Where Does Fortune Come From? (1)
Chil-ho walked down the corridor.
It was a labyrinthine hallway, twisting left, then right, then left again. Even the sharpest mind would struggle to find their way through it on the first try.
After wandering for a while, he finally emerged from the maze to find a long corridor stretching out before him.
At the end of the grayish hallway, which seemed ready to spring open and unleash something from its walls, there was a room.
He opened the door and entered. A man stood with his back turned. The room, likely underground, had no windows. The man was staring at a painting where a window might have been.
The painting depicted waves crashing against seaside rocks, creating a frothy spray—a stark contrast to the stifling room.
“Ma Jeong-su is dead.”
The news was delivered in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, as if announcing the weather.
The man’s reaction was equally composed.
“How?”
The news of Ma Jeong-su’s death wasn’t being delivered to Ma Bong-gi, nor was this man a member of the Martial Alliance.
“He got tangled up with the Yasan in the Shandong region.”
“Did you confirm it yourself?”
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Here’s the detailed report.”
She placed the report on the table.
The man still didn’t take his eyes off the painting.
“Every time I look at this painting, I wonder—did the artist paint this sea from life, or was it imagined? What do you think?”
“I’m… not sure.”
Only then did the man turn around. He was in his thirties, and despite his earlier contemplative demeanor, he now exuded a cold aura.
This man was Il-ho, the leader of the organization. He was the only one who knew how many members there were and whose orders they followed.
Il-ho slowly read the report.
“Hwaseon Nodae and Sigon, who went with him, are missing. There’s evidence of another successor’s involvement?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Il-ho spoke without lifting his gaze from the report.
“Stand by for further orders.”
“Understood.”
As she turned to leave, Il-ho called out to her.
“Chil-ho.”
“Yes.”
Il-ho’s tone softened slightly.
“Good work.”
But Chil-ho’s response remained formal.
“Thank you.”
After she left, Il-ho finished reading the report. He closed the last page and turned his gaze back to the painting behind him.
Three hours later, the contents of the report finally reached Ma Bong-gi, the leader of the Martial Alliance.
The bearer of the news was Ju Cheol-ryong, the head of the Gwangwol faction.
“Regrettably, your son, Ma Jeong-su, has passed away.”
Upon hearing of his son’s death, Ma Bong-gi showed no visible emotion.
“Who killed him?”
“It appears to be one of the successors.”
Ju Cheol-ryong did not mention anything about the Yasan or the Shandong Trading Company.
Whether he edited the information himself or simply hadn’t received those details was unclear. It was impossible to know how many hands the report had passed through before reaching him from Il-ho.
“We should send an investigator. It can’t be done through the Alliance, so send someone from Cheondo Gate.”
Ma Bong-gi nodded.
“I’ll handle it. What’s the next report?”
And with that, the conversation about Ma Jeong-su’s death ended. If Ma Jeong-su could see this exchange from the afterlife, he would be furious.
“The public opinion in the martial world isn’t favorable. You should recall the successors sent outside.”
“That’s not possible.”
Ma Bong-gi refused outright.
“I sent them with your people despite their objections. You know more about what’s happening there than I do. I’ve already compromised enough, so I can’t accept the demand to recall them.”
“You can’t ignore public opinion.”
“Don’t ignore me, either.”
Ju Cheol-ryong continued as if he hadn’t heard.
“The martial world expects a certain dignity from the leader of the Martial Alliance.”
“As you know, I lack such things.”
“Then start cultivating it now.”
A tense standoff unfolded between the two.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you support me?”
Without Ju Cheol-ryong, the head of the powerful Gwangwol faction, Ma Bong-gi would never have become the leader of the Martial Alliance.
“I’ve always respected you.”
“Cut the crap and tell me the real reason.”
“There is no other reason.”
“Who’s backing you?”
“No one.”
Ma Bong-gi scoffed and leaned back in his chair. At times like this, he almost believed Ju Cheol-ryong’s respect was genuine.
But that couldn’t be true. Ma Bong-gi was a seasoned veteran, well aware of his own nature.
There was definitely someone behind Ju Cheol-ryong.
Yet, even after half a year as leader, this person hadn’t shown themselves or made any demands. If they had asked for money or a position, it would have been less unsettling.
“That’s enough.”
“Then rest well.”
Ju Cheol-ryong slowly walked out.
As Ma Bong-gi watched him leave, his eyes glinted sharply.
“If you thought you could use me because I’m just an old man chasing after women… you’ve made a grave mistake.”
Rumors about Ma Jeong-su began to spread from Shandong.
The story was that Ma Jeong-su had tried to collaborate with the Shandong Trading Company and, in the process, attempted to embezzle money lent to the Yasan.
There were no rumors of Ma Jeong-su’s death. Instead, it was said he had left Shandong and that his plan to establish a martial school had fallen through.
Of course, I was the one who spread these rumors.
I was extremely careful to ensure no trace led back to me. Even a small leak quickly spread due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
This incident had repercussions in other regions of the Central Plains. Criticism arose that the Cheondo Gate faction was deeply meddling in Central Plains affairs.
The dissatisfaction that had been simmering under Ma Bong-gi’s watch finally erupted.
Did the Martial Alliance think the uproar would die down with time? They made no comment on the matter.
Shandong regained its peace, but two organizations were left in turmoil: the Yasan and the Shandong Trading Company. The Yasan was in chaos due to their involvement with Ma Jeong-su, and the Shandong Trading Company was in disarray because of their entanglement with the Yasan.
In the end, I was the ultimate victor.
I had twenty thousand nyang in my possession.
Enough to immediately expand my sword unit by hundreds.
But I planned to increase the number of sword members next spring, as originally intended. Just two squads of forty.
There was no need to draw attention with any rash actions, especially with the possibility of investigations from the Martial Alliance or Cheondo Gate.
The sword unit was running smoothly under Gwan-hwi’s command.
Each member was capable enough to lead a squad.
I would train them into an elite force by next spring.
With a proper commander, increasing numbers would be a swift task.
By appointing them as squad leaders, I could quickly form a large unit of four hundred swordsmen.
Gwang-du was also focused on martial arts training. Especially after gaining eight years of internal energy from the spiritual herb I gave him, Gwang-du had changed significantly. He had gained confidence.
“By the way, it’s been hard to see you lately, young master.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Take me with you sometime.”
“Really?”
When I asked with wide eyes, Gwang-du flinched.
”…Was it dangerous?”
I spoke with a serious expression.
“Madmen swinging swords everywhere, hidden weapons flying from behind, threats at every turn, tens of thousands of nyang changing hands, suspicion and deceit, burying bodies…”
Gwang-du covered his ears.
“Stop! Please stop!”
“Next time, let’s go together. I’ll show you the real martial world. I think it’s time.”
“No, it’s too soon. I’ll live in this gentle, peaceful martial world, receiving fragrant herbs and fine swords as gifts forever!”
“Heh.”
“Don’t laugh like that!”
It felt great to have such a lighthearted conversation with Gwang-du after so long. The tension that had been wound tight because of Ma Jeong-su finally eased.
“Where are you going with all that luggage?”
Gwang-du asked, eyeing the pack on my back.
I replied with a mysterious look.
“Want to come along?”
“Gasp! Is there… a body in there?”
Gwang-du quickly backed away, waving his hands.
I gave him a grin and left the house.
What was in the pack wasn’t a body, but a gift from one.
With a pack containing twenty thousand nyang, I arrived in Heuk-si.
I planned to buy more elixirs here.
Why am I so obsessed with internal energy?
Because it’s the most certain and fastest way for me to grow stronger.
Normally, mixing various elixirs would degrade the purity of one’s internal energy.
As one’s internal energy increases, the effects of elixirs diminish, and their purity decreases, setting a clear limit on how much skill can be bought with money.
Fortunately, I was practicing the supreme Heavenly Martial Heart Technique, which allowed me to consolidate various elixirs into a single pure internal energy.
The diminishing returns as my internal energy grew were inevitable. Still, with only one cycle of internal energy, buying elixirs remained an effective choice.
The recent events with Ma Jeong-su had taught me a lot. Unforeseen things were happening within the Martial Alliance.
I needed to become stronger as quickly as possible.
I could already execute the complete forms of the Deathly Phantom Sword Technique. I trained daily to build my stamina. What I needed most now was internal energy.
I had to surpass one cycle to use the fourth form. It was incomparably more powerful than the previous forms.
In any case, I needed to find a suitable elixir for the black market.
The familiar old man of the black market greeted me. As usual, I had come in disguise.
When I asked about the elixir, the old man gave me a regretful answer.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t received any new stock.”
“I see.”
I had brought a considerable amount of money, yet there was no elixir to be found.
It was disappointing, but there was nothing to be done. As the old man said, elixirs always have their rightful owners.
“I’ve heard that even the other branches in Shandong are out of stock. The supply of elixirs is dwindling. It seems unlikely we’ll see any this year.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Since you’re here, would you like to take a look at some other items?”
“Sure, why not.”
It wouldn’t hurt to see what else they had to offer.
I followed the old man out of the room.
We crossed the manor’s courtyard and arrived at a large exhibition hall. It was as spacious as the grand hall where Yang So-bang once held a banquet.
The hall was filled with all sorts of items.
Interestingly, the items were divided into two categories.
Iron bars lined the walls, separating the more expensive items from the rest. The items outside the bars were relatively cheaper.
I could tell that these seemingly ordinary iron bars were made of something stronger than regular steel.
While not as strong as the legendary ten-thousand-year iron, they could withstand most sword strikes and slashes.
In my prime, I could cut through ten-thousand-year iron with my sword energy. It was during a battle with the Black Dragon Emperor of the demonic sect. He had fled through an emergency passage beyond the iron, mocking me all the while.
But when my sword energy began to slice through it, you should have seen his face. He didn’t make it out and ended up captured and killed by me.
The old man led me to where the swords were displayed.
“The sword you’re carrying looks quite worn. How about buying a new one?”
I chuckled inwardly.
He had no idea what kind of sword was hidden in this unassuming scabbard. If the Celestial Sword could hear him, it would be quite offended.
The old man pointed to a sword hanging beyond the iron bars.
“That’s the Wind True Sword. It belonged to the greatest swordsman of the north, the Wind Hero.”
I knew of the Wind Hero. I had dueled him in my youth and defeated him in two hundred and fifty moves. We exchanged letters occasionally, but then he suddenly stopped writing.
Seeing his sword here, I assumed he must have passed away.
“Rest in peace, old friend,” I silently wished him well.
“How much is it?”
“Ninety thousand nyang.”
“Ninety thousand nyang?”
I was taken aback. It was far more expensive than I had anticipated.
“It was wielded by the Wind Hero, after all.”
“True.”
If the Wind True Sword was worth ninety thousand nyang, how much would my Celestial Sword be worth? It was a superior weapon, and it had the added prestige of being wielded by the leader of the martial alliance. It could easily fetch several hundred thousand nyang. Not that I had any intention of selling it.
Even if it had been modified, it wouldn’t be that expensive.
If I brought the Asura King’s Sword here, it would be priceless.
There were a few other swords besides the Wind True Sword. They were a tier below, but still priced between thirty and fifty thousand nyang.
While acquiring the Wind True Sword was out of the question, my Celestial Sword could easily cut through the lesser ones.
After browsing the swords, I looked at various other items. There were sabers, spears, gauntlets, and all sorts of martial weapons on display.
The ones I was interested in were too expensive.
For instance, a heart-protecting armor was priced at a hundred thousand nyang.
It was of high quality, capable of withstanding most sword strikes, and could potentially save my life one day.
But given my current situation, the cost-to-benefit ratio was too low. After examining the expensive items behind the iron bars, I turned my attention elsewhere.
I began to browse the much cheaper items outside the iron bars.