Episode 197
[Daejeon Temple?]
[It may be an unfamiliar concept to you, a person from the Middle East.]
[Please tell me in a little more detail.]
[Do you know about Namman’s social structure?]
[I know to some extent.]
Basically, Nanman was a tribal society.
This was the reason why the Central Plains called them barbarians.
From an objective perspective, Southern Man’s civilization was far behind that of the Central Plains.
[Before the Beast Palace was created, Namman was literally a land of the fittest. Each tribe fought from time to time, and the warriors were more interested in war and plunder than protecting the tribe. What more can I say, since it was not uncommon for large tribes that enjoyed prosperity to disappear overnight.]
[The Beast Palace came to rule as the ruler of the South, and strict regulations were established, bringing the era of violence and barbarism to an end. However, the warriors of each tribe were not pleased with such changes.]
[The first Beast Palace Lord thought this. There is a limit to just suppressing it. We need to prepare a stage to relieve the fighting spirit of the warriors. In this way, an official secret martial arts competition hosted by the palace was held.]
[When the competition opened, men from all over the world flocked in as if they had been waiting. A match with huge prize money and beautiful women at stake. Many warriors risked their lives in the fight.]
[A title is given to the warrior who wins after a struggle. All the residents of Nanman called him Daesansa with reverence.]
According to the old man’s explanation, it seemed that Grand Master was an honorable title given to the winner of the martial arts competition hosted by the Beast Palace.
There are less than 20 Mencius throughout the entire southern Manchurian region, recognized by all tribes.
Naturally, the influence they exerted within Nanman was enormous.
[Although I have stepped down from the position of elder of the Beast Palace, the title of Grand Master still remains. If you move with me, you will receive great help.]
[What specific help can you give?]
[At least in Nanman, no one carelessly shows their teeth to Daejeonsa. If you move with me, you can minimize unnecessary conflicts.]
‘Not bad.’
It was a quite attractive offer.
The current situation in Namman was truly a mess.
The Beast Palace, preoccupied with internal power struggles, neglected the maintenance of public order and the management of each tribe, resulting in an era of violence and barbarism.
Thieves are rampant, and tribes are fighting against each other.
Being able to minimize friction with them was a definite advantage.
‘The possibility of being attacked by the Beast Palace as an external enemy will be greatly reduced.’
Although he is no longer a member of the Beast Palace, he was a person who held the position of elder.
If it were a group that moved with such a person, the Beast Palace would not be blindly hostile to them.
Wouldn’t you at least try to hear the story?
[After leaving the Beast Palace, I started working in the transportation business in earnest.]
[express?]
[You can think of it as having created a business similar to Joongwon’s Pyoguk (鏢局). To make it easier to talk about, let’s just call it Pyo-guk.]
[It’s a country at this time. I don’t think it’s such a good idea.]
[It’s just as you said. It’s already an unfamiliar concept to Namman’s residents, but the situation is so chaotic. Is there any chance of receiving a proper request?]
[······.]
[This is a business I started based on my experience dealing with people in the middle of the country, but it ended up closing down before I could start working properly, so I’m really worried.]
[Why are you suddenly saying that to me?]
[Aren’t you guessing roughly? If you want my help, make a formal request. Pay the price and write the contract.]
[In other words, I am asking you to use the symbol created by the master.]
[I see.]
I sighed softly as I recalled the conversation I had with the old man.
Although the cost was large, it was not worth it considering it was a price paid for safety.
‘Well, after you succeed in your mission, if you report the progress to the leader, you will be able to get back the amount you paid.’
* * *
“In other words, if you put the title of Great Master first, you can minimize unnecessary conflicts.”
“That’s right.”
“I was nervous because I thought I would have to set foot in Namman again without any plan.”
Yang Ho-gon sighed in relief and buried himself in the back of the chair.
The atmosphere, which seemed as if it was about to explode at any moment, calmed down a bit.
“Are the negotiations concluded well?”
“yes. “You signed the contract and paid the money, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Can we really trust that barbarian?”
Hwang Bo-kyung said as if complaining.
Although his tone was aggressive, the questions he asked contained concerns that everyone was concerned about.
“As I said just now, never show that attitude in front of labor and management.”
“I will take care of myself, so don’t worry. Rather, I’d like you to answer my question. “What kind of human being does that Daejeonsa believe in and entrusts us with our safety?”
“Even if you do not receive help from labor or management, it is still dangerous. “I hate to say this, but we have no choice.”
“······.”
“Also, it is unlikely that labor and management will betray us.”
“What is the basis for thinking so?”
“Because this is an opportunity for both labor and management.”
“opportunity?”
“The situation in South Korea is in turmoil. “If an envoy dispatched by the Murim Alliance were to visit the Beast Palace under these circumstances, it would definitely attract attention.”
“I guess so.”
“Attracting attention means creating a situation that makes it easy to promote. From the perspective of labor and management, they will want to take advantage of the current situation. “I guess that’s what they were aiming for in the first place, so they agreed to help even at the risk of risk.”
“······It seems plausible.”
“Do you have any more questions?”
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“There is one thing I would like to point out.”
Namgung Seong-hun, the head of the Namgung family, raised his hand and said.
He had not said a word throughout the meeting, but when he opened his mouth, the audience’s attention was immediately focused.
“The branch manager said that before. We must not be involved in any way with the five factions that are aiming for the palace throne. “The only person I have business with is the Beast Prince, who is sick from old age.”
“I did.”
“Are you sure that the Great Master has no ties to any of the five factions?”
“He was sick of the competition between factions, so he gave up his eldership and left the Beast Palace. “It means that it was a neutral position, not belonging to any faction.”
“The official position may have been neutral, but there could have been a lot of personal rapport. Rather, since he has left the Beast Palace, it will stand out as even more important.”
That was a fairly sharp point.
‘That’s an unexpected perspective.’
Certainly, the next head of the five generations was different no matter what.
There was a clear comparison with the old man from the Hwangbo family who complained whenever he got the chance.
I nodded calmly and said.
“We will ask labor and management to confirm that later.”
* * *
My group and I finally embarked on a journey to the Beast Palace.
The three Jeomchang Five Swords, along with Mu Jin-cheon, the great warrior of the Nanman, and six warriors under his command joined them.
A total of 36 people.
It was fortunate that we had prepared for backlash and reduced the number of people.
If there were more people than this, control would have been quite difficult.
“Be careful. From here on, it is the territory of the Harel tribe. “You might run into a warrior on patrol.”
“All right.”
“Keep in mind that you must never appear hostile.”
The old man, Mu Jin-cheon, took the lead and led the group.
The warriors working under him surrounded the group as if they were guarding them.
Of course, the journey did not proceed smoothly.
“I’m dying.”
“Is there any water left?”
The sweltering heat hit the group.
It wasn’t just hot, it was also humid.
Even the best masters could not easily adapt to the southern climate.
Damun, Hong Seong-hyeon, Hwang Ho-jin, and Chang-in Dojang, which were relatively low in skill, appeared to be having a particularly difficult time.
“It’s a bush field again.”
“I’m so sick of it.”
The heat wasn’t the only problem.
The endless jungle area made the group tired.
The speed of movement was frustratingly slow as we had to move forward while cutting down the grass that had grown up to our waists.
“What’s wrong with your leg?”
“······I don’t know when I got bitten again.”
“Have you not noticed yet? “It was so swollen.”
“at all.”
Tang family poisoners diligently walked among the group and treated those who were poisoned.
As I walked mechanically, I looked around at the warriors guarding the group and stuck out my tongue.
‘You don’t look like you’re struggling at all.’
All of Mu Jin-cheon’s subordinates were warriors who had reached the peak of their powers.
It is true that they are talented people who can be treated as experts wherever they go, but compared to the members of the delegation, their level was bound to seem low.
In fact, when the warriors first stepped forward to escort the delegation, some, including Hwang Bo-kyung, scoffed.
‘If we hadn’t hired them, the schedule would have been several times longer.’
I was amazed as I watched the warriors silently cutting the grass and creating a path.
As of now, no one has shown an attitude of ignoring them.
‘Well, for them, Namman is their hometown where they were born and raised.’
Basically, all residents of Namman learn martial arts from an early age.
This is because in order to survive in a harsh environment, one must at least have the strength to protect one’s body.
A life based on hunting and gathering, not farming.
Naturally, the average level of warriors was bound to be higher than that of the central region.
‘Did you say that you learn special qigong and train to develop resistance to protect yourself from poisonous plants and insects that grow everywhere?’
Of course, this does not mean that all residents of Namman were masters with outstanding skills.
The only ones who can access the martial arts of Ascension are the warriors who protect each tribe.
Mujincheon’s subordinates were selected elites among them.
How far did it travel like that?
A village surrounded by tall fences came into view of the group.
The old man, Mu Jintian, pointed forward with his index finger and said.
“For now, let’s stay there for the night.”
“Where is that place?”
“This is the residence of the Harel tribe I mentioned earlier.”
“Are you okay? “Even if you approach it so carelessly.”
“It will be okay. “Because I am acquainted with the chief of the Harel tribe.”
“All right. then······.”
It was time to nod and answer.
Teuong!
A heavy noise rang out.
Then, an arrow flew in, causing a shock.
Mu Jin-cheon frowned, kicked the ground, and leaped.
He hit the arrow with his fist and let out a roar.
“What is this!”
A voice filled with energy rang loudly throughout the area.
After some time, a middle-aged man with a majestic physique appeared on top of the wooden fence.
He glanced at me and the group with wary eyes and spoke in a questioning tone.
“Rather, I would like to ask. “What was the purpose of bringing the Central Plains people here?”
martial arts,
