Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Azure Storm and the Escort Mission
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“Good name. Then what will you do with the old weapon you used? The iron was quite serviceable. How about melting it down to make something else?”
His attitude was far more subdued than on my first visit. I could even sense a hint of curiosity. It seemed the master's tool giving its approval had left some impression on him.
“For instance, an inner armor to wear beneath your robe. You take on rough missions often, so some preparation like that seems in order, no?”
“......”
“It's a sword that danced in your hands for so long, after all. Reforged into armor, it'd be quite useful. I couldn't handle it myself, but if you wish, I can introduce you to a fine blacksmith.”
“Could I just leave it here for repairs? Even if it takes a while.”
“Of course. Well, a sword from a kin is worth keeping aside, even if you never wield it again.”
Do Woong-hu answered readily, then drew a small chisel from his belt and carved a long groove into Yuk Jin-yang's access token. A procedure to mark it as used, he said.
“You've heard the precautions already. Weapon forging or armory access is once per token. Repairs on your gear, though—you can bring it anytime.”
“Understood.”
“Well, with a famed blade like that now in hand, no other weapon would catch your eye anyway.”
Do Woong-hu hesitated a moment before adding,
“A craftsman's greatest joy is hearing the name of his forged weapon spread far and wide. Nothing better than eternal praise across generations, like Gan Jiang and Mo Ye.”
“You'll hear it plenty. How the name Azure Storm stirs tempests across the jianghu.”
“I'd like that.”
The two exited the armory. Won Young, waiting outside, spotted Yuk Jin-yang's new sword at once and asked,
“Looks like a fine blade. Satisfied with it?”
“Yes. Acquired a true treasure.”
Won Young's gaze shifted naturally to Yuk Jin-yang. She started in surprise, then smiled.
“You've opened your middle dantian. Your qi flow's changed.”
“So it has.”
Won Young clapped his shoulder.
“Save the congrats for later. Time to go. The division leader's been looking for us, actually.”
“You're late.”
Yang Jung-ui arched one brow and shot out the words. Yu Baek, arrived ahead, gave a nod of greeting.
Won Young quipped,
“Had to make a quick stop. The kid got his armory token, so I was showing him around. That's the holdup.”
“A fine weapon's a warrior's lifelong partner. Get a good sword?”
Won Young shrugged and glanced at Yuk Jin-yang. He replied vaguely,
“Hard to say. Good fit, or above my station? Not sure.”
Yang Jung-ui's eyes lingered on Azure Storm. They widened slightly. He knew the blade's hidden lore.
“Don't grow dependent on it, though. True strength lies in your own cultivation, not some divine armament.”
Yang Jung-ui seemed about to say more but glossed over it casually. A deliberate pivot.
“Anyway, to business. Your next assignment's set.”
“Where to?”
“Guizhou City.”
Only Won Young stayed unruffled. Yuk Jin-yang and even the ever-cheerful Yu Baek went stone-faced.
“Prince Chu leads his army there. Brocade Guards have him in their sights, per intel. And the Demonic Sect's tangled in it too.”
Of all foes, those two. Yuk Jin-yang swallowed a sigh.
“Head to Guizhou, link up with Prince Chu, escort him back here.”
Prince Chu's fame rested on his gentle nature, free of grudges. Took after his mother's temper, they said. Yet a proven general, racking up merits leading troops time and again.
Thus one of the few royals to weather the emperor's purge of the feudal kings. Upright conduct, real talent—no gain in touching him.
But times had shifted; the court's unrest now eyed even Prince Chu.
“Coordinated with him? If he turns down our escort, wasted effort.”
“It is. Same as before.”
“Why go straight to Guizhou City, not intercept midway?”
“Can't pull out cleanly. Unfinished business too—he'll handle it before you arrive.”
Yuk Jin-yang scowled.
“Life on the line, and he's fussing over duties?”
“That's him. Greater good over self.”
Yang Jung-ui rose and approached the wall. A meticulous map of the realm hung there.
Not meant for outside court circles. But Five Harmony Alliance brass had no trouble sourcing one.
Courtesy of ties to Hanlin Map Academy painters, who roamed the land for terrain studies—often guarded by alliance warriors.
“Why Brocade Guards and Demonic Sect target Prince Chu.”
Yang Jung-ui tapped Guizhou.
“Yangtze rises from Qinghai Lake, west to east, into the great sea. Guizhou commands the upper reaches.”
“......”
“His fief's Gukou to boot. Three days' sail to Jingzhou.”
Yang Jung-ui's finger traced the Yangtze from Guizhou, past Gukou, halting at Jingzhou.
“Prince Chu sails from Guizhou, resupplies at Gukou with elite, high-spirited troops, presses to Jingzhou—who stops him?”
“Even if he shuns the throne, partnering Prince Yan spells danger enough.”
Yuk Jin-yang noted.
“Precisely. His spot's perilous, in name and fact. All the more with elites under him holding Guizhou's anomalies at bay.”
“Court or Demonic Sect both see it that way. They'd pull those anomaly-slayers to their side if they could.”
Yang Jung-ui nodded and sank back into his seat.
“'Unlucky as a boy in waiting.' Prince Chu to a tee.”
“He's past boyhood age, no?”
“Overmatched by circumstance, same idea. Handles anomalies fine, politics? Green. Yet era heaps burdens on him.”
Yuk Jin-yang eyed Won Young. Face grave, lips sealed, a touch dazed.
He broached logistics.
“Brocade Guards plus Demonic Sect—no backup? Just us?”
“No worries. Prince Chu commands tens of thousands elite plus crack fighters. No capital aid needed; you'll dodge real peril.”
Yuk Jin-yang caught the slip. Prince Chu plenty guarded already? Then why them?
“So we're there just to curry favor?”
Yang Jung-ui paused, shook his head.
“Sincerity plays a part. But your niche is clear. His men train military arts mostly. Ace at formations, pitched battles—bodyguarding? Novices.”
“Weak against assassination.”
“Spot on. Your aid smooths that. Command bets on the blend.”
Military-jianghu ties soured often.
Military officials, arrogant, overbearing. Power made them disdain jianghu skills.
Jianghu scorned back: military arts mere ape mimicry, sans mystic truths.
'Cooperation with them. Just no pointless clashes.'
Portended grind and grief.
Two days' grace. Pack rations, coin, gear.
Dawn of departure: party left Kaifeng early, all afoot.
Mission skipped horses on purpose. Kaifeng to Guizhou? Canals and Yangtze outpaced land routes.
Horses balk at long hauls. Short jaunts fine; voyages? They'd panic or perish aboard. Relay stations sufficed for needs.
“Alliance folk? Board quick. Wind's spot-on.”
Kaifeng docks: grizzled boatman awaited. Owner-captain.
Wang Wu-gyeong by name, veteran of Huguang-Henan runs, Huai and Yangtze his domain.
Yuk Jin-yang sized the vessel. Tall sails, sleek hull—brigantine class.
Cut narrow canals, braved Yangtze gorges' twists. Compact but cabined for endurance.
Party aboard: boatman signaled. Bow hands raised anchor, bellied yellow sails briskly.
“Crew handles water like pros. Fast passage.”
Yu Baek muttered, face shadowed. Guizhou's notoriety no secret to him.
Tailwind shoved the boat along the canal. At stern, they watched Kaifeng fade.
Task done, Wang approached.
“Ill winds to brave the Yangtze now.”
“Why so?”
Yuk Jin-yang countered.
“Rumors' too brutal lately.”
Wang mixed in backstory: retired caravaneer, ties to Yangtze Waterway Patrol. Collisions, teamwork built bonds.
“They warned out of blue: rogue pirates surging. Clashing hard—stay off Yangtze.”
“Took Alliance job anyway.”
“Ha, survival demands it. Dumped escort savings into her.”
Caressed the rail like kin, then to point.
“Slack patrols let scum swarm Yangtze. High-handers among 'em.”
Pirates up meant bandit packs too. Yuk Jin-yang frowned lightly.
“What's that set 'em from Waterway Patrol?”
“Night and day. Patrol's whale-sized faction. Big beasts don't flop wild; know their heft. River-rilers? Eels and sturgeon.”
“Your worry's noted. But overkill to fret.”
Yuk Jin-yang stroked his sword hilt. Enraged pirate hordes? No sweat. Hack their hulls mid-steer.