Chapter 49
Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: An Unwanted Invitation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What did you say you were?”
“An escort.”
“And what did it say your martial arts level was?”
“Um… Just reached the stage of channeling energy.”
“Right. Then what’s this?”
“…”
As Neung Un-bi asked, gesturing to the shattered wall, Wang Cheon averted his gaze, pretending not to see it.
“Who! Told you to just unleash your energy like that! Even a master who can project their energy couldn't do this!”
“…My apologies. I didn’t realize.”
“Haa, you want to just go back?”
“Pl-please forgive me! From now on, I will strive to appear as weak as a warrior who has just awakened his energy, no matter how you look at it.”
At Neung Un-bi’s calm threat, Wang Cheon immediately dropped to his knees and begged.
“This is the last time. Got it?”
“I will take it to heart!”
“…”
As Wang Cheon vowed again, Neung Un-bi shook his head.
He was in the middle of a lesson.
An intensive brainwashing session on how to display the skills appropriate for an escort from a nameless security agency.
“You lot, too. Don’t act without my orders from now on. You’re porters! Porters! Got it?!”
“Understood!”
The Sakwol Unit shouted vigorously in unison.
He wasn’t sure if they truly understood, but they were certainly good at answering.
“Um, but, Head Escort.”
“What is it?”
“What should we do if we face an opponent stronger than we’re supposed to be?”
To Ju Seung’s question, Neung Un-bi declared with narrowed eyes.
“You take the hits.”
“Pardon?”
“What else? You gonna beat them? You want to go back, too?”
“…I will do my best to take the hits. I’ve always been able to take a punch.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Very much.”
“Thank you. However!”
“…?”
“If a problem arises concerning your well-being, Head Escort… please understand that we will have no choice but to act then.”
“Well, that…”
On that point, Neung Un-bi relented. It was a core part of Ju Seung and the Sakwol Unit’s identity; suppressing even that would only lead to greater backlash.
“Let’s just keep things smooth. Alright?”
“Understood.”
“Good. That settles it.”
“But, Head Escort.”
“What?”
“How long must we continue this? There are no more ruffians to be seen.”
“Hmm…”
At Ju Seung’s words, Neung Un-bi looked around.
“Urghhh…”
Dozens of figures lay scattered about.
These were the thugs who had lorded over the back alleys of this ownerless village, tormenting its people.
Due to the region’s nature, there was nothing to gain here, so neither the Unorthodox nor the Orthodox Factions had bothered with it. As a result, these petty thugs were all there was.
They were so weak that a single warrior from the Sakwol Unit—no, Wang Cheon alone—could have thoroughly beaten them down in less than two hours.
“For now, tie them all up and hand them over to the village chief.”
“Yes.”
Ju Seung replied without complaint and had the Sakwol Unit warriors tie up the fallen men in a line.
“Anyway, it’s about time the Heavenly Pillar Gate made a move…”
It had been two days since they started the rumor.
They had loudly proclaimed their intent to clean up the ruffians and had caused a commotion in public places.
In the process, while muttering something about martial artists being beyond the law, they deliberately handed the thugs over to the authorities, knowing full well they wouldn’t intervene.
All while grumbling, as if for someone to overhear, that the Heavenly Pillar Gate didn’t care about the local security.
By now, the swift rumor should have more than reached the ears of the Heavenly Pillar Gate’s master.
Those guys were obsessed with their reputation, so they should have been scrambling to act by now.
They had to. If the innkeeper, not to mention the villagers, were to sleep soundly without fear of reprisal after he left.
“Damn it, if I have to provoke the Unorthodox Faction’s territory, things will get complicated…”
Just as Neung Un-bi muttered in annoyance.
“Head Escort! Over there…”
“…?”
Ju Seung, whose ears had perked up, spotted someone approaching and pointed.
“Head Escort! Head Escort!”
The one running breathlessly towards them, calling for Neung Un-bi, was the owner of the inn where their group was staying. Following behind him was a group of warriors who looked formidable at a glance.
And Neung Un-bi, seeing the characters embroidered on their long robes, knew their identity at once.
Heavenly Pillar (天柱), the pillar that supports the heavens.
*Bastards. For a fringe Orthodox sect, they sure have a grandiose name…*
In any case, they’d arrived at the perfect time.
“What brings you here? If you needed something, why not send the clerk, Zhang San?”
“*Pant, pant,* it was so urgent, I came myself. Look. See who I’ve brought with me.”
“…?”
When he feigned ignorance, the innkeeper beamed and introduced those following him.
A middle-aged man approached with his hands behind his back and his chin held high.
His arrogant expression seemed designed to announce, ‘You and I are on completely different levels.’
For a moment, the expressions of Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol Unit warriors turned icy, but since they had been warned and made to promise, they showed no other reaction.
*But I’ll have to teach them about facial expressions next time.*
*When someone important arrives, shouldn’t they at least manage a faint smile?*
*What will they do if he takes offense?*
*Anyway, these Demonic Cult bastards, so full of pride…*
“Are you the much-rumored Head Escort of the Okcheong Escort Agency?”
“…That I am?”
*He really acts the way he looks. An arrogant expression wasn’t enough; he had to have a condescending tone, too.*
*And much-rumored recently?*
*It’s only been two days. What an exaggeration.*
“Aigoo, Head Escort. Show some respect. This gentleman is the Chief Section Leader of the Northern Office of the Heavenly Pillar Gate’s External Affairs Department.”
“Ahem!”
“Oh?”
Neung Un-bi bowed his head hastily with an exaggerated look of surprise.
*What a ridiculously long title.*
*Chief Section Leader of the Northern Office of the External Affairs Department.*
*So… basically, he’s a lackey, right?*
“The… the Chief Section Leader of the Heavenly Pillar Gate? Please forgive my ignorance for not recognizing you.”
“Ahem. I am Yongcheon. I understand, given your tender age.”
Treated with proper respect, the lackey named Yongcheon stroked his beard in satisfaction.
“But what brings such an esteemed person here?”
“This place is under the jurisdiction of our Heavenly Pillar Gate’s Northern Office of the External Affairs Department.”
“Ah! Is that so? I had no idea… I apologize again for my belated greeting.”
“My dear man, no need for apologies. But for your age, you seem to have learned your manners well.”
“Thank you.”
“Hah hah! No need for thanks. I don’t know under which school you studied, but your esteemed father or master must be very pleased with you.”
“…”
*You crazy bastard, I’m sure they would be.*
*I don’t know about my father, who passed away so long ago I can barely remember him, but if my master saw this, they wouldn’t even find your corpses.*
“Now, now, let’s not stand here talking. We should share a drink and have a pleasant chat.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Hah hah, what a man. So polite. You there, Old Sang.”
“Yes, Section Leader.”
“How can we stand idly by with such a righteous man here? You, prepare a lavish table of drinks.”
“Yes? Yes…”
The innkeeper, Old Sang, bowed respectfully.
But his hesitation… it was obvious what it meant.
Didn’t that Chief Section Leader bastard just say ‘You’?
Which meant he had no intention of paying.
*Tsk, who’s the real ruffian here?*
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Neung Un-bi spoke in a polite tone.
“Section Leader, how could you say such a thing?”
“Hmm?”
“You’ve come all this way to see me; I couldn’t possibly let you treat me. Let’s go. I will treat you to a grand meal.”
“You will?”
“Of course. Hey, innkeeper.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll pay handsomely, so prepare a lavish spread just as the Section Leader ordered.”
“Yes! Head Escort! I’ll put my heart and soul into it!”
It was the unavoidable nature of a businessman that made the innkeeper reply vigorously with the brightest expression he had shown all day.
* * *
“Khahahaha! This is why the rumors started.”
“…You’re too kind.”
Neung Un-bi had slathered on the courtesy, and now the man’s face was wreathed in a smile that wouldn’t fade.
“It’s a relief there are righteous men like you.”
“…”
“Who would have thought that while I was briefly occupied elsewhere, those lawless fiends would disrupt the lives of the common people?”
“You speak truly. Before hearing your words, Section Leader, I never realized the Northern Office managed by the Heavenly Pillar Gate was so vast.”
“Thank you for understanding. To be frank, you can’t imagine how difficult it is to manage this place they call the Northern Office.”
“Of course. How could someone like me, who just worries about bandits while running a small escort service, possibly know? I never dreamed you were handling such important matters, Section Leader.”
“Indeed! It’s quite something. Beyond those mountains, the Nine Mountains Gang is causing trouble, and down below, the Black Snake Clan is always making a mess, aiming for our branch.”
“Oh dear…”
“And with only twenty-two warriors… it’s a monumental achievement just to have protected it this long.”
At those words, which seemed to carry a hint of pent-up resentment, Neung Un-bi nodded eagerly, playing along.
*Now I get it. In other words, he’s saying they were too busy to bother with the ruffians in a small village like this.*
*Well, it makes sense the Heavenly Pillar Gate wouldn’t care.*
*Isn’t this a small town with no real profit to be made?*
*Mobilizing a unit of warriors for a pittance would be a huge loss.*
“Did I tell you the story of when I fought those mountain bandits before?”
“…”
*You did. It’s so vivid now, it’s as if I was there myself.*
*So just shut up and drink your damn wine.*
But Neung Un-bi, who had an ulterior motive, played along, his eyes sparkling.
“Your storytelling is so good, it feels new every time I hear it.”
“My, you’re a good man.”
“Your repeated praise is embarrassing to hear, Section Leader.”
“Nonsense! Call me ‘brother’.”
“Pardon?”
“Aren’t all men under heaven brothers? We’ve formed such a good bond and even shared a drink, so it’s only natural we call each other brothers!”
“…”
*What a great man he’s pretending to be.*
*All men are brothers? In the martial world, both the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions have a habit of drawing their swords the moment their interests are threatened.*
*But what’s so hard about calling him ‘brother’? I even call the leader of the Demonic Cult ‘Master’.*
“As you wish, Brother.”
Neung Un-bi replied shyly, scratching his cheek as if embarrassed.
“Hah hah! Yes, yes. Hmm, let me see, was it five months ago?”
“…”
*He’s started again.*
*His boring, mind-numbingly dull stories about his past.*
*Please, just stop and tell me what your superiors said. I figured out a while ago that you didn’t come here for no reason.*
*There must have been an order from the Heavenly Pillar Gate.*
*They must be conscious of the rumors and their reputation, and it’s obvious they’ll try to steal the credit for my work.*
*By establishing a branch or stationing patrol warriors.*
“…Hahahaha! It was so satisfying to see those bastards turn tail and run.”
“It sounds like it was. Hmm… but I’m worried about this place.”
“Oh?”
When a shadow of concern crossed the eyes of Neung Un-bi, who had been playing along the whole time, Yongcheon tilted his head.
“Brother, you’re so busy with official duties and major problems like bandit hordes, so what will become of this village? We’re just passing through and can leave, but the old ruffians will surely return to torment the people…”
At this worried mumble, which sounded like he was talking to himself, Yongcheon smiled broadly.
“Little brother, do you think I’m that thoughtless?”
“Pardon?”
“Actually, after hearing your story, little brother, I submitted a detailed report to my superiors and received their enthusiastic approval for a follow-up measure.”
“A follow-up measure?”
“Of course. How could we leave our territory in the hands of a righteous stranger? I’ve already received approval to establish a branch here.”
“Oh! The world says you are worthy of being a great pillar of the Orthodox Faction, and indeed, the Heavenly Pillar Gate lives up to its name. Your efforts must have been great, Brother.”
“Efforts? I merely placed a spoon on the table you set.”
“Not at all. How can you be so modest? It is said that a giant contemplates deeply even before taking a single step. You, Brother, have achieved the great feat of guiding that giant’s first step.”
“I-Is that so?”
“Of course! Of course!”
Yongcheon’s mouth stretched into a grin so wide it looked like it might tear.
*This is it. Since they’re establishing a branch, the villagers won’t have to worry. I’ve done all I can.*
*My face is about to cramp from forcing a smile while humoring this damn lackey. Now, I can just share one last drink and leave under the pretext of my escort mission.*
“Well, thanks to you, Brother, I can now leave with peace of mind.”
“Of course, but before that, you should stop by for a visit.”
“Stop by… Pardon?”
At Yongcheon’s words, Neung Un-bi blinked with a surprised expression.
*Stop by? Where?*
“The Gate Master wishes to see you.”
“…”
“He ordered me to bring you to the main sect.”
“M-must I?”
“Necessary? How could we not express our gratitude to a righteous man like you?”
“Haha, I appreciate the thought… but my escort mission has been delayed quite a bit.”
“I know. However, the Gate Master insisted you meet him before you go.”
“…Ah, yes.”
*That son of a bitch!*
*Then he should have come himself from the start! Why is he summoning a busy person back and forth!*
“Well then, shall we depart? Get up, quickly.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi stood up, following Yongcheon, and forced an awkward smile.
*Nothing ever goes according to plan.*
*My plan was to hide in the territory of an Orthodox Faction to avoid assassins, not to hide within an Orthodox sect itself…*
*Especially with these guys in tow?*
Neung Un-bi glanced at his own party, who were a constant risk of being exposed, then looked back at Yongcheon.
*Should I just cut his throat right now?*
*All I have to do is give the order… I have plenty of other cover identities…*