HDCLSSRS Ch 13

Chapter 13 Is This What It Means to Live? (6)

 

Seong Muyeon patted the man on the shoulder and continued speaking.

“The branch leader has already proven his capabilities by capturing even the heir of the great Namgung family. What is there to be afraid of?”

“Seventh young master… Do you perhaps already have a plan in mind?”

The branch leader asked cautiously. He was almost convinced.

Seong Muyeon straightened his shoulders and clasped his hands behind his back. It was important to show a confident demeanor.

He gave a slight nod.

“Of course. And it’s perfect timing. Since the branch leader is holding Namgung Cheonchu captive.”

“Are you referring to Namgung Cheonchu?”

He seemed not to understand.

“Tsks tsks tsks. The branch leader still has a long way to go! Of course, it’s true that we’re not strong enough to capture Baek Ryeoil on our own! But what if we had a hostage? A successor from an important allied family?”

“No way.”

“That’s right. Once we weaken Baek Ryeoil, and then take Namgung Cheonchu as a hostage, he won’t be able to do anything and will be helplessly subdued.”

“As expected…! What a brilliant plan! Indeed. Those foolish orthodox bastards can never spread their wings because of such weaknesses. I’ll make preparations right away!”

“Good, good. Let’s prepare a grand gift for third brother.”

Seong Muyeon and the branch leader exchanged sly smiles.

Of course, their actual goals were completely different, but unaware of that, the branch leader decided to follow Seong Muyeon’s plan.

It was just as preparations were nearing completion. A demon cult warrior dragged someone in.

“Branch leader. I brought someone who was loitering around the area.”

“Huh? Isn’t that a Beggars’ Union tramp?”

He was a beggar wrapped in rags—a face Seong Muyeon recognized well.

‘Honggae!’

Honggae had been thoroughly beaten, his eyelids swollen and bruised.

The branch leader approached Honggae.

“You rascal! What were you doing around here! Are there any other beggars with you?”

Having been caught off guard, Honggae clammed up, his eyes rolling around nervously. Then he spotted Seong Muyeon, and his eyes widened. He recognized a familiar face.

“Se… Se… Seong…!”

Just as Honggae opened his mouth, Seong Muyeon lashed out with a kick.

“Uagh!”

Struck hard, Honggae rolled across the floor.

His shin, which had kicked Honggae, hurt badly enough to bring tears to Seong Muyeon’s eyes, but he held back. No matter how much it hurt him, Honggae probably wouldn’t even find it ticklish.

‘This bastard, trying to sell someone out again!’

Seong Muyeon roughly yanked the dazed Honggae to his feet.

“Answer quickly! What were you doing here!”

With the branch leader and Georyang behind him, they wouldn’t be able to see his face. He silently mouthed words to Honggae to convey his intentions.

‘Say no!’

“…Huh?”

Honggae tilted his head in confusion.

Seong Muyeon felt flames of frustration rising in his chest.

‘This hopeless fool.’

Once again, Seong Muyeon mouthed his words. Honggae squinted hard, trying to read his lips, but it was no use—he couldn’t understand a thing.

Finally, Seong Muyeon shouted out.

“Don’t tell me the Beggars’ Union caught wind of something and sent you! Say you were alone, you tramp!”

Finally understanding, Honggae frantically nodded.

“Ah, ahh… Yes. I was alone. I just needed to use the bathroom and was looking for a good spot, and oh dear, what a mess this is.”

His acting was clumsy, but just passable.

The branch leader, fooled by Honggae’s performance, let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought the Beggars’ Union was attacking, gave me a real scare. Take him! Lock him up with the others! Not a single one should die before the third young master arrives, so give them water and such.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seeing Honggae being dragged away pitifully, Seong Muyeon could only watch quietly.

‘I’ll get you out soon. Hang in there, Honggae.’

“Seventh young master. Preparations seem complete.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Baek Ryeoil suddenly looked around.

“…It’s quiet.”

It was early evening, the sun hadn’t yet set.

The beggars who usually roamed the area and got on his nerves were nowhere to be seen. It seemed all the beggars from the Beggars’ Union had gone to look for Namgung Cheonchu.

Baek Ryeoil scratched his ear.

“Not my business~ someone else’s problem~ I just wanna drink~ ahhh.”

It was downright pitiful.

‘I really should head back to headquarters soon.’

He couldn’t stay here moping around forever.

His little excursion had dragged on unexpectedly long.

‘I’ll go back tomorrow.’

Just as he was thinking that—

Thunk!

Baek Ryeoil’s left hand snatched something from the air. What gleamed beside his eye was the sharp tip of an arrow. He had effortlessly caught the flying arrow.

Baek Ryeoil’s gaze darkened.

In the direction the arrow came from… stood Seong Muyeon.

“…Seong Muyeon.”

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

His blood began circulating rapidly through his body.

His heart pounded violently, and all his nerves sharpened. Like a hawk that had finally spotted its prey after losing track, his eyes lit up.

Baek Ryeoil focused his vision. Seong Muyeon, smaller than a pinky fingernail, stood atop a tree, his clothes fluttering, a faint smile on his lips.

As soon as he confirmed Baek Ryeoil had seen him, he leapt from the tree.

As if to say, “Follow me.”

The previously listless Baek Ryeoil’s face lit up with delight.

Whoosh!

Baek Ryeoil’s figure vanished.

Without a hint of hesitation, he chased after Seong Muyeon.

Though the Ten-Thousand-League Pursuit Incense had already dissipated, the scent lingering in the air seemed to pull him in.

Cutting through the wind, leaving everything behind.

Eyes fixed only on what lay ahead.

Baek Ryeoil chased after him.

“Hiiik! Faster! Run faster!”

Seong Muyeon urged the warrior. Unable to escape alone, he was being carried by a swift-footed warrior. But Baek Ryeoil’s pursuit speed was faster than expected.

Baek Ryeoil, eyes blazing with a terrifying light, was chasing them down like a beast.

“Faster!”

The warrior ran as if his life depended on it.

“Seong Muyeooon! Where do you think you’re going?!”

It was a voice full of agitation. He sounded very angry.

That was good. They needed to lure Baek Ryeoil to the trap.

If they made contact here and the cultists grew suspicious, things would get much harder from then on.

Seong Muyeon’s plan was to draw Baek Ryeoil in so they could rescue the civilians being held in the hideout…

“If you get caught, you’re dead! Hahahahaha!”

“Hiiik!”

He had prepared himself, but it was still terrifying. To be doing something this daring… he would surely pay for it later.

Thankfully, Seong Muyeon reached the clearing where Branch Leader Heo’s subordinates were waiting, just as planned. Baek Ryeoil arrived a hair’s breadth later.

Over a dozen men in black stood between Baek Ryeoil and Seong Muyeon.

“Ho… So you really came prepared?”

Baek Ryeoil’s gaze remained fixed on Seong Muyeon.

“I was right. Shouldn’t have trusted a demon cult bastard. So you approached me for this from the beginning?”

‘You approached me, you crazy bastard!’

Seong Muyeon was indignant. But now there was no denying the evidence laid out.

Seong Muyeon stepped forward boldly.

“Baek Ryeoil! You should never have messed with me! Today, I will turn this place into your grave!”

Spouting such a typical villain line made his face burn. But it was effective. He could hear Baek Ryeoil grinding his teeth from where he stood.

“We’ll see about that. Whether it’s your grave or mine.”

The expression on Baek Ryeoil’s face was so charged it was hard to tell whether he was angry or delighted.

Sching.

Baek Ryeoil drew his sword. At the same time, the other black-clad men attacked in unison.

Baek Ryeoil didn’t let himself be surrounded. He lightly sprang off the ground. Clinging to a nearby tree trunk, he sliced through the first man who charged at him.

Shaaak—!

He then pushed back the oncoming attackers.

“Ugh!”

The black-clad men, caught unprepared, collapsed in disarray. From that moment on, it was hardly worth watching. Baek Ryeoil handled them with ease.

Watching alongside Seong Muyeon, the branch leader stroked his beard.

“Hmm, he really is something.”

At the branch leader’s gesture, Georyang stepped forward with his crescent blade.

“Georyang, wear him down as much as possible.”

“Yes, sir!”

Boom—!

The ground shook, and a cloud of dust rose. When the dust cleared, not a single black-clad man remained standing.

Baek Ryeoil looked at Georyang and scoffed.

“So this is all you prepared? Just this bear of a man?”

“Shut up!”

Georyang swung his crescent blade.

The second line of black-clad defense joined the fray behind him.