Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Dong-ro County, a Great City of a Million People
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Swoosh!
I charged straight at Cheon Jeong-u, who was slashing with his Blood Saber about seven feet away.
Despite this, Cheon Jeong-u continued his attack without wavering.
I ducked slightly, closing in on Cheon Jeong-u, and unleashed a flurry of lightning-fast fists and knife-hands left and right, executing the first form of the Crimson Mist Divine Fist, Crimson Mist Heaven and Earth, with my one hundred and twenty years of internal energy.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
While Cheon Jeong-u's attack swept a radius of ten feet, I unleashed Crimson Mist Heaven and Earth, blocking the torrent of saber energies that rained down like a storm, creating a safe zone within two feet of my body.
Next, I used the second form of the Crimson Mist Divine Fist, Crimson Mist Dragon Strike. My left hand formed a fist, my right a palm, attacking Cheon Jeong-u's head and chest respectively.
I began to unleash the Supreme Ultimate Fast Fist, but pulled back midway, switching to the original Crimson Mist Dragon Strike technique.
Whoosh!
Because the distance to Cheon Jeong-u was so short, switching forms like that required near-divine skill.
That's why I had decided to do it from the start, switching back to an ordinary technique the moment I began to execute the Supreme Ultimate Fast Fist.
Cheon Jeong-u flinched when he saw the fist and palm rushing toward his head and chest as fast as light.
If I hadn't pulled back the Supreme Ultimate Fast Fist, Cheon Jeong-u's head would have been shattered and his chest crushed, killing him instantly.
Thwack! Thwack!
"Ugh!"
Because I had withdrawn the Supreme Ultimate Fast Fist and controlled the distance well, Cheon Jeong-u only felt a light yet heavy impact on his forehead and chest.
"Hmph!"
Cheon Jeong-u immediately stopped his attack and took three steps back. He guessed that I had shown him mercy.
His expression hardened, then he spoke with a look that showed it was hard to admit.
"Hmph! I've lost."
He asked cautiously.
"Do you happen to know the saber art I used?"
"I do."
"Have you learned it?"
"We'll talk later."
Song Ga-hyeon and the other team members must have guessed what had happened from my conversation with Cheon Jeong-u.
But there was something more important. To the team members, our duel had looked like a squabble between low-level martial artists.
In truth, the incredible power of Cheon Jeong-u's Primordial Divine Saber was only visible and applicable to his direct opponent.
That's why, to the team members, it looked as if Cheon Jeong-u had simply charged forward like a low-level martial artist, swinging his saber, while I just stood there and lightly tapped his forehead and chest.
Song Ga-hyeon wore a look of disbelief.
"Are you two just playing around?"
I pointed at Song Ga-hyeon and made a suggestion to Cheon Jeong-u.
"If you beat her, you can be the team leader."
"Understood."
As Cheon Jeong-u nodded, Song Ga-hyeon lifted her chin defiantly.
"Team Head! What if I win?"
"I'll double your salary."
"Double it for the entire team!"
"Done."
I watched as Cheon Jeong-u attacked Song Ga-hyeon, unleashing the Primordial Divine Saber.
To me and everyone else watching, it would look as if Cheon Jeong-u was attacking like a low-level martial artist.
However, Song Ga-hyeon, the one facing him, would be confronted with the same spectacle I had just witnessed.
I watched closely and saw Song Ga-hyeon flinch in surprise before countering with her full strength, unleashing the Three Section Sword Art.
CRASH!
Song Ga-hyeon was likely eager to counterattack, but the Three Section Sword Art she was using now was purely defensive.
This was because Cheon Jeong-u's Primordial Divine Saber was sweeping a ten-foot radius, and she had to survive within it.
‘This time, it's the second form of the Primordial Divine Saber.’
In his duel with me, Cheon Jeong-u had stopped his own attack and admitted defeat after being struck on the forehead and chest, before he could even use the second form.
If the first form had a ten-foot radius, the second form would trap Song Ga-hyeon in a much smaller radius of five feet and toy with her.
I was curious to see how Song Ga-hyeon would handle this attack.
Clang!
"Ugh!"
But suddenly, Cheon Jeong-u, who had met Song Ga-hyeon's swinging sword with his Blood Saber, staggered back violently.
‘Those two!’
I could see right through their act.
As if groaning and stumbling back wasn't enough, Cheon Jeong-u plopped down on the ground.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
Song Ga-hyeon placed her hands on her hips and laughed, shaking her upper body as if she found it ridiculous.
"Hahahahaha! Team Head! How was that?"
It was clear that Song Ga-hyeon had sent a quick telepathic message to Cheon Jeong-u in a critical moment, and the two had instantly negotiated.
Whether it was a fair fight or a trick, Song Ga-hyeon's victory was still a victory.
I smiled and nodded.
"I'll double the salary."
Song Ga-hyeon beamed triumphantly.
"Hahaha! How about raising the bounty per hunt as well?"
"Alright."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"So the bounty per hunt is also doubled to twenty silver taels?"
"That's right."
"Hahahaha! Thank you, Team Head!"
Song Ga-hyeon was so happy she laughed with her head thrown back, her uvula visible. Such a simple personality.
She boasted to the team members, bragging that their salaries and bounties had doubled thanks to her.
I sent a subtle telepathic message to Song Ga-hyeon.
[Ga-hyeon, did you recognize the saber art that the Blood Crow Saber used?]
[I didn't recognize it?]
Song Ga-hyeon looked clueless.
[So, how was it, fighting the Blood Crow Saber directly? Did it feel like he was playing around?]
[Ah… no, not playing around, but…]
She had a guilty expression. Well, that was natural, given what she'd done.
This was enough. Song Ga-hyeon had strong pride; she was smart enough to understand with just a hint rather than a full exposé. Doing so would make her suffer from her own conscience.
As I walked to the main gate, Song Ga-hyeon followed.
[You noticed, didn't you?]
[Noticed what?]
Go Un-hyo opened the main gate.
[Just keep the bounty as it was.]
[No. I'll raise it as promised.]
[Why are you acting like this when you know everything?]
[Know what?]
[That the Blood Crow Saber and I faked our fight.]
I looked at Song Ga-hyeon calmly.
[You won, didn't you?]
Song Ga-hyeon frowned.
[Since I won through a scheme, I'll take the original bounty and salary.]
[If I hadn't said anything, you would have just taken it.]
Song Ga-hyeon bit her lip. How she reacted now would reveal her true character.
She stood facing me, gathered her hands in front of her, and bowed her head.
[I was wrong.]
[It's fine.]
[Please forgive me.]
Even though I said it was fine, she still asked for forgiveness.
[Alright. I forgive you.]
Song Ga-hyeon stared at me blankly.
I ignored her gaze and walked out the main gate.
Song Ga-hyeon followed me out.
[I'm still the team leader, right?]
[You don't want to be?]
[No! I'll take the team and go hunting!]
***
Jang Ung reported.
"There's a report that Heuk-wol's ship has entered Hangzhou Bay."
Heuk-wol's ship carried Hyukryeon Byeok-gyo's close aides, including Lord Soyang and Sang Gang-jo. If they've entered Hangzhou Bay, they'll reach Dong-ro Port in four hours.
"Faster than expected."
"The southeast wind has been blowing steadily."
"Have you informed the Alliance Lord?"
"I have not. Will you be informing her, my lord?"
Jang Ung thought I would inform Hyukryeon Byeok-gyo myself.
"You do it."
To be honest, I wanted to avoid associating with the people of the Martial Alliance as much as possible.
This was likely because of a deep-seated distrust and resentment toward the Martial Alliance.
Furthermore, my part was done once I ceded Dong-ro County to be used as the Martial Alliance's headquarters.
Therefore, from now on, I needed to keep my distance and draw a clear line between myself and them.
"I've prepared a manor for the Alliance Lord's aides to stay in."
"Tell the Alliance Lord that as well."
"Understood."
I explained my feelings to Jang Ung.
"Manager Jang, from now on, I plan to distance myself from the Martial Alliance."
"Is that so?"
Jang Ung looked slightly pleased.
"I and the Martial Alliance are separate entities."
Jang Ung mustered his courage and asked cautiously.
"What are your thoughts on your marriage to the Alliance Lord?"
"That's not happening."
Jang Ung was relieved by my firm answer. If I became involved with the Martial Alliance, he would have no choice but to become one of them as well.
"Do you know anything about the Supreme Ultimate Fast Arts?"
"I've heard that the Supreme Ultimate Fast Arts exist, but I don't know the specifics."
"Can you look into it?"
"Understood."
As I left the Peerless Sect, Jang Ung followed.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Cho-seon."
I planned to ask Cho-seon to look into the Supreme Ultimate Fast Arts as well. If Jang Ung and the Mysterious Jade Palace investigated simultaneously, there would be better results.
In my mind, those who had mastered the Supreme Ultimate Fast Arts were likely the true masters I would have to face.
***
The magistrate of Dong-ro County came to the Dong-ro Branch to see me personally.
The magistrate arrived with a cart piled high with gifts for me.
There are usually three ways a government-appointed magistrate deals with a powerful martial artist in their region.
The first is to use their position as magistrate to suppress the other person. The second is to seek peaceful coexistence. The third is to humble themselves and treat the other as a superior.
The magistrate of Dong-ro chose the third option. This was likely because of how formidable a figure I was.
As soon as the magistrate of Dong-ro entered the lounge of my detached building, he clasped his fists and bowed deeply and politely.
"I am Liu Fuyuan, the magistrate of Dong-ro County. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Ak Bi-ryong. Please, sit."
I stood and returned the gesture.
During our conversation, Magistrate Liu Fuyuan often mentioned a figure called 'Lord Jang'.
"This Lord Jang... you wouldn't happen to be talking about Jang Ung, would you?"
"That is correct."
I had heard that Jang Ung and Ja-un owned the Peerless Sect and Ja-un Pavilion in Dong-ro County, as well as several inns, and were influential figures here with ties to the magistrate even before I arrived.
Then, the Crouching Dragon Group took over all the inns, brothels, and shops left behind when the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union and the Ten Heavens of the Unorthodox Path were driven out of Dong-ro. They even absorbed the Geumseong Group, a transport company under the Blood Shadow Sword Venerable, effectively taking control of Dong-ro's commerce.
The magistrate probably knew that I was the true master of the Crouching Dragon Group.
Moreover, since I was the one who had turned Dong-ro County into the massive city it was today, it was only natural for the magistrate to choose the third approach.
I asked casually.
"Is there some trouble in Dong-ro County?"
I asked casually, despite already knowing everything.
"Well, you see..."
The magistrate, as if he had been waiting for the opportunity, poured out his heart.
The problem was the massive number of personnel and funds required for Dong-ro County's public security and administration.
The population of Dong-ro County was originally around thirty-five thousand, but now it has surpassed four hundred thousand. Soon it will be five hundred thousand, and at this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if it exceeded one million.
If that happens, it will be impossible to maintain public order with the mere thirty or so constables under the county office, a force sized for a population of thirty-five thousand.
"Are there any plans for support from above?"
By 'above,' I meant the central government in Beijing.
The magistrate was anxious.
"I've reported it, but it will take an eternity. According to a high-ranking official in Beijing, it will take at least three years for any support policy to be implemented, and even then, the support will only be double the current level."
In three years, the population of Dong-ro County will exceed one million.
According to a survey by the Great Ming Empire, the continent's population was two hundred million, and there were only five great cities with populations over one million, starting with Beijing.
I watched the magistrate's anxious expression for a moment before nodding.
"I understand. Since Dong-ro County's massive growth is my doing, I will take responsibility."
"Ah! You will?"
"The Dong-ro Branch of the Martial Alliance will handle public security, and the Martial Alliance will provide the necessary funds."
"Thank you! Thank you so much! You've saved me!"
The magistrate shot to his feet and bowed repeatedly.
"Great Hero Ak! Please, stay in Dong-ro County for a long time!"