NOVEL NEXT Chapter 123
Chapter 123
"Is it really okay for us to be this comfortable?"
At the Heavenly Divine Healer's words, the Needle Master pressed a finger to his lips.
"Be quiet. If you spout nonsense and change the Young Master's mood, you’ll definitely die."
"Brother, why do you always say such grim things? Stop talking about killing people, will you?"
"I'm not the one who'll kill you; others will. Do you think they'll all just sit idly by?"
The Heavenly Divine Healer glanced around cautiously.
Everyone nearby was staring at him intently.
"Ahem. Well, I was just speaking hypothetically."
Mumbling to himself, he quickly looked away.
They were currently traveling on a boat.
When leaving Yichang to return to Wuhan, Byeok Taesan had instructed them to use a boat.
With plenty of money, they were able to secure a large and luxurious vessel, allowing everyone to return to Wuhan comfortably.
Given their expanded group, it was only natural to use a larger boat.
No crew was hired, as their party could manage all the work themselves.
Though they were traveling in comfort, the unease lingering from past experiences had not disappeared.
Everyone still remembered the struggles they had faced when traveling from Wuhan to Yichang. No one found it strange to expect things to take a turn for the worse at any moment.
Moreover, the grueling training they endured in Yichang had left them on edge, unable to let their guard down.
"Anyway, enjoy this time as much as you can. Once we arrive in Wuhan, what do you think we'll be doing there?"
The Needle Master's words caused the Heavenly Divine Healer's face to twist in dismay.
"Ah, brother, why ruin the good mood like that?"
"I'm just telling you to stay sharp."
While the two were having this back-and-forth conversation on the deck, Byeok Taesan stepped out of the cabin.
As soon as he appeared, Hwaryeong moved closer to his side.
"Where are we now?"
At his question, Hwaryeong immediately responded.
"We’re near Hongho. We have roughly two hundred li left to Wuhan."
{200li × 0.311miles or 0.5km = 62.2 miles or 100 km approx}
Nodding at her reply, Byeok Taesan muttered, "Two hundred li... That’s just right."
A sense of foreboding spread across everyone's faces at his words. They glanced at his mouth nervously, dreading what might come next.
With an unnervingly calm gaze, Byeok Taesan surveyed everyone on the deck.
"From here on, we abandon the boat."
"Pardon?"
"We’ll leave the boat and move along the water."
The Heavenly Divine Healer let out an awkward laugh, his tone disbelieving.
"S-Surely... You don't mean we should swim all the way to Wuhan?"
"That’s entirely up to you. Swim, walk along the riverbed, or run across the water—whatever suits you."
Everyone stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
His words seemed to imply that they were indeed expected to swim to Wuhan. Who among them could possibly run on water?
"Don’t worry; you won’t die."
Everyone silently thought the same thing: that wasn’t the issue. Nobody was worried about dying—they were more concerned about the sheer exhaustion that awaited them.
Gradually, all eyes turned toward the Heavenly Divine Healer.
The timing of Byeok Taesan's announcement was too coincidental. Surely, it wasn’t his fault, but they couldn’t help but feel that somehow, this was all because of him.
"How long do you plan to dawdle?"
As Byeok Taesan’s cold words fell, everyone hastily jumped into the water and began swimming with all their might.
Byeok Taesan stood on the deck, waiting patiently until everyone had jumped overboard.
Once the last person had leapt into the water, he walked to the prow.
He could see the others floating in the river, swimming determinedly forward.
"Too slow. At this rate, it’s not training at all."
Muttering to himself, Byeok Taesan lightly kicked the boat with his foot.
Crack! Crack-crack-crack!
A ripple started at the prow and spread throughout the entire boat.
With that, the seams of the vessel began to loosen, and soon the entire structure broke apart, scattering into pieces across the water.
Byeok Taesan stepped into the debris-strewn river, calmly walking among the wreckage.
Walking on water like this was far more difficult than running across it. Yet he managed to do so effortlessly, following his group as they swam.
Approaching those who were falling behind, Byeok Taesan leaned in close and said, "Anyone lagging behind me should prepare themselves."
His voice seemed to carve itself into the minds of everyone in the water.
Startled, they turned to look at him.
Their jaws dropped in shock as they saw him standing atop the water. And when he began walking, they were even more astounded.
The ones at the back frantically moved their limbs, surging forward with renewed vigor.
Summoning every ounce of strength they had, they pushed ahead.
Byeok Taesan followed them at a steady pace, calmly walking along the river.
No one had any choice but to swim faster.
And he thought to himself.
‘If you're frustrated, get stronger.’
How convenient it would be if he could simply leap across the water during times like these, becoming even stronger.
‘I’ll make it happen no matter what.’
Everyone gritted their teeth with determination.
Watching them, Byeok Taesan’s lips curled slightly upward.
‘Well… after surviving a few life-threatening moments, they’ll naturally grow stronger.’
That’s how it worked for everyone, after all. It had been true for him and for most who trained in the Demonic Cult.
••••
Bang Durip, the leader of the Heaven Sword Corps under the Murim Alliance, had a baffled expression as he listened to the report from his deputy.
“What do you mean, they’re moving out?”
“Yes, sir. We’ve been notified that they no longer require the Murim Alliance’s assistance.”
“Says, who?”
“Pardon? That would be… according to the original contract…”
“I recall the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion being quite deep in debt. Are the creditors just letting this slide?”
“They’ve paid it all back.”
“What? They paid it all? Where did those bastards get the money to pay off everything? Are you certain?”
“Yes, sir. I confirmed this through the Golden Moon Merchants. They said something has gone awry.”
Bang Durip’s face twisted.
If the Golden Moon Merchants said so, it had to be true.
“What kind of mess did those bastards create to let things spiral out of control like this? Did they say anything else?”
“They managed to find out that the relocation is to Wuhan.”
“Have they identified who’s been funding those people?”
“The Golden Moon Merchants are investigating. They believe the inquiry will be concluded soon, so it won’t be long…”
The deputy trailed off as movement outside interrupted their conversation.
“Leader, this is the Seventh Squad Leader.”
Like Bang Durip and the deputy, the Seventh Squad Leader was deeply involved in this matter.
“Come in.”
When Bang Durip granted permission, the Seventh Squad Leader entered.
He wasted no time and began his report immediately.
“I’ve received word from the Golden Moon Merchants. They’ve identified who paid off the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion’s debt.”
“Oh? Who was it?”
“It was a man named Byeok Taesan.”
“Byeok Taesan?”
“The second son of the Golden Wall Merchants in Wuhan. It seems he has considerable wealth.”
“Wuhan? Why would someone from Wuhan extend their reach all the way to Kaifeng?”
“I’ve also been informed that the Medicine King is with Byeok Taesan.”
“Ah, the Medicine King.”
Bang Durip clenched his teeth.
“So, Cho Seoran went there to sway her hips. I was wondering where she disappeared to.”
“So, you’re saying Byeok Taesan fell for her charms and squandered his money on her? Is that it?”
The Seventh Squad Leader shook his head with a stern expression.
“It doesn’t seem to be that simple. I’ve also learned that both the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master are under Byeok Taesan.”
Bang Durip’s expression shifted noticeably.
“Wait, I think I’ve heard something like this before. There was talk of the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master joining some merchant group… so it was the Golden Wall Merchants.”
One of the reasons the Murim Alliance had dispatched Jin Sahong to Wuhan was to recruit the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master, who were residing with the Golden Wall Merchants. Of course, that wasn’t the only task assigned to him.
But that was the responsibility of others, and Bang Durip hadn’t paid it much mind.
He was too occupied with other matters.
One of those matters was Cho Seoran herself.
“So, they not only recruited the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master but also took in the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?”
“That’s correct. The Golden Moon Merchants have expressed significant concern about it.”
Bang Durip fell into a serious contemplation.
“What will you do, sir? I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit Wuhan at least once…”
The Seventh Squad Leader’s suggestion elicited a smirk from Bang Durip.
“Do you think I can just waltz into Wuhan that easily? If the Heaven Sword Corps makes a move, do you think the Black Lotus would stay quiet? And do you think the Murim Alliance would permit it?”
“I hadn’t considered that far.”
“The atmosphere is already tense. Acting recklessly would only make things worse.”
The Seventh Squad Leader closed his mouth and lowered his head.
Bang Durip looked down at the Seventh Squad Leader in silence, tapping the armrest of his chair with his fingers.
“While it might be problematic for me to move, it might not be an issue for you to go.”
The Seventh Squad Leader looked up in surprise.
“Did the Golden Moon Merchants have any other suggestions?”
“They said they’ve done all they can.”
“Ha, those slippery bastards. They always back out at critical moments.”
But Bang Durip knew them well. The Golden Moon Merchants wouldn’t give up so easily.
They would surely be plotting something in secret.
“How many members are in the Seventh Squad now?”
“With me included, there are thirteen.”
Bang Durip nodded.
"Alright. Take all your men and head to Wuhan."
The Seventh Squad Leader's eyes gleamed.
"Attach yourself to the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion under the pretext of assisting them in traveling to Wuhan. They may have said they don’t need the Murim Alliance’s help, but the relationship between the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion and the Murim Alliance hasn’t been completely severed, so they won’t be able to outright refuse."
"I’ll do as you command."
The Seventh Squad Leader waited for further instructions.
"Continue helping the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion and keep a close watch. Observe the relationship between the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion and the Golden Wall Merchants. Also, find out what that Byeok Taesan character is up to—whether he has other schemes or hidden motives. Investigate everything."
"Understood. Is that all I need to do?"
Bang Durip shook his head.
"Of course not. Once you’re there, meet with Jin Sahong and request his cooperation. If there’s anything you can do to assist Jin Sahong, do it. You’re aware that no one can find out we’ve allied with the Golden Moon Merchants, correct?"
"I’ll handle that part with extra care."
"Eventually, the Golden Moon Merchants are bound to make a move."
"The Golden Moon Merchants, you say?"
"Yes. So hold out and wait for the right moment to support them. It’s time for us to move out of the shadows."
"Understood."
After the Seventh Squad Leader left, Bang Durip turned his sharp gaze to the Vice-Captain.
"You’ll accompany him as well."
The Vice-Captain’s eyes widened slightly.
"Me too?"
It was clear from the private nature of this discussion that he was being sent secretly, without the Seventh Squad Leader’s knowledge.
"The time you’ve spent with the Seventh Squad Leader isn’t long enough to fully trust him yet. Additionally, if Byeok Taesan’s capabilities are as exceptional as they say, your presence might prove invaluable."
The Needle Master had been described as a formidable expert, and the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion was no pushover when united. This was a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.
The Vice-Captain read Bang Durip’s intentions clearly and bowed his head.
"I’ll depart immediately as well."
Once the Vice-Captain was gone, Bang Durip stood from his seat.
"Now, I need to deal with the Murim Alliance. There’s so much to report—it’s going to be a hassle."
•••••
"Huff... Huff!"
The Heavenly Divine Healer lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.
Everyone else was in the same state.
They lay soaked to the bone, struggling to catch their breath. A few even coughed up water.
What they had just done was nothing short of absurd. They had swum over two hundred li of river without once stopping on land to rest.
Anyone who ran out of strength and sank into the water was immediately pulled up by Byeok Taesan, who casually walked across the river’s surface to retrieve them.
The moment they were rescued, they were jolted awake by a searing pain and forced to resume swimming.
Looking back, it seemed he had used some kind of thunder-based martial art, but they had been too frantic at the time to discern exactly what it was.
Those who fell behind experienced even greater pain than those who sank. The punishment was harsh enough that no one dared to fall behind again.
It was no wonder they all shuddered at the thought of enduring such training again.
Even so, if Byeok Taesan ordered it, they knew they would obey.
As their breathing gradually steadied, they couldn’t tear their eyes away from Byeok Taesan.
He stood calmly, gazing down at them with an expression of utter indifference.
That composure sent chills through everyone. It was as if this ordeal was truly nothing to him.
"This is insane..."
The Needle Master muttered unconsciously.
His murmurs caught Byeok Taesan’s attention.
Flustered, the Needle Master shut his eyes tightly, feigning unconsciousness. His heart raced wildly in his chest.
Then, the Heavenly Divine Healer’s voice rang in his ears.
"Brother, farewell. I’ll pour three cups of liquor for you later."
The Needle Master snapped his eyes open and was about to yell at him.
But at that moment, he accidentally locked eyes with Byeok Taesan.
The Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled mischievously.
"I always knew your foul mouth would get you into big trouble someday."
Byeok Taesan stared at them silently before turning on his heel and walking away.
The Needle Master’s eyes quivered violently as he watched him leave.
Somehow, that nonchalant departure was even more unnerving.
"Hey... I’ll be fine, right?"
The Heavenly Divine Healer patted the Needle Master’s shoulder with a grin.
The Needle Master grimaced miserably.
Seeing this, faint smiles spread across the faces of those who watched.