Chapter 139 – Fateful Encounter (4)

Just before the sunrise, Pang Oh-jin and Gasol marched out of the mansion with a determined look on their faces.

Surprisingly, their numbers were not that great. After all, those below the top tier did not bother to join the fight as they lacked the skill to keep up.

There was one expert in Hwagyeong, three at the pinnacle of Chojuljeong, and eight at the peak of Jeoljeong.

Considering that a single expert at the peak level could easily crush most small and medium-sized factions, the power of the entire Habeok Pangga focused solely on the offensive was truly immense.

However, even if they tried to avoid them and target empty houses, Hong Yeon-hwa was standing firm, stronger than the combined force of those Pangga members.

They were so unruly that even the royal family was not safe from them.

There were no forces willing to cooperate with such people, and even if there were, they would not be that many.

In other words, this incident was practically a foregone conclusion.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

“What about the house where the master and I lived…?”

The empty house on the mountain slope? Wouldn’t the bandits love that place?

The house itself was not a big deal, but the problem was that the master’s grave was there.

They could probably win against the Nokrim. Even if they banded together, Hwagyeong experts could only fight other Hwagyeong experts.

But what about the fleeing guys? Could they catch them all?

According to Pang Cheol-jin, he brought all his subordinates, and the number of people was no joke…

If one of the missing guys hides in the village where I used to live? If they find the house where I used to live? If they search the house to find something valuable since they can’t plunder it recklessly because they are in hiding? If they end up digging up graves?

Of course, the possibility of that happening was very low. However, the master was special to him.

He received a lot and learned a lot. Thanks to the master, he could stay on track in this world that was so different from his past life.

The master… was like family to him.

That’s why he was even more anxious. If something like that really happened, he…

“Why are you so anxious? Are you worried about Pangga-ju by any chance?”

“Huh? What?”

Hong Yeon-hwa grabbed my index and middle fingers and shook them, and I inadvertently made a stupid sound.

As I stared blankly, Hong Yeon-hwa looked up at me with her pink eyes, as if imitating me.

Well, she was sighing next to me all the time, so she couldn’t help but notice.

Pang Soso had temporarily taken over the position of the head of the family, so she was too busy with various handovers to notice.

I wiped Hong Yeon-hwa’s smooth cheek a couple of times before opening my mouth.

“…It’s not that.”

“Then what’s the matter that you’re sulking like that?”

Hong Yeon-hwa grabbed my index and middle fingers and whispered in a cautious voice that only I could hear, lifting her chin.

“Is it because you’re unsatisfied due to the interrupted act? If that’s the case, I’ll make it up to you later, so just bear with it for now.”

“What are you talking about? That’s not it.”

I chuckled and pinched Hong Yeon-hwa’s cheek.

“Eek!”

Hong Yeon-hwa flailed her arms and legs exaggeratedly. It must have been a joke, but it calmed my heart, which felt like it had a rock on it.

As I released her cheek, the attention of the people who were reporting to Pang Soso slowly turned to us.

Hong Yeon-hwa whispered in a coquettish voice, rubbing her reddened cheek like a ripe peach.

“Muah… So, what’s the matter? With me here, there shouldn’t be any problems, but if it’s something important, you should tell me straight away.”

“Well…”

Hong Yeon-hwa was right. Instead of worrying about what to do, it would be better to take action as soon as possible.

“To be honest…”

I hesitated.

“Just send Pangga’s warriors there! Isn’t that simple?”

“It’s not that simple. The distance is far, and we can’t keep Pangga’s warriors stationed there because of the uncertain possibility…”

There were still many warriors below the first-class level. There was still one elder left. But they were all the forces that had to guard the Habeok Pangga’s location in Hoerae-hyeon.

Even Hong Yeon-hwa couldn’t spread her influence to the entire Hoerae-hyeon, let alone her hometown.

“That’s true, but it’s just your own thoughts. First, ask Soso. Soso!”

“Just a moment!”

Hong Yeon-hwa ran towards Pang Soso, who was talking to the samamo girl, without giving me a chance to stop her.

Then she relayed what I had said earlier.

Pang Soso let out a sigh after hearing Hong Yeon-hwa’s story.

“I knew Jin-gaga was reliable. Did you think I couldn’t do it?”

“Your eyes looked fierce, so…”

“Well, if it was a trap in Cheongan-hyeon, and their target was our hometown, I wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of them for good.”

Pang Soso’s pupils flashed fiercely for a moment, but soon returned to their usual state, and she lowered her head.

“But I don’t want to make Jin-gaga regret it for the rest of his life. How far is it from Jin-gaga’s hometown?”

“Well… If I run with all my strength, it’ll take two days. If I run day and night, I might be able to make it in one night.”

“Fortunately, it’s not that far. If we ride horses, it’ll take about three days. At least three first-class warriors are needed. No, they’re rebels, but there should be at least five. Let me see… If I do this, then…”

Pang Soso muttered to herself, rearranging the personnel. Fortunately, it seemed like it would work out somehow.

Watching her, the samamo girl cautiously raised her hand.

“Um, if it’s about the conversation we just had, I think I can help…”

“Hmm? Mom? What are you talking about?”

“It’s nothing. The installation of the formation is already in the final stages. Since you and Yeon-hwa can finish it alone, I thought I could go to Sohyup’s hometown and install a simple formation while I’m there.”

If that’s really the case, it couldn’t be better. There’s no need to extract any warriors separately, and both the samamo girl and I can fly at a faster speed than horses, so it won’t take much time.

“Um… Thank you for offering, but didn’t you say last time that it was difficult for you to install the formation accurately?”

“Sohyup must have remembered the conversation we had briefly. Don’t worry. It may be somewhat lacking, but it should be enough to deceive the bandits. By the way… I told you to tell me if you need any help, didn’t I? Did you forget?”

The samamo girl smiled softly, just like when we watched the moon together before.

Pang Soso looked at the samamo girl and me alternately, as if she was suspicious of something, but eventually nodded her head.

“If the samamo girl is willing to help, we’re grateful. Is there anything you need?”

“Well… A dozen or so Wall Breaking Arrows and about ten small beads made of jade or pearls that can be used for the formation should be enough.”

“I see. But when will you be back if you go now? If it’s too late, it might be more dangerous…?”

Pang Soso’s tone sounded like she was prying.

What’s going on? Is there anyone who can pose a threat to the samamo girl, who is a master at the peak level, and me, who has reached the perfect peak level? I heard that the leader of the rebels is at the peak level.

Besides, it was said that it would take a week for the subordinates to come here because there were so many of them.

Me, Hong Yeon-hwa, and even Samayo-ryeong looked puzzled for a moment.

Pang Soso waved her hands as if she was trying to avoid any harm as much as possible.

“Didn’t Sohyup say that if I run without rest, I can arrive in one day? Then it’ll take two days for a round trip, including the time to install the formation. At most, it’ll take three days to come back.”

Only then did Pang Soso nod her head with a satisfied expression.

“I see. Oh, I’ll tell the chonggwan separately about the Wall Breaking Arrows and the formation, so take as much as you need.”

“Thank you. We’ll leave as soon as we’re ready.”

Pang Soso and the samamo girl faced each other politely, as if they were surrounding each other.

There seemed to be something going on, but now it seemed okay again…

As I was tilting my head in thought, Hong Yeon-hwa rushed over and pushed her head against mine.

Maybe she wants me to praise her for doing what she said she would.

I roughed up her hair as she wanted, and Hong Yeon-hwa started to wag her tail with a happy expression.

Yeah. There’s nothing complicated to think about. Anyway, it’s all resolved, and all that’s left is to go quickly and come back.

…Wait a minute. Come to think of it, Hong Yeon-hwa and Pang Soso won’t be able to meet for 2-3 days, right?

I can leave right away since I have my sword with me, but didn’t the samamo girl say she had something to prepare separately?

It would take about as much time as it takes to travel from Ilda-gyeong to Ilsik-gyeong.

That should be enough.

***

“Huh?! How did you do that in such a short time…?”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s go quickly.”

The samamo girl was flustered and blushing for some reason.

I must have destroyed all the evidence… What’s wrong? Is it because of her mood?