Got You, You Bastard (1)

The two, grandfather and grandchild, sat facing each other, busily making something.

They placed two bamboo poles neatly and wove the space between them with rope.

What emerged resembled the kind of trap-basket used for fishing in a stream.

“Grandpa, what are we making right now?”

“We’re making a stretcher.”

“Huh? To carry whom?”

Yu Jinsan nodded and subtly pointed to the side with his chin.

“That man over there taking a nap. It was tiring carrying him in a hurry when we came.”

Although Wang Sa-pyeong is large, he is not so heavy as to burden warriors.

But carrying him over a long distance while running was quite annoying, especially in that awkward position.

Since the two were small, they had to lift and support him over their heads to move him.

“He can run with us. You said he needed to lose some weight.”

“Hmm. That wouldn’t be bad.”

Wang Sa-pyeong, who had been eavesdropping with his eyes closed, leapt up.

“What kind of crazy nonsense are you spouting? Can’t you see how skinny I’ve become!?”

It was natural for Wang Sa-pyeong to be alarmed.

The destination was about three hundred li from here.

If the two displayed their lightness skill, they could arrive within 2 hours, but by Wang Sa-pyeong’s standards it would take four days.

For someone who utterly detested exercise, being told to run for four days was tantamount to torture.

Yu Seol tied the knot in the rope and slyly asked.

“Is it because you’re hungry? Shall I make you a special meal?”

At the mention of a special meal, Wang Sa-pyeong’s angry expression turned a full 180 degrees.

“…Not exactly. I’m worried the officials won’t recognize me when we arrive.”

When Wang Sa-pyeong was first seen, he weighed over 200 kilograms and was massive in appearance.

Now he had lost so much weight he was barely recognizable.

It was almost inexplicable that he could lose so much weight in such a short time.

Perhaps because of that, he no longer suffered from diabetes. The life-threatening chronic illness had vanished.

Yu Seol giggled at his oversensitive reaction.

“Heeheehee. I’m joking. It’s already finished, so get on here.”

Clearing his throat, Wang Sa-pyeong tried sitting in the makeshift palanquin.

“Ahem! So you two have a bit of humanity after all. I thought you were merciless monsters.”

“How is it?”

“It’s a bit small, but it’s acceptable to sit in.”

The two of them grasped the bamboo on each side and lifted it once to test.

For something hastily made, it was flawless.

Whether the bamboo used for support would continuously bear the weight was questionable, but it could be solved by using qi to increase its strength.

A satisfied expression appeared on Yu Jinsan’s face.

“This should be fine. Shall we start moving soon?”

A road about 30 kms south of Kaifeng Fortress.

A checkpoint had been set up here as well, as expected.

Soldiers had blocked the road with wooden palisades and were inspecting passersby.

The person in charge here was garrison commander Bang Hwil.

“Everyone through!”

When Bang Hwil signaled, a group rushed through the checkpoint.

A junior officer watching hurried over and said anxiously.

“Commander, those people haven’t been verified yet.”

“If possible, just pretend to check and let them pass. It’s pointless.”

“…What if the men who kidnapped the governor slip through?”

Deep wrinkles formed on Bang Hwil’s brow.

He was displeased by the repeated objections despite his explanations.

Finally, unable to tolerate it, he kicked his subordinate in the shin.

“Can’t you get it through your head? There’s no need to search adults with kids, just send them on.”

Descriptions of the Yin Yang Twin Monster had already been distributed to every checkpoint.

Since they were a pair of kids, searching adults would be meaningless.

“Yes, understood.”

“And another thing, even if we somehow filtered out those mad people, do you think we could handle them?”

Bang Hwil sighed as he gazed into the distance.

“I was at the Kaifeng administration the day the Governor was kidnapped. So I know well.”

“Then… was that rumor true? I heard one of the two used something like the Air Sword technique.”

“Yes. It was pure terror. Everyone froze and couldn’t move.”

The junior officer tilted his head for a moment and asked cautiously.

“But… wasn’t the best Kaifeng warrior by the dignitary’s side?”

“Yes, he was there. Military officer Jeon Chung. When we arrived he was already a wreck and unconscious.”

“How could such a powerful man…”

Jeon Chung, Wang Sa-pyeong’s bodyguard, was a very famous figure, bearing the title ‘Kaifeng’s Number One Sword’; junior military officers idolized him.

Even skilled martial warriors would yield to him, but the problem was that the opponent had been a Yin Monster.

“I didn’t expect him to be sprawled out like that either. Anyway, take it easy. There’s nothing we can do here.”

Bang Hwil finished speaking and turned his back.

Suddenly his subordinate urgently asked from behind.

“Commander! If we find the dignitary, what will happen?”

“Don’t be absurd. Even if the sky split in two, that won’t happen.”

“Please tell us!”

Bang Hwil turned with an irritated expression.

“Why do you keep asking annoyingly? It’s none of our concern!?”

“I-I think we’ve found him.”

“…Who?”

Bang Hwil absentmindedly looked in the direction his subordinate pointed.

Someone was crossing the paddies toward them from the direction of the foothill.

The face was too far to see clearly, but one thing was unmistakable.

It was a black official robe embroidered with two vermilion phoenixes.

“That’s the Kaifeng administration’s official robe, right?”

If a ginseng hunter found a mountain of wild ginseng, would his face look like this? Bang Hwil’s expression was suddenly filled with joy.

“…Yes, it looks certain. I knew you’d do it!”

It matched the Wang Sa-pyeong he remembered, except for the astonishing weight loss.

“Quickly, go escort him back.”

“Wait a moment. If the governor came to the checkpoint on his own feet, we won’t receive any reward.”

“W-what should we do then?”

Junior military clerks rarely, if ever, get to meet high-ranking officials like Wang Sa-pyeong.

This was likely their first and last chance. Bang Hwil didn’t want to miss it.

“Let’s claim we found him during a search. I’ll circle through those bushes and appear first; you take some men and approach dispersedly to follow.”

“Understood.”

Wang Sa-pyeong, who had been making his way through the fields, stopped and panted.

His joints ached, so he rubbed his knees with both hands.

“Ugh, this is hard. Those bastards, how dare they make me work like this.”

He took a deep breath and glanced back once.

It was near the mid-slope of the foothill rising behind the fields.

The two monsters who had sent him would be hiding there, watching.

‘They said they’re called the Yin Yang Twin Monster in the murim world? Damn old fiends, we must have had bad karma in a past life!’

His face brightened suddenly as he sighed.

Someone was bursting out of the brush and running like a madman.

“G-governor!!”

This was definitely not someone Wang Sa-pyeong remembered.

Yet the person approached with tears welling in his eyes.

“S-sir, what’s happened? We’ve searched day and night for you, and finally…”

“There were some circumstances. What’s your name?”

“…I am the Garrison Commander Bang Hwil. My men and I have been consumed with worry for you, sir. sob!”

Bang Hwil, tears in his eyes, finally broke down and sobbed loudly.

Wang Sa-pyeong looked at him pityingly as he wiped his tears, then patted his shoulder.

“Hoho. At least I didn’t live my life in vain.”

“You are the light and pillar of Kaifeng. It’s truly fortunate you are safe.”

“Yes, yes. I will not forget your devotion.”

“We only did what was right. We will escort you safely to the Kaifeng administration, sir.”

Wang Sa-pyeong paused wiping his brow and waved a hand.

“Now is not the time to return. My throat is parched, so fetch some water first.”

Bang Hwil signaled to one of his perceptive subordinates.

The subordinate ran off and returned carrying a folding stool.

Bang Hwil took the stool and carefully slid it behind Wang Sa-pyeong.

“Please sit for now. We’ll bring drinking water soon.”

Under Wang Sa-pyeong’s weight, the wooden stool’s legs sank deep into the ground.

It was a wonder it didn’t break.

“I have a rough idea of what’s happening. It’s all right now; lift the emergency alert and withdraw. Inform the other checkpoints as well.”

“Yes, but where will you go, sir? Should we leave some escort troops? If needed, we will assist.”

Wang Sa-pyeong pondered for a moment.

After disbanding the military forces, he planned to depart for Mount Marun.

He needed to verify whether the state’s intelligence agency, Information Control Courtyard, had truly been seized by the martial organization called the Blue Dragon Troops, and whether his son-in-law had indeed betrayed him.

Moreover, he would have to deal with the dangerous Yin Yang Twin Monster as well.

He could not predict what might happen during that process.

‘I should have at least one safety measure.’

But Bang Hwil and his men did not seem trustworthy.

A single guard who could fight a hundred would be better than them.

“You said your name is Bang Hwil just now?”

“Yes, sir. It’s an honor to be addressed by you.”

“Hmm. Who in your unit is the fastest with light footwork skill?”

Bang Hwil straightened his chest and tapped it lightly.

“I am the fastest.”

He asked despite already knowing the answer.

A garrison commander is a military officer who serves as a mid-ranking battlefield commander with high martial strength; his subordinates could not possibly surpass Bang Hwil’s light footwork skill.

At that moment, Wang Sa-pyeong was handed a bamboo cup and gulped water, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve and muttered.

“You seem to have an exceptional appetite for power and ambition.”

“I-I’m sorry if it seemed that way. I was merely…”

Wang Sa-pyeong raised a hand and cut him off.

“I meant it as a compliment. A man should harbor such ambition and resolve.”

Bang Hwil bowed at a ninety-degree angle in relief and gratitude.

“Th-thank you.”

“No need for thanks. In life, opportunities that can change your fate come once in a while. Will you take on a challenge?”

What on earth was he suddenly being asked to challenge?

He couldn’t fathom the intention behind Wang Sa-pyeong’s words at all.

Whatever it was, Bang Hwil had no intention of backing down.

“I will take the challenge. Give me any opportunity.”

“Hmm. I think I have about an hour of time left. Within that, find Kaifeng’s Number One Swordsman and bring him here.”

“Do you mean officer Jeon Chung, the dignitary’s escort?”

Wang Sa-pyeong glanced around and slowly nodded.

In an hour he must go meet the Yin Yang Twin Monster again.

But first, he intended to summon Jeon Chung.