Chapter 128: Chapter 128
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Jang Geon held the well-rolled tobacco in his mouth and lit it with a fire canister.
Whitish smoke scattered slowly and sparkled in the red sunset light. Jang Geon’s eyes turned toward the west pouring out that sunset. The sun, hanging its body halfway over the tall mountain ridge, was spewing out today’s last sunlight as if shaking off the day’s fatigue.
He was swaying according to Jojo’s movements, slowly proceeding along the main street of Gowon City. Suddenly, in his head, the conversation he had with Flowing Bone moments ago came to mind.
“…The Great Warrior and I also know about the Central Plains people who came from the west and moved to the east long ago. And we also know they have built considerable power. Naturally, what we suspected first was that side. Because we knew western Central Plains people rarely crossed over to this land, blocked by the northern mountain range and southern wilderness.”
Perhaps thanks to the bonfire illuminating from below, Flowing Bone’s face was somehow closer to a stone statue than a human. A stone statue lending wisdom to people.
“However, as the tribe alliance was formed and the top warriors of each tribe tracked the traces, the result revealed that the ones who slaughtered the tribes came not from the east, but from the west, and returned to that west again. Naturally, the other warriors of the alliance began to consider that western Central Plains people slaughtered people eyeing buffalo horns and hides, as well as the vast land itself. Since you people do not farm much.”
Jang Geon’s expression hardened. Come to think of it, native warriors who were natural born hunters would not blindly point out western Central Plains people as the culprits. Naturally, starting from the slaughtered tribes, they would have traced remaining marks.
Flowing Bone’s words continued:
“So we moved our encampment all the way to Gowon City here, intending to hear the clear intent of the western Central Plains people. And in the midst of that, what is it, that… Great Warrior, what was that friend’s name?”
“Son Gwang. The fifth shadow dragon. Saying that dragon animal is really marvelous.”
Flowing Bone, who had thrown a question to the Great Warrior in between, nodded his head.
“Ah, right, Son Gwang. Through River Rock, ties were formed with that friend, and we came to know that the slaughter of tribes was the work of demonic practitioners. We also came to know that their sinister deeds were being carried out in Gowon City here. However, the fact that those who came from the west returned to the west did not change. Son Gwang claims that cannot be, that it is definitely the plot of the Palace, but we have no choice but to look only at existing facts.”
The old man’s black eyes faced Jang Geon.
“We do not have very large numbers. Among us, few tribes farm on a large scale like you, and most live by roaming the vast land, catching buffalo, and digging medicinal herbs. So if war really breaks out with western Central Plains people, even if we win ten times, losing just once will collapse the alliance. To begin with, that power called your martial arts is also an ability not easily overcome…”
Flowing Bone trailed off as if losing strength when thinking of the native situation on the New Continent. At that moment, the Great Warrior sitting with arms crossed continued speaking:
“In the end, what is there that we can do? We have no choice but to threaten that we can invade past Gowon City like now, and wait for that Martial Alliance to grasp the situation and catch the culprit. But throwing tantrums like this also has a limit. Son Gwang says he keeps contacting the Martial Alliance side, but we need someone whom we can trust a bit more, who can go directly and convey the words clearly.”
The Great Warrior’s eyes met Jang Geon’s. Smirking, the Great Warrior continued speaking:
“Right, if possible, it would be good if a warrior acknowledged by the spirit played that role. A Central Plains warrior like you, I mean.”
Jang Geon quietly faced the Great Warrior and fell into thought for a moment, then soon opened his mouth:
“Conveying news is not difficult. Furthermore, patrol officers of the Martial Alliance have already arrived here in Gowon City, and a key figure of the Palace has also been captured, so if the Martial Alliance is operating properly, their position will soon be conveyed to you.”
“…Our concern is not that.”
“Are you worried that the Martial Alliance is the culprit behind plotting this?”
At Jang Geon’s question, the Great Warrior uncrossed his arms and sat upright. His eyes were settled a notch deeper.
“Right, that is what we worry about. Whether those Central Plains people gathered as the Martial Alliance are trying to drive us all out, whether they are joining hands with those Palace people for that purpose, whether the contact Son Gwang sends isn’t reaching them but being completely ignored, and so on…”
At his story, Jang Geon could not easily answer. Even excluding the case of the Soaring Eagle Unit he met last time, the Martial Alliance was also a gathering where humans lived, so the individual thoughts and interests of those many people would repeat intersections and clashes.
Furthermore, the Martial Alliance bore the character of a coalition, so even more so. Even if some of them dreamt of advancing past Gowon City and joined hands with the Palace to plot things, Jang Geon wouldn’t feel surprised at all.
The fearful Emperor was across the sea, and the Imperial Army of this land rarely came out of the cities. That period was a hundred years, an environment sufficient to entertain strange thoughts.
Jang Geon let out a small sigh and said:
“…I do not know complicated politics well. So I can give no firm answer other than the words that I will do my best so that unfair things do not happen to you.”
That was a calm admission. An admission that he was ultimately merely a single swordsman. However, the Great Warrior and Flowing Bone instead smiled faintly as if liking that answer. Flowing Bone nodded and said:
“That is enough. If it is your words that you will do your best. Isn’t that right, Great Warrior?”
“Right. That is enough.”
The Great Warrior extended his hand toward Jang Geon. He seemed to be asking to shake hands. Seeing that, Jang Geon, thinking that was all he could do for them right now, smiled in return and held hands. Thinking at least anxiety could be relieved. And he froze his expression in surprise.
The Great Warrior, holding Jang Geon’s hand, spoke:
“We have no gold or silver that Central Plains people like so much. We have a few sheets of clean hide, but as reward, they are overly meager items.”
Jang Geon kept his mouth shut tight and looked into the Great Warrior’s eyes. Red light was swirling in his pupils. It was not an evil color. Eerie like the blood of a living thing, yet pure, wild but containing ancient wisdom. Jang Geon recalled the spirit of the valley he met in the past.
“…The valley is truly a friend as old as that stream of water. Simultaneously a friend who loves her children very much, so she must have given you a truly great gift. I cannot tear off part of my heart like her. Because then Crazy Horse might die.”
While the words of he who was hard to tell whether Great Warrior or someone else continued, Jang Geon felt power surging like a tsunami from the hand held together. A wave that was completely unrefined, rough and fierce, yet simultaneously conveyed wild vitality.
“Thank you for taking revenge for the plain and its children too. The spirits of those who returned to the earth will also thank you.”
The wave flowed into Jang Geon’s right arm held together and ran through his whole body. Internal energy in his dantian stood up at the invasion of external energy and ran over, and far from expelling it, began running through body qi channels together. Jang Geon looked at the Great Warrior with a flustered expression. He smirked as if telling him not to worry too much:
“I hope you will continue to be a friend to the children of this land hereafter. This is a gift given in that sense.”
A moment later, the flow like a tsunami slowly ceased. The Great Warrior closed his red-glowing eyes, let go of his hand, and slumped down. Jang Geon, feeling power not completely digested sleeping in his body qi channels, hurriedly reached out to hold him.
“Do not worry. He is merely tired.”
Jang Geon looked back and forth between the Great Warrior who lost consciousness and Flowing Bone who spoke quietly.
“…How did this happen?”
“The Spirit of the Plain felt that those who slaughtered the tribe were harming even the spirits of that land, and became one with the top warrior of the tribe, Crazy Horse. It was to protect her children. And now she is moving beyond her children for all tribes.”
Flowing Bone looked into Jang Geon’s deeply settled eyes and continued speaking:
“…Now go. Do not worry about us here. Because we can firmly endure in our own way. Please seek out and stop those who recklessly harm others for their own greed.”
Jang Geon merely watched him for a moment, then soon nodded.
“They will pay the price.”
Smoke flowed from Jang Geon’s mouth again. While Jojo walked leisurely, the sun hanging on the mountain ridge was now peeking only the crown of its head.
Squinting both eyes and looking over there for a moment, Jang Geon felt Jojo’s steps stop and turned his head. The inn where he had told Jeok-sein to wait came into view. As he dismounted from the saddle, an inn waiter came out quickly and took the horse reins. Jang Geon dropped the tobacco he was smoking onto the floor and snuffed it out with his foot.
Before he stepped inside, he patted Jojo’s neck once, and the fellow also tilted his head as if telling Jang Geon he had worked hard today. Seeing that, Jang Geon smirked and turned toward the inn.
“Martial Artist Jang!”
As soon as he stepped inside, there was a voice calling Jang Geon. Those calling him from a corner were Jeok-sein and Son Gwang. On their table, a bundle of papers was laid out.
As Jang Geon approached, Son Gwang asked in a low voice:
“How did it go? Is the Alliance’s Great Warrior safe?”
Though he was unconscious when last seen, Jang Geon decided to believe Flowing Bone’s words that he was merely tired.
“There was no need to rush over. He literally tore the assassins apart.”
“Oh… He wasn’t called Great Warrior for nothing…”
Jang Geon naturally approached their table and sat down. And he gave a glance to Jeok-sein who was silently looking at him.
“Looking at it, you seem to have come looking for me.”
“That is right, Martial Artist Jang. Martial Artist Jang is a suspect in the disappearance of the Soaring Eagle Unit who recently vanished without a trace.”
“…Pardon? Didn’t you say you came to ask for help?”
Jang Geon, the party involved, was calm, but Son Gwang beside him spoke with an expression of absurdity. He was saying with his expression to Jeok-sein what on earth she was doing. Despite that gaze, Jeok-sein continued speaking nonchalantly:
“…However, that was story before coming here and arresting that man named Namgung Cheon. One cannot recklessly say things like suspect to someone who established justice.”
Jang Geon looked dumbly at Jeok-sein quickly changing her words, and asked:
“Where is he?”
“…Namgung Cheon? He is currently lying in a guest room. San-ho is guarding him.”
“What will you do with him?”
Jeok-sein spoke as if natural:
“We will escort him to the Martial Alliance.”
“I shall go too.”
“So if possible, Martial Artist Jang also… You mean go together?”
Jeok-sein, who was trying to continue speaking to persuade Jang Geon’s joining, opened both eyes wide at Jang Geon’s words.
“Having captured a General of the Palace, is the qualification not sufficient?”
“…No, well. Naturally the Alliance Leader will bestow a medal, and reward money will come out…”
“Wouldn’t it be good if many go together? Let us go together, New Sichuan.”
Jeok-sein, who had been certain he wiped out the Soaring Eagle Unit, wondered at the appearance of Jang Geon confidently trying to move to the Martial Alliance whether her deduction was wrong. Then her thought of trying to find out what the Alliance Leader wanted while mobilizing his direct martial force, the Soaring Eagle Unit, could go awry.
“Keu-a-a-ak-!”
At that moment, someone’s ear-splitting scream echoed from the second floor of the inn. The moment the attention of everyone inside the inn concentrated on the second floor, Jeok-sein grasped the location of the room where that scream echoed and stood up abruptly.
Seeing her appearance, Jang Geon could guess that scream echoed from Namgung Cheon’s room.