The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The Daehwa Merchant Group was one of the top merchant groups in Huguang Province.

In truth, their claim was a bit exaggerated; they’re slightly less prominent. Still, they’re at least the twelfth largest.

The fact that they managed their own merchant group across the vast Central Plains and beyond the boundaries of the province spoke to their significance.

They had good relations with the major sect, the Azure Forest, so much so that not only Jin Ri-yeon but also other disciples of the Azure Forest were indebted to the Daehwa Merchant Group.

Naturally, the larger merchant groups in Huguang Province, like them, operated commercial routes up to Kaifeng in Henan.

Although the Emperor moved the capital to Beijing, Kaifeng remained a massive city.

It’s the origin of the term sleepless city, shining brightly day and night.

It’s also home to the orthodox Murim Alliance, a place where aspiring martial artists dream of visiting.

This was no different for the third-generation disciples of the Azure Forest.

Contrary to expectations, they ended up serving as guards for the Daehwa Merchant Group, but they tried hard to suppress any ominous feelings.

The merchant group had goods to transport, with ox-drawn carts. With a group of twenty, there was no need to take treacherous mountain paths.

They mostly traveled on well-maintained official roads, occasionally traversing mountains, so it seemed unlikely they would encounter rough situations.

Above all, they were reassured by the kind and respectful attitude of the merchant group leader.

Though they were hired as guards, the merchant group leader didn’t treat the third-generation disciples as mere warriors.

Respectfully addressing them as “sir warriors,” Son Hee-il, who was just of age, felt his shoulders rise with pride.

The quick-witted Son Hee-il, observing this, suggested an idea.

‘Turns out, the silver we received as payment is way more than what normal guards get. Could it be because of that?’

‘Because of what? What are you talking about?’

‘Well, our Azure Forest is quite renowned in Hunan, right? It might be their way of maintaining a good relationship with a major sect.’

‘That means…’

‘It means if they take care of us next-generation successors now, someday we’ll become important martial artists in our sect.’

That sounded plausible.

It was a sharp and somewhat audacious deduction.

In fact, many merchant groups did sponsor next-generation successors.

Perhaps the Daehwa Merchant Group was aiming for that too.

Who would have thought beneath that plump merchant group leader’s expression lay such shrewd calculations?

The third-generation disciples felt a sense of pride, mixed with tension from their venture into the ruthless martial world.

They didn’t bother sharing their speculation with Jin Ri-yeon.

But that was a mistake on their part.

Had Jin Ri-yeon heard it, she would have surely corrected them.

“It’s a misconception,” she would have said.

The leader of the Daehwa Merchant Group wasn’t so ambitious or complex.

The reason for the generous payment was simply to get their money’s worth of work.

However, the third-generation disciples soon found out their purpose.

It was when they first encountered bandits in the mountains, leaving the Hunan region.

These bandits, who fancied themselves as noble Green Forest members, were a common sight for merchant groups on each journey.

The third-generation disciples tensed up at the sight of the Green Forest members but weren’t overly worried.

It’s not practical to engage in bloody battles every time they crossed the mountains. Most situations were resolved in a more moderate manner.

A burly man, looking unwashed for a month with bushy hair, stepped forward.

He had a hole where his right eye should be, not even covered with an eye patch, perhaps to appear more intimidating.

“Cough, spit!”

The gruff Green Forest member spat out thick phlegm, baring his yellow teeth as he recognized the merchant group leader.

Beside him stood a lean man, seemingly his subordinate.

“It’s been a while, Daehwa Merchant Group Leader.”

Recognizing and greeting the leader suggested they had met before and had passed without incident.

“Our heroes of the Azure Forest and Daehwa Merchant Group meeting again like this is a heavenly fate. Truly a three hemps’ romance… no, wait. Vice Fort Leader, what was it?”

“It’s three lifetimes’ strange fate.”

“Right, three lifetimes’ strange fate, isn’t it?”

The seemingly illiterate bandit surprisingly used a literary phrase, likely with the help of the person called Vice Fort Leader beside him.

“From the Thirty-Six Forts of Green Forest, under the great Dragon’s Den Fort, our Dragon Alliance Fort brothers… Uh, what was it again, Seo Saeng-won?”

“You must remember that we diligently maintain these mountain paths.”

“Yes, indeed.”

The bandit called Seo Saeng-won almost spoke for the camp leader.

“If you pay a modest toll, we will continue to ensure the safe passage of the Daehwa Merchant Group.”

“That’s right.”

It must have been a phrase used dozens of times before.

This was the relationship between the Green Forest and the merchant groups. Bloodshed was not common.

The merchant groups pay a toll, and in return, the Green Forest members let them pass.

“Not too much is needed…”

The critical question was how much they would ask for.

If they demanded an excessive amount or aimed to take the entire cargo, a fight would be inevitable.

That’s why guards were necessary.

The third-generation disciples understood this and quietly rested their hands on their swords.

“Just fifty nyang, please.”

It must be fifty copper nyang, not silver nyang. A standard toll fee.

“Or, you can give a little less and share some meat or liquor with us. Ha-ha-ha!”

The generous offer relaxed the third-generation disciples.

It seemed they could laugh and pass by if they just tossed a few coins.

The Daehwa Merchant Group Leader stepped forward, with Jin Ri-yeon quietly following him.

The merchant group leader had a smile spread across his face.

He reached into his robe as if searching for a pouch.

“We’ve maintained a good relationship with you for a long time.”

However, what he pulled out was not a pouch.

Brandishing a plump potato, the merchant group leader spat out his words, “This is the end, you filthy bandits!”

“…What?”

“I’m sick of listening to your foul-smelling nonsense. Since the warriors of the Azure Forest are here with us. Drop everything you have and get lost! Return all the tolls we’ve paid you over the years!”

The Dragon Alliance Fort bandits wore expressions of complete confusion.

The dumbfounded bandit leader’s face contorted in anger.

“This pig! Do you want to die?!”

Losing face in front of his rough Green Forest men was as good as the end.

The humiliated bandit leader immediately swung his zhanmadao blade.

Though unlikely trained in proper swordsmanship, the bandit leader’s ferocity was significant. His heavy zhanmadao blade made a slicing sound through the air.

Whoosh—!

A stroke mighty enough to split the corpulent merchant group leader in two.

The merchant group leader’s face turned pale.

However, Jin Ri-yeon, standing behind him, was not idle.

The characteristic of whip swords was their ability to be concealed, like a belt or within the folds of clothing.

Jin Ri-yeon appeared defenseless.

That’s why the bandit leader didn’t pay her any heed.

The zhanmadao blade didn’t reach the merchant group leader.

Instead, the hand holding the blade was severed.

Swish—

The wrist, still clutching the zhanmadao blade, spun through the air.

None of the dozens of bandits saw Jin Ri-yeon draw and swing her whip sword.

Blood spurted from the severed wrist.

The merchant group leader, his face covered in blood, frantically wiped it off, and only then did the bandit leader realize his wrist had been cut off.

“Ahh, ahhh!”

In a flurry, he tore his garment to bind his right wrist.

It was a rough and ready emergency treatment characteristic of a bandit.

The scene was so surreal that a heavy silence fell around them.

Jin Ri-yeon, her clothes unstained with blood, spoke, “To resort to murder so quickly. Everyone, lay down your weapons and disperse.”

Her voice was not raised, yet the intimidation was palpable.

The bandit leader, belatedly feeling the rush of pain, sweated profusely.

He had always known a day like this might come.

Not being part of the esteemed Green Forest’s Thirty-Six Forts, bandits like them, preying on merchants, would meet their end if they crossed paths with orthodox martial artists.

But Kang Ho-gul, the leader of Dragon Alliance Fort, though weak in martial arts, was a man of wickedness.

“That wretched woman, boys, take them down!”

As he shouted, his vision suddenly went black.

Pffft—!

With a grimace, Jin Ri-yeon swiftly dealt with Kang Ho-gul. It was Kang Ho-gul’s luck that the vast difference in martial arts prowess didn’t result in his death.

It seemed he had quite loyal subordinates.

Although the one called Vice Fort Leader immediately fled, several bandits gripped their weapons.

“Kill them!”

“Fort Leader!”

There were those who shot arrows and others who charged with crude blades.

Though more than half immediately turned to flee, the third-generation disciples inevitably drew their swords.

“That leader of the merchant group!”

Son Hee-il, infuriated, cut down the bandit charging at the front.

He hadn’t expected to gain practical experience so soon.

Just giving coins would have sufficed, but the merchant group leader had deliberately provoked them. Son Hee-il resolved to grab the merchant group leader’s collar once this was over.

Yu Su-rin dashed past his side, deflecting an incoming arrow with her whip sword, and remarked.

“Wasn’t Senior Ri-yeon really cool?”

“I don’t know!”

About ten bandits didn’t flee but charged instead.

None were skilled in martial arts, but the third-generation disciples’ hearts pounded, facing sudden real combat.

Thankfully, no one, including the merchant group members, was hurt.

Jin Ri-yeon intervened whenever danger arose.

However, even after the exhausting first real fight, Son Hee-il couldn’t punish the merchant group leader.

Because his respected senior, Jin Ri-yeon, had explained with a smile, “It was the order of the Wisdom Sword Pavilion Master.”

The elders of the sect decreed to dismantle the Green Forest mountain strongholds that were extorting the common people on the way to Kaifeng.

The Daehwa Merchant Group Leader, upon hearing the Azure Forest’s suggestion, was thrilled and took action. For him, it was a welcome opportunity to deal with the bandits who were always a costly nuisance.

That’s why he had given so much silver to the third-generation disciples.

“So, does this mean… we’ll continue to do this?”

“At least until we reach Kaifeng, right?”

The next-generation successors of the orthodox faction defeating bandits was indeed a traditional act of heroism.

However, the problem was that this Green Forest subjugation was extremely arduous and unprofitable, so no one did it anymore.

“Hehe, thanks to you warriors, not only our merchant group but also the local farmers can travel to and from their villages in peace.”

The merchant group leader, rubbing his hands subserviently, was undeniably irritating.

Jin Ri-yeon offered some encouragement in his way.

“I remember when I went to the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.”

“…How many times did you encounter Green Forest members then?”

“Well, maybe…”

Jin Ri-yeon counted on one hand, then started counting on the other.

“About seven times?”

“To do this six more times…”

It wasn’t a small number. But, if these were the type of scoundrels they’re dealing with, it was certainly doable.

Roughly once every two or three days, they would need to subdue bandits.

“It should be fine.”

“We… can manage it.”

The third-generation disciples forced a smile.

However, the seven times Jin Ri-yeon mentioned did not hold true.

Exactly double.

By the time the third-generation disciples and Daehwa Merchant Group reached Kaifeng, where the Murim Alliance was, they had toppled a total of 14 minor mountain strongholds.

It was unclear whether the Green Forest had expanded its influence since the last Dragon-Phoenix Conference, or if villagers had taken up pitchforks and fled to the mountains due to famine. But the mountains were teeming with Green Forest members.

The third-generation disciples, who once dreamed of making a name through heroic acts, had not expected such an opportunity to come so soon.

Moreover, they hadn’t anticipated that upon their arrival in Kaifeng, an unknown nickname would be born.

Nobody knew.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!