Chapter 149 : Turning Crisis into Opportunity

“I don’t desire such things. There’s no need to confirm matters through the form of war either.”Jin Seong-un stared intently at Sect Leader Hwang Seon-ja.

Hwang Seon-ja, as if sensing the meaning behind his gaze, flushed slightly and cleared his throat.

Even he himself felt that his sincerity might not be fully apparent to the other party.

‘…I might appear excessively frivolous.’

Attacking the Namok Trading Company and the Namgye Association was the righteous course of action for the Baekdo, and it was a way to at least partially atone for past mistakes in front of the disciples.

His eagerness had blinded him to connecting this plan with his past actions.

Hwang Seon-ja, nodding slightly, spoke with a calmer demeanor.

“The current Hyeongsan Sect is only half of what it once was. We’ve lost more than half of our martial arts strength.”

At Hwang Seon-ja’s words, the elders bowed their heads deeply. Some of the younger disciples’ eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“However, if there’s anything we can do, we shall naturally help. No, allow us to help. This old man will shamelessly bow and request it.”

With those words, Hwang Seon-ja bowed deeply toward Bang Man-bok and Jin Seong-un.

He didn’t mind his own disgrace. But at the very least, he wanted the young disciples not to feel ashamed of being part of the Hyeongsan Sect.

The only way was to atone, even if only slightly, for past misdeeds. If necessary, he was willing to lay down his life.

Bang Man-bok’s eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded this, and Jin Seong-un soon spoke with a voice tinged with a sigh.

“What I want from the Hyeongsan Sect is not for them to attack the Namgye Association immediately.”

All eyes turned toward Jin Seong-un.

Especially Sect Leader Hwang Seon-ja and the elders, who seemed ready to follow whatever he said.

“If a large-scale fight should occur, I hope you will protect the escort agency.”

He had no fear of either the Namgye Association or the Namok Trading Company.

But no matter how strong Jin Seong-un was, he had only one body. Fighting in Hunan while protecting the agency in Hubei was impossible.

Given the wickedness and treachery of the enemies, no one knew what they might do.

“…If Vice Leader Bang Man-bok permits it, we shall certainly do so.”

Now all eyes turned to Bang Man-bok.

After all, it was the Hyeongsan Sect that had attempted to kill him and his son.

Even if he agreed now, Bang Man-bok might take offense.

As Hwang Seon-ja waited anxiously for Bang Man-bok’s response, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Bang Man-bok grinned broadly.

“Honestly, it would be a lie if I said I bear no resentment. But! Here lies an opportunity to share Baekdo’s honor and righteousness. As a merchant, how could I possibly turn it down?”

He spoke as if it were a pragmatic choice, relieving the Hyeongsan Sect of some guilt. At the same time, he deliberately reminded them of the “honor of Baekdo.”

There were two reasons.

First, to firmly prevent the Hyeongsan Sect from committing further misdeeds. If they vowed in front of numerous young disciples, citing the honor of Baekdo, even the most shameless among them would find it difficult to break that promise.

Second, to show his son, Bang Cheon-gang, what kind of attitude and decisions a merchant should have.

Even those who attempted to kill him yesterday, if they became helpful today, should be utilized carefully while minimizing risk—a true merchant’s skill.

In fact, Bang Cheon-gang’s eyes shone as he watched his father’s decision and demeanor.

Amid all these martial artists, it was the merchant, Bang Man-bok, who displayed the greatest magnanimity, causing Hwang Seon-ja’s face to redden with embarrassment.

This was precisely Bang Man-bok’s intention.

‘Embarrassment is not easily forgotten.’

A glint of determination appeared in Hwang Seon-ja’s wrinkled eyes.

“With a repentant heart, we shall protect the escort agency. Moreover, once this matter concludes, we shall publicly acknowledge our past mistakes and seal off the sect.”

For a sect, sealing itself off meant cutting all external ties.

For the financially strained Hyeongsan Sect, it would be a period of true atonement and hardship.

But it wasn’t all loss.

The sect could now focus solely on one task. All martial artists, including the Sect Leader and elders, could devote themselves entirely to cultivation.

Hwang Seon-ja continued.

“When we break through our boundaries and return, we shall show a changed Hyeongsan Sect. We will repay our debts to Guest Dragon, the Red Cliff Escort Agency, and the Seomun Clan.”

At that moment, Seo Yu-gyeom casually raised his hand.

“I’m here too.”

“Ahem, I asked too late. Forgive me, but who exactly are you?”

It was a question he had long wanted to ask.

Guest Dragon was already famous, and the second son of the Seomun Clan needed no introduction.

Even the man accompanying him was obviously no ordinary martial artist, so curiosity was natural.

“I’m a chef from Seong-un Inn. And I’m Mr. Seo.”

“……”

A brief silence fell over the room.

Especially Jin Ryeong-ja, who had been struck on the back of the neck and knocked out by Seo Yu-gyeom, trembled visibly.

Hwang Seon-ja spoke with effort.

“…We shall also repay our debts to Chef Seo.”

“No need for such formalities.”

Seo Yu-gyeom shrugged.

In truth, he didn’t care whether they repaid the favor or not. He simply didn’t want to be left out when even Seomun Ak was being mentioned.

Thus, the affairs of the Hyeongsan Sect came to a close.

Interim agency head Bang Myeong-ho hummed a tune as he strolled through the escort agency.

“Ah, the agency master.”

The agency workers had already started calling him “master” and bowed their heads.

Bang Myeong-ho nodded with a satisfied expression, encouraging them.

At that moment, Hwang Pyodu, the most experienced man from the Red Cliff Escort Agency, approached him.

Bang Myeong-ho’s expression briefly darkened. Hwang Pyodu was someone who opposed him at every turn.

‘Quite the loyal subject.’

He knew well of Bang Man-bok’s close relationship with the previous agency head.

Yet the agency itself hadn’t changed. Those unable to adapt to a new era would inevitably fall behind.

‘They say people become more stubborn with age.’

Bang Myeong-ho clicked his tongue inwardly but greeted him with a smile, aware of the surrounding eyes.

After all, the trust of the escorts and porters in Hwang Pyodu was considerable.

“Hwang Pyodu, any incidents today?”

“The time has come for Master Bang Cheon-woo and Guest Dragon’s party, who went to the Yangtze, to return, but there’s no news yet.”

Worry filled Hwang Pyodu’s face.

Bang Myeong-ho chuckled inwardly.

“Well, they’ll come when the time is right. They say Guest Dragon is a tremendous master, don’t they? With such a person by your side, what’s there to worry about? Or maybe, like before, he couldn’t resist his habits and is off somewhere drinking.”

Hwang Pyodu’s expression tightened slightly.

After all, the agency’s current master was Bang Man-bok. The formal succession had not yet occurred.

Even if he was an uncle, how could he insult the agency master’s son in front of so many people?

Yet Bang Myeong-ho looked Hwang Pyodu straight in the eye and raised a faint smile.

‘What can a wretched old man like you do?’

Since the Namok Trading Company master personally intervened, that bastard Bang Cheon-woo would already be dead. Arrogant Guest Dragon and his party were no different.

Bang Myeong-ho planned to deal with Hwang Pyodu first as soon as he officially became the escort agency master.

There was no need to use extreme methods like when handling the Bang Man-bok father and son.

Hwang Pyodu was just an old man who posed no real threat. All that was needed was to assign him consecutive long-distance escort missions until he was worn out and collapsed.

“Then, I leave it to you.”

Bang Myeong-ho tapped Hwang Pyodu lightly on the shoulder.

Even as the interim agency master, this was not the attitude one should take toward a man nearly his father’s age.

At that moment, a commotion arose near the main gate.

Frowning, Bang Myeong-ho turned his head.

A young porter came running in from inside, causing a great fuss.

“What on earth is going on…?”

“The agency master has returned!!”

Simultaneously, all the porters, escorts, and Hwang Pyodu stopped their tasks and turned toward the main gate.

A group of people was approaching, parting the crowd to make their way forward.

It was Bang Man-bok and Jin Seong-un’s party.

Bang Myeong-ho was so shocked he nearly shouted. How could those already dead, or who should have been dead, appear before him?

Meeting Bang Man-bok’s gaze, Bang Myeong-ho felt his heart pounding violently.

The distance between the two closed rapidly. Everyone sensed the strange atmosphere and fell silent.

Bang Man-bok spoke quietly.

“Chief Escort.”

Bang Myeong-ho’s expression twisted momentarily.

Though called the interim agency master for some time, Bang Man-bok had, upon returning, reduced him to a mere escort.

No, it was more accurate to say he reminded him of his original place.

“Wh-what is the meaning of this, brother? I was thought to have been harmed by the escorts during a mission and already had my funeral…”

“Uncle, how could you hold a funeral without a body? Were you too hasty in your heart?”

Bang Cheon-gang stared sharply at his uncle, Bang Myeong-ho. Unlike his eldest brother, Bang Cheon-woo, his gaze was keen.

Bang Myeong-ho exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. Yet his breath trembled, betraying his anxiety.

Bang Man-bok continued.

“How regrettable. The position of agency master, gained even by killing your own flesh and blood—me and Cheon-gang—is now slipping away before your eyes.”

Murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

Bang Man-bok named Bang Myeong-ho’s crimes bluntly.

“And that wasn’t enough; you even tried to kill the eldest and Guest Dragon to uncover my death. After committing such acts, how did you plan to live under heaven?”

“Th-that’s absurd, brother! How could I do such a thing!”

Bang Man-bok didn’t reply.

He merely held the gaze of his cousin and Chief Escort, Bang Myeong-ho.

Perhaps because of the long time they had spent together, Bang Myeong-ho could read Bang Man-bok’s resolve in that gaze.

Gradually, Bang Myeong-ho’s face reddened, eventually his eyes bloodshot. It was as if one were witnessing water reaching its boiling point.

With veins bursting in his eyes, Bang Myeong-ho glared at Bang Man-bok.

“Damn it….”

His muttered curse brought silence to the Red Cliff Escort Agency. That single curse was effectively an admission of his wrongdoing.

Unyielding, Bang Myeong-ho spoke again.

“I apologize, brother. I was blinded by greed for a moment. I regretted it every day, and I’m fortunate to return alive. Now that it’s come to this, let’s do better from here on.”

Everyone present was dumbfounded at his sheer audacity.

Yet Bang Myeong-ho was confident. During Bang Man-bok’s absence, he had already secured nearly half the agency as his support base.

If the agency were split in half, it could never handle the upcoming large-scale escort mission to the Western Regions.

Thus, Bang Man-bok, even hating him, would somehow have to resolve this situation.

“Hwang Pyodu.”

Bang Man-bok suddenly called out to Escort Hwang Chi-yeon.

Hwang Pyodu approached and slightly bowed his head.

“Yes, agency master.”

“From now on, you are the Chief Escort.”

Bang Myeong-ho’s eyes narrowed. If Bang Man-bok returned to the position of agency master, he would naturally resume the role of Chief Escort.

Yet giving that position to Hwang Pyodu made Bang Man-bok’s intentions clear.

“Brother, think carefully. I understand you’re angry, but don’t act on a momentary impulse…”

“Anyone who obstructs the path of the Red Cliff Escort Agency as Chief Escort will be cut down.”

Shreeek-!

A cold sound echoed as Hwang Pyodu drew his blade.

Bang Myeong-ho flinched in shock and stepped back.

“Brother! I warned you! If you kill me now, those allied with me will flee the agency in fear. How do you plan to handle that…!”

Thud-!

The blade sank deep into Bang Myeong-ho’s shoulder. Hwang Pyodu twisted the blade while staring directly at his face.

“Argh! You damned bastard!”

Bang Myeong-ho grabbed the blade with his bare hands. He was, after all, a martial artist capable of using martial arts.

Blood ran freely from his shoulder and hands as he glared at Hwang Pyodu, seemingly ready to kill.

Bang Myeong-ho struck toward Hwang Chi-yeon with his fist.

Yet his punch never landed.

Jin Seong-un, who had approached, grasped his wrist with an expressionless face.

The blade, extracted from his shoulder, sliced horizontally in an instant.

Shing-!

A red line streaked across his neck.

Bang Myeong-ho’s head separated from his body and rolled across the floor.

Bang Man-bok looked at his former brother’s face with calm eyes before finally responding.

“Is losing half the agency really more frightening than losing your son?”

Moreover, even losing half the forces, Bang Man-bok was confident he could manage the escort mission.

He had heard a rather interesting story from Jin Seong-un along the way.

‘The Shui Stronghold has reformed…’