Episode 469
“Huh.”
Baekhyun Dojang, who entered the dark city wearing a mask obtained from the author, let out an exclamation.
A global market where all kinds of stolen goods, stolen goods, and illegal goods are traded.
Although it may seem dark and unhygienic from the word of mouth, in reality, Heuksi was neater and better organized than an ordinary market.
‘It reminds me of the old days.’
I fiddled with the mask and drew a smile on my face.
The shape of a fox with raised eyebrows.
Although the shape is slightly different, he previously wore a similar mask when he was active as a member of the Homyeonhyup (狐面俠).
-From now on, let’s talk in full voice.
-All right.
-There is no need to look around so hard. If an item is classified as a famous sword, it will not be displayed at a newsstand but will be put up for auction.
-Auction? Are you saying that there is also an auction held in Heuksi?
-Precious items such as treasured swords, treasured weapons, and elixirs were sold by setting up a separate stage and making customers compete with each other.
-How do I participate in the auction?
-You can participate if you become the holder of a golden plaque.
-......Then I won’t be able to watch the auction process.
There was a hint of regret in Baekhyun Dojang’s eyes.
He came here as an agent of the Chief Minister.
And the certification plaque that the Chuga Jangju had was a wooden plaque, not a golden plaque.
-Let me tell you in advance, we will not be participating in the auction.
-yes? What do you mean by that?
-It is unclear whether the auction will be held today, and above all, there is no guarantee that Hyeonsamun’s treasure will be included in the list of entries. There is no need to waste time.
-What do you plan to do?
-If you present the golden plaque, you will be able to summon at least an executive-level person, if not the general manager of this place. I will negotiate with him.
-I don’t know much about black people, but I know through rumors how cruel they are. Will they obediently hand over the goods?
-I will give it to you. As long as you offer enough money.
-I don’t have the ability to pay an amount that will satisfy them.
-Don’t worry about the amount. If it’s money, there’s enough money to rot.
-Hyeonsamun will never forget this kindness. I promise to pay you back no matter how long it takes.
It didn’t really matter if I forgot anything.
If it had been any other martial arts faction, they would have gotten compensation somehow, but they didn’t want to be so ruthless towards Hyeonsamun.
How much regret did I have after seeing Hong Seong-hyeon’s body in front of my eyes?
Even though I couldn’t properly take care of him, I still had regrets about letting go of my subordinate who had been with me since the Sacheon branch in vain.
‘Even though this is ultimately just self-satisfaction.’
When Hong Seong-hyeon was alive, he thought his recluse was terrible.
I thought that this would comfort his soul a little.
* * *
“Please come this way.”
After checking the golden plaque, the dark-eyed warrior came out and guided Baekhyun Dojang to a corner place.
When he pierced the wall here and there with a long needle, the wall cracked and a hidden space was revealed.
‘Why do they have so many mechanical devices?’
I was able to see once again how much effort black merchants put into maintaining a stable business.
Although they reap astronomical profits every year, the amount of money they invest in security must also be significant.
As I sat at the table and waited, a beautiful woman wearing thin clothes appeared and sat down across from me.
A revealing outfit reminiscent of a blood flower witch.
Baekhyun Dojang, unable to find anywhere to place his eyes, cleared his throat and turned his head.
“Nice to meet you. “It’s called Cheonseolhwa.”
“I was surprised. “It’s hard to believe that such a young and beautiful person is an official of the Black City.”
I said things I had no intention of saying and watched the other person’s reaction.
“customer. “Would you mind giving me a moment?”
A woman who gestured with her hand called me to stop.
I narrowed my eyes and turned around to see her seductively speaking in a coy voice.
“I have important information to give only to the owner of the golden plaque...”
Judging by the way he gestured towards Baekhyun’s seal, it seemed like he wanted to talk about it alone.
After asking Baekhyun’s understanding, I sat down again with my butt pressed against the chair.
I could have just ignored it and gone, but my curiosity was greater than my annoyance.
Sure!
The sound of the engine operating penetrated my ears.
The exit closed, leaving the woman alone in the dark secret room.
The woman with a charming smile on her lips placed her hand on her chest and lowered her head.
“Let me introduce myself again. “My name is Tian Xuehua, a disciple of Hao Wen and a disciple of Wen Zhou.”
“...!”
“It is an honor to meet the Dragon King Daehyeop like this.”
* * *
I thought it was strange.
This is because it is not common for a dark-skinned person, even an executive, to appear in front of customers with a bare face.
‘Cheonseolhwa. Come to think of it, I have the same last name as Cheon Ga-ryeong.’
It was hard to see it as a coincidence.
I thought maybe Hao Wen-ju had given each of them an alias to use while carrying out their mission.
‘Were Heuksi and Haomun connected?’
When I think about it, I didn’t even know it was natural.
I should have noticed that Cheon Ga-ryeong would go in and out of Heuksi when he was bored.
“What is someone like Hao Mun’s leader doing here?”
“Unfortunately, I am not the leader now.”
A woman shaking her head with a bitter expression.
A conversation I had with Cheon Ga-ryeong in the past flashed through my mind.
[What happens if I lose the competition?]
[Nothing special will happen, right? At most, he would be stripped of his position as leader and demoted to branch leader?]
[......Isn’t this a purge?]
[It’s just the minimum measure to ensure that no one is dissatisfied with the results and plots a rebellion. . It’s not like my life is in danger.]
‘I get the general idea.’
Apparently, the woman in front of me was one of those who lost the succession competition and was stripped of her position as leader.
Of course, he was not the leader, but his status within the sect must have been quite high.
There was no way he would entrust the important responsibility of being an executive of Black City to just anyone.
Due to the nature of Heuksi, which travels around various regions, he may not be able to perform the role of branch manager, but it is clear that he will have a corresponding position.
“How did you know I would be here?”
“How could you not know? “The entire region is abuzz with stories about the Great Cooperative.”
“Well, it’s quite predictable.”
“For now, I will return this to you.”
The woman, Cheon Seol-hwa, pushed a bundle of slips in front of me.
I tilted my head and asked.
“Are you okay? “Even if I return the sales money like this.”
“Would it be okay to rip off the Daehyup and not anyone else? “I planned to do this from the beginning.”
“.......”
“With this, the Great Hyeop owed Hyeonsamun a debt of 800 gold coins without spending a single penny.”
I just burst out laughing.
I was afraid that someone might not be Hao Wenju’s disciple, so my heart was not normal.
As I put the slip in my pocket, Cheonseolhwa took out a neatly folded piece of paper from a secret space under the table and handed it to me.
“And this is the information requested by the Daehyup. Please check.”