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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Request (2)
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"Yang Jin. Let's head out."
"Yes, Agency Head."
Yang Jin, seated on the driver's perch, cracked his whip, and the two-horse carriage lurched into motion.
"What's that?"
"Isn't that a carriage from the Sacheon Escort Agency?"
"No way. Isn't that Magistrate Jang Ung of Seongdo County inside?"
The people who spotted the Sacheon Escort Agency's carriage moving were quite surprised.
The buzz grew even louder as it headed toward the bustling entertainment district, reaching a peak when it arrived in front of Taeseong Pavilion.
"Please step down."
"Ahem."
Jang Ung, descending from the Sacheon Escort Agency's carriage, let out a low, awkward cough.
He couldn't contain his excitement.
'I once accompanied an elder to the second floor... I wonder if I'll get to go up there again?'
"Young master. You've arrived."
"Mm."
It was none other than Sanggwan Ryu who greeted Dang Yu-wol and Jang Ung.
He held a fairly high position even within Taeseong Pavilion.
The sight of him personally coming out to greet them shocked the onlookers even more.
"I've prepared a room for you. Please, go on up."
They went upstairs.
At the very least, it wouldn't be the first floor.
Jang Ung's face lit up, and the surrounding spectators were stunned.
"Isn't that... Dang Yu-wol, the Young Clan Head?"
"He was no better than a wastrel until just recently."
"And now he's heading to the upper floors of Taeseong Pavilion?"
"What the hell is going on?"
Taeseong Pavilion's signature feature was lighting lanterns on each floor as guests ascended.
This built anticipation among those watching from outside.
The wastrel of Seongdo.
The changes wrought by the ne'er-do-well son of a declining house had drawn everyone's focus.
"Ooooooh!!!"
The first lantern ignited.
The ornate lantern hanging at the first-floor staircase began to glow.
As it heightened the crowd's expectations, the red lantern on the second floor lit up.
"No way... the second floor... wait a minute?!"
The lights didn't stop.
This meant they were heading to the third floor.
"The guy who went up with him just now... that's the magistrate of Seongdo County, right?"
"From what I heard, even the Sacheon Governor only made it to the third floor last time."
"When Gihwan Escort Agency escorted a central official, the second floor was their limit. How in the world...?"
"So... it's because of Young Clan Head Dang Yu-wol?"
"I've heard he's been acting differently lately, but... how?"
The onlookers fell into confusion.
Regardless, the third-floor light brightly illuminated the dark night street.
"Th-the third floor! It's the third floor!!"
The shouts from the staircase windows confirmed it wasn't a dream.
Jang Ung, at the center of this shocking scene, couldn't hide his joy and surprise.
'This guy... what the hell is he?'
"Please, come in."
The door to the third-floor private room opened.
The room was filled with nothing but luxurious furnishings.
Musicians played flutes or struck strings.
Sitting at a table laden with exquisite delicacies, he swallowed hard.
"Have a drink first."
"Ah, uh. Th-thank you."
Even he couldn't suppress his pounding heart.
But Dang Yu-wol's expression remained unchanged.
"You're unmoved even by liquor as fine as the nectar of the heavens."
"I'm enjoying it in my own way."
"Heh. Incredible. What exactly are you?"
He couldn't help but ask.
Was the wastrel act from just recently all a facade?
In response to Jang Ung's question, Dang Yu-wol answered nonchalantly.
"Just the Young Clan Head of the Sacheon Tang Clan."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Kahaha!! What a dreamlike time!!"
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Enjoyed it? Of course! How could I not, drinking nectar that's hard to even taste and feasting on dishes made with rare ingredients?"
In his delight, he pulled silver coins from his pouch and tossed them to the musicians.
"Not to mention hearing such magnificent music and enchanting songs that cloud the mind!"
How could he not be thrilled?
Thoroughly drunk, Jang Ung poured liquor into Dang Yu-wol's cup.
-He's excited.
'That's why I arranged this seat. Good.'
"Ahem. Alright, little brother. There must be a reason you've entertained me so lavishly."
-People like him are so predictable.
'That's what makes it easier.'
Ye-ui found his reaction exasperating, but Dang Yu-wol was pleased.
People honest about their desires were easier to handle.
"I can't say I want nothing."
"Right, right. What do you want?"
"I'd like to call you Uncle."
"Wha?! Uncle? Even though there's quite an age gap between us!!"
He downed his drink in one gulp.
"But true friendship doesn't care about age!"
"Hahaha..."
"Let's just be like brothers and friends!!"
-No conscience. The age difference must be huge.
'Aren't you and I friends right now?'
-Hmph. Fair point.
"Speak freely from now on!"
"Haha. For the time being, I'd prefer to use formal speech."
"What a shame. Fine, friend! Here, have a drink!"
Liquor filled the empty cup.
Dang Yu-wol took hold of it.
"Think of this as sealing our friendship!!"
They both took a sip.
They had already gone through several bottles of precious liquor.
Yet Dang Yu-wol's expression remained unchanged.
"Khaa! Good! So good!!"
Unlike him, Jang Ung was half out of his mind.
"You really don't get drunk, do you?"
"It's because I practice poison arts. Here, have another."
"No! No! My friend must drink too!!"
Jang Ung poured into Dang Yu-wol's cup with a goofy grin.
His face more relaxed than before, he spoke up.
"They say officials and martial artists don't mix, making it hard to get close."
"Yes, that's true."
"But you're hardly just any martial artist. You're the Young Clan Head of the Sacheon Tang Clan, one of Sacheon's great houses."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Hmmm. I've heard your friend's clan has been struggling lately."
"I can't deny it. Could you offer some guidance?"
"Guidance? Just take it as an official's ramblings."
"I'll listen carefully."
"The Sacheon Tang Clan's biggest worry right now is that they might not even hold onto their current wealth."
Drunk, yet sharp.
As expected of Seongdo County's formidable magistrate.
"The Tang Clan is a martial house, right? The very 'officials don't interfere in martial affairs' that martial artists cry about has become poison for the Tang Clan."
Officials don't intervene in fights between martial artists.
Thus, they couldn't aid the weakened Tang Clan against attacks from rival sects.
"Truth be told, I tried to help the Tang Clan. But there were too many obstacles... I'm sorry I couldn't be of more support."
-Really?
'Yes. Though it was mostly because the Sacheon Merchant Alliance was a thorn in my side...'
The problem was the Alliance's sheer size.
When Jang Ung tried to check them, they leveraged connections with other officials.
In the end, he had failed to help the Tang Clan.
"I know. And I understand."
"Hmmm. Thanks. Anyway, you know that building strength requires people, right?"
"Yes."
"To gather people, you need to travel far and wide. And for that, escort missions are best, aren't they?"
"But who would entrust cargo to the Sacheon Escort Agency now?"
Dang Yu-wol casually broached the topic.
Jang Ung deftly picked it up.
"Hmmm. How about this? There are official government shipments."
"You mean transporting goods for the government?"
"Exactly. And taxes and tribute for the Sacheon Governor. I can assign those to the Sacheon Escort Agency."
-Oh ho. He's offering quite a bit.
'Unexpected.'
"But hasn't the Seongdo County government been using Gihwan Escort Agency for official shipments?"
"True. But that contract is nearly up, and... they've been talking about raising fees lately."
"I see..."
"I was looking for a new agency."
He glanced around casually.
The third floor of Taeseong Pavilion.
Not just anyone could come here.
"If you can bring me to a place like this, it means your influence goes beyond the rumors about my friend."
Casual words, heavy meaning.
This was him placing his trust in Dang Yu-wol.
"So, I'll put my faith in you."
"Haha. Thank you."
"Just remember one thing."
"Please speak. I'll listen."
Jang Ung's eyes flashed sharply for a moment.
"There will be plenty who dread the Tang Clan regaining its power."
"Indeed."
"Some might even attack you. I hear your martial prowess is only at the second-rate level... Are you alright with that?"
"I've made preparations. Don't worry."
-You've been diligently gathering poison in the meantime.
Ye-ui had crafted various poisons based on Dang Yu-wol's internal energy.
Dang Yu-wol had refined them using knowledge from the Blood Cult.
Ambushes held no fear.
"Is that so? Still, the Sacheon Merchant Alliance is no easy foe."
Dang Yu-wol smiled leisurely.
"I hope that's the case."
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Thoroughly satisfied and drunk, Jang Ung kept calling Dang Yu-wol "friend."
Because of it, the surrounding gazes had shifted noticeably.
By tomorrow, word would spread throughout Seongdo County.
"Take care on your way back."
"Friend!! Rest well!! Hahaha!!"
As they watched him board the Sacheon Escort Agency's carriage for his office just as they had arrived, Sanggwan Ryu approached.
"If you'd wanted, I could have lent you the fifth floor."
"Someday, I will ask."
Sanggwan Ryu was older.
Yet Dang Yu-wol spoke to him as an equal, as if it were natural.
And he accepted it.
They were comrades on the same path, so they should treat each other casually—that was Sanggwan Ryu's proposal.
"Someday..."
"There's something I'd like Taeseong Pavilion to handle."
"What is it? Something related to the Blood Cult?"
"Yes."
To eradicate the Blood Cult, they had joined hands with Dang Yu-wol.
'Using all of Taeseong Pavilion's information network and the martial world's intel organizations to hunt for Blood Cult traces.'
But the results were just catching a few small fry.
How did Dang Yu-wol know about it?
Unable to resolve his doubts, Sanggwan Ryu finally asked.
"How do you know so much about the Blood Cult?"
"I've been tracking them personally for a long time."
"...So all that wastrel behavior before was to pursue the Blood Cult?"
"Think what you will."
Of course not.
But he saw no need to explain that far.
Dang Yu-wol pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it over.
"What's this?"
"Locations I suspect are Blood Cult branches."
"Heh."
"Investigate what activities they're up to now."
"...Hmph. Several places, huh."
He slowly opened the envelope and checked, baring his teeth.
The nearest was Shaanxi, close to Sacheon; the farthest, Liaoning.
Investigating all would take considerable time.
"What will you be doing in the meantime?"
"Reorganizing the clan, and investigating other sites whenever I have time."
"I see. Got it. Need anything else?"
"Nothing for now."
"I heard the escort agency is starting up again."
"And?"
"Let me know if you need manpower."
With those casual words, he headed inside.
A curt attitude for someone offering help.
'His personality was always like that.'
He'd been similar back in the Blood Cult.
Recalling his past life, Dang Yu-wol turned away.
-One down... Planning to rest now?
The entertainment district, clustered with brothels, remained lively and bright.
But where light is strong, shadows are deep.
Gazing into the darkness, Dang Yu-wol grinned.
'No time for rest.'
As soon as he strayed from the bustling streets, darkness fell.
Walking through the late-night evidence, Ye-ui spoke to him.
-Hey. Looks like a guest is looking for you.
'I sensed it too.'
"Come out."
As Dang Yu-wol spoke, figures hidden in the alley emerged.
All wielding sharp weapons.
"Sacheon Merchant Alliance?"
"..."
"I was just about to come find you, and you come to me. How convenient."
No reply.
As the grim-faced warriors approached, Dang Yu-wol reached into his bosom.
"Be careful. He's drawing his weap—Huh?"
But what emerged from his hand was none other than a single pouch.
-Pwoof!!
The pouch soared into the air, pierced by Dang Yu-wol's hidden dart.
In that instant, the pouch burst, scattering its powder everywhere.
"Gasp!!"
Those who saw it paled.
The opponent was the young head of the clan famed for poison and hidden weapons.
"Cover your mouths!!"
"It's poison!!"
They hurriedly clamped their mouths shut in panic.
But Dang Yu-wol and Ye-ui laughed.
"Eek?!"
"Guh?!"
"Ugh?! M-my body's numb...?!"
The poison Ye-ui crafted and Dang Yu-wol refined couldn't be blocked simply by covering one's mouth.