Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: One Stone, Three Birds
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The man who had just passed his early twenties was named Gu Chil.
He was the seventh son of the Gu family from Yangju, and the other man's name was Yang Jeong.
Neither of them had anything particularly standout about them.
After all, how many Gu families were there in Yangju, and how many were born to courtesans?
But the two men, holding their heads high, chattered on without pause.
"We joined the Plum Sword Gang about three or four months ago."
......Not that I particularly wanted to know.
As Seo Mun-ha watched them silently, they began reciting their backgrounds, specialties, and skills from the start.
Veins bulging in their necks.
"They said they'd teach us martial arts, so we joined."
"But the actual work was no different from street thugs."
They were men who tirelessly promoted themselves without tiring.
To sum it up, it went like this.
The two men from Yangju had arrived in Shandong about three or four months ago.
With two factions rapidly expanding their influence and rising as powers in the orthodox martial world, they had ridden the wave of the times, harboring grand ambitions as men of valor.
But even small sects in remote areas didn't accept just anyone.
Even local dojos charged for teaching martial arts, so joining even a minor sect required talent and ability.
This was something Seo Mun-ha knew better than anyone.
Being noticed by a master by chance and forming a master-disciple bond only happened in stories, so the two who joined the Plum Sword Gang were relatively lucky.
And he was the same.
"They demanded all the silver we'd saved from home, then just made us do menial chores."
"The chores were fine. But they only gave us jobs harassing commoners, with no intention of teaching us martial arts. When conflicts arose with other sects, they pushed us non-martial artists to the front lines and made us clean up after."
They were sturdy-looking fellows who could wield some strength.
If they'd aimed for the unorthodox paths instead of the righteous ones, they would've been eating well with a blade long ago, even if it meant going hungry.
"And then..."
As he listened in silence, their grievances and laments poured out.
"So, what's the conclusion?"
Seo Mun-ha waved his hand dismissively, and Gu Chil and Yang Jeong exchanged glances before shouting in unison.
"Please take us in!"
"We'll do anything! Just give us the chance!"
This time, he met their eager eyes directly.
"Young master, our home clan is..."
They were quick on the uptake.
Even small sects had high barriers to entry, let alone the Seo Mun Clan.
According to A-so, the clan held warrior exams every forty days.
Over five grueling stages, they evaluated talent and character, and a spotless background without a single blemish or lie was required. Given the clan's emphasis on connections, it was even stricter than the Murim Alliance.
"Hm..."
Still, the Seo Mun Clan was relatively open. Most clans, like the Sacheon Tang Clan, didn't recruit outsiders.
'What to do.'
The Nine Great Sects and One Gang weren't much different on a large scale.
Out of thousands seeking entry each year, how many had no connections at all?
For Seo Mun-ha, it was a dilemma, especially since the two didn't meet the clan's standards.
"From the moment we first saw you, we felt it was fate!"
"We're begging you! We're confident in any heavy labor!"
Seo Mun-ha nodded. He did need people, provided they could be trusted.
"It would be nice to have some messengers."
Their faces visibly brightened.
"My legs are lightning fast!"
"I'm way faster than Gu-hyung!"
Seeing potential, they transcended brotherhood to show off their sibling rivalry.
"Actually, I'm great with horses and carriages! I was the stable hand for so long that the whole village came to me for weddings and funerals. Once, I even escorted the county magistrate of Mujang! What's the use of just fast feet? The important thing is..."
"Actually, my nickname is Wind Escape Kid. My eloquence is an art form—no one in An-hui doesn't know me. Back then, everyone's words went through me, so I'm perfect for a messenger! Anyone can drive a carriage, right? The important thing is..."
Suddenly acting like a judge, Seo Mun-ha let out a hollow laugh. The sworn brothers quickly turned on each other.
"Driving a carriage—what's so special about that, man?"
"What about you, Gu-hyung?"
They turned their arrows on each other and raised their voices.
"Young master Seo Mun-ha, I've admired you for a long time."
"Lies. I've heard more than a dozen bad stories about you."
"Hey, didn't you curse me too?"
"I swear I only listened. I had to chime in due to my position—it's my regret. But I've never spoken ill myself."
"Yang Jeong, keep this up and..."
"Watch your words, Gu Chil-hyung."
It was a debate with no room for interruption.
"Please think it over, young master. This Yang Jeong is all smooth talk and slippery—no holding him. I've lived without shame under heaven, with a sick old mother at home and nagging wife scraping by..."
"Doesn't exist. Nor do the kids waiting devotedly at home. Gu Chil-hyung has never held a woman's hand his whole life, and as you see, he lies the moment he opens his mouth. He's also full of hot air."
The heated argument peaked as they tore into each other, looking ready to come to blows.
"Either way, you're both from the Plum Sword Gang."
Tired of the farce, Seo Mun-ha cut between them.
"We're on our way back from completing the withdrawal procedures."
"We've been looking for you all day. It's been at least four days."
Whether they got along or not, they meshed well.
"So you can point your spears at your old comrades?"
Having left the Plum Sword Gang and clashed with the Golden Tiger Merchant Group, and with the one they sought being the clan's own scoundrel, Seo Mun-ha.
"That's what we want."
"Those bastards deserve to pay!"
He didn't know exactly what they trusted, but he appreciated the calculations behind their resolute faces.
"For the record, we've never killed anyone."
"As we said, we've never sold out commoners either."
"That was our first time."
"And we're repenting."
The Plum Sword Gang rife with corruption and extortion.
And Shandong's second-to-none scoundrel.
"......Alright."
The world's judgment remained unchanged, so based on what they'd witnessed, they seemed to see a sliver of hope in the latter.
"But on one condition."
Gesturing with his chin, Seo Mun-ha pointed toward Jeneom, where his home clan lay.
"The old couple you messed with are under the clan's protection."
"Ah..."
"Th-then."
"Get their forgiveness first."
It was too grand for mere forgiveness, but the old couple's constant gratitude whenever they met was awkward.
If they earned their approval, there'd be no reason not to take them in.
It would clear their pasts and abilities entirely, and erasing the "favor" they spoke of would be ideal.
"Leave it to us!"
"Begging your pardon, but to do that, we need to enter the clan first..."
Both Gu Chil and Yang Jeong were quick-witted.
Gu Chil was steadfast, Yang Jeong shrewd.
Even with exaggerations, they fell short of his past subordinates in many ways, but he liked how they kept their composure amid gloom.
Crying in a tough spot changed nothing.
"Someone will be guarding the clan entrance."
By now, with news of Seo Mun-ha himself driving them mad, the family head's shadow would be waiting eagerly.
"Thank you!"
The two bowed repeatedly in gratitude before turning and dashing off.
"......You two are fast, that's for sure."
You don't notice comings, but leavings leave a void, and silence fell briefly.
A-so blinked, surprised by their unexpectedly swift action despite the talk.
"It feels like a storm just blew through."
True enough. Even So-dong, soul drained, stuck out his tongue in amazement.
"But can they really enter the clan?"
"Without a proof token, relaying the message properly should get them in."
After that, it was up to them. Seo Mun-ha gathered his wits and headed with A-so to the inn he'd reserved.
It was delayed, but today was always planned as an overnight stay, not a day trip.
Ha hour.
Geochang County under the full moon rippled only with quiet air.
Leaving A-so at the inn, I stepped into the night.
Tatuk.
An unexpected encounter hadn't changed my prepared plan.
I was confident in one stone, three birds.
Crossing the main road, I left the village, leaping roof to roof straight to my target.
The Plum Sword Gang's stronghold in Geochang County came into plain view from afar.
'This is something.'
Forgetting the three birds for a moment, the killer's back with a spear shaft slung over it grated on me.
An assassin carrying a spear shaft—something I'd never heard or seen even in my twisted past life made me chuckle wryly.
'People's affairs are unpredictable, even when you think you know.'
From the bushes, I eyed the stronghold's entrance.
Not comparable to the home clan, but the defenses were quite tight.
Given their usual conduct, they had plenty of enemies. In any case, this righteous-affiliated sect was more organized than expected.
'Two at the gate.'
Extending my senses, including patrols inside and out, there were over twenty warriors total.
Mostly first-rate martial artists.
Plus three at Peak One Realm and one at Peak Two Realm.
Rumor had it they had connections, and for a mid-tier gang, the Plum Sword Gang boasted impressive forces.
These first-rates weren't like the thugs relying on tools before—they exuded a chilling aura like well-honed blades.
Forcing through wasn't wise.
With unknown ties between Golden Tiger Merchant Group and Hwang Bo Clan, dealing with random warriors one by one would be exhausting.
Someone at Seven Realms like Seo Mun-gyeol wouldn't care, but.
'Frequent shifts.'
The plan was simple.
Find the gang leader and assign him other tasks. Being at Peak Two Realm himself, I'd avoid full confrontation and wait for an opening.
"Good work."
"Yeah."
The two warming up swapped duties.
"No issues so far?"
"Not till now. Take care."
"What, with all these rats scurrying—it's not new."
"True. Anyway, take care."
Exchanging glances briefly.
In that moment, I vaulted the high wall.
Slipping in as planned wasn't hard. The real issue came after. Unlike a normal household, the stronghold teemed with warriors—it was like plunging into enemy territory.
'Three at Peak One on patrol, the Peak Two stationary.'
This tightness inadvertently revealed the leader's position.
Meaning they were either stupid or that confident.
'Let's test it.'
Deep in enemy lines, not a former assassin, yet no sense of crisis arose.
Complacency is more dangerous than external foes, but the battlefields and northern barbarians of his past life lingered in his mind, and there was no need to fight them all equally.
Swish─
Passing the Plum Sword Gang's first-rates ahead was straightforward.
'Definitely.'
Remaining were the three Peak One surrounding the main hall and the one Peak Two. Deceive their senses, infiltrate without entering their radii, bypass the Peak Two, and enter the hall.
Think, decide, now execute.
Slither.
The moment a cavalryman is most vulnerable. Right after falling, the motion to regain posture blends senses with the foe's, scattering will—it evoked the White Lotus Cult's spells, called Illusion Mirror.
Thud.
Illusion Mirror. Three Sections, Shadow.
"Who goes there? Gang leader?"
The narrower and deeper the sense range, the easier to guide and deceive flows.
'For a long time since...'
He spotted the Plum Sword Gang leader, sunk in drunken stupor past rigorous standards.
One stone three birds: erode their forces, buy time, find a Water Control Technique master.
They'd bring him. Me. Or rather, the real Water Control Technique master in my stead.
"Who are you?!"
To the gang leader's flashing eyes, the masked man thrust out a single palm strike.