Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Let's Do It By the Book (1)
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The art of refining qi into a tangible sphere.
A supreme technique that only peak experts who had surpassed the enormous wall known as the Flower Realm could unleash.
"I'm, I'm sorry. We didn't know there was an expert here..."
The situation had reversed.
Just moments ago, these people had been debating whether to kill or spare them.
But now, they were the ones on the verge of death.
"Sorry? If 'sorry' was enough, why would there be laws in the world or soldiers to enforce them!! You filthy vermin!!"
Even under such outrageous insults, they couldn't lift their bowed heads.
After all, the law was distant, but the fist was near.
'Damn it. Why is such an expert in a place like this...'
Here, their lives hung entirely on that expert's whim.
Finally, one warrior from the Mirage Pavilion swallowed hard and stepped forward.
"I am the one who led these men here. As the senior disciple of the Mirage Pavilion, I take full responsibility. Please end it with my life alone."
"Ha! What bullshit!! I'll slaughter every last one of you...!!"
"Law. Aren't you also violating the solemn national laws of the Great Empire?"
As Dang Yu-wol spoke up, the old woman's gaze fell upon him.
In that instant, killing intent washed over him like blades pressing against his entire body.
"Young Master Dang..."
"Brother..."
"O-Oppa..."
"Ugh... Y-Young Master Dang."
To step forward like that even before an enraged Flower Realm expert.
Gutsy or insane?
-Hey, are you alright?
'I'm fine.'
Seol Ryu-a, Yi Gyeong, and Yi Yul endured the killing intent, gazing at him worriedly.
Yang Ui-seok was already on the verge of passing out.
Yet Dang Yu-wol remained utterly unchanged.
"Isn't the reason you're angry right now because these men's brawl dirtied the clothes of the person you serve?"
"...So?"
"Shouldn't we follow the solemn national laws of the Great Empire?"
"What?"
"The empire's laws specify the punishment for damaging another's property."
"Hmph! You seem to know the laws well. Go on, tell me."
"In such cases, one must pay the corresponding cost plus compensation."
"And?"
"'If unable to pay, perform labor to offset the cost.' It's written right there."
The old woman's rage-twisted expression slowly relaxed.
She had been ready to hurl her qi sphere if he spouted nonsense.
But he was spot on.
"Not bad. A murim man who knows the empire's legal code."
"Even murim folk live as subjects of the empire under imperial grace."
"Ha. Filthy scum who don't even pay taxes..."
'She's right. Murim folk don't pay taxes.'
Massive sects like the Nine Great Sects.
And large unorthodox sects generally paid up.
The government kept eyes on them.
But others were a different story.
-Is that so?
'Yeah. Tax evasion through bribes is routine for them.'
-Even the righteous factions?
"Judging by your clothes, you're not from the Nine Great Sects."
"No."
"They at least pay taxes. You're just tax-dodging mongrels."
She snapped back even more sharply.
"And you dare invoke the national laws?"
Everyone figured Dang Yu-wol was dead meat.
But he knew better.
The old woman was thoroughly enjoying this.
-What's your plan?
Ye-ui had caught on too, positively delighted.
Eager for Dang Yu-wol's next words.
"Our clan pays its taxes diligently."
He declared it proudly.
On tax matters, no place enjoyed as much freedom as the Sacheon Tang Clan.
-Well, you did mention that.
Poison-handling clans had always drawn government scrutiny since ancient times.
To minimize friction, Sacheon Tang Clan had faithfully paid taxes.
'Even tax officials slunk away without protest sometimes.'
-Impressive.
"...Uh, really? Is that so?"
Dang Yu-wol gazed at the sky, utterly shameless.
That deflated her considerably.
But she couldn't just back down either.
As she opened her mouth to press further, the man behind her interjected.
"Hwang No. Enough. We invoked the law; we can't break it ourselves."
"But..."
"Then, you there, young friend."
The white-clad man, his clothes splattered with brown sauce, removed his hat.
A smiling fellow in his late thirties.
One of the Great Empire's Three Princes smiled softly.
"How should we dispose of them?"
"The garment you're wearing appears to be made of Su gold silk."
At "Su gold," the Mirage Pavilion disciples went pale as ghosts.
"Su gold?!"
"Sichuan silk?"
"They say the finest trades for its weight in gold?"
Unlike before, now everyone buzzed with interest.
Could the Mirage Pavilion handle it?
"This seems woven from Saekyung sheep wool."
"Oh ho. You even identified that?"
"S-Saekyung sheep... wh-where's that from?"
"The source of the finest Su gold silk from Sichuan."
"......"
"One bolt from there trades for at least thirty nyang of gold taels."
Thirty nyang of gold taels.
A mind-numbing sum.
"And this is top-grade, so around fifty nyang."
"Fifty..."
No one could muster words.
The senior disciple teetered on the brink of collapse, but Dang Yu-wol wasn't done.
"That's just the silk."
"What...?"
"The tailor is Saneung Hall... right?"
"Correct. Impressive catch."
Hwang No nodded.
Another unknown name; the senior disciple asked, nearly in tears.
"What's that place...?"
"Where nobles commission their robes. Famous for crafting only a hundred garments a year."
Exclamations rippled through the crowd.
A mere hundred per year.
Precious just to hear.
"Folks from across the realm bring sacks of gold to commission there."
"S-so... how much do you reckon the garment costs?"
"Roughly three hundred nyang of gold taels."
"D-don't kid us!! Who struts around in something like that!!"
One Mirage Pavilion disciple shouted, summoning courage.
But Dang Yu-wol stayed serene.
"More people wear such finery than you'd think."
Why eat at a rundown inn like this, then?
The disciples felt deeply aggrieved.
"Can't believe you. Don't even know who you are."
"Then verify it at the magistrate's office."
Dang Yu-wol stepped back, glancing at Hwang No.
Her eyes brimmed with delight.
'Labor service. Perfect, she mentioned needing hands up north.'
He recalled a military friend griping.
No usable recruits lately.
'Can send a good batch their way.'
The general would be thrilled.
Didn't know what Mirage Pavilion did.
But trained martial artists.
'Plenty strong ones; army'll whip 'em into shape.'
Her mood eased.
'Yeah. Pointless to kill 'em.'
She eyed the disciples.
Terrified bunch.
'Putting trash like this to work for the nation. Ideal.'
She smirked, then glanced at Dang Yu-wol.
'No typical murim lout—knows the law, loyal subject. Full marks.'
Hwang No raised her hand.
"Alright. To the magistrate's office, you vermin."
A qi sphere reformed in her palm.
Seeing it, the disciples grasped their future.
Sealed fate.
The man beside her smiled gently.
"I'll wait here. You go. I'll stick with these friends."
"Better if you joined?"
"It's fine."
Hwang No hesitated, scanning the group before locking on Seol Ryu-a.
Seol Ryu-a froze in alarm.
"You. Serve the young master properly."
As if she knew her, the command came naturally.
Seol Ryu-a snapped to attention like a raw recruit.
"Yes!! Leave it to me!!"
Satisfied, Hwang No marched the disciples out.
Silence settled once more.
"Wise fellow, aren't you."
The prince approached Dang Yu-wol with a grin.
"Thank you."
"Murim sort, yet versed in national law. When did you study it?"
His eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Made sense. Murim men didn't memorize statutes.
"Planning government service?"
"Ended up memorizing it by chance."
Back in the Blood Cult, training infiltrators.
The prince laughed, pleased.
"Mind if I impose briefly?"
"O-of course! Uh..."
Seol Ryu-a blurted hastily.
The prince pressed a finger to his lips.
"Sister. Sister."
"Noona, that lord..."
"Shh. Shh."
Yi Gyeong and Yi Yul squirmed with curiosity.
Seol Ryu-a clamped her mouth like a clam.
To shift topics, she turned to Yang Ui-seok.
"Uh, Young Master Yang. You alright?"
"Yeees..."
Flower Realm killing intent.
Weak Yang Ui-seok couldn't take it.
He barely came to and slumped into his seat.
As calm returned, the attacked Haeseong Sect disciples approached cautiously.
"Thank you. You spared us great harm."
"Injured? Treat it quick."
"Murim folk handle wounds."
He shook his head—not serious.
"Belated intro. Gyu Nam-seok of Haeseong Sect."
"Dang Yu-wol of Sacheon Tang Clan."
"Yi Gyeong of Jeomchang Sect. This is my sister, fellow Jeomchang member Yi Yul."
"Nice to meet you! Yi Yul here!"
"Seol Ryu-a."
"Yang Ui-seok of Uiseon Sect."
Even more impressive than expected.
Two from Nine Great Sects, Uiseon Sect too.
And Sacheon Tang Clan, solidifying dominance in Sichuan.
"Ahem...!!"
Haeseong held sway in O-gang Jihyeon, but paled beside them.
"Uh... and you, sir...?"
Flower Realm bodyguard.
No ordinary man.
The prince pondered Gyu Nam-seok's question, then grinned.
"Call me Bi-seon."
"Yes. Young Master Bi-seon. If it pleases, relocate to our Haeseong Sect?"
Not mere status.
Owed a debt; wanted to repay.
Gyu Nam-seok invited with utmost courtesy.
"And you all?"
"Companions not here yet."
"Companions? More?"
"Yes. Decide once they arrive."
"Hmm. Fair enough."
"Young Master Bi-seon?"
"Same here. Hwang No's not back."
Not acceptance, but unavoidable.
Gyu Nam-seok bowed deeply.
"We'll repay this grace."
"Yes. Looking forward."
Dang Yu-wol spoke for the group, then approached the innkeeper.
Paid silver for repairs and departed.
-Quintessential righteous sect poise.
Bi-seon lost interest in Gyu Nam-seok.
Turned to the group.
"By the way... Jeomchang Sect? That's quite far, no?"
"Yes! In Unnam!"
"What brings you here? To Wudang Sect?"
"No. Um..."
Wondering if to answer?
Dang Yu-wol smiled for the hesitant pair.
"Our goal is Henan."
"Henan? Ah, to Shaolin on Song Mountain?"
"Exactly."
"Heard Shaolin's hosting something soon."
"Yes. And you, Young Master Bi-seon...?"
"Just wandering. Roaming's fun. Stuff like this too."
"Haha..."
"Where else see murim folk citing statutes?"
That was when.
Hwan-gyu and Gu Hwan-gae returned from outside.
Stunned at the wrecked inn.
"What happened... who's this?"
"Joined us by chance."
"Chance?"
Hwan-gyu tensed, wary from prior events.
Fine silk doesn't enter uninvited homes, fine men don't arrive unannounced.
Faux coincidences often hid foul fates.
Dang Yu-wol eased his concern.
"Not a bad sort. No worries."
'If little brother vouches, trustworthy.'
Relieved, he greeted.
"Infinite blessings. Pleased to meet. Hwan-gyu of Jeomchang. Their master."
"Haha. Meeting a Jeomchang Taoist. Fortunate."
Casual bows exchanged; his gaze shifted.
To Gu Hwan-gae.
"Gu Hwan-gae of Beggars' Sect, sir."
"Hm?"
"Gasp. Honorifics slipped out...?"
Unlike Hwan-gyu, Gu Hwan-gae cringed instinctively.
Beggar survival instincts kicking in.
"Hey. Hey. Who's that guy?"
Seol Ryu-a shook her head desperately—don't ask.
Dang Yu-wol managed a dry chuckle.
"Eat first."
With them back, time to order.
Dang Yu-wol called dishes; soon served.
"Join us?"
"Haha! Thanks. Got interrupted earlier."
Bi-seon dug in heartily.
Eats better than expected.
-Royals eat only delicacies? Stuffing face.
'Let him enjoy.'
As the meal wrapped, Hwang No returned.
Face wreathed in smiles—went smoothly.
"How'd it go?"
"Shipped all the trash north."
"Haha. Law's the way."
"But young master..."
Glancing over the group, she hesitated.
Sounded important.
Bi-seon nodded casually.
"Heard from the office. Suspicious bunch gathering nearby."