Chapter 48: Chapter 48
“Ugh, uuuugh…”
Near a spring deep in the mountains, groans were continuously flowing.
After crawling and creeping around on the ground several times while clutching his cracked and blood-dripping skull, Dok-ra-su stealthily rose from his spot.
“Did he leave?”
There was nothing felt in his sensory perception. However, judging by the divine might that bastard displayed, he was an expert tiers above him, so he could not let his guard down.
After examining his surroundings for quite some time, Dok-ra-su became certain that Cheon Woo-jin had left and entered the hut.
“Haa…”
The hut, where all kinds of medicinal herbs and poisons had been orderly arranged, had become a complete shambles.
Being cleaned out of the antidote did not matter. However, having the Small Restoration Pill snatched away was quite a heavy blow. Because it was an elixir he had purchased from the Shadowless Divine Thief for a colossal sum of money.
Emitting his characteristic green optical glow, Dok-ra-su clenched his fists tightly. He immediately wanted to follow that ill-mannered disciple of Black Elder and shove poison water down his gullet, but…
Unlike his thoughts, his feet did not move.
“He truly is that bastard’s disciple.”
In truth, he had never once exchanged blows directly with Black Elder. However, back when they hung out together, he occasionally saw that bastard fighting with other fellows.
“Though it was assault rather than a fight…”
Mostly, it was those who harbored grudges against Black Elder, or cases where people picked fights to gain fame.
Surprisingly, Black Elder’s moniker was called that ever since he was twenty years old, because he looked so aged that even Dok-ra-su, who grew up watching people pickled in poison, acknowledged it.
– Haha, looking at your bastard mug, I understand why you carry an old man’s moniker… Guh!
Mostly, it went like that.
At any rate, when a fight broke out, Black Elder was a man so cruel and strong that even he, a friend, was terrified. As expected of that bastard’s disciple, the young bastard named Cheon Woo-jin also made him feel that emotion he had buried for a long time once again.
“This bastard. I will definitely get my revenge. You will beat the ground and bitterly regret sparing me.”
The Dok-ra-su’s sinister poison qi filled the hut.
Judging by his momentum alone, it seemed as if he would immediately follow Cheon Woo-jin and challenge him to a life-and-death duel of a lifetime, but Dok-ra-su merely pulled over the writing brush, ink, and paper placed on one side.
Grinding the ink aggressively, Dok-ra-su wrote something down on the paper for quite a while.
Roughly, it was an anonymous petition sent to the Martial Alliance.
– Did the current Martial Alliance accept the member named Cheon Woo-jin even while knowing the fact that he is the disciple of Black Elder, a great villain!
Promptly nodding his head with a satisfied expression at his sentence, Dok-ra-su momentarily froze.
It was because the short journey in the martial world he shared with Black Elder in his youth unexpectedly came to mind. Because his fear was extreme, he had buried it deep within his heart, yet he had unexpectedly met his disciple.
“Back then, I was indeed harsh to that fellow.”
He had needed the body of an expert. The only expert around him was Black Elder. He was also younger than now, and at that time, not long after being expelled from the Tang Clan, his obsession with poison arts was even greater.
Thus, he had committed it. Of course he failed, and he had to spend the rest of his life avoiding Black Elder’s eyes.
“Snicker, it is a good thing that he died.”
He spoke like that, but somehow bitterness was mixed in his voice. The Dok-ra-su also knew that Cheon Woo-jin’s words were true.
“If that bastard had resolved to pursue me, there is no way I would be alive like this.”
He did not know when they hung out together, but hearing news later on, he was none other than the disciple of the Dark Emperor. What was more, the chief disciple who was said to be closest to the master among numerous disciples.
There was no way one could deceive such a man’s eyes for a lifetime.
Just now was the same. Cheon Woo-jin’s martial prowess was clearly several tiers above his own.
‘A monster raised a monster…’
Would such a monster have truly spared him by mistake? If he had made up his mind, he could have smashed his skull entirely rather than just splitting it open.
Dabbing Golden Sore Medicine roughly onto his skull that was still bleeding profusely, Dok-ra-su fell deep into thought.
‘I’ve incurred a debt of life to that master and disciple twice.’
It was a damned relationship. The old friend and his disciple, who had made him tremble in fear and run away for a lifetime, had spared him twice.
Was this resentment, or grace?
After a brief contemplation, Dok-ra-su reached a conclusion.
“Damn it. Of all people, to such bastards…”
Letting out a deep sigh, Dok-ra-su crumpled the paper. Even though he was an outcast, people of the Sichuan Tang Clan were famous for never forgetting grudges and debts of gratitude.
* * *
The escort convoy led by Cheon Woo-jin arrived at their destination, the Henan Escort Bureau, without difficulty.
“Oh, as expected…”
Watching the Henan Escort Bureau, Song Yi-yeon let out a low exclamation of admiration. When Cheon Woo-jin looked at him as if asking why, Song Yi-yeon’s explanation followed.
“The Henan Escort Bureau is an escort bureau counted among the top four in the Central Plains. It is commonly called the Four Great Escort Bureaus of the Central Plains. Ahem, of course, our Anhui Song Clan is no less impressive, but…”
Song Yi-yeon unnecessarily added words at the end, and Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head while surveying the escort bureau.
Certainly, there were too many people for it to be called a mere escort bureau, and in particular, the number of martial artists was comparable to a typical martial family.
The level of those who appeared to be escort guards was also overwhelmingly above first-class.
“At this level, it would be fine to view it as a martial sect.”
“Naturally. In fact, unlike what is seen on the surface, escort bureaus often deeply involve themselves in martial world affairs. So those fellows who tease me for being the son of a merchant family are also speaking without knowing anything.”
“Mmh, I see.”
He did not know why the conversation flowed in that direction, but Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head for now. It was the method of making friends learned from Master White Elder.
When Cheon Woo-jin responded, Song Yi-yeon, somehow excited, explained for quite some time why he should truly be called a martial artist. Of course, Cheon Woo-jin merely chimed in mechanically and surveyed the escort bureau.
Amidst the people busily coming and going, Escort Leader Zhang Seong-guk of the Yicheng Escort Bureau approached. Having finished the escort mission safely, his complexion had improved again.
“Both of you worked hard. Thanks to you, we were able to complete the escort mission safely.”
His attitude had changed greatly compared to when they departed. He had already witnessed both of their capabilities with his own eyes, and in particular, the sight of Cheon Woo-jin treating the epidemic with internal arts was vividly stamped in his memory.
“Is it all over now?”
When Cheon Woo-jin asked, Zhang Seong-guk repeatedly nodded his head.
“That’s right. I will send word directly to the Martial Alliance, so you two may return right away. Perhaps because it’s the Henan Escort Bureau, a small-to-medium escort bureau like ours will have to wait for a long time.”
Zhang Seong-guk smiled bitterly. Probably after waiting for a long time, some petty escort of the Henan Escort Bureau would come and hand over the confirmation letter. It was the sorrow of a small-to-medium escort bureau dealing with a large escort bureau.
Because he could not let the Martial Alliance members’ time be wasted like that, Zhang Seong-guk told the two to head back first.
It was right then.
An escort who came out of the Henan Escort Bureau’s office approached.
“Are you the people who came from the Yicheng Escort Bureau?”
“We are, but what is it?”
“Third Escort Leader asks you to come inside.”
When Escort Leader Zhang Seong-guk looked at him with an expression asking what was the matter, the escort cleared his throat with a cough and added:
“He wishes to see the two gentlemen here.”
“Ah.”
Escort Leader Zhang scratched his head in embarrassment. Indeed, if they were martial artists affiliated with the Martial Alliance Headquarters, they would receive quite good treatment even at the Henan Escort Bureau.
Song Yi-yeon made an awkward expression while looking at Escort Leader Zhang.
However, Escort Leader Zhang merely nodded his head.
“Go on in.”
“Ahem. Yes, understood.”
Giving a polite bow, Song Yi-yeon moved his steps under the escort’s guidance, and Cheon Woo-jin followed behind him.
* * *
“Help yourselves quickly.”
Third Escort Leader pointed to the teacups placed in front of the two. He was quite plump, and his goatee, thin compared to his bulk, was an impressive man.
After looking at him, Cheon Woo-jin lifted the teacup and brought it to his lips. At the same time, Third Escort Leader’s words continued.
“How is it? The fragrance is very nice, isn’t it?”
“Yes, indeed it is.”
When Song Yi-yeon replied, Third Escort Leader nodded his head in satisfaction.
“As you also know, moving martial artists with money is no easy task.”
Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin made bewildered expressions as if asking why he was saying such things.
Regardless, Third Escort Leader’s words continued calmly.
“However, in our Henan Escort Bureau, there are quite a few escorts who hail from the Martial Alliance Headquarters. What do you think that method is?”
“Well. Is the bureau head perhaps of martial artist origin?”
At Song Yi-yeon’s answer, Third Escort Leader gently stroked his goatee and continued speaking.
“No. Bureau Head is a merchant through and through. He just has a lot of money. Colossally, immensely much.”
“Aha…”
Song Yi-yeon stiffly nodded his head. In the end, it meant he was giving large sums of money enough to hire martial artists who were not easy to move with money in large numbers.
The intention of saying such things was obvious.
“If the day comes when you two leave the Alliance, come find me. I heard the story of the escort mission with the Yicheng Escort Bureau this time. It was quite impressive. I will promise you better treatment than other escort leaders.”
In other words, it was a petty scheme to secure his own faction.
Just as Song Yi-yeon was awkwardly sipping tea.
Cheon Woo-jin answered in a dry tone:
“That will not happen.”
“Hahaha!”
Whether it was a firmer answer than expected, Third Escort Leader burst into hearty laughter. Third Escort Leader, who observed Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon as if scrutinizing them, made a peculiar smile.
“At first, everyone thinks like that. Yearning for the image of oneself becoming a hero or knight-errant, feeling as if one could achieve anything for justice… It takes precisely five years.”
“Pardon?”
“Precisely five years is the time it takes for all that romanticism to drain away, being pushed around by peers from noble families or sects, ignored by superiors, pressed from below… and eventually looking around here and there.”
“Aha…”
Song Yi-yeon merely nodded his head reluctantly as if displeased. At that sight, Third Escort Leader, narrowing his eyes, said meaningfully:
“Well, you two might really become righteous heroes who change the world. At that time, please look kindly upon our escort bureau. That Longjing tea you are drinking. It’s tea that is difficult to come by easily with a Martial Alliance stipend.”
“Ah, yes…”
Song Yi-yeon, who gave a perfunctory reply, sent a glance to Cheon Woo-jin to leave. Cheon Woo-jin also judged that it was not worth listening to further and rose from his seat.
“We will take our leave.”
“Are you returning straight to the Martial Alliance? I am an old friend of the Benevolence Division Head there. Please pass on my regards.”
It was a typical trick of displaying connections with high-ranking officials to daunt newcomers. However, regrettably, it seemed he was not truly on close terms with the Benevolence Division Head.
“The Benevolence Division Head was dismissed from his post.”
For the crime of plotting affairs after receiving solicitation from the Gu Clan Patriarch.
Third Escort Leader’s eyes popped wide open.
“I-is that so?”
Third Escort Leader, who belatedly composed his expression, clicked his tongue repeatedly.
“I knew that would happen someday. That fellow is overly greedy for money. Clearly he ended up like that after taking bribes. Right?”
Cheon Woo-jin stared fixedly at Third Escort Leader. His eyes were murky, and his face was full of ill temper. Both masters had told him to keep away from such people.
“Because it is an internal affair of the Alliance.”
Having dismissed it like that, Cheon Woo-jin immediately exited the office. Awkwardly giving a rough bow, Song Yi-yeon hastily followed behind Cheon Woo-jin.
* * *
After exchanging brief farewell greetings with Escort Leader Zhang, Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon headed straight for Shaolin. They needed to return the Small Restoration Pill, and since there had been Master White Elder’s words, he also intended to stop by Shaolin once.
There were a total of three gates in Shaolin.
Because those visiting for the first time had to wait for approval at the first gate, Cheon Woo-jin was sitting side by side with Song Yi-yeon, gazing blankly into the empty air.
“Young Hero, the sun will set at this rate. How about we just mention the Small Restoration Pill and enter?”
“That is relying on luck.”
At that firm answer, Song Yi-yeon made a fed-up expression. Young Hero Cheon was sometimes suffocating. If only his martial prowess were higher, he would have dragged him in by force, which was truly a pity.
Just how much time had passed like that?
Instead of the welcome face they were waiting for, an unwelcome face appeared.
“Haa, we meet again here.”
Song Yi-yeon grumbled in a small voice. The man leading a convoy of carts from afar while grinning broadly was none other than Third Escort Leader.
Approaching, Third Escort Leader struck up a conversation pretending to be close.
“Good grief, if you were visiting Shaolin, you should have told me. Patron escort bureaus can enter all the way to the third gate in one go.”
“…No, thank you. We can just wait a little, you know.”
“Tsk, tsk, perhaps because you’re young, you have no knack for things. If you wait obstinately, you’ll only be able to enter after the sun completely sets, so don’t put on airs and just follow me.”
“That’s quite all right.”
When Song Yi-yeon felt awkward, Cheon Woo-jin stepped forward and answered firmly. He would rather wait for three days if he had to wait, but somehow he did not want to be indebted to that man. It felt like he would bring up something else later using this as an excuse.
Soon, shaking his head, Third Escort Leader led the escort convoy and entered Shaolin. When the monk managing the first gate pointed at Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon and asked if they were part of the group, he did not forget to click his tongue and say, ‘Not at all. Tsk.’
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin, who had been staring blankly at that back, jumped up and approached the monk managing the first gate.
Song Yi-yeon looked at this with puzzled eyes. Young Hero Cheon and the monk conversed for quite a while, and then…
“T-the Small Restoration Pill…!”
The monk’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
Song Yi-yeon looked at Cheon Woo-jin dumbfounded.
“Earlier you said that was relying on luck!”
Cheon Woo-jin merely cleared his throat awkwardly. At that sight, Song Yi-yeon burst into a chuckle.
Indeed, Third Escort Leader was somewhat obnoxious.