Chapter 141 : Bang Cheon-woo (1)

“Is there something wrong with the Escort Agency?”Jin Seong-un asked in a calm tone.

Hwang Chi-yeon, the Chief Escort of the Red Cliff Escort Agency, let out a deep sigh. For a moment, a complex emotion seemed to pass across his face.

“First... may I come in?”

He looked around as he asked. When Jin Seong-un nodded, he stepped into the room.

The way he kept glancing about made him appear extremely cautious.

“So then, what exactly is it you want help with?”

“...There are those who find the Escort Leader’s death suspicious.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

Even as an outsider, it had seemed suspicious to him, so it was only natural that people inside the agency would be talking about it.

“However, the current atmosphere within the agency doesn’t seem to allow for such suspicions.”

“Are you referring to the Interim Escort Leader?”

Bang Myeong-ho—cousin to Bang Man-bok.

Though Jin Seong-un had only seen him briefly, it hadn’t been hard to figure out his character.

Not only was his own martial ability not lacking, but he had also gone so far as to bluntly issue an expulsion order to the people of Seong-un Inn, who had been on friendly terms with the late Escort Leader.

It was obvious how he would treat the subordinates within the agency.

“Right after the Escort Leader passed away, he quickly seized control of the Escort Agency. Since he was already the Chief Escort, his power base was firm.”

“There must’ve been people who opposed him.”

Jin Seong-un said as he gazed steadily at Chief Hwang. For him to come all the way here and speak of internal matters meant that his loyalty to Bang Man-bok must have been exceptional.

Surely, there were others like him within the agency. The Bang Man-bok that Jin Seong-un knew was someone who treasured those around him.

Chief Hwang nodded and spoke.

“There were. But those of us who had worked alongside the Escort Leader for many years have recently lost our power within the agency.”

Chief Hwang went on to explain what had transpired in the Red Cliff Escort Agency after Bang Man-bok’s death.

Though it was a fairly long account, the summary was simple.

The moment Bang Man-bok’s death was made known to the agency—

While everyone was still reeling in shock, Bang Myeong-ho, together with his supporters, seized control of the Escort Agency.

It flowed smoothly, without a single hitch or outcry, as if it had all been prepared in advance.

As Jin Seong-un had said, there were those who expressed doubt or objected to rushing ahead with things.

Their voices were silenced. The justification was the massive escort mission coming in from the Western Regions.

Bang Myeong-ho strongly insisted that ensuring the mission proceeded without disruption was the top priority for the agency. He framed those who opposed him as emotional fools unfit for the task.

After all, the Escort Agency was a trading organization. Anyone who ruined business due to emotions would be branded incompetent.

And in the trade world, an incompetent merchant is as good as a criminal. Those holding positions were responsible for the livelihoods of anywhere from ten to dozens of people.

“So now, no one can even voice their doubts.”

“There is no explanation for the Escort Leader’s death. Would those bandits truly commit such an act without reason?”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

The investigator from Mount Heng Sect, Escort Leader Hwang Eung, had behaved as if he were trying to cover up the bandits’ mouths.

There were too many suspicious elements.

After a short pause to gather his thoughts, Jin Seong-un asked,

“Still, how can you trust us enough to share something this serious? As Bang Myeong-ho said, we could simply be here hoping to get more Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom.”

Seomun Ak and Seo Yu-gyeom, who had been silently listening beside him, also nodded. In truth, the two were still somewhat suspicious of Chief Hwang.

There was no guarantee that he wasn’t one of Bang Myeong-ho’s people. Besides, everything he’d said thus far was unsupported by any hard evidence.

After a brief pause, Chief Hwang replied,

“Because the Escort Leader trusted you.”

“…”

“I served alongside the Escort Leader for over twenty years. In recent years, he often spoke of Guest Dragon.”

Chief Hwang stared into empty space, as if recalling something dear, and continued.

“I trust the Escort Leader. And I trust his choices. Denying that would be the same as denying my own life.”

He was a man who had given half of his life to the Red Cliff Escort Agency and to Bang Man-bok. The Escort Leader’s trust was his trust.

Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak exchanged glances.

There was no way for the three of them to verify the truth.

They had no evidence, no proof to go on.

Yet despite that, they felt certain that Chief Hwang was not lying.

After all, both Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak had once felt similar trust toward someone themselves.

Jin Seong-un’s decisions were usually right.

Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak knew this better than anyone. That’s why they always respected his judgment and beliefs.

If someone who had worked with Bang Man-bok for over twenty years said he trusted him, then surely his respect had run deep.

After some thought, Seo Yu-gyeom spoke.

“Even if we want to help, there’s nothing we can do. Bang Myeong-ho has effectively become the Escort Leader, and he drove us out with accusations of lacking qualifications or justification. If we return now and try anything, we’ll just be treated like thugs causing trouble.”

And in truth, they had caused a bit of trouble.

With a sigh, Chief Hwang spoke again, now sounding resolute.

“There is someone with more legitimate justification and qualifications than the Interim Escort Leader.”

“You mean the eldest son?”

At Jin Seong-un’s question, Chief Hwang nodded.

“Yes. Though Young Master Bang Cheon-gang passed away with the Escort Leader, his eldest son, Young Master Bang Cheon-woo, still lives. No matter how powerful Bang Myeong-ho may be, if the Escort Leader’s own son shows up, he won’t be able to stop him.”

“Then all we have to do is bring him back to the Escort Agency. So, do you have any way of finding him?”

“…”

Chief Hwang fell silent for a moment.

That silence now felt ominous.

“Don’t tell me you have no idea where he is.”

The Central Plains were vast beyond measure.

How were they supposed to find a carefree nobleman who had cut ties with the Escort Agency to enjoy life, roaming from place to place?

According to Bang Man-bok, Bang Cheon-woo wanted to enjoy life to the fullest and even tried to hide the fact that he was the heir to the Red Cliff Escort Agency.

After all, once people learned he was a rich nobleman’s son, parasites would swarm around him.

“…The last we heard, he was somewhere near Luoyang. But even that was three or four years ago.”

As Chief Hwang tried to recall, Seomun Ak, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“There are about three hundred men like that in Luoyang alone.”

Seomun Ak had some experience in such matters and knew the scene well enough.

Those calling themselves ‘noblemen of leisure,’ living like mayflies, indulging in wine, music, poetry, and literature—Luoyang alone had hundreds.

If one expanded the search to the entire Central Plains, it could be thousands—perhaps even tens of thousands.

An awkward silence settled over the room.

This was precisely why Interim Escort Leader Bang Myeong-ho hadn’t called for the eldest son until now. He had a justifiable excuse to say:

‘Believe me, I tried everything I could to find him. But there’s just no way to locate someone like that. What more do you expect from me?’

It almost felt as if Bang Myeong-ho’s gruff voice could be heard echoing in their ears.

Just as Jin Seong-un let out a sigh, feeling an unusual sense of helplessness—

“There are two people who could find him.”

Seo Yu-gyeom spoke up suddenly.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward him.

Seo Yu-gyeom handed a brush and paper to Chief Hwang.

“Write down Bang Cheon-woo’s appearance and notable features. In as much detail as you can. Also, note how long ago those memories are from.”

The three of them took the note describing Bang Cheon-woo’s features and left the inn.

Suddenly, Jin Seong-un asked,

“Who are those two people?”

In this vast Central Plains, among the countless noble scions of leisure, who could possibly identify the Red Cliff Escort Agency’s eldest son?

If they were capable of that, then they surely held considerable influence in their time.

Seo Yu-gyeom replied in an even tone.

“The first is the Deathshroud Leader. If you put in a request to have him killed, he’ll probably find him quickly.”

“…Can’t we just ask for his location instead of an assassination?”

“No can do. Deathshroud isn’t an intelligence organization.”

Seomun Ak looked at Seo Yu-gyeom like he was crazy, but Seo Yu-gyeom continued calmly, unfazed.

“Or the Hao Sect Leader. If that Bang Cheon-woo brat really is living like a hedonistic rogue, then the Hao Sect Leader would probably find him even faster than the Beggars’ Union Leader.”

The Hao Sect had control over most taverns and brothels throughout the Central Plains and employed countless performers.

Bang Cheon-woo must have passed through at least a hundred Hao Sect-affiliated establishments while indulging in pleasure.

“It would be great to ask the Hao Sect Leader directly, but no one in our generation even knows his identity. He’s one of the few people who even the Deathshroud refuses to take requests on. But—we do know someone close to the Sect Leader, don’t we?”

“Ah.”

Jin Seong-un nodded, as if only now realizing it. Between them, Seomun Ak looked confused.

“Who? Who is it?”

“You’ll know when you see her.”

That was all Jin Seong-un said.

After all, the Hao Sect was a secretive organization. If she wanted to hide her identity, it would be rude for others to reveal it on her behalf.

“I know her too? Who the hell could it be?”

Seomun Ak’s mind raced.

Someone he knew was part of the Hao Sect? And high enough to be close to the Sect Leader?

As Seomun Ak mentally ran through all the people who had passed through Seong-un Inn, his jaw dropped.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Don’t tell me… Uncle Sang-won?”

“…”

Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom both shook their heads.

If No Sang-won were a Hao Sect executive, the two of them would never be able to trust anyone in the world again.

Gansu Province, Lanzhou.

The three of them sought out the most famous brothel in Lanzhou. They had no other leads to follow.

They declined the courtesans, choosing instead to relax with food and drink. As they rested, a woman’s voice rang out from beyond the door.

“Are you impotent or something? The courtesans of Nanhwaru are some of the finest!”

“Please, come in.”

As Jin Seong-un spoke, the door opened, and a woman Seomun Ak recognized entered.

None other than the Lingbo Immortal Maiden.

She had once tasted Cheongtang Bamboo Stew, danced in front of the inn by moonlight, composed poetry—done all sorts of outrageous things. Seomun Ak remembered her well.

Wearing her signature fluttering thin garments, the Lingbo Immortal Maiden glanced over Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom, then smiled slyly as she looked at Seomun Ak.

“Well, well, even the Night King came along. You’ve been quiet for a while—getting restless, are we?”

Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom both turned to look at Seomun Ak at the same time.

Night King—a title that meant exactly what it sounded like.

Just how recklessly had he lived for such a nickname to stick?

Seo Yu-gyeom spoke with a solemn expression.

“The Sword King, the Saber King… Those with kingly titles in our time are all peak-level masters of Tianwaitian. And you, Seomun Ak, have reached that realm at such a young age. I’m proud of you.”

Seomun Ak’s face turned beet red, and Seo Yu-gyeom’s shoulders quivered in silent laughter.

Seomun Ak turned to the Lingbo Immortal Maiden.

“No, that was just a nickname we old friends used to throw around to brag and joke. Where on earth did you hear that?”

“Hahaha, don’t underestimate the Night King’s fame. In our circles, he’s held in even higher regard than the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.”

Seomun Ak rubbed his forehead.

When would the karma from his debauched past finally wash away?

The Lingbo Immortal Maiden laughed cheerfully at the sight and then said,

“Since you’ve already made a name for yourself in our world, why not join the Hao Sect? Doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

“You want my father to beat me to death?”

Seomun Ak briefly imagined it.

Visiting his father, Seomun Jeok, for the first time in ages and saying, “Father, I’ve joined the Hao Sect.”

His face paled at the thought, and just then, Jin Seong-un spoke in a serious tone.

“We’re actually here to ask a favor. There’s someone we’re trying to find, but we’ve hit a wall.”

The Lingbo Immortal Maiden had joined the Hao Sect after the battle at the Snowy Mountain, seeking refuge from the Demonic Cult’s threat.

Word had it that she was recognized for her reputation and influence and had been appointed as an Elder.

Seo Yu-gyeom handed her the note containing Bang Cheon-woo’s description.

She took it and began to read—her expression gradually turning curious.

“There sure are a lot of people looking for this guy lately.”

“Someone else is looking for Bang Cheon-woo?”

The Lingbo Immortal Maiden paused, her face suggesting uncertainty about whether she should speak.

The three of them stared at her in confusion.

After a few moments, she shrugged with a “why not” look and said,

“You know we sometimes exchange information with the Deathshroud, right?”