NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 155
The Britannia Empire is a rather uncivilized nation.
It was a random thought that Sir Mo Kyeong-chung, a scholar residing in Gangjoo Fortress, Posan County, inadvertently conjured up.
He was aware that criticizing a country he had never visited was an undignified act. It must be due to a lack of self-cultivation.
Still, he could not help but feel regretful.
It was during a stroll he took to catch his breath amidst his studies.
It was due to a middle-aged man he encountered on the road who started spouting peculiar tales. The man claimed to have been a merchant who stayed in the Empire for a long time.
“It just blazed fiercely…! They say if you burn green wood, you die from inhaling the smoke before the fire catches. And yet, they bound these people to stakes without even a dais! They pleaded to put out the fire, thrashing about, it was so ghastly!”
“Ah.”
“The maternal uncles of the Heiress Apparent were burnt to death this way… Moreover, the Heiress herself watched the execution without blinking an eye! A woman who let her maternal relatives be burned alive now rules the Empire!”
“Such a thing…”
The story of witnessing the execution of the Britannia Heiress’s maternal uncles spread, causing those nearby to sigh.
Mo Kyeong-chung, though disapproving, clicked his tongue.
‘That country is indeed pitiable.’
A burning at the stake was nothing out of the ordinary. He had even witnessed dismemberment.
Yet, there was something he couldn’t understand.
What was odd was that the Heir’s maternal uncles had been appointed to general positions. How could the state allow outsiders to wield military power?
‘They must have finally purged the maternal uncles when their tyranny reached its peak.’
He could accept that much.
What was even stranger was that they had only killed two or three people and spared the others.
It was said that they were kept and forced to perform labor as punishment… He thought that wasn’t right. They should have all been executed to prevent future problems.
“I truly can’t understand.”
Mo Kyeong-chung shook his head in dismay.
And yet, he couldn’t leave.
It was because the tales of misfortune from another land were strangely entertaining. While indulging wasn’t appropriate, enjoying such vulgar and flighty stories occasionally was acceptable.
Bizarre tales intrigued him.
The story of a martial arts genius with unparalleled talent who met an unorthodox end by inhaling poison through his nostrils.
The tale of a demon-like fiend who, while laughing, offered poison to others and then stole from those driven mad by it.
And the story of an incompetent emperor who surrendered his country to such a demon.
“Indeed, what a strange country. Why hasn’t it fallen yet?”
Thus passed about half an hour of pleasant time.
“The Britannia Empire will soon collapse! Why do you think I abandoned my business there and returned? Rather than beg on the streets, I would rather be buried in my hometown, so I’ve forsaken everything!”
That was the end of the story.
Mo wanted to hear more.
At that moment, the storyteller hesitated and fumbled with something from the satchel slung over his shoulder. Numerous embroidered pouches filled with tiny pills.
“Is he a medicine peddler?”
Mo sneered wryly.
It was a common trick—entertain with a story and then ask for money, or sell medicine.
Though medicine peddlers often showcased their skills rather than merely talking, it didn’t seem worth pointing out. The man had to make a living too.
Given his vivid anecdotes, it didn’t seem entirely false. The claim of fleeing the Empire due to war seemed credible enough.
So, Mo decided to buy one.
“One pill, please.”
“One tael.”
It was rather expensive. With one tael of silver, you could revel lavishly at a tavern with friends.
Still, Mo hesitated only briefly before readily taking out the silver.
The burden wasn’t significant.
His father was a former official, providing him with a rather generous allowance.
“You can add a small portion to alcohol or tea, swallow it whole, or grind it into powder and inhale the smoke. I’ve sold it in other towns, and many people say inhaling the smoke is best.”
Mo ignored the instructions with one ear.
Why would he consume an unidentified drug sold on the street?
Mo had many responsibilities.
He had to prepare for the upcoming imperial examinations in three months, assist junior scholars with their studies, and attend to his parents in place of his older brother who worked in the capital.
There was no time to be distracted by such trivialities.
However, it didn’t take long for his thoughts to change.
Ten days later.
“Kyeong-chung.”
“Tch.”
“Why do you unfold your book but not read it? I trust you can manage your affairs, but with the examination looming, seeing you only smoking fills me with worry. I’ve struggled to bring up this matter since yesterday.”
“Tch, sigh.”
“Please stop!”
Mo Kyeong-chung paid no heed to his mother’s reprimands, focusing solely on smoking.
It wasn’t just any tobacco.
What he was smoking was the drug he had purchased from the medicine peddler earlier.
He crushed two pills, turned them into powder, placed them on a heater, and inhaled the smoke through a pipe.
“Tch, cough. Mother, there’s no need to worry.”
“Kyeong-chung, please stop.”
“By smoking this, the filth in my heart vanishes. The smoke gradually permeates my marrow, making my mind clearer. The scent and taste may seem peculiar, but the flavor isn’t the essence. It’s like drinking an entire lake—it cools me, and all worries fade. It will help my studies.”
“Is that so? But isn’t it excessive to worry about?”
“There’s no need to worry, I assure you.”
“How can I not worry when you’re like this?”
“Tch. Stop it.”
Mo Kyeong-chung clicked his tongue and wobbled to his feet.
He wanted to escape to a place where his mother’s voice couldn’t reach. He used to be a dignified person, but why had her nagging increased lately?
Surely, she wasn’t chastising him just for smoking this, right? It’s not much different from tobacco.
“The examination is coming up.”
“I am studying.”
This was no lie.
Mo Kyeong-chung diligently prepared for the examination even while enjoying his newfound hobby.
He no longer hurried anxiously as he used to.
Isn’t a clear mind conducive to better study? Many scholars neglect their studies and indulge in pleasures under the guise of preparation, but Mo Kyeong-chung wasn’t one of them. He was determined to pass both the metropolitan and national examinations to bring honor to his family.
“It’s just a brief pause. It’s no big deal.”
Mo Kyeong-chung ignored his mother’s nagging and arose.
He didn’t forget to bring money as he left the house.
It was because he wanted to buy more of the drug.
Unfortunately, the price of the drug was steadily rising.
“2 taels, 2 chon.”
“What?”
“2 taels, 2 chon.”
That was too expensive! Panic flickered on Mo Kyeong-chung’s face.
Not only had the price increased, but the medicine peddler’s attitude seemed subtly off.
He had thought the peddler, after a harrowing escape from the Empire, had fallen into dire straits.
But now, he didn’t recount pitiable tales or malign the Britannia Empire to curry favor with his audience.
Even worse,
“If you don’t like it, there are plenty of people interested.”
“Can I buy it on credit?”
“I’m a wandering merchant. How can I offer credit?”
His words had become curt.
Mo Kyeong-chung, flustered, opened his mouth to protest.
He wasn’t the type to be scolded by a street peddler.
Last year, he had already passed the local examination.
He had postponed the central civil examination only to prepare thoroughly, but passing the local exam already qualified him for an official position in the provinces.
Mo Kyeong-chung hardened his expression and glared at the peddler.
“Are you belittling me as some rural scholar?”
“Eh…?”
“I passed the local examination in Gangju Fortress last year, placing fourth. Moreover, my late father held the position of county magistrate, and my elder brother currently serves as a director in the Bureau of Ceremonies, overseeing banquets at the Imperial Palace. I’m not someone to be disrespected by you.”
Mo’s declaration left the peddler momentarily startled.
“Just now, you were so presumptuous, but now you’re respectfully averting your eyes, are you?”
It was understandable. Imagine going from selling drugs on the street to arguing with the younger brother of a Rank 6 official.
Mo Kyeong-chung sneered and looked down on him. Now that he had corrected his brash attitude, surely he should be allowed to purchase the drug on credit and return home.
But,
“I’ll give it to you for free.”
“Hm?”
“I didn’t know what I was doing earlier. Please forgive me. Truth be told, I have orders from my supplier to treat officials and their families with respect.”
“…”
“Please forgive me.”
The peddler bowed deeply, offering the drug pouch.
This wasn’t what Mo had intended. He coughed awkwardly. Using his family’s influence to extort goods wasn’t something a scholar should do.
“I will pay the price.”
“Then I’ll only charge you half, and you can pay later.”
“Hmm.”
Since the matter had come to this, how could he refuse?
Cheered up, Mo Kyeong-chung gave the peddler his name and address and happily accepted the drug.
The peddler promised to deliver future batches to his house. He also mentioned that if he ever came across an improved batch from a future merchant, he’d provide it too.
“Thank you kindly.”
Mo Kyeong-chung, after receiving the drug,
At the peddler’s suggestion, he was shown a place where he could comfortably consume the drug, complete with a heater, personal pipe, and drinks.
This was most welcome news to Mo Kyeong-chung. His mother constantly nagged about his habits when he smoked or consumed the drug at home, so it would be better to indulge outside.
Thus,
The place the peddler led Mo Kyeong-chung to was the basement of a cheap teahouse.
Many familiar faces were present.
An academy classmate smoked vacantly, a young provincial official staggered against a wall, and the son of a local martial arts faction grinned beside a woman who appeared to be a female disciple.
“You too?”
“Uh? …Yeah.”
Still, wasn’t this too lax?
Mo Kyeong-chung hesitated but eventually ventured into the haze.
‘What’s the harm? It’s merely a brief diversion.’
He could take a short break and return to his studies.
But that didn’t happen.
“Another drag?”
“Sure.”
The ceaseless rising smoke.
The number of people rolling around in the smoke continued to increase.
They all looked happy.