The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 35: I Won’t Forget, Even in Death

After finishing her conversation with Jogan, Yeon stepped out of the interrogation room. What he had said kept looping in her mind.

“He said he was looking for a key.”

“A key?”

“I don’t know the exact purpose either. But...”

Jogan had told her where to find that so-called key. Yeon, who had been expecting some grand conspiracy, felt a little let down. A key? What was this, some kind of treasure chest?

I thought the Hundred Flower Cult was up to something horrifying. Should I be relieved, or disappointed?

Sure, it was unexpected information—but it fell way short of her expectations.

Did I let him go just because I got swept up in what he said?

Yeon felt a small twinge of regret. But taking back what she said wasn’t her style.

“Hello, miss!”

Lost in thought, Yeon looked up at the cheerful voice. It was the newly hired workers at the Baekha Escort Agency.

“Ah... hello.”

They bowed politely and passed her, and that’s when Yeon caught a full view of the rebuilt Baekha Escort Agency.

The once desolate agency was rapidly returning to its former state. Just seeing the workers bustling around was proof enough. There wasn’t a trace left of the attack. Everyone was moving with purpose.

That lively atmosphere helped clear the chaos in Yeon’s head.

Being busy like this is a good thing. It helps forget the hard times.

Yeon had done everything she could. The rest was up to the people of the Baekha Escort Agency. In other words, it was time for Yeon and her group to leave.

On the day of their departure, the Baek family siblings and their mother came out to personally see them off. Baek Ju-a stepped forward to give thanks.

“We’ve received a kindness beyond words. On behalf of myself and the Baekha Escort Agency, we will remember this forever.”

“We’ll remember!”

Baek Cho-un chimed in boldly beside her, sniffling. The boy, on the verge of farewell, was silently shedding tears.

Yeon returned the bow with a sympathetic smile and said,

“Well then, we’ll get going now. I hope you’re able to rebuild the agency well.”

“Wait a moment!”

The one who called out to stop Yeon was the mother of the Baek siblings. Her face still showed signs of exhaustion, but she stepped forward and held something out. It was a small box, about the size of a palm, with a rich navy base wrapped in white silk.

“Miss, this is a small token of our appreciation.”

“Oh? No, it’s really okay.”

Yeon waved her hands in refusal, but the woman firmly placed the box into her hands. It was the kind of touch you couldn’t refuse—like a grandmother slipping you pocket money.

“It’s the last treasure left in the Baekha Escort Agency. If things got worse, we planned to bring this to the Mount Heng Sect or, failing that, hire warriors with it.”

“Ah...”

“When I think about it now, it was such a foolish plan. We probably would’ve just lost the treasure and gained nothing. That’s why giving it to you doesn’t feel like a waste at all.”

After that long breath, she paused, catching her breath before continuing.

“My daughter told me... when Ju-a went to Shaolin, you stepped forward to defend her, didn’t you?”

“Well... that’s not exactly wrong...”

Yeon trailed off, sounding a little guilty.

In truth, it hadn’t been out of pure goodwill. She had mainly done it to twist the plot and survive. For her own sake.

But the woman seemed to take Yeon’s response as modesty.

“I heard you had no previous ties to our Baekha Escort Agency. And yet you still made that choice... I can’t express how grateful I am. If it hadn’t been for you and your companions, my children and I...”

The mistress of the Baekha Escort Agency couldn’t finish. Her eyes reddened, and she bowed toward Yeon and her companions. Before Yeon could stop her, the bow became a full prostration.

“W-wait, please don’t...”

Despite Yeon’s attempts to stop her, the woman knelt until her forehead touched the ground. Her pent-up sorrow and gratitude mixed together and spilled out in sobs.

“The kindness you’ve shown us... I won’t forget it, even in death.”

Yeon, pained by the sight, bowed her head. She gently placed a hand on the woman’s trembling shoulder.

The Chief Escort had been assassinated, and not a single person had reached out to help the Baekha Escort Agency. What kind of torment had this woman endured? Yeon couldn’t blame her for reacting this way.

“Ma’am, please... stand up. I haven’t done anything deserving of such a gesture. This helped me, too... it was something I needed.”

Even with Yeon’s sincere words, the woman didn’t lift her head. Just then, Baek Cho-un, still crying, suddenly ran forward and threw himself into Gongye’s arms.

“Ugh! Y-young master?”

“Waaah! Thank you, monk! I’ll repay you when I grow up, I promise!”

“Oho...”

Caught off guard by the weeping boy, Gongye seemed momentarily speechless. Then, awkwardly, he began patting the child’s back.

Before anyone knew it, even Baek Ju-a and Tang Soso were wiping away tears. Cheon Gang blinked up at the sky. For a while, the only sound outside the Baekha Escort Agency was quiet sobbing.

****

Yeon and her group were only able to leave after that emotional farewell.

Now on the main road, Yeon walked in front. Cheon Gang followed silently, and Soso—wearing the outfit Yeon had given her—scurried behind. Gongye, as always, brought up the rear, showing curiosity about every little thing on the street.

For a while, silence settled over the group.

The tears of the Baekha Escort Agency left a lasting impression. The case was over now, and it was right for everyone to return to their own paths. But no one felt like saying it aloud.

Eventually, Yeon was the one to speak first.

“Should we eat something first?”

It was nearly evening, and truthfully, her stomach was growling. They’d declined the Baekha Escort Agency’s offer to prepare a meal.

“Let’s do that.”

“Y-yes! Sister!”

“Food sounds great.”

Hearing that colorful chorus of responses, Yeon found a decent-looking inn and stepped inside.

“Welcome!”

A young server hurried over, sizing up the group with wide eyes and a bright business smile.

Yeon and Cheon Gang practically radiated elegance, Tang Soso no longer looked like a servant, and Gongye—despite the shaggy wig—had decent features.

“Oh my, what fine guests! Would you like a private room?”

“Yes,” Cheon Gang answered, quick to pick up on the innkeeper’s suggestion.

The server led them to a private space and asked,

“What would you like to order?”

Rubbing his hands, the server waited while the four exchanged glances. The truth was, none of them knew what to order.

Yeon and Tang Soso didn’t have much experience with this sort of dining, and Gongye had only ever eaten off street carts. Cheon Gang was probably the most qualified among them.

Since they weren’t thinking that differently, everyone’s gaze naturally shifted to Cheon Gang.

“Um, shall I place the order then?”

“If you would, please.”

At Yeon’s answer, he began ordering.

“Well then...”

Cheon Gang smoothly ordered a few dishes, then handed the server a small piece of silver. The server bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

“Please wait just a moment!”

“Hold on!”

The one who stopped the server as he rushed off was Gongye.

“Would you like to add something else?”

“Heh heh. Not exactly... but wouldn’t a ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) meal feel rather dry without something to wash it down?”

At Gongye’s words, the server’s eyes darted quickly. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he grinned knowingly.

“Ah! You mean you’d like some alcohol, right?”

“Haha! Not that I said it outright, but... if you’re offering, who am I to say no...”

Gongye glanced at Yeon out of the corner of his eye. She looked at him, dumbfounded. She remembered what Soso had told her about what happened at the Baekha Escort Agency.

Didn’t they say he downed four bottles without even putting up a guard? Now he’s trying to act all modest?

Yeon had been about to say something when Soso’s follow-up came to mind—how Gongye had fought with everything he had afterward.

...Yeah. I heard the monk did his part this time. That’s probably why Young Master Baek cried so hard.

With a reluctant, smiling squint, Yeon said,

“If you want to drink, go ahead. My treat today.”

“R-really? Hahaha! Miss Hwang Bo, your generosity knows no bounds!”

Beaming with joy, Gongye winked at the server.

“Then please bring the liquor first.”

“Ah, yes! Right away!”

The server tilted his head slightly at the word miss, but quickly darted back to the kitchen.

A booming voice echoed from the kitchen confirming the order, and soon, as Gongye had requested, the alcohol was brought out first. It came in a short, rounded white porcelain bottle, with blue orchids painted delicately on its side. It was smaller than expected.

Gongye’s eyes sparkled as he cradled the bottle like a precious artifact.

“This is my first time trying liquor from Hunan... ah! Well, technically not my first drink ever, but it’s my first time with baijiu. Hehehe.”

He laughed cheerfully, offering an explanation no one had asked for. Then, with a smile like a satisfied old man, he popped open the lid. The strong scent that wafted out was not unlike the gaoliang Yeon remembered from the modern world.

“Well then, shall we have a glass?”

Yeon and the other three weren’t really drinkers, so they all shook their heads. Gongye didn’t seem to mind at all and poured himself a drink. Clearly, he enjoyed the drink itself more than the drinking company.

With a satisfied glug, he filled the cup with the clear baijiu, then took a deep whiff of the aroma before downing it in one shot.

“Kiiiii-yaah!”

He let out a loud, satisfying exhale. Watching him, even Yeon couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

What a heavy drinker this guy is...

“Why don’t the rest of you enjoy this fine drink? More for me, I guess.”

He muttered as he poured himself another shot, but then Yeon spoke up.

“I actually called this dinner for a reason. There’s something I want to talk about. Monk, just listen while you drink.”

Yeon addressed him firmly as he paused, then continued. Cheon Gang and Tang Soso were already focused on her.

“First of all, anything related to the Hundred Flower Cult—let’s keep that between us for now.”

The reason she brought it up was simple: they had no proof.

Aside from the Elder’s body having vanished, there hadn’t been a single piece of evidence linking the Red Flower Gate’s materials to the Hundred Flower Cult. The flow of drugs and money had clearly happened, but the source had been completely concealed.

Maybe that’s why—other than Yeon, even her companions hadn’t really grasped the reality of the Hundred Flower Cult. Yeon had interrogated Jogan, yes, but even beyond that, the whole thing still felt a bit out of the blue to them.

If I didn’t know the original story, I’d feel the same way.

If someone had told Yeon something like that back in the modern world:

There’s a secret, massive religious cult out there. Their leader is a total villain and they’re about to plunge the world into chaos. We have to prepare now.

It would’ve screamed “cult” and “conspiracy theory.” Even Yeon herself hadn’t actually seen them with her own eyes.

If even she and her companions were this uncertain, how would anyone else react? From now on, they’d need to quietly gather evidence. She also didn’t want to risk what might happen if they started shouting about the Hundred Flower Cult too freely.

“Yes, Sister.”

“Yes, yes. That’s a good idea.”

As expected, Tang Soso and Gongye didn’t seem to have much to say. Cheon Gang’s expression was a bit more complex, but in the end, he nodded.

“If that is what you think, Miss Yeon, then I will agree.”

He clearly had more thoughts but was holding back for now. Yeon made a note to talk to him soon, one-on-one.

“Oh, and...”

Yeon reached into her robe and took out the small box she had received earlier as a gift. She set it on the table.

“Better to open this while everyone’s here, right?”

According to the mistress of the Baekha Escort Agency, this was the last treasure they had. Yeon had been curious ever since—just what could possibly be inside this tiny box?

She reached out to open it.