Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Let's Do One Thing Together (2)
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"...".
He couldn't deny this either.
Even if the goal had been suppression, the fact remained that he had attacked.
Hyeon-go let out a deep sigh.
'My heart was too hasty. Hyeon-go, oh Hyeon-go. You're still far from ready.'
He couldn't shake off the bitterness.
"How do you plan to resolve this issue?"
"What is it you desire from the Tang Clan, Young Clan Head?"
"I would like Jongnam to step forward when I need it."
"I'm merely an elder of Jongnam. I cannot speak for the sect's will."
Using him personally was fine.
But he wouldn't allow the Jongnam Sect itself to be used.
Facing his resolute spirit, Dang Yu-wol smirked.
"The crimes of an elder are the crimes of the sect as well."
"...".
Stating simple facts left him speechless, even with ten mouths.
"I'll leave persuading Jongnam to you, Elder."
He said lightly, then pointed at Na Se-ryeon.
"And... I'd like to send her to Sacheon for now."
"Se-ryeon?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"You said she lacks the training to enter the imperial palace."
That meant she just needed training.
"No...".
"I hear Shin-tu's movement technique reaches the heavens."
But martial arts were ultimately wielded by people.
If the person was lacking, even good techniques wouldn't suffice.
Everyone fell silent.
Wondering what would come out of Dang Yu-wol's mouth next.
"Then just increase her personal capabilities. Problem solved."
"Uh...".
"I'll handle the training."
"You? Are you up to that level?"
Meeting Hyeon-go's gaze, Dang Yu-wol grinned widely.
Then he whispered softly into his ear.
"The Way is like an empty vessel—seemingly vacant, yet when used, it never overflows. Likewise, the steps of the divine are the path of the golden mean. Step forward and retract..."
"...!!!"
The footwork that made Shin-tu what it was.
The contents of Moonlight Step flowed from Dang Yu-wol's lips.
-I've already analyzed it. You could teach it even better.
Shin-tu's Moonlight Step was an outstanding martial art.
One worth studying thoroughly in the Blood Cult.
He already knew the analysis, improvements, and training methods.
"...How do you...".
"Various connections here and there."
What kind of connections would let him know Moonlight Step?
Hyeon-go was dumbfounded.
"If time and place allow, I could demonstrate it myself..."
It was a lie.
He knew Moonlight Step and how to cultivate it.
But he hadn't learned it himself.
-Moonlight Step is a true Taoist footwork...
'Someone based on Reverse Heaven Heart Method like me using it would be a bit much.'
But he had shared the manual's contents.
And subdued a peak expert.
That alone made convincing them easy.
'Let them imagine whatever they want.'
Dang Yu-wol looked at Hyeon-go, who had clamped his mouth shut.
"What do you say?"
"...Understood. Se-ryeon, stay in Sacheon for a while."
"...Yes, Uncle."
As Dang Yu-wol had expected.
The two accepted his proposal, lost in their own imaginations.
"Heh. You've even got Jongnam in your pocket."
"Not sure if I should call it 'in my pocket' or not..."
Dang Yu-wol grinned at the two with drooping shoulders.
"A fun vacation. Now I can head to Wudang with a lighter heart."
"...This?"
Gu Hwan-gae didn't hide his incredulous expression.
"How is this a vacation...".
But Dang Yu-wol was genuinely satisfied.
'Unexpected reinforcements, but utilizing Shin-tu will cut down on a lot of annoyances.'
-We can catch the high officials colluding with the Blood Cult and eliminate them.
'Right. That's more than enough value to keep Shin-tu alive and nurture them.'
-Since you're teaching anyway, how about teaching poison use too?
'True... If they use poison properly, escaping crises will be easier.'
With this unexpected card added, Dang Yu-wol and Ye-ui were thrilled.
"M-Master. Why do I feel uneasy...".
"Me too..."
Dang Yu-wol eyed her with keen interest.
Na Se-ryeon felt cold sweat trickling down her back.
It took several days after leaving Uichang for Dang Yu-wol's group to arrive near Wudang Mountain.
"Wudang Mountain is just ahead."
Nothing special had happened on the way.
Of course, they had encountered bandits and thieves here and there.
But would they fall to such foes?
"What about these guys?"
"Leave them to the Wudang County office."
Gu Hwan-gae glanced back.
Dozens of rough-looking men were being dragged along, bound.
Some of the thieves they'd met along the way.
"You filthy bastards!! Think this is the end?! We'll have our revenge! Definitely!"
"Wonder how much you'll yap even after your head rolls."
At Gu Hwan-gae's mockery, the bandit leader gnashed his teeth.
But with his body bound and acupoints sealed, all he could do was spew curses.
"This'll earn us some coin. There's a good inn in Wudang County. Let's eat something tasty there."
"Wow! Really?!"
"Can we get tanghulu too? Tanghulu?!"
"Haha! You lot were like knights fighting bandits, but now you're kids again."
Teased by Gu Hwan-gae, the two young Taoists blushed.
"Don't tease them too much. They're boys and girls dreaming of the martial world."
"Hahaha. Their senior brothers used to brag about catching thieves back then."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"Good experience, then."
Gu Hwan-gae chuckled.
"You kids having too much fun on this trip?"
"Ehehe~."
"I'll miss this journey when we return to the sect!"
Hwan-gyu gave a wry smile at his happy disciples.
'At this rate, they'll sneak out without proper training.'
Someone needed to rein them in.
As their master, Hwan-gyu decided to wield the whip.
"Let me say it once more."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Even if you're together or think you've finished training, don't take this lightly."
"Huh? Master?"
"Isn't subduing evil demons a duty of the righteous sects?"
"True..."
Hwan-gyu sighed at his innocent disciples' question.
They weren't wrong.
But subduing evil wasn't easy.
"Hwan-gyu worries you'll slip up and fall to enemies."
Hwan-gyu was pleased at Gu Hwan-gae's words.
'If it's from the elder, they'll listen well.'
"Jecheon martial arts are called first-rate in the martial world."
"And to leave Jecheon for the martial world, you need at least peak realm... So it's fine, right?"
Gu Hwan-gae snorted at their words.
"What power does a peak-level nobody have in the martial world?"
"Huh? But you're peak realm too, Elder."
It poked at a sore spot.
But Gu Hwan-gae was confident.
"It's true level matters in fights."
"Then..."
"But you think all fights in the world are fair?"
"Mm..."
The two nodded at the experienced Gu Hwan-gae's words.
"You finish the fight, return to the inn for a meal, and it's poisoned. What then?"
"Ah."
"What about traps? Nets?"
"Th-that."
"Think peak experts don't lurk among villains?"
"Well..."
Experience couldn't be ignored.
Gu Hwan-gae overwhelmed the two disciples with words alone.
"I've roamed the harsh martial world for years, so I prepare for it all."
Confidence filled his voice.
He'd escaped such situations well before.
"But you greenhorns fresh to the martial world? Can you prepare?"
No one could match Gu Hwan-gae's verbal barrage.
The sullen Yi-kyeong suddenly pointed at Dang Yu-wol.
"But Brother Yu-wol seems like he could prepare."
"Uh. Well... He's the exception."
'That sly fox won't get fooled if I try.'
"Haha. I'm human too. I can get careless or leave openings."
Dang Yu-wol smiled and raised his hand toward the adults.
He agreed with them.
-No harm in caution.
'That's why I'm always careful. You've got my back too.'
-Heh heh. Just trust me.
"See? Even he stays humble."
"Ughhh..."
"Then, Elder, can you teach us?"
"Heh heh. Alright, alright. I'll hammer it into your heads properly."
Gu Hwan-gae chuckled at the two sparkling-eyed kids.
'They need to taste the martial world's bitterness to wise up.'
Dang Yu-wol, who had listened quietly, spoke up.
"While we're at it, shall we build resistance to poison too?"
"Huh? Really?"
"Little brother, no need to overdo it."
"No, I think of Yi-kyeong and Yi-yul like little siblings."
"Heh... Then I can't sit idle. I'll spar with you until we reach Shaolin."
"Thank you."
Seol Ryu-a smiled faintly at their warm camaraderie.
These moments would linger in her mind long after the journey ended.
"Anyway, that's that. What about this?"
Gu Hwan-gae pointed to the lacquered box.
The jade Buddha statue that spewed poison they'd obtained last time.
"No guarantee it's from Wudang. We'll check when we get there."
"Will they admit it's theirs?"
"We have Yang Merchant Group's commission letter and seal."
"They might deny it."
"Wudang folks are stubborn, but not liars."
Gu Hwan-gae stated firmly.
"Plus, I have a snout friend among Wudang's talkers."
"You have friends everywhere."
"Heh. Live in the martial world long enough, friends multiply. Anyway, let's use his help."
"Sounds good."
Thanks to Gu Hwan-gae's wide network, things would go smoother.
Everyone except Dang Yu-wol relaxed.
'Wudang seemed to have a Blood Cult spy too.'
-Better stay cautious.
Wudang County, home to the famed Wudang Mountain—pride of Hubei—was a large city.
Not just martial artists, but pilgrims and merchants abounded.
"Security's excellent here."
Upon arriving, Dang Yu-wol's group headed straight to the county office.
To hand over the captured bandits.
The magistrate welcomed them joyfully.
They received proper hospitality as a result.
"The magistrate seems a good fellow. Handing over the bounties so readily."
"Can't help it with Lady Seol here."
Dang Yu-wol glanced at Seol Ryu-a.
The Black Armor Division general was by their side.
A mere county magistrate fawning was natural.
"Your tiger escort would be handy for me too."
Gu Hwan-gae grinned happily, hefting his heavy reward pouch.
"Let's book an inn with that."
"Mongryun Inn's the best, they say. Book there."
"Is that so?"
"It's pricey, but... Oh, what about the treasures you took from Shin-tu?"
"Hmm."
He'd returned Shin-tu's treasures for now.
Couldn't carry them during travel.
And some were tricky to dispose of.
"No thought to return them to their owners?"
Most fleeced by Shin-tu were high officials and tycoons.
Returning them might earn rewards.
"If Hidden Blade allows it."
-Doubt that guy would.
'Yeah.'
Most victims were notorious villains.
Hidden Blade was righteous.
He acted for the empire and its people, methods aside.
'He wouldn't choose villains' side.'
"Hahaha..."
Seol Ryu-a let out a dry laugh, thinking the same.