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Chapter 223
Chapter 223. The Invited Uninvited Guest
The war between the Murim Alliance and the Blood Cult in Sichuan had unexpectedly dragged on, and famine had broken out due to drought spreading across Hebei, Henan, and Shaanxi with Shanxi Province at its center. As a result, the economy of the entire martial world began to slow.
Escort Agencies and merchant guilds that had conducted trade on a nationwide scale could not endure the deficits brought on by the slowing economy, and in the end, they began withdrawing their Branches.
Naturally, the people who had worked at those Branches were left in an already difficult situation with nothing to do but suck their fingers.
In the midst of all this, one merchant guild in Anhui Province began posting recruitment notices every day, absorbing those who had been left sucking their fingers.
Е n̂.ǔ m а
That merchant guild was none other than the Great Heaven Merchant Guild operated by the Taeul Sect.
The Great Heaven Merchant Guild, which had originally managed its business conservatively, began distributing the rice and grain it had accumulated in its enormous warehouses to Jiangbei and Jiangxi. With that, it entered an unexpected golden age, and even after hiring and hiring again, it reached the point where it still lacked hands.
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Even the rice merchants of each region, who were known for their strong exclusivity, welcomed the expansion of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild, which had piled up an enormous amount of grain, as if they had run out in their split-toed socks.
Once a Branch was established, the amount of goods distributed naturally increased along with it, so it was not uncommon for rice merchants, who were famous for having heavy backsides, to visit Anhui Province on their own feet.
Of course, Jin Tae-san, who had spent his entire life as the Hall Master of the Taeul Sect’s Outer Hall, had not stockpiled rice because he had made some extraordinary prediction.
It was simply because Jin So-un, who had first wrung the Azure Sky Merchant Guild from the Namgung Clan, had wanted the merchant guild to be managed conservatively.
Ӗ num̀ а̄. і̀ d̀
Building warehouses with what little wealth they had, then stockpiling goods and accumulated inventory to run the business, was not especially helpful to the merchant guild’s profits. But Wang Geum-san, who gave advice, actually welcomed this policy of Jin So-un’s.
Wang Geum-san, who had been moving his brush, stared at Jin Tae-san.
“You really are enviable. Thanks to your fine son, you get to handle such large sums of money, do you not?”
Thanks to that, while other merchant guilds were continuing temporary closures, curling up as much as possible, and taking a rest, Jin Tae-san had become the very incarnation of a Giant Panda and continued working.
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“I suppose so. Still, that is not something you should be saying, Estate Master Wang. Thanks to your clever daughter, are you not handling even more money than I am?”
Jin Tae-san’s office, which had originally been so full of piled-up documents that there was no place to set foot, had at some point turned into a space where countless people bustled in and out as they worked.
Ẅèb ń о v̇ѐ l E ñ uḿȧ_
And in the seat beside him, Wang Geum-san, too, had become the incarnation of a Giant Panda like Jin Tae-san and was working.
Wang Geum-san scowled deeply.
“How is this because of my daughter? It is all because of that damn son of yours.”
“Ha! So you have finally given my son, whom you cherished so much, the epithet of ‘damn.’”
The Great Heaven Merchant Guild, which had received the right to distribute goods from the Murim Alliance’s Branch in Anhui Province, shared an amount of goods it could not handle alone with Wang Estate.
Because of that, their already close relationship became even closer, and Wang Geum-san simply bought up land around the original Great Heaven Merchant Guild as quickly as he could and built a shared office.
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Moreover, due to all sorts of recent disastrous problems, the distribution of goods in nearby provinces had run into trouble. The Great Heaven Merchant Guild and Wang Estate, which had originally handled only the Murim Alliance’s Anhui Province region, had expanded their influence and spread their distribution network to Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang as well.
Because this was the reality of things, even if they hired people and kept hiring people, they still lacked hands, and no matter how much work they did, the work never ended.
“Ah! How about this? I will give you all the rights to the facilities we invested in together. In return, just give us one-tenth of the profits.”
Compared to the distribution profits currently being generated around Anhui Province, this was a condition that would mean accepting an enormous loss, but Jin Tae-san firmly shook his head.
“The Great Heaven Merchant Guild does not suck another person’s lifeblood.”
“Damn it! Show some greed! You are young!”
Ӗ ń u ḿ а . і̊d̊
“Estate Master, are you not also not that old?”
After cutting off trade with Mount Hua and Diancang, Wang Estate’s family fortunes had wavered, but by developing a new distribution network in the west, it had recovered its former prosperity once again.
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Through trade with the Murim Alliance and the distribution of rice, it had now expanded to the level of influencing all of Jiangnan and Jiangbei.
At this rate, in a few years, it might be called not one of the Three Great Merchant Guilds under Heaven, but the greatest merchant guild under heaven.
Yet rather than joy, a deep shadow lay over Wang Geum-san’s face.
“This is not the old age I wanted!”
Ёň ŭ ṁа̌
“If a man lives only once, is it not natural for him to hold the ambition to conquer all under heaven?”
“I am better suited to spending my time quietly watching my grandchildren!”
Jin Tae-san raised his voice, unwilling to lose.
“Do you think I am any different? Why must I, a born martial artist, be doing paperwork like this?”
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“Hmph! I have heard that you showed no martial talent from the beginning.”
“W-what nonsense are you……! I am the father of Jin So-un, whose name now resounds throughout the world! Do you think a tiger can be born from a dogggg?!”
Ẃе̇b̈ńо̆ v̈ѐl̇ Е n ǔm̊ а
The two heads of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild and Wang Estate were shouting and arguing at each other, but the employees moving around them merely shook their heads and did not try to stop them.
They were only paying close attention to whether the two men stopped moving their brushes while fighting.
The moment the two men’s brushes stopped, their overtime would be confirmed.
After venting their grievances for quite a while, the two men soon ran out of energy and lowered their voices.
“I hear your son went to Shanxi Province this time?”
“Why are you suddenly distancing yourself? Usually, you call him ‘our So-un’ so much.”
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Jin Tae-san snorted, but still answered the question.
“I heard he went this time as part of the Murim Alliance’s Envoy Delegation.”
“Does it make any sense for a mere Academy Student to be included in an Envoy Delegation?”
“Well, when has that brat ever moved within the bounds of common sense?”
Wang Geum-san stroked his chin with his hand and said,
“Hmm…… If he is going because of the rumor that he is close to the Black Path, there may be trouble.”
Ẁ èb ñ ò v̂ е̇ l̂ Ĕ n um̈ а̌
Jin Tae-san abruptly stopped his brush.
“Why is that?”
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No matter how much one disliked him, a child was still one’s child.
Wang Geum-san cleared his throat with a “Kheum,” then whispered,
“Keep that brush moving. Are the other employees not looking this way? In any case…… politics is like that, is it not? Even a small flaw can be interpreted in an exaggerated way.”
“Hmm…… Then are you saying that brat’s path to success might be blocked from now on?”
Ēñu m̌ã
“It could be impeded.”
“That is good news.”
“Hm?”
This time, Wang Geum-san’s brush stopped.
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It was an astonishing thing to hear from a father, who should never cease wishing for his child’s wealth and glory.
Jin Tae-san shrugged and spoke calmly.
Е̄ ň_ů m̈а . і d́
“That brat’s rise has to stop for my work to decrease, does it not?”
“…….”
“And from the beginning, I have no desire to grow the merchant guild into something huge. As long as the people of the Taeul Sect do not go hungry, that is enough.”
Though he said that, Wang Geum-san knew.
He knew the fact that Jin Tae-san worried about Jin So-un more than anyone else.
Even now, look at him.
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After hearing that trouble might arise for Jin So-un, had that already Giant Panda-like face not turned as dark as a brown bear?
Wang Geum-san gave him comfort with the warmest gaze he could manage.
“Do not worry. Is he not a clever child? He will get through it well.”
“…….”
Had Wang Geum-san’s consolation helped?
Jin Tae-san, who had been hunched like a sinner, raised his head.
W̄ ё ḃ ṅ о̌ v́ӗĺ Ӗ n̆u mа̄
“Move your brush again. Stop trying to slack off.”
“…….”
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In truth, I did not care much about how I went up and down in people’s gossip.
In my previous life, no matter what I did, there was not even a chance for me to go up and down in people’s gossip.
I had even once pissed myself during battle, but that did not become controversial.
Nevertheless, I did not like how my reputation in this life kept getting smeared with the Black Path.
Еn ŭm̄ а̀. і̊ď
I already disliked my epithet enough, yet because of ridiculous rumors about being the Joint Successor of the Black Path Alliance or whatever, lunatics kept clinging to me, did they not?
In truth, I had a gentle heart closer to the Righteous Faction than anyone else!
Just look at now.
Was I not the only one taking care of the trembling Cart Hands?
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Ever since we entered Gakmun Stronghold’s territory, the Cart Hands’ anxiety had grown visibly greater.
“They say Gakmun Stronghold is the most vicious in Shanxi Province, right?”
Еn̂ ŭ m̊ а̃
“Is that all? I hear they also have the most people.”
“Phew…… If I knew this would happen, I would have at least left a will before coming.”
Every Escort Run carried danger, but for them, who had not felt such a great burden or threat until now, it was naturally an extremely uneasy situation.
I reassured them and said,
“You do not have to worry too much.”
“Pardon?”
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It would be perfect if I even smiled gently at those looking at me with their round, clustered eyes.
Where could there be a Black Path fellow with the word “goodness” written on his face like this?
“If a battle breaks out, you only need to stay as close to me as possible. Then at the very least, you will not die or be seriously injured.”
“…….”
Even while trembling, the Cart Hands nodded hard.
Just then.
Е ñ u m.а . іd̆
“What is your reason for going out of your way to look after them?”
Blood Battle, who had been tilting his head crookedly beside me, asked.
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“What do you mean?”
“They are just Cart Hands, are they not? I heard you only met them for the first time during this Escort Run.”
Haa. Well, of course this would be difficult to understand from the perspective of Black Path trash with a pitch-black heart.
I answered with a benevolent expression.
E n ŭḿ_а_. і̆d̄
“A chivalrous hero naturally realizes justice anytime and anywhere.”
“……A chivalrous hero?”
Is this man trying to pick a fight right now?
If he keeps this up, even if he is Blood Battle, there is a limit to how much I can endure.
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“I have heard more than one or two rumors about you. Usually, when rumors of that scale spread, there are two possibilities. Either only part of them is true, or they have been exaggerated.”
“Why are you leaving out the possibility that all of them are false?”
Е̌ n ǔ mȧ .і̌ d̄
“Have you ever seen smoke rise from a chimney that has not been lit?”
Come now, of course there is such a thing!
There is a perfectly clear example called me, is there not?
“Then I want to ask you one thing. Why did you tell us to go this way? Was it because you wanted to fight Gakmun Stronghold?”
“With the likes of Gakmun Stronghold? What fun would there be for me in fighting them?”
“Then what was your reason for choosing this road, when it was obvious there would be damage?”
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Blood Battle narrowed his eyes and answered,
“I wanted to see how you and the Envoy Delegation would respond.”
“What the fuck did you say?”
“……Did you just curse?”
Goodness, what an absurd thing to hear. My inner thoughts came out before I knew it.
“My apologies. My true feelings slipped out without my realizing it…… But is that really the only reason?”
Wē b̃n̊о̃v е l̃ Е̂n̄ ũm̊а
“What reason would I have to go this way other than that?”
“…….”
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Blood Battle asked as though he was the one who found it strange.
There was much I wanted to say, but talking to a madman would only make my head hurt more, would it not?
I simply closed my mouth.
Gakmun Stronghold seemed likely to appear soon.
Е̊n u̇ṁа̂. і̃ď.
The road heading toward the mountainside began to narrow strangely.
The escorts, who had been moving as if guarding both sides around the carriage, naturally had no choice but to move to the front and rear, and the length of the Traveling Party stretched out on its own.
If the road was made this narrow, it became easy to attack from the high gorges on either side.
Most Green Forest Strongholds used this method when collecting tolls.
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Though no one gave a signal, everyone knew that Green Forest Bandits would soon appear.
I adjusted my grip on my sword and checked the positions of the Cart Hands at the same time.
Еn̊u mа̊
After we had walked a little farther like that.
“Waaaaaaaah!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The mountain ridge rang loudly, and shouts echoed from every direction.
At the same time, not only the top of the gorge, but also the road ahead and behind us filled with crowds of people.
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Usually, when Green Forest Bandits collected tolls, only a few people blocked the road. But perhaps because they knew we were martial artists, they seemed to have dragged in every person they had.
Or they might have known that we were the Murim Alliance’s Envoy Delegation.
“Greetings. Sangbang Escort Agency offers its respects to the Mountain Lord.”
“Welcome. I am Son Ho-bang of Gakmun Stronghold.”
Normally, after they exchanged greetings like this and the escort handed over the toll, it was customary for the Green Forest Bandits to open the road. But when the escort did not move, Son Ho-bang’s brow furrowed.
“Do you not intend to pass through?”
Е̃n̊ūm a. іd̀
“That is……”
The escort read Ak Byeong-bi’s mood.
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Then Ak Byeong-bi stepped forward.
“Green Forest Bandits, listen! We are the Murim Alliance’s Envoy Delegation, and we are carrying out the Alliance’s affairs. Open the road.”
“The Murim Alliance?”
“An Envoy Delegation?”
Ŵ е bnо̊ṽе̂_l Е̊ n̊ u m а
At Ak Byeong-bi’s words, the voices of the Green Forest Bandits murmuring could be heard.
“Ha! Green Forest Bandits, is it…….”
However.
Unlike the ordinary Green Forest Bandits, who were flustered, Son Ho-bang, who stood as their representative, did not seem to care very much.
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No, he instead showed displeasure that Ak Byeong-bi had not referred to them as Mountain Lords.
Son Ho-bang took one step forward and growled.
W̆ еb ǹо.ve l̄ En ü m̌ȧ
“If it is the Murim Alliance, then it is the Murim Alliance. So what?”
“What?”
“This is the mountain of Gakmun Stronghold. If you want to pass, pay money.”
Ak Byeong-bi did not easily back down either.
“Do you dare call a mountain you have illegally occupied your own property?”
“If you do not like that, then leave your cargo behind and go.”
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Schwing.
As if there was nothing more to hear, Son Ho-bang drew his saber, and the bandits spread throughout the gorge each began raising their weapons.
The members of the Envoy Delegation also began preparing for battle one after another.
Flame Ghost Consort and Blood Battle, who had been watching with interest as if curious what the Envoy Delegation would do, also slowly began drawing up their inner arts.
Ak Byeong-bi warned in a low voice,
“If you do not move aside, much blood will be shed.”
W̌ӗ b nоv̇_ӗ ĺ _Е.n u m а̌
“We shall see whose blood flows. Boys!”
As soon as Son Ho-bang shouted, boulders began falling behind the Traveling Party.
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The boulders that tumbled down quickly blocked our retreat, and in an instant, we became rats in a jar.
‘This will be harder than expected.’
The gorge was too high, and there were more members of the Green Forest Stronghold than I had expected.
At this rate, someone might be killed or injured by a stray weapon.
W е̂ b n ò_vel̃ Е n̆u_m̀ а̇
‘Damn it…….’
The tension was stretching taut.
No matter who looked at it, this was a situation where a clash between both sides could be foreseen.
I quickly climbed onto the carriage and took position.
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Instead of dealing with the Green Forest Bandits, I would have to protect the Cart Hands.
As if announcing the beginning of battle, Son Ho-bang raised his hand high.
Ẽň û m̆а̊
“Gakmun Stronghold, immediately seize those bastards……!”
However.
He suddenly stopped speaking while giving the order.
The Green Forest Bandits, who had been preparing to leap out at any moment, flinched one by one and froze in place.
‘What is it?’
Despite the fact that we had revealed the name of the Murim Alliance, Son Ho-bang, who had been intent on battle, somehow seemed to be looking at me.
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“……You there!”
Son Ho-bang’s finger pointed in this direction.
Could he be calling me?
I was puzzled only briefly.
“……Are you truly the Black Flame Dragon?”
Son Ho-bang called my damned epithet.
Еǹ uḿӑ.
Damn it. Why is that epithet coming up here again?
When I nodded with a reluctant expression, Son Ho-bang’s face hardened.
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“Are you truly the Black Flame Dragon, Stronghold Master of Black Dragon Stronghold and Flower Garland Stronghold?”
No, fuck, why is that story suddenly coming up here?
The Envoy Delegation and Blood Battle’s party, who had been preparing for battle with tense expressions until just now, also looked at me with dumbfounded faces.
I answered while doing my best to ignore all the gazes gathered on me.
Eṅu m̊ã .ì d̊
“I thought you would be older after hearing that you subdued Flower Garland Stronghold, but you are younger than I expected…….”
No, I’m telling you, this is a misunderstanding.
Then Son Ho-bang asked cautiously,
“Have you perhaps come to apply for the Mountain King Contest?”
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“That is not the case. I was simply passing by and happened to stop here by chance.”
“I see……?”
Е̊ń um̊ а_
Son Ho-bang turned his head to one side and moved his lips.
Then he nodded and said,
“We cannot very well receive a toll from a comrade of the same Green Forest Stronghold. Open the road!”
I told you I’m not!
I am not your comrade, so hurry up and start the battle!
Contrary to my wishes, the Green Forest Bandits, who had been gripping their weapons, began putting them away one by one.
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Soon, Son Ho-bang and the others who had been blocking the road opened a path on both sides.
Then he said to me,
“I have been listening closely to the rumors about the Path of the Fighting King that the Green Dragon is carrying out in Jiangnan. Please tell him that our Gakmun Stronghold is ready to accept a challenge at any time.”
“…….”
Gakmun Stronghold truly did nothing until our Traveling Party passed through.
Some even waved their hands after we passed.
Wеb ǹov̂еl̃ Еn̆ü m̊ ȧ
Somehow, we had passed through Gakmun Stronghold peacefully, without battle or tolls, but the atmosphere of the Traveling Party grew even more awkward.
Through the silent atmosphere, Blood Battle’s voice flew toward me.
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“……A chiiivalrous hero? What chivalrous hero in the world owns two Mountain Strongholds?”
For the first time, Blood Battle spoke with an expression of utter disbelief.
“…….”
Despite Blood Battle’s sarcasm, I had nothing to say in response.
Е̌ ṅu m̊ а̂
No, to be precise, it would be more accurate to say that Ak Byeong-bi’s gaze was so sharp it stung, so I could not bring myself to open my mouth.
Damn it.
To think I would be caught in Shanxi for something I had not even been caught for in Sichuan.
This time, a bright voice that did not fit the atmosphere flew over.
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“Ooh! Then are you a bandit chief? Then can I become a bandit chief too?”
Dang Seo-hui, who had been obsessed with playing chivalrous hero until the day before, had at some point changed her future dream to bandit chief.
Е́ňūmа́
“……No. It is not like that.”
“I am curious. How did you become a Stronghold Master?”
I don’t know either. I just became a Stronghold Master one day…….
It’s true.
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