Invitation to the Chatroom of the Gods - Chapter 88



Only Krnovel

Episode 88 – Intention (2)

The face of the former general who paid me an courtesy was filled with joy.

Although we had been in contact with each other through email, it had been quite some time since we had seen each other in person, so I was also quite happy to see the former General.

The former general naturally bowed to Dang So-hyang, who was standing next to me.

In other words, the former general didn’t have any particular doubts about Dang So-hyang’s existence, but the swordsmen had already known about Dang So-hyang’s existence since the wedding ceremony with Jo Gye-ak.

Above all, since I had already explained the details to Eungseon in advance, there was absolutely no reason to be suspicious.

“It’s been a while, General Gu. How have you been?”

“Of course. How could I not be doing well when the King himself is worried about me?”

The former general nodded with a moved expression. It seemed as if he was moved enough to be asked about his well-being, but the former general looked noticeably better than when I had seen him before.

It seemed that he was quite wealthy and did not neglect his martial arts training.

“More than anything, thanks to the great grace bestowed upon us by the King, not only I but all of the knights are doing well.”

Then, the look in the eyes of the former general was one of deep emotion. It was quite burdensome, so I hurriedly changed the subject.

“Well then, that’s good. By the way, what happened to what you said?”

“Of course, everything has been prepared without a hitch. If you look over there, you will see a sailing ship ready for Your Majesty the King to use.”

As I followed the old general’s finger, I could see a huge sailing ship floating on the lake.

The hull made of solid wood felt like solid steel, and the horizontal lines floating firmly on the water seemed to reveal the aesthetics of power.

A sailing ship that looks extraordinary even at first glance.

“Where did you get such a large sailing ship?”

I wondered where on earth he had gotten it. I was quite surprised, as I had thought it was just a decent ship.

“I prepared it because I thought I might need it someday.”

“You mean that big sailing ship? A sailing ship like that wouldn’t cost a small amount of money. Where did they get that much money?”

“It is nothing compared to the rewards bestowed by the King.”

The former director responded as if he was wondering what was going on.

······After thinking about it carefully, that was true.

“And in addition, we have left only the minimum number of personnel required to maintain security along the Yangtze River, and have put all unmanned personnel on standby.”

······To this extent, it was just as good as it could be.

At first, it was just a position for the commander-in-chief, and no one knew who was who, but they say that the position makes the person.

He was a former general who performed his role as general well beyond expectations.

And as I said, I was planning to bring the Jang Gang Hyeopgaekdan with me this time. The reason was to assist Dang So-hyang. That is, to carry out and help the patients with the plague.

Since the population of Guizhou Province was so large, people who could help Tang Xiaoxiang were absolutely necessary.

“All preparations have been completed. We can depart immediately if Your Majesty gives the order.”

He was a very dependable former general.

“Then go.”

As soon as I said that, Dang So-hyang was the first to move with quick steps. Dang So-hyang’s face was filled with excitement, as if she was very excited about boarding that large sailing ship.

It was my first time on a sailing ship, so I was walking with excitement.

“I··· Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, the former general stopped me and asked me carefully.

“If you don’t mind, can I ask you one thing?”

It was the former General who suddenly started to feel the weight, so he stopped for a moment wondering what was going on and then said.

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing else······.”

The former general glanced around. There, Dang So-hyang was boarding the sailboat. Then, the former general spoke to me again.

“I was wondering if you could tell me when the wedding ceremony with my godmother will be held again?”

······I suddenly wondered what was going on.

No, what about a godmother, and what about a wedding ceremony?

“I guess there are a lot of things I need to prepare in advance. Even if it’s not an exact date, if you could at least give me a hint- Your Majesty? Your Majesty!”

I ignored the old general’s words and just kept walking.

* * *

Gu Cheol-san, the leader of the Jang Gang Hyeopgaekdan, quietly looked at the two men and women standing side by side on the ship.

The Great King and the Great Mother.

There was no need to explain the beauty of the godmother. When I saw her at the wedding, she was no different from a heavenly fairy, but now she was even more beautiful than then.

The King’s face was hidden by a mask, but Gu Cheol-san could tell with his ‘mind’s eye’ that he was a cheerful man.

The Great King and Great Mother, who are truly without a single handsome man or beautiful woman.

As the leader of the band of swordsmen, Gu Cheol-san wanted the two of them to start hanging out together soon.

I wanted the two of them to get married soon and see the King’s successor.

But for some reason, the king was hesitant.

It’s not that the Great King didn’t care about his Godmother, but from the beginning, he was the one who gave up his life for his Godmother.

Moreover, the eyes of the great king who was looking at the great mother were dripping with honey.

Of course, it wasn’t visible because it was covered by the mask, but it was clearly visible to Gu Cheol-san’s ‘mind’s eye’.

In other words, even mugwort is a great king without mugwort.

Although he was a great king of the Yangtze River who was outstanding in every way, he was a very frustrating king when it came to women.

‘This won’t work.’

Finally, Gu Cheol-san, who could no longer stand to watch, decided to step forward for the king.

As the leader of the Jang River Swordsmen who most closely assist the Great King, now was the time to step forward for the sake of the mighty Great King.

Gu Cheol-san quietly went down under the ship. Then he spoke to the warriors of the knight group who were rowing the sailboat.

“From now on, row as hard as you can.”

“······yes?”

Then, all the people were confused.

“But, Your Majesty, if you do that, your Godmother won’t be able to endure it.”

“Yes. If you’re not careful, your godmother might fall into the water.”

The new Janggang transportation business recently started by the Hyupgaekdan.

The Yangtze River Merchant Corps, which transported sailing ships at incredible speeds, virtually ruptured the logistics of the Yangtze River.

That speed was no problem for the King, but the mother, with her frail body, would not be able to endure it.

The former director was obviously aware of that fact.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“What do you mean······?”

“Surely the King would drown his godmother in water?”

“Well······.”

“Of course, the King would be holding on to his Godmother tightly.”

“That’s true, but···.”

“Since ancient times, the closer a man and a woman are physically, the more affection they have for each other.”

“uh······.”

“Don’t you want to see the great king’s successor?”

“ah······!”

Only then did the warriors of the knight group let out a gasp as they realized the former commander’s intentions.

“Just leave it to us!”

“I will squeeze out all my internal energy, so your Majesty, please prepare well.”

Thus, they were the warriors of the swordsman group who burned with ‘will and fighting spirit.’

* * *

A sailing ship sailing along the Yangtze River.

“Whaaaaaaaah-!”

Dang So-hyang was on board the sailboat, enjoying the scenery.

A cool breeze blew past Dang So-hyang, who had a bright face, and her hair was tousled.

Tang So-hyang used both hands to smooth her messy hair behind her ears, but a few strands of hair that she had not been able to straighten fell down, brushing the back of her pure white neck.

Tang So-hyang’s beauty is like a painting.

Perhaps because of that, everyone’s attention was focused on Dang So-hyang.

Whether she knew it or not, Dang So-hyang was looking out of the ship in admiration.

Riding a boat and traveling like this were all new to Dang So-hyang, so everything felt new.

Perhaps that is why Dang So-hyang’s bright eyes were clear and transparent, like a child trying sweet candy for the first time.

Her small lips didn’t even think of closing because everything in the world seemed so new, but seeing her like that, I thought it was a good idea to use the waters of the Yangtze River.

Anyway, it will take quite some time to get to Guizhou Province.

It was at that time that he carefully gave up his seat so that Dang So-hyang could enjoy her trip comfortably.

“Whoa-!”

Suddenly, I heard Tang So-hyang’s single scream. I quickly turned my head and saw that her body was suddenly swaying violently.

Swaaaaaaah-!!

At the same time, the sailboat began to leap forward. However, the wind was calm, the weather was clear, and there were no waves in the Yangtze River.

And yet, it was a sailing ship that suddenly developed incredible speed······.

“““With all my strength-!””

Ugh!!!!!

······It was only then that I was able to confirm that the rowing gang was going wild.

The water current swayed violently, and the delicate Tang So-hyang was swept away by the sudden current, not knowing what to do.

Her body, staggering about helplessly, looked like a doll made of rags or something, but one thing was certain: if left alone, she would drown.

I quickly moved my body and hugged Tang So-hyang. Fortunately, Tang So-hyang was able to avoid the misfortune of falling into the water while in my arms.

“Madam, are you okay?”

“Ouch, oh my···!”

Tang So-hyang, who was answering, suddenly covered her mouth with both hands. Soon, her once white skin turned blue, and Tang So-hyang hurriedly pushed me away.

And then he stuck his head out of the boat······.

“Breaaaa …

It was a sweet smell that made her want to pour out everything inside her.

I felt like I was getting seasick from the rough waters.

But these crazy swordsmen didn’t seem to care about that and started to speed up even more.

Swaaaah-!

Now, the surrounding scenery was passing by so quickly that it was almost invisible. It was as if the speed was like shooting a shot, but where on earth did this strength come from?

‘Oh, I gave you the elixir.’

······Thinking about it, I suddenly remembered that I had given them each an elixir as a reward. Especially since they were elixirs that were in the royal treasury. They were truly warriors of the swordsmanship corps with strength to spare.

Maybe it was because of that, but Tang So-hyang’s body, which was vomiting, shook even more violently.

I hugged Tang So-hyang tightly from behind, fearing that she might fall into the water. Tang So-hyang continued to vent her frustrations while still in my arms.

Given the circumstances, the surrounding area was a total mess.

“Waaaaaaah!”

“Hey, save me!”

So, there was no chaos like this, but I held onto Dang So-hyang tightly and turned my head left and right to look for the old general.

And when I winked at him to stop this madness right away, the old general gave me a thumbs up instead of answering?

And then, General Koo makes a face as if to say, “Didn’t you really do well?”

“That’s it, Your Majesty! That’s it!”

Somehow, even the former general seemed to be out of his mind.

It was at that moment that I was about to move my body, feeling that I had to step forward myself.

“Hippup···!”

Suddenly, Dang So-hyang, who was in my arms, started to tremble violently and hiccupped. Fortunately, it seemed like she had calmed down a lot, perhaps because she was completely in my arms.

But it seemed clear that if I left him alone, he would become upset again.

And if Tang So-hyang collapsed, there was really no answer. There was nothing that could be done, including treating the plague.

I had no choice but to hold Dang So-hyang in my arms, and I don’t know if it was because of that, but we were able to get to Guizhou in just ‘one day’.

* * *

A small town located along the border of Guizhou Province.

“Patients with the plague······must be buried in the ground.”

The voice of an elderly man was heard muttering softly.

“Bury it in the ground······? What on earth do you mean!”

“Are you saying that we should bury alive those who have contracted the plague?!”

“That’s right.”

The old man nodded slightly in response to the sudden barrage of questions. Then, the people’s expressions distorted into evil expressions and they shouted.

“What kind of nonsense is that!”

“How can a living person!”

“How can you say something like that even after wearing a mask!”

All sorts of accusations poured in. Voices were raised, the atmosphere became tense, and a physical fight was about to break out.

“Do you think I want to do this!!”

The old man shouted at the people as if he was scolding them.

“What can I do… Is there no way!”

“How can a living person-!”

“Do you really not know that if we leave it like this, we will all get infected and die?”

Everyone shut their mouths tightly at the words that followed.

A plague that devastated the village. No, it was a plague that devastated not only this village, but the entire Guizhou Province.

And that is precisely why the plague is truly terrifying. It not only kills the person who is sick, but also those around them.

“Even if they are living people······ no, even if they are children, shouldn’t we somehow save them?”

The basic way to prevent the spread of the plague was to isolate the source of infection from the uninfected. However, the plague that had spread throughout Guizhou Province could not be solved by ‘isolation’ alone.

The plague continued to spread and spread as if it were someone’s ‘intention’ rather than nature’s providence.

Now the only solution was to cure or eradicate the plague itself, but it turned out that curing the plague was impossible.

If so, the only way left was to eliminate the plague itself. That is, burying the patients with the plague in the ground and burying the plague along with them was the only way left at present.

Preventing further infections was the best way to save the remaining people.

“But if you wait, you will receive help from the imperial family…”

“Do you think the royal family will hear our voices?”

Guizhou Province was a useless land.

It was an area where the so-called ‘poor classes’ lived together, and where ethnic minorities who were persecuted in other regions or could not overcome cultural differences lived.

“There is no helping hand.”

No one extended a helping hand to the insignificant ones.

There was no one in the world who would lend a helping hand to Guizhou City, which had nothing to give.

And I also knew.

“Don’t you know that even if you help, it’s meaningless?”

The plague that swept through Guizhou was an incurable plague.

It was not for nothing that they called him a being that spreads plagues, a god of disaster, or something like that.

It’s not for nothing that fanatics who create and worship bizarre gods arise.

There was no other reason why such horrible and inhumane acts of sacrificing people to appease the evil spirits in the hopes of avoiding the disaster of the plague occurred frequently throughout Guizhou Province.

“······We must bury and burn all the patients infected with the plague.”

Unlike before, no one shouted. People’s heads lowered down of their own accord. No one opened their mouths.

I just realized that this was the cold reality.

I just realized that this was a reality worse than a plague.

And so it was at that time that everyone lowered their heads.

“Now···! Now···!!”

A man came running out of the silence, panting.

He was panting and struggling to breathe as if he had come running in such a hurry, but he took a moment to calm his rapid breathing and then immediately opened his mouth.

“Right now, at Hye-min Party···! At Hye-min Party···!”

Hyemin Party?

The heads of those listening to the story tilted involuntarily. It was the first time they had heard the name. Judging from the meaning, it seemed like it wasn’t a person’s name, but a name for a treatment center······.

“Directly…! It would be faster if you see it for yourself!”

Then the man moved his body as if telling them to follow him. The people looked at each other in bewilderment and tilted their heads.

But as if she had made a promise, she soon moved her body to follow the man.

The place the man guided us to was an isolation center where patients with the plague were kept separately.

But······something was strange.

That would be the case, since there were so many unmanned people in the quarantine facility that I had never seen before. They were carrying out patients with the plague on stretchers.

So, as they were carrying the patients to a certain place, there sat a beautiful woman from a peerless family, who was not at all suited to the unusual beauty of the plague.

The attendants carefully placed the patient in front of the woman. Soon, the woman gestured toward the patient with the plague.

Phew.

Then, a strong venom seemed to form from the woman’s fingertips, and then, following her gesture, the venom seeped into the body of the patient with the plague.

And then······.

“Uh, uhm···.”

The eyes of the plague patient began to open slowly.

Even though the patient was unconscious, an absurd sight unfolded as he opened his eyes with a single gesture.

“What, what, what, what···!!”

“What the heck is that…!”

People’s mouths just dropped open in amazement at the extraordinary sight.

* * *

[Conversion of Merit] – 73 months and 5 days (+2 months and 8 days)

[Conversion of Merit] – 74 months and 20 days (+1 month and 15 days)

[Conversion of Merit] – 77 months and 24 days (+3 months and 4 days)

[Conversion of Merit] – 80 months and 16 days (+2 months and 22 days)

[Conversion of Merit] – 81 months and 18 days (+1 month and 2 days)

[Conversion of Merit] – 82 months and 21 days (+1 month and 3 days)

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.

.

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The merits of Hwansan are rising, making a noise.

And is it because I can’t bear the endless stream of good deeds that come my way?

Whizz!

The child was trembling and writhing as if begging for his life.