Chapter 24
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: What Could It Be?
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Yi Ho-chang wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, but with the man making such a scene right at the inn's entrance, it was hard not to take notice.
The man's words continued.
"I'm telling you, if you just hold off for a bit and take this sword as collateral, I'll definitely bring the money back. This isn't an excuse—my money pouch really was stolen."
From what Ho-chang could gather, the situation was clear enough.
The guy had no cash and was trying to leave something behind in exchange.
Ho-chang eyed the man's appearance.
He looked refined and well-groomed, not a beggar by any means.
The sword he offered as collateral gleamed with quality—it wasn't some cheap blade.
And he kept his voice steady, polite to the end, which didn't strike Ho-chang as the mark of a liar.
Still, the innkeeper, seasoned in these matters, held firm without budging.
Ho-chang watched the back-and-forth for a moment, then made up his mind and approached them.
"Excuse me."
"Huh?"
"Would this cover it?"
The innkeeper glanced at the money Ho-chang held out, then looked between the man and Ho-chang.
He snatched the coins quick as a flash, tucking them away as he spoke.
"More than enough. If you want change, wait here a moment."
"No need for change. So, we're good now?"
At Ho-chang's question, the innkeeper shot a glance at the man and grunted.
"All settled. Now beat it."
"Looks like that's that. I'll be off, then."
With the issue resolved, Ho-chang turned to head inside without a fuss.
Why had he stepped in to help?
Nothing special.
He had the money to spare, and it felt no different from swiping a transit card for a kid without bus fare.
So he'd just done it.
That was Ho-chang through and through.
Just then, the dazed man snapped to and grabbed at Ho-chang as he walked away.
"Y-Young hero!"
"Yes?"
"You helped me out, and you're just leaving without so much as a thank you?"
He cupped his fists in a formal bow of gratitude.
"I am Pung Yeong. If you'd share your name or affiliation, I swear I'll repay the favor."
Ho-chang chuckled softly.
"Name's Yi Ho-chang. No need for repayment. You just looked like you needed a hand—don't sweat it."
"No, I can't just let a debt of gratitude slide. Looks like you were about to eat here. Have your meal, and I'll rush off to get the money."
The man who'd introduced himself as Pung Yeong truly seemed intent on paying up, bolting from the spot in a flurry.
Ho-chang scratched his head at the sight.
'What a hassle...'
After a brief internal debate, he decided to skip the meal and leave the inn altogether.
No encounter with the guy that way.
Hunger could wait—he'd eat later.
Back at the Dragon Pearl Gang outpost, the waiting kids swarmed him with cheers.
"Big bro!"
"Bro, you're back!"
"Yeah. You all hold up okay?"
Ho-chang greeted each one in turn, then passed out the gifts he'd brought.
He ducked into his tent to rest, and about an hour later, someone lifted the flap and stepped in.
It was Baek Hwi.
"Bro?"
"Hey, you're here."
Baek Hwi was covered head to toe in dirt from today's training.
He flashed a toothy grin at Ho-chang and plopped down beside him.
"Heh heh, when'd you get back?"
"Not long ago. Good timing, though. You see the gifts I gave the others? Here—yours."
"A gift?"
Ho-chang handed Baek Hwi a long wooden box.
It was noticeably longer than the ones for the others. When Baek Hwi opened it, his eyes went wide as saucers.
"B-Bro! This is—!"
"Like it?"
Inside the slender case lay a sword.
A real, honest-to-goodness blade.
Baek Hwi couldn't hide his beaming cheeks as Ho-chang grinned.
"I specially asked for the best. What do you think?"
"It's the absolute finest, bro!"
Ho-chang had put extra thought into Baek Hwi's gift.
And it looked like he'd nailed it.
As Baek Hwi drew the sword and inspected it from every angle, Ho-chang asked with a pleased smile.
"Training hard?"
"Yes sir! Haven't skipped a single day—been grinding."
"Oh ho? Should I check with the White Go Hall folks to confirm?"
"Heh heh, for real. Might even be tough for you to handle me now, bro."
"That so?"
Ho-chang sat up from his lounging position.
"That confident?"
"You bet. I'm in top form lately."
"Alright, then. Land one hit on me, and I'll grant you a wish."
"Whoa, for real?"
"You ever seen me lie?"
"Nope!"
It was tossed out playfully, but Ho-chang was genuinely curious.
About the results of all that training.
Baek Hwi had slimmed down noticeably too—a sure sign of hard work.
The two headed to the open ground. Baek Hwi struck a stance, and Ho-chang smirked.
"Got a sword as a gift—why not grab a stick at least?"
"Good idea?"
Better than bare hands; any tool gave an edge.
Baek Hwi fetched a suitable stick and assumed position.
Ho-chang, of course, went empty-handed.
No formal weapon training to speak of.
The spar kicked off.
Baek Hwi closed in cautiously, then swung fiercely.
But—
Thwack!
"Ugh!"
Was it the Famous Name Assembly trip?
Baek Hwi had improved, no doubt, but to Ho-chang, he was still just Baek Hwi.
Ho-chang dodged with ease, flicking the kid's forehead, and not a single strike landed.
A good while later.
"Haah, no dice."
Baek Hwi slumped to the ground.
Ho-chang chuckled and sat beside him.
Baek Hwi sighed in disappointment.
"Whew, thought I'd made real progress, but I've still got a long way to catch up to you."
He grinned sheepishly.
His growth was real, though.
He'd only lost because the opponent was Ho-chang.
Ho-chang poked fun with a laugh.
"Still, way better than before."
"Really?"
"For real. You're probably stronger than those Red Tiger Gang punks from last time now."
"Whoa... seriously?"
"Obviously. And don't rush it. 'Haste makes waste,' right? No one's chasing you—why the hurry?"
Baek Hwi smiled awkwardly, scratching his chin bashfully.
"Not being chased, but... I am in a bit of a rush."
"Why's that?"
"Gotta repay the favors you've done me, bro."
"Huh?"
What was this now?
Undeterred by Ho-chang's confusion, Baek Hwi pressed on.
"Truth is, I wanted to go to the Famous Name Assembly with you this time."
Ho-chang blinked in surprise.
He'd had no clue.
"Why?"
"'Cause I wanna stick with you, obviously."
"Oh... that it?"
Ho-chang chuckled.
It was endearing, coming from his much younger brother-in-arms.
Ruffling Baek Hwi's hair fondly, Ho-chang watched as the kid puffed out his chest with newfound bravado.
"Just watch. I'll get strong fast and follow you anywhere, like the deputy leader—guarding your back."
"You got it. Looking forward to it. One more round to celebrate?"
"Let's do it!"
The two laughed as they rose again.
Two days after returning to Soheung, morning.
Gang Leader Bok Jung-ho couldn't rest; his schedule was packed.
Too much backlog—even ten bodies wouldn't suffice.
Bok Jung-ho pressed his throbbing forehead with a sigh. Mo Gun-hyeong, watching from the side, spoke up.
"Just one left. Wrap it and let's grab a drink."
Bok Jung-ho nodded wearily.
"Yeah. What's remaining?"
Mo Gun-hyeong placed a document in his hand.
The top right corner bore the seal of Yi Chan-seong from the Great Benevolence Gang.
"Just finalizing the escort team for Henan Province."
"Right. Let's knock it out."
The paper detailed various points, summing up to:
- Escort starts one month from now.
- Escorts divide into guard teams protecting cargo and pathfinder teams lighting the way; Dragon Pearl Gang handles guards.
- Dragon Pearl Gang supplies five elite guards focused on cargo protection.
Bok Jung-ho pondered.
"Hmm... five, huh."
"What about the Famous Name Assembly crew?"
"Solid choice. But we'll sit out that squad leader."
Mo Gun-hyeong agreed.
Yi Chan-seong had picked them with Blood Cult demons in mind, plain as day.
And even aside from that, dragging a kid like him on a long haul was iffy.
Mo Gun-hyeong nodded.
"Yeah, he's mature beyond his years, but still just a boy."
"Perfect. That's the lineup."
Bok Jung-ho stretched in his seat, then leaned back.
"Finally heading to Shaolin Temple, eh."
"About time. Master Gwanghyang told us war orphans those stories every night—now we get to see it ourselves."
"Those tales of great sects were magic back then. Kid stuff, probably."
"That, and his influence."
"Ah, true enough."
Mo Gun-hyeong and Bok Jung-ho shared a laugh, thinking of the same person.
Bok Jung-ho caught his breath.
"One last thing before drinks?"
"Yes."
"Fetch that squad leader. Gotta tell him myself."
Ho-chang emerged after his private word with Bok Jung-ho at Mo Gun-hyeong's summons.
"...I know you're capable, but this could get dangerous."
He mulled over the gang leader's words.
Bok had called him in person, worried he'd feel slighted at being left out.
Ho-chang didn't mind a bit.
If anything, relief.
'Phew, a long trek on foot? Why would I wanna go?'
He despised walking.
Outside, waiting Baek Hwi fell in step.
"Done already?"
"Yeah, no big deal. You grab what I asked for?"
"Yep, right here."
At Ho-chang's nudge, Baek Hwi pulled a stone go board from his pouch.
They were headed to White Go Hall together—Ho-chang to see Jo Jung-seon, Baek Hwi for his usual martial arts lesson with Mae Hyang.
The board was a gift for Jo Jung-seon.
A fellow go enthusiast would appreciate the unique piece.
They arrived promptly.
Baek Hwi detoured to the storeroom for class supplies, leaving Ho-chang alone on the annex veranda, waiting for Jo Jung-seon.
Not long after, a heated argument erupted nearby.
"No way!"
"Hwa-yeong!"
One voice rang familiar.
Sima Hwa-yeong's.
The other was male, oddly familiar too.
'What's going on?'
She was skilled—no real worry there—but her raised voice piqued his interest.
He headed toward the noise...
'Huh?'
At the source stood Sima Hwa-yeong—and the man from yesterday at the inn entrance.
Pung Yeong.