Chapter 183: The Inferno in Suzhou (5)

The troublemakers from yesterday had been dealt with.

“Now, let’s deal with the next set of troublemakers.”

Once again, Cho Un-hwi led the disciples to another isolated group.

The people gathered here looked quite peculiar.

In the center were women dressed in luxurious robes, surrounded by shabby men, resembling worker ants protecting their queen ant.

“Let’s have a talk.”

As soon as he approached, the men on the outside glared at him.

“Hold still.”

A middle-aged woman with a dignified voice raised her hand to stop them and smiled.

“What brings you here?”

“We want to buy and sell tea, but this place isn’t suitable.”

Hearing the secret code of the Hao Clan, the middle-aged woman’s expression changed subtly.

‘So, this is the person Chief Yo-ran told us to take special care of.’

Recalling her instructions, she responded politely.

“It’s rare for a distinguished guest from Shinmu Academy to request tea from a humble servant.”

“I have some questions and things to receive. What do you think?”

Hearing another secret code of the Hao Clan, the middle-aged woman was convinced.

‘Indeed, it’s him. He knows the high-level code of the Hao Clan.’

Just as she was about to respond.

[Are there any dangerous, disliked, or annoying people?]

[…Is that all?]

She thought he would ask something significant, but the question was completely unexpected.

[While we’re at it, let’s get rid of those bastards too.]

Reading the confidence in his smiling lips, she shook her head.

‘He’s even more unpredictable than I heard.’

She spoke.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring some cheap tea for you.”

***

Cho Un-hwi went to the place the middle-aged woman pointed out and immediately picked a fight.

“What’s with the sour faces here?”

*Gasp!*

The disciples of the Jangcheon Sect frowned at the unwelcome guest.

*Grrr.*

Unlike the places they had visited before, some here knew martial arts.

“Hold back. We’ll be in trouble if we make the first move.”

The leader of the Jangcheon Sect waved his hand, looking at the people behind the unwelcome guest.

‘An instructor, disciples, and even the Black Wolf of Suzhou.’

Why are they here?

The leader, who had been rising in prominence after the fall of the Jangcheon Sect, was annoyed by the sudden evacuation order and the young man picking a fight.

“Hey, just leave.”

“What? Are you the leader? If you’re the leader, should I leave just because you glare at me?”

“You bastard.”

Despite the Black Wolf of Suzhou’s intimidating presence, the leader couldn’t explode in anger.

“I don’t want to talk much. Your men are accused of stealing food. I need to investigate.”

*Step. Step.*

As he walked into the group without hesitation, the leader gritted his teeth.

‘Should I attack?’

The dark path operates on the logic of strength.

‘If I show weakness to this brat, I’m done for.’

If he couldn’t handle a low-level instructor, his subordinates’ loyalty would waver.

‘I’ll threaten him just enough to scare him off.’

As he thought about how to handle it without causing too much trouble.

*Thud!*

He realized he was charging at the intruder against his will.

‘W-what?’

*Grab!*

In an instant, his left hand grabbed the intruder’s collar, and his right hand drew a dagger to stab his throat.

‘Stop! Stop it!’

As he screamed internally at the bizarre situation, the intruder grinned.

“Oh!”

With a simple flick, the intruder knocked away the dagger and struck the leader’s elbow, gripping his collar.

*Thud!*

As the dagger flew away and the leader staggered, the intruder’s head suddenly came closer.

*Whack!*

“Ugh!”

A headbutt to the nose made the leader stagger.

But the intruder didn’t stop there.

*Whack!*

Pain shot through his side.

*Whack! Whack!*

A punch to the jaw made his vision flash.

“Gah!”

As his head twisted, his mind went blank.

‘What just happened…’

Seeing stars, he found himself lying on the ground.

Through his blurry vision, he saw the grinning face of the intruder.

“Ha. I almost died.”

Rubbing his neck, the intruder raised his foot.

‘No, don’t!’

He screamed internally.

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

The foot stomped on his chest and head without mercy.

*Thud thud thud thud thud thud!*

“I almost died, you bastard!”

The relentless stomping left the leader of the Jangcheon Sect in disbelief.

‘Is this kicking?’

It felt like being run over by a carriage.

The brutal stomping targeted the most painful spots.

*Whack!*

A kick to the jaw left the leader sprawled out.

But the intruder didn’t stop.

*Thud! Thud!*

He kicked aside obstacles and continued to stomp on the leader.

‘Help me, you idiots!’

The subordinates, who had been laughing, finally realized what was happening and tried to intervene.

“You don’t see me, do you?”

The Black Wolf of Suzhou stepped in.

“What’s all this commotion?”

*Swish. Swish!*

With a stern shout and the appearance of Euncheon Hall instructors moving like swallows, the disciples of the Jangcheon Sect froze.

“He attacked first.”

“I see.”

With the clear situation and the added killing intent, the subordinates turned pale.

Among them.

“Ho. The dark path’s lackeys must be out of their minds.”

“Indeed. Even with Elder Wang Woo here.”

*Shiver.*

The disciples of the Jangcheon Sect, feeling the cutting killing intent, dropped their weapons one by one.

“Anyone else with complaints, step forward!”

It wasn’t the loud-mouthed young man that scared them.

It was the masters standing behind him like a backdrop.

***

As the situation settled, Jang Cheol-sim asked.

“Are you alright?”

Instead of answering, Cho Un-hwi ran his hand through his hair and turned to the disciples.

“Did you see? This is how it’s done.”

So.

“Go earn your extra credit.”

***

Four days later.

Leading a group of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad, Namgung Il-jun was astonished.

*Neigh.*

Pulling the reins, he widened his eyes.

“What’s going on here?”

The refugees scattered through the four gates were in chaos.

People were aggressive, fights broke out frequently, and everyone was struggling with the lack of food and supplies.

How much trouble had they gone through with the constant conflicts?

But here, it was different.

“It feels… very orderly.”

“Considering they traveled a long distance in four days, they look cheerful.”

“Ha. They’re even sharing food.”

In one corner of the camp, they had set up a food distribution point.

“This is remarkable. Why is this place so orderly?”

Namgung Il-jun agreed with the deputy of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad.

“There must be a reason.”

What’s different here?

“Elder Wang Woo and other experienced martial artists are here. They must have their methods.”

“Weren’t the other camps similar? Especially where Senior Instructor Eo Jeong-geun was, it was a disaster.”

“That’s true.”

Muttering, Namgung Il-jun pulled the reins.

“Let’s go. We can find out the reason when we arrive.”

*Yah.*

*Thud thud thud thud.*

With the Azure Sky banner flying, they headed towards the center of the refugee camp.

***

“You’ve arrived.”

Seeing the well-groomed group, Namgung Il-jun felt even more puzzled.

‘This is strange. The other instructors looked exhausted.’

The instructors here looked different from the others he had seen on the way.

“This is the most orderly refugee camp I’ve seen. Impressive.”

Namgung Il-jun subtly nodded to Wang Woo.

“It wasn’t me.”

As if reading his thoughts, Wang Woo spoke.

“If not you…”

“It wasn’t us.”

Baek Ri Seon-ho and Mo Yong-ju, who had received his gaze, also shook their heads.

“It’s thanks to Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi.”

At Jang Cheol-sim’s words, Namgung Il-jun was confused.

“Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi?”

Him again?

Whenever something inexplicable happened, Cho Un-hwi’s name came up.

‘Is it coincidence or skill?’

The explanation left him even more astonished. But there was no time to ponder.

Jang Cheol-sim asked a question.

“Elder Namgung, why have you come with the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad?”

“I apologize for the delay in explaining.”

Bowing to those around him, Namgung Il-jun spoke.

“Merchants from our family will arrive soon.”

“That’s a relief. We were running low on supplies.”

“Moreover, a half-day’s journey from here is the village of So yang. It’s small but guarded by soldiers, so it will be a good temporary refuge.”

“Whew. That’s good news. People were starting to collapse from exhaustion.”

With the worries gone, Namgung Il-jun revealed another purpose.

“So, it would be best if you leave the rest to our family and the soldiers.”

“Understood. Is that all?”

“Well, actually…”

Such news could be delivered by carrier pigeon or messenger.

But Namgung Il-jun had come in person for a reason.

“Please allow me and five members of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad to escort Namgung Yun-ho.”

“Namgung Yun-ho?”

Remembering the incident at Myojinmun, Jang Cheol-sim hesitated.

Sensing this, Namgung Il-jun quickly added.

“There will be no accidents like before. I guarantee it with my name.”

“With the guarantee of the Sword of the Middle Heavens, I have no choice but to trust you.”

The martial arts sects don’t interfere with the academy’s affairs.

Constantly shaking this principle is not a good sign.

Namgung Il-jun had prepared for this.

“There were sightings of enemies not far from here.”

“Hmm. Could it be… the Heavenly Destruction Society?”

“The head of the family led the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad to repel them, but we can’t be too careful. We want to be prepared for any eventuality.”

For the safety of the disciples, not just for the sect’s purpose.

With this justification, Jang Cheol-sim couldn’t refuse any longer.

“Understood. You may join us.”

*Thud thud.*

Handing over a brief permit, Jang Cheol-sim spoke with expectation.

“Please take good care of us, Elder Namgung.”

“Don’t worry.”

Thus, a short journey together was decided.

***

*Ding ding ding ding.*

Seeing the carts loaded with supplies arriving, the instructors and disciples cheered.

“That’s a relief.”

“I was really worried.”

Even the usually composed Yeo Mae-hong found dealing with non-martial people quite challenging.

“I thought I was good at mediation, but I overestimated myself.”

Mo Yong So-hye comforted her.

“It’s okay, Instructor Yeo. Only someone like our instructor could handle this.”

“…Why are you picking a fight?”

“It’s true. Normally, people don’t use vagabonds to maintain order.”

“For justice. It was a strategic decision.”

“I heard you took five people you didn’t like and beat them up last night.”

“…Did you see?”

As Cho Un-hwi, at a loss for words, turned to leave.

*Tap tap.*

With light steps, Mo Yong Seon-ya appeared with a frown.

“Sister?”

“Sister!”

Yeo Mae-hong and Mo Yong So-hye stood up, but stopped when they saw who followed her.

“Haha. Here you are.”

Following Mo Yong Seon-ya were Namgung Il-jun and five members of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad.

With a slightly sharp tone, Mo Yong Seon-ya introduced them.

“This is Elder Namgung, the Sword of the Middle Heavens, and Namgung So.”

Namgung Il-jun and Namgung So stepped forward.

“We meet again.”