Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Party (1)
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Though the sudden trip to Henan was abrupt, there wasn't really any issue.
The Sacheon Escort Agency and the Tang Clan were already running smoothly even without him.
-You did well to bring in Jin-seong.
'Exactly.'
It hadn't been long since he'd properly started training him.
Yet he was already handling the total steward position at the Sacheon Escort Agency while also taking care of Tang Clan affairs.
And that wasn't all? He was managing the shops and merchant groups quite competently too.
At this rate, he didn't need to worry about administrative matters.
'With Ji Gong around, and Master Saeryeon staying at the Tang Clan as well, security shouldn't be an issue either.'
-The only concern is his rapid growth. Such quick progress always attracts enemies.
Blocking the Hongwol Sect and the unorthodox factions had greatly raised the Tang Clan's name.
Thanks to that, they were one step closer to becoming the hegemon of Sichuan.
But as Ye-ui said, he couldn't let his guard down.
'Right. Especially after smearing shit on the face of the Black Alliance.'
-So? You planning to stop here?
Dang Yu-wol just smiled at Ye-ui's provocative question.
'As if.'
A few days after announcing to the clan's retainers that he was heading to Henan and back.
Gu Hwan-gae came calling.
He'd been said to be recovering from injuries sustained while fighting off the Hongwol Sect, but he looked fully healed already.
"Hey. Aren't you busy these days?"
"Yes."
"Not handling the unorthodox cleanup?"
"The Tang Clan warriors, my disciples, and the escorts are dealing with them whenever they have time."
"But you're not joining in. Come on, let's do it together."
"Sorry, but I'll pass."
"What's the big deal? What's more urgent than this right now?"
"I've got some things going on."
"What things? Can't even give a straight answer?"
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
Gu Hwan-gae, eyeing him with narrowed eyes, let out a sigh.
"The murim is a dangerous place. No matter how well you fight, fighting well doesn't solve everything in the murim."
You never knew when you'd get stabbed in the back or poisoned.
That's why you had to clean things up quickly.
Gu Hwan-gae, about to press further, shut his mouth.
'Hold on. This guy's more likely to backstab someone than get backstabbed...'
And poisoning?
Dang Yu-wol was the one doing the poisoning.
No matter how he thought about it, there were no issues.
"Ahem. You said the Tang Clan warriors are handling the unorthodox? Want some help?"
"We're good."
"Uh... Hey. I'm Gu Hwan-gae. The Thousand-Li Flying Swallow Gu Hwan-gae."
"I know."
"You think only one or two people want to build ties with me?"
"Probably. Then why don't you go help them?"
"You little...!"
Dang Yu-wol spoke leisurely, then rose from his seat.
"If you haven't eaten, have a meal first."
At the word "meal," Gu Hwan-gae grinned.
What could be more important to a beggar than food?
In the end, he couldn't figure out what Dang Yu-wol was up to.
"We're heading out. Train hard while I'm gone."
On the day of departure, people gathered in front of the clan manor.
They were the clan's disciples and the Sacheon Escort Agency's escorts.
"You've all gained some insights in your own ways by now. Keep training diligently while I'm away."
"Yes!!"
"If there's anything you don't understand, think it through carefully."
"Understood."
"It's fine to ask Ji Gong or Master Saeryeon too. Guidance is better than going it alone."
Peak experts walking the righteous path.
Both Ji Gong, a transcendent master, and Saeryeon from the Ami Sect.
Getting their help wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Understood!"
"Alright, I'm off then."
With a light wave, Dang Yu-wol shook the reins.
The sleek black horse with glossy fur bolted forward.
-How do you plan to travel?
'The fastest way is by waterway.'
-Then to Ami County it is.
Take the Cheon River at Ami County and merge onto the Yangtze.
That was the quickest route to Henan.
-How long will it take?
'Who knows? Not too long, I think. We experienced it last time, right?'
Last time going to Ami County, he'd confirmed it while traveling with the escorts.
The roads to each county were well-maintained, with no major issues.
'We scouted inns along the way for rests, so no problems.'
-I see. As long as there's no interference.
Like last time, there might be unorthodox folk, bandits, or thieves.
But they'd been steadily cleaning up Sichuan.
So no major interference expected.
And if there was?
'I hope there is.'
-Who do you take me for, a blood-mad killer? The only ones I want dead are the Blood Cult.
Dang Yu-wol smiled faintly at Ye-ui's words.
He felt the same.
After several days of travel, they arrived at bustling Ami County.
-Truly a place full of murim folk.
Turn your head, and you'd see murim people everywhere.
Mostly righteous faction members, but some neutral and unorthodox warriors mixed in.
-Where murim folk gather, trouble always brews.
'Cut the useless thoughts and head to the harbor.'
Dang Yu-wol calmly made his way to the harbor.
The port connected to the Cheon River had quite a few merchants.
Some even had street stalls set up.
-Oh ho. Take a look at that.
'What?'
-That flying dagger over there.
'Not bad...'
His gaze landed on the flying daggers on a stall.
They piqued his interest.
"Who made these flying daggers?"
"Pardon? Uh... I bought them in Chang'an."
"Made from Zhuqing steel? It's famous for its hardness, yet forged this thin into daggers."
Famed for its durability.
Yet made so thin, with excellent elasticity and strength.
'Even before regression, I'd never seen a smith this skilled...'
"Ooh!! You know your stuff! Yes, yes. That guy's got real skill."
"Who in Chang'an should I look for?"
"Find Taegang Forge in Chang'an. Anyone in the smithing district can point you there."
"Thanks."
Dang Yu-wol bought every single one of the dozens of flying daggers.
The Tang Clan's were fine, but more flying daggers were always better.
"What?! No more boats today?!"
"We don't sail at night."
"The sun's barely setting."
"By the time we prep, it'll be dark."
"No night sails at all?"
"The military makes a fuss if we do."
"What nonsense? I've seen night boats plenty elsewhere."
"Ever since those Yangtze Waterway Pirates, they've been cracking down hard on night sails. Total chaos."
The customers grumbled and left upon hearing the boatmen's words.
Watching them, Dang Yu-wol gave a wry smile.
-Looks like we'll stay here tonight.
No boats? Nothing to be done.
Not one to bicker like them, Dang Yu-wol returned to Ami County's streets.
-That one looks good.
The cleanest among the many inns.
As Ye-ui suggested, entering revealed decent facilities.
"Welcome!!"
"Somen noodles and braised beef slices."
"No liquor?"
"I'm good."
"Got it! Somen and braised beef!!"
The waiter shouted loudly and headed inside.
'Three murim folk here.'
-One man in his late forties in the corner, plus a boy and girl.
They give off a refined aura.
Definitely righteous faction. Safe to ignore.
Dang Yu-wol sat leisurely.
"Here's your food!"
"Thanks. Oh, mind if I ask a few things?"
"Of course!"
"Any boats to Hubei from here?"
"Yes! Head to the harbor tomorrow morning, and you'll catch one right away!"
"Good. And I'd like to stay the night."
"Lodging too? Just ten copper nyang a night!"
Not a bad price.
Dang Yu-wol handed over half a silver nyang.
That covered breakfast too, and the delighted waiter dashed inside.
-Avoiding conflict? Reconfirming what you already know.
'I felt them tense up when I entered. No need to rile them unnecessarily.'
State his purpose, show he's just a guest.
'Suspicious types wouldn't buy it that easily, of course...'
But they weren't, as their wary glances lessened afterward.
'This should prevent any needless friction.'
-What a tiring life. Being murim folk.
'Enmities and grudges, you know.'
Murim life meant facing death by blade at any moment.
So naturally, they'd be wary of strangers—especially trained ones.
'I'd do the same in unfamiliar territory.'
Lots of enemies, after all.
He sipped his tea with a relaxed smile when—
"What a coincidence! Running into you here again!"
A boisterous voice rang out.
It belonged to none other than Gu Hwan-gae.
-The beggar's here.
Dang Yu-wol asked in his usual flat tone, watching the beggar posture flamboyantly.
"Why are you following me?"
"Following? What nonsense? A beggar going where he pleases—got a problem?"
"Talk sense."
"Tch. Too obvious?"
"Yes."
"Truth is, I've got business in Henan too. Wasn't planning to go, but..."
'Henan? To the Shaolin Temple?'
"Might as well go together. You're heading there too, right?"
"Heard from the Sacheon Escort Agency?"
"Yeah, kid. I won't even ask you to cover my meals."
"Then go ahead."
Gu Hwan-gae was surprised at Dang Yu-wol's easy agreement.
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
"Never thought of this?"
"What?"
"That you're dancing to my tune, elder."