The Ambush at the Waterfall
The carriage resumed its journey, its wheels rumbling onward. Gwak Yeon had consented to the merchants’ shortcut across the mountain ridge.
“……Alright, let’s get going!”
A cloud of dust billowed behind the creaking ox-cart.
No one voiced their complaints. The path had been properly cleared after all.
Certainly, cutting straight through the valley shortened the route shown on the map by several days.
“This shortcut isn’t on the map, but it’s used by merchants who travel this region frequently.”
“Surprisingly…… the road is wide.”
“Haha, that’s right. Quite a few people use it.”
The scenery was pleasant.
Blue leaves of the overhanging trees gently swayed overhead, while the scent of lush undergrowth swept away fatigue.
Turning his gaze to the roadside, a long stretch of mountain range unfolded before him.
Looking at the cliffs carved like sheer rock faces atop each peak added the thrill of a wuxia tour, though exaggerated.
Clack. Clack.
Gwak Yeon glanced at the ground while tugging the reins, and he already knew.
‘It’s a route steadily maintained.’
This was the shortcut used by the sizable Green Forest forces under the Green Forest Hundred and Eight Strongholds. Travelers paid a toll for passage.
He sniffed.
The scent was indeed there.
With his sharpened senses relaxed, he detected a faint presence from somewhere along the winding cliffs.
The “test” agreed upon with the convoy would surely begin soon.
Yet.
As he followed the Yellow Filly and urged his horse forward, a sense of crisis never once touched him.
Clack. Clack.
Mountain bandits.
To someone already called the “Hangzhou Ghost,” even the Green Forest felt no great fear.
Rather.
‘That ability…… anyone would see it as witchcraft.’
The lingering worry from his earlier deliberations weighed heavily.
The vampire’s ability allowed him to confront villains far more easily. Honestly, this was a technique best treated as demonic sorcery.
‘Will I find a way around it?’
Of course, the powers of the Blood Core—draining the blood of villains and filling the pouch, the gradually strengthening senses and muscles—remained useful.
But like the fight against Baek Jung-hyeok last time, when too many eyes watched, he needed a technique usable even in broad daylight.
A vampire and Gwak Yeon.
‘At this point, where the number of assassins slain as the Blood Cult and as Gwak Yeon—plus the acknowledgment from the Ha brothers—began to swell.’
He had to assume the day when he would face such evil not as the vampire but as Gwak Yeon.
“Hmm.”
Even along the mountain path, thoughts continued to stretch endlessly.
Gwak Yeon had begun replaying the warning from the leader of the assassin group he had killed just before departing.
‘Secret auction house…… there were strange rumors about it.’
The Black Market of Hangzhou.
If he returned to Hangzhou after this convoy ended, he could time his arrival with the secret auction soon to open.
‘First, gather information from the Hubei Pang Family……’
Then.
Lost in thought, the turn at the mountain trail brought a waterfall thundering down from the high cliffs into his sight.
Swoosh!
A fierce cascade dropped into the gorge that sloped away directly beside the clearing.
No time to marvel at the sight.
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from behind the waterfall.
“Ha! I know!”
A dozen or so bandits armed with staffs burst out from the cave hidden behind the waterfall.
“This is the Yellow Filly!!!”
* * *
As if they had been waiting, the bandits appeared to block the narrow pass.
He glanced sideways.
Gwak Yeon gave a subtle signal; Cheon Gang and Gwak Ho-shin nodded without a sound.
They had already been warned before setting out that such a situation might occur.
‘The Green Forest stronghold…… interesting.’
Actually, not all bandits robbed villages. Especially in this vast Central Plains where mountains outnumbered stars, the famed Green Forest Hundred and Eight Strongholds were even more so.
An alliance of one hundred and eight mountain strongholds home to the most formidable experts in the wuxia world. One of them, Tianmu Mountain, lay right here.
Toll fees were one of their primary incomes.
With perilous terrain and the presence of tigers or bears that scared away travelers, they had built usable trails and charged those in a hurry to pass.
The government could not easily develop it, yet those eager to reach their destination quickly used the mountain paths from time to time.
Conversely, because these Green Forest strongholds managed the trails, demand increased: anyone could pay and enjoy greatly reduced threats from outlaws or wild beasts lurking in the wilds.
Of course.
The Green Forest Masters were not saints; caravans carrying valuable goods would naturally make their mouths water.
‘As I heard, Tianmu Mountain is managed quite cleanly.’
They also maintained some degree of familiarity with those who frequently used the paths—the very Green Forest stronghold.
Particularly with guards and merchants, which was why the bandits blocking the pass behind the waterfall now.
“Yellow Filly? When did I say that? I’m working for the convoy now.”
“Really! I’ve already forgotten what I heard during the last convoy.”
“More importantly, what’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing. From far away I saw familiar faces and came to greet you.”
“You’re not crossing the whole mountain but only this ridge…… are you trying to collect tolls?”
“What nonsense.”
The sturdy, bald bandit at the head, scratching a scar on the back of his hand with the staff he carried, smiled amiably.
“We wouldn’t have time to collect tolls with just a few carts.”
“Want some?”
“I’ve missed the mountains. How about a cup of tea in the stronghold?”
“Hmm…… the schedule is tight.”
“Brother Chan would love it. Welcoming guests and fresh tea at the same time.”
“Wait a moment.”
As he spoke with the bald bandit, Yellow Filly dismounted and passed the reins to Gwak Yeon, whispering.
“Don’t worry. It’s an old acquaintance; nothing dangerous will happen.”
“Even if there is danger, I don’t mind.”
Yellow Filly showed an unexpected expression.
“I’m your escort.”
Gwak Yeon’s next words drew a faint smile from him. He immediately headed toward the carriage where Yeo Baek-rang rode.
He was about to obtain permission from the boy.
‘Too much trouble……’
Even so, the bandits glared at the group with ill intent.
Gwak Yeon, unfazed, played with the hilt of his sword.
He glanced at Cheon Gang, Gwak Ho-shin, and Heoksijo—quietly hovering high above like an ordinary crow—then slowly nodded.
“Brother Chan has granted permission. Let’s go.”
Yellow Filhy returned to the front and lightly nodded at the bald bandit.
“Good. Follow me. I’ll guide you.”
* * *
The clearing behind the valley.
A wide space rich in atmosphere and utility: chairs made of animal bones, scattered animal skins and mats, iron cauldrons of various sizes hanging between surrounding rocks, and earthenware jars placed about.
In this unexpectedly opulent clearing,
“Over here! Who’s this?”
A burly man in a tiger-skin jacket sat on a chair waiting for the group.
“Who’s this? It’s the Yellow Filly!”
“Greetings, Brother Chan.”
“Hahaha!”
The master of Tianmu Mountain, a major pillar of the Green Forest Hundred and Eight Strongholds, sat on a tiger-skin-covered chair, both hands planted on the iron hammer thrust into the ground.
“No trouble lately?”
“Actually……”
Yellow Filhy, who had corrected the bald bandit’s title earlier, now corrected the master a beat late.
“I left the guards and now serve the Cheonhae Merchant Group.”
“Ah! I see. Getting older, you forget these things. Hahaha. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Haha.”
“Then the gentleman over there——”
“Yes. He is the young master of the Cheonhae Merchant Group.”
“Eh?”
“Ah, it’s Brother Chan! First time meeting, I’m Im Cheon-hak, master of Tianmu Mountain.”
“First time. I am Yeo Baek-rang.”
“Hahaha!”
Im Cheon-hak, who had risen from his seat while driving the iron staff into the ground and returned the greeting with a fist over his heart, laughed heartily at Yeo Baek-rang’s introduction.
Despite the boy having hesitated earlier, the Green Forest master kept showering him with praise, convinced the lad needed a golden touch.
“As expected! A young master as fierce as a tiger beneath the tiger master. The future of the Cheonhae Merchant Group looks rock-solid! Wahaha!”
“Haha…… Brother Chan is the same……”
“Today’s meeting is truly a pleasure. The one beside me is my nanny, over there are the merchant staff, and——”
Nodding vigorously, he looked each of the others over one by one while muttering.
“This side?”
“Those from the famous Seoho Gwak Family.”
“Oh ho.”
Im Cheon-hak’s eyes changed at Yellow Filhy’s guidance.
“The gentleman is the third young master, and——”
“If it’s the third young master of Seoho Gwak Family…… then that famous Soundless Thunder young master, yes?”
“……Gwak Ho-shin.”
Soundless Thunder Gwak Ho-shin.
The icy, ruthless expression with which he greeted drew a subtle reaction from the other bandits carrying staffs around him.
‘An intimidating face is always useful.’
Gwak Yeon chuckled inwardly.
When Im Cheon-hak shifted his gaze to him, the latter calmly introduced himself.
“First time meeting. I am Gwak Yeon.”
“Ah! So the second young master who crushed Baek Jung-hyeok from Jusan Baek Family this time!”
“That’s right, though I now serve as the master of Iyeongak, acting as escort for the convoy.”
“Escort…… I see.”
Im Cheon-hak lowered his head, smiling meaningfully.
He suddenly raised his head high, his voice booming so loudly the air rang.
“This is a truly rare day! Meeting such unexpected honored guests! What are you all waiting for?”
“……Let’s go, Brother Chan!”
Several bandits brought a cauldron wrapped in cloth from behind and set it down in the center of the clearing.
Bubbling.
They had boiled tea in the cauldron.
The cauldron, contrary to its appearance, released a pleasant aroma far and wide.
Im Cheon-hak, watching it with delight, laughed at Yellow Filhy who had taken his seat and then said,
“Isn’t it appealing? What was it called? It’s supposedly a rare tea from Sichuan.”
“The aroma is wonderful.”
“And there, the two young masters, and you—— the escort? Here, put away those weapons! Sit comfortably and enjoy a clean cup of tea together!!”
When he pointed to Gwak Yeon, Gwak Ho-shin, and Cheon Gang in turn, his manner turned affable.
‘……Too obvious for a test.’
Recalling the conversation he had overheard earlier, Gwak Yeon shook his head.
“Brother Chan.”
“Just a moment.”
When the bald bandit reached for his waist to retrieve the weapons as instructed,
“Oh, just give it here——”
“Touching the sword means death.”
“……!”
At Gwak Yeon’s words, several Cheonhae Merchant Group staff and bandits who had been pretending not to listen turned their heads toward the group.
He turned to look at Yeo Baek-rang, the nanny, and Yellow Filhy in turn, then spoke again.
“Please wait.”
At his words, the clearing full of bandits fell into an icy silence.
“……Perhaps poison has been added to the tea.”
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
The bandits stationed among the rocks surrounding the clearing began to stir. With a murmur of voices, an ominous atmosphere spread.
Then.
Sitting behind the boiling cauldron, Im Cheon-hak narrowed his brows and spoke.
“Our young master, what did you just say?”
“Did I not speak clearly?”
“It’s hard to believe. A man with a clear mind would never offer poisoned tea to the companions of a friend’s party from this Tianmu Mountain stronghold.”
“I only intended not to say it until I took the sword.”
“Can’t even drink a cup of tea comfortably?”
“I am not in a leisurely mood for traveling.”
“Then why would the young master of Seoho Gwak Family come all the way here?”
“Have eavesdroppers become more common in the Central Plains lately?”
“……What?”
“……I clearly said I came as escort.”
Gwak Yeon laughed dryly while muttering.
Im Cheon-hak, of course, and even Yellow Filhy looked at him meaningfully. He drew the sword from its scabbard and spoke.
Sclink!
“You think words will not reach the ears?”
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