Chapter 359

Even with Pyo Wol sitting before him, Yong Hasang paid no mind and freely groped the courtesans’ breasts.

“Aih!”

The courtesans, as if not displeased by Yong Hasang’s actions, made nasal sounds and pressed their bodies even closer.

The courtesans next to Pyo Wol also acted coquettishly, feeding him side dishes.

Pyo Wol did not bother to refuse the courtesans’ service. Even so, his gaze never left Yong Hasang.

Thud!

Suddenly, Yong Hasang slammed his cup down on the table. The liquor in the cup splashed in all directions, but he didn’t care.

He had been drinking continuously since Pyo Wol boarded the boat. But his face showed no signs of intoxication.

Yong Hasang looked at Pyo Wol and spoke.

“I wonder what Great Hero Pyo thinks of the Golden Sky Society.”

“Why do you ask?”

“You must have seen Jang Mu-guk, the new Society Leader, in person. I’m curious what you felt when you saw him.”

“His ambition is immense.”

“How immense do you think it is?”

“Greater than yours, at least.”

At Pyo Wol’s unexpected words, Yong Hasang’s face hardened.

He glared at Pyo Wol with fearsome eyes and asked.

“Why do you think so?”

“He doesn’t care what you think, but you care what he thinks. That is the difference between him and you. The gap is very large.”

“……”

At Pyo Wol’s merciless words, Yong Hasang bit his lip.

His pride was wounded. But it was difficult to easily refute.

These were the words of Pyo Wol, of all people.

The weight he carried in Jianghu was by no means small.

“Hmph! You really know how to twist the knife.”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Fine! If it’s the truth, I must accept it. I’ll ask just one more thing. What do you think will become of Jianghu in the future?”

“Why ask me that?”

“Because I want to know your thoughts.”

“Are my thoughts that important?”

“I believe they are. Whether you want it or not, it’s clear that you are in the mainstream of the current Jianghu.”

“The mainstream? That’s ridiculous! What’s so great about a mere assassin….”

“Didn’t I say? Even if you don’t want it, that’s what Jianghu thinks. The flow of Jianghu has changed greatly since your appearance. That is why I ask.”

Yong Hasang’s eyes shone intensely.

Pyo Wol read the immense ambition contained within them.

Yong Hasang was not a man who would ever be beneath someone else.

Pyo Wol honestly stated his thoughts.

“Men like you will emerge.”

“What is your basis for thinking so?”

“The peace has lasted a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Is that what you think, too?”

“It’s enough time for the patience of ambitious men to run out.”

At Pyo Wol’s words, Yong Hasang nodded.

His own thoughts were the same as Pyo Wol’s.

Dragon Sky Valley had survived in Jianghu for quite a long time.

At first, it reigned over Jianghu as one of the Ten Hegemons. Then, after the Blood Calamity, seven hegemons fell, and they became one of the Three Hegemons.

Of the ten super-powers, only three had survived.

Because they had watched over the prosperity and downfall of Jianghu, they were more cautious than anyone. They were reluctant to intervene in the major and minor affairs of Jianghu, choosing to be bystanders.

For them, it might have been an unavoidable choice, but for ambitious martial artists like Yong Hasang, it felt like nothing more than heavy shackles.

He watched for an opportunity to break free from those shackles. To him, Namgung Wol’s proposal was incredibly sweet.

He saw it as a legitimate opportunity to escape the restriction. That was why he had set aside all other matters and come all the way to this distant Poyang Lake.

Although he had met Namgung Wol, there was one thing in his heart that made him hesitant.

It was Namgung Wol’s disposition. His disposition was subtly different from his own. For now, it was merely a slight difference of opinion, but he couldn’t predict how wide the gap would become in the future.

Because of that, he couldn’t easily make a decision despite Namgung Wol’s proposal and had continued to waste time.

Even embracing courtesans and drinking did not easily resolve his conflict, which was why he had ended up asking even Pyo Wol.

Now, his thoughts began to clear in his head.

‘A time when the patience of ambitious men is running out. The Troubled Times will soon begin.’

It was a feeling he too had felt on his way here from Dragon Sky Valley.

On the surface, it seemed peaceful, but signs of the Troubled Times were visible everywhere. Until now, he couldn’t be sure of his feeling, but after talking with Pyo Wol, he felt he knew for certain.

The Troubled Times were already beginning.

It was just that people didn’t know it yet.

His stance on Jang Mu-guk also became clear.

If his ambition was that immense, he must never be on the same side. His own ambition would surely be swallowed up and disappear within his.

If so, there was only one method left.

To organize the Anti-Golden Heaven Society with Namgung Wol.

And by doing so, solidify his own standing.

Once he had organized his thoughts like that, his mind felt much clearer.

It was hard to decide, but once the decision was made, there was nothing to hold him back.

“Great Hero Pyo! No, Brother Pyo!”

Yong Hasang changed his form of address. The title of Great Hero seemed too distant.

“Speak!”

“Join me.”

“……”

“Join the Anti-Golden Heaven Society. I want to entrust the position of Society Leader to you. Please, lead us.”

Pyo Wol saw through Yong Hasang’s intentions.

‘Entrust the position of Society Leader? He just means to set me up as a shield.’

The Anti-Golden Heaven Society wasn’t even organized yet. The very act of saying he would entrust the position of Society Leader of such an organization was laughable.

Pyo Wol was not foolish enough to fall for Yong Hasang’s wordplay.

“I refuse.”

“No thoughts of reconsidering?”

“None!”

“If that is your will, I will not insist.”

Yong Hasang backed down at that point.

He knew that saying any more would only hurt each other’s feelings.

He knew better than anyone that making an enemy of someone like Pyo Wol would be a headache.

He had been defeated by Pyo Wol before, but he hadn’t used his full strength at that time.

He was confident that he would never lose to Pyo Wol if he fought with all his might. But even so, he didn’t want to become Pyo Wol’s enemy.

Now was the time to maintain a suitable distance and friendship with him.

Yong Hasang raised his cup again and said to Pyo Wol.

“Forget what I said. For today, let’s just drink and have a wild time.”

He downed the liquor in one gulp. Then, a courtesan put a side dish into his mouth.

Yong Hasang deliberately created a more debauched atmosphere to change the mood.

The courtesans responded to him.

One courtesan held liquor in her mouth and kissed Yong Hasang. Then she passed the liquor from her mouth to his.

After savoring the liquor and the courtesan’s tongue, Yong Hasang muttered.

“Keuh! This is good.”

His eyes were already bloodshot.

Pyo Wol watched the scene in silence. Courtesans snuggled up to him as well.

“Young Master! Please look at us, too.”

“Aing!”

The courtesans flirted and tangled with him.

Pyo Wol let them have their way with his body and thought.

‘A treacherous hero of the Troubled Times. Can Namgung Wol truly control this man?’

Pyo Wol was genuinely curious.

About the future of the Anti-Golden Heaven Society.

And about how long the alliance between Yong Hasang and Namgung Wol could last.

＊＊＊

Pyo Wol opened his eyes.

“Umm!”

A hand as white as an icefish caressed Pyo Wol’s chest.

It was the hand of the courtesan lying beside him.

The courtesan was sound asleep, naked and breathing softly.

The drinking party that started on the flower boat had moved to a brothel and continued.

Yong Hasang, who had gotten somewhat drunk, disappeared into another room with two courtesans, and Pyo Wol also spent the night with the courtesan lying beside him.

Pyo Wol had not only shared a physical relationship with the courtesan.

The night was long, and there was much to say. And the courtesan, completely smitten with Pyo Wol, told him everything she knew. Thanks to her, Pyo Wol became thoroughly familiar with the situation around Poyang Lake.

That alone was a great gain for Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol sat up and got dressed.

The courtesan still hadn’t woken up. Pyo Wol left the soundly sleeping courtesan and went outside alone.

Perhaps because it was still early morning, the brothel was quiet.

When Pyo Wol came out, the servants working at the brothel bowed their heads in greeting. Pyo Wol left them behind and exited the brothel.

The place Pyo Wol headed for was his lodging, the Southern Sky Inn.

The Southern Sky Inn was bustling with customers even in the morning. When the customers saw Pyo Wol, they showed surprised expressions.

They had recognized Pyo Wol’s identity.

Among the sects and martial artists by Poyang Lake, there was no one who didn’t know Pyo Wol.

It also meant that Pyo Wol had become that much of a celebrity.

It was then.

“You’re here. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

A young martial artist approached Pyo Wol from inside the inn.

It was none other than Ju Seol-pung of the Jewon Merchant Group.

Pyo Wol asked.

“You were looking for me? It seems you had some success.”

“Yes! Please, have a seat first.”

“Mm!”

The two sat down at a corner table in the inn.

“First, I haven’t been able to find the people Great Hero Pyo is looking for. But I have found out who hid them.”

“Who is it?”

“The Blood Phantom Organization.”

“You mean the group that has been growing like poisonous mushrooms around Poyang Lake recently?”

“So you know of them. That’s right. We’ve captured circumstantial evidence that the Blood Phantom Organization hid them.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! The bastards despicably realized we were tracking them and killed one of my subordinates.”

Ju Seol-pung’s face was filled with rage.

Finding the ones who killed Gu Chang-hae was not that difficult.

The Shadow Severance Squad had squeezed the slums with ruthless severity.

In the end, they found the inn Gu Chang-hae had last visited and tortured the innkeeper to find out the truth.

“It was an inn that had ties to the Blood Phantom Organization. The people Great Hero Pyo was looking for were also staying at that inn. And we found out that the Blood Phantom Organization orchestrated this whole affair. The only unfortunate thing is that the Blood Phantom Organization realized we were tracking them and went into hiding.”

“They say the Boss of the Blood Phantom Organization is as sharp as a ghost, and it seems to be true.”

“How did you know that?”

“Someone told me.”

It was something the courtesan he spent last night with had told him.

The courtesan had referred to Deung Cheolung, the Boss of the Blood Phantom Organization, as a fox in a bear’s skin.

She said that while he looked like he would just charge ahead without thinking, he actually had a sharp mind, was quick with calculations, and was cunning.

Therefore, she said that if you thought he was dull just by looking at his appearance, you would be severely backstabbed.

“I suppose nothing has been revealed about why the Blood Phantom Organization helped them?”

“No! But it won’t take long to find out.”

Ju Seol-pung’s voice was overflowing with confidence.

It was true that the Blood Phantom Organization controlled the underbelly of Poyang Lake. The poor and powerless merchants were afraid of the Blood Phantom Organization’s retaliation and could not carelessly speak of their whereabouts.

Rather, they were in a position where they had no choice but to protect and cooperate with the Blood Phantom Organization out of fear of repercussions. That was why even the sects that considered the Blood Phantom Organization a thorn in their side couldn’t do anything about them. But the Jewon Merchant Group was different.

The Jewon Merchant Group had laid its foundation long before the Blood Phantom Organization established itself in Poyang Lake. Also, following Noh Taetae’s will, they spent an enormous amount of money for the common people every year.

Most importantly, they had the ability to protect informants from the Blood Phantom Organization’s retaliation. They could also offer huge monetary rewards.

The reason the Jewon Merchant Group had left the Blood Phantom Organization alone until now was because they hadn’t caused them any harm. But now that they had killed a martial artist of the Jewon Merchant Group, they could no longer just stand by.

Although he was a low-ranking member, killing Gu Chang-hae was a direct challenge to the Jewon Merchant Group.

They could tolerate other things, but that was something they absolutely could not endure.

“Currently, the Shadow Severance Squad and all the elite martial artists of the Jewon Merchant Group have been mobilized to find the Blood Phantom Organization. No matter how well they hide, we will eventually find them.”

It was not baseless confidence.

Ju Seol-pung and the Shadow Severance Squad had that level of ability.

In fact, at this very moment, cries of mourning were erupting from businesses associated with the Blood Phantom Organization.

They would try to keep their mouths shut and endure somehow, but no one could withstand the hawk and the torture.

Ju Seol-pung raised his index finger and said.

“It will take just one day. If you wait just one day, I will capture all the leaders of the Blood Phantom Organization and present them to you, Great Hero Pyo. You may dispose of them as you please.”