The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 90

Chapter 90
Chapter 90. Time of the Hunt (4)

On the following morning, Yang Gun-baek paid a visit to the Azure Sky Merchant Guild.

“This is immensely providential. My mind can finally rest a bit easier,” he remarked. Yang Gun-baek appeared genuinely delighted to learn that our journey would be undertaken alongside the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect.

“To begin with, I scoured each and every Black Shop located across the adjacent regions,” he explained. Upon opening the various sacks Yang Gun-baek had brought, an assortment of goods was revealed. “By a stroke of luck, I managed to procure a trio of Purple Reversion Pills.”

Cultivating martial arts essentially involves manipulating True Qi, which is generated through the gathering of inner True Qi, pursuing the Dao, and progressing toward spiritual awakening. Concurrently, the journey toward such enlightenment encompasses the discipline of compounding elixirs. This pharmacological science does not focus on gathering True Qi directly through meditation; instead, it centers on digesting refined concentrations of pure energy to build up True Qi internally, thereby aiding one’s ascent toward the pinnacle of realization. A specific order that had dedicated generations solely to mastering this art of compounding, cementing its reputation as a premier medical lineage, was the Dao Fragrance Sect. The Purple Reversion Pill stood out as one of the superior internal elixirs crafted by the Dao Fragrance Sect.

“Naturally, if contrasted with the Inner Cores provided by Young Master So-un, their value falls somewhat short…”

“Do not worry about that. Given our pressing circumstances, I am more than thankful that you could secure medicine of this quality. More to the point, did you find the other items I requested?”

“Yes, right here.”

From the depths of his packages, Yang Gun-baek produced four compact, oval-shaped plates resembling small platters.

“Defensive equipment of this configuration is rarely utilized, so because I commissioned them to be crafted on short notice, their resilience will be limited.”

“That will suffice perfectly. They are merely meant for short-term use.”

Once the chaotic brawling concluded, these pieces would serve little purpose.

Securing one of the plates to my left forearm, I recalled employing a similar method during my service with the Sojeong Squad. Fastened in this manner, it permitted unhindered movement of my left hand while acting effectively as a miniature buckler. The sole disadvantage lay in the disdain with which traditional martial artists viewed such unconventional gear. Fully aware of this prejudice, Yang Gun-baek observed my actions with a conflicted gaze before addressing me again.

“…I brought this along just as a precaution. Should it cause you any offense…”

Within the package he extended with some reluctance lay a set of protective undergarments glinting with a golden hue.

“It is a particular commodity available through Black Shops, designed to safeguard prominent dignitaries against sudden attempts on their lives. It consists of finely hammered copper plates woven together to resemble ordinary underclothes.”

“Ah, the Golden Scale Armor.”

“Are you familiar with it?”

“Extremely familiar.”

It was a piece of equipment that had proven invaluable to me during my time with the Sojeong Squad in my past existence.

Yang Gun-baek continued to waver, his mouth opening and closing uncertainly.

“Well… does this truly suit your preferences…?”

“It is magnificent. What is the total count you managed to acquire?”

“At present, I could only get three.”

“That matches my needs perfectly.”

“Are you genuinely comfortable wearing such a thing?”

“A moment of vanity is hardly worth forfeiting one’s breath, is it? I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

“Furthermore, please accept this as a token from me personally.”

“A present?”

“Do you recall the fee for friendship I extended previously?”

Yang Gun-baek was referencing the events that transpired back at the Demon Spirit Plateau. He held out a compact container carved of wood. Upon lifting the lid, an earthy, pungent, and dense aroma drifted into the air. Despite its condition, its appearance was familiar to me.

“This is the Inner Core of the One-Horned Black Toad.”

“An individual required a portion of that Inner Core, preventing me from presenting it to you in its entirety. I ask for your leniency regarding its state.”

“You procured this specifically on my behalf?”

“For someone of your caliber, Young Master So-un… absorbing its essence entirely should pose no issue, correct?”

A grin broke across my face, touched by Yang Gun-baek’s attentiveness.

“Given a gesture of this magnitude, the term ‘friend’ seems inadequate. We must surely be considered dearest companions.”

Hearing this, Yang Gun-baek beamed widely with immense gratification.

“…”

“…”

The expressions of Geum-pyo and Eun-ho soured into grimaces. Conversely, Dong-ryong experimented with fastening the platter-like buckler to his arm, shifting his limb through the air. Shortly after, he began to execute fluid sword stances against the empty air. He was naturally testing how to incorporate the defensive plate to optimize his execution of the Sword Art. The innate reflexes of the Heavenly Killing Star were blindly seeking out the most effective path toward self-improvement. The previous complication of the Sword Formation fracturing due to his rapid progression in sword forms had already been resolved. Simply by integrating him into the Sword Formation and demonstrating the principles of coordination, Dong-ryong had elevated his prowess by a full tier within that brief interval. His development outpaced my projections significantly. If he maintained this momentum, no contemporary of his generation would stand a chance against Dong-ryong.

The real difficulty lay with his companions.

“Is it absolutely necessary for us to put those on?”

“As men of the martial path, we possess a certain degree of self-respect.”

Both Geum-pyo and Eun-ho muttered in dissatisfaction. Now that these youngsters had grasped the basics of working together, they were beginning to obsess over their public image. In scenarios such as this, a practical demonstration far outweighed a lengthy lecture. Drawing the Black Dragon Sword, I executed a single motion that delivered a double strike.

*Swoosh, swoosh.*

*Rip.*

In that precise instant, the fabric covering the chests of Geum-pyo and Eun-ho rent apart.

“In a real bout, both of your lives would have just concluded. My goodness. Had you been outfitted in this protective layer, you would have survived the strike. What sort of account am I supposed to give to the families of Geum-pyo and Eun-ho?”

“…”

Dong-ryong joined in the performance, twisting his features into a mock-weeping grimace.

“Waaah, dear brothers…”

“It brings me great sorrow. When I inform their kin that they perished solely because they rejected safety gear to maintain their vanity, I can only imagine their despair. This situation weighs heavily upon my mind.”

“Incompetent, foolish brothers!”

“…”

“…Fine, we shall put it on. It goes underneath our outer garments regardless, so nobody will notice.”

“…Moreover, given the golden hue, it actually appears rather elegant and premium.”

I held out the defensive plates to them.

“…Ah, but that particular item is truly somewhat…”

“…This seems a bit excessive, Eldest Senior Brother.”

“Alas, when word spreads that you spurned a buckler only to have a limb severed…”

“We’ll take them! We’ll wear them!”

“Splendid, how dependable you are!”

Once the young men donned the protective gear and bucklers, they refused to lift their gazes. Walking among the retainers of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect, they kept their countenances cast downward as though bearing the mark of outlaws, taking pains to remain unnoticed by Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran.

By the time our party departed from Suzhou, they had completely obscured themselves amidst the ranks of the Namgung Clan and Iron Sword Sect swordsmen, terrified of drawing any attention. Observing our rear, Seong Mo-ran remarked,

“They are quite vexing.”

“You fail to grasp the utility of these bucklers. Overlooking a swordsman’s vanity…”

“What? No, I am not referring to them.”

Seong Mo-ran indicated the path behind us.

“They refrain from closing the gap, yet they refuse to lose our trail. Do they not resemble a scavenging pack of wild beasts?”

“…”

Her comment was directed toward Song Baek’s contingent, who had persistently tracked our movements from the moment we crossed the threshold of the northern gate.

“Would it not be simpler to eliminate them before proceeding?”

“Should we make a move toward them, they will merely retreat to maintain their distance.”

Had this journey involved only the followers of the Taeul Sect, we could have turned this into an easy slaughter. However, we were accompanied by the high-ranking combatants of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect. Even among those who had attained the Peak-level, variations in skill and comprehension meant a confrontation at this juncture would undoubtedly result in heavy casualties on our side.

“They are fully aware of this reality, which is why they bide their time.”

“Then what exactly are they waiting for?”

“Either for an opportunity to launch an assault themselves.”

I gestured toward the woods situated to our east. Beneath the canopy, martial artists clad in identical attire could be glimpsed catching the light periodically as they moved through the foliage. This constituted an entirely separate faction tracking us alongside Song Baek’s forces.

“Or for the arrival of the combatants from the Diancang Sect.”

“Do you believe those hidden figures will merely remain spectators?”

As Seong Mo-ran questioned this while watching the tree line, I shook my head in negation.

“They will initiate their strike prior to that.”

From their perspective, while we currently possessed the backing of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect, allowing the situation to stagnate would mean contending with forces from Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang as well. My assessment proved entirely accurate.

“Some insights do not require such immediate validation.”

As our column advanced northward in the direction of Henan Province, just as the men were setting up cauldrons to prepare a meal for our initial night under the stars, the initial assault materialized.

“Ambush!”

*Clang, crash, clang, clang, clang!*

Assailants surged forward from all quarters. The sentries detected the encroachment swiftly, and upon the sounding of the alarm, the seasoned fighters of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect responded with disciplined efficiency to repel the hostile forces.

“What a mess…”

Owing to the superior capabilities of our combatants, our ranks sustained no casualties. Nevertheless, because the skirmish erupted during camp preparations, the greater part of the food being cooked was upended or contaminated with soil, rendering it entirely inedible.

“We must simply start the preparation anew for the time being.”

Conceding to the misfortune, the martial artists gave their assent and restarted the cooking process. Yet, the moment vapor began escaping the vessels, the sentries raised their voices once more.

“Hostiles approaching!”

“Blast it!”

“Curse them!”

Once more, the swordsmen lunged forward to meet the threat. On this occasion, they exerted every effort to shield the cauldrons, but by the time the skirmish concluded, the meals had once again been ruined and scattered.

“Sigh… they are intentionally timing their disruptions, aren’t they?”

Namgung Seon-hwa exhaled a weary breath.

I gave a nod of agreement.

“They recognize that an open, direct confrontation offers them no victory.”

Despite the disparate origins of these raiding parties, their overarching methodology remained uniform. They sought to induce profound fatigue and mental strain, aiming to strike a decisive blow once our vigilance and stamina crumbled. They were implementing a primitive form of attrition warfare without even realizing its formal principles.

“It would be wiser to utilize established outposts along our route until we arrive at the location of the Third Trial.”

“That would certainly alleviate much of this hardship.”

“Instruct the men to cease all cooking fires. For the time being, everyone must sustain themselves on dried meat and traveling rations.”

“Understood, Young Lady.”

Taking my place alongside Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, I was pulling apart pieces of dried meat when a distinct sound reached us.

*Slurp.*

*Munch, munch.*

*Gulp.*

The unmistakable noises of individuals consuming a thick broth or gruel echoed from a short distance away.

“…?”

The collective attention of the swordsmen gnawing on dry provisions shifted toward a single spot. The trio consisting of the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers were enjoying a satisfying meal in their own space, having softened their dried provisions inside a thoroughly prepared batch of porridge.

“…”

Catching the stares of the surrounding martial artists, the siblings extended an offer to share their warm food. However, due to the lingering social distance between the groups, the clan retainers simply brandished their own dry rations and pointedly declined the gesture.

“…”

Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran turned their multi-layered gazes toward me. Lacking a better explanation, I rubbed the side of my face and remarked,

“Those boys certainly possess remarkable digestive drive.”

Achieving a superior standing in the Murim Academy Regular Exam invariably compounded the challenges one faced. Though designated as an evaluation, it functioned fundamentally as a grueling ordeal, where an individual’s final standing hinged entirely upon the quantity of Trial Tokens they managed to accumulate. Naturally, possessing the prowess to acquire an abundance of Trial Tokens meant that an examinee would draw the intense scrutiny of rival participants. The authorities governing the Murim Academy evaluated performance strictly by counting the Trial Tokens retained by each candidate. The methods employed to secure these items—whether earned through standard challenges or wrested through force from competitors—were of no concern to the institution. Such a policy rendered the evaluation exceptionally cutthroat. Consequently, even the most prestigious disciples from the Nine Sects and One Gang alongside the Five Great Clans formed alliances to navigate the test; failing to do so would make the entire endeavor virtually impossible to survive.

Viewed in this light, the most precarious scenario involved a candidate whose individual talent was extraordinarily high but lacked factional backing. Even if a person excelled through the initial phases and collected a vast number of Trial Tokens, lacking the collective force to defend that wealth simply transformed them into a prime mark for an endless wave of adversaries.

“Considering our predicament, our actions resemble leaping directly into a furnace while clutching a Thunderbolt Bomb.”

Seong Mo-ran had initially been stunned to discover that factions like Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang were actively hunting the adherents of the Taeul Sect, but the revelation that they possessed a double-digit tally of Trial Tokens left her practically speechless.

*What stood as the historical maximum achieved in previous iterations of the Regular Exam?*

During the session just prior, Yong So-ah, a legendary blade master heralded as a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, had secured admission to the Murim Academy with the top evaluation score. On that occasion, his tally consisted of five tokens from the initial trial and two from the subsequent phase. Since a participant was normally restricted to acquiring a single token from the final stage, his grand total amounted to six. Furthermore, that unprecedented milestone had been accomplished with the direct assistance of the finest fighters from the Wudang Sect. In contrast, Jin So-un was currently holding an astonishing seventeen Trial Tokens. Even if one subtracted the six pieces belonging to the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings, his personal collection stood at eleven, a figure that defied conventional belief. Given this reality, the rumors that every aspiring martial artist across the land sought to bring down Jin So-un became entirely logical. Naturally, abandoning their alliance never crossed her mind. He had previously preserved her existence during the events at the Demon Spirit Plateau. While that act provided ample justification, an inexplicable pull existed beyond mere obligation. A subtle inclination urged her to remain by his side…

“…”

Unable to define the precise emotion driving her choices, she felt a wave of guilt regarding Namgung Seon-hwa.

“Oh, goodness… i-it is perfectly alright, Sister. In any event, once we get past the Third Trial, confronting such difficulties was inevitable, was it not?”

Upon hearing Seong Mo-ran’s candid disclosure of her internal thoughts, Namgung Seon-hwa offered a hesitant chuckle, a flush rising to her cheeks. Her primary sentiment was merely one of profound appreciation.

A full seven days had elapsed since their departure from Suzhou. The weariness of the journey was beginning to leave its mark even upon Namgung Seon-hwa’s usually pristine and elegant features. Yet, her condition remained relatively manageable compared to others. The retainers belonging to the Iron Sword Sect and the Namgung Clan were faring significantly worse. The harassment was unceasing. Due to the recurring nature of the raids disrupting their mealtimes, a considerable period had passed since they last enjoyed a substantial, warm meal. More than anything, the psychological burden of constant jeopardy—the knowledge that an assault could materialize at any given moment—proved agonizing. Consequently, the swordsmen found rest impossible even during periods when they were relieved from Guard Duty. When opportunities to nourish themselves arose, the pervasive stench of gore and the gruesome remains of their foes dampened their appetites entirely.

“However, a certain detail puzzles me greatly.”

“What might that be?”

“How is it that the followers of the Taeul Sect appear so unaffected?”

“…”

They were certainly not being afforded any luxuries or exemptions. If anything, their limited numbers placed a heavier burden upon their shoulders. They fulfilled their rotations on Guard Duty and engaged in the skirmishes precisely like everyone else.

“During a conversation with Eun-ho, he mentioned that their current situation feels far more manageable now that they are part of a larger contingent.”

Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, having developed a familiar rapport with the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings, conversed about them with ease.

“More manageable?”

“Indeed. He expressed that prior to joining us, the sheer isolation made them feel as though succumbing to death would be a relief.”

“…”

Reflecting upon their behavior, the adherents of the Taeul Sect truly operated under a distinct mindset. When a sudden raid disrupted their cooking, the three siblings—Geum, Eun, and Dong—made the preservation of their food their absolute focus. On various occasions, the trio would preserve their active Sword Formation, taking successive turns to consume their rations. Upon initially witnessing this bizarre display, Seong Mo-ran had been so utterly transfixed that she failed to note an opponent’s blade traversing toward her vital points. Should a confrontation persist past their scheduled dining interval, they routinely extracted dried provisions from their pouches to chew on while in motion. They remained entirely unfazed by the surrounding carnage, ignoring the splattered gore and detached limbs. It developed into a familiar occurrence for the retainers of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect to express sheer astonishment at the unyielding fixation the Taeul Sect disciples displayed toward their sustenance.

Their approach to rest was equally peculiar. Even during intervals devoid of actual combat, the harassers would project palpable malice to heighten anxiety or generate disruptive clamor during the late hours to fragment any chance of deep slumber. Nevertheless, when exempted from Guard Duty, the three siblings from the Taeul Sect would deliberately strike each other’s sleeping acupoints to plunge into immediate, synchronized rest.

“Does that method not carry immense peril?”

Prompted by Seong Mo-ran’s inquiry, Jin So-un paused his chewing of dried meat and shifted his gaze upward.

“To what are you referring?”

“Manipulating their sleeping acupoints in such a manner.”

“Should an immense racket occur, the body naturally revives, does it not?”

“That precisely causes my concern. They become completely oblivious to minor disruptions while unconscious…”

“They place absolute reliance on their companions.”

“Excuse me?”

“This campaign shows no signs of concluding swiftly. If they remain deprived of slumber, an adversary’s blade will inevitably find them due to exhaustion. Consequently, they place their safety in the hands of the surrounding martial artists and rest. By doing so, they guarantee that fatigue will not be the weakness that costs them their lives.”

In that moment, the true source of the brothers’ eccentric habits became perfectly clear to her.

*I recognized his exceptional nature from our initial encounter, yet this…*

Unaware or indifferent to the intense scrutiny Seong Mo-ran was applying to him, Jin So-un requested composedly,

“Miss Seong, would you be so kind as to activate my sleeping acupoint?”

The methodology employed by the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings was undoubtedly modeled after Jin So-un’s own practices. From the anecdotes shared by the three brothers, it appeared that Jin So-un enjoyed a status akin to a deity among the various disciples within their order.

“Very well.”

The moment Seong Mo-ran applied pressure to the specified point, Jin So-un’s chin dropped instantly, entering a state resembling deep unconsciousness. Observing his swift transition, Seong Mo-ran turned her attention to her companion.

“Seon-hwa, would you mind doing the same for me?”

“Of course, Sister.”

For the initial time in almost seven days, Seong Mo-ran surrendered to an uninterrupted, profound slumber.

“Intelligence indicates that Diancang forces have obstructed our path at Zhenjiang.”

Having journeyed past Danyang, we halted our advance with a mere half-day’s travel separating us from Zhenjiang. The critical missive brought swiftly by a Messenger Hawk from the Hao Gate confirmed that every viable passage ahead had been thoroughly interdicted. Alongside Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, I joined a crisis council alongside the designated leaders of both the Namgung Clan retainers and the Iron Sword Sect contingent.

“I harbored the expectation that Zhenjiang would provide us an opportunity to recuperate,” muttered one of the members.

The initial strategy entailed securing a vessel at Zhenjiang, navigating across Hongze Lake, and arriving directly at Sihong without delay. A vessel arranged beforehand by the Azure Sky Merchant Guild stood ready at the docks of Zhenjiang, promising a secure haven where the party could finally unwind.

“Should we embark upon the riverway, pursuers will undoubtedly witness our departure and give chase.”

“Regardless of that, it would afford us the luxury of dining without disruption, would it not?”

Seong Mo-ran shook her head, her expression betraying profound exhaustion with their current reality. The exasperating raiders frequently focused their efforts solely on upending their cooking vessels before retreating. Having endured this targeted harassment for three consecutive days, the motivation to kindle a cooking fire had deserted the group entirely.

“Primarily, the presence of the Diancang faction blocking Zhenjiang constitutes our most severe obstacle.”

Simultaneously, Song Baek’s company was steadily narrowing the gap separating us, reducing the interval to a mere thirty zhang. Finding ourselves pinned between hostile forces ahead and behind would lead to a catastrophic outcome.

“We can find some solace in the fact that Mount Hua and Wudang have not joined them there.”

Per the dispatches from the Hao Gate, given the geographical proximity of Diancang and Mount Hua, it was anticipated that they would operate in tandem. Contrary to expectations, Mount Hua had aligned its movements with Wudang, leaving Diancang to advance independently toward our position. This unexpected alignment completely disrupted our calculated maneuvers. Reports suggested that Mount Hua was traversing from Anhui Province into Henan. Their intent was to intercept our party along the trajectory leading to the Third Trial. Had our initial projections held true, our passage would have remained unhindered until we crossed into Henan.

“As it stands, retreating toward Anhui Province or altering our course directly to Henan Province offers no safe passage.”

A detour toward Anhui Province would bring us into direct conflict with Mount Hua and Wudang, whereas proceeding directly toward Henan Province required forcing our way through the Diancang blockade. Factoring in the relentless harassment from various factions along the way, utilizing the docks at Zhenjiang remained the most efficient and practical alternative available.

“The impending confrontation at Zhenjiang will determine everything,” Namgung Seon-hwa murmured softly.

She anticipated that the clash awaiting them at Zhenjiang would surpass the intensity of any previous skirmish. Much like the tribulations Seong Mo-ran had faced, Namgung Seon-hwa had to confront the distinct likelihood of losing her loyal guards. In the most dire scenario, the survival of both Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran themselves would hang in the balance.

“Everything will be alright! Have faith! Victory will be ours regardless! With the combined might of the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect, we have no reason to falter!”

Seong Mo-ran’s forced enthusiasm only served to highlight the underlying anxiety she felt. Namgung Seon-hwa managed a strained nod in response.

“An alternative path exists.”

The suggestion originated from Kang Seo-pyo, who led the retainers of the Namgung Clan. He belonged to the group that had accompanied Namgung Seon-hwa into the perils of the Demon Spirit Plateau.

“The young ladies must leave the guard force behind.”

“…”

Namgung Seon-hwa’s expression grew rigid.

In order to reach the vessel stationed at Zhenjiang, we could slip along the riverbanks to embark in secrecy. Naturally, the forces waiting in ambush would anticipate such a maneuver. To keep them occupied, a contingent would have to act as a distraction. Kang Seo-pyo was obliquely framing this sacrificial role as simply being left in the rear.

“Our adversaries belong to Diancang. Should our entire assembly attempt to pass through together, it may result in total failure for everyone.”

“Absolutely not. I cannot allow it.”

Namgung Seon-hwa dismissed the notion firmly. Combining the persistent trackers at our heels with the unknown strength of the blockade waiting at Zhenjiang meant that anyone remaining behind at the harbor would face almost certain annihilation.

“Young Lady, are you not acutely aware of the misery that accompanies a lack of influence within the murim? At this juncture, your sole concentration must be securing your place within the academy.”

In the period leading up to this, due to political friction with the secondary branches of her family, she had been forced to attempt the Regular Exam deprived of the backing she rightfully deserved. Before Namgung Seon-hwa could voice her objections, Kang Seo-pyo directed his gaze toward me.

“Young Master, it is a heavy request, but we must entrust the safety of the Young Lady to your hands once more.”

“…”

“We shall carve a path through Zhenjiang by any means necessary.”

Indicating that a consensus had already been reached among the guards, Cho Mu-bin, who commanded the Iron Sword Sect contingent, added his voice to the plan.

“Furthermore, to ensure no rival vessels can pursue you, our presence at the docks is imperative.”

“Captain Cho!”

“Young Lady, to honor the aspirations of the Sect Leader, your admission into the academy is paramount.”

Undertaking the task of grounding all other watercraft meant that every single fighter from both the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect would be placing their lives on the line.

I shook my head in refusal.

“That will not do.”

Both Kang Seo-pyo and Cho Mu-bin fixed their eyes upon me. In contrast to the two young women, they had assumed I would readily agree to their sacrificial strategy.

“However, under the current circumstances…”

“While this presents an immediate challenge, the far greater peril awaits beyond the Third Trial. Should your forces be entirely depleted here, the safety of both young ladies will be severely compromised later on.”

“…”

“…”

Faced with an apparent impasse, I directed my attention toward Namgung Seon-hwa.

“Miss Seon-hwa.”

“Yes?”

“Forgive the abruptness of my inquiry given our pressing dilemma, but…”

“Pardon? A-at a time like this…? Wh-what could it be?”

A sudden wave of nervous anticipation washed over Namgung Seon-hwa’s face, her features brightening with unspoken hope. Beside her, Seong Mo-ran’s reaction took on an even more peculiar quality.

“…”

Her expression conveyed utter disbelief, as though she desired nothing more than to silence me on the spot. Lacking the luxury to decipher their internal states at this moment, I forged ahead.

“Would you happen to have an estimate of the monetary value of the steeds we are currently utilizing?”

“…What?”

“…Eh?”

Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran tilted their heads in unison, their identical confusion mirroring one another perfectly.