Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Uninvited Guest (2)
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The Gold Dragon Hall's military strength could be considered the weakest among the eight inner halls of Nine Dragons Fortress.
However, its importance was the greatest of them all.
It wasn't just about the money.
After all, the other halls, excluding the Black Dragon Hall, were not lacking in funds.
In fact, their financial situations were far better than most major martial arts sects.
Even the Gray Dragon Hall, a byword for brute force, operated ten iron mines, as well as a profitable gold and silver mine each.
In modern terms, they were like a resource development corporation.
In any case, the importance of the Gold Dragon Hall was immense.
This was because of the influence they wielded.
From martial arts sects and merchant guilds scattered across the land to the wealthy figures of each region.
There were countless people who had entrusted their money to the Myriad Gold Bank.
And such people couldn't help but be indirectly favorable to Nine Dragons Fortress.
Not to mention those who had taken out loans.
In a world where finding other financial institutions was difficult, being denied a loan extension by the Myriad Gold Bank would mean immediate bankruptcy.
In the end, if something happened to the Gold Dragon Hall Master, all the advantages Nine Dragons Fortress enjoyed would disappear.
“I'm screwed.”
If this goes wrong, I'm going to take the fall for everything.
You think it’s not my fault?
That's right.
By assigning the Strike Team as escorts, the branch had fulfilled its duties.
The problem was, this wasn't the modern world where law and order prevailed. This was the martial world, where one's head could roll even without any objective wrongdoing.
If something were to happen to the Gold Dragon Hall Master?
There was a ten out of ten chance that Jin Mujeon would be held responsible.
It meant it might be better to pack my bags and flee to Goryeo right now.
Though it was obvious the Red Dragon Hall would hunt me down.
Even if I wasn't held responsible for the Hall Master's safety, there was another problem.
As the person in charge of the branch, knowing that fifty of my subordinates were in trouble and doing nothing would be an undeniable dereliction of duty.
I had to find and rescue them, or if they were dead, find their killers and take revenge.
I spoke to the Reconnaissance Squad Leader and Geum Ja-hwan, who were in the general manager's office.
“Issue a mobilization order immediately. Gather everyone who knows how to swing a sword and have them on standby at the branch. If anyone refuses to participate, you have my permission to use my name.”
Seeing their bewildered faces, I continued.
“Geum Ja-hwan, you'll be the temporary Security Squad Leader. Reconnaissance Squad Leader, give Ja-hwan a hand.”
“Understood.”
“There's no time. Prepare at once!”
As the two of them shot out like bullets, I used the Flying Heavenly Wind to find Myo Hyang at the Hanzhong Merchant Guild.
“What brings you here at this hour? Perhaps a late-night stroll with me…?”
I cut her off as she blushed and let out a suggestive laugh.
“You said you were in contact with Yong Ma-san's people, right?”
“Yes.”
Noticing that something was wrong, Myo Hyang's eyes gleamed as she nodded.
“I need to meet the person in charge. Where can I find them?”
“You should look for the master of the Moonlit Pavilion.”
“The master of the Moonlit Pavilion?”
“I only found out recently myself. They were planning to come and greet you formally, so I couldn't tell you beforehand.”
To think the owner of that high-end restaurant I'd visited several times was the field commander for the Beggars' Sect…
In modern terms, it was like a two-star Michelin restaurant being the base for a spy organization.
‘That bastard Yong Ma-san... is he richer than I thought?’
Well, that wasn't what was important right now.
*Crash.*
I immediately used the War King Step and flew out the window.
*Whoosh, whoosh.*
After about fifteen minutes of leaping across the rooftops of pavilions...
The Moonlit Pavilion soon came into view.
*CRASH!*
Lacking time, I smashed through the roof and entered the fifth floor.
A loud explosion sent wood splinters flying in all directions, and the people inside rushed out in alarm.
“Hah!”
“W-Who are you?!”
“Who goes there?!”
“It's an attack!”
*Clang, clang, clang.*
Shouts echoed as the sound of dozens of weapons being drawn followed.
A faster reaction than I expected.
‘They're competent.’
I was inwardly relieved by their response.
If it had been a group of nobodies, I wouldn't have been able to get any proper information.
Sure enough.
From among the people who had surrounded me warily, a beautifully dressed woman appeared.
Her high status was obvious at a glance.
“Everyone, sheathe your weapons.”
Her quiet but dignified command instantly calmed the surroundings.
She placed a hand on her chest and bowed her head.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Yang Ryeong, the branch manager of the Hanzhong Beggars' Sect.”
An attitude of humility that elevated the other person.
Seeing a beauty, no less than Myo Hyang in full makeup, display such an attitude made my head spin for a moment.
“It's chaotic here, please come this way. I am aware of the reason for your urgent visit.”
“…Thank you.”
And so I entered the master's quarters.
In the room, furnished only with a chair, a desk, and a bed, the master took out a few sheets of paper and showed them to me.
“Please, read this.”
—Two hundred demonic path members spotted departing from Gansu. Attire suggests a joint force of the Ghost Sect and Flame Sect. Will pursue.
—Pursuit failed due to their high speed. Confirmed they were heading south.
That was from three days ago.
I turned to the next page, and one sentence stood out.
—Merchant group spotted near Sword Pavilion Mountain. Suspected they might be the demonic path group we lost and followed, but gave up as they seemed to have noticed our pursuit.
“…Sword Pavilion Mountain.”
“Yes, it is the fastest of the three routes from Hanzhong back to Nine Dragons Fortress. And.”
Yang Ryeong unfolded another piece of paper and continued.
It was a detailed map of Sword Pavilion Mountain's terrain.
“It also has the best terrain for fighting off enemies.”
All the information pointed to Sword Pavilion Mountain, but a question remained.
“How could they be so sure the Gold Dragon Hall Master would pass through Sword Pavilion Mountain?”
There were three routes from Hanzhong to Nine Dragons Fortress.
The path over Sword Pavilion Mountain was the most treacherous of the three.
The probability of the Gold Dragon Hall Master, who had likely never experienced hardship in his life, taking that route was very low.
Lying in wait at Sword Pavilion Mountain was like betting on a losing gamble.
However, my question was soon answered.
“That's simple. They just needed to create bait the Gold Dragon Hall Master couldn't possibly ignore. For instance, a meeting with the head of the West River Merchant Guild, which covers both Qinghai and Gansu…”
As soon as I heard Yang Ryeong's explanation, the words 'merchant group' I had just read came to mind.
“The Gold Dragon Hall Master has just lost the card that was the Hanzhong Merchant Guild. If he saw a chance to acquire a new one, wouldn't he be bound to take it?”
I nodded slightly at the understandable explanation, and she continued.
“If I may offer a piece of advice, the enemies might not just be after the Gold Dragon Hall Master.”
“…What do you mean?”
“We only spotted two hundred demonic path members; we don't know the exact scale of their forces. More enemies could be flocking here as we speak.”
“And?”
“It means that if Squad Leader Jin leaves Hanzhong with the branch's full force, warriors from the Ten Demon Alliance could invade.”
“…You only see one side of the coin. With those numbers, they couldn't hold Hanzhong even if they captured it.”
“Instead, they could kill everyone in Hanzhong and burn the pavilions to the ground. As you know, an empty house is easy prey for thieves.”
“What could they possibly gain by doing something like that…?”
“Those of the demonic path don't care much for profit. They'd be satisfied just by avenging their previous defeat and inflicting damage on Nine Dragons Fortress.”
Her words made my head throb.
It meant that dispatching the branch's forces could lead to an even greater danger.
Moreover, practically my entire fortune was gathered here in Hanzhong.
Even Myo Hyang, who was like family to me, was staying in Hanzhong.
“…”
But I couldn't just abandon the Gold Dragon Hall Master and the Strike Team.
Time was ticking away, and I had to make a decision.
“Thanks for the advice. How much?”
“Ten taels of gold. On the condition that we'll bill you for the ceiling repairs later.”
“That's steep.”
“If Great Warrior Jin tells us how he plans to move, I'll only take five taels. And I'll give you a discount on the repairs.”
*Thud.*
“I'm going to Sword Pavilion Mountain alone. The rest will defend Hanzhong.”
“…”
I placed the entire money pouch I had brought on the table and turned to leave.
* * *
When I returned to the branch, Geum Ja-hwan and the Reconnaissance Squad Leader, who were gathering troops in the training grounds, hurried over.
“There's no time for explanations, so I'll be brief. I'll find the Gold Dragon Hall alone. Reconnaissance Squad Leader, go to the Hanzhong Merchant Guild immediately and warn them of a possible attack.”
At the word "attack," both of their eyes widened.
I ignored their reaction and continued.
“Oh, and there's an old geezer there named Yuk Hak. Bring him back and add him to our forces, no matter what.”
“The, the Iron-Blooded Hegemon was in Hanzhong?”
The Reconnaissance Squad Leader asked in shock upon hearing Yuk Hak's name.
“Yes. If he refuses to join, tell him I'm giving him a chance for revenge. He'll join willingly then. Go now.”
“Yes!”
I looked at Geum Ja-hwan and said.
“You can guess what's going on, can't you?”
“Yes, you're saying the Ten Demon Alliance might launch a surprise attack?”
“Defend Hanzhong. No matter what.”
“…Yes.”
He seemed to have more to say, but I had no time to listen.
*KWAAANG!*
I stomped the ground with all my might.
* * *
Meanwhile, back at the Moonlit Pavilion, Yang Ryeong smiled pleasantly as she gazed at the window through which Mujeon had disappeared.
Then, she called out.
“Muyeon.”
*Creeak.*
A middle-aged beauty entered and bowed her head. She was the vice-master of the Moonlit Pavilion.
Yang Ryeong's expression changed in an instant as she began to issue orders.
“Send the entire intelligence unit to Sword Pavilion Mountain immediately. Tell them to observe Squad Leader Jin's fight and rescue him if he's in danger.”
“Yes.”
She looked at the window and continued.
“The combat unit will assist the Nine Dragons Fortress branch in defending Hanzhong.”
“B-But…”
“Since when do you question my orders?”
The woman named Muyeon bit her lip and lowered her head.
“I will do as you command. In that case, shouldn't you, at least, leave Hanzhong for a while, milady?”
Yang Ryeong shook her head.
“A leader never flees first.”
“…Understood.”
“Then, get to it.”
After Muyeon left, Yang Ryeong sat down in the chair, now alone.
Looking at the spot where Mujeon had been sitting, their recent conversation replayed in her mind.
To charge alone into a place where the number of enemies was unknown.
No matter how supreme his martial prowess was, it was madness.
“Clearly, the best move would be to abandon the Gold Dragon Hall Master…”
Abandon the Gold Dragon Hall Master and defend Hanzhong.
In truth, choosing this option was the correct one.
For him, who had allied with the Red Dragon Hall, it was the safest choice.
He might be politically attacked later, but that was a problem for after he survived, wasn't it?
But Mujeon chose to go to Sword Pavilion Mountain, knowing the danger.
She didn't know why.
She didn't have the ability to enter and leave others' minds.
However, she knew what kind of person acted like Jin Mujeon.
‘Either a reckless fool.’
Or a hero that ordinary people could not dare to judge.
And after meeting Jin Mujeon in person, Yang Ryeong was certain.
That with just a little more time, a giant would be born in Nine Dragons Fortress.
And the relationship between that future giant and the Beggars' Sect was not bad.
In particular, his closest aide, Myo Hyang, was engaged in many business ventures with the Beggars' Sect.
“The Sect Leader was right after all.”
Yang Ryeong smiled faintly.
It was because she had confirmed that Yong Ma-san, who had invested in a person, had been right.
The smile on her lips showed no sign of fading.
Until she checked the money pouch Mujeon had left behind and found five coins inside.
*Pak!*
“That son of a bitch! How dare he insult our sect?!”