"If you get hurt from now on, you’ll have to rely on the Black Cliff Sect, but what can you do? A thousand gold taels is a thousand gold taels. Second brother, get ready. You’re watching, right?"
"It’s already done."
The three men had such ferocious appearances that they seemed less like humans and more like legendary demons.
They were the three brothers from Haomun, famous for their pursuit and assassination skills.
Known as the "Three Kill Rat Chasers," they were bounty hunters in the martial world.
Despite their appearances, their actions were said to resemble those of rats, earning them the nickname "Rat Chasers."
They were classified as part of the unorthodox sects, but they weren’t major criminals.
However, they didn’t discriminate between jobs, which had made them targets of various sects.
They lived on the run, taking on dirty jobs, and the three brothers each had unique skills that made their escape abilities top-notch.
Their martial skills were all at a first-rate level, but their specialties were particularly tricky.
"Judging by the direction they’re heading, it seems they’re going to Hongze Lake to cross the Yangtze River…"
"If they cross the river during the day, we’ll attack afterward. If they cross at night, we’ll attack on the spot."
The eldest brother was a master of tracking.
His sense of smell was especially sharp, said to be even better than a dog’s, allowing him to track his targets with ease.
The second brother had special eyes.
When he used his inner energy, he could distinguish objects at least a thousand zhang (about 3 kilometers) away.
The third brother excelled in swimming and stealth techniques.
These three had built a reputation as bounty hunters while roaming the martial world.
"We’ve memorized the scent, so let’s follow them slowly."
"Agreed, eldest brother."
"Alright."
The three brothers reached their conclusion.
Jin Cheonhui and Hwanggu finally arrived at Hongze Lake, which was connected to the Yangtze River.
This famous lake in Jiangsu Province was known not only for its vast size but also for its beautiful scenery.
The sight of mist rising over the mirror-like surface of the lake was truly spectacular.
It was said that hot springs flowed in this area as well.
Because of this, connoisseurs often said:
"On cold mornings, it’s as if the clouds have descended to quench their thirst. With clouds both on the ground and in the sky, even the immortal realm wouldn’t be envious."
Among the cities bordering Hongze Lake, there was one large enough for boats to come and go.
Bao Ying.
Jin Cheonhui arrived here in the late afternoon as the sun began to set.
"Is this a lake, not the sea?"
As he entered Bao Ying, Jin Cheonhui gazed at the lake that stretched out like a horizon.
Even in his previous life, he had never seen such a lake in person.
He hadn’t traveled much, whether domestically or abroad.
"To think I’m only seeing this after dying."
Life had been just as hectic then as it was now.
But even so, having the chance to come out like this was a valuable experience.
Woof woof!
"You’ve probably seen this kind of thing often, huh?"
"Woof!"
"It’s my first time, so it’s special."
In his past life, Jin Cheonhui’s world had been very small.
It consisted only of the medical world and his home.
Even when he built relationships, they were purely professional, with almost no personal connections.
In short, while he always got along well with his colleagues, he never made friends he could truly open up to and travel with.
That was the path Jin Cheonhui had chosen.
Jin Cheonhui ruffled Hwanggu’s head, savoring the moment.
"Once Master is fully recovered, we should travel more."
Why do the things I’ve never done seem so dazzling?
Woof!
Jin Cheonhui chatted with Hwanggu like this as they arrived at the Bao Ying relay station.
They needed to leave their horse there.
"Now we need to find a boat."
From here, it would be much faster to take a boat along the Yangtze River tributary to their destination.
"The horse seems to be in good condition despite the long ride?"
"Ah, is that so?"
The relay station employee stroked the horse’s neck as he spoke.
"Looking at the time recorded on the relay station ticket, it seems the horse was ridden at full speed, but it’s only slightly tired. That’s quite strange…"
"Maybe it’s a famous horse."
"Hmm. It doesn’t look like one."
It was because Jin Cheonhui had used the Five Elements Divine Technique to forcibly energize the horse.
Of course, it wasn’t a cure-all, so even a relay horse would eventually tire, but it could last much longer.
Jin Cheonhui feigned ignorance and stepped out into the street.
But as soon as he stepped out, a beggar approached him.
"Beggar Sect… I suppose?"
As Jin Cheonhui thought this, the middle-aged beggar approached and showed him a knot.
"I’m Fang Yi of the Beggar Sect. Are you the Young Dragon Jin Cheonhui?"
"I am Jin Cheonhui. It’s an honor to meet a senior of the Beggar Sect."
A martial world greeting.
Jin Cheonhui politely clasped his fists in salute, and the middle-aged man nodded expressionlessly.
"The boat will be available tomorrow, so you’ll have to stay here for a day. But be careful, as the bounty Haomun has placed on you has attracted all sorts of riffraff."
He scratched his head and added,
"Some of us from the sect are here, but not many."
"Ah."
Jin Cheonhui was surprised.
He knew Haomun had placed a bounty on him, but he hadn’t expected the Beggar Sect to make such preparations in advance.
"I had an inkling when they sent Hwanggu, but this is more meticulous than I thought. I’m grateful."
Jin Cheonhui thought of Seol Gyeon’s face.
Saving the sect leader back then was now proving to be a strength for Jin Cheonhui.
"Those with brains probably won’t act rashly because of us, but the boat might be dangerous."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
"Stay at the Yingjian Inn. It’s run by our side."
"What about the relay station?"
"If your goal is to move secretly, it’s better to stop using it now. Officials are notoriously unreliable. If we know, Haomun knows too."
At those words, Jin Cheonhui realized he had been too confident in his plans.
"So this is how one learns the ways of the martial world."
"Hahaha, no. The Young Dragon has been more astute than most young masters from prominent families. But these things are a matter of experience, not knowledge. It can’t be helped. Though unintentional, your swift movements have kept you out of trouble."
It was both a comfort and the truth.
No matter how much they knew about his route, his speed made it hard to catch him.
That was why Jin Cheonhui had remained unharmed.
Jin Cheonhui smiled wryly.
"I’ve learned a lesson from a senior of the martial world."
"The rumors of the Young Dragon’s humility are true. Seeing such modesty, I can’t help but do my best."
"That’s not it. I’m still lacking in many ways."
Jin Cheonhui waved his hand humbly.
"Hahaha. In any case, leave the preparations to us. See you at the Yingjian Inn."
The middle-aged beggar finally broke his expressionless face and left with a smile.
Jin Cheonhui looked down at Hwanggu and said,
"Helping others always comes back around, right?"
Woof woof!
"So, where is this Yingjian Inn…"
Hwanggu took the lead.
"You know, don’t you? Alright, lead the way."
Woof!
And so, Jin Cheonhui began walking through the streets, following Hwanggu.
But suddenly, a sensation he had never felt before washed over him.
A chill ran down his spine.
For a moment, the air seemed to ripple uneasily.
As he tried to determine whether it was just his imagination or a premonition, a sound of something cutting through the air reached his ears.
Before his thoughts could catch up, Jin Cheonhui instinctively turned his head to the side.
Swish!
Something grazed past his cheek.
Though it didn’t leave a wound, it sent shivers down his spine.
If he had been even a moment slower, a needle would have pierced his forehead, leaving a neat hole.
"An ambush! Just now, they said those with brains wouldn’t act rashly…"
Jin Cheonhui heightened his senses.
He quickly identified the direction the needle had come from.
At the base of a wall of one of the buildings on the street.
At the midpoint between the street and the alley.
In the slightly shaded area, there was a man with several daggers at his waist.
The man held a dagger in his left hand, and his right hand was in the position of having just thrown a dagger.
"Tch, I thought he was just a scholar who only knew medicine."
Even though it was a slightly hidden spot, who would have thought he’d ambush him out of nowhere!
"What should I do?"
Jin Cheonhui was momentarily flustered.
It was natural, having been suddenly attacked.
But seeing Jin Cheonhui hesitate, the man turned and began to run away.
It seemed he had decided to flee after the ambush failed.
But then, two beggars jumped out from the alley.
"Hidden Blade Jo Hwan! How dare you try to harm our benefactor!"
"Hmph! You nameless beggars of the Beggar Sect dare to try and catch me, the Hidden Blade? You don’t even have ten men here!"
"Shut your mouth!"
The man known as the Hidden Blade clashed with the two beggars.
Watching this, Jin Cheonhui felt conflicted.
"So, even those without brains can’t be helped."
They said those with brains wouldn’t attack, but it seemed the mindless riffraff couldn’t be controlled.
"The magic of a thousand gold taels."
Haomun had placed a bounty on him, leading to attackers, while the Beggar Sect was trying to help him as their benefactor.
The result was a life-and-death battle like this.
Is this the karma of the martial world?
"It’s complicated."
And it wasn’t a good feeling.
He had thought he would someday understand the karma of the martial world, but he hadn’t expected it to be like this.
Should he not have saved the Prince Consort?
What if he had stopped the Prince from seeking revenge on Haomun?
If he hadn’t saved the Beggar Sect leader, those beggars wouldn’t have had a reason to risk their lives fighting.
Woof!
At that moment, Hwanggu barked.
The dog, known as a spiritual creature, looked at Jin Cheonhui with clear eyes.
Seeing those dark, pure eyes somehow calmed his heart.
"Right, Hwanggu. We have to do what we can."
Woof?
Jin Cheonhui began to run.
Straight toward the Hidden Blade and the two beggars.
The Hidden Blade fought with daggers in both hands, and though they were short-range weapons, his skill was impressive.
The two beggars fought with single rods, but they were already bleeding from wounds here and there.
As soon as the Hidden Blade saw Jin Cheonhui, he threw a needle toward him.
Despite his nickname being Hidden Blade, it seemed he also used hidden weapons like needles.
Jin Cheonhui used the Three Treasures Technique to glide smoothly, moving his body like a shadow.