Sword God Reborn

Chapter 226 : Truly clueless

The face leading the escorts was a familiar one.

"Neung-heo."

"Yes, my lord."

"Since when did the Fighting Demon, Gwak Cheonhu, become an escort of the Azure Star Escort Agency?"

"The young master, the youngest of the escort agency, should know. How would I know?"

"Don't tell me he's been staying in Henan ever since he went to Shaolin to discuss the establishment of the Righteous Alliance?"

Cheon Mubaeck was dumbfounded.

'When was that?'

How long has it been since the Righteous Alliance was established and slowly got on track?

When he first planned the establishment of the Righteous Alliance, Gwak Cheonhu had gone to Henan to get Shaolin's support...

"Good grief."

As they got closer, Gwak Cheonhu's face became clearer.

Dressed in the martial uniform with the insignia of the Azure Star Escort Agency, he looked every bit an escort.

Moreover, a faint smile on his lips made him look bright overall.

In the past, he was called the Fighting Demon because he only wanted to fight endlessly, and there was no trace of a smile on his face...

As they came right in front of him, Gwak Cheonhu slowly stopped his horse.

"It's been a while."

To Gwak Cheonhu's greeting, Cheon Mubaeck replied in a sullen voice.

"What's with you?"

"What?"

"Why are you wearing the escort agency's clothes?"

"...I'm a guest escort."

"Still?"

"...Ahem. Anyway, I've come to pick you up under the orders of the Vice-Chief."

Cheon Mubaeck's eyes narrowed.

As he mentioned the Vice-Chief, that is, Cheon Mubaeck's sister, Cheon Yuwha, a brilliant red light shone beyond Gwak Cheonhu's face.

'Ha. This bastard.'

A prodigy who, like his father, fiercely pursued only battle.

A rising star who had relentlessly trained his body to the limit, constantly fighting and fighting to be called the Fighting Demon, a demon mad for battle...

"Are you happy?"

"Ahem. The Vice-Chief takes good care of me."

"..."

Oh my.

Cheon Mubaeck scratched his cheek. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

* * *

There is a saying, "the sea changes into a mulberry field."

Cheon Mubaeck was quite surprised to see the changes in the Azure Star Escort Agency.

The numerous pavilions that were under construction when he left were now complete, and carriages and people constantly came and went on the main road that stretched out before the main gate.

Escort goods were continuously piled up in the warehouse, and then sent out.

"It's changed a lot, hasn't it?"

At the calm voice coming from his side, Cheon Mubaeck turned his gaze.

Cheon Yuwha smiled brightly.

"It's all thanks to you. We've almost monopolized the escort goods going to and from Chongqing through the contract with the Righteous Alliance, and our influence has grown in Hubei under the protection of Wudang and the Zhuge Clan. Mount Hua is also helping us in Shaanxi."

Cheon Yuwha smiled lightly.

Cheon Mubaeck's actions in the martial world were bound to be helpful.

Shaolin, Mount Hua, Wudang, and the Zhuge Clan, with whom he had a friendly relationship, were all hegemons of a province.

Just by receiving their protection and signing escort contracts, the Azure Star Escort Agency was able to soar in an instant.

Cheon Mubaeck knew well the power his moniker held. He also knew the nature of the martial world and how it worked.

'Because it's the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero's escort agency.'

Cheon Mubaeck did not hide the fact that he belonged to the Azure Star Escort Agency.

In fact, it was difficult to hide. There were eyes and ears everywhere in the world, and Cheon Mubaeck's actions before his awakening did not just disappear.

In the current martial world, the fame that the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero signified was enormous.

Even martial artists who had no connection with Cheon Mubaeck could not ignore the Azure Star Escort Agency.

No, rather, they would treat the escort agency favorably just in case.

Was that all?

The biggest weakness and uncertainty in the future of the escort agency was the failure of an escort mission.

As an escort agency based on trust, a record of failed escort missions was fatal.

But the current Azure Star Escort Agency was not like that.

"Come to think of it, recently, bandits and pirates don't even pick a fight with us. Thanks to that, there are almost no cases of even the smallest escort mission failing or losing goods. Isn't this all because they're afraid of you?"

Cheon Yuwha seemed to think that the bandits of the green forest and the pirates of the waters were afraid of Cheon Mubaeck and didn't touch them.

Cheon Mubaeck did not bother to correct her.

Of course, they would be afraid of Cheon Mubaeck. But they were not the kind of people who would back down just because they were afraid of the Black Path.

'Gok Jiheum must be handling it well.'

The bandits and pirates were as good as in Cheon Mubaeck's hands.

'I didn't think the Danggye Clan would stay quiet, but since Gok Jiheum said he took care of it all.'

Cheon Mubaeck, who had heard Gok Jiheum's message through the Hao Faction, was quite satisfied.

According to the stories, he was thoroughly walking the line between the two sides and taking control of the Black Society.

Just look at how he handled the Danggye Clan.

Didn't Gok Jiheum handle it cleanly at his level?

Since the leash of the Black Society was firmly in Cheon Mubaeck's grasp, he wouldn't have to worry for a while.

Was that all?

'If need be, I might be able to move them according to my will.'

If he used Gok Jiheum well, he might be able to utilize the giant force called the Black Society.

A smile unknowingly spread across Cheon Mubaeck's lips.

Of course, the reason the Azure Star Escort Agency had gained such influence was not solely due to Cheon Mubaeck's achievements and actions.

No matter how many good things happened in a row, it was all thanks to the power of Cheon Yuwha and Cheon Mungyeong that they were able to seize the sudden opportunity and succeed.

"It is because my father and sister are so skilled that the escort agency has grown this much. The martial world is all about gratitude and grudges, so if there are friendly forces, there are also forces with ill will, and there will be many obstacles and hindrances. Isn't it my sister who has overcome all of that?"

"Oh my, our Mubaeck is so good with words now!"

Cheon Yuwha stood on her tiptoes and patted Cheon Mubaeck's head.

"Aigoo, our Mubaeck. When did you grow up so much? It feels like just yesterday you were sleeping in your sister's arms."

"..."

The feeling of being treated like a child was strange, but Cheon Mubaeck remained silent.

It was then.

"Vice-Chief, we have news that the escort mission to the Muryeongjeok Clan in Hubei was successful, and they will return the day after tomorrow."

Cheon Mubaeck's expression changed strangely.

Although the tone was polite, it was filled with power, and the content was accurately reported to the higher-ups.

It was an excellent attitude and posture, a sight that was hard not to praise as an escort.

However.

'Can a person change this much?'

The Fighting Demon who had challenged Neung-heo with glittering eyes when they first met.

Cheon Mubaeck was dumbfounded at the changed appearance of Gwak Cheonhu, who was most suited to the moniker of a fighting demon.

Was he conscious of Cheon Mubaeck's gaze?

Gwak Cheonhu blushed slightly and tried to avoid his gaze. Cheon Mubaeck's voice naturally became sullen.

"Hey."

"What."

"Aren't you going back home? Didn't the Righteous Alliance give you a position?"

"It is the way of a martial artist of the martial world to wander the martial world."

"Then you should be going on a martial arts pilgrimage like before, why are you working as an escort at the escort agency?"

As Cheon Mubaeck replied with a displeased expression, Gwak Cheonhu's face contorted. It was difficult to refute.

It was Cheon Yuwha who helped him then.

"What's wrong, Mubaeck? He's been a great help to our escort agency. While you were away, all the few wanderers who picked a fight were taken care of by Young Master Gwak."

"..."

As if he had never frowned, Cheon Mubaeck sighed inwardly as he saw him grinning as soon as Cheon Yuwha defended him.

'He was a prodigy...'

Honestly, Cheon Mubaeck acknowledged and had a certain fondness for the God of Fighting, Gwak Yong, and Gwak Cheonhu, who was just like him in temperament.

Because Cheon Mubaeck, who believed that one could only advance by staining their sword with blood, and the Gwak father and son's way of thinking, who achieved their skills solely through battle, were almost identical.

"Then, Young Master Gwak, let's hear the detailed report over tea. Is that alright?"

"Ah, of course, Vice-Chief."

"Hey. Your cheekbones are going to tear."

...It was just a little pitiful that he had now become a fool who just laughed foolishly at a single word.

"Is that Gwak Cheonhu the same Gwak Cheonhu who tried to kill me?"

At Neung-heo's dumbfounded question, Cheon Mubaeck slowly nodded.

"I know, right. The Fighting Demon has become a fool."

"Actually, from what I see, your sister's skills are no joke."

"Huh?"

Neung-heo shrugged his shoulders.

"It seems like she has him wrapped around her little finger. Like the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, on the palm of the Buddha."

Cheon Mubaeck slowly nodded.

Although she was the Vice-Chief, Cheon Mubaeck thought that Cheon Yuwha, not his father, was the actual person in charge of the escort agency.

'My father is skilled enough, but...'

In Cheon Mubaeck's eyes, Cheon Mungyeong's skills were not bad, but not to the point where he felt they were superior.

It was actually Cheon Yuwha's skill that had led the escort agency this far.

Someone who leads such a giant escort agency is bound to have a deep mind and be quick-witted.

"My sister couldn't possibly not know."

Cheon Mubaeck chuckled.

Even outsiders could see that Gwak Cheonhu was so in love that he looked like a fool, so how could Cheon Yuwha not notice?

Cheon Yuwha appropriately controlled Gwak Cheonhu.

But Cheon Mubaeck knew.

That Cheon Yuwha was not the type of person to just use other people's feelings.

If her personality didn't feel right, she wouldn't even use it and would push it away as a burden. But the fact that she kept Gwak Cheonhu by her side was not only because of his martial prowess and skills, but also because Cheon Yuwha herself had some feelings for him.

"Well, how could she not know when he's showing his feelings so obviously? He's not a fool. Gwak Cheonhu, he's truly clueless."

"..."

At that moment, a strange silence spread around, and Cheon Mubaeck's gaze turned.

He saw Zhuge Seola staring at him with a dumbfounded look, her lips tightly sealed.

The meaning in her eyes was so strange that even Cheon Mubaeck's immortal eye could see it.

It was a complex emotion mixed with dumbfoundedness, astonishment, bewilderment, pity, regret, and other strange feelings.

Cheon Mubaeck was a little flustered by the emotion that even his immortal eye could not clearly feel.

"Uh, Young Lady Zhuge. What's wrong?"

"Sigh..."

But without an answer, Zhuge Seola left the spot.

Cheon Mubaeck narrowed his brow.

"Neung-heo."

"Yes."

"Is she sick somewhere?"

"...Sigh."

Neung-heo did not answer and sighed, leaving the spot. As he did, he muttered.

"Right... he only held a sword. He only held a sword. For his whole life, no, for his entire past life, he only held a sword like crazy. He only held a sword like a madman. Huh? He was just crazy about swords. Right. That's the only way to understand. Truly, in things like this. He's clueless. Yes. If he only held a sword, then that's how it is. Mmm..."

* * *

"Head Escort Jang, you've worked really hard on this escort mission."

Those who successfully led an escort mission were always followed by praise and rewards, but the only person whom the chief, Cheon Mun-gyeong, personally came out to greet and hold both hands was him.

"Thanks to Jang No, even a difficult escort mission ended safely. No one was injured."

"Not at all, Chief. It was my duty."

"Please rest well for a while. As soon as all the escorts who left on missions return, I'm thinking of throwing a party for the first time in a while. My youngest son has returned. The disciple that Jang No taught has returned as a great person who makes the martial world ring."

A look of doubt appeared in Cheon Mun-gyeong's eyes, who was unabashedly showing his doting side.

For some reason, Jang No's face was stiff.

Wasn't Jang No someone who held as much affection for Cheon Mubaeck as he did?

But there was no joy on Jang No's face.

"Jang No, you must be very tired. I've kept someone who just returned from an escort mission sitting for too long."

"Not at all, Chief. I am just happy that the young master has returned."

"Hahaha. That's right, isn't it? Since he is also Jang No's disciple."

"..."

After receiving Cheon Mungyeong's praise, Jang No withdrew from the study.

But the place his footsteps led him was not his own office.

The training ground where the escorts' training was held.

It was here that Jang No had first been in charge of Cheon Mubaeck's training.

Cheon Mubaeck, who had steadfastly trained with his clumsy and weak body, had been truly admirable.

And that Cheon Mubaeck.

"You've come? Jang No."

Was smiling brightly in the darkness.

(End of Chapter)