Chapter 277. Where Does Conflict Come From? (2)
“......So that's how they responded?”
“Yes. The Gaeyakso Hubei branch chief contacted me, saying their momentum was so ferocious that he had no choice but to hear them out for now.”
“And? Did that witch get her herbs?!”
“For the time being, yes.”
“You fucking idiot! How could he make such a stupid mistake?!”
“Pardon? A mistake?”
“Ho Shin Twin Guards—the two greatest late-generation talents of the age and the twin leaders of the Martial Alliance's Reserve Force—wield tremendous influence. Whether they realize it or not, their reputations rival those of major sect elders, if not sect leaders themselves.”
“Indeed. Which is why all the more...”
“They've built that fame at such a young age—how much scrutiny do you think they're under from those around them? If those two truly meant to attack us, we'd just report their reckless actions to the Alliance's peak experts and be done with it!”
“Ah...!”
“Our Divine Healer Society is an alliance of physicians carrying on the orthodox medical lineage of the Central Plains. How do you think the common folk would view Alliance warriors oppressing healers like us?!”
“R-Right. No matter what threats those two make, the Alliance can't touch us lightly.”
“Not lightly—they absolutely can't touch us! As long as we don't commit any clear wrongdoing!”
“Oh dear...”
“Gaeyakso—I put him in charge because of his skills and reputation, but I should've appointed someone savvy in politics instead. Ancestor Treatment candidates are off-limits except in extreme cases, as we said.”
“What should we do now?”
“What do you mean, what? We move to the next plan!”
“The next plan...? You don't mean...?!”
“Sending Gaeyakso to them wasn't about convincing them. Yeon Hojeong might be hopeless, but Mo Yong Woo is reasonable—I sent him to make him aware of the witch's danger. I never expected those ignorant warrior fools, clueless about medicine, to believe us right away.”
“But...”
“I just told him to plant a seed of doubt, and the moron caves to their threats like that? Utterly useless. How can we accomplish anything relying on trash like him?”
“Vice Chairman, still, our opponent is the Martial Alliance. As you said, executing that plan will make them come after us in earnest.”
“Doesn't matter. We won't be out in the open anyway.”
“Gaeyakso branch chief said they'd consider any future pressure or attacks on that witch as our doing.”
“Did you forget what I just said?! Those two can't touch us, period! We'll use that time to sway the Alliance's peak experts.”
“Ah...!”
“You didn't know back when you were innocently learning medicine. But you'll learn soon enough. The world can't be survived on skill alone. It's a realm of politics, schemes, betrayal, and cunning. If the world is that filthy, we have no choice but to wade through the mud to survive.”
“......”
“Prepare! Right now!”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
The next day.
The horse at the front neighed sharply—hiihiihiihing! Yeon Hojeong's face, reins in hand, was set like stone.
Mo Yong Woo called out. “Younger Brother Yeon!”
“What?”
“Is something bothering you? I know we need to move fast, but this pace feels too rushed.”
Yeon Hojeong scowled. “I don't know what this Divine Healer Society is, but a branch chief wielding influence over Hubei Province must have real pull.”
“I think so too.”
“But something keeps nagging at me.”
“Nagging? What exactly?”
“......Hell if I know.”
Putting everything else aside, this was their first direct contact with the Divine Healer Society. They didn't know their goals or how they operated. Even Yeon Hojeong, who had lived through the Black Dark Emperor era, had never heard of them.
Has history changed? A new organization? Or did they exist back then, operating strictly in the shadows?
He couldn't say. What mattered was that even the Beggars' Sect knew little about them. If there had been any chance of entanglement, Gadeuksang would have tipped him off first.
In other words, we can't predict what they'll do next.
They might be harmless. But their obscurity alone warranted caution.
Mo Yong Woo said, “Are you worried they might actually target the Western Divine Maiden?”
“No clue. Logically, it seems unlikely, but it still bugs me.”
Mo Yong Woo's expression hardened. He knew how sharp Yeon Hojeong's instincts were. They weren't mere hunches to dismiss. Peerless insight bred peerless intuition, and he trusted both equally.
“Let's push on for now. No harm in hurrying.”
“Yeah, let's.”
Dududududu.
The four thundered southward at terrifying speed. In three or four days, they reached the Yangtze's main channel.
Mo Yong Woo approached a boatman. The man was burly, with a wild beard— the picture of a rugged sailor.
“Hey there.”
“Hm?”
The boatman eyed Mo Yong Woo with a sour face. “What?”
Sailors were said to have the boldest spirits in the world, and it showed. Unfazed by the armor and sword marking them as officials or martial artists, he even snorted dismissively.
Mo Yong Woo spoke calmly. “We need to cross the Yangtze in a hurry. Where can we find the fastest departing boat?”
The boatman's eyes gleamed. “Most boats here can leave quick—if you've got the coin to spare.”
Mo Yong Woo brightened. “Really?”
“Dunno how much you've looked around, but you came to the right place. No faster vessel on this stretch of the Yangtze.”
“We need room for four warhorses too.”
“Hmm? Then not a sleek speedboat—something bigger. And plenty of hay.”
“Exactly.”
“Got the funds?”
“How much?”
“The more you pay, the faster we go. Like any trade.”
No time for haggling. Mo Yong Woo pulled a money pouch from his bosom.
“This enough?”
The boatman's eyes widened at the pouch—five gold ingots inside.
“H-Hem! Rich folk, eh? Heh, with that, we can shove off right now.”
“Thanks. Let's do it.”
“Deal. Been a while since we had generous guests. Oh, but one more formality.”
“Formality? What kind?”
“Affiliation. From the military?”
“No.”
“Huh? Then?”
Mo Yong Woo glanced back, then whispered, “We're from the Martial Alliance Reserve Force.”
No point spreading it around. He didn't want needless chaos.
But the boatman's reaction was louder than expected.
“......The Martial Alliance Reserve Force?!”
Mo Yong Woo frowned. The shout had been too loud.
“Yes.”
“......”
“What's wrong?”
Narrowing his eyes, the boatman thrust the pouch back.
“Take it.”
“......?!”
“Take it, I said. We ain't ferrying Alliance folks for a while.”
Mo Yong Woo's eyes wavered. “Not ferrying Alliance members? Why?”
“None of your business. Look elsewhere if you wanna sail.”
“No, at least tell us why...”
“Enough! Buzz off!”
Then Yeon Hojeong stepped forward. The boatman flinched involuntarily, overwhelmed by the massive axe slung over his shoulder.
Yeon Hojeong smiled. “I've heard sailors have a few organizations among yourselves.”
“Yeah, so?”
The intimidation was fleeting. The boatman regained his sour demeanor.
“Did one of them order no Alliance passengers?”
“None of your business.”
“Impressive.”
“......What?”
“I've heard most sailors are heroes rivaling martial experts—bold, fearless, and deadlier on water than most fighters.”
“Hem!”
“Taming fierce currents, your bravery must be unmatched. Seeing you confirms every sailor is a standout man.”
The boatman smacked his lips. “Flattery won't work. Get lost.”
“Not flattery. Honest impression.”
“Fine, then just...”
“But I never knew sailors ranked among the Central Plains' top heroes were also con artists.”
The boatman's face darkened instantly.
“Con artists?!”
“My companion was in a rush and let it slide, but five gold ingots could buy two decent speedboats. Am I wrong?”
“Ahem! So what?”
“Money matters, sure, but taking that much and acting generous? Deception isn't the only scam.”
The boatman grinned twistedly. “So? Deal's off anyway.”
“You don't mind if word of this spreads around the docks?”
“Do what you want. No idea why you're making a fuss.”
His face betrayed him, though—visibly twisted. They had their own code, and bad rumors wouldn't help.
Yeon Hojeong smiled. “I won't spread it. Just grant one request.”
“Ha! Haggling now? Cut the crap and...”
“Sell us one speedboat.”
“......Huh?”
“No need to sail it. Just hand over a speedboat for five gold ingots—we'll handle it.”
The boatman's eyes shook. “You mean cross the Yangtze yourselves?”
“You said no ferrying us. So we'll manage.”
“Crazy. In this freezing winter, even martial artists would...”
“Your choice. Take the money for a speedboat? Or let another sailor snag this chance?”
“......Gulp.”
“You said no ferrying—not no selling.”
“W-Well, true.”
Yeon Hojeong shook the pouch. “Don't know where the order came from, but we're Alliance—would we go back on our word? Seize the opportunity. Or just relay my offer to your boss.”
Staring at the pouch, the boatman yelled aft.
“Hey! Jang Chil!”
“Yes?”
“Get the monster fish out here.”
“Monster fish? Why?”
“This fool's begging to die. Out now!”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
Clearly a veteran. The boatman cleared his throat, taking the pouch.
“No rumors, got it?”
“Don't worry.”
“Ahem! You ever sailed? What about those horses?”
“Hold them till we return.”
“Heh, they'd fetch a pretty penny...”
“......”
“Sell 'em too, and maybe another speedboat...”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes turned icy. The boatman's face paled.
“Hey.”
“......!!”
“I've held back plenty. Quit yapping and bring the damn boat.”
A moment later.
Having left their warhorses with the boatman, the group piloted the speedboat across the Yangtze.