Light Novel: Volume 21 Episode 2
Manhwa: N/A
Zhengshui was a city naturally formed at the mouth of the Zhengshui River.
Taking a boat from Zhengshui, one would pass through Yueyang before entering Dongting Lake. From Dongting Lake, following the Yangtze River downstream, one could directly reach Poyang Lake.
This consequently attracted many martial artists who wanted to enter Poyang Lake to Zhengshui. Therefore, many sects sent spies to Zhengshui to monitor and try to recruit warriors who wanted to enter Poyang Lake.
The conflict between the Golden Heaven Society and the Silver Lotus Society wasn’t a fight between clear good and evil.
Neither side was clearly righteous, nor was the other clearly evil.
The warriors participating in the great war were meticulously weighing their options to maximize their benefits.
This tendency was especially pronounced among martial artists who had already achieved notable success.
They knew instinctively.
That this was their only chance to elevate their fame.
They didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
There were also plenty of people in Zhengshui who preyed and targeted such individuals.
Especially at the entrance of Zhengshui, many people crowded.
They clustered in groups of three and four, keeping a close eye on those entering the city.
With all the martial artists keeping an eye on each other, a stifling atmosphere filled the entrance of Zhengshui.
It was then.
A group appeared, accompanied by the sound of horse hooves.
All eyes instantly focused on them.
A group riding horses and driving a carriage entered their view.
There were three people on horseback, one sitting on the coachman’s seat, and one sitting on the roof.
It was obvious from a glance that they were no ordinary people.
‘Martial artists!’
Their demeanor and aura as they rode their horses were enough indication.
That they have a martial background.
If that was the case, they were potential targets for recruitment.
However, no one approached rashly. It was crucial to determine their identities first.
There were people in Zhengshui who specialized in such tasks.
“Please stop for a moment.”
Without anyone specifically directing them, a few martial artists stepped forward to block the path of the newcomers.
“We are martial artists stationed in Zhengshui, belonging to the Thunder Eagle clan.”
“The Thunder Eagle clan?”
The visitors halted their horses and carriage.
The men, who identified themselves as the martial artists of the Thunder Eagle clan, approached them.
“I don’t know if you know, but we oversee Zhengshui. We don’t want people with unclear identities entering Zhengshui and causing havoc.”
“So?”
“If you want to enter Zhengshui, you must reveal your identity. You will also have to swear to not cause any trouble.”
To anyone who heard it, it sounded almost like coercion.
A martial arts faction, not an official government, had no right to block the city’s entrance and inspect people.
Only because the world was in chaos that such a thing became possible.
The Thunder Eagle clan asked the questions the sent spies wanted to know and was paid handsomely by them.
It was an unimaginable way to make a huge profit.
Just then, the man sitting on the roof of the carriage jumped down.
Doing a fist and palm salute, he greeted and introduced himself to the Thunder Eagle clan warriors.
“I am Chae Mu-ok from the Mind Illumination Sect.”
“The Mind Illumination Sect?”
“Are you talking about the Mind Illumination Sect from the Sanjiang region?”
As the Thunder Eagle clan warriors murmured among themselves, Chae Mu-ok smiled broadly and said.
“Ah, you know of it.”
“So, you are Chae Mu-ok from the Mind Illumination Sect?”
“Yes, that’s right. I am Chae Mu-ok.”
“I think I have heard of it.”
Fortunately, the Thunder Eagle clan warriors were somewhat familiar with the Mind Illumination Sect. This saved Chae Mu-ok from having to explain in detail.
“How is your leader doing?”
“He is suffering from severe internal injuries and spends most of his time bedridden.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“May I enter now?”
“Who are the people with you?”
“They are… my companions.”
“Are they from the Mind Illumination Sect too?”
The answer came from the Elder Assassin.
“We are from the Sanqing clan. We met Chae Mu-ok on the road and he joined us on the way here.”
“The Sanqing clan?”
The Thunder Eagle clan warriors’ eyes lit up.
The Sanqing clan was a faction not too far from here. Although the Thunder Eagle clan had no interaction with it, they knew roughly about its internal affairs.
Their gazes turned to Pyo-wol, who quickly greeted them with a fist and palm salute.
“I am Jin So-myung from the Sanqing clan.”
“Ah! You are the young master of the Sanqing clan.”
“That’s right!”
The Thunder Eagle clan warriors scrutinized Pyo-wol’s face closely. However, his appearance alone was not enough to reveal his true identity.
If they didn’t know anything about the Sanqing clan, they might have been more suspicious. However, since they knew about the Sanqing clan even a little, they didn’t suspect him.
It was then that Chae Mu-ok asked the Thunder Eagle clan warriors.
“But why are you asking so many questions? Is there a problem?”
“Not at all.”
The Thunder Eagle clan warriors fumbled slightly with their answer.
They couldn’t reveal that they were performing this task for a handsome fee from both the Golden Heaven Society and Silver Lotus Society.
Moreover, being a core disciple of the Mind Illumination Sect, Chae Mu-ok was likely to possess significant martial arts skills. They had heard that the reason the Mind Illumination Sect was still standing was mainly due to Chae Mu-ok.
It was unclear which faction he might join– the Golden Heaven Society or the Silver Lotus Society– but there was no need to provoke him further.
The Thunder Eagle clan had done their job by knowing his identity.
Instead of questioning him further, the Thunder Eagle clan warriors studied the men on horseback.
One was an elderly man with a face full of age spots, another was a man with an average appearance, and a young boy.
None of them seemed particularly noteworthy.
The Thunder Eagle clan warrior said,
“Apologies for the inconvenience. Please, go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Chae Mu-ok bowed, and then signaled to the people waiting behind him.
“Chae Mu-ok from the Mind Illumination Sect, right?”
“He’s quite skilled in martial arts so he would be quite useful. Recruiting him would surely be beneficial.”
“Let’s recruit him to our side.”
“What about Jin So-myung from the Sanqing clan?”
“He’s not worth recruiting. He just possesses average martial arts skills.”
“He’s as plain as he looks.”
“Hehe!”
The watchers murmured among themselves.
They did not approach Chae Mu-ok rashly.
Some showed strong aversion and took great offense to those who approached blindly, potentially causing counterproductive effects. So they had to be careful in their approach. Today, they planned to find out where Chae Mu-ok’s group was staying tonight and approach them.
“Hoo!”
Chae Mu-ok breathed a brief sigh of relief as he stepped into Zhengshui.
Looking at the Elder Assassin, he formed a fist and palm salute,
“Thank you for bringing me this far. I suppose your safe entry to Zhengshui could be my form of repayment?”
“Hehe! Did you know?”
“I had a hunch.”
“You’re more perceptive than you look.”
The Elder Assassin burst out laughing at Chae Mu-ok’s remark.
He hadn’t expected Chae Mu-ok to be so perceptive.
Despite appearing as clueless as a bear, Chae Mu-ok was in fact as cunning as a fox, with a knack for noticing the finer details.
‘This is what makes the world interesting. You can never be too careful.’
Even someone who looked as naive as Chae Mu-ok could have such sharp instincts, which meant any slight slip-up could easily reveal one’s true identity.
The Elder Assassin asked,
“Have you decided where to stay?”
“I was thinking of finding a suitable guesthouse.”
“If you don’t have a place in mind, come with us. Since we met by chance, a drink or two together would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
“Would that… be okay?”
“Hehe! Of course, it’s fine.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer, then.”
Chae Mu-ok answered while scratching his head.
He had no confidence in safely reaching Poyang Lake without the company of the Elder Assassin’s group. Given his poor sense of direction, going alone could lead to days of aimless wandering.
His heart was set on staying with them until at least reaching Poyang Lake.
The Elder Assassin seemed to take quite a liking to Chae Mu-ok.
Chae Mu-ok was unlike any other person the Elder Assassin had ever known.
Most people the Elder Assassin was familiar with, and closely associated with, belonged to assassin sects.
Those involved in assassin sects couldn’t be bright by nature.
Living off the darker parts of the world, their nature was bound to be gloomy. Even the most cheerful individuals would inevitably become somber the moment they became involved in the assassin sects.
Living among such people, Salno naturally gravitated towards someone with Chae Mu-ok’s bright energy.
“Over here, gentlemen! Come this way.”
“This Hyang Wol will treat you well. Please enter our brothel~”
“Hoho!”
The streets were filled with the laughter of courtesans.
Men who came to Zhenghui with their pockets full of money, and the courtesans, eyeing their wallets, had stationed themselves here.
They lured the men passing by the street with their laughter.
Those who succumbed to the temptation proudly crossed the thresholds of brothels, while those who resisted settled for drinks in nearby guesthouses.
Even though it was late in the evening, the streets were alive with excitement and bustling energy.
Pyo-wol and his group made their way through the hot night air, heading towards a guesthouse.
Almost all the guesthouses in Zhengshui were fully booked.
The owners of the guesthouses jubilantly shouted with glee, basking in an unexpected boom as they rented out their rooms to guests at a premium rate.
As a result, those who arrived in Zhengshui late had to leave, stomping their feet because there was no room left. But Pyo-wol’s group didn’t face such issues.
“You can all go in here.”
The Elder Assassin said, chuckling as he pointed towards an outbuilding.
It was an outbuilding attached to the guesthouse.
Despite the high price, the Elder Assassin had effortlessly secured the exclusive outbuilding, a feat others could not achieve no matter how much they paid. How the Elder Assassin managed to get the outbuilding was a mystery to everyone.
“How did you manage to get the outbuilding?”
“Well–”
Do Yeonsan couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked, but instead of an answer, he only received a laugh.
In any case, thanks to the Elder Assassin, they had comfortably secured a place to sleep, so no one expressed any complaints.
After settling their luggage in the outbuilding, they went down to the dining room on the first floor of the main building for a meal.
The first floor was bustling with people.
The dining room was so full of guests that it was nearly impossible to find an empty table.
Pyo-wol’s group managed to find one vacant table and sit down around it.
The Elder Assassin turned to Chae Mu-ok, who was standing awkwardly.
“Come, sit down.”
“Is it alright for me to do so?”
“Now that you’ve joined our group, you’re asking that?”
“Well, back then–”
“Stop the chatter and sit down. We’ve already decided to travel together, after all. Why would we treat you harshly? Just relax and enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Chae Mu-ok cautiously took a seat.
His gaze was fixed on Pyo-wol, who was sitting in the middle.
Pyo-wol was still in his changed appearance due to the face-changing technique.
All Chae Mu-ok could see was Pyo-wol’s assumed ordinary face. It was the kind of face that wouldn’t draw a second glance if encountered on the street. Even now, he couldn’t see anything extraordinary about Pyo-wol, but it was the reactions of the Elder Assassin and the others towards him that he couldn’t help but pay attention.
Everything was happening with Pyo-wol’s consent. The booking of the guesthouse, the movements of the group, all were carried out after seeking Pyo-wol’s approval. It was clear that Pyo-wol was the central figure of the group.
‘Who exactly is this guy…’
Although Chae Mu-ok wasn’t sure about the others, he was certain that the Elder Assassin was not an ordinary person.
Everything about the him– the way he carried himself, the look in his eyes and his overall aura.
None of it was normal.
At least, none of the people Chae Mu-ok knew could exude such an aura. So this convinced him that the Elder Assassin was far from being an ordinary person. But even the Elder Assassin was being very cautious with Pyo-wol.
It was evident, even to the least observant person, that the Elder Assassin treated Pyo-wol with respect, almost as a superior. This deepened Chae Mu-ok’s curiosity about Pyo-wol’s true identity.
‘Jin So-myung from the Sanqing clan…’
Whether Pyo-wol was aware of his intense gaze or not, he continued to savor his hot tea.
“Um…”
Just as Chae Mu-ok was about to address Pyo-wol–
“Master Chae!”
Suddenly, someone called out to him.
Surprised, Chae Mu-ok looked toward the source of the voice.
It was a man in his late thirties with a beard resembling that of a goat.
Chae Mu-ok looked at the man with a puzzled expression.
“Are you talking to me?”
“That’s right, Master Chae!”
“Who might you be?”
“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Lee Ju-eun from the Black Fang clan.”
“Why is a representative from the Black Fang clan looking for me?”
“Actually, we’re looking to recruit Master Chae to the Black Fang clan.”
“Me?”
Chae Mu-ok wore a look of disbelief.
Lee Ju-eun then lowered his voice, speaking earnestly to Chae Mu-ok.
“Our Black Fang clan has a close relationship with the Golden Heaven Society. Joining Black Fang clan is almost like joining the Golden Heaven Society. How about it? Would you consider joining our Black Fang clan?”
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