Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Let's Build the Strongest Sect and the Best Merchant Guild!
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No one had ever taught me such things, but I realized that now was the time to take a step back and yield.
And more importantly, I hadn't spent three years and five months learning martial arts on Gwalchang Mountain just to become a murderer.
"Fine. I'll take this up with the Demonic Union Lord later."
"Thank you!"
The search party members showed visible signs of relief, and a quiet sigh of relief could be heard from among them. It meant they were that afraid of me.
From this, I learned about mercy and magnanimity. Killing indiscriminately is not always the answer. This is my way.
I had grown a little more.
"Go."
The leader clasped his fists and bowed his head respectfully.
"I am Ye Hyeong-su, Squad Leader of the Fourth Demonic Battle Squad, Jiangsu Branch of the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union."
"I am Ak Bi-ryong."
The leader, Ye Hyeong-su, flinched slightly. I didn't know what had prompted him to reveal his identity, but his expression showed he hadn't expected me to reciprocate with my name.
The meaning behind this was difficult to put into words.
In any case, this was the first time a subordinate of the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union—no, a demonic path practitioner—had told me his name.
Looking into Ye Hyeong-su's eyes as he stared at me, I sensed that he had revealed his name out of goodwill.
‘He seems like a decent man.’
Again, my perspective on the world and people is purely subjective.
I am uneducated, having never studied the classics of Confucius or Mencius, but based on my rough twenty-odd years of life, the man named Ye Hyeong-su seemed decent.
*Thud!*
As the search party left and the main gate closed, everyone relaxed, breaking into broad smiles and rushing toward me.
"Wow! Grand Branch Master! You're the best!"
"Hahaha! I've never felt so exhilarated!"
"Grand Branch Master! Please, stay here for a long, long time!"
***
While waiting for Jang Ung, I had tea with the members of Team Three in their lounge.
I knew Deung Bo, Yeon Cheong, and Yang Rim kept glancing at me, but I pretended not to notice.
Sang Gang-jo wore a pleased expression. It was because I had let the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union search party go peacefully, avoiding further trouble.
He had learned another side of me—that I wasn't just a reckless brute.
Ja-un, who was sitting next to me, spoke quietly.
"I'll prepare dinner for six o'clock."
Ja-un had always stood behind me as if in attendance, but after a scolding from me the other day, she had started sitting with me.
"Wait for now."
"I understand."
Having received silent cues from Deung Bo and Yang Rim for a while, Yeon Cheong finally spoke up cautiously.
"Um..."
I was lost in thought, holding my teacup, and didn't hear him.
I was actually mulling over an idea. I felt the desire to end my life of wandering the world like a floating water weed and finally put down roots somewhere.
"Um... Grand Branch Master."
Sang Gang-jo reached out and stopped Yeon Cheong from speaking, signaling him not to interrupt my thoughts.
Finishing my thoughts, I lifted my teacup.
"Grand Branch Master, I have something to say."
Impatient with Yeon Cheong's hesitation, Deung Bo spoke up.
"Speak."
"Is there a chance for us to become your subordinates?"
Yeon Cheong and Yang Rim's eyes lit up as they looked at me.
"No."
My voice was firm.
***
Jang Ung, who arrived late, reported.
"The Demonic Emperor's Grand Union, the Ten Heavens of the Unorthodox Path, and even the Northern Underworld Garrison have all completely withdrawn from Dong-ro Prefecture."
That was what I had been curious about.
"Ja-un, let's have dinner at the Ja-un Pavilion tonight."
Ja-un's face brightened.
"How should I prepare it?"
"It would be good to have a dinner for the entire Dong-ro Branch."
"I'll get it ready."
Ja-un's voice was as cheerful as a lark's.
***
A splendid banquet for the Dong-ro Branch was underway in the largest and most magnificent room on the third floor of the Ja-un Pavilion.
It was the first time any of the branch members, including myself, had ever had a drink at the Ja-un Pavilion.
A single night of drinking at the Ja-un Pavilion cost at least twenty silver taels.
The branch members' monthly salary was one and a half silver taels. To drink here, they would have to save every penny for a year, and it still wouldn't be enough.
As the maids of the Ja-un Pavilion moved in an orderly fashion, setting out alcohol and dishes on the large tables, the branch members sat frozen in place.
Their eyes widened at the sight of expensive dishes and liquors they had never seen before in their lives.
They had been overwhelmed from the moment they stepped into the Ja-un Pavilion, and the pressure only intensified with time.
Today's gathering was a celebration for successfully handling the storm that had swept through Dong-ro Prefecture.
Of course, the branch members hadn't done anything, but eating and drinking are more enjoyable with many people.
I sat at the head of the table, with Ja-un and Jang Ung to my left, Sang Gang-jo to my right, and the Dong-ro Branch members seated around several tables in front.
Ja-un sat beside me, quietly attending to my needs.
The atmosphere livened up as the branch members ate and drank their fill of the delicious food and top-quality liquor.
"Ja-un, you should drink too."
"Then I'll have one glass."
When I spoke to Ja-un, who was only serving me, she smiled shyly and held out an empty cup.
An Do-pil came to me with a bottle of liquor.
"Grand Branch Master, allow me to offer you a drink."
Following An Do-pil, the other branch members took turns pouring me drinks.
***
The four of us—myself, Jang Ung, Ja-un, and Sang Gang-jo—moved to a different room.
I was pleasantly drunk and in a very good mood. They say a late-learned passion burns the brightest, and that's how I felt. I never knew alcohol could be this good.
With the title of Grand Branch Master of the Martial Alliance's Dong-ro Branch, in command of the Peerless Sect and the Crouching Dragon Group—which combined twenty-four brothels, inns, and taverns—it might seem like I had achieved enviable success in a short time.
However, I had only just taken the first step on the journey of my grand ambition.
This was just the beginning.
Jang Ung spoke cautiously.
"My lord, is there something you wish to say?"
I nodded and, after organizing my thoughts, spoke.
"I want to grow the Peerless Sect and the Crouching Dragon Group."
Jang Ung, Ja-un, and Sang Gang-jo flinched, their expressions quickly turning solemn.
‘It's finally happening!’
That was the look on their faces.
I crossed my arms and stated the conclusion I had been contemplating since I was back at the Dong-ro Branch.
"Personally, I want to become the Martial Emperor of Combat."
The three of them watched me with tense faces.
"And while I'm at it, I want to build the Peerless Sect and the Crouching Dragon Group into the world's strongest sect and greatest merchant guild."
"Ah!"
"Let's become the strongest together!"
Jang Ung's face was a mixture of overwhelming fighting spirit and excitement, while Ja-un let out a gasp, unable to contain her emotion.
I could read their minds just by looking at their expressions.
I put on a serious face.
"Will you try?"
"I will!"
"I'll do it!"
Jang Ung, Sang Gang-jo, and Ja-un shouted in unison.
Sang Gang-jo wasn't my subordinate, but he would assist me as a close aide as long as he was by my side.
I filled the cups of Jang Ung, Sang Gang-jo, and Ja-un to the brim, then poured my own.
"Let's do it!"
*Clink!*
The four of us clashed our cups.
Though no words were spoken, a colossal ambition stirred within all four of them.
Jang Ung, who had stepped out for a moment, returned and reported.
"My lord, the experts from the Martial Alliance's Hangzhou Branch have arrived at the Dong-ro Branch."
"Is that so?"
The Dong-ro Branch members were all drinking in the next room, so the branch office would be empty.
The Martial Alliance's Hangzhou Branch had rushed over a hundred and fifty li without rest to help the Dong-ro Branch. In truth, they had come to help me.
"What should we do?"
Sang Gang-jo said respectfully.
"Summon the Regional Master here."
"Let's do that."
"It would be best to provide the Hangzhou Branch experts with food and lodging."
"We should."
Ja-un said cheerfully.
"I'll have them stay at the inns under the Crouching Dragon Group."
The Crouching Dragon Group had been formed by absorbing the brothels, inns, and taverns previously run by the Dong-ro branches of the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union and the Ten Heavens of the Unorthodox Path. I had come up with the name Crouching Dragon Group myself.
"Please do."
"Yes!"
After Ja-un left, I asked Sang Gang-jo.
"What should I do with them?"
"Do as you wish, Team Leader Three."
"Should I?"
Jang Ung spoke up.
"Uncle, my lord is the Grand Branch Master. You should decide on a title, either 'my lord' or 'Grand Branch Master'."
"I'll go with Grand Branch Master."
Sang Gang-jo smiled warmly.
"No matter what advice I give, you'll do as you please anyway, won't you, Grand Branch Master?"
"You know me well."
Sang Gang-jo clearly trusted me.
***
After rejoining the branch members and drinking for about an hour, the party from the Hangzhou Branch arrived.
*Swish!*
Led by a maid, three men from the Hangzhou Branch entered the room.
No one inside looked at them; they were all in small groups, drinking and chatting boisterously.
It wasn't intentional; everyone was drunk and lost in laughter and conversation.
The maid who had guided them left, and the three men stood awkwardly at the entrance while the branch members remained engrossed in their own conversations.
Do Hyeon-tak, the Regional Master of the Martial Alliance's Hangzhou Branch, scanned the room and looked toward what he presumed was the head table.
At the head table, three men and one woman were engaged in some serious conversation.
Listening in, he realized they were not discussing anything special, just the food and drinks.
Just then, Pan Sang-rak from Team One, who was sitting near the entrance, noticed the three men and asked with a puzzled look.
"Hey! Who are you guys?"
The branch members were unaware that people from the Hangzhou Branch were coming.
There were six Martial Alliance branches in Zhejiang Province, with the Hangzhou Branch serving as the headquarters. A low-ranking warrior, failing to recognize the Regional Master who was like the heavens to him, was slurring his words from drunkenness as he asked who he was.
Yet, no one else paid them any mind.
A burly young man of about thirty-five with a short, coarse black beard, standing next to Do Hyeon-tak, frowned and spoke in a slightly resonant voice.
"This is the Regional Master of the Martial Alliance's Hangzhou Branch."
"Oh... is that so? So what's the Hangzhou Regional Master doing here?"
Pan Sang-rak asked with a drowsy expression, not at all surprised. His attitude was utterly insolent.
The branch members seemed to have almost forgotten they were part of the Martial Alliance.
They probably thought of themselves as members of an independent sect or clan with the Grand Branch Master as their ultimate leader.
Pan Sang-rak called out to An Do-pil at a table slightly further in.
"Branch Master! This man says he's the Hangzhou Regional Master."
"Oh... is he?"
An Do-pil's reaction wasn't much different. However, though as drunk as Pan Sang-rak, he had a little more sense left and stood up, stumbling toward Do Hyeon-tak.
"Which one of you is the Regional Master...?"
"That would be me."
As Do Hyeon-tak spoke, the black-bearded young man scolded An Do-pil.
"Can't you get a grip? Huh?"
"Hahaha! My mind is perfectly clear."
The bearded young man's voice grew louder.
"Stop laughing!"
"Shh! The Grand Branch Master dislikes loud noises."
An Do-pil put a finger to his lips.
The bearded man's shout silenced the room, and all eyes focused on the three newcomers.
The bearded man scanned the room and boomed.
"Who is in charge here?"
Jang Ung spoke quietly.
"Stop shouting and come here."
"I asked who is in charge here."
"If you don't want to come, then leave."
"Insolent fool!"
Do Hyeon-tak stopped the bearded man and spoke politely.
"I am Do Hyeon-tak, the Regional Master of the Hangzhou Branch. I came to see the Fire Dragon Sword."
Jang Ung pointed to me, as I was discussing the food with Ja-un.
"That is him."
Do Hyeon-tak, the bearded man, and the other man slowly approached.
"Prepare seats for them."
At Ja-un's words, the maids attending the room immediately prepared seats for the three men.