Chapter 33
The next day, Eun Sowol and Dok Go-ryong finally arrived at Chengdu, the city where the Sacheon Dang Clan resided.
“Th-then, goodbye, sir!”
Jang Geol trembled as he deeply bowed to Dok Go-ryong.
Since he was among the fastest in Bashu Bandits, he was chosen as Dok Go-ryong’s guide.
Wanting to quickly get away from Dok Go-ryong, Jang Geol immediately turned and started climbing the mountain.
Eun Sowol hurriedly waved her hand toward him.
“Uncle, see you next time!”
Suddenly, Jang Geol twisted his ankle and tumbled down with a thud.
When asked if he was okay, he popped back up like a tumbler and climbed the mountain even faster than before.
“…He’s even faster than when he guided us.”
“Looks like he really wants to part ways with us. Just stop paying attention to him and fix your posture, it’s uncomfortable.”
“Okay.”
Eun Sowol quickly adjusted her posture and watched the bustling, splendid market street of Chengdu from Dok Go-ryong’s arms.
“Are we going to the Sacheon Dang Clan now?”
“No, we can’t go now. It’s getting dark and besides, we don’t have an invitation.”
“Then what do we do?”
“First, we rest. Even though we rested at Bashu Bandits yesterday, we must be tired.”
Eun Sowol looked at Dok Go-ryong in surprise, unable to believe he was thinking about her.
“If my uncle cares about me, then tomorrow the sun must be rising from the west!”
“…Say one more thing like that and I’ll leave you behind.”
“Hmph, you wouldn’t anyway.”
Eun Sowol wiggled her eyebrows mischievously, as if daring him to try.
Dok Go-ryong, with a dumbfounded look, walked toward the most glamorous part of the market.
A grand pavilion full of all kinds of pleasures and indulgences.
Eun Sowol’s mouth fell open as she looked around.
It was like all the beauties of the world had gathered here, women clad in silk and winged robes walked gracefully, with many men fluttering around them like bees and butterflies.
As they entered the pavilion, a courtesan approached them.
“Welcome to the finest pavilion in Sichuan, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. We are honored by your visit, but unfortunately, children are not allowed as companions.”
“We have an introduction.”
Dok Go-ryong pulled out a letter from his bosom.
“Ah, that’s it!”
Eun Sowol suddenly understood why they came here — it was the letter Lee Ji-cheol gave them when they left the Wind and Rain Inn.
The courtesan’s eyes changed as she read the letter.
“You are a distinguished guest. Please follow me.”
They ascended the stairs in the middle of the building.
The noise gradually faded the higher they went, leaving only quiet murmurs from the rooms.
They reached the top floor, which had only one room.
“Master Luju, a distinguished guest from Nanyang has arrived.”
“Show them in.”
A voice so enchanting it could captivate anyone.
When the door opened, a woman with a bewitching smile sat inside.
“Wow, she’s beautiful.”
Eun Sowol couldn’t help but admire her, thinking she was the second most beautiful person she had ever seen.
The first was, of course, her mother, Dok Go Hwayoung.
The courtesan who guided them closed the door and left, leaving only the woman called Luju and the two guests inside the large room.
“May I see the letter first?”
Luju extended her slender jade-like hand, and Dok Go-ryong handed over the letter obediently.
After a brief inspection, she smiled softly.
“My apologies for the late greeting. I am Yu Yeoyeon, the Luju of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and also the head of Hao Moon’s Sichuan branch. It’s a pleasure to meet the famous Kwangryong hero.”
“Wow…”
It was astonishing that such a young and beautiful woman held an even higher position than Lee Ji-cheol.
Eun Sowol’s eyes sparkled as she stared at Yu Yeoyeon in awe.
She now understood why the phrase “the beauty that could topple a nation” was coined.
“I received a letter from the Nanyang branch chief. You wish to meet the God of Sichuan?”
“Yes. They say only the God of Life and Death or the God of Sichuan can cure his illness.”
“Oh, such a pretty child…”
Yu Yeoyeon’s expression turned genuinely sympathetic, likely already aware of their situation from Lee Ji-cheol.
“Can I arrange a meeting with the God of Sichuan? Even a brief encounter would suffice. I will handle everything afterward and pay any price you request.”
“You seem to cherish your only niece very much.”
“Is it possible?”
Yu Yeoyeon looked down for a moment in thought, then lifted her head.
“I’m sorry, but it’s impossible.”
Dok Go-ryong and Eun Sowol, unprepared for rejection, were taken aback.
But Yu Yeoyeon’s serious gaze made Dok Go-ryong ask calmly,
“Why?”
“There are several reasons. First, the God of Sichuan is not someone who can be easily met. He is considered a renowned doctor second only to the God of Life and Death. Many wish to see him.”
Hence, the God of Sichuan is selective.
No matter how wealthy or famous the person is, if he is displeased, he will not give an audience.
“Of course, clan leaders or heads of houses might be exceptions, but neither of you inherit noble bloodlines.”
“Then at least allow us to enter the Sacheon Dang Clan.”
“That is also impossible.”
Faced with repeated refusals, Dok Go-ryong frowned.
“The clan is currently embroiled in a succession battle for the deputy head position. Especially since the competition will happen soon, everyone is on edge. Even if we exert power, entry at such a time is impossible. I’m sorry we cannot help.”
Dok Go-ryong and Eun Sowol were left speechless.
They had thought everything would be solved once they reached the Sacheon Dang Clan but found themselves back at square one.
Eun Sowol pouted and rested her chin on the window frame.
Yesterday, the scene looked like a pleasure district, but this morning, the atmosphere had changed considerably.
“…We came all this way for nothing.”
Eun Sowol sighed deeply, recalling the earlier situation.
Yesterday, Yu Yeoyeon had firmly refused entry to the Sacheon Dang Clan.
But she wasn’t entirely cold-hearted.
“Sichuan has many doctors compared to other regions. While they can’t compare to the God of Sichuan, if you’re okay with them, I can introduce you.”
They had been given a place to stay for the day, and this morning they met with the doctors.
“Huh, it is indeed Jeolmaek Syndrome…”
“But the energy is too tangled to understand.”
“With my current skill, I cannot diagnose further. I’m sorry.”
All said the same as the quacks of Nanyang.
By now, Eun Sowol wondered if anyone truly understood her illness, or if even the God of Sichuan could diagnose it.
“Why does an extra character like me have to have such a rare, difficult-to-diagnose disease?”
After repeated failed diagnoses, Dok Go-ryong eventually slammed his fist down and left.
Though he had comfortably been carried here on his back, the one who had traveled this far with difficulty must feel frustration at everything being futile.
“Are you feeling better?”
The door opened, and Yu Yeoyeon entered.
Unlike yesterday’s dazzling appearance, she had removed her makeup and wore modest clothing.
Of course, her beauty did not fade.
“Thank you for giving us a room. Thanks to that, I slept well.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but you are welcome to the room. I apologize for not being very useful.”
Yu Yeoyeon apologized sincerely, and Eun Sowol quickly waved her hands.
“No! Thanks to you, I had a nice room, met three doctors, and…”
“I still wish you had met the God of Sichuan.”
“It’s okay. Somehow, it’ll work out.”
Seeing Eun Sowol smile in such a dire situation made Yu Yeoyeon smile slightly as well.
“Since your niece is so pretty, I can understand Kwangryong’s anxious heart.”
“Oh! By the way, do you know where my uncle went? He suddenly disappeared.”
“I don’t know exactly, but I have an idea.”
“Where?”
“To the Sacheon Dang Clan.”
“Could it be…!”
Had Dok Go-ryong barged into the Sacheon Dang Clan without an invitation?
Remembering his previous actions, Eun Sowol’s face gradually turned pale.
“Ahhh! Uncle is such a fool!”
She was about to rush to the door to stop Dok Go-ryong but was blocked by Yu Yeoyeon.
“You shouldn’t leave if you’re not feeling well.”
“Let me go! If I don’t stop my uncle quickly, he’ll cause trouble!”
“Kwangryong wouldn’t cause trouble. He’s just frustrated because he cares about his niece.”
Well, that was trouble!
Dok Go-ryong would never give up so easily after hearing he couldn’t enter.
