Chapter 077
So Ssanga nodded in agreement with Namgung Somin's words.
Baek Sugyeong was a good person.
Though he'd been showing a more courageous side lately rather than his usual timid self, he was also considerate enough to hide his stomach pains so as not to worry her and Namgung Somin.
Of course, separately, So Ssanga had developed a one-sided fondness for him since he had rescued her from the back alleys of Wuhan.
But even setting that aside, Baek Sugyeong was definitely a good person.
"If Gal Yerung approached the Owner with ulterior motives and the Hao Sect was involved, we should definitely investigate thoroughly."
"For that, we'll need the power of the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company and Guild Leader So."
So Ssanga nodded at Namgung Somin's words.
"But realistically, even if we devoted all of the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company's resources to gathering information, there's a high chance we won't catch her."
"Then…"
"We should meet with Chairman Jin and borrow the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company's power. Or perhaps seek an audience with the Princess."
Not dangerous because she's not a martial artist?
That was severely underestimating So Ssanga.
Merchants' battles were vicious in their own way, different from martial artists' fights.
Trade territory disputes were essentially equivalent to land wars for merchants.
All sorts of dirty tactics were employed in the process.
If someone considered So Ssanga weak simply because she didn't know martial arts, that would be a grave miscalculation.
So Ssanga said:
"Both the Princess and Chairman Jin hold the Owner in high regard. If we add just a little information about the Hao Sect, we can easily mobilize a massive intelligence network, like setting fire to oil-soaked firewood."
It wouldn't make sense that the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, which supposedly controlled most of the Central Plains' commerce, and Princess Ju Geumye of the ruling Zhou imperial family couldn't track down one Gal Yerung.
Namgung Somin kept quiet, thinking that So Ssanga could be a much more formidable opponent than she had imagined.
"As for giving away part of the rights to 'Wudang Sword Hero,' I'll need to discuss that with the Owner first."
So Ssanga said with a smile:
"I hope Gal Yerung's feelings for the Owner were genuine."
When a gentle person gets angry, they become more frightening than anything else.
Namgung Somin felt this deeply.
"…Yes. Me too."
And Namgung Somin also hoped that at least Gal Yerung's attitude toward Baek Sugyeong hadn't been false.
"Let's discuss the details when the Owner wakes up. You must be tired too, Lady Namgung. Get some rest. We can't keep watch over the Owner forever."
"Will you be watching over him tonight, Guild Leader So?"
"Staying up one night by the Owner's bedside while he sleeps is no big deal."
So Ssanga smiled brightly and pulled out a small bamboo tube from her bosom.
"If anything dangerous happens, I can use this."
"You're thoroughly prepared."
It looked exactly like something that would contain hidden weapons.
Probably designed to release numerous needles when activated.
If caught off guard, even a supreme martial artist like Namgung Somin could be easily dispatched by such a weapon.
"I have to be thorough. Both the Owner and I are far from martial arts."
A bitter smile spread across So Ssanga's lips as she said this.
...
Shortly after, the contents of the agreement were announced with the Sun Moon Cult Leader and Jang Hyoun representing their respective sides.
First, a semi-permanent peace agreement, with Baek Sugyeong as the notary, effective as long as he lives.
Second, the establishment of educational institutions representing the Blood Cult and the Orthodox Faction to conduct regular exchanges.
Third, the eradication of the Blood Cult from Murim for creating a situation that could greatly harm Baek Sugyeong.
And nowhere in the contents was there any mention of the Unorthodox Faction.
The agreement was formally established with many people watching, and as the notary, Baek Sugyeong had to drink wine mixed with blood from Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader's pricked fingers.
'Wine that tastes like blood…'
Just when he thought he should start getting used to it, seeing things like this made it impossible to adapt.
It was natural since he had intentionally kept his distance from Murim.
Whether he wanted to adapt or not, he had to.
What else could he do?
"Teacher Sugyeong. This way."
"Come forward, Sugyeong."
At the words of Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader, Baek Sugyeong slowly stepped forward to perform the blood oath ceremony with the wine cup containing their mixed blood.
He took the cup with the blood-mixed wine and poured it into three separate cups.
Jang Hyoun, the Sun Moon Cult Leader, and Baek Sugyeong as the notary and representative of the agreement raised their cups.
Without any need for hesitation, they drank the wine in one gulp.
The metallic taste mixed with the bitter wine burned through Baek Sugyeong's throat.
"Ugh."
Only Baek Sugyeong let out a groan as the burning sensation of intoxication ran up his spine.
Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader put down their cups, and Baek Sugyeong belatedly placed his down as well.
The Sun Moon Cult Leader and Jang Hyoun faced each other and made a fist-palm salute, and Baek Sugyeong made the same gesture toward both of them, concluding the agreement ceremony.
...
"This Lord will return now. If you have business in Mount Tianshan or Xinjiang, send word in advance. I will send an escort."
"There's no need for such consideration."
"Nonsense."
The Sun Moon Cult Leader firmly rejected Baek Sugyeong's words.
"Sugyeong, don't forget that you are the only notary of this agreement. And that your existence is the sole wedge that makes the Orthodox Faction accept an alliance with my cult."
"I understand that."
"So take better care of yourself. If I had my way, I would have you undergo the Bat Fur Washing to learn martial arts, but it's too late now…"
Seeing even the Sun Moon Cult Leader say such things, it was safe to assume that Baek Sugyeong's chances of learning martial arts were practically zero.
But the Cult Leader continued.
"Though you cannot learn internal cultivation arts like internal energy, it wouldn't be difficult to start with external martial arts. Not everything improves by just staying in your room writing. Take care of your body as well."
"I appreciate your advice, Cult Leader."
The Sun Moon Cult Leader smirked and pulled out a reddish token from his bosom.
An octagonal token clearly made of an unusual material.
When Baek Sugyeong received it and looked at the Sun Moon Cult Leader questioningly, he said:
"It's the Heavenly Demon Token."
"What?"
"My cult will soon change from the Sun Moon Cult to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. And those who possess the Heavenly Demon Token will have the same authority as myself."
At those words, Baek Sugyeong's face became half-dazed.
The Sun Moon Cult Leader continued.
"It means you're second only to me and above everyone else. You can command my cult's disciples at will, and within my territory, no one can ignore it."
"Of course, since the token alone cannot prove this, I'll assign a warrior from the King of Hell Unit to accompany you."
"Cult Leader, this is too much!"
"That's how much your status has risen, Sugyeong. Now acknowledge that you are an important figure."
Baek Sugyeong lowered his head slightly, gripping the Heavenly Demon Token tightly.
Another typhoon-like situation had swept into his life.
At least he wasn't feeling nauseous anymore.
Perhaps that alone was a blessing.
He made a fist-palm salute.
"I am grateful for your ocean-like generosity, Cult Leader."
"I hope you continue to entertain me. The Heaven-Confusing Stratagem you displayed was fascinating."
A chill ran down Baek Sugyeong's spine.
The Sun Moon Cult Leader smiled.
"Of course, I have no intention of implementing such strategies in the Central Plains. There was no lie in what I said before the Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign."
"I see…"
"The martial world is waiting for 'Wudang Sword Hero,' and so am I."
His face hardened.
"Anyone who harms you, Sugyeong—whether the Blood Cult or the Unorthodox Faction—will pay an appropriate price."
"I feel overwhelmed by your consideration."
"As a treasure of the Central Plains, this level of treatment is only appropriate."
"Mokyeong!"
A King of Hell Unit warrior stepped forward.
A man with a taciturn face, carrying a sword as tall as himself.
The Sun Moon Cult Leader said:
"Mokyeong is a supreme master who can conceal his demonic energy. He will protect you, Sugyeong, where the Sword Phoenix cannot."
"I gratefully accept your consideration, Cult Leader."
Seeing Baek Sugyeong comply, the Sun Moon Cult Leader smiled.
But Jang Hyoun suddenly frowned.
"Wait! Placing a Sun Moon Cult warrior by Teacher Sugyeong's side is absurd! If anyone should be assigned, it should be an elite from our Alliance's Azure Dragon Unit!"
"This is merely a precaution for when Sugyeong passes through my territory. Someone must prove the token's authority."
"Kuh… but Teacher Sugyeong's protection—"
Baek Sugyeong intervened.
"Both of you, please stop. Master Mokyeong can stay by my side, and since Lady Namgung is already with me, there's no need for additional concern."
"Teacher Sugyeong!"
"Master Mokyeong is also here to prove the authority of this token."
Jang Hyoun sighed.
"Argh… does this mean I've lost!"
He glared at the Cult Leader.
"I will definitely repay this humiliation later, Cult Leader!"
"Do as you wish."
The Sun Moon Cult Leader turned away.
Before leaving, he looked back at Mokyeong.
"Serve Sugyeong as your lord. Protect him so thoroughly that not even a single hair is harmed."
"I obey."
As the Sun Moon Cult Leader and the King of Hell Unit warriors left one by one, Baek Sugyeong was left with a new guard by his side.
Baek Sugyeong sighed and pressed his forehead.
'I'm so disillusioned…'
Baek Sugyeong once again felt a deep, heavy disillusionment with this Murim world.