ISS 57

chapter 57

This city, called Zhongjing because it sits at the very center of the Central Plains, is a transportation hub formed along the tributaries of the Yangtze River, connecting Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan provinces.

Perhaps because of this, many small and medium trading guilds had established themselves in the city.

“It’s total chaos right now.”
“Yes.”

Merchants sat in small groups, sharing the food they had ordered or chatting while waiting for their meals.

Voices echoed here and there, creating a low hum, but the people inside the inn seemed unconcerned, continuing their conversations as if nothing else mattered.

Gemyung and his group had arrived in Zhongjing and were stopping at an inn to grab a bite. While eating, he tuned his ears to the surrounding chatter.

Being a city bustling with merchants meant that one could often see merchants around. A large number of merchants also meant a wealth of information.

Among the casual talk, there were many trivial matters—but occasionally, important information surfaced.

As he ate, Gemyung selectively listened to only the conversations relevant to him.

“The third prince of the Yoraak Sect died during closed-door training, and also…”

Hearing the merchants speak of wandering martial artists in the Sapa (outlaw) sect being killed by an unknown party, Gemyung pondered something.

Though he continued to taste his food, his mind was elsewhere. Then, he called Yu Akgun.

“Yu, guard!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
“Can you find out about the conversations among these merchants?”

Yu Akgun nodded.

“How long do you think it will take?”
“Not very long, I believe.”

In Sapa, no one was unfamiliar with the heavenly warrior Yu Akgun. Due to his connections with the Haomil Sect disciples, he could quickly gather the information Gemyung wanted.

“This is convenient. We’ll stay here until tomorrow, so find out and report back to me.”
“I will, Young Master.”

Yu Akgun responded and stood.

“Even if you’re in a hurry, never leave food behind. Eat well before you go.”

Gemyung’s party walked along the Yangtze tributary running through Zhongjing. As a commercial city, many merchants had set up stalls along the river, selling goods to passersby.

“Hey, young man. Take a look at this!”

Some called out to attract customers, while others simply had confidence in the quality of their merchandise.

“Everyone is working hard.”

It was the same in Xianghang and other cities, but here, the people seemed even more fierce in their struggle to survive.

“It seems like they’re making others richer than themselves.”

Jeok Hwamyeong spoke, observing them.

He knew that although they worked hard, not all of their earnings stayed with them.

As is typical, wherever large crowds gather, gangs and martial artists often take positions, extorting protection money or using various pretexts to take from merchants.

“Are there gangs or patrol squads here too?” Gemyung asked, recalling his past experiences.

“Yes. Not only gangs, but the Danjiang Waterway Fort of the Yangtze Fifteen Waterways operates mainly around Zhongjing.”

“The Danjiang Waterway Fort?”

Its chief, DaGong Danjiang, was a powerful martial artist even among the Yangtze Fifteen Waterways’ leaders. Skilled with the longbow, he was known as one of the finest archers in the martial world.

“Yes. The chief is DaGong Danjiang, an expert archer. His skill with the bow…”

Jeok Hwamyeong explained within his knowledge. He had no desire to see Gemyung fight, so he only shared what he knew. Even he didn’t know much about Danjiang or its fort.

“They control the Yangtze here?” Seogunha asked, also a newcomer to the martial world like Gemyung.

Unlike Gemyung, who had been isolated and ignorant of martial affairs, Seogunha had lived at the Seokak Pavilion and had heard stories of the martial world.

“I’ve heard there are powerful sects in Zhongjing. Aren’t they acting against them?”

“Although there are strong sects, few dare to confront the Yangtze Fifteen Waterways. While they could defeat them, any damage suffered in battle would force them to relinquish their privileges to rival sects, so they refrain from fighting.”

Seogunha frowned. “Couldn’t they unite? Even the Yangtze Waterways can’t be stronger than all these sects together, can they?”

“If they banded together, maybe. But there’s no reason for them to cooperate. If the gangs or patrol squads take protection fees, it doesn’t affect them; in fact, it may even bring more people asking for help, so they remain indifferent.”

Seogunha hesitated, then spoke, “Can we speak casually? I’ll call you ‘brother.’”

Jeok Hwamyeong was slightly taken aback and glanced at Gemyung. Seeing Gemyung shake his head, he was at a loss.

“Fine. It’s only for a short while,” Gemyung said, shooting Seogunha a look.

“Hey, what’s with that gaze? Interested in me already? Not on my watch,” he said with a playful scowl.

“How long are you going to follow me?” he asked impatiently.

“I’m not following you! I’m here with Jeok Hwamyeong.”

Gemyung shook his head at her audacity.

‘What’s the point of being older…’

“Brother, let’s do it that way.”
“Fine,” Jeok Hwamyeong replied, and Gemyung sighed at the inevitability.

Gemyung briefly wondered what he was doing between the two of them. Jeok Hwamyeong found it uncomfortable too, as their awkward relationship affected him while he was away completing Gemyung’s orders.

As they discussed, Seogunha asked, “So why do all these sects leave Danjiang Waterway Fort alone?”

Jeok Hwamyeong explained patiently, “They want to protect their own privileges. If they engage in conflict, even if victorious, their territories might be encroached upon by others. Outwardly calm, the martial world is filled with constant, unseen power struggles.”

Seogunha nodded, “So to survive long-term in the martial world, one must build power.”

“Exactly. Strong martial arts alone won’t suffice; only a powerful sect can secure one’s position.”

A large ocean-going ship passed along the Yangtze, flying a banner.

“Continental Guild’s merchant ship,” someone said.

One of the top ten guilds, the Continental Guild was known for both its wealth, enough to buy the entire Central Plains, and for its owner’s daughter, Na Somi, celebrated as the most beautiful woman in the world.

Seogunha mused, “Traveling the Yangtze like that must be interesting. Brother, what do you think?”

“Perhaps, but only for a day or two. The scenery repeats,” he answered plainly.

Then Gemyung suddenly dashed forward in the direction of the Continental Guild ship.

“Gemyung!”

Jeok Hwamyeong and Seogunha quickly followed.

Two ships faced each other on the Yangtze. Despite the current, they remained stationary.

“What’s happening?” Seogunha asked.

“The Danjiang Waterway Fort has stopped the guild’s ship, probably to collect tolls,” Jeok Hwamyeong explained.

A crowd gathered, watching the standoff.

“I am the ship captain of the Continental Guild, Gunyeop!” a man’s voice boomed from the ship.

“Liuyeop Sword, Gunyeop!” Jeok Hwamyeong whispered.

“He’s a skilled swordsman, trained in the Wall-Splitting Sword of the Cheongseong Sect,” Jeok Hwamyeong explained. Only a handful of disciples had ever mastered it. Gunyeop was considered an elite.

Gemyung’s gaze shifted to Danjiang, who carried a bow nearly as tall as himself. A master of archery and martial arts, he commanded respect.

Eventually, the ships parted, allowing the Continental Guild’s ship to pass.

“This is how they collect tolls,” Jeok Hwamyeong said.

“The Danjiang Fort collects from passing ships, but doesn’t bother the merchants on shore. The gangs extort protection fees from them instead.”

“Then we shouldn’t leave them be,” Seogunha said.

“Even if punished, others will replace them and continue collecting fees,” Jeok Hwamyeong said.

Gemyung nodded in agreement, recalling similar events in Xianghang.

“Why don’t the righteous sects themselves collect fees from the gangs?” Seogunha asked.

“That would give them a pretext to intervene and cause disputes. Better to stay hands-off,” Jeok Hwamyeong explained.

Seogunha finally understood the subtle balance of power in the martial world. Smiling, she offered, “Brother, I’ll buy you a drink, as thanks for teaching me.”

Gemyung, however, looked unimpressed.

—‘Does the martial world always bend to your will? There’s so much happening here. You’ll realize why I suffer in this world if you ever get a taste of it,’ he recalled the words of the Ghost Martial Master.

‘So this is what he meant by “getting a taste of reality”… People’s lives are far too complicated.’