Chapter 134
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Into the Northern Blade Union Branch
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The meeting with the Castle Lord wasn't particularly long.
Just one lunch, one cup of tea, and a simple conversation—that was all.
They didn't meet often usually, and since the Dam Clan handled military affairs while Yu Clan Manor followed the scholar's path, they had no particular common interests.
Thanks to that, they had plenty of free time, but even so, they learned precious little about the Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch.
If they pushed too hard to gather information, it might leak into the wrong ears, and the moment suspicion arose, their freedom of movement would be severely restricted.
As for infiltrating with Gae Du-sin... that was dangerous too....
After agonizing over it for a while, Yu Hyun seemed to reach a decision and nodded to himself. He then led the group outside, suggesting they sightsee the streets.
Inns, taverns, and shops selling all sorts of goods....
As the group wandered the brightly lit streets with interest, their eyes suddenly widened in shock.
"G-Grand Commander? You're not seriously thinking of going in there, right?"
"Why not?"
"Well, it's just...."
Seeing Yu Hyun stop and stare at one spot, Gae Du-sin and the rest of the Latent Dragon Squad members all prayed in unison.
Please say no. Please.
Humanely speaking, this is seriously not okay.
"Uncle. Like Du-sin said, this is a bit much."
"What's the issue?"
"Even as the Castle Lord's guest, this place is...."
Nangong Seong glanced up slightly at the signboard of the building Yu Hyun wanted to enter.
His face was hidden by his bamboo hat, but it was obvious he was grimacing.
"You're going in?"
"Yes?"
"Why?"
"Well, this is kind of.... If we slip up and our identities get exposed...."
"I've got my face covered with the bamboo hat."
"...."
Damn it! Maybe I should just punch him.
The Latent Dragon Squad members all trembled with fists clenched like they had tremors, almost in sync.
There was one reason for this rare show of unity or camaraderie.
Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch.
Yu Hyun had stopped right in front of the Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch.
"No more chit-chat. Follow me."
"Uncle! Please reconsider."
"Seong-ah."
"Yes?"
"Shut up and keep that bamboo hat on tight. Circulate your qi properly so you don't get caught off guard."
"...."
Yu Hyun smirked at Nangong Seong and the Latent Dragon Squad members, who stood there speechless. Then he strode toward the main gate.
Yeah, I know. It's insane.
You're not just setting a trap to catch a tiger—you're walking right into the tiger's den. It's pure madness. Even for someone as bold as me, I can't help but feel tense.
But right now, we're not Murim Alliance warriors; we're the Castle Lord's close in-laws. As long as we don't do anything stupid to reveal ourselves, we won't get eaten.
Plus, there's a lot to gain. There's a world of difference between collecting rumors and seeing the enemy with your own eyes.
Zhuge Murin and the Present Dragon Leader, kidnapped by them, are headed to their main base at Qilian Mountain. Since they went by carriage, they must have arrived by now.
That means they'll soon send their demands to the Murim Alliance, and negotiations will follow.
At most three days. The kidnapping has to happen within that time, no matter what.
He couldn't afford to sit around waiting.
He had to find a way somehow, and to do that, he needed to learn about the enemy as quickly as possible.
The most basic condition for victory in tactics: know yourself and know your enemy.
They already know everything about me to the point of nausea, so now it's time to learn about them.
"You there! Halt!"
"...."
As Yu Hyun approached, the guard Eom Chung at the main gate glared sharply and blocked them.
His eyes were full of suspicion. With their bamboo hats pulled low, it was understandable.
Feeling a slight pang of guilt but masking it skillfully, Yu Hyun spoke calmly.
"Is this the Lanzhou Branch of the Northern Blade Union, that martial group?"
"....?"
Eom Chung looked at Yu Hyun with a baffled expression.
It's right there on the signboard—why ask...?
"Yes, it is. But who might you be?"
"Me?"
Yu Hyun pulled a badge from inside his sleeve.
"I'm a guest staying at the Castle Lord's official residence."
"....The Castle Lord's guest?"
Perhaps because they were inside the inner city?
The guard, recognizing the Gansu Castle Lord's badge, widened his eyes.
"Ve~ry close, you could say. We eat meals together, share tea.... Like family tied by blood?"
"Yes?"
Whispering as if mindful of onlookers, Yu Hyun leaned in close. The guard startled and stepped back.
His stiff posture instantly turned deferential, as expected.
"H-Honored guest, what brings you to our humble branch?"
"As you know, even though the Dam Clan is military, it's still a martial house, isn't it? I've always had a keen interest in the martial world. I heard the famous Northern Blade Union's branch was here in Gansu, so I came to see.... But do I have to keep standing out here?"
"Yes? Oh, my apologies."
"No need to apologize. So, may I go inside?"
"Yes? Inside?"
"Why? Hmm, the Castle Lord clearly said it was fine to look around...."
"....!"
Eom Chung fell silent, looking troubled at Yu Hyun's disappointed tone.
Even the Northern Blade Union couldn't ignore the Castle Lord's favor, and the current Gansu Castle Lord was one of the great generals commanding the thirty thousand troops guarding the border.
If this guest was close to such a man....
"P-Please, come inside for now. I'll report to the Branch Leader immediately."
"Thank you. You've got good instincts—not the type to just be a guard."
"You're too kind, ha ha ha!"
Eom Chung laughed heartily, pleased, then asked a colleague to escort Yu Hyun's group and dashed inside.
"U-Uncle. I'm so nervous I feel like I need the outhouse.... Might soil myself."
"Shut up and follow. Before I cut it off."
With a menacing grin and a quiet warning, Yu Hyun strode inside.
"Damn it, how can he blurt out that it's burst like that...."
"You'll understand someday."
"What a cruel Grand Commander."
Gae Du-sin and Dang Sa-dog sidled up to Nangong Seong, patting his shoulder in consolation.
"Immeasurable.... What does that mean?"
"Burst? What burst?"
Unaware of the situation, Un-hyeon and Nangong Hye asked. Nangong Seong hurriedly brushed it off.
"Huh? Oh, no. Uncle's pants burst once.... Ha ha! Come on, let's go in, go in."
"Why would his pants burst?"
"It's nothing. You don't need to know!"
Dodging the barrage of question-mark assassin queries, Nangong Seong quickly followed Yu Hyun.
Un-hyeon could know, but Nangong Hye absolutely could not.
It wasn't confirmed yet, right? He hadn't asked directly or verified it.
Well, one side might still be alive....
Either way, if this got out, Uncle's life would be ruined. He had to keep quiet until it was confirmed.
"What are you lot doing? Hurry up and come in!"
"Huh? Oh!"
Urged by Nangong Seong, the Latent Dragon Squad members shuffled awkwardly into the Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch, and the gate soon closed behind them.
* * *
"What? Who's here?"
"The Castle Lord's guest, sir."
"The Castle Lord's guest?"
"Yes."
"....Someone from the government?"
"Not sure. But from what he said, he seems very close to the Castle Lord."
"...."
Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch Leader Jang Ye frowned at Eom Chung's report.
They were already swamped with the war against the Murim Alliance.
The Qilian Three Freaks had left for the front lines to pressure them after the Alliance attacked again, and he still had to monitor the rampaging Southern Alliance Leader....
Lately, he even found himself wishing he had two bodies. And now, at a time like this, a Castle Lord guest shows up?
"Damn it, those bastards. They must think there's something to squeeze out of us...."
The more he thought, the more his head throbbed. Jang Ye irritably rubbed his forehead.
"What should we do?"
"What do you mean? It's the Castle Lord's guest—we can't just kick out someone who's already inside!"
"...."
After agonizing, Jang Ye gave orders to his subordinates.
"Hwi-am! Go to the Castle Lord's residence right now and confirm if such a guest is really there."
"Understood."
"Ok-chu, you go immediately to the Grand Steward and get a pouch of silver taels...."
Jang Ye paused, then changed his words.
"....Have him bring a small chest."
"Yes? A chest?"
"...."
When his subordinate startled and asked back, Jang Ye's eyebrows shot up in an inverted V.
"Then what, you fool? Why else would a Castle Lord guest come here? To join the Northern Blade Union?"
"Yes? Oh, sorry. I'll prepare it right away."
As Hwi-am and Ok-chu scurried out, Jang Ye let out a deep sigh.
"Haa.... Relying on such clueless idiots to run this branch.... Anyway, where are they now?"
"I had them escorted to the reception hall for now."
"Got it. You go serve them tea and keep them company. Once Hwi-am returns from the Castle Lord's residence, I'll come with the silver taels chest."
"Understood."
* * *
"Pleased to meet you. I am Jang Ye, in charge of the Northern Blade Union Lanzhou Branch."
Arriving at the reception hall with the silver taels chest, Jang Ye bowed politely to Yu Hyun, who was seated at the table, then eyed him closely.
With his face hidden by the bamboo hat, it was only natural.
Yu Hyun returned the greeting amiably while lost in thought.
First, he needed to ease the wariness of this stranger with some apt flattery. But what to praise?
His face.... Praising that would just sound like teasing, and his martial arts.... He hadn't seen any.
Damn, what kind of sorry excuse for a man is running this branch?
Grumbling inwardly, Yu Hyun slowly spoke.
No helping it. When you know nothing about someone, vague flattery is best.
"Ah, I've heard a lot about you."
"Yes?"
"The Castle Lord said the Lanzhou Branch Leader is quite the character."
When Yu Hyun subtly gave a thumbs-up, the corner of Jang Ye's mouth twitched faintly as he stared blankly.
"The Castle Lord did?"
"Yes. Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just.... I heard he always looked down on us."
"...."
Slight misstep.
Well, it still seemed to work. Judging by how his mouth was going slack.
"Who said that?"
"Yes?"
"Why would I come here for no reason? The Castle Lord was praising you so much earlier today that I got curious and came to see for myself."
"Really?"
"Heh heh, anyone would think I'm lying. Especially to a branch leader I just met, with nothing to gain."
"Ha ha, thank you just for saying that."
Jang Ye scratched his head, clearly pleased.
As expected—no one dislikes hearing praise about themselves.
Smiling contentedly as he observed Jang Ye, Yu Hyun's eyes fell on the chest he carried.
Between strangers with no reason to exchange gifts, the reason for bringing that....
Bribery, of course.
Silver taels? Or gold? Jewels?
It was obviously something substantial, but he couldn't accept it. Right now, information was key, not building wealth.
But it was a stroke of luck too.
He'd been wondering how to butter him up during the wait to make him spill what he wanted to know....
The mouth visible below the bamboo hat curved into a thick smile. Yu Hyun nodded at the chest and asked.
"By the way, what's that?"
"Ah! To thank you for visiting our branch, I prepared a little something. Just a humble token of my appreciation?"
"...."
When no immediate reply came, Jang Ye quickly approached and flung open the chest lid. It was filled to the brim with gleaming white silver taels.
Yu Hyun clicked his tongue inwardly.
That bastard calls this humble.
If it had been gold bars, he might have wavered a bit, but silver taels? Not even close.
I've got Yu Clan Manor standards....
"Hmm."
"....?"
As Yu Hyun furrowed his brow and rubbed his chin, Jang Ye sneaked a glance.
"Is this some kind of bribe or something?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Tsk, looks like I came to the wrong place."
"....?"
"I came hoping to meet a hero of the rivers and lakes and discuss martial brotherhood, but it's just a sycophant offering trash like this...."
Yu Hyun stood abruptly, not hiding his displeasure. Jang Ye's eyes widened in panic.
"You're nothing like what the Castle Lord described. I'll be going."
"Y-Yes?"
With a low bark, Yu Hyun spun on his heel and started walking away.
Come on, bite. One, two....
"Y-Young sir!"
"...."
Yu Hyun grinned at Jang Ye's perfectly hooked call.
Kid, you should've waited till three at least.
Well played. You bit hard.
Now, time to shake every last bit of info out of you.
Strip him bare, totally bare!