Chapter 87: One Who Possesses Money (1)
Chapter 86 – One Who Possesses Money (1)
“Please save my daughter.”
In that instant, Namgung Cheon’s eyes widened.
Namgung Cheon rolled his eyes left and right for a moment to process the words he had just heard.
‘What is this? He wants me to rescue his daughter?’
Actually, it was not that he could not do it.
No, he had been planning to do so depending on the situation anyway.
Because the Gold King’s wealth could not be ignored.
Although it might be a bit selfish, he had also been thinking of rescuing Jin So-hong using this opportunity and utilizing his wealth to some extent.
Yet, to think the Gold King would make the request to him directly.
After all, was he not just a mere cadet?
No matter how much attention he received as a cadet in this tournament, was this request not crossing the line?
Leaving the rescue of his daughter not to some expert, but to a mere cadet?
Of course, the Gold King’s current position was somewhat awkward.
It was a situation where the Alliance Leader had promised to step forward himself.
If the Gold King were to hire separate experts or employ his own subordinates here, it could be interpreted as him distrusting the Alliance.
For that reason, he could not simply react emotionally.
Even so…
‘Just how highly does this man value my abilities?’
At first, he wondered if it was a joke.
But how could a father who lost his daughter have the presence of mind to joke around?
So, he also thought that perhaps the man had completely lost his mind.
However, the Gold King’s gaze, staring straight into his eyes right now, was more serious than ever.
When Namgung Cheon fell into thought and could not answer easily, the Gold King put strength into his voice.
“As you know, I am a merchant. Sometimes, I make erratic decisions and bet my fate on them. And although my decision right now might be somewhat baffling to others…”
“Are you saying it is a decision made carefully enough to bet your fate on?”
“Yes.”
“I am just a cadet. If it is So-hong, the Alliance Leader will safely…”
“You must rescue her before the Alliance does.”
“…”
“It is a merchant’s intuition. That you must be the one to do it. That it will benefit both you and me. You may view this as the sixth sense of someone who has rolled around in this business for a long time.”
A sixth sense.
Namgung Cheon smiled inwardly.
It was a word he liked.
A word difficult to understand for those who had only lived ordinary lives.
But a word that anyone who had reached the peak in a certain field would nod along to, at least roughly.
That was what a sixth sense was.
It was on the same line that he, who had reached the peak as a fugitive, occasionally put blind faith in his sixth sense.
Because there were times when unconscious warnings driven by survival instincts were more helpful than cool reason.
The Gold King was someone who had reached the peak as a merchant.
Perhaps the calculation made in his subconscious had chosen him over the Alliance Leader.
If so, he wanted to give him a round of applause.
For it meant he had at least a rough idea of just how black-hearted that old serpent of an Alliance Leader was.
Well, even if that were not the case, did it not mean he had chosen him over the Alliance Leader?
And by the Gold King, the richest man in Jiangnan, no less!
His wealth commanded the world.
Whatever the circumstances, that was the very reason the Alliance Leader’s intention to rescue Jin So-hong was sincere.
Yet, the Gold King had quietly requested this of him separately.
Of him, who was a mere cadet.
He had made a decision that an ordinary person could never have imagined.
He must have judged in that brief moment in the arena that the Alliance Leader and himself stood in a strange confrontational relationship.
‘As expected of the Gold King. A cool-headed analysis of the situation and swift decision-making. On top of that, the sixth sense of someone who reached the peak! Highly commendable.’
Suppressing his inner thoughts, Namgung Cheon nodded.
“I understand. I was planning to do so anyway.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes, because I became quite close with So-hong through this tournament.”
When Namgung Cheon threw out those somewhat embarrassing words, the Gold King smiled faintly and replied.
“The reason does not matter. I only highly appreciate that you have the intention.”
“…”
He was definitely not an easy man to deal with.
His tone suggested he suspected Namgung Cheon was not stepping forward solely out of friendship.
The Gold King looked at Namgung Cheon with a calm, settled gaze.
“However, I can tell you this one thing clearly. I am someone who strictly distinguishes between gratitude and grudges.”
“I understand. Since time is of the essence, I shall take my leave now.”
“I am counting on you.”
“Then.”
Namgung Cheon clasped his hands in a polite gesture and left the room.
Much time had already passed.
Before long, the eastern sky would begin to brighten.
* * *
He must rescue Jin So-hong before the Martial Alliance did.
It was the Gold King’s wish, but it was also what Namgung Cheon wanted.
However, as expected, he fell behind in information-gathering capabilities.
‘Is that really the only way?’
Namgung Cheon, having packed the Emerald Silk Sword, steeled his heart and left the lodging.
However, before he could take a few steps, a familiar voice reached his ears.
“Look at this. I knew this would happen. Caught you red-handed.”
“…?”
Looking back, Paeng Su-hyeok walked over, tapping his own shoulder with his great saber.
Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Weren’t you collapsed from exhaustion?”
“Sh-shut up! What exhaustion! I just wanted to rest a bit, so I faked an illness! Look at me! Is there a single place where I’m hurt?”
“So, exhaustion…”
“Shut up! Where are you going at this hour, when you are just a cadet?”
“It is morning, when all things come to life.”
“Yeah, so I’m asking where you are going when everyone else is eating!”
What was the point of talking?
Namgung Cheon shook his head and was about to take a step, but Paeng Su-hyeok quickly ran over and blocked his path.
When Namgung Cheon stared at him, Paeng Su-hyeok raised one corner of his mouth and stood with his weight shifted to one leg.
“Where do you think you’re going alone? Over my dead body will I let you become a hero all by yourself.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“You’re going to save Jin So-hong, aren’t you?”
Since he came right out with it, Namgung Cheon was also slightly surprised.
‘Hmm. Do ignorant people naturally have a better sixth sense?’
If it was the specialty of the ignorant… he might have to redefine what a sixth sense was.
Namgung Cheon took a step forward indifferently.
“Don’t follow me. You’ll get hurt.”
“Sure, so that means ‘please help me.’”
“I’m not joking.”
“Right, it’s real combat. And when it comes to real combat, it’s the Hebei Paeng Clan.”
Namgung Cheon looked back at Paeng Su-hyeok with a momentarily blank expression.
Paeng Su-hyeok stared back, keeping his mouth stubbornly shut.
In the end, Namgung Cheon let out a sigh.
“Don’t blame others even if you die.”
“You’re one to talk. For this big brother to protect even you…”
“Hey, you want to—”
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, Paeng Su-hyeok, who had sprung back like a squirrel, shouted with an embarrassed look.
“Did you see? I warned you by showing that my reflexes are this good.”
Ultimately, Namgung Cheon was about to shake his head and walk away, but this time, did Yu Hyeon and Ju Yeon-hwa not suddenly appear from around the corner?
“We’re going together too!”
Ju Yeon-hwa’s expression looked firm, as if already hardened with determination.
They had probably overheard the two’s conversation from beyond the corner.
When Namgung Cheon shifted his gaze to Yu Hyeon as if to tell him to stop her, Yu Hyeon instead spoke with a firm expression.
“We will also help. I heard that Young Hero Namgung fell into a difficult situation while trying to save me. Naturally, we must help. Furthermore, since Lady Jin was in the middle of a duel with me, I feel a shred of responsibility as well.”
No, why do you feel responsible?
Anyway, those who are Taoists to their very bones have minds that are hard to understand.
Fortunately, Paeng Su-hyeok stepped forward and spoke, pretending to be solemn.
“No way. Do not follow us. You might get hurt.”
“We are prepared.”
“Ahem, this is not a joke. This is real combat.”
“Which is why we need companions all the more.”
“Then, even if you die, don’t blame others…”
Namgung Cheon cut off Paeng Su-hyeok’s words.
“If that is the case, let’s go. We have no time.”
As the three of them set off, Paeng Su-hyeok quickly followed and shouted.
“W-wait, my words aren’t…! No blaming others even if you die! Every man for himself… Damn it! Wait up!”
* * *
Gale Squad Captain Cho Rip-pyo ground his teeth as he looked up at Mount Mulan.
“And from the Alliance?”
“The instruction is to standby.”
At the Vice Leader’s reply, Cho Rip-pyo stomped his foot heavily.
A flock of birds nearby flew up with a flutter.
“Just how long do they want us to wait! When the enemies have even taken a hostage!”
It was always like this.
When the Gale Squad gave chase and cornered the prey, the Blue Wave Corps would come and steal the credit.
‘And they snatch all the credit!’
In short, one person sets the table, and another eats the meal.
But what could be done?
Since the organizational structure was like that, they had no choice but to follow.
As he let out a long sigh, a subordinate ran over and reported.
“There are people rapidly approaching this way.”
“Has the Blue Wave Corps Captain arrived already?”
If so, it was exceptionally fast.
Indeed. Was the hostage not none other than the daughter of the Gold King?
There was nothing strange about the Martial Alliance hurrying.
However, his thoughts were shattered by the report brought by another subordinate who ran over.
“The approaching individuals have been identified as cadets! The one running at the very front appears to be Cadet Namgung Cheon.”
“What? Why is Namgung Cheon here?”
“That is…”
While the subordinate hesitated, Namgung Cheon’s group drew close enough for Cho Rip-pyo to identify them.
Cho Rip-pyo, who had stood on the hill, widened his eyes as he saw Namgung Cheon running like a gale.
“No, how can a brat be that fast?”
Of course, he had witnessed his movement technique during the first trial of the Joint Conference. Yet, in that short interval, Namgung Cheon seemed to have become much faster.
Not only that, but the other cadets following far behind also seemed to have significantly improved their skills.
“Groan. Maybe it’s time for me to retire.”
The Vice Leader standing beside him scratched the back of his head.
“Don’t talk nonsense and catch them.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Simultaneously with his reply, the Vice Leader threw himself forward along with the subordinates.
As expected of the Gale Squad, their orderly movements were as agile as a flock of birds.
Running like the wind, Namgung Cheon barely managed to halt after being surrounded by the Gale Squad. Only after the other cadets arrived one by one did the Vice Leader bring Namgung Cheon’s group over.
Cho Rip-pyo asked as he looked at the cadets.
“Who are you people?”
“We came to rescue our friend!”
Paeng Su-hyeok boasted proudly.
“Friend? Cadet Jin So-hong?”
“Yes!”
“Your courage and determination are admirable, but this is as far as you go. This is not something cadets should get involved in. This is real combat.”
“We know that!”
“Then get lost. Your friend will be rescued by the Alliance.”
Then, this time, Namgung Cheon took a step forward.
“Please allow us to participate in the rescue operation. At the very least, we won’t get in the way.”
“What can’t be done, cannot—”
It was at that moment.
Another subordinate ran over and reported.
“Captain, the Blue Wave Corps is coming!”
“They are faster than expected.”
Though they were slower than the brats.
The Blue Wave Corps Captain, Murong Sin, who had just arrived, furrowed his brows upon seeing Namgung Cheon’s group.
“What are those things?”
“They say they came to rescue Jin So-hong.”
At Cho Rip-pyo’s answer, Murong Sin looked at the cadets with an incredulous expression.
Murong Sin marched over to the cadets.
“Does the current situation look like a joke to you?”
As Paeng Su-hyeok was about to step forward in anger, Namgung Cheon replied calmly first.
“If it looked like a joke, we wouldn’t have come.”
“Do you want to die?”
“Come now, who in their right mind would want to die?”
“Then get lost.”
“We will also join the rescue operation.”
“You are not members of the Blue Wave Corps.”
“We know. We will just follow along.”
“You bastards must be truly desperate to die…!”
Murong Sin raged fiercely like a biting wind, but suddenly narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
Wait… maybe this…?
One corner of his mouth twisted strangely.
Yes, this was real combat where one could die.
Was this not real combat where it would not be strange at all for someone to die? If they wanted to become heroes that badly.
Watching Murong Sin, Namgung Cheon muttered inwardly.
‘Take the bait. Take the bait. Take the bait. Take the bait. Take the bait. Take the bait, take the bait…!’
Finally, Murong Sin raised his head and said coldly.
“What stubbornness. Make sure you don’t regret this.”
“Captain!”
Cho Rip-pyo quickly stepped forward to stop him, but Murong Sin raised his hand and looked at the cadets.
“However, our corps considers the rescue of Jin So-hong the absolute top priority. That means we have no spare capacity to protect reckless fools who run wild without knowing any better, even after being warned of the danger. Understood?”
“Of course! Every man for himself is already our resolve…! Huh? Captain?”
Leaving behind Paeng Su-hyeok who replied spiritedly, Murong Sin was already walking away in the distance.
Similar cold smirks appeared on the faces of the turned-away Murong Sin and Namgung Cheon, who watched his back.
Even the thoughts passing through their heads were the same.
‘This works out better.’