Kofi thanks to: Alilyana
Muwon took the bills Cheongyeon had left, and signaled for Nachata to continue speaking with a glance.
“You know of ‘Hwang’ Province, right? It’s the innermost province in the 1st Continent.”
Unlike Nok Province, which was near the sea, Hwang Province was located at the center of the 1st Continent. It was one of the most wealthy areas, unaffected by floods or pirates due to its distance from the sea’s influence.
“There’s never been a public appearance of the rulers of Hwang Province, has there?”
“Is that so?”
Muwon acted like it was the first time he was hearing of this. Nachata continued, looking at Muwon holding the bottle of liquor in his hand.
“Well, that’s what I’ve heard.”
Even as Nachata also emptied his glass, he was already subdued by Muwon’s presence. He was a drunkard, not a pirate. Like Muwon, most of the Peira crew were also strong drinkers, consuming alcohol as if it was water.
Nachata always felt a strange aura around the Peira. Unlike other pirate groups formed from various backgrounds, they seemed like a singular, unified entity without defectors or new recruits.
Though Nachata had known Muwon for a long time, there was a limit to how close they could become. Muwon truly cared only for his Peira crew; Nachata was just useful to keep around.
“The rulers of Hwang Province have been from the same family for seven generations. Essentially, that family holds the power in Hwang, but there’s hardly any public knowledge about them. Their mansion is hidden among dense vines, and they’ve even constructed private passages for their own use to avoid public attention.”
Only those from the ruling family or their associates could use the passage connecting the family residence to the city center.
“How can such people like that lead a province?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“It’s all about the money. They’re fucking wealthy. Since the wealth was passed down for seven generations, it must be huge, right? But when public representation is needed, a spokesperson acts on their behalf.”
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“If only I hadn’t made that choice… I was stupid for not knowing the nature of that person. Otherwise we would still be together.”
“Are you okay, Baekcheong unnie? It’s not your fault. It’s the path I chose, so don’t cry, unnie.”
Muwon suddenly thought of his birth mother. She would sometimes put her ear to her tree and speak as if in conversation with someone else. Whenever young Muwon watched, she would glare and leave abruptly. Muwon tried listening to the tree as well, but never heard anything. Yet, he witnessed her talking to the tree several times.
Based on fragments of childhood memories, Muwon pieced together puzzles about the Hwa clan. Her father often spoke to her mother, who did not even glance at him even when he brought her expensive trinkets and jewels.
“I did my best, though it may not compare to your great family.”
His mother wasn’t from the 11th Continent. She came from a family wealthier than his father, the head of the Kwon clan. Since his mother belonged to the Hwa clan, then her lineage might have been accumulating power and wealth over generations. Considering the circumstances, it seemed to be plausible.
A long time ago, in the early days when the continent began to sink below sea level, there must have been people who witnessed the miracle of the Hwa people supporting the continent that was supposed to sink. The witnesses would have deified the Hwa people, had strong faith in them, and offered all kinds of gold and silver treasures.
However, as generations passed and believers died, the influence of the Hwa clan naturally diminished. With the continent still standing firm without visible support, the tales of a clan holding up the land became mere outdated legends to the later generations.
The only way for the Hwa clan to prove their power was catastrophic: letting the continent sink into the sea.
But there was no way the Hwa clan would drown everyone living on that continent including themselves just to prove their power. Thus, over many years, the Hwa clan became more reclusive, true to their nature. Now, their story has all but become a legend.
All of this was merely Muwon’s speculation, inferred from his knowledge about the only Hwa he knew: his mother.
Back to the conversation they were having now, it seemed linked with the ruling family of Hwang having inherited immense wealth over seven generations. Moreover, there was talk of a spokesperson communicating with a tree.
“If I go, I’d be so sickened I’d want to kill them all.”
A murderous intent flashed in Muwon’s eyes.
“What? Are you actually considering going to Hwang?”
Nachata widened his eyes. While there was no one who could defeat the Peira at sea, on land there was no guarantee. Especially in a vast continent like Hwang Province, which would have large-scale troops in preparation for possible ground battles. However, Muwon’s mention of being sickened resonated with Nachata.
People living far from the sea often looked down on those close to it, considering proximity to the sea a measure of poverty in the current era. Hwang Province’s disdain for Nok Province was well-known, let alone their view of Cheonghwa Town.
“Really? Are you seriously thinking of going?”
Nachata asked again. He seemed interested, as if he would go along if Muwon said so. Of course, Muwon, amidst Nachata’s barrage of questions, was preoccupied with his own thoughts.
‘Could the ruling family of Hwang, inheriting wealth and power for seven generations, be the Hwa clan? And yet, it’s the spokesperson who acts like a member of the Hwa clan.’
Muwon thought of Cheongyeon, who lived like a pauper and raised a beggar in her stomach.
Wealth wasn’t abundant in Cheonghwa Town.
After taking control of Cheonghwa Town, the first thing Tae Muwon did was check about families with hereditary wealth. Only a few families within the Merchants’ Association came close. They maintained their own private forces to protect their wealth and often colluded with pirates. None, however, seemed to be of the Hwa clan.
Yet, Cheongyeon, found rummaging through trash of the Marine Building dump, stood out. Their first encounter, deeply etched in his memory, led Muwon’s intuition to continuously point towards Cheongyeon.
“I’m not a beggar… I was afraid of being treated like a beggar. As you know, business at the apothecary is not going well…”
At the time, Muwon hardly believed Cheongyeon’s excuse. However, reflecting on Cheongyeon’s character now, it seemed plausible. He disliked being treated like a beggar and had a subtle pride.
“Fuck, you’re really a beggar, but why are you acting up?”
Muwon’s voice was laced with irritation.
Nachata didn’t object but kept drinking quietly as usual, never crossing the line.
Muwon glanced at the empty seat beside him.
Too many suspicious circumstances surrounded Cheongyeon: the floods in Cheonghwa Town during his disappearance, the abnormal growth in the fifth-floor tree when he was taken to the torture room, and the nocturnal visits to Cheonghwa Mountain.
But floods were common, the Marine Building’s tree growing through it was already abnormal in the first place, so it was sufficient basis for strange phenomena. He also said that Cheonghwa Mountain was a mountain he had climbed every day since he was young. Was it really strange if he picked herbs in the middle of the night because he had work to do in the morning?
“I mean, he was fine even after drinking your blood, so he isn’t a Hwa, right? Tae Muwon, don’t you like the circumstantial evidence?”
Ha… A momentary laugh escaped Muwon.
Only rational evidence that the apothecary, Cheongyeon, was not from the Hwa tribe came to mind one after another.
Having relied on intuition alone all his life, he doubted his senses now.
A knock in the middle of the silence broke Muwon’s thoughts, and Nachata allowed for them to enter. The door opened.
“Hyung-nim.”
As Muwon turned, Neptune’s voice strained. Why were the ones supposed to be watching Cheongyeon here? Muwon’s forehead creased with irritation once more.
Expecting Cheongyeon’s return, he glanced behind Neptune, but no one else was in sight.
“I’m sorry, hyung-nim! We lost track of the apothecary.”
Pr: Sasa
todos los días entro a ver si hay un capítulo actualizado, Gracias!!! Quedé asi 😱 con el final de este capítulo…
Oooooh he got drunk n kidnapped by boner tea man?!
Wonder if Muwon and Cheongyeons moms were friends or family or knew eachother