Chapter 157: What Is The Life Of A Gold Digger (2)
Chapter 156 – What Is The Life Of A Gold Digger (2)
Now Murong Gang also stepped forward and asked.
“Then how many attendants do you usually have when you travel alone?”
He naturally joined the conversation, as if having forgotten that he had been growling and showing his teeth at Paeng Su-hyeok just a moment ago.
Paeng Su-hyeok also ignored Murong Gang and just stared intently at Jin So-hong.
All the cadets waited for Jin So-hong to open her mouth.
‘Now, for some reason, I’m anticipating it.’
*Gulp.*
When someone even swallowed hard, Jin So-hong, seeing that all eyes were on her, smiled.
“When I travel alone, there aren’t that many. And since I entered the Dragon Heaven Academy, I haven’t had any attendants.”
“So, how many were there before that?”
As Paeng Su-hyeok pressed her again, Jin So-hong rolled her eyes for a moment and answered.
“Not that many… about five hundred?”
“F-f… five hundred!”
“Five hundred people just to travel alone?”
“Since I’m an only child, my dad is a bit… excessive, isn’t he?”
It is not ‘a bit’, not at all!
Murong Gang cleared his throat and replied.
“It certainly makes sense now how they could build a house in a single day.”
The other cadets also nodded their heads.
Yun Jong-seung asked again.
“The house built back then wasn’t large, right? Since you used it alone.”
“Of course it wasn’t large. It was just to sleep in for a short while, after all.”
“Indeed… but still, to build a house…”
“It just had a separate bedroom and bathroom.”
“…….”
“Since I have to wash up.”
“…….”
“It was so shabby that I feel somewhat embarrassed talking about it.”
Her standard of embarrassment is not normal at all!
Whether she knew what the cadets were thinking or not, Jin So-hong smiled faintly, looking truly bashful.
Meanwhile, Paeng Su-hyeok, feeling a sense of relative deprivation, jumped up with a blank look and trudged off somewhere, muttering.
“To hell with martial arts. I should have done business. Business. Money is everything in this world. Damn it… what should I sell to make that much money… *mumble, mumble… mumble, mumble…*”
Yun Jong-seung also let out a sigh filled with helplessness.
“Sigh, I’m really envious. I don’t know what my father was doing instead of becoming a tycoon.”
“Are you envious?”
The one who suddenly threw the question was none other than Namgung Cheon.
Yun Jong-seung nodded.
“Honestly, I am. Aren’t you envious?”
“Well. It seems like it would be tiring.”
“What?”
“If you become a tycoon, won’t bastards targeting your father’s wealth pull all kinds of tricks day in and day out? Conciliation, threats, fraud, deception… it would be hard to tell who among the countless people is approaching you with sincerity. Being kidnapped during the Joint Conference, facing the threat of death, and accepting such things as daily life… it is indeed tiring.”
“Ah…….”
He had not thought that far.
Come to think of it, he seemed to have heard that Jin So-hong wearing a human skin mask covered in freckles was for a similar reason.
He had overlooked that behind that glamorous life, there would be immense pressure and harassment.
‘Namgung Cheon thought that far ahead.’
For some reason, Namgung Cheon looked different again.
He had thought him to be only violent and reckless, but he had a deeper side than expected.
Jin So-hong also looked different.
He had considered her just a silver spoon who had never suffered because she only giggled.
Seeing her so bright and innocent in such an environment… No, is she acting bright and innocent? Anyway, isn’t she amazing either way?
‘I still have a long way to go.’
While Yun Jong-seung reflected anew, Jin So-hong stretched and said.
“Anyway, let us complete this mission safely and return. On the way back, I must buy some souvenirs in Guangxi Province. It is my first time going to Guangxi!”
‘Seeing that, she is just a normal girl of her age after all. I should discard my prejudices.’
Yun Jong-seung smiled and asked.
“Did you bring travel money?”
“We departed in such a hurry that I couldn’t bring much.”
“Haha. Then I will buy it for you. How much did you bring?”
“Just a single ten-thousand-tael bill.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Ten thousand… taels?”
“Yes.”
“Ah… I see…”
With a pale face, Yun Jong-seung looked up at the sky.
Damn it, he was still envious after all. A silver spoon!
* * *
After traveling for several days, the cadets finally entered the Guilin region of Guangxi Province.
The terrain of Guilin, which could be considered a relatively remote frontier even within the Central Plains, felt very unfamiliar and mysterious to the cadets.
Looking at the Li River flowing leisurely through thousands of limestone peaks, one could almost mistake it for having arrived in a celestial realm.
Deeply intoxicated by the quiet yet beautiful scenery, Yu Hyeon let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Ah… it is truly beautiful. I thought I had seen enough famous mountains… but this is a completely different feeling.”
And for good reason, as was Yu Hyeon’s background not the Mount Hua Sect?
The superb view of Mount Hua was beyond description.
The other cadets reacted similarly. Even Yun Jong-seung, who lived near Mount Huang, was deeply enchanted by the exotic landscape and repeatedly voiced his admiration.
“How should I put it? It feels very cute, yet it is grand and beautiful. It is contradictory, but it is hard to express in words.”
“It certainly gives a different feeling from the solemn, superb views of the Central Plains.”
Paeng Su-hyeok also nodded in agreement.
Of course, Namgung Cheon, who had roamed across the entire Central Plains, was indifferent. Should it be said it was just a feeling of new emotions upon returning after a long time?
However, the one who voiced the most admiration among the cadets was none other than Jin So-hong.
“Wow! It is truly beautiful! So pretty! I think I would want to live here!”
Even as she walked along the river, Jin So-hong admired it all the way. No matter how much of a silver spoon she was, it was her first time visiting such a remote frontier.
Seeing a few ferry boats fishing in the river, she tilted her head.
“There is a bird on each boat. Is it a crow? It looks like a duck too.”
“It is a cormorant.”
The one who replied indifferently was none other than Namgung Cheon. Since he had already been to the Guilin region, it was not an unusual sight for him.
The cadets’ gazes turned to Namgung Cheon.
“Cormorant? Is that the name of a bird?”
Namgung Cheon nodded.
“Its feathers are black, so it looks like a crow at first glance, and its appearance also looks like a duck. In fact, if you look at the soles of its feet, they are webbed like a duck.”
“Oh, I see.”
“It really is. Looking at the cormorant’s feet, they look as if they are wearing black leather shoes. It is different from a duck.”
Yu Hyeon used his internal energy to enhance his vision and observe the bird perched on the boat.
“But it is a bit strange. All the cormorants are wearing leashes around their necks.”
“Because they are for fishing.”
“Fishing?”
This time, Jin So-hong asked abruptly again.
Namgung Cheon nodded and continued speaking.
“A cormorant’s beak is hook-like, making it optimal for hunting fish. However, because its neck is tied with a cord, it cannot swallow the fish. Then the fisherman takes the fish out of the cormorant’s beak and makes it hunt again. The hunting ability of a hungry cormorant is the best.”
“How pitiful.”
Jin So-hong looked at the cormorants with pity.
Namgung Cheon smirked.
“It seems our situation is no different from the cormorants anyway.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“We perform the tricks, and that old man, the Alliance Leader, takes the credit.”
At that, Bi Ryang, who was walking ahead, laughed awkwardly.
“Haha. Why go that far… By the way, Cheon knows all sorts of things. I doubt you’ve ever been to Guangxi Province.”
Why wouldn’t he have been?
It would be harder to find a place he hadn’t been in the Central Plains.
Namgung Cheon swallowed his inner thoughts and shrugged.
“What is there for an official pushover to do? Just shutting himself in his room and reading books day and night. Because of that, I have a bit of general knowledge.”
“Ho. A pushover’s life is not entirely bad to look at, then.”
Is he really saying that? That guy.
Namgung Cheon was internally ticked off but just ignored it. There was no need to invite trouble for no reason.
At any rate, the cadets, who had traveled a very long distance, stared blankly at the exotic scenery.
Breaking away from the scenery they always saw made it feel as if they had truly come on a trip.
* * *
Yeon Chu-ryang, the Leader of the Biyue Sect, came to visit the Guilin Branch with a large crowd of his disciples.
The Branch Leader came out to the courtyard to greet Yeon Chu-ryang.
“Welcome, Sect Leader. But what brings you here with so many members of your family?”
“Did you not say they would arrive around today?”
“Ah, the reinforcements.”
“Yes. That is why I purposely brought the disciples along to greet them with full courtesy.”
“Haha. I see. That is a good idea. Those who come from the Alliance will probably like it too.”
“Since they traveled a long way for our sect, we must treat them as hospitably as possible.”
“Of course. You are right. Shall we go out to the entrance of the village to greet them together?”
“No, I am a bit cautious about that. It would not be good for the Three Peaks Sect to find out in advance.”
“Ah… indeed. My thinking was short-sighted.”
“I think it would be best to welcome them grandly at the branch first, and then move to our sect together.”
“Yes, I understand your intention well, Sect Leader.”
The Branch Leader smiled gently and nodded.
Yeon Chu-ryang also returned the smile and looked at the northeastern sky.
How close would the ones sent by the Alliance be by now?
Perhaps they had already entered Guilin.
The reinforcements dispatched directly by the Alliance.
His heart fluttered at the thought of meeting them.
He heard that whether it was the Blue Wave Corps or the Iron Blood Squad, they were so grand that they could destroy a decent sect if they set their minds to it.
‘Since it is our first meeting, we must welcome them hospitably.’
Calming his pounding chest, Yeon Chu-ryang turned to his disciples and ordered.
“Form ranks and prepare to welcome our precious guests!”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
Having replied, the disciples moved in perfect order to arrange their ranks. Anyone entering the main gate of the branch would be surprised to see so many martial artists gathered to welcome them.
Watching the disciples with pride, Yeon Chu-ryang quietly called the Branch Leader.
“Um, Branch Leader.”
“Please speak, Sect Leader.”
“Do you still not know which organization is coming?”
“Yes, I am sorry. Honestly, I was cautious about asking in detail. Lest it appear as if we were trying to choose our reinforcements…”
“Haha, I understand. Still, it is fine since it is certain they were dispatched by the Law Enforcement Hall.”
“Indeed. I clearly received a letter stating that the Lord of the Homin Pavilion under the Law Enforcement Hall dispatched them directly.”
“I see. Thank you very much, Branch Leader. Thanks to you, we should be able to complete this transport mission safely and recover the trust of our sect.”
“What did I even do? I merely conveyed your situation, Sect Leader, and requested support.”
“At any rate, we should be able to humble the Three Peaks Sect with this. It will confirm that the Alliance has by no means abandoned our sect. Though we are on the frontier, it will show that the Alliance’s reach extends here too.”
“Of course.”
It was at that moment.
An underling hurriedly ran in and reported.
“The reinforcements dispatched by the Alliance have entered the entrance of the village. They will arrive at the branch shortly!”
“Oh, finally! Let us also welcome them with full courtesy! They are the ones who traveled a long way for our branch and the Biyue Sect!”
“Yes, sir!”
The martial artists of the branch replied vigorously and also lined up to wait.
Martial artists filled the courtyard densely, split to the left and right.
At the end of the line stood the Branch Leader and Yeon Chu-ryang with expectant hearts.
‘Finally, the elite forces from the Martial Alliance!’
Finally, the main gate of the branch slowly opened.
The gate opened, and they walked in. At first sight, I…
‘What is this kid doing here?’
Namgung Cheon, who entered first, looked around and widened his eyes.
“Whoa, there are so damn many.”
What? What are there many of?
Namgung Cheon shouted toward the outside of the gate.
“I think we came to the wrong place. There are so damn many people here!”