Chapter 153: The Hundred Great Masters of the Martial World
A heavy silence descended upon the hall.
No one had expected that over a hundred wanderers would become useless in the blink of an eye.
“……”
Locking eyes with Jin Seong-un’s calm gaze at such close distance, Nam Yeong instinctively realized.
The plan had been flawed from the very beginning. The opponent was never someone who could be dealt with by such cheap schemes.
“I asked you. Where is the Trading Company Master?”
When Jin Seong-un repeated his question, Nam Yeong hesitated for a moment before suddenly swinging his sword.
Tak! Jin Seong-un caught the blade with his bare hand.
As expected, not a scratch appeared.
Even Nam Yeong, who had resolved to die, faltered for an instant.
‘How can such a thing even be possible?’
Was he not just a martial artist barely past his youth?
As far as Nam Yeong knew, there had never been anyone in the world who had reached such a realm at that age.
Jin Seong-un deliberately unleashed his presence.
The air inside the hall shook violently, and an overwhelming aura pressed down.
It was to prevent the wanderers from making any rash moves.
For Jin Seong-un was no murderous fiend. He had no desire to kill so many people, nor did he have any reason to.
The fight at the Namok Trading Company ended in futility.
Not only the hundred wanderers, but even Nam Yeong had lost all will to fight.
Changg!
Jin Seong-un exerted strength through the qi surrounding his hand and snapped Nam Yeong’s sword clean in two. The difference in skill between the two was immeasurable.
Nam Yeong soon closed his eyes. Death was his only choice left.
He only hoped that the Namok Trading Company Master would at least consider his loyalty and take care of his aged mother.
Looking at Nam Yeong’s resigned attitude, Jin Seong-un spoke.
“Divine Physician is in Yichang.”
At once, Nam Yeong’s eyes widened.
Divine Physician—was he not the greatest physician of the age?
Though merely a physician, he was revered by all martial masters, great merchants, and officials of the world.
His medical skills were said to be on the level of an immortal.
Jin Seong-un already knew from the Inspector why Nam Yeong would risk his life so easily.
He continued in a calm tone.
“I cannot say for certain if he will agree, but I will ask. If even Divine Physician cannot cure the illness, then no physician under heaven can.”
Conflict surfaced in Nam Yeong’s eyes.
After all, the reason he had pledged loyalty to Nam Il-ju was because of his mother’s illness.
And now, Jin Seong-un was offering to bring him help from the only person said to be able to cure it.
Whether his words were true or not, Nam Yeong could not know.
He did not know what kind of man Jin Seong-un truly was.
Seeing Nam Yeong’s hesitation, Jin Seong-un tossed the broken blade to the floor and said,
“This is the only card I have to offer. You may choose to trust the Trading Company Master, who forced his men into a deathtrap while he fled, or trust me, who ran all the way from Yichang to aid Red Cliff Escort Agency. The choice is yours.”
Nam Yeong was not a calculating man.
And yet, with his mother’s life at stake, he could not help but weigh carefully.
Guest Dragon had been right. Between the two, there was only one answer.
Nam Yeong had served the Namok Trading Company Master not out of personal trust, but because it had been the only path available to him.
How much time passed, he could not say.
At last, an unwelcome name slipped from Nam Yeong’s mouth.
“…The Trading Company Master went to the Myriad Gold Manor branch near Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province.”
Jin Seong-un frowned, something he rarely did.
“Myriad Gold Manor again.”
It had interfered even during the Merchant Festival when he dealt with Song Jae-mun. Somehow, he felt annoyingly entangled with them time and again.
A man urgently spurred his horse through dense thickets.
‘He was a useful one…’
Nam Il-ju was certain Nam Yeong was dead.
If it had only been Guest Dragon, perhaps not. But once the Tang Clan intervened, the outcome had been sealed.
As for his mother, Nam Il-ju had intended to arrange treatment.
In truth, it was not such a difficult matter.
Though her illness was indeed troublesome, the renowned physicians Nam Il-ju knew had long said it could be cured.
He felt no guilt whatsoever.
So long as his subordinate’s death purchased his mother’s cure, had he not kept his word?
Nam Il-ju truly believed this.
He had already moved the massive funds that the Namok Trading Company operated with on the battlefield to Myriad Gold Bank.
In return, he had requested protection from Myriad Gold Manor.
Neither the Inspector nor the Tang Clan could touch him while he was under their shelter.
‘As long as I survive, everything else can be dealt with.’
So long as he lived, opportunities would always come, and he had the skill to seize them.
That had been the story of his entire life.
This time would be no different.
Though impatient, he was not afraid.
He had survived yet again, and with his abilities, he was confident he could gain far more than he lost.
After riding for a while, he spotted a group waiting ahead.
A luxurious carriage stood under the banner of Myriad Gold Manor, guarded by four martial artists.
They had come to personally escort him. Nam Il-ju felt deeply satisfied as he approached the carriage.
The sharp-faced warriors bowed respectfully, and then a man stepped leisurely down from the carriage.
Recognizing the man’s face, Nam Il-ju greeted him with delighted surprise.
“Why! How could the honorable External General Manager himself come in person?”
It was Yoo Won-ho, the External General Manager of Myriad Gold Manor.
Together with Internal General Manager Jang Ji-hyeon, he firmly grasped the reins of the manor’s power.
That he had come in person filled Nam Il-ju with indescribable reassurance and pride.
Yoo Won-ho laughed amiably and said,
“Haha, truth is, the Manor Master himself wished to come, but an unavoidable matter arose, so I came instead. I beg your pardon.”
Nam Il-ju let out a breath of awe.
Though he knew it was only empty courtesy, such treatment from Myriad Gold Manor made him walk taller with pride.
“I’ve heard some of the news. Trouble has arisen in Hunan, hasn’t it?”
At his question, Nam Il-ju gave a weary sigh and explained.
The matter of Red Cliff Escort Agency, the Inspector’s betrayal, the intervention of the Tang Clan and Hwa-un Trading Company, and even the tale of Guest Dragon Jin Seong-un.
Throughout, Yoo Won-ho listened with indignation and regret, as if it were his own affair, before finally sighing deeply.
“Guest Dragon, was it? What an arrogant martial artist indeed.”
“You know that man as well, External General Manager?”
Nam Il-ju had in fact already known of the events at the Merchant Festival. After all, the incident at Red Cliff Escort Agency had originated from that very affair.
Still, pretending ignorance to foster rapport, he asked about it, and Yoo Won-ho, well aware of the intent, nodded repeatedly.
“Of course I know. That man even drew his sword during the Merchant Festival. But do not worry—Manor Master of Myriad Gold Manor has his eyes on him as well.”
At those words, Nam Il-ju let out a great sigh of relief.
If the Manor Master of Myriad Gold Manor despised Guest Dragon, then his days were numbered.
For the Myriad Gold Manor of the age was no mere trading company.
Its financial power reached the heavens themselves, dwarfing even the Namgye Association of Hunan. Beside the Manor Master stood men of wealth and influence who thrived upon that money.
High-ranking officials of the Imperial Palace, nobles, great sects, noble clans, and even the military—
Among all who lived, ate, and fought in the Central Plains, not one existed free from the money of Myriad Gold Manor.
‘Even the Emperor himself is said to look favorably upon them…’
Just as Nam Il-ju smiled with renewed confidence, Yoo Won-ho’s gaze shifted past him.
At the same time, the four martial artists guarding the carriage drew their blades in unison.
Startled, Nam Il-ju whipped his head around. In the distance, a man was running toward them, his face dry and unreadable.
Nam Il-ju immediately recognized him.
“…Already?”
Even if Nam Yeong had fallen, there should still have been plenty of time.
Yoo Won-ho spoke calmly.
“There is no need to worry.”
Then, with a glance, he signaled his subordinates.
The four martial artists took formation, leveling their blades at Jin Seong-un in defense of the carriage.
The Myriad Gold Manor was said to be comparable in martial strength to even the great sects.
Foremost among them were the elite troops, the Myriad Gold Guards.
The Golden Tiger Squad, known as the fangs of the Manor; the Golden Sword Squad, its blade; and the Golden Wall Squad, its shield—none could be dismissed when compared to the forces of the martial world.
What Yoo Won-ho had brought now was the Golden Tiger Squad.
Its Captain, Ma Jung-gwan, a peak-level master, stood with three subordinates, glaring at Jin Seong-un.
They wielded willow-leaf sabers, their gently curved blades brimming with the deadly aura of “one cut, one kill.”
Jin Seong-un, descending before them, fixed his dry gaze upon Nam Il-ju and Yoo Won-ho, then spoke.
“This is between me and the Master of Namok Trading Company.”
His meaning was plain—Myriad Gold Manor should stay out of it. But External General Manager Yoo Won-ho sneered.
“It is now also the business of Myriad Gold Manor and Namok Trading Company. And you, you seem intent on becoming our enemy at every turn.”
“Song Jae-mun was a man who deserved death. The same is true of Namok Trading Company’s Master. If Myriad Gold Manor keeps protecting such men, then so be it.”
“And who decides who deserves death, I wonder? Golden Tiger Captain, take care of it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Golden Tiger Captain Ma Jung-gwan gave a curt bow.
At once, the blades of the squad began to gleam with cold saber qi.
Meanwhile, Yoo Won-ho leisurely escorted Nam Il-ju into the carriage.
When Jin Seong-un moved to pursue, Captain Ma Jung-gwan struck without warning, his saber flashing.
But Jin Seong-un’s sword was already drawn, intercepting it with ease.
Kaaang—!
Sword and saber clashed head-on, sparks flying.
The Golden Tiger warriors closed in on either side.
Jin Seong-un let out a low sigh.
The carriage raced swiftly through the forest path.
Though the road was uneven, the ride was steady, a sign that even the coachmen of Myriad Gold Manor were well trained.
Yoo Won-ho continued to reassure the uneasy Nam Il-ju.
“The Golden Tiger Squad is the very fangs of Myriad Gold Manor. Their tenacity is unmatched. Guest Dragon will never get through to us.”
“…Of course, I trust that.”
“If that man could cut through Ma Jung-gwan and the Golden Tigers alone, then he would not merely be one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes—he would already be counted among the Hundred Great Masters of the Martial World.”
But the Hundred Masters of the Orthodox Path already included the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Noble Clans, and the Murim Alliance. Beyond them were massive powers like the Seomun Clan and the Baek Li Clan.
If the unorthodox and demonic sects were added as well, then the number of peak-level masters easily surpassed a hundred.
Thus, for a martial artist barely past his youth to be ranked among them was unthinkable.
“So, what do you intend to do next?”
Yoo Won-ho deliberately steered the conversation.
Nam Il-ju’s expression eased somewhat. For merchants, nothing was more calming than the subject of money.
“I intend to redraw the game in Hunan. The Namgye Association is no longer of use—the Inspector betrayed his oath.”
“Officials are always like that.”
Nam Il-ju nodded. Just thinking of the mountain of bribes he had fed that toad made his blood boil.
“Hwa-un Trading Company and the Tang Clan of Sichuan covet Hunan. As you know, the Hwa-un Company is nothing but rabble who consort with the Unorthodox Path. It is shameful that they were ever grouped with the Ten Great Trading Companies.”
“You speak the truth. The so-called experts only forced the list to reach ten. And if it is not Hwa Yun-tak himself but his daughter, then there is even less to say.”
“Exactly. I have no intention of yielding Hunan to the powers of Sichuan. And so…”
Nam Il-ju paused, then looked straight at Yoo Won-ho.
“I want Myriad Gold Manor to be part of the new game. That is my honest wish. After all this, I am convinced—it is better for merchants to stand with merchants than to rely on sects or officials.”
Yoo Won-ho pressed his thumb to his temple as if in thought. It was, of course, only for show.
From the Manor’s perspective, extending influence into Hunan’s markets was nothing but desirable.
Until now, they had refrained only because the Namok Trading Company and Namgye Association were still standing, and the risks outweighed the gains.
But now, with Nam Il-ju coming to them willingly, there was no reason to refuse.
Yoo Won-ho feigned hesitation, ready to speak—
Kwaaaaang—!
A thunderous explosion tore the carriage apart.
Yoo Won-ho and Nam Il-ju crashed to the ground, groaning. Untrained in martial arts, their bodies screamed with pain.
Clutching their shoulders and waists, they frantically scanned their surroundings.
As the dust settled, the figure of a man emerged.
Drenched in blood, he dragged the Golden Tiger Saber, the weapon of the Golden Tiger Squad, as he strode forward.
It was Jin Seong-un. The blood on him could only have belonged to the Golden Tigers.
His calm eyes fell upon Nam Il-ju, and he seized him by the shoulder.
Beside them, Yoo Won-ho spoke sharply in warning.
“Guest Dragon, do not overstep! The Master of Namok Trading Company is formally under the protection of Myriad Gold Manor—!”
Puk—!
Before he could finish, the Golden Tiger Saber pierced Nam Il-ju’s chest.
Spewing blood-tinged foam, Nam Il-ju went limp.
Leaving the blade buried in his heart, Jin Seong-un slowly turned his gaze upon Yoo Won-ho.
For once, Yoo Won-ho, the External General Manager who wielded power second only to the Manor Master himself, was struck silent.