Chapter 165: Visitor

“But why are they being attacked here? If they are people from the escort agency…”

Mu Iso did not actively engage in the fight.

He was not personally acquainted with them.

Especially since Do Gye-gong had previously fought a match with Yong Hwarin over something unpleasant, Mu Iso had no particular fondness for him.

“Since we don’t know why they are fighting, it doesn’t seem wise to intervene carelessly.”

At that moment, Do Gye-gong, spotting Mu Iso watching them from a distance, felt a spark of hope in what he thought was a hopeless situation.

Do Gye-gong shouted loudly.

“We have come to see Young Master Yong! Help us! These people are attacking us to keep us from meeting him!”

With that single shout, Mu Iso and Paeng Cheollyeon found themselves already running toward them.

For the two of them, the name Yong Hwarin held such power.

“I don’t want to kill you, so back off!”

Mu Iso shouted as he charged in.

Having killed many of the Black-clad Assassins just two days ago, he did not wish to shed unnecessary blood again.

Also, giving a warning like this was something a martial artist from a reputable orthodox sect should do.

However, the martial artists of Gari abandoned their assault on the escorts and charged toward the two of them instead.

Paeng Cheollyeon drew her saber.

The opponent charging at her looked laughable in her eyes.

“Hmph! You mean to take me on alone?”

As soon as she drew her saber, she transformed from a graceful young lady into a formidable warrior.

In fact, it was that very side of Paeng Cheollyeon that had initially attracted Mu Iso to her. Seeing her like that naturally brought a smile to his lips.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Paeng Cheollyeon felt a surge of competitive spirit toward Mu Iso, who was finishing off enemies half a move faster and dashing ahead.

‘Has Brother Iso already reached that level?’

It was astonishing.

He seemed to be improving by the day.

‘Are all of Brother Hwarin’s people monsters like this?’

The last time they had sparred, he had not been this strong.

‘Could it be… was he holding back for my sake?’

That thought added strength to Paeng Cheollyeon’s strikes.

While Mu Iso took down one opponent, she finished off two by herself and looked at him triumphantly.

However, Mu Iso frowned.

“Yeon Mae, what are you doing killing them all? We needed to question them.”

Paeng Cheollyeon, who had expected praise, pouted with her lips sticking out an inch.

“You should have kept them alive, Brother.”

Mu Iso, realizing she was sulking, smiled gently.

“It’s alright, we can ask these people.”

Mu Iso turned to Do Gye-gong and asked.

“You said you came to see the Young Master. Is that true?”

“Yes. Originally, over ten of us set out from Zhengzhou, but only we survived after being chased by those people. If not for you today, we would have died without ever meeting Young Master Yong.”

Come to think of it, Do Gye-gong’s body was covered in wounds.

He had bandages wrapped in several places.

“Who are they?”

Do Gye-gong caught his breath and replied.

“There might be more pursuers. I will explain everything once we meet Young Master Yong.”

Mu Iso thought it would be best to return quickly and bring them to the Young Sect Leader.

“Yeon Mae, let’s go back.”

Paeng Cheollyeon felt disappointed that their rare outing had ended like this, but she nodded, knowing this was not the time to dwell on it.

Upon returning to the Namgung Clan, Mu Iso immediately sought out Yong Hwarin.

Yong Hwarin was startled when he saw the injured Do Gye-gong and Oh Pyo-du.

“What happened?”

In the past, he had faced Do Gye-gong in a martial contest at Fengliang County, and in his previous life, Do Gye-gong had always stood in opposition to him out of loyalty to Hoi Unkyung, so he had no particular fondness for him.

“We came at the request of the Vice Leader.”

“You mean Lady Hoi?”

“That’s right.”

Yong Hwarin frowned at the mention of Hoi Unkyung, a name that resurfaced just when he had almost forgotten it, stirring his unease.

“What business does Lady Hoi have with me?”

At those words, Do Gye-gong, who had been answering smoothly until now, suddenly clammed up like a mute who had swallowed honey.

Something about that seemed displeasing.

Then, Oh Pyo-du, who had a slight acquaintance with them, glanced at Do Gye-gong before speaking up.

“A great incident has occurred in our merchant union.”

Yong Hwarin tried to recall what the Sky Ocean Merchant Union had been like around this time.

‘There shouldn’t be any major problems with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union…’

“What kind of incident are you talking about? Is it related to the pursuers?”

Just as Oh Pyodu nodded and was about to speak, Do Gye-gong opened his mouth first.

“It seems I should be the one to explain this. The Vice-Leader is currently on the brink of death. According to the physicians, she has contracted an illness they cannot identify, and they say there is no chance of recovery.”

“Hmm!”

Yong Hwarin let out a low hum, hearing something he hadn’t expected.

‘She shouldn’t die this soon.’

As he thought about it, Yong Hwarin realized there was something he had overlooked.

‘Ah, that’s right. Why didn’t I think of that? Around this time, Hoi Unkyung falls gravely ill. It was poison, wasn’t it? Later, some mysterious figure detoxifies her. This illness must be the result of poisoning. But do I really have to help her?’

Before he knew it, Yong Hwarin had started weighing the benefits.

‘Perhaps this could be a huge opportunity. I know the Sky Ocean Merchant Union better than anyone since I lived there longer than I did in the Heavenly Central Sect in my previous life. Wouldn’t it be advantageous to use the Merchant Union to expand my clan’s influence?’

But then Yong Hwarin shook his head.

‘No, that’s not right. There’s no need for me to walk into Hoi Unkyung’s den on my own.’

His expression shifted several times as countless conflicts ran through his mind.

Do Gye-gong, watching Yong Hwarin, cast a worried glance.

When Yong Hwarin finally lifted his head, Do Gye-gong spoke.

“I’m sorry to say this, but the Vice-Leader told us to relay this message if you refuse. She said she saw a Demonic Master in Zhengzhou. She hinted that he has close ties with our Merchant Union.”

“A Demonic Master?”

Yong Hwarin pondered for a moment and nodded.

“I see. But did she say I’d go to Zhengzhou just because of that?”

“Yes, she said exactly that.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe I can help Lady Hoi. I know nothing about poisons, and the matter with the Demonic Master has already been resolved to some extent.”

However, Do Gye-gong didn’t look disappointed.

“If you still refuse, the Vice-Leader told us to give you this message.”

Yong Hwarin knew Hoi Unkyung all too well.

She never revealed her cards at the start.

She was a seasoned fisher who would first offer something small and wait for her target to bite the bait.

And if the target didn’t bite, she would continue to lure with better and better bait.

Knowing this, Yong Hwarin asked,

“Time is short, so let’s get to the point. What did Lady Hoi tell you to say if I turned her down?”

Do Gye-gong flinched in surprise.

That was exactly what Hoi Unkyung had told him.

But he figured that anyone clever enough could predict such a question.

“She said to tell you that she can give you whatever you want.”

“Really?”

“Yes, anything at all.”

Yong Hwarin smiled inwardly as he asked,

“But I’m curious. Why me? Surely there are people more capable than me she could ask for help.”

“The Vice-Leader said that out of all the people she has met, you are the only one who understands the principle of ‘If you act for others, you’ll end up blaming them; if you act for yourself, things will go smoothly.’”

Hearing those words, Yong Hwarin burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

Oh Pyodu looked at him in amazement as Yong Hwarin laughed.

Seeing Oh Pyodu’s expression, Yong Hwarin asked,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ah, it’s just… when I heard that phrase, I didn’t understand what it meant at all. But you laughed so heartily when you heard it. And the Vice-Leader said that if you laughed upon hearing it, you would agree to her request.”

Suddenly, Yong Hwarin remembered the clever look on Hoi Unkyung’s face from his past life.

She had the kind of wit that could surprise anyone, and it was that very cleverness that had helped her spread the fame of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union far and wide across both the south and north of the Yangtze.

“Very well. Lady Hoi was right. That phrase made me feel like accepting her request. Give me an hour. I need some time to make arrangements before I leave.”

“Understood. We’ll wait.”

After Yong Hwarin left, Oh Pyodu asked Do Gye-gong,

“What on earth does that phrase mean that it made him laugh like that? Isn’t it something from Han Feizi? Do you know what it means, Chief Do?”

Indeed, the meaning of If you act for others, you’ll end up blaming them; if you act for yourself, things will go smoothly was:

If you believe you are working for someone else, you will eventually end up blaming or resenting them. But if you believe you are working for yourself, things will proceed smoothly.

But why had this phrase moved Yong Hwarin?

Do Gye-gong had no idea.

“I’m not sure either. If I had to guess, maybe it means that if he acts not for our Vice-Leader but for his own gain, he will get the reward he seeks.”

However, that wasn’t why Yong Hwarin had laughed.

When they had parted ways in Henan, Hoi Unkyung had left Yong Hwarin with one final remark.

‘If I ever have to ask you for help using the phrase If you act for others, you’ll end up blaming them; if you act for yourself, things will go smoothly, please help me then. If you do, I am prepared to give you half of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.’

Back then, Yong Hwarin had dismissed her words.

He had already decided never to see her again, so he hadn’t paid attention to what she had said.

But now that she was asking for help using those very words, he could tell just how desperate Hoi Unkyung’s situation must be.

And her promise to give him half of the Merchant Union was something he could trust.

As far as Yong Hwarin remembered, in his past life, when Hoi Unkyung was dying from poison, she had used that phrase while searching for someone who could cure her.

In the end, she had indeed given a great fortune to the one who saved her.

She had handed over the Sky Ocean Escort Agency, which was practically half of her fortune.

So now that Yong Hwarin had heard those words, he realized he might be able to claim the Sky Ocean Escort Agency for himself.

Hoi Unkyung had lived her whole life by the teachings of Han Feizi.

She had even quoted that phrase when making solemn vows.

Yong Hwarin looked up at the sky in the direction of Zhengzhou, deep in thought.

‘Is this fate? No matter how I try to avoid it, I can’t escape. They say fate is harsh to cowards and gentle to the brave. The more I try to run, the more relentlessly it chases me. If that’s the case, I’ll face my fate head-on. I’ll shatter it. Whoever it is, whatever it is—if it stands in my way, I’ll crush it all!’

Yong Hwarin clenched his fist tightly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep