Chapter 21

"Ding, ding, ding."

The bell signaling a first-class emergency rang loudly inside the escort bureau.

"Urrreureu..."

Fully armed escorts rushed out to the training ground in an instant. In their hands, gleaming white spears and white swords glittered loudly in the sunlight. It was a dazzling sight.

"No matter how happy you are that I've come, this is too loud for a welcoming ceremony. You don't have to do it like this."

Bi Ryu-yeon said, scratching the back of his head as if embarrassed. Bureau Chief Jang U-yang, who had rushed out like a flying tiger even before the emergency bell was rung, was the first to show his respects and greet him.

"Old Master, what brings you to our escort bureau again?"

Jang U-yang could clearly feel his own words trembling. He absolutely did not want to repeat the nightmare of a month ago. Thinking about that, his heart grew heavier and heavier.

"Oh, what happened to your shoes? Did you take them off and sell them somewhere else? Oh, you're not the only one? He's like that too, and he's like that too... No, he's like that too. Did your escort bureau trade all its shoes for candy? Conspiring together, I see. How is it that people properly wearing shoes are so rare? I haven't heard that the escort bureau's situation is so difficult that you have to sell your shoes to make a living."

"What?"

Jang U-yang, who looked down at his own feet at Bi Ryu-yeon's sudden and puzzling words, who was staring at him with a puzzled expression and a look as if he were seeing a strange person, immediately blushed. He was barefoot. He must have forgotten to put on his shoes because he had rushed out in such a hurry. With a 'no way' thought, Jang U-yang's face, who had looked around at the lower bodies of the crowd, became even redder, and now it was as red as an active volcano on the verge of eruption. This was because among them, there were many barefoot escorts who had rushed out without even putting on their shoes, just like Jang U-yang. Blushing with embarrassment, Jang U-yang said, bowing his head. The hand he was holding tightly was trembling faintly.

'This old geezer, what on earth brought him here again this time!'

This desperate thought only remained as a thought in his head and mouth. He did not let the thought out of his mouth to have an effect. As long as there was only one world, one life, and one chance to live in the world, there was a need to cherish it. Jang U-yang cleared his throat a couple of times and then composed his expression. He couldn't continue to show a disgraceful appearance.

"Um, what business..."

"Ah, I hear your Jungyang Escort Bureau is short-handed these days? I came after hearing the stories floating around. I heard you're having a hard time because you're short-handed."

'Do you even know whose fault that is?'

Jang U-yang endured the urge to curse with infinite patience. The powerless have no choice but to swallow their resentment. With an awkward-looking smile, Jang U-yang answered politely.

"Yes, our business has suddenly grown recently, so we are very short-handed. The fact that our business has grown like this is all thanks to the Old Master."

"Really? The rumors were true. Good, good. So, you see, how can I just stand by and watch your difficulties, knowing your situation? I came here to extend a helping hand to you. A hand of salvation, so to speak."

"I don't quite understand what you mean. I only wish for the Old Master's guidance."

It was a very polite and courteous tone. But unlike his outward appearance, perhaps because his insides were honest, his stomach, which had been hit by the opponent a month ago, suddenly started to ache, and at the same time, his insides started to burn.

"To put it simply, I'm lending you a hand. How about it, good news, right? It's not just martial arts novels that have good news. You're short-handed for the trip to Nanchang, right? I'll gladly lend you 16 of my disciples. For the Nanchang escort mission. Don't refuse. Isn't this all for our mutual convenience? You know their skills well from experiencing them yourselves... So I won't say anything more about their skills. Now, what will you do? What, you like it! I knew you would. Then that's what we'll do. It's decided."

'I... I didn't say anything...'

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was doing all the talking and deciding by himself. Jang U-yang hadn't been able to say a single word. There was no time for that. With the monster old geezer chattering away in front of his eyes, what strength, what guts did he have to add a word to his speech and say, 'I have an objection'?

Still, Jang U-yang had no choice. Moreover, for Jang U-yang, this condition was not so bad. How anxious had he been when the monster old geezer suddenly came to visit without any notice? How worried had he been that he might have heard the story of the escort mission's goods leaving in two days from someone somewhere and come to ask for it? It seemed he wouldn't be able to escape indigestion and stomach medicine for a while. He decided that if today passed safely, he would immediately send someone to call for Doctor Hwang of the Hwang family clinic.

Doctor Hwang was a famous doctor whose skills in Hwang family's secret Hwang family stomach medicine and stomach-soothing skills were rumored to be the best in Sichuan. What would he do if that monster old geezer asked for it? He would have to give it. What could a powerless person say?

But if that happened, the escort bureau would naturally go bankrupt. The business that had been passed down for three generations would close its doors. But the heavens and gods helped, and fate avoided the worst-case scenario, and the person who looked like a god of disaster, for some reason, had a change of heart and turned into a god of fortune, and was even offering to help? And that, with people whose skills he had seen with his own eyes and experienced with his own body a month ago. For Jang U-yang now, the help of skilled, top-class masters was desperately needed.

"If you do that for me, I can only be grateful. How could I raise an objection? I will never forget this grace of the Old Master."

Jang U-yang politely bent his waist at a right angle. He seemed to be quite happy.

"What's there to be grateful for? By the way, when does the Nanchang escort mission depart?"

"Yes, it is scheduled to depart in two days, at the hour of the rabbit (8 AM)."

"Really? Then I'll see you then. When you arrive safely in Nanchang, give the kids a few coins for the escort mission. Tell them to have a drink with it. To have a snack and some pocket money, well, we're all helping each other live."

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who especially emphasized the 'few coins'. The person who heard these words would never be able to give just a few coins as he said. Fearing the aftermath, they would have to give a few taels of shiny things to feel at ease.

"Yes, of course. Please don't worry."

"Give them a generous amount. They'll be worth the money. They're pretty strong, you see. Because they're my disciples."

Bi Ryu-yeon's figure, who was about to leave the escort bureau, waving his hand, suddenly flinched. And then he suddenly spun around and added one more thing.

"Ah, and they are one-way, one-time escorts. They will definitely protect the way to Nanchang, so don't worry. But you'll have to part with them in Nanchang. Come back alone. Then, I'll be going..."

"Th-that's, ah, um, Old Master, Old Master!"

Leaving behind the dumbfounded Bureau Chief Jang U-yang's words, Bi Ryu-yeon disappeared without listening to a single word. Behind him, the escorts of the Jungyang Escort Bureau stood barefoot, holding spears and swords in their hands, blankly receiving the harsh afternoon sunlight. Considering it a heavenly fortune that the storm had passed them by safely...

---

• The Return of the 16 Warriors

The sea of silver stars embroidering the curtain of darkness that seemed about to fall to the ground at any moment. It was a beautiful sight that would make one shed tears if one kept looking at its beautiful appearance.

Under this beautiful mystery of the universe, there was a man who was endlessly looking at the black silk earth crossed by the river of stars.

The young man, sitting in a posture that could be described as 'moping,' was lost in endless thoughts. With a face that was impossible to read, the young man just continued to look at the night sky endlessly.

"The stars are so beautiful. What are you thinking about so deeply, Young Master Namgung?"

Namgung Sang, who knew the owner of the sweet voice that came riding on the wind, was startled and turned around. The blessing of the night. Under the river of stars, receiving the beautiful moonlight, Jin Ryeong stood demurely. Her appearance, standing with the starry world behind her while receiving the moonlight, was so dazzling that it even gave the illusion that she was not a person of this world, but a fairy who had descended to the earth. Namgung Sang was momentarily intoxicated by her appearance and could not hide his ecstatic gaze. Her beauty, like a celestial fairy, was not of this world, and the more so, the more it endlessly fascinated him.

"Ah, Miss Jin. Thinking that I have to leave this place tomorrow, various thoughts came to me, so I couldn't sleep."

"Oh-ho-ho, actually, me too. Isn't it strange? There were many difficult things and few good things. At that time, I always wished to escape this place as soon as possible, but now that I'm leaving tomorrow, it somehow doesn't feel real. I couldn't sleep either, so I came out to see the stars... Young Master Namgung has already taken the spot and is sitting there."

Jin Ryeong said with a soft smile and a gentle voice. At her smile towards him, Namgung Sang could feel his heart naturally shake and his face turn red. The woman who had stolen his heart for the first time in his life was now sending a smile towards him, for him, a smile that was his alone.

Her smile made his heart pound violently. Thinking that he was talking with the woman he adored so deeply in his heart in the middle of the night, under the brilliant river of stars and the full moonlight, he felt as if even his soul was bound by her touch, his whole body became tense, his tongue stiffened, and he felt as if his whole body was paralyzed.

The next moment, a thunderbolt struck in Namgung Sang's head, and a loud alarm bell rang. In that instant, he couldn't easily realize what had happened to him. Because the current situation was too sudden and ecstatic.

She, Jin Ryeong, had sat down next to him. Pressing her slender, alluring body against his... This was a clear provocation. From deep within his heart, something hot was surging up, becoming a torrent and violently flooding his entire body. It was a vortex of emotions so intense that it was uncontrollable. Whether she knew his heart or not, Jin Ryeong, who had sat down next to him with an innocent face as if she knew nothing, still looked at the beautiful stars and said.

"It's like black silk embroidered with jewels, isn't it? Since the night sky is so clear, the weather will surely be good tomorrow."

"Ah, yes, that's right."

The fumbling Namgung Sang. He was still a naive person. He was a guy who was still lacking in the acquisition and learning of the word 'progress.'

"Um, is your wound alright?"

Jin Ryeong asked, thinking of the wound he had gotten from the white tiger's claws while trying to protect her from the white tiger they had met in the forest last time. It had been several months, and the wound had now healed, but since it was a fairly deep wound, she was worried that there might be other aftereffects.

"The wound? Yes, it's perfectly... Gak!"

Namgung Sang's confident voice could not finish and stopped. At the same time, his breathing also stopped. That's not to say that Namgung Sang was attacked by Jin Ryeong. But Jin Ryeong's action of gently stroking Namgung Sang's wounded back with her slender hand was an action that could have a decisive effect on Namgung Sang's life support. Her beautiful and slender jade-like hand could be more frightening to Namgung Sang than any weapon. Naturally, Namgung Sang couldn't even breathe properly.

Namgung Sang's whole body was stiff, and his pupils did not even stir. His breathing had become very weak, and now only a faint sound of breathing could be barely heard. His face felt hot, as if blood had rushed to his face due to excitement.

'Huh, what is this feeling?'

Along with the ecstatic feeling of joy blooming from deep within his chest, there was a light pressure on his right shoulder. Jin Ryeong had leaned her head on Namgung Sang's shoulder. Silence fell. For an unknown amount of time, the two maintained that state without a single word. Only silence silently filled the space between them.

"Thank you so much for that time."

The scale of silence tilted towards Jin Ryeong. She whispered in a sweet voice. Thank you for that time...

"Ah, no. I just did what I had to do."

Namgung Sang couldn't help but be flustered by her overly sweet voice.

"Even so, Young Master Namgung is my life's savior."

"That's not true. The... the true savior of your life is Master. He was the one who defeated the white tiger."

Was it because his nature was pure? Namgung Sang told the truth without trying to take credit for someone else's achievement. His action of not trying to look good to Jin Ryeong by turning the grace of saving her life to himself showed that he was an honest and upright person who didn't know how to use his small brain.

"But, the one who truly protected me from danger was Young Master Namgung. You even got a wound on your back because of that..."

Her smile and words were so soft to Namgung Sang, and sweeter and more melodious than anything else in this world.

"The wound is nothing. There's not even a trace of it now. Please don't worry."

However, this was a lie. On Namgung Sang's back, there were still three deep scars from the white tiger's claws. They would probably never disappear for the rest of his life. But Namgung Sang considered this a source of pride. Because it was a medal he had earned while trying to protect the woman he adored. And he didn't want to hurt her by saying that the wound on his back would remain for the rest of his life and would never disappear.

"Heh, you're lying. It's so clear."

Again, Jin Ryeong gently stroked Namgung Sang's back. Because the wound she had gotten at that time was deep, she could feel it enough through the thin cloth even by touching it over her clothes. Jin Ryeong knew better than anyone that it was not a light wound that would heal easily. A wound that he would probably have to carry on his back for the rest of his life, a wound that would never disappear. The fact that that wound was one he had gotten while trying to protect her made her heart ache even more.

"Young Master Namgung."

She called Namgung Sang in a low, quiet voice.

"Yes."

Namgung Sang also answered in a quiet voice. It was a calm and quiet voice that gave comfort to the listener. Everyone was quietly silent, and a gentle tranquility surrounded the two of them.

"If something like that happens again next time, can you protect me?"

"Of course."

Namgung Sang said in a very calm and quiet but confident voice.

"Continuously?"

"Yes, continuously."

"For the rest of my life?"

Namgung Sang looked at Jin Ryeong with surprised eyes. Her eyes, shining in the moonlight, were deep and beautiful. Her black pupils, holding the light of the abyss, captivated his heart with an endlessly deep and beautiful light. It was an ecstatic gaze that fascinated people. Namgung Sang thought that there was probably no man in this world who would not be fascinated by seeing her pupils.

"I will protect you forever. Until the day my life ends."

It was a calm and quiet voice that felt a firm will. And Namgung Sang quietly placed his lips, which held a vow of promise, on her lips. It was a truly ecstatic experience. In that instant, his mind went as blank as a white sheet of paper. And then, the soft and warm sensations that spread from his lips to his entire body. Namgung Sang, intoxicated by the sweetness that sent him into a state of ecstasy, let go of the thread of consciousness he was barely holding on to. It was his first kiss.

A moment later, when Namgung Sang came to his senses, his lips were covering Jin Ryeong's lips and showed no sign of separating, and his left hand was supporting Jin Ryeong's white neck. And his right hand was holding her waist so tightly as if to crush it. However, he had not yet crossed the line that should not be crossed.

Even though he was holding her without any warning, Jin Ryeong did not resist. Finally coming to his senses and grasping the current situation and his actions, Namgung Sang was startled and hurriedly removed his lips and hands, then turned away from Jin Ryeong with an embarrassed face. Jin Ryeong brought her back against his turned back. Her body temperature was transmitted to Namgung Sang through his back.

Silence followed again. But it was not long. This time, the scale of silence seemed to have tilted towards Namgung Sang, and Namgung Sang moved. But he did not speak and gently held her hand. If the phrase 'slender, jade-like hands' were to take shape, it would be her hands. The soft touch and warmth were feelings that could not be easily expressed in words. As the stars deepened, the two still sat with their backs against each other, savoring each other's body temperature. The warmth that warmed the heart.