novelraw Chapter 70 : Where is That Bastard Now?
Chapter 70 : Where is That Bastard Now?
"Hao Sect? Was that a real thing?"
"As far as we know, yes."
The Hao Sect was an information organization known to exist at the very bottom of the Central Plains.
The members of the organization themselves were the most insignificant beings who could not see the light in the Central Plains, such as courtesans, petty thieves, profligates, waiters, and third-rate ronin.
That's why they were known to exist wherever there were people.
But since they had never revealed their true form, the existence of the Hao Sect itself was often regarded as a legend.
"Our Beggars' Sect believes that the Hao Sect exists. And we believe that they are connected to the Heretic's Path Alliance."
"Hmm... certainly..."
If not for that, the Heretic's Path Alliance could not have planted the Young Killing Ghosts all over the Central Plains.
Also, there was no way for the Heretic's Path Alliance, which was active only on the outskirts of the Central Plains, to know the movements of the Orthodox Martial World in such detail.
"We believe that the Hao Sect, which exists in secret, is cooperating with the Heretic's Path Alliance. But we cannot even approach the Hao Sect."
"So you're asking me, a thief, to approach the Hao Sect?"
"That's right. Only you, Elder, can approach the root."
"And then?"
"If we can shake the Hao Sect, the information network of the Heretic's Path Alliance, even for a moment, the movements of the Heretic's Path Alliance will also be put on hold."
"That's not all, is it?"
At Bieunggaek's subtle tone, Gu Yong let out a short sigh and said.
"If possible, I want to burn the Hao Sect to the ground."
"Alright. Good. If I approach the Hao Sect and find their roots, what can the Orthodox Martial World do for me?"
A small cold sweat formed on Gu Yong's forehead.
In fact, the most difficult part was the reward.
If Bieunggaek had been a martial artist, he would have guaranteed the recognition of the Martial Arts Alliance and a high reputation, and if he had been an ordinary person, he would have given a huge reward.
But Bieunggaek needed neither.
Honor was meaningless to a thief, and he had more than enough money.
Gu Yong asked cautiously.
"If there is anything you want, please tell me. I will do whatever I can within my power."
"Hmm."
Bieunggaek, who had been thinking for a moment, laughed heartily.
"Then make one promise with me."
"What promise?"
"When I want it, the Orthodox Martial World will also grant me one favor."
"That is..."
A look of difficulty appeared on Gu Yong's face.
Bieunggaek's wish was too broad.
Since he didn't know what he wanted, he couldn't even prepare for it.
"If you don't want to, then don't."
As Bieunggaek turned his shoulder as if he would leave at any moment, Gu Yong hurriedly grabbed him.
"No! I will promise. However, you must ask for a favor that I can grant."
"You're picky. Well, fine. But make sure you keep it."
"If the Elder just finds the root of the Hao Sect, I will grant you anything."
"It's a promise."
"Yes."
Bieunggaek, who had finished his promise with Gu Yong, asked with his arms crossed.
"So where do I start?"
At Bieunggaek's question, Gu Yong showed an awkward smile.
"At the very bottom of the Central Plains."
***
An unbearable and indescribable fear.
It was a dung bag full of dung.
The power of the dung was truly formidable.
"I'm going crazy."
Where on earth did they get so much dung?
Jin Sohyun looked at the dung bags rolling on the floor with a bored face.
The face of Cheon Yerang, who was standing next to him, had turned pale.
Who would have known?
That the first thing to attack her after coming out into the martial world was not a blade, but a dung bag.
"It seems they don't want us to sleep."
"Let's just attack them first."
Cheon Yerang was now angry.
She was also tired of the foul smell of the dung bag that was piercing her nose.
It seemed better to deal with the black-clad men who were secretly following them first.
"I'd like to, but... it seems we don't have much time."
As Jin Sohyun had mumbled, it had already been three days since the two had started running away from the dung.
They should have reached Guizhou by now.
Only then could they receive the token from the Martial Arts Alliance's branch in Guizhou and return to the Daoist temple.
"Let's just run without resting."
"Yes."
In fact, the wall-gazing training in the Dark Cave was a welcome thing for Jin Sohyun.
It was because sitting still all day was Jin Sohyun's specialty and hobby.
But it was not good for Cheon Yerang to be locked in the Dark Cave because of him.
"Let's go."
Jin Sohyun picked up a small stone that had fallen on the ground as he ran forward.
Jin Sohyun, who had put it between his index finger and thumb, turned his body and flicked his finger.
Ping—!!
The two stones that flew, making a sharp sound, brushed past the heads of the black-clad men who were following the two.
'Ugh!'
The black-clad men, who had almost had their foreheads pierced, gasped for breath.
'How did he know our location!?'
'Damn it! I almost died!'
'Let's keep our distance for now.'
The two instructors dispatched from the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple caught their breath and widened the distance.
Jin Sohyun, who had confirmed that they were moving away, ran after Cheon Yerang with a satisfied face.
Meanwhile, in Chongqing, which was located between Shaanxi and Guizhou, a girl's desperate scream was heard.
"Kyaaaak!! L-Left!!"
"Stop screaming!!"
"Kyaaaak! Two on the right! Hurry! Hurry!"
Jong Ryeo'ak, who was carrying Siu, was swinging his sword fiercely and blowing away the flying dung bags with a sword wind.
If necessary, he even created sword qi and shattered the dung bags.
"Kyak! Two are flying at the same time this time! What are you doing, not cutting them quickly!"
"This damn wench!"
The reason Jong Ryeo'ak was carrying Siu was simple.
They all had to go to the Martial Arts Alliance's branch in Guizhou together, and he needed a human shield to block the flying dung bags.
Siu, who had become Jong Ryeo'ak's human shield for various reasons, was screaming with a pale face.
'I'd rather have a spear or a sword! What's with the dung bags!'
To the girl Siu, the dung bags were more terrifying than a bladed hidden weapon.
She tore at Jong Ryeo'ak's hair and pointed in the direction whenever a dung bag flew in.
If Jong Ryeo'ak made a mistake, she would have to be covered in dung, so Siu was desperate.
"Mister! It's flying from behind!"
"Who's a mister! This...!"
"In front too! In front too!!"
While Jong Ryeo'ak and Siu were struggling, Yu Useon ran along the path they had cleared, with his mouth shut.
'Let's just be quiet.'
Fearing that he would get caught in the crossfire, Yu Useon followed Jong Ryeo'ak with his mouth shut.
While the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple were diligently running to Guizhou, avoiding the dung bags, a man appeared in Jeong'an, which was located north of Guizhou.
"Wh-What on earth are you doing to us!"
Jang Seoktae, who led a minor sect called the Songdo Sect, could not even shed tears at the great disaster that had occurred in front of his eyes.
It was because the culprit who had caused the bloodbath was standing in front of him with an amused face.
"Is this all the sect members?"
"This is all the disciples."
Jang Seoktae's teeth chattered.
The time it took for the ten masters of the Songdo Sect to be slaughtered by the man's hand was only half a koku.
'An incredible master!'
The man nodded his head and crushed the head of the middle-aged man he was holding in one hand.
As blood, flesh, and brains flowed down to the floor, Jang Seoktae's stomach churned with fear.
"Soon, the proud next-generation talents of the Orthodox Martial World will appear in Guizhou. They will come along the forest paths or woods, not the main roads. Since you brats are active in Guizhou, you must know the surrounding geography well. Among them, find the two, a man and a woman, who have an unparalleled handsome and beautiful appearance, and inform me immediately."
"Wh-What do you mean by that..."
As Jang Seoktae asked, not understanding, the man's hand pointed to an innocent martial artist of the Songdo Sect.
Thwack—!!
The fist wind that flew in an instant crushed the martial artist's head, and Jang Seoktae's trembling became even more severe.
"Move while you're asking. If you miss the brat I told you about... you will all die by my hand. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes! We will do as you command!!"
The martial artists of the Songdo Sect, whose sect master and family members had been taken hostage, shot out like the wind.
Their target was the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple who were running to Guizhou.
***
"This is Guizhou from here."
At Cheon Yerang's explanation, Jin Sohyun nodded his head and looked back.
Fortunately, the black-clad men who had been throwing dung bags had disappeared at some point and were not following them.
'Was it over when we came to Guizhou?'
If so, that was a relief.
Because he didn't have to run away from the dung bags anymore.
Thanks to that, Jin Sohyun and Cheon Yerang, who had arrived in Guizhou without even having time to laze around, moved busily to find the Martial Arts Alliance's branch marked on the map.
From now on, they had to get the token as soon as possible and return to the Daoist temple.
"It's just half a shichen more from here."
Jin Sohyun, who had folded the map with a bright face, suddenly flared his nostrils.
Sniff—!
Jin Sohyun, who was sniffing, tilted his head.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just..."
Jin Sohyun's expression was complicated.
'It's definitely the smell of blood.'
And it was the smell of human blood.
Jin Sohyun, who had better senses than others, followed the smell of blood using his excellent sense of smell.
"Young Lady Cheon."
"Yes?"
"Let's meet at the branch. I have something to check for a moment."
"Young Hero Jin!"
"I'll be back soon."
Jin Sohyun smiled lightly and threw his body.
Cheon Yerang, whose body had stiffened at the sight of his smile, hesitated between following Jin Sohyun and running straight to the branch.
'It'll be fine.'
Cheon Yerang, who had comforted herself, ran towards the Martial Arts Alliance's Guizhou branch marked on the map.
***
Sniff—!
Jin Sohyun, who was crossing the forest, following the smell of blood, discovered two martial artists who were running around here and there with a bewildered face.
"Excuse me."
At Jin Sohyun's call, the two martial artists were startled and drew their swords without realizing it.
"I'm not trying to fight."
As Jin Sohyun raised his two hands to show that he had no intention of fighting, the two martial artists trembled.
And yet, the two men quickly looked Jin Sohyun up and down.
"A handsome face... could it be this man?"
"But there's no woman. That demon-like brat said a man and a woman."
"Damn it... then it's not this person either?"
At the two martial artists' mumble, Jin Sohyun asked with a puzzled face.
"What are you talking about?"
"N-No, it's nothing. We're busy, so we'll be on our way..."
As the two martial artists were about to leave, Jin Sohyun blocked their way.
"Who are you looking for?"
"I-I can't say."
"If I do..."
The two martial artists trembled with faces as if they had seen a ghost. Moreover, although there were no visible injuries, there were fresh bloodstains on the martial arts robes they were wearing and on their faces.
It was the source of the blood smell that Jin Sohyun had smelled.
"You're looking for a man and a woman?"
"Have you seen them by any chance? A man and a woman with a very handsome and beautiful appearance."
Jin Sohyun intuitively realized that the people they were looking for were him and Cheon Yerang.
"Why are you looking for them?"
"I-I can't say."
"Did someone die?"
At Jin Sohyun's continued questions, the pupils of the two shook anxiously.
Although there was no answer, he felt he could know the answer.
'Someone is looking for me, and that person has killed someone?'
Jin Sohyun thought for a moment and then looked back.
The black-clad men who had always been hovering around them were not there now.
'Of all times.'
The thick fear felt from the faces of the martial artists who were looking at him. And the bloodstains.
Jin Sohyun, who could not just stand by and watch this, said softly.
"It seems the person you are looking for is me. So please tell me. What happened?"
At Jin Sohyun's words, the two martial artists shed tears like chicken droppings and knelt down on the spot.
"Young Hero... please... forgive us."
At the explanation of the two martial artists that followed, Jin Sohyun was convinced.
'As expected, they're looking for me. Don't tell me it's an assassin sent by the Heretic's Path Alliance?'
Jin Sohyun gritted his teeth.
'Someone died because of me. Innocent people...'
"Please help us. If the Young Hero doesn't go... all our disciples will die."
"Where is it?"
"What?"
Jin Sohyun placed his hand on the shoulder of the martial artist who was kneeling and said.
"Where is that bastard now?"
(End of Chapter)