The design of the Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions was finished.

“Can this be called the Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions?”

Zhuge Seola tilted her head as she watched the craftsmen begin construction.

Since it was a simplified version, it could not be compared to the original Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions.

What was being installed now was different from both the simplified version and the established format of the original Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions.

Should it be called a custom-made Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions for the Azure Star Escort Agency?

Or should it be given a completely different name?

“Still, it was a good study. I think I can develop a new mechanism formation based on this.”

Zhuge Seola’s eyes sparkled.

It felt like her perspective was broadening. Although she had clashed and bickered with Cheon Mubaeck over his opinions, she was very satisfied with the result. If it was completed as it was, the Azure Star Escort Agency would become an even thicker iron fortress than Wudang or Hainan.

“I think it’s about time to leave.”

“Yes. The design is finished, and now we just need to start the construction.”

“The construction isn’t finished, but is it okay for you to leave, young lady?”

“Of course. Even if problems arise during the construction, the scholars who came here are experts in mechanism formations who are renowned in the clan.”

Zhuge Seola was firm, leaving no room for rebuttal.

It seemed to show her will to definitely go to Wudang together this time.

Cheon Mubaeck nodded his head.

“Let’s get ready. Jang No, who went on an escort mission the day before yesterday, has returned, so the departure date will be set soon.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“First, we’ll stop by the Zhuge Clan and greet your parents and grandfather together, and although it’s a bit rude, I think we should go to Wudang quickly.”

Zhuge Seola flinched for a moment and lowered her gaze.

“Yes, yes, yes. We should.”

The most urgent matter right now was the Wudang Sect’s business.

The Bidaras were a terrifying enemy’s dark art in many ways.

It was incomparable to zombies.

The Bidara was not just an ordinary Orthodox Faction martial artist, but the former sect leader of Wudang?

It meant that the Blood Demon Valley had killed the former sect leader of Wudang, but this was not as easy a story as it sounded.

How could they have killed the former sect leader who was in the Wudang main mountain?

‘Are they active within the Wudang Sect?’

That could be.

Or a hypothesis that he didn’t even want to think about came to mind.

‘There might be a traitor who has joined their side.’

His mouth tasted bitter. In fact, the Orthodox Faction had not always been just. If a period of peace without a huge external enemy continued for a long time, it was bound to rot and decay from within.

After going through such a process a few times, they would reflect and become righteous again, and then rot and decay again.

Just as the world was, so was the history of the Orthodox Faction.

Not all sects could be the same all year round like Shaolin. Moreover, even the great Shaolin had once been corrupted.

If such a hypothesis was true.

‘It’s a big problem. A very big one.’

Wudang was a sect that had to become a pillar of the joint front that Cheon Mubaeck was thinking of.

He felt that this trip to Wudang was not just about solving the request that had come in, but about solving a fundamental problem.

‘The Zhuge Clan is also important.’

Because he had to urge their actions as well.

Although Zhuge Seohu had promised, he was on probation. The power of the Zhuge Clan was dispersed in many ways. From the current clan head to the grand clan head who had stepped back, he still had absolute influence.

So he couldn’t just trust Zhuge Seohu’s promise and wait, but had to act proactively.

For example, he needed a definite answer from the grand clan head or the clan head.

For that, he had thought of visiting the Zhuge Clan at least once, so it was not bad to stop by on the way now.

While Cheon Mubaeck’s face became serious with such brief passing thoughts,

Zhuge Seola’s face suddenly hardened.

‘I’m going to greet her parents and grandfather together?’

No, it was a natural thing for a guest visiting the clan.

Why did it feel so different? It was… a little embarrassing. To visit her home and greet them together. Zhuge Seola’s mind was in chaos.

Seeing the two of them, Jeombak, who was standing a few steps back, tilted his head.

“Why do you both have such serious expressions?”

Jeombak asked Yua. Since Cheon Mubaeck and Zhuge Seola were together in the clan, the two servants who followed them had also gotten to know each other and had become somewhat friendly.

Yua looked at Zhuge Seola’s face and let out a small sigh inwardly.

“Our lady has fallen hard.”

Yua, who considered herself to have a sharp sense, found Zhuge Seola quite cute.

* * *

“It’s been a while. Young Master, you’ve become much more handsome.”

“Jang No, you’ve come.”

Jang No smiled generously.

Jang No, who had guided Cheon Mubaeck’s training for a short time, was not just impressed but astonished by Cheon Mubaeck’s changed aura.

‘The fame of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is tremendous in the martial world. Indeed, you were a genius.’

How astonished he had been when he saw Cheon Mubaeck’s training and saw him change in an instant.

So he had told Cheon Mungyeong that Cheon Mubaeck might be a genius.

Cheon Mungyeong had not quite believed him, but look. Wasn’t it true in the end? Cheon Mubaeck had become a hero who wielded enormous fame in the martial world at such a young age.

On the other hand, he also felt envious. Of that enormous talent.

But to be jealous, his age was already past sixty and approaching seventy.

Jang No looked at Cheon Mubaeck with a pleased gaze, as if looking at a grown-up grandson.

“Won’t you be tired? As soon as you return from the escort mission, you have to head to the Zhuge Clan and Wudang right away.”

“Haha. It’s alright. Although I’m old, I’ve been training steadily, so it’s not difficult to cross mountains and rivers.”

“You heard from my sister, right? I will probably be the one to solve Wudang’s request. So, Jang No, please focus on setting up the escort agency’s branch in Hubei.”

“I understand.”

“I will talk to the Zhuge Clan and try to get their help as much as possible.”

“If you do that, the work will be much easier.”

After a brief reunion with Jang No, Cheon Mubaeck immediately prepared for his journey.

Neung-heo had also finished his preparations and was waiting at the escort agency.

Cheon Mubaeck looked for Jeombak.

When he said he was leaving again, he showed a bold appearance as if he had already guessed, but his inner feelings would not be so.

He must have already known he was leaving. So Jeombak did not leave Cheon Mubaeck’s side for a moment while he was staying at the escort agency.

So shouldn’t he at least say a proper goodbye before leaving?

“Jeombak.”

“Eek, Y-Young Master.”

At the startled appearance, Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes narrowed.

“What are you doing, you.”

It seemed Jeombak was bending over and making something.

It was like a silk pouch, and Cheon Mubaeck knew what it was from the fragrant scent that pricked his nose.

“Isn’t that a sachet?”

“That is… yes.”

“From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like you’re making it for yourself, and it doesn’t seem like something you would give to me.”

“That is…”

Jeombak blushed and couldn’t keep his eyes still. Cheon Mubaeck burst out laughing without realizing it as he saw where his gaze was darting.

Far away. He could see Zhuge Seola, who was talking with the craftsmen near the wall for the last time.

Cheon Mubaeck laughed as if it was absurd and said.

“You cheeky fellow. You weren’t following me because you wanted to be with me?”

When Cheon Mubaeck raised his voice, Jeombak shook his head with a flustered face.

“No! I was following you because you were leaving soon!”

“Alright, alright.”

Cheon Mubaeck couldn’t help but laugh. And yet, he felt a strange emotion. It was certain that being in the escort agency made him laugh meaninglessly more often. The feeling of his mind, which had always been on edge, calming down was not bad at all.

‘This is why a place to rest comfortably is always needed.’

Cheon Mubaeck smiled like that and looked at Jeombak and the sachet.

Since he couldn’t take his eyes off Zhuge Seola from the first time he saw her, it was understandable.

Cheon Mubaeck glanced at Zhuge Seola, who was far away, and said to Jeombak in a very playful voice.

“She’s really pretty, isn’t she?”

“Th-that is…”

“Jeombak. I’ll give you more money, so change the scent to that of a musk deer. That scent seems to suit her better.”

Cheon Mubaeck enjoyed Jeombak’s flustered face.

* * *

The procession for the journey was not very grand.

Yusu of Wudang looked a little more at ease, thinking that he had succeeded in his mission.

From the Azure Star Escort Agency, one treasurer, Jang No and other escorts, one carriage, and several porters followed.

From the Zhuge Clan, Zhuge Seola, her handmaiden Yua, and the guard Muyong followed. The rest of the scholars and craftsmen decided to stay at the escort agency and finish the construction.

While Cheon Mungyeong and Cheon Yuhwa were seeing them off.

Cheon Mubaeck did a final check and asked Zhuge Seola.

“Do you need to check the Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions anymore?”

“What? Yes. Yes. Th-that’s right.”

“Why are you stuttering?”

“Th-that’s because we’re leaving now.”

“…?”

Cheon Mubaeck tilted his head at the sight of Zhuge Seola not being able to look at him, and then gestured with his chin at Jeombak.

Jeombak’s face, who understood the meaning, turned bright red.

Just then, Zhuge Seola also headed towards Jeombak.

As if she knew what Jeombak was about to do.

Jeombak hesitantly took out a sachet from his bosom and approached.

Cheon Mubaeck watched the scene with a pleased face, as if an old man was watching.

But Jeombak passed by Zhuge Seola and went to Yua, who was behind her.

“H-h-here.”

“Huh? What’s this? Are you giving it to me?”

Yua was surprised and received Jeombak’s gift. Jeombak just smiled awkwardly like a fool.

“…Ha.”

Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh without realizing it.

‘Anyway, you can’t know a person’s heart even if you live for a long time.’

* * *

The road to Hubei was smooth. They moved quickly through the well-paved official road. Since Henan Province was under the firm influence of the Azure Star Escort Agency, the passage through the government office was also quick.

They rode on the official road and took a boat through the waterway.

After the plague of the Blood Demon Sect disappeared, the chaos had subsided a lot, so there were no special incidents.

It was so peaceful that it might even feel boring.

But Zhuge Seola’s heart was somewhat complicated.

“Do you like it?”

A somehow sullen voice was directed at Yua.

Yua’s eyes widened.

“What? What is it, my lady?”

“That sachet.”

“Ah. This?”

Yua chuckled.

“Well, it’s not expensive silk and it’s a little crude, but it has musk inside! The scent is so nice.”

“I see…”

What was the big deal about a sachet?

In fact, Zhuge Seola was quite a master. When discussing the later generation experts, the siblings of the Zhuge Clan were not left out. Her individual martial power tended to be somewhat underestimated because she was skilled in formations and mechanisms, but her individual martial power was also quite excellent.

Her hearing was so good that if she just focused all her attention, she could hear sounds from quite a distance.

And Zhuge Seola, when Cheon Mubaeck appeared nearby, she would pour all her attention on him without realizing it.

‘I thought he was talking to me…’

Zhuge Seola quickly turned her head and looked at Cheon Mubaeck.

He was talking with Neung-heo.

A somehow sullen feeling suddenly welled up, and she approached them.

Perhaps she was a little angry. A bold voice popped out.

“Yua is pretty, isn’t she?”

At the sudden question, Cheon Mubaeck could have been flustered, but he just stared blankly at Yua and chuckled.

“That guy Jeombak has surprisingly high standards. So she must be pretty.”

“…Right.”

Zhuge Seola’s bold voice lost some of its strength and drooped.

“Well, but it’s a relief, isn’t it?”

“What?”

Zhuge Seola asked back at the incomprehensible words.

“I thought Jeombak had a crush on you, young lady. So I felt sorry that this guy was dreaming a futile dream. But perhaps it’s a relief…”

In an instant, Zhuge Seola’s pupils shook like crazy.

“Uh… then that sachet gift too?”

“Huh? Yes. I thought he was giving it to you, young lady, not Yua. So I even changed the scent inside to musk…”

The moment Zhuge Seola’s face subtly brightened, Cheon Mubaeck asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-no. By the way, we’ve arrived in Hubei Province now!”

Although her tone was strangely high, Cheon Mubaeck didn’t pay much attention.

Because there was something else that was poking at his mind.

“My goodness. Have we been too peaceful all this time? A welcoming party has come out.”

The river that entered Hubei Province.

A group of people was standing as if waiting, occupying the river.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep