“Savior kiddo. You should open a teahouse. I’m serious. No, wait, what is this…? Heh heh heh…”

After devouring an obscene amount of sweets, Gongsun Yeong downed her Oolong tea in one go. During their time apart, she had built her own formidable martial reputation through numerous trials; simultaneously, she had heard rumors of Jin Cheon-hee’s growing fame. Reuniting with the kid who had saved her life, she could sense a change in his presence—he carried a different air now—but that wasn’t important.

What mattered was that this guy was creating sweets that defied logic.

“Let’s talk business. Shall we?”

“No, I’m telling you to open a teahouse! A teahouse!” Even Wang Gak-yeon thumped her chest in frustration. “Why can we only eat this if we come to the White Qilin Medical Pavilion?! This delicious stuff!”

Watching their impassioned reactions, Jin Cheon-hee calculated coldly.

Hmm, hospitality: Success.

Once they tasted the flavor of Capitalism’s Butter, there was no escaping. After a bit more commotion over the pastries, they finally settled down to discuss business. Perhaps because their defenses had been lowered by a sugar rush, the two spoke more freely.

“Hmm~ We want to borrow the White Qilin Medical Pavilion’s martial power to clean up the Yellow River. Specifically, a small, elite force.”

“A small, elite force?”

At Jin Cheon-hee’s question, Wang Gak-yeon nodded. “Yeah. One Transformation Realm master. Specifically, you—the Blue-Eyed Mad Physician.”

“What? What kind of…”

With so many martial units available, asking for him specifically was unexpected.

Wang Gak-yeon continued, “Well, first of all, those two spiritual beasts, Hwanggu and Noe-jin, are ideal for tracking and searching. Moreover, you’re not just a Transformation Realm master; you completely overwhelmed one of the Ten Greatest Masters under the Heavens. The Gangho is already calling you one of the new Ten Greatest Masters. So, the Sea Sand Gang Leader is out!”

Wang Gak-yeon made a large ‘X’ with her arms. Sugar really did make people energetic.

“So that’s how it is.”

“Seems you already knew. Three Supremes, Two Emperors, Two Eccentrics, Two Kings, One Queen, and One Madman! The Two Kings became One King, and One Madman was added, right? Some call you One Dragon or One Physician, but given your track record, ‘Madman’ stuck.”

“Hahaha…”

“You look embarrassed. I thought you’d accept it naturally.”

Jin Cheon-hee scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Umm… Actually, my younger brothers are more talented than I am. Especially the second one.”

At that, Gongsun Yeong chimed in. “Yeo Ha-ryoon of the mysterious Black Sword Sect?”

Wang Gak-yeon followed up immediately. “The Junior Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, Yeo Ha-ryoon.”

Keuh, as expected, the Gongsun Clan knew. No, I guess it was an open secret anyway.

The Namgung Clan could have dug deeper if they wanted to, but they stopped because of their agreement and their own guilty conscience. Anyone who truly wanted to figure it out would have done so long ago.

Jin Cheon-hee spoke solemnly. “He belongs to the enigmatic Black Sword Sect, a lineage of single transmission.”

Wang Gak-yeon rolled her eyes. “Sure, let’s go with that. Is he truly that exceptional?”

Jin Cheon-hee responded without hesitation. “Yes, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him the future Number One under the Heavens.”

“Oh?”

At the mention of ‘Number One under the Heavens’, Gongsun Yeong’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. It made sense; she possessed the Supreme Yang Physique, and whatever martial art she learned, she wielded with absolute power. Hearing about someone who could become the strongest naturally piqued her interest.

However, Jin Cheon-hee knew exactly who Yeo Ha-ryoon was through the Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon. To him, Yeo Ha-ryoon represented absolute strength, an existence that would never falter in the face of any adversity. Even at this moment, he was becoming stronger.

Gongsun Yeong mused, “I definitely want to meet him later. The Black Sword Sect of single transmission. I wonder if he can defeat the sword of our Gongsun Clan.”

Well, he practices the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, so…

The memory of the Aura Sphere Yeo Ha-ryoon had created was still vivid. By now, he must be even stronger, likely having mastered the control of its power.

“You seem absolutely certain that this Yeo Ha-ryoon guy would win.”

“Ah, does it show?”

“Yes. Your expression changes whenever you talk about him. Right?”

Wang Gak-yeon nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Your voice becomes firm.”

Keuh, is this my fanboy heart showing?

He couldn’t help it. To Jin Cheon-hee, Yeo Ha-ryoon was the King-God-General Protagonist. And when the King-God-General Protagonist unleashed a King-God-General Punch, mountains split and seas parted.

He wasn’t quite there yet… No. With Aura Sphere, he could definitely blow away a mountain now.

Yeo Ha-ryoon was that kind of existence. That was what it meant to be the protagonist. Thinking that far, he realized the two women were staring at him intently.

Jin Cheon-hee scratched his cheek and changed the subject. “Uh… going back to what we were saying. You want to recruit me, right?”

Gongsun Yeong nodded. “Just until we clear the Yellow River. It’s difficult to find the main base of those water rat bastards.”

That made sense. In a crazy world where people inherit banditry like a family trade, their knowledge of hiding bases must be extraordinary. He wouldn’t be surprised if they kidnapped a geomancer to set up a grand illusion formation.

“But is it really okay if it’s just me?”

“Yeah. On the water, a winged spiritual beast is absolute. And you’re the only person known in the Gangho who freely commands such a creature.”

“Hmm… I see?”

Wang Gak-yeon appeared surprised by Jin Cheon-hee’s reaction. “For an annoying Zhuge Clan guy who acts like he knows everything in the universe, you’re surprisingly lacking in common sense.”

“Uh… really? Wait, did you just subtly criticize the Zhuge Clan?”

Wang Gak-yeon ignored him and continued. “There are things like Snow Cats or Black Silk Spiders, but you’re the only one with a unique winged beast like the Heavenly Thunder Hawk.”

Snow Cats are feline spiritual beasts, and Black Silk Spiders must be spiders. I suppose there are martial artists who control spiders.

At least, there were none in the Tang Clan or the Five Poisons Sect.

Wang Gak-yeon sighed. “You’re sharp with administration, but you really don’t pay attention to the martial fame of other artists, do you?”

“Uh… I’m busy. If they were related to medical work, I would memorize them.”

At Jin Cheon-hee’s excuse, Wang Gak-yeon shook her head. “You haven’t changed.”

Gongsun Yeong burst into laughter. “He’s the exact opposite of a normal martial artist. Completely opposite.”

“Eonni, I bet he’d rather memorize the name of a famous doctor.”

“Of course I would. Recently, I found a decent doctor in Sichuan, and you have no idea how much trouble I went through to establish an exchange with the White Qilin Medical Pavilion…”

“…Let’s stop.”

The two looked at him with exasperated expressions.

Jin Cheon-hee pressed on. “Anyway, what do I get if I help the Gongsun Clan like that?”

“Hmm! Eonni will have to fine-tune the details… but for starters, we’ll arrange for the expansion of White Qilin Medical Pavilion branches into Shandong Province. We plan to use the Cloud Dragon Escort Agency, now under our umbrella, to sell White Qilin Medical Pavilion medicines.”

“Of course, you’ll take a cut of the profits?”

At Jin Cheon-hee’s question, Gongsun Yeong scratched her head. “Talk to Eonni about that.”

What on earth was Gongsun Hyeon thinking, sending her sister to such an important working-level meeting? Did she still not give up on making Gongsun Yeong the Clan Head?

Wang Gak-yeon answered in her stead. “Of course we’ll take a cut. But it’ll be good for the White Qilin Medical Pavilion too, right? It’s much easier than pioneering a new market from scratch.”

She sent them trusting Gak-yeon.

Gongsun Hyeon trusted her sister, but she clearly trusted Wang Gak-yeon enough to send her along as a safeguard.

Wang Gak-yeon continued, “If that happens, the White Qilin Medical Pavilion will also get a share of the profits coming from the Yellow River.”

Oho, up to this point, it matches the prediction.

As a strategist, having his predictions hit the mark was a significant pleasure. Jin Cheon-hee nodded.

“Sounds good.”

Gongsun Yeong added, not wanting to lose out. “Uh… and in case of emergency, we can project martial force as an ally.”

“So, if there’s an external enemy, you mean you’ll fight alongside us as an ally?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm~ That’s a fair condition. Considering you’re offering all this for just me moving alone.”

It wasn’t just generous; it was almost excessively kind.

“It’s not unreasonable for us either. Eonni mentioned that if you weren’t there, the manpower and cost required for scouting and searching would actually save us money.”

Wang Gak-yeon slurped her tea as she spoke. The way she naturally called Gongsun Hyeon “Eonni” suggested that the Clan Head had partially succeeded in her goal of adoption.

“Alright. I’ll discuss this thoroughly with Master and the others at the Pavilion.”

“I hope you give us a positive response.”

Jin Cheon-hee gave a gentle nod and rose from his seat. “I have work to do, so I’ll head out first. You two relax and enjoy the rest.”

After Jin Cheon-hee left the room, Wang Gak-yeon and Gongsun Yeong savored the remaining tea and sweets in the empty tea room.

“He’s gotten even more handsome. He was already handsome before, though.”

“Right? If it weren’t for the rumors that he’s crazy about saving people, matchmakers from every clan would be lining up to propose to him.”

“Forget it. Every clan knows about the mess he caused in Yunnan. Who would send a matchmaker to that guy?”

Appearance, conduct, cooking skills, and medical prowess—plus his background as the Young Pavilion Master of the White Qilin Medical Pavilion—made him, by all accounts, the perfect groom sent from the heavens. However, rumors of his madness and the eccentric behaviors that proved them made matchmakers hesitant. The rumor that he was sworn brothers with the Junior Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was a major concern. Moreover, the incident where he crushed a Demonic Cult spy in the Five Poisons Sect and then proceeded to crush the Five Poisons Sect itself for inviting the spy was a significant issue. Any rational person would naturally assume that getting close to this man might lead to trouble.

“Still, he is handsome.”

“The air around him seemed to brighten.”

The two burst into giggles like schoolgirls, savoring their reunion with Cheon-hee.

***

Jin Cheon-hee swiftly returned to his master and conveyed the proposal.

“……”

Zhuge Rin unfolded his fan and engaged in deep contemplation for a while before summoning Mu Wol.

The Four Great Department Heads were absent from this strategic meeting, as they were preoccupied with the medical matters of the Pavilion. Yoo Ho was also absent, as he was assisting them. It was a relief that Mu Wol was present; Yoo Ho had largely avoided these meetings because Mu Wol had taken over a portion of his duties.

As Mu Wol heard the Gongsun Clan’s proposal, he carefully chose his words. He was well aware of Jin Cheon-hee’s nature, but the Pavilion Master, the revered White Qilin Divine Physician, was a different matter. He was constantly testing Mu Wol, and the moment he faltered, he would be mercilessly trampled.

It was remarkable that the Young Pavilion Master could remain close to him.

The Four Great Department Heads were supreme masters in their respective fields, so they were not people that the White Qilin Divine Physician could ignore. Yoo Ho was a loyal Chief Steward who had served since the Pavilion Master’s illness. However, Mu Wol was different.

Zhuge Rin was a man as sharp as a blade. An ordinary person would suffer a nervous breakdown simply by being near him.

His master inquired, “What are your thoughts?”

Mu Wol straightened his posture.