Let’s see how you like a taste of your own medicine. (5)
“Are we leaving those behind?”
“That’s right.”
“Those? All of those?”
Elder Il’s mouth gaped open.
Sure, he could understand leaving the buildings. You can’t exactly dismantle and move them, and just because they’re leaving the island doesn’t mean they can demolish everything.
But…
“Why are we leaving the ships? The ships! Do you know how much each of those is worth?”
“Tsk, tsk. A bandit getting greedy over ships. You’ve lived near the water too long. Have you taken a liking to piracy?”
“That’s not what I mean! Just selling them would-!”
“My good man, you need a place to sell them. Selling a ship isn’t something you can do overnight.”
Im Sobyeong snapped open his fan.
“And more importantly, it’s not about the money. It’s about the intention. If you keep chasing after money, you’ll miss what’s truly important.”
Elder Il couldn’t find the words to respond and instead pounded his chest in frustration.
Their Nokrim King had always had his quirks, but ever since he met that Hwasan’s Taoist, it felt like things had gotten worse. He simply couldn’t comprehend the things this man was doing.
“So, the withdrawal?”
“…It’s mostly done. The gathered wealth has been sent with guards to the Eunha merchant guild, and everyone on Maehwado has been moved to the mainland. The remaining people packed their things and left, so we’re the last ones.”
“I see. Alright.”
Im Sobyeong gently waved his fan, a light breeze brushing against his cheek. With a hint of regret in his eyes, he gazed at Maehwado.
“It was a good place.”
“I never liked it much. Pine caterpillars should eat pine needles! How could the proud heroes of Nokrim make a living by transporting others’ goods for money?”
“For someone who feels that way, you’re wearing some pretty expensive clothes. Are they new?”
“K-Khm. This is just…”
Elder Il’s face flushed a deep red.
The revenue from Maehwado had been so substantial that even Nokrim’s share alone brought in a massive income. As a result, even the elders found their pockets overflowing with silver.
Elder Il squirmed uncomfortably, but there was no hiding the fine silk clothes draped all over his body.
“If Elder Il insists on returning to the mountains to live as a bandit again, I won’t stop you.”
“I-I was just speaking figuratively…”
“Tsk, tsk. A bandit doing business in silk robes – if our predecessors knew, they’d be foaming at the mouth.”
“Ugh…”
At the mention of their predecessors, Elder Il let out a groan. Indeed, if the former Nokrim King saw this, he wouldn’t just rip the clothes off – he’d probably tear Elder Il to shreds as well.
Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue as he stared blankly across the river.
‘Three years, huh.’
Over the past three years, Im Sobyeong and Nokrim had gained quite a lot. For Im Sobyeong personally, it had been a time to stabilize the chaotic Nokrim. While money couldn’t solve everything in the world, it could certainly solve most things.
Even those who opposed Im Sobyeong becoming the King of Nokrim fell silent when they saw the wealth landing in their hands.
But compared to what Nokrim truly gained, wealth was nothing.
The most significant change was that commoners no longer feared Nokrim. They shifted their business model by not harming those who traveled through the mountains, instead charging a toll and providing safe escorts. This new approach clearly showed its effectiveness. Moreover, displaying their hard work through Maehwado had a positive impact on many people.
Yet, the biggest influence came from Sapaeryeon.
Sapaeryeon declared the unification of all Evil Sects under its command, absorbing all the smaller sects – and with it, they also absorbed the world’s hatred.
During this time, Nokrim, by opposing Sapaeryeon and supporting Cheonumaeng, earned the goodwill of those who despised Sapaeryeon.
“The halo of Hwasan played a part, too. Truly, what a useful Taoist.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
Im Sobyeong chuckled softly.
‘That’s how you gamble.’
When he, the leader of Nokrim, said he was joining hands with Hwasan, many must have thought he was out of his mind.
Though no one could openly criticize him due to his consolidation of power by sweeping away groups like Daebyeolchae*, not a single person genuinely agreed with his decision.
But the gamble was a complete success.
“No. No, not yet.”
However, Im Sobyeong’s eyes grew cold once again.
‘At the very least, we can only talk about success after we’ve wiped out Sapaeryeon and stuck a sword into Jang Ilso’s throat.’
He briefly imagined that scene in his mind and then chuckled quietly.
“Well, that’s not really my job, though.”
“What on earth have you been muttering about all this time? You sound like someone who’s lost his mind.”
“…”
At the sudden blunt comment, a vein bulged on Im Sobyeong’s forehead.
‘I might as well turn this into a proper Just Sect at this rate…’
He didn’t expect them to be like the Tang clan, where they wouldn’t hesitate to pretend to die at a single word from the clan head. But even that crazy Taoist from Hwasan doesn’t argue with the words of his Sect Leader – so why is Nokrim in such a state?
His insides were boiling with frustration.
But before he could say anything, Elder Il, wearing a serious expression, asked,
“More importantly, are we really pulling out like this?”
“Why bring up something that’s already decided?”
“I’m saying it because it’s a waste, a real waste. Not just Maehwado, but…”
Elder Il’s gaze turned towards the rear. The large pavilions stretching out from the docks came into view.
How much effort had been poured into creating this city?
And now, pulling out and leaving it all behind felt like cutting off an arm. But Im Sobyeong waved his hand, cutting off Elder Il’s lingering regrets.
“Enough talking. Just get ready. Our guests will be arriving soon.”
“Guests?”
“Yes, guests. Very dark… Hmm. It seems they’re already on their way.”
“What?”
Elder Il turned his head in the direction Im Sobyeong was looking.
“Huh…?”
Indeed, in the distance, a black ship was emerging. At first, it looked small, but as it approached, its sheer size became overwhelming.
“Th-That ship?”
The ship appeared at least three times larger than the others escorting it. On its sails, a black dragon, seemingly alive, was vividly depicted, a symbol of its dominion over the Yangtze River.
And Elder Il was one of the few who knew the identity of this ship all too well.
“Isn’t that the Black Dragon Ship?!”
When Elder Il asked in shock, Im Sobyeong casually fanned himself.
“Hmm, I never thought he’d come in person. The Black Dragon King must be feeling quite desperate.”
That ship, adorned with the Black Dragon flag, signified that the Black Dragon King himself had personally come here to take control of this little island.
Im Sobyeong chuckled with a low snicker.
“No way… The Black Dragon King himself…?”
Elder Il’s mouth gaped open in utter disbelief.
Im Sobyeong might be the King of Nokrim, but he’s not exactly the type to act like a typical king – he moves around quite freely. But generally, someone who bears the title of ‘King’ doesn’t move so easily.
And yet, here was the Black Dragon King himself, appearing in person?
“He must have come to seize Maehwado now that we’ve pulled out. Before anyone else can make a move.”
Elder Il, who hadn’t fully grasped the situation, stared wide-eyed at the approaching Black Dragon Ship.
But at that moment, a different thought flickered through Im Sobyeong’s mind.
‘A single day, you say?’
A strange smile formed on his lips.
Just before leaving Hwasan, Chung Myung had called him aside and asked him to check something: Who would be the first to arrive after they withdrew from Maehwado, and how long it would take for them to appear?
‘The fact that the Black Dragon King showed up to occupy this place in less than a day means they didn’t ask for Sapaeryeon’s Ryeonju’s permission.’
If they had appeared within two days, it would already be considered a success. But the Black Dragon King showing up in just a single day?
It meant there was a clear rift forming between them. It was undeniable evidence that Cheonumaeng’s strategy was working even more effectively than anticipated.
“Heheheh. This is why I like that Taoist,”
Im Sobyeong chuckled.
For the past three years, the one who held the reins of Gangho had undoubtedly been Jang Ilso of Sapaeryeon. Once the dominant power in Gangho, Shaolin couldn’t keep up with Sapaeryeon’s pace and had simply stayed on high alert in seclusion.
Even without any major conflicts, no one could deny that Gangho had been dancing to Jang Ilso’s tune all along.
But as soon as Hwasan returned, Jang Ilso’s dominance began to falter. Without drawing a sword or spilling a single drop of blood, they delivered a more devastating blow than any sword strike.
Lost in thought for a moment, Im Sobyeong shook his head briskly.
“Let’s get going. If we stay here too long, we might get caught in a storm of fire.”
“But, Nokrim King… if the Black Dragon Stronghold takes over this place-“
“Nothing significant will happen.”
Despite Elder Il’s concerned tone, Im Sobyeong replied with confidence.
“The one who would have been most irritated seeing us abandon the mountains to mingle with the commoners and comfortably amass wealth is undoubtedly the Black Dragon King.”
“…”
“Moreover, while we know how to bow our heads to Hwasan, that prideful bastard doesn’t know how to bow down to Jang Ilso at all. So, he’ll likely try to gather wealth from this place to strengthen the forces of Surochae however he can.”
“It sounds plausible, but…”
“That’s how it will be.”
Im Sobyeong covered his mouth with his fan and smiled meaningfully.
“Who do you think was the most afraid of seeing Jang Ilso gather power like that?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Let’s just go.”
With a snap, he closed his fan and turned around, starting to walk off on his own.
“Nokrim King! W-Wait for me!”
Elder Il quickly followed, throwing more questions his way, but Im Sobyeong only responded with a smile, quickening his pace.
‘Now, let’s see how Shaolin responds to this.’
Indeed, there’s nothing more entertaining than watching a fight unfold.
❀ ❀ ❀
“We’ve arrived, Black Dragon King!”
“Hmm.”
Standing at the bow of the ship, the Black Dragon King stared intently at the small island before him.
“To think that such an insignificant place would cause me so much trouble.”
If it weren’t for that damned Jang Ilso openly standing in his way, he would have swept through this place long ago. Because of this one island, Surochae’s plan to seize control of the Yangtze River had been utterly ruined.
But…
‘This must be what they mean by turning a misfortune into a blessing.’
The time lost hardly mattered now. He’d seen with his own eyes that collecting proper tolls could bring in several times more profit than haphazardly plundering goods.
Moreover, as the leader of Surochae, he was in a position to firmly control those traveling up and down the Yangtze River – unlike the others. If he set his mind to it, it wouldn’t be too difficult to earn several times the money Hwasan had made from Maehwado.
“If that happens… I can establish a force greater than those money-grubbing fiends at the Black Ghost Fortress. Then someone like Jang Ilso would be nothing.”
The Black Dragon King ground his teeth.
While Sapaeryeon’s prestige continued to rise daily, the Black Dragon King’s influence had dwindled. Some even regarded him as little more than a subordinate to Jang Ilso.
It wasn’t entirely wrong, considering Jang Ilso was the Ryeonju of Sapaeryeon while he was merely the vice lord. But still…
“Ridiculous.”
He would soon show them who the true leader of Sapaeryeon was.
“Preparing to dock!”
The Black Dragon King gave a heavy nod.
“Disembark and take over the island!”
“Yes!”
The once-calm waters of the Yangtze River began to stir once again.
__________
* 대별채. Located on Mount Daebyeol, it is one of the top twelve mountain strongholds of Nokrim and one of the three strongholds that have rebelled against the King of Nokrim.
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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