Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 88

The tense atmosphere that had been building at the inn dissipated rather anticlimactically. The warriors from the Saemyeong School departed, leaving Hwa-rin and Dong-chun to sit facing each other, recounting the events of the day the Fierce Tiger Death Squad was attacked.

“If there hadn’t been an inside accomplice, they couldn’t have pinpointed and attacked our base in the trade city with such precision,” Dong-chun said, his voice laced with frustration.

Hwa-rin frowned. “I heard the Yongchin Royal Palace attacked the Fierce Tiger Death Squad out of jealousy, because they couldn’t stand the Heungchin Royal Palace’s growing power.”

“I don’t know about that,” Dong-chun replied, shaking his head. “The ambush was too perfect. If Senior Nang-gung Su-yeon hadn’t been there, we might have all died on the spot.”

Hwa-rin’s eyes widened slightly. “Nang-gung Su-yeon?”

“Yes. Senior Nang-gung Su-yeon created an escape route, allowing the squad members to get out,” Dong-chun explained.

“What about Su-yeon?” Hwa-rin pressed, her voice tight with concern.

“I don’t know. She stayed behind and fought them to the end. She probably couldn’t handle it alone in that situation,” Dong-chun said, his voice dropping.

Hwa-rin’s expression hardened. “Couldn’t handle it… So, you’re saying she’s dead.”

“I think that’s probably what happened,” Dong-chun mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

In a flash, Hwa-rin’s hand connected with the back of Dong-chun’s head with a resounding thwack!

The sound echoed through the inn, and Dong-chun, unable to withstand the force, toppled sideways onto the floor.

“You son of a bitch!” Hwa-rin shouted, her voice filled with fury. “You couldn’t protect a woman and left her behind? What did you do after you came to your senses?”

Dong-chun rubbed his head, wincing in pain. “I’m sorry, Hwa-rin.”

“What are you wincing for, like you did something right!” Hwa-rin snapped. Dong-chun smoothed out his face and offered a weak smile.

“I regret the years I spent trying to save you guys, you bastard,” Hwa-rin muttered, turning away.

“I’m sorry. I was too flustered,” Dong-chun repeated, his voice barely audible.

Hwa-rin sighed. “How are you going to navigate this harsh Murim [martial arts world] with that kind of mentality?”

Hwa-rin clicked her tongue and shook her head. “So, you don’t know about the other squad members either?”

“That’s right. We were scattered, so I don’t know where they went. But if they’re alive, wouldn’t they have returned home or to their sects [martial arts clans]?”

Hwa-rin snorted. “Where would those guys who caused trouble in Murim have to return to?”

The Fierce Tiger Death Squad was a haven for those who had achieved a certain level of martial arts prowess, but mostly they were hiding from the authorities after causing trouble in the martial world.

People like Hwa-rin and Nang-gung Su-yeon, who joined the Fierce Tiger Death Squad for personal reasons, were extremely rare.

“It’ll be tiring if those guys come out to Murim and cause trouble. There were a lot of guys from the 邪派 [heretical or unorthodox sects],” Hwa-rin said, her brow furrowed.

Dong-chun, who had been wearing an uncharacteristically somber expression, watched Hwa-rin worry about the Murim and then asked, “By the way, where does Squad Leader have her base? I don’t think Squad Leader would be under someone else’s command.”

Hwa-rin shrugged. “Me? I’m at the Guryong Stronghold in Shanxi.”

“The Guryong Stronghold in Shanxi?” Dong-chun repeated, surprised. “Are you talking about the Guryong Stronghold where they’re building a gambling den called Guryong Tower?”

“Yeah. Why? Can’t I be at the Guryong Stronghold?” Hwa-rin asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s not that… Ah, so that’s why things have been so quiet. The flies aren’t swarming around because Squad Leader is at the Guryong Stronghold,” Dong-chun said, realization dawning on his face.

He had heard rumors about the Guryong Stronghold and expected constant incidents and accidents, but he now understood why it had been unexpectedly peaceful.

Dong-chun knew all too well that even the best martial artists in Murim had to risk their lives to fight Hwa-rin.

“I don’t know who the Guryong Stronghold Lord is, but it seems they’ve hired someone really well,” Dong-chun mused.

Hwa-rin tilted her head. “Who hired whom?”

“The Guryong Stronghold Lord hired Squad Leader,” Dong-chun clarified.

Hwa-rin nodded slowly. “It’s easier to think that way. We’ll need a few more experts when the Guryong Tower opens for business. Do you know anyone?”

“I haven’t made any friends since I left the military. And our sect is a second-rate sect, so the experts don’t even look at us,” Dong-chun admitted.

“Really? Then it’ll take you a little longer to make a name for yourself,” Hwa-rin said.

Dong-chun nodded. Making a name for oneself in Murim was no easy feat.

“Then you’re no help. Just take good care of my uncle’s inn. If you neglect it under the excuse of being busy, you’re as good as dead. Got it?” Hwa-rin warned.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility and make sure nothing happens,” Dong-chun assured her.

“You’re just full of hot air. How can I trust you?” Hwa-rin said, her eyes narrowed.

“Please trust me,” Dong-chun pleaded.

Hwa-rin looked at him with a dubious expression before finally nodding. “No. Should I train you guys?”

At those words, Dong-chun trembled as if struck by lightning. But his body’s reaction and his answer came out in the opposite way.

“I’ll work hard,” he said, forcing a smile.

* * *

“The supplies coming from Yunnan were robbed in the middle?” Hwa Jeong-su asked, his voice dangerously low.

“I’m sorry,” the chief escort stammered, bowing his head deeply.

“Who did it?” Hwa Jeong-su demanded.

“The accent wasn’t that of a Central Plains person. It sounded like a tribesman from Myogang, south of Yunnan, but I’m not sure,” the chief escort replied, fear evident in his voice.

Hwa Jeong-su wanted to beat him to death right then and there, but he restrained himself and asked again, “Myogang guys?”

“They were wearing masks, so there’s no way to confirm. But the accent was closer to Myogang than the Central Plains,” the chief escort repeated.

“I clearly hired Murim experts to protect it. Just who did you find…?” Hwa Jeong-su muttered, more to himself than to the escort.

“We hired Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol, one of the Murim Hundred Great Masters, and thirty warriors who followed him,” the chief escort said, hoping to mitigate Hwa Jeong-su’s anger.

Hwa Jeong-su’s eyes widened. “Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol? You’re saying the grain was stolen even with him there?”

“Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol fought with the leader of the attackers, but he was killed in one exchange. Even Lee Cheon-su couldn’t withstand his attack,” the chief escort explained, his voice trembling.

Hwa Jeong-su was so surprised that he was speechless.

Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol was a master of palm techniques, and his strength was well-known throughout Murim. Hwa Jeong-su found it hard to believe that he had been defeated so easily.

After a moment of stunned silence, Hwa Jeong-su narrowed his eyes and let out a low, menacing growl.

Since a Murim Hundred Great Master had died without even landing a blow, he couldn’t simply blame those who had abandoned the grain and fled.

‘It must be the doing of Dongseo-dok of the Yeongcheon Merchant Group!’ Hwa Jeong-su thought, his mind racing.

Dongseo-dok, who had offered to exchange a portion of the mine and grain transportation rights, was now targeting him with underhanded tactics because he had refused the deal.

‘If I stay still like this, I might get eaten alive. I’ll have to load the grain obtained from Guizhou and Guangxi and go to Hae-yeom-hyeon in Jeollanam-do, where the supply depot of the Palroseo Army is located. After delivering it there, I’ll talk to the Jeongcheon Alliance and crush that Dongseo-dok,’ Hwa Jeong-su resolved.

Hwa Jeong-su decided to address the immediate crisis first. He believed he could weather the storm if he secured the military supply contract with the Palroseo Army, which was his biggest source of income, and then obtained grain from the Traviel Kingdom to supply his remaining customers.

“You go to Hobeok with the escorts and tell the branch manager to prepare food for us and wait,” Hwa Jeong-su instructed the chief escort.

“I understand,” the chief escort replied.

The instruction to prepare food and wait meant that they would travel directly to Gangseo-seong, considered the starting point of the Yangtze River, without stopping along the way.

This was because the risk of the grain being stolen again was too high if they stopped. The deal with the Palroseo Army was crucial, and they couldn’t afford to lose the grain this time.

“Just in case, tell them to prepare food and control the dock so that unauthorized people can’t access it,” Hwa Jeong-su added.

“I understand,” the chief escort confirmed.

“Leave now,” Hwa Jeong-su ordered.

The chief escort hurriedly left Sichuan Hoju and headed for Hobeok. After he departed, Hwa Jeong-su left the room.

He had rented the entire inn of the Hwamyeong Merchant Group in Sichuan Hoju, ensuring his lodging and meals were secure from outside interference.

Hwa Jeong-su soon went to the detached building of the inn and spoke politely and carefully. “Great Hero Ho Joong-san, I’m sorry to disturb you while you’re resting, but I’ve come because I have something urgent to tell you.”

Jinmyeong Sword Ho Joong-san!

He was another of the Murim Hundred Great Masters, a warrior renowned for his swordsmanship. His unique style, Jinmyeong Twelve Swords, was considered an absolute in Murim, and he was known as Jinmyeong Sword because the sword’s name was invoked with every movement.

Although both were among the Murim Hundred Great Masters, Jinmyeong Sword Ho Joong-san was considered slightly superior to Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol.

“Come in,” a voice said from inside the detached building.

Hwa Jeong-su carefully entered the room. Dealing with someone of the Murim Hundred Great Masters’ stature was always a delicate matter.

Hwa Jeong-su’s actions reflected the fear that merchants held for Murim figures.

Ho Joong-san was about the same age as Hwa Jeong-su, but he exuded a sharp energy, like a well-honed sword. His demeanor was so cold that it was difficult to approach him.

“What’s going on?” Ho Joong-san asked, his voice sharp.

“Actually, the grain that was supposed to come here from Yunnan…” Hwa Jeong-su began.

“It seems there’s a problem there,” Ho Joong-san interrupted, his expression unchanging.

“That’s right. I received word that the grain was stolen,” Hwa Jeong-su confirmed.

“Hmm…” Ho Joong-san grunted.

“It would be a problem even if the grain was simply stolen, but we had asked Great Hero Tongcheonjang Bae Yun-geol to protect it,” Hwa Jeong-su added, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

“You’re saying it was stolen even with Bae Yun-geol there?” Ho Joong-san asked, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

A subtle change occurred in Ho Joong-san’s expression, which had remained composed until then.

“According to the chief escort who escaped, he didn’t even manage to exchange a blow,” Hwa Jeong-su said.

Ho Joong-san looked at Hwa Jeong-su with disbelief, and Hwa Jeong-su nodded to confirm that he was telling the truth.

“Who on earth? Did even one of the Ten Great Masters come?” Ho Joong-san wondered aloud.

“I don’t think so. Their accent was said to be closer to the tribesmen of Myogang than the people of the Central Plains,” Hwa Jeong-su replied.

At the mention of Myogang, Ho Joong-san paused, lost in thought. He was trying to recall if there was anyone among the Myogang people he knew who could kill Bae Yun-geol in a single exchange.

‘Myogang is now under the influence of the Honse tribe. Even Rahan, the best warrior of the Honse tribe, can’t kill Bae Yun-geol in one exchange,’ Ho Joong-san mused.

“If that person comes here and targets the grain, I thought he might fight Great Hero Ho Joong-san, so I came to inform you,” Hwa Jeong-su said, bowing slightly.

“Ah, thank you. But don’t worry. He probably took advantage of Bae Yun-geol’s carelessness and ambushed him with all his might,” Ho Joong-san said, dismissing Hwa Jeong-su’s concerns. “He wouldn’t do anything so foolish. Don’t worry.”

Hwa Jeong-su hid his true feelings and bowed his head before leaving the detached building, grumbling under his breath. “Damn it, I’m an employee, but instead of treating me well, he treats me like a servant…”

Not having power meant enduring many unfair situations.

That’s why he was working hard to learn martial arts and searching for a first-class or ultimate martial arts manual by any means possible.

Hwa Jeong-su considered returning to his room at the inn, but he decided to check on the grain storage area just in case.

The amount of grain was so large that it couldn’t all fit in the warehouse, so grain sacks were piled up in the open space behind the warehouse.

Fortunately, the grain seemed secure, as the warriors on guard were diligently protecting it without a moment’s rest.

“Have you come?” one of the guards asked.

“You’re working hard. I know it’s difficult. I’ll make sure to compensate you generously, so please work a little harder,” Hwa Jeong-su said, offering encouragement.

“We’re guarding without resting for twelve hours. So, the grain will not be stolen,” the guard assured him.

“The grain that was coming from Yunnan was robbed by strangers. So, wouldn’t I be more worried?” Hwa Jeong-su said, his voice laced with anxiety.

“From Yunnan?” the guard repeated.

“That’s right. To be honest, my heart is burning and my blood is running dry,” Hwa Jeong-su confessed.

“We will protect the grain no matter what. So, please don’t worry. Great Elder Ho Joong-san is also here, so they won’t be able to target the grain,” the guard reassured him.

“The grain coming from Guangxi will arrive in two days. We’ll load it onto the ship then, so please take good care of it until then,” Hwa Jeong-su said.

The warriors, seeing Hwa Jeong-su’s plea for help, seemed to understand the difficulties he was facing.

“Please take care of it,” Hwa Jeong-su said, bowing his head slightly.