The Black Flame Dragon Playing with the Dragon and Phoenix (1)
It was decided that the Hefei headquarters of the Changgung Merchant Guild would be abolished.
The institutions that had served as the headquarters would return to the family at Mount Huang, and until the Taeul Sect moved in, it would be operated as the Hefei branch of the Changgung Merchant Guild.
The Azure Emperor Divine Sword handled it swiftly and decisively.
He immediately established a new institution called the Changgung Commerce Pavilion, which would be in charge of managing the merchant guild, mines, tea houses, inns, and so on, and placed Namgung Songju in the position of pavilion master, thereby quieting the opposition from the Elder Hall and branch line.
Since Namgung Songju, the leader who had led the branch-line forces all this time, remained silent, they could not do anything else either.
While all of this happened over two days, I stayed at the Imperial Pavilion, checking over the martial arts I had practiced until now and retracing my enlightenment.
And after two days passed, I was present to receive the transfer of the deed to the Changgung Merchant Guild, and surprisingly, the person who came to write the deed was Namgung Songju.
“…….”
“Sit.”
Namgung Songju calmly handed me the deed as if nothing had happened.
Just in case Namgung Songju had played some trick with the deed, I examined it carefully.
I was someone who had memorized thousands of deeds in the Murim Alliance.
Even the high-flying Wang Geumsan could not read deeds better than I could.
As I was examining the deed like that, Namgung Songju muttered as if talking to himself.
“My father was the person who laid the foundation of the Changgung Merchant Guild, expanded its business, and established the foundation of the Namgung Family’s golden age.”
“……?”
“For the past two hundred years, the Namgung Family had only made one hundred Great Swallow Divine Pills, but after my father took charge of the Changgung Merchant Guild, we became able to make at least ten Great Swallow Divine Pills every five years. Thanks to that, the direct line became able to receive one Great Swallow Divine Pill every five years.”
“……Why are you suddenly saying this?”
As if he could not hear my words at all, Namgung Songju continued speaking.
“My father regretted that the results of his efforts could not reach me. But I did not care. In the Namgung Family, branch lines exist for the direct line by nature, and only when they become stronger does the Namgung Family become stronger.”
“…….”
“My father, who had spent his whole life outside the Namgung Family, suffering through blood and sweat, did not receive even a single Great Swallow Divine Pill before he died.”
Namgung Songju’s eyes stared into empty air.
It was a gaze that seemed to be drawing something.
Had he come to make me feel guilty for what I had done?
“Because they had already gone into the stomachs of the direct line.”
“…….”
“What you have done is trample on the dream of the Namgung Family’s branch line, which has been oppressed for hundreds of years. Are you satisfied?”
After hearing that story, I asked.
“I just need to sign here, correct?”
“…….”
I spoke as I signed.
I did not feel even the slightest guilt from his words.
“Everyone thinks their own situation is the most pitiful. Their own situation is the most unreasonable, and their own situation is the most unfortunate.”
“……We……”
I understood his feelings.
No, to be precise, I could feel them.
“If you felt that wronged, could you not have just left the Namgung Family?”
“!”
In my past life, how much had I resented my weak sect?
I had endlessly resented the sect that could give me nothing and only took things away from me.
“The rise of the Changgung Merchant Guild is a remarkable thing. However, would it have been possible without the name of the Namgung Family?”
Blinded by that resentment, I had failed to see clearly.
What I had received from the Taeul Sect, what protection I had received from the Taeul Sect.
What I had run away from.
I only realized it after losing everything.
“It would not have been possible. And as I understand it, from the moment the branch line becomes the branch line, they are not bound by the family. Is that correct?”
“…….”
“Because there is no obligation, there are no rights. Even so, was the reason you remained in the Namgung Family not because you wished to rely on the name of the Namgung Family?”
“…….”
The man before my eyes right now.
In my past life, he achieved everything he wanted and died by the hand of the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.
As he watched the Namgung Family burn, and as he watched the bloodline of the branch line die by the Divine Sword’s hand, had he felt satisfied?
“There was also a time when I deeply resented being born in the Taeul Sect. Moreover, because my father was the hall master of the Outer Hall, I could not even leave the Taeul Sect and live elsewhere. I only resented it like that, and only after losing countless precious things I had thought were natural did I realize it.”
“……What was that?”
“The things I thought were natural were not natural at all.”
“…….”
“To you, guildmaster, your situation may be endlessly unfortunate, but from my perspective, those alone are enough to live a life others would envy. At the very least, when people speak of the Namgung Family, they will not mock it.”
“…….”
“Of course, my misfortune will not make you happy, guildmaster, but if you are going to complain, should you not complain in front of high officials and nobles rather than a beggar under a bridge?”
“……Then let me ask you. Are you satisfied now?”
I showed him the deed and said.
“I am more than satisfied. It overflows. To you, corps leader, it may be nothing more than one of dozens of branches you possess, but for our sect, this one thing will be enough for everyone in the sect to eat warm rice three meals a day and no longer wear torn, patched clothes.”
“…….”
“If you are truly dissatisfied, then leave at any time. That is the advice I can give you.”
I carefully folded the deed, put it inside my robe, and rose from my seat.
Only then did Namgung Songju open his mouth, as if remembering something.
“That matter……”
“I already disposed of the corpse long ago. Would wild animals have left a shallowly buried corpse alone?”
“……I was deceived.”
Namgung Songju did not react greatly.
“I look forward to working with you from now on.”
Leaving behind Namgung Songju, who gave no answer, I walked out.
#
The Azure Emperor Divine Sword decided to enter closed-door training together with Namgung San.
Namgung Seonhwa should have entered as well, but because there was the Martial Academy examination, and because no one knew when the closed-door training would end, her training in the new sword art was postponed along with Namgung Jinmyeong’s.
Although the entire Namgung Family would clearly become complicated because the branch line’s businesses had suddenly been brought into the main family, taking the bold move of leaving the family head’s seat vacant seemed to be because he thought completing the ascending form was the only solution that could fundamentally quiet all this chaos.
“It is the Blue Sky Cloud Prestige Sword Art.”
“What is?”
“The name of the new sword art.”
At the Azure Emperor Divine Sword’s words, I clicked my tongue.
“Why must the word ‘cloud’ be included? Would the Blue Sky Martial Prestige Sword Art not be better?”
“Is your name not Jin Sowoon?”
“…….”
I could not speak and only opened and closed my mouth.
The Azure Emperor Divine Sword continued speaking with a smile on his lips.
“You are planning to take this Martial Academy regular examination, are you not?”
“Yes.”
“Then take good care of my granddaughter.”
The Azure Emperor Divine Sword said that while pointing at Namgung Seonhwa, and Namgung Jinmyeong and Namgung Seonhwa, who were listening from the side, tilted their heads.
“Should I not be the one asking her to take care of me? I will probably take the examination alone or with only a few junior brothers.”
At my words, Namgung Jinmyeong and Namgung Seonhwa were shocked.
“What nonsense!”
“Young Master Jin! That will not do!”
The Azure Emperor Divine Sword clicked his tongue at them.
“He is that kind of child. So you will have to help him a great deal.”
“Why are you doing this? Did we not already finish all our calculations with each other?”
“Oh dear……. I wrote a few words to send a letter to that Poison King fellow, but I suppose I should tell them not to send it.”
Previously, I had asked him to speak to the Sichuan Tang Family regarding the matter of using the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder, and now he was bringing that up.
“That was all to save the Divine Sword’s grandson and granddaughter……”
“Ahem, regardless, did you not purchase and use it through an uncertain route? Perhaps the Tang Clan may become curious as to whether you have other artifacts.”
“Haa…….”
Since I had used one of the forbidden concealed weapons of the Sichuan Tang Family, it was only a matter of time before this news reached the Tang Clan’s ears.
If someone of the Namgung Family’s level, no, someone at the level of the Azure Emperor Divine Sword, did not step forward, who knew what incident might happen to the Taeul Sect while I was away?
Since the Tang Clan was a family specialized in poison, and since they were as vicious as any dark faction sect, I could not leave behind the seed of suspicion.
“We may not be able to move together, but if our route is the same, I will pay attention to her. Will that be enough? It seems I also need to take my junior brothers with me.”
“Good. Good.”
Watching the Azure Emperor Divine Sword nod, Namgung Jinmyeong and Namgung Seonhwa still had expressions that showed they did not understand.
#
The Namgung Family’s closed-door cave was structured so that it could only be opened from the inside.
And the only one who could open that door was the family head, Namgung Taeha.
Namgung San, who had entered the closed-door cave, stood at the entrance and quietly pondered.
“What are you doing there? Every moment is urgent if we are to complete and master the sword art.”
“Ah, it is not that. I think there was something I needed to tell…… but did not.”
“To whom?”
“To Young Master Jin.”
“What was it?”
“The fact that the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is visiting the Taeul Sect this time.”
“What is so important about children visiting a martial sect?”
It seemed that even the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, an honorable position one could only enter after graduating from the Martial Academy with excellent grades and achieving a certain level of martial arts, looked like child’s play in the eyes of the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.
Namgung San smiled bitterly and said.
“The thing is, this time they are visiting for an inspection.”
“An inspection?”
“Yes. Originally, visiting for an audit is an annual event…… but for some reason, the Taeul Sect was selected for a special audit this time.”
Namgung Taeha, who had been listening, furrowed his brow.
“Tsk, are they still going around doing such things?”
Namgung Taeha seemed to roughly know what this was about.
That was only natural, since Namgung Taeha, too, had belonged to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering in his youth.
“……Should I not go back and tell him?”
“Leave it be. He is a child who will take care of things well enough on his own. Hurry over here.”
“……Yes.”
Even after the conversation ended, Namgung San felt strangely uneasy, and he soon realized that the reason was not because he had failed to tell Jin Sowoon the news.
“…….”
It was because his grandfather, Namgung Taeha, had used words for Jin Sowoon that he had never once used for himself, his younger sister, or even his father.
“‘A child who will take care of things well enough on his own,’ huh. Ha.”
At that moment, a shout came from inside the closed-door cave.
“What are you doing instead of coming quickly!”
“Y-Yes! I am coming!”
#
Jin Taesan, who had recently been finding even sleeping time too precious and had reduced his reports to the sect leader to the bare minimum, visited the sect leader’s residence holding a letter.
“……Are you all right?”
Seeing Jin Taesan’s face, Hong Mungi’s eyes filled with concern.
“……Ah, yes, I am all right. More importantly, please look at this.”
“It came from the Hefei branch of the Murim Alliance.”
“They say the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will visit. It is the usual audit procedure.”
Hong Mungi, who had been reading the letter, nodded and folded it.
“I see.”
“How should we prepare? First, I think we need to clean the pavilions.”
“That is enough.”
“No, sect leader.”
“Is it not something we have always done? And from what I can see, the Taeul Sect is far better than it was during the previous audit. Does the Wang Family Estate not send servants every week?”
“……That is true.”
“Empty one pavilion and just prepare new bedding. If the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering comes, they will need somewhere to stay, will they not?”
“Yes. Understood.”
“In any case, the children will be happy.”
The audit duty of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was, in truth, closer in nature to a traveling performance by young idols who were symbols of the Murim Alliance.
Nominally, the system had begun with the purpose of having young experts untainted by interests establish the law of the murim world, but now its role in nurturing children’s dreams and fantasies about the murim world had grown even greater.
Those who belonged to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering also tended to enjoy that status.
“More importantly, go get some sleep. At this rate, you look like you will die soon.”
“……Yes, once the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering matter is over, I plan to sleep for a while.”
“Good. Thank you for your hard work.”
Watching Jin Taesan stagger out of the residence, Hong Mungi chuckled.
“Does he like the work his son gave him that much? Haha.”
#
I rested one more day to absorb the Great Swallow Divine Pill that belonged to Namgung Seonhwa.
Then I immediately packed my belongings and told the maid that I would return, and the maid in charge of the Imperial Pavilion informed Namgung Jinmyeong and Seonhwa of the news.
The two of them personally came to the Imperial Pavilion to see me off.
“You are returning already?”
“I have been treated far beyond what I deserve all this time. Thank you for your consideration.”
“Until now, you came as Father’s guest and were treated as such, so how about staying from now on as my guest?”
Regret was dripping from Namgung Jinmyeong’s eyes.
“I would like to as well, but I think I will have to postpone that until later.”
“Hm? Has something happened?”
“I hear the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is visiting the Taeul Sect.”
“Ah…… I see. You are also at an age where you would like the people of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”
Namgung Jinmyeong nodded as if he understood.
At that moment, Namgung Seonhwa cut in.
“Father, may I also visit the Taeul Sect?”
“How little time is left until the regular examination, and you are saying you will go around chasing after the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering? You should be thinking about entering it.”
Seeing Namgung Seonhwa pout her lips, Namgung Jinmyeong shook his head.
Unfortunately, the reason I was trying to return quickly was exactly the opposite of what the Namgung father and daughter were thinking.
Thinking of them from my past life made my teeth grind on their own.
‘Dragon-Phoenix Gathering….’
At exactly this time in my past life, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering visited the Taeul Sect.
And because of them, the sect leader fell into qi deviation.
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