Chapter 44 – Guardians of Hanzhong (2)

Chapter 44 – Guardians of Hanzhong (2)

Pain surged through him as if his entire body had been pulverized. The moment he opened his eyes, he felt a tearing agony in every muscle.

But the physical pain was of no concern. What mattered was that his limbs were still intact.

Il-gwang slowly scanned his surroundings. He was lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room. Gritting his teeth, he tried to force himself up.

"Ugh…"

How much time had passed? There might still be children trapped in other holding cells. That single thought consumed Il-gwang's mind.

"Just wait a little longer… Il-gwang is coming."

As he forced his body upright, his muscles screamed in protest. He could barely feel the left side of his abdomen, which was wrapped tight in bandages.

It didn't matter. He was well enough to move, and that was all that mattered.

He limped toward the door.

For some reason, a government plaque hung from the slightly ajar door frame, bearing the words: *No Entry*.

*Creak…*

As he pushed the door open, the bright sunlight forced him to squint. Through his narrowed vision, a familiar courtyard came into view. Wondering where he was, he realized it was the headquarters of the Yuanjiang Escort Agency, where he had collapsed.

But something was strange. Hundreds of people filled the front yard of the manor. Among them, a significant number were young children.

Il-gwang averted his gaze and continued to limp forward, his posture carrying a deep, solemn resolution.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers. The words they shouted left Il-gwang completely bewildered.

"The hero has emerged!"

"H-He is safe!"

The citizens began to rush toward Il-gwang all at once. Completely caught off guard, Il-gwang could only stand there in confusion.

"Thank you, Hero!"

"Thank you, Uncle!"

"Oh, thank heavens… Thank you for saving my child…"

He saw several of the children he had rescued. Some of the parents were so overcome with emotion that they wept. They had been waiting in the courtyard since early morning for the past few days just to express their gratitude.

Looking at them, his chest swelled. When had he ever received such warm hospitality in his life?

Feeling suddenly self-conscious, Il-gwang scratched the back of his head and mumbled, "It… it was nothing. I still have work to do, so I must go."

Il-gwang continued to limp forward.

In a corner of the courtyard, he noticed a group of people with grim, hopeless faces. They were the ones whose families had not yet been rescued. They stared intently at him, unable to bring themselves to ask an injured man for help.

Il-gwang understood their feelings all too well.

"If they are still inside Hanzhong, I will make sure to save them."

His single promise gave them a wave of hope. They wept and cheered him on.

"Thank you…"

"Thank you so much…"

Leaving the crowd behind, Il-gwang stepped outside the gates of the Yuanjiang Escort Agency. He intended to search for signs of the remaining hidden cells.

However, he was immediately forced to halt.

Dozens of sturdy men blocked his path. At a glance, they were clearly street thugs.

Yet their reaction was rather unexpected.

"Please lead us, Big Brother!"

"We swear our loyalty to you!"

Il-gwang flatly refused.

"I don't associate with human traffickers. Shut up and brace yourselves for a beating."

As he clenched his fists, the thugs frantically waved their hands and spoke.

"W-Wait, it's a misunderstanding!"

"We aren't part of them!"

An expression of interest appeared on Il-gwang's face. There was always an opposing faction in any territory. These men appeared to be local thugs who had been suppressed by the mysterious syndicate and had been keeping a low profile.

"Are you sure?"

The man who seemed to be their leader stepped forward.

"Yes, that's right. We are the local gang of this area. We've only survived by collecting a small amount of protection tax."

"Spill everything you know."

"The bastards you crushed belong to an organization called the Crane Alliance. Their leader is a wealthy merchant named Jang Jin-sang. He used his wealth to buy off the gangs of Hanzhong and even drew in the Yuanjiang Escort Agency to run a massive human trafficking ring."

"And why weren't you bought off?"

"Even for thugs like us, that was crossing the line. Our world has rules that must not be broken."

Il-gwang nodded in approval.

"Of course. Anyone who crosses the line deserves a beating. Guide me to the nearest branch. I'm going to beat them all to death today."

"Well, about that…"

"What?"

"The remaining members of the Crane Alliance surrendered to the authorities today. They must have been terrified when they heard you demolished the Yuanjiang Escort Agency by yourself."

"What about Jang Jin-sang?"

"Jang Jin-sang led the remaining members himself. He went to the military camp, demanding to see the general. He should be arriving there about now."

Even if the thugs had surrendered, the wealthy merchant's actions made no sense. In Il-gwang's experience, calculating businessmen did not surrender so easily. Something was off.

"Why would that bastard go to see the general?"

"His nephew is Jang Jun, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. It is common knowledge around here. Our guys looked into it, and he plans to demand your arrest."

Jang Jun, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was one of the four Great Generals of the Song Dynasty, a powerful figure holding the second senior rank.

Il-gwang's face twisted in disbelief.

"What a crazy bastard."

He had to head to the military camp to see what was going on.

"What should we do, Big Brother?"

"I'm going to the military camp. By the time I get back, make sure all the remaining gangs are unified under you. Tell anyone who refuses that I'll pay them a personal visit."

"Yes, Big Brother! We will prepare everything without fail."

As Il-gwang departed, the gang leader gathered his men.

"First, we must make sure Big Brother survives. From now on, do exactly as I say."

With a serious expression, he began to whisper instructions to his subordinates.

* * *

Jang Jin-sang, the wealthiest merchant in Hanzhong. The old man, dressed in a luxurious blue robe, arrived at the military camp leading a hundred thugs. He was limping on crutches, having apparently been crippled recently.

His face was filled with spite. The reason he had bypassed the local magistracy and come straight to the general was because of the powerful backing he possessed. He believed someone of Jang Yang's stature could be easily handled.

Around five hundred soldiers surrounded the visitors, among whom were members of the Wolf Fang Squad.

The old man in the blue robe suddenly shrieked with venom.

"Bring the general out this instant!"

The soldiers bristled at the insolence, their hands trembling on their weapons. If someone gave the order, they would have charged forward to behead the merchant immediately.

A moment later, General Jang Yang appeared and bellowed, "Silence! How dare you make such a commotion in this sacred camp?!"

"I am Jang Jin-sang!" The merchant yelled back, arrogant as ever. He had the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs as his backing. In his eyes, a general like Jang Yang was nothing.

But Jang Yang did not back down.

"If you utter one more word of insolence, I will have you severely punished for your crimes!"

Something was wrong. Jang Yang undoubtedly knew who he was, yet the general was not reacting as expected. The merchant felt a flicker of panic. He decided to get straight to the point.

"A thug has committed countless murders in the streets! Why has the military not arrested him?!"

Jang Yang knew exactly who the merchant was referring to, as well as the truth behind the incident.

However, he hadn't anticipated they would march right into the military camp. It was a difficult situation.

"The matter is already under investigation! Return to your homes! This is not a place for you to interfere!"

Jang Jin-sang sneered.

"Under investigation? There are several witnesses here who saw the soldiers stand by and watch the murders happen!"

As Jang Jin-sang turned back, his lackeys chimed in.

"Indeed! The soldiers watched the murders occur and did absolutely nothing!"

"They even laughed at us!"

"They are clearly in league with the killer!"

As Jang Yang hesitated, Jang Jin-sang pressed his advantage.

"Do you think we don't know you arrested everyone at the Yuanjiang Escort Agency and allowed the killer to receive medical treatment there? I will report this outrage to the imperial court and expose your tyranny!"

He had come fully prepared. Jang Yang was being backed into a corner.

Just then, a figure rushed into the clearing. It was Il-gwang, his body wrapped head-to-toe in bandages.

"You crazy bastards! What gives human traffickers the right to shout so loudly?! Everyone at that agency was an accomplice, you son of a bitch!"

Il-gwang was shaking with rage. Jang Jin-sang, celebrating inwardly, pointed at him.

"That's him! He shows his arrogance even here! How can you leave such a criminal free?!"

Jang Yang's eyes, deep and cold as a lake, turned toward Jang Jin-sang.

"He claims you are human traffickers. Is that true?"

"Do you have proof? Are you now accusing innocent citizens of crimes?"

There was no proof present. If they did not arrest Il-gwang, the military would look complicit. Jang Yang had no immediate way to turn the tables.

Suddenly, Jang Jin-sang's eyes drifted behind the general. A young girl, barely reaching the general's waist and wearing a small military uniform, stepped forward. She pointed a finger at him.

"He's a bad guy!"

The moment he saw So-so, Jang Jin-sang's eyes twitched. She was the very brat who had crippled his leg.

"You little brat…"

He barely managed to swallow the curse rising in his throat.

Il-gwang shouted, looking at So-so, "Here is a witness! Tell them what happened!"

So-so felt a bit flustered as everyone's eyes locked onto her.

"H-He tricked me!"

Recalling the memory of being locked up alone in the dark, tears welled in her eyes. She sobbed, "Those bad men locked me in a scary place…"

Jang Jin-sang's face contorted, but he refused to yield.

"The brat is lying! How can you take the word of a mere child?!"

Jang Yang narrowed his eyes and roared, "Then do you have the courage to face the words of the people?!"

"If you have any real proof…"

At that moment, a furious shout erupted from behind Jang Jin-sang.

"That monster kidnapped my child!"

It was the middle-aged mother who had grabbed the thug in the street. But she was not alone.

"T-That man is the one who kidnapped me!"

"The man standing over there is definitely the one who dragged me away!"

"That uncle took me!"

The crowd of citizens that had gathered numbered in the hundreds, and more were arriving by the minute. The local gang had spread the word, and the townspeople had rushed to the camp without a second thought. One by one, they pointed at the thugs standing behind Jang Jin-sang.

Watching the swelling crowd, Jang Jin-sang's face turned pale.

'These worthless peasants dare…'

Jang Yang looked at the townspeople and asked, "Then let me ask you all! Is it true that this man killed innocent people?"

The citizens erupted in anger.

"If he has a crime, it is only the crime of saving my child!"

"How can saving us be a crime?!"

"If these evil bastards are innocent, then there are no criminals in this world!"

Every single citizen spoke out in defense of Il-gwang. Watching them, Il-gwang felt hot tears prick his eyes.

Jang Yang's furious gaze fell back on Jang Jin-sang.

"You scoundrel! Do you still have anything to say?!"

Completely pale and panicked, Jang Jin-sang stammered, "T-They were tributes bound for the imperial palace! That man interfered with the Emperor's goods!"

A biting chill settled over everyone, including General Jang Yang.

To think they were kidnapping the children and young women of Hanzhong to send them as tributes to the imperial court…

A thick, suffocating aura of killing intent filled the air.

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Jang Jin-sang played his final card.

"M-My nephew is Jang Jun, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs! If you do not let me go, you won't survive this, General!"

"You bastard!" Jang Yang's face contorted in absolute fury.