[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 275

“Screech!”

“Gasp!”

As the motorcycle comes to a halt, a man’s groaning is heard from behind.

“Ugh, it’s so far. Let’s take a short break.”

“Sure!”

“It’s great!”

The fluff balls that were clinging to the windshield scurry up onto my shoulders.

The wind must have been so exhilarating that the fur on my head is all spiked back.

“Clatter.”

“Whoa, whoa.”

Jeon Ho also follows smoothly, leading the horse that the coachman was driving.

“You’re following well on horseback, huh?”

“Yes. This much is…”

As Jeon Ho speaks, he glances around cautiously and then carefully starts to speak.

“I think it might be a warhorse.”

“A warhorse?”

“Yes.”

Now that I look, its mane is glossy and shiny, and its muscles are no joke.

At least, it’s not a horse meant for pulling a shabby cart.

“Come to think of it, the guy behind mentioned something about the royal family?”

Going to the back of the motorcycle, the guy with his legs tied up lifts his head.

His eyes are filled with venom.

“Trying to die? Can’t you open your eyes nicely?”

“I…!”

“Thwack!”

“Gasp…!”

The guy who was about to have a seizure gets slapped and faceplants into the ground.

“Shin Yi-nim…”

“Hey. You come here too. Did I or did I not tell you not to call me Shin Yi because it attracts attention?”

“Gasp! Wh-what’s aggro…?”

As I stride towards Jeon Ho, he turns pale and steps back.

“Ogura Yuna, you brat.”

“Smack!”

“Gasp!”

Jeon Ho, who got slapped, clutches the spot where he was hit.

“Do you think I keep you around because I like you?”

“N-no, sir.”

“There are things you can and can’t say to a kid. Suddenly getting all heated again.”

“Sorry, sorry…”

Jeon Ho’s eyes are filled with terror.

Seeing someone’s head explode like a firework in front of you would do that.

“Does saying sorry end your martial world life?”

“N-no, sir…”

“No? Then why did you do it?”

“Sorry.”

“I asked if saying sorry ends it.”

“N-no, sir…”

“Whack!”

“Gasp!”

I lightly kick Jeon Ho’s shin, and he stumbles back.

“Hey.”

“Yes…”

“Look at this brat’s voice trembling.”

“Smack!”

“Gasp!!”

Jeon Ho keeps stepping back until he finally stops, backed against a large tree.

“Hey.”

“Yes!”

“Hey.”

“Yes!!”

“Hey.”

“Yesss!!!”

Realizing there’s nowhere left to retreat, his face clearly shows panic.

“You think you’re something just because you’re wearing a hat.”

“N-no, sir!”

“Life’s easy, huh?”

“N-no, sir…”

“Smack!”

“Gasp!”

“Your voice.”

“Nooo!!”

Jeon Ho, with his eyes tightly shut, raises his voice so loudly it echoes all around.

Thanks to that, birds fly up from the nearby forest.

“Are you messing with me?”

“Gasp! N-no, sir…”

“Don’t want to live long, huh?”

“No, sir!!”

“Think the martial world is all yours just because you’re wearing a wristband?”

“N-no, sir!!”

“Life’s easy, huh?”

“No, sir!!”

“You know I hold grudges, right?”

Jeon Ho, unsure where to look, just rolls his eyes around.

“Totally out of it.”

“Sorry!”

“Say what you said earlier again.”

“Th-that is…”

“Say it.”

“Gulp.”

Jeon Ho swallows dryly and cautiously opens his mouth.

“Th-the child might have some illness… I was thinking of Shin Yi-nim…”

“Wow! Only our Jeon Ho thinks of me, huh?”

“N-no, sir…”

“Maybe I should turn you into an idiot too, so you can reflect on yourself for life. Right.”

Jeon Ho’s trembling eyes roll as he looks at the guy tied behind the motorcycle, limbs twisted and skin peeled off.

“Oh, no, no!!”

“No? You weren’t worried about me?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it…”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just…”

Jeon Ho, with no room to back away because of the tree behind him, stumbles awkwardly while pushing at the ground.

“That’s not something to say in front of a child, right?”

“…Yes. It’s not.”

“No? Then why did you do it?”

“S-sorry…”

“No, no. Why would our esteemed inspector apologize to me? It’s only natural for the lowly to fall sick and die. Right?”

Jeon Ho hurriedly shakes his head.

“No, no! Really, it’s not like that…”

“No? Then why did you do it? Everyone weaker than you seems like an easy target, huh?”

“I’m sorry…”

A drop of sweat rolls down Jeon Ho’s chin.

“Hey.”

“Yes!!”

“Whether it’s the Murim Alliance or some plague alliance, gather everyone under you when we arrive.”

“……”

“Answer.”

“Yes, yessir!!”

*Thud!*

“You messing with me?”

“S-sorry…”

***

“Ugh!”

The Heavenly Blood Members, who were watching Han Ga-eul while performing their stealth technique in the forest, cover their ears.

“Leader. It’s too painful…”

“Endure it. It’s just a vicious sound technique.”

“My ears are bleeding. Can’t we just go back?”

After a long moment of contemplation, the leader finally shakes his head.

***

*Click, click.*

“Whew— Jeon Ho.”

Leaning against a tree, I gesture to Jeon Ho, and he quickly approaches.

“Yes! Shin! Ah, no, Han So-jeo!”

Jeon Ho crouches down to match my seated gaze.

“Look at that.”

“Yep.”

I put my arm around Jeon Ho’s shoulder and point at the motorcycle. His gaze follows.

“Our senior Jeon Ho is suffering like this, and this so-called junior is just lying there sleeping.”

“Y-yes.”

“What should we do?”

“I’ll handle it.”

Jeon Ho’s eyes flash as he jumps up and walks toward the motorcycle.

*Whack!*

“Ugh!?”

“How long are you gonna sleep? Get up!”

“Y-you! Do you know who I am…?”

*Whack!*

After knocking the man out with two hits to the back of the head, Jeon Ho walks back and crouches in front of me again.

“Our Jeon Ho did well.”

“Thank you!”

I pat Jeon Ho’s shoulder, and he bows his head.

“Good. Just like that.”

“Yessir!!”

“But let’s try a little harder? He passed out too quickly.”

“Yessir!!”

Jeon Ho, with a fierce look in his eyes, walks back toward the motorcycle.

*Ding!*

“Kids, time to eat.”

“Okay!”

“Peep!”

The fluffy creatures playing in the trees nearby quickly gather around.

“Over there!”

“Huh?”

Baekseol, handed a flower, twitches her ears repeatedly as she looks deeper into the forest.

“Are they still following us?”

“Yep!”

I stroke Baekseol’s head, and she twitches her ears once more before starting to pluck the flower petals.

“You’re working hard. Should I cook something for you?”

*Clatter.*

I pull out a bunch of cooking tools from the storage space, and the atmosphere instantly turns into a picnic.

“You eat too.”

I toss a piece of meat high into the air, and a bird circling above quickly snatches it.

“Jeon Ho. I’ll cook, so keep working hard for now.”

“Yessir! Thank you!”

Jeon Ho, busy working behind the motorcycle, bows his head and gets back to his task.

Everyone seems to be working hard, so I should prepare plenty of food.

“Ah, I’m making a lot of food. I hope someone eats it all.”

***

The door to the Main Leader’s Office swings open, and Yang Ik-jun, the Naegakju, enters.

“Leader!”

“Ah, hey…”

“Naegakju, please maintain some dignity. What’s the matter that you come in without any notice?”

Naegakju wanted to say that wasn’t important right now. But the person in front of him was none other than the Sword King, Namgung Hwi, the leader of the Murim Alliance.

“Ah, I apologize. I have urgent news to report, so I acted rudely.”

“No need. So, what’s the urgent news?”

At the leader’s words, Yang Ik-jun, who had been looking very apologetic, subtly smiled.

“A document has arrived from Deputy Inspector Jeon Ho. He says he’s traveling with Shin Yi.”

“Hoho. Found them faster than those money-grubbing beggars. As expected from the cold and sharp Deputy Inspector of the Murim Alliance.”

The leader stroked his white beard and let out a satisfied smile.

“However…”

“Hmm? Speak freely.”

Reports must be truthful, and judgments should be made by the commander, not the reporter.

The leader believed that allowing subordinates to speak freely was also a virtue of a superior.

Thus, the leader smiled.

“It’s a bit delicate to say, but Shin Yi’s personality is said to be quite eccentric.”

The report from Naegakju, who had been very serious, was something the Murim Alliance’s military had already heard.

“Hahaha! What did I expect? Look at me, the leader. Geniuses are naturally eccentric.”

“Ah, well… I see.”

A drop of sweat rolled down Naegakju’s neck. He had additional reports like ‘Shin Yi turned your grandson into paste’ and ‘He’s dragging a royal official around like your grandson turned into paste,’ but seeing the leader so happy, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

***

Following the river upstream in Anhui Province, you reach Bozhou.

From the third floor of an inn there, the laughter of a handsome man and a beautiful woman could be heard.

“It seems we’re about halfway there.”

“By carriage, it should take about four days to arrive.”

Seeing Jeogal Jo-ryeong respond to his words, Namgung Woon-hwi, the second son of the Namgung family, nodded his head vigorously.

“As expected from a daughter of the Jeogal family. It’s as if you have a complete map in your head.”

“It’s basic knowledge.”

Jeogal Jo-ryeong smiled modestly and lightly bowed her head, and Namgung Woon-hwi nodded again.

‘Truly a Jeogal. Her grandfather is a military strategist, and her beauty is flawless. If I think of future generations, she is surely the woman to take as a wife.’

As Namgung Woon-hwi continued to admire her, a particularly large man among those sitting around the round table made a loud fist greeting.

“Brother Namgung, I heard you’ve entered the first-class realm. Congratulations.”

“Haha! Brother Peng, thank you. But, I’m still a fool who hasn’t even tasted Brother Peng’s fierce sword techniques yet.”

“Hahaha! At such a young age, who else has entered the first-class realm? Brother Namgung’s humility makes this Peng Mo ashamed.”

Clatter!

Seeing the good atmosphere, a short woman noisily pulled a chair and sat down.

Thanks to this, the group’s attention turned to the short woman.

“Truly, the second young master of the Namgung family. Isn’t winning the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering a sure thing?”

“Haha! Thank you, Miss Dang. However, the martial world is full of hidden masters like grains of sand. Arrogance is not good.”

Despite his humble words, Namgung Woon-hwi was in a very good mood at the words of Dang Eun-hye, a rising star of the Sichuan Dang family.

“Oh my! You’re too humble. How about giving yourself a nickname now? Like ‘Blue Dragon’?”

“Hahaha! The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering hasn’t even started yet. ‘Blue Dragon’ is too much.”

As they sat around the table, chatting away, a young waiter carrying a tray approached them with quick steps.

“Great heroes, the Wuyi Rock Tea is here.”

“Set it down.”

“Yes, sir!”

The waiter was young, but he knew how reckless those with swords at their waists could be.

Thus, despite his age, his speech was already as seasoned as an experienced waiter.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

As the waiter carefully set down the expensive tea cups, it happened.

“You rascal!!”

“Gasp!”

At Namgung Woon-hwi’s loud shout, the waiter moving the tea was startled.

From a martial artist’s perspective, the life of a mere inn waiter was worth less than a bug.

“Why, why are you shouting, great hero…?”

“Can’t you be careful! Didn’t a drop of hot tea splash towards Lady Jeogal! If her precious skin gets hurt, will you take responsibility!”

“Oh my, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. Please forgive me…”

Despite Jeomsoi’s apology, there was no sign of Namgung Woon-hwi’s anger subsiding.

“I’m fine, young master.”

Jeogal Jo-ryeong said she was fine. But her eyes were icy cold, looking down at the trembling young Jeomsoi as if she were filthy.

“I’ll just give you a stern warning.”

At that moment, a dark shadow appeared behind Namgung Woon-hwi, who was about to jump up from his seat.

*BAM!*

Suddenly, someone appeared and pressed down on the back of Namgung Woon-hwi’s head, slamming it onto the table.

“Who, who are you!”

“A brat with a shattered personality.”

“Hey, brat…?”

In the blink of an eye, the seated people jumped up, moving their hands toward their waists.

“Namgung, these little bastards must have self-taught their home education. Why are they like this?”

“How dare you insult the great Namgung family…!”

*Crunch!*

“Ugh!”

The more Namgung Woon-hwi struggled, the stronger the grip on the back of his head became.

From Namgung Woon-hwi’s perspective, it wasn’t entirely unfair. He was raised and taught that way in his family.

So, to him, it was a natural action.

“Are you guys just biting and scratching each other, having a hard time?”

Jeon Ho, who rushed up to the third floor of the inn after hearing the commotion, felt like jumping into the Yangtze River upon seeing the scene.

“I did.”

*BAM!*

Namgung Woon-hwi’s face was slammed onto the thick wooden table.

“Don’t mess with kids.”

*BAM!*

“How many times.”

*BAM!!*

“Did I say.”

*BAM!!!*

*Crunch!*

Finally, the thick wooden table couldn’t withstand the force and broke apart.

Thanks to that, Namgung Woon-hwi’s once handsome face turned into a bloody mess.

Seeing this, Jeogal Jo-ryeong hurriedly raised her voice.

“Y-you! When did you ever say that…!”

“Shut your mouth, bitch.”

*Slap!*

*Crash! Bang!*

Jeogal Jo-ryeong, slapped across the face, rolled across the inn floor and only stopped when she hit the wall.

Blood dripped from Jeogal Jo-ryeong’s gums, missing teeth, as she foamed at the mouth.

“Jeon Ho. Did I say it or not?”

“Y-you did…”

“What did I say?”

“You said you don’t care if they cut each other’s throats, but don’t mess with the kids…”

“Right? I clearly said not to lay a hand on the kids, didn’t I?”

Jeon Ho, rolling his eyes, nodded slightly instead of answering.

‘It’s not like a lion’s roar from a thousand miles away, how could they hear what was said in Hefei…’

While everyone was baffled by Jeon Ho’s answer, Paeng San-wol, the largest in size, stepped forward.

“Hey, who the hell are you! Do you even know who we are to dare do this!”

“A goblin who crawled up from hell to clean up trash with a shattered personality.”