Chapter 185: Sky Ocean Merchant Union (2)

“Did you already know? The reason I came to Jeongju? Hardly anyone in my main household even knows about this.”

“That was merely my guess. I just thought, ‘What reason would Lady Namgung have to come to Jeongju?’.”

“But most people don’t even know the East Evil Division is in Jeongju.”

“I apologize. I just took a shot in the dark.”

“Ah! I walked right into it, didn’t I.”

Namgung Yoo let out a slight chuckle. Since Yong Hwarin had asked so directly, anyone would have realized it.

“Are you thinking of purchasing a Jiangshi?”

Namgung Yoo asked seriously.

“Yes.”

Yong Hwarin answered honestly. It was because it would help him meet the Division Leader of the East Evil Division.

“From what I hear, the Division Leader of the East Evil Division doesn’t meet with people from small or mid-sized sects like me. I know it’s rude, but if Lady Namgung could vouch for me, I believe he would agree to see me.”

Namgung Yoo nodded.

She wanted to mediate for a friend who not only had no hesitation about using Jiangshi, but also understood someone like herself.

“All right. If I meet with the Division Leader of the East Evil Division, I’ll introduce you, Young Master Yong. If he agrees, I’ll send a letter to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.”

“Thank you.”

When Yong Hwarin offered a clasped-hands salute, Namgung Yoo also returned the salute politely as they exchanged farewells.

Afterward, Namgung Yoo had a brief conversation with Jeong Minji, with whom she was close like a real sister, and then headed toward the Azure Sky Martial Arts Hall.

“Come on, it's already been a day since they threw us into this annex, and we haven’t seen a single other soul.”

A full day had passed since Yong Hwarin and his group had entered the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and settled in the annex, but not even Do Gye-gong, who had led them, had shown up.

One annex was given to Yong Hwarin and the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, while the other was given to the Three Chivalrous Sisters and Seok Unjeong.

The Three Chivalrous Sisters, still not fully recovered from internal injuries, hadn’t stopped their Qi Circulation Training since entering the annex.

They also seized every spare moment to focus on energy circulation, attempting to convert the energy given by Bukri Sogun into internal strength.

Thanks to that, Seok Unjeong was left to attend to Yong Hwarin and the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

Listening to Mu Iso grumbling, Yong Hwarin quietly surveyed the annex.

To Yong Hwarin, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was a place of special significance.

‘I tried to avoid this place… and yet I ended up here after all.’

He had spent his adult and middle-aged years in this place during his past life, so his feelings were bound to be complex.

He had frequented this annex so often that he could navigate it blindfolded.

Looking at the familiar scenery, Yong Hwarin sank into thought.

‘Considering how urgent Hoi Unkyung’s condition must be, it’s strange she hasn’t called for me. Could she have been cured?’

While he was deep in thought, Do Gye-gong entered the annex.

His complexion, already poor due to injuries, looked especially dark today.

“Young Master Yong.”

Noticing Yong Hwarin out in the annex garden, Do Gye-gong approached him.

“Welcome.”

“I apologize for not contacting you after placing you in the annex. Several issues have erupted within the merchant union, and we’ve been unable to properly tend to you.”

“More importantly, is Hoi Sojeo all right?”

At that question, Do Gye-gong’s expression hardened.

“In truth, up until two days ago, she was still conscious. But ever since we arrived, she suddenly lost consciousness. The entire union has been in chaos. The Vice Chairman said he was waiting for Young Master Yong to arrive.”

It was strange.

There was no clear reason why Hoi Unkyung would wait for him.

“May I examine Hoi Sojeo’s condition?”

That was exactly why Do Gye-gong had brought Yong Hwarin from the Namgung Clan.

However, the situation had changed—Hoi Unkyung was no longer someone he could meet.

“Currently, all outside contact is prohibited. Even though I explained you were personally invited by the Vice Chairman, the Golden Court Council has denied access, and there’s nothing I can do.”

Do Gye-gong, who had braved death to bring Yong Hwarin here, trembled with anger as he explained how powerless he now was.

The Golden Court Council referred to a group formed by the elders of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. It was a body composed of twelve elders who had made the greatest contributions to leading the Union thus far.

Though originally formed with pure intentions, three years ago, when the Chairman of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Hoi Jongbaek, suddenly fell ill and took to his bed, the Golden Court Council began operating as the Union’s decision-making body.

As they took charge of the Union’s major and minor affairs, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was no longer run by Hoi Unkyung but rather under the influence of the Golden Court Council.

Yong Hwarin closed his eyes.

He recalled how Hoi Jongbaek collapsed, and how, three years after that, Hoi Unkyung too collapsed due to poisoning—memories from his past life.

If she showed weakness, the Golden Court Council might strip her of her position as Vice Chairman at any moment.

‘Because of the Golden Court Council, Hoi Unkyung must have felt she had no choice but to appear even stronger.’

He had only learned later in his past life, but it became clear that in order to keep the Golden Court Council in check, Hoi Unkyung had formed a secret alliance with a mysterious force.

At the time, Yong Hwarin had no standing to intervene in the management of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and could only observe.

Before that, when the River Center Escort Agency had grown so strong in Jeongju that it could push out the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, and the Golden Court Council used that as an excuse to try and oust Hoi Unkyung, she had allied herself with the unknown faction.

‘That mysterious force had even tried to kill me.’

Even now, he couldn’t fathom the background of that force.

After the death of Hoi Unkyung, Yong Hwarin had taken over the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and attempted to dismantle the Golden Court Council.

But during a transport mission for a critical escort item, he was ambushed and, while being pursued, encountered a Demonic Master.

Part of the reason Yong Hwarin accepted Hoi Unkyung’s proposal and came to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union was to uncover the identity of the force that had driven both Hoi Unkyung and himself to the brink of death.

At the time, they had hired escorts who weren’t even first-rate, and so they had no chance against that mysterious force.

But things were different now.

Now, he had the strength to defeat even the Hongui Twin Demons of the Three Demonic Absolutes and Heaven-Cleaving Saber Gu Hyeong.

With that strength, he wanted to dig up the truth behind it all.

‘If I want to see Hoi Unkyung, I’ll have no choice but to sneak in.’

Yong Hwarin knew Hoi Unkyung’s death wasn’t fated to occur so soon.

However, since the future had already changed, there was no guarantee what would happen, and he couldn’t afford to simply wait.

On the evening he resolved to go into stealth, one person accompanied Do Gye-gong to visit the annex.

That person was someone Yong Hwarin could never forget from his past life—someone forever tied to Hoi Unkyung.

Hoi Soyu.

Her appearance was more beautiful than Hoi Unkyung’s, making her the most popular woman in the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. She was so skilled in flirtation that every man in the Union adored her.

In contrast, Hoi Unkyung, with her strong, upright air, received little attention from men.

Hoi Soyu was Hoi Unkyung’s half-sister.

Chairman Hoi Jongbaek had taken a second wife after his first wife died giving birth to Hoi Unkyung, hoping to bear a son. That second wife gave birth to Hoi Soyu.

But regrettably, the second wife also passed away shortly after giving birth.

After that, Hoi Jongbaek gave up on having a son and chose not to take a third wife.

Instead, he decided it would be better to bring in a son-in-law, allowing his daughter and her husband to lead the merchant union together. So he gave Hoi Unkyung the authority to choose her husband.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned Heavenly Sword Hero Young Hero.”

As Hoi Soyu offered a modest greeting, Yong Hwarin gave a bitter smile.

In his past life, Yong Hwarin and Hoi Unkyung had a strained marriage and lived apart for a long time. During that time, Hoi Soyu seduced him, and they became secret lovers.

From Yong Hwarin’s perspective, it had started as a petty affair born of revenge against the woman who had cast him aside.

That secret relationship continued for a full year.

Perhaps it was because those memories kept rising to the surface—Yong Hwarin found it strangely difficult to face Hoi Soyu.

He had thought there would be many things to do upon arriving at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, but all that surfaced were bitter, unwanted memories from his previous life, and he was beginning to regret coming.

‘For me, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union wasn’t a place of happiness, but a time of misfortune. Why did I even come here?’

With those thoughts, he felt an urge to leave immediately.

“I am Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

After the two exchanged greetings, Do Gye-gong introduced Hoi Soyu.

“This is Acting Vice Chairman Hoi Soyu, currently overseeing the affairs of the union after the Vice Chairman was struck by poison and collapsed.”

From his memories of the previous life, Yong Hwarin had no particular ill will toward Hoi Soyu.

There had been some guilt toward Hoi Unkyung due to the affair, but since his resentment toward her had been stronger, that guilt hadn’t lasted long.

In fact, Hoi Soyu had treated him better than Hoi Unkyung had, so his memories of her were rather positive.

Hoi Soyu stared at Yong Hwarin for a long moment before murmuring softly.

“My sister once said… she had never seen a swordsman as fine as Young Hero.”

“Your praise is too generous. I only hope Hoi Sojeo recovers swiftly. You must be under a great deal of stress.”

When Yong Hwarin spoke, Hoi Soyu’s expression darkened.

“I never imagined my sister would end up like this. At a time when the merchant union needs her more than ever… I truly don’t know what to do. In the chaos, I’ve also failed to properly receive Young Hero. Please forgive me.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Yong Hwarin spoke, thinking he would need Hoi Soyu’s permission if he wished to examine Hoi Unkyung’s condition.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I take a look at Hoi Sojeo’s condition now?”

Since Hoi Soyu was currently leading the merchant union, he believed that her permission might make it possible.

However, Hoi Soyu shook her head with a troubled expression.

“I’m sorry. Since my sister has been afflicted by poison, we are not allowing outsiders near her. I hope you understand.”

“If it’s poison, I’ve studied it to a certain degree. I would like to examine her condition.”

Even at that, Hoi Soyu shook her head again.

“Coincidentally, Myeongsook of the Sword Poison Sect is scheduled to visit tomorrow morning. I will entrust her with it first, and if necessary, I’ll request your assistance afterward, Young Hero.”

It was unpleasant, but considering the poisoning incident, he could fully understand their reluctance to let in outsiders.

“You said the Sword Poison Sect?”

The Sword Poison Sect had been formed long ago through the merging of the righteous Poison Sect, which specialized in poisons, and the Sword Heaven Sect, which had been located near the border of Henan and Hebei. The result was a martial household that blended sword techniques with poison arts to create a unique martial style.

Because of that, the sect walked a line between orthodoxy and unorthodoxy, and the orthodox martial world held a strong aversion to the Sword Poison Sect.

As a result, the Sword Poison Sect had not been allowed to join the Namung Alliance.

Still, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union supplied them with rare herbs, making them one of their major clients.

Yong Hwarin had also personally led transports of herbs to them multiple times, so the sect was not unfamiliar to him.

“The Sword Poison Sect is certainly trustworthy when it comes to poisons, but wouldn’t it be better to request assistance from the Tang Clan first?”

Hoi Soyu let out a regretful expression.

“Do you think we didn’t try? The same day Escort Chief Do departed for the Namgung Clan, we immediately sent word to the Tang Clan. But we’ve yet to receive any response.”

From the memories of his past life, Yong Hwarin knew that no one from the Tang Clan had ever come when Hoi Unkyung was poisoned.

‘For now, since the Sword Poison Sect will examine her, I’ll have to wait.’

As he watched Hoi Soyu disappear, Yong Hwarin recalled a few memories. After Hoi Unkyung awoke from the poisoning, Hoi Soyu completely stepped away from all matters of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

However, those who had followed Hoi Soyu at the time had many complaints.

At that time, with the matter of succession at stake, the Golden Court Council had been weighing Hoi Unkyung and Hoi Soyu against each other, causing the union’s internal forces to split in two.

‘I was just a scapegoat then. Hoi Unkyung brought me in as her husband and claimed it was to fulfill Hoi Jongbaek’s wishes, all to rally support to her side.’

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