Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: War King Gate (6)
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As I gave the order to set up an area on one side of the grand training grounds, I had Jongri Geuk prepare the First Squad.
The reason was simple.
From what I had observed, the First Squad's martial arts were superior to the other squads.
If I wasn't going to do it, fine, but if I was going to start, I had to win, didn't I?
At that, the Silver Dragon Hall Master also spoke to his son, the Silver Dragon Spear, Lee Jong-san.
"Hahaha, it seems we should start preparing as well. Get Captain Yong and the Silver Stars ready."
"Yes."
He smiled with a sly expression.
‘What do you expect from a merchant….’
Excluding the Black Dragon Hall, each hall had a total of two to three hundred members.
Due to the Nine Dragons Fortress's circumstances, their numbers were small, but each one was a master who had surpassed the first-rate level.
They probably thought they would win unconditionally.
That must be why they picked a fight.
After a short while, Yu So-pyeong returned.
"The preparations are complete."
He looked around at everyone and said.
"Shall we head out?"
"Let's."
Led by the Silver Dragon Hall Master, the Hall Masters of each hall stepped outside, unable to hide their intrigued expressions.
Opening the door, I could see over three hundred warriors encircling the grand training grounds.
‘What is this, a UFC arena?’
They were laughing boisterously, holding bottles of alcohol, as if something were incredibly amusing.
Seeing them so thrilled at the prospect of watching a fight, the equation ‘martial artist = barbarian’ naturally came to mind.
"Hahahaha, it seems the warriors are looking forward to it as well."
As if boasting about the event he had created, the Silver Dragon Hall Master’s words were met by a retort from the Red Dragon Hall Master.
"Heh, I doubt the warriors' enjoyment is what's important."
"The elder's words are wise. What's important isn't enjoyment, but…"
He glanced at me and smiled.
"How good of a fight they put on. Isn't that right, Gate Master Jin?"
Just as I was about to click my tongue at his smug, victory-assured demeanor and nod my head.
"Wait a moment!"
A high-pitched voice drew everyone's attention.
It was Cheong So-so.
‘Seriously, does she not know how to read the room?’
When you see a gathering of high-ranking people, you should know to stay away. Who does she think she is, waltzing in here…
I couldn't help but compare her to Myo Hyang, who was destined to become a tycoon.
However, the Hall Masters' reactions were completely different from what I expected.
"My! Isn't it the Divine Maiden of Blue Flowers?!"
"Hahahaha! It has been a long time!"
"How is your esteemed father?"
As soon as Cheong So-so appeared, they all greeted her brightly.
"…"
Fawning over her just because she's the daughter of a general hospital director.
This is the martial world for you, always obsessed with connections.
"Cheong So-so of the Cheong Clan greets the heroic Hall Masters of the martial world."
After formally greeting the Hall Masters with such pretense, Cheong So-so.
She approached my side and asked in a voice as small as an ant's.
"Looks like you've got something big going on here…"
"...It's not something big, it's a duel."
"Same difference."
She clearly had a look on her face that said she wanted to place a bet. Seeing that made a sigh escape my lips.
‘What is she trying to do with her life?’
It seemed I would have to send a heartfelt letter to the Cheong Clan Master soon.
"This isn't the time or place. For today, please refrain…"
"I'll just take half."
An offer to take only half of the winnings.
Wondering if she was trying to scam me, I communicated with her through my eyes.
It was a consideration for her, as she didn't know how to use telepathy.
‘Really?’
‘Of course.’
‘No taking it back later.’
Nod.
After nodding, she secretly handed me her money pouch.
Lifting it slightly, it felt like it weighed about two hundred nyang.
I drew everyone's attention and proposed a wager.
"Ahem, since we're competing anyway, why don't we add a little bet to it?"
At that, the Silver Dragon Hall Master exclaimed boldly.
"Excellent. I, Eun, will bet thirty gold nyang on the Silver Dragon Hall's victory."
It didn't end there.
The White Dragon Hall Master, the wealthiest after the Gold Dragon Hall, also joined the bet.
"The stakes are too small. I'll wager fifty gold nyang on the Silver Dragon Hall's victory."
Eighty gold nyang!
Eighty billion won in modern currency!
It was the moment the slot machine in my head hit 777.
"Eighty gold nyang. I will bet it all on the victory of our War King Gate."
Faced with an unexpected gold mine, I went all in with my entire fortune.
* * *
An hour later.
"H-How can this be!"
"…"
Shock and sighs descended upon the training grounds.
And it was the same where the Hall Masters were gathered.
"Haa… To think one could fight like that. I feel as if my eyes have been opened today."
"Indeed. Gate Master Jin's idea is truly genius."
"Hmm…"
"Heh heh, just as expected of my grandson-in-law."
I think a strange word was mixed in at the end, but for the most part, they couldn't hide their astonishment.
It was only natural.
The Silver Dragon Hall had been utterly crushed.
They were shattered without even being able to lift a hand or foot.
It wasn't as if the Silver Dragon Hall Master had been careless.
White Pole Spear, Yong Mun-gi.
Not only did he put forth the escort captain, considered a young ace alongside the Silver Dragon Spear.
He also deployed the promising up-and-comers known as the Silver Stars, so he had played the best hand he could while saving face.
However.
‘Trying to save face in front of money… He still has a long way to go. Tsk tsk.’
I am a prodigy of the martial world who cares not for such things as face.
On the condition of giving him a cut of the winnings, I had Yuk Hak put on a helmet and join the fray.
One peak master and nine first-rate masters.
Versus one transcendent master, one peak master, and nine second-rate masters.
Is this not what the great Sun Tzu meant by 'securing victory before seeking battle'?
Moreover, Yuk Hak only controlled the flow and barely even fought.
Even so, the Iron-Blood First Squad was more than enough to handle the Silver Stars. It was all thanks to the steel armor.
Martial artists generally do not wear armor.
It makes it difficult to execute swift and agile techniques.
However, the Iron-Blood First Squad was different.
They pressured the Silver Stars based on the Black Military Spear, a martial art from the military.
Furthermore, the current battle was a duel where one could not kill the opponent.
A spear thrust with restrained force could never penetrate steel armor.
Assessing the situation, Yong Mun-gi ordered a hit-and-run guerilla tactic.
He was trying to induce a battle of attrition, considering the heavy armor.
However, within the limited space of the training grounds, even that was impossible.
Instead, they began to be cornered by the Iron-Blood First Squad, who pushed forward like an iron wall.
In the end.
"We have lost."
When his final spear technique was blocked by Yuk Hak, a declaration of defeat flowed from Yong Mun-gi's lips.
"…"
A one-sided process and a one-sided result.
Of course, everyone was bound to be shocked.
‘Still a long way to go.’
However, after reviewing the details, I was certain we still had a long path ahead.
If this had been a real battle instead of a duel, if Yuk Hak hadn't been there, and if the space had been ample.
The Iron-Blood First Squad would have lost today's fight.
‘Though it might be a different story if we clashed on an open plain.’
In any case, that wasn't what was important right now.
"Oh dear, it seems we were lucky enough to win."
What's important is collecting my gambling debt.
As I approached, rubbing my hands together, I could see the expressions of the two Hall Masters souring.
They probably felt like they had been scammed.
Even if they knew about the steel armor, they likely never imagined it would be used this way.
But what could they do?
The martial world is a place where one lives and dies by face.
"Ahem… I'll have someone send it over soon."
"Me too."
Having made a bet in front of everyone, they had to pay up quickly.
Seeing the White Dragon Hall Master's soured expression was more entertaining than watching most comedy shows.
‘I was running out of money, so this is perfect.’
Just as I was celebrating earning some operating funds.
"…!"
An explosive wave of energy washed over us.
Everyone except for Master Bukgung looked toward one spot.
And then.
The Lord of Nine Dragons stepped through the main gate of the War King Gate.
‘W-What is this?’
It wasn't just surprise at his sudden visit.
Fwoosh.
We were being pressed down by the presence of an absolute being.
All of the more than one thousand martial artists gathered at the War King Gate.
It was as if he were demonstrating the majesty of the absolute ruler who governs the southwest of the Central Plains.
"Playing games, that old geezer."
As Master Bukgung waved his hand, the air around us lightened.
Only then did my senses return.
‘This is no time to be standing around.’
With a VVVVIP visiting, I, the host, couldn't just stand by idly.
As I was fumbling about, a resonant voice reached my ears.
"It is fine, do not mind me."
"Huk!"
The Lord, who had been far away, was suddenly right in front of me.
"We greet the Lord—!"
Chk.
He held out his hand, stopping the Hall Masters' greetings.
"I merely came to offer congratulations, so dispense with the formalities."
"…"
At the words that he had come to offer congratulations, the Hall Masters' mouths fell shut.
I had sent an invitation, but this was merely the opening ceremony of a fledgling sect.
For the Lord himself to attend such an event?
This was tantamount to openly declaring his interest in the War King Gate.
As if noticing this, the expressions of the Silver and White Dragon Hall Masters soured even more than before.
The Lord looked me straight in the eye.
His dark green pupils felt like an abyss.
He held out a small scroll.
"A congratulatory message. I did not put great sincerity into it, so you may store it carelessly."
How could I just toss it aside?
"I-I shall treasure it as a family heirloom!"
"…"
I'll have it framed and put it somewhere out of the sunlight.
After handing over the message, the Lord looked down at the training grounds.
The warriors, as if finally coming to their senses, hurriedly prostrated themselves and bowed their heads.
"Annihilate the Demonic Path, Nine Dragons Under Heaven—!"
The shout of over a thousand warriors seemed to make the mountains and rivers tremble.
‘Wow…’
My chairman is so cool.
* * *
Although he left right after delivering the congratulatory message, thanks to the chairman's visit, the opening ceremony concluded splendidly.
The visit of a single person created a tremendous impact.
It was only natural.
It was like Kim Jong-un showing up at the Taedonggang Beer Festival.
Thanks to this, not only the name of the War King Gate, but also the story of how we dueled and crushed the Silver Dragon Hall, was bound to be told for a long time.
Moreover, the Lord's grace did not end there.
All the provocations that had been coming our way vanished.
No matter that we had purchased the land, seven hundred imposing warriors were running around right next to the Nine Dragons Fortress every day.
And in full armor, no less.
Thanks to the goodwill I had built up, we had avoided any major problems, but recently, the warriors of the White and Silver Dragon Halls had started picking fights.
If it were up to my temper, I would have wanted to break every bone in their bodies, but as we were situated in the territory of the Nine Dragons Fortress, I couldn't harm the warriors of the inner fortress.
I hadn't found a clear solution until now, but not anymore.
Thanks to the chairman's grace, everyone was now so far from bothering us that they would startle and flee at our appearance.
And even this was just a side effect.
The real prize was what I had wanted, what everyone had yearned for.
"We passed."
"Nice!"
In the selection competition for partner companies, we had passed the first screening with a free pass.
In fact, this was why I had been meeting with the Hall Masters of the eight halls and selling them all sorts of stories.
It was also why I had gone overboard and held such a grand opening ceremony.
The Red and Gold Dragon Halls and Master Bukgung were definitely on my side, but the rest were ambiguous.
According to Yu So-pyeong, in a vote involving the eight Hall Masters, Master Bukgung, the Grand Chancellor, and the Lord, everyone except for the Silver and White Dragon Halls had cast a vote of approval.
It was just my guess, but I think the Hall Masters who had intended to vote neutral changed their minds and voted in favor after seeing the Lord visit.
Now, only one thing remained.
To triumphantly win the bidding competition.
…or so I thought, while meditating.
"B-Big trouble!"
"Zzzzz… Huh? What is it now?"
"The White Island Sword Sect and the Silver Clan have joined forces!"
"What do they have to join forces over?"
It's not like they're some kind of combining robot.
"W-Well… the two sects have merged and entered the bid."
"What."
Is this an M&A now?
The world of martial arts truly becomes more bizarre by the day.