Chapter 28

Shinma's Line (28)

"Those guys, they're really disgusting."

At Beom Gweui's words, Chao Aekyang smirked.

"Still, they have quite a reputation in the underworld."

"What do you mean? They don't even last ten seconds with me."

"That's because you're at their level. If we were to pick the top hundred martial artists in the entire martial world, they would definitely be on the list, even if at the bottom."

"Anyway, if those guys are here, it means there's a high possibility that the Gooji Sunyeopcho is inside that cargo, right?"

"There could be other treasures as well. It's not like there's only one item in the cargo."

Beom Gweui pondered for a moment and looked at Chao Aekyang.

"Can't we just steal it?"

"Doctor Dan would hate that."

"Then what should we do?"

"I have a plan in mind."

"Ooh! As expected, Brother Chao!"

Praised by Beom Gweui, Chao Aekyang smiled slightly and began to explain his plan.

"Those guys are disguised as guards to seize the cargo at the right moment. The moment they reveal their true colors is our opportunity."

The guards alone couldn't handle the Sammol Ssanggwae brothers.

"At the right moment, we'll intervene and chase them away. In the meantime, we'll secretly take the Gooji Sunyeopcho and hide it."

Beom Gweui gasped at Chao Aekyang's explanation.

"The guards will inspect the cargo later, but they won't think we took it since we helped them. They'll assume the Sammol Ssanggwae brothers stole it. After the guards leave, we'll 'happen' to find the Gooji Sunyeopcho that the Sammol Ssanggwae brothers dropped."

This way, even Dan Akseon wouldn't suspect us.

Just then,

"Why don't we just ask for it?"

Hanseol Hwa's sudden voice made the two of them turn their heads.

Hanseol Hwa had woken up and was listening to their conversation.

Her appearance was so natural that it was almost comical.

"Do you really think that would work?"

Beom Gweui's rebuke made Hanseol Hwa look at Chao Aekyang.

Sure enough, Chao Aekyang nodded with a surprisingly serious expression.

"That might be the best option."

The moment the cargo fell into the hands of the Sammol Ssanggwae brothers, the responsibility would be theirs.

Since it wouldn't be us who stole it, we wouldn't need to lie to Dan Akseon.

"Would they give it to us if we asked?"

At Beom Gweui's question, Chao Aekyang and Hanseol Hwa nodded.

"They would hand it over without a word?"

"Especially if the request comes from you."

Beom Gweui finally nodded, realizing he had forgotten an obvious fact.

"Oh! Right. I'm Wangsan Chaoja, remember?"

Beom Gweui grinned, looking in the direction where the guards were camping.

"Hehe. I'm glad I let those guys live. If I had known they'd be this useful, I wouldn't have beaten them up so much."

At that moment, Hanseol Hwa's veil fluttered slightly, even though there was no wind.

She couldn't help but laugh a little.

But when Chao Aekyang and Beom Gweui's gazes turned to her, she quickly put on a serious face.

Three days passed.

"What are those guys up to? How long are they going to keep watching?"

Beom Gweui's patience was wearing thin as the Sammol Ssanggwae brothers, disguised as guards, focused solely on the cargo for three days.

If this continued, they would soon reach a fork in the road.

If their destinations diverged, they would have no reason to chase them.

"That's true. They're not usually this cautious."

Chao Aekyang was also puzzled.

The Sammol Ssanggwae brothers he knew wouldn't spend so much time and effort on a treasure right in front of them.

"Let's just attack them."

"Are you crazy? What will Doctor Dan say?"

"Then are you suggesting we just keep waiting?"

Before they could make a decision, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Maybe it's the opposite?"

"The opposite?"

"What if they hired the guards?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Maybe they're the ones who commissioned the cargo. They're just disguised as guards to protect it themselves."

"Right! That could be it. As expected, Doctor Dan... Wait a minute."

Beom Gweui suddenly jumped, realizing Dan Akseon had been listening.

"Uh, how long have you been listening?"

"Since 'What are those guys up to?'"

"......!"

That meant she had heard everything from the beginning.

Beom Gweui looked at Chao Aekyang, who sighed and asked Dan Akseon,

"How did you know?"

"How could I not know? We've been together for three days."

Dan Akseon sat up from her blanket.

"I asked Uncle Beom this morning out of curiosity. He said those guys are famous villains, right?"

Chao Aekyang and Hanseol Hwa glared at Beom Gweui, who jumped up.

"I didn't say we were going to take what they stole!"

Hanseol Hwa gave him a look of disdain.

"You just did."

Chao Aekyang agreed.

"Thieves need to work together to succeed."

Beom Gweui looked indignant at the criticism.

But that didn't last long.

They all started to gauge Dan Akseon's reaction.

Usually, she would have stopped them.

But something unexpected happened.

"That sounds like a good plan."

"......!"

Surprised by her response, the three of them looked at Dan Akseon.

But her next words disappointed Chao Aekyang and Beom Gweui.

They had hoped, but it was as expected.

"If they steal the cargo, we can return it to the owner. That might give us some leverage, right?"

"What if they are the ones who hired the guards?"

Dan Akseon looked troubled at Chao Aekyang's question.

"There's nothing we can do. If it's not connected to us, we have to give up."

Despite her words, she still looked at the cargo with longing.

Chao Aekyang nodded, watching her.

"Alright. Let's first confirm who the cargo belongs to."

"Is there a way to do that?"

Cargo transport is strictly confidential.

"Just bring them over and ask."

"Excuse me?"

Beom Gweui's suggestion left Dan Akseon speechless. It was an unconventional approach.

But then something even more surprising happened.

"That's a good idea."

To their surprise, Chao Aekyang nodded in agreement.

"Besides, if they are the owners, it might make things easier."

Chao Aekyang continued,

"If we have a good relationship, they might even give us something more valuable as a gift."

"Without any compensation?"

"Didn't you do the same for us?"

"Would they do the same?"

"That's why we're going to ask. To see if they're friendly with us."

Chao Aekyang, Beom Gweui, and Hanseol Hwa exchanged meaningful glances.

Chao Aekyang smiled at Dan Akseon.

"They'll definitely give it to us. Beom Gweui is very close to them."

Beom Gweui also smiled and nodded.

"I'm their savior, after all."

Even though he had only stopped trying to kill them out of boredom, saving them was still saving them.

* * *

As the deep darkness of midnight descended,

Sammol Ssanggwai, Wang Yan, and Wang Jue, without a word, stood up.

The loud chirping of insects that had filled the night suddenly stopped.

The two men, on high alert, scanned their surroundings. They saw the guards surrounding the cargo-laden carriage.

There was nothing out of the ordinary yet.

But suddenly, their gazes were drawn to the same spot. They saw a figure approaching through the darkness.

"See? I told you they looked suspicious."

Wang Jue nodded at Wang Yan's words.

"It doesn't matter. We'll be grateful if they reveal themselves early."

Four days ago, at dusk, they had encountered a scholar and a child.

They were clearly part of the same group.

To prevent any unforeseen incidents, they had placed scouts in various positions. Thanks to their reports, Wang Yan and Wang Jue knew exactly what was happening on the other side.

"But that guy... something seems off."

Wang Jue's voice was filled with confusion.

Wang Yan also looked puzzled, watching the figure.

Instead of approaching stealthily, the figure was walking straight toward them. There were only two reasons for such blatant behavior:

Either the person was confident in their martial skills, or they were a foolish, greedy fool.

Ironically, both reasons applied to Beom Gweui, but the Sammol Ssanggwai brothers hadn't yet recognized him.

Clank.

Wang Yan and Wang Jue quietly took their weapons in hand.

The person's aura was not ordinary, but they had chosen the wrong opponent.

When they were about a丈 (approximately 3 meters) apart, just as the two were about to make their move,

The figure grinned.

It was a chilling smile.

"Hey, Skinny and Flatfoot. Long time no see."

Wang Yan and Wang Jue's faces twisted in anger.

"Looks like you've been doing well. Your faces look