Chapter 89 :

Chapter 89. Time to Hunt (3)

“Prepare for battle!”

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

The one hundred and fifty mounted warriors drew their gleaming swords, looking ready to crush the enemy at any moment.

The other side greatly outnumbered them, but the horses they rode and the emblems of the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect on their uniforms overwhelmed the opposition with sheer presence.

“Fortunately, we are not too late.”

Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa approached my side.

I still could not hide my surprise at their appearance.

“Were you already in Suzhou?”

“Of course not.”

Seong Moran gave Namgung Seonhwa a meaningful smile.

“We traveled from Anhui Province without sleeping for three nights.”

“Why in the world were you not in Anhui Province, Young Master Jin? How did you end up all the way in Zhejiang Province?”

I tilted my head at words I could not understand.

Namgung Seonhwa merely nodded.

“Let us discuss that a little later.”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran straightened their backs and looked toward Song Baek.

“It has been a while, Song Baek.”

Song Baek wore an ambiguous expression, unable either to frown or smile.

“I never expected to meet the two of you in a place like this.”

Without even looking at Song Baek, Namgung Seonhwa surveyed the surroundings.

“I heard the Huayang Escort Agency generously supported many martial halls.”

“It seems all of that was for this purpose.”

“……Escort agencies naturally continue supporting martial halls in order to recruit outstanding escort warriors.”

“None of the people here appear to be taking the Martial Academy’s official examination.”

“Am I mistaken?”

“Does anyone here currently possess a first-checkpoint plaque or second-checkpoint plaque?”

No one stepped forward.

Song Baek quickly continued.

“They have yet to obtain any checkpoint plaques, which is why they are still taking the examination.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

Namgung Seonhwa nodded slowly as though she understood everything.

“In any case, do you intend to continue?”

“That man stole my checkpoint plaques.”

At Song Baek’s words, Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran looked at me with incredulous expressions.

Their faces seemed to ask, ‘Even in the middle of all this?’

Namgung Seonhwa sighed and continued.

“……Did the others not come here to steal Young Master Jin’s checkpoint plaques as well?”

“……”

“From now on, you will also have to face the Namgung Family and the Iron Sword Sect.”

Song Baek alternated his gaze between me, Namgung Seonhwa, and Seong Moran.

“Why is the Namgung Family siding with the Taeul Sect?”

“Moreover, were the Iron Sword Sect and Taeul Sect not bitter enemies?”

“That is none of your concern, Young Master Song.”

“Even the Namgung Family cannot recklessly interfere in matters of the murim world.”

“What if the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect are cooperating with the Taeul Sect?”

“……”

“Would that not give us the right to interfere?”

“Do you truly intend to do this?”

Song Baek’s eyes sharpened.

His gaze turned dry, as though the last trace of goodwill he had possessed had disappeared.

“Even the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect cannot ignore the Huayang Escort Agency while in Suzhou.”

Song Baek raised his head and looked toward the city wall.

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran followed his gaze.

The county magistrate stood there with clear panic on his face.

“……That is true.”

“The Huayang Escort Agency cannot be ignored in Suzhou.”

“However, do you believe the Namgung Family can be ignored throughout the murim world?”

“When the county magistrate’s term ends and he is transferred elsewhere, will the Huayang Escort Agency’s influence reach him there more strongly than the Namgung Family’s?”

If the Huayang Escort Agency was the king of Suzhou, the Namgung Family possessed power that extended across the entire murim world.

The county magistrate’s face turned deathly pale atop the wall.

Unless he intended to be buried in Suzhou, he would eventually complete his term and be transferred elsewhere.

“Taking revenge later for something that occurred during the Martial Academy examination would also constitute cheating.”

“I never said anything about taking revenge.”

“What will you do?”

“Will you withdraw, or will you continue?”

Namgung Seonhwa pressed down on the opposition with an intimidating presence she had never displayed before.

“……I will consider withdrawing if he returns the checkpoint plaques.”

Song Baek’s voice had grown faint.

Namgung Seonhwa looked at me.

I gave the obvious answer.

“I’m not returning them.”

“I have no intention of returning them.”

“Leave!”

Song Baek’s lips twitched.

His gaze repeatedly moved toward the county magistrate atop the wall.

The Taeul Sect could easily be crushed by governmental authority, but the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect were not opponents a mere county magistrate could handle.

After some silent exchange, the county magistrate waved his hand.

The archers began lowering their bows one by one.

The county magistrate then disappeared, and the constables hurriedly began allowing those lined up at the gate to leave.

“It appears to be over.”

The moment the county magistrate signaled that he would not interfere in the battle,

the balance shifted back toward us.

In the end, Song Baek withdrew empty-handed.

Demanding that something stolen from him during the official examination be returned was no different from a child throwing a tantrum.

Even Song Baek could no longer force the issue.

“Eldest Senior Brother……”

Eunho whispered quietly.

“Will we be traveling with them from now on?”

“I am not certain……”

Perhaps my voice had been slightly loud, because Eunho gave me a warning look and lowered his voice further.

“Would it not be better if we traveled together?”

“There is a limit to how long we can keep taking turns standing guard by ourselves.”

What we needed most at that moment was sufficient rest and proper nutrition.

The children had not slept properly for even a single day since the examination began.

Their exhaustion had already reached the edge of madness.

No.

Judging from how they had behaved in the inn, they might already have lost their minds slightly.

“Where are we going now?”

“Why have you been lowering your voice this entire time?”

Eunho repeatedly glanced at Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran.

“I do not want to speak too loudly and accidentally offend them……”

“Haa……”

I had wondered why even Geumpyo and Dongryong had become unusually quiet.

They were stiff with tension because Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran were present.

“Could you not treat your Eldest Senior Brother with the same consideration?”

“How is that the same?”

“……Never mind.”

Escorted by the warriors of the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect, we headed directly toward the Changgung Merchant Guild branch in Suzhou.

“First, you should eat……”

Namgung Seonhwa looked at us and changed her suggestion.

“Actually, it would be better for you to wash first.”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers’ faces turned red as they were guided toward the bathhouse.

“Wow!”

“This bath is almost as large as one of the Taeul Sect’s halls!”

“Incredible.”

At the center of the bathhouse, which appeared to be used by escort warriors for group bathing, stood a massive wooden tub.

Hot water continuously poured from a channel connected to the ceiling.

“Yaaah!”

“Ugh…… Hot.”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers entered the bath with expressions suggesting they had entered paradise.

“If I could rest like this for three days, I would have no other wish.”

“Seriously. This is amazing.”

“Ugh……”

The moment the three brothers entered the bath, enormous amounts of dried blood, dirt, and grime fell from their bodies.

However, hot water continued pouring from the ceiling, quickly filling the tub and replacing the filthy water with clear water.

After enjoying the bath to his heart’s content, Geumpyo suddenly seemed to remember something and asked me,

“Senior Brother, does that mean sects with branches throughout the country are safe from attacks during the examination?”

“Most likely.”

“Wow……”

Although they were taking the same examination, the disciples of the Taeul Sect had been exposed to constant attacks from the moment they left Anhui Province……

No, from the moment they left Hefei.

By contrast, sects such as the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, which possessed direct or indirect branches throughout the country, could use lodgings where they did not need to fear ambushes.

“This examination truly makes no sense.”

From the beginning, it was an examination that neither the weak nor even most people with considerable power could easily pass.

That was why people called the Martial Academy’s official examination the Hell Official Exam.

Unlike Geumpyo, who continued grumbling, Eunho had fallen deep into thought.

He stared at me and asked,

“Eldest Senior Brother, how did you become acquainted with Young Lady Namgung and Young Lady Seong?”

“Various things happened.”

“Why do you ask?”

“It does not make sense.”

“Are they not also taking the examination?”

“I cannot understand why they would deliberately cross provincial borders merely to save you.”

Eunho looked suspiciously at Geumpyo, unable to believe Geumpyo had noticed something he himself had not understood.

“Love.”

Splash!

I struck the bathwater and drenched Eunho’s face.

“Blech! Eldest Senior Brother! Can’t you see how filthy this water is?”

“Why did you have to emphasize ‘deliberately’?”

“Would they not see it that way?”

In truth, I was also curious.

According to Haomun, they had been attacked early and were hiding from their enemies.

It was difficult to understand why they had come to save me when they should have been busy taking the examination themselves.

Geumpyo, who had been considering Eunho’s words as well, snapped his fingers.

“That must be it.”

“That would explain everything.”

“What?”

For the first time, only the sound of water echoed through the bathhouse.

Eunho suddenly stood and shoved Geumpyo’s head beneath the bathwater.

Glug, glug, glug.

“Keuk! Why are you doing this?”

“Say something that makes sense.”

“Love?”

“Did you suffer qi deviation during a battle or something?”

I agreed with Eunho.

Glug, glug.

“Blech. Stop it.”

“Water…… glug…… I’m swallowing water!”

“Do you seriously think Eldest Senior Brother is worthy of Young Lady Namgung Seonhwa of the great Namgung Family?”

“He has no background, his looks are nothing special, his personality is strange, and the only thing he possesses is that ridiculous memory.”

“Why would Young Lady Namgung Seonhwa ever fall in love with him?”

“……”

Something about Eunho’s continuing words felt strange.

“And Young Lady Seong Moran?”

“Give me a break!”

“Only a few months ago, they were growling at each other like enemies!”

“Is Young Lady Seong Moran’s family inferior to the Namgung Family?”

“What about her beauty or martial arts achievements?”

“Do you honestly think either of them cares about our Senior Brother even as much as the dirt beneath her toenail?”

“Eunho.”

“Yes?”

“Ah! Eldest Senior Brother, do not worry.”

“I will properly educate Geumpyo so he does not say such nonsense in front of the young ladies.”

“Please persuade them well so we can travel together.”

I spoke to the triumphant Eunho.

“……Would you like to drink all the bathwater?”

“……Hic.”

“Welcome.”

The meal was modest.

Only Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, and I sat inside a small private space prepared on one side of the dining hall.

“I-It is an honor!”

“N-Nice to meet you.”

“H-Hello……”

While naked in the bathhouse, the three brothers had proudly declared that they would never appear intimidated.

Yet now, as though none of that had happened, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers moved unnaturally like wooden dolls.

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran covered their mouths and laughed, finding them adorable.

“Hohoho.”

“If I had known Young Master Jin’s junior brothers were this adorable, I would have come to meet them sooner.”

Geumpyo’s face was bright red as he continued grinning and scratching the back of his head.

Eunho, who had once cursed the Iron Sword Sect so fiercely, seemed ready to wag a nonexistent tail in front of Seong Moran.

Dongryong had turned as red as a carrot and kept his head lowered.

It was understandable that boys their age would have difficulty remaining composed before women, but these three were particularly severe.

‘Then again, they are standing before Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa.’

Along with Wang Soso, the two women were renowned throughout Anhui Province for their beauty.

Thinking of it that way, their reactions were understandable.

Then again, these children had seen Wang Soso every day.

There was no reason they should lack immunity to beautiful women.

Was it because of Wang Soso’s personality?

Or was seeing someone dressed up completely different from seeing them without adornment?

“Enough. Sit down.”

“……Yesh.”

“……Yeesh.”

Geumpyo and Eunho dared to send me dissatisfied looks before taking their seats.

I really should have made them drink more bathwater.

“You must be hungry. Let us eat first.”

Thanks to the Changgung Merchant Guild’s hospitality, eleven dishes had been prepared for only six people.

At the inn earlier, the brothers had devoured food like starving ghosts.

Now, for some reason, they were delicately tasting tiny portions with their chopsticks.

Ignoring them, I looked at the two women.

“What happened?”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran exchanged meaningful smiles.

“Are you not pleased that we came?”

“Of course I am.”

“Thanks to you, we escaped our most dangerous moment.”

Had the two of them not appeared, the Huayang Escort Agency would never have withdrawn so easily.

“I heard that you suffered heavy losses and were forced into hiding.”

“You heard about that as well?”

I clearly remembered hearing that someone had attacked the combined group of the Namgung Family and Iron Sword Sect after the first checkpoint.

It had surprised me greatly.

“Moran suffered the most because of me.”

The situation was as follows.

Namgung Taeha and Namgung San had failed to appear before the official examination began.

As a result, Namgung Seonhwa had been forced to take the examination with only twenty warriors.

Fortunately, Seong Moran had not abandoned her.

She attempted to continue the examination alongside Namgung Seonhwa.

With Seong Moran’s warriors, the two barely managed to pass the first checkpoint.

However, they were attacked immediately afterward.

“And would you believe it?”

“They were members of our own branch family.”

Only members of the Namgung Family could attack the Namgung Family so freely.

Without even considering the second checkpoint, they relentlessly pursued Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran.

During the pursuit, the few remaining warriors they possessed were injured and had to be sent back.

“Even so, we were extremely fortunate.”

“Grandfather came out.”

After completing the Blue Sky Cloud Prestige Sword Art, Namgung Taeha immediately summoned all the branch families and reorganized the clan.

The branch family had relentlessly pursued Namgung Seonhwa after the first checkpoint in order to prevent Namgung Taeha from acting.

Once Namgung Taeha had settled the clan’s affairs, he sent Namgung Seonhwa an additional eighty Namgung Family warriors along with a spirit pill.

“We had barely caught our breath when we heard that Young Master Jin had become a target of Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang.”

“……Huh?”

“……What?”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers reacted as though they were hearing this for the first time.

Namgung Seonhwa looked back at me.

“You did not know?”

“I knew.”

“I simply did not think it was necessary to tell them.”

“……You lunatic……”

“……No, Eldest Senior Brother.”

“……”

Their complaints erupted.

“Would bathwater make a good dessert?”

“……”

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers immediately closed their mouths again.

Namgung Seonhwa looked confused, unable to understand the situation.

I lightly changed the subject.

“Did you come after hearing that news?”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran nodded firmly.

“Of course.”

“We had to come.”

For some reason, I felt apologetic.

“I fear I may have placed an unnecessary burden on you.”

“Even so, you saved us.”

“It was only natural.”

“You saved our lives as well.”

“Sister, he saved mine twice.”

The two women burst into laughter together.

This time, the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers looked at the two young ladies in confusion.

“Ah…… Did you not tell them about that either?”

“……There was no time to explain.”

“They must also have been too busy training.”

“Even so, they should know what kind of person their Senior Brother is.”

They began recounting what had happened at Maling Plateau and on the road to the Namgung Family.

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers eventually forgot even to eat as they listened to the entire story.

“That is what happened.”

“Senior Namgung Seonhwa and Senior Seong Moran were both at Maling Plateau?”

When the two women nodded, the three brothers’ mouths fell open.

They seemed to know something about the incident at Maling Plateau because the dark faction sects had showered the Taeul Sect with gifts afterward.

However, they apparently had not known who had been present.

After organizing everything in their minds, the three brothers abandoned their awkward dignity and shouted.

“As expected of Senior Brother! There was a reason for everything!”

“See, Geumpyo? I told you there must have been a reason.”

“Could it be that while being rescued at Maling Plateau, feelings of love began to—Mmph!”

When Dongryong tried to say something strange, Eunho quickly covered his mouth.

He then sprang to his feet.

“We seem rather tired.”

“May we go upstairs first?”

“……?”

“Ah, of course.”

“Rest well tonight, and we will see you tomorrow.”

After the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers left, a maid entered carrying tea.

By the time the thick steam above the tea had gradually faded, Namgung Seonhwa spoke with a serious expression.

“You appear less worried than I expected.”

“Worrying will not solve anything.”

Namgung Seonhwa released an incredulous sigh.

Seong Moran continued.

“Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang……”

She looked directly at me.

“If those three sects are targeting you alone, Young Master Jin…… I apologize for saying this, but it is practically over already.”

“You also know what will happen after the third checkpoint, do you not?”

The Great Journey of Screams and Carnage.

Even after hearing of my danger, they could have ignored it with a few words of concern and continued along their own paths.

Then they could have followed the futures already laid out for them.

However, if they stepped forward recklessly out of pride or an immature sense of justice, the entire course of their lives could change.

“If you travel with us, the two of you may find it difficult to pass……”

“No. It is more likely that you will fail.”

The real Hell Official Exam would probably begin after the final checkpoint.

The number of casualties would far surpass the total deaths from the first, second, and third checkpoints combined.

Some people were not even participating yet and were simply waiting for the third checkpoint to end.

Moreover, three of the Nine Great Sects had openly declared that they were targeting me.

“We understand that very well.”

“That is why we are asking……”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran had each already obtained one first-checkpoint plaque and one second-checkpoint plaque.

At this rate, they could pass the third checkpoint and qualify for the Martial Academy.

Their lives would then proceed along the paths already prepared for them.

“Do you truly intend to continue traveling with us?”

I was genuinely grateful that they wished to repay the favor of having their lives saved.

However, I had never acted while expecting compensation, so I had no intention of forcing them.

Moreover, I had already received more than enough in return.

If something was compelling them emotionally, I was telling them not to follow it.

There was far too much to lose by acting on youthful passion.

“It is enough that you thought of us this much.”

“No. I would actually prefer that you did not travel with us.”

“If anything happened to the two of you because of me, I would have no face to show the Divine Sword or the leader of the Iron Sword Sect.”

I quietly drank the cold tea.

If I held the cards called Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, countless strategies would become possible.

Even so, I had no desire to use them as tools the way Yong Soa or the Martial Alliance would.

There was a difference as vast as heaven and earth between considering someone completely my own and taking responsibility for them,

and using that person as a tool for my sake.

They still stood on the boundary between tools and people I considered my own.

“Truly……”

After remaining silent for a long time, Seong Moran opened her red lips.

“That is exactly what Young Master Jin would say.”

“Sister, I told you he would say that, did I not?”

The two exchanged glances and nodded, as though they found something amusing.

“We said the same thing the moment we heard the news about you.”

“So do not think of this as repaying a debt or returning a favor.”

“That is right.”

“We wanted to travel with you from the beginning.”

The balance tipped to one side.

Their words solidified my own choice.

Instead of answering verbally, I nodded.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“We are the ones who should ask for your help again.”

Namgung Seonhwa’s playful response immediately eased the tense atmosphere.

“But why are Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang specifically targeting Young Master Jin and the Taeul Sect?”

“I heard there was conflict with disciples of Mount Hua and Diancang when the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering visited the Taeul Sect.”

“But why Wudang?”

Before I could answer, Seong Moran continued.

“This is because of that bastard Yong Soa, is it not?”

“He escaped from the Soul-Destroying Formation alone.”

“Because of that, he was criticized while Young Master Jin was praised.”

“That likely had some influence.”

“However, the exact reason is probably the checkpoint plaques I possess.”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran tilted their heads simultaneously.

They looked completely different, yet their behavior made them resemble sisters or even twins.

“You did not know?”

“Know what?”

“Do you not possess one checkpoint plaque of each type?”

“……?”

“I possess nine first-checkpoint plaques and six second-checkpoint plaques.”

“Ah! Since I took one of each from Song Baek earlier, that makes ten and seven.”

“What?”

“What?!”

Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran stared with their mouths hanging open, as though struck by lightning.

“From the beginning, I assumed that not only Wudang, Mount Hua, and Diancang, but the entire murim world was targeting us.”

The two women looked completely dazed.

Had they truly come without knowing?

I hurriedly added,

“Once again, thank you for promising to stand with us on the honor of your martial arts and the names of your families.”

“We never staked our honor as martial artists……”

“Uh…… Sister, did I stake my family’s name earlier?”

No takebacks.

Once you let go of the piece, the move is final.