Chapter 40

Shinma's Line (40)

'Someday, there will be a chance.'

As he tried to hold back, he couldn't bear to see the underlings swaggering with their martial artists.

"Where is this stench coming from!"

At Choeakryang's words, Nodanyang stopped in his tracks.

"Was that to me?"

"You, even your ears are sharp. Since you've ridden the tide, you must have sharp ears to keep your life, right?"

"Do you know me?"

Despite the naked killing intent that seemed to cut through the skin, Choeakryang smiled slyly and said,

"I know the four characters 'Chao Qin Mu Chu' (朝秦暮楚)."

A four-character idiom meaning to stay in the north with the State of Qin in the morning and in the south with the State of Chu in the evening. It was a clear mockery of him, who was once a villain but is now a member of the Martial Arts Alliance.

"You seem to want to die."

"Kill someone in the heart of the Martial Arts Alliance? Go ahead and try."

As Nodanyang was about to draw his sword, he suddenly felt a strange sensation.

It was due to the opponent's eyes, which seemed to challenge him out of nowhere.

Though it was clearly the first time he had seen this face, the eyes felt familiar.

At this moment, one of the martial artists from the Changtian Brigade, who was in charge of inner security, hurriedly approached Nodanyang and bowed.

"This is Weiyiliao of the Changtian Brigade, paying respects to the Pasa Division Chief."

"What does the Changtian Brigade want from me?"

Weiyiliao, who had identified himself, replied with a perplexed look.

"He is a doctor invited to treat Miss Namgung Hyang."

"Is that so?"

"There is an order from the Alliance Leader not to interfere with their activities in any way."

Nodanyang's face showed disbelief.

"From the Alliance Leader?"

Nodanyang, who had been glaring at Choeakryang, withdrew his hand with a bitter smile.

"The world may seem vast, but it can also be very small."

With that, Nodanyang's voice carried a deep killing intent.

"Should we meet again, you will realize how lucky you were today."

Choeakryang chuckled.

"Indeed, who was the lucky one today?"

Choeakryang threw a blatant sneer.

"Well, you'll find out naturally on that day."

With those words, Choeakryang turned around. Feeling the piercing gaze from behind, Choeakryang let out a smirk.

The more he thought about it, the more absurd the current situation seemed.

Including Nodanyang, who was once one of the Ten Great Villains, and himself and Pang Jiewei, the three of them were walking freely in the heart of the Martial Arts Alliance, which symbolizes the righteous martial world.

If Nangong Bai were to find out that the two demons they were trying so hard to capture were roaming around in their own backyard, what expression would he have?

He was only disappointed that he couldn't see it himself.

* * *

With a lingering, inexplicable discomfort, Nodanyang headed to the Xianzheng Hall.

"Pasa Division Chief Nodanyang pays his respects to the Alliance Leader who leads the righteous martial world."

Nodanyang, who nodded his head, immediately spoke.

"Is there something to report?"

"Yes, it is said that Samu Shin has appeared in Wuxian."

"Samu Shin? That money grubber?"

Nangong Bai did not hide his disappointment.

"Is that leech worth reporting all the way here? I appointed you as the Pasa Division Chief for other reasons."

"The number of victims who have fallen to that leech has already exceeded thirty, including Pang Wuwei."

Nangong Bai's eyes sparkled.

"Pang Wuwei?"

He couldn't understand it.

Pang Wuwei, the descendant of the prestigious Pang family, who dominated in Hebei, had been defeated by just Samu Shin?

"I suspect there is someone behind him."

"Someone?"

"I am focusing on securing Samu Shin to confirm this. Once we capture him, it will naturally be revealed."

Nangong Bai slowly nodded.

He thought it might lead to a big catch he hadn't anticipated.

Just as Nangong Bai was about to stand up, he had a puzzled look.

"Is there something else to report?"

"Subordinate requests a private audience with the Alliance Leader. Please grant it."

A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Nangong Bai's eyes before it disappeared.

"Granted."

As Nangong Bai's words fell, only the two of them remained in the Xianzheng Hall.

"So, what do you want to say?"

At Nangong Bai's words, Nodanyang bowed respectfully.

"Please fulfill the conditions we agreed upon in the past."

Nangong Bai let out a pretend sigh.

"You're more shameless than I thought. You haven't even finished the task I gave you."

"Everything will go according to the Alliance Leader's will. However…"

"However?"

Nodanyang looked up at Nangong Bai.

"I don't want to be a hunting dog after the rabbit hunt is over."

"Do you not trust me?"

"……"

Nangong Bai, who had been staring at Nodanyang, slowly nodded.

"Alright."

Nangong Bai took something from his sleeve and threw it to Nodanyang.

Thud.

It was a book.

The cover, tinged with red, bore the title in even more vivid blood-red letters.

"Xueluo Zhenjing (血羅眞經)…"

Nodanyang's emotions were intense.

As he carefully picked up the book and silently flipped through it, he suddenly paused. Then, he raised his eyes, which glowed with a fierce light, and glared at Nangong Bai.

He had just noticed that half of the book had been torn out.

"Isn't that enough motivation?"

Nangong Bai's lips curled slightly.

"Bring me the heads of the remaining people if you want to complete the Xueluo Zhenjing."

"…I will do that."

Nodanyang, who had tucked the incomplete book into his sleeve, cast a chilling gaze.

"It won't take long."

With those words, Nodanyang turned and left.

* * *

After parting ways with Nodanyang, Choeakryang continued to wander around the Martial Arts Alliance.

At this moment, a group of martial artists searching the area approached Choeakryang.

"You've come quite far today?"

Since they had exchanged greetings several times before, Choeakryang greeted the familiar warrior without hesitation.

"Who is this? Aren't you Warrior Yang?"

Choeakryang pretended to look around and then feigned surprise.

"Feeling restless, I just walked wherever my feet took me… I should head back now."

"It's best to do so. The atmosphere is quite tense right now."

"What's going on?"

"It's said that the man who killed Great Hero Pang has infiltrated Wuxian."

"Chelang Pai?"

He tilted his head at the unfamiliar name, and the other person continued the explanation.

"I see you didn't know. He's called Shuizhengui, and he killed Great Hero Pang Wuwei of the Hebei Pang family."

At that, Choeakryang recalled the incident where he had saved Samu Shin.

But then a sense of puzzlement washed over him.

'Why is he here again?'

Despite the severe warning, he couldn't understand why Samu Shin was lurking around Wuxian.

"Don't worry. The Pasa Division Chief is handling it, so it won't take long."

Nodanyang, one of the top experts among the Ten Great Villains, was not someone Samu Shin could match.

"I see. I'll be careful. Thank you for the warning."

"Please return safely."

After exchanging greetings, Choeakryang stopped in his tracks on his way back. His gaze was fixed on the wall of the Martial Arts Alliance, which was cut off from the outside world.

"Hah."

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

The man stealthily climbing the wall was familiar to him.

"You have incredible luck."

Approaching the man who was hiding and trembling, Choeakryang could feel the increasingly nervous aura.

"It's me…"

Just as Choeakryang opened his mouth,

Whoosh.

A black shadow rushed at him like a gust of wind. But it was no match for Choeakryang, who had already recovered a significant amount of his martial arts.

"Didn't I make it clear?"

As he spoke, Choeakryang stretched out his hand and grabbed the black iron rod aimed at his chest.

"I told you to hide quietly and wait for the right moment."

Choeakryang twisted his wrist, and the attacker's body flipped in the air before crashing roughly to the ground.

Thud.

"Keh!"

Samu Shin, who had fallen without even using a landing technique, trembled in pain.

Choeakryang's cold gaze fell upon him.

"Was my warning so amusing?"

"…!"

Samu Shin's eyes widened as he finally recognized Choeakryang.

He had never imagined he would run into Choeakryang in the heart of the Martial Arts Alliance.

"I said I would kill you if I caught you again, didn't I?"

It was actually Pang Jiewei who had said it, but it didn't matter.

Choeakryang's thoughts were not far off.

"I'm sorry."

"So, why does a guy who understands this keep making mistakes?"

"Th-that's…"

"Tell me. Even if I kill you, I want to know why you're so desperately looking for a grave."

After hesitating for a moment, Samu Shin sighed and spoke.

"I need to retrieve the wooden box."

"The one you mentioned last time?"

"Yes."

"Is it worth risking your life for?"

"The traces of the children are inside it."

Choeakryang stared at Samu Shin.

"Children…"

"Yes, I must find it."

"Interesting."

Choeakryang asked with a face that showed no amusement.

"Alright, let's say it's incredibly important. Why are you acting so recklessly, despite being so calculating?"

Samu Shin, who hesitated, bowed his head.

"Because I don't have much time left."

"No time? What do you mean?"

"I…"

Samu Shin clenched his teeth and said,

"I've fallen into the madness of inner fire."

"…!"

"Whether I do this or not, I'm going to die. I want to find that wooden box before I die."

"Madness of inner fire…"

After a moment's thought, a fierce light flashed in Choeakryang's eyes.

The items he had seen in the Martial Arts Alliance's warehouse recently. The box labeled with red characters 'Zhengti' (證題) came to mind. Judging by the lack of dust, it must have been recently seized.

Inside was a wooden box of the size Samu Shin had described.

'Is this the one you're looking for?'

If fate brings people together, no obstacle can stop it. Perhaps this was the case with Samu Shin as well, Choeakryang thought.

"Is the wooden box made of walnut wood?"

"Huh? Yes, how did you…"

Choeakryang described the size and characteristics of the wooden box he had seen in the warehouse.

"There was a wooden box with lacquer on the top, and part of it was peeling off. There was a crack in the shape of a zigzag on the right corner."

Samu Shin's eyes widened.

"Yes! That's the wooden box I've been looking for!"

Samu Shin, who was about to approach Choeakryang, paused.

"I've saved you twice already."

Choeakryang's meaningful smile felt eerie.

"Counting this time, it's three, right?"

Samu Shin nodded cautiously.

Since he was going to die anyway, the three rescues didn't mean much, but he didn't say that.

"I won't forget this until I die. I desperately want to repay you, but I have nothing left."

"What about the wealth you were called a money ghost for?"

"I gave it all to the children."

"Truly a unique fellow."

Samu Shin pretended not to hear Choeakryang's mutterings about how such a person could become a villain.

"Can't be helped. Pay it back with your life."

"Huh?"

"I'll bring you the wooden box. In return, you must use your skills for us until you die. We happen to need someone skilled in accounting."

Samu Shin nodded cautiously.

He had only a few months, at most half a year, left to live. If Choeakryang was willing to give him the wooden box, he could do it.

"I will do that."

"Then leave here now and head to Gansu Province. If Jin Chengyi of Nan Prefecture is hiding nearby, I will come to find him."

"But…"

"I promised you. I will retrieve the wooden box for you."

At Choeakryang's indifferent words, Samu Shin nodded firmly.

"Yes, then I will leave it to you."

Samu Shin bowed respectfully and disappeared over the wall.

Watching him go, Choeakryang smiled contentedly.

"Does this solve the problem of the chief steward?"