UGB Chapter 108: Escape (4)
Chapter 108: Escape (4)
Chapter 108: Escape (4)
A Perfect Plan
No matter how perfect a plan seemed in one’s head, reality often proved otherwise.
It was an ambitious plan. My theory was perfect. Yet, it failed. Confidence shattered, despair set in, making one want to give up.
But giving up would mean the end.
After a failure, one must catch their breath, shake off the despair, and stand up again. The plan, thought to be perfect, needs revising and improving before moving forward.
“Unity between horse and rider! Go, new Hwarin-ho! Charge!”
Just like my newly improved Hwarin-ho.
“What are you saying? Seriously!”
“Haha! Green-haired target spotted ahead! Fire the revolution beam quickly!”
“What’s that now!”
“Fire the new weapon!”
“Could’ve said that sooner!”
Tang Hwarin swiftly drew the newly replenished weapon while on horseback.
“Aaaahh!”
“Ggghh!”
Tang Hwarin’s weapon accurately pierced the vital points of the Green Forest executives while on the move. Truly, a new armament for the new Hwarin-ho, deserving of carrying out the revolutionary task with the revolution beam.
The fully supplied mobile battery of Tang Hwarin. A steed slightly better than my legs, of a 3-horse bloodline. And its rider, embodying unity between horse and rider, Kang Yun-ho.
Indeed, with sufficient time and budget, plans can only get more perfect.
I swiftly made my way through the created path, firing the revolution beam with Tang Hwarin.
Taking advantage of the chaos to break through the battlefield was a matter of moments.
Riding the steed at full speed, we left the Black Tiger Fortress behind and soon found ourselves on a quiet mountain path.
The night sky shone with stars, and only the sound of insects could be heard, making it hard to believe we were in the middle of a noisy battlefield just moments ago.
Normally, one should avoid driving on mountain roads at night, but thanks to the well-maintained toll road of the Black Tiger Fortress, it seemed we could easily escape this place by following the mountain path.
“Is this really okay?”
While driving the horse and contemplating learning martial arts that can be used on horseback, like the Dragon Fist next time, Tang Hwarin spoke from behind.
“Did you want to join the revolution and become a righteous outlaw?”
I saw Tang Hwarin eagerly tying a red bandana when I put on mine.
“No, that’s not it.”
A hint of dissatisfaction could be sensed in Tang Hwarin’s tone. Don’t tell me you harbored thoughts of turning the world upside down because you were unhappy?
“The leader and his aides were so strong that it would have been a losing battle to stay.”
The leader’s martial prowess alone was enough to instill fear in the entire Black Tiger Fortress. We inspired courage, but the objective difference in skill had to be acknowledged.
The lack of power was compensated by tricksters, so the revolution might succeed, but both of us could have been gravely injured had we participated.
“We might have made it easier for them to succeed.”
“Even if the revolution succeeds and they start robbing the corrupt officials, how will they manage the aftermath? With most injured or dead, if the official army arrives, it would be annihilation.”
Government-Murim non-interference.
While the unwritten rule of Murim was to not meddle in each other’s affairs, Murim interfering with the government was another story.
Corrupt as it might be, challenging the authority would mean immediate retaliation with a million imperial troops. Who in their right mind would stay for that?
“You’re the one who started this revolution.”
“Ah. I just gave madness a little push. I didn’t start it. And thanks to that, we escaped.”Rread latest chapters at novelhall.com
This woman was talking nonsense. I simply created chaos to escape, not to claim a title or incite rebellion.
“If the Hawk Party robs the corrupt officials, wouldn’t you be caught too, Yunho?”
“How would they know who the black-haired Kang So-and-So is and find him?”
“Hawk Party members won’t remember.”
“I figured as much, which is why I appointed a new leader before leaving. That person will lead the Hawk Party. And if there are betrayals and changes in leadership, people might remember Hong Gil-dong or the Hawk Party, but they won’t remember who the previous leader was.”
Such worries were needless.
Despite being called a strong Green Forest group, it’s just a mountain fortress. The government army wouldn’t bother putting in the effort to suppress a band of righteous outlaws in a single fortress, not considering them a rebel army.
“......Is that so.”
Tang Hwarin acknowledged my words with bitter acceptance. Glancing back at her, I saw Tang Hwarin looking back at the path we had come from.
Surely, she hadn’t thought to burn down the world that made her miserable after hearing my speech?
“Hwarin.”
“Yes?”
“Not 72 fortresses but one party?”
“Is the leader’s will to make the entire Green Forest into the Hawk Party?”
All the Hawk Party members, realizing the true meaning of the leader’s words, looked at the Secretary-General in astonishment.
“Before capturing the big bourgeoisie, I will guide the smaller ones through the 71 fortresses! The day when Green Forest becomes truly united under one party, the Hawk Party, we will turn this world upside down!”
“Waaaaah! Secretary-General Soo Jeokrin! Truly someone appointed by the leader!”
“Secretary-General Soo Jeokrin will lead us!”
“Wait!!! From now on, I am not Soo Jeokrin.”
Jeokrin raised his hand to silence the cheers of the Hawk Party members.
“Not Soo Jeokrin? Are you planning to abandon your name?”
“Yes! The leader caressed my face, helped me shed my red scales, and transformed me into a true person for the party!”
“Transformed you?”
Jeokrin, emulating the departed leader, raised his fist to his chest, ready to announce his new name to all the Hawk Party members.
Tang Hwarin, with a fully loaded magazine. A fine horse. A sturdy purse. Airbags for safety.
With everything in place, we arrived at Yichang without any worries.
“That big house over there is my maternal grandfather’s house.”
The imposing mansion, visible from afar, seemed like the home of someone who, upon hearing his granddaughter needed help, would generously lend a printing press out of principle.
“We’ve had a difficult journey.”
“......You too.”
Tang Hwarin held me tightly to prevent us from falling off the horse. While I wanted to continue enjoying the soft touch of the airbag on my back, our journey truly ends here.
With a mix of joy and regret, I arrived in front of the mansion.
“Fuck! This is mine!”
“I grabbed it first!”
“How did you manage to loot everything in the storehouse!”
What was happening now?
Arriving at the mansion, the main gate was destroyed, and numerous people were fighting over the household items, trying to claim them for themselves.
“What’s going on here?”
I asked a man who was observing the situation with a document in hand at the entrance.
“Do you happen to know the owner of the mansion?”
I directed the man’s attention to Tang Hwarin to hint at her connection to the house.
“Yes, he’s my maternal grandfather.”
Tang Hwarin glanced anxiously towards the mansion before responding.
“Hey!!! Someone from this household has appeared!!!”
The man shouted loudly, alerting those inside the mansion.
“What? Really?”
“Who is it?”
“It’s the granddaughter! That bitch’s daughter!”
People from inside the mansion quickly surrounded us on horseback, moving as one.
This wasn’t a bandit raid. What’s happening?
“What is the meaning of this?”
I asked a notably well-dressed individual, seeking an explanation for the situation.
“Name!”
The well-dressed person looked at us irritably, demanding Tang Hwarin’s name.
“Excuse me?”
“What’s your name?”
“Hwarin.”
“Hwarin, Hwarin, Hwarin! There you are! Tang Hwarin. Your mother changed her surname to Seong after marriage. Inherited a bookstore on the main road as an inheritance.”
The man flipped through a book he had, confirming Tang Hwarin’s identity as a member of this household. But inheritance?
“What exactly is going on here!”
I yelled, frustrated by the absurd situation, and the man responded with a face as grim as mine.
“The owner of the mansion died of illness two months ago! His daughter showed up! Took off with the estate without settling the debts! If you’re the granddaughter! Pay off our debts!”