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Chapter 10
“Are we really allowed to do this?”
“Of course. I said it’s necessary. Send over the obedient children. But, of course, there are conditions.”
“What conditions?”
“Unconditional obedience to my orders.”
Hmm…
Baek Jin-hwa swallowed a sigh, picking at her food with chopsticks, deep in thought. She had no idea what my intentions were or how I planned to use the Hao Gate members.
After a moment, she paused her chopsticks and looked at me.
“Could this… be another deal?”
“Of course. Hao Gate members don’t work for free.”
“Then that’s fine. I should be able to get a pretty good deal from a trade with the young master.”
Baek Jin-hwa’s eyes sparkled as she licked her lips. To her, the money coming from my purse was far more valuable and delicious than the food in front of her. That’s just the kind of people the Hao Gate are.
Moreover, she could gather information from within the Nakyang Jin family.
It was a win-win for her, so there was no reason to refuse.
“I’ll send the payment later. I’ll make sure it reaches you at the right time.”
“Good. And one more thing.”
“Is there something else?”
“I want the jade token of the Hao Gate.”
Her eyes widened at the word “jade token.” She looked genuinely surprised, then composed herself and studied my expression.
After organizing her thoughts, she burst into laughter.
“Hohoho—where did you hear about that?”
“I have many ears listening. Don’t underestimate the information network of the Nakyang Jin family.”
The jade token is like a pass granting access to the secret operations of the Hao Gate. There are different levels: starting from the bronze token at the lowest level, then silver, gold, and the highest, the jade token, which is rarely given to anyone.
Of course, the reason I knew about it wasn’t just because of the Nakyang Jin family’s intelligence—it was because I had experienced it. I had survived that hellish place, where I entered with no token, fighting for my life just to escape.
“But you’re asking for the jade token, not even the gold one… That’s a bit surprising. It’s not something easily given to anyone…”
“Do you want something in return?”
“…Indeed. Considering the value of a jade token, you’ll have to give something significant.”
I nodded. Naturally, I expected such a request. There are barely over ten people associated with the Hao Gate who even possess a jade token—it’s extremely rare.
I smiled slightly and looked at her.
“How about this?”
“What is it?”
“I’ll take care of the Black Bull Society for you.”
“…!”
“They’re from the same underworld background and have been slowly eating into your recent business. Weak to handle directly, annoying if left alone… I’ll deal with them.”
The Black Bull Society.
A group formed by the lowest class in Central Plains.
Though at first glance similar to the Hao Gate, they were clearly different. While the Hao Gate was comprised of powerless people gathering and selling information, the Black Bull Society was a band of criminals.
Most were wanted by the authorities: bandits, robbers, raiders, and even human traffickers. Any crime you could imagine, they’d done it.
Naturally, such a group could not be considered “normal.”
Hidden in the shadows, they would carry out any task for money—the worst organization in Central Plains.
Recently, they even started interfering with the information that funded the Hao Gate. From Baek Jin-hwa’s perspective, she wanted to deal with them before they grew stronger.
“Hohoho—today is full of surprises. To hear that the heir of the Jin family will take down the Black Bull Society!”
“This deal should be enough. Don’t trust me? We can even make a contract.”
Baek Jin-hwa shook her head.
A contract would mean nothing. The Nakyang Jin family’s power, influence, and reputation were overwhelming. No one would dare challenge them even without a contract. She knew this better than anyone.
Eventually, Baek Jin-hwa, still smiling, pulled something out from her clothes. A round jade token.
“I hope my gamble pays off.”
“Don’t worry. It will take some time, but soon you won’t have to hear that name again.”
“Hohoho—I didn’t set a deadline. What a mistake…”
A mistake?
No. She likely understood she couldn’t resolve it quickly, so she never considered setting a deadline. She probably also trusted that even if I didn’t remove the Black Bull Society in time, she could claim compensation for the jade token in another form.
I took the jade token, smiling, and looked at Baek Jin-hwa.
“Eat quickly. Today’s food is quite delicious.”
“Hoho—then I’ll enjoy it with anticipation.”
“Wow—I don’t understand a single thing you’re talking about.”
After leaving the inn, Jang Chu-hyung finally spoke after Baek Jin-hwa departed. Even after hearing so much, he couldn’t grasp it, which felt regrettable.
“Who is that woman? And what deal are you talking about? Did the young master make a deal with her?”
“Forget what happened today. Don’t go repeating it somewhere pointless.”
“I didn’t hear much anyway. I saw money exchanged… but why give that much? You did it last time too.”
“It was worth it.”
“More than eating that expensive meal?”
“Yes.”
Jang Chu-hyung looked a little disappointed. There was still a lot of leftover food and drinks, but neither I nor Baek Jin-hwa had come here just to eat, so we spent more time talking.
Most of the leftover food was his doing, yet he still seemed to long for it. If only he had packed some to take away.
“Well, I understand that the young master is preparing something. Then shouldn’t I do something too? To be at least somewhat helpful by your side?”
At that, Jang Chu-hyung’s eyes brightened. He seemed disappointed that he hadn’t been informed of my previous actions. I smiled.
“You may not realize it, but you’re already being helpful. And it will continue.”
“Really?! Oh—sometimes you have to tell me these things, because otherwise I don’t know!”
“I see you’re pleased.”
“Of course! How could I not be, if I’m being helpful to the young master?”
I quietly observed him.
Jang Chu-hyung was strong. So strong that he had been abandoned at birth. As a result, his strength far exceeded others, even without martial arts training—he could easily defeat an average warrior.
If he systematically learned martial arts, he would be even more useful. He had done so in his previous life as well.
“Follow me.”
“Huh? Where are we going?”
I took Jang Chu-hyung and started moving back along the path we came, heading toward a pavilion within the estate.
The pavilion was in a secluded spot. The surroundings were silent because no one passed by. Opening the door, a thick layer of dust rose.
“Cough! Wait… if we don’t touch it, it won’t get cleaned?”
Jang Chu-hyung waved his hands at the dust, frowning. It was unbelievable that such a place could be neglected. Even for servants or maids, this was too much.
This was the library. And it held the secret manuals the Nakyang Jin family had collected over the years.
Despite being merchants, it was clear they also aspired to be a martial family—the collection of manuals was staggering. Everywhere you looked, there were rare martial arts manuals.
I waved away the dust and stepped inside.
“Why are we here?”
“To find the manuals, of course.”
“The manuals?”
“Yes.”
I nodded, scanning the piles. At first glance, it seemed like the library of a major sect or a demonic cult, but most of it was junk—partial, incomplete, or otherwise useless manuals.
But some were worthwhile. If you chose carefully, you could find a few valuable ones.
I looked at Jang Chu-hyung.
“You’re strong, right?”
“Strength? Well… I’ve never lost to a merchant.”
“I heard that’s why you were abandoned?”
“I don’t remember. Something about being a child prodigy warrior….”
“You’ve got that strength, yet you never thought to learn martial arts?”
“I was offered to become a disciple, but I refused. I like being by the young master’s side. Originally, the head of the family brought me here as the young master’s attendant.”
Jang Chu-hyung frowned slightly, recalling unpleasant childhood memories. I chuckled.
Alright, what should we take? The answer was already clear.
We were here to prepare for ‘him’—to organize martial arts knowledge before meeting him.
I sifted through the dust-covered manuals, checking names one by one. The collection was huge, so finding the right one took time.
Eventually, I found a familiar name:
Twelve Violent Fists (十二暴拳)
Despite its simple name, it was a complete manual from a once-famous martial family, now extinct. Unlike other incomplete manuals, this was a full set, including the heart method, Twelve Heavenly Techniques (十二天功).
It would be useful until we met ‘him’.
“Learn this.”
“Huh? You want me to learn martial arts?”
“Yes. Don’t you want to?”
“No, I’ll learn it if the young master says so. But why all of a sudden?”
“After what happened last time, do you still ask? The same situation could happen again.”
Jang Chu-hyung’s expression hardened. He clenched his fists, recalling memories he never wanted to remember. But understanding the risk, he seemed determined.
“Can you learn it?”
“I must! I need to be more helpful to the young master than anyone else! Right?!”
“Exactly. You’ve understood perfectly.”
He braced himself, accepting two manuals, clutching them to his chest as if they were priceless treasures.
“I’ll help you as much as I can. But ultimately, you must succeed. Don’t forget that.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll become the best in the world and beat anyone who dares touch the young master!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I didn’t expect him to become the best in the world—just growing strong enough to protect himself and help would be enough. This would make future tasks much easier. I nodded, leaving the library with him.
Next…
I smiled as I fiddled with the jade token in my pocket. Having trained someone, it was time to gain some manpower.
