Chapter 98. Shadow War (2)
Clang! Clang!
In the wide training ground, not just Sim Miho but other warriors as well were throwing themselves into practice with fervor.
And for good reason—they had learned that Jeong Hwiji, the second young master of the Henan Jeong Family who had hired them, was present.
If they could catch his eye, becoming an official warrior of the Jeong Family would be a piece of cake.
No one here was about to let such a golden opportunity slip away.
Jeong Hwiji watched the ronin pouring their hearts into training and thought the silver he'd paid them wasn't wasted at all.
That was when it happened.
Jeong Hwiji furrowed his brow, his face twisting in discomfort.
One of his subordinates noticed and quickly asked,
"Young master, what's wrong?"
"What the hell are those guys?"
"They're quite skilled, too…"
The subordinate tried to explain, but Jeong Hwiji cut him off.
"One's too old, and the other's too young, aren't they? The kid's probably not ripe yet, and that geezer looks like he'd crumple under one step from my advance. How could we use guys like that? They don't even look second-rate. I told you to gather only first-rate warriors."
"They are first-rate."
"Those guys are first-rate?"
Jeong Hwiji tilted his head skeptically, and the subordinate rushed over to them, whispering something.
At his words, the young man and the elderly warrior rose, gripping their swords.
As they faced each other, viscous smiles crept across their lips.
Seeing this, Jeong Hwiji smirked coldly.
This was a spar where they had matched their stances perfectly.
It wasn't training so much as a performance to showcase their skills.
They blocked difficult strikes and countered flawlessly.
Then dodged them with perfect timing.
This whole sequence would make second-rate warriors look first-rate.
Jeong Hwiji was convinced they had fooled his subordinate to sneak in.
Then the two men began to move.
Clang! Clang!
The sharp clash of blades rang out loudly.
Jeong Hwiji narrowed his eyes.
He realized his earlier suspicions were unfounded.
There was no trickery in their swords.
True dominance infused their blades.
Definitely mid-first-rate or higher.
With a little polishing, the young one could even aim for Peak realm someday.
Of course, that was from the young warrior's perspective.
The older one had probably reached his limit here.
Clang! Clang!
The young warrior was, of course, Jo Ho.
The older one was Jangsan.
Jo Ho grinned as he clashed swords with Jangsan.
The lines he was drawing were actually quite basic.
He wasn't even using half the techniques he'd trained at Cheonsu Manor.
He was just brute-forcing it with raw power.
Jo Ho mouthed words at Jangsan.
'Aren't you pushing too hard, old man? Your joints might pop.'
'This little punk…'
They couldn't transmit thoughts, but they could read lips.
Another result of their Cheonsu Manor training.
Clang! Clang!
Jeong Hwiji, watching them, narrowed his eyes further.
His gaze locked onto their swords—Sim Miho's, Jo Ho's, and Jangsan's.
The lengths differed, but the shapes were identical.
They were from the same group.
Noticing his expression, the subordinate hurriedly explained.
"There are four of them, and they call themselves the Haenam Four."
"Haenam Four? Never heard of them."
"They trained under the same master, but their sect is completely wiped out—not even an ant left."
This was what Sim Miho had said when she joined as a ronin.
It was true they'd trained under Han Bin, and Cheonsu Manor now had zero ants—or people—left.
Everyone had been mobilized for this mission.
Seeing Jeong Hwiji's darkening expression, the subordinate asked urgently,
"Is something bothering you?"
"No. Call over their leader."
At Jeong Hwiji's order, Sim Miho was summoned.
So Daeseop should have handled it, but eloquence was key for this mission, so Sim Miho took charge.
Standing before Jeong Hwiji, Sim Miho cupped her fists in salute.
"I heard you called for me. What is it?"
"Yes, I have a few questions."
"Ask away."
"Wouldn't you like to serve as an official warrior of the Henan Jeong Family?"
"…"
Sim Miho stared steadily into Jeong Hwiji's eyes.
As their gazes met, he nodded to his subordinate.
The subordinate offered her a money pouch.
"Consider it an advance from the young master."
"…"
Sim Miho silently took the pouch and peered inside.
It was filled generously with silver coins.
But her eyes remained calm.
The subordinate said,
"Put it away. And no need to be so shocked."
Her serene gaze must have looked stunned to him.
"Thank you."
Sim Miho tucked the pouch into her bosom.
She was nonchalant because the amount was paltry. This mission was pure honey for her—official pay from Han Bin plus side income.
So she'd expected big bucks for official warrior status, but it was less than hoped.
Then Jeong Hwiji spoke.
"From today, I'm assigning the Haenam Four an important task."
"We shall obey."
Sim Miho gave a crisp salute. As she bowed, the corner of her mouth twitched upward.
* * *
Rumble, rumble.
Han Bin's group carriage was about to enter the mouth of Yeongdan Mountain.
Yeongdan Mountain was a holy site for herbalists.
Thanks to that, paths crisscrossed the slopes.
That was when it happened.
A scream erupted from the rear.
"Ack!"
The voice belonged to Akbigwang.
Akbigwang clutched his head in agony.
Caravan leader Yun Yongho raised his hand swiftly.
"Hold!"
The procession halted, and Yun Yongho rushed to Akbigwang.
"What happened?"
"I-it's…"
Akbigwang's eyes shook wildly.
Yun Yongho gripped his shoulders firmly.
"Calm down and tell me slowly."
"Lady Musoryul… she's gone."
Yun Yongho's eyes widened.
Akbigwang had been so out of it he hadn't checked on Musoryul.
Something felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint it.
Now he knew why.
Akbigwang had assumed Musoryul was in a carriage.
But she wasn't.
Only then did Yun Yongho realize she was missing.
"I swear I saw her get off the boat…"
He trailed off. He'd thought everyone disembarked, but he hadn't confirmed Musoryul.
Then Pyeonyukranga approached quietly.
"Who's missing? I counted nine before we left, and it's still nine."
Yun Yongho tilted his head.
"Nine?"
"Yes, nine on the boat, nine now. No one's missing."
Pyeonyukranga folded his fingers confidently.
"Huh."
Yun Yongho sighed and glanced at Geom-o beside him.
Geom-o gaped at Pyeonyukranga's math, their eyes meeting.
It was utterly ridiculous.
With Geom-o joining, they should have been ten.
How could they not notice someone missing?
At least Musoryul and Akbigwang were off the official roster, which was a relief.
Akbigwang asked blankly,
"Where the hell is she?"
"I don't know either…"
As Yun Yongho floundered, Seol-hwa approached.
"She was sleeping on the boat."
"The boat? Which one?"
Akbigwang yelped, and Seol-hwa replied flatly,
"The one we came on, obviously."
"Then wake her up! Or at least tell us!"
Seol-hwa shook her head at his scolding.
"Why blame me? With this many people, she must have zero presence."
Akbigwang's jaw dropped.
She was right. Who here would check on Musoryul?
Except Seol-hwa, the only one who'd seen her—and hadn't bothered.
Akbigwang glanced between the path behind and Han Bin.
Seeing his conflict, Han Bin said,
"Don't worry too much. Worry about that boatman instead. He's probably eating her wrath right now."
"I'm not worried about that."
"Then why the long face?"
"My trust is shattered, bro!"
Akbigwang looked skyward. He admitted no one here would harm Musoryul.
Han Bin pointed back.
"If you're that worried, go check. Maybe she'll forgive you if you show your face."
"Argh, what do I do? She's a total directionless wanderer. If she gets lost…"
"Haha, directionless? Then you'd better hurry."
Han Bin smiled softly, but it only irked Akbigwang.
Akbigwang wailed,
"Fine, bro."
He wheeled his horse around immediately.
Clop, clop.
Han Bin tsked as Akbigwang rode off.
In his past life, Akbigwang was one of the Three Lights of Murim.
Even now, in a few years, he'd shoulder the Shandong Ak Family.
He could be an asset to Han Bin then.
Lost in thought, Han Bin felt Geom-o approach.
"Will she be okay?"
"You worried about Lady Mu too?"
"No, I'm concerned for our comrades."
"You sized up her skills? Good eye."
"Just rumors."
Geom-o turned away quietly.
Han Bin glanced at his face.
He had two reasons for ignoring Musoryul.
First, she and Akbigwang were too conspicuous for the final ploy.
Second, Geom-o.
From past-life memories, Geom-o had talent beyond swordplay.
The Transformation Divine Art used by those fake bandit spouses was surely his work.
Han Bin wanted to take Geom-o to Cheonsu Manor after this escort.
Seol-hwa tugged his sleeve, eyes narrowed.
"They're starting to catch up now."
"Seems like it."
Han Bin nodded calmly but didn't turn.
Pretending ignorance and striking their backsides hard was the plan.
* * *
Rumble.
The carriage halted midway up the mountain.
A breeze carried the tickle of herbal scents.
Yeongdan Mountain's name came from a legend of Great Master Damo.
Damo came here from India to gather herbs for an elixir for his disciple.
He made the elixir but left behind a divine pill from India.
The pill's power seeped into the land, forming potent natural qi, or so the tale went.
Indeed, rare herbs still grew here unavailable elsewhere. The legend held some truth.
Peering out the window, Han Bin stuck his head out and shouted,
"Let's rest here!"
Yun Yongho raised his hand.
Neigh.
The horses stopped with a snort.
They parked the carriages, and Yun Yongho and his escort guards prepared camp.
Then Han Bin approached Yun Yongho.