Chapter 27: The Fist King Gets Threatened
The Fist King Gets Threatened
Episode 27: The Fist King Gets Threatened
"Father is curious. He wonders just how valuable the elixir sent by the head of the Taihu Merchant Group truly is. To be honest, I was curious too, so I came to ask."
In response to Chief Administrator Lee Hwa-eon's question, Dan Woo-sung replied,
"Even I find it difficult to gauge its worth."
He didn't even mention the term Supreme Elixir. Hwa-eon's expression turned surprised.
"Is it really that priceless? To be honest, Father seems troubled. The West Wind Escort Bureau has always been our close allies, but the head merchant is different. He believes we must repay the favor sooner or later."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"Since it's something whose value can't be measured, repaying it with money isn't the right way."
"Then what should we do?"
After thinking deeply, Dan Woo-sung answered,
"We don't need a formal headquarters, nor does it need to be a tangible entity. The elder of the Taihu Merchant Group could take the role of chairman, or Father could—it wouldn't make much difference. Originally, large merchant groups like ours typically maintain their own escort teams. But not all merchant factions have the resources to do so, like the West Wind Escort Bureau. Including the Taihu Merchant Group, who sent the elixir, let's establish a Merchant Alliance under your leadership."
"Huh? That's a big undertaking, Brother."
"No, it isn't. Start small—just gather a few friendly factions like our trade partners and the Taihu Merchant Group. Then, no matter the location, invite a few distinguished guests and hold a modest banquet. You handle that. Either way, we must announce the formation of the Merchant Alliance to the public. Since repaying them with money is difficult, we'll repay them with something beyond money."
Hwa-eon, ever the administrator, asked,
"What about bylaws or membership fees?"
"Keep the bylaws simple, like Emperor Gaozu of Han did. And for now, don't collect any fees."
"What should our purpose be?"
"Our purpose shouldn't be protecting interests—it should be protecting the lives of merchants themselves. Normally, it'll just be a social gathering. Realistically, rushing to help when trouble arises won't be easy. But we can take follow-up action. News will reach us, after all."
"And when it does?"
"I'll go."
Dan Woo-sung looked at his younger brother. Most problems faced by large merchant groups stemmed from harassment by martial factions—especially the Black Path, who were notoriously brazen.
Seeing Hwa-eon's bewildered expression, Dan Woo-sung explained,
"I told you—the elixir sent by the head merchant is something whose value can't even be measured. It helped me that much. Father may be thinking of repaying the favor, but so am I."
"If you say it helped you, does that mean you've grown much stronger?"
"Yes."
Hwa-eon placed his right arm on the table.
"Good. Brother, let's arm-wrestle. I don't think you've ever beaten me before—let's see how much stronger you've gotten."
Dan Woo-sung blinked.
"What? Are you joking?"
"Joking? No. Are you scared?"
Recognizing his brother's teasing, Dan Woo-sung smirked, grabbed Hwa-eon's hand, and effortlessly pinned his arm down.
"Go."
Hwa-eon stood up without any reaction and gave a slight bow.
"Yes, Brother. I'll be going."
"Mm. Good work."
After taking a few steps, Hwa-eon turned back.
"Brother, ever since you returned, my workload keeps increasing. I've been swamped lately."
Dan Woo-sung stared at him silently until Hwa-eon grinned.
"Happily so. A merchant thrives when busy."
Once Hwa-eon left, Dan Woo-sung sank into thought. Hearing his brother mention being busy naturally brought to mind the failed scholar Joo Ja-ryang.
'I wonder how the Mount Jiuhua trio is doing.'
The fact that the immature Lee Ja-eon had stirred the hearts of those two, causing the troublemakers to awaken in fury, was something even Dan Woo-sung couldn't have predicted.
On his way back to his quarters, Hwa-eon spotted Mok In-seop approaching briskly from the opposite direction.
Mok In-seop shouted urgently,
"Chief Administrator! Is the Grand Prince inside?"
"Goodness, you're loud. I just left him. Why?"
Mok In-seop relayed the news as if giving a warning.
"Chief Administrator, you should return to your quarters immediately. The head of the Guyang Clan is waiting in the main hall. He didn't bring many people, so I'm not sure what his intentions are. I'll inform the Grand Prince."
Hwa-eon's eyes widened instantly.
"The clan head himself?"
"Yes. For now, it's best if only our escort team remains in the main hall."
Without another word, Mok In-seop sprinted to inform the Grand Prince. If the Guyang Clan's head had come personally, even Han Yeop, the newly appointed leader of the escort team, wouldn't stand a chance. The fact that he had come at all—not to cause trouble but to calmly request the Grand Prince's presence—only deepened Mok In-seop's unease.
What could possibly explain the clan head's visit after three late-stage experts had already been defeated?
When Dan Woo-sung and the Double Report Brothers arrived in the main hall, Guyang Saeng, who had been surveying the room with his hands behind his back, turned around. His gaze fixed not on the twins but on Dan Woo-sung.
"So you're the Grand Prince of the Silver River Merchant Group. I am Guyang Saeng of the Guyang Clan."
This was Dan Woo-sung's first time meeting the man. He knew of the heads of the Five Great Clans, but he wasn't intimately familiar with the Guyang Clan's members.
Guyang Saeng glanced at the escorts he had brought and said,
"The young master who educated my sons is quite impressive. You all, wait here."
"Yes, understood."
Guyang Saeng addressed Dan Woo-sung.
"Grand Prince, let's take a walk, just the two of us."
At that, Dan Woo-sung turned to the Double Report Brothers.
"You two, wait here."
"Yes."
Soon after, the two men left the Silver River Merchant Group and walked in silence. They weren't close, and with the matter of Guyang-hoo and the Guyang young masters between them, conversation was naturally sparse.
Guyang Saeng spoke in a friendly tone, as if inquiring of an old friend.
"Grand Prince, what happened to Guyang-hoo?"
"He tried to take advantage of the merchant group."
Guyang Saeng nodded without commenting on Dan Woo-sung's tone or demeanor.
"I see. That does sound like him. You don't strike me as a man who would lie."
When a passerby approached, they briefly changed the subject. Guyang Saeng glanced around and remarked,
"A peaceful neighborhood. You must have many suppliers for your merchant group. You've even built places for merchants to rest—quite well done."
Once the passerby was gone, Guyang Saeng returned to martial matters.
"My sons and Shin So-baek... I'm relieved they weren't seriously hurt. For that, I suppose I should thank you. Not that sending our young master would've made a difference against someone of your strength. That's why I came personally. I was curious about the kind of young man you are. It's rare for a merchant's son to be this strong. Which sect are you from?"
"I can't say."
"Fair enough."
Dan Woo-sung half-listened to Guyang Saeng's rambling. When he remained silent, Guyang Saeng spoke again.
"Let's go this way."
They arrived at an even quieter spot. Guyang Saeng asked,
"Have you heard of the Emperor's Assembly?"
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"I have."
"How much do you know?"
"It's an organization led by the Four Great Clans—excluding the Tang Family."
Guyang Saeng nodded.
"That much is common knowledge. Our Guyang Clan is also a member—though we haven't been part of it for long. My guess is that the men Guyang-hoo brought with him must've been blabbering. At the last assembly meeting, I felt... slightly displeased. After returning, I expelled all those freeloaders. Useless mouths to feed."
Expelled was a polite way of saying buried. Guyang Saeng pointed to his chest.
"My pride was wounded. Not that I blame you for it."
They continued walking until they reached a secluded area. Guyang Saeng looked around and said,
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Go ahead."
"Will you join the Emperor's Assembly? Not the Silver River Merchant Group—just you, as an individual. Even as a civilian martial artist, your merchant group would benefit greatly. After all, families of martial artists within the Assembly receive protection. This isn't about extorting tribute or money—I'm not like Guyang-hoo. What do you think of my proposal?"
Dan Woo-sung replied,
"What if I refuse?"
"Why? I'd like to hear your reasoning. It's not a losing proposition. For a merchant's son, you're surprisingly slow."
"What would a merchant's son do in the Emperor's Assembly? It's not like I lack money. And you're offering me a civilian martial artist's position?"
Dan Woo-sung kept his tone as polite as possible. Guyang Saeng chuckled and nodded.
"Well, it is a sudden request. Refusing is understandable."
Dan Woo-sung stared silently. Guyang Saeng continued with a smile.
"You killed Guyang-hoo. You beat my sons. And now, when the clan head himself comes to ask a favor, you refuse? You've got guts."
Dan Woo-sung retorted,
"Enough nonsense. If you're not here to fight, let's head back. This hasn't been a pleasant stroll."
Guyang Saeng gestured toward the Silver River Merchant Group.
"Fair enough. It hasn't been pleasant for me either."
In tense silence, the two retraced their steps. Guyang Saeng, seemingly in a foul mood, sighed occasionally before asking,
"Why insist... What's so hard about joining the Emperor's Assembly? Others beg to join but can't."
"Isn't it just an organization formed by those who left when the Murim Alliance reverted to the Nine Sects?"
"That's true. Is that a problem? Even civilian martial artists are treated better there than in the Murim Alliance. Think of it as a friendly rival to the Alliance."
Dan Woo-sung laughed inwardly.
From Shin So-baek's earlier suggestion about the Murim Alliance, he could guess the atmosphere of the Emperor's Assembly. It was clearly a faction where the direct descendants of great clans thrived. Even branch family members were being sidelined—what use would a merchant's son be there?
Guyang Saeng said,
"If you joined, you could compete in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament under the Assembly's banner and achieve great things. What a waste. You'd rise quickly—not as a civilian martial artist. You really don't understand how the world works."
The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was a grand martial competition held by the Murim Alliance for late-stage experts. Naturally, the Emperor's Assembly saw it as an opportunity to elevate their reputation and challenge the Nine Sects' disciples, so they participated in force.
Growing irritated, Guyang Saeng clutched his forehead. A curse slipped out effortlessly.
"Damn it... Another headache. Listen, Grand Prince. I could walk into the Silver River Merchant Group right now and slaughter everyone before leaving. I'd spare you, of course. We could frame it as an official purge—nothing new, so it wouldn't even raise eyebrows. But don't take my words lightly. Honestly, my pride's taken a hit. If you'd just join the Emperor's Assembly and help me save face, I'd make sure you benefit. I'd even forget about Guyang-hoo."
When Dan Woo-sung stared at him speechlessly, Guyang Saeng pressed,
"Cat got your tongue? Why dismiss goodwill like this? I've been polite, and you won't even listen. Do you really think you're strong enough to stop me? Is that it? Even if—hypothetically—you could kill me, it'd be justified. I'm part of the Emperor's Assembly. What would you do then? Starting to see the value in my offer?"
Guyang Saeng waited, looking exasperated.
Dan Woo-sung sighed, then replied in a calm tone,
"Know your limits, you lunatic. Have you considered that I could kill you, slaughter every last one of those bastards in the main hall, then march straight to the Guyang Clan and wipe you all out? I'll even pin it on your eldest son. Want to test me?"
Guyang Saeng's expression froze in genuine shock at the unexpected response.