Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 65

Nine Dragons Chronicle (65)

Hwa-rin learned that the old Taoist he had faced was not from the previous generation, but the grand-predecessor of the Mount Hua Sect Leader, a martial artist known as the Sword Saint and considered the best swordsman of Mount Hua at the time.

He was the most senior figure in the Mount Hua Sect and wielded immense influence.

“I didn’t recognize you. Please forgive me.”

“Now that you know, why don’t you show proper respect?”

Hwa-rin was taken aback by Myung-yul’s joking words but bowed to him again.

“Zhu Hwa-rin, a junior martial artist, greets Grand Master Myung-yul, the best swordsman of Mount Hua. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Forgiveness? I had a good time, so there’s nothing to forgive.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Consideration…”

Grand Master Myung-yul’s gaze turned to the Mount Hua Sect Leader.

“So, why did you want to see this child?”

“The martial world is in turmoil.”

“The martial world?”

“After the Demonic Cult was destroyed by the Martial Arts Alliance, the Demonic Sect, the Evil Faction, and our Orthodox Sect have been working to recover from the damage we suffered at that time.”

Hwa-rin learned about the current state of the martial world from the Mount Hua Sect Leader, Mae-san.

“While the Righteous Heaven Alliance focused on strengthening its internal affairs, the Demonic Sect and the Blood Evil Alliance focused on expanding their external power.”

“I know. The Demonic Sect is consolidating its power in the borderlands and outlying areas, and the Blood Evil Alliance is exerting its influence through its octopus-like expansion.”

“That’s right.”

“But isn’t that natural? Is there a problem with that?”

At times, they would join hands and cooperate, but the martial world was fundamentally a world of the survival of the fittest.

The strong were superior, the weak were eliminated, and the weak succumbed to the strong. Therefore, to avoid being trampled on, one had to become stronger and work harder.

From Grand Master Myung-yul’s perspective, he didn’t understand why Sect Leader Mae-san was calling it a problem.

“As with power, when it is excessive, those with internal grievances are bound to arise.”

“So?”

“If that power is not expressed externally, internal problems may arise, so the Blood Evil Alliance has begun to act to express the suppressed power externally, using the death of Ra Seong-gi, the Blood Handed Devil and leader of the Blood Demon Faction in Henan Province, as an excuse.”

“Are you talking about the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad?”

Hwa-rin mentioned the Blood Evil Alliance’s pursuit squad, the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, which he had heard about at the inn.

“That’s right. That’s to divert external attention, and along with the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, one of the main forces of the Blood Evil Alliance, the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad, has secretly entered the martial world.”

“The Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad?”

“The Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad is a martial force consisting of one hundred people. Twenty-five people form a unit, and each of them is a super-elite master, so even our Orthodox Sect and the Demonic Sect are wary of them.”

“If all one hundred are super-elite masters, it would be easy for them to destroy one of the martial world’s powers.”

“That’s right. The Blood Evil Alliance has four more such armed forces.”

“Are you saying there are four more besides the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad?”

“That’s right. They are the real power of the Blood Evil Alliance. The Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad is also included here.”

“Then what is the position of the Twelve Blood Families in the Blood Evil Alliance?”

“The Twelve Blood Families are the foundation of the Blood Evil Alliance. They gathered together to create the Blood Evil Alliance, and they consolidated the Evil Faction to grow into the Blood Evil Alliance of today.”

“It’s like the Ten Great Clans in the Righteous Heaven Alliance.”

“That’s right.”

“But why did you want to meet me?”

“I heard from Elder Hwa-young that you were from a special forces unit and that you retired from the same unit as Elder Song-cheol of the Jongnam Sect.”

“That’s right.”

“And I heard that you learned various martial arts during your time in the special forces.”

Hwa-rin could tell that Elder Hwa-young had told Sect Leader Mae-san everything about him.

“That’s right.”

“I heard that Elder Song-cheol told you to go to the Nine Dragons Stronghold before Jongnam and ask you for help if danger befell Mount Hua.”

Listening to the conversation between the two, Grand Master Myung-yul could guess why Mae-san had wanted to see Hwa-rin.

‘With this guy’s martial arts, it’s more than enough.’

He had briefly exchanged blows with Hwa-rin and was confident that he could handle the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad that had come out into the martial world.

‘The problem is that he has a lot hidden inside, so you can’t move him with causes like justice or peace.’

“So, are you asking me to deal with the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad?”

“That’s what the Righteous Heaven Alliance will do.”

“Then?”

“While we deal with the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad, I want you to hold onto the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad.”

“The Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad?”

“They are also a group that can be said to be the main force of the Blood Evil Alliance. However, although they are weaker in terms of martial power than other groups, they have excellent ability to track down traces and find opponents.”

“So, you’re saying that after the Righteous Heaven Alliance destroys the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad, you want me to hold onto the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad so they can’t move until the traces are erased?”

“That’s right.”

“Why me…?”

“I know that the Eastern and Western Poisons of the Yeongcheon Merchant Guild met Ra Seong-gi, and then a stranger invaded the Nine Dragons Stronghold.”

Hwa-rin narrowed his eyes.

“And a few days later, Blood Handed Devil Ra Seong-gi, the elders, and his sons died.”

“So you think I did it?”

“No. I’m just guessing that it’s possible. A beggar from Henan Province saw you in Henan Province on the day Ra Seong-gi died.”

Hwa-rin was reminded of the Hao Clan by Sect Leader Mae-san’s words.

“If the Beggar Clan saw me, there must be someone in the Hao Clan who recognized me too.”

“That’s right. Later, a Beggar Clan member saw you in Jiangsu Province. You may have gone through Henan Province to do business in Jiangsu Province, but the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad won’t think so.”

“Then?”

“Heh heh, even if you’re not involved, they’ll come and kill everyone before judging whether it’s true or not.”

As Grand Master Myung-yul spoke, a faint smile appeared on Hwa-rin’s lips.

“I understand.”

When Hwa-rin surprisingly agreed so easily, Sect Leader Mae-san’s expression changed slightly before returning to normal.

“But I think it’s a waste of my talent to deal with the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad without any compensation.”

“Do you want compensation?”

“Rather than wanting compensation, I want fair compensation.”

“Compensation?”

Hwa-rin told Sect Leader Mae-san what he wanted.

“That’s right. I’ll completely erase the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad from the martial world, so please have the Mount Hua Sect help me open a fabric store and an inn in Hwaeum County.”

Those who do business in Hwaeum County do not easily tolerate someone entering their territory, but they are merchants under the influence of the Mount Hua Sect, so if the Mount Hua Sect intervenes, they will have no choice but to give up their spots.

“A fabric store and an inn?”

“I run several stores in my manor.”

“With your abilities, it shouldn’t be difficult to run the manor without running the stores, right?”

Grand Master Myung-yul asked.

“It is said that harmony brings prosperity. If there are no worries in the family, the financial base must be solid, and even if something happens to me, the remaining people can live without worries, so I’m just trying to lay the foundation.”

“Heh heh, is that the only reason?”

Hwa-rin did not answer.

“Anyway, he’s a sly guy. So, if I give you a fabric store and an inn in Hwaeum County, you’ll destroy the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, is that what you’re saying?”

“Since they’ve come out into the martial world, if I know where they are, I can destroy them before the warriors of the Righteous Heaven Alliance strike the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad.”

Grand Master Myung-yul was impressed by Hwa-rin’s unwavering eyes and confident voice.

‘Even if he doesn’t know much about the martial world, his confidence and boldness in saying that he can confidently destroy the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, one of the main forces of the Blood Evil Alliance, is truly amazing.’

Myung-yul was impressed by Hwa-rin’s appearance.

—That guy is a real find.

Myung-yul sent a telepathic message to Sect Leader Mae-san.

—But can he destroy the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad alone? Even the top 100 martial artists would have a hard time.

A faint smile appeared on Myung-yul’s lips.

—He didn’t say he would handle it alone. He said he would handle it.

Mae-san thought about Myung-yul’s words for a moment.

—If Mount Hua forms a relationship with that guy, we will benefit greatly in the future. Don’t think about anything else and grant him what he wants. And have one of your disciples of a similar age befriend him.

—My disciple, Ok-hae, is the same age and has decided to become friends.

—Really? That’s good. Tell Ok-hae to come and greet me every day.

—To Ok-hae?

—He should follow in his friend’s footsteps, shouldn’t he?

Sect Leader Mae-san’s eyes widened at Myung-yul’s words.

—That guy has martial arts that are at least as good as mine, or even better.

—Yes, is that true?

Sect Leader Mae-san asked in disbelief.

—Song-cheol, that young man, told you to find that guy before Jongnam, didn’t he? There must be a reason why he said that.

—Um…

—It seems like we can leave the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad to that guy. You should do your best to help the Righteous Heaven Alliance deal with the Four Spirits Blood Demon Squad.

—I understand.”

“Then, if you destroy the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, I’ll persuade Mount Hua to open a fabric store and an inn in the best location in Hwaeum County.”

When Myung-yul confirmed, Hwa-rin bowed to the two of them.

“Then, should I leave the cleanup to the Beggar Clan after dealing with them?”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. But did you inform the Righteous Heaven Alliance of this fact?”

“I haven’t informed them yet. I was going to inform them after hearing your answer.”

“Then please keep me out of it.”

“Keep you out of it?”

“I don’t want to be exposed and attract hatred, envy, and jealousy from others.”

“Um…”

It was the way of the world that if you gain one thing, you lose another.

If the fact that Hwa-rin destroyed the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad was known to the leaders of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, there would be those who would praise him, but there would be more who would scrutinize, belittle, and envy him.

“But you’ll gain fame in the martial world?”

“Then I’ll become a target of the Blood Evil Alliance. I don’t think I should take the blame alone.”

“Hahaha.”

Grand Master Myung-yul laughed loudly, as if he was in a good mood.

“I’ll do everything according to your wishes.”

“Thank you.”

“But are you really confident? It’s one of the five main forces of the Blood Evil Alliance.”

A faint smile appeared on Hwa-rin’s lips at Grand Master Myung-yul’s question, and Grand Master Myung-yul and Sect Leader Mae-san felt the same way when they saw that smile.

‘He’s a dangerous guy.’

* * *

“Did you see what you were going to see?”

“It’s like the shit water splashed properly without seeing and judging.”

“What does that mean?”

Hwa-rin returned to Yeongjeon Hall and told Seo Dae-young about the meeting with Sect Leader Mae-san and the mission he had taken on.

“Isn’t that just telling you to die, not ‘shit water’?”

“I wouldn’t die. The problem is that I thought too lightly about the martial world’s information gathering and analysis capabilities.”

Hwa-rin was very surprised by the Orthodox Sect’s information power, which inferred his actions based on a few simple facts.

“If the Righteous Heaven Alliance thinks this way, the Blood Evil Alliance will not be much different. If the Righteous Heaven Alliance has the Zhuge Family [renowned strategists], the Blood Evil Alliance has the Sima Family [another family known for their cunning].”

“I guess so?”

They were the two major head families representing the Central Plains martial world, and it would not be wrong to say that all the conspiracies and schemes that occurred in the martial world came from the heads of the two families, so they had a significant impact on the martial world.

“Then, even if you secretly deal with the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad, won’t the Lord still be unable to get rid of the suspicion?”

“I guess so. First of all, we need to divert the attention of the Blood Evil Alliance and the Righteous Heaven Alliance elsewhere.”

“That won’t be easy. Unless you stay quiet like a dead mouse for a few years, the Nine Dragons Stronghold and the Lord will be the focus of their attention.”

“I have to think about it. If I think about it, a way will come to mind.”