Memoir of a Regressor - Chapter 60

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Alyo

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈

Chapter 60: Debts and Grudges with Cheonrim

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Na Mu-gi let out a sigh.

“Not one, but thirteen sects? You want me to rob thirteen sects? Why should I do that?”

“Haven’t I told you? It is to clear your name.”

“No means no. I have nothing to do with this, and I do not wish to get involved. More importantly, that martial artist called Myeong-hyeon over there uses Demonic arts.”

“And?”

“I have plenty to say as well. I came here with that man to warn you not to bother me anymore.”

“A warning... Is that your choice?”

“It is.”

“Fine. If that is your choice, there is nothing I can do.”

Na Mu-gi looked at Yi Do in surprise.

He had heard about this man on the way here. The Cruel Demonic Blade.

They said his methods were decisive, yet he was backing down this easily?

So he was a reasonable man.

For a brief moment, Na Mu-gi thought so.

Yi Do had never backed down. If it appeared that way, it was a misunderstanding.

“Myeong-hyeon.”

“Yes.”

“You must have had a hard time bringing him here. My apologies, but make another trip.”

“...Pardon?”

“Na Mu-gi’s eldest daughter should have settled down in Dorim Town. Bring her here.”

Na Mu-gi flared up.

“You there!”

“Lower your voice.”

Na Mu-gi flinched at Yi Do’s cold words.

“I will make the offer again. Rob Jangam County.”

“...How can you do this? What grudge do you have against me...?”

“I hold no grudge. But I cannot leave you out of this matter. If you are innocent, prove your sincerity to me. Give me evidence so that I can tell the Asura Sword Sect that you are innocent.”

“...”

“Do you still refuse? Then it cannot be helped. Myeong-hyeon.”

“...Yes.”

“I take back what I said earlier. Go to Donggang County first. Kidnap Na Han-un, Na Mu-gi’s second son and a patrol inspector there. Then go to Dorim Town and bring back Na Mu-gi’s eldest daughter. You may kill everyone else.”

Myeong-hyeon sighed and started walking. Na Mu-gi grabbed him.

“...Are you really going?”

“Yes. I am.”

“...”

“I haven’t known that person for long, but I know that when he says he will do something, he does it. Stop him if you wish. Though you won’t be able to.”

Na Mu-gi clutched his head. Myeong-hyeon spoke to him.

“And you seem to be misunderstanding something. That person has been giving you chances this entire time.”

“...Chances? You call this a chance? This is a threat.”

“Think more deeply about why it is a chance.”

“...”

“Do you truly not understand?”

Myeong-hyeon glanced at Yi Do. Yi Do said nothing. He merely watched.

Myeong-hyeon took that as permission.

“That person has no intention of stopping. Once he starts something, he sees it through somehow. So what do you think will happen if you do not cooperate?”

“...”

“The Asura Sword Sect will come to capture you soon enough, even without the Three Phoenix Branch acting. But Yan Kingdom and Jeok Nation are different countries, are they not? Do you think the Asura Sword Sect’s martial artists will go there in a large group?”

“...”

“They will select only the very best and pursue you in secret. That person said he would capture your family alive, but do you think they will do the same? Do not misunderstand. You are not being threatened. You are being protected.”

Na Mu-gi squeezed his eyes shut.

In the Martial World, there were times when one became entangled in something even if one wished to avoid it.

This was one of those times.

“Promise me one thing.”

“What promise?”

“Do not touch my family.”

“Fine. I will not touch them.”

“...Haah. This is driving me mad.”

After racking his brain, Na Mu-gi asked, “May I begin now?”

“I do not mind. But there are a few things you should know. Jangam County is in great disorder right now.”

Yi Do told him whose throats he had cut and what he had done on Bibong Mountain.

The Thousand-Li Divine Thief blinked after hearing it all.

“...You want me to steal at a time like this? How is that any different from telling me to go die?”

“It is different. Among all the thieves I know, you are one of the three best in the world.”

“...You seem to know a great deal about me.”

“I know more than I do not. Each sect will have objects it considers most important. Bring only those. Their value should be at least five hundred Gold Tael.”

Na Mu-gi looked around with a complicated expression before asking, “Is there somewhere near Bibong Mountain, close to Jangam County, that could serve as a safe house?”

“There are, but their locations were exposed long ago.”

“I only need somewhere hidden where I can come and go. A small cave, or a place surrounded by thick bushes. Is there nothing?”

One place came to Yi Do’s mind.

Not long ago, when he had destroyed a merchant caravan from Jangam County on Bibong Mountain, one assassin had collapsed on the ground. The area had been surrounded by bushes, and the entire region seemed to have that sort of terrain.

After Yi Do told him about it, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief nodded.

“By now, the investigation should be over. And the darkest place is beneath the lamp... Good. I will begin immediately.”

“How much time do you need?”

“If I have no information at all, one week. But if I have information on the detailed layouts of the buildings I am targeting...”

The Thousand-Li Divine Thief paused before declaring boldly, “One day.”

That would be enough.

“Un Do-hyeon.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Give him the plans.”

As though he had been waiting, Un Do-hyeon took out a bundle of papers and handed it to the Thousand-Li Divine Thief.

“...You had this prepared in advance?”

The Thousand-Li Divine Thief stared at Yi Do as though dumbfounded when Yi Do silently nodded.

“Keep your promise. I will return within a day.”

“Fine.”

With the information in hand, the Thousand-Li Divine Thief departed for Jangam County.

Myeong-hyeon pulled over the chair in front of Yi Do and sat down.

He asked Yi Do, who was silently eating, “So, what exactly are you thinking?”

It was a reasonable question.

“Have you eaten?”

“Do you think I have? I’ve missed two meals now.”

“Then eat.”

“Honestly... I’m not the type to refuse food when it is offered.”

Myeong-hyeon also picked up his spoon in silence. Un Do-hyeon, who had been quiet, stared at him.

“...Why is that man looking at me like that?”

“Why not ask him yourself?”

“...It feels like a sword will fly at me if I ask. His gaze is terrifying.”

Yi Do remained silent. Only then did Un Do-hyeon speak.

“Your attitude toward my lord is far too disrespectful.”

Myeong-hyeon’s eyes widened.

“Show some manners.”

Myeong-hyeon was dumbfounded.

No, how long had he even been away?

“You have gained yourself a loyal subject.”

Yi Do still did not answer. Myeong-hyeon sighed.

“...Hey, second son of Un Clan Manor.”

“What is it?”

“Strictly speaking, am I not your senior?”

“...”

“Whether by experience or timing, I entered the Asura Sword Sect before you, damn it.”

“So, are you a Deputy Branch Leader?”

“I am not.”

“Then should you not show proper manners?”

A murderous smile bloomed on Myeong-hyeon’s lips.

“I’ll tear off your limbs and kill you...”

Yi Do finally reacted.

“Myeong-hyeon.”

“...What?”

“You have not sealed your meridians yet.”

Coming to his senses, Myeong-hyeon scratched his head.

“...I couldn’t seal them. The Thousand-Li Divine Thief kept trying to run away.”

“Seal them. The demonic qi is eating away at your mind.”

Myeong-hyeon obediently did so.

“But is it really all right to talk about that so openly?”

“Un Do-hyeon is someone I trust.”

“...”

“And Un Do-hyeon.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Myeong-hyeon always speaks that way, so do not pay him any mind.”

“...If that is what you say, my lord, then I will not.”

Myeong-hyeon gave a hollow laugh.

“What sort of magic did you use to gain such a loyal subject in so short a time?”

“Would knowing change anything?”

“No, but... it is fascinating.”

As Myeong-hyeon picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in his mouth, he asked as though he had just remembered something.

“I’ve a rough idea of what you are planning now... but when will you recruit branch members?”

Yi Do shook his head.

“I have no intention of keeping many branch members.”

“...”

“And if you have heard everything, get up.”

“Where are you going now?”

“If the Thousand-Li Divine Thief brings back the goods, should there not be somewhere to sell them?”

“...So where are we going?”

“Do not argue. Just follow me.”

Yi Do rose and went outside first. Un Do-hyeon trotted after him. Myeong-hyeon sighed.

He had not even had time to rest yet.

* * *

There was a very unusual building in Three Phoenix County.

It looked like an inn, yet it was not an inn. It also resembled the manor of some sect, but it was not that either.

It was roughly ten times the size of the Three Phoenix Branch. At certain times, enormous numbers of martial artists and merchants entered it, then emerged about ten hours later.

That was right.

This place was a black market.

Black markets sold items that were difficult to obtain normally. A missing martial artist’s weapon, a secret manual, poison, even an imperial seal once used by an emperor.

Yet, amusingly enough, the black market in Three Phoenix County, territory controlled by the Asura Sword Sect, was run by Heavenly Forest.

As mentioned earlier, people entered at a particular time. That time was the fifteenth day of every month.

Today was the thirteenth.

The black market would open in two days.

Yi Do arrived at the place, which currently held only the martial artists guarding the black market.

The two martial artists at the entrance swallowed hard.

“Open it.”

The two martial artists looked at one another at Yi Do’s command. Seeing their uncertainty, Yi Do spoke briefly.

“Un Do-hyeon.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Open it.”

“By your command.”

Un Do-hyeon stepped forward. The two martial artists had no time to do anything.

Baaang!!

He smashed the gate apart.

The two martial artists tried to draw their weapons too late.

“Draw them, and you die.”

They froze at Yi Do’s words. Yi Do watched them briefly before silently walking inside. Myeong-hyeon, following at the very back, sighed.

“Sir Branch Leader, you know where this is, right?”

“Do you think I do not?”

“...”

Myeong-hyeon had nothing to say.

Yi Do strode forward without hesitation. Un Do-hyeon followed beside him with his sword drawn, his face filled with killing intent.

This is driving me mad.

I don’t know anymore.

I was even becoming curious how far this madness would go.

Eventually, they arrived at an office deep within the manor.

There, they found someone.

The person’s luxurious silk clothes were particularly striking.

He smiled faintly at Yi Do.

“So I finally have the honor of meeting the famed Cruel Demonic Blade of Three Phoenix County.”

He rose and offered Yi Do a cupped-fist salute.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Wi Won-gwang, the Branch Head of Heavenly Forest’s Three Phoenix County Branch.”

“Yi Do.”

“How could I not know? Your reputation is far too well known... Hm. I cannot help but ask.”

Wi Won-gwang’s eyes gleamed.

“Why have you come?”

“What an amusing question.”

Yi Do stared directly at Wi Won-gwang.

“Do you not know the reason?”

“...I do not, honestly. We have never done anything that should offend you, Sir Yi Do, so this is rather troublesome.”

Yi Do was a more generous man than one might expect.

“Do Heavenly Forest and I not have debts and grudges between us?”

“...Pardon?”

“Have you forgotten what happened in Jusin County?”

Wi Won-gwang’s brow furrowed slightly.

“You sold information about my location to Assassin Fortress, the Martial Alliance, the Heavenly Intelligence Gate, and the Beggar’s Gate.”

“...”

“When someone wrongs you, you must pay them back. That is the way of the Martial World. Did you think I would bury it forever?”

“...”

“Thanks to you, I got more blood on my hands than expected. It also became troublesome.”

“...”

“I came to collect what is owed.”

Wi Won-gwang gave an unexpected response.

“What if I refuse?”

“Refuse?”

Yi Do asked again when Wi Won-gwang gave no answer.

“I will ask one last time. Do you truly refuse?”

“...Yes. I know nothing about it.”

A smile, far too gentle, appeared on Yi Do’s lips.

“Fine. I understand perfectly. But you are the Branch Head?”

Wi Won-gwang smiled awkwardly.

“Yes... For now, I am.”

“Then where is the Deputy Branch Head?”

“Is he not right beside me?”

A small man stood beside Wi Won-gwang. He was in his mid-thirties.

His martial realm was... the Circulation Realm.

“I see.”

At Yi Do’s words, Wi Won-gwang thought about everything this man had done so far.

He killed first. There was no guarantee he would not do the same here.

Wi Won-gwang raised his hand. Four martial artists who had been leaning against the pillars slowly stepped forward.

Yi Do’s eyes swept across them. Wi Won-gwang spoke.

“There is something I should tell you first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Those four are Protectors dispatched to every branch as Heavenly Forest’s elite guards.”

“And?”

“They have all reached the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. If you kill them, Heavenly Forest will pursue you for the rest of your life.”

“You are taking too long. Get to the point.”

“Just leave. As though nothing happened.”

“And if I do not?”

“...You will have a difficult time. You have not been the Branch Leader of Three Phoenix County for long, yet you will be forced to step down. Furthermore, even your life will be threatened.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“That is nothing much.”

“...Pardon?”

No further conversation took place.

Yi Do’s left hand shot out with the speed of light and seized Wi Won-gwang by the throat.

“You intend to follow the same path as Assassin Fortress?”

“Ghk... Gack...”

“That is not such a bad path.”

Yi Do tightened his grip.

Crack!

Wi Won-gwang’s neck broke.