Chapter 256: Chapter 256
One carriage and dozens of horses entered Wuhan, where a vast plain spread out.
Inside that carriage, Cheon-hwi looked out the window.
A single castle standing blankly on the plain, the Martial Alliance immediately entered his eyes.
“It is the same as before.”
“Did it take about half a month. We arrived faster than I thought.”
At that time when Cheon-hwi muttered, Hyeon-do next to him whispered quietly.
Was it thanks to repeating camping out and advancing.
The party was able to arrive in Wuhan faster than expected.
“Waaah!”
And unlike the calm two, Jong-hyeon stuck his face close to the window and shone his eyes.
To Jong-hyeon, who had only traveled around Zhongnan and Shaanxi for a long time, the appearance of the Martial Alliance like a single huge castle was presenting an anticipation and excitement that were hard to express in words.
“It is extremely huge…”
When the Chivalric Escort Unit members, who were following along while riding horses right next to the carriage, let out a soft laugh at the purely admiring appearance.
Neigh…
The carriage that reached the main gate rattled and stopped.
“Chivalric Escort Unit Leader…?”
The gate guards were quite surprised that the Chivalric Escort Unit Leader, who led one of the Four Martial Forces of the Martial Alliance, sat in the coachman’s seat, but soon nodded their heads and opened the gate.
“Please enter.”
After the gate was quickly opened, Chu Gye-gwang smirked looking at the gate guards who lined up on both sides and stood seriously.
‘It seems they were already given a heads-up.’
Chu Gye-gwang, who nodded his head once, grabbed the reins again and moved the carriage.
Clip-clop… Clip-clop…
The carriage advanced forward and entered through the gate.
“Wow!”
Jong-hyeon opened both his eyes wide.
There was a castle inside the castle.
Inside the Martial Alliance, numerous pavilions stood in rows, and small streets connecting them were also everywhere.
And there were also many people.
“There really are many!”
Around the time the excited Jong-hyeon was rejoicing.
“Oh?”
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at the scenery of the Martial Alliance that was the same as when he previously entered, narrowed his brow.
“The atmosphere is very different?”
A very subtle airflow was flowing among the people coming and going on the streets.
“They are heavily on edge.”
Perhaps Hyeon-do also read the atmosphere inside the Martial Alliance, his expression stiffened faintly.
“…It is probably because of the Grand Martial World Conference.”
Ha Woo-jin, who had been silent until now, spoke while looking at the street with a sharp atmosphere.
“As the Great Hero said, since it is a matter where the survival of the Martial Alliance is at stake, everyone is probably in a state where their nerves have become sharp.”
Whether he was pouring his attention inside the carriage, Chu Gye-gwang added an explanation.
However, because it was also his first time experiencing this kind of atmosphere in the Martial Alliance, he had a somewhat complicated expression.
As they were advancing through the chaotic street like that, a commotion arose in the surroundings.
“The C-Chivalric Escort Unit Leader is pulling a carriage?”
“What, that makes no sense…”
The people recognized that the person sitting in the coachman’s seat was the Chivalric Escort Unit Leader, Chu Gye-gwang.
The crowds burst with bewilderment.
When speaking of the Chivalric Escort Unit Leader, he was a Great Hero whose martial prowess and renowned name were illustrious in the current Martial Alliance.
For such a person to be pulling a carriage.
It must not be ordinary figures that he took on board.
“Just who did he take on board that…”
“Could it be a figure who will take a central role in the Grand Martial World Conference?”
The crowds’ gazes were concentrated on the carriage.
However, with the windows firmly closed before they knew it, there was no way for their questions to be resolved.
“I wanted to see more…”
“We will be able to look around in person soon, so let us endure it just a little.”
Ha Woo-jin, who was stroking the complaining Jong-hyeon’s head, soon spoke to Chu Gye-gwang.
“Could you let us off once we pass that street?”
“Do you mean over there?”
“That is right.”
“However, if you get off there, everyone’s attention will be concentrated.”
“It does not matter. And if we draw the attention away, wouldn’t the path you take afterwards be comfortable?”
That was true.
However, wasn’t that ultimately like putting out Ha Woo-jin and Jong-hyeon as bait.
When Chu Gye-gwang hesitated on what to do, Hyeon-do moved his lips.
“If it is for our sake, there is no need to do so.”
“No.”
Ha Woo-jin shook his head.
“I told you because there is something I have to do.”
“Something you have to do? Is it urgent?”
“That is correct.”
Ha Woo-jin answered with a stiff expression.
“Then it cannot be helped.”
Hyeon-do spoke towards Chu Gye-gwang.
“Please let them off.”
“…Understood.”
Soon, the carriage stopped on the street according to Ha Woo-jin’s request.
“Hmm? What is going on?”
Around the time when some people looked with a start at the carriage that suddenly stopped in the middle of the street.
“I will be going first, Senior.”
Ha Woo-jin, who greeted Hyeon-do, turned his gaze and steadily looked at Cheon-hwi while smiling.
“Let us see each other later.”
“Have a safe trip.”
Ha Woo-jin got off, and Jong-hyeon looked up at Cheon-hwi while hesitating.
“See you later, Older Brother.”
At that greeting, Cheon-hwi waved his hand and spoke.
“Yeah. Go safely.”
Jong-hyeon subsequently bowed his head deeply towards Hyeon-do, who was looking at him steadily.
“I, I will see you later.”
“Hoho, let us see each other again.”
At Jong-hyeon’s greeting, Hyeon-do smiled broadly and replied.
It was a journey of barely half a month, but it was enough to grow closer.
Especially since he was in a state of having favorable feelings at the words that he was Cheon-hwi’s sworn younger brother.
“Go carefully.”
Along with his words, Hyeon-do patted Jong-hyeon’s head with a hand the size of a pot lid.
“Hehe.”
Jong-hyeon, who smiled as if the feel of that hand was good, soon came to his senses and got up from his seat.
“Then I will be going!”
With those words, Jong-hyeon got straight off the carriage and then took an awkward bow.
“Thank you for the ride.”
When Ha Woo-jin and Jong-hyeon, who greeted everyone including Chu Gye-gwang and the Chivalric Escort Unit members, left, Chu Gye-gwang started driving the carriage again.
Now the crowds concentrated their attention on the master and disciple, not the carriage.
“Great Hero Flying Swallow Sword Lord…?”
The crowds tilted their heads.
Because although the Flying Swallow Sword Lord was also a great expert, it was difficult to see him as a figure to the extent that the Chivalric Escort Unit Leader would volunteer as a coachman.
In the meantime, the carriage from which people’s attention had fallen away advanced faster than before.
A short while later.
“We have arrived.”
Chu Gye-gwang brought the carriage to a stop.
Cheon-hwi and Hyeon-do immediately got off the carriage and looked up at the pavilion in front of their eyes.
“It has been a while.”
Around the time they whispered quietly while looking at the pavilion they obtained through the decisive battle with the Zhongnan Sect.
“I will be going now.”
Chu Gye-gwang, who finished his mission, offered his greetings.
“Are you leaving right away? Rather than that, how about having a cup of tea before you go.”
At Hyeon-do’s proposal, Chu Gye-gwang held an awkward smile and shook his head.
“I am sorry. Because I also have to report now…”
“Is that so?”
Because they had become remarkably close while sharing various stories with Chu Gye-gwang during the journey, Hyeon-do spoke as if it was a pity.
“Then let us see each other later.”
“I will come see you separately later.”
Starting with Chu Gye-gwang offering his greetings, the Chivalric Escort Unit members took a fist salute one by one.
“It was an enjoyable journey.”
“Would it be alright if I come see you later?”
“Sure. Yes. If I have time.”
Cheon-hwi roughly glossed over the greetings of the Chivalric Escort Unit members who were looking at him with sparkling eyes.
After exchanging greetings for a long time.
“Then please rest.”
Chu Gye-gwang drove the carriage and left.
Following behind, the Chivalric Escort Unit members rushed out, and soon silence swept over Hyeon-do and Cheon-hwi.
“…It is quiet.”
Hyeon-do whispered.
After constantly being bustling, a corner of his heart felt somewhat lonely at the silence that suddenly visited.
On the other hand.
“I can finally live a little.”
Cheon-hwi made an expression that his insides felt refreshed, and spoke in a relieved voice.
“Just what was so fascinating that they kept staring. Tsk. They kept staring so piercingly that I thought holes would be drilled in my body.”
Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue recalling the gazes the Chivalric Escort Unit members sent during the journey.
Of course, he knew it was not a bad intention.
Since the looking gazes were only full of goodwill.
However.
‘It wasn’t just for a day or two.’
Cheon-hwi, who was reminiscing, narrowed his brow.
It was half a month.
What were they so interested in, the Chivalric Escort Unit members did not take their eyes off him for even a moment throughout the half a month.
Even when eating, and when sleeping.
He tried to ignore it, but with not just one or two but that many personnel looking so piercingly, how could he ignore it.
“Now I can stretch my legs out properly.”
Cheon-hwi, who felt unburdened by the disappearance of the gazes, moved his steps towards the pavilion.
The moment he soon grabbed the doorknob of the pavilion.
“Oh?”
Cheon-hwi’s brow narrowed.
“Why did that old man come here?”
Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue at the energy felt from inside the pavilion and threw the door open.
The inside of the wide-open pavilion.
An old man was sitting at a round table located at the end.
He was truly messy.
No, the word messy was not enough.
His greasy hair clumped like dirt and glistened, and the clothes he wore were covered with black dirt stains to the point it was embarrassing to even call it clothing.
“Just what is so itchy, aing.”
The old man, who scratched his head for a long time, smiled broadly upon seeing Cheon-hwi and Hyeon-do who entered the pavilion.
As soon as his yellow teeth seemed to be revealed.
“Hmm? Are you here?”
A ringing voice echoed.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“What do you mean what brings me, wouldn’t it naturally be because I have something to say that I came? Ah right!”
The old man stopped talking midway and spoke while looking behind Cheon-hwi.
“Did you have a good trip to Mount Hua? Taoist Hyeon.”
Hyeon-do, who followed in belatedly, looked at the old man and parted his lips with surprised eyes.
“Beggars’ Sect Leader…?”
“What are you so surprised about?”
Hyeon-do calmed his surprised emotions.
“We arrived faster than expected, but I did not know the Sect Leader would be waiting, so that is why.”
“Hahaha, I may look like this but I am the Beggars’ Sect Leader.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar let out a smirk.
“How could I not know that you guys arrived at the Martial Alliance.”
At Dragon Pearl Beggar’s words overflowing with confidence, Hyeon-do nodded his head and opened his mouth.
“Then… just what did you come all the way here and wait to talk about?”
“Wouldn’t it be that I came to have an in-depth conversation about this Grand Martial World Conference.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar, wiping the finger he had been scratching his head with for a long time on his rag clothing, continued his words.
“But why are you standing there so absentmindedly? Instead of quickly coming and sitting down.”
Around the time Hyeon-do’s brow narrowed at Dragon Pearl Beggar’s action of speaking as if this place was his own residence.
“If it is a story about the Grand Martial World Conference, there will be no need for me, so please have a good conversation between yourselves.”
Cheon-hwi immediately turned his body.
‘They will figure it out on their own.’
At the moment Cheon-hwi, who did not want to get involved in troublesome matters, was about to go into a room.
“Hmm? Where are you going?”
Dragon Pearl Beggar spoke while furrowing his eyebrows.
“What do you mean where am I going. I am going to the room. I do not even attend the Grand Martial World Conference anyway.”
Cheon-hwi shrugged his shoulders and replied.
‘I must attend to have anything to talk about.’
Since the Grand Martial World Conference was a grand conference where only one important figure from each sect participated, it was a fact that Cheon-hwi would not be attending.
“Don’t be like that, come here and sit.”
“Why?”
Cheon-hwi asked while making it obvious he found it annoying.
“What do you mean why. It is because you are the most important, of course.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar spoke with a dumbfounded expression.
“Do you not know that the Martial Alliance right now is noisy with talk about you more than anyone else?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Cheon-hwi spoke as if it was obvious.
“I just arrived at the Martial Alliance right now, so where would I have the time to hear any stories.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar was at a loss for words at Cheon-hwi, who was only saying the right things.
“A-Ahem. Not just the Alliance, but the rumors must be widespread in Jianghu?”
“We only camped out and didn’t meet people all the way here, so I would not know.”
“…Tsk, if that is so, it cannot be helped.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar scratched his head vigorously as if he was awkward at the continuous unexpected answers.
“Well, anyway, since the situation has become like that, I intend to hear your opinion as well.”
“It’s annoying though.”
Since they had continuously only camped out like he just said, Cheon-hwi wanted to lie in bed immediately.
He did not want to hear complicated stories for no reason either.
However, at that time Hyeon-do spoke.
“Let us listen together. It is not a situation to just pass over anyway, is it.”
“Hmm, understood. I will listen just for a moment.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar momentarily surged with anger at Cheon-hwi’s appearance of continuously refuting his words but following Hyeon-do’s words without any resistance, but shook his head.
‘Even so, as a Taoist of Taoism, he follows his martial uncle’s words well? With this, it might be better to seduce Taoist Hyeon first if I want to seduce that guy later.’
While Dragon Pearl Beggar laughed insidiously inside, Hyeon-do and Cheon-hwi sat at the table.
“Ahem, are you seated?”
Dragon Pearl Beggar, who saw the two sitting across from him, began his story in earnest.
“You probably know for what purpose the Grand Martial World Conference is being held, right?”
Hyeon-do nodded his head, and Cheon-hwi let out a light yawn as he parted his lips.
“Haaaam, you said it was because of the war with the Four Black Alliances.”
“That is right.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar nodded his head.
“But don’t you think it is a little strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“What is?”
“The Martial Alliance Leader and the Strategist have maintained the safety and balance of the Martial Alliance until now. That period is quite long. But suddenly a war with the Four Black Alliances? It really does not match their actions so far.”
Hyeon-do’s eyes half-opened.
“I heard it was for our sect.”
“That is correct. But even taking that into account, isn’t it too excessive of a response.”
Dragon Pearl Beggar’s eyes sank deeply.
“There is definitely some purpose. Something.”
“So what is it?”
Cheon-hwi asked as if he found it annoying.
“Would I know?”
“I thought you were the Beggars’ Sect Leader.”
“Just because I am the Beggars’ Sect Leader does not mean I can take out and see what is in someone else’s head.”
“You were speaking so confidently earlier.”
Cheon-hwi, who spoke as if he was dumbfounded, looked at Dragon Pearl Beggar and asked.
“So what is it that you want to say.”
“Guests will probably visit the Mount Hua Sect for that purpose.”
“Guests?”
At the moment Cheon-hwi asked back.
“Are you inside?”
An indifferent voice was heard from outside.
Dragon Pearl Beggar looked towards the door at the heard voice and furrowed his brow.
“To think he would come personally.”
Following him, Hyeon-do also gave a gaze towards the door, and spoke in surprise.
“…Strategist Lord Zhuge?”