Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Shaolin Escort
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Shaolin Temple?"
"That's right. It was so unusual that it stuck in my memory. That board definitely had the Ten Go Precepts engraved on it too."
Jo Jung-seon's words sent a strange thrill through Yi Ho-chang's chest.
The path to Immortal Assembly Valley, which had been shrouded in fog until now, suddenly seemed to come into view.
A lot of time had passed since Jo Jung-seon had seen it, but it was still clearly worth investigating.
And conveniently, the escort route was heading to Shaolin Temple—the timing couldn't be better...
"...Ah."
Yi Ho-chang let out a sigh moments later.
He had just remembered that he was excluded from this escort mission.
'This won't do. I can't miss the escort.'
With that thought, Yi Ho-chang grabbed the map and stood from his seat.
He needed to give Bok Jung-ho a heads-up, at least.
"Heading back already?"
"Yes, that's enough for today."
"Alright, take care on your way."
After bidding farewell to Jo Jung-seon, Yi Ho-chang headed toward the training area where Mae Hyang was instructing Baek Hwi, on his way back to Dragon Pearl Gang headquarters with Baek Hwi.
The sound of wooden swords clashing reached his ears from afar.
"Haat! Ha!"
Baek Hwi was swinging his sword under Mae Hyang's guidance, shouting with spirit.
Sweat poured off him so heavily it looked like he'd been doused with water.
'He's working hard.'
Yi Ho-chang watched quietly without interfering, then moved on.
He didn't want to break Baek Hwi's focus.
Mae Hyang, standing behind Baek Hwi, sensed Yi Ho-chang's presence and bowed her head silently.
Yi Ho-chang returned the gesture with a smile and a nod.
He wanted to catch up with Mae Hyang after so long, but the timing wasn't right for either of them, so he decided to save it for later and left White Go Hall.
From there, Yi Ho-chang went straight to Bok Jung-ho.
"Gang Leader?"
But the atmosphere inside was unusually heavy.
Bok Jung-ho spotted Yi Ho-chang and brightened up.
"Squad Leader Yi? Perfect timing—I was just about to send for you."
Me?
Yi Ho-chang asked,
"What is it?"
"Sorry to go back on my word, but I'd like you to join the escort this time."
"Pardon?"
Suddenly?
As Yi Ho-chang tilted his head, Mo Gun-hyeong, seated beside him, explained instead.
"Captain Hong's injuries are worse than expected. He needs time to recover, and with the prep time left, it doesn't look good."
"I hate to flip-flop, but lend us your strength. We don't have anyone else who can handle the bandits besides you."
Ah.
I wondered what it was.
Yi Ho-chang chuckled inwardly.
Things had sorted themselves out without him lifting a finger.
But he kept his excitement in check and nodded calmly.
"Of course. As a member of Dragon Pearl Gang, it's only right if I can help."
"Hearing you say that really puts my mind at ease. Thanks."
"No trouble at all."
Yi Ho-chang smiled to himself.
He'd have to bring some fruit when he visited Captain Hong later.
*
Time flew by, and the day of departure arrived.
The escort route ran from Zhejiang Province through Anhui Province to Henan, where Shaolin Temple lay.
Dragon Pearl Gang would join once the cargo reached Shaoxing.
So for now, they waited at the inn designated by Great Benevolence Gang.
Then, Mo Gun-hyeong, standing outside, spotted something and spoke up.
"Gang Leader, here they come."
Sure enough.
As Mo Gun-hyeong said, Great Benevolence Gang wagons loaded with cargo, escorts, and porters formed a long line approaching from outside.
Yi Ho-chang marveled at the impressive procession he'd never seen before.
Soon, the lead driver spotted Bok Jung-ho and reined in his whip.
"Whoa, whoa."
The line halted, and a woman in her late teens stepped down from the lead wagon.
She greeted Bok Jung-ho warmly the moment she alighted.
"Greetings, Dragon Pearl Gang Leader. I'm Wei Xiao-zhao, acting head of Great Prosperity Escort Agency and chief escort for this mission. Feel free to call me Chief Wei."
"Pleasure to work with you. You're quite the beauty."
Bok Jung-ho wasn't exaggerating.
Her skin was like fine white jade, with a peony-like blush that drew the eye—a classic beauty.
Yet, true to her role as acting head of Great Prosperity Escort Agency, she didn't seem like an easy mark despite her youth.
Bok Jung-ho asked Wei Xiao-zhao,
"Where's the cargo seal?"
Wei Xiao-zhao smiled and pointed to her chest.
"Right here."
Bok Jung-ho tilted his head in confusion, and she chuckled.
"Oh, misunderstanding."
She pulled a cloth-wrapped tally stick from her bosom.
"I'll carry the seal with me throughout the escort."
It was unavoidable.
With bandits suddenly appearing, her grandfather—the agency head—had no one he could fully trust besides his granddaughter Wei Xiao-zhao.
That was why Dragon Pearl Gang had been assigned to escort her closely in the protection squad.
Bok Jung-ho nodded.
"Understood. Let's both see this escort through safely."
"Thank you for your enthusiasm."
With that, the two shook hands.
Bok Jung-ho then left with Mo Gun-hyeong to inspect the escorts' conditions.
Wei Xiao-zhao headed off to join the other chiefs for her duties.
But Bok Jung-ho's expression after the handshake wasn't entirely bright.
It was only natural.
Yi Chan-seong's heavy involvement meant the danger was real, and he desperately wanted to complete this escort successfully.
Bok Jung-ho exhaled deeply, like a sigh of relief, and Yi Ho-chang smiled.
"Gang Leader, you look grim."
"...Do I?"
"Yes. Anyone could tell."
"Heh... I suppose so."
"It'll be fine. Don't worry too much."
If worry could banish worry, everyone would worry all the time.
But worry didn't work that way—that was why he offered comfort.
Bok Jung-ho's furrowed brow smoothed at Yi Ho-chang's words.
"Yeah, thanks."
Soon after, Bok Jung-ho left with Mo Gun-hyeong to check on the escorts.
Yi Ho-chang killed time with Chun Seom and Mu Cheol-gae.
That was when it happened.
"Bringing beggars along as escorts? What do they take us for... Hack, ptui!"
"Heh, easy now."
"Easy? It's insulting to be lumped in with those untrained thugs in the first place!"
Huh?
What's this now?
No mistaking it—they were openly insulting them.
Yi Ho-chang started to rise, but Chun Seom, seated in front, shook his head.
"Let's just go."
"...Yes."
Meaning, don't stir up trouble.
Unpleasant as it was, they moved to leave at Chun Seom's lead.
Or tried to.
"Look at that—the beggars are slinking off, scared we'll see their true colors? Heh heh."
If only they hadn't heard that.
They'd thought the guys were just talking among themselves, but no—they knew Dragon Pearl Gang was listening and did it on purpose.
Perhaps that's why.
This time, Mu Cheol-gae couldn't hold back.
Before anyone could stop him, he shot up, grabbed the sneering man's throat.
The man dangled from Mu Cheol-gae's grip, choking and yelling.
"G-gack! L-let go! This is why you don't deal with uneducated scum!"
Yi Ho-chang admired the man's defiance.
Wow... gutsy, or stupid? Most would shut up just seeing Mu Cheol-gae's size.
He must really despise us.
How else could he talk like that with his neck in a vise?
Mu Cheol-gae said coldly,
"And what makes you so educated that you insult strangers on sight?"
"Ha! Calling out parasites living off scraps—what's wrong with that?!"
The man's spirit unbroken, Mu Cheol-gae's grip tightened.
At that moment.
"Enough, you two! Stop it!"
An old man wedged between them.
Seemed like the man's comrade.
But even he couldn't rein in Mu Cheol-gae.
Mu Cheol-gae was already furious.
This was bad.
No one left could calm an enraged Mu Cheol-gae.
Chun Seom, grasping the gravity, jumped in with the old man and shouted to Yi Ho-chang,
"Ho-chang! Hurry and fetch the Gang Leader!"
"Yes, got i..."
Yi Ho-chang, sensing the danger himself, turned to go.
But then—
Huh?
Yi Ho-chang caught an interesting sight.
As he moved to leave, one of the man's comrades was drawing his sword.
Without hesitation, Yi Ho-chang dashed forward and struck the man's wrist with a hand blade.
Clang!
The sword fell from the man's hand.
Yi Ho-chang kicked it far away.
"Don't make trouble."
"You little...!"
The flustered man glared.
But Yi Ho-chang didn't back down.
The man started to retort, met Yi Ho-chang's eyes, and instinctively bit his lip, looking away.
He'd sensed it on instinct.
A subtle pressure hidden in that child's appearance.
All eyes turned to them, the mood growing stranger.
Feeling the stares, Yi Ho-chang spun around to Mu Cheol-gae.
"Squad Leader Mu, let's go. We don't dodge shit because we're scared—it's because it's filthy."
"..."
Mu Cheol-gae glared at the man a moment longer, then shoved him away like trash and turned.
The old man who'd tried intervening stepped up, bowed, and apologized.
"Sorry about that. I'll apologize on his behalf. We're escort comrades—truly sorry."
Surprised, Yi Ho-chang quickly helped the old man up.
"No, sir. You don't need to bow for him. The one who should apologize isn't you."
"Heh heh, still, we're comrades. If one errs, another fixes it."
Yi Ho-chang's lips curved faintly.
Yeah.
This is what a real adult is.
Touched by the old man's depth, Yi Ho-chang smiled and introduced himself.
"Impressive. Let's exchange names while we're at it. I'm Yi Ho-chang. This is Squad Leader Mu Cheol-gae. And you, sir?"
"Hwang Chae-jung. Folks call me Old Man Hwang."
"Then I'll call you Grandpa Hwang."
"Heh heh, go ahead."
It wasn't the offender's apology, but Old Man Hwang's eased Dragon Pearl Gang's ire a bit.
They parted ways, and after about an hour, Wei Xiao-zhao called out.
"Time to head out again—everyone prepare!"
As Wei Xiao-zhao shouted, Bok Jung-ho and Mo Gun-hyeong returned.
Bok Jung-ho addressed the gang members.
"Now, your positions."
Mu Cheol-gae on the cargo's left, Mo Gun-hyeong on the right. Bok Jung-ho up front, Chun Seom in back—protecting all sides.
...Then me?
Yi Ho-chang asked,
"Gang Leader, and me?"
"You can't ride, right? I arranged it with Chief Wei already."
Bok Jung-ho pointed to Wei Xiao-zhao's wagon.
"You're her personal guard, traveling with Chief Wei."