Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: A New Order for Samun Gorge
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Samun Gorge Wharf.
A large crowd had gathered in front of the docks where the Demonic Cult branch’s boats were anchored.
From Jeong Hyo-sang and the branch’s martial artists to Yuk Dae-myeong and members of the Enyang Merchant Guild, who had newly forged ties with the Demonic Cult branch.
They had all come to see off Neung Un-bi’s party as they departed for Jeongju.
“Third Young Master, if you leave so soon, what are we to do?”
Jeong Hyo-sang said with an expression of lingering regret.
“I wish I could stay longer, but time… has run its course.”
In truth, Neung Un-bi was also disappointed.
He glanced aside and saw the faint figures of the Paeng Clan’s martial artists in the distance. They must have come out after hearing the news of his departure.
*Damn it, I should have at least seen those bastards get kicked out of Samun Gorge, grinding their teeth in frustration…*
But the rice was already cooked. However, since there was nothing clearly visible yet, the Paeng Clan probably had no idea what future awaited them.
Soon, however, Ho Gye-cheong of the Geumseom Merchant Guild would return from his trade journey. After him, others who had set out on their own journeys would return in droves, and the stories of their experiences would spread throughout Samun Gorge in an instant.
And what if the words of Yuk Dae-myeong, who became the first customer after the branch’s transformation, were added to the mix?
The difference between prepayment and post-payment. In the end, it was nothing more than the old 'three in the morning, four in the evening' trick, but merchants were not monkeys.
They would be calculating the profits and losses arising from that difference.
In other words, the tide had already turned.
It was an undeniable fact that the Paeng Clan’s sphere of influence would crumble like a sandcastle. Even if the head of the Paeng Clan came, he could never reverse it.
*Ah, there is one way, I suppose.*
He could go to the leader of the river bandits himself.
Go and bow his head, grovel, and curry favor…
And that was why it was impossible.
The head of one of the Five Great Clans bowing to a bandit chief?
Unthinkable. A man with the pride of the Orthodox Faction and the superiority complex of a prestigious clan would never do such a thing. They were the type to believe that a tiger doesn't eat grass even if it’s starving to death.
Never realizing they would starve to death because of it.
Well, in any case, this meant the Paeng Clan was as good as expelled from Samun Gorge.
Just thinking about the Paeng Clan’s simmering frustration was so satisfying…
Now, all the Demonic Cult branch had to do was hold on.
Neung Un-bi, with a deliberately solemn expression, called out to Jeong Hyo-sang.
“Branch Manager.”
“…Yes? Yes!”
“Samun Gorge is a truly fine place.”
“Pardon?”
“I hope you will refrain from actions that would tarnish the name of the Demonic Cult.”
“I will take it to heart.”
As Neung Un-bi’s words took on a formal tone, Jeong Hyo-sang quickly knelt and replied. Unlike before, his tone was filled with dignity, so he took the posture of receiving an order, believing this to be an official command from the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult.
Was it because of his action?
Without a moment’s hesitation, the martial artists of the Demonic Cult branch all knelt in unison and shouted.
“We will take it to heart!”
Their voices were like a single, unified roar, and as that roar echoed thunderously through Samun Gorge, not only the passersby but even the porters engrossed in loading cargo turned their heads.
Just then, a sudden river breeze blew, fluttering the robes of Neung Un-bi, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
With Jeong Hyo-sang and the branch’s martial artists all kneeling, everyone at the wharf could see Neung Un-bi.
As all eyes focused on him, the crowd fell silent, and soon, Neung Un-bi’s low voice spread throughout Samun Gorge like a subtle fragrance.
“Though this is the Central Plains, now that you have established a foothold, you shall henceforth act as if this place is the domain of the Demonic Cult.”
“…”
“As a member of the Demonic Cult and a martial artist, you shall look after and aid the powerless, and you shall not tolerate injustice.”
“Understood!”
“Furthermore, you shall not be excessively greedy and wrongfully extort profits from those with whom you have formed ties.”
“Yes!”
“Always regard those you have ties with as family, and remember that you exist because they exist, so always approach them with humility.”
“Yes!”
“Should you gain excessive profits, be sure to share them with and help those in need, for that is what it truly means to uphold the honor of the Demonic Cult.”
“This subordinate will regard the honor of the Demonic Cult as my own life!”
Neung Un-bi spoke, and Jeong Hyo-sang answered without a single word of dissent.
The people listening to their conversation tilted their heads in confusion and murmured amongst themselves.
*Not tolerate injustice?*
*Don’t wrongfully extort profits?*
*Humility?*
*Help people?*
*That’s the honor of the Demonic Cult?*
The words they were hearing clashed with the preconceived notions people held about the Demonic Cult.
If what they said was true… could you even call that the Demonic Cult?
That was just the Orthodox Faction. No, even the Orthodox Faction didn’t act as they described.
It was so idealistic that it bred disbelief. Some pointed fingers, calling it a lie, while others said it was a way of deceiving the masses.
But Neung Un-bi was sincere.
That was the world he had dreamed of.
A world he had wanted to create, even if it meant clearing away unnecessary obstacles from the shadows.
Hadn’t he readily accepted even death for that cause?
Though he had failed to achieve it even in death…
But in the small confines of Samun Gorge, it was possible. It would be difficult for the Unorthodox Factions, and even for the Orthodox Faction, but the Demonic Cult could do it.
Who was he?
Not Cheok Wol-rin, but Neung Un-bi, who had come to the Central Plains as the disciple and representative of the Cult Leader.
He was one whose command was law.
And Neung Un-bi did not want the Paeng Clan to ruin Samun Gorge.
His eyes, which had grown cold, looked down menacingly at Jeong Hyo-sang’s head as he opened his mouth.
“Jeong Hyo-sang.”
“Yes! Third Young Master!”
“I will trust you. I will trust that you will carry out my words, and that you will not turn your back on your honor as a member of the Demonic Cult.”
“As you command!”
Jeong Hyo-sang bowed his head so low it seemed his forehead would touch the ground.
“A thousand years to the Demonic Path! Ten thousand demons bow in submission!”
Following him, the branch’s martial artists bowed in the same manner and shouted in one voice.
This was enough. Samun Gorge would, at the very least, become a place fit for people to live.
By the hands of the Demonic Cult.
But if Jeong Hyo-sang were to break his promise… he would not escape death for the crime of disobeying the one representing the Cult Leader, no, for disobeying the Cult Leader’s command itself.
“But bear this in mind.”
“Please speak!”
“If in all that you believe to be right…”
Neung Un-bi subtly glanced at the Paeng Clan’s martial artists as if pointing them out.
“Someone interferes, then do not hold back as you have before.”
“…”
“According to the laws of the demonic path, do not yield, but advance.”
Jeong Hyo-sang’s eyes widened.
*He knew?*
That when the Paeng Clan had oppressed him, he had endured despite having the strength, worried about the potential consequences…
“If you are truly in the right, I will protect you.”
“…”
“Even if it means fighting the entire Orthodox Faction, I will surely protect your honor.”
“Th-Third Young Master.”
“This is the promise of I, Neung Un-bi.”
“…!”
At last, Neung Un-bi’s blazing gaze fixed directly on the Paeng Clan’s martial artists.
*Yes, this is a vow and a promise.*
*Even if you abandon the demonic path and become Orthodox, I will surely protect you.*
It was only natural that the martial artists who met his gaze contorted their faces, spun around, and left. The surroundings were quiet, and Neung Un-bi’s words had reached them as well.
Anyone could tell that the ‘interferer’ he spoke of was referring to them.
“Heh heh, well now…”
Jin San, who had been watching from the side, smiled, his face crinkling playfully.
The command Neung Un-bi had given.
Who in the Orthodox Faction could argue with those words?
In the end, it was up to the leader. Everything changed depending on what decisions the leader made and how they proceeded.
The faces of the Demonic Cult members who heard Neung Un-bi’s words were filled with pride.
Jin San thought that perhaps it would be better for the people living there if the Demonic Cult, rather than the Paeng Clan, took control of Samun Gorge.
His only concern was…
How would the Paeng Clan react? He hoped they wouldn’t do anything foolish…
Just as a shadow of worry crossed Jin San’s face.
“Rise. This may be familiar to us, but it is not a pleasant sight for others. It will only create unnecessary intimidation.”
“Yes!”
After having the Demonic Cult branch members stand up, Neung Un-bi looked at Jin San and spoke.
“Elder, shall we board the boat?”
“Let’s.”
As Jin San and Neung Un-bi’s party were about to board the prepared boat, Yuk Dae-myeong hurriedly held something out. It was a small, neatly tied bundle.
“Third Young Master.”
“…?”
“This is a small token of my sincerity.”
“Sincerity?”
“Yes. I am so grateful that you took me back after I had turned away…”
As Neung Un-bi stared intently at the bundle he had received, Yuk Dae-myeong added hesitantly.
“I prepared something that would not be a burden, fearing you might refuse… I hope it is to your liking.”
Neung Un-bi silently untied the bundle.
Inside was a black cloak. The lustrous sheen made it clear at a glance that it was made from high-quality silk.
To Yuk Dae-myeong, who was anxiously watching for any sign of displeasure, Neung Un-bi answered with action instead of words.
*Flutter!*
In front of everyone, he dramatically unfurled the cloak and draped it over his body.
After adjusting it with a satisfied expression, Neung Un-bi bowed politely towards Yuk Dae-myeong.
“Th-Third Young Master!”
Startled by the unexpectedly polite gesture, Yuk Dae-myeong flusteredly bowed in return.
“I will gratefully accept your gift, Guild Master Yuk. I, too, will never forget that you have once again taken the hand of the Demonic Cult.”
“Third Young Master…”
Yuk Dae-myeong could not hide his overwhelming emotion.
It wasn't just him; everyone watching couldn't help but be astonished.
The Demonic Cult was one of the three powers that, along with the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions, held sway over the martial world of the Central Plains. Neung Un-bi, as its representative, had just issued commands to his subordinates with a dignified air.
Like the Cult Leader himself.
Yet such a person had bowed his head first to Yuk Dae-myeong, the master of a not-so-large merchant guild. How could they not be surprised?
To exaggerate slightly, it was a situation akin to the leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance bowing to the head of a small, provincial merchant guild.
And among the crowd, struck speechless with surprise, was Jegal Min.
“…The Paeng Clan has lost. Completely. No, was it I who lost to him? I never expected him to act like this, blinded by my prejudice against the Demonic Cult.”
Having already been briefed on the situation, the actions Neung Un-bi had just displayed were more than enough to confirm his suspicions.
One could tell just by looking at the rumors circulating in the merchant world.
Everything was flowing in Neung Un-bi’s favor. It was clear that the merchant world would soon move towards the Demonic Cult branch.
It couldn't be stopped. The Demonic Cult branch was already riding a great wave.
And the one who had created that wave was likely that man, Neung Un-bi.
“Heh heh, so I’ve lost in strategy as well.”
It felt as if he had been thoroughly outplayed.
But his curiosity about Neung Un-bi outweighed the bitter feeling of defeat.
A man who knew how to turn even the most unfavorable conditions to his advantage…
He was truly a promising sapling that would grow into a mighty tree.
He would surely grow into a great tree that would shake the world, and thus would inevitably clash with himself, whose goal was to manage the world.
“Chang-seo.”
“Yes.”
“He is going to Jeongju?”
“I hear that upon Elder Jin San’s strong recommendation, he was invited to the Nine Dragons Tournament.”
“I see. There would have been no need to refuse, given the existing pact between the Orthodox and Demonic Factions. Also, they would have wanted to see for themselves the man who could become a great adversary of the Central Plains…”
Convinced that Neung Un-bi would be a future enemy, Jegal Min decided he needed to find out more about him.
The foundation of all strategy was to know your enemy and know yourself.
“Let’s go to Jeongju.”
“Pardon? Then the Paeng Clan’s branch…”
“Hah! The Paeng Clan?”
Jegal Min let out a dry laugh at Chang-seo’s words.
“Chang-seo, are you telling me to covet a rotting piece of meat?”
“…”
“Tsk, tsk. If you’re worried, you can just say I had business and returned after finishing my studies at the academy. Or that I went to see the Nine Dragons Tournament.”
“…I will inform the Paeng Clan.”
Chang-seo realized that Jegal Min had abandoned Paeng Won-gil. He was certain that Samun Gorge would fall to the Demonic Cult.
His usefulness had ended, so Paeng Won-gil would likely never meet Jegal Min again.