Chapter 59 – A Needle in a Haystack

Chapter 59 – A Needle in a Haystack

Late afternoon when the sun was setting.

The intensely blazing sunset broke over the waves of the Yangtze River and sparkled like jewels. As a river wind that shook the hair blew, San-ho, who was sitting at the edge of the stern, stretched his hand back and rested it on the railing.

"Were you here?"

"Ah, Chief Stronghold Leader."

The door of the cabin opened, and a voice that had now become familiar was heard. Tae Ju-ha, holding a bottle of Blue Moon Liquor sent by Do Yi-gyeom in his hand, walked over with a smile.

"I was just getting some fresh air."

"Good. Let us do it together."

Pop, lifting the liquor bottle that opened with a clear sound, Tae Ju-ha gulped it down and wore a satisfied smile.

"Kuuu… Whistling in the wind and playing with the moon. Since a good friend and good liquor are together, it cannot be better than this."

San-ho laughed softly.

Unlike the quiet river, a rowdy noise was continuously flowing out from inside the cabin. Between the noises, Un-jo's voice was occasionally mixed in. Un-jo, who at first expressed reluctance, asking how he could board the water bandits' lair, was now living comfortably as if he were a member of the Waterway Fort.

Tae Ju-ha, who was watching the sun cross over the ridge, quietly asked.

"Where are you heading to?"

"Yes?"

"You thought of what no one else could think of, and dared to attempt what no one else dared to attempt. Yet, all you wanted was just to be allowed to read the books in my library. If so, does that not mean there is a place you wish to head toward?"

"…"

When San-ho shut his mouth without responding, he chuckled and changed the question.

"It seems you cannot speak of it. Then I shall ask this way. If you find the answer you wanted, will you become comfortable?"

"Hmm… I do not know well yet."

San-ho turned his head and looked beyond the river.

As if he could see the opposite end that was invisible.

"I just think that now is the path approaching what I want. The result is a later problem."

"Is that so? It is a fortunate thing for me. Did you not save my life while finding your path like that?"

"Does it turn out that way?"

"One has to live long to see everything. To think that the one who fished me out of the River of Three Crossings was a greenhorn of the orthodox sect."

Amidst the comfortably flowing conversation, Tae Ju-ha looked at San-ho and thought.

"…"

It was strange. It was a distinctly strange aura even for him, who had faced countless rising stars of the Jianghu and martial artists of both orthodox and unorthodox factions, to feel.

'He is a mysterious child.'

A nameless nobody who did not even have a moniker to introduce.

That was the child who introduced himself as such.

However, he could know even with just a few days of traveling together. That before long, this child's name, a new moniker, and those who follow him would increase like a tsunami in the Jianghu.

A needle in a haystack.

Like a needle in a pocket, a person with talent cannot be hidden. They will surely be revealed to the world.

That was an all too obvious future.

'Befriending him early on was indeed lucky.'

San-ho, who inherited the blood of the Sichuan Tang Clan, was the sole disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sword, one of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World. He was the sole friend of the Fist Demon Tae Ju-ha, another of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World, and at the same time, his life-saving benefactor. Was that all? He had also succeeded in removing a Gu worm probably for the first time in the Jianghu, and the martial prowess he faintly revealed was also not ordinary.

Just what had become known was already this much. It was impossible to even estimate how many blades he might be hiding inside.

A person whom one would surely regret greatly if turned into an enemy.

Tae Ju-ha judged San-ho as such.

"As you know, I am not a good person. Things like chivalry or goodwill are things I do not possess."

When unexpected words flowed from his mouth after finishing his thoughts, San-ho tilted his head.

"However, since I have gained a friend from a noble family that was not in my destiny, should I not also do my best? If there is anyone blocking your path ahead, whoever it is, I shall clear them away for you."

"…Clear them away?"

When San-ho asked in a displeased voice, the corners of Tae Ju-ha's mouth curled up.

"Living life, there are moments when the ways of the unorthodox sect are needed."

"…"

"So do not hesitate. Whatever it is you are looking for, I shall add my strength."

San-ho nodded at Tae Ju-ha's firm promise. He felt like he was forming a connection with a local gangster, but since he did not know how his life would flow, there was no need to refuse.

"Let us go, I shall give you my present."

Tae Ju-ha, who smiled with satisfaction, led San-ho and headed to the storehouse.

It was that storehouse, filled with rare and precious things he had gathered while roaming the world.

"Choose what you want. Since I disturbed the leisure of my friend, I should naturally give a present."

San-ho, who quietly scanned the storehouse, glanced up at him and asked.

"…Anything?"

"Of course. Anything."

When permission fell from Tae Ju-ha's mouth, San-ho's quiet eyes sparkled ominously. Curiosity and excitement were smeared on the back of his figure as he busily moved his steps as if asking when he had ever been quiet.

"Ah, I have coveted this ever since I first saw it. It is my first time seeing ambergris of this size. This too! Ah, this is coral zither, right? Then I will take this too…"

San-ho excitedly packed and picked up items.

"Is this the scale of a Snow Dragon? And this is the scale of a Fire Dragon? To think you have both of them."

When he picked up two small chests, Tae Ju-ha's eyes widened.

However, it was already too late. The Chief Stronghold Leader of the Yangtze River Waterway Forts, in name and reality, could not take back the words he had uttered now. The corners of Tae Ju-ha's eyes, who was smiling, began to tremble.

San-ho, who subtly read his countenance, slipped both of them into his pocket.

'Th-That… Just like a fellow from a prestigious family, he knows precious things like a ghost. Even with just one chest, one could buy several mansion-like houses… Ugh…'

Although his pockets were already full, San-ho's shopping cart did not stop.

San-ho, who opened even the medicine boxes placed high up one by one, embraced He Shou Wu, Nine-Leaf Herb, and all kinds of poisonous herbs in his arms.

He placed the bulky items on Tae Ju-ha's arm for a moment.

"Is… there still more left?"

At best, he had thought San-ho would take two or so precious poisons, but San-ho was thoroughly chewing, tearing, tasting, and enjoying Tae Ju-ha's storehouse. It was like giving a fish shop entirely to a cat.

"…Though I did tell you to choose to your heart's content without burden…"

To think one could be this free of burden.

Tae Ju-ha, who had briefly forgotten that San-ho was excessively bold, slightly parted his mouth.

"Ah, I do not know if it is really okay to take all of this? Hahahaha."

At that moment, the faintly heard, extremely artificial laughter of San-ho. Tae Ju-ha burst into a hollow laugh.

"Since you have set your mind to taking all of that… how about throwing away at least some of your conscience?"

"Shall I do that then?"

San-ho, who smiled brightly, pushed a fragment of night-shining pearl into his pocket without further hesitation.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the storehouse.

"Chief Stronghold Leader. The meal preparation is complete."

At the subordinate's voice heard from outside, Tae Ju-ha's complexion brightened visibly.

"I wish to give you other things too, but since we cannot keep others waiting, let us go now."

"Tsk…"

San-ho, who was roaming around excitedly with the momentum to strip Tae Ju-ha's storehouse clean, licked his lips in regret. However, for a regretful look, the things held in his hands were excessively many.

'This is why fellows from prestigious families are…'

Tae Ju-ha, who looked at the storehouse that was empty here and there, bit his lips firmly.

If there had been just one more fifteen-minute interval, the storehouse might have been completely plundered.

'He really packed well, focusing on the expensive ones. If those Taoist fellows who cultivate the Way in the mountains were placed in front of this, they would not even know well… Sheesh.'

Tae Ju-ha headed to the cabin while soothing his stomach, which had become as empty as the empty storehouse. Recalling to himself that this level of investment in a talent was worth making.

The present also halfway doubled as a bribe. For there was something he absolutely wanted to see.

Tae Ju-ha, coughing awkwardly and dryly, asked carefully.

"By the way, that… Earth Dragon. Did you not say you would let me see it if we go to Sichuan?"

"Ah, yes. Torong and Yongyong."

"Are they really at the annex? How did you catch them?"

"With flying daggers."

"…"

"But to be precise, the one caught was only one, and Torong and Yongyong hatched from eggs."

"Hmm? Then they might not have poison?"

"No. I made both of them be born as females, so they have poison. Sigh… I do not know if they are feeding them well."

At those words, Tae Ju-ha parted his mouth with a bewildered expression.

Ah, so now…

He caught a house-sized Earth Dragon with a mere palm-sized flying dagger, and the two eggs he brought back were made to be born as females… and he is raising them at the annex after naming them?

'Is my friend… telling a lie, or am I narrow-minded?'

His head tilted to the side.

However, there was no way to verify until they arrived in Sichuan.

***

Two more days passed.

The Red Dragon Ship, which was heading to Sichuan, temporarily stopped near Yizhang.

It was because Tae Ju-ha had temporarily left his seat to crack down on a rebel Waterway Fort in the vicinity. Since moving by boat was much closer than going by land, even if it consumed a few more days, it did not matter much.

However, even a pleasant song becomes tiresome if it continues.

"Boating is also only for a day or two. I cannot stay because it is boring."

San-ho, who was resting on the deck, could not endure it and jumped up.

Then, stretching his body to yawn, he packed his gear. Geum-myeong saw that appearance and asked.

"Where are you going?"

"To look around the vicinity. I heard there are many local specialties here? Would you like to go together?"

"Ah… please go ahead."

Ah. He was a Waterway Fort. Seeing Geum-myeong's displeased expression, San-ho realized anew the fact that they were water bandits of the Waterway Fort. It was so natural that he had completely forgotten.

"What about you, Senior?"

San-ho asked as he looked at Un-jo, who was lying down like a cat near the window where the sunlight shone well.

However, Un-jo did not even move, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep. It seemed fatigue had piled up because he was uselessly swept into someone else's rebellion. San-ho, laughing softly, waved his hand to Geum-myeong.

"I will go alone. It will not take long."

The vicinity of Yizhang, where the boat briefly anchored, was a place where various local specialties of Hubei gathered.

'Is it because I got older… I keep getting interested in local specialties.'

Inwardly sympathizing with the adults who bought local specialties of that region as travel presents, San-ho jumped off the boat with light steps. Once passed, local specialties do not return. One must buy them when they are available.

'Since they said there is good quality coal in this region, I should buy some for the Leader of the Craftsmanship Hall. Ah, it would be great if I could also find the hallucinogenic mushrooms that are said to grow only here.'

As the faces left behind in Sichuan came to mind, a comfortable smile spread on the corners of San-ho's lips.

'Did they say the leaf tea is also famous? I can drink that with Tang Hae-soo… what else should I buy?'

Both time and his purse were leisurely. At the daily life he welcomed after a long time, San-ho joyfully moved his steps toward the downtown area.

Had he walked for about a fifteen-minute interval like that?

Rustle, a light wind blew.

At the wind tickling the nape of his neck, San-ho suddenly stopped his feet.

"…"

A smell.

Faintly, a person's body odor was mixed in the wind.

He moved only his eyes and scanned the surroundings. However, neither a visible shadow of a person nor a presence was felt. San-ho let out a low sigh and muttered to himself.

"…What should I do with a life where I cannot even go grocery shopping as I please. Should I perform a ritual?"

Since it would not be a ghost, it must be a martial artist.

Moreover, a master who hid their presence so perfectly as to avoid his sensitive senses.

It was at that moment.

As if waiting for San-ho to stop, an unfamiliar voice revealed its presence.

"Are you Tang Clan's San-ho?"

"…Depending on the situation?"

Behind the shadow where trees stretched overlappingly, an unfamiliar man walked out. When his name was heard from an unexpected place, San-ho frowned. Since watching him while killing presence was not a very pleasant situation.

"Excuse me. I am Seomun Gang, the Captain of the Heavenly Simurgh Squad belonging to the Martial Alliance."

Seomun Gang, who had a expressionless face, politely cupped his fists and introduced himself. On the neatly worn dark-blue martial robe, the wing pattern, the symbol of the Heavenly Simurgh Squad, was engraved.

"…"

San-ho's face hardened stiffly.

The Martial Alliance. The largest coalition and core of the orthodox faction, a group that maintains the order of the Jianghu. It was composed of twelve divisions under the Alliance Leader, and among them, the Heavenly Simurgh Squad to which Seomun Gang belonged was one of the guards directly under the Alliance Leader.

Seomun Gang said dryly.

"You must come with us."

"Why?"

"It is the order of the Alliance Leader."

"I am asking what the reason is."

"There is something to confirm. Other details cannot be delivered to you yet."

"…"

When San-ho asked back at the insufficient answer, Seomun Gang only put forward the same answer with the same face.

'…Words do not get through.'

San-ho, who gave up asking further, bit his lips.

Of all things, the Martial Alliance, which he wanted to avoid the most.

Recalling Mae So-hyun's letter, the Martial Alliance definitely knew about the flower that absorbs local energy. However, it was impossible to know for what purpose they were looking for it. That was also what San-ho had been doubting all along.

Besides, showing up only now while even knowing his name must mean they had been chasing him all along. It meant that even if it were not here, they would have run into each other sooner or later anyway.

'Whatever the reason… anyway, not now.'

It was only one step left to recover all his memories. If he only returned to Sichuan, all the questions in the meantime would be solved. Yet to think his ankle would be caught here.

"Since I will go on my own, please wait for a fortnight."

"No."

At Seomun Gang's firm answer, San-ho was dumbfounded. Even leaving aside the question of why the Martial Alliance was looking for him, he could not understand being treated as a criminal like this. No, does this place not even have something like the presumption of innocence?…There probably isn't, but still, this is not it!

After contemplating for a moment, San-ho looked straight at Seomun Gang and asked.

"What if I say I will not go now?"

Screeech-

Seomun Gang, still expressionless, replaced his answer with the action of drawing his sword from its scabbard. It was a clear and aggressive expression of intent. Then, behind him, dozens of martial artists revealed themselves in an instant.

"Ha…"

Really absurd.

San-ho had an intuition.

That since falling into the Central Plains martial world, today would become the most dog-like day.

'I said I would go quickly.'

Tsk. It will take some time. A sigh mixed with lamentation scattered.