Chapter 734: Falling Dragon (Falling Dragon)

The fourth preliminary round had ended.

The martial arts duels that had continued late into the night were over. Now, only the Round of Sixteen remained.

With only a few people left until the birth of a new Divine Dragon Leader, the days in Hanam, as time passed, were exceptionally hot.

Even though summer was completely over, the reason for this heat wasn’t just the martial arts festival, but if we were to pinpoint the cause…

-Just let me meet So Yeomra once!

-I, I am the head of the Bukae Merchant Guild! Someone from the Baekhwa Merchant Guild, quickly…

It was likely because of the people filling the area outside the gate.

Outside my current lodging, the area that was supposed to be a quiet morning was filled with noisy humans.

It was already noisy enough from the previous incident caused by Paejon, but…

This time, it was even worse.

-I heard So Yeomra is here!

-Just one word…!

…This time, more than half of it was my fault, so I had nothing to say.

“Ugh…”

I touched my throbbing forehead. It wasn’t even past noon yet, what on earth was that number?

‘Damn it.’

I had expected it to turn out like this, but the crowd was much larger than that.

Should I run away right now? Since it would take about two days for the Round of Sixteen to start anyway, wouldn’t it be fine to just hide away in the mountains and kill some time? I genuinely pondered this, but…

“If you were thinking of running away, I hope you won’t.”

I had to erase my thoughts at the frosty voice coming from in front of me.

“Surely you aren’t planning to disappear after creating this situation, are you?”

“Th-That’s impossible.”

The owner of the voice. I forced a smile at Moyong Hi-ah’s words.

At my answer, she nodded and took a sip of tea.

It was still an elegant movement.

“The Bukae Merchant Guild… the Miryong Escort Service…. People who are hard to see anywhere else have all come.”

If you were to consider their reputation in the Central Plains, they were quite famous individuals.

“Those gentlemen who wouldn’t even show their faces when I tried to break into their business circles… I never thought they’d show up scrambling like this.”

Her smile, as she said that, was somehow unsettling.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have used you, Gongja-nim, much earlier.”

“Hahaha. I know, right?”

“I know, right…?”

Oops.

It seemed I had answered incorrectly. Moyong Hi-ah’s demeanor grew even colder.

“Are you saying that now?”

“No… uh. Um…”

“After all the trouble I went through to cover for you somehow. If you were going to cause trouble like this, you should have done it sooner.”

“…Sorry.”

“If you were going to cause trouble, you should have done it more usefully for publicity…! You should have at least given me a heads-up!”

“…”

So that was the problem.

I nodded, seeing her reaction. It was a justifiable reason.

‘I thought so too.’

In fact, that was the plan.

If I were to unleash my power to some extent, it was planned to be displayed on a stage with a higher standing, where it could be clearly shown.

In the fight with the Divine Dragon, I ended up doing more than I expected.

‘I guess I got carried away without realizing it….’

Was it because he was a promising fellow?

Or was it because he pleaded for me to show my true strength?

The reason is hazy, but I too had gotten fired up.

I was excited.

I became interested in his determined stance to fight back without yielding.

I threw a massive wall at him, and even though his palms were torn and bleeding, he climbed over it.

‘If I had to pick the person most different from my past life, it would probably be him.’

He doesn’t collapse. He doesn’t break.

That was exactly the image he projected.

How could such a person have been so broken in his past life? It reached the point where questions sprouted in my mind without my intention.

“Gongja-nim. What are you thinking about right now?”

“…Nothing.”

“You were thinking about something else, weren’t you?”

“No. I was concentrating on what you were saying.”

“What was I saying?”

“…I said if you were going to cause trouble, you should do it well.”

“That was said a while ago…”

Had the conversation already drifted that far? Lost in my thoughts, I must have unconsciously closed my ears.

At my attitude, Moyong Hi-ah sighed and ran a hand down her face.

Her face, which had become gaunt in just one day, caught my eye.

It seemed she had gone through a lot of trouble.

“…I was talking about the sponsorship offer from the Yujeon Merchant Guild.”

“Ah. Right, that was the topic.”

Honestly, I hadn’t been listening at all, but I nodded first.

“Right, sponsorship… yes, sponsorship…”

“Are you going to accept it?”

“No, I don’t need it.”

I refused outright. Moyong Hi-ah reacted as if she had expected it.

“The Yujeon Merchant Guild is on the same level as the Baekhwa Merchant Guild. Are you still okay with that?”

The same level as the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

This meant it was one of the top five guilds in the Central Plains.

Places like the Bukae Merchant Guild or the Miryong Escort Service I mentioned earlier were also considered quite famous, but…

Compared to them, this was on a different level.

However, when you go up to the higher echelons, the story changes.

They might have more money than many prominent families or prestigious clans, and among them, the Yujeon Merchant Guild was a very high-ranking guild, but…

“I don’t need money. And I’m not particularly fond of grasping hands that come to me now.”

As for money, I have enough.

Over the past years, I had steadily built my foundation using information from my past life. Even if not for that…

“Officially, my sponsor is the Baekhwa Merchant Guild. Knowing that, sending people now is just probing, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t a very good approach for someone to come and try to talk, let alone the guild master themselves showing up, which would have been unwelcome enough.

Especially considering that, officially, the relationship between Madam Mi and me is that of mother and son.

“If any other merchant guilds approach you, please refuse them as well.”

“It’s not just a possibility; most of them have already approached.”

As she spoke, Moyong Hi-ah brought over a thick stack of letters and placed them down with a thud.

It looked like it would collapse if you just nudged it.

“Do you know that all the talk in Hanam right now is about you, Gongja-nim?”

“To some extent…?”

“Right now it’s just Hanam, but it will spread throughout the entire region soon. I heard the Kaebang is also making moves.”

Then, two months in the Seven Provinces. Around that time, the story will reach even the farthest regions.

Just like how the story of the Divine Dragon spread instantaneously.

“Of course, even if the story spreads, dealing with the matters concerning merchant guilds won’t be too difficult…”

Of course, that’s why I placed myself with the Baekhwa Merchant Guild beforehand.

Not just any place, but the Baekhwa Merchant Guild. Receiving sponsorship from such a place, and even being officially recognized as their son, puts me in a position where it’s easy to refuse other guilds.

However.

“However… hiding yourself away from now on might cause some problems…. Is that alright?”

This time it’s different from the past. It’s not just a matter of changing aliases and spreading far and wide.

Not only my appearance but also the names attached to me have increased considerably.

The potential number one under heaven.

The monster who shattered stars.

The martial artist of the comet.

The genius who will be remembered in history.

The ultimate weapon hidden by the Nine Families, and so on.

They were filled with nicknames that made my arms crawl just hearing them.

Those words were terms referring to me, which had appeared countless times in just one day.

“Ugh…”

Fuck…. I feel like I’m going to choke.

What is that? It’s disgusting.

Seeing my disgusted expression, Moyong Hi-ah shook her head while looking at me.

“Since what you did was so significant, you have to bear with it. And… there’s nothing particularly false about it, is there?”

Nothing false, indeed.

That might be how others see it, but to me, it felt like none of it was fitting.

My stomach churned. It felt like I had ascended to a position I wasn’t suited for. That’s what hurt.

However.

‘I have to endure it.’

I had to endure this too. It was something done out of necessity, wasn’t it? I had to bear it somehow.

“Gongja-nim. So, I have a question.”

“…Hm? What.”

“Why on earth did you touch the Divine Dragon’s head…?”

“…”

I let out a hollow laugh at Moyong Hi-ah’s question, which seemed genuinely incomprehensible.

The reason she asked something like that was likely due to the rumors spreading along with my name.

-So Yeomra completely wrecked the Divine Dragon.

-Even though the Divine Dragon begged him to stop, he struck him down like a demon.

-The Divine Dragon, bleeding profusely, grabbed So Yeomra’s pant leg.

-After the duel ended, So Yeomra grabbed the Divine Dragon by the head and insulted him.

Similar… tales, like aftermath stories of the martial arts festival, were spreading.

“Who beat up whom?”

It’s absurd. How could such baseless rumors spread?

Wrecked him?

‘…That’s true.’

We fought until our bodies were in shambles, so it’s true we wrecked each other, but…

The same applied to me.

‘The places he hit still ache.’

The Hundred Steps Divine Fist that struck my chest while enduring flames.

Then, I took all the subsequent blows head-on.

Although I blocked most of it with my qi, my bones were fractured, and I thought I was going to die.

Strictly speaking, it would be more accurate to say we both suffered even more.

‘I could have subdued him more easily, but I held back.’

It might have been impossible in one blow, but at most, I could have finished it within two or three moves.

Instead, I prolonged it a bit and played around with him.

‘…It was because I got excited too.’

Should I show him a little?

That was the intention behind my actions.

“But insult? I find it absurd.”

“Then you didn’t touch his head?”

“I did.”

“…What?”

“But I mean, it wasn’t for that purpose.”

Touched his head to toy with and insult him?

Damn it all.

‘I went out of my way to do a good deed.’

My body was broken, and my finances were depleted.

My breathing was erratic, and my strength was gradually waning, leading to shallow breaths. This was a clear sign that I was on the verge of qi deviation.

That was the Divine Dragon’s physical condition, and if left as is, he would either die or become a vegetable.

It was a regrettable outcome for a single duel.

That’s why I did it.

-Keep your mouth shut and breathe through your nose. You’ll die if you strain yourself unnecessarily.

I immediately grabbed the Divine Dragon’s head and circulated my qi.

I stabilized his wavering energy, filtered out the nascent demonic qi, and burned it away.

While I couldn’t do anything about the fractured bones, that much should at least prevent him from reaching qi deviation.

Perhaps due to the sudden circulation of my qi, the Divine Dragon fainted on the spot.

And because of that, those rumors spread.

-The Divine Dragon, unable to withstand So Yeomra’s torment, lost his mind.

Or things like…

-So Yeomra enjoys tormenting the weak.

-He possesses outstanding talent but is arrogant and also enjoys women and entertainment.

And so on.

Why are my rumors filled with such bullshit?

‘How can a person live feeling so wronged?’

Especially the part about women and entertainment, where did that crap come from?

As if there’s anyone who lived as cleanly as I have.

“Then, should I ask the Kaebang to issue a correction regarding the subsequent rumors?”

“…Never mind. They’ll die down soon enough.”

“From what I see… I don’t think they will…”

“Anyway, that’s enough about this. Please wrap up the matters concerning the merchant guilds accordingly.”

“Understood.”

After finishing my words, I gulped down the tea as if to soothe my burning insides.

‘So… what should I do from now on?’

Although the changed schedule had already been sent out, the martial arts festival still had about seven days left.

‘It would be good if I could go all the way to the end, but…’

If there’s an unexpected event here…

‘It’s about when the First Sword Leader will arrive in Hanam.’

Depending on that, I might have to advance the plan.

Because it’s something that needs to be done upon his arrival here.

“Hmm…”

I’ve sent word to Pildu-ma as well.

The Hwangbo faction should also be preparing… so I just need to watch the Amipa side and keep an eye on the Murim Alliance, right?

Looking at it this way, it seems like things are proceeding smoothly, but…

‘No, I can’t let my guard down.’

I absolutely must not let my guard down.

Things going well always means some accident is about to happen. That’s how my damned luck has always been.

‘It’s obvious something will go wrong when things are going this well.’

That absolutely cannot happen.

No matter what happens, I will handle things properly. With that resolve, I tensed myself up.

Just then.

“Gongja-nim?”

“Uh, yeah. Why?”

“You didn’t hear me again, did you?”

“…Sorry.”

It seemed Moyong Hi-ah had been saying something.

As I apologized briefly for not hearing her again, Moyong Hi-ah, seemingly accustomed to it, didn’t react much anymore.

“So, what was it I said?”

“I told you there was a guest I brought with me.”

“A guest? Ah.”

Only then did I recall.

When Moyong Hi-ah came to my lodging. She had asked if she could bring someone.

She said it was someone looking for me, and since she brought them, I had agreed it was fine for the time being.

“She said they’ve just arrived…. Since they are from a merchant guild, I wanted to inform you first.”

“A merchant guild?”

Hearing that, I frowned slightly.

If they’re from a merchant guild, I just asked you to refuse everyone earlier, and the guest you brought is actually from a merchant guild?

Judging by the reaction, it was clear they weren’t from the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

“Who is it?”

“They are from the Jangwon Merchant Guild.”

“If it’s the Jangwon Merchant Guild…”

Hearing that, my eyes widened.

The Jangwon Merchant Guild, if you mean…

‘That’s the place said to have the most money in the Central Plains.’

Setting aside the influence of merchant guilds, it was officially the place with the largest assets.

If a martial artist’s pride cannot be bought with money, then assess if the amount is insufficient.

This was the famous saying left by the Jangwon Merchant Guild’s second-to-last guild master.

As if to prove his words, he actually had a record of temporarily employing the era’s number one under heaven, the Iron Blood Sabre, as his bodyguard.

When asked what price he paid for the number one under heaven to serve as his bodyguard, he calmly replied.

-I received a price commensurate with my value.

Money enough to move with the number one under heaven as a bodyguard.

That must have been an amount beyond imagination.

Anyway.

‘So someone from that place has come to see me?’

The Yujeon Merchant Guild and the Jangwon Merchant Guild.

Was my performance enough to make them move? I felt a novel sense of excitement.

But.

“As I said earlier, someone who isn’t the guild master, just a servant, coming… no matter what…”

“They are not simply a servant.”

“Then, did the guild master themselves come?”

“Yes.”

“What…?”

“…They came in person.”

“What did you say?”

As I expressed my doubt, as if waiting for that moment, a presence was felt beyond the lodging.

Knock, knock.

It was a presence I had already sensed.

“…Who is it?”

-Greetings. I am from the Central Plains Merchant Guild.

A calm voice that somehow inspired trust.

“Please come in.”

Hearing this, I hesitated for a moment before granting permission.

Then, the door opened, and a man revealed himself.

“Thank you for accepting my request.”

He was a man who seemed to be past forty, with a kind appearance that hinted at a benevolent nature.

Seeing him, I immediately had to frown.

‘That guy…?’

It was a face I knew. Although the wrinkles were shallower than in the past, it wasn’t a face I couldn’t recognize.

Even if it wasn’t a face I knew well, he was someone I needed to remember.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Jang Yu-myeong, from the Jang family, operating a business called the Jangwon Merchant Guild in the Central Plains.”

It was no wonder.

Jang Yu-myeong, the head of the Jangwon Merchant Guild.

Even in my past life, he was the richest of the rich, running the Jangwon Merchant Guild.

“Please, Great Hero, feel free to call me ‘Mr. Jang’.”

Because he was the official sponsor of the Divine Sword Wi Seol-ah.