Chapter 220: Those Who Want to Fight Enter, Those Who Want to Sell Leave (2) |
Kwak Moon-Jung relayed everything he had heard from Ham Ji-Pyeong, and Gong Jin-Sung's expression turned serious.
"I felt something off in the air, too. The merchants I met with all looked unsettled."
His gaze drifted across the group and came to rest on Kwak Moon-Jung.
"I see."
"If what you say is true, this place will be swallowed by war before long. We should leave a day early. Our business here is done, so let's go tomorrow."
"Understood. I'll tell everyone."
Gong Jin-Sung nodded and looked at Kwak Moon-Jung with approval. The boy who was once just a child had grown into a respectable escort. That was cause for celebration, even though Kwak Moon-Jung had accepted the request independently, outside of the White Dragon Merchant Association. This sentiment was especially strong for him, as he had watched Kwak Moon-Jung grow up.
Kwak Moon-Jung went out and relayed Gong Jin-Sung's decision to the escorts and merchants. No one questioned the order, they simply began packing at once.
Thanks to Gong Jin-Sung's swift decisions, the merchants of the White Dragon Merchant Association had always finished their trade trips safely. Their trust in him was absolute.
A soft blue light hovered over the gracefully curved blade. Unlike other swords, it carried no bloodthirsty sharpness, yet its mere presence was enough to overwhelm them.
He carefully wiped the blade with a dry cloth. As if it felt his touch, Blue Lotus let out a low cry. A sword that sang without the use of inner qi was undoubtedly a masterpiece.
To Kwak Moon-Jung, however, the parade of colorful lanterns looked as precarious as a candle flame on the verge of guttering out.
Kwak Moon-Jung thought of the person who had forged this masterpiece for him.
Hyung, will I be able to do this well?
Although he didn't show it, Kwak Moon-Jung was more excited than ever. His heart hammered and his mind went blank. He had accepted Ham Ji-Pyeong's request, yet he still felt uncertain. Despite knowing a moment like this would come, he never expected it to come so soon.
"I just received an order. From now on, we're to thoroughly inspect everyone leaving Fu County."
As he wiped Blue Lotus down, he steadied his nerves.
The sword is a reflection of the heart.Polishing the sword is polishing the mind.
When the last speck of dust lifted from the blade, Kwak Moon-Jung felt his mind begin to settle. He sheathed Blue Lotus and rose to his feet.
Kwak Moon-Jung thought of the person who had forged this masterpiece for him.
"Phew!"
Through the open window, Fu County glittered like a castle of fire.
That order was about to vanish from Fu County.
To Kwak Moon-Jung, however, the parade of colorful lanterns looked as precarious as a candle flame on the verge of guttering out.
Before their minds could react, their flesh was already recoiling in terror.
A massive force of at least a thousand was marching toward Fu County.
The next day at dawn, the White Dragon Merchant Association left the Seonghwa Inn.
Unlike when they arrived, their carriages and wagons were empty. They would have normally taken their time refilling them with local goods, but they couldn't afford that luxury this time. The merchants understood the urgency of the situation and did not complain.
"No idea. The order came out of nowhere."
From atop the carriages, they scanned their surroundings uneasily. Most had crossed the Central Plains dozens of times. No one was more attuned to their surroundings, and their instincts were razor-sharp.
The air in Fu County had changed overnight. The seasoned merchants caught the scent of battle and were desperate to flee.
The White Dragon Merchant Association reached the checkpoint at the entrance to Fu County. The same warriors who had been there since their arrival were conducting inspections.
Unlike when they arrived, their carriages and wagons were empty.
While Group Leader Lim San-Gun checked identities with a deeply serious expression, Gong Jin-Sung rode up on his horse.
Gong Jin-Sung and the escorts exhaled in relief as they watched Jwa Moon-Ho's party shrink into the distance. One word from Jwa Moon-Ho could mean life or death.
"Hard at work so early, I see."
"Who's there? Ah, the White Dragon Merchant Association." Lim San-Gun raked his sharp gaze over Gong Jin-Sung and the procession. "Leaving already?"
"Yes. The longer we stay, the more it costs us."
Lim San-Gun frowned. "Hmm!"
"Is something the matter?"
"I just received an order. From now on, we're to thoroughly inspect everyone leaving Fu County."
"Do you know why?"
"No idea. The order came out of nowhere."
The White Dragon Merchant Association reached the checkpoint at the entrance to Fu County. The same warriors who had been there since their arrival were conducting inspections.
Annoyance flickered across Lim San-Gun's face. The sudden order forced him to double the number of dawn inspections. He had even called up his off-duty subordinates to assist with the inspections, though he didn't know the reason why. Their discontent had reached its peak.
"You're having a rough time of it, Master Lim."
"Rough? I'm just following orders. It's just a bit of a nuisance."
"I suppose so."
"Then couldn't we simply say we left before you received the orders?"
But if the White Dragon Merchant Association intends to leave, you'll have to wait until the order is lifted. You know an order from Heaven's Summit is absolute."
"Is there really no way? If we can't buy goods elsewhere, we'll take a huge loss."
"It's a pitiful spot to be in, but..."
"Master Lim, please." Gong Jin-Sung clasped both of Lim San-Gun's hands in his.
Jwa Moon-Ho and the Demon Hunters strode down the cleared path as if it were theirs by right, with a thousand martial artists trailing behind them.
"!" Lim San-Gun hesitated under the weight of the sum pressed into his palms. It was easily double what he'd received on their way in.
"Understood. I'll tell everyone."
Gong Jin-Sung didn't miss the flicker in his eyes. "It's not much, but please put it toward your expenses."
"Khm! But my orders..."
"Then couldn't we simply say we left before you received the orders?"
No one he captured left with an intact corpse.
"That's... forging official documents..." Lim San-Gun's eyes suddenly went wide. Gong Jin-Sung had slipped him a second coin pouch.
He glanced around. Fortunately, none of his subordinates seemed to have noticed him take the second pouch.
If I hand one to the men and keep the other for myself...
The demon of greed deep in his heart reared its ugly head.
Gong Jin-Sung saw straight through the guard.
With money, you can put even ghosts to work.
Before their minds could react, their flesh was already recoiling in terror.
He believed in the power of money. Wasn't that the very reason he toiled so hard to earn it?