Episode 11. Me? I’m Going to Be Your Savior.
I was about to head out to hunt down the *Ghosts of Hubei* when Bang Yak-rip suggested a detour, leading me to the Medical Hall within the Martial Alliance.
"This way," he said.
“Wow, this place is huge. And there are so many people. Is it always like this?”
“It’s the largest medical facility in Hubei, after all. It’s part of the Martial Alliance but always open to the common folk as well.”
The Medical Hall was impressive, and as we walked through, we encountered many people who greeted Bang Yak-rip with friendly smiles and compliments. I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he had done during his entrance exam to garner such popularity.
Despite his bear-like appearance, which might suggest he wasn't particularly social, it seemed he was well-liked. Sensing my curiosity, Yak-rip spoke up, slightly embarrassed.
“It’s nothing special. As physicians, they’re just happy that there’s another skilled person who can save lives. It’s not necessarily about me; they’d greet anyone the same way.”
I had my doubts about that, but I just nodded in agreement, choosing not to tease him. He was too earnest for that.
“Here we are,” he said as we entered a room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs. Yak-rip handed me several items.
“These are for you—emergency supplies. There’s *Golden Sore Powder*, *Rejuvenation Pills*, and *Revitalizing Pills*.”
“Are you sure I can take these? I haven’t officially joined the alliance yet.”
“Didn’t you know? All 8th-level candidates get these supplies. It’s standard.”
“Uh…”
“I figured you wouldn’t know, so I took the liberty of gathering them for you. Most candidates rely on their sects or clans for such things, but I assumed you wouldn’t have that.”
“...”
What would I have done without him? In my previous life, I never even got close to the 8th-level exam, and during my time as the *Thousand Killing Ghost*, I stayed as far away from the Martial Alliance as possible. Being a public enemy, getting spotted would’ve meant days of being hunted.
And these items were top quality. The Martial Alliance doesn’t skimp, it seems.
“Don’t bother thanking me. By the way, once you officially join, you’ll also receive clothing, including the standard armor. Just make sure to pick them up.”
“Thanks.”
“I said, don’t thank me.”
Yak-rip averted his gaze, embarrassed. I didn’t push it—I was feeling a bit emotional myself. We left the Medical Hall and headed back outside.
“So, are you leaving right away? Do you know where to start?”
“That’s the tricky part. The hardest part of hunting down wanted criminals is finding their location.”
I said as I looked over the wanted posters I’d been given.
[*Ghosts of Hubei*]
The poster had rough sketches of the criminals along with some distinguishing features, and below that were details of their crimes and the locations where they were last seen. But honestly, this wasn’t particularly helpful.
If the Martial Alliance already knew this information and still hadn’t caught them, that meant the usual investigative methods wouldn’t work.
The more useful information was at the bottom.
[Reward: 100 gold taels]
For example, the amount of money I’d get for capturing them, or whether they needed to be brought back alive or dead.
[Immediate Execution]
In this case, I only needed to bring back their heads. Clean and simple.
“It’s a tough decision,” Yak-rip remarked.
“I’ll start with the most recent crime scene. According to the report, they’ve only been seen in nearby areas recently, so they couldn’t have gone far.”
“Stay safe, Savior.”
As we left the Martial Alliance, Yak-rip clasped his hands together in a polite gesture. I returned the gesture with a nod.
“Of course, I—”
Just then, a group of people passed by us. Judging by the direction they were coming from, they had just left the Medical Hall.
They didn’t notice me since I was bowing, but I recognized them. It was Ma Hyeok, the guy who had slapped Cho-ryeong. His hand was wrapped in bandages, and his bodyguards were still in poor shape, but there was a new face among them.
They weren’t in any condition to be leaving the Medical Hall just yet…
“Savior, what’s wrong?”
“Yak-rip, those guys are still taking the exam, right?”
“Yes. I thought they’d give up considering their condition, but it seems not.”
“And they also got the lowest score on the written exam, just like me.”
“That’s right.”
“Then I guess I don’t need to work too hard.”
“What do you mean?”
I chuckled. This is why people from orthodox sects are so predictable—they’re too straightforward and simple-minded.
Which is exactly why I like them.
“Those guys didn’t give up on the exam. They brought in some help from their family. That means they’ll be aiming for the *Ghosts of Hubei*, too. So I don’t need to go searching for them.”
“So, you’re planning to follow them and steal their prey?”
“Exactly. Clever, right?”
“...Isn’t that cheating?”
“Bringing in help from their family is cheating. Anyway, I’m off. See you when I get back.”
I gave Yak-rip a pat on the back and hurried after Ma Hyeok, who was disappearing into an alley.
‘Today’s my lucky day.’
* * *
Ma Hyeok and his group entered the *Lakeside Inn*, located far from the Martial Alliance’s main building. The inn was bustling, as expected in a busy city like Wuchang, and it seemed they had chosen this noisy place on purpose. Sometimes, a crowded place is the best for a discreet conversation.
I followed them in after a short delay and took a seat some distance away.
“Would you like to order?”
“I’ll have bamboo leaf wine and stir-fried pork.”
“Payment is required in advance—two silver coins.”
“...”
I stared at the waiter. Was he trying to scam me? Did he think he could cheat the son of an innkeeper?
But this guy was perceptive.
“Would you like a different seat? There’s an empty room right next to theirs.”
“Here.”
I handed over the two silver coins. I had been careless during the tailing, and now it would be difficult to conceal my identity.
And putting on the pig mask I carried around wasn’t an option.
Even the waiter seemed to know what I was up to.
“Follow me. Your food will be served shortly.”
The waiter led me around the table and into the room next to Ma Hyeok’s group. Since the entrance was on the opposite side, I could move without being noticed.
“Enjoy your time.”
As soon as I entered the room, I sat down close to the wall. Without even needing to enhance my hearing with internal energy, I could clearly hear their conversation.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Chief Gwok. I wasn’t expecting you to be in Wuchang.”
“I happened to have business nearby. I heard about your troubles from the local branch. I understand the Martial Alliance exam didn’t go as planned.”
“Yes, because of some lowly wench and her gigolo.”
“Hmph… You mean to say you were bested by those types?”
“His martial arts were exceptional. Even the bodyguards my father assigned to me were all taken down.”
“Weaklings. I’ll see to it they receive proper training when we return.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Chief Gwok’s growl sent the already-injured bodyguards scrambling to apologize. Even though they were all called chief escorts, their ranks clearly differed.
“Don’t worry. Despite your low score on the written exam, all is not lost.”
“They say the practical exam can be redeemed by capturing the *Ghosts of Hubei*. Do you think that’s possible?”
“Haha, young master, do you take me for a mere nobody? I’m Gwok Du-san, the Red Blood Sword. Even if one of them is a peak expert, they’ve only recently reached that level. They’re no match for me.”
“Haha, of course. I trust you, Chief Gwok.”
As I suspected, Ma Hyeok and his group were planning to hunt down the *Ghosts of Hubei*.
This worked out perfectly for me. Instead of trying to track down the *Ghosts* myself, I could follow them and let them do the hard work.
Besides, these people were experienced escorts, skilled in tracking down lost goods during their journeys. Finding people wouldn’t be difficult for them.
All I had to do was follow them to the general area, and I could rely on the Yama’s Art to finish the job.
After all, I knew the minds of those in the underworld well.
Just then, Ma Hyeok spoke up cautiously.
“But there’s something else…”
“Yes, young master?”
“Of course, we’ll deal with the *Ghosts*, but I also want to get revenge on that gigolo and his wench. My pride is wounded.”
“I heard you wet yourself in the Martial Alliance.”
“...”
Chief Gwok casually brought up Ma Hyeok’s embarrassment. Their relationship was becoming clearer.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle that for you. But if you become the head of the escort agency, you’ll have to make me the chief escort.”
“Of course.”
I stifled a laugh. For an escort agency ranked in the top ten in Sichuan, they were really pathetic.
But the following conversation made me take them more seriously.
“How would you like me to handle them?”
“Make them kneel before me. No, that’s not enough. I want those two to grovel like dogs. Can you do that?”
“Leave it to me. I’ll find the woman first and sell her to some bandits. She’ll be licking their feet soon enough. As for the gigolo, he’ll be easy—just use the woman as a hostage.”
‘…!!!’
What did they just say?
I had spared his life when Jegal Su-hyeok intervened, even though I could’ve easily killed him.
And this is how he repays me? Scheming behind my back like this?
The *Mu-pung Escort Agency* may claim to be part of the orthodox sects, but they’re nothing more than scoundrels.
I had a feeling they had done this sort of thing many times before.
‘So that’s how they want to play it.’
I was about to wrap up my eavesdropping when someone else reported to Chief Gwok.
“We’ve located them.”
“Where?”
“About two days’ journey to Baeyang County.”
“They’re still hanging around near the Martial Alliance? They must have guts. Lucky for us, then. Did you follow the plan?”
“Yes. We used a middleman from the Black City to send a request to the *Ghosts of Hubei*. They’ve accepted and will head to Baeyang County in three days to complete the job.”
“Good work.”
That was all I needed to hear, so I stood up.
If they had sent a request to the *Ghosts of Hubei*, it was undoubtedly a request for murder. The *Ghosts* had sealed their fate.
I could picture Cho-ryeong’s swollen face in my mind.
‘I can’t let this drag out.’
It’s time to make them the first offerings on my path to redemption.
* * *
A day and a half's journey north of the Martial Alliance.
Four men were descending a mountain. Despite the darkening evening sky, they walked with sure steps, their movements revealing their high level of internal energy.
Indeed, none of them were below the level of first-class martial artists.
These men were the notorious *Ghosts of Hubei*, who had terrorized the region for some time.
Leading the group, from the front to the back, were the Four Ghosts: First Ghost, Second Ghost, Third Ghost, and Fourth Ghost.
“Brother, is it really okay to come down already? Didn’t you say we should lay low for a while after the Martial Alliance issued that bounty?”
“It’s fine. The Martial Alliance is busy with the entrance exams right now. The Patrol Division has most of its forces tied up there, leaving Hubei practically deserted. It’s actually a perfect opportunity.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Fourth Ghost, stop being such a coward. You’re fierce in battle, but you’re always so jumpy.”
This came from Third Ghost, who had a large butcher’s knife slung over his shoulder. But Fourth Ghost didn’t seem to find much comfort in his words, nervously twirling his sword.
“I’m just being cautious. We’ve finally made a name for ourselves, and I don’t want to get caught now.”
“Don’t worry. After this job, we’re heading to Hunan.”
“Why Hunan?”
“To seek refuge with the *Evil Alliance*. Our reputation has grown, so we could offer our services as guests. They’re at war with the *Black Sky Gang*, so they won’t turn us away.”
“Hehehe, sounds good to me.”
Fourth Ghost finally seemed satisfied, smiling broadly. But his mouth didn’t stop moving.
“Does that mean we’ll get to blow off some steam in Hunan?”
“Is your brain located in your lower half?”
“Come on, you know what I mean.”
He couldn’t stop fidgeting. They had been holed up in the mountains for a while due to the Martial Alliance’s bounty, and now he was eager to have some fun.
“You won’t have to wait until Hunan. This job is just your type.”
“Come to think of it, what exactly is the job? We left in such a hurry that I didn’t get the details.”
“The pay was good, so we moved quickly. But it wasn’t a secret—everyone else knows.”
“Keeping secrets from me, huh? What’s the job?”
“Nothing complicated. An old man got rejected by a young woman he wanted to marry, and his pride was wounded. He wants us to humiliate her however we see fit. So there’s no need to wait until Hunan. Right?”
“Sounds perfect. Hehehe.”
Fourth Ghost’s nostrils flared in anticipation. If the job involved a wealthy old man, the woman was bound to be attractive. Just thinking about it made his lower half tingle.
But then—
“Enough. Keep quiet.”
First Ghost’s words made everyone fall silent. Not only was he the eldest, but he was also the scariest.
He was the only one among the *Ghosts* who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts. In fact, their fearsome reputation was largely thanks to him.
He could easily handle the other three on his own. So they had no choice but to obey him.
But it seemed someone didn’t find First Ghost’s reputation all that impressive.
“Hey, are you guys the *Ghosts of Hubei*?”
Their nerves tensed at the casual, street-level speech. However, they remained vigilant. They hadn’t sensed this person’s approach, which meant he was no ordinary opponent.
“Who are you?”
“Me? I’m going to be your savior.”
“I’m not here to play games. If you’re here to fight us, then let’s get it over with.”
First Ghost brandished his crescent blade and spoke. But the man wearing the pig mask didn’t seem interested in fighting. He waved both hands in front of him.
“Hold on. I’m really here to save you. I’ve got some valuable information. Someone’s hunting you.”
Yi Si-woo had found the *Ghosts of Hubei* before Ma Hyeok’s group did.