Chapter 177 The War King’s Gate (6)

Chapter 177: The War King’s Gate (6)

He ordered a spot to be prepared on one side of the large training ground and simultaneously had preparations made for Jong-ri-geuk’s Il-ro.

The reason was simple.

Based on his observations so far, Il-ro’s martial arts skills were superior to the other ro.

If he hadn’t started, it wouldn’t matter, but now that he had, didn’t he have to win?

Upon hearing this, the head of the Silver Dragon Sect also spoke to his son, Silver Dragon Spear Lee Jong-san.

“Heh heh heh, we should start preparing as well. Have Yong Pyodu and Eunseong prepare.”

“Yes.”

He smiled with a sly expression.

‘Just as expected of a merchant…’

The total members of each faction, excluding the Black Dragon Sect, numbered between two and three hundred.

Though their numbers were small due to the circumstances of the Nine Dragon Fortress, each and every one was a master surpassing the first-rate.

They probably believed they would win unconditionally.

That’s why they provoked the fight.

After a short while, Yu Xiaoping returned.

“Preparations are complete.”

He looked around at everyone.

“Let’s go out and see.”

“Let’s go.”

Led by the Silver Dragon Sect leader, the heads of each sect stepped outside, unable to hide their expressions of keen interest.

Opening the door, they saw over three hundred warriors encircling the grand martial arts arena in a ring.

‘What is this, an UFC arena?’

What was so amusing? He laughed heartily, bottle of liquor in hand.

Seeing them so excited they couldn’t contain themselves at the prospect of watching a fight, the equation ‘martial artists = barbarians’ came to mind.

“Hehehehe, seems the warriors are looking forward to it too.”

The Red Dragon Sect Leader countered the Silver Dragon Sect Leader’s boastful remark, as if proud of the event he’d created.

“Hmph, the important thing isn’t the warriors’ enjoyment, is it?”

“Senior is correct. The important thing isn’t enjoyment, but…”

He glanced at me and smiled.

“How good a fight we put on, right? Isn’t that so, Jin Munju?”

Just as I clicked my tongue and nodded at their insufferably confident expressions,

“Hold on!”

A high-pitched voice drew everyone’s attention.

It was the cleaning lady.

‘Seriously, doesn’t she know when to stay out of it?’

Anyone could tell when important people were gathered; she should’ve backed off. What gives her the right to crawl in here…?

I couldn’t help but compare her to Myohyang, the merchant destined for conglomerate status.

But the clan leaders’ reactions were completely different from what I expected.

“My! Isn’t this the Blue Flower Goddess?!”

“Hehehe! Long time no see!”

“How has Lord Chunbu been faring?”

The moment Cheong Sosso appeared, they all greeted her brightly.

“……”

They’re fawning over her just because she’s the hospital director’s daughter.

Typical of the martial arts world, mad about connections.

“Qing Family’s Qing Xiaoshao greets the martial arts heroes, the heads of the clans.”

After that insincere greeting to the clan heads, Qing Xiaoshao approached me.

She leaned in and asked in a voice as thin as an ant’s.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a little opportunity here…”

“…Not an opportunity, a duel.”

“Same difference.”

Her expression clearly begged for a wager. Seeing that, a sigh escaped me involuntarily.

‘What on earth is this girl thinking?’

Looks like I’ll have to send a heartfelt letter to the Qing Family Head soon.

“This is no place for such things. Today, show some restraint…”

“I’ll only take half.”

A proposal to take only half the winnings.

Wondering if she was trying to cheat me, I communicated with her through my eyes.

It was consideration for her, who didn’t know how to use telepathy.

‘Really?’

‘Of course.’

‘No changing your tune later.’

Nod.

Nodding, she discreetly handed me her money pouch.

I gave it a quick lift—it felt like about two hundred taels.

I drew everyone’s attention and proposed a wager.

“Ahem, since we’re competing anyway, how about adding a bet?”

Then the Silver Dragon Sect Leader boldly declared.

“Very well. This silver! I’ll stake thirty taels of gold on Silver Dragon Hall’s victory.”

But it didn’t end there.

The White Dragon Hall Master, the second wealthiest after the Gold Dragon Hall, also joined the wager.

“The stakes are too small. I’ll stake fifty taels of gold on Silver Dragon Hall’s victory.”

Eighty taels of gold!

Eighty billion won in modern value!

It was the moment 777 lit up on the slot machine in my mind.

“Eighty taels of gold, I’ll stake it on the victory of our Jeonwang Sect.”

Faced with this unexpected gold bonanza, I went all in with every last penny I possessed.

* * *

One hour later.

“I, I can’t believe it!”

“……”

Awe and gasps settled over the training grounds.

And it was no different where the clan heads were gathered.

“Huh… To fight like that. I feel like I’ve had my eyes opened today.”

“Indeed. The late Master Jin’s strategy was nothing short of genius.”

“Hmm…”

“Keklek, truly worthy of being my granddaughter’s husband.”

Though a strange word seemed mixed in at the end, most couldn’t contain their astonishment.

It was only natural.

The Silver Dragon Hall had been utterly crushed.

They hadn’t even been able to put up a fight before being completely demolished.

That wasn’t to say the Silver Dragon Hall Master had been careless.

The White Pole Spear, Yong Mun-gi.

He had naturally placed his frontline ace, the young prodigy ranked alongside the Silver Dragon Spear.

He had dispatched the promising late-stage disciples from the Eunseong region. It was the best hand he could play while maintaining his dignity.

But.

‘Maintaining dignity in the face of money… You still have a long way to go. Tsk tsk.’

This lord cares not for such things as face.

He deployed Yook Hak, helmeted, on the condition that a portion of the winnings be handed over.

A peak master and nine first-rate fighters.

A supreme master, a peak master, and nine second-rate fighters.

Is this not precisely what Grandmaster Sun meant by ‘Seek Victory First, Then Battle’?

In fact, Yuk Hak merely set the flow; he didn’t even step forward much.

Still, Cheolhyeol Ilro was more than sufficient to handle the Eunseong region. All thanks to that iron armor.

Martial artists fundamentally don’t wear armor.

It hinders the swift execution of agile, rapid techniques.

But Iron Blood Road was different.

It pressured the Silver Star region based on the military clan’s martial art, the Black Spear.

Moreover, the current battle was a non-lethal sparring match.

A spear thrust with held-back force could never pierce iron armor.

Thus, Yong Mun-gi, assessing the situation, ordered hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.

He aimed to force a stamina-draining battle, accounting for the heavy armor.

Yet, within the confined space of the training ground, even that proved impossible.

Instead, he began getting pushed into a corner by the Iron Blood Style’s relentless, iron-wall-like pressure.

Finally.

“I concede.”

As his final spear technique was blocked by Yuk Hak, the declaration of defeat slipped from Yong Mun-gi’s lips.

“……”

A one-sided process and a one-sided result.

Naturally, everyone was shocked.

‘Still a long way to go.’

But, examining each detail, I was certain the road ahead was still long.

If this had been real combat instead of a sparring match, if Yukhak hadn’t been there, if the space had been ample.

Cheolhyeol Ilro would have lost today’s fight.

‘On an open field, it might be different.’

Anyway, that’s not what matters now.

“Well, well, we won by sheer luck.”

Collecting the gambling debt is what matters.

As I approached, rubbing my hands together eagerly, I could see the expressions of the two faction leaders souring.

They probably felt cheated.

Even if they knew about the steel armor, they wouldn’t have expected it to be used like this.

But what can you do?

The martial world lives and dies by face.

“Hmm… I’ll send someone over soon.”

“Me too.”

Having made the wager in front of everyone, I had to repay it quickly.

Seeing the White Dragon Sect Leader’s sour expression was more enjoyable than watching most variety shows.

‘My funds were running low, but this worked out perfectly. ’

Just as he was gloating about earning the operating funds.

“……!”

An explosive wave of energy swept over them.

Everyone except Master Bukgung stared in one direction.

And then.

The Nine Dragons Sect Leader crossed the main gate of the Former King Sect.

‘Wh-what is this?’

It wasn’t just the sudden visit that shocked them.

Whoosh.

They were crushed by the aura of an absolute being.

The over a thousand martial artists gathered at the Zhenwang Gate.

It seemed to demonstrate the majesty of the absolute ruler dominating the southwestern Central Plains.

“You’re playing games, old man.”

Master Bukgung waved his hand, and the surrounding air lightened.

Only then did they snap back to their senses.

‘This isn’t the time to be standing around.’

After all, the VVVVIP had arrived, and as the host, I couldn’t just stand idly by.

In that moment of fluster, a deep, resonant voice echoed.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“Huh!”

The Lord, who had been far away, had suddenly appeared right before me.

Greetings, Lord!

Click.

He extended his hand, halting the clan heads’ greetings.

“I’ve only come to offer congratulations. Let’s skip the formalities.”

“……”

The clan leaders’ mouths fell shut at his words about congratulations.

I had sent the invitation, but this was merely the founding ceremony of a new sect.

And the Lord of the Fortress himself had come to such an occasion?

Wasn’t this openly declaring his interest in the Jeonwang Sect?

Whether they sensed this or not, the expressions of the two faction leaders, Silver Dragon and White Dragon, soured even more than before.

The Lord stared directly into my eyes.

His dark green pupils felt like an abyss.

He held out a small scroll.

“It’s a congratulatory message. It holds no great significance, so you may store it away casually.”

How could I just shove it aside?

“I… I shall treasure it as a family heirloom!”

“……”

I’ll have it framed and stored somewhere out of direct sunlight.

The Lord, having handed over the congratulatory scroll, looked down at the training grounds.

Only then did the warriors seem to snap to attention, hastily prostrating themselves and bowing their heads.

Exterminate the Demon Cult! Nine Dragons Rule the World!

The mountains and forests seemed to tremble at the shout of over a thousand warriors.

‘Wow…’

Our Chairman is so cool.

* * *

Though he handed over the congratulatory message and left immediately, the Chairman’s visit ensured the grand opening ceremony concluded splendidly.

A single person’s visit created an enormous impact.

Of course.

It was like Jung-eun showing up at the Daedong River Beer Festival.

Thanks to him, not only will the name of Jeonwangmun be remembered, but the story of how they fought and crushed Eunryongdang in a martial contest will be talked about for ages.

Moreover, the Lord’s favor didn’t stop there.

All the troublesome disputes that had been coming his way vanished.

Even though the land had been purchased, the fierce warriors of Chilbaek roamed right next to Guryongseong daily.

And they did so wearing full armor.

Thanks to the goodwill built up over time, things had passed without major incident, but recently, warriors from Baekryong and Eunryongdang had begun picking fights.

Given his temperament, he wanted to crush every bone in their bodies, but as someone who had established himself within the Nine Dragons Fortress’s territory, he couldn’t harm the inner fortress’s warriors.

He hadn’t found a clear solution until now.

Thanks to the Chairman’s favor, not only did no one dare touch this side, but they were so startled by our appearance that they scrambled to flee.

Even that was merely a side effect.

The real thing was precisely what I desired and everyone had longed for.

“You pass.”

“Nice!”

In the competition to select partner companies, we’d passed the first screening with a free pass.

Truthfully, to achieve this, I’d been meeting with the heads of the Eight Sects, peddling all sorts of favors.

That’s also why I pushed so hard to hold that grand opening ceremony.

Red Dragon and Gold Dragon, Master North Palace—they were definitely on my side, but the rest were uncertain.

Yu So-pyeong explained that in the vote involving the eight faction leaders, Master North Palace, Minister Mun, and the City Lord, everyone except Silver Dragon and White Dragon cast a vote in favor.

It’s just my guess, but I think the faction leaders who were planning to abstain ended up voting in favor after seeing the Sect Leader visit.

Now, only one thing remains.

To win the bidding competition outright.

…That’s what I was thinking while meditating.

“Oh, oh no!”

“Snore… Huh? What now?”

“Ba, Baekseom Sword Sect and Eun Family have merged!”

“What the hell are they merging for?”

It’s not like they’re some kind of combination robot.

“Well, that… The two sects have merged to participate in the bidding.”

“No way.”

Is this an M&A now?

The martial arts world truly grows more bizarre the further you go.