Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Wang Jeong's Trap
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Hyeoldo was a master who, a hundred years ago, roamed the martial world and commanded the Shaanxi region with a single, blood-soaked sword.
In his later years, he went into seclusion on Mount Buljeong and passed away quietly. A man by the name of Wang Jeong discovered his secret manual.
“Wang Jeong has made Mount Buljeong his territory and now preys on anyone who passes through the area. Because of him, the price for escorting cargo near Mount Buljeong has doubled.”
“I don’t understand. If he’s that much of a problem, I’d have thought the justice-loving members of the Orthodox Factions would have done something by now.”
“There are two reasons. First, Mount Buljeong’s terrain is treacherous. On top of that, the location of his stronghold is unknown.”
Dam Yu-yeon explained calmly.
“The second reason is that, at the end of the day, what Wang Jeong does is no different from banditry. For the honorable gentlemen of the Orthodox Factions, dealing with a master who lives in the mountains—and a bandit at that—is beneath their dignity.”
Taking a deep breath, she continued.
“Ultimately, the escort guilds of the Shaanxi region pooled a large sum of money and posted a request in the Ronin Market. After all, ronin are better suited for this kind of work.”
“And he still hasn't been dealt with?”
As Bu Eun-seol pressed for details, she smiled faintly.
“Wang Jeong is a very cunning man. He never shows himself when well-known masters or large groups of martial artists pass by.”
“You mean he doesn’t reveal himself if he thinks they’re stronger than him.”
“That’s right. Which makes this job perfectly suited for you, Young Master Seol, since your name is not yet known.”
“I imagine the other designated-grade jobs I’ll be handling are similar to this.”
“Not only are your martial arts outstanding, Young Master Seol, but you are also quite sharp.”
Dam Yu-yeon’s eyes sparkled like sunlight on a lake.
“I look forward to your future contributions to our branch.”
“Understood.”
As Bu Eun-seol exited, the bright smile on Dam Yu-yeon’s face vanished, her eyes changing. They now held a look of firm resolution.
“Seol-so…”
She bit her lip and spoke in a low voice.
“I will never let you fight the Jeongcheon Branch Head.”
Having followed Bu Eun-seol out of the Jeok-cheon-mak-ji, Heuk-pyo spoke with a look of displeasure.
“Young Master.”
“Speak.”
“Why not use the Gusaldae branch, where you get your information, to find strong opponents instead?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Heuk-pyo avoided Bu Eun-seol’s gaze and sniffed.
“I just don’t like that Hall Master Sugyeong.”
“Why not?”
“Wang Jeong may be unknown in the greater martial world, but he is a renowned and formidable master among ronin.”
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Heuk-pyo pouted.
“But that Hall Master Sugyeong woman attached all sorts of strange reasons, making it seem as though Wang Jeong was just cleverly avoiding other masters.”
“And he isn't?”
“He isn’t. Not only is he highly experienced in the martial world, but his saber techniques are truly exceptional.”
Heuk-pyo wrinkled his nose.
“If we were truly ronin new to the world, we would have set off for Mount Buljeong without knowing any of this.”
“Hehehe. Who would take the job if she scared them off?”
“In the Ronin Market, accurate information is life. The lives of ronin are on the line.”
Heuk-pyo’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“The thirty percent cut the Ronin Market takes is partly to cover the cost of information. But for that Hall Master Sugyeong to subtly conceal it…”
It seemed Heuk-pyo was thoroughly displeased.
Bu Eun-seol recalled the emotion that had flashed in Dam Yu-yeon’s eyes for a brief moment and muttered in a low voice.
“It can’t be helped. She must want me dead.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”
Bu Eun-seol spoke nonchalantly, his expression untroubled.
“Let us depart.”
Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo unleashed a movement technique as swift as a gale, heading straight for Mount Buljeong.
By the time the sun had passed its zenith, the two had arrived at a village near the mountain.
Bu Eun-seol entered the village, rented a carriage, and bought clothes worn by escorts. This was a precaution in case Wang Jeong decided not to appear.
*Clatter, clatter.*
The carriage, driven by Heuk-pyo, made its way along the mountain path. The carriage was old, but the horse was even older, so their pace was slow.
As the sun began to set and the carriage was passing over a hill…
*Swoosh!*
With a sound of tearing air, a white figure appeared and landed in front of the carriage.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Heuk-pyo stopped the carriage and calmed the snorting horse. From inside, Bu Eun-seol asked.
“What is it?”
“Someone is blocking the path.”
The figure that had appeared before them was a man dressed in white robes.
What was unique about him was the white mask he wore. His build was not particularly large. However, the eyes visible above the mask were remarkably handsome and clear, so he didn't seem like a bad person.
“You cannot pass here.”
The masked man stared at Heuk-pyo with a sharp gaze and spoke in a cold voice.
“Turn back.”
“Excuse me?”
The masked man frowned, looking at Heuk-pyo, who was dressed like the servant of a wealthy household.
“This path on Mount Buljeong is frequented by a vicious villain. So turn back around.”
“Ah.”
Heuk-pyo finally understood the situation and scratched his head.
“It’s alright. My young master was also taught martial arts by a renowned expert, so a few bandits should be…”
“These are not ordinary bandits.”
The masked man glanced arrogantly at Heuk-pyo and the carriage, then spoke in a solemn, cold tone.
“If you wish to keep your life, turn back.”
*Thwip!*
Leaving those words behind, the masked man used his movement technique again and vanished in an instant.
“…”
Staring blankly after him, Heuk-pyo spoke in a troubled voice.
“Young Master. I think that man is also going to capture Wang Jeong.”
The movement technique of the departing masked man was as swift and nimble as a swallow skimming water.
“Judging by his attire and footwork, he doesn't seem to be a ronin, but a member of an Orthodox Faction.”
“Pay him no mind.”
Bu Eun-seol said quietly from inside the carriage.
“That man will never be able to capture Wang Jeong.”
“Is that so? He appeared to possess considerable skill.”
“If martial arts alone were enough to capture Wang Jeong, he would have been buried here long ago.”
Bu Eun-seol’s voice was firm.
“Don’t worry about him. Just keep going.”
How much time had passed?
Just as the carriage entered the deeper parts of the mountain, Bu Eun-seol spoke curtly.
“Stop the carriage for a moment.”
“What? Yes.”
As Heuk-pyo hastily stopped the carriage, Bu Eun-seol opened the door and slowly stepped out.
He then closed his eyes and began to listen intently.
‘The Young Master must have heard something.’
Heuk-pyo also perked up his ears, but he couldn't hear anything other than the rustling of leaves in the wind.
After standing for a long while, Bu Eun-seol tilted his head, then suddenly threw a punch at a large, ancient tree visible beyond a thicket.
*Kwoong!*
As a low vibration spread out, his eyes snapped open.
“There.”
He immediately used his movement technique and began to ascend a pair of cliffs in the distance.
“Young Master.”
Heuk-pyo also unleashed his movement technique and started to follow Bu Eun-seol.
*Rustle.*
Weaving swiftly through the undergrowth, Heuk-pyo finally found Bu Eun-seol crouched at a spot overlooking a gorge.
Carefully approaching his side, Heuk-pyo’s eyes widened.
‘Who are they?’
Down in the gorge, the masked man they had seen earlier was fighting against a group of about twenty men.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
The weapons the men carried were plain sabers, the cheapest kind sold at a blacksmith’s, but their skills were anything but ordinary.
‘They must be Wang Jeong’s men.’
The twenty or so martial artists seemed to have been trained by Wang Jeong; their transitions between offense and defense were swift, and their forms were disciplined.
Moreover, they appeared to be using a formation, as twenty blades took turns striking at the masked man’s vital points.
In terms of skill alone, they were on par with the warriors of any decent sect.
“Quite impressive for a bunch of bandits.”
The masked man muttered under his breath as he casually dodged the men’s saber techniques with his hands clasped behind his back.
“But their internal energy is far too lacking.”
He clicked his tongue as he spun and weaved through the blades.
“They must not have been taught a divine cultivation method.”
*Shing.*
The masked man drew the precious sword from his waist.
The sword's design was unique; its blade was narrow, and the entire length of it was tinged with a faint golden color.
Noticing it, Heuk-pyo’s eyes lit up.
‘A master from the Namgung Clan!’
The sword the masked man had drawn was a Gold Needle Sword, used by the masters of the Namgung Clan.
Heuk-pyo kept low and whispered to Bu Eun-seol.
“Young Master. He’s a master from the Namgung Clan.”
“I know.”
“Perhaps we won’t have to intervene after all.”
The Namgung Clan was so renowned for its swordsmanship that it was also known as the Namgung Sword Clan.
In particular, the Namgung Clan’s Heavy Sword technique was considered one of the finest in the martial world.
Emperor Sword Style.
The Emperor Sword Style unleashed pressure as if throwing Mount Tai, all with a sword thinner and narrower than a standard longsword. Its majesty alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of most swordsmen.
*Papapapat!*
As the masked man unleashed a single strike, a flurry of sword moves erupted, like dozens of steel needles being thrown at once.
From the rapid, fast-paced thrusts, it seemed he was using the Blue Sky Flying Swallow Sword.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*
A series of metallic clashes rang out, and the sabers held by the men in front of him fell helplessly to the ground.
“Surrender!”
The masked man roared after disarming five men with a single strike.
Intimidated by his display of power, the group began to back away slowly.
“Wang Jeong, where is that bastard?”
The masked man shouted at the retreating men.
“Retreat!”
The warriors all turned at once and began to flee, scattering as quickly as cockroaches.
“Foolish tricks.”
Sheathing his sword, the masked man immediately flicked his fingers, sending out a gust of finger wind.
*Pak, pak, pak.*
But then, something surprising happened.
Even after being struck in the back by the finger wind, the men just kept running.
“Are they wearing protective armor?”
The masked man smirked, then used his movement technique again to chase after the group as they fled the gorge.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eun-seol, who was looking down at the scene, shook his head.
“He’s going to die.”
“They have committed unspeakable atrocities until now… Isn’t this just karma?”
“No, I mean him.”
Bu Eun-seol’s gaze was fixed on the masked man.
“That… master from the Namgung Clan?”
“Young masters from prestigious families with little real-world experience are always weak against dirty tricks.”
“Pardon?”
“He should have considered why those men gave up their geographical advantage to surround him in an open area within the gorge.”
Before he even finished speaking…
*Fwoosh!*
The masked man, who had been kicking off the gorge floor, suddenly sank through the ground with a cloud of dust.
It happened so unexpectedly that he had no time to defend himself.
It turned out there was a deep pitfall trap on the men’s escape route, thinly covered with branches and dirt.
*Taat!*
However, the moment he fell into the trap, the man leaped, soaring out of the deep pit.
The bottom was lined with sharp steel spikes, but he had used his supreme movement technique to use the spikes themselves as a foothold.
*Whoosh!*
But as the masked man shot up from the ground, a cloud of white powder swirled around his body.
The bottom of the pit had been laced not only with steel spikes but also with a potent Energy-Scattering Powder.
“Kuh.”
The masked man immediately held his breath, but fine particles of the powder had already entered his lungs.
*Flash!*
Then, among the hastily fleeing men, one warrior suddenly spun around and began to swing his saber in a cross pattern.
*Chaang!*
The masked man quickly drew his sword to block the attack, but in doing so, he inhaled more of the Energy-Scattering Powder.
“Hahaha!”
Seeing this, the man burst into a triumphant laugh.
“High in martial skill, but still just a greenhorn.”
The masked man quickly retreated, and realization dawning on him, he bit his lip.
“You… you’re Wang Jeong.”
“That’s right.”
The man nodded as he approached the masked man with a leisurely gait.
“I am Wang Jeong.”
Incredibly, Wang Jeong had been hiding in plain sight, disguised among his subordinates in identical clothes and wielding the same weapon.
“I see. So that’s how you’ve avoided being caught all this time.”
The masked man finally understood everything.
Wang Jeong had been taking advantage of the fact that his appearance was not widely known, blending in with his men to carry out his raids.