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0. Private revenge (10)
As our counterattack half-destroyed the pursuing force, the pursuers widened the distance.
Of course, the fact that it was daylight must have had an effect as well.
Because you will be able to clearly see this way even from a distance.
“What shall we do with them?”
Saryeon asked with a worried expression.
“Shall I go and drop it myself?”
That’s enough. Just leave it.
Even if you kill off the pursuers right now, another group will just follow you.
Moreover, if we show an oversensitive reaction, they will become even more convinced that there is a Damak on this side.
There is no need to give that assurance yet.
Yeah, it’s better to cause confusion right now.
Stop the carriage.
“Huh? Now?”
“Right. I have to eat anyway.”
They are also maintaining a state of extreme tension anyway.
Unexpected actions will soon sow confusion among them, just as they did during the regular exam.
The moving carriage gradually slowed down as a large open space located on one side of the main road appeared.
It was a resting place where other carriages also stopped to rest.
The people of Taeeulmun and Damak were prevented from getting out of the carriage.
Only the masked Black Daoists and a few others, including myself and Sa-ryeon, were made to prepare the meal.
Since all you had to do was put water, dried rice, dried meat, and dried vegetables into the pot and boil it, it didn’t require much effort anyway.
Seeing the guys trying to get close, I shot a few arrows at them, and they scurried back like startled cats.
It feels like a rope slowly tightening around my neck.
Saryeon’s brief impressions.
Even as she watches them retreat, her complexion does not look at ease.
Unlike the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers, this will be the first time you experience a breathless chase.
Being prey creates immense pressure.
You can see that just by looking at the Black Alliance guards.
Even those who had more experience in the martial arts world and were more thoroughly trained than Sa-ryeon were unable to properly eat the porridge served to them, just like the others.
I can’t eat it either.
Suddenly, Dang Seo-hui handed me a bowl of porridge that was more than half full.
I said with a sense of disbelief.
No sugar until you finish eating the porridge.
“……
You’re supposed to eat only jerky and sweets when you’re being chased.
Leaving the jerky aside… why is there candy in there?
If you don’t finish all the porridge, there will be no next serving of sugar and food.
Leaving Dang Seo-hui, who had taken the bowl of porridge again with a pout, he headed toward the carriage.
I opened the door slightly so as not to see inside and stepped in, and there was someone who was not eating porridge, just like Dang Seo-hui.
Let’s have a meal first. We’ll be leaving soon.
You don’t need to worry about me. I can just drink it all at once after it cools down anyway.
Damak said that while desperately writing something.
Next to it, two newly written books were already stacked.
Judging by the look on his face, he must have been writing something the entire time he was traveling in the carriage.
“What on earth are you writing?”
You can consider it like a will.
Didn’t you ask me to help you escape?
He briefly stopped the brush he had been working with quickly, glanced at me, then turned his head back and started working with the brush again.
“I asked to be let escape, I didn’t say to be spared.”
“…….”
Damak, who had been holding the brush the whole time, shifted his gaze to me for the first time.
“So please do not push yourself too hard. I do not want to incur another unpayable debt on the way. Even just up to this point, Young Master Jin has sufficiently done his job.”
I couldn’t say anything else at Damak’s attitude, which even had a small smile on his lips, unlike his cold words.
I guess you could say it feels unpleasant, even though I know they are being considerate of me.
Instead of answering, I expressed my feelings by slamming the carriage door shut. The pursuers, who had been following at a distance, resumed their attack as allies were added one by one.
The enemies, highly wary of poison and hidden weapons, began to launch long-range attacks with bows and spears, and the carriage was soon turned into a hedgehog by the barrage of arrows flying in layers.
“Ugh!”
There were also casualties.
“The Black Dragon…”
Incredibly, the bodyguard, struck in a vital spot by a stray arrow, called out the name of the Black Alliance to which he belonged as he lay dying in his comrade’s arms before breathing his last.
Just like the idiots of Sojeongdae in the past life.
One of the enraged escorts of the delegation ran into the forest, saying he would chase after the pursuers, but he never returned.
With the two people dying so tragically, the remaining members of the delegation are now a total of seven.
Among them, there were a total of three scholars, including Damak.
At the unfortunate news, the students could not hide their growing anxiety.
However, conversely, Damak was not particularly agitated.
It is just that the brushstrokes writing inside the swaying carriage became faster.
Like someone burning the last flame of life, he was writing books as if possessed by a ghost.
What on earth is a will that needs to be written in this critical moment?
And why are there so many characters in that will?
The doubts were deep, but there was no time to think for long.
Beep
– New news delivered by Jeon Seo-eung of Haomun.
– The Mudang Sect’s Tiger Brigade is approaching
The main force, not the special operations unit approaching the Jeomchangpa Taehwa Unit, has started to move.
The reaction is extreme for a backlash against the Yukgachang style.
Did something happen inside the Meng?
The original plan was to reach at least Namjeong and carry out the final operation.
It would be necessary to move it up a little.
Shoo shoo.
As the reins are pulled, the carriage’s speed gradually decreases.
As our lead carriage stopped, the carriages following in line also gradually slowed down.
After stopping the carriage, I headed toward the carriage carrying the people of Taeeulmun.
As soon as I opened the door, the Gate Master raised his sword as if he had expected it.
It is a little earlier than I said.
They moved a bit more diligently over there.
Is that so?
The Gatekeeper got out of the carriage and headed together with me toward the carriage carrying the members of the Black Alliance delegation.
Seeing me and Munju Hong Mun-gi standing together, Dam-ak nodded and continued to work with his brush.
The hands of the two scholars, who had been grinding ink, were stained pitch black, as if they had been writing inside the carriage the entire time they were traveling.
We just finished on this side as well.
Damak, having completed five books, slowly got out of the carriage holding the books.
The scholars transferred to the Taeeulmun carriage, and the remaining guards of the Saheukryeon abandoned the carriage and saddled the horses.
We are ready.
From now on, they will move independently, having parted ways with the Taeeulmun.
As I nodded while looking at Dang Seo-hui and Jegal Cheon-gi, Dam-ak shook his head.
“Please, everyone, also go with Taeeulmun.”
Damak, telling a story completely different from the planned operation.
“General.…….”
“If you go with me, you will surely die.”
At Damak’s calm words, a Saheukryeon guard approached as if about to spring out.
“No!”
Damak shook his head slowly but firmly.
There is no longer any need to endure a useless death. Please convey my apologies to the Master for failing to keep my promise.
Damak entrusted the five books he was holding to his guard.
“This book contains a comprehensive plan for the future direction of the war following my death and methods to bring down the Nine Great Sects. If you hand it over to the military affairs personnel of the Black Alliance, they will prepare everything for you.”
What he called a will was actually a preparation for the future of the Black Alliance, which would eventually disappear with his death.
“No! That cannot be done!”
“No. I must die here. Only then can the Black Alliance and all of you live.”
Although he had not mastered a single stroke of martial arts, the aura he exuded was formidable.
The guards could not even dare to deny his words in front of him.
“The revival of the Black Alliance will surely begin with my death, so leave without delay.”
This guy keeps saying strange things.
As I listened to the story, I approached him and unexpectedly picked up a blood transfusion.
Tap tap tap.
Damak’s eyelids slowly close as he speaks.
“ji……
vacuum…….”
He tries to force himself to raise his eyes and glare at me as I reach for the blood transfusion, but there is no way a human who hasn’t even learned martial arts could withstand a blood transfusion.
“Th-what is this……
Son… … .”
It’s because it’s too noisy.
“That…… doesn’t even make sense…….”
Damak collapses, saying that.
I lifted him up and put him on my horse’s saddle.
I turned my head and saw guards with dazed expressions.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”
“yes?”
“No matter how prepared he was to die, we must bring him back alive. Isn’t that the duty of an escort?”
Ah, yes.
The guards, wearing expressions that seemed to say, “Is this really how it should be handled?”, soon mounted their horses one by one.
I looked at Dang Seo-hee and spoke.
I’m counting on you, Senior Dang.
You don’t need to worry.
Dang Seo-hui nodded, pulled her mask back up, and leaped up from her seat.
“Anyway, everyone will know he is from the Tang family because of the turquoise robe.” He must have really liked the mask.
Dang Seo-hee moves to deal with the pursuit team.
I headed toward Hong Mun-ju.
“They say the Wudang Sect’s Fierce Tiger Brigade and the Jianchang Sect’s Taihua Brigade are currently heading this way.”
Even though shamans and fortune tellers were mentioned, the clan leader had an indifferent expression.
“Don’t worry. Please take care of yourself.”
“yes.”
Then, just as I was about to greet my father, who was standing at the very back of the Taeeulmun people.
Something flew toward my face and snatched it.
“What is this?”
I looked down and saw it was a familiar object. I asked my father again.
“Isn’t it Cheonjambo?”
“Wear this before you go. I heard yours got ruined.”
It seems he remembered the story about it breaking down not long ago.
Father, you wear it. I’m fine.
If I had to name the more dangerous person in this situation, wouldn’t it be my father, not me?
The moment he was about to throw the Heavenly Silk Robe at his father once again.
“If you don’t wear that and end up dying, I will follow you in death.”
The people of Taeeulmun turned around in surprise at their father’s extremely serious voice.
I had the same look of shock on my face.
The person in question, however, continues speaking calmly and firmly.
“I trust the people of my sect. That is why I followed you no matter what. If you feel the same way, take care of your own safety first.”
At those words, I could not dare return the Heavenly Silk Robe.
ping
– Bang!
A short while later, Dang Seo-hui fired a signal flare, signaling that all pursuers had been dealt with.
Go.
At my father’s simple words, “Please take care.”
He pulled the reins and started to run. Even after Jin So-un and Dam-ak’s party had left, he did not deliberately slow down the carriage.
Because Dam-ak was supposed to be riding in this carriage from the start.
The scholars of the Saheukryeon and Jin Taesan hid inside the carriage, while all the disciples of the Taeeulmun were waiting outside.
Hong Mun-gi asked as he looked at his daughter, who had grown into a fine young lady before he knew it.
“Were there many such incidents?”
“Oh my… don’t even get me started. I’m telling you, every single day felt like walking a tightrope.”
He answers curtly as if venting his dissatisfaction, but his face is full of worry.
At the same time, his eyes are filled with trust.
Seeing the difference between the words he spoke and his facial expression, I felt like the child had grown up before I knew it.
Come to think of it, when did that Jin So-un guy grow up to the point where he takes care of adults?
I feel a sense of shame for having been too negligent all this time.
The fact that they could not confide in adults despite having faced many difficulties means that they endured that suffering and loneliness all alone.
I cannot bear the feeling of self-reproach.
It’s our fault for not acting like adults.
“Huh? Ah, no. It’s not like that…”
He patted Saryeon’s shoulder, who was feeling embarrassed, and reassured her.
“Don’t worry. From now on, we will share Soun’s burdens together.”
The conversation could not continue any further. For a moment, those emitting powerful energy waves had been heading toward this side at an absurd speed.
They are not merely for reconnaissance or pursuit.
Elite.
And at that level, someone likely to be active in the headquarters or the Martial Arts Alliance.
Increase the speed of the carriage.
He tries to increase the speed of the carriage, but the distance between him and those chasing him shows no signs of widening.
Everyone, do not respond.
He was not an opponent to be dealt with half-heartedly.
Those who must face it head-on. ‘Shaman, fortune teller?’ Regardless of their affiliation, they are formidable opponents.
Sure enough.
Before anyone realized it, those chasing the carriage were not only keeping up but had already started to overtake it.
And at the same time, land on the floor.
The rising sand dust fell straight to the ground as if snatched by something in an instant.
Hong Mun-gi felt a sense of déjà vu at the sight.
Soon, the memory of when the Yongbong Association visited Taeeulmun came to mind.
“It was truly fascinating when I first saw it.” He lifted his head high and stared straight ahead.
Thirty people blocking the main road.
Unlike the pursuers so far, they did not wear masks.
“I could tell at a glance which affiliation they belonged to by looking at the patterns engraved on their uniforms. ‘Jeomchang.’ The man standing at the very front raised his sword and stopped the carriage.”
Uh, what should I do?
Hong Mun-gi nodded at the coachman’s question, and the coachman pulled the reins to slowly stop the carriage.
Squeak
The carriage came to a stop with the sound of hinges engaging.
There will be a brief inspection.
A martial artist of the Jeomchang Sect who states only his business without any introduction.
“Inspection?”
“A traitor from the Murim Alliance has escaped from prison and is currently in pursuit. Please cooperate!”
The warrior of the Jeomchang Sect strode toward the carriage.
And at that moment.
Sgong
Sword energy emanated from Hong Mun-gi’s sword, leaving a mark at the warrior’s feet.
“What are you doing!”
visor!
The warrior of Jeomchang raised his sword, glaring as if to kill.
Hong Mun-gi spoke leisurely while looking down at him.
“Do you think I’ll just sit by and watch unknown people try to open the carriage without permission?”
“You crazy… Can’t you tell even after seeing this pattern!”
A man acting arrogantly while pointing at the symbol engraved on his chest.
Watching him, Hong Mun-gi smiled bitterly inwardly. ‘I used to accept it all for granted.’ Their ruthlessness, their disproportionate nature.
I thought of it as a natural phenomenon that was bound to happen.
I did not realize that I was suffering humiliation because I was weak.
“Who is your master?”
“S-Master?”
Hong Mun-gi’s finger reaches for the small flag attached to the roof of the carriage.
“Didn’t your sect teach you whose symbol this is?”
“I know. But is that the reason you threatened me?”
“Do you know Taeeulmun?”
“I know. And I also know that you are aiding the rebels.”
“Then bring the order.”
The warrior of Jeomchang glared at Hong Mun-gi as if to kill him instead of answering.
However, Hong Mun-gi’s angry voice overwhelms the audience.
“Surely you haven’t acted so rudely without an order? At this rate, how are you any different from the dark thugs you despise so much!”
Crunch.
The sound of teeth grinding comes from Jeomchang-in’s mouth, and the sword trembles violently as if it is about to burst forth at any moment.
At that moment, one of the men blocking the road stepped forward and grabbed the bow.
“I am Jang So-pyeong, the head of Taehwadae. May I ask what your name is?”
I am Hong Mun-gi of the Taeeulmun.
Jang So-pyeong seemed to try to recall something for a moment, but soon gave up and let out a sigh.
“I really don’t know. By any chance, what is your position?”
He is the sect leader.
I see.
Even though a disciple of a sect had committed an act of disrespect toward a sect leader, the people of Jeomchang did not even show a look of embarrassment.
Hong Mun-gi shuddered slightly at the realization that this was the reality of Taeeulmun and the truth he had been ignoring all this time.
Jang So-pyeong continued speaking with a more relaxed expression.
“In that case, you must be well aware of the wrongdoings committed at the Ghost Gate.”
“What wrong did I commit?”
As I mentioned, I am pursuing the traitor. I have also heard information that the Ghost Gate is aiding him.
However, Hong Mun-gi is not easily discouraged either.
“You’ve been talking about treason for a while now, but who on earth are you talking about?”
Did you claim to be performing official duties when you could not even give your name?
It is confidential.
Confidentiality? Anyone can see they are being deceptive.
If it were the person he was in the past, he would have long ago personally opened the carriage door and even turned his belly up to prove his innocence to them.
Yes, that must have been the case.
Rationalizing to himself, “What’s so hard about opening the carriage door?”
But now I know.
This is not simply a matter of whether or not to open the door.
That’s funny.
“What is so funny?”
Now that I have realized that what you consider obvious is not obvious at all, how can I help but laugh?
Jang So-pyeong drew his sword.
I suppose you mean they won’t cooperate.
Hong Mun-gi let out a chuckle.
“Go ahead and achieve what you want by using the power you like.”
At the same time, thirty
A number of people drew their swords.
If it were like before, my legs would undoubtedly have trembled with fear and my hands would have lost all strength.
“Come!”
However, Hong Mun-gi’s inner self was more peaceful than ever.
