Revealed Will (6)

The two who left Jin-hyeon’s residence didn’t speak until they left Ziyang.

By the time they reached Chengdu.

“Master.”

It was an address he had not heard in a very long time.

Seomun Hoe nodded.

“Speak, Guild Leader.”

Unlike before, he treated Gang Yeo with proper respect. Even now, after Gang Yeo had called him Master, he believed Gang Yeo still deserved the courtesy befitting his position.

“The hot blood of the young can sometimes become powerful momentum, the driving force behind feats that seem impossible. But conversely, clumsy, planless action can also become the shortcut to ruining oneself and one’s house.”

“That’s true.”

Gang Yeo sighed.

“Then I suppose I’ve become an old man before my time. Young as I am, all I do is weigh every angle.”

“It is not because you are old before your time. It is because the matter is that important.”

“Is that so?”

That was why experience was important. Even a born genius could not display that genius if they did not know the world.

Seomun Hoe looked southwest. It was the direction of Ziyang County, where Jin-hyeon’s house was.

“I’ll be honest. As a Black Society Gold Lord, it feels strange to say this, but I like Teacher Jin.”

“It seemed that way.”

“But I am not stupid enough to stand by and watch my people die for the sake of someone I like.”

He meant that, in his position, he would refuse indirectly. If their relationship did not change even without an alliance, they could leave themselves room to pull out at any time.

Gang Yeo smiled bitterly.

“You must have been flustered too, Master.”

“?”

“If the Heavenly Will Alliance decides to investigate while Five Tigers’ businesses have not been cleaned up, there is no way they won’t be able to trace the funds flowing into Five Tigers.”

Seomun Hoe’s eyes shook.

“Who we are will be exposed.”

“Yes.”

“Teacher Jin is right. Either we fold and leave Sichuan, or we join hands with him and dig in here.”

“But…”

A deep sigh that seemed as if it should never have come from him left Seomun Hoe’s mouth.

“Though unifying Sichuan may be possible, I think it impossible to fight the Heavenly Will Alliance.”

“I think so too.”

Was unifying Sichuan itself an act of rebellion against the Heavenly Will Alliance?

That was correct. But if they bowed their heads to the Heavenly Will Alliance first after unification, a fight might not break out.

The two thought the same thing. Even if Jin-hyeon reached out to the Heavenly Will Alliance after swallowing Sichuan, he would act differently from the Cheongyang Association. People’s hearts could change a dozen times in a single day, but considering what he had done so far, he would at least be better than the Cheongyang Association.

But no matter who fought the Heavenly Will Alliance, defeat was certain.

If he had instead said, Once I take Sichuan, let us wisely navigate the situation before us, they might have formed an alliance immediately. With Jin-hyeon’s wisdom and drive, it would be worth taking the risk.

“Think carefully.”

Seomun Hoe’s eyes had become calm before they knew it.

“The Five Tigers Merchant Guild has already been created. And in a far more impressive form than we expected. And you are the owner of that merchant guild.”

“…”

“With a single word from you, the merchant guild may aspire to the world, or it may fall to the bottom of hell. People around you can give you all kinds of advice, but in the end, an organization’s rise and fall depends on what its owner does.”

He felt that fact keenly. After all, the current Black Society had become a complete mess because of the incompetence of the current Black Society Leader.

“Act like a leader. I will simply watch.”

“To stand at a crossroads that will decide its fate as soon as I became the head of an organization, it truly leaves me speechless.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Huh?”

Seomun Hoe turned.

“The moment you became Guild Leader, from that very moment, the Five Tigers Merchant Guild’s fate stood at a crossroads.”

“!”

“A leader’s ability is not displayed only in times of crisis. It is decided by how properly they show their ability in times of peace.”

“…”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Seomun Hoe immediately launched himself north. He intended to stop by the Divine Iron Merchant House first, then head to the Black Society’s headquarters.

Gang Yeo’s eyes filled with confusion as she watched him grow distant.

“A leader’s ability…”

The next evening.

“Huff, huff!”

White vapor rose from Do Il-gang’s body as he knelt and breathed heavily. It was the result of training until his entire body was soaked in sweat on a cold winter day.

“Impressive.”

Jin-hyeon, standing opposite him, also looked rough, but his breathing remained steady.

“I didn’t think you would develop that far with just some training.”

“I-I’m ashamed.”

He was so short of breath that the words barely came out.

Do Il-gang immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating qi. As he somehow drew up his depleted internal energy and circulated it through his meridians, his heavy breathing gradually calmed.

A touch of admiration appeared on Jin-hyeon’s face as he quietly looked down at Do Il-gang.

‘This one is truly something.’

It was truly outstanding talent.

Whether in interpretive ability, physique, or sense, if one considered only talent for martial arts, there were plenty of people more outstanding than this.

What mattered was that Do Il-gang’s talent suited the martial learning he practiced far too well.

He had been born with outstanding talent to begin with, and he was even practicing a martial art perfectly suited to him. If he continued working steadily without being distracted, he would enter another realm in the near future.

‘A suitable martial learning… Yes, that is what matters.’

Most top-grade martial arts were all abstruse and complex, but as long as interpretation and enlightenment followed, anyone who learned them could produce powerful might.

The Heavenly Wolf True Art was exactly that kind of martial art. Entering it was difficult, and surpassing stages was difficult too, but once mastered, one could smash apart everything that blocked the way with supreme domineering force.

But the Hungry Wolf Sword was not a martial art perfectly suited to Jin-hyeon. If his realm rose, he could improve it to fit himself and use it, but that was because he had the ability to do so, not because it suited him.

‘North Wind Sword Art.’

Jin-hyeon lightly swung his iron sword.

Whoooong! Boom!

From the tip of the iron sword he extended straight without using much strength, a formless sword wind burst out.

Boom!

The ground at a considerable distance away exploded lightly.

That was the power of sword force focused into a single point. Had he dispersed the force and raised a broader gust, the blade marks would have spread across a far wider area of the ground.

It possessed power and free-flowing nature that were hard to believe from a sword art he had only just begun creating.

This was the martial art that suited Jin-hyeon perfectly. There were still many points to improve in each technique, but even now, it could be called a peerless martial art of the martial world.

“Phew.”

Jin-hyeon exhaled and sheathed his sword, then left Do Il-gang there and entered his residence.

Han Cheol-sang was sitting on the steps of the central courtyard.

He was glaring at his drawn saber, lost in deep thought.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh? You’re back.”

“I broke your concentration for nothing.”

“No. It wasn’t related to martial arts, so it’s fine.”

“Then what were you thinking about that had killing intent pouring out of your eyes?”

“I must have let killing intent slip out while thinking about how to cut tomorrow’s pork.”

Jin-hyeon gave a small laugh.

Han Cheol-sang had an ease that Im Yeo-wol and Do Il-gang lacked. An ease that made it seem like he would throw out a joke even in an urgent situation, and that there would be nothing strange about that joke.

“Wait a little. Let’s go get you a new blade.”

Han Cheol-sang was startled.

“How did you know?”

“If a saber wielder is glaring at his saber like that, isn’t it one of two things? Either he loves his saber too much, or he really doesn’t like it.”

“You’re sharp as a ghost.”

“But why? Wasn’t it a blade you used well?”

In fact, the saber Han Cheol-sang held was a treasure saber made by the Ironworks Master of Yeo Family Ironworks after modeling it on the Mad Demon’s Dead Spirit Saber.

“There’s no problem with it. I just… somehow want to use a different blade.”

Even Jin-hyeon could not know what kind of feeling that was. If he did not intend to open up about it, there was no need to pry.

Jin-hyeon sat beside Han Cheol-sang and stretched.

“Yeo-wol is still in her room.”

“She looked almost done.”

“She did. And it didn’t end at converting her existing internal energy. The amount of qi she could accumulate increased as well.”

“She’s a genius, that one.”

“As for external arts, we won’t know until we teach her… but at least when it comes to internal energy arts, she was born for them.”

A pleased look appeared on Jin-hyeon’s face.

Seeing that, Han Cheol-sang gave a small laugh.

“Are you happy because you gained a talented household member?”

“How could I not be?”

“You’ll be busy with this and that, so when you’re away, I’ll try teaching her.”

Even in a situation where thanks should have come out, Jin-hyeon was shameless.

“Isn’t it only natural that you should? You’re supposed to be the second-in-command of my clan.”

“You really are shameless.”

“Since we’re on the subject, Brother Han, take the steward position from now on.”

“That wasn’t a joke?”

In fact, even now, it sounded like he was tossing it out lightly.

Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“I had documents drawn up showing what assets I have and how much I’ve stashed in which money houses.”

“What?”

“I put the agent contracts under your name, Brother Han. That means you can withdraw as much as you want from the money houses in my place.”

“?!”

Han Cheol-sang’s eyes widened.

Jin-hyeon smiled.

“From now on, Brother Han, handle everything from managing the clan’s assets to managing personnel.”

“…Just how much do you plan to work me?”

“Just suffer until we find someone. From what I can see, there’s no one like you, Brother Han.”

“Oh, I’m sure there isn’t.”

He said that, but Han Cheol-sang was deeply moved.

He had heard and knew how much wealth Jin-hyeon had accumulated. And yet he was entrusting that money to him.

To put it bluntly, if he swept it all up at night and ran away, Jin-hyeon would instantly become a penniless beggar. Then the clan’s growth would also suffer.

He had already shown trust not through words, but through action. It was a heavy responsibility that could determine the clan’s fate.

“From now on, you’re Steward Han.”

Since the clan had only just been created, there was nothing one could call a formal procedure, but Han Cheol-sang had not thought he would seize the clan’s most important post while chatting so casually like this.

Han Cheol-sang looked at Jin-hyeon while chuckling as if it did not feel real, then his face gradually became serious.

“Patriarch.”

It was not just Patriarch anymore. It was Patriarch, with the weight of respect behind it.

“Speak.”

“I won’t ask why you trust me this much.”

“…”

“I will try to live up to your expectations.”

“That is good too, but this house is also your house, Steward Han. I hope you do well not only for my expectations, but for your own sake as well.”

“I will.”

“If something personal comes up and you have to leave, take whatever travel expenses you need and go. I won’t interfere with how much you spend.”

“Understood.”

With only a few words of conversation, the relationship between the two deepened another step.

It was a quarter-hour later that the eyes of the two, who had been looking up at the sky in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts, changed.

“I’m going out.”

“I’ll go with you.”

When they opened the main gate, a four-horse carriage was racing toward them from far away. Just watching the horses’ light, brisk gallop felt refreshing.

A moment later.

Neigh.

The carriage stopped about nine meters in front of the two.

The carriage driver was a survivor of the Iron King Squad. Before Jin-hyeon left, he had heard the man was being treated for poison in the medical room, and it seemed he had fully recovered.

“Second Young Master.”

“It’s Jin-hyeon.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

After apologizing awkwardly, he opened the carriage door, and Gyeong Hang and Baek Gyu stepped down.

“Se-hwi.”

“Supreme Patriarch.”

Gyeong Hang walked over while patting his waist and took Jin-hyeon’s hand.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“No, no.”

In that short time, Gyeong Hang’s hair had turned white. All of the half-gray hair that had once gleamed in a way that did not suit his age was now white. The very process of settling the clan seemed to have been a considerable burden on his heart.

Jin-hyeon did not show any sign of pity. This was everyone’s karma.

“So this is your house.”

“That’s right.”

“Heh heh.”

Admiration appeared on Gyeong Hang’s face. He had seen the finest goods all his life. He could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary building.

“You found a proper one. It is truly a good house.”

“Thank you.”

“Just in case, I sent the smiths to the inn right below here.”

“You did well. I’ll go visit them later.”

“Yes. It would be better to go quickly, if possible.”

It was a meaningful remark.

Jin-hyeon’s eyes flashed.

“You knew?”

“How could I sleep at all with mosquitoes buzzing around?”

He knew everything about the Cheongyang Association, so of course, that was only natural.

“Do you plan to burn those mosquitoes here?”

“Yes.”

Gyeong Hang smiled.

“For the first time in a while, I’ll be able to sleep in peace.”

Even though the opponent was the Cheongyang Association, Gyeong Hang said it sincerely. Rather than believing in Jin-hyeon’s ability, he was trying to accept the the heavenly fate that had brought him here in his final years.

“Do not worry.”

Jin-hyeon looked at Han Cheol-sang.

Han Cheol-sang tapped his saber. It meant that if there were anyone suspicious, he would cut them down first.

“From tonight on, you’ll be able to sleep soundly.”