Chapter 82
No matter how much he disguised himself and hid his face with a bridal veil, Im Hyang-hyang could still recognize him.
“Jiyun, escort the guests.”
“Yes.”
The courtesan called Jiyun descended to the first floor.
Im Hyang-hyang’s gaze shifted away from Sos o’s group to another spot. Soon, her eyes sparkled again.
So many interesting guests today.
“Hehe.”
With a pleased smile, Im Hyang-hyang entered a certain room.
Then she began writing a secret message to Baek Garim.
“To the Lord of Geukmagak, I have something to report…”
Meanwhile, Soso had already received a rough explanation from Zhegal Haesu about the “Gate of Ascension.”
That each floor was used by different types of customers.
“Then which floor are we going to use?”
“We should stay on the first floor.”
Zhegal Haesu spoke as if he had already made the decision.
“Why the first floor instead of the third?”
“Ah, the third floor is mostly private rooms. If we stay on the first floor, we can listen to all sorts of rumors.”
“Aha.”
Just then, a courtesan approached.
“Which floor shall I escort you to?”
“The first floor is fine for us. Hoho.”
Soso glanced again at Zhegal Haesu.
He had said cross-dressing wasn’t a hobby, yet his ability to disguise his voice was amazing. And not only his voice—his gestures and body language were coy as well.
No one would ever guess that he was a man.
In fact, Soso could feel the gazes of the men on the first floor sneaking glances at Zhegal Haesu again and again.
Even with the veil covering his face, the refined atmosphere he carried couldn’t be hidden.
“Yes! Then please follow me to your seats!”
The courtesan guided the four of them to an empty table.
Zhegal Haesu ordered various dishes, alcohol, and tea as if he’d been here many times before.
Soso looked around while waiting for what she believed to be the most delicious dumplings in the world.
Martial artists, merchants, commoners… The tavern was filled with people of all ages and backgrounds.
One of these people might be the Moonlit Night Physician?
Moonlit Night Physician.
A mysterious doctor who appeared whenever the full moon rose.
According to what she’d heard from Zhegal Haesu, that physician performed treatments best when absorbing the yin energy of the full moon.
Judging by the phases of the moon recently, the next full moon was very near—at most two days away.
Meaning the Moonlit Night Physician would appear soon.
He could already be here early, waiting for someone who would recognize him, or he might show up on the night of the full moon itself.
Soso carefully observed each person, trying to guess who the physician—certainly using a disguise—might be.
Who could it be?
What appearance would he take this time?
Because she was concentrating so deeply, the noisy tavern quickly became sharply separated into distinct voices.
Her exceptional senses had activated.
“…Just how strong is the Heavenly Demon? Killing his disciple wasn’t enough—he even wiped out the entire Hebei Peng Clan… Shouldn’t the Martial Alliance be doing more?”
“The Martial Alliance must be cautious. Remember what happened fifty years ago. The small clans who stepped up out of righteousness to kill the Heavenly Demon were all obliterated. Not only them—many sects and families suffered heavy losses. Some still haven’t fully recovered.”
“A tragic matter, truly. A time like this calls for a hero like Chuhongeom Cheon Yujin to emerge…”
“There really are no outstanding prodigies in the martial world these days.”
Hearing up to that point, Soso swallowed dryly.
The excitement she’d felt while waiting for delicious dumplings instantly vanished.
The Heavenly Demon.
And the annihilation of the Hebei Peng Clan.
Those shocking topics weighed on Soso’s heart. It made her remember the fallen Qingcheng Sect.
Holding back her sadness, Soso returned her focus to the voices around her.
“By the way, it seems likely that the Moonlit Night Physician will appear here soon, right?”
“Yes. I wonder what form he’ll take this time and who he will treat?”
“He might treat no one at all and simply vanish!”
“That’s true… Ah, speaking of the Moonlit Night Physician, did you hear he’s been searching for a certain kind of person recently?”
“No, what kind of person?”
“Someone whose body and soul haven’t completely merged.”
“No one knows why he’s looking for such a person, but… well, there are some guesses…”
“Ah, that rumor?”
“Yes.”
“I wonder if that story is true… Oh my, look at the time. I’d best be going.”
Their conversation ended, and their voices faded away.
Regretful, Soso turned her ears to a different conversation.
Focusing her senses, she even began hearing voices from much farther away.
Why were her senses so sharp tonight?
She didn’t know, but kept listening.
“…They say someone appeared at a certain inn in Yangyang using a secret Zhegal family martial art that only direct descendants can learn.”
“What! Is that true? Could Zhegal Sagun have finally returned?”
“Sadly, everyone thinks it was the Lazy Young Lord…”
“Ehhh! Why would the runaway young master come back? Did he run out of money and return home?”
Public opinion of Zhegal Haesu was harsh. No one seemed happy about his appearance.
“Master, something terrible has happened.”
“What is it?”
“It seems word has spread that you’re in Yangyang. I overheard people talking.”
Soso intentionally left out the part about them not being happy to see him—she didn’t want him to feel hurt.
“…So it’s come to this.”
“…”
“In this situation, I must meet the Moonlit Night Physician and have my illness treated. Even if he refuses, I’ll beg him until he accepts.”
“Yes, I’ll help you as much as I can.”
Zhegal Haesu shook his head.
“No, Sama. Treat me once you’ve mastered your ability completely. I’m afraid something might happen again if you revert to your Man-nyeon Snow Ginseng form.”
“…”
How could she better control her power?
Would the Moonlit Night Physician know the answer?
“Hm… Getting a diagnosis from the physician together wouldn’t be a bad idea… but the fee…”
Zhegal Haesu glanced slightly toward Sau. Sau’s head moved just a little.
“If you want, I’ll pay for yours as well.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“…”
Sau simply remained silent.
What should she do…? She couldn’t just accept such a large sum.
But she really did want to talk to the Moonlit Night Physician about her healing abilities.
Soso spoke to Zhegal Haesu instead of the silent Sau.
“Um, Young Master.”
“Yes, Sama?”
“There’s something I’ve been curious about. When you were still living at your clan, did you ever try meeting the Moonlit Night Physician?”
“I couldn’t. And there’s a reason for that.”
“What is it?”
Soso tilted her head adorably.
Zhegal Haesu chuckled softly.
“The Moonlit Night Physician began openly revealing his presence and treating people—almost like advertising—only five years ago.”
“Huh?”
