Chapter 14: The Fist King, The Merchant Group Is Mine
The Fist King, The Merchant Group Is Mine
Episode 14: The Fist King, The Merchant Group Is Mine
The loud explosions from the great hall had caused quite a commotion outside. However, under Han Yeop's orders, the escort team and the Guyang Clan retainers waited with uneasy expressions.
Dan Woo-sung, noticing the condescension in Guyang Hoo's expression, asked:
"Did you bring your rabble along?"
Guyang Hoo replied, "Why do you ask?"
"Thought we might need witnesses. If you're planning to cut off my arm and walk away unscathed, that is."
Even if someone died, as long as a duel witness confirmed it was a fair martial duel, it would be justified. Neutral parties usually served as witnesses, but from Dan Woo-sung's perspective, having the Guyang Clan retainers act as witnesses was actually preferable.
And as Dan Woo-sung had said, if the eldest prince of the Silver River Merchant Group were to be brutally defeated, even the escort team leader wouldn't just stand by. After all, Guyang Hoo was an outsider.
Guyang Hoo sneered.
"Grand Prince, you speak as if you can actually kill me. I can't tell if you're just a reckless fool or someone who actually thinks things through."
Dan Woo-sung responded, "Don't assume the world is black and white. Can't I be both a reckless fool and someone who thinks things through? Anyway..."
He deliberately trailed off, and Guyang Hoo nodded.
'Fine. You won't settle for just an arm, huh? With witnesses present, what's there to hesitate over?'
As if biting the bait Dan Woo-sung had cast, Guyang Hoo swung his sword toward the great hall's doors.
Thud!
The doors burst open, and Guyang Hoo declared:
"Escort team and Guyang Clan retainers—stand as witnesses. The Grand Prince has agreed."
The escort team and retainers swarmed in, splitting into two groups and positioning themselves behind Dan Woo-sung and Guyang Hoo.
Mok In-seop spoke up.
"Grand Prince, be careful."
Guyang Hoo asked, "Ready?"
Dan Woo-sung answered curtly.
"To the death."
"Naturally."
Dan Woo-sung's expression remained indifferent.
This man was the one responsible for Lee Jin-eon's death, the one who had schemed to turn brothers against each other and plotted to swallow the merchant group whole. Even if he left here, he would surely spread slander elsewhere. Whether the Guyang Clan backed him or some greater force, Dan Woo-sung had no intention of letting him live.
From their earlier skirmish, he had already gauged the man's sword speed and depth of internal energy.
That was enough.
Countless scenarios and their outcomes played out in Dan Woo-sung's mind.
The two locked eyes—then clashed without another word.
Blades and fists clashed in a rapid exchange. Guyang Hoo seized the center of the hall while Dan Woo-sung circled him, weaving just out of reach. At times, the sword grazed dangerously close, but Dan Woo-sung dodged with uncanny precision.
Each time, Guyang Hoo inwardly stiffened.
'This bastard—his fists are his true weapon.'
It wasn't just the lightning energy that was fearsome. His adaptability was that of someone who had faced countless swordsmen. Even Guyang Hoo, a seasoned warrior, saw techniques he had never encountered before—pushing the blade aside barehanded, striking the wrist before the sword could even swing.
Only then did Guyang Hoo realize—Dan Woo-sung's movements were fluid, like water, from start to finish. A cold sweat broke out on his back.
Growing impatient, Guyang Hoo swung faster, burning through his internal energy recklessly. He wasn't thinking about the duel as a whole anymore.
Meanwhile, Dan Woo-sung saw the sword's trajectory clearly—and the desperation behind it.
'You're panicking. Guyang Hoo, now's the time for your trump card.'
He waited for it. Personality and swordplay were inseparable, after all.
After a dozen more exchanges, Guyang Hoo made his move.
First, a feint at the right shoulder. Then, a palm strike to the face. Finally, the sword would split into three illusions before piercing Dan Woo-sung's abdomen.
The attack unfolded exactly as planned.
Dan Woo-sung leaned back, dodging the first strike.
The palm strike? He countered with his fist, neutralizing it.
Then—
Guyang Hoo lunged forward, thrusting his sword for the finishing blow.
But the blade didn't move.
It didn't split into three, either.
Because the moment Guyang Hoo stepped in, Dan Woo-sung closed the distance—and seized his wrist.
CRACK!
Bones shattered. Lightning energy surged in.
The difference in their mastery was laid bare.
Before the sword even hit the ground, Dan Woo-sung's left foot stomped down on Guyang Hoo's instep like a thunderbolt.
CRUNCH!
Guyang Hoo barely stifled a scream. His lower body went numb—lightning energy surged from his toes up to his thighs.
Only then did the sword clatter to the floor.
Dan Woo-sung's left fist uppercut into Guyang Hoo's gut—THUD!—lifting him into the air. His right hand hammered down, knee rising to meet the falling man's spine.
CRACK!
Guyang Hoo's body arched like a bow before collapsing, white foam bubbling at his lips.
Dan Woo-sung stood unharmed, looking down at him.
The duel had ended in an instant. Guyang Hoo lay there, not even understanding how he had lost.
"Senior!"
The Guyang Clan retainers rushed forward, checking for signs of life. But their frantic cries only confirmed the outcome.
One of them whipped his head around, glaring at Dan Woo-sung.
Dan Woo-sung met his gaze.
"You staring like that because you want to die too? You know better than anyone what Guyang Hoo was planning to do to our merchant group. If you've got any conscience left, take his corpse and leave while I'm letting you."
Lee Hwa-eon, who had just returned after reporting to their father, paled at the carnage in the hall.
'Good heavens...'
As the Guyang retainers carried their dead leader away, one lingered to speak to Dan Woo-sung.
"Grand Prince, as a witness, I confirm this duel was fair and without dispute. I will report as much."
"You sound like you've got more to say. Go on."
"The Guyang Clan will keep challenging you to duels under the guise of vengeance. You won't be able to refuse them all. I wish you... good fortune in battle."
The thinly veiled threat left the Silver River Merchant Group in silence.
Once the outsiders had all left, every eye turned to Dan Woo-sung. Han Yeop had stepped out briefly to receive Mok In-seop's report on the situation.
Dan Woo-sung scanned the room—the entire merchant group had gathered, their spirits high. They were waiting for him to say something. Some even hoped he'd reassure them with something like, "My martial sect is far stronger, so don't worry."
But there was no such thing.
Because the Silver River Merchant Group already had the Fist King.
Dan Woo-sung spoke.
"The Silver River Merchant Group is mine."
The abrupt declaration left everyone staring blankly. He continued.
"It's my father's. It belongs to the countless workers who carry its burdens. It belongs to those who've done nothing wrong yet still bow their heads in apology. It belongs to the escort team who rise before dawn to stand guard. It belongs to my uncle, who has lived more dutifully than anyone out of gratitude to my grandfather..."
He nodded.
"So even if we pile mountains of gold, we won't spare a single coin for scum like Guyang Hoo. This incident is the Guyang Clan's shame, not ours. If anyone raises an issue, the responsibility is mine alone—that's why I faced him alone. So now—relax."
Only then did smiles break out.
Mok In-seop suddenly started clapping, and the others, swept up in the moment, joined in.
Lee Hwa-eon clapped too, though the youngest, Lee Ja-eon, who had been watching from the sidelines, didn't. He was busy swallowing curses.
'If I'd been the one to go to Mount Jiuhua, those cheers would've been mine. Damn it all.'
He glared at his eldest brother—then, meeting Dan Woo-sung's gaze, gave a few half-hearted claps before lowering his hands.
Dan Woo-sung called out from the center of the crowd.
"Chief Administrator."
"Yes."
"In that spirit—buy me one elixir."
"Huh? An elixir? What kind...?"
Dan Woo-sung grinned.
"The best one this world has to offer, of course."
The merchant group members laughed, all eyes on Lee Hwa-eon. Their expressions said it clearly—put it on the company tab.
Lee Hwa-eon chuckled too. Truthfully, his eldest brother didn't need to bolster his authority like this in front of everyone. Dan Woo-sung had plenty of personal wealth, and even if he'd asked privately, the mood was such that they would've bought it anyway.
With rare cheer, Lee Hwa-eon replied,
"Since it's for you, the Silver River Merchant Group will procure the finest elixir. Grow stronger quickly—so you can crush anyone who challenges you next time."
"Hahaha!"
As laughter erupted, Lee Hwa-eon smiled. It wasn't just empty words. From now on, the merchant group's fate truly rested on his eldest brother's martial prowess.
He met Dan Woo-sung's eyes.
"Brother, it's not just me—the entire merchant group will support you. Grow strong. Fast."
Dan Woo-sung held his gaze, then nodded.
"That's exactly what I want."
As the crowd dispersed to their duties, Lee Ja-eon stood alone, his face twisted in fury.
He was replaying the final moments of the duel in his mind.
Nearly in a trance.
"Here, Guyang Hoo thrusts—but it's a feint! Then the palm strike—another feint! Two fakes, so the third must be real, right? Stab! Die! But this bastard—he closes the gap like he knew, twists the wrist—CRACK!—then stomps—BAM!"
Lee Ja-eon flailed his limbs like a madman, mimicking Dan Woo-sung's movements. Despite his frenzy, his analysis was sharp—impressive in its own way.
He threw an uppercut, making a whoosh sound with his mouth.
"One punch to the gut—THUD!—then break the spine—SNAP!"
Tilting his head, he muttered,
"Huh. A flawless victory. Tch..."
Only then did he realize how insane he must look. Glancing around—thankfully, no one was watching.
Sighing, he headed back to his quarters.
"They won't buy me an elixir? Playing favorites, huh? Bastards..."