Book 28 Chapter 14

A Tense Partnership

―Gastric Perforation

"Ughhhhhh…"

Yumdo, wearing a deep straw hat to hide his face, scowled and gently rubbed the middle of his abdomen with his right hand, as if afraid someone might see.

"What's wrong? Making so much noise?" Binggeom warned in a gruff tone. It was an unspoken warning or perhaps a reprimand, telling him not to draw attention by making strange sounds.

Normally, Yumdo would have immediately bristled at that remark, shouting, "You ice block! Are you done talking?!" and they would have bickered back and forth. But for some reason, Yumdo only scowled deeper and retorted in the same gruff tone.

"My stomach just feels sore, what's it to you?"

He suppressed his anger, knowing that if they argued here, the women's gazes would immediately fly to them. It was truly a miraculous and astonishing thing that Yumdo, whose temper was so explosive it was called a "burning disgrace," was showing such remarkable patience. However… even so, Yumdo wasn't going to let it go at that.

"Hmph, how would a cold ice block like you understand this delicate heart of mine? Someone as insensitive as you probably has a stomach like steel and is perfectly fine."

As Yumdo gazed into the distance and sent a telepathic message, the tip of Binggeom's sharp, cyan-blue eyebrow twitched.

"Your delicacy seems to have all burned away. There's no way you'd have anything so peculiar left."

"What did you say? Are you done talking?"

Despite saying they wouldn't argue, the two were already fighting. However, it was a much quieter, yet intense, undercurrent battle than usual.

"Of course I'm not done. Don't pretend to be delicate all by yourself. It doesn't suit you. No, it's actually unpleasant."

"What did you say?! Want to try me?"

Seeing Yumdo clench his fists and tremble, Binggeom snorted.

"You get angry so quickly again. You really never change. Think about the current situation. What kind of situation are we in. Besides, don't think you're the only one with a hole in your stomach."

"Huh?"

Yumdo's eyes widened as if asking what he meant.

"My stomach already has two or three holes poked in it, long ago."

Yumdo stared intently at Binggeom's face and suddenly sent a telepathic message.

"Then why does your face look so normal?"

A bittersweet smile formed on Binggeom's face as he looked at Yumdo.

"Does this look normal? This isn't normal, it's expressionless. I'm the type who becomes expressionless when I'm in pain. And I used an emergency technique called 'cold pain anesthesia'."

Cold pain anesthesia was a cultivation technique that numbed pain by cooling a part of the body. It was a skill only Binggeom, who had mastered ice-element martial arts to the highest level, could perform.

"Ice block, are you saying you've frozen your own stomach right now?"

Yumdo stared at Binggeom with an expression of disbelief at such an absurd person. Binggeom let out a soft sigh and nodded.

"What else could I do? If I didn't, I would have collapsed clutching my stomach. I wouldn't be surprised if I have more holes in my stomach than you do. My sense of responsibility is different."

Due to his position at the Cheonmu Academy, Binggeom held a much higher status than Yumdo, being a member of the Grand Martial Department. He was in charge of overseeing the martial departments, so his sense of responsibility was exceptional.

"You've ignored the responsibility on your shoulders, but I haven't. Even for her…"

"Stop talking about her!"

Yumdo said with a face that had hardened. He barely managed to suppress a shout. He didn't want to dredge up past wounds at a time like this.

"Alright, I'll stop."

And then the two fell silent again.

A heavy silence hung between them.

Eventually, they began to walk, avoiding each other's gaze.

As expected, they were like ice and fire, never able to mix.

There was one person quietly watching this discordant scene from afar, and that was the Great Emissary in black, Gucheon Hyeonnyeo Muhwa.

That journey was a perilous and nerve-wracking one, enough to poke several holes in Binggeom and Yumdo's stomachs. As time passed, the insides of these two grew increasingly sore.

They could only imagine what kind of trouble they'd be in if Gucheon Hyeonnyeo and the Samdae Nangrangs and Sinma Palsunja discovered their true identities, and they were agonizing and restless.

Binggeom could only hope his stomach would hold out until the end of this journey.

Furthermore, the seemingly light yet meaningful questions from Hyo Hye, thrown in intermittently, were enough to make both their stomachs and hearts plummet.

"For some reason, there are many young people among the escorts at this escort agency."

"We have to nurture many young people. We are a new escort agency, so we are short-handed."

"For being short-handed, the young men have such high spirits and sharp auras. It's quite astonishing."

"Hahaha, they still have a long way to go. Hahaha."

Drip, drip, drip.

Cold sweat flowed down Binggeom's back, even in the height of summer. He secretly shifted his gaze to Gucheon Hyeonnyeo, who was at the front of the group of women, many times. He couldn't feel at ease without checking constantly.

"Indeed, you are a new escort agency that is rapidly growing and sweeping through the central escort agency world. It would be worth investing in."

"Haha, if we could receive investment from the Sinma family, it would be like gaining a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses. If that were to happen, there would be no stopping our soaring momentum."

"That is also because Jungyang Escort Agency has such value. By the way… Director Kwan, you do know that mutual trust is important in investments, don't you?"

Gal Hyo Hye said in a subtle tone, adding weight to her words.

"Of course. Isn't that common sense?"

"Then we shouldn't be deceiving each other, should we?"

Her tone grew lower and more subtle. Binggeom wondered why this woman was acting this way. Gal Hyo Hye's gaze at him seemed to have sharpened.

"Of course."

"Director Kwan, are you truly not hiding anything from us?"

For this moment, Gal Hyo Hye's face, which had held a subtle smile, became infinitely serious. It was enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat. Moreover, her eyes, full of wisdom, seemed to see through people's psychology. It felt as though no lie could escape those eyes.

Binggeom, after barely calming his trembling heart with the Bingbaeksimgyeol, was able to speak in a calm voice.

"What are you talking about? How could that be?"

"Right? How could that be."

Gal Hyo Hye dropped her serious expression and smiled broadly.

Only then could Binggeom quietly sigh with relief. Even this cold ice sword found this woman difficult to deal with.

Like his wife, she had a knack for playing with his cold, frozen heart. Of course, not as much as his wife. The problem was that this woman was a potential threat to them.

"By the way, why do the young men here seem so frail?"

"Do they?"

"Yes, some of them look like women."

Binggeom couldn't help but be startled inwardly.

Was this woman asking out of mere curiosity without suspecting anything, or was she pretending not to know while already suspecting?

If it were the former, he could of course answer, "They're men, hahaha." But if it were the latter… their journey might face a very difficult crisis. While Binggeom was conflicted in his heart, Gal Hyo Hye said with a smile.

"Hoo hoo, isn't it strange? Women can't be escorts. It must have been my mistake."

Binggeom's response came out reflexively.

"Well…"

It was then.

"No, don't deny it!"

Binggeom's words, which were about to unconsciously answer, "Of course it was your mistake," suddenly stopped. He heard a sharp telepathic message pierce his eardrums.

"Admit it. That they are indeed women."

Binggeom realized that the person who had just sent the telepathic message was none other than Biryu Yeon.

Will it really be okay? Should he just follow his words?

While Binggeom was conflicted, the telepathic message was heard again.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

Binggeom became even more worried, feeling like his concern had tripled. Then, Biryu Yeon's telepathic message was heard again.

"That woman's words just now were leading questions, weren't they? A trap to get the answer she wanted by easing your defenses."

Binggeom was surprised by his words.

Indeed, thinking about it, this woman, Gal Hyo Hye, was leading the questions in a way that made it easy for him to say, "It was your mistake."

If she already knew that a large number of women were included in this escort, and she asked such a question, his denial of that fact would itself become conclusive evidence that he was hiding something. It would be like announcing that they were suspicious.

"Why are you silent, Director Kwan? Did I ask a question that's too difficult to answer?"

Gal Hyo Hye's intelligent eyes turned to Binggeom. It was as if she were trying to gauge his every move. Binggeom, who had been in conflict, finally sighed and said.

"Haa, we've been found out. The truth is, these friends are indeed women."

Upon hearing that, Gal Hyo Hye's eyes gleamed.

"Oh my, really?"

She wasn't the only one surprised by that answer. Most of the Cheonmu Academy students disguised as escorts, hiding their identities, were inwardly startled. Yumdo, especially, had his face constantly flushing.

'What is that ice block thinking?'

Yumdo couldn't understand why he was digging his own grave. He wanted to elbow him in the side right then and there.

"Um…"

When he ran out of excuses for what to say next, Biryu Yeon's telepathic message was heard in his ear. Binggeom spoke as if reading from a book, just as Biryu Yeon had said.

"Um… well, this is still a secret, but our Jungyang Escort Agency has a personnel policy that differentiates us from other escort agencies. One of them is hiring female escorts."

Saying it was a secret was a preemptive manipulation to give the impression that it was natural for them to hide it.

"Oh, that's surprising for an escort agency to do something like that."

Perhaps it was something Gal Hyo Hye, as a leading woman in the martial world, would find interesting. Binggeom, seizing the opportunity, added what Biryu Yeon had conveyed.

"Our policy at Jungyang Escort Agency is to hire escorts regardless of gender, as long as they have the skills."

"That's quite a groundbreaking policy."

Binggeom thought to himself that it was a ridiculous policy. If an escort agency actually did this, they would surely be pointed at by all other escort agencies and called crazy. Biryu Yeon's telepathic message continued.

"Indeed, due to its nature, the escort industry has been perceived as work for rough men, but there are many strong female warriors in the martial world who are far stronger than petty men. In fact, you don't need to look far. There are at least ten people with top-tier skills just on this road."

"Oh my, you flatter us. Director Kwan, you are unexpectedly good at sweet talk."

Gal Hyo Hye waved her hand dismissively but her smile seemed pleased.

"In any case, due to our policy, we had no choice but to make them disguise themselves as men, as it is still too unconventional. The public's gaze is not yet favorable…"

"I can understand that."

Hyo Hye nodded, showing she fully understood.

"It's a matter related to the agency's credibility…"

"That's right. If there are women working as escorts, the trust in that agency would drop significantly, wouldn't it? People would think they're so desperate for help that they're employing women."

Binggeom nodded his head vigorously. In fact, even Binggeom, who was speaking, thought to himself, "I wouldn't go to a place like that either." However, the words that came out of his mouth were different.

"That's why we need results even more. This escort is also a trial run, so it must succeed. That way, martial world women will have a wider range of career choices, won't they?"

"I didn't know you had such good intentions. I sincerely hope it succeeds."

"Thank you. With all of you here, what is there to worry about? This escort will arrive in Muchang without any incidents."

"My family should also actively support you. Oh, and I'd really like to see the new female escorts who have appeared in the martial world."

Binggeom couldn't help but inwardly startle. He had to prevent that at all costs.

"Hahaha, I'll make sure to do so later. However, since this is our first escort, it's best not to let our guard down. I don't want to give them unnecessary ideas…"

"Hoo hoo, you are probably the only one who can call the attention of our Palsunja 'unnecessary ideas'."

"Oh dear, I've made a slip of the tongue. I apologize."

"No, I like people who adhere to principles. That's not easy to do. It's a shame I can't see them now, but I'd really like to meet them separately later."

"I will make sure to do so after this escort is completed."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

Due to this one remark made to escape a momentary crisis, Jungyang Escort Agency was truly cornered into hiring escorts based on skill rather than gender. After all, lies were impossible in front of Gucheon Hyeonnyeo.

But that was something to worry about only after surviving. As Gal Hyo Hye gave a slight greeting and returned to where her sisters were, Binggeom and Yumdo quietly sighed with relief.

For now, it seemed they had somehow navigated the immediate crisis.

Binggeom glanced at Biryu Yeon, who was chatting with Na Yerin as if nothing had happened.

Could he, who was by no means eloquent, have navigated this crisis without Biryu Yeon's wit?

Binggeom dared not be certain.

The reputations built by the Sinma Palsunja were immense. Each of them was a top-tier master. Truly, the cub of a tiger was a tiger. Whether male or female, it was still a tiger.

Moreover, they had diligently trained themselves under the 'Samdae Nangrang,' who could be considered the strictest of strict masters. To not tarnish the name of Musinma, to uphold the honor of the Sinma family.

Galsunghyeok, the Musinma, never interfered in domestic affairs. He was too busy secretly extinguishing the remaining embers of Cheongeollyeong to prevent them from flaring up again, and as a result, everything in the Sinma family was entrusted to them.

Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say that the current strong Sinma family owed its existence to the Samdae Nangrang's steel-like support and the efforts of their daughters.

He wished he could detach himself from them and rush ahead to outrun them, but if he did, he would undoubtedly be marked as suspicious.

'And they would catch up quickly.'

He didn't know himself, but the remaining people's lightness skill was such that they couldn't outrun even the Palsunja, let alone the Samdae Nangrang. Yumdo, whose lightness technique was not adept, was also unreliable.

'So slow!'

Therefore, they absolutely could not let it be revealed that they were a rescue party going to rescue Na Baekcheon. Even if it were revealed, they had to strenuously avoid a fight with them. Not only were they strong, but if even one of them were accidentally injured during a fight, the situation could become even more disastrous.

Binggeom sighed inwardly.

'Please, let my stomach hold out until then.'

All he could do now was hope.

As if unaware of his troubled heart, Biryu Yeon, and Myeong, who was fast asleep on the cargo, seemed completely unbothered amidst this high-tension situation.

"That person sleeps soundly no matter what happens."

Binggeom said in a quiet voice, glancing at the cart loaded with cargo.

"I know, it's like they're possessed by a sleep spirit."

Yumdo felt a bit annoyed that he thought similarly, but he didn't show it.

Myeong had remained asleep without waking even when the leader of the Hyeongsan Sip-i-geom appeared, and when Saekma Hwang Chounrak was defeated by Gucheon Hyeonnyeo. It was as if it was none of his business.

'Doesn't have any interest in petty fights? Or is he just slow? Or is he sick with a condition where he'll die if he doesn't sleep?'

Myeong seemed utterly uninterested whether the lustful devils burned, were torn apart by the wind, or were pierced by water. He simply kept sleeping.

'Right, let's just think of it as helping by sleeping.'

Binggeom decided to think positively.

'If he wakes up and wanders around, it could be a nuisance. You never know what he might say.'

It was best to avoid Myeong meeting the Sinma Palsunja if possible.

Fortunately, as Binggeom wished, Myeong's sleep continued until they arrived at Muchang, where the Heukcheonmeng was located.

"We've finally arrived."

Their escort finally reached the main gate of the Heukcheonmeng, of course, along with the women of the Sinma family.

It was a stroke of luck that their identities were not discovered. Now that they could legitimately part ways with them under the pretext of arrival, Binggeom and Yumdo inwardly rejoiced.

Binggeom, who usually didn't show extreme emotions, couldn't help but be happy at this moment. If this companionship had continued for just half a day longer, their stomachs would have developed holes.

"Shall we go then?"

As Iron Heart Jang Iha prepared to lead the escort, a beautiful voice suddenly stopped their steps.

"Wait a moment, where are you all going?"

The owner of the voice that stopped their steps was none other than Dan Hye, Hongnyeon Seonja, the second wife among the Samdae Nangrang of the Sinma family, with hair like crimson silk and striking beauty.

"Well, of course, we're going into the city."

Jang Iha replied respectfully, clutching his pounding heart.

"Hmm? Isn't the South Gate over there?"

Dan Hye pointed to the left with the same finger that had spewed fire.

"Hahaha, we are planning to go through the East Gate from now on."

Jang Iha, who answered, felt his heart pounding madly. Cold sweat dripped down his back.

"The South Gate is closer from here. And at a time like this, only the South Gate is open for outsiders."

Yet, why were they insisting on the East Gate? she asked.

"Hahaha, y-yes, that's true, but…"

Jang Iha replied, scratching the back of his head.

Of course, he wasn't ignorant of such obvious facts. It was clear just by looking. But…!

'What am I supposed to do when the gatekeepers I know are all at the East Gate…'

Jang Iha wanted to cry inwardly.

There were hardly any gatekeepers at the South Gate who had been bribed. There were few people he could count on, who would be "exceptionally" favorable to their escort, at the South Gate. Especially compared to entering the South Gate, where security was more than three times tighter than usual with such a group, it was much wiser to go to the East Gate, where the entry of "unfamiliar outsiders" was prohibited, and receive special favor to pass.

"I guess I've gotten used to going through the East Gate frequently, it's become a habit, hahaha."

As a seasoned martial artist, he tried to somehow escape this situation. He wasn't the head of the district just because his surname was Jang, like Gukju. He had risen to that position because his skills supported it.

"Since we've come this far, why don't we go in together?"

The words "Don't hesitate, go quickly…" were omitted, but it was understood.

"Hahaha, you must be in a hurry to get somewhere, so you don't need to worry about people like us."

'Hahaha, should I go to the South Gate?' Of course, he didn't say such suspicious words, but when Gal Hyo Hye, who was standing next to him, chimed in with a calm voice, Jang Iha's heart felt like it was falling to the ground with a 'thump!'

"Is there perhaps a reason why you can't go to the South Gate?"

Thump, thump, thump. Throb, throb, throb.

His heart began to beat wildly, to the point where he worried about his health. He strongly felt that if this incident ended safely, he would have to change his nickname from Iron Heart to Cotton Heart.

"That is…"

Caught off guard by the direct hit, he was a step late in his response. Twenty-two beautiful eyes turned to his face, gradually showing confusion, and his face began to show a bewildered, ashen complexion.

It was then.

Thump!

The sound of something actually falling was heard from behind the women.

The gazes of the Samdae Nangrang and Palsunja immediately turned behind them.

"Ouch, ouch, I rolled off while sleeping."

The person who fell from the cargo cart to the ground stood up, patting their waist.

'Could it be Myeong? Has he woken up?'

If it were him, the worst situation could unfold. The gazes of the Samdae Nangrang and Palsunja were also fixed on the person who fell from the cart.

What if the Palsunja recognized Myeong, who had been an instructor at Machon Pavilion for hundreds of years?

How would he explain Myeong's presence on this escort? And what would come out of Myeong's mouth?

In an instant, tens of thousands of thoughts swirled through Binggeom's mind. And Binggeom and Yumdo, looking back, quietly sighed with relief.

'When did he get up there?'

The person getting up from the ground, dusting off their dust-covered clothes and feigning pain, was none other than Biryu Yeon. He wasn't the only one sleeping on the cart. The cart he fell from was in front of the cart Myeong was on.

Iron Heart Jang Iha, with his seasoned experience, immediately understood Biryu Yeon's intention.

"You again, secretly napping? I warned you I'd cut your wages if you kept doing that?!"

Jang Iha shouted, pretending to be angry. Biryu Yeon replied with a beaming smile.

"Oh my, please spare my wages. I have to make a living too. Isn't getting tired from escorting commonplace? Come on, let's go into the 'South Gate'."

Jang Iha sighed with relief inwardly, while outwardly clicking his tongue.

"Tsk, it's my fault for arguing with you. Alright, we'll lead the way. Let's go."

Gucheon Hyeonnyeo, who had been observing the situation intently, looked up and down at the young escort who had been sleeping on the cargo during the escort. Even under her gaze, which was like a finely honed sword, Biryu Yeon remained unfazed.

"This child shows promise. Child, are you also an escort here?"

Then Biryu Yeon replied with a smile.

"This is a very precious source of income for me."

His answer was ambiguous, but there was not a single lie in it. Rather, it seemed to shine somehow. Gucheon Hyeonnyeo's lips curved into a benevolent but somewhat lonely smile as she looked at Biryu Yeon.

"You are truly an interesting child."

"I'm often told that."

Biryu Yeon said that without changing his expression.

"I also had a son whose future was promising… and a grandson…"

As sadness spread across her face, Jang Iha and the other escorts felt their breathing become heavy due to the sudden, weighty pressure. Fortunately, the heavy pressure soon vanished because the third wife, Saran, who was next to her, seemed to listen to her muttering.

"There's not just one, but two escorts sleeping on the cargo during an escort… What a surprisingly easygoing escort agency. Is it because of their skill, or lack thereof?"

During this journey, Myeong rarely woke up. And when he slept, his presence was strangely weak. It was as if he didn't exist in this world, leaving only a faint trace of nothingness, making it impossible to detect his presence unless one had extremely keen senses. Jang So Ok sighed and said to the group.

"That's his normal state. If he hides and sleeps, you'd have to deploy a search party."

However, these women, the Samdae Nangrang, seemed to have been aware of Myeong's presence sleeping on the high cargo from the beginning.

"Of course, it's skill. If you ever need to entrust cargo, we at Jungyang Escort Agency, who boast speed, safety, and trustworthiness and are overflowing with skill, would be immensely grateful if you would use us."

In this situation, Biryu Yeon did not forget to promote Jungyang Escort Agency. And the last part was not just acting, but contained a considerable amount of sincerity. Because the better Jungyang Escort Agency did, the greater the profit that would come back to him.

"I'll consider it. An agency with such personnel would be worth co-investing with. Let's go!"

As Dan Hye finished speaking and the Samdae Nangrang started walking towards the South Gate, the Sinma Palsunja followed behind them.

'Please, let there be no incident.'

With that prayer in his heart, Iron Heart Jang Iha ordered the start of the escort.

It was a blink of an eye to the South Gate.