Chapter 30: Into The Summer(1) (1/2)
Chapter 30: Into the Summer (1)
Translator: Hwarang
Editor: Kidyeon
Kong Su Chan gave me some missions that I could give to the Lesser Sword Sect for them to get some real experience.
“I’ve just received a mission for us. The Tae Ju Merchant Guild from the Kang So Fortress arrived here a couple of days ago to make a trade. However, it seems like they’ve had some sort of conflict with the Tae An Armed Escort Agency. They went to other escort agencies, but it seems like they weren’t able to find a decent one.”
“Aren’t there other escort agencies in the area?”
“Usually, armed escort agencies fight each other like cats and dogs. However, when it’s necessary for them to help each other, they’re like brothers.”
“So they’re siding with the Tae An Escort Agency.”
“Yes, that’s what it seems like. It seems the Tae Ju merchants didn’t have any time to waste, as they’ve offered us quite a bit.”
“How much?”
“Two thousand Nyang.”
It seems like they were carrying something valuable.
“However, it might get a little dangerous.”
I would’ve declined this mission if I was going to send them alone. However, since it was their first real experience, I’d decided to follow them.
“Alright. We’ll accept the mission.”
Afterwards, I went to the blacksmith and bought twenty swords that were in-stock. Usually, I’d order personally crafted weapons, but since we were short on time, I had to do what I could to acquire weapons for us.
Even though I wasn’t showing it, I was also a bit nervous.
***
The next day, we loaded up the Tae Ju merchants’ merchandise into three different carriages.
We didn’t hire a driver, since there was someone in the Lesser Sword Sect who had experience in driving carriages.
After all the preparations had been completed, one of the merchants came up to me and said, “I heard that this isn’t the Sword Sect of the Byuk Clan, but a subsidiary one.”
Before they’d hired us, I’d made it clear to them that we were the Lesser Sword Sect of Byuk Clan.
“Yes, we’re the subsidiary one.”
“There are precious items in there. Please make sure to take care of them well.”
They’d hired us since they didn’t have much time, but it seems that they don’t trust us.
“Don’t worry. It will arrive without any damage.”
“Then, it will be in your care.”
But how could his worries be comparable to my parents’? My parents’ worries were as large as Mt. Tai.
I’d calmly persuaded them by saying these two things: I can’t be a frog forever looking up from the bottom of a well, and I can’t live like a bird in a golden cage.
But I also can’t babysit the sect forever. They need to go outside and experience real combat for themselves. It’s said that it’s a hundred times more efficient to experience a real-life battle than to practice by yourself all day.
Our mission was to deliver the merchandise to the Tae Ju merchant guild, which was located in Kang So Fortress. And the time-limit that we were given was only ten days.
***
We started off casually.
There was five people in each carriage, with the rest of us on guard duty.
I took Kw.a.n.g Du with me without question. Since he didn’t know how to ride a horse yet, I personally drove the first carriage with Kw.a.n.g Du sitting next to me.
“Is it alright for me to follow you?” Kw.a.n.g Du carefully asked me. It seems that he’s worried because of the others from the Sect.
“Definitely., Aren’t you my right hand?”
“Right?”
He seemed a bit relieved since I’d called him my right-hand man. These days, Kw.a.n.g Du was very cognitive of Kwan He.
When Kwan He ordered the sect they moved with order and discipline.
Watching him, Kw.a.n.g Du whispered into my ear, “He seems like an elder brother, even though he’s two years younger than me.”
“I think so too.”
“No, how could you agree with something like that? I threw away my adultness to make you happier!”
“Ha ha ha.”
Yeah, yeah, I’ll confess that I’m happier because you did that.
Kwan He was also conscious of Kw.a.n.g Du. However, even though he was just naturally reacting to Kw.a.n.g Du’s wariness, he also wanted to gain my trust.
Because of Kw.a.n.g Du, Kwan He will make a conscious effort to not make any mistakes. And Kw.a.n.g Du will also do his best to do the same.
This sort of development was exactly what I wanted.
***
Nothing happened for a few days.
We’d usually camp outside in the woods.
At night time, four people would be on guard duty at a time. Kwan He determined the order and the time.
I believed that this process would lay the groundwork for our sect.
I could raise my cultivation instantaneously with elixir and medicines, but these sort of bonds could only be built up with time and experience. Experiencing these sort of things was leaps and bound ahead than just hearing about it. It would only help you if you personally experience it.
***
Deep into our trip, when we’d become more lax, a group of bandits approached us from the front.
There were around thirty people wearing masks.
Someone who seemed to be their leader coldly said, “If you hand over everything you own, we’ll let you live.”
It seems like they aren’t your ordinary bandits.
They were confident. As such, they hadn’t ambushed us at night, and had instead waited for our approach. However, this was beneficial to us.
“Prepare for battle! Set up a perimeter like you were trained.”
Hearing my commands, everyone moved rapidly. There were many different formation that they’d practiced. However, at times like these, where all of the enemies were in front of you, it was best to use a V formation where your strongest point was at the front and your weakest point was at the end.
The bandit leader immediately gave the command to attack.
“Attack!”
All of the bandits rushed forward.
Normally, I would’ve left everything to them, but since they outnumbered us, and their skills were comparable to ours, I decided to take the initiative.
Swish Swish Swish Swish Swis.h.!.+
Five bandits fell from hidden weapons that I’d thrown at them.
Not only did it decrease their numbers, but it also decreased their moral.
As a result, the bandits became a bit hesitant. When this happened, I gave my order.
“Attack!”
Everything happened in an instant, but our side had a higher moral.
“Chief Kwan take the left, Kw.a.n.g Du take the right! Just do as you were taught!”
I was in the middle to face their leader.
I didn’t use my Ashura Soul-Chasing Sword technique, but used the clan’s Brightmoon Sword technique to face him.
Swoos.h.!.+
Whilst dodging his sword, I raised my own. I was going to end this as quickly as possible. However, their leader moved faster than I’d expected. But, since I’d antic.i.p.ated his next move, I was able to get a vital hit in on him.
Swoos.h.!.+
Chop!
I was able to deliver a clean strike to his side, causing blood to start running out.
As he was falling to the side, he released a large amount of killing intent.
Clas.h.!.+
He tried to rush at me with his killing intent, but...
Stab!
I stabbed him in the heart. As he was dying, his face was filled with disbelief, as he’d never expected this to happen. I turned around after pulling my sword out of his chest. Everything that was currently happening on the battlefield came into my field of vision. Since I’d lived most of my past life in battle, I’d experienced all sorts of things. I was able to instantly tell who was in the most dangerous situation.
Swis.h.!.+
A hidden dart from my hand went flying.
Stab!
It found its mark as it buried itself in the back of a bandit who was about to stab one of our side’s member. I immediately rushed towards the next most-dangerous location.