Book 12 Chapter 17

The Encounter Between Zhongyuan Express and Zhongyang Express

- Mortal Enemies

Returning to the Plum Blossom Inn located in the center of the main road's three-way intersection, after finishing their outing and with an unexpected companion, they saw that one side of the village was bustling with commotion.

Curious villagers were already rushing towards the center of the disturbance. Naturally, the attention of Bilyeon and his group was also drawn there.

It was a procession. Several warriors on sturdy brown horses were leading a long line. Judging by the many carts following them and the armed men walking alongside, protecting the carts, it was clearly the escort of a renowned express company.

They had placed flags on each cart to announce their affiliation and identity. The Yeonhwageomgi, with a lotus and sword embroidered on a blue background. Bilyeon and his group knew very well whose symbol that flag represented.

At the front of the procession, leading the line on horseback, was a man of imposing build. It was undoubtedly Jang Wooyang, the sect leader of Zhongyang Express, known as the Eighteen Swords.

"A bit late," Bilyeon muttered to himself, watching. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. His head tilted a little. The man in the straw hat riding alongside Jang Wooyang had not been part of their group originally. It had been less than thirty cycles of the sun and moon since they had met and parted, so he remembered it clearly.

Judging by the silver beard swaying in the shadow of the straw hat, it was clearly an old man. And it looked like a beard he had seen before. He had a strong feeling that he had met him somewhere in the past, that he was not a complete stranger.

"Who could it be?"

As Bilyeon pondered, flipping through the pages of his memory. Just then, another commotion began to erupt from the opposite side of the main road. That was the west road, directly opposite to the Zhongyang Express procession.

Moreover, this commotion was much louder and more boisterous than the one from Zhongyang Express. The sound of dozens of cartwheels rolling on the ground echoed like the gentle sound of waves. Even from the thickness of the sound heard from afar, they could sense that the approaching procession was extraordinary.

At the center of the three-way intersection, Jang Wooyang raised his right hand, and the Zhongyang Express procession slowed down. Jang Wooyang, walking slowly with his son following, rode side-by-side, waiting for something to approach.

Eventually, the gentle sound of waves grew louder and louder. Along with the sound of a few horses' hooves, the sound of many footsteps could be heard. The synchronized footsteps, like a military march, were full of power and quite intimidating.

Emerging from the crowd on the opposite west road, their appearance was strikingly similar to that of Zhongyang Express. Judging by their appearance, it was clearly the escort of another express company. However, they possessed a more dazzling and more powerful presence than the Zhongyang Express procession.

The one at the front looked very young, clad in splendid brocade, adorned with various jewels around his waist, and wearing a dazzling sword inlaid with gold and silver, riding a snow-white horse.

"Is that guy dying to show off his wealth?"

Bilyeon looked at the young man in brocade with a displeased gaze.

To Bilyeon, whose philosophy was, 'Money is not meant to be shown off, but to be hoarded secretly like accumulating strength!', such attire was extravagance and useless ostentation. He believed that a sword adorned with gold and jewels would not make its swordsmanship stronger.

Their black flags, fluttering in the wind, were embroidered with a very special symbol: a golden bull. The golden bull, embroidered with gold thread on a black background, was the unique emblem of Zhongyuan Express, the foremost express company in Zhongyuan.

The escorts guarding the carts were all upright, of imposing build, and exuded an overflowing aura. Their spirit was far beyond that of ordinary escorts.

"Ho ho ho, to use such people as mere escorts would be a waste of manpower and money? What precious cargo could they be transporting to hire such individuals as escorts?" the old man mused, unable to comprehend. These were people who could easily achieve the rank of head escort in any express company in the world. As the two processions, which had been approaching the Plum Blossom Inn where Bilyeon's group was staying, came closer, they both stopped simultaneously.

The road was narrow and the processions were large. This meant that the road was too narrow for both processions to pass at the same time. The north road was still available, but it seemed no one wanted to go that way.

"This is going to get interesting!"

With a smile gracing his lips and eyes full of excitement, Bilyeon focused his attention on the unfolding events. From now on, it was a battle of pride between the two express companies. Feeling the rising tension, Bilyeon decided to think about the old man with the silver beard later.

Leaving his group behind, the young man on the white horse and a Taoist priest, seemingly assisting him, walked out together. As if deciding his position, the Taoist priest took a stance half a step behind the young man.

Jang Wooyang looked at his son and said, "That's the Junior Sect Leader over there, so you go."

He couldn't face the Junior Sect Leader himself as the Sect Leader. Even though Zhongyang Express was smaller in scale than Zhongyuan Express, it had now become one of the four major express companies in Zhongyuan. They could not be ignored or undervalue themselves. Of course, he could not deny that a sense of inferiority complex was also at play behind this action.

When the son of the Sect Leader stepped forward instead of the Sect Leader, Zhongyuan Express's successor, Jong Muyun, the Junior Sect Leader of Zhongyuan Express, frowned slightly with the displeasure of being looked down upon, but quickly smoothed his expression.

"Hahaha, it's been a while. Head Escort Jong."

From atop his horse, Jang Woogang performed a fist-and-palm salute to Jong Muyun, the Junior Sect Leader of Zhongyuan Express, and said. The sons and daughters of sect leaders working in the same express company industry, even if they were sons of sect leaders, did not call each other 'Junior Sect Leader', 'Young Master', or 'Young Hero'. Instead, they invariably addressed each other as 'Head Escort'. This was more of a symbolic title than an actual position.

"It's been a while, Head Escort Jang. How is Sect Leader Jang? It seems like it's been since your father's 70th birthday banquet?"

To this Junior Sect Leader, Jang Woogang seemed to be nothing more than a passing breeze. Jong Muyun received Jang Woogang's greeting perfunctorily and quickly engaged in conversation with Jang Wooyang, as if Jang Woogang was not even in his sight.

"We received great hospitality then, thank you."

Having no choice but to answer the question, he reluctantly replied. Jang Woogang's face turned red as if he had heated coal. Jang Wooyang gestured to his son with his eyes to stop him. Indeed, he felt he was still lacking compared to this young, cunning fox.

His son, Jang Woogang, was completely out of place, like a sack of rice borrowed and left in the field. Believing that he could not escape from the shadow of Zhongyuan Express like this, Jang Wooyang felt his passion for his child's education ignite like a flame and secretly resolved to provide more thorough and strict education for his lacking son.

"And who is that?"

Jang Wooyang pointed to the tall, well-built warrior standing next to Jong Muyun, exuding an imposing aura. Judging by his demeanor, he was at least a chief escort or higher. Realizing his oversight upon being pointed out, Jong Muyun hastily made an introduction.

"Ah! My apologies for the late introduction. This is Song Chaek, the Chief Head Escort of Zhongyuan Express, known as the Northern Wind Saber, Chief Head Escort Song."

Only then did Jang Wooyang's expression change to surprise.

"Ah! One of the Eight Chief Escorts of Zhongyuan Express! I have heard your reputation."

"You flatter me," Song Chaek replied politely. However, his voice was somewhat curt. Zhongyuan Express, recognized as the top express company in the martial arts world, had eight chief head escorts positioned above all its escorts (including branch leaders). The martial arts skill of each of these individuals was renowned for being top-tier. They held a much higher status within the industry than the sect leaders of ordinary medium-sized express companies.

They were the so-called 'dream of escorts'. It was said that they never failed when they embarked on an escort mission (whether this was true or not was another matter).

'I heard they don't even take on special class one escorts these days, so to have him out here, what treasure are they transporting?'

Jang Wooyang felt uneasy. He was curious but could not ask directly. They had competed with Zhongyuan Express in the speed of their escorts, not in the value of the goods they carried.

Another point that troubled him was that Song Chaek, a prominent figure in the industry, had been standing a half-step back like an aide, entrusting all conversations to Jong Muyun from the beginning. Furthermore, there was no sign of any dissatisfaction with Jong Muyun taking the lead in all situations.

'Is this young sect leader so skilled that he commands genuine admiration and loyalty from him? Or is it simply the prestige of Zhongyuan Express?'

However, Jong Muyun was confident and composed, even with one of the Zhongyuan Eight Chief Escorts acting as his aide. He couldn't help but compare him to his own son, who was still lacking. His passion and desire for education had just doubled.

While momentarily burning with the fervor of education, Jang Wooyang looked around the Zhongyuan Express procession and suddenly noticed something strange. A sharp light gleamed in his eyes.

"Ho ho, it seems there was an accident, wasn't there?"

Upon closer inspection of the Zhongyuan Express procession, the leading group seemed fine, but further back, the carts were scorched in various places, and the ends of several flags were blackened.

Jong Muyun scratched his head and said, "Hahaha, it was quite troublesome. We got caught in a large wildfire on the way. We almost lost all the cargo. It's fortunate that it ended with only minor damage."

Although he smiled and put on a distressed expression, his inner thoughts were not so.

'Why? Are you disappointed that our cargo wasn't completely lost?'

Despite his inner feelings, he did not easily reveal his true thoughts, unlike a young man. At such a young age, he had already mastered the profound art of hypocrisy (表裏不同), where his outward appearance did not match his inner self. This was an essential martial art for someone in business.

Jang Wooyang was no different.

'Yes! Why wasn't it all lost then? What a shame, what a shame… If the fire had been just a little stronger…'

However, the words that came out were as smooth as flowing water, contrary to his inner thoughts.

"Oh, dear. That must have been a hardship. You were truly on the verge of a great calamity. It seems you could have ended up penniless and sitting on the roadside if you had tried just a little harder. Ho ho ho ho!"

Jang Wooyang also displayed a considerable level of mastery in the art of hypocrisy. However, Jang Wooyang's final blow was sharper, showing his seasoned experience. Jong Muyun's temple twitched slightly at Jang Wooyang's sly words.

"Rather than that, I heard rumors that you encountered the King of Greenwoods on your way. Is that astonishing rumor true?"

Jang Wooyang was briefly surprised by Zhongyuan Express's intelligence. At that time, they would have been traveling in the opposite direction, making it difficult to obtain information.

"Hahaha, such a thing did happen. We are simply proud that our escorts were able to escape without any damage to the cargo, even after meeting the King of Greenwoods, whom no other express company can avoid. Soon, there will be no one in the martial arts world who does not know of this incredible achievement and verified creditworthiness."

That 'no other express company' included Zhongyuan Express, of course. Furthermore, Jang Wooyang subtly attributed the credit for the achievement solely to their own Zhongyang Express, boasting implicitly. For this arrogant Junior Sect Leader, who was full of pride in his own express company, this was an infuriating matter.

"Hahaha, your express company was indeed fortunate to have encountered the fearsome King of Greenwoods and yet returned safely… your luck must reach the heavens. You should thank the spirits of heaven and earth."

He was politely saying that if it wasn't luck but skill, it would have been impossible, so stop bragging.

"Tsk tsk, as expected, Head Escort Jong is still young. In this world, only the results matter. No matter how loudly those narrow-minded people chatter, the fact remains that Zhongyang Express safely transported the cargo after meeting the King of Greenwoods."

"Sect Leader Jang won. Tsk tsk, why talk with words when you have a good sharp sword…"

Jang Hong responded to Bilyeon's commentary.

"Indeed, old ginger is indeed spicy."

The smile on Jang Wooyang's confident lips was perceived as a sneer by Jong Muyun. His fists trembled with humiliation. He had to suppress the urge to unleash his killing intent.

'Old raccoon!'

'Foxy fellow!'

Sparks flew as their gazes met. The flames of battle had not yet subsided at all and were still burning fiercely.

"Hey, how long are you going to keep this old man standing on the street?"

As the sparks between the two did not seem to die down, the old man in the straw hat, who was riding next to Sect Leader Jang, grumbled.

"Oh, dear. I apologize, Senior Elder. I am ashamed. But this young friend is blocking the road and won't let us pass. I have no choice but to be rude."

His demeanor showed genuine reverence and respect. Moreover, he seemed almost trembling, showing great deference to the old man. Jong Muyun's gaze naturally turned towards the old man. He was curious about the identity of the old man to whom the 'old raccoon' showed such respect.

"Hey, young friend. Stop glaring like a flounder. Your eyes will spin. Young people these days are becoming more and more arrogant. They don't know how to respect their elders. Isn't that right, Sect Leader Jang?"

The old man subtly called out to Jang Wooyang.

"That is correct, Senior Elder. Your wise opinion is most pertinent."

As if he had been waiting, he chimed in. Jang Wooyang, seeing Jong Muyun's bitter expression as if he had eaten something unpleasant, laughed heartily. He silently thanked the old man in his heart.

Unaccustomed to humiliation, the young man wanted to shout in shame, but he dared not. Considering that Jang Wooyang, the sect leader of an express company, and nowadays even daring to rival the reputation of Zhongyuan Express, showed such respect, this person could not be an ordinary individual.

"What are you staring at blankly? Hurry up and get out of the way! We are people with urgent business."

At the old man's urging, Jong Muyun almost shouted but quickly swallowed it. He then forcibly smoothed his furrowed brow and forced a smile, saying, "Haha… Wouldn't it be more efficient and easier if Sect Leader Jang, whose procession is smaller than ours, kindly made way?"

Was it as they say, "there is bone in the words" (言中有骨)? To Jang Wooyang's ears, that sentence meant that Zhongyang Express, which was incomparable in scale to Zhongyuan Express, should naturally know its place and retreat.

"Ho ho ho, really, why are young people these days so ill-mannered… Tsk tsk tsk, since when did the children of Zhongyuan Express lose their manners! Even your grandfather, Heavenly Escort Jong Muguk, was not so disrespectful in front of me. Did Heavenly Escort teach you to treat elders like that?"

"Um… do you know our great-grandfather?"

Jong Muyun's jaw dropped so wide it looked like it would fall off. He asked in a trembling voice, "My great-grandfather?"

"Hm? Was he your great-grandfather? I knew him a little when he used to follow his father on escorts. He used to come to our mountain often."

By now, he was too surprised to be astonished anymore.

"Elder… Senior Elder, you are…?"

"You are a very curious young man. I have no name to teach you. Ask your great-grandfather later."

"Um, but he passed away ten years ago?"

"Ah! That's right. I had forgotten. Well, then, you can keep on being impudent and ask him when you get to the other world."

It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious. The old man approached Jong Muyun and whispered in his ear,

"People call me… He said. You probably know…"

He intended to say "you probably don't know," but before he could finish, a reaction erupted.

"Hieeeek!"

Upon hearing the old man's short whisper, Jong Muyun was so terrified that his soul felt like it was being ripped out. It was a miracle that he didn't fall off his horse, collapsing backward in shock. He seemed extremely frightened.

"Who in the world could it be?"

Bilyeon was still in doubt, lost in thought.

"Indeed, definitely, surely, this old man! I feel like I've met him somewhere before…" Bilyeon muttered in a small voice. His 고민 seemed to be increasing.

"It's definitely not someone I met in a past life… and not in the next life either…"

It was definitely not déjà vu. It was clearly an encounter in this life.

"Is something wrong?"

Heui-noin, who, like Bilyeon, had been closely observing the psychological warfare between the two express companies, asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just felt like I had seen that old man in the straw hat somewhere before."

"Indeed… Now that you mention it, I also feel like I've met that person somewhere before."

That was the old man's genuine feeling. He really felt like he had met that old man in the straw hat before. However, Bilyeon and the old man's contemplation of their suspicions were interrupted by yet another commotion.