I propped my chin on my hand and stared at the boxes of White Flame Grass.

The smaller box presumably contained the hundred-year-old White Flame Grass, while the two larger ones held the regular kind.

Geum Hae, who had been a bit slow getting off the wagon, strode into the hall.

“Brother, you should at least check the quality.”

He sat down across from me and opened the larger box first.

“Man, it’s really hard to get stuff like this these days.”

He waved his hand over the herbs to stir the scent toward his nose.

“Mmm… ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) even the smell feels warm. This kind of thing doesn’t keep well, so it’s best to use it up quickly.”

I casually glanced at the regular White Flame Grass.

Elixirs don’t usually look like anything special. Most of them resemble wild ginseng or plain weeds you’d find on a dinner plate. What matters isn’t the appearance—it’s where it was found.

Just like how people turn out differently depending on their environment.

Truth is, White Flame Grass doesn’t grow in the Western Regions—it comes from the Southern Forests of the Western Plateau. It has no side effects and helps build internal energy, and the older it is, the more valuable it becomes.

I picked up a regular root, slipped it under my mask, and chewed it slowly.

Assuming I’d buy the whole lot anyway, Geum Hae asked,

“How is it?”

I nodded.

“Not bad.”

“Oh, you’ve tried White Flame Grass before?”

In my past life, I hadn’t trained as long as the other top-tier masters of Jianghu. Which meant, naturally, I’d tried most of the common elixirs. Though I never did get to try extreme yin types like Snow Ginseng.

But White Flame Grass? I’d chewed it back when I was dragged off to the Southern Forests. Its flavor was unforgettable.

The regular stuff was genuine.

Now, the real question was the hundred-year roots…

Just as I reached to open the box with the hundred-year-old White Flame Grass, Geum Hae pressed his finger on the lid.

“Brother, no matter how close we are, shouldn’t you at least put some money down before inspecting the goods? It’s not a matter of trust—it’s just basic trade etiquette.”

“Byeok, bring the money.”

“Yes, Master.”

Things should always be handled simply and clearly. As Byeok dragged in the box of gold, I spoke.

“Still, we need to check the quality. Byeok, take a look.”

Byeok placed the box of gold on the table and replied,

“Shall I?”

Geum Hae looked at him.

“You know how to inspect elixirs?”

“Of course.”

I pointed at Byeok and spoke.

“This man’s been in Jianghu over thirty years. A legendary elixir appraiser. A master of elixirs. A genius of the elixir world. The Old Immortal of All Remedies. A prodigy of potions. A man who can spot elixirs from a hundred li away, and smell them from another hundred. He became a martial artist just to evaluate elixirs. That’s who Byeok is.”

Byeok clasped his hands and bowed to me.

“You flatter me.”

It was indeed flattery.

Geum Hae chuckled and looked at Byeok.

“That so? You’re impressive. Go ahead, inspect it.”

Byeok opened the box, flared his nostrils, and said,

“Three roots. The scent checks out. But if you look here, one of the roots was awkwardly snapped—looks like someone already took a bite out of it.”

He finished and turned to Geum Hae.

Geum Hae snapped back,

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“I asked you to inspect it, not babble nonsense. Just say if it’s real or not. I already gave you a deal for the three roots at fifty gold pieces. You trying to piss me off? I might just take it to Brother Baek-yu instead.”

As Geum Hae overreacted, Byeok lowered his head slightly.

“My apologies.”

Then he turned to me.

“Still, the choice is yours, Master. It is genuine White Flame Grass. Sending men to the Southern Forests to get more like this wouldn’t be easy. Transport alone is a challenge—what Geum Hae said is true. If there’d been five or six roots, he might’ve charged a hundred gold.”

I nodded.

“That so?”

Geum Hae seemed pleased again and laughed.

“Byeok, I thought you were just a creepy pervert with a paintbrush, but your herb knowledge isn’t half bad.”

I pointed at the box.

“Check the money and take it.”

Geum Hae opened the box, sifted through the gold pieces with his fingers, and carefully inspected the contents.

“Looks good. Honestly, this time it seems like you’re going to win, Brother. That’s kind of a shame.”

“What is?”

“Never mind.”

“Speak.”

Geum Hae tilted his head and said,

“Well, think about it. If we had a betting match, don’t you think most people would put their money on Brother Baek-yu? You’d be the underdog. But if you take that stuff, I think it’d be a draw at worst—maybe even a win for you. If the pot gets big, then fifty gold means nothing… You know what I’m saying?”

“A betting match between members of the Twelve Divine Generals?”

Geum Hae pointed at me.

“Exactly. That’s why it’d be huge. You get it? Especially since Baek-yu is one of the Four Divine Pillars. I don’t have a clear plan yet, but I’ll think on it. If we pull it off, it’d be massive. Guessing the winner could net you fifty? Nah—at least five hundred gold. That would make this elixir basically free for you.”

I casually asked,

“What about Master?”

Geum Hae replied,

“Master? I’ve been taking good care of him like always. What’s the issue? Hahaha.”

As Geum Hae laughed, Byeok awkwardly laughed along.

“Hahaha, so it’s true what they say—Geum Hae’s one of the sharpest minds among the Twelve Divine Generals. I’m humbled.”

Geum Hae turned to Byeok.

“Byeok.”

“Yes?”

“Did I ask for such worthless flattery?”

Byeok clasped his hands politely.

“I apologize again. I spoke out of turn.”

Geum Hae was starting to cross the line, so I replied in a calm but firm tone.

“Watch yourself, junior.”

Geum Hae stood up.

“Well, I’ll be going now. Brother, you really should take that stuff soon. Once it’s exposed to air, the effect drops. Byeok.”

“Yes.”

“Brother Myo will be meditating all day today. Double the security. Not even an ant should get in.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

“See you again.”

As Geum Hae turned to leave the main hall, I called out,

“Wait.”

He turned only his head to look back at me.

Right in front of him, I took the three hundred-year White Flame Grass roots, slipped them under my mask, and started chewing.

“……”

Honestly, I didn’t even need to circulate energy right now because of the Heavenly Pearl. It absorbed the elixir’s energy first, and I cultivated by drawing on the Pearl’s stored energy whenever I had time.

I was probably the only martial artist in the world who trained like this.

I nodded and said,

“No doubt about it. This is genuine White Flame Grass.”

Geum Hae smiled with his eyes and gave his farewell.

“Brother, early congratulations. Until next time.”

After he left, Byeok turned to me.

“Are you alright? You didn’t need to circulate energy right away?”

I removed the mask and answered,

“I’m fine. What about the other officers?”

“They’re stationed along the key routes. But, Master, even if you don’t wear the mask anymore, didn’t Geum Hae get a look at your real face?”

“He’s a smart pig. I’m sure he remembers.”

“Could that be a problem? Geum Hae’s merchant guild has a sizable force.”

I set down Fang of the Black Rabbit and began undressing.

“Byeok, I’m not really the planning type. What’s important is this—”

“Yes, Master?”

“The courage to take the money. The will to take it, no matter what. Courage, spirit, daring, aggression, initiative—those matter more than any plan. Worrying is even lower on the list than planning. Remember that.”

“Yes, Master.”

A servant came in with clean clothes and, seeing my bare torso, quickly bowed her head.

I changed into a clean white robe and gave Byeok an order.

“Lock down the compound. Officially, the master is in the middle of meditation.”

“Understood. Ah, will you not be taking your sword?”

“What kind of servant carries a sword?”

***

As soon as Geum Hae climbed into the carriage and removed his mask, he turned to the guard seated across from him.

“That suspicious bastard sure likes to ask questions. Annoying as hell.”

The guard, with a sword tucked against his chest, smiled as he replied.

“You’ve done well. Where to next?”

“Let’s go see Chicken-Head Brother. What a damn busy day.”

The guard raised his voice slightly toward the driver’s seat.

“To Master Baek-yu.”

Inside the jolting carriage, Geum Hae suddenly tilted his head.

“Feels like something about him’s changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“He cracked a dumb joke. Seems like his head’s a bit messed up.”

Geum Hae twirled a finger around his temple.

“He’s probably anxious and on edge, now that he’s going to face Master Baek-yu.”

“Maybe.”

“Did he agree to the betting match?”

“Not yet.”

The guard, clearly thrilled with how the plan was going, started gabbing like a fool.

“Sell three roots to Black Cat, four to Baek-yu, then set up the match and raise the stakes… There really are no holes in your plan, Young Master.”

Geum Hae nodded.

“If I had to latch onto someone, better one of the Four Pillars. That rabbit bastard won’t even understand how he lost again. And if he ends up badly injured, I can bribe Master with a little gift. Maybe I should try for a spot in the ranking match too?”

“Then you’d shoot right up to fifth place, wouldn’t you?”

“What difference would fifth place make?”

The guard shook his head.

“Young Master, why settle for fifth? If you just take out one of the Four Pillars, you could claim a spot as one of them.”

Geum Hae pointed at him.

“You’re too impatient. Those Four Pillars aren’t some weaklings. You’ve got to play the long game. You know how much money I’ve lost to the Great Rakshasa’s little crew? There’s no need to rush. Our family’s never taken a loss for long. We always get it back.”

Just then, the driver shouted “Whoa! Whoa!” as the carriage suddenly jolted hard. A thunder of hooves followed by a heavy crash and frantic whinnying echoed all around.

As soon as Geum Hae peeked through the small window, he shouted in rage.

“Are they out of their damn minds?!”

With an expression of disbelief, Geum Hae jumped out of the carriage.

Another carriage had come flying out from a side road and nearly collided with them. The panicked horses were now thrashing around wildly. It was the kind of carriage accident that wouldn’t happen unless the drivers were drunk.

The guard rushed to calm the furious Geum Hae.

“Young Master, please, put your mask back on. I’ll take care of this.”

“What the hell is this nonsense on a wide main road? Check if that driver over there’s been drinking.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If he has, start with twenty slaps across the face.”

“Understood.”

***

I watched the fireworks explode in the air and adjusted my direction.

Whether Geum Hae was heading home or off to blow his newly earned gold at a brothel, the officers waiting in ambush along every key route would block him or delay him, no matter what.

While they bought me time, I’d track his direction by the fireworks and catch up.

Judging from the signal’s location, he hadn’t gotten far.

I kicked up my pace and sprinted toward my dear junior.

There’s so much I want to say.

First of all—my money.

Also, the way I answered so politely when he asked for water still bugs me.

Now that I think about it, that bastard didn’t even pay for the meal.

It was a damn feast. That won’t fly.

I should probably suggest he loses some weight—for his health, of course.

And above all, I can’t stand that this junior was so rude to his senior.

Then, as I was charging forward, it suddenly hit me—I wasn’t wearing my mask.

Which means, right now…

I’m Yi Zaha, the Jomsoi of Ilyang County, leader of the Hao Clan, liberator of the Black Line Pavilion, servant of the Black Cat Gang, and owner of Zaha Inn.

What does all that mean?

It means rich kids piss me off no matter what.

Maybe it was the sprinting.

Suddenly, rage welled up from deep inside me.

I tore through the wind as I ran.

Wait for me, junior.

I’m coming…to see you…right now.