Unreasonable Demands (2)
"Sima-ho. My older brother was working here as a trader when he was taken prisoner."
"Ah, I see. But your brother's name is…?"
"Sima-Xian."
It was a name he didn't recognize. Even if he was working here, the number of traders associated with the Juhae Bureau, directly or indirectly, exceeded a hundred. He wasn't the type of person to remember each of their names in detail.
At that moment, a man who had been standing a short distance away hurried over and spoke.
"He's my friend. He started working here with me, Deputy Chief."
Bang Il-sam, seeing that the man rushing over was someone the chief trusted, relaxed his stern expression.
"Ah, I see."
Bang Il-sam nodded and bowed slightly to Sima-ho.
"I'm truly sorry about your brother. Please forgive me. In any case, we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone returns safely. I ask that you trust us and wait."
After bowing to everyone, Bang Il-sam, seeming to have nothing more to say, quickly turned to leave.
"That bastard."
Sima-ho muttered a curse, clearly displeased with Bang Il-sam's attitude.
"Damn it! No sincerity at all. This feels wrong… Brother!"
Agitated, Sima-ho gestured to Jang seong, who had just verified his identity.
"You here?"
"Stop joking around. How's it going? They're asking for a huge sum. Are you really negotiating properly, like that man said?"
"Of course. I'm handling it properly. They'll be back safely soon, so don't worry and just wait."
Jang seong raised his voice as if conscious of those around him, but Sima-ho caught the tremble in his eyes.
"Follow me for a moment."
Sima-ho dragged Jang seong to a quieter place and asked in a growling tone:
"Stop with the obvious lines. Tell me properly. What's really happening?"
"Hey, let go of my hand first."
"Oh, sorry."
At Jang seong's shout, Sima-ho quickly released his grip.
Feeling the pain in his arm, Jang seong frowned, glanced around cautiously, and spoke carefully.
"They're asking for an unimaginable amount. Completely insane."
"How much?"
"One hundred taels of gold."
"..."
Sima-ho's mouth fell open, unable to respond. At that moment, Sima-go and Cheol-woo, who had been waiting outside, approached after bringing Sima-ho inside.
"You're here too, then."
Jang seong nodded with a welcoming expression.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you come in sooner?"
"We intended to, but the youngest one with us suddenly lost consciousness."
"Jin-ah? Why Jin-ah?"
Jang seong asked in surprise.
"The atmosphere here isn't very good. She seemed really shocked by what she heard. Though, honestly, anyone would be."
Sima-Jian, sweating from concern over Sima-jin fainting, spoke bitterly.
"I see. Is she okay now?"
"Yes."
"Phew, that's a relief."
As Jang seong sighed in relief, Cheol-woo, having heard the bandits' demands from Sima-ho, let out a dry laugh.
"They're really crazy. Where would a small bureau like this have that kind of money?"
"What's wrong with Juhae Bureau? It's actually reasonably large for this area."
Jang seong protested, and Cheol-woo waved his hand dismissively, asking in a subtle tone:
"Quiet. Are you thinking of another way? Sending a rescue team?"
Jang seong looked around, startled by Cheol-woo's insight.
"How did you know? Everyone's keeping it quiet."
"The vibe gave it away. But do you think it's possible? Juhae Bureau alone probably can't handle it."
"The representative says it's possible, but we'll probably need help from others. I believe people have already been sent to various places."
"I'm not sure it will work. The bastards probably have a rough idea of how we'll react."
Cheol-woo shook his head skeptically.
"But who would do such a thing? I thought there was some limit between bureaus and the Nokrim."
Jang seong answered, frustrated.
"Exactly. This isn't just crossing the line—they're acting like they want to die together with us. Madmen! Even after the mountain stronghold was destroyed, they haven't come to their senses."
At that moment, Sima-Jian's eyes sparkled.
"The stronghold was destroyed?"
"Yes. Geumhochae, quite famous nearby, was destroyed recently. Everyone was so happy when they heard the news."
"Are you saying Geumhochae has reappeared?"
Sima-Jian's voice was colder than ice, though Jang seong didn't notice.
"Not exactly. It seems the leader who left the stronghold has returned. Apparently, they did this to make one big haul and then leave…."
Jang seong stopped explaining as sudden commotion erupted.
Sima-Jian realized there was no time to waste when he discovered that the commotion was due to eyes and ears sent from Geumhochae, presumably from the prisoners.
"Ho-ya."
Hearing Sima-Jian call, Sima-ho, about to check if the eyes and ears belonged to Sima-Xian, stopped and turned.
"Jin-ah is with Mrs. Yuk. She's nearby, so make sure to look after her."
"What? Where are you going?"
"I have somewhere to go briefly."
"Now? But the situation…"
Seeing Sima-Jian's calm gaze, Sima-ho couldn't bring himself to ask further.
"We have wide connections. We're finding a way to rescue Hyeon, so don't worry and just look after the youngest."
Cheol-woo lightly patted Sima-ho's shoulder as Sima-Jian turned to leave, hurriedly following behind.
As Sima-ho stared blankly after them, Jang seong returned from the earlier commotion.
"Damn… not sure, but it doesn't seem to be your brother. The problem is, they send something every four hours…"
Speaking angrily, Jang seong suddenly sensed something odd and asked:
"But where are your brothers?"
"Is it… really true?"
After the second 'gift' from Geumhochae arrived, Bang Seo-hong, chief of Juhae Bureau, who had been deeply distressed, jumped up from his seat.
"Yes. We received confirmation from So-wang hyung, who went to Yeomhwa Bureau for help. It's certain."
Bang Il-sam's voice was full of joy.
"That's good. Truly good."
Bang Seo-hong's old eyes glowed red.
While negotiating with Geumhochae, he worked tirelessly to send a rescue team.
The surrounding bureaus, sharing the sense of urgency, would promise full cooperation, and nearby martial sects asked for help would respond positively.
The problem was the time was too short.
To muster enough force to defeat Geumhochae would take at least three days—assuming they could assemble directly at Geumhochae, not Soheung. Meanwhile, every four hours, prisoners' eyes and ears arrived.
Geumhochae warned that after two days, they would start sending necks instead of eyes and ears.
Just as discussions began about sending even part of the demanded ransom, a bit of good news arrived.
"Are the warriors of the Namgung family really going to help?"
"Yes."
Bang Seo-hong clenched his fists at Bang Il-sam's trembling voice.
"Truly, heaven has helped us."
Bang Seo-hong's face showed genuine delight.
Nogeuk of Geumhochae was certainly a formidable opponent.
Even with help from surrounding bureaus and sects, there was no guarantee the prisoners could be rescued safely. But with the Namgung warriors stepping in, the situation changed completely.
No matter how strong Nogeuk was, he could not match the warriors of the Namgung family. In particular, the person aiding this time was Namgung Kyung of Angcheon Ancient Sword, a renowned figure in the martial world, ranked in the top thirty of the Martial Records of the Top Hundred Masters.
"So-wang hyung said they've already departed for Geumhochae."
"That fast? Ah, Yeomhwa Bureau was attacked before we were."
"Yes."
"We must hurry too. We can't be later than them. And unlike those seeking revenge, we have people we must save."
"We'll prepare immediately."
"Since Geumhochae's spies could be everywhere, preparation must be as secretive as possible."
"Yes."
As Bang Il-sam hurried away, Bang Seo-hong rose and looked at the sword on the wall.
It had been three years since he had last wielded it, but he was not retired.
"Let's ignite the final flame."
Bang Seo-hong's eyes blazed with the fighting spirit of a veteran as he grasped his sword.
"Sur-yeong Trading Company?"
Nogeuk's face lit up at the unexpected name.
"Yes. The company is quite large, so we thought it might be. And it was indeed Suryeong Trading Company."
Captain of the guards, Gwak Jeungsan, said with slight excitement.
"You caught a big one. Good work. Any casualties?"
"All five of the children were injured."
When No Geuk's expression changed slightly, Gwak Jeungsan quickly continued.
"Fortunately, none of the injuries are critical. With proper treatment, they should be fine."
"You need to be careful. Now, all I have left are you and the escort. Always keep that in mind."
No Geuk handed a cup to Gwak Jeungsan.
Receiving the cup, Gwak Jeungsan bowed in respect and downed it in one gulp.
"Anyway, since it's reached Suryong Trading Company, we can finally take proper care of things. Check the items they captured and figure out how much we can get for them. By the way, how many prisoners are there?"
"Twelve."
No Geuk, thinking the number was fewer than expected, looked at Gwak Jeungsan with a hint of doubt.
"The men guarding the caravan, as well as the laborers, resisted significantly. Moreover, seeing their comrades injured, they got excited…"
Gwak Jeungsan's face turned red, and No Geuk waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. Don't worry about the lowlifes. As long as the important ones survive, that's all that matters. Anyway, it's not just anywhere—it's Suryong Trading Company. It's a bit risky, but let's squeeze them for as much as we can."
"I'll prepare thoroughly."
No Geuk nodded at Gwak Jeungsan's confident attitude and, as if suddenly remembering something, asked:
"What about the Juhae Trading Bureau? How many times have we sent people this time?"
"The fourth time."
"So your four men have become useless, huh? And still no word from them?"
"They actually made a proposal."
"A proposal?"
No Geuk snorted and began swirling the cup he was holding.
"They say they don't currently have the means to pay the ransom we demanded. They suggest paying half first."
"Interesting. And?"
No Geuk flicked his tongue and asked rhetorically, a clear sneer on his face.
"If we send half of the prisoners first, they promise to prepare the rest of the money as quickly as possible."
"They're trying to pull a trick. Did they think we wouldn't know they asked for help from all sides to strike us? Not going to happen. I'll show them what happens when they pull such sloppy tricks."
No Geuk put down his cup, sank deep into his chair, and crossed his legs.
"Next time, send their necks instead of their eyes and ears. Let's see if they can still talk nonsense after that."
"Yes, Chaeju."
As Gwak Jeungsan was about to leave after receiving the order, No Geuk's voice rang out again.
"What's the general patrol doing?"
"They went hunting."
"Again?"
No Geuk asked, clearly incredulous.
"Yes."
"You never get tired of it, do you? You've been hunting for over ten days—surely it's time to stop. Even the elders?"
"Yes. They went along."
"Tsk tsk, so old and still out hunting. The elders, who should be tending to the young ones, are pitiful. I suppose it's good they don't make unnecessary demands."
No Geuk, who had been drinking, suddenly stopped moving and let out a hollow laugh.
"After seeing this mess, what could they possibly demand?"
Feeling a weight on his chest, No Geuk took a slow, deep breath.
Even with time passing, he could hardly get used to seeing the mountain stronghold he had spent his life building reduced to ashes.