Chapter 142: Clash at the Docks

“Is there any information about the martial world among the forces the Dragon Scale Squad has identified regarding the existence of the Crane?”

“We can barely grasp the imperial palace side, so how could we have the leisure to spy on the forces of the martial world? We are not an group with high status like the Brocade Guard.”

Gwan Jung-yeon smiled sheepishly, as if he were a powerless low-ranking official.

‘How ridiculous.’

If I hadn’t contacted the Hao Gate, I might have believed those words.

The fact that those reckless members of the Hao Gate would tear off their own fingers in a fit of panic just by hearing the name was the power the name Dragon Scale Squad held.

Although their exact form had not been revealed, it was clear that they were existences with strong power and authority known to anyone who should know.

However, because the existences they fought were outside the norm, they merely appeared relatively small.

‘But those guys called Crane just leave the Dragon Scale Squad alone?’

Although it was said that they maximized the organization’s secrecy by increasing the autonomy of funds to grow their independence, if they had active movements to the point where their name became this well-known, those existences called Crane should have made an active response toward the Dragon Scale Squad.

They were guys who would kill even the Emperor if things didn’t go their way.

If they moved in earnest, it was right to assume they had sufficient power to crush the Dragon Scale Squad.

Nevertheless, the Dragon Scale Squad was still intact.

‘Whether they have no choice but to stand by, or there is a reason they stand by.’

If it was the former, it meant that even the power of the Crane had some limit, and if it was the latter, it could be judged that they intended to exploit the Dragon Scale Squad later on.

If I wished to think optimistically, I would choose the former, but from a realistic perspective, weight was added to the latter.

“Ah! However…”

While I was rolling my head to draw my own conclusions, Gwan Jung-yeon spoke up as if he had recalled something.

“It is true that there are many places among the martial world forces that are difficult for us to touch with our size, but because of that, even if we couldn’t dig deep, we were observing their movements within possible limits. But recently, the movements of the Mount Hua Sect have turned somewhat aggressive.”

“The Mount Hua Sect has changed…”

I seemed to know the cause and reason. This was because I had personally resolved the problem that occurred in the Mount Hua Sect.

Even at that time, the Mount Hua Sect was in a state of being quite stimulated. It was understandable that they had turned aggressive.

At the same time, I also remembered the uncomfortable feeling that had not entirely vanished even after resolving the matter of the Mount Hua Sect.

It seemed to be something I should keep in mind.

‘Rather than that, this side is first.’

For now, it was necessary to focus on what was before my eyes.

Right now, treating Gwan Jung-yeon was the priority.

As I focused and moved my divine power and the Three Talents Unified Qi Art, the black qi visible on Gwan Jung-yeon’s arm quickly vanished.

“I don’t think I can get rid of the scar. It will remain quite large.”

“It’s fine. Women like scars.”

“I don’t think the scars they mean are this kind of scar…”

The wound remaining on Gwan Jung-yeon’s arm resembled a burn. Even if the wound healed, a gruesome trace would remain.

However, Gwan Jung-yeon chuckled as if to ask what the problem was.

Once all the black qi was driven out, Gwan Jung-yeon took out what looked like ointment and clean bandages from a box in the corner and wrapped the wound with familiar hand movements.

“Hmm!”

Gwan Jung-yeon moved his treated arm to grasp its condition.

Sensing it was better than he had expected, he soon showed a grin.

“It is a desirable martial art. If it’s the side you’ve learned, is it Wudang? Or Shaolin?”

“Let’s just leave it at that.”

“I should look into the nine sects too. Since the martial arts of the Dragon Scale Squad were created based on how to kill people on the battlefield, I judged them to be far from the Tao and consciously excluded them, but if there is this kind of utility…”

The gaze Gwan Jung-yeon directed at me as he stared blankly was, how should I put it, very familiar.

If this continued, I might see this man practicing the Sixteen Forms in the Bright Fate Escort Agency.

‘What a crazy thing…’

The thought that crossed my mind unconsciously was rather terrible.

Since it was not something to think about right now, just like the matter of the Mount Hua Sect, I decided to fold it away neatly.

Amidst that.

“Do you have any thoughts of doing a job?”

Gwan Jung-yeon made a strange proposal.

“Can I join? It seems different from what you said last time.”

“For me, the thing that should take priority between the guidelines and the mission is the mission. And right now, my mission is to grasp the flow of funds moved by the former Minister of Revenue, Gyeong Sang-eon. Although I will be heavily punished, I will be punished all the same even if I fail the mission.”

There was no reason to refuse.

“Let’s finish it quickly.”

At the quick decision, Gwan Jung-yeon’s expression turned peculiar. It felt like he hadn’t expected me to agree so easily.

If I hadn’t been involved with them to some extent, it was true that I too would have avoided stepping into this kind of matter.

‘It is also grandfather’s affair, but in a way, it seems connected to Seol-ah nuna as well.’

Gwan Jung-yeon, who did not know my inner thoughts, came forward with another proposal with a bright face.

“How about joining the Dragon Scale Squad this time…”

“Get lost!”

You’re crossing the line, mister.

***

As soon as the treatment was finished, Old Han got furious at Gwan Jung-yeon’s action of resuming the mission immediately, but in the end, he could not stop him.

The place we arrived at under Gwan Jung-yeon’s guidance was a manor that had quite a bit of money spent on it.

Since Suzhou is called the city of water, canals and waterways continue even within the city. Because of that, it was said that it was a trend for those with money to decorate the waterways inside their manors.

They drew waterways inside the manor to create a large pond and fashion a landscape.

The manor before our eyes felt exactly like that.

The view of the manor looking down from the roof of the two-story tavern held a sense of elegance despite it being the middle of the night.

However.

“It looks like a stirred-up beehive.”

“That’s because we stirred it.”

“…I see.”

Two experts who used black qi had clung to Gwan Jung-yeon.

It was a matter of course, but actions always have reasons.

“Should we pick another day?”

Within the manor, those who looked like government soldiers were loitering with torches.

Although it was not packed with government soldiers, if we accidentally touched them and the entire security force of Suzhou moved, the matter would get tangled up.

“It must be now.”

However, Gwan Jung-yeon insisted on now.

“The reason?”

“When you hear that a thief has entered your house, how would you move, young hero?”

“Well, my family… Ah!”

When a thief enters the house, a person instinctively tries to protect what is most precious.

For me, it was family, and for the former Minister of Revenue who was the master of that manor, there was a high possibility it was ‘that’ which Gwan Jung-yeon was aiming for.

If it was now, ‘that’ would be in the possession of Gyeong Sang-eon, or near him.

“We just have to slip in and snatch it. There is also a corner to sneak in.”

We finish it as quickly as possible.

If the matter unfolded as expected, it wouldn’t take long.

The guard of about a dozen government soldiers was not a seriously threatening matter either.

It was better than staying in Suzhou indefinitely due to an unplanned matter.

“Let’s go.”

I made the decision.

However, Gwan Jung-yeon’s movement was sluggish.

“But… before we start, may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“…Why is that young lady staring at me as if she wants to kill me?”

Indeed, just as Gwan Jung-yeon said, the sight of Yi Hwa staring as if she wanted to kill him was quite bloodcurdling.

Since the reason was clear, I slid the corners of my mouth up.

“As long as you don’t talk nonsense about entering the Dragon Scale Squad anymore, nothing special will happen.”

“And if I do?”

“Your head will become well-burnt charcoal.”

“…”

“I’ll wager my entire fortune that she’ll start with your tongue.”

To Yi Hwa, I was the Supreme Sovereign of Demons, the great Heavenly Demon.

Although she was one who followed my will unconditionally, at her root lay the Heavenly Demon Cult.

There was no way Gwan Jung-yeon, who advised me to enter the Dragon Scale Squad, would look pleasing in Yi Hwa’s eyes.

Perhaps because of what he had seen, Gwan Jung-yeon’s face stiffened.

“I must… watch my tongue…”

Judging by the way he spoke, it seemed he had intended to resume the recruitment process after the work was finished.

Thanks to Yi Hwa, I was able to save myself from a bothersome matter.

I stroked Yi Hwa’s head with affection as she glared at Gwan Jung-yeon.

***

Gwan Jung-yeon had made a dog hole in the waterway that crossed the interior of the manor.

Although we would get soaking wet since we had to enter the water, it was excellent for sneaking inside while avoiding surveillance.

“If we go to the lake in the center of the manor like this, to the place where Gyeong Sang-eon is…”

Gwan Jung-yeon’s voice, which had been reporting our smooth infiltration, quietly died down.

It was because the atmosphere inside the manor suddenly turned noisy.

Wondering what was happening, I watched carefully and saw the government soldiers moving.

‘We weren’t caught?’

If anything, they looked like they were withdrawing since their business was finished.

‘They’re backing off like this?’

Even if he was retired, considering the wealth and connections he would hold as a former high-ranking official, there was absolutely no reason for the Suzhou magistrate’s office to treat Gyeong Sang-eon coldly.

It meant that even placing a dozen or so government soldiers to prepare for a possible situation for a few days would not be a problem.

Such government soldiers were withdrawing in less than half a day. It meant someone had given the order.

“Does he have confidence?”

Although there could be other reasons, in my eyes, it looked like an expression of confidence that they didn’t need the government soldiers.

Or it could be a provocation.

Two warriors who wielded black qi died. Nevertheless, backing off the government soldiers meant telling us to enter, since they would clear away the bothersome eyes.

That meant there was a power in this manor that regarded those two warriors who used black qi as nothing.

“This might mean we’ve walked into a tiger’s den.”

Sensing the same thing, tension also appeared on Gwan Jung-yeon’s face.

‘Was it reckless?’

It was true that I held an advantage in compatibility against the warriors who used black qi. I had also felt confidence in that their characteristics did not work on me.

However, that did not mean I was an invincible expert.

What if there was an expert stronger than expected in this place?

‘Should we back off?’

I quickly assessed the situation.

“Welcome, rats!”

However, the situation changed in an instant, stripping away our options.

Someone who approached rapidly rushed at us.

“Tch!”

He was an expert. He was not an opponent to fight in the water where movement was difficult.

Gwan Jung-yeon kicked off from the waterway and stood against the opponent’s attack.

Clang! Clang!

The moment two consecutive sounds were heard!

‘Dark Soul Three Hands?’

My body moved immediately.

It was definitely the martial art displayed by the man we clashed with in the Jungshin Merchant Group.

A martial art that struck three times consecutively as if the attacks were overlapping!

Although he blocked two attacks with the two swords held in both hands, the last strike dug into Gwan Jung-yeon’s chest.

Slam!

The thing that blocked it was a move of Tai Chi Chuan that I displayed.

Deflecting the attack aimed at Gwan Jung-yeon’s chest.

A heavy strike of Shaolin Fist extended as if to crush the opponent’s chest.

Thud!

With a heavy sound, the opponent who exchanged a blow drew back.

“Hmm?”

The opponent looked at me with interested eyes.

Conversely, I frowned and glared at him.

‘It’s stinging.’

To describe the black qi of those we clashed with before in my own way, it could be called a snowflake.

Cold, but soft, and thus something that could be scattered at any time.

However, this man’s energy was different.

It was like a club made of ice.

The moment it clashed, it felt like it dug in like a needle and seeped into my bones.

But there was a problem far more serious than that.

‘This guy is strong…’

The enemy before my eyes was someone who was strong even without relying on the characteristics of the black qi.