WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 29: Plaque (1)

──────

A fully grown Hasunbu Seolcho.

It was clearly different from the immature one in the Omnipotent Godly Doctor's hand.

Just by looking at the softly glowing green beads, anyone could tell this was a genuine spirit herb.

“What a coincidence. Two people finding spirit herbs around the same time... How many beads are inside your petals?”

The Omnipotent Godly Doctor asked me.

“Seven.”

After hearing my answer, the Omnipotent Godly Doctor smiled and nodded.

That was as good as confirming it was a proper Hasunbu Seolcho.

“Khahahahahahat! Just as expected of my disciple.”

Evil Heaven laughed heartily and praised me.

He was clearly doing it while looking at Blood-Hand Witch Han BaekHa to mock her.

- He really likes it.

‘He’s an old man with a lot of pride.’

Han BaekHa merely frowned and stared blankly at the spirit herb.

Surprisingly, she did not seem to resent me.

If anything, she seemed regretful about something. What was that about?

“Ha...”

Hearing a sigh beside me, I turned my head.

Young Lady Ha Yeon was looking back and forth between the spirit herb and me with an exasperated expression.

Her face plainly asked why I had not mentioned this.

Wasn't it obvious?

Our deal had been for the two of us to find the spirit herb.

Yet she had entrusted it to her master, the Blood-Hand Witch.

I trusted Young Lady Ha Yeon, who had taught me her remarkable Body-Lightening Technique as payment for our deal. Trusting the Blood-Hand Witch was an entirely different matter.

“Then we had something to confirm, didn't we, Young Lady?”

At my words, she reluctantly nodded.

I approached Evil Heaven and asked,

“Master, may I ask you something?”

“Khahahahat! Of course. What could I not answer for you?”

Drunk on his delight, Evil Heaven readily permitted it.

“Did the Sixth Blood Star say she would give you a plaque?”

“A plaque?”

It was difficult to mention the person in question directly while he was standing right there, so I subtly gestured toward the Omnipotent Godly Doctor.

Understanding, Evil Heaven snorted.

“Give me a plaque? Ha! She made it clear that I should not even dream of receiving one unless I grant her request. What are you talking about? Tsk, tsk.”

“When did I ever make such a threat?”

At Evil Heaven's words, Han BaekHa frowned and retorted.

“Hmph! Then did you say you would give me a plaque?”

“Well...”

She could not continue.

Judging by the atmosphere, Evil Heaven had exaggerated somewhat, but it was clear she had said she would not give him the plaque unless he granted her request.

That settled it.

I turned and gave Young Lady Ha Yeon a regretful look.

‘See? I was right, wasn't I, Young Lady?’

Reading my unspoken meaning, she nodded with a stiff expression.

She clearly was not pleased.

What could be done?

A bet was a bet.

“Then I will be counting on you.”

At my words to her, both Evil Heaven and the Blood-Hand Witch looked puzzled.

There was another bet between Young Lady Ha Yeon and me.

Before we came here...

.

.

[What? You don't trust my master?]

[I apologize for saying that I cannot trust a senior of your martial lineage, but I am not certain the Sixth Blood Star will give us the plaque.]

[But... my master definitely promised.]

[What if my master refuses the Sixth Blood Star's request?]

[Even then, my master will give you the plaque. I can guarantee it.]

[I wonder.]

[Huu. Were you scammed to death in a past life or something? Is it really so hard to trust what I say?]

I had been a little startled at the mention of a past life.

[Didn't I even teach you the Body-Lightening Technique? You still can't trust me?]

[...I trust you, Young Lady. But consider it from the other side. If your master goes back on what she told you, would you not have no choice but to follow a senior of your martial lineage?]

It meant that if her master changed her mind, she would have to follow suit.

Put bluntly, as a disciple, she was in a position where she would have to obey if the Blood-Hand Witch told her to.

If she could demand something from Evil Heaven in exchange for the plaque, then there was an even greater chance she would refuse to give it to him if he did not grant her request.

[I don't think so. My master will keep her promise.]

[Are you certain?]

[Of course. Who... what disciple would dare doubt their master?]

The Blood-Hand Witch Han BaekHa had raised her disciple well.

For her trust to run this deep...

[Then shall we make a bet?]

[...A bet?]

[Since your master took the Hasunbu Seolcho, isn't it now impossible to claim that the two of us found it together?]

[W-Well, yes. I really am sorry about that...]

[No, from your perspective, you had been attacked once. Of course you entrusted it to her for safety. Right?]

[That's right! But I told you that before...]

[Regardless, has it not changed from what we originally agreed upon?]

[...That is true.]

[I lost the chance to obtain two plaques, so should I not receive something equivalent?]

She shot me a glare.

[Young master... The more I look at you, the more you seem to have the mindset of a thief.]

[A thief? I am merely looking after my own rice bowl.]

[Tch. With that cunning mind, you won't starve anywhere.]

[Thank you for the compliment.]

[...That wasn't a compliment. So what are we betting?]

Though she grumbled, she had taken the bait.

[It is simple. You can trust the Sixth Blood Star, and I will trust my own judgment.]

[You put too much faith in that judgment. One day, you will get a nasty surprise.]

[Then I will lose the bet.]

[What is the price of the bet?]

[If my judgment is right, should I not receive at least something equal to, or greater than, the Divine Doctor's plaque?]

[Eek!... You...]

Was she about to call me a thief again?

Unlike you, I was not originally from the Blood Cult, so every day was a struggle.

I had to seize every opportunity I could.

[Huu. Then what is equal to the Divine Doctor's plaque?]

[Both at Blood-Nurturing Valley and now, it seems the Sixth Blood Star serves that esteemed person with the utmost devotion.]

[...That is true.]

[If they are someone so highly placed, I would like that person's plaque.]

[Ha!]

I understood her reaction.

I had essentially asked for the plaque of the Blood Cult lord's granddaughter.

I really had some nerve.

Still, as far as Young Lady Ha Yeon knew, I did not know who that esteemed person was, so it did not matter.

[Is it difficult? You said you knew that person.]

[I do know them, but...]

[You only need to win the bet, do you not? Surely you do not doubt your master?]

[I trust her!]

[Then let us make the bet.]

[What do I get if I win?]

[Did you not say the Sixth Blood Star had a request for my master?]

[That's right.]

[I will do my part to persuade my master as well. Would that not mean you lose nothing?]

Not that he was the sort of person to listen just because I asked.

Still, I could at least say I tried. Ahem.

[Wouldn't I lose out if that is all? How hard is it to merely say a few words?]

[You do not know my master. He does not have the epithet Bizarre Oddity for nothing.]

[What?]

[From the day I entered his martial lineage, I was hung upside down from a cliff by a rope for over two two-hour periods. Persuading someone like him takes great courage from me.]

[Goodness...]

She looked surprised.

Anyone who knew our eccentric old man would naturally react that way.

But she did not give in so easily.

[Still, it does not change the fact that I lose out, young master. Do you take me for a fool?]

[Tsk. Then there is no helping it.]

[Do not try to fool me with wordplay. Offer compensation that can truly persuade me.]

[Then I will also give up the Divine Doctor's plaque that the Sixth Blood Star obtained. Would that not make things even?]

[Give up the plaque...? Then what about treating your dantian?]

My bold offer made her waver.

Naturally.

It was practically the same as giving up on life as a martial artist.

[What else can I do? I must offer something equal in return. In any case, are these not sufficient terms for a bet?]

Forgive me, Young Lady.

The Blood-Hand Witch would not obtain the plaque anyway.

[Hmm...]

After considering it, she nodded.

But then...

[Let us bet. But instead of giving up the plaque, let us count it as proof that you are prepared to offer something worth that much.]

[What?]

[I even taught you the Body-Lightening Technique. I would feel troubled if you could not treat your dantian and never find success as a martial artist.]

[Are you truly all right with that? I would be grateful, but...]

[In exchange, you must risk your life to persuade your Venerable One.]

[I understand.]

[Goodness. I do not know why we are making a bet where we both lose out. Still, do not blame me if you end up hanging from a cliff again.]

Her expression showed she was certain of her victory.

That was why she accepted the bet.

.

.

That was what had happened before we arrived at the Guest House.

Thanks to it, it seemed I would receive the Blood Cult lord's granddaughter's plaque in addition to the Divine Doctor's.

It was a good bet.

[So you had something you were relying on.]

Young Lady Ha Yeon's sound telepathy rang in my ear.

She was pointing out that I had hidden the real spirit herb.

I did feel sorry about that.

But if the Blood-Hand Witch had possessed the real spirit herb, would we not have done all the work while she became the ultimate winner?

I wanted to apologize through sound telepathy, but unfortunately, I still had not learned how to use it.

- Shall I teach you?

The SoDam Sword spoke to me, but it was too late to learn it and use it now.

I merely put on an apologetic expression.

That should be enough.

After all, the person who should truly be sorry was the Blood-Hand Witch, who had broken her promise with Young Lady Ha Yeon.

[Huu... Fine. A bet is a bet. I will somehow obtain that esteemed person's plaque for you.]

She accepted her defeat gracefully.

Seeing this, she had a greater capacity than most people.

Most of the so-called children of prestigious families or personal disciples of renowned masters whom I had met so far did not act against their own interests.

Broken promises were also all too common.

But she was different.

Was it because, unlike before, I now had a Venerable One backing me?

Either way, I liked how cleanly she accepted it.

Whoosh!

After finishing her sound telepathy, she glared sharply at the Blood-Hand Witch.

But that was still her master. Would she not be scolded later for glaring at her like that?

No matter how disappointed she was, if she showed it so openly...

‘Huh?’

At that moment, the Blood-Hand Witch Han BaekHa's right hand turned red.

It seemed she had activated Blood-Hand Jade, her secret martial art.

“What are you trying to do now!”

Evil Heaven roared at her sudden action.

Then something unexpected happened.

Smack!

‘!?’

Han BaekHa used a knife-hand stained blood-red to strike off the index and middle fingers of her own left hand.

The power of Blood-Hand Jade was so great that her two fingers were severed as though cut by a blade.

Blood dripped onto the stone floor before the Guest House.

“Ha!”

Even Evil Heaven did not know what to make of the sudden turn of events.

Then Han BaekHa frowned, clasped her bleeding hand in a fist-and-palm salute, and spoke to Evil Heaven.

“Sixth Blood Star Han BaekHa offers an apology to the Venerable One.”

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried