Chapter 221
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: Of All Places, a Backwater Like That
Byeok Taesan arrived at the Gakwol Inn before dawn.
And though it wasn't for long, he slept soundly.
When morning came, he rose, washed, and finished his meal, attended by his maids as usual.
Three or four maids were typically responsible for Byeok Taesan's mornings.
That was enough to prepare his bath, serve his meal, and clean up afterward.
The rest were either running other errands or training.
Byeok Taesan left his room with light steps.
The maids who had attended to him that day swarmed into his room and began to clean.
Once again, he was reminded of how necessary it was to travel with them.
The first person Byeok Taesan saw upon stepping outside was Je Wi-ryong.
Je Wi-ryong was pacing restlessly in front of the annex building.
The moment he spotted Byeok Taesan, his eyes lit up, and he rushed over like a hawk.
"Young Master! You've awakened!"
Byeok Taesan silently observed the wide smile on the man's face before flicking his hand.
At the gesture, Je Wi-ryong was sent flying backward.
*Crash!*
"Aargh!"
Je Wi-ryong rolled across the ground several times before scrambling to his feet.
Staggering, he righted himself and asked cautiously.
"Um... Young Master? Did I do something wrong...?"
"I didn't like your expression."
Je Wi-ryong stared at Byeok Taesan with a look of disbelief. *He didn't like my expression?* What kind of absurd reason was that?
"What was wrong with my expression...?"
"It was the face of someone dying to show off."
Startled, Je Wi-ryong stealthily averted his gaze.
"If you want to show off, bring the skills and results to back it up first."
Of course, even if he did, showing off would still get him the same treatment.
Hearing this, Je Wi-ryong whipped his head around to look at Byeok Taesan, his eyes sparkling.
"That's why I'm here! With skills and results! Hahaha!"
Byeok Taesan flicked his hand.
Je Wi-ryong was sent flying again, rolling across the ground.
"Aargh! Why are you doing this!"
Byeok Taesan didn't even bother to answer. But Je Wi-ryong was persistent, getting up again and scurrying back to him.
"I've crushed the Golden Moon Trading Company. We can now shorten the schedule by more than two months! It'll be over in a fortnight at most, five days at the shortest!"
Je Wi-ryong said this and looked at Byeok Taesan with a triumphant expression.
His eyes twinkled as if begging for praise.
Byeok Taesan walked right past him without a single glance.
Je Wi-ryong turned to look at Byeok Taesan, dumbfounded.
"Hey, Young Master! Young Master? How can you just walk away! You should at least offer a word of praise. Young Master?"
Je Wi-ryong called out desperately, but Byeok Taesan strode away and was soon gone.
"Wow, what in the world..."
Je Wi-ryong stared in the direction Byeok Taesan had disappeared with a baffled look.
Just then, Hwaok appeared, approaching with graceful steps.
Je Wi-ryong's expression immediately softened.
"Lady Hwaok, you're here? I was just..."
Hwaok looked at him with a cold expression.
Seeing her face, Je Wi-ryong flinched and took a step back.
"Wh-what is it?"
"The Golden Moon Trading Company fell earlier than expected because we perfectly defended against their surprise attack."
"Well... that's true, but..."
"And the fact that the Golden Moon Trading Company was greatly shaken afterward is thanks to the efforts of the Underworld Sect and the Secret Heaven Group."
"But...!"
But the Underworld Sect and the Secret Heaven Group were only able to effectively destabilize the Golden Moon Trading Company because of Heavenly Brain's strategic genius.
That's what Je Wi-ryong wanted to say. But Hwaok's words were faster.
"I acknowledge Heavenly Brain's work before the attack, but after the attack, it was below expectations."
It was true. After the attack had severely shaken the Golden Moon Trading Company, Je Wi-ryong hadn't put in his full effort as before, slacking off slightly.
"No, if you put it like that, it's a bit unfair to me..."
As an icy chill seemed to emanate from Hwaok's eyes, Je Wi-ryong stopped mid-sentence and clamped his mouth shut. He then cautiously gauged her mood.
Hwaok was truly terrifying when she was dead serious.
"What were you about to say to the Young Master just now?"
"No, I was just..."
As Hwaok stared at him silently, Je Wi-ryong finally lowered his head.
"I'm sorry. I was about to misspeak."
Looking at him, Hwaok spoke calmly.
"I have high expectations for Heavenly Brain. But please, be sure to know your place."
Je Wi-ryong's eyes widened. A broad grin spread across his face.
"Don't you worry, my lady. I will never let those expectations down."
Hwaok quietly watched the gleeful Je Wi-ryong walk away before letting out a soft sigh.
"He's going to get a rude awakening from the Young Master one of these days..."
She was a little worried if he could endure that trial.
She had witnessed for herself just how incredible Heavenly Brain was this time.
Watching him read the Golden Moon Trading Company's movements in advance and set traps several steps ahead gave her chills.
*Is this what the genius military strategists of history were like?*
Hwaok was certain that Heavenly Brain would be a great asset to Byeok Taesan.
She had a faint idea of why Byeok Taesan had brought him along.
The thought made her expression darken slightly.
It was because she was lacking that he needed someone to fill the gap. That person was Heavenly Brain.
She bit her lip, her expression turning resolute.
This wouldn't do. To be truly helpful to Byeok Taesan, she had to climb higher. She had to improve.
She couldn't acquire the strategic foresight of Je Wi-ryong and Heavenly Brain overnight.
No, she probably couldn't even if she tried for the rest of her life.
So, she had to do what she could.
Hwaok took a deep breath and started walking.
She resolved to sleep even less starting today.
She had to be able to command the Underworld Sect and the Secret Heaven Group as if they were her own limbs. And she had to be able to use their eyes and ears as if they were her own.
Furthermore, she had to master the martial art Byeok Taesan had bestowed upon her, the Moon Shadow Demonic Arts.
As Hwaok walked with light steps, her eyes shone with determination.
***
A group of people was boarding a ship at the Changsha docks.
It was night, but thanks to the gentle light pouring from the full moon, visibility was not completely obscured.
"Hurry up."
At the urging of Pyeong Jarim, the head of the Golden Moon Trading Company, the people quickened their pace.
Pyeong Jarim stood on the dock, watching the others board the ship.
He intended to be the last one on.
He looked at the ship, then slowly turned around.
In the distance, he could see the lights of Changsha's bustling streets.
Just a short while ago, half of those lights had belonged to the Golden Moon Trading Company.
But now, nothing remained.
Changsha now belonged to the Hyeoncheon Trading Company.
Pyeong Jarim clenched his jaw.
The very thought of the Hyeoncheon Trading Company made him grind his teeth. Those bastards were relentless.
They were so greedy that they would tenaciously dig into the slightest opening and devour everything.
"Hyeoncheon Trading Company, Underworld Sect... and Byeok Taesan. Just you wait. You'll see how I'll punish you."
All that was left in Changsha were a few large manors that were not even worth maintaining.
He had already sold them off secretly for a pittance.
By the time the Underworld Sect found out, he would have already arrived in Zhejiang.
His destination was Hangzhou in Zhejiang.
The largest branch of the Golden Moon Trading Company remained there.
He would recover there and then start over.
He would redefine his relationship with Nameless and rebuild the Sangcheon Gate, Cheongmu Gang, and Guryong Gate, which were now all but gone.
No, he would build a force that surpassed those three factions.
With these thoughts, Pyeong Jarim took one last look at Changsha.
Then he turned and boarded the ship.
The three large ships carrying the people of the Golden Moon Trading Company left the dock, gliding silently across the river.
***
The work in Changsha was finished.
All of Nameless in the area had been dealt with, and the Hyeoncheon Trading Company had devoured the entire market.
The head of the Golden Moon Trading Company had fled in the night, but they had already figured out his destination.
So, it was time to return to Wuhan.
Byeok Taesan decided to focus on cultivating his spiritual energy and organizing the recent enlightenments he had gained on the matter for a while.
Of course, that was something to do after returning to Wuhan.
Today was the day they were to leave Changsha.
Everyone was gathered in front of the Gakwol Inn, waiting for Byeok Taesan to appear.
They couldn't hide their excited expressions at the thought of finally going home.
"By the way, when is our Young Master coming out?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages muttered, looking toward the Gakwol Inn.
Just then, someone emerged from the inn.
At first, they thought it was Byeok Taesan, but it wasn't.
It was Na Heontak. He was dressed in a way that made it clear to anyone that he was thoroughly prepared for a journey.
Seeing this, Sword Demon Na Chunggil looked surprised.
"What's this? Are you coming with us too?"
Na Heontak smiled awkwardly.
"It seems so. The Underworld Sect will manage this inn from now on."
"The Underworld Sect? Does that mean all the other inns too?"
"That's right."
No sooner had Na Heontak answered than other members of the Secret Heaven Group poured out of the inn.
Among them were some who had managed inns in other regions.
Seeing this, Na Chunggil nodded.
"Well, it's not like there's much point in you guys staying here. The Underworld Sect kids are better at this kind of work anyway."
Na Heontak replied as if in agreement.
"Indeed. And the Underworld Sect will also be changing from now on."
They would become stronger. And more members of the Underworld Sect would secretly blend into the world.
Just like the Secret Heaven Group of the past.
This was not an order from Byeok Taesan.
It was a conclusion Na Heontak had reached after discussing it with Hwaok.
They had decided to expand the Underworld Sect to take on the roles of the Secret Heaven Group, allowing the Secret Heaven Group to focus more on martial arts and be useful in the event of a large-scale battle.
As they were all gathered and lingering about, Byeok Taesan appeared.
Everyone looked at Byeok Taesan with eyes mixed with tension and anticipation.
They were finally returning to Wuhan.
Byeok Taesan scanned the group and nodded.
"Let's go."
***
"Seriously, do we really have to go to such a backwater place?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages grumbled.
Normally, the One-Needle Eccentric, who was with him, would have chimed in, but today he just remained silent.
The One-Needle Eccentric's expression wasn't very pleasant either.
"But what can we do? The Young Master said so," So Cheongmyeong said.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages seized the opportunity to vent.
"I mean, come on. If he wants to go to this Jade Wall Sect or whatever, he could just go to Wuhan first, then pick a few people to take with him. Right? That makes more sense. We've been on the road for months now. Am I wrong?"
So Cheongmyeong looked anxiously back and forth between the One-Needle Eccentric and the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
"Hey, hey, stop it. You're gonna make him cry again. You can't say a peep in front of the Young Master, but you always act tough in front of this kid."
"Hey, brother! How could you? Whose side are you on?"
The One-Needle Eccentric grinned.
"I'm on the Young Master's side, of course."
"Wow, they say you shouldn't raise a black-haired beast. I never thought I'd get backstabbed by you like this."
"Hey, you son of a bitch. Are you calling me a beast now? Huh? Is that it?"
The One-Needle Eccentric clenched his fist, looking like he was about to throw a punch at any moment.
So Cheongmyeong knew exactly what to do in these situations.
"By the way, what kind of place is the Jade Wall Sect? To be honest, I've never heard of it..."
"Well... you could say it's a defunct sect now. The Golden Moon Trading Company manages it."
"What? The Golden Moon Trading Company?"
"Yeah. I heard it has some connection to Nameless too, but who knows what the actual situation is."
The mention that the Jade Wall Sect was entangled with not only the Golden Moon Trading Company but also Nameless greatly piqued So Cheongmyeong's curiosity.
"Come to think of it, our Young Master is the second son of the Golden Jade Trading Company, isn't he?"
"That's right. Hmm?"
"It's strange. Golden Jade and Jade Wall. Could there be some connection?"
"We'll find out when we get there, won't we? We'll have to stay there for a few days anyway."
At So Cheongmyeong's words, the Divine Doctor of the Ages grumbled again.
"I heard it's a sect deep in the mountains, and since it's ruined, no one will be living there. We're in for a really rough time."
All the while, the carriage carrying the group sped onward toward Guangdong, where the Jade Wall Sect was located.