Chapter 4 The Ink Dragon Sect

Chapter 4: The Ink Dragon Sect

“Haha, I’m a bit busy today…”

“Cut the chatter and follow me.”

The old man—more precisely, the Grand Elder of Jianchang and the current Black Dragon Sect Master’s teacher, the Great Purity Immortal—cut him off and strode ahead.

“Ah! I really am busy!”

Smack!

“Yaaah!”

“Do you know what day yesterday was?”

“How could I possibly…?”

Wait, yesterday?

As I suddenly counted the days, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

“It was your senior brother’s death anniversary. Yet you didn’t even show your face.”

Guilt instantly washed over me.

‘So why did I count the days by the lunar calendar?’

If I’d counted by the solar calendar, I wouldn’t have forgotten.

In a world without smartphones.

“I’m sorry.”

“Knowing is enough. You fool. At least go pay your respects to the memorial tablet before you leave.”

“Yes.”

Walking behind the old man like that, old memories came flooding back.

‘Will you follow me?’

‘What happens if I go?’

‘That depends entirely on what you do. You could become a martial arts hero, or you could just rot away as some lowly warrior.’

‘Do they feed you well?’

‘Three square meals a day, come rain or shine. Don’t worry.’

‘Then I’ll follow you.’

The man who brought me to Nine Dragons City after I’d been wandering the streets, driven to the brink of starvation, was this old man’s senior brother.

Thanks to him, I nearly became a Taoist priest the moment I arrived at Nine Dragons City.

‘But if I become a Taoist priest, I can’t get married!’

Luckily, I had knowledge about Taoist priests from reading martial arts novels in my past life. If not, I would’ve ended up on the path of a celibate Taoist priest without knowing any better.

‘Just thinking about it is terrifying.’

To live as an old bachelor in both my past and present lives?

If I hadn’t risked my life to resist back then, I’d have thrown myself into the Yangtze River with absolute certainty by now.

“Greetings, Grand Elder.”

“Greetings, Grand Elder.”

“Greetings, Grand Elder.”

Upon entering the Black Dragon Sect, its members paid their respects to the Supreme Immortal.

It was only natural.

The Black Dragon Sect had originated from the Pointed Spear Sect, and the Supreme Immortal was the current Sect Master’s own teacher.

For reference, the identities of the Nine Dragon Sect’s nine branches are as follows:

Green Dragon Sect (Sichuan Sect Family)

Blue Dragon Sect (Blue Star Sect)

White Dragon Sect (Baek Family)

Golden Dragon Hall (Manggeumjeonjang)

Silver Dragon Hall (Eunseong Pyo-guk)

Black Dragon Hall (Cheongeom Mun)

Red Dragon Hall (Jeokwang Mun)

Black Dragon Hall (Jeomchangpa)

And nationwide, the Outer Halls.

This order ranks the influence each hall holds within the Nine Dragon City. The surprising fact is that the Black Dragon Hall is second from the bottom.

Considering the lowest tier is the Outer Sect, a common weakling group across the martial world, it’s safe to say they’re effectively last place.

Although their prominence in martial arts novels is almost nonexistent, they are a major sect belonging to the Nine Great Sects. This seems too harsh.

There was a reason.

Unlike the Blue Dragon Sect (Cheongseongpa) had quickly transitioned to a secular system, the Moolryongdang still maintained its Taoist structure.

Consequently, it couldn’t engage in active economic activities, leaving its cash mobilization capabilities woefully inadequate.

‘Their only revenue model is donations sent by disciples? That’s just not sustainable.’

This is precisely why people need to study business administration.

If the Moolryongdang had someone like that, their situation might have been slightly better.

Of course, I enrolled in computer science because I heard it was good for getting a job in the next life.

As I walked toward the hall where the spirit tablets were enshrined.

“Waaah!”

Crash, bang, boom.

A bunch of scruffy-looking kids came running straight at me.

Judging by their sweat-soaked appearance, they must have been running after training.

“You’ll hurt yourselves! You little rascals!”

Most were familiar faces, so I greeted them warmly.

‘Cute little rascals.’

I pulled coins from my pouch and handed them out. The children beamed with joy.

“Thank you!”

“Yes, yes. You must repay this kindness when you grow up.”

As I patted their heads and offered words of encouragement, I spotted Taecheongjin-in watching me from afar, smiling.

And then it hit me.

‘Got played!’

That’s right. That old man had timed it perfectly with my arrival to send out his juggling troupe… no, his young disciples to hand out pocket money.

The money wasn’t a waste, but the realization I’d fallen into a trap made my stomach churn.

Taecheongjin acted as if nothing had happened, saying with feigned innocence.

“If you had entered the Jianchang sect, these children would have become your disciples.”

“Then why didn’t you take care of them yourself, old man?”

“Where would a Taoist find money?”

“That’s why I’m saying you should engage in some economic activity! Are you going to die with your impressive martial arts skills and nothing to show for it?”

“Heh heh, the closer one gets to the mundane world, the farther one strays from the Tao.”

“That’s only true when the granary is full. What good is the Way when we’re starving to death tomorrow?”

“That’s precisely why I brought you along. Thanks to you, the young disciples get to taste sweet rice cakes. Heh heh heh.”

“Whoa! What’s become of Moolryongdang…”

After exchanging banter for a while, they arrived at the ancestral hall.

I stood before a spirit tablet in the far corner of the front row.

Hyun Geomja Yeo Song-bin.

The name of the man who brought me, a complete stranger, all the way to Guryongseong.

‘Grandfather…’

Because he was the first connection I made in this world, I had always thought of him as my own grandfather.

‘Why won’t you become a Taoist priest! What a great profession it is.’

‘What kind of life do you choose like a game class? I absolutely won’t be a Taoist priest, so do with me as you please—kill or spare me!’

‘You, you brat!’

Though not all my memories of him were good.

Once.

Twice.

As I bowed twice, thinking of Yeo Song-bin, Taecheong Jin-in approached carrying something.

“Hmph, hmph! Hmph hmph! Hmph!”

“Ugh.”

It was a donation box.

***

The constant ringing that started in the morning continued into the night.

Anyway, since Taecheong Jin-in was the one who brought me here, there wouldn’t be any backlash.

‘I paid two taels for the hermit, so I’d better get my money’s worth.’

Since I’d already spent the money, I figured I might as well get dinner and rest.

So I was lying in the guest room tucked away in a corner of the Moksryong Hall, passing the time.

“Hey.”

A familiar face appeared.

It was the senior disciple of Moksryong Hall, Wei Jifeng.

For reference, Wei Zhifeng was one of the young aces of the Nine Dragons Sect who had reached the pinnacle of his cultivation in his twenties.

“Good heavens! Who might this be? Is it not the renowned Master of the Black Dragon Sword, Wei Zhifeng, whose fame resounds throughout the Nine Dragons Sect?!”

“Khm, a traitor to the sect knows me well indeed.”

“What a hurtful thing to say! Anyone hearing that would think it’s true.”

“Even though Lord Sabakjo went to the trouble of taking you across the Central Plains, you still didn’t join the sect. You are indeed a traitor.”

“That’s why I just put two taels of silver in the donation box.”

“That’s only natural since we performed the ancestral rites for Grandmaster Sabak on his behalf, isn’t it?”

“To me, he was like a grandfather, but isn’t he the great elder of the Zhanchang? Not performing the rites would be committing the sin of betraying one’s lineage.”

“You truly won’t back down an inch.”

“Didn’t you know no one can match me in a verbal duel?”

Though occasionally, when I thought I might lose, I’d resort to fists.

“Puhahaha!”

Wei Zhifeng poured tea with a hearty laugh.

Having spent our childhood together, he and I were close as brothers.

‘Had I become a disciple of Jianchang, hierarchy would’ve made this difficult…’

It seems I’m a soul yearning for freedom, just like Dobi.

“So, how’s the work?”

“A hundred times better than life at the Ascension Pavilion.”

“Well, if it’s you, even if they dumped you in the Ten Demon Realm, you’d eat well and shit well.”

“Isn’t that just living well?”

“Same thing.”

Wei Zhifeng took a sip of tea and continued.

“By the way, this is serious business.”

“Huh? What about me?”

“What happened at the faction leaders’ meeting.”

“How do you know about that, Brother?”

“Our Master told me.”

“That’s right. Of all times, he had to say it in front of everyone. It was incredibly awkward.”

This was the real deal.

Outer faction leader Beogungbaek had that mercenary vibe, so I could overlook him. Myeongryong faction leader was a friend, so no big deal.

The other seven sect leaders were a different story.

The current City Lord was recruiting disciples through a process resembling a public audition.

That I caught his eye amidst this…

To the sect leaders pushing their own children or disciples to become the City Lord’s disciples, it was practically a new competitor appearing.

‘Probably just number 129 or so…’

In Hell Joseon, I wouldn’t give a number like that a second thought, but this is the martial arts world.

It’s packed with people who’d stab you in the back at the slightest provocation.

Wei Zhifeng was pointing out exactly that.

“Do you have any idea why?”

“Probably because of the martial arts skill I received from the Sect Master on the day of the Ascension Pavilion graduation ceremony.”

“Isn’t that a benefit everyone gets for graduating top of the class? I got it too, so what’s the big deal?”

“I think it’s because the skill I received was one personally created by the Lord of the Castle.”

“…That’s just asking to be misunderstood.”

“Exactly.”

If they were going to give something, why give some weird, unrated item instead of an SSR-grade Heavenly Poison Heart Skill? I don’t get why they’d cause this mess.

“It’s not something we can control, so for now, we’ll just have to be careful.”

“Could you help us out?”

“Help? How?”

“The Outer Sect’s Jinmu Hall is close to the Black Dragon Sect. We could publicly declare retaliation if they touch us.”

“Do you think the Patriarch and the Master would cause such a disturbance? And even if we did that, do you think other sects would even care?”

“You’re right about that.”

“Still, don’t worry too much. Since Grandmaster personally brought you here, he won’t be able to take direct action.”

I was startled by Wei Zhifeng’s words.

I’d thought he’d just come to extort money, but to say he rushed here to protect me…

‘When it comes to Grandmaster Taicheng, it’s a different story.’

When it came to pure martial prowess, he was the peerless master of the world.

To receive his protection, the two taels I owed him was practically free, beyond a bargain sale.

“Judging by your expression, you hadn’t guessed at all.”

“Yes, I had no idea you would think of me so deeply.”

“Are we strangers?”

“But we’re not family either.”

“You crazy bastard. Get some sleep.”

As Wei Zhifeng was about to leave, I whispered softly into his back.

“A drink?”

That night, Wei Zhifeng and I drank all night, reminiscing about childhood memories.

***

The next day.

I reported for duty at the city gate as usual, starting a day that seemed no different from any other.

Except for one thing.

“What is this?”

“Hehe, just a bowl of rice wine after we’re done…”

“Oh! What do you take me for! I’ll let it slide this time, but make sure you’re prepared next time!”

“Oh dear! My apologies!”

It meant I couldn’t accept bribes right then.

Thanks to that, the merchant who tried to cut in line sulked as he rejoined the queue, then turned to look at me with puzzled eyes.

When I blinked my eyes to signal, he finally seemed to understand and nodded.

Being a merchant, he seemed to grasp what I meant with quick wit.

I could take bribes again once things calmed down, but there was nothing I could do about the loss right now.

‘Oh, what a heartache.’

With factions possibly watching me right now, if I got caught taking a bribe, I’d not only get fired but surely have my meridians and dantian destroyed, getting kicked out of the city.

Reminding myself once more that this place was the merciless martial world, I continued my duty like a newly appointed lieutenant following the book.

“Next!”

Half a day later, the sun had set, and it was time to close the gates.

As the crowd thinned, Yang Gang, his face flushed, started complaining.

“Squad Leader! Isn’t this really too much? If you won’t even let us earn a pittance, how are we supposed to make a living?”

“Right! The evil squad leader should step down!”

“Step down! Step down!”

The squad members rallied in an instant, raising their right arms in unison with the chant.

This sudden union activity left me utterly shocked.

‘You too, Yoo So-pyeong!’

Betrayal made my body tremble violently, but I knew this could spark the birth of a militant union. I did my best to calm the team members.

“Alright, alright! Everyone, please calm down!”

“Step down! Step down!”

But they seemed spellbound, completely ignoring my words.

‘Damn it.’

In the end, I had no choice but to empty my pockets to seek a grand labor-management reconciliation.

“I’ll buy drinks after this!”

“Ahem, ahem, with what?”

“Hwa… Hwangju?”

“Back off! Back off!”

“Baekju!”

“You should know we’re letting you off easy since it’s us.”

Yang Gang, who led the strike, and the other team members left the area.

I shouted after them.

“Your shift isn’t over yet, you lot!”