Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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8
7. <Rewriting the Sichuan Bloodshed (7)>
After the “Mountain King Struggle,” everything went smoothly.
First, we requisitioned carts from Huayan Keep to carry the wounded.
Perhaps because they had often attacked merchants instead of merely collecting tolls, the mountain keep was full of sturdy wagons and carts.
“How dare you attack innocent merchants?” (Bang Duchil)
At this, Bang Duchil, who flew into a rage, beating up the keep bosses was perhaps only natural.
The violence stopped only after the words, “From now on, we will only collect tolls,” popped out of their mouths.
On the road from Huayan Keep to Chengdu, we requisitioned experts from the mountain keep and had them take charge of escort duty and night watch.
The strange companionship of Murim Academy students, the Martial Alliance, and bandits continued for several days, and in the end we were able to reach Chengdu.
And Bang Duchil’s group, who had accompanied us all the way to Chengdu, bid us farewell.
In any case, I was grateful to him for running to me without conditions when I called.
“Where do you intend to go now?” (Jin)
“For now, I’m thinking of making a round through Sichuan.” (Bang Duchil)
“At this time, I would like to recommend that you look around Guizhou Province rather than Sichuan.” (Jin)
“Why is that?” (Bang Duchil)
Because a great war would break out in Sichuan now.
But I could not tell him the truth.
“Sichuan will become noisy for a while. It will likely be difficult to travel comfortably.” (Jin)
“Hmm…… is that so?” (Bang Duchil)
Judging from his expression, for some reason, he seemed even more inclined to stay in noisy Sichuan.
It seemed he had roughly caught on to how things were unfolding as well.
As expected, Baek Soryeong stepped forward first and settled the situation.
“Gaga, do as Mister Jin says. Have you ever suffered a loss by listening to Mister Jin?” (Baek Soryeong)
“Shall I? I was thinking of stopping by other mountain keeps on the way back anyway, so moving a little faster wouldn’t be bad.” (Bang Duchil)
He spoke very lightly, but it was easy to predict that he would visit each and every one of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Bandit Keeps and wage “Mountain King Struggles.”‘Is the Path of the Fighting King already beginning?’
Considering that in my previous life, his conquest of Jiangnan had been much later, it was truly a dramatic change.
“Jiangnan will soon lie beneath Hyung-nim’s feet.” (Jin)
Bang Duchil said with his lips twitching.
“Will it?” (Bang Duchil)
But Jiangbei would not be so easy.
The true strongmen of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Bandit Keeps were mainly gathered in Jiangbei, after all.
Still, he should be able to unify them several years faster than in my previous life.
As my thoughts continued that far, I felt newly astonished.
Even in my previous life, we had been somewhat close, but not to the degree that he would move for me with a single letter as he did now.
I had prevented the situation in which Bang Duchil was injured in his qi center, but I could not clearly distinguish whether that had truly been for his sake or for mine.
Even so, Bang Duchil was showing me boundless trust, and that pure and deep faith felt as though it weighed down on my heart a little.
“Please make sure to move while listening well to Sister-in-law. Then there won’t be many hardships on Hyung-nim’s path.” (Jin)
“Ahem, ahem!” (Bang Duchil)
I advised him with sincerity.
That rough Bang Duchil flushed red and let out fake coughs, while Baek Soryeong covered her lips and laughed hoho.
It was a truly nostalgic sight, and I was glad to see it again.
“You take care of yourself too, my younger brother. From what I hear through rumors, neither the things that have happened nor the things to come look particularly smooth.” (Bang Duchil)
“…….” (Jin)
Bang Duchil’s face turned rather serious.
“People like you and me are bound to stand out wherever we are. Because of that, it is only natural to be rejected. But even if one hides and conceals it, one will not easily blend in. Among ducks, a hawk has far too distinctive a shape.” (Bang Duchil)
Bang Duchil continued speaking words full of insight, unlike his usual self.
Then, at last, his eyes shone and he grinned.
“If so, is there any need to become a duck? One need only become a hawk and rule, or become a predator.” (Bang Duchil)
Had there been a moment when he too had wanted to mingle with a flock of ducks?
While I was thinking that he must have gone through rather difficult times, Bang Duchil was staring intently at me.
“So do not curse your own talons and sharp beak. We each have our own place, after all.” (Bang Duchil)
“…….” (Jin)
The reason he suddenly said such things was probably because he had seen what I was like among the academy students over the past few days.
It seemed that even in his eyes, I did not fit the Murim Academy very well.
“Thank you, Hyung-nim.” (Jin)
I spoke with sincerity.
His advice felt as though it left a mark deep in my heart anew.
Though we had somehow ended up forming a sworn brotherhood by chance, I had not expected to feel from him such reassuring dependability and thoughtfulness as an elder brother.
He placed those large hands of his on both my shoulders with a tap and said,
“So come back to Black Dragon Keep anytime. Now there are two mountain keeps you must lead, including Huayan Keep.” (Bang Duchil)
“Ah…….” (Jin)
Was that what he had meant by all that talk about ducks?
Damn it……. The emotions with which I had felt dependability and thoughtfulness crumbled away.
“Listen well. After I conquer all of Jiangnan, I’m going to Jiangbei! At that time, we shall be together as twin dragons, what do you……” (Bang Duchil)
“Gaga! Let’s go already!” (Baek Soryeong)
Perhaps sensing that my expression was not ordinary, Baek Soryeong began dragging Bang Duchil away.
Even as Bang Duchil was dragged away by Baek Soryeong, he did not stop speaking.
“If that happens, you will rule Jiangbei, and I will rule Jiangnan! The two of us will put the world beneath our feet! Mmph mmph!” (Bang Duchil)
In the end, Baek Soryeong even covered his mouth.
How do I change that damn name, Black Dragon Keep?
I firmly pressed down on my throbbing temples.#As soon as we arrived at the Martial Alliance’s Chengdu branch, Elder Suheo and Elder Sangwon were the first to break away from the group.
As soon as they finished a private meeting with the branch head, they rented carriages from the branch, loaded the other elders into them, and departed at once.
At the sight of the elders leaving without even greeting them, the disciples could not shake off their dumbfounded expressions.
The wounded were all entrusted to the branch’s medical hall, and the academy students were assigned rooms in the branch, where they squeezed in three or four at a time.
For the moment, whether it was an inn or a tavern did not matter, since what mattered was relieving the fatigue of the long journey.
I, too, tried to wash up immediately to relieve the fatigue that had accumulated, but there was someone calling for me.
“The branch head?” (Jin)
“Yes. He says he wishes to see you right away.” (Servant)
“…….” (Jin)
In truth, the ones responsible for this event were the Council of Elders, and if one were to name the next person in charge, it would be the Seungho Hall Leader.
Why would someone as important as the Martial Alliance branch head have any reason to meet the academy representative?
“Black Dragon Keep is a misunderstanding…….” (Jin)
If I were to make a rough prediction, there was a high possibility that the summons was due to Black Dragon Keep, that huge snowball created by Bang Duchil’s vain hopes and Baek Soryeong’s prank.
Since the fact that I had participated in the Mountain King Struggle had already been discovered by all the academy students, was it not obvious that someone would have reported it?‘Damn bastards. I stepped forward specifically to save them.’
If I had not participated in the Mountain King Struggle there, would we not have suffered quite a bit of damage as well?
From my perspective, I had merely done my best……
“Please go at once.” (Servant)
At the servant’s urging, I stared at him quietly.
“Must I go?” (Jin)
“Pardon?” (Servant)
An expression that seemed to ask why I was asking something so obvious.
Right, that was how it was.
Having come this far, it would be stranger not to go.
But dislike was dislike.
Even in my previous life, I had no good memories of getting involved with the various Martial Alliance branch heads.
Every one of them was overbearing, self-righteous, and selfish.
At least now, because I had the status of an academy student, I was even hearing a message to come and go; during my time in the Sojeong Squad, I was not treated as a person at all.
Compared to my previous life, I had risen in status to a dizzying extent, but my old defeatist mentality still remained.
“Please go at once. He has been waiting since earlier.” (Servant)
In the end, I moved my heavy steps.
When I arrived at the branch head’s office, someone had arrived before me.
“Seungho Hall Leader.” (Jin)
I acknowledged him, but he merely nodded briefly and showed no particular reaction.
Could it be that because I was the boss of Black Dragon Keep, he was now trying to distance himself?
I did not take him for that sort of person……
It was only natural, but it would be a lie to say I did not feel disappointed.‘And I was even going to buy Pasa Jeryeongdo for the Seungho Hall members.’
Then, just as I was about to clasp my hands toward the Martial Alliance’s Chengdu branch head, he sprang up from his seat.
“Master Jin, thank you for coming when you must be tired.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“…….” (Jin)
The first words he uttered were utterly strange.‘Master?’
The position of a Martial Alliance branch head was treated as being on the level of a pavilion master within the alliance as well.
They governed that region while also serving the role of conveying the will of the Martial Alliance.
The position of branch head was a high office that represented the Martial Alliance in each region.
Therefore, it was not usually a position one could rise to by ordinary background.
Even looking at the Chengdu branch head’s origin right now, he was an elite from the Diancang Sect, and by academy cohort standards, he was a senior from a cohort so far above mine that it felt distant.
Tang Hyeokje, who had been the Yueyang branch head, was an unusual case; normally, branch heads did not even treat academy students as formal martial artists……
“What tea do you like? I have Longjing tea and Junshan Yinzhen……” (Chengdu Branch Head)
He was even giving me a choice of tea?
Why on earth was he acting like this?
“Junshan Yinzhen seems to suit my taste.” (Jin)
“Ah, ah……! I-Is that so?” (Chengdu Branch Head)
What was that?
For a moment, his expression looked a little regretful.
If he was going to regret it that much, he should not have said he had any.
“It was worth saving just enough for ‘one’ serving.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
The branch head was making tremendous effort to win my favor, as though dealing with a creditor.‘What exactly is going on?’
Until just before coming here, I had thought I might be dragged to a prison and interrogated about what relationship I had with Bang Duchil, or whether I was perhaps a spy of Black Dragon Keep……
“The fragrance of the tea is truly good.” (Jin)
“I am truly glad it suits Master’s taste.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“But why did you ask to see me?” (Jin)
Since the other party had deliberately lowered himself first, there was no need for me to lower myself along with him.
I straightened my hunched shoulders.
Crack
* Crack
* sounds rang out from all over my body.
The Chengdu branch head looked at me and smiled as though he had met an incomparable noble guest.
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you prevented the damage to the Assembly of Righteousness, which could have spread greatly.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“I merely did what I naturally had to do.” (Jin)
“To think you consider sacrifice for others natural……. The future of the martial world is very bright indeed.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
At the level of a branch head, one had to be considered half a politician.
The Chengdu branch head’s tongue was rolling around in his mouth as if coated in oil.
As someone who had never received such flattery in either my previous life or this life, I instead felt goosebumps rise.
In any case, there was no doubt that this attitude from the Chengdu branch head was extremely strange.‘Did Taoist Myeonghyeon leave without saying anything at all?’
If it were Taoist Myeonghyeon, who bore a grudge against me, I had thought he would have driven a wedge between me and his junior of the same sect starting from the branch, yet why was this so-called junior acting like the tongue in my mouth?
“This matter is, from the perspective of the Sichuan Chengdu branch as well, no different from something extremely bewildering. That is why I cannot express how grateful I am for Master’s help.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“…….” (Jin)
Now the branch head was speaking as though I had practically become his superior.
When I kept my expression stiff and said nothing, the branch head seemed to sense that something was strange and cleared his voice before trying to bring up the main point.
“I hear you have a good relationship with Boss Bang Duchil of the Green Dragon of Zhejiang.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
Hmm…… In the branch head’s eyes, it should not be merely a “good relationship,” should it?
The branch head asked me in a subtle tone.
“Perhaps Master’s chivalrous spirit even moved the heart of that mere bandit, Boss Bang Duchil?” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“……
What is it you wish to say?” (Jin)
It was so frustrating that in the end, I asked directly.
Then the branch head kept parting and closing his lips.
“May I ask how close Master is with Boss Bang Duchil?” (Chengdu Branch Head)
My gaze turned to the Seungho Hall Leader.
Even though I had not asked through telepathy, he seemed to understand what my gaze meant and shook his head slightly.‘Putting aside the Seungho Hall Leader, you mean Taoist Myeonghyeon or the academy students of the Diancang Sect did not say anything either?’
Judging from the atmosphere, the branch head seemed not to know that I was sworn brothers with Bang Duchil.
Naturally, he also seemed not to know that I was the boss of Black Dragon Keep.
These bastards, they were quite loyal after all, weren’t they?
For some reason, I was a little moved.
“I apologize for asking something so personal. But the survival of the Sichuan Chengdu branch now depends on Master.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
In other words…… it seemed the Sichuan Chengdu branch head wanted to ask Bang Duchil for something through me.
I casually placed one foot on top of the other knee.
Sitting tense for so long had made my leg ache a little.
And at the same time, I stretched out once.
The Chengdu branch head’s eyebrows seemed to tremble for some reason.
When one’s body is stiff, words do not come out well either.
I lightly cleared my throat.
“Ahem, I am cautious about saying this as a prodigy of the orthodox sects…… but you can consider us almost at the level of sworn brothers.” (Jin)
“Ohh! Is that so?!” (Chengdu Branch Head)
The branch head’s eyes flashed open.
Gu Jeongryong, who had been glancing at me, also opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“From what I hear, Boss Bang Duchil placed the Green Forest Bandit keeps beneath his feet through the Mountain King Struggle this time. Could you possibly ask him for help?” (Chengdu Branch Head)
Only now did I roughly understand.
The Assembly of Righteousness had come to Sichuan and suffered damage after being attacked by the Blood Cult.
Moreover, the moment the identity of the Blood Cult was revealed, the Martial Alliance would dispatch a large number of martial artists, and a war against the Blood Cult would break out in Sichuan.
Then why was the branch head looking for Bang Duchil?
“It is for the peace and well-being of the martial world.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
……
He packaged it plausibly like that, but he was likely afraid of the fact that if the Martial Alliance’s massive manpower roamed all over Sichuan, the Green Forest Bandit keeps would not simply sit still and watch.
As it was, the branch head’s neck was already hanging by a thread because he had not even known that the Blood Cult had settled near Sichuan; if he failed to control even the Green Forest Bandit keeps or the Black Path, it would mean his head would simply fly off.
Furthermore, since the damage suffered by Diancang was also severe, if he returned to the main sect like this, it was certain they would attach some excuse from within and punish him.‘The peace of the martial world, my ass…… What a cunning man.’
Listening to his hypocritical words made the back of my neck feel stiff.
I turned my head left and right, loosening my neck.
The branch head pleaded with a servile expression.
“……
It is truly an important matter.” (Chengdu Branch Head)
Since this was a desperate moment on which whether his head would be cut off or not depended, even the word “Master” naturally came out toward a junior far younger than himself.
In truth, leaving aside his repulsive appearance, I had intended to make the Green Forest Bandit keeps behave themselves anyway.
If they pointlessly got involved here, the Green Forest Bandit keeps would end up neither dead nor alive.
Even for the sake of a future intact Green Forest Alliance, I had been planning to tell them to keep their heads down.‘That does not mean I can help for free.’
Since that man was looking after his own safety under the pretext of the peace of the martial world, why should I need to play along innocently?
Still, one could not reveal one’s true thoughts as they were.‘If it is for the peace of the martial world, of course I must help.’
Starting around there should do.
I adjusted my posture as the academy representative and a prodigy of the orthodox sects.
And I spat out the words I had prepared.
“How much did you come prepared to offer?” (Jin)
Not only the branch head, but Gu Jeongryong as well blankly opened their mouths.
“……?!” (Chengdu Branch Head)
“……?!” (Gu Jeongryong)
What was this silence?
I looked back and forth at the two men’s faces in the strange atmosphere.‘Huh? What is it? Ah!’
And I realized that my inner thoughts and the words I had spoken had been switched.
“Haha, dear me. That was a slip of the tongue……” (Jin)
Had my intelligence become similar to Bang Duchil’s just because I played the role of Black Dragon Keep’s boss once?