Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Chapter 20: Hunting the Snake and the Hawk (1)
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At Hak Da-won's words, the third among Baek Ma-deung's sworn brothers—the famously hot-tempered "Mad Bear"—Do-ryung bulged his eyes and bellowed.
"Hak Ga-ya, what kind of bullshit is this? That Wang Baek-gun bastard is such a headache because he's some kind of expert? What, are you saying he's a bigger deal than big brother?"
"Haah~ Third boss, that's not what I meant."
"Then what is it?"
"If it were Lion Hall's hall master Gwak Bu-ui, that'd be one thing, but someone like Wang Baek-gun is naturally a step below our three leaders. But that's exactly the point. Are you saying you'll go out personally to welcome him, Third Boss Do-ryung? Those rats are definitely sneaking in, so we need to comb every inch of the area and launch a search."
"Huh? You want me to go chasing after rats? No thanks."
"See? That's why it's a headache."
"Uh... is that how it is?"
Do-ryung looked flustered for a moment before coming up with what he thought was a clever idea and pitching it to Baek Ma-deung.
"Big brother, let's just leave it be. Why bother hunting down guys who insist on coming? They'll show up when it's time. We just tighten patrols around the area and wait, then grab and torture them the second they arrive. How's that?"
"Third."
"Yes, big brother."
"Shut it."
"Got it."
With Do-ryung silenced, Baek Ma-deung nodded toward Hak Da-won, signaling him to continue.
"Ahem. In truth, the bosses are busy with relocation issues and concerns about prestige, so it wouldn't be appropriate for you to step out personally. That's why I suggest entrusting this to Ho Tae-a-hu, the three heirs."
"Huh? Our A-hu?"
"Yes. Isn't it about time for the young leader to make his name known in the jianghu? And as his first offering, Ho Chi Wang Baek-gun seems fitting."
Baek Ma-deung tapped the armrest of his chair with his index finger, lost in thought.
Ho Tae-a-hu certainly wouldn't lack in martial prowess. Plus, it was time for him to step forward and build his own reputation, and Wang Baek-gun made for a decent first opponent.
It all made perfect sense.
Baek Ma-deung glanced at "Mad Dog" Ho Tae-a-hu, the joint heir of him and his sworn brothers.
The disheveled man, just turned thirty, lounged carelessly at the far end of the meeting hall. He hummed softly under his breath while trimming his nails with a dagger.
Even as Baek Ma-deung glared at him, he ignored it completely, focusing solely on his neatening nails. His attitude screamed, I'm gonna keep playing around, so you all chat among yourselves.
"Hey, Mad Dog."
As Baek Ma-deung called his disciple with a twitching eye corner, Ho Tae-a-hu finally turned his head reluctantly and grumbled.
"No thanks. Pass."
"......"
Who in the world would pull that crap right in front of Baek Ma-deung? Sure, anyone could do it, but would they live to regret it afterward?
Even in the Locust Corps' stronghold, teeming with vicious criminals and lunatics, only Ho Tae-a-hu could get away with it.
And it seemed this wasn't the first time he'd embarrassed Baek Ma-deung like this. The others, including Second Boss Hyeok Ryeok-chang and Third Boss Do-ryung, pretended not to see or hear, their nonchalance almost practiced.
Only Hak Da-won, who'd spoken up, clicked his tongue and gazed at Ho Tae-a-hu with regret.
The young leader's a hidden dragon. But lately, he's so indifferent to everything—what's he thinking?
Meanwhile, Baek Ma-deung rubbed his throbbing temple with a sigh before turning to Hak Da-won.
"Hey, 'Old Fox.' Hear my disciple's answer?"
"Yes, boss."
"So what now?"
Hak Da-won glanced back, and the one-eyed warrior nodded before standing.
He was "Snake's Hammer" Yu Oro-go, who always led the vanguard in the Locust Corps' battles. His nickname aside, he was dubbed "The Fearless One" for his bravery and boldness. Once a great Hunnu warrior, he'd sworn loyalty to Baek Ma-deung after some incident.
"Great Leader, as always, this Yu Oro-go will step up and bring back the enemy's heads. Give me thirty swift riders."
"I know your valor and skill well. You confident?"
"I'll let the results speak. If I take Wang Baek-gun's head, I'm the stronger one. If my head rolls, then he's the stronger."
Yu Oro-go bared his teeth in a grin.
Hak Da-won cleared his throat, and a diminutive old man in hunter's garb spoke up in a gruff voice.
"I'll accompany the vanguard captain."
"Ho~ The 'Hawk's Eye' himself?"
"I'm growing useless with age, but my eyes are still sharp enough to help."
The old man called himself useless, but no one in the hall agreed. Even Baek Ma-deung conceded his one skill: he was "Hawk's Eye" Seok Maeng, whose archery was ghostly precise.
A fearless warrior backed by a sniper—solid combo.
Baek Ma-deung eyed Hak Da-won, his gaze asking, This should work, right? What do you think?
Hak Da-won sealed the deal.
"With 'Snake's Hammer' and 'Hawk's Eye' together, it's ironclad. Since you're both heading out after so long, let's attach a hundred subordinates to show off our dominance to the local powers."
Hak Da-won phrased it politely to save face, but everyone knew what he meant.
Crush them with numbers!
And so, a hundred mounted warriors led by "Snake's Hammer" Yu Oro-go, plus "Hawk's Eye" Seok Maeng and a band of fighters, set out.
Their target: the eight-man Face Pursuit Unit Jeong. It was the day before the unit entered the northern yellow earth plateau region.
The Face Pursuit Unit Jeong's northward pace was slow.
They spent less than three shichen a day just traveling. Instead, they dedicated half-days to drilling formations and honing teamwork.
Having dispatched the Ten Meows first, they intended to prepare methodically rather than charge in blindly.
Jin Ga-yong assigned the vice-leader role to Bi-ho. It had previously been held by Choi Ong of the Invisible Hand, who'd left ahead with the unit.
At first, Bi-ho took it lightly, like Choi Ong—relaying orders to members or reporting their issues. The pay was good, so no reason to refuse.
But delving into the role revealed its weight.
He had to lead in the leader's absence or command a split group if they divided. This mission's nature guaranteed plenty of that.
First off, Jin Ga-yong was the unit's top expert barring Wang Baek-gun. If Baek Ma-deung's side sent heavy hitters the members couldn't handle—like his sworn brothers Hyeok Ryeok-chang or Do-ryung—Jin Ga-yong would have to intercept.
It was bound to happen eventually.
Plus, infiltrating a bandit stronghold in small numbers meant unpredictable shifts. The group would inevitably split by choice or force, requiring Bi-ho to lead fluidly.
No one unreliable gets that role.
It demanded not just loyalty, but sharp judgment and crisis handling—one wrong call could cost lives.
Surprisingly, the other members accepted Bi-ho as vice-leader naturally.
What had they seen in him?
"Why me?"
"Didn't you stand up for the members' unease at the valley entrance, demanding I explain myself like you might mutiny? You even spotted the ambush inside."
"Was it an ambush?"
"Not for us—the pursuers behind. We needed to slip their sight, and it hid the captain's next move too. Anyway, that earned you their trust. They figure you'll scratch where they itch."
"What about you, captain?"
"They hesitated but trusted me in the end, despite my non-explanation."
"Well, yeah."
Bi-ho brushed it off vaguely, but Jin Ga-yong continued calmly.
"I've never seen you as naive. If anything, you're dangerously cunning. You falling for mere honor talk? Nah—you trusted me for some reason. And trust begets trust."
"I see."
"That's it. If I may add, your actions quelled their complaints, letting me wrap things up. You've already proven yourself as vice-leader."
Jin Ga-yong extended his hand abruptly.
Bi-ho stared, puzzled, then clasped it lightly.
Jin Ga-yong adjusted his grip—not too weak, not too firm—and shook once.
"Looking forward to working with you, Vice-Leader."
Handshakes weren't common etiquette in Central Plains martial world.
Originating from the West, it likely showed empty hands—no weapon—to the other side.
Jin Ga-yong's gesture meant no quarrel with you. It also replied to Bi-ho's words: Let's bury the past till mission's end.
That's how Bi-ho read it.
The unit booked an inn as dusk fell and unpacked. They'd camped outdoors lately, but tonight they'd rest properly earlier than usual.
Tomorrow, they'd enter the yellow earth plateau—the bandits' base. Last chance for real rest.
Everyone took personal downtime.
Bi-ho ate lightly, rested a bit, then headed to a nearby clearing to practice "Tiger Claw Golden Sabre."
He'd been obsessed lately. His body craved it like a thirsty child begging for water. So he trained whenever he could, morning or not.
To onlookers, it looked like moonlight calisthenics.
A keen-eyed jianghu expert would see his fluid motions cycling energy—dispersing, gathering, refining in steady rhythm.
"Not slacking on training—impressive."
Wang Baek-gun, who'd arrived unnoticed, watched awhile before commenting.
He hadn't hidden his presence, so Bi-ho had known early. Immersed, he kept going till Wang spoke.
Bi-ho reluctantly halted, regretfully retracting his energy.
"Wang Protector, what brings you?"
"Captain's summons."
"About what?"
"Word from the Ten Meows. The bandits finally sniffed us out. Around noon, a hundred armed warriors poured out. Exactly one hundred."
"Tch, they're pissed. Let's go."