Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 169

Nine Dragons Chronicle (169)

Hwa-rin met Hak Seong-rim in the library. Hak Seong-rim tilted his head at the sight of Hwa-rin, but when Hwa-rin spoke, he treated him like an old acquaintance.

“How can you talk about such things here? Let’s go inside and talk.”

Hak Seong-rim led Hwa-rin to his office, an action that prompted onlookers to assume someone had come to collect on his unpaid drinking debts.

This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, so his colleagues paid it little mind.

Hwa-rin, having learned from Mi-ok about Hak Seong-rim’s penchant for racking up bar tabs, brought up the subject of unpaid bills as a pretext for finding him.

Once inside Hak Seong-rim’s office, Hwa-rin took a seat, and Hak Seong-rim sat opposite him.

“If you come looking for me like this, what am I supposed to do…”

“Forget about that. I want to know about the situation in Jungyeong’s [Central Plains] Murim [martial arts world]. Has the conflict between the Blood Oath Alliance and the Nine Dragons Stronghold caused any changes there?”

Upon hearing Hwa-rin’s question about Jungyeong’s Murim, Hak Seong-rim nodded and replied.

“Currently, righteous martial artists are gathering in Jungyeong, primarily around the Seomun Clan and the Baengni Clan, with the Eulji Clan providing support. This has caused the evil factions to tremble, fearing they won’t be able to withstand the righteous factions. Consequently, the evil factions are also consolidating their strength.”

“Is that so?”

“There are lessons learned from the fight between the Blood Oath Alliance and the Nine Dragons Stronghold, you see.”

“Lessons?”

“Even if you’re part of a large alliance like the Blood Oath Alliance, it means nothing if you don’t have the power to protect yourself.”

“Hmm…”

“So, as a self-preservation measure, they’re creating another alliance called the Jungyeong Alliance within the larger Blood Oath Alliance to form a group that can directly provide assistance.”

“Then at least they won’t be picked off one by one.”

“That’s right. And they can buy time until the martial artists sent by the Blood Oath Alliance arrive.”

Hwa-rin felt a twinge of unease, as if he had inadvertently aided the Blood Oath Alliance.

“Then the righteous factions must be doing the same.”

“That’s why the righteous factions gathered around the Seomun Clan and the Baengni Clan. Looking at the current situation in Jungyeong, it feels stronger than simply receiving support from the Jeongcheon Alliance [Righteous Heaven Alliance].”

“If the Seomun Clan and the Baengni Clan are leading, is there no infighting between the two clans?”

“No. Although they are both Ten Great Clans, Jungyeong is the Seomun Clan’s territory. And everyone in Jungyeong knows how much sacrifice the Seomun Clan has made for Jungyeong since they established themselves there. Even within the Jeongcheon Alliance, there might be arguments between the Seomun Clan and the Baengni Clan, but in Jungyeong, the Baengni Clan is well aware of the Seomun Clan’s efforts and only plays a supporting role.”

“Then Jungyeong will move according to the Seomun Clan’s wishes.”

“You might think so, but as I said before, the Seomun Clan is a family that has sacrificed for Jungyeong, so they don’t particularly promote themselves.”

Hwa-rin looked at Hak Seong-rim.

“It’s easier to think of them as the Namgung Clan of Jungyeong.”

When Hwa-rin mentioned the Namgung Clan, Hak Seong-rim nodded in understanding.

“Then other provinces will be affected to some extent.”

“That’s right. Except for provinces where the righteous factions are traditionally strong, they will all be affected. Because of that, the branch offices of the Blood Oath Alliance and the Jeongcheon Alliance in each province are worried about their reduced influence.”

“I see. Then, if regional ties become stronger, factional relationships will form within the Jeongcheon Alliance and the Blood Oath Alliance. There will also be conflicts between the previous leading forces and the new leading forces.”

When Hwa-rin asked, Hak Seong-rim nodded.

“It’s good in the short term, but not good in the long term.”

“You could say that.”

Hwa-rin felt a little better again.

“But as long as Jegal-tak and Sama-maeng aren’t fools, they’ll find the problems and fix them. And they’ll improve things in a way that benefits them.”

“Ah, of course.”

Hwa-rin, feeling down again, asked glumly.

“There are also Demonic Cult bastards in Jungyeong, right?”

“Of course, there are. But their whereabouts are unknown.”

“What if the Hao Clan can’t figure out where they are?”

His mood was evident in his words, but Hak Seong-rim chuckled and said.

“We can’t know everything. But I guess they’ve hidden in private homes.”

“In private homes?”

“The only times we can’t find someone is when they’ve left Jungyeong or when they’ve hidden in private homes and are living among ordinary people.”

“Hmm.”

“A few days ago, the Jungyeong branch of the Blood Oath Alliance raided a slum below Jade Flower Mountain.”

“A slum? Were the Demonic Cult members hiding there?”

“That’s right. The Blood Oath Alliance somehow found out and attacked the slum, but the Demonic Cult members’ martial arts were so strong that they failed to take advantage of the surprise attack and let them escape.”

He recalled that when he went to Baekgun-seong and Gangso-seong in the past, the Demonic Cult members were hiding in slums in Hanam-seong.

“After that, they lost track of the Demonic Cult members, and since their whereabouts are unknown, they probably hid in private homes, that’s what they think.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you know why they’re hiding?”

Hwa-rin asked.

“We can’t know that. Even the main branch is looking into it from various angles, but they don’t know the exact reason. However, they think that the Demonic Cult needs a lot of supplies to move, so they might be looking for a place to store those supplies in each province or a place to receive support.”

Hearing Hak Seong-rim’s answer, Hwa-rin nodded as if he agreed, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Then if we destroy their bases, it will be difficult for the Demonic Cult to advance into the Central Plains.”

“It would be difficult to send large-scale expeditions. But the Demonic Cult will find a way.”

“Really?”

“If the Heavenly Demon [leader of the Demonic Cult] steps in directly, even difficult problems can be solved surprisingly easily.”

Hak Seong-rim’s words reminded him of what Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi had said in the past.

“That bastard’s reputation…”

“It’s not just his reputation, it’s the name of someone who has reached the place where martial artists ultimately want to reach. So, he makes the impossible possible.”

“I know. I’ve experienced it myself.”

Hwa-rin retorted.

“Anyway, introduce me to someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yeah. Someone smart. A friend who’s quick with numbers is fine too. This is where you teach those guys, right?”

Hak Seong-rim chuckled at Hwa-rin’s nagging.

“I’ll look into it. But would such a guy want to manage things or work under you?”

“Tell him I’ll pay a lot. If you find someone like that, send him to the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

“Okay. I’ll send him to the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

“And you need to help me a little.”

“Me help you?”

“Yeah, I’m trying to create an off-the-books organization…”

Hwa-rin’s faintly blue eyes shone even more brightly, and Hak Seong-rim’s eyes, fixed on that gaze, also shone with a faint blue light.

* * *

In the Imperial Palace, there is an organization called the Golden Uniform Guard in addition to the Eastern Depot [secret intelligence agency].

The Golden Uniform Guard was an organization that protected the Imperial Palace, protected the Imperial Family, investigated Imperial Palace officials, supervised the military, and investigated allegations of corruption against generals. It was an organization with a different character from the Eastern Depot.

Hwa-rin met Seo Dong-ryeok after achieving his goals with Hak Seong-rim, and he seemed like a friendly neighbor.

However, behind this friendliness was the fact that he was an inspector in the Golden Uniform Guard’s direct inspection agency, a grim reaper-like figure to the officials.

“You must have investigated Murim to some extent, right?”

“Yes. The Imperial Palace sees Murim as a potential threat to the country and is always watching it.”

“So, give me that information. To be exact, I mean give me the information when I need it.”

“That’s impossible. I can’t release information without the permission of the Golden Uniform Guard Commander.”

‘The Golden Uniform Guard studies Soul-Seizing Technique separately, I see.’

Seo Dong-ryeok withstood the Secret Soul-Seizing Technique of the Beggars’ Sect that Hwa-rin usually used.

Until now, Hwa-rin didn’t need to increase the intensity of the Soul-Seizing Technique, so he didn’t use a high-intensity Soul-Seizing Technique except for a few, but he had to raise the level of the Soul-Seizing Technique for Seo Dong-ryeok.

“How many Golden Uniform Guard Commanders are there that you need to get permission from all of them? And is that bastard higher than me?”

“That’s not true. But privately…”

The scary thing about the Beggars’ Sect’s secret technique was that the opponent couldn’t realize that you were using Soul-Seizing Technique on them.

“Then do it!”

“But…”

“Who am I?”

When a red glow bloomed from Hwa-rin’s eyes, surpassing the blue light, Seo Dong-ryeok lowered his head and replied.

“You are my lord.”

In the end, Seo Dong-ryeok, who had resisted Hwa-rin’s Soul-Seizing Technique, succumbed.

‘His mental strength is really amazing. Hak Seong-rim succumbed at the first stage, but it took me three stages to subdue this guy.’

Hwa-rin thought to himself that he should think about this problem once, as the stronger the martial arts and the higher the mental strength, the longer they can resist the Soul-Seizing Technique.

“If the off-the-books guys come here and ask for the information, let them know.”

“I understand.”

“And if they’re being chased or need a place to hide, always let them know about the Golden Uniform Guard’s safe houses.”

“I will do so.”

“It would have been less tiring for me if you had cooperated earlier.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Anyway, how’s the Imperial Palace? When I met Fifth Brother last time and talked, I saw signs of a crown prince fight.”

“There’s nothing special. The Imperial Palace is such a place where conspiracies and slanders prevail.”

“What about the Empress? With that personality, she wouldn’t just let those who interfere with Big Brother being crowned Crown Prince go.”

“The Empress has stepped down from the front lines.”

“Why?”

“Do you remember the day of the rebellion in the Imperial Palace twenty years ago?”

“Yeah. It’s the day my mother died.”

“That’s right. After that, His Majesty the Emperor reduced the Empress’s authority. Outwardly, it is known that the Empress presides over the affairs of the Inner Court, but in reality, she is living a life no different from confinement.”

This was the first time Hwa-rin had heard this story.

“From a few years ago, rumors like this have been spreading secretly, and the concubines of the Inner Court have often challenged the Empress’s authority.”

“Really? Is the Empress just standing still?”

“Yes. If it were the Empress we knew before, she would have definitely responded, but the Empress remains silent even while being attacked by the concubines. Because of this, the Eastern Depot and the Golden Uniform Guard had to move busily, and knowing that His Majesty the Emperor was behind it, we no longer investigated the reason.”

“So, is the Empress still living a life of exile now?”

“That’s what I know.”

He recalled his father’s appearance when he left the Imperial Palace, asking him to forgive the Empress.

“Father cherishes the Empress so much, why did he take such measures?”

“I can’t know. However, I suspect it may be related to the death of the Ninth Prince’s mother.”

Hwa-rin nodded.

“Then the Imperial Palace will have a storm.”

* * *

“So, you’re telling me to kill the Nine Dragons Stronghold Lord?”

“That’s right. He has proven himself to be a master of great martial arts in the fight against the Blood Oath Alliance, so we believe that no one but the Sword Demon [Baek Jeong-in’s title] can kill him, and that’s why we came to you.”

Hwa Jeong-soo of the Hwa Myeong Merchant Troupe, who came to find the Sword Demon Baek Jeong-in, commissioned him to kill the Nine Dragons Stronghold Lord.

“Not an easy commission.”

“If it’s the Sword Demon, can’t you kill him?”

“Of course. There is no one I can’t kill if I set my mind to it.”

“If you kill him, I will give you 100,000 gold. I have brought 30,000 gold as a down payment.”

He took out a continental battlefield ticket [currency] worth 30,000 gold and handed it to Baek Jeong-in.

After confirming the ticket, Baek Jeong-in pondered for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Send 20,000 more gold as a down payment.”

“20,000 more?”

“Since it’s money you’re going to give anyway, it’s not strange to give half of the commission in advance as a down payment.”

‘Damn bastard.’

“Can you wait a few days? That’s all the money I have with me now. I’ll go back to the family and bring more money.”

“There’s no need for that. Since the Nine Dragons Stronghold is in Seoseo-seong, I’ll go to Seoseo-seong with you and get the money.”

“Ah, if you do that, I will do my best to serve you while you are in Seoseo-seong.”

“I have to earn my keep since I received the money. I’ll take care of things myself when I get to Seoseo-seong, so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“I understand. I will do so. But if you have any inconveniences while you’re living there, please find me.”

“I will.”