Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 58
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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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#058
Five large merchant ships were heading out to sea from the port.
“Merchant Guild Leader, hyeongnim. Are you sure this is really okay?”
“Isn’t this the vacation that Jangju gave us? We’ve been running around busy without rest, so enjoy it.”
Inryeok Sojangnin So Yeon-dok looked around his surroundings.
The large merchant ship was filled with excited Merchant Guild Members as if they were going on a picnic.
Over a thousand Merchant Guild Members boarded the five merchant ships. Everyone who had been with the guild for more than six months was on board.
“To stop even the brewery and leave. No one would believe it.”
The East Sea Merchant Guild was no longer a small organization. But for all personnel to leave like this meant the guild’s operations would come to a halt.
The amount of daily losses was enormous.
“Don’t worry about the losses. Didn’t we release enough supplies to last a month comfortably? Even so, any losses can be recovered through southern trade.”
Their destination after leaving Gyeonam was the Southern Trade Port.
They planned to begin full-scale trading using the newly created Deungmyeong Divine Elixir.
Of course, it was too many people for that purpose, but it was a path chosen for safety.
-This is what I earned money for. Don’t be stingy.
Ja-gang-cheon’s treasures were also loaded on the ship.
Nothing was left at Deungmyeong Manor.
“We can only pray for Jangju’s safety.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
So Yeon-dok was confident in Deungmyeong Manor’s victory.
“He’s someone who put all the Merchant Guild Members on ships to win. Who could have predicted this? If things like this keep happening, even the Hwangbo Clan won’t be able to endure it. From the first time I met him, that person has always exceeded expectations.”
“Hearing your words puts me at ease a little.”
Gyeonam Port, which the East Sea Merchant Guild Leader had been gazing at, was already far in the distance.
***
“Troubling ordinary people who haven’t learned martial arts is not the way of the righteous sects.”
“I only said I had something to ask.”
“That should truly be the case.”
Hwangbo Taejin, who had come up empty at Deungmyeong Manor, ordered them to bring the East Sea Merchant Guild Leader.
It was a natural course of action for him, but Jinmyeong raised an objection.
“Do you plan to keep staying by my side?”
“If necessary, I intend to do so.”
The experienced elders of the clan had once said:
-Talking with the Wudang Sect is as frustrating as facing hundred-year-old dust.
Hwangbo Taejin desperately understood why they had said such things.
‘Should I kill him?’
He was a rising star of the Wudang Sect.
Moreover, he was in a situation where he held up the cause of justice.
If he killed him here, it was obvious as fire that he would make an enemy of the Wudang Sect.
If his first move as interim Lord was a fight with the Wudang Sect, he would never have a chance to become the real Lord.
‘I have no choice but to ignore him.’
In the end, Hwangbo Taejin turned away first.
“Since the Jangju of Deungmyeong Manor is not here, we will leave.”
“Rather than that, how about having a deep conversation about this matter and seeking peace for the future?”
At the completely ineffective words, Hwangbo Taejin struggled to maintain his composure.
“Don’t follow me.”
In the end, Hwangbo Taejin left the manor first.
When Hwangbo Taejin arrived at Gyeonam Port, he heard another absurd report.
“What did you just say?”
From Hwangbo Taejin’s perspective, nothing was going as expected.
“Most of the East Sea Merchant Guild Members boarded ships and left for the southern port. Only laborers doing odd jobs and people who joined the guild just a few months ago remain.”
“A guild of considerable size stopped all work and fled?”
“It seems they prepared in advance.”
Is this how a tiger chasing a bird would feel?
There was no way to deal with an enemy that had disappeared from sight.
“Did you say the Hao-mun here has deep ties with Deungmyeong Manor?”
“That’s correct.”
“I should meet them.”
Unable to retreat like this, Hwangbo Taejin went to find the black market.
When he arrived at the black market entrance.
“I will escort you.”
Cheon Byeong-il, who assisted Yeon-hee, politely greeted and offered to guide them.
He was the person who had been dispatched as an advance guard to monitor Ja-gang-cheon and was forced to answer three questions.
The Hao Gate Underground Market did not block the approach of Hwangbo Clan members. They even allowed the Lord and other members to freely tour the black market.
For Hwangbo Taejin, who had been prepared to pick a fight, this was another deflating situation.
“Welcome. I am Yeon-hee, the Cheon-o Danju of Hao-mun.”
Yeon-hee, who clearly revealed her identity, greeted Hwangbo Taejin in the reception room.
Contrasting with the all-white reception room, she wore a body-hugging red silk dress, and with each step she took, her white legs were revealed through the side-slit skirt.
Though Hwangbo Taejin instinctively glanced once, that was all.
Sitting face to face like this, Hwangbo Taejin asked directly.
“There was no one at Deungmyeong Manor. Do you know anything about it?”
Receiving the question, Yeon-hee glanced at the three people standing behind Hwangbo Taejin.
Two Elders and the escort leader of the new Lord.
Though only three people, they were individuals that all the Ha-o-mun-do currently in the black market couldn’t defeat even if they all attacked together.
But there was no reason to be intimidated.
“The people of Deungmyeong Manor left yesterday morning as far as I know. Among them, the Subordinate and other close associates, along with the son of the poison master, boarded the ship that left at dawn today with the East Sea Merchant Guild Members.”
“Are you saying the poison master didn’t board?”
“Yes. Since he wasn’t with his son, it appears he didn’t board. We haven’t been able to determine his current location.”
Contrary to Hwangbo Taejin’s expectations, Yeon-hee provided information without refusing.
“Where is the Jangju of Deungmyeong Manor now?”
“That’s the same as what you know, Lord.”
“What I know?”
“He gathered forces to oppose the Hwangbo Clan and ambushed Hwangbo Clan members joining the hundred-man unit. His current whereabouts cannot be determined.”
Hearing about his own losses from someone else’s mouth made him feel even more bitter.
“Ahem!”
When the Elder who was listening showed signs of discomfort, Yeon-hee sighed softly.
“Was it really necessary to hear this from a Young Girl’s mouth?”
“I had to hear it. You’re also deeply involved in my father’s death.”
“I cannot accept those words.”
“Why not?”
“I stepped forward as a mediator in Hao-mun’s name. On the night after all negotiations ended, the Hwangbo Clan attacked the manor. When this matter is over, you’ll probably have to settle accounts separately.”
Yeon-hee’s expression as she said this was resolute.
“Do you dare to hold the Hwangbo Clan responsible?”
“If you want to add my life to the debt that must be repaid, then do so. However, since I have a position, it won’t be just the price of one life.”
Though her voice was gentle, Yeon-hee was clear about what she had to say.
“Fine. Then let me ask one last thing. What do you think he will do next?”
“Well. He’s such a fearless person that I can’t predict what he’ll do.”
“Are you close?”
“I would have liked to be. To run a black market in Jiao-nan, Deungmyeong Manor is absolutely necessary. But that doesn’t mean I intend to join them in an all-out war against the Hwangbo Clan.”
“How very like Hao-mun.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Hwangbo Taejin unconsciously showed a thin smile.
It was a sneer directed at Hao-mun. Not just Hwangbo Taejin, but most who faced Hao-mun cast such looks.
-Those who live despicably.
Hwangbo Taejin rose from his seat and asked dismissively.
“Do you think Deungmyeong Manor can defeat us?”
“Not a chance.”
Having heard the answer, Hwangbo Taejin turned away without lingering.
After they left,
Yeon-hee sat in that spot for a long time.
The atmosphere was so grave that even Seo Pyeong-il, who should have asked about their next move, kept his mouth shut.
When the warm tea had cooled and a chill began to circulate, Yeon-hee spoke.
“Keep the door open. It seems another guest has arrived.”
When Cheon Byeong-il followed the order, a man standing behind the door became visible.
“What brings the Wudang Sect’s Baeui-geom to such a humble place?”
Yeon-hee smiled brightly as if the previous incident had been a lie.
“Excuse me. May I come in?”
“By all means.”
Jinmyeong looked clearly flustered but didn’t refuse the invitation.
“Do you know where you’ve come?”
“I didn’t know when I came, but I suspect it’s Hao-mun.”
“As expected, Baeui-geom’s insight is remarkable. Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Yeon-hee, in charge of the black market here.”
She omitted her title as Cheon-o Dan-ju.
“Bring tea here first.”
When Yeon-hee gave the order to Cheon Byeong-il, Jinmyeong waved his hands.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t worry. You came so suddenly that I didn’t have time to prepare poisoned tea.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s a joke.”
Yeon-hee smiled brightly and met Jinmyeong’s eyes.
Though she was smiling prettily on the outside, Yeon-hee couldn’t understand this situation.
‘Why the hell did this bastard show up here?’
At the most sensitive time, Wudang Sect’s rising dragon had appeared.
According to reports, he had visited Deungmyeong Manor before the Hwangbo Clan.
‘Come to think of it, the lord of Deungmyeong Manor had connections with the Wudang Sect.’
She had clearly heard Ja-gang-cheon’s answer about this.
-I hate the Wudang Sect.
Cheon Byeong-il had heard it directly at the time and said it was definitely not a lie.
“Since you’ve refused tea, shall we get to the point? What brings Baeui-geom all the way to Jiao-nan?”
“I came to mediate the fight between the Hwangbo Clan and Deungmyeong Manor.”
“By yourself?”
“If there’s will, what does it matter if I’m alone?”
“It matters. You could die.”
“What value would a life preserved by turning away from a friend’s crisis have?”
Yeon-hee paused the conversation for a moment.
‘He doesn’t know whose side I’m on.’
What Baeui-geom wanted to say in this conversation was clear.
-I, Wudang’s Jinmyeong, have deep ties with the lord of Deungmyeong.
He was warning them not to touch him. That’s why he emphasized his connection with Ja-gang-cheon.
“I heard that Lord Deungmyeong also visited the Wudang Sect. You must be close. To come risking your life to uphold loyalty like this.”
“He’s a younger brother I definitely want to protect.”
“The lord must feel reassured. But why has he never mentioned the Wudang Sect? Come to think of it, quite a long time has passed since he established the manor, and this is the first time Wudang has visited.”
Jinmyeong’s heart ached at her point.
Hwangbo Baek’s death had such great repercussions that rumors spread nationwide.
Deungmyeong Manor mentioned in the rumors was very unfamiliar at first, but upon hearing that Ja-gang-cheon was the lord, he immediately informed the Wudang elders of the facts.
-Don’t get involved. This is not our affair.
For the first time, Jinmyeong refused the Wudang Jangmunin’s words.
-I cannot leave Gangcheon to die at the hands of the Hwangbo Clan!
Jinmyeong left Wudang immediately and came to Jiao-nan alone. But facing the Hwangbo Clan, he clearly realized how pathetic an existence he was.
“I’m ashamed before Gangcheon. When I meet him directly, I will definitely apologize.”
Yeon-hee could see that Jinmyeong was indeed the upright and honest person she had heard about.
‘He’s upright and frustrating, but he’s trustworthy.’
Yeon-hee evaluated Jinmyeong who sat before her.
‘But not someone I’d want to work with.’
Having made this cold assessment, her expression showed an even deeper smile. It was instinctive camouflage.
Unaware of this fact, Jinmyeong politely asked a question.
“Might you know Gangcheon’s whereabouts?”
“Well. We don’t know that either.”
“Is that so?”
“But I’ll tell you this instead.”
Yeon-hee decided to give one warning for everyone’s sake.
“When you leave this place, don’t chase the Hwangbo Clan anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“The situation will change rapidly. Not getting involved would be better for Lord Deungmyeong too.”
Jinmyeong waited for a more detailed explanation, but Yeon-hee’s mouth never opened again.
‘What’s happening?’
Jinmyeong couldn’t gauge it at all.
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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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