Chapter 262 : Taejeong Merchant Guild
"Yes. Then shall we hear your business for coming? Sect Leader of the Maoshan Sect."
"!!?"
Jang Hwang, as if quite flustered, immediately looked at Namgung Hui and exchanged glances.
He said with his eyes.
'It seems my identity has been completely exposed. Is this really alright?'
'Brother. It's alright. I have a plan, so don't worry.'
Jang Hwang also looked around the room and calmed his startled heart.
Right now, there were only two people in front of him.
Although the Fist King was a master, the woman didn't seem to be that much of a master.
And she didn't have any bodyguards or people with her.
He judged that if things went wrong, Namgung Hui could get him out.
Hadn't he come to know the power of the Wind God Steps better than anyone while being carried on Namgung Hui's back?
"Ahem. How did you figure out my identity? I just said I was a fortune-teller."
Jang Hwang, with Namgung Hui's boastful words.
Since he thought he had nothing to be ashamed of as the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect, he went out with a confident attitude.
The woman opened her mouth with a faint smile on her lips.
"The rumors were rampant from the village where the forest fire broke out. That a person of considerable skill was escorting the Sect Leader. Moreover, with a ronin named Somyo even boasting about a talisman, it would be stranger not to know."
"Is that so? Then again, my younger brother is a great master."
"Then may I hear your business for coming right away? Since I am hosting a distinguished guest, it seems I cannot spare much time."
The woman's tone of voice was so polite that Jang Hwang felt a slight pang of conscience.
'If I really do as my younger brother says, the woman's neck might fly off. Is this alright?'
The plan was not that complicated.
It was a scheme to just reveal the identity of the Dugu family in front of the Fist King.
Credibility? As for that, since the fact that he was the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect had been revealed, his credibility would rise even more.
No matter how much of a fallen sect it was, if it was the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect, he wouldn't be one to make empty boasts.
And since Namgung Hui also had a plan, there was no need to worry.
"Alright. I will state my business for coming. Hey. Master Fist King."
As Jang Hwang suddenly pointed at him, a thick curiosity arose on the Fist King's face.
"Sect Leader. Did you call me?"
"That's right. Actually, my business was with you. Do you know what the identity of this manor is?"
"Oho. It seems the Sect Leader knows something. Let this Hwangbo so-and-so listen attentively."
Jang Hwang stealthily checked the woman's complexion, but there was no sign of agitation.
Rather, she was just smiling as if telling him to go ahead and speak.
Jang Hwang wondered if this was right, but since Namgung Hui also didn't stop him, he immediately opened his mouth.
"The identity of this manor is none other than the secret base of the Dugu family, one of the Six Demonic Families. The Taejeong Merchant Guild itself can be said to be the financial source of the Blood Cult."
Jang Hwang and Namgung Hui immediately looked at the Fist King's face.
But not only him, but even the woman next to him did not show much surprise.
They were so calm that Jang Hwang was rather flustered.
'Brother. Is this right? For some reason, it feels like things are going wrong.'
This time, Namgung Hui, as if it was a bit much to just watch, stepped forward and added.
"Great Hero Fist King. For some reason, your expression seems as if you already knew."
"Are you that famous Black Guest? They say you're a master of a great palm technique. Yes. As you say, I knew in advance that the Taejeong Merchant Guild belonged to the Dugu family. But is that a problem?"
Namgung Hui, perhaps because he was reminded of the atrocities the Dugu family had committed before, raised his voice slightly and said.
"Of course, it is. The Heretic Faction is a martial arts force that divides the Central Plains with the Martial Alliance, but the Blood Cult is a common enemy that the orthodox and unorthodox factions should join hands to defeat."
The Fist King stroked his chin and replied.
"That's your thought. At least, I don't think so. At this opportunity, I will explain why I newly established the Iron Blood Fortress. Sect Leader, you listen well too."
The Fist King, who had taken a sip of water for a moment, continued.
"You probably know from the rumors, but the reason I established the Iron Blood Fortress is a scheme to gather the alienated sects and classes. In the current martial world, except for the Nine Sects One Union and the Five Great Families, they are not treated very well. Right now, even our Hwangbo family was not treated well. Of course, we don't learn martial arts to be treated well. We just perform chivalry with these fists and in the process, we just need to be in a position to make a living. But how is the current Martial Alliance?"
"...They are busy filling their own bellies. But this is because a force called the Hoicheon Association has intervened..."
"That's enough. Junior Black Guest. I don't know everything, but I know the inside story to some extent. Anyway, whether the Hoicheon Association was playing tricks or not, the fact that they just stood by and watched itself doesn't make sense. How is the current Martial Alliance Leader? Isn't he a person who is worthy of being called the number one under heaven of his time, but he condoned this? I even had a private meeting with the Alliance Leader, but I couldn't figure out his inner thoughts. That's why I left the Alliance and established the Iron Blood Fortress like this. At least in the Iron Blood Fortress I created, I decided not to discriminate based on origin."
"No. Still, isn't it another problem to accept all those who commit crimes? Honestly, even the force called the Black Market that came out of the Heretic Faction trades in human trafficking and drugs, which are forbidden by the country. What do you think of this?"
"Of course, that's something that should never be done. In performing chivalry, they are the target to be punished. In fact, when I heard that the Black Market had been turned upside down a while ago, how refreshing it was. Uahaha! Anyway. Junior Black Guest, think about it. Rather, if I put them under my shadow, wouldn't I be able to stop them from playing any foolish tricks?"
Namgung Hui nodded his head, recalling the time he had caused a huge mess at the Black Market.
"If that's possible, it's a good thing. But would the Black Market be the Black Market for no reason? I think they can deceive the Great Hero's eyes and ears and play tricks behind his back as much as they want. And there's also the saying, 'He who touches pitch shall be defiled therewith.' It means that not the Great Hero, but his subordinates can be won over by them."
"Well, as you say, I admit that I can't manage everyone. But wouldn't it be a hasty thing to give up without even trying? I believe in myself, and I also believe in the people who believe in me."
Namgung Hui looked into the Fist King's eyes and felt his firm will.
'It will be difficult to persuade him. Let's say the Black Market is that way, but the Dugu family is absolutely not.'
"I understand. Great Hero. The Black Market is fine. But why are you trying to embrace the Dugu family? Isn't the Dugu family a force that even caused a bloodbath a while ago? Do you really think you can control them?"
Right now, even the Dugu Family Head was not inferior to the Fist King in front of him.
Such a person would follow the Fist King's orders?
Not a chance.
Rather, it was obvious that he would just use the Iron Blood Fortress and be engrossed in fattening the belly of the Blood Cult.
Namgung Hui was frustrated.
Although he knew that the people of the Hwangbo family had a generous personality on one hand, and a stubborn side on the other, he didn't know it would be to this extent.
"Great Hero Fist King. If the Great Hero really embraces them, will the Martial Alliance stand still?"
"If they don't stand still, what will they do? Will they start a war? As for me, I won't avoid a fight that comes to me. I've endured a lot until now. Our Hwangbo family has endless patience, but we're not going to endure any longer."
Namgung Hui wanted to let out a deep sigh, but he couldn't do so in front of the Fist King.
He just straightened his expression and nodded his head calmly.
"I understand. Great Hero. I hope you will realize the ideals you wish to achieve well."
"Thank you. For a ronin, you are very polite. Are you a descendant of a prestigious family? Well, origin is not important. Then have you asked all you wanted to ask? Sect Leader, is your business also over?"
Namgung Hui and Jang Hwang exchanged glances and then nodded their heads.
"That's right."
"Then it's our turn. Manor Lord. What will you do?"
The woman who had been just listening until now stealthily stood up from her seat and clapped her hands.
Clap.
"We must proceed as planned."
As her words ended, a number of presences suddenly began to be felt from beyond the wall.
Clearly, nothing had been caught by Namgung Hui's Ki sense.
'They were hiding their presence with a formation. I thought it was just for protecting the manor.'
Although Namgung Hui had entered the path of formations, he did not have the talent to guess the type of formation just by the energy he felt from a distance.
He could only know the purpose and type by seeing it with his eyes and savoring the formation's formula.
A number of presences soon revealed themselves and surrounded Namgung Hui and Jang Hwang.
As expected, since the Taejeong Merchant Guild was under the Dugu family, the Ki of the surrounding people was extraordinary.
All of their solar plexuses were bulging, and their Ki was outstanding.
Namgung Hui glanced at the people who had appeared and then said to the Fist King.
"What is the reason for suddenly coming out like this?"
"Why do you think I would obediently tell you everything?"
"Well. Isn't it because there's no reason to hide it? The Hwangbo family is famous for being generous."
"Hahaha! Although our Hwangbo family is generous, we are not stupid. If you were to leak these facts to others, nothing good would happen. Well, as you say, it's a part that could lead to a war."
At first, he thought he was a foolish bear, but he had a sly side like a serpent.
No, should he say a cunning fox?
"So you're planning to kill us to silence us?"
"If necessary, I must do so, but for now, I have no intention of killing you. I can't let the lineage of the Maoshan Sect be cut off, and wouldn't there be more to gain by subduing you?"
"...I understand. Then I have no choice."
Jang Hwang, perhaps because the enemies' momentum was unusual, stuck close to Namgung Hui.
He even took a posture to get on his back if things went wrong and whispered in Namgung Hui's ear.
"Brother. Shouldn't we run away now?"
"Brother. Isn't something strange?"
"What is it?"
"Why is the Dugu Family Head, who should be here, not seen. And is there a representative? And the people who have surrounded us don't seem to be the direct line of the Dugu family."
Namgung Hui had exchanged blows with the direct line of the Dugu family before.
He clearly remembered their martial arts and their unique energy.
But the people in front of him, from their sharp eyes, seemed to have learned a different type of martial art.
Of course, there was no law that said they couldn't learn the martial arts of the orthodox faction, just as the Dugu people had.
If so, all he had to do was resolve Namgung Hui's suspicion.
"Brother. Before we run away, let's check something first. Please get on my back for now."
"Alright."
Jang Hwang not only got on his back, but also tied himself tightly with a rope and became one with Namgung Hui.
Although it might be a bit cumbersome in a fight, this was the best he could do.
If he were to be taken hostage for no reason, he would cause even greater trouble.
"Then, here we go."
-Sreureung. Sreureung.
As Namgung Hui finished his preparations, the surrounding people also drew their respective weapons and rushed at Namgung Hui.
The number was about ten, excluding the Fist King.
Exuding a ferocious momentum, they clashed with Namgung Hui in an instant.
(End of Chapter)