Emperor's Sword [EN]: Chapter 30

First Stop, Hangzhou!

Pa Cheon and his group entered Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. This Hangzhou was the very place where the Southern Alliance had its headquarters. Located at the mouth of the Qiantang River and with the West Lake on its western outskirts, it was known as a beautiful city along with Suzhou. It was the terminus of the Jiangnan River [part of the Grand Canal] and had even been the capital during the Southern Song Dynasty. It was called ‘Hangzai,’ meaning temporary capital, and was later renamed Lin’an. It was also the production area of Longjing tea, known as the highest grade of green tea, and during the Yuan Dynasty, it was a place frequently visited by foreign ships.

Above all, the phrase that decisively describes Hangzhou is ‘Above, there is heaven; below, there is Suzhou and Hangzhou.’ This saying was attached because the place was so prosperous with culture and offered all sorts of pleasures. Along with Suzhou, near Lake Tai in the northeast, it was a place that any romantic soul in the Central Plains would want to visit.

It was only natural that everyone except Pa Cheon was wide-eyed with amazement. How could those who had been holed up in remote mountains, only training in martial arts, have ever seen such a great city? Moreover, Hangzhou was a place that clearly showed the splendor of the South, so their expressions were understandable.

Even though it was past lunchtime, the group didn’t feel hungry at all.

Pa Cheon pretended to be nonchalant, acting as if this was nothing special, but in reality, he had also been cooped up in the imperial palace, so it was his first time walking around the streets of Hangzhou. Therefore, managing his expression was a very difficult task.

The clothes of the people walking on the main street were all fancy and expensive. Silk was the norm, and they were adorned with all sorts of decorations, making the group look shabby. Especially the women, Dan Jang Hwa Dam Mu Rin and Bukgung So Gun, were still women at heart, no matter how much they were martial artists, and they seemed to be subtly conscious of their shabby appearance. In particular, when Gwangmajon and Muyoungjon kept staring at the passing women, their expressions were quite a sight to behold.

Damdae Mu Rin, except for the Sword Empress, was arguably the best swordswoman in the sect. She was 26 years old, still a novice who had never even held a man’s wrist, and though her heart seemed tough and fierce, she was a woman as delicate as silk. Her face was cold, which seemed to detract from her natural beauty, but that was also part of her unique charm.

Gwangmajon, despite being 137 years old, was constantly looking around, seemingly out of his mind, while Muyoungjon was busy glancing around. Outwardly, Muyoungjon looked older than Gwangmajon.

“Master, aren’t we going to eat?”

“Eat? Yes, we should. Where should we go?”

“Let’s just go anywhere.”

“Gwangmajon!”

…

“Gwangmajon!!!!!!”

At Pa Cheon’s loud shout, Gwangmajon finally came to his senses! He looked at Pa Cheon, startled.

“Why, Your Excellency?”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Huh? Hungry? Well! Not yet…”

“I’m hungry. Hurry and follow me.”

Pa Cheon took the lead and strode forward, and only then did they follow behind him. Even while following, he still kept turning his head.

★ If you were to pick the most famous restaurant in Hangzhou, people would undoubtedly choose this place.

Jiangnan’s First Restaurant!

As the name suggests, it was a restaurant filled with pride, claiming to be the best in Jiangnan [the region south of the Yangtze River]. This place, along with the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang, was known as one of the two great restaurants in the Central Plains. Jiangnan’s First Restaurant was particularly large in scale and had excellent service, so anyone visiting Hangzhou with some money would not miss it.

It was divided into Inner, Upper, and Lower sections. The Inner section did not accept anyone who didn’t spend more than 100 silver coins (about 5 million won) a day. The Inner section also served as an inn, so there was no inconvenience for lodging. Of course, if you had enough money, you could rent an entire annex. The Upper section also cost at least twenty silver coins for dinner and drinks, so ordinary commoners didn’t even dare to think about entering.

The Lower section was particularly large and bustling. Here, you could enjoy both food and drinks, but there were no courtesans. However, the food and drinks were all high-end, so you needed about one silver coin per person.

Pa Cheon’s group entered this Lower section. As they entered the entrance of the three-story Jiangnan’s First Restaurant, everyone’s eyes were immediately drawn to them.

First, they were martial artists carrying weapons, yet their attire was shabby, and the aura they exuded was unusual. What first caught people’s attention was Pa Cheon. His outstanding appearance was enough to draw people’s eyes, then and now.

Next were Mu Rin and So Gun. They were also exceptionally beautiful, but especially So Gun! Her cute yet somewhat mysterious atmosphere was enough to attract the attention of men right away. They were guided by a waiter to a table by the window.

“What would you like to order?”

“Roasted duck, dumplings, and noodles, and for drinks, give us Huadiao wine.”

“Yes, I understand. Is there anything else you would like to order?”

“That’s all.”

As the waiter left, So Gun, among the group, looked at Pa Cheon and asked curiously.

“What is Huadiao wine?”

“Huh? It’s a type of Shaoxing wine, a specialty of this Zhejiang province, aged for about 10 years. It tastes very good when warmed up. Why, do you want to try some?”

“If you’ll give me some…”

“Haha, okay, have a little. Look here, Chugwang.”

“Yes?”

When Pa Cheon suddenly called Gwangmajon’s name, he gave an awkward smile. It was awkward because he had rarely been called by his name.

“Everyone, try to call each other by name. And you guys…”

Then he spoke in a telepathic voice.

[From now on, call me Young Master, and my name is Moon Yoon. Understand? My alias is Jade Faced Divine Dragon, and it would be good for you to think of your own aliases. Just think of something appropriate. If you go around calling yourselves Gwangmajon or Muyoungjon, you’ll quickly draw attention, so be careful…]

“Yes, I understand, Young Master.”

As the food came out, they ate as if they were starving. Once they were somewhat full, Pa Cheon looked around, but there were not many martial artists to be seen. Well, it was obvious that most martial artists would gather in the Upper section.

“First, we need to find out the news of the Central Plains… Should we have gone straight to Kaifeng?”

Just then, a group of martial artists was seen entering the restaurant. They were covered in dust, as if they had traveled a long way, and they seemed to be in a hurry, as if their journey was not yet over. It was impossible to tell which sect they belonged to just by their clothes. They also seemed tense when they saw Pa Cheon’s group as they entered the room. Seeing this, Pa Cheon felt puzzled.

They seemed to be constantly aware of this place even as they went to their assigned seats, glancing at them. Seeing this, Pa Cheon got up from his seat. He walked straight towards them. They seemed even more tense as Pa Cheon approached them, and two or three of the five-member group were reaching for their swords. When Pa Cheon politely made a fist and palm salute, their vigilance finally eased.

“I am a man named Moon, and I have a question to ask.”

“Ask… away.”

“Do you happen to know the location of the Demonic Alliance?”

“What?”

They all stood up at once and quickly drew their swords.

“Who are you? Who are you to ask about the Demonic Alliance?”

“Why are you all acting like this…”

“Hmph… It seems like you are remnants of the Demonic Alliance. They said that the core masters of the Demonic Alliance are still operating secretly underground, and you must be them.”

“What? What are you talking about? The Demonic Alliance is operating underground? Can you explain in detail?”

“Shut up. You were suspicious from the start. Asking about the Demonic Alliance, and your appearance is also suspicious…”

His words were cut short. They had all drawn their swords and were approaching Pa Cheon.

It was at that moment.

Swoosh

Clang

When did he approach and when did he swing his sword? Gwangmajon was standing next to Pa Cheon, and his sword was still in its scabbard, yet the opponents’ swords were all broken in the middle.

Seeing this, their faces quickly turned pale.

“It seems there was a misunderstanding… Please calm down, and can you tell us the details?”

They realized that Gwangmajon was a super master they could not even contend with, and when Pa Cheon still acted politely, they finally seemed to relax.

“Okay, okay. Everyone, sit down. I am Moon Yoon, the Jade Faced Divine Dragon. I have been abroad for about three months due to some business, so I am not familiar with the news of the martial world.”

As soon as Pa Cheon finished speaking, their faces changed drastically.

Jade Faced Divine Dragon Moon Yoon! This name was too famous. He was one of the top masters of the martial world, having the Supreme Elder of the Beggar Clan under his command and being the highest-ranking member of the Nine Great Sects. Now that they looked at him, his appearance was dazzlingly outstanding.

“We were blind and did not recognize Great Warrior Moon. Please forgive our rudeness.”

“It’s alright. Please tell me what happened.”

“Please lower your words. Great Warrior Moon’s seniority is the highest in the martial world, it is not appropriate for you to use honorifics to people like us.”

“Is that so? Then I will do as you wish. Tell me about the situation in the martial world.”

“Yes, I understand. In the past three months…”

One month after the Great Gathering of the Northern Sword Society, the Martial Alliance was formed in Kaifeng by the Northern Sword Society. The head of the Northern Sword Society, Dokgo Han Cheon, the Divine Sword of No Equal, became the representative leader, and the Nine Great Sects, the Southern Alliance, the Five Great Clans, and 360 other righteous sects joined forces to form the largest Martial Alliance in history.

Less than ten days after its formation, they attacked the Demonic Alliance’s headquarters near the West Lake on the outskirts of Hangzhou, but the Demonic Alliance was already fully prepared. They blew up and burned the headquarters, and then fled, luring the warriors of the Martial Alliance and inflicting considerable damage. But that was all.

It was a disheartening battle for the Martial Alliance, who had expected a fierce battle. Their main force had already gone underground, and a persistent struggle was taking place around the secret bases of the Demonic Alliance. The Martial Alliance was completely exposed to the enemy, while they were not exposed at all. It was difficult to avoid the hidden attacks coming from the darkness. As time passed, the Martial Alliance was suffering damage without any results.

They had not clearly identified their bases, and the methods were vague. This kind of attrition warfare continued. Several times they had found their secret bases, but when the main force of the Martial Alliance arrived, they had always retreated one step ahead, and the Martial Alliance returned empty-handed. They mocked these people and continued to provoke the Martial Alliance.

It was later revealed that Dokgo Seol Ran, the only daughter of the Martial Alliance, and Je Gal Cho Hong, known as the Floating Cloud Beauty, were serving as strategists for them. She was a descendant of the Je Gal family, a prestigious righteous sect for generations. However, it was unknown why she was serving as a strategist for the Demonic Alliance, but her unfathomable schemes always put the Martial Alliance in trouble, and time passed without any results. It was an absurd situation that was the result of just one person’s brain.

And recently, their core masters had been ambushing and killing the masters of the righteous sects, putting the Martial Alliance on high alert. Furthermore, the Demonic Alliance’s secret annihilation of the bases of the minor sects that had joined the Martial Alliance was effective, and minor sects were frequently withdrawing from the Martial Alliance.

“We are disciples of the Righteous Gate located on the outskirts of Hangzhou, and we are a small force with few first-class masters, so we were the only ones dispatched to the Martial Alliance. However, we received an urgent message from our sect to return.”

After listening to his explanation, Pa Cheon fell into deep thought.

“Thank you. Then, have your meal and return safely to your sect.”

“Yes, thank you. It is an honor for us to meet a super master like Great Warrior Moon. The Martial Alliance will be very happy if Great Warrior Moon returns.”

Pa Cheon returned to his seat and remained lost in thought for a long time.

“It’s strange. Even if they went underground, this area of Hangzhou is their base that they have cultivated for decades. It’s not like they only had their headquarters here… They abandoned even the pawnshops, brothels, and battlefields they operated? That doesn’t make sense. I need to investigate this Hangzhou carefully.”

At Pa Cheon’s words, they still looked clueless. Muyoungjon, regardless of such things, was still mesmerized by the scenery outside the window.

‘Oh dear, I brought those who seemed a bit smarter and didn’t exude demonic energy, but they are still like this. They are only useful for fighting.’

Muyoungjon, who had no idea what Pa Cheon was thinking, saw the young ladies waving at him as they passed by and just gaped his mouth.

‘First, let’s contact Poong Gae and Ssang No of the Beggar Clan. Then, I need to decide on the next course of action. By the way, was it Je Gal Cho Hong? She is also amazing. To fight so well with inferior forces. Dokgo Han Cheon’s face must be a sight to see right now. Hehehe.’

★ It was a luxurious inner room. As soon as he left Jiangnan’s First Restaurant, he found the Hangzhou branch of the Golden Frog Money Exchange and presented the jade plaque as Ssang No had told him. Immediately, he was led to this inner room. Judging by the way the attendants and employees treated him, the power of this plaque must be truly enormous. The Golden Frog Money Exchange was the best money exchange in the Central Plains, and it had been famous since the early days of the Yuan Dynasty. Their scale was the largest in the Central Plains, and there was no place in the Central Plains without a branch.

“I am Jang Woon Hyung, the branch manager of this Hangzhou branch. It is an infinite honor to have you here as our honored guest.”

The middle-aged man in his mid-50s, with a plump body, kept smiling obsequiously. He was acting as if his greatest task was not to offend Pa Cheon, and Pa Cheon found it disgusting.

“How much money can I use with this plaque?”

“Unlimited. As the actual owner of the Golden Frog Money Exchange, you can use as much as you want.”

Was that so?

“I want to contact Ssang No…”

“Ssang No… Do you perhaps mean the two heads of the clan?”

“That’s right. Do you know where they are now?”

“I do not know. They are so elusive, but I can contact them at any time.”

“Then, please contact them. Tell them to come to Hangzhou within a few days…”

“Yes, I understand. Then, do you plan to stay in Hangzhou for a while?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, I will arrange a place for you to stay. If you stay there, I will come to see you as soon as I hear from them.”

“Will you do that? Thank you.”

Pa Cheon immediately got up and went outside. As he went outside, the branch manager, with his obese body, followed him to arrange his accommodation.

Pa Cheon had to be surprised. It was the inner section of Jiangnan’s First Restaurant, the most luxurious and expensive place in the Central Plains, and he had rented an entire annex. And it was a super-premium, indefinite stay. It was no wonder that he couldn’t close his gaping mouth. Even if they stayed for just one day, the amount of money that the five of them had to pay was a whopping 500 silver coins (25 million won).

Title: [Serial] Emperor’s Sword 32. Clue! Related Data: None [59739]

Sender: Im Sam Yeol (logos333) 2001-01-03 00:04 Views: 2424

-The Emperor’s Sword-