Chapter 529

Chapter 529

When Jin Ja-gang returned to the Tang Family Estate with Yeong-gwi.

All the people of the Tang Family were outside.

Not only the family members, but also martial artists from vassal families, guests who came as retainers, servants and maids, everyone.

Tang Ha-ran came forward first, holding Poison Heaven. Behind her, Baek-won hopped joyfully.

Jin Ja-gang put down the baggage he had carried and approached Tang Ha-ran and Poison Heaven. Poison Heaven burst into tears. Tang Ha-ran handed Poison Heaven to Jin Ja-gang. Poison Heaven smelled the scent from Jin Ja-gang’s body and stopped crying as if by magic. With fern-like hands, he grabbed the front of Jin Ja-gang’s chest and sucked with his mouth.

Tang Ha-ran came and pressed her nose against Jin Ja-gang’s neck and smelled.

“The stench of blood…”

He had washed cleanly and obtained new clothes, but the deeply ingrained stench of blood didn’t easily disappear.

Tang Ha-ran looked up at Jin Ja-gang. Small teardrops formed in Tang Ha-ran’s eyes.

“I don’t know if these words are appropriate, but congratulations.”

Jin Ja-gang had finally achieved his revenge.

Revenge against the true enemy responsible for the destruction of the Hundred Flowers Valley.

Jin Ja-gang hugged Tang Ha-ran together with Poison Heaven.

Baek-won climbed up Jin Ja-gang’s back to his shoulder, sat down, and cried out long with a happy expression.

Kiiiiuuuu…

Tang Ha-ran muttered in Jin Ja-gang’s embrace.

“But the stench of blood on your body won’t wash off for a while…”

That scene was being watched by the Poison King Tang Qing from a hill overlooking the Tang Family Estate.

Tang Qing’s nose turned red for no reason. Tang Qing coughed and muttered quietly.

“Well done.”

* * *

The Hungry Ghost King died.

The greatest mastermind who had plunged jianghu into countless chaos disappeared.

However, since a mastermind is by definition someone hidden behind, not everyone could feel it even if he disappeared. Probably most people would just ask “So what?” even if told the Hungry Ghost King died.

But to those involved, it felt completely different.

The promissory notes and ledgers Jin Ja-gang brought.

Not only the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the Central Plains, but a massive amount of unpaid promissory notes and transaction records encompassing great merchants, major merchants, and minor merchants were in Jin Ja-gang’s hands.

Looking at the promissory notes and ledgers piled high on the table, the Tang Family elders couldn’t say anything.

Among the promissory notes Jin Ja-gang brought were receivable notes and payable notes. Receivable notes were money to be received, and payable notes were money to be given.

One elder asked in confusion.

“Why… did you bring these?”

He didn’t ask because he didn’t know the reason.

If these promissory notes and ledgers disappeared entirely, the circulation of money in the Central Plains would be blocked. The current jianghu was teeming with those blinded by greed. Those who couldn’t receive the money they should receive and those trying to seize the unclaimed money would compete.

Chaos incomparable to the present would come to the Central Plains. So they couldn’t just leave it alone even knowing this.

But bringing the promissory notes didn’t solve the problem. If he brought them, there must also be an answer.

“There are quite a few payment notes with deadlines approaching right now. Of course, there are some we can collect…”

The moment the existence of the promissory notes was revealed, Jin Ja-gang would become a bandit who killed people and robbed promissory notes. It was clear theft. And if someone questioned it, Jin Ja-gang would have no way to avoid it in any way.

One of the elders said.

“Since things have come to this anyway, let’s close our eyes and get rid of the payable notes.”

The other elders smiled bitterly. If they could ignore the payable notes and use force to only collect the receivable money, the Tang Family Estate would become the greatest wealthy family in the Central Plains in an instant.

Then the Tang Family Estate would likewise be no different from bandits. Also, innocent civilians would suffer damage because of it, so how could they handle that?

Even understanding the speaker’s heart, it was something the Tang Family couldn’t do, and since there would be tremendous profit just by solving the current promissory notes well, there was no need to do so.

“If we want to process these promissory notes, we must devise a plan in some way. Whether we’re called thieves or whatever, if we want to prevent chaos in jianghu, we must actively resolve these promissory notes.”

Another asked.

“But if they ask us to pay the money whose deadline is approaching right now, we don’t have money to give. How do we handle that?”

Everyone was racking their brains. The Tang Family’s finances were already at rock bottom. Everyone knew they shouldn’t be dependent on money. However, realistically, it was difficult to live without money. Even sustaining a sect wasn’t easy.

No answer came on how to handle those things.

Then Jin Ja-gang spoke.

“I’ll take them.”

The elders’ gazes naturally turned to Jin Ja-gang.

“I did this. Since I brought the promissory notes, I’ll handle them.”

The elders dissuaded him.

“We understand you don’t want to harm the family, but…”

It wasn’t something Jin Ja-gang could resolve alone.

However, Jin Ja-gang showed his will to do it himself.

“If the Tang Family resolves the matter, not me but the Tang Family could become the target. Then not me but innocent people will be harmed.”

Bearing it alone and handling it alone.

Jin Ja-gang was used to that. He had thought it was natural.

But surprisingly, all the Tang Family elders opposed.

“That’s your way when you were alone, Poison Dragon.”

“As long as you’re a person of our family, how can we separate you from the Tang Family?”

“You’ve done so much for the Tang Family, yet you want to take responsibility alone too. Then we’d be shameless.”

“You don’t need to take on everything yourself anymore.”

Rather, Jin Ja-gang was dumbfounded. Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran.

Tang Ha-ran’s influence in managing the Tang Family had greatly changed the elders’ position like this.

Tang Ha-ran smiled.

“The elders are right. You’re my husband and a person of our family. We missed it when you went to catch the Hungry Ghost King, but from now on we won’t let you shoulder all the burden alone.”

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment, then shook his head.

He drew a line.

“No. We can’t drag the family into something I can do alone. I don’t care if I’m treated as a thief, but the family must have justification. Have you forgotten the matter at the Do River?”

When the Tang Family was desperately trying to somehow recover the poisoned salt, Baek Li-jung cornered the Tang Family by saying he would release that salt to the civilians.

The justification at that time was relief for the civilians.

This time was the same. If Baek Li-jung came forward saying he would reclaim the promissory notes Jin Ja-gang ‘robbed’ for the merchant world, the moral high ground would again side with Baek Li-jung.

“So, I must do it.”

“I said no. That’s now our Tang Family’s property.”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression became puzzling. Looking at Tang Ha-ran’s smiling expression, it didn’t particularly seem like she was greedy for the promissory notes.

Tang Ha-ran spoke in a teasing tone, but seriously.

“You’re the one who forgot. You coaxed me for the house deed and took it.”

“…”

“Since the family invested, naturally that’s our family’s property.”

“I borrowed it temporarily.”

“Where in the world is there someone who lends a house deed for free? Even between close spouses, we must uphold what should be upheld.”

Even Jin Ja-gang of all people was at a loss for words.

The elders chuckled. How many people in the world could corner Jin Ja-gang like this?

But then.

Suddenly a messenger rushed in urgently and reported.

“Big trouble!”

The messenger was so urgent that his face had turned completely pale and even his lips were parched dry.

One elder ordered.

“Report.”

“The Poison Dragon…”

The messenger swallowed dry saliva and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“The Poison Dragon attacked the Baek Li Family’s estate and massacred the martial artists participating in the martial arts tournament.”

“What?”

“During the banquet, they were poisoned and their bodies torn to shreds, so out of a thousand people, fewer than a hundred survived.”

They understood why the messenger looked at Jin Ja-gang. The elders also couldn’t help but look at the Poison Dragon.

What on earth did that mean?

“…But the Poison Dragon is right here?”

* * *

The Poison Dragon caused a great massacre at the Baek Li Family’s martial arts tournament.

The Baek Li Family’s estate was sealed off.

The poison the Poison Dragon used spread, and the Baek Li Family’s estate became a place where people couldn’t live.

The sects that participated in the martial arts tournament urgently sent people, but couldn’t enter the estate and couldn’t properly recover the bodies.

All of jianghu was engulfed in grief and shock.

Those gathered there weren’t ordinary martial artists but the leaders of each sect. But nine out of ten of them died…

Great damage came to jianghu’s martial arts world.

They said he would participate in the martial arts tournament, but who knew he would participate in this way?

A great killing spree. A terrible great killing spree appeared. Since all the sect leaders died, the future became bleak as to how to stop the Poison Dragon now.

It was a serious crisis for the martial arts world.

They could no longer guarantee jianghu’s future from Jin Ja-gang’s hands.

However, even in the midst of this, a rumor that became a ray of hope circulated. That the Poison Dragon was severely wounded fighting Baek Li-jung and fled.

That there was currently only one person who could fight and defeat the Poison Dragon.

That fact was jianghu’s only solution and consolation.

* * *

Due to the unprecedented incident, the Baek Li Family lost the land they had lived on.

The Baek Li Family decided to move all their territory to the Murim Alliance headquarters in Nanchang. Perhaps it was even better this way.

Baek Li-jung stayed holed up until the very end in the estate the Baek Li Family was temporarily using and didn’t show himself.

When the Baek Li Family’s move was almost finished.

Baek Li-jung opened the door of his temporary residence and came outside.

Creeeak.

When he opened the door, a sudden intense stench of blood spread.

Outside, more than ten people were lined up waiting for Baek Li-jung, and flinched at the suddenly wafting stench of blood. However, they soon hid their expressions and bowed with clasped hands.

“We greet the Martial Alliance Leader.”

Baek Li-jung looked at them and smiled quietly. Then he greeted them with very heroic and dignified bearing, clasping his fists.

“Welcome.”

Those who met Baek Li-jung were without exception wrapped in the finest silk and accessories.

The owners of the Ten Great Merchant Houses and wealthy merchants comparable to them.

They had come to find Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung looked at them and said.

“Circumstances aren’t favorable, so please understand that I can’t properly receive guests.”

The merchants bowed again.

“You’re too kind.”

Then they requested with earnest voices.

“Please help us, Alliance Leader.”

“The money we earned with blood and sweat fell into an evildoer’s hands in an instant, and we don’t know what to do.”

Baek Li-jung nodded.

“How could I not know the reason such esteemed people came here? Don’t worry. I will definitely retrieve your property. A world where those who arbitrarily kill people and plunder others’ property cannot oppress those who live righteously. That is precisely the world I desire.”

Baek Li-jung smiled contentedly.

“However, that’s not possible by my power alone. Come, we’ll have a simple drinking table brought, so let’s go to the back garden. Let’s see what you can do for me for the new world.”

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When Jin Ja-gang returned to the Tang Family Estate with Yeong-gwi.

All the people of the Tang Family were outside.

Not only the family members, but also martial artists from vassal families, guests who came as retainers, servants and maids, everyone.

Tang Ha-ran came forward first, holding Poison Heaven. Behind her, Baek-won hopped joyfully.

Jin Ja-gang put down the baggage he had carried and approached Tang Ha-ran and Poison Heaven. Poison Heaven burst into tears. Tang Ha-ran handed Poison Heaven to Jin Ja-gang. Poison Heaven smelled the scent from Jin Ja-gang’s body and stopped crying as if by magic. With fern-like hands, he grabbed the front of Jin Ja-gang’s chest and sucked with his mouth.

Tang Ha-ran came and pressed her nose against Jin Ja-gang’s neck and smelled.

“The stench of blood…”

He had washed cleanly and obtained new clothes, but the deeply ingrained stench of blood didn’t easily disappear.

Tang Ha-ran looked up at Jin Ja-gang. Small teardrops formed in Tang Ha-ran’s eyes.

“I don’t know if these words are appropriate, but congratulations.”

Jin Ja-gang had finally achieved his revenge.

Revenge against the true enemy responsible for the destruction of the Hundred Flowers Valley.

Jin Ja-gang hugged Tang Ha-ran together with Poison Heaven.

Baek-won climbed up Jin Ja-gang’s back to his shoulder, sat down, and cried out long with a happy expression.

Kiiiiuuuu…

Tang Ha-ran muttered in Jin Ja-gang’s embrace.

“But the stench of blood on your body won’t wash off for a while…”

That scene was being watched by the Poison King Tang Qing from a hill overlooking the Tang Family Estate.

Tang Qing’s nose turned red for no reason. Tang Qing coughed and muttered quietly.

“Well done.”

* * *

The Hungry Ghost King died.

The greatest mastermind who had plunged jianghu into countless chaos disappeared.

However, since a mastermind is by definition someone hidden behind, not everyone could feel it even if he disappeared. Probably most people would just ask “So what?” even if told the Hungry Ghost King died.

But to those involved, it felt completely different.

The promissory notes and ledgers Jin Ja-gang brought.

Not only the Ten Great Merchant Houses of the Central Plains, but a massive amount of unpaid promissory notes and transaction records encompassing great merchants, major merchants, and minor merchants were in Jin Ja-gang’s hands.

Looking at the promissory notes and ledgers piled high on the table, the Tang Family elders couldn’t say anything.

Among the promissory notes Jin Ja-gang brought were receivable notes and payable notes. Receivable notes were money to be received, and payable notes were money to be given.

One elder asked in confusion.

“Why… did you bring these?”

He didn’t ask because he didn’t know the reason.

If these promissory notes and ledgers disappeared entirely, the circulation of money in the Central Plains would be blocked. The current jianghu was teeming with those blinded by greed. Those who couldn’t receive the money they should receive and those trying to seize the unclaimed money would compete.

Chaos incomparable to the present would come to the Central Plains. So they couldn’t just leave it alone even knowing this.

But bringing the promissory notes didn’t solve the problem. If he brought them, there must also be an answer.

“There are quite a few payment notes with deadlines approaching right now. Of course, there are some we can collect…”

The moment the existence of the promissory notes was revealed, Jin Ja-gang would become a bandit who killed people and robbed promissory notes. It was clear theft. And if someone questioned it, Jin Ja-gang would have no way to avoid it in any way.

One of the elders said.

“Since things have come to this anyway, let’s close our eyes and get rid of the payable notes.”

The other elders smiled bitterly. If they could ignore the payable notes and use force to only collect the receivable money, the Tang Family Estate would become the greatest wealthy family in the Central Plains in an instant.

Then the Tang Family Estate would likewise be no different from bandits. Also, innocent civilians would suffer damage because of it, so how could they handle that?

Even understanding the speaker’s heart, it was something the Tang Family couldn’t do, and since there would be tremendous profit just by solving the current promissory notes well, there was no need to do so.

“If we want to process these promissory notes, we must devise a plan in some way. Whether we’re called thieves or whatever, if we want to prevent chaos in jianghu, we must actively resolve these promissory notes.”

Another asked.

“But if they ask us to pay the money whose deadline is approaching right now, we don’t have money to give. How do we handle that?”

Everyone was racking their brains. The Tang Family’s finances were already at rock bottom. Everyone knew they shouldn’t be dependent on money. However, realistically, it was difficult to live without money. Even sustaining a sect wasn’t easy.

No answer came on how to handle those things.

Then Jin Ja-gang spoke.

“I’ll take them.”

The elders’ gazes naturally turned to Jin Ja-gang.

“I did this. Since I brought the promissory notes, I’ll handle them.”

The elders dissuaded him.

“We understand you don’t want to harm the family, but…”

It wasn’t something Jin Ja-gang could resolve alone.

However, Jin Ja-gang showed his will to do it himself.

“If the Tang Family resolves the matter, not me but the Tang Family could become the target. Then not me but innocent people will be harmed.”

Bearing it alone and handling it alone.

Jin Ja-gang was used to that. He had thought it was natural.

But surprisingly, all the Tang Family elders opposed.

“That’s your way when you were alone, Poison Dragon.”

“As long as you’re a person of our family, how can we separate you from the Tang Family?”

“You’ve done so much for the Tang Family, yet you want to take responsibility alone too. Then we’d be shameless.”

“You don’t need to take on everything yourself anymore.”

Rather, Jin Ja-gang was dumbfounded. Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran.

Tang Ha-ran’s influence in managing the Tang Family had greatly changed the elders’ position like this.

Tang Ha-ran smiled.

“The elders are right. You’re my husband and a person of our family. We missed it when you went to catch the Hungry Ghost King, but from now on we won’t let you shoulder all the burden alone.”

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment, then shook his head.

He drew a line.

“No. We can’t drag the family into something I can do alone. I don’t care if I’m treated as a thief, but the family must have justification. Have you forgotten the matter at the Do River?”

When the Tang Family was desperately trying to somehow recover the poisoned salt, Baek Li-jung cornered the Tang Family by saying he would release that salt to the civilians.

The justification at that time was relief for the civilians.

This time was the same. If Baek Li-jung came forward saying he would reclaim the promissory notes Jin Ja-gang ‘robbed’ for the merchant world, the moral high ground would again side with Baek Li-jung.

“So, I must do it.”

“I said no. That’s now our Tang Family’s property.”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression became puzzling. Looking at Tang Ha-ran’s smiling expression, it didn’t particularly seem like she was greedy for the promissory notes.

Tang Ha-ran spoke in a teasing tone, but seriously.

“You’re the one who forgot. You coaxed me for the house deed and took it.”

“…”

“Since the family invested, naturally that’s our family’s property.”

“I borrowed it temporarily.”

“Where in the world is there someone who lends a house deed for free? Even between close spouses, we must uphold what should be upheld.”

Even Jin Ja-gang of all people was at a loss for words.

The elders chuckled. How many people in the world could corner Jin Ja-gang like this?

But then.

Suddenly a messenger rushed in urgently and reported.

“Big trouble!”

The messenger was so urgent that his face had turned completely pale and even his lips were parched dry.

One elder ordered.

“Report.”

“The Poison Dragon…”

The messenger swallowed dry saliva and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“The Poison Dragon attacked the Baek Li Family’s estate and massacred the martial artists participating in the martial arts tournament.”

“What?”

“During the banquet, they were poisoned and their bodies torn to shreds, so out of a thousand people, fewer than a hundred survived.”

They understood why the messenger looked at Jin Ja-gang. The elders also couldn’t help but look at the Poison Dragon.

What on earth did that mean?

“…But the Poison Dragon is right here?”

* * *

The Poison Dragon caused a great massacre at the Baek Li Family’s martial arts tournament.

The Baek Li Family’s estate was sealed off.

The poison the Poison Dragon used spread, and the Baek Li Family’s estate became a place where people couldn’t live.

The sects that participated in the martial arts tournament urgently sent people, but couldn’t enter the estate and couldn’t properly recover the bodies.

All of jianghu was engulfed in grief and shock.

Those gathered there weren’t ordinary martial artists but the leaders of each sect. But nine out of ten of them died…

Great damage came to jianghu’s martial arts world.

They said he would participate in the martial arts tournament, but who knew he would participate in this way?

A great killing spree. A terrible great killing spree appeared. Since all the sect leaders died, the future became bleak as to how to stop the Poison Dragon now.

It was a serious crisis for the martial arts world.

They could no longer guarantee jianghu’s future from Jin Ja-gang’s hands.

However, even in the midst of this, a rumor that became a ray of hope circulated. That the Poison Dragon was severely wounded fighting Baek Li-jung and fled.

That there was currently only one person who could fight and defeat the Poison Dragon.

That fact was jianghu’s only solution and consolation.

* * *

Due to the unprecedented incident, the Baek Li Family lost the land they had lived on.

The Baek Li Family decided to move all their territory to the Murim Alliance headquarters in Nanchang. Perhaps it was even better this way.

Baek Li-jung stayed holed up until the very end in the estate the Baek Li Family was temporarily using and didn’t show himself.

When the Baek Li Family’s move was almost finished.

Baek Li-jung opened the door of his temporary residence and came outside.

Creeeak.

When he opened the door, a sudden intense stench of blood spread.

Outside, more than ten people were lined up waiting for Baek Li-jung, and flinched at the suddenly wafting stench of blood. However, they soon hid their expressions and bowed with clasped hands.

“We greet the Martial Alliance Leader.”

Baek Li-jung looked at them and smiled quietly. Then he greeted them with very heroic and dignified bearing, clasping his fists.

“Welcome.”

Those who met Baek Li-jung were without exception wrapped in the finest silk and accessories.

The owners of the Ten Great Merchant Houses and wealthy merchants comparable to them.

They had come to find Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung looked at them and said.

“Circumstances aren’t favorable, so please understand that I can’t properly receive guests.”

The merchants bowed again.

“You’re too kind.”

Then they requested with earnest voices.

“Please help us, Alliance Leader.”

“The money we earned with blood and sweat fell into an evildoer’s hands in an instant, and we don’t know what to do.”

Baek Li-jung nodded.

“How could I not know the reason such esteemed people came here? Don’t worry. I will definitely retrieve your property. A world where those who arbitrarily kill people and plunder others’ property cannot oppress those who live righteously. That is precisely the world I desire.”

Baek Li-jung smiled contentedly.

“However, that’s not possible by my power alone. Come, we’ll have a simple drinking table brought, so let’s go to the back garden. Let’s see what you can do for me for the new world.”

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