Rebirth of the Thunder God

At the mention of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, Namgung Chan's eyes widened as he spoke.

"Isn't the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild one of the three great merchant guilds in the Central Plains? What reason could they have for visiting?"

A hint of caution was present in Namgung Chan's words.

He had learned a great deal while looking after the family as the acting head in recent times.

Especially in business expansion, the influence of the three great merchant guilds was, in fact, stronger than that of the five great families.

They wielded a sword called silver.

Silver might seem soft and laughable, but from his experience dealing with them, it was far sharper than a sword.

'What the merchants wielded was not just silver. Not only were their silver tongues outstanding, but they were also very good at reading the tides of the times.'

If a war broke out, who would profit the most?

The Heretic Practitioners' Alliance and the Green Forest Bandits, who sought to gain from the conflict?

Of course, with the tiger and the bear gone, they became something like the fox who became the king of the mountain.

But wasn't the hunter who picked up the carcasses of the tiger and the bear the true victor?

The three great merchant guilds of the Central Plains certainly had the makings of such hunters.

Not only were their minds brilliant, but they also possessed the bow called silver.

And when at a disadvantage, they would even disguise themselves as civilians and play the part of the weak.

Truly cunning and meticulous.

Not only that, but they would also mobilize the network of connections they had formed with silver to pressure their opponents.

Fortunately, the Namgung family was somewhat free from such pressure due to its past fame.

That was also how Namgung Chan was able to get the escort service business on track to some extent.

Not long ago, it had turned a profit, giving the family some breathing room.

Anyway, being such a Namgung Chan, he knew the power of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild better than anyone.

'They must have smelled money from our family.'

They might offer money to the currently struggling family, wanting the Namgung family's fame or martial power in return.

Or they might ask him to hand over the Azure Sky Escort Service, which had recently expanded successfully.

-Grip.

His fist tightened.

He couldn't possibly hand over the escort service he had worked so hard to build.

Namgung Uncheon looked at such a Namgung Chan and spoke.

"Chan. Do you have some bad blood with them?"

"That's not it, but... there's no way they visited for a simple purpose, is there?"

"That's true, but... well, these people were also urgently looking for your youngest brother. Tsk, I wonder what kind of trouble he's been causing outside lately."

Namgung Uncheon clicked his tongue, but a smile was on his lips.

What on earth could the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild have said to make Namgung Uncheon even smile?

"Father. Did the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild give you any hint?"

"Well, it wasn't a marriage proposal, but they said they must escort our Hui with the utmost respect. If he's to receive the treatment of a distinguished guest, he probably didn't cause any trouble."

"Could it be that the owner of the gold ingots Hui mentioned is...?"

"!!?"

Namgung Uncheon, realizing something belatedly, widened his eyes, but soon shook his head and added.

"If that were the case, they would have asked me for the gold ingots right away. There would be no reason to escort him with utmost respect either. Well, the answer will come out if we call Hui and ask him."

Just then, the Vermilion Bird Commander, Gongson Jeong-u, happened to visit the Family Head's Hall.

"It is the Vermilion Bird Commander. May I enter?"

"Come in."

As the door opened, the desolate state of the Family Head's Hall was reflected in Gongson Jeong-u's eyes.

He frowned, as if he didn't like this desolation, and continued.

"Good heavens, how can the Family Head's Hall of the Namgung family be in such a state? May I at least take a look at this office?"

Namgung Uncheon's face brightened as he said.

"Of course, if you would do so, I would welcome it. I am well aware of the skill of the Gongson family."

The people of the Gongson family were so meticulous and detailed that it could be called an obsession with cleanliness.

Well, most scholars had such a side, but the Gongson family had a particularly obsessive tendency in that regard.

Therefore, Namgung Uncheon thought it was a good thing.

"Vermilion Bird Commander. Since you're here, may I ask you something?"

"Please speak."

"The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild. They visited our family a short while ago. Could I hear some information about them?"

At the mention of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, Gongson Jeong-u also winked one eye and continued.

"You mean the Money Demons? First of all, they are people who are crazy about money. This is something you all probably know. Where should I start? Ah. I heard that the guild master's granddaughter has fallen ill recently. Did they perhaps come looking for the head of the Divine Physician Sect?"

"That doesn't seem to be the case either. Seeing as they specifically named my youngest child."

"Oh-ho. That is a very interesting story. Then I shall continue telling you about the Money Demons."

And so, Gongson Jeong-u spoke with great fervor.

Namgung Uncheon nodded his head and repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

Occasionally, Namgung Chan also chimed in, and the atmosphere became highly animated.

* * *

"So what you're saying is, it's easier to get married if you're one of the Seven Dragons?"

Jegal Geon nodded at Namgung Hui's question.

"That's right. To raise your value, that's the best way. Honestly, how long would it take to raise your family's fame? In reality, the Seven Dragons mostly married the Five Phoenixes."

"Calling it 'value' makes it sound somewhat bad."

"That's your misconception. Then shall we call it 'name value' instead of 'body value'?"

"It's the same thing. Anyway. What do I have to do to become one of the Seven Dragons?"

"It's simple. The upcoming Martial Alliance tournament. You just have to win there."

The Martial Alliance tournament was a biennial event that started 10 years ago, where members of the orthodox faction gathered every two years to show off their martial arts and promote fellowship.

One might ask why they would hold such an event at great expense.

The biggest source of the orthodox faction's victory in the great war between the orthodox and demonic factions was the strong solidarity of its members.

However, after the war ended, perhaps due to the long peace, that solidarity weakened, and they were only looking out for their own interests.

That was why, 10 years ago, under the leadership of the Grand Commander, the Martial Alliance tournament was created.

There was no better event than the Martial Alliance tournament to strengthen solidarity.

In particular, the martial arts competition held at the tournament greatly inspired the younger generation, providing them with the motivation to hone their skills.

The 'name value' that Jegal Geon mentioned was all part of such motivation.

As one's fame rose, one would be talked about among the people of the martial world, and naturally, one's popularity would inevitably increase.

"But will the Martial Alliance tournament even be held in a situation like this? Couldn't it be postponed this time because of the rise of the Blood Cult?"

"On the contrary, because of the emergence of the Blood Cult, we must hold the Martial Alliance tournament even more. To show that our orthodox faction will never be shaken and that we must unite to survive."

"What if they cause a bloodbath when people are gathered?"

"Of course, that could happen. But we are also thinking of using this to our advantage and wiping them out in one fell swoop. This is an internal secret of the Martial Alliance, so don't go telling anyone."

Even to Namgung Hui, it didn't seem like a bad method.

If the opponent was as powerful as the Demonic Cult of the past, they wouldn't have held the Martial Alliance tournament.

But the newly revived Blood Cult didn't seem that strong.

On the contrary, it would be a good opportunity to catch them in a net.

'Should I also play an active role on this occasion?'

He had a blood debt to repay to the Blood Cult.

If he could root out the Blood Cult members, Namgung Hui's fame would soar to the heavens.

In the first place, he had earned the name 'Thunder God' by fighting countless Demonic Cult members.

"Alright. I'll register for the Martial Alliance tournament. But who are the Seven Dragons? Why don't I know any of them?"

"Well, they were replaced around the time you collapsed, so it's understandable that you don't know. I'll tell you one by one. First, the Seven Dragons are, as the name suggests, seven. Sword Dragon Cheonghak, Divine Dragon Muwon, Fist Dragon Hwangbo Seong, Saber Dragon Paeng Murin, Poison Dragon Tang Jinhyeok, Heavenly Dragon Murong Junseong, and Mad Dragon Cheon Museong."

"There are so many. It's amazing that you've memorized them all."

"You'll come to memorize them too. That's how high their name value is. They will surely attract attention at the Martial Alliance tournament. It was the same at the last tournament."

"I'll see for myself and judge. Then shall we end our conversation here?"

"Yes. I also have to go and write my report."

Namgung Hui and Jegal Geon parted ways.

As soon as Jegal Geon left, Chohwa ran into the reception hall.

"Chohwa. Your running is getting faster and faster."

"This is all thanks to you, young master. By the way, another guest has arrived."

Namgung Hui tilted his head, as he had no one left to meet.

"Who has come? It can't be someone from Sichuan already."

"They said they're from the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild."

"The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild?"

Namgung Hui flinched and stiffened.

He had already sent the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron to the Tang family. Although he had erased the traces on the gold ingots, he felt an inexplicable anxiety.

Was this what they called a guilty conscience?

"Did they say why they came?"

"No. They just said they had to escort you, young master."

"They have to take me to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild?"

"Yes. Shall I bring them here now?"

Namgung Hui was lost in thought for a moment, but he had no good reason to refuse.

It was a problem he had to face eventually anyway.

He decided to resolve it on this occasion.

"Yes. Bring them here. And bring some new tea as well."

"Yes. I'll be right back~"

Chohwa disappeared with quick steps.

It was as if she had learned some kind of footwork, as her stride was different.

Namgung Hui had never taught her, nor did it look like the Namgung family's lightness skill.

'Did Seolhwa teach her? Well, if it's the martial arts of the Moon Maiden Palace, it would be easy for a woman to learn.'

Chohwa, who had disappeared in a flash, reappeared with a man with a goatee, who was panting as if he had been dragged along by her.

Chohwa, having stopped, said with her arms crossed.

"You said you were in a hurry?"

"Gasp. Gasp. No. But where is it written that you can just drag someone like this? I almost couldn't breathe."

"Aww~ People don't die from something like this. And if you want to live long, you should exercise regularly, you know? Is it okay for your belly to stick out like that?"

"Ahem... I'll take care of that myself. By the way, where is Young Master Namgung Hui?"

"Over there. I'll go get some tea, so you two can have a chat first."

The man with the goatee nodded and walked towards Namgung Hui.

His expression was quite serious, so it seemed to be an important matter.

"Are you Young Master Namgung Hui?"

"Yes. I am Namgung Hui."

"Ahem. I am Heo Yeongman, the general manager of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild. Let's go inside and talk."

"Let's do that."

Namgung Hui felt a sense of relief as the other party was more polite than he had expected.

But looking at this attitude, a sense of incongruity slowly bloomed.

The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild was famous for being arrogant, so there was no reason for them to be so humble towards him.

If so, the reason for this humble attitude was that they had a favor to ask of him, but he couldn't guess what it was.

'I've been lying down all this time, and I have no particular connection with the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.'

When Chohwa brought the tea, Heo Yeongman, having moistened his throat, said in a low voice.

"Young Master Namgung Hui."

"Yes. If you have something to say, please say it."

He glanced around for a moment, reconfirming that no one was there, and then carefully opened his mouth.

"Did you make good use of the gold ingots and the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron?"

"Pfft!"

Namgung Hui was so surprised that he spat his tea all over Heo Yeongman.

(End of Chapter)