The Teacher’s Grace Is Like Heaven

9 – Unforgettable (3)

The trading firm’s procession that departed from Xifeng stretches all the way to Xiaolin in Hanan. My job was protecting the trading firm from ambushes by bandits.

However, there wouldn’t be any big bandits daring to ambush a trading firm guarded by Zhuge Sega’s martial artists. It seems the rumors spread far, since

although already 5 days passed, not even a single fly appeared, let alone bandits. Better this way. Let’s leisurely earn some money like this.

As expected, connections were essential to live in comfort. If I didn’t have any, how could I have gotten such a sweet job?

Just today, the sun hanging in the sky had at some point set beyond the west. Another day passed without incident.

The trading firm’s merchants and guards each took their spots and started setting up tents. I also wrapped up my work. Guarding wasn’t over yet.

Darkness is a veil covering the eyes. It’s a close friend of thieves. In other words, nighttime when vision was most hindered was when guards had to be most vigilant over the trading firm.

Especially since vigilance tends to slacken while resting at night. In this situation, if ambushed, in the worst case they could be completely wiped out.

And so, sentry guards who would stay up at night were needed in case of emergency. Originally they should take turns at this, but

“We guards will take turns keeping watch.”

“Will that really be fine?”

“Of course. That’s why we’re here.”

“It’s good if you’ll handle it yourselves but….”

However, there was one question… Since Zhuge Sega’s martial artists were attached as guards, why were so many freelance martial artists hired too?

Currently there were two groups guarding the Changgol Trading Firm’s procession. One was Zhuge Sega’s martial artists he provided.

The other were martial artists the Changgol Trading Firm hired themselves. For the trading firm, hiring freelance martial artists posed considerable risk.

Barely understandable if the martial artist had a reputation or nickname, but trusting completely unknown martial artists was very difficult.

I let out a sigh. There was no point thinking about this alone. For now, the best measure was being as vigilant as possible.

“Master, I’ll briefly go take care of some business.”

“Are you sure you don’t need me to accompany you?”

“I’m fine, Master.”

“If anything happens, yell immediately.”

“Thank you for the concern.”

Bi Yan politely bowed her head then turned away. Although so young, seeing her decline aid and stubbornly endure,

I couldn’t help feeling greatly impressed as her master. I turned my head. Maybe I should grill some fish before Bi Yan gets back?

Fortunately there was a river nearby, so I caught a few fish during break time. This much should fill me and Bi Yan.

Soon the sun completely set and stifling darkness weighed down the valley. While basking in the light of the campfire I had lit, someone approached me.

“Seat open?”

“Plenty.”

“May I sit together?”

“Suit yourself.”

“Thanks. I’m Yubeok of the Empty Sword.”

At the nickname Empty Sword, I grimaced a little. If the meaning I thought was right, it wasn’t a very good nickname.

However, pride bloomed on his face like a flower. So just in case, I looked at Yubeok and asked him:

“The meaning is what I think, something bad right?”

“Yes, if it’s a bad meaning, but I’m not ashamed.”

“Well… just having a nickname itself is impressive.”

Empty Sword meant an empty threat sword user, simply put, it meant a swordsman without skills. Then why was he so confident?

The answer lay in the nickname itself. In the martial world, there weren’t only good nicknames. Of course there were also bad nicknames like Empty Sword or Ground Dragon.

However, this conversely meant that they had built enough of a reputation to earn a nickname at minimum. So it was better than being a nobody.

Of course, a chilling nickname like Heavenly Calamity or Supreme Devil is probably better off as a nobody, but still. I promptly checked Yubeok’s background.

Indeed… I felt considerable inner power. With this much, he had at least reached the intermediate stage. Clicking my tongue, I spoke to him.

“Nice to meet you…”

“Nevermind. I have no intentions of showing off with a mediocre nickname, especially with one of the Hundred Great Masters right next to me.”

“If it’s the Hundred Great Masters… could it be that Hundred Great Master I know of?”

“Yes, the martial arts masters from all orthodox and unorthodox factions who rank among the top hundred in the central plains.”

The Hundred Great Masters referred to masters who ranked among the top hundred in the central plains. Each of them had at least reached the advanced realm,

and among them there were quite a few masters aiming for the stage beyond that, the consummate realm. Of course, strictly speaking, it was just a nice-sounding title.

Unlike the undisputed Five Emperors of the orthodox faction or Four Calamities of the unorthodox faction, there was still a lot of controversy around the Hundred Great Masters.

Some said they entered the Hundred Great Masters relying purely on the influence of their family, or bought the position with money. Anyway, all kinds of scandals continued endlessly.

So there were also quite a lot of martial artists who didn’t acknowledge the Hundred Great Masters at all. Of course, that didn’t mean the Hundred Great Masters could simply be ignored.

The advanced stage wasn’t called advanced for nothing. I turned my head. Soon I saw the youth conversing with the trading firm’s guards.

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He looked to have just passed adulthood. His pale complexion was smooth without a single wrinkle, like white jade. Additionally he had black hair,

and wore silk clothes on the outside, but his firmly trained body couldn’t be hidden even by the silk clothes. Clicking my tongue, I spoke.

“That youth is of the Hundred Great Masters?”

“How did you know? I didn’t until I heard directly.”

“Just had a hunch.”

“That’s right, that guy is Jegal Hyeok of the Hundred Great Masters, known as Clean Hands.”

Honestly it was a nickname I hadn’t heard before. But seeing how he was identified as one of the Hundred Great Masters, it probably wasn’t a lie. And also since he was of Zhuge Sega’s bloodline.

Thinking he was probably a decently trustworthy master, I nodded. And I looked back. I saw Bi Yan walking over from behind.

Bi Yan who met my eyes bowed her head. And for some reason, instead of taking the path right in front of her, she went far out of her way to loop widely left.

Not just me, Yubeok who had been watching Bi Yan following my lead also tilted his head. Looking at Bi Yan, he opened his mouth.

“Why did you take such a roundabout path?”

“Although I am lacking, there was my master’s shadow on the path I came by.”

“Oh? So you looped around because of that?”

“How could such a lowly disciple step on master’s shadow?”

“Puhah! What a pretentious little thing!”

“Thank you.”

Seeing Bi Yan speak without bowing her head, I let out a sigh. You should say you’re flattered at times like this.

While I was thinking that, for some reason Zhuge Sega’s martial artists suddenly became restless. What is it? Did something happen?

*

Opportunities always arrive suddenly. And those who succeed are those who seize those opportunities. Those who fail are those who miss them and make excuses.

That was what Jegal Hyeok, Zhuge Sega’s second son, thought. From that perspective, the elders of his clan were those trying to cast aside the vine-entangled gourd that had rolled to them.

How can they be so shameful! When the rare golden chance arrives to spread Zhuge Sega’s influence widely in the central plains!

‘Take my hand. Then I shall show you new heavens.’

If you don’t become enraptured after seeing his power, you’re not even human. After meeting him, Jegal Hyeok readily kneeled.

And he persuaded the clan elders. To expand Zhuge Sega’s influence, there was no other way but this now. They had to follow him.

But not only the clan leader, even the assistant clan leaders refused. Not being able to lose any more prestige was the reason.

‘We cannot lose any more prestige here.’

‘How can we face our ancestors later like this?’

“They’re foolish things unable to see even an inch ahead.”

Jegal Hyeok clicked his tongue. He didn’t even understand what was wrong with siding with the winning side in the first place. Let alone, when he makes his move in person,

everything rotten will collapse, and new heavens will be established in their place. When that time comes, the Zhuge Sega clan will also rise high.

At least they won’t be treated like extras and ignored like now. While he was grumbling like that, an unexpected opportunity he hadn’t thought of arrived.

It was orders for him personally, passed through a retainer. ‘Take care of Cheon Biryu naturally without anyone knowing.’

It was a truly strange name. After investigating, as expected wasn’t it just some third-rate martial artist settled in Xifeng? Jegal Hyeok smiled.

He wouldn’t dare harbor doubts toward his words. Rather, he would take this as an opportunity and accept it. And so he investigated thoroughly.

Soon he realized that Cheon Biryu barely made a living doing guard work for trading firms. And so he personally wanted to make use of that.

The plan was very simple. Lure him in with guard work for the trading firm, then order subordinates to take care of him without anyone knowing.

Since he had even lent assassins, this was as easy as taking candy from a baby. That’s what I thought at first.

“Damn it all, just what is this nonsense!”

However, all the attempts in the last 5 days had failed completely. The assassin he lent suddenly lost contact at some point,

and the carriages hiding prepared poisons and secret weapons suddenly overturned. Even the subordinates he directly ordered to handle it suddenly went missing.

No matter how stupid, if these things kept happening, anyone would realize it was inevitable rather than coincidence. Jegal Hyeok could only admit it.

“You already knew everything… You slippery bastard!!”

He was gnashing his teeth in anger alone in the tent he was assigned. I should have noticed something was off from the start when he used a foolish name like Cheon Biryu.

His identity now was surely all fake. A third-rate martial artist? Don’t make me laugh. A third-rate martial artist could absolutely not display such movements.

I should have noticed from the start when he personally commanded me. Jegal Hyeok clenched his teeth and thought. How dare you trick me, Jegal Hyeok?

“Is anyone out there!”

“You called?”

“We move tomorrow. Prepare secretly, but thoroughly.”

“Ah, understood!”

The sight of him casually eating dinner and chattering without a care still lingered before my eyes. However… that leisure is now over. You fool.

How long did you think you could keep deceiving me, Jegal Hyeok?