Chapter 380
Chapter 380
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 380
Chapter Title: All Seas Eastward (4)
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"On the Alliance Leader's request to look after the Tae Won-i Family, I encountered the Bandit King while heading to Shanxi Province for disaster relief."
The Bandit King, Do Jung-gwang.
Back when I was a freshman, I had crossed paths with him.
"It was a bewildering coincidence, but thanks to it, I learned that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was infiltrating the bandit paths. Using that as a basis, I was able to save my maternal Tae Won-i Family."
I recalled Do Jung-gwang asking me to resolve that matter at the time and continued.
"In the end, it turned into helping the Bandit King. At the time, it seemed he had another purpose for approaching Professor No Sam. Isn't that right, Professor No Sam?"
"...Do Jung-gwang. That bandit leader."
As No Sam scratched his head at my question.
Zhuge Chak stroked his beard with a chuckle.
"The White Path's prodigy using bandits as a shadow force? Haha. That's a soft, squishy idea if I've ever heard one! So, what of it, Stormwind Mad Sword? What's this tale to me? It's all news to my ears!"
Answering him was Gongson Mu-gyeol.
"It's not the sort of story to spread around... Only a handful in the world know the full details. Besides, weren't you retired, Senior?"
"So, what is it?"
"Young Master Yong-un mentioned a bit, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was luring low-tier martial artists like bandits with hallucinatory pills crafted through sinister pill refinement techniques."
"Hmm. And the Dragon of Disaster ended up saving them by ousting the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's forces?"
"Precisely, Senior."
It was then that Elder Gyeong-hye spoke up as she listened.
"Seems like there's more to it? Like the part where the Bandit King had a separate agenda with Professor No."
No Sam answered the follow-up question himself.
"Ahem. Before I joined the academy as a professor, I'd clashed with that bandit Do Jung-gwang all over the jianghu, right?"
"And?"
"On my way to Shanxi with the kids, that bandit—fate being what it is—approached me saying he wanted to wash his hands in gold."
As the story continued, Master posed a question.
- Washing hands in gold... Isn't that when black path folks quit the life?
'Yes.'
- Why ask No Sam instead of just picking a date? To spread word through the Beggars' Sect?
But it wasn't that simple, as Master suggested.
'Master lived without fear, swinging his sword as his heart desired, so that's how you see it.'
Washing hands in gold to cleanse one's evil karma.
To do so, one publicly declares the date and place, then endures challenges from all grudge-holders until dawn.
Succeed in fending them off, and the evil karma is cleansed.
'For someone like the Bandit King, the grudges would be immense. Rather than just announcing through the Beggars' Sect... he probably wanted Professor No Sam as a guarantor to thin the herd of enemies and secure his future.'
After exchanging a few words with Master.
Paeng Jae-hyeok rubbed his chin and asked the group.
"Hm? But I don't recall hearing anything about Do Jung-gwang washing his hands in gold?"
Gongson Mu-gyeol answered.
"Senior No Sam did pass it along, but I buried it."
"Ah?"
"A guy like Do Jung-gwang is still someone you can reason with on the black path, no? The jianghu's chaotic enough. No need to add bandits running wild without their king."
As Gongson Mu-gyeol finished.
Zhuge Chak rapped the table to draw attention.
"So. The Bandit King has something definite he wants from us. And on top of that, he owes us a favor?"
With the topic thus summarized.
"I'm worried, though. No matter that he's called the Bandit King, bandits as a group aren't exactly tenacious, are they?"
"I feel the same. Even if we convince him, can he silence the other bandits? What do you think, Alliance Leader?"
"I share your concerns to some extent. But precisely because of that, securing Do Jung-gwang's cooperation should make Elder Turtle Face's movements safer. Bandits may lack cohesion, but the Bandit King's influence isn't nothing."
Heated debate followed for a while.
Finally, leader Zhuge Chak accepted my proposal to seek the Bandit King's aid.
"Then, we'll go with the Dragon of Disaster's opinion..."
He then questioned me.
"What's left is personnel. Dragon of Disaster. How do you plan to form the team heading to the Blood Cult's core via the bandits?"
"Hm. First, to speak with the Bandit King, I'd like Professor No Sam to accompany us."
"That goes without saying. And the rest?"
"At the right moment, I'll suggest to Dokgo Cheol that we reveal our situation to our allies at the Righteous Martial Academy."
"Ho? Think he'll accept?"
"We'll make him. But to ease acceptance, best to center it on the Blue Bamboo Hall cadets who've stuck with us."
Respecting my wishes on Elder Turtle Face's team seemed consensus; no objections.
The elders nodded variously.
"Then. For the southern team with this old man, Cadet Namgung Yun would be ideal. Outwardly, it'll be known as the Dragon of Disaster heading to his Hubei main house."
Zhuge Chak shared his thoughts on the team he'd lead.
"Taking the Sword Emperor's grandson, vying for ranks two and three at the academy, and my granddaughter will signal to the Beast King Palace that we're not neglecting you all."
And he looked to Father.
"Among the cadets mentioned, any your Eon Family plans to take?"
"None. As you said, we'll spread rumors of the Pearl Eon Family's sons and young heroes visiting our house... So Yong-myeong must come, plus the Paeng twins he's close with and Young Master Cheon Jang-ho. That should do it."
* * * With major issues settled mid-meeting.
Eon Yong-un politely bowed and left the chamber.
"I'll go relay the decisions to the other cadets."
After Eon Yong-un departed, discussions turned to coordinating with his Elder Turtle Face team in emergencies.
When all talks concluded.
Eon Jeong-ung found himself unwittingly heading to the student council room.
Spotting him was Woo So-rung, just exiting.
"Eh?"
Only then did Eon Jeong-ung realize he'd wandered here.
"Hm?"
Worried about interrupting Eon Yong-un's talk with other cadets, he tried to wave it off.
"Uh, Young Master Woo..."
Woo So-rung spoke first.
"Brother Eon! Little Brother Eon! Father! The Family Head is here!"
At that, cadets poured out to greet him.
Eon Jeong-ung received them with an awkward expression.
"Dear me. Were you in important talks? I hope I didn't disturb."
Eon Yong-un answered.
"No. We'd just finished on personnel."
Not a disturbance.
Eon Jeong-ung tentatively voiced his inner thoughts.
"Then you're not busy?"
"I'm always busy."
"Right, of course. Then I'll be off..."
"Ah, leaving?"
"The meeting wasn't long. I was strolling the grounds to clear my head. Meant to pass by, but Young Master Woo called out—don't mind me, get back to work."
"Yes."
As Eon Jeong-ung turned at Yong-un's reply.
"Ack! Eon Yong-un, you're ghost-sharp usually, but blind when it counts?!"
Dang Ok-gi popped up, grabbing Eon Jeong-ung's sleeve.
"Didn't you come to talk with Yong-un and Yong-myeong?"
"Nothing that important to hold up busy youngsters."
"He's not that busy today. Finished his assignments alone. Right, Ha-yeon?"
"Yes. You've already spoken with the Blue Dragon Palace's young lord, anyway? Have dinner with Father."
Thus prodded, the father and sons left the academy for the Heavenly Stronghold's premier inn, bound by deep ties.
Silence stretched at their table.
"......"
"......"
It couldn't be helped.
The sons held back, sensing Father had words.
"......"
Eon Jeong-ung struggled for words to his son, facing a life-risking path.
'I don't want to send him.'
That was a father's honest heart.
But Eon Jeong-ung had chased righteousness over private bonds his whole life.
And knew Yong-un was no longer just his son.
'Benefactor to countless folk, the heir the Alliance Leader entrusts, senior to cadets who'll follow him.'
Eon Jeong-ung knew his son had outgrown his arms.
After long hiding his feelings, he found words.
"It'll be a hard, distant road."
Hard-won words for him, but reply came swift.
"I've been to the North Sea Ice Palace, farther still."
To nonchalant Yong-un, Eon Jeong-ung yearned to say return safe.
Yet he, who'd severed father-son ties for the family, wondered if he could.
"......"
Speech failed him.
As if peering into his heart, Yong-un spoke.
"I'll return."
"...Good."
"Ahem."
"...Ahem."
Awkward silence flowed briefly.
Eon Yong-myeong broke it.
"Hubei's defenses matter too. Spreading word of Brother's visit... Demonic cults will take interest, maybe stir trouble. The Yeon Wang Mansion forces, no fans of ours, are nearby."
Eon Yong-un nodded at once.
"Spot on. Demons aside, can't slack on watching the Yeon Wang Mansion under imperial gold seal. Your roles are vital."
"Yes."
"Consult Father and the uncles, center on Sister So-jin. Pull in Beggars' Sect via Cheon Jang-ho for extra."
Eon Yong-un, now a world-shaking martial artist.
'Plenty reason for inferiority or envy...'
Yet Yong-myeong steadfastly followed.
"......"
Seeing his full-grown sons.
Eon Jeong-ung awkwardly invoked his wife.
"By the way, spreading that you're going as the Heaven Machine Myo Mountain elder wishes, only for the truth to emerge—Madam in Jinju will be heartbroken. You've saddled me with a headache. How to handle..."
Halfway, genuine worry hit.
* * * After the All Seas Eastward agenda passed.
Follow-ups proceeded swiftly.
Gongson Mu-gyeol discreetly mobilized all assets to pinpoint the Bandit King.
"Located him. Luckily, not far."
"Where?"
"Jade Flower Mountain in Zhongjing Commandery."
"West from Mount Wudang's foothills, reachable."
"Yes. Exchanged words with the Secret Branch Chief—he'll meet midway discreetly."
Thus, No Sam, I, and Gongson Mu-gyeol set out secretly for Bandit King Do Jung-gwang.
Meet point: remote lodge near Heung Mountain County, midway between Jade Flower Mountain and Heavenly Stronghold Valley.
Three peak experts sped like wind; arrival was instant.
- That lodge ahead the spot? Bandit's there first—lights on?
'Seems so.'
Entering, as Master guessed: Do Jung-gwang, arms crossed, seated.
"Nine-Patch Sword. Long time."
"Yes. Long time, Senior Do."
Gongson Mu-gyeol offering due courtesy.
No Sam spoke.
"Bandit boss Do Jung-gwang. Skip the pleasantries. You need to help us."
"Stormwind Mad Sword. Day drinking? Think I'm some beggar under you?"
"Hey, last time you whined bandits are folk too, we stepped up! Repay now!"
"Pass."
"What? Ungrateful bandit—different tune going in versus out of the slammer?"
"Exactly. That's the black path. If I wanted promises kept straight, I'd go righteous, not bandit."
Do Jung-gwang stayed nonchalant.
But I sensed from his demeanor it was worth trying.
"Liar."
If truly indifferent.
He wouldn't have shown here.