Chapter 80

Jin Ja-gang did not head straight for Iron Umbrella Sect.

Though time was urgent, he deliberately delayed his journey by a day to rest.

This was something he absolutely needed to do to ensure he could reach Iron Umbrella Sect safely.

Fortunately, after a day passed, news reached his ears that Shadow Bureau had been annihilated.

Jin Ja-gang, who had been anxiously waiting for the outcome, was finally able to set out with peace of mind.

‘For the wanted notice spread by Shadow Bureau to become meaningless, the rumor of their destruction has to spread. Only then am I safe.’

Shadow Bureau had issued a wanted order for the limping man-Jin Ja-gang.

But now that Shadow Bureau was gone, there was no one left to report to, even if someone found the limping man.

Naturally, those seeking the bounty would no longer bother searching for Jin Ja-gang.

This meant he could travel with less scrutiny from others.

So Jin Ja-gang acted normally.

He didn’t go out of his way to take rough mountain paths, nor did he sneak around only at night. He didn’t need to flaunt himself, but neither did he have to hide.

Still, he was careful not to travel through places too deserted, just in case “he” was lurking and watching.

He could have walked without limping if he paid attention, but since “he” might recognize him, Jin Ja-gang continued to limp as usual.

Occasionally, there were still people who eyed Jin Ja-gang with suspicion.

But most of them just seemed uncertain. Even if Jin Ja-gang was the limping man from the rumors, there was nothing they could do about it.

Because of this, Jin Ja-gang was able to travel more comfortably than expected.

Now that he didn’t have to worry about how to reach Iron Umbrella Sect, he only needed to think about how to deal with it once there.

‘The real headache with Iron Umbrella Sect is their hidden weapons.’

Iron Umbrella Sect uses hidden weapons fired from umbrellas, so facing many of them head-on was difficult. Even for Jin Ja-gang, with his resistance to poison, he had no desire to become a human pincushion.

Moreover, news of Shadow Bureau’s destruction would have reached Iron Umbrella Sect, so they were surely on alert. A frontal assault was impossible; he would have to exploit their preparations and find a gap.

… ‘I’ll have to see for myself how prepared Iron Umbrella Sect is when I arrive. Time will be very tight.’

Jin Ja-gang quickened his pace a little.

* * *

Early in the morning, Chu Sa-jin was leaving his sect, sent off by his beautiful wife.

Chu Sa-jin was the only son of Chu Hyo, the Tiger Shield Sword, a vigorous young man in his early twenties. As the only son, he had married early to continue the family line, but despite it being an arranged marriage, the couple was genuinely close.

“Dear, don’t be too anxious.”

His wife tried to comfort the nervous Chu Sa-jin.

Chu Sa-jin gave her an awkward smile.

“It’s already the fifth day, and there’s still no result. I’ll have no face to see uncle if this goes on.”

“There will be good news, I’m sure.”

“I can’t let this opportunity slip by. If I catch that man, our Ojo Sect could become one of the top clans in Yunnan. All I have to do is succeed.”

“Still… please be careful not to get hurt.”

“That guy is just a lowlife who acts as a henchman for others. There’s no danger for me. But for your sake, I’ll be careful.”

“Take care.”

With his wife’s farewell, Chu Sa-jin left Ojo Sect. Three martial artists were waiting outside.

“Let’s go.”

As ordered by his father, Chu Hyo, Chu Sa-jin was searching the nearby villages every day with Ojo Sect’s martial artists.

Though only three accompanied him at the moment, in reality, the entire Ojo Sect had been mobilized for this operation. With thirty more gathered through connections, a total of eighty people had been deployed for this task.

That’s how much the future of Ojo Sect depended on capturing the limping man.

The pressure on Chu Sa-jin was immense.

A martial artist holding Chu Sa-jin’s horse’s reins spoke.

“Don’t worry, young master. We’ve sent people to all three surrounding counties-he won’t be able to escape.”

“He’d better not. We must succeed this time.”

… Above all, he couldn’t fail-not after Mang Ryo had brought this great prey right to their doorstep, and not after his father’s tireless efforts for Ojo Sect.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Chu Sa-jin and his three companions began making their rounds of the designated areas.

The search was conducted mainly by visiting martial arts halls, tea houses, and inns to ask questions.

After a morning of inquiries, Chu Sa-jin’s group spotted a small martial arts hall.

Chu Sa-jin dismounted and entered the hall with his men.

The instructor greeted him with a martial salute.

“Welcome. What brings Ojo Sect’s Chu young master here?”

Chu Sa-jin returned the salute politely.

“Hello, Master Hwang. I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Have you seen a young man, late teens or early twenties, who limps, possibly from out of town?”

“A limping young man?”

The instructor frowned in thought, but a student behind him spoke up.

“Oh? I think I saw someone like that just a little while ago.”

“When?”

“I saw him just after passing the three-way intersection. He was heading toward Danya Mountain. He definitely looked like an outsider.”

Chu Sa-jin’s eyes lit up. He quickly saluted the student and instructor.

“If this is the man we’re looking for, I’ll be sure to return and thank you properly. Let’s go!”

Chu Sa-jin hurried toward Danya Mountain with his men.

It was a promising lead. He couldn’t afford to lose time and let the target slip away.

One of the martial artists asked, “Should we contact the elder?”

“No, let’s catch him ourselves and bring him to uncle.”

There had been many leads on the limping man, but most had turned out to be false-wrong age, unable to walk at all, or even women.

… So Chu Sa-jin didn’t want to trouble Mang Ryo every time a tip came in. He planned to bring in anyone who was even a close match for Mang Ryo to check.

According to Mang Ryo, the man’s martial arts were only third-rate, so there was little to worry about. The only concern was that this might not be the right person.

When Chu Sa-jin and his three men reached the foot of Danya Mountain, they saw a slim young man climbing the mountain ahead.

“Ah! Young master?”

The martial artists looked at Chu Sa-jin in surprise. A smile appeared on Chu Sa-jin’s face as well.

“This tip was the real thing!”

The young man climbing the mountain was limping.

Chu Sa-jin chased after the young man, calling out loudly.

“Wait a moment!”

The young man only stopped after Chu Sa-jin called out several times.

Chu Sa-jin dismounted as he drew near.

“Whoa.”

He calmed his horse and quickly looked over the young man’s face.

He looked ordinary enough, dusty and travel-worn, clearly a stranger to these parts.

Chu Sa-jin gave a slight martial salute.

“I am Chu Sa-jin of Ojo Sect.”

The young man nodded slightly, showing no sign of recognizing the name Ojo Sect.

“What is it?”

His voice was remarkably calm for someone stopped so suddenly. Normally, Chu Sa-jin might have found this odd, but in his excitement, he didn’t notice.

“I have a few questions. Forgive my rudeness in stopping you.”

“I’m in a hurry…”

Chu Sa-jin quickly asked, “Where are you headed?”

“I’m crossing Danya Mountain to Songcheon.”

“May I ask your name?”

“Wang Mo.”

“Can you show me your identification?”

“I don’t have it with me right now…”

In these times, it wasn’t unusual not to carry identification. But that was just an excuse.

Chu Sa-jin seized the opportunity.

“Then, could you come with us for a moment?”

“Huh?”

Chu Sa-jin puffed out his chest and spoke with pride.

“Our Ojo Sect is a member of the Martial Arts Alliance.”

At the mention of the Martial Arts Alliance, the young man’s expression changed slightly.

He clearly reacted to the words “Martial Arts Alliance.” Chu Sa-jin pressed on.

“That means our Ojo Sect’s actions are on behalf of the Alliance itself. Even if you’re busy, I hope you’ll cooperate.”

Just in case, Chu Sa-jin placed his hand on his sword hilt. His words were polite, but his actions bordered on intimidation.

The young man protested.

“The Martial Arts Alliance isn’t the government. You can’t just detain innocent people. How do I know you’re not bandits pretending to be Ojo Sect?”

At this, the martial artists who had followed Chu Sa-jin stepped up angrily.

“Ojo what? Ojo Sect is a famous, long-standing clan!”

“If you don’t know Ojo Sect, you’re clearly not from around here!”

The young man replied, “I’m just passing through on business.”

Chu Sa-jin gripped his sword hilt more tightly, his expression serious.

It was a clear threat.

“We’re chasing a very dangerous criminal. If you don’t want to be suspected, you should come with us.”

The young man widened his eyes and asked, “Is he really that dangerous?”

“He’s a vicious criminal,” the martial artists answered.

“He’s slaughtered hundreds of people-a truly evil monster.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, alone.”

The young man blinked, as if frightened.

Chu Sa-jin and his men exchanged glances. The young man’s innocent expression made them doubt he was the one, but they couldn’t be sure.

Suddenly, the young man waved his hands.

“Oh, come on. How could anyone do that? One man killing hundreds? That’s impossible.”

“Uh…”

Chu Sa-jin and his men felt awkward, having exaggerated the story. But it was too late to backtrack now.

The martial artists looked to Chu Sa-jin, then barked at the young man.

“Are you saying we’re lying?”

“Do you know who you’re talking to?”

The young man protested, “No, I just wanted to know if such a person really exists. Is he really so terrifying?”

“He is!” they shouted.

“But,” the young man said, “if he’s so terrifying, what do you plan to do if you find him?”

“What?”

Chu Sa-jin was taken aback, his face reddening.

“What did you just say…?”

The three martial artists shouted, “Are you mocking Ojo Sect?”

The young man replied, “I don’t know about Ojo Sect, but I’m asking you right here.”

His expression was calm, but his words sent chills down their spines.

“You… you bastard!”

The martial artists looked helplessly at Chu Sa-jin.

But there was little Chu Sa-jin could do.

He suppressed his anger and said, “Perhaps I was rude. If you wouldn’t mind, please come with us for a moment…”

The young man answered immediately, “I do mind. Goodbye.”

With that, he turned as if to leave.

They couldn’t let him go.

Srrrk!