Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 33

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

#033

The base of Shandong Trade Guild was located in the very center of Jinhae Port.

Even though it wasn’t a position that could be occupied with money alone, the name of Hwangbo Clan made everything possible like a family heirloom sword.

Even now, countless goods unloaded from ships were being carried into the base warehouse by the trade guild’s workforce, and quite a few children were mixed among the workers moving the items.

These were the children they had brought from Haejeonggol, and now instead of begging, they were made to work for the trade guild.

While another manager might have pointed this out once, the person before whom Gu Dong-gu was now bowing his head showed not even the slightest interest.

Rather, as if this situation was boring, he wrinkled his brow and asked irritably.

“So you’re saying you were humiliated by some sixteen-year-old brat?”

The young man who had just passed twenty was wearing silk clothes with the tiger pattern that symbolized Hwangbo Clan.

Without expression, he would have been a feminine-looking handsome man, but his sharp eyes and thin lips gave off a sensitive feeling.

“I apologize, Samgongja. My martial arts were weak, so although I tried to resist, it was insufficient.”

Gu Dong-gu didn’t dare meet his face and answered while looking at the floor.

“I know this isn’t something for Samgongja to handle personally, but still, since he’s just a young punk, wouldn’t he bow his head low if you just gave him a lesson once?”

“I can’t turn away from someone who’s just starting to act like a proper person. But when are we going to that special annex you told me about?”

“A banquet will be held for the first time today for Samgongja’s sake. When the sun sets, I will personally escort you, so please look forward to it.”

This was the reason Samgongja had bothered to come all the way here. To curry favor with the third son who was fond of wine and women, Gu Dong-gu had mobilized everything, and the special giru created by renovating Yeonok Guesthouse had barely managed to pique his interest.

In fact, just the fact that Samgongja had personally visited could be seen as Gu Dong-gu achieving everything he wanted.

People would say he had direct connections with Hwangbo Clan, and the giru renovated from Yeonok Guesthouse would also attract many visitors.

‘I can’t just leave those little brats alone.’

Gu Dong-gu was being a bit more greedy, trying to clearly show the difference between himself and the lord of Deungmyeong Manor.

“He’s coming.”

Just then, a familiar figure entered through the wide-open entrance of the trade guild.

“If you’re going to make kids work, at least dress them properly. Does Hwangbo Clan know about this?”

Ja-gang-cheon stood before Hwangbo Clan’s Samgongja, openly displaying his displeasure.

“You’re as insolent as I heard. How dare you carelessly mention Hwangbo Clan’s name.”

Hwangbo Taeseong.

The third son of Hwangbo Clan’s head, he was someone who had been pushed out in the succession competition with his other brothers.

Having realized his own limitations, he chose to give up instead of making more effort, and since then had been indulging in wine and women, creating only bad rumors.

At least knowing his own boundaries, he only caused trouble within Shandong Province, so it didn’t escalate into major incidents.

Sitting in his chair and looking Ja-gang-cheon up and down, Hwangbo Taeseong gave an obvious sneer.

Seeing that smile, Ja-gang-cheon said.

“When greeting someone you meet for the first time, you should state your name first.”

“Are you lecturing me right now?”

“If you don’t know, learn. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Ja-gang-cheon pulled over a chair and sat across from him.

“I’ll forgive you for calling me here and your greeting just now. That’s me overlooking it twice.”

“I was going to end it with just a mild rebuke, but it seems I’ll have to give you a direct lesson.”

“I won’t overlook it a third time. Know that before you try anything.”

“How dare you!”

Finally, Hwangbo Taeseong rose roughly from his seat. But the moment his eyes met Ja-gang-cheon’s, a sharp sense of crisis rose up his neck.

‘What kind of look is that…’

The looks in the eyes of those who faced him were always the same.

Fear or discomfort.

Those who had nothing were afraid, and those with some skill showed discomfort at the name Hwangbo Clan.

But this guy was different.

‘There’s no emotion at all.’

As if he didn’t care who the opponent was.

It really seemed like if he made a move, the other would strike back as an assassin would.

‘Was it not a coincidence that he killed those Demonic Sect masters?’

Honestly, looking at Ja-gang-cheon’s appearance, it was hard to believe. He had felt that rumors were usually exaggerated, but meeting his eyes, he felt like a herbivore before a predator.

“Ahem!”

After clearing his throat, he sat back down in his chair.

Just because the opponent struck back strongly didn’t mean he had to simply retreat.

‘This is Shandong Province and I am Hwangbo Clan’s Samgongja.’

There were plenty of ways.

“I hear you run a place called East Sea Merchant Guild? I heard you’re making quite a bit of money.”

“I don’t run the merchant guild.”

At those words, Hwangbo Taeseong looked at Gu Dong-gu standing beside him.

“Currently, 90% of the goods sold by East Sea Merchant Guild are being produced at Deungmyeong Manor. Moreover, the Merchant Guild Leader and members already recognize Deungmyeong Manor as their headquarters.”

“I see.”

Meeting Hwangbo Taeseong’s eyes again, Ja-gang-cheon didn’t bother to deny it.

Instead of saying ‘If you’re going to touch East Sea Merchant Guild, talk to me,’ he decided to acknowledge their thinking.

“Fine. That’s right. And I am making a lot of money.”

“No matter how hungry you are, you should be selective about what you eat. Taking in even those who have made enemies of Hwangbo Clan seems to show impure intentions.”

“What are you talking about?”

Gu Dong-gu answered instead.

“This time, East Sea Merchant Guild acquired Gyeonam Trading Bureau.”

“Gyeonam Trading Bureau?”

Ja-gang-cheon searched his memory for a moment and found that name.

“Ah. The place that had a contract with Shandong Trade Guild before we established our base?”

“That’s right.”

“Why? That’s a place that became difficult to operate because Shandong Trade Guild unilaterally broke their contract.”

When Shandong Trade Guild established their base, Gyeonam Trading Bureau, which had been in a cooperative relationship, lost 80% of their work. It was natural for them to protest to Shandong Trade Guild.

“You broke the contract and ruined the trading bureau, but now others can’t acquire it either?”

“Acquiring a business means taking on its grudges as well.”

“So you’re saying that becomes a grudge?”

Ja-gang-cheon asked while watching Hwangbo Taeseong’s eyes.

“Who exactly has a grudge with me now? Shandong Trade Guild? Hwangbo Clan’s Samgongja? Or all of Hwangbo Clan? Say it clearly.”

At his reaction that anyone was fine, Samgongja felt that something was going wrong.

‘What kind of bastard is this?’

The reason his words weren’t working was one thing.

‘He’s not afraid of Hwangbo Clan’s name.’

So there was nothing Samgongja could do.

When he couldn’t answer, a suffocating aura that made breathing difficult had somehow engulfed the surroundings.

“Speak.”

As a warning filled with killing intent fell, someone blocked Ja-gang-cheon’s path.

It was three men in black.

They were figures wearing Hwangbo Clan clothes, with one blocking Hwangbo Taeseong’s front and two standing on either side of Ja-gang-cheon.

With expressionless faces and clenched fists instead of weapons, they drew up their internal energy ready to strike at any moment.

They were Hwangbo Clan’s guard unit called Yeongho-dae.

At their appearance, a victorious smile appeared on Hwangbo Taeseong’s lips.

That’s when it happened.

“Stand back!”

A clear voice pierced everyone’s ears.

The voice was so sharp that one of the guards staggered as his internal energy was shaken.

Although they were Yeongho-dae members who couldn’t make it into the elite Maengho-dae, they weren’t weak enough to have their energy shaken by just a voice.

Nevertheless, all three felt a chilling sense of crisis.

Just by looking at how they immediately formed a protective formation around Samgongja, you could glimpse their state of mind.

They were feeling the highest level of crisis and focusing on protecting their charge.

“Who dares threaten my benefactor!”

At another thunderous shout, Hwangbo Taeseong swallowed dry saliva.

“Wh-who are you?”

“People call me the Poison Widow.”

“P-Poison Widow Song Ja-in!”

“Only my dead husband called me by that name. I should send you to join him.”

“Ah! This martial arts junior Hwangbo Taeseong greets senior!”

Sensing danger, Hwangbo Taeseong unconsciously cupped his fists and bowed his head.

Having heard rumors about Song Ja-in, he truly thought he might die.

It was an utterly disgraceful sight for the third young master of the Hwangbo Clan, but his fear of Song Ja-in was that great.

“Senior seems to have a misunderstanding.”

“Shut up. I’ll hear the full story from my benefactor, not from you.”

“Th-that’s…”

“If there’s a problem, I’ll personally visit the Hwangbo Clan.”

Song Ja-in entered the caravan with leisurely steps and bowed her head to Ja-gang-cheon.

“Are you injured anywhere, benefactor?”

“My feelings are a bit hurt.”

“Oh my…”

At Song Ja-in’s cold gaze, not only Hwangbo Taeseong but even the Hwangbo Clan guards flinched. Sensing their anxious energy, Ja-gang-cheon felt more absurd than angry.

“Auntie. Let’s go. I should visit brother Pilsaeng after so long.”

They leisurely left the caravan, leaving behind the Hwangbo Clan members who looked ready to wet themselves.

Han Pilsaeng.

-I desperately wanted to save our husband, so I named our son that way. But now it’s become a name meaning I’ll definitely save our son.

Song Ja-in’s son Han Pilsaeng found meals most torturous. Swallowing food was extremely painful for him. Yet knowing it hurt, he had to do it to live.

-Still, he never says he wants to die.

There were times when he thought dying would be better. Those times were quite long and were when even his mother was dying.

Fortunately, now he focused solely on living.

Even so, eating remained a difficult task for him.

Ja-gang-cheon approached him as he struggled with a bowl of porridge at a first-floor table.

“Brother. Do you know where I just met Auntie?”

His tone was friendly, and Han Pilsaeng didn’t find it awkward.

Ja-gang-cheon had been coming personally whenever it was time to supply medicine.

Being someone who loved hearing stories, Ja-gang-cheon had naturally become close with Han Pilsaeng too.

“I just met the third young master of the Hwangbo Clan. That bastard called me to the caravan. I went ready to scold him if necessary, but Auntie appeared right then!”

Without Song Ja-in’s permission, Ja-gang-cheon chattered away to Han Pilsaeng about what had just happened.

Song Ja-in’s face reddened with embarrassment, but Han Pilsaeng’s didn’t. After hearing the entire story, Han Pilsaeng smiled and said,

“Our mother is amazing.”

“I know. That’s why I’m telling you.”

At Han Pilsaeng’s smile, Song Ja-in felt her frozen heart melting.

Her son smiled particularly often when he was with Ja-gang-cheon. She was more grateful for this moment than for the medicine he had provided.

“Brother. Will you tell me one thing honestly?”

“What is it?”

“How much time do you have left?”

Even Song Ja-in’s expression darkened as she listened.

“You knew?”

“Your breathing is rough. Your skin has darkened too.”

These were signs that his health was deteriorating.

“In about three months, it’ll probably be hard to even sit like this.”

It should have been said in a despairing tone. But Pilsaeng wasn’t like that.

He was calm as if he had prepared for it.

Was it because he had been on death’s threshold for too long?

Or was it because it didn’t feel real?

“Brother. You’ll do your best until the end, right?”

“Of course I will.”

“Good. Let’s live without regrets. I will too.”

Ja-gang-cheon rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

“I don’t want to have regrets either.”

Han Pilsaeng’s eyes wavered as he received the paper.

“Huh? This is…”

“It’s the formula for the Deungmyeongdan medicine.”

“Gangcheon…”

“Actually, I’ve been carrying it for ten days, but I kept hesitating whether to give it to you. As you know, I’m making good money from it. There were too many people I’m responsible for to do this on my own.”

Indeed, the paper Han Pilsaeng received had clear fold marks. It was proof that it had been carried around for a long time.

“Can I really accept this?”

“It’s absolutely secret. If this gets out, our manor is ruined. You understand what I mean, right?”

Since Han Pilsaeng had no time left, he couldn’t hesitate any longer.

This was about saving lives. Knowing that he needed this formula, Ja-gang-cheon had agonized over it greatly.

The original him would have handed it over without hesitation. However, he had family members to be responsible for and needed that income to build the boat, so he had to be cautious.

Then today, seeing Song Ja-in’s actions, he became certain.

She was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to make an enemy of even the Hwangbo Clan. Creating enmity with one of the Five Great Clans was never an easy choice for a martial artist.

‘I’m not worthy of being called a benefactor.’

He had received much compared to what he had given, and that became trust.

“Lord. Thank you so much.”

Watching them, she also checked the contents and her eyes welled up with tears.

“Auntie. Don’t do that, and move your residence too.”

Even though it was a high-class inn, it wouldn’t be easy to research medicine in a place where many people came and went.

“I’m being too shameless…”

“Let’s go together for now. For brother’s sake.”

Ja-gang-cheon asked Han Pilsaeng.

“Brother. Is that okay? There will be many people to talk to there.”

“If mother is okay with it, I’m fine too.”

She was someone who would grant any request from her sick son.

“I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”

They decided to leave the inn where they had stayed for so long.

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