Chapter 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Paid Service (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...And that's how I ended up coming to Mount Zhongnan."
Kang Moo-jin took a deep breath after finishing his courteous and detailed paid explanation.
"Heavens...! It's almost too unbelievable."
"Truly astonishing."
The two daoists of the reception hall couldn't close their gaping mouths after hearing about the second ambush on the mountain path.
How could an escort from an escort agency...?
The idea that an unnamed escort agency's guard possessed such profound martial prowess was staggering.
Typically, escorts barely reached the level of first-rate at best.
It was truly astonishing.
I feel sorry for misunderstanding him earlier.
Especially for Daoist Jin-woo, who had thoroughly misjudged Kang Moo-jin at the sect's entrance—his shock was several times greater.
The man he'd dismissed as a mere guard from a shabby agency turned out to possess even greater strength than himself.
What kind of escort agency is the Diamond Escort Agency to employ such an expert as a mere guard!?
It wasn't even the top escort agency in Sichuan, renowned across the Central Plains. He couldn't fathom why such a powerhouse was in a nameless little outfit.
Warriors naturally sought out grand stages befitting their skills, didn't they?!
"Still, this feels far from ordinary. Two ambushes, no less."
Reception Hall Leader Poong-rim stroked his chin beard gravely.
Two attacks—not one—meant the enemies were persistent, and that persistence had a reason.
Perhaps connected to our missing disciple.
As Poong-rim's expression grew sterner, the silent Kang Moo-jin spoke up.
"I don't know for sure if their target was the escort cargo."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
Poong-rim tilted his head at the words.
Were there other things besides the secret escort cargo that unknown foes might target?
"Did you have other cargo as well?"
Escorts often carried multiple shipments headed to the same destination.
To handle several tasks efficiently in one go.
"No. That was the only cargo."
"Then what..."
"It might have been to keep our Diamond Escort Agency in check."
"...?"
Daoist Jin-woo looked utterly baffled.
"The Diamond Escort Agency?!"
"Yes."
"...Seriously?"
It wasn't mockery. It just didn't make sense.
Taiyuan in Shanxi Province was a small city without even a branch of the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Families.
And the Diamond Escort Agency was a minor outfit barely known even there.
What was there to gain from attacking such a place? Enough to risk an ambush?
Besides, even if they did, it'd be street thugs at best. No reason for foes wielding military-grade hidden weapons like Thunderbolt Bombs and formations.
Unless the agency was hiding some legendary elixir like Millennium Spirit Mushroom, that is.
"Jin-woo, mind your words. Show some respect."
"Ah, my apologies. I spoke out of turn."
"It's fine."
Poong-rim clasped his fists toward Moo-jin, who accepted the potentially offensive remark with calm grace.
"My thanks. You have the heart of a true hero."
"I understand. But these attacks might truly be connected to us."
"Hmm. Care to explain?"
"..."
No sooner had Poong-rim spoken than Moo-jin glared at the table.
"Ah, here it is. If you would."
Thud.
Moo-jin retrieved the gold piece at a speed even Poong-rim couldn't follow, then spoke.
"Our agency has faced several incidents lately. First, we clashed with the Silver Push Sect..."
Moo-jin briefly recounted the events at the Diamond Escort Agency since his return.
The two Mount Zhongnan daoists listened with eyes widening and mouths agape, repeating the cycle endlessly.
The happenings in this small agency had exceeded their wildest imaginations.
This isn't just some rural backwater agency!
Daoist Jin-woo's shock was even greater, having misjudged once more.
Which escort agency in the world smashed up all the local evil sects?
And Mountain-Breaking Sword Gu Ma-seok—a notorious fiend even I've heard of.
The infamy of Crimson Flame Gang Leader Gu Ma-seok had spread to neighboring Shaanxi Province.
Yet this man had crushed the fiend single-handedly—along with elders on his level!?
Few in Mount Zhongnan could escort with such power and confidence.
Honestly, Jin-woo wasn't sure he could beat Mountain-Breaking Sword alone.
"Ha ha. Impressive. I've heard and seen many tales in my life, but nothing like the Diamond Escort Agency. Truly remarkable."
A glint passed through Poong-rim's eyes as he regarded Kang Moo-jin.
If only he were a bit younger and not the leader's youngest son—he'd have offered him to join Mount Zhongnan.
"Looking at your path, I can't even imagine how far the Diamond Escort Agency's name will spread."
"You're too kind."
"Thank you for the details. This is a token of appreciation from Mount Zhongnan."
Poong-rim handed over a pouch containing a year's worth of the reception hall's operating funds. Vice Leader Jin-woo gaped.
"Hall Leader!"
Jin-woo tried to stop him, but Poong-rim was resolute.
"Without Young Hero Kang's skill, we wouldn't have recovered Hyeon-i's sword. We must express Mount Zhongnan's gratitude."
"My thanks."
Kang Moo-jin swiftly pocketed the reward on the table.
Politely refuse? Not in his dictionary.
Why would any sane person turn down money for a job well done?
If someone did, they must be possessed by qi deviation.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Moo-jin clasped his fists toward Poong-rim—the generous fool who'd paid for info and extra—then departed Mount Zhongnan leisurely.
His steps descending the mountain were lighter than any since arriving in the Central Plains.
"...Hall Leader. Even so, giving away half our operating funds is..."
"Never mind that. That's not the issue now."
Poong-rim rose, his warm smile toward Kang Moo-jin gone, face hardening further.
"Contact the Beggars' Clan immediately."
"The Beggars' Clan... you mean?"
"Yes. Things feel off. I have a bad feeling."
Reception Hall Leader Poong-rim felt an inexplicable unease.
As if all this heralded a massive storm.
"You mean trouble's coming to Mount Zhongnan?"
Jin-woo's face grew serious, reading his leader's expression.
Poong-rim's instincts were exceptionally sharp.
"Yes. Hyeon-i's broken sword returning to us—and Young Hero Kang suffering two ambushes—don't seem coincidental."
"But Hall Leader, as Young Hero Kang said, it might target the Diamond Escort Agency, not us."
Poong-rim nodded.
"True. From what he said, unknown foes might be after the Diamond Escort Agency—specifically Young Hero Kang."
"But why..."
"Then they used our missing Hyeon-i's sword as bait. Daring to use mighty Mount Zhongnan as a lure is reason enough to punish them."
Vice Leader Jin-woo nodded in understanding.
"Besides, warriors of Young Hero Kang's caliber, with such righteous hearts, are rare."
"Indeed. Hard to find in these self-serving times."
In an era where most prioritized safety over justice, seeing someone like Kang Moo-jin risk all to smash evil fiends was rare.
"How can we stand by if danger threatens such a man? We must help if we can."
"You're right, Hall Leader. Without him, we wouldn't have found Hyeon-i's sword."
"Exactly."
Satisfied with his disciple's response, Poong-rim's expression softened slightly.
"So, go to the Beggars' Clan. Ask them to investigate the Diamond Escort Agency and find who consigned Hyeon-i's broken sword as secret escort via the Shaanxi Black Market."
"Yes, Hall Leader."
Crackle.
Kang Moo-jin breathed deeply, face refreshed.
His broad back, soaked with sweat from a rare full-speed run, glistened.
"Whew. Feels invigorating after a good sprint."
With no reason to dawdle on the return, he'd crossed to Taiyuan in Shaanxi nonstop, without rest or sleep.
Total time: two and a half days.
Only possible for Kang Moo-jin, whose Immortal Diamond Qi Art made his body transcendent.
"This should be it."
Instead of heading straight to the agency, he went first to the Black Market.
Looks ordinary enough.
The Black Market dealt in illicit goods unfit for open trade, but it wasn't some dank, shadowy lair.
A bit removed from main streets, it resembled a normal night market at a glance.
"You've arrived."
Entering, No Yu-dal—the agent who'd taken the commission—greeted him.
"Mission complete."
"Well done. Here's the remaining half of the fee."
No Yu-dal, looking wearier than last time, replied in a raspy voice.
"That settles it. Call on me anytime for future commissions."
"Of course. I'll come if something arises."
Moo-jin turned to leave after No Yu-dal's slight bow and clasped fists.
But then, a voice from behind.
"By the way, any trouble during the escort?"
"None."
"...I see. Understood."
Leaving the Black Market, Kang Moo-jin headed to the Beggars' Clan sub-branch under the bridge.
Mission success means spreading the word.
He'd accepted the tough secret escort not just for money.
Successfully completing a high-difficulty secret escort and letting rumors fly was the best way to announce the agency's revival.
What the long-dormant Diamond Escort Agency needed most was word-of-mouth.
"Back again. Got the money ready?"
Entering the rundown thatched hut, a beggar with three knotted cords greeted him.
Neater than most, he was Nok-sam, sub-branch leader of the Taiyuan Beggars' Clan.
"Not for that."
"Oh? Then why?"
"To spread a rumor."
Nok-sam tilted his head.
"Rumor?"
"The Diamond Escort Agency completed a secret escort. Spread it all over Taiyuan."
The Beggars' Clan excelled not just at gathering info, but disseminating it.
Once the beggars started talking, rumors spread like wildfire.
"Hm?"
Nok-sam eyed Moo-jin, puzzled.
"Wait. Everyone who needs to know already does. Why spread it more?"
The major sects and families already knew of the successful secret escort.
Taiyuan lacked reliable agencies, and Moo-jin's exploits had drawn eyes, accelerating the buzz.
"Common folk don't know yet. They need to hear to entrust cargo."
"Ah, thinking that far ahead."
A glint crossed Nok-sam's eyes.
After such feats, most would grow arrogant. But this youth eyed even grander horizons.
Guys with this vision usually succeed.
Revising his inner assessment, Nok-sam nodded.
"Fee's ten pieces."
"Hm."
Moo-jin paused while reaching for his pouch.
Wait. Do I have to pay full?
He met Nok-sam's gaze confidently.
"Make it five."
"...?"
Nok-sam looked dumbfounded.
Is this punk... bargaining with me?
A chuckle escaped in disbelief.
The Beggars' Clan wasn't some market stall!
"Hey, Golden Ghost Indestructible. We're the Beggars' Clan. No bargaining..."
About to refuse flatly, Nok-sam trailed off.
No. With him and his agency growing daily, a little debt won't hurt.
Considering their momentum, owing them a favor now might pay off.
"Fine. Special favor this once—seven pieces."
"...!"
The beggars listening from the side gaped.
The notoriously stingy Nok-sam cutting a price? Unheard of.
Is the sub-branch leader crazy?
Already shocked by his words. But Moo-jin's next line plunged them deeper.
"Since you're being generous, make it free."