Chapter-39 (Abandoned Disciple of Heavenly Demon)

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Episode 39: Attacking the Escort Agency (1)

“Mount Hua.”

Although the Mount Hua Sect is primarily known for its martial arts, it certainly has Taoist roots.

There are many sects and schools established by martial artists in Shaanxi.

The Mount Hua Sect still maintains good relations with them, and even lending strength when needed.

However, if a sect was attacked, it is most likely that either Mount Hua or Shaolin was responsible.

 

Such raiders often return to their own sect as quickly as possible, leaving no traces behind. Mount Hua was also known to be more active than Shaolin.

“But if it’s the Mount Hua Sect, why are they in Henan?”

“They are in Shaanxi. It’s probably a small group passing through Hanam.”

Neung Byeok-mun looked around at the disciples discussing among themselves before saying, “Listen.”

This meant that all discussion was to cease.

“Our target is Yukga Escort Agency. As I said, it was established a long time ago by a disciple of Mount Hua.”

“Established by a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, it grew into a very large agency in Shaanxi. It would be rude to compare them to the Cloud Escort Agency, where they are currently located.”

“I don’t know how they discovered our sect’s treasure, nor do we know exactly when- it could have been a long time ago, or it could have been recently.”

“Perhaps they obtained it during the trek or a patrol, or they may had entered the land where the treasures were buried. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, those treasures recently come to light.”

“Because this treasure had never left the sector’s domain, no one knew of its existence. But recently, Yukga Escort Agency began preparations with these treasures. It looks like they are moving to Hebei.”

“Hebei…….”

When disciple heard the word Hebei, the ‘Hebei Peng Family’ immediately came to their mind.

The most famous family clan in Hebei was, of course, Hebei Peng Family, one of the Five Great Noble Clans.

“It’s not Hebei Peng Family”, Neung Byeok-mun immediately dismissed their assumptions.

“If it’s not the Peng Family…….”

“Is it the Imperial Family?”

As Neung Byeok-mun nodded, people’s gaze turned to Jang Hoo.

“It’s simple. While the Peng Family is in Hebei, so is the imperial court.”

Although Jang Hoo said it casually, the expressions on the others’ faces hardened.

“Why of all things……”

“I think the Orthodox Alliance would be preferrable target.”

“Are they planning to present our sect’s treasure to the emperor?”

If Orthodox Alliance were to present treasure to the emperor, things would inevitably become complicated. Even if it belonged to Heavenly Demon Sect, attacking the emperor himself was unthinkable.

“No.”

If it were really to be presented to the emperor, even Heavenly Demon have to give up on these treasures.

Or Heavenly Demon had to step forward himself.

“The emperor is in Hebei, but he is not only person of power there.”

In short, these treasures were not offered to the emperor but to another high-ranking official.

“Somehow that official happened to see it at the Yukga Escort Agency, and wanted to buy it. He is known to be collector of such items.”

Although it is said to be a treasure of the Heavenly Demon Sect, in some ways it could be said to be an antique.

It even has the unique, ancient feel of Buddhist relics from a foreign, ancient land. That is why the Yukga Escort Agency decided to present it as a gift to curry favour.

‘I guess they thought it wouldn’t be a bad deal if they got to know the high-ranking officials through those antiques.’

The plan is to raid the treasure while it is being transported from Yukga’s base to Hebei.

“But if they’re going from Shaanxi to Hebei, wouldn’t it be faster to go straight through Shanxi?” asked Bi Yeong, wearing a confused expression.

It was faster to go across Shaanxi than to go through Henan from Shaanxi.

“Wasn’t there Nine Sects or Five Great Noble Clan in Shaanxi?”

It’s not that there were no sects of the Orthodox Alliance, but there was no one sect that could be called the main sect.

However, since there were quite a few sects belonging to the Orthodox Alliance, the Yukga Escort Agency decided to take longer route through Henan, instead of crossing Shanxi.

“There is Shaolin in Henan.”

Of course, that didn’t mean Shaolin would protect them.

However, because Shaolin’s influence was so strong, it was difficult for the Unorthodox Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Sect’s forces to exert influence.

“And we will attack them as they transition from Henan into Hebei.”

If they could enter Hebei safely from Henan without any incident, their tension would inevitably ease.

“For your information, the Yukga Escort Agency departed ten days ago.”

“Is it okay for us to be here, right now?”

Although they weren’t moving as fast as the target, the sect’s disciple worried they were too late.

“It’s fine for now. We will take the direct route across Shanxi, which they avoided.”

If they moved across Shanxi, they would inevitably arrive before the Yukga Escort Agency.

“We will depart tonight.”

“Today?”

At the word today, discontent began to creep into people’s faces.

They weren’t ready to leave at all since there was no word. They wondered if they could make it on time even if started preparing right away.

“Yes. When it gets dark, we will move to avoid being seen by others.”

They were attacking the Yukga Escort Agency, which is associated with Mount Hua, deep inside the area of Shaolin’s influence.

The important thing was that their actions shouldn’t be known. That was why they stayed here for ten days without moving.

The delay was intended to create the false impression that they had stayed here and were now returning to the Heavenly Demon Sect base.

“You should prepare as quickly as possible. Those who don’t make it on time will be left behind”, Neung Byeok-mun said what he wanted to say and then turned away.

“Oh, and…….”

Neung Byeok-mun, who seemed ready to leave at any moment, stopped walking and looked at Jang Hoo and Gye Bu-il.

“Just as both of you previously clashed with the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai, you two once again clashed with Mount Hua in Shaanxi.”

“There was no fight.”

“But they might be watching us.”

Although they did not directly exchange swords as they did with Kunlun Sect, they did engage in war of nerves.

“It is the fault of Young Master Jang and Young Master Gye that we have to move so quickly.”

Jang Hoo and Gye Bu-il couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being unfairly blamed. In fact, it was the Mount Hua faction that started the fight first.

“It’s them…….”

“Okay. So, get ready.”

The two people tried to say something, but Neung Byeok-mun cut them off as if he didn’t want to listen.

“Now you really have to be careful. From now on, I will be monitoring both young masters closely.”

In order to complete the mission without being detected by Shaolin and Mount Hua, they had to move very carefully.

They couldn’t let anyone know that they were moving.

However, it didn’t seem like Commander Neung’s attitude would change even if they became minor Sect Leader.

“You are ignoring us too much.”

“Then behave yourself.”

Neung Byeok-mun said that and went out.

“Cheeky…….”

“No matter how much trust you have from our Master…….”

Jang Hoo and Gye Bu-il’s faces distorted at the sight of Commander Neung ignoring them.

‘If only I could become a Sect Leader…’

However, it did not seem like Commander Neung’s attitude would change even if they became minor Sect leader.

After all, he was a person who only served the Sect leader. Only when they become true Sect leader, not a small leader, will Commander of Shadow Demon Unit bow his stiff head.

‘If I become the leader, I will make Commander Neung regret his actions now’, both of them thought.

Of course, if that happened, it seemed like Commander Neung would step down before even lowering his head.

‘You’re so selfish.’

‘If you had told me sooner, I could have prepared in advance.’

Jang Hoo and Gye Bu-il continued to be dissatisfied with Commander Neung.

Even though he was the person in charge appointed by Heavenly Demon, both thought he was making decisions too unilaterally.

“Then I’ll see you when we leave.”

The first one to rise from his seat was Yeong Soso.

As if she did not want to agree with Jang Hoo or Gye Bu-il’s words, she got up from her seat and went out.

“You two should stop complaining and get ready.”

And Mok Ja-gyeong also said those words to the two people and went out.

“Tsk. These damn people.”

Jin Myeong found this situation, where Jang Hoo was being ignored, more amusing then expected.

‘That’s interesting.’

Jin Myeong found this situation, where Jang Hoo was ignored more than he thought, amusing.

‘When we talked directly, he didn’t seem that stupid. I should get ready quickly too.’

Jin Myeong returned to his room and began preparing to leave. He changed into black clothes and packed the clothes that the maids had washed, so he finished preparing very quickly.

In the end, Jin Myeong had no choice but to wait until the time came.

“Are we all here?”

When the sun had set and the surroundings had become completely dark, Jin Myeong only then began to move.

After a while, Commander Neung appeared and looked around and said, “We will move as carefully as possible. Also make sure no one catches us.”

“We will return here with the treasure without being caught by anyone. From here, it will be transferred to the Heavenly Demon Sect with the utmost care.”

That was the mission they were given.

“Before we leave, everyone put on your masks.”

The Shadow Demons members began handing out black masks. Jin Myeong looked at the mask quietly and then turned it over in his hand.

‘It’s uncomfortable.’

The mask was more uncomfortable than he initially thought.

‘Is this what they usually wear before such mission? This is uncomfortable. Perhaps because both my nose and mouth were covered, it felt difficult to breathe.’

“From now on, we are just a nameless group”, at Neung Byeok-mun’s words, the young warriors of Heavenly Demon Sect quietly nodded their heads.

“Let’s go.”

On a dark night when the moon was not even up, they began their journey across Shanxi.

‘It’s hard.’

Running towards the destination was a forced march. They moved mostly at night to avoid being noticed by people, and used mostly empty roads.

‘Could it be because I couldn’t sleep properly and spent all time running with Qing Gong?’

They were eventually able to cross Shanxi in less than ten days.

“We will wait here now”, as soon as he arrived at his destination, Neung Byeok-mun looked around, “Each of you should hide yourself and continue to wait.”

“Until when?”

“I don’t know.”

Because they moved secretly, they had no contact with the branches of the Heavenly Demon Sect. That’s why, he had no idea where the Yukga Escort Agency was.

“So does that mean we should keep hiding here?”

Yeong Soso frowned at the Commander Neung. She didn’t like having to wait indefinitely in this remote place where there was nothing.

“Exactly.”

But Shadow Demons nodded resolutely. Soon the Shadow Demons members moved again and handed something out to them.

‘Pipe?’

It was a very small flute.

“From now on, each of you will spread out, hide yourselves, and wait. When you receive the signal, blow it.”

“Then wouldn’t they be on guard?”

“It’s okay. It’s special.”

Jin Myeong quietly stared at the flute while listening to Commander Neung’s answer to someone’s question.

‘I wonder what kind of sound it will make. Did they mean I would instinctively recognize the sound it is and respond accordingly?’

“What kind of sound would we hear?”

There was someone who asked Commander Neung the same question as Jin Myeong. It seemed that it wasn’t just Jin Myeong that was curious.

“You will know naturally. Then just run to where you hear the sound”, Commander Neung did not give a clear answer.

It wasn’t easy to understand what it meant to “know naturally,” but in the end, Jin Myeong had no choice but to move out in search of a suitable hiding spot near the Escort Agency’s route.

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