The area in front of the government office was bustling, to say the least. Merchants flocked to the office, seeking the goods taken by the bandits.
The bandits had recklessly used items related to food, clothing, and shelter, leading to a significant impact on the merchants. The scene outside the government office was chaotic as they rushed to reclaim their looted belongings.
“My lord! This is not my axe!”
“Oh? Then what is your axe? This gold axe? This silver axe?”
“No, my axe is a combat axe made of black iron!”
“Such an item wasn’t on the list… for now, fill out a report for loss and also a damage claim, just in case. I’ll send someone to look for it.”
“Ugh… it’s something I need to deliver to the merchant guild…”
Those who couldn’t find their items were busy filling out paperwork in one corner while officials and workers transported the goods.
After a lengthy training period at Samayeom’s estate, I hadn’t been to the government office, and it was pure chaos.
By the way, I wonder if the Wood Attribute Spiritual Medicine from Cheon Yusangdan has been recovered. Samayeom knows that I need to acquire the Seven Radiance Attribute Spiritual Medicine and had even mentioned that he would buy the Wood Attribute Spiritual Medicine from Cheon Yusangdan on my behalf.
Since the distribution of goods was still ongoing, I guess I would have to wait a bit longer.
As I contemplated this, I entered the government office.
Inside, officials were bustling around, each carrying stacks of paperwork. Their eyes were heavy and dark, evidently showing signs of overnights and sleepless days over the past week.
When I entered Samayeom’s office, I spotted Hyeok Gi-rin leisurely enjoying tea alongside Samayeom.
Sneaking a glance at the desk revealed not a single document piled high. It would be a scene to make the junior officials rolling about down below weep buckets of blood.
“It looks like the office is quite busy.”
“Yes, indeed. We are occupied with merchants trying to reclaim their goods and capturing the major criminals of the Hwang Gold Clan, as well as organizing the list of seized assets from Yu Ji-gyeong.”
It seemed that Samayeom was quite the unscrupulous businessman. Well, if the governor says to roll, the junior officials must roll.
“So, what is the reason you called for me today? Is the Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin joining us as well?”
“Yes. It certainly makes our work easier with a martial artist around.”
Work? That was a suspicious choice of words, and glancing at Hyeok Gi-rin showed he was just as confused as I was.
Samayeom led us without further ado. We headed towards an increasingly guarded area, but strangely, there was no one at the door. Had Samayeom pre-arranged this?
“This place is…?”
I couldn’t tell exactly, but it was clear this was no ordinary location. The thickness and material of the walls were unusual. I got the feeling even a martial arts expert from the Martial World would find breaking through these walls tough.
The climax was that door. The sliding door was completely integrated into the wall without a frame, and it was equipped with several locking mechanisms made of sturdy metal.
Samayeom took out a set of keys from his pocket and began to unlock them one by one.
“This is where the treasures that were initially seized from the Hwang Gold Clan are stored.”
So, it’s a treasure vault.
Pushing open the heavy iron door with my internal energy, the view of the vault greeted my eyes.
The treasures were dazzlingly arranged on evenly spaced shelves, a magnificent sight.
From my perspective, even without expert knowledge, the high-quality furniture, luxurious robes, and ornate accessories on display were undeniably precious. Each treasure here seemed like it would have its own name attached to it, given their astounding quality.
“Ooh…”
Hyeok Gi-rin was also astonished, continually exclaiming as he examined the items. Unlike me, Hyeok Gi-rin had an appreciation for such valuables and was demonstrating considerable insight, yet his repeated exclamations indicated these were extraordinary items.
“Last time, Senior Ho mentioned he was seeking the Seven Radiance Attribute Spiritual Medicine.”
“Indeed.”
“I purchased the Nine Root Three Flower Pill from Cheon Yusangdan for fifty gold. It should arrive at my residence once the matter with Cheon Yusangdan is settled.”
“Oh… thank you for looking out for me.”
Certainly, it wouldn’t have been a half-price discount; it seemed Samayeom chose to help Cheon Yusangdan out. I felt rather guilty for causing him trouble. I had simply meant to indicate I hoped he’d keep an eye out…
Distributing items looted by bandits was a delicate issue. But making a deal with Cheon Yusangdan in the back made it seem like Samayeom had risked political danger to fulfill my request.
Samayeom pointed to a corner of the vault. There were various herbs and wooden boxes piled high.
“Why don’t you take a look for the remaining attribute spiritual medicines here? I’m completely clueless regarding medicines, so I brought you here directly.”
That was quite a surprising offer.
“But isn’t this the government’s vault? Won’t there be issues doing that?”
“Haha! Why worry? I’m the governor!”
Samayeom chuckled and added, “I neatly confiscated the properties of the notorious Um Yangju Yu Ji-gyeong. The value of Gilu and his other ventures was astonishing when combined with all the illicit funds hidden away.”
“Of course, the real big fish is Hwang Geum-seon. What do we say about the financial power of the Hwang Gold Clan, once the top merchant clan in Sacheon? Not all who used the gold banner are guilty, so we’re not seizing all their assets, but there are plenty who are major offenders. Thus, the extent of the confiscated properties is immense.”
“Everything here consists of famous treasures confiscated from the Hwang Gold Clan. While average precious metal pieces and gemstone jewelry can be easily laundered, notable treasures are akin to poisoned chalices. Disposing of them recklessly would quickly reveal their origins.”
So, it meant they had gathered items here that could be classified as treasures from the Hwang Gold Clan.
“Wait a minute…”
Hyeok Gi-rin, with an expression full of unsaid words, truly looked like if it were just Samayeom, they would have high-fived each other, but with the royal princess Hyeok Gi-rin present, discussing the embezzlement of government goods was bound to make anyone uneasy.
“Hmmm… If this wealth wasn’t intended for the Senior Ho, it would have never existed, so I agree with compensating Senior Ho, but the method is… no, I won’t say a word. This is not my concern.”
“Hahaha. You don’t need to worry. It’s not unusual for substances I thought were spiritual medicine to turn out to be mere Calming Pills after appraisal.”
“That’s called embezzling! Ahhh…! Let’s drop this topic!”
Feeling the guilt of diverting government assets as royalty, Hyeok Gi-rin was in distress, while Samayeom seemed quite pleased at realizing a new side of Hyeok Gi-rin.
Hmm, let’s not think too deeply about this part.
In any case, my and Hyeok Gi-rin’s search began.
Hyeok Gi-rin, seemingly grappling with a moral dilemma, muttered to himself, shaking his head or nodding while identifying the medicines.
“Hmm.”
To be frank, if asked whether I had the skills to define the attributes of spiritual medicines, I could only say no. I understood that obtaining certain fortuitous items would yield rewards, but when faced with a pile of spiritual medicine, I had no chance of identifying their attributes.
However, there were some medicines whose attributes could be discerned based on their external characteristics.
“This one is definite.”
I picked up a spiritual medicine and shook it before my eyes. In a crystal container small enough to hold a thumb’s width, a liquid with a consistency resembling molten lead was contained.
This was undoubtedly Oil. I didn’t know what kind of oil, but it was certainly of a gold attribute.
Though there were dozens of pots containing spiritual medicines, the more luxurious they were, the closer they drifted toward non-attribute.
“Hm… this spiritual medicine could be classified as Yin attribute.”
It seemed Hyeok Gi-rin had also discovered something in the medicines.
“Is it necessary to have spiritual medicines with clear Seven Radiance attributes? The remainder seems to have mixed properties.”
“Is that so?”
Finding just two kinds of spiritual medicines was already a significant achievement.
“Haha, besides the Seven Radiance attribute spiritual medicines, do you have no interest in general spiritual medicines?”
“I suppose having them would be nice.”
My internal energy would always benefit from more enhancements. However, my circumstances were a bit different. The energies of seven different medicines would remain in my body and I would need to maintain a balance; consuming more medicines would complicate things…
Unlike the rightful acquisition of the jade buckle spirit pill, possessing a medicinal item from here would come with its share of risks. And also, I had to consider the burden it placed on Samayeom.
Was it right to be greedy over spiritual medicines that I might or might not consume?
As I engaged in such thoughts, Samayeom picked one medicine and handed it to me. Unconsciously, I found myself staring at Samayeom.
“You might be capable of handling it, but please act cautiously with the remaining spiritual medicines.”
“… Of course.”
Indeed, it was true that Samayeom made an immense contribution with the expedition against the bandits. He subdued martial artists, aided merchants, and managed to eliminate those who had hoarded wealth for fifteen years in Sacheon, recovering those assets for the national treasury.
However, along with those achievements came undeniable political burdens. Bringing the Tang Clan to Sacheon and actively meddling in martial affairs made it so that regardless of whether things went well or poorly, Samayeom’s choice could eventually become a liability.
For Samayeom to offer me the third spiritual medicine was quite a risky move on his part.
No matter how well he handles the aftermath, there are limits to it. If three spiritual medicines taken today were to remain in the world, it would provide evidence of Samayeom embezzling items from the Hwang Gold Clan.
The metallic Yin attribute oil might be legislated more easily, given that I had requested it, but the fate of the last medicinal item was uncertain.
After all, this spiritual medicine could remain for ten or twenty years, serving as evidence of Samayeom’s misconduct.
Just as the jade pendant had ultimately ensnared Mo Yeobu.
It was clear that Samayeom was not ignorant of such risks… So to pass the spiritual medicine to me meant he trusted me significantly.
That much trust was quite heavy.
“You don’t have to look at me that way. I intended to hand over three spiritual medicines from the outset.”
Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about whether that was truly his intention, but Samayeom pulled out three wooden boxes from his sleeve and placed them on an empty spot.
“Shall we head back?”
Seeing Samayeom smiling nonchalantly, I got the feeling he wanted something from me.
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