Chapter 186: Becoming an Escort (2)

Only after coming to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union as a live-in son-in-law did Yong Hwarin learn the truth of the situation.

As the descendant of a minor sect located on the outskirts of Henan, unknown to much of the murim, Yong Hwarin was the perfect material for Hoi Unkyung to manipulate.

Though he had been a sacrificial pawn in their struggle for power, Yong Hwarin had accepted Hoi Unkyung's proposal of his own accord at the time and had no choice but to endure his circumstances.

Later, when Hoi Unkyung seized full control of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, she was burdened by substantial losses from several deals made while Hoi Soyu had managed the union in her stead. These resulted in years of financial difficulty.

Hoi Soyu had pushed forward with reckless trade ventures back then to prove her capabilities to both the Golden Court Council and the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Those ventures ultimately allowed Hoi Unkyung to seize leadership, but they also came with debt, which in turn became the catalyst for drawing in mysterious powers.

Of course, during that difficult period, the River Center Escort Agency rose with overwhelming momentum and cornered Hoi Unkyung.

Yong Hwarin once asked Hoi Unkyung,

“Why did you have to bring me in as a live-in son-in-law? There must have been plenty of others with similar qualifications. Why me? Why did you drag me in and cause me pain?”

Recalling the past, the pain in Yong Hwarin’s chest crept up like a leech.

‘You have no right to ask that question.’

The sight of Hoi Unkyung’s back as she turned away, saying those words, had looked sorrowful. Yet Yong Hwarin could not forgive the woman who had shaped his life into what it was.

“I have no past anymore.”

Yong Hwarin shook his head, as if trying to shake off the nightmares of the past.

Early in the morning, Yong Hwarin stepped out into the rear garden of the annex and began practicing the Fighting Dragon Fist to loosen his body. There was no better method to condition his muscles than the Fighting Dragon Fist.

“Indeed, now that I’ve opened all the meridians in my fingers and toes, each movement is infused with power.”

Yong Hwarin watched the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect practicing the Fighting Dragon Fist in unison and couldn’t help but admire them.

Fighting Dragon Fist wasn’t a technique known for overwhelming power, despite its name.

But now, it had become a martial art good enough to present anywhere without shame.

It didn’t seem inferior even compared to the martial arts of the Jin Family of Jinju or the Bukri Clan, which were said to be the two great fist households.

Moreover, thanks to the spiritual medicine of Bukri Sogun, their cultivation had soared, and the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect had far surpassed the level of first-rate martial artists.

Now, all that remained was for them to relentlessly train toward becoming peak-level masters.

As with all things, once a single wall was broken through, the next came far easier.

What caused people to despair and fall into hopelessness was their failure to break through that first wall. The moment one shattered that first barrier—that was the difference between a mediocre fighter and a true master.

‘I’ve somehow become someone who has ten peak-level masters as bodyguards.’

If the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect all became peak-level masters, the Heavenly Central Sect could rise from a minor sect to become one of the great sects of Henan.

Such was the value of peak-level masters.

Looking at them made him understand what it meant to feel full without eating.

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect had each received the full transmission of his martial arts.

Armed with the Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art, Dragon Scale Finger, and Dragon Claw Five Fingers, they had become masters who could gain fame not just in Henan, but throughout the murim.

As Yong Hwarin looked upon them with a content smile, Jeong Minji spoke from behind him.

“Most likely, once we return to the Heavenly Central Sect, Instructor Mo and the Violent Dragon Twin Swords will be the most surprised.”

Jeong Minji murmured, as though she knew what Yong Hwarin was thinking.

“I suppose so. Back when I first left with them, they were barely chicks compared to Instructor Mo or the Violent Dragon Twin Swords. But now, they may even surpass them.”

“They’ve inherited Young Master Yong’s martial arts after all. And through countless real battles, they’ve truly transformed into genuine masters.”

“It’s thanks to you three constantly sparring with them.”

“We also learned much through sparring with them. At times, it felt like we were facing a smaller version of Young Master Yong himself. Sometimes it sent chills down my spine.”

“Hahaha, is that so?”

Yong Hwarin laughed heartily, pleased to hear his subordinates being praised by another.

“Now, in Henan, the Heavenly Central Sect can no longer be called a minor sect. What other small sect can claim to have a master in the Transcendence Realm, a master at the pinnacle, and over ten peak-level martial artists? If those ten return and pass on the martial arts learned from Young Master Yong, then in just a few years, the Heavenly Central Sect could rival even the Shaolin Temple, the Bukri Clan, and the Shangguan Clan as one of the strongest martial households.”

“That’s a wonderful thing to hear.”

But Yong Hwarin’s thoughts were different.

If one included Jong Seok, Deungae, and even Pil Gye-young or Bang Yeorip, who were now likely residing in Mount Tianzhong, then they could already rival the Bukri Clan or the Shangguan Clan.

The Dabie Sect no longer even entered Yong Hwarin’s field of view.

While the two continued their conversation, Seok Unjeong approached from behind.

“Hwarin Orabeoni.”

Seok Unjeong brought over a wet towel and held it out.

Yong Hwarin smiled as he accepted the towel and wiped his face.

“I told you not to bring things like this.”

“It’s nothing. This is all I can do.”

And it wasn’t just for Yong Hwarin.

Seok Unjeong had prepared ten towels and made her way toward the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

Their expressions showed deep gratitude as the beautiful Seok Unjeong handed each of them a towel she had personally prepared.

It was heartwarming to see Seok Unjeong getting along so naturally not only with the Three Chivalrous Sisters, but also with the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect.

Especially to the youthful and vigorous martial artists of the Ten Prodigies, Seok Unjeong was like a tonic.

They cherished and followed her like a younger sister.

Yong Hwarin suddenly found himself wanting to protect those smiles, the way they laughed and looked happy.

In his past life, only regret had remained.

There was no one he had loved, and nothing he had wanted to protect.

A person like that had nothing to do but consume his own life.

He had lived just like that.

And having realized the despair of such a life, Yong Hwarin possessed a stronger desire than anyone to protect what was precious.

Everything he had done to grow stronger without rest until now stemmed from that reason.

‘I’m still not enough. To protect those I love, I need greater strength.’

Watching Yong Hwarin as he sank momentarily into his thoughts, Jeong Minji spoke.

“She’s such a lovely child.”

It was amusing that Jeong Minji, who was only two or three years older, would call Seok Unjeong a child.

“It’s fortunate that she’s adapting well.”

“She’s the kind of child anyone would love. To smile so brightly despite suffering from the Moon Yin Meridian Blockage—it shows how pure her soul is.”

Yong Hwarin nodded.

Sometimes when he looked at Seok Unjeong, he couldn’t believe she was the daughter of a Demonic Master. Who would believe that the daughter of a Great Demon was so kind and pure?

“These days, it seems she’s studying medicine.”

“Medicine? Then she must be trying to cure her own illness.”

Yong Hwarin guessed, but Jeong Minji shook her head.

“No. She said it’s because Young Master Yong and the others often get injured. She wants to help treat them. Rather than just standing by, she wants to learn medicine so she can be useful when someone is hurt. After we were attacked by assassins recently, I think she realized a lot seeing people get injured.”

Yong Hwarin felt her intention resonate deeply in his chest.

“Seok Unjeong now thinks of Young Master Yong and the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect as family.”

“I think of Jeong Mae as a younger sister too. And Jeong Lady—I think of you as a friend.”

When Yong Hwarin said so with a bright smile, Jeong Minji flinched in surprise.

The meaning in his words stung painfully in her heart.

“Thank you.”

For some reason, Jeong Minji felt like someone had pricked a corner of her chest with a needle.

‘Friend… friend, huh…’

That word kept drifting around her mind.

Do Gye-gong came to Yong Hwarin’s residence with someone else.

Yong Hwarin smiled as he looked at the person who had come with Do Gye-gong.

It was Jeon Yeong, the Violet Cloud Sword, the third Head Escort of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

The Sky Ocean Merchant Union had a total of six Head Escorts. One Chief Head Escort, and five others ranked under the title of Five Head Escorts.

Among them, Do Gye-gong held the position of First Head Escort.

And this man, Jeon Yeong, known as the Violet Cloud Sword, had been the most loyal to Yong Hwarin when he was managing the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Seeing such a person again naturally brought a smile to his face.

Back then, he had been in his fifties, but now he appeared to be in his early thirties.

Though the youngest among the five escorts, the fact that he held the position of Third Head Escort showed Jeon Yeong’s skill.

“I am Jeon Yeong, serving as the Third Head Escort of our Merchant Union.”

Do Gye-gong looked at Yong Hwarin receiving Jeon Yeong’s greeting with a friendly smile, his eyes revealing slight curiosity.

“I heard that a renowned member of the Sword Poison Sect came to examine Lady Hoi. What happened?”

Yong Hwarin hadn’t held much expectation.

Just because they were from the Sword Poison Sect didn’t mean they could detoxify a poison that many physicians had already given up on.

But Do Gye-gong shared unexpected news.

“She regained consciousness.”

“What?”

Yong Hwarin was startled by the answer he hadn’t expected.

“She only regains consciousness for a short time before falling asleep again. But she can stay awake for about two hours before falling into sleep for another shichen. If it weren’t a senior from the Sword Poison Sect, even this wouldn’t have been possible.”

After thinking for a moment, Yong Hwarin asked,

“May I know the full name and title of the person from the Sword Poison Sect?”

“It is Jin Pyeong, the Left Protector of the Sword Poison Sect.”

Jin Pyeong, Left Protector of the Sword Poison Sect.

From his past life’s memory, that man had never been a good person.

In his past life, Hoi Soyu had suffered tremendous losses after trading medicinal herbs with the Sword Poison Sect on Jin Pyeong’s recommendation.

Hoi Unkyung had to shoulder those losses later, which led to many complications.

‘This smells fishy. In my past life, Jin Pyeong never saved Hoi Unkyung. And regaining consciousness only briefly before losing it again—that’s really strange.’

“This morning when she regained consciousness, the Vice Leader asked if Young Master Yong was here. When I said you were, she looked deeply relieved. She asked to meet you in a shichen.”

“Understood. Come fetch me when the Vice Leader regains consciousness.”

After sending them off, Yong Hwarin focused on recalling his past life.

The situation facing the Sky Ocean Merchant Union wasn’t much different from before, but the people and their roles had begun to shift little by little.

Yong Hwarin entered the room and began writing down the memories of his past life with a brush.

After some time, the Third Head Escort Jeon Yeong arrived to guide Yong Hwarin. This time, Do Gye-gong had not come.

Once they were out of sight from others, Jeon Yeong spoke in a low voice.

“There are elders of our Merchant Union at the Vice Leader’s residence. Please understand if they are not welcoming toward Yong Sohyeop.”

Yong Hwarin replied calmly.

“I’ve come to see Lady Hoi. I won’t be bothered by whatever they say, so do not worry.”

As soon as Yong Hwarin arrived at Hoi Unkyung’s quarters, there were already people emanating a cold aura.

The elders of the Golden Court Council greeted Yong Hwarin with unwelcoming expressions.

“Since the Vice Leader requested Young Master Yong, we permit it.”

The Chief Administrator of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Wang Mu, said as he looked at Yong Hwarin.

They regarded Yong Hwarin as an accomplice of Hoi Unkyung and looked at him with displeasure.

Hoi Soyu was also present at Hoi Unkyung’s quarters.

“Welcome, Young Master Yong. My sister wishes to see you.”

Yong Hwarin briefly looked over the familiar elders and entered Hoi Unkyung’s room.

Hoi Unkyung’s complexion was not much different from that of the jiangshi he had seen at the Namgung Clan. Even while looking at Hoi Unkyung, whose appearance made it no surprise if she died at any moment, Yong Hwarin felt no trace of sympathy.

Perhaps the resentment and hatred he had held toward her in his past life were so great that even now, such feelings would not arise.

The large folding screen behind where Hoi Unkyung lay was a twelve-panel screen filled with many aphorisms.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this.’

This screen was known as the Two-Sided Screen, said to have been written personally by Heaven Sea Sword Hoi Eulshin.

The front was filled with phrases likely familiar to anyone who had spent time in the world of commerce.

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