Chapter 172: Chapter 172
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Following Jin-ha who led the way, Jang Geon and Seo-ha arrived at the Murim Alliance. Seo-ha was tightly holding Jang Geon’s hand. Jang Geon gently grasped that small hand.
Crossing the main gate of the Murim Alliance and advancing through the familiar towers and pavilions of the Murim Alliance, no one blocked Jin-ha. Seeing her striding forward with her armor clanking, several Murim Alliance members they encountered along the way routinely bowed their heads in greeting and stepped out of the way.
Seeing that, Jang Geon spoke.
“It seems you are not so warmly welcomed.”
It was a statement close to a soliloquy, cut short without head or tail. Whether Jin-ha heard it or not, she did not look back and continued forward. Then, without even slowing her steps, she suddenly spoke.
“That is only natural. To them, I am a new superior who abruptly flew in from the Central Plains. Besides, I am even reorganizing the Murim Alliance, which was functioning fine on its own, into the Eastward Marching Army…”
She looked back slightly, wearing an expression akin to a bitter smile.
“…Still, at least they pretend to be polite in front of me.”
Jang Geon said nothing more. Even without his advice, Jin-ha would know well what she had to do. In the first place, Jang Geon was an outsider and effectively a vagabond warrior, so it was not a matter for him to carelessly chime in on.
Having traversed deep into the Murim Alliance, Jang Geon and Seo-ha were guided to an inner pavilion. Passing several long and short corridors there, they arrived at a door guarded by two martial artists who appeared to be Imperial soldiers. Seeing Jin-ha, the two bowed their heads slightly in greeting.
“Is she inside?”
“Yes. A message…”
At the moment the Imperial soldier answered Jin-ha’s question, the door they were guarding burst open. The person who threw the door open was Yu Seol. Her gaze quickly passed Jin-ha and Jang Geon to look at Seo-ha.
“Seo-ha!”
Afterwards, while bringing Jang Geon and Jin-ha inside, she held onto Seo-ha and made a fuss to the point of being somewhat theatrical. Having initially shown a delighted expression, Seo-ha also seemed to feel it and soon wore a troubled smile.
Her office was not very wide. However, all sorts of documents, from thick books to single sheets of paper, were rolling about inside it, and a large map was draped over one wall. Stepping carefully to avoid the documents, Jang Geon looked at the map and marvelled slightly.
Marked on the map hanging on the wall were the western coastline of the New Continent, a lofty mountain range that seemed to sever east from west, various lakes and rivers including the salt lake of Salt Lake City, and the desolate land unfolding west of Heavenly Empress City.
And the most surprising point was that lakes located extremely far to the northeast of New Sichuan were roughly drawn out. Advancing just a little further from there, one would reach the coastline located in the eastern part of the New Continent, and across that sea would lie Europe, the land currently called Rome.
While Jang Geon was looking at the map with interest, Yu Seol, who had seated Seo-ha in a chair and provided her with tea and snacks, spoke with a pouting face.
“Is now the time to be looking at that?”
When Jang Geon turned his head and wore a questioning expression as if asking what she meant, Yu Seol placed both hands on her waist and spoke.
“What did I tell you last time? Didn’t I say it was dangerous for Seo-ha to be in New Sichuan right now?”
“You did.”
“…Yet I heard Seo-ha was staying at your house after the Je Clan Patriarch’s succession ceremony?”
Jang Geon obediently nodded his head.
“That is right. Since she said the Je Clan was uncomfortable, I gave her a room to stay at my older brother’s house.”
“…Didn’t we agree to send Seo-ha back to the Central Plains?”
At those words of Yu Seol, Seo-ha, who was sitting in the chair, looked up at her with a startled face.
“Back then, we had agreed to do so.”
“…And yet?”
Walking over from the messy stack of documents toward the table where Seo-ha was sitting, Jang Geon naturally sat down in the seat beside her. Seeing that, Yu Seol wore a puzzled expression yet pulled a cord on one side. She was summoning a maid to bring a teacup for Jang Geon.
Whether she had been standing by from the beginning, a maid holding a teapot and a fresh cup entered from a small side door next to the room, keeping her face deeply lowered. With quick hands, she placed the teapot and cup onto the table, stepped back, and stood in attendance.
Jang Geon quietly observed the maid, then picked up the cup placed before him and took a sip. Then, slowly setting down the cup, he spoke.
“Seo-ha is now my disciple.”
Yu Seol and Jin-ha’s mouths fell wide open. Yu Seol maintained a dazed expression for a moment before her eyes blinked rapidly and she stammered.
“Th-the word disciple means… you intend to teach your martial arts to Jang…”
“That is correct.”
Hearing Jang Geon’s calm response, Yu Seol mouthed words silently in fluster, unable to continue. However, she quickly pulled herself together and spoke.
“Then do you mean to keep Seo-ha in New Sichuan continuously? Even after being ambushed like today?”
“That is correct.”
Looking at Jang Geon with complex eyes, Yu Seol turned her gaze to Jin-ha and asked.
“You went and saw it, so you know, right? Tell me a bit about the situation.”
Jin-ha, who was likewise flustered, opened her mouth at Yu Seol’s question. She quickly and simply explained the sequence of events compiled from the Jang Family Merchant Guild. Stated simply, there was not much to talk about at length.
Hearing that, Yu Seol quickly gathered her thoughts and asked Jang Geon.
“Do you mean to stay by Seo-ha’s side continuously until she grows up?”
Jang Geon nodded his head and picked up his teacup to drink.
“…However, just like what happened today, the two of you cannot stay attached forever. The Demonic Palace will target those gaps.”
“Then I shall handle them first.”
At that reply, Yu Seol’s eyes widened. She must have understood what Jang Geon said. However, she quickly calmed her expression.
“Are you saying you will join the Eastward Marching Army?”
“If that is the fastest way to handle the Demonic Palace.”
“Then while you are away…”
While she trailed off, Jang Geon looked at Seo-ha. Seo-ha was currently looking back and forth between the two with an anxious expression, as if unsure of what Jang Geon and Yu Seol were discussing.
Jang Geon’s eyes turned to the maid standing in attendance beside them.
“Please watch over the child for a moment.”
Startled, the maid raised her head and met Jang Geon’s eyes. Meeting his gaze for a moment, she said nothing and glanced subtly at Yu Seol and Jin-ha; though the two felt puzzled by Jang Geon’s sudden words, they did not stop him.
The maid then approached Seo-ha, softly wrapped her hands around her shoulders, and led her outside. Seo-ha kept her mouth tightly shut and looked at Jang Geon, but soon followed the maid’s guidance. The child looked somber as she left the office.
“Ah…”
And only after seeing Seo-ha leave did Yu Seol realize her mistake and wear an ‘oh no’ expression.
Today’s ambush occurred because the Demonic Palace targeted Seo-ha. Therefore, if Seo-ha came to know that fact, she might think that the people at the Jang Family Merchant Guild, Jin Gyeon, Dan Sang-woon, and the other children were in danger because of her.
No, since she was a child far sharper than she appeared, she might have already guessed that fact. Yu Seol cupped her forehead and tightly closed both eyes.
“…What an idiot…”
“My Lady…”
Realizing the situation around the same time, Jin-ha carefully comforted Yu Seol. However, Yu Seol’s expression did not soften. With a stiff face, she opened her eyes and looked at Jang Geon.
“…So, while Warrior Jang joins the Eastward Marching Army and is out on campaign, how do you plan to handle Seo-ha’s safety? For your information, do not hope for Imperial Army forces to be pulled out to protect the Jang Family Merchant Guild. Though I hold the title of General Pacifying the East, the Imperial Army is entirely His Majesty’s force and limbs, and I merely borrowed it temporarily. I cannot command them for private reasons.”
Jang Geon leaned back against the chair’s backrest and spoke.
“The person who ambushed us today introduced herself as Serpent Duke, the master of snakes. And as far as I know, snakes refer to the lackeys of the Demonic Palace operating in Martial World. Since such a head has flown off, it will not be easy for the forces of the Demonic Palace to move in New Sichuan for the time being.”
“W-wait. Serpent Duke? Serpent Duke?”
“That is so.”
Yu Seol wore a dazed expression once more.
“Heavens, then the general-level figures Warrior Jang has dispatched alone now number three…”
However, Jang Geon continued speaking, seemingly unconcerned with such a dazed expression.
“I do not know how the organization of the Eastward Marching Army is proceeding, but when that army launches its campaign, the Demonic Palace will no longer be able to pour power into other directions. At the very least, an ambush of today’s level will be difficult again. And as long as it is not of today’s level, the Jang Family Merchant Guild can handle it easily.”
Yu Seol felt a subtle nuance at the end of those words. It was as if he were telling her not to think of taking Seo-ha away from the Jang Family Merchant Guild, since they had sufficient power to protect Seo-ha even without Jang Geon.
She was soon able to recall the two martial artists who had stood against the demonic practitioners before Jang Geon arrived. Jin Gyeon was someone she also knew. However, that man named Dan Sang-woon was someone whose name had subtly circulated among New Sichuan’s high society merely as an artisan of the Jang Family Merchant Guild. His martial arts had been a mystery.
However, if he was someone Jang Geon trusted, Yu Seol felt she could trust him as well.
“…Very well. I will not say anything more. Since Warrior Jang must have made that decision after your own thoughts.”
Yu Seol spoke thus and slumped into the seat across from Jang Geon. She then let out a deep sigh. Jang Geon observed her for a moment before opening his mouth first.
“This time, you seem tired.”
“…Is that so?”
She wore a tired smile.
“Things are not turning out as smoothly as expected. Though I thought the existing Martial World factions would not cooperate submissively… facing it in reality is very different from merely guessing.”
“When will the Eastward Marching Army depart?”
“It will not be that far off. Once reconciliation with the native people of Gowon City is achieved, we will be able to receive route guidance for the New Continent beyond. And when that happens, the Imperial Army can set off immediately. We are already constructing a supply base in Gowon City, and if we begin our march from there, we can arrive at the place presumed to be the Demonic Palace’s stronghold before two weeks pass.”
“Will the Murim Alliance’s forces be able to keep up with that march?”
Yu Seol shook her head.
“They will not be able to follow on foot. Therefore, the main fighting forces will follow on horseback. The rest will focus on building supply routes after the main march passes.”
“I must follow on horseback as well.”
Jang Geon downed the tea he was drinking in a single gulp and stood up from his seat. Sitting in a slightly stooped posture, Yu Seol looked up at Jang Geon.
“…I feel as though I called you for no reason. You must already be exhausted from the ambush.”
She was referring to Seo-ha. Jang Geon shook his head.
“Seo-ha must have been happy to see your face as well.”
“However… when she left just now, she tried not to even meet my eyes, didn’t she? It seems I’ve earned her resentment.”
Jang Geon let out a light chuckle.
“Then come apologize later when Seo-ha’s anger cools down. Buy a present or something to bring along.”
At Jang Geon’s cool and composed attitude, Yu Seol’s expression also softened a little. She gave a small nod of her head.
“I am staying continuously at the Jang Family Merchant Guild. If you need my help or when the departure draws near, seek me out there.”
Jang Geon spoke thus and left the place to find the maid and Seo-ha. Even while feeling somewhat somber, Yu Seol watched Jang Geon’s back as he departed with strangely sparkling eyes.
* * *
Leaving the office, Jang Geon was guided by the Imperial soldier standing at the entrance to a small garden inside that pavilion. Within a slightly high wall, grass and small trees were spread out. Many colorful flowers were also visible.
In the very center, Seo-ha and the maid were sitting together, fidgeting with something.
As Jang Geon approached, the maid raised her head and looked at him. Seo-ha also raised her head following her gaze and soon spotted Jang Geon. The child quickly stood up, rushed to Jang Geon, and flopped into his embrace. The way she tightly gripped his collar indicated she had already realized the meaning of the conversation between Jang Geon and Yu Seol during that time.
Jang Geon gently stroked Seo-ha’s hair. He intended to talk to her after returning home.
Instead, he raised his head and met the maid’s eyes.
“…We meet again so soon.”
At those words, the maid, Dark Dragon Agent No. 3, smiled gently.