Chapter 129

Chapter 129

“What did you just say?”

“We lost the sacred relic.”

“No, I heard that part. So who to…….”

“To Jeokwangchae.”

“Jeokwangchae…… you say?”

“That’s right.”

“What on earth does that mean?”

Haun Merchant Company guest room.

At the suddenly absurd news, Iryang made a dumbfounded expression and blinked his eyes. The content of the words was hard to understand.

“So who lost the sacred relic to whom?”

“I lost it to Jeokwangchae.”

“Is that Jeokwangchae the one I know? That small mountain stronghold right next to us on Makbusan?”

“That’s right.”

“……How do you lose a sacred relic there?”

“What do you mean ‘how’?”

“There’s no way you’d lose it. To them, Sect Master.”

Jeokwangchae on Makbusan was a small stronghold.

With a total of about two hundred members, it wasn’t a stronghold with few numbers, but it had no proper masters. Since it wasn’t officially part of Nokrim and held a route with little profit, there was no room for masters to enter. If you had to describe it, it was like a place teeming with bandits who had only licked the surface of what martial arts was.

“Even if five hundred such people swarmed you, they couldn’t touch a single hair on your head, could they, Sect Master?”

While he couldn’t accurately estimate the realm, there was such a thing as a minimum value.

Baek Riyun, the former Muryeok Corps Commander, was naturally so strong that Jeokwangchae couldn’t even mention his name. Destroying Jeokwangchae single-handedly would be as easy as a post-meal walk for Baek Riyun.

Thinking that far, Iryang shook his head.

“What are you thinking now…….”

“I’m thinking of it as a testing ground.”

“A testing ground?”

“Right now, if Jeokwangchae and Uicheonmun fight, what would happen? When I’m excluded.”

“Well…….”

At Baek Riyun’s words, Iryang fell into thought for a moment, then frowned. If Baek Riyun was involved, perhaps, but in a situation where Baek Riyun was absent, Uicheonmun couldn’t guarantee victory even fighting Jeokwangchae.

“Should I consider that young hero Seonwoo Gang hasn’t yet recovered his old level?”

“That’s right. And though Wangpal’s skills have risen quite a bit, they’re still lacking.”

“Then it will be difficult.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Jeokwangchae may look like that, but it’s a stronghold with quite a lot of real combat experience. Since they’re mere bandits, they won’t hesitate to use dirty and underhanded tactics.”

A large group experienced in hunting small numbers never uses just swords.

They would mobilize caltrops, iron nets, poison—everything they could.

The Uicheonmun disciples with little Gangho experience would surely suffer greatly. Even with a gap in basic martial arts, they would most likely lose eight or nine times out of ten.

“That’s why.”

Baek Riyun nodded at the calculations Iryang laid out.

“For the children right now, Jeokwangchae is a difficult opponent to beat. There should be no disagreement on this point.”

“Yes. Well, that’s…….”

“But difficult to beat means conversely that they ‘could’ win.”

If luck favors them, can the weak defeat the strong?

Baek Riyun didn’t think so. He hadn’t lived that way either.

“What the weak need to defeat the strong isn’t luck. If they lose ninety-nine times out of a hundred battles and win once, they need the ability to make that one time right now.”

“If what I sense is correct, the ability truly needed in this Gangho is such an ability. The ability to find a way out no matter what situation they’re in.”

“……Ah.”

Understanding the meaning in Baek Riyun’s words, Iryang let out an exclamation.

“So that’s why Jeokwangchae?”

“‘That’s why’? What do you mean?”

“Isn’t that right? It’s a level the Uicheonmun disciples can’t easily conquer, but if things go wrong, you can easily handle it, Sect Master.”

Since the distance was close, it wouldn’t take long either. Since it would end if the sword was transferred to Nokrim, it would be convenient to create a sense of urgency.

“It’s perfect for testing the disciples’ capabilities.”

“I won’t deny it.”

Baek Riyun, wearing a bitter smile, nodded and looked out the window. The cold winter wind flowing in.

“I have fairly good instincts.”

“I have a feeling this commission will have many disturbances. It won’t be a commission where you just go and come back—that’s the end. That’s what I mean.”

He was confident he could take care of himself. But if asked whether he could definitely look after his disciples too, he couldn’t know. No matter how outstanding he was, this Murim was a place where you never knew what might happen.

“The disciples might come looking for you. Asking for information about Jeokwangchae. When that happens, give them only general information. Only what an ordinary merchant company would know.”

“Is that alright?”

“Anyway, those children don’t know your true identity. They don’t know Haun Merchant Company is a Haomun branch either.”

“……I see you haven’t told them.”

“Isn’t it better to reveal it yourself than through someone else’s mouth?”

Baek Riyun, smiling slightly, rose from his seat. And the following words.

“This is my test, but it’s also your test, Iryang.”

“What do you mean by that…….”

“Though we say we’re still young and promising, both you and I will someday be pushed aside as the front waves of the Yangtze.”

At that time, would Uicheonmun have value in being with Haomun? Would Haomun at that time have value in being with Uicheonmun?

“Whether to reveal it or not is your judgment.”

I hope this opportunity allows you to judge.

“……I see.”

So that’s what it meant.

Watching Baek Riyun’s departing figure, Iryang wore a bitter smile. Baek Riyun’s mischievous smile flickering before his eyes.

“You don’t think they’ll fail to pass.”

Half a year. This half year.

Thanks to various eccentric acts, Baek Riyun’s value had been properly proven. No one doubted Uicheonmun Master Baek Riyun’s abilities.

However, the value of the Uicheonmun disciples hadn’t been properly proven. Then they needed to confirm what value Uicheonmun without Baek Riyun had.

“If you’re going to watch, watch thoroughly…….”

What audacious confidence. The confidence that his disciples couldn’t possibly be ordinary, that they couldn’t possibly fail to meet your standards.

Iryang, who had been quietly following Baek Riyun’s departing figure with his eyes, fiddled with the documents on the desk.

“This is getting interesting.”

It might be necessary to pay close attention.

Having organized his thoughts, Iryang wore a slight smile.

Anticipating how the Uicheonmun disciples would resolve the situation.

Who in the world conducts bandit subjugation the most?

First is naturally the government army. Because bandits plunder without distinguishing between Murim people and common folk.

When damage to common people occurs, the government army has no choice but to move. The principle of non-interference with government affairs doesn’t apply to bandits either. So there’s nothing strange about the government army conducting the most bandit subjugation.

Then, who conducts the second most bandit subjugation?

Both Orthodox factions and Unorthodox factions naturally conduct bandit subjugation for their own interests. But among them, no one disagrees that Orthodox factions conduct more bandit subjugation. Isn’t bandit subjugation what those so-called righteous heroes enjoy doing most?

“Let’s be clear about this.”

In that respect.

“A frontal fight is difficult. We need to reduce their numbers somehow or avoid the fight.”

Among those gathered to raid Jeokwangchae, the fact that Baek Risan was most experienced in bandit subjugation was something no one could deny.

Hubei Province. Near Makbusan.

Seohwa, who had been tapping trees to check their sound, paused at Baek Risan’s story, then checked on the quiet Seonwoo Gang and Wangpal before raising her hand. At that sight, Baek Risan nodded, gesturing for her to speak.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“From what I’ve heard, there’s a huge gap between masters and novices. There’s also a difference in qinggong. Even if we properly engage Jeokwangchae, even if we can’t win, couldn’t we avoid being caught? If we just hit and run.”

“Well…… that might be possible. If they only come out with their own weapons.”

Baek Risan nodded as if it was a valid question and continued.

“But you need to know this. Who do you think has the most experience fighting masters from a novice’s perspective?”

“Uh, wandering warriors?”

“No, bandits.”

If a wandering warrior encounters someone with better skills than themselves, they die eight or nine times out of ten.

That’s natural. The battlefields where wandering warriors throw themselves are places where it’s kill or be killed. Because it’s a place where if you don’t kill your opponent, you die. Cases like Seomun Cheok, who survived long on the battlefield despite being a novice, were extremely rare.

But bandits are different.

“The righteous heroes who come to subjugate bandits are usually alone or at most don’t exceed ten. Why do you think that is?”

“……Because they’re masters?”

“Right. And also because they’re burning with a sense of righteousness. You could call it petty ambition for fame.”

Baek Risan, spitting out harsh words, frowned.

“The opponents are hundreds, this side is at most ten. When they fight like that, most of the time the hundreds win. Even if they don’t win, they survive. Then what do you think happens?”

“Experience accumulates. They come to think about why, despite being hundreds, they couldn’t even beat ten people.”

The most important thing when novices face masters is to bind their feet so they can’t hit and run.

So Nokrim bandits, reflecting on that experience, devised ways to bind masters’ feet. Things like caltrops that make you unable to walk when stepped on, iron nets that wrap around the entire body, or spreading slippery oil on the ground so qinggong can’t be easily used—such things.

“Methods for novices to face masters. Bandits necessarily possess such things to survive. They’re people who are adept at dealing with stupid masters.”

“And we’re not, on the other hand.”

“Right. Now do you understand why we can’t have a frontal fight?”

“Yes.”

“A frontal fight has no hope. But even if we try to infiltrate completely, we don’t have anyone who’s learned that level of stealth technique.”

Pallang!

Seohwa, finishing her words, picked up the documents received from Haun Merchant Company.

“Looking here, it says that in two days, Jeokwangchae will send tribute to their superior stronghold. From my thinking, there’s one method we can take. Target when the sword is being moved to the superior stronghold.”

“……Hmm.”

“When moving tribute to the superior stronghold, not all bandits will stick together to move it. If bandits move in groups, they’ll be noticed, so they’ll probably try to move with a small elite force.”

Their strength is small. Methods to deal with masters are also too bulky to prepare while transporting tribute. The optimal environment for attacking with small numbers and achieving the objective.

“For now, that’s what I think. I think it’s right to ambush those leaving Jeokwangchae in two days and retrieve the sword.”

What do you think?

At Baek Risan’s quiet question, Seonwoo Gang nodded briefly. At first glance, the logic seemed flawless.

“Hmm. It certainly seems like a decent plan. But will it go as planned?”

“We have to make it work. If we set traps on the path to the superior stronghold, wouldn’t it become quite an advantageous environment for us?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Fighting after entering enemy territory is stupid. Unless they’re fools, they’ll have prepared for it.”

“Mmm…….”

In the end, this is the only method.

At Baek Risan’s logic, Seonwoo Gang, who let out a groan and rolled his eyes around, nodded. And seeing that, Baek Risan nodded.

“Good.”

“If the other two have no objections, we’ll go with this plan. Any objections?”

“If there are no objections…….”

“Wait a moment.”

At Baek Risan’s progression, Wangpal, who had been silently listening, quietly raised his hand and looked to the side. Seohwa, now lost in thought.

“I want to hear what Fourth Junior thinks. What do you think, Fourth Junior?”

“Fourth Junior.”

“Hm? Ah? What were we talking about?”

“I asked what you think. About the operation Baek Risan just mentioned.”

“Uh…….”

At Wangpal’s quiet but heavy question, Seohwa paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly and answered.

“I think it’s good.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The possibility is…….”

The possibility exists.

“I’ll ask again. Really?”

Seohwa, about to say that, closed her lips at Wangpal’s words. It wasn’t that there were no points that bothered her, but she lacked the confidence to speak up.

“……It’s fine. That seems like the best method.”

Among them, Baek Risan knew the most about bandits.

Then Baek Risan would also know best how to deal with bandits. Even if she, lacking in experience and martial arts, squeezed out some wisdom here, wouldn’t it ultimately just be armchair theory?

The accumulated years are different.

Seohwa had felt this more painfully than anyone during these few months. The difference in advancement speed. The difference in experience. Even the difference in mindset.

There was nothing she could win at. The gap kept widening. She didn’t know about the future, but right now there was a tremendous difference.

What qualification did she, lacking in anything outstanding, have to step forward? What qualification did she have to lead them?

Did she truly have the qualifications?

“Haa…….”

At Seohwa’s deflated appearance, Baek Risan sighed and shook her head as if she knew this would happen, placing her hand on her hip with a displeased expression.

“If there are no objections, we’ll proceed with this. Are you really sure it’s okay?”

“……Yes.”

“It’ll be too late after the plan is implemented. If you have something to say, say it now.”

“It’s fine…….”

It’s fine. Because that’s the right method.

Seohwa, about to say that, opened her eyes wide at Baek Risan’s following words.

“Let’s be clear about one thing. This is something that bastard entrusted to you because he believes in you, Seohwa.”

“……Pardon?”

Unexpected words.

Seohwa, momentarily not understanding Baek Risan’s words, blinked and questioned back.

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it simply. This test is the same as last time. There might be some way to break through somehow, but ultimately frontal breakthrough is difficult, and you need to use your head to break through.”

Baek Riyun said it. That this commission would likely be dangerous. That’s why he’s conducting the test.

“Do you think that bastard said such things without knowing about my, Seonwoo Gang’s, and Wangpal’s experience or martial arts? No.”

“There’s no way he wouldn’t know—you know that best.”

Baek Riyun understood his disciples more deeply than anyone. If Baek Riyun judged it dangerous, he had already finished considering the experiential aspects.

“There will be some variable. Like that bastard has always created, something we haven’t anticipated will happen.”

“In that situation, the one who can respond flexibly isn’t Seonwoo Gang, me, or Wangpal. It’s only you. You’re the key.”

Having poured out her words passionately, Baek Risan sighed.

“If you won’t voice your opinion, that’s fine. We’ll just consider that we failed the test. We’ll move on thinking it’s not time to go out yet.”

“If you want to follow that bastard, if you want to avoid being a burden.”

You can’t stay deflated in the back. You must step forward. Not as the seventeen-year-old Seohwa who just gets dragged along doing as told, but as Uicheonmun’s Eldest Disciple Seohwa.

Having finished speaking, Baek Risan waited in silence for Seohwa to speak. Seohwa, who quietly fell into thought after hearing Baek Risan’s words.

Time passes.

Despite the winter wind cutting at their skin, no one moves or makes a fuss, waiting for Seohwa’s speech. One gyeong. One meal period. Half a sijin.

Mixed emotions cross.

“Whatever opinion you voice, we’ll support you.”

The weight of responsibility. The fear of failing. Self-loathing about oneself who wasn’t good at anything. Such things swirled inside Seohwa and then disappeared.

Finally, when about one sijin had passed.

“……I have a suggestion.”

“Yeah. What is it?”

At Seohwa finally speaking, Baek Risan smiled slightly and asked.

Soon.

“How about we set a fire?”

“Oh, fire attack? That’s not bad either. But the stronghold has countermeasures for fire attack…….”

“Not the stronghold, but the mountain itself.”

“……Huh? The whole thing?”

“Yes.”

“Burn all of Makbusan.”

An answer far beyond expectations returned.