Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 23: Bifeng Ridge (2)

Despite the Milkgeom Dan’s warning, the Taeching Courier House pressed forward with the transport run and soon found themselves entering Bifeng Ridge.
It was a place that boasted the finest scenery even among the sprawling Naso Mountain Range, yet no one had the leisure to spare it a glance.
The Courier Chiefs and Couriers who knew that enemies awaited them at Bifeng Ridge bore tension etched across every face.
Their vigilant eyes gleamed cold, and the sharp aura radiating from their bodies cut like a blade.

“So this is the most celebrated courier house under heaven — their bearing truly is exceptional.”

Namgung Ho, walking a short distance from the main transport column, observed the Couriers with an expression of genuine surprise.

“It’s not just the Couriers. I’ve heard that the Taeching Courier House’s Transport Workers are no mere laborers — and it seems that’s no exaggeration.”

Even amid her unease, Yu Seollan found herself marveling at the Transport Workers who maintained their resolve in the face of danger.

“They teach martial arts to the Transport Workers, and once they’ve reached a certain level of skill, they’re hired on as Couriers. Of course, they also recruit Couriers seasonally.”

Yu Seollan nodded vigorously at Dokgo Jin’s explanation.

“In other words, they’re reserve Couriers. Which means their individual strength would likely exceed that of ordinary bandits.”
“What we see isn’t the whole picture. If even the Transport Workers possess sufficient skill, then they haven’t acted purely out of recklessness.”

Namgung Ho was certain that with seven Courier Chiefs including Mae Gunsan, thirty Couriers, and forty Transport Workers, they would be more than a match for any ordinary Sanchae.

“The real problem is that the Heukgol Chae waiting for us at Bifeng Ridge is one of the Nok Rim’s most formidable forces. Yes, they’ve suffered devastating losses at our hands before, but what remains shouldn’t be underestimated. Factor in the aid from the Sanchae supporting them, and their current strength is woefully inadequate.”

Dokgo Jin shook his head, and Yu Seollan added to his assessment.

“Then there’s Madoryeon. A good number of their people left here with deep grudges last time. If they join the fight, the Taeching Courier House cannot possibly withstand it. Of course, everything has changed completely now that we’ve joined them.”

Though she had failed to complete Jong Gak’s order to persuade the Taeching Courier House to abandon the transport run, Yu Seollan didn’t view the current situation as particularly unfavorable.
It was an opportunity to utterly crush the rival faction that Jeongmu Maeng was pushing, and with luck, they might even annihilate the remaining remnants of the Heukwol Dan that had slipped through their fingers before.
Yu Seollan’s gaze drifted toward Dokgo Jin, who was surveying the path ahead.

‘Others would call it a pipe dream, three of us alone. But with him here, it’s possible.’

Sensing her gaze upon him, Dokgo Jin turned his head toward her.

“Do you have something to say?”

At his question, Yu Seollan shook her head.

“No.”
“If you do have something to say, I’ll hear it later. They’re coming.”

At the news of approaching bandits, Yu Seollan straightened and quickly deployed her Qi Perception. Indeed, faint auras could be sensed in the distance.

‘Truly… this man….’

The ease with which he perceived what she could only detect with the utmost effort was less impressive than it was uncanny.

‘So that’s the gap between us.’

As Yu Seollan exhaled a rueful laugh at nothing in particular,

“Shouldn’t we warn them?”

Namgung Ho, having heard the exchange and confirmed the bandits’ approach, asked with a stern expression.

“Why would they? I don’t think they’re about to launch a surprise attack. Besides, if the Courier Chief’s skills are what I think they are, he’d sense them coming. These lot aren’t trying to hide anyway.”

Before Dokgo Jin could finish, an urgent shout rang out and the courier transport lurched to a halt.

“You’ve chosen your ground well.”

Dokgo Jin pointed to a broad, open expanse just before the ascent to Bifeng Ridge.

“Yes, ideal for a surround assault. The way they’re pouring in like a pack of dogs—they’re counting on overwhelming numbers.”

Yu Seollan surveyed the perimeter slowly.
Shadows of Sanjuk moved between the trees in such profusion that counting them would have been pointless.

“Quite a few.”

At a glance, the brigands forming the noose numbered at least five times the Taeching Courier House contingent, yet she showed no sign of alarm. Neither did Namgung Ho nor Dokgo Jin.
The Taeching Courier House responded swiftly to the Sanjuk’s appearance.
Transport Workers formed two concentric circles around the Transport Goods, then Couriers encircled them again. Courier Chiefs were posted at key points to coordinate the defense.
Once they were set, the brigands completed their encirclement, and finally Jo Sa-eung appeared, cresting Bifeng Ridge.

“Mm.”

A low hum escaped Mae Gunsan’s lips as he studied those who came in Jo Sa-eung’s wake.
Several of the elderly from Heukgol Chae—faces he rarely saw—had emerged in force. Individually, their skill could not match the elders and senior masters of other sects, but as principals they possessed prowess far beyond that of common brigands.
Mae Gunsan’s eyes, cool as they swept the encircling brigands, grew heavier still.
By the composition of those forming the noose, it was clear that Heukgol Chae had not come alone—multiple Sanchae had thrown in their strength.
He had steeled himself, but now that the moment had arrived, the pressure was far greater than he had anticipated.

“Ha ha! And who might this be? Is it not the Courier Chief himself?”

Jo Geuk, who had yielded the foremost position to Jo Sa-eung, stepped forward with an Iron Mace slung casually across his shoulder and called out warmly.

“It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed it has! It must be four or five years since we last met, wouldn’t you say?”
“About that. I haven’t led a courier transport through here since.”
“At first, I thought you’d retired from the trade. We had our differences, certainly, but we shared a bond over many years. I never thought you’d vanish without so much as a farewell.”
“Yet for a simple greeting, this seems rather excessive, doesn’t it? And it’s not just Heukgol Chae here, I suspect.”
“Ha ha! Nor are these merely your standard Couriers, are they? I’ve never seen so many gathered in one place.”

Jo Geuk’s expression grew sly as he gestured toward the Couriers, bristling like a hedgehog with spines on full display.

“I heard you’re selecting a successor for the Chongchaejoo.”
“That is so.”
“I have some notion of how such things are decided. So we’ve had to prepare ourselves as well.”
“Ha ha ha! Just as I thought of you. Always thorough in your preparations.”

Jo Geuk’s expression, bright with hearty laughter, abruptly shifted.

“Then I suppose you know what we want?”
“Five times—no, ten times the usual toll.”

Mae Gunsan offered ten times the toll, whereas he had told the Courier Chiefs to prepare for five times at most.
The sheer number of brigands marshaled—not only from Heukgol Chae but from multiple Sanchae—and Madoryeon lurking somewhere in the shadows, combined with the tone emanating from Jo Geuk, convinced him that even five times would fall catastrophically short.

“Brother!”

Mae Cheong, startled, called out to Mae Gunsan.
Ten times the toll meant not merely no profit—it represented a staggering loss.
Mae Gunsan did not answer at all, but continued speaking to Jo Geuk.

“Ten times over. At this point, we’ve demonstrated the utmost sincerity we’re capable of.”

Jo Geuk licked his yellowed tongue across his lips.
As Mae Gunsan had said, Taeching Courier House was indeed showing them the utmost good faith they could muster.
Jo Geuk, who had been deliberating for a moment, slowly shook his head.

“Unfortunately, that won’t suffice.”

In an instant, Mae Gunsan’s brow tightened.

“Won’t suffice? Aren’t you being unreasonably greedy?”
“I understand the Courier Chief has made considerable concessions. But this is an exceptional circumstance. We’re not talking about some ordinary matter—we’re talking about the Succession Battle.”

Mae Gunsan, who had been glaring at Jo Geuk for some time, finally managed to ask while barely suppressing his rage.

“Then what exactly do you want?”
“The Transport Goods…….”

Jo Geuk, sensing the catastrophe his words would bring, trailed off, and Jo Sa-eung spoke in his stead.

“We want all of the Transport Goods.”
“What! Do you call that negotiation?”

Mae Gunsan flared with fury, but Jo Sa-eung continued with unshakeable composure.

“In exchange, we will forgo all toll payments from Taeching Courier House passing through here for the next five years.”
“…….”

Stunned by the unexpected proposal, Mae Gunsan could not answer immediately. Seeing his reaction, a knowing smile played at the corners of Jo Sa-eung’s and Jo Geuk’s mouths.
Before ascending Bifeng Ridge, the two had concluded that mindlessly colliding with Taeching Courier House without serious negotiation would be of little benefit.
Though they could seize all the Transport Goods being conveyed by Taeching Courier House through sheer overwhelming force, the damage that Heukgol Chae would sustain in the process would surely be considerable.
Given that they had already suffered massive losses, further casualties could threaten Heukgol Chae’s standing, and worse, they might expose weakness to their most formidable rival, Jeon Woong, and Baekho Chae.
Thus they chose to avoid immediate conflict and, if possible, obtain the Transport Goods through negotiation.

‘Go on, decide.’

Observing that his intent had landed squarely in the wavering light of Mae Gunsan’s eyes, Jo Sa-eung’s smile took on a steely edge.

‘Five years.’

Mae Gunsan’s deliberation deepened.
If he could obtain five years’ exemption from toll payments, then losing all the Transport Goods currently being transported and paying the damages would not be a loss at all.
The terrified couriers and transport workers would also return safely.
Yet no matter how advantageous the financial terms, a fundamental question gnawed at him: was it right to surrender the Transport Goods wholesale without any resistance, merely cowering before the bandits’ show of strength? This doubt kept him silent.
Everyone present, knowing that their fate hung upon Mae Gunsan’s word, held their breath in suffocating tension, their eyes fixed only on his mouth.
After prolonged deliberation, Mae Gunsan suddenly lifted his head and gazed at the sky.
Sunlight poured from the cloudless azure vault above, caressing his face with gentle warmth.
Mae Gunsan kept his eyes closed for a long moment, savoring the warmth, then brushed back his tangled hair and spoke.

“It does seem like a fine day to die, doesn’t it?”

Jo Sa-eung’s face crumpled as his reply hung suspended in the flat tone of Mae Gunsan’s voice.

“What are you saying…….”

At that moment, Jo Geuk seized Jo Sa-eung’s arm while keeping his gaze fixed on Mae Gunsan.

“So you’re choosing to drink the bitter cup when the elixir is right in front of you?”
“It’s not elixir—it’s poison.”

Mae Gunsan, choosing at last the conviction of a Courier over the profits before his eyes, drew his blade slowly.
Jo Geuk, who had retreated several paces without warning, fixed him with a chilling gaze.

“You will all die.”
“Perhaps. But it will not come easily.”

Now that he stood ready for the final confrontation, Mae Gunsan’s expression was harder than ever.
Jo Sa-eung, waiting for the two men’s exchange to end, slowly raised his hand.
The Sanjuk surrounding them and the Couriers of Taeching Courier House alike fixed their gaze upon him alone.

‘Excellent…’

Hundreds of eyes bearing down upon him.
Jo Sa-eung trembled throughout his body, relishing the boundless exhilaration flooding through him. Then he thrust his hand forward and cried out.

“Attack!”

The moment the command fell, assaults erupted from all sides.

“Strike them down!”
“Kill them all!”

Countless Sanjuk surged forward, their voices savage and fierce, their eyes ablaze with killing intent.
Despite the efforts of each Sanchae leader to control the flow—waving their hands this way and that as if pre-assigned to sections—the sheer number of bandits was so vast that their trajectories tangled against one another.

“Do not retreat. They are numerous, nothing more.”
“To fear mere Sanjuk would be to forsake the name of Taeching Courier House!”
“Shameful conduct will not be tolerated.”

The Courier Chiefs spurred their Couriers and Transport Workers onward, swinging their blades with ferocity.
Yet the Sanjuk from Heukgol Chae and the reinforcements from each Sanchae were elite soldiers in their own right, and their prowess was far from inconsiderable to dismiss as mere numbers.
Nevertheless, the skill of the Courier Chiefs, led by Mae Gunsan, was exceptional, and the defensive formation of the Couriers—seasoned in group combat—proved remarkably solid, so that despite the overwhelming disparity in forces, the early stages of battle hung in precarious balance.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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