Chapter 382
Chapter 382
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 382
Chapter Title: All Seas Converge (6)
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Slipping out of the academy under cover of night, we began moving stealthily along the foothills of the Wudang Mountains.
We headed south toward the southern tip of Hubei Province for quite some time.
As the shimmering waters of the Yangtze came into distant view, Old Three spoke up.
"Let me see. The North Star is over there, and I can see the Yangtze... looks like we've nearly reached the rendezvous point? Yong-un, take a look at that map."
"I just checked it a moment ago. Once we cross that peak you see there, we'll be at the spot where we're supposed to meet Senior Do."
"Is that right? Then you go scout it out, So-reung. That bandit leader Do Jung-gwang might have some honor for a black path rogue, but..."
"We can't just blindly trust him. You've seen the King of the Bandits in Shanxi before, so you're perfect for this, So-reung. Go check it out."
"Yes, Brother Eon."
After sending Woo So-reung ahead, we took a moment to catch our breath.
Dokgo Cheol shook his head and clicked his tongue in admiration.
"To devise and execute a plan borrowing the shadow of the King of the Bandits in such a short time... Chairman, your resourcefulness is truly remarkable."
At his words, Namgung Young and Jang Seon chimed in one after another.
"Yeah. The seniors always say you're not human, but in a good way, Senior Yong-un really doesn't seem human."
"Exactly, exactly. That's why Brother Yong-un can pull off things that seem impossible just thinking about them."
How long had the chick trio been whispering like that?
Woo So-reung returned and spoke.
"They arrived first. There were two others with him. One's bald, and the other's got one eye."
"Twin Ogre Ghosts and One-Eyed Vajra. They're Senior Do's bodyguards. No suspicious signs?"
"No. Didn't look like a trap."
"That's good."
"Alright then. Let's move."
After crossing the peak and coming face-to-face with Do Jung-gwang, I cupped my fists in a polite bow.
I was about to introduce my Eon brothers.
"Senior, this is..."
But Do Jung-gwang waved his hand dismissively from his side.
"No need. I won't stop you from calling me senior, but we're not exactly close enough for that."
"Ah, drawing the line like that?"
"We're allies today, but tomorrow we might be drawing blades on each other. That's our world. This distance is just right."
At those words, Professor Old Three nodded as well.
"Exactly. No point getting chummy with a bandit leader."
"Hmph. I'm just here to guide your path. And keep your promise this time?"
After that, we disguised ourselves with reversed attire and makeup.
Yin Xia Lian and Tang Ok-gi as Do Jung-gwang's concubine and maidservant, respectively.
The rest of us, myself included, dressed as bandits to play his subordinates.
Once disguised, we set off southward with Do Jung-gwang.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The pretext Do Jung-gwang used for aiding our southward journey was inspecting his subordinate bandit lairs.
Thus, our travels continued with nights spent in bandit dens after long days on the move.
It felt exactly like walking into the lion's den of our own accord, so we spent the first nights in high alert.
However, as we traversed the long distance from Hubei through Hunan and Guizhou to the western edge of Guangxi,
Do Jung-gwang faithfully kept his promise to guide our path.
- That old beggar's words about him having honor for a black path rogue were spot on.
'Yes.'
Thanks to that, we continued our journey with somewhat more peace of mind.
One day, as we made our way toward our destination, Nanning, much like any other,
Perhaps because our internal affinity had risen, Yin Ha-seong brought up Do Jung-gwang.
"Ahem. The King of the Bandits, only known to me by reputation. I wondered what kind of man he was, but he doesn't pale in comparison to any famous elders I've met."
"Is that so?"
It was then that Woo So-reung grinned and spoke.
"Well, this is your first time meeting him, Brother Yin? This is my second."
"Right, I couldn't go to Shanxi the first time... Wait, So-reung, are you bragging right now?"
"Hee-hee."
"This kid keeps trying to one-up me. Do I have to put up with it?"
Jeong Hyeon, who had been listening to the exchange, asked,
"What will you do if you don't?"
"...Hoo. I'd have to think about that."
As Yin Ha-seong scratched his head with a troubled look,
Laughter spread through our group.
That laughter even reached Do Jung-gwang's lips.
"Ahem."
But he soon straightened his face and said,
"You white path young masters should focus on your studies and training. Why show interest in me?"
Yin Ha-seong, thinking the words were directed at him, scratched his head again.
"My apologies. Our family often tangles with bandit folk in our line of work..."
"What kind of family gets tangled with us?"
"We handle a bit of money in the Southern Jiang."
At those words,
The one-eyed One-Eyed Vajra guarding Do Jung-gwang's left spoke up.
"Hmph. You'd do well to recognize it. If you're from the merchant world, you must know the prestige of the lord of the seventy-two bandit lairs under heaven."
Do Jung-gwang immediately smacked One-Eyed Vajra on the head.
"You fool. Think before you speak. A merchant's son hanging around with the Black Dragon—that means he's the son of the Southern Jiang Merchant King."
"......"
"It's frustrating having to leave trash like this behind when I step down."
After silencing his subordinate, Do Jung-gwang glanced at Yin Ha-seong again and said,
"Anyway, so you're that Yin family rascal who reached into our bandits to win over your sister?"
As Yin Ha-seong was struck dumb,
"......"
Do Jung-gwang turned his gaze to the carriage in the midst of our group and continued,
"You called the lady in the carriage 'elder sister,' so she must be Thousand Gold Smile. How's your father?"
In response, Yin Xia Lian's clear voice flowed from inside the carriage.
"He's well, but if the King of the Bandits would lower the transit tolls a bit, he'd be even better."
"You lot are the epitome of 'merchants endure even when the lord of the land changes,' yet you ask for discounts? Besides, meddling in petty tolls isn't my style. Not my jurisdiction."
Professor Old Three, who had been listening, clicked his tongue then.
"Tch, useless bandit scum. Can't count on a word you say. Nothing works out. What kind of true lord of the seventy-two bandit lairs? King of the Bandits my foot. Change your title to Puppet Bandit Leader."
"Watch your mouth, old beggar."
"Watch what? Am I wrong?"
"Right or wrong, you're dressed as a bandit right now. You're suppressing your presence, sure, but if you keep yapping, you might get found out in the lair we're staying at."
I nodded and added a word.
"...Senior Do's right on this one."
"Hah... I've raised a tiger cub."
Professor Old Three grumbled once, then bowed exaggeratedly toward Do Jung-gwang to change the subject.
"So, where are we staying tonight, Your Bandit Majesty?"
"To the lair on Qingxiu Mountain."
"No more of those mangy mutts there, I hope?"
Our southward journey had been proceeding relatively smoothly thus far.
But that didn't mean nothing happened.
He was polite to us disguised as subordinates and Yin Xia Lian as his concubine.
But there were those throwing sleazy glances at Tang Ok-gi, disguised as a maidservant.
"Ugh. I can't watch every little thing. But if it happens again, I'll permit you to deal with them."
"You idiot. It's not you permitting—it's Ok-gi holding back. Her father's the Poison Hand Sage."
At those following words, the three bandits flinched simultaneously.
Tang Ok-gi's words continued.
"I'll remember."
"......"
"......"
"......"
Silence lingered for a moment.
Do Jung-gwang cleared his throat and said,
"The Qingxiu Mountain lair should be fine. Their chief has a name for himself. You've heard of Georyeongdo?"
"Georyeongdo Doo Heung. I've heard the name... but your evaluation sounds generous?"
"He's got resourcefulness. One of the few I could see handing my underlings to when I step down."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As Eon Yong-un's group headed south,
There was a group heading north—none other than the Northern Hebei Group led by Eon Jeong-ung.
The journey proceeded without major incidents as they crossed the Yellow River and drew ever closer to their destination, Jinju.
Yet Eon Jeong-ung grew worried precisely because of that.
"It's too quiet on our side. I hope word hasn't leaked that Yong-un isn't with us..."
At his words, Paeng So-jin spoke calmly.
"Who knows. Maybe we chose our path well... In any case, that's not for us to handle, right? We should focus on what we can do."
At her words, Eon Yong-myeong and Paeng So-cheon spoke in turn.
"Brother will handle whatever comes his way wisely. As Sister says, we just do our part."
"Yong-myeong's right! Uncle!"
Cheon Jang-ho joked around.
"Of course. Worry about Yong-un brother? That's not a thing!"
Eon Jeong-ung gave a dry laugh.
"You kids are tougher than me. Right. Better to do what we can than worry needlessly."
Paeng So-jin spoke again.
"Yong-un made it seem like he was heading to Jinju convincingly, but since he's not actually going, it'll be exposed eventually. Our job is to delay that as long as possible."
"True."
"To do that, Uncle, you need to get Aunt inside quickly. If she rushes out barefoot looking for Yong-un... it'll ruin everything."
"...Got it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Qingxiu Mountain lair that Do Jung-gwang had vouched for.
- Do said this lair would be different, and sure enough, it looks pretty well-off.
This bandit lair appeared far more prosperous than the others we'd passed through.
Sturdy wooden fences, weapons for the bandits—everything a bandit lair needed.
It was fit to be called the elite of the bandits, lacking nothing.
And as the saying goes, a full granary makes for good hospitality; even the grunts' attitudes were markedly different from other lairs.
Thus, the reception was quite lavish.
"He's called Georyeongdo now, but back when the King of the Bandits ruled the martial world, I was just a lowly grunt."
"What era are you talking about?"
"Ha-ha-ha. A nobody like me back then now offering tribute to you, Senior—it's emotional. So when I heard you were inspecting, I went out of my way to procure this fine silk liquor."
As Master licked his lips,
- ...Silk liquor?
Tang Ok-gi, fiddling with her cup, furrowed her brow and tilted her head.
"...What's in this? Feels adulterated."
As Tang Ok-gi, perfectly in maidservant guise, spoke up,
Doo Heung, unaware of who we truly were, bellowed immediately.
"Where does a wench like you open her mouth at a table like this!?"
But we all drew our weapons at once.
Ching ching ching ching!!
Do Jung-gwang's two bodyguards drew theirs and hurled a crescent blade at him.
Do Jung-gwang caught his signature weapon and cleaved the banquet table in two, putting distance between Doo Heung's group.
Boom!!!
"Doo Heung! What treachery is this?!"
"Senior, do you doubt me over that wench's babble?"
"Then drink it first yourself."
It was then that Doo Heung dropped the pretense and revealed his true colors.
"...You're too old, Senior. With the white path martial world obsessed with the Demonic Cult, this is our golden chance to grow our power and influence."
"......"
"Merchants' young masters and powerless commoners ripe for the picking everywhere, yet the King of the Bandits sits idle—how can I not seethe?"
"Ha-ha. I've got some age on me, but you're still a joke."
"I figured as much. So I prepared diligently."
Finishing his words, Doo Heung clapped his hands.
Clap.
With that clap, red glows flickered in his subordinates' eyes as they appeared,
And sharp killing intent stretched toward us.
Dokgo Cheol's gaze turned to me.
Telepathic transmission: Traits of those who've cultivated the Reverse Blood Asura Great Law are showing on them. Has our approach been exposed to the cult? Telepathic response: Doesn't seem so. They'd target us then, but they're clearly gunning for Senior Do. Telepathic: Then...? Telepathic response: One of our cult's branches has reached into the local bandits. That's the read. While I exchanged words with Dokgo Cheol like that,
The conversation between Doo Heung and Do Jung-gwang continued.
"Many bandits are sick of Senior's bystander attitude."
"So you chose to join hands with fiends?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is too big for us, but the Blood Cult is a rising power. They could be partners."
"Scum of the earth."
"What does that make Senior, trusting scum like us and bringing your concubine to Qingxiu Mountain?"
As the exchange ended and Do Jung-gwang ground his teeth,
"That's why I hate this world. You raise a promising pup, and it always goes for the throat."
I cautiously sent a sound transmission.
Sound transmission: What now? Response: What do you mean? Sweep the trash. Sound transmission: No. You said you'd only guide the path, right? So we only use you for that. From here on, it'll cost extra. Response: ...Are you really a white path martial artist? Sound transmission: Just a merchant. So now you're in debt?