Episode 45. Feeling trapped in a large warehouse
At the words, “Do what you want to do,” Ha So-baek looked at Yeon Jeok-ha with expectant eyes.
“What about your brother?”
“me?”
“Yes, what do you want to do, brother?”
In Mansapyeong, Yeonjeok said, “There’s nothing I want to do.” Ha So-baek wanted to know if that was still the case. Honestly, he didn’t think Yeonjeok would spend his whole life stealing.
The five Bongsipgeols also glanced at Yeonjeokha with curious eyes.
When I lived without knowing what martial arts were, I didn’t think about it, but now I know. I mean, how narrow the mountain village is to Yeonjeokha. He is a divine dragon who must fly high in the sky.
Yeonjeokha shrugged and said.
“Not really.”
“You said there weren’t any?”
“huh.”
I have no particular complaints about my current life.
You have a place to rest, food to eat, and even brothers, so what more could you possibly need?
Compared to the warehouse where I had been locked up without any dreams or hopes, this was like paradise.
Lee Cheol-san said something as if he was frustrated.
“Brother, how about becoming a hero of the world and commanding the world? Then all the beauties will be attracted to you.”
“It’s annoying. I realized this clearly while participating in the Nokrim Competition this time. I’m not the type to wander around.”
“Wow! If I were your older brother… … . Seriously, just… … . Ahh!”
Lee Cheol-san shivered as if he was dizzy just thinking about it.
“If you like that, study hard and learn martial arts and do it yourself. If you train for ten years, you’ll be able to do it.”
“Really? If I practice for ten years, will I be able to command the world?”
“I don’t know how to shout, but I think you should be able to walk around with your neck braced?”
“Wow!”
Lee Cheol-san raised both arms and roared.
He had become a bandit because he had a hard time making a living, but hearing those words gave him courage.
Han Chae-yeon said, pouting her lips.
“Why? Thinking about beautiful women gives me strength.”
“Oh, no. That’s not it. I told you that you can walk around with your neck strong… … .”
“Oh my, why are you looking at me like that?”
Han Chae-yeon, who had become close friends during the three-month trip, was nagging Lee Cheol-san.
I snickered as I watched the two people falling in love.
Now that I think about it, Han Chae-yeon and Lee Cheol-san’s relationship seems a little different these days. I felt relieved but also a little disappointed that Han Chae-yeon didn’t bother me.
When I glanced at Hasobaek, he had a lonely face.
Only then did I feel a sense of kinship and looked at the Five Fengshigeols one by one. The atmosphere of the sworn brothers was a little different from that of Sim Yanggak, who was a natural thief.
Among the sworn brothers, only Ma Hyeong-do and Heo Im-dal had been stealing before they climbed the mountain. The rest were people who had difficulty making a living and became thieves.
When their martial arts skills reach a high level, they may want to leave the mountain village. Like Ha So-baek, who wanted to go to Gaebong or Jeongju to do something else.
Maybe Mt. Icheolsan is the peak.
‘Am I weird?’
But no matter how hard I try to think of something different, the ending is always the same.
The warehouse, the aunt, the half-brothers, the elders… … I hate it.
Anything else is meaningless. Everything is just annoying. Maybe all I have left are ‘bad memories’.
How can I shake this off?
***
Hanamseong.
Pyeongjeongsan Mountain.
A long line of Baekse Sangbang entered the mountain, one after another.
It is a large-scale march with as many as twenty-five warriors.
Although it was the first time, the face of the leader of the Cheongryongdae, Yeonmudo, was indifferent.
In fact, he was a pureblood of Waryongjang and was looking down on the green forest. Long ago, his cousin, the True Moon Swordsman Yeonmuryong, had gained fame in the martial arts world with the Nine Heaven Sword.
The Yeon clans of Waryongjang know very well that the Nine Heavenly Sword they have mastered is no less powerful than the martial arts world. To them, the thieves of the Green Forest are nothing more than puppies.
“Stop!”
About thirty thieves appeared with a loud noise and blocked the path ahead of Sangbang.
The smoke screen moved slowly and unhurriedly.
Anyone who sees it can tell that it is a confident and stately gait.
“I am the Blue Dragon Lord Yeonmudo, who is in charge of the Baekse Sangbang’s escort. I have heard of the reputation of the heroes in Pyeongjeongsan. I wish to cross the mountain without blushing on each other, so please give me some advice.”
The eyebrows of Jang Han-wi, the head of the Red Wind Vegetable Garden and the Head of the Yeomna-do Department, twitched.
He was upset by the completely different attitude from the previous Baekse Sangbang warriors. However, his opponent did not seem easy enough to attack in a fit of anger.
‘Looking at the way you talk, I thought I’d give it a try… … .’
It’s my first time hearing the name Yeonmu-do, but it looks quite strong.
‘If I go forward myself, it would be a waste of time. Is there anyone I can put forward instead?’
I looked around but couldn’t find anyone suitable.
It’s just a shame that there aren’t any guys like the Five Bongsipgeol in Jeokpungchae.
In the end, Jang Han-wi also provoked the debt collector who was nearby, Liao Fan.
The monk understood his intention and took a step forward.
“I am a murderer. If you do not have the courage to fight me, then pay me a hundred nyang of silver… … .”
Before the monk could finish speaking, Yeonmu-do drew his sword.
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
Along with the horse, Yeonmu-do lowered the tip of his sword to the ground.
It is a natural form that was achieved after studying the nine thousand laws for nearly forty years. The spirit of a master of the highest level radiated out from Yeonmu-do.
Even before the fight, the warrior felt overwhelmed by his opponent and felt his spirit shrink. However, if he didn’t draw his sword, he wouldn’t be able to show his face in front of his subordinates.
‘You son of a bitch. Picking a fight! Just ask how much you want… … .’
The monk drew his sword and cursed inwardly.
It’s called a sword, but it’s actually a long sword that’s almost like a spear.
Since the advantage of the weapon was its distance, Yo-Ban drew his long sword and swung it roughly.
Wedge, wedge. Wedge.
Yeonmu-do avoided the sword by just slightly twisting his body and took a bold step forward.
Immediately afterwards, the sword of the Yeonmu-do rose from the ground into the air in the shape of an upside-down zigzag [之].
The best food is the dragon ascending to heaven.
The swordsman taught me to ‘evoke black energy’, but the martial arts master taught me to ‘make it that strong’.
Shhh.
A sword wind rose where the sword passed.
The sword wind was so strong that it shook the great sword of the demon greatly.
Before Yeom-mu-do could even come to his senses, he unleashed the Sam-sik Yun-ryong-pung-ho.
The tip of the sword swayed dazzlingly like a reed blowing in the wind, and then stopped.
gulp.
When the tip of the opponent’s sword touched his throat, Yo-Bum swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.
If I moved my upper body even slightly, it felt like my neck would be impaled by the sword.
The hesitant Yobeom slowly lowered his long sword.
Only then did Yeonmudo retrieve his sword and take a step back.
Jang Han-wi stuck out his tongue inwardly at the sight of Yeonmu-do, who didn’t even have a break in his breathing.
‘Wow! If he’s that skilled, his name would have been known… … .’
I think it was a good thing he didn’t come forward.
The axe and sword were not a good match to begin with, so it almost looked ugly.
Jang Han-wi burst into hearty laughter, pretending to be generous.
“You said Yeonmu-do? It is truly an outstanding swordsmanship. Since you have shown good martial arts, I will let you go. Guys! Let’s go!”
Jang Han-wi imitated the hero and without any hesitation, he turned around and disappeared into the forest.
King Haengsu approached Yeonmudo with frequent steps and praised him.
“Yeon Dae-ju, you are truly wonderful. It feels like a ten-year-old illness has been lifted. I thought I got it for a cheap price of fifty nyang, but it ended up being free. I can’t believe it.”
“I just did what I had to do.”
Yeonmu-do walked forward with brisk strides after elegantly raising his sword.
The Blue Dragon Warriors followed behind, their shoulders braced.
***
Two days later, Mt. Obong.
A large group of about eighty people appeared at Mt. Obong.
It is a world that goes on forever.
The twenty-five warriors of the Blue Dragon Army look around, but their faces do not look particularly tense. This is because of the incident with Jeokpungchae, and because O Bongsanchae is known to be gentle.
Has it been about an hour since Baekse Sangbang entered Mt. Obong?
A pike with a green flag hanging from it flew in and stuck itself in the middle of the road.
Then, about twenty bandits came out of the forest walking slowly.
Hwang Yeo-myeong, the temporary chief of the mountain village, spoke while making a fuss.
“Huh! You climbed Mt. Obong without permission. Aren’t you afraid of Mt. Obong?”
Then, the Great Leader of the Blue Dragon Army, Yeonmudo, stepped forward.
“We are from Baekse Sangbang. We have heard of the fame of O Bong San Chae. Since I am a twenty-year-old merchant, I will give you twenty nyang of silver.”
Yeonmu-do had no intention of being unreasonable in the words, “Even the shamans of the world could not handle it.” It is good to save other people’s money, but life is more precious.
Huang Yeoming frowned.
Even at a glance, it seemed like the merchants were in their thirties, so it was absurd to say there were twenty.
“If a merchant is twenty, what are the rest?”
“They are just porters.”
Huang Yeoming glared at the porters with uncomfortable eyes.
After collecting tolls for a long time, your eyes will open. Now, just by looking at them, you can tell whether the person you are dealing with is a peddler, a porter, a laborer, or a servant.
‘Look at this guy. He must be over thirty-five even if he’s not a good merchant. But he’s twenty?’
If you say you’re thirty, you can just pretend not to know and move on.
But twenty?
I felt like crying and swearing, but I held it back.
First of all, there were too many warriors from the upper ranks.
Of course, if the Five Bongsipgeols were here, they would have overturned it, but unfortunately, with our current strength, it is impossible.
‘That bastard is a dog. This is what happens when you’re in the Baekse Sangbang. Okay, let’s just wait and see. He’s like a conman without a conscience.’
Huang Yeoming reached out his hand while gritting his teeth inwardly.
In that moment, the corners of Yeonmu-do’s lips slightly rose.
It was a great success for a merchant of forty years to be able to pay the toll at half the price.
Yeonmu-do handed over a pouch containing twenty nyang of silver and bowed lightly.
“Thank you. I am glad that I could strengthen my friendship with O Bong San Chae. I ask for your continued support in the future.”
“Or so you say.”
Huang Yeoming answered somewhat coldly and turned around.
I don’t have the strength to endure it now, but when the Five Bongsipgeol return, I will take proper revenge.
***
Top down.
It is a city about three days away from Mt. Obong, which is where the tower is. Perhaps that is why the ten heroes of Mt. Obong never mentioned the name of Biryongmun again, as if they had made a promise.
While the five Bongsipgeols are gradually calming down, Sim Yanggak looks very excited. Judging from the way he keeps touching the leaf blade as he walks, it seems like his hands are itching to steal.
I clicked my tongue inwardly at the sight.
Suddenly, I remembered what the blind man had said at a spot on the support.
-If you plant a tangerine tree south of the ridge, it will become a tangerine, but if you plant it north of the ridge, it will become a tangerine.
He must have known that Bangtong was Simyanggak.
That’s probably why they’re called tangerines and tangerines.
‘Tsk tsk! That old man is always a tank top whether he’s in the south or north of the country. He was born with it.’
The five Bong Sip Geols came down from Mt. Obong and forgot that they were bandits. Perhaps, to the five Bong Sip Geols, Mt. Obong was north of Hoeui.
You can tell just by looking at their bitter expressions as you get closer to Mt. Obong. That is the difference between a person who is born a thief and someone who becomes a thief to survive.
But I was even jealous of that kind of lovey-dovey appearance.
Because it means that it’s clear what you like and what you don’t like.
He is like the wick of a lamp that has burned out, his heart unmoved by anything.
What would a tangerine know about tangerines?
Wuxia,
