Chapter 125 : Bandits Are Dangerous (2)

Chapter 125: Bandits Are Dangerous (2)

"Senior Brother, I heard the Yong brat took on a guard escort mission from River Center Escort Agency and left for the Namgung Clan yesterday."

The Bloody Demon Blade, Eom An, clicked his tongue in frustration. He had arrived a day too late and missed the chance to meet Yong Hwarin.

"He's a lucky bastard."

Eom An’s junior, Jeo Un, said.

"Since we missed him, wouldn’t it be better to beat the Heavenly Central Sect’s Sect Leader first?"

Eom An shook his head after considering Jeo Un’s suggestion for a moment.

"Fifth, do you want to end up like our Master Uncle? If they were weaklings, would Lord Jeonman have died so meaninglessly?"

"It’s not that the Heavenly Central Sect is impressive, it’s that Yong Hwarin is extraordinary."

As Jeo Un mumbled, Eom An glared at him with wide eyes.

"That’s why even the youngest beat you. You need to use your brain if you want to stay alive."

Jeo Un pouted at Eom An’s remark.

"Fifth, contact our master. Tell him I’ll pursue them, and if the chance comes, I plan to challenge Yong Hwarin to a duel."

"Why bother? It sounds like too much trouble."

Eom An looked at Jeo Un with visible disdain.

"First, if we sabotage this escort mission, no merchant union will ever hire the Heavenly Central Sect again. Second, didn’t that Yong kid head to the Namgung Clan? I’ll cripple him there and drag the Heavenly Central Sect’s honor through the mud. Once I formally challenge him and cut off both his wrists, everyone will realize that his nickname ‘Heavenly Sword Hero of the Central Sect’ is nothing but a joke."

"You could be in danger too, Senior Brother."

"Hmph, that’s why I’m going to issue a formal challenge. The orthodox types care a lot about honor and won’t openly attack someone they’ve dueled, even if they’d stab you in the back later. Imagine how satisfying it would be to cripple the Yong brat in the Namgung Clan and walk away unscathed."

"As expected of you, Senior Brother. The way you always plan several steps ahead—I can’t help but be amazed."

Jeo Un flattered Eom An.

"I’ll inform our master and follow your lead, Senior Brother."

Though he was the least likable among the senior brothers, Jeo Un was good at sucking up, so Eom An found it convenient to have him around.

"Do that. We’ll also follow their trail, so get ready."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Eom An stroked his beloved sword and muttered to himself.

"Just hold on a bit longer. I’ll gift you some warm blood soon."

Since joining the escort mission, Yong Hwarin had focused most of his efforts on merging the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Sword using the Black Serpent Qi Thread technique.

Whenever the Young Sect Leader found time to swing his sword, the ten Heavenly Dragon Guards couldn’t afford to sit idle.

"Impressive."

Poong Imso murmured.

If Poong Imso, the lead disciple of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Masters of Mount Hua, said someone was impressive, it meant the person’s level was at least close to a first-rate martial artist.

The members chosen for this escort mission were among the elite of the Heavenly Dragon Guards.

While the escort mission was the main purpose, the escort was also intended to serve as a bodyguard detail for the Young Sect Leader, so the Heavenly Central Sect had sent only their top fighters.

Because of this, Poong Imso was deeply stimulated.

Not only Poong Imso, but Sa Jeokwoo also felt inspired and, by the third day, had gotten familiar enough with the Heavenly Dragon Guards to request sparring sessions.

The Heavenly Central Sect was a martial sect that emphasized training through sparring, so the guards seemed pleased at the chance to train with Mount Hua’s elite disciples.

"It’s an honor. I’ve always admired Mount Hua’s swordsmanship. I’m Mu Iso, third captain of the Heavenly Dragon Guards of the Heavenly Central Sect."

Mu Iso was one of the many martial artists within the Heavenly Central Sect who idolized Yong Hwarin.

When Yong Hwarin raised the Heavenly Central Sect’s name in the world of martial arts and earned the title Heavenly Sword Hero of the Central Sect, Mu Iso had begun to revere him.

Although he was about ten years older than Yong Hwarin, he respected him sincerely, regardless of age.

Of the approximately two hundred warriors in the Heavenly Central Sect, about half were orphans. From long ago, the sect had taken in children who lost their parents and raised them as their own.

Yong Biyang, in particular, would travel the martial world and bring any orphan he found into the sect to raise.

Because of this, their loyalty to the Heavenly Central Sect was unparalleled.

Mu Iso was also one of the orphans Yong Biyang had brought in.

Thus, he sincerely followed Yong Hwarin, who elevated the name of the Heavenly Central Sect.

"Poong Imso, of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Masters of Mount Hua."

With that simple introduction came overwhelming presence.

Everyone who witnessed the duel between Mu Iso and Poong Imso couldn’t help but be impressed by Mu Iso’s martial prowess.

Though Sa Ilhyang and Ho Cheongun knew Poong Imso was holding back his full strength, that didn’t mean he was going easy either.

Yet Mu Iso had little trouble defending against his strikes.

However, once Poong Imso switched to the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, Mu Iso’s weaknesses began to show.

He couldn’t properly counter the dazzling illusions and transformations of the technique.

It was because he still lacked deep understanding of the sword.

Yong Hwarin watched them with a gentle smile.

Through these matches with skilled opponents, the Heavenly Dragon Guards would become even stronger.

He knew that Poong Imso, Ho Cheongun, and the others sparred with the guards occasionally not just out of training interest, but as a gesture of gratitude.

They understood that Yong Hwarin had stepped up for them when they were in need, and this was their way of showing appreciation.

"Once we cross Mount Pyeongyeo, we should be in the clear."

Mount Pyeongyeo was a region where bandits frequently appeared, and its rugged terrain made it difficult for the military to patrol.

As a result, bandits had yet to be eradicated from the area.

Several attempts had been made by government forces, but each ended in complete annihilation, making it hard to even attempt a proper crackdown.

However, with a team composed of Mount Hua elites and Heavenly Central Sect martial artists, they had nothing to fear even if bandits showed up.

In fact, Sa Ilhyang and Ho Maeyok were secretly hoping some bandits would appear.

"Aww, I thought some bandits would come and attack us."

As they descended Mount Pyeongyeo, Sa Ilhyang spoke with a tinge of disappointment, knowing that if the bandits hadn’t appeared by now, they likely wouldn’t at all.

"Sister, it’s not like bandits don’t have ears. They must’ve heard we’re from Mount Hua and didn’t dare to show themselves."

Ho Maeyok responded with a laugh.

Yong Hwarin let out a small chuckle.

They clearly didn’t understand how dangerous bandits could be.

And since they’d be continuing to operate escort missions, he figured it was time to explain why bandits were a real threat.

"Miss Ho, to be honest, bandits wielding weapons pose little threat to martial artists like us. They haven’t learned structured martial arts, after all. But once you fight them directly, the reality often turns out different than expected."

"As if those lowly bandits could be all that strong."

Sa Ilhyang shot back at Yong Hwarin sharply.

She was annoyed because Yong Hwarin always seemed to speak only with the Three Chivalrous Sisters and showed little interest in them. Her frustration seeped into her tone.

"No. We often think that bandits run away once you scare them a little. But is that really true? Bandits are people with nothing to lose. That’s why they charge in ready to die. And people who charge in with no fear of death can be more than strong enough, even if they’re not martial artists."

Back when Yong Hwarin had occasionally gone on escort missions while running a merchant union, he had witnessed firsthand how bandits would grab onto martial artists’ waists or arms and refuse to let go even as they died.

Though they had never failed to repel the bandits, even first-rate warriors had sometimes suffered at their hands.

It was inevitable—when your opponent wasn’t afraid to die, they became that much harder to deal with.

"Hoh hoh hoh, what strength could such bandits possibly muster once their heads are cut off?"

Ho Maeyok seemed to share the same opinion as Sa Ilhyang.

At that moment, Kwak Cheong, the lead escort of River Center Escort Agency accompanying this mission, decided to enlighten Ho Maeyok.

"Miss, Young Master Yong is right. I’ve fought bandits a few times myself, and they’re not people to be taken lightly. I’ve come close to death more than once. Bandits aren’t cowards who flee at the first sign of trouble. While they’re no match for you, you never know what situation might arise. You must never let your guard down. Also, bandits know the mountain terrain better than anyone, and they often use that to their advantage when they attack. That’s what makes them dangerous."

Kwak Cheong had practically raised Ho Maeyok like his own from childhood.

That’s why Ho Maeyok called him "Uncle Kwak."

When Kwak Cheong spoke so seriously, she finally realized that bandits might be more dangerous than she’d thought.

As they began descending the mountain trail past the summit, everyone from the caravan got off their horses and wagons, carefully making their way down.

Then it happened.

A crashing sound erupted from behind, and thick logs came tumbling down the slope.

‘The bandits waited until we were on the downhill path, then rolled logs from above.’

There was no avoiding it—wagons and carts would be smashed to pieces by the falling timber.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The rolling logs startled the horses, causing them to scream in panic.

Whiiiiiinnnneee!!

"Calm the horses!"

Even in the moment of confusion, Kwak Cheong gave a sharp command to the escort guards and rushed to seize the reins.

But everyone could only look at each other, paralyzed, not knowing what to do as the logs rolled closer.

At that moment, Yong Hwarin thought of a way to stop the logs and dashed into the forest.

"Eh?!"

Everyone gasped as he disappeared into the trees.

It wasn’t like him to run—so why had he suddenly dashed into the forest?

As soon as he entered the woods, Yong Hwarin began cutting down a tree next to the road.

Swoosh!

Slice!

Thunk!

With a single strike, he felled the tree.

Craaaaack!

The large tree collapsed across the road, blocking it.

After three such trees fell, the incoming logs were finally stopped by the barrier.

"Whew..."

Ho Cheongun let out a long sigh of relief.

If the wagons had been destroyed by those logs, the River Center Escort Agency would’ve faced a major crisis.

Losing or damaging the goods was out of the question.

"Thank you, Young Master Yong."

Ho Cheongun sincerely bowed to Yong Hwarin in gratitude.

But Yong Hwarin merely gave a half-hearted nod and looked up toward the mountain peak.

Then, a voice rang out.

"Leave the wagons and go. Then we won’t attack further!"

Even though the speaker was far off, the voice was perfectly clear, which made Poong Imso frown.

Though they couldn’t see the person, the clarity of the voice meant this wasn’t some random low-level bandit.

"A skilled one."

Poong Imso’s comment left the group no choice but to tense up.

Only now did they recall what Yong Hwarin had said earlier.

‘Bandits are dangerous.’

Still, there was nothing for the group to do but carry on.

"Hmph, so they know we’re merchants. Tell them to show themselves. I’ll cut them all down."

Sa Ilhyang snapped, her pride wounded.

"Who knows what kind of traps they’ve set up. Let’s descend for now."

Everyone nodded in agreement with Yong Hwarin’s suggestion.

"Heavenly Dragon Guards will take the front. Hajeong Escort guards, cover the right. The Three Chivalrous Sisters, take the left. I’ll cover the rear. If arrows come flying, don’t counterattack—just drop to the ground."

Before they knew it, everyone was following Yong Hwarin’s commands without question.

Kwak Cheong didn’t step in, since he’d been about to say the same things himself.

‘It’s like Master Yong has years of escort experience. The way he understands the bandit threat and reacts to it—he feels more like a seasoned chief escort than a young noble.’

Kwak Cheong silently marveled at how experienced Yong Hwarin was, despite his youthful appearance.