V.2 - C.2

By the time the master was sighing and grumbling, Bi Ryu-yeon had already started the convoy journey with the escort agents of Central Armed Escort Agency. The perpetual taker-advantage-of Central Armed Escort Agency by Bi Ryu-yeon. Yet like an insatiable leech, unwearied from repeated sucking whether some blood remained unextracted, Bi Ryu-yeon once again barged straight into Central Armed Escort Agencies merely days ago without even knocking on their front gates. Upon hearing of his arrival, the agency leader Jang Woo-yang immediately rushed out, but seeing that the visitor was not that pesky "Venerable Master" but rather Bi Ryu-yeon with his bare real face not concealed behind the human skin mask he had ceaselessly worn the past 5 months, identifying him became impossible. When a letter later emerged from Bi Ryu-yeon's bosom, Jang Woo-yang seemed tense for a moment before heaving an immense sigh of relief after reading its content. Because there was nothing much of note.

___

This lad is my disciple, please let him tag along on the upcoming journey to Nanchang as an escort. Of course don't forget about paying him an escort's wage, like last time. But in particular, pay him an even fatter sum this time. His capabilities warrant it. He's impossibly formidable. Be careful not to end up in unideal situations if you look down on him.

From Elder 

___

While the letter carried a hint of threat, for Jang Woo-yang, it was something he could readily accept. Isn't it said that humans are creatures who adapt to their environment? Underestimating human adaptability can lead to serious consequences. In some ways, humans possess a tenacity to survive that's even stronger than that of cockroaches. The recent events had seemingly toughened Jang Woo-yang's nerves considerably. Additionally, his stomach seemed to have strengthened as well, as his complexion looked healthier. For Jang Woo-yang, this incident was nothing compared to the previous two. In comparison to the previous cases filled with violence and threats, this situation was trivial.

In fact, Jang Woo-yang almost felt like celebrating with a dance. The last time, the safe transportation of the high-value Goryeo celadon and other items to Nanchang, which was critical for the escort service's fate, was all thanks to them – the disciples of that Venerable Master. Facing two strongholds of the Green Forest's 72 fortresses, just 16 of them had annihilated the enemy with divine might. Had they not been there, the items might not have reached Nanchang safely, and they could have been annihilated on the way. Therefore, Jang Woo-yang was more than grateful when another disciple of Old Man joined his escort mission.

After the last escort mission, the Central Armed Escort Agency seemed to struggle for a few weeks but now appeared to be operating normally. Treating the injured, filling vacancies caused by injuries, and balancing income and expenses had kept the escort service extremely busy. Fortunately, the injuries were confined to the lower-ranked escorts, so filling the vacancies was not a significant issue. It would have been much more difficult if higher-level skilled members had been seriously injured, as recruiting top-tier experts for the escort service is not an easy task.

In fact, following the clash between the Central Armed Escort Agency and the Green Forest's stronghold during the last Nanchang mission, the reputation of the Central Armed Escort Agency had soared, leading to a continuous stream of applicants. This influx included many upper-level skilled individuals, much to Jang Woo-yang's delight. The decision of Bi Ryu-yeon to communicate via letter rather than in person was due to the higher psychological credibility of written words over spoken ones.

No matter if the master of the escort service, Jang Woo-yang, was unfamiliar with Venerable Master's handwriting, it wouldn't have been an issue. Jang Woo-yang held a psychological pressure regarding the existence of Venerable Master, ensuring he wouldn't doubt or defy him rashly.

The reason Bi Ryu-yeon chose not to appear in person, disguised as Venerable Master, was due to the inconvenience it would cause. Appearing as Venerable Master would have stirred up the Central Armed Escort Agency again, which he wanted to avoid. If Jang Woo-yang had harbored any doubts and chose not to believe, Bi Ryu-yeon was prepared to use force if necessary. Thus, for Bi Ryu-yeon, there was no problem at all. In any case, Jang Woo-yang didn't harbor any particular doubts about this matter, and the story progressed smoothly and swiftly.

A few days later, the Nanchang-bound escort mission commenced, and Bi Ryu-yeon set out with the group. The master of the escort service, Jang Woo-yang, also joined this mission personally. In reality, the items being transported weren't significant enough to warrant his direct involvement. However, for Jang Woo-yang, the fact that a seemingly dangerous disciple of Venerable Master was part of the mission was concerning, and more importantly, he had his own business to attend to in Nanchang. He had arranged to meet with the master of Daeho Escort Service, one of the ten major escort services based in Nanchang. Originally, he had many commitments and was planning to depart a few days later, but the schedule was hastily changed due to Bi Ryu-yeon joining the mission. There was a concern about potential issues arising between the new escorts of the service and Bi Ryu-yeon.

After the last incident, the Central Armed Escort Agency had many injured escorts, necessitating the recruitment of many new escorts. It was the only way to keep the service running smoothly, as so many had been injured. It was a miracle that there were no fatalities, and expecting more would have been unreasonable.

However, there was a silver lining. Not only due to the many injuries, but also thanks to the successful transportation of the Goryeo celadon, the escort service received a substantial amount of money as a reward, enabling them to expand their operations. With their reputation enhanced for having demolished two of the Green Forest's 72 fortresses, the escort service was inundated with an overwhelming number of applicants and numerous requests for escort services, keeping them extremely busy.

However, most of the new recruits at Central Armed Escort Agency were unaware of the past incidents involving Venerable Master. Thus, nobody could predict what might happen. Currently, rumors were circulating in the martial world, spread by storytellers and gossipers, that the Central Armed Escort Agency harbored incredibly skilled masters who secretly protected the cargo. However, very few in the martial world knew the truth. The 16 of them kept silent, and so did everyone at Central Armed Escort Agency, making the true story known to only a handful. That's why Jang Woo-yang had no intention of revealing the truth to the new escorts. This was especially true regarding the incidents involving Venerable Master and his disciples. He had even issued a strict order within the escort service to keep everyone silent on the matter. Anyone who spoke out of turn was to be dealt with severely.

Therefore, it was understandable that the new recruits were oblivious to the delicate relationship between the Venerable Master, his disciples, and the Central Armed Escort Agency. This uncertainty over what might happen during the journey was a source of concern for Jang Woo-yang, which is why he decided to advance his schedule and join this particular mission.

Nonetheless, in the martial world, it was widely believed that entrusting cargo to the Central Armed Escort Agency was safer than any other escort service. With such a reputation, Jang Woo-yang was joyously contemplating that it was only a matter of time before his service would compete for the top one or two spots among the central ten major escort services. However, even amidst this happiness, a new worry weighed heavily on his mind as he embarked on this journey – a concern about his son.

***

Please, Don't Mess with That Guy

Jang Woo-kang was filled with dissatisfaction. A lot of it.

This dissatisfaction had been accumulating and piling up inside him,

reaching a critical point where it was on the verge of exploding –

just a half step away from a severe crisis.

His discontent began to stack up harmoniously when he returned home for the Lunar New Year holiday from the sect and then joined this escort mission. It's a common occurrence among young people, especially those in their energetic twenties. Their minds become rigid and less functional, while pride, born from a mix of arrogance and conceit, grows immensely, making them unaware of their own limits.

Some people ask about the difference between arrogance and conceit. The only answer one can give is that they differ by a 'hair's breadth'. Arrogance refers to having an overbearing attitude, while conceit means boasting about oneself arrogantly. Some might say they sound the same, but that's why people say it's just a 'hair's breadth' difference. Let's not quibble further over this issue.

In the case of Jang Woo-kang, who is currently suffering from a loss of fear, it is no different from what has been explained above. This condition, as just described, is known as 'fearlessness syndrome', or in some cases, 'enlarged gall syndrome', an incurable symptom.

He simply couldn't understand. The fact that his father, who didn't even seem twenty yet, was kowtowing and showing fear towards a milk-scented fledgling was utterly unacceptable and disgraceful to him, a young man full of vigor and bursting with pride. Even while cooped up in the deep mountains at the sect, Jang Woo-kang had heard plenty about the escort service his father managed. All the rumors that reached his ears were incredible and radiant, filling him with immense pride.

Rumors like the 'Invincible Escort Service', 'Guarded by Hidden Masters', 'Annihilating Two of the Green Forest's 72 Strongholds!', 'The Absolutely Safe Escort Service', 'Trash goes in the bin, cargo goes to the Central Armed Escort Agency!' – each one more exciting and praiseworthy than the last. There were even talks that the Central Armed Escort Agency was on its way to becoming the foremost among the central ten major escort services.

It's said that rumors tend to get exaggerated and should be taken with a grain of salt. But even after downplaying them, they were still astonishing. Yet, Jang Woo-kang believed these rumors outright, without any skepticism or reduction, so one can imagine how high his self-esteem was.

With the spread of these rumors and the rising status of the escort service, Jang Woo-kang's own pride soared. His heart was soon brimming with arrogance and conceit, to the point of overflowing. Even when he came down from Mount Qingcheng during the New Year after getting permission from the sect, his heart was still filled with this pride and arrogance.

Jang Woo-kang, a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, which held a significant position among the nine major sects and was carving out its influence in Sichuan, was an integral part of this prestigious lineage. His father, Jang Woo-yang, had sent him to the distant Qingcheng Sect instead of the Emei Sect, aiming to expand his influence and strengthen his backing in the land of Sichuan. Now, Jang Woo-kang was under the tutelage of the current sect leader, the Jeolwon Jinin, diligently advancing his mastery in the art of the Qingcheng Sword.

However, upon arriving home, Jang Woo-kang sensed something was terribly amiss. He couldn't shake off the feeling that things were not as they should be, an unavoidable instinct. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, he couldn't get rid of this unsettling sensation. It was a kind of premonition, a nagging anxiety. Moreover, this feeling only intensified as he joined the escort mission. The unpleasant feeling nagging at him was all because of one particular escort who seemed to be idling away with ease.

It was clear that this man was no ordinary escort. Jang Woo-kang knew from his father that the man was only accompanying them to Nanchang for this mission. However, his father's cautious attitude when speaking about this man was something his pride could not accept. His self-esteem was on the verge of exploding when his father said that they must not be rude to this man in any way. Moreover, ever since the mission began, this man seemed to do nothing significant. Unlike other escorts, he didn't walk, guard the cargo, or take turns keeping watch at night. He didn't walk on his own two feet but rather lounged comfortably in a carriage pulled by others, living leisurely and idly without doing any meaningful work. This had caused considerable grumbling among the new recruits. Everyone was discontented with this odd man receiving special treatment.

For those who had never seen an escort service crumble, there seemed no valid reason for this man to receive such special treatment. He didn't possess a status to justify it, hadn't demonstrated any remarkable skills, and moreover, wasn't even a client. To the new recruits and Jang Woo-kang, he was just another young, inexperienced escort. Yet, the other leaders and veteran escorts, including his father, didn't utter a word of criticism or guidance towards him. It was as if everyone had agreed to turn a blind eye towards this man. In his presence, everyone seemed to be treading on eggshells.

Jang Woo-kang was keenly aware of this odd atmosphere pervading the entire mission. And at the heart of this strange vibe was this young brat. He couldn't stand him. The man did nothing but laze around, yet he was treated with the utmost respect. He always dined face-to-face with his father, Jang Woo-yang, the master of the escort service, and the quality of his meals and diet was always top-notch.

Despite being warned not to meddle, Jang Woo-kang found it intolerable. He disliked the man's attitude, which seemed to treat the Central Armed Escort Agency as mere errand runners or servants. Moreover, as a disciple of the great Qingcheng Sect, he couldn't accept being inferior to such a young and seemingly inexperienced person. Even though he had failed the Cheonmu Academy exam five times due to what he claimed was bad luck and had given up on joining the Academy, he was still someone who had steadily mastered the secret techniques of Qingcheng. The idea of losing to an unknown fledgling was unimaginable to him. At that moment, Jang Woo-kang was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to show this youngster his true capabilities.

Jang Woo-kang's eyes, filled with intense dissatisfaction and murderous intent, were fixed on the figure lounging carelessly to one side. His gaze was like that of a venomous snake, ready to devour its prey, fiercely staring down the leisurely man. His eyes were sharp enough to pierce stone, seemingly about to pounce on his target at any moment.

Watching him anxiously from behind was someone concerned about Jang Woo-kang's state. It was Flash Spear's Deung Yeo-ho, the deputy leader of Central Armed Escort Agency and the younger brother of the chief escort. Deung Yeo-ho's eyes were filled with worry and impatience as he watched Jang Woo-kang, who seemed like a ticking time bomb. He cautiously called out to Jang Woo-kang from behind.

"Young Master?"

"What?"

Jang Woo-kang turned around sharply, his eyes blazing with anger. Despite being the son of Jang Woo-yang, the master of the escort service, he had no special position within the escort service itself. Therefore, it was inappropriate for him to be so rudely dismissive towards Deung Yeo-ho, the deputy leader in charge of most operational aspects of the escort service. Deung Yeo-ho's older brother, Deung Yeo-woon, was acting as the representative in the absence of Jang Woo-yang at the Sichuan Central Armed Escort Agency. Since the escort service required management in the master's absence, the older brother stayed behind while Deung Yeo-ho accompanied the current mission. Thus, even as the master's son, Jang Woo-kang shouldn't have been so discourteous to someone of Deung Yeo-ho's standing. From this behavior, it was easy to conclude that Jang Woo-kang was a rude person with a severe lack of manners.

"Please, restrain yourself."

"What for?"

Jang Woo-kang's insolent response to the elder's kind and cautious advice was a clear sign of his severe lack of basic manners and etiquette. In the escort service, regardless of Jang Woo-kang being the son of the agency leader, he was expected to observe at least the minimal courtesies, especially towards those in higher positions. The title of 'Young Master' was more of a formal designation rather than an actual position of authority. Even as the master's son, this principle remained unaltered. Deung Yeo-ho, who had watched Jang Woo-kang grow up, let this rudeness slide. Internally repeating the character for 'patience' several times, Deung Yeo-ho spoke to Jang Woo-kang.

"Please restrain that intense and aggressive look in your eyes."

"Why should I? Should I grovel before that mere brat?"

"But, Young Master! Everyone is feeling uneasy. The atmosphere of this mission could turn explosive at any moment. Don't you see? Please hold back, Young Master. The escorts are anxious too."

"Why should I care about their feelings?"

"It's the proper attitude for someone who will one day lead the escort service."

Despite Deung Yeo-ho's reasonable words, Jang Woo-kang was not willing to concede.

"I don't like it, not one bit. Why is everyone in the escort service bowing down to that nobody? Why are they afraid of him? Who is this Venerable Master anyway… Ugh!"

Suddenly, Deung Yeo-ho urgently covered Jang Woo-kang's mouth.

"Please be more careful with your words. I'm afraid it might lead to serious trouble."

It was a plea for self-restraint from the Young Master.

"Mmph… Mmm… Mmphhh…"

The Young Master struggled.

"Don't raise your voice carelessly. It could lead to a big problem. There are some things in this world that shouldn't be said."

Deung Yeo-ho looked at Jang Woo-kang with caution, holding his mouth shut more firmly. It was an act to give him time to calm down.

"..."

"...…"

"..."

"…"

Jang Woo-kang's face turned progressively redder, and as more time passed, it even started showing shades of blue.

"Oops!"

Realizing that his large hand was simultaneously covering Jang Woo-kang's mouth and nose, Deung Yeo-ho hastily removed it.

"Phew, huff huff huff. I almost suffocated to death. Who exactly is this person that everyone trembles in fear of? Huff huff huff."

After catching his breath, Jang Woo-kang questioned, almost accusingly. Fortunately, he hadn't died of asphyxiation, sparing Deung Yeo-ho from an attempted murder charge.

"Just because."

"Eh?"

Deung Yeo-ho remembered the incident when he and his brother, Deung Yeo-woon, had jointly attacked Bi Ryu-yeon, disguised as Venerable Master, and had been knocked unconscious. Such a splendid record often comes with lessons learned and experience gained. Since that incident, a mix of fear and slight awe towards Venerable Master had taken root deep within Deung Yeo-ho's heart. Moreover, the relationship between the escort service and Venerable Master was something he couldn't disclose carelessly, as per the master's strict instructions to never tell his son. The father did not want to expose his shame or weaknesses to his son. However, unbeknownst to the father, his son, Jang Woo-kang, was not even thinking of bending his foolish pride. For Deung Yeo-ho, watching this was extremely frustrating.

"So, for such a trivial reason, I should respect that nobody? Say something!"

'It's all for the safety of the escort service. Even for your life!'

But Deung Yeo-ho couldn't express these inner thoughts outright. He had no choice but to remain silent, and their conversation eventually reached a stalemate. It was a dialogue that made no progress and yielded no results.

Deputy Leader Deung Yeo-ho had accompanied the escort service during the previous mission involving the transport of Goryeo celadon. It was unthinkable for such a skilled individual not to participate in such a crucial mission. During that mission, he owed his life to one of Venerable Master's disciples. Facing a wave of bandits, black as spilt ink, 16 people stood firm to hold them off. Despite the ironclad defense of these 16, they were outnumbered. To counter the enemy's attempt to flank their defense line, he and his brother, Swift Spear Deung Yeo-woon, fought at the forefront. It was a given responsibility and duty for a skilled individual to demonstrate their worth and capabilities in such critical situations.

However, their skills were insufficient to withstand the unending waves of enemies, like a pack of dogs. Exhausted from fighting, Deung Yeo-ho made a critical mistake, dropping his spear and facing certain death. At that moment, a stone thrown by Tang Cheol-young saved his life. This stone pierced through the danjeon of a bandit wielding a huge sword, who was about to deliver a fatal blow to him.

Of course, the bandit collapsed with a loud scream, and Deung Yeo-ho was able to rise and grasp his spear again. It was a narrow escape from death and a life-changing event for him. Thus, Deung Yeo-ho had firsthand experience of their extraordinary abilities in a life-and-death situation.

Although arrogant, the person lounging nonchalantly was also a disciple of Venerable Master. Therefore, Deung Yeo-ho couldn't help but worry about the Young Master's brash intentions to confront him. Moreover, this person was said to be one of the Venerable Master's favorite disciples. Imagining the outcome of a confrontation between them was not hard to predict. Hence, Deung Yeo-ho had no choice but to vehemently dissuade the Young Master. He had to intervene; he couldn't allow the nightmare of the past to repeat itself.

However, managing the boiling blood of a 20-year-old was a task too heavy for someone in his late 40s. Age and experience, symbolized as a sword and shield, were like toothless tigers or rusted antiques when it came to quelling youthful impetuosity. Deung Yeo-ho's efforts ended up as futile struggles, and Jang Woo-kang continued to burn with needless hostility born from arrogance and conceit, glaring malevolently at Bi Ryu-yeon.

Carefully, Deung Yeo-ho unwrapped a blue cloth from around his waist and took out a small pill. He cautiously chewed and swallowed it. While soothing his chest… This pill was the 'Huang Family Secret Stomach Medicine', specially ordered from Physician Huang, who was renowned for his medicinal skills in Sichuan and had become the regular personal physician of the master, Jang Woo-yang.