CH 14

Hearing what had happened during the day, Bir-yeong was in awe. Like a quick-witted guy, he was already decided approaching Juho, who was already at the top of the list, and was building a rapport.

Juho was the best merchant in Heeran-guk, it was said that even though he was ayangminist, his wealth could beat the Sedo family. If he draws in interest, at least he won't have to worry about money, si Bir-yeong pointed him out first.

“Juho’s 10-years-old daughter is suffering from an mysterious disease. He has been looking for all kinds of medicinal herbs and elixirs that may be effective everywhere, but it said that nothing worked. He called every doctor for an examination, even taoists but the condition seems to be getting worse and worse. He will be sure to come running if you tell him that we have a cure.And once we got him on our side you dont have to worry about money.”

“… It is not yet known whether the blood of Soru is effective against such diseases.”

“Isn’t she an living elixir that even demons want's to covet? It will definitely work. Even if it didn't, it wouldn't do any harm. Unlike someone , he's a smart human being, so he wouldn't try to harm a nobleman with anger."

“… Who are you talking about?”

“Who do you think?”

Bir-yeong spreads the fan and smirks cleverly. Ja-hyeon narrowed his eyes. At those bloody eyes, Bir-yeong immediately smiled.

“Humham, anyway, write a telegram asking him to visit Jahoga. I will hand it over to him.”

“… Right Now?"

“Do you need to be subtle?”

Recalling the wound on Soru's hand, Ja-hyeon frowned. Wouldn't it be better to invite him after her wound is healed? He laughed out loud at his own silly thoughts.

' Isn't it funny that we're going to have to wait for it to heal as she will be told to cut again with a knife anyway? What a great concern.'

“Can’t you write it?"

"Hmm…What should I write? .” He spread the paper on the table and asked, as if thinking about it, Bir-yeong patted his chin.

"For now… Tell him There is an elixir with good efficacy, so if he need it, just ask him to visit Jahoga.”

“Aren’t you going to tell him how will be the treatment?”

“It would be good in many ways if we hide it…So Don't give away any details about the remedy .”

Ja-hyeon frowned while holding the brush. When he rushed to answer, wondering what to write, Bir-yeong who was looking only at the air with his forehead gathered, took a deep breath and continued.

“It will be difficult to hide the Princess ability. Not just one or two people, but quite a lot of people are going to be treated, but it's not possible to fool around with the blood of some human being. It would be better to keep it a secret and hide the truth from Public ”

“… There will be some people who will reluctant to drink human blood.”

" Are you sure this will work? "

“They will still drink. People will do anything to stay alive, even if they have to eat human flesh. So Don't worry, it will all work out."

Bir-yeong muttered an ugly truth cheerfully.

“Also, there is absolutely no better way of getting close to someone than sharing a secret You're not so proud og.”

“… I am aware that it is dishonest.”

“Isn’t it something that can not be said out loud anywhere? It's shameful and it's not nice. But it's a trivial feeling compared to the profit you'll get. By inflicting a small scratch on Princess Soru, the lives of others will be saved, and we can reap huge benefits from it.”

Bir-yeong said without hesitation.

“Of course, if Princess Soru’s abilities spread, there may be commotion in public in many ways.”

Without even listening to it, he could tell just how mean and messy it was to have all these methods.

This guy's ability to pinpoint weaknesses and immobilize people was truly outstanding. Ja-hyeon, whose corner of the lips were switching , stopped asking more questions and wrote few sentences concisely by dipping his brush in ink. Bir-yeong smiles contentedly as he handed the letter over to him.

"He's a quick-witted merchant, so he'll come running tomorrow as soon as possible."

Then he quickly left the room. Ja-hyeon looked at the back and opened the book again. The innocent smile of a childlike woman's flashed through his mind for a moment, but then it disappeared momentarily. He was preoccupied with the thought what he had to do.

The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, Juho knocked on Jaho's door.

The man with his only daughter Geum Ok-yeop in a luxurious kiln came at an early hour and bowed his head flatly saying he was sorry.

Ja-hyeon, who had a displeased face, could not resist but muttered a muffled sound in his mouth. Then Bir-yeong comes out and guides him as if he were the owner of the house.

“Come on, you’ve travelled far to come. Come this way.”

Ja-hyeon looked at it with a surprised face. It's getting worse and worse as that guy goes. Grinding his teeth, he hurriedly followed him. They guided them to an annex prepared for guests which like a quiet place, close to the back house and almost empty, so workers rarely walked there.

When Bir-yeong commanded to come here, the slaves put down the cumbersome kiln. The merchant carefully took out the little girl wrapped in silk robe from the kiln. At the age of ten, the little girl was just like a doll.

“Last night things got worse. I wanted to see you even at dawn, but... I couldn’t cause much trouble, so I waited patiently until morning.” Juho said, looking sadly at his ailing daughter.

Ja-hyeon waved as he listened and beckoned to the slaves.

“Take her to that room.”

They got inside and carefully lay the girl down on a well-made bed. Ja-hyeon, who followed him, ordered Si-bi, who was standing by, to bring the refreshment . Joo-ho waved his hand coldly.

“It's fine.”

“Don’t do that, sit here for a while. The face doesn't speak. It looks like you've been drowsy all night long."

He spit it out as if he was sick. The man speaks in a sullen tone.

“What parent would not be depressed with their children’s being ill?”

“Sit down for now. Don't you have a story to tell first?"

Juho, who had been looking at his daughter with anxious eyes, couldn't resist the urge, and took out a chair and sat down. The drooping shoulders are dwarfed just like an old man's. It was really like staying up all night for a long time.

Juho hastily brought up the main point.

.“I heard that your family has an elixir which can save even the dying. I was so surprised that I had to come in person. I will give you a thousand gold, no I will give ten thousand gold, so please sell me the medicine.”

“… It is not something to be bought or sold.”

Not knowing how to explain it, Ja-hyeon glanced at Bir-yeong . He blinks his eyes wildly as if telling him to do something.

If he had other people's gimmicky wit, would he have been this way? Ja-hyeon, who licked his tongue once, said bluntly speaking according to his original temper.

“And I don’t want money from you.”

"Then… What do you want from me?”

“If you are a merchant, you must be good at information. It would be ridiculous to pretend it wasn't, so let's be honest. I'm in a situation where I'm very hated by the king. Besides, the enemies are countless. Although the family is prospering now... You never know what will happen after that. I want your friendly alliance and borrow your power.”

“… I am a humble merchant. We don't have the political power to solve such a problem....”

“I am not asking you to solve my problems. I just want to help me to revive the family. Of course, it’s okay to say nothing if the drug doesn’t work.”

“… It seems like its a really effective drug.”

“I am hoping it will work, but… You'll have to use it to find out what will happen. Anyway, if she gets better or not, it's never going to do any harm."

The man's face brightened with hope.

“If you could save my the one and only blood , what would I not do? Please help.”

Ja-hyeon immediately ordered Si-bi to bring So-ru.

Hearing that name, the merchant's face hardened slightly.

“Don’t worry. It's all trying to help you. but Don't be afraid she will not harm you and your daughter."

The merchant's face softened slightly when Bir-yeong spoke softly. They seem to have gained quite a bit of trust. Ja-hyeon bit his lips.

“ My Lord , I have brought madam with me.”

“… Bring her inside.”

When permission was granted, Si bi entered the room with Soru.

It was early, so Soru was wearing a rather light outfit and had long hair hanging down.

The girl who entered the room with a surprised face as if surprised by the sudden call.

She suddenly stops. She frowned and grabbed the hem of her dress.

“… I didn't know there were guests. I'm sorry I couldn't get dressed properly."

How did you know it was not proper? Do you know if that's what it feels like to be gloomy? Ja-hyeon, who was making an expression, immediately got up from his seat and approached the bed on which the girl was lying.

“It’s nothing special to dress up. There is someone I want you to heal her, so I called.”

"This way" Ja-hyeon guided her towards the child.

"Wait!! What are you intend to do with my child? Isn’t she The?? "

"What? You don't want her to recover? "

"No, Yes, never mind."

"Is this the sick child?"

"Do you think you can cure her?"

"Let's try"

She quickly cuts her palm and bought it to the childs mouth.

"What do you think You're doing? Feeding my child human blood??? How Dare you mock our desperation!! "

The man, who had been shaking his shoulders in anger, unable to speak, quickly grabbed his daughter and hugged him.

" We will just go back at once, I won't see you again."