Chapter 39
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: I'm in a Bind (5)
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"Let's call it a day and rest here."
In the middle of the road back to Sichuan Fortress, Kang Moo-jin came to a halt.
"Phew... Finally, a break!"
"That was brutal. Feels even tougher after so long off."
The escorts, their faces etched with exhaustion, collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
These were men tough enough to shrug off most ordeals, yet here they were, worn out—thanks to the massive boulders weighing on their shoulders.
With no cargo to escort, Moo-jin had insisted on training: a rock the size of a man's torso on each of their backs.
"Hm. Not bad at all. From now on, every escort should do this on the way back."
Moo-jin smiled in satisfaction as he set his boulder down beside him.
Kuung-!
He stretched refreshingly after dropping a rock that could turn the escorts' stones to pebbles—a veritable house-sized behemoth.
"Nothing clears the mind like a good sweat."
"Huff... huff... It really works, doesn't it?"
Won Yu-hwa, arriving late behind him, finally set down her own heavy load.
"You didn't have to do it, Miss Won."
"I want to get stronger too. If I want to be like you, Great Hero Kang, I have to."
"Mm. It'll definitely help."
Moo-jin gave her a once-over.
A light sword hung at her waist, but her shoes were worn thin at the toes.
Swordsmen who emphasized footwork changes and blinding speed always wore down the tips first.
"You use a fast sword style."
"How did you know?"
"Your walk gives it away. Care to show me?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. While the others set up camp, we've got time."
"Great!"
Won Yu-hwa drew her sword from her waist, her face alight with excitement.
"The sword art I learned is the Moonlit Wanderer's Sword."
Her blade rose toward the night sky.
As the full moon hanging in the darkened heavens shone down, the sword caught its glow, gleaming softly.
Taat-
She pushed off the ground with her big toe.
Her form vanished in an instant, as if the moonlight had tricked the eye.
Shuu-shuk-!
Before an opponent could react, a streak of light flashed, followed by a whirlwind of strikes slicing through the air.
Free as a stroll under the moon, yet piercing gaps with arrow-like speed—a fluid, ethereal sword art.
That was the Moonlit Wanderer's Sword.
"Impressive. Well done."
Kang Moo-jin gave her a thumbs-up.
A fast sword struck before defenses could form; speed was everything.
Yu-hwa's display was textbook perfection—zero wasted motion.
"Huff... Was it okay?"
"Yes. No excess at all. Flow of forms, qi circulation, power transfer—flawless."
She wiped sweat from her brow and beamed under the moonlight.
"But there's one thing lacking."
"What?"
"It relies too much on speed, making it predictable."
Snap-!
Moo-jin broke off a tree branch and gripped it like a sword.
"Speed alone won't win fights. Every form needs variations."
He swung the branch lightly.
Whing-!
Accelerating, it cut the air faster than Yu-hwa's blade.
Sasasak-
Before reaching the target leaves, the tip blurred, spawning dozens of afterimages.
"...!"
Yu-hwa stared in awe at Moo-jin weaving illusion and speed from nothing—no proper weapon or formal technique.
"A fast sword can hold other layers—and it must. Nothing's easier to block than the simple."
"I see..."
Enlightenment dawned; her eyes quivered.
Absorbing every nuance in that single swing was impossible.
But just watching showed her the path forward.
"Thank you, Great Hero Kang!"
Yu-hwa clasped her hands in a formal salute, her face flushed, eyes holding deeper emotion than before.
"...What a monster."
Iron Blood Young Lord Un Yeop—beaten bloody and now a subordinate under the name "Cheol-su"—clicked his tongue.
Kang Moo-jin looked like a brute: dumb muscle and raw power.
But those who'd truly clashed with him knew.
He just didn't bother with martial arts. His understanding ran deeper than imagination.
'That branch swing, for instance.'
A casual flick packing a thousand variations.
Un Yeop was a swordsman, but give him a stick and demand that? No confidence.
He'd fail, guaranteed.
Creating something from nothing—without a sword art—was grandmaster territory.
"This might actually be fun."
A spark lit in Iron Blood Young Lord's eyes.
Following an elite like Kang Moo-jin? More intriguing than expected.
"Cheol-su! Come take Miss Won's sword practice!"
"..."
First, though, fix that damn nickname.
"Yes sir! Coming!"
Cheol-su bolted over.
"Finally...!"
"We're home."
"Sob... No more hauling this damn rock!"
The escorts rushed into the Diamond Escort Agency, tears in their eyes.
Stepping through the gates revealed grandeur at a glance.
Main halls had expanded, and two more warehouses stood for cargo storage.
Proof the agency thrived in Moo-jin's absence.
"You're back, Moo-jin."
Agency Lord Kang So-gong appeared with a kindly smile.
He looked busier than before—cheeks a bit hollowed.
"You've been swamped, Father. Still, eat properly."
"Too much to handle. It was hectic."
So-gong grinned brightly.
Too busy for meals? He'd earned it—and looked happier for it.
Compared to constant thoughts of ruin, this was paradise.
"That busy? I hired plenty before leaving."
"Haha. You haven't heard yet. The Prefect entrusted us with official shipments. Several, even!"
"...! For real?!"
"Whoa! Jackpot!"
"Congratulations, Agency Lord!"
Moo-jin and the escorts' eyes widened.
Government contracts were a boon for any agency.
They paid multiples of standard rates, and the prestige drew more clients.
"Great news. But... that's not the reward, is it?"
Moo-jin's fierce gaze pinned the awkward inner eunuch Jeong Oh in the corner.
"H-Hiiik!"
Jeong Oh hid behind a wall, innocent or not.
"Haha, no worries. This isn't the Prefect's reward. Something far more valuable."
"...? What is it, Father?"
"Tax exemption."
The Diamond escorts' jaws dropped. Even Eunuch Jeong Oh gaped.
"...Tax exemption?!"
"Wha...?! As a reward?!"
"The Prefect's lost it!"
Businesses here paid tribute to the government.
Escort agencies fell under commerce, owing about twenty percent in business taxes monthly.
One-fifth of revenue, gone.
No more taxes? Better than a fat payout.
"Not forever, mind. Three years. But..."
"With our growth, those three years are crucial."
The agency was just setting sail along the coast.
Tax-free? Meant bigger investments to grow.
Shanxi's top agency—no, northern murim's best—was within reach.
"Wonderful, Father."
"Haha. All thanks to you, Moo-jin. No successful escort, no reward."
So-gong's eyes misted, praising his youngest's trials.
Gratitude swelled; his heart ached sweetly.
"Enough talk—let's feast! Can't skimp when the baby boy's home. Slaughter an ox!"
"Ooooh!"
"Wooo!"
The escorts cheered, drooling.
"Sorry, Father. I need to head out right away."
"Hm? Where to?"
Moo-jin gazed into the distance.
His eyes sought Sichuan Fortress, too far for sight.
"Heard Second Brother's alive. Going to find him."
"...! Moo-seon's alive?!"
"Yes, Father. I'll bring him back."
So-gong's arms trembled.
He'd half-given up on his second son amid Sichuan's daily bloodbaths.
Relief crashed over him like waves.
"If it's not too much... please, Moo-jin. Bring Moo-seon home?"
Seeing his red-rimmed eyes, Moo-jin grinned confidently.
"Don't worry, Father. Even if he refuses, I'll drag him by the collar."
"Great Hero Kang! Gr-Great Hero Kang!"
Won Yu-hwa burst from the agency, long hair swaying as she caught up.
"Miss Won?"
Moo-jin tilted his head at her gripping his arm.
"What's wrong? I told Father you'd stay and rest comfortably."
He hadn't left unfinished business.
Requested good care for Yu-hwa; handed new recruits to Ma Du-gwang.
"I know. But I want to go with you."
"To Sichuan Fortress? No."
Moo-jin shook his head firmly.
Beggars Clan rogues avoided it now.
Couldn't drag her there after promising Elder Won Jong-do.
"...Please. I want to train with you, get stronger. I can only grow by your side."
Not just martial arts, truth be told.
She could train solo at the agency.
'I want to be with him.'
She didn't know why Moo-jin pulled her so.
But missing this chance? Eternal regret.
Better swallow pride and cling.
"..."
Moo-jin met her gaze.
Her soft brown eyes burned with resolve.
"Sigh. Fine."
He nodded after thought.
Protecting one Yu-hwa? Easy for him.
"Nothing beats real combat. Let's go."
He turned toward Sichuan Fortress.
"Wait for me!"
Yu-hwa hurried up, fingertips tugging his sleeve.
"Can't have you going alone, Great Hero Kang."
"..."
Moo-jin eyed her dainty hand on his windbreaker sleeve.
"Miss Won."
"Yes?"
Her cheeks flushed; heart pounded dizzily.
'Calm down!'
Steadying her breath, she looked up.
'Is this it? Is he about to—!?'
But Moo-jin's words dashed her hopes.
"The fabric tears easily."
"..."
"Windbreakers rip, so be careful."