Novels online

Chapter 434

434fury. New employee with experience (1)

“All of a sudden, it's a bunch of stuff that doesn't even exist in the wild.…….”

Baek Soo-ryong sighed and put on the clothes prepared by Yeomrachae. It was a sleeveless vest made of animal skin, revealing the outline of his strong arms. These were the work clothes I had to wear for the day..

“It's fall, but isn't it cold?.”

It doesn't matter if he is a Baeksu-ryong who has trained in the 18 Nokrim style and reached the state of invincibility in the Hanseo, but the bandits of Yeomrachae were able to walk around wearing only a vest on their bare bodies. Autumn in the mountains is especially cold, and white steam comes out of your mouth in the morning..

[Even though you're complaining, you look good. Like I found my clothes and put them on.]

The Changryongshin sword on his waist vibrated. Baek Soo-ryong responded by tapping the sword body with his finger..

“My motto is to work hard at anything. And since we have an alliance, we have to do well..”

Baek Soo-ryong looked through the mirror for the last time and changed his expression using a reverse ball. The corners of the eyes were sharpened, the corners of the mouth were lowered straight, and the chin was made a little more angular..

“It's been a while since I saw this face?”

[……I want to change my hair color to white too.?]

Baek Soo-ryong laughed and shook his head. Maybe it was because his expression changed to cold, but even though he had a light smile, it looked like a cold mockery..

“This isn't North Korea, so there's no need to go that far..”

Baek Soo-ryong, who finished preparing, left the room and remembered the conversation he had with the monk in green last night..

-If you would like to work with us tomorrow, we will positively consider your offer of an alliance..

-……Really?

Those words were decisive.

Since I was planning to go to the Sapa meeting with the monk Nokui anyway, I accepted the one-day bandit experience rather than lounging around in Yeomrachae all day..

‘I also want to see how Yeomrachae operates..’

In my past life, I had heard the story of Green Forest from Master Maeng ad nauseam, but in this life, it was a story that had been going on for decades..

“I need to pay for my meal properly today so I can't say no..”

When Baek Su-ryong came out with his own determination, the bandits who were waiting bowed and greeted him..

““Did you come out, brother?!””

The bandits who encountered Baek Soo-ryong last night did not hesitate to call him derogatory brother. Although his face had changed a little, I had already heard of him going into business using a reverse drill..

White Water Dragon nodded with a white face alone among the black bandits. However, there was no sense of discomfort at all in the atmosphere..

“okay. Did everyone sleep well??”

““yes!””

“Cubs. My energy is good since dawn. But Nokrim is always this diligent.?”

Contrary to the prejudice that the next day after drinking alcohol, they would sleep until the afternoon, the bandits of Yeomrachae were up at dawn..

Of course, not everyone woke up, only the morning shift happened. One of them approached Baeksu-ryong..

“older brother. I will take care of you today.”

It was the face in Baek Soo-ryong’s memory..

Last night, he attacked the White Water Dragon for the first time and flew away..

“Was his name Jang Geol??”

“yes! I'm honored you remember! I will do my best to help you avoid any inconvenience today.!”

Baek Soo-ryong patted Jang Geol’s shoulder with a lot of force..

“Don't worry about me, just do what you normally do. I will cooperate as much as possible.”

“Thank you, brother! Well, so... … . Are you going to wear that sword as your weapon??”

“then?”

Baek Su-ryong tilted his head with a puzzled look..

Unless even a ten-level expert attacked Yeomrachae, there would be no need to even draw a sword..

But what is the reason for asking about weapons??

[……I'm sure that doesn't mean I'm lacking.?]

Changryongshingeom’s voice also became somewhat sharper..

Baek Soo-ryong was a little surprised to see that he now thought of his identity entirely as a sword, but he didn't bother to point it out..

“no, that's not it…….”

But the reason Jang Geol had a troubled expression was for a different reason..

“I know that you are incredibly strong, but what we do is to take the initiative. To do that, the first impression must be strong.…….”

“I understand what you mean. My thoughts were short..”

In short, it meant that it had to look as bloody as possible..

Moreover, it is strange for a single bandit to carry a treasured sword like the Changryongshingeom..

Even the blue-black sword sheath, which seemed normal at first glance, was made from the horn of a single-horned demon dragon..

A merchant with good eyesight might be able to recognize the treasure..

In the end, Baek Soo-ryong wrapped the Changryong Shingeom in cloth and tied it diagonally on his back and spoke to Jang Geol..

“As for the weapon, bring it to a suitably large and vicious one..”

“Please just leave it to me.!”

After a while, Jang Geol brought out a large sword with a jagged blade like a saw..

It looked ugly, but it was covered in dirt and hardened with old blood, as if it had not been maintained at all..

Baek Soo-ryong frowned and asked.

“Are you not taking proper care of your weapons? This is a sword or a club.”

“It was buried on purpose. Just throw it on your shoulder and you won't have to swing it around. It's also good to use as a tool instead of a shovel or saw when working..”

“……prolongation?”

Apparently, it seemed to be different in many ways from the business of Nokrim that Baek Soo-ryong had imagined..

“Give it a try.”

Baek Soo-ryong draped the thick sword handed to him by Jang Geol over his shoulder and rested on his other leg. The bandits were already clapping, saying they were showing their stance..

“Well, not bad..”

Baeksu-ryong also nodded as if he liked the new weapon. He grinned and said to Jang Geol..

“Now let's go to work.”

“yes!”

Baek Soo-ryong's steps as he walked down the mountain shoulder to shoulder with the bandits were very light..

[I'm not going to sit here like this.…….]

Changryong Shingeom's worried voice was quickly drowned out by the bandits' boisterous laughter..

* * *

“We have three locations in total..”

Contrary to Baek Soo-ryong’s expectations(?), Yeomrachae’s business was conducted quite systematically..

“We are on the main road. middle way. It's called a small road. I'll take the middle path first..”

It is said that the main road is the safest and well-maintained road, and is mainly used by merchants or pyoguks pulling carriages or carts..

Baek Soo-ryong, who was listening to the explanation, asked.

“But why don't you go to the main road??”

“There are not many customers on the main street. It's safe and convenient, but the road isn't very fast and the tolls are high, so most customers take the middle road..”

It was said that it was not as common as one might think for a horse-drawn carriage or a pyoguk-sized vehicle to pass through the mountains. If it happens once or twice every three days, it’s a lot..

“Our main source of income is the middle road. The income coming from this side is the most valuable..”

Baek Soo-ryong, along with Jang Geol and some bandits, came down the mountainside and arrived at the 'middle path'..

Wide enough for three or three people to pass by at the same time. The left side of the road was steeply cut and had a fence built to prevent accidents..

Baek Soo-ryong looked at the fence while stomping on the well-trodden floor..

“Did you build this fence??”

Jang Geol nodded with a proud expression..

“If the number of customers decreases, won't it be difficult for us to make a living? Since the fence was built, the number of falls has decreased significantly. The number of customers also increased..”

“Who came up with this??”

“Of course, that's what my eldest brother, no, Chaeju thinks..”

“Hmm…….”

There was a pavilion in a small vacant lot next to the road, and it was said that they usually welcomed guests there. It was like a guard post and a shelter..

In the corner of the pavilion, I could see shovels, hoes, axes, etc. piled up..

Jang Geol quietly said something that was not even asked. It seemed like he wanted to brag or something..

“Since it is a road frequently traveled by people, regular maintenance is required. Otherwise, customers will be dissatisfied..”

“……Are you guys bandits??”

“yes? what's wrong?”

Baek Soo-ryong felt a little dispirited..

Aren't these not the bandits of Yeomlachae, ruled by a teenage villain, but the forest managers of Yangtze Mountain?.

‘Those thick, bronze muscles were made from shoveling and pickaxing..’

I came prepared (?), but when I came and saw the scene in person, I was devastated..

From what I heard from the monk of green robes yesterday, I didn't think they would kill people passing by on the street and rob them of their wealth... … Still, this was more than I imagined..

“Most of the customers passing by here are porters. These guys are climbing the mountain with one or two mules... … The first customer will probably arrive soon..”

It's still not long since dawn.

Just as Jang Geol said, the first customer was seen coming up from afar..

It was a middle-aged man who appeared holding the reins of an old mule, sweat beading on his forehead..

The man who found Jang Geol shouted with joy..

“Jang Hyung!”

“Hahaha! Today’s guest is Lim Hyung.!”

Jang Geol walked downstairs and shared the man's luggage. I wondered if they were quite close friends, so he poked my side and naturally asked me what I was up to..

“Are you carrying a bundle today too? I guess business is going well?”

“If things went well, I would buy a carriage and travel on the main road. I'm going to die from exhaustion. I don't know how long I can do this…….”

The cargo seller, called Brother Lim, was trembling..

He sighed as he gently pulled on the reins of the mule following him..

“This guy is getting old now, so it looks like he won't be able to climb the mountain in a few years. So, can you please reduce the toll fee??”

He's a merchant who subtly tries to cut corners with bandits..

While Baek Soo-ryong was looking at him with an absurd expression, Jang Geol snorted. He was also a seasoned bandit..

“Oh, you conscienceless idiot. We only charge half the toll tax for our first customers, so you're going to cut it again? If you're so precious about money, take the smaller route.!”

“No, I tried it once.…….”

The porter who came up the road naturally sat down in the pavilion built by Yeomrachae. I put down the load on the mule for a moment..

Jang Geol handed him a canteen and asked..

“Well, there are no interesting rumors.?”

“These days, most people talk about blood ties. Have you heard of Blue Dragon Credit Union? He's a tax expert who suddenly appeared. It looks like they're going after all the religious groups. Brother Jang, please be careful too. There's no way you can just leave people like that untouched.?”

“Huh! The weather is nice today!”

“What are you talking about? It's just cloudy, but shit…….”

“Hmm hmm hmm!”

Strangely, Jang Geol cleared his throat violently. The cargo seller tilted his head, and only then did he notice Baeksu-ryong behind Janggeol..

“Is the friend behind you a newbie? It's my first time seeing this face.”

“Uh... … . Well, right.”

Jang Geol answered while looking at Baek Soo-ryong’s eyes..

Baek Soo-ryong just nodded his head without saying a word..

The porter took out some dried fruits, distributed them to the two people, and ate them himself..

“It's not that big, but the atmosphere is scary. But isn't she too skinny for someone from Yeomrachae??”

“……I came in a while ago.”

Baek Soo-ryong looked around roughly. The cart vendor, who clicked his tongue, gave us a few more dried fruits. They seemed to think that since they were new, they couldn't eat properly..

“Then I'll just leave. Have a good rest today too.”

“Take care!”

“……Take care.”

The porter loaded the mule again and went down the road. The toll fee was left on the pavilion where we stayed..

Baek Soo-ryong watched the scene for a while and asked Jang Geol..

“You are friendly with your customers.?”

“This is only true with close friends. Those who come for the first time are no good..”

Jang Geol scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly..

However, most of the porters who came up the road after him seemed to be familiar with Jang Geol..

“Who is this! No brother!”

“Brother Jeong! Why has it been so long since I came??”

“Oh my, Manchil. I heard this from Bok earlier. I heard your father passed away not long ago? Toll? Done. Just go you idiot.”

People asking each other what they're up to, talking about rumors, taking a break, and then heading out again..

There was never a single instance of raising a voice or swinging a knife..

“What is this…….”

Baek Soo-ryong was speechless at the unimaginable peaceful sight..

So he stayed on the 'middle path' until lunch..

Jang Geol said that his shift would be coming soon and asked if he wanted to go somewhere else..

“older brother. Would you like to take a look at the small road??”

“Do you really change shifts this often??”

“Not really, but my eldest brother told me to show you everything..”

Baek Soo-ryong nodded obediently..

The two climbed the mountain together.

‘The 'small road' was definitely rough and less well maintained than the middle road..

The size of the guard post was small, so there were only three bandits staying there..

“This is a road mainly used by simani and hunters. Although it is a bit dangerous, the toll fee is the cheapest so people can travel quietly.…….”

Jang Geol, who was looking down the road, continued speaking, and his expression became increasingly stiff..

“what's the matter?”

“Damn it. also…….”

Hearing a soft sigh, Baek Soo-ryong lowered the sword from his shoulder, thinking that he could finally pay for the meal..

deeply!

The heavy blade of the sword dug into the floor..

The white water dragon's eyes, looking down the mountain path, shined like a hawk stalking its prey..