Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Jade Face Yin Devil
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“…That’s how it happened.”
“Pfft, puhahaha…!”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter as I watched Hwa-ryeon explain everything that had gone down after I got captured.
She seemed to think it was a pretty solid plan, but to me, it just looked like a whole lot of effort for nothing.
“What’s the point of going to all that trouble? There’s a much faster way.”
“Huh? What’s that?”
Hwa-ryeon tilted her head, peering through the bars.
I beckoned her closer with a finger, then whispered softly into her ear.
Hwa-ryeon stared at me, her face full of suspicion after hearing me out.
“…You’re saying that’ll really work?”
“You lose nothing by trying. Even if you doubt it, give it a shot.”
She let out a small sigh at my shrug, then approached the guard just as I’d instructed.
She exchanged a few words with him and subtly slipped him some silver from her sleeve.
The guard glanced around awkwardly, cleared his throat, pocketed the silver, then immediately unlocked the warehouse door and pointed at me.
“Hey, you there! Get out.”
I stepped out of the warehouse, basking in the envious stares from the others.
I grabbed the dumbfounded Hwa-ryeon and headed to the inn where the rest of the group was waiting.
“…It actually worked?”
“You don’t remember Hefei? We greased a Patcheon Fortress martial artist’s palm and passed through without issue. Sometimes—no, most of the time—lubing things up with money gets results faster.”
“Wow…”
Hwa-ryeon marveled anew at my words.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she tossed out another question.
“But then, why not just bribe them before getting caught?”
“That guard captain had a tough vibe. Felt like the bribe might backfire and make things worse instead.”
“Oh… Yeah, he did have that prickly look.”
Hwa-ryeon quickly nodded, recalling the captain’s sour face.
We arrived at the inn after that, and Seol and Master had similar reactions when we reunited.
“Whoa…!”
“Hah, never would’ve thought of that.”
These overly clever types. What would they have done without me?
I smirked inwardly, but then a weird thought crossed my mind.
Anyone else, sure, but Master not knowing tricks like this? That’s odd.
Hadn’t he rolled around the martial world for ages as a seasoned veteran?
…Maybe he grew up too sheltered for his rough image?
I voiced my suspicion, and got an exasperated response.
“What nonsense is that? As a direct subordinate of the Tyrant Heaven Fortress lord, you think I’d ever need to bribe anyone?”
“Oh, right, that makes sense.”
Thinking about it, yeah—Master would’ve been on the receiving end, not the giving.
“I’ve never taken a single bribe!”
“Sure, sure, whatever you say.”
“You little shit…!”
Master’s fist trembled as I brushed him off half-heartedly.
I swiftly changed the subject before it could fly.
“So, did you pass on the message about the Zhuge Clan visiting their main house?”
“Yeah. But there’s a problem.”
“Because of that lecherous demon?”
Hwa-ryeon nodded and explained.
From what she said, the Zhuge Clan’s combat unit, the Hocheon Brigade, had already been defeated by this Jade Face Yin Devil.
And it wasn’t even a numbers disadvantage—they lost one-on-one, no escape involved.
In simple terms, the Zhuge Clan, one of the Five Great Clans representing the martial world, had taken a massive hit to their pride.
“They haven’t said it outright, but it seems like the Zhuge Clan wants to catch the lecher before the authorities do. They mentioned reinforcements from the main house.”
“They want to restore their honor themselves.”
“And because of that, our matter’s been pushed down the priority list.”
I nodded along and sank into thought.
Reviewing the situation, the Zhuge Clan was definitely in a bind right now.
And we were the ones asking for their help.
So…
“…What if we get involved in this too?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Seol blinked at me, while Master and Hwa-ryeon just stared silently.
I met their gazes and slowly laid it out.
In the Nangong Clan’s case, Master’s connection to the clan head had gotten us to the inner audience hall pretty smoothly.
But would it be that easy with the Zhuge Clan?
I’d bet Master’s beard it wouldn’t.
“Why drag my beard into this!”
“It’s just a figure of speech. Not the point.”
Thanks to their sharp minds, the Zhuge Clan always hogged the strategist and advisor roles in wuxia novels.
They’d calculate costs and benefits down to the last coin.
So, no guarantee a letter and token from the Nangong head would get us to the clan head’s hall.
But what if we helped them catch the lecher first and built up some owed favors?
At least we wouldn’t get turned away at the gate.
The group mulled it over for a bit, then slowly nodded.
“Not a bad idea. Assuming we have a way to catch the lecher, that is.”
“Got some clever scheme in mind?”
“Before that, how about we interrogate that shady guy who’s been tailing us?”
“…Pardon?”
I stood up and headed straight for the corner table in the inn.
There sat the young punk who’d followed us from the warehouse where I’d been held.
He’d been sneaking glances at our table nonstop, but when I beelined for him, he flinched and tried to bolt from his seat.
“Whoa there, not so fast.”
“Urk…!?”
I zipped to his side in a flash and clamped his shoulder. He looked up at me in terror.
Up close, his pale face made him look even younger. No, downright boyish.
At most, same age as Seol, maybe a few years older?
“What’s your deal?”
“I-I’m not suspicious or anything!”
“Who walks around with ‘suspicious’ written on their face if they’re innocent? Who are you?”
The guy stammered under my grilling, then sighed deeply and murmured low.
“My name’s Jo Si-woo. I work for the Changcheon Merchant Guild’s Wunan branch.”
“…Changcheon Merchant Guild?”
The familiar name startled me. He gave an awkward smile, gauging my reaction.
“The branch head asked me to escort the young lady and her group. Mind if I do?”
*
“No, if that’s all it was, you could’ve just come up and said hi. Why skulk around all suspicious-like?”
“W-Well… Seeing the two of you walking together made it weirdly hard to approach. I kept putting it off, thinking I’d do it later, and then…”
I’d retrieved our cart and was back on the street, sitting next to Si-woo on the driver’s seat. I let out a dry chuckle at his excuse.
They assigned this timid kid to guide us?
I shook my head inwardly for a moment, but soon realized why Si-woo had been picked for the job.
“Ah, better take this side road. Hit the main street this time of day, and we’ll crawl like slugs through the crowds.”
Personality aside, the guy was a pro at navigation.
He even factored in foot traffic by time of day for the optimal route. Had to admit, I was impressed.
We arrived at the Changcheon Merchant Guild’s Wunan branch way faster than expected.
I’d met Guildmaster Bang Jin-myeong at the Heavenly Wind Martial Hall, so this was my first time seeing one of their owned buildings.
“Huh, way fancier than I thought.”
Si-woo beamed at my admiration for the ornate three-story structure.
“Right? My dad—the branch head—built it up this big. The other uncles say it rivals the head guild now.”
He looked thrilled, like the praise was for him.
But his face stiffened the moment a stern-faced middle-aged man emerged from the branch.
“Branch Head. I’ve brought Miss Hwa-ryeon and her companions, as requested.”
“You’re later than expected.”
“Ah, that’s…!”
The kid’s youthful face slackened into panic. I stepped in with an excuse, chuckling.
“I got held up at the checkpoint inspection.”
“…I see.”
The middle-aged man nodded stiffly at my words, his expression matching as he cupped his fists crisply.
“I’m Jo Ha-pyeong, head of the Changcheon Merchant Guild’s Wunan branch. I’ve heard about Young Hero Goon Ja-seong from Elder Goon’s letter.”
“Ah, yes. Goon Ja-seong.”
I returned the salute. Meanwhile, the group disembarked from the cart.
Jo the branch head greeted Master first with a nod, then dropped to his knees the instant Hwa-ryeon stepped down.
“It’s been far too long, Miss. Seeing how much you’ve grown fills me with emotion.”
“Please stand, Branch Head Jo. This is too much—I’m embarrassed.”
“Of course. Come inside, please.”
We followed the leading branch head straight to the third-floor office.
Once seated inside, we explained our plan to help capture the Jade Face Yin Devil and rack up favors with the Zhuge Clan.
He looked troubled, though.
“I appreciate the intent, but I fear it won’t be feasible.”
“The guild has no leads at all?”
Jo Ha-pyeong nodded gravely at my question.
“We’ve been investigating precisely because the guards’ inspections are giving us headaches too. But every victim just repeats that it was a handsome young lord—nothing on features, clothes, nada.”
“That’s… pretty strange.”
Even drunk on booze or hit with a knockout drug, forgetting every single detail? Definitely off.
I’d gotten my hopes up when Si-woo mentioned the Changcheon name, thinking they’d have intel.
Who’d have thought they were in the dark too.
What now? Quitting feels like a waste.
-Hmm… maybe?
“Hm?”
Lost in thought, I caught a faint mutter from somewhere.
Extending my senses, I scanned around and spotted someone hiding beyond the office window.
What the hell’s this one about?