Chapter 40

Dooakchil's brazen attitude left No Geonho momentarily speechless, but he soon regained his composure and spoke with a voice full of disbelief.

"…Ha, this is unbelievable. Do you really think what you’re saying makes any sense?"

No Geonho, having discarded the minimal courtesy he had maintained, replied with a voice brimming with anger.

"Ah, how dare a mere branch manager speak so rudely to the deputy manager of the Yellow Green Escort Agency!"

"How can you talk about rudeness in this situation? Are you, Director Yang, losing your mind? Have you forgotten the rules of this trade now?"

"This brat dares to say anything!"

Yang Jimo, acting as if there was no problem at all, raised his voice and spoke boldly, but Dooakchil's words had crossed the line by a long shot.

What was the most important thing when setting up camp?

It was to protect oneself from any potential dangers while in a vulnerable state of sleep.

Yet, inviting threatening individuals into their safe zone was absurd.

Therefore, even if the escort agencies had a close relationship, sharing the same campsite was unheard of.

In other words, declaring that they would share the campsite was a direct provocation.

This made the hearts of the White Cloud Escort Agency's guards boil with anger.

"Scoundrel, your arrogance is reaching the heavens. What, did I say something I shouldn’t have?"

Dooakchil's words made the atmosphere between the two escort groups even colder.

In a situation where the guards of both agencies were about to draw their swords, Zhang Dachui, who had not even properly dressed, hurriedly approached No Geonho.

"What, what’s going on?"

He opened his eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost upon seeing the guards of the Yellow Green Escort Agency.

At that moment, Dooakchil spoke to Zhang Dachui.

"Ho, you look familiar?"

"Deputy Manager, this is Zhang Dachui from Huajin Trading Company."

Zhang Dachui answered with a clear sign of panic.

In contrast, Dooakchil looked like a child who had found an interesting toy.

"Yes, Zhang Chief. We have met recently, haven’t we?"

"Haha, yes, yes."

As Dooakchil spoke, Zhang Dachui began to gauge No Geonho's reaction.

At that moment, No Geonho realized who the force trying to take over the White Cloud Escort Agency's mission, as mentioned by Zhang Dachui, was.

'Sure enough, it was them.'

No Geonho's eyes became even more intense.

Dooakchil, ignoring him, spoke to Zhang Dachui.

"Listen, Zhang Chief."

"Yes, yes?"

"The horses are too tired from the recent journey and won’t move anymore. So, I thought we could camp here with the White Cloud Escort Agency. What do you think?"

Zhang Dachui's eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck, finally realizing the current situation.

He was worried that if the conflict escalated, it would result in innocent victims, including his family.

However, he also did not want to share the campsite with armed men, so he cautiously replied.

"…Ah, as far as I know, escort agencies do not share the same campsite…"

Dooakchil abruptly cut him off with a voice full of anger.

"Ha! That’s to guard against bandits who attack in the dark! Surely, you don’t consider me, a disciple of the Yellow Mountain Sect, to be on the same level as those scoundrels!"

"That, that’s not what I meant, ah!"

Swoosh!

Dooakchil suddenly released his inner energy.

It seemed that his claim of being a lay disciple of the Yellow Mountain Sect since childhood was not a lie, as the energy emanating from his body was incredibly intense.

"Ugh, cough!"

Zhang Dachui, an ordinary person who had not learned any martial arts, turned pale and began to breathe heavily from the rough energy Dooakchil emitted.

'This despicable scoundrel!'

No Geonho was taken aback by Dooakchil's sudden act of violence.

A true martial artist would never do such a thing to an ordinary person.

Whoosh!

No Geonho gathered his energy to shield Zhang Dachui from the overwhelming pressure.

Although Dooakchil's level was higher than No Geonho's, he managed to provide some relief, and Zhang Dachui's complexion gradually improved.

Dooakchil glared at No Geonho with a look of dissatisfaction.

'Hmph, how dare you.'

Just then, Zhang Dachui, who had regained his composure, urgently spoke to No Geonho.

"Deputy Manager! We are fine, so how about sharing the campsite?"

'…Damn.'

With the answer he wanted, Dooakchil slowly withdrew his energy.

Then, with a smug expression, he continued.

"Hehe, of course, I never thought Chief Zhang would misunderstand me like that! Since the client has given permission, there should be no problem. Do you have anything to add, Deputy Manager?"

Everyone's eyes turned to No Geonho.

The reputation of the White Cloud Escort Agency and the Yellow Green Escort Agency in the Zhejiang martial world would be decided by No Geonho's next words.

Unfortunately, No Geonho's answer was already decided.

"…No."

All the members of the White Cloud Escort Agency let out a short exclamation.

There was nothing they could do.

Since the client had given permission, they had no grounds to refuse.

"Ha, then I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s share the firewood."

Dooakchil walked over as if he were at home and took some of the firewood.

The people from the Yellow Green Escort Agency laughed and mocked the scene.

"…All of you, except those on watch, return to your quarters."

No Geonho, barely suppressing his anger, gave the order. The guards and porters followed without a word.

Though their hearts were filled with anger and shame, they understood No Geonho's position and silently obeyed.

Thus, the campsite of the Yellow Green Escort Agency began to be set up near the tents and wagons of the White Cloud Escort Agency.

"…Sigh, I’m really sorry."

Zhang Dachui sighed deeply and headed to his quarters.

However, No Geonho had no time to pay attention to him.

His vision was filled with Dooakchil and Yang Jimo, who were whispering with sinister looks.

'…Those scoundrels definitely have some ulterior motive.'

A foreboding feeling crept over him.

The number of tents set up by the Yellow Green Escort Agency was significantly more than their own, which only increased No Geonho's unease.

At that moment, No Geonho grabbed one of the guards who was returning to his tent and whispered secretly.

"…I’ll give you the fastest horse. Leave immediately and ride non-stop to the agency. When you arrive, tell the manager that a conflict with the Yellow Green Escort Agency is likely to occur and request that reinforcements be sent as soon as possible."

The guard nodded and secretly led the horse away, leaving the campsite.

'…If you ride non-stop, you should reach the agency in two hours. If the reinforcements leave immediately, it will take another two hours.'

The minimum time for the messenger to arrive and the reinforcements to reach the campsite was four hours.

Four hours, a long time or a short time, depending on the situation.

'If my father and the Huoyun Pavilion members arrive, we can handle any unexpected situations.'

The White Cloud Agency was focusing on reorganizing, and Youshinyun was in seclusion, so No Geonho expected that the reinforcements would be led by No Daewoong.

'If only this turns out to be a false alarm.'

His troubled heart did not easily subside.

No Geonho sighed deeply and entered his quarters.

…But three hours later.

No Geonho's worries became reality.

A sharp scream echoed through the campsite.

Chapter 2

"Ah!"

'Damn!'

The scream woke No Geonho from his sleep.

Clang!

He quickly grabbed his sword, which he had placed by his pillow the night before, and rushed toward the source of the scream.

Outside the tent, it was still early morning, but the surroundings were bright.

'…!'

No Geonho's eyes widened.

Whoosh!

All the guards of the Yellow Green Escort Agency were lined up with torches in hand.

And.

"This despicable thief!"

Dooakchil was holding a sharp blade to Dan Xiaoyan's neck.

Dan Xiaoyan, pale with fear, was frozen in place like ice.

"What are you doing now!"

No Geonho, his anger reaching its peak, roared.

Behind him, the guards and porters of the White Cloud Escort Agency were also agitated, gripping their weapons tightly.

"Hmph, you finally woke up! How does the White Cloud Escort Agency manage its subordinates?"

Despite the situation, Dooakchil sneered and shouted.

"Now, since the owner has appeared, let’s ask again! Woman, where did you hide the Ice Jade?"

'Ice Jade?'

No Geonho and the others from the White Cloud Escort Agency looked at each other in confusion. They remembered that Dooakchil had called Dan Xiaoyan a thief.

Dan Xiaoyan shook her head vigorously and spoke.

"…Ice Jade? I know nothing about it."

"Ha, you are truly shameless! Are you going to deny it until the end?"

"Deputy Manager! Don’t torment an innocent child. Please explain the situation clearly!"

As Dooakchil pressed the blade closer to Dan Xiaoyan's neck, No Geonho burst out in anger.

Dooakchil met No Geonho's gaze and continued with a mocking smile.

"We just confirmed that the Ice Jade, hidden in the wagon, is missing. And we saw this woman crawling out of the forest in the dark. It’s obvious! She must have stolen the Ice Jade and hidden it in the forest!"

The unexpected words left the White Cloud Escort Agency members staring at Dan Xiaoyan in bewilderment.

Dan Xiaoyan, her voice trembling with tears, cried out.

"No! No! I didn’t steal anything! I just went to pick flowers because I couldn’t sleep!"

"Deputy Manager, it’s a misunderstanding! It’s absurd! Xiaoyan would never touch someone else’s belongings!"

Fangno, who had been listening, turned pale and spoke to No Geonho.

"…There’s no evidence. Don’t force this. We will talk to the child, so put away your sword and hand her over."

No Geonho wanted to ensure Dan Xiaoyan's safety first.

However, Dooakchil showed no signs of backing down.

"Hmph, that’s not possible! It’s a fact that she went into the forest in the dark, as she admitted. We will take her to the agency and interrogate her!"

"Interrogate? Deputy Manager, I really didn’t do it. I didn’t steal anything!"

The word "interrogate" filled Dan Xiaoyan with fear, and she pleaded with No Geonho.

'…The reinforcements won’t arrive for another hour. Damn, what should I do?'

He wanted to charge in immediately, but the numerical disadvantage was too clear.

As No Geonho swallowed his frustration, Dooakchil raised his voice even higher.

"The White Cloud Escort Agency must compensate for the missing Ice Jade or hand over this woman! Otherwise, there will be bloodshed…"

Just then.

Swoosh!

Crack!

A sudden sound of breaking air and a dull crack echoed.

"Aaaah!"

Dooakchil let out a shrill scream.

Clang!

He dropped his sword and clutched his wrist.

In the blink of an eye, everyone was stunned.

From the darkness.

"…What the hell is this dog-like situation?"

Youshinyun, with a look of a demon, slowly emerged.

Martial World Reborn