Chapter 13
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Dragon Cosmos Assembly
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That was a fortnight later.
Yi Ho-chang rose even earlier than usual, finished bathing, and stepped out of the tent with Baek Hwi.
It was because of the Dragon Cosmos Assembly that Chun Seom had mentioned a fortnight ago.
"Let's go, Baek Hwi."
"Yes, Brother."
Now, calling Yi Ho-chang "Brother" came quite naturally to him.
Not only the form of address, but his speech had fully shifted to polite honorifics. Yi Ho-chang had told him it wasn't necessary, but Baek Hwi insisted stubbornly that he had to set an example if the younger ones were to follow suit.
'What a cute kid. Anyway, the Dragon Cosmos Assembly...'
The Dragon Cosmos Assembly was a meeting attended by the Dragon Pearl Gang's squad leaders all the way up to the gang leader. He'd heard the agenda this time was selecting personnel to attend the Famous Name Assembly, hosted by the Great Benevolence Gang—the largest organization in Zhejiang Province.
He'd initially thought he'd have to go alone, but fortunately, he could bring one squad member along, so he'd chosen Baek Hwi.
Baek Hwi was an experienced attendee who'd been to the assembly a few times before.
Not long after, they spotted an artificial building in a forest a short distance from the Dragon Pearl Gang's base.
It was the Dragon Cosmos Hall.
Passing through the large door at the center of the wooden walls revealed small pavilions—one each to the east, west, south, and north—with a massive training ground in the middle, elevated on a mound higher than the surrounding terrain.
And seeing the dragon-shaped carving soaring along the wall beside the mound made the name Dragon Cosmos click perfectly.
'So this is the Dragon Cosmos Hall.'
He'd only heard about it before; this was his first time seeing it in person.
Yi Ho-chang nodded in admiration at the Dragon Cosmos Hall, which looked like a movie set.
For a beggars' den, the structure was remarkably grand and beautiful.
Just then, someone approached.
It was Chun Seom.
Spotting Chun Seom, Yi Ho-chang greeted him first.
"You're here early."
"You two are the early birds. Don't these little squirts ever sleep in?"
"We just left as soon as our eyes popped open. That's all."
Chun Seom chuckled casually at Yi Ho-chang's reply.
"Being diligent is a good thing. So, what do you think? It's your first time seeing the hall, right?"
"Honestly, I'm impressed. It's surprising enough that our gang owns a place like this."
Yi Ho-chang spoke his mind without holding back.
Chun Seom nodded in agreement.
"Heh, I felt the same at first. How could a bunch of beggars have something like this? But I heard our Dragon Pearl Gang used to be a bandit den originally."
"A bandit den?"
"Yeah, up until the gang leader before last. This place was built back then by the founding gang leader, from what I hear. We've just been maintaining the inheritance well."
"I see."
"Alright, then. I'll show you to your spot, so head to your assigned pavilion."
Each pavilion had designated positions.
The gang leader and deputy leader took the north; squad captains the south; Squad 1 the east; Squad 2 the west.
As instructed by Chun Seom, they reached the west pavilion and saw a plaque reading White West Pavilion in white letters.
It seemed the names combined directional colors with compass points.
Upon arriving at White West Pavilion, a familiar face appeared.
It was Jun Hyo.
"You're early."
"Just getting here now? You're so slow, slacker."
Jun Hyo laughed at Baek Hwi's greeting.
Jun Hyo hadn't brought any other members.
Baek Hwi explained that was the norm.
Yi Ho-chang and Baek Hwi removed their shoes and sat in the pavilion. Soon after, figures appeared in the opposite pavilion.
It was the squad leaders from Squads 2 and 3 he'd seen before, along with their subordinates.
Yi Ho-chang glanced around for Mu Cheol-gae but didn't spot him yet—probably not arrived.
Baek Hwi scanned the area too, then said to Yi Ho-chang,
"Looks like not everyone's here yet, so it'll be a bit before we start. Brother, I'll head to the restroom real quick."
"Sure."
Their exchange flowed naturally.
But overhearing it, Jun Hyo's eyes widened in shock.
"Brother? What's that about? Who's calling who brother?"
Baek Hwi smirked and replied,
"Who else? The brother right here."
"What?"
"I'm in a hurry—talk later."
With that, Baek Hwi dashed off.
Jun Hyo stared after him, mumbling in bewilderment.
"That guy calling someone else brother..."
It was quite a shock to Jun Hyo.
He'd never seen Baek Hwi act like that before.
But glancing at Yi Ho-chang, he could only accept it.
Truth be told, Jun Hyo had recently started hearing rumors about Squad 6.
'That kid's been covering everyone's tribute fees single-handedly... Whatever his secret is, that's some real skill—enough to deserve being called brother.'
Just then—
"Hm, he's way more handsome than I heard."
"Tell me about it."
A group of unfamiliar faces arrived at White West Pavilion.
A long-haired boy chimed in agreement with the girl who had a scar on her nose bridge.
Yi Ho-chang looked up, meeting their eyes, and the girl waved first in greeting.
"Nice to meet you. You're the new Squad 6 leader Yi Ho-chang, right? I'm Squad 4 leader Seol Ye, and this is our squad member Yu Rok."
"Pleased to meet you."
Ah, so those were Squad 4.
Yi Ho-chang nodded and greeted them back.
"Squad 6 leader Yi Ho-chang. Nice to meet you."
"Hey, you."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna be my husband candidate?"
"...What?"
Yi Ho-chang froze at Seol Ye's words.
Yu Rok answered flatly in her stead.
"No need to be shocked. Our leader screams 'husband candidate' at every good-looking guy she sees."
"Not every single one, okay?"
"Sure, sure."
Ah... what was I getting worked up for?
Yi Ho-chang couldn't help but chuckle.
It felt just like watching his young nieces and nephews banter cutely.
Then Jun Hyo, sitting nearby, shook his head pityingly.
"She calls every guy she sees a husband candidate? What are you, the emperor?"
"Oh? The dung beetle speaks?"
"W-what? Dung beetle?!"
"Ugly guys are all dung beetles. Right, Yu Rok?"
"Pretty much."
"Hey! You can't say that! Have you no conscience, Yu Rok?"
"Yu Rok's good-looking."
"See?"
"You little brats!"
Good grief.
The pavilion had been quiet moments ago, but it was noisy in no time.
It reminded him of a big family home during holidays.
Not hating kids but not loving the racket either, Yi Ho-chang quietly slipped out of the pavilion.
'Guess I should go find Baek Hwi.'
What's taking the guy so long just to piss? Hope it's not a big one.
Killing two birds with one stone—escaping the noise and checking on Baek Hwi—Yi Ho-chang started walking nearby.
Not long after leaving the pavilion, his aura sense picked up a cluster of people not far off.
'What's that?'
Curious, he approached stealthily.
And there, unexpectedly, was Baek Hwi.
The guy who should have been at the restroom was instead surrounded and getting beaten—not by restroom lurkers, but by the subordinates of Squad 2 and 3 leaders he'd seen earlier.
One of them snickered,
"This one's just annoying for no reason."
"Yeah, maybe 'cause he's fat and ugly?"
Hearing that, Yi Ho-chang closed his eyes quietly.
Like leader, like squad member—same antics.
With a soft sigh, he closed in swiftly and struck their paralysis acupoints.
The two collapsed rigid without a chance to resist.
"Brother!"
Baek Hwi cried out as if seeing a savior.
"The restroom guy's been stuck here?"
"Haha... Yeah, pretty much."
"No injuries?"
"Nah, I'm good."
True enough.
Just dusty, but otherwise fine.
Yi Ho-chang pulled him up by the hand.
"Let's head back. Squad 4's here too."
"What about these guys?"
"They'll recover soon. They'll figure it out."
Self-inflicted.
If they got chewed out for tardiness, that'd be on them too.
Yi Ho-chang led Baek Hwi back to White West Pavilion, passing familiar faces en route.
Mu Cheol-gae with the Squad 2 and 3 leaders.
They clung to Mu Cheol-gae's side, fawning noisily, but his expression wasn't pleased.
Guess they're not close.
Spotting Yi Ho-chang, Mu Cheol-gae raised his pot-lid hand high in greeting.
"Well, if it isn't you!"
Yi Ho-chang returned the gesture.
"Long time no see, Squad Leader Mu Cheol-gae."
"Hahaha! Good to see you! Real good!"
Mu Cheol-gae approached beaming, but the Squad 2 and 3 leaders beside him looked grim—faces crumpled.
The Squad 3 leader snapped at Yi Ho-chang,
"You, who the hell are you?"
"Squad 6 leader Yi Ho-chang."
"That's not what I asked. Who asked you to butt in so cheekily?"
"You greeted first, so I greeted back. What's the problem?"
"What? This punk from Squad 2 dares talk back...!"
The furious Squad 3 leader raised his hand to strike.
Yi Ho-chang tensed for a counter.
Judging by his form, it'd be a slap at worst—just dodge showily and slam his solar plexus.
But the counter never came.
"No reckless nonsense. Back to your seats."
"Huh?"
"Do I need to say it twice?"
Mu Cheol-gae intervened.
He eyed the two squad leaders pitifully, and under his pressure, they slunk away meekly.
Tsk tsk, no wonder they seem like third-rate villains.
Once they left, Mu Cheol-gae apologized,
"Sorry about that. I should've trained the kids better. I tell 'em not to, but who knows why they do."
"Everyone's like that when young, right? I'm fine."
"What? Hahaha!"
Mu Cheol-gae burst into laughter at Yi Ho-chang's words.
"You're full of fun surprises the more I see you. Like looking at my younger self."
"Your younger days..."
Nah, no way.
Our faces are totally different types.
Instead of replying, Yi Ho-chang just smiled lightly, and the two soon parted for their pavilions.
On the way back to White West Pavilion, Baek Hwi asked,
"Brother, when did you get chummy with Squad 1's leader?"
"Just that brief roadside encounter last time."
"And he's acting all buddy-buddy?"
"Why? Something wrong?"
"No, not wrong, but..."
Baek Hwi was puzzled.
Mu Cheol-gae wasn't the type to bully others, but neither was he the overly friendly sort with Yi Ho-chang—or so he remembered.
Back at the pavilion waiting for the event to start—
Suddenly, two men appeared in the center of the Dragon Cosmos Hall, and the bustling venue fell silent instantly.
It was Dragon Pearl Gang leader Bok Jung-ho and deputy leader Mo Gun-hyeong, as Chun Seom had described.
'Those are the gang leader and deputy.'
Yi Ho-chang was a bit surprised upon seeing them.
Their auras felt deeper and denser than Sima Hwa-yeong's.
He recalled hearing they were peak experts when he first met them.
Properly gauging now, they seemed at the pinnacle of the advanced realm.
Still, it was unexpected.
'I figured they were just old beggars, but apparently not entirely.'
Then Bok Jung-ho—clad in fur garments with a massive staff at his waist, his face scarred from countless battles—spoke.
"Ahem. Can everyone hear me?"
Infused with internal energy, his quiet voice echoed across the entire hall.
"Finally, some quiet."
Bok Jung-ho stroked his scruffy beard with satisfaction, then plopped down casually on the stone floor, ignoring formality.
"Then, we hereby convene the 23rd Dragon Cosmos Assembly."