Chapter 64
“Fortunately, it seems there’s no problem.”
When I placed the Golden Scripture inside my pouch, I had worried for a moment — what if the entire world vanished or collapsed? Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Even while Baekho was dismantling the Imoogi and sorting through the spoils, the world remained perfectly intact.
“You did a better job of dismantling it than I expected.”
Not a single trace of flesh clung to the hide; not even a bloodstain was visible. It was so cleanly processed that it almost looked new.
The meat we had agreed he would give me wasn’t in sight, but I didn’t ask where it went. Considering how Baekho’s belly was now noticeably rounder, the answer was obvious.
In any case, although I hadn’t obtained the Spirit Grass I’d originally set out for, I left Baekho’s home with something far more valuable.
“To think that such a small object contains an entire world inside it.”
As I stood before the stone monument again, I still couldn’t quite believe it.
But one thing I did understand clearly — the Golden Scripture was an extraordinary divine relic.
“With this, no matter what kind of trial it gives me, I’ll just have to complete it.”
Letting an opportunity like this slip away would be utter foolishness.
After all, the Golden Scripture was said to grant the greatest wish possible — meaning that if I managed to obtain it, I could potentially create a divine artifact on par with this very monument before me.
Of course, I had no intention of making the same wish Baekho had made.
If I were to make a wish now, there was only one thing that came to mind — restoring the Jaha Divine Sword to its original state.
“Even if it was broken, the Mount Hua Sect would never have thrown it away.”
Once I earned the right to make a wish, I wouldn’t hesitate. As soon as circumstances allowed, I planned to head straight for Mount Hua to confirm the sword’s whereabouts — and to restore it.
Yama (the Judge of the Dead) might not appreciate me meeting that sword again so soon, but this was something I couldn’t compromise on.
Because I knew…
I knew the state Mount Hua must have fallen into after learning that the Jaha Divine Sword had been broken — the despair its disciples must have felt.
I couldn’t possibly put off helping them just to protect my own comfort.
“But first, I need to find out whether the Golden Scripture can truly restore the sword.”
Even for such a miraculous relic, I doubted it would be easy.
After all, Mount Hua had spent a hundred years trying everything they could, and still failed.
Even so, after what I’d seen inside Baekho’s home, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope.
And with that came a question I’d momentarily forgotten — what kind of trial had Baekho undertaken? And what grade had it been?
Unfortunately, Baekho couldn’t answer.
Not because he was forbidden to speak of it, nor because he was unwilling — but simply because he didn’t remember.
“The moment my wish was granted, all memories related to it were erased from my mind — as if they’d never existed at all.”
There was no reason for Baekho to lie to me.
If he had intended deceit, he would never have helped me find the Golden Scripture in the first place.
That could only mean one thing — the Golden Scripture itself had tampered with his memory.
“In the end, I’ll just have to wait.”
I decided to stop thinking about it for now and simply wait until the Golden Scripture revealed my task.
I had other matters to handle anyway.
And one of them was—
“May I trouble you once more to give me a name?”
Just as before my departure, Baekho was asking me again to name him.
“Very well. I’ll do that for you.”
Even if someone called it worldly or superficial, I didn’t mind.
After all, though I hadn’t received the Spirit Grass, I’d gained the Imoogi’s core and its materials — and above all, the Golden Scripture itself, a relic beyond compare. Refusing this small request would have been rude.
‘Now then, what name would suit him best?’
After accepting the Jaha Divine Art, Baekho’s fur had taken on a faint purple sheen. To keep calling him White Tiger didn’t seem right anymore.
The first name that came to mind was Purple Tiger — Jaho (紫虎).
But that felt too plain, lacking both weight and flair. So I decided to add one more character — King.
Thus: Jahowang (紫虎王), the Purple Tiger King.
Not bad, for something I came up with on the spot.
Of course, what mattered most was whether he liked it.
Fortunately, when I told him the name, his reaction was positive.
“Jahowang, you say… A splendid name, better than I’d hoped. I will do my utmost to live up to it.”
He repeated his new name several times, clearly savoring it — a good sign.
“Well then, let’s help you get used to it quickly.”
“Jahowang.”
The first time I called his new name aloud, I thought he might look awkward or self-conscious.
But no — he responded smoothly, naturally, without hesitation.
“Yes, what is your command?”
Seeing that, an impulsive idea came to mind.
After a brief pause, I decided to speak of something I’d originally planned to discuss with Sahun instead.
“There’s something I’d like you to do.”
“Whatever it is, just say the word.”
“It’s not a difficult task.”
I turned my gaze toward the distance — just in time to see Dongchil running toward us in a panic.
Originally, I’d thought of assigning the task to two people, but at that moment, I changed my mind.
Better to make it a team of three.
“Head to the place I’m about to tell you. You’ll meet a wandering spirit there.”
The “wandering spirit” I referred to was, of course, Geumchosan.
A ghost who could sense hidden treasures better than any living being — and with Baekho’s (no, Jahowang’s) speed and strength, along with Dongchil’s eagerness and knack for gaining experience —
“And with Sahun occasionally assisting the three of them…”
A bizarre combination, almost absurd on paper — yet somehow, it felt promising.
After hearing more details from me, Jahowang soon departed to meet Geumchosan.
He said he’d talk to the spirit first about the task I intended to give them, though I wasn’t expecting much.
Still, if anyone could make it work, it was probably him.
“Dealing with spirits should come naturally to a tiger.”
There was a reason certain ghosts were said to serve tigers.
More pressing, though—
“There’s no need to look so worried. It’s nothing dangerous.”
Although Dongchil couldn’t understand Jahowang’s words, the boy was perceptive enough to read the mood.
Seeing his anxious face, I reassured him, and he relaxed almost immediately.
“From now on, you should call him Jahowang.”
“Jahowang! That’s such a cool name! Did you come up with it, Young Master?”
“I did, but I didn’t realize it sounded that impressive.”
I said that with mock humility, but hearing his praise still made me smile.
Then it struck me — hadn’t this kid just been running like his life depended on it?
“By the way, did you run here because you had something urgent to tell me?”
His eyes widened.
“Oh, right! I completely forgot!”
He smacked his own head and spoke quickly.
“Young Master, you need to come at once!”
His urgency made me frown in confusion.
After taking care of Dusangbaek and his followers, there shouldn’t have been any major problems at the Geumhwa Trading Company.
That’s what I thought — until he said:
“One of the high officials from the Jungwang’s household has come to visit!”
That made things clearer.
An unannounced visit from a royal house official was certainly cause for concern.
Especially when he added—
“Madam Seol, the one favored by His Highness Jungwang himself, is among the visitors!”
Madam Seol.
A name impossible not to know — not after what I’d learned through the Hao Clan’s network.
She was the very woman to whom Heukjeonbang had delivered all the treasures they stole from the Geumhwa Company’s warehouse.
And now she was here, in person?
“No matter how I look at it, she’s not here with good intentions.”
It must be because of Heukjeonbang.
I never imagined she’d personally involve herself over something as petty as a black-market sect.
“The loot from that warehouse must have been quite valuable.”
For someone like her to take such direct action…
I clicked my tongue.
Originally, I’d planned to gather my family and share the news of Dusangbaek’s downfall — to finally see them smile again.
Now, that moment would have to wait.
Not that I was pleased about it.
Worse still, there was one more unpleasant matter.
“Who’s attending to our guests from the Jungwang residence?”
Normally, all outside visitors were handled by Chief Steward No.
Geum Danmok’s condition had improved, but not enough for him to personally deal with outside affairs.
He’d only just regained the strength to walk again.
So surely…
“T-they’re insisting on meeting the head of the company directly…”
Of course. My unease had been right.
No need to think twice.
“Where are they now?”
After asking Dongchil where the unwelcome guests were waiting, I immediately headed that way — seething with irritation when I learned they weren’t even in the main reception hall.
By the time I reached the receiving room, three people sat facing one another.
One was Geum Danmok, looking pale and weak.
The other two — a burly man with fierce eyes and a woman whose refined air was marred by a certain cruelty in her gaze.
‘That woman must be Madam Seol.’
Even without the Hao Clan’s reports, I would have known.
Just one look, and her character was obvious.
But the first to speak wasn’t her.
Bang!
The table rattled violently as the man slammed his fist down, shouting.
“Head of Geumhwa Trading! Don’t think you can simply brush aside the matter of Wisamun and the Heukjeon Sect!”
His outburst was directed at Geum Danmok — who still needed rest. The color drained even further from the old man’s face, yet the brute showed no concern.
He pressed on, voice rising.
“Wisamun may have been lowborn, but he was our man! We know all about how your trading company destroyed him and his Heukjeon followers!”
Of course, they had no proof.
We’d disposed of the bodies and silenced every possible witness.
Still, since the men had disappeared from within the company, their suspicion was understandable.
But even under that pressure, Geum Danmok said nothing — merely waiting.
As though for someone’s arrival.
Which meant—
“Pardon the interruption, but may I join this conversation?”
It was time for me to step in.
