Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Unreasonable Demands (1)
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The gates of the Juhae Escort Agency, which were always wide open, were now firmly shut.
In the heavy, somber atmosphere, the agency's top leaders hurried into the meeting room one after another.
Bang Seo Hong, the agency leader standing guard in the meeting room with bloodshot eyes, lightly rapped the table to silence the noisy crowd.
"Their demands just arrived a moment ago."
"How much are those bastards asking for? No, more importantly, who the hell did this?"
Deputy Leader Bang Chuk demanded in an angry voice.
Bang Chuk, Bang Seo Hong's younger brother, was nearing sixty but still active in the field. His fiery personality matched his exceptional skills, making him quite famous in the escort trade.
"Golden Fox Bandit Lair."
"Golden Fox Bandit Lair? Didn't those guys get smashed to pieces not long ago? I heard they were completely wiped out."
Bang Chuk asked with a bewildered expression.
"It seems their Bandit Chief, who had been away, has returned. He's apparently rebuilding the ruined stronghold."
"Hah! That guy's completely insane!"
"What's the point of talking? See for yourself."
Bang Seo Hong handed over a crumpled letter that looked like it had been folded and unfolded multiple times, covered in creases.
Bang Chuk snatched it and scanned it quickly, his face changing colors several times.
"These goddamn bastards! Not a small sum, but this much money!"
The already wrinkled letter was torn to shreds by Bang Chuk, who couldn't contain his rage.
"How much did they demand to make you this furious?"
Unlike Bang Chuk, Bang Gon—who had retired and was enjoying his later years—glanced at the scattered pieces of paper and asked.
Bang Seo Hong answered in place of Bang Chuk, who was still fuming.
"One hundred nyang of gold."
The meeting room froze in an instant.
"Hah! That's just telling us to drop dead."
Bang Gon let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
The Juhae Escort Agency didn't even make thirty nyang of gold in a month. After deducting various expenses, the net profit was far less. One hundred nyang of gold was an enormous sum that would take years to earn.
"But we can't just ignore it. The cargo they took is one thing, but the lives of our captured comrades are at stake."
Bang Seo Hong's face had darkened, likely from the mental strain.
"How many prisoners?"
In response to Bang Gon's question, Deputy Leader Bang Il Sam, seated across from him, spoke up.
"Two escorts, thirteen guards, and twenty porters, Uncle."
"That's a considerable caravan. The cargo's value must be substantial too."
"Yes. It was goods consigned from the Water Dragon Merchant Association's Xiaoxing branch."
"Water Dragon Merchant Association? Don't they have the Water Dragon Escort Agency? Why us...?"
Bang Gon looked shocked.
"Lately, the Water Dragon Merchant Association has grown even larger. It's beyond what the Water Dragon Escort Agency can handle alone. They've been doing business with us for a while now."
"I see. Of all things, Water Dragon Escort Agency cargo. No wonder they have the nerve to demand that much."
"It's troubling. Honestly, one hundred nyang of gold is more than we can bear."
"We have no choice. In the worst case, we lose the cargo, but we must save our people's lives."
Bang Il Sam inwardly sighed at Bang Seo Hong's resolute attitude.
They could scrape together one hundred nyang of gold by squeezing every resource the agency had. But no one knew how long they'd be drowning in debt afterward.
"Brother is right. Cargo can be compensated somehow, but lives can't be brought back. If we don't rescue the comrades who worked for Juhae Escort Agency, who will want to do business with us in the future? Losing people means losing everything. We have to save them, of course. As long as they survive, we can always find a chance to rebuild."
Everyone in the room nodded vigorously in agreement with Bang Gon.
"Why are you so quiet?"
Bang Seo Hong asked Bang Chuk. Bang Chuk, who seemed like he'd be the first to charge ahead with his impatient and rough nature, was unexpectedly silent.
"Do we really have to negotiate?"
Bang Chuk growled.
"What do you mean?"
"Negotiations have their limits, but this is basically surrendering everything with a white flag."
"Our people are in their hands, so we have no choice..."
"Let's rescue them."
"You mean attack them?"
Bang Seo Hong asked, startled.
"Hmph! Why not?"
"No. Think about how furious that Golden Fox Bandit Chief must be after seeing his ruined stronghold. We could endanger everyone's lives. Even if we succeed, we don't know how many sacrifices we'd make in the process."
"Saving our comrades' lives is a given. But Brother, think about it. If we let mere bandits trample us like this, how can we run an escort agency going forward? This world eats the weak. Even if we take some losses, we have to show them we're not pushovers."
"But..."
Bang Seo Hong tried to counter but couldn't find the words easily.
He knew from his years of experience leading the agency that Bang Chuk wasn't entirely wrong.
After a moment of silence, Bang Seo Hong asked the others in the room.
"What do you all think of the Deputy Leader's words?"
The leaders exchanged glances before speaking up all at once.
Various opinions flew, but the one with the most support was to negotiate while watching for a chance to rescue the prisoners. However, considering Bandit Chief No Geuk's renowned skills among the brigands, they decided to seek help from nearby martial clans or families. If no aid came, they'd scrap the rescue op entirely.
Bang Chuk insisted he could handle it alone, but his view was overruled.
No Geuk had returned to Golden Fox Bandit Lair exactly ten days ago.
When contact with Golden Fox Bandit Lair was cut off and he sent men to check, his rage and sense of loss were beyond words.
Still, he couldn't return immediately. The situation around the vacant leader position of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds was too urgent.
No Geuk supported Five Dragon Stronghold—a prime contender for the position—while aiming to elevate Golden Fox Bandit Lair among the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds.
With his stronghold reduced to ashes, his plans crumbled. No, it had become a matter of survival.
Having lost all his foundation, No Geuk knelt before Five Dragon Stronghold himself and offered to serve as a subordinate. In doing so, he played a key role in helping their chief, Neung Cheong Kang, ascend to leader of the brigands.
Recognized for his merits, No Geuk secured the position of protector and built some standing. With Neung Cheong Kang's permission, he returned to Golden Fox Bandit Lair briefly. Though the stronghold was devastated, he wanted to uncover what happened and who the culprits were—to exact bloody revenge.
Upon arrival, No Geuk immediately dispatched men to investigate.
Many survivors from the day Golden Fox Bandit Lair fell had been spared after capture, making clues easier to find than expected.
The problem was that even the survivors didn't know who had saved them. The only info was that two men attacked, one enormously built with a very ugly face.
"Hoo!"
A sigh escaped No Geuk's lips.
Sitting in a shabby shelter—a few remaining pillars patched with crude cloth and woven reeds for a roof—his figure looked utterly pathetic.
"Chief."
No Geuk turned at the cautious call, having been staring at the ashen ruins.
"Found them yet?"
"I'm sorry. We're searching desperately, but no leads."
Guard Captain Gwak Jeung San bowed his head in shame.
"Damn it! Time's running out..."
Counting the days, No Geuk realized the deadline from Neung Cheong Kang was days away and bit his lip hard.
"What about Juhae Escort Agency? Delivered properly?"
"Yes. Report confirms it was delivered accurately."
"Hmph! They must be in a panic right now, figuring out how to put out the fire on their feet."
No Geuk sneered, glancing at a box nearby.
Last night, he'd gotten goods and ransom from Ilseong Merchant Group—the first in his net—for their captured merchants. Not quite matching his demand to Juhae, but satisfying enough.
In truth, brigands, escorts, and merchants had a symbiotic relationship.
They clashed roughly at times, but both sides tried to avoid total breakdown, keeping lines drawn. But now, with Golden Fox Bandit Lair fallen and Five Dragon Stronghold taking over, such relations meant nothing. Hit big and leave—that was it.
"Don't wait. Send eyes and ears every two hours. Keep the pressure on so they can't think straight."
No Geuk said with a cold smile.
It was the tactic he'd used first on Yeonhwa Escort Agency.
They folded without resistance, paying exactly what he demanded.
Ilseong Merchant Group did the same, and now Juhae Escort Agency would too. With only days left at the stronghold, dragging it out gained nothing.
'Worst case, they might send a rescue team. No big deal anyway.'
No Geuk knew Juhae might not comply meekly.
They might ignore negotiations or send a secret rescue team—he didn't rule it out.
No worry. His guards alone might struggle, but they weren't alone here.
No Geuk's gaze turned to what was once the stronghold entrance.
Just then, a bearded man led three elders and over twenty men through the collapsed main gate.
No Geuk slowly rose from his seat.
He'd earned the protector title through submission, but he couldn't sit while greeting Neung Cheong Kang's eldest son—the new chief inspector of the brigands.
"...That's the situation so far. Please trust our agency and wait a little longer. We'll bring everyone back safely."
Deputy Leader Bang Il Sam bowed politely to the gathered families who'd heard of the disaster.
Families gripped by anxiety and fear over losing loved ones bombarded him with questions.
Bang Il Sam repeated only vague assurances of doing their utmost, careful with his words.
Unhappiness built in the families' expressions, but none raised their voices. They feared harming the rescue or future relations.
"Are you pursuing other options? Like sending a rescue team?"
Sima Ho, who'd listened with a stern face, finally couldn't hold back.
Bang Il Sam's brow furrowed slightly at the question.
In a situation where Golden Fox spies might lurk, he couldn't detail plans. After a troubled pause, he replied slowly.
"That could be an option, but our priority is negotiating with them to resolve this."
Bang Il Sam thought his straightforward answer fine, but suspicion flickered in his eyes.
"May I ask who you are?"
Doubt laced Bang Il Sam's gaze and tone.