Chapter 307 : Disguise (2)

Chapter 307: Disguise (2)

Yong Hwarin was drinking tea with Tang Cheolgi seated before him.

As Yong Hwarin continued to sip his tea in silence after summoning him, Tang Cheolgi opened his mouth.

“What’s this about, summoning this busy Young Master?”

Yong Hwarin set his teacup down and said,

“When do you plan to depart for Shaolin Temple?”

“I plan to leave soon. That’s why I went out to the marketplace today to purchase the necessary items.”

“What would you say to leaving today?”

At that, Tang Cheolgi’s eyebrows lowered.

“Are you telling me to leave the Sky Ocean Merchant Union right now? Are you issuing me a formal eviction?”

Seeing Tang Cheolgi angered, Yong Hwarin smiled.

“Evict Young Master Tang? That’s nonsense. Of course not. How could I be so rude to the one person I acknowledge?”

Tang Cheolgi, who was about to burst in anger, softened into a slight smile at Yong Hwarin’s final words.

“So what you’re saying is, there’s a purpose behind this.”

“That’s right.”

Finally regaining his composure, Tang Cheolgi lifted his teacup.

Yong Hwarin spoke in a low voice.

“As you know, the factions affiliated with Three Righteous Heavens heading to Shaolin Temple are being ambushed by Blood Demon Castle to prevent them from attending the gathering. I assume you’ve heard of this.”

“They say it’s causing quite the chaos.”

“There are quite a number of people who have been captured as well.”

Tang Cheolgi nodded.

“I heard as much.”

“I suppose the Tang Clan wouldn’t dare be attacked by Blood Demon Castle.”

“Hmph! If they try to attack me, I’ll turn them into a pile of venom with a single dose.”

At that point, Yong Hwarin began to subtly coax Tang Cheolgi.

“If we go to Shaolin Temple as things stand, we won’t be able to draw much attention from the masses. After all, great figures will be gathering.”

“That’s probably true.”

“However, if Master Tang performs a deed worthy of praise from the heroes at the gathering, the situation will change entirely.”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

“Let’s say, for example, that Young Master Tang rescues martial artists who were taken hostage. Then, at Shaolin Temple, Young Master Tang will be hailed as the greatest hero.”

Yong Hwarin was exploiting Tang Cheolgi’s vanity—his desire for attention and to be admired.

“To be honest, I’ve never seen a hidden dragon quite like Young Master Tang. That’s why it pains me so.”

Despite the borderline sycophantic tone, Tang Cheolgi didn’t see through it.

He had already fallen for Yong Hwarin’s honeyed words and was envisioning himself becoming a hero.

“What must I do?”

As Tang Cheolgi, now fully fired up, prepared to act, Yong Hwarin poured oil onto the flames.

“You and I, let’s rescue the hostages together.”

“So how do you mean? I heard they don’t travel alone—they move in large groups.”

“If we head toward Shaolin Temple with others, they’ll surely try to capture us.”

“That may be so. But if I’m there, they’ll avoid us.”

“Of course. But if they see people from another clan, they’ll come out without fear. That’s when we pretend to be caught and allow ourselves to be captured. They’ll then imprison us where they’re holding the other hostages.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Cheolgi finally understood Yong Hwarin’s plan.

“Ah! So you’re saying we become hostages in order to rescue the martial artists trapped in their hideout?”

“Exactly.”

Tang Cheolgi, who had been laughing brightly, hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“But even so, if you and I join together, would they really show themselves? I mean, your fame right now is piercing the heavens. Would they still dare to fight?”

Tang Cheolgi didn’t want to praise Yong Hwarin, but he couldn’t help but ask, as it was the truth.

“That’s why I’ll disguise myself as your friend.”

“Oh! Then shouldn’t I disguise myself too? If they recognize me, they might flee in fear.”

Tang Cheolgi still believed that the Tang Clan was the strongest in the world and that all martial artists feared them.

While it was true to an extent, Tang Cheolgi had become trapped in his own delusions.

Yong Hwarin, wearing a slightly troubled expression, suddenly had a good idea and spoke.

“Of course. But if you disguise yourself, who will know you’re Young Master Tang? What if later people say it was a mysterious stranger who rescued the martial artists and not you?”

“Now that you say it, that makes sense. Then I’ll have to take a bit of a risk and maintain my real identity.”

“Indeed.”

“Alright then. Let’s leave today.”

As Tang Cheolgi sprang to his feet and spoke, Yong Hwarin laughed heartily.

“Ha ha ha, as expected, Young Master Tang is truly bold. Let’s depart today. But before that, let’s stop by the inn and join up with the others. If only the two of us go, they won’t take the bait.”

Tang Cheolgi’s lips curled into a grin as he imagined being celebrated as a hero at Shaolin Temple.

As Tangduhwa tried to follow Tang Cheolgi, he said,

“Duhwa, stay here and play with Cheollyeong. I’m off on a heroic journey.”

Tangduhwa stared at him for a moment and sighed.

“Phew, alright.”

She then approached Yong Hwarin and said,

“Lord Yong, please take care of my uncle.”

“Ahem, Duhwa, what are you saying?”

“Don’t worry, Miss Tang.”

Yong Hwarin said with a smile, and Tangduhwa blushed.

“Honestly, even a little girl’s got a thing for boys.”

“Uncle! How can you say that to a grown woman? Be mindful of your words and actions outside.”

“Ah, how nice it’ll be not to hear your nagging.”

Yong Hwarin left several instructions with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect and headed to an inn with Tang Cheolgi.

“Well, look who it is.”

Tang Cheolgi entered the inn and approached a group eating on one side.

They were people of the Seomun Clan.

The reason Yong Hwarin had persuaded Tang Cheolgi was because of the Seomun Clan connection.

To travel together to Shaolin Temple, they had to know each other’s faces, and disguises would make joining them impossible.

“Ah, Master Tang, fancy meeting you here.”

Seomun Yuwon clasped his hands and greeted Tang Cheolgi warmly.

Next to him, Seomun Seoseol stood and greeted him.

“Master Tang, it’s been a long time.”

“Oh! Miss Seomun! You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Pleased that others recognized him, Tang Cheolgi declared loudly with pride.

“But what is Lord Seomun doing here instead of heading to Shaolin Temple?”

As Tang Cheolgi sat down, Seomun Yuwon replied,

“Well, actually, with the Blood Demon Castle’s recent rampant attacks, I’m waiting to join up with other friends before setting out.”

“Is that so? And who are you waiting for?”

“Young Master Weiji.”

Tang Cheolgi’s gaze was not pleasant.

Young Master of the Weiji Clan, Weiji Man (尉遲蔓), did not get along well with Tang Cheolgi.

Weiji Man had a personality that greatly disliked frivolity, and thus found Tang Cheolgi’s character disagreeable. As a result, the two had become arch-rivals.

Because of that, when the Murim Twelve Great Families gathered in one place five years ago, the two had a scuffle that only worsened their relationship.

However, not wanting to appear petty, Tang Cheolgi smiled and said,

“Ah, Brother Weiji, you’re joining us as well.”

Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, Weiji Man entered the inn.

Seeing Tang Cheolgi conversing with Seomun Yuwon, Weiji Man spoke with a displeased expression.

“Brother Seomun, is Young Master Tang coming along too?”

“No.”

“Brother Weiji, it’s been a long time. Have you been well?”

When Tang Cheolgi greeted him politely, Weiji Man looked at him with a puzzled expression. Tang Cheolgi was someone so arrogant he never even bothered to greet him before.

“Hmph. It’s been a while.”

Weiji Man was shorter than Tang Cheolgi and had to look up at him.

His frame was even more slender than Seomun Yuwon’s.

Tang Cheolgi looked at the person standing behind Weiji Man and asked,

“Is he an acquaintance of yours, Brother Weiji?”

It was a face he had never seen before.

“Ah, this gentleman is a Young Master of the Sword Poison Sect. He’s accompanying me to the Shaolin Temple gathering. The Clan Head of my family and the Sect Leader of the Sword Poison Sect have already departed ahead of us, so we’re taking a leisurely journey together.”

The Small Sect Leader of the Sword Poison Sect, Han Chong (翰總), clasped his hands and greeted them.

“I’m Han Chong. It’s an honor to meet Young Master Tang and Young Master Seomun, whom I’ve only heard of in stories.”

In truth, the Sword Poison Sect occupied a middle ground between orthodoxy and unorthodoxy, and had little interaction with other great families. This time, however, due to a recently maintained friendship, they were traveling to the Shaolin Temple together with the Weiji Clan’s Young Master.

Since it involved the prestigious Weiji Clan and the relatively unknown Sword Poison Sect, it was natural that any resulting benefits would go to the Weiji Clan.

Thinking himself relatively superior, Weiji Man showed a slight tendency to look down on Han Chong.

Behind Han Chong stood a young girl with a very cute face.

Tang Cheolgi and Seomun Yuwon looked at the girl’s face.

They received Han Chong’s greeting half-heartedly.

As all eyes turned toward her, the girl opened her dainty mouth.

“I am Han Gwiok (翰龜鈺).”

As she shyly introduced herself, Tang Cheolgi and Seomun Yuwon smiled gently.

Her voice was clear and melodic, but carried a hint of nasality, giving it a slightly seductive tone.

“She is my younger sister. She insisted on tagging along to sightsee at the Shaolin Temple this time.”

Seomun Seoseol looked at the overly cutesy Han Gwiok with visible displeasure.

Only after a long round of greetings did they notice Yong Hwarin, who had been standing behind Tang Cheolgi.

That was how ordinary Yong Hwarin’s appearance had become through his disguise, and since he had also suppressed his energy, he remained unnoticeable unless one paid close attention.

“My apologies. Brother Tang, who is this person? Won’t you introduce him to us?”

Running out of things to say during the greetings, Seomun Yuwon asked.

Only then did Tang Cheolgi seem to remember and said,

“Ah, he’s a friend of mine.”

Since Tang Cheolgi did not reveal his sect or background, everyone quickly lost interest.

Normally, when someone had nothing noteworthy to speak of, they were introduced this briefly, leaving no reason to focus on them.

Tang Cheolgi swiftly changed the topic to keep anyone from catching on to Yong Hwarin’s identity.

“I hear the Blood Demon Castle scoundrels are causing trouble again. I was planning to accompany Brother Seomun to Shaolin Temple this time—what are everyone else’s thoughts?”

Though it was absurd for Tang Cheolgi to speak so presumptuously without asking anyone’s opinion, it was typical of him, so no one made a fuss.

Anyone else might have received a stern rebuttal from Seomun Yuwon, but he was unusually lenient with Tang Cheolgi.

And so, Tang Cheolgi, the Seomun siblings, the Han siblings, and Weiji Man all ended up traveling together.

Weiji Man was accompanied by three escort warriors, and Han Chong, perhaps to display the prestige of the Sword Poison Sect, brought along ten elite escorts exuding a powerful aura.

Even Seomun Yuwon had only five escorts, which showed that the Sword Poison Sect clearly intended to establish a significant presence at the Shaolin Temple gathering.

“With this kind of strength, even if the famed Sixth Division from Blood Demon Castle comes, there’s nothing to fear.”

Boasting, Tang Cheolgi spoke, and the others nodded in agreement.