Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 118

Nine Dragons War Diary (118)

“They say the Nine Dragons Guild has rejected our proposal.”

Cheongmyeong, the branch leader of the Jeongcheon Alliance’s Shanxi Province branch, informed Yong Dusan, the chief inspector dispatched from the Jeongcheon Alliance to Shanxi Province, about the news from the Mount Hua Sect.

The Jeongcheon Alliance, along with Chief Inspector Yong Dusan, had sent the Azure Dragon Unit, one of the Alliance’s military forces, to Shanxi Province to closely monitor the reactions of the Blood Oath Alliance and the Nine Dragons Guild.

The Blood Oath Alliance had already informed the Jeongcheon Alliance that the Nine Dragons Guild was responsible for this incident and warned that if they intervened, a war between the righteous and the unorthodox factions could erupt.

In response, the Jeongcheon Alliance had suggested that the Nine Dragons Guild join them, intending to receive a portion of the Nine Dragons Inn’s income if they agreed. However, the Nine Dragons Guild rejected this offer, informing the Jeongcheon Alliance through Hwayoung, an elder of the Mount Hua Sect, that they would fight the Blood Oath Alliance.

“I wonder what gives the Nine Dragons Guild the nerve to make such a decision. I heard that the former commander and members of the Black Tortoise Unit are under the Nine Dragons Guild’s protection.”

“That’s right. From what I’ve heard, the Black Tortoise Unit was involved when the Nine Dragons Guild attacked the Eumsa Gate. Ah, they’re called the Nine Dragons Elite Unit now.”

“Nine Dragons Elite Unit?”

“Yes, you can think of them as the Nine Dragons Guild’s combat unit.”

“How many are there?”

“I believe there are thirteen, including Commander Hyeok Ji-seok.”

“All twelve members of the Black Tortoise Unit have joined then.”

“In fact, aren’t the Four Gods Units so tightly knit that they might as well be each commander’s personal troops?”

The Four Gods Units—the main force of the Jeongcheon Alliance, namely the White Tiger, Azure Dragon, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird Units—had spent a long time under their respective commanders, sharing life and death. Thus, the members were exceptionally loyal.

Of course, there were some with rebellious tendencies, but most members wanted to remain with their commanders, a fact well known within the Jeongcheon Alliance.

“Still, it’s surprising that they all transferred to follow a *failed* commander.”

“That’s one of Commander Hyeok Ji-seok’s strengths. He’s someone who cares deeply about his subordinates.”

Yong Dusan briefly thought of Seok Ji-seok and then nodded.

“Besides them?”

“I know that the Nine Dragons Guild Leader and the Chief Manager have learned some martial arts. And there are eight people who protect the safety of the Nine Dragons Guild’s businesses. I also heard that they recently hired martial artists to guard the Nine Dragons Inn, so there will be about fifty people.”

“So there are about eighty people who can fight.”

“That’s true, but if a fight breaks out with the Blood Oath Alliance, most of them will desert. Only the Nine Dragons Elite Unit led by Hyeok Ji-seok will actually fight.”

“But they *still* rejected our offer? Is there something they’re relying on?”

“I don’t know. But according to our investigation, there is no one else to help the Nine Dragons Guild.”

“What about the Mount Hua Sect and the Jongnam Sect?”

“They are friendly with the Nine Dragons Guild, but considering the relationship between the Alliance and the Blood Oath Alliance, they won’t be able to intervene.”

“I really can’t figure it out. What are they relying on to reject our offer? They must know that they will be destroyed if they fight the Blood Oath Alliance.”

Chief Inspector Yong Dusan wore a completely clueless expression.

“Do they have a hidden card?”

* * *

The attention of the *murim* [martial arts world] was focused on the conflict between the Blood Oath Alliance and the Nine Dragons Guild. It became the biggest concern of the *murim* since the destruction of the Baegyo Sect thirty years ago, attracting the attention of not only the *murim* but also other worlds, namely Sangrim, Seorim, Gwanrim, and even the military.

“These days, the world is buzzing because of the Ninth Imperial Prince’s Nine Dragons Guild.”

“Isn’t it because there are too many thieves in the world?”

Hwa-rin was meeting with Yi Do-baek, the lord of Shanxi Province.

“Is it that a large group called the Blood Oath Alliance is trying to take what belongs to the Ninth Imperial Prince?”

“Those underlings tried to take my things, but I defeated them instead. Now, the ones above them have come forward to take revenge, but in fact, revenge is just an excuse. Their real goal is the Nine Dragons Inn.”

“The Nine Dragons Inn?”

“They think the profits from the gambling house will be high, so they are coveting it. The *murim* is divided into the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic sects, and they all need money to increase their power.”

Yi Do-baek nodded, understanding Hwa-rin’s words, and asked, “But does the Ninth Imperial Prince still intend to continue operating the Nine Dragons Inn? Aren’t all the profits from the Nine Dragons Inn being used for the sake of Shanxi Province?”

As far as Yi Do-baek knew, that was the case.

“Of course. This is what I was aiming for when I started this.”

Yi Do-baek wore an expression that showed he didn’t fully understand, even though he knew the facts.

“I have a favor to ask of the Lord.”

“What favor are you going to ask?”

“If I fight the Blood Oath Alliance, I think I’ll have to empty the estate [referring to the Nine Dragons Guild headquarters and related properties].”

“The estate?”

“Yes. Then the Blood Oath Alliance might attack my businesses.”

“That’s right.”

“Other businesses can be repaired if they are destroyed, but if the Nine Dragons Inn is destroyed, the loss will be significant.”

“So?”

“Until the fight between me and the Blood Oath Alliance is over, please send government troops to protect it.”

“Government troops?”

“Yes. You don’t need to send many. Just send about ten people and let it be known that a high-ranking official is staying at the Nine Dragons Inn.”

“Hmm, you mean to suppress the Blood Oath Alliance’s actions with rumors.”

“That’s right. Surely they won’t try to burn it down or break in and kill people when there is a high-ranking official present.”

“In that case, I will go there to work, rest, and gamble occasionally.”

“You don’t have to come in person.”

“The Nine Dragons Inn is owned by the Ninth Imperial Prince, but in a way, isn’t it a key business that is operated for the development of Shanxi Province?”

It was a bit funny that a gambling house was of great help to the economy, but in reality, the profits from the Nine Dragons Inn in Shanxi Province were being used for road construction, repairing the city walls, and constructing old buildings. So, it was not wrong to say that it was one of the key businesses, as Yi Do-baek said.

“It would be a great help if you thought so.”

“But no matter how I think about it, isn’t it too dangerous? The Blood Oath Alliance is one of the organizations that dominates the *murim*.”

From the perspective of the lord of Shanxi Province, Hwa-rin’s life and death were not a big problem, but it *would* be a problem if he died in Shanxi Province.

Although the emperor did not seem to care about his life and death, as if he had abandoned his son, Yi Do-baek knew that the emperor was paying attention, simply by giving Hwa-rin the identity card of the Ninth Imperial Prince.

“But they won’t be able to fight me recklessly. If they fight me and their strength weakens, they may be destroyed by the Jeongcheon Alliance or the Demonic Sect.”

“Are you aiming for a *yubang sangjaeng eobu deori* [idiom meaning ‘when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman benefits,’ or taking advantage of a conflict between two parties]?”

“Rather than *yubang sangjaeng eobu deori*, it’s similar to the idea that the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Even from the Blood Oath Alliance’s point of view, they will realize this as they fight. The more they fight me, the more they lose.”

“But the Ninth Imperial Prince may be defeated by them before that.”

“That may be the case. But they are underestimating me, so I will be fine until things progress to some extent.”

“Although the Ninth Imperial Prince is so confident, I am uneasy from my point of view that I have to watch.”

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen that will make the Lord uneasy.”

* * *

The Nine Dragons Guild’s staff were secretly divided and sent to the Mount Hua Sect and the Jongnam Sect.

They would be safe because the Mount Hua Sect and the Jongnam Sect would protect them, but the safety of the people working in the businesses was not yet secured.

“Wouldn’t it be better to close the doors and tell them to rest until the fight is over?”

Hwa-rin and Seo Dae-yeong were discussing the safety of the employees, and Seo Dae-yeong expressed his opinion.

“Just tell them to keep working.”

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous? If they find out that the estate is empty, they might attack the businesses.”

“They will attack. That’s how we can get damages from the Blood Oath Alliance.”

“Pardon?”

Seo Dae-yeong’s eyes widened at the word ‘compensation.’

“War is like this. If I invade and win, I get spoils, and if I repel the attacking guys, I get compensation. So, of course, we have to receive financial compensation for the damage we have suffered.”

Seo Dae-yeong sometimes didn’t know what Hwa-rin was thinking or living for.

“No, Guild Leader! Isn’t it better for us if the other party says, ‘Let’s stop’? What if we ask for compensation and they say, ‘Let’s do it until the end’?”

“Then we have to do it until one of us goes bankrupt. But Chief Manager Seo, do you think we’re going to lose the fight?”

“Of course, if we fight to the death, we won’t lose. But how can we win against a large organization?”

“Everyone thinks so. But the Blood Oath Alliance can’t beat us.”

“Why can’t they win?”

“They have a lot to protect. On the other hand, all we have to protect is the Nine Dragons Guild and a few businesses.”

“What does that have to do with it?”

Seo Dae-yeong asked, frustrated, as if he was questioning Hwa-rin’s logic.

“Do you fight head-on with an opponent you can’t beat head-on?”

“Then?”

“We’re going to run around and destroy the Blood Oath Alliance’s affiliated sects in each province.”

“You’re going to run around and destroy the Unorthodox sects? Why are you destroying them? Then won’t the number of enemies increase?”

“There is such a thing as a base of power. Unlike when the Seokcheon Sect was destroyed in Shanxi Province, the Unorthodox sects are intimidated and refraining from activities because the Eumsa Gate was destroyed.”

Hwa-rin told Seo Dae-yeong what would happen if he destroyed the sects that were the foundation of the Blood Oath Alliance.

“The Blood Death Sect was destroyed in Henan Province. So now the Jeokji Sect and the Onsu Sect, which are under it, are trying to seize the hegemony of Henan Province.”

“I’ve heard such stories.”

“But will the Orthodox sects in Henan Province stay still? Now that the Blood Death Sect has collapsed, will they just let the Jeokji Gate and the Onsu Sect take over their base?”

“That wouldn’t be the case.”

“That’s right. So now, excluding the Shaolin and Beggars Sects in Henan Province, the Orthodox sects, led by the Uijeong Gate, are moving to take over the Blood Death Sect’s base. So the Jeokji Gate and the Onsu Sect are in trouble.”

“So?”

“Let me destroy one more Jeokji Gate or Onsu Sect. Then do you think the Orthodox sects in Henan Province will stay still?”

“No. They will attack the Onsu Sect and shake the very foundation of the Unorthodox sect. That way, the Unorthodox sect will not be able to grow in Henan Province.”

Hwa-rin smiled brightly.

“Exactly. When the fight with the Blood Oath Alliance starts, I’m going to attack the Unorthodox sects in other provinces before fighting them directly. I’m going to destroy them one by one. Then what kind of reaction will the Unorthodox sects in each province show?”

“Well, they’ll say something to the Blood Oath Alliance, or they will leave the Blood Oath Alliance.”

“That’s right. That’s why the Blood Oath Alliance can’t beat us.”

“What if they set a trap?”

“Don’t worry, because I have enough power to get out of that trap. You seem to be ignoring me, but I used to be a very scary person.”

Even now, in the borderlands, Saeoe [Outer Regions], and further afield in the Saekmok countries, they were afraid of Hwa-rin.

How could they avoid meeting Hwa-rin, calling him the Underworld King from the underworld and the Grim Reaper from hell?

Seo Dae-yeong chuckled at Hwa-rin’s words.

“Don’t think useless thoughts, and protect the staff well in Jongnam with your subordinates.”

“Aren’t you worried about Mount Hua? There are quite a few people who went to Mount Hua.”

“Unlike Jongnam, Mount Hua has many people who value loyalty rather than practicality. There are quite a few stubborn people there, so they will protect them. Just worry about Jongnam.”

“I understand.”

“Guild Leader, a guest has arrived.”

At the sound from outside, Hwa-rin and Seo Dae-yeong turned their heads towards the door of the office.

“Sa Do-jun, a friend of the Guild Leader, has arrived.”

“Ah, I see. I’ll be out soon.”