Episode 170. The plan pierces the sky.
Early July.
Shin Hyun Seo Ha-chon.
The carriage of Yeonjeokha’s party entered the village.
Jin Seol-ha, who was sitting next to the coachman, looked around with curious eyes.
My heart swelled with excitement as I thought about finally arriving at my final destination, Seoha Village.
When I first left for Seoul, I never thought something like this would happen.
No one in the Justice League could have predicted this.
‘We finally made it here!’
Since they decided to say goodbye at Seoha Village, their mission was over.
I’m curious about what will happen at Daebyeolsanchae, but I don’t want to risk my life to see it.
If you get caught up in something and lose your life, all the hard work you’ve done over the past six months will go down the drain.
On the one hand, I’m worried about Yeon-jeok-ha, but that’s about it.
After what happened with Eunwol, somehow the way I looked at him changed a little. The affection disappeared and now I just saw him as a decent person.
Of course, I heard the truth about that day from Namgung Yeon a few days ago.
But I wasn’t as excited or anything like before. Everything just felt dull.
It might actually be a good thing.
Because the Justice Alliance’s female collaborators and the Green Forest Patrol don’t get along.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve become more mature, but these days I’m more interested in Namgungcheon of Cheongung Sword.
He shows the true spirit of a great chivalric man.
If the Namgung family had not been destroyed, I would not have even dreamed of it.
But the current Namgungcheon is in a similar situation to ordinary martial artists.
Now, no one calls it the Five Great Dynasties.
Although he is called Namgung Se-ga in front, he is only called that out of courtesy.
Dull.
As the carriage stopped, I woke up from my thoughts of setting up the place.
When I turned my head, the first thing I saw was a sign that said “Muhakjakjan.”
Jin Seol-ha lightly jumped down from the carriage.
And he went into the inn with the group that came out of the carriage.
It was still broad daylight so the inn was deserted.
Still, since it was the last seat, Yoo Geun-sik made a seat by putting two tables together.
After a while, Jeomsoi came back after taking the order.
From then on, there was a strange silence.
Seol Cha-su, who had been observing the situation for a while, stood up from his seat.
“Thank you for your hard work to get to this point. If I had the ability, I would have stayed with you until the end, but I regret that I couldn’t. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Justice Alliance.”
When he lowered his head, she waved her hand with an awkward expression.
“Hey, why are you doing that? You must have had a hard time.”
Gucheonnodo said with a pouty face.
“Your Majesty, are you really going to go alone? If you’re running away, I’m confident I can do it.”
“Okay. Just take good care of the money you’ve saved up. If you lose even a single penny, you’ll just… … .”
Yeonjeokha glared at Simtong with poisonous eyes.
Only then did Simtong stop being stubborn.
In fact, I had saved so much money that it was a big deal to keep it.
***
Sulfuric acid.
Daebyeolsanchae.
Around 3pm – 5pm.
The debt collector, Guiyeongsaldo, ran to Samwanggak in a hurry.
“My lord, I heard that Yeonjeokha left Seoha Village.”
Chae Ju-chu, who was sitting at the top, nodded with a heavy face.
“What about his group?”
“The people who came together also left Seoha Village, but they went their separate ways. It seems that they only went together as far as Seoha Village.”
Then, Doksimgwi and Yangsoran, who were sitting on one side, sneered.
“Huh! Looks like you’re coming alone.”
“You knew we’d be waiting, so you came alone?”
Imoojin had an incomprehensible face.
“Although some of them have outstanding martial arts skills, they are nothing compared to the ten horsemen. I guess they thought that coming together would only be a burden. How long does it take from Seoha Village to Hwangsan?”
“I’ll be here in half an hour at the latest.”
“It’s shinsi (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) now, so I guess I can meet him before it gets dark.”
Imoojin turned his gaze to Yeonpagang.
“You go out and look around the mountain. If you see anyone suspicious, you must report it immediately.”
“yes.”
Yeonpa River immediately left the pavilion.
As Suha left, Imoojin glanced at Yang Soran.
I’m really worried about the fate of the Ten Horse Soldiers, who are rumored to be among the merchants.
“By the way, I heard a strange rumor… … .”
“Rumor?”
Yang So-ran had a rough idea, but she quickly dismissed it.
“They say that the ten-headed horse soldier who died at the hands of Yeonjeokha changed into a strange form or something. Do you know anything about him? Since you fought him, I think you would know.”
The three great gods who came out of the Milky Way also saw Yang Soran.
They too were quite curious after hearing strange rumors about the death of the Great Power Ghost.
A bitter smile spread across Yang So-ran’s face.
This is a question I would like to avoid if possible, but looking at the atmosphere, it seems like I won’t be able to.
“I’ll tell you since you’ll find out soon anyway. Yes, the rumors are true. When the Ten Horsemen die, they turn into monsters. They’re closer to beasts than regular monsters.”
She also confessed about the climax she witnessed, the end of Lee Cho-ryang and Baek San, the swordsman Muyeonggeom.
“… … As soon as they died, they transformed into dragons and snakes. Those who witnessed them said they were demon dragons and thunder gods. Whatever their true nature, one thing is certain: they are not human. So I hope you all take good care of your own lives.”
“her…….”
Imoojin’s mouth opened wide.
I had no idea, but when I heard it directly from Yang So-ran, I was shocked.
This time, the pair of ghosts from the Milky Way Galaxy opened their mouths cautiously.
“We also heard that the Great Power Ghost was resurrected in a strange form. It is truly horrifying that this is the result of the great law we practiced.”
“… … .”
Everyone was silent at his words.
As the atmosphere became heavy, Okbul smiled and said.
“Let’s not overthink it. For a magic attack, isn’t it relatively free of side effects? Since the Lord said he would discuss the matter with the Baekdu Demon Army, I’m sure there will be good news.”
Yang So-ran quickly changed the subject.
“Okbul is right. For now, let’s just think about killing Yeonjeokha. He’s not an easy opponent. Some of us might lose our lives.”
Imoojin’s eyes widened at her words.
“Is the total patrol’s inaction really that outstanding? To the point where seven dozen horsemen are worried about their lives?”
“Yes. His martial arts have already surpassed the Chilpai clan’s senior members. If we come together, we can kill him, but some sacrifices will be unavoidable. And… … .”
Yang So-ran paused for a moment.
I hesitated whether I should say this or not, but I think I have to.
Now the only ones I could trust were the Twelve Horsemen.
“It would be best if we protect each other as much as possible. If we die and become completely different beings, the distinction between Pia and Pia could disappear. Also, we must not let anyone use the death of the Ten Horsemen as an opportunity. If that happens by any chance, we will be used and killed.”
The three great gods and Imoojin did not understand her last words.
Shouldn’t we use the death of the Ten Horsemen as an opportunity?
Imoojin, who was tilting his head, asked.
“Could the death of the Ten Horsemen be an opportunity?”
“The Ten Horsemen will be reborn as stronger beings after death. Don’t neglect the death of your comrades just to take advantage of that. If you do, you’ll end up dying in the same way.”
“Are you saying that the revived monster is stronger than the twelve horse soldiers?”
“Yes. It becomes a being much stronger than the Ten Horsemen.”
“Are you saying that Yeonjeokha would kill such a being?”
“He was killed very easily. That’s why I said that sacrifices are required.”
Imoojin and Samdaesinjang’s faces hardened.
If the level of inaction of Yeonjeokha is that bad, I think a few people might really die.
***
It is a relatively short distance from Seoha Village to Hwangsan, taking only half an hour (one hour).
I knew that because I heard about it.
While there was still a lot of daylight left, a huge mountain appeared before his eyes.
He finally thought he had arrived at Hwangsan and prepared himself mentally.
Of course, I climbed the mountain very nervously.
But something was strange.
I didn’t see a single dog until I reached the middle of the mountain.
It was only after he climbed to the top of the mountain that he realized his mistake.
“Damn! This must not be the mountain.”
I guess I took a wrong turn somewhere.
As the sun began to set, the clouds behind the distant mountains began to turn red.
The frustrated Yeonjeok shouted with all his might, raising his air force from the top of the mountain.
“Hey! Where is Hwangsan? Where is Daebyeolsanchae?”
But only an echo came back, and no one answered.
‘If Simtong finds out later, he’ll tease me quite a bit… … .’
It’s not something that can be hidden even if you hide it.
By now, we should have been fighting at Daebyeolsanchae. Since we were wandering around the wrong mountain at that time, it was obvious that it would be too late to return.
“driving me crazy.”
To be honest, it was wrong to go to Daebyeolsanchae today.
Since I don’t even know where I am, I have to first find the village and then ask for directions.
After a while of self-harming, Yeon-jeok retraced his steps back.
The sun set as we were almost down the mountain.
He was troubled by whether he should ‘live alone’ or ‘move more.’
***
Sulfuric acid.
Daebyeolsanchae.
Fires were lit all over the front yard of the mountain village.
Imoojin came out to the yard with the ten horse soldiers and waited for Yeonjeokha with his neck stretched out.
He did not allow anyone to leave the quarters for fear that his subordinates would find out about the fight with the general patrol.
I was waiting with all my preparations in order, but when he didn’t come, my mouth became parched.
Eumsangui, who was watching the entrance to the mountain village, asked Imoojin.
“Huh! It’s almost time to go back and forth. Did he run away?”
“If that was the case, my subordinates would have reported it. They clearly said they were on their way to Hwangsan.”
Yang So-ran said with shining eyes.
“He’s a sly fellow, so he might be trying to drain our energy. He’ll definitely show up around dawn when we’re tired.”
Then Imoojin frowned.
“Does that mean I have to stay up all night waiting for you?”
“That’s how it is, unless you want to get your throat cut while you sleep.”
“This is driving me crazy. For a general patrolman to use such petty methods.”
Imoojin, who was secretly preparing for a heated fight, was dumbfounded.
Blood Sword, Jade Buddha, Eumsan Ghost, Musang Ghost, and Muyeong Ghost already have tired faces.
The more impatient the ten horsemen became, the slower time passed.
As soon as we passed the hour of drinking (7pm-9pm), problems arose in an unexpected place.
The wood to burn was slowly running out.
In the end, Imoojin had to call Yeonpagang back out, who had been locked up in his quarters.
Yeonpa-gang and his men piled up firewood in the yard like a mountain and returned.
The twelve horsemen spent the long night in white.
As the sun rose, Imoojin looked at Yang Soran with bloodshot eyes.
“If you haven’t come by now, then it means you’re not coming?”
“Didn’t you clearly say that Yeonjeok-ha was on his way to Hwangsan?”
“Ugh!”
A groan escaped from Imoojin’s mouth.
His subordinates who saw him reported that, so he must have come to Hwangsan.
Even the usually calm Jade Buddha spoke with an anxious expression.
“It seems like we’ve been taken over by him from the start. My teacher called fatigue ‘an invisible poison.’ We’re already poisoned. We can’t rest because we don’t know when he’ll strike, so this is a big problem. I thought he was a newcomer to the world of martial arts, but he’s actually a guy with a plan that’s sky-high.”
Wuxia,
