Chapter 17: First Mission

Stepping down slowly from the carriage, I took a moment to stretch.

“Why don’t you stop by and have a drink before leaving?”

“Oh, sir… Not only did you save me from those bandits, but you’re also giving me money? I can’t possibly accept this.”

“It’s fine.”

Ignoring the coachman’s insistence, I placed a few coins into his hand.

“You truly are a xia ke from the martial world!”

Everything comes back twofold—whether it’s a favor or a grudge.

Whether he was repaying out of genuine gratitude or fear, it didn’t matter; paying back a debt is only natural.

I walked inside, my steps echoing lightly.

The small village sat on the border of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces—a quiet place, for now.

‘It’d be nice if things stayed peaceful, but that’s unlikely.’

Judging from the letters my granddaughter sent, her personality wasn’t exactly subtle.

I mentally reviewed the mission again.

Since my master emphasized its urgency, it must be a pressing task.

“So, what is it you’d like me to do?”

I figured I should at least hear the details before committing.

Apparently pleased with my demeanor, my master smiled with satisfaction.

Even small gestures like this build trust.

Raeji Master nodded once and took a seat.

“Bring back my friend’s granddaughter.”

He handed me a map outlining the martial world’s factions and a hastily written note.

A search mission?

The thought crossed my mind briefly but was quickly dismissed.

If this were merely a search mission, he wouldn’t have specifically chosen someone like me who could act quickly and keep secrets.

There are plenty of skilled individuals out there.

For a simple search mission, he wouldn’t have needed to ask me.

“Understood.”

“Quick on the uptake, I see. A letter arrived just yesterday.”

I quickly scanned the note he had given me.

“A conflict between the Green Forest faction and bandits… Rescuing civilians and returning…”

As expected, it was a situation that required swift action.

“I’ll leave immediately.”

“Good. I told her to return as soon as her non-inquiry mission was completed, but my friend’s granddaughter is so stubborn. Of course, her intention to save people is admirable for someone aligned with the orthodox sect, but it’s far too dangerous for her skill level. She must be brought back at once.”

Honestly, if she was capable of handling a non-inquiry mission, my assistance might not even be necessary.

I’m not exactly in peak condition myself—facing top-tier martial artists would be difficult for me.

But still…

“Master, how can you say she lacks the skills? You mentioned she completed a non-inquiry mission, didn’t you?”

Raeji Master said something unusual.

Non-inquiry missions are only assigned to verified martial artists. To say she lacks the skills doesn’t add up.

Could it be that even the Green Forest King himself has appeared?

“It was only called a non-inquiry mission. In reality, it was a simple message delivery. Nothing too significant.”

What?

Although my master’s tone was calm, I couldn’t ignore the oddity in his explanation.

“Master… Are message deliveries even part of non-inquiry missions? Isn’t that what escort bureaus are for? Doesn’t this seem strange?”

For a brief moment, his pupils dilated in surprise.

Revealing such information in a place like this—what a careless move.

Anyone overhearing would find it suspicious.

Now I understood why I was chosen.

It would be a problem if others found out.

I had just stumbled upon the scene of academic manipulation, disguising a simple message delivery as a non-inquiry mission.

“…Ahem.”

Master cleared his throat briefly, then spoke in a subtle tone.

“Ah, Cheon Sojin, such minor things shouldn’t concern you…”

He sounded like an elder gently reprimanding a child.

“Surely, the renowned Raeji Master, known throughout the martial world for integrity and uprightness, wouldn’t give special treatment to just one student…”

“…Cough.”

At that, Raeji Master suddenly fell silent, pressing his lips together.

Could this earn me a few more medicinal pills?

“Master, your foolish disciple doesn’t understand. A mere message delivery… Could it be a favor for your dear friend?”

It was a trick to inflate the achievements of his kin.

But to use a non-inquiry mission for that—how brazen!

From what he said, his granddaughter’s skills didn’t even seem up to par.

Unbelievable.

Even in a virtuous academy like the Jeongdo Martial Arts Hall, such corruption existed.

What had become of the way of the Jianghu?

In a world dominated by the Blood Sect and the Celestial Demon Sect… Maybe their approach wasn’t so bad after all?

“Ha ha… Sojin, you may not know, but this is a customary practice everyone tries at least once.”

“All the other masters have done it before. It’s nothing unusual.”

“But isn’t the nearest branch of the Martial Alliance the Huashan branch?”

“Wait… Cheon Sojin!! Are you threatening your master, as lofty as the heavens?!”

Raeji Master’s face turned pale in an instant as he raised his voice to assert his authority.

Not that it fazed me in the slightest.

“How could I, Master? I only intend to follow convention by filing this mission with the Martial Alliance. Surely you’ll handle it as needed?”

That should suffice.

Pushing too hard wouldn’t be wise.

Even if he had tried to use me like a servant, he wasn’t inherently evil.

…Or was he, since he’d accepted a favor?

“Master, don’t worry. Aren’t we already in the same boat? If you grant me this small request, I’ll neither see nor hear anything further.”

After a moment of hesitation, Raeji Master let out a heavy sigh and relented.

“Fine… Speak.”

“It’s nothing significant…”

The main point was clear—find and bring back his granddaughter, no matter what.

“Excuse me, innkeeper. Has a blonde-haired woman stayed here recently?”

Although I had entered the inn immediately, the small village seemed eerily deserted.

“Well… Lately, I’ve been so tired that my memory is a bit hazy, you see. Heh heh.”

The innkeeper scanned me up and down with sly eyes.

His words were as predictable as they were dull, but I could understand his angle.

It was obvious business wasn’t doing well.

Not that I was short on money.

Clink—Clink.

I took a handful of coins from my pocket and placed them on the table.

The amount was more than enough for the information—possibly even excessive.

At the sight of the coins, the innkeeper’s hands trembled, and his eyes widened.

“I think I might remember… Just a little more and I’m sure it’ll come to me… Such a shame.”

“Innkeeper, this should more than cover the cost of the information. Let’s not make this difficult.”

“Innkeeper?”

“…You little brat, what’s with that tone? Do you think I’m holding out because of this money? It’s your lack of sincerity! You’ve offended me! Hand over everything you have and get out!”

The innkeeper pulled a club out from under the table, threatening me.

From the movements behind me, it was clear he wasn’t acting alone—this wasn’t his first time pulling a stunt like this.

‘Look at these fools.’

They clearly took me for a naive young master, someone easy to bully.

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

There’s no saving those who can’t seize an opportunity when it’s handed to them.

Those enslaved by greed cannot escape heaven’s judgment.

If they preferred fists to words, so be it.

I’d give them exactly what they wanted.

Communicating in their preferred language wasn’t hard.

I slowly rolled up my sleeves.

Perhaps they’d heard of the 녹림칠십이채 (Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds).

It’s a term for those who call themselves the rulers or lords of the mountains.

In short, it’s a gathering of lunatics.

These self-proclaimed mountain lords get looted as if they’re local punching bags—who would take them seriously?

Of course, with a bit of thought—

“Hey, the chair’s about to fall, huh? You’re not sitting properly?”

“Ah… I-I can’t hold out any longer because of my legs…!”

“M-me too, I can’t go on anymore.”

“Me as well…”

The one whining the most, as expected, was the innkeeper.

“Where does it hurt?”

“M-my left leg, great hero…”

Smack!

I struck his left arm hard.

“Arghhh!! Why are you doing this!?”

“Now where does it hurt?”

“O-of course, my left arm now! Argh…”

Tears welled up in his eyes—it must have hurt quite a bit.

“Your leg doesn’t hurt anymore, does it?”

“Ah… N-no, it doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”

The divine healer isn’t far away.

I am the divine healer.

A man who cures the sick with a single touch.

That’s me.

“Let me know if anyone else is hurt.”

“V-violence is the way of savages. Let’s resolve this through dialogue, shall we?”

Was this coming from the same guy who threatened me with a club earlier?

The innkeeper’s shamelessness left me speechless.

“Quiet, and let’s move on.”

“……”

Now, where was I?

Ah, right.

If the 녹림칠십이채 (Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds) were all full of skilled warriors, Zhongyuan wouldn’t have the Martial Alliance—it would have the Green Forest Alliance instead.

The so-called Seventy-Two Strongholds is an exaggerated title. In truth, only the 녹림십팔채 (Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds) are genuine members of Green Forest.

The rest are just wannabes borrowing the name.

The power struggle between the Green Forest and the local bandits was a perfect opportunity.

“Is that the place?”

“Y-yes, that’s the Green Forest stronghold.”

“Play your role well as instructed. If you want to die, I won’t stop you.”

Gulp.

The lackeys swallowed hard, unable to say another word.

I’d heard that the granddaughter set out confidently for the stronghold earlier this morning.

Judging by the untouched state of the camp, it was clear she’d been captured.

They wouldn’t kill a woman so easily.

Still, there was a stench of incompetence about this situation…

After changing into simple commoners’ clothes and discarding their chairs, we approached the entrance to the stronghold.

The bandits rushed out, brandishing their swords.

“Deputy Chief! Some suspicious people have arrived!”

“What? Who are these scoundrels?!”

“We are messengers from the village below. We’ve come to deliver a message to the esteemed Chief of Green Forest. This is a small token of our sincerity.”

I offered a polite gesture with exaggerated respect, and the bandits exchanged looks before smirking unpleasantly.

“Haven’t I seen you before? Aren’t you the innkeeper?”

“That’s correct, great sir.”

“They’re not complete fools. Let them in!”

“Thank you very much!”

The ground inside was littered with weapons—swords, clubs, and other armaments carelessly scattered.

At the center of the stronghold sat the Chief, reigning like a king.

‘Is that him? Stronger than I expected.’

I approached the Chief slowly.

His sharp aura and the scars crisscrossing his body marked him as more than just a bandit.

He was a true martial artist.

A direct confrontation would be challenging.

If he were an amateur, I’d have already slit his throat.

‘Looks like I’ll need to go with a sneak attack.’