Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Never Underestimate the Outer Hall Again
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#074: Never Underestimate the Outer Hall Again
As soon as day broke, I took everyone out to guard the fortress gates.
“Squad Leader! Please take a look at this!”
“What is it?!”
“There’s shark skin here!”
“How dare you try to smuggle a dangerous item like shark skin into this fortress!”
It was all to screw over the White Dragon Hall.
When I stopped the cart on a trumped-up charge, the merchant who brought the leather protested with a look of utter disbelief.
“Smuggle? That’s absurd! And how is shark skin a dangerous item?!”
“Ahem! Can’t you smell it? The smell! Just looking at it gives me a headache. It must be laced with a powerful poison.”
“Poison on shark skin! What kind of nonsense is that?!”
As the merchant refuted, Ha Jin-hyeong chimed in.
“Well, now! Are you trying to contradict the words of the great Fighting Dragon, Jin Mujeon, a peak expert of the Nine Dragons Fortress?”
Having apparently heard my name, the merchant’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned to me and stammered.
“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”
“In any case, this shark skin cannot pass. You’ll have to find another buyer.”
“I’ve traveled a thousand leagues to sell this leather. Please, just let it pass this once.”
“Are you daring to defy the Outer Hall’s directives?!”
The merchant hastily bowed his head at Ha Jin-hyeong’s menacing glare.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and offered a bit of subtle comfort.
The so-called 'bad cop, good cop' routine.
“Ahem, hearing your story, your situation does seem unfortunate.”
“Y-Yes, it is. I came all this way trusting the White Dragon Hall, so for this to happen is just baffling.”
“I see. By the way, how much were you planning to sell the leather for?”
“Half a nyang per piece.”
“...What a rip-off.”
To buy leather for half a nyang and sell the processed product for twenty.
As expected, the White Dragon Hall wasn't in the luxury goods business for nothing.
“Pardon?”
“Just talking to myself. In any case, if you’re having trouble with your delivery, why not try over there?”
I said, pointing to the stalls outside the outer fortress wall.
There, members of the Two Immortals Gang were haggling with merchants under a banner that read ‘Two Immortals Merchant Guild.’
“Some merchants who came to deliver shark skin to the White Dragon Hall this morning sold their stock there instead. I heard they even pay a little more.”
“...!”
Hearing my words, the merchant immediately led his cart over at full speed.
My chest swelled with the feeling of a job well done.
“Puhuhu.”
Shark skin wasn’t the only contraband.
“You’re delivering rice to the White Dragon Hall? Hah! We need to check it for poison, so you’ll have to wait two months. Too long? Are you defying the Outer Hall’s policy?! If you don’t want to wait, you can always take it to the Two Immortals Merchant Guild over there and sell it.”
“Hah! A kitchen knife is still a weapon. Are you trying to bring such a vicious piece of metal into the fortress?”
“Medicinal herbs? This is clearly poison. According to the Nine Dragons Fortress’s policy, only the Green Dragon Hall can handle poisons.”
“What! Plain cotton?! Did you just say plain cotton? You want to bring such a dangerous item into the fortress?”
At all four gates—east, west, south, and north—we blocked every single item heading for the White Dragon Hall.
And that wasn’t all.
“For the time being, the merchants of the outer fortress will avoid dealing with the White Dragon Hall.”
“I also told them not to push back too hard.”
“Of course. I told them to refuse any deals, but if they get pushed too hard, to play it by ear and comply.”
I had even enlisted Yong Ma-san to mobilize the merchants.
From now on, those bastards wouldn't even be able to buy a meal at an inn or purchase new clothes.
Of course, some goods would get through via third parties or by force.
But my goal wasn't to starve the White Dragon Hall to death, but to disrupt their business, so a few slip-ups didn't matter.
“You’ve worked hard. Here is your promised reward.”
I handed Yong Ma-san a piece of paper listing things like Myo Hyang’s favorite foods, clothes, and accessories.
About half of it was made up, though.
I wasn’t her lover; how was I supposed to know all of my sister’s preferences?
“...Thank you.”
Blushing, Yong Ma-san carefully tucked the paper into his robes.
He treasured information, just as you’d expect from the head of the Beggars' Union.
“Ma-san. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while…”
“My name is San, not Ma-san. Yong Ma is my family name. Anyway, go on. I’m listening.”
My god, Yong Ma was his family name.
Suddenly, I was curious about who his ancestors were.
“...Love isn’t won with information. It’s won with courage.”
“And you, Squad Leader Jin, weren’t you the one who hesitated and lost your chance with General Manager Yuk of the Red Blossom Pavilion?”
“This son of a bitch?”
“I’ll be on my way now.”
Yong Ma-san’s head gleamed as he executed his movement technique. With a flutter of cloth, his figure vanished into the distance in an instant.
I was disappointed I couldn't land a punch, but thanks to his cooperation, my plan was gaining momentum.
“What do you all think you’re doing?!”
So much so that even the high and mighty warriors of the White Dragon Hall came storming out of the inner fortress.
As they approached with a murderous aura, Yu So-pyeong stepped forward.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of the White Dragon Hall’s heroes visiting us here?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“I’m asking because I don’t know. If I knew, why would I ask?”
“You bastards are blocking all the goods coming into the White Dragon Hall, are you not?!”
“We are merely carrying out our official duties…”
“Are you daring to play games with me?!”
*Schwing.*
The warrior in the lead drew his gleaming sword and aimed it at Yu So-pyeong’s neck.
“Oh, my! How terrifying.”
“Stop this dog-like behavior at once! If you don’t, you won’t live to see…”
*Thwack!*
Just then, I, who had been watching the situation, rushed forward and slammed a high kick into the neck of the man who had drawn his sword.
Then, I stepped on the back of the fallen man, whose eyes had rolled back, and said.
“Threatening an Outer Hall warrior who is carrying out his official duties? Have you lost your damn mind? Or did you leave your guts somewhere so the Dragon King wouldn't get them?”
“…”
A silence fell over the area at the sudden turn of events.
Soon after, the people nearby began to move hastily.
They were starting to back away, lest they get caught in the crossfire.
At the same time.
*Schwing. Schwing.*
The men from the White Dragon Hall drew their swords, their auras flaring.
“How dare you harm a warrior of the White Dragon Hall! It seems a little fame has made you blind to your place!”
“How dare you think of using force against an Outer Hall warrior performing his duties. It seems you have no intention of leaving here alive.”
*Crackle. Sizzle.*
My War King energy began to run wild, and the force of my inner energy erupted.
*Kwoong.*
***
As soon as I subdued them all, I headed straight for the West Gate.
It was unlikely the White Dragon Hall bastards would only come to the North Gate.
Of course, I had made sufficient preparations to buy time.
I had mobilized all one hundred and twenty Outer Hall warriors, stationing thirty at each gate.
As if that weren’t enough, I had also issued a reserve call, gathering numerous retired warriors at the headquarters.
It wasn't my idea.
It was a plan devised by Ga Rip, who was furious about the recent incident.
Most importantly, the Outer Hall now had its own masters.
I had stationed the Dang Family’s Three Freaks, who together could handle two peak experts, at the South Gate, while Ga Rip, who had reached the peak with a single martial art, was in charge of the East Gate.
In other words, I only had to handle the North and West Gates.
Sure enough.
When I arrived at the West Gate, I saw Outer Hall warriors and White Dragon Hall warriors locked in a tense standoff.
“Hold it right there. If you continue to obstruct our official duties, you will be arrested.”
I stepped in between them.
“Must you really take it this far?”
A middle-aged warrior with a dignified air responded in a frustrated tone.
A peak expert I hadn't seen earlier.
He was an executive of the White Dragon Hall, someone I had fought alongside at the Mount Hua branch.
“I didn’t recognize you at first, Elder Lee. It’s been a while.”
“It’s good to see you too, but I don’t think this is the time for pleasantries.”
“I find this situation quite regrettable as well.”
“Can’t you stop this now?”
“You know who started this, don’t you?”
“That’s why I’m asking you so politely. I’ve kept my men restrained until you arrived.”
“I appreciate that.”
It was true.
The man before me, Lee Sa-hyang, was a seasoned peak expert.
If he had truly intended to fight, he could have crushed the thirty Outer Hall warriors in an instant.
“...If you won’t change your mind, then I have no choice.”
“I was prepared for this.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I widened my stance, ready to strike at any moment.
But my preparations were for naught.
“We’re leaving!”
He withdrew his men.
“…”
He placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered.
“I just don’t have the heart to fight you. The men I brought with me also owe you their lives from the Mount Hua branch incident.”
Only then did I notice the other White Dragon Hall warriors.
They gave me nods of greeting, their expressions tinged with recognition.
“If I could make one personal request, it would be to keep things moderate. Whether we get along or not, we are all family of the Nine Dragons Fortress.”
He was speaking indirectly, but he meant we shouldn't see this through to the bitter end.
“...I will consider it.”
*Pat.*
“See you again.”
Watching Lee Sa-hyang’s departing back left a bitter taste in my mouth.
This was all Baek Mu-ha’s fault.
***
Just as the Heavenly Kingdom imposes economic sanctions on the Northern Kingdom, I continued my sanctions against the White Dragon Hall.
After two days of this, Baek Mu-ha, unable to bear it any longer, finally showed up.
“The more I think about it, the more I realize I should have blinded you during the Nine Dragons Tournament. It sounds cool, doesn’t it? The Blind Swordsman, Baek Mu-ha. The very mountains and trees would tremble, don't you think?”
Completely unfazed, Baek Mu-ha asked in an icy tone.
“How long do you intend to continue this foolishness?”
“Shh! To call sacred official duties foolish… The Outer Hall Master will be very upset if he hears you. You might end up with a broken bone somewhere.”
“Fine. Then how long do you intend to carry out these damn official duties?”
“How can a man who eats the bread of the Nine Dragons Fortress put a deadline on his official duties? I intend to continue until the day I die.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“My! Bluffing? Not at all. This Jin Mujeon became a completely different person after meeting the Disciplinary Corps Chief, who always does his utmost in his official duties.”
“...It seems you have no intention of listening. Fine. Do as you please.”
“Thank you for your support.”
“However, you will have to take responsibility for it yourself.”
“By all means.”
After speaking, Baek Mu-ha turned his gaze to where the Two Immortals Merchant Guild’s flag was planted.
At his signal, the subordinates he had brought with him swarmed over and called out to the merchant.
“Everything here, what’s the total price?”
“Ah, you’re from the White Dragon Hall. Then I must give you a good price. Nine hundred nyang will do.”
“Nine hundred nyang?! Who do you think you’re trying to swindle!”
As the voice grew louder, Baek Mu-ha intervened.
“We don’t have time. Pay him and let’s go.”
Then he turned back to me and said.
“Surely you don’t intend to stop this as well?”
“Normally, all goods entering the fortress must be inspected, but you and I go way back, Senior. I’ll let it slide, just this once.”
“…”
A moment later.
After glaring at me with cold eyes, Baek Mu-ha left with his men, returning to the inner fortress.
The member of the Two Immortals Gang, having sold all his goods, approached and handed me a small pouch.
It was half of the profits.
He smiled brightly and said.
“Though my body belongs to the Two Immortals Gang, my heart is always with you, Squad Leader Jin.”
“Haha, Gang Leader Yong would be sad to hear that.”
“No, it’s the truth, what can I do? Hehe.”
“The more I see of you, the more I like you. What did you say your name was?”
“Hehe, my name is Ma Cheon. I handle the finances for the Two Immortals Gang.”
“Well! I see now you’re a man of great ability. I will be sure to remember your name.”
“Oh, what an honor!”
Amidst the exchange of money, laughter bloomed.
Puhuhu.
Making money and harassing the White Dragon Hall at the same time.
Isn’t this what you call a creative economy?
I thought to myself as I held the heavy pouch.
‘It’s about time to move on to the next phase.’
The White Dragon Hall wouldn't just sit back and take this, after all.