Chapter 296
Chapter 296
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: Operation (1)
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The promised location required No Gyeom to come alone. If there was even the slightest sign of anything suspicious, his daughter would die immediately.
That was the condition set by the culprits.
Shwaaa!
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae narrowed their brows as they stared at the pouring rain.
Ju Tae spoke.
“From the look in the lord’s eyes, it seemed like he was going to wipe out that Reverse Heaven Society bunch for good this time.”
Cheol Mu-ok silently nodded.
Ju Tae leaned against a pillar and brought up another topic.
“When’s the wedding?”
“Who knows.”
“Seeing the North King, it looked like he wanted it done as soon as possible.”
At those words, Cheol Mu-ok let out a smirk.
“He’s eager to see some heirs.”
“At that age, anyone would feel the same. Anyway, I’m jealous. A swordsman like you suddenly becoming a king’s son-in-law. Or no, the future queen’s husband?”
“Enough of that nonsense.”
That was when No Gyeom approached with two maids. The maids carried large baskets filled with liquor and food.
“I figured you might be hungry, so I prepared some drinks and dishes. Call in the people outside and eat together.”
“Thank you.”
A gleam of delight shone in Ju Tae’s eyes.
Cheol Mu-ok asked,
“You said the payment date is the day after tomorrow?”
“That’s right. I set it for then, using the excuse that gathering such a large sum takes time. But do you happen to know what the Great Prince plans to do?”
“We haven’t received orders yet. He said he’d send word when the operation begins, so please wait.”
“Sigh…”
No Gyeom let out a sigh.
“I’m complying with their demands to avoid more victims, but I can’t live in peace worrying that my daughter might come to harm.”
“Trust in the Great Prince. And we’ll do our utmost, so try not to worry too much.”
“I’m counting on you.”
No Gyeom departed.
Cheol Mu-ok gazed at his weary retreating figure and let out a quiet breath.
“The Reverse Heaven Society has opened the gates of hell with their own hands.”
“This time, it might unfold into an even more brutal scene than when we hung the Dark Heaven Cultists’ heads on the mountain.”
“Yeah. It just might.”
“Shall I call them in?”
“Do it.”
Not long after Ju Tae stepped out, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong entered. Trailing at the very back, Tae Seon poked her head in with a bright smile.
“Hello.”
“…Did the Great Prince send you?”
“Yes. He told me to stay here and come along. Oh my, there’s so much delicious stuff?”
“Booze!”
Hwa Ryeong and Tae Seon quickly settled by the baskets. Cheol Mu-ok gave a wry smile as he looked at Go Mi.
“Have you roughly figured out how to proceed?”
“The meeting spot—we’ll disguise ourselves as maids and go with him. They said for the Minister of Revenue to come alone, but the weight of the silver they demanded is impossible for one person to carry, so if we say we had no choice but to bring help, they won’t suspect.”
“Then we secretly follow behind?”
“No. You two will play the roles of bandits.”
“…”
Go Mi continued her explanation.
Once the explanation ended, Cheol Mu-ok expressed admiration.
“That should avoid any suspicion nicely. By the way, the lord isn’t joining us?”
“The goal of this operation is to capture them and extract information, so there’s no need for the Great Prince to step in personally, right?”
Cheol Mu-ok silently nodded in agreement. Soon, with a worried look, he asked,
“Shouldn’t the Moon Lord rest a bit more?”
“I’ve rested plenty, so I’m fine now.”
Go Mi sat down beside Hwa Ryeong.
“I’m hungry.”
“Oh my, even the Moon Lord says she’s hungry?”
“I’m human too.”
“Looks like there might not be enough food? Could we ask for more?”
Cheol Mu-ok smiled faintly.
“Got it. I’ll request more drinks and food, so eat your fill.”
* * *
Two days later.
The Guandi Shrine north of the imperial capital.
From early morning, people offered sacrifices at this unusually grand site.
Their plain attire and devout bows appeared utterly ordinary to any onlooker.
They shared leftover rice cakes and food with the occasional passersby, showing kindness.
There were watchers nearby.
In the woods about fifty paces from the Guandi Shrine, two yellow-robed men, disguised as ordinary woodcutters, hid in the underbrush, eyes fixed on the eastern path leading to the shrine.
“They’re not not coming, are they?”
“With a daughter he cherishes like his life, he’ll definitely show.”
“Well, if he doesn’t, we kill and bolt—that’s it.”
“Cut the foolish talk. Our opponent is none other than the Minister of Revenue. If he starts digging into us, it could ruin everything—why don’t you get that?”
“I was just saying. No need to snap. Anyway, things have changed a lot since the leader switched. The previous one kept shoving us into the fires of hell for the ‘great cause.’”
“True enough.”
Whoosh!
Shwaaa!
The bushes swayed in the wind.
“They’re here.”
The two yellow-robed men’s eyes sharpened. Three figures appeared on the path to the Guandi Shrine.
“What, three of them?”
“Hold on.”
One yellow-robed man closely observed the two women struggling with a large chest. They wore maid outfits.
Heh.
“Well, it’d be tough to carry alone, huh?”
“Could be martial artists.”
“If you’re scared, back out.”
The yellow-robed man emerged from the woods. The other quickly followed.
Whistle!
The first yellow-robed man whistled. At once, those at the shrine—who had been performing the funeral rites and sharing food—stood up.
They were accomplices too.
* * *
Go Mi sharply scanned the surroundings of the Guandi Shrine. Spotting the two yellow-robed men emerging from the rear woods, she sent a transmission to No Gyeom.
[Act calm.]
No Gyeom nodded.
Go Mi turned to Hwa Ryeong.
[You know we can’t just kill them outright, right?]
[I’m not a child. Don’t worry. I’ll follow the Moon Lord’s lead.]
Drip.
Sweat trickled down Hwa Ryeong’s cheek. Go Mi was doing the same. To fool the enemy, they had no choice but to fake sweating.
Soon, upon reaching the Guandi Shrine, one yellow-robed man stepped forward.
No Gyeom stepped forward as well.
“I’ve brought the money. But I need to confirm my daughter’s safe first—bring her out.”
“We check the money first.”
At those words, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong set the chest before the yellow-robed man.
Thud!
“Hah… hah!”
Their act—faces drenched in sweat, gasping raggedly—was flawless.
“Step back.”
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong retreated behind No Gyeom, faces full of feigned terror.
The yellow-robed man signaled, and another opened the chest. It brimmed with silver ingots.
The two yellow-robed men exchanged glances and grinned.
“Bring out my daughter now!”
The yellow-robed man signaled. A villager entered the shrine and emerged leading a woman.
“Su Eun!”
“Father!”
It was No Gyeom’s daughter.
One yellow-robed man sneered coldly.
“Let’s not make this bigger than it is. If it blows up, we’ll have to come back. I trust you understand. Well then.”
The two yellow-robed men and the shrine group grabbed the chest and bolted into the woods en masse.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong exchanged looks. Then, using the shrine as cover, they leaped into the forest.
* * *
Whoosh!
The two yellow-robed men and their group navigated the rugged terrain effortlessly, speeding westward with familiar ease.
“Earning money’s a breeze. Heh heh heh.”
“At this rate, we’ll secure funds in a year.”
“A year? Half a year tops. Anyway, another success—time for the leader’s praise? Heh heh heh!”
Whoosh!
Moments later, as they burst from a dense thicket—
“Hm?”
The two yellow-robed men raised hands, halting the group.
People ahead. They lounged on the ground, drinking—clearly no ordinary folk.
“Bandits?”
“No time to dawdle here—ignore and go?”
When one woman in the group suggested that, the others nodded and moved to change course.
Right then.
“Did you just call us bandits?”
A black-robed man stood, scowling. The others set down bottles and rose one by one.
The yellow-robed man scoffed.
“If you don’t wanna die, finish your grub.”
“And if we don’t?”
“Then you die.”
Shing!
The two yellow-robed men drew swords.
Confident in their skills, or underestimating the bandits ahead—their followers didn’t even bother drawing weapons.
“Well, well, look at these bastards?”
The black-robed man bared teeth in a grin and gripped his greatsword from the ground. The others raised swords and blades in unison.
But the two yellow-robed men oozed leisure.
“Let’s finish quick and rest.”
“Yeah.”
Dash!
The pair charged, spreading out. The black-robed man and others rushed forward, igniting the clash.
Clang!
* * *
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong watched the fight unfold from the woods.
“The acting’s top-notch—anyone would think they’re bandits.”
“They’ve tuned their skills just right to dodge suspicion.”
Those battling the yellow-robed men were Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae disguised as bandits, along with Sword King and Blade King sect warriors.
“Argh!”
A yellow-robed man staggered, spewing blood in a dying scream. The black-robed man severed his throat, prompting the previously nonchalant watchers to draw weapons in shock.
Shing shing shing!
“Kill them all!”
Clang!
Crunch!
The fight intensified.
Hwa Ryeong wore an intrigued expression.
“Around now, a couple should fake injuries, right?”
No sooner said than several Sword King and Blade King warriors staggered back.
Amid it, Cheol Mu-ok cleaved another’s head.
Thud!
“Argh!”
But Cheol Mu-ok reeled as if struck, pushed back—looking utterly spent.
Hwa Ryeong frowned at Ju Tae.
“That one’s got zero talent for acting. So spry. Tsk tsk.”
Then—Ju Tae, who seemed least likely, suddenly vanished backward with a fierce-fighting woman.
Hwa Ryeong’s eyes widened.
“Isn’t that a cliff back there?”
“Don’t worry. Seems they fooled them proper.”
“Even his acting is…”
As Hwa Ryeong frowned, Cheol Mu-ok and the rest began fleeing.
The yellow-robed men and group didn’t pursue—instead, they snatched the chest and plunged into the western woods.
Go Mi stood.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Moments later, Cheol Mu-ok and the warriors returned.
Ju Tae climbed up from the cliff. A woman slumped limply over his shoulder.
Heh.
“How was my acting?”
“You faked falling off the cliff on purpose to capture her?”
“Obviously. That way they leave without searching. Anyway, the Moon Lord’s tailing them fine, right?”
“Don’t worry. She’s better at that than us. Let’s go.”
Ju Tae suddenly scowled.
“You gonna make me carry her longer?”
“Yes! Hand her over!”
A Sword King warrior hurriedly took the woman.