NOVEL NEXT Ch. 10
Chapter 10: The Ink-Colored Sword Under the Lamp
Though called the ruined capital of Luoyang, it couldn’t lack splendor.
This tavern was no exception.
Though midday dimmed the light, several luminous pearls were embedded in the ceiling.
Red-painted pillars bore gold-foil poetry inscriptions.
The tables, lacquered smooth, were impeccable.
The food and wine on the tables were, needless to say, top-tier.
“Leader Jeong, I hear you made a hefty profit importing goods from Gansu?”
“Hahahaha, Leader Yang, I’ve heard you’ve captivated the notables by distributing rare herbs.”
Those gathered here were people so wealthy they could dine here year-round.
The trading leaders vying for Luoyang’s commerce.
“Truly, money flows to Luoyang.”
“And it’s easy to start ventures. The government prioritizes revival, so they overlook most things.”
“Hahahaha, true. No place is more convenient for business.”
Devastated Luoyang.
A phrase meaning entirely different things to different people.
To most, it foretold a grueling life ahead.
To these trading leaders, it signaled investment opportunities.
Since it’s devastated.
It needs rebuilding.
Rebuilding requires money.
That process births immense profits.
The government pours funds into reconstruction and favors the trading companies.
For the leaders, no place was better for business.
“Zhu Hochong was a thorn, but since he vanished, things have smoothed out.”
“Same here. He never cooperated.”
“Trying to hog it all led to his overreach.”
Zhu Hochong’s name seemed unpopular among them.
“He mustn’t return.”
“Agreed. It’d disrupt Luoyang’s trade again.”
“Speaking of which, is the intel solid? Is it really him?”
The leaders glanced toward one direction, gauging reactions.
Behind a thin black curtain sat a man.
Their gazes weren’t of doubt or confirmation.
They held fear, expectation, and loyalty in varying degrees.
The man received these looks nonchalantly, raising a hand to point at one leader.
“Yes, I’ll explain.”
Guyang Je, leader of the Banyang Trading Company, spoke.
A man in his late thirties.
Dressed in scholar’s robes, his demeanor suggested a refined scholar.
“Esteemed leaders, rest assured. He let his guard down and showed his face clearly. Someone who knew him recognized him and reported it immediately.”
Guyang’s assurance prompted the other leaders to nod.
“Zhu Hochong! His tail’s finally caught.”
“Whoa, I thought it’d end like this. With the magistrate’s replacement near, to catch him now…”
The atmosphere among the leaders heated up.
Their greatest business rival was ensnared.
Now,
“Great Ocean Trading was to arrange the hitter, right? How’s that going?”
Great Ocean Trading was once a subsidiary of Golden Cloud Trading.
After Zhu Hochong’s disappearance, it broke off to operate independently.
If Zhu Hochong returned, they wouldn’t stay quiet.
Yang, leader of Great Ocean Trading, had to eliminate him.
He declared gravely,
“Don’t worry. I’ve secured a reliable assassin.”
Yang bowed in gratitude to Guyang.
“Thanks to Leader Guyang’s cooperation, we got someone skilled.”
The leaders turned to Guyang.
He nodded.
“Leader Yang’s right. The assassin was secured quickly.”
One leader asked,
“Granted you’d handle it, but… is this person truly skilled?”
Guyang didn’t take offense.
Instead, he chuckled softly.
“Of course. Hiring an assassin is just a matter of money. And we have plenty, don’t we?”
The leaders burst into laughter.
Money was their forte.
“We’ve secured an unexpected figure. Even the Alliance would struggle to track this assassin.”
Guyang’s certainty.
Yang nodded proudly, as if it were his doing.
“As expected of Leader Guyang. A prodigy of Luoyang’s trade.”
“With Leader Guyang’s guarantee, we can trust it.”
The leaders praised Guyang’s ability, but
He deeply bowed to the man who’d pointed him out.
“Is it my ability? I merely followed the wise one’s plan.”
The leaders realized their error, bowing in turn.
“True. Your predictions align uncannily.”
“We just follow.”
The man accepted it as natural, nodding.
In time, Luoyang’s trade would kneel at his feet.
“All proceeds as planned.”
A hoarse voice resounded.
Yet it carried an inexplicable power.
At the man’s first words, the leaders nearly bowed fully.
When they looked up after a while,
“He’s gone.”
“As unpredictable in leaving as in arriving.”
Only an empty seat remained before the leaders.
Guyang steadied the mood.
“Only Zhu Hochong has resisted the grand flow.”
The leaders focused on his words.
“But now, we’ve a golden opportunity. He doesn’t suspect he’s been found. Just follow the plan.”
The leaders’ indignation followed.
“Weren’t his crimes clearly exposed?”
“The magistrate investigated and revealed all.”
“True. A vile man. He deserves execution.”
“Though using backhanded methods feels uneasy, it’s for justice.”
Nod.
Guyang moved his head.
“Let’s execute him.”
The tavern’s top floor unified in that voice.
* * *
Samgyeolgae Jogon of the Luoyang sub-branch scoured the streets.
Beside him walked Mud Beggar.
- Protect him at all costs.
His respected Swift Wind Ae had earnestly instructed.
- Supporting Chang’an sub-branch left us short-handed. Jogon, take care of it.
- You didn’t assign guards before, though?
- The mood’s off. Someone uninterested suddenly showed interest.
- Why not report to the main branch?
- …Do you trust me?
- Huh? Of course I do.
- Then trust and follow. It won’t harm you.
A slightly puzzling exchange.
No matter.
It was my duty; doing it well sufficed.
“Oh, Mud Beggar Uncle. Brother Jogon.”
A young beggar greeted from ahead, followed by a group of kids.
“Haha, yes.”
Mud Beggar smiled back.
“Yes, I’m your brother.”
Jogon waved, but
The young beggar, greeting, bumped into a man in black robes and fell.
“Oh, sorry!”
He quickly stood, apologizing.
No one was ahead, so how? Still, he bowed first.
No one likes being bumped by a beggar. Not getting angry was a win.
“Sorry, you say.”
The kid shivered.
The black-robed man’s voice was icy.
The other kids sensed the odd vibe.
Trouble with young beggars usually meant loud shouts or fists.
But this man was different.
He kept staring at the kid.
A numb, object-like gaze, as cold as his voice.
And.
Slap.
A sharp smack echoed.
“Ow!”
The kid collapsed first.
“Why are you doing that!”
“Don’t hit!”
The others yelled at the black-robed man.
But his hand casually struck the other kids too.
Zhu Hochong and Jogon witnessed this.
“That bastard!”
Zhu Hochong lunged forward.
“Wait! He’s trained in martial arts. Stay here!”
Jogon restrained him.
“A martial artist?”
“Yes.”
Jogon wanted to charge but couldn’t.
He couldn’t leave Zhu Hochong alone.
“Go, do something!”
“If I go…”
Zhu Hochong realized Jogon’s hesitation.
“I’ll hide immediately. Swift Wind Ae will find me at the safehouse.”
“Safehouse? Are you sure?”
“Go!”
“No, but…”
Jogon turned from Mud Beggar to the black-robed man.
Slap.
Blood sprayed from a struck kid’s mouth.
“Stop!”
Jogon couldn’t hold back. He ran at the black-robed man.
“You dare hit beggars before a Beggar’s Gang member?”
He threw a punch, but
Swoosh.
A hand from the side deflected it.
‘Not just one?’
Jogon spun, kicking at the blocker.
“Ugh.”
The opponent couldn’t withstand Jogon’s leg strength and staggered.
Jogon scanned around.
“Hehehehe.”
Low laughter, and five or six enemies appeared.
‘A trap. They targeted us from the start.’
Glancing, Mud Beggar had grasped it, vanishing into the crowd.
He couldn’t pursue.
‘I need to buy time.’
“Touching the Beggar’s Gang? Bold fools!”
He charged, striking fiercely.
“What’s this?”
“Ugh, he’s good!”
He seized the momentum briefly.
But
“Hoh. Not bad for a Samgyeolgae.”
The black-robed man stepped forward.
Swoosh, swish.
A snake-like hand slipped through Jogon’s punch and kick.
Thud, Jogon rolled back.
“Ugh…”
He saw the kid he’d struck, bleeding on the ground.
Left like this, he might get hurt worse in the fight.
One of the black-robed man’s group approached Jogon.
A palm strike came.
But Jogon didn’t protect himself.
He grabbed the kid, tossing him toward a pile of soft goods at a stall. Plop, he landed safely.
Then.
Bang, the strong palm hit as expected.
Cough, he spat blood as planned.
As planned.
Jogon had anticipated his own blood, spraying it at an enemy.
“Ugh?”
“Keh, I’ll show you how tenacious a Beggar’s Gang member is.”
He leaped at the blinded foe.
A punch with no retreat.
“Take this from this old man!”
But
Again, the black-robed man’s hand slithered in.
“Ugh.”
The grip on Jogon’s wrist was ironclad.
“You… bastard…”
“For a beggar, you’re decent. They say Swift Wind Ae trains his men well—true.”
“Kuh… Honored Swift Wind Ae is unmatched. You’re no match.”
“Hehehehe.”
The black-robed man laughed ominously.
“Swift Wind Ae lost three like me.”
“What? You bastards!”
Jogon twisted to free his wrist, but it was futile.
Too battered, the enemy’s skill outclassed him.
“Come on, beggar. Die.”
The black-robed man raised his other hand.
Jogon couldn’t die.
He hadn’t completed his mission or secured the sub-branch leader’s safety.
But the palm’s air-cutting sound was merciless.
A sharp whoosh and force neared his face.
“Huh?”
Jogon opened his startled eyes.
The black-robed man’s wide eyes faced him. He stammered.
“What…”
His gaze wasn’t on Jogon.
“My arms.”
He stared at his severed arms.
“Ugh. Ugh. Aaaah.”
A dull, ink-colored sword.
A tall man wielding it.
Jogon asked in a trembling voice.
“Ink Sword Hero? You’re Ink Sword Hero, right?”
Ink Sword Hero didn’t answer.
Enemy screams replied.
“Argh!”
“Ughhh!”
“This wasn’t in the plan—gah!”
Blood ran down Mukheun.
“Brother, sorry. I couldn’t intervene early, fearing they’d seek another chance if I showed. Can you finish here?”
Jogon surveyed.
The enemies were fully subdued.
“I can!”
“I’ll follow the Leader.”
“Yes, yes! B-but, Honored Swift Wind Ae might have enemies too…”
“He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
A firm tone.
Jogon nodded unconsciously.
“Please.”
Ink Sword Hero vanished in a blink.
Jogon’s eyes returned to the battlefield.
Among the fallen,
“Ugh… ugh…”
The once-arrogant black-robed man still groaned.
Jogon swallowed hard.
‘Ink Sword Hero, truly strong.’
But…
He’d called Mud Beggar “Leader” earlier.
How did he know?