Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 128

Nine Dragons Chronicle (128)

“Brother, I know it’s risky, but we have no other choice in this situation.”

Hwa Jeong-guk, the head of general affairs at the Hwa Myeong Merchant Group, made a secret proposal to his older brother, Hwa Jeong-su, the group’s leader, due to their precarious financial state.

“If we can’t cover the payments coming from the Great Battlefield [a major trade hub or region], we won’t be able to secure further loans.”

“How much are we talking about?”

“Three million *nyang* [a unit of currency] in gold. We need to manage payments for the next three months, so with a buffer, we need at least fifty million *nyang* in gold.”

“Fifty million *nyang*… That’s a significant sum. How much can we currently mobilize?”

“If we scrape everything together, we can raise about three million *nyang*, but that would severely impact our business operations.”

“So, you’re suggesting we raise money through smuggling?”

“It seems that’s the only viable option right now. Smuggling takes time to organize the buying and selling of goods, so it’s not an immediate solution. That’s why we need to act quickly to maximize our returns.”

Hwa Jeong-su hesitated, unable to immediately commit.

Smuggling is lucrative but carries high risks. Success brings substantial profits, but many smugglers are swindlers. If caught by the authorities, the fines could be ruinous, potentially destabilizing the entire clan.

“Currently, Shanxi Province is embroiled in the conflict between the Blood Demon Alliance and the Nine Dragons Stronghold. The government’s attention is focused there, reducing the risk of smuggling crackdowns.”

When Hwa Jeong-guk mentioned the Nine Dragons Stronghold, Hwa Jeong-su’s cheek twitched. Nothing had gone right since their involvement with them.

It wasn’t as if the Nine Dragons Stronghold had initiated the trouble. He had targeted the Nine Dragons Pavilion, a business operating under the Stronghold, attempting to undermine them with various schemes, but he consistently suffered setbacks.

Hwa Jeong-su rested his left elbow on the desk, pressing his forehead with his fingers while tapping the desk with his right index finger.

This was a habit he had when deep in thought.

“Smuggling…”

Hwa Jeong-su spoke after a moment of contemplation.

“Which organization would we be dealing with?”

Hwa Jeong-guk’s face brightened at his brother’s words, and he responded promptly.

“I’ll need to make contact, but the smuggling organization we’ve used in the past should still be operational.”

“If it’s them, we can trust them. What scale of smuggling are you proposing?”

“Initially, we need three million *nyang*. After addressing the immediate crisis, I plan to seek a loan from the Continental Merchant Group and expand the operation slightly.”

Hwa Jeong-su nodded, finding the idea reasonable.

“Then, with the profits, could we trade with grain merchants from the Travil Kingdom?”

“I’ll have to investigate, but it should be feasible. Our previous partners have switched to another buyer, making it difficult for now. I’m considering offering a premium to new merchants to secure deals.”

“Extra money?”

“Yes. This way, the merchants who betrayed us and chose to supply grain to someone else will regret their decision.”

“Will we gain anything from that?”

“It’ll make it easier to approach them in the future.”

“Next time? They could inform their current grain merchant to raise prices even higher, couldn’t they?”

“That’s possible, but as it’s their first deal, they won’t be able to demand significantly more money easily.”

Hwa Jeong-su nodded, still tapping the desk thoughtfully.

“What do you think?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Hwa Jeong-guk asked for clarification.

“What are you referring to?”

“The conflict between the Blood Demon Alliance and the Nine Dragons Stronghold. Do you believe the Blood Demon Alliance can defeat the Nine Dragons Stronghold?”

It seemed like an obvious question.

“Of course. The Blood Demon Alliance will eventually defeat the Nine Dragons Stronghold. The question is how long it will take.”

“Time?”

“The Nine Dragons Stronghold itself has been reduced to ashes. However, their business locations remain untouched.”

“That’s true.”

“Furthermore, the leader of the Nine Dragons Stronghold and his family remain unharmed.”

Hwa Jeong-su was displeased. A mere stronghold was resisting the powerful Blood Demon Alliance, and only one stronghold had been destroyed.

Conversely, the Blood Demon Alliance had seen the destruction of the Eumseo Gate, the Blood Demon Sect, the White Horse Temple, and all the unorthodox factions in Shanxi Province. Unorthodox factions in Henan and Shandong Provinces were also being driven out.

In Henan Province, orthodox sects were actively eliminating unorthodox sects, cleansing the region. If the conflict continued, the Blood Demon Alliance and the Righteous Heaven Alliance might clash over the Nine Dragons Stronghold.

If the Blood Demon Alliance and the Righteous Heaven Alliance went to war?

That would constitute a victory for the Nine Dragons Stronghold, not the Blood Demon Alliance.

Hwa Jeong-su’s concerns stemmed from this. The Nine Dragons Stronghold might be unaware of his schemes to acquire the Nine Dragons Pavilion, but exposure would be perilous.

“If the Blood Demon Alliance fails to eliminate the leader of the Nine Dragons Stronghold quickly, the Righteous Heaven Alliance is likely to intervene. If that happens, the outcome becomes unpredictable.”

“You think so too?”

“The power of the unorthodox factions has diminished, presenting an opportunity for the Righteous Heaven Alliance. The orthodox sects aren’t righteous simply because they’re orthodox. They also act based on self-interest. The Righteous Heaven Alliance won’t pass up this chance.”

“Even so, don’t the unorthodox factions possess more experts and martial artists than the orthodox factions?”

“The orthodox factions have more absolute masters.”

The balance between orthodox and unorthodox factions is maintained by the slightly larger number of martial artists known as the Hundred Great Masters of the Martial Arts World, considered absolute masters.

“Many absolute masters… That’s a difficult problem.”

“What are you referring to?”

“The Nine Dragons Pavilion. If the Righteous Heaven Alliance intervenes, things will favor the Nine Dragons Stronghold, preventing us from targeting the Pavilion.”

“Brother, the Nine Dragons Pavilion is…”

“I know. But do you believe Lord Yi Do-baek will remain the lord of Shanxi Province indefinitely? Eventually, he will step down. But the owner of the Nine Dragons Pavilion will always be the head of the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

Hwa Jeong-guk had no response.

“The Nine Dragons Pavilion is a golden goose, no… it’s a gold mine. Currently, the Nine Dragons Stronghold invests some of the Pavilion’s profits in Shanxi Province, but that commitment will naturally end when the lord steps down, and all profits will go to the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

“You’ve thought that far ahead?”

“If you possess a gold mine that will generate substantial profits in a few years, you don’t need to risk smuggling or human trafficking.”

Hwa Myeong Merchant Group was among the Top Ten Merchant Groups of the Central Plains, but aside from grain transportation, it lacked businesses generating significant operating profits.

They operated numerous businesses across the Central Plains, but they only generated enough profit to sustain operations, not substantial profits that benefited the group. This was their primary weakness.

That’s why disruptions in grain transportation and delivery severely impacted the group, forcing them to undertake risky ventures.

“I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? Use this opportunity to liquidate all businesses with mediocre operating profits.”

“The businesses?”

“It’s more important to establish a foundation for rebuilding through solid operations, even if it means facing bankruptcy rumors, than to maintain a merchant group filled with empty shells.”

“I understand. I’ll investigate and begin liquidating the businesses.”

“And Jeong-guk.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“When making deals, exercise extreme caution, and double-check everything. If anything seems suspicious or the atmosphere is off, withdraw immediately.”

“I will. Please don’t worry, Brother.”

Hwa Jeong-su sighed and nodded.

“I need some time to think alone, so please leave and attend to your duties.”

As Hwa Jeong-guk left the office, Hwa Jeong-su’s sigh deepened.

“I have a bad feeling.”

* * *

“So, Su-yeon is fighting alongside the Nine Dragons Stronghold against the Blood Demon Alliance, and the White Horse Temple and other unorthodox factions in Shandong Province were destroyed by her.”

“That’s correct. Consequently, the Blood Demon Alliance is demanding an explanation regarding our alleged alliance with the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

A member of the Beggars’ Union urgently visited the Namgung Family to report on the situation in Shanxi Province and the capture of Namgung Jin and Namgung Yeon-ah by the Hongnyeong Annihilation Squad, dispatched by the Blood Demon Alliance to prevent a major conflict.

Upon receiving this news, the Namgung Family convened an emergency meeting. Sword Emperor Namgung So-gun, Sword Saint Namgung Cheong-ya, and the head of the family, Namgung Baek-ya, attended, along with direct descendants, collateral relatives, and those in charge of military affairs.

“And Jin and Yeon-ah, who were sent to Shanxi Province, are reportedly being held hostage by the Blood Demon Alliance’s Hongnyeong Annihilation Squad.”

Namgung Baek-ya, narrowing his eyes at the word “hostage,” glanced at his father, Namgung So-gun, who showed no visible reaction to the news of his grandchildren’s capture.

“Shouldn’t we rescue the young master and young lady? I’ll lead the members and save them.”

Namgung Rim, the leader of the Imperial Guard Unit, volunteered to rescue Namgung Jin.

The Imperial Guard Unit was responsible for protecting the Namgung Family, including its direct descendants.

“While that would be ideal, the Blood Demon Alliance would interpret it as confirmation of our alliance with the Nine Dragons Stronghold and retaliate against us.”

Elder Namgung Sang-cheon cautioned against actions that would confirm the Blood Demon Alliance’s suspicions.

“Why did they go to Shanxi Province at this time?”

Namgung Cheong-ya, the younger brother of Namgung Baek-ya, known as the Sword Saint and one of the Hundred Great Masters of the Martial Arts World, inquired.

“Jin and the leader of the Nine Dragons Stronghold are friends, having met at the Hwasan Assembly. Furthermore, Su-yeon, who left the family, also has a connection to him, as he was her senior in the military.”

“Even if it’s a coincidence, this is an extraordinary series of coincidences.”

“He might have met Su-yeon in the military and befriended Jin after his discharge. However, Su-yeon’s decision to leave home and live at the Nine Dragons Stronghold upon hearing about its leader suggests a deep relationship between them.”

“Then we are not entirely unrelated to the Nine Dragons Stronghold. Isn’t this an opportunity to deal with the unruly Su-yeon?”

Namgung Su-yeon was not a favored member of the Namgung Family. Despite her exceptional martial arts skills, they feared she would overshadow Namgung Jin, and they preferred she remain absent from the martial arts world.

“Have you considered the potential damage we would incur by targeting Su-yeon alone?”

“That’s…”

“I believe that ignoring the situation might lead to a natural resolution, but the fact that Jin and Yeon-ah are being held hostage is troubling.”

“What will you do if the young master and young lady are harmed? We should rescue them first and address the other issues later.”

“Don’t worry. Even the Blood Demon Alliance won’t risk a direct confrontation with the main family.”

Namgung So-gun stated confidently.

“Why? Are you suggesting they can’t defeat the main family?”

Regardless of the Namgung Family’s reputation as the greatest martial arts family, they couldn’t match the Blood Demon Alliance, a coalition of unorthodox factions.

“We might not win decisively, but they would also suffer significant losses. Do you believe the martial arts world would ignore a wounded beast?”

They would swarm in like hungry wolves, attacking from all sides, scattering them, and continuously suppressing them to prevent their resurgence. The Blood Demon Alliance, representing the unorthodox factions, would lose its center and decline.

“Won’t we also be targeted by the Blood Demon Alliance?”

“Some of us would survive, and they would have to invest considerable effort and time to rebuild their current standing. The Blood Demon Alliance is aware of this potential outcome, so they will likely only hold Jin and Yeon-ah captive without harming them.”

“Then what are you suggesting we do?”

“You should go and explain that the Nine Dragons Stronghold and the main family are not affiliated, and that the main family’s daughter fell deeply in love with the leader of the Nine Dragons Stronghold, leading to this situation. Then, bring Jin and Yeon-ah back.”

Namgung Cheong-ya blinked and looked at his father, Namgung So-gun.

“Me?”

He habitually looked to his father, Namgung So-gun, the Supreme Elder, who nodded and spoke.

“It’s inappropriate for the head of the family to intervene, and anyone else would lack credibility. Cheong-ya, you should go, explain the situation, and assure them that we are not involved.”