ATPnovel Chapter 200 : Special Task Force (1)
Chapter 200 : Special Task Force (1)
Shortly after Ha Joo-myeong, the eldest son of Myriad Gold Manor, departed.Jin Seong-un spent a brief moment recalling their encounter before he turned to Lee Seowon and asked,
“Ha Joo-myeong. Has that man learned martial arts?”
“As far as I know, yes. He wishes to become the Merchant King himself.”
The Merchant King was, at that time, not only the greatest merchant but also the greatest martial artist.
Jin Seong-un’s eyes narrowed.
“I couldn’t read his level.”
“You? You’re saying that as strong as you are, you couldn’t?”
Seo Yu-gyeom asked in rare astonishment.
He himself hadn’t been able to gauge Ha Joo-myeong’s martial prowess. But he had assumed someone of Jin Seong-un’s caliber would surely be able to discern it.
Jin Seong-un slowly shook his head.
“It wasn’t the feeling of simply being unable to read a master’s level. For example, when I stood before the Wudang Sword Immortal, it felt as if he stood on a higher plane—too far above me to see clearly. But Ha Joo-myeong… he felt as though he was hidden within a dense fog, as if his form was obscured.”
It was a feeling similar to when he had first met Seo Yu-gyeom. Thanks to the Heaven-Slaying Star’s natural subtlety, his level had also been difficult to perceive.
As Jin Seong-un continued speaking, Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak’s expressions grew increasingly serious.
To them, Jin Seong-un was a monster who had long transcended common sense. So if he showed uncertainty toward Ha Joo-myeong, it naturally made the others tense as well.
“Well, the only way to know for sure would be to cross swords with him. That won’t happen for now, so there’s no point overthinking it…”
Jin Seong-un soon pushed Ha Joo-myeong’s image out of his mind. There were more pressing matters at hand.
“Did you find out anything?”
At his question, Lee Seowon gave a small nod. But unlike usual, his confident and composed expression was absent.
He began to speak.
“There existed an organization called Mu-gung (Martial Palace). Judging by the goods being transported there, it seems to be a large-scale group researching martial arts. Most notably, they purchased Hanryeonghwa (Cold Bloom).”
“That confirms it.”
The moment Hanryeonghwa was mentioned, suspicion turned into certainty.
Only one thing remained.
“The location?”
“…I couldn’t confirm it. Ha Joo-myeong suddenly appeared, and I couldn’t investigate further.”
Lee Seowon looked dejected.
If he had been given just a little more time, he might have been able to uncover the location.
Jin Seong-un nodded toward him.
“Still, you’ve given us enough to be sure. Without you, we might have wasted a long journey going in circles.”
Saying so, Jin Seong-un looked at the towering walls in the distance. Myriad Gold Manor was so vast that parts of it could be seen from nearly anywhere in Nanjing.
“Now we’ll need some help. Chief Lee, to pinpoint Mu-gung’s location, whose help should we seek?”
Lee Seowon’s previously gloomy expression instantly changed.
When it came to work, emotions had no place.
He twitched his fingers in the air for a moment before continuing with a clear, organized explanation.
“Hanryeonghwa is a rare spiritual herb. It’s impossible to obtain a thousand blossoms at once, so they must transport it every time they acquire some. The problem is storage—they’ll need an enormous amount of ice. Since Myriad Gold Manor doesn’t deal in ice…”
Within Lee Seowon’s mind, countless pieces of information spread out like a complex map.
Intelligence from all corners of the world, allies who could assist Seong-un Inn, and among them, those who could be trusted.
Lee Seowon grinned. His new lord, Jin Seong-un, unlike Ha Joo-yeon, had an abundance of capable allies around him.
“We can request assistance from Hwa-un Trading Company and the Red Cliff Escort Agency to monitor nationwide distribution networks—especially the movements of escort agencies. Ask Elder Byeok of the Beggars’ Union about those who’ve traded with the Baek Li Clan. And if possible, we can inquire about renowned herbalists through the Tang Clan and Elder Divine Physician.”
“Oh.”
Jin Seong-un wasn’t the only one impressed—Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak also let out brief sounds of admiration.
For something thought up on the spot, the plan’s direction was remarkably precise.
Indeed, through those networks and eyes, they’d likely be able to trace any movement related to Hanryeonghwa.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“Then let’s send letters to all of them first. After that, it’s best we return to Yichang.”
Information always required a central hub.
Besides, he wanted to inform the Martial Gods of the situation and seek their counsel.
The others agreed to Jin Seong-un’s suggestion. Thus, the group set off for Yichang—toward Seong-un Inn.
Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak were all skilled martial artists, so their pace was swift.
Taking turns carrying Lee Seowon on their backs, they were able to travel continuously without rest.
After several days of relentless travel, they finally arrived in Yichang—only to be greeted by an unexpected sight.
A group of people loitered near Seong-un Inn, some of whom Jin Seong-un already recognized.
“Hwa Myeong Dojang? Baek Sang Dojang, Miss Tang, and Miss Namgung too…”
Dragon Seizer (Chwiryong), Poison Phoenix (Dokbong), Sword Phoenix (Geombong).
And even Baek Sang, the foremost disciple of the Wudang Sect.
From that alone, Jin Seong-un could roughly infer who the others were.
As the group approached, Hwa Myeong raised his hand with his usual harmless smile.
“Hey, it’s been a while!”
“Master Jin! Young Master Seo! Seomun the Rascal!”
Tang So-yeon also stepped forward cheerfully to greet them.
Sword Phoenix, Namgung Rin, appeared slightly awkward, bowing from a polite distance.
When Jin Seong-un nodded back, Namgung Rin’s expression brightened in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, others began acknowledging Jin Seong-un as well.
“Oh, so you’re the famed Guest Dragon? Huh, you look more ordinary than I expected. From the rumors, I thought you’d look like some kind of monster.”
The man who so casually opened with rudeness.
He was slightly short, but his body was compact and muscular. His sharp gaze radiated fierce competitiveness, unusual for a young master of the orthodox sects.
When Jin Seong-un stared at him silently, the man flashed a wide grin—his pointed canine teeth distinctly visible.
“Ah, my introduction’s late. Pleased to meet you. I’m Gwang-un of the Diancang Sect. Though the world tends to call me Gwang-ryong (Mad Dragon).”
One of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes—Mad Dragon.
A martial artist of the orthodox faction known for his love of battle and aggressive temperament, earning him the character Mad (狂) in his epithet.
Jin Seong-un didn’t find the fighting spirit radiating from his entire body very pleasant and merely gave him a faint nod.
In response, Gwang-ryong’s lips twisted further, as if he found that reaction amusing.
“This time, the rumors were true. I heard you tend to look down on anyone, no matter who they are. Well, can’t blame you—you’re that strong. Fair enough.”
Jin Seong-un ignored whether the words were sarcasm or praise.
As he moved to enter the inn, a tall, well-groomed man approached and spoke.
“I am Moyong Hyeon. I’ve been appointed as the temporary Captain of the Special Task Force under the Murim Alliance. People sometimes call me the Sword Dragon, though I’m not particularly fond of the title.”
“Special Task Force?”
“It’s a temporary unit formed under direct orders of the Chief Strategist to uncover the truth behind the Baek Li Clan incident. As you can see, it’s composed of successors from the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans.”
Only then did Jin Seong-un take a proper look at the Special Task Force members.
The bald man with the gentle expression was undoubtedly the successor of Shaolin, while the large, broad-shouldered man with a saber at his waist was clearly from the Peng Clan.
Jin Seong-un began making a few deductions, but soon lost interest and spoke in a dry tone.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You don’t look pleased at all.”
“If that’s how it seems, I apologize. I’ve just returned from a tiring journey.”
Sword Dragon Moyong Hyeon nodded once before going straight to the point.
“Do you know why we’ve come all the way to Yichang?”
“No idea.”
“I heard you and Dragon Seizer handled the Baek Li Clan affair together. If you know anything further related to it, we naturally expect you to share that information.”
It was a bold demand.
He spoke as if, because he was a successor of one of the Five Great Clans, one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, and the Captain of the Murim Alliance’s Special Task Force, others were obligated to comply.
Jin Seong-un glanced past Moyong Hyeon to gauge the others’ expressions.
Baek Sang, as usual, was smiling sheepishly in friendly amusement. Tang So-yeon and Hwa Myeong, however, subtly shook their heads.
Jin Seong-un finally said,
“No.”
“……”
Perhaps the reply was too unexpected.
Moyong Hyeon’s brow furrowed in displeasure.
“Not a ‘don’t know’ or ‘don’t have,’ but ‘no’?”
“Yes. The Baek Li Clan was also a prestigious family of the orthodox path. In such times, who can one truly trust?”
“Heh…”
Moyong Hyeon let out a hollow laugh.
His expression suggested that comparing the Baek Li Clan to the Five Great Clans or the Nine Sects was absurd.
Then he said,
“Guest Dragon. This isn’t a request. As I said, the Special Task Force was organized directly by the Chief Strategist. To ignore its request is to disregard the Chief Strategist—and by extension, the Murim Alliance itself.”
“Is that so?”
At Jin Seong-un’s indifferent response, Moyong Hyeon’s gaze sharpened as he took a step closer.
He was tall enough to look slightly down at Jin Seong-un.
Yet no one in the room thought Jin Seong-un was intimidated by him.
With his usual calm and unflinching eyes, Jin Seong-un stared right back.
Moyong Hyeon continued.
“If you don’t plan to spend your life quietly running an inn in some countryside, you’d best choose your direction clearly. You’ve already stepped into the martial world, Guest Dragon. Decide whether you’ll be called righteous—or unorthodox.”
“I’ll choose the righteous path.”
“……”
“You told me to choose.”
Moyong Hyeon’s face twisted in disbelief.
What kind of man mocked the entire orthodox world so easily?
With a low and sharp tone, Moyong Hyeon spoke again.
“Such choices aren’t made with words but proven through actions. I’ve heard you employ martial artists of unorthodox origin at your inn.”
“If you’re referring to the innkeeper’s boy, the Shui Stronghold has already abandoned banditry and now runs an escort business.”
“Do you know why the martial world is divided so clearly between righteousness and evil? It’s because, by nature, we are different beings. Even if they escort goods, those people would feel the urge to seize anything valuable that catches their eye.”
At that moment, Jang Gwang—who had been quietly listening inside the inn—let out a faint aura of hostility.
Sensing it, Moyong Hyeon sneered.
“You see? That inability to conceal their base instincts—that’s what defines the vulgar unorthodox lot. Keep associating with them without regard for ideology, and one day, Guest Dragon, you too may become an enemy of the righteous martial world.”
It was a clear warning.
He was telling him to actively cooperate with the Murim Alliance and distance himself from those who walked the paths of heresy and demonic arts.
At a glance, his words sounded reasonable. But to Jin Seong-un—who had witnessed the corruption of the Baek Li Clan, Mount Heng Sect, and Sima Hwi among the so-called righteous—it rang as pure sophistry.
“Is that the opinion of the Special Task Force? Or Moyong Hyeon’s personal opinion?”
“Of course, it represents the stance of the righteous martial world’s Special Task Force—”
“That’s your personal opinion. Maybe others would agree, but not the Tang Clan.”
Tang So-yeon cut in abruptly.
Moyong Hyeon’s expression contorted instantly.
Regardless, Tang So-yeon went on.
“If the day comes when the righteous sects treat Master Jin as their enemy, the Tang Clan will turn against the Murim Alliance as well. Our debts and favors are clear—Master Jin protected the Tang Clan’s greatest treasure.”
“Treasure?”
When Moyong Hyeon looked at her quizzically, Tang So-yeon proudly pointed at herself with her index finger.
“Me.”
“……”
“Anyway, for that reason, if the Tang Clan has to choose, we’ll side with Seong-un Inn. When that happens, I might have to learn how to cook.”
Jin Seong-un replied,
“A Tang Clan cook sounds a bit…”
“Hey! I was defending you!”
Tang So-yeon pouted but continued with composed conviction.
“As far as I know, Hwa Myeong Dojang and Baek Sang Dojang also owe their lives to Master Jin. If things ever reach an extreme, they’d likely choose Seong-un Inn too. It’s regrettable we can’t cooperate, but his decision isn’t without reason. So how about we end it here and move along? We didn’t come to fight, did we, Moyong Hyeon?”
Though Moyong Hyeon found the situation extremely unpleasant, Tang So-yeon had spoken up for his sake.
—Can’t you do something about that temper of yours?
Tang So-yeon sent a voice transmission behind Jin Seong-un’s back.
For there, standing silently and observing the situation with cool restraint, was a man—
Seo Yu-gyeom.
And in his hand, he was already gripping the Heaven-Slaying Dagger.