Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Namgung Clan Encounter
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This journey had begun as an escort mission commissioned by Jin Geum-bo.
However, completing the escort wasn't the true goal of the trip.
'The Sword King Vault. In this life, I'll make it ours for sure.'
In his previous life, the Namgung Clan had claimed the Sword King Vault.
They'd done it so quietly, without even a whisper of rumor, only announcing it later.
Judging from the details, even setting aside the intel held by the Jin merchant, the Namgung Clan itself must have had some lead on the Sword King Vault from the start.
'In other words, for our still-weak clan to hook a prize like the Sword King Vault...'
He carefully tucked away the letter bearing the contact code for the bandits.
Thanks, little worm. I'll make good use of you.
Now, time to check how much side income we've raked in.
"Chui-dal. Dig here."
Chui-dal, who scampered over eagerly, immediately pried up the floorboards and began searching for hidden compartments.
Meanwhile, Yang-hui sifted through the remaining scraps of paper, checking for anything else of value.
'Oh. Pretty useful stuff.'
Topography suitable for establishing bandit strongholds in nearby mountains.
Locations of newly formed or planned strongholds.
Nothing immediately applicable, but info he could use someday.
"Brother! Found it!"
"Good."
He leaped over in a single bound.
"Whoa. What the hell? What's with all this?"
It was clearly a recently established stronghold.
So why the massive pile of cash?
He scooped up a handful of gold ingots stacked high in the chest, then let them rain down.
The jingling clatter was music to his ears.
"Converted to silver taels, this has to be at least ten thousand nyang."
Enough to build a fine inn in the bustling districts.
Mystifying how log-cabin mountain bandits had amassed so much.
'Well, now we're set.'
"Chui-dal, pack every last bit. Let's head to the city and have some fun."
"Yes, sir!"
After gathering the loot and stepping outside, he swung his sword.
"You help too. Smash everything before we go."
"Should I set it on fire?"
He shot Chui-dal a glance.
His speech was getting casual—looked like the tension was easing.
"Yeah. Burn it all to the ground."
"Gotta watch out so I don't piss myself at night!"
At the heart of the stronghold, Dang Gun and Dang Yeon awaited Yang-hui.
Naturally, after slaughtering all the bandits.
"Yang-hui, little brother. Careful—the poison gas lingers."
"Heh heh, sorry, sis. We might've gone overboard?"
Dang Yeon grinned sheepishly, gauging Yang-hui's reaction.
Seemed she was worried he might disapprove of their heavy hands.
"Overboard? Nah, it was perfect, sis. Fitting end for bandit scum."
"Right? I knew you'd get it!"
It took about two hours to fully clear and torch the stronghold.
"Damn, it burns real nice. The Ami Sect would love this."
"Huh? Do the Ami folks like fire?"
"Yeah. Weirdly, they always seem thrilled watching things go up in flames."
Chui-dal, puzzled, changed the subject.
"Brother. What about the warehouse loot?"
Beyond the valuables in the safe, the warehouse brimmed with grain and goods plundered by the bandits.
Far too much to abandon.
"Leave it."
"Eh? That's a waste, ain't it?"
"Just tell the Feng Village folks where the stronghold is and let them haul it."
Yang-hui jingled his bulging pouch of valuables for emphasis.
"This is plenty for us. Roughly half the total value, I'd say. The warehouse stuff should go to the victims."
He looked to Dang Gun and Dang Yeon for agreement.
They nodded as if it were obvious—then went further.
"Little brother Yang-hui. We're just doing righteous deeds here, so taking a cut feels off."
"Yeah. We're not hurting for money—why not give it all away?"
"......"
He'd seen this side of the Tang siblings often over the past few years.
Sometimes they were more monk-like than actual monks.
How could they have zero greed?
Made convincing them easy, at least.
"You two know as well as I do—sustaining good deeds without reward is tough. Taking fair pay is part of righteousness too."
"Hm. Fair point."
"Right?"
The Tang Clan made fortunes from weapons and medicine, but they weren't the main house.
Best to grab every side income possible.
Anyway.
"We're mostly done here. Let's head back to Feng Village. Brother Gu's waiting."
"Sounds good."
They deployed lightness skill and raced back to the village in one go.
Six hours had passed, yet most villagers still waited vigilantly.
-Brother. Looks like they were worried about us.
Not quite—more like fearing failure might bring reprisals.
No need to spell that out for Chui-dal, though.
"Village head."
"Righteous warrior. The extermination... how did it go?"
"We beheaded the Coiling Dragon Stronghold's chief, Coiling Dragon Blade, and sent dozens more bandits to the afterlife. The stronghold is no more."
Joy lit the faces of the village head and Feng Village folk.
"R-Really?"
"I don't jest about such things. I stake my moniker, the Ascending Sword Dragon, on it—the Coiling Dragon Stronghold has been eradicated."
Dang Gun and Dang Yeon chimed in.
"You have the word of the Sichuan Tang Clan's Dark Dragon as well."
"My humble title of Venom Flower joins theirs too."
Moisture gathered in the wrinkled eyes of the elderly village head.
He'd clearly suffered under the stronghold's shadow.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Yang-hui's group accepted the grateful bows with pleased smiles.
Just doing what needed doing, yet receiving thanks felt great.
Plus...
"Ascending Sword Dragon! What a dashing moniker for such a hero!"
"And the Sichuan Tang Clan's Dark Dragon and Venom Flower helped us too!"
"Sichuan Tang Clan? Aren't they... terrifying from the rumors?"
"Hey now, don't you know even Tang Gate Hall?"
"Tang Gate Hall?"
"That's right. Per Tang Gate Hall records, no one reveres righteousness like the Sichuan Tang Clan!"
"I see! Rumors can't be trusted after all. And today, their young hero and heroine saved us."
"Ascending Sword Dragon, Dark Dragon, and Venom Flower. Future legends in the making!"
Yang-hui's nose rose a bit higher. Dang Gun shrugged proudly; Dang Yeon smirked.
Time to pour some fuel on this vibe?
"Oh, almost forgot— we piled up the bandits' stolen goods in front of the stronghold. Village head, send folks to retrieve them."
The old man's eyes bulged.
"R-Really? You sure?"
"Of course. It's just baggage to us—take it without hesitation. And share with nearby commoners too."
"We will! Fair shares for all!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Ascending Sword Dragon! Ascending Sword Dragon!"
"Dark Dragon! Venom Flower!"
The trio basked in the cheers.
......Chui-dal watched from a step back.
'I fought hard too! I found the loot!'
He felt so wronged he wanted a moniker of his own.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After a day in Feng Village to recover from battle, they resumed the escort.
Chui-dal glanced at Jin Geum-bo in the carriage corner and sent Yang-hui a transmission.
-Brother. Escort's delayed again—shouldn't we apologize?
"No need, kid."
"......Talking via transmission, and you reply out loud? What am I, then?"
"A goofy brat?"
"......"
"Anyway, no need to apologize. Right, Jin merchant?"
Jin Geum-bo, who'd been watching warily, forced a hearty laugh.
"Ha ha ha! Of course! Witnessing young heroes' righteousness firsthand—how could I complain?"
"Not because it'll boost my fame?"
"......!"
Yang-hui grinned wickedly at the sweating merchant.
'That oughta confirm it.'
Why Jin Geum-bo chose Baek Clan's Heaven-Covering Escort Agency among many.
Why he offered ten times the fee to specifically hire Yang-hui.
'Wonder when he'll spill.'
No rush—he'd wait patiently.
The escort was far from over.
They were roughly at Dongseong now.
Full fifteen days more to Gyesu at northern Anhui.
'Still, toss some bait.'
"Jin merchant. One question."
"Ask two if you like."
"Two paths ahead: the fast route over Guoshan Pass, or the slow road via Hefei."
He smiled meaningfully before continuing.
"Which do you prefer?"
"......"
Fast or slow wasn't the point.
The crux: whether to pass through Hefei.
Both knew it.
"......Heading via Hefei lets us swing by Shao Lake. Since we're in Anhui, I'd love to sightsee with fellow heroes. My treat—join me?"
"Hefei it is, then?"
"Just want to enjoy the scenery with you all..."
"Got it."
"......"
Conversation over.
Yang-hui fell silent, deep in thought.
'Hefei. Seat of the Namgung Clan.'
Calling for backup? Or in their pocket?
The merchant wanted him specifically. Seemed pleased by the rising fame too.
Tied to Namgung Clan?
If so, still wanting to stay tied?
'Or... Golden Thread Tower escape?'
Too little info.
Couldn't be sure either way.
But put another way.
Plan thoroughly enough that it wouldn't matter.
"Brother."
Yang-hui snapped from reverie around sunset, after six hours on the road.
"Shao Lake ahead."
Not quite arrived.
Shao Lake—one of the Central Plains' grandest—appeared as a distant speck.
Still, visible meant close enough.
But Chui-dal had another reason to call.
"Someone there?"
"......Yes."
The escort started with ulterior motives, but they performed their duties faithfully.
Chui-dal zipped ahead on scouting runs faster than the carriage.
"Who?"
"Someone you know too, brother."
Didn't need to ask.
Near Hefei at Shao Lake, only one both he and Chui-dal knew.
"Brother Dang. Jin merchant."
"Speak, little brother Yang-hui."
"What is it, young master?"
"Namgung Clan men at Shao Lake."
Jin Geum-bo's face stiffened.
Dang Gun wore a resolute yet oddly complex expression.
"Little brother. Did you request our company knowing this might happen?"
"No. Needed Tang skills. Didn't expect Namgung. ...Though someone knew."
Jin Geum-bo flinched under the glance.
Meanwhile, the carriage reached Shao Lake. Yang-hui's group encountered a band in white-and-blue uniforms.
"Heavenly Sky Namgung."
"Looks like... Heavenly Sky Sword Platoon."
The Heavenly Sky Sword Platoon—elite among Namgung Clan's forces.
Leading them: a familiar face.
"Well, if it isn't the Tang young clan leader. Long time no see."
Namgung Clan's young clan leader, Namgung Cheon-hu, smirked.