Chapter 79

A few days after receiving sympathy from these two people, Cheong-ra learned of a rumor circulating in Chang'an. The story was that the Green-Eyed Poison Dragon, who had destroyed many people until now, had set his sights on Moonlight Flashing Sword as his next target. It seemed that the ongoing conflict between Dang Ran-yeong and Cheong-ra from Dragon Spring to Xiangyang had finally become widely known in the Central Plains.

Dang Ran-yeong's reputation seemed to have already hit rock bottom, and his own reputation didn't seem to have been greatly damaged, so Cheong-ra didn't mind. There was a more important matter at hand.

"We've received word from Hwan-hong. She's currently in Anping, Hebei."

Dang Ran-yeong said a few days later, having called them together for breakfast. Cheong-ra, who had been feeding meat to the baby Venomous Horned Serpent tightly wrapped around his arm, looked up. It was good to get information, but he was uncomfortable with constantly hearing such things as if he were a close associate. Sure enough, Dang Ran-yeong nodded to Cheong-ra and instructed,

"We'll depart this afternoon, so be ready."

"...Am I going along this time too?"

Cheong-ra asked glumly, having planned to stop by the Beggar Sect to inquire about the Blood Cult, Enlightened Mind Tea, and the Martial Arts Alliance, and investigate these matters himself.

"The World's Greatest Beauty Contest will be held in Beijing. If we stop by Anping, Hebei on the way and resolve our business, we'll arrive in Beijing right on schedule."

Cheong-ra nodded, roughly estimating the distance from Chang'an to Beijing and the time it would take. By then, they would certainly arrive in Beijing with plenty of time before the beauty contest.

'After that, it would be difficult to stay at The Pavilion of Golden Fragrance anymore.'

His participation in the World's Greatest Beauty Contest and the deal for Dang Ran-yeong to treat him basely would soon come to an end.

Would it become difficult to see Dang Ran-yeong up close like this? The thought made him feel bitter. And he was surprised and inwardly shaken by having such feelings. As someone who was to return to Moon Lake Sect, how could he think it would be nice to continue staying at The Pavilion of Golden Fragrance? How could he have such disloyal thoughts towards his sect?

'Is there really only one person like Dang Ran-yeong in the world? Wouldn't there be another somewhere?'

If such a person existed, he would have heard rumors by now, but Cheong-ra harbored a faint hope. When they went to Beijing, people from all regions would gather, so it wouldn't be bad to explore then. Thinking this, he stroked the head of Rin-rin, who was flicking its tongue.

***

This time too, Dang Ran-yeong had Cheong-ra ride in his carriage. Nam Gang-ryong and Wi Je-ho rode in another carriage. Cheong-ra, who had boarded the carriage without much thought, heard this as soon as they departed:

"From now on, if you get injured without my permission, I'll punish you."

"What did you say?"

Cheong-ra looked at Dang Ran-yeong, doubting his ears, but judging from his nonchalant face, it didn't seem to be a joke. Baffled by the absurd statement, he asked,

"How can a martial artist not get injured in a fight?"

Though Cheong-ra valued his own body, even for someone like him, fighting without getting injured was impossible. It was only possible for someone with exceptional martial arts skills, like Dang Ran-yeong, who didn't allow even a single scar on his body. Naturally, Dang Ran-yeong ignored Cheong-ra's protest. He just lazily reclined and nodded his head.

"If you receive punishment, you'll be more careful with your body. Take good care of yourself until our deal ends."

Though he was a bit curious about what kind of punishment it would be, Cheong-ra recalled that chilling time in the prison cell and simply nodded. This man was the type to do what he said, and he had never gone back on his words so far.

The journey by carriage this time wasn't very long. It was much faster to take a boat down the Yellow River from Chang'an to the river mouth and then take a carriage to Anping than to travel the entire way by carriage. They came down to Huayin County, where the main sect of the famous Huashan Sect was located. At the Yellow River dock, various ships were moored, busily loading and unloading cargo and people.

Cheong-ra's gaze was drawn to a large merchant ship among them. A ship flying flags with the characters for "White Jade" written large and the Tang Clan's symbol side by side attracted everyone's attention.

Not only the guards protecting the ship but even the porters carrying the cargo were dressed in uniform clothes and seemed highly disciplined. As Dang Ran-yeong got out of the carriage, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and an agile body approached and greeted him very politely.

"Head Guard Yang Bi-ja greets Lord Owner."

"The cargo?"

"All loaded without exception, Lord Owner!"

Head Guard Yang behaved very respectfully, not even glancing at Cheong-ra wearing a veil, the bald-headed Nam Gang-ryong, or Wi Je-ho who looked like an idle rich young man. His attitude was that of treating his superior like the sky. As with the White Jade Merchant Group in Chang'an last time, the discipline of all those working for the merchant group was not just proper but strict. Cheong-ra wondered if other top merchant groups had this kind of atmosphere too.

"These are companions who will travel with us to Anping."

Only after Dang Ran-yeong introduced them did the head guard turn his attention to them and greet them. He made a fist salute with his solid fist and gave them a strong look.

"I am Yang Bi-ja. I will ensure your journey is comfortable throughout."

"We're in your care, Head Guard Yang."

Since the head guard on a merchant ship was essentially the same as the ship's captain, Cheong-ra returned the greeting politely. Head Guard Yang grinned and then strode towards the ship, guiding them. He asked in a polite tone,

"Young Masters, have you had experience riding on ships before?"

"I've ridden ferries on the Yangtze River a few times. But this is my first time on the Yellow River."

At those words, a glint of recognition flashed in Head Guard Yang's eyes as he looked at Cheong-ra. Though Cheong-ra was wearing a veil, it seemed the other had immediately guessed his identity, but without showing it, he laughed heartily.

"I know well the beautiful scenery of the blue Yangtze. I've often traveled there for business too. But the Yellow River is different from the Yangtze. It's not called the Great River for nothing, and it's known for being fierce. If you're prone to seasickness, you might have a hard time."

Even at a glance, the Yellow River was so turbid that its depth was unfathomable, and the current was rough. It was due to the increased water volume from the recent spring rains. Cheong-ra cast a briefly worried look.

'We have to travel on the Yellow River for several days...'

He recalled his few experiences of riding boats. Even though he had only ridden Yangtze River ferries for short crossings, by the time he got off, he would feel slightly nauseous. Worried about how bad his seasickness might be, he boarded the massive ship.

The vessel they boarded seemed to be over twenty zhang long. It looked as if a small pavilion had been placed on top of the ship, and guards were constantly going in and out of the ship's hold, carrying cargo. Head Guard Yang explained that all of this was goods bound for Beijing.

"There isn't a high official in Beijing who doesn't use our merchant group's goods. Each item is expensive, which is why we need such a large ship."

Despite Head Guard Yang's friendly attitude, his gaze when looking at the guards and porters was truly that of a fierce beast. Wherever his gaze passed, the workers' movements quickened.

Soon, all the cargo was loaded onto the merchant ship, and the guards and porters boarded as well. A guard brought a large gong and handed it to Head Guard Yang. Taking the gong, Head Guard Yang struck it with all his might using his fist instead of a mallet. With a thunderous sound, he shouted loudly, infusing his voice with inner energy.

"Departing on the Yellow River!"

After announcing to all directions that this ship was now setting out on the Yellow River, he struck the gong once more. Then the guards and porters shouted in unison. "Departing on the Yellow River!" Their resounding voices echoed all around. The attention of everyone at the dock was drawn to them.

The ship moved onto the Yellow River, with the gong ringing loudly. The ship rocked heavily once in the rough current, but everyone was well-trained, and not a single person staggered greatly.

Someone ran with a flag, trying to raise it up the flagpole. It was a flag with the character for "owner" boldly inscribed, indicating that the owner of the merchant group was on board. It was meant to deter any river bandits from even thinking of attacking, by letting them know that a member of the Tang Clan was on board.

However, unexpectedly, Dang Ran-yeong stopped them from raising the flag.

"Leave it. It would be boring if the journey is too quiet."

"Understood, Lord Owner. Hey! Lower that flag!"

Cheong-ra was slightly chilled by the arrogance of treating river bandits like toys for amusement, but on the other hand, he understood. He suddenly became curious. Just how high was the limit of Dang Ran-yeong's martial arts? Though he had fought him, honestly, the other hadn't used his full strength against him. It was closer to toying with him.

Recalling the martial arts skills of the masters Dang Ran-yeong had faced, Cheong-ra stood at the ship's rail and watched as the merchant ship cut through the muddy waters of the Yellow River. Even without unfurling the sails, they could simply let the river's flow carry them, so the speed was very fast. After admiring the villages beyond the riverbank, Cheong-ra looked at the fluttering Tang Clan flag and asked,

"How can the White Jade Merchant Group fly the Tang Clan's flag?"