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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Back at Cheonghoeru, Cheon Il-hwa summoned me. He informed me that the troop deployment was ready.
With a force comparable to the elite troops deployed against the demonic cults before, supplemented with even better equipment, it would be a significant boost to the magistrate’s forces.
…Wouldn’t it? I’d simply have to trust our dependable magistrate.
“I apologize for using Seomhwa Village as a shield. However, I’ve provided you with almost everything I can spare…”
“I’m concerned about General Cheon’s safety.”
“Haha. I’m a master of the Cheon Family Spear Technique. And I still have elite troops under my command, so don’t worry.”
He was confident in his ability to protect himself, being a master of the Cheon Family Spear Technique, a domineering and destructive style, one of the Imperial Family’s martial arts.
He also had other guards protecting him in secret, besides Gi No-ya and Wi-yeol, so there was no need for concern.
“I hope you overcome this crisis safely.”
“I hope so, too.”
If Seomhwa Village fell, it would be a major headache for me as well.
After concluding my discussion with Cheon Il-hwa, I stepped outside and saw the four others engaged in a serious conversation. I approached them curiously.
“What’s going on?”
“Innkeeper, I heard from Gi No-ya that there’s been suspicious activity from the demonic sects.”
Hong-ryeon looked worried, having heard the details from Gi No-ya in addition to what Ha-no had told me. I shrugged.
It wasn’t as dire as she seemed to think.
“We can handle it.”
That’s what I’d been working towards.
“Still…”
“Hong Seong-mun doesn’t need to shoulder all the responsibility.”
Indeed.
I couldn’t, wouldn’t, place the entire burden on them. Although Hong Seong-mun possessed considerable strength, they were only twenty or so in number.
Moreover, the Sword Saint would have to face both the Iron Blood Duke of Metal and the new leader of the Black Lotus Society if things escalated.
Though not on the Sword Saint’s level, they were still formidable opponents.
Facing them alone would be more than enough for one person.
But what about the other demonic sects? The Iron Blood Group members they would bring? The hired assassins?
Even Hong-ryeon, the powerful Sunset Sword, couldn’t defend against them all with just the Hong Seong-mun disciples.
One hand couldn’t fight ten. We had to provide support. That’s what our carefully crafted scenario was designed for.
I patted Hong-ryeon’s shoulder.
“Seomhwa Village will not fall, and there will be minimal casualties.”
“…You’re always so confident.”
“Hong Seong-mun is with us, Moonlight Blade is by our side, Gi No-ya and Wi-yeol will assist us, General Cheon has provided troops, and the magistrate and his soldiers are working hard. Considering all that…”
I declared without a shred of doubt,
“we will overcome this crisis.”
Indeed. This was nothing. There were much bigger hurdles ahead. We couldn’t afford to stumble here.
I smiled at Hong-ryeon, who was staring at me, speechless.
“Anyway, it seems we’ve finished our business here. I know you’re tired, but we should return quickly. I’ll repay this debt another time.”
I bowed to Hong-ryeon and Chae-jin, and they accepted my offer. I was grateful they were so understanding.
“Gi No-ya, Wi-yeol, let’s return together.”
“Very well.”
“Let’s.”
We left Cheonghoeru, loaded up the cart with the supplies for Yohan and Chang-ju, along with the iron shipment for the sword and shield unit, and set off for Seomhwa Village.
Perhaps because of the increased number of passengers and cargo, slowing us down, a group of bandits ambushed us.
And from behind, strange screams and the rumbling of the earth could be heard.
A simultaneous attack by bandits and monsters.
“Ehehehe! Hand over everything you…”
-SLASH! They were no match for us. Not with the number of masters in this cart.
Gi No-ya simply flicked his wrist, and his silver threads flashed, severing the bandit leader’s head.
Simultaneously, Wi-yeol charged with his spear, and Hong-ryeon leaped from the cart to confront the approaching monsters.
“Is that the legendary silver threads, the Heavenly Net?”
Gi No-ya’s unique hidden weapon, the silver threads, became as sharp as blades when infused with internal energy, possessing both cutting power and the ability to create traps.
One of the reasons I’d wanted Gi No-ya on our side was because of this weapon. I’d tried to acquire some myself, but they were only sold in the north.
“Indeed. These are Heavenly Net threads, crafted from Heavenly Silkworms found only in the northern Cheonjam Valley. It’s quite well-known in the north, but not so much around here.”
That made sense. Travel to and from the north was limited to high-level martial artists, military personnel, and government officials, due to the constant monster attacks.
“Why did you come south from the north, Master Gi?”
Chae-jin asked curiously, and Gi No-ya chuckled.
True to his nature, he seemed to have no qualms about sharing his story. He took a swig of alcohol from a bottle he’d brought from Cheonghoeru and began.
“I was working as a hunter in the north. Heh. My lord saved me. And he asked me to join him.”
“Your lord… General Cheon?”
“That’s right. He was amazing in his youth. We traveled together, him, that brat, and I, defeating all sorts of enemies.”
Chae-jin listened with amusement as the renowned master recounted his tales.
Wi-yeol, returning after dispatching the bandits, frowned.
“Don’t take that old man’s stories too seriously. Most of them are exaggerations.”
“You little…!”
The two began bickering again.
Hong-ryeon, having dealt with the Biduman and Joyoryeong monsters that had attacked from behind, casually sat beside me.
“Wasn’t Chang-ju looking for this?”
she asked, holding up a small gem.
“Oh? Yes! Joyogeum.”
This gem, obtained from the Joyo, a bull-like monster with two horns tipped with gems, was used to enhance talismans.
It was an essential ingredient for crafting higher-level talismans, so I’d asked her to acquire some if possible.
Now, we had one more in addition to those I’d purchased in Yangwi Castle and from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
“Will you give it to her?”
“It’s only right. Thank you.”
“Heehee. Just words?”
“Come visit sometime. We’ll have a meal together. Feel free to bring others if you wish.”
“Alright.”
After a satisfied Hong-ryeon returned to her seat, Wi-yeol, finished bickering with Gi No-ya, approached us.
He wasn’t asking for payment for his services, was he?
“By the way, Mister Yu, this belonged to one of the bandits.”
“What is it? A crow emblem?”
Chae-jin asked, leaning closer, and I shrugged.
“It doesn’t seem to be a Green Forest League emblem… perhaps it’s from a new group?”
Wi-yeol suggested, and Gi No-ya frowned, examining the emblem.
“They’re always up to something.”
“Let me see.”
Hong-ryeon sat beside me and scrutinized the emblem in my hand.
“I don’t recognize it. There’s no mention of such an emblem in the Murim Alliance records.”
“Then it must be a newly formed group. The only new group I can think of is…”
“The New Black Lotus Society. I’ll look into it.”
As Gi No-ya spoke with a serious expression, I pocketed the emblem.
If this truly belonged to the New Black Lotus Society… could I collect these emblems, like in Heavenly Moonlight, and bring them to the original Black Lotus Society for a reward? I hoped so.
The rewards from the Black Lotus Society were quite generous. Considering Wang Hwi’s dislike for unnecessary conflict, he was likely to cooperate…
And if he didn’t, I’d find a way to persuade him. There were always ways.
We returned to Seomhwa Village without further incident, aside from the bandit and monster encounter.
I offered Wi-yeol and Gi No-ya their old rooms and then turned to Chae-jin.
“I need to visit the sword and shield unit and the government office. Would you like to rest?”
“No, I’ll come with you.”
“Very well. Hong-ryeon, I’ll give you a ride back after I’m finished. Would you like to come along? Or you can return on your own if you prefer…”
“Heehee. Thank you.”
As she settled comfortably into the cart, I rummaged through my belongings and retrieved the envelope Cheon Il-hwa had given me.
“And… here.”
I handed her the envelope containing the bank notes for her share of the profits from the herbs and fragrance sachets, after deducting my portion.
“T-this much?!”
“It’s the agreed-upon split, as per the contract. A middleman can’t take too much of a cut.”
And I had no intention of doing so. Besides, I hadn’t made a loss either.
“Th-then… could I leave this with you?”
“Certainly, but wouldn’t it be better to keep it yourself?”
“We purchase most of our supplies from your store anyway…”
Perfect. I could discreetly supplement their funds.
“Alright, then. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to take it or ask for it. But just in case…”
I pressed half of the notes back into her hand.
“Keep some for yourself. Generosity begins at home, and an empty purse breeds anxiety. It always pained me to see Hong Seong-mun struggling financially. Now, you don’t have to worry about upholding Hong Seong’s teachings.”
“…Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m just doing what’s necessary.”
It was true. We were simply exchanging favors. I said firmly and drove off.
Mak No-ya was overjoyed with the iron shipment, and the magistrate was pleased with the news from General Cheon.
However, with the near certainty of an attack, a shadow of concern fell upon the magistrate’s face.
Still, he resolved to overcome this trial, as being prepared was far better than being caught unaware.
With renewed determination, the magistrate began personally overseeing the soldiers’ training. We returned to the inn, and Hong-ryeon, disembarking, smiled and said,
“I’ll visit this evening.”
“Why? Won’t you be tired?”
“Not at all. And tonight’s the night for your… Qi and Blood treatment, isn’t it?”
“Qi and Blood?”
Chae-jin asked, puzzled, and I briefly explained. A smile played on Hong-ryeon’s lips, and an even wider one spread across Chae-jin’s.
“Then I’ll see you this evening. This works out well. I had some things to discuss with you.”
“Heehee. Yes.”
After Hong-ryeon left, I drove back to the inn. And there, I found a group of people.
“Sister~!”
Chae-ryeon, who had gone to the Hang-a’s hidden area, had returned.
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