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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Namgung Sega Granddaughter's Return
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Illyong, Imoe, and Sambong, the Outer Guards of Namgung, were originally bandits operating in Huangshan.
Huangshan, a mountain south of Hefei where the Namgung Sega was located, made banditry difficult because Namgung frequently dispatched forces to suppress them.
Then, one day, Sambong returned from the village with unexpected news.
“Brother Illyong! Brother Imoe! Look at this! Namgung is recruiting guards!”
Namgung was practically their sworn enemy. Yet, at the same time, it was a place whose immense power they couldn't help but admire.
“Banditry is getting too dirty and petty to keep doing. How about we become Namgung guards? We have some martial arts skills, and it doesn't seem like they're checking qualifications.”
“…”
“What if they find out we used to be bandits?”
“…”
“We’ll just say we wanted to start fresh! Surely they wouldn't kill us? No matter what, it's Namgung. Heh heh heh…”
Even as bandits, the three of them knew it was difficult for those without the Namgung surname to become Inner Guards.
However, their objective wasn't to become Inner Guards.
“Hahahaha! Did you see them trembling at the mention of Namgung? This really proves that the darkest place is right under the lamp! Who knew freeloading could be so easy!”
“Don't you think we're doing better than when we were bandits? Wasn't it a good idea to listen to me?”
From silk shops to restaurants, they went around various establishments without properly paying, and no one dared to stop them.
Simply because of the name 'Namgung'.
But wasn't it said that a long tail would always be stepped on?
As luck would have it, they were caught by none other than the Black Dragon Commander, the leader of the Inner Guard's combat unit.
The three of them grumbled as they headed back to their quarters, following the Black Dragon Commander's order to return and reflect.
“Ugh, damn it! Why did the Black Dragon Commander have to show up there?”
“How should I know? They never cared about street security. Maybe they just came out to eat.”
“Honestly, that inn was a bit much, wasn't it! You can only freeload so many times before it becomes obvious! We got caught because we did it every single day!”
“That place has the best dumplings! Ugh, what rotten luck! Just trying to get some free dumplings and now we're getting our pay docked!”
They had planned to lie low for a while anyway, especially after the inn owner's strong protest earlier.
But of all days, they got caught *today*! As a result, their lucrative wages were docked for three months.
“Brothers, wait a moment.”
Sambong stopped Illyong and Imoe.
“What is it? What's going on?”
The impatient Illyong turned to him, annoyed.
“That docked money of ours. Where do you think it's going?”
“Where do you think it's going? They'll just happily fill their coffers! It's our money that Namgung is trying to swindle from us! They're nothing but outright bandits! Hah!”
“That can't be true, can it? It's Namgung.”
“Ugh, what are you trying to say now?”
Sambong's eyes gleamed.
“Given Namgung's strong adherence to formalities, they surely would have given that money to the inn. As compensation for the damages they suffered. But what kind of place is Namgung?”
“What kind? The foremost martial arts family in Jungwon…”
“It's a place steeped in hypocrisy! You've only been eating Namgung's food for a few months and you're already a Namgung man, brother!”
Illyong scratched his head, realizing his mistake.
“Ah, so what's your point?!”
“They'll give the money to save face, but they won't care beyond that. We could go back to that inn right now and cause a ruckus, and they wouldn't know a thing.”
“So?”
“So? Have you lost your touch? We should obviously go and take that money back right now! Our wages!”
“The inn owner won't just stand by, will he? You saw his eyes earlier, didn't you? Looked like he was about to pull out a cleaver! Didn't we say we'd be more careful now?”
“We need to scare them senseless. So they can't report us to Namgung, and they can't resist us anymore.”
Sambong's eyes narrowed.
His lips curved into a meaningful smile.
“Very thoroughly, I mean.”
Seeing that expression, a sly smile also formed on Illyong's lips.
“Aha. Like we used to, right?”
Heh heh, heh heh heh. Heh heh heh heh.
The laughter exchanged between them grew increasingly malicious and cunning.
The three of them turned their steps away from Namgung and headed towards the inn.
They decided to use a secluded alleyway, just in case they encountered the Black Dragon Commander again.
Illyong felt a surge of excitement for the first time in a long while.
‘Bandits should always be stealing!’
Ever since they came down from the mountains and joined Namgung as guards, it felt like they were just playing kids' games in the alleyways! But today was different!
This was like taking money from Namgung!
‘No, no. That money was originally mine.’
It's more like getting back what was stolen.
“Well? Are they there? Did they leave?”
“Just a moment, please. I can't see properly because of the pillar. Can you see from your side, brother?”
Before barging in, the three of them squatted in the alley behind the inn and peered inside through a small window.
This was in case the Black Dragon Commander or other Namgung guards were present.
Unlike earlier, what they were about to do now was Heukdo business, so they had to be as careful as possible…
“What are you doing?”
“...!”
“...!”
The three of them, plastered against the window and peering into the inn, were startled by a child's voice from behind them.
They tried to turn around to see who it was, but strangely, their bodies wouldn't move.
Not even turning their heads sideways, or wiggling a finger.
All they could do was roll their eyeballs, still in the same position they were in while looking through the window.
“Don't bother. I've struck your Mahyeol. You won't be able to move for at least one *shijin*.”
The three men's eyes flickered with unease.
They wanted to shout something, but no sound came out.
“Oh, right, while I was at it, I also struck your Ahyeol. It'd be annoying if you screamed.”
‘When did she…!’
Though they were only first or second-rate martial artists, they were still martial artists.
Yet, they didn't know when they were struck by the pressure point technique, nor did they feel any presence.
‘A master…!’
It was known that pressure point striking, or *jeomhyul*, required meticulous control of qi, a skill typically only possessed by Jeoljeong masters or higher.
So, the one who had struck them from behind must be at least a Jeoljeong master!
‘What do you want, for heaven's sake!’
Let us speak, and we can ask what you want!
“You probably have a lot to say, but I don't have time. I'll just say what I need to say.”
“...!”
“Illyong. Imoe. Sambong.”
The rolling eyeballs of the three men suddenly, abruptly stopped.
‘She knows us…?’
‘How could she possibly…?’
“I know your kind well. People who will do anything for money. Though I didn't expect you to be acting as Namgung guards.”
‘She knows we're Namgung guards too!’
‘Who is she? Her voice sounds like a child's?’
Seolhwa chuckled, looking at the three trembling backs lined up.
‘To think I'd meet these guys here.’
Illyong, Imoe, Sambong.
In her previous life, these three were Hyeolgyo members.
To be precise, they were bandits belonging to the Green Forest who later joined the Hyeolgyo.
They had demanded to be taken in as subordinates, claiming to know Namgung well, and indeed, some useful information was obtained from them.
She had wondered how such insignificant people knew Namgung's information.
‘They were Namgung guards?’
No, to be precise, they were Heukdo scoundrels wearing Namgung's mask.
She had many questions about how these guys got into Namgung and what their intentions were, but she didn't have much time.
“People like you don't even deserve a chance to reflect. If you were going to reflect, you wouldn't have done bad deeds in the first place.”
The fact that they hadn't returned to Namgung but were here was proof of that.
She felt a little sorry for Namgung Cheongun, but these were not the kind of people who would change if given a chance.
These bat-like individuals betrayed Namgung, betrayed the Green Forest, and joined the Hyeolgyo.
In her previous life, their end was death.
After they had outlived their usefulness, they were caught trying to leak Hyeolgyo's information and were killed by Ilhwa.
“As much as I'd like to kill them before they even show their true colors…”
The three backs twitched again.
“I'll spare you because it's Namgung. For now, at least, because it's Namgung.”
Still, because it was Namgung.
‘They're quite useful, too.’
Illyong, who was foolish but skilled in martial arts; Imoe, who was quiet but did whatever he was told; and Sambong, who was cunning but good at petty tricks.
They were perfect for exploiting.
Meanwhile, Sambong's face brightened at Seolhwa's words.
‘She's sparing us because it's Namgung…?’
It wasn't easy to provoke someone from Namgung. Even if they were just Outer Guards, Namgung was still Namgung.
No one in Jungwon would want to make an enemy of Namgung.
‘As expected, it's Namgung…!’
Even a master fears Namgung! Of course!
Just as Sambong was cheering internally, relieved by the fact that he wouldn't die.
“...!”
Something suddenly appeared from behind his face.
It seemed to be a hand, but no matter how much he tried to look down with his eyes, he couldn't see what it was doing.
‘W-what is she trying to do…!’
The attacker's hand forced Sambong's mouth open and put something inside.
It was something hard, about two finger-joints long.
‘N-no…!’
He tried desperately not to swallow it, but the attacker's hand lifted his chin and tapped his throat, and it slid down with a pathetic gulp.
It passed through his esophagus and disappeared into his body.
Sambong instantly knew.
‘I'm doomed…’
“I said I'd spare you, not let you go.”
A devilishly innocent voice echoed in his ears.
