Chapter 196: A Request for a Favor

Shangguan Mijong brought her hands together with a gentle smile.

“Lady Shangguan, it’s been a long time.”

“I heard long ago that Young Master Yong was in Jeongju, but you never came to see me even once.”

“I apologize.”

It wasn’t only Shangguan Mijong in the carriage; Shangguan Yuseol was also aboard.

“It’s been a while. Young Master Yong, you’ve become even more dignified since we last met.”

Yong Hwarin found it strange that the three siblings were riding in the same carriage and asked,

“What brings the three of you here together? And why invite me?”

Shangguan Joyoung smiled as if trying to appease Yong Hwarin and said,

“This time, the Muhwa Lord from the Imperial Division has come to visit our family. I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but she asked to meet you, Young Master Yong.”

Yong Hwarin was greatly surprised to learn that the Shangguan Clan was connected with the Muhwa Lord of the Imperial Palace.

As expected of those who rose from the bureaucratic ranks to establish a clan, they were indeed connected to the palace.

The Muhwa Lord was one of the most powerful female masters in the Imperial Palace. That’s why she earned the title Muhwa Lord, and the name became synonymous with her.

It was said that her martial prowess was enough to overwhelm even the martial instructor of the palace.

If she had received personal instruction from many masters within the palace and taken spiritual medicines that even the martial clans had never seen, it was entirely possible.

If it were under different circumstances, Yong Hwarin would have followed Shangguan Joyoung.

That’s how intriguing the Muhwa Lord was.

But right now, nothing else could enter his mind.

“I’m sorry. I, Yong Mo, have urgent matters to attend to and cannot comply with Brother Shangguan’s wishes.”

“Ah, what a shame. It’s a rare opportunity.”

Shangguan Joyoung showed a disappointed expression, but it also revealed his displeasure.

He thought Yong Hwarin had not only rejected him but the wishes of the Muhwa Lord herself.

“Joyoung, let’s leave it at that. It seems Young Master Yong has urgent business. We’re not here to force him.”

Shangguan Mijong, realizing Yong Hwarin had pressing matters, called back Shangguan Joyoung.

Shangguan Mijong spoke with a wistful smile.

“The Muhwa Lord said she wished to enjoy some water play, so we’re planning to host a banquet on the river. If you find the time, please come by. You’re always welcome, Young Master Yong.”

“Thank you.”

Yong Hwarin lowered his head in a clasped hands greeting to Shangguan Mijong, who looked at him warmly.

“One moment, would it be possible for me to borrow some warriors from the Shangguan Clan?”

Shangguan Joyoung responded with a troubled face.

“That would be difficult at the moment. Our elite forces have already left to escort the Muhwa Lord.”

Shangguan Mijong said,

“If you need, I’ll contact the main family right away and request support forces.”

Yong Hwarin was grateful for Shangguan Mijong’s willingness to help without even asking why.

But there was no time for that. It would take hours for the request to reach the Shangguan Clan and for support forces to arrive.

‘I can’t even be sure the clan head of the Shangguan Clan will agree to send reinforcements.’

Frankly, Yong Hwarin didn’t believe the Shangguan Clan would provide reinforcements.

Not for something so intensely personal.

Regrettable as it was, he couldn’t rely on them.

It would’ve been great to bring these three along, but if those tasked with escorting the Muhwa Lord were absent, the Shangguan Clan could end up in trouble.

"Then I suppose it can't be helped."

"It's fine. Please, go on. What's the matter?"

When Shangguan Mijong asked, still intent on helping Yong Hwarin to the end, Shangguan Joyoung muttered with a hint of irritation in his tone.

"Noona, let’s go now. If we keep the Muhwa Lord waiting, it’ll be a disaster. You know her temper."

Yong Hwarin looked at them and said,

"It’s nothing serious. You three should go on ahead."

"If anything comes up, send word to the main family."

Shangguan Mijong left those words behind as she departed.

Yong Hwarin watched the three siblings of the Shangguan Clan until they disappeared from view.

Gam Heum sighed.

"Ah, it would’ve been good if we could’ve received their help."

Gam Heum, too, sighed with a tone of regret.

"We’ve delayed too long. Let’s go."

Just as Yong Hwarin was about to step forward to initiate movement arts, he quietly placed his foot back down.

Yong Hwarin smiled, having seen something unexpected in an unexpected place.

"Perhaps we can get even more help than we would’ve from the Shangguan Clan."

Yong Hwarin murmured.

Gam Heum tilted his head, seeing the Small Sect Leader staring intently at the banner of a shabby tea house with a smile.

"This time, I suppose I should be thankful to Shangguan Joyoung. If he hadn’t called me back, I wouldn’t have discovered something so unexpected, would I?"

Muttering words of unclear meaning, Yong Hwarin approached the shabby tea house.

On the banner was a symbol unrelated to a tea house.

It depicted a snake with antlers — a strange and eerie image.

It was the insignia of the Blood Antler Serpent Group.

"To find the Blood Antler Serpent Group’s contract house in a place like this... Thanks to Shangguan Joyoung, things might go well."

In this life, the Blood Antler Serpent Group had begun their operations earlier than in his past life.

"Is there no way I can make use of them?"

After a brief thought, Yong Hwarin spoke to Gam Heum.

"Wait here for a moment."

As Yong Hwarin entered the shabby tea house, Gam Heum tilted his head repeatedly.

But since there was always a reason behind the Small Sect Leader's actions, he waited silently.

Yong Hwarin entered the tea house and took a seat.

"Would you like some tea?"

In his past life, Yong Hwarin wasn’t exactly evil, but neither was he virtuous.

He had even once commissioned a murder to eliminate someone who had tried to assassinate him.

The target had been Yeogong, the Elder of the Geumwon Council under the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, who also served as the Head Escort of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency — known as Cheongsongcheonpil.

At that time, while investigating assassins, Yong Hwarin had learned how the Blood Antler Serpent Group handled assassination requests.

"I’d like to order Blood Tea."

The worker serving tea, unshaken by the request, looked at Yong Hwarin and spoke politely.

"Blood Tea is very expensive."

"I still want to drink it."

When Yong Hwarin replied, the worker stepped back.

"Please follow me. Blood Tea is expensive, so it’s prepared separately."

Yong Hwarin followed the worker through a door that led out of the tea house.

There, a small room awaited — and he sensed assassins hidden in the ceiling, walls, and floor.

A voice came from above.

"Did you come to place a contract?"

"I did."

"Who’s the target?"

After a short pause, Yong Hwarin spoke.

"Myself."

"What? You're the target?"

Killing intent surged from all directions, making the fine hairs on his skin stand on end.

"Are you playing a joke right now?"

"I didn’t come here to joke."

As Yong Hwarin calmly withstood the pressing killing intent, the voice from the ceiling swallowed a breath.

Then, as the sound of someone entering was heard, quiet whispers were exchanged with the voice above before it addressed Yong Hwarin again.

"Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin wants to place a contract on himself — how are we supposed to interpret that!"

In that short time, they had uncovered his identity. That level of intelligence gathering was impressive.

"I want to request a contract... to protect myself."

The voice above suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Ahahahaha!"

As the laughter nearly choked him, the speaker finally revealed himself in front of Yong Hwarin.

"Never thought I’d see you here again."

"You know who I am?"

"Didn't you save the people of the Jaegal Clan when they were attacked long ago?"

Yong Hwarin recalled Jaegal Yohye, who had been fighting against the Blood Antler Serpent Group at the time.

Back then, using memories from the future, he had leveraged the name Deuksang and the name of the Hidden Saint Cult to force them to retreat.

It had been fortunate that he met the one leading the assassins then. He didn’t have to explain himself awkwardly.

"At some point, I investigated you because of what you said. That’s how I found out that you are the Young Master of the Heavenly Central Sect."

Hearing that, Yong Hwarin’s face brightened.

"Then I suppose you also found the person you were searching for."

The assassin nodded.

"Yes. In fact, the Division Leader had planned to visit you soon. We learned that the person we seek is your sworn brother."

As things flowed smoothly, Yong Hwarin rejoiced inwardly.

Even if he hadn’t met his sworn brother Jong Seok, who was in isolated training, he was certain they must have tried to make contact with Jong Munhye, who should be at the Heavenly Central Sect.

To be honest, Yong Hwarin hadn’t thought that far.

Having spent his time learning martial arts and resolving various incidents, he had completely forgotten about the past encounter with the Blood Antler Serpent Group and their relation to Jong Munhye.

In some ways, they were nothing short of a powerful reinforcement for him.

From that moment, Yong Hwarin’s mind began to spin rapidly.

This was when his merchant’s instincts kicked in without fail.

"Then let’s not waste words. I request your protection, from this moment forward."

The assassin nodded.

"That sounds like you want protection from someone."

"That's right."

"May I ask who the opponent is?"

"You’ll find out once you start protecting me."

The assassin didn’t ask further.

"This kind of request is unprecedented in our division, but I’ll report it to the Division Leader."

Hearing that, Yong Hwarin stood up.

There was no need to say anything else.

"Then, I’ll take that as an acceptance of my request."

As Yong Hwarin left the tea house, the assassin muttered,

"Follow Young Master Yong. I’ll report the situation to the Division Leader and then act. Until then, protect him."

The assassins stationed throughout the tea house began to follow Yong Hwarin from that moment.

After parting from Yong Hwarin, Namgung Yoo entered Yeonhwasa, located about ten li from the Changcheon Martial Arts Hall.

Yeonhwasa was a temple situated unusually within the city center.

Because of that, it was always crowded with many Buddhists who gathered there.

‘Now I see why the Division Leader of the East Evil Division chose Yeonhwasa as the meeting spot.’

There were so many monks here that it was hard to distinguish the Division Leader of the East Evil Division.

Perhaps due to his mastery of poison arts, the Division Leader of the East Evil Division had no hair whatsoever.

In a place like this, it was impossible to tell who was a monk and who was the Division Leader of the East Evil Division. Likewise, Namgung Yoo stood flustered in front of the main hall of Yeonhwasa.

She couldn’t tell who was the Division Leader of the East Evil Division.

If he was even wearing monastic robes, it would be near impossible to recognize him.

As she waited in front of the main hall, telepathy came through.

– Come inside.

When Namgung Yoo entered the main hall, she saw many Buddhists performing incense offerings and bowing in prayer.

Among them, when she saw someone near the back, Namgung Yoo smiled.

It was Baek Cheonggye, the Division Leader of the East Evil Division.

With a shaved head and dressed in monastic robes, he looked like a monk to anyone.

Namgung Yoo sat beside him.

The escorts of the Namgung Clan surrounded the main hall, spreading out to guard the area.

"My apologies. They were so persistent that I struggled to shake them off. I had no choice but to change the meeting date."

"I understand. But who are the ones pursuing you?"

"I do not know their identity for certain. However, given the extent of their reach, there’s no doubt they are a formidable force."

"Are they powerful enough to trouble even you, Division Leader?"

"They had an unexpectedly high number of masters. I fought several master-level martial artists and sustained injuries, which delayed the meeting. Because of that, all the children of our division who followed me perished."

It was an astonishing story. The martial arts of the East Evil Division were based on Corpse Art, making it difficult to kill its practitioners easily.

Yet if all of them were killed, it meant those chasing the Division Leader of the East Evil Division were indeed powerful.

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