Chapter 156: It Can Only Be One of Two
Nine Dragons Guesthouse.
The next morning, Cheon Susan, the Blood Fisher, arrived directly at the guesthouse with a new cart.
When he saw Yeon Jeokha's group resting in the dining hall, he quickly approached and bowed deeply.
Indeed, just as Yeon Jeokha had said, he looked like an innkeeper’s assistant.
"Grand Inspector, I apologize for the delay. I brought the cart and also filled it with supplies. You can use it at any time."
"Thank you, good work. Boss Cheon, have you ever been...? Never mind."
Yeon Jeokha almost asked if he had been an innkeeper’s assistant, but he held back.
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
"No, nothing important. Don’t worry."
"Well, I’ll remember your loyalty."
"Thank you, I greatly appreciate it."
Even though his task was complete, Cheon Susan remained standing by Yeon Jeokha like a servant.
Annoyed, Yeon Jeokha gestured for him to leave, and finally, Cheon Susan departed.
Jin Seolha watched Cheon Susan walk away and murmured, "Wow! He really does look like an innkeeper’s assistant. If I tell this in the Zhengzhou branch, no one would believe me."
"Now that the Demon Warriors of Musansocho are gone, we should be peaceful for a while, right?"
Yu Geunsik glanced at Namgung Yeon as he spoke.
"Now that the Yoomyung Cult knows Jeokha’s purpose and destination, it can only be one of two things. They either wait to kill him or retreat from Nokrim."
Her words plunged the group into a heavy silence.
If the Yoomyung Cult planned to kill Yeon Jeokha, everyone would be in danger.
Namgung Yeon continued after a pause.
"But the next destination is the Dongho River Stronghold, and they won’t have time to prepare. If they’re planning anything, it will be at the Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold."
Cheon Namgung nodded.
"Exactly. From here to the Dongho River Stronghold in Wuhan is about three or four days by boat; they won’t have time to prepare. If the Yoomyung Cult plans revenge, it will be at the Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold."
"Young Warrior Namgung, don’t you think the Yoomyung Cult will retreat from both the Dongho River Stronghold and the Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold?"
Yu Geunsik hoped so, out of fear of the Demon Warriors.
"That’s what we all hope for."
But Namgung Cheon’s expression was grim.
Knowing the atrocities of the Yoomyung Cult, he didn’t believe they would retreat so easily.
------------
South of Hefei, Namjikrye County, within the Musansocho compound.
In the office of Lee Maehwa, the Martial Mountain Maiden, four people were present: Lee Maehwa, Yang Soran, Blood Sword, and Jade Buddha.
After hearing Yang Soran, Lee Maehwa spoke incredulously.
"So, you’re saying that Yeon Jeokha’s skills are comparable to those of a Great Demon General, and he’s only twenty years old?"
Ma Hyeongdo, noticing the hesitation, added.
"He’s young, but ruthless. The Viper died instantly from a surprise attack while they were conversing amicably. If Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord placed someone like that in such a position, he must be well-prepared."
Lee Maehwa turned to Yang Soran.
"Did Yeon Jeokha really say that the Grand Chaeju ordered the Yoomyung Cult to be cleansed from Nokrim?"
"Yes, that’s what he said. He doesn’t seem to have a personal grudge against the Demon Warriors. He only killed them because they attacked him first."
"Hmm... Did you say that the boat the Viper blew up was headed for Wuhan?"
"Yes."
"Then they’re probably on their way to the Dongho River Stronghold now. With the Viper of the Yangtze being the furthest south, the Bosses of Gwangpungchae and Samdosanchae must be dead."
"It seemed like he was speaking in that direction."
"The only ones left are the Dongho River Stronghold and the Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold... Ah! It’s already too late to warn the Dongho River Stronghold. So, the only one left is the Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold..."
"Are you planning to take revenge on Yeon Jeokha?"
"It’s not that simple. If he’s at the level of a Great Demon General, we’ll need help from other sects. And we also have to consider if the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord will allow his death."
"But if we do nothing, Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord will underestimate us."
Yang Soran wanted to kill Yeon Jeokha, both for revenge for Baek San and out of personal pride.
Just remembering Yeon Jeokha’s last words made her heart pound with fury.
-Listen, old lady, do you think the monks you killed deserved to die? Stop pretending to be a heroine. I don’t want to become someone like you. So leave before I change my mind.-
The young man had treated her like a vendor in a market.
Even before becoming a Demon Warrior, she had never been treated like that.
Lee Maehwa nodded.
She didn’t want to appear weak before a single person.
"Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord may have sent Yeon Jeokha to see our reaction. If that’s the case, we must respond appropriately so as not to appear weak."
"Then..."
Yang Soran was filled with hope.
"There’s no time to involve all the sects. The Daebyeol Mountain Stronghold is within Eunha Manor’s jurisdiction. The leader of Eunha Manor, Cheok Jingyeong, is very proud and won’t give up the Stronghold easily. I’ll send a message to Eunha Manor. Can you take care of it again?"
"Of course. If you hadn’t asked me to stay, I would have volunteered to go."
"Do you have a personal grudge against Yeon Jeokha?"
"Yes, he insulted me terribly at that time."
"Wow, really? Insulting the legendary Yang Soran. He deserves to die. If you kill Yeon Jeokha and retreat from the Stronghold, Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord will probably let it pass."
"How many Demon Warriors do you plan to send?"
"The three of us and three from Eunha Manor, six in total."
Lee Maehwa watched Yang Soran’s reaction.
If six weren’t enough, she would send more.
But Yang Soran thought that number was sufficient.
"It’s more than enough."
Six Demon Warriors was almost like an entire sect. They should be enough to face Yeon Jeokha, Shim Tong, and the mysterious woman.
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Hoguang County, Wuhan, Gyoryang Village.
At noon, a cart slowly arrived at the village.
It was the cart of Yeon Jeokha and his group.
The cart stopped in front of an inn.
Namgung Cheon nimbly got off the coach’s seat.
Passersby were surprised by his graceful movement.
Then, Namgung Yeon and Jin Seolha got off the cart, capturing everyone’s attention with their beauty.
Ignoring the stares, Yeon Jeokha’s group entered the inn.
The street, which had momentarily halted its activity, returned to normal.
"Welcome!"
An innkeeper’s assistant saw the group and ran towards them.
"We have a table available on the second floor. Please follow me."
The assistant led them to the second floor, where they found a table by the window.
Looking around, Yu Geunsik murmured, "I see some Murim-in here. Could they be from a Chamber of Commerce?"
The assistant, So Chil, responded in a low voice, "Yes, they are from the Heavenly Sword Sect. It’s said they are here to sign an agreement with the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce."
"Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Yu Geunsik, being from Zhengzhou, was unfamiliar with this sect from Wuhan.
The others weren’t either, so they looked at the assistant with curiosity.
"Yes, it’s a well-known sect in Wuhan."
"Is it an orthodox sect?"
"Yes, it is."
"Does it belong to the Justice Alliance?"
"They haven’t joined the Justice Alliance yet."
So Chil smiled awkwardly.
The Heavenly Sword Sect wasn’t big enough to join the Justice Alliance, despite its fame in Wuhan.
Fortunately, Yu Geunsik didn’t press further.
He knew well the limitations of smaller sects.
The leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yu Jinwon, spoke to his main disciple, Yu Yimin.
"Find out why the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce is delaying. Since the meeting is being delayed, tell the Instructor to come if he has time."
"Yes."
Yu Yimin hurried down the stairs.
Yu Jinwon kept looking towards the stairs, worried about the delay.
His daughter, Yu Soun, spoke to him.
"Father, don’t worry. They will come. The leader of the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce is not someone who breaks his word. You know this well. Just wait patiently."
"It’s just that so much time has passed, and I don’t see them."
"Something must have delayed them. The Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce is very busy these days."
"I hope you’re right, but I’ve heard that the Chilsang Sect is causing trouble."
"Forget about the Chilsang Sect. The Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce wants to do business with us. What are you worried about?"
The Chilsang Sect was an orthodox sect in the same region as the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Though they were stronger and more numerous, merchants preferred the Heavenly Sword Sect due to the fierceness of the Chilsang Sect members.
About twenty minutes later, Yu Yimin returned.
His expression was serious.
Seeing his face, Yu Jinwon stood up abruptly.
"What did you find out? Why are the people from the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce delayed?"
"It seems that the Chilsang Sect has..."
"What?"
Yu Yimin replied with a worried look.
"They say they have the Leader of the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce. And they’ll come here with him soon."
"Damn it! I knew the Chilsang Sect would cause trouble. I heard rumors that they wanted to force the contract. I didn’t think they would actually do it."
"Why do they have the Leader of the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce? With what right?"
"Ah! They want to show that we can’t protect the Taepyeong Chamber of Commerce. They’re going to publicly humiliate us and take the contract."
"This is madness! Forcing a contract like that is an act of banditry. Even if times are tough, this is too much. They’re not from Nokrim, how can they do this?"
Yu Soun raised her voice.
It was unbelievable that someone could act like this in broad daylight.
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