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Chapter 105. Great Journey of Avici Screams (4)
“You look…… very tired.”
At Wang Geum-san’s words, Jin Tae-san flinched and touched his own face. Did he look that bad?
“You look exactly like a giant panda (panda bear).”
“…….”
Come to think of it, the dark circles beneath his eyes had been growing darker and darker.
He was happy that the merchant company was gradually being organized and that more money was coming in, but when he thought about how much he himself had been ground down because of it, he could not help feeling his strength drain away.
“But…… Estate Master, you also look rather…….”
Wang Geum-san’s appearance entered Jin Tae-san’s eyes as well. Unlike Jin Tae-san, he was wearing silk clothes and a golden belt, but he was skin and bones.
“……Indeed. It seems both of us are suffering quite a bit because of our excellent children.”
A bitter smile hovered around Wang Geum-san’s lips.
Has Wang So-so’s mercantile talent truly been that outstanding?
According to the rumors he had heard, Wang Estate’s influence in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, and other areas had doubled.
Recently, it was said that new trade partners had been established with the Western Regions, greatly increasing the amount of tribute goods supplied to Beijing, to the point where they could build a building out of gold.
“Did I perhaps interrupt you?”
Jin Tae-san tilted his head at Wang Geum-san’s words.
Wang Geum-san was someone anyone would want to meet, whether they were involved in the murim or had a foot in officialdom. It was rather hard to understand that such a person would speak in a tone as though he was gauging the mood of the Outer Hall Master of a mere small faction.
“How could you say that? I had also been meaning to seek your advice, Estate Master, but I thought you would be busy, so I kept putting it off from day to day.”
“Haha, then I am glad our minds were of one accord.”
“Yes. If you ever need anything, please don’t trouble yourself by coming all this way. Call for me, and I will personally visit you at any time.”
He was someone who had paid an enormous sponsorship fund without once making a show of it.
They had received a great deal of help in developing the Iron Ore Mine, and the merchant company went without saying.
Recently, he had even held a modest celebration because Taeul Sect’s disciples had passed the Third Trial. From Jin Tae-san’s perspective, Wang Geum-san was someone he ought to run out barefoot to welcome.
“I came because of So-so.”
“Hm? Is she having difficulties at Taeul Sect?”
As far as he knew, Wang So-so already had Taeul Sect’s children firmly in hand. He did not know how that was possible, but unlike the time with Gye Cheol-yeong, there was not a single child who did not follow Wang So-so.
Moreover, even Jegal Cheon-gi, who had recently entered as a Lay Disciple, and Yu-seong, who had gone to the Murong Clan as an exchange disciple, served Wang So-so as if they were following a Hall Master.
“No. It is not that. I saw traces in the child’s movements that made it seem she had learned martial arts.”
“Ah……!”
“Do you know something?”
“It is probably because of the Taeul True Scripture.”
“If it is the Taeul True Scripture…… do you mean the true inheritance of the Taeul Sword Emperor that was recently found?”
“Yes.”
“Is that all right?”
Because of her illness, Wang So-so could not learn martial arts other than the Taeul Heart Method. If her internal qi became turbid, the nature of the Solar Body would surface again.
“You don’t need to worry. You may consider the Taeul True Scripture an advanced section of the Taeul Heart Method. Moreover, because its study is profound, the internal qi in her qi center will become even purer.”
“Heh heh…….”
Wang Geum-san’s expression was complicated.
It was an expression that seemed unsure whether he should be pleased or not.
Jin Tae-san continued with an apologetic expression.
“I am sorry. I should have told you beforehand so you would not worry, but no one within the sect paid attention to it.”
“No, it is all right. Does that not mean there was no issue at all, enough that you forgot to mention it? By the way, among those martial arts, is there a Footwork Art that leaves an illusion behind?”
“An illusion…… you say……?”
“When the child moved, her footprints remained behind.”
He seemed to be talking about the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps, but had her accomplishment already risen enough to leave illusions behind?
“Huh…….”
“W-Why do you react that way?”
At Wang Geum-san’s startled appearance, Jin Tae-san quickly hid his expression.
“Your daughter did not possess only mercantile talent.”
It was said that only Kang Chae-seok, the Hall Master of Great Radiance Hall, left illusions behind when he stepped with the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps. Considering that Hong Mun-gi, the Sect Leader, still did not leave illusions behind when he used the Footwork Art, they had to say Wang So-so’s accomplishment was higher than Hong Mun-gi’s.
“Congratulations. You truly have an extraordinary daughter.”
“Heh heh…… Well, this is…….”
Wang Geum-san could not hide the smile twitching at his lips.
“It must all be because Taeul Sect’s teachings are excellent.”
Jin Tae-san firmly swallowed the words, ‘Actually, even we have not fully mastered it yet.’
“What did you wish to see me about, Outer Hall Master?”
“Ah! Right. As we begin operating the merchant company in earnest, I have been worrying about how to organize a Traveling Party. Taeul Sect currently has its gates sealed, so we cannot personally conduct Escort Runs.”
“Hmm…… For now, how about requesting an Escort Agency, but placing one or two warriors with them and raising a flag to show that it is Taeul Sect’s Traveling Party?”
“I am also positive about revealing that it is Taeul Sect later on, but would it not be a little too early to raise the flag now?”
Wang Geum-san looked at him as if wondering what he was talking about.
“What reason is there to reveal it later? If you raise the flag now, even the Escort Agency will lower the Escort Run fee.”
“Yes?”
What in the world was Taeul Sect supposed to be, that the Escort Run fee would become cheaper?
“Did Jin So-un not pass the Third Trial with his junior brothers?”
“Th-That is true.”
In truth, even after hearing the rumors, Jin Tae-san had wondered whether they were true. When he sent them off, saying they would take the exam, they had shown various forms of resolve, but he had thought they were merely words.
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After all, how could it make sense for the disciples of an insignificant sect like Taeul Sect to take the Murim Regular Exam without the sect’s support?
In any case, somehow, he had heard that they passed the Third Trial and now only had the Great Journey left.
But what did passing the Third Trial have to do with lowering Escort Run fees?
“Surely…… you did not know?”
“Know what?”
“That…… since your son leaves mountains of corpses and seas of blood wherever he goes, they call him the Black Flame Dragon of the Mountain of Corpses and Sea of Blood.”
“…….”
Mountain of Corpses and Sea of Blood?
Blaaack Flame Dragon of the Mouuuntain of Corpses and Sea of Blooood?
It was over.
No matter who looked at it, this sounded like the name of a blood-crazed Black Path practitioner. Just when they were finally trying to grow the sect and have its legitimacy acknowledged, it looked as though their very roots would be suspected before they had even begun.
“Ah, of course, gossip-loving idlers who like to talk added their own embellishments, but even so, considering that the figures of the murim fear Taeul Sect because of the matter of the Wudang Sect being half-destroyed, I think raising the flag would be more than acceptable.”
“…….”
Wang Geum-san found it strange that Jin Tae-san’s expression did not look good.
Honestly, if one was a murim faction, was it not better to inspire fear in the other party than to look easy to deal with?
Or was he perhaps burdened by the thought that the burden of Taeul Sect might be placed only on Jin So-un, his son? Thinking about it, Jin So-un had indeed done far too many things for Taeul Sect.
“Only four people from Taeul Sect participated, did they not? Thanks to that, the Gold-Silver-Copper brothers have also gained the epithet Black-Blood Three Dragons.”
“Eurk! Keu-heuk!”
He had spoken in order to smooth things over, but Jin Tae-san’s face was turning paler and paler.
He looked as though he might faint if Wang Geum-san said even one more thing.
Thinking that something had gone wrong, Wang Geum-san quickly changed the subject.
“I-In any case, is it not a good thing that the Escort Run fees will be saved?”
“…….”
For some reason, Jin Tae-san’s gaze, which had been full of goodwill, seemed to turn cold.
‘I cannot even bring it up like this.’
Wang Geum-san had come all the way to Hefei, intending to subtly ask what Jin Tae-san thought about a son-in-law marrying into the family, but he ended up returning without even recouping his principal.
“You must be Great Hero Black Flame Dragon, the Eldest Senior Brother of the Black-Blood Three Dragons. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“…….”
Contrary to his friendly smile, the epithet felt full of malice, and I tilted my head.
Black-Blood Three Dragons?
What kind of epithet was this damned creepy?
If one simply replaced the character for ‘dragon’ with the character for ‘dog,’ it would immediately bring to mind blood-crazed Black Path lunatics.
“Ah, they say it is the epithet used to refer to the Gold-Silver-Copper brothers.”
At the explanation Namgung Seon-hwa quietly passed along, my face naturally twisted.
‘Black-Blood’ for children who had not even reached twenty yet? Were they insane? Which bastard was deliberately attaching such malicious epithets only to Taeul Sect’s disciples?
“Hahaha, Great Hero Black Flame Dragon, you must have been so focused on the exam that you have been insensitive to the world’s stories.”
“Hahahaha.”
“Hohohoho.”
Following the laughter of the handsome, imposing young man in a golden robe, the seven men and women in various outfits who sat with him smiled together.
The Twelve Peak Citadels.
Among them, the disciples of eight sects had come to the Azure Sky Merchant Guild to find me.
“…….”
When I stared at them blankly as they laughed without knowing how I felt, they soon regained their composure.
“My introduction was late……”
“Cheol Sun-jik of the Bamboo String Gang.”
“!”
When I tossed it out, a strange light appeared around his eyes.
My finger pointed in order, starting with the giant behind him.
“Nam Hwa-seong of the Three Origins Sect, Ha Yeong-yeong of the Heavenly Sword Gang, Sang Mu-hon of the Western Heaven Sect…….”
When I pointed out all eight of them like that, everyone present could not hide their astonishment.
“Huh…… How do you know all of us……?”
Even if they were elite disciples of the Twelve Peak Citadels, they had not been active in the murim until now, so they had no choice but to be surprised that I knew of their existence.
“So you were together from this point onward…….”
“Yes?”
“It is nothing. Why did you ask to meet me?”
Not only Cheol Sun-jik, but Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran also looked as if they were dying of curiosity. Of course, even if I told them, they would not believe it.
“Ahem…… In any case, aside from these people, the disciples of the Flying Wind Sect and the Ghost Bow Sect will also join us, and we intend to go to Wuhan.”
“I see.”
If ten elite disciples of the Twelve Peak Citadels gathered, the number of people moving would be no fewer than eight hundred.
It was a scale that no sane person would even think of touching.
From our perspective, with our unit on the verge of being half-shattered, it was an enviable situation.
Since they had practically passed the exam already, if they had come merely to build connections, then it would be fine if I cracked their skulls, right?
Cheol Sun-jik looked at Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran and said,
“I am sorry to the two young ladies, but may we speak among ourselves for a little while?”
It seemed my uneasy prediction had come true.
If he had come to talk about the exam, there would be no reason to send Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran out.
“……Yes? Ah…….”
“…….”
Just as Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran were about to rise from their seats with dumbfounded expressions, I spoke.
“These two have been with me, and they will continue to be with me. If it is not personal small talk but a matter related to the exam, there is no reason they cannot hear it with me.”
“…….”
“Young Master Jin, we are fine.”
“We will wait outside.”
Unlike usual, I ignored their opinions. Right now, that was the correct thing to do.
“Please sit. He probably came to speak about the exam.”
If not, I really would crack his skull.
I have slept less than Ten hours over the past week.
“……Why do you think the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans of the Murim Alliance rank people through a system called the One Hundred Eight Peaks?”
What he was saying was something Namgung Seon-hwa, if not Seong Mo-ran, would find uncomfortable.
“To further solidify the Murim Alliance’s system.”
I spoke honestly.
“As expected, you are no ordinary person.”
“Is that not something everyone knows? It is also the reason the Twelve Peak Citadels were created.”
The Twelve Peak Citadels were a council formed by twelve sects among the One Hundred Eight Peaks that opposed the murim order revolving around the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans.
Since they had absolutely no ties to the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans, one might think they were mere chaff, but they were a union of people who had quite a bit of weight in the murim in their own right, so the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans could not easily ignore them.
“Knowing it and being able to say it aloud are clearly different matters.”
“…….”
“As Great Hero Jin said, not only the One Hundred Eight Peaks system, but also the Murim Academy Exam and the structure of the Murim Alliance were all created for only a select few. And the rest of us must stand in line before them and eat the scraps they leave behind.”
As Cheol Sun-jik spoke, he looked at Namgung Seon-hwa several times.
He was clearly mocking the fact that she was a child of one of the Five Great Clans, yet was in danger of failing the exam.
“…….”
Namgung Seon-hwa’s face flushed red, and Cheol Sun-jik soon looked back at me as if he had lost interest in her.
“We are moving to break down that outdated system. It is to correct the ills the Murim Alliance has inflicted upon the murim until now and to construct a productive new murim.”
“I see.”
Some of what he said was something I had always thought as well, so I nodded. Then Cheol Sun-jik became even more excited and began speaking.
“In that sense, what Taeul Sect has achieved in a short time is more than enough to astonish us. Of course, I also know very well that the process must have been extremely difficult.”
Cheol Sun-jik nodded to himself, then continued.
“That is why we came here because we wish to offer you some help now. Please accompany us to Murim Academy.”
“!!”
“!!!”
The elites of the Twelve Peak Citadels and the roughly eight hundred warriors they led. No matter how much someone coveted Taeul Sect’s Trial Tokens, no one would easily approach them. If so, from our perspective, this was the first opportunity to finish the exam comfortably.
However, instead of giving a positive answer, I stared straight at him.
“What is the matter?”
“A sweet offer naturally comes with conditions, does it not?”
The Cheol Sun-jik I knew was not someone who showed generosity or moved out of affection merely because political ideals aligned.
“Haha, it seems the epithet Black Flame Dragon was not an empty one. It is truly delightful to meet someone with whom I communicate so smoothly.”
Did he know?
In my previous life, he had loathed me terribly because I had opposed the strategies he put forward at every turn.
“Of course there are conditions, but they are nothing major. You simply part ways with the people you are currently with and go your separate paths.”
“…….”
“…….”
Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran’s expressions hardened.
“They were not people who would have accompanied Taeul Sect to begin with. Moreover, for their own reasons, they are not providing much help to Taeul Sect either. Is that not so?”
He was probably pointing out that the other Nine Sects and One Gang and Five Great Clans had built large forces and were moving together.
Because the collateral line had risen in power within the Namgung Clan, even gathering one hundred warriors had been difficult for Namgung Seon-hwa. As for the Iron Sword Sect, since Seong Mo-hyeon had been imprisoned in the Prison, there had been no one within the sect who could participate.
“I have heard that Great Hero Jin has far more Entry Tokens than the other examinees. Great Hero Jin should enter Murim Academy at the top of the class and show the world that the prestige of the One Hundred Eight Peaks is no less than that of the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans.”
Cheol Sun-jik’s eyes sparkled as if he were already watching the academy’s entrance ceremony by himself.
-Young Master Jin.
At that moment, Namgung Seon-hwa’s Sound Transmission reached me.
-……We are all right. Right now, I think going with those people is the correct choice.
Seong Mo-ran also nodded faintly.
Cheol Sun-jik saw Namgung Seon-hwa’s lips move, but he pretended not to know and continued speaking.
“We plan to depart once the Flying Wind Sect and the Ghost Bow Sect arrive in Zhengzhou two days from now. How about moving your lodging first for now? We can discuss the details as well.”
I turned my head again and looked at Cheol Sun-jik.
“I refuse.”
“Then for now…… pardon?”
“!!!”
“Young Master Jin!”
“Young Master!”
Cheol Sun-jik’s face stiffened. Seeing the face that had acted so superior in my previous life change like that felt refreshing.
“I said I refuse. Is there a problem?”
“But…… no, why?”
“Do I also have to explain why I am refusing?”
There was no need for him to be so curious, because I could clearly see how these people would act from now on.
There were sects that did not properly participate in the exam because of the fundamental differences in their martial arts.
Representative examples were the Flying Wind Sect and the Ghost Bow Sect, which he had just mentioned.
Because their main martial arts were Flying Sword Arts and Archery respectively, they did not properly take the Murim Regular Exam to begin with, since the exam would be disadvantageous to them.
They wandered around idly until the Third Trial ended, then staked everything on the final Great Journey.
After joining up with them, they would probably start using every kind of honeyed word and suggest dividing the Entry Tokens, as though doing so were the best possible direction.
The reason I knew this so well was because,
‘They did exactly that when they drove the Sojeong Squad to the front line.’
Creating a political atmosphere and driving people into a corner was Cheol Sun-jik’s greatest specialty. Four people among eight hundred? I might not, but the Gold-Silver-Copper brothers might take the Entry Tokens out of their own robes and offer them up themselves.
In any case, since I had happened to meet Cheol Sun-jik, who had an ill-fated connection with me in my previous life, I had no intention of letting him go just like that. At the very least, I wanted to make him feel unpleasant.
What reason could I give to screw over Cheol Sun-jik?
Something as irrational and unreasonable as possible……
“Would it not be better to travel with these two than with gloomy people?”
“…….”
For the first time, Cheol Sun-jik’s eyes trembled as if he could not believe it.
“Are you…… serious?”
“Yes. I happen to value aesthetic things very highly. Can these two come with us as well?”
“…….”
“They cannot, can they?”
Cheol Sun-jik clamped his mouth shut without saying a word.
It was a pity that I could not smack him across the face once, but I had seen an expression that looked as though he had been struck by just a few words, so I would be satisfied with this much for today.