Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 149

Nine Dragons Chronicle (149)

“So, you’re telling me I have to lead the Nine Dragons Escort Agency to the Travil Kingdom?”

“Since you initiated the grain contract, yes, you should go. Take Dongchun with you and introduce him to the relevant people so he can manage the escort agency’s trips back and forth in the future.”

Namgung Suyeon, unable to argue, simply nodded.

“You’re not going to cause any trouble while I’m gone, are you?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve been cooped up for five years. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.”

“Okay. I’ll be checking in on everything later, so behave yourself while I’m away. Got it?”

“Okay. Just hurry back.”

Namgung Suyeon felt uneasy leaving Hwa-rin alone, but she had no other choice.

“Guardian Lee!”

Knowing Lee Do-mun was always nearby, Namgung Suyeon called for him.

Lee Do-mun appeared instantly and bowed to Namgung Suyeon.

“Keep a close watch on this one so he doesn’t cause trouble.”

“I will.”

“If I hear he’s been causing problems, I’ll tie both of you up and make sure you neither live nor die, so keep that in mind.”

“Don’t worry. In his current condition, the Lord couldn’t even win a children’s brawl.”

“Okay. Then I’ll trust you, Guardian Lee, and be on my way.”

“As you wish.”

As Namgung Suyeon left Hwa-rin’s office, Hwa-rin wore a displeased expression.

“I don’t know why I feel so intimidated.”

“Could it be because you’ve done something wrong? Or perhaps you committed some great sin in the past, or…”

“Or?”

“Could it be that you feel burdened by the Namgung Clan’s influence?”

Hwa-rin considered Lee Do-mun’s words. He hadn’t done anything particularly wrong to Namgung Suyeon, and his own family wasn’t so impoverished that he’d be intimidated by the Namgung Clan’s power.

“I don’t think so.”

“Then perhaps you have feelings for Namgung Suyeon?”

“Me? For that rowdy kid?”

“People are often unaware of their own feelings. There are times when they regret it later, thinking, ‘Ah, so that’s how it was.'”

Hwa-rin paused, thinking.

“Hmm…”

He neither confirmed nor denied Lee Do-mun’s suggestion.

“Alright. Anyway, what about the assassins?”

“They should have made contact by now. At the latest, they should be bringing the assassins to Oh Tae-san’s Surochae [a type of military unit or base] within half a month.”

“Really? Then we can head to Oh Tae-san when Suyeon departs for the Travil Kingdom.”

“I will prepare accordingly.”

Hwa-rin nodded, and Lee Do-mun vanished.

“It’s not that I have feelings for her, but rather that I’m starved for affection.”

Hwa-rin had never spent enough time with anyone to develop close bonds while growing up.

He had lived almost entirely alone until he was twenty, and after that, he was constantly walking the tightrope of death in the military.

After being discharged, he met Namgung Suyeon and Dongchun, who had served with him, and was finally experiencing some form of camaraderie.

Perhaps his teasing of Dongchun and his somewhat obedient behavior towards Namgung Suyeon were simply expressions of these unmet needs.

“What is it with this affection…”

* * *

The Nine Dragons Escort Agency set off for the Travil Kingdom to purchase grain and transport it back to the Central Plains.

They also planned to decide what goods to sell in the Travil Kingdom, purchase local specialties from the cities along the way, and sell them there as well.

Namgung Suyeon led the group, which included Dongchun, his fellow disciples, and the bodyguards responsible for protecting the Nine Dragons Manor’s business interests.

The amount of grain they intended to bring back from the Travil Kingdom was substantial.

“Elder Brother, we’re no match for them.”

The escorts from the Nine Dragons Escort Agency, Dongchun’s fellow disciples, glanced at the bodyguards from the Nine Dragons Manor and sensed their superior strength.

The bodyguards weren’t overtly displaying their martial arts prowess, but they were former imperial palace experts who had made names for themselves in the Eastern Depot [a secret intelligence agency] and the Embroidered Uniform Guard [another imperial guard unit]. However, like Seo Daeyeong, they possessed rebellious spirits and couldn’t adapt to the stifling atmosphere of the imperial palace, so the Emperor had assigned them to protect Hwa-rin and sent them away.

They were quite content with their lives at the Nine Dragons Manor and were also learning new martial arts from Hwa-rin, making it difficult for Dongchun’s fellow disciples to underestimate them.

“Come to think of it, the warriors of the Nine Dragons Manor are all strong. The brothers of the Nine Dragons Special Forces are also amazing.”

“Yeah. I can’t even make eye contact with them.”

“That’s the difference experience makes.”

Dongchun, overhearing his fellow disciples, addressed them.

“The culmination of martial arts lies in enlightenment, but practical experience is even more crucial.”

“Isn’t all enlightenment the same?”

The youngest disciple inquired.

“Just as physical and mental enlightenment differ, enlightenment through practical experience is dynamic, while internal energy cultivation, realizing one’s inner self, is static. The difference is…”

Dongchun explained it in a way his fellow disciples could easily grasp.

Namgung Suyeon, listening to Dongchun’s words from horseback, chuckled.

“To think our clumsy Dongchun has matured enough to teach his fellow disciples.”

Namgung Suyeon smiled, recalling Dongchun’s early days as a new recruit.

“If you gain enlightenment through practical experience, at least you won’t get beaten up everywhere you go.”

However, with hundreds of martial artists who had achieved such enlightenment, one could still be unlucky and get beaten like dust in the rain, though the chances were slim.

“Yeah. Teach them well. That way, you’ll understand how much your senior suffered when he taught you.”

Namgung Suyeon looked up at the sky.

“The sky was so blue back then too.”

Namgung Suyeon reminisced for a moment.

* * *

The sky was clear and cloudless, but the ground was stained with blood.

“Search every nook and cranny. Kill them on sight, leave no one alive.”

The Menghuo Death Squad had been ambushed by the Blood Wolf Demonic Brigade, led by the Dark Great Khan Yulappa, and suffered a crushing defeat, scattering in all directions.

Many members were killed, and the survivors were too focused on escaping to worry about their comrades.

Namgung Suyeon, after fighting the Blood Wolf Demonic Brigade, tried to escape but was hampered by a severe injury.

Just when she thought she was going to die, someone appeared, placed her on a horse, and tied her to the saddle to prevent her from falling off.

“After this, your fate is your own.”

With those words, the horse bolted, and Namgung Suyeon lost consciousness.

She didn’t see the face of her savior, but she remembered his voice.

After escaping, Namgung Suyeon was found by passing nomads, exhausted and clinging to the horse, and managed to survive.

She was safely transported to Hohhot, a major city in the Great Plains, and received treatment.

However, the Blood Wolf Demonic Brigade and other bandits soon attacked Hohhot to plunder it, forcing her to fight again.

The sky was unusually clear both during the initial ambush and the subsequent attack on Hohhot.

Despite her unhealed injuries, she fought with gritted teeth until a man appeared and blocked her path.

“The operation failed. Why are you still here instead of returning to the unit?”

Upon hearing that voice, Namgung Suyeon recognized him as the person who had put her on the horse.

“I was seriously injured. I barely survived with the help of the local people. But the wound is still…”

Namgung Suyeon explained her situation.

“You can’t fight in that condition. You’ll just die a dog’s death. Hide somewhere, or return to the unit or your clan.”

“But…”

“This is an order from your senior.”

At his firm words, Namgung Suyeon bit her lip.

“Then I’ll hide and save myself.”

“Return to the unit or your clan after you’ve recovered.”

The man left and disappeared into the chaos.

“Damn it.”

An unfamiliar emotion surged within her, unlike anything she had ever experienced.

It wasn’t resentment or injustice, but an indescribable feeling that made her think of the man who had just left.

“As Senior Hwa-rin said, I’m not helpful right now, so I’ll hide for now.”

Namgung Suyeon found a suitable house and went inside.

She leaned against a wall in what seemed to be a warehouse, her injured side throbbing.

“I will survive and return to the unit. Senior, please survive and return too.”

Namgung Suyeon hid in the warehouse for a day, and when she felt the area was quiet, she emerged.

She saw the people of Hohhot gathering in small groups, cursing the Blood Wolf Demonic Brigade and complaining about the tribal chief of the Great Plains.

Namgung Suyeon sought out a doctor, who was fortunately still operating.

There were many injured people, so she had to wait a long time, but she eventually had her wound stitched up again.

Namgung Suyeon stayed at the doctor’s for two days, and when she felt strong enough to move, she returned to the unit.

The atmosphere there was somber, like a funeral home.

“Why is it so gloomy?”

“The Captain is waiting for you.”

Namgung Suyeon went to meet the Captain and explained everything, reporting that Hwa-rin was alive and still carrying out his mission.

“Hwa-rin is alive?”

“Yes. He seemed to be planning to return to the unit after destroying the Blood Wolf Demonic Brigade.”

“I see. You should rest and recover.”

Namgung Suyeon was puzzled by Captain Pyo Il-soo’s relief at the news of Hwa-rin’s survival, but she didn’t ask about it.

‘Well, if Senior Hwa-rin is there, completing the mission shouldn’t be a problem.’

While Namgung Suyeon was recovering in the trade city, a man arrived.

“Senior Hwa-rin!”

When Hwa-rin returned to the unit, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

It went from dark to bright.

“You came back alive.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“You didn’t return to your clan? Why come back to this difficult unit?”

“Just because. I left the clan to achieve something, and I haven’t achieved anything yet.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

With those words, Hwa-rin went to meet Captain Pyo Il-soo.

Namgung Suyeon felt relieved and happy as she watched Hwa-rin walk away.

“He came back alive.”

Namgung Suyeon smiled brightly and looked up at the clear, cloudless sky.

* * *

“The weather is disgustingly clear. Can’t we ever travel on a cloudy day?”

After Namgung Suyeon spoke, Dongchun sensed something ahead and called out to her.

“Just go. Why waste time?”

“Understood.”

As they moved forward, they saw a fight, accompanied by the clash of weapons.

A woman in white clothes and a wide-brimmed hat with long cotton threads obscuring her face, and a man in black clothes and a hero’s hat, were fighting men in red clothes with the word “Yulim” [Martial Forest Alliance] on their chests.

Namgung Suyeon and her group ignored the fight and continued on their way.

“Shouldn’t we help them?”

Dongchun’s fellow disciple asked.

“Don’t you know you shouldn’t get involved in unnecessary things? We shouldn’t be involved in martial world affairs. Let’s just go.”

After reminding his fellow disciples that the Nine Dragons Manor was bound by the Blood Oath Alliance for five years and couldn’t interfere in the martial world, he urged them to continue.

However, when the woman in white clothes flew towards them, her opponents followed.

Forced to stop, Namgung Suyeon said with annoyance, “This has nothing to do with us. Go fight over there.”

“Please help us.”

“We’re from the Nine Dragons Manor and can’t get involved in the martial world. Don’t drag us into unnecessary conflicts. Solve it yourselves.”

Upon hearing the name of the Nine Dragons Manor, the men in red clothes flinched.

“Please help us. Innocent people may die because of their brutality.”

“The Yulim Sect is known for its righteousness, so why do you call them brutal? And how do we know who you are?”

The woman in white narrowed her eyes at Namgung Suyeon’s words.

“I’ve seen many families ruined by foolish actions. Don’t try to involve us. Dongchun, let’s go.”

Namgung Suyeon drew a clear line.

When the woman in white persisted, Namgung Suyeon became annoyed and ordered Dongchun, “Dongchun, catch the man in black. I’ll catch this woman and hand her over to the Yulim Sect.”

As Namgung Suyeon gave the order, Dongchun moved, and the man in black was caught off guard.

“No…”

As the woman in white tried to speak, Namgung Suyeon attacked.

The woman was quickly subdued, and the man in black was also captured.

“Thank you for your help.”

A man from the Yulim Sect thanked Namgung Suyeon.

“Who said I helped you?”

Namgung Suyeon spoke bluntly and nodded to Dongchun, who released the man in black. Namgung Suyeon also released the woman in white.

Namgung Suyeon was demonstrating that they could easily kill them at any time if they wanted to.

“I’ll say it again, we can’t get involved in the martial world. Take care of your own business. If you try to drag us in again, I’ll kill both of you.”

Namgung Suyeon threatened the woman and said to Dongchun, “Dongchun, we have a long way to go. Let’s go quickly.”

The people in white and black clothes watched them leave, their faces showing bewilderment.

Namgung Suyeon, unaware of their reaction, urged her group towards the Travil Kingdom.