Chapter 615
The official name was Yunnan Province (雲南省).
In the Central Plains, people commonly referred to it as the Southern Barbarian Region.
The road to that place was long and treacherous.
Puff, puff.
The horse’s breathing was ragged.
After riding nonstop from Dabae Mountain for nearly four hours straight on the fine horses Ju Hwaran had secured, we finally loosened the reins a little in a narrow gorge just inside Hubei.
“At this pace, it’s going to take quite a while. I’m sure you know that too, since you’ve been to Sichuan before, right, Pavilion Master?”
“Me?”
Of course I knew. Even now, my calves ached just thinking about it.
As Ju Hwaran looked at me with her clear, sparkling eyes, I nodded automatically.
“Of course. It was really… uh…”
“Yes?”
“It was just ‘slightly’ hellish.”
I barely stopped myself from saying my insides almost fell out.
I, Jin Taekyung, am ruthlessly cold to men, but gentle and warm to women.
Though… I’ve never actually been in a relationship.
“I used light footwork and it still took me nearly fifteen days.”
“Sichuan alone is well over three thousand li. Considering you traveled without any shortcuts, that’s impressive.”
The compliment felt nice, sure, but I knew that wasn’t the only reason she was bringing this up.
With a smile responding to my subtle look, Ju Hwaran pulled out an old leather scroll from her robes.
‘What’s that?’
Just as curiosity crept in, Song Ilseom, who had been inspecting the blade of his willow-leaf saber from the saddle, spoke with a surprised expression.
“Made from horsehide? Could that be something from the Horse Traders?”
Ju Hwaran nodded.
“You recognized it. That’s right—specifically, it’s a map they used.”
“I’ve heard maps from the Horse Traders are priceless, not even something you could buy with ten thousand gold.”
“As the young head of Yongbong Escort Agency, I can tell you—there’s nothing in this world that can’t be bought. But my grandfather received this map as a token of friendship more precious than gold.”
I see.
…Actually, I didn’t understand a damn thing.
All I gathered was that Ju Hwaran’s grandfather, Escort King Ju Gongsan, was gifted a very rare map from someone in the Horse Traders.
As I patiently listened to the conversation between the two, I finally asked:
“Um, Miss Ju. Sorry, but what exactly are the Horse Traders?”
“They’re descendants of the northern nomadic tribes,” Song Ilseom answered.
“They’ve been transporting foreign and Central Plains goods across ancient trade routes for centuries. Though their numbers have dwindled over time.”
Alright, so I got what they were now.
But I asked Ju Hwaran—and I don’t know why the two grim-faced guys decided to chime in instead.
Song Ilseom and Sama Pyo glanced at each other as they spoke almost simultaneously.
“You’re more well-read than you look.”
“Well-read? Did you forget where the Black Dragon Demon Sect is based? Even now, Horse Traders still operate in Gansu Province, where the sect is headquartered.”
“Operate? Or extort?”
Song Ilseom chuckled as he continued.
“There are plenty of rumors about the Black Dragon Demon Sect monopolizing trade routes and collecting outrageous tolls.”
“I heard you’re a wanderer. Got bad blood with the sect?”
“Not really. I just want to kill every Demonic Practicioner bastard I see.”
“Hmph. In that respect, we might think alike. I can’t stand people who attack with swords before speaking. Speaking of which, are you done maintaining your weapon?”
“Not yet. But it’s bound to get bloodied soon, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Then let’s move elsewhere for a bit.”
Why is the conversation going in ‘that’ direction?
I stared blankly as the two of them turned their horses together. Then I said,
“What do you mean move? You crazy bastards.”
Song Ilseom and Sama Pyo replied in unison.
“This is a personal matter. Stay out of it.”
“Let the horses rest. Have some tea. We’ll be back shortly.”
One’s a lone wolf. The other’s Guan Yu.
Seeing the Southern Expedition Team I’d assembled already showing signs of division,
I had no choice but to intervene as the Pavilion Master of Fire Dragon Pavilion.
Whoosh!
The air split as two sharp waves of finger force flew past them.
Song Ilseom and Sama Pyo, who had leapt to the ground to evade, instinctively reached for their weapons—but I calmly issued a warning.
“You’ll regret drawing those.”
It wasn’t an empty threat.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure closing in from all sides, the two of them froze.
In their shaking eyes was an undeniable trace of shock.
‘He’s strong.’
That was what their gazes told me—and it was the truth.
Even Black Dragon Blade Sama Pyo, heir to the Black Dragon Demon Sect and famed as the strongest rising star of the Demonic Practicioners, and even Death-Chaser Song Ilseom, who had carved legends on countless battlefields—they both understood.
They weren’t amateurs.
They could clearly grasp the level I stood on.
‘Even before, I was a few steps above. But now, the pressure must feel even heavier.’
As always, I grew stronger after each awakening.
And this time, I had gained a small insight during the process of systematizing martial arts for Hunters.
It wasn’t enough to be called a breakthrough, but even half a step forward was significant.
It was a shame that the first ones to realize that weren’t enemies—but my own allies.
“The road ahead is still thousands of li. If you insist on fighting, go ahead and duel to the death right now. Otherwise—”
“Pavilion Master.”
I do like Ju Hwaran, but now wasn’t the time to listen to her.
As she spoke with a stiff face, I shook my head lightly and continued.
“Otherwise, both of you attack me together. If not now, you won’t get another chance.”
It didn’t take long for the two to make a decision.
Slide. Click.
With a cold scraping sound, the partially unsheathed blades disappeared back into their scabbards.
Ju Hwaran let out a faint sigh as the two men returned to their saddles as if nothing had happened.
“Whew… I really hoped this wouldn’t happen.”
Same here.
But it was something I had considered long before accepting them into the Fire Dragon Pavilion.
‘Yeah, I figured there’d be tension. Especially for Song Ilseom.’
Everything stemmed from a grudge born decades ago when the righteous and evil factions clashed to divide the world.
A bold young escort warrior named Ju once accepted a request from a woman and accomplished the legendary feat of the “Ten Thousand Li Escort.”
That woman gave birth to a child before she passed away.
And that child was Song Ilseom—the last heir of the Guangdong Jin Clan,
wiped out by the Demonic Practicioners.
He wasn’t a saint or Jesus. It was no surprise he harbored hatred toward the Demonic Practicioners.
‘I just didn’t think it’d blow up this fast.’
Seriously, how long has it been since we left? And already this?
Now I understand why college students hate group projects.
Even if I leave those two aside, the others weren’t much better.
“Captain, ever since I got punched in the gut earlier, I keep needing to poop.”
“Don’t fight, Commander. When you’re in danger, I get worried and hungry.”
‘Look at this lineup. Goddamn it.’
With Hyuk Mujin’s overactive bowels and Taesan’s stomach that seemed to double as an inventory, I felt a headache coming on.
But there was one saving grace in this disaster.
“Miss Ju.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. I’m really glad you’re here.”
I meant it.
Regardless of beauty, she was the most normal person here.
Her martial arts may not be as advanced as the others’, but she had broad knowledge of the Murim and an uncanny sense of direction.
Even now, she’d found a shortcut known only among the Horse Traders.
So why wasn’t she responding?
“Miss Ju?”
“Excuse me? Miss Ju?”
Even when I called again, she didn’t reply.
Ju Hwaran, holding the reins in silence, turned her head and stammered.
“I-I think we should take this path.”
“Huh? No, I mean you did great, but I was trying to—”
“Then I’ll go ahead and check the Horse Traders’ markings! Hyah!”
“W-Wait, huh?!”
There wasn’t even time to say more.
I could only stare blankly as she rode off in a hurry.
Then I felt a strange tingle on the back of my neck.
‘…What now.’
Song Ilseom. Sama Pyo. Hyuk Mujin. Taesan.
All four were staring at me, completely frozen in place.
I flinched and asked:
“What? Why are you all staring at me like that?”
“Mm. It’s nothing.”
“We’ll head out first, Pavilion Master.”
Song Ilseom and Sama Pyo pushed their horses forward with complex expressions.
Hyuk Mujin and Taesan answered with sour looks.
“Uh, I was just watching. Needed to poop.”
“…Why stare at me if you need to poop?”
“When I look at you, the urge goes away.”
“Taesan was just hungry. That’s all.”
“…And what does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing. Just… Taesan gets it now. Kinda understands.”
The hell are you even talking about?
I could let it slide with Hyuk Mujin, but that giant glutton looking at me with pity made my skin crawl.
Before I could even press them, Taesan smacked the butt of a half-dead horse and charged off.
“Taesan! Go! Horse goes too!”
As the nearly-dead horse stumbled forward, Hyuk Mujin chased after him.
“Hey, wait! Let’s go together!”
“No! Don’t follow! Taesan looks forward only!”
“I’ve got jerky!”
“Taesan found a friend! We are together forever!”
Freakin’ lunatics.
Why does it feel like even these lunatics are ignoring me now?
With a look like I’d chewed on crap, I grabbed the reins.
“Let’s go.”
Puff.
Even the horse seemed annoyed.
I smacked its head and pulled the reins.
With a soft whinny, the steed galloped down the gorge.