Chapter 407

Chapter 407 – Against One Person – Heavenly Net (1)

Zaoyang was a city located in the northern part of Anhui Province, positioned along the official road directly connecting to Henan Province.

Being a transportation hub, countless people had used this place since long ago, and accommodations like inns and taverns were abundant. But that too was past glory.

After the Demon Cult seized control of Yueyang, most roads leading to the outside were cut off. Demon Cult masters were stationed at major checkpoints to strictly monitor entry and exit from the outside.

Orthodox martial artists from the Martial Alliance or Nine Great Sects were naturally thoroughly blocked or killed, and only martial artists belonging to merchant groups or escort agencies were allowed passage. Even then, only those with clear identities were permitted, and anyone even slightly suspicious was immediately dragged to the Demon Cult to be tortured or killed.

Demon Cult masters had also been dispatched to Zaoyang.

With help from sects that had converted to the Demon Cult, they built a checkpoint on the Zaoyang official road. The checkpoint reminiscent of a fortress emanated tremendous intimidation that felt crushing just to look at.

"Phew!"

Eun So-cheong caught her breath for a moment while looking at the checkpoint built in Zaoyang.

Though Eun So-cheong was seasoned in merchant activities, facing such a checkpoint where the Demon Cult held sway inevitably made her mind and body shrink.

Eun So-cheong's eyes, which had wavered anxiously for a moment, soon regained their usual composure.

Still keeping her gaze fixed forward, she said:

"Everyone be especially careful. Under no circumstances should you step forward. We'll handle everything ourselves."

"Are you really okay?"

"If brother and the others step out unnecessarily, it'll only make things worse. Please leave this kind of thing to us."

"Understood."

Cho Yeon-woon, disguised as a laborer, nodded with a stiff expression.

Though Cho Yeon-woon usually wore a leisurely smile, this time he couldn't hide his tense expression. The same was true for the other death squad members.

If they simply tried to break through with martial arts alone, it wouldn't be impossible, but then the death squad's existence would be exposed to the Demon Cult. Such a worst-case scenario had to be prevented.

The merchant group led by Eun So-cheong gradually approached Zaoyang's checkpoint. Immediately, there was a reaction from the checkpoint.

"Who goes there? Stop right there."

Following the sharp voice, dozens of masters revealed themselves. Their blazing eyes and emanating aura seemed extraordinary.

Instantly, one middle-aged martial artist from Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group stepped forward.

"We are a merchant group operated by Silver Treasure Escort Agency."

He was Nam Ju-myeong, vice leader of the escort group, who had excellent eloquence and considerable courage. Because of this, he often led the escort group in place of leader Jeok Yong-cheon.

Nam Ju-myeong approached the Demon Cult masters guarding the checkpoint without showing any signs of tension. Then a middle-aged martial artist who appeared to be their leader came forward from the Demon Cult side.

He was a master carrying a large broadsword on his back. He rode his horse toward Nam Ju-myeong.

He was one of the Demon Cult's outer hall leaders, a master named Do Gang-il.

"Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group?"

"That's right. We're on our way home after completing a long merchant journey."

"Hmm!"

At Nam Ju-myeong's calm answer, Do Gang-il rifled through the roster he was holding. The roster was densely filled with names of sects and merchant groups based in Anhui Province.

Silver Treasure Escort Agency was written at the very top of the roster. This meant it was a place the Demon Cult also paid attention to, and one of the places they should show consideration for. Because a large merchant group like Silver Treasure Escort Agency could become the Demon Cult's source of funds.

"Do you have proof that you're Silver Treasure Escort Agency's escort group?"

"Here are identity tokens and certificates issued by the Martial Alliance."

"Martial Alliance?"

"Ah! Don't misunderstand. Not Shaolin Temple, but the Martial Alliance from when it was in Yueyang. Even though it was issued by the Divine Cult's enemy, there should be no doubt about its authenticity."

Nam Ju-myeong presented the group's identity tokens and certificates to Do Gang-il.

Do Gang-il's eyes narrowed. He verified the authenticity of the identity tokens and certificates with hawk-like eyes.

"At least they're definitely genuine."

Though he said that, Do Gang-il didn't remove his suspicious gaze.

"Where are you returning from?"

"We're on our way back from merchant activities in Shanxi Province."

"Shanxi Province?"

"That's right. We went there because a mine producing high-quality rock salt was discovered."

"Rock salt?"

Do Gang-il's eyes lit up.

Originally, rock salt and other salts were prohibited items that unauthorized merchants absolutely could not handle.

"Did you receive government permission?"

"Of course. If you don't believe me, feel free to check with our main office."

"Hmm!"

At Nam Ju-myeong's confident answer, Do Gang-il stroked his chin for a moment then ordered his subordinates to check the cargo.

"Turn over that tarpaulin there."

"Open the boxes."

The Demon Cult masters rushed over like wolves to begin checking the cargo. They removed tarpaulins and lowered boxes, checking two or three times for any suspicious items, and confirmed there was nothing hidden in the rock salt.

"Rock salt is definitely loaded."

"Mm!"

Do Gang-il nodded and carefully examined each person in the merchant group. The escort group's martial artists flinched under his gaze, and the merchants didn't dare make eye contact and quickly lowered their heads.

Do Gang-il's gaze stopped precisely in front of Cho Yeon-woon, who was disguised as a laborer. He pointed at Cho Yeon-woon with his finger.

"You?"

"Yes?"

Cho Yeon-woon raised his head to look at Do Gang-il.

"What's your name?"

"Jo, Jo Il-gyeong."

Cho Yeon-woon hastily gave his false name.

"Jo Il-gyeong…"

Do Gang-il examined the identity token. Then he saw the name Jo Il-gyeong.

"Age thirty-five, born in Xiandao, Hubei Province. Is that correct?"

"Y-yes, that's correct."

"But why are you stuttering like this?"

"Pardon? Well, that's…"

Cho Yeon-woon stammered.

Instantly Do Gang-il's eyes sharpened. They changed to suspicious glances.

That's when it happened.

Crack!

"Ack!"

Suddenly Eun So-cheong slapped Cho Yeon-woon's cheek. Cho Yeon-woon's eyes widened greatly from the sharp pain.

"Why don't you answer properly instead of stuttering like that? Can't you see you're delaying our schedule?"

Eun So-cheong's sharp voice pierced Cho Yeon-woon's cheek. At this, Cho Yeon-woon quickly lowered his head and answered.

"My hometown is a village called Seongok-ri in Tiandao, Hubei Province. My parents still live there, so please verify it."

"Really?"

"If it's a lie, you may cut off this fellow's head."

At Cho Yeon-woon's bold declaration, Do Gang-il's expression softened somewhat. Then Eun So-cheong approached Do Gang-il and secretly slipped him something. It was a silver ingot about the size of a child's fist.

Do Gang-il's pupils wavered.

"Sir! It looks like it's going to rain soon. If it gets wet, all the rock salt will dissolve, so please have mercy."

"Hmm!"

"We'll properly repay you when we pass through here again later. And this is a gift."

Eun So-cheong gestured to the merchant group's workers. Then the workers quickly brought down a large wine jar and presented it before the Demon Cult martial artists. Smiles bloomed on the Demon Cult martial artists' faces. Though they tried to suppress their laughter being mindful of Do Gang-il's eyes, the corners of their mouths kept twitching.

"This is twenty-year-old Shaoxing wine."

"Gasp! Tw-twenty years?"

"Yes! It's fine wine we obtained with difficulty."

"Hah!"

Do Gang-il's mouth fell open. Drool naturally flowed from the corner of his mouth. The same was true for his subordinates.

To them who had been guarding the checkpoint all day without anything to do, twenty-year-old Shaoxing wine felt sweeter than any nectar. Their mouths were already watering.

The fragrant wine aroma flowing from between the sealed cork proved that the Shaoxing wine was genuine. If they delayed any longer, their subordinates might riot.

Do Gang-il shouted toward his subordinates.

"Let them pass."

"Yes!"

The Demon Cult martial artists opened the checkpoint with vigorous responses. Eun So-cheong and Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group leisurely passed through the checkpoint.

Until they completely passed through the checkpoint, the death squad martial artists couldn't relax their tension.

'That child is quite something.'

Thousand Enemy Sword Jang Jin-myeong looked at Eun So-cheong and couldn't help but admire inwardly. He had thought that using the identity of Silver Treasure Escort Agency's escort group would make it relatively easy to pass inspection, but thanks to Eun So-cheong responding more cleverly than he expected, they could pass much more easily.

Finally, when they completely passed through the checkpoint and could no longer see the Demon Cult martial artists.

"Hey! You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Cho Yeon-woon glared at Eun So-cheong while holding his swollen cheek.

"What did I do?"

"You deliberately hit me hard, didn't you?"

"Who told you to stutter like that? We almost aroused suspicion because of brother."

"Well, that's…"

"I was the one who covered for brother's mistake. I hope you won't forget that fact. Hmph!"

Eun So-cheong snorted and walked ahead. Cho Yeon-woon's expression crumpled slightly as he watched her retreating figure.

"Damn! It hurts like hell."

Cho Yeon-woon massaged his swollen cheek while complaining. But unlike his complaining face, his eyes were shining coldly.

'The inspection isn't as ironclad as I thought.'

The Demon Cult was terrifyingly seizing control of the southern Central Plains. They maintained a thorough top-down command system, and because of this, they were known to have the strongest unity in the world. That's why the general opinion in the martial world was that there wasn't even a gap for a needle to enter.

Cho Yeon-woon had deliberately acted suspiciously to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Thanks to this, he got slapped by Eun So-cheong, but he had no regrets or lingering feelings.

'At this level, quite a few death squads should be able to enter Anhui Province.'

Cho Yeon-woon thought this was fortunate and looked at Eun So-cheong's retreating figure.

In the worst case, at least Eun So-cheong had to escape safely. Only then could he face Bang Jin-bo with dignity.

***

"Whew!"

Bang Jin-bo leaned against the ship's railing and took a deep breath.

Strangely, his head felt foggy. As if someone had stirred inside his head with a long stick.

It wasn't just Bang Jin-bo – most people on the ship were like this. Most people sitting here and there on the deck had blank expressions.

"What on earth happened?"

It was as if a piece of memory had been carved out with a sharp dagger.

He turned his head to look toward the bow. Dam Ho stood alone at the bow. His black robe fluttered like wings in the wind blowing from the Yangtze River.

At his unusual appearance, Bang Jin-bo didn't dare to speak to him. Though he had been with Dam Ho for several years now, this was the first time he had seen Dam Ho's expression hardened like this.

That's when it happened.

"Are you okay, brother?"

The Namgung brothers approached Bang Jin-bo, shaking their heads.

They too, like Bang Jin-bo, had completely lost part of their memory. Because of this, they were holding their aching heads.

"I'm dying too."

"Ugh! I feel like throwing up."

Namgung Seon-hwi shook his head.

"When we get on land, I'll make food that will settle your stomach. You'll feel better after eating that."

"Thank you, brother."

"Not at all!"

At Namgung Seon-hwi's words, Bang Jin-bo shook his head.

They were two people who had suddenly lost their family and become orphans. The Namgung Family's downfall was a disaster brought about by the family members themselves, but one of the main causes was that Dam Ho had killed the family head and other key figures.

Dam Ho felt no responsibility for this, but Bang Jin-bo was different. He carried a burden in his heart as if he himself were responsible for the Namgung Family's downfall. Perhaps that's why he was being extra kind to the Namgung brothers.

"Let's all hang in there a bit more. We'll reach land soon."

"Yes!"

It was when the Namgung brothers answered vigorously.

Whooosh!

Suddenly a sharp air-cutting sound echoed.

"What?"

When Bang Jin-bo looked forward in surprise, he saw a huge arrow as thick as a human torso flying at terrifying speed.

"Th-that?"

The arrow's target was Dam Ho.

The giant arrow that drew a line through the air struck Dam Ho directly.

Crash!