episode_0534

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Dongho Dong.

A lake that boasts an overwhelming size even among the vast territory of the empire. Dongdong Lake, fed by the waters of the Yangtze River, was so large that it could be better described as a sea on land rather than a lake.

There were always numerous boats floating on Dongdong Lake, regardless of day or night.

This was because boats floated during the day to enjoy the scenery of Dongjeong Lake, and people who enjoyed boating floated boats at night.

midnight.

The depths of Dongjeong Lake where you can’t even hear the sound of wind music or laughter from the boating boats.

Sigh. Okay.

Four ships docked.

Those gathered on the deck of the ship were half-hidden in the dim moonlight, but the ferocity felt even though only half of their appearance was revealed was unusual.

A man with a scar so large that even the moonlight could not hide it opened his mouth.

“It’s nice to see you guys after a long time.”

“That’s right. Everyone was alive and not dead.”

“Hehe, if I die when business is doing well these days, I can’t even close my eyes because it’s so unfair.”

The expressions on the faces of the enemies who were constantly exchanging updates were light.

Jundong of blood religion.

From the perspective of Dong Dong-ho’s enemies, Hyeol-gyo’s actions were like a thunderbolt in the dry sky.

With the rise of Sectarian factions all over the world and the shrinking of political factions, passage became dangerous at once, so everyone refrained from traveling, and as a result, the number of tourists visiting Dongdong Lake dried up.

Even so, the people who visit the Dongdong Lake and launch the boats did not disappear, but because the world was in turmoil, most of them were accompanied by unmanned people, and unlike before, the money in their pockets was not enough.

There were fewer prey and the risk had risen significantly, but profits had also decreased, so Dong-ho Dong-ho’s enemies had no choice but to continue living a very difficult life.

It’s been a while since I tightened my belt like that.

Not long after the Cult of the Heavenly Demon appeared in the world along with Noegeomnangin, the Great War of Mosan broke out, the Blood Cult fell, and the spirits of the Blood Cult spread throughout the world and the forces of the four factions that had gathered around the spirits collapsed at the hands of political factions in various places.

It was truly the end of chaos. People around the world were happy and began to enjoy peace again. Dongdong Lake was crowded with people who had given up on tourism due to the chaos in the world, so naturally, the enemy forces also had no choice but to welcome the boom.

When people have ample pockets, they naturally become more relaxed.

That was the reason why the facial expressions of the enemies, who had a brutal appearance, were light.

After chatting for a while, the eyes of the enemies gathered in one place.

“Okay, what is the reason for calling us together at a time when even ten hands and feet are missing?”

“It looks like something big is happening, right?”

Gwangyun, the owner of the Bokcheon ship who received their attention, looked around at the captains of each ship and opened his mouth.

“Are you satisfied with the current situation?”

The captains’ heads tilted at Gwangyun’s unexpected question. There has never been a better time than now, so what do you want to say?

“Your pockets must have gotten fat. But am I the only one who feels that the way we look at our enemies has changed these days?”

“Hmm…”

“Hmm.”

The captains groaned in discomfort at Gwangyun’s words.

In the past, in the martial arts world, enemies and bandits were objects of fear.

But what is the object of fear in this martial arts world now?

It was a blood religion, a spiritual religion, or a religion of the Heavenly Demon.

The blood cult, which felt like it was just something out of a ghost story, used strange techniques to tame a huge spirit creature and attacked the clan, and the blood people threatened the world with their red-faced appearance just like in a ghost story.

Also, the Heavenly Demon Church, which was full of evil rumors that were as evil as those blood religions, appeared in the central plains and destroyed the blood religion, so people felt both relief and fear at the power of the Heavenly Demon Church.

The current reality is that thousands of blood cults, spiritual creatures, and legendary beings run amok as real threats, but who is truly afraid of bandits or bandits?

Dong-ho Dong-ho’s numbers were no longer an object of fear.

The plundering captains felt this fact firsthand.

This was because people who had previously been anxious to donate their wealth felt ashamed or rebelled, believing that their money was being taken away by their enemies.

“Hmph, it’s just a passing wind. Blood school and Heavenly Demon school are just a thing of the past, so it won’t be long before the people of the world will remember our fears again!”

“If you don’t know my subject and give me a disrespectful look, I’ll fall into the water and drink a bowl of water from Dongho Lake to come to my senses!”

The captains, who were pointed out the inconveniences that they had already ignored in order to fill their thin pockets, became angry and glared at Gwangyun.

However, Gwangyun, who was subjected to the fierce force of the three captains, only smiled in triumph.

“So I came up with a trick of mine.”

“…Scheme?”

“In the end, isn’t the reason why we’re being treated like this the problem with the perception that Dongdongho’s numbers are insignificant compared to the Blood Cult or the Heavenly Demon Cult? So, I think we need to make it clear what kind of being we are.”

The captains’ faces frowned. How on earth can you change people’s perception?

“Everyone must have heard the news that Noegeomnangin is currently staying in Agyang.”

“Yes. I heard that because of him, Cheonhomun also entered Bongmun?”

“Why are you so late in spreading the word? When did that happen? These days, they say they are in the government office escorted by some kind of royal inspector.”

“Then, you would also know that Noegeomnangin is staying here in Akyang because of Soyeonhwa of Sogapomokjeom.”

The captains nodded at Gwangyun’s words.

“How about we join forces and kidnap So Yeon-hwa?”

The captains’ eyes widened in surprise at Gwangyun’s words.

“What?”

“Are you out of your mind? Noegeomnangin and his companions are currently staying at Soga Pomok Branch. Are we going to attack a place full of not only Hwagyeong masters but also Transcendence masters?”

“I know that So Yeon-hwa herself is an extremely skilled ice ball expert, but I don’t know if it would be possible to kidnap such an expert.”

“Don’t you know what you said about me? Even taking that into account, I thought it was possible and proposed it.”

“…I’ll see where I hear it.”

“Currently, Noegeomnangin is staying in the coffin. The situation in the coffin is so bad that there are rumors that the governor is also imprisoned, so he will likely stay there for a while. So, it means that only the best experts remain in Sogapomok branch.”

“Still, it is not easy.”

“If it’s face to face, yes. But what if you take the people of Sogapomok Branch hostage?”

hostage?

The captains’ eyes lit up when they heard the word hostage.

“Think of Noegeomnangin’s companions. Naturally, it will be difficult for So Yeon-hwa to resist since her family members have been captured, and Mo Yong-yeon-hwa and Yeo Il-ye are also members of the prestigious political faction, so they will never be able to ignore their hostage. If you catch the hostess, Son Mi-ok, things will be easier.”

“…Indeed.”

“There is only one of us. All you have to do is demand that only Soyeonhwa be given over. If you offer to release So Yeon-hwa in exchange for payment later, there is a high possibility that they will agree to the deal. If you run away to Dongdong Lake like that, things will be easy from then on.”

“Hehehe, I guess so. Even if Noegeomnangin finds out what happened, Cheonhomun will be closed and the government will be in a mess due to inspections, so there will be no place to ask for help.”

“It is a long way for the Noegeomnangin to find us wandering around Dongdong Lake, and even if the worst were to happen, if it were a fight in the water, it would be difficult for the Noegeomnangin, who had learned the Neugeumnang, to use his strength, so he would not be able to survive. I guess there is.”

“If things go well, we can restore our past glory and make a lot of money!”

Gwangyoon looked around at the captains who, unlike before, showed an active willingness to participate in the plan, and opened his mouth.

“Noegeomnangin is likely to return from the government office within a few days. So the days you can work are limited. Since time is running out, the captains should make their decisions right here and now.”

In the dim moonlight, the captains’ eyes crossed and soon the three captains nodded.

“Good. Then, let’s meet at the dock tomorrow.”

“Hehe. That’s right.”

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

The three captains leave with a satisfied look. Gwangyun’s eyes lit up as he watched the three boats disappear with the sound of rowing.

‘So Yeon-hwa…’

Gwangyun recalled the uproar when Soyeonhwa disappeared a long time ago. Thunder-naked Deung Bowie spread a rumor, and the rumor became a catalyst, and all those who had feelings for So Yeon-hwa rushed to aim for So Yeon-hwa, and So Yeon-hwa, who could not bear the commotion, disappeared forever to a place no one would know.

After Su Yanhua completely disappeared, quite a few of those who cared about Xiao Yanhua turned their resentment towards Teng Bowi.

Gwangyun was also one of those people.

The reason such a commotion arose was because So Yeon-hwa thought that not only would she not return to Aeyang easily, but she would probably never return to Aeyang in her lifetime.

However, Deng Bowi was the head of the huge sect Cheonhomun that dominated the area, and Cheonhomun actually drove out those who were hostile to Deng Bowi from Agyang by labeling them as subversive elements.

That was the reason why he, who was a promising young military man at the time, was kicked out of Agyang and became an enemy.

Gwang-yoon, who was living as an outnumbered enemy, suddenly heard the news of Cheon Ho-mun’s visit and the return of So Yeon-hwa…

From then on, Gwangyun aimed for the moment to take over Soyeonhwa.

Even when Zhou Chaek mobilized the government army to put pressure on Sogapomokjeom or when Noegeomnangin entered the government together with the royal inspector, he soothed his nervousness and showed patience.

And when Gwangyun heard the news that Zhou Chaek was imprisoned and Noegeomnangin left Sogapomokjeom, Gwangyun realized that the best opportunity had finally come and gathered his enemies.

The other enemies were fooled by a plausible fake plan and had no idea that Gwang-yoon was targeting So Yeon-hwa. So, you can’t even dream that the mastermind who obtained Soyeonhwa will quietly disappear.

They will be the bait that will allow Gwangyun time to disappear while receiving the anger of the Noegeomnangin.

‘If that happens, I can become So Yeon-hwa’s partner, something I’ve dreamed of for a long time!’

Gwangyoon laughed with a twisted smile.

*** ***

These days, the smile on Son Mi-ok’s face never ceases.

It was only natural that the Cheonhomun gate, which had been so inconvenient, was shattered and even the main policy of committing ridiculous acts was cleaned up.

Moreover, since it was Noegeomnangin and his companions who organized Cheonhomun and the governor, the joy was bound to be doubled.

Squeak!

Seogong is so cute when he returns home covered in dirt, as if he had been digging a lot of ground.

Son Mi-ok thought as she cleaned up the dirt on Seogong’s body.

Now all that’s left is…

“So, when would you like to get married to Daehyup, a nobleman?”

“Ah, Mom!”

“Why are you making such a fuss? This mother is okay even tomorrow, so feel free to say it.”

“Cha-am, I’ll take care of it.”

As the black cat spoke grumpily, Son Mi-ok hugged Seo-gong with a sad expression.

“Whoa, I’m really worried how long you’ll be hesitating like that. I wish I could at least see my grandchildren before I get older…”

Squeak?

“Mom!”

“I’m not deaf yet.”

The black cat gives Son Mi-ok a stinging look, and Son Mi-ok gives a falsely sad smile in response to the black cat’s gaze. Seeing his mother’s prank, the black cat sighed and stood up.

“Ugh, I’ll come back after getting some air for a moment.”

“I guess so.”

The black cat closed the door and took a deep breath. Although I had no complaints about spending all day with my mother, I still felt a little distressed about being locked in my room all day.

Night was slowly coming and it was getting dark, so Black Cat decided that even if Woldamga appeared, he would be the first to notice and hide, so he slowly walked around the inside of the Soga Clothing Store.

After walking for a while, the black cat could see Dokgo Iseol approaching from the other side.

“Were you taking a walk?”

“Yes. This theory is…?”

“Well, patrol.”

When Lee Seol said that it was natural, a look of regret appeared on the black cat’s face.

Even though it was his family’s business, he was just having a comfortable time with his mother and the others were having a hard time.

Of course, this was unavoidable.

There are more than one young man who was captivated by So Yeon-hwa, who was emitting Taeeumgi when he was young, and has been wreaking havoc ever since. The current Black Cat can control most of the Taeumgi, but showing even a weak Taeumgi to such young people or showing its current state would be a way to worsen the current situation.

Dokgo Iseol read the black cat’s apologetic expression and laughed.

“Why do you make such an expression with something like this? At best, dealing with people who have not learned martial arts or whose martial arts skills are only mediocre is something that cannot be warmed up.”

“…Yes.”

“If it were me, if Yeo Il-ye Sojeo or Mo Yong Yeon-hwa Sojeo were to be the security guard of my house, I would be excited and brag about it to the neighbors, right? Look! I am the one whom these people protect! Just like this. So, enjoy this moment more?”

Dokgo Iseol gave up and returned to patrol when the black cat’s expression still did not improve. The black cat also looked at Dokgo Iseol’s back and then went for a walk again.

“After.”

The black cat sighed softly.

Before going out for a walk, Son Mi-ok’s half-joking, half-serious remark about rushing the wedding lingered in my head.

Black Cat clearly put off Hu Cheon-an’s marriage proposal. However, the reason she postponed the proposal at that time was because she was really offended by Ho Cheon-an.

He was complaining because he wanted to receive more love and attention and enjoy Hocheonan’s affection.

However, the reason why the black cat hesitated before the word marriage was different.

What would happen if I were to marry Ho Cheon-an in the current situation?

Heukmyo thought that things that were no different from what was happening at the Soga Clothing Store would continue to happen. Only now has most of the Taeeum period been dealt with, but in the end, the cause remains the same, so problems are bound to arise.

Is it really the right choice to leave these issues as they are and marry Ho Cheon-an? And whenever a problem arises, will you be indebted to Ho Cheon-an and his companions like you are now?

The black cat could not easily give an answer.

The black cat who went for a walk to relieve her frustration had no choice but to end the walk without any relief. Burying his worries deep in his heart, the black cat put on a bright expression and opened the door to the room.

“Mom! Let’s sleep together today!”

“Hehe. So then.”

Pillows were placed side by side on the bed, and the two people lay down covered with a blanket. The black cat snuggled into Son Mi-ok’s arms as if being pampered, and Son Mi-ok hugged the black cat.

The black cat smiled and thought as the warmth warmed her heart. Strangely enough, as I was held in my mother’s arms, I felt like the worries in my heart were disappearing.

The half-asleep black cat made up his mind.

‘When my senior comes back… I’ll tell him honestly how I feel.’

No matter what the outcome is, wouldn’t it be okay to honestly confess the feelings you have in your heart and then… come up with a solution together?

The black cat composed himself and tried to fall into a deep sleep.

“What kind of people are they!!”

I couldn’t help but open my eyes as I heard Dokgo Iseol’s voice echoing through the Soga Pomok branch. The black cat, which quickly got up and checked the activity outside through the gap in the window, was astonished.

In the dark moonlight, people who looked at least dozens of years old were pouring into the Soga Clothing Store with their weapons drawn.

In the middle of the night.

The operation of the numerical coalition began.