Chapter 79

"You son of a bitch!"

Back at the Palm Heart Clan, Jang In-geol hurled every curse imaginable at Jeong Charyeon.

He couldn't stand it. If he was being humiliated even by Jeong Charyeon, then the past humiliations he had suffered at the hands of Im Ha-gi and Yang Suchang weren't because the Palm Heart Clan was weaker than the Four Great Hegemons, but because he was truly incompetent.

Jang In-geol couldn't accept that reality.

"Ugh, aaaaagh!"

After spewing every unspeakable curse, Jang In-geol smashed the objects in his room and summoned Chungso, the master of the Hidden Sword.

He was the Palm Heart Clan's guest who had treated Jeong I-chu and Jeong Charyeon coldly when they visited before. Originally, he was meticulous and ambitious. Instead of being loyal to Jang Dae-san, he entrusted his future to Jang In-geol.

"What's wrong?"

Sensing that something big had happened from the atmosphere in the room, Chungso cautiously observed Jang In-geol. Jang In-geol looked as if he would explode at any moment.

"I need you to do something for me."

"Give me your orders."

"I need someone I can trust."

Chungso then said, sounding somewhat hurt, "I have already entrusted my life to you, Young Master, a long time ago."

Only then did Jang In-geol's expression soften.

"I trust you. I called you because I trust you. That's how important this is."

"What is it?"

"Bring the second daughter of the Righteous Sword Sect to me."

Chungso was startled by those words. He had never imagined it would be something like this.

"Don't let your guard down. That woman's martial arts are not ordinary."

That wasn't the problem. It was kidnapping the daughter of the Righteous Sword Sect. If it came to light, the Palm Heart Clan could be finished.

"Are you serious?"

At Chungso's question, Jang In-geol frowned instead.

"Damn it, does this look like a joke to you?"

"I'm worried about the aftermath."

"You don't have to worry about that."

"What do you mean...?"

Jang In-geol dipped his finger in the water of the teacup and wrote a letter on the table.

It was the very letter that Gu Ik-hwan had left behind as he died.

Along with Gu Ik-hwan's death, he guessed Jang In-geol's intentions. He meant to kidnap Jeong Charyeon and pin the blame on the mysterious group that used the letter Yeon.

'He's really sharp at times like this.'

It was a plausible plan. Moreover, the Righteous Sword Sect's daughter had been chosen as the Phoenix in this Dragon Phoenix Gathering. It was perfect for fabricating a story that she had been sacrificed in some grand conspiracy.

Chungso made up his mind.

"I will do it. But you must know, this could have major repercussions."

"There is always danger in things that come with great rewards."

Chungso knew that fact all too well, even without being told. Someday, Jang In-geol would have to pay Chungso for giving this order.

It was then.

The door creaked open, and Jang Dae-san and the strategist Yang Pil entered.

Chungso and Jang In-geol were startled. They were nervous, wondering if they had overheard the conversation.

Jang Dae-san sat in the seat of honor and said quietly, "Everyone, sit down."

At that moment, Chungso felt it. Jang Dae-san's murderous gaze was incomparable to that of his son, Jang In-geol. He wouldn't end it with just kidnapping Jeong Charyeon.

Indeed, Chungso's prediction was accurate. After advising them not to get involved in this matter, Jang Dae-san said, "Summon Pil-ju."

Chungso also knew the person. The sinister and vile feeling that the mentioned name gave made Chungso's heart pound as he lowered his head. Jang Dae-san had made up his mind. To completely wipe out the Righteous Sword Sect. ...Pil-ju was the kind of person who was used for just that.

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-Dark Electric Iron Trust-

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"I think Young Master Jeok is the one who killed the Yin Demon Insect."

The old man's reaction to Heuk-hwa's conjecture was one of course. The old man was Im Sang-gwon, the current Dark Electric Merchant Guild leader who had sold Jeok Leegeon the Wind God Armor. Everyone who knew him called him Old Man Im.

Heuk-hwa was not Im Sang-gwon's biological granddaughter, but his disciple. However, since he had raised her with affection from a young age, they were as close as real grandparents and grandchildren.

"At the time, Young Master Yang, Young Master Jeok, Miss Seol, and Miss Jeong were in the same tent. Clearly, the one who eliminated the Yin Demon Insect and its subordinates was one of them. If Young Master Jeok is hiding some secret, as you said, Grandfather, then he must have shown his true skills."

Im Sang-gwon silently nodded.

Just then, someone came in. It was Cheol-sin (Iron Trust), who had competed in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Heuk-hwa. He handed a letter to Im Sang-gwon.

After reading the letter, Im Sang-gwon sighed softly.

"Since you two competed in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, we have mobilized all the Dark Electric Merchant Guilds in the Central Plains to find out Young Master Jeok's true identity. We have found out some of Young Master Jeok's past actions, but we have found out nothing about his identity."

Heuk-hwa and Cheol-sin exchanged serious glances.

The Dark Electric Merchant Guilds, which were widely spread throughout the Central Plains, had better information gathering capabilities than most information organizations in the Jianghu. The Dark Electric Merchant Guilds had always handled dangerous goods, so securing information was essential.

"Did you see what kind of martial arts he used?"

"Unfortunately, I didn't see it. But after the situation was over, I was able to take a quick look at the corpses."

"What were they like?"

"They were gruesome. They were shattered to pieces by a very overbearing technique."

Im Sang-gwon nodded, his expression serious.

"What do you think?"

Im Sang-gwon asked Cheol-sin. Cheol-sin was the disciple that Im Sang-gwon trusted as much as Heuk-hwa. Im Sang-gwon was secretly considering Cheol-sin as his successor.

Cheol-sin answered without hesitation, "It is certain that Young Master Jeok killed the Yin Demon Insect. I believe his martial arts have also reached their peak."

Im Sang-gwon nodded.

Heuk-hwa said, sounding disappointed, "You sent us to find out about him, but we didn't find out anything. I'm sorry, Grandfather."

"No. He is not someone who easily reveals his identity."

"But I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Why are you paying so much attention to him?"

Of course, Jeok Leegeon was a being that stimulated curiosity enough. Moreover, his eye for recognizing the Wind God Armor was amazing.

But Heuk-hwa couldn't understand. He had even sent herself and Cheol-sin to compete in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering to find out about him.

She knew that her grandfather had marked Cheol-sin as his successor. To expose even Cheol-sin to the world...

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't understand. When you're in the Dark Electric Merchant Guild, you're bound to see many masters with mysterious backgrounds.

Im Sang-gwon nodded as if he understood Heuk-hwa's feelings.

"There's something that bothers me."

"What is it?"

Just then, there was a sound of people outside, and someone came in.

Heuk-hwa and Cheol-sin were greatly surprised by the visit of someone they had not expected at all.

The person who entered was Jeok Leegeon, the protagonist of their conversation so far.

"Hello!"

Looking at Jeok Leegeon, who greeted them with a grin, Im Sang-gwon had an expression that what was coming had come.

"So, what kind of item are you here to buy this time?"

"I've come to buy something more valuable than the last item."

"Haha! I wonder if there is such a thing."

"The value of an item depends on the needs of the person who wants to buy it."

Then Im Sang-gwon smiled and said, "Before that, I have to express my gratitude. Thank you for saving our children this time."

Then Jeok Leegeon looked at Heuk-hwa and Cheol-sin and smiled.

"As expected, they are smart children."

Heuk-hwa frowned at the word "children." After all, the age difference was only a year or two at most.

"So, what is the item you want to buy?"

"It's that friend right there."

Jeok Leegeon looked at Cheol-sin. Cheol-sin was startled when he was pointed out.

Im Sang-gwon was also very surprised.

"That child is family. We don't sell family."

"Then let's borrow him."

"Borrow?"

"Just borrow him for ten years."

"That's quite a long time."

"It's also a time that passes quickly when you look back. You know that well, don't you?"

Then Jeok Leegeon grinned.

"Hahaha! You're right. You can't imagine how quickly time passes."

"That's because your memory deteriorates as you get older. They say you don't remember what you did, so it feels like time has passed faster."

"Hahaha!"

In the end, Im Sang-gwon burst into hearty laughter.

After laughing for a while, Im Sang-gwon said seriously, "That child is very expensive."

"He's worth it."

"How much will you buy him for?"

"Well, the seller has to set the price."

Im Sang-gwon narrowed his eyes. He tried to gauge Jeok Leegeon's intentions, but it was impossible to grasp his inner thoughts from that playful face.

"Before that, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"What is your relationship with the owners of that sword and saber?"

"How did you know they weren't mine?"

Im Sang-gwon simply smiled at Jeok Leegeon's question.

"This question is a very expensive question."

"How much is the question worth?"

"It's worth the price of buying that friend."

Im Sang-gwon silently stared at Jeok Leegeon. After staring at him for a long time, he said, "Okay. If you give me that answer, I will sell Shin-i to you."

The person who was surprised was Heuk-hwa.

"Grandfather! Are you serious?"

Im Sang-gwon nodded at Heuk-hwa's question. Im Sang-gwon was the type to not easily go back on a decision once he had made it.

"That's ridiculous! To sell Shin-i to someone else!"

Cheol-sin, on the other hand, reacted calmly.

"If that is your will, Elder, I will follow it."

"Shin! That's not right!"

Heuk-hwa's eyes, looking at Jeok Leegeon, became fierce.

Jeok Leegeon smiled and said, "You like that friend."

Heuk-hwa bit her lip and neither affirmed nor denied it.

"There's no need to be so agitated. It's not like I'm taking him far away, and you can meet him whenever you want. And this is good for that friend's future."

Heuk-hwa was relieved to hear that she could meet him anytime.

But her animosity towards Jeok Leegeon remained.

"Hmph! How can I believe that?"

"I can't guarantee that. Life is something you can't guarantee."

Jeok Leegeon turned to look at Im Sang-gwon.

"Now, I will give you the answer."

Im Sang-gwon waited for the answer with anticipation.

"The saber and sword... belong to my parents."

"Indeed!"

Im Sang-gwon's expression changed drastically as if his prediction was correct. After calming himself down for a moment, Im Sang-gwon said calmly, "As promised, I will entrust Cheol-sin to you."

This time, Im Sang-gwon instructed Cheol-sin, "When you live as a Jianghu person, there are opportunities. I think that opportunity has come to you now."

"Elder."

How could he not feel regret, but he had lived his whole life without going against Im Sang-gwon's will.

He didn't tell him his true feelings, but Cheol-sin knew. Im Sang-gwon was not selling him to get the answer to that question.

He believed that he was entrusting himself to Jeok Leegeon for his future.

Im Sang-gwon made another offer to Jeok Leegeon.

"I propose one more deal."

"What is it?"

"We will provide all the weapons you need in the future. I guarantee it will be a great help."

It was the Dark Electric Merchant Guild that traded in the world's precious and secret weapons.

It was an enormous benefit that could be guessed without being guaranteed.

"What's the price?"

"There's no price."

Jeok Leegeon smirked.

"I don't do deals without a price. Getting something without paying the price is the most dangerous thing in the Jianghu."

"Then let me ask you for a favor."

Jeok Leegeon had an expression that said, "I knew it."

"What is it?"

"Help our Dark Electric Merchant Guild become a legitimate Sect."

Heuk-hwa and Cheol-sin stared at Jeok Leegeon with inner surprise.

It was Im Sang-gwon's dream and the Dark Electric Merchant Guild's long-cherished wish for hundreds of years. Could a young man who was only about twenty years old achieve that?

"I can't promise."

"You just have to do your best."

Then Jeok Leegeon smiled and held out his hand. Im Sang-gwon took his hand.

"The deal is done."