Chapter 381
Chapter 381
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 381
Chapter Title: All Seas Same Boat (5)
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The moment I uttered the word 'lie'.
The guards standing behind Do Jung-gwang twisted their already fierce expressions even further.
'The bald one on the left is the one nicknamed Twin Blade Ghost... and the one-eyed guy next to him is a stranger.'
One of them was familiar, the other not.
The stranger—the one-eyed man—bellowed at me.
"Where does a snot-nosed brat like you butt into adults' conversation?!"
We did need the Bandit King's help.
It would make moving through the Ten Thousand Layer Mountains much smoother.
But in a situation where both sides clearly knew what they wanted, there was no reason to grovel excessively.
I grinned and opened my mouth.
"Hey, can't you use your brain?"
"What?!"
"Try thinking backwards for once. If a kid whose blood hasn't even dried on his head made it all the way here, doesn't that mean he's someone worth messing with?"
Just as the one-eyed man's flushed face turned crimson and his hand reached for the sword at his waist...
"Enough."
Bandit King Do Jung-gwang unleashed a wave of intense killing intent and spoke.
"That's far enough. Haven't you heard of the unparalleled prestige of the Dragon of the Groves?"
"Even so, that doesn't mean the punk's got real scales and a blade won't pierce his gut, does it?"
"Not with your skills, it won't!"
After reining in his subordinate's agitation, Do Jung-gwang turned his gaze to me.
"From the first time we met, I knew you were something special... You've become quite the force now."
"Running around here and there, I picked up a bit of fame and fortune."
"A bit? You're unshaken even by the killing intent I emit. The rumors aren't exaggerated. Enviable talent. Our line of work is full of nothing but stubborn fools."
Do Jung-gwang finished speaking with a bitter smack of his lips.
Then Old Three fired back.
"I remember you subtly drooling last time we met. Don't even think about it."
Do Jung-gwang snorted derisively and spoke again.
"I'd refuse anyway. The righteous martial world values alliances, so raising tiger cubs benefits them the more they grow. But we go straight for the throat."
He asked me directly.
"So, what makes it a lie?"
"If you're rejecting the proposal without even hearing it, there's no reason for a senior like you to come out here personally. So that rejection just now? It's false."
"Hmph."
"Moreover, you clearly have something you want from us."
At that point, Do Jung-gwang shot Old Three a glare.
"You big-mouthed beggar. How much did you blab?"
"Didn't you say black path folks always change their minds? Beggars keep their mouths shut, you punk."
The two traded barbs for a moment.
I spoke up again.
"If I may presume to guess your intentions... I doubt you've changed your mind about leaving the martial world in the meantime. But perhaps Professor Old Three's words about a debt you owe didn't sit well with you."
As soon as I finished, Do Jung-gwang let out a hollow laugh and nodded.
"Heh. Sharp as a ghost. You're right. Debts must be settled properly. Back then, I helped in my own way."
He turned back to Old Three and continued.
"I kept my underlings in line so rumors wouldn't spoil things, and issued safe passage to keep other mountain forts from interfering."
"Oh please. What big help was that?"
"I didn't start the fight between righteous and demonic. Besides, it's your world, not mine. Even without my request, you couldn't ignore the demons. That doesn't make it a debt."
"......"
"If you're here to talk, forget the past. Let's discuss the future."
That was when the ever-courteous Gong Son-mu-gyeol finally spoke.
"Very well. The future it is. What we want isn't a difficult request for you, senior. We just want to send this friend and his companions south... with your help. Not so hard, is it?"
"Not hard. But troublesome."
"Just borrowing the shadow of the bandits for a bit—would that trouble the man called Bandit King?"
"You must have your reasons for seeking help from a black path scum like me. My ears are open, so I can guess."
"We're not hiding our circumstances. With the Dragon of the Groves' fame so high, we just want to slip past demonic eyes heading south. Nothing more."
"That's troublesome enough. What if word gets out I helped you? Demons might hassle me, and Dong Jeong-chong-ho, the new Vice Leader of the Apostles, might use it as an excuse too. If I risk that trouble to help you, what do I gain?"
"The request you made through Old Three senior. We'll help with the gold distribution."
"When I asked, you brushed it off slyly? Now you dangle it as a condition?"
"......"
With Do Jung-gwang pointing out his own ploy, Gong Son-mu-gyeol held his tongue briefly.
I spoke up again.
"That can be countered with your own words, senior. Isn't that the past too? Let's talk future."
"Hmph. Fair point. But it doesn't appeal. The scales don't balance."
"I'll balance those scales."
"Oh? You? With what?"
To Do Jung-gwang's question, I replied seriously.
"Exactly as it sounds—I'll put myself on the scale. If you reject our proposal, senior, you'll make an enemy of me. Eon Yong-un will harass you for life."
"...What?"
"Embarrassing to say myself, but since you said it: I have some talent. And I'm persistent."
"......"
"Plus young. Got plenty of friends who'll come running at my call, and I'm in the newsletter business. I'm more trouble than you think."
At my words, Do Jung-gwang's smile faded into a stern expression.
The air in the room grew heavy. Old Three Professor glared back undaunted.
A tense silence descended, one spark from explosion.
Then my master spoke telepathically.
- You said you need that bandit, but provoking him like this—will he budge?
'Provocation alone won't do it.'
But I hadn't come here to clash egos or spill blood with Do Jung-gwang.
'I've shown I can bite back. Now, time to show respect.'
Transmitting my thoughts to my master, I met Do Jung-gwang's piercing gaze squarely and spoke again.
"We're not just here for some black path shadow, senior. You may not know, but I have a slight connection with Dong Jeong-chong-ho, the Apostle Vice Leader you mentioned."
"...Keep going."
"Not long ago, the righteous martial world formed the Eastern Path Society. A gathering of those sharing the Way. I believe deep in your heart, senior, there's something akin to the Way we hold."
"......"
"The first bandit fort we encountered in Shanxi—was it Purity Fort? More than your wish to retire, you were gravely concerned your underlings were being corrupted into monsters by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. And you politely requested our aid."
"......"
"I remember your expression when you spoke of bandits driven to the mountains by worldly hardships. This matter too will directly or indirectly help the bandit path and the common folk driven to desperation. Please help us."
As I finished...
Do Jung-gwang let out another hollow laugh.
"...That silver tongue that fleeced my purse is as sharp as ever."
A brief silence followed.
Do Jung-gwang's tightly pressed lips parted as he spoke.
"I'll help with your journey, then. The Nine Great Swords of the World don't go back on their word, do they? No brushing this off!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While the academy cadets were swamped with finals and vacation prep...
Dokgo Cheol had contact from the Blood Heaven Asura Palace.
[Message from headquarters.]
[Acknowledged. Discard the message.]
[Understood. I'm off.]
Upon returning to the academy after confirming the message, he found Eon Yong-un back from his outing to Mount Wudang.
"President."
"Yeah, Cheol. Trip go well?"
"Yes. Delivered the documents to the Ironclad Merchant Association as instructed."
"Nothing else?"
To Eon Yong-un, Dokgo Cheol subtly passed their private code.
"Oh, I need to consult quietly about family matters."
"Sure? Let's walk."
Eon Yong-un stood immediately, and they moved to the bamboo grove east of the academy.
"What's up?"
To Eon Yong-un's question, Dokgo Cheol relayed the message verbatim.
"A messenger came. Orders to head south during break. They'll provide cover. Seems the Heavenly Founding Declaration is imminent."
"What cover?"
"Said they'd send word that a survivor of our clan wants to meet me."
Hearing Dokgo Cheol's account, Eon Yong-un stroked his chin gravely.
"I've gotten contacts from various places too. Similar message to yours... and one ominous."
"Ominous?"
"A letter from South Sea Archbishop Sa-gyeom. Used the Red Dragon Palace—quite circuitous—to signal urgency."
"Through Red Dragon Palace, our blood allies?"
"Yeah. Feels like he's cornered on all sides. I think it's the signal for a purge."
"...Purge."
"Natural if the declaration's near. Starting with South Sea Archbishop, a massive cull. He might survive the torrent—or not. Either way, I hate getting swept into others' schemes."
"So?"
"I want to save the South Sea Archbishop. Can't just abandon someone under my wing."
Dokgo Cheol nodded quietly at Eon Yong-un's words.
Eon Yong-un wasn't one to abandon those under his protection.
"Friends like Golden Leopard Corps—strong, upright—shouldn't vanish as collateral in power grabs by those uninterested in true Blood Flame Supremacy."
He agreed with the underlying intent.
But could Pure Blood Corps pull it off alone?
Dokgo Cheol spoke right away.
"...But do we have other Pure Blood Corps forces I don't know about?"
"No direct combatants. Just the ones escorting Dokgo clansmen and Golden Leopard Corps."
"...Just us enough?"
"We'll make it enough."
Eon Yong-un's reply brimmed with his usual confidence, but his face showed deep concern.
Dokgo Cheol's brow furrowed in tandem.
'...President really plans to rescue Golden Leopard Lord.'
If the cult truly planned to purge archbishop-level figures...
It wouldn't be easy, and the fallout unpredictable.
'We're short-handed. President's pondering that too.'
But reinforcements wouldn't drop from the sky.
With the Blood Cult's compartmentalized structure, no way to commandeer other groups.
He sighed briefly.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in Dokgo Cheol's mind.
'Those who share the heart... are all of the Way...'
The organization busy with perfect prep.
Its banner.
'...Ha-yeon senior. Ha-seong senior. So-rung senior. Ok-ki senior. Yeong-i. Seon-i.'
Recalling it brought faces of Blue Bamboo Pavilion seniors and peers to mind.
'...They might.'
Accept their dire straits without prejudice and help?
With that, Dokgo Cheol hesitantly spoke.
"...President?"
"Yeah?"
"Purely to support your will, but... rescuing South Sea Archbishop seems beyond us alone. So..."
"No need for long preambles between us. What is it?"
"...What if we tell our friends our situation?"
At Dokgo Cheol's words, Eon Yong-un covered his mouth with his hand, brow furrowed.
"Friends? The kids?"
"...Yes."
Dokgo Cheol continued.
"Our predecessors in the righteous world watched Dokgo clan's fall from afar. But seniors who've shared life-and-death with you, plus Yeong-i and Seon... wouldn't they hear our desperate plight?"
"......"
"Of course, I know the risks. Might have to abandon everything built... Worst case, cross swords with them."
"......"
"Scary thought. Unsure if I could swing at Seon, Yeong-i, or the seniors... You'd feel it worse. But they're the only ones who can help now."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Before heading south, I'd planned to convince Dokgo Cheol to confess his Blood Cult ties to the Eon brothers.
But during the situation briefing, Dokgo Cheol brought it up first.
- Some sorcery? That coming from Cheol first?
'...Sorcery? Treating your disciple like some shady shaman?'
- Pretty much.
'?'
- ?
'Looks like trust for the Eon brothers built up through thick and thin.'
Dokgo Cheol, unaware of the truth, was cautious.
But all Eon brothers except the freshman trio already knew Dokgo Cheol had joined the Blood Cult.
Things proceeded smoothly after.
I gathered the Blue Bamboo Pavilion Eon brothers I'd assigned under Old Face Ghost's Qiao Luo, and spilled the Blood Cult story as if confiding anew.
"...That's how it is."
"Wh-what? You and Cheol are Blood Cult? Shocking. Right, Eun hyung?"
Woo So-rung's atrocious acting made hearts skip, but it fit the flustered vibe perfectly.
"Y-yeah. Explains those pirates flipping out in the South Sea."
Meanwhile, oblivious Namgung Yeong and Jang Seon teared up like chicks.
"...Ah. Must've been tough for you seniors."
"Waaah. Cheol buddy!"
Dokgo Cheol melted into the mood.
That wrapped prep for the outing.
I tasked the departing Eon brothers with their roles, then sought Gong Son-mu-gyeol to announce departure.
"Setting off, eh?"
"Yes. Long road ahead. Take care of Hyung-yong."
Gulp!
"Don't worry about him."
"And... been too hectic, but sorry for secretly handling Blood Cult affairs."
"Water under the bridge. I get it rationally, but felt miffed. Don't dwell. Guess I do cherish you. Felt every bit."
"Heh heh."
"If things turn weird or impossible, don't push. Forget consequences—just bail. Big game, but Blood Cult ain't worth more than you lot."
"Yes, sir."
With the report done, I slipped out of the academy at nightfall with Old Three Professor and the Blue Bamboo Pavilion Eon brothers.