CLS-Chapter 512

Chapter 512:

“Keu, I feel like I’m alive again!”

Wei Yan-ho wiped his face with a towel soaked in cold water. After cleaning off the sand that had been crunch-crunching between his teeth, he finally felt somewhat human again.

“What kind of sandstorm blows like this?”

“It gets worse when you go to Xinjiang.”

“The Demonic Cult folks really live in strange places.”

Wei Jeong-han wore a bitter smile.

“It’s not that they live in strange places, but rather they’ve been pushed to barren lands. That’s why they’re always eyeing the Central Plains.”

“Then why don’t we just let them come in so we can all live together?”

“How can we live together with those the nation has designated as heretical?”

“Hmm…”

“Moreover, the reason people shun the Demonic Cult isn’t because the nation shuns them. It’s because there are so many vicious bastards among them. Even martial artists fear them, so what’s the point of talking about ordinary people?”

“That’s true.”

Wei Jeong-han nodded.

“Furthermore, official influence doesn’t reach them either. No matter how much the martial world and the officials avoid interfering with each other, who in the Great Ming’s realm can ignore official words? Everyone maintains their pride, but in the end, they have no choice but to cooperate with officials. But those Demonic Cult bastards kill officials if they kill them, and don’t listen to their words. In the end, the Demonic Cult should be viewed not as a religion or group, but as another nation.”

“Mm…”

“That’s why such bastards are also running wild in the border regions.”

Wei Jeong-han clicked his tongue and looked out the window. Bandits were hanging upside down in a row from the large tree that stood tall in front of the inn. They had been beaten so badly that their original faces were unrecognizable, completely smashed.

The door opened and Jang-il entered, dusting off his hands.

“Great Hero, everything’s been handled.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“With times being suspicious, all sorts of parasitic things are running wild.”

Wei Jeong-han kept his mouth tightly shut.

How could that be because of the times alone?

It’s been over ten years since he first heard the name Cheongsa Sect. It means that something that could have been solved so easily if just one person had stepped forward has been neglected for over ten years.

‘I’m the same way.’

Chivalry exists only in dreams.

There may still be those who would display chivalry toward troubles that come directly before them. But it means there’s no one who would seek out and solve troubles they could avoid by just turning their head.

The war made everyone cold.

If the war with the Demonic Cult hadn’t taken away so much, the situation would have been somewhat better than now.

Wei Jeong-han let out a quiet sigh.

Thinking that perhaps such a war might break out once again, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Are we just leaving those guys hanging like that?”

“We have to.”

“They’ll die of thirst.”

“Compared to what those bastards have done until now, that’s a death they’d be blessed to have.”

When Wei Yan-ho made a slightly uncomfortable face, Wei Jeong-han spoke firmly.

“If appropriate punishment doesn’t befall those who commit crimes, no one will fear committing crimes.”

“No, I don’t particularly have complaints about it… I was just wondering if the people here would have to clean up all those corpses if we leave them like that.”

“…Huh?”

Wei Jeong-han raised his head as if he hadn’t thought of that. The innkeeper, who had filled a tray with food and was placing it on the table, shook his head vigorously.

“Oh my, when you’ve saved our lives – something we should spend our entire lives repaying – how could we find such a thing bothersome?”

“But it’s dangerous. How about we just bury them somewhere appropriate instead?”

“Not bad, huh? Mm, not bad.”

Jang-il grabbed his chopsticks with a reluctant expression.

‘They can probably hear everything.’

Though they’re called a bandit gang, they’re people who have learned martial arts to some degree. The distance between the tree and the inn isn’t far, so they should be able to hear sounds of this level.

What might they be thinking as they listen to conversations about whether to bury them or not?

“That’s why they crawled all the way here.”

“Huh? Are you taking their side now?”

“What side, how childish. I was just curious why guys who were active in Qinghai came all the way here.”

Wei Jeong-han spoke casually.

“It must be because the Demonic Cult is moving.”

“Pardon?”

“Those bastards are people who operate at the boundary between officials and the demon realm. Originally, border regions are one of two things. Either security is strict because they’re wary of each other, or they’re abandoned to avoid provoking each other. Officials and the Demonic Cult chose the second option. These were guys who took advantage of that gap. But as the Demonic Cult started moving, they were pushed here to survive.”

“That certainly makes sense.”

Jang-il’s face darkened.

Because he knew what those words meant. The Demonic Cult had shown movement more than once or twice until now. But they had never affected the surroundings like this time. This means they’re really preparing to move properly this time.

‘A real war is starting.’

A sense of crisis began to surge.

Guys like those have quick instincts. They know with ghostly accuracy when to hide appropriately and when they really need to flee. The fact that such guys abandoned their sphere of activity and fled to the Central Plains carried significant meaning.

“It looks like they’re going to push into the Central Plains.”

“That’s right.”

Wei Jeong-han spoke with a hardened face.

“We’ll be entering Xinjiang soon.”

At the mention of Xinjiang, tension appeared on everyone’s faces. At least in the martial world, Xinjiang was a word that meant the Demonic Cult. The reality of entering the Demonic Cult’s territory began to sink in.

“From now on, nowhere can be called safe. It wouldn’t be strange if heads rolled anywhere, anytime.”

“I feel like I’m going to get indigestion – can’t we do this after eating?”

When Wei Yan-ho complained, Wei Jeong-han suppressed Wei Yan-ho’s rebellion with a stern gaze. Wei Yan-ho grumbled but didn’t interfere further and buried his nose in his noodles.

“Anyone who wants to return should go back even now.”

“Great Hero, we…”

“Listen to the end.”

“…”

Wei Jeong-han spoke firmly.

“I respect your chivalry. Just by following this far, your chivalry has been proven. I’m grateful as San-ho’s father, and I respect you as a warrior of the martial world. But going further than this might become reckless. Whether it’s chivalry or righteousness, you must be alive to achieve it. If chivalry is excessive, it becomes nothing but a dog’s death. No one will be able to curse you as cowards. So if you want to return, go back from here.”

“Those are correct words.”

Zhuge Mun-in spoke as if impressed.

“Han Xin also crawled between a scoundrel’s legs to achieve his purpose. There’s nothing more foolish than being unable to suppress momentary righteousness and pride and jumping into a fire pit.”

“That’s right.”

“So anyone who wants to return should hurry back.”

Wei Jeong-han asked bluntly.

“Aren’t you going back?”

“I can crawl between a scoundrel’s legs while whistling, but there’s no way for a retainer to abandon his lord.”

“…Good grief.”

Wei Jeong-han scratched his head roughly. He had thought that those from the Zhuge Family were all quick at calculations and cunning, but seeing Zhuge Mun-in, it didn’t seem to be the case.

This one is only a fox on the outside, but inside is almost a bear.

“So Lord Wei’s command is for those who fear a dog’s death to quickly scurry home. Get lost, beggar.”

“Why are you picking a fight again, you crazy bastard?”

“You’ve looked half-dead the whole way here, so obviously he’s talking about you. Isn’t that right, Lord Wei?”

“…I wasn’t specifically pointing to anyone.”

“But recognizing the inner meaning is a military officer’s quality. Huhu.”

Wei Jeong-han let out a deep sigh.

‘Why are there only such crazy bastards?’

Traveling with these guys, he felt like his mind was going strange.

“I’ll give you time until tonight. I hope everyone rests well and sorts out their feelings. Once we depart from this place, there will be no turning back.”

Wei Jeong-han’s heavy voice weighed down everyone’s hearts.

***

“…Uncle?”

Baek Hoe-myeong’s face was colored with shock.

His uncle, whom he was seeing again after a while, had become far too haggard. What on earth would he have to go through for the renowned Cheon Ryu-geom to return in such a state?

“Are, are you alright?”

“I am fine, Young Master.”

Cheon Ryu-geom tried to answer calmly, but there was no strength in his voice at all. He was like someone whose vitality had completely drained away.

“I’m only ashamed that I returned without completing my mission.”

“How could that be Uncle’s fault? It’s all the fault of this nephew who misjudged the situation. I’m sorry, Uncle.”

Baek Hoe-myeong bowed his head deeply.

‘Who would have thought that Wei Yan-ho bastard could break Uncle?’

It was something he couldn’t have imagined.

Based on Wei Yan-ho’s track record so far, Wei Yan-ho was getting stronger at a tremendous speed. But he never thought that strength would be enough to break Cheon Ryu-geom.

Wasn’t it natural?

No matter how strong a dog becomes, who could imagine it would bite a tiger to death?

An impossible thing had happened. Baek Hoe-myeong still couldn’t understand how such a thing could have occurred.

“Uncle…”

“I know what you want to hear. Yes, I should give a report.”

“What do you mean report, Uncle!”

“Listen first, Young Master.”

Baek Hoe-myeong flinched at Cheon Ryu-geom’s heavy voice.

He wasn’t someone who was always gentle. But this was the first time he’d heard him speak so firmly.

“Wei Yan-ho is dangerous.”

“…Uncle?”

What kind of obvious statement was this?

Wasn’t it because they knew Wei Yan-ho was dangerous that they had  sent Cheon Ryu-geom to eliminate him? But why was he now stating again what everyone already knew?

“Uncle, that is…”

“It’s not an obvious statement.”

Cheon Ryu-geom’s eyes were bloodshot.

“I don’t mean he’s dangerous because he blocks our path. He is… he is one who can destroy everything. Our pride, and even our legitimacy… He is one who can take away all of that. We must kill him. We must!”

Seeing Cheon Ryu-geom’s momentum, Baek Hoe-myeong closed his mouth.

Murderous intent.

This was murderous intent.

Cheon Ryu-geom, who looked so haggard he might collapse at any moment, was displaying murderous intent like he’d never shown before. Baek Hoe-myeong was momentarily overwhelmed by that terrifying momentum.

“I hope you don’t forget my words, Young Master. If the Family Head won’t do it, then the Young Master must. Eliminate him by any means necessary. By any means necessary!”

“I, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Cheon Ryu-geom nodded and turned around.

“I must see the Family Head.”

Watching Cheon Ryu-geom slowly walk away showing his back, Baek Hoe-myeong swallowed dry saliva.

‘What on earth happened?’

What on earth had happened for that person, who was incomparably gentle, to show such an appearance?

He didn’t think it was anger from being defeated by a young punk. That meant there was something more that Baek Hoe-myeong didn’t know about.

‘Wei Yan-ho.’

One thing he could agree with.

Whenever anything involved Wei Yan-ho, it started getting tangled up. For the grand plan, Wei Yan-ho must be eliminated. He must!

Baek Hoe-myeong’s eyes sank coldly.

‘I’ll need to change the plan a little.’

Everything had already begun. In the rough storm that would cover the martial world, sinking the small boat called Wei Yan-ho wouldn’t be too difficult.

Baek Hoe-myeong shot up from his seat.