The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 25

People are truly cunning creatures.

The remorseful attitude Bangwunhyeok had shown just moments ago wasn’t fake.

Would such a petty person who couldn’t even secure a seat at an inn repent so quickly even after being injured?

There must have been quite a reason for it.

‘It’s a trap to kill and silence me.’

Following behind Bangwunhyeok, we arrive at a fairly secluded area.

And I can sense a presence behind us.

It seems they’ve hired a warrior from somewhere.

There’s one presence.

But it’s a familiar presence.

“Is your hand alright?”

“…It’s not too serious. It should be fine after some rest.”

“Haha, I only tapped it lightly, so it should be.”

“…”

Even though his back is turned, I can feel his expression hardening.

Since my previous life, my principle has been to never spare those who threaten my life first.

“Are you well prepared?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked if you’re well prepared.”

“What preparation do you mean?”

“You’ve gathered people like this and you’re still not prepared?”

“…”

I was starting to get annoyed at wasting more time.

There’s a limit to how much I’ll indulge their desperate struggles as entertainment.

“Enough. I’ll take your head and go to the Martial Arts Alliance Branch myself.”

“Wh-what? This crazy bastard is finally showing his true colors…!!”

As if waiting for those words, the owner of the remaining presence appeared.

It was the person who had taken them from the inn earlier.

“Since you said you’d handle it, I thought you were from the Martial Arts Alliance Branch.”

“I don’t believe I ever said that.”

“What does it matter now? Isn’t that right?”

“You misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand?”

“Danju!!”

At the word “misunderstand,” Bangwunhyeok calls out “Danju.”

Danju.

A Danju from a place not affiliated with the Martial Arts Alliance.

There are so many such places that I can’t specify which one.

However, I should assume that Bangwunhyeok has infiltrated the Martial Arts Alliance Branch.

“Did you bring in a member of the Bang family?”

“That’s how connections work.”

“How could you tell an outsider…”

I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not particularly curious.

The price of curiosity is often more cruel than one expects.

“I don’t want to know who you are or what you want. You said it was a misunderstanding, so go back while I’m letting you.”

“Aren’t you planning to go to the Martial Arts Alliance Branch?”

“So what?”

Cheongun’s words were already sharp enough, but the man didn’t back down.

“We can help you.”

“It’s not like I can’t get in without your help.”

“But you can’t get in without any problems, can you?”

That’s a valid point.

I could reveal that I’m the Patriarch of Cheongeumjang, but that would be troublesome.

I might be able to reveal it next time, but this is my first time here.

Depending on the region, it might be better to reveal it.

The place I’m planning to go next would probably be better to reveal it.

“Fine, then let me hear what you want.”

“We…”

What they wanted.

It was simple, yet not simple.

“Then let’s go now.”

“Right now?”

“What would change if we delay a few days?”

“…Please wait a moment.”

The Danju went a bit deeper with Bangwunhyeok for a moment.

“Danju-nim. Do you really think such a young brat can pull it off? If he fails, it’ll only make security tighter.”

Bangwunhyeok couldn’t understand the Danju’s decision.

He seemed to have considerable strength, but to entrust this operation to him?

Besides, wasn’t this a plan they had been working on for quite a long time?

“We should at least use him as bait, shouldn’t we?”

“Then…!”

“Right. He seems to have decent martial skills, but that’s all.”

The Danju didn’t have confidence to deal with Cheongun directly either.

But the Martial Arts Alliance would be a different story.

He could easily help him get inside.

Getting out would be his own problem.

Cheongun didn’t just agree for nothing either.

Since he had to enter the Martial Arts Alliance anyway, if he could get something extra, why not take the good deal?

Just some wretched old man.

He’s currently in prison with his dantian destroyed, and it’s a simple matter of switching him with a prepared corpse and helping him escape.

It’s simple if not discovered.

It becomes complicated if discovered.

“Preparations are complete. Danju-nim has already gone inside.”

“Anything I should be careful of?”

“Just switch the corpse that the bribed guard gives you and come out.”

“Good.”

Bangwunhyeok says he won’t go in.

Since he’d be useless anyway, it doesn’t matter.

It’s getting close to sunset, so it’s a suitable time for moving around.

The Danju who went ahead is waiting to greet us up front.

“Over here.”

Then he takes something from his chest and hands it to Cheongun.

“Oh, this is…”

“That’s right. I was lucky to obtain it.”

He said it’s a pill made from Baekgaksa’s inner core.

‘As expected.’

I was relying only on memory so I had some doubts, but seeing this confirms it.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

“Well then, let me take care of some business first before we proceed.”

“Understood. I’ll be counting on you.”

With that, Danju disappeared again.

While maintaining utmost courtesy.

“There are many who look down on me because I’m still young.”

That’s a good thing.

They think for themselves and make their own judgments, assuming it will be easy in the end.

What’s truly important is the purpose of Cheongun’s visit.

The time spent searching for the exact reason why Cheongeumjang had fallen.

But now, in these peaceful times, there was no way to find that reason.

In the end, there was no method other than preventing it in advance, but even this had clear limitations.

Because the balance between righteous and demonic forces was evenly matched, it meant immediate checks from the other side.

But that didn’t mean this side would protect them either.

They would only make a show of it.

Perhaps I should try becoming the Demonic Sect Leader if possible.

I had thought about trying to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader if possible.

It seemed feasible.

But it would take far too long.

However, the Jeongma Great War began when Cheongun was around thirty.

In the end, there was only one method Cheongun could think of.

One that could utilize memories from his previous life while also gaining reliable power.

It was to seek out the masters living in seclusion and bring their strength to Cheongeumjang.

He didn’t think it would be easy.

But during the actual Jeongma Great War, when they stepped forward, one side suffered tremendous damage.

This meant their power was that formidable, so if he could obtain that strength, he could ensure Cheongeumjang’s safety.

The first target was right here, in a place where someone he had only heard rumors about in his previous life resided.

“I think it was supposed to be this way…”

Since he hadn’t seen this person directly, he was a bit nervous.

They might attack first, and no matter how skilled Cheongun was, he couldn’t gauge the martial prowess of a reclusive master, so anything could happen.

“Here it is.”

A blacksmith shop located in a corner within the Martial Arts Alliance Branch.

Positioned in such a way that it wouldn’t be found unless one searched carefully.

It was said to be someone who used strong, heavy, and domineering fist techniques.

When this place was actually attacked by the Demonic Sect, large and wide holes were created all the way to the outside of the Martial Arts Alliance Branch.

That’s not going to happen right now, is it?

“Is anyone there?”

He had seen lights on just moments ago, but no answer came from inside.

He couldn’t sense any presence either.

“Is anyone there?”

He asked again, but nothing changed.

“Then I’ll come in.”

Common sense would be to leave if no one was there.

Cheongun naturally tried to enter, and finally a voice came from inside.

“…Who is it?”

“It’s Cheongun.”

“That’s a name I’ve never heard before.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“…If you want to repair a sword or something, come tomorrow. I just finished for today.”

“Oh my, couldn’t you make an exception? I don’t have time unless it’s today.”

Every reclusive master has their own story.

Of course, some might not, but these were people Cheongun had carefully selected.

Among those with stories, people whose stories could be resolved.

It might require Cheongeumjang’s wealth, or Cheongun’s martial power.

Or it might require something else entirely, but he could handle anything.

“Then please just take a look at my sword’s condition. I need to use it for at least today, but I’m not sure if it can hold up.”

“Sigh… come in.”

The extinguished fire was relit, and soon the sound of an unlocked door opening could be heard.

Upon entering, an elderly man so frail it was hard to believe he was someone who had used strong and domineering fist techniques was looking at Cheongun with irritated eyes.

“If it’s such an urgent sword, you should have come earlier.”

“Haha, I apologize. That’s how it turned out.”

“Give it here.”

He seemed like just a powerless old man, but Cheongun could see it.

How could a blacksmith have so many scars not on his palms but on the backs of his hands, and on his knuckles at that?

Moreover, his blood channels appeared to be blocked.

Perhaps he was attacked by the Demonic Sect, and in that process, his blood channels would be unblocked and his strength restored.

“How is it?”

“…It’s a perfectly fine sword.”

The old man’s voice changed strangely.

By now he must have realized something was odd.

“Is that so? It doesn’t look that way to my eyes.”

“…Who are you? Who sent you?”

His voice was filled with wariness, but also growing fear.

Someone who once had the world beneath his feet.

Someone who could shatter even Mount Tai with his fists had become so weak.

That’s what power is like.

Who would know better than Cheongun himself?

“Have you taken your revenge?”

“H-how, how do you know that…?”

He thought no one knew about it.

This person didn’t even seem to have reached adulthood yet.

How could he possibly know about that matter?

No, even if he didn’t know the details, the very fact that he mentioned revenge itself was mysterious.

“C-could you perhaps be a senior who has achieved rejuvenation…?”

The most absurd possibility had become the most credible case.

“No. How could that be?”

“Then, how on earth…?”

Fortunately, the fear along with the wariness disappeared from his eyes.

“Would it matter how I knew? What’s important is that you can achieve it now.”

“R-really? Can you, can you really do that for me?”

Eyes that had been dying instantly filled with hope.

“Why else would I have come all this way here?”

Since he knew the other’s greatest and most hidden secret, he had to show something equivalent.

When he showed the Patriarch’s token of Cheongeumjang from his chest, the man’s eyes grew even wider.

“I know you have many questions…”

That was exactly right.

If it was the Cheongeumjang Patriarch, it could be said he possessed half the gold in the world.

The fact that the Patriarch himself had come to visit raised many questions, but there was no choice anyway.

Whether he lived and died like this, or died now by making the wrong choice.

Rather, it was better to show trust at this moment.

“I understand. Now is not the time.”

“Then please step outside the Branch. This place is inconvenient for coming and going.”

“Right. I’ll do that.”

It would be one of two outcomes.

Either his enemy would die.

Or he himself would die.

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