The Return of the Namgoong Clan’s Granddaughter - Chapter 173



Only Noblemtl

Episode 173

* * *

When Seolhwa returned to the underworld with the head of Doksu Ssangwi, the situation had already been resolved.

If you don’t surrender, I’ll show you the death of Dok-su-sang-gwi, but there was no need to do that.

While Heukunbang tied up and subdued the Black Socialist Party, the remaining leaders, and their subordinates, Yeong confronted Mr. Okmyeon in the Black Socialist Party’s office.

Seolhwa hid her body and observed Okmyeonseonsaeng’s reaction while giving instructions to Yeong through voice.

“So, who are you?”

“My name is Mr. Ok-myeon.”

“Master Ok-myeon. That’s a nickname that doesn’t suit Heuk-do.”

“I, I didn’t put it there. The underworld guys put it there…!”

Jade face.

This is an expression used when one’s face is as beautiful as jade.

In politics, the expression ‘okmyeon’ is usually used to describe someone with a tall and beautiful face, so it is closer to a compliment.

One, this place is black.

In this place where rough and strong human figures are the ideal, you are Mr. Ok-myeon?

“You’re making fun of me.”

“…exactly.”

“Why did you stay in a place like this, being ridiculed like that?”

“… There has to be somewhere else to go. Even if it’s just a damn bookworm, if it’s a place where I can fully display my abilities, I don’t care if it’s black or white.”

“Is this the result?”

Mr. Ok-myeon clenched his teeth.

Although I don’t have any particular affection for the underworld, I did my best to come here and build my power and establish a foundation.

A small force of only about twenty people has grown to this size thanks to him…!

“I… didn’t know I would be betrayed like this.”

“You didn’t know you’d be betrayed while immersed in darkness? I don’t know if that’s a complacent answer or a stupid answer.”

“Ugh… .”

“Why do you think the underworld has become like this?”

“Because you are strong. And also because the Dark Society fearlessly charged at an enemy whose backstory they did not even know.”

“Isn’t it because someone who can’t even take care of himself is acting like a strategist?”

“!”

“If he had been a capable strategist, wouldn’t he have persuaded the black socialists to prevent such an unfortunate incident from happening?”

“… That’s right.”

The very fact that he was unable to convince the black socialists disqualifies him as a strategist.

How can a strategist who has not earned the trust of his lord fulfill his duties as a strategist?

“What you said… is correct. It’s my fault that the underworld has become like this.”

“no.”

“…?”

“How can the strife between the dark forces be the fault of the strategist? In the first place, wouldn’t those who live as they please simply follow his orders?”

If they were obedient people, would that be a problem?

“… .”

The masked face was tilted crookedly.

Although he couldn’t see his expression, Mr. Okmyeon thought he was laughing at him.

“As you said, the reason the underworld has become like this is because they are weak and stupid. If it was your fault, it would have been that you came to the underworld and tried to act as a strategist.”

“… Are you trying to tease me right now?”

A low laughter echoed through the auditorium.

Mr. Ok-myeon frowned briefly.

The spirit continued speaking.

“I’m going to give you a chance.”

“opportunity…?”

“Choose. Will you leave the Black Island and return to where you used to live, or will you stay by my side and continue to be that damned strategist?”

Mr. Ok-myeon couldn’t answer right away and just smiled.

I thought you called me here to find out information about the Black Sword leaders, but what? You want me to be your strategist?

“Are you saying you’ll just let me go?”

“Did you think I was going to kill you?”

“…of course.”

I thought they would kill me when I was no longer useful.

“Have you ever raped a woman?”

“… None.”

“Have you ever killed someone for no reason?”

“None.”

“Have you ever made a profit by buying or selling people?”

“Such actions are hateful.”

Are you really going to make me do that to you?

As Seolhwa’s questions continued, Mr. Okmyeon’s face darkened.

But the conclusion was different from what he expected.

“That’s why I’m letting you live.”

“…Just because of something like that?”

That’s usually about… .

‘ah.’

This is Heukdoji. Even the Doksu Twin-Eared guys enjoyed two out of the three.

The Black Socialists also did not stop them, as they were the main force behind the Black Society.

‘Does that mean that Interest does not tolerate any of those three?’

As the leader of the Black Sword?

Mr. Ok-myeon glanced at Ling with a look of disbelief.

‘I can’t read your expression because of the mask.’

“Can I ask you just one thing?”

The spirit nodded.

“What are you… trying to do? What are you trying to accomplish by gathering the power of the forces and using someone like me?”

“Well, don’t you think we don’t know each other enough to have such deep conversations?”

“…!”

It was a remark aimed at the inner strength of the Jeongpa that Mr. Okmyeon was hiding.

Mr. Ok-myeon hurriedly averted his gaze.

It seemed like he was never going to reveal his true identity, let alone what he was hiding.

– Your Majesty, do you really intend to keep someone like this by your side?

Ling asked Seolhwa.

– The more suspicious you are, the more you should keep it by your side. Until you figure out why it flowed into the Black Sea with the internal energy of the Jeongpa.

– One, will this one remain?

– Those who remained in the underworld despite being ridiculed. I guess they had nowhere else to go.

From what you say, it seems like you’re pretty good at thinking.

It is better to keep an extraordinary person by your side and observe him/her, whose past life is unknown.

– Tell Mr. Ok-myeon.

Ling relayed Seolhwa’s words to Master Okmyeon.

“If you want to leave, I won’t stop you, but I have to promise you one thing.”

Mr. Ok-myeon looked up at Ling with wavering eyes.

“If you stay by my side, you will be able to make a name for yourself as a very good bookseller.”

* * *

Mr. Okmyeon did not leave. Instead, he summarized his opinions on all those who belonged to the underworld.

The criteria for judgment were the three questions that Sulwha had asked him.

Seolhwa and Ling decided on the disposition of the Black Society members by referring to the report of Mr. Okmyeon.

Most of the remaining members of the Dark Society survived because there were few who were as cruel and took life lightly as the Dok-su-sang-gwi.

Black socialism also survived.

It met the three criteria, and because someone was needed to lead the underworld in one way or another.

Seolhwa sent them back to the underworld and ordered them to report their movements once a week.

Knock knock, there was a knock on the door.

Immediately afterwards, the Black Cloud Ark came in and took the lottery ticket towards the spirit.

But the greeting was directed at Seol-hwa, who was behind the spirit and behind the thin door.

“What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty, I have found the person you spoke of.”

“!”

“I heard that Mr. Okmyeon knows about that person’s whereabouts. It seems to be somewhat consistent with what we have investigated, so I came to tell you that it seems like reliable information.”

The door opened and Seolhwa came out from behind it. Yeong naturally got up and made way for her.

Black Cloud Ark handed Seolhwa a rolled up piece of paper.

“It’s most likely here.”

Seolhwa immediately pulled the string that was tying it and checked what was written.

What was drawn on paper was a simple map depicting the terrain.

At the top of the map it said, ‘Changsha, Hunan Province.’

It was a splendid city where people flocked, as it was home to Dongting Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Central Plains, and the Yangtze River and four rivers centered around Dongting Lake.

There was one place marked in red on the map.

And above the red sign was written the name ‘Haomun (Lower Five Gates)’.

“That is where Haomenju is supposedly located.”

The red mark did not indicate a single location, but rather a specific area within the business.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you more details.”

“This is enough.”

It’s amazing just to have figured this out.

I waited without any expectations since I told Black Cloud Ark to find someone six months ago.

I really hope that Black Cloud Ark can find her, but Hao Wenzhou is not someone that can be found easily.

‘If it had been a few years later, I would never have found it.’

As Haomen’s influence grows and Haomenju begins to thoroughly erase his traces.

It was possible now because the size of the force was small.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After finishing the report, Black Cloud Ark went out.

Seolhwa looked at the area marked on the map again. Imoogi came out of her sleeve and looked at the map with her.

[Are you thinking of going yourself?]

– huh.

[If you care this much, then Haomun must be a pretty powerful dark force.]

Is it because I have been living in a place cut off from the secular world for too long?

The snake did not know the Haomun.

Seolhwa smiled brightly and stroked the snake’s small head with her fingers.

The snake, which had been angry at Seolhwa for being arrogant when first touched, would come closer to him and rub against him, and now it didn’t get angry even when Seolhwa stroked its head.

– Haomun is a group of people from the lower classes, including gisaengs, pickpockets, thieves, coachmen, and janitors.

[Gisaengs and pickpockets? Are those among them the ones with the strongest martial arts skills?]

– When do people who are busy making ends meet have time to learn martial arts?

[underneath?]

– There are things that only those in the lowest positions can do.

Seolhwa clicked on the red area marked on the map.

– information.

[They handle information?]

– People don’t care about the lowest class. To them, they are just background, rocks rolling on the roadside. Who would be careful about what they say in front of rocks?

The geishas listen to the stories told by the guests of the bar while serving them, and the gisaengs obtain information thoughtlessly dropped by drunken customers.

– Pickpockets, thieves, and coachmen are the same. They get information and grasp the situation through the words and actions that people say without thinking.

[Hoo.]

– Do you know what happens when you collect such trivial and small information?

[I know.]

Seolhwa withdrew her finger pointing at the red area and spread her hand out over the map.

– You will be able to read the world.

The power to hold and shake the world in your hands.

It comes from the power of information.

That is why the political forces that fly and crawl cannot ignore the opening created by beggars.

Although it has little influence now, Haomen will become an information organization that surpasses openness in a few years.

– That’s why I value Haomen.