Chapter 61

Indeed, Nak Il-do was at the Splendid Inn.

With a trembling heart, Chu Do-ok walked towards the table where he and his daughter were sitting face to face, eating.

As he approached, Nak Il-do raised his left hand to stop him.

A large scar on his forehead.

He had never seen him in person, but it was definitely Nak Il-do. Moreover, the woman facing him had a pale complexion and a stiff expression. Furthermore, her downcast eyes seemed lifeless. It was clear she was poisoned.

"Who are you?"

His heavy tone was laced with sharp wariness.

A few steps away, Chu Do-ok respectfully performed a Clasped-fist Salute.

"Chu Do-ok from the Medicine King Clan, an Insignificant Learning junior greets you, senior."

"Medicine King Clan?"

Nak Il-do's eyebrows twitched.

"How did you know I was here?"

Nak Il-do remained guarded.

"I found out by chance. More than that, I have something important to tell you, so I came to see you like this."

Nak Il-do looked at him with a displeased expression.

The woman quietly rose from her seat and gestured, offering him her place. Then, she sat next to Nak Il-do.

"Thank you, young lady. Then, please excuse me for a moment."

"I don't like being disturbed during meals. Especially when I'm with my daughter."

Then, Chu Do-ok gave a meaningful smile.

"I assure you, you will not regret it."

"State your business."

"It concerns your daughter."

Nak Il-do's expression hardened.

"It's a matter to be discussed in private."

The woman quickly rose from her seat.

"Please talk. I feel a bit queasy from eating, so I'll take a walk for a while."

"Don't go far."

"Yes."

Once they were alone, Nak Il-do asked coldly.

"Speak."

"I heard that your daughter is poisoned by the Blood Bee."

Nak Il-do looked surprised.

"How did you know?"

"Rumors in the Jianghu spread one way or another. What's important now is not how I found out, but what I'm proposing."

"What is your proposal?"

"An antidote."

"What?"

Nak Il-do was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

Chu Do-ok lowered his voice.

"You'll find out if you investigate, but the antidote exists only in our Medicine King Clan."

"How can I believe that?"

"I'm willing to stake my life and the honor of our Medicine King Clan on it."

Nak Il-do still looked suspicious.

Without hesitation, Chu Do-ok rose from his seat.

"If you don't believe me..."

He was about to turn away when Nak Il-do called out in a heavy voice.

"Wait. Sit down."

A triumphant smile hung on Chu Do-ok's lips as he turned back.

"I believe you. No, I believe your Medicine King Clan."

"Thank you."

Nak Il-do called the innkeeper. After he said a few words, not only the innkeeper but also the waiters and even the guests eating in the corner all left their seats. It was unpleasant, but they had come to eat, not to die.

Once the inn was completely empty, Nak Il-do asked directly.

"What are your demands?"

There was a crucial reason why Chu Do-ok had stepped forward like this today.

Nak Il-do would eventually find out that his Medicine King Clan had the antidote.

And he would go to his father.

Someone like Nak Il-do would receive the antidote from his father in exchange for a suitable price. In other words, it was an antidote he would use on him anyway.

"I will be participating in the upcoming Dragon Phoenix Gathering."

Nak Il-do's eyes wavered at the meaningful look. It was a look that instantly recognized what his intentions were. He could feel Nak Il-do's dilemma. Chu Do-ok's lips twisted into a bitter smile as he lowered his head.

'You can't refuse.'

A moment passed.

Finally, Nak Il-do took something out of his pocket.

"Read this."

Chu Do-ok received the letter and read it.

"As you may know, I am in charge of the judging for this Dragon Phoenix Gathering. The decision was delayed due to my daughter's problem, but..."

Chu Do-ok's expression brightened as he read the letter.

'So Nak Il-do was indeed a judge.'

Nak Il-do looked conflicted. But soon, he made a difficult decision.

"This is what you want, isn't it?"

With that, he handed over another letter.

"It contains the test details for the third round to be held tomorrow."

Chu Do-ok barely suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out. His heart was pounding.

As Chu Do-ok reached out to grab it, Nak Il-do held out his hand to stop him.

Nak Il-do stared at Chu Do-ok without a word. It was a signal to hand over the medicine first.

Chu Do-ok took out a small box from his pocket.

Opening the box, a single golden pill was carefully placed inside.

"This is the Seven Divine Pills, a treasure of our clan. It cannot be bought for a thousand gold."

"I will never forget this favor, even in death."

Nak Il-do put the wooden box in his pocket, and Chu Do-ok put the letter in his pocket.

Chu Do-ok took both letters. In addition to the test details, there was also a letter urging Nak Il-do to come and participate in the judging.

"I will keep this as well."

That way, even if something goes wrong later, he won't be able to deny it alone, right?

"Thank you for saving my daughter."

He desperately wanted to open and check the test details on the spot, but it was unlikely that Nak Il-do would play tricks on him in this situation. With the Dragon Phoenix Unit's letter, there was nothing to worry about.

A look of joy spread across Chu Do-ok's face as he left the inn.

The Seven Divine Pills were very expensive and difficult to make, but they weren't a medicine that couldn't be made again. One or two pills could be manufactured each year. But this opportunity would not come again.

As he left, Nak Il-do got up from his seat.

He threw a small gold nugget to the owner. The owner's mouth stretched as wide as a gourd.

Then, Nak Il-do slipped out the back door.

His daughter was waiting in front of the back door of the inn.

"Let's go quickly."

Thud.

As Jeok Leegeon removed his Mask, Jeong Charyeon followed suit. After stacking the two Masks together, Jeok Leegeon stuffed them into his pocket.

Then, the two hurriedly left the alley.

As they mingled among the people, Charyeon asked.

"How did it go?"

Then, Jeok Leegeon grinned.

Charyeon's expression brightened.

"You did it!"

"Of course."

"Thank you!"

Whack.

Charyeon hugged Jeok Leegeon. Tears streamed down her face, overwhelmed with emotion.

"People are watching."

"Let them watch!"

He could feel how moved she was.

Only after soaking Jeok Leegeon's shoulder with tears did she fall away from him.

Indeed, some passersby were watching them. Especially since a beauty like Charyeon was in the arms of a man, everyone looked at Jeok Leegeon with jealousy.

Feeling embarrassed, Charyeon dragged him away from the spot.

The two headed straight home.

"I paid the actors the remaining balance as promised."

"Those people did better than I thought. The terrible performance we saw back then was a problem with the script. I should go and write the script for them..."

"How could you deceive him? In such a short time?"

Jeok Leegeon replied with a serious expression.

"Do you know who is the easiest person in the world to deceive?"

"Who is it?"

"It's a greedy person."

"......!"

It was a touching statement. Father always said. Greed blinds the eyes, blocks the ears, and eventually closes the heart. What greed calls for is ultimately destruction.

"I'm still shaking."

"You did well. You were really great."

Charyeon's heart welled up at Jeok Leegeon's praise.

She was proud of herself for playing a big role in saving her younger sibling.

"Suryeon will be okay now, right?"

"That old man, he's a quack, but he's a pretty good quack. I think she'll be fine."

Charyeon smiled happily.

As the two were busily returning to the Sword Clan,

Chu Do-ok was opening the letter in his room.

"Ara?"

He tilted his head and examined the front and back of the letter.

The contents of the letter were difficult for him to understand.

"Amuse the crowd with a sword dance? The Dragon Phoenix who amuses the most people passes the third gate? There's such an event?"

Unable to believe it, he stared at it for a long time.

A short time later, a large mirror was moved into the room by the waiters.

Chu Do-ok, having drawn his sword, began to wiggle his hips.