Chapter 188 :

<Rewriting the Sichuan Blood Incident (8)>

"What are you…"

The branch leader stared at me as though filth from a manure carrier had splashed onto his new clothes.

Well, I understood his reaction.

To those loyal to the Martial Alliance, the peace and safety of the murim world were values worth selling even their underwear to protect.

I had once been the same.

But surely one lifetime of being that kind of sucker was enough?

A trace of contempt and disgust appeared on the branch leader's face, which had maintained a forced smile until now.

Since my true thoughts were already exposed, I looked back at him shamelessly.

"Of course, I want to protect the peace and safety of the murim world more than anyone."

"Then why do your words and actions differ?"

"Naturally, that is what I wish to do. But sending a message to Great Hero Bang is no simple matter, is it?"

"You can use the branch's warriors for that."

Why was this man so slow on the uptake?

Unless he had won his position in a gambling match, he should have known exactly what I meant.

"Great Hero Bang isn't particularly fond of Martial Alliance warriors. I need to use a very special method to send the message. And that isn't something a few coins can cover."

"What do you…"

"Ah! You wouldn't understand even if I explained. It's a special method used only by Green Forest members."

By now, the branch leader seemed to grasp my meaning. His eyes rolled about.

"…You disappoint me. You are widely praised as a chivalrous rising star. I thought you were more sincere than anyone about upholding justice."

Apparently reluctant to hand anything over, he began attacking my character.

It was the easiest way to provoke an opponent when the situation turned unfavorable.

Clearly, he had not won his position through gambling after all.

But he was mistaken about something.

As someone originally from the Sojeong Unit, I had no reputation worth attacking in the first place.

"I am more sincere than anyone about upholding justice. Otherwise, why would I have come all the way to distant Sichuan to rescue academy students from the Diancang Sect, which has consistently opposed me?"

Besides, given what I had accomplished, even the branch leader could hardly dare denounce me.

His face soon darkened like that of a sucker who had just realized he was sitting at a rigged gambling table.

Good. The advantage had shifted back to me.

"Of course, I would gladly help without regard for myself. But what can I do when sending the message is so difficult?"

"Ha… You need a special method to send it?"

"Exactly. A very, very special method that requires considerable effort."

"…"

As I adopted a helpless expression, the branch leader asked with murder in his eyes.

"What do you want?"

Good. I had him.

I answered calmly.

"A thousand gold nyang, and please hire carriages for my companions."

"Whaaat?!"

The branch leader let out a strangled exclamation.

"A thousand gold nyang… That alone is absurd. But setting that aside, why on earth do you need carriages?"

"I must ask Great Hero Bang for a favor. If my body and mind are unsettled, wouldn't that unease seep into my letter?"

"…"

Now the branch leader was openly looking at me as though I were a swindler.

How hurtful. We both wished for the peace of the murim world.

"…Are you certain you can persuade Bang Duchil?"

"Ask the hall leader about my relationship with Great Hero Bang."

The Shenghu Hall leader, who had been watching with his mouth hanging open, finally recovered from his bewilderment and spoke seriously.

"…He said he had never intended to come to Sichuan. He came here solely because Jin Sowoon asked him to…"

Even after that testimony, the branch leader remained suspicious.

At times like this, there was no need to work hard to earn someone's trust.

Instead…

Creak.

I stood without hesitation.

"Why are you suddenly getting up?"

"This arrangement makes you uncomfortable, doesn't it? Asking Great Hero Bang for such a favor is quite burdensome for me as well. If it isn't particularly urgent, I would prefer that you find another method."

I only needed to make him convince himself.

"W-wait!"

The branch leader grabbed my robe like a man trying to buy the last remaining erotic painting.

"Could you give me some time? The branch's funds…"

"Oh, no! How could you suggest that? You want me to take the Martial Alliance's money and give it to a Green Forest bandit? Absolutely not."

"Th-then…?"

I gave the branch leader a bright smile.

"Naturally, someone as devoted to the peace and safety of the murim world as you must pay from his own pocket."

"…"

"Well, I'll be going…"

"Now, now! Why are you so impatient? Wait a moment! I'll check my banknotes and return immediately."

The branch leader rushed out of the room, leaving silence behind.

A thousand nyang… What should I do with it?

Expand Jang Dowon's smithy?

Would that mean getting the Red Light Sword sooner?

As I savored the fragrance of Junshan Silver Needle, Gu Jeongryong questioned me.

"…What exactly are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you have any idea how hard I… No, how hard we worked to conceal that weakness of yours? And now you provoke the branch leader like this!"

To Gu Jeongryong, it must have looked as though I were repeatedly sticking my neck beneath an executioner's blade.

"Hall Leader, how many times have you failed to get promoted to senior hall master?"

"What?"

Gu Jeongryong flinched at the unexpected question.

"At your age, shouldn't you be due for that promotion? Or are you particularly attached to Shenghu Hall?"

"…"

Gu Jeongryong frowned as though I had struck a sore spot.

"If not, why does the leader of Shenghu Hall, the Blue Dragon Pavilion's strongest fighting force, keep getting passed over?"

"Does that have anything to do with this?"

Of course it did.

It all came down to relationships.

The reason this Diancang-born branch leader kept addressing me as "young hero" and treating me with the utmost courtesy was that he desperately needed my help.

Had the Sichuan Blood Incident not occurred, he would have thrown a fit and tried to lock me in the Golden Prison the moment he heard of my connections to the Green Forest.

That remained true even now, when he needed something from me.

If I used Bang Duchil to help him, would he truly feel grateful?

Once the Sichuan Blood Incident ended, he would grind me up without hesitation if it helped his promotion.

High positions in the Martial Alliance were trees nourished by the flesh and blood of countless people.

That was why I could not simply help him.

Even when helping, I needed to make him put one foot into the mess himself.

The absurd price of a thousand nyang for a single letter would prevent him from denying involvement later.

Who would look more suspicious to the Inspection Pavilion?

Me, for sending Bang Duchil a message?

Or the branch leader, who had paid a thousand nyang to request it?

"…Ha. Isn't that going too far? Even so, a thousand nyang is hardly a small sum…"

"Of course it isn't."

"His monthly salary could never cover it."

I tilted my head.

"His monthly salary?"

"Where else would a Diancang disciple obtain that much money?"

Wow. This man really was innocent.

Did he not know that a resourceful branch leader could build a palace-like mansion of fifty rooms in his first year?

Explaining a hundred times would accomplish nothing.

"Well… Just watch."

As I finished the remaining Junshan Silver Needle, the branch leader hurried back.

His hands were filled with a stack of crisp banknotes.

"Fortunately, I happened to have some banknotes already exchanged. What a relief. This means there will be no problem sending your message, correct?"

I looked at Gu Jeongryong, shrugged, and answered the branch leader.

"I realize this may sound strange, but you may consider the Green Forest strongholds as good as burrowed underground and vanished."

Bang Duchil had beaten the chiefs thoroughly enough.

One letter, and they would probably stop collecting even their usual tolls.

"Oh! I-is that so? Then there is nothing to worry about."

"Now you can sleep with your legs stretched out. The problems in Sichuan will take care of themselves."

"What a relief! It truly is fortunate to have someone like you!"

Despite paying the enormous sum of a thousand gold nyang, the branch leader looked delighted, as though he had struck a windfall.

Gu Jeongryong's eyes showed that he could not understand the man's reaction.

He really was innocent.

I addressed the branch leader again as he beamed like a child.

"Oh, and may I ask one personal favor?"

His smile vanished, and he eyed me suspiciously.

"You aren't going to say the money is insufficient now, are you?"

"Of course not."

I looked at Gu Jeongryong, who sat there like an unused sack of grain.

"The Shenghu Hall leader helped me tremendously during this incident in Sichuan. But I happened to hear that such an outstanding hall leader has repeatedly failed his promotion reviews."

Since the opportunity had presented itself, I ought to show him a little of reality.

He had helped me considerably this time, too.

"As someone who will eventually enter the Martial Alliance and protect the peace and safety of the murim world, I cannot consider that right. Is there anything you could do to help him?"

"Hmm…"

The branch leader stroked his chin, then struck his palm with his fist.

"Indeed! That should never happen! Shenghu Hall Leader, how about a recommendation written in my name?"

"Pardon? Ah, w-well, of course…"

"Oh, come now, Branch Leader! Why so modest, when you should be aiming to become a regional director?"

"…"

"Do you not intend to become a regional director?"

The branch leader swallowed hard.

"H-how could I…"

"When I return this time, surely I'll meet at least a department head from the Intelligence Department?"

"…You might even meet the chief strategist."

"Exactly. And wouldn't I tell him that your contributions prevented disaster during the events in Sichuan?"

"Oh?"

"I never forget someone who understands chivalry and justice."

The branch leader's eyes grew unfocused, as though he had fallen under sorcery.

Even that Blood Cult illusion-whatever formation would have left him more clearheaded than this.

"Please contact the branch leaders you're close to and gather plenty of recommendations."

Gu Jeongryong's eyes widened.

The branch leader nodded repeatedly, evidently finding it an excellent idea.

"Yes! That would certainly improve his evaluation score. I'll send messages immediately and obtain the recommendations."

The branch leader now brimmed with hope, not merely of preserving his position but of being promoted to regional director.

"I will also send my message as quickly as possible and ensure that Sichuan's Green Forest strongholds do not stir."

"Thanks to you, everything is falling into place."

"You flatter me. It is all thanks to your earnest desire for the peace and safety of the murim world."

"You certainly have a way with words! Hahahahaha!"

"Nothing compared with you, Branch Leader! Hahahahaha!"

Everyone was happy, yet Gu Jeongryong still seemed unable to adjust.

That man really would have a hard time getting promoted.

The academy students' return journey was organized quickly.

But there were several problems to resolve.

The first was how to transport each sect's wounded back to the academy.

Though the Council of Elders had organized the event, the elders had returned to the Martial Alliance by themselves, leaving the academy students stranded and helpless.

Jin Sowoon resolved that problem.

"The patients in the Medical Hall? They'll be transported by carriage. Those in serious condition will receive treatment before moving."

"Money? Why would you need money? The branch leader agreed to pay."

"Ah! The branch leader and I have already discussed everything, so don't worry."

Even within the Righteous Path Association, its members competed over who would rise and who would fall.

Everyone had naturally expected students outside the Diancang Sect to be neglected.

Yet disciples of every sect received equal treatment.

The second problem was the severe lack of supplies for the journey.

On the way to Sichuan, the Council of Elders had opened its purses generously. They had slept at fine inns and traveled as comfortably as if on a pleasure cruise.

But on the return journey to Wuhan, their sponsors had vanished, and they had no one to serve as a guide.

Once again, Jin Sowoon relieved the concerns of those who had nearly been left utterly adrift.

"All academy students will return on horseback. The Mukyeop Escort Agency has agreed to guide us, so don't worry."

"Of course, we won't be able to stop at inns. Will you get three meals a day? Naturally. Everyone will receive equal portions, so there's nothing to worry about."

"The branch leader agreed to cover the horses and escort agency fees. No, really, the branch leader and I are close like that. Don't worry! Hahahahaha!"

Thanks to him, the burden of the return journey was greatly reduced.

Shenghu Hall had also been saddled with considerable responsibility when the Council of Elders abruptly disappeared and left the academy students in their care.

But with Jin Sowoon easing that burden, some members began joking again and even took out their hidden liquor to drink.

"…Why is the Chengdu Branch leader suddenly being so generous?"

Unable to find an answer himself, Gam Cheonak asked Gu Jeongryong.

"…"

"Hall Leader!"

"H-hm?"

Gu Jeongryong abruptly came to his senses and looked around.

There he went again.

Ever since they left Chengdu several days ago, Gu Jeongryong had been acting strangely.

He frequently sat on his horse in a daze, and sometimes began grinning like a lunatic in the middle of a meal.

His behavior was so odd that Gam Cheonak had asked Jin Sowoon whether he might be under sorcery.

But Jin Sowoon had merely chuckled and repeatedly assured him that it was nothing to worry about.

'What the hell happened?'

He had been like this ever since the day they answered the branch leader's summons.

Something must have happened that day…

"I asked whether you knew anything about the Chengdu Branch leader's excessive generosity."

"Ah… It's nothing. The Chengdu Branch leader owes Jin Sowoon a debt."

"A debt…?"

A Martial Alliance branch leader's position was sometimes compared to that of a county magistrate.

Simply occupying the position must bring in an unimaginable amount of wealth.

Yet such a man owed a mere academy student?

"He passed along a request asking the chiefs of Sichuan's Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds to restrain themselves during the Martial Alliance's operation."

"According to Jin Sowoon, depending on how this Blood Cult incident ends, the branch leader's neck could end up like this…"

Gu Jeongryong drew the edge of his hand across his throat.

Gam Cheonak's face stiffened.

"…Jin Sowoon accepted?"

"Hm? Yes, he did."

"…We're fucked."

"…Hm? We're what?"

Gam Cheonak lowered his voice.

"Shouldn't we visit the Inspection Pavilion as soon as we return?"

"…What are you talking about?"

"Get a grip, Hall Leader. We're talking about the Martial Alliance's Chengdu Branch leader. Do you think he'll simply overlook the bond between Jin Sowoon and the Green Dragon?"

Gam Cheonak glanced around and continued quietly.

"…I'm willing to bet Jin Sowoon will be dragged to the Inspection Pavilion as soon as the situation in Sichuan is settled."

Gu Jeongryong's face crumpled.

But Gam Cheonak, apparently still failing to grasp the mood, remained serious.

"I assumed Jin Sowoon would keep it thoroughly concealed… How could he do something so foolish…?"

"…"

"Hall Leader, if we don't want to be implicated, we need to go to the Inspection Pavilion first."

Whether he understood the urgency or not, Gu Jeongryong looked ahead, smacking his lips as though he had tasted gall.

"Hall Leader!"

As Gam Cheonak pressed him, Gu Jeongryong finally lost his temper and shouted.

"You absolute son of a bitch!"

"…Pardon?"

"Hey, you bastard! You want to go to the Inspection Pavilion over some ridiculous 'rumor' that he's 'chief of Black Dragon Stronghold'? And you call yourself Shenghu Hall's deputy hall master?"

"…"

What was this man talking about now?

Had he not heard it himself?

Jin Sowoon, chief of Black Dragon Stronghold, had also gained command of Hwaeom Stronghold.

And now it was suddenly a rumor?

Besides, Bang Duchil's voice had been incredibly loud that day.

Surely a few other people in Sichuan must have heard it.

So why was the hall leader suddenly defending Jin Sowoon?

As Gam Cheonak struggled to understand, he heard Gu Jeongryong clicking his tongue.

"Wow… So when your own safety is involved, comrades you've faced death with mean nothing? You'll probably stab me in the back someday, too, won't you? Huh?"

Fuck. What the hell was he talking about?

Before Gam Cheonak could figure out the situation, Gu Jeongryong sharply turned his head and called to the Shenghu Hall members.

"Boys, this fellow says he wants to report Jin Sowoon to the Inspection Pavilion."

The instant his voice rang out, the men who had gone with Jin Sowoon to eat Evil-Banishing Spirit-Exorcising rushed at Gam Cheonak.

"You bastard of a deputy hall master! I knew it!"

"He's got a traitor's face. Don't form a sword formation with him anymore."

"No wonder my mother told me not to associate with that bastard."

"Let's all impeach the deputy hall master and appoint Jin Sowoon instead!"

"Appoint him! Appoint him!"

Faced with a sudden threat of impeachment like a bolt from a clear sky, Gam Cheonak could not begin to understand what on earth was happening.