Chapter 44 Return

Chapter 44: Return

Even after sunset, we pressed on.

We feared further enemy ambushes.

“Hm.”

The little brat who’d been our target just moments ago scrutinized me.

“Why?”

“Out of curiosity.”

“About what?”

“How can I become as strong as you? Could you tell me your secret?”

To this unexpected question, I answered with something I’d always wanted to say.

“Well, if you thoroughly study and review the secret manuals…”

“Hah, you’re lying.”

At the boy’s denial, I couldn’t help but give him a light smack.

Thud.

“Ouch! That hurts!”

“You little brat, how dare you talk back to an adult…”

“That’s exactly why you should’ve explained it properly! Who do you think you’re fooling? I know everything too, you know?”

“What do you know?”

“The fact that disciples of prestigious martial arts sects are strong because they all train under great masters, eating elixirs while learning martial arts.”

“Only the top-tier students get to train like that. The rest? No chance.”

Like me, for instance.

“Father said if I went to Nine Dragons City, I’d become a master in no time…”

That’s why rumors are so dangerous.

Some father, trusting only such rumors, sent his son away to study.

And even hired that expensive Silver Dragon Hall for protection.

Danun, walking right beside us, overheard our conversation and chimed in.

“It’s not false. I know someone who entered Nine Dragons City knowing not a single martial art technique, yet through fierce effort, rose to the ranks of a master.”

Danun finished speaking and turned to look at me. Instead of answering, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Why did you suddenly butt in, Uncle?!”

At that moment, I saw it.

The instant the word “Uncle” left my mouth, Danun’s hand moved with lightning speed.

Thwack.

Gulp.

The boy, hit by Danun’s knuckle sandwich, foamed at the mouth and fainted.

“······.”

As I stared blankly, Danun brushed his hands off, looking slightly embarrassed.

I pulled up one corner of my mouth and muttered.

“He called me ‘hyung’ though.”

“······!”

“Guess to kids, Dan-hyung looks old. Heh heh heh.”

Swoosh.

“Geez, you draw your sword the moment I open my mouth. Scary.”

While Dan-un and I were bickering, Oh Pyo-du quietly approached and poked his face in.

“What’s so funny?”

“Hehehe, this little one here called Dan-hyung ‘uncle,’ so we were laughing. Oh Pyo-du, have you ever heard that children can’t lie?”

“Hah. Hahaha. Well, that’s true. My own daughter doesn’t know how to tell even the tiniest lie.”

Swoosh.

“Wait, why suddenly the sword…?”

“It’s just a habit, you see. I need to catch him and correct that habit… No, not correct it now, but…”

As the situation calmed, Officer Oh looked down at the unconscious kid and said.

“By the way, you didn’t ask who he is.”

“Shouldn’t we maintain strict confidentiality about the target?”

“True enough.”

Honestly, I have a pretty good guess.

If Namcheongung sent pursuers, he can’t be just anyone.

‘He must be the son of some family feuding with Namcheongung.’

“Anyway, I won’t ask more. Just prepare a generous reward. ”

“You mean this? Don’t worry. I, O Daesan, have never been called stingy in my life. How else would I have earned the name ‘Great Mountain’?”

“Oh, of course I believe you. Is there anyone in Guryongseong who doesn’t know Chief O is generous?”

For reference, Chief O is considered the most generous person in Eunryongdang.

“But tell me, what are your plans from here?”

Oh Daesan asked hesitantly.

“We must part ways at the next village, of course. Our paths diverge anyway.”

The path of the Biao Bureau differs from the roads we know.

They travel uncharted routes to guard against potential ambushes.

Therefore, if we travel with them, we might face the misfortune of taking a fortnight to cover a ten-day journey.

Despite knowing this, Oh Pyo-du sent me a pleading look.

“Surely you’re not suggesting we travel together?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be nice to travel together? We could share meals…”

“Sounds like the perfect way to get stabbed and die.”

“I’ll pay you a day’s wage.”

“How much?”

“Half a nyang?”

“Then we’ll take this path. I pray for your safe journey and hope to see you alive again.”

“Ha, one nyang!”

“Ah! Could you possibly write us a confirmation letter? Just in case something happens to you, we could submit it to Eunryongdang and claim the reward.”

” Gulp, I’ll give you two nyang. I can’t go any higher.“

”We’ll escort you safely.”

* * *

After that, the attacks from Namcheongung continued.

They dispatched so many warriors, it was hard to tell if we were in Namman or Sichuan, attacking us relentlessly.

Each time, I did my best… well, not exactly my best, but I fought decently enough to hold them off.

Solely for the daily pay Oh Pyo-du promised.

From the reward for saving Pyo-haeng to the daily wages, it was a very warm and satisfying journey.

A week passed like that, and we joined the rescue party that emerged from Eunryongdang.

Before we knew it, we had climbed to the peak of Guryongsan and could look down upon Guryongseong.

The stone walls encircling the outer fortress.

The endless rows of houses.

Even the tall pavilions clustered in the center of the city.

It was like seeing a small city.

“Wow!”

The boy let out an exclamation at the sight of Guryongseong spread out far below, then turned his head to look at me.

“Bro! Is all that over there Guryongseong?!”

“Yeah, kid. Since we’re here, we gotta work hard.”

“Yes, I’ll become a great warrior like you.”

“You little brat.”

Cute.

After the incident with Uncle Danun, the kid and I had become quite close.

Guess enemies of my enemy are my allies.

Thanks to that, the nearly five-hundred-li journey wasn’t boring at all.

Shortly after, we arrived at the castle gate, and the escort team drove their carts right in.

“Bro! See you next time!”

The little brat waved his tiny hand and called out, and I waved back.

“Once you graduate from the Ascension Pavilion, you absolutely must come to the Outer Hall!”

I’ll put you to good use.

After confirming the little brat had gone inside, I also bid farewell to Danun.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Your words are getting shorter and shorter. ”

“The hardships I endured because of you, Dan-hyung, are no small matter.”

“······Do as you please.”

“I’m sick of being with you, and let’s try not to see each other from now on. And don’t come looking for me at home. If you have something to say, come to the Oedang headquarters.”

“But you won’t be there, will you?”

“······Then, send someone to relay your message.”

“Very well.”

After a peaceful farewell, I approached Oh Pyodu, who handed me a pouch.

“Your daily pay is inside. The reward money······ I’ll discuss payment with the Chief Administrator.”

“Then, sign here······.”

“What’s this? ······A payment guarantee agreement?”

“Nothing much. Just to make things clear between us······.”

His gaze turned icy in an instant.

But I managed to get his signature.

Money matters need to be settled clearly, even among family.

A moment later.

Clunk.

“I’m home!”

Arriving at my longed-for house, I flung open the door and rushed inside.

“You’re back?”

Just then, Myohyang, who had been preparing dinner, came running out cheerfully.

Seeing this familiar, heartwarming scene after so long, I couldn’t help but smile.

* * *

That evening.

Hearing I’d returned, familiar faces came to visit the house.

“Captain! How are you feeling? Hearing you were injured made my heart skip a beat.”

Yoo So-pyeong greeted me, handing over an armful of meat.

“······Captain······. Good to see you.”

Lee Dang-pal handed over medicinal herbs said to be good for the body.

“Where did you get beaten up this time?”

As expected, Yang Gang brought nothing.

Myohyang whispered in a cold voice.

“Hey, seat him at the very end of the table. I’ll set the table so he can’t find any meat.”

“Should we just kick him out?”

“Considering the Squad Leader’s reputation, let’s overlook it this once.”

Myohyang truly had a heart as vast as the Pacific Ocean.

The guests didn’t stop there.

Our bald-headed friend, Yongmasan, had also come.

“Long time no see? Your hair’s still falling out.”

“I thought I mentioned last time it wasn’t falling out, it’s shaved…”

The drinking party that began like this flowed merrily throughout.

“Why am I the only one without any meat dishes… and not enough liquor either.”

Yanggang’s grumbling was heard, but we deliberately ignored it, pouring liquor into each other’s cups and chatting.

“I pulled my sword all the way out and swung it down hard, so the old horse dealer from the previous dynasty went ‘Oh my goodness!’ and tucked his tail between his legs…” ”

Everyone gasped in admiration at my factual war story.

As time passed, one by one, the alcohol took hold. Faces flushed, voices grew louder.

“A courtesan from Honghwa Pavilion, feeling amorous, grabbed the squad leader and insisted on spending the night together… Huh? Why did the mood suddenly change like this?”

Yanggang, drunk on the atmosphere, was even spouting dirty jokes, despite being seated with Myohyang and Cheongsoso.

Thanks to him, the mood instantly turned frosty, and I sighed.

‘Just try bringing that bastard back home again.’

I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.

I decided to break the ice by pulling out a joke I’d been saving.

“What kind of water do fish hate?”

“…Shut your mouth and drink your liquor.”

Faced with Myohyang’s icy glare, I had no choice but to sit back down.

As expected, my high-level joke reached a realm ordinary people (凡人) like Myohyang.

Feeling dejected, I went to relieve myself and found Yongmasan waiting for me when I came out.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Actually, I had something to say too.”

“You speak first.”

“You sent a hundred men to escort Sister Myohyang and Young Lady Cheong? And that was a thousand-mile journey. Truly, I’m grateful. Thanks to you, I’m alive.“

As I bowed my head slightly in greeting, Yongmasan looked away, his expression awkward.

”Heh heh, it’s nothing. I just happened to need someone sent to Hyeongcheon County…“

”Nothing? You sent a hundred men. Just their food alone must have cost dozens of nyang.”

“That’s true, but I didn’t expect anything in return, so don’t worry about it.”

“Worry about what? Do you think I’m some ungrateful beast? Just wait a bit. I’ll bring you the thing you want most.”

“Wh-wh-what could that be…?”

“You little brat, how many meals have I shared with you? Don’t you remember?”

Hearing my words, Yongmasan was greatly startled and began to back away.

I approached him and whispered softly.

“I’ve ordered a perfect wig from the Royal Tailor’s Shop to replace your hair. You won’t have to live as a bald man anymore.”

“…”

Thump thump.

I patted Yongmasan’s back, still visibly shocked, and continued.

“How about it? Only your brother, right?”

Unable to contain his joy, Yongmasan flushed bright red, a thick vein pulsing in the middle of his forehead.

It seems the agony of hair loss is the same, whether in the martial world or the modern age.

A moment later, Yongmasan, having barely composed his joy, opened his mouth.

“······I came to tell you something about Namcheongung.”

“······?”

“Not long ago, the chieftain of the Namman tribes rallied the clans and raised a rebellion against Namcheongung. In response, the ruler of Namcheongung dispatched warriors to carry out a massacre. I heard the casualties among the tribesmen reached over thirty thousand.“

”What?!“

If that was true, this was a matter that must be reported to the headquarters.

And immediately.

”We must inform the headquarters right now…“

”The leadership will already know. There’s no way the Red Dragon Sect wouldn’t know what I know.”

“Then why me?”

“Because of our personal connection, and because Commander Jin is also implicated in this matter.”

“Me?”

“Didn’t you escort the Great Clan Chief’s son all the way to Guryongseong?”

“What does that have to do with…”

Instantly, the little brat who had been the Silver Dragon Party’s token came to mind.

“You mean that little brat?”

Yongmasan answered with a faint smile.

“Correct. That boy is the eldest son of the Great Clan Chief. The Chief sent his own eldest son as a hostage to forge an alliance with Nine Dragon City.”

“Huh…!!”

“It seems war is imminent. You’d do well to prepare. Whether that preparation be martial arts or personnel.”