As a cool air flowed into the main hall, everyone nodded. They also had the same mind as Jin Sa-wol.
"Finally, our association will not starve as long as I am alive. I cannot promise a thousand years of glory, but I promise a hundred years. For a hundred years, there will be no problem with food and shelter. That is the third."
Jin Sa-wol showed a smile and raised his hand, and everyone smiled and applauded.
Clap! Clap!
As the applause echoed and Jin Sa-wol sat in his chair, Bi-sun said.
"To commemorate the start of the Namcheonhoe, we have prepared a small banquet."
"Let's begin."
Since it was an event that had to be held, Jin Sa-wol nodded. Soon, the women of the Hwahwaru entered the main hall with tables of alcohol and set them up.
As the sound of gold was heard and the sound of the zither and pipa gently surrounded the main hall, Jin Sa-wol closed his eyes and rested.
The voices of the people gathered in the main hall lingered in his ears like a melody.
***
The beginning is originally small.
When Liu Bei, who founded the Shu Han dynasty, made the oath of the Peach Garden, there were three of them. Liu Bang of the Han dynasty also had nothing.
The window of the nine-story building called Namcheon Pavilion was wide open. In the eyes of Jin Sa-wol, who was sitting in the tea room and looking out the window, a large moon was visible.
Countless stars surrounded it, and it seemed as if the moon were flowing along the river of stars.
It was a night where a group of stars flowed like a river.
Jin Sa-wol, holding a cup of light yellow fruit wine, drank a glass with the moon as a side dish and then read the reports that Bi-sun had organized.
Bi-sun was faithfully fulfilling his role as general manager and was reorganizing the organization called the Namcheonhoe.
The west was occupied by the Hwahwaru, and the east was occupied by Lee Mak-jeong.
The central main hall was shared by Bi-sun and Jo-rim, and Do Sam-gi was provided with a building next to it.
The most important safe was placed in the basement of the Namcheon Pavilion where Jin Sa-wol was. Because it was Jin Sa-wol's residence, it was made in the place closest to Jin Sa-wol.
The fire ghosts of the Hwahwaru, who were moving the treasures of the Thousand Gold Vault with Jo-rim, could not close their mouths at the enormous amount of gold coins.
Bi-sun asked what to do about the weapons that were in the Thousand Gold Vault. For now, they were stored separately on the second floor, and there were many useful things.
Although Jin Sa-wol's Yuseom Sword and dagger Yahwa were the best among them, it seemed there was a weapon he liked.
With a sreureuk! sound of sliding, Jo Geom-ok appeared behind Jin Sa-wol.
She had come out of the room. It seemed she had gotten tired of waiting for Jin Sa-wol to come in.
It was Jo Geom-ok who wanted to sleep with him after returning from the Demonic Cult.
"When are you going to sleep?"
"Now."
Jin Sa-wol emptied his cup, hugged Jo Geom-ok, and entered the room. As he closed the door with a tak! sound, the lantern went out.
"Ah! It's out."
Seo Mun-ryeon, who was standing by the window, frowned as the light of the Namcheon Pavilion, which was visible beyond the wall, went out.
'I have to go...'
Although Seo Mun-ryeon clenched her fists and stood up with a beoltteok! sound, she sighed and sat down again. Now, she couldn't go even if she wanted to.
Sama Chung was standing in front, and Mae Gang-hwa was also standing.
Seo Mun-ryeon's residence was a five-story pavilion right in front of the Namcheon Pavilion.
'I can't spend the first night like this.'
As she was determined to go even if it was late, a serious voice was heard.
It was Sama Chung.
"The bitch named Wang Hong has arrived. She is coming here now."
As she couldn't go to the Namcheon Pavilion because of Wang Hong, her anger boiled.
As Seo Mun-ryeon's expression turned cold, Sama Chung and Mae Gang-hwa nodded. It seemed she was angry because of Wang Hong.
"Let's go down."
Seo Mun-ryeon stood up from her seat and headed for the first floor.
***
About twenty warriors with swords were standing in the wide main hall on the first floor, which was full of bright lanterns.
They all retreated as Seo Mun-ryeon appeared. A short while later, about ten warriors, including Do Geom and Cheong Geom, entered with a coffin.
They were all elite warriors of the Seo Mun family who had come from their own family, following Seo Mun-ryeon.
Thump!
Do Geom, who had put down the coffin, stepped aside.
"Open it."
At Seo Mun-ryeon's words, Sama Chung opened the coffin, and inside, Wang Hong, who was gagged and tightly bound, was lying.
Perhaps because she had not seen the light for a while, Wang Hong's complexion was pale.
Wang Hong, who had woken up from the big shock and the bright light, opened her eyes wide when she saw Seo Mun-ryeon.
"Ugh! Ugh!"
As Seo Mun-ryeon gestured with her eyes, Cheong Geom removed Wang Hong's gag. Wang Hong shouted in a hurry.
"Wang-ok Mountain! It's in Wang-ok Mountain. He said he had hidden the secret manuals of the Jongnam Sect in Wang-ok Mountain!"
"Should I pull out your tongue first?"
When Seo Mun-ryeon asked, Sama Chung nodded.
"Yes. After pulling out her tongue, we should gouge out her eyes, cut out her uterus, and then throw her in the field as crow food. Because of this bitch, hundreds of our faction's brothers were slaughtered by the Martial Alliance."
Sama Chung, as if he were unusually excited, raised his voice. He had that much resentment.
The one who was more angry would be Seo Mun-ryeon.
Mae Gang-hwa said with a cool voice.
"That's not enough. Master. We have to skin this bitch and make her into dried meat."
"Enough."
Seo Mun-ryeon shook her head at Mae Gang-hwa's words.
Seo Mun-ryeon sat in the chair placed on the upper seat and gestured with her hand. Then, Do Geom and Cheong Geom brought Wang Hong and laid her in front of Seo Mun-ryeon.
Wang Hong, who was lying on the floor, rolled her eyes, unable to do this or that.
She had expected the current situation the moment she was kidnapped. Wang Hong had rolled her head countless times and had already made a move in her head on what to do when she met the Hao Faction Master.
As expected, she met Seo Mun-ryeon, and a crisis came.
It was said that if you keep your wits about you even if you are dragged into a tiger's den, you can live. Wang Hong knew that this was that moment.
"Use me as a double agent. Son Wonju of the Martial Alliance trusts me very much."
"Because of you, all the informants of our faction who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance were either exposed or killed."
"So he doesn't suspect me. Because I handed over the information of the Hao Faction, he trusts me even more. He would never dream that I am a person of the Hao Faction."
At Wang Hong's words, Seo Mun-ryeon rested her chin on her hand on the armrest.
It was an interesting story.
"It seems that bitch is playing tricks because she wants to live."
As Mae Gang-hwa said, Seo Mun-ryeon covered her lips with her index finger.
"Shh!"
It meant not to talk, and everyone was silent. Seo Mun-ryeon, who had been contemplating for a moment with an indifferent face, turned her eyes to Sama Chung.
"Where is Son Muk?"
"He is in Nanchang with the Blue Dragon Division of the Martial Alliance."
"He's closer than I thought. Is he chasing Lee Mak-jeong?"
"Yes. It is said that the vanguard of the Martial Alliance has entered the entrance of Guryeon Mountain."
Seo Mun-ryeon, hearing Sama Chung's answer, turned her eyes to Wang Hong.
"This is Namcheonhoe. I have become an elder of Namcheonhoe. Our faction will give information to the Namcheonhoe, and the Namcheonhoe will become our faction's shield and spear. The leader of the Namcheonhoe is Mr. Jin Sa-wol. You will go to Son Muk right now and tell him that fact."
"Yes?"
"Hmph!"
Wang Hong opened her eyes wide, not knowing what she was talking about, and the faces of the people standing around were full of surprise.
"What..."
Sama Chung was startled and was about to speak, but he shut his mouth at Seo Mun-ryeon's gesture. Wang Hong's face was full of smiles. It was like a venomous snake.
"Why did you do it?"
"Yes?"
Wang Hong stared blankly at Seo Mun-ryeon. As she chewed on what Seo Mun-ryeon had just said, she knew it was a secret. Telling her the secret meant that she would be killed.
As she realized there was no way out, her whole body lost strength and her flesh trembled.
"Tell me. Why did you do it?"
As Seo Mun-ryeon urged, Wang Hong bit her lip and said.
"Because you were trying to kill Gwak Ji, Master."
"What do you mean?"
"I liked Gwak Ji. So I thought I had to save him. If I could be with the person I liked and even get his martial arts, it would be killing two birds with one stone. So I informed the Martial Alliance."
Seeing Wang Hong's face, which felt pure emotion, Seo Mun-ryeon thought it was interesting.
Because she was also having a similar emotion now.
'Because of affection...'
Although it might be nothing, it could be everything to Wang Hong.
"You shouldn't let her live."
Sama Chung's low voice was heard. He had stepped forward because he had seen Seo Mun-ryeon's gaze soften.
Seo Mun-ryeon frowned and was lost in thought for a moment. A short while later, she turned her eyes to Do Geom.
"Put her in the coffin."
At Seo Mun-ryeon's command, Do Geom gagged Wang Hong and put her back in the coffin.
Seo Mun-ryeon tore her sleeve and then, drawing her sword, cut her index finger. As blood flowed, she wrote a letter with the blood.
Wang Hong betrayed our faction because her affection for Mr. Gwak was too deep. Although her crime deserves to be punished a thousand times, I am letting her live because I am moved by her heart for Mr. Gwak. I hope that Mr. Gwak will make a happy family with Wang Hong and live well.
-Seo Mun-ryeon.
Seo Mun-ryeon, who had finished writing, threw the cloth into the coffin with a whoosh!. The cloth settled on Wang Hong's dantian.
"Cover it."
At Seo Mun-ryeon's command, the warriors covered the coffin, nailed it, and wrapped it with a cloth. Since there was a hole to breathe, she would not die.
"Send it to the Martial Alliance."
At Seo Mun-ryeon's command, Do Geom's eyes widened. He couldn't understand why she was sending her back after he had gone to the trouble of catching her.
But he couldn't ask. Because of Seo Mun-ryeon's cold gaze.
"If you say you are delivering the goods of the Jongnam Sect to the Jongnam Sect, it will be fine. Do Geom, you take responsibility and deliver it, and then return."
"As you command."
Do Geom answered and then went out with about ten warriors, carrying the coffin. Seo Mun-ryeon waved her hand and sat down on the upper seat.
Mae Gang-hwa approached and asked.
"Master. Why on earth did you send her back?"
At her question, Sama Chung approached, poured tea for Seo Mun-ryeon, and answered instead.
"It's to keep her as a double agent."
"Is that more advantageous?"
When Mae Gang-hwa asked, Sama Chung nodded. It was not a wrong statement.
But Seo Mun-ryeon, who had drunk her tea, shook her head. There was no need to create a spy.
In any case, the Martial Alliance would recruit people. At that time, it was enough to infiltrate a Hao Faction member into the Martial Alliance.
"In any case, Wang Hong will die by Son Muk's hand. Son Muk is very angry with me. The reason I left a letter was to let him know that our faction has nothing to do with Wang Hong's death. Who will Gwak Ji resent?"
Seo Mun-ryeon, who was drinking tea, stood up from her seat as if she had thought of something.
"This is not the time for me to be doing this."
Seo Mun-ryeon hurriedly left her seat and headed for the Namcheon Pavilion.
***
Do Sam-gi and Bi-sun, who were drinking tea and discussing, were checking the list placed under the lantern.
Do Sam-gi quietly opened his mouth.
"About contacting the Thousand Killing Ghosts... it's not easy. Most of them have lost contact... I think it will take time."
"Even if it's difficult, we have to find them. If we can contact them, we have to call them to Namcheonhoe. They will surely be a great force for the Namcheonhoe."
"Yes. But the Baekgeomun and the Martial Alliance, who have appeared in Guryeon Mountain, are also a problem."
The movements of the Baekgeomun and the Martial Alliance were naturally coming to Bi-sun's ears. Bi-sun was not particularly worried.
"We have to deal with them."
Bi-sun answered and then turned his head. He saw the figure of Jo-rim, who had appeared like a ghost at the door.
(End of Chapter)
