Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Recruitment
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‘There'll be a chance someday.’
He tried to endure it, but seeing the man swaggering around with warriors under his command made his stomach turn, and he couldn't hold back.
“Where is that foul stench coming from!”
At Cho Ak-ryang's words, No Dan-yang stopped in his tracks.
“Were you just talking to me?”
“Well, you've got sharp ears. I suppose you need them to stay alive after jumping on the bandwagon.”
“Do you know me?”
Despite the palpable killing intent that felt like it could slice through his skin, Cho Ak-ryang smirked hatefully and spoke.
“You know the phrase ‘morning in Qin, evening in Chu,’ don't you?”
The idiom meant serving the state of Qin in the north in the morning, and the state of Chu in the south in the evening. It was a clear mockery aimed at him, who was once a man of the Unorthodox Faction but was now a member of the Martial Alliance.
“It seems you have a death wish.”
“You're going to kill someone in the heart of the Martial Alliance? Go on, try it.”
As No Dan-yang's hand moved to grip his sword, he was suddenly struck by a strange feeling.
It was because of the eyes of the man who had picked a fight out of nowhere.
Though he had never seen the face before, the eyes were somehow familiar.
Just then, a warrior from the Azure Sky Brigade, who was in charge of guarding the inner courtyard, hurriedly approached No Dan-yang and bowed his head.
“Wi Il-so of the Azure Sky Brigade greets the Evil-Shattering Corps Leader.”
“What business does the Azure Sky Brigade have with me?”
The warrior, who had identified himself as Wi Il-so, answered with a troubled expression.
“That man is a physician invited to treat Lady Namgung Hyang.”
“And?”
“The Alliance Leader has ordered that we are not to interfere with their activities in any way.”
No Dan-yang wore a look of disbelief.
“The Alliance Leader?”
Glaring at Cho Ak-ryang, No Dan-yang gave a bitter smile and withdrew his hand.
“The world seems wide, but it can also be quite small.”
With that opening, No Dan-yang's voice became laced with thick killing intent.
“If we ever meet again, you will realize just how lucky you were today.”
Cho Ak-ryang let out a dry laugh.
“Who was the lucky one, I wonder?”
Cho Ak-ryang shot him a blatant sneer.
“Well, I suppose we'll find out when that day comes.”
With those words, Cho Ak-ryang turned away. Feeling the stare piercing his back, he let out a soft chuckle.
The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous the situation seemed.
Including No Dan-yang, who was once one of the Ten Great Villains, himself, and Beom Gye-wi. The three of them were strolling through the heart of the Martial Alliance, the very symbol of the Orthodox Martial World, without any hindrance.
What kind of expression would Namgung Baek make if he knew that two of the great demons he was so desperate to hunt down and kill were roaming his own backyard?
It was just a shame he wouldn't be able to see it for himself.
* * *
Shaking off the inexplicable, unsettling feeling, No Dan-yang headed for the Hyeonjeong Hall.
“No Dan-yang, Leader of the Evil-Shattering Corps, pays his respects to the Martial Alliance Leader, who guides the Orthodox Martial World.”
Namgung Baek acknowledged him with a nod and spoke immediately.
“You have something to report?”
“Yes, Sa Mu-sim has reportedly appeared in Wuhan.”
“Sa Mu-sim? You mean that money-grubber?”
Namgung Baek didn't hide his disappointment.
“Is a small fry like that really worth coming all this way to report? I appointed you as the leader of the Evil-Shattering Corps for other reasons.”
“The number of victims who have fallen to that 'small fry' is already over thirty. Peng Mu-wi is among them.”
A strange light gleamed in Namgung Baek's eyes.
“Peng Mu-wi?”
He couldn't quite understand.
A scion of the prestigious Peng Family, which reigned as a power in Hebei—how could he have fallen to a mere Sa Mu-sim?
“I believe there may be someone behind him.”
“Someone?”
“We are focusing on securing Sa Mu-sim to confirm this. Once we capture him, the truth will naturally come to light.”
Namgung Baek slowly nodded.
The thought occurred to him that an unexpectedly big fish might be caught in the net.
Namgung Baek was about to stand up when he paused with a curious expression.
“Is there more to report?”
“Your subordinate requests a private audience, Alliance Leader. Please grant it.”
A flicker of displeasure crossed Namgung Baek's eyes before vanishing.
“Granted.”
As soon as Namgung Baek spoke, only he and No Dan-yang remained in the Hyeonjeong Hall.
“Well, what is it you want to say?”
At Namgung Baek's words, No Dan-yang politely bowed his head.
“Please fulfill the conditions you promised me in the past.”
Namgung Baek let out a deliberate sigh.
“You're more shameless than you look. And this, when you haven't even finished the task you were given.”
“Everything will be done according to your will, Alliance Leader. However...”
“However?”
No Dan-yang raised his eyes to look at Namgung Baek.
“I simply do not wish to become the hunting dog that is discarded after the rabbit has been caught.”
“That sounds like you don't trust me.”
“…”
Namgung Baek, who had been staring silently at No Dan-yang, slowly nodded.
“Fine.”
Namgung Baek took something from his robes and tossed it to No Dan-yang.
*Thud.*
It was a book.
On its reddish cover, the title was written in a blood-red even more vivid than the cover itself.
“The True Scripture of the Blood Asura…”
No Dan-yang's emotions flared.
As No Dan-yang carefully picked it up and silently flipped through the pages, he suddenly froze. Then, he lifted his eyes, which now blazed with a fierce light, and glared at Namgung Baek.
He had just discovered that half of the book was torn out.
“Isn't that motivation enough?”
Namgung Baek's lips curled into a slight smile.
“If you want to complete the True Scripture of the Blood Asura, bring me the heads of the remaining ones.”
“…I will do so.”
Stowing the half-book in his robes, No Dan-yang's eyes glinted menacingly.
“It will not take long.”
Leaving those words behind, No Dan-yang turned and left.
* * *
After parting with No Dan-yang, Cho Ak-ryang continued to wander around the vicinity of the Martial Alliance.
Just then, a group of warriors who were searching the area approached Cho Ak-ryang.
“You've come quite a long way today, haven't you?”
He was a warrior Cho Ak-ryang recognized, having exchanged greetings with him several times before, so Cho Ak-ryang greeted him casually.
“Well, if it isn't Warrior Yang.”
Cho Ak-ryang feigned a look of surprise as he glanced around.
“My mind was troubled, so I just walked where my feet took me… I suppose I should be heading back now.”
“That would probably be for the best. The atmosphere is quite tense right now.”
“What's going on?”
“They say the one who murdered Great Warrior Peng of the Iron Palm Saber has infiltrated Wuhan.”
“Iron Palm Saber?”
As he tilted his head at the unfamiliar title, the man continued his explanation.
“You must not have heard. It's the Money-Grubbing Ghost Lord. Great Warrior Peng Mu-wi, a member of the Hebei Peng Family, was murdered by him.”
Only then did Cho Ak-ryang recall saving Sa Mu-sim.
But confusion soon followed.
‘Why him again?’
He couldn't understand why the man was loitering around Wuhan after being warned so sternly.
“There's no need to worry too much. The leader of the Evil-Shattering Corps has personally taken action, so he'll be dealt with soon.”
No Dan-yang was a master who ranked high among the Ten Great Villains. Someone like Sa Mu-sim was no match for him.
“I understand. I'll be careful. Well then, take care.”
“Be safe on your way back.”
After exchanging farewells, Cho Ak-ryang was on his way back when he suddenly stopped. His gaze was fixed on the wall of the Martial Alliance, which separated it from the outside world.
“Hah.”
An empty laugh escaped him.
It was because the man stealthily climbing over the wall looked familiar.
“You've got some incredible luck.”
To seek out his own death and happen to be spotted by him of all people. Cho Ak-ryang approached the man, who was hiding with bated breath.
As the distance between them closed, he could feel an unstable, trembling energy.
“I…”
The moment Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth.
*Swish.*
A black shadow surged toward Cho Ak-ryang like a gust of wind. However, it was no match for Cho Ak-ryang, who had already recovered a significant portion of his martial prowess.
“I'm sure I told you clearly.”
As he spoke, Cho Ak-ryang reached out and snatched the black iron ruler flying toward his chest.
“To hide quietly and wait for your time.”
Cho Ak-ryang twisted his wrist, and his attacker's body flipped in mid-air before being slammed violently onto the ground.
*Thud.*
“Keoheok!”
Sa Mu-sim, unable to even break his fall, landed on his back and writhed in pain, his limbs trembling from the impact.
A cold gaze fell upon him.
“Did my words seem like a joke to you?”
“…!”
Sa Mu-sim's eyes widened as he finally recognized Cho Ak-ryang.
He had never dreamed he would run into Cho Ak-ryang here, in the heart of the Martial Alliance of all places.
“Didn't I say I'd kill you if I caught you again?”
It was actually Beom Gye-wi who had said that, but it didn't matter.
Cho Ak-ryang's thoughts weren't much different.
“I-I'm sorry.”
“Right. If you know that, why do you keep doing things you'll be sorry for?”
“Th-that's…”
“Speak. Even if I'm going to kill you, I might as well know the reason. Why are you so desperately trying to find a grave for yourself?”
After a moment's hesitation, Sa Mu-sim sighed and began to speak.
“I have to get the wooden box back.”
“The one you mentioned last time?”
“Yes.”
“Is it really worth risking your life for?”
“Traces of the children are inside it.”
Cho Ak-ryang stared blankly at Sa Mu-sim.
“Children…”
“Yes, I must find it.”
“Interesting.”
Cho Ak-ryang asked with a not-at-all-amused expression.
“Fine, let's say it's extremely important. But why is a calculating man like you acting so recklessly?”
Sa Mu-sim hesitated before lowering his head.
“Because I don't have much time left.”
“No time? What do you mean?”
“I…”
Sa Mu-sim gritted his teeth and said.
“I've fallen into Qi Deviation.”
“…!”
“I'm a dead man either way. I want to find that wooden box before I die.”
“Qi Deviation…”
After a moment of thought, a strange light flashed in Cho Ak-ryang's eyes.
He remembered the items he had seen in the Martial Alliance's warehouse not long ago. A box with the word 'Evidence' written in red letters came to mind. Judging by the lack of dust, it must have been a recently confiscated item.
Inside was a wooden box of the size Sa Mu-sim had described.
‘Could that be this guy's?’
If something is fated to be, it will happen no matter the obstacles. The thought that perhaps this was the case with Sa Mu-sim entered Cho Ak-ryang's mind.
“That wooden box… is it made of walnut wood?”
“What? Yes, how did you…”
Cho Ak-ryang described the size and features of the wooden box he had seen in the warehouse.
“I saw a box that was lacquered on top, with some of it peeling off. There was a zigzag-shaped crack on the corner of the right side.”
Sa Mu-sim's eyes widened.
“That's right! That's the box I'm looking for.”
Sa Mu-sim, who was approaching Cho Ak-ryang, froze.
“I've saved you twice so far.”
For some reason, the sight of Cho Ak-ryang with his meaningful smile felt chilling.
“Including this time, that makes three, doesn't it?”
Sa Mu-sim cautiously nodded.
He didn't bother to say that since he was going to die anyway, being saved three times didn't mean much.
“I won't forget it, even in the afterlife. I desperately want to repay you, but I have nothing left…”
“What happened to all the wealth of the man they called the Money-Grubbing Ghost?”
“I gave it to the children.”
“Well, you're a peculiar one.”
Sa Mu-sim deliberately pretended not to hear Cho Ak-ryang's mumble, "How did a guy like this become a villain?"
“Can't be helped. You'll have to pay with your service.”
“Pardon?”
“I'll get the box for you. In return, you will use your talents for us until the day you die. We happen to be in need of someone good with numbers.”
Sa Mu-sim cautiously nodded.
He had only three or four months left to live, half a year at most. If he was being offered the box, how could he refuse?
“I will do so.”
“Then leave this place now and go to Gansu Province. Hide yourself near Jinseong's clinic in Lanzhou, and I will come find you soon.”
“But…”
“I made you a promise. That I would get you the wooden box.”
At Cho Ak-ryang's nonchalant words, Sa Mu-sim nodded firmly.
“Yes, then I'll be in your care.”
Sa Mu-sim bowed politely, then climbed back over the wall and disappeared.
Watching him go, Cho Ak-ryang wore a satisfied smile.
“Does this solve the problem of finding a manager?”