Chapter 61
Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Cooperation (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bi-seon ultimately decided to side with Dang Yu-wol over Hwang No's opinion.
"Who would've thought those bastards would set up a heaven's net. Truly impressive."
"My lord. Even now..."
"We can't do that. Besides, don't I have Hwang No by my side?"
"I swear on my life to protect you safely."
As Hwang No spoke earnestly, the rest of the group gathered.
They had already heard the story from him.
"Hey. What's the plan?"
"For now, we've decided to accept help from the military."
"Good call."
"Speaking of which, a heaven's net... Do you think they've blocked the waterways too?"
"Very likely."
It wouldn't be a true heaven's net without sealing off the rivers.
"I see..."
"To break through a heaven's net, we need to capture the enemy's leaders first. Who do you think they are?"
"The Blood Cult."
Hwang No ground his teeth at Dang Yu-wol's calm words.
She had suspected as much herself.
"Those vile traitors..."
"Our top priority should be preparing to fight the enemy."
"Agreed. We don't know when they'll attack."
They would need help from the Haeseong Sect as well.
After all, they represented the orthodox factions of Ok River County.
It was only natural for them to fight these bandits in disguise.
"Let's go."
Dang Yu-wol headed straight to the Haeseong Sect leader with Gu Hwan-gae.
"Ah, you've come."
He had already heard about the situation.
Judging by the chainmail protecting his chest and the sword at his side.
"The situation in Ok River County isn't good."
"I know. That's why we're asking for the Haeseong Sect's help."
"It's our duty, so don't call it help."
The Haeseong Sect leader replied matter-of-factly.
"I've also sent word to the other orthodox factions in Ok River County."
"Really?"
"They'll all gather here within two hours. However..."
He couldn't hide his bitter expression.
The problem was the lack of true masters.
"The so-called masters of Ok River County's orthodox factions are mostly at the peak level."
It was regrettable.
So very regrettable.
He bowed his head apologetically.
"I'm only at the early transcendent realm myself..."
"That's more than enough."
"Is it? But reports say the enemy numbers nearly a thousand..."
Gu Hwan-gae shook his head and shared the intelligence from his beggars.
"There aren't that many first-rate or better among them. They're mostly rabble."
The enemy's core was Blood Cult members.
But the rest weren't.
"Just third-rate unorthodox wanderers who've scraped by here and there."
"I see."
"Of course, a few surpass the peak realm."
But not enough to worry about.
Dang Yu-wol nodded at Gu Hwan-gae's words.
And added reassurance for the sect leader.
"We have the military and the government on our side."
"The military?!"
"Yes. With their help, it shouldn't be too difficult to hold them off."
"That's fortunate."
"And..."
Dang Yu-wol spoke seriously.
"I plan to use poison."
"Poison? Hmm..."
As an orthodox warrior, using poison was a bit hesitant.
But Dang Yu-wol's gaze was unwavering.
"The enemy outnumbers us."
"True..."
"We have the walls, but they still have more masters."
Now wasn't the time to worry about justification or face.
Dang Yu-wol assessed the situation coldly.
"We should use everything we can."
"But... do we have enough poison?"
"I'll request supplies from the pharmacies in Ok River County."
The herbs there had been quite good last time.
With those, they could mass-produce usable poisons.
"The enemy probably hasn't dealt with poison before."
"I don't plan to make anything requiring special poison techniques."
Just something to toss in pouches or bottles.
Dang Yu-wol spoke calmly and stood.
"For combat strategy, you'd be better off consulting others."
"Who?"
"Get help from Chief Officer Seol."
"Understood."
After finishing with the Haeseong Sect leader, Dang Yu-wol went to find Seol Ryu-a.
Her face lit up upon hearing he would make the poison.
"Poisons from Young Master Dang will be a huge help. How much can you make?"
"Hard to say exactly until I check the pharmacies' stock..."
"A rough estimate?"
"Enough to poison a few hundred, at least."
"Thank you."
"No trouble. But..."
"Yes. The government will cover the costs."
-Nice. Now we can make some expensive stuff.
'Yeah.'
Poison inevitably cost money.
If they'd foot the bill, what couldn't he do?
Dang Yu-wol headed to the pharmacy with lighter steps.
Yang Ui-seok was there when he arrived.
"Young Master Dang! You've come!"
"What brings you here...?"
"I heard you're preparing to defend Ok River County."
So he'd come to make medicines in preparation for battle.
"Never thought we'd fight together again."
"Me neither."
"Planning to make poison? Let's do it together."
He said he'd already informed the pharmacy and generously provided herbs.
No reason to refuse.
-Start with paralytics.
'Sure, but paralytics alone feel lacking.'
-No time or materials for lethal poison anyway.
The ones to subdue with poison were just second- and third-rates.
Not cost-effective against them.
'Agreed. Let's make some that cause stomach upset too.'
-Oh ho.
Make their guts churn mid-battle.
That alone would sap the enemy's momentum.
Dang Yu-wol skillfully prepared the herbs.
"Impressive skill."
"Just average. Oh, could you make this too?"
He shared a formula with Yang Ui-seok, who was working nearby.
Just gold sore salve and internal injury recovery pills—simple enough since his hands were free. He looked puzzled.
"What's this?"
"The antidote for my poison."
"Antidote?"
"Yes. In case our side mishandles it and gets poisoned—headache otherwise."
"Got it! Thank you."
Making antidotes was a secret art and knowledge.
Sharing it freely warranted gratitude.
"Whoa... this formula...!!"
Yang Ui-seok's eyes sparkled as he began producing the antidote.
Piles of completed medicines grew behind them.
How many hours passed like that?
A beggar came rushing into the pharmacy.
"B-big trouble!!"
"..."
"The enemy is attacking Ok River County!!"
The battle had begun.
People began gathering around Ok River County's walls.
The soldiers atop the walls, who had initially dismissed them as mere vagrants, grew grim.
"Definitely a bandit horde...!!"
Sighs escaped naturally.
There had been rumors of mysterious figures gathering near the county lately.
But to come out so boldly...
"What's the situation?"
The county magistrate emerged in full armor.
The enemies had already surrounded the county.
"Enemy numbers estimated at around a thousand. Mostly second- and third-rates, but..."
Skilled ones dotted among them.
The magistrate's face hardened at the report.
"Prepare for battle immediately!!"
"Yes!!"
"And request aid from the martial artists in the county!!"
"Understood!"
As the subordinate withdrew, the magistrate glared at the enemy from the wall, grinding his teeth.
"Magistrate! The martial artists have gathered! And the garrison troops in port have joined us!"
Welcome news.
The magistrate summoned the garrison general with great joy.
"Thank you for your help."
"Hm. It's our duty against the empire's foes. How many soldiers do you have?"
"Only about two hundred available now."
The walls were a shield.
But how much help they'd be was questionable.
The magistrate spoke gravely.
"There's a noble in the county right now."
The general knew he meant Bi-seon.
"I know. I'm here at the noble's request myself."
"I see..."
"Magistrate!!"
The martial artists arrived then.
About a hundred of them.
Including soldiers, Ok River County's forces totaled around six hundred.
'We have to fight using the walls as a shield. Somehow get reinforcements from other counties...'
"Take this."
A young martial artist stepped forward.
The magistrate was puzzled, but the general brightened.
"Young Master Dang!"
Dang Yu-wol.
How reassuring his presence was.
"Distribute this to the soldiers first."
"This is...?"
"Poison I made. Causes paralysis and stomach issues—should help in battle."
"Ohhh...!!"
The cart he pointed to was filled with small pouches.
'This will be a big help.'
The general knew how effective his poisons were.
A truly welcome aid.
"Magistrate! The enemy is moving!!"
The encircling bandits began approaching slowly.
One group took up bows.
"Incoming!!"
Arrows flew.
Shields blocked the volley raining on the wall's defenders.
"Blocked... Ack!!"
But some arrows carried qi.
They pierced shields and struck soldiers.
"Argh!"
"Aaaagh!"
"Use the poison!!"
Enemy archers kept firing.
Meanwhile, bandits reached the gate and began pounding it.
The magistrate, shouting for poison to the gate soldiers, turned back.
"Everyone, stay alert!!"
"Battle imminent!! Don't spare your qi!!"
The orthodox martial artists gripped their weapons, ready.
'What about them?'
They weren't properly trained soldiers.
Real soldiers he'd send to the walls.
'But they lack discipline and coordination.'
They were used to fighting individually with their own arts.
Sending them into the fray wasn't wise.
"Haeseong Sect Leader!!"
"Yes!"
"Lead the martial artists!!"
"Understood!!"
At least the Haeseong Sect leader was a reliable orthodox warrior.
The magistrate quickly handed him command of the martial artists.
'My job is just to keep those scoundrels from breaching the walls.'
If they climbed the walls?
If they entered the county?
The civilians would die.
The magistrate focused on his role.
'What to do...'
The Haeseong Sect leader was troubled.
He had martial experience.
But not large-scale battles like this.
Dang Yu-wol approached calmly and spoke leisurely.
"The martial artists have a different role."
"W-what?"
"Taking down the strong foes the soldiers can't handle."
"R-right."
"Have them stand by for now. Leave command to General Seol in the meantime."
"Got it. General Seol!!"
"Yes."
Seol Ryu-a took command when she arrived.
The martial artists' coordination improved.
"Impressive...!!"
As the sect leader marveled, Dang Yu-wol glanced beyond the walls.
"They haven't committed their full strength yet."
Not even the unorthodox elites.
Nor the Blood Envoys.
'They need to conserve their forces.'
Once they joined, the tide would turn.
The sect leader thought at Dang Yu-wol's words.
This young man before him seemed far more battle-hardened than himself.