Chapter 123
Chapter 123
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Can It Really Be This Easy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Can it really be this easy?"
At the Divine Doctor of the Ages' words, the One-Needle Eccentric brought a finger to his lips.
"Quiet. If you keep spouting nonsense and the Young Master changes his mind, you're a dead man for sure."
"Brother, why do you always say such grim things? Stop talking about killing people."
"I'm not the one who'll kill you; the others will. You think they'll just stand by?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages furtively glanced around.
Everyone nearby was staring daggers at him.
"Ahem. Well, it was just a figure of speech."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages muttered and looked away.
They were currently traveling by boat.
Byeok Taesan had instructed them to use a boat for the return journey from Yichang to Wuhan.
With plenty of money, they had secured a large, fine vessel and were all comfortably on their way back to Wuhan.
It was only natural for the boat to be larger, as their numbers had grown.
They hadn't hired a separate crew. The people traveling with them were capable of handling everything.
In any case, though the journey was comfortable, a sense of unease lingered.
Everyone remembered the hardships of the trip from Wuhan to Yichang, so it wouldn't be surprising if the situation changed at any moment.
Moreover, they had undergone truly grueling training in Yichang, so they couldn't let their guard down for a second.
"Anyway, enjoy this time while you can. What do you think we'll be doing once we arrive in Wuhan?"
At the One-Needle Eccentric's words, the Divine Doctor of the Ages' face contorted.
"Ah, damn it, Brother. Must you ruin a perfectly good mood like that?"
"I'm telling you to stay sharp."
As the two were bantering on the deck, Byeok Taesan emerged from his cabin.
The moment Byeok Taesan appeared, Hwaok immediately moved to his side.
"Where are we?"
Hwaok answered Byeok Taesan's question at once.
"We are passing near Honghu. You can assume we have a little over two hundred li left to Wuhan."
Byeok Taesan nodded at Hwaok's answer.
"Two hundred li... Just right."
A sense of foreboding washed over everyone who heard him. Their eyes, filled with disbelief, were fixed on Byeok Taesan's lips.
With utterly calm eyes, Byeok Taesan swept his gaze over the people on the deck.
"From here, we abandon the boat."
"Pardon?"
"We abandon the boat and travel by water."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages laughed awkwardly, as if he'd heard something absurd.
"S-Surely... you don't mean for us to swim from here to Wuhan?"
"That's up to you. Whether you swim, walk along the riverbed, or run on the water's surface."
Everyone stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
Didn't that just mean they had to swim to Wuhan? Who among them could run on water?
"You won't die, so don't worry."
Everyone thought to themselves that no one here was worried about that.
Their minds were simply filled with the thought that it would be so difficult, death might be preferable.
All eyes turned to the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
Wasn't the timing of Byeok Taesan's appearance too coincidental? Though it probably wasn't true, they couldn't help but feel this was somehow the Divine Doctor's fault.
"How long are you going to dawdle?"
As Byeok Taesan's cold words fell, everyone hastily jumped into the water.
And they began to swim with all their might.
Byeok Taesan waited on the deck until everyone on the boat had jumped off.
Once they were all in the water, he walked to the bow and stood there.
He could see the people floating in the water.
They were all swimming hard, moving forward.
"Too slow. This won't be proper training."
Saying so, Byeok Taesan tapped the boat with his foot.
*Crack!*
A vibration that started at the bow spread throughout the entire vessel.
Then, all the boat's joints began to pop and come apart.
Soon, the boat shattered into pieces and scattered across the water.
Byeok Taesan walked slowly through the wreckage.
Walking so leisurely on water was far more difficult than running on it.
Yet he did it effortlessly as he followed the group.
Byeok Taesan closed in on those lagging at the very back and spoke.
"Anyone who falls behind me had better be prepared."
Byeok Taesan's voice pierced the ears of everyone in the water, as if etched into their minds.
They all turned their heads to look at Byeok Taesan. And they were horrified.
They never imagined he could stand on water like that. And when he started walking, they were even more shocked.
Those at the back thrashed their arms and legs even more furiously. They surged forward.
They swam with every last ounce of their strength.
Byeok Taesan walked along, following them.
Everyone had no choice but to swim faster.
And they thought to themselves.
*'If you don't like it, get stronger.'*
How much easier would it be if they were strong enough to run on water in situations like this?
*'I will master it, no matter what.'*
Everyone gritted their teeth.
Watching them, the corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
*'Well... after a few near-death experiences, they'll naturally get stronger.'*
That's how everyone is. He had been the same, as had most who trained in the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
***
Bang Durip, the leader of the Martial Alliance's Heavenly Sword Brigade, wore a look of disbelief at his vice-leader's report.
"What do you mean? They're moving?"
"Yes. We received a notice that they no longer require the Martial Alliance's assistance."
"By whose authority?"
"Pardon? Well, the original contract..."
"I recall the Heavenly Medicine Hall was in considerable debt. Are the creditors just letting it go?"
"They've paid it all off."
"What? Paid it all off? Where would they get the money for that? Are you sure you confirmed this?"
"It's certain. I heard it from the Golden Moon Trading Company. They said things have gotten complicated."
Bang Durip's expression twisted.
If the Golden Moon Trading Company said so, it was true.
"How on earth did they handle things to let the situation get this bad? Was there anything else?"
"Yes. We've found out that their new location is Wuhan."
"Have you found the one who provided them with the funds?"
"The Golden Moon Trading Company is investigating. They said the investigation should be wrapped up soon, so shortly..."
The vice-leader couldn't finish his sentence. There was a presence outside.
"Brigade Leader, it's Squad Leader Seven."
Like Bang Durip and the vice-leader, Squad Leader Seven was also deeply involved in this matter.
"Enter."
With Bang Durip's permission, Squad Leader Seven came inside.
He began his report as soon as he entered.
"We've received word from the Golden Moon Trading Company. They've identified the person who paid off the Heavenly Medicine Hall's debts."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"A man named Byeok Taesan."
"Byeok Taesan?"
"He is the second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company in Wuhan... It seems he has quite a bit of money."
"Wuhan? Why would someone from there extend their reach to Kaifeng?"
"They say the Queen of Medicine is with Byeok Taesan."
"Ah, the Queen of Medicine."
Bang Durip clenched his jaw.
"So Cho Seoran was over there shaking her hips. I wondered where she'd gone."
"So this Byeok Taesan fellow fell for a honey trap and started throwing his money around, is that it?"
Squad Leader Seven shook his head, his expression grim.
"It doesn't seem to be that simple. The Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric are also under this Byeok Taesan."
Only then did Bang Durip's expression change.
"Wait, I think I've heard something similar before. That the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric had taken refuge with some trading company... so it was the Golden Jade Trading Company."
One of the reasons the Martial Alliance sent Jin Sahong to Wuhan was to recruit the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric, who were staying with the Golden Jade Trading Company. Of course, that wasn't his only mission.
But that was their mission, so Bang Durip hadn't needed to concern himself with it.
In fact, he had been busy with other matters.
One of those other matters was Cho Seoran.
"Wait, so not only did he pull in the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric, but now he's also taken the Heavenly Medicine Hall?"
"That's correct. The Golden Moon Trading Company has also expressed considerable concern."
Bang Durip fell into thought with a grave expression.
"What will you do? In my opinion, it might not be a bad idea to pay a visit to Wuhan..."
A sneer formed on Bang Durip's lips at Squad Leader Seven's words.
"Do you think I can just go to Wuhan that easily? If the Martial Alliance's Heavenly Sword Brigade makes a move, will the Black Alliance stand idly by? Do you think the Martial Alliance would even permit it?"
"I did not consider that."
"The atmosphere is already tense. Acting rashly would be problematic."
Squad Leader Seven fell silent and lowered his head.
Bang Durip looked down at him, tapping his fingers on the armrest.
"My moving would be a problem, but sending just you might be acceptable."
Squad Leader Seven looked at Bang Durip with slightly surprised eyes.
"Did the Golden Moon Trading Company offer any other opinions?"
"They said they've done all they can."
"Hmph, those slippery snakes. They always back out at the crucial moment."
But Bang Durip knew them well. The Golden Moon Trading Company would never give up.
They would surely be scheming something in secret.
"How many men are in Squad Seven now?"
"Thirteen, including myself."
Bang Durip nodded.
"Good. Take all your men and go to Wuhan."
Squad Leader Seven's eyes gleamed.
"Stick to them under the pretext of helping the Heavenly Medicine Hall move to Wuhan. They might have said they don't need the Martial Alliance's help, but the relationship between the Hall and the Alliance isn't completely severed, so they won't be able to refuse."
"I will do so."
Squad Leader Seven waited for the real orders.
"Go there, continue to assist the Heavenly Medicine Hall, and keep a close watch. Observe the relationship between the Hall and the Golden Jade Trading Company, what this Byeok Taesan fellow is up to, and whether he has any other ulterior motives. Look into everything."
"Yes. Is that all?"
Bang Durip shook his head.
"Of course not. When you get there, meet with Jin Sahong first and request his cooperation. And you should help Jin Sahong if he needs it. You know that our partnership with the Golden Moon Trading Company must not be discovered, right?"
"I will be especially careful about that."
"If you wait, the Golden Moon Trading Company will surely make a move."
"The Golden Moon Trading Company?"
"Yes. So hold out and wait, then assist the Golden Moon Trading Company. It's time we moved out from the fringes."
"Yes. Understood."
After Squad Leader Seven left, Bang Durip looked at the vice-leader with gleaming eyes.
"You will follow him."
The vice-leader's eyes widened slightly.
"Me as well?"
To be told this separately meant he was to follow Squad Leader Seven in secret.
"We haven't worked with Squad Leader Seven long enough to trust him completely. And if Byeok Taesan's side turns out to be quite capable, you will be a great help."
The One-Needle Eccentric was said to be a considerable master, and the Heavenly Medicine Hall was also formidable when united, so this was a precaution for any unforeseen circumstances.
The vice-leader clearly understood Bang Durip's intentions and bowed his head.
"I will depart at once."
After the vice-leader also departed, Bang Durip stood up from his seat.
"Then I suppose I'll have to handle things on the Martial Alliance's end. This is going to be a hassle with so much to report."
***
"Haaah... Haaah!"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages was sprawled out on the ground, breathing raggedly.
The others were all in the same state.
They lay sprawled in their soaking wet clothes, too busy trying to catch their breath.
A few even vomited water.
In truth, they had done the impossible. They had swum a waterway of over two hundred li to get here.
They couldn't even rest on land along the way. They just had to keep moving their arms and legs relentlessly.
Some had run out of strength and sunk. But each time, Byeok Taesan would walk on the water, reach his hand in, and pull them out.
Then, after feeling a jolt of pain so intense it cleared their minds, they had to start swimming again.
Looking back, it seemed he had used a lightning-type martial art, but they had been too disoriented at the time to know for sure.
You'd get it if you sank, but you'd also get it if you fell behind Byeok Taesan. And the pain was much worse then.
It was so severe that anyone who fell behind once would never do it again.
So it was only natural that they all shuddered at the memory.
If asked to do such training again, they felt they couldn't.
But if Byeok Taesan actually ordered it, they would probably do it.
Their breathing gradually settled. As their senses returned, they couldn't take their eyes off Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan was looking down at them all with an utterly placid gaze.
His nonchalance made them all tremble.
It was as if something like this was truly nothing to him.
"Fuck, this is not okay..."
the One-Needle Eccentric muttered unconsciously.
And he had to endure Byeok Taesan's gaze.
The One-Needle Eccentric quickly squeezed his eyes shut, feigning unconsciousness.
His heart pounded like crazy.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages' voice reached his ears.
"Brother, farewell. I'll pour out three cups of wine for you later."
The One-Needle Eccentric's eyes flew open, and he was about to yell at the Divine Doctor.
But in that instant, his eyes met Byeok Taesan's.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages cackled.
"I knew that damn mouth of yours would get you into big trouble one day, Brother."
Byeok Taesan stared at them silently for a moment, then turned and began to walk away with long strides.
Watching his retreating back, the One-Needle Eccentric's pupils trembled uncontrollably.
The fact that he just left made him even more anxious.
"Hey. I'll... be okay, right?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages chuckled and patted the One-Needle Eccentric on the shoulder.
The One-Needle Eccentric looked miserable.
A small smile formed on the lips of everyone watching.