Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: A Little More Competent
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Yeon Harin and the other younger-generation warriors were traveling on a large boat.
They had left the Hubei Martial Alliance early that morning and departed from the docks of Yichang after procuring a fleet of boats.
The Hubei Martial Alliance had taken care of acquiring the vessels, so there was more than enough room for everyone.
A total of twelve large boats had set off at the same time.
Flags representing the Hubei Martial Alliance and each of the families fluttered on every boat.
The scale alone was enormous, and considering the power of the flags, they had no need to worry about river pirates during their journey.
Perhaps because of this, the atmosphere was relaxed.
Many people were out on deck, some enjoying the scenery, others chatting in low voices.
Among the twelve boats, only the one Yeon Harin was on had a subtly different atmosphere from the others.
Yeon Harin was out on deck, feeling the wind as she quietly looked down at the flowing river.
Around her stood three of her bodyguards, looking slightly tense.
Yeon Harin’s bodyguards had been forced to undergo training from Yu Seoyeon at the Hubei Martial Alliance.
The three who had been bought over by the Seomun Family, Guyang Family, and Chu Manor, in particular, had suffered an ordeal that was beyond imagination.
With eyes that were a mixture of venom and fear, Yeon Harin’s bodyguards never let their guard down for a moment.
They couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen if they made the slightest mistake and word of it reached Yu Seoyeon’s ears.
Looking at her bodyguards, Yeon Harin once again marveled at Yu Seoyeon’s ability.
Normally, being tormented like that would breed resentment, but these bodyguards showed no trace of it.
It was a truly remarkable skill. At least, that’s how Yeon Harin saw it.
As Yeon Harin watched the flowing river, she thought of the people she had left behind at the Hubei Martial Alliance.
Half her thoughts were of Byeok Taesan, and the other half were of Yu Seoyeon.
In truth, Yu Seoyeon had wanted to come with her. But Yeon Harin had firmly refused.
In Yeon Harin’s judgment, Yu Seoyeon was currently facing a great opportunity.
Coming with her now would be the same as kicking that opportunity away.
This thought naturally led her to think of Byeok Taesan.
A faint smile touched Yeon Harin’s lips before vanishing in an instant.
She couldn't smile carelessly here.
Yeon Harin discreetly glanced around.
There were plenty of people stealing glances at her from a distance.
Fortunately, it seemed no one had seen her smile.
‘Still, this isn’t so bad.’
These people didn't approach her recklessly. Even when they did strike up a conversation, they were extremely cautious.
It was completely different from how Seomun Jehak, Guyang Su, and Chu Yeonghak had been.
That had been truly agonizing, but this was bearable.
Two hours had passed since they left Yichang. Since the boat wasn't moving slowly, they had come quite a distance.
After traveling a little further, they reached a point where several tributaries of the river converged.
It was a place where a series of smaller rivers joined the wider one.
But boats were emerging from those smaller rivers.
Three or four boats appeared from each tributary, and since there were so many tributaries, the total number of boats was in the dozens.
And in the distance, more boats were approaching from straight ahead.
A wave of tension swept through the air.
Yeon Harin focused her vision to get a better look at the approaching boats.
She could see them crowded with men holding swords.
With a hardened expression, Yeon Harin turned to look at the others.
Unlike before, a chilling tension had settled heavily over them.
The men who had been watching Yeon Harin all approached her.
“It seems river pirates have appeared. It would be best for you to go inside where it’s safe, Lady Yeon…”
At one man’s words, all the others nodded in agreement.
But Yeon Harin replied with a cold expression.
“I didn’t train in martial arts just to hide in the back at times like this. I will fight too.”
After saying this, Yeon Harin turned back and glared at the river pirates.
The others stared at her blankly.
Their eyes were a jumble of worry, admiration, and satisfaction.
In the meantime, the pirates’ boats had drawn near.
* * *
After a late lunch, Byeok Taesan headed for the Golden Jade Pavilion.
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon followed behind him.
They had been so worried that Byeok Taesan might say he was going alone that they had prepared five different arguments in their heads.
Of course, since Byeok Taesan had invited them along, there was no need to use them.
Today’s training had been just as hellish.
All morning, Yu Seoyeon had regretted not insisting more strongly on following Yeon Harin when she had told her to stay.
Of course, now that the pain had subsided, she no longer regretted it.
If she had simply returned, it was as clear as day that she would have fallen far behind Cheon Gyeongwan by the time he came back.
The Limitless Steps was a demonic footwork technique, but its effects were truly incredible.
She could feel the results after just a few days.
Her bones and muscles had truly become stronger and more flexible. Her ki pathways had also been fortified.
The circulation of her internal energy was smoother than before, and the flow of her techniques was much more fluid during other training.
Given this, how great would the gap have been if she had gone back?
Honestly, if Byeok Taesan weren't forcing her to practice the Limitless Steps like this, she wouldn't even train for a quarter of an hour a day on her own.
It was that painful.
In any case, this was a precious moment of respite from that agony, however brief.
Yu Seoyeon and Cheon Gyeongwan walked without a word, savoring the feeling of normalcy.
The simple fact that walking wasn't painful was enough to make them feel deeply moved.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Golden Jade Pavilion.
Unlike their last visit, the doors of the pavilion swung wide open before they even reached the front, and a crowd of courtesans poured out to greet Byeok Taesan.
Among them was the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
She bowed more respectfully than ever before.
“We have been waiting for you, Young Master. Please, come inside.”
Guided by the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Byeok Taesan entered the Golden Jade Pavilion.
She led him to a small annex in the deepest part of the pavilion.
It was an area not open to guests.
The annex was made up of numerous small rooms. The top floor consisted of a single, large room.
There were people in each room, and it appeared this was where the Underworld Sect stored and organized its information.
The room on the top floor served as the Yichang branch manager’s office and bedroom.
Byeok Taesan sat down in the seat of honor as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The only others who entered the room were the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Yichang branch manager, the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion.
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon waited outside the door.
Watching Byeok Taesan take the seat of honor, the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion looked at the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion with a new understanding.
The ornate chair Byeok Taesan was sitting in had not originally been there.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion had brought it, insisting that it would surely be needed.
The Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion noted how Byeok Taesan sat in the magnificent seat of honor without any awkwardness, looking completely natural and accustomed to it.
‘He’s a man used to sitting in high places.’
From his seat of honor, Byeok Taesan quietly looked down at the two women sitting in chairs placed at a slightly lower level.
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion took the cue and presented her information.
Byeok Taesan took the few documents she handed him and scanned through them.
“Oh? You’ve found their travel route?”
A triumphant smile formed on the lips of the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
“We haven’t uncovered all of it. However, in the process, we are separately investigating the factions that clearly cooperated with them.”
“There are no Half-Jiangshi there, right?”
“You can assume there are no Half-Jiangshi in Yichang at all.”
With the Hubei Martial Alliance stirring up so much trouble, they would have been secretly moved out even if they had been here.
“Give the information about those bastards to the Hubei Martial Alliance.”
“Yes. I will do so.”
Just tossing them a few pieces of evidence would be enough for the Hubei Martial Alliance to crush those factions on their own.
“A waterway…”
“It’s the fastest and safest way to bring the Half-Jiangshi into Yichang without being detected. We have also confirmed the location where we believe they unloaded them.”
Byeok Taesan looked at the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion with gleaming eyes.
She was quite competent.
“You did well to find out that much.”
“Actually, we were already investigating the river pirates in this area, as they seemed a bit strange. That’s why we were able to trace the route more easily.”
“River pirates? Are river pirates involved in this?”
“There were many signs pointing to that.”
“Then there’s a high probability that the river pirates have the Half-Jiangshi now?”
“It seems… that would be the case, yes?”
“I see.”
Byeok Taesan stroked his chin with a peculiar expression.
“It feels like you’ve made incredible progress in just a few days.”
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion quickly bowed her head.
“It is all thanks to you, Young Master.”
When she lifted her head again, her eyes burned with earnest desire.
The reason the Underworld Sect’s capabilities had improved so much in just a few days was all thanks to the Shadow Steps.
If the Shadow Steps had been given to any other sect, the difference wouldn't have been this dramatic.
But the Underworld Sect was different.
Everything about the Underworld Sect was built upon the foundation of the Shadow Steps.
Thus, with every piece of the technique they obtained, their overall level rose sharply.
Historically, the development of the Underworld Sect was linked to the Shadow Steps.
Whenever a past leader of the Underworld Sect gained a new understanding of the technique, the Shadow Steps itself would be supplemented, influencing the entire sect.
So, one could only imagine how desperately the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion wanted the Shadow Steps.
In fact, it wasn't just her; everyone who knew the relationship between the Underworld Sect and the Shadow Steps was longing for it day and night.
There had even been suggestions within the Underworld Sect to use more forceful measures.
But the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion had put a stop to it, almost staking her life on it.
In her view, Byeok Taesan was not someone who should be approached in such a manner.
She believed her current method was the best possible approach.
Byeok Taesan silently watched the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, who was looking at him with all these feelings in her eyes.
He had thought she was extraordinary from the moment he first saw her. But after getting to know her a little, she was even better than he had expected.
If she continued to grow like this, barring any unforeseen circumstances, wouldn't she smoothly ascend to the position of the next Underworld Sect Leader?
“So you’re saying I should give you more to eat, is that it?”
“How could I dare… I will simply be grateful for any grace the Young Master bestows upon me. Even if you choose not to, my gratitude will never waver.”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Yes. You’d do well to hold onto that sentiment.”
For some reason, the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion felt that his words weren't just spoken casually.
His tone and attitude hadn't changed at all, but something about the feeling was different from usual.
Just in case, she glanced at the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion beside her. And she frowned in confusion.
The Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion was trembling noticeably.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion quickly shook off her thoughts and focused on Byeok Taesan again.
A brief silence hung in the air.
Then, a single sheet of paper fluttered through the air and landed gently in front of the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
It was the third piece of the Shadow Steps.
With trembling hands, the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion carefully secured it.
“With that, you’ll get a little more competent, right?”
“I will make sure of it.”
“Do as you see fit. I think I need to have a little chat with the river pirates, and I’d prefer the ones with the highest probability. Is that possible?”
He asked if it was possible, but the question had a predetermined answer. Even if it wasn't, she had to make it possible.
“If you just set the time, I will guide you immediately.”
Byeok Taesan grinned.
“Right now.”
“What?”
Startled, the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion jerked her head up to look at Byeok Taesan. But she quickly bowed her head again and answered.
“I will prepare at once.”
“Good. Hurry up. I’m not one to save things for later.”
She didn't know what he meant, but the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion felt a sense of urgency. A strange, inexplicable fear seemed to be seeping into her heart.
* * *
Once outside, the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion started running.
The Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion ran alongside her.
Her face was still pale.
“Are you alright?”
At the question, the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion forced a nod.
“I’m alright now.”
“Now? It seems something did happen earlier. What was it?”
The Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion glanced back for a moment at the annex where Byeok Taesan was. It was a clear gesture of caution.
“That person, no, that man… what is his true identity?”
“You know. The second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company. And the one who can command us as he pleases with this.”
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion said, lightly patting the piece of the Shadow Steps she had tucked away.
“Right. But… haa.”
The Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion shook her head.
“It’s nothing. I was just a little scared. It was my first time experiencing something like that…”
She then looked at the Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion with a new understanding.
“And I think I now understand why you so forcefully shut down the nonsense of those old fools who’ve only gained age. I really… have the strong feeling that we narrowly avoided a disaster.”
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion smiled faintly. Then she snapped back to her senses and said.
“Ah, let’s hurry. He doesn’t seem like the type who enjoys waiting…”
The moment she finished speaking, the Master of the Golden Jade Pavilion drew upon her internal energy and shot forward in an instant.
“Why on earth is she so scared?”
The Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion tilted her head in confusion, then quickly chased after her.
In any case, she had gained a good ally, so it wasn't a bad thing.