Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 41

The Legend of the Nine Dragons (41)

“What do you think, Elder Hwa-young?”

“Frankly, it’s hard to believe everything the Nine Dragons Clan Head says, but it’s clear he has mastered the Ice White Hand Divine Art, and as Elder Song-cheol said, he is a dangerous man.”

“I never imagined the Nine Dragons Clan Head would have mastered the Ice White Hand Divine Art either.”

“That’s not the problem. The problem is that he already possesses martial arts that surpass ours, and as the Elder said, he has reached a level of mastery beyond perfection through numerous real combat experiences in the military.”

Elder Hwa-young’s words meant that they couldn’t carelessly deal with him.

“The Nine Dragons Clan Head said he would stay still if we didn’t bother him, so there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Although an individual’s martial prowess couldn’t greatly influence the Murim [martial arts world] world, there were occasional cases where an individual surpassed a group, and in such cases, the landscape of Murim could change due to that individual.

The two didn’t think the Nine Dragons Clan Head was that kind of person, but they judged that if he had a close relationship with the Blood Evil Alliance or the Demonic Sect and helped them, he could exert some influence in future power struggles.

“Since I have a personal connection with him, I should meet him often and try to bring him to our side so we can receive help later.”

“I hope that happens. By the way, Elder Song-cheol.”

“Speak.”

“Tell me more about the military special forces unit where you and the Nine Dragons Clan Head served.”

Song-cheol showed a brief moment of embarrassment but nodded and began to tell the story of the Fierce Tiger Death Squad.

He thought it was important to prevent Elder Hwa-young from spreading the story about Hwa-rin elsewhere.

“The unit is called the Fierce Tiger Death Squad.”

“Fierce Tiger Death Squad?”

“The nature of military units is largely divided into two types: one that focuses on defense, such as the border guard, and another that aims to attack. Units corresponding to six parts of the Heungchin Royal Guard’s military organization have the mission of attacking and annihilating the enemy in times of war.”

Elder Song-cheol first gave a rough explanation of the military and then talked about the Fierce Tiger Death Squad.

“Other units move when the enemy invades or when we invade an enemy country, but the Fierce Tiger Death Squad is different.”

“Then?”

“If the military intelligence determines that a group located in the borderlands of the Central Plains or the Saekmok countries poses a threat to the Central Plains, or if they show signs of consolidating surrounding forces to expand into a large power, the Fierce Tiger Death Squad is deployed on a mission based on the judgment of the leadership.”

“They use a preemptive strike method of suppression.”

“That’s right.”

“Because of that, the mortality rate of soldiers belonging to the Fierce Tiger Death Squad exceeds 90%.”

Hwa-young looked surprised at the mention of a mortality rate exceeding 90%.

“Is that true?”

“I have no reason to lie. Since the unit was created, only six people have been discharged, including the Nine Dragons Clan Head and me.”

In Murim, Elder Song-cheol’s martial arts were widely known.

He possessed such outstanding martial arts that he was called the ‘Greatest Swordsman of Jongnam,’ but he rarely appeared in Murim.

This time, he heard that Elder Song-cheol had stepped forward and come down from the mountain gate because he was friends with the Nine Dragons Clan Head, which was a bit surprising.

“Actually, I was lucky. My seniors who came before me took care of all the dangerous forces, so I didn’t have much difficulty.”

“There may be such cases.”

“Nevertheless, I was the only one who was discharged after spending five years there.”

Elder Hwa-young was unsure whether to believe this or not.

“That’s how often they are deployed on dangerous missions. Therefore, to enter the military, one’s martial arts must be at least top-tier.”

A top-tier martial artist could receive considerable treatment even in Murim.

“I went on 45 missions in five years. And through the process of completing the missions and returning, I gained quite a bit of achievement, and through real combat experience, I completed my own martial arts.”

“Elder Song-cheol’s martial arts are recognized as one of the best in Murim…”

“But the Nine Dragons Clan Head was deployed on over a hundred missions and was in charge of the leaders of the enemy forces, so he can’t be compared to me.”

“We can’t believe everything he says, can we?”

“That’s right. But what is clear is that he survived his service, mastered martial arts that we can’t fathom, and has reached a level of mastery to the point of establishing a school of his own, which cannot be denied.”

Hwa-young nodded.

As Song-cheol said, he confirmed that the Nine Dragons Clan Head’s martial arts were at a level that he could not reach with his current skills.

“So, we have no choice but to believe it.”

“Then it would be good for our Hwasan to maintain a good relationship with him.”

“Didn’t I tell you before? If Hwasan is in danger, send people to the Nine Dragons Clan Head before our Jongnam.”

“You did.”

“If you trust my words and create and maintain a special relationship with the Nine Dragons Clan Head, it will help Hwasan and will never harm it.”

* * *

Hwa-rin was smiling brightly in his office.

Hwa-rin showed off his martial arts and spoke with a mix of lies, but there was a reason for telling them what he had done.

He told Elder Song-cheol and Elder Hwa-young to be careful, but he thought that when they returned to their sects, they would tell the sect leader about the Nine Dragons Clan and himself, and eventually, it would be reported to the Jeongcheon Alliance [Righteous Heaven Alliance, a major force in the Murim world].

Of course, they wouldn’t tell the general disciples, but it would be known to those in a certain position, and through their mouths, it would be known to their children.

Then, out of competitiveness or other reasons, they would come to him. If these things continued to happen, it would eventually reach the ears of the Demonic Faction through the Hao Gate.

He said all this with these calculations in mind, and looking at the expressions of the two, he was convinced that his plan would succeed.

“I have to use everything I can.”

At that time, a voice called out.

“Clan Head.”

“What’s going on?”

“The owner of Hwayang House has come to see you.”

“Ah, really? Guide them in. And please prepare something for Master Jeong to eat.”

A moment later, the office door opened, and a middle-aged man with a belly as big as a mountain entered, claiming to be the owner of Hwayang House.

His face was sagging as if it was full of greed, and people around him pointed fingers at him, calling him a miser beyond a skinflint.

“Welcome, Master Jeong.”

“I was worried that you might not be in the manor when I came to visit.”

“Fortunately, I was in the manor because I had guests earlier. But what brings you here?”

“I heard that the Clan Head is buying up pleasure houses at a good price.”

“That’s right. I said that. Are you thinking of selling your establishment, Master Jeong?”

“I’m considering it.”

“Then you’ll sell if I give you a generous price.”

As Hwa-rin said with a smile, Master Jeong nodded.

“Sanyang County doesn’t have any famous tourist attractions, nor does it have any scenic views with famous mountains or lakes.”

“That’s true.”

“Several pleasure houses are gathered together to do business like sharing a meal, but if the Clan Head’s Nine Dragons House is established, the future of small pleasure houses like ours is obvious.”

“I have nothing to say about that.”

“No, I’m not saying that the Clan Head is wrong. I would do the same if I had the ability. Everyone is just making noise because of greed, but if they had the ability, they would probably do more than the Clan Head, not less.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

A member of the manor staff brought refreshments and placed them in front of Master Jeong before leaving.

“I had some with the guests earlier.”

Hwa-rin spoke first, thinking that he might feel awkward eating alone.

“Ah, thank you.”

Hwa-rin paused for a moment, watched Master Jeong eat the tea and fruit, and then opened his mouth.

“So, are you thinking of selling Hwayang House? If you sell, will you do something else?”

“The pleasure house seems to be a declining business here in Sanyang County, so I’m thinking of trying something else.”

If the Nine Dragons House is established, the surrounding pleasure houses will be severely affected.

“What other business are you thinking of?”

“I’ll have to think about that gradually.”

Hwa-rin nodded.

Since Master Jeong was rumored to be a skinflint, he thought that whatever he did, he would investigate thoroughly and do something that would make money.

Hwa-rin knew Master Jeong’s thoughts, so he spoke directly rather than beating around the bush.

“If you sell Hwayang House, do you have a separate amount in mind, Master Jeong? For reference, the amount I purchased Osong House for was 5,000 gold taels [a unit of currency], including the land and building.”

“5,000 taels? Did you give that much?”

“Osong House has a large site and building size, and Madam Mi-ok, the owner, is in charge of educating the courtesans who work at our Nine Dragons House, so I gave a little generously.”

“Ah, I see.”

Master Jeong looked a little disappointed.

“The land and building of Hwayang House that I know are half the size of Osong House compared to it.”

“That’s right.”

“The location is also a bit inside.”

After speaking in detail as if he knew Hwayang House well, he spoke to Master Jeong.

“From my point of view, I can’t give you more than 2,000 gold taels, no matter how generously I give.”

“2,000 taels?”

“That’s right. It’s more than you’d get selling to other people. You must have looked into it to some extent before coming, so don’t think about the price I suggested impulsively, think about it carefully, and meet other business owners to see if you can get a better price.”

The reason Hwa-rin said this was because he was sure that no one would invest 2,000 gold taels in Hwayang House.

“I understand. Is 2,000 taels valid until the Nine Dragons House opens, as you said?”

“That’s right. So, think about it slowly. However, as I said, I can’t give you that price once the Nine Dragons House starts operating.”

“If the Nine Dragons House starts operating, how much can you buy it for?”

Hwa-rin shook his head.

“I don’t think I’ll need it then. If none of the owners sell, I don’t know, but if one or two people sell me their pleasure houses, I won’t need any more, so it depends on the future plans.”

“I see. I’ve heard the Clan Head’s thoughts well. I’ll think about it a little more and make a decision and tell the Clan Head.”

“Please do so. Think carefully and make a decision without regrets so that you can get good results.”

“Thank you.”