Chapter 261: Yong Hwarin’s Decision (1)

The Three Tyrant Sabers silently emitted their true energy, forcing Yong Hwarin to his knees. As the overwhelming pressure weighed down on his shoulders, Yong Hwarin instead attempted to harmonize with the true energy of the Three Tyrant Sabers.

Had he resisted their energy, his clothes could’ve been torn or nearby objects would’ve been shaken, making a spectacle of himself.

That was exactly what the Three Tyrant Sabers intended.

They wanted to put a dent in the pride of the young hero.

However, their tongues clicked as they witnessed Yong Hwarin’s mastery over Nature’s Energy, which instantly nullified their pressure.

‘Heh… seems we’re the ones who’ve ended up making a scene.’

In fact, even the Five Swords of Mount Hua and the Four Vajras made no effort to stop the Three Tyrant Sabers from testing Yong Hwarin with their true energy.

They too wanted to see how he would respond.

In matters like this, regardless of divine or Buddhist strength, they regarded Yong Hwarin simply as a fellow martial artist.

As though they had expected this, the Five Swords of Mount Hua and the Four Vajras nodded. The level of true energy the Three Tyrant Sabers had released was so immense that not even a master at the realm of Ultimate Profundity could endure it.

Seeing Yong Hwarin accept it without the slightest reaction was admirable.

‘He could be compared to Cheongmong of Mount Hua, the most outstanding prodigy in the sect.’

Just as the Five Swords of Mount Hua secretly compared him to their prized disciple Cheongmong, the Four Vajras were comparing him to the most gifted disciple secretly training within Shaolin Temple.

‘Even when compared to Jeonghang, he’s in no way inferior. They’ll get along well someday.’

The Three Tyrant Sabers, in their own thoughts, pondered silently.

‘So this is the successor acknowledged by the Young Master. Truly without flaw. The Young Master does have an eye for people. To have someone like that as a friend would be a great blessing to our main family as well.’

The eldest of the Three Tyrant Sabers, Pang Ryeol, rose and gave a clasped-hands greeting.

“I must apologize. This old man momentarily showed off, wanting to test the famed Heavenly Sword Hero’s prowess. I hope it did not offend.”

“Not at all. How could I be disrespectful toward a senior’s test? Please don’t concern yourself.”

His dignified yet humble demeanor left a favorable impression on everyone. After the greetings with the senior martial artists ended, the Head of the Escort Bureau, Ho Ungil, spoke.

“I heard from my son that you neutralized the poison in the disciples of Mount Hua and even saved their lives. I thank you once again.”

“Even if it weren’t me, someone else would have done the same. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Yong Sohyeop, join us here. I have a few things to discuss.”

Though it was slightly improper to share a seat with senior martial artists, Yong Hwarin didn’t refuse their invitation.

“Please excuse me.”

As he sat at the end of the table, Ho Ungil asked,

“I’ve heard about your achievements with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. And I’ve also heard that you’ve taken over the Sky Ocean Escort Agency. Is your visit to our agency related to that matter?”

“Yes. Our family has acquired the Sky Ocean Escort Agency, so I came to pay my respects to you.”

“Escort business is harder than it seems. If you face difficulties, feel free to ask me. But I believe Yong Sohyeop can overcome any challenge.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Chief. As I understand it, the River Center Escort Agency and your bureau divide the north and south of Jeongju respectively, managing the escort shipments in those areas. From now on, our bureau will no longer handle the northern region’s goods. We’ll take only those in the south.”

Chief Ho Ungil stood up from his seat.

“Is that true?”

He looked both surprised and delighted at Yong Hwarin’s words.

And rightly so—ever since Hoi Eulshin founded the Sky Ocean Merchant Union long ago, the Sky Ocean Escort Agency had practically monopolized Jeongju’s escort contracts, leaving only scraps and low-profit jobs for the River Center Escort Agency.

As a result, the size of the River Center Escort Agency had gradually diminished.

Even though it had been founded by a secular disciple of Mount Hua, because Mount Hua was a sect based in Shaanxi, Hoi Eulshin—who had once been one of the Five Emperors of the Martial World—held greater influence in Henan.

So Yong Hwarin’s public declaration not to take northern contracts anymore deeply moved Ho Ungil.

Previously, Hoi Soyu of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union had absorbed the escort contracts in the Jeongju region in an attempt to visibly prove her capabilities, causing great harm to the River Center Escort Agency’s operations.

Had the Sky Ocean Escort Agency only managed the northern contracts, the River Center Escort Agency could have expanded further and sent greater support funds to Mount Hua.

“Yong Sohyeop, I’m truly grateful.”

Ho Ungil walked over to Yong Hwarin and clasped his hands with both of his own.

“We too will no longer take southern contracts.”

“If the two agencies thrive together in Jeongju, I believe it could greatly benefit logistics in the Henan region.”

The Five Swords of Mount Hua in particular were deeply pleased by Yong Hwarin’s decision.

Mount Hua’s finances weren’t exactly plentiful, and if the River Center Escort Agency could stabilize, it would provide tremendous aid to the sect’s resources.

And that was exactly what Yong Hwarin intended.

He wanted to show that the Heavenly Central Sect had no greedy ambitions toward the Upper World regarding Mount Hua or Shaolin Temple, and by sharing the benefits, he created justification to seek their help when the Heavenly Central Sect eventually faced danger.

In his past life, when the Dabie Sect alliance attacked the Heavenly Central Sect, the Northern Orthodoxy Alliance did not intervene.

Though the Heavenly Central Sect had been part of the Northern Orthodoxy Alliance, they were far weaker compared to the Dabie Sect alliance.

And so the Northern Orthodoxy Alliance sided with the Dabie Sect.

As the Heavenly Central Sect was practically a reclusive sect, they had very little interaction with the other sects within the alliance.

Due to their isolationist tendencies, they received no assistance from their peers.

Only the members of the Geum Clan and the Jeong Family Manor had lent them aid.

In the end, the martial world was a society like any other, and within that society, power dynamics naturally existed.

Yong Hwarin had willingly yielded a small profit to earn goodwill, aiming to secure power supremacy within the Northern Orthodoxy Alliance.

The Four Vajras and the Three Tyrant Sabers were inwardly impressed by how the young Yong Hwarin perceived the world with such insight.

‘At the very least, he has earned Mount Hua Sect’s support through this. Such wisdom—to give one and gain ten.’

Reverend Daeheo, upon finding possessiveness stirring within himself while looking at Yong Hwarin, inwardly recited the word “aversion.”

‘To think I still haven’t let go of attachment. My enlightenment is lacking. Amitabha.’

Yoo Cheong of the Five Swords of Mount Hua smiled gently and said,

“We’ve received word that the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Central Sect will be attending the Shaolin Temple gathering. You should come along as well. The leaders and Clan Heads of all major sects in the Three Central Alliances will be present.”

“Understood. I will definitely attend.”

“Having someone like Yong Sohyeop is a great blessing for the orthodox murim.”

Taoist Yooyang, the second of the Five Swords of Mount Hua, added his praise as he spoke.

“Yong Sohyeop, do you know why the Three Central Alliances are holding a gathering?”

“I do not yet know.”

“Of course not. It’s a confidential matter. But I believe you should be informed.”

The Four Vajras and the Three Tyrant Sabers agreed that someone of Yong Hwarin’s stature among the prodigies should be aware of the reason.

“We’ve received intelligence that each Young Master of the Three Demonic Heavens has achieved mastery in their demonic arts and completed their isolated training. It seems the Three Demonic Heavens are moving toward forming an alliance. Thus, our Three Central Alliances also intend to consolidate our unity. It will be important for you to gather the will of the other prodigies at the Shaolin Temple gathering.”

In other words, they wanted him to stir the winds.

Given the fame of the Heavenly Sword Hero, they calculated that the other prodigies would follow Yong Hwarin’s lead.

Understanding this fully, Yong Hwarin still feigned ignorance and replied,

“Understood. What hardship is it to dedicate this body for the righteous murim?”

The gathered elders smiled in satisfaction at his words.

Yong Hwarin knew exactly how to speak to please the Martial Prodigies of the murim.

“As expected, Yong Sohyeop is truly the pillar of the orthodox murim.”

Reverend Daeheo offered his praise.

While Yong Hwarin conversed warmly with the great elders of the Northern Orthodoxy Alliance, the Three Chivalrous Sisters were facing the most difficult situation since their emergence in the murim.

While they were staying at Yeongbingak, someone came to visit.

“A guest has arrived.”

At the servant’s words, the faces of the Three Chivalrous Sisters hardened.

They already guessed who it would be without even looking.

“Let them in.”

Shortly after, the door opened, and the visitor entered. The three gave a clasped-hands greeting.

“It has been a long time, Young Master Geum.”

They were not particularly surprised, having expected the visitor to be Geum Yujin.

Instead, it was Geum Yujin who was surprised by the composed faces of the three sisters.

“You all seem to have expected me.”

His effort to sound cheerful was plainly evident.

Geum Yujin had a solid frame and piercing tiger-like eyes.

He had the perfect appearance of a natural-born martial artist.

However, his voice was so soft that it often gave newcomers a sense of dissonance.

“On the way to the River Center Escort Agency, my second sister thought she saw Young Master Geum. Please, have a seat.”

Geum Yujin couldn’t take his eyes off Jeong Minji, who seemed more poised than before.

“I’ve heard many rumors. I heard you’ve continued walking the path of chivalry and even earned the title ‘Phoenix Sword.’ Congratulations.”

Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji looked at Geum Yujin and said,

“Young Master Geum, we have some business to attend to, so we’ll excuse ourselves.”

As the two stepped away, Geum Yujin nodded.

“Thank you.”

Though they had known each other for a long time, Jeong Minji never called him ‘Orabeoni.’

Since childhood, she had always addressed him with formal speech, calling him ‘Young Master Geum,’ and the habit remained.

Even Jeong Daji, known for her playful behavior, never spoke freely around Geum Yujin.

After the two left, Geum Yujin spoke.

“I’ve been quite worried.”

Jeong Minji averted her gaze as she replied.

“There was no need to worry.”

“Let’s return together this time.”

Ignoring Jeong Minji’s words, Geum Yujin continued, prompting her to finally meet his eyes.

“I can’t return. I still have something I must do.”

Geum Yujin’s expression hardened slightly, not expecting such a reply.

“Is it because of that Yong Hwarin? I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been spending most of your time with him. Do you know how devastated the elders would be if they heard those rumors?”

Jeong Minji sighed deeply and said,

“Young Master Geum, as I told you before, I have no intention of marrying you. Please give up on me.”

“I cannot do that.”

“How can you not realize that this is making things hard for me?”

Though he had every reason to be upset, Geum Yujin didn’t so much as frown.

He seemed used to such conversations.

“So you’re staying by that Yong Hwarin’s side?”

“This has nothing to do with Young Master Yong.”

“Then why are you with him?”

“It’s because of the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm of this sect.”

Geum Yujin didn’t miss those words.

“The Black Tortoise Tail Sword doesn’t belong to the Jeong Family Manor. It belongs to the Geum Clan. Giving the Black Tortoise Tail Sword to that Yong Hwarin was a foolish mistake.”

“Young Master Yong is likely a descendant of the Azure Dragon King. I don’t know if you’re aware, but all of the Four Great Divine Items recognize as their master the one who can awaken their power.”

“I cannot accept that. I’ll verify it myself. Whether or not he truly deserves that title.”

“Young Master Geum.”

Jeong Minji looked at Geum Yujin with eyes full of regret.

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