall of Nanxing Escort Agency.

***

We managed to bring the golden bear cat, but that didn’t mean the job was over.

“How much bamboo do you need?”

“At least 500 catties.”

“We can’t carry that much from here.”

I thought we were well-prepared, but when I looked into the details, it wasn’t the case. I sighed lightly.

‘That’s how things go.’

No matter how well-prepared you think you are before starting, problems always arise once you begin.

“Then we should set up the route to pass through bamboo forests along the way...”

“Oh, that would work.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t a serious problem, and with some additional preparation, it would be fine. I held my aching wrist and discussed the return route with the branch manager.

“But then we’ll be short on horse feed.”

“I’ll add more by morning. We’ll also need some beans.”

Once we adjusted the route, another problem arose. The branch manager, who was new to this, looked completely flustered.

‘Sigh...’

It wasn’t until late at night that we finished. After hearing the promise to complete the additional preparations by morning, I returned to my room.

‘Is there any medicine around?’

My wrist was aching quite a bit, probably because I had overexerted it after the injury. I was about to use my inner strength to treat it when I heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

It was Wijian. I opened the door and asked,

“What’s the matter? It’s so late.”

“I was worried about your injury.”

Wijian, who asked with a worried tone, held a small medicine bottle and some bandages.

“Oh... I’ll be fine by tomorrow... Ouch!”

While saying I was fine, I absentmindedly scratched my head with my right hand, causing pain. My wrist was numb, and I blew on it. Wijian said,

“Are you okay? It’s better to apply some medicine.”

“It’s fine. Maybe I can just use my inner strength.”

“It’s not a cure-all. Show me your hand.”

I extended my wrist, and Wijian started to apply the medicine. The cool touch of her hand made my wrist, which had been hot, feel much better.

‘Come to think of it, something like this happened before.’

Déjà vu?

I watched Wijian apply the medicine to my wrist. It was cooling down quickly. I asked,

“What is this medicine? It’s cooling down so fast.”

“Oh, this is medicine from the Pang family. It’s great for bruises and sprains. I borrowed it from Guiren.”

“I see. It’s really good.”

Given that it’s a secret recipe from the Pang family, it makes sense. I wanted to keep some, but it seemed difficult. Feeling a bit awkward with my wrist out, I asked,

“By the way, you haven’t gone to bed yet?”

“I was waiting for you to come back.”

I flinched. Wijian quickly added,

“No, it’s not that... I was just worried.”

“I see.”

A strange atmosphere arose. I glanced at her, and she looked embarrassed, her face turning red. I shifted my gaze.

‘Embarrassing.’

It was hard to regain my composure, especially with the pleasant scent of peaches. Fortunately, the medicine was cooling, so I didn’t lose my senses.

“There, it’s all done.”

The treatment was finished. After the bandage was wrapped, my wrist felt much better.

“Oh, it’s much better. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Wijian turned to leave. As she was about to go, I stopped her.

“Hey, Wijian.”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you have a cup of tea? The moon is bright.”

I had some cold tea that was already prepared.

Wijian thought for a moment and nodded.

***

The moon was especially bright tonight.

We drank tea with the window open to let in the moonlight and talked about various things.

Mostly it was casual conversation, but as the talk went on, we started to share more personal stories.

Anyone who has talked with a friend late at night knows that as the conversation continues, you tend to get sentimental and share more intimate stories.

We were no different.

“...So, when Guiren returns home, I’m going to leave the Pang family.”

Independence.

That’s what you were thinking.

I nodded and asked,

“What do you plan to do after leaving the Pang family?”

“I might travel around the martial world. I also need to find Mulin.”

I could see the determination in her eyes, reflected by the moonlight. In the martial world, an enemy of your parents is someone you can’t live under the same sky with.

But...

“But Mulin is a spy of the Devil Sect.”

“Yes.”

“Do you plan to do something about the Devil Sect?”

I was worried about this. Mulin is just a subordinate of the Devil Sect. If you trace it back, you’ll find the Devil Sect, and within the Devil Sect is the Heavenly Demon.

‘The Heavenly Demon is too dangerous.’

In modern times, the Heavenly Demon might be a diligent young man who runs a bakery, has a family, and is a hunter, but in the martial world, it’s different.

In the martial world, the Heavenly Demon is a symbol of fear more terrifying than re-enlistment.

To my question, Wijian smiled sadly and shook her head.

“I don’t know. It’s too far-fetched.”

“I see.”

“Yes. In fact, I don’t even have enough money to immediately set out on a revenge journey after leaving the Pang family, so I haven’t even thought about the Devil Sect.”

“Hmm...”

Some people travel the martial world as wandering knights, but it’s not an easy life. Sleeping rough for a few days is one thing, but a revenge journey that could take years is a tough road.

Wijian, who had been looking at me, spoke with a determined expression.

“Actually, I’m thinking of saving money for a while. Since you’ve lived in the martial world for a long time, you must know how to make money.”

“I’m an expert at that.”

I nodded confidently. This is my specialty.

“Hmm. Let’s see... What kind of job could Wijian do to make money...”

Usually, high-level martial artists travel as wandering knights until they gain a reputation. Once they have a reputation and a nickname, they often become retainers of influential families.

It’s a good life. You get meals every day, some pocket money, and you don’t have to do much work. You can live a life of leisure.

‘But being a retainer isn’t all good.’

Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Once you become a retainer of a family, you have to repay their kindness in some form.

Usually, it means fighting on their side when they need martial strength.

‘You can’t run away when things get dangerous.’

If something goes wrong and the family faces a crisis, the retainers have to fight to the death. Running away would mean being treated as an ungrateful beast by the entire martial world.

I ran a few scenarios in my head and finally said,

“I don’t recommend becoming a retainer.”

Compared to me, Wijian’s skills are worlds apart, but in the martial world, they’re not that exceptional. She might not receive a great deal of respect.

‘Besides, her personality is too gentle.’

What if she ends up in a family with a strange, tanned, blonde thug?

‘Absolutely not.’

I shuddered at the thought. It was something that shouldn’t happen. Wijian asked,

“Then what kind of job would be good?”

“Hmm... How about working for an escort agency?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, working for our Baiyun Escort Agency.”

Thinking it was a good opportunity, I pointed to my clothes and said,

“I think Jiaozhu could give you a good position. A martial artist of Wijian’s level would be welcomed with open arms. Even if not as an escort, there are many jobs that require martial artists.”

“To Bai Feng? I’m not sure... It sounds good, but...”

“It will be fine. If you find it hard to say, let me handle it. I’ll talk to Jiaozhu for you.”

I said this and refilled her empty teacup.

As the tea filled the cup, the moonlight from the window cast a moonbeam into her cup, creating a small moon that floated.

We talked until late at night.