Chapter 39
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Attacking the Escort (1)
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“The Mount Hua Sect.”
Though the Mount Hua Sect isn't strictly Taoist anymore, there was a time when it was.
The sects and escort agencies established by its secular disciples back then were quite numerous in Shaanxi.
And the Mount Hua Sect still maintained good relationships with them, lending them strength when needed.
“So, we must return to the Cult as quickly as possible. And we must leave no trace behind.”
Whether it was Mount Hua or Shaolin, they both moved when a sect founded by their secular disciples was attacked.
But it was also true that Mount Hua was more proactive than Shaolin.
“But if it's an escort agency from Mount Hua, why is it in Henan?”
“It's in Shaanxi. It's just passing through Henan.”
Lingbyeokmun slowly looked around at the people.
“Now, listen.”
It was a clear sign he would take no more questions.
“The escort agency is called the Yuk Family Escort Agency. As I said, it was founded long ago by a secular disciple of Mount Hua.”
Being an agency founded by a secular disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, it was quite a large one in Shaanxi.
So large, in fact, that comparing it to the Yuun Escort Agency, where they were now, would be an insult.
“How they discovered our Cult's treasure is unknown.”
The route by which they found it was a mystery.
“They could have acquired it long ago, or they could have obtained it recently.”
Perhaps they found it during an escort mission, or perhaps the agency was built on land where the treasures were buried.
“Whatever the case, it doesn't matter. What matters is that the treasures have recently surfaced.”
Perhaps because they had been kept hidden within the agency, no one knew of their existence.
But recently, the Yuk Family Escort Agency had brought out the treasures and begun preparing something.
“It seems they intend to go to Hebei.”
“Hebei…”
At the mention of Hebei, people immediately thought of the Hebei Peng Clan.
After all, the most famous sect in Hebei was, of course, the Hebei Peng Clan, one of the Five Great Clans.
“It is not the Hebei Peng Clan.”
Lingbyeokmun immediately refuted their thoughts.
“If not the Peng Clan…”
“Could it be the government?”
As Lingbyeokmun nodded, everyone's gaze turned to Jang Hu.
“It's simple. Hebei has the Peng Clan, but it also has the Imperial Palace.”
He said it casually, but the expressions of the others couldn't help but stiffen.
“Of all the…”
“I'd rather it be the Righteous Alliance.”
“Surely they don't intend to present our Cult's treasure to the emperor?”
If they were to present it to the emperor, things would become complicated.
No matter how powerful the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was, confronting the emperor was impossible.
“No.”
If it were truly a tribute for the emperor, even the Heavenly Demon would have given up.
Or he would have acted himself.
“The emperor is in Hebei, but he is not alone.”
Simply put, it was not for the emperor, but for another high-ranking official.
“Someone who happened to see it at the Yuk Family Escort Agency offered to buy it. I hear he collects such things.”
Though it was a treasure of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, in a way, it could be called an antique.
One heavily influenced by the Zoroastrians of Persia.
That was why the Yuk Family Escort Agency had happily agreed to present it as a gift.
‘They must have thought it wasn't a bad deal to befriend a high-ranking official with such antiques.’
The plan was to attack the Yuk Family Escort Agency when they transported the treasure to Hebei.
“But if they're going from Shaanxi to Hebei, wouldn't it be faster to go directly through Shanxi?”
Biyoung wore a look of confusion.
It was, after all, faster to cross Shanxi than to go through Henan from Shaanxi.
“Shanxi doesn't have any of the Nine Sects One Union or the Five Great Clans, does it?”
It wasn't that there were no orthodox sects, but there were no major ones.
However, there were quite a few sects affiliated with the Heretical Alliance, so they decided to take the longer route through Henan instead of crossing Shanxi.
“Because Shaolin is in Henan.”
Of course, this didn't mean Shaolin would protect them.
But Shaolin's influence was so strong that it was difficult for the sects of the Heretical Alliance or the branches of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to exert their power there.
“And we will attack them in Henan, just as they are about to enter Hebei.”
If they passed through Henan without incident and safely entered Hebei, their guard would inevitably be down.
“For your information, the Yuk Family Escort Agency departed ten days ago.”
“Is it alright for us to be dawdling like this?”
Although they wouldn't be moving fast with their cargo, Gye Buil worried they were too late.
“It's fine for now. Unlike them, we will be cutting through Shanxi.”
If they crossed Shanxi, they were bound to arrive before the Yuk Family Escort Agency.
“We depart tonight.”
“Tonight?”
At the word 'tonight', displeasure began to creep onto people's faces.
They hadn't been given any notice, so no one was prepared to leave.
They wondered if they could even get ready in time if they started right now.
“That's right. When it gets dark, we will move, avoiding the eyes of others.”
Attacking the Yuk Family Escort Agency, which could be considered an affiliate of the Mount Hua Sect, within Shaolin's territory.
The important thing was that their involvement must not be discovered.
That was why they had stayed here for ten days without making a move.
To make it seem as if they were just staying here before returning to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Prepare as quickly as you can. Anyone who isn't ready in time will be left behind.”
Having said his piece, Lingbyeokmun turned to leave.
“Ah, and one more thing…”
Lingbyeokmun, who had seemed ready to walk out, stopped and looked at Jang Hu and Gye Buil.
“I hear you clashed with the Mount Hua Sect again…”
Just as he had clashed with the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai, Jang Hu had once again clashed with warriors from Mount Hua in Shaanxi.
“We didn't fight.”
“But they may be watching us.”
Although they hadn't directly crossed swords like with the Kunlun Sect, it meant they had engaged in a battle of wills.
“The reason we're moving so quickly is partly your fault, Young Master Jang and Young Master Gye.”
Jang Hu and Gye Buil couldn't shake the feeling that they were being treated like nuisances.
When in fact, it was the Mount Hua Sect that had started the trouble.
“But they were the ones who…”
“Enough. Just get ready.”
The two tried to say something, but Lingbyeokmun cut them off as if he didn't want to hear it.
“You must be extremely careful from now on. I will be monitoring both of you young masters closely.”
To complete the mission without being detected by Shaolin and Mount Hua, they had to move with extreme caution.
No one could find out they were on the move.
But every time Jang Hu and Gye Buil went out, they got into trouble with the orthodox sects.
“He's looking down on us too much.”
“Then conduct yourselves properly.”
With that, Lingbyeokmun left.
“That arrogant…”
“Even if he has our master's trust…”
Jang Hu's and Gye Buil's faces twisted at the sight of the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade looking down on them.
‘If only I become the Young Cult Leader…’
But it didn't seem like the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade's attitude would change even if one of them became the Young Cult Leader.
He was, after all, a man who served only the Cult Leader.
Not the Young Cult Leader, but the Cult Leader himself—only then would the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade bow that stiff neck.
If he became the Cult Leader, he would make the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade regret his current actions.
Of course, if that happened, the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade would likely step down before bowing his head.
‘He's too willful.’
‘If he'd told us sooner, we could have prepared in advance.’
Jang Hu and Gye Buil remained displeased with the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade.
Even if he was the one appointed by the Heavenly Demon, they felt he was being too autocratic.
“Well then, I'll see you at departure.”
The first to rise from her seat was Yeong Soso.
As if she had no desire to agree with Jang Hu or Gye Buil, she stood up and left.
“You two should stop complaining and get ready as well.”
And Mok Jagyeong also said that to the two of them before leaving.
“Tsk. This one, that one, all of them.”
As Jinmyeong walked out, Jang Hu's complaint-filled voice reached his ears.
‘Interesting.’
He found this situation, where Jang Hu was being ignored, more amusing than he'd expected.
He didn't seem that foolish when they'd spoken directly.
‘I should get ready quickly too.’
Returning to his room, Jinmyeong began to prepare for his departure.
He changed into black clothes and packed the clothes the maids had laundered, finishing his preparations all too quickly.
In the end, Jinmyeong had no choice but to wait until it was time.
“Is everyone here?”
When the sun had set and the surroundings were completely dark, Jinmyeong finally began to move.
A short while later, the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade appeared, looked around, and spoke.
“We will move with the utmost caution. So that no one discovers us.”
Retrieve the treasure without being discovered and return here.
Then, transport it to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, also with the utmost caution.
That was the mission they had been given.
“Before we depart, everyone put on a mask.”
The members of the Shadow Demon Brigade began distributing black masks.
Jinmyeong stared at the mask for a moment before putting it on.
‘This is uncomfortable.’
The mask was more uncomfortable than he had expected.
‘They conducted raids wearing things like this? How inconvenient.’
Perhaps because it covered both his nose and mouth, breathing felt stuffy.
“From now on, we are just a nameless group.”
At Lingbyeokmun's words, the young warriors of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult quietly nodded.
“Let's go.”
On a dark, moonless night, they left Shaanxi and ran toward Shanxi.
‘This is exhausting.’
The journey to their destination was a forced march.
To avoid being seen, they traveled mainly at night, using mostly deserted roads.
Was it because they moved using their lightness techniques without getting proper sleep?
In the end, they were able to cross Shanxi in less than ten days.
“We will wait here now.”
As soon as he arrived at the destination, Lingbyeokmun surveyed the surroundings.
“Each of you find a place to hide and wait.”
“Until when?”
“I don't know.”
Because they had moved in secret, they had not contacted any of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's branches.
Therefore, they had no idea where the Yuk Family Escort Agency was.
“So we just have to stay hidden here?”
Yeong Soso said, her fine brows furrowed.
She didn't like having to wait indefinitely in this place with nothing around.
“That's right.”
But the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade nodded firmly.
Soon after, the members of the Shadow Demon Brigade moved again, handing something out to them.
‘A flute?’
It was a very small flute.
“From now on, each of you will spread out, hide, and wait. When you spot the escort agency from your waiting position, blow it.”
“Won't they become wary then?”
“It's fine. It's a special one.”
Listening to the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade's answer to someone's question, Jinmyeong stared at the flute.
‘I wonder what sound it makes.’
Did he expect them to move without even knowing what sound to listen for?
“What kind of sound does it make?”
Someone posed the same question Jinmyeong had to the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade.
It seemed Jinmyeong wasn't the only one who was curious.
“You will know it when you hear it. When the time comes, just run toward the sound.”
But the Leader of the Shadow Demon Brigade did not give a precise answer.
It wasn't easy to understand what he meant by 'you will know it when you hear it', but in the end, Jinmyeong had no choice but to find a likely path for the escort agency and move.