Chapter 142: Setting the Trap (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 142: Setting the Trap (3)
As Danyeong ran toward her quarters clutching the box, Jeok Yeong approached me.
"Brother, Galwi has arrived."
I turned to see Galwi approaching with a group of warriors in tow.
Among them, my gaze was drawn to an elderly man of similar height to Galwi. It would be no exaggeration to say my eyes were pulled toward him instinctively. The internal energy of my Circulating Dantian rippled just by looking at the man. It was the same sensation I’d felt when I first encountered Chu Bong-hwa.
Whenever I met a master who had reached the Extreme Intent Realm, the Circulating Dantian inside my body would act up.
So, that man is Bushi Jo Ji.
To the left and right of Bushi Jo Ji, who sported a bristling white beard, stood middle-aged and elderly men who also looked formidable.
The Black Fortress truly is something else.
They exuded an aura similar to the elders or protectors of the Divine Light Sect.
While I was admiring them, Galwi arrived before me.
"Young Hero Eo, it has been a long time."
Galwi clasped his hands in a polite greeting, acting quite friendly.
"It is a pleasure to see you again."
I returned the gesture, bowing to Galwi and the men behind him.
"I am Eo Ja-seo, a humble junior of the Murim. It is an honor to meet such seniors."
Jo Ji, who had been staring at me intently, spoke up.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Are you not the esteemed guest of the Black Fortress, Bushi Jo Ji, whose fame precedes him? And these must be the Chief Protector and the other protectors of the Black Fortress."
Galwi laughed as I identified them.
"Hahaha! Young Hero Eo, when did you find the time to scout us so thoroughly?"
He spoke with a laugh, but his expression betrayed a hint of displeasure at the fact that their information had leaked.
"How could I be negligent when I am trying to catch those who seek to harm you, Young Lord Gal? Besides, the only person capable of exuding such an aura is the esteemed guest of the Black Fortress, Master Jo Ji. I simply took a guess based on how well he matches the descriptions I’ve heard."
Bushi Jo Ji snorted.
"I dislike silver-tongued men. Let us go, Young Lord."
Jo Ji held a status high enough to speak bluntly to Galwi.
Galwi gave a sheepish look and said, "We will surround this government office and remain in hiding."
"Understood."
They weren't masters I could command, so I let them plan according to their own methods.
"This time, I will surely capture those bastards and settle the score!"
I nodded as Galwi made his vow.
"I will also do my best to assist you. If you capture that man, the Black Lord will surely be greatly pleased."
I even mentioned his father, just in case Galwi’s resolve wavered.
"Of course. After investigating the bronze token found at the Nine Demons Chamber, it was confirmed that the Divine Light Sect is indeed behind the Demonic Cult League. My father was furious when he found out. He said they were looking down on our fortress. He also ordered me not to forgive those who killed the Black Spirit Ten Guards."
Well, since they had conducted that much investigation, it made sense that they would trust my words and follow along.
"I believe there is a high probability they will raid tonight. They will likely aim for the moment Lady Dan’s younger brother arrives, either this evening or tomorrow morning."
Once Danyeong’s brother arrived, he would consume the medicinal herb, so they were bound to come before then. Unless the Heavenly Lord’s son was a fool, he would have already obtained that information and prepared accordingly.
Watching the Black Fortress masters go into hiding, I turned to Chu Bong-hwa.
"Now, all we have to do is sit back and enjoy the show."
"You really are a master at using others."
"Using them? Use a nicer term, like 'mutual cooperation.'"
Chu Bong-hwa muttered at my response.
"The more I see of you, the more you seem like a demon."
It was a relief Jeok Yeong didn't hear that. If he had, he probably would have drawn his sword on her.
*
As the sun set and evening approached, I grew hungry. I took Jeok Yeong and Chu Bong-hwa to a tavern and ordered a lavish spread.
"Can you really stomach food at a time like this?"
Chu Bong-hwa made a comment, seeing how well I was eating.
"I’m not the one fighting, so there’s no reason I shouldn't eat."
Come to think of it, Jeok Yeong wasn't eating much. He seemed to have lost his appetite at the thought of the impending battle.
"Brother, we aren't the ones fighting, so why worry?"
"Big brother, even so, you never know how things will turn out once the battle starts."
"Don't worry. I’ve made plenty of preparations to catch the big fish."
Chu Bong-hwa smiled faintly as she watched me stuff my face while talking.
"To think a guy like this is a 'righteous hero.'"
Chu Bong-hwa said this in admiration of how I had dragged the Black Fortress into fighting my battle for me, but Jeok Yeong snapped his head up.
"How can you say such a thing, Lady Chu?"
As expected, Jeok Yeong flared up at her words.
"If my big brother isn't a righteous hero, then who is? Just look at this incident. He risked his life to help Lady Dan in her danger and even saved Young Hero Tang’s life. Who would enjoy fighting masters of poison arts? Yet he rushed to a place where he might have died to save Young Hero Tang. If that isn't chivalry, then what is? And when Young Hero Tang was in danger, I could only stare blankly because it happened so suddenly. Even you, Lady Chu, despite being a greater master than my brother, couldn't react. But my brother struck immediately in that split second and saved him. That was only possible because he is always alert and ready to save his comrades. Furthermore, this matter with Lady Dan has nothing to do with him, yet he is fighting the Divine Light Sect because of his past ties with Young Lord Gal. Until now, my brother has never moved for his own profit. Do not mock him."
Jeok Yeong’s face turned red with anger, so I stepped in to stop him.
"Brother, I’m embarrassed that you’re praising me so much. I act with righteousness and chivalry because it puts my mind at ease, so there’s no need to make such a fuss. I don't do it for recognition. Leaving it unknown is the true essence of a righteous hero."
"I am sorry, brother. I just..."
"It’s fine. Lady Chu was just impressed by my brilliant plan of 'shifting the flower onto the tree,' so don't take it to heart."
Jeok Yeong looked at me with eyes full of admiration at my magnanimous words and bowed his head.
Just then, Chu Bong-hwa’s voice transmission pierced my ear.
(You sound like a cult leader.)
When I gave her a sly grin, Chu Bong-hwa clicked her tongue as if she felt sorry for Jeok Yeong.
But Chu Bong-hwa knew the truth as well. That was why she was putting up with Jeok Yeong’s impudent outbursts.
Though he always made various excuses, Eo Ja-seo would grumble and step forward whenever someone was in danger. Specifically, Chu Bong-hwa recalled how he had risked his life to save Danyeong from the Third Lord, even though he could have easily fled to ensure his own safety.
Rescuing Danyeong instead of fleeing when faced with numerous absolute masters—where death was a very real possibility—was not as easy as it sounded. It was something that couldn't be overcome without a true sense of chivalry.
To Chu Bong-hwa, that side of Eo Ja-seo was unexpected.
The same went for Tang Bin’s request. Whatever his hidden motives might have been, he had ultimately saved Tang Ja-seong. He might claim he did it for other reasons, but to her experienced eyes, it looked like he was searching for excuses to save the man. He looked for a pretext that forced his hand.
And then he would claim he wasn't a hero, but just a third-rate weakling.
He’s an interesting fellow to watch, this Eo Ja-seo.
Sometimes he would look at other masters and grumble. He’d complain that he had no luck with fortuitous encounters. He’d grouse that while others gained enlightenment from his words and found great opportunities, he couldn't find a single medicinal herb even if he fell off a cliff dozens of times.
But he didn't realize that he already possessed a tremendous fortuitous encounter. Perhaps he would realize it as he lived longer. He would realize that every meeting he had in life was a fortuitous encounter.
He would learn that a fortuitous encounter isn't about gaining some immense power, but rather the meetings with people that leave memories behind.
From my perspective, you are indeed a righteous hero.
Chu Bong-hwa’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a foul stench drifting into her nose.
URP!
I let out a loud belch and smacked my lips.
"I think I ate too much for dinner. My stomach feels bloated."
Chu Bong-hwa glared at me. I looked back at her and asked, "Should I burp from the other end too?"
"You disgusting brat! I’ve met many martial artists in my life, but I’ve never seen one like you. You don't have a shred of a master's dignity."
"Of course not. I’m just a third-rate weakling."
At that, Chu Bong-hwa gave a short laugh and turned her head away.
*
Chu Bong-hwa, Jeok Yeong, and I were perched on the roof of a residence across from the government office, observing the situation.
Galwi had stationed not only Bushi Jo Ji and the protectors but also the martial units he had brought from the Black Fortress all around the area.
"Unless they’re idiots, there’s no way they won't notice them hiding like that," Chu Bong-hwa remarked.
She was right. Even a novice could have sensed them. However, I thought that was enough. If the Divine Light Sect saw the masters surrounding the office and retreated, Danyeong’s brother would be able to safely consume the Thousand-Year Snow Blossom Fruit.
Either way, the result would be good, so I just watched from the roof.
It was then.
A group of people was rapidly approaching the office from a distance.
"Over there!"
Chu Bong-hwa pointed in the opposite direction. Another group was seen rushing toward the office from that side as well.
"Brother, there’s another group to the north."
They had split into three groups and were storming the office from three directions. It seemed they were trying to use their heads to break through the defensive line.
However, the groups storming the office soon collided with the Black Fortress warriors hiding in the darkness. Sparks from clashing weapons flew everywhere in the night. The flashes of steel looked like fireflies.
Within those sparks, I could see clearly. The Black Fortress warriors were slowly overwhelming the Divine Light Sect’s men.
That’s not right. If they were the Divine Light Sect’s experts, they wouldn't be pushed back like that by the Black Fortress warriors. What’s going on?
I fell into thought for a moment at this incomprehensible situation.
"Brother, something is strange."
Jeok Yeong also seemed suspicious and leaped down from the roof. After checking the corpses below, he jumped back up.
"Brother, the men fighting right now seem to be warriors from the Demonic Cult League."
A sense of foreboding washed over me at his words. And that feeling was spot on. Another group of warriors stormed in from behind the ongoing battle.
"Show them the majesty of the Divine Light Sect!"
"Heavenly Wind Squad, annihilate the enemy!"
Hearing those shouts, I realized they had already known the Black Fortress warriors were surrounding the office and had set a trap of their own.
Even so, I wasn't too worried. Galwi had absolute masters on his side. As long as the Black Fortress warriors provided some defense, those absolute masters could resolve everything just by taking out the leaders.
"They’re finally making their move."
Bushi Jo Ji and the protectors, who had been merely watching the fight between the Demonic Cult League and the Black Fortress, began to move once the Heavenly Wind Squad attacked.
The Black Spirit Ten Guards protected Galwi while engaging the Heavenly Wind Squad, and Bushi Jo Ji tore through the enemy ranks like the "mad killer" his nickname suggested. Furthermore, the Chief Protector and the other protectors possessed such great martial prowess that even the formidable Heavenly Wind Squad began to be pushed back.
"It’s only a matter of time before they catch the Heavenly Lord’s son," I muttered.
Chu Bong-hwa countered, "I don't see anyone who looks like the Heavenly Lord’s son."
I had also been looking around for him for a while but couldn't find him.
Does he have some other trick up his sleeve?
I began to feel that things were going awry.
"Looking at how things are turning out, it seems the Heavenly Lord’s son is smarter than you."
I couldn't argue with that. Nothing in the plan I had devised was going right. The fact that I couldn't find the Heavenly Lord’s son meant he was someone I couldn't handle with my intellect, which made me feel like crap.
Dammit, he’s playing me.
Anger flared up, but I calmed myself down.
"I should head to where Lady Dan is. There’s no telling what kind of trick he might pull."
I used my movement technique to leap toward the government office. As I flew through the air, I suddenly realized I was doing something crazy. I had decided to be a bystander, yet here I was, diving back into the incident. I felt pathetic.
I gave Chu Bong-hwa a quick smile. If it came down to a fight, she was the person I would rely on the most.
As I entered the government office, a chill ran down my spine. It was too quiet. There were supposed to be patrols and sentries, but not a single one was in sight.
They’re here.
I felt it, but I didn't understand. I had been watching the office ever since dinner, and I hadn't seen any Divine Light Sect experts enter.
"Huh?"
My foot caught on something. A sentry who had been guarding the office was lying there, bleeding out. Only then did the scent of blood hit me from all directions. Sentries were dead all over the place.
How did they get in?
Chu Bong-hwa solved my mystery.
"Earlier this evening, about a dozen soldiers entered the office. It seems they disguised themselves as soldiers to infiltrate."
At Chu Bong-hwa’s matter-of-fact tone, it finally clicked. The Heavenly Lord’s son might not know me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being toyed with.
As it turned out, the trap I had set wasn't a trap at all. The Heavenly Lord’s son had anticipated what kind of trap I would set just by seeing the Black Fortress warriors hiding around the office.
How simple-minded was I?
The sound of clashing weapons echoed from deep inside the office. Most of the officials had already left for the day, leaving only the sentries. Furthermore, Danyeong had sent the remaining soldiers to another office, fearing they would be hurt in a fight between martial artists. This was largely because she had trusted me and my plan to rely on the Black Fortress masters.
"Brother, give me that box."
Preparing for the fight, I opened the box I had brought from the Tang Clan and put on the Wind Breaker Cloak inside.
"What are you doing, putting on a cloak in a situation like this?"
I just grinned at Chu Bong-hwa’s scolding. It seemed even she hadn't noticed the true nature of this Wind Breaker Cloak.
I pushed my lightness skill to the limit and ran toward the loud sound of clashing steel.