Chapter 161: Really Rude Guy (4)
Chapter 160 – Really Rude Guy (4)
Guilin, where thousands of limestone peaks formed a grand spectacle.
On top of one of those peaks, four unorthodox martial artists stood in aloof postures, braving the wind.
Though the sheer cliff was dizzying just to look at, the four martial artists had calm expressions, as if standing on flat ground.
“We ended up coming all the way here.”
As the Black Fairy muttered as if to herself, Young Master Jade Flute, who stood beside her, replied with his usual bright smile.
“You didn’t really need to come all this way, though.”
“Hmph! Is the Demon Elixir Valley surely around here?”
“Ah, you shouldn’t look for ‘surety’ in the affairs of the Jianghu. It’s not like you are a newcomer to the Jianghu.”
As Young Master Jade Flute laughed it off slyly, the Black Fairy snorted once more and averted her gaze.
Just as Young Master Jade Flute said, nothing is certain in the affairs of the Jianghu.
Over the past several centuries, every time a rumor spread that a treasure had appeared, how much blood had the Jianghu shed?
Yet among those times, those when a treasure actually appeared could be counted on one hand.
Even so, that they did not mind the trouble of coming to such a frontier meant there was some basis for it.
Yao Chong quietly spoke up.
“It is too late to say ‘if not, then whatever’ now, Young Master Jade Flute.”
“Hmm. Having barely floated a boat that was about to sink, to receive such a threat. My heart aches.”
“It is not a threat, but…”
“If the Black Blood Squad handled the matter properly in the first place, you wouldn’t have needed to listen to me, right?”
“Ugh.”
Yao Chong groaned and looked away.
Seeing that, Young Master Jade Flute smiled and continued speaking.
“Well, I’m not trying to bring up past events. It’s just that you spoke to me as if interrogating me. Haha.”
“…….”
Showing a refreshing laugh that would make anyone feel good, Young Master Jade Flute soon assumed a serious expression and continued.
“I merely stated my own reasoning for why we must come here. And you all agreed with my view.”
“Is certain that the instructor named Bi Ryang was a secret agent of the Alliance Leader?”
“Yes. They call it the Secret Line Division.”
“According to our gang’s investigation, the instructor named Bi Ryang certainly possessed natural talent as a martial artist, but was appointed to a minor local post…”
“That appointment to a minor local post was not the truth. In reality, he was selected to be part of the Secret Line Division.”
The Secret Line Division.
It was the Martial Alliance Leader’s direct secret strike force.
A strike force so stealthy that only a very few within the Martial Alliance knew of its existence.
Naturally, it was formed only of the elite of elites.
Though it was unknown how Young Master Jade Flute knew of such an organization, he was saying that Instructor Bi Ryang, who led the cadets, was from that very Secret Line Division.
Fanning himself with a golden folding fan, Young Master Jade Flute continued speaking.
“Isn’t it strange? That someone from the Secret Line Division is active as a mere instructor?”
“If that is true, it is certainly strange.”
Matriarch Red Elder, who had remained quiet until now, nodded and muttered.
“And another thing. The Black Blood Squad Leader is an expert who has climbed to the first-rate realm. Yet according to the obtained information, he was defeated by a cadet, wasn’t he? Do you think that makes sense?”
“It must have been the work of that instructor named Bi Ryang.”
“Yes. And another thing here.”
“…….”
“The Martial Alliance never paid much attention to such remote areas. Yet they suddenly dispatched cadets. Without even integrating them into any organization. Coincidentally, this happened right after the Saber-Severing Ghost was turned into an idiot.”
“Mmh.”
“Don’t you smell something? The stench is so strong that it’s hard for me to breathe.”
Before anyone knew it, a somewhat bizarre smile bloomed on Young Master Jade Flute’s face.
It was proof that he was highly excited.
Though he usually wore a soft and beautiful smile, in moments of ecstasy, he wore a laugh tinged with a hint of madness.
Young Master Jade Flute wiggled his fingers and continued speaking.
“The one who made the Saber-Severing Ghost an idiot was actually Bi Ryang, and that Bi Ryang found the location of the Demon Elixir Valley, so the Alliance Leader sent Bi Ryang to the Demon Elixir Valley. However, knowing that we are watching closely, he covers our eyes under the pretext of a cadet dispatch mission. That is my reasoning.”
It was certainly plausible.
Otherwise, there were many parts of this cadet dispatch that were not easily understood.
Besides, Young Master Jade Flute’s intuition had a relatively high probability of being correct.
Matriarch Red Elder nodded and took steps with her hands clasped behind her back.
“I hope your reasoning is correct.”
“Well, even if it’s wrong, you can’t pass the blame to me.”
“Instead, even if it’s right, the credit won’t be yours alone.”
“Haha. I will keep that in mind.”
Young Master Jade Flute’s clear laughter echoed from the limestone peak.
* * *
“Hmm? I think I just heard the sound of a blind cow catching a rat by stepping backward.”
As Namgung Cheon suddenly snapped his head up and muttered, Paeng Su-hyeok frowned deeply and grumbled.
“What kind of sound is that specific?”
“Hmm. Did I hear wrong?”
“It’s not the sound of catching a rat, but the sound of catching a person.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because you smashed the Three Peaks Sect’s Young Sect Leader and his bodyguard to pieces, and now the Biyue Sect Leader is on the verge of falling ill in bed!”
Paeng Su-hyeok barked.
Really, what kind of person was he to visit someone else’s house and cause this much trouble?
Was his thought process just that different?
However, the words that came out of Namgung Cheon’s mouth, who had turned serious, were a sight to behold.
“Hmm. Was he that upset? Did he want to hit them himself after all? I should have left at least one punch for him to throw directly.”
Leave what!
Is that food?
This guy certainly had a very different thought process.
‘Even I am quite a reckless guy, but this Namgung Cheon is a guy who is reckless without a single thought.’
Paeng Su-hyeok shook his head and said.
“Do you think the Sect Leader is worrying like that over such a thing?”
“Then what? That insolent bastard won’t even show his face around here anymore, so what is the problem?”
“You really don’t know how the situation is turning out at all, do you?”
“Why wouldn’t I know? Once we set off on the transport mission soon, the Demon… no, anyway. What’s the problem?”
In truth, Namgung Cheon did not care about the Biyue Sect’s circumstances in the slightest.
For all his attention was currently directed solely at the Demon Elixir Valley. Rather, he was someone who would use the Biyue Sect in any way to get to the Demon Elixir Valley.
Paeng Su-hyeok internally clicked his tongue and looked at the room where the Sect Leader stayed with a pitiful expression.
Indeed, Yeon Chu-ryang, the Biyue Sect Leader, had been groaning day after day since that day.
Today was no exception.
He let out a long sigh with the Chief Administrator before him.
“Ugh. What should we do now? It seems the Three Peaks Sect Leader is thoroughly enraged.”
“It is understandable since his son returned beaten to a pulp.”
The Chief Administrator also replied in a voice mixed with worry.
Yeon Chu-ryang looked at the ceiling and let out another sigh.
“How on earth did we reach this state… Of all days, the date they requested the duel is in three days.”
“The day we set off on the transport mission.”
“They must have targeted it on purpose.”
“There is a high possibility of that.”
“Sigh, what should we do about this?”
“We cannot delay the transport mission. We must delay the duel.”
“The problem is that the Three Peaks Sect is not one to accept that, is it?”
“That… is true.”
The Chief Administrator also had nothing else to say in reply, so he lowered his head with a dark expression.
It was a highly intentional date for the duel.
A date on which they absolutely could not accept the duel due to the transport mission.
The Three Peaks Sect would try to do anything, claiming they were unilaterally ignored. In the worst-case scenario, they might chase after the transport and blatantly interfere.
Yet they couldn’t delay the transport mission to accept the duel either.
It was truly a dilemma.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and did Namgung Cheon not abruptly appear?
Yeon Chu-ryang’s eyes widened.
‘Why on earth did that cadet, who wouldn’t be enough even if I chewed him up, suddenly come here?’
As if to keep pace with his thoughts, Namgung Cheon shouted loudly.
“Sect Leader! Is that true?”
“W-what is?”
“That those ruffian-like bastards challenged us to a duel?”
“T-that is so.”
“No, those dog-like bastards! With what face do they challenge us to a duel? So when is the date?”
“The day we set off on the transport mission.”
“Ha! Look at these trash-like bastards. It is highly intentional. What rude humans, as if they ate their manners with rice.”
That seems to apply to you too, who just burst into my quarters.
“Sect Leader!”
“Huh? Yes?”
“Ignore that duel! The transport mission must set off as scheduled!”
“I intend to do so anyway.”
“Good thinking! From what I see, the route for this transport is very good.”
“The route is good?”
“Literally. The route is exactly the Demon… no, should I say a route where wealth seems to pour out endlessly? Hehehe. Anyway! Just ignore those subhumans and set off.”
“I intend to do so for now, but the Three Peaks Sect won’t stay quiet. In the worst-case scenario, they might chase after the transport and interfere.”
“Hmm. There certainly is a possibility of that if it’s those ill-mannered bastards. Then I will go.”
“Where?”
“The Three Peaks Sect.”
“Why there? To beg for forgiveness? However, they have already…”
“What are you talking about? Why would I beg for forgiveness? Forgiveness. I am the one in a position to decide whether to forgive them or not.”
Ah, I momentarily thought of that guy as a normal person.
What Yeon Chu-ryang had felt over the last few days was that Namgung Cheon was not normal.
He would ask about the destination of the cargo and smile vacantly, and then ask about the date of the transport and giggle incessantly.
One day, he wiggled his fingers and drooled, as if recalling some thoughts, muttering about medicine good for the body.
‘He is certainly not normal.’
Namgung Cheon abruptly continued.
“I will start by beating the Three Peaks Sect Leader to a pulp so that he won’t even be able to utter the word ‘duel’.”
“What?”
“Sect Leader, do not worry. I will resolve…”
“C-catch him! Catch that bastard!”
Instantly, the Chief Administrator and the bodyguard rushed forward and began to hold Namgung Cheon. However, Namgung Cheon tried to shake them off by gathering his internal energy.
In the end, the other cadets who had been watching also rushed over and clung to Namgung Cheon to hold him.
“Hey, hey! Stay still! What kind of trouble are you trying to cause again?”
“Trouble? I’m saying I’ll resolve it…”
“That is the trouble!”
“No, why are you guys…! Sect Leader, do you intend to endure it even after seeing those insolent bastards?”
You are the most insolent one.
“Let go of me! Sect Leader! I’m saying I’ll resolve it and come back!”
He would only escalate the incident further.
Yeon Chu-ryang massaged his temples repeatedly as he looked at the constantly shouting Namgung Cheon.
‘Where on earth did such an untamed rebel appear… Sigh.’
It was a day when worries deepened.
* * *
Time flowed ruthlessly, and the day to depart on the transport mission finally arrived.
Since there was no longer any place to retreat, Yeon Chu-ryang led his disciples and the cadets to visit the Jangheung Escort Agency.
Yi Sa-heum, the Lord of the Jangheung Escort Agency, had already loaded the cargo onto carriages and lined them up outside the main gate.
Though escort chiefs and escorts surrounded the carriages, their numbers were not very large due to the previous two failures.
“Welcome, Sect Leader.”
“It seems preparations are finished.”
“Yes. We made preparations since early dawn so that we could set off immediately upon your arrival.”
“I should have come a bit earlier to help you.”
“Not at all. Please just guard the cargo well.”
Yi Sa-heum spoke earnestly, bowing down to his waist.
Yeon Chu-ryang wore a bitter smile, feeling guilty in his heart.
“I shall surely do so.”
“But they are…”
As Yi Sa-heum’s gaze directed toward the cadets, including Namgung Cheon, Yeon Chu-ryang groaned and replied.
“The Alliance sent cadets.”
At that, Namgung Cheon walked over and offered a bright greeting.
“Hello, Agency Lord. I have a good feeling about this transport mission. The route is very good. The route.”
“Route…?”
“*Ahem!* You do not need to pay heed to that fellow’s words. The kid is slightly… anyway, let us depart quickly.”
“Then I shall trust only you, Sect Leader.”
Yi Sa-heum bowed his head and stood at the head of the transport.
Just then, Namgung Cheon approached Yeon Chu-ryang and abruptly spoke.
“Are we departing just like this?”
“Why now?”
As Yeon Chu-ryang asked with knitted brows, Namgung Cheon spoke with a thoughtful expression.
“Didn’t you say the Black Mountain Stronghold might target us?”
“So?”
“Shouldn’t there be at least a minimum countermeasure?”
“We have prepared as much as we could. The rest must be left to heaven. You just follow quietly.”
In the meantime, Yi Sa-heum, standing at the front, gave instructions, and the carriages carrying the cargo slowly began to move.
Yi Sa-heum, walking ahead, glanced back and looked at the cadets.
‘Of all things, cadets. They are not even elite martial artists. I hope those cadets won’t become a burden…’
A new worry blossomed in his mind.