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C98. This Is How I've Lived My Life
Shim Tong, of the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, handed the antidote to Yeon Jeokha and quickly left in search of Chu Yeopjin.
Yeon Jeokha administered the antidote to Pung Yeoncho and took him to a room.
Pung Yeoncho's blackened face began to regain some color.
They had tried various medications without success, but this antidote seemed to be working.
The idea that "for every poison, there is an antidote" was etched in his mind.
As he watched Pung Yeoncho's deeply sleeping face, Yeon Jeokha was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.
Pung Yeoncho was like family to him.
Although he only considered him a close friend, seeing him on the brink of death made him clench his fists in rage.
If he hadn't obtained the antidote and Pung Yeoncho had died, it would have been unbearable.
‘Just wait until I catch you...’
Someone who had even tried to kill Pung Yeoncho and Tak Gomyung...
Yeon Jeokha ground his teeth in fury.
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Back at the Sahae Chamber of Commerce, Sang Jaeyong called his lieutenant, Lee Hwaseu.
“Bangju, you called for me?”
“Hwaseu.”
Lee Hwaseu looked at Sang Jaeyong with surprised eyes.
When the Bangju used that soft tone, it usually meant someone was going to bleed.
A merchant was not only involved in business.
To build such a large Chamber of Commerce, one had to face many enemies.
Merchants often were significant clients of assassin organizations for this reason.
Minor tasks were handled by Chu Yeopjin, a mercenary, but the bigger ones were the responsibility of Lee Hwaseu, the lieutenant.
“You're aware of what happened at the Yonghui Pavilion, right?”
“Yes, brother. I heard an assassin tried to kill a guard named Pung.”
Lee Hwaseu also referred to Sang Jaeyong as ‘brother’ instead of ‘Bangju’.
“Today, Tak Gomyung, along with an old man and a young one, humiliated and threatened me.”
“What?”
“The old man crippled my five personal guards. Tak Gomyung and the young man treated me like a dog...”
“Damn it! We're going to...”
“The old man is not someone the Death Hall can handle.”
Just remembering the old man's ability to fly gave him chills.
“Is he that strong? Then, what should we do?”
“Only a sect of the level of the seven great sects could face him.”
Lee Hwaseu frowned.
He couldn't think of any assassin sect of that caliber.
“Should we contact the Black Society?”
“The Black Society won't be enough.”
Sang Jaeyong's response was firm, surprising Lee Hwaseu.
The Black Society was the Evil Faction's alliance in Kaifeng and could crush a minor sect. But Sang Jaeyong thought even they wouldn't be sufficient.
“Brother, the Black Society is the largest faction of the Evil Faction in Kaifeng. If not them, then...”
Who else could they turn to?
“The Yoomyung Cult. Only the Demon Warriors would be enough.”
“But you know that to get the help of the Yoomyung Cult... we have to join them.”
“I know. The seven great sects will look down on us.”
Most merchants stayed neutral, following the money. That was the right way to do business.
But what could they do?
The only place they could seek revenge was the Yoomyung Cult.
After thinking about it, Lee Hwaseu nodded.
“I'll follow your will. Besides, the Yoomyung Cult is gaining popularity, so people won't be surprised.”
“Go to the sect's temple at Waryong Manor.”
“You mean the temple at the place of Waryong Manor?”
“Yes. If you tell them the enemies are from Waryong Manor, they won't refuse.”
“Understood.”
“If Pung recovers with the antidote, they can leave, so you must hurry.”
“I'll return as fast as the wind.”
After Lee Hwaseu left, Sang Jaeyong took out a credit note.
It was time to deal with the matter of the Tianxiang Restaurant.
‘I hope Cheok Dogwang is still alive...’
Ideally, Cheok Dogwang would take care of Chu Yeopjin. Moreover, he could keep him quiet and avoid unnecessary rumors.
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That night.
Sang Jaeyong visited the Tianxiang Restaurant in secret.
Cheok Dogwang received him with a murderous look.
“They told me you betrayed me. How dare you come here? I appreciate that you came willingly, but that doesn't change anything...”
Sang Jaeyong put the credit note in front of Cheok Dogwang.
“What is this?”
“Can't you see? I told you I had a task for you. This is the advance payment.”
Cheok Dogwang took the credit note and checked the amount.
It was ten thousand taels of silver. An unexpected amount left Cheok Dogwang speechless.
Observing Cheok Dogwang's reaction, Sang Jaeyong spoke in a persuasive tone.
“The task is very simple. For you, it's like killing a dog. In fact, this money is compensation for what Chu Yeopjin did. Once you complete the job, I'll give you another ten thousand.”
“What are you plotting now?”
Though he doubted, Cheok Dogwang was interested.
Killing Sang Jaeyong wouldn't be as profitable as getting more money out of him.
“Kill Chu Yeopjin.”
Cheok Dogwang looked at Sang Jaeyong with curiosity.
Chu Yeopjin was his right-hand man, someone who had done dirty jobs for him. Why ask for his death now?
“Haha. It's curious. What will you gain from his death? Asking for this just when a stranger is looking for him?”
Cheok Dogwang suspected that Sang Jaeyong was trying to pin all the blame on him. The request was strange and deadly.
“You won't lose anything from this. If something goes wrong, you can blame me. Or are you afraid of that old man?”
Sang Jaeyong subtly provoked Cheok Dogwang's pride.
And as expected, Cheok Dogwang burst out immediately.
“Nonsense! It's true that old man is a master, but I'm not one to cower and run. Do you think I'd have gotten to where I am if I ran from everything that scares me?”
“You're absolutely right. I also feared meeting Master Cheok, but I came. Because this is how I've lived my life. What do you say, Master Cheok? Do you want to take care of Chu Yeopjin and earn another ten thousand taels of silver? Or will you settle for the first ten thousand?”
“...”
Despite Sang Jaeyong's persuasive words, Cheok Dogwang didn't accept the task immediately.
The image of the ruthless old man was etched in his mind.
The old man's violence wasn't just for intimidation; it was filled with killing intent. Cheok Dogwang knew he had escaped death by a hair.
Therefore, he was worried about accepting a task that might entangle him with that old man again.
However, he also felt frustrated with his own cowardice.
There are many masters in the world.
He had survived facing many stronger than him.
“Hmph! I have no idea where Chu Yeopjin is hiding. How am I supposed to kill him? If Chu Yeopjin shows up, those guys will take him before I have the chance. Even if I want to do it, will my turn really come?”
“Haha, Master Cheok, did you forget that I said it was a simple task? Would I come to you without a plan? I don't do things without preparation.”
“Do you know where Chu Yeopjin is?”
“Of course, I do. The day the second assassin died, I hid him in a safe place myself. Are you determined now?”
Sang Jaeyong smiled with satisfaction.
As the leader of the Sahae Chamber of Commerce, he always made sure to have everything prepared and set multiple traps. Murim warriors often thought that force alone solved everything.
“Hmph! You're really a cunning fox. Why do you want to kill him? There doesn't seem to be any benefit.”
“I just want to punish someone who humiliated the Sahae Chamber of Commerce.”
“Haha! How hypocritical. Do you expect me to believe that?”
“Believing it or not is your choice, Master Cheok. So, will you accept this simple task? Or not?”
“He's a traitor who caused me losses. I'll do it. Where is he hiding?”
“He's in the Lee house at Yucheonjin. It's our lieutenant's property, but it hasn't been used in a long time. No one from the Chamber of Commerce knows he's there. Watch the area for a day, and when everything is calm, go get him.”
“Wow, you sent him far away.”
Cheok Dogwang looked at Sang Jaeyong in amazement.
Yucheonjin was more than a day's ride on horseback. This showed how meticulous Sang Jaeyong was.
----------
Tak Gomyung and Shim Tong returned empty-handed, having not found Chu Yeopjin.
Tak Gomyung looked at Pung Yeoncho, who was sleeping peacefully, and then spoke to Ye
Tak Gomyung and Shim Tong returned empty-handed, having not found Chu Yeopjin.
Tak Gomyung looked at Pung Yeoncho, who was sleeping peacefully, and then spoke to Yeon Jeokha.
“We checked taverns, brothels, gambling dens, and even inns, but Chu Yeopjin didn’t show up.”
Shim Tong added:
“Young master, I spoke to some acquaintances of Chu Yeopjin. No one has seen him since the day the assassins were killed. It seems he fled when things got complicated.”
“Old Shim, tomorrow we’ll take Sang Jaeyong as a witness and confront Jang Munho.”
Shim Tong nodded at Tak Gomyung’s proposal.
“Old Sang Jaeyong is suspicious, but it seems Jang Munho really gave the order. If he confesses, we’ll bury him alive. What do you think, young master?”
“Tsk, tsk! Old man, your words are terrible. Since when are people seeds to be buried? Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Haha, it’s just a figure of speech. What do you suggest then, young master?”
“Let brother Pung decide. He should avenge the one who tried to kill him.”
“Ah, you’re right. I didn’t think it through.”
Tak Gomyung also nodded, seeing the logic in the suggestion.
Thus, the fate of Jang Munho was left in the hands of Pung Yeoncho, who was still sleeping.
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The next morning.
Tak Gomyung ran to the fabric shop and captured Jang Munho.
Meanwhile, Shim Tong sent one of the guards from the brothel to the Sahae Chamber of Commerce to call Sang Jaeyong. Despite being busy, Sang Jaeyong came immediately.
The confirmation was quick and simple.
As soon as Sang Jaeyong mentioned what he had heard from Chu Yeopjin, Jang Munho fell to his knees, begging.
“Forgive me! I have committed a grave sin! I was drunk and out of control! But I didn’t ask to kill the Great Hero Pung! I just wanted to get the woman back! It’s the truth!”
From the hallway, Pung Yeoncho, listening, threw a vase towards Jang Munho.
“You bastard! How is it different from asking to kill her husband? Despicable!”
Tak Gomyung, filled with rage, began kicking Jang Munho.
“You bastard! It was already a sin to desire another’s wife, but on top of that, you asked to kill brother Pung! And you expected to live? Die! Die!”
“Ow! Forgive me! Aaah! Bangju, help me!”
Despite Jang Munho’s screams, Tak Gomyung didn’t stop beating him.
He was determined to kill him.
Finally, Pung Yeoncho intervened.
“Tak, brother, stop.”
Only then did Tak Gomyung stop beating him, though he was still breathing heavily from anger.
“Brother, this guy deserves to die. He tried to kill you!”
“I know, but I’m not dead, am I?”
“What do you mean? If it weren’t for Yeon Jeokha, you’d be dead. We can’t leave loose ends. We can’t guarantee the same luck next time. Think of your wife and children...”
Before Tak Gomyung could finish, Pung Yeoncho, staggering, came down and cut off Jang Munho’s head with his sword.