Chapter 229: Chapter 229
Perhaps because it was not for nothing that it was the World Escort Agency directly operated by the World Merchant Guild, the escorts and porters quickly finished their preparations.
Around the four loaded carriages, twenty escorts and thirty porters, including the Head Escort, stood with tense expressions.
“It’s a pretty large escort mission.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar said as he scanned them one by one.
A total of fifty people for four carriages.
Considering that a normal escort mission was around thirty people, it was an excessively large investment.
“Are they precious items? This seems to be quite an important escort mission.”
“That’s why they requested help.”
Cheon-hwi reacted indifferently to Heavenly Ear Beggar’s words as he stared fixedly at the carriages.
What did it matter what the items were?
What was important right now was the Green Forest.
‘If it’s the Mount Heng Stronghold, we have to go quite a bit from here.’
Around the time Cheon-hwi reflected in his head on the nearest Green Forest stronghold he had heard from Chief Steward Oh.
“Then let’s depart.”
Chief Steward Oh’s order fell.
At that moment, the tense Head Escort opened his mouth toward the porters standing at the front.
“Everyone get on the horses.”
After confirming that the twenty escorts easily got on their horses, the Head Escort turned his head.
Staring at the Plum Blossom Swordsmen who were standing blankly, perhaps because they were awkward with escort missions, he bowed his head once.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
No matter how much he was in a position to directly command the escort mission, the other party was the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect.
“Since we will depart now, you just have to get on your horses.”
“Ah! I understand.”
It was when Cheon Hyang and the rest of the Splendid Spirit Squad finally grasped the situation and tried to get on the horses.
“No. There’s no need for that.”
There was a blocking voice.
Cheon-hwi opened his mouth while closely observing the Splendid Spirit Squad, who were awkwardly holding their posture, unable to either get on or get off the horses.
“Because everyone is going to walk.”
“What do you mean by that…….”
The Head Escort burst with bewilderment.
Even though they were high-grade horses prepared specifically for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, to think they would refuse.
Cheon Hyang was equally surprised.
From Taiyuan to Datong, the northernmost tip of Shanxi, was a considerably long distance.
But to walk that distance?
“Junior Brother, are you telling us to walk to Datong right now?”
Cheon Hyang looked at Cheon-hwi in surprise, but.
“Yes.”
Only a firm answer was heard.
“It’s perfectly good for training footwork, isn’t it?”
“But the World Merchant Guild even prepared horses for us…….”
Cheon Hyang hurriedly poured out words.
At that, Cheon-hwi gave a glance in the direction of the porters and refuted.
“Hey, it’s a distance that even people who haven’t learned martial arts go on foot, so surely you can’t do that?”
“…….”
“If that’s the case, I’m disappointed. Is the Splendid Spirit Squad’s skill only at that level? It seems your skills are still lacking a lot compared to the Flying Sword Squad and Martial Bloom Squad, right?”
“What……?”
In an instant, Cheon Hyang’s glares shot up.
“Even we can do that much.”
At the subsequent answer, the Splendid Spirit Squad’s complexions turned pale blue, and they hurriedly stopped Cheon Hyang.
“S-Squad Leader! There’s no need to unnecessarily buy hardship, is there.”
“That’s right. Can’t you think about it well again and reconsider?”
The Splendid Spirit Squad poured out words wanting a reversal, but Cheon Hyang showed no signs of wavering at all.
“Aren’t you angry even after hearing those words?”
Cheon Hyang’s eyes burned fiercely.
“If you can’t do it, you’re excluded from the Splendid Spirit Squad!”
Seeing Cheon Hyang react immediately when he lightly scratched her pride, Cheon-hwi was satisfied.
Right, that was it.
Although Cheon Hyang was bothersome every time, her mindset as a martial artist was good enough to be counted on one hand even in Mount Hua.
At the same time, the corners of his mouth twisted.
It was because of the Splendid Spirit Squad’s atmosphere, which seemed to be enjoying it rather than being tense even though they came out on a mission.
‘I should make them come to their senses a bit.’
Cheon-hwi said while looking at the Head Escort.
“Let the porters ride the horses.”
“The p-porters?”
“Why, can’t they ride?”
“No.”
The Head Escort shook his head from side to side.
The porters were also bound to learn equestrian skills in preparation for emergencies.
It was just that they rarely had a reason to ride horses.
“I understand.”
“Ah right, by any chance, can everyone ride horses?”
The Head Escort wondered why he was curious about that, but after considering the personnel, he nodded his head.
“It is possible if two people ride on some of the horses, but…….”
At that moment, Cheon-hwi’s eyes sparkled as if it was interesting and he said.
“Then make them all ride.”
“Is there a reason?”
“Isn’t it better to be fast if possible?”
Smiling insidiously with those words, Cheon-hwi approached the Head Escort and began to whisper something.
Soon after hearing all the explanations, the Head Escort opened his eyes wide and parted his lips.
“W-Would that really be okay?”
“There’s no problem. If any backlash arises from that, I will take responsibility.”
After sneaking a glance at the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, the Head Escort bobbed his head up and down.
“Then I will do so.”
“Good.”
After finishing his conversation with the Head Escort, Cheon-hwi walked to the carriage where Chief Steward Oh was.
“Since you’ve arrived, we can depart right away.”
Chief Steward Oh welcomed him gladly.
Already inside the carriage were Chief Steward Oh, Heavenly Ear Beggar, and Junior Beggar.
“You’re going too?”
Junior Beggar shrunk his neck.
To that, Heavenly Ear Beggar answered instead.
“Shouldn’t I also have someone to attend to me?”
Narrowing his eyes for a moment and looking back and forth between the two, Cheon-hwi soon shrugged his shoulders.
“Hmm, well, do as you please.”
As Cheon-hwi sat down along with his words, Junior Beggar swept his chest.
At that time, Danmok Rin, who followed behind Cheon-hwi, tried to get into the carriage as usual.
But someone tightly grabbed her shoulder.
It was none other than Cheon Hyang.
“Where are you trying to go, Junior Sister?”
Danmok Rin flinched at Cheon Hyang’s words.
“You have to walk together with us.”
“…….”
Danmok Rin looked up at Cheon-hwi.
Because of the veil, her gaze wasn’t revealed, but it was plainly visible to Cheon-hwi.
The sparkling gaze filled with expectations.
However.
“Senior Sister’s words are right.”
Cheon-hwi shattered her expectations.
“……Senior Brother?”
“You walk too.”
As Danmok Rin stood blankly, Cheon Hyang dragged her away, thinking this was her chance.
“You ruthless bastard.”
“Ha, haha.”
Around the time Heavenly Ear Beggar shook his head from side to side and Chief Steward Oh awkwardly spilled a laugh.
“We will depart!”
The Head Escort’s resounding shout burst out.
Along with the subsequent sound of horse hooves, the carriages slowly began to advance.
Around the time they exited Taiyuan and entered the official road like that, Cheon-hwi poked his head out the window and opened his mouth.
“Shall we increase the speed a bit now?”
Everyone’s gaze gathered at those words.
It was already a moment when the escorts and porters were feeling awkward and reading the room at the situation where only they were riding horses while the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were walking.
But to increase the speed even more meant…….
Cheon-hwi read their gazes and said while looking at the walking Splendid Spirit Squad.
“Follow properly on your own.”
As soon as those words ended, the Head Escort at the front said in a loud voice.
“Increase the speed!”
The Head Escort applied his whip.
In an instant, as the speed of the Head Escort standing at the front became faster, those following behind hurriedly increased their speed as well.
“……!”
At the faster movement speed, the Splendid Spirit Squad, who had been walking calmly, also had to hurriedly unfold their lightness skill.
Cheon-hwi brought in the head he had poked out.
Even so, he closely observed the Splendid Spirit Squad chasing after them while unfolding their lightness skill through the wide-open window, and smacked his lips as if it was a pity.
“If it were up to me, I’d have wanted to make them pull the carriages as well. But since they said that’s difficult.”
At those words, the three sitting in the carriage stared at Cheon-hwi with expressions saying he was terrible.
However, that was only for a moment, as Heavenly Ear Beggar and Chief Steward Oh’s pupils sank deeply.
‘No, perhaps it’s through such effort that Mount Hua possesses its current strength.’
‘This might be the secret to Mount Hua suddenly becoming stronger…….’
The two paid attention to the training method with changed gazes.
On the other hand, Junior Beggar looked at the Plum Blossom Swordsmen chasing the carriage while unfolding their lightness skill with pitiful gazes.
‘I’m glad I’m from the Beggars’ Sect.’
Around the time he swept his chest in relief.
“Are you making them train their footwork?”
Heavenly Ear Beggar asked Cheon-hwi.
“It’s physical training combined with footwork training.”
“Oho, is that so?”
In an instant, Heavenly Ear Beggar smiled insidiously.
It was then that Junior Beggar felt a chill at that smile without knowing why.
“You go too.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar said toward Junior Beggar.
“Yes? You mean me?”
When Junior Beggar pointed at himself and asked with a bewildered expression, Heavenly Ear Beggar answered.
“Then who else would it be but you. To think that a guy called the Future Beggar has such insignificant martial power, aren’t you embarrassed?”
Along with his words, Heavenly Ear Beggar grabbed the nape of his neck, lifted him, and kicked the carriage door.
“E-Elder!”
Junior Beggar’s complexion instantly turned pure white.
However, Heavenly Ear Beggar added threatening words despite that reaction.
“If you run away…… you know, right?”
Heavenly Ear Beggar threw Junior Beggar outside.
Floating in the air for a moment, Junior Beggar’s eyes welled with tears, and he soon let out a scream.
“Uaaak!”
Junior Beggar, who had been flailing, hurriedly unfolded his footwork as soon as his feet touched the ground.
The Whirlwind Footwork caught his center of gravity as he staggered from losing his balance upon being thrown out.
At that, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen who were watching this looked at Junior Beggar with eyes filled with admiration.
Because it was astonishing footwork compared to his insignificant internal energy and martial power.
“Ke, kek! Elder!”
Meanwhile, Junior Beggar, who choked due to the sudden situation, cried out to Heavenly Ear Beggar and chased after the still open carriage door, but.
“Then follow well.”
Heavenly Ear Beggar, who spoke with a grin, slammed the door shut as if to show off.
Junior Beggar, who watched it vainly, tore at his hair and screamed.
“Uaaaaak! Why me……!”
At that time, Cheon-hwi popped his face out the open window.
“Y-Young Hero. Please let me inside…….”
Junior Beggar, thinking it was a chance, spoke desperately, but Cheon-hwi didn’t even give him a glance.
Was that all?
From Cheon-hwi’s mouth, which slowly began to open, words like a bolt from the blue flowed out.
“Let’s increase the speed even more.”
* * *
On the sixth day, the escort mission slowed down.
It was because they had arrived at Mount Heng, the place they worried about the most during the escort mission.
The Head Escort sneaked a glance behind him.
He clicked his tongue seeing the Plum Blossom Swordsmen unfolding lightness skill almost like half-corpses.
“Amazing.”
It was a distance that would normally have taken more than ten days, but thanks to running without rest, they could quickly shorten the time.
The only times the escort mission rested was when the horses were tired and when asking for sleep.
The rest of the time, they continuously ran.
Was that all?
As if even the remaining time was a waste, the young Taoist riding the carriage, no, the Plum Blossom Divine Hero told the Plum Blossom Swordsmen to train even during their break times.
Horse stance, martial arts training, sparring, etc…….
It was a continuous series of terrible training to the point where one’s body throbbed just from watching.
‘Perhaps it’s thanks to that training that the Mount Hua Sect’s reputation has recently gone up.’
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were more outstanding than the rumors.
Not to mention their martial power, but even their mental strength.
It was to the extent that he didn’t know how many times he admired them watching the Plum Blossom Swordsmen continue their incomparably harsh training.
But because of that, he was also worried.
‘Will they be okay in this state?’
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s state was not good.
Very dark shadows mixed with fatigue hung heavily under their eyes.
‘It might be difficult to face the Mount Heng Stronghold with such an exhausted appearance…….’
It was when he recalled the worst-case scenario.
“Mm?!”
The Head Escort urgently snatched the horse’s reins at the gigantic figure that appeared in front of his eyes, and spat out a shout laden with internal energy.
“Stop!”
Everyone stopped at once at the command.
Thud!
At the same time, a heavy sound was heard.
Everyone’s gaze headed forward.
In the front where the wide mountain path continued, a man with a massive frame was blocking the passage.
Seeing him, the Head Escort leaked a groan.
“Mount Heng Stronghold Leader…….”
Mount Heng Stronghold Leader Wi Jung-yeon rested the Sky Piercer Halberd he was holding in his hand on his shoulder and opened his mouth.
“Pay a toll fee if you want to pass through Mount Heng.”
At the expected words, the Head Escort slightly bit his lip and slowly asked.
“How much is it?”
“One gold ingot.”
The Head Escort’s eyes grew large.
It was definitely an expensive toll fee, but it was something he could bear if it was at this level.
‘There’s no need to unnecessarily cause a fight.’
The Head Escort knew that the Green Forest was on the same side as the Daeeun Merchant Guild, but he still wanted to avoid a collision if possible.
“……Will that be enough?”
“I don’t go back on my word.”
“Then here it is.”
The Head Escort took out a gold ingot and threw it toward him.
“Hmm, indeed, perhaps because it’s the World Merchant Guild, you are straightforward.”
Wi Jung-yeon received the gold ingot and harbored a satisfied expression.
“Then we will be on our way.”
The Head Escort moved forward.
And just as the escorts and carriages tried to follow behind him, Wi Jung-yeon roughly swung the Sky Piercer Halberd in his hand downward.
Kwaaaang!
In an instant, the ground behind the Head Escort cracked open, and the horses began to run wild.
Hiiiiing!
The Head Escort hurriedly calmed the horse and shouted at Wi Jung-yeon, who was right in front of his eyes.
“What are you doing right now?!”
“You guys are the ones who did something.”
Wi Jung-yeon rather revealed a dumbfounded expression and parted his lips.
“Where are you all trying to go?”
“Didn’t I just pay the toll fee!”
“Wasn’t what I received for one person?”
“……!”
Wi Jung-yeon, who twisted one corner of his mouth, pointed at the mark he had drawn right behind the wide-eyed Head Escort, and opened his mouth.
“If the other guys want to go too, they should pay one gold ingot per person.”
The Head Escort gritted his teeth.
“T-This……!”
As he clenched both his fists in anger, Wi Jung-yeon smirked and raised his Sky Piercer Halberd highly.
At that moment, the Green Forest bandits poured out from the left and right of the mountain path, blocking the way.
Those with grimy faces holding spears harbored sneers and burst with killing intent.
“If you can’t pay, you cannot pass.”
It was when Wi Jung-yeon finished speaking with a smile.
“You should’ve just spoken straightforwardly instead.”
A voice mixed with a sneer was heard.
Cheon-hwi, who had come out of the carriage at some point, met Wi Jung-yeon’s gaze and opened his mouth.
“I mean that you wanted to interfere with this escort mission. You joined hands with the Daeeun Merchant Guild, didn’t you?”
Wi Jung-yeon’s eyes sank coldly.
“Who the hell are you?”
“To answer a question with a question. As expected of bandit bastards, you have no manners.”
At those words, those who knew Cheon-hwi well let out dumbfounded sighs inwardly.
Just who was questioning who about manners.
As if he didn’t know their reaction at all, Cheon-hwi beamed and parted his lips.
“If you intend to fight, come quickly. If you don’t come, I’ll go first?”
“This bastard!”
“How dare you speak to the Stronghold Leader with such manners!”
Around the time the Green Forest bandits burst with anger.
“At this rate, my eardrums will fall off.”
After Cheon-hwi very lightly let the Green Forest bandits’ anger slide by picking his ear, he looked at the Splendid Spirit Squad and opened his mouth.
“But what are you doing? Not going.”
“Huh?”
“Yes……?”
Around the time everyone was bewildered by his appearance of urging Cheon Hyang and the Splendid Spirit Squad after speaking as if he was going to step up himself, Cheon-hwi said.
“Am I supposed to deal with those small fries?”
The Splendid Spirit Squad looked absurdly at Cheon-hwi, who spoke as if it was obvious.
“You guys should take care of things like this on your own.”
“……We understand.”
“I got it…… Junior Brother.”
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at the Splendid Spirit Squad answering reluctantly, smirked and added words.
“Well, just telling you to do it is a bit much, so fine. If you defeat those guys, you can ride the horses from now on. And let’s also stop the training until we arrive.”
At that moment, Cheon Hyang’s eyes sparkled.
“I-Is that really true?”
As Cheon-hwi nodded his head right away at the question, Cheon Hyang drew her sword and shouted.
“Now! Let’s go!”
At that command, the Splendid Spirit Squad’s eyes also sparkled, and they drew their swords and rushed in.
“Uaaaaa! Let’s go!”
“We get to rest once we defeat those bastards!”