“Looks like I’ve climbed this high without meaning to.”
Hwang Geum-seon immersed himself in his thoughts as he gazed down at Sacheon City. When he was born, the Hwang clan was just one of the many merchant families in Sacheon, barely maintaining a foothold. His mother’s background didn’t offer him any special treatment, just a life managing a single cantankerous servant.
Then things changed. He got involved with Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, became the savior of his clan, and rose to the position of Family Head, pursuing power by any means necessary thereafter.
The Hwang clan became the number one merchant family in Sacheon, and Hwang Geum-seon became the head of that family.
Once unable to manage even a single servant, Hwang Geum-seon seized the influence to control everyone in Sacheon and managed to position himself in front of Yeo Il-ye, ready to use the entire city as a shield if necessary.
He felt a sense of relief washing over him like a toothache finally being pulled. His greatest weakness, the situations surrounding Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, was coming to an end.
“This time, I’ll take care of that flame completely.”
Hwang Geum-seon frowned as he thought of the Jeomchang Faction. His disciples were incredibly precious to him.
Yeo Il-ye was like his weakness. He wanted to eliminate Yeo Il-ye as much as he wanted to eliminate the evidence against him. After all, without the Jeomchang Faction as a backdrop, getting rid of Yeo Il-ye would be simple.
He planned for the Jeomchang to excommunicate Yeo Il-ye.
He spread exaggerated rumors about Yeo Il-ye and hired outcasts to provoke him every time he stepped out. As a result, had Yeo Il-ye belonged to any other Nine Great Sects, he would’ve been excommunicated long ago, but the Jeomchang held onto Yeo Il-ye stubbornly.
Ultimately, Hwang Geum-seon could only retreat, having realized how much the Jeomchang valued its disciples.
“I’ll concede that consistent foolishness.”
Recess.
Most sects have a system of temporarily suspending disciple statuses. However, very few actually grant permission for such recesses. Requesting a recess implies that you’d want to engage in acts that a disciple should never partake in.
It could inflict a severe blow to a sect’s name and reputation; who would allow someone to return to their sect after committing such an act?
Yet, Hwang Geum-seon was confident that the Jeomchang would handle Yeo Il-ye’s suspension. The Jeomchang had a history of doing so for him.
So he set a deadly trap, capable of bringing down the Jeomchang in one blow.
“Yeo Il-ye. How much longer can you hold on?”
Hwang Geum-seon chuckled as he recalled Yeo Il-ye, who had fiercely unleashed his internal energy and glared at him. How dare someone like him, who couldn’t make a single move, instill fear in another? A potential threat that could destroy Hwang Geum-seon in one fell swoop.
What would Yeo Il-ye do when he hears that everyone in Sacheon City is suffering because of the deeds Hwang Geum-seon initiated?
Blinded by rage, would he charge into the Hwang clan? By then, it would already be too late.
“I am Hwang Bo-gyeong-chan. It’s an honor to meet the esteemed head of the Hwang clan, whose name resonates far and wide.”
“…I am the Grand Master of the Jeomchang Faction, Hyeok Gi-rin.”
“Ah, the disciple of Cheongseong Faction’s Jong-hyeok…”
“Oh dear, it’s an honor to meet the heroes of the Martial World. I am Hwang Geum-seon, the head of the Hwang clan, and I’m also regretfully serving as an advisor to the Sacheon Merchant Association.”
Since he had summoned shields to protect himself against Yeo Il-ye, even if Jeomchang remained ignorant, the Hwang clan, Cheongseong Faction, Jongnam Sect, and Ami Faction would certainly want to maintain ties with Hwang Geum-seon, the de facto leader of the Sacheon merchants.
These factions would actively help repel Yeo Il-ye if he were to intrude on the Hwang clan.
“Come on. And despair.”
The rumors about the bandits were shaking Sacheon City, so it was only a matter of time before they reached Yeo Il-ye. As soon as he heard about the bandits, he would know exactly who was pulling the strings.
And when Yeo Il-ye arrived in Sacheon…
He would hear the news that he was being actively monitored by the other four sects, even before he could step into the city.
Hwang Geum-seon imagined Yeo Il-ye’s expression twisted in guilt and rage when he heard that.
“I wonder when your heart will break.”
If it doesn’t, he’d have to prepare another plan. Now that all preliminary work was done, it wouldn’t be hard at all. Just make Jeomchang’s downfall worse, causing even more suffering.
“I heard that the esteemed heroes are staying at a humble inn, and it breaks my heart to invite you all. Though I have nothing to boast about, our family is quite accustomed to receiving guests, so I hoped to offer you some comfort.”
“Hahaha! Your humility is excessive! How could we refuse the hospitality of the renowned Hwang clan? We’re merely grateful for your warm reception.”
How much longer could Yeo Il-ye endure this?
Hwang Geum-seon smiled, relishing the delightful tension building up within him.
*
At midday in Gilu.
The elder of the Jambong Sect, Gae Myung-bu, stealthily entered Seongrak Pavilion, checking his surroundings first.
“This way, please.”
The guard at Seongrak Pavilion recognized Gae Myung-bu and bowed his head.
Today, a secret meeting of the Sacheon City sects will take place at Seongrak Pavilion. Thus, the guards had already escorted several senior figures from other sects multiple times.
However, Gae Myung-bu’s path was different from the others.
“It’s been a while. Though I could have seen your face before, but…”
“Hmph. I’d rather not have seen you at all.”
Gae Myung-bu glared at the middle-aged man with a ratty mustache. The man continued to smile, unfazed. It was none other than the owner of Seongrak Pavilion, Yu Ji-gyeong.
“Damn it… What a sight to behold.”
Gae Myung-bu grimaced. Fifteen years ago, he was merely a guard of the Jambong Sect, burning with ambition to rise, yet lacking any means. To become a senior member of the Jambong Sect, he needed achievements.
For Gae Myung-bu, taking down Yeo-ga Mountain Villa presented the perfect opportunity.
It was an extremely easy task.
Yeo-ga Mountain Villa was located on the border of Sacheon and Yunnan, directly impacted by the clash between the righteous and outcast factions in Sacheon City.
The escape of outcast factions from Sacheon led to the downfall of many miscellaneous sects in Yunnan. During this time, Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, feeling the crisis, opted to employ outcasts to strengthen its defenses.
Gae Myung-bu could just infiltrate the villa as an outcast and gobble up the villa’s riches.
Normally, targeting a single villa would be risky.
However, Yunnan was chaotic due to clashes with the outcast faction expelled from Sacheon, and Sacheon was bustling with the competition among small and medium factions backed by larger ones, making it the perfect cover.
Gae Myung-bu clicked his tongue. Using the massive money he stole from the villa, he hired Gu Ak-geom Dok Yeong-chan, burning the Tangsu Sect down. Gae Myung-bu quickly solidified his standing in the Jambong Sect and received recognition for his achievements.
“If only that Bandit Wolya-do had succeeded…”
Gu Ak-geom Dok Yeong-chan succeeded, but Bandit Wolya-do failed. Gae Myung-bu felt his stomach churn at the thought of that event. Had Jangsu Sect crumbled, the Jambong Sect would have become the ruler of Sacheon!
Despite his accomplishments in toppling the Tangsu Sect, he couldn’t muster enough influence to dominate the sect simply because he failed to destroy Jangsu Sect. Even now, Gae Myung-bu wielded significant influence within the Jambong Sect, but looking back, his achievements felt rather meager.
“On the other hand, these guys…”
The bloodshed at Yeo-ga Mountain Villa involved various kinds of criminals. Among them, people like Gu Ak-geom Dok Yeong-chan and Bandit Wolya-do were living a life with no need for secrecy, yet those like Gae Myung-bu closely concealed their identities, hiding in the light.
Returning to Sacheon City revealed a terrible truth.
Hwang Geum-seon of the Hwang clan and Yu Ji-gyeong, the owner of Seongrak Pavilion, were comrades involved in the bloodshed at Yeo-ga Mountain Villa. Sudden wealth and the ruthless drive to eliminate competitors emerged without warning.
No matter how thoroughly one disguises oneself, they can’t leave behind no clues. Once Gae Myung-bu connected the dots, he realized their identities. They recognized each other.
And the three silently helped one another. It was less about camaraderie and more about necessity. All three were desperate to succeed, willing to take risks to maintain their rise, even if it meant erasing a mere villa from existence.
For example, if Yu Ji-gyeong fell, would he just die quietly? He’d likely threaten Hwang Geum-seon and Gae Myung-bu to reveal the bloodshed at Yeo-ga Mountain Villa as a last resort.
“In the end, that girl manages to pull it off.”
“Well, thanks to that, I’ve benefited greatly. Isn’t that a good thing for you too?”
While these two were silently aiding each other, a letter from Hwang Geum-seon arrived. It contained an irresistible proposal.
“The day will soon come when I, Yu Ji-gyeong, will be known as the Night King of Sacheon!”
The profession most directly impacted by this situation was the entertainment industry. When wealth flows abundantly, even those who usually settle for a simple drink want to indulge in good food and company.
Sacheon City, in the midst of a boom, experienced sudden stagnation, leaving many masters busy expanding their businesses while heavily in debt.
It created the perfect opportunity for an underground uprising in Sacheon’s nightlife. Furthermore, Hwang Geum-seon promised substantial financial backing to Yu Ji-gyeong. If he swallowed the struggling taverns with Hwang Geum-seon’s fortune, it might truly birth the Night King of Sacheon.
“Members of the Hwang clan or the Nine Great Sects…”
On the flip side, Gae Myung-bu received a promise to join new factions or clans surfacing in Sacheon. An opportunity to transfer with a group of his affiliate from the Jambong Sect to the Nine Great Sects. Although it’d be hard to level up to a senior position there, it’d undoubtedly be much better than being an elder from Jambong Sect.
More importantly, if he could learn the Dao from the Nine Great Sects, he might even elevate his skills stuck at the Peak Stage.
Once he reaches a higher level in the martial arts world, he’d be respected even in the Nine Great Sects.
“Let’s handle this well.”
“Sounds good.”
Yu Ji-gyeong spread malicious rumors to undermine the sects entrenched in Sacheon.
Gae Myung-bu’s role was to induce a division among the sects of Sacheon.
As he followed the guide and arrived at the hall, numerous people had already taken their seats.
“Looks like the main character has finally arrived.”
Yu Sa-yeon gritted her teeth as she looked at Gae Myung-bu.
“Damn you, bastard.”
Yu Sa-yeon was a survivor of Tangsu Sect. The one who orchestrated the downfall of Tangsu Sect by employing Gu Ak-geom Dok Yeong-chan. She could chew him up at any moment, but the reason Yu Sa-yeon had endured all this while was to erase the Jambong Sect from the martial world.
If her relation to the Tangsu Sect was revealed, she feared for her life at Gae Myung-bu’s hands, hence adopting the name of the city and vanishing into Sacheon.
Yu Sa-yeon fought to master her emotions. Gae Myung-bu thought all surviving members of Tangsu Sect had scattered and disappeared. They say a sage will take revenge ten years or so down the line. Even a sage can endure so long, yet now she couldn’t afford to show any emotions that could leave clues.
Yu Sa-yeon struggled not to reveal her overwhelming hatred. She had to maintain her composure and make it look as though her anger stemmed from the inn incident. Fortunately, many sect leaders were expressing their outrage while glaring at Gae Myung-bu.
She wanted to make a move to advocate for establishing a branch of the Nine Great Sects, but now they were sabotaging her efforts!
“How shameless of you!”
“What’s going through the Jambong Sect’s mind, barging in and causing such trouble! You ought to come up with a proper explanation!”
Gae Myung-bu casually crossed his arms and responded.
“I will convey my apologies to the innkeeper and ensure adequate financial compensation is provided to him. The outcasts injured will receive ten times the usual compensation fee.”
“A few coins won’t settle this matter.”
“Then please convey any desired compensation through the Jambong Sect at a later date. I must regretfully confess that I’ve come here today to provide a blueprint for why I acted this way regarding the Sacheon sects.”
‘What is this guy up to?’
Yu Sa-yeon glared at Gae Myung-bu but noticed he was looking at the other sect leaders instead.
“Have any of you heard the rumors circulating lately?”
The sect leaders murmured among themselves. Some sensitive individuals frowned.
“I’ve heard whispers that the sects of Sacheon are united in blocking the arrival of a master from the Nine Great Sects to exterminate the bandits! That rumor is presently circulating.”
The murmur spread through the sect leaders.
“Is it true that such rumors are circulating…?”
“Wait, so there were indeed rumors about that?”
Gae Myung-bu raised his voice, awaiting confirmation of the rumors.
“The reason I swiftly interrupted that shabby performance yesterday was that the grievances of the people of Sacheon have inflated to such a degree that light philanthropy or mere plays can no longer appease them!”
“And what do you wish to accomplish with that?”
“The very stance of the Jambong Sect is, frankly, not trustworthy!”
“The sentiment of the people of Sacheon has already fled from us! It’s beyond our control!”
Gae Myung-bu passionately pleaded.
“How can the people of Sacheon be saved through mere charity events with the bandits running rampant? How can we possibly return the sentiments of the people through such actions? Therefore, we too must find a new path forward.”
The new path? The sect leaders began to pay attention to Gae Myung-bu’s words.
“Are we truly being too pessimistic about the branches of the mega factions? Where would the manpower to manage this vast Sacheon come from? Even if these branches are established, how many individuals, despite being part of a local faction, would voluntarily leave their headquarters to join here?”
As Gae Myung-bu spoke, a few sect leaders began to murmur.
“Local recruitment…”
“It looks like we must somewhat accept local personnel… no, we could even see large-scale recruitment coming.”
The sect leaders started to murmur among themselves. Gae Myung-bu’s words held practical persuasion. They needed personnel quickly to control Sacheon, and how long would it take to cultivate disciples properly?
It seemed logical to draw in external help for rapid recruitment. The heads of the sects exhibited mixed reactions, expressing their desire to guard their factions while also contemplating whether being absorbed into the Nine Great Sects or Hwang clan might be more beneficial.
Gae Myung-bu secretly smiled.
This argument was enticing only to those factions connected to the mega sects. No matter how many recruits they gathered, those unaffiliated wouldn’t have any reason to receive manpower from them.
“It might be more realistic to go that route…”
“The absorption of mega sects…”
As these affiliated with the mega sects wore expressions of uncertainty, those who built their sects independently hurled accusations at them.
“How can you even think of abandoning your sect! Are you really a senior of your sect after saying such things?”
“What? They’re the ones who’ve brought harm to our disciples, turning them into outcasts!”
To those whose factions were unconnected to mega sects, the mere establishment of branches might have felt like a death sentence. They needed to shift the consensus towards uniting the sects of Sacheon.
The atmosphere grew chaotic instantly. Ultimately, each sect had its stance, and the more options that emerged, the more they would fragment according to their own interests.
Yu Sa-yeon bit her lip.
‘…This is wrong.’
To bind these fractious sects of the present Sacheon together, they would require overwhelming compensation or a clear, unifying goal.
But would there be a goal that could unify the sects of Sacheon, with their futures at stake?
There was no sign of agreement among the sects of Sacheon.
In the end, the meeting of the Sacheon sects concluded without reaching any resolution.
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