Chapter 843. There's a limit to messing with people! (3)

Swaaak!

The sound of pouring grain is pleasing to the ears.

Jo-Gol with a scoop in hand yelled loudly at the crowd that had gathered.

"There is enough, so don't fight and get in line! There's more than enough for everyone!"

And as if to prove his words, he tapped the grain sacks placed in front and behind him.

"Here you go."

"Thank you... Thank you so much, martial artist-nim. Thank you very much."

"You're welcome."

Seeing the elderly man repeatedly express his gratitude, even shedding tears, Jo-Gol smiled broadly.

Hyun Young used the money that Hyun Jong loaned from Chung Myung and bought a large amount of grain. And they are now being distributed to the poor commoners of the Yangtze River.

Not only this place, all of Mount Hua's disciples and members of the Tang Family also visited nearby villages to provide relief.

"Now, now, take it."

Just as Jo-Gol was scooping grain into the sack extended by the approaching man,

"Aigo, aigoo. Thank you so much. How noble of you."

"Hahaha. I'm kinda handsome, to be honest."

"Such an extraordinary young martial artist-nim! Rumors of the young martial artists of Mount Hua Sect are spreading in the Yangtze River these days! There are people who fought against one of those evil enemies, Jang Ilso of Myriad Man Manor!"

Jo-Gol's chin began to rise higher.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Hah! That's not a big deal. Of course, Jang Ilso was tough, but...…."

At this point, the eyes of the elderly man who had received grain widened.

"Then, could it be young martial artist-nim is…"

"Ug- Ugghh!"

"What happen!"

"N- No. It's just that the side where I was hit by Jang Ilso is aching. Keuu... It won't heal easily."

"My goodness... Such a remarkable person..."

The old man's face was filled with emotion.

He was overwhelmed with emotion at the fact that such a great man who had crossed swords with the world-renowned Jang Ilso was personally distributing grain.

"Could you be...?"

"Yes?"

"Martial artist-nim, could you be that Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword who is known throughout the world right now?"

"...."

"Are you not? Then...… Mount Hua Righteous Sword?"

"...."

"…Not that too? Do- Don't tell me, Ice...…."

"I put it all in. Next person, please."

"Wa- Wait, martial artist-nim."

"Yes?"

"…I think my grain is a little less than others."

"It's the same."

"I'm pretty sure it's a bit less..."

"No, I'm telling you it's the sa-... Aaaargh!"

A palm suddenly flew in and smacked Jo-Gol on the back of his head.

"Stop messing around and fill it properly!"

"Ah, why does Sahyung always pick on me!"

"It's because no one does anything worthy of being scolded!"

"No...!"

"Try saying one more word."

When Yoon Jong glared, the depressed Jo-Gol began to grumble and reluctantly scooped more grain.

"Ah~ What a cruel world. One is the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, the other is the Mount Hua Righteous Sword, and here I am, a minion of Mount Hua."

"Keep your mouth shut."

Then Jo-Gol stopped singing the strange song and tightly closed his lips. Yoon Jong chuckled and started distributing grain.

"How should I even express this gratitude..."

"No, please don't."

Yoon Jong shook his head.

"We're sorry that you have to suffer because of good-for-nothing martial artists like us."

"How, how could it be Mount Hua's fault! It's all because of those rotten Ten Great Sect and those Evil Sects who should be torn to death!"

"Right!"

"Mount Hua is different! Heavenly Comrade Alliance is different!"

Sounds of agreement and cheers were heard from all around.

As it was the place to distribute grain, the public sentiment of the people of the Yangtze River was clearly leaning toward Mount Hua.

Yoon Jong said with a bitter smile.

"Thank you for your kind words. However we have many other places to stop by other than here, so please hurry up."

"Yes, Taoist-nim! I will do so."

At this very different response, Jo-Gol's lips pouted.

"Why am I 'Martial artist-nim' and Sahyung are 'Taoist-nim'? I am also a Taoist!"

"…Gol-ah."

"What?"

"If you speak one more time, even I might not be able to be called 'Taoist-nim' by them."

"…I'll be quiet."

Yoon Jong smiled and straightened his back at Jo-Gol, who quickly closed his mouth and continued distributing grain.

In the distance, he could see the flowing Yangtze River and Gangnam beyond.

'It looks so peaceful.'

But it was only peaceful in appearance; it was no longer a peaceful place.

* * *

"There really are a lot of people."

Back after rescuing the commoners, Baek Cheon muttered almost like a sigh as he saw the crowd gathered at the dock.

Even a short while ago, the dock was crowded with merchants who wanted to cross the river, but it seemed the number had doubled in just a few days.

What was interesting was that usually when so many merchants gather, fights or great chaos should break out. But, here, one could hardly find any troublemakers.

Those whose turn was coming up waited in an orderly manner, and those who still had a long time to wait skillfully set up tents and rested, calmly calculating their turn.

Merchants are incomparably hot-tempered when it comes to money, but here they were now no different from meek sheep.

The reason? It was quite simple.

"You there?"

"Yes?"

"Your foot is sticking out."

"So- Sorry."

"No, it's not that you did something wrong. Be careful because you might get hurt by a passing carriage. Got it?"

"Yes! Yes! Thank you so much for worrying!"

This is because the people managing these merchants were all bandits who looked like they could tear apart a tiger with their bare hands.

"Um, excuse me... Hero-nim?"

"I'm not a hero, call me merchant guild member (상단원(商團員)). Yeah, what's the matter?"

"We, we were here before the ones currently loading their goods..."

"Eh? Wait a moment."

The bandit who was checking the order scratched his head with a sad face.

"Hnggg, I'm sorry. What should I do…. If I report this, I'll get beaten. Ugh..."

The merchant flinched when he saw the bandit's face turn white. The merchant quickly opened his mouth as the bandit's eyes began to turn red.

"N- No. I'm, I'm just saying. We can just wait our turn."

"Huh? Is that okay?"

"Aigoo! Of course, it is! Haha. We have plenty of time left."

"Thank you. I will definitely make it up to you! Please wait in line, and I'll make sure to load your cargo next!"

"Aigoo, thank you very much!"

Pushing back the line due to an error was certainly not something to be thankful for. However, the merchant bent over and over again as if he were truly grateful.

"...."

Baek Cheon, who looked at the scene, was about to say something but eventually turned his head away.

But the sight he saw when he turned his head was also not very pleasant.

"So how much money did you say came in yesterday?"

"I've written it down here in the ledger."

"Hmm."

Hyun Young took the ledger and flipped through it in a familiar manner.

There's nothing special about this alone. Hyun Young is obliged to confirm Plum Blossom Island's flow of money as the head of the Finance Hall of Mount Hua.

….If the person who politely handed over the ledger was not Noklim King.

"Hmmm. Have you ever studied accounting separately?"

"Haha. Isn't this basic knowledge?"

"You're very precise."

"I won't miss a single coin. The most important things for a lasting friendly relationship are trust and honesty!"

"That's right, that's right. It's been a while since I've left work to someone I can trust. But… Someone from Eunha Merchant Guild will come and check the ledgers from time to time, so I'd appreciate it if you could take that into consideration."

"Of course! You're welcome anytime."

"Hahaha. You're as big-hearted as I heard."

"Hahahaha. Aren't you the same, Finance Hall Elder?"

Im Sobyong held Hyun Young's hand firmly.

"Let's work well together!"

"Ho…. hoho. Of course. Hohoho."

Baek Sang, who was watching the scene next to him, was startled and said to Baek Cheon.

"Sa- Sahyung. Just now... that hand..."

"Sang-ah."

"Yes?"

"Shut your mouth."

"...."

Baek Cheon also saw it clearly. Some heavy-looking pouch appeared in Hyun Young's hand after he shook hands with Im Sobyong.

Baek Cheon, who even saw Hyun Young clearing his throat and putting the pouch in his arms, closed his eyes and turned his head.

'I saw nothing.'

That's the way the world is. The way of the world.

In any case, Baek Cheon's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at the bustling dock.

"It's about time…."

"Yes?"

"I guess I should get ready."

"For what?"

Back Sang asked again, but Back Cheon just grinned without saying anything.

* * *

Late night.

Chung Myung walked out of his room with just a bottle of liquor in hand. The lights were still brightly lit in the buildings.

"Hmm."

Chung Myung, who was looking around the bright surroundings, sneaked away.

It's too bright here to drink comfortably.

His steps headed toward the waterfront. Passing through a lush reed bed, he walked for a long while to reach a riverside where human footsteps rarely tread.

Swaaaa!

The river water constantly surged and receded.

Sitting in an appropriate spot, Chung Myung took a swig of the liquor in his hand.

"Hum."

Shortly after, he roughly put down the bottle, and his face twisted slightly.

As he lay down in his seat, he could clearly see the moon hanging in the middle of the night sky.

'I don't know.'

Things are going well. Mount Hua has gained fame, benefits, and even justification. Through the events occurring in the Yangtze, the Heavenly Comrade Alliance will surely secure its position.

What would have taken at least another decade was done in a month.

So he should naturally be delighted. It's something that Chung Myung wished for.

But….

"It's rather stuffy."

For some reason, it felt like a stone had been placed in the corner of his chest.

Is it because of the intimidating and burdensome things that Jang Ilso is doing at Gangnam?

No, it's not like that.

He himself couldn't understand the cause. This inexplicable feeling of suffocation hasn't disappeared since he got involved with Jang Ilso.

It's indescribable...

"Sword?"

"Uwaaaaak!"

Startled out of his wits, Chung Myung rolled away from the spot and quickly stood up.

"...."

"Oh, shit! You scared me! Are you a ghost? Huh? Are you a ghost?"

"…Sword?"

Yoo Iseol, who came close before he knew it, was looking at him with a blank expression.

No matter how much he wasn't vigilant, how could she get so close to me without even a trace... Ah, right. That's just how she's always been.

"What's with the sword?"

"Draw it."

"Huh?"

Seureururung.

At that moment, Yoo Iseol slowly drew the Plum Blossom Sword from her waist and aimed it at Chung Myung.

Chung Myung frowned at the unexpected behavior.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Spar."

"…With me?"

"Yeah."

Yoo Iseol nodded firmly. Chung Myung sighed deeply.

"I'm not in the mood for that right now, so I'll spar with you later. Today is..."

It was just then.

Paaaaat!

A chilling sword energy emanated from the tip of Yoo Iseol's sword. Without any hesitation, the flying sword energy passed right next to Chung Myung's face.

"...."

Surprised, Chung Myung wiped his cheek with a blank expression. A trace of red blood stained his fingertip.

"…Sago?"

"There won't be a second time."

"...."

Chung Myung let out a hollow laugh with a 'Ha!'. Then, contorting his face slightly, he slowly drew the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword from his waist.

"I don't know what you're asking me to do, but I'm not in a good mood right now."

"...."

"You better be prepared for the consequences."

"Arrogant."

Yoo Iseol's eyes grew even colder.

"You're just a Sajil."

"Oho? Well, let's see just how great Sago's skills are then—"

Before Chung Myung could even finish his sentence, Yoo Iseol kicked the ground and lunged at him.

A chilling murderous intent burst forth from her eyes.