Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Ambush (1)
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"...Well, it is strange, isn't it."
"Perhaps someone, or some faction, is behind this to obtain the Three-Faced Phantom Armor."
"Hmm. And so? Are you planning to stop it?"
"Something like that."
"Hah. If what you're saying is true, things are getting quite peculiar."
The Jeomchang Sect may be weak in Yunnan, but it was still one of the Nine Great Sects.
For some power to scheme against such a sect...
'This is getting troublesome.'
Gu Hwan-gae felt a chill run down his spine.
The murim had enjoyed a long period of peace.
Perhaps that peace was now coming to an end.
"For now, let's ask them."
"Yes."
As Hwan-gyu, Yi-gyeong, and Yi-yul came down for breakfast, Gu Hwan-gae immediately asked.
"Is what you're taking to Songshan by any chance the Three-Faced Phantom Armor?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
Hwan-gyu was startled.
Only insiders of the Jeomchang Sect knew about transporting it.
For an outsider like Gu Hwan-gae to know was shocking.
"And you're sending out the Three-Faced Phantom Armor because of the ghost disturbances at the Jeomchang Sect?"
"Yes, that's right. How did you know?"
"Word gets around, whether you hear it or not."
At Dang Yu-wol's response, Hwan-gyu couldn't hide his bitterness.
He seemed quite embarrassed.
"Ugh. Yes. For a Daoist sect to have ghost rumors spreading..."
"Why the hell are ghosts appearing at the Jeomchang Sect anyway? More importantly, isn't it a Daoist sect? Didn't you perform any rites?"
"We did. Elder Sam-hyeon and Master Gi-wol did as well."
They were all highly skilled Daoists of renowned virtue.
"But the ghosts kept appearing."
The disciples' unease grew.
In the end, the Jeomchang Sect's leader made a decision.
"So we're borrowing the power of Buddhism instead of Daoism."
"Th-that's right!"
"We saw the ghosts too!!"
"If it's that dangerous, wouldn't it be better to just destroy it?"
"We thought the same and tried. But for some reason, it wouldn't break."
"Really?"
"Yes. Not even a scratch from true energy."
"Hah. Incredible. An artifact is truly an artifact."
"According to Jeomchang records, once you wear it, it stimulates the mind to make you want to keep it on."
"Hah. A thing like that... Well, there were dangerous demonic swords like that too."
"Yes. And there's a tale that wearing it continuously for three months and ten days turns you into a demon."
"Dangerous indeed."
"That's why we're relying on Shaolin's Buddhist power."
Gu Hwan-gae glanced at Dang Yu-wol at their reactions.
His expression asked if he knew more, but Dang Yu-wol just shrugged nonchalantly.
"If you're worried about more ghosts appearing, you can refuse to accompany us."
Dang Yu-wol smiled faintly at Hwan-gyu's cautious words.
As if he would.
The Blood Cult bastards were coming to him on their own.
"Ghosts in this world? Come on."
"I think the same, but..."
"I don't fear such things, so don't worry."
Dang Yu-wol glanced at Gu Hwan-gae after his light remark.
That look made Gu Hwan-gae bristle.
"Well... if Elder Gu Hwan-gae is afraid..."
"What?! Afraid of something like that?!"
"Then you'll come along."
Gu Hwan-gae scowled at Dang Yu-wol's response.
As he sighed, Yi-gyeong and Yi-yul scurried over to Dang Yu-wol.
"Tang gongzi! Tang gongzi!"
"Haha. Call me comfortably. Brother is fine."
-No conscience. Considering your real age, 'brother' is a bit much.
'My current appearance is still under twenty anyway.'
-In a few months, you'll be twenty...
Dang Yu-wol was shameless, and Ye-ui chuckled at him.
"We've heard rumors about you, brother. You fought the Black Alliance, right?"
"Not exactly. I just blocked the Black Alliance's vanguard."
"Wow... You did it alone from the Tang Clan, without help from the Ami Sect or Cheongsung Sect?"
"No. I had help from the Murim Alliance and Elder Thousand-Li Flying Swallow here."
"Still, weren't you scared?"
Dang Yu-wol grinned at the two children with sparkling eyes.
"I was scared. But someone had to do it."
'And it's something we all have to do.'
He had no intention of carrying the log alone.
A smile played on Dang Yu-wol's lips.
"Wow! You're amazing! Our master always says..."
"That if you don't step up when difficulties arise, who will overcome them?"
The younger sister Yi-yul glanced sideways at her older brother Yi-gyeong.
"I wish our big brother was like Tang brother. He always makes me do the hard stuff."
"Hey! When did I?!"
"You did last time too! And when master gave us errands, you made me carry all the heavy stuff!"
"You're stronger than me!"
"Eek!"
As the siblings raised their voices, Dang Yu-wol stopped them.
Hwan-gyu smiled warmly at the sight.
'A good kid. Those two are curious, but they know people...'
Yet he'd broken the ice so quickly.
That meant Dang Yu-wol was a good person.
"Elder. What kind of person is young Tang brother really?"
"I don't know well either. Haven't seen him much. But..."
"But?"
"You must never underestimate that kid's depth."
"What do you mean?"
Gu Hwan-gae glanced at Dang Yu-wol.
He was talking with the disciples but nodded slightly.
A sign it was okay to speak.
"Until recently, he was treated as the Tang Clan's wastrel."
"Really? Recent rumors don't suggest that at all..."
"He only straightened up recently."
"Hah. Surprising."
"And from then on, he acted like a completely different person."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. Maybe he was biding his time."
"Hah. It's common knowledge in murim to hide thirty percent of your strength..."
But playing the wastrel for so long wasn't easy.
So he was curious.
"Why was that?"
As eyes turned to him, Dang Yu-wol answered casually.
"Just to distinguish friend from foe."
"Impressive. So, does young brother see Jeomchang as an enemy of the Tang Clan?"
A sharp question.
Jeomchang's future policy might change based on his reaction.
-What do you think?
'The Tang Clan and Jeomchang Sect used to have good relations.'
-True. Jeomchang is in Yunnan, full of poisons.
'Right. They helped us gather venomous creatures whenever we visited for poisons.'
The Tang Clan had also treated those from Jeomchang poisoned by mishandling them.
But as the Sacheon Tang Clan declined, exchanges dwindled.
Now, just holiday gifts.
'But even that's appreciated.'
Others didn't even do that.
"Tang gongzi. Do you know? The Tang Clan has long been skilled in medicine and pharmacology."
"Yes."
"We've treated villagers around Jeomchang often."
"Yes, I've heard. Sadly, relations have cooled lately."
After the fight with the Five Poisons Sect, their power waned, and visits to Yunnan decreased.
Exchanges naturally ceased—no one to blame.
"But from now on, it'll change."
"I hope so."
'Jeomchang will help against the Blood Cult too.'
Hardships should be shared.
No carrying the log alone.
"More importantly, let's talk a bit. Something I discussed with that kid..."
Gu Hwan-gae relayed his conversation with Dang Yu-wol.
That perhaps a spy in Jeomchang was fabricating the ghost incidents to steal the armor.
"What do you think?"
"..."
"Honestly, suspecting your own sect members is upsetting."
Gu Hwan-gae's voice lowered slightly.
"But don't misunderstand. He didn't mean it maliciously..."
"Perhaps... young brother is right."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
The silent Hwan-gyu smiled faintly.
"No, nothing. Time to board, it seems."
Gu Hwan-gae was friendly with his master and a murim elder.
Still, some sect secrets couldn't be shared.
"Come on. We can't miss the boat today."
Hwan-gyu smiled awkwardly and walked ahead. Gu Hwan-gae watched him with a bitter gaze.
It was a large ship.
Big enough for dozens of passengers.
"Woooow!!"
"It's huge!!"
Their first time on such a vessel.
The two Jeomchang disciples excitedly roamed the ship.
"We're departing now!"
As the kids returned from sightseeing, the ship set off.
They'd ride this to Hubei.
"Let's go put our luggage down."
"Phew, I need a rest."
Passengers headed to their rooms.
Dang Yu-wol's group did the same.
They unpacked in their assigned cabins and went about their business.
"I'll take a walk."
"Brother! We're going sightseeing!"
"See you later, big brother!!"
As everyone scattered, Dang Yu-wol went to the deck.
-What's the point of playing around. Train.
'Right.'
Nothing else to do.
As Dang Yu-wol warmed up, Hwan-gyu approached with a smile.
"Hah. Training?"
"Yes. A martial artist seeking the Way must not skip daily practice."
"I hear Tang Clan disciples start training by ingesting poison in the morning..."
"Yes. I brought plenty."
"Good. Even if combat breaks out, no worries."
"Yes. Don't worry."
"Do you know? The Yangtze Waterway Bandits have been rampaging lately."
"Yes, I've heard."
The Black Alliance's Sacheon advance drew interest from the Yangtze Waterway Bandits and bandits.
Them appearing near Sacheon wasn't odd.
"They might show up here too. Count on you then."
-Will they really come?
'They will.'
-Then we'll kill them.
Poison formed naturally.