Chapter 149: Knowing the Enemy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: Knowing the Enemy
"I am truly sorry."
Sun-woo bowed his head deeply.
"N-no, it’s quite alright!"
As Sun-woo bowed, Samcheok hurriedly waved his hands and spoke.
"I thought you were Do-chil..."
Sun-woo let his voice trail off.
This was undeniably his fault. To mistake someone's identity and beat them to a pulp—if he hadn't restrained himself and had actually taken the man's life, Sun-woo would have been overwhelmed by crushing guilt.
Sun-woo bowed even deeper, offering a sincere apology.
"Is this not all the fault of that treacherous Do-chil?"
Seeing Sun-woo’s earnest apology, Samcheok pointed toward the corner where Do-chil lay, a bloody mess.
Of course, Sun-woo wasn't entirely blameless. He had blindly trusted Do-chil’s words and thrashed Samcheok, the branch leader of the Hao Clan, within an inch of his life.
However, Samcheok intended to let the matter slide quietly. The prestigious Hao Clan had been caught attacking a client. If this fact reached the main headquarters and spread throughout the Central Plains, the trust in the Hao Clan would plummet exponentially.
That could not happen. It absolutely could not.
In a matter of this gravity, Samcheok would not be able to escape severe punishment for failing to manage his subordinates properly. Although his joints ached and he was bleeding from various wounds, it was better to act as if nothing had happened.
"No. Even so, I have beaten you quite badly; I must apologize. I will compensate you for all the broken furniture, as well as the medical expenses for the injured."
Perhaps feeling even more apologetic because of Samcheok’s dismissive attitude, Sun-woo apologized even more fervently. He almost wished Samcheok would explode in anger, but the man did nothing but insist he was fine.
I almost killed such a kind person.
How could he not feel a surge of guilt?
"It is truly fine. If you look at the root of it, the fault lies partly with me for not managing my subordinates correctly. Please, do not trouble yourself further."
Faced with Sun-woo’s persistence, Samcheok maintained his humble posture. Even after hearing Samcheok’s earnest words, Sun-woo’s expression did not brighten. His heart remained uneasy.
"If you truly feel that sorry... would you be willing to hand custody of Do-chil over to me?" Samcheok asked, watching Sun-woo.
"Custody of Do-chil?"
Sun-woo looked thoughtful at the request. Do-chil was the man who had tried to kill him. He had intended to take the man's head cleanly to ensure no future trouble, but now he was being asked to hand him over? He couldn't help but hesitate.
"Yes, I will do that."
After a moment of deliberation, Sun-woo gave a ready answer. Although Samcheok wore a benevolent smile, he was a man who had risen to the position of branch leader of the Hao Clan’s Yoseong Branch. Given the nature of the Hao Clan—an organization that didn't hesitate to use torture or murder to obtain information—Samcheok was likely no pushover.
If he left Do-chil to Samcheok, the man would surely die a far more agonizing death than anything Sun-woo would provide.
"Thank you."
At Sun-woo’s answer, Samcheok gave a bright smile.
"By any chance... do you intend to let him live?" Sun-woo asked, just in case.
"Haha, you needn't worry about that. He is a man who aimed for my life. I intend to ensure his life ends as painfully as possible."
Samcheok replied with a smile that was chillingly cold. His martial prowess might be weaker than the man before him, but when it came to killing someone painfully, the Hao Clan was far superior.
Shudder.
As if sensing Samcheok’s thoughts, Do-chil’s body suddenly began to tremble. He would likely not be granted the mercy of a quick death.
"More importantly, you said you came to obtain information on the Tang Clan?" Samcheok asked, as if suddenly remembering.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then I shall provide it to you immediately."
With those words, Samcheok stepped into the archive behind his office and reappeared a short while later. He held a single book in his hand.
"Here it is."
"Is your work always processed this quickly?" Sun-woo asked, surprised by the speed.
Normally, an information broker would need to gather and organize the specific data requested. Yet, he had produced a bound volume in less than fifteen minutes?
"Information regarding the Tang Clan is currently in high demand within the Murim, so we already had it compiled. Fortunately, we have plenty of copies as well."
Samcheok spoke as if it were nothing. And it was true. It was no exaggeration to say that the Tang Clan currently held the attention of the entire Murim. Consequently, many were seeking information on them, and the Hao Clan had prepared accordingly for such a fast-moving trend.
"In that case, may I ask why they are receiving so much public attention?"
"Because of the Cheonmu Alliance."
"The Cheonmu Alliance?!"
Sun-woo asked back, stunned. Why was the Cheonmu Alliance suddenly being mentioned? A sense of unease washed over him. He feared that Lee Jae-won might have done something to the Tang Clan.
"The Cheonmu Alliance has officially declared its protection of the Tang Clan. They have even dispatched a martial force."
However, the words that came out of Samcheok’s mouth were the exact opposite of what he had expected.
"Protection?"
"That is correct. They stepped forward to officially protect the Tang Clan, who stood against the rise of the Demonic Cult."
Sun-woo was dumbfounded. Why would Lee Jae-won suddenly protect the Tang Clan? But soon, he was able to deduce the reason.
"Madam... Tang."
"Correct. The prevailing opinion is that the influence of Tang Jin-seol, the wife of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, played a major role."
Samcheok agreed with his assessment.
Phew.
Sun-woo let out a silent sigh of relief. He had thought they were in a precarious situation, facing attacks from the Five Great Clans, but it seemed they had bypassed the crisis thanks to the Cheonmu Alliance’s protection. Being the center of public attention due to the Alliance's backing wasn't a bad thing. It was proof that the number of clients who trusted the Tang Clan would increase.
"Then the Tang Clan must be in a favorable position right now," Sun-woo remarked, making an educated guess.
"Actually, that isn't quite the case..."
Samcheok’s voice trailed off, causing Sun-woo’s anxiety to return.
"On the surface, the Tang Clan appears to be in its best position since the Demonic Cult's raid, but the reality is quite different."
Samcheok offered an unexpected revelation.
"What do you mean by that?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
The most powerful force in the Murim had declared its protection and even sent a unit. How could this not be a favorable situation?
"Regardless of the Cheonmu Alliance’s protection, the Tang Clan is currently in a state of economic isolation."
"Economic isolation?"
"Yes. Since the Demonic Cult's raid, the Tang Clan has liquidated all its businesses except for the distribution of weapons and medicinal herbs."
"That's true."
This was a fact Sun-woo knew well. After all, he was the one who had decided they should liquidate most of their businesses.
"The problem is that there have been disruptions in the weapons and medicinal herb distribution businesses."
"What kind of disruptions?" Sun-woo asked, confused.
The Tang Clan held a peerless position in weapons and medicine, to the point where they were practically irreplaceable. That was why they had decided to focus on those two core businesses where they held a competitive edge. So how could there be a disruption?
"The ironworks, medical clinics, and pharmacies that were trading with the Tang Clan have all simultaneously requested to terminate their contracts."
"!?"
Sun-woo’s jaw dropped in disbelief. It made no sense. Whether it was weapons or medicine, products that passed through the Tang Clan were guaranteed in quality and price; they usually sold like wildfire. To have everyone stop trading at once?
"It is true. Furthermore, the herb gatherers and miners have also declared a simultaneous strike."
Sun-woo’s expression turned grim. In an instant, both supply and demand had been cut off. This meant the Tang Clan’s economic activity was completely paralyzed. They were currently under an economic treaty with the Qingcheng and Emei sects. If supply and demand were cut off now, money would continue to flow out with no income coming in, eventually depleting all their reserves.
Sun-woo’s face turned pale.
"Do you happen to know the cause?" Sun-woo asked Samcheok, hoping for an answer. He figured the branch leader of an information organization like the Hao Clan might know the reason.
At Sun-woo’s question, Samcheok stood up. He walked slowly into the archive and returned with a map.
Thud.
Samcheok placed the map on the desk and spread it wide. It was a map showing the entirety of the Central Plains.
"We have conducted our own analysis of this situation."
Samcheok picked up a small brush from the desk and began to mark the map with ink.
"The first place to stop trading with the Tang Clan was here, in Liaoning. Next was Hubei, then Shandong..."
Samcheok continued slowly as he marked the map.
"Do you see it now?"
Stopping his brush, Samcheok looked at Sun-woo. Sun-woo carefully examined the regions marked with ink: Liaoning, Hubei, Shandong, and Hebei.
His face went pale as he realized what Samcheok was implying.
Liaoning was where the Moyong Clan was located. Hubei was the home of the Zhuge Clan, Shandong was the territory of the Hwangbo Clan, and finally, Hebei was where the Paeng Clan and the Jinju Eon Clan were situated.
Every region that had cut ties was a region where one of the Five Great Clans was based.
"The Five Great Clans!"
"Precisely. The Five Great Clans have made their move."
Sun-woo’s expression hardened. It seemed the Five Great Clans had finally drawn their swords.
*
The Five Great Clans.
Originally, they were called the Six Great Clans, including the Tang Clan, but after the Tang Clan’s power diminished due to the Demonic Cult, they became known as the Five Great Clans. These consisted of the Hwangbo, Moyong, Zhuge, Eon, and Hebei Paeng clans.
As the masters of their respective provinces, they wielded absolute power within their territories. As a result, they were able to achieve the feat of cutting off all trade with the Tang Clan. Furthermore, by pressuring the local herb gatherers and miners, they ensured that even the supply of raw materials would become difficult.
Sun-woo frowned. He knew they would retaliate, but he hadn't imagined they would be this petty.
"What about other trading partners?" Sun-woo asked, clutching at straws.
The "Dragon and Phoenix" didn't just consist of the rising stars of the Five Great Clans; it also included those from the Nine Sects. If the Nine Sects joined in, the Tang Clan would be completely isolated.
"The other half of the trading partners remain intact for now. However, if the pressure from the Five Great Clans continues, others might jump at the chance to bring the Tang Clan down."
"Why is that?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
The Tang Clan provided high-quality weapons at low prices. Not only that, but no one could match them in the storage and distribution of medicinal herbs. Why would anyone want to destroy them?
"From a merchant's perspective, the Tang Clan—which puts out high-quality weapons at cheap prices—is like a thorn in their side."
Samcheok replied calmly. In the end, it was about money. While the Tang Clan was a blessing to buyers, they were an eyesore to competing merchants. Those merchants lacked the technical skill of the Tang Clan; no matter how much money they threw at the problem, they could never catch up. Therefore, they would welcome the Tang Clan’s downfall with open arms. If the Tang Clan disappeared, they would be the ones to seize the market.
Those bastards.
Sun-woo cursed them inwardly. He realized Samcheok’s words made perfect sense. If this situation became permanent, other trading partners would likely turn their backs as well.
"Furthermore, since even the miners in Liaoning have turned away, there are disruptions in the manufacturing of weapons."
Samcheok looked at Sun-woo with a serious expression. Liaoning, where the Moyong Clan was based, was home to the largest iron mines in the Central Plains. If they refused to supply iron, the Tang Clan would find it difficult to operate even their remaining businesses.
Sun-woo’s expression was a mess of frustration. He felt a surge of irritation at how tangled everything had become.
Whew.
But soon, Sun-woo took a deep breath to calm his mind. Getting angry wouldn't solve anything. He needed a practical way to resolve this entire situation—before the Tang Clan went bankrupt.
"Branch Leader Samcheok."
Sun-woo called out quietly.
"Please, speak."
"Can you provide me with all the information you have on the Five Great Clans? I will pay whatever it costs."
"Of course."
Samcheok bowed his head in response. They say that pleasure follows pain. It seemed his reward had finally arrived.