Chapter 429

Ji Mu-hyung’s mind was as tangled as a knotted skein of thread.

He couldn’t think of what to say when he saw Pyo Wol’s face.

He never imagined that Pyo Wol, whom he had hired as a temporary Escort, would be such a terrifying Martial Artist.

If Pyo Wol had held a grudge, the Great Pearl Trading Company’s escort group would have been annihilated overnight.

He couldn’t believe he had hired such a fearsome Expert as a mere temporary Escort.

Ji Mu-hyung didn’t dare to look Pyo Wol straight in the face.

Pyo Wol said to Ji Mu-hyung.

“Let’s leave as soon as things are cleaned up.”

“Yes! We will do so.”

Even though he wasn’t Pyo Wol’s Subordinate, Ji Mu-hyung answered politely.

Pyo Wol turned and returned to his spot.

“Let’s go together, hyung!”

Do Yeon-san followed after him.

“Huu!”

Only after the two had moved away did Ji Mu-hyung let out a sigh of relief.

He stood there blankly for a moment like a stone statue, organizing his tangled thoughts.

Once his thoughts became clear, he shouted.

“Workers, hurry and tend to the dead and injured.”

“Yes!”

“Escorts, tie up the still-living Bandits and load them onto the carts. We’ll hand them over to the authorities in the nearest city, so bind them tightly.”

“Understood.”

“Gather all the horses the Bandits were riding as well. We’ll sell these at the horse market.”

“Yes!”

His Subordinates replied and moved busily.

A single horse was worth almost as much as a house.

And there were over a hundred such horses.

They were all well-trained, so selling them would bring a huge profit.

Ji Mu-hyung had no intention of taking the money from selling the horses. He planned to give all the money earned to Pyo Wol.

Since Pyo Wol was the one who had subdued all the Bandits, the money earned from selling their belongings was also all Pyo Wol’s.

‘I must never get on his bad side.’

Just a moment ago, Seo Gun-hwi had been his top priority, but from this moment on, everything had changed.

The people he needed to take care of most now were Pyo Wol and Do Yeon-san.

It wasn’t that he wouldn’t take care of Seo Gun-hwi, but he had to be pushed down the priority list.

If the Demon Sword Manor was the hegemon of a region, Pyo Wol was a supreme Expert whose fame resounded throughout Jianghu.

It was clear who he needed to be more mindful of.

“Move quickly. At this rate, we’ll be sleeping outdoors again today.”

“Yes!”

At his urging, the Martial Artists and workers of the Great Pearl Trading Company moved even more busily.

As a result, they managed to clean everything up and leave in less than two Shichen.

Throughout the journey, people were silent.

Whether they were the Martial Artists of the Great Pearl Trading Company or the Demon Sword Manor, not a single one spoke, their lips sealed shut.

Including the captured Bandits, a large group of well over a hundred people was moving, yet no one even breathed loudly. That made it feel even more bizarre.

At the center of it all was Pyo Wol.

The Martial Artists of both the Great Pearl Trading Company and the Demon Sword Manor were watching Pyo Wol’s every move. But the man himself, Pyo Wol, sat in the back of a cart with his eyes closed.

If Pyo Wol had been talkative, the atmosphere would have been much brighter, but his silence made the mood even heavier.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before a city appeared.

As soon as they arrived in the city, Ji Mu-hyung rented out an entire Inn. Then he took the captured Bandits and headed to the government office.

Pyo Wol and Do Yeon-san were assigned the best room.

Now that he knew Pyo Wol’s identity, he couldn’t treat him the same as the other Escorts. Moreover, he owed Pyo Wol a great debt. It was only natural that he be given the largest and best room.

Pyo Wol did not refuse and accepted their goodwill.

As soon as they entered the room, Do Yeon-san said.

“Hyung, the well is right outside. I’ll wash up first.”

“Go ahead!”

As soon as Pyo Wol’s permission was given, Do Yeon-san ran to the well.

A lot of blood had splattered on his body from dealing with the Bandits.

Those who had been dealt with by Pyo Wol were better off.

This was because Pyo Wol had subdued them with minimal injuries. In contrast, the condition of those subdued by Do Yeon-san was tragic.

This was because Do Yeon-san’s control over his strength was not yet perfect.

He tried to control it, but even so, the minimum was a serious injury.

Thanks to that, a lot of blood had splattered on his body as well.

Do Yeon-san stripped naked, drew water from the well, and washed the blood off his body.

In contrast, not a single trace of blood remained on Pyo Wol’s body.

Just by his appearance, he didn’t look like someone who had just fought a fierce battle.

Pyo Wol, looking around the room, took out the tea set placed on the table.

He put water on the stove and prepared to brew tea.

Pyo Wol leisurely waited for the water to boil.

It was then.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked on his door.

“It is I, Seo Gun-hwi. May I come in for a moment?”

“Come in.”

Once Pyo Wol’s permission was given, Seo Gun-hwi opened the door and entered.

Seo Gun-hwi’s face clearly showed his complicated feelings.

He made a Fist-Palm Salute to Pyo Wol and said.

“Thank you for your help, Great Hero Pyo.”

They were words spoken with difficulty.

Seo Gun-hwi’s pride pierced the heavens.

It was the first time he had ever taken such a humble stance toward someone.

But since he had clearly received help, he had to express his gratitude.

In Jianghu, no favor or grudge, no matter how small, is ever overlooked. It was the law of Jianghu to repay help received. Even if it was a matter of hurting one’s pride.

“If not for Great Hero Pyo’s help, I would have met with disaster. I will surely repay this debt.”

“You don’t have to. I wasn’t particularly trying to help you.”

“Still, the relationship of favor and grudge must be made clear.”

“Then do as you please.”

“May I ask one thing?”

“Speak.”

“Why did you hide your identity? If you had revealed your status from the beginning, I would not have committed such a discourtesy.”

“I didn’t want the hassle.”

“Was that the only reason?”

“Does it seem like there’s another reason?”

At Pyo Wol’s question, Seo Gun-hwi bit his lip hard.

After hesitating for a moment, he said something he shouldn’t have.

“Were you perhaps enjoying a sense of superiority? You are already at the pinnacle of Jianghu, so were you laughing inwardly while watching some clueless brat act all high and mighty?”

His eyes, looking at Pyo Wol, were full of jealousy.

It was a common reaction among young Martial Artists who grew up thinking they were the best, not knowing how high the sky was.

It was then.

“That’s right. I was laughing.”

Do Yeon-san said as he entered.

He was only wearing pants, as he hadn’t dried off yet.

Seo Gun-hwi’s gaze turned sharp.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I was laughing. Not hyung, but me…”

“How dare you…”

“How dare I what? Is your pride that important?”

“Watch your words.”

“You people are always like that. You value your pride so much, yet you don’t care at all about the feelings of people who seem beneath you.”

“You…”

“Did hyung openly disrespect you? You were the one being disrespectful. So why are you acting like you’re the one who’s hurt now? Is that the pride of a prestigious family?”

Do Yeon-san was scathing.

His voice became a dagger that gouged Seo Gun-hwi’s heart.

Seo Gun-hwi’s lips trembled. But in the end, he couldn’t make any excuses.

Do Yeon-san’s criticism made him think about many things.

Seo Gun-hwi closed his eyes and struggled to compose his emotions.

Once his emotions were somewhat settled, he opened his eyes and said.

“I’m sorry. My thoughts were short-sighted. What is your name?”

“It’s Do Yeon-san.”

“Right! Do Yeon-san. Thank you for enlightening my foolish self. I apologize, Great Hero Pyo. I have committed a discourtesy.”

“It’s fine!”

“Thank you. I promise this will not happen again. Please rest well.”

Seo Gun-hwi made another Fist-Palm Salute to Pyo Wol and went outside.

Thump!

As the door closed, Do Yeon-san said.

“Still, he doesn’t just stand on pride with no thought at all.”

“It seems he has that much sense.”

“I guess so.”

Do Yeon-san made a disappointed face.

If Seo Gun-hwi had flared up and attacked, he had intended to have a good fight.

His confidence was at its peak after obtaining the Ghost King’s power.

He had no ambition to make a name for himself, but he wanted to try fighting with all his strength at least once. But he couldn’t force a fight with someone who had already left the room.

He changed his expression and asked Pyo Wol.

“Aren’t you going to wash up, hyung?”

“I should.”

Pyo Wol stood up and headed for the well.

＊＊＊

In the first-floor dining hall of the Inn, the Escorts and workers of the Great Pearl Trading Company were gathered in small groups, eating.

Thanks to Pyo Wol’s intervention, their lives were saved, but their expressions were not very bright. It was because so many of their comrades had died or been injured.

Even with alcohol before them, not many were drinking.

Normally, they would have been boisterously boasting about their heroic deeds of the day. But today, not a single person raised their voice.

It was the same for the Martial Artists of the Demon Sword Manor.

The Demon Sword Manor’s Martial Artists, occupying a single table, simply exchanged silent cups of alcohol instead of conversing.

Their complicated feelings were plain on their faces.

Seo Gun-hwi didn’t come out of his room at all, and Seo Yul-hee kept her mouth shut, uncomfortable with the atmosphere.

It was then.

Thud!

With the sound of footsteps, two people appeared.

The moment their figures were identified, the already quiet dining hall was enveloped in silence.

The ones who appeared were none other than Pyo Wol and Do Yeon-san.

The Martial Artists of the Great Pearl Trading Company and the Demon Sword Manor held their breath and stared at the two.

The two looked around for a moment before sitting at an empty table.

“What would you like to order?”

The Waiter asked cautiously.

Being a quick-witted boy, he had grasped that the atmosphere was unusual. And that Pyo Wol and Do Yeon-san were at the center of it. That was why his attitude toward Pyo Wol couldn’t be more polite.

Pyo Wol said.

“Bring me what the others are having.”

“And for drinks?”

“Not needed.”

“So just food, then? Understood. I’ll bring it right out if you’ll just wait a moment.”

The Waiter bowed his head to Pyo Wol and ran toward the kitchen.

Do Yeon-san looked around and said.

“The atmosphere is chilly.”

“So it is.”

“Aigoo! This is so pressuring.”

Do Yeon-san exaggeratedly rubbed his shoulders with both arms.

It was then.

“Can I sit here?”

Seo Yul-hee had approached at some point and asked.

Do Yeon-san smiled and offered her a chair.

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

Seo Yul-hee quickly sat down.

“What about Oppa?”

“He’s not coming out of his room.”

“Really?”

“Looks like he’s in shock because of someone.”

Seo Yul-hee looked at Pyo Wol.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah!”

“That’s surprising. He’s still your Oppa, isn’t he?”

“Oppa is someone who has never failed. He thinks he’s the main character moving the world. That’s why he’s incredibly cold to people other than himself. He has a tendency to not see people as human if they fall below his set standards. So it’s okay for him to experience defeat at least once. That way, he’ll re-evaluate himself coolly.”

Seo Yul-hee was scathing.

Do Yeon-san found this Seo Yul-hee fascinating.

Seo Yul-hee didn’t seem to like her older brother very much.

Although it was said that there weren’t many close siblings in the world, Do Yeon-san had adored his younger sister.

Because of that, he had been enraged by her death and stained Tai Lake area with blood.

He had tried his best not to sweep up related people, but there must have been innocent people who lost their lives.

It was an original sin he had to carry until the day he died.

The reason he committed such a sin was precisely because of his sister and family.

Do Yeon-san lifted the teacup in front of him and said.

“Be good to your Oppa.”

“Huh?”

“It’s much better to have one than not.”