Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Captive's Bargain
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“Keuk!”
Yi Ho-chang had faced countless foes until now, but even he spat out a ragged breath as he blocked the enemy's sword.
Gu Yeong-tae, seizing his chance after a flurry of clashes, swung his blade with all his weight behind it.
“If it's come to this, I'll at least take your head!”
“Hmph! Fat chance!”
Bok Jung-ho parried the strike with a fierce shout, then slammed his staff into Gu Yeong-tae's exposed side as the man's stance crumbled.
“Kuhuk!”
Blood spurted from the man's mouth.
Bok Jung-ho narrowed his eyes at Gu Yeong-tae, who grimaced in agony, and let out a wicked grin.
“Don't worry, I won't kill you. There's plenty I need to wring out of you first.”
“Damn it...!”
Gu Yeong-tae ground his teeth and glared at Bok Jung-ho before yanking a smoke bomb from his bosom and detonating it.
Boom!
Vision vanished in the thick haze.
Yet Bok Jung-ho seized the man's collar without hesitation.
“Y-you, let go!”
“You filthy rat—think I've only tangled with vermin like you once or twice?”
With that, Bok Jung-ho rammed his fist into the man's side.
Gu Yeong-tae gurgled and went limp.
The fight was over.
With the last remnants cleanly mopped up, Wi So-so finally stepped in to handle the aftermath.
A few injuries, but the damage was lighter than expected.
“Everyone, head that way!”
“Injured folks, grab some medicine!”
As the chaos settled, Bok Jung-ho approached Yi Ho-chang with praise.
“Squad Leader Yi, you did well.”
“No, sir. You bore the brunt of it, Gang Leader.”
“Heh, even so, without your ploy, I'd have been in a real bind. How'd you even think of that in the heat of it?”
“Just a hunch, so I tossed out some bait. And with the Escort Leader saying she hadn't heard anything, I figured we had to trust her word above all.”
Bok Jung-ho beamed with satisfaction.
“Right you are. Escorts follow the Escort Leader's call. Even I might not have played it like you did. Impressive.”
“You're too kind, sir.”
Was it Yi Ho-chang's merit that earned the nod?
A few escorts bowed gratefully to Bok Jung-ho and Yi Ho-chang.
Soon after, the sun dipped low, forcing them to camp a bit farther off.
Once dinner was ready and rations distributed, Yi Ho-chang headed to Wi So-so's side.
He wanted to eat with the Dragon Pearl Gang crew, but that wasn't an option.
Bok Jung-ho had stressed extra vigilance after today's mess.
Yi Ho-chang spotted Wi So-so and called out.
“Escort Leader Wi.”
“Ah, young hero.”
She sat on a stump bathed in the full moon's glow.
Yi Ho-chang handed her the extra bowl he'd brought and sat beside her.
As he scooped up a bite...
“Ah.”
Clatter.
The spoon slipped from Wi So-so's hand and hit the ground.
Yi Ho-chang quickly picked it up and offered it back.
But as he did, he noticed her hand trembling.
Feeling his gaze, Wi So-so snatched the spoon with an awkward smile.
“Haha, must be the chill in the air...”
She trailed off, knowing it rang hollow even to her.
But Yi Ho-chang understood.
She'd come within a hair's breadth of death today.
At her age, fear was natural.
Yet as Escort Leader, she'd played the unflinching adult for these young charges.
Yi Ho-chang asked.
“Are you all right?”
“Haha, yeah, sure...”
Rather than press with more comfort, he chose silence at her side.
He knew sometimes quiet company outshone a hundred words.
After a long hush, Wi So-so spoke first.
“...Pathetic, huh?”
“Pardon?”
“An Escort Leader, shaking in secret like some coward.”
Yi Ho-chang chuckled softly.
“Everyone's a coward at heart.”
“Huh?”
“They just fake it. Protecting you, my legs were jelly.”
“...You, young hero?”
“Yes, but I hid it for your eyes. Same for you, right? No one saw you shake till the cleanup was done. Isn't that enough?”
Wi So-so stared blankly at him.
Then she giggled.
“Pfft. You talk like a seasoned thirty-something.”
“Haha, do I?”
“Still, it helps. Thank you.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Her face brightened like the moon above, truly eased.
She gazed at the moon a spell, then continued.
“Truth is, this is my first escort run as Escort Leader.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Grandmother said I'd need experience to take over the agency someday. Been worrying nonstop since: Would I tarnish her name? Would they dismiss me as a girl? What if danger struck mid-run?”
“You handled it like a veteran, though. No one'd guess it's your first.”
“Thanks. Might've faltered without you.”
“Honored you say so.”
“I mean it. Even now... and today, when I was waffling, you steadied me. I couldn't trust myself, but you did. Grateful.”
She meant every word.
Without Yi Ho-chang, Gu Yeong-tae's arrival would've frozen her decisions.
Yi Ho-chang smiled.
“Speaking of, looks like no more Go for a while.”
“Oh, no worries there. Packed a spare board in another cart, just in case. Wanna see?”
She wasn't kidding.
She fetched a fresh board and stones from somewhere, and Yi Ho-chang burst out laughing at her foresight.
Wi So-so said.
“So, a game?”
“Always up for it.”
“Won't lose this time.”
The night's leaf-rustle mingled with Go stones clacking under the moonlight.
Music to the ears.
That same hour, as Yi Ho-chang and Wi So-so played...
Bok Jung-ho and Mo Gun-hyeong slipped away, stifling their presence.
They reached a shadowed thicket where moonlight dared not pierce.
A prior guest awaited: Gu Yeong-tae.
“Mmph! Mmmph!”
“Quiet.”
Gu Yeong-tae strained against his ropes till Mo Gun-hyeong stomped his gut.
“Guuk!”
He pitched forward.
But venom flared in his eyes as he rose, glaring at Bok Jung-ho.
Bok Jung-ho crouched to meet his gaze and smirked.
“Full of poison, eh?”
He yanked the gag free.
“You said you'd come for the cart, right?”
“...”
Wi So-so had ordered the interrogation.
The cargo's nature was known only to top brass like her and Bok Jung-ho.
Yet Gu Yeong-tae knew.
Disguised as Nangong clan warriors? A long-brewing plot.
Bok Jung-ho scowled.
“Who? Spill your backer.”
Gu Yeong-tae snorted silence.
Bok Jung-ho grinned anew.
Then jabbed an acupoint.
“Don't wanna talk? Fine by me. Means I get to test those Righteous-Demonic War tricks.”
Mo Gun-hyeong handed over a bundle of long needles at his gesture.
Bok Jung-ho hefted them with a smile.
“Time for fun. Old demonic cult fiends used this on our POWs. Five needles in, and...”
Stab!
“...your dantian shatters. Cripple time.”
Gu Yeong-tae's eyes bulged saucer-wide.
No lie—he felt meridians to his dantian sealing.
Bok Jung-ho kept grinning.
“Nod twice anytime you feel chatty.”
Stab!
“Mmph!”
Second needle: qi flow weakened.
Third followed.
Stab!
“Uuuugh!!”
Inner power scattered from his dantian.
Eyes near popping, face twisted in terror and rage—tears welled.
As Bok Jung-ho raised the fourth...
Gu Yeong-tae nodded twice.
Bok Jung-ho released the mute point, inwardly disappointed.
“Finally ready to chat?”
“...Hah, hah. Pull these needles first!”
“Fair enough.”
He nodded.
But plunged the fourth instead.
“Idiot. Think you dictate terms? Consider your spot. One more arrogant peep, and dantian's dust—no interrogation needed.”
Gu Yeong-tae shuddered.
Bok Jung-ho relented.
Trembling, the man spat.
“F-Faceless sent me. But why he wants the cart? No clue.”
“Faceless? New to me.”
“Would be. He's risen fast in the underworld shadows. Wears a mask like his name—no one knows his face.”
“Hmm...”
They stroked their chins.
Gu Yeong-tae pressed on.
“...Deal with me?”
“Deal?”
“Mission failed—I'm expendable, dead meat to plug leaks.”
“And?”
“I'll spill everything. Fake my death, drop me in Henan. Info after we arrive—don't trust you not to renege. I know you're headed there.”
“Why Henan of all places?”
“Faceless's nemesis is there. Plan to hole up with him.”
“Who?”
“Wealth-Mad Old Patriarch.”
“Wealth-Mad Old Patriarch?”
“Underworld heavyweight. Faceless botched his hit once.”
“Hmm...”
Bok Jung-ho pondered, brow furrowed.
Pointless to hold this pawn.
Gu Yeong-tae was just a piece.
Bok Jung-ho and Mo Gun-hyeong exchanged nods.
“Deal.”
He yanked two needles and stood.
“W-wait! Why only two?!”
“We don't fully trust you.”
“...Damn it.”
Dawn broke; escorts and porters bustled.
Delayed by yesterday's raid, they hurried to catch up.
Meanwhile, Bok Jung-ho briefed Wi So-so on Gu Yeong-tae.
“Faceless, huh... Needs checking, but escort comes first.”
“Understood.”
“Henan's close now. We'll send word to the Great Benevolence Gang Leader ahead.”
Bok Jung-ho smiled faintly.
“Got it. Say, Escort Leader Wi—something happen last night?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You seem... different.”
“Do I?”
Wi So-so glanced at Yi Ho-chang and beamed.
Bok Jung-ho whispered to him.
“Squad Leader Yi, what gives?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“Alright then.”
But his look said otherwise.
Wi So-so cleared her throat.
“Escorts ready?”
“Yes, all set.”
“Good. Let's move.”
The caravan rolled out once more.