Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: A High-Profile Figure
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A very high-profile figure visited the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
The Guild Master of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild halted a meeting and went outside to greet the important guest, accompanied by his son Seo I-on, his daughter Seo I-ryeong, and the general manager Seo Ju-yeon.
Guild Master Seo Ju-on spoke first.
“My, who do we have here? It has been a truly long time.”
“Hahaha. Well, there was no need for all of you to come out like this.”
“Not at all. When such a distinguished person visits, this level of courtesy is only natural. Now, everyone, pay your respects. This gentleman is the Anhui Branch Leader of the Beggars' Sect and a disciple of the Sect Leader.”
It was Geolgae who had come to the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
One by one, they greeted him with the utmost respect. His status as the next leader of the Beggars' Sect warranted exceptional treatment from the Hoyeon Merchant Guild. After all, merchants also need a great deal of information to conduct business.
Especially for a merchant guild like Hoyeon, which operated throughout the Central Plains, an intelligence organization like the Beggars' Sect, with its own widespread network, was an even greater asset.
Guild Master Seo Ju-on asked.
“But what brings you to our guild? Could it be because of the upcoming duel?”
Other than that, there was no particular reason for such a high-profile figure to visit the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
A rumor had spread from Anhui all the way to Jiangsu Province. It claimed that the Hoyeon Merchant Guild, a magnate of the Central Plains, was about to fall into the hands of the Baekri Family.
It was merely a matter of becoming in-laws depending on the duel's outcome. The rumor had spread because the Baekri Family had deliberately started it.
From the Hoyeon Merchant Guild's perspective, it was an outrageous situation, but since things had already come to this, they decided not to worry too much about the stakes getting higher.
The eyes of the Central Plains were focused on the Hoyeon Merchant Guild, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it was good. However, it came with the prerequisite that Namgung Urin had to win this duel and survive.
Anhui Branch Leader Geolgae opened his mouth.
“Yes, I've come regarding that matter.”
In truth, the reason Geolgae had come all this way was because Namgung Urin had summoned him through a beggar from the Sect located near the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
In other words, he hadn't come because he wanted to.
“I see. Then please, come inside.”
“No, that's alright. I'm here to find a man known as the Jade-Faced Righteous Hero, who is staying at the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.”
“Ah, I see. Then I will have him called here. So please, come inside for now.”
Geolgae wanted to do just that, but it was painfully obvious that Namgung Urin would throw a fit, yelling about some beggar summoning him here and there, so he couldn't.
He couldn't afford to be utterly humiliated in front of the key figures of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
“No, that's fine. Just tell me where he is, and I will go to him.”
“How could we do that? We will bring him here. Whether by age or by standing in the martial world, it is proper for him to come to you.”
Geolgae waved his hands frantically.
“Oh, no, please. I will go myself.”
‘These people!’
Are they trying to get me killed!
That bastard isn't someone who cares about things like age or standing!
‘Tsk!’
“Hahaha. Someone of your stature, Branch Leader, would normally be particular about such things. Seeing that you are not, I have learned something new again today.”
“...You're too kind.”
“Since you insist, Branch Leader, we will guide you. I-ryeong, you will show him the way.”
“...No...”
“Yes, Father.”
Seo I-ryeong approached Geolgae and began to guide him politely.
“Please follow me.”
“...Ah, yes.”
‘Damn it.’
He couldn't just throw a fit and insist on going alone. It was driving him mad.
Geolgae had no choice but to follow Seo I-ryeong. Behind him followed the Guild Master, his son, and the general manager.
A moment later.
They spotted Namgung Urin training alone in the training grounds.
Geolgae spoke to the people from the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
“I will go alone from here.”
“As you wish.”
That was the proper etiquette.
However, their curiosity only grew as to why someone with the distinguished status of the Beggars' Sect's next leader would go to such lengths to meet Namgung Urin in person.
Geolgae's heavy steps moved toward Namgung Urin. Neither fast nor slow.
Just then, Namgung Urin's mouth opened.
“I'm in the middle of training.”
“...”
He was telling him to wait since he was training.
‘Damn it!’
He summons me here, only to say he's training!
I swear...!
He desperately wanted to unleash a torrent of curses he was holding back.
But what could he do? He'd just end up completely humiliated.
Geolgae turned back.
His eyes met those of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild members, who were staring intently at him.
‘Sigh.’
Everyone's jaws dropped in astonishment.
The Anhui Branch Leader came all this way to see him in person...
And he says he's training?
True, one shouldn't disturb a martial artist's training, but still...
He's the Anhui Branch Leader.
The next leader of the Beggars' Sect.
This was a situation where it wouldn't be strange for the Anhui Branch Leader to start shouting... but he's just turning back like that?
Even if he didn't know who the Anhui Branch Leader was...
‘...That young man...’
‘...That young hero...’
He didn't seem like someone who lacked manners.
Geolgae returned to the group and opened his mouth.
“He says he's training.”
Guild Master Seo Ju-on said.
“...That young man must not know who you are, Branch Leader. I will go and speak to him...”
“No, it's fine. Leave him be.”
“But still, this isn't right...”
No, please, just stop!
“Just leave him be. I'm fine. And that young man, he knows who I am.”
“...Is that so?”
He was asking if he was showing such an attitude despite knowing.
“That's right.”
He was essentially saying the bastard had no manners whatsoever.
Unable to comprehend the situation, Seo I-ryeong interjected.
“Perhaps, do you have a close relationship with Young Hero Seol U?”
“Not exactly a close relationship...”
This is more like an ill-fated connection!
“I'm here on the Sect Leader's orders. You understand?”
He meant that if it weren't for the orders of his master, the head of the Central Plains' greatest intelligence organization, he wouldn't be submitting to a guy like that.
Seo I-ryeong, as well as the Guild Master and the others with him, couldn't help but be even more surprised.
“Then... are you saying the Sect Leader and Young Hero Seol U are acquainted?”
“You could say that.”
He's the kind of guy who'd spew insults even at the leader of the Beggars' Sect.
The astonished Seo I-ryeong continued speaking.
“Could it be that Young Hero Seol U's master is someone incredible?”
Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for him to be acquainted with someone of the Beggars' Sect Leader's stature.
“Not exactly. However...”
It would all be revealed eventually.
That Namgung Urin was not Seol U, but the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
That was why Namgung Urin had summoned him here.
If Geolgae, the designated next leader of the Beggars' Sect, couldn't even predict this much, how could he have become Jang Gae's disciple? Martial prowess is important, but the aptitude to handle information is also essential.
Geolgae understood the situation perfectly.
Namgung Urin intended to raise the stakes of this game. Of course, the Baekri Family was the one escalating it, but Namgung Urin was the one creating the circumstances for it.
Namgung Urin's true revenge was beginning.
Right here, at the Hoyeon Merchant Guild.
That's why Geolgae thought there would be no problem revealing Namgung Urin's true identity now.
“Actually, that man is not Seol U.”
Seo I-ryeong's eyes widened like saucers.
“What? Then, could he be... an impostor...”
“No. He is the Seol U from the rumors, but his real name is Namgung Urin.”
“...Namgung...”
“Yes. He is the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.”
“The Namgung Family...”
The clan that had held the title of the world's number one martial sect for a hundred years.
Moreover, during that time, the fame of being the world's number one martial artist also belonged to the Namgung Family.
Although they were said to have fallen during the War of Orthodox and Demonic Factions five years ago, didn't the atmosphere in Anhui Province change drastically with the recent news of the Namgung Family's return to the martial world?
Five years ago, the status of the Namgung Family's Young Lord was one to be revered. And no matter how much the Namgung Family had fallen, their name was not yet dead.
“Young Hero Seol U... no, that man is the Young Lord of the Namgung Family?”
“Yes. That's correct.”
“Then, this duel is...”
‘So that's why he said, 'Please help me.'’
“The Namgung Family's... against the Baekri Family...”
“You could see it that way. It will likely cause immense ripples.”
Geolgae turned to Guild Master Seo Ju-on and continued.
“As you know, I don't believe any harm will come to the Hoyeon Merchant Guild. In fact, things will likely turn out favorably for you.”
The extremely flustered Guild Master slowly opened his mouth.
“...Yes. I think so too, but.”
He couldn't hide his bewilderment at such an unexpectedly huge event unfolding.
The Guild Master spoke again.
“Will it be alright?”
He was referring to the possibility of an unfavorable outcome in the duel.
“I believe it will be alright, but it's true that I'm also worried.”
According to the information Geolgae had gathered, rumors were circulating that the martial prowess of the Baekri Family's Young Lord was greater than expected.
“Haha. My goodness. My own heart is trembling.”
The stakes had become much higher than anticipated.
“So there are things that can make even the Guild Master's heart tremble.”
It seemed unlikely for the magnate who controlled the Central Plains.
“I'm only human... This is no ordinary matter, is it?”
“Indeed.”
It's not every day you find a troublemaker like that in the martial world.
Just then, Namgung Urin, having finished his training, approached them.
“Late again?”
“What are you talking about? I ran here without even breathing.”
‘...He's speaking informally...’
‘And he's taking it so casually.’
The people of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild were dumbfounded by the conversation between Geolgae and Namgung Urin.
They weren't friends of a similar age, after all.
“Excuses. Late is late.”
“Hey!”
“Whatever. How's the situation?”
“What do you think? You must have heard.”
He had heard from the Guild Master how the Baekri Family was acting.
“So nothing special, then?”
“Not yet.”
“Not bad.”
“What is?”
“It means you know I'm going to do something else.”
“That much is basic. You're the one who's not bad.”
He meant that Namgung Urin, who had noticed from the single phrase 'Not yet' that Geolgae had anticipated something, was the impressive one.
“I'm always impressive.”
“You annoying bastard.”
Each time Geolgae and Namgung Urin exchanged words, the heads of the watching Hoyeon Merchant Guild members swiveled back and forth.
Their jaws remained agape at the unbelievable scene.
Namgung Urin continued speaking.
“It's getting stale.”
“Please, let's just live a normal life. What is this? The Family Head is going to collapse.”
“You just worry about your old man not collapsing.”
“...O-Old man?!”
Geolgae knew what kind of person Namgung Urin was. Still, he meant that he shouldn't act like this in front of other people.
“Then, should I call him the King of Beggars?”
“You crazy bastard.”
Just then, the Guild Master swayed.
“Father!”
“Guild Master!”
Thanks to Seo I-ryeong's quick reaction, he thankfully didn't collapse to the ground.
It was because he was so utterly dumbfounded.
Calling the leader of the Beggars' Sect an old man, then the King of Beggars.
In all his years, the Guild Master had never experienced anything so shocking.
After the brief commotion subsided, the conversation between Namgung Urin and Geolgae continued.
Namgung Urin took a document from his robes.
“Here.”
It contained instructions to leak the information that the Baekri Family's Young Lord's opponent was the Jade-Faced Righteous Hero, and that the Jade-Faced Righteous Hero was the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
“You want me to do it just like this?”
“Yes. I'm sure you'll handle it, but add some embellishments.”
“Got it. Look forward to it.”
“Yeah. I'm not.”
And so, Geolgae decided to embellish the story far beyond Namgung Urin's expectations.