Chapter 235: Shedding the Golden Cicada Shell (2)

“Do you know who the father of the first child is?”

“Don’t tell me…”

“Yes. It’s Chief Administrator Wang.”

“Ah, you already knew?”

“How could I not know?”

Wang Mu was struck silent in devastation before finally opening his mouth.

“Then how could you endure it? Why did you not hold me accountable?”

“When a woman who did not love me fell in love with someone I trusted, I struggled as well. But to save both of them, I chose to cover everything up.”

“Chairman…”

“Help your daughter. If Soyu takes control of the merchant union, can you predict how the Sword Poison Sect or Jin Pyeong will respond? At that point, even the Golden Court Council won’t be able to handle them.”

“Even if Lady Unkyung takes control of the merchant union, it will be the same. The Golden Court Council’s tyranny will only grow worse.”

“Isn’t Chief Administrator Wang here? Stop cowering like that—for me, for your daughter, and for this Sky Ocean Merchant Union that you’ve dedicated your life to, you must step up now. I know Chief Administrator Wang has that capability. I too will step forward fully once my health recovers. If that happens, this merchant union will return to its rightful place. Please help me.”

Moved by Hoi Jongbaek’s earnest words, Wang Mu dropped to his knees.

Even without such a lengthy plea, Wang Mu had already resolved to follow Hoi Jongbaek the moment he learned he was alive.

However, he had mentioned transferring the merchant union to Hoi Soyu to guide it toward his own ideal vision.

“I understand.”

After Wang Mu departed, two hours later, Hoi Jongbaek summoned Yong Hwarin.

“There is something that worries me. I’ve heard that currently, people from the Bukri Clan, the Sword Poison Sect, the Muho Sect, and the Songcheongmun warriors are staying at the main house in support of Soyu. If they try to suppress us by force, what should we do? Do you have a countermeasure?”

Yong Hwarin had already been considering preparations for that.

“Yes, Chairman. I’ve already been preparing for that.”

Then Yong Hwarin explained his plan in a low voice.

After hearing the explanation, Hoi Jongbaek took Yong Hwarin’s hands and said,

“I don’t know how I can repay this favor.”

“My lady will repay it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ask your daughter later.”

Yong Hwarin left Hoi Jongbaek’s residence and went to find Baekseom.

“You called for me?”

Baekseom had been outside but rushed over after hearing the summons from a subordinate.

They were currently monitoring Goyi Mountain.

“Can you gather the full strength of the Blood Green Unit at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union by tomorrow?”

“I will report it to the Division Leader.”

Baekseom never questioned an order.

Yong Hwarin took out a letter from his robe and handed it over.

“I’m sorry, but I need you to find someone. You just need to find them and deliver this letter.”

Baekseom placed the letter in his robe and asked,

“Who is the person I need to find?”

Yong Hwarin responded via telepathy.

Upon receiving the telepathic message, Baekseom showed a moment of surprise.

But soon, he regained a calm expression.

In a lone house atop Goyi Mountain, Lee Yung and Sam Taegong Lee Kangmin sat face to face.

After receiving a letter stating that Hoi Soyu would be nominated as the chairman of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union tomorrow, Lee Yung smiled faintly.

“At last, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union will fall into our hands.”

Lee Yung spoke to Sam Taegong Lee Kangmin.

“Hmph. That tiny merchant union could’ve just been crushed with brute force. All this fuss for nothing.”

“It’s not that simple. If our sect forcibly seizes control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, the orthodox murim will have a pretext to attack us. But if we gain control through the Golden Court Council, even if the orthodox sects realize it, they won’t be able to act.”

“And if we fail? Wouldn’t all the effort we’ve invested go to waste?”

“If we fail, as I’ve said before, we’ll mobilize the forces of the Demonic Path and the Unorthodox Alliance to sweep the merchant union. If our sympathizers take control that way, we won’t even need the Golden Court Council.”

“But then, what will you do with all the Demonic Path and Unorthodox Alliance forces who came after hearing the rumors? Can you tell them it was all false and send them away? They’ve gathered hoping for something, and they won’t just quietly disperse. Haven’t you stirred the pot too much?”

Lee Yung replied with a smile.

“Master, I’ve already taken that into account. Even if tomorrow’s matter with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union concludes smoothly, I won’t just disband them. The experts from the Northern Justice Alliance are watching you closely. To divert their attention, we’ll have the gathered demonic practitioners attack elsewhere. That will throw them into disarray, searching for the cause. That should make things much easier for you.”

“Oh! So you’re saying that the Heavenly Sea Divine Art is rumored to be somewhere else, not in the Sky Ocean Merchant Union?”

“Exactly, Master.”

Sam Taegong Lee Kangmin nodded in approval as he looked at Lee Yung, his disciple whose intellect he esteemed highly.

If he hadn’t had such a mind, I would never have used him as my limbs. Had Lee Yung lacked a brain, I would likely have chosen Yang Gwak, my most competent disciple.

As Lee Yung finished his report and rose from his seat, Sam Taegong asked,

“What happened to the Bukri child?”

“She returned safely to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. It seems the assassin took her as a hostage and released her after escaping.”

“There were no problems?”

“Yes. Since the assassin was in a position to flee, he likely didn’t have the time to lay a hand on Bukri Sojeo.”

“Are you certain?”

Lee Yung bowed his head and replied.

“This disciple also considered Third Master’s concerns and asked the Bukri Chief Administrator directly. He said that he placed a Forbidden Restriction on Bukri Sojeo, so she would not be able to have any improper relations with another man.”

“Hmm, the Bukri Clan handles things quite cleanly.”

Sam Taegong Lee Kangmin gave a satisfied smile. Then, seemingly in good spirits, he spoke something unexpected.

“If things go awry, let me know. I’ll personally deal with that young Yong brat who’s been giving you trouble.”

Lee Yung gave a faint smile at Sam Taegong’s words.

“If you would do that, this disciple would be greatly relieved.”

He bowed his head and rejoiced inwardly.

‘To think this old man would actually step forward himself. I never expected it, since he always keeps out of matters that don’t concern him. But even if he’s a fossil, he doesn’t hesitate when it comes to young women.’

Although Lee Yung had laid a perfect trap, he remained uneasy while proceeding because Yong Hwarin always managed to slip through. But now, with Third Master stepping in, he was reassured.

‘No matter how exceptional that Yong brat may be, he won’t be able to escape Third Master’s net.’

Though he was an old pervert, no one aside from First and Second Master could match Sam Taegong’s martial arts and inner power.

Lee Yung was secretly looking forward to tomorrow.

From early morning, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was bustling.

As the Golden Court Council summoned all former escorts and Escort Chiefs of the escort bureau, and gathered all workers of the union, rumors spread that a declaration would be made to appoint Hoi Soyu as the new Head. The entire merchant union was in turmoil.

Amidst this, forces supporting Hoi Unkyung were ready to protest the injustice.

However, such forces were minimal and lacked the power to stop the Golden Court Council’s announcement.

When the escorts, Escort Chiefs, and all the workers of the merchant union filled the square in front of the Grand Pavilion, Hwang Myeonggi, the leader of the Golden Court Council and its Chief Escort, known as Chumyeongdo, stepped onto the platform.

Chumyeongdo Hwang Myeonggi spoke imbued with qi.

“Today, to stabilize this merchant union that has been adrift until now, we have decided through an emergency meeting of the Golden Court Council to appoint a Head for the first time in a long while! So if you belong to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union or the Sky Ocean Escort Bureau, I ask that you respect this decision!”

At those words, the great hall became so silent that one could hear the breath of every person packed inside.

“This Council appoints Hoi Soyu Sojeo, the second daughter of former Head Hoi Jongbaek, as the new Head of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union!”

As those words fell, a stir rippled through the once-silent hall.

However, since most had expected such an announcement to some extent, it did not cause great commotion.

But then, someone shouted from the opposite side.

“Who says we acknowledge that!”

Hundreds of eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

“It’s Yong Hwarin!”

“It’s the Heavenly Sword Hero!”

Chumyeongdo Hwang Myeonggi frowned as Yong Hwarin stepped forward in opposition.

“You dare interfere with the internal affairs of this merchant union? Even if you serve as the escort of the First Lady, you are still an outsider! You have no right to meddle in internal matters!”

“Is that so? Chief Mu, please bring her in!”

Soon, Mu Iso entered the hall, supporting Hoi Unkyung.

Hoi Unkyung gently brushed off Mu Iso’s shoulder and walked on her own.

Since this was a place where many within the merchant union were gathered, she needed to show dignity.

“It’s the Deputy Head!”

“She’s awake!”

“This can’t be!”

Exclamations and shocked murmurs arose from all directions.

Yong Hwarin shouted loudly.

“How can you appoint Hoi Soyu Sojeo as Head when the Deputy Head is standing here alive and well!”

Not only Hwang Myeonggi, but all twelve elders of the Golden Court Council leapt to their feet at the completely unexpected appearance of Hoi Unkyung.

Yet, as seasoned veterans who had seen many battles, they composed themselves quickly.

Hwang Myeonggi shouted, empowered with qi.

“The Deputy Head position of the First Lady has already been revoked by this Council! Therefore, she has no right to inherit the seat of Head! That is a decision made by the Golden Court Council!”

Hwang Myeonggi was confident that even if Hoi Unkyung had recovered and returned alive, the matter could not be overturned.

At that moment, Bukri So saw Yong Hwarin and Hoi Unkyung appear suddenly and murmured.

“Even if she’s someone we must oppose, bringing Hoi Unkyung out at a moment like this… she’s no ordinary person. How did she manage to revive Hoi Unkyung? Truly impressive.”

To Bukri So, Yong Hwarin seemed genuinely remarkable — striking at the heart of the matter even in difficult circumstances.

“I also think that person is dangerous. I can now understand how Third Young Master ended up in their hands. And it seems First Young Master is also having a hard time because of them.”

“However, neither the Yong Clan nor Hoi Unkyung have any strength left to resist. The Sky Ocean Merchant Union is bound to fall into our hands now.”

As he spoke, Bukri So glanced at Bukri Sehee, who was beside him.

Bukri Sehee was staring blankly at Yong Hwarin, as if looking at her long-lost groom after years apart.

She looked like she might jump up and rush to him if no one were around.

‘She definitely changed after being taken hostage. But since Sehee cannot embrace a man, there can’t be anything between them. Maybe she was simply charmed by the heroic aura of that Yong brat, like a maiden would be.’

It was unpleasant, but he couldn’t reprimand her for that.

Since he didn’t know that the assassin who had taken Bukri Sehee hostage was Yong Hwarin himself, Bukri So didn’t suspect too deeply.

The only ones who had seen Yong Hwarin’s face when he removed his mask were the Seven Blood Shadow Guards, and they had all died at Yong Hwarin’s hands. So there was no one left alive who knew the truth.

When Bukri Sehee saw Yong Hwarin, the heated breath they had once shared suddenly came back to her, and her face flushed red.

After returning to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, she had been tormented by Bukri So’s relentless questioning, and she had confessed everything that had happened.

Except for the secret they shared in that cave—she left that unspoken.

Fortunately, he still seemed unaware that the assassin who had taken her hostage was Yong Hwarin, so she felt relieved.

Bukri So, knowing that Lee Yung had thoroughly searched Goyi Mountain, also knew that there had been no room for the assassin and Bukri Sehee to contrive any story.

Bukri Sehee had said she hid by digging into the ground, which was entirely plausible, so he didn’t ask further.

Assassins often hid in such a way, so Bukri So didn’t think she was lying.

There were two others glaring at the arriving Yong Hwarin with murderous eyes.

One was Cheong Geonmin, the other was Jeok Gwang.

They both harbored overflowing killing intent toward Yong Hwarin, having been repeatedly obstructed by him in their endeavors.

Yong Hwarin released a Lion’s Roar, drawing everyone’s attention.

“In that case, let’s see if you can say the same after seeing this person! Please come out!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep