Chapter 410

Chapter 410

Jin Ja-gang’s party’s boat arrived at the large wharf of Motae Port. From Motae Port to Inhoe County was thirty li. Whether taking a smaller boat on the waterway or using lightness skills, it wouldn’t take half a shichen.

The Qingcheng Sect Taoists who had been waiting at Motae Port reported.

“Following those people, we found they had rented a large estate about a hundred li south of Inhoe County.”

“Trading company carts with hidden contents went back and forth from the estate several times a day.”

“The workers kept changing, but the masters inside seemed to stay in place without moving.”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon stroked his beard and frowned.

“Strange indeed. Despite being discovered as unorthodox sect members entering the Central Plains, they’re still staying nearby?”

Moreover, the constant movement of goods in and out was extremely suspicious.

Then one of the Qingcheng Sect Taoists came running and shouted.

“They just left the estate!”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon realized.

“They know we’ve come.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Which direction did they go?”

“The caravan split into two directions. One procession went south, the other went northeast on treacherous mountain paths.”

Soul Seizing Hang Deputy Master Tang Yak prepared and stepped forward. Taoist Master Bok-cheon also prepared with the Qingcheng Sect Taoists.

The party agreed to go together to the estate and decide how to split up there. Then they departed without delay. Son Bi also seemed anxious and bid farewell to Jin Ja-gang before following them.

Yeong-gwi observed Jin Ja-gang’s expression.

“Shall I carry you?”

“No.”

Yeong-gwi asked somewhat disappointedly what he intended to do.

“Then…”

Jin Ja-gang remained lost in thought until the Tang family warriors, Qingcheng Sect, and Son Bi disappeared from sight, then answered.

“We’ll wait here and see.”

Though curious about the reason, if Jin Ja-gang said so, there must be a reason. Yeong-gwi decided not to ask further and follow Jin Ja-gang’s words.

* * *

The estate where Northern Heaven unorthodox sect members were said to be hiding was empty.

There were a few servants cleaning up, but they had only been hired for cleaning and knew almost nothing. They said they had only seen dozens of carts leave at the end.

Son Bi searched the estate thoroughly. But there was no sign of Sword Empress Im Yi-yeon.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon wrinkled his nose.

“There’s a salty smell.”

White powder was scattered here and there on the floor.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon tasted the powder dropped in several places.

“It’s salt. Poison Dragon was right.”

Not only Tang Yak but also the Qingcheng Sect Taoists were surprised. It was revealed as fact that Northern Heaven unorthodox sect was related to Tang Qing’s salt smuggling.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s brow furrowed.

“But there’s no poison.”

Soul Seizing Hall Deputy Master Tang Yak said.

“We’ll head toward the mountains.”

“We’ll go south.”

Son Bi, who had been wondering which way to go, decided to follow Qingcheng Sect.

* * *

Tang Yak and two Tang family warriors quickly ran along the mountain path. Guizhou, close to Sichuan, also had many mountains with narrow and treacherous roads.

One might wonder if carts could pass through such paths, but the wheel tracks left by passing carts were clearly visible.

Deliberately entering such mountains instead of taking the wide road to Motae Port was surely done with pursuers in mind.

Tang Yak and the warriors entered a gorge. Steep cliffs rose about ten zhang on both sides.

Tang Yak raised her hand in warning.

“Be careful.”

But before those words finished, shadows appeared from atop the cliffs. They held bows in their hands.

The leader-like figure lowered his hand.

“Shoot!”

Arrows poured down simultaneously toward the Tang family warriors below the cliff.

Ping! Ping!

Tang Yak, who had been prepared, shouted.

“Heaven Shield Wrapping!”

Simultaneously, she pulled long cords from both sides of her waist. Thick cloth like a wrapping cloth came out along the cords. The two warriors also pulled out cloth in the same way.

They raised and spread the cloth overhead.

Flutter.

Like a screen, the three people held cloth overhead to defend against arrows.

Thud thud thud! The arrows that poured like rain struck the soft Heaven Shield Wrapping and bounced off or stuck and stopped.

Tang Yak gathered the ends of the cloth and swung it greatly. The arrows stuck in the cloth fell out with thuds.

“Go!”

Tang Yak and the two warriors covered the front with Heaven Shield Wrapping and leaped up the cliff. Arrows poured down once more from atop the cliff. When Tang Yak swung the Heaven Shield Wrapping, arrows wrapped around it. But one person couldn’t block everything and was hit by arrows sequentially in the shoulder and between the eyebrows. The Tang family warrior hit by arrows fell below the cliff and died instantly.

But in the meantime, Tang Yak and one warrior climbed atop the cliff.

Tang Yak swung her hand toward the archers who had been shooting arrows. Hidden weapons with arrowhead-like tips embedded in the archers’ bodies. The archers foamed at the mouth and collapsed.

The leader-like figure among the archers blocked Tang Yak’s front while wielding a sword.

“Where are Go Lu-bon and Su Su-jin!”

At Tang Yak’s words, the leader sneered.

“If you defeat me first, I’ll tell you.”

“You worthless underling bringing death upon yourself!”

Tang Yak scattered killing intent and threw hidden weapons again.

Clatter!

* * *

Taoist Master Bok-cheon, two Qingcheng Sect warriors, and Son Bi ran down the southern path. The cart wheel tracks remained intact, making pursuit not difficult.

But Taoist Master Bok-cheon couldn’t shake his doubts throughout.

“If we continue down this way, we’ll soon reach a fork splitting left and right. West leads to Yunnan and east leads to Huguang. But both paths are treacherous and not suitable for carts loaded with salt. Especially knowing we’d catch up quickly in pursuit.”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s group arrived before a bridge crossing a cliff. They had finally caught up to the carts.

Of the dozen or so carts, five had crossed and the remaining five were in the middle of crossing. And in the middle cart on that bridge was Im Yi-yeon, unable to move with acupoints sealed.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s brow furrowed deeply.

From across the bridge, a middle-aged woman in red clothes stood as if greeting them and said.

“Oh my… you came much faster than expected. I was planning to destroy the bridge after everything crossed.”

The middle-aged woman laughed shrilly.

“Since it’s come to this, quickly take Sword Empress away. She’s been very bothersome, just wasting food.”

When she insulted her master, Son Bi became angry. She tried to step forward to rescue Im Yi-yeon.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon stopped her.

“Stop. We don’t know what tricks they’ve set on the bridge.”

The wooden bridge looked solid enough for heavy carts to cross, but it was dangerous to cross as is. Crucially, the carts on the bridge only had horses with no people.

It was definitely a trap.

Though it was a quiet voice, the middle-aged woman across heard Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s voice and immediately answered.

“Do as you please. But it might be better to rescue Sword Empress quickly?”

The middle-aged woman rolled up her red sleeves and raised her hand.

Whoosh! Her hand turned white and dug into one side of the bridge’s railing like tofu. Son Bi started to leap forward but stopped.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon shouted.

“You were Su Su-jin!”

Su Su-jin replied.

“We have no grudge against Qingcheng Sect, so why is Qingcheng Sect so desperate to catch us?”

“Shut up! What are you scheming with that salt!”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s booming voice echoed through the valley.

Su Su-jin was impressed.

“Ah, amazing. You’ve already found out that much and chased us here? Indeed… Is that the ability of Poison Dragon who brought down King of Hell?”

Su Su-jin’s expression turned cold.

“I was very curious how much you knew, so it was worthwhile keeping Sword Empress alive. Which means she’s now useless.”

Su Su-jin gripped the railing with her hand that had turned even whiter.

Crack!

The bridge shook. Son Bi’s face turned as white as Su Su-jin’s hand.

If left alone, Im Yi-yeon would fall and die with the cart!

Then Taoist Master Bok-cheon sent a voice transmission to Son Bi.

“Run.”

Son Bi hesitated briefly but soon raised her internal energy and charged stepping on the bridge. Simultaneously, Taoist Master Bok-cheon leaped into the air stepping on the railing.

In an instant, his entire robe fluttered and billowed.

Swish.

Drawing his sword, Taoist Master Bok-cheon shouted loudly and swung his sword from left to right.

“Stand back!”

Tremendous sword energy erupted. A horizontal cross-section formed above Son Bi’s head as she ran across the bridge, and sword energy flew to the other side of the bridge.

Heaven and Earth Division!

Those on carts across the bridge were startled and all jumped off their carts.

Swoooosh!

Sword energy cut across the other side of the bridge for over five zhang in length.

The carts were cut in half vertically and the heads of tied horses were severed and fell. Su Su-jin in the center didn’t move at all and raised one hand to catch the sword energy with her palm.

Clang! The sword energy shattered. Thanks to this, the carts and horses to Su Su-jin’s left were unharmed.

Meanwhile, Son Bi ran to Im Yi-yeon and lifted her up. Suddenly the lying Im Yi-yeon stabbed with a dagger to attack Son Bi.

“…!”

Son Bi turned her head to avoid the dagger.

It wasn’t Im Yi-yeon but an unorthodox sect female warrior wearing Im Yi-yeon’s clothes and disguised as her. Son Bi angrily struck the female warrior’s head with her palm and smashed it.

Su Su-jin tried to destroy the bridge. Taoist Master Bok-cheon threw his sword and stood on the railing, taking a deep breath and extending both palms.

“Come back!”

Swoosh! Palm force containing internal energy flew toward Su Su-jin.

Su Su-jin made a displeased expression and struck away the palm force with her hand.

Bang bang.

“Qingcheng Sect Taoist bastards are always so crude with only deep internal energy!”

Son Bi returned across the bridge with no gains.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon came down from the railing. Then he walked across the bridge alone and threw open the covering of the nearest cart.

In the cart… it was full of stones. The next cart was the same.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s expression hardened.

“If not here, then the northeastern path.”

Su Su-jin laughed shrilly.

“There’s no Sword Empress here and no salt either. What will you do now?”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon said to Son Bi.

“Go back and tell Poison Dragon there was nothing on this side. I must catch this unorthodox sect witch and hear what she’s scheming.”

As if responding, Su Su-jin answered.

“Good thinking. If you’re lucky, you might hear my answer. If you’re lucky!”

Su Su-jin raised her internal energy with killing intent.

Whoosh!

Both hands shone white. Su Su-jin walked toward the bridge.

The bridge railing, half-cut, made creaking sounds.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon also picked up his thrown sword and walked across the bridge.

* * *

Clatter, clatter.

Dozens of horse-drawn carts leisurely passed along the wide road.

On the saddle of the frontmost horse sat an old man so emaciated that wrinkles layered his forehead, eyes, and cheeks. The carts led by the old man leisurely passed through Motae Port toward the wharf as if nothing was urgent.

However, the caravan stopped in the middle of the forest on the way to the wharf.

“What’s this.”

The old man spoke in disbelief with a hoarse voice.

Jin Ja-gang stood in front blocking the carts, looking at the old man.

Jin Ja-gang gazed at the old man and quietly opened his mouth.

“Are you going to catch a boat?”

At Jin Ja-gang’s question, the dozens of wrinkles on old man Go Lu-bon’s face contorted.

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Jin Ja-gang’s party’s boat arrived at the large wharf of Motae Port. From Motae Port to Inhoe County was thirty li. Whether taking a smaller boat on the waterway or using lightness skills, it wouldn’t take half a shichen.

The Qingcheng Sect Taoists who had been waiting at Motae Port reported.

“Following those people, we found they had rented a large estate about a hundred li south of Inhoe County.”

“Trading company carts with hidden contents went back and forth from the estate several times a day.”

“The workers kept changing, but the masters inside seemed to stay in place without moving.”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon stroked his beard and frowned.

“Strange indeed. Despite being discovered as unorthodox sect members entering the Central Plains, they’re still staying nearby?”

Moreover, the constant movement of goods in and out was extremely suspicious.

Then one of the Qingcheng Sect Taoists came running and shouted.

“They just left the estate!”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon realized.

“They know we’ve come.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Which direction did they go?”

“The caravan split into two directions. One procession went south, the other went northeast on treacherous mountain paths.”

Soul Seizing Hang Deputy Master Tang Yak prepared and stepped forward. Taoist Master Bok-cheon also prepared with the Qingcheng Sect Taoists.

The party agreed to go together to the estate and decide how to split up there. Then they departed without delay. Son Bi also seemed anxious and bid farewell to Jin Ja-gang before following them.

Yeong-gwi observed Jin Ja-gang’s expression.

“Shall I carry you?”

“No.”

Yeong-gwi asked somewhat disappointedly what he intended to do.

“Then…”

Jin Ja-gang remained lost in thought until the Tang family warriors, Qingcheng Sect, and Son Bi disappeared from sight, then answered.

“We’ll wait here and see.”

Though curious about the reason, if Jin Ja-gang said so, there must be a reason. Yeong-gwi decided not to ask further and follow Jin Ja-gang’s words.

* * *

The estate where Northern Heaven unorthodox sect members were said to be hiding was empty.

There were a few servants cleaning up, but they had only been hired for cleaning and knew almost nothing. They said they had only seen dozens of carts leave at the end.

Son Bi searched the estate thoroughly. But there was no sign of Sword Empress Im Yi-yeon.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon wrinkled his nose.

“There’s a salty smell.”

White powder was scattered here and there on the floor.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon tasted the powder dropped in several places.

“It’s salt. Poison Dragon was right.”

Not only Tang Yak but also the Qingcheng Sect Taoists were surprised. It was revealed as fact that Northern Heaven unorthodox sect was related to Tang Qing’s salt smuggling.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s brow furrowed.

“But there’s no poison.”

Soul Seizing Hall Deputy Master Tang Yak said.

“We’ll head toward the mountains.”

“We’ll go south.”

Son Bi, who had been wondering which way to go, decided to follow Qingcheng Sect.

* * *

Tang Yak and two Tang family warriors quickly ran along the mountain path. Guizhou, close to Sichuan, also had many mountains with narrow and treacherous roads.

One might wonder if carts could pass through such paths, but the wheel tracks left by passing carts were clearly visible.

Deliberately entering such mountains instead of taking the wide road to Motae Port was surely done with pursuers in mind.

Tang Yak and the warriors entered a gorge. Steep cliffs rose about ten zhang on both sides.

Tang Yak raised her hand in warning.

“Be careful.”

But before those words finished, shadows appeared from atop the cliffs. They held bows in their hands.

The leader-like figure lowered his hand.

“Shoot!”

Arrows poured down simultaneously toward the Tang family warriors below the cliff.

Ping! Ping!

Tang Yak, who had been prepared, shouted.

“Heaven Shield Wrapping!”

Simultaneously, she pulled long cords from both sides of her waist. Thick cloth like a wrapping cloth came out along the cords. The two warriors also pulled out cloth in the same way.

They raised and spread the cloth overhead.

Flutter.

Like a screen, the three people held cloth overhead to defend against arrows.

Thud thud thud! The arrows that poured like rain struck the soft Heaven Shield Wrapping and bounced off or stuck and stopped.

Tang Yak gathered the ends of the cloth and swung it greatly. The arrows stuck in the cloth fell out with thuds.

“Go!”

Tang Yak and the two warriors covered the front with Heaven Shield Wrapping and leaped up the cliff. Arrows poured down once more from atop the cliff. When Tang Yak swung the Heaven Shield Wrapping, arrows wrapped around it. But one person couldn’t block everything and was hit by arrows sequentially in the shoulder and between the eyebrows. The Tang family warrior hit by arrows fell below the cliff and died instantly.

But in the meantime, Tang Yak and one warrior climbed atop the cliff.

Tang Yak swung her hand toward the archers who had been shooting arrows. Hidden weapons with arrowhead-like tips embedded in the archers’ bodies. The archers foamed at the mouth and collapsed.

The leader-like figure among the archers blocked Tang Yak’s front while wielding a sword.

“Where are Go Lu-bon and Su Su-jin!”

At Tang Yak’s words, the leader sneered.

“If you defeat me first, I’ll tell you.”

“You worthless underling bringing death upon yourself!”

Tang Yak scattered killing intent and threw hidden weapons again.

Clatter!

* * *

Taoist Master Bok-cheon, two Qingcheng Sect warriors, and Son Bi ran down the southern path. The cart wheel tracks remained intact, making pursuit not difficult.

But Taoist Master Bok-cheon couldn’t shake his doubts throughout.

“If we continue down this way, we’ll soon reach a fork splitting left and right. West leads to Yunnan and east leads to Huguang. But both paths are treacherous and not suitable for carts loaded with salt. Especially knowing we’d catch up quickly in pursuit.”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s group arrived before a bridge crossing a cliff. They had finally caught up to the carts.

Of the dozen or so carts, five had crossed and the remaining five were in the middle of crossing. And in the middle cart on that bridge was Im Yi-yeon, unable to move with acupoints sealed.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s brow furrowed deeply.

From across the bridge, a middle-aged woman in red clothes stood as if greeting them and said.

“Oh my… you came much faster than expected. I was planning to destroy the bridge after everything crossed.”

The middle-aged woman laughed shrilly.

“Since it’s come to this, quickly take Sword Empress away. She’s been very bothersome, just wasting food.”

When she insulted her master, Son Bi became angry. She tried to step forward to rescue Im Yi-yeon.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon stopped her.

“Stop. We don’t know what tricks they’ve set on the bridge.”

The wooden bridge looked solid enough for heavy carts to cross, but it was dangerous to cross as is. Crucially, the carts on the bridge only had horses with no people.

It was definitely a trap.

Though it was a quiet voice, the middle-aged woman across heard Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s voice and immediately answered.

“Do as you please. But it might be better to rescue Sword Empress quickly?”

The middle-aged woman rolled up her red sleeves and raised her hand.

Whoosh! Her hand turned white and dug into one side of the bridge’s railing like tofu. Son Bi started to leap forward but stopped.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon shouted.

“You were Su Su-jin!”

Su Su-jin replied.

“We have no grudge against Qingcheng Sect, so why is Qingcheng Sect so desperate to catch us?”

“Shut up! What are you scheming with that salt!”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s booming voice echoed through the valley.

Su Su-jin was impressed.

“Ah, amazing. You’ve already found out that much and chased us here? Indeed… Is that the ability of Poison Dragon who brought down King of Hell?”

Su Su-jin’s expression turned cold.

“I was very curious how much you knew, so it was worthwhile keeping Sword Empress alive. Which means she’s now useless.”

Su Su-jin gripped the railing with her hand that had turned even whiter.

Crack!

The bridge shook. Son Bi’s face turned as white as Su Su-jin’s hand.

If left alone, Im Yi-yeon would fall and die with the cart!

Then Taoist Master Bok-cheon sent a voice transmission to Son Bi.

“Run.”

Son Bi hesitated briefly but soon raised her internal energy and charged stepping on the bridge. Simultaneously, Taoist Master Bok-cheon leaped into the air stepping on the railing.

In an instant, his entire robe fluttered and billowed.

Swish.

Drawing his sword, Taoist Master Bok-cheon shouted loudly and swung his sword from left to right.

“Stand back!”

Tremendous sword energy erupted. A horizontal cross-section formed above Son Bi’s head as she ran across the bridge, and sword energy flew to the other side of the bridge.

Heaven and Earth Division!

Those on carts across the bridge were startled and all jumped off their carts.

Swoooosh!

Sword energy cut across the other side of the bridge for over five zhang in length.

The carts were cut in half vertically and the heads of tied horses were severed and fell. Su Su-jin in the center didn’t move at all and raised one hand to catch the sword energy with her palm.

Clang! The sword energy shattered. Thanks to this, the carts and horses to Su Su-jin’s left were unharmed.

Meanwhile, Son Bi ran to Im Yi-yeon and lifted her up. Suddenly the lying Im Yi-yeon stabbed with a dagger to attack Son Bi.

“…!”

Son Bi turned her head to avoid the dagger.

It wasn’t Im Yi-yeon but an unorthodox sect female warrior wearing Im Yi-yeon’s clothes and disguised as her. Son Bi angrily struck the female warrior’s head with her palm and smashed it.

Su Su-jin tried to destroy the bridge. Taoist Master Bok-cheon threw his sword and stood on the railing, taking a deep breath and extending both palms.

“Come back!”

Swoosh! Palm force containing internal energy flew toward Su Su-jin.

Su Su-jin made a displeased expression and struck away the palm force with her hand.

Bang bang.

“Qingcheng Sect Taoist bastards are always so crude with only deep internal energy!”

Son Bi returned across the bridge with no gains.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon came down from the railing. Then he walked across the bridge alone and threw open the covering of the nearest cart.

In the cart… it was full of stones. The next cart was the same.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s expression hardened.

“If not here, then the northeastern path.”

Su Su-jin laughed shrilly.

“There’s no Sword Empress here and no salt either. What will you do now?”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon said to Son Bi.

“Go back and tell Poison Dragon there was nothing on this side. I must catch this unorthodox sect witch and hear what she’s scheming.”

As if responding, Su Su-jin answered.

“Good thinking. If you’re lucky, you might hear my answer. If you’re lucky!”

Su Su-jin raised her internal energy with killing intent.

Whoosh!

Both hands shone white. Su Su-jin walked toward the bridge.

The bridge railing, half-cut, made creaking sounds.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon also picked up his thrown sword and walked across the bridge.

* * *

Clatter, clatter.

Dozens of horse-drawn carts leisurely passed along the wide road.

On the saddle of the frontmost horse sat an old man so emaciated that wrinkles layered his forehead, eyes, and cheeks. The carts led by the old man leisurely passed through Motae Port toward the wharf as if nothing was urgent.

However, the caravan stopped in the middle of the forest on the way to the wharf.

“What’s this.”

The old man spoke in disbelief with a hoarse voice.

Jin Ja-gang stood in front blocking the carts, looking at the old man.

Jin Ja-gang gazed at the old man and quietly opened his mouth.

“Are you going to catch a boat?”

At Jin Ja-gang’s question, the dozens of wrinkles on old man Go Lu-bon’s face contorted.

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