Bang!
A dull crash rang out as wooden swords collided.
In the spacious training ground of the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild, two warriors were crossing blades, displaying swordplay of utterly different character.
Whirl! Thud! Bang!
Jang Uibo's sword strikes, full of dizzying, dazzling changes, drove fiercely at Cho Mudo.
The wooden blade seemed to descend toward his head, then shifted to his shoulder, and from the shoulder darted toward his thigh.
The transitions were so swift that even if one's eyes could follow, the body could hardly react.
And Cho Mudo, rooted like a boulder, calmly received each of Jang Uibo's mercurial strikes.
Kwaang!
Their wooden swords clashed violently in the midst of the fierce exchange.
Cho Mudo, unable to fully withstand the impact, staggered backward—but Jang Uibo too could not immediately press the attack.
Watching the two men's fierce bout, awe was etched across the faces of all who looked on…
"Haa…"
…except for one, seated apart from the guild's warriors, letting out a quiet sigh.
Unlike the others, who sat sweating with tense excitement as they watched, Cheon Wuha sat in the audience seats at one side of the training ground, his face showing unconcealable frustration.
So they've only just managed to find direction?
Jang Uibo's sword, once all flash and change, was beginning to gain weight.
Cho Mudo's sword, once monotonous, was starting to keep up with that change.
It was the fruit of the past fifteen days, during which Wuha himself had carved out time to teach them since the duel with the Sect of the Bell.
"What? The young guild master himself wishes to instruct us?"
"Well… nothing so grand. I just thought I might lend you a hand in your training."
"Haha, but that's the same thing! We'd be nothing but grateful. How could we refuse guidance from the guild's greatest expert? Isn't that so, Brother Jang?"
"Of course. In fact, I'd been wanting to ask you myself, though I lacked the face to do so. To think you'd offer—it's truly a favor, young guild master."
He had worried they might refuse out of pride, but having felt Wuha's ability firsthand through So Un, they had welcomed his offer.
Since that day, Wuha had spent half an hour daily guiding them.
But…
At this rate, it's a waste of time.
To outside eyes, their swords had indeed grown shockingly sharp in just half a month.
Both Jang Uibo and Cho Mudo were visibly amazed at their own rapid progress.
Left to themselves, they would have wasted months trying to grasp what Wuha, with a single glance, had spotted and corrected.
What's more, each of the two had strengths that complemented the other's weaknesses, so merely crossing swords helped them fill their own gaps.
And yet, Wuha's gaze held little satisfaction.
Even when I teach ten parts, they can't digest half…
Of course, that was purely his perspective.
For ordinary people, even when taught ten, they might manage to grasp one or two.
To take ten and realize eleven—that was something only those the world called geniuses could do.
Though he knew this well, Wuha was dissatisfied because, at their current pace, it simply wasn't worth his personal time.
It'll take them at least ten years to be of any real use.
Normally, he might have considered ten years enough.
But not now.
Though quiet for the moment, the Sect of the Bell would surely move for revenge over their humiliation.
And in more than one form.
As Wuha pondered this thorny problem, rubbing his chin—
"Young guild master! Young guild master!"
"Hmm?"
A familiar voice called from afar, turning his head.
"Yeongseon?"
Clatter, clatter.
Panting, Yeongseon came running up, catching his breath as he glanced around.
Most were focused on Jang and Cho's duel, so few paid attention to them.
"What is it, Yeongseon?"
"Hoo… The Sect of the Bell has arrived, young guild master."
"The Sect of the Bell?"
"Yes."
At Wuha's question, Yeongseon nodded quickly.
The day after the award ceremony, Wuha had pulled him aside.
Anything he saw or heard concerning the Sect of the Bell, he was to report directly.
Since Cheon Myeonghak would never tell him of such matters, Wuha had secured Yeongseon—who had wide connections in the guild—as his informant.
Their response is slower than I thought.
Humiliated as they were, Wuha expected them to move immediately for revenge.
The fact they had waited a full half month meant they must be plotting something.
"Where are they?"
"They were being escorted to the guild master's office."
"The office, eh…"
Nodding slowly, Wuha stepped past Yeongseon.
What tricks would they bring?
A cold sneer spread across his face as he began opening his senses.
"What… did you just say?"
"As I said."
Facing Cheon Myeonghak's look of bewilderment, the Sect of the Bell's steward, Na Honmyeong, continued:
"As of today, the protection contract between the Sect of the Bell and the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild is terminated. We've brought the penalty fee, please confirm it."
"Hm…"
Cheon Myeonghak muttered, staring at the stack of notes on the desk.
He had expected retaliation of some kind.
But after half a month of silence, to suddenly announce they were ending the protection contract?
For a man who had struggled for years to escape their influence, this was baffling.
At last, after long thought, Cheon Myeonghak asked:
"Could it be… the purpose of ending the contract is for the Sect of the Bell to openly declare hostility toward the Yongmyeong Guild?"
"Of course not."
Na Honmyeong chuckled, shaking his head.
"Don't worry. Were we to antagonize a guild with whom we once contracted protection, how would the world view the Sect of the Bell?"
"Then why…?"
"As I said—it's a matter of face and propriety, nothing more."
With firm tone, Na Honmyeong cut off further questions.
"We've brought the penalty fee, and you surely understand our position. If you don't mean to mock the Sect of the Bell, there's no need for more meaningless words."
"…I see."
Though his manner bordered on rude, Cheon Myeonghak nodded calmly.
"As of today, I acknowledge that the contract between the Yongmyeong Guild and the Sect of the Bell is ended."
"Thank you for your acceptance. In that case, I'll take my leave."
With only a short bow, Na Honmyeong exited the office.
As his figure vanished from sight, Cheon Myeonghak turned to the man beside him.
"What do you think, Chief Steward?"
"Well…"
The gray-haired middle-aged man gave a wry smile.
This was Do Jeongyeong, the guild's own chief steward, who had worked with Cheon Myeonghak for nearly twenty years.
Having handled much of the guild's outside affairs, he too looked puzzled.
"I expected them to use some flimsy excuse to raise the contract terms against us… but instead, it's the opposite."
"Could they perhaps intend to draw in the demonic sects?"
"No, impossible. Whatever else, they're still an offshoot of the Zhongnan Sect."
At that, Cheon Myeonghak nodded.
Indeed—if the Sect of the Bell resorted to using demonic sects for revenge, it would tarnish not only them but the reputation of Zhongnan itself.
Even if their master had lost his reason, he would not go so far.
"Then… at least for now, there seems no problem."
"I agree. Still, to be safe, we should seek other sects to sign protection contracts with as soon as possible."
"Yes, do so carefully. That will mark the true new beginning of the Yongmyeong Guild."
The contract with the Sect of the Bell had always been unfavorable to the guild.
Now, the chance to sign a fair contract with another sect—it brightened Cheon Myeonghak's face.
"Wuha has done something truly great for the guild."
"No doubt. To think a problem that plagued us for decades could be solved in a moment—it feels like a dream."
Both men wore bright smiles.
At that moment, neither could imagine the hidden scheme of the Sect of the Bell, seeing only the guild's brighter future.
"Hmph. Fools."
Leaving the office, Na Honmyeong sneered, glancing back with disdain.
They laugh, blind to what's coming.
They must believe plenty of other sects will gladly protect the Yongmyeong Guild.
Perhaps even tomorrow they'll start seeking replacements.
But…
Let's see if things go your way.
They had no idea what the Sect of the Bell had been doing these past fifteen days.
Cheon Myeonghak might be a skilled merchant, but in the ways of Jianghu intrigue, the Sect Master was several moves ahead.
"…It will be quite a sight."
Their faces, once they realized too late.
As he smirked wickedly and turned his head forward—
"What will be quite a sight?"
"Ugh…!"
When had he appeared?
A boy suddenly stood before him, making Na Honmyeong gasp.
"Wh–who are you!?"
"Who are you?"
The boy tilted his head with a mocking smile.
Perhaps fifteen years of age, his lips curled in amusement—but his eyes carried a weight that pierced straight through, making Na Honmyeong stumble back before he knew it.
"When you enter another's guild, the least you could do is introduce yourself politely…"
The boy stepped forward as Na Honmyeong retreated, continuing:
"Judging from how startled you are—what, are you a thief come to rob us?"
"W–what? A thief!?"
Enraged by the mockery, Na Honmyeong's brows twitched.
At first, he had instinctively faltered, but now he realized who this must be: most likely the Yongmyeong Guild's young master.
And he himself was the Sect of the Bell's steward—how could he let a child mock him?
"You insolent brat! Do you know who I am, to speak so rudely!?"
"Insolent?"
Wuha's chuckle vanished, his face turning cold as his gaze bore into him.
"Who is it that dares call another insolent?"
"Y–you…!"
Overwhelmed by the sudden shift in Wuha's aura, Na Honmyeong swallowed hard.
He could not afford to yield—but staring into those eyes, he found himself unable to muster force.
Just then—
"Eh? Steward Na, you haven't left yet?"
"Steward Do!"
Do Jeongyeong approached, having just left Cheon Myeonghak's office.
Na Honmyeong's face lit with relief as he quickly called out:
"L–look at this! This boy dares threaten me, steward of the Sect of the Bell—"
"Oh? Young guild master, what brings you here?"
"Tsk…"
Clicking his tongue with regret, Wuha replied:
"Just passing by."
"I see. Ah, this gentleman is Steward Na of the Sect of the Bell. Steward Na, this is our new young guild master…"
"So it is the famous young master. I've heard much. Seeing you in person, the rumors are true. Well then, having finished my business, I'll take my leave."
Step, step.
Deciding nothing good could come of staying, Na Honmyeong quickly strode past Wuha and left the guild.
Watching his retreating back vanish in an instant, Wuha's eyes narrowed.
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