Chapter 651
Chapter 651
Chapter 651. Finishing Up (4)
A short while later, the troops led by the Provincial Inspector descended from the mountain.
“Lord Provincial Inspector.” (Eun Seho)
I approached him, gave a clasped-hands greeting, and reported.
“As you ordered, we were able to rescue everyone who had been detained.” (Eun Seho)
“You have worked hard.” (Provincial Inspector)
“And…….” (Eun Seho)
With cold eyes, I looked at White Tiger, who had been bound beside me, and said.
“The one who caused this incident has also been brought before you.” (Eun Seho)
“I am truly grateful. If that man had died, I would have been troubled over how to settle this situation.” (Provincial Inspector)
He ordered the soldiers.
“Gag him and lock him up so he cannot take his own life.” (Provincial Inspector)
“Yes!” (Soldiers)
Then, looking at the people I had rescued behind me, he said.
“You have all suffered greatly. Now rest easy and recuperate.” (Provincial Inspector)
At that moment, Noona Hyang-ok, who had been with Haechung Divine Nun, stepped forward.
“This girl is Hyang-ok, a disciple of the Emei Sect.” (Hyang-ok)
“Ah! You are the one called the Gale Fairy. Yes, what is it?” (Provincial Inspector)
“Please give me a chance to wash away the disgrace of having failed to subjugate those Green Forest Bandits.” (Hyang-ok)
I looked at Noona Hyang-ok.
Her face was full of indignation.
Come to think of it, Noona was so competitive that she could not stand losing.
Moreover, this opponent was not even a martial artist of the orthodox sects, but the Green Forest Bandits.
As such, her pride must have been quite badly wounded.
The Provincial Inspector looked at the Crown Prince with a troubled expression.
It was a look asking what he should do.
If he granted Noona Hyang-ok’s request, then the others would also say they would wash away their disgrace together with her.
But if he refused that request, he could not know how their resentment might return to him, so he was at a loss.
Receiving the Provincial Inspector’s gaze, the Crown Prince also made a troubled expression, then looked at me.
What? M-me? (Eun Seho)
Are you telling me to resolve this right now? (Eun Seho)
There’s no one else to pass it on to…… is there. Damn it. (Eun Seho)
I inwardly let out a sigh and said to the Provincial Inspector.
“Lord Provincial Inspector. In this humble one’s opinion, I think it would be best to grant Noona Hyang-ok’s request.” (Eun Seho)
“Is that so?” (Provincial Inspector)
“However, you must set a few conditions.” (Eun Seho)
“What are those conditions?” (Provincial Inspector)
“First, anyone whom the physician judges incapable of fighting must not participate in the subjugation. Second, they must not be swayed by personal grudges or emotions. If those come first, the result will be worse than not participating in the subjugation at all.” (Eun Seho)
“I will do as you say. Is there anyone besides the Gale Fairy who wishes to participate in the subjugation?” (Provincial Inspector)
“I will join as well.” (Martial Artist)
“I will also participate.” (Martial Artist)
Several martial artists stepped forward.
At that, the Provincial Inspector called his adjutant and ordered him.
“Go and bring a physician here.” (Provincial Inspector)
“Yes.” (Adjutant)
Soon, a physician from the Sichuan Tang Clan came.
But…….
“Huh? Elder?” (Eun Seho)
It was the former Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
“Oh! I heard the story. You rescued those who had been detained, did you not?” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“Yes. I was fortunate, and I had the help of many people.” (Eun Seho)
“Hoho, I knew you would say that.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“But why have you come here?” (Eun Seho)
“They said they were calling for a physician, so I came.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
His alias was Man-gyeol Divine Physician.
Since he was a physician skilled enough to be called Divine Physician, I understood that he had come after hearing they were looking for a physician, but…….
When the Provincial Inspector saw him, he quickly showed proper courtesy and greeted him.
“This humble one, Geum Yeong, greets the former Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.” (Geum Yeong)
“Oh! Geum Yeong, you were here too!” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“Yes.” (Geum Yeong)
“I see, I see.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
He looked as if he found a child adorable.
Once again, I could feel just how great Elder Man-gyeol Divine Physician’s standing was here in Sichuan.
“Elder, this is His Highness the Crown Prince.” (Eun Seho)
“Ah!” (Former Tang Clan Head)
The elder showed proper courtesy before the Crown Prince.
“This old body greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“It is an honor to face a legend of the Sichuan Tang Clan.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince continued.
“In truth, the reason we requested a physician here is……” (Crown Prince)
At the Crown Prince’s explanation, Elder Man-gyeol Divine Physician nodded and accepted.
“I understand. Please leave it to this old body.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
Then Elder Man-gyeol Divine Physician spoke to Noona Hyang-ok and the others.
“Those who wish to have their physical condition checked, stand in one line!” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“Yes, sir!” (People)
Soon, they lined up in perfect order. Then the elder began examining them one by one.
First, Noona Hyang-ok.
“Mm…… You pass.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“Thank you.” (Hyang-ok)
Without even taking her pulse, the elder merely swept his gaze over her entire body and reached his conclusion.
“You must recuperate.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“Why? I’m perfectly fine.” (Martial Artist)
“There is a crack in your left arm.” (Former Tang Clan Head)
“N-no, there isn’t.” (Martial Artist)
Whenever someone protested, he pressed hard with his finger on the part he judged to be injured.
“I really am fine…… Gyagyagyagyak!” (Martial Artist)
“Tsk! Where do you think you’re lying?” (Former Tang Clan Head)
In that way, he examined dozens of people in an instant, and as a result, only fifteen people, including Noona, passed.
The Provincial Inspector said.
“You people, follow me.” (Provincial Inspector)
“Yes.” (People)
At that moment, I stepped forward and said.
“We suffered no real damage either, so we will participate in the subjugation.” (Eun Seho)
“Thank you.” (Provincial Inspector)
A short while later.
I was in the conference room with the Provincial Inspector.
It was a meeting to subjugate the Green Forest Bandits led by the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
The Provincial Inspector’s adjutant spread out a map in front and began explaining.
“The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost is known to be a peak martial artist. At that level, it would not be difficult to face him with the current subjugation force’s strength, but the problem is his ability.” (Adjutant)
Tak!
He struck the map with his pointer and said.
“According to the testimonies of those who participated in the previous subjugation, when this man’s eyes glow red, he suddenly displays skill at the Transformation Realm level, beyond the super-peak.” (Adjutant)
At those words, something flashed through my mind.
The Extreme Martial Awakening Pill that Young Master Maeng Hyeon had taken when I went to Zhu Rong Palace before.
If one took that, a peak martial artist could display strength at the Transformation Realm level.
Could the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost have taken that as well?
And there was one more thing that bothered me, and that was the alias Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
His alias became Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost because his eyes were red.
There was something that came to mind when it came to the words red eyes.
Before, at the Myeongmyeong Trading Company, Jeong-ho Hyung had saved the grandson of the Trading Company Head, Seong Yu-jin, when they tried to push him off a boat and kill him to silence him after he saw the eyes of a woman named Hwang Min turn red.
Her ability was a soul-bewitching art through red eyes.
If so, there was a possibility that the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost also had the same ability.
“Lord Provincial Inspector, may this humble one say something?” (Eun Seho)
“I permit it.” (Provincial Inspector)
“In this subjugation, I will stand at the vanguard.” (Eun Seho)
“You will?” (Provincial Inspector)
The Provincial Inspector tilted his head for a moment and asked.
“Could it be that you have some desire for military merit?” (Provincial Inspector)
“That is not it.” (Eun Seho)
“Then why do you wish to stand at the vanguard?” (Provincial Inspector)
“Because I suspect that the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost may be using evil arts.” (Eun Seho)
“Evil arts?” (Provincial Inspector)
“Yes.” (Eun Seho)
I nodded.
“As far as I know, those who use evil arts have eyes that shine with an alien color.” (Eun Seho)
“But what does that have to do with you standing at the vanguard?” (Provincial Inspector)
“That is because I have learned the Thousand Flow Ice Sword.” (Eun Seho)
“Thousand Flow Ice Sword?” (Provincial Inspector)
“Yes. One who has learned the Thousand Flow Ice Sword has extremely pure and bright energy, so they are immune to most evil arts. That is why I wish to stand at the vanguard.” (Eun Seho)
“I see. If so, you shall stand at the vanguard.” (Provincial Inspector)
“I will do so with all my heart.” (Eun Seho)
In truth, I was by no means the type to willingly buy danger and take risks.
Kkui? (Geumryeong)
What do you mean by that? (Geumryeong)
What was everything you have seen until now? (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong. Be quiet. (Eun Seho)
Even so, the reason I was stepping forward as the vanguard this time was because I thought I might be able to obtain information through the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
After all, it seemed likely that he, too, was a member of the Asura Blood Cult.
A mountain keep in northwestern Sichuan.
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost, the Boss of that place, was in a rather foul mood.
That was because the people he had lured into the cave and detained as hostages had all escaped.
The losses caused by this were not what mattered.
What mattered was that he had failed to properly carry out the orders from above.
There was a reason he had not killed all the people who had come for the subjugation and had merely detained them in the cave.
Because there had been orders from above.
Since the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost was the Boss of the Green Forest Bandits, it was true that the Green King stood above him, but he had another superior above him as well.
Those who had supported him so he could become a Boss in an ordinary Green Forest Bandit group that received no particular attention.
He did not know their identity.
They had given him instructions several times until now, and from those instructions, he could only guess that they had not supported him for any particularly good purpose.
But it did not matter.
Because he only needed to take care of his own profit.
But this time, his superiors had given a strange order.
“What do we do? A subjugation just because we stole a mere few coins?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“Do not worry. I have already prepared countermeasures for this.” (Mysterious Man)
“Is that true?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“You need only do exactly as written here. Since the Crown Prince has come this time, the current White Tiger will step forward as the commander. That man is lacking in ability while being filled only with a desire for glory, so he will easily fall into a trap.” (Mysterious Man)
The one who had come to find him continued.
“Lure them and drive them into a nearby cave. Then, even with only the members of your mountain keep, you will be able to detain them sufficiently.” (Mysterious Man)
“Then do I demand money or rice by using them as hostages?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“No. What you should demand is something else.” (Mysterious Man)
That man smiled and said.
“Demand slaves and autonomy.” (Mysterious Man)
“What?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
At that, the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost asked with a puzzled expression.
“There is no way they will grant that, is there?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“That is why you are to demand it. It is only natural that they will refuse.” (Mysterious Man)
That man smiled unpleasantly.
“Then kill the people you have locked inside the cave.” (Mysterious Man)
He did not know why they had given such an order, but he had no choice but to obey.
Because they were the ones who had raised him to this position.
Thus, while sending a letter to the Provincial Inspector as they demanded, he had discreetly slipped in thirty thousand seok of rice as well.
But…….
Today, all of a sudden, the soldiers led by the Provincial Inspector had begun advancing toward the mountain keep with a tremendous noise.
So he had quickly ordered that the people locked inside the cave be killed.
But.
“T-this is terrible. The people we locked inside the cave have escaped.” (Subordinate)
“What did you say? You damn bastards!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
Soon after, the sound of a whistling arrow rang out, and he had no choice but to grind his teeth as he watched the Provincial Inspector’s forces suddenly retreat.
Because he had realized that their sudden noisy advance had been meant to let the people inside the cave escape.
His chest felt stifled.
Because he was at a loss over how to report this to his superiors.
He knew better than anyone how frightening they were.
They were people who had raised him, someone who had merely remained at peak level, all the way to the Transformation Realm.
In other words, if their help disappeared, it meant he might return to his former state.
It was then.
“Boss! Boss!” (Subordinate)
One of his subordinates rushed in urgently.
“What is it?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“Please look at this! A letter is tied to an arrow!” (Subordinate)
And the arrow he held out in both hands really did have a letter tied to it.
“But this arrow is the same arrow we previously shot over with the negotiation terms written on it.” (Subordinate)
“…….” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
He bit his lip, untied the letter bound to the arrow, and read it.
[Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost, listen.
There is nothing our side will give you, so drink some cold water and come to your senses.
I will not say much.
Surrender by the end of the horse hour (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) tomorrow.
We will confirm your surrender by having one hundred of your weapons hung from poles.
If you do not surrender, do not resent us for what happens afterward.
It will be your own doing.
Also, even having this arrow on our side is unlucky, so we are returning it.]
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost tore the letter to shreds and shouted.
“Aaaaaagh!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
Telling him to hang a hundred weapons from poles meant not to pull some idiotic stunt like pretending to surrender in order to lure them in, then suddenly turning around and attacking.
In other words, it was mockery meaning that no matter what cowardly trick they tried, it would be useless.
Also, every single phrase in the letter was something that made him furious.
“Um, Boss. What kind of letter is it?” (Subordinate)
“What does it say?” (Subordinate)
The Green Forest Bandits, every one of them illiterate, asked cautiously.
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost struggled to calm his rage and looked around at them.
Being angry was one thing, but what had to be done had to be done.
He recalled the words spoken by the person who had come to find him.
“You have stayed in this mountain keep for too long, have you not?” (Mysterious Man)
“……Why do you ask?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“It is about time for you to step out into the wider world. If this mountain keep is endangered by the subjugation force, then flee to the safe house I told you about.” (Mysterious Man)
Recalling those words, the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost said.
“It contained words mocking us.” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“What?” (Subordinate)
“They called us the most vicious bastards under heaven.” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“What! What have we done to deserve such insults?” (Subordinate)
“We cannot just sit still after this!” (Subordinate)
“I heard they are staying at a temporary camp down below. Let’s show them what we’re made of!” (Subordinate)
“As long as you are with us, Boss, we have nothing to fear!” (Subordinate)
Listening to their words, the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost grinned.
“If you put it that way, then I must move as well.” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“We will follow the Boss!” (Subordinate)
“We will follow you!” (Subordinate)
Looking at them, the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost thought inwardly.
True, I have been here too long. (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
Just as they said, it was now time for him to go out into the wider world to make his name resound.
For that, the troublesome ones who knew his past had to disappear.
The hostages’ escape bothered him, but he would be able to get past that somehow.
The deadline for surrender written in the letter was the end of the horse hour tomorrow.
He looked around at his subordinates and said.
“Two days from now. That will be the day of the decisive battle.” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)