Chapter 204
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: The Trap is Sprung
“What do you mean by that?”
Jong Ri-gang's eyes, wide with alarm, flashed fiercely as he spoke.
“We don't know the details either. Only that the armed Azure Sky Sword Brigade is heading for Mount Hwangdeung...”
At Cheonno's words, Jong Ri-gang clamped his mouth shut.
“What is it?”
Neung Un-bi, sitting with them, tilted his head and asked. Jong Ri-gang, with a heavy expression, finally managed to speak.
“Mount Hwangdeung... is where my brothers are.”
“What? Then, among the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest...”
“Mm.”
It was just a groan, but it was as good as an answer.
Why would the armed Azure Sky Sword Brigade be moving to Mount Hwangdeung?
They must be planning to attack the Green Forest's mountain fortress.
But why?
All the martial artists had flocked to the entrance of the Demonic Cult to form a blockade, and some had followed Changrang to the northern waterways between Shaanxi and Shanxi.
In such a situation, the Namgung family's actions were difficult to understand.
“...They must have found out.”
“What?”
Everyone turned to look at Neung Un-bi after he spoke, having been lost in thought for a while.
“That the King of the Green Forest is helping us.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I'm not certain. But...”
After a moment's hesitation at Jong Ri-gang's question, Neung Un-bi reached into his robes and placed a money pouch on the table.
It was already empty.
“This is all I have right now.”
“...What do you mean?”
“You said the Information Guild would not get involved in this matter.”
“...?”
“I, too, do not wish for the Information Guild's involvement. Nothing good can come from getting caught in the conflict between the Orthodox and Demonic factions.”
“...?”
“But, despite that, I want to buy information.”
“Young Master Neung.”
Cheonno's brow furrowed at once, but Neung Un-bi continued speaking.
“As I said, it's an empty pouch. But what you fill it with later, I'll leave to the Information Guild to decide.”
“What?”
At those words, Cheonno's eyes widened.
He was telling them to decide what to fill it with themselves?
“I won't ask for much. Nor will I ask anything that would put the Information Guild in a difficult position.”
“Hmm.”
Cheonno, deep in thought, looked at the empty pouch.
It was like a blank contract; whatever they wrote would be up to the Information Guild. They would surely gain an immense profit.
Of course, it all depended on Neung Un-bi's future.
But he said he wouldn't ask for much. He said he wouldn't ask anything that would trouble the Information Guild.
In other words, at worst, they would break even.
Cheonno stared intently at Neung Un-bi, mulling it over and over, before finally grabbing the empty pouch.
“Let's... take the gamble.”
“Thank you.”
“What is it you wish to know?”
“The whereabouts of Namgung Mu-wi.”
“...Hmm, unfortunately, we know very little.”
“I see...”
“However, he did not return to the Orthodox Murim Alliance.”
“What?”
“All we've been able to confirm is that he remained in Shaanxi. We have not yet verified his movements after that. However, since our branch with the Orthodox Murim Alliance has also confirmed nothing, we believe there's a high probability he moved toward the northern blockade line.”
Neung Un-bi nodded at his words.
“How accurate is your assessment?”
“We estimate it's about ninety percent.”
“I see.”
Neung Un-bi was once again lost in deep thought.
Even if they had lost track of the Sword Emperor, Namgung Mu-wi, the Information Guild's judgment was unlikely to be wrong. This meant Namgung Mu-wi was currently somewhere on the path to the formation blockading the Demonic Cult.
No, if the Namgung family's Azure Sky Sword Brigade had moved to Mount Hwangdeung, he was likely somewhere in Gansu.
“By any chance, was Namgung Mu-wi leading the Azure Sky Sword Brigade?”
“No. The one leading the Azure Sky Sword Brigade was Namgung Jin-rin.”
Namgung Jin-rin. An unfamiliar name.
But there was no need to know it. The important one was Namgung Mu-wi.
“What about the movements of the Orthodox Murim Alliance?”
“They are focused solely on the border with the Demonic Cult and the northern waterways.”
In that case, this must be an action taken by Namgung Mu-wi alone.
But how did that bastard know the King of the Green Forest was helping him?
It felt as if a thick fog had settled in his mind, obscuring even a single step ahead.
“By any chance, have there been any signs of the Namgung family's movements or anyone watching this place nearby?”
“None. We issued a top-level alert as soon as you arrived, Young Master Neung, so I am certain.”
Cheonno was probably right.
They didn't know his exact whereabouts yet. If this was indeed the Namgung family acting alone and not with the Alliance's help, then it must be true.
Even if there had been pursuers, Hyang-i would have noticed them. The half-wits of the Namgung family, who considered stealth dishonorable, could never have evaded her senses.
But why?
Why would the Namgung family attack the Green Forest?
They weren't that clever...
Was this a case of a blind squirrel finding a nut?
He pondered, but couldn't find an answer.
However, one thing was certain.
Someone must have seen him and the King of the Green Forest disguised as bandits somewhere and grown suspicious.
They must have wanted to confirm it.
The reason they were attacking the Green Forest's fortress on Mount Hwangdeung was undoubtedly for that purpose.
It was also likely a move to separate the King of the Green Forest from his side. Even for the Sword Emperor, the King of the Green Forest would be a burden to face.
“Un-bi. What on earth are you thinking about?”
Jong Ri-gang asked, seeing him lost in silent thought, but Neung Un-bi couldn't bring himself to reveal his thoughts.
Ever since hearing that the Azure Sky Sword Brigade had attacked Mount Hwangdeung, hadn't Jong Ri-gang's face been filled with urgency and worry?
He knew it too.
If left alone, his brothers on Mount Hwangdeung would be annihilated.
If that happened, he wouldn't be able to bear it.
Wasn't this the same man who had stormed in, angry that his brothers had been robbed?
Wasn't this the same man who had helped him escape, saying he'd taken a liking to him despite their brief encounter?
“Elder.”
“Speak.”
“Go to Mount Hwangdeung.”
“What?”
“Go and save your brothers quickly.”
“...!”
At Neung Un-bi's words, spoken with even a faint smile, Jong Ri-gang's eyes shot wide open.
“I would like to go with you, but I would only be a burden.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The fact that you helped me must never be known. If anyone suspects, deny it.”
“You rascal!”
“This isn't about your pride, Elder. It's for the sake of the countless members of the Green Forest who follow you.”
“You...”
Jong Ri-gang couldn't bring himself to continue.
“You must do so.”
At his firm tone, Jong Ri-gang's brow contorted.
“Elder.”
“...”
“I will be fine. As Cheonno said, isn't this place safe? If they knew my exact whereabouts, the Orthodox Murim Alliance would have already stormed this place.”
“Hmm...”
“So please, don't worry and go. I don't know how to thank you for all the help you've given me so far.”
“Un-bi.”
“Elder, please go.”
At Neung Un-bi's repeated urging, Jong Ri-gang finally let out a sigh of resignation.
“Then wait here.”
“...”
“I will go to Mount Hwangdeung and return quickly. It's not far, so it won't take long. I'll deal with those Namgung scoundrels in a flash and come back. Just rest until then. Understand?”
“...Yes.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Good.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jong Ri-gang dashed outside.
He must have been in such a hurry...
After waiting a moment for him to get some distance, Neung Un-bi spoke quietly.
“Let's change our clothes. I don't think we can stay here any longer.”
“Yes!”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Cheonno's eyes widened.
“Young Master Neung! What are you saying? Didn't you promise the King of the Green Forest you would wait here?!”
“Please, pretend you didn't know.”
“What do you mean?!”
“This is as far as it goes.”
“...?”
“I cannot impose on you any further. Because of me, the entire Green Forest could be endangered...”
Cheonno couldn't say a word in response to Neung Un-bi.
He knew it too.
How could he not?
The entire Orthodox Murim Alliance was chasing Neung Un-bi.
Weren't they already prepared for an all-out war with the Demonic Cult?
If they had suddenly attacked a Green Forest fortress, they must have suspected a connection to Neung Un-bi.
But it was only a guess.
Besides the Namgung family, had there been any other movements reported?
In this situation, what if the King of the Green Forest's involvement was confirmed?
Not just Neung Un-bi, but the Green Forest and even the river bandits who had diverted attention to the northern waterways would come under attack by the Orthodox Faction.
As long as their enemies had the justification, even the Unorthodox Faction wouldn't be able to help them.
That was what Neung Un-bi was worried about.
“Young Master Neung, I understand your feelings. But if the Namgung family has attacked the Green Forest, they are surely watching your movements closely.”
“I know. But, I must still go.”
“Young Master Neung!”
“They are probably watching from somewhere. Watching the King of the Green Forest leave... They will surely try to tighten the noose. Then the Information Guild will also be in danger.”
“...”
“This is as far as I can accept your help. Please keep my pouch. If I survive, I will be sure to fill it to the brim.”
Neung Un-bi even managed a smile and a joke.
But Cheonno couldn't bring himself to smile.
He was trying to leave, knowing full well the danger.
So as not to be a burden to anyone...
He hadn't intended to help.
He had been told not to help.
“Young Master Neung.”
“Yes?”
“...The price is too high.”
At Cheonno's words, his face scrunched up, Neung Un-bi tilted his head.
“Didn't I say? I only sell if the price is right.”
“What do you mean?”
“I'm saying this is not a worthy payment for just a few words.”
Cheonno said, holding up the empty pouch.
“If I'm to receive it filled with what I desire, I must offer a more fitting price in return.”
“Sir.”
“It's fine. I'm just offering you an escape route.”
“What?”
“I will shut this place down immediately. As you said, Young Master Neung, if they are watching from somewhere, then it's no longer useful.”
“But...”
“Don't worry. The Information Guild won't be caught by the likes of the Namgung family.”
“...”
“Instead, you'd better be prepared. I plan to ask you to fill this with something you'd never expect. So I pray you survive. Otherwise, I might just have to track you down in the afterlife.”
At Cheonno's words, spoken with a jesting grin but carrying the weight of a vow, Neung Un-bi bit his lip and nodded firmly.
“Yes.”
“I will be sure to fill it.”
Seeing Neung Un-bi's firm resolve, Cheonno smiled and then quickly got to business.
“Now, follow me. There is a secret passage we can use to leave.”
“Yes.”
Neung Un-bi, along with Yun An-ro and the others, moved quickly to the place Cheonno guided them.
* * *
“The King of the Green Forest is on the move.”
“...!”
Hearing the news he'd been waiting for, Jegal Min's face lit up.
“And his companions?”
“None. He's alone.”
“Just as I thought.”
Jegal Min gazed at the distant village and smiled wickedly.
It had been a full day since they started tracking the King of the Green Forest using the Black Hounds.
Near the village ahead, the Black Hounds had lost the trail. Someone had deliberately erased the tracks.
Furthermore, the fact that the King of the Green Forest was on the move meant his scheme had worked.
Spreading the rumors everywhere was done intentionally to lure him out, and it had worked perfectly.
And those who remained.
Jegal Min was certain they were Neung Un-bi's group.
“In the end, you were right.”
“Thank you for believing in me, Sword Emperor.”
“...Hmph!”
Namgung Mu-wi snorted and turned his head away.
But Jegal Min didn't mind in the slightest.
Neung Un-bi.
Now, he would capture him.
No, perhaps Yun An-ro and the others were there as well.
The moment he had them by the leash, he would step into the center of power. And one day, he would even inherit the name of Jegal Cheon-u.
“Let's go. We need to tighten the noose on those bastards.”
Namgung Mu-wi nodded at Jegal Min's words.
And just as they were about to take a step.
*KABOOOOM!*
A deafening explosion shook the earth as a dark red flash of light shot up, and the entire village collapsed.