Chasing the Whirlwind Ghost
The Wuhu Merchant Group was the premier escort agency and trading company representing the city of Wuhu. The "Wuhu" in its name was proof enough. It was like how Seoul University stands for Seoul among all the capital's schools.
True to its reputation, the agency's compound was quite spacious—easily big enough to hold around thirty people. That was why the head of the Wuhu Merchant Group had summoned the warriors from the Namgoong and Hwangbo clans here.
But…
"We meet again, Danakgeom."
"Speak for yourself, mutt. Looks like you have no shame. If I were in your shoes, I'd have scampered straight back to my master's lap."
"You…!"
The atmosphere was tense. I'd known the Namgoong and Hwangbo clans weren't on good terms, but I hadn't expected it to be this bad.
Namgoong warriors lined up on one side of the compound, Hwangbo warriors on the other, sparks practically flying from their glares. Their leaders especially—their hands hovered near their sword hilts. It was a fight waiting to happen. The merchant head was sweating bullets.
"Whoa, whoa, easy now. Wouldn't want to lose another fine blade like Noksu, right?"
"…Swords can always be bought. But didn't you already trade that one for a silver lining?"
"Silver lining? Don't cross the line, Hwangbo Gang."
"You're one to talk, Danakgeom."
"Ha! Hahaha, thank you all for gathering here today."
The merchant head forced his way between them with a strained smile.
"Come on, now. We're here for the greater good, aren't we? Let's put personal grudges on hold for a bit."
"No grudges on this side. What feelings does a victor have for the vanquished besides pity?"
"Same for Hwangbo. A cart keeps rolling even if a dog barks."
"…Haha! Yes, yes, of course. So, no more hard feelings with that, right?"
A few words weren't going to dissolve years of bad blood. But this mission was all about winning the hearts of Wuhu's people. They couldn't ignore the merchant head outright, so the two men grudgingly nodded.
What the hell is this circus?
The merchant head thought that even as his mind raced. How could he turn this to his advantage?
And he found an answer fast. It wasn't for nothing he'd staked his position as head of the guild on this.
"First, before I get into the details, I can't tell you how grateful I am that the Namgoong heroes and Hwangbo heroes have come. On behalf of all the escort agencies and merchants of Wuhu, allow me to express my thanks."
"We're only doing what the Namgoong Clan must."
"Hwangbo's sense of justice knows no borders. We'd be honored if Wuhu's people recognized that."
"Haha, naturally. The people of Wuhu will never forget the aid from the Namgoong and Hwangbo Clans. But…"
The merchant head stroked his long beard thoughtfully before continuing.
"They'll surely remember which side helped more."
"……"
"Wuhu is the heart of commerce in Anhui Province, after all. Our people have merchant blood in their veins. They're sharp as swords about things like this. Yes, indeed."
Asking rivals to cooperate nicely was amateur hour. Better to pit them against each other—that was the smart play.
"…Don't worry. Only Namgoong aid will be remembered in Wuhu."
"Who knows? You might get chased out of Wuhu like you were from the Eight Great Clans."
Sihoon and Hwangbo Gang's voices dripped with venom. Sparks flew from their locked glares—the merchant head's scheme had worked.
"Alright, then. Let me explain the plan."
"We hit the Waterway Stronghold that's set up here. That's it, right?"
"Well… things have gotten a bit complicated. The bandits have hired the Maegumdan, it seems."
"Maegumdan? Heh, these bandits must have some serious coin."
"Yes. And apparently, it's none other than the Tenth Elder, Whirlwind Ghost Shim Seongsu, leading them."
"Whirlwind Ghost!" "Tenth Elder!" "Shim Seongsu!"
Exclamations erupted the moment the name dropped. It was a murim custom—when a famous name came up, you'd spit out their title or nickname as a sign of respect.
And it was genuinely shocking. The Maegumdan was one of the five major unorthodox factions. Among them, the Whirlwind Ghost was their tenth strongest—a true heavyweight.
"Heh, Whirlwind Ghost, huh. This won't be a cakewalk."
"What's the Waterway Stronghold's own force like?"
"Mostly third-rate, with a few first-rates mixed in, from what we know. The stronghold chief's probably peak realm."
"Not quite enough to call it two full martial squads…"
"If you're scared, mutt, feel free to back out."
"Scared? Speak for yourself, Danakgeom. I've never known fear in my life."
For all their barbs, neither pushed too hard. The bandits' forces were formidable, and if even one side bailed, a whole village could fall to them. Unorthodox power growing and orthodox shrinking? That had to be stopped, no matter what.
"Back to the plan, then. Here's what we've devised."
The merchant head's strategy was simple: split the forces in two—one hits the Maegumdan, the other the Waterway Stronghold.
But that put a premium on individual skill. Who arrived first could change everything.
"From what we've gathered, the Maegumdan and bandits are tightly linked. If one base gets hit, the other sends reinforcements—we think."
"So the first to arrive eats the full brunt?"
"Exactly. That's why the Wuhu Merchant Group will deem the side that takes the stronghold chief's head—or the Whirlwind Ghost's— as providing the greater aid."
A speed race. No room for hesitation. Both leaders immediately rallied their troops.
"No time to waste, then. We move out now. Troops, line up straight in front of me!"
"Hwangbo Clan sets out immediately too! Everyone, assemble!"
Crisp movements. The squads snapped into formation before their leaders.
Namgoong Clan: thirteen total… one missing.
Hwangbo Clan: thirteen total… one missing.
"M-Merchant Head?"
"Yes? Something wrong?"
"Have you seen a boy in a fox mask by any chance?"
"And I have a question too—do you know where that musclehead guy wandered off to?"
"Ah… those two slipped out quietly during the meeting. I figured they had urgent business in the privy or something… Shall I send a servant to check?"
Cold sweat beaded on Sihoon and Hwangbo Gang's necks. Then, in unison:
"…We're fucked."
.
.
.
Namgoong Juhee bolted the moment she heard "Whirlwind Ghost."
Maegumdan? Tenth Elder? Didn't matter what it was—it was definitely a strong one. If she had to compare, it was like a stage boss mob.
Boss monsters gave massive XP. And the loot drops? Not to be sneezed at. Could even be something rare.
No way she'd hand that chance to someone else. That was Juhee's thinking.
Of course, it was a reckless idea. Forming a full martial squad meant this boss wasn't a solo job. It was raid-level tough.
Charging in alone? Suicide. Anyone would call her a crazy bitch.
"I just dive right into this shit."
But that was her playstyle. Crazy bitch. She'd heard it a million times in games.
So she moved. Like the madwoman she was, diving headfirst into the raid.
One snag, though: the guy following her with that smug, leisurely grin. His whole body was a wall of muscle—impressive.
Didn't seem after the Maegumdan or spoiling for a fight. Stealing the last hit, maybe? A leech player?
Juhee spoke up.
"Hey, you know the capital of South Korea?"
"Dwiangmingkeu? What's that?"
"Huh, even people who don't know Seoul these days. Okay, how about fitting an elephant in a fridge?"
"Haha, young lady. You've been silent this whole time, and that's all you had to say? Well, I like that quirky fourth-dimensional charm."
"Ew."
Player my ass. Another NPC. Feeling like she'd stepped in shit, Juhee chugged her emergency booze. The sweet noshu scent cleared her head a bit.
Quick decision: draw the line early. That was Juhee's hard-earned lesson from experience.
"I like girls."
"…?"
The man's sleazy grin froze.
His steady aura and poise said he wasn't easily rattled. Which made Juhee's declaration all the more shocking.
The 21st century was pretty open about same-sex stuff these days. Live and let live, as long as no one got hurt.
But primitive murim? Homosexuality was a killable offense. Prestigious clans actually executed for it.
The Namgoong Clan was especially image-conscious. Coming out wasn't an option. The man's baffled look was natural.
But only for a moment. A smile bloomed on his face again, followed by booming laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Good one."
"Not a joke."
"No need to be so guarded, young lady. Why not enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers instead?"
"Bullshit. How can I relax with a rat tailing me?"
"Haha! Rat? How about water buffalo? My build's a far cry from a rodent, after all."
"Fuck."
Thick-skinned, ignores everything—total my-way-or-the-highway. Juhee hated that type. Especially NPCs.
Obvious why: no reading the room, just dead weight. Handsome young master types like him? Double hated.
Even now. Normally, people backed off at a boundary, but this guy kept pace, yapping away.
"Fate brought us together—how about names? I'm Hwangbo Un, young lord of the Hwangbo Clan."
"Namgoong Juhee."
"Namgung Sojeo, eh? But do you have to pitch your voice so low around me? I already saw your beauty yesterday—no need to keep up the act."
"Ah, fuck off, creep. Just scram."
"Haha! Can't do that. Namgung Sojeo, you're off to bag some bandits, right?"
Juhee's eyes narrowed. Hwangbo Un—from the Hwangbo Clan. High chance he hated Namgoongs.
Why tail her? She'd first thought lechery. But his vibe said more.
Assassination?
Juhee's mind leaped there in a flash. Her hand went to Noksu—
Shiiik!
An arrow whistled from afar.