NOVEL WEB Chapter 24 - Episode 6: The Green Forest Road Alliance (3)
Chapter 24 – Episode 6: The Green Forest Road Alliance (3)
“Anyway, what’s this all about? What kind of big problem has occurred within the alliance?”
After a moment, having moved to a different location, Zhuge Hyeonmong asked them.
He had his own worries brewing already.
Despite their martial background, the number of blacksmiths skilled in martial arts within the Iron Flame Gang was limited.
Bandits, on the other hand, were everywhere.
If they all decided to band together and start a revolt, things could get seriously messy.
After all, even the mightiest hand cannot handle ten hands simultaneously.
“Ah, it’s not that kind of issue. Rather, it’s somewhat the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
“Have you heard anything about a bandit killer showing up?”
“A bandit killer, you say?”
“Yes, a mysterious murderer who targets only bandits, killing them one after another.”
Zhuge Hyeonmong pondered for a moment before asking.
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Jo Gwol and Hang Gon both nodded in agreement.
Bandits, in general, weren’t exactly model citizens.
They preyed on travelers and commoners, worse than natural disasters.
It wasn’t without reason that wandering martial artists would clear out bandit lairs when they had nothing better to do.
It was an easy, quick, and convenient way to boost one’s reputation, and bandits were considered expendable targets.
“We initially thought that it was the doing of some mercenary group or a gathering of wandering martial artists, but it turns out to be different.”
“Different how?”
“If someone was killing that many bandits, you’d think word of their good deeds would’ve spread by now… but it’s eerily quiet. Moreover, all the victims died in bizarre and gruesome ways.”
“Bizarre?”
“They were found with their internal organs ripped out.”
Zhuge Hyeonmong fell silent.
‘This is no righteous hero.’
A righteous martial artist might kill someone, but they wouldn’t kill in such a manner.
The same went for the Unorthodox Faction. Though they were more ruthless than the Orthodox Faction, even they had standards.
Zhuge Hyeonmong had a feeling he knew where Jo Gwol and Hang Gon were going with this.
“So the bandits have flocked to us requesting protection. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
“As expected from the Reincarnation of Zhuge Liang! Master Zhuge, you’re truly brilliant!”
“…”
Zhuge Hyeonmong’s lips twitched.
“That nickname is quite burdensome.”
“Nonsense! You truly deserve such a title. It’s like Zhuge Liang himself has returned—ughk!”
Jo Gwol jabbed Hang Gon sharply in the ribs and bowed his head.
“I apologize, Master.”
“It’s fine. But I’d prefer not to be called by such burdensome titles in the future. And I’m younger than you, so calling me Master is a bit…”
“You truly deserve to be called as a Master. Anyway, you’re right.”
Jo Gwol nodded lightly.
“Bandits from all around have flocked to us. They regard our sect leader as their Mountain Lord or Fortress Lord, seeing him as a sort of guardian deity. They claim that not a single bandit under our protection has fallen victim.”
The situation was roughly as he had imagined.
The Iron Flame Gang had been going around absorbing bandit groups with the stated purpose of road construction.
But contrary to the apparent intentions, from the bandits’ perspective, it wouldn’t be strange to think Ma Jin-gwang had stepped up to protect them.
After a moment of calculation, Zhuge Hyeonmong spoke.
“That’s not bad.”
“You mean the situation with bandits flocking to us? Honestly, it’s utter chaos. Even now, I’m worried about what might happen while we’re gone. And our leader can’t easily leave his post either.”
“There’s a limit to controlling them by force alone. Don’t you feel it? Eventually, whether through reputation or profit, you need to properly command the bandits.”
Hearing Zhuge Hyeonmong’s words, Jo Gwol finally seemed to understand and nodded.
‘If we play this right…’
They would have far fewer reasons to be anxious and concerned about being backstabbed.
“But for that, we need a solution first, don’t we? Honestly, we have no idea how to handle this situation. We’ve sent people to search for this serial bandit killer, but they’re truly elusive.”
“Hmm.”
“We need to send skilled individuals to deal with such a dangerous threat, but as you know, just controlling the bandits and our leader is already overwhelming.”
“I understand the bandits part. But what about controlling your leader?”
Hang Gon scratched his head.
“He’s itching to hunt down the killer himself. Frankly speaking, if it weren’t for him, controlling the bandits would be impossible…”
“Ah, I see.”
Ma Jin-gwang seemed exactly like the type to do that.
He was the type who would rush here alone to catch thieves, despite being the leader of the Iron Flame Gang.
“What about requesting help from the Murim Alliance?”
“We considered that too.”
“But?”
“The Murim Alliance might decide to eliminate us before going after the killer.”
“…”
What an extremely convincing argument.
Zhuge Hyeonmong now understood why they had sought him out.
“Well, I think I might have a good solution.”
In truth, despite his words, Zhuge Hyeonmong wasn’t particularly confident.
What he had in mind was just a half-baked idea that had popped into his head as he was listening.
‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll figure something else out.’
“Oh, as expected!”
“We knew we could count on you!”
“…Aren’t you going to hear my plan?”
The two finally stopped their praise and listened attentively.
After hearing Zhuge Hyeonmong’s plan, their expressions became peculiar.
“Hmm.”
“Do you really think that will work?”
“It does seem a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
Zhuge Hyeonmong wore a somewhat embarrassed expression.
Even to him, suggesting they take some successors to hunt down a bandit serial killer seemed rather unrealistic.
“Still, I happen to know someone we can talk to about this.”
***
After dropping by the Great Dragon Escort Agency and briefly explaining the situation, Zhuge Hyeonmong easily obtained Im Chung’s permission and left.
The Great Dragon Escort Agency and the Green Forest Road Alliance had become inseparable entities.
Escorting goods was a pretty risky business to begin with.
Even without bandits, agencies occasionally encountered wild beasts, had to traverse rough mountain paths and forests, and did all sorts of backbreaking work.
From a growth perspective, it made sense for the Great Dragon Escort Agency to be looking for new avenues of profit.
Wasted time, wasted money, and sometimes even wasted manpower.
But ever since the Green Forest Rogues Alliance had formed, they’d managed to significantly cut down on those overhead costs just by paying a reasonable fee.
Escort missions became faster and safer.
And as time went on, the trade routes expanded, and more and more places were asking the Great Dragon Escort Agency for their services.
Even Im Chung, who had grumbled about how an escort agency getting mixed up with bandits, changed his attitude when he saw money piling up in the warehouse.
“So, why is Escort Im coming with us?”
“If it’s related to my Master, of course I should go along.”
‘That doesn’t seem to be the real reason.’
It was obvious he was following because his heart raced at the mention of meeting the successors.
“Hehe, this is my chance.”
“It’s not an opportunity.”
Zhuge Hyeonmong said flatly.
Did this guy even have a conscience?
Im Jun-gyu mumbled, “Still, you need someone to protect you, right? You know, to catch that guy…”
“You mean me?”
Thinking about it, he did have a point.
There was no need for Zhuge Hyeonmong, who hadn’t even learned martial arts, to accompany them to a dangerous place.
“I’m just going to guide and mediate. I won’t be joining the hunt.”
“…I see.”
What on earth did he expect from him?
He’d jumped into the battlefield last time because it was a special situation, but he had no intention of voluntarily stepping into danger again.
Not without a compelling reason!
Looking somewhat dejected, Im Jun-gyu hung his head for a moment before suddenly looking at Zhuge Hyeonmong and asking.
“By the way, you smell good.”
“…Pardon?”
Im Jun-gyu instantly realized what he’d said and grimaced.
Zhuge Hyeonmong also made a cringing expression before remembering the Clear Spirit Pill in his possession.
‘Did it absorb some of the burner energy?’
Perhaps the pill had absorbed energy from the incense burner, causing that sensation.
Even so.
“Could you maybe walk a bit further away from me? I’m getting goosebumps.”
“Please just forget it…”
***
The place where the successors were staying was quite an imposing, grand estate.
‘As expected of the successors, even their meeting place is no joke.’
Apparently, it was an estate connected to the Sichuan Tang Family that had offered after hearing about the meeting in Chengdu.
Soon after sending word, a servant promptly guided them to where Zhuge Jun was.
The problem was that it was a place where successors were gathered together.
“Ah! Brother, welcome!”
“…”
Faced with the successors he had so desperately wanted to meet, Im Jun-gyu now became as silent as a mute and darted his eyes nervously around the room.
“Young Master Jun, who are these people?”
“Ah, perfect timing. This is Brother Zhuge Hyeonmong, whom I now regard as my elder brother.”
“Elder brother?”
Zhuge Hyeonmong had an ominous feeling and raised his hand to stop Zhuge Jun.
But he was too late.
“Yes, this is the brother who created that Formation that led you all astray.”
“What?!”
As soon as he said those words, a woman who had been quietly polishing her hidden weapons with a bored expression raised her and scowled as she saw Zhuge Hyeonmong.
“You, aren’t you the one who gave me directions last time?”
The woman rose from her seat, walked toward Zhuge Hyeonmong, and immediately bared her teeth.
“You said you didn’t know anyone called the Reincarnation of Zhuge Liang! Did you dare lie to my face?”
Her expression was like she was ready to throw a hand right then and there.
Many thoughts flashed through Zhuge Hyeonmong’s mind in that brief moment.
He could try to weasel out of it with the usual ‘I didn’t lie’ approach, but that didn’t seem like a good idea.
Zhuge Hyeonmong nodded.
“I did.”
“You’re admitting it quite readily.”
“Because it’s only natural.”
“What?”
Zhuge Hyeonmong took a deep breath and continued.
“Was there any reason for me to be completely honest with someone whose intentions I didn’t know?”
Tang Hwa-ryeong was left speechless.
Because he was right, while she was momentarily stunned, Zhuge Hyeonmong brought his hands together and continued.
“I acknowledge that I deceived Young Lady Tang, and I apologize for that.”
“Um, alright.”
Having lost the initiative and unable to argue with his logic, Tang Hwa-ryeong accepted the apology.
Watching the scene from the side, Im Jun-gyu clicked his tongue in amazement.
‘He’s truly like a snake.’
How could he lie so smoothly without batting an eye?
‘Is it because of his face?’
Though he didn’t consider himself unattractive, Im Jun-gyu imagined what would happen if he had done the same instead of Zhuge Hyeonmong, and no happy ending came to mind.
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
“Well, I wanted to consult with you about something.”
Zhuge Hyeonmong immediately redirected the topic with Zhuge Jun’s support.
Tang Hwa-ryeong, who had been wavering in the middle, seemed to have lost her anger and didn’t say more, but since she had come this far, she decided to stay and listen to what the matter was.
“Consultation? I’m curious what this is about.”
Zhuge Hyeonmong nodded.
“We believe a Demonic Cultivator has appeared, but I don’t know much about it, so I came to seek advice.”
The whole room perked up the moment he brought up that topic.