Chapter 150: You Never Know About Human Affairs

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As the night deepened.

Ye Woon-rang and the sect members were gathered in the dining hall within White Peak Sword Sect, having prepared simple food as they sat and conversed.

The first topic was about matters relating to Red Cat Merchant Guild.

When Ye Woon-rang’s brief explanation ended, everyone wore surprised expressions and clicked their tongues.

Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk briefly recalled a conversation he’d had with Cheol Ryu-heun before.

-Sect Master, but why have you come alone?

-The Guest Retainer was dispatched to Red Cat Merchant Guild.

-Pardon?

-There’s something I assigned him to do separately. To earn his keep.

At that time, he had been quite curious about what mission Ye Woon-rang was carrying out while staying at Red Cat Merchant Guild – he never expected it would be securing the rare mineral Meteoric Iron.

Moreover, over five hundred large chunks of it… That amount could probably easily make three to four hundred swords.

Ye Woon-rang spoke with a faint smile.

“Surprising, isn’t it? Of course, I was also skeptical until I confirmed it with my own two eyes. But securing Meteoric Iron is just the beginning. There will be even more surprising things to come.”

“Hm? What does that mean?”

“Ah, Chief Supervisor. Please speak comfortably now. Although I’m nominally staying here as a Guest Retainer, I’m practically the same as a disciple, aren’t I? Being treated comfortably is less burdensome for me.”

“Would that be… Alright?”

“Yes. Since I’m already serving Sect Master Cheol as a superior, following this sect’s hierarchy regulations feels more comfortable for me.”

At those words from Ye Woon-rang, the eldest Yeop Hwon used this occasion to organize the hierarchy.

“Then let’s do it this way. Regardless of each person’s martial world seniority, since we gathered at the Sect Master’s proposal, we’ll apply the rules based on age as the basic principle. Does everyone agree?”

At that, Ye Woon-rang, Namgung Sang-rin, and Hae Su-yeon answered “Yes” in unison.

At that moment, the gazes of Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In suddenly focused on one spot.

On Ye Woon-rang’s face.

“Hey, friend.”

“Let’s call each other by name from now on.”

“Yeah, that’s better.”

Ye Woon-rang stared at them and said.

“All three of you saying that with those faces is somehow scary. Like intimidation by terrifying unorthodox villains… Don’t say such things elsewhere. Because the listeners would be so frightened their flesh would tremble.”

Not to be outdone, the Guyang three brothers flared up.

“A friend… Is talking back?”

“The guilt of treating an elderly person carelessly the moment I dropped formalities is surging like a storm.”

“I wish you’d wear a mask for our sakes from now on.”

Equally flared up, Ye Woon-rang also fired back rapidly.

“Right, then let’s all wear them together. Fairly. Ah, right, I heard goblin masks sell really well in the market these days – but seeing your faces, there’s no real need.”

As invisible sparks flew wildly between the four.

“I’m grateful to my parents.”

Hae Su-yeon stroked her beautiful face as she said that, and Ye Woon-rang and the Guyang three brothers glared at her.

ACK, SHUT UP! You pretty thing, you’re the worst!

“Now, everyone calm down. What did you mean just now when you said there would be even more surprising things? Woon-rang.”

“Yes, Elder. Before I left for Red Cat Merchant Guild, the Sect Master said…”

-There’s an order to everything. Before obtaining Red Crow Steel, we have to be satisfied with Meteoric Iron for now. Myriad-Year Cold Steel and Vajra Indestructible Steel come last.

“…Is what he said.”

Suddenly, everyone’s expressions changed.

That meant Cheol Ryu-heun had full knowledge of even the locations where the rare minerals undoubtedly of the highest grade – Red Crow Steel, Vajra Indestructible Steel, and Myriad-Year Cold Steel – were deposited.

Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon in particular couldn’t hide their inner admiration.

They suddenly wondered.

What was there that Cheol Ryu-heun didn’t know?

Since coming here and hearing various facts from Yeop Hwon and others, they had realized his abilities were far more tremendous than they’d thought – yet somehow, the more they learned, the more surprised they became.

Yeop Hwon smiled gently and nodded.

“Good things haven’t stopped happening to our Sect ever since the Sect Master met his fortuitous encounter. The same goes for our rapid martial achievements…”

He then explained in order what had happened while Ye Woon-rang was away.

Starting with a bout of fighting linked to the Thousand Snake Group incident, the repeated martial achievements of the sect members, and even the story Namgung Sang-rin himself revealed…

Having finally learned all of that, Ye Woon-rang marveled at how quite a lot had happened in such a not-so-long period and suddenly recalled what Cheol Ryu-heun had said.

-From today, you are Guest Retainer Number One of our Sect. Right to refuse? You don’t have one. In return, I will personally teach you so that you can master the Four Dragon Sword Style to completion.

‘Indeed, his abilities are…’

He thought anew how remarkable they were.

An unprecedented existence who knew the key essence of all these things – Dragon Martial Gate patriarch Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon’s Four Dragon Sword Style, Evil Emperor Yul Cheon’s Reverse Heaven Sword Style, and the lost major sword techniques of Namgung Family.

He could no longer not believe.

In the amazing martial arts knowledge stored in Cheol Ryu-heun’s head.

Soon, his master Red Dragon Sword Captain Hong So’s appearance from when he was alive flickered before his eyes.

‘Master, are you watching? Our patriarch’s great legacy hasn’t been severed. This disciple… Will definitely master Four Dragon Sword Style to completion and ensure our sect takes root once again.’

At that, the face flickering before his eyes silently smiled at him.

Having quickly cleared his thoughts, Ye Woon-rang spoke in a voice that sounded like he had made some decision.

“I didn’t deliberately tell you on the day I first came here, but… It seems like it’s time to reveal it now.”

At the same time, the group’s gazes focused.

Yeop Hwon asked quietly with a curious look.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Ah, yes. Actually, I am a descendant of Dragon Martial Gate…”

“Ah, we already know that. You’re the only disciple of the person who served as Red Dragon Sword Captain at that time? Hoho.”

“Huh? Wh-when did you find out about that?”

When the surprised Ye Woon-rang’s eyes went round, Hyeop Mu-geuk took over and answered with a smile.

“The Sect Master told us before he left recently. He already told everyone present here.”

“Ah… I see. Haha…”

Having laughed awkwardly, Ye Woon-rang scratched the back of his head.

Namgung Sang-rin glanced at Hae Su-yeon sitting beside him.

“Is yours still a secret, Young Lady?”

“Oh my, that won’t do.”

“P-pardon?”

“If Murong Young Lady finds out you keep showing me this much attention, how hurt would she be? Hing, this is all because I’m too pretty. Aah! Your face is red. Don’t tell me you got excited seeing my figure?”

“Ugh, what kind of… That’s not it!”

“Heehee. I’m joking, joking. But it’s okay to look if you want to. Well, it’s not like it wears out just from looking.”

When Hae Su-yeon’s eyes met those of the Guyang three brothers, she wrapped her arms around her full chest.

“Eek, no way!”

UGH, WHY NOT US!

Is this discrimination!

No, and we weren’t even looking at your figure, we just made eye contact!

Soon Hae Su-yeon made a playful smile, stuck out her tongue, and spoke in a pretty voice.

“You’ll find out about things related to me when Sect Master Cheol returns.”

-Flowers are blooming but there are no butterflies. Are you wandering around trying to find them?

Namgung Sang-rin recalled those words in his head and muttered inwardly.

‘Hmm, Young Lady Hae showed quite a big reaction when she heard those cryptic words…’

Cheol Ryu-heun must have known something to say such a thing.

‘I suppose I’ll find out if I wait.’

Having put a large piece of food in her mouth, Hae Su-yeon spoke while cutely puffing her cheeks and chewing.

“Anyway, Dragon Martial Gate, Namgung Family… Sect Master Cheol really does have excellent taste in picking Guest Retainer. At this rate, won’t a demon join here too?”

Everyone flinched as if to say.

Come on, no way…

But Hae Su-yeon’s thoughts differed from the group.

‘Ha, you never know about human affairs. Now that even I, an enchantress of the Mountain Road, have become a Guest Retainer…’

* * *

“How dare a mere enchantress…”

The inside of a room lit with reddish torchlight sank coldly at that voice.

A man in his fifties, body sunk into a chair covered with expensive tiger skin, emitting a gaze as sharp as sword light.

His bearing just from sitting arrogantly gave off a feeling of overwhelming the masses.

With a stern impression and a two-chi long beard draped below his chest, he was Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak, one of the Six Extremes of Hubei and Sect Master of Sword Seal Sect.

Since he was about to retire for the night, he wore simple white clothes, yet the formless presence flowing around his body was deadly, like a warrior going to battle.

A single letter held in So Cheon-ak’s left hand.

The words written in black there went like this:

<I’m not being a Guest Retainer there anymore. Never look for me again. Please stop with the concubine talk already.>

It was exactly what Hae Su-yeon had sent.

“Where did it come from?”

Just by speaking, hegemonic majesty befitting a divine general emanated.

A man in his late thirties standing in front bowed his head courteously and said.

“According to the doorkeeper on duty earlier, he looked like just an ordinary errand runner…”

With a sturdy build and carrying an unusually long sword, he was One Long Sword Soul Eum Seon, a core master of Sword Seal Sect and So Cheon-ak’s trusted swordsman.

SWISH.

When So Cheon-ak rose to his feet, the air in the room seemed to writhe terrifyingly.

One Long Sword Soul Eum Seon watched his expression and opened his mouth again.

“Sect Master, shall I investigate that wench’s whereabouts?”

At that, So Cheon-ak spoke as he headed to his bedchamber.

“Find her.”

“Yes.”

“And…”

“……”

“When we find out where she is, I will personally go there.”

“Understood.”

“Hmph, if she’s attached herself to Namgung Sang-rin because she fell for him, it would be even more unforgivable. I already gave her the glorious opportunity to receive my seed, yet she threw it away…”

“But after we capture her, what shall we…?”

“I’ll lock her up, violate her to my heart’s content, and then kill her. I’ve waited long enough.”

With those words, So Cheon-ak strode toward his bedchamber.

* * *

The next day.

The door of one inner room at Azure Hound Merchant Guild flew open! as a man stepped in, letting out an urgent shout.

“D-Hall Master! Hall Master!”

At that, Choe Tan furrowed his thick brows.

“What’s all the fuss?”

“Ah, yes! It’s that… Red Cat Merchant Guild suddenly announced this morning that all the products they’ve been having subtle price competition with our Company will be sold at half price or lower! The rumor has already spread throughout the area!”

“What…!”

Choe Tan’s eyes grew large in surprise.

A declaration of war.

In a method he hadn’t expected at all.

“Wh-what do we do?”

“UGH… What do you mean what do we do! We have to fight fire with fire!”

“Ah, th-then…”

“Hurry and send out the underlings! Check the surrounding market situation and if that cat woman’s gang is really doing this, we lower our prices the same!”

“Hall Master, the losses will probably be substantial.”

“Who doesn’t know that! This is a money war! If we lose here, it’s over! The side that falls first dies! Since they can’t maintain such crazy prices forever anyway, hurry and move!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

* * *

At the same time.

Red Cat Merchant Guild Master Hui Bu-yong, seated at a large rectangular dining table, put a piece of nicely grilled pork in her mouth and raised the corners of her lips.

“Ha, the pork tastes especially good to chew today.”

SPARKLE SPARKLE.

The golden Maitreya Buddha placed beside her also wore a bright smile.

Ah, this feels good.