Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: A Fond Farewell
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The next day, just as Neung Un-bi had woken up and washed his face, Takbal Ryeo came to his residence.
“My lord, are you awake?”
“Ah, Branch Chief. What brings you here so early?”
Neung Un-bi turned his head and smiled brightly, and Takbal Ryeo offered a gentle smile in return.
When giving orders or reprimands, he was so full of dignity it could make one's knees buckle. When fighting enemies, he was so ruthless that even fellow members of the Demonic Cult felt fear. But in his daily life, he had a bright, cheerful face perfectly suited for his age.
He never treated Takbal Ryeo, a branch chief of a much lower rank, with disrespect. Even though it was only a temporary position.
“My lord, there is someone I must introduce to you, so I was waiting for you to wake.”
“Oh, you should have sent word. Have you been waiting long?”
Glancing at the person who had come with Takbal Ryeo, Neung Un-bi scratched his head.
“N-Not at all. How could I possibly disturb my lord's rest? I don't mind waiting indefinitely.”
“...”
Seeing how deeply apologetic he was, Neung Un-bi said no more.
What more could he say? It would only prompt more apologies.
“Who is this gentleman?”
“Ah, Guard Captain Wang ordered us to prepare for the journey to Shaanxi, and...”
“Ah! So this is the caravan leader who will be traveling with us?”
“Yes, my lord. This is O Deung of the Setting Sun Caravan.”
As Takbal Ryeo made the introduction, the merchant quickly bowed his head.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am the third son, Neung Un-bi.”
“I am O Deung. Please, speak comfortably, Third Young Master.”
“But you're my elder. How could I? Here, please sit. We'll be spending a long time together, so let's at least have a meal first.”
“What? H-Have a meal together?”
“Ah, have you eaten already?”
“No, it's not that... How could I...?”
“Is there a problem?”
“...”
As O Deung looked perplexed, Neung Un-bi tilted his head and glanced to the side.
“Hyang-i, let's eat. Go call the others.”
“Yes.”
Hyang-i replied gracefully and went outside.
O Deung didn't know what to do.
The Third Young Master may be rumored to be kind to commoners, but how could he dare to sit at the same table?
“It's fine. There are no assigned seats at my table. I always eat with my guards.”
“But how could I...”
“If you're too uncomfortable, I won't insist.”
“...”
After hesitating for a moment at Neung Un-bi's consideration, O Deung finally sat down with Takbal Ryeo.
“In any case, since we'll be traveling to Shaanxi together, I'll be in your care.”
“Goodness, please don't say that. Those are my words to you. I was worried about how to get to Shaanxi, but I feel much more at ease knowing I'll be with you, Third Young Master. The caravan is waiting outside the branch.”
“Alright. Then let's depart right after we eat.”
Neung Un-bi smiled at the caravan leader's words.
A deal with the caravan. They had requested an escort from the branch, and Neung Un-bi happened to take the job.
What's the point of sitting around?
Since he had to go to Shaanxi anyway, wasn't it better to gain something from it?
Takbal Ryeo, the temporary branch chief, had vehemently opposed it, but Neung Un-bi paid him no mind and ordered him to sign the contract.
Besides, now that the rumors were all out, was there any reason to hide?
The Demonic Cult's branch was established with the approval of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, so who would dare pick a fight with a cult member traveling through the Central Plains?
Especially with the Cult Leader's disciple?
No one would be that bold unless they were insane.
Of course, that didn't mean there were no threats. The risk of assassination from opposing factions still remained.
But that didn't matter either.
Neung Un-bi glanced at Hyang-i, who had just returned from calling Wang Cheon and Ju Seung.
“Why are you back alone?”
“They said they aren't hungry. They'll come when the meal is about to end.”
“Really? Well, can't be helped. Let's eat, just us.”
“Yes.”
Watching Hyang-i sit at the prepared table and eat with them, Neung Un-bi let out a chuckle.
I really still can't get used to it.
A little girl like this...
From what I heard, assassins showed up when she fought Bae Hyo-gang.
The Black Sand of the New Moon Clan, was it?
They were waiting for an opportunity, unaware of the monster named Hyang-i, and now... they've literally become sand, just as their name implies.
Probably scattered somewhere on the ground.
Well, whatever the case, she's reassuring.
Now all I have to do is prepare to run away with peace of mind.
Train, and train again.
I will definitely reach the realm of the river and learn that incredible art from Hyang-i.
Until then, I'll diligently carry out my inspection duties.
I don't even have to do it myself. Wang Cheon and Ju Seung... huh?
Just as he finished his meal and was about to drink a bowl of scorched rice tea, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung arrived. At the sight of them, Neung Un-bi almost choked.
“Cough, hack, what are you two doing?”
“...”
At Neung Un-bi's question, they both flinched.
“U-Us? What about us?”
“We haven't done anything, my lord.”
“...”
Did I say you did?
And you say you haven't done anything? Then why are you wearing masks?
“Aren't you hot?”
“Not at all.”
“Oh, it's so cold. Am I catching a chill?”
Wang Cheon and Ju Seung rubbed their arms, putting on an act.
Staring at them with narrowed eyes, Neung Un-bi spoke with irritation.
These guys...
“Take them off.”
“...”
“Just looking at you is making me hot! And are you off to rob someone? Why the masks in broad daylight? Take them off, now!”
At Neung Un-bi's irritable demand, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung sighed as if they had no choice and reluctantly removed their masks.
And what was revealed was... bruises?
Both of their faces were a mess of red and purple.
Wang Cheon's one eyelid was swollen shut.
What the...
His bewilderment was brief; Neung Un-bi quickly understood what had happened.
Even an idiot could figure it out.
Weren't these the guys who would usually be chattering right next to him, now keeping their distance?
And at the center of that distance was Hyang-i.
“You two... you got beat up, didn't you?”
“B-Beat up? Of course not!”
“Nothing of the sort happened, my lord.”
At their simultaneous denials, a dry laugh escaped Neung Un-bi's lips.
They got beaten up, these bastards.
They must have started it.
But were they any match for her?
I warned them, but they failed to recognize who they were dealing with... Tsk, tsk.
“Third Young Master, since the meal is over, shouldn't we hurry outside? Everyone must be waiting.”
“Huh? Oh.”
As Hyang-i spoke politely, a dimple forming on her cheek, Neung Un-bi flinched and nodded.
“What are you two Guard Captains doing? Aren't you coming?”
“What? Yes! Miss!”
The sight of them jumping in surprise as they answered was a spectacle.
They were so startled their bodies went rigid.
But... miss?
Just how badly were they beaten to have thrown away all their pride?
Still, it was incredibly satisfying.
Moreover, I now knew what to do if these guys ever disobeyed or defied me in the future.
Lately, they haven't been listening to my orders at all...
“Haha, Hyang-i, don't rush them so much. You'll startle them, won't you?”
“Yes.”
“Hehe, Hyang-i.”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha! Hyang-i.”
“...”
Every time he called Hyang-i's name, the way Wang Cheon and Ju Seung flinched was truly a sight to behold.
“Kuhahaha! Hyang—”
“That's enough, Third Young Master. It's unseemly...”
“Kyah...?!”
As Hyang-i's eyes narrowed in annoyance, Neung Un-bi, who had been laughing boisterously, choked and started sputtering.
That glare of hers...
In any case, Hyang-i had become part of the family.
Somehow, it felt like things were about to get a lot more interesting.
“Well then, the carriage is waiting outside. Shall we hurry out?”
“Yes, my lord!”
Neung Un-bi led the way, followed by the caravan leader and the Crescent Moon Squad.
And Wang Cheon and Ju Seung were...
Is this a crane-wing formation? Are you two the wings?
Why are you walking together but spread so far apart to the left and right?
Only three—no, four—people knew the reason.
And only one of them was enjoying it.
“Kheheh, they got hit. I knew it. Kheheh, kheheh.”
Neung Un-bi stepped outside, picturing the two of them getting brutally beaten.
“It's the Third Young Master!”
“Third Young Master!”
“...?”
Huh? Why are so many people gathered here?
It was an enormous crowd.
Among them, only the branch's martial artists and his own group were wearing swords.
The people filling the space in front of the branch gate were villagers from the nearby town.
“Third Young Master, please take this.”
“What is this...?”
“We packed a little something for you to snack on during your journey.”
“...”
The cloth bundle, handed over with a warm smile, was full of beef jerky to chew on when bored.
“No, why this?”
“Oh, come on, just take it. It's a sign of our sincerity.”
“Ah, yes...”
As they insisted, Neung Un-bi awkwardly accepted the bundle of jerky, and as if on cue, a barrage of gifts followed from all sides.
He was instantly surrounded by people, but instead of trying to stop them, everyone was wearing pleased smiles.
Has this ever happened before?
It was rare for civilians to voluntarily gather in front of a martial sect's gate, let alone give gifts to those who were leaving.
No, it was practically unheard of. The reality was that most people were too intimidated by the aura of martial artists to even approach them.
And these were members of the Demonic Cult, no less.
They would be lucky not to have fingers pointed at them from behind.
But now was different.
Everyone approached without hesitation to offer their greetings, and everyone seemed sad to see him go.
“Hah, well...”
Unable to carry everything in his hands, Neung Un-bi had the gifts loaded onto a cart and shook his head.
Who was he to deserve all this...
“Third Young Master, now that you're leaving, when will you return?”
“What? You want me to come back?”
“Of course! You must. I'll brew some fine liquor in preparation for your return.”
“...”
The tavern owner spoke, confidently thumping his chest, and the people around him nodded in agreement.
“I understand. I'll be sure to stop by when the inspection is over.”
“You've promised.”
“Yes.”
“Did you all hear the Third Young Master? On that day, I'll empty my entire cellar. We're throwing a feast!”
“Ooh! Woooow! Long live the Third Young Master!”
“...”
Now, cheers were erupting from all sides.
Well, who doesn't like free things?
But is it okay for a merchant to do that?
After giving out drinks to all these people, what will you live on...
If I stay any longer, who knows what else will happen.
Neung Un-bi sighed inwardly and hurried the caravan leader.
“Caravan Leader, let's depart.”
“Yes, Third Young Master. We will depart as soon as you mount your horse.”
“Alright.”
Just as he was about to grab the reins, Neung Un-bi paused and looked at Takbal Ryeo.
“Branch Chief Tak.”
“Yes?”
“Keep up the good work.”
“What? Yes...”
He answered, but his face looked somewhat downcast.
And Neung Un-bi knew why.
It was probably because of the 'temporary' nature of his position.
With a faint smile, Neung Un-bi placed a hand on Takbal Ryeo's shoulder.
“The branch chief will not be replaced.”
“...What?”
“I requested it. Now that the branch has been officially established, support will begin from the main cult, but I asked them to guarantee the positions of those who were already here.”
“Th-That...?”
“Is the saying 'the old governor is the best governor' for nothing? From now on, you are the branch chief. If anyone gives you any shit, you tell me later. I'll rip their mouths right off.”
“M-My lord!”
“In return, I ask that you continue just as you are now.”
“...”
“Don't struggle to expand. Just protect what you hold. So that they can keep smiling like they are now.”
“...”
“I'm not telling you to abandon being part of the Demonic Cult. If the Orthodox or Unorthodox factions come at you, fight. If they invade our territory, strike back just as hard—no, even harder. Show them no mercy. That's what power is for. Understand?”
“...”
“And do not forget your past transgressions. The sins you have committed have not yet been fully washed away. For as long as you are branch chief, live with the mindset of atoning to them.”
After finishing his exhortation, Neung Un-bi patted his shoulder and mounted his horse. Takbal Ryeo's eyes trembled finely.
Soon, his eyes welled with moisture.
The moisture gathered until it finally streamed down his cheeks and fell to the ground.
“My lord!”
“...”
“I, Takbal Ryeo, will take my lord's command to heart and never forget it!”
He dropped to his knees and bowed his head low, and one by one, the branch's martial artists prostrated themselves as well.
...Damn it, how embarrassing.
Neung Un-bi scratched his cheek, then whipped his head around and grabbed the reins.
“We're departing.”
“As you command!”
Neung Un-bi's horse led the way, with Hyang-i following behind.
As the Crescent Moon Squad moved out with the crane wings spread wide to the left and right, the caravan's wheels finally began to turn.
Towards Shaanxi.
The people did not leave the front of the branch until the very end of the procession had passed down the main road and disappeared into the distance.