Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 57

Nine Dragons Chronicle (57)

“Are you talking about the Nine Dragons Lord?”

“Yes. I would like to know what Sect Leader Sa Do-hyung knows about the Nine Dragons Lord.”

Dongseo Dok of the Yeongcheon Merchant Guild visited the Yin Evil Sect in Shanxi Province to meet with Sa Do-hyung, the sect leader, and inquire about Hwa-rin, the Nine Dragons Lord.

“I don’t know much about the Nine Dragons Lord either. However, everything related to him or the Nine Dragons Inn seems to be cursed and has started to go wrong.”

Dongseo Dok pressed him for more details.

“I first learned about the Nine Dragons Inn when the Black Snake Gang of Sanyang County was destroyed overnight. And not long after, the Red Tiger Gate, located in the neighboring Sangnam County, was also wiped out.”

“Are you saying that the two sects were attacked by the Nine Dragons Inn?”

“No. When I investigated the destruction of the two sects, I discovered that the Nine Dragons Inn had acquired all of the sects’ estates, brothels, inns, and other businesses. Perhaps around that time, rumors about the Nine Dragons Inn began to spread.”

Sa Do-hyung recounted everything that had gone wrong concerning the Nine Dragons Inn.

“When Elder Hyeon Tak-jeong and the warriors of our sect, who were sent to Sanyang County and Sangnam County, were all killed and their bodies returned, I began to suspect that someone was backing the Nine Dragons Inn and the Nine Dragons Lord, so I started investigating.”

“Isn’t that what Jongnam [a prominent Taoist sect] did? Didn’t you say they have ties to Jongnam?”

“Lord Dongseo Dok, you know better than anyone that Jongnam and Hwasan [another prominent martial arts sect] are not sects that handle such matters.”

Dongseo Dok nodded, acknowledging Sa Do-hyung’s point, even though he himself had brought it up.

“So, I’m keeping an eye on them. In fact, our dominance in Sanyang, Sangju, and Sangnam counties has weakened because of the Nine Dragons Inn, but we are holding back from making any moves to be more certain.”

“Are you saying that you might act if you knew who was hiding behind the Nine Dragons Inn?”

“It depends on the situation. I will move if I think I can handle it, but if I can’t, I will have to think carefully.”

Sa Do-hyung was well aware that Dongseo Dok was aiming for the Nine Dragons Inn, which was still under construction.

He was receiving support from the Blood Oath Alliance, and the Demonic Faction was granting Dongseo Dok favors because of it. However, considering the potential profits once the Nine Dragons Inn was completed, handing it over would be foolish.

‘I heard that the Nine Dragons Inn was attacked recently. If Dongseo Dok is involved in that, then the Nine Dragons Inn may also be involved in the Blood Fiend Sect’s massacre in Henan Province this time.’

Not long after the rumor that Dongseo Dok’s son had died, he came and asked me to eliminate the Nine Dragons Lord.

At the time, the Yin Evil Sect was also in disarray, and only bad things were happening in connection with the Nine Dragons Inn, so I refused, mentioning the Jongnam Sect.

‘The fact that there is someone behind him with the ability to kill Blood Hand Mu-jeong silently means that I can be killed at any time if he sets his mind to it.’

I hate to admit it, but Blood Hand Mu-jeong Na Seong-gi is a better martial artist than me, so it also means that I could be defeated.

“I see. But wouldn’t it be possible that the Nine Dragons Lord has simply mastered martial arts?”

“Of course, it is possible. But in the process of mastering martial arts, outstanding individuals are bound to become known. The Ten Dragons and Eight Phoenixes [legendary martial artists] are a prime example of this.”

“Hmm…”

“The Ten Dragons and Eight Phoenixes never spread rumors about themselves. The rumors spread and became known to people as those around them praised or boasted about their martial arts.”

“So, you mean that if the Nine Dragons Lord had mastered great martial arts, the rumors would have already spread?”

“That’s right. Especially in the Murim [martial arts world], where reputation is important, that would be even more so.”

“Hmm.”

“Even if you become a master, you can live in the Murim with your head held high. So, the Murim is a place where people are eager to show off their skills by any means possible.”

Dongseo Dok’s thoughts deepened.

“There must be someone behind the Nine Dragons Lord. Someone who makes the Shanxi Province Lord afraid.”

“What do you mean? Makes the Shanxi Province Lord afraid?”

“Isn’t that why he granted permission for the gambling house?”

Dongseo Dok narrowed his eyes.

‘Come to think of it, the permission for the gambling house is at the discretion of the Province Lord, but I know that gambling houses have a close relationship with the lives of the people, so it is reported to the Imperial Palace.’

The Emperor should have received this report and issued a correction order to cancel the permission, and even summoned the Shanxi Province Lord who issued the permission to reprimand him, but no orders were issued from the Imperial Palace, and construction continued.

‘Could there be someone related to the court behind the Nine Dragons Lord?’

He wondered if a high-ranking official, or someone in a high position in the Eastern Depot [secret police] or the Embroidered Uniform Guard [imperial guard], was backing the Nine Dragons Lord.

Sa Do-hyung, seeing Dongseo Dok lost in thought, knew he was contemplating something else, but he left him alone to sort out his thoughts.

The reason was simple: the more trouble Dongseo Dok caused, the more it would benefit him.

‘If Dongseo Dok meddles with the Nine Dragons Inn and incidents occur, I should use this as an excuse to get some investment.’

Unaware of Sa Do-hyung’s scheme, Dongseo Dok, lost in his own reasoning, remembered the Nine Dragons Inn’s ties to Jongnam and wondered if they were related to the military rather than the government.

‘If it’s the military, then the Grand Prince Yeong’s, Grand Prince Heung’s, and Grand Prince Yong’s residences would be involved, and with their pressure, the Shanxi Province Lord would have had no choice but to grant permission for the gambling house.’

Dongseo Dok concluded that one of the three Grand Princes was behind the Nine Dragons Inn, and now he had to consider his next move.

‘After sorting out my thoughts, I should go to the Nine Dragons Inn and meet the Nine Dragons Lord.’

* * *

“So, you’re saying that there’s a shortage of grain for the soldiers, but the Hwamyeong Merchant Guild said they would deliver the grain a month after the rainy season?”

“That’s right. We are releasing the reserve grain and distributing it to the soldiers, but we are distributing it a little less than the daily ration.”

“Hmm…”

General Na Jin-hwa of the Azure Dragon Army, which belongs to the Paloseu Army, met with General Chae Mu-song, the commander of the Azure Dragon Army, to report the grain shortage and discuss possible solutions.

“Right now, there are no special operations, so there are no complaints, but when the rainy season ends and naval tactical training begins, the soldiers will start to complain.”

“That’s right. When the body is tired, the mind becomes hardened.”

“That’s why I’m suggesting that the Nine Dragons Inn in Shanxi Province says they can deliver the grain within a few days.”

“Nine Dragons Inn?”

Chae Mu-song looked at Na Jin-hwa with a displeased expression. As if suspecting his corruption, he seemed to be questioning how much he was planning to embezzle through the Nine Dragons Inn this time.

“That’s not it!”

Na Jin-hwa, startled by Chae Mu-song’s gaze, immediately denied it and took out the Nine Dragons Token from his chest, showing it to Chae Mu-song.

“What is this?”

“It’s the Yellow Dragon Token that represents the identity of the Prince.”

“What?”

Chae Mu-song took the Yellow Dragon Token and examined it closely.

It was definitely the Yellow Dragon Token that signified the identity of a Prince.

Chae Mu-song, confirming the nine dragons engraved on the Yellow Dragon Token, opened his eyes in surprise.

“This is the Nine Dragons Token of Hwa-rin, the Ninth Prince, the Shadow Lord. The Ninth Prince is in the Imperial Palace… But where did you get this?”

Na Jin-hwa was able to confirm that the token was genuine by Chae Mu-song’s reaction.

“The Lord of the Nine Dragons Inn… No, the Ninth Prince came to me two nights ago and gave me the Yellow Dragon Token, saying he wanted to trade grain. I wanted to check with the General to see if it was real, and if the Hwamyeong Merchant Guild doesn’t bring the grain even after this rainy season ends…”

Na Jin-hwa told Chae Mu-song what Hwa-rin had said.

“So, after worrying about it, I went to the Gangseo Province branch of the Hwamyeong Merchant Guild yesterday to find out if the grain could arrive on time, but I got a lukewarm answer. If the Nine Dragons Token is definitely the token of Prince Hwa-rin, I am reporting to the General with the intention of securing grain through a transaction with the Nine Dragons Inn.”

Na Jin-hwa is in charge of military supplies, but changing suppliers at will is limited to small items.

For important military supplies such as grain and food, the supplier can only be changed with the General’s permission.

“Did Prince Hwa-rin say he could provide grain every month?”

“I didn’t ask him that. But he said he could definitely handle this immediate shortage.”

“Is that so? I understand. You can go back to your duties. I need to visit Grand Prince Yeong’s residence.”

“Are you thinking of meeting the Prince and discussing Prince Hwa-rin?”

“That’s right. I need to find out how the Prince, who has been confined to the Imperial Palace due to illness, came to the Central Plains.”

“He said he had recovered from his illness.”

“Isn’t that what I mean by finding out? Grain is the most important of military supplies. This token is real, but to handle things more reliably, Grand Prince Yeong’s approval is needed.”

“I understand.”

Na Jin-hwa bowed his head and left the General’s tent.

“The General will take care of it. Prince Hwa-rin won’t reveal my corruption to the General, will he?”

General Chae Mu-song also knew about Na Jin-hwa’s corruption to some extent. However, he was simply turning a blind eye. Na Jin-hwa knew this well.

“If he discovers my weakness and tries to exploit me, he won’t reveal everything, will he?”

Na Jin-hwa tried to remain optimistic.

“This is not the time to be doing this. I need to deal with these bastards right away and reclaim the brothel.”

* * *

Hwa-rin finished his business in Gangseo Province and used the waterways of the Yangtze River to travel quickly.

He considered returning to Henan Province and eliminating all of Dongseo Dok’s sons to end his lineage, but traveling by land would take too long and consume too much internal energy, so he decided to deal with Dongseo Dok later.

Swish…

Hwa-rin was traveling by boat, planning to move to Chongqing using the Yangtze River’s waterways and then cross over to Shanxi Province from there.

Perhaps because it was the rainy season, the river water had risen significantly, and the current was swift, allowing him to travel faster than usual.

While the boat shook violently due to the rough currents, requiring ordinary people some time to adjust, compared to the high waves of the sea that Hwa-rin had experienced, this was like a calm lake.

“The suspicious Na Jin-hwa will show my token to General Chae Mu-song and try to verify it.”

Hwa-rin had anticipated Na Jin-hwa’s reaction.

“Then Chae Mu-song will show my token to Uncle Grand Prince Yeong and try to confirm how I left the Imperial Palace.”

He had fully expected this much.

“Uncle Grand Prince Yeong may come to confirm if it’s really me, or the General may come.”

The five years he spent in the Fierce Tiger Death Squad were not just a time to adapt to martial arts and combat experience, but also a time to decide his path in life.

The five years he spent in the Fierce Tiger Death Squad, where he witnessed and learned about the diverse lives of people not only in the Central Plains but also in the borderlands and foreign lands, and far away in the Western Regions and other continents across the sea, may have been the most valuable time for Hwa-rin.

And if their visit is secretly known by the Hao Clan or the Beggar Clan [prominent factions in the martial arts world], the Nine Dragons Inn will be safe even without him.

“Then, through Uncle Grand Prince Yeong, rumors about me will reach the Imperial Palace, and my brothers and sisters will be pleased to hear the news of my departure from the Imperial Palace.”

Hwa-rin also knew that rumors about him would not spread quickly, but eventually they would spread over time.

If that happens, it might be a little annoying because of them, but it might be even better for him because his brothers and sisters would not interfere with his plans.

“If the safety of the Nine Dragons Inn is secured, I can entrust it to the Danri Soso and Danri Hyeokjin siblings.”

Hwa-rin leaned against the stern of the boat and looked up at the sky.

“Brother Danri, this is all I can do for your siblings.”

He hoped that Danri Hyeokgwang would be satisfied with this much.

“Don’t worry. I was called the Underworld King in the Western Regions. No one will be able to harm me even if I venture into the Murim. And if they try? Wouldn’t that be fun in its own way?”

A faint smile appeared on Hwa-rin’s lips as he spoke to himself.

“Those were good times.”

Hwa-rin recalled a fragment of an old memory.

“It rained a lot like this back then too…”