#1
6
7.
“The academic year has just begun, so where on earth is the representative going?” Just as I was about to let it slide, thinking, “As expected, he is an unpredictable and unpleasant person.”
When I heard that his destination was Sacheon and that Jeong Do-hoe had gone there for field training, I couldn’t just let it slide.
The person who remained completely at ease even as people were dying inside the Soul Annihilation Formation hurriedly follows along on an excursion-style field trip that is nothing more than a rebellious protest by the Jeongdohoe?
“And even mobilizing the Blue Dragon Pavilion’s strike force for that? He really is an unpleasant person in many ways.” For Cheol Sun-jik, who generally dislikes most things that are unpredictable, Jin So-woon was an extremely uncomfortable presence.
That is why I volunteered to follow this procession.
‘To find out what kind of person he was, always defying his expectations. Whether he was just a brat acting impulsively on impulse, or…’ Cheol Sun-jik, who had been looking at Jin So-woon’s back, stopped thinking there.
“I leave those who fall behind behind! Chase after me all the way to Chengdu in Sichuan with all your might!”
At Jin So-un’s resounding shout, Cheol Sun-jik unconsciously tightened his grip on the reins.
The personnel of the 12 Peaks who participated in Jin So-un’s procession this time are also the elite of the elite.
They are not beings who would find such a speed overwhelming.
“Cheol-hyung, why did you go out of your way to attend the author’s procession?”
In response to Nam Hwa-seong’s question, a group including Ha Yeong-yeong and Sang Mu-heun approached Cheol Sun-jik and began to talk to him.
It was an action bordering on a fine art, but no one found it difficult.
Nam Hwa-seong even furrowed his brow as if he simply could not understand it.
And even giving him command authority.
At those words, Cheol-sun-jik burst into laughter without realizing it.
Just before departure, Jin So-un unexpectedly readily accepted his offer to join him.
He set only one condition.
Absolute obedience.
Although the elite 12 fortresses, including Nam Hwa-seong, objected, Cheol Sun-jik eventually accepted his conditions.
The group is finally pursuing the suspicions they have been suppressing.
“To be honest, didn’t you guys attend because you were curious about Jin So-woon as well?”
“…….”
No one answered Cheol-sun-jik’s question.
“I… I’m going because I want to see Jin So-woon fight those guys from the Nine Great Sects. That guy always charges in without looking back.”
Cheol Sun-jik nodded at Nam Hwa-seong’s words.
I am the same way.
“huh?”
“There is always a reason behind his actions.”
He is a human who behaves unpredictably.
Unpredictable behavior refers to behavior that most people do not engage in.
The fact that most people do not do something implies that the probability of a good outcome is low.
But the thing is, that doesn’t apply to him…
His unpredictable behavior always yielded the best results for him.
Just like a hidden answer sheet.
It was like that in the Maryeong Plateau, it was like that in the Murim Jeongsi, and it was like that during the incident at the Soul Annihilation Formation.
“Don’t you still know that, Cheol? That guy is a lunatic. Just a lunatic who’s lost his mind.”
At Nam Hwa-seong’s words, the members of the 12 Peaks burst into laughter in unison.
“Hahaha, do you think so too?”
Some people underestimate Jin So-un.
Whether he is a crazy person, or a Black Daoist who is slightly out of his mind and thinks he is a White Daoist.
Such an evaluation likely stems from the envy of those who cannot accept the reality that he consistently produces optimal results through unexpected choices.
That is why I am curious.
I wonder if he’s really just a spineless lunatic…
Or perhaps a new being walking an extraordinary path that others do not choose…
Cheol-sun-jik believes that his generation currently living in the martial arts world is already doomed.
This thought was firmly imprinted in my mind when I first met Yong So-ah in the past.
No one in his generation can surpass Yong So-ah.
As long as he is alive, one cannot rule the Murim or the Central Plains during one’s own generation.
No matter how much the power of the Twelve Peaks grows and countless masters appear, ultimately no one will be able to surpass Shaolin’s Yiming and Wudang’s Long Xiao’er.
Ultimately, they are for the next generation.
You must wait until the moment they no longer exist in the martial arts world.
“If there is a being capable of escaping this firm prediction of mine…….”
Cheol Sun-jik’s gaze pierces sharply at the back of Jin So-un, who is running ahead of him.
Unless he is really just a simple lunatic as some people think.
If he is ‘that kind of being’ that I think he is.
Even in our generation, a hopeful figure has appeared who can usher in a new era, one I could not have predicted…
“Hey! 12 Bongseong! What are you muttering about! Aren’t you going to hurry up and catch up?”
Jin So-un, having severed his thoughts, was glaring with a face like a demon.
Cheol-sun-jik said, trying to maintain his composure.
“CEO Jin So-woon, are you going to keep running like this? If we continue like this, everyone will get exhausted and fall apart.”
“What?! You guys asked me to take you! If you were going to come this slowly, why did you even bother chasing after me! Go back to the academic building!”
Are you really just running without thinking?
At this rate, not only the Twelve Peaks but even that formidable Seunghodang won’t be able to hold out for long.
“……
Brother Cheol.
Nam Hwa-seong spoke in a low voice.
“Wake up. As if things weren’t bad enough, because Cheol kept getting delayed, we’re getting cursed at by that lunatic too.”
“No, I…….”
“Didn’t Cheol-hyung ask to come? Just speed things up.”
I’m sorry.
To think I’ve been driving people like this so thoughtlessly… maybe I’ve just been lucky all this time…
For some reason, Cheol-sun-jik was tilting the scales of his thoughts to one side. “I will cross through Chongqing.”
Gu Jeong-ryong furrowed his brow at Jin So-un’s story.
Most of the traveling groups heading from Hubei Province to Sichuan travel along the Yangtze River, go around Shaanxi, and head to Sichuan.
Traveling by river is efficient in many ways.
Compared to land routes, the difference in transport volume was significant, but above all, it was convenient.
That is why most people heading to Sacheon usually take this route…
Crossing Chongqing.
This is a movement path suitable only for someone who has to move quickly while carrying a light bundle.
If you say that a group fully armed and even leading horses must cross Chongqing like this, you are likely to be called crazy.
However, less than a day after Gu Jeong-ryong handed over command, Jin So-un started spouting nonsense.
“Are you out of your mind? Crossing Chongqing? Even if we take the warriors aside, the horses won’t be able to hold out.”
The reason Gu Jeong-ryong gave command to Jin So-un was due to Meng Ju-won’s plea.
It was a request I could have easily granted given the debt from the past, but I could not refuse when a man of the rank of Director of the Mantong Department pleaded in front of the party members, saying, “Please, for the sake of my foxy wife and rabbit-like children, just this once…” ‘Wasn’t Meng Ju-won still a bachelor to begin with?’ In any case, moved by his desperate heart that was willing to sell off even his non-existent wife and children, I decided to empower Meng Ju-won since I was already doing this, and even granted him command; however, that did not mean I could unconditionally follow such irrational behavior.
This is the only way to close the gap with the leader.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“The best time to catch up with those who set out first is right before they reach Mount Emei. However, if the Yangtze River’s current is as strong as usual, we will arrive late even after they reach Padang. To catch up with them, we have no choice but to cross Chongqing.”
That makes sense, but it is merely theoretical.
Because humans and horses are not beings that can move only according to theory.
“Even if we overlook Hubei Province, there is no Wulin Alliance branch in Chongqing, our intermediate stop. Of course, the path ahead is a problem as well. Where is there a place that can feed, house, and even change horses for a group of nearly a hundred people on the way to Chengdu, Sichuan?”
This is the most important thing.
It’s not like a war has broken out, yet they’re putting Seunghodang through the wringer just to block an external field trip that looks more like a pleasure excursion?
The backlash from party members will be tremendous.
You don’t need to worry about that.
“what?”
“I have asked for help, so you don’t need to worry. Of course, I don’t know what he might expect later, but…”
The inexplicable story of Jin So-un.
Gu Jeong-ryong had no choice but to give a stern warning.
“You are aware of the responsibilities that come with command, aren’t you?”
Of course.
That includes the grievances of the Seungho Party members as well. Overwork without proper justification provokes a backlash from the warriors.
“Even if you race all the way to Jingzhou like this, the Jingzhou branch of the Murim Alliance will already be closed. Can you quell their discontent?”
Despite Gu Jeong-ryong’s urging, Jin So-un’s expression was incredibly relaxed.
“Hmm, I’m not entirely sure, but it’ll probably be better than snatching a few hours of sleep at the Hyeongju branch.”
“hmm?”
Although he had no idea what on earth was going on, Gu Jeong-ryong decided to wait and see for now.
Ignoring Gu Jeong-ryong’s advice to rest before arriving in Jingzhou, they rode until the moon was full and finally arrived in Jingzhou just as the hour of the Pig was approaching.
“Haa… haa… damn it.”
I knew this would happen.
“Damn it, what on earth is that Black Flame Dragon thinking?”
And as expected, the Jingzhou branch of the Murim Alliance had already closed down.
Eventually, the complaints of the Seungho Party members began to surface one by one.
“Master, what is going on? We aren’t going to fight, so do we really have to be overworked like this?”
“Even if it is a request from the Director of the Communications Department, this is a bit too much.”
“Master, if things continue like this, everyone will die before we reach Sichuan. Please make a decision.”
Amidst the outpouring of complaints accompanied by profanity, the moment Gu Jeong-ryong thought he finally had to reclaim command.
It’s this way.
Jin So-un stopped in front of the largest inn in Jingzhou.
“Young Master Jin! I have been waiting for you.”
The Seungho Party members and the 12 Bongseong, who had been venting their grievances, all opened their mouths wide at once.
The head of the Golden Pavilion, the best inn in Jingzhou, was lined up with servants to welcome Jin Xiaoyun and his party.
“Take care of the warriors!”
Without anyone taking the lead, the servants approached the warriors, listened to their words, and prepared cool, damp towels for them to wipe their hands and faces.
I have finished preparing the meal and bath. You said you are leaving early tomorrow, right?
At Jang Ru’s question, Jin So-un nodded as if accustomed to it.
“We will depart before the hour of the Dragon. Have you secured the horses?”
Preparations are already complete in each branch within Hubei Province, and in Chongqing and Sichuan Province, preparations will be finished before Confucius arrives.
I apologize for making an unreasonable request.
As Jin So-un bowed his head, the middle-aged Jin Gak Jang-ru felt humbled and instead stopped Jin So-un.
“You are too kind. Thanks to you, I can earn more points with the Lord of the Wang clan, so I am actually grateful.”
At that unfamiliar sight, people stare blankly at Jin So-un.
Wanggajangju? Are you referring to Wanggeumsan, where it is said that a mountain was built of gold?
Moreover, what was strange was that the disciples of Taeeulmun, as well as Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran, who were always with Jin So-un, accepted this treatment as if nothing had happened, as if they were accustomed to it. ‘Is Jin So-un Wang Geum-san’s child or something? … …
“But the last names are different, aren’t they?” The people who had washed off all the dust in the bath and come out to the dining room were wide-eyed at the sumptuous feast spread out before their eyes, as if time had been perfectly measured.
We will limit alcohol to one bottle per person. We still have a long way to go.
At Jin So-un’s words, the members of Seunghodang cheered in unison.
Those who had been venting their grievances began to praise the Black Flame Dragon in unison, as if nothing had happened.
“Black Flame Dragon! Black Flame Dragon!”
“Junior! You’re quite the man!”
“You really have to meet the right commander!”
Gu Jeong-ryong was dumbfounded by the Seungho Party members’ swift change of stance.
Gu Jeong-ryong, who was not sure whether the food was going down his nose or his mouth, eventually could not hold back and asked Jin So-un.
“Are you perhaps the hidden son of the Lord of Mt. Wanggeum, or something like that?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Otherwise, why would the Master of Mt. Wanggeum grant such a favor?”
They were the only guests in this large annex.
In short, it means that for the sake of Jin So-un, not only was today’s income lost, but even losses were endured.
Lord Wang Jang-ju and the Taeeulmun Sect have been close friends by nature. His daughter is also my junior sister.
Gu Jeong-ryong became even more suspicious of Jin So-un, who spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ‘He isn’t even his son, so why is the Wang clan leader lacking anything to provide such conveniences to a disciple of the Taeeul Sect? Is he some kind of son-in-law of the Wang clan? What is this?’ Although his doubts were not resolved at all, Gu Jeong-ryong felt that he should somehow get closer to Jin So-un.
