The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 381

That night, I was able to find an inn operated by the Swallows not too far away. After paying a considerable sum to request information regarding Dokgo Ju-gwak, the Four Evils Alliance, and the Tang Family, I was able to receive that information the following day.

I had no idea such things were happening within the Tang Family and the Four Evils Alliance.

To put it simply, the original practical ruler of this surrounding area was the Sichuan Tang Family. However, starting several years ago, while they were struggling back and forth with the Four Evils Alliance for control, their power began to wane due to the rise of Dokgo Ju-gwak. It was said that just before losing this place, they had resorted to actions such as forcing loyalty from everyone living here and extorting tribute beyond common sense.

They were probably desperate. Perhaps they tried to show their dominance over this place in that way, only to end up losing it, which might have led to the worst possible outcome.

As a result, the people in this vicinity disliked the Sichuan Tang Family because of the behavior they showed at the end, and some who had been treated particularly cruelly even came to hate them. And that was not the only new news I heard. It was said that Dokgo Ju-gwak had suddenly disappeared, and one of his confidants had risen to become the new leader of the Four Evils Alliance. Even the Hao Mun had not yet grasped where Dokgo Ju-gwak had gone or why he had disappeared. Others might not know, but judging by the timing of his disappearance, I could roughly figure out what had happened.

The Demonic Fire Hall Master took Dokgo Ju-gwak. Since he couldn't win me over no matter how much he tempted me, he might have taken the talented Dokgo Ju-gwak instead. If that's the case, will he finally lose interest in me now?

I thought this to myself, but I unconsciously shook my head. I felt that a person like the Demonic Fire Hall Master would not give up on me so easily. If it were the Demonic Fire Hall Master, he would certainly want to have two masters he liked rather than choosing one and focusing on him.

The person who became the new leader of the Four Evils Alliance was named Huang Jianjiu, right?

To be honest, I had never heard such a name even once. Not in my past life, and certainly not in this life. Since Dokgo Ju-gwak had remained the leader of the Four Evils Alliance until his death in my past life, this person must have been one of his confidants. Even then, Dokgo Ju-gwak was a famous figure, but I hadn't paid much attention to his subordinates, so I probably didn't remember him. Especially since the Four Evils Alliance was destined to be annihilated during the conflict with the Four Evils Heaven a few years later, I hadn't paid much attention to them.

“Unhwi Dojang. Have you finished all your business?”

While I was busy gathering various pieces of information and figuring out what was happening here, I returned to the inn where we had stayed yesterday. Wang Hyeon-seong and my senior brothers, who had already finished all their preparations to depart, were waiting for me.

“Yes. I think we can leave now. Thank you for waiting.”

“Not at all. Actually, I set a generous schedule, so it would have been fine to stay here for another day or two.”

“Still, I can't take up too much of your time. I'd rather spend more time at the Sichuan Tang Family or in Chengdu if we're going to spend time.”

“Yes. Do as you please.”

He spoke to me with a kind smile. I wasn't going to spend the entire trip with Wang Hyeon-seong. This was because it was decided that we would only be with him until we entered Chengdu. This time, Wang Hyeon-seong said he had business in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and it was said that Chengdu was currently strictly controlling the number of people entering, perhaps due to friction with the Four Evils Alliance. Of course, they wouldn't be able to guard that entire vast land, but they would at least be guarding the main paths. However, entering secretly was not very meaningful to us. Since our purpose was to go to the Sichuan Tang Family anyway, I thought it would be better to let the news of our arrival naturally reach their ears.

“Then we shall depart.”

“Let's do that.”

We set off westward once again toward Chengdu. The information I was able to obtain here was that the Four Evils Alliance and the Sichuan Tang Family were fighting much more fiercely than I had thought. I wondered if there was anything I could do to help in that fight. If I could help the Sichuan Tang Family and weaken the power of the Four Evils Alliance, it would truly be killing two birds with one stone. First of all, the biggest reason I came to Sichuan was to restore the relationship with them, so it went without saying that it would be helpful for that. And the reason for restoring the relationship with them was ultimately to keep the Four Evils Alliance in check with their power, so that goal would also be naturally achieved.

I'll have to go to the Sichuan Tang Family first. But if the Sichuan Tang Family is practicing tyranny as they did toward the people of this village at the end, that will be a problem in its own way.

I followed behind Wang Hyeon-seong with a slightly worried face.

* * *

“You must prove your identity before you can enter.”

A few days passed uneventfully, and we finally arrived at Chengdu, Sichuan Province. A checkpoint had been set up in the middle of the path to enter, and warriors wearing bluish-green martial uniforms were guarding it. I recognized at a glance that the clothes they were wearing were those of the Sichuan Tang Family.

“You're working hard. This is the procession of the Eungnam Merchant Guild. It's been a long time.”

“Hmm? Eungnam Merchant Guild? Oh. Did Manager Wang come in person? It's been a very long time indeed.”

“That's right. I don't even know how long it's been since I came to Sichuan in person because there was so much work at the merchant guild.”

“I'm going to forget your face at this rate. Please come often. Hahaha!”

“Yes. Thank you, warrior.”

“Are the warriors in the back escorts?”

“That's right.”

“Pass through. Manager Wang is always welcome.”

Contrary to my worries, entering Chengdu was much easier than I had expected. Just like when we entered Sichuan Province, and in the situation just now, it seemed that the relationships and connections Wang Hyeon-seong had built in Sichuan were even more amazing than I had thought.

To reconcile with the Sichuan Tang Family, wouldn't it be better if Wang Hyeon-seong went instead of me?

I had that thought for a moment, but I soon shook my head. Thanks to Wang Hyeon-seong, I was able to come all the way here very comfortably. To be honest, Wang Hyeon-seong was not in a position to come all the way here in person, and rather, the loss caused by the merchant guild stumbling even a little due to his absence would be much more severe. Even so, the fact that he came all the way here with us in person must have been his best goodwill toward me and the Wudang Sect. I couldn't ask for more from a busy person. I couldn't be so thick-skinned as to ask for the bundle after being saved from drowning.

“Unhwi Dojang. We've finally arrived at Chengdu.”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I came very comfortably. I'm truly grateful.”

“Haha! Not at all. It was an interesting time for me as well after a long time. From here on, you'll be able to move freely even without me. There will be almost no inspections within Chengdu, and they don't look very closely at those leaving this place. And above all....”

He looked at me, smiled broadly, and continued.

“I think that once Unhwi Dojang visits the Sichuan Tang Family in person, you'll become their friend and be able to roam this place freely. Hahaha!”

“I'm more shy than you think, and I'm not very good at making friends. As far as I know, the Sichuan Tang Family is a bit more closed off compared to other sects or families. Will I be able to do well?”

“That's not necessarily true. When dealing with the people of Sichuan, you only need to think of one thing.”

“Oh. What is that?”

“No matter what you say or how you act, treat them with sincerity. The people of Sichuan have a fiery personality like their food. If Unhwi Dojang opens your heart wide first and approaches them with sincerity, I believe they will surely respond accordingly.”

I bowed my head and greeted him, who was trying to give me even a small piece of help until the end.

“Thank you very much. I will surely repay the favor of helping me this far someday.”

“Haha! Why do you say that? I'm currently repaying the favor I received even a little, so are you trying to put me in more debt?”

He laughed kindly. Whether it was because he was a merchant or because he was a good person, he chose only the words that were pleasant to hear. I should learn that side of Wang Hyeon-seong as well. The time I spent with him this time was not only a time when I could come to Sichuan Province comfortably, but also a time when I could learn a lot.

“The Sichuan Tang Family is the largest manor in the center of Chengdu. Then how about moving separately from here? I also have to sell and buy goods quickly and return to Hubei Province.”

He spoke calmly, but I remembered one thing I had forgotten.

“But what will you do without escorts when you return?”

“Don't worry. Actually, another procession from our merchant guild will be coming here in a few days. The scale of our merchant guild's trade with Sichuan is quite large. I'll take care of some business here until then and join them to return, so you don't have to worry at all.”

“Yes. Well, it's not like you've only been here once or twice, so I was worried for nothing.”

“It is said that praise and worry are things that have no loss no matter how much you hear them. It makes me feel good because it seems you're thinking of me that much. Hahaha!”

We shared our farewells with his hearty laughter and parted ways to go our respective paths.

Phew. Now that only the five of us are left, it really feels like we've come to perform a mission.

Un Jeong, my senior brother, who had been standing as an escort next to the carriage without saying a word all this time, let out a deep sigh and approached me. He seemed to have been quite nervous because of the mission of being a merchant guild escort, which he had rarely done. In fact, not only Un Jeong but also my other senior brothers seemed to have similar thoughts, as they all had expressions of relief and took comfortable postures. I said to my senior brothers.

“Why is everyone relaxing? Actually, the real mission starts now.”

“It's not that I'm relaxing, I'm just feeling at ease. To be honest, I think I feel more at ease fighting enemies than protecting someone like that. In a fight, even if I lose, I only have to handle that defeat myself, but in an escort mission, too many people will suffer because of my defeat.”

I thought about telling Un Cheol, who was speaking like that, that the mission and the fight we were doing were actually about protecting the entire Central Plains from the Demonic Cult, but I decided not to say it today. I should wait until my senior brothers become stronger and more mature and truly accept the meaning of our fight. And when that time comes, I want to teach them one more thing. The fact that sometimes, humans can exert greater strength in a fight to protect someone than in a fight for themselves.

“Now. Shall we go to the Sichuan Tang Family? We've come slowly this far, so let's hurry a bit.”

“Yes. Good. To be honest, it was frustrating to match the speed of the carriage.”

“Me too. Then let's run right up to the front.”

“Let's do that.”

We started running immediately after saying that. Seeing my senior brothers, who now suggested running first even if I didn't ask them to, I naturally thought that I had changed people like this.

(End of Chapter)