Book 11 Chapter 12

Is God currently out?

"Gasp! You!"

The person whose mouth gaped so wide it was a wonder his jaw didn't dislocate was Jang Woo-yang, the head of the Jungyang Express Company and the "Eighteen Swords."

"Oh, Buddha! Jade Emperor, all the gods of heaven and earth, are you really up there in the sky?"

What kind of fate is this? There is a theory that fate, a type of cause and effect, exists in the world. Of course, this fate is considered a change brought about by divine harmony. Today, Jang Woo-yang harbored a impure thought, wondering if he would become a disbeliever who couldn't believe in God's existence. There's no point in believing in God if He doesn't help. He was still a materialistic person who believed in God and hoped for a reward in return. However, this applies to most people, so it's hard to blame him alone.

People believe in God because they have something they wish for, big or small, and that's why religion exists. If there were no desires or wishes, religion might not have existed in the world at all.

"Yo, it's been a while."

Bilyeon raised one hand slightly and greeted him warmly. However, Jang Woo-yang, who was already half-stunned, couldn't properly return the greeting. He was in no state to do so.

'Cough!'

His stomach churned. Jang Woo-yang rummaged through his belongings for the Hwang Family Secret Medicine, the Hwang Family Stomach Medicine, which must have been gathering dust due to lack of use for the past few months. People couldn't understand why Jang Woo-yang, the esteemed head of the Jungyang Express Company, which was so successful that it threatened the firm reputation of the Central Express Company, the largest express company in the Central Plains, would show such deference to a young man with no reputation or background.

Doesn't it look like a servant attending to his master? It was a mystery. Jang Woo-yang, barely regaining his senses, first exchanged greetings with Bilyeon, and then greeted the familiar members of the Vermilion Bird Squad. They had a special bond as comrades who had shared life and death together.

Only then did Bilyeon, sensing too many eyes on them, signal to Yeomdo, who dismissed the escorts by telling everyone to go into the guest rooms and rest. Geuggi and Goyak also returned to their rooms without exchanging a single word.

Now, only Bilyeon, Yeomdo, Binggeom, and Jang Woo-yang remained in the dining room.

"By the way, what brings you here? It's unusual for you to come in person."

The reason Jang Woo-yang was here? It was undoubtedly for an escort mission. However, if the head of the Jungyang Express Company, which had rapidly expanded over the past two years to have 18 branches throughout the Central Plains, came in person, it meant it was an extremely important escort mission. Thus, Bilyeon was showing interest. His instinct for financial matters, one of his key senses, was reacting keenly.

"Did you arrive today?"

Although Bilyeon's question was casual, Jang Woo-yang's expression visibly darkened.

"Actually, I've been staying here for three days already."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"Whoa?"

The word "three days" elicited surprised reactions from all three. It was an escort mission that required utmost urgency and speed. Safety and speed were the lifeblood of an escort mission. However, staying in one place for three days with nothing to do implied that a grave problem had occurred.

"Is there anything particularly noteworthy?"

"Actually, tomorrow we have to cross a large and dangerous mountain."

His words were clearly not about the difficulty of hiking. Bilyeon looked surprised at Jang Woo-yang's answer.

"Hmm! It's clearly not that the mountain path is rough and difficult to climb, surely you're not afraid of some mere bandits, are you? Now?"

Bandits were a familiar presence in escort missions, like a wife complaining about money, asking for a toll. Hearing Bilyeon's words, Yeomdo scratched his arm.

"Are you trembling in fear of mere petty bandits? It seems all the rumors about the Jungyang Express Company, which prioritizes trust and guards lives with their lives, were just rumors. As expected, rumors can't be trusted."

"Hoo… If it were ordinary bandits, there would be no problem. We could negotiate passage with most large bandit strongholds. However, the owner of the mountain I have to cross this time is someone with whom no such negotiation is possible."

"Why? Are you expecting the King of the Green Forest?"

Yeomdo asked in a sarcastic, joking tone.

"Yes! Exactly."

Jang Woo-yang nodded without hesitation.

"What?"

Yeomdo involuntarily raised his voice.

"That's right. The King of the Green Forest has declared his hunting season. Once the green wolf flag, signifying the hunting grounds of Im Deok-seong, the King of the Green Forest, is raised, one cannot cross that mountain with ordinary resolve."

"What is that? And who is Im Deok-seong?"

Bilyeon asked. He vaguely remembered hearing something about it during his general knowledge class on the current martial arts world. Definitely…

"The King of the Green Forest, Mad Wind Wolf Im Deok-seong, is the chief of the seventy-two bandit strongholds and the overlord of a hundred thousand bandits. He usually rests in his stronghold and doesn't lay a finger on passing travelers, only moving when it's his designated hunting season. We were unlucky enough to fall within his hunting season and territorial rights. Normally, he doesn't operate during this time, but for some reason, he has decided to. However, we cannot turn back… The most important thing is that we must cross that mountain tomorrow, no matter what. That dangerous mountain where the wolf is baring its jaws and waiting."

Jang Woo-yang looked extremely worried.

"What about the reward?"

Bilyeon asked directly.

"Excuse me?"

For a moment, Jang Woo-yang couldn't understand what Bilyeon was asking.

"I'm asking what kind of reward you can promise if you help us cross the mountain safely. In exchange for the safety of the escort mission!"

Suddenly, Jang Woo-yang's face lit up. He had made his own preparations during the three days he spent here, but he had no confidence at all. However, if Bilyeon and the representatives from the Chunmu Academy accompanied him, he would have no fear, even of the King of the Green Forest.

"Th-then… please don't worry about the cost at all. If you help me cross the mountain safely, I will generously compensate you. We absolutely must cross the mountain tomorrow. We can't delay any further. But…"

Jang Woo-yang paused and turned his gaze towards Yeomdo. He was doubtful whether Yeomdo, as the leader, would permit it. This was a natural reaction for Jang Woo-yang, who was unaware of the hidden relationship between Bilyeon and Yeomdo. However, Yeomdo nodded almost immediately without any objection. It was a sign of acceptance.

"Since we're going that way anyway, there's no harm in having company. Besides…"

He had heard that Im Deok-seong, the King of the Green Forest, was a master of the domineering "Mad Wind Wolf Sword Style." A sword technique that reigned over a hundred thousand bandits… As someone who wielded a sword, he found it quite interesting.

"Then it's a deal."

Bilyeon smiled brightly. Jang Woo-yang suddenly felt as if he had met a savior. His despairing heart was instantly filled with happiness.

"So, what happened?"

The story unfolded. Jang Woo-yang began to explain his situation in detail from the beginning. To summarize the situation…

"So, the largest express company in the Central Plains is the Central Express Company, and the Jungyang Express Company is in a life-or-death competition with them, and because of that, you have to arrive safely at your destination before the Central Express Company. In order for the Jungyang Express Company to become the number one express company in the Central Plains."

"That's right."

Jang Woo-yang nodded, impressed by Bilyeon's clear explanation.

"And the destination?"

"Hwasan."

The reason for the express company's destination being Hwasan was that a major event, the Hwasan Accord Meeting, was being held once every ten years, attracting a huge number of people and merchants hoping for a big windfall, and the cargo was concentrating towards that location. Money naturally followed the flow of goods and people.

A dark, secluded room.

A secret location not far from Sunpyeongru.

"The communication?"

"Preparations are complete. The snare is already set."

"And the cleanup?"

"It's perfect. They will never hear the testimony of a witness."

Jeokhyul nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. Continue the pursuit as planned. Do not intervene no matter what. End of order!"

As soon as his command was given, countless shadows disappeared into the darkness.

"What is it?"

Daegongja asked Chisahan, who opened the office door and entered.

"A report has just arrived stating that contact will soon be made with the white deer and the wolf. Everything is proceeding as planned."

"I hope they don't get wiped out. The stage needs actors."

A cold smile appeared on Daegongja's lips.

"There was another additional report. A minor variable has occurred."

"A variable?"

Daegongja did not like variables that appeared regardless of his intentions. They were merely obstacles to formulating a perfect plan.

"Yes, a cute silver fox has joined the herd of deer. How about a silver fox pelt?"

Daegongja flinched at Chisahan's report, which was delivered with an obvious smile.

"…"

Daegongja said nothing. A deep silence fell between the two for a moment. Chisahan flinched at Daegongja's unexpected reaction.

'Damn it… did I make a mistake?'

If so, it wouldn't be fun. Cold sweat trickled down his spine.

"Shall we… hunt?"

Daegongja shook his head from side to side.

"We will postpone the fox hunt for now."

"Understood. For the time being, we will focus all our efforts on monitoring their movements."

Chisahan let out a sigh of relief inwardly. After Chisahan left, he quietly stared into the empty darkness.

Daegongja's eyes began to glow coldly from the abyss.