Recalling it, a faint memory of having briefly heard about it did come to mind. Jang Moon-in neatly folded the letter again and continued speaking.

“The Sungchang Faction is located within this island province, precisely in Sangnaksi, Nagnam County. As you all know, it’s an area known for its fertile land for cultivating herbs, situated right under the Jinryeong mountain range. Having frequent interactions with exceptional herbalists, the Sungchang Faction is flexible with a variety of high-quality herbs. Geographically, it’s quite close to both the Jongnam and Mudang factions, but…”

Close, but?

“The current leader’s grandfather was a sworn brother of Hwasan’s, a man of great virtue.”

“Ah.”

“For me, he’s my godfather. That’s why we’ve maintained a trade relationship exclusively with Hwasan within the faction.”

A third-generation loyalty was ongoing.

To understand why this constitutes loyalty, one must know the relationships between Hwasan and other factions.

Firstly, the Jongnam faction has also established itself within the island province, along with Hwasan.

Although Jongnam is responsible for one pillar of the ancient sects, they are effectively weaker than Hwasan. Hence, they don’t provoke Hwasan, and Hwasan doesn’t bother attacking them either; they coexist.

‘It must be because they’re both factions within the same island province. In emergencies, they’d be the most convenient allies.’

This could be considered a political judgment.

Of course, that doesn’t mean their relationship was particularly good. Regardless of the coexistence, each faction was slightly uncomfortable with the other.

And as for the Mudang faction, they simply don’t get along.

At this point, Hwasan is a bit weaker than Mudang, but the difference isn’t that significant. Over the years, they have repeatedly reversed and been reversed in fortunes, still competing in real-time.

Moreover, their regions being different, there was no coexistence; only endless rivalry remained between them.

‘Both Hwasan and Mudang, compared to places like Gonryun, seem rather secular, making it even more so.’

As much as they claim to be Daoist factions, one would want to ask why they find each other awkward and even fight…

‘Even if they’re cultivating the Dao, it’s still human society.’

It’s the same everywhere.

This led to places like the Sungchang Faction, who wouldn’t deal with either Jongnam or Mudang, despite their geographical proximity, simply because of their connection to Hwasan. Jang Moon-in was surprisingly straightforward about it.

“As the leader of such a place has earnestly requested, how can we turn them away? Hence, I plan to send a few people, led by your four hundred, Yoo Baek and Yoo Sung…”
He trailed off, then looked directly at me and Ha Hyun and nodded once.

“So, I thought it would be good for you two to go along as well. What do you think?”

Although Master Jang Moon In asked as if seeking our opinion, there’s no way we could refuse his carefully suggested expedition without a special reason.

I inwardly sighed.

‘A goal…’

Yes, if I think about it, wouldn’t this be valuable since it’s not in the original work? Ha Hyun’s 18-year-old self was aboard a runaway train headed for ruin.

If we leave the mountain and spend a few months away, we’ll grow increasingly distant from the original work. That could be considered ‘careful’ in some sense.

“I accept Master Jang Moon In’s command.”

“……Yes, I accept Master Jang Moon In’s command.”

Thanks to Ha Hyun responding first while I was momentarily distracted, I also answered without delay. After observing the expressions on me and Ha Hyun’s faces, Master Jang Moon In soon smiled warmly.

“Good. Both of you have learned some healing arts, and Ha Hyun has even taken interest in a few curse-breaking methods. This will surely be helpful to Danju. I will inform you of the schedule when you go to Yubak.”

“Understood.”

“Before you leave, don’t forget to say goodbye to your master.”

“Yes.”

And so, we welcomed a new change in our lives, which had been as peaceful as they were monotonous.

The departure was set for two days later, which was closer than I had thought.

‘Well, the fact remains that Danju’s children are all ill. Delaying isn’t an option.’

The group consists of two disciples from Yubak and Yuseong, as mentioned earlier by Master Jang Moon In.

And from Ha Jin’s household, me and Ha Hyun, making it three disciples in total. That makes five people altogether.

The de facto leader here is Yubak, the very person I met immediately after regaining consciousness in the mountain and asking my master, ‘Who are you?’

Yubak had long been affiliated with the Medical Tower and was highly likely to be the next Head of the Medical Tower.

‘Even if the cause is suspected to be a curse, people are actually ill… For the sake of their lives, someone knowledgeable in medical arts has to be included.’