Chapter 49
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Sworn Brothers
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I placed the three chieftains heads, along with the other tattered ones, into a box.
Where are you planning to send them?
Im going to send them to the kind of man whod stop mid-shit, rush out, and raise hell demanding to know who sent these heads.
You have some refined hobbies.
By the way, how is Nanny?
She just fell asleep.
My uncles expression seemed much more relieved as he said this. I looked at him and shrugged.
He must have confirmed his own feelings by now. Anyway, I have a lot on my plate, so Ill be on my way.
Asura Corps Commander.
As I walked past him, my uncle began to speak in a low voice. It seemed he couldn't contain his curiosity either.
How did you know? I asked Dae-myeong, and he said you pinpointed him exactly and told him to deliver the letter.
Explaining in detail would be a mouthful, but giving a vague answer would only fuel his suspicion.
Why do you think I wanted to head to the military?
You knew from the beginning?
When I get curious, I cant stand it. You know that about me, Uncle.
Leaving my uncle's gaze behind me, I shrugged. I couldn't very well tell him he was my master in a past life, so what else could I do?
I gave him a smile and quickly left. There, I saw an endlessly welcoming face.
In this life, it hadn't even been seven years since I'd last seen him, but the face from my faded memories came to mind. He looked infinitely younger than the Namgung Byeok of my past life, more like a soldier who was just beginning to enjoy military life rather than one worn down by it.
You said to wait a moment, but you took your time.
I figured if I was going to give a gift, I should do it properly.
A gift, you say.
I showed Hwang Cheonho a wooden box.
It reeks of blood. Is this really a gift?
You rushed here in a single bound to secure the peace of the common folk, helped the anxious people of the Central Plains reorganize the front lines, and ultimately punished a band of villains, but
I shook the box and curled my lips into a smile.
Mere words are meaningless. Here is a fine-looking result, so won't you be pleased to take it with you?
The military was a place where results spoke for themselves. No matter how much one talked, they wouldn't listen, so Hwang Cheonho would probably have to endure a nagging earful upon his return. But with this, there would be no need for that. Hwang Cheonho took the box and slowly shifted his gaze to me.
Have we, by any chance, met before?
No, sir.
Strange, I wonder why I get such a familiar feeling from you.
Ah, I almost made a strange misunderstanding. To clarify, I only said that because you seem to know me too well.
Hwang Cheonho smiled faintly, then handed the box to his adjutant and gestured. At his signal, the adjutant took the box, bowed his head, and quietly walked away.
Its as if you can see right through my actions and their outcomes. As if you were once part of the military. Like someone who knows me well.
I flinched. As expected, Hwang Cheonho was no ordinary man.
I felt a certain scent from your letter, but seeing you in person gives me a peculiar feeling.
May I take that as a positive?
Positive and then some.
Hwang Cheonho took a step forward, suggested we walk a bit, and clasped his hands behind his back. I fell in step beside him.
As you know, the military, and by extension the Imperial family, are not fond of the martial artists of the Central Plains. The very fact that they each possess unique combat skills and overwhelming power is a violation of the law and a risk factor, so we naturally become wary.
It was no different from having potential bombs scattered all around, Hwang Cheonho sighed, but he soon turned his gaze to me and spoke.
Thats why I wasnt very favorable. I expected it would be difficult to bridge the gap between us.
Is that so?
Haha. Youre quite stiff. The way you speak sounds like it belongs in the military. Are you sure this isn't your true calling?
It seemed my speech patterns from my past life as Namgung Byeok had unconsciously slipped out. I cleared my throat and retorted that it couldn't possibly be true, but Hwang Cheonho looked pleased even by that.
I apologize for the lack of proper support over this long and arduous time. There are quite a few troublemakers in the military, you see. And here you are, working so hard for the people.
Its nothing, sir. I understand.
Haha. What is there to understand? Goodness.
Hwang Cheonho let out a hearty laugh but continued without finishing his thought.
You sent the letter, I responded, and together we subjugated the Green Forest.
The pace of our footsteps gradually slowed. I clumsily slowed my own steps to match his.
When several coincidences overlap, they become fate.
Hwang Cheonho stopped walking and pictured the scene of government soldiers and martial artists mingling, judging it to be not so bad.
When it comes to you, I don't wish to apply the principle of non-aggression between the government and the martial world.
At those words, for the first time, my expression changed. The Hwang Cheonho I knew was not one to say something so absurd.
When you say you dont wish to apply the principle of non-aggression
Its just as I said. I want you and I, the Asura Corps and the Namgung Family, to help each other when we are in danger.
Hwang Cheonho was famous for observing people for a long time, so I never imagined he would make such an impulsive decision. I stared at him, trying to discern the meaning behind his words.
You must think it strange. I have no other intentions. But I do have one favor to ask.
What is it?
Just as I lend you my strength, you will work together with me.
I cannot agree to bowing my head.
Thats disappointing. When did I say I wanted a master-servant relationship?
Hwang Cheonho clicked his tongue and extended his hand to me. I looked at his hand and tried my best to carefully assess the situation.
I want an equal relationship. An equal relationship based on a close bond, more than anything.
A side of his personality I didn't know emerged, and I found myself unable to predict his next move. Is this what they mean when they say you can know the depths of the water but not the depths of a person's heart?
Not only had I known Hwang Cheonho for a long time.
Even I, who had served him as my master and my lord in the military, was flustered by this sudden development.
An equal relationship means
At my words, Hwang Cheonho, who had been smiling faintly, said something even more absurd than his last preposterous statement.
I wish to become sworn brothers with you. Of course, Ill be the older brother.
My jaw dropped.
Sworn brothers, all of a sudden?
What on earth did that mean?
Ah, for the record, I have no siblings. Ive never called anyone brother among those Ive met on my travels. Youd be the first.
Why sworn brothers, so suddenly?
Though we may not share blood, you possess an excellent character and personality, exceptional judgment, and the outstanding abilities to match. On top of that, I like people who recognize my worth. Furthermore.
Hwang Cheonho took a step closer, grabbed my dangling hand, and forced a handshake.
Theres something extraordinary about your eyes. They are the eyes of someone who has lost, forgotten, and tasted bitter sorrow. They arent the eyes one would expect from the Great Young Lord of a prestigious family. Those eyes and your untold story draw me in. And when someone tries to read that sorrow, you hide it away. I like that. Also, you will undoubtedly become the head of the Namgung Family. I look forward to the family you will build. That is why I can trust you. So, what will it be?
Was that why? The reason he had taken care of Namgung Byeok in my past life.
This was the first Id heard of it. Moreover, I never thought Id be proposed to become a sworn brother in my entire life. Wasnt this the man who was my master and lord in my previous life?
Have I not yet earned your trust?
As I hesitated, Hwang Cheonho shrugged.
Its not that
Fine. Ill get rid of one of your headaches first. Its a headache that Im sure you would have taken issue with anyway.
Hwang Cheonho took out a booklet from his robes. I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the booklet, which was labeled Ledger. The few pages he showed me were quite detailed for something managed by mountain bandits, and the amounts recorded were substantial. Every date was meticulously written down.
What is this?
Its the ledger from the Red Tiger Fortress on Mount Sandong. It proves theyve been raking in quite a lot. It also details all the channels through which money flowed to the Green Forests Combat King, Baek Gwang.
At that, I shook my head. He was indeed a man who didn't deserve to live.
But theres something strange.
He pointed to a line in the ledger.
Exactly every seven days and nights, the same amount is recorded.
It was true. Seeing as it was written as an expenditure of a whopping ten gold pieces.
So theyre funneling it somewhere.
Every seven days and nights, they offer up ten gold pieces to someone. And its the bandits doing it.
Based on the contents of the ledger and Hwang Cheonhos words, this was undoubtedly a serious matter. It meant someone was backing them.
Since the Green Forests Combat King, Baek Gwang, was recorded separately, they weren't offering it to their superiors within the Green Forest.
Thats why the effort to suppress these bandits has been so sluggish. Did you notice anything particular?
Something particular, you say?
Something particular.
Think carefully. Was there anything unusual when you arrived here in Shandong? Youve been here for five years, after all.
Countless thoughts flashed through my mind.
Mount Sandong, and its twenty-two fortresses.
From the Vicious Mountain Fiends to the Red Tiger, White Tiger, and Green Tiger Fortresses.
I had fought relentlessly for five years and finally achieved victory at the end. It took a long time to get there, but it wasn't an impossible task.
Namgung Han and Namgung Seok, who were in charge of the Shandong branch, led the front lines safely with their vast experience, and I had become incredibly close with the Namgung warriors, sharing our joys and sorrows.
Then Nanny was taken hostage.
No way.
Then I heard about the Demonic Tiger Fiend's Tale.
Many villagers were kidnapped and taken away.
The bandits operating in the villages were behind it, and there were even laughable incidents where villagers sold out their own people.
The problem was.
Shandong Province.
Hm?
The problem is Shandong Province.
Because I was so focused on the front lines and the Green Forest, I had overlooked something.
The one family that holds sway over Shandong Province, that acts as its master.
Just as the Namgung Family is in Anhui Province, there is a family in Shandong known for its thunderous spirit.
Shandong Province, the Hwangbo Family.
Why do you think so?
Even if they aren't the true culprits, they are worth investigating.
If you ask me why I thought of them.
While we were establishing the front lines and facing the bandits, they never once showed their faces. On top of that, they didn't bat an eye even when numerous incidents occurred. Theres more than one suspicious thing about them.
It made no sense for a family of the Orthodox Martial World, one of the Six Great Families, to not even show their faces when a front line against the Green Forest was established right before them.
No one would be ignorant of what was happening in their own front yard.
Ill have to look into that part first.
At my words, Hwang Cheonho nodded as if it made sense, then clapped his hands.
Before that, what do you intend to do about the principle of non-aggression?
You know, theres one justification that cant be beaten, no matter what other reason you come up with. Do you know what it is?
I tilted my head. I couldn't think of anything. Was there such a justification?
But at Hwang Cheonhos next words, I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
Family, my friend. Family. Arent you my sworn brother? From this moment on, Im acting to share the burdens of my younger brother.
He was even more shameless than I was.
And yet, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
Those were his words.