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Chapter 50: The Law of the Strongest
Han Chaeyeon, who was whispering with Lee Cheolsan, suddenly turned to the eldest, Pung Yeoncho.
"And what is the eldest brother going to do?" she asked, referring to the decision to stay at Five Peaks Mountain.
Pung Yeoncho, hesitating momentarily due to the responsibility of being the boss, finally expressed his thoughts.
"Well, when I feel sufficiently prepared, I would like to visit Kaifeng," he said, thinking of the family he left behind ten years ago.
"The second brother said he will follow me, so eventually, the camp will be led by the third and fourth brothers," he added.
Ma Hyeongdo and Heo Imdal nodded.
Han Chaeyeon asked the second brother, Tak Gomyung.
"Will you go with the eldest brother?"
"Yes, I have a long relationship with him. Besides, I am an orphan and have no other place to go," Tak Gomyung replied.
"I see..." murmured Han Chaeyeon.
At this point in the conversation, the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks looked at each other with melancholic expressions. Though they were together now, the prospect of separating someday filled them with sadness.
But, as often happens, life does not always follow plans.
The future of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks was yet to be seen.
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In the city of Yeoju, Henan Province, in the basement of Eunha Manor on the banks of the Yeohagang River.
A fifty-year-old man held a rosary in one hand and a sharp knife in the other.
In front of him, a fifty-year-old monk was kneeling. Though his posture was rigid, his face showed fear, indicating that his acupoints were blocked.
"...May the difficulties of the three realms and the five pains of hell be released, may the great demon retire, om om samara hum phat."
After reciting the long mantra, the man swung the knife.
In an instant, the monk's head separated from his body.
Blood gushed from the neck, filling the air with a metallic aroma.
A red mist emerged from the cut and flowed toward the rosary, finally ascending to the top point of the man.
With his eyes closed and an ecstatic expression, the man gently swayed his torso from side to side.
When the red mist disappeared, the man opened his eyes, from which a bluish light emanated like lightning.
In unison, the dozens of people kneeling in the darkness said:
"Congratulations on becoming a Great Demon General."
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Henan Province, Mount Song, Shaolin Temple.
The Sect Leader of Shaolin, Great Swordmaster Hyun Baek, looked worriedly at the Elder of the Law, Gong Baek.
Though he was his disciple, Gong Baek was a principled man who never spoke of personal matters. Today, he had come directly to the abbot's room with a request.
"Amitabha. So, Brother Gong Baek, you want me to investigate the matter of your brother?"
"Yes."
"I am intrigued to know what has happened for you, a man of principles, to come with this request."
"I believe it resembles an incident that occurred over twenty years ago."
Great Swordmaster Hyun Baek's face tensed slightly.
"Do you suspect the Yoomyung Cult?"
"Yes."
"I understand. Tell me the details."
"I have an older brother who joined the monastery before me. He was at the Bogwang Temple in Yeoju, but he recently disappeared."
"It's not just because he disappeared, is it?"
"A few days ago, he sent me a letter saying he felt someone was watching him and that we needed to meet. However, he disappeared before he could arrive."
"Did he do anything to make enemies?"
"He has been a monk for over thirty years and never had conflicts with anyone."
"Why do you suspect the Yoomyung Cult?"
"In Henan Province, more than three hundred monks and Taoists have disappeared. And recently, these incidents have become more frequent. Twenty-five years ago, something similar happened. The followers of the Yoomyung Cult acted in secret, suddenly kidnapping people. I believe their judgments have been clouded by demonic corruption."
"So, do you think the patience of the hidden followers of the Yoomyung Cult has run out?"
"Or perhaps they are anxious because their goal is near."
"What do you think their goal is?"
"I don't know. They disappeared before I could find out."
"Wouldn't it be better to ask the Justice Alliance for help?"
"It is just my suspicion. If I discover something significant, I will contact the Justice Alliance."
"I understand. Who will accompany you on this mission?"
"I would prefer to take some Arhats instead of my disciples from the Temple of the Law. That is why I came to you, Sect Leader."
"So be it. We have some new Arhats who will be perfect for this. It will be a good experience for them."
"Are you referring to the five new Arhats?"
"Yes. But do not pressure them too much. If your brother is really related to the Yoomyung Cult, they will not be enough."
"Understood. Thank you."
"You're welcome. But do not jump to conclusions about your brother. He might be absent for other reasons. I hope you have good results."
"Yes. I hope the same. My brother has always been aloof from worldly matters..."
Gong Baek really hoped his brother was just absent for other reasons, though he knew it was unlikely.
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Kaifeng, Henan Province.
Baekse Chamber of Commerce.
The Bangju (Leader), Lee Sechang, welcomed Baek Miju with a wide smile after a long time without seeing her.
"Madame Baek, how have you been? The weather is cold, what brings you here? Although I am very glad to see you."
Lee Sechang tried to guess why she had come, but he could not find a clear reason. The monthly wages of the warriors of Blue Dragon and White Dragon were three nyang, almost the best deal in the business. Moreover, it was not the time to expand the trade caravans in the middle of winter.
Baek Miju, who now had a more comfortable life, responded calmly.
"I was in Kaifeng and thought of you, so I came for a cup of tea. I hope I did not disturb you at a busy time."
"Disturb me, not at all! Madame Baek is a valuable partner of our Chamber of Commerce. You are always welcome here."
Despite saying she came only for a cup of tea, Baek Miju addressed a serious matter as soon as she sat down.
"Since you mention I am your partner, I would like to talk about an important matter. I would like you to consider us more as partners. What do you think of that?"
"What exactly do you mean?"
"I think it is time for our Waryong Manor to take over managing the business that the Chamber of Commerce has with Samhwa Guesthouse, Sahae Juru, and Baekyangru."
"But those matters are managed by Changhae Martial Academy..."
"Oh, why continue doing business with them after they caused you losses?"
"Yes, but Changhae Martial Academy has been managing that for a long time. If we break relations with them, they might have difficulties..."
"I will be honest. The situation of Waryong Manor is not so good. I want to make it a prominent family in the Murim, but for that, I need your help. I would like you to support us a bit more."
"Hmmm, a prominent family in the Murim..."
Lee Sechang let out a soft sigh. He had suspected that Waryong Manor was taking in more disciples to grow, but hearing it from Baek Miju made him feel a bit uncomfortable. However, he had no intention of hindering her path. Strengthening Waryong Manor was also beneficial for the Chamber of Commerce.
"Well, cutting off the last resource of Changhae Martial Academy is a bit problematic, but..."
After all, considering his future relationship with Waryong Manor, it was not something worth thinking much about.
"Alright. I will do what I can to help you."
Nothing in the world is free. Lee Sechang planned to get something in return for entrusting the management of the business to Waryong Manor.
"But, I would have a favor to ask in return."
"What favor?"
"I would like Waryong Manor to take charge of my security and that of the sub-chief. Changhae Martial Academy might hold a grudge and seek revenge, and if you promise us that, we will be safer."
Of course, Changhae Martial Academy was just an excuse. He planned to use Waryong Manor's strength to expand his business more aggressively. For that, the protection of Waryong Manor was essential, as other chambers of commerce also had their own protectors.
"Alright."
Baek Miju readily agreed.
After all, if she wanted to elevate Waryong Manor to the status of a prominent family in the Murim, she would have to compete with other martial academies. She would take this opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Waryong Manor to the martial clans of Kaifeng. Over time, Waryong Manor would be known as a prominent family in the Murim.
Thus, the ambitions of Baek Miju and the desires of Lee Sechang came together. If Waryong Manor had been weak or the Chamber of Commerce had no money, this alliance would not have been possible.
This union of ambition and greed would, in the future, lead to the birth of a great group known as the Ten Great Chambers of Commerce.
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Five Peaks Mountain.
Five Peaks Stronghold.
With the arrival of spring, Yeon Jeokha taught the third technique to the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks.
Already close to being masters with the first and second techniques, the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks transformed into tigers with wings upon learning the third.
Now, even when executing the second technique, they could unleash powerful gusts of wind with their swords.
Although, compared to Yeon Jeokha, their gusts were like a breeze, for the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks, it was a miracle. The gusts of wind were manifestations of energy that would eventually lead to the supreme sword skill. They were on the threshold of superior martial arts.
The bandits of the Five Peaks were eager to learn at least one move from Pung Yeoncho. Although they could not openly ask him to teach them, they sought his advice at every opportunity.
Pung Yeoncho never refused to share his knowledge, so even if he did not go on missions, the thieves were not discontent. In fact, they competed to gain his favor.
Shim Yanggak, who had gone out for some fresh air, stopped.
Pung Yeoncho was again in the main courtyard, discussing martial techniques with the bandits.
"Tsk!"
He was not sure if it was envy or jealousy, but an unpleasant feeling arose within him.
In learning martial arts, what mattered was not speed but the right path. Although a dark technique could quickly make you a master, in the end, it always succumbed to the power of a correct technique.
However, the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks were on the right path, and their speed was comparable to that of dark techniques, which was frustrating.
He was so anxious to discover their secret that it was difficult for him to contain himself. But he could not simply ask someone of lower rank for teachings.
According to Shim Yanggak, the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks were already close to the level of Hwang Yeomyung, placing them in the master rank. Reaching this level in just a year of training was incredible, even for him.
Recently, Hwang Yeomyung had started to notice the growing skill of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks and no longer looked down on them. In reality, there was no one who listened to his complaints.
"Tsk! Damn traitors..."
Shim Yanggak could not bear to see the bandits flattering Pung Yeoncho, so he decided to climb the mountain.
Walking aimlessly, he soon found himself at the top of Five Peaks Mountain.
In the distance, he saw Yeon Jeokha's figure and realized his mistake.
He had forgotten that the top of Five Peaks Mountain was a forbidden area.
Just as he was about to turn back, he heard Yeon Jeokha's voice.
"Old man, do you have any business with me?"