Chapter 43 - 42: Arrival at Mount Hua (17)

A bitter and weak laugh escaped Wolryung’s lips.

“Hah...haha... You are kidding, right? There is no way, right?”

Bandits like them having no money? No matter how one thought about it, it was the most ridiculous thing they could hear.

Being able to make a secret base that big with more than twenty rooms, having a strange item that could hide that entire base. If they didn’t have money, how could they have those things?

“I-It’s the truth, young warrior.” Cho Heon replied with his head down.

“You are telling me to believe you don’t have money but own things this expensive?!”

Not to mention, these bastards were acting as the Green Mountain Bandits. So, they must have earned quite some fortune, right? Their acting was top notch, after all. So, there was no way...

“Ah, well. The thing is... we spend all the money in one go whenever we earn it. And the last bit of money we had, we spent all of it on the food yesterday.”

“...”

Upon hearing that answer, Wolryung was at a loss for words.

Did he make such a scene and waste an entire day just for nothing? He already had so many urgent things in hand to do... If delayed, it could be dangerous. But despite that he came here with the hope of bringing something with him. And now what? If they didn’t have any money what could he get from them? That strange item which could hide their cave perfectly?

It wasn’t like Wolryung had some secret base like them to hide nor did he plan to make one in the future. So, even if it was expensive it was useless to him.

‘Should I just take it and sell it?’

Before the thought could even take root, Wolryung started shaking his head left and right.

No, no, if he didn’t have any use for it then who the hell in this world would have any use for it? It’s not like other people make caves in an open area like these foolish bastards. And they can just install high security mechanisms for those caves. So why would they need it?

What a useless but expensive item.

Wolryung glanced at Cho Heon again.

“Then you at least have some treasures, right?”

“No, sir.”

“...”

It looked like Wolryung’s soul was about to leave his body. These damn third class bandits... Every time they opened their mouths, Wolryung was almost having heart attacks. At this rate, he might die in no time. And the cause would be a heart attack or high blood pressure.

Sigh...

This was really a big problem. What should Wolryung do now?

It wasn’t like Cho Heon was lying. If he was, then Wolryung would already have noticed by his behavior. Cho Heon’s behavior really looked like he was telling the truth. Wolryung could just tell simply by looking at him

“...”

Still sitting on his chair, Wolryung leaned sideways, resting his cheek against the crook of his right arm as he stared blankly toward all the bandits.

‘Can I really not take anything from them? I don’t want to leave this place empty handed though. I already wasted too much time to give up now.’

“Hmm...”

If they really had no money or treasures then what else could he get from them?

Wolryung was lost in these kinds of thoughts while all the others’ eyes scanned him carefully as they wondered.

‘What is he thinking?’

Didn’t Wolryung say, he was in a hurry because he had many urgent things to do? Then why wait here lost in thought?

‘Just leave already, man. And give us some peace.’

It was then...

“...?”

Wolryung’s eyes suddenly met Cho Heon’s which made Cho Heon a bit startled. But Cho Heon didn’t have the courage to look away. So without blinking, he just stared at Wolryung’s eyes, his forehead sweating relentlessly. Then after a moment passed, Wolryung finally opened his mouth.

“So, you guys don’t have any money or treasures?”

“...”

“T-That’s right, sir.”

“Don’t you guys loot travelers daily? Are you telling me you spend all that money the moment you loot them? Isn’t that too much? How can people spend so much money every single day?”

“...”

Cho Heon was dumbfounded by that for a moment. But not long after he regained his composure again.

“Uh... There seems to be a misunderstanding, young warrior. We don’t earn money everyday. As you can see, people hardly pass by this mountain. They just use the alternate path even if that takes a bit longer to reach their destination.”

“Hmm...” Wolryung made a thoughtful face for a moment. “So that was the case?”

Didn’t Wolryung already see the mountain path too lonely and quiet? So, the reason was people not using this path. Then why did his escort agency use this path?

Ah, right. Wolryung did say they needed to reach Mount Hua as fast as possible.

‘What a complicated matter? No...’

Wolryung shook his head again.

‘That’s not what is important right now.’

Wolryung looked at Cho Heon again with curiosity.

“Then why do banditry? You can just work. That way you can earn money everyday, right?”

“...”

‘Is this bastard dumb or something?’

Even Jin Ho had the same thought as the bandits for a moment and glanced at Wolryung in surprise.

Wolryung was someone really cunning. Hadn’t he already proved that with his actions alone until now? If it wasn’t for his impressive vision and decision, the Murim Alliance Western Sichuan Branch was done for by the underworld faction. Then he showed his cunningness by scheming against the Western Sichuan Alliance branch, squeezing out 350 gold nyang.

So, why would someone as cunning as him ask some obvious question?

Cho Heon answered the obvious.

“Who would give work to some bandits?”

“Right?”

“...”

He already knew the answer? He wasn’t dumb? Then why ask if you know the answer already, you bastard?!

“Then it’s settled.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly they could see Wolryung’s bright smile again. The bandits had no idea what he meant by those words or why he was smiling brightly. But seeing that bright smile, Jin Ho was sure. There was something wrong. His young master was definitely scheming something here.

Wolryung leaned forward a little as he faced Cho Heon.

“From now on, you guys will work for me.”

“...”

“Of course, without any salary. Only three meals a day and nothing more.”

“...”

“Until the day you pay off your debt toward me.”

The bandits could say nothing but stare with their mouths hung open.

“Let’s settle it by signing a contract.”

This bastard never intended to leave this place empty handed.