Chapter 225
Chapter 225
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Firearms Unearthed and Underworld Takeover
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Nangong Jangcheon and Paeng Cheonwi sat at the table with grave expressions.
They stared at the ledger on the table with serious faces.
After a brief silence, Nangong Jangcheon spoke up.
“We have five cannons and seven thunder bombs left. And this is just what survived the destruction.”
“Over ten catties of gunpowder as well.”
“Mm!”
Firearms were items that even a single sect would struggle to procure. They were managed by the imperial court or provincial authorities.
Even for an unorthodox sect like the Black Dragon Sect, possessing five cannons and ten catties of gunpowder was astonishing.
Most sects wouldn’t even catch a whiff of gunpowder, let alone own cannons.
Firearms were that dangerous and hard to obtain.
On top of that, thunder bombs from the Thunderclap Sect.
This was no trivial matter.
Ten catties of gunpowder was enough to fire the cannons over forty times.
It was firepower capable of easily razing an average sect.
Using this in a war between sects could instantly shift the tide of battle.
Nangong Jangcheon furrowed his brow.
“Just where did they get their hands on these firearms...?”
“They didn’t acquire them through legitimate means. It’ll take time, but items like these always leave a trail. We must uncover the truth.”
Nangong Jangcheon nodded at Paeng Cheonwi’s words before quietly asking,
“Do you think the Thunderclap Sect is involved in this?”
“It’s hard to suspect them just because one thunder bomb turned up, isn’t it?”
“Mm...”
It did seem like excessive speculation to link the Thunderclap Sect to this.
The sect had ceased activities long ago.
There had even been occasional disturbances when their leftover thunder bombs surfaced in black markets.
“We need to investigate thoroughly.”
“This isn’t something we can gloss over.”
Paeng Cheonwi nodded and examined the cannons and gunpowder.
His gaze lingered briefly on the thunder bombs.
‘Thunder bombs, huh.’
No matter how he thought about it, this couldn’t be dismissed lightly.
‘I thought they were just some frontier unorthodox group.’
They weren’t merely cowering under the Nangong family’s pressure.
‘This is no small issue.’
Paeng Cheonwi, lost in thought, turned to Nangong Jangcheon.
“All these were headed to the same place?”
“That’s right.”
“Mm!”
Paeng Cheonwi let out another groan.
The items in the Black Dragon Sect’s warehouse had all been on the verge of delivery to some mysterious faction.
What force needed such vast wealth, stolen goods, and these firearms?
Nangong Jangcheon said with a heavy expression,
“Interrogations haven’t yielded any real clues. They’re exceptionally secretive.”
“Hmph! Dealing in firearms means they have to be. If word reaches the imperial court, it’s total annihilation.”
“And yet they’re operating on this scale...”
The more they discussed, the more it felt like sinking into quicksand.
No answers emerged, only growing doubts about the shadowy faction.
“Let’s table the unresolved matters for later discussion. For now, what’s your plan for the Black Dragon Sect warriors?”
Paeng Cheonwi changed the subject.
Considering the bad blood between the Nangong family and the Black Dragon Sect, he figured Nangong Jangcheon should decide.
Nangong Jangcheon spoke with a solemn face.
“Once interrogations are complete, we’ll transfer them to the authorities. The same goes for the firearms.”
“Understood.”
Nangong Jangcheon and Paeng Cheonwi nodded and concluded a few more matters.
Shadows subtly crept over their faces.
* * *
Nangong Jangcheon stepped out the door, deep in thought.
‘Even if just a small amount, firearms have surfaced, and even Thunderclap Sect thunder bombs. How could a single sect...?’
Digging into their operations revealed a Black Dragon Sect far removed from what he knew.
It felt like looking at an entirely different sect.
He wondered if this was truly the one he remembered.
And moreover...
‘Just what was their goal in robbing the escort caravans?’
Even for an unorthodox sect, stealing escorted goods was burdensome and risky in many ways.
Hadn’t it ultimately led to this disaster?
A sect of the Black Dragon Sect’s size wouldn’t act recklessly, and above all, the fact that those goods were headed somewhere suspicious gnawed at him.
What on earth...
As he sorted through his tangled thoughts and headed toward the prison holding the captured Black Dragon Sect members, he tilted his head.
Hm?
“What the hell is that?”
A group stood in formation before the Black Dragon Sect’s main gate.
Their numbers exceeded a hundred easily.
With fierce faces and clubs in hand, the atmosphere was far from ordinary.
Why were these guys gathered here...?
‘...Ah, the Thunder Dragon Squad.’
That’s what the Thunder Dragon Squad looked like...
‘Then who are those guys?’
On one side, a group with faces as vicious as the Thunder Dragon Squad had gathered.
They exuded a crude aura—definitely not proper Nangong family warriors.
Nangong Jangcheon had never seen them before, so why were they mingling with the Thunder Dragon Squad here?
But an even bigger problem was Nangong Hyeok walking right up to them.
As Nangong Hyeok approached, the fierce-looking bunch dropped to their knees.
“We just arrived!”
Nangong Hyeok nodded casually in acknowledgment.
Geon Cheon-hwi, assisting Nangong Hyeok from the left, looked baffled.
“Aren’t those Ilseon Society guys? When did you call them?”
“I have my plans.”
“Ah, you had plans...”
Nangong Hyeok smirked and stepped forward.
“Ready?”
Nangong Jangcheon, watching, widened his eyes.
What?
Ready for what?
Before he could voice his questions, the fifty lined up responded vigorously.
“Yes, Young Master! We’re ready.”
“Good. Let’s take possession!”
Fierce faces, clubs, a group of men, possession...
As these pieces clicked in his mind, a sense of foreboding surged wildly, and Nangong Jangcheon shouted urgently.
“Nangong Hyeok!”
Nangong Hyeok turned his head at a tilt.
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Just tidying up Hangzhou.”
“...Already?”
“Once you take a force, you need to hold the inauguration quick to avoid issues.”
“That can wait...”
“What do you mean wait for something as simple as cleaning up Hangzhou? Give me half a day. I’ll have you scooping rice from the golden egg.”
Geez, so filial.
“But why the masks...”
As Nangong Jangcheon called out in bewilderment, they were already striding toward the main gate.
“Kids! Let’s wrap this up before sunrise.”
“Yes!”
Heh heh, they really look like they’re gearing up for a brawl.
With masks on, no less...
‘So why wear masks to take over a force?’
Nangong Jangcheon stared incredulously at Nangong Hyeok’s retreating back.
Nangong Hyeok and the Thunder Dragon Squad headed into Hangzhou’s back alleys.
* * *
Ant King Bulgaese, who had seized southern Hangzhou, glared ahead with his swollen eyes.
Crash! Clang!
Thud thud thud thud!
“Arghhh!”
“You bastards!”
“Arghhh!”
The warriors of the Night Cloud Gate, who controlled southern Hangzhou, made their final desperate stand but were swiftly swept away by the masked intruders amid screams.
Bulgaese turned to the side.
He ground his teeth at the masked man lounging with legs crossed, swaying lazily.
“You bastard! Do you know who we are?!”
The masked man—Nangong Hyeok—scratched his ear nonchalantly.
“Pfft, how many times have I heard that line? Get over it.”
“W-what? What the hell do you want?!”
“What else? We’re here to take over.”
“Take over? Take oooover?!”
Bulgaese glared at Nangong Hyeok with bloodshot eyes.
“We have...”
“The Black Dragon Sect behind us?”
“...The Black Dragon Sect... Huh? Y-yeah! You know that and still?!”
“You idiot, the Black Dragon Sect leader kicked the bucket ages ago, and you’re still name-dropping them!”
“W-what?!”
The Black Dragon Sect leader was dead?
When?
When the hell?
“W-wait a sec...”
“Unorthodox scum never listen unless you beat it into them.”
Nangong Hyeok rolled up his sleeves and slammed a fist into Bulgaese’s face.
Thud thud thud thud!
“Gaaack! Guack!”
Horrible screams echoed through the inn.
The Night Cloud Gate warriors, with bruised eye sockets, huddled and averted their gazes.
The Ilseon Society executives, who had tasted Nangong Hyeok’s fists before, chuckled.
“Whoa, that’ll last three days.”
“Nah, five at least.”
“That cracked bone!”
“Oof, that’s gotta hurt.”
“That guy’s tough.”
“Ooh, check the durability.”
Silver-rank Ilseon Society leader Do Daewoong clicked his tongue as he eyed Bulgaese, who had turned into a bloody mess and knelt politely.
“Kid could’ve just apologized and begged forgiveness, but he holds out. Stupid.”
“...Hey, let’s not spit in each other’s faces. We’re no different.”
“...Ahem! That filthy unorthodox bastard dirtied our Young Master’s hands.”
Do Daewoong and Seo Chilhong subtly looked away.
Nangong Hyeok shook off his hands and tsked.
“Unorthodox scum never listen to nice words.”
“......”
“Hand it over.”
A masked Gold Apex rushed up and presented an official document.
Bulgaese looked at Nangong Hyeok in panic.
“...W-what’s this?”
“A deed renouncing your interests. Sign it. The Black Dragon Sect leader’s disciple will vouch for it.”
“......”
...The Black Dragon Sect vouching?
Nangong Hyeok tapped his foot.
“Let’s keep it simple. The others already signed.”
“A-all of them?”
“You’re the last.”
“Ah...”
They took them all...
This guy’s the king of Hangzhou’s underworld.
Heh, heh heh...
Bulgaese was a black道 realist who never bucked the tide. Underworld folk always rode the right wave.
Bulgaese grinned broadly, wiped the blood from his face, and slammed his thumbprint on the document.
“Heh heh, here you go, milord!”
“Damn, smearing blood on it like that.”
“S-sorry!”
“Whatever. Take it.”
Nangong Hyeok brushed off his seat and stood.
The Thunder Dragon Squad, who had lined up Bulgaese and the Night Cloud Gate, followed with clubs in hand.
Do Daewoong and Seo Chilhong snickered.
“Newbie’s in!”
“Kid looks soft. Must’ve lived easy in Hangzhou’s black道.”
“Heh heh heh! We just sat tight, and we eat Hangzhou! As expected of the Young Master!”
Do Daewoong gave a thumbs-up in praise.
As Seo Chilhong and the Ilseon Society executives marveled at his flattery and rushed to butter up Nangong Hyeok,
Bulgaese cautiously asked,
“Uh, so... who are you people?”
Nangong Hyeok rubbed his chin.
Come to think of it, they’d taken over Hangzhou’s back alleys, so it was time to reveal themselves.
The Nangong family handled the light side, but the alleys were his.
Nangong Hyeok grinned.
“The Ilseon Society.”
“T-the Ilseon Society?”
“Hangzhou’s ours from now on.”
“...I-I pledge my loyalty.”
“Loyalty? Loyaaaality?!”
Do Daewoong’s eyes flashed as he pulled a black poison pill from his bosom and opened it before Nangong Hyeok.
Click.
“Young Master, words alone aren’t true loyalty. Take one!”
Nangong Hyeok stared at the item in the container and let out a hollow laugh.
Heh, look at this guy?
Do Daewoong grinned.
“One pill, and they’re solid.”
“You carry this around all the time?”
“Just in case. I’m thorough with this stuff. Heh heh!”
The Ilseon Society and Thunder Dragon Squad gaped at Do Daewoong’s words.
This guy’s smiling?
People marveled at Do Daewoong offering poison with a smile.
Nangong Hyeok chuckled.
“Fine. Safeguards are necessary.”
“Heh heh, Do Daewoong at your service, Young Master.”
“Got it.”
Nangong Hyeok gave a wicked grin at the paling Bulgaese.