Chapter 916: Turns Out There Is That One Crazy Guy (Part 1)

"Uh, how did that happen"

"...."

Hong Dae-gwang stared at Cheong-myeong with a bewildered expression, as if he had lost his mind.

"I must be crazy."

Why on earth did he miss this insane person? This demon-like individual who could disrupt all his peace just by existing? Him?

"Um... Divine Dragon... no, the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"Why?"

"Isn't it that... the information is supposed to be readily available, right... huh? They just tell you what you want to know, don't they... huh? It's not like that?"

"What are you talking about? The Beggar's Union doesn't have the information?"

"It's not that... there is information, but that information isn't readily available whenever you want it..."

"Nooooooo!"

Hong Dae-gwang closed his eyes tightly.

"Anyway, these damn beggars are useless, absolutely useless! They can't even beg properly, and they won't even provide information properly!"

"...I appreciate your concern, but..."

Do you really have to worry about that? Hmm? 

However, whether or not Chung Myung knew about Hong Dae-gwang's feelings, he continued to pester him relentlessly.

"Oh, so what happened?"

Hong Dae-gwang gazed at the ceiling with a detached expression. He had so much he wanted to say. If it were someone else in front of him acting this way instead of Chung Myung, Hong Dae-gwang would have smiled and said something like this:

"Listen here, little brother. It takes a bit of time for the information I requested from the main sect to travel here. I can't fly like a bird to fetch information directly, and your nagging isn't going to speed up the process. So, relax and be patient. It won't take long."

Yes, he could say that.

And if he did, those who respected the dignity of the Beggar's Union would nod in agreement or feel ashamed for pestering a manager of. the Beggar's Union without reason. Any sensible person would do so.

But, unfortunately, the person standing in front of him was Chung Myung. This guy didn't treat the dignity of the Beggar's Union as any more valuable than a pebble on the street. He was not only illogical but also irrational.

If he said something like that, he would probably shout, "These useless beggars! They've gotten too complacent, so they're just begging for food to survive!"

"Geuk..."

Looking at Chung Myung's increasingly fiery face, Hong Dae-gwang began to feel his hair stand on end.

It was like watching a spreading wildfire inching closer to a gunpowder depot. When that fire finally reached the barrels of gunpowder, it would undoubtedly explode.

That face?

No, right here was the gunpowder magazine.

"Please! Please! Hurry up, you little rascal!"

Since they had requested a special delivery, the Beggar Union's heavenly messenger dove, who could travel thousands of miles in a single flight, was probably on his way with the document.

Whether or not this beggar broke to pieces or not depended solely on the speed of that heavenly messenger's flight.

"Kkeu!"

At that moment, Chung Myung's eyes started rolling back, and Hong Dae-gwang had to consider whether he should make a hasty exit without looking back.

Vreeeeee!

"It's here!"

At last, the ringing sound made Hong Dae-gwang jump to his feet. He wouldn't be as glad to see his late grandfather's face even if he could. In reality, Hong Dae-gwang had no idea what his grandfather's face looked like, and he barely knew his father's either. But, whatever, let's not dwell on that!

"Where is it?"

"There! It's coming!"

In that moment, a dove with azure wings flew in through the wide-open window at lightning speed.

"Phew!"

Hong Dae-gwang reached out and quickly received the heavenly messenger in his hands. He untied the small document bag from his ankle and opened it.

As soon as he took out the scroll, Chung Myung swiftly snatched it away.

"Where is it?"

Chung Myung rapidly scanned from left to right as soon as he unfolded the scroll.

"What does it say?"

"Well..."

"Hmm?"

After reading through the entire document, Chung Myungraised his head and gave Hong Dae-gwang a look that was so indescribably peculiar in its expression.

"You're kidding, mister beggar."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess you guys are screwed."

"What? Wh-what are you talking about?"

"No, I... thought there wouldn't be... any."

Chung Myung let out a vacant laugh and scratched the back of his head.

"Turns out there is that one crazy guy."

"Huh?"

Hong Dae-gwang looked at Chung Myung with a face that clearly expressed his inability to understand a word of what was happening.

***

Gu Gang.

In the vicinity of Plum Blossom Island, which was now completely under the control of Surochae, an eerie tension hung in the air. The bustling streets that were always vibrant were nowhere to be seen. It was difficult to find people moving about, and even the lively street hawkers who had previously been enthusiastic in opening their stalls had now shut their windows tightly.

Even the small huts that had gathered discreetly on the outskirts of the city, along with Plum Blossom Island, had to hold their breath while observing the movements of the pirates passing by on the streets.

"Is this really how we have to live?"

As one man watched the backs of those who passed in front of his hut through the crack in the window, he sighed deeply.

"In reality, there isn't much of a problem, is there? The pirates aren't harming anyone."

"It's not that there isn't a big problem; it's just that it hasn't happened yet, young sir."

One of the merchants replied in a stifled voice.

"When a leopard has a full belly, it just lets people pass by, right? Those savages are quiet for now, but how can we know what they might do at any time?"

"That's a valid point, but..."

A sense of unease was evident on the merchants' faces.

Even though Surochae had taken control of Plum Blossom Island for several days, there had been no reports of people suffering from the pirates. But, despite that, it was impossible to look at the pirates who had always been a source of fear without some apprehension. Especially for the merchants whose livelihood depended on the transportation of goods along the Chang River.

"We have to find a way to manage things. Remember the old days when we used to sail the river and occasionally ran into pirates? We only had to pay a toll as much as the goods we were transporting. If you think about it, it's just the same as this..."

"But how is this the same? Meeting someone briefly once every few weeks or months is inevitable. However, living like this, facing those ruffians every day, how are we supposed to make a living?"

"..."

"What's more, in those days, we only had to pay a toll as much as the goods we were transporting, but now they're demanding money even for the goods in the warehouses. Damn it, business is already poor, and now we have to pay the money they're asking for. After giving it to them, what will be left for us to eat and survive?"

Sighs filled the air as the merchants expressed their grievances.

Previously, when the Mount Hua Sect controlled Plum Blossom Island, it had only charged a fee for providing facilities and had not taxed every single item in the warehouses. So, practically, the money the merchants had to pay for using Plum Blossom Island was limited to the toll for transporting goods.

Of course, there were expenses involved in using various facilities, but that was the same wherever you went in the world, wasn't it?

However, those pirates had taken control of Plum Blossom Island and immediately raised the toll to twice its previous amount. Furthermore, they threatened to impose taxes on the goods within Plum Blossom Island.

As a result, people now had to pay double, triple, or even quadruple the usual amount.

"Do we really have to endure this?"

"Listen. You left Plum Blossom Island yesterday and sailed the river to the Upper East Sea, right?"

"The Upper East Sea? Ah, right, I remember now. Why is that?"

"...They say everyone's dead."

"What?! What are you talking about?"

"Those damn pirates are up to something. They seem to be sinking every merchant ship that tries to cross the river outside Plum Blossom Island. If you don't want to die, you better use Plum Blossom Island."

"Unbelievable."

Everyone was left speechless.

In the past, even if they encountered pirates while navigating the river, it was rare for people to come to harm. Typically, these encounters were resolved through the payment of tolls.

However, with these pirates appearing, it was unthinkable to attempt crossing the river with the risk involved. Of course, the Yantze River was vast, and the chances of running into pirates were very low, about one in ten at best. But would any sane person risk their life and property on a one-in-ten chance?

"Now we're completely at their mercy."

"It was better when the Mount Hua Sect was around."

Although they didn't deal with the pirates directly, the merchants keenly felt how much protection the Mount Hua Sect had provided Plum Blossom Island.

"What can we do with these invaders? So what? Have you heard anything from the Ten Great Sects? How long will it take for those idiots to realize that these invaders have occupied this place? They moved here when the pirates had already taken over, yet they haven't made a peep."

Now the only hope for the merchants was that the Ten Great Sects would come to their rescue. Alternatively, clearing out the pirates from the river was a possibility.

"They say there hasn't been any movement yet."

"Still?"

One of the merchants raised his voice in frustration.

"Surely those Righteous Sect bastards won't just give this place up to the pirates?"

"What, are you saying they might? This is Gangbuk."

"Then why haven't they shown their faces so far?"

"That..."

The merchants exchanged nervous glances.

"They were already scared the hell out of by the Evil Tyrant Alliance and retreated once. Does that guarantee they won't do the same this time?"

"Ah, come on, they wouldn't! No matter what, they're the Righteous Sects..."

"Righteous? If you want to bring up righteousness, that's something you should've mentioned three years ago! Isn't it true that the Righteous Sect bastards bowed down to enemies out of fear for their lives?"

"..."

"Surely not this time..."

"Don't say such ridiculous things! The situation wasn't favorable back then. If the Righteous Sects get seriously involved, it won't be just the pirates, but even the Black Dragon King would quickly lose his head..."

Kwaaang!

At that moment, the door of the bar burst open as if it were about to shatter, and a man in blue clothing walked in slowly.

"..."

He had a youthful face covered by the distinctive tight-fitting blue attire of the pirates. The inside of the bar fell deathly silent.

"Hmm."

The man looked around the room with icy eyes. Everyone inside the bar froze, unable to breathe or move.

One of the pirates spoke up, his gaze intense.

"Just now, it sounded like they were talking about the Righteous Sects."

"That, well..."

"And the Black Dragon King losing his head?"

A chill spread across the faces of the merchants instantly. Who would understand better than they how cruel these pirates could become when they set their minds to it?

"This is why you shouldn't show any unnecessary kindness. Even though the Black Dragon King has been so considerate, they talk behind his back without understanding his grace and talk so carelessly."

Anger flickered across the distorted face of the pirate.

"I think it's about time we set an example and catch and kill a few of them."

"That's not it..."

"No, you misunderstood!"

The merchants desperately waved their hands, attempting to explain, but the pirate didn't seem to listen and merely gestured towards them.

"Take them away."

"Yes!"

As the pirates swarmed in, the merchants were overwhelmed by fear, and their voices cried out for mercy.

"Please, it's a misunderstanding! Sir! Sir!"

"Have mercy!"

"Eeek! I-I..."

The merchants held captive by the pirates cried with tears in their eyes, pleading for mercy, but the hands that restrained them remained unyielding.

"Drag them all out and kill them. They dared to insult the Black Dragon King, and their lives cannot repay that crime!"

The leader shouted with his tongue sharply reprimanding the merchants.

And as he exited the bar, he mumbled to himself.

"I can't understand why the Black Dragon King shows these people mercy. It would be enough to just kill them all. Whether they are merchants or Righteous Sects, you know."

"Kill them and take everything?"

Then, behind the pirate leader, a low, rumbling voice was heard.

Annoyance flickered on the leader's face. He turned around, and once again, he saw another fearless individual...

Kwadak!

But in that moment, a massive hand seized the leader's neck.

"Keung!"

Suddenly, the immense pressure around his neck caused the leader to gasp for air. It felt like he could be strangled and crushed at any moment.

His face turned red quickly due to the intense pain, and he desperately clung to the hand that held him.

As he confirmed who it was with his own eyes, an indescribable shock filled the pirate leader's gaze.

The man had snowy white robes, contrasting with a thick mane of black hair. His eyes had a ferocious tiger-like quality, and his rugged face was reminiscent of a lion.

However, what drew more attention than anything else was the two characters engraved in a heroic script on the right side of his chest – "Heaven's Friend" (蒼天) [Changcheon].

"N-Nam... Keung! Namgung..."

Kwaaaah!

He yanked the pirate up and threw him to the ground with a single motion. The sound of a person crashing onto the ground was unbelievable. The pirate who had been bossing around the merchants just moments ago was now writhing in a pool of blood.

"Su Lo Chae."

The one who effortlessly dealt with a pirate.

Despair and astonishment mixed in the voices of the pirates as they saw his face.

How could they forget that face?

The name that was nearly absolute and that had stood against their leader, the Black Dragon King, with a black spear three years ago.

"Sword... Sword Emperor!"

"This...!"

From Sword Emperor Namgung Hwang's mouth, a tremendous roar burst forth.

"These wretched pirate scum! How dare they tread upon the northern lands before my eyes? I'll kill every last one of them!"

It was the moment when the silent lion that had been crouching for three years finally roared toward the sky.