Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 143

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 143

 

“Since our connection hasn’t been severed, I hear many things.”

 

He hears things.

 

The type of bribe was clearly information.

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja had brought something unexpectedly dangerous.

 

“I’ve brought news about that Jusan Archipelago over there.”

 

“!!!!”

 

The Jusan Archipelago.

 

He already knew that the one who had shaken Gyeom Gwang-ja was trying to scheme something there.

 

However, he hadn’t been greatly worried.

 

‘Because Ju Tae-gong is there.’

 

Man-am-gun. The power of Ju Tae-gong that he had heard about from him was stronger than expected.

 

It wasn’t just that he was powerful as a Super Peak Level master.

 

The wisdom he possessed and the power that came with years were what made him formidable.

 

That’s why he had trusted him reliably.

 

‘Just the fact that he immediately sent Man-am-gun to help me shows… he’s no ordinary person.’

 

Even just a portion of that power was tremendous.

 

If he revealed everything?

 

‘It would be unimaginably great.’

 

He had calculated that Ju Tae-gong could handle the affairs in the Jusan Archipelago alone.

 

For Jung Myeong, trusting him was also part of why he had greatly expanded the Medical Clinic.

 

‘Because my back was secure.’

 

Excluding the occasionally troublesome Jusan Archipelago.

 

In this Hangzhou, the only one who could stop him from conducting business would be the Geum-o Gang.

 

For some reason, even they seemed unable to respond properly to the current situation, so he had considered this an opportunity and conducted major business.

 

But now, news about that very Jusan Archipelago.

 

“Being on an island, it must be difficult to hear things properly.”

 

“Hehe… That’s why I called it a bribe, didn’t I?”

 

“Indeed. You’re quite resourceful to have heard something.”

 

“If it were easy to obtain, it wouldn’t be a bribe.”

 

“The way you speak suggests you’re confident. Let’s hear it then.”

 

Good news would be delivered.

 

There couldn’t be any other kind of news besides that.

 

He wondered if perhaps news of Ju Tae-gong coming here would emerge.

 

“The Jusan Archipelago seems like it will soon be unified.”

 

“As expected, that’s how it turns out.”

 

Ju Tae-gong is achieving something.

 

“Huh. You expected that? This is surprising.”

 

“Didn’t Ju Tae-gong succeed?”

 

“No. It’s the opposite.”

 

“!!!!”

 

However, the news that came was unexpected.

 

“The tables have turned. That person I mentioned. Do you remember?”

 

“You mean Ju Ma-ji-sal?”

 

“Yes! That man initially succeeded in devouring eighty percent of the Jusan Archipelago with Jungho Stockade backing him!”

 

“How could such a thing be possible…”

 

“It’s possible for him!”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“I don’t know about other places. But at least in the Jusan Archipelago, he’s invincible. Because the Jusan Archipelago is one of his territories. He revived masters from the previous generation and absorbed their forces all at once.”

 

“Huh…”

 

Did he persuade Elder-level, and even Senior-level figures to serve under him?

 

Those were people with the special characteristic of thinking of themselves as residents of the Jusan Archipelago before being Martial Artists.

 

Considering their nature, it wasn’t incomprehensible that the power dynamics would flip due to the movements of Senior-level figures.

 

“What did Ju Tae-gong do while leaving that alone?”

 

“Ju Tae-gong once worked together with that man. The detailed circumstances weren’t known since they were archipelago affairs, but… they were deeds worthy of being called a blood temple, weren’t they?”

 

Had there been a time when Ju Ma-ji-sal and Ju Tae-gong joined hands?

 

This was news Jung Myeong was hearing for the first time.

 

“Being from the same faction was a weakness. So he was instead defeated in reverse?”

 

“Something like that. Since Ju Ma-ji-sal’s power was stronger than Ju Tae-gong’s even back then… I think he was defeated in terms of influence.”

 

“…Damn it!”

 

However, it was hard to understand that Ju Tae-gong, whom he had considered an ally, was being pushed back.

 

Even if he understood it intellectually, it was hard to accept emotionally.

 

“Does this suffice as a bribe?”

 

“It’s more than sufficient.”

 

It was tremendous information.

 

It had enough value to be called a bribe.

 

“I’ll be going now. The choice from here on is yours to make. From now on, I’ll simply follow.”

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja left Jung Myeong to his contemplation and departed suddenly.

 

* * *

 

On the ship deck.

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja’s hearty voice could be heard.

 

“No, why are you holding onto someone who’s trying to leave gracefully like this?”

 

Having tried to leave on his own only to be gracefully crushed by Jung Myeong’s hand.

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja was quite grumbling.

 

“Since you brought news, shouldn’t you see it through to the end?”

 

“That’s unreasonable! Where is there a case of offering something as a bribe and then doing follow-up measures together? I’ve never experienced such a thing!”

 

It was because he was doing something different from his experience.

 

When humans are placed in new environments, they tend to show anger or avoidance.

 

Among these, Gyeom Gwang-ja was one who characteristically chose anger.

 

Even if it was against Jung Myeong, it didn’t matter.

 

“At the previous Black Point, that would have been fine. Since you only needed to sell information.”

 

“Then what about now?”

 

“Did you come here thinking you’d just remain as a Black Point Branch Leader?”

 

“Ugh…”

 

However, Jung Myeong lightly pressed down on this.

 

At that, Gyeom Gwang-ja also swallowed his groan.

 

“If the environment has changed, you should adapt accordingly.”

 

“Right. I acknowledge it. I do need to change! Moving differently from when I was a Black Point Branch Leader? I fully acknowledge that.”

 

“That’s a good mindset.”

 

He readily acknowledged it. It was quick acceptance.

 

This was also proof that he had changed from before.

 

However, it seemed his dissatisfaction hadn’t completely disappeared yet.

 

“I can somehow change my heart. But listen here!”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“What are those fellows to me, who enjoys solitary nights!”

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja gestured with his eyes toward those behind Jung Myeong.

 

Those filling Gyeom Gwang-ja’s two eyes were reflected.

 

Wave Blade, Man-am-gun, Cheong Yeon-geom.

 

All were those who followed him.

 

Here, Song In, who had his name listed among the Defense Leaders, was also present on this ship deck, though he rarely moved.

 

Though not visible now, thirty other first-rate and above Martial Artists were together with them.

 

More than five at Peak Level. Three at Super Peak Level.

 

Even those at first-rate had learned Combined Formation, so their martial power had long surpassed their realm.

 

It was enough force to crush even the former Dongho Sect in less than half a day.

 

‘I have indeed become stronger.’

 

For Jung Myeong, this was also a moment when he newly realized that his collective power had grown stronger, separate from his individual strength.

 

The reason for boarding this ship deck with them was simple.

 

‘I can’t just keep waiting forever.’

 

Looking at the situation so far, it had been a pattern of responding when someone touched him.

 

Though he had to completely crush them the moment they made contact.

 

‘There wasn’t completely no damage.’

 

There were definitely harmful effects from such a passive approach.

 

That’s why he changed his method.

 

‘Destroy them before they come.’

 

He chose an active approach of attack.

 

Of course, such a method could be quite demanding.

 

‘The Jusan Archipelago has no choice but to come to Hangzhou by ship somehow. If we strengthen defenses at where ships dock, blocking them might be easy.’

 

It’s common sense that defense generally has less burden than offense.

 

Considering that, just defending the places where ships would dock and additionally requesting help from the Government Office could have been sufficient preparation.

 

Perhaps that might have been more efficient, which he clearly knew.

 

Nevertheless, he decided to attack.

 

This was his new change in approach.

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja seemed full of dissatisfaction about this.

 

Why was he dissatisfied?

 

‘I understand.’

 

Jung Myeong wasn’t unaware of it either.

 

“To build merit, shouldn’t we move together?”

 

“I’m someone who can accomplish enough on my own!”

 

This was Gyeom Gwang-ja’s first time moving with so many people.

 

“Can you cover the entire Jusan Archipelago? Even if you’re at Transformation Realm, wouldn’t that be difficult?”

 

“Hah. That would be something to do with force alone.”

 

“Then?”

 

“I’d need to use cunning.”

 

“Then you’re confident you can pull it off?”

 

“It’s not that I can’t. I see about fifty percent as possible.”

 

“So you’re saying it’s fifty-fifty.”

 

Even if that would determine the success or failure of the task.

 

He was one who chose solitary nights.

 

‘Though I wonder what kind of crazy behavior this is, he’s lived that way, so it can’t be helped.’

 

It wasn’t incomprehensible.

 

He was originally such a person.

 

He had brought him knowing he was such a person.

 

“That’s right. Isn’t that sufficiently impressive?”

 

“It is impressive.”

 

Just being able to boast of five out of ten alone, that ability was also outstanding.

 

But from now on, it wasn’t Jung Myeong who had to adapt, but him.

 

“If all of them work together, wouldn’t it be eight out of ten?”

 

“That would be the case.”

 

“Is there any reason not to use the means to raise the probability even higher?”

 

“…I don’t like that. Really don’t like it. Truly.”

 

“You would dislike it.”

 

Just working together would increase the probability of victory.

 

He had spoken of an eighty percent probability.

 

‘I’m confident I can make it ten out of ten for him.’

 

If they added Ju Tae-gong’s strength, who would be facing difficulties in the Jusan Archipelago.

 

Jung Myeong was confident they could win with a ten out of ten probability.

 

This wasn’t arrogance.

 

What he had prepared wasn’t just people.

 

Only one thing remained.

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja’s adaptation.

 

“I have no intention of changing, so you should adapt.”

 

“Damn it… I decided to serve you as my lord, but what am I to do when that lord’s temperament doesn’t match mine at all.”

 

He actually had to adapt.

 

Wasn’t he a stone that had just rolled into Jung Myeong’s forces?

 

In such times, there are two ways to adapt.

 

Fight together. Or establish hierarchy.

 

Usually, Gyeom Gwang-ja would choose the latter.

 

Even if he possessed greater power, he was always one who chose to stand alone in noble solitude.

 

‘I can’t allow that now.’

 

Not from now on.

 

He had to choose the former, even if by force.

 

Only then could he blend into his organization.

 

“If you dislike the temple, the monk should leave.”

 

“Hah. I’ve already cut all my bridges coming here, where would I go! Should I throw myself off the ship?”

 

“Is swimming difficult? It seems like you could still return now.”

 

“At least pretend to stop me!”

 

“Since it seems you have no choice but to stay, is there any need for that?”

 

“…Tsk. I’ve ended up serving a spiteful lord.”

 

“So it seems.”

 

In the end, Gyeom Gwang-ja belatedly accepted reality.

 

Still, as if some lingering attachment remained.

 

He spoke words unlike himself.

 

“But listen. Now that the group is also your strength, it’s good that you use it, but why don’t you yourself feel like you’re combining forces into one?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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