Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Excessive Demands (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"It's Sima Ho, sir. My older brother was working here as a porter for the Juhae Escort Agency when he was taken prisoner."
"Ah, I see. But may I have your brother's name..."
"Sima Hyeon."
A name he didn't recall. Even if they were on the payroll, there were over a hundred porters connected directly or indirectly to the Juhae Escort Agency. He wasn't the meticulous sort who memorized every single one.
At that moment, a man who had been standing a short distance away came rushing over.
"He's my sworn brother. We started working here together, Deputy Chief."
Bang Il Sam confirmed that the man, who had arrived with an anxious look, was one of the chief steward's most trusted subordinates. His stiff expression softened.
"Ah, I see."
Nodding, Bang Il Sam bowed toward Sima Ho.
"What happened to your brother is truly regrettable. We're ashamed. In any case, we're doing everything in our power to bring everyone back safely. Please trust us and wait."
Bang Il Sam bowed to the group and turned away swiftly, as if he had nothing more to say.
"That bastard."
A curse slipped from Sima Ho's lips. Bang Il Sam's attitude hadn't sat well with him at all.
"Fuck! No sincerity whatsoever. Something feels off about this. Bro!"
Sima Ho, shouting irritably, beckoned to Jang Seong—the man who had just vouched for his identity.
"You made it?"
"Cut the bullshit. What's really going on? They're demanding a huge sum. Are they actually negotiating properly, like that guy said?"
"Of course. We're handling it right. They'll be back safe soon, so don't worry—just wait."
Jang Seong raised his voice, seemingly mindful of those around them. But Sima Ho didn't miss the tremble in his eyes.
"Come with me for a sec."
Dragging Jang Seong to a secluded spot, Sima Ho growled in a low voice.
"Drop the act and tell me straight. What's the real situation?"
"Hey, let go of my arm first."
"Oh, sorry."
Sima Ho released him at Jang Seong's shout. Jang Seong winced from the pain radiating from his arm, then glanced around cautiously before speaking.
"The amount they're demanding is beyond imagination. They're complete lunatics."
"How much?"
"A hundred nyang of gold."
"......"
Sima Ho's jaw dropped; he couldn't utter a word. That's when Sima Geon and Cheol Woo—who had let Sima Ho inside earlier and been waiting outside—approached.
"Brothers, you're here too."
Jang Seong bowed with a pleased expression.
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you come in?"
"We were going to, but the little one who came with us suddenly fainted."
"Jin-ah? Why Jin-ah?"
Jang Seong asked, startled.
"The atmosphere around here is rotten. She must've overheard something and got really shocked. Though it'd be weirder if she hadn't."
Sima Geon, who had broken into a cold sweat over Sima Jin's sudden collapse, spoke bitterly.
"I see. Is she okay now?"
"Yeah."
"Phew, at least that's a relief."
As Jang Seong let out a sigh of relief, Cheol Woo—who had just heard the bandits' demands from Sima Ho—let out a hollow chuckle.
"These guys are total maniacs. Where's a little outfit like this supposed to scrape up that kind of money?"
"What's wrong with the Juhae Escort Agency? It's one of the bigger ones around here."
Jang Seong bristled indignantly, but Cheol Woo waved him off like a pesky fly and asked in a sly tone.
"Quiet. You got a backup plan? Sending in a rescue squad or something?"
At Cheol Woo's question, Jang Seong jumped in surprise and glanced around.
"How'd you know? We're keeping it under wraps."
"The vibe around here screams it. But think you can pull it off? Doesn't seem like Juhae can handle it alone."
"The Chief thinks it's doable—probably calling in favors from the neighbors. Already sent runners to a bunch of places."
"Hope it pans out. They must have a rough idea of what we're up to."
Cheol Woo shook his head skeptically.
"But who the hell are these guys pulling this off? There's usually some line agencies and bandits don't cross."
At Sima Geon's question, Jang Seong answered with a frustrated look.
"Exactly. This isn't crossing the line—it's a straight-up death wish. Bunch of crazies! Their lair got smashed to bits, and they still haven't snapped out of it."
Sima Geon's eyes suddenly gleamed.
"Lair got smashed?"
"Yeah. The Golden Fox Bandit Lair—pretty infamous around here. It got wrecked not long ago. Everyone was thrilled when they heard."
"So the Golden Fox Bandit Lair's back?"
Sima Geon's voice was colder than ice, but Jang Seong didn't notice.
"Not exactly back—more like the chief who ditched it came crawling home. Word from the top is they're pulling this for one big score to skip town for good..."
Jang Seong trailed off as a sudden commotion erupted.
Once he learned the uproar was because the Golden Fox Bandit Lair had sent over what looked like prisoners' eyeballs and severed ears, Sima Geon realized there was no time to waste.
"Ho-ya."
At Sima Geon's call, Sima Ho—who had been heading off to check if they belonged to Sima Hyeon—halted and turned.
"Left Jin-ah with Mrs. Yuk. She's just up ahead—go watch her."
"Huh? Where are you going?"
"Got a quick errand."
"Now? But the situation..."
Sima Ho couldn't finish his question under Sima Geon's steady gaze.
"We’ve got wide reach. We're off to find a way to get Hyeon back, so don't sweat it—just look after the kid."
Cheol Woo gave Sima Ho's shoulder a light pat, then hurried after Sima Geon, who was already walking away.
As the dazed Sima Ho stared at their backs, Jang Seong returned from the scene of the commotion.
"Damn, couldn't tell for sure, but it didn't look like your brother. The problem is, they send these every three shichen..."
His voice thick with rage, Jang Seong suddenly sensed something off and asked.
"Where'd your brothers go?"
"Th-that's really true?"
After the second "gift" from the Golden Fox Bandit Lair arrived, Bang Seo Hong—who had been deeply despondent—leaped from his seat.
"Yes. Word just came from Brother Sowang, who went to Yeonhwa Escort Agency for help. It's confirmed."
Bang Il Sam's voice brimmed with joy.
"Excellent. Truly excellent."
Bang Seo Hong's aged eyes reddened.
While carrying on negotiations with the Golden Fox Bandit Lair, he had pulled every string possible to assemble a rescue force.
He was certain the fellow agencies sharing their sense of crisis would offer unstinting support, and the nearby sects he appealed to would respond positively.
The problem was the razor-thin timeline.
Assembling a force to wipe out the Golden Fox Bandit Lair would take at least three days—and that was only if they converged straight there without detours. Yet every four shichen, eyeballs and ears from the prisoners kept arriving.
The Golden Fox Bandit Lair had warned that after two days, they'd start sending heads instead.
Just as murmurs began about sending at least part of the demanded ransom, this news arrived like rain in a drought.
"The Nangong Clan warriors are really stepping in to help?"
"Yes."
Bang Seo Hong clenched his fist at Bang Il Sam's trembling voice.
"Heaven itself has intervened."
Bang Seo Hong's face lit up with genuine elation.
No Geuk, the Golden Fox chief, was undeniably a formidable foe.
Even with aid from neighboring agencies and sects, success in rescuing the prisoners wasn't guaranteed. But with the Nangong Clan committing warriors, everything changed.
No matter how mighty No Geuk was, he couldn't compare to the Nangong Clan's elites. And the one stepping up this time was none other than the famed Heaven-Gazing Elder Sword Nangong Kyung—a top-tier master ranked within the top thirty in the Martial Power Record.
"Brother Sowang says they've already set out for the Golden Fox Bandit Lair."
"That fast? Ah, right—Yeonhwa got hit before us."
"Yes."
"We need to hurry too. We asked for help; can't lag behind them. Plus, unlike their revenge quest, we've got people we absolutely must save."
"I'll prepare right away."
"Golden Fox spies could be lurking anywhere, so keep it as covert as possible."
"Understood."
As Bang Il Sam withdrew hastily, Bang Seo Hong rose and gazed at the sword hanging on the wall.
Three years had passed since he last gripped a blade, but he hadn't retired.
"Let's ignite one final blaze."
As he seized his beloved sword, the old warrior's eyes blazed with unyielding battle spirit.
"Water Dragon Merchant Association?"
No Geuk's face lit up at the unexpected name.
"Yes. They're huge, so I had my suspicions—and it was them."
Escort Captain Gwak Jeung San reported with barely contained excitement.
"We hooked a big one. Good work. Casualties?"
"Five of the lads are banged up."
No Geuk's expression darkened slightly, but Gwak Jeung San quickly added.
"Lucky no serious wounds. With proper care, they'll be fine."
"Be more careful. You're all I've got left now—you and the escorts. Never forget that."
No Geuk handed Gwak Jeung San a cup.
Gwak Jeung San bowed in thanks and downed it in one gulp.
"Hitting the Water Dragon Merchant Association means we're set. Inspect the captured goods and figure out a solid ransom. Oh, how many prisoners?"
"Twelve."
Fewer than expected, No Geuk eyed Gwak Jeung San quizzically.
"The escorts and even the laborers put up a real fight. And once they saw their comrades hurt, they went berserk..."
Gwak Jeung San flushed as No Geuk waved it off.
"No matter. Don't sweat the riffraff. Long as the valuables are alive, we're good. It's the Water Dragon Merchant Association—not nothing, a bit risky, but let's bleed 'em dry."
"We'll prepare meticulously."
No Geuk nodded at Gwak Jeung San's confident tone, then asked as if struck by a thought.
"How's the Juhae Escort Agency holding up? How many 'gifts' is this?"
"The fourth."
"You're a fool then. Still no real response?"
"They did float a proposal."
"Proposal?"
No Geuk snorted and twirled his cup idly.
"They say they can't muster the full ransom right now. How about half upfront?"
"Amusing. And?"
No Geuk licked his lips mockingly.
"If we release half the prisoners first, they'll scrape together the rest as fast as possible."
"Cheap ploy. They think we don't know they're begging allies everywhere to come at us? No good. Time to show 'em what happens with sloppy tricks."
No Geuk set down his cup, sank deep into his chair, and crossed his legs.
"Next batch, lop off heads—not eyes or ears. See if they keep yapping after that."
"Yes, Chief."
As Gwak Jeung San turned to leave, No Geuk's voice rang out again.
"What's the chief patrol doing?"
"Out hunting."
"Again?"
No Geuk looked incredulous.
"Yes."
"Not bored yet? Over ten days of it—high time to quit. The old timers too?"
"Yes. Went with him."
"Tsk tsk. Old men hunting, waiting on brat pups. Pitiful. Least they aren't making demands."
No Geuk knocked back his drink, then froze and let out a hollow laugh.
"Who'd make demands after seeing this mess."
His chest tight, No Geuk took a slow, deep breath.
The sight of his lifelong stronghold reduced to ashes never got easier, no matter the time.