Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 30

Nine Dragons Chronicle (30)

Hwa-myeong Merchant Guild

“So, you’re saying the Nine Dragons Hall in Sanyang County runs gambling dens and loan sharking operations?”

Hwa Jeong-soo, the head of the Hwa-myeong Merchant Guild, was meeting with Song-ak, the leader of the Jongnam Sect, to discuss the Nine Dragons Hall.

“Yes, that’s correct. They also operate inns and brothels, but those are just fronts. Their main business is gambling and loan sharking.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s difficult to definitively label them as part of the Demonic Faction, but considering they’re involved in businesses that can ruin people’s lives, I don’t think they’re exactly upstanding citizens.”

“Indeed. Proper merchants wouldn’t engage in such risky ventures as gambling and loan sharking.”

“It’s unconfirmed, but rumors say they raise funds through smuggling and even human trafficking. However, this is just hearsay.”

Hwa Jeong-soo, carefully prefacing his statements as unconfirmed rumors, listed allegations that could negatively impact the Nine Dragons Hall. This way, even if the information later proved false, he could claim he only mentioned rumors and never asserted certainty, demonstrating his meticulous nature.

“Even if it’s just a rumor, such talk usually has some basis in truth.”

“Sanyang County isn’t far from Jongnam Mountain, is it? Perhaps the Jongnam Sect could investigate.”

“Thank you for informing me.”

“It’s my duty. I’ve heard the movements of the Demonic Sect and the Blood Evil Alliance are unsettling.”

Hwa Jeong-soo shifted the topic to inquire about the state of the Murim [martial arts world].

“The Demonic Sect is gathering strength, and the Blood Evil Alliance is expanding its influence. The Righteous Heaven Alliance is simply observing, unsure which will make the first move.”

“I see.”

“We anticipate that someone will reach out to the Righteous Heaven Alliance first, as the Demonic Sect and the Blood Evil Alliance won’t move in unison.”

“Reach out…”

“The Demonic Sect might join hands with the Alliance to strike at the Blood Evil Alliance, or the Blood Evil Alliance might ally with the Alliance to attack the Demonic Sect.”

“Ah… Would the Righteous Heaven Alliance consider joining forces with the Demonic Sect?”

“It’s possible. They cooperated with the Demonic Sect to annihilate the Baegyo Sect [White Lotus Sect] thirty years ago. What’s to say they wouldn’t do it again?”

The Jongnam Sect is close to the secular world and willing to cooperate with the Demonic Sect for profit. The Ten Great Families, who effectively control the Righteous Heaven Alliance, are also capable of joining forces with the Demonic Sect for their own benefit.

“I see. That happened thirty years ago. So, the Righteous Heaven Alliance hasn’t made any decisions yet.”

“That’s correct.”

“The conflicts in Murim greatly affect us merchants, so we can’t help but be concerned.”

“Of course. But don’t worry. The Righteous Heaven Alliance is currently capable of facing any enemy.”

Hwa Jeong-soo nodded and took out a paper-wrapped envelope from his pocket, handing it to Song-ak.

“What is this?”

“Please use it for the benefit of the Jongnam Sect.”

Song-ak looked at Hwa Jeong-soo.

“If conflicts arise in Murim, our guild needs to secure a lifeline for safety, wouldn’t you agree?”

Song-ak understood the intention behind the envelope and nodded.

“Rest assured, the Hwa-myeong Merchant Guild will not face any difficulties inside or outside Seoseong.”

* * *

Hwa-rin was training in the training grounds in the backyard of the Nine Dragons Hall.

Since coming to the Nine Dragons Hall, he had been training every day at dawn without fail.

Having already surpassed the Hwagyeong level and reached the edge of the Hyeon-gyeong level, physical training was no longer as crucial. However, Hwa-rin had a soldier’s habits ingrained in him more than a Murim warrior’s, so he trained daily to keep his body limber.

As Hwa-rin moved slowly, a blue aura emanated around him. With each movement of his hands and feet, the blue aura shifted in the darkness. Anyone unfamiliar with this sight might mistake it for a ghost or a monster.

As Hwa-rin’s movements gradually quickened and intensified, the blue aura slowly turned red, expressing itself in the air in sync with Hwa-rin’s movements.

Chyuchyuchyuchyu!

Although the space was dark without a single light, the surroundings repeatedly brightened and darkened due to the light emitted by the aura with each movement of Hwa-rin’s hands and feet.

The martial arts Hwa-rin learned from the Imperial Palace report numbered ninety-nine. He had mastered all of these martial arts during his five years of military service, fighting against numerous enemies, and could now execute them skillfully.

Furthermore, Hwa-rin had also acquired and mastered some of the martial arts of those he had fought, making him a veritable walking martial arts encyclopedia.

Hwa-rin’s martial arts training began at dawn, during the In-shi hour [3:00-5:00 AM], and ended at the Myo-shi hour [5:00-7:00 AM] when the morning sun rose.

Around this time, the servants working at the manor were busily moving to prepare breakfast, so Hwa-rin also finished his training. After washing away the sweat, he ate breakfast with the servants.

Afterward, he began his daily routine, which mostly consisted of spending time at the inn.

It might seem unrelated to his goal of becoming the king of Murim, but as the saying goes, “harmony in the home leads to success in everything.” Therefore, creating conditions for the stable operation of the Nine Dragons Hall was a priority.

Additionally, it would be ideal if he could help Danri Hyuk-gwang’s younger siblings, Danri So-so and Danri Hyuk-jin, live comfortably without worrying about the future.

“Mak-so.”

“Yes, Hall Lord!”

A waiter working at the inn answered Hwa-rin’s call and ran to him.

“Go to the kitchen and ask Danri Hyuk-jin to make some braised tofu and stir-fried mung bean noodles, and bring a bottle of Jukyeopcheong [bamboo leaf liquor] with hwachae [fruit punch].”

“Are you planning to start drinking from morning?”

“I used to live like this all the time. Just convey my wishes to the kitchen.”

“Understood.”

When Mak-so went to the kitchen and requested the food Hwa-rin had ordered, he heard grumbling from inside.

Hwa-rin chuckled at the sound.

“This is the way you live. And it’s also a way for me to repay Hyuk-gwang hyung [older brother] for his kindness.”

While waiting for the alcohol and snacks, Hwa-rin reminisced about the past.

When he first joined the Menghosa Death Squad, his instructor was Danri Hyuk-gwang.

Hwa-rin learned a lot from Danri Hyuk-gwang. Simply being skilled in martial arts wasn’t enough to survive in war.

The method for survival on the battlefield was a different realm altogether.

Hwa-rin learned those survival methods from Danri Hyuk-gwang, which allowed him to endure and spend five long years.

“Hyuk-gwang hyung, just as you taught me how to survive rather than just martial arts, I should teach those methods to the children.”

The battlefield and the place where ordinary people live are clearly different, but the fact that you have to step on others to survive remains the same.

“So-so is fine, but I’m a little worried about the guy grumbling in there.”

Hwa-rin muttered to himself, and Mak-so, who was watching from a short distance away, tilted his head.

‘He sometimes comes and talks to himself. I think he’s a little crazy.’

Mak-so saw Hwa-rin as someone a little different from ordinary people.

“I have no intention of doing that. I’d rather teach martial arts to So-so. If that guy learns even a bit of martial arts, he’ll show off somewhere and get beaten to death in some unknown mountain.”

“Mak-so, bring the Jukyeopcheong first.”

At Hwa-rin’s words, Mak-so brought the Jukyeopcheong and salted radish.

“Thank you. Now go and work.”

“The food will be out soon.”

“Tell Danri Hyuk-jin to bring it.”

“Yes, understood.”

Mak-so conveyed Hwa-rin’s words to the kitchen and went to do his work.

Soon after, Danri Hyuk-jin brought out the food he had made and placed it in front of Hwa-rin.

“Sit down.”

Danri Hyuk-jin looked startled and carefully sat down.

“Is work manageable?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then why are you grumbling so much?”

“Me?”

“I can hear everything even sitting here.”

With a flinching expression, he denied it and made excuses. Hwa-rin chuckled at Danri Hyuk-jin’s reaction and tasted the dish he had made.

“It’s not bad. It’s decent, but it seems you’re not quite up to the head chef’s level yet.”

“I’m learning diligently.”

“Do you know the difference between you and the head chef?”

At Hwa-rin’s words, Danri Hyuk-jin wore an expression that said, ‘How much would you know?’

He thought that Hwa-rin might be a martial arts expert, but he was an amateur when it came to cooking.

Hwa-rin had spent the past five years in the military, working as a waiter in a trading city, and as the owner of an inn after his seniors died. His palate was known for being picky within the unit, and he was so sensitive that he could discern the difference just by tasting the food.

“The speed of handling fire is different. Braised dishes like braised tofu require gentle heat, and stir-fries like stir-fried mung bean noodles require quick stir-frying to preserve the crispness of the vegetables.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Even though he said this, his face was still full of dissatisfaction.

“Learn well while I’m teaching you. The head chef will soon be moving to another place, and then you will become the head chef of this inn.”

“Me?”

“Yes. But keep in mind that if the inn’s sales drop, you have no idea what kind of torment I’ll inflict on you that day.”

Danri Hyuk-jin’s eyes widened.

“I learned eighty-four thousand ways to inflict pain in the military.”

“Hiccup!”

Danri Hyuk-jin suddenly hiccupped and hurriedly covered his mouth with both hands.

“Don’t even think about running away. If I set my mind to catching you, I can find you before the day is over.”

“Ah… I understand.”

“If you work hard, I might even give you the inn’s profits.”

Danri Hyuk-jin’s eyes widened.

“It cost one hundred gold to buy this inn. If you work hard and the net profit from this inn exceeds one hundred gold, I’ll give you the profits from this inn. Then you only need to give the main hall one gold each month.”

“If I do that, will you really give me the inn’s profits?”

“Yes. Why, are you not confident?”

“No, it’s not that. I can do it well.”

“Good. Then do well from now on. It won’t be a bad deal for you either.”

The inn earned a decent amount of money each day. When it earned a lot, it sometimes earned four or five gold a day, and when it earned less, it still earned fifty silver, so one hundred gold was an amount that could be earned in a relatively short time.

However, since it was the net profit, not the sales, it might take a little longer, but even so, it wouldn’t take more than three years if he really worked hard.

“I will work hard.”

“Then shall we put what we talked about today in writing?”

“Thank you.”

Hwa-rin smiled brightly and told Danri Hyuk-gwang to bring paper and ink. He went into the room, brought paper and ink, and placed them in front of Hwa-rin.

Hwa-rin wrote down exactly what he had said on the paper.

“If the food tastes bad and sales drop after becoming the head chef, he will take responsibility for it. And he will take care of not only the cooking but also the overall management of the inn, ensuring that there are no shortcomings in welcoming guests.”

Hwa-rin looked at Danri Hyuk-jin while writing.

“No objections?”

“That’s correct.”

“After becoming the head chef, at the point when the net profit from the inn exceeds one hundred gold, he will notify the Nine Dragons Hall Lord, and regarding the profits from the inn that occur afterward…”

Hwa-rin wrote down the words he had said to Danri Hyuk-jin and then signed his name below. He then handed the brush to Danri Hyuk-jin to sign as well.

Danri Hyuk-jin also signed, and the contract between the two was concluded.

After completing the contract, Hwa-rin stood up and said to Danri Hyuk-jin.

“Work hard. People may betray you, but the world won’t. Sometimes people may point fingers and call you foolish, but if you silently do your best in your work, the world, not people, will recognize you first.”

Danri Hyuk-jin watched Hwa-rin leave the inn.

When you think about it, he was a good person to him… no, to his sister and him.

It was also true that he felt more comfortable now than when he was causing trouble as a thug, and it was good that he didn’t have to listen to his sister’s nagging and that he could see his sister, who was always angry, smiling and laughing at him.

“Thank you, Hall Lord!”