Chapter 156: What Is The Life Of A Gold Digger (1)
Chapter 155 – What Is The Life Of A Gold Digger (1)
Im Tae-pung’s gaze rested on Murong Gang.
‘That fellow is Murong Gang. I heard he is the younger brother of Corps Leader Murong Sin. Could Corps Leader Murong be using his younger brother to make up for the mistake he made in the kidnapping of cadet Jin So-hong last time?’
Stopping his thoughts, Im Tae-pung soon shook his head.
It was going too far.
Even if that were the case, Murong Sin would have no need to use such a troublesome method, would he?
He could just come to him and give a word of warning.
Now, Im Tae-pung’s gaze turned toward Baek Mu-geuk.
‘That guy just seems to have no thoughts. Could it be from the Jongnam Sect?’
Im Tae-pung looked back at Yun Gyeong.
However, this time too, he soon shook his head.
‘That makes no sense. Why would Jongnam do such a thing…’
As expected, no answer came.
He had hoped that looking at the cadets might give him some clue.
‘That fellow is Namgung Cheon, who won the Joint Conference. Could it be the work of those targeting Namgung Cheon?’
Since Namgung Cheon was the illegitimate son of the Great Killing Star, there might be someone harboring a grudge.
However, there was still nothing that fit perfectly.
Or were they targeting cadet Jin So-hong again this time?
As his thoughts spun, Bi Ryang’s voice was heard from the side.
“Pavilion Lord?”
“Ah, my apologies. I was thinking for a moment.”
Regaining his senses late, Im Tae-pung withdrew his thoughts.
Namgung Cheon, who was watching him, wore a somewhat wicked smile.
‘He seems to have quite a headache.’
Indeed, he must be burning with anxiety by now.
He would be driven to the brink of death by the nausea rising from time to time.
Actually, what Im Tae-pung ingested was not a deadly poison.
It was a simple emetic.
However, because special medicinal ingredients had been used, the vomiting would not stop for a month unless he took the antidote.
What if a month passed?
It would stop naturally.
By then, Im Tae-pung would also realize that what he ingested was not a deadly poison.
Just then, Paeng Su-hyeok whispered to Yun Jong-seung.
“At this rate, I think he might kick the bucket from thinking too much.”
Indeed, even at this very moment, Im Tae-pung was at death’s door due to the nausea that struck from time to time.
It was difficult for him to even stand upright with a clear mind. His head spun and his hands and feet trembled.
“Pavilion Lord, if you are not feeling well…”
“N-no. I will speak.”
Im Tae-pung raised his hand.
He could not show weakness over something like this.
Taking a deep breath, Im Tae-pung opened his mouth with difficulty.
“You will be going to the Guilin Branch in Guangxi Province.”
“Guangxi Province?”
As Paeng Su-hyeok asked back in surprise, Im Tae-pung nodded and continued speaking.
“To be precise, you are going to support the Biyue Sect through the Guilin Branch. You will learn the details of the mission there.”
“Which organization are we being integrated into?”
“You are…?”
As Im Tae-pung narrowed his eyes, Paeng Su-hyeok squared his shoulders and said.
“I am Paeng Su-hyeok. A few days ago, I fought against the escapee’s accomplices in the Righteous Sword Squad.”
“Ah, so you are Paeng Su… of the Hebei Paeng Clan… Uuuegh!”
Due to the sudden rise of nausea, Im Tae-pung dry-heaved on the spot.
Paeng Su-hyeok’s expression distorted.
‘That’s disgusting! Isn’t this too rude?’
Whether he cared or not, Im Tae-pung dry-heaved for a long time, wiped the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, and corrected his posture.
Because he had been vomiting since last night, only sour fluid came up now.
“A-anyway… only you are going. There is… n-no… organization… going with you.”
“Yes? Then only the cadets are being dispatched?”
“Yes. Only you will be dispatched. The Hebei Paeng Clan is a family specialized in real combat. I look forward to it, Paeng Su… Kuueegh!”
Paeng Su-hyeok’s face was filled with dissatisfaction.
‘Ah, what is this? Why does he only retch when he says my name! Am I that disgusting?’
Seeing Im Tae-pung who could not even stop now, Bi Ryang quickly supported him.
“Pavilion Lord, are you alright? I will assist you. Let us go inside.”
“T-then, I will leave the cadets in your hands.”
“Do not worry.”
Supported by Bi Ryang, Im Tae-pung stumbled into the pavilion.
Afterward, the cadets immediately began to pack their bags.
* * *
“This is the last time.”
The Lord of the Jangheung Escort Agency, Yi Sa-heum, spoke with a shallow sigh.
Yeon Chu-ryang, the Leader of the Biyue Sect, flinched and stared blankly at his teacup. He could not bring himself to look at Yi Sa-heum.
For he did not know what kind of expression he would make right now.
Honestly, his disappointment was great.
However, how could he blame Yi Sa-heum?
They had already failed twice.
After the Black Mountain Stronghold settled near Guilin, the Jangheung Escort Agency reached out to the Biyue Sect whenever there was an important cargo.
It was something to be grateful for.
For the Biyue Sect was heard to have passed its prime in Guilin now.
When something important happened, they sought the Three Peaks Sect more often than the Biyue Sect now.
Nevertheless, the Jangheung Escort Agency did not abandon the Biyue Sect and sought them out.
Twice, at that.
It was also a repayment for Yeon Chu-ryang having saved Yi Sa-heum when he was in crisis during a transport mission long ago.
However, the last two transport missions had both been failures.
Despite thorough preparations, the Black Mountain Stronghold raided the transport, forcing both the Biyue Sect and the Jangheung Escort Agency to suffer immense losses.
Had it been any other escort agency, they would have turned their backs on the Biyue Sect long ago.
Even so, the Lord of the Jangheung Escort Agency sought out the Biyue Sect for a third time.
However, he had now delivered an ultimatum.
The final request.
If they failed even this time, the Jangheung Escort Agency would also entrust all their requests to the Three Peaks Sect.
Though disappointing, Yi Sa-heum had done as much as he could.
He had kept his loyalty to the very end.
Rather, it was time for this side to repay his heart. The Biyue Sect had to answer his trust.
Of course, it was likely not out of pure loyalty.
Had the Biyue Sect not joined the Martial Alliance, the Jangheung Escort Agency might have cut ties even sooner.
‘What on earth… is the Alliance doing?’
A sigh laden with worry rose to his throat, but he did not spit it out.
Lest he appear lacking in confidence.
Yi Sa-heum rose from his seat.
“Then, I shall leave. You do not need to see me out. Please show the strength of the Biyue Sect in this transport mission.”
His tone was quite earnest.
He too would not want to turn his back on his savior and the Biyue Sect, which had joined the Martial Alliance.
Yi Sa-heum nodded.
“Do not worry too much, Agency Lord. We will surely repay that trust this time.”
“Well then.”
Yi Sa-heum bid farewell and turned around.
Although told not to come far, Yeon Chu-ryang saw him off to the main gate. It was just as he sent Yi Sa-heum off and turned back.
Had a familiar face not run over in a hurry from the opposite alley?
‘Is that person… the Guilin Branch Leader?’
There was no mistake. It was the Martial Alliance Guilin Branch Leader.
He he reached Yeon Chu-ryang, he spoke with a flushed face.
“Sect Leader! The response has finally arrived! The response from the Alliance has arrived!”
“From the Alliance? Oh, what did they say?”
“They said they will send support!”
“Ah, indeed! Finally, the Alliance!”
“Haha. What did I tell you? Didn’t I say that if you waited a little, the Alliance would surely take action?”
Although it took a bit too long, was it not something to be glad about that they were providing support even now?
“So, who is coming?”
“Well. I have not heard which organization they dispatched. However, since the Law Enforcement Hall dispatched them, would it not be the Blue Wave Corps or the Iron Blood Squad?”
“Oh, the Blue Wave Corps! The Iron Blood Squad!”
If it were those two organizations, were they not the elite of elites?
They would surely be a great help to the Biyue Sect.
The Three Peaks Sect would also be forced to watch their step upon seeing that the Martial Alliance cared that much.
“I hope either the Blue Wave Corps or the Iron Blood Squad arrives quickly.”
“Indeed. By the way, why were you out here?”
“The Jangheung Escort Agency requested us to escort their final transport.”
“Ah… the last one. When is it?”
“I believe it will be in fifteen days.”
“Oh! That should be around the time the support sent by the Alliance arrives. That is truly a relief.”
“Indeed. Things seem to be working out after all.”
“I would prefer the Blue Wave Corps if possible.”
“Haha. What does it matter if it is the Iron Blood Squad? Either way, they are the Alliance’s elite forces. Hahaha!”
For the first time in a while, Yeon Chu-ryang laughed heartily and brushed off his worries.
* * *
*Crackle. Pop.*
The firewood burned down.
Sparks flew and scattered into the darkness.
Throwing a piece of kindling into the campfire, Bi Ryang smiled and spoke.
“Now, gathering like this and going on a mission together will become a good memory later. Chat amongst yourselves and get some rest. I will excuse myself now.”
“Yes? Are you going to sleep?”
As Yun Jong-seung asked in surprise, Bi Ryang stretched lazily and said.
“*Yawn.* I must sleep. When you get old, you lose your morning sleep, so you have to sleep early.”
‘You aren’t even that old.’
As Yun Jong-seung muttered to himself, Bi Ryang’s presence faded away as if buried in the darkness.
“Ah… he left.”
Standing awkwardly, Yun Jong-seung stiffly turned his head and looked at the cadets.
The cadets were sitting around the campfire.
While it looked like a pleasant sight at a glance, the reality was that they were like gamecocks looking for any chance to draw their blades.
‘Ah… the atmosphere gets weird whenever the instructor isn’t here…’
Already, Paeng Su-hyeok and Murong Gang were engaged in a spark-flying battle of nerves across the campfire.
Meanwhile, Baek Mu-geuk kept glancing at Namgung Cheon, constantly muttering to himself.
Amidst all this, Jin So-hong was the only one wearing a somewhat relaxed smile.
“This is nice. Camping out like this. I’ve always wanted to try it.”
Paeng Su-hyeok, who was next to her, asked with an indifferent expression.
“Is this your first time camping?”
“Mmh. It is my first time just sleeping outdoors like this.”
“Then what did you do when you stayed in places without taverns?”
The Central Plains were vast.
Particularly, to go to a distant frontier like this, one had to travel for more than a day between villages.
Jin So-hong shrugged and said nonchalantly.
“Usually, my attendants build a house for me.”
“……!”
In an instant, the surrounding cadets opened their mouths wide and looked at Jin So-hong.
They were all thinking the same thing.
No, is that something to say while shrugging so casually!
Only after a long while did Paeng Su-hyeok ask with a dumbfounded expression.
“A house… build a house? In a single day?”
“Yes. Why?”
“No, is that even possible?”
“Why would it be impossible?”
“No… was a house originally something built in a single day?”
Muttering as if to himself, Paeng Su-hyeok suddenly spun around, grabbed Yun Jong-seung by the collar, and shook him.
“You answer me. Am I just ignorant and don’t know? Are houses originally like that?”
“Ah… I have never built a house myself… but wouldn’t it be impossible to build a house in a single day?”
“See? That is common sense, right? I’m not the ignorant one!”
Then Yu Hyeon, who was quietly listening, smiled broadly and looked at Jin So-hong.
“By the way, how many attendants did you have?”
“Mmh.”
Jin So-hong rolled her starlit eyes around and replied nonchalantly this time as well.
“Usually, when I travel with my dad… a thousand?”
“What!”
“O-o-one… a thousand! You said a thousand!”
Paeng Su-hyeok shouted in utter shock. He looked on the verge of foaming at the mouth from surprise.
The other cadets were the same.
Was this the world of a true silver spoon?