Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Cult Leader's Surprise Escort
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"Surely the Cult Leader, who declared closed-door training just yesterday, couldn't be here!?"
The day before, Hyeok Mulin had announced to the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that he would be entering secluded cultivation for the time being.
So Hyeok Chu had naturally assumed the Cult Leader was still in the training hall at that very moment. But what was this? There he was, standing right in front of them, hiding his identity.
Hyeok Chu still looked dazed as he asked,
"C-Could it be that you're accompanying us on this escort mission, Your Excellency?"
"That's right. But I have some business to attend to, so I'll be leaving midway. Just focus on your duties and don't worry about me."
He's coming with us to Cheonghae Castle!
The horrified Hyeok Chu glanced around before speaking in a hushed tone.
"You're not planning to leave the cult alone without any guards, are you?"
Hyeok Mulin replied casually.
"Why wouldn't I have guards?"
Hyeok Mulin's index finger slowly rose, pointing at himself and Hyeok Chu.
"Don't I have you all?"
"Pardon!?"
"Think of it as protecting a person instead of cargo as scouts. These things happen more often than you'd think, so getting some experience now will help you later."
Hyeok Chu's insides burned at that calm voice.
'If I'd known this, I would've brought only the elite experts from the main family...!'
Would the Blood Demon Squad be enough for protection?
What if the Cult Leader's identity was exposed and those Central Plains monkeys ambushed them?
Should he request reinforcements right now?
As Hyeok Chu fidgeted anxiously, unsure what to do, the Blood Demon Squad members approached, looking puzzled.
But once they spotted Hyeok Mulin, they were just as shocked as Hyeok Chu, repeating the same reactions.
"C-Cult Leader!?"
"Why are you here...!"
Most cultists below high-ranking positions rarely saw the Cult Leader even once in their lifetime, so they wouldn't recognize him even if they did.
But the Hyeok Clan's Martial Force Unit couldn't fail to recognize Hyeok Mulin, the former patriarch of the Hyeok Clan.
Even with his face partially obscured, they could tell who he was just from those deep eyes.
"Many familiar faces here."
Hyeok Mulin calmed the panicking group.
"I'll be traveling with you up to the midpoint of this escort mission. Keep my identity as Cult Leader strictly confidential and act accordingly."
The Blood Demon Squad exchanged uneasy glances at Hyeok Mulin's declaration, rolling their eyes in confusion.
Just then, the caravan procession arrived from the rear.
Leading them was the chief steward, followed by three stewards and about thirty porters.
The carts they brought were covered with cloth, hiding their contents.
The procession halted at the gate, and the middle-aged man at the front approached with a slightly tense expression, bowing with cupped hands.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Bang Taeseok, the chief steward in charge of this caravan."
"Blood Demon Squad Leader, Hyeok Chu."
"I've heard of Hero Hyeok's great fame for shattering the Demon Spirit Palace to pieces. It's thrilling to think I'll be traveling on this escort with someone of your renowned achievements in the martial world."
Bang Taeseok, with his affable features, showered Hyeok Chu with praise right from the greetings.
After this brief exchange of courtesies, the two discussed how to allocate personnel in the caravan and form their formation.
Once their business talk concluded, Bang Taeseok noticed Hyeok Mulin nearby and asked,
"I heard the additional escort is from the Hyeok Clan. Do you know him by any chance?"
So that's how they were introduced.
Hyeok Chu quickly affirmed.
"Yes. He's been appointed temporary vice squad leader for this caravan and will command the escorts alongside me."
Hyeok Chu couldn't possibly demote the Cult Leader to a regular squad member.
But giving him a position above squad leader would only invite suspicion, so he settled on vice squad leader, right below his own rank.
"Oh! Appointed vice squad leader immediately upon joining—must be an exceptionally skilled warrior."
"You're right. His martial prowess is beyond question."
"We were a bit uneasy adding last-minute reinforcements on the merchant guild master's orders without knowing anything about them, but hearing this from you puts my mind at ease. Looking forward to working with you."
Bang Taeseok briefly greeted Hyeok Mulin as well before turning to the group and announcing,
"Alright. No one's missing, so let's depart."
With Bang Taeseok at the lead, the caravan exited the outer walls, marking the true start of their journey to Cheonghae Castle.
"We'll stay in this village tonight."
Half a day had passed since leaving Heavenly Mountain, and night had fallen.
Bang Taeseok found the nearest village along the route and asked a local for the largest inn before heading there.
The inn he was directed to was a two-story building—quite sizable for a modest village.
But he didn't enter right away.
Tap tap.
Before going in, Bang Taeseok knocked on the supporting pillar outside.
It was his personal method of judging inns, honed from countless caravan trips.
By checking the wood quality of the pillar that held up the building, he could gauge the inn's standard.
The pillar was the foundation and base; some innkeepers skimped on it with poor timber.
If the foundation was rotten, how good could the rest be?
Such places usually had subpar food and lodging too.
'This is solid oak. And it's dense right through.'
Convinced it was at least above average, Bang Taeseok nodded in satisfaction and opened the door.
"Welcome!"
The waiter greeted them warmly.
He soon realized the group numbered dozens, including the escorts.
He hurried inside to report, and moments later, the innkeeper rushed out.
"Welcome! A large group, I see. Dining or lodging?"
"Both. We'll unload our luggage in the rooms first, then eat."
"Right this way."
A rare big group, wanting both lodging and meals.
The innkeeper, grinning at the prospect of good profits, led them upstairs and said,
"We have one deluxe room and twenty-two standard rooms available. How many of each?"
"What's the difference?"
"The deluxe is spacious for four or five, with soft bedding. But it's five times pricier than standard. Standards are cheaper, with basic bedding for up to two people."
"Hmm..."
Bang Taeseok stroked his chin, deep in thought.
There were plenty of rooms.
Pairing up in standards would accommodate everyone easily.
So space wasn't the issue.
He usually stuck to standards on caravans.
Just one night—why splurge on deluxe?
Even as chief steward, he shared standards with regular escorts and porters.
But...
Glance.
Bang Taeseok subtly eyed Hyeok Chu in the back.
No matter the lodging budget limits, he couldn't suggest a famed martial artist bunk with a common porter.
Yes, he deserved the deluxe.
The extra cost could be reported to the guild later; they'd understand.
"Give us all remaining rooms, including the deluxe. I'll pay lodging now."
"Perfect. All are ready—pick any open door. Deluxe is the far left; here's the key."
Clink.
The innkeeper handed over the key, pocketed the payment, and beamed as he headed downstairs.
Bang Taeseok turned to Hyeok Chu.
"Lucky there's one deluxe left. You can rest comfortably, Squad Leader."
Who else in this caravan but the Blood Demon Squad Leader deserved it?
Bang Taeseok handed over the key as if it were obvious.
But Hyeok Chu's response was odd.
He hadn't expected thanks, but at least a pleased look heading to the deluxe.
Instead, his face paled, he waved it off, and passed the key to the vice squad leader.
'Huh?'
Bang Taeseok was utterly baffled by the incomprehensible scene.
Thud thud.
Even stranger was what followed.
Even if the squad leader yielded for some reason, the vice should politely refuse once.
But the vice took the key matter-of-factly and strode into the deluxe.
Thump.
What on earth was going on?
Bang Taeseok stared blankly between the closed deluxe door and the squad leader.
"What are you staring at?"
Hyeok Chu snapped gruffly, turning toward a standard room.
Watching his back, Bang Taeseok scratched his head and issued final orders to the rest.
"Everyone, unpack and come straight down to the first floor."
Sharing a room with one steward, Bang Taeseok unpacked quickly and headed down.
He thought he'd been fast, but the Blood Demon Squad was faster.
They were already seated together in a corner, not a single one missing.
'As expected of Hyeok Clan warriors. Everything they do is swift.'
Impressed by their speed, Bang Taeseok took a seat nearby.
No need to squeeze in with them for dinner.
Checking headcount, he glanced at the Blood Demon Squad again.
'Hm?'
Something seemed off.
Right in their center, one seat was empty.
'What's that about?'
As the question arose, the occupant slowly descended from upstairs.
Hyeok Mulin came down leisurely and took the empty center seat naturally.
Once seated, it looked like a perfect circular formation guarding him.
What was with that cautious demeanor, like handling a million-nyang cargo?
Bang Taeseok's head spun for a moment; he shook it off and looked away.
Calling the waiter, he ordered simple noodle soup.
Meals had fixed budgets per person, and with an unknown journey length, thrift was key.
But then, an unbelievable order reached his ears.
"What premium dishes does this inn serve?"
"Dongpo pork, mapo tofu, stir-fried pork with scallions, fish-flavored pork, and braised pork."
"Bring everything you just named."
Bang Taeseok's eyes bulged at Hyeok Chu's order.
He knew meal budgets were fixed—such extravagance was baffling.
Fine, one Dongpo pork maybe.
Hyeok Clan warriors might find plain noodles boring.
But ordering every premium dish? Overkill.
"Hoo."
Bang Taeseok took a deep breath to steady himself.
This couldn't go on.
He knew Hyeok Chu was squad leader, but it burdened the caravan too much.
He had to say something.
Standing, he approached Hyeok Chu with trembling resolve.
"Something to say?"
Swallowing hard, Bang Taeseok spoke carefully.
"Squad Leader, we're just at the start of the journey, so excessive spending could cause issues later..."
Having phrased it as mildly as possible, he awaited the response tensely.
Hyeok Chu waved it off dismissively.
"Don't worry. We'll cover any excess beyond the meal budget."
"P-Pardon? Understood."
With that, Bang Taeseok had nothing left to say and returned to his seat.
Ordering premiums out-of-pocket—martial artists from the Seven Great Demon Clans had refined tastes.
He felt anew how they lived in a different world from ordinary escorts.
But something was strange.
Time passed, and the premium dishes arrived one by one— all piled blatantly in front of the vice squad leader.
Cow, pig, fresh veggies, seafood—everything went there.
Clack.
Only when he picked up his chopsticks did the squad leader and Blood Demon Squad start eating.
And they all had the same plain noodle soup as him.
"What... in the world is that guy?"
Bang Taeseok's pupils shook like an earthquake at the bizarre spectacle.