WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Alyo
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈
Chapter 81: Green Forest
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“...Your recovery is remarkable.”
Yi Do silently nodded at the physician’s words.
“I don’t think you’ll even need a splint. I heard it broke yesterday, but... the bone has already fused. If you avoid overexerting yourself for two days, you should recover completely.”
After wrapping a bandage around Yi Do’s arm, the physician headed toward Myeong-hyeon, whose condition was the worst.
Two physicians were already attending to Myeong-hyeon, but the physician went over to assist them.
“Ha ha... You truly are extraordinary in every way.”
It was Jang Sang-bo.
Early that morning, Jang Sang-bo, the Branch Head of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s Jangam Branch, had brought no fewer than five renowned physicians from around Jangam County.
“Jang Sang-bo.”
“Yes, Yi Do.”
“I didn’t expect you to go to such lengths. Thank you.”
“Ha ha. Not at all. You’ve given me so much already. I’d be disappointed if you thanked me for something like this. Isn’t it only natural?”
Jang Sang-bo neither asked what had happened the previous night nor tried to find out.
An elder of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect had come with two hundred assassins. Two branch members, including Yi Do, had suffered serious injuries.
Then two hundred corpses had been found. Han Beom-seong had disappeared.
That was all Jang Sang-bo needed to know.
That was the extent Yi Do permitted.
If Jang Sang-bo tried to learn more, he would become estranged from Yi Do.
Jang Sang-bo was keeping to the line. No, he had to.
He wanted to maintain a good relationship with Yi Do.
Yi Do drew a clear line between public and private matters.
He took a pouch from his robes and handed it to Jang Sang-bo.
After checking inside, Jang Sang-bo’s eyes widened.
“Yi Do... This is far too much.”
There were nearly a hundred gold coins inside.
“It’s fine. I’ve received information from you all this time, and you’ve gone to such trouble for me. Would I be human if I simply kept my mouth shut?”
Yi Do gave as much as he received.
That was who he was.
“And is your side business going well?”
Jang Sang-bo smiled faintly.
“It has not been long since we began, so I cannot say for certain, but I believe it will go well.”
As always, Yi Do repaid those who showed him kindness with kindness.
This was no different.
The “side business” Yi Do mentioned was the Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s new venture in Jangam County.
Though it was an information organization, its martial strength was considerable.
It used that strength to gather intelligence, then bought and sold that intelligence. That was its main business.
The clans that had relocated from Three Phoenix County were currently rushing about Jangam County, trying to establish themselves anew.
Taverns and smithies had already been claimed, but merchant caravans remained the most uncertain matter.
The strained atmosphere with the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect had also caused the smuggling that once flourished here to nearly cease. A solution was needed, and Yi Do had provided one.
The solution was simple.
Use the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
The organization, which possessed great martial strength but had previously only traded information, had begun escorting merchant caravans in Jangam County.
The Heavenly Intelligence Gate was a neutral organization. If it provided the escorts, the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect would have no reason to interfere, and neither would the Asura Sword Sect.
It was a clean and certain solution.
“Ha ha ha. Thanks to that, only twenty Gate members remain at the Jangam Branch now... But if those who departed first produce meaningful results, I intend to contact the Heavenly Intelligence Gate’s headquarters at once and reinforce our numbers.”
“You need not tell me such things. I trust you’ll handle them well.”
“Ah... To place such trust in me... Thank you. And...”
After looking around, Jang Sang-bo lowered his voice.
“...This information came in this morning...”
He spoke very quietly. Interest flickered in Yi Do’s eyes.
“It has not been confirmed yet, so I do not wish to speak as though it were certain... Still, no one knows what lies ahead, so I believe I should tell you. Is that all right?”
Yi Do nodded.
“Go on.”
“...The Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect is apparently plotting something.”
“What?”
“Just as you attacked and occupied the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect’s territory, they intend to attack the Asura Sword Sect’s territory.”
There was a reason Jang Sang-bo spoke so cautiously.
“However... we still do not know which territory they intend to attack. That is why it was difficult to tell you. Still, I thought you should know.”
Jang Sang-bo was inwardly surprised by Yi Do’s reaction.
He had expected Yi Do to be flustered or shocked, but Yi Do was smiling instead.
“Is it certain?”
“Yes. It is.”
Yi Do silently listened to Jang Sang-bo.
“But as I said, we do not know where they will attack. We may only learn that after they move. They will surely move in secret, and even if the Heavenly Intelligence Gate acquires the information as quickly as possible, we may learn it only after everything has ended. Shouldn’t you prepare now?”
As Yi Do listened, something came to mind.
“I’ve noticed this for some time. Your intelligence network is quite impressive.”
The information Jang Sang-bo provided was not only swift, but full and detailed. Yi Do could not help asking.
“Where does it come from?”
“...Well... It is related to my background. The Branch Head in Wisu County, where the Asura Sword Sect’s main headquarters is located, is my senior brother.”
“The Branch Head of Wisu County?”
“Yes. His name is Won Sun-sang. He is acquainted with the elders of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate, and his abilities are exceptional. Internally, many have already decided he will become the next elder... Are you all right?”
Jang Sang-bo did not miss Yi Do’s twitching eyes. It was not because Yi Do disliked what Jang Sang-bo had said.
He had not expected to hear that name here.
“Won Sun-sang, from the Haeyeong Sword School?”
“...Yes. How did you know?”
His reaction was understandable.
The Haeyeong Sword School.
It had once ruled as the dominant martial school in Haeyeongjin, far to the south.
The school had been destroyed around ten years ago. In truth, no matter how much it had lorded over a place like Haeyeongjin, it had merely been a frog in a well.
Few people even remembered it. Jang Sang-bo found it astonishing that Yi Do, still so young, knew of the Haeyeong Sword School.
“I heard of it while traveling. Won Sun-sang... I cannot tell whether you are fortunate or unfortunate.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Since we are speaking of it, I have a request for you.”
Jang Sang-bo’s expression turned serious.
Whenever Yi Do said something like that, something major tended to happen.
“Can you look further into what the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect is plotting?”
Jang Sang-bo licked his lips.
“...As you know, if an information organization takes one side in a conflict between sects... that alone can cause serious problems. But.”
The next part mattered.
“Personally, I wish to maintain a good relationship with you, Yi Do. I hope you feel the same.”
“I already do.”
“Then I will learn as much as I can. I may not be able to find out the color of the underclothes Gong Wi-ryang is wearing today, but I will somehow learn the color of the ones he will wear tomorrow.”
It was a figure of speech.
“I will investigate thoroughly. Though Gong Wi-ryang likes red...”
Apparently, it was not.
Yi Do chuckled and signaled to Un Do-hyeon.
Quick to understand, Un Do-hyeon immediately went to the storeroom, returned carrying a chest, and handed it to Jang Sang-bo.
Jang Sang-bo opened it and stared in shock.
“...This is... far too much.”
“There should be around a thousand Gold Taels inside. You are showing me goodwill. Should I not show you goodwill in return?”
“But this...”
“Do not refuse it. Take it.”
Before long, Jang Sang-bo nodded.
Then Yi Do added, “There is likely a traitor among the elders of the Asura Sword Sect. Find out about that bastard as well.”
Jang Sang-bo blinked, then nodded again.
“The treatment is finished, so you may leave now.”
“I will certainly find out.”
Yi Do gave a faint chuckle and waved Jang Sang-bo away.
After sending Jang Sang-bo off, Yi Do fell into thought.
Won Sun-sang.
He had not expected to hear that name here.
In his past life, Yi Do had waged war against the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
At the time, he had taken the Sect Head’s head and then the Deputy Sect Head’s.
He had beaten more than half the elders to death and destroyed every branch in sight.
After that, Yi Do had miraculously reconciled with the Heavenly Intelligence Gate. In truth, calling it reconciliation was little different from calling it submission.
Yi Do had been the clear victor, while the Heavenly Intelligence Gate had suffered a blow that nearly destroyed it.
The one who became the new Sect Head of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate was Won Sun-sang.
Won Sun-sang rebuilt the ruined organization.
An organization expected to perish had been restored as the foremost information organization in the martial world.
Won Sun-sang, the thirty-ninth Sect Head of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
Yi Do had not known that Won Sun-sang had once been the Branch Head of Wisu County. When Yi Do first met Won Sun-sang, the latter had already been an elder of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate.
And Jang Sang-bo was from the same school as Won Sun-sang.
Interesting.
How could the pieces fit together so neatly?
“Un Do-hyeon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How many spiritual medicines were supposed to arrive today?”
“Three thirty-year Cheonhwa Pills, five fifty-year Cheonhwa Pills, and ten twenty-year Lesser Restoration Pills.”
They were making plenty of money.
Even after sending protection payments to the Asura Sword Sect, there was more than enough left over.
Yi Do had used that money to buy spiritual medicines.
He had traveled from here to Baekmun Town, fought there, returned here, and fought Han Beom-seong.
That was why all of it had been possible.
“And the information from Jangnyeong County was useful.”
“Thank you.”
Jangnyeong County was doing well.
The Blood Asura, Kang So-eo, had regained his honor and was now the Clan Head of the Kang Clan, which ruled Jangnyeong County. The Thousand-Faced Assassin, Hwang No-baek, was doing well, and so were the attendants beneath him.
Yi Do had no intention of calling them here.
They were doing well there. There was no need to call them over.
Everything had its proper time.
And the Yin-Yang Sect had established a branch in Jangnyeong County, but that had not caused any serious problems yet.
Everything was going well.
Then Myeong-hyeon approached Yi Do.
“Branch Master?”
Yi Do looked up at Myeong-hyeon.
Myeong-hyeon subtly pointed outside.
“Cheon Chung-myeon of the Beggar’s Gate has arrived. Shall I drive him away, or let him in?”
Yi Do was curious.
“Did he come empty-handed?”
“No. He brought two cartloads of valuables.”
It seemed he had finally come to his senses.
If he had come empty-handed, Yi Do would have driven him away at once. Since he had not...
“Let him in.”
“Yes.”
* * *
Cheon Chung-myeon’s first words were these.
“...I was discourteous yesterday.”
“And?”
“I have come to offer modest compensation... and some information.”
“Information?”
“...To be honest, yesterday’s matter displeased me greatly.”
Yi Do crossed his legs.
He tilted his chin, as though telling Cheon Chung-myeon to continue.
“But I understand. If anything, it helped me come to my senses. I wish to maintain a good relationship with you from now on.”
“A good relationship...”
“Even if the beginning is poor, there are many times when the end turns out well. Then, would you hear the information I have brought?”
Yi Do smiled.
“Fine. Let’s hear it.”
“As you know, Jangam County was once the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect’s territory. Bibong Mountain, between here and Three Phoenix County, is used by merchant caravans from the Yan Kingdom as well, so it holds considerable value. But did you know there is a mountain one must pass before entering Jangam County?”
Yi Do shook his head.
“Seven-Sage Mountain. It is not as large as Bibong Mountain, but many merchant caravans from the Yan Kingdom pass through it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“There is a Green Forest there.”
“A Green Forest?”
“That is right. The Green Forest that claims to carry on the spirit of the old Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. They control the merchant caravans traveling from Seven-Sage Mountain to Jangam County.”
Yi Do’s smile vanished.
“Of course, those Green Forest bandits have some sense, so they do not prevent every merchant caravan from entering. But if this keeps building up... clans from the Yan Kingdom may begin moving. And there is a high chance they will set their sights on Jangam County.”
It was simple.
Even among bandits, there were different levels.
The Green Forest was no ordinary bandit group. It had to be regarded as an actual martial clan.
And they operated in the Yan Kingdom. Even if they were a thorn in its side, an organization of that level would have connections everywhere.
Cheon Chung-myeon was not wrong.
They would become a threat to me sooner or later.
“...Do you like the information?”
“I do. So what do you want?”
“I want nothing. I only hope you will not hold a grudge against the Beggar’s Gate over yesterday’s matter.”
“Yesterday’s matter was forgotten yesterday. Today, you have shown me goodwill, so I should show you goodwill in return. Do you know the Heavenly Intelligence Gate has taken charge of escorting merchant caravans?”
“Of course.”
“You should take part as well. Jangam County will become a new borderland. Once it becomes more stable, the profits will be considerable. Escort the caravans properly, and I will give you a tenth share of the profits.”
Cheon Chung-myeon’s expression brightened. Cheon Chung-myeon gave a cupped-fist salute.
“As expected, you are truly a person of great character. Thank you.”
“Enough. You may leave now.”
Cheon Chung-myeon departed.
I took several Asura Pills from my robes and tossed them into my mouth. As I circulated the Origin-Unity Qi Art, I sank into thought.
I needed to organize the information I had acquired.
The Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect was plotting something.
Would it occupy a branch? Would it lead to an all-out war? Or would it pressure the Asura Sword Sect while avoiding an all-out war as much as possible?
There was too little information to make a prediction.
Even if I drew upon the memories of my past life, the period when I had truly been active in the martial world came after both sects had already fallen.
It would be best to wait until more information accumulated. For now, as the Branch Master of the Jangam Branch, I needed to maximize the gains of this place.
More money would come in, and I would acquire more spiritual medicines.
Anything that interfered with that had to be removed.
The Green Forest.
To be honest, I did not know much about that organization. They operated only in the Yan Kingdom, and they had been completely exterminated before I even descended the mountain.
I had had no need to know much about bandits.
It would have been stranger if I possessed detailed information about them.
If they interfered with me...
They would simply be exterminated a little earlier.
I had finished organizing my thoughts.
There was an unwelcome visitor in my front yard. Worse, they were extorting money from guests entering through it. They would become an obstacle to my long-term future.
There was no need to think further.
I opened my eyes.
More time had passed than I thought. The sun was already setting.
The two men who had gone down to the underground chamber stood as though guarding me.
Myeong-hyeon smiled.
“Our Branch Master must have been quite tired as well. I am having a truly rare experience today. I have actually seen you rest.”
Then Myeong-hyeon tossed something to me.
I caught it and saw that it was Golden Wound Medicine, the finest grade said to come from the Northern Sea.
“I used some, but there is some left. The divine physician gave it to me, but we cannot have scars left on our Branch Master’s body.”
There was no doubting the medicine’s effectiveness.
It could heal ordinary wounds without fail. Calling it regeneration would not have been an exaggeration.
Myeong-hyeon still had the long scar on his cheek from that time, but unless one looked closely, it appeared little worse than a slight cut from a blade.
That was entirely due to the Golden Wound Medicine.
I checked the container. Half remained.
I chuckled and tossed it to Un Do-hyeon.
Un Do-hyeon caught it.
“My lord...”
“Use it.”
Myeong-hyeon cut in.
“Ah. If you are not going to use it, give it to me. Our junior needs to be raised tough.”
I ignored him.
So did Un Do-hyeon.
Perhaps Myeong-hyeon had not expected much, because he chuckled.
I slowly stood.
“Listen while you continue what you were doing. There is an unwelcome visitor in our front yard. I intend to deal with them.”
Myeong-hyeon asked, “Will you massacre them?”
“First, I will make an offer. If they refuse it, I will massacre them. Myeong-hyeon.”
“Yes, Branch Master.”
“How much have you recovered?”
“If I draw upon power at the level of Five Qis Return to Origin... I can move properly for about seven and a half minutes. If I use power at the level of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown instead, I can move for about an hour. The spiritual medicines you gave me are exceptionally potent.”
“And your wounds?”
“They sting, but not enough to keep me from moving. You know I am used to pain. There is no need to worry.”
I nodded.
“And you, Un Do-hyeon?”
“I am in peak condition. I can carry out any order you give, my lord.”
That was enough.
“Let us go.”
The two men rose with smiles.
We headed straight for Seven-Sage Mountain.
The moment we entered, Myeong-hyeon chuckled.
“It seems our Branch Master’s reputation has spread far and wide.”
It was only natural for Myeong-hyeon to say that.
Myeong-hyeon was not looking forward, but toward the northeast.
The sound of bushes being pushed aside came from there.
“Looks like they are running away. Shall I catch them?”
Yi Do shook his head.
There was no need.
“They are offering to guide us. Isn’t that considerate? It seems the bandits here have good manners.”
“Indeed.”
Laughing, we followed the bandit.
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