Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: To Reduce (1)
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Ye-ui was delighted, while Dang Yu-wol let out a sigh.
Regardless, the atmosphere between the two grew ever deeper.
"Young Master Dang. Do you have a moment?"
A curt voice interrupted them.
It was Seol Ryua.
Lan hastily pulled her hand away from Paeng Ho-san's grasp and turned around.
"I-It's embarrassing..."
"Ahem. Anyway, I'll visit the Tang Clan later. It would be great if we could go together then."
"Sure. By the way, where is Young Lady Lan's clan located?"
"In Gui-ju. Have you heard of the Ha Hu Clan of Seonggang County?"
"First time hearing it. Not a murim family, I take it?"
"Yes. They're known in government circles but have no ties to the murim world."
"Hmm. Well, anyway. See you later."
Paeng Ho-san gave a light fist salute and left with Ha Hu-lan.
Watching them go, Seol Ryua looked puzzled.
"That man. Isn't he the Tiger Power Escort Master?"
"Yes."
"I heard he made great contributions in this raid. Are you close with him?"
"Not exactly close... More importantly, what brings you here?"
"Ah. General Song is looking for you."
"Understood."
He entered the government office with her.
Hwan-gyu and his disciples, along with Gu Hwan-gae, were already there.
"I heard you called for me."
"Mm. Sit down."
Song Juk's expression had calmed considerably.
Was something found from interrogating the captured Blood Cult protector?
As Dang Yu-wol harbored some expectations, Song Juk spoke in a serious tone.
"His identity has been confirmed as a Blood Cult protector. Name's Kang Shi-cheon."
'Never heard of him.'
It wasn't unusual.
Under Outer Law Elder Gu Sa-bak, there had been over a hundred protectors.
-And they frequently killed their superiors to rise in rank. He might have been killed before you could even investigate.
"He said he was tasked with spreading poison across the Central Plains to test it."
"That's all?"
"For now. It's hard to investigate further here."
Torture required tools as well.
For a proper interrogation, they needed to go at least to the castle lord's domain.
"I see."
Dang Yu-wol shook his head, abandoning the idea of using hallucinogenic poison.
'A protector would have mental defenses.'
He knew this as a former Blood Cult member.
Once reaching protector rank, they underwent rigorous mental defense training.
Thus, hallucinogens targeting the mind would just be a waste of time.
'Better to trust the imperial torture techniques.'
As he thought this, Song Juk let out a sigh.
It felt more relieved than heavy.
"Thanks to you, the incidents here seem mostly resolved."
He spoke lightly, then looked at Dang Yu-wol.
"Thank you. I heard you also detoxified the soldiers."
"Yes."
"If you're willing... um. Could you share the method to make this antidote?"
Song Juk looked quite embarrassed.
The antidote recipe was a clan secret.
How could he not feel awkward asking for it?
"Yes. Such things might happen again... I'll make sure to repay you."
He could pay monetary rewards for all the help so far if desired.
He even pulled out a promissory note.
But Dang Yu-wol had ample funds.
"If I need anything, I'll request it."
The Tang Clan would need much government aid for expansion.
He figured he'd ask for help with that.
"We're fine on money too. Just help us with the Jeomchang Sect later."
"Heh heh. Send it to the Beggars' Sect."
Hwan-gyu and Gu Hwan-gae didn't need money right now either.
Song Juk nodded vigorously at their responses.
"Then..."
"Yes. I'll provide it."
Song Juk was surprised by Dang Yu-wol's straightforward agreement.
"You're young, so maybe that's why. Knowledge is power, you know."
"I know."
"...Right now, only you can make that antidote."
-Is that so?
'It's only a matter of time. But for now, yes.'
The Healer Sect and imperial physicians weren't fools.
Moreover, hadn't he openly shown making the antidote last time?
"I know that too."
"Really?"
"Yes."
'If the Seven Yin Blood Horse Poison spreads, the Blood Cult's corpse bomb numbers will increase, making them harder to deal with.'
-You must reduce the enemy's strength as much as possible.
Money and power were good.
But weakening the Blood Cult and exterminating them was paramount.
"I've summarized it here."
Dang Yu-wol casually pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it over.
"Heh. You had it prepared already?"
"Yes. But I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Please have Sacheon's troops guard the Tang Clan."
The Tang Clan was currently vulnerable.
With Ji Gong there and alliances with Cheongsung and Ami Sects, they couldn't be fully at ease.
'With me moving like this, the Blood Cult won't look kindly on the Sacheon Tang Clan.'
They might even send their armed forces.
To counter that, they needed power, and imperial troops would certainly help.
-Also, hosting a precious guest proves the clan's strength.
'Right.'
-But isn't this like tiger backing tiger?
'We use whatever we can right now.'
"Fair enough. We'll likely need the Tang Clan's help in future incidents too. Understood."
"Thank you."
Song Juk agreed easily, then glanced at Seol Ryua.
She nodded slightly.
"We'll also send men from the Black Tiger Division."
'That's unexpected.'
"The Black Tiger Division... Is that possible?"
"Conveniently, the Fourth Division of the Black Tiger Division is stationed in Sacheon."
"Impressive. First I've heard."
"They're keeping their identities hidden."
"I see."
With not just imperial troops but the Black Tiger Division guarding the Tang Clan, it was perfect.
'Good job enduring.'
Dang Yu-wol smiled in satisfaction.
"So, what are your plans now?"
"We should head to Henan now."
That had been the goal from the start.
Song Juk looked at Dang Yu-wol's group with a hint of regret.
"Thanks to you all, we avoided major losses."
"It was the right thing to do."
"I'll ensure this reward reaches you properly."
Song Juk gave a fist salute and bowed at the waist in respect.
"Thanks to little brother, we got some good experience."
"It was my first real combat."
"Ugh... My hands are still shaking."
Hwan-gyu watched his chattering disciples with a mix of bitterness and pride.
He regretted not being by their side.
But he couldn't keep them in his arms forever.
"And we even got horses. Heh heh heh. These military steeds? Could fetch ten gold nyang if sold."
Gu Hwan-gae chuckled.
Good horses for military use were hard to come by.
Selling to a horse ranch might yield even more.
"I didn't expect rewards for us too, not just you and the elder."
Dang Yu-wol was the main hero of this incident.
Gu Hwan-gae had mobilized Beggars' Sect disciples to thwart the raid.
They'd achieved far more than Hwan-gyu and his group, yet the rewards were equal, leaving him embarrassed.
"What you did was no small feat either, Daoist."
"Don't gild my face."
"Without you, I might have died there."
"Ha ha. You talk well. I bet little brother would have handled it somehow."
Dang Yu-wol smiled instead of replying.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's get going."
Gu Hwan-gae expertly mounted and urged his horse forward.
Seeing this, Hwan-gyu mounted with his disciples.
"You two learn to ride properly later."
"Yes!!"
A bit cramped, but the large horses handled it fine.
As they started off, Dang Yu-wol grabbed his reins.
That was when it happened.
"Young Master Dang!! Young Master Dang!! You haven't left yet!!"
It was Seol Ryua.
Why was she here?
Armored, packed with luggage, and leading a horse.
"What is it?"
"I must go to the capital on General Song's orders too."
The Great Empire's capital was in Hebei.
That meant passing through Henan, their destination.
"Same road then. Care to travel together?"
"Thank you."
"Let's go."
As Dang Yu-wol mounted and took the reins, Seol Ryua recalled Song Juk's earlier order.
"Protect Young Master Dang."
"Pardon?"
"His knowledge is extraordinary."
"I think so too."
"Plus, despite being at peak realm, he defeated a transcendent expert."
"Yes. That's right."
"Even if he used martial art affinities..."
From investigations, Dang Yu-wol had already taken down two transcendent experts.
She figured it was either humility or him hiding his true strength.
"Even so, his talent is no small thing."
"Agreed. His loyalty to the Great Empire and imperial family can't be ignored either."
Though Dang Yu-wol was borrowing power to fight the Blood Cult.
"I've seen many murim warriors."
Song Juk took a sip of tea after speaking briefly.
His eyes closed slightly, as if recalling the past.
"But none knew righteousness and chivalry like Young Master Dang, with such loyalty to the Empire."
"I agree."
"And... such people always have many enemies."
Seol Ryua understood Song Juk's concern.
"Don't cling too tightly, though."
"Yes."
"Say it's my order. Deliver this to the capital."
There was a report to make anyway.
That gave ample pretext to join them.
"And if possible..."
"...?"
"Let him know how great it is to enlist in the military."
"How so?"
"Troubles will arise on the way to Henan, right?"
Song Juk sipped his tea.
Then spoke calmly.
"Show him the power a military general can wield."
"Understood."
"And use this for travel expenses."
Seol Ryua nodded, taking the thick promissory note.
Money and authority.
Perfect for comfortable travel.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Not going?"
"Ah. Yes, we are. Oh, General Song said he'll cover your travel expenses."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And let me know if you need anything on the way."
Seol Ryua spoke kindly.
"Do you need anything?"
"Perfect."
Dang Yu-wol smiled.
There was something he wanted from Huguang en route.
"I'd like to obtain an artifact kept by the Wudang Sect."
"Pardon? W-Wudang Sect?!"
"With military help, it'd be easier."
'One of the Nine Great Sects... Not easy.'
Though she panicked, Dang Yu-wol remained utterly composed.
'Since we're getting help anyway, might as well squeeze every drop.'
-Good idea. Getting military aid isn't easy.
Seeing Dang Yu-wol's beaming smile, Seol Ryua foresaw this journey wouldn't be simple.