Chapter 48
"Ugh, ugh..."
A groaning sound was constantly flowing from near a mountain spring deep in the mountains.
The Poisonous Hand, who had been crawling on the floor a few times while clutching his broken, bleeding head, stealthily got up from his seat.
"Is he gone?"
There was nothing to be felt in his senses. However, judging by the divine might that the guy had shown, he was a master above him, so he could not be careless.
The Poisonous Hand, who had been observing his surroundings for a long time, was convinced that Cheon Woojin had left and entered the hut.
"Hah..."
The hut, where all sorts of medicinal herbs and poisons had been neatly arranged, was in a mess.
It didn't matter that the antidote had been stolen. However, the loss of the Small Pill was quite a big blow. Because it was a spiritual medicine that he had bought from the Shadowless Divine Thief for a large sum of money.
The Poisonous Hand clenched his fist, emitting his unique green light. He wanted to follow that rude disciple of the Black Master right away and shove poison into his mouth, but...
Unlike his thoughts, his feet did not move.
"As expected of his disciple."
In fact, he had never directly exchanged blows with the Black Master. However, when they were hanging out, he had often seen him fight with other guys.
"It was more like an assault than a fight..."
Most of them were those who had a grudge against the Black Master, or those who picked a fight to gain fame.
Surprisingly, the Black Master's nickname had been used since he was a young man, because even the Poisonous Hand, who had grown up seeing people pickled in poison, acknowledged that he had an old face.
- Haha, looking at your face, I understand why you carry the nickname of an old man... Ugh!
It was mostly like that.
Anyway, when a fight broke out, the Black Master was a cruel and strong man who was feared even by his friend. The young brat named Cheon Woojin also made him feel that emotion that he had buried for a long time, as expected of his disciple.
"This bastard. I will definitely get my revenge. You will regret letting me live, hitting the ground."
The Poisonous Hand's menacing poison ki filled the hut.
Judging by his momentum, it seemed as if he would follow Cheon Woojin right away and request a life-and-death duel, but the Poisonous Hand just pulled over the inkstone and paper on one side.
The Poisonous Hand, who had ground the ink with a fighting spirit, wrote something on the paper for a long time.
It was roughly a petition to be sent to the Martial Alliance.
- Did the Martial Alliance of the era accept a Martial Alliance member named Cheon Woojin, knowing that he was the disciple of the great evil, the Black Master!
The Poisonous Hand, who was nodding his head with a satisfied expression at his sentence, stopped for a moment.
It was because he was reminded of the short martial world trip he had taken with the Black Master in his youth. Although he had buried it deep in his heart due to extreme fear, he had unexpectedly met his disciple.
"I was harsh on him back then."
He needed the body of a master. The only master around was the Black Master. He was younger than now, and at that time, it had not been long since he had been kicked out of the Tang family, so his obsession with poison arts was even greater.
So, he had done it. Of course, he had failed, and he had to live the rest of his life avoiding the Black Master's eyes.
"Kekeke, it's a good thing he's dead."
Although he said so, his voice was somehow mixed with bitterness. The Poisonous Hand also knew that Cheon Woojin's words were true.
"If that guy had chased me with a plan, there's no way I would have been alive like this."
He didn't know when they were hanging out together, but later, when he heard the news, he was a disciple of the Dark Heavenly Son. And the great disciple who was said to have been the closest to his master among the many disciples.
There was no way to deceive the eyes of such a man for a lifetime.
It was the same just now. Cheon Woojin's martial might was definitely a few levels above his.
'A monster raised a monster...'
Would such a monster have spared him by mistake? If he had wanted to, he could have not just split his head, but smashed it completely.
The Poisonous Hand, who was roughly applying a wound medicine to his still bleeding head, was lost in deep thought.
'I owe my life to those two brothers twice.'
It was a damn fate. The old friend who had made him run away in fear for his whole life and his disciple had saved him twice.
Was this a grudge, or a grace?
After a moment of thought, the Poisonous Hand came to a conclusion.
"Damn it. Of all people, to those guys..."
The Poisonous Hand, who let out a deep sigh, crumpled the paper. Although he was a kicked-out person, the people of the Sichuan Tang family were famous for never forgetting a grudge or a grace.
* * *
The escort, led by Cheon Woojin, arrived at the destination, the Henan Escort Agency, without difficulty.
"Oh, as expected..."
Song Yiyeon, who was looking at the Henan Escort Agency, let out a low exclamation. As Cheon Woojin looked at him as if asking why, Song Yiyeon's explanation continued.
"The Henan Escort Agency is one of the top four escort agencies in the central plains. They are commonly called the Four Great Escort Agencies of the Central Plains. Ahem, of course, our Anhui Song family is no less..."
Song Yiyeon added the last words for no reason, and Cheon Woojin nodded his head and looked at the escort agency.
Certainly, for a single escort agency, there were many people, and especially the number of martial artists was on par with a decent martial family.
The level of those who seemed to be escorts was also very high, with many who had surpassed the first-class.
"At this rate, it would be fine to see it as a martial arts sect."
"That's a matter of course. In fact, escort agencies are often deeply involved in the history of the martial world, unlike how they are seen. So those who tease me for being the son of a merchant family are also talking without knowing anything."
"Umm, I see."
Although he didn't know why the conversation was flowing that way, Cheon Woojin just nodded his head. It was a way of making friends that he had learned from his White Master.
As Cheon Woojin reacted, the somehow excited Song Yiyeon explained for a long time about why he should be called a true martial artist. Of course, Cheon Woojin just mechanically agreed and looked at the escort agency.
Head Escort Jang Seongguk of the Yicheng Escort Agency approached from among the people who were busily coming and going. Since he had safely finished the escort, his complexion had become good again.
"You both have worked hard. Thanks to you, we were able to finish the escort safely."
His attitude had changed greatly from when they had departed. He had already confirmed the abilities of the two with his own eyes, and especially the sight of Cheon Woojin treating the plague with ki art was strongly imprinted in his mind.
"Is it all over now?"
As Cheon Woojin asked, Jang Seongguk nodded his head repeatedly.
"That's right. I'll send a message to the Martial Alliance myself, so you can go back right away. Since it's the Henan Escort Agency, a small and medium-sized escort agency like us will have to wait for a long time."
Jang Seongguk smiled bitterly. He would probably have to wait for a long time before a mere escort from the Henan Escort Agency would come and give him a confirmation. It was the sorrow of a small and medium-sized escort agency dealing with a large escort agency.
Since he couldn't let the Martial Alliance members' time be wasted like that, Jang Seongguk told the two to go back first.
It was then.
An escort who had come out of the office of the Henan Escort Agency approached.
"Are you from the Yicheng Escort Agency?"
"That's right."
"The third head escort has asked you to come in."
As Head Escort Jang looked with an expression of 'what's going on', the escort let out a dry cough and added.
"He wishes to see the two of you here."
"Ah."
Head Escort Jang scratched his head as if embarrassed. Well, if they were martial artists belonging to the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance, they would be treated quite well even at the Henan Escort Agency.
Song Yiyeon looked at Head Escort Jang with an embarrassed expression.
However, Head Escort Jang just nodded his head.
"Please go ahead."
"Ahem. Yes, I understand."
Song Yiyeon, who bowed his head, followed the escort's guidance, and Cheon Woojin followed him.
* * *
"Please, have some."
The third head escort pointed to the teacups in front of the two. He was a man with a rather fleshy build and an impressive thin goat beard compared to his size.
Cheon Woojin looked at him and then lifted the teacup to his lips. At the same time, the third head escort's words continued.
"How is it, the aroma is very good, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
As Song Yiyeon answered, the third head escort nodded his head with satisfaction.
"As you know, it's not easy to move a martial artist with money."
Song Yiyeon and Cheon Woojin had a bewildered expression, as if asking why he was talking about this.
Whether that was the case or not, the third head escort's words continued calmly.
"However, our Henan Escort Agency has quite a few escorts from the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance. What do you think is the method?"
"Well. Is the head of the agency perhaps from a martial artist background?"
At Song Yiyeon's answer, the third head escort gently stroked his goat beard and continued.
"No. The head of the agency is a born merchant. However, he just has a lot of money. A lot, a lot of money."
"Aha..."
Song Yiyeon nodded his head with a creak. In the end, it meant that he was paying a large sum of money to hire a large number of martial artists who were not easy to move with money.
The intention of saying such a thing was obvious.
"If by any chance the day comes when you leave the alliance, come and find me. I heard about the escort with the Yicheng Escort Agency. It was quite impressive. I will promise you better treatment than the other head escorts."
In other words, it was a trick to secure his own faction.
By the time Song Yiyeon was awkwardly drinking his tea.
Cheon Woojin answered in a dry tone.
"That won't happen."
"Hahaha!"
Perhaps because it was a more firm answer than he had expected, the third head escort burst into a hearty laugh. The third head escort, who was looking at Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon as if observing them, had a strange smile.
"At first, everyone thinks so. They admire their own image of becoming a hero or a chivalrous person, and they feel as if they can do anything for justice... It's exactly five years."
"Yes?"
"All that water drains out, you get pushed around by your peers from noble families or sects, you're ignored by your superiors, and you're pushed up from below... In the end, the time it takes to turn your head here and there is exactly five years."
"Aha..."
Song Yiyeon just nodded his head as if he was not pleased. At that sight, the third head escort, whose eyes narrowed, said meaningfully.
"Well, maybe you will become chivalrous people who will really change the world. At that time, please look after our escort agency well. That Longjing tea you are drinking. It's a tea that is hard to come by with the salary of the Martial Alliance."
"Ah, yes..."
Song Yiyeon, who had answered roughly, gave Cheon Woojin a look that said 'let's go'. Cheon Woojin also thought that it was a conversation not worth listening to anymore and got up from his seat.
"We'll be going now."
"Are you returning to the Martial Alliance right away? I am an old friend of the Righteous Will Unit Commander there. Please give him my regards."
It was a typical trick to dampen the spirits of the newcomers by showing off his friendship with a high-ranking official. However, unfortunately, it seemed he was not really a close friend of the Righteous Will Unit Commander.
"The Righteous Will Unit Commander has been dismissed."
For the crime of plotting a scheme after receiving a request from the head of the Gu family.
The third head escort's eyes widened.
"I-is that so?"
The third head escort, who had composed his expression late, clicked his tongue.
"I knew it would happen someday. That friend is too fond of money. It's obvious that he got into trouble after taking a bribe. Isn't that right?"
Cheon Woojin looked at the third head escort intently. His eyes were cloudy, and his face was full of malice. Both of his masters had told him to stay away from such people.
"Since it's an internal matter of the alliance."
Cheon Woojin, who had dismissed it so, immediately left the office. Song Yiyeon, who had bowed his head roughly as if embarrassed, hurriedly followed Cheon Woojin.
* * *
After a simple farewell with Head Escort Jang, Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon headed straight for Shaolin. They had to return the Small Pill, and since his White Master had mentioned it, he had planned to stop by Shaolin once.
There were a total of three gates in Shaolin.
Since those who were visiting for the first time had to wait for approval at the first gate, Cheon Woojin sat side by side with Song Yiyeon and just stared at the empty air.
"Young hero, the sun will set at this rate. How about we just talk about the Small Pill and go in?"
"It's a fluke."
At that firm answer, Song Yiyeon had a fed-up expression. There were times when young hero Cheon was frustrating. If only his martial might were higher, he would have dragged him in by force, but it was a pity.
How much time had passed like that?
Instead of the welcome face he was waiting for, an unwelcome face appeared.
"Hah, we meet again here."
Song Yiyeon grumbled in a small voice. The man who was leading a procession of carts with a silly smile from a distance was none other than the third head escort.
The approaching third head escort spoke to them as if they were close.
"Oh my, if you were going to visit Shaolin, you should have told me. The trading escort agencies can enter up to the third gate at once."
"...No, it's alright. We can just wait a little."
"Tsk, tsk, you're young, so you have no sense. If you just wait stubbornly, you'll only be able to enter after the sun has set, so don't be stubborn and follow me."
"That's enough."
As Song Yiyeon was in a difficult situation, Cheon Woojin stepped forward and answered firmly. He would rather wait for three days than be indebted to that person. It felt as if he would bring up other things later, using this as an excuse.
Soon, the third head escort, who shook his head, led the escort and entered Shaolin. The monk who was managing the first gate pointed at Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon and asked if they were not part of the group, but he did not forget to click his tongue and say, 'No, they're not. Tsk.'
"..."
Cheon Woojin, who was staring at his back, shot up and approached the monk who was managing the first gate.
Song Yiyeon looked at this with a puzzled look. The young hero Cheon and the monk talked for a long time...
"S-Small Pill...!"
The monk's eyes widened as if they would pop out.
Song Yiyeon looked at Cheon Woojin as if he were dumbfounded.
"You said it was a fluke earlier!"
Cheon Woojin just let out a dry cough as if embarrassed. At that sight, Song Yiyeon burst into a smirk.
Well, the third head escort was a bit of a jerk.
(End of Chapter)