Wu Jin-tae[1] raised his golden cup. At the table, laden with all sorts of delicacies and fine wine, sat a total of five men and women, including himself.

“Well then, to the endless prosperity of the Five Sects of Shanxi[2]!”

“To prosperity!”

“Cheers!”

As a round of drinks was passed, smiles bloomed on the faces of the five.

“The Crimson Flower Pavilion truly is in a class of its own. I don’t know who the chef is, but the food is magnificent.”

“I agree. It melts on the tongue.”

Wu Jin-tae let out a hearty laugh.

“Haha, loosen your belts and eat your fill. It’s all on me today.”

“Wow, you’re the best, brother! At this rate, aren’t you going to pull up one of the pillars of the Seong-un Escort Agency?”

“My, can you really afford it?”

Wu Jin-tae smirked and looked at the two men and two women before him. They were the scions of the Five Sects of Shanxi, the representative alliance of twenty small and medium-sized sects, but they still had to bow to him.

“Ahem, I am Wu Jin-tae. Wu Jin-tae of the Seong-un Escort Agency! I could buy this entire guesthouse without an issue, so don’t you worry and enjoy yourselves.”

Though mixed with a bit of bravado, it wasn’t entirely an empty boast. The Seong-un Escort Agency, which held sway over the entire Sanmen Gorge[3] area, earned an enormous fortune each year through its various businesses, including transport and security. And Wu Jin-tae was the heir who would inherit it all.

Money really is the best.

The so-called Five Sects of Shanxi were, after all, just the children of middling sects. Backed by the financial power of the Seong-un Escort Agency, he had nothing to fear.

“Thanks to all of you here, our Seong-un Escort Agency has climbed another step, so it’s only right that I treat you accordingly, no?”

At Wu Jin-tae’s words, the others hastily waved their hands in dismissal.

“Oh, how could you say it’s thanks to us? It is all thanks to the Escort Chief and you, brother, who have worked day and night for the agency’s development.”

“That’s right. We are unworthy of such words, Young Master Wu.”

They say money can even command ghosts, so what more mere mortals?

‘Worked day and night,’ huh. Well, that’s not entirely wrong.

The reason the Seong-un Escort Agency, which was neither a martial family with a storied lineage nor a distinct martial sect, could enter the Five Sects of Shanxi was because it had loosened its purse strings. It had showered the sect leaders, key figures, and their children from the twenty or so minor sects with wine and riches, day and night, and the result was clear.

The Five Sects of Shanxi.

It was a position representing the alliance of small and medium-sized sects in the south. For an ordinary martial sect, it might have been a hollow title, but for the Seong-un Escort Agency, which generated profit through various businesses, it was as if they had been given wings.

Wu Jin-tae bowed his head with a deliberately solemn expression.

“Not at all. The Seong-un Escort Agency is what it is today because of all of you. Just a few months ago, we couldn’t even hold our heads up because of those wicked old deviants[4]… I thank you all once again.”

“If you mean the old deviants, are you talking about those traitors?”

“Aigoo, don’t even mention them. If it weren’t for this incident, we would have all been helplessly used by them.”

Those gathered here were all scions of the Five Sects of Shanxi, but that hadn’t been the case just a few months ago. The Three Way Sect and the Palace Ghost Sect, along with three other sects, had formed the previous Five Sects. However, it was revealed they were subordinates of the Grand Elder, and they were all annihilated in the battle at Iron Gate Gorge. 

“Speaking of it now, those scoundrels were particularly wary of the Seong-un Escort Agency.”

“It must have been because they feared their true identities would be uncovered by the insightful eyes of the Escort Chief and Young Master Wu.”

Wu Jin-tae suppressed a laugh that threatened to burst out. The reason the former Five Sects had been wary of the Seong-un Escort Agency was simple.

It was to prevent a situation exactly like this one.

The Five Sects of that time were much stronger and their bonds tighter than they were now. But not anymore. Everyone here had already tasted the Seong-un Escort Agency’s money. It was only a matter of time before he used this as leverage to snatch away their various interests one by one.

“Now, let us toast to our friendship.”

“To friendship!”

The drinking party continued in a cheerful atmosphere. From time to time, Wu Jin-tae handed out bribes in the form of gifts.

“This is Shu brocade[5] I recently acquired from Sichuan. I thought it would look lovely on you, Young Lady Hwang, so I set it aside.”

“Oh my, do you mean the Shu brocade?”

“Yes. This is of the highest quality, and the color is simply exquisite. I’ve already instructed my servant to load it onto your carriage, so please take it with you.”

“Heavens, Young Master Wu. Thank you so much.”

“There is no need for thanks. Just consider it a small token of my affection for you.”

“Y-yes?”

“Haha, it seems I’ve misspoken. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

At Wu Jin-tae’s charming smile, the sole daughter of a sect with over a hundred martial artists blushed. By making her feel indebted, he knew there would come a day when he could make use of it.

“Brother, this is disappointing. Are you only looking after the young ladies?”

He then winked at the scion of a martial family with whom he had become sworn brothers.

“As if I would forget my dear brother Hyeok. Just you wait. I’ve prepared a truly spectacular gift for you.”

“Kuh, as expected of you, brother!”

“Haha, Young Master Wu, surely you haven’t forgotten me?”

“How could you say something so disheartening? It’s just that each person suits a different gift, so I was planning to speak to you separately.”

It was easy. For the women, expensive silks and jewels. For the men, peerless beauties and riches. Coincidentally, the Crimson Flower Pavilion, said to be the finest brothel in Shanxi, was nearby, making it the perfect arrangement.

Wu Jin-tae smiled benevolently as he watched the delighted faces.

“Now that we’re all in good spirits, shall we wrap up this party for today… What does everyone think?”

Before receiving their gifts, they might have been disappointed, but things were different now. The women nodded, eager to check the silk and jewels in their carriages, while the men’s hearts pounded with the certainty that they were moving on to the brothel.

“Then let’s have a few final drinks and get up. And don’t forget the luncheon tomorrow.”

At Wu Jin-tae’s words, the others snickered.

“Even if we get drunk, how could we forget that?”

“Young Master Wu, you really underestimate us, don’t you?”

“I was just mentioning it, just in case. Hahaha.”

The luncheon with the City Lord of Shanxi. That was the reason the scions of the most influential sects in Shanxi had gathered in one place. Wu Jin-tae drained his cup and thought to himself.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

A young City Lord, only ten years old. He was a master at pleasing people. He had already completed all the preparations to win the City Lord over.

I hear he’s quite a mischievous brat… An imperial family member. I wonder what he’ll be like?

Just as Wu Jin-tae was lost in thought, a booming shout erupted from the floor below.

“The best of the rising generation in the Orthodox Faction’s martial world! The dragons and phoenixes who will lead the next era of Murim! How can you possibly not know of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”

“Hey, hey. Lower your voice. People are staring.”

The Ten Dragons and Phoenixes? At that phrase, five pairs of ears perked up.

Who were the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes? They were geniuses already writing the first chapter of their legends, the future of the Orthodox Faction’s martial world. To the rising talents of the martial arts world, the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes were objects of envy, and it was no different for those gathered here.

“Who was that? A martial artist?”

The person sitting closest to the railing leaned over to look at the floor below and said, “There are three of them. One looks like a young master, one looks like a decent warrior… and the other one looks like a beggar.”

“What kind of combination is that?”

“Hush, let’s keep listening.”

At Wu Jin-tae’s words, the group fell silent and listened again. As they were all trained martial artists, it wasn’t difficult to hear the conversation.

“Please, continue your story.”

“It’s nothing much. It was just a childish, fleeting thought.”

A moment of silence. And then, the words that followed.

“Who is stronger, them or me? I just wanted to find the answer to that question.”

The rising talents of the Five Sects of Shanxi looked at each other.

“Did you all just hear that?”

“Yes, who said it?”

“It was that beggar I mentioned earlier. I’ve seen all sorts of crazy people these days.”

Just then, Wu Jin-tae shook his head.

“He’s not a beggar, he’s a martial artist.”

“A martial artist… you say?”

“To mention the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, that must be it. As for how he ended up in rags, well, it’s not hard to guess.”

A wry smile spread across Wu Jin-tae’s lips.

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s the story of a life spent wandering the martial world, believing in the few third-rate techniques he happened to learn, only to die a pointless death.”

“Aha, now that you mention it, that makes sense. As expected of Young Master Wu.”

“The more I think about it, the funnier it gets. How dare someone like him even speak of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”

The snickers of the young talents grew into outright laughter.

“You can tell the level of those who associate with such a lunatic. Or maybe they’ll slap him for being crazy and walk out?”

“W-what are the young master and the warrior sitting with him doing?”

The young talent who glanced down below said, struggling to hold back his laughter, “I don’t know about the warrior, but the young master is just nodding his head.”

“Good heavens.”

“Really?”

“Wow, you all have to see this expression. He actually seems to believe that beggar’s words.”

The young talents got up from their seats and approached the railing. Among them was Wu Jin-tae, unable to contain his curiosity.

Let’s see what these guys look like.

And the moment he saw the face of the young master who was nodding with a serious expression, a loud laugh burst from his lips.

“Puhahahat!”

At the same time, the other young talents also began to laugh loudly.

“Keuk, kekekek! Ah, I was trying so hard not to laugh.”

“Kwahaha! A bunch of punks who don’t know the first thing about martial arts, and what? The Ten Dragons and Phoenixes this, that?”

How long had they been laughing? When they finally managed to stop, they were met with the sight of one person staring up at them.

“Are you done laughing?”

At the ‘young master’s’ words, the group of talents froze. They had all grown up sheltered and pampered. How long had it been since they had been spoken to so informally?

The one who broke the chilling silence that had descended was Wu Jin-tae’s dry voice.

“And if we are?”

The ‘young master’ smiled brightly.

“Get your asses down here right now, you goddamn motherfucking bastards. My neck hurts.”

***

Hyeok Mujin asked with an expectant look in his eyes.

“Are we going to have a go at them?”

“Depends on what they do.”

“The phrase ‘goddamn motherfucking bastards’ came out. Doesn’t that mean you want to fight?”

“That would be nice, too. Do you see all their spit on my face?”

“It’s drenched, sir.”

Hyeok Mujin wiped my face with his sleeve.

“What if they don’t apologize?”

“They’ll have to.”

“Look at their faces. They’re definitely not going to apologize.”

“Then they’ll just have to get beaten to a pulp.”

“There are women among them…”

“I’m an advocate for gender equality.”

“Pardon?”

“I hit everyone equally.”

Cheong Pung, who had been watching blankly, looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Oh, I don’t really know what’s going on, but you seem cool.”

“Thanks for… whatever. Anyway, thank you.”

Even if I wanted to say more, there was no more time. The five of them, no, the five bastards, leaped down from the second floor.

Tap.

A light landing, befitting of first-rate masters. One person stepped forward from among them as they glared in our direction. Level 45. A tall, handsome punk. It was the same guy who had laughed first.

“I am—”

“Are you the head?”

“The head?”

“Are you the leader of the five of you?”

The punk scoffed.

“You should watch your mouth. If you knew who these people are, myself included…”

I smiled back at him and read out the level windows of the bastards.

“Seong-ryong, Cheon-woo, Myeong-hwa, So-hye, and finally, you’re Jin-tae. Should I say your surnames, too?”

“…”

Five pairs of eyes widened in astonishment. No, including Hyeok Mujin and Cheong Pung, seven pairs of eyes were now fixed on me.

“Ah, and this is a personal request, but please, don’t ask me how I knew. I’m sick of that line. If you say it, I’ll hit you.”

“How did you—”

“Do you have radishes stuck in your ears?”

The next moment, my palm met the punk’s cheek.

SMACK!