Chapter 29: Connections from a Past Life (1)
Yong Hwarin’s party had no choice but to move out to the outskirts, about a quarter-hour from the central area.
As expected, even there, merchant escorts on their delivery routes had already occupied the inns. Fortunately, Namwook managed to secure a room.
“Young Master, luckily, there are rooms available at that inn.”
Yong Hwarin thought it was a relief to have found rooms in this situation and headed toward the inn.
After obtaining three rooms, they entered the dining hall on the first floor to have a meal. There, a dispute had broken out between a group and the people from an escort agency.
The innkeeper stood in the middle, bowing repeatedly, pleading with around ten escorts.
“I apologize. The Sky Ocean Escort Agency has rented out the entire inn, so please understand.”
As the innkeeper continued to bow his head, the members of the other escort agency grumbled.
“What? Innkeeper! Even if the Sky Ocean Escort Agency has booked the entire inn, we arrived here first. How can you kick us out like this?”
An angry young man raised his voice.
Yong Hwarin recognized both the Sky Ocean Escort Agency and the escort group about to be kicked out of the inn.
The Sky Ocean Escort Agency belonged to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, one of the most prosperous merchant groups in Henan.
And there was another unforgettable reason. It was the very place where Yong Hwarin had once lived as the merchant lord’s son-in-law and, for a time, even acted as the head of the merchant union.
In the end, his wife, Hoi Unkyung, had formed an alliance with some strange faction, and Yong Hwarin ended up discarded and betrayed by them.
Yong Hwarin never learned who the true forces behind the takeover of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union were. While investigating them, he ended up being pursued and eventually died alone in an unnamed mountain.
Among the five women he had encountered in his past life, Hoi Unkyung had been the worst.
Hoi Unkyung was a skilled martial artist, but her personality was sharp and difficult.
Strangely enough, however, she had liked Yong Hwarin greatly and even brought him in as her husband.
That, in fact, had been the beginning of misfortune for Yong Hwarin.
She was so jealous that even conversing with other women became nearly impossible.
And yet, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union had also brought him great success in his life.
Thinking about it, it was a place that brought him much regret in many ways.
The Sky Ocean Merchant Union was still one of the most powerful forces in Henan, which was why they could act so high-handedly even at an inn like this.
From the innkeeper's perspective, refusing the demands of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union could seriously harm their business.
Even among escort agencies, not all were equal.
If an escort agency had many skilled fighters, naturally, their strength as a whole increased.
The Sky Ocean Escort Agency had first-rate guards and escorts in abundance, making them stronger than most martial sects in Henan. That was why they could throw their weight around like this.
The ones currently clashing with the Sky Ocean Escort Agency were from the River Center Escort Agency of Henan. They didn’t belong to any merchant union and operated purely as an escort service.
Naturally, their influence was nowhere near that of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency.
They were a very small escort group with only twenty escorts and two escort leaders.
However, Yong Hwarin knew that while the River Center Escort Agency seemed insignificant now and might even disappear soon, ten years later, it would grow into a powerhouse representing not just Henan, but all of the north.
That was because the son and daughter of the River Center Escort Agency were rare martial prodigies.
The son would become a famed martial artist as a secular disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, and the daughter, also a disciple of Mount Hua, would marry into the Namgung Clan.
With the backing of both the Mount Hua Sect and the Namgung Clan, the River Center Escort Agency would rise to a position where it could even suppress the Sky Ocean Escort Agency.
In the end, his former wife Hoi Unkyung had joined forces with a strange group because she had lost to the River Center Escort Agency.
In both the past and now, the two sides were not on good terms.
The River Center Escort Agency members were in a position where, if they were kicked out, they would have to sleep outdoors, so they showed no signs of backing down.
They had just returned to Zhengzhou in Henan after completing a delivery to Hubei, and at this point, they were asserting their pride as martial artists rather than as mere escorts.
Yong Hwarin knew that if the Sky Ocean Escort Agency ended up taking over the entire inn, he and his group would be forced out as well. Naturally, he had no choice but to side with the River Center Escort Agency.
“Sorry, but as a fellow guest staying here, I cannot comply with the Sky Ocean Escort Agency’s demand.”
As Yong Hwarin stepped forward, Mo Biyoung’s heart sank.
The Sky Ocean Escort Agency was not an organization even the Heavenly Central Sect could treat lightly. There were no martial sects in Henan who would recklessly cross a group like the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, which wielded both wealth and martial power.
Escort Leader Do Gye-gong of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency looked at Yong Hwarin and spoke. Yong Hwarin gave a wry smile as he looked back at him.
‘To think I’d see that annoying face here.’
Do Gye-gong had been one of the strongest opposers during the time Yong Hwarin ran the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. As he was of a different faction than Hoi Unkyung, he had tried hard to oust Yong Hwarin.
Seeing him again here was certainly a moment full of emotion.
Do Gye-gong smiled slyly at Yong Hwarin.
‘I’ve been needing a pretext, and now I have one.’
Do Gye-gong gave a formal martial greeting and spoke.
“This Do Mo is still inexperienced in the ways of the martial world and failed to recognize you. May I ask where you hail from?”
Yong Hwarin responded calmly.
“It would be strange if you did recognize me. This is my first time stepping out into the martial world from my family home.”
Do Gye-gong sneered inwardly.
‘So he’s saying this is his first time out in the world.’
Still, he didn’t act carelessly. Yong Hwarin could be a customer of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency, or he might become one in the future.
“Ah, so you’ve thrown your name into the world. May I ask, which sect are you from?”
Yong Hwarin had nothing to hide, so he spoke openly.
“I’m Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect in Henan.”
There was no reason for Do Gye-gong to know who Yong Hwarin was. He only knew that the Heavenly Central Sect was a martial clan with a fair reputation in Henan.
At most, he had heard that their sword techniques were unique enough not to be taken lightly. The Sky Ocean Escort Agency had never had dealings with them before.
At that moment, a man who seemed to be a scribe standing beside Do Gye-gong suddenly spoke up.
“I heard the Young Master of the Heavenly Central Sect is too frail to even leave the house.”
His implication was clear — that Yong Hwarin might be an imposter. Wherever he went, those who had heard of Yong Hwarin only remembered him as a sickly and weak Young Master.
Escort agencies functioned somewhat like information brokers, and scribes knew more than anyone about such matters.
“I regained my health long ago and have now set foot into the martial world.”
Hearing the scribe's words, Do Gye-gong decided there was no need to pay Yong Hwarin much mind. If he was just from one of Henan’s small-to-mid martial clans, they were still weaker than the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.
“Lord Yong, we would appreciate it if you’d accept our request. As you can see, our escorts haven’t been able to rest properly after a long journey. We pushed for this request in the hopes of getting some well-deserved rest. As fellow martial artists of Henan, we believe you’ll understand our hardship.”
Half of his words were a request, but the other half bordered on threat.
Still, Yong Hwarin didn’t react in anger.
Once anger flared, it was as good as admitting defeat.
Mo Biyoung and the Two Wook Sword Demons assumed that Yong Hwarin, who had no real experience in the martial world, would snap. Their experience in the world had shown them that strength determined hierarchy — and unreasonable demands like this were common.
If Yong Hwarin resisted, a fight would break out, and the strong welcomed such confrontations.
– Young Master, for now, backing down is the wisest move.
Mo Biyoung sent a whisper to him, but Yong Hwarin only smiled.
“Since I’m new to the martial world, let me speak candidly. I was taught that true orthodox sects, though powerful, do not use their strength to bully the weak. If they did, then what makes them any different from the demonic path or the black path? Let’s say I submit to your strength and comply with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union’s demand. But when the martial world hears of this, will they still consider the Sky Ocean Merchant Union a righteous sect?”
Do Gye-gong’s face began to flush red at those words. But Yong Hwarin continued, undeterred.
“Even if no one curses you to your face, they will do so behind your back. You must understand, Escort Leader, that you are dragging the Sky Ocean Merchant Union down into the mud of the demonic path. This inn is frequented by many escort agencies and merchant groups, so the rumor will spread fast. Gaining a reputation may take a hundred years, but losing honor takes but a moment.”
“You dare speak so arrogantly!”
Do Gye-gong, incensed at being lectured by Yong Hwarin, reached for his sword. There was no way a man like him could endure such insult without lashing out.
Among escort leaders, Do Gye-gong was known for his hot temper.
“Hahaha, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union truly is something. For an escort leader to insult the Young Master of a martial clan—how should I take that? Is it that the martial world's rules must now be settled by force?”
Yong Hwarin’s provocation worked perfectly.
“Fine, come outside! Let’s settle everything with our swords!”
Unable to endure any longer, Do Gye-gong stormed outside.
“Young Master, why did you stir things up like this?”
“You know very well how the world views our Heavenly Central Sect. A mere escort leader dares to threaten our Young Master. If we back down now, the world will remember the Heavenly Central Sect as a clan weaker than an escort agency.”
“Still, jumping into a fight recklessly won’t help. And that Do Gye-gong is fairly well-known in Henan. He’s a first-rate martial artist.”
“Precisely why defeating someone like him is what will keep them from underestimating our sect.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Have I ever fought someone weaker than him? Besides, consider this just another form of training.”
Yong Hwarin’s calm response left the three of them dry-mouthed. It was clear he hadn’t acted rashly.
Yong Hwarin had realized something: everyone who had heard of him still thought of him as a sickly man who did nothing but take medicine in a corner room.
If things remained like that, even if he inherited the Heavenly Central Sect later, he would only be ridiculed.
Who would take a sect led by a weakling seriously?
That’s why Yong Hwarin decided to make his presence known actively.
And he had the confidence to back it up.
By drawing upon the old man’s inner strength and using the martial arts of his clan, he believed he could easily handle someone of Do Gye-gong’s level.
On top of that, in his past life, Yong Hwarin had dealt with Do Gye-gong as a leader of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, so he knew the man’s martial techniques better than anyone.
That knowledge gave him an edge in this fight.
Furthermore, after using the technique Thunder Dragon Ascension, Yong Hwarin realized his martial prowess was far stronger than he had thought.
In fact, without even consciously realizing it, he had attained the realm of sword-unity—a state where mind, energy, and sword act as one—which required years of experience, training, insight, and talent.
To some, it might seem like cheating, but his unique circumstances made it possible.
Yong Hwarin had already lived for over fifty years and possessed both maturity and courage. Through his time managing a merchant group, he had come to understand the workings of the world.
Moreover, Yong Hwarin had a naturally good physique, and now that he had absorbed the inner strength of the Demonic Master, he had reached a point where he could physically manifest what he had only theorized before.
‘The Thunder Dragon Ascension’s sword-unity that I’ve achieved... it’s not the true sword-unity. It’s only an imitation. Father once said that our ancestor’s Thunder Dragon Ascension could shatter boulders the size of a man. That must be the real thing. If I tried to use mine against a boulder, I’d end up splattered in blood. Against someone beyond the peak realm, my Thunder Dragon Ascension would probably be easily blocked.’