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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Your Name Will Be Dang Chunsik From Now On (1)
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As I savored the rough texture of the clothes Chicken Lord had handed me.
"But why are these clothes so shabby…?"
I whined softly, expressing my disappointment that she had merely watched as holes appeared all over my body.
Is she poor because she's from the Green Forest?
For someone supposedly poor, her own clothes were quite splendid.
"Is your nose clogged? Put it on quickly and go wash up at the nearest inn. You reek to high heaven."
Ah, right.
Master had a plan all along.
***
I quickly changed and headed to the nearest, least crowded inn to wash myself.
"Welcome—*retch*!"
There was a minor hiccup when the inn attendant, who was wiping a deserted table, gagged.
"…I'll lead you to the bathhouse right away!"
When I generously handed over a whole silver tael, his hospitality increased fivefold.
Money truly is the best.
It can numb your sense of smell and upgrade politeness.
Even hot water and fluffy towels.
I could easily say the attendant was good at business.
I tossed off the clothes again, sank into the warm water, and scrubbed myself clean with fragranced soap.
Master had called it metamorphosis earlier.
But no matter how I looked, nothing seemed to have changed except that all my wounds were gone.
Didn't it usually make your muscles bulge and your appearance more handsome?
***
"…How could a mere Peak stage achieve a drastic transformation?"
When I voiced the question that had come to me while washing, right after I came out.
Master looked at me as if I should have known better.
Still wearing the same clothes Master had given me earlier, Master's practical lecture on metamorphosis began, with a table between us as if practicing social distancing.
"Strictly speaking, the metamorphosis experienced at the Peak, Super Peak, and Flower Realm stages each have different harmonies and functions. However, it's usually referred to by one general term to avoid the hassle of distinguishing them."
All the extraneous explanations about qi and flesh and so on went in one ear and out the other as my super-powered, AI-level brain summarized Chicken Lord's words.
The Peak stage is the first step for a martial artist to connect with nature, thus it involves removing impurities from the meridians, which are the connecting links.
The Super Peak stage is where a martial artist understands the will of nature, so not only the meridians but also the physical body are refined for that purpose—the commonly referred to metamorphosis occurs.
Upon reaching the Flower Realm, a martial artist can fully manifest their will in nature, so the body is reshaped into the optimal form to fully unleash this, meaning they return to a youthful state, like Master.
I roughly took it as: my meridians had been defragged and restored to optimal condition.
More realistically, it was like replacing a water filter.
No wonder I didn't feel anything particularly special.
"By the way, what about that assassin bastard? Did you kill him?"
"…Are you only asking that now? Why would I kill him? I have to interrogate him until he spills everything. I sealed his dantian, kept him barely alive, and locked him up."
"Ah, I see."
Truly a brutal idea, befitting the Green Forest's boss.
It would have been cleaner to die by my sword.
Unlucky bastard.
"But why are you dragging your feet? Shouldn't we respond somehow?"
"Ah, just a moment. He should be here any minute—"
No sooner had I finished speaking.
"Oh, Young Master!"
Jangpal, my human Bixby whom I had called earlier, arrived, carrying a large bundle.
"Oh, Jangpal, welcome."
I greeted the simple-minded face of my subordinate, whom I hadn't seen in a while, with a broad smile.
"Ugh, what is this sme—*Ack*!"
He started complaining about the faint stench from my shabby clothes the moment he arrived, so I gave him a good smack on the back of the head.
Ah.
So that's why Master keeps hitting me on the head.
I briefly set aside the sudden realization and untied the bundle Jangpal had handed me.
"Why did you bring so much? Just one decent outfit would have been enough."
I'd asked him to bring some clothes, but Jangpal had brought so much stuff, enough to hold an impromptu fashion show right here. Oh, this is a new arrival I haven't seen, not bad. Anyway, he made it hard to choose.
"Hmm…"
All of them seemed fitting for this body, the greatest genius of all time, the youngest Peak stage (presumed).
"Which one looks better?"
I left the choice to Master, who was giving me a strange look, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Just wear anything."
Hmph.
She must be lacking in trendy fashion sense, given her age.
I was listlessly rummaging through the clothes, thinking of just picking anything.
"Ohhh…!"
Jangpal, who had been looking back and forth between me and Chicken Lord, suddenly started making a fuss.
For some reason, I had an ominous feeling, so I hastily tried to clamp his big mouth shut.
"A lover! Has our youngest Young Master finally found a lover?! Why didn't you tell me sooner, oh, I must inform the Madam at once—"
"Agh, no!"
"What nonsense! It's nothing like that!"
Our voices erupted in unison.
The feeling was a little strange.
Hmm…
It was understandable for me to deny Chicken Lord.
I'm young.
But honestly…
She's past the age to be picky about men, isn't she…?
"You bastarddddd… how dare you insult your Master with your loose tonguuueee!"
*Whoosh!*
With a powerful sound, a chopstick whizzed past my ear.
I must have accidentally blurted out my thoughts.
I sacrificed Jangpal and quickly snatched some clothes, fleeing to my room.
***
Fortunately, by the time I changed and came back down, Chicken Lord's old maid's hysteria had subsided a little.
Perhaps the pork bone stew, which the attendant had swiftly brought out, was just that good. She had already finished two bowls by herself.
Ignoring her gaze, which still smoldered with a hint of killing intent, I politely sat opposite Chicken Lord.
"Oh no, the pork bone stew is all gone… I'll bring you some chicken broth noodles!"
The attendant quickly rushed to the kitchen and placed a bowl of noodles in front of me.
It tasted terribly bland.
…Making noodles taste this bad is a talent in itself.
"So, what will you do? As it stands, it's highly likely to be dismissed as Tang Mok's personal deviation. That assassin didn't know much either."
That's true.
From the start, the circumstances suggested that Tang Mok hadn't hired the assassin himself, but rather had been unilaterally informed that someone higher up had hired him.
They'd cut ties immediately.
Although I possess a super-powered, AI-level brain, I'm a bit weak when it comes to schemes and stratagems.
One only grows by acknowledging one's shortcomings.
"For that part, I'll consult with a scheming expert. He's involved anyway."
"Hmm? Who's this scheming expert?"
"There's a scoundrel who struts around just because he came from the Hanlin Academy."
"Ah. Instructor Geum."
Chicken Lord nodded, then.
"But, what happened to respecting your elders? Where did you sell that off?"
*Whack!*
"Agh!"
The old maid's lingering fury exploded on my head.
***
"Here, have a drink."
*Pour—*
Geum Sirang filled Tang Mok's cup with Xifengjiu and smiled, raising his own cup.
Although he still felt a little put off, Tang Mok clinked his cup against Geum Sirang's, letting the tipsiness cover that feeling.
*Clink—* A clear sound rang out.
He doubted there was poison mixed in, and if there were, he would have noticed it immediately.
Tang Mok waited for Geum Sirang to drink first before swallowing the liquor he had in his mouth.
True to a strong liquor, it felt like fire burning down his esophagus, yet even that sensation was delightful as a sweet aroma spread throughout his body.
Indeed, a famous liquor worthy of even Qin Shi Huang's desire.
Having had little opportunity to enjoy such luxurious drinks since his family's support dwindled, Tang Mok was simply delighted.
Even if this man might not live much longer.
There was no reason to refuse him when he was being so amiable.
"Now then, Academician Geum, please have a drink."
"Oh my! What an honor. I would accept a drink from a senior as great as the heavens, none other than Instructor Tang of the renowned Sichuan Tang Clan, even in Avici Hell."
Tang Mok smiled contentedly, thinking, *This fellow, having studied a bit, certainly knows how to read people*.
He even had an eye for choosing locations.
A long, long time ago.
A famous spot where the founder of the Sichuan Tang Clan was said to have left carvings on the wall instead of paying for his wine.
Of course, its credibility was slightly questionable, given that it was written that the founder, whether Guyaja or Dohwabu, received a revelation from a legendary master in a dream.
Nevertheless, it was a place with history and tradition in Xi'an.
Perhaps that's why the wine tasted even better.
Though it was a pity there were no courtesans.
***
After a few cups, the atmosphere gradually softened.
Geum Sirang very carefully brought up the topic.
"Actually, the reason I invited the esteemed Instructor Tang here was…"
Befitting a man who had survived the Hanlin Academy, a den of schemers where scholars from all over gathered.
Tang Mok, already softened by Geum Sirang's silver tongue, smiled gently.
"Haha, speak freely. I will grant whatever I can."
Why would he not grant it?
He could at least *hear* it out.
Whether he knew Tang Mok's true feelings or not.
Geum Sirang bowed his head repeatedly, looking deeply moved.
"It's nothing else, but I wanted to introduce someone…"
Geum Sihyeon, he presumed.
He was taking Herbology and Toxicology, so was this already an attempt to curry favor regarding his grades?
Tang Mok felt a slight deflation.
But he didn't show it externally and readily agreed.
A moment later.
The door slid open.
"Oh, Instructor Tang. We meet at last."
The one who appeared was, as expected, Geum Sihyeon.
But he wasn't the only one.
"Hah, money truly is good. Did you reserve the entire spacious place?"
"Ah, no, Instructor Seo, why are you here…?"
The Green Forest Tyrant.
Why was this crazy old maid, who was always holed up in the Seo family estate, slacking off, here?
A sudden ominous premonition trickled down Tang Mok's spine.
And that premonition was soon.
"*Ugh, ugh*…!"
Realized as a man in black, gagged and with one arm and one hand severed, was thrown onto the tavern floor like a log.
"What in the…?"
Looking at Tang Mok's expression, which was beyond bewildered, turning sour.
"Now, Instructor Tang. Shall we talk about the real matter at hand?"
Geum Sirang smiled brightly.
***