Chapter 201

“It’s been hard to catch sight of you lately.”

“Tell me about it. These days, I can’t tell whether I’m a bodyguard or a chief steward.”

Jin Wikyung laughed quietly at Wipeng’s complaint.

“Bear with it for a few more days. More importantly, how did those matters we discussed turn out?”

“Everything is proceeding smoothly. The Sect Leaders we brought into the fold are obedient, and the local authorities and merchant world are actively cooperating.”

If the Jin Family of Taiyuan was a ship sailing with a favorable wind, Jin Wikyung was its seasoned captain.

Starting with securing the loyalty of the smaller and mid-sized sects on the first day of the gathering, he had handled one major issue after another.

The Fire King kept the Murim side in line, while Prince Shangshan, a member of the imperial family, did the same with the authorities. As a result, there had been no trouble at all.

As for the merchant world, that went without saying.

Merchants were more sensitive to profit than anyone. Once they smelled money, it was only natural for them to come running.

After quickly organizing his thoughts, Jin Wikyung asked Wipeng, “What about the budget? How much do you think we’ll have left?”

“We’re short.”

“What?”

The corners of Wipeng’s mouth rose at Jin Wikyung’s startled expression.

“I mean we’re short on warehouses to store all the wealth.”

“…Phew.”

“Two warehouses were already full two days ago. Everything that has come in since then is being stored in empty pavilions.”

Jin Wikyung released a sigh of relief and gave a quiet laugh.

“What a windfall.”

“Great Hero Jeok’s announcement yesterday was decisive. It finally convinced those who had remained uncertain until the very end.”

“They’re the real heavyweights.”

“Indeed.”

The wider a person’s connections, the more likely they were to get pricked by thorns.

The Jin Family of Taiyuan was clearly a goose laying golden eggs, but there were also powerful sects and great families—including the Zhongnan Sect—with which it had an uneasy relationship because of the Fire King.

“That must be why Seok Family Manor suddenly requested a private meeting after remaining quiet all this time.”

Seok Family Manor was a giant that held tremendous sway over the merchant world.

The fact that they had finally stepped forward proved how certain they were of the Jin Family of Taiyuan’s potential.

“Weighing their options is what they do best. Since they came late, they’ll make up for it with a generous gift.”

“They’d better. Show them in.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Not long after Wipeng left, a plump middle-aged man entered the office.

“Oh, my! Lesser Family Head! How long has it been?”

“It’s been a long time, Chief Ha.”

The middle-aged man was an Outer Steward of Seok Family Manor. Though he was only one of five, he wielded immense authority.

Jin Wikyung smiled gently at the man as he repeatedly wiped away his sweat.

“It’s been three years since we last met. How is your Lord?”

“He’s as hale and hearty as a young man in his prime. As it happens, he heard the wonderful news and wishes to meet you. As you know, Lesser Family Head, he wasn’t feeling well the last time…”

“Yes, I remember. Quite clearly.”

Jin Wikyung vividly remembered that day three years ago.

He had waited a full fifteen days before being granted a private audience, only to leave Seok Family Manor as though he had been chased out without ever seeing the Lord’s face.

Finding the sedan chair of a high-ranking official outside Seok Family Manor’s main gate had been a coincidence.

That was what he had chosen to believe.

That’s how the Murim works.

But now their positions had changed.

The past three years had been short but eventful, and the arrogant Outer Steward who had once treated him like a beggar had somehow become a humble merchant.

So he does know how to speak politely. That’s a first.

With a strange sense of amusement, Jin Wikyung listened attentively to Chief Ha.

He readily accepted Seok Family Manor’s proposal to enter the Shanxi merchant world in earnest with the cooperation of the Jin Family of Taiyuan.

Naturally, the details would need to be reviewed, but Seok Family Manor’s offer was extraordinarily generous.

“You’ve made a better offer than I expected. Generous enough to make me wonder whether this is really all right.”

Chief Ha rubbed his hands together and laughed.

“I’m a merchant to the bone. I never conduct business at a loss.”

There were different levels among merchants.

A Third Rate merchant exchanged goods. A Second Rate merchant purchased goods that could leave him a profit. A First Rate merchant bought the future.

Seok Family Manor was one of the greatest merchant houses in the world. They were aiming not for an immediate profit, but for returns dozens of times greater in the years to come.

You won’t make that much off us. Our family will never dance to your tune.

In stark contrast to his thoughts, Jin Wikyung smiled broadly.

Life was not so easy that one could say whatever one wished and reveal every honest feeling. That was especially true when dealing with a cunning merchant.

“I’ll arrange a place for you to stay. We can discuss the finer details then.”

“Thank you, Lesser Family Head.”

Chief Ha was about to rise from his seat when he stopped.

“Um…”

“Is there something else?”

“This is a difficult request, but might I be allowed to meet Great Hero Jeok?”

Being an Outer Steward of Seok Family Manor was a position of considerable authority, but the Fire King was an exception. Since arriving at the Jin Family of Taiyuan, Jeok Cheongang had not granted a private audience to a single honored guest.

Chief Ha continued wiping away his sweat.

“It has proved extraordinarily difficult. I tried visiting him myself, and I even sent a subordinate to discreetly request a meeting, but…”

“Oh, dear. Great Hero Jeok probably didn’t take that well.”

“Indeed. My man came back nearly crippled. That is why I have shamelessly come to ask you for this favor, Lesser Family Head.”

Suppressing his laughter, Jin Wikyung replied, “I’m not sure. It might be possible after the gathering ends, but the next few days will be difficult.”

“I noticed he hasn’t been seen since yesterday. May I ask why?”

“He must be instructing my second younger brother.”

“Ah, I see. My apologies for intruding.”

Once Chief Ha had left the office, Jin Wikyung could no longer hold back his laughter.

The exhaustion weighing on his body and mind after several days of hosting the gathering seemed to lift all at once. In a cheerful voice, he called for his most trusted subordinate.

“Wipeng. Who’s next?”

It was early morning, before the sun had even risen.

The person who woke me was neither Hyuk Mujin nor Cheongpung.

Splash!

“Gah!”

The first thing I saw after opening my eyes to the cold-water ambush was Jeok Cheongang, glaring at me with his eyes wide open.

“W-What are you doing?”

“You slept like the dead until this hour. Are you out of your mind?”

“I only slept for two shichen.¹ How is that sleeping like the dead?”

Jeok Cheongang launched into a lecture as I stared at him in disbelief.

“In four hours, you bastard, this old man could swing a weapon a thousand more times. And where did you learn the disrespect of not even paying your morning respects to your Master?”

“…Master?”

Jeok Cheongang flinched and stammered for a moment.

“W-We need to look that way to other people, don’t we?”

“…”

“To avoid suspicion, we need to act like a real master! Like a real Disciple! That’s the bare minimum!”

“Ah, yes.”

So the pioneer of method acting in the Murim was right here.

At my lukewarm response, Jeok Cheongang’s face turned bright red.

“Regardless, I won’t stand for you loafing around like this. Come with me. Now.”

“Where?”

“There’s a place this old man has picked out.”

I assumed he had found a secluded training ground, but Jeok Cheongang led me out of the Jin Family estate altogether and into a nearby mountain.

Trees with trunks easily several meters² around grew thickly in every direction, and the ground was firm.

“This will do.”

Jeok Cheongang stopped in a wide clearing and set the pack slung across his back on a tree stump.

“What’s that?”

“Never mind that. It’s something we’ll use later.”

“Later?”

“Yes. Things that will make you writhe with pleasure.”

“…”

Why was I suddenly thinking of whips, candlesticks, and masks?

As I cast an anxious sidelong glance at the pack, Jeok Cheongang spoke sternly.

“Stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong and take out your spear.”

“Ah, yes.”

I’d had the good sense to bring several spears, and I planted them in the ground.

The reason Jeok Cheongang had come to find me so early was obvious.

Training.

Though he tried hard not to show it, Jeok Cheongang wanted to take me as his Disciple.

He kept stubbornly denying it because he still wasn’t certain himself.

He’s already made one painful mistake.

The wound Jopil had left in Jeok Cheongang’s heart had not yet healed.

That was why he would surely keep watching and weighing whether he could accept someone like me as his Disciple before making his decision.

Even if he doesn’t pass down the Fire Gate Clan’s supreme martial arts right away, he’ll still do his best to teach me.

This was guidance from a Supreme Peak master.

A single word of advice from someone who had gone farther down this path than I had was worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

I lifted a well-balanced iron spear and swallowed.

“What do I do now?”

“Come at me.”

“Pardon?”

“I said come at me. Use all your strength.”

A smile spread across Jeok Cheongang’s wrinkled lips.

“Thirty minutes. If you can make this old man retreat even one step, you win.”

Ding.

System

Quest One Step Back has been created.

Quest

One Step Back

Fire King Jeok Cheongang wants to see your true ability.

Make him retreat within the time limit and prove your worth to him!

Grade: Peak

Restriction: Jin Taekyung

Mission: One Step Back (Incomplete)

Reward: ???

Failure: ???

Make him retreat one step?

At first glance, it seemed easy, but there was a reason it was a Peak-Grade Quest.

Especially when the opponent was Fire King Jeok Cheongang.

I looked away from the Quest window and found Jeok Cheongang waiting with a relaxed expression.

“All right. Begin.”

Beep.

System

29:59

The moment the time-limit window appeared in the air, I kicked off the ground and charged toward him.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

The spearhead tore through the air. Compressed air burst outward, sending the old man’s white hair flying.

Jeok Cheongang dodged Jin Taekyung’s first thrust and thought,

What is this kid?

Fast.

And the spear carried enough force to shatter a boulder.

Even Jeok Cheongang, who had already examined Jin Taekyung’s body once, had not anticipated such speed and strength.

Whirl—whoosh! Boom!

Second strike, third, fourth…

He stabbed, slashed, and swept upward.

Every time Jeok Cheongang evaded the shower of spearheads pouring down like torrential rain, his astonishment grew like a snowball.

He’s seasoned. As if he were born on a battlefield.

He was only twenty-one. Yet the trajectories and movements traced by his spearhead were no worse than those of any famous master in the martial world.

No. If anything, they were better.

Having encountered countless martial artists during the Great Faction War, Jeok Cheongang had learned one thing well.

A true martial artist is forged through countless real battles.

The Nine Sects and One Gang.

The Five Great Families.

They were unquestionably great powers that held sway over the world, but only a small number of their members had ever survived at the brink of death.

That was why the Demonic Cult, which had grown through conquest and the principle of Might Makes Right, had managed to swallow half the Central Plains.

How many disciples of prestigious great sects had died at the beginning of the war?

But this kid is different.

There was nothing hollow in his opening stance, and not a trace of hesitation.

The spearhead relentlessly seeking every vital point on his body and those cold, hardened eyes were badges worn only by those who had fought countless real battles and seen blood.

Shriek—whoosh!

The spinning spearhead vibrated.

Humm. Humm. Humm.

It sounded like hundreds of bees beating their wings, and the spearhead shooting toward him was sharper than a venomous stinger.

He’s only been practicing martial arts for three months? This kid?

Judging by his movements alone, it looked more like three years.

No, thirty.

Jeok Cheongang knew nothing of the seven years Jin Taekyung had spent steeped in battle. He could only marvel.

…What an incredible kid.

Jeok Cheongang himself had spent his entire life obsessed with martial arts.

Yet even for someone who had achieved a great realm, what Jin Taekyung was displaying now was incomprehensible.

The greatest martial talent in history, was it?

Remembering Jin Wikyung’s words, Jeok Cheongang’s figure trembled with joy and awe.

Yes. You were right.

Overcome by the lingering emotion, he slowly closed his eyes.

Whoosh!

A streak of light shot toward his chest.

Jeok Cheongang’s eyes snapped half-open. At the same time, his wrinkled hand seized the spearhead.

Crack!

His hands blazed with red flames, crushing and melting the spearhead.

Molten metal dripped onto the ground hardened by the cold wind.

“…Wow, shit. Isn’t that cheating?”

Jin Taekyung muttered in disbelief.

Jeok Cheongang grinned at him.

“We’re just getting started.”