Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 158

Nine Dragons Chronicle (158)

“Judging by appearances, you seem like small fries. Tell your boss to come out. You know, the one who tries to act important in black clothes.”

The Majiao’s [a religious cult] Majols [lower-ranking members of the Majiao] revealed their murderous intent towards Hwa-rin and Baek Gun-seong.

“Isn’t this dangerous?”

From Baek Gun-seong’s perspective, even facing one Majol was a struggle, so he was naturally nervous.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. If something were to happen, they would have already drawn their swords. Just stand by So-cheon’s side. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“You’re not supposed to interfere in Murim [martial arts world] affairs, are you?”

“Then, do you want to die here?”

Baek Gun-seong shook his head.

“If you want to live, just leave it to me. I came to catch a pig, but it looks like I’ll be catching Majiao followers instead.”

Two people walked out from among them, and it was clear that they were stronger than the ones who came out earlier.

“This is going to be dangerous.”

These two were beyond Baek Gun-seong’s ability to handle, so the tension increased even more.

“I told you not to worry. And don’t doze off. How can a man doze off…”

“Hey, how can I not doze off in this situation?”

“If necessary, we can just kill them all.”

“Kill them? Not ‘die’?”

“You even have a child, yet you talk like that. Watch closely how this *hyung-nim* [older brother/respected male figure] handles things.”

Hwa-rin looked at So-cheon and said,

“Watch closely how this *ahjussi* [middle-aged man] is working hard to get you. From now on, you must be loyal to *ahjussi*.”

Although So-cheon was young, he seemed to sense the atmosphere and nodded.

Hwa-rin turned his body and spoke towards the Majiao followers.

“I heard there are Magun [high-ranking members of the Majiao], Mayoung [mid-ranking members of the Majiao], and Majol. Looking at you guys, it seems the ones in front are Mayoung, and the ones behind are Majol. I guess there’s no Magun here?”

When Hwa-rin asked, the two Mayoung in front exchanged glances.

Just as they were about to move, Hwa-rin took out a flute from the air.

The Salhwangmukhyulso [Hwa-rin’s signature flute] floated in the air and slowly flew towards them, emitting a blue light and releasing sword energy towards the ground.

*Pajijijijik!* [onomatopoeia for crackling sound]

As it did, a long line was drawn on the ground. Everyone’s eyes shook violently as if they were surprised by the sight.

‘Father told me he was strong, so I knew, but this is another level.’

It looked like a technique of drawing or pushing objects from a distance using internal energy, called *gyeokgong seopmul* [manipulating objects from a distance] or *neunggong seopmul* [levitating objects], a study of ascension, but after that, he used sword energy to draw a long line on the ground, like *eogeomsul* [sword control technique], so he used two techniques at the same time.

“If you cross that line, you die. So think carefully before you move.”

The Salhwangmukhyulso disappeared into the air as if it had done all it needed to do.

‘Hiding a sword in the air is a skill close to Taoism or *sulbeop* [magic/spiritual arts].’

“Who is this? What brings the Myungwang [Hwa-rin’s title, meaning ‘Bright King’] to this humble place?”

As the voice was heard, the Majol and Mayoung stepped aside and bowed their heads.

One person walked out from among them, and he seemed to know who Hwa-rin was.

“Are you called Tangsan Magun?”

Hwa-rin also recognized him at a glance and asked.

“Yes, that’s right. I thought the Myungwang was a person of the military, so we wouldn’t run into each other in the *Jungwon* [Central Plains, the heart of the Murim world], but the Murim was in chaos for a while because of the Myungwang.”

Tangsan Magun continued the conversation with Hwa-rin in a friendly manner.

“You’re talking nonsense. Did Eumseo Magun tell you about me?”

“Yes, he did. He said that the Myungwang opened a small manor called Guryongjang [Nine Dragons Manor].”

―Hey, you knew that guy?

―I saw him once. But I didn’t think he would be here.

“But what brings the Myungwang here? Don’t tell me you came knowing I was here?”

“There’s no way. I came to beat up the local bullies who are running this place. But what’s this? It’s not small fry, but a big fish.”

“Hahahaha!”

Tangsan Magun was laughing out loud, but inside, he was in a state of despair and had to make a decision.

‘Not only did he destroy Cheolsajaseong [Iron Lion Castle], but the combat power he showed while fighting the Saheolmeng [Blood Demon Alliance] is not something we can handle.’

“Are you going to fight us? It doesn’t seem like there’s much benefit for the Myungwang.”

“Then, will you grant my wish without fighting?”

“What is it?”

“I want you to clean up all the guys who are running the *wolse* [monthly rent] business here and the guys who are bullying the kids.”

“Is that all you want?”

“And one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“It doesn’t matter to me, but this friend is the son of Saheolmeng’s leader, Sahwang [Four Kings] Baek Mu-gi.”

Tangsan Magun looked at Baek Gun-seong.

“If you don’t leave this place, this friend will inform the nearby branch of Saheolmeng that you are here. Then you will also be tired.”

―Hey, why are you saying that!

Baek Gun-seong shouted at Hwa-rin through telepathy.

―What else can I do? I’m trying not to get involved in Murim affairs, so that’s why. If they get into trouble because of me, I’ll be in trouble too.

―Still.

―Just be satisfied that you know that Majiao has come to the Jungwon and settled in a place like this. If you move your intelligence agency, can’t you find out where they are?

―That’s true, but.

―Then be satisfied with this.

While Hwa-rin was talking with Baek Gun-seong, Tangsan Magun said,

“Does the Myungwang want us to leave this place?”

“It’s all for you. After we leave, at least within five days, the *muin* [martial artists] of Shaolin and the Beggars’ Sect, and Saheolmeng will rush to this place.”

“Hmm…”

“From my point of view, it doesn’t matter whether you are here or not. No, it might be better for me if you are here. I can turn the attention of the *jeongpa* [orthodox sects] or *sapa* [evil sects] to you.”

Tangsan Magun nodded at Hwa-rin’s words.

“I don’t need to make enemies, so I’m saying this. I can trade with Majiao if you guarantee my profits. What merchant would refuse? Isn’t that right?”

Tangsan Magun’s eyes twinkled.

“So I’m trying to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. Do you understand what I mean?”

Tangsan Magun nodded.

“The decision is yours, and you are responsible for that decision.”

“What if we decide to fight the Myungwang?”

“That’s okay too. But one thing is clear. You may be able to kill this friend, but you can’t kill me.”

Tangsan Magun looked at Baek Gun-seong.

“Then Saheolmeng will start to take action in earnest. Seeing Eumseo Magun come to Seomseoseong [Shaanxi Province], it seems that Magun have been dispatched to each province, and they will also be in danger. As I said a little while ago, this friend is the son of Sahwang Baek Mu-gi.”

Tangsan Magun listened to Hwa-rin’s words and realized that he had to leave this place.

“I understand. We will pack up and leave.”

“I would appreciate it if you did.”

―And don’t be alone, stay with two or three people. From today onwards, Saheolmeng and Jeongcheonmeng [Righteous Sky Alliance] will be looking for you.

Hwa-rin sent a telepathic message to Tangsan Magun.

―I know you are strong, but if Saheolmeng or Jeongcheonmeng find out where you are, they will organize a force that can deal with you and send it.

―Are you giving us medicine after giving us the disease? If I hadn’t come here, this wouldn’t have happened.

―I didn’t know you were here. I came here thinking of getting a disciple.

Tangsan Magun’s gaze turned to the young So-cheon.

―Now that it’s come to this, what can I do? Just take a loss.

“I hope we never meet again.”

“Me too. I feel a little sorry for always getting help like this.”

“If you think so, please give us some help sometime. I heard that Guryongjang is making a lot of money.”

“I will. If you need money, come to Guryongjang. I can give you some travel expenses.”

“Hahaha, I appreciate your words.”

Tangsan Magun gestured towards the back, and the Magun moved.

They had heard the conversation with Hwa-rin, so they knew what Tangsan Magun wanted and took action.

“Kuaaaaak!” [scream]

Before long, screams were heard from all directions. So-cheon was startled by the screams.

Baek Gun-seong used his energy to block So-cheon from hearing the screams of the people, but So-cheon’s eyes were filled with fear because he already knew that someone was dying.

Hwa-reureureuk! [sound of fire spreading]

After a while, a fire broke out and burned the shacks in the shantytown.

The houses were close together, so the fire quickly spread to the side and gradually turned into a big fire.

“*Ahjussi*, fire…”

So-cheon saw the fire and tried to say something, but he couldn’t.

“I didn’t think it would turn out like this. I didn’t even know they were here.”

Baek Gun-seong said to So-cheon.

“Who are they?”

“They are Majiao followers.”

So-cheon glared at Tangsan Magun.

“But couldn’t that *ahjussi* have stopped the fire?”

“I don’t know. But didn’t you ask him to punish them?”

“Punishing them doesn’t mean killing them.”

“Yes, but if time passes a little more, other children will be bullied, and many people will not be able to escape from that pigsty and live.”

These words were still difficult for So-cheon to understand.

“That’s a future thing.”

“It’s also a present thing for them.”

When the fire broke out, people ran out of the shacks.

“Kuaaaaak!”

When they heard the screams, they ran away from the shantytown without looking back.

“Are you satisfied now?”

Tangsan Magun asked Hwa-rin.

“Since you’re burning it, burn it thoroughly. That way, new people will come in and build new buildings and live.”

“I understand.”

―And remember what I said. If you don’t want to die alone.

―I will keep that in mind.

―You should keep that in mind. The Saheolmeng I experienced had a stronger force than I thought.

Hwa-rin sent a telepathic message to Tangsan Magun and then turned his body.

“Now, *ahjussi* has kept his promise, so now you have to keep your promise.”

“What promise?”

“The promise to follow *ahjussi*.”

“Ah, I understand. But if I follow *ahjussi*, will you really teach me martial arts and academics?”

“Yes. A word spoken by a man is as heavy as *jungcheongeum* [a mythical metal of immense weight]. That means that a man must keep his word once he has spoken it.”

Hwa-rin said to So-cheon and then picked him up.

“So study hard. Your future will change depending on how hard you study and learn.”

“Yes. But if I learn martial arts from *ahjussi*, can I punish that *ahjussi* too?”

So-cheon pointed to Tangsan Magun.

“I don’t know. I can punish that *ahjussi*, but I can’t be sure about you right now.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t know if your talent will surpass that *ahjussi*.”

It was difficult for So-cheon to understand.

“You mean *ahjussi* can definitely punish that *ahjussi*, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Then I’ll study hard too.”

Hwa-rin nodded as if he was satisfied with So-cheon’s answer.

“Yes. With that kind of will, you will be able to beat that *ahjussi*.”

So-cheon stared intently at Tangsan Magun’s face, as if he was trying to remember his face.

“Then we’ll go first, so pack up and leave.”

Hwa-rin took Baek Gun-seong and So-cheon and left Myunghwa Village.

Tangsan Magun, who was watching Hwa-rin’s back, took a long breath.

“I need to meet with the *hyung-nim* and talk about it. Baek Gun-seong, you said. His presence could expose the *hyung-nim*’s location, so I need to consider working together as the Myungwang said.”