Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Escort Duty - Caravan, Fate (2)
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The escort caravan of the Unseong Escort Bureau was set to depart the very next day.
For Dang Hwa-seo, who had no major business left in the city to begin with, this was far from unwelcome news.
Outside the city's east gate.
Dang Hwa-seo looked at the massive procession stretching out and the tightly sealed cargo wagons at its center, then spoke to Mok Ri-won.
“We’ll need to travel for about ten days from here.”
“Ten days! So we’ll arrive in Hubei Province?”
“Yes, assuming nothing major happens. Even bandits consider their own profits and losses, so they rarely touch a procession this large.”
“I’ve heard there’s a Bandit gang in this area. They won’t make a move either?”
“They’re Black Dao at best.”
“Ah.”
Mok Ri-won understood immediately.
Bandits, who always played the villains in stories, seemed a bit off for picking and choosing their fights, but when you thought about it, they were still Black Dao martial artists.
True to their nature, they wouldn’t pursue anything that put them at a loss.
“Hmm… So no battles, then.”
Peace was good, of course, but it was a considerable disappointment for Mok Ri-won.
Why not?
There would be no chance for him to step up in a moment of crisis and swing his sword like the knights-errant he admired.
“Escort duty isn’t as perilous as the tales make it out to be. If it were, far fewer people would take up this line of work than do now.”
“I see.”
Mok Ri-won nodded.
His face hardened as he crossed his arms and declared.
“But incidents can happen at any time! Since I’ve taken pay to join this escort, I’ll stay on full alert with all my strength!”
Dang Hwa-seo smiled faintly in response.
“Admirable. What a fine attitude.”
“Hmph!”
Pride shone on Mok Ri-won’s face.
Jegal San, watching from the side, couldn’t shake the thought that they suited a parent-child duo better than lovers.
At that moment, drumbeats of ‘dung-dung’ rang out, accompanied by the Escort Leader’s shout commanding the procession.
“Then let the escort caravan begin!”
The escort had started.
*
Two days into the escort caravan.
No threats worthy of crisis had befallen the procession yet.
It was only natural, but for Mok Ri-won, who had kept constant vigil, a touch of boredom was inevitable.
That was his perspective, however. To the other escorts observing him, this caravan felt exceptionally special.
Why not?
Their usual procession now included none other than Mok Ryong, Mok Ri-won himself.
The rising star who had defeated Sword Dragon Namgung Jincheon—whom no one thought could be beaten this generation—and claimed victory at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament. With him along, they had no time to feel bored.
“His aura alone is extraordinary.”
“And that face… Did you see Poison Phoenix’s expression when Muk Ryong smiled? She turned beet red.”
“Poor girl.”
“What can you do? That’s the world for you.”
He was a man who perfectly embodied the word.
Just his smile evoked the awe of beholding a great work of art, and when he gazed sharply into the distance, his earnest demeanor even drew gasps of admiration.
But it wasn’t just his looks—his martial prowess was outstanding, and his youth only amplified it. The escorts of the bureau couldn’t help but feel admiration for him.
The reason this misunderstanding persisted was simple.
One trait of admiration: it made one hesitant to approach its object casually, interpreting even odd behaviors in a positive light.
In other words.
“Muk Ryong’s cheeks are flushing.”
“He’s been spending sweet time with Poison Phoenix.”
“Only Strange Dragon has to suffer beside them. Look at that sullen face.”
Even the three men’s idle chatter and laughter looked good to others.
“Little Sister! I just had an amazing thought! That knight-errant from chapter six of Tales of the Jianghu Heroes! Maybe he’s more suited to fist techniques than swordsmanship!”
“Is that so? Quite an intriguing idea.”
“Right? If he has to hide his strength, it makes more sense to go bare-fisted than carry a weapon! If that knight-errant truly exists, he must be a fist master!”
“Young Hero Mok has quite the imagination.”
“Isn’t it logical?”
“It was an amusing notion.”
When Mok Ri-won spouted nonsense, Dang Hwa-seo would respond by finding it endearing.
Jegal San wondered what kind of conversation this even was.
That had been the extent of their exchanges over the past two days.
They were midway through another such trivial chat while traveling.
“We’ll rest here! Prepare to camp!”
The Escort Leader shouted.
Dang Hwa-seo let out a soft ‘ah’ and said.
“Looks like we’re camping tonight. Makes sense—there are no villages nearby.”
“Camping… How romantic.”
“This is romantic too?”
“Of course! I believe there’s romance in camping! Sitting around a campfire, sharing stories, washing it down with drinks and camaraderie!”
Mok Ri-won clenched his fist.
His eyes sparkled.
“Romance!”
Mok Ri-won was intoxicated by romance.
In the midst of it, a few escorts approached them.
“We’ll help set up your tent.”
They were offering to prepare his bedding.
As Mok Ri-won smiled and opened his mouth to refuse, Jegal San spoke first.
“Ah! Thank you. We’ll stay out of the way in the corner.”
“Yes.”
Mok Ri-won panicked.
Passing off his own duties felt impolite.
Dragged to the corner by Jegal San, he finally spoke up belatedly.
“J-Jegal hyung, we can’t….”
“This is right, Mok younger brother.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s good for everyone.”
Dang Hwa-seo provided the answer to his confusion.
She explained in a gentle tone.
“Didn’t Jegal say it? Consider the weight of the Dragon title.”
“That’s true, but….”
“For them, it’s uncomfortable letting VIPs like us set up our own tents. If we go around saying ‘Unseong Escort Bureau didn’t even prepare our bedding,’ it’d be trouble for them.”
“I-I wouldn’t say that….”
“Intent doesn’t matter—their thoughts do.”
Mok Ri-won’s brow furrowed.
But it was more puzzlement than anger.
“Different how?”
“They don’t know us. Or you, Young Hero Mok. It’s better to get used to it than explain every time. Handling everything yourself while clarifying to new people each time is inefficient.”
Mok Ri-won finally nodded reluctantly.
“Fair enough….”
She was right.
If the jianghu’s feelings toward the Dragon were as special as Dang Hwa-seo said, and they feared that influence, this would happen everywhere.
Better to avoid the arguments and emotional drain—easier for everyone.
“…I’ve learned something again.”
Mok Ri-won smiled bitterly.
The title of Dragon suddenly felt less romantic.
Dang Hwa-seo and Jegal San understood.
Born to prestigious clans, they were used to such treatment, but even they had felt uneasy about it at times.
“…Well, if it really bothers you, we can help when the situation allows.”
“Really?”
“We’ll camp often now—no villages ahead. It’s the right thing if we can.”
As Dang Hwa-seo smiled and spoke, Mok Ri-won finally beamed and grabbed her hand.
“Thanks! You’re the only one for me, Little Sister!”
Flinch-.
Dang Hwa-seo’s shoulders jerked.
His voice had been quite loud, drawing ‘oohs’ from nearby escorts as they stole glances at the pair.
Dang Hwa-seo felt her face burning red.
“E-Enough, later….”
“Huh? Got it!”
Mok Ri-won released her hand with a grin.
Only then did Dang Hwa-seo take deep breaths to steady herself.
‘What’s with springing this on me so suddenly…!’
His innocent charm was utterly vexing.
As Dang Hwa-seo huffed to disperse the rising heat, Jegal San sidled closer to Mok Ri-won.
In case of emergency—he couldn’t fully shake off Dang Hwa-seo, but he’d buy Mok Ri-won an escape route. His own act of goodwill.
*
The moon rose.
With not a single cloud tonight, the stars blazed brilliantly in the sky.
On such nights, Mok Ri-won had one ritual.
Sword dance.
Even amid the escort, he couldn’t hold back. After excusing himself from the group, he slipped away to a secluded spot.
And danced his sword.
Saaah-.
His ink-black aura reflected the starlight.
Weaving it into the night air.
Slow as ever, but one thing differed.
The density of his aura.
Mok Ri-won’s aura, now at mid-Pinnacle Realm, was thick enough to fill his entire field of vision.
As the sword dance continued, a smile curved his lips.
His mind had forgotten all else, focused solely on sword and stars.
How much time passed?
Deep in his trance, Mok Ri-won startled at a sudden ‘rustle,’ halting his sword.
“Who’s there!”
His voice came out sharp.
The figure at the edge of his gaze flinched and trembled.
“W-Wait! I wasn’t peeking! Sorry!”
A man burst from the bushes.
Mok Ri-won recognized him and exclaimed ‘Ah!’
“…You’re an escort, aren’t you?”
An elderly third-rate martial artist from Unseong Escort Bureau, with graying hair.
Definitely someone from Mok Ri-won’s memory.
The man floundered and said.
“S-Sorry! I stepped out for a big call of nature and got drawn by the flashing light! I-I didn’t see your training! You noticed me right as I got close, Great Hero Muk Ryong….”
Mok Ri-won calmed his surprise at the man’s babbling.
“I see… Sorry on my end too. I might’ve made too much noise in such an open spot.”
Peeking on training was a capital offense in the jianghu.
Though the saying existed, Mok Ri-won felt it unfair to condemn someone outright when training outdoors.
“What’s your name, brother?”
“Gw-Gwak Chil….”
Gwak Chil.
Mok Ri-won smiled brightly at the name and cupped his fists.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Mok Ri-won.”
“I know. Who wouldn’t know Muk Ryong?”
The man returned a weak cupped-fist salute.
Feeling oddly guilty at the sight, Mok Ri-won lightened the mood.
“Pleased, Escort Gwak. Now that I think of it, your name resembles my favorite author.”
“Au-Author?”
“Yes. The writer I admire is named ‘Gwak Chil-pyo.’”
Flinch-.
Gwak Chil’s body trembled faintly.
Mok Ri-won beamed at the reaction.
He might know of Gwak Chil-pyo too.
“You know him? Of course! Who wouldn’t know that Gwak Chil-pyo? The author of Tales of the Jianghu Heroes!”
His bright smile accompanied the words.
Gwak Chil’s face grew ashen.
“I-Is that so…?”
Suspicious reaction, but natural for him.
What was there to say?
Gwak Chil, third-rate escort of Unseong Escort Bureau.
He was none other than Gwak Chil-pyo, author of Tales of the Jianghu Heroes, who had broken his brush over twenty years ago.