Chapter 312
Chapter 312
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 312
Chapter Title: Cha Ryong's Misjudgment
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Unlike the anxious Ban Go, Cha Ryong was strangely relaxed.
"Are we really okay?"
"Are you going to act like a kid again?"
"I told you, something feels off."
"To say it again, there's no problem as long as the authorities don't get involved. So just have a drink."
"......"
Cha Ryong was convinced the authorities wouldn't intervene. That was why he could afford to be so laid-back.
Gulp, gulp.
Cha Ryong downed his liquor without any snacks.
One of the things he liked since coming to the Yeon Kingdom was the alcohol. If Zhao Kingdom's brew was rough and crude, the Yeon Kingdom's was exceptionally clean with a fine aftertaste.
"I'm going to bed."
Cha Ryong smirked as he watched Ban Go lie down on the bed.
'That childish guy turns into a monster when he snaps...'
Ban Go had a secret. A terrifying secret known only to Cha Ryong and Ban Go.
It was a great source of strength for Cha Ryong. Perhaps that secret was one reason he could remain so relaxed.
Cha Ryong picked up the liquor bottle.
'Already empty?'
"I'm going to get more liquor."
"Stop drinking!"
"Don't worry and just sleep."
Cha Ryong left the room and headed straight downstairs. Even though it was quite late, there were still a few customers on the first floor.
They were all martial artists, but Cha Ryong didn't pay them any mind. The errand boy, who had been dozing off at the counter, rubbed his eyes and stood up.
"Are you heading out?"
"Bring me two bottles of liquor."
"Yes."
The errand boy went into the kitchen. Cha Ryong leaned against the counter and scanned the inside of the inn.
There were customers at two tables. One table had two burly men, and the other had two women sipping their drinks.
Cha Ryong's eyes swept over the women's faces. They were utterly ordinary, but the figures revealed beyond their martial robes were more than enough to melt a man's heart.
'These women sure love their liquor.'
Cha Ryong let out a chuckle and turned his gaze to the window. It was late at night, so there were hardly any passersby. The inn across the street had already closed for the night, its lights out.
'I wonder how the guys who went into Qin are doing.'
Do Geom and Jang Cheon-jo had been fiercely competing under Jo Yun for a long time.
No, more precisely, Do Geom paid Jang Cheon-jo no heed, while Jang Cheon-jo harbored an inferiority complex toward Do Geom, who had always outshone him.
This time, their roles reversed, and Jang Cheon-jo was put in charge of the operation in Qin. But since Jang Cheon-jo still couldn't shake his resentment toward Do Geom, Cha Ryong—who knew their relationship—couldn't help worrying if he'd properly carry out Jo Yun's orders.
Just then, the errand boy came out with two bottles of liquor.
"If you need anything else, please say so now. We're about to close up."
"No need."
Cha Ryong handed over a single silver coin and soon headed back up to the third floor. There were eyes watching him.
* * *
"He's not even bothering with a disguise? Is he gutsy or just full of himself?"
Hwa Ryeong spoke in disbelief.
"It's fortunate for us. We found them easily thanks to that."
"If they're wandering around so openly, maybe it's just for building fame? No one with ulterior motives would act like that."
"We'll have to see."
Go Mi nodded toward the burly men at the next table. They naturally finished their drinks and left the inn.
"Any empty rooms?"
"Yes, one left."
"Check us in."
"Yes, understood."
Soon after, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong followed the errand boy up to their room. On the way up, they noticed one room leaking faint light through the door.
It was the room with Cha Ryong and Ban Go.
Coincidentally, they were in the room directly across.
"Two beds, so it should be fine. Rest well."
Once the errand boy left, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong entered. Hwa Ryeong immediately flung herself onto the bed.
"Ugh, I'm beat."
"Judging by their attitudes, they don't seem like early risers. Get some good rest."
Go Mi took off her outer robe and climbed onto the bed. Hwa Ryeong rolled over and asked,
"The Great Prince must be here by now, right?"
"He's not one to put off work, so he's probably already arrived. We might see him as early as tomorrow."
"How long are we just going to keep watching?"
"What do you—"
"No, just kidding. Don't mind me. Good night."
Go Mi frowned slightly as she watched Hwa Ryeong turn away. She finally understood what Hwa Ryeong had been about to say.
'Why does she keep trying to get me involved?'
Go Mi let out a quiet sigh and pulled up the covers. She tried to sleep right away, but it wouldn't come easily.
A certain someone's face floated into her mind as she stared at the ceiling.
'He doesn't even have me on his radar.'
* * *
The next morning.
Yi Hwan, who had spent the night at Moon Pavilion's secret branch, took a solitary stroll around the area.
Even early as it was, the farmers were hard at work in the fields, and children following their parents scampered about, laughing merrily.
It was a small but very peaceful town.
Yi Hwan paused for a moment to watch the farmers. Plowing the land with their modest tools looked grueling, yet smiles never left their faces. Watching them warmed his heart.
Yi Hwan resumed walking.
After about twenty paces, he sensed presences approaching from behind. Turning, he saw Ju Tae, Kim Mu-gwan, and Park Ji-mun running up.
Whoosh!
"We're back, my lord."
"Why'd you come this way?"
"Moon Lord said it'd be best to wait here, so we came straight down. When did you arrive?"
"Last night."
Yi Hwan gazed at Paeng Do-seong. Paeng Do-seong finally bowed his head.
"The Hebei Paeng Family stronghold greets the Great Prince!"
"It's the Hebei Paeng Family's young master."
"Pleased to meet you."
Yi Hwan immediately turned toward the estate. As they walked, he asked Ju Tae,
"How'd the duel go?"
"Park hyung dueled one of them, but then these warriors who followed and idolized them jumped in, so we had no choice but to withdraw."
"Is that so?"
Yi Hwan looked at Park Ji-mun.
Park Ji-mun spoke.
"He was considerably skilled. If we'd continued the duel, it would've gone at least a hundred exchanges more."
"Did you give it your all?"
At the question, Park Ji-mun grinned.
"I prioritized capturing him..."
So, not his full effort, after all.
Park Ji-mun continued right away.
"I'm not sure if he went all out either. But he's definitely at a level comparable to the Absolute Realm."
"And the other one?"
"Didn't step up for the duel, so hard to say. But his presence was anything but ordinary."
Soon after returning to the estate, Yi Hwan and his group shared breakfast and conversed idly.
Paeng Do-seong watched Yi Hwan chatting with his close aides, inwardly unable to hide his astonishment.
'I've never felt this kind of pressure before.'
It wasn't just because of his status as Great Prince. There was something inexplicable pressing down on him powerfully.
At the same time, it was astonishing. Yi Hwan, whose fame rang throughout the land, looked far younger than him.
Just then, Yi Hwan's gaze met Paeng Do-seong's as he turned to look at him. Paeng Do-seong unwittingly averted his eyes.
"When the time comes, stop by the capital on your way."
"Pardon?"
"My sister's household has Left General Paeng's daughter there. They're taking good care of her, but being separated from her family leaves her lonely, it seems..."
He meant Paeng Ga-young, daughter of Paeng Mu-wi.
In an instant, myriad emotions crossed Paeng Do-seong's eyes. Paeng Ga-young was someone he hadn't been able to protect because of those in the clan who supported the Empress.
"Understood. I'll make sure to visit."
* * *
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong secretly trailed Cha Ryong and Ban Go.
Fortunately, since they were using the official road, tailing them wasn't difficult. There were plenty of travelers coming and going.
Hwa Ryeong spoke in exasperation.
"Aren't those guys way too relaxed? Anyone would think they're on a pleasure trip."
"It's lucky for us. This way, they'll head straight to where the Great Prince is."
Rumble!
Suddenly, thunder clapped. Dark clouds swiftly rolled in over the previously clear sky.
Hwa Ryeong frowned up at the sky.
"Rain coming?"
Soon, raindrops fell, and the pace of people on the road quickened.
Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong donned their rain capes.
That's when they saw Cha Ryong and Ban Go leave the road and head into the forest on the right. Probably to avoid the rain. Fortunately, quite a few people were heading the same way.
"Let's go that way too."
"Yes."
Pour!
The rain grew heavier.
Entering the forest, Go Mi and Hwa Ryeong watched Cha Ryong and Ban Go from about ten paces away. The two simply leaned against trees, gazing at the downpour without even conversing.
Hwa Ryeong pulled out a waterskin and offered it.
"Want some?"
"No, I'm fine."
It was then.
"Aaack!"
"Bandits!"
Suddenly, commotion erupted from the forest across the road. People burst out onto the road, crashing through the underbrush. Pursuers followed, knocking them down and looting their belongings.
Hwa Ryeong frowned.
"What era is this? Bandits?"
She turned to Go Mi.
"What do we do? Just watch?"
"......"
Go Mi was troubled.
If they intervened, they might lose Cha Ryong and Ban Go. Of course, if they headed to the expected area, no issue—but if they veered off elsewhere, they'd have to start tracking from scratch.
Yet she couldn't ignore helpless folk getting robbed.
As Go Mi hesitated to decide,
Suddenly, Cha Ryong and Ban Go stood and leaped forward. Unexpectedly, they headed straight for the bandits on the road.
Hwa Ryeong started to rise, but Go Mi stopped her.
"Let's watch for now."
"......!"
* * *
Ban Go asked as he flew forward.
"Why do we have to deal with this?!"
"If a commotion arises, the authorities will step in, and clashing with them risks failing the Lord's orders. So we're settling it before they arrive."
"Ah!"
Shing!
Cha Ryong drew his sword. Ban Go grinned ferociously and drew his as well.
"We kill 'em all?"
"No. Too many eyes—finish it moderately."
"Kyah! Annoying as hell!"
* * *
"Huh?"
Hwa Ryeong's eyes widened.
"Are those guys playing vigilante or something?"
Go Mi silently watched Cha Ryong and Ban Go. They were subduing the bandits in an instant.
Perhaps because the bandits were so unskilled, their movements weren't particularly remarkable.
"Wooow!"
"Amazing!"
Cheers erupted from various spots in the forest.
The bandits were fleeing. Those subdued by Cha Ryong and Ban Go were getting thoroughly beaten by other warriors who had belatedly joined in.
The rescued people rushed to Cha Ryong and Ban Go, expressing endless gratitude.
A faint crease formed on Go Mi's brow.
'Have I misjudged them?'
That's when it happened. Instead of returning to the forest, Cha Ryong and Ban Go headed straight south.
'I'll have to watch a bit longer.'