Chapter 92
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Turn Southwest (2)
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At first, the bald senior's words didn't quite sink in.
If I just changed the subject a little.
Beijing is dangerous?
Ah! Tanks are rolling in!
Guangdong is dangerous?
Finally, those filthy British bastards have unleashed the opium!
Something like that would make it click.
Even pulling together every scrap of my Central Plains geography knowledge and common sense.
What scenarios could possibly make Yunnan dangerous?
The only thing that came to mind was Vietnam's EX-rank constellation Tran Hung Dao baring his rice noodle-white teeth and marching out to conquer the Central Plains.
"Is something wrong?"
If you don't know, ask.
"There's a rumor that the filthy heretic, the Poison Demon, has appeared."
"Heretic?"
"Hah, I forgot because of the demonic energy, but you're from the orthodox sects, aren't you, junior? Let me explain."
From there, an unwanted history lesson on the Demonic Cult began.
Once upon a time in the primitive ancient Demonic Cult, it was a total bloodbath—a super cult where they slaughtered each other nonstop to grow stronger.
But the leader of that era couldn't stand the chaos anymore and sparked a massive civil war under the banner of "Let's live like humans." It evolved into a happy-happy cult paradise.
The bloodthirsty folks, unhappy with that, packed up and bolted, founding a brand-new splinter cult called the Blood Cult.
Come to think of it, I'd been so pissed I erased it from my mind, but the leader had called old lady Hong Sundok a heretic when summoning her.
"Anyway, that heretic Poison Demon seems to be scheming something with the Poison Scripture Gate. He's a tough opponent, no doubt..."
Poison freaks are a headache regardless of orthodox or demonic.
Still, if even a super peak-realm bald guy was spooked, it was definitely trouble.
"It's fine. I'm not planning to stay long—just a quick trip to Kunming."
"Kunming, Kunming... That should be okay, then."
Well.
Part of it was my complacency that no poison could kill me, but I couldn't skip Yunnan altogether.
I'd poke my head in, scout the vibe, and if it felt really dangerous, hightail it to the Southern Barbaric Beast Palace, snatch up the little miss, and evac to safety.
Send her a heads-up message later, too.
The drinking session dragged on a bit longer after that.
Whoosh──!
A whistle sound that no normal person should hear.
Not vibrating the eardrums, but stabbing directly into the upper dantian like electric prickles.
The whole group sobered up in an instant.
"What are you idiots doing? Expel the alcohol poison!"
Just moments ago, they'd been drunk and rowdy, chugging away like there was no tomorrow.
Now, every Ear Assassination Squad member expelled the booze with their inner energy all at once.
My vision blurred like stepping into a sweltering all-boys high school classroom on a summer day with no AC running.
The booze stench was so intense, a lightweight would've passed out on the spot.
Ugh.
"You said you mastered the Shadow Ghost Sound Technique, right? You felt it too. It's a call for reinforcements. Well, from here on, it's Ear Assassination Squad business."
The bald senior glared at me with a grim expression.
And then.
"We lowly servants greet the husband who supports the little heaven! All Demons Bow in Reverence!"
"All Demons Bow in Reverence!"
They showered me with echoing salutes and chants.
True to their shady assassin vibes, they each activated the Shadow Ghost Sound Technique and melted into the darkness one by one.
"Kyau? Kyauuu?"
In a flash, the inn was left with just me and the wolfpup.
Why do this to me...
From now on, I won't even pee toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
With a sigh, I drafted a formal protest letter to the culprit behind it all.
But what came back was a screen share.
"......"
What?
What was this mysterious dance supposed to signify?
Some kind of religious ritual? Is that it?
Her mouth was moving like she was saying something.
Fortunately or unfortunately, this soundless transmission system had no audio.
I kindly left some feedback and a star rating.
[Me: Cut your hair]
[Luri: 🤬🤬]
She'd definitely looked like a dumpling with a single noodle strand at first glance.
Kids sure grow up fast day by day.
* * *
Wrapped in fury from my unauthorized extended stay—which seriously hurt the Moonlit Inn's finances—the next day.
- ...Husband, no, junior. You haven't left yet?
- People need sleep to live.
She clearly hadn't expected me to chill out, sleep like a log, and head out fresh.
I wrapped up an awkward double round of goodbyes with the returning bald senior as morning broke.
And arrived at my second planned stop.
Chongqing.
"If memories were canned, I hope they have no expiration date. If they must, let it be ten thousand years."
"Kyau?"
"Ah, you don't get it... Anyway, time to shrink down. You're drawing too much attention."
Chongqing meant Chongqing Forest, of course.
I filled the romantic void in my heart with a fragment from my cursed absolute memory, tucked the wolfpup away again, and kept walking.
Fortunately, no high-level experts around.
I could rest here a day.
"Great hero! Great hero! Spare a coin!"
"Hehe, handsome big bro. I'm hungry."
"Puppy...!"
Little Unhak wannabes swarmed me right after entering, chattering and pouring out their collective sob story.
"Hmph... Don't you know Buddha himself will scold lazy beggars who mooch for free?"
"Hing hing. We don't know that. We're hungry..."
"Puppy, smells good...!"
These kids haven't tasted society's bitterness yet.
Time for a harsh lesson.
"He who does not work, neither shall he eat. You lot will become my servants and escort me to the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress Chongqing Branch."
"Servants? Jingle jingle?"
"Dummy, he means guide the way! Great hero! I know it! Follow me!"
"No, all four of you come. This great hero gets lonely with just one servant."
"Puppy! Puppyyy!"
"Kyauuuu...!"
While watching the cheeky brat cling to the protesting wolfpup like a koala.
I matched my steps to their tiny strides.
Passing Chaotianmen where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers met, ears filled with the lively clamor of workers.
Eyes taking in tea bundles from Yunnan, salt sacks and silk bolts from Sichuan.
The streets buzzed with energy.
But oddly, everyone's faces looked grim.
Like life had skimmed off a bit of happiness, replaced with resignation.
...Just like these beggar kids.
"The roads here are filthy."
"Yeah! My legs hurt!"
"I'm fine!"
"Hehe, woof, woof woof, woof!"
I let out a sigh at the haphazardly carved mountains and slapdash roads going up and down everywhere.
They were guiding me through shortcuts, sure.
But handing urban development to a toll road gang would've made it way cleaner.
Our steps halted before a grand building that screamed Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress.
"We're here!"
"Good."
MISSION complete.
TIME for REWARD?
"Follow me."
"Y-Yes?"
"Uh, we can't go in places like this... We'll get in trouble..."
Regardless of the little Unhaks' grumbling.
I strode boldly through the entrance.
"Welcome to the Ten Thousand Gold Treasury Fortress! How may I... Uh...?"
"Oh... You're definitely Liu Haeyoung, from the Xi'an HQ second-floor admin office a year ago, right?"
"Y-Yes...! Geum Sihyeon, young master?"
"Haha. Long time no see."
Luckily, a familiar face at reception. Quick catch-up bridged the year's gap and built rapport.
"These kids were brazenly begging for a living. I want to show them the bitter taste of labor. Any openings?"
"...?"
"He who does not work."
"Neither shall he eat... Ah, I get it, young master. I'll check if our operated inns have spots for kids."
A tad slow on the uptake.
But Liu Haeyoung soon grasped my deep intent and, like the Pied Piper, led the kids away smoothly.
Exercising owner family privileges on her return.
"Business not going well?"
"Well, the situation's complicated..."
Long story short.
Chongqing had balanced orthodox, unorthodox, and government influences into a neutral zone.
But recently, something scandalous hit their main sect. Most of the Point Sword faction's warriors—who dominated here—up and left, shattering the balance.
"Naturally, the Black Tiger Gate filled the void, but since they're with the Evil Sword Alliance, we couldn't counter effectively."
"Sigh."
Couldn't ignore it now that I knew.
As owner family, overlooking subordinates' woes was off the table.
"I'll tell Father to contact the branch head. Government stepping in should help with checks."
"R-Really...?"
Liu Haeyoung's face lit up.
She hadn't voiced it, but things must've been tough.
* * *
Another long haul ahead nonstop.
Got treated to hospitality, pampered the wolfpup, checked new clothes to gauge Central Plains fashion trends, and rested half a day in Chongqing.
[Father: I'll handle it.]
[Me: Thank you!]
Father's influence would sort the branch's issues quick. Lightening my mental load, just as I thought about heading out.
"Um, great hero...!"
One pitiful lamb, now trapped in child labor thanks to my job placement, popped out.
"What?"
To my question.
He hesitated despite starting first, clearly waffling.
Time for truth serum.
Fished a candy from my pocket, handed it over. Whether it eased him or gave courage.
"Great hero, you're someone important, right...?"
Kid logic: comparisons.
I nodded sternly in affirmation.
"P-Please, I'll work for you my whole life...!"
Along with the number one line I never wanted to hear from a boy.
"Save my sister...!"
The number one line that screamed "shady trouble ahead" burst from the kid's mouth.