Chapter 183: The Next Best Option (3)
Chapter 182 – The Next Best Option (3)
While Do Ji-baek walked following Chae Seon-il, Gang Sang-do nudged his side and, after drawing him quite a distance away, whispered in a low voice.
“What on earth do you plan to do?”
Do Ji-baek glanced around and replied quietly.
“About what?”
“When we meet the Jangheung Escort Agency, they will expose the fact that we joined hands, so how do you plan to handle it?”
Do Ji-baek chuckled.
“Is there evidence?”
“What?”
“I mean, evidence that you and I joined hands.”
“Hmm.”
Do Ji-baek smiled leisurely and continued speaking.
“The Jangheung Escort Agency did not even keep prisoners. Well, it is only natural since they wouldn’t drag prisoners along just because they were raided during an escort mission. However, that turned out to be their biggest mistake. It means there are no witnesses.”
“But what if the merchant leader believes their words?”
“Didn’t you see Owner Chae’s expression just now? Do you think he would trust the words of an escort agency that has already failed twice and failed yet again? Owner Chae’s mind has already leaned more than half toward me. Think about it carefully. The one who created this whole situation is not me, but Owner Chae.”
Gang Sang-do groaned and nodded faintly.
Certainly, Do Ji-baek’s words were right.
In the first place, Do Ji-baek merely intended to deliver the item and leave without regret. Was it not Chae Seon-il who laid out all the boards?
Do Ji-baek continued speaking.
“It is riding a tiger anyway. We have no choice but to go all the way, whether it ends in success or ruin. What if we back down now? We lose everything. You, Chief, can just set up a stronghold again and resort to looting, but my sect might not even be able to set foot in Guilin. Do you understand? Since we failed the last raid, we are in a situation where we have nothing more to lose.”
True.
Gang Sang-do kept his mouth shut tightly.
The higher the risk, the more one gains.
Whether ruined this way or that way.
If possible, it would be better to at least have an opportunity to make a big score.
Steeling his resolve, Gang Sang-do followed behind with a firm expression.
* * *
“The hospitality for guests is late.”
Namgung Cheon muttered while putting his clasped hands behind his head.
Although it was shockingly arrogant for a cadet’s behavior, none of the people participating in the escort mission scolded Namgung Cheon.
Instead, Yi Sa-heum smiled broadly and soothed Namgung Cheon.
“Still, it is a prominent merchant association in Guangxi Province. The Owner must be very busy.”
“Still, we brought the goods safely like this, so shouldn’t they offer at least some hospitality?”
“Haha. The Owner will probably do so. Today, everyone will be provided with a hearty meal and a comfortable bed after a long time. You all worked hard traveling a long and rough road in the meantime.”
These were not words spoken only to Namgung Cheon. It was a message delivered to everyone, including the escorts and porters.
‘Even so, the Owner is indeed a bit late.’
This rarely happened.
In the past, whenever an escort party arrived, he would welcome them with open arms and personally take care of even the subordinates.
But now, the treatment was so neglectful that it was embarrassing to have the Master of the Biwol Sect beside him.
‘Surely nothing bad has happened?’
While he was secretly concerned, Chae Seon-il just happened to enter over there.
“Ah, he is coming over there…!”
Yi Sa-heum, who was about to speak, flinched and looked past Chae Seon-il’s shoulder.
“Why is that fellow here!”
Yi Sa-heum’s eyebrows trembled violently. It was the same for Yeon Chu-ryang, who stood side-by-side with him.
“Y-you…!”
Was the one walking with a brazen face behind Chae Seon-il not none other than Do Ji-baek, the Leader of the Three Peaks Sect?
They had fought fiercely enough to settle life and death in the canyon, so they never dreamed they would see him again in a place like this.
Yi Sa-heum looked at Chae Seon-il with a flustered expression and asked demandingly.
“Owner, why is that fellow here?”
Chae Seon-il’s expression stiffened instantly. Since he had already heard about Guilin’s territorial behavior on his way, it merely looked to him as if Yi Sa-heum was checking the Three Peaks Sect for no reason.
“Ha! It seems the Escort Chief cannot even see me. Seeing that you are more curious about the guest who came to our association.”
His voice was cold to the extreme.
Only then did Yi Sa-heum realize his mistake and quickly apologized.
“Oh, I am sorry. Have you been well in the meantime? I was momentarily too shocked and made a mistake.”
“Why would you be so shocked? I thought you wouldn’t have anything to be shocked about anymore at this rate.”
“Pardon?”
“Enough. Where are the items?”
His voice was chilly throughout.
Although they had gone through ups and downs, Yi Sa-heum, who had transported the goods safely anyway, could not help but feel quite displeased.
“They are undergoing reorganization in front of the main gate.”
“Reorganization, you say. Does it seem like enough goods remained to even reorganize?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Enough. I am ready to listen, so tell me what happened.”
“Do you mean what happened during the escort mission?”
“What else would it be?”
“Ah, yes…”
Yi Sa-heum nodded his head and stole a glance at Yeon Chu-ryang’s reaction.
At that, Yeon Chu-ryang cupped his fists and stepped forward.
“Owner, have you been in good health? For some reason, the Owner’s mood seems very displeased today; did something happen by any chance?”
“I believe that is not what is important.”
“Mmh. There was some friction during the escort mission, but we got through it safely.”
At that, Chae Seon-il chuckled with an dumbfounded expression.
“You got through it safely? Are you speaking sincerely?”
“Ah, I can’t stand listening to this anymore out of frustration. So what on earth is the complaint?”
At that moment, everyone’s gaze turned to one spot. Standing there while picking his ear and resting his weight on one leg was Namgung Cheon, his brow heavily furrowed.
“Who are you?”
“I am the Divine Dragon of the Jianghu, Namgung Cheon.”
“The Divine Dragon of the Jianghu…?”
Is that a title?
No, does one usually utter such a title with one’s own mouth?
A hollow laugh came out.
“Interrupting abruptly when adults are having a conversation. How impudent…”
“Well, snapping fussily at someone who traveled a long way is not exactly polite either.”
“W-what?”
“I mean, if you have a complaint, just say it. What is this treatment for someone who came a long way? No matter if it’s a job done for money, if they broke through a rough road and brought the goods safely, shouldn’t you at least serve them a cup of tea while talking? Isn’t this too basic?”
“Y-you…! What on earth is that impudent fellow?”
As Chae Seon-il asked angrily, this time Yi Sa-heum and Yeon Chu-ryang also did not back down.
“Your words are too harsh, Owner. That young hero is a cadet officially dispatched from the Martial Alliance. He won the Joint Conference and is called by the title of Divine Dragon of the Jianghu.”
“Thanks to the Divine Dragon of the Jianghu, we were able to conclude the escort mission safely. Moreover, although Young Master Namgung’s words are somewhat rough, I think he is not wrong.”
Yeon Chu-ryang’s expression had already hardened stiffly.
“What?”
At this point, Chae Seon-il folded his arms with an dumbfounded expression.
“Fine! Let’s get straight to the point. I heard surprising news a moment ago. I even saw it directly with my own two eyes. I mean the news that you guys met the Black Mountain Stronghold during the escort mission and had the goods snatched away.”
“Pardon? What on earth does that…”
Yi Sa-heum widened his eyes, but on the other hand, he looked at Do Ji-baek standing behind Chae Seon-il.
“That lost item! I am saying Do, the Sect Leader here, brought it! Do you understand?”
“Ah…”
Only then did Yi Sa-heum nod, as if realizing roughly how the situation was turning.
However, his reaction was somehow very lukewarm. Thus, Chae Seon-il was even more dumbfounded.
‘Ha! Now he treats it as trivial even after losing the goods!’
However, the words that flowed from Yi Sa-heum’s mouth were unexpected.
“Owner, you have been deceived.”
“What?”
“That fellow joined hands with the Black Mountain Stronghold and raided the escort party. You asked what happened on the way, right? We fought to the death against him and the Black Mountain Stronghold, but there are no lost items.”
At that, Do Ji-baek approached while letting out a long sigh with an expression of regret.
“Escort Chief. Must you speak to that extent? I have no intention to particularly fall out with you. The same goes for the Biwol Sect.”
“A fellow who has no intention to fall out joined hands with the Black Mountain Stronghold and raided the escort party…”
“You are really too much. What is the reason you slander me to this extent? Do you want me to leave Guilin?”
“Ha!”
Do Ji-baek instantly turned to Chae Seon-il and said.
“As expected, it won’t do, Owner. The mistake of me settling down in Guilin seems to be great. I will consider the talk we had today as if it never happened.”
“No. I cannot allow that. I too cannot stand by any longer. Chief Yi! No matter how close your relationship with the Biwol Sect is, is this how you treat the person who retrieved the items you lost? I am deeply disappointed!”
“Owner, they really joined hands with the Black Mountain Stronghold…”
At that, Do Ji-baek stepped forward as if he could no longer endure, shouting loudly.
“This is really too much! Chief Yi! Do you have evidence that I joined hands with the Black Mountain bandits?”
Just then, a voice suddenly heard again.
“What if there is?”
“What?”
Do Ji-baek’s cheek twitched as he looked back at Namgung Cheon.
Namgung Cheon chuckled and asked.
“What if there is? Are you ready to get beaten up?”
“What on earth do you rely on to…”
“Owner.”
Chae Seon-il flinched and looked back at Namgung Cheon’s call.
“Did you call me?”
“Yes. Is the item said to be missing, by any chance, this one?”
As Namgung Cheon finished speaking, Yun Jong-seung just happened to run over carrying a box.
As Namgung Cheon opened the lid, did the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue not sit right inside, surprisingly?
“H-how is this…?”
Chae Seon-il’s expression shook noticeably. It was the same for Do Ji-baek standing beside him.
‘W-what? Why is the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue here too!’
Could it be that there were multiple statues, not just one?
No. Clearly, the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue was only one.
If so, does that not mean one of the two is a fake?
Do Ji-baek, whose thoughts reached this point, flared up and shouted.
“Owner! Those fellows must have obtained a fake! They surely filled the lost item with a fake!”
“Hmm.”
With a grave expression, Chae Seon-il approached the box and took out the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue.
He narrowed his eyes and inspected the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue here and there.
“Chief Administrator!”
“Yes, Owner.”
“Bring the Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue that Sect Leader Do brought.”
A moment later, the chief administrator brought another Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue.
The exact same-looking Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue.
However, one of the two was a fake.
Do Ji-baek watched, biting his lips tightly.
On the other hand, Yi Sa-heum and Yeon Chu-ryang wore relaxed expressions.
The two were thinking of the same thought.
‘If it hadn’t been for Namgung Cheon… just thinking about it is dizzying!’
It was right when they were about to set off on the escort mission.
“Do you plan to set off just like this?”
“Why again?”
“Didn’t you say the Black Mountain Stronghold might target us?”
“So?”
“Shouldn’t there be at least a minimal backup plan?”
“We did as much preparation as we could. The rest must be left to the heavens. You just follow quietly.”
Sigh, if we had really just set off back then, the one smiling by now would have been that shameless Do Ji-baek.
Fortunately, Yi Sa-heum did not just let Namgung Cheon’s words go in one ear and out the other.
He had asked right before departure if he had thought of anything, and what Namgung Cheon had pulled out at that time was indeed the fake Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue.
“I heard it is the most important cargo in this escort mission, so I obtained it. If we treat this fake as the real one just in case, wouldn’t it serve as a decent deception? Well, if we don’t have a use for it, all the better.”
It is always better to have thorough preparations.
They accepted Namgung Cheon’s proposal and transported it together, and sure enough, Do Ji-baek had snatched that fake Three-Lotus Seated Buddha Statue.
Only after a long while did Chae Seon-il mutter, his eyes trembling.
“This… was the fake.”
At that moment, he glared at Do Ji-baek with an extremely fierce gaze.
As the situation reversed suddenly, Do Ji-baek’s complexion turned as white as a sheet.
“O-Owner! Please check once more. There is no way! Surely that one…”
“Now, now, quiet.”
At the suddenly heard voice, Do Ji-baek’s gaze shifted.
‘Is it that fellow again! That bastard whom I wouldn’t be satisfied even if I chewed him up!’
Namgung Cheon walked over sneeringly.
“Now, are you ready to get beaten up?”