WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Alyo
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈
Chapter 59: Thousand-Li Divine Thief
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After returning to the branch, I silently sat down in a chair on the first floor.
“My lord.”
I looked up at Un Do-hyeon’s call.
“I have finished writing the report. Would you like to review it?”
I nodded and held out my hand. He handed me a thick stack of documents, which I silently read through.
The contents were perfect.
Yi Maeng-rip and I had gone to Bibong Mountain, where assassins attacked us. Yi Maeng-rip had been a coward who tried to sell me out, only to be betrayed and killed by Assassin Fortress.
I was satisfied.
However.
“Add a few lines here.”
“What should I add?”
“The Assassin Fortress’s Four Great Protectors and Deputy Fortress Lord Man Do-wi were there. Also, Yi Maeng-rip killed one of the Four Great Protectors. Add that.”
“Yes. I will.”
“And Yi Maeng-rip’s head?”
“I carefully placed it in a box.”
“Send both to the main sect. The box goes to Neung-don, and the letter goes to Dokgo... no, the Asura Pavilion Master.”
A strange smile appeared on Un Do-hyeon’s lips.
“Understood. It would be inappropriate to entrust it to an ordinary escort agency, so I will ask the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.”
The Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
I ran a hand through my hair. I had wanted to rest, but there was still something left to finish.
I rose from my seat.
“Come with me.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Un Do-hyeon and I headed for the Three Phoenix County Branch of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
* * *
Jang Sang-bo, the branch head of the Three Phoenix County Branch of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate, swallowed hard.
Both his hands trembled, and his eyes shook wildly.
It was because of the information that had just arrived.
About six hours ago, Yi Do and Assassin Fortress had clashed north of Bibong Mountain. Under normal circumstances, he would have simply accepted it.
Everyone knew that Assassin Fortress and Yi Do had accumulated debts and grudges. Frankly, if they wanted to settle their own affairs, there was no reason for the Heavenly Intelligence Gate to interfere. Jang Sang-bo was not close enough to Yi Do for that.
But.
Jang Sang-bo had told Yi Do that a merchant caravan from Jangam County would be passing north of Bibong Mountain.
There had not been a single mention of Assassin Fortress in that information.
Which meant.
From another perspective, the Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s information had led Yi Do straight into a trap.
That interpretation was entirely possible.
That was why Jang Sang-bo’s hands and feet were shaking, and cold sweat ran down his forehead.
Then two people approached him.
Yi Do and Un Do-hyeon.
The instant he saw Yi Do, Jang Sang-bo rushed over.
“Oh, sir! Are you all right?”
Yi Do silently looked down at him.
Jang Sang-bo’s heart dropped. That gaze was terribly cold.
“S-Sir... this is a misunderstanding... Please give me a chance to explain...”
“A chance?”
“Yes.”
“Your incorrect information led me into Assassin Fortress’s trap, and I barely survived. And then.”
Yi Do paused before slightly opening the top of the box Un Do-hyeon carried.
Once Jang Sang-bo saw what was inside, he fell backward.
It was a head.
A head that looked as though it had been crushed underfoot.
“Yi Maeng-rip, a Protector of the Asura Sword Sect, died. All because of your incorrect information.”
“Th-That...”
“Of course, I do not believe you did it intentionally. You and I have not accumulated any enmity.”
Unexpectedly, Yi Do kindly held out his hand. Jang Sang-bo took it with a trembling hand and rose to his feet.
“However, I cannot simply let this matter pass. You may not have intended it, but you threatened my life and caused the Asura Sword Sect to lose one of its proud Protectors.”
There might have been holes in the story. Believing it could even make someone look foolish.
But circumstances had left no choice but to believe.
Who had been present when Yi Maeng-rip died at the branch?
Only Yi Do and Un Do-hyeon.
Who had Yi Do been with while making his rounds?
It had been Un Do-hyeon disguised as Yi Maeng-rip, but anyone unfamiliar with the truth could only have seen Yi Maeng-rip. The robe he wore symbolized the rank of Protector.
Countless people had also witnessed Yi Do and Yi Maeng-rip heading toward Bibong Mountain alone.
And most importantly.
Who had survived north of Bibong Mountain?
Yi Do alone.
Even if one did not want to believe it, even if one was full of doubts, Yi Do’s words could only be the truth.
No matter how great the Heavenly Intelligence Gate was, it could not reinvestigate something that had already burned to nothing, leaving no trace behind.
They could hardly seize Yi Do and torture a confession out of him.
This matter could only proceed as it was.
It was meticulous and perfect work, at least by Yi Do’s standards.
Cold sweat gathered at Jang Sang-bo’s chin before dripping to the ground.
Jang Sang-bo spoke.
“...I believe Yi Do and I have maintained a good relationship.”
“For now, perhaps.”
“Oh, what are you saying? Not just for now. It will continue that way. As long as I conduct business within Yi Do’s territory, I wish to maintain a good relationship with you. I will work to ensure that.”
“Hmm. Your attitude is good.”
“...Thank you.”
“Still, I cannot overlook what has already happened without holding someone accountable. Would you not agree?”
“You are right. If there is anything I, no, we can do, we will do it. Just tell us.”
“Good. First, I will change the terms of our previous agreement.”
“The agreement...?”
“Did we not agree that you would receive a tenth share in exchange for information? Do you not remember?”
“Oh, no. I remember. Of course I do.”
“I will adjust the rate. I will pay the standard information fee, but only one-tenth of the listed price, whatever it may be. In other words, if information is worth one hundred Gold Taels, I will pay ten Gold Taels.”
“...That...”
“What? Do you dislike it?”
“...”
“I hope you will think this through. Setting aside matters involving me, a Protector of the Asura Sword Sect died because of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s incorrect information. What do you think the main sect of the Asura Sword Sect would do in such a case?”
Jang Sang-bo swallowed hard.
It felt as if lightning had struck his mind.
This was not about money. He could not think of it that way.
This was about his life.
“If the Asura Sword Sect demands your head, how do you think the Heavenly Intelligence Gate will respond?”
“...Y-Yi Do...”
“I thought I had been more than generous, but if even that seems excessive, there is nothing I can do. Your name was Jang Sang-bo, was it not?”
“...Yes...”
“I recommend finding yourself a burial site in advance. If I have the time, I will occasionally pour a bottle of Bamboo Leaf Green wine over it, so do not worry about having nothing to drink.”
Yi Do turned away.
Terrified, Jang Sang-bo rushed over and grabbed the hem of Yi Do’s trousers.
“Y-Yi Do! How can you just leave? Did I say I would not do it...?”
Yi Do looked at Jang Sang-bo.
“You gave no answer, so I took it as a rejection of my offer.”
“Oh, what are you saying? Absolutely not. One-tenth of the information fee is wonderful. I was simply so moved by Yi Do’s boundless grace that I could not answer immediately.”
“I see.”
“Yes... I will do as you say. But... may I ask one more favor?”
Yi Do knew what Jang Sang-bo would say.
He quietly spoke to Un Do-hyeon beside him.
“Make a few revisions to the report.”
“How should I revise it?”
“The Three Phoenix County Branch of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate provided information that the merchant caravan north of Bibong Mountain was actually an Assassin Fortress trap and that we should be careful. However, Protector Yi Maeng-rip ignored the information provided by the Heavenly Intelligence Gate, saying he would not fear mere assassins, and took me there.”
The longer Yi Do spoke, the brighter Jang Sang-bo’s face became.
The Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s failure to identify Assassin Fortress’s location would now be covered up.
Un Do-hyeon politely replied.
“Yes, my lord. I will revise it accordingly.”
Yi Do helped Jang Sang-bo to his feet.
“There is dust on you.”
With those words, he personally dusted off Jang Sang-bo’s clothes.
Pat, pat.
“Jang Sang-bo.”
“...Yes.”
“Be more careful in the future.”
“...Of course. Do not worry.”
Yi Do jerked his chin.
“Send that box to Elder Neung-don, and that letter to the Asura Pavilion Master at the main sect.”
Jang Sang-bo did not need time to think.
“Yes!”
“Also, organize everything that happens in Jangam County from now on and send it to me.”
“Of course. From now on, I will take the information fee on credit. You may pay whenever you wish.”
Still, Yi Do was not so shameless as to take everything for free.
“Un Do-hyeon.”
At my call, he handed the pouch he had been holding to Jang Sang-bo as though he had been waiting for it.
“There should be around one hundred and eighty Gold Taels inside. If it is not enough, come and tell me.”
“Thank you!”
Un Do-hyeon looked at Yi Do with sparkling eyes.
* * *
The following morning.
Two men arrived in Three Phoenix County.
They were Myeong-hyeon and a man whose face was hidden behind a beard.
Compared to Myeong-hyeon, who had a moderate build and looked extremely nimble, the bearded man was far too thin.
He was slender enough to seem as though a light tap would knock him over, and his expression was sour.
“...Do you not think threatening someone with their children is rather low?”
“I do.”
“...Did you really have to bring me here?”
“It was an order. What else could I do?”
Na Mu-gi, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief, sighed.
“...By the way, was that thing back then from the Demonic arts?”
“Who knows?”
“...The Asura Sword Sect has truly gone too far.”
Myeong-hyeon snickered.
Now even I do not know. Yi Do will handle it himself.
“Let us meet our Branch Leader first and think about it afterward. There is no point talking to me now.”
“No point?”
Na Mu-gi snickered and pointed somewhere with his index finger.
A huge tree stood there, and two men with all four limbs severed hung by their necks.
Myeong-hyeon had already seen them.
The moment he did, he had grabbed his head.
How long had he been gone? What could have happened in such a short time for this to occur?
Haah.
“Is that pointless as well?”
“...I do not know. Let us just go.”
He did not know why that had happened, but he knew who the two men were.
Wang Mu-tan and Jin Geon.
Branch members of the Three Phoenix Branch.
Myeong-hyeon forced himself to ignore them and led Na Mu-gi toward the Three Phoenix Branch.
The moment they arrived, he found Yi Do eating on the first floor.
No, before that.
Why was the branch so clean?
And who was that man standing beside Yi Do as though guarding him?
“You are here?”
Myeong-hyeon awkwardly smiled at Yi Do’s words.
“Yes. I returned in five days instead of seven.”
“Good. You worked hard. Go and rest.”
Myeong-hyeon scratched his head.
He wanted to rest, but he had brought the Thousand-Li Divine Thief. He was somewhat curious about the conversation that would follow.
Myeong-hyeon naturally moved behind Yi Do, then quietly exchanged introductions with the man beside him.
Un Do-hyeon.
The second son of Un Clan Manor.
Myeong-hyeon gave him a rough nod, telling him he had worked hard.
Yi Do put down his chopsticks.
He shifted his gaze to the Thousand-Li Divine Thief, who silently glared at him.
“Have you eaten?”
“...No.”
“Come and eat.”
“I do not feel like it.”
“Is that so? Then would you prefer to get straight to the point?”
Na Mu-gi nodded in affirmation.
“Good. I will begin speaking now. Do not interrupt me. If you have questions, ask them after you have heard everything. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
Yi Do slowly began to speak.
About what had happened at the Three Phoenix Branch.
And what had occurred at the former Three Phoenix Branch.
The end of Un Mi-rang, the former Branch Leader, and the branch members.
A martial artist from Jangam County impersonating the name Thousand-Li Divine Thief.
The two vermin within the branch who had colluded with them, slaughtered their own Branch Leader and fellow branch members, and even committed rape.
And how they had been hanged by their necks at the entrance.
Once the entire story was over, Na Mu-gi furrowed his brow.
“...A truly complicated and filthy affair. But that is all. This is the Martial World, and such things are commonplace here.”
“That is right. This is the Martial World, and such things are commonplace. But you are involved. It is no longer someone else’s matter. It has become yours.”
“Why would that be? I have done nothing wrong, and I did not steal something called an Asura Pill. Furthermore, did you not personally execute the only witnesses? Why did you bring me here in this situation? There is no point.”
Myeong-hyeon thought the same.
Did they really need to bring the Thousand-Li Divine Thief here?
If those two men had still been alive, it would have meant something. But now they were dead. There was no reason to bring the Thousand-Li Divine Thief.
Yi Do shook his head.
“I will tell you why now. Why I brought you here is simple. It is to clear your name.”
Na Mu-gi’s brow immediately creased.
“Clear my name?”
“Ordinarily, this matter would have been completely buried. There would have been no pursuit of you, who used the alias Thousand-Li Divine Thief before disappearing from the world. But that is no longer the case.”
Yi Do picked up his cup and drained it.
Thunk.
He set the cup on the table and looked at Na Mu-gi.
“I intend to kill every person involved in this matter. I will find each and every one connected to it and slaughter them.”
“...”
“I know you are innocent, but you have already become entangled in this. Your name can no longer be excluded from that tragedy.”
“...Then how do you intend to clear my name?”
Yi Do looked around.
There were four people present.
Yi Do himself, Myeong-hyeon, Un Do-hyeon, and Na Mu-gi, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief.
No one else was listening.
Yi Do spoke.
“Rob Jangam County.”
“...What?”
“Create chaos and sow distrust of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect branch that has remained silent. There are thirteen martial sects in Jangam County. I am telling you to rob every valuable thing they possess.”
The Thousand-Li Divine Thief’s mouth fell open.
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