Episode 285. Are There Many Who Would Help?

“Alliance Lord, may I enter?”

Im Sobaek answered.

“Enter.”

Gongsun Wol entered and spoke after paying his respects.

“……Notices have been posted everywhere. I thought the Alliance Lord should see this as well, so I brought it.”

Gongsun Wol held out the proclamation.

While reading the proclamation he had received, Im Sobaek’s face flushed.

Gongsun Wol was inwardly taken aback the moment he saw the Alliance Lord’s expression change.

Before long, Im Sobaek had regained his composure and regarded Gongsun Wol.

“Yi Jaha is going to Dongho?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

When Im Sobaek replied simply without any sign of emotion, Gongsun Wol asked back.

“Pardon?”

“Why is that?”

Gongsun Wol looked at the expressionless Alliance Lord and answered.

“Ah, I asked because I wondered if there might be something we could do to help. That is why I brought it.”

“Help, you say…… Gongsun Military Advisor, tell me what manner of help you mean.”

Gongsun Wol let out a dry cough and spoke.

“First, troops……”

“So you mean to send troops. A fine idea. Military Advisor Gongsun, how many shall we send?”

“Hmm.”

“Shall we send an entire sword brigade? Or would that be insufficient?”

Gongsun Wol narrowed his brows and could not easily open his mouth.

“Hmm.”

Im Sobaek tapped the proclamation with his finger and then pushed it back toward Gongsun Wol.

“Read it slowly again.”

“Yes.”

Gongsun Wol read the proclamation again.

“……The Lord of the Hao Gate will personally visit Dongho to settle a match with the First Apostle without receiving anyone’s interference. It is because he learned that the First Apostle is the patron of the Black Incense, which trades even young girls at the auction house.”

As Gongsun Wol deliberately read aloud, Im Sobaek threw out a question.

“Yi Jaha has many enemies. By now, he likely has as many as I do. Yet what on earth does it mean that he deliberately declares he will settle a match without receiving anyone’s interference?”

Gongsun Wol answered.

“It means he knows he will be interfered with.”

“Then why did he widely post notices revealing his movements?”

“Does it not mean he is calling allies as well? Ah, but if he posts proclamations, not only allies but enemies will flock too.”

“Why choose the proclamation specifically?”

Gongsun Wol looked at Im Sobaek and answered.

“It feels like a question to those who read it: what are you doing?”

Im Sobaek answered with a dull expression.

“Do you think so? Then what has the Military Council been doing all this while? I know you have calculated multiple times, starting with how much budget would be required to capture the First Sword of Dongho.”

“Yes, we have calculated many times.”

“Yi Jaha does not calculate. It seems he does not know how to reckon.”

“So it seems.”

“Moreover, it is also a message to me. A message to the entire Righteous Path. And also a declaration of war to Yi Jaha’s enemies. It is utterly shameful.”

Im Sobaek tap-tapped the proclamation with his finger.

“Look at this temperament. He is not one suited to an organization. That is why he goes around doing things an organization cannot easily do, as if causing accidents. If we were to strike Dongho, the Military Council would start by thinking of money, budget, and supplies.”

Gongsun Wol answered.

“Yes, because we have much to consider.”

“If it is because you have much to consider that one like the First Apostle is running rampant like this, then it is my responsibility.”

This time, Gongsun Wol could not answer either.

When the Alliance Lord fell silent, Gongsun Wol waited for a moment. Im Sobaek let out a short sigh and spoke.

“But we cannot deny that we are an organization burdened with many heavy loads.”

“Yes.”

“We will send support to Dongho. But it is different from usual missions. Have the alliance members read the proclamation widely, then accept volunteers. The mission is to protect the Lord of the Hao Gate. I will not limit the scope of protection. The qualification for volunteers is solely martial prowess, and I will limit the numbers. The reason for limiting numbers is because even the Lord of the Hao Gate does not know when this clash will occur. Do you roughly understand what I am saying?”

Gongsun Wol nodded.

“I understand.”

“Also, does it seem there will be internal controversy in the Military Council over budget issues?”

“No. I will suppress opposing opinions.”

“Form a special task force dedicated to protection. Though it is broadly protection, have someone who understands Yi Jaha’s intentions serve as the task force leader, and take care that the Alliance and the special task force can communicate quickly. Military Advisor Gongsun, prepare so that Yi Jaha can survive and leave Dongho no matter what kind of accident he causes.”

“Yes.”

“If I send a special task force and yet Yi Jaha falls in Dongho, it will be a disgrace for the Martial Alliance. My honor will also fall to the ground. Do you understand?”

Gongsun Wol clasped his fists.

“I will prepare quickly.”

Im Sobaek tapped the proclamation and pushed it away.

“Take it. I have memorized the contents.”

“Yes.”

After Gongsun Wol disappeared, Im Sobaek clicked his tongue and drew the long sword resting on the desk, wiping the blade with a cloth.

After a moment, Im Sobaek muttered.

“……Impudent bastard, he might as well have cursed me. Tch.”

The Alliance Lord was in a displeased mood after reading the proclamation.

* * *

In the main hall, Chumyeong Seosaeng, who had been having a private meeting with a man in shabby clothes, turned his head the moment he heard his subordinate’s footsteps.

The subordinate’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“House Lord, Yi Jaha is moving toward Dongho. He has posted notices everywhere announcing his movements, and it says he will fight the First Apostle in one-on-one combat there. I have brought the proclamation; will you read it?”

“Bring it.”

The subordinate handed over the proclamation and then stepped back again.

Chumyeong Seosaeng, having read the proclamation, spoke.

“Did it say he was alone?”

“According to what we found by tracking his movements only, he is with the Sword Demon, Master Yukhap, and the second son of the Meng family. They say he is moving very leisurely.”

“Leisurely?”

“Fishermen and boatmen nearby reportedly saw them fishing for more than half a day at the Namcheon River, throwing pebbles into the river, and drinking liquor.”

Chumyeong Seosaeng asked with a puzzled expression.

“What does it mean to throw pebbles into the river?”

“It is a game children often play, a kind of bet where one skips flat stones across the water’s surface, and whoever sends it the farthest wins.”

When Chumyeong Seosaeng glared, the subordinate lowered his head and gulped.

With his bandaged hand, the Life-Seizing Scholar lightly sent the proclamation flying, and it sailed level through the air into his subordinate’s two hands.

“Whether intentional or not, in the past ten years, the only ones who have dared kill disciples of the Hundred Schools so recklessly are Lee Zaha and the leader of the Beggars’ Sect. Inform the scholars of the proclamation’s contents, and tell all those who wish to kill Lee Zaha to gather at Dongho. It seems some are trying not to join us, claiming they are busy or making one excuse or another. Tell them I will ask for the specific reasons at the scholars’ meeting.”

“Yes. Then shall I deliver it even to those with whom contact has been severed?”

After pondering for a moment, the Life-Seizing Scholar replied.

“Inform them all. Those still alive have not retired. They ought to know how the world is turning. Since this matter involves, to some extent, a personal grudge of the Legalists, those who help will be compensated. Contact even those impoverished fellows we have kept at a distance, and see whether there are any disciples whose intentions do not align with the scholars. Draw them in as well. In particular, tell the retainers of each faction that they will be paid according to their skill.”

“I receive your command.”

“Send Sogun to contact the survivors of the Black Path factions who suffered at Lee Zaha’s hands, or those who bear a grudge against him. Also, get in touch with that river bandit bastard of Dongho in advance.”

“That river bandit is someone we cannot reach. He does not ally with others, does not cooperate, and cannot be contacted.”

“Understood. Once the first replies come in, we will depart then.”

After his subordinate left, the Life-Seizing Scholar unwound the cloth around his hand, then clenched and opened his fist. As he looked down at the wound on his palm and his expression twisted, the man in shabby clothes who had remained still asked,

“Are you all right?”

“There is no problem holding a sword. More importantly, will you help?”

“How absurd. With what?”

“Lee Zaha, of course.”

“That man is not my enemy. That is what we have found.”

“The Sword Demon is, in the end, a seed of the Demon Cult. Wouldn’t similar bastards naturally flock together? And since all the spies you planted in the Demon Cult were caught and killed, don’t you have nothing in particular to do?”

“If they are dead, I must train more and send them again. Why would I have nothing to do? I only find the Cult Leader who uncovered them remarkable. How on earth did he find out? Do they learn things like Soul-Capturing Arts in the cult?”

The Life-Seizing Scholar replied.

“How would I know? More importantly, how can you, who even got along well with Silmyeong, refuse me so coldly?”

“I was taught not to use martial arts for personal revenge, so I am merely following that. The Hundred Schools are all people of differing thoughts, so you should not behave like Li Si either. That is why I, too, do not interfere in your actions.”

The Life-Seizing Scholar glared at the man.

“We agreed to gather our will when there was a great cause. The Agriculturalists have already refused my proposal twice.”

“Even the rice you stuffed into your mouth this morning was cultivated through our sweat, so do not hate us too much. Rather, would it not suit the great cause of the Hundred Schools to first join forces with Lee Zaha and cut off that river bandit bastard’s head? You are far too deeply mired in the grudges and debts of the jianghu. There were many meanings behind our occasional lightness skill contests. If you intend to gather all the scholars and use them like troops, how about first taking the position of Hall Master?”

“The Hall Master does not have that authority.”

“If even the Hall Master does not have that authority, then isn’t what you are doing now going even further than the Hall Master? I am the one who came to ask for help, yet this is absurd. If the Cult Leader did not kill the spies and instead tortured them, extracting this and that from them… I, too, may soon no longer be a man of this world. You and I both have to be alive if we are to quarrel again next time. It seems we are both busy men. See you again.”

As the head of the Agriculturalists rose, the Life-Seizing Scholar said,

“I am sorry. For now, my younger brother’s revenge comes first. After I finish it, I will help you.”

“Do that. For now, I am in a hurry as well, so I must go find others. I wish you martial fortune.”

“Everyone will be busy, so who will help you?”

“The one in need must bow his head to madmen first. I cannot afford to be caught off guard, can I? Still, do not worry. Even if I am tortured to death, I will make sure they do not even learn of the existence of the other scholars.”

The head of the Agriculturalists bowed to the Life-Seizing Scholar in front of the main hall.

“Then, Family Head, this impoverished fellow whom you have kept at a distance will now take his leave. I will also send my household for the next rice delivery, so please be aware of that.”

The head of the Agriculturalists turned around, snorted, and moved off in search of another scholar.

Left alone in the main hall, the Life-Seizing Scholar stared after the head of the Agriculturalists with a grim expression.

* * *

“Yoran, why are you sitting there like that?”

Cha Seongtae approached and looked at Yoran, who was sitting in front of the inn. Sitting there alone in front of the inn, she could not help but look strange.

As soon as she saw Cha Seongtae, Yoran answered with a smile.

“I’m just here.”

When Cha Seongtae sat beside her, Yoran asked,

“Have you eaten?”

“I’ll eat later.”

Yoran, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly said this.

“About my masters.”

“Yeah.”

“When they go out into the jianghu, there aren’t many people who help them, right?”

“What?”

“People who help them.”

Cha Seongtae answered with a flustered expression.

“There are. A lot. The Sect Leader has many subordinates too.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“I see. That’s a relief if they do.”

Cha Seongtae let out a hollow laugh and said,

“You ask all sorts of things.”

“I asked because I thought there weren’t any.”

“Why did you think there weren’t?”

Yoran answered with a smile.

“They’re all blunt and have bad tempers. It feels like they’re only nice to me, and when they go outside, they just get into fights.”

“Hahahaha.”

Cha Seongtae burst into laughter.

“No, but how did you know your masters have bad tempers? They’re all nice to Yoran.”

“I’ve seen quite a lot, you know. Even when Third Master and Youngest Master are fighting, if I show up, they start talking about something else. Like nothing happened.”

Cha Seongtae nodded.

“That’s true. Those two fight often. They fight childishly. Very childishly. They’re always talking about shit. They’re very filthy people.”

“That’s right.”

“Does Second Master seem like a scary person too?”

Yoran nodded.

“At first, I was scared just looking at his face, but now I’m not scared. Wouldn’t he be scary to other people?”

“He does have a side that makes him hard to approach. Even I don’t end up talking to him much. Just looking at his face, I can’t tell whether he wants to fight or have a conversation.”

“That’s right.”

Cha Seongtae grew more curious and asked again.

“What about First Master?”

“Well, as Third Master put it, he said he’s the most serious eldest brother in the world, and I think that’s right.”

“He’s a scary person. Just look at how Youngest Master is always at a loss around him. I have never seen your First Master smile brightly.”

“Ah, so that’s how it was.”

Cha Seongtae asked with a surprised expression.

“Huh? Have you seen it?”

“I haven’t either.”

“Right?”

“Yes, but I have seen him holding back laughter every once in a great while.”

“Oh, really? So he does know how to laugh. He must hold it in as if it were the gravest thing in the world.”

“Why would he hold back laughter?”

“How would I know? You ask him later. Ask your master why he holds back laughter.”

“I don’t think I could ask either. But Mister Chief Steward, how did these bad-tempered masters become friends? You said their martial arts are all different. That means they had different masters.”

Cha Seongtae tilted his head, then answered.

“Ah… now that you mention it. I don’t really know either. It seems like Third Master just wandered around here and there and brought them back one by one.”

Only then did Yoran nod as if she had understood something.

“My guess was right.”

“What? You even guessed that?”

“Yes. But when will the masters return?”

Cha Seongtae scratched his forehead with a finger before answering.

“Won’t it take a while? About as long as when the Sect Leader went to obtain the spiritual elixir before?”

Yoran nodded.

“I see.”

“Are you worried?”

“I’m worried because Third Master seemed very angry before he left.”

Cha Seongtae spoke as if to soothe Yoran.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Those four aren’t ordinary experts. They’re people who could take on at least a thousand.”

At some point, Cha Seongtae, like Yoran, was staring blankly at the scenery outside Zaha Inn. Amid the ordinary view, this thought came to him.

‘Still, when are those bastards really going to come back?’

After thinking about something, Cha Seongtae said to Yoran,

“I’ll watch for a few days, then I should follow the masters too.”

Yoran answered like this.

“……If only the four of them fight, I think they’ll be a little lonely.”

Cha Seongtae answered, now acknowledging that Yoran was far quicker on the uptake than her age would suggest.

“Do you know who they’re fighting?”

“Yes. The Number One of the Unorthodox Path. And his subordinates.”

Cha Seongtae swallowed a sigh inwardly. It was because he wondered whether the disciple of those villains had entered the martial world far too early.